bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study The Effects Of Corporate Image, Service Quality And Price Perceptions On Customer Satisfaction And Purchase Loyalty (A Survey On Pertamina In South Sulawesi Province)
Authors: Lolo Paulus Johan
Published: March 2020

This study seeks to analyze the influence of corporate image, quality services and price perceptions of Pertamina product customer satisfaction, analyze the influence of corporate image, service quality and price perceptions on purchase loyalty, analyze customer satisfaction on purchase loyalty, and analyze the influence of corporate image, service quality and price perception through customer satisfaction on purchase loyalty. The study was conducted at the Pertamina Office in South Sulawesi Province with a population of 5,540 people and a sample of 277 respondents based on a 5% Quota sampling method. Data were analyzed using the Structural Equation Model using AMOS 18. The results found that corporate image, service quality and price perception had a positive and significant effect on customer satisfaction. Corporate image, service quality and price perception have a positive and significant effect on purchase loyalty. Customer satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on purchase loyalty. Feelings of pleasure using the product as an actualization of the attitude of customer loyalty, corporate image and service quality through customer satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on purchase loyalty, while price perception through customer satisfaction has a positive and insignificant effect on purchase loyalty.
Impact of Information Technology on Internal Supply Chain Management Implementation of RFID Tags
Authors: Khan Shaharyar , M. Asim , S. Manzoor
Published: March 2020

This research is related to the effects produced by Information technology on the Internal Supply Chain Management of the companies. It tells how the organization works through IT. RFID tags within the organization are associated with multiple advantages especially it is beneficial for managing the supply chain. The cost efficiencies & cost-effectiveness are promoted by multiple elements. RFID is a path towards the future. The future wants everything which is not only flexible and innovative but also the least expensive in order to give the best customer service. It is represented by the study that through RFID tags the major benefit attain is that data transfer is easy. Furthermore, it has better data capturing quality.
Recognize Facial Impression using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ali Montaser Hassan Bashir , Elfadil Osman Mudathir
Published: March 2020

This paper aims to design an artificial neural network to discover the impression by recognizing the expression of the human face. To achieve this goal, the artificial neural network was analyzed and to create patterns of the database containing a set of images with different expressions. The learning process of the network was also conducted through patterns training. The extent to which patterns of online training were recognized was compared to the true values of expressions. The grid was trained in 200 patterns and the anomalies were removed. Then re-learned the network again and analyzed the network performance by comparing the real expression with the expected expression and outputting the error for the network appearing. Impression recognition in the grid applied a three-layer back propagation model, with an average error of 0.321. The performance of the artificial neural network in the recognition of impressions was 80%
Soil Resistivity Adequacy Assessments: Case Study of Proposed School of Environmental Technology Building Federal University of Technology, Akure
Authors: Olayinka Oyeleye Matthew , Makanju T. D.
Published: March 2020

Earthing system are used to divert faulty currents to the ground or earth. Thus, a properly designed earthing system capable of dissipating fault currents safely to the ground or earth is required for safety of life and property hence the focus of this project in determining earthing resistance/resistivity adequacy of a Proposed School of Environmental Technology Building (PHASE III), Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. 4-point measuring technique, Wernner method, using digital earth tester, model 6472-AEMC is used in this work. The site is divided into five transverse for the tree buildings on site. The result shows that the earthing resistance of one building (transverses 1 and 3) generally varies from 3.9? to 54 ?, second building: 2.3? to 11.9? and for third building: 2.2? to 6.4 ?. Of the samples taken, building 1, 2 and 3 conformed to 4%, 47% and 50% of International Electrochemical Standard (IEC) and 48%, 60% and 100% of British International Standard (BIS). Transverse 5 is the best transverse for earthing because 50% of the points met IEC and 100% of the points met BIS standard for earthing resistance value. Earthing rod or mat can be installed at some points in building 1 and 2 in their transverse but not at every point but at any point in building 3 transverse. Earthing rod or mat at can be installed at 150mm (minimum) in the transverse that meet up the international code’s resistance value requirement.

The result also establishes that resistance is directly proportional to soil resistivity, the lower the earth resistance the lower the soil resistivity. Building 3 which is closest to swamp area has lower resistance value (2.2?). The site is okay for earthing without any earthing improvement. Earthing resistance value test should be carried out on site prior earthing installation.
The Analysis of Bending Stiffness and Strength of Glue Laminated Nigerian Timber
Authors: Okafor Kingsley Kenechukwu , Ezeagu Celestine Akaolisa
Published: March 2020

An analysis into the flexural strength of solid and laminated timber specimens under working conditions was conducted. Five hardwoods and five softwoods were investigated, namely: Mansonia, Mahogany, Orji, Ukpi, Ufi mmanu, White Afara, Owen, Melina, Akpu and Ubia. The dimensions of the wood specimens are 100mm×50mm×20mm. The wood samples were tested for flexural strength using a Universal Testing Tensile Machine. The results obtained shows that Owen has the highest ultimate wood strength of 46.806N/mm² for the softwood glulam. Ukpi has the highest wood strength of 73.375N/mm² for the hardwood glulam, and highest MOE at 2412.93N/mm². Akpu recorded the weakest sample with bending strength values for glulam at 11.929 N/mm². Comparisons of strength were made to their respective solid timbers. Failure modes were analyzed. The study therefore demonstrates that the timber species used can be engineered to load bearing glulam structural elements using polyurethane adhesive glue without severe loss of strength.
Diagnosing Diabetes Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Orukwo Joy Oyinye , Kabari Ledisi Giok
Published: March 2020

Diabetes has always been a silent killer and the number of people suffering from it has increased tremendously in the last few decades. More often than not, people continue with their normal lifestyle, unaware that their health is at severe risk and with each passing day diabetes goes undetected. Artificial Neural Networks have become extensively useful in medical diagnosis as it provides a powerful tool to help analyze, model and make sense of complex clinical data. This study developed a diabetes diagnosis system using feed-forward neural network with supervised learning algorithm. The neural network is systematically trained and tested and a success rate of 90% was achieved.
Computation of the Negative Damping Associated to the Hunting Motion of the Railway Wheelset, without Using Geometrical or Tribological Restrictions into the Model
Authors: Suciu Barenten
Published: March 2020

Recently, analytical expressions for the damped natural frequency and damping ratio were proposed for the so-called dynamical hunting, either by assuming that the wheel conicity can be neglected, or by imposing restrictions on the ratio between the lateral and longitudinal creep coefficients, and also, on the ratio of the track span to the yawing diameter. However, instead of a pair of complex conjugate roots, and two real roots, of opposite sign, two pairs of complex conjugate roots were obtained for the characteristic equation. Purpose of this work is to achieve accurate expressions for the damping associated to the hunting motion, without imposing geometrical or tribological limitations into the vibration model, and to evaluate the error on the damping ratio, introduced by the simplified models. Also, nature of the roots of the characteristic equation is discussed, relative to the critical speed of the railway vehicle.
Intensive Improvement of Cementite Synthesis
Authors: Soleymani Amir Peyman , Panjepour Masoud , Meratian Mahmood
Published: March 2020

Cementite extraordinary mechanical properties have drawn the attention of researchers in recent years. But, the limited methods for the production of this material, led to the production of iron with more than 2.1%wt carbon content beside free carbon by simultaneous thermal-mechanical activation of hematite and graphite mixture at 800°C for 6 hours in the present research. Then, a structure with more than 80%wt cementite was obtained through partial melting process at 1180°C for 25 minutes.
Design and Cost Optimization of Heat Exchangers Network System in a Typical Brewery Plant
Authors: Mathew Shadrack Uzoma , Aban Tamzor Lebari
Published: March 2020

Heat exchanger design and cost optimization had been carried out for Pabod Brewery, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria using Pinch Technology as process application method. The gross energy expenditure by the plant is 10.44MW at production capacity of 400,000 liters of beer per day. On quantitative aggregate 6.157MW goes for heating and 4.267MW for cooling. A temperature pinch or minimum approach temperature (ΔTmin) of 100C, minimum heating utility of 5.04MW and cooling utility of 3.09MW were recorded. Energy upturn of 1.08MW and 1.23MW for the hot and cold flows were measured. This finding correlates to energy conservationS of 18% for hot utility and 21% for the cold utility. Overall improvement in capital and annualized costs of 39% was achieved for the hot and cold utilities. The researchers strongly recommend the outcome of this research to process applications in brewery, chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas industries.
Disaster Risk in Central Asia: Socio-Economic Vulnerability Context and Pilot-Study of Multi-Risk Assessment in a Remote Mountain Area of Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Umaraliev Ruslan , Moura Rui , Havenith Hans-Balder , Almeida Fernando , Nizamiev Abdurashit G.
Published: March 2020

The Kyrgyz Republic, as well as other countries of Central Asia, is highly exposed to natural-environmental hazards, which continues undermining efforts to achieve sustainable development. National disaster risk assessment procedures in Central Asian countries are mainly based on the evaluation of hazards without a detailed analysis of vulnerability and resilience. Additionally, the available practices of hazard assessments are mostly based on a zone-by-zone approach, which would make it difficult to develop a comparative assessment of facilities located in the same hazard zone. This situation hampers the efforts of the local governments to effectively plan and implement disaster risk reduction (DRR) actions when they cannot differentiate the individual facilities according to the risk level in order to focus the existing capacity (which is usually very limited) on increasing the resilience and reducing the vulnerability of the facilities with the highest risk. For improvement of DRR practices, the quantitative comprehensive approach of risk analysis applied in this study is used for risk assessment of educational institutions in one of the most seismically active and most disaster-prone mountain regions of Central Asia - the Alay valley, a wide intermontane valley situated in between the two biggest mountain systems in Asia: Tian Shan and Pamir. The developed multidisciplinary study suggests that the quantitative multi-risk assessment approach - can play a crucial role in understanding risks and can significantly improve the quality of disaster risk reduction planning.
Evaluation of the Current Land Registration System in the Gaza Strip
Authors: El-Hallaq Maher A. , El-Sheikh Eid Mahmoud I.
Published: March 2020

The increasing demand on land in Palestine has been significantly increasing from time to time by the ever rapidly growing need of the human and livestock population. It may be  known that there are some troubles facing the decision makers regarding managing and utilizing the available data in some of the governmental organizations, especially in the Gaza Strip. In addition to, what the local residents in it are facing in identifying their land properties' borders and what the municipalities are facing regarding maps and drawings. Moreover, the Gaza Strip suffers from the lack of advanced techniques that may help and support land registration such as GIS technology. Palestinian Land Authority, PLA, in the Gaza Strip starts using GIS since 2007, and that is limited by the dealings that are being accomplished, as it is all about just drawing the piece of land and recording its owner's name, in addition to the basic data regarding to the land itself and its owner. This study aims to evaluate the currently-used system for land registry in the Gaza Strip. It is concluded that this system for land information, in general, and land registry, in particular, is extremely traditional and mainly paper based procedure. It is strongly recommended to be developed in order to reflect the changes occurred regarding land information management.
Fractal Dimension Analysis of Aluminum Corrosion Roughness by Electrochemical and Optical Methods
Authors: Menchaca-Campos Elsa Carmina , Villalba-Enciso Erika Rocio , Juarez-Nuñez Victor , Flores-Dominguez Miriam , Mayorga-Cruz Darwin , Tapia Rene Guardian , Uruchurtu-Chavarin Jorge
Published: March 2020

Fractal dimension is a versatile method to study and evaluate corrosion from the point of view of metallic conditions, namely: surface roughness, electrochemical measurements and microscopy images. Aluminum corrodes at different rates, under different pH electrolytes with or without the presence of chloride ions. In this work, corrosion and the surface roughness for aluminum corrosion at different pH electrolytes: acid, with and without chlorides, neutral and basic solutions, were obtained. It was measured and obtained using electrochemical and optic techniques. The results of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Noise Measurements (ENM), Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micrographs and their respective Fractal Dimension analysis were obtained.. For the different experimental techniques and conditions, fractal dimension was obtained and presented, reflecting the surface condition of aluminum corrosion as a function of pH solution.
Corneal Placido Topography And Its Correlation With The Best Fitting Curve For Non-Astigmatic Eyes
Authors: Pateras Evangelos S. , Konstantinos Karaabatsas
Published: March 2020

Placido topographer CSO Phoenix had been used to measure 30 peoples corneas with astigmatism < 0.50 Dc (University of West Attica) and their refractive maps were taken. The refractive power map was used with measurements taken at the horizontal (180°), vertical (90°), and oblique axes (45° and 135°) for each of these 30 people. The keratometric measurements for > 5mm were recorded. The investigation took place at University of West Attica. The results showed that the shape of the cornea varies in the various meridians (e.g. 180° or 90°) and even with oblique meridians (e.g. in the nasal relative to the temporal side) and its curvature correlates with a different equation for each meridian.
Oxidative Stess Index (OSI) Condensed Questionnaire
Authors: Zeliger Harold I
Published: March 2020

The oxidative Stress Index (OSI) has been shown to predict the onset of non-communicative disease.  A condensed form of the OSI questionnaire has now been developed to enable meaningful OSI data to be obtained from answers to only eight questions, rather than the 400+ items contained in the original detailed questionnaire.
Ultrasonography features and screening of ovarian masses in reproductive-age women
Authors: Spiridonova N.V. , Demura A.A. , Katyushina V.O.
Published: March 2020

Ovarian neoplasms can develop at any age, carry a high risk for malignant transformation, reduce the reproductive potential of a woman and are an indication for surgery. The search for optimal screening algorithms for ovarian tumors is still ongoing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic efficacy of ultrasonography (US) features in differentiating between benign, malignant and borderline tumors in reproductive-age women. We examined 168 reproductive-age women with ovarian masses who underwent surgery in 2012–2015 and compared the results of histopathological examinations with pulsed-Doppler US findings. We did not establish a correlation between the size/volume of the tumor and their morphological structure. We identified the echotexture characteristics associated with malignancy, including the presence of a solid component (р < 0.001); septations (р = 0.029) and projections on the internal surface of the tumor capsule (р < 0.001); moderate or significant buildup of free fluid in the small pelvis (р = 0.007), and the nodular surface of the tumor capsule (р = 0.008). Solid ovarian masses were at increased (31.69-fold) risk of transformation into malignant or borderline tumors, whereas for a mixed (cystic and solid) type the risk of such transformation increased 3.46-fold. We also identified Doppler parameters that can clearly discriminate between benign and malignant growths, including the blood flow rate in the tumor over 1.85 cm/s (р = 0.007) and RMI over 0.16 (р = 0.013). The sensitivity and specificity of our diagnostic model are 87% and 68%, respectively, with a probability threshold of 0.3.
Eğitim Sisteminden Ahlaki Değerlerin Kazandırılması Yönünde Epistemik İnanç ve Beklentiler
Authors: TABAK Hasan , AHİ Berat
Published: March 2020

Bu çalışma öğretmenlik eğitimi alan üniversite öğrencilerinin ahlak eğitimiyle ilgili olarak eğitim sisteminden beklentileri belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma nitel araştırma mantığında yürütülmüş olup fenomenografik araştırmadır. Araştırmada veriler yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile elde edilmiş ve görüşme formu soruları temelde 1 soru özelinde 5 sonda soru üzerinde yapılandırılmıştır. Araştırmada görüşme sonuçları içerik analizi yoluyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, eğitim sistemi içerisindeki çocuğa kazandırılması beklenen ahlaki değerlerin sadece okulların görevi değil aynı zamanda aile, toplum ve sosyal çevrenin payı ve rolü bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Ahlaki edinimin değerlerden ödün vermeme, bireysel ahlaktan çoğul ahlaka, ahlak gelişiminin bir bütün olması formal veya informal eğitimin işlevinin olduğu ortak sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar kapsamında, ahlaki değerlerin doğrudan anlatımla değil yaşamın bir parçası ve içselleştirdiğimiz olgular bütünü olduğu düşüncesi eğitim sisteminden bu yöndeki beklentilerini daha makul düzeyde olmasını sağlayabilir.
Examining the Profiles of Scientists in Secondary Science Textbooks in Turkey
Authors: GÖKSU Volkan , İNALTEKİN Tufan
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is to examine the profiles of scientists in textbooks prepared to be taught in high school science courses in Turkey. The sample of this study consists of 33 high school science textbooks prepared by the Ministry of National Education Publishing House for both general high schools and science high schools and by private publishing houses for the textbooks of biology, physics and chemistry courses at high schools in 2018-2019 academic year. Document analysis design, which is one of the qualitative research methods is used in this study. The data of the study are analyzed in terms of gender, nationalities, physical characteristics, the types of scientific study and working environments of the scientists in the textbooks according to class level, science field and the type of publishing house. According to the results of the study, there is no balanced distribution of gender and nationality in textbooks. In addition, it has been found that scientists are represented as stereotypes and the working environments and forms are largely ambiguous. The results of this study indicate that the descriptions of scientists made in secondary school science textbooks should be rearranged in Turkey.
Relativerigidity of twisted fishing gear
Authors: Nedostup Alexander Alekseevich , Konovalova Karina , Nasenkov Pavel , Razhev Alexey Olegovich , Altschul Boris , Fedorov Sergey
Published: March 2020

The article touches upon the problem of physical modeling of fishing twisted filamentary materials, in particular, the justification of the rules of similarity of relative longitudinal, bending and torsional stiffness of filamentary parts. The formulation of the problem is associated with the difficulties of conducting full-scale experiments for designing new fishing gear, as well as with the lack of systematic experiments on measuring the stiffness of synthetic cordage. In connection with this, it becomes necessary to conduct model experiments related to physical modeling of dynamic processes occurring with the cordage under load. There has been calculated the coefficient of proportionality of bending stiffness that determines the ability of filamentary parts and cordage to resist bending. There have been given the formulas that determine the combination of the ratio of bending stiffness to longitudinal stiffness and the dimensionless combination of the ratio of bend-ing stiffness to torsional stiffness. The study allows to predict the behavior and basic properties (di-ameter, density, strength, elongation, etc.) of modern synthetic filamentous fishing gear at the stage of their creation (design).
Índices morfofisiológicos e biofísicos da palma forrageira cultivada sob tecnologias hídricas na bacia do Rio Pajeú
Authors: Nunes Jucilene da Silva Lima , Salvador Kaique Renan da Silva , Jardim Alexandre Maniçoba da Rosa Ferraz , Araújo Júnior George do Nascimento , Carvalho Ailton Alves de , Souza Luciana Sandra Bastos de , Montenegro Abelardo Antônio de Assunção , Silva Thieres George Freire da
Published: March 2020

Estima-se que metade da superfície da Caatinga já foi modificada. A remoção da vegetação aumenta a fragilidade das terras e intensifica o processo de desertificação. Sob condições de aporte hídrico variado, a adoção de tecnologias hídricas é indicada. As características morfofisiológicas e biofísicas da palma forrageira foram investigadas neste estudo como indicativo à adequação do manejo da cultura sob diferentes tecnologias hídricas (clones, irrigação e cobertura morta). O experimento foi conduzido em blocos casualizados, com três repetições, e sob três ambientes de crescimento com uma ou mais tecnologias hídricas: RH(-) - clones sob regime hídrico inferior à normal climatológica (sequeiro); RH(+) - clones sob regime hídrico superior à normal climatológica (irrigado); e, RH(+C) - clones sob regime hídrico superior à normal climatológica (irrigado) e adoção de cobertura morta. Os clones avaliados foram: IPA Sertânia e Miúda, e Orelha de Elefante Mexicana. Medidas biométricas foram obtidas ao longo do tempo e a matéria seca na ocasião da colheita, a partir dos quais, calculou-se índices morfofisiológicos e biofísicos. Os ambientes de crescimento e sua interação com os clones afetaram apenas a magnitude do índice de distribuição dos cladódios de 5ª ordem (p < 0,05), mas foram decisivos na sazonalidade do acúmulo de matéria seca pelos clones. A maioria dos índices morfofisiológicos e biofísicos foi influenciada pelo tipo de clone (p < 0,05). Os índices biofísicos se mostram ótimas opções de substituição ou complementação dos índices morfofisiológicos quando se dispõem apenas de dados biométricos e de matéria seca da ocasião da colheita da palma forrageira.
Presentación
Authors: Cabezudo Baltasar
Published: March 2020

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Analysis on Entrepreneurial Intentions and Motivation and Learning Strategies of University Students
Authors: Sölpük Turhan Nihan
Published: March 2020

The main purpose of the study is to carry out a research on whether “entrepreneurial intentions” and
“motivation and learning strategies” of university students could be predicted according to their year of study
levels. The first sub-purpose of the research is to determine whether there is a relationship between
entrepreneurial intentions and their motivation and learning strategies. The second sub-purpose is to analyze
whether there is a difference between entrepreneurial intentions and their motivation and learning strategies
according to their year of study levels. The method of this study is quantitative, and it has been designed in the
survey approach. The 'Entrepreneurship Scale for University Students' developed by Yılmaz and Sümbül
(2009) was used as the data collection tool. Another scale used in the study was the "Motivation and Learning
Strategies Scale", which was adapted to Turkish by Büyüköztürk, Akgün, Özkahveci et al. (2004). For the
analysis of the data, multinomial logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and one way
variance analysis (ANOVA) were performed. According to the research findings, it was revealed that
entrepreneurial intentions of university students and their motivation and learning strategies were predicted by
their year of study levels at a low level. A weak positive correlation was obtained between entrepreneurial
intentions and their motivation and learning strategies. It was concluded that motivation and learning strategies
would differ according to the year of study level.
A brief history of CAR-T cells: from laboratory to the bedside
Authors: Styczyński Jan
Published: March 2020

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are genetically engineered receptors that provide specific properties to an immune effector cell and these receptors gain the specificity of a monoclonal antibody targeted against specific tumor cells. T cells with engineered CARs acquire potent immunological properties and redirect the immune system in order to eliminate malignant cells. First-engineered T cells with chimeric molecule (CAR-T cells) were developed in 1989–1993 by Israeli immunologists Zelig Eshhar and Gideon Gross. The first clinical application of CAR-T cells was done in the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia by the immunologist Carl June and hematologist David Porter to patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2011 and together with the pediatrician Stephan Grupp to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2012. The US Food and Drug Administration Agency (FDA) in 2017 and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2018 have licensed two products of CAR-T cells: tisagenlecleucel for the use in children and young adults up to 25 years of age with B-cell ALL who do not respond to treatment or have relapsed two or more times and tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel for the use in adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Current progress in CAR technology includes the use in other hematological malignancies, solid tumors, the use of dual CAR-T cells and chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells (CAR-NK cells).
Microbial contamination risk in hematopoietic stem cell products: retrospective analysis of 1996–2016 data
Authors: Antoniewicz-Papis Jolanta , Lachert Elżbieta , Rosiek Aleksandra , Łętowska Magdalena
Published: March 2020

Quality assurance and safety of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with special emphasis on bacterial and fungal contamination is the prerequisite for any transplantation procedure. The aim was to determine the incidence rate of such contamination during processing of transplantation material with regard to HSC source: peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC), bone marrow (BM), or cord blood (CB). Analysis involved autologous and allogenic products dedicated for patients and comprised in all 4135 donations, including 112 BM (2.70%), 3787 PBSC (91.60%), and 236 CB (5.70%) processed in cell bank over the period 1996–2016. Aerobic and anaerobic contamination was determined.

Analysis of the 20-year data revealed 42 contaminated products: 25 PBSC (0.66% of tested units) and 17 CB (7.20% of tested units). No microbial contamination of BM products was detected. Overall percentage of contaminated products was 1.01%, mostly with Staphylococcus epidermidis (61.36%). Bacterial contamination rate at cell bank is relatively low and processing in a closed system does not seem as crucial as might be expected. This is particularly true for BM components. Equally important are evaluation of donor’s medical status and condition of the puncture site for collection of source material. Implementation of appropriate sample collection procedures should help minimize the risk of false-positive results due to environmental contamination.
Magnetorheological Fluids Behaviour in Oscillatory Compression Squeeze: Experimental Testing and Analysis
Authors: Horak Wojciech , Szczęch Marcin , Sapiński Bogdan
Published: March 2020

This article deals with experimental testing of magnetorheological fluid (MRF) behaviour in the oscillatory squeeze mode. The authors investigate and analyse the influence of excitation frequency and magnetic field density level on axial force in MRFs that differ in particle volume fraction. The results show that, under certain conditions, the phenomenon of self-sealing can occur as a result of the magnetic field gradient and a vacuum in the working gap of the system.
The Impact of Troposphere Correction for Designation of the Ellipsoidal Height of Aircraft at Approach to Landing Procedure
Authors: Krasuski Kamil , Savchuk Stepan
Published: March 2020

The paper reports on research into the effect of the troposphere correction on the accuracy of the vertical component determination of an aircraft’s flight as it approaches landing at Deblin Airport. The article presents ellipsoidal height value of the aircraft when the troposphere correction is considered in navigational calculations and when it is not taken into account. Accuracy of the aircraft positioning in the vertical plane using the SPP method is determined. The study shows that application of the troposphere correction in navigational calculations increases the accuracy of the vertical component determination by 25%–32%. The article and the study may serve as a valuable source of information for pilots, flight instructors and aircraft crews during training in operation and implementation of GNSS in aviation.
Heat Conduction in Anisotropic Medium with Perfectly Conductive Thread-Like Inclusions
Authors: Sulym Heorhiy , Ilchuk Nataliia , Pasternak Iaroslav
Published: March 2020

The paper presents a novel approach for the analysis of steady-state heat conduction of solids containing perfectly conductive thread-like inhomogeneities. Modelling of a thread-like heat conductive inhomogeneity is reduced to determination of density of heat distributed along a spatial curve, which replaces the inclusion. Corresponding boundary integral equations are obtained for anisotropic solids with thread-like inclusions. Non-integral terms are computed in a closed form. It is shown that, nevertheless the singularity of the equation is 1/r, it is hypersingular, since the kernel is symmetric. Boundary element approach is adopted for solution of the obtained equations. Numerical example is presented for a rectilinear conductive thread, which verifies derived boundary integral equations.
The dynamic nature of ageing: novel findings, therapeutic avenues and medical interventions
Authors: Chmielewski Piotr Paweł
Published: March 2020

Ageing is one of the most complex and difficult problems for humans to face and for science to solve. Although human senescence was viewed as a passive and uncontrollable process of deteriora­tion over time with little or no genetic regulation, the concept that ageing is caused by both genetic and environmental factors is now generally accepted, even though it remains difficult to distinguish between ageing sensu stricto and the effects of age-related diseases. Empirical data show that mechanisms of ageing are highly conserved during evolution. Moreover, it has been established that there are specific molecular ‘instructions’ for ageing, which suggests that a better understanding of the molecular biology of ageing will open new possibilities regarding future interventions. The complexity of ageing diminishes the possibility that any general theory will completely explain this metaphenomenon. Likewise, it is highly unlikely that any medication can stop or reverse human senescence. Nevertheless, ageing as a dynamic and malleable metaphenomenon can be modulated by a variety of influences. The concept of the shrinkage of the homeo­dynamic space with age, i.e. homeostenosis, is especially interesting and intriguing as it shows that novel therapeutic approaches and rational strategies can help delay the onset of the ageing-associated pathologies by enhancing the homeodynamic capabilities of the body. The aim of this article is to present current data from evolutionary and molecular gerontology and discuss them within the ambit of this review which is devoted to the dynamic, emergent and plastic nature of human ageing and implications for future inter­ventions.
Age and sex specific variations in body composition in Indian urban Bengali Hindu children, adolescents and young adults aged 7–21 years
Authors: Shaikh Saijuddin , Das Rituparna , Saha Rana , Das Sukanta , Dasgupta Parasmani
Published: March 2020

Childhood and adolescent obesity is a public health concern worldwide. However, little attention has been paid on status of overweight and body composition of Indian Bengali urban middle and high SES population. The objective was to determine the prevalence of overweight and body composition status by age and sex in children, adolescents and young adults. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 4194 unmarried school and college students (1999 males and 2195 females) aged 7–21 years belonging to the Bengali Hindu Population in Kolkata, India. The survey period was from 1999 to 2011. Anthropometry of participants were measured. Age and sex specific ≥85 percentile of body mass index (BMI) for children (<18 years of age) and BMI ≥23 kg/m2 (≥18 years of age) for adults were used to define overweight. Fat percent, upper arm fat area (UAFA) and upper arm muscle area (UAMA) were estimated. Simple linear regression was performed to check trend of changes with age. The overall prevalence of overweight was 14.8% in both sexes. Mean fat percent was higher in females than males (23.5% vs 13.5% respectively; p<0.001) and it increased by 0.18% (0.02) in males and 0.56% (0.02) in females per year (both p<0.001). UAMA gradually increased with age in both sexes and increasing rate per year was by 2.07 (0.04) cm2 in males and 1.19 (0.04) cm2 in females (both p<0.001). However, UAFA increased by 0.41 (0.03) cm2 and 0.90 (0.03) cm2 every year in males and females respectively (both p<0.001). Sum of biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailliac skinfolds increased by 1.66 (0.06) mm and 0.5 (0.07) mm per year in females and males respectively (both p<0.001). Overall prevalence of overweight was the same in both sexes but adipose tissue was higher and muscularly was lower in females than males.
In utero undernourishment during WWII: Effects on height and weight of young adult women
Authors: Czapla Zbigniew , Liczbińska Grażyna , Piontek Janusz , Malina Robert M.
Published: March 2020

Under marginal nutritional conditions, growth in utero is related to subsequent growth and adult height. The aim of this research is to compare the young adult body size of women grouped by estimated duration of pregnancy relative to World War II. Subjects were 620 university students 18-25 years, for whom archival data for date of birth, age, height and weight were available; the BMI was calculated. Based on estimated time of pregnancy and birth relative to WWII, the women were grouped as follows: (1) pregnancy and birth before the war (n=203); (2) pregnancy before the war, birth during the war (n=54); (3) pregnancy and birth during the war (n=173); (4) pregnancy during the war, birth after the war (n=16); and (5) pregnancy and birth after the war (n=174). Heights of women born before and after WWII were significantly taller than heights of women born during the war. Though not significant, the height of women who were conceived before but born during the war was intermediate between those of women born before and during the war. The height of women conceived during the war but born after the war was similar to that of women conceived and born during the war. In contrast, BMIs and the distributions of women by weight status did not differ among the five pregnancy groups. The results suggested that heights of young adult women exposed in utero to the conditions of WWII (marginal nutritional status, maternal stress, among other factors) were shorter than women who were not exposed in utero to wartime conditions.
Association of kidney stone disease with dietary factors: a review
Authors: Konjengbam Henry , Meitei Sanjenbam Yaiphaba
Published: March 2020

Kidney stone disease is one of the most common urologic disorders worldwide. The incidence of kidney stones disease is increasing all over the world. It is a multifactorial disease accompanied by various factors. The dietary factor is one of the most important risk factors for the formation and recurrence of kidney stone disease. Formation and recurrence of kidney stone disease can be prevented by modifying our day to day dietary habits. Fewer intakes of animal protein, higher intake of fluid, higher intake of fruits, and higher intake of green leafy vegetables, which contain a low amount of oxalate, can prevent the formation of kidney stones and recurrence of kidney stones. From this review, it may be presumed that the higher prevalence rate of kidney stone disease in northeast India may be the dietary factors accompanied by environmental and climatic conditions of the region.
What have the revelations about Neanderthal DNA revealed about Homo sapiens?
Authors: Guimarães Santiago Wolnei Ferreira , Silva Hilton P.
Published: March 2020

Genetic studies have presented increasing indications about the complexity of the interactions between Homo sapiens, Neanderthals and Denisovans, during Pleistocene. The results indicate potential replacement or admixture of the groups of hominins that lived in the same region at different times. Recently, the time of separation among these hominins in relation to the Last Common Ancestor – LCA has been reasonably well established. Events of mixing with emphasis on the Neanderthal gene flow into H. sapiens outside Africa, Denisovans into H. sapiens ancestors in Oceania and continental Asia, Neanderthals into Denisovans, as well as the origin of some phenotypic features in specific populations such as the color of the skin, eyes, hair and predisposition to develop certain kinds of diseases have also been found. The current information supports the existence of both replacement and interbreeding events, and indicates the need to revise the two main explanatory models, the Multiregional and the Out-of-Africa hypotheses, about the origin and evolution of H. sapiens and its co-relatives. There is definitely no longer the possibility of justifying only one model over the other. This paper aims to provide a brief review and update on the debate around this issue, considering the advances brought about by the recent genetic as well as morphological traits analyses.
The Legal Nature of E-Petitions
Authors: Babin Igor , Vakariuk Liudmyla
Published: March 2020

An e-petition (online petition or internet petition) is one of the most popular ways for civil society to interact with public authorities. It is no accident that the number of countries implementing this e-democracy tool is increasing. The institution of electronic petition has its own peculiarities in each country where it has been introduced: different forms, subjects, filing procedures and legal consequences. The common feature is that the e-petition is an independent form of direct democracy through which citizens participate in the management of public affairs. The article investigates the place of e-petitions in the system of direct democracy forms, analyzes practices of using the institution of electronic petitions, shows the establishment of the institution of e-petitions in Ukraine, reveals the concepts and features of online petitions, and highlights the problems of implementing the right to electronic petition in Ukraine.
Content and Implementation of the Right to Annual Leave: Analysis Based on the Case Study of Lithuania
Authors: Mačernytė-Panomariovienė Ingrinda , Mačiulaitis Vilius
Published: March 2020

Annual leave is granted to employees in order for them to rest and to regain efficiency at work. In accordance with Article 31 (2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 7 of the Directive 2003/88/EB of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding certain aspects of work time organization (Working Time Directive), employers must guarantee employees at least 4 [work] weeks of paid annual leave. Furthermore, Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania maintains that every employed individual has the right to paid annual leave. The question arises whether this type of constitutional right can be absolute and if, as a result, employees are able to exercise their discretion to decide for themselves how to use this right. Can employers decide to grant or refuse to grant leave based on their own discretion?

This article aims to address the content of the right to paid annual leave and its implementation details. In particular, it seeks to verify the extent to which an employee or an employer can affect the implementation of such a right.
The Influence of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the Issuance of European Arrest Warrants in Lithuania
Authors: Milčiuvienė Saulė , Gruodytė Edita
Published: March 2020

The European arrest warrant system is one of the greatest achievements in the development of cooperation in judicial matters among EU Member States. However, its implementation has raised many questions, resulting in referrals by national courts to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for preliminary rulings. This article analyses the impact of the CJEU’s preliminary rulings on Lithuanian law concerning European arrest warrants. Specifically, the focus of the paper is institutional configuration and corresponding regulation in this field because/after the CJEU decided that (1) the Ministry of Justice cannot be considered a judicial authority because as part of the executive branch it cannot guarantee the protection of the parties’ fundamental rights; (2) however, the Prosecutor General of Lithuania can be considered a judicial authority because it participates in the administration of criminal justice and is independent of executive governance, and because its decisions to issue European arrest warrants are subject to judicial review.
Functional Equivalence: An Exploration Through Shortcomings to Solutions
Authors: Veerpalu Anne
Published: March 2020

Since the emergence of cyberspace there have been different legal principles evolving, such as functional equivalence and technology-neutrality, with the aim to ease the regulator´s challenge of coping with the new paradigm of virtual, digital and electronic. Currently our societies have reached the doorstep of another similar disruption: infrastructures decentralized on the basis of blockchain and distributed ledger technology, or so-called cryptoeconomics. It is time to turn to cyberspace-related principles for inspiration on how to solve similar concerns, such as applying existing regulation(s) to new technological disruption. This article looks at different understandings of the functional equivalence principle, its shortcomings and the guidance it provides to regulators and courts in dealing with the challenges related to technological innovation including that of cryptoeconomics.
The Protective Purpose of the Contract and the Liability of an Expert Towards a Third Party in Czech, Austrian, and German Private Law
Authors: Matějková Jitka , Pavelek Ondřej
Published: March 2020

The aim of the paper is to describe the so-called protective purpose of the contract, by demonstrating the liability of experts for damage caused by an imperfect expert opinion, incorrect advice, or information. The comparative method will be used in conjunction with analyzing the Czech, Austrian, and German arrangements – their continuities and differences. Criteria for assessing whether this is a protective purpose of the contract and how these criteria vary in different legal frameworks are discussed in detail. The conceptual features of the expert as well as the assumptions of their responsibility for providing advice or information regulated in the individual jurisdictions are argued as well.

The article concludes that the protective purpose of the contract is demonstrated accurately in the case of the liability of the expert for damage which has been established on the basis of a contract. These are in particular cases where an expert draws up an opinion on behalf of the parties on the basis of a contract which is, however, concluded with merely one party. In the event of a breach of the contract, the expert is also responsible for the damage caused to a party that has not concluded the contract with an expert.
Fish Diversity in the Andharmanik River Sanctuary in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Mir Mohammad , Ali Md. Lokman , Rahman Md. Jalilur , Wahab Md. Abdul
Published: March 2020

Loss of fish biodiversity, especially in the inland and coastal areas, is a major concern in sustainable fish production. Indiscriminate fish catch, climate change and many other anthropogenic activities synergistically affect fish biodiversity. To formulate a sustainable fish biodiversity conservation plan, fish biodiversity in the Andharmanik River, a 40-km-long Hilsa shad sanctuary in the southern part of Bangladesh, was assessed. The study was conducted to understand the status of fish species diversity through sampling in three sampling stations between December 2014 and November 2015. A total of 93 fish species were found belonging to 66 genera, 45 families and 14 orders. Perciformes (27.65%) was found to be the most dominant order, followed by Cypriniformes (20.21%), Siluriformes (21.28%) Clupeiformes (7.45%) Mastacembeliformes (4.26%) and Channiformes (4.26%). Out of the 93 fish species of the river, the percentage compositions of the vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered and not threatened were found to be 14%, 11%, 6% and 59%, respectively. Four population indices viz. Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index (H), Simpson’s dominance index (D), Simpson’s index of diversity (1-D) and Margalef’s index (d) were applied to demonstrate species diversity, richness and evenness of fish species in sampling areas, and the overall values of the indices were 2.70-3.51, 0.10-0.12, 0.88-0.90 and 7.84-8.19, respectively. The main threats to fish biodiversity were reviewed and the measures for fish biodiversity conservation of the river recommended. Indiscriminate fishing using biodiversity destructive gears, as well as losing hydrological and ecological connectivity with the surrounding habitats, were identified as major threats to biodiversity in the Andharmanik River. Effective sanctuary-based co-management, immediate actions for habitat enhancement to conserve and improve fish biodiversity in the river were recommended. Necessary steps to improve hydrological and ecological connectivity for habitat protection and elimination of all destructive fishing gears in order to conserve biodiversity in the Andharmanik River were also suggested.