bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Strength, Permeability and Micro-structure of Pervious Concrete Blended with Metakaolin
Authors: M Rama
Published: January 2023

Pervious concrete is a developing construction material used for sustainable solutions which helps restore the groundwater level based on its draining ability. The existing research studies address the strength and permeability of pervious-concrete materials and only limited data is available on the microstructural characteristics of pervious concrete. In this study, a characteristic analysis was carried out at micro-and macrolevels to identify the behaviour of pervious concrete using three aggregate gradations. To attain the wide pore network in pervious concrete, fine aggregates were not added in mixes and metakaolin was added at 5% intervals up to 20% of cement. At the macro-level, strength, porosity and permeability were tested and at the micro-level, XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDAX analyses were used for pervious-concrete mixes with metakaolin. The maximum strength of pervious-concrete was achieved in a 4.75-9.5 mm size aggregate mix at 10% addition of metakaolin with cement. Micro-structural studies revealed that the addition of metakaolin significantly reduces anhydrous calcium hydroxide. A significant draining performance of more than 1 cm/s was attained in most of the pervious-concrete mixes due to high porosity and permeability. Hence, pervious concrete is considered as a sustainable alternative material that can address environmental problems. KEYWORDS: Pervious concrete, Porosity, Permeability, Metakaolin, Micro-structure.
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of High-strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with Severely Disturbed Regions
Authors:   University of Kufa, Shakir Qasim , Al-Sahlawi Yahya , Abd Baneen , Hamad Sarah
Published: January 2023

The inclusion of D-regions within a reinforced-concrete member may affect largely the general behavior of the structure. Different techniques and approaches were proposed to control the behaviour of D-regions, such as the shear-friction approach and the STM model. Such proposals may not be applicable for all types of Dregions. The current work presents a nonlinear finite element model using the ANSYS software, that is adopted to study three types of D-regions, which are dapped ends, deep beams with openings and beams with loaded openings. The results revealed that the proposed FE model predicted adequately the effects of the inclusion of D-regions in RC beams. It is found that reducing the hanger or the nib reinforcement of a dapped end by 25% resulted in reducing capacity by 15% and 32%, respectively. Also, the results showed that for these deficiently reinforced dapped ends, reducing a/d ratio from 1.5 to 0.75 improved capacity by 23% and 36%. For the deficiently shearreinforced flanged deep beams, it was found that the inclusion of large openings within the shear span resulted in a capacity drop by (41-49) %. An enhancement of 23% was obtained when using stirrups of 12mm on both sides of the openings. Moreover, it is confirmed that the optimum location of the openings is under the diagonal path. Furthermore, it has been concluded that for loaded openings, the use of T-rolled sections within the bottom chord of the opening yielded an enhancement of 23% relative to the rhombus-shaped configuration. KEYWORDS: Dapped ends, T-deep beams with openings, Loaded openings, Hanger reinforcement.
Performance of Traffic Accidents’ Prediction Models
Authors:   Jordan University of Science and Technology, Al-Masaeid Hashem R. , Khaled Farah J.
Published: January 2023

Modeling traffic-accident frequency is a critical issue to better understand the accident trends and the effectiveness of current traffic policies and practices in different countries. The main objectives of this study are to model traffic road accidents, fatalities and injuries in Jordan, using different modeling techniques, including regression, artificial neural network (ANN) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and to evaluate the safety impact of travel-restriction strategies during Covid-19 pandemic on trafficaccident statistics for the year 2020. To accomplish these objectives, data of traffic accidents, registered vehicles (REGV), population (POP) and economic gross domestic product (GDP) from 1995 through 2020 were obtained from related sources in Jordan. The analysis revealed that accidents, fatalities and injuries have an increasing trend in Jordan. Root mean of square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of multiple determination (R2) were sued to evaluate the performance of the developed prediction models. Based on model performance, the ANN models are the best, followed by the ARIMA models and then the regression models. Finally, it was concluded that the strategies undertaken by the government of Jordan to combat Covid-19, including complete and partial banning of travel, resulted in a considerable reduction of accidents, injuries and fatalities by about 35%, 37% and 50%, respectively. KEYWORDS: Traffic accidents, Artificial neural network, Covid-19 pandemic, Regression, Timeseries analysis, Prediction model
Impact of Waste Iron Slag on Mechanical and Durability Properties of Concrete
Authors: Jain Kishan , Sharma Dinesh , Choudhary Rakesh , Bhargava Shruti
Published: January 2023

Waste management is of great concern in today’s world. Every year, an enormous amount of solid waste is generated from different industrial activities, especially the waste which is produced by iron industries in a particular form of slag. The major issue of emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement industries is a serious problem for the earth's environment and the surrounding area. Thus, in this study, the waste iron slag obtained from nearby iron industries was used as a partial substitute for cement. The cement was replaced with iron slag (IS) at the substitution levels of 7.5%, 15%, 22.5%, 30% and 37.5% by weight of cement. The doses of superplasticizer for every mix were taken based on the essential workability requirements for the reinforcedconcrete work. Performance of control and blended mixes was evaluated by workability evaluation, compressive strength test, flexural strength test, water permeability test, water absorption evaluation, rapid chloride penetration test (RCPT) and carbonation test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique were used to assess the micro-structural changes and to evaluate the chemistry of the blended mixes. The results obtained from this study were encouraging in terms of compressive and flexural strengths. The maximum compressive and flexural strengths were recorded at a 22.5% replacement level of slag. The results obtained at 30% replacement were also better compared to the control mix. The resistance of slag-made concrete mixes against adverse conditions; i.e., CO2 penetration, chloride penetration and water penetration was far better than that of conventional ones. The results obtained from TGA indicated that the productivity of calcium silicate gel of slag concrete is better than that of control concrete. KEYWORDS: Concrete, Slag, Carbonization, RCPT, XRD, TGA, SEM.
Predictors of Depression in Older Adults with Heart Failure: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-derived Linear Regression Model
Authors:   Jordan University of Science and Technology, Rababah Jehad , Al-Hammouri Mohammed , Ta’an Wafa’a , Alfuqaha Othman
Published: January 2023

Background: Depression is a frequently reported phenomenon that negatively affects selfcare and healthcare provided to older adults with heart failure. However, the literature is contradicting about predictors of depression in older adults with heart failure. Purpose: To examine newly introduced variables derived from the acceptance and commitment therapy model (psychological flexibility, impulsivity, perceived stress and perceived control) and selected demographics as predictors of depression in older adults with heart failure. Methods: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Participants with heartfailure (N = 272) were recruited from major regional hospitals during their regular visits to the heart-failure clinics. The following tools were used to collect the data: The Patient Health Questionnaire–9, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test, the New York Heart Association and the Control Attitudes Scale-Revised. Results: Bivariate analysis shows that all bivariate correlations were significant (r = 0.16 to 0.63, p <0.05), except for the correlation between "age with time since diagnosis" and "time since diagnosis with psychological flexibility". The results showed that time since diagnosis, impulsivity, stress, psychological flexibility and heart-failure knowledge significantly predicted depression in elder adults with heart failure. The model explained 49.5% of the variance in depression. Conclusion: An array of psychological and socio-demographic variables explained approximately a half of the variation in depression in elder adults with heart failure. The acceptance and commitment therapy model has been shown to be beneficial in incorporating new variables contributing to depression in older adults with heart failure. Implications for Nursing: The current study offers preliminary evidence of the potential benefit of the acceptance and commitment therapy model-based interventions. Further research should be conducted to minimize the impact of depression in older adults with heart failure. Keywords: Depression, Stress, Perceived control, Impulsivity, Heart failure, Psychological flexibility.
Female University Students’ Experiences of Hookah Smoking: Cool Habit and Non-predictable Imminent Consequences and Risks
Authors:   Jordan University of Science and Technology, Al-Natour Ahlam , Gillespie Gordon
Published: January 2023

Background: There are debates on the risk and harm of Hookah smoking among university students. There is a dearth of studies describing students’ experiences, causative factors and consequences of Hookah smoking among female university students. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the experience of adopting Hookah smoking among female university students. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design was used for this study. A purposive sample of 14 female university students participated through face-toface interviews. Results: The study results included six main themes: Hookah smoking is cool and entertaining; attracting factors for Hookah smoking; Hookah smoking versus cigarette smoking; socio-cultural acceptance of female Hookah smoking; imminent hazardous consequences of Hookah smoking; strategies to combat Hookah smoking among female students. Conclusion: Hookah smoking has become culturally accepted by female university students. Serious attention and initiatives should be considered to enhance female internal awareness to prevent peer pressure to start Hookah smoking. This habit started at home, became accepted by parents and is now accepted in public places. Therefore, it is crucial to implement culturally competent interventions to combat Hookah smoking in private and public places. Implications for Nursing: Nurses and policy makers should address the triggering factors for increased Hookah smoking among adults. Nurses should use effective approaches for combating Hookah smoking in different community settings. Also, they should conduct and implement culturally competent preventive programs to combat Hookah smoking in different settings and among all age groups, specifically university and school students, and enhance their awareness. Additionally, it is significant to enforce legislations and policies for the prevention of Hookah smoking among adults. Keywords: Hookah, Smoking, Female, University, Students, Cigarettes.
Strategi Pengendalian Stres Akademik di Era Pandemi COVID-19 pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (Studi Kasus Pada Siswa SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman)
Authors: Yolami Sri , Husodo Besar Tirto , Kusumawati Aditya
Published: January 2023

Latar Belakang: Stres akademik selama era pandemi COVID-19 dirasakan oleh siswa. Faktor penyebab stres akademik selama era pandemi COVID-19 yang berdampak yaitu perubahan metode pembelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana strategi pengendalian stres akademik pada siswa SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan pendekatan kuantitatif deskriptif.Metode: Metode pengambilan sampel dengan simple random sampling dan metode analisis data univariat dan bivariat. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XII SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman.Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor stres akademik masih tinggi, kejadian stres akademik rendah, serta strategi pengendalian stres akademik baik dengan teknik Schedule Daily Relaxing Time dan Problem focused coping.Kesimpulan: Komponen pada teori Cognitive Behaviour Modification (CBM)/Cognitive Behaviour Theraphy (CBT) saling berhubungan satu dengan yang lain dalam mempengaruhi startegi pengendalian stres akademik pada siswa kelas XII SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman, meskipun tidak semuanya saling berhubungan secara statistic. Peneliti menyarankan kepada guru untuk memberikan sesi refreshment dan waktu interaksi sharing untuk berbagi cerita antara guru dan siswa untuk mengurangi tingkat stres akademik di era pandemi COVID-19 pada siswa.Kata kunci: remaja; stres akademik; coping stresABSTRACTTitle: Academic Stress Control Strategy in High School Students (Case Study in SMA Negeri 1 Pariaman City Students)Background: Academic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic era was felt by students. Factors causing academic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic era that have an impact are changes in learning methods. This study aims to determine how the academic stress control strategy in SMA Negeri 1 Pariaman City students. This research is a quantitative research with a descriptive quantitative approach.Methods: Sampling method using simple random sampling and univariate and bivariate data analysis methods. The sample in this study was class XII students of SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman.Results: The results showed that the academic stress factor was still high, the incidence of academic stress was low, and the academic stress control strategy was good with Schedule Daily Relaxing Time and Problem focused coping techniques.Conclusion: The components of the Cognitive Behavior Modification (CBM)/Cognitive Behavior Theraphy (CBT) theory are related to each other in influencing academic stress control strategies for class XII students of SMA Negeri 1 Kota Pariaman, although not all of them are statistically related. Researchers suggest teachers to provide refreshment sessions and sharing interaction time to share stories between teachers and students to reduce academic stress levels in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic for students.Keywords: teenager; academic stress; coping stress
Élaboration d’une liste de vocabulaire dans un contexte FLE
Authors: Lindqvist Christina
Published: January 2023

In this article, we discuss the elaboration and use of vocabulary lists aimed for learners of French as a for-eign language. These lists are commonly based on corpora, which, in the ideal case, are representative, relevant and large. As for the English language, this kind of corpora has been available for a long time (e.g. the COCA and the BNC). Vocabulary lists, which are often used in learning contexts, have been based on these corpora. The situation is, however, less favorable when it comes to the French language, with fewer corpora meeting the mentioned criteria, and, thus, fewer possibilities to create vocabulary lists that are useful for learners. In this contribution, we present work that has been done in order to create a vocabulary list, Riksprovsordlistan, containing about 4,000 words and used at all Swedish universities. The discussion focuses on methodological challenges such as choice of counting unit – lemma vs. word family –, the role of frequency, thematic vocabulary, as well as characteristics of written vs. spoken corpora.
System pomocy społecznej województwa wielkopolskiego z perspektywy doświadczeń pandemicznych. Wybrane elementy
Authors: Donke-Cieslewicz Monika
Published: January 2023

Social welfare is designed to help people who, due to their age, disability, or life situation (e.g. homelessness, long-term illness), cannot cope independently without adequate support. Organizational units of social welfare, such as social care homes, social welfare centers, support centers or institutions for the homeless, have struggled with organizational and staffing problems before. The pandemic outbreak in March 2020 caused them to organize work in an unknown situation, operating under enormous pressure in conditions of insufficient resources.
Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej w przeciwdziałaniu COVID-19. Analiza doświadczeń w Wielkopolsce
Authors: Miernik Rafał , Antkowiak Katarzyna , Konopka Lech
Published: January 2023

The global situation linked to the outbreak of a pandemic crisis around the world, has put the current order of operation of individual countries to a severe test. The SARS-CoV-2 virus showed how much the society is not ready to deal with global and biological threats. Living in the belief that epidemics are a thing of the past, all possible warning signs from scientists and experts in the field have been ignored.The epidemic crisis has paralysed the activities of the vast majority of public institutions, including Polish ones, both in economic terms on a macro scale and in the part where private capital plays a dominant role. The aim of this article was to show the anti-crisis actions taken by Poland, where in the face of the scale of the challenge, selected elements of the military subsystem were used in the form of, among others, the use of the Polish Territorial Defense Forces as a platform connecting the military and civil environment in the sphere of security. The authors of the article showed the activities of the territorial component from the point of view of the soldier of this formation. This is to allow the reader to know the answer to questions about: the role of territorial troops in the security structure of Poland’s time of peace, crisis and war, getting to know the specificity of the formation and its flexible form, which can adapt to the existing needs and tasks for the benefit of the components of the subsystems: health protection, civil defence and civil protection, internal and external security. In the real security environment, the solutions undertaken during the implementation of anti-crisis tasks were analysed in the context of cooperation of military structures. with the public administration in terms of civil planning process, support to other forces and services in crisis management.
Modelowanie polityki zdrowotnej na przykładzie analizy danych Open Data oraz zintegrowanego indeksu bezpieczeństwa zdrowotnego. Studium przypadku
Authors: Dajerling Leonard
Published: January 2023

The aim of this article is to describe and analyze the possibilities of using advanced computational and managerial methods for modeling health policy. Currently, Poland is the third last country in the OECD ranking, which spends less than USD 1,570 on health care, while the average in OECD countries is USD 3,270 per citizen. The challenges posed by the aging society are also not optimistic, Poland has one of the lowest fertility rates in the European Union. We have only 1.39 children per one Pole (according to the ranking of The World Factbook, Poland ranks 212 out of 224 countries). The above data pose challenges for the authorities related to the growing demand for medical services and the appropriate allocation of forces and resources. The author of this article undertook the task of analyzing two models, the practical use of which in other countries allowed for a significant reduction of costs (without limiting expenses) and management in order to allocate resources and resources in areas of particular importance (disregarding political interests). The conclusions from the comparative analysis of the above solutions allow for a thesis that the use of solutions similar to the integrated health safety index (implemented in the Polish system) and full digitization and unification of the health care system will allow, on the one hand, a better understanding of the real needs, and on the other hand, a more effective allocation of forces and resources as well as prediction of growing challenges.
Sieć szpitali w systemie bezpieczeństwa publicznego w oparciu o doświadczenia z COVID-19
Authors: Prussak Elżbieta
Published: January 2023

The challenges initiated by the year 2020 constitute the right moment to review and verify the existing organizational solutions in terms of the so far little known, concerning hospital management in a pandemic situation, epidemic threat. The purpose of this article is to review the applicable standards governing the operation of hospitals and experience in the pandemic in implementing organizational changes caused by the launch of “covid wards”.
Ortak Bilgi Yapılandırma Modeline Dayalı Öğretimin Öğretmen Adaylarının Ders Planları Üzerine Etkisi
Authors: SUNGUR ALHAN Selcan
Published: January 2023

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Ortak Bilgi Yapılandırma Modeli (OBYM) ile ilgili verilen öğretim sonrası fen bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının ders planlama süreçlerinde meydana gelen değişimi incelemektir. Bu araştırma Özel Öğretim Yöntemleri-II dersi kapsamında bir dönem boyunca süren uygulamalarla yürütülmüştür.Araştırma, öğretmen adaylarının OBYM’ye yönelik öğretim aldıkları teorik, bu modele ilişkin uygulamaların gerçekleştirildiği uygulama aşaması ve teorik ile uygulama aşaması arasında geçişin sağlandığı geçiş aşaması olmak üzere üç aşamadan oluşmaktadır. Araştırmaya 2019-2020 eğitim öğretim yılı, Fen Bilgisi Öğretmenliği Programı 4. sınıfta öğrenim gören 29 öğretmen adayı katılmıştır. Bu araştırmada zayıf deneysel araştırma tasarımlarından tek gruplu son test tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Fen bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının ders planlama süreçlerine yönelik veri toplamak amacıyla ders planı değerlendirme formu geliştirilmiş olup, elde edilen veriler betimsel olarak incelenmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgulara göre, ders planlama sürecine ilişkin öğretmen adaylarının verilen öğretimle OBYM’ye göre gelişim gösterdikleri belirlenmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlar doğrultusundaöğretmen eğitimi programlarında yürütülen derslerde OBYM’ye dayalı uygulamalara yer verilmesi önerilmektedir.
Investigation of the Relationship between Teacher Candidates' E-Learning Styles, Academic Achievements and Educational Technology Self-Efficiency Perceptions
Authors: BAKAÇ Ebru
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to model the relationships between teacher candidates’ e- learning styles, academic achievements and educational technology self-efficacy. In this context, the model of there search is descriptive. The participants of the study were 262 students who were studying at a university in Western Black Sea region of Turkey in academic year 2014-2015 in fall semester. “Educational Technology Standards Self- Efficacy Scale” developed by Simsek and Yazar (2016) and “E-learning Styles Scale ”developed by Gulbahar and Alper (2014) were used as data collection tools. Also, it was used to academic grade score in the semester in order to determine the success levels of teacher candidates. Multiple regression analysis was used in the analysis of there search’s data. As a result of there search it was determined that the learning styles of teacher candidates have an effect on their academic success. It was found that teacher candidates' visual and intuitive learning styles were a significant predictor of educational technology self-efficacy beliefs. In addition it was found that teacher candidates ’intuitive learning styles and educational technology standards self-efficacy perceptions a significant predictor of academic success.
Evaluation of the Human Rights and Democracy Education Course in Elementary Teacher Education Through Action Research
Authors: LEBLEBİCİ Hatice , YÜCEL-TOY Banu
Published: January 2023

In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Human Rights and Democracy Education (HRDE) course designed for elementary teachers through formative and summative evaluation. While preparing this course, theory and practice were prioritized to ensure pedagogical knowledge and teaching HRDE. Action research was conducted, and actions were taken for the problems encountered during the course implementation. For formative evaluation, reflection notes were written by 19 teacher candidates who took the course as elective. Their products and researcher field notes were evaluated. At the end of the period, in-depth interviews were administered to six teacher candidates selected by the criterion sampling method. For summative evaluation, teacher candidates' final reflection notes were also taken into account together with interviews. It was revealed that this practice-based course taught with active learning methods was influential in attaining pedagogical knowledge and skills in HRDE, in learning effectively, and in developing attitudes, awareness, and self-efficacy.
Classification of full exceptional collections on smooth toric Fano varieties with Picard rank two
Authors: Lee Dae-Won
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we give a complete classification of full exceptional collections, up to cyclic permutations, normalizations and mutations, on smooth toric Fano threefolds and fourfolds with Picard rank two. For such varieties, we find all the exceptional collections of maximal length and show that they are in fact full. This gives a partial answer to a conjecture in [29] and [32]. Moreover, such full exceptional collections essentially arise from Orlov’s theorem on projective bundles.
Erratum for "Tropical superelliptic curves"
Authors: Brandt Madeline , Helminck Paul Alexander
Published: January 2023

We correct two errors in our paper Tropical superelliptic curves published in Advances in Geometry 20 (2020), 527–551. These corrections do not change the main results of the paper.
Measuring COVID-19 spreading speed through the mean time between infections indicator
Authors: Pena Gabriel , Moreno Verónica , Barraza Nestor Ruben
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To introduce a novel way of measuring the spreading speed of an epidemic.

Methods

We propose to use the mean time between infections (MTBI) metric obtained from a recently introduced nonhomogeneous Markov stochastic model. Different types of parameter calibration are performed. We estimate the MTBI using data from different time windows and from the whole stage history and compare the results. In order to detect waves and stages in the input data, a preprocessing filtering technique is applied.

Results

The results of applying this indicator to the COVID-19 reported data of infections from Argentina, Germany and the United States are shown. We find that the MTBI behaves similarly with respect to the different data inputs, whereas the model parameters completely change their behaviour. Evolution over time of the parameters and the MTBI indicator is also shown.

Conclusions

We show evidence to support the claim that the MTBI is a rather good indicator in order to measure the spreading speed of an epidemic, having similar values whatever the input data size.
Covert narrativity in contemporary poetry: English and German examples
Authors: Hühn Peter
Published: January 2023

This article is based on the premise that poems are primarily read for their meaning, understood as what the text signifies in its semantic dimension and communicates to the reader, such as reflections, experiences and perceptions – fundamental phenomena of human existence, problems of living and acting, of experience and imagination. Such phenomena are centrally concerned with aspects of change, due to the temporal constitution of human existence. A powerful device for representing and processing such phenomena is the operation of narration, defined as a change of state predicated on a person or a situation. In that sense change and dealing with change pervasively underlie the contents of lyric poems. This explorative study seeks to demonstrate the variability and diversity of narrative as a prime device in poetry, typically employed in an obfuscating or compressive manner, as what one might call “covert narrativity”. To explore the diversity of covert narrativity, examples are taken from the wide range of contemporary German and English poetry: Paul Celan’s “Corona”, Simon Armitage’s “The Making of the English Landscape”, and Glyn Maxwell’s “The Byelaws”.
Gap solitons on an integrated CMOS chip
Authors: Choi Ju Won , Sohn Byoung-Uk , Sahin Ezgi , Chen George F. R. , Xing Peng , Ng Doris K. T. , Eggleton Benjamin J. , Tan Dawn T. H.
Published: January 2023

Nonlinear propagation in periodic media has been studied for decades, yielding demonstrations of numerous phenomena including strong temporal compression and slow light generation. Gap solitons, that propagate at frequencies inside the stopband, have been observed in optical fibres but have been elusive in photonic chips. In this manuscript, we investigate nonlinear pulse propagation in a chip-based nonlinear Bragg grating at frequencies inside the stopband and observe clear, unequivocal signatures of gap soliton propagation, including slow light, intensity-dependent transmission, intensity-dependent temporal delay and gap soliton compression. Our experiments which are performed in an on-chip ultra-silicon-rich nitride (USRN) Bragg grating with picosecond time scales, reveal slow light group velocity reduction to 35%–40% of the speed of light in vacuum, change in the temporal delay of 7 ps at low peak powers between 15.7 W–36.6 W, which is accompanied by up to 2.7× temporal compression of input pulses. Theoretical calculations using the nonlinear coupled mode equations confirm the observations of intensity-dependent temporal delay. Of fundamental importance, this demonstration opens up on-chip platforms for novel experimental studies of gap solitons as the basis of all-optical buffers, delay lines and optical storage.
Sub-wavelength visualization of near-field scattering mode of plasmonic nano-cavity in the far-field
Authors: Jin Xiao , Ye Shengwei , Cheng Weiqing , Hou Jamie Jiangmin , Jin Wanzhen , Sheng Tianyao , Hou Lianping , Marsh John H. , Yu Yefeng , Sun Ming , Ni Bin , Liu Xuefeng , Xiong Jichuan
Published: January 2023

Spatial visualization of mode distribution of light scattering from plasmonic nanostructures is of vital importance for understanding the scattering mechanism and applications based on these plasmonic nanostructures. A long unanswered question in how the spatial information of scattered light from a single plasmonic nanostructure can be recovered in the far-field, under the constraints of the diffraction limit of the detection or imaging optical system. In this paper, we reported a theoretical model on retrieving local spatial information of scattered light by plasmonic nanostructures in a far-field optical imaging system. In the far-field parametric sin δ images, singularity points corresponding to near-field hot spots of the edge mode and the gap mode were resolved for gold ring and split rings with subwavelength diameters and feature sizes. The experimental results were verified with Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulation in the near-field and far-field, for the edge mode and the gap mode at 566 nm and 534 nm, respectively. In sin δ image of split-ring, two singularity points associated with near-field hot spots were visualized and resolved with the characteristic size of 90 and 100 nm, which is far below the diffraction limit. The reported results indicate the feasibility of characterizing the spatial distribution of scattering light in the far-field and with sub-wavelength resolution for single plasmonic nanostructures with sub-wavelength feature sizes.
Effects of reaction conditions on the phenol liquefaction of peanut shells
Authors: Han Shuguang , Cui Juqing , Gan Lu , Zhou Xiaoyan
Published: January 2023

Peanut shells were liquefied in phenol using sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The effects of the liquefaction conditions, such as the phenol/peanut shells ratio, catalyst loading, reaction temperature, and time, on the residue ratio, percent combined phenol, and formaldehyde reactivity of the liquefied products were investigated. The results showed that increasing the phenol/peanut shells ratio decreased the residue ratio and increased the combined phenol and formaldehyde reactivity. Increasing the catalyst loading decreased the residue ratio and increased the combined phenol, but a higher catalyst loading caused the formaldehyde reactivity to decrease. A higher reaction temperature and prolonged reaction time did not lead to a further decrease in the residue ratio and it further increased the combined phenol and formaldehyde reactivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy showed that the liquefied products contained a large amount of polyphenol compounds and a small quantity of furan compounds and furfural. The SEM images showed small particles were the main portion of the liquefaction products and cellulose fibers could still be clearly seen.
Wood perception in daylit interior spaces: An experimental study using scale models and questionnaires
Authors: Poirier Geneviève , Demers Claude M. H. , Potvin André
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the impact of daylit wooden environments on human perception and well-being. Several studies have shown that the use of wood in furniture, interior surfaces, and decoration helps create warm, bright, and pleasant ambiences, enhancing psychological well-being and comfort when compared to other materials. The main objective of this research was to assess the effects of different colors, finish, and ratio of wooden surfaces combinations on human perception. More specifically, participants compared simultaneously five different interior wooden scale models of room environments under the natural light of the northern hemisphere in terms of their appreciation, visual comfort, and well-being. The survey involved 80 participants with an exploratory questionnaire in order to compare and classify the different models. Conclusions showed a preference for clear, bright, and warm models for cognitive and small-scale tasks. Darker models in terms of reflectance and lighting ambiences were the least preferred, especially for women.
Analysis of hardwood lumber grade yields using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Quesada Henry , Adhikari Sailesh , Bond Brian , Grushecky Shawn T.
Published: January 2023

The goal of this study was to develop a lumber grade yield prediction model with a probability-based technique known as the Monte Carlo simulation. The data to develop the prediction model was taken from an existing lumber grade yield database developed from red oak logs sawn at the Appalachian region of the United States. Statistical input analysis techniques were used to fit the lumber grade yields to hypothesized probability distributions. Inverse cumulative probability function distributions were developed from the fitted probability distributions to simulate and predict lumber grade yields. The predicted gross revenue was compared with the actual gross revenue and against the gross revenue predicted by a multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The predicted gross revenue using the Monte Carlo simulation had a 0.88% absolute error compared with the actual gross revenue, while the predicted gross revenue from the MLR model had an absolute error of 3.31%. The higher prediction power of the Monte Carlo method was more effective when predicting lumber grade yields from individual log groups. The Monte Carlo model developed in this research can be easily implemented to quickly predict lumber grade yields or gross revenue to support procurement, log inventory management, production, planning, and marketing operations.
Esterification of levulinic acid into ethyl levulinate catalyzed by sulfonated bagasse-carbonized solid acid
Authors: Liu Chenlu , Zhang Kaili , Liu Ying , Wu Shubin
Published: January 2023

A sulfonic carbon-based catalyst (C-SO3H) was successfully prepared by sulfonating incompletely carbonized sugarcane bagasse. The optimized catalyst of high activity in the esterification of levulinic acid (LA) with ethanol was produced under sulfonation at 150 °C for 15 h with a 75 mL/g sulfonation ratio. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analysis (EA). The bagasse-carbonized catalyst was porous, and the porous structure remained unchanged after sulfonation treatment. Moreover, the introduced acidic group was the catalytic center. A high yield of ethyl levulinate (ELA) of 88.2% was obtained at 120 °C for 9 h. The sulfonic carbon-based catalyst could be reused at least five times and still exhibited great stability. The application of the sulfonic carbon-based catalyst was not only the effective use of biomass resources but also promoted the production of various high value chemicals.
Lignin recovery from spent alkaline pulping liquors using acidification, membrane separation, and related processing steps: A Review
Authors: Hubbe Martin A. , Alén Raimo , Paleologou Michael , Kannangara Miyuru , Kihlman Jonas
Published: January 2023

The separation of lignin from the black liquor generated during alkaline pulping is reviewed in this article with an emphasis on chemistry. Based on published accounts, the precipitation of lignin from spent pulping liquor by addition of acids can be understood based on dissociation equilibria of weak acid groups, which affects the solubility behavior of lignin-related chemical species. Solubility issues also govern lignin separation technologies based on ultrafiltration membranes; reduction in membrane permeability is often affected by conditions leading to decreased solubility of lignin decomposition products and the presence of colloidal matter. Advances in understanding of such phenomena have potential to enable higher-value uses of black liquor components, including biorefinery options, alternative ways to recover the chemicals used to cook pulp, and debottlenecking of kraft recovery processes.
Innovación y creatividad, su relación con la materialización de ideas de negocios
Authors: Pérez Palacios Emma Emilia , Solano Lavado Mariela Stacy
Published: January 2023

El presente estudio tiene como propósito analizar las Capacidades de Innovación y Creatividad y su relación con la materialización de Ideas de negocios de los emprendedores de la Incubadora  empresarial “Ideando” de la FCA – UNMSM; para ello se aplicó un estudio cuantitativo de carácter explicativo, correlacional y transversal, que contó con una muestra de estudio de 43 estudiantes incubados que se presentaron a la “Feria Emprendedora”  organizada por la  Incubadora en mención, en noviembre de 2018,  a los cuales se les aplicó un cuestionario idóneo para medir las dimensiones del estudio. Se obtuvo como conclusión más relevante que en 13 de las 15 dimensiones de la variable creatividad e innovación se alcanzaron niveles medios. Sin embargo, en las dimensiones curiosidad mental (74.4%), búsqueda constante de ideas (51.2%) y conocimientos de los procesos de innovación (41.9%), se alcanzaron niveles superiores. Lo que estos resultados indican es que los emprendedores de la Incubadora empresarial “Ideando” tienen características promedio en cuanto a las variables bajo estudio, y con ella, más de la mitad de la muestra llevan sus emprendimientos en un nivel medio, demostrándose que la variable innovación y creatividad es necesaria para la materialización de los emprendimientos. La incubadora empresarial “Ideando”, inició sus operaciones en abril del 2017 y fue desactivada en enero de 2019.
EVALUATION OF THE AGING RATE OF POLYMER INSULATION OF POWER CABLE UNDER THE ACTION OF PERIODIC NON-SINUSOIDAL VOLTAGE
Authors:   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Podoltsev O.D. , Lomko M.O. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, pr. Peremohy, 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine
Published: January 2023

The paper proposes a method for estimating the rate of water treeing growth in the polymer insulation of the power cable, taking into account the presence of higher voltage harmonics. The technique allows to predict the service life of a cable used in a power grid with a distorted voltage, depending on the frequency spectrum of this voltage, as well as to select at the design stage of the cable line the calculated value of the nominal voltage of the cable the service life of the cable will be the same as when operating normally. To implement this technique, a computer program in the Matlab/Simulink package has been developed, which allows to perform appropriate calculations and estimate the service life of the cable insulation according to a predetermined form of distorted voltage in the power grid. For the voltage oscillogram considered as an example, characterized by the value of THDU = 23.4%, it is shown that the value of the relative water treeing growth is equal 1.62, and the service life of the cable will be 0.62 of its service life when operating normally. References 6, figures 4.
DETERMINATION OF PARAMETERS OF TYPICAL DIGITAL STATIC REGULATORS OF INDUSTRIAL ELECTRIC DRIVES
Authors:   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Peremohy Ave., 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Shurub Yu.V.
Published: January 2023

The paper is devoted to the development of an analytical method for determining the settings of typical digital static regulators of industrial electric drives, which can be represented as discrete transfer functions in the Z-transform. It is offered to define parameters of adjustment of static regulators, proceeding from the set static error (statism). The possibility of technical realization of the digital proportional-differential regulator with an ideal digital differentiator is substantiated. Significant improvement of system performance indexes when using the differential component of a digital static controller is shown. References 10, figures 7.
REDUCING THE COST OF IMBALANCES OF THE BALANCING GROUP OF PRODUCERS FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Authors:   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Peremohy Ave., 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Blinov I.V. , Miroshnyk V.O. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Peremohy Ave., 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine, Loskutov S.S. ,   Institute of Electrodynamics National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Peremohy Ave., 56, Kyiv, 03057, Ukraine
Published: January 2023

The analysis of the peculiarities of the work of the balancing group of electricity producers from renewable energy sources in terms of the distribution of the cost of imbalances. Prerequisites for the introduction of a mechanism to support producers in the form of Feed-in-premium are considered. The advantages and disadvantages of independent participation of the producer in the wholesale electricity market are analyzed. The calculations show that when leaving the balancing group of SE "Guaranteed Buyer" it is advisable to form a new balancing group. A method of centralized adjustment of producers' forecasts is proposed in order to reduce the cost of covering the imbalances of the members of the balancing group. The method is based on the use of coefficients calculated by optimizing the objective function, which takes into account the interest of the balancing group as a whole and each individual participant. Calculations have shown that the application of this method reduces the cost of imbalances for most model balancing groups. References 9, figures 2.
The Supreme Council of the Mordovian ASSR in the System of Regional Economic Management Bodies (1953–1964)
Authors: Bikeikin Eugeny N. , Pershina Tatiana A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction. After Stalin’s death, the main task of the CPSU was to reform the management of the national economy, aimed at expanding the practice of people’s self-government at the level of the Soviets. A special place in the system of councils in the region was occupied by the Supreme Council of the MASSR. The purpose of the article is to analyze the reorganization in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its role in managing the economy of the region in the period from 1953 to 1964.

Results. The Supreme Council of the MASSR, as the highest body of state power, closed a unified system of rural, township, city, district, regional and regional councils. By the resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU “On improving the activities of the Soviets of Workers’ Deputies and strengthening their ties with the masses” in early 1957, new legislative and regulatory acts regulating the activities of Councils at the local level were adopted in the republic. The rights of district, city, village and settlement Councils have been significantly expanded in the field of coordination within their competence of the work of enterprises and economic organizations located on the territory of the respective Councils. Conditions have been created for the full involvement of the population in their work, as well as the strengthening of the role of mass organizations. It was assumed that this would not only strengthen the relationship with the population, but also serve to overcome bureaucracy, red tape, inattentive attitude to the needs of ordinary people. Permanent commissions of Soviets were one of the most important organizational forms of involving deputies and active Soviets in solving the tasks of economic and cultural construction and strengthening the connection of Soviets with the masses. The number and types of commissions to be formed were determined by the Supreme Council of the MASSR.

Discussion and Conclusion. The Supreme Council of the Mordovian ASSR, as the highest state authority of the republic, had a clear structural organization designed to ensure the effective implementation of powers in the field of managing the socio-economic life of the republic. This structure was formed following the example of the supreme state authority of the RSFSR in accordance with the principle of unity of organizational forms of the highest level of the system of Soviets of the USSR and the RSFSR.