bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TECHNOLOGICAL SPECIFIC FEATURES ON FORMATION OF PLASMA POWDER COATINGS FROM CERAMICS WITH NON-EQUILIBRIUM STRUCTURE
Authors: Okovity V. A. , Panteleenko F. I. , Astashinsky V. M. , Okovity V. V.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents investigations on studying the influence of plasma jet parameters (current, sputtering distance, consumption of nitrogen plasma forming gas), fractional composition of an initial powder on characteristics of plasma powder coatings from ceramics with a non-equilibrium structure. Optimization of APS parameters (plasma spraying in air) has been carried out for the following materials: NiAl, Al2O3–Cr2O–TiO2– 15 % (CaF2–Ni) and FeCr30Mo3 – 12 % CaF2– 50 % TiC. The optimization of sputtering parameters has been made on the basis of obtaining maximum coefficient of the material use. Structure of coatings, their chemical and phase compositions have a determining effect on physical and mechanical properties of the coatings, in particular, on porosity, adhesion strength and wear resistance. In its turn, a structure and a composition of the coating formed on the substrate depend on energy characteristics of the plasma sputtering process, an efficiency of heat exchange processes between dispersed and gas phases of high-temperature plasma jet, and also on a composition, a structure, and properties of the used materials. Thus, a stable distribution of a solid oxide phase has been observed in the volumes of sputtered materials and there are no surface zones with a deficiency of such inclusions that positively affects operability of the investigated wear-resistant coatings. While carrying out plasma deposition of Al2O3–Cr2O–TiO2– 15 % (CaF2-Ni) powders, a coating with a higher micro-hardness has been formed in comparison with Al2O3–Cr2O–TiO2– 15 % (MoS2–Ni) powders that is due to a decrease in porosity and an increase in uniformity of coatings. Graininess of the coatings exerts a significant influence on density of coatings, nature of phase distribution and strength characteristics (wear resistance and adhesion strength).
INFLUENCE OF VERTICAL CURVE ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
Authors: Selyukov D. D. , Vishnyakov N. V.
Published: July 2018

The paper is devoted to a challenging problem of ensuring traffic safety on the sections of a highway vertical curve and it provides an analysis for works concerning design, lay-out and organization of a project roadway. A change in vehicle speed has been analyzed depending on the length of a curve and a maximum longitudinal slope of a project roadway. The paper presents statistical data about accidents in the Republic of Belarus for several years on the sections of curves pertaining to project roadways. Comparative analysis of difference between point marks on a parabola is given in the paper and the parabola is inscribed in the fracture of the project roadway while using two methods. The paper presents the following errors: geodetic measurements in excesses while laying out pavement, elevation points along pavement axis while making road pavement. Emergence of centrifugal force causes a change in shearing and holding forces. Excess of the shearing force on the holding one leads to spontaneous sliding in the direction of a shearing force vector. Technical solutions have been developped on the basis of systematic functional and active deterministic method. The solutions are protected by invention patents of the Republic of Belarus and they ensure safety passages of highway sections with this type of curves in a longitudinal profile. While constructing and accepting a road for operation it is necessary to control references of curve elements in the longitudinal profile according to the results of executive surveys and in case of operation it is necessary to inform a driver about a safety speed for a passage through such sections
ON THE TECHNIQUE OF MODELING ONTOGENETIC CHANGES IN FISH AND INSECTS LIFECYCLE
Authors: Perevaryukha A. Yu.
Published: July 2018

The article discusses the approach to modeling of metamorphoses in the development of a number of species in the context of their influence on the success of long-term trends of population dynamics. Changes in survival during early ontogenesis, controlled by important factor – the rate of individual development in a competing group of individuals, can cause unexpected degradation of population with a small excess fishing impact. The theory of nonlinear efficiency of reproduction leads us to the hypothesis that two different nonlinear effects are controlled by similar mechanisms. For insects such fluctuations in survival during metamorphosis can start another process - the rapid outbreak of pests, where actual formalization of the impact of parasites on the first stage of development, depending on the initial concentration of clutches, but limited resources is taken into account at a finishing. The method has been for submission to decline of generations on the basis of dynamic overriding differential equations with discrete-continuous structure of time. To extend the previously proposed model for the formation of generations is formed computing structure for the account mortality depending on the level of competition, complete with trigger functional and a new scheme describing the changes the growth rate for the example of the Caspian Sea sturgeon in three ecological and physiological stages of development. The new model has a non-trivial possibilities parametrically modification of behavior regimes. The coexistence of alternative cycles is explained by the increase in adaptive interspecies differences.
ADVANCED SCHEDULER FOR COOPERATIVE EXECUTION OF THREADS ON MULTI-CORE SYSTEM
Authors: Karasik O. N. , Prihozhy A. A.
Published: July 2018

Three architectures of the cooperative thread scheduler in a multithreaded application that is executed on a multi-core system are considered. Architecture A0 is based on the synchronization and scheduling facilities, which are provided by the operating system. Architecture A1 introduces a new synchronization primitive and a single queue of the blocked threads in the scheduler, which reduces the interaction activity between the threads and operating system, and significantly speed up the processes of blocking and unblocking the threads. Architecture A2 replaces the single queue of blocked threads with dedicated queues, one for each of the synchronizing primitives, extends the number of internal states of the primitive, reduces the inter- dependence of the scheduling threads, and further significantly speeds up the processes of blocking and unblocking the threads. All scheduler architectures are implemented on Windows operating systems and based on the User Mode Scheduling. Important experimental results are obtained for multithreaded applications that implement two blocked parallel algorithms of solving the linear algebraic equation systems by the Gaussian elimination. The algorithms differ in the way of the data distribution among threads and by the thread synchronization models. The number of threads varied from 32 to 7936. Architecture A1 shows the acceleration of up to 8.65% and the architecture A2 shows the acceleration of up to 11.98% compared to A0 architecture for the blocked parallel algorithms computing the triangular form and performing the back substitution. On the back substitution stage of the algorithms, architecture A1 gives the acceleration of up to 125%, and architecture A2 gives the acceleration of up to 413% compared to architecture A0. The experiments clearly show that the proposed architectures, A1 and A2 outperform A0 depending on the number of thread blocking and unblocking operations, which happen during the execution of multi-threaded applications. The conducted computational experiments demonstrate the improvement of parameters of multithreaded applications on a heterogeneous multi-core system due the proposed advanced versions of the thread scheduler.
INCREASE OF EFFICIENCY OF SUPPRESSION OF THE ACTIVE NOISE JAMMING IN RADAR INTERCEPTION OF AIR TARGETS IN THE REVIEW MODE
Authors: Markevich V. E.
Published: July 2018

The modified algorithm of the adaptive compensating of the active noise jamming, based on usage of the recurrence estimation of inverse covariance matrix of jamming in the course of an self-tuning is considered. The matrix estimation is formed by a method of a serial regression (SRM), a consequence application of a lemma about inversing of a matrix to differential – to the difference equation for a rounded estimation of direct covariance matrix of jamming (CMJ). The single estimation of straight line CMJ is formed as result dyad products of the instant vectors of noises in handling channels. In partial channels the adaptive transversal filters with the self-tuning on value of a signal of an aggregate error are implemented.

In article skeleton diagrams of devices of the compensating implemented by various methods are resulted. Mathematical modeling of operation of the algorithms, implemented by a method of the least squares (criterion of a minimum RMS error) and a method of a serial regression is performed.

Results of mathematical modeling of operation of the device of compensating of active noises jamming in the conditions of the active radio-electronic counteraction at multipath propagation of signals both non-identical amplitude and phase characteristics of channels of handling are resulted. Optimal values of technical parameters of devices of compensating of the active noises jamming providing obtaining of demanded values of coefficient of suppression are given. The comparative analysis of indexes of efficiency of classical and offered algorithms of compensating is made. Advantage of algorithm of compensating of the active noises jamming, using the recurrence estimation of a inverse covariance matrix of jamming is shown.

The algorithm of functioning on the basis of SRM allows to lower essentially requirements to specialized VLSI (FPGA) at implementation is hardware – program complexes for preprocessing of the radar, radio communication and radio – navigation information in the conditions of influence of the active noises jamming in the presence of effects of multipath propagation of signals, in the presence of delay of signals on an antenna system aperture, and also at unremovable technological dispersion amplitude and phase characteristics of the microwave of channels of handling.
HYBRID COMMUNICATION NETWORK OF MOBILE ROBOT AND QUAD-COPTER
Authors: Kurdi Moustafa M.
Published: July 2018

This paper introduces the design and development of QMRS (Quadcopter Mobile Robotic System). QMRS is a real-time obstacle avoidance capability in Belarus-132N mobile robot with the cooperation of quadcopter Phantom-4. The function of QMRS consists of GPS used by Mobile Robot and image vision and image processing system from both robot and quad-copter and by using effective searching algorithm embedded inside the robot. Having the capacity to navigate accurately is one of the major abilities of a mobile robot to effectively execute a variety of jobs including manipulation, docking, and transportation. To achieve the desired navigation accuracy, mobile robots are typically equipped with on-board sensors to observe persistent features in the environment, to estimate their pose from these observations, and to adjust their motion accordingly. Quadcopter takes off from Mobile Robot, surveys the terrain and transmits the processed Image terrestrial robot. The main objective of research paper is to focus on the full coordination between robot and quadcopter by designing an efficient wireless communication using WIFI. In addition, it identify the method involving the use of vision and image processing system from both robot and quadcopter; analyzing path in real-time and avoiding obstacles based-on the computational algorithm embedded inside the robot. QMRS increases the efficiency and reliability of the whole system especially in robot navigation, image processing and obstacle avoidance due to the help and connection among the different parts of the system.
ABOUT THE GENERAL CONCEPT OF THE UNIVERSAL STORAGE SYSTEM AND PRACTICE-ORIENTED DATA PROCESSING
Authors: Rudikova L. V.
Published: July 2018

Approaches evolution and concept of data accumulation in warehouse and subsequent Data Mining use is perspective due to the fact that, Belarusian segment of the same IT-developments is organizing. The article describes the general concept for creation a system of storage and practice-oriented data analysis, based on the data warehousing technology. The main aspect in universal system design on storage layer and working with data is approach uses extended data warehouse, based on universal platform of stored data, which grants access to storage and subsequent data analysis different structure and subject domains have compound’s points (nodes) and extended functional with data structure choice option for data storage and subsequent intrasystem integration. Describe the universal system general architecture of storage and analysis practice-oriented data, structural elements. Main components of universal system for storage and processing practice-oriented data are: online data sources, ETL-process, data warehouse, subsystem of analysis, users. An important place in the system is analytical processing of data, information search, document’s storage and providing a software interface for accessing the functionality of the system from the outside. An universal system based on describing concept will allow collection information of different subject domains, get analytical summaries, do data processing and apply appropriate Data Mining methods and algorithms.
ANISOTROPIC REGULATOR OF DAMPING OF RANDOM VIBRATIONS OF THE MOBILE PLATFORM OF A BILAMENT VEHICLE APPARATUS
Authors: Abufanas A. S. , Lobaty A. A. , Yacina Yu. F.
Published: July 2018

The problem of damping of random effects on a mobile platform with a system for monitoring the earth’s surface installed on an unmanned aerial vehicle is considered. As an external influence, we consider the random turbulence of the atmosphere, described with the aid of a shaping filter, to which white noise enters. Monitoring system with a mobile platform is considered as a control system, the criterion of optimality of which is proposed to use the criterion of quality of the stochastic norm of the system, which quantitatively characterizes the sensitivity of the output of the system to random input disturbances whose probabilistic distribution is not known accurately. This leads to a special variant of the stochastic norm-the anisotropic norm. A technique for constructing a robust phase control system using an anisotropic regulator is considered. The coefficients of the optimal regulator are obtained by mathematical modeling. As an example for evaluating the operability of the proposed algorithm, one of the control channels of the mobile platform, defined by a discrete mathematical model of the second order, is considered. Qualitative illustrations of the operability of the proposed algorithm and quantitative characteristics of the change in output signals are presented. The use of anisotropic regulators in damping systems of random effects is promising, since it allows to reduce the influence on the quality of the system operation of uncertainties caused by the differences between the chosen mathematical model and the real optimized system.
REVIEW OF THE EUROPEAN SYSTEMS RESEARCH PROGRAMS OF URBAN TERRITORIES
Authors: Kovalskyi L. N. , Smilka V. N.
Published: July 2018

The model of sustainable development of the territory should be in a state of control and management. The system of urban monitoring of Ukraine does not fully provide information on the level of sustainable development of settlements and regions. Therefore, it is necessary to create systems for monitoring indicators of sustainable development of human settlements and regions. The objective of this study is to analyze the existing programs for stimulating sustainable development in European countries and to develop recommendations on the need to organize such systems in Ukraine and to improve the system of urban monitoring. The article describes such systems and programs: URBACT is a program for sharing best practices between cities by creating thematic networks.

URBACT’s mission is to encourage cities to work together and develop integrated solutions to common urban problems, through networking, to learn from each other’s experiences and identify best practices in order to improve urban policies;

URBAN AUDIT – a large set of statistical information. The main objective of the system is to provide objective and comparable statistical data on European cities;

URBAN ATLAS – provides a pan-European comparison of urban land use data. The information is in the form of open geospatial data. The system is aimed at facilitating work on site planning and site accounting. It is necessary to adopt the best practices of implementing sustainable development technology and apply it in other countries that have chosen a model for their development – a model for sustainable development of the territory. The current system of town-planning monitoring in Ukraine needs to be improved and given a new task – to take into account indicators of sustainable development of the territories. This system is most suitable for this task, since urban monitoring already takes into account certain indicators in the form of spatial data.
AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM OF CONTROL OF AVAILABILITY AND USING OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Authors: Rybak V. A. , Shokr A.
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this work is to create an automated system for recording the availability and use of natural resources in the Republic of Belarus. To achieve this goal, the following main tasks were solved: to conduct an analytical review of similar information systems, to highlight their advantages and disadvantages, to develop a new improved version of the system, taking into account previous experience of use, to test the received tool for assessing the environmental friendliness of nature-intensive production and technology. The article provides an analytical review of modern software tools for automation of accounting and rational use of natural resources. It is shown that their application is not possible for a qualitative solution of urgent problems in our country. Three versions of the automated system designed for collecting, storing, processing and presenting subject data on the availability and use of natural resources are consistently described. Comparative analysis with existing analogs is carried out. The distinctive features and advantages of the proposed solution are indicated. With the use of the developed system, the nature of projects in the State Program for Innovative Development of the Republic of Belarus for 20011–2015 was evaluated. The Ministry of Energy is pointed as the state customer of the most resource-intensive use projects and  technologies. Thus, it is shown that the proposed automated information system for recording the availability and use of natural resources makes it possible to collect, store, analyze and display the subject information, and is an actual basis for supporting the adoption of management decisions in the field of natural recourses management and environmental protection. The obtained results were used by the State Committee for Science and Technology for the evaluation of projects as part of the State Program of Innovative Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2011–2015 for the sake of natural recourses cost-effectiveness.
DLP: REDUCED RISK OF LEAKAGE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OF THE BANK
Authors: Andryianava T. A. , Salomatin S. B.
Published: July 2018

Research application of DLP-system for protection of confidential information, a methodology for adapting the DLP-system to the specific activities of the organization, comparative analysis of the results of standard and adapted DLP-systems in the Bank. Developed: a technique for analyzing information security events, algorithm for responding to identified events, methodology and procedures for adapting the standard DLP-system to the specifics of the Bank’s activities. The methodology for adapting a standard DLP-system to the specifics of the Bank’s work consists of the following activities: identification of critical corporate information categories, audit of information systems, description of current risks and their assessment, introduction of rules for Bank’s critical information and setting up a DLP system in accordance with the specifics of the Bank’s work. Modernization of the configuration of a standard DLP-system includes the following procedures: selection of confidential information of the Bank based on membership criteria, setting up detection, creating perimeters and developing an algorithm for responding to identified information security events in the Bank. The algorithm is designed to improve the efficiency of the response of information security officers in cases of incident detection and describes the stages of the subsequent actions. The results of the research prove that using an adapted DLP-system significantly reduces the number of false positives, increasing the accuracy of detecting confidential information and reducing the risk of leakage of critical information outside the corporate network. The application of the adapted DLP-system in the Bank allowed to increase the speed of response of information security specialists to the information security events detected by the DLP-system adapted to the Bank, and also allowed the DLP-system to transition from the copy mode to the blocking mode of illegitimate transfer of information.
THE METHOD OF DESIGNING HYDRAULIC DRIVES ON THE EXAMPLE OF A HYDRAULIC DRIVE OF A LIFTING-MAST DEVICE
Authors: Smirnov S. A. , Gorshkova N. A.
Published: July 2018

The classical approach to the design of hydraulic drives includes complex calculations and real tests, which is a resource-consuming process. Reduce the cost of design allows the introduction of the development of simulation modeling and CAD / CAM / CAE / PDM automation complexes of the production cycle of enterprises. Modeling allows us to use systematic basis methodological achievements of the theory and practice of hydroautomatics for the design of hydraulic devices to accumulate in the orderly form design experience and provide model support for the life cycle of these products. The article deals with the modern approach to the design of hydraulic drives. A type of a preliminary evaluation of hydraulic drive characteris-

tics is given in the example of a hydrodrive of a lifting and mast device. The principle and design schemes of the hydraulic drive are chosen, and a mathematical model is compiled on the basis of the requirements for hoisting and mast devices. A simulation model of the drive is developed on the basis of the mathematical model, consisting of several separate parts connected together. Parts represent a mixed structure of blocks that describe processes in mechanical and hydraulic systems. For visual display an animated 3D model has been created that allows you to observe the progress and results of the simulation. During the calculations, the position dependence graphs of the each link of the lifting and mast device on time, as well as pressure and flow on the safety valve were obtained. Conclusion, based on the results of modeling, was made about the adequacy of the application of models for estimating the characteristics of the projected hydraulic drive in the first approximation. It is recommended to develop such models at the stages of outline and technical design.
APPLICATION OF MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEMS IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Authors: Mikhailov V. G.
Published: July 2018

Questions of application of microprocessor systems for their automation are considered an automation condition on existing designs of truck. It is noticed that now the majority of truck exhausted in the CIS are automated only partially. By automation are captured: control, preliminary treatment of a condition of systems and the information on them; control of start, partially control by power-plant work; control of sprinkling fuel; control of power supply; control of brakes, antiblocking systems, airbags; climate control maintenance; illumination.

Scopes of microprocessor systems in cars and microcontrollers used for this purpose taking into account that now it is required to expand areas of automation of systems of cars considerably are considered. The analysis of systems and the functions which are subject to automation for truck and special cars is carried, questions of application of microprocessor systems for reception of experimental data on roads (microprofile and longitudinal cross-section) and their use at car modelling, and also maintenance of road safety: distance maintenance between cars, control of blind zones; an exception засыпанияthe driver during movement, reduction of harmful influence from noise and vibrations.

It is offered complexing realised functions and systems of their control. The short description and a substantiation of expediency of application of means of automation on the basis of the cheap microprocessor modules Arduino is given, allowing considerably to reduce quantity of used microcontrollers. Block diagrammes of realisation of problems of traction dynamics in package MatLab/Simulink, transformations and horizonting of truck and special cars by means of MC Arduino are resulted. Recommendations to introduction of systems of automation for truck and special cars are made.
APPLICATION OF THE EVOLUTIONARY PARADIGM TO DESIGNING ARCHITEСTURE OF A NEURAL NETWORK FOR RECOGNIZING THE DISTORTED TEXT
Authors: Bury Y. A. , Samal D. I.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents an attempt to apply of evolutionary methods to the design and training of a system for recognizing distorted text.

Over the past decades, artificial neural networks are widely used in many areas of artificial intelligence, such as forecasting, optimization, data analysis, pattern recognition and decision making. Nevertheless, the traditional heuristic approaches to design of multi-layer neural networks are based on the recombination of already existing neural network architectures.

This approach allows us to solve a wide range of problems, but implies compliance with specific conditions for the quality work of algorithms.

The natural analogues of such intelligent systems in living nature, however, are universal enough to adapt to virtually any habitat.

Despite their extreme complexity and limited ability to study their structures, it is known that these structures were formed as a result of the evolutionary process. And if today it is impossible to determine the exact architecture of the links in biological neural systems, then at least one can try to reproduce the very process of their formation in order to obtain a more universal algorithm than those developed to the present moment.

In opposite to them we form the final structure of the core of the classification system by evolutionary process, taking into account the knowledge about the features of the development and construction of the nervous system of vertebrates.

Applying of the approach makes it possible to abstract from the limitations of existing neural network algorithms, caused by the scope of application of specific types of their structures.
SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK FOR VIRTUAL OBJECTS СONTROL
Authors: Popova Yu. B. , Yatsynovich S. V.
Published: July 2018

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are now widely used in control and forecasting problems. The purpose of this work is the implementation of an artificial neural network for virtual objects control in a computer game of football. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve a number of problems related to mathematical modeling of ANN, algorithmization and software implementation. The paper deals with the mathematical modeling of an artificial neural network by the method of back propagation of an error, the algorithms for calculating neurons and for teaching ANN are presented. The software implementation of the artificial neural network was performed in the JavaScript language using the Node. js library, which assumed the role of a server for managing the game process. Some functions of the Underscore. js library were used to work with data arrays. The training sample consisted of more than 1000 sets of inputs and outputs, reflecting all possible situations. The results of software implementation of an artificial neural network are described on the example of virtual players control for a computer game. The results of the work show that ANN with a sufficiently high speed in real time gives the necessary direction for the player’s movement. The use of an artificial neural network has reduced the use of CPU time, which is extremely important in problems where rapid decision making is required, because complex calculations and prediction algorithms can not always be invested in 20 ms, which is fraught with skipping moves and losses. The simulated artificial neural network and the implemented algorithm of its learning can be used to solve other problems, for which only new data of the surrounding world are needed.
COMPRESSION OF HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE OF SAR IMAGES
Authors: Golub Yu. I.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents results of our experiments on compression of the high dynamic range SAR images. The range is equal to 16-bit. Objectives of study were comparison of known approaches to compression of the high dynamic range images; selection of optimal parameters for compression algorithms, and selection of a no-reference measure for image quality assessment after compression. Tone-mapping transformations like gamma correction, Ashikhmin-operator, mu-transformation, as well as no-reference image quality assessment measures were tested. The results of the experiments are presented in the article. It was concluded that further research and analysis of various functions and approaches to compression of dynamic range of SAR images is necessary, since including in the article approaches do not give stable and positive results on all SAR images. It was also concluded that after transformation 16-bit images, it is very difficult to estimate which image is better, and it is necessary to use no-reference image quality assessment measure.
Removal of Heavy Metals and Metalloids by Amino‐Modified Biochar Supporting Nanoscale Zero‐Valent Iron
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Ma Tianxing , Li Xiaoqin , Tu Jingwei , Dang Zhi , Yang Chen
Published: July 2018

Nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI), an environmentally benign material, has been used to remove heavy metals and metalloids from the aqueous phase because of its high reactivity and abundant reactive sites. To improve the stability of nZVI, nanoscale zero‐valent iron supported by amino‐modified biochar (ZVIA‐BC) was prepared and characterized. Its ability to remove heavy metals and metalloid was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses showed that the amino group was chemically bound to the functional groups of biochar. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray diffraction revealed that zero‐valent iron was loaded on the biochar surface. High‐resolution transmission electron microscope images showed that the particle size of iron was ∼50 nm and the particles consisted of roughly spherical cores covered with a shell that was uniformly 2‐ to 3‐nm thick. Furthermore, measuring the zeta potentials at various pH values indicated that the iso‐electric points occurred within the pH range of 7.50 to 7.56. Additionally, heavy metals and metalloids, including Cd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cr(VI) and As(V) adsorption isotherms, on ZVIA‐BC were significantly nonlinear, and ZVIA‐BC exhibited a superior ability to remove these heavy metals and metalloids, especially for Cr(VI) and As(V). Characterization with high‐resolution XPS revealed that reduction of heavy metals and metalloids occurred on the surface of ZVIA‐BC. The main mechanisms for removal were reduction, complexation, co‐precipitation, and electrostatic interaction.

Core Ideas

Nanoscale zero‐valent iron supported by amino biochar was newly prepared and characterized.

Amino modification enhanced the removal of heavy metals because of complexation.

The heavy metal cations and anions could be effectively removed by amino‐modified biochar/nZVI.
Young tourists’ attitude towards domestic tourism: a study on Bangladesh
Authors: Parvez Mahbub , Jahid Bin Kashem Md.
Published: July 2018

Bangladesh is a country with numerous natural attractions, which is the main product of tourism. Currently, the domestic tourism is increasing in Bangladesh rapidly, in which young tourists are the main contributors, as they have high interest and leisure time in exploring tourist destinations. Therefore, it has raised questions on the worthiness of carrying out a study about the attitude, travelling pattern, and the satisfaction level among the young Bangladeshis toward domestic tourism to analyze their contribution to Bangladeshi tourism industry. This study employed a survey questionnaire to collect data, which was adapted from standardized measures. A total of 571 respondents who has been randomly selected from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was involved in the study. The completed questionnaires were analyzed to measure the variables of the study and test the assumptions to achieve the objectives of the study. This study found that the travelling pattern and tour planning of the young tourists vary with regard to their occupation. In addition, the results of the study also portrayed their preferred destinations and activities in the tourist areas and their positive opinion regarding their travel experience. This study provides information to the policymakers, tourism service providers and researchers to satisfy their needs and foster the domestic tourism in Bangladesh.
Civilizing with a Krag: U.S. Counter-Insurgency in Vietnam and Iraq
Authors: Ritchie George
Published: July 2018

This thesis examines and compares the effects of counter-insurgency operations in Vietnam and Iraq. It argues that the populous focused approach that centers on the hearts and minds of the locals is more beneficial and effective than conventional strategies. To support this thesis, research has been conducted on the United States’ history with counter-insurgency operations in Vietnam. This includes conventional tactics of the United States Army designed for war with the Soviets and the United States Marine Corps experiments with the Combined Action Platoon. These cases have been compared to the effectiveness of combating the insurgency in Iraq from the 2003 invasion to 2010, examining the resurgence of people-oriented programs such as the Combined Action Platoon compared to the conventional fighting waged early war. Study of these conflicts remains relevant due to the new administration’s promises of action against insurgent groups worldwide. The ability of successful counter-insurgency to be implemented on a large scale with minor variation is also explored. Links should be drawn from past US involvement with insurgency to present due to the similarities in successful and unsuccessful attempts both past and present.
Old Drugs and New Targets as an Outlook for the Treatment of Tuberculosis
Authors: Zitko Jan , Doležal Martin
Published: July 2018

Background:

Despite of the globally positive trends in the epidemiology of tuberculosis, the
increasing rates of drug-resistant strains are urging to introduce new antituberculars into clinical practice.
Development of a new chemical entity from hit to marketed drug is an extremely time and resources
consuming process with uncertain outcome. Repurposing of clinically used drugs can be a
cheaper alternative to develop new drugs effective in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Objective:

To extract the latest information on new mechanisms of action described or proposed for
clinically used antitubercular drugs. To identify drugs from various pharmacodynamic groups as candidates
for repurposing to become effective in combatting tuberculosis. Attention will be paid to elucidate
the connection between repurposed drugs and new antituberculars in clinical practice or in clinical trials.

Methods:

Scientific databases were searched for the keywords.

Results:

We reviewed the latest aspects of usage and new mechanisms of action for both first-line and
second-line antitubercular drugs in clinical practice. Further, we found that surprisingly large number of
clinically used drugs from various pharmacodynamic groups have potential to be used in the treatment
of tuberculosis, including antimicrobial drugs not typically used against tuberculosis, statins, CNS
drugs (tricyclic phenothiazines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, kinase inhibitors, and others (metformin, disulfiram, verapamil, lansoprazole). Repurposed drugs
may become effective antituberculars, acting either by direct effects on mycobacteria or as adjunct,
host-directed therapy.

Conclusion:

In this review, we showed that proper research of old drugs is a very efficient tool to develop
new antituberculars.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Andrographolide Derivatives as Anti-inflammatory Agent
Authors: Zhu Zeyu , Duan Haibing , Jing Mei , Xu Lipeng , Yu Pei
Published: July 2018

Background:

Andrographolide (Andro) is a main active ingredient of the natural plant Andrographis
paniculata, which has special effects on bacterial infections and inflammatory diseases.

Objective:

We previously synthesized Andrographolide derivatives AL-1 and investigated its anti-inflammatory
activity. For further research, we decided to modify the structure of AL-1 and expected to have better antiinflammatory
activity.

Methods:

By conjugating with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial group, we designed and synthesized the andrographolide
derivative AL-2, AL-3 and AL-4. The anti-inflammatory activity of AL-2, AL-3 and AL-4 was
also evaluated by detecting cell activity and Nitric Oxide (NO) release.

Results: The new compounds AL-2, AL-3 and AL-4 increased cell viability in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced
RAW 264.7 cell, which could have a certain anti-inflammatory activity, and inhibited the release of NO in cells to
reduce the inflammatory response of cells.

Conclusion:

The new compounds AL-2, AL-3 and AL-4 may be candidates of anti-inflammatory drugs in the
future.
Cardiovascular Effects of Liraglutide
Authors: Mikhail Nasser
Published: July 2018

Background:

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like 1 (GLP-1) agonist approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.  Objective: To review the cardiovascular effects of liraglutide including macrovascular and microvascular events, its use in heart failure, and its effects on heart rate and blood pressure.

Results:

The impact of liraglutide on cardiovascular outcomes was examined in a large welldesigned study published in 2016, the LEADER trial. This study included 9,340 patients with advanced type 2 diabetes and high baseline cardiovascular risk. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke. After a median follow-up of 3.8 years, patients randomized to liraglutide had significant reduction in the composite primary outcome compared to patients randomized to placebo, hazard ratio (HR) 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.97. Death from cardiovascular causes was significantly reduced with liraglutide therapy (HR, 0.78; 95% CI 0.66-0.93), as well as death from any cause (HR, 0.85; 95% CI 0.74-0.97). In 2017, the LEADER investigators reported that nephropathy events were significantly lower after liraglutide therapy than placebo (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.92), but there was no significant difference in retinopathy events. Meanwhile, other studies suggested that the use of liraglutide may be harmful in patients with severe heart failure, in part due to increase in heart rate.

Conclusion:

Liraglutide is a useful therapy in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes complicated by cardiovascular disease, except patients with severe heart failure. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of liraglutide, and to see whether its beneficial effects extend to patients with type 2 diabetes and low cardiac risk.
MRI Imaging, Comparison of MRI with other Modalities, Noise in MRI Images and Machine Learning Techniques for Noise Removal: A Review
Authors: Khan Sajid Ullah , Ullah Najeeb , Ahmed Imran , Ahmad Irshad , Mahsud Muhammad Irfan
Published: July 2018

Background:

Medical imaging is to assume greater and greater significance in an
efficient and precise diagnosis process.

Discussion: It is a set of various methodologies which are used to capture internal or external images
of the human body and organs for clinical and diagnosis needs to examine human form for
various kind of ailments. Computationally intelligent machine learning techniques and their application
in medical imaging can play a significant role in expediting the diagnosis process and making
it more precise.

Conclusion:

This review presents an up-to-date coverage about research topics which include recent
literature in the areas of MRI imaging, comparison with other modalities, noise in MRI and
machine learning techniques to remove the noise.
Fireworks: How to Simulate the Manufacture and Operation in the Atmosphere with the Substitution of Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Rudolf Rebeka , Ferčec Urban , Shariq Mohammed
Published: July 2018

Background:

This review provides a closer look at recent work in the field of fireworks
manufacture, which could see the replacement of micron-sized particles with their nano-scaled counterparts.
Moreover, we also discuss micron-sized particles as well as nanoparticles (NPs) from K, Fe,
Al, Ti, Ba, etc., that are produced in the atmosphere as a result of these fireworks. One of the possible
technological substitutes for fireworks is presented in detail, i.e., the use of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis
(USP) technology.

Method:

We searched Google, Web of Science and PubMed for a literature survey of fireworks and
their products: firecrackers, micron-sized and nanoparticles. Moreover, we used some of our own
knowledge and experimental data to strengthen the possibility of simulating the synthesis of firework
products on the laboratory scale.

Results:

The use of nano reactants and oxidisers has seen a substantial increase in the sound efficiency
and a decrease in the amount of chemicals used, making fireworks more eco-friendly. The
application of Al- and Ti-based nano flash powder in the size range from 35 nm to 50 μm resulted in
a significant improvement in the ignition properties of the fireworks. Under changing aerodynamic
conditions, it is difficult to collect them as samples for real-time monitoring, needed for their characterization
or the testing of their harmfulness under laboratory conditions. As a result, NPs below 100
nm in the surroundings could be easily inhaled into the lungs and cause more pulmonary and respiratory
problems than micron-sized particles. USP produces nanoparticles in the laboratory that could
replace the conventional micron-sized firecracker raw materials, or nanoparticles that are similar to
those formed by fireworks. It will also help to identify the physiochemical properties of the airborne
particulates in order to understand and evaluate their impact.

This review could be valuable for a controlled economic synthesis through USP, and in the use of
nanopowders in pyrotechnology that could reduce pollution to a great extent, thus contributing to the
growth and good practise of the fireworks industry. With respect to the USP synthesis, we have also
discussed in detail the physical (size, shape) and chemical (composition) characteristics of Al2O3 and
TiO2 NPs from different precursors and their temperature ranges. An in-depth explanation for a comparative
analysis for the formation mechanism of nanoparticles through both fireworks and USP is
presented in the final section.

Conclusion:

We can produce nanoparticles in the laboratory with ultrasonic spray pyrolysis that
have similar properties to those produced from fireworks and can then be used for further testing.
Successful Use of Aliskiren in a Case of IgA- Mesangial Glomerulonephritis Unresponsive to Conventional Therapies
Authors: Simeoni Mariadelina , Nicotera Ramona , Pelagi Elena , Libri Emanuela , Comi Nicolino , Fuiano Giorgio
Published: July 2018

Introduction: The early suspension of Altitude trial in recent years has induced most nephrologists
and cardiologists to abandon Aliskiren use. Consequently, the potential usefulness of the direct
renin inhibition in IgA glomerulonephritis remained an under-investigated therapeutic option.

Case Report: We report the case of a 53 years old IgA GMN patient unresponsive to all conventional
anti-angiotensin-2 agents, steroids and immunosuppressants, in which the administration of Aliskiren
permitted to achieve and maintain a complete proteinuria remission in the absence of any adverse
event.

Conclusion:

Aliskiren might represent a valid and safe therapeutic option in IgA GMN, although further
investigations would be needed to confirm this conclusion.
In Vivo Genetic Strategies for the Specific Lineage Tracing of Stem Cells
Authors: Fan Hong , Liu Xinyu , Shen Yahui , Chen Siwei , Huan Yu , Shan Junjia , Zhou Chengji , Wu Shengxi , Zhang Zifeng , Wang Yazhou
Published: July 2018

Background:

Characterization of the fate changes of stem cells is essential to understand the roles of certain stem cells both during development and in diseases, such as cancer. In the past two decades, more and more importance has been paid to the studies of in vivo lineage tracing, because they could authentically reveal the differentiation, migration and even proliferation of stem cells. However, specific genetic tools have only been developed until recently.

Objective:

To summarize the progresses of genetic tools for specific lineage tracing with emphasis on their applications in investigating the stem cell niche signals.

Results:

Three major genetic strategies have been reviewed according to the development of technique, particularly the advantages and disadvantages of individual methods.

Conclusion:

In vivo specific lineage tracing of stem cells could be achieved by comprehensive application of multiple genetic tools.
MOSQUE: A STATEMENT OF CITIZENSHIP
Authors: Sapian Abdul Razak , Ismail Mohd Noorizhar , Rashid Mizanur , Wan Mohd Rani Wan Nurul Mardiah
Published: July 2018

Mosque is referred to as a place for Muslim’s congregational prayers, a community centre, and a frontage to the Muslim’s world. Mosque from the start was intended as a sanctuary and home to the Muslims where they can affiliate in their lives. In Australia, the Afghan cameleers have established the major mosques as they were among the early Muslim settlers of the country after the Makassar Muslims. Afghans Cameleers in Australia are majority Muslims in a faraway land of Afghanistan, who migrated to this place of unfamiliarity in order to place themselves in the society while searching for wealth in sustaining and building their reputation in their homeland. This research seeks to explore the idea of citizenship through the concept of belonging and how it translates to architecture and the Islamic built environment. To express the sense of belonging and citizenship in a land where they are unaccepted, the Afghans resort to creating a building of such that would represent their struggles, identity, religion and legacy to be accepted and represent their citizenship. This research will study the elements that result to the citizenship of the Muslim Afghans in Australia. The citizenship approach will focus on the social inference rather than political or constitutional approach as the 1901 immigration law dictates that these people will never be naturalized.