bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectory tracking of an omnidirectional mobile robot using Gaussian process regression
Authors: Eschmann Hannes , Ebel Henrik , Eberhard Peter
Published: August 2021

Mobile robots are enjoying increasing popularity in a number of different automation tasks. Omnidirectional mobile robots especially allow for a very flexible operation. They are able to accelerate in every direction, regardless of their orientation. In this context, we developed our own robot platform for research on said types of robots. It turns out that these mobile robots show interesting behaviour, which commonly used models for omnidirectional mobile robots fail to reproduce. As the exact sources and structures of mismatches are still unknown, non-parametric Gaussian process regression is used to develop a data-based model extension of the robot. A common control task for industrial applications is trajectory tracking, where a robot needs to follow a predefined path, for example in a warehouse, as close as possible in space and time. Appropriate feed-forward solutions for the data-based model are developed and finally leveraged in closed-loop control via nonlinear model predictive control. In real-world experiments, the results are compared to commonly used proportional position-based feedback. This novel contribution builds upon the preliminary work in [7] but, for the first time, includes also closed-loop (trajectory) tracking.
Distributed parameter modeling and model predictive control of weft insertion in air-jet weaving
Authors: Wu Tong , Huang Marvin , Ochudlo Patrick , Dörschel Lorenz , Kemper Maximilian , Abel Dirk , Gries Thomas
Published: August 2021

In air-jet weaving, the braking of inserted weft threads plays a significant role in fabric quality and machine productivity. This contribution presents Model Predictive Control (MPC) which controls the weft tip’s position and velocity with an optimal braking force. The inserted weft thread is firstly modeled as a distributed parameter system. The relation between the braking force and the weft tip’s position is described by a Partial Differential Equation (PDE). By analyzing the PDE with Laplace transform and solving the PDE with a Galerkin method, a state-space model is presented. Subsequently, identification experiments of the constructed yarn brake are performed and the whole model is analyzed as well as reduced using balanced truncation. Based on the system states and input disturbance estimated by a dual Kalman filter, an MPC controls the weft tip’s position and velocity appropriately without any backward movement. Regarding model deviations and simulated measurement errors, the MPC performs robustly.
Comparison of two model reduction approaches of an industrial drying process
Authors: Berner Marc Oliver , Mönnigmann Martin
Published: August 2021

Dynamic models have proven to be helpful for determining the residual water content in combustible biomass. However, these models often require partial differential equations, which render simulations impracticable when several thousand particles need to be considered, such as in the drying of wood chips. Reduced-order models help to overcome this problem. We compare proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) based to balanced truncation based reduced-order models. Both reduced models are lean enough for an application to systems with many particles, but the model based on balanced truncation shows more accurate results.
Kinetics study on reactive extraction of formic acid using tri-n-octyl amine diluted in n-butyl acetate
Authors: Shambharkar Dhiraj , Pal Dharm
Published: August 2021

Formic acid is the simplest yet commercially valuable organic acid. It is widely used as a stabilizer and sterile agent in food industries. Reactive extraction is highly effective and selective technique for the recovery of formic acid from dilute solutions. Kinetics study provide rate controlling step (reaction rate or diffusion) that is required to visualize the intrinsic reactive extraction mechanism. Kinetics study of formic acid (0.1–0.4 kmol/m3) extraction with tri-n-octyl amine (TOA) (0.11–0.67 kmol/m3) in n-butyl acetate (NBA) was investigated at temperature 308 ± 1 K. Kinetics study was carried out in a Lewis cell. Effect of formic acid concentration, TOA concentration, speed of stirring, and phase volume ratio were investigated to find the reaction regime. Diffusivity coefficient (DA) of formic acid in NBA was found 3.20 × 10−7 m2/s. Reaction rate constant was evaluated to be 0.616 m3/mol s. The physical mass transfer coefficient (kL) was evaluated to be 0.8278 × 10−6 × N
3.387. The reaction was independent on hydrodynamic parameters and falls under fast reaction regime. The reaction was found first order with respect to both formic acid as well as TOA, occurring in the diffusion film. The findings of the present work are helpful in the selection of commercially viable extraction system and in the design of extractors.
Design and operation of smart hybrid microgrid
Authors: Gupta Narayan Prasad , Paliwal Priyanka
Published: August 2021

Renewable energy resources based hybrid microgrid has emerged as a significant component of the power system. Nevertheless, the control and management of power, voltage and frequency under transition between grid-connected mode (GCM) and islanded mode (IM) is a major concern. This paper proposes a self-sustained and flexible novel cooperative control strategy (CCS) for smart hybrid microgrid (SHMG) under GCM and IM mode operations. In islanded operation of SHMG, conventional droop offers ease of control but its execution with seamless transition between operating modes poses poor voltage regulation and frequency deviation. For this purpose, an intelligent cooperative controller is proposed. It consists of a modified P/f-Q/V droop control (MDC) algorithm along with soft computing based VF-controller unit (VFCU). The proposed control scheme is implemented to regulate voltage and frequency. It also enhances the power quality with unbalanced non-linear load and source intermittencies. The absence of a communication link reduces cost and also eliminates the risk of single point breakdown. The SHMG has been simulated in MATLAB and implemented in real-time. The obtained experimental results demonstrate the competency and high robustness of the proposed scheme.
Efficient power scheduling in smart homes using a novel artificial ecosystem optimization technique considering two pricing schemes
Authors: Mouassa Souhil , Tostado-Véliz Marcos , Jurado Francisco
Published: August 2021

With emergence of automated environments, energy demand increased with unexpected ratio, especially total electricity consumed in the residential sector. This unexpected increase in demand in energy brings a challenging task of maintaining the balance between supply and demand. In this work, a robust artificial ecosystem-inspired optimizer based on demand-side management is proposed to provide the optimal scheduling pattern of smart homes. More precisely, the main objectives of the developed framework are: i) Shifting load from on-peak hours to off-peak hours while fulfilling the consumer intends to reduce electricity-bills. ii) Protect users comfort by improving the appliances waiting time. Artificial ecosystem optimizer (AEO) algorithm is a novel optimization technique inspired by the energy flocking between all living organisms in the ecosystem on earth. Demand side management (DSM) program is modeled as an optimization problem with constraints of starting and ending of appliances. The proposed optimization technique based DSM program is evaluated on two different pricing schemes with considering two operational time intervals (OTI). Extensive simulation cases are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed optimizer based energy management scheme. AEO minimizes total electricity-bills while keeping the user comfort by producing optimum appliances scheduling pattern. Simulation results revealed that the proposed AEO achieved a minimization electricity-bill up to 10.95, 10.2% for RTP and 37.05% for CPP for the 12 and 60 min operational time interval (OTI), respectively, in comparison to other results achieved by other optimizers. On the other hand peak to average ratio (PAR) is reduced to 32.9% using RTP and 31.25% using CPP tariff.
New insights into singularity analysis
Authors: Halder Amlan K. , Paliathanasis Andronikos , Leach Peter G. L.
Published: August 2021

In this work, we emphasize the use of singularity analysis in obtaining analytic solutions for equations for which standard Lie point symmetry analysis fails to make any lucid decision. We study the higher-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili, Boussinesq, and Kaup–Kupershmidt equations in a more general sense. With higher-order equations, there can be a commensurate number of resonances and when consistency for the full equation is examined at each resonance the constant of integration is supposed to vanish from the expression so that it remains arbitrary, but if there is an instance of this not happening, the consistency can be partially established by giving the offending constant the value from the defining equation. If consistency is otherwise not compromised, the equation can be said to be partially integrable, i.e., integrable on a surface of the complex space. Furthermore, we propose an approach that is meant to magnify the scope of singularity analysis for equations admitting higher values for resonances or positive leading-order exponent.
Ovarian lesions and tumors in infants and older children
Authors: Fiegel Henning C. , Gfroerer Stefan , Theilen Till-Martin , Friedmacher Florian , Rolle Udo
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Ovarian lesions are rare but frequent in children. Patients could present with abdominal pain, but ovarian lesions could also be incidentally found on ultrasound. Awareness is required in cases with acute, severe lower abdominal pain, as ovarian torsion could be the cause. Other lesions can be cysts or benign or malignant ovarian tumors. Thus, the aim of this paper is to review typical ovarian lesions according to age, imaging and laboratory findings, and surgical management.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the patient charts of 39 patients aged 10.4 ± 6.1 years (from 3 months to 18 years) with ovarian lesions treated in our institution between 01/2009 and 08/2020. All clinical and pathological findings of infants and children operated on for ovarian lesions were included.

Results

Ovarian lesions in children younger than 2 years of age were typically ovarian cysts, and ovarian tumors were not observed in this age group. In older children over 10 years of age, tumors were more common – with mostly teratoma or other germ cell tumors, followed by epithelial tumors. Moreover, acute or chronic ovarian torsion was observed in all age groups. In general, ovarian tumors were much larger in size than ovarian cysts or twisted ovaries and eventually showed tumor marker expression of AFP or ß-HCG. Simple ovarian cysts or twisted ovaries were smaller in size. Surgery for all ovarian lesions should aim to preserve healthy ovarian tissue by performing partial ovariectomy.

Conclusions

In adolescent girls with acute abdominal pain, immediate laparoscopy should be performed to rule out ovarian torsion. Careful imaging evaluation and the assessment of tumor markers should be performed in painless ovarian lesions to indicate an adequate surgical ovarian-sparing approach.
Towards a more objective time standard in competitive rowing
Authors: Kimmins Kenneth M. , Tsai Ming-Chang
Published: August 2021

Rowing needs a standardized Gold Medal Standard (GMS) to clearly compare performance across boat classes in competition. Here, we report a method to factor out environmental effects, developing a fairer GMS for individual rowing events. We used results from World Rowing Championships and Olympics Games (2005–2016) to calculate the difference between the fastest winning time of the day and other event winning times on the same day. From this, we calculated a prognostic GMS time for each event via repeated k-fold cross-validation linear regression. Then, we compared these values with the 10-year average winning time and the World Best Time (WBT). We repeated this process to develop prognostic podium standard (PS) times. The prognostic GMS times (RMSE = 9.47;R2= 0.875) were universally slower than the WBT (current GMS) by 6.2 s on average but faster than the 10-year average by 12.3 s. The prognostic PS times (RMSE = 10.5;R2= 897) were also slower than the WBT but faster than the 10-year average, by 12.2 and 6.3 s respectively. Our time-difference prediction model based on historical data generates non-outlier prognostic times. With the utilization of relative time difference, this approach promises a selection standard independent of environmental conditions, easily applicable across different sports.
Evaluation of the nanostructure of calcium silicate hydrate based on atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy experiments
Authors: Zhu Zheyu , Wang Zhongping , Zhou Yue , Chen Yuting , Zhou Long , She Anming
Published: August 2021

Calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) is the main product of cement hydration, which forms the microstructure of cement via the stacking of basic nanocrystals or gel units, and has a substantial influence on the mechanical performance of cement. Tetrahedron chains of silicon oxide form the main nanoscale structure of basic C–S–H units. Evaluation on the nanostructure of these tetrahedron chains facilitates to understand the source of cement strength. This article first introduced the atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) technique into evaluating the nanostructure of C–S–H. The nano infrared spectroscopy of stacking C–S–H nanograins and tetrahedron spatial distribution mapping was obtained. The results demonstrate that the relative quantity of tobermorite-like and jennite-like units in C–S–H nanograins can be analyzed by AFM-IR. The stacking between C–S–H particles is facilitated to a large extent by silicate (

SiO

4

2
−

{\text{SiO}}_{4}^{2-}

) tetrahedron chains formed of three tetrahedrons bridged by two oxygen atoms (i.e., Q2 chains), and there are Q2 chains acting as bridges between C–S–H particles. The proportions of different types of Q2 chains available for facilitating C–S–H particle stacking vary at the nanoscale. AFM-IR spatial mapping demonstrate that the orientations of these Q2 chains are not evenly distributed. These findings provide experimental information of the stacking C–S–H gaps.
Reflecting People’s Will: Evaluating elections with computer aided simulations
Authors: Verma Dhruv
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study is evaluate various single winner voting systems with the help of computer aided simulations. The impact of phenomena such as strategic voting, spoiler effect and centre squeeze are studied on various election systems such as First Past the Post, Ranked voting, Approval voting and Score voting. The democratic process gives great moral legitimacy to the winner as they are deemed to be chosen by the people, ergo the election system too needs to accurately reflect the will of all the people. Single winner systems or “winner takes all” systems have the advantage of decisive governments as compared to proportional systems but by its construct exclude parliamentary representation to a large percentage of voters who ended up on the losing side. It is therefore even more important that the single winner system mirror the voters mandate as accurately as possible. I conclude after evaluation that alternate systems such as Instant Runoff or Approval voting could be considered in lieu of the FPTP systems as they have fewer flaws and are more likely to give a truer representation of electorate’s choice.
“To Those Who Have Ears to Hear:” Clement of Alexandria on the Parables of Jesus
Authors: Vennerstrom Carl
Published: August 2021

This article addresses the topic of parables in the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria. The broad thesis is that New Testament scholarship can help clarify early Christian interpretation of the New Testament. Clement of Alexandria has a very precise definition of the genre of parable. This definition is compared with various literary definitions found in the work of the grammarian Trypho of Alexandria and with one modern definition. Both of these comparisons bring out the precision, clarity, and usefulness of Clement’s definition for understanding the function of parables. The discussion then turns to the grounding of Clement’s definition in the saving mission of the Son. Since Clement closely links parables with prophecy and redemptive suffering, John Meier’s exposition of the Parable of the Wicked Tenants is introduced to show how parables can concretely express the redemptive suffering of the Son. Meier also demonstrates how the disciples were themselves involved in writing and completing this parable, so the article closes with an analysis of one of Clement’s interpretations of a parable, his own contribution to the tradition of parabolic speech.
Die Peloponnes in der mykenischen Palastzeit – wie „homogen“ war das Leben der Menschen in den einzelnen Regionen?
Authors: Mühlenbruch Tobias
Published: August 2021

Der längste Abschnitt der mykenischen „Palastzeit“, Späthelladisch III A2/B (ca. 1370–1200 v. Chr.), wird in der mykenischen Archäologie auch mit dem Begriff der „koiné“ bezeichnet, da uns die materiellen Hinterlassenschaften dieser Jahrzehnte als ausgesprochen homogen erscheinen. Mit diesem Beitrag wird dies für die Peloponnes kritisch und auf einer breiteren Quellenbasis hinterfragt. Dabei wird auf durchaus nicht zu unterschätzende Unterschiede in der materiellen Kultur dieser Zeit hingewiesen, die wiederum in Zusammenhang mit den Handlungen und Entscheidungen der Menschen in der damaligen Zeit gesehen werden müssen. Insgesamt wird dem Modell „homogenerer“ Verhältnisse, ausgehend von der materiellen Kultur, zugestimmt – im Vergleich mit unserem Bild der frühmykenischen Zeit sowie der Nachpalastzeit.

Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, von der materiellen Kultur ausgehend zwingende Rückschlüsse auf die politische Gliederung in der Vergangenheit, auf das konkrete Territorium eines „Staates“, auf Grenzverläufe etc. ziehen zu können, sei allerdings als sehr gering eingeschätzt.
The plastic of clothing and the construction of visual communication and interaction: a semiotic examination of the eighteenth-century French dress
Authors: Jardim Marilia
Published: August 2021

The article presents an account of the visual relations created by garments through their plastic formants, examining the role played by form, material, and composition in creating body hierarchies that produce prescribed behaviors between different subjects. The work dissects the concept of thematic role from Greimasian theory, investigating the manners in which an eighteenth-century wedding dress presents the chaining of programs governing materials, garments, and the body in the production of narrative interactions between subjects. The work utilizes a combination of Greimas’ method with the Visual Semiotics continued by Floch and Oliveira, as well as Hammad’s Semiotics of Space which permit the exam of optical relations created in the body through its clothing – relations that can be read as manifesting values that are both historically and socially determined, or in the act of apprehension of an object. The eighteenth century provides a type of “original” case, whose results are pertinent to a broader study of the relations between body and dress: the work concludes with the understanding that Fashion changes through the transit of values and roles invested in the body and dress – a set of changes closely linked to the construction of social roles.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary health care physicians, junior doctors, and medical college students towards autism in Duhok, Iraq
Authors: Rashid Berivan , Taha Perjan
Published: August 2021

Background and objective: The knowledge of autism spectrum disorder among physicians and medical students is limited. This study aimed to find out the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary health care physicians, junior doctors, and 6th year medical college students in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan toward autism spectrum disorder. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 10th until October 30th, 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Two hundred and two questionnaires were completed by the three participants’ groups. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical analysis system (SAS, version 9.4). Results: Of the 202 participants, 24.8% were sixth year medical students, others were junior doctors (35.6%) and primary health care physicians (39.6%). Of them, 51.5% were females and 48.5% were males. High percentages (90.1% and 91.1%) of respondents heard and knew about autism spectrum disorder, respectively. They showed poor information on identification and management. Primary health care physicians had more knowledge on the genetic basis of autism (P <0.001) and behavioral therapy for autism (P = 0.016). No significant differences in knowledge was found between both gender groups except that female participants had limited knowledge on its genetic basis (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Although primary health care physicians, rotators, and medical students generally heard about autism spectrum disorder, they had limited knowledge of its diagnosis and management. It is recommended to introduce autistic disorders lectures to the medical college curriculum and training of physicians by experienced professionals. Keywords: KAP; Physicians; Medical students; Autism.
The diagnostic value of squirting rectal bleeding: The first description of such bleeding pattern
Authors: Muttosh Izzat
Published: August 2021

Background and objective: Rectal bleeding is a common symptom that has many patterns, but none of them are accurately diagnostic. One newly noticed pattern can be diagnostic, namely, the squirting pattern, for which this study was conducted. Methods: The study was conducted between Jan 2013 and Jun 2018, including 132 patients who presented with a squirting pattern of rectal bleeding, which is thought to be due to hemorrhoids. All these patients underwent clinical evaluation and anoscopy, and the majority (n=94) underwent colonoscopy. Results: At the time of clinical examination, 23 patients showed actively bleeding hemorrhoids. Fifteen patients were not convinced to undergo colonoscopy. The rest (n=94) who had no visible active bleeding at the time of examination underwent a colonoscopy to exclude other possible rectal or colonic pathology. All the 94 colonoscopies were negative for other bleeding sources. Two patients showed single benign non bleeding polyps, which were excised and biopsied. Conclusion: This study highlights a pattern of rectal bleeding that is not described before and proved it is a reliable diagnostic pattern for hemorrhoids. It also showed that colonoscopy is not needed in patients below 40 years complaining of squirting rectal bleeding unless indicated for some other reason. This decision is to be made very carefully. Keywords: Squirting rectal bleeding; Hemorrhoids; Colonoscopy.
θ-Band Cortical Tracking of the Speech Envelope Shows the Linear Phase Property
Authors: Zou Jiajie , Xu Chuan , Luo Cheng , Jin Peiqing , Gao Jiaxin , Li Jingqi , Gao Jian , Ding Nai , Luo Benyan
Published: August 2021

When listening to speech, low-frequency cortical activity tracks the speech envelope. It remains controversial, however, whether such envelope-tracking neural activity reflects entrainment of neural oscillations or superposition of transient responses evoked by sound features. Recently, it is suggested that the phase of envelope-tracking activity can potentially distinguish entrained oscillations and evoked responses. Here, we analyze the phase of envelope-tracking in humans during passive listening, and observe that the phase lag between cortical activity and speech envelope tends to change linearly across frequency in the θ band (4–8 Hz), suggesting that the θ-band envelope-tracking activity can be readily modeled by evoked responses.
Music Theory's Other Nature: Reflections on Gaia, Humans, and Music in the Anthropocene
Authors: Rehding Alexander
Published: August 2021

The new historical paradigm ushered in by the Anthropocene offers a timely and urgent opportunity to rethink the relationship of humans and nature. Bruno Latour's take on the Gaia hypothesis, which rejects the traditional subject/object divide, shows how the human can be inscribed into the work of music theory. This turn toward Latour's Actor-Network Theory, which erases the categorical difference between human and nonhuman agents, now dressed up in cosmic garb under the banner of the Gaia hypothesis, appears to be distant from traditional music-theoretical concerns, but the connection is in fact less far-fetched than it seems. J. G. Kastner's music theory, taking its cue from the sound of the Aeolian harp, serves as a test case here: the Aeolian harp, played by wind directly, had long served as a Romantic image of the superhuman forces of nature, but Kastner argues that the Aeolian network only becomes complete in human ears. By unraveling the various instances and agencies of Kastner's theory, this article charts a novel approach to music and sound that sidesteps the conceptual problems in which the nineteenth-century mainstream habitually gets entangled. Kastner's work is based on a fundamental crisis in the conception of sound, after the invention of the mechanical siren (1819) tore down any certainties about the categorical distinction between noise and musical sound. Seeking to rebuild the understanding of sound from the ground up, Kastner leaves no stone unturned, from the obsolete Pythagorean tradition of musica mundana to travelers’ reports about curious sonic environmental phenomena from distant parts of the world. Where the old mechanistic paradigm was built on a “physical music” (and a static “sound of nature” based on the harmonic series), Kastner proposes a new “chemical music” that is based on the dynamic, ever-changing sonority of the Aeolian harp. This chemical music does not (yet) exist, but Kastner gives us some clues about its features, especially in his transcription/simulation of the sound of the Aeolian harp scored for double symphony orchestra. Kastner's “chemical music” finally closes the music-theoretical network that he builds around his new conception of the supernatural sound of the Aeolian harp and its human and nonhuman agents.
An oral lipidic native testosterone formulation that is absorbed independent of food
Authors: Newell-Price John , Huatan Hiep , Quirke Jo , Porter John , Daniel Eleni , Mumdzic Enis , Voet Bernard , Keevil Brian , Whitaker Martin J , Ross Richard J
Published: August 2021

Context

There is no licensed oral native testosterone (NT) because of challenges in the formulation. Licensed oral formulations of the ester, testosterone undecanoate (TU), require a meal for absorption and generate supraphysiological dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels.

Objective

To develop an oral NT formulation.

Design and methods

A lipid-based formulation of native testosterone filled into soft-gelatin capsules at 40 mg per capsule was designed with 2 years of stability at ambient temperature. Pharmacokinetic comparison studies of this oral lipidic NT formulation to oral TU were conducted in dogs and hypogonadal men.

Results

In dogs, 40 mg NT was well absorbed under fasted conditions whereas 40 mg TU required a high-fat meal: for NT, the mean fed/fasted AUC ratio was 1.63 and for TU 7.05. In hypogonadal men, fed and fasted NT had similar pharmacokinetics: Cmax mean 26.5 vs 30.4 nmol/L (769 vs 882 ng/dL), AUC0–10 h 87 vs 88.6 h nmol/L. NT (fed state) showed a testosterone AUC increase of 45% between 120 and 200 mg, and NT 200 mg gave a similar mean AUC0–10 h to TU 80 mg: 87 vs 64.8 h nmol/L. Serum TU levels were variable and on a molar basis were ~ten-fold higher than serum testosterone levels after TU 80 mg fed. The DHT: testosterone AUC0–10 h ratio was more physiological for NT than TU being 0.19 vs 0.36. There were no emerging safety concerns with NT.

Conclusion

This novel oral lipidic native testosterone formulation has potential advantages over oral TU of dosing independently of food and a lower risk of supraphysiological DHT levels.

Significance statement

There is no licensed oral testosterone because of challenges in formulation, and the oral formulations of the ester, testosterone undecanoate, require a fatty meal for absorption and generate supraphysiological dihydrotestosterone levels. We have overcome the design challenges and formulated an oral native testosterone that can be taken with or without food and provides physiological levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in hypogonadal men. This formulation, DITEST, has the potential advantage of being oral for patients who do not tolerate injections and less risk of adverse events that might theoretically be associated with elevated dihydrotestosterone levels. Future studies will need to define the dosing regimen for replacement in hypogonadal men.
Characterization and impact of curing duration on the compressive strength of coconut shell coarse aggregate in concrete
Authors: Chin Mei Yun , Rahman Md. Rezaur , Kuok Kuok King , Chiew Wai Yun , Bin Bakri Muhammad Khusairy
Published: August 2021

Partial replacement with coconut shell coarse aggregates was studied as a means to produce lightweight coconut shell concrete (CSC). Coconut shell concrete is a structural grade lightweight concrete that has a lower self-load compared to the normal weight concrete (NWC), which allowed the production of larger precast units. An experimental study and analysis were conducted using different volume percentages of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% of coconut shell as coarse aggregates, to produce M30 (30 MPa) grade concrete. The compressive strength of the NWC and CSC were obtained on the 7th and 28th day. The optimum results obtained for M30 grade concrete at 7th and 28th day of CSC were 34.2 and 38.6 MPa, respectively. In addition, the workability and weight-reduction were analyzed and compared with NWC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were also used to investigate the structural morphology, chemical composition, and infrared functional groups of the concrete.
Improvement of analytical determination of residual quantities of active substances of the triasole class in juices
Authors:   Department of hygiene and ecology №1, Bogomolets National Medical University, Vavrinevych O , Hyrenko D ,   Department of hygiene and ecology No1, Bogomolets National Medical University, Hyrenko T ,   Department of hygiene and ecology No1, Bogomolets National Medical University, Omelchuk S ,   Department of hygiene and ecology No1, Bogomolets National Medical University, Syrota A ,   Department of hygiene and ecology No1, Bogomolets National Medical University
Published: August 2021

Today, the most common among fungicides approved for use in Ukraine, as well as in other countries, are compounds of the triazole class. Juices, as a product of processing agricultural raw materials, can be consumed by a wide range of the population. The purpose of work was to develop analytical methods for compound of triazole (difenoconazole and propiconazole) in juices to ensure quality control of agricultural products grown with the use of these fungicides. Conditions for chromatography of difenoconazole and propiconazole using gas-liquid chromatography with capillary column SH-Rxi-5ms (30 m 0,25 mm) and electron capture detector were determined. Optimal conditions of difenoconazole chromatography were established: thermostat column temperature - 280 C, evaporator temperature - 290 C, detector thermostat temperature - 300 C. Retention time: isomer 1 - (6,91 +- 0,1) minutes, isomer 2 - (7,04 +- 0,1) minutes. The linear range of detection is 0,01-0,04 ug/cm3. The optimal conditions for chromatography of propiconazole were also established: the temperature of the column thermostat in the programming mode: initial T - 100 C with an exposure of 1 minute; from 90 C to 260 C - rate of temperature rise 40 C/min; exposure - 7,45 minutes; evaporator temperature - 270 C, detector temperature - 280 C. The retention time under these conditions was 3,49 +- 0,1 minutes for isomer 1 and 3,57 +- 0,1 minutes for isomer 2. The linear range of detection is 0,01-0,05 ug/cm3. The calibration dependence of the area of peaks of the investigated substances on their concentration was established and described by the linear regression equation.
Deepening the teaching and learning of clinical communication
Authors: Franco Renato Soleiman , Franco Camila Ament Giuliani dos Santos , Karnieli-Miller Orit
Published: August 2021

Aims: clinical communication (CC) relates to health professionals’ interaction with patients/families. CC is fundamental for the physicians’ role. This paper aims to contribute to the discussion about reflection and feedback for meaningful teaching and learning of CC.Methods: the authors provided a short review and conceptual discussion of the history and nature of CC teaching, followed by exploring the role of reflection and feedback in teaching CC.Results: communicating well can be challenging as it requires medical students and professionals to adapt their communication to each patient/family while obtaining all the needed information, conveying trustworthiness, care, and compassion. The teaching of CC to medical students involves deepening the doctor-patient relationship’s technical, relational, and emotional elements. CC requires teaching that is flexible and tailored to the participants’ needs. Therefore, teaching CC must go beyond asking the appropriate question or applying specific checklist-based behaviours. In teaching CC, it is crucial to give medical students support to discuss personal and institutional barriers and attitudes and explore how to transfer their learning to clinical practice. To that end, reflection should be encouraged to allow students to express difficulties and feelings and enhance their understanding of themselves and others. Within this process, feedback is essential to moving beyond skill-based teaching to reflection-based learning.Conclusion: the move from skills-based learning requires using reflective processes and feedback to allow students to learn about their communication tendencies and needs to become more flexible and attuned to different patient’s needs in clinical encounters.
Measurement of the intellectual capital of Russian regions
Authors:   Institute of Economics, Finance and Business, Bashkir State University, Ufa, Russian Federation, Roze Nelly
Published: August 2021

Relevance. The rapid growth in the value of intangible resources brings up a problem of managing innovative development and evaluating intellectual capital. Intellectual capital is essential for socio-economic development of countries and regions. Research objectives. The key objective of this study is to develop an approach to evaluate the balance of structural components of regional intellectual capital. Data and methods. The proposed approach has been tested on the data from 75 Russian regions for 2000-2018. Calculations are made on the basis of mathematical formulae, the methods of linear scaling and of paired comparisons. Visualization of the calculation results was carried out by using the GeoDA spatial modeling software. Results. The article describes an approach to assessing the balance between the structural components of intellectual capital. It includes a measurement algorithm, a system of indicators and a model for assessing structural components of intellectual capital, a criterion scale for determining the balance of structural components. The proposed approach allows us to develop a step-by-step guide to effective decision-making. Conclusion. The proposed approach and indicators can be used for devising strategies of intellectual capital management on the regional level.
Key steps to smart specialization development of Russian regions
Authors:   Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation, Myslyakova Yuliya G. , Shamova Elena A. ,   Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation, Neklyudova Natalia P. ,   Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Published: August 2021

Relevance. The development of modern mechanisms for state regulation of regional processes, including those related to investment support for certain industries (e.g. the Spatial Development Strategy in Russia), requires a research-informed choice of ‘priority’ specializations. At the same time, such choice should meet the requirement of resilient economic development of these regions if the development of these specializations is supported on the national level. Research objective.The goal of this study is to assess the current structure of the Russian regions’ economy. We aim to identify the regions that have a specialization and thus can ensure resilient development and transition to smart specialization. Data and methods. The study proposes a methodological approach to identify the region’s smart specialization. The approach is based on the calculation of indicators that characterize the regions’ industries according to Russia’s national classifier of types of economic activity (OKVED2). Regions with pronounced industrial specialization are thus identified. The methodological approach has been tested by using statistical data for 84 regions. Results.43 regionswith industrial, export-oriented and extractive specialization were identified. We revealed nineregions that had sufficient prerequisites for the transition tosmart specialization and 11 regions that need to strengthen their knowledge-intensive component. Conclusion.The resulting list of Russian regions that can act as pioneer territories for the introduction of structural changes into the practice of state regulation can be of interest to policy-makers.
Digitalization in the development of human resource management in the Republic of Belarus
Authors:   Belarusian State Technological University, Minsk, Belarus, Tawbe Mohamad ,   NGO organization funded by UNHCR, Beirut
Published: August 2021

Relevance. Digitalization has led to a global transformation in the field of human resource management. Modern HR professionals view their roles not as mere administrators but as strategic enablers for key organizational decisions. In this scenario, there is a need to describe a digital system for efficient HR management (HRM) which is able to improve the skills of the employees. Research objective. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current state of the labor market in the Republic of Belarus and assess how digitalization affects human resource management strategies Data and methods. The article used the method of comprehensive data analysis in the study of the labor market in Belarus. The systemic approach was used to describe the strategy of HR digitalization. The official data of the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus are used as the source of information. Results. The article analyzes the labor market in the Republic of Belarus. The factors that should be taken into account in the formation of human resource management strategy have been identified. The introduction of information and communication technologies in the country's enterprises was assessed and conclusions about the prospects of digital technology in human resource management were made. This work explains a strong relationship between the technological progress and HRM in organizations and companies. The paper shows how innovation can lead to a more proficient administration in HRM and improve the overall performance of the workforce. Several main zones of digitalization and its effects on human asset development are described. Conclusion. HRM has been changed by the advancement of the digital era. HR professionals no longer have to engage in manual procedures or deal with overwhelming volumes of data. With modern innovative solutions that enhance human resource management and growth, HR teams have greater freedom to shape organizational culture and productivity. The introduction of technology in human resource management offers great opportunities to optimize company resources and maximize results.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT COMPLIANCE WITH HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Carvalho Ayla Maria Calixto de , Araújo Telma Maria Evangelista de
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the factors associated with adolescent compliance with the human papillomavirus vaccine. Method: this is a cross-sectional study, developed through a school survey, in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, whose data collection occurred in 2018. A scale was used to assess decision-making, attitudes, feelings and knowledge about the human papillomavirus, in addition to a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic, economic and vaccination status data. The variables were submitted to the multivariate model of logistic regression to explain factors associated with vaccination adeforemen. Results: the study sample consisted of 624 adolescents, 15 years old, attending the first year of high school, of which 22.8% received the human papillomavirus vaccine. Being male decreases the chance of complying with the vaccine by 50% (aOR=0.05). Moreover, disagreeing or disagreeing with or disagreeing with parents to make the decision to vaccinate their children also reduced the chances of vaccination by 66% (aOR=0.34), respectively, as well as disagreeing with or disagreeing that men do not take human papillomavirus, minimized the chances of vaccination complying with vaccination by 66% (aOR=0.34), when compared to those who disagreed with this statement. Conclusion: low adolescent compliance with human papillomavirus vaccine was identified. Adolescents remain susceptible to diseases related to the human papillomavirus. Therefore, vaccination strategies need to be rethought, with the offer of vaccination in schools, mediated by educational campaigns.
PROCRASTINAÇÃO ACADÊMICA EM ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DA LITERATURA
Authors: Pereira Léia da Conceição , Ramos Fabiana Pinheiro
Published: August 2021

RESUMO Procrastinação acadêmica é o adiamento de tarefas relacionadas aos estudos: realizar trabalhos, ler textos, estudar para provas, dentre outros. Este artigo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre procrastinação acadêmica em universitários, no período de 2008 a 2017. Foram escolhidas 3 bases de dados: SciELO, BvSalud e BvsPsi, com os descritores “procrastinação”, “universitários”, “procrastinação acadêmica” e seus correlatos em inglês e espanhol. A partir dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão foram selecionados 11 artigos completos. A maior parte dos trabalhos apontou a natureza nociva do comportamento procrastinatório, sua relação com a autorregulação da aprendizagem, bem como a diferença das estratégias de estudo empregadas por alunos procrastinadores e não procrastinadores. Concluiu-se que a pesquisa sobre a temática ainda é incipiente no contexto brasileiro necessitando de maior exploração por parte dos pesquisadores, com possíveis impactos para a compreensão do fenômeno e desenvolvimento de intervenções com estudantes do ensino superior.
Fish-food interaction network around cage fish farming in a neotropical reservoir
Authors: Brandão Heleno , Lange Denise , Blanco Daniel Rodrigues , Ramos Igor Paiva , Sousa Jamile Queiroz de , Nobile André Batista , Carvalho Edmir Daniel
Published: August 2021

Abstract: Aim Investigating whether wild fish accept residual ration from cage fish farming to the point of changing their diet and the fish-food interaction network. Methods The diet of fish species, Astyanax lacustris, Iheringichthys labrosus, Leporinus amblyrhynchus, Schizodon nasutus and Steindachnerina insculpta, bred in Chavantes Reservoir, Upper Paraná basin, was evaluated. Samples were collected on a monthly basis - from March 2008 to February 2009 - around the cage fish farming (NC) and in a reference site (RS) free from the influence of the fish farming activity. Results were analyzed through graphs and metrics of complex network analysis, and Permutational analysis of variance. Results The total number of 641 individuals belonging to all five fish species were collected, 292 in NC and 349 in RS. The total amount of food items consumed by them comprised 24 items in NC and 22 items in RS. The fish-food interaction network has shown nested pattern in the two evaluated areas, which evidenced the generalist structure of this interaction. Connectance values and mean degree of interaction networks were low. Detritus was the most representative item consumed in both sampling sites. Three of the five evaluated species (A. lacustris, S. nasutus and I. labrosus) had residual ration in their diet. Residual ration was the fourth most consumed item in NC. It was also the most representative food item for A. lacustris and S. nasutus. Conclusions Results have shown that cage fish farming activity can influence trophic interactions in aquatic systems, as well as evidenced the ability of S. nasutus, L. labrosus and A. lacustris to take advantage of new food items in their environment.
Deformation control for large-section tunnel construction in fractured carbonaceous slate
Authors: Zhang Junru , Wang Zhiyong , Feng Jimeng , Yu Longping , Zhou Ping , Li Zili
Published: August 2021

Excessive deformation has been observed during the construction of large-section (over 100 m2) tunnels in soft rock all over the world. A case study of deformation control for large-section tunnel construction in fractured carbonaceous slate was conducted. Xingzishan tunnel, China, was first excavated using the three-step reserved core soil excavation method (TRCSEM); however, this resulted in serious rockfalls at the tunnel arch and local collapse. To enhance the stability of the tunnel face, three different tunnel support systems with relatively stiff structures were proposed and tested along the tunnel chainage in the same rock condition, but all of them failed. The mechanism of the TRCSEM was revealed by field measurements, highlighting the significance of the stability of the upper bench of the tunnel face. In view of this, the three-step temporary inverted arch method (TTIAM) was employed and used with advance support. With this new method, the upper bench of the tunnel face was reinforced with fibreglass bolts to mitigate the deformation. Compared with the TRCSEM, the TTIAM effectively controlled large deformation at the tunnel face during the excavation in fractured carbonaceous slate with an acceptable construction cost.