bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Collaborative Learning Activity to Analyze the Sustainability of an Innovation Using PESTLE
Authors: Casañ Maria José , Alier Marc , Llorens Ariadna
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a collaborative learning activity for courses in engineering degrees or master’s programs that cover the subject and skills of sustainability, social compromise, and ethics for engineering. The activity consists of performing a multidisciplinary analysis of a case of study, which presents a technology or innovation, to detect and debate possible issues and solutions. This learning activity is based on the PESTLE methodology that is used to analyze the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental aspects of a technology or innovation. The PESTLE analysis is implemented using the jigsaw collaborative learning technique. This learning activity can be completed in two sessions of two hours. To validate its usefulness, the learning activity was applied for two semesters in a study on two courses: one in Informatics Engineering Degree and the other one in the Master Degree of Sustainability at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, with very good results.
Investment and Decapitalization in the Fishing Industry: The Case of the Spanish Crustacean Freezer Trawler Fleet
Authors: González Galán Ana , García del Hoyo Juan José , García Ordaz Félix
Published: August 2021

The objective of this work is to estimate the capital stock invested in the Spanish freezer trawler fleet dedicated to the capture of crustaceans on the African coast, for the period from 1964 to 2019. The importance of having methods for the correct measurement of the capital invested in a fishing fleet is to be able to express in monetary terms the excess catch capacity, which is a signal of overexploitation of a fishery, that is, the fleet operates at a level of effort or capacity higher than the minimum amount required to capture the desired quantity at the lowest possible cost. Following a methodology based on the permanent inventory method, we obtained a model that explains the construction value of a fishing vessel as a function of its technical characteristics. The market value in successive sales was estimated as a function of the construction value, the age of vessel and other variables. In this way, we estimated the value that the market assigns to the possible increases in individual fishing capacity and the decrease in value derived from the technical obsolescence of the vessels. Finally, we calculated the gross and net investment series and net capital stock.
Comparison of Different Solutions for a Seismic and Energy Retrofit of an Auditorium
Authors: De Angelis Alessandra , Tariello Francesco , De Masi Rosa Francesca , Pecce Maria Rosaria
Published: August 2021

The increasing attention paid to climate change has boosted scientific research in the matter of energy refurbishment of existing public buildings. However, the design of the intervention must be integrated with structural upgrading when the constructions are located in seismic zones. Indeed, in Italy, as in other seismically active countries, the structural damage, observed after earthquakes, underlines the increase in economic losses for buildings retrofitted only for energy saving. In this framework, the paper introduces an integrated approach for selecting retrofit actions aimed at improving both the seismic and energy performance, starting from a detailed in situ analysis with which dynamic energy and structural simulation models are constructed. The case study is an auditorium erected in 1982 with a reinforced concrete structure inside a masonry ring wall of an ancient building. A step-by-step analysis of each component role in the structural and energy performance of the building is proposed. The results indicate that the proposed approach can help to determine the best technical solution, and the integrated design leads to saving 10% of the cost of the works.
Measurements of the Emissions of a “Golden” Vehicle at Seven Laboratories with Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS)
Authors: Giechaskiel Barouch , Casadei Simone , Rossi Tommaso , Forloni Fabrizio , Di Domenico Andrea
Published: August 2021

In the last years, the in-use emissions of vehicles are measured on the road with portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS). PEMS cannot measure as accurately as the laboratory grade equipment, and studies on their measurement uncertainty have continued since their appearance in the market. In this study we compared PEMS to laboratory grade equipment in Italian laboratories testing a diesel “Golden” (i.e., reference) vehicle for two consecutive years. The results showed equal means of PEMS and laboratory grade equipment for carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particle number (PN), with a variability of ±5 g/km for CO2, ±10 mg/km for NOx, and ±1 × 1011 p/km for PN, which further decreased in the second year. For carbon monoxide (CO), the PEMS were on average 5–20 mg/km higher than the bags (variability ±40 mg/km). The main conclusion of this study is that PEMS are accurate under controlled laboratory ambient conditions, without any indications of significant bias.
Multiplicity, Parity and Angular Momentum of a Cooper Pair in Unconventional Superconductors of D4h Symmetry: Sr2RuO4 and Fe-Pnictide Materials
Authors: Yarzhemsky Victor G.
Published: August 2021

Sr2RuO4 and Fe-pnictide superconductors belong to the same point group symmetry D4h. Many experimental data confirm odd pairs in Sr2RuO4 and even pairs in Fe-pnictides, but opposite conclusions also exist. Recent NMR results of Pustogow et al., which revealed even Cooper pairs in Sr2RuO4, require reconsideration of symmetry treatment of its SOP (superconducting order parameter). In the present work making use of the Mackey–Bradley theorem on symmetrized squares, a group theoretical investigation of possible pairing states in D4h symmetry is performed. It is obtained for I4/mmm , i.e., space group of Sr2RuO4, that triplet pairs with even spatial parts are possible in kz direction and in points M and Y. For the two latter cases pairing of equivalent electrons with nonzero total momentum is proposed. In P4/nmm space group of Fe- pnictides in point M, even and odd pairs are possible for singlet and triplet cases. It it shown that even and odd chiral states with angular momentum projection m=±1 have nodes in vertical planes, but Eg is nodal , whereas Eu is nodeless in the basal plane. It is also shown that the widely accepted assertion that the parity of angular momentum value is directly connected with the spatial parity of a pair is not valid in a space-group approach to the wavefunction of a Cooper pair.
Stability Analysis of a Mathematical Model of Hepatitis B Virus with Unbounded Memory Control on the Immune System in the Neighborhood of the Equilibrium Free Point
Authors: Volinsky Irina
Published: August 2021

In the current paper, I research the influence of IL-2 therapy and I introduce the regulation by distributed feedback control with unbounded memory. The results of the stability analysis are presented. The proposed methodology in the article uses the properties of Cauchy matrix C(t,s), especially symmetry property, in order to study the behavior (stability) of the corresponding system of integro-differential equations.
Accelerated Weathering Increases the Release of Toxic Leachates from Microplastic Particles as Demonstrated through Altered Toxicity to the Green Algae Raphidocelis subcapitata
Authors: Simon Márta , Hartmann Nanna , Vollertsen Jes
Published: August 2021

Studies that evaluate the impact of microplastic particles (MPs) often apply particles of pristine material. However, MPs are affected by various abiotic and biotic processes in the environment that possibly modify their physical and chemical characteristics, which might then result in their altered toxic effect. This study evaluated the consequence of weathering on the release of toxic leachates from microplastics. MPs derived from six marine antifouling paints, end-of-life tires, and unplasticised PVC were exposed to UV-C radiation to simulate weathering. Non-weathered and weathered MPs were leached in algae growth medium for 72 h to demonstrate additive release under freshwater conditions. The model organism, green algae Raphidocelis subcapitata, was exposed to the resulting leachates of both non-weathered and weathered MPs. The results of the growth inhibition tests showed that the leachates of weathered microparticles were more toxic than of the non-weathered material, which was reflected in their lower median effect concentration (EC50) values. Chemical analysis of the leachates revealed that the concentration of heavy metals was several times higher in the leachates of the weathered MPs compared to the non-weathered ones, which likely contributed to the increased toxicity. Our findings suggest including weathered microplastic particles in exposure studies due to their probably differing impact on biota from MPs of pristine materials.
A Review of the Environmental Trigger and Transmission Components for Prediction of Cholera
Authors: Usmani Moiz , Brumfield Kyle D. , Jamal Yusuf , Huq Anwar , Colwell Rita R. , Jutla Antarpreet
Published: August 2021

Climate variables influence the occurrence, growth, and distribution of Vibrio cholerae in the aquatic environment. Together with socio-economic factors, these variables affect the incidence and intensity of cholera outbreaks. The current pandemic of cholera began in the 1960s, and millions of cholera cases are reported each year globally. Hence, cholera remains a significant health challenge, notably where human vulnerability intersects with changes in hydrological and environmental processes. Cholera outbreaks may be epidemic or endemic, the mode of which is governed by trigger and transmission components that control the outbreak and spread of the disease, respectively. Traditional cholera risk assessment models, namely compartmental susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) type models, have been used to determine the predictive spread of cholera through the fecal–oral route in human populations. However, these models often fail to capture modes of infection via indirect routes, such as pathogen movement in the environment and heterogeneities relevant to disease transmission. Conversely, other models that rely solely on variability of selected environmental factors (i.e., examine only triggers) have accomplished real-time outbreak prediction but fail to capture the transmission of cholera within impacted populations. Since the mode of cholera outbreaks can transition from epidemic to endemic, a comprehensive transmission model is needed to achieve timely and reliable prediction with respect to quantitative environmental risk. Here, we discuss progression of the trigger module associated with both epidemic and endemic cholera, in the context of the autochthonous aquatic nature of the causative agent of cholera, V. cholerae, as well as disease prediction.
Quantum and Classical Cosmology in the Brans–Dicke Theory
Authors: Almeida Carla R. , Galkina Olesya , Fabris Julio César
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we discuss classical and quantum aspects of cosmological models in the Brans–Dicke theory. First, we review cosmological bounce solutions in the Brans–Dicke theory that obeys energy conditions (without ghost) for a universe filled with radiative fluid. Then, we quantize this classical model in a canonical way, establishing the corresponding Wheeler–DeWitt equation in the minisuperspace, and analyze the quantum solutions. When the energy conditions are violated, corresponding to the case ω<−32, the energy is bounded from below and singularity-free solutions are found. However, in the case ω>−32, we cannot compute the evolution of the scale factor by evaluating the expectation values because the wave function is not finite (energy spectrum is not bounded from below). However, we can analyze this case using Bohmian mechanics and the de Broglie–Bohm interpretation of quantum mechanics. Using this approach, the classical and quantum results can be compared for any value of ω.
Multi-Tissue Transcriptomic-Informed In Silico Investigation of Drugs for the Treatment of Dengue Fever Disease
Authors: Sierra Beatriz , Magalhães Ana Cristina , Soares Daniel , Cavadas Bruno , Perez Ana B. , Alvarez Mayling , Aguirre Eglis , Bracho Claudia , Pereira Luisa , Guzman Maria G.
Published: August 2021

Transcriptomics, proteomics and pathogen-host interactomics data are being explored for the in silico–informed selection of drugs, prior to their functional evaluation. The effectiveness of this kind of strategy has been put to the test in the current COVID-19 pandemic, and it has been paying off, leading to a few drugs being rapidly repurposed as treatment against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Several neglected tropical diseases, for which treatment remains unavailable, would benefit from informed in silico investigations of drugs, as performed in this work for Dengue fever disease. We analyzed transcriptomic data in the key tissues of liver, spleen and blood profiles and verified that despite transcriptomic differences due to tissue specialization, the common mechanisms of action, “Adrenergic receptor antagonist”, “ATPase inhibitor”, “NF-kB pathway inhibitor” and “Serotonin receptor antagonist”, were identified as druggable (e.g., oxprenolol, digoxin, auranofin and palonosetron, respectively) to oppose the effects of severe Dengue infection in these tissues. These are good candidates for future functional evaluation and clinical trials.
Noroviruses—The State of the Art, Nearly Fifty Years after Their Initial Discovery
Authors: Ludwig-Begall Louisa F. , Mauroy Axel , Thiry Etienne
Published: August 2021

Human noroviruses are recognised as the major global cause of viral gastroenteritis. Here, we provide an overview of notable advances in norovirus research and provide a short recap of the novel model systems to which much of the recent progress is owed. Significant advances include an updated classification system, the description of alternative virus-like protein morphologies and capsid dynamics, and the further elucidation of the functions and roles of various viral proteins. Important milestones include new insights into cell tropism, host and microbial attachment factors and receptors, interactions with the cellular translational apparatus, and viral egress from cells. Noroviruses have been detected in previously unrecognised hosts and detection itself is facilitated by improved analytical techniques. New potential transmission routes and/or viral reservoirs have been proposed. Recent in vivo and in vitro findings have added to the understanding of host immunity in response to norovirus infection, and vaccine development has progressed to preclinical and even clinical trial testing. Ongoing development of therapeutics includes promising direct-acting small molecules and host-factor drugs.
Bacteriophage Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Infections: The Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Phage Task Force (The PHAGEFORCE Study Protocol)
Authors: Onsea Jolien , Uyttebroek Saartje , Chen Baixing , Wagemans Jeroen , Lood Cédric , Van Gerven Laura , Spriet Isabel , Devolder David , Debaveye Yves , Depypere Melissa , Dupont Lieven , De Munter Paul , Peetermans Willy E. , van Noort Vera , Merabishvili Maia , Pirnay Jean-Paul , Lavigne Rob , Metsemakers Willem-Jan
Published: August 2021

In times where only a few novel antibiotics are to be expected, antimicrobial resistance remains an expanding global health threat. In case of chronic infections caused by therapy-resistant pathogens, physicians have limited therapeutic options, which are often associated with detrimental consequences for the patient. This has resulted in a renewed interest in alternative strategies, such as bacteriophage (phage) therapy. However, there are still important hurdles that currently impede the more widespread implementation of phage therapy in clinical practice. First, the limited number of good-quality case series and clinical trials have failed to show the optimal application protocol in terms of route of administration, frequency of administration, treatment duration and phage titer. Second, there is limited information on the systemic effects of phage therapy. Finally, in the past, phage therapy has been applied intuitively in terms of the selection of phages and their combination as parts of phage cocktails. This has led to an enormous heterogeneity in previously published studies, resulting in a lack of reliable safety and efficacy data for phage therapy. We hereby present a study protocol that addresses these scientific hurdles using a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together the experience of clinical, pharmaceutical and molecular microbiology experts.
The HSV1 Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein pUL34 Contains a Basic Motif That Supports Active Transport to the Inner Nuclear Membrane Prior to Formation of the Nuclear Egress Complex
Authors: Funk Christina , Marques da Silveira e Santos Débora , Ott Melanie , Raschbichler Verena , Bailer Susanne M.
Published: August 2021

Herpes simplex virus type 1 nucleocapsids are released from the host nucleus by a budding process through the nuclear envelope called nuclear egress. Two viral proteins, the integral membrane proteins pUL34 and pUL31, form the nuclear egress complex at the inner nuclear membrane, which is critical for this process. The nuclear import of both proteins ensues separately from each other: pUL31 is actively imported through the central pore channel, while pUL34 is transported along the peripheral pore membrane. With this study, we identified a functional bipartite NLS between residues 178 and 194 of pUL34. pUL34 lacking its NLS is mislocalized to the TGN but retargeted to the ER upon insertion of the authentic NLS or a mimic NLS, independent of the insertion site. If co-expressed with pUL31, either of the pUL34-NLS variants is efficiently, although not completely, targeted to the nuclear rim where co-localization with pUL31 and membrane budding seem to occur, comparable to the wild-type. The viral mutant HSV1(17+)Lox-UL34-NLS mt is modestly attenuated but viable and associated with localization of pUL34-NLS mt to both the nuclear periphery and cytoplasm. We propose that targeting of pUL34 to the INM is facilitated by, but not dependent on, the presence of an NLS, thereby supporting NEC formation and viral replication.
Amenamevir, a Helicase-Primase Inhibitor, for the Optimal Treatment of Herpes Zoster
Authors: Shiraki Kimiyasu , Yasumoto Shinichiro , Toyama Nozomu , Fukuda Hiroaki
Published: August 2021

Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections. Helicase-primase inhibitors (HPIs) inhibit replication fork progression that separates double DNA strands into two single strands during DNA synthesis. The HPIs amenamevir and pritelivir have novel mechanisms of anti-herpetic action, and their once-daily administration has clinical efficacy for genital herpes. Among HPIs, amenamevir has anti-VZV activity. The concentrations of HSV-1 and VZV required for the 50% plaque reduction of amenamevir were 0.036 and 0.047 μM, respectively. We characterized the features of amenamevir regarding its mechanism, resistance, and synergism with acyclovir. Its antiviral activity was not influenced by the viral replication cycle, in contrast to acyclovir. A clinical trial of amenamevir for herpes zoster demonstrated its non-inferiority to valacyclovir. To date, amenamevir has been successfully used in over 1,240,000 patients with herpes zoster in Japan. Post-marketing surveillance of amenamevir in Japan reported side effects with significant potential risk identified by the Japanese Risk Management Plan, including thrombocytopenia, gingival bleeding, and palpitations, although none of these were serious. The clinical efficacy and safety profiles of amenamevir were established in patients with herpes zoster. Therefore, amenamevir as an HPI opens a new era of anti-herpes therapy.
Protein Nucleotidylylation in +ssRNA Viruses
Authors: Eruera Alice-Roza , McSweeney Alice M. , McKenzie-Goldsmith Geena M. , Ward Vernon K.
Published: August 2021

Nucleotidylylation is a post-transcriptional modification important for replication in the picornavirus supergroup of RNA viruses, including members of the Caliciviridae, Coronaviridae, Picornaviridae and Potyviridae virus families. This modification occurs when the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) attaches one or more nucleotides to a target protein through a nucleotidyl-transferase reaction. The most characterized nucleotidylylation target is VPg (viral protein genome-linked), a protein linked to the 5′ end of the genome in Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae and Potyviridae. The nucleotidylylation of VPg by RdRp is a critical step for the VPg protein to act as a primer for genome replication and, in Caliciviridae and Potyviridae, for the initiation of translation. In contrast, Coronaviridae do not express a VPg protein, but the nucleotidylylation of proteins involved in replication initiation is critical for genome replication. Furthermore, the RdRp proteins of the viruses that perform nucleotidylylation are themselves nucleotidylylated, and in the case of coronavirus, this has been shown to be essential for viral replication. This review focuses on nucleotidylylation within the picornavirus supergroup of viruses, including the proteins that are modified, what is known about the nucleotidylylation process and the roles that these modifications have in the viral life cycle.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Uptake among Nursing Staff during an Active Vaccine Rollout
Authors: Baniak Lynn M. , Luyster Faith S. , Raible Claire A. , McCray Ellesha E. , Strollo Patrick J.
Published: August 2021

Even with the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, factors associated with vaccine hesitancy and uptake among nurses are unknown. This study evaluated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and uptake of nursing staff during one of the first COVID-19 vaccine rollouts in the United States. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during February 2021 among nursing staff working in a large medical center in central United States. There were 276 respondents; 81.9% of participants were willing to receive the vaccine during the initial rollout, 11.2% were hesitant, and only 5.1% were unwilling. The hesitant group was likely to report having inadequate information to make an informed decision about whether to receive the vaccine (45.2%) and about vaccine expectations (32.3%). The majority (83.3%) received at least one dose of the vaccine. Having greater than 10 years’ work experience (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.16–7.9) and confidence in vaccine safety (OR 7.78, 95% CI 4.49–13.5) were significantly associated with vaccine uptake. While our study indicates higher vaccine uptake among nursing staff during an active vaccine rollout, there remains sustained hesitancy and unwillingness to uptake. For those hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, public health efforts to provide more data on side effects and efficacy may help increase vaccine uptake.
Effectiveness of the Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults at High Risk of Influenza Complications
Authors: Boikos Constantina , Imran Mahrukh , Nguyen Van Hung , Ducruet Thierry , Sylvester Gregg C. , Mansi James A.
Published: August 2021

MF59®-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV3) and high-dose trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV3) elicit an enhanced immune response in older adults compared to standard, quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4). We sought to determine the relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) of aIIV3 versus IIV4 and HD-IIV3 in preventing influenza-related medical encounters in this retrospective cohort study involving adults ≥65 years with ≥1 health condition during the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 influenza seasons. Data were obtained from primary and specialty care electronic medical records linked with pharmacy and medical claims. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were derived from an inverse probability of treatment-weighted sample adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, geographic region, vaccination week, and health status. rVE was determined using the formula (% rVE = 1 − ORadjusted) × 100. Analysis sets included 1,755,420 individuals for the 2017–2018 season and 2,055,012 for the 2018–2019 season. Compared to IIV4, aIIV3 was 7.1% (95% confidence interval 3.3–10.8) and 20.4% (16.2–24.4) more effective at preventing influenza-related medical encounters in the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 seasons, respectively. Comparable effectiveness was observed with HD-IIV3 across both seasons. Our results support improved effectiveness of aIIV3 vs IIV4 in a vulnerable population of older adults at high risk of influenza and its complications.
Activation of Cytotoxic Lymphocytes and Presence of Regulatory T Cells in the Trachea of Non-Vaccinated and Vaccinated Chickens as a Recall to an Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus (ILTV) Challenge
Authors: Maekawa Daniel , Riblet Sylva M. , Whang Patrick , Hurley David J. , Garcia Maricarmen
Published: August 2021

While the protective efficacy of the infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) vaccines is well established, little is known about which components of the immune response are associated with effective resistance and vaccine protection. Early studies have pointed to the importance of the T cell-mediated immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells and to quantify the presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the larynx–trachea of chickens vaccinated with chicken embryo origin (CEO), tissue culture origin (TCO) and recombinant Herpesvirus of Turkey-laryngotracheitis (rHVT-LT) vaccines after challenge. Our results indicated that CEO vaccine protection was characterized by early CTLs and activated CTLs enhanced responses. TCO and rHVT-LT protection were associated with a moderate increase in resting and activated CTLs followed by an enhanced NK cell response. Tregs increase was only detected in the non-vaccinated challenged group, probably to support healing of the severe trachea epithelial damage. Taken together, our results revealed main differences in the cellular immune responses elicited by CEO, TCO, and rHVT-LT vaccination in the upper respiratory tract after challenge, and that activated CTLs rather than NK cells play a main role in vaccine protection.
Describing Road Booming Noise with a Hybrid Simulation Model Using a Time Segmentation of the Excitation Load Approach
Authors: Herrmann Michael , Kralicek Jan , Stein Wolfgang , Gauterin Frank
Published: August 2021

One of the most important goals in vehicle acoustics is to describe the NVH behavior of a vehicle at sound pressure level using simulation models at an early stage of development. Different simulation models and methods are used for this purpose. To balance the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods, it is important to combine the simulation models. For the virtual description of the road booming noise behavior of a vehicle passing a rough road, we use a multibody simulation model excited with the elevation profile of the road in the time domain. To calculate the sound pressure inside the vehicle, the internal chassis forces of the multibody simulation model are combined with a finite element body model including the air cavity inside the cabin. The methodology for combining the chassis forces and body transfer functions to calculate the sound pressure is first validated using test data and then applied to the simulation data. The correlation of the calculated sound pressure based on test data (ρ=0.96) and based on simulation data (ρ=0.90) compared to a microphone measurement is very high.
Benchmarking Optimisation Methods for Model Selection and Parameter Estimation of Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Safari Sina , Monsalve Julián Londoño
Published: August 2021

Characterisation and quantification of nonlinearities in the engineering structures include selecting and fitting a good mathematical model to a set of experimental vibration data with significant nonlinear features. These tasks involve solving an optimisation problem where it is difficult to choose a priori the best optimisation technique. This paper presents a systematic comparison of ten optimisation methods used to select the best nonlinear model and estimate its parameters through nonlinear system identification. The model selection framework fits the structure’s equation of motions using time-domain dynamic response data and takes into account couplings due to the presence of the nonlinearities. Three benchmark problems are used to evaluate the performance of two families of optimisation methods: (i) deterministic local searches and (ii) global optimisation metaheuristics. Furthermore, hybrid local–global optimisation methods are examined. All benchmark problems include a free play nonlinearity commonly found in mechanical structures. Multiple performance criteria are considered based on computational efficiency and robustness, that is, finding the best nonlinear model. Results show that hybrid methods, that is, the multi-start strategy with local gradient-based Levenberg–Marquardt method and the particle swarm with Levenberg–Marquardt method, lead to a successful selection of nonlinear models and an accurate estimation of their parameters within acceptable computational times.
Classification of Aquifer Vulnerability by Using the DRASTIC Index and Geo-Electrical Techniques
Authors: Shah Syed Hassan Iqbal Ahmad , Yan Jianguo , Ullah Israr , Aslam Bilal , Tariq Aqil , Zhang Lili , Mumtaz Faisal
Published: August 2021

Vulnerability analysis in areas vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution has become a key element of sensible resource management and land use planning. This study is intended to estimate aquifer vulnerability using the DRASTIC model and using the vertical electrical sounding (VES) and electrical conductivity (EC) outcomes. The model allows for the identification of hydrogeological environments within the scope of the research, based on a composite definition of each environment’s main geological, geoelectrical, and hydrogeological factors. The results from the DRASTIC model were divided into four equal intervals, high, medium, low, and very low drastic index values. The SW area and NE area depict drastic index values from medium to very high, making it the most vulnerable zone in the study area, while the NW and SW areas show low to very low drastic index values. In addition, the results from the VES and EC the freshwater aquifer in the NE area and brackish water in the SE area, while the rest of the area falls into the category of brackish water. Overall, it can be concluded that areas having freshwater assemblages are on the verge of becoming contaminated in the future while the rest of the NW and SW areas constitute less vulnerable zones. The validation conducted for DRASTIC and EC shows a nearly positive correlation. Wastewater treatment policies must be developed throughout the studied region to prevent contamination of the remaining groundwater.
Improvement of prosthetics technology and inpatient rehabilitation of patients with amputation hip stumps
Authors: Khasanov Rustamzhon Solievich , Shokirov Makhmutali Khotamovich , Ruziboev Dilmurod Ruzimetovich , Minasov Timur Bulatovich , Yakupova Ekaterina Rishatovna
Published: August 2021

Timely and comprehensive assessment of indications and contraindications for prosthetics of patients with a faulty amputation stump has proven to increase the prosthetics efficiency based on adequate approaches to treatment by selecting the correct timing of prosthetics and taking into account the general condition of the patient. Timely elimination of existing defects in the amputation stump with the help of surgical and complex physiotherapeutic procedures, as well as early prosthetics, enables patients with amputation stumps to quickly adapt to the prosthesis. The proposed Prosthetics Efficiency Evaluation Program (PEEP), developed by the authors, allows assessing the degree of prosthetics efficiency and complex rehabilitation of a patient objectively and reliably.
On the issue of searching information on the Internet
Authors: Prisyazhnaya Nadezhda Vladimirovna
Published: August 2021

Information is the cornerstone of the development of a person, social group, and society as a whole. In modern conditions, information plays a key role in all spheres of the national economy, and its timely search and analysis is fundamentally important. The mass of information on the Internet includes data that meet various (sometimes paradoxical) user requests and, at the same time, when accessing virtual resources, the key problem is often the redundancy of links and the difficulty of finding information that is strictly relevant to the user’s request. The article provides an overview of approaches to organizing the search for necessary information in the continuum of the information space; it is emphasized that success in finding the necessary information is determined by two main factors (conditions): the correct, clear formulation of the search query and knowledge of search engines and search tools.
The influence of technological factors on the nature of the distribution of residual stresses on the surface of the workpiece during cutting
Authors: Chudina A. A.
Published: August 2021

This article describes the basic information about the residual stresses that occur as a result of mechanical processing. The influence of such technological factors as geometric parameters of the cutting part of the tool, physical and chemical properties and structural and phase state of the workpiece material to be processed, cutting modes (feed, cutting speed, cutting depth) and lubricating and cooling technological means on the nature of the distribution of residual stresses in the surface layer of the workpiece is studied. The literature sources that present experimental studies of the influence of the above factors are analyzed. As a result, it was found that the negative front angle contributes to the appearance of compressive residual stresses on the surface. It was established that an increase in the area of the wear surface leads to a decrease in compressive stresses and the appearance of tension stresses. An increase in the cutting speed leads to a decrease in the amount of tension stresses. However, an increase in the speed when turning steel 45 does not lead to compressive residual stresses, as the heat factor will prevail during processing, and when turning steel 309, a high cutting speed will contribute to the hardening of the surface layer and, as a result, the appearance of residual compressive stresses. Depending on the ductility of the material, an increase in the feed can lead to both compressive residual stresses and tension stresses. This is due to the fact that when using other materials, heating can lead to quenching or tempering of the surface layer and, accordingly, to other results that will depend on the phase structural transformations occurring in the material. However, the effect of cutting coolant is ambiguous and will depend on how much heat is released in the cutting area. Thus, knowing the operating conditions of the product, it is possible to adjust the nature of the distribution of residual stresses on the surface by changing certain technological factors.
The efficiency of the use of multimedia developments in the study of graphic disciplines
Authors: Goryachkina A. Yu. , Koryagina O. M. , Goryunova I. A.
Published: August 2021

The article substantiates the necessity of using multimedia technologies in the process of teaching graphic disciplines at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The applied multimedia developments have a significant impact on the process of improving the teaching methods and, accordingly, on enhancing the quality of the acquired knowledge of students in descriptive geometry and engineering graphics. The article presents the slides of the lecture material from a multimedia manual on the discipline "Descriptive Geometry", developed by the lecturers of the department for all types of classes. The manual contains theoretical material, examples of problem solving, questions and tasks for self-control in the discipline "Descriptive Geometry". The manual is based on the use of multimedia and 3D visualization of the basic concepts and engineering examples of the use of the theoretical provisions of the discipline "Descriptive Geometry" and is intended for independent work of students of engineering and technical specialties of higher educational institutions. The article provides specific recommendations at the presentation design stage. When creating a multimedia presentation, it is necessary to take into account not only the relevant principles of classical didactics, but also the specific principles of using computer multimedia presentations. Multimedia technologies open up fundamentally new methodological approaches in the system of general education, and as for the study of graphic disciplines, multimedia technologies make it possible to quickly combine a variety of tools that contribute to a deeper and more conscious acquisition of the studied material, as well as save time of seminars and lectures. Multimedia materials in the form of electronic textbooks and presentations provide a more solid assimilation of knowledge and allow improving the efficiency and quality of education. Using multimedia technologies in the process of teaching boosts students' interest in obtaining new knowledge and activation of cognitive activity, both at the level of consciousness and subconsciousness.
Equipment and materials for shock-intermittent cutting
Authors: Istomin A.B. , Kozlov V.B.
Published: August 2021

The article considers the shock-intermittent processing method, which is used for cutting blind threads M12x1.5 in nuts made of steel grade X18N9T. Compared to the conventional method, it allows increasing the processing productivity; the durability of the thread taps has increased to 300 holes (with manual thread cutting, the durability of the taps is 100 holes). The method allows mechanizing labor-intensive threading operations. The optimal conditions of processing by this method are determined based on ensuring sufficient strength of the cutting wedge of the tool under repeated loading and, at the same time, creating the most intense impact on the material of the cut layer of the workpiece. The destruction of the processed material on impact most easily occurs at critical deformation rates, which, for instance, equal 60 m/s for corrosion-resistant steel. This leads to an overestimation of the impact pulse values, and consequently, chipping of the cutting edges of the tool. Therefore, for these processing conditions, there is an optimal value of the pulse load transmitted by the spindle to the tool. For threads M10 and M12 with pitches of 1.25 and 1.5 in parts made of steel grades X18N10T, the best results are achieved at loads corresponding to the increment of the dynamic moment of the driven bushing with the tool. At high pulse loads, the durability of the working tool is sharply reduced, and at lower loads, the cutting performance is reduced. One of the positive features of shock-intermittent cutting is the presence of breaks that facilitate the operation of the cutting wedge due to the better penetration of the coolant. Therefore, shockintermittent cutting is carried out at more intensive modes than conventional continuous cutting. However, the tool life does not decrease as a result, but even increases. The relative length of the cutting area, determined by the angle, should be chosen based on the fact that the temperature in the cutting area does not have time to reach its steady value, equal to the cutting temperature during the normal long-duration cutting, carried out continuously.
Metalworking issues
Authors: Istomin A.B.
Published: August 2021

An acceptable way to increase productivity in the course of individual operations is to develop a specialized tool designed for a specific production process. The time and financial expenses that are unavoidable in this case can be worth the effort when the profit is justified due to the long production process. However, finding the balance between productivity, reliability and the cost of the tools needed to produce small batches, which is becoming more common today, requires the use of a versatile tool that can provide flexibility in the production of a wide range of products. These tools reduce the time of forced inactivity by maximizing the time required to switch to a new tool when changing the workpiece. In addition, this reduces the need to install and perform test operations to test the new tool. The choice of tooling and machining parameters for a single operation depends on how the operation is "integrated" into the overall picture of the production process. The choice should be biased in the sense that it is desirable from the point of view of considering productivity, cost and reliability separately and from the point of view of the entire overall production process. To maximize productivity and economic benefits during the course of metal cutting operations, it is important to evaluate processes in terms of profitability derived from total production. The goal is to ensure the reliability of the machining process while maintaining high productivity and low cost. Achieving these goals involves learning some concepts that are counteracting each other.
Letreiros turísticos: A inscrição literal do mobiliário urbano na paisagem
Authors:   , Mendes Tatiana Casali Ribeiro
Published: August 2021

Esta pesquisa aborda os letreiros turísticos como elementos urbanos cada vez mais inseridos na paisagem urbana das cidades. É possível perceber, nos últimos anos, um aumento no número de letreiros turísticos que são inseridos nas cidades. A partir desta observação, surge o seguinte questionamento: Como os letreiros turísticos se inserem conceitual e categoricamente dentro do conceito de elementos urbanos, bem como seu papel como elemento de produção e transformação do espaço urbano, público e turístico, contemporâneo? Para responder a estas questões, discute-se a hipótese de que os letreiros turísticos são elementos urbanos que estão sendo inseridos nos espaços públicos a fim de atrair mais visibilidade e, consequentemente, mais turistas nas cidades. Do ponto de vista metodológico, este trabalho é fruto tanto de uma pesquisa de revisão bibliográfica quanto documental. Bibliográfica porque é elaborada a partir de material já publicado sobre o tema pesquisado e documental porque se baseia em materiais que ainda não receberam um tratamento analítico e que podem ser reelaborados de acordo com os objetivos da pesquisa. Além disso, foram realizados três estudos de casos, sobre os letreiros: “Hollywood”, “I amsterdam” e “Brumadinho”, para o levantamento e registro do acervo que compõe o escopo desta pesquisa. Com isso, ao final da pesquisa, conclui-se que os letreiros turísticos são peças-chave para o entendimento da cidade em tempos atuais pelas variadas apropriações que são feitas a partir deles, especialmente atualmente, com o advento da globalização e das mídias sociais.
“Distant death” in Maxim Gorky's short story “Obsession”
Authors: Dudareva Marianna A. , Shvetsova Tatiana V. , Chesnokova Natalia E. , Shtanko Marina A. , Bronnikov Denis G.
Published: August 2021

The paper analyzes the short story “Obsession” written by Maxim Gorky in the Nizhny Novgorod period of his work, which has been given little attention in philological works. On the one hand, the author himself defined its genre as a Christmas tale; on the other hand, this work cannot be brought into line with Christmas tales and short novels by Gogol and Dostoyevsky, since in Gorky’s story, no miracle occurs. However, this small text still deserves literary scholars’ attention. The short story introduces an interesting paradox of artistic space and time: in outward appearance, the action takes place within one room, on the couch, but the hero’s internal experiences, his conflict with the alter ego carry the reader into the distant past, the Christmas days of the main character’s family, and then the imagination, vision that visited Foma Mironovich come to the fore and become a plot-forming feature. The form in which the story content is presented (obsession, dream, delusion) is typologically similar to the structure of Russian folklore tales telling about encountering the phenomena of the “other world”. The results of the study may be of interest to both literary and cultural scholars.
Combating credit fraud: experience of Ukraine and some other European Countries
Authors: Cherniei Volodymyr , Cherniavskyi Serhii , Dzhuzha Alexander , Babanina Viktoria
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of combating fraud in the field of finance, in particular, combating crimes in the field of lending. The experience of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in combating credit fraud has been studied. The experience of some European Union countries in combating financial fraud is analyzed. To achieve the goal of the paper a set of general scientific and special methods was used, such as method of system-structural analysis, dogmatic (formal-logical), historical, general sociological, comparative-legal method and others. It is concluded in the article that the rules of criminal law of Ukraine establish more severe penalties for some crimes compared to EU countries. For example, this applies to crimes in the field of money laundering. On the other hand, some offenses that do not qualify as crimes in Ukraine are recognized as criminal offenses in the EU. For example, this applies to abuses in the field of insurance. According to the results of the study, the solution of some important issues is proposed such as improvement of the current legislation in the field of credit and financial relations, adaptation of the legislation of Ukraine to international norms and standards in the system of credit and financial relations.
BÖLGE İDARE MAHKEMESİ KARARLARI ARASINDAKİ AYKIRILIK VE UYUŞMAZLIĞIN GİDERİLMESİ SORUNU
Authors: BİLGİN Hüseyin
Published: August 2021

İdari yargı sisteminde istinaf kanun yolunun kabulü ile birlikte yeni bir dönem başlamıştır. Bu dönemle birlikte birçok idari uyuşmazlık için temyiz yolu kapatılmıştır. Bu uyuşmazlıklarda kesin kararları bölge idare mahkemelerinin istinaf daireleri vermektedir. Ancak bu durum beraberinde bir çıkmazı da getirmiştir. Benzer konularda farklı bölge idare mahkemelerince farklı kararlar verebilmektedir. Bu durum ise hukuka olan güveni sarsmaktadır. Benzer konularda farklı kararların birleştirilmesi suretiyle hukuk güveni tesis edilmek istenmiştir. Bu konudaki yasal düzenleme ise 2576 sayılı Kanunda yer almaktadır.
Çalışmamızın konusunu 2576 sayılı Kanunun 3/C maddesinde yer alan hüküm oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada bu hükümde yapılan değişiklikler ve bu değişiklik gerekçeleri ele alınmıştır. Aynı şekilde benzer konularda aykırılığın giderilmesi yoluna başvurulmasının koşulları ve bu yola başvurulunca alınan kararların hüküm ve sonuçlarına yer verilmiştir. Uygulamada bu hükme dayalı olarak verilen kararlar ve bu kararla ilgili eleştiri görüş ve önerilere yer verilmiştir.
COVID-19 AŞILARI ÜZERİNDEKİ PATENT HAKKININ KAPSAMININ KAMU SAĞLIĞI AÇISINDAN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: ÖZKÖK GÖKMEN Başak
Published: August 2021

Patent hakkı, sahibine hakkın konusunu oluşturan buluş üzerinde inhisari hak sağlayan bir fikri mülkiyet hakkıdır. Bununla birlikte toplum menfaatleri gözetilerek patent hakkı sahibinin inhisari hakkı, uluslararası ve ulusal düzenlemelerde istisna ve sınırlamalara tabi tutulmuştur. Küresel önem taşıyan kamu sağlığıyla ilişkili istisnalar ve sınırlamalar COVID-19 aşıları bakımından güncel bir konudur. Patent hakkı ülkelerin COVID-19 aşılarına erişimde yaşadığı eşitsizliğin sebeplerinden birisi olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu nedenle mevcut kamu sağlığı krizine karşı patent hakkını ilgilendiren çözüm önerileri incelenmeye muhtaçtır. Çalışmada gündemdeki tartışmalar doğrultusunda COVID-19 aşılarında patent hakkına geçici süreyle muafiyet tanınması veya kamu sağlığı gerekçesine dayalı bir patent hakkı sınırlaması olan zorunlu lisans yoluna başvurulması önerileri tartışılacaktır.