bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Geospatial Techniques for Gravity-Based Drinking Water Supply Management
Authors: Wawale Surindar
Published: April 2021

There is growing interest in the research community to apply the various techniques pertaining to geospatial technology, with the advance part of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS). This technology has been proven to be very essential in this identification and resolving the problem of water resource and allied water supply management. Considering the capabilities of geospatial techniques, the tools and techniques of similar disciplines used for gravity-based drinking water supply management in the hilly area where the human habitat is settled at foothill places. An attempt has been made in this paper to avail the use of tools and techniques of geospatial techniques for gravity-based water supply management at the village level. The Karule village is the part of central Maharashtra in India chosen for implementation of present bid. It was observed that, three-dimensional remote sensing data derived from space-borne satellite could be useful for gravity-based drinking water supply management with the help of other spatial and non-spatial database. Satellite-derived data and its incorporation with GIS and ground inventory data would be advantageous for delineation of such gravity-based water supply management in the similar area of the world.
Airborne Laser Scanning in Poland - Between Science and Practice
Authors: Kurczyński Zdzisław
Published: April 2021

The article is a retrospective analysis of the development of airborne laser scanning technology in the country in the past twenty years, i.e. from the beginnings of this technique use in Poland to the present day. The emphasis in the text is placed on development trends and scientific and application problems in the field of technology undertaken by national research centres. The review is based on numerous publications in this field, which have been released over two decades mainly in the “Archive of Photogrammetry, Cartography and Remote Sensing”. Therefore, the article is a presentation of the progress in the area of airborne laser scanning through an attempt to systematize and review national publications in this scope. It also presents the development of the national production potential and the level of the country’s coverage with data and products derived from airborne laser scanning.
Idea of Autopoiesis in the Evaluation of Lithuanian Concrete Architecture
Authors: Černauskienė Aušra
Published: April 2021

The article presents a theoretical model for evaluating architectural works artistic novelty of which is associated with concrete – the medium of the 20th century architecture. The theoretical model reflects the idea of autopoiesis and works as a network parameter system, which promotes the constant renewal of knowledge in the field of concrete architecture. The theoretical scheme consists of two levels: at Level I the object’s aesthetic-technological type is identified; at Level II – specific features of interaction between artistic forms and reinforced concrete technologies in architecture are revealed through the net of aspects and indicators. Vilnius Palace of Culture and Sports as one of the iconic examples and the representative of solid aesthetic-technological type of the Lithuanian concrete architecture has been chosen to test the theoretical model.
Office-Nature Integration Trends and Forest-Office Concept FO-AM
Authors: Rudokas Kastytis , Dogan Huriye Armagan , Viliūnienė Odeta , Vitkuvienė Jurga , Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė Indrė
Published: April 2021

For sustainable development, it is important to ensure healthy life and well-being for all ages, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment and decent work, take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Taking into account the negative effects of climate change, the degrading effects of contemporary conventional industrial scale agricultural practices, the declining everyday physical activity of the working age people in developed countries, and other problems related to indoor work, this research proposes the office concept entitled FO-AM (Forest-Office Administrative (function) Movement) that allows to gradually move from sitting to walking while working in purposefully created or adapted forest areas. Numerous studies have been conducted on the positive effects of the natural environment on human health and productivity. A study published by Australian researchers revealed that sitting time is directly linked to all-cause mortality. While research results call for effective innovations for reducing the amount of time spent sitting and encouraging people, especially urban residents, to connect with nature, no effective holistic solutions have been found yet. The article presents a literature review on the contemporary office-nature space integration trends and the existing technical and design solutions and contemporary re-naturalization practices of ex-urban areas and presents the conceptual idea of landscape technology FO-AM allowing to transfer the functions of administrative buildings to the semi-natural and natural environment, including partially anthropogenic environment, park, forest park and natural forest, and in this way to address public health and well-being, economic innovation and climate change issues, thus contributing to the long-term sustainability goals.
Aesthetics of Sustainability and Architecture: An Overview
Authors: Daugelaite Aurelija , Grazuleviciute-Vileniske Indre
Published: April 2021

Sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the present-day societies without compromising the possibilities of the future societies to meet their needs – became the predominant paradigm of planning policies. This concept with its environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions has been applied to the field of architecture since the end of the 20th century. However, numerous researchers still notice technological and ecological orientation of sustainable architecture and the lack of attention to its cultural, place-based and aesthetics aspects. The question may be asked if it is possible to distinguish the aesthetics of sustainable architecture. Thus, this research analyses the question of sustainability aesthetics and the ways that it is expressed in the field of architecture. In order to reach this aim: the quantitative and qualitative literature review on the questions of sustainability aesthetics and sustainability aesthetics in architecture was performed; the discussion of the notion of sustainability aesthetics and the aesthetic trends of sustainable architecture was developed based on the results of literature analysis.
Evaluation of Community Involvement in Participatory Process – Lessons Learned in the Baltic Sea Region
Authors: Geipele Sanda , Kundzina Antra , Pudzis Edgars , Lazdins Andrejs
Published: April 2021

For exploring and discovering the main knowledge, experience and practices, four main issues were analyzed: what were the goals of the involved participants regarding the community involvement in the spatial and community planning; what methods were used to extend the involvement of community members; what problems and obstacles did the project participants face, and what were the main lessons learned. This study provides reflections (analysis, comparison and evaluation) on community involvement in participatory process in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea Region by investigating the methods, which were used in community involvement in project participating countries; and its influence in improving local governance of the local territory development.
Museums and Online Spaces. The Society-Building Role of the Museums during the Pandemic
Authors: Vajda András
Published: April 2021

In the past more than six months, not only the cultural institutional network but also all of humanity has entered in a peculiar existential state. All that was previously commonplace, accepted, or natural has become in many ways impossible or, in some cases, even illegal. In the last period, we could also witness the changes regarding museums and museum environments, and we ourselves, who inhabit/use the spaces of the museums, have also changed. These changes affect the frameworks of representation and reception as well as our habits of viewing and interpretation. The pandemic has caused in museum practice a backward step towards a previous practice. Museums have suddenly re-become archives preserving objects and meanings, and it will take time for them to recollect themselves and start searching for solutions.
Politeness and Insult in Computer Games – From a Pragmatic Point of View
Authors: Balogh Andrea , Veszelszki Ágnes
Published: April 2021

In line with the principle of technological determinism, the linguistic context of computer games influences the (linguistic) behaviour of millions of active gamers. This makes it important to explore gamer communication thoroughly with respect to politeness, too. Indeed, the communication of gamers during games may also affect the users’ off-game communicative situations. The international literature suggests that the quasi-anonymity of online communication and the lack or weakness of sanction make it ruder than offline communication: it involves a higher number of insults or offensive personal remarks. The paper looks at this issue, in particular by a pragmatic – politeness-centred – investigation of a particular kind of online insults. The corpus of analysis is provided by “taunts”, i.e. inbuilt instructions triggering “mocking” remarks of League of Legends (LoL), a multiple-participant online arena game. The authors interpret in-game insults in the framework of speech act theory, the Cooperative Principle (conversational and politeness maxims), face threatening, and a matrix of aims and functions. The paper wishes to be a contribution to cyberpragmatics, a pragmatically-oriented branch of Internet linguistics.
Global Stars on Local Screens: BTS and Its “Army”
Authors: Bakó Rozália Klára
Published: April 2021

This research note is aimed at exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by teenagers living in an underprivileged region in Romania as fans of an internationally popular K-pop band. We used desk research and netnography to explore similarities and differences between the local and international BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan) fandom, also called “Army”. Which are the barriers a Hungarian “Army” from Romania encounters when engaging with their idols? What is the role of K-pop in opening up the language and cultural bubble in which Hungarian youth in rural Romania live?1 The innovative element in our empirical research is the focus on family context: we interviewed both BTS fans and their parents in order to assess to what extent is K-pop in general and BTS in particular part of their daily lives. With its limitations as a small-scale qualitative analysis, such research can give insights into fan studies from a comparative perspective.
Screens of the Picturesque: Aesthetics, Technology, Economy
Authors: Fogarasi György
Published: April 2021

The 18th-century notion of the picturesque is somewhat lesser known as compared to the more celebrated categories of the beautiful and the sublime, even though it may not only help us critically reflect upon modern perceptions of the landscape, but it may also provide us a unique way to link the field of aesthetic speculation with questions of technology and economy. The article will focus on two of the major theoreticians of the picturesque (William Gilpin and Uvedale Price) and will examine their ideas in relation to Edmund Burke’s aesthetics on the one hand, and contemporary tendencies in landscape gardening (as represented by Lancelot “Capability” Brown and Humphry Repton) on the other. Such an investigation may shed light on the multiple shifts in the perception of nature and the sense of naturalness during the long 18th century, as well as on the pictorial and theatrical aspects of landscape design. But examples of the Claude glass, the ha-ha, and Humphry Repton’s Red Books may also indicate the role of technological innovations and economic interests, and thereby the relevancy of the very discourse of the picturesque to more modern or even postmodern artistic, cultural, and medial developments.
Images in Suspension: Tableaux Vivants, Gesturality and Simulacra in Raul Ruiz’s film The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting
Authors: Paraskevopoulos Ioannis
Published: April 2021

The article discusses Raul Ruiz’s film The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting (1978). In the closed space of the house a parallel world emerges, where the filmic hypertext is constituted by a series of mise-en-abyme images that explore the multiple universe of tableaux vivants. The article analyses Ruiz’s appropriation of Pierre Klossowski’s concept of simulacra. The structure of The Hypothesis of the Stolen Painting is based upon the infinite reproduction of meaning since each simulacrum-tableau vivant leads to another. The author explores the gesturality of the bodies and its relevance to the use of language and sound in the film. Furthermore, he argues that Ruiz orchestrates the placement of the tableaux vivants in the filmic space in order to reveal the thought of eternal return.
Recognition of the Simple Groups 2D8((2n)2)
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Behnam
Published: April 2021

One of the important problems in finite groups theory is group characterization by specific property. Properties, such as element orders, set of elements with the same order, the largest element order, etc. In this paper, we prove that the simple groups 2
D
8((2
n
)2)where, 28

n
+ 1 is a prime number are uniquely determined by its order and the largest elements order.
L(3, 2, 1)-Labeling of Banana Trees
Authors: Murugan M. , Sriraman P. , Suriya M.
Published: April 2021

An L(3, 2, 1)-labeling of a graph G is an assignment f from the vertex set V (G) to the set of non-negative integers such that |f (x) − f (y) | ≥ 3 if x and y are adjacent, | f (x) − f (y) | ≥ 2 if x and y are at distance 2, and | f (x) − f (y) | ≥ 1 if x and y are at distance 3, for all x and y in V (G). The L (3, 2, 1)-labeling number k (G) of G is the smallest positive integer k such that G has an L (3, 2, 1)-labeling with k as the maximum label. In this paper, we consider banana trees of type 1, banana trees of type 2 and path-union of t-copies of the star K
1

,n
and find the k-numbers of them.
Collocation solutions for the time fractional telegraph equation using cubic B-spline finite elements
Authors: Tasbozan Orkun , Esen Alaattin
Published: April 2021

In this study, we investigate numerical solutions of the fractional telegraph equation with the aid of cubic B-spline collocation method. The fractional derivatives have been considered in the Caputo forms. The L1and L2 formulae are used to discretize the Caputo fractional derivative with respect to time. Some examples have been given for determining the accuracy of the regarded method. Obtained numerical results are compared with exact solutions arising in the literature and the error norms L
2 and L
∞ have been computed. In addition, graphical representations of numerical results are given. The obtained results show that the considered method is effective and applicable for obtaining the numerical results of nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs).
The impact of an 8-week Pilates-based physical training program on functional mobility: data from a septuagenarian group
Authors: Lima Miguel , Silva Bruno , Rocha-Rodrigues Sílvia , Bezerra Pedro
Published: April 2021

Study aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a Pilates-based training program on functional mobility and strength in community-dwelling adults over 70 years old.

Material and methods: Twenty community-dwelling elderly subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to control (C = 10) or Pilates training (PT = 10) groups for 8 weeks (2 times/week). Anthropometric, strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional mobility, and static and dynamic balance parameters were assessed before and after the intervention.

Results: The PT group had higher values of lower limb strength (p = 0.013 d = 0.56) and 6-minute walking test distance (p = 0.04; d = 0.45) than the C group. The PT group also had differences in one leg stance duration and decrease in the Timed Up and Go test. We also observed a positive correlation between muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.01, r = 0.62), cardiorespiratory fitness and one leg stance, eyes closed, right and left leg (p = 0.04, r = 0.45; p = 0.05, r = 0.45, respectively).

Conclusions: Eight weeks of Pilates-based physical training induced improvements in skeletal muscle strength and functional mobility of community-dwelling septuagenarians.
Longevity of Polish male Olympic medallists born between 1888 and 1965
Authors: Małek Łukasz A. , Śmigielski Witold , Krysztofiak Hubert , Marszałek Mikołaj , Drygas Wojciech
Published: April 2021

Study aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the lifespan of Polish male Olympic medallists in comparison to the general male population.

Material and methods: The study included 238 Polish male Olympic medallists who participated in the Olympic games in 1924–1992. Duration of life in relation to the general Polish population was assessed. The age of acquiring their first medal, type and number of medals won and sports discipline were taken into consideration.

Results: Polish male Olympic medallists born before 1940 lived over 8 years longer in comparison to the general population (p < 0.0001, d = 0.689 and d = 0.750). Over 80% of them lived up to 65 years of age and over 40% up to 80. In the general population only <70% and <30%, respectively, reached the equivalent lifespan (p = 0.010 and p = 0.040, RR = 0.480 and RR = 0.783). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that survival was shorter in Olympic medallists who won their first medal before the age of 25 (p = 0.040) and in those engaging in endurance or power sports vs. mixed or skill disciplines (p = 0.010).

Conclusions: Polish male Olympic medallists lived significantly longer than the general population of Polish men. The longevity of male Olympic medallists was affected by the age of acquiring their first medal and by the category of sport practised.
A study on the association of cervical spondylosis severity, as indicated by cervical motions, with hearing impairment
Authors: Karam Bashaer Hameed , Hasan Hussain S. , Saeed Hassan Thabit
Published: April 2021

Study aim: The present study investigates the possible relation between the limitation of cervical motion in a patient with cervical spondylosis and hearing impairment.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional research was performed based on 60 participants suffering from cervical spondylosis (CS) selected from an orthopaedic and physiotherapy department. The data collection techniques included questionnaire, electronic tools, measurements with a mechanical device including measuring the cervical range of motion (ROM) by goniometer, and physical examination including pure tone audiometry (PTA) and tympanogram.

Results: Right rotation was the most common limitation, which affected 43 patients, followed by left rotation limitation, which was recorded in 40 patients. The extension, left lateral flexion, flexion, and right lateral flexion limitation showed less effect.

Conclusions: Left rotation limitation was found to be an independent predictor of hearing impairment especially in men. Age was also a risk factor for sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL). These findings are important in the facilitation of investigating SNHL in cervical spondylosis patients.
The Role of EU Principles in Criminal Law: is the Principle of Direct Effect Applicable?
Authors: Gruodytė Edita , Milčiuvienė Saulė , Palionienė Neringa
Published: April 2021

With the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty, EU law gained supremacy over national law in ten areas of criminal law (with the possibility of extension in the future) treated as particularly serious crimes with a cross-border dimension and the right to enact directives. The question arises if and when direct effect is possible in criminal law, taking account of developments and applications of this principle in other areas of EU law. To answer this question, the following tasks are necessary: (1) to discuss the role of principles in criminal law, (2) to define the principle of direct effect through the academic literature and the jurisprudence of the CJEU, (3) to discuss whether directives could have direct effect in criminal law, and (4) to analyze the EU’s impact on Lithuanian national criminal law through an analysis of the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Lithuania.
Europeanization by European Parliament Political Groups: The Case of Latvia 2004-2019
Authors: Andžāns Māris , Bukovskis Kārlis , Sprūds Andris
Published: April 2021

This article assesses the top-down Europeanization of national political parties by the political groups of the European Parliament. Based on the premise that the national political parties alter their agendas and argumentation because of ties to their respective European Parliament political groups, the paper presents a case study of Latvia in the period from 2004 to 2019. The analysis focuses on the agendas of three political parties whose continuity can be clearly traced during the fifteen years – the “New Unity”, the “National Alliance” and the “Latvian Russian Union”. It concludes that the small number of members of the European Parliament elected from Latvia, migration of individual politicians from party to party, and low durability of Latvian parties themselves has limited the sustainability of Europeanization and impeded downloading of EU topics and principles to the national party level. Meanwhile, party programs of all three observed parties have Europeanized since 2004 in terms of the number and depth of the EU issues addressed.
Arbitration Agreements and Protection of the Right to a Fair Trial
Authors: Višinskytė Dalia , Jokubauskas Remigijus , Kirkutis Mykolas
Published: April 2021

Arbitration is a dispute settlement mechanism based on an agreement of the parties. Party autonomy to conclude an arbitration agreement is well established and recognized by the UNCITRAL Model Law on Arbitration and various national laws. However, party autonomy to conclude an arbitration agreement raises certain challenges for protection of human rights. One of them is how an arbitration agreement is compatible with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which establishes the right to a fair trial before the state court. Conclusion of an arbitration agreement means that the parties waive their right to submit the dispute to the state court and instead create biding jurisdiction of arbitration court. This waiver of the right to a fair trial before the state court raises questions as to what extent the procedural guarantees of the right to a fair trial are applicable in arbitration court. What are the requirements for such a waiver of the right to a fair trial before the state courts?
Two novel CEBPA mutations in a Turkish patient with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Tokgun PE , Alay MT , Atli Tekin S , Güler N , Tokgun O , Demiray A , Karagenc N , Durak T , Celik B , Akca H
Published: April 2021

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was first categorized in 1976 by French, American and British researchers, and divided into eight subgroups (M0 to M7), depending on the cytochemical or histological changes in the leukemic cells. The gene mutations of FLT3-ITD, CEBPA and NPM1 are the most common that cooperate together in the prognosis of AML. The CEBPA gene that is a hematopoietic transcription factor, is located on chromosome 19q13.11, and its prevalence is between 5.0 and 14.0% in AML. The patient was referred to our clinic suffering from menorrhagia, unplanned weight loss in a month and low platelet levels, and was diagnosed with AML on clinical and laboratory examination. Here, we report a patient carrying two novel pathogenic mutations that create a frameshift mutation on the CEBPA gene, c.940_941insCCGTCG TGGAGACGA CGAAGG and c.221_222delAC by Sanger sequencing methodology.
Evaluation of methylation profiles of an epidermal growth factor receptor gene in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patient group
Authors: Mutlu M , Mutlu P , Azarkan S , Bayır Ö , Öcal B , Saylam G , Korkmaz MH
Published: April 2021

Upregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene has shown an important impact on the development of head and neck cancers due to its important regulation role on multiple cell signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the methylation pattern of the promoter region of the EGFR gene between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and a control group. Forty-seven unrelated HNSCC patients, clinically diagnosed at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, and 48 unrelated healthy volunteers from different geographic regions of Turkey, were included in this study. Methylation status of the promoter region of the EGFR gene was detected by methylation-specific-polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR). The correlation between EGFR gene promoter methylation profiles and clinical characteristics were examined using the χ2 test. Methylation was observed in 79.0% of HNSCC patients, whereas this ratio was 90.0% in healthy individuals. The results show that promoter region methylation of the EGFR gene was not associated with HNSCC development in the studied Turkish patient group. In addition, the methylation status of the EGFR gene promoter was not found to be related to age, gender or tumor stage.
Influence of potential gene polymorphisms on propofol dosage regimen in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy
Authors: Ivanov E , Sterjev Z , Budic I , Nojkov J , Karadzova D , Sivevski A
Published: April 2021

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is the most common intravenous anesthetic used in modern medicine. It is postulated that individual differences in genetic factors [polymorphism of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] in the genes encoding metabolic enzymes, molecular targets and molecular binding sites of propofol can be responsible for susceptibility to propofol effects. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of the cytochrome P450 2B6 isozyme CYP2B6 (rs3745274), γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor α1 subunit GABRA1 (rs2279020) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 ABCB1 (rs1045642) gene polymorphisms on propofol therapeutic outcomes in the patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Ninety patients aged 29-74 years, with different ethnicities were included in this study. The presence of polymorphisms was analyzed using TaqMan SNP genotype analysis on Stratagene MxPro 3005P real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The distribution of all three genetic variants was within the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the allelic frequencies of polymorphic variants and genotype distributions between adult and older patients and between patients of different ethnicities. Our study did not detect a statistically significant influence of the CYP2B6 (c.516G>A), GABRA1 (c.1059+15G>A) and ABCB1 (c.3435T>C) variants on the variability of clinical parameters (doses for induction in anesthesia, additional doses, induction time and wake time after anesthesia and side effects of propofol). However, the observed trend on the possible influence of the CYP2B6 (c.516G>A) and GABRA1 (c.1059+15G>A) variants warrant an extension of these studies on a larger number of patients.
Impact of the Baden Complex Upon the Tripolye and Funnel Beaker Cultures in Western Ukraine
Authors: Rybicka Małgorzata , Verteletskyi Dmytro
Published: April 2021

In scientific literature the discussion over the evident ties between the Baden complex and Tripolye culture dates back to the mid 1990s and is related to Sofievka type complexes. In earlier papers by scholars on TC Stage CII only passing mention was given to Baden influences, the exception being works by Mykhailo Videiko, who paid particular attention to contacts with the Carpathian Basin. He noted their impact upon Troyaniv-Gorodsk type complexes and pointed out the presence of the Baden pottery style in the settlements of the Kasperivtsy-Gordineşti complex. The adoption of Baden traits by communities belonging to the Funnel Beaker and Tripolye cultures in western Volhynia ran along very different lines. The quantity of data on Baden influence upon Funnel Beaker culture communities in the area between the Western Bug, Upper Dniester and Styr rivers remains small.
New Radiocarbon Dates for Stage Cii Tripolye Culture, Northern Moldova
Authors: Rybicka Małgorzata , Sîrbu Ghenadie , Król Dariusz , Bicbaev Viaceslav
Published: April 2021

According to Tamara Movscha, vessels from the Funnel Beaker culture settlement in Zhvanets can be synchronized with the period of existence of the settlements in Zimno, Leżnica and Gródek. Based on the currently available radiocarbon dates, we can say that the long-term settlements in Gródek and Zimno existed from around 3650 BC. The older phase of the settlement in Gródek is dated to 3650-3400 BC, while the younger ones to 3400-3100 BC. The first is characterized by the presence of imports of tableware with the characteristics of the Brînzeni group dated to 3400-3100 BC. In order to verify the current attempts to position the above at a more precise time, several radiocarbon analyses of the samples from the sites of Brînzeni and Gordinești group in northern Moldova were conducted.
The Effects of Additives to Lightweight Aggregate on the Mechanical Properties of Structural Lightweight Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Khoshvatan Mehdi , Pouraminia Majid
Published: April 2021

In the paper, the effects of different percentages of additives (perlite, LECA, pumice) on the mechanical properties of structural lightweight aggregate concrete were tested and evaluated. For the research, 14 mixing designs with different amounts of aggregate, water, and cement were made. Experimental results showed that the specific gravity of lightweight structural concrete made from a mixture of LECA, pumice, and perlite aggregates could be 25-30% lighter than conventional concrete. Lightweight structural concrete with a standard specific gravity can be achieved by using a combination of light LECA with perlite lightweight aggregates (LA) and pumice with perlite in concrete. The results indicated that LECA lightweight aggregates show more effective behavior in the concrete sample. Also, the amount of cement had a direct effect on increasing the strength regardless of the composition of LAs. The amount of cement causes compressive strength to increase. Furthermore, the stability of different experimental models increased from 156 to 345 kg m3 while increasing the amount of cement from 300 to 400 kg m3 in the mixing designs of LECA and perlite for W/C ratios of 0.3, 0.35, and 0.4. For a fixed amount of cement equal to 300 kg, the compressive strength is reduced by 4% by changing the water to cement ratio from 0.5 to 0.4. The compression ratios of strength for 7 to 28 days obtained in this study for lightweight concrete were between 0.67-0.8. Based on the rate of tensile strength to compressive strength of ordinary concretes, which is approximately 10, this ratio is about 13.5 to-17.8 in selected and optimal lightweight concretes in this research, which can be considered good indirect tensile strength for structural lightweight concretes.
A Survey about Intelligent Solutions for Autonomous Vehicles based on FPGA
Authors: Kasem Ashraf , Reda Ahmad , Vásárhelyi József , Bouzid Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Safe driving and reducing the number of accidents victims have been the main motivations for researchers and automotive companies for decades. Today, humanity is very close to make the old dream of fully autonomous vehicles a reality, thanks to the rapid spread of AI (artificial intelligence) and the evolution of semiconductor technologies. But the real problem here is the increasing demand for computational power and that of course will increase power requirements, hence it will not be suitable for autonomous driving applications. GPU is not suitable for solving this problem due to its power consumption as well as heat generation. On the other hand, CPU also does not satisfy the performance requirements. For the above condition, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) has drawn attention as a hardware accelerator since it features high performance with low power consumption. This paper reviews the common solutions involving artificial intelligence implemented on FPGA for autonomous vehicle applications. Research, development, and current trends related to the topic are emphasized.
Increasing fault tolerance in service-level agreement constrained context-aware data networks
Authors: Meijers Ints
Published: April 2021

Attribute study and analysis of fault tolerant data networks. This work is aimed at introducing SLA constrain into fault tolerance and thus increasing overall network availability. Proposed model will evaluate given constraints and select best path that fits requirements. Fault tolerance is increased by adding multiple constraints and thus reducing available paths to best fitting ones.
From the Orchard to the Full Bottle: One of the Geostories of the Nature & Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen
Authors: Gulas Oliver , Vorwagner Eva Maria , Pásková Martina
Published: April 2021

A geopark mission does not consists just of presenting and interpreting the geological phenomena and processes, but it also includes conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources as well as understanding and supporting the local people and their culture. For sure, the geology of the area determinates the local flora and fauna as well as the local life style. On different examples, this case study presents how the Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen is involving local people to protect the local geoheritage and natural resources as well as to raise its visibility and touristic attraction. It shows that the traditional local production can contribute both to the landscape conservation and geoheritage interpretation, and that the application of participatory management and ABC interpretive concept can affect all that in a synergic way.
Lewinskya affinis var. bohemica - new epiphytic moss in the bryoflora of Germany
Authors: Procházková Jana , Plášek Vítězslav
Published: April 2021

During the field investigations in Germany, a new epiphytic moss, Orthotrichum affine var. bohemicum, was repeatedly found in 2015 in the Lands of Hessen and Bavaria. Distribution of this variety in Germany is mapped and its ecology is described in detail. Because the traditionally understood genus Orthotrichum was recently split into some segregates and this variety was not given a name in the genus Lewinskya to which it actually belongs, it is transferred to this genus and the relevant new combination Lewinskya affinis var. bohemica is effected.
Simulation of Heat and Mass Transfer of Cut Tobacco in a Batch Rotary Dryer by Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Huang Feng , Deng Nan , Li Qiaoling , Li Bin , Hu Ruilin , Liang Miao , Luo Dengshan , Wang Le
Published: April 2021

To simulate the drying process of cut tobacco in a batch rotary dryer, six different models of equilibrium moisture content were selected to calculate the driving force of mass transfer, and a mathematical model of heat and mass transfer was numerically solved. The multi-objective nonlinear problem of heat and mass transfer coefficients was optimized by employing a weight factor. The simulation results showed that the weight factor r was an important parameter for fitting results of moisture content and temperature. The model evaluation indices almost reached their minimal values with r at 0.1. For all the six equilibrium/classic models the fit was better for moisture content than for temperature. One model (M-Hen/C) was superior to other equilibrium/classic models and the REA (reaction engineering approach) model. This study aims for an understanding of heat and mass transfer in the tobacco drying process, and provides a theoretical framework to support the prediction of temperature and moisture in various drying situations.
Assessment of changes in the quality of ground water in the area of landfill site in Poczesna (South Poland) using the LWPI index
Authors: Gorzelak Mateusz , Dąbrowska Dominika
Published: April 2021

Municipal waste landfill is a potential, or actual, source of groundwater pollution. Even landfill with a ground containment system can generate leachate that will migrate to aquifers. In this context, it is important to monitor water and leachate and to rationally analyze the existing situation. The purpose of this article was to assess groundwater contamination in the region of the municipal landfill site in Poczesna (Southern Poland) using the Landfill Water Pollution Index (LWPI). Certain physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Hg, were analyzed from samples from six piezometers in the years 2015-2019. The LWPI index values in the groundwater samples ranged from 0.97 to 3.11 (P<0.05). Indicator values that are within the range 2-5 reflect poor water quality with a high visible landfill impact, and those >5 suggest strongly polluted water with a very high landfill impact. The results of this study indicated that the quality of the groundwater in the area around the landfill was better in the case of the Jurassic aquifer compared to the Quaternary aquifer. The results provided by this index are very useful in the context of a quick assessment of groundwater quality. For the purposes of further risk analyses, it is important to consider other variables (chemical components) which can influence groundwater quality in the region of municipal landfill sites.
Gandhian Fasting and Cultural Indigestion in Jeffrey Eugenides’ “Air Mail”
Authors: Ciocoi-Pop Ana-Blanca
Published: April 2021

“Air Mail” is one of the ten stories included in Jeffrey Eugenides’ latest collection of stories, Fresh Complaint. Drawing on one of the characters in his third novel, The Marriage Plot, as well as on his own experiences in India working as a volunteer alongside Mother Theresa, “Air Mail” tells the story of young (and idealistic) Mitchell Grammaticus, who leaves the West in order to explore India, Bangkok, and a tropical island in the Gulf of Siam, where he finally succumbs to dysentery (as well as to thoughts regarding the futility of existence). Ripe in irony and biting sarcasm, coupled with a surprising tenderness and empathy, which are the landmarks of Eugenides’ writing, the story is a tongue-in-cheek debate on the East-West cultural conflict, as well as on the numerous (false) conceptions Westerners harbor regarding foreign cultures, paradigms and ideologies.
A Comparative Analysis of Translations of Lucian Blaga’s Poetry into English
Authors: Mitrea Alexandra
Published: April 2021

The complexity of Lucian Blaga’s poetry is a matter of common knowledge. Part of this complexity is related to the elements of prosody that Blaga skilfully employs, to say nothing of the philosophical vein which infuses his writings, and which derives, understandably, from his philosophical work. Mention should also be made of the lyrical character of Blaga’s dramatic works, which adds significantly to the effort of translating his writings into English, or any other language for that matter. In what follows, we intend to offer a bird’s eye view of the volumes that have been translated into English and to analyse a selection of poems comparatively, in order to signal challenges and discrepancies, born in the process of transferring literary material from Romanian to English, and to point out what has been lost, and, if that be the case, what has been gained in the translation process.
Determinants of abundance and habitat association of mammals in Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Jagan Nath , Bhattarai Bishnu Prasad , Thapa Tej Bahadur
Published: April 2021

Barandabhar Corridor Forest (BCF), the biologically functional corridor, is surrounded by the large human settlements that exploit the corridor where large mammals such as tigers, leopards and their prey such as ungulates, primates, and rhinoceros occur. This study aimed to evaluate major determinants that affect the distribution of large mammals in BCF, Chitwan, Nepal that connects the biologically significant Chitwan National Park with the Mahabharat range. The status and distribution of large mammals along the habitat and disturbance gradients were determined by using 29 line transects (mean length = 4.59 ± 0.38 km) that covered a linear distance of 133.13 km. The chital were the most abundant mammals (density per km2 (D) = 8.9095 ± 1.4570 and encounter rate per km (ER) = 1.49) followed by rhesus monkey (D = 38.896 ± 16.013, ER = 0.28), wild boar (D = 14.814 ± 3.57, ER = 0.62), northern red muntjac (D = 9.6566 ± 2.9514, ER = 0.62) and sambar (D = 5.392 ± 2.319, ER = 0.38). Similarly, the sign encounter rate of tiger and leopard was 0.435 and 0.503 respectively. Habitat types, human disturbances, and coverage of invasive and alien plant species (IAPs) played a key role in the distribution of large mammals. The occurrence of mammals was low nearer to the settlements and roads and coverage of IAPs and more nearer to the water resources. However, degradation of foraging grounds such as grasslands by succession and invasion of alien plant species added more threats to the survival of large mammals. Therefore, such a situation can be improved through the scientific management of forests and grasslands.
Effect of Three Half-Squat Protocols on the Tensiomyographic Twitch Response and Tissue Damage of the Rectus Femoris and the Biceps Femoris
Authors: Berzosa César , Sanz-López Fernando , Gonzalo-Skok Oliver , Valero-Campo Carlos , Luis Arjol-Serrano José , Piedrafita Eduardo , Aladrén Guillermo , Vanessa Bataller-Cervero A.
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to analyse the acute effects of a concentric exercise and two different eccentric overload exercises (EOEs) on blood markers of muscle damage (i.e. creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], myoglobin [Myo], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) and muscle contractile properties. Ten healthy, young (27 ± 1.5 years, 179 ± 6 cm, 78.7 ± 10.8 kg), physically active men (3.5 ± 1.9 h·w-1) randomly performed three training sessions using the following protocols: a half-squat (HS) as a concentric exercise, and exercises using Versapulley (VP) or YoYo isoinertial technology (YIT) as EOEs (4 x 7 repetitions with a 2 min rest interval between sets). Blood samples and tensiomyography measurements were obtained after each training session. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test was used to detect differences between the four time points of each variable. The standardized difference or effect size (ES, 90% confidence limit) in the selected variables was calculated using the basal SD. After all exercises, a greater activity of CK, LDH, and concentration of Myo, and MDA were found compared to baseline values (p < 0.05). A substantially greater activity of CK, LDH, and Myo concentration, but not MDA, were found after EOEs when compared to the HS protocol. Substantially lower tensiomyography results in the rectus femoris (RF) were reported, irrespective of the exercise mode performed. Also, no substantial differences were obtained in the biceps femoris (BF) between EOEs and the HS protocol. Time of contraction (Tc) in the RF was possibly to very likely lower in the HS in comparison to EOEs. Additionally, muscular displacement (Dm) in the RF was substantially lower in the HS compared to EOEs. VP produced higher concentrations of damage markers than YIT and concentric exercise did. Furthermore, tensiomyography variables showed similar activation in both exercises, although higher specific fatigue (in the RF) was registered in the traditional HS.
Shoulder Muscle Imbalance as a Risk for Shoulder Injury in Elite Adolescent Swimmers: A Prospective Study
Authors: Drigny Joffrey , Gauthier Antoine , Reboursière Emmanuel , Guermont Henri , Gremeaux Vincent , Edouard Pascal
Published: April 2021

Muscle strength imbalances between the internal and external rotators of the shoulder are frequent in swimmers, but their role in shoulder injury remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association of shoulder rotator strength and injury in elite adolescent swimmers. Eighteen adolescent swimmers performed preseason isokinetic tests of the internal and external rotator muscles in concentric (con) and eccentric (ecc) modes. Conventional (conER:conIR and eccER:eccIR) and functional ratios (eccER:conIR and eccIR:conER) were calculated. Thirteen swimmers completed a weekly questionnaire about swimming habits and shoulder injuries throughout the season. Preseason testing showed a significant negative association between the functional eccER:conIR ratio and years of practice (p < 0.05). Over the season, 46% of athletes experienced at least one shoulder injury. At the end of the season, peak torques increased for both internal and external rotator muscles strength, but only concentrically, resulting in a decrease in the eccER:conIR functional ratio (p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis highlighted good predictive power for the preseason functional eccER:conIR ratio, as values below 0.68 were associated with a 4.5-fold (95% CI 1.33-15.28, p < 0.05) increased risk of shoulder injuries during the season.
Synergistic Activation Patterns of Hand Muscles in Left-and Right-Hand Dominant Individuals
Authors: Liang Don , Yarossi Mathew , Jacobs-Skolik Spencer , Furmanek Mariusz , Brooks Dana , Erdogmus Deniz , Tunik Eugene
Published: April 2021

Handedness has been associated with behavioral asymmetries between limbs that suggest specialized function of dominant and non-dominant hand. Whether patterns of muscle co-activation, representing muscle synergies, also differ between the limbs remains an open question. Previous investigations of proximal upper limb muscle synergies have reported little evidence of limb asymmetry; however, whether the same is true of the distal upper limb and hand remains unknown. This study compared forearm and hand muscle synergies between the dominant and non-dominant limb of left-handed and right-handed participants. Participants formed their hands into the postures of the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet, while EMG was recorded from hand and forearm muscles. Muscle synergies were extracted for each limb individually by applying non-negative-matrix-factorization (NMF). Extracted synergies were compared between limbs for each individual, and between individuals to assess within and across participant differences. Results indicate no difference between the limbs for individuals, but differences in limb synergies at the population level. Left limb synergies were found to be more similar than right limb synergies across left- and right-handed individuals. Synergies of the left hand of left dominant individuals were found to have greater population level similarity than the other limbs tested. Results are interpreted with respect to known differences in the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of proximal and distal upper limb motor control. Implications for skill training in sports requiring dexterous control of the hand are discussed.