bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudo-random sequences of non-maximum length on shift registers with reducible and primitive polynomials
Authors: Pesoshin V A , Kuznetsov V M , Rakhmatullin A Kh , Shirshova D V
Published: November 2021

Inhomogeneous pseudo-random sequences of non-maximal length formed by shift registers with linear feedbacks based on a characteristic polynomial of degree n of the form ϕ(x)=ϕ1(x)ϕ2(x), where ϕ1(x) = x
m1
⊕ 1, and ϕ2(x) of degree m
2 is primitive (m
1 = 2
k
, k is a positive integer, n = m
1
+ m
2) are considered. Three schemes that are equivalent in terms of periodic sequence structures were considered. Of the greatest interest are the shift registers connected in an arbitrary way using a modulo-two adder, the feedbacks in which correspond to the multipliers ϕ1(x) and ϕ2(x) the polynomials ϕ(x). In this case, there is a complex process of forming output sequences, which involves both direct and inverse M-sequences. The statement about the singularity of the generated sequences at m
1 = 4 is proved, which is confirmed by their decimation with an index equal to the period of the primitive polynomial.
Maximum covariance analysis of the sea surface backscatter signal models
Authors: Pyko N S , Pyko S A , Mikhailov V N , Bogachev M I
Published: November 2021

In this work we study the applicability of the maximum covariance analysis (MCA) for the analysis of matrices characterizing the spatiotemporal models of sea surface backscatter signals for different types of sea waves. The method is based on the singular value decomposition of the covariance matrix describing the relationship between two spatiotemporal matrices. The dependence of the obtained correlation coefficients on the degree of sea roughness, as well as on the ratio of the heights of wind waves and rogue waves are determined. The statistical characteristics of the obtained correlation coefficients of the sea surface backscatter signals are analysed. Our results indicate that the MCA method, at least from the modelling perspective, could be applicable to the classification of the sea surface from its backscatter signal characteristics, including an early detection and analysis of the rogue waves onset and development.
Effect of cooling rate on structural transformations in Ti-Al-V nanoalloy: molecular dynamics study
Authors: Sdobnyakov N Yu , Samsonov V M , Myasnichenko V S , Ershov P M , Bazulev A N , Veresov S A , Bogdanov S S , Savina K G
Published: November 2021

Using the isothermal molecular dynamics and the tight-binding potential, crystallization of Ti6Al4V nanodroplets was simulated. The objects of the research consisted of 2869 atoms, including 172 Al atoms and 115 V ones. The OVITO program was employed to recognize local structures and nanophases arisen in the course of cooling nanoalloy with the cooling rates of 0.1 and 0.4 K/ps. We have found that the cooling rate effect on the structure of the Ti6Al4V nanoalloy and the thermally induced structural transformations is much more pronounced than the size effect.
Species extinction at the various environmental forcing in a stochastic ecosystem model
Authors: Sudakov I A , Vakulenko S A , Kirievskaya D V , Cherniavskaia E A
Published: November 2021

This paper considers a stochastic multi-species single resource population model. The stochastic model is obtained from perturbing the supply of resource by a time dependent force. We use analytical investigations and numerical simulations to study the dynamics of our model under chaotic and periodic environmental oscillations, and show that the stochastic dynamics of our model exhibits a strong dependence on initial parameters.
Determination of error of sector location of subterrene stabilizing section based on coordinate control data
Authors: Valter A V , Aksenov V V , Beglyakov V Yu , Chazov P A , Efremenkov A B
Published: November 2021

Results of the study of actual accuracy of the stabilizing section shell of the prototype subterrene are presented. The problem of experimental verification of the assumptions made in modeling is formulated. The research described in the article was carried out on the basis of experimental data obtained by coordinate control of the shell of the prototype subterrene. Data analysis was carried out by mathematical modeling of the surface of the shell of the stabilizing section as a whole and the surfaces of each individual sector. The obtained mathematical models are based on the approximation of sets of points obtained in the process of coordinate control by cylindrical surfaces. The article shows that at least a significant part of the deviations of the geometric shape of the section shell (from 30.3 to 52.3%) is explained by errors in the location of the sectors and errors in their radii. On the basis of the performed modeling, absolute values of the corresponding errors and actual values of the dimensions and deviations were determined. Studies confirmed the possibility of ensuring the specified accuracy of the shell surface when implementing the assembly technology used in a pilot production. At the same time, the proximity of actual deviations to maximum permissible values can lead to problems in ensuring the stable quality of subterrene case products in mass production. Correlation analysis of coordinate control data and statistical analysis of the series of residuals of developed models were carried out. Correlation analysis confirmed the dependence of deviations of experimental points on their cylindrical coordinates, which confirms the significance of the error in the location of the sectors in deviations from the geometric accuracy of the shell.
Application of plasma chemical treatment for manufacturing of instrument microstructures based on gallium nitride
Authors: Zhelannov A V , Seleznev B I
Published: November 2021

The epitaxial layers of n-n+-GaN were processed by plasma-chemical etching using a Sentech SI 500 unit equipped with an inductively coupled plasma source. The regimes of gallium nitride processing in chlorine plasma have been established, which make it possible to remove epitaxial layers of the semiconductor down to a depth of 10 μm with a smooth surface. Based on the obtained processing results, prototype samples of Schottky diode microstructures with quasi-vertical contact geometry were manufactured. The effect of pretreatment on the characteristics of instrument microstructures is demonstrated.
Simulation Study of Structural and Electronic Properties for Adducts complexes of Bis(Acetylacetonato)oxoVandium (IV) with 4-(Para-substituted phenyl)-1,2,3-Selenadiazole
Authors: Alsawad Dalal H , Al-Riyahee Ali A , Hameed Ali J
Published: November 2021

A series of 4-(para-substituted phenyl)-1,2,3-selenadiazole adducts of [VO(acac)2] were studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The 4-(para-substituted phenyl)-1,2,3-selenadiazole molecules have been selected to be bound with vanadium atom in [VO(acac)2] through Se, N2 and N3. The resulting adducts have been investigated in two geometries (cis and trans) in order to show the effect of such structural change on the electronic properties of the studied adducts. The optimized geometries, (binding and reorganization) energies and the spatial distribution of the highest molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the adducts are presented and discussed.
Synthesis, characterization and biological studies of some new organometallic compounds containing mercury, selenium and tellurium based on p-aminobenzoic acid
Authors: Al-Rubaie Ali Z , Al-Jadaan Shaker A S , Abd Al-Wahed Anwar T , Raadah Ibraheem A
Published: November 2021

Ten chalcogen and mercury bearing compounds based on 4-aminobenzoic acid (i.e., (2-amino-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)mercury(II) chloride (1), (2-amino-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl) phenyl selenide (2), (2-amino-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl) phenyl telluride (3), (4-carboxyphenyl)mercury(II) chloride (4), 4-selenocyanatobenzoic acid (5), 4-tellurocyanatobenzoic acid (6), bis(4-carboxyphenyl) diselenide (7) bis(4-carboxyphenyl) ditelluride (8), bis(4-carboxyphenyl) selenide (9) bis(4-carboxyphenyl) telluride (10) were prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. All compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus and the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli by using the disk diffusion technique. The antibacterial activity of these compounds was dependent on the molecular structure of the compounds, and the bacterial strain under consideration.
Synthesis and characterization of azetidin-2-one and 1,3-oxazepine derivatives using Schiff bases derived from 1,1’-biphenyl-4,4’-diamine
Authors: Hanoon H D , Al Hussain H A Abd , Abass S K
Published: November 2021

The present study included the synthesis of two series of heterocyclic compounds, azetidin-2-one and 1,3-oxazepine derivatives. All synthesized compounds were characterized using FT-IR and 1H NMR spectra. The study was divided into two parts. The first synthesis Schiff bases derivatives (1-4) via the condensation reaction of 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (A) with benzaldehyde derivatives (2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, furan-2-carbaldehyde and 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde). The second synthesis azetidine-2-one derivatives (5-8) from the reaction of Schiff bases with chloroacetyl chloride. Schiff bases also reacted with maleic anhydride to yield 1,3-oxazepine derivatives (9-12).
Nano Silicate Ceramic Coating Material Applied to Increase the Emissivity and Efficiency of Primary Reformer Radiant
Authors: Hayi Basim A. Abdul , hyal Abbas.
Published: November 2021

Nano silicate ceramic material prepared in this research for coating the walls of the primary reformer unit in the state company of fertilizers. It is applied to increase the emissivity and thermal efficiency to improve the properties of insulation materials. Moreover, it is increasing the working operation time for catalyst tubes and reducing the carbon dioxide emissions. Nano coating materials were prepared by using different refractory materials that include silica, filed spar, alumina, manganese dioxide and magnesium oxide. The preparation method was done by, calcination and firing these materials then crashing to get extremely fine powder. The results show that coating materials consist mainly from quartz crystalline and glassy phase structure with a grain size of 158 nm and penetration between 10 to 20 mm when using different concentration 0.5 to 1.0 % for total mix. The emissivity of primary reformer insulation materials was increased with 30 % comparing with insulation materials without coating.
Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Biocomposite Films with Hybrid Fillers
Authors: Lai Di Sheng , Adnan Sinar Arzuria , Osman Azlin Fazlina , Ibrahim Ismail , Haq Hazrul
Published: November 2021

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was studied extensively to replace conventional plastic in packaging application. In this study, granule corn starch was first plasticized with water and glycerol to form TPS films and two different fillers were incorporated with TPS to form hybrid biocomposite films (TPSB). Two different fillers: Microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and Nano bentonite (NB) fixed at 1: 4 ratios in various loading (1wt%-6wt%) were incorporated in TPS to study effect of hybrid fillers on the mechanical properties of TPSB films. The effect of different loading of MC/NB on TPSB films was investigated through the structural, morphological and mechanical testing. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) shows TPS matrix and hybrid fillers are highly compatible due to hydroxyl bonding and verified through the shifting of spectra band. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed even distribution of fillers in the matrix of TPS. The TPSB films exhibited significant improvement 40% in elongation at break compared to pure TPS films. In this study, 5wt% is best loading of the hybrid fillers to incorporated in TPSB films as it achieved the highest value of tensile strength (8.52MPa), Young’s Modulus (42.0 MPa) and elongation at break (116.3%). Generally, previous studies showed flexibility of TPS composite films reduced with incorporating filler, however in this study, the flexibility TPSB show significant improvement compared to previous studies and exhibit promising potential in dry food packaging application.
Effect on Current Density on Zero Charge Corrosion Protection of Pure Mg in 3.5% NaCl Solution
Authors: Gunasilan Mahalaksmi , Shamsudin Shaiful Rizam , Adzman Mohd Rafi , Salleh Siti Hawa Mohamed , Sanusi Mohd Syazwan , Ahmad Wan Mohd Haqqi Wan
Published: November 2021

The cathodic protection uses two-electrode polarization, which requires large currents and substantial voltages. Efforts are being made to identify possibilities for improvements by developing zero-charge corrosion protection techniques. Studies were performed to determine the zero-charges potential effect by analyzing corrosion signs on reactive metal samples such as pure Mg. Mg samples were fed by current/ voltage pulses for 120 hours, with specified pulse parameters and varied Ecorr- offsets, ranging from +2 to -218 mV. The volumetric hydrogen gas collection technique is used to determine the hydrogen evolution rate. Surface observation is carried out by stereomicroscope to determine the presence of corrosion signs on the sample surface. Overall, all current densities and hydrogen evolution rates had very low readings on the studied Ecor offset parameters. Mg samples fed with pulses at -1800 and -1900 mV vs SCE revealed zero charge potential effects since their surface was clean and showed no indications of corrosion even after being exposed to the corrosive solution for 120 hours. Thus, corrosion protection is successfully done and meets the Epzc condition.
Failure analysis of an economizer tube sheet & its cover due to corrosionand imperfection
Authors: Shamsudin Shaiful Rizam , Wardan Rajaselan , Ibrahim Faizal , Ibrahim Muhammad Lutfi
Published: November 2021

The boiler's economizer was found to be inefficient. Corrosion is suspected to be the source of the economizer's pressure reduction. The examinations included visual inspection, stereomicroscope, metallography, elemental microanalysis by EDS, and chemical composition analysis. The economizer failed due to a weld crater caused by improper welding, which induced residual welding stress. The slight sulfur content of the condensed or flue gas that causes rusting on the economizer's outer cover is not considered a severe failure issue. Material SUS304 stainless steel is the right selection for economizer materials.
The Generalized STAR Modelling with Minimum Spanning Tree Approach of Weight Matrix for COVID-19 Case in Java Island
Authors: Mukhaiyar Utriweni , Bilad Bayu Imadul , Pasaribu Udjianna Sekteria
Published: November 2021

The ongoing global Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a major threat. The spread of the COVID-19 virus is likely to occur from one location to another location due to the mobility of people. Many efforts and policies have been made by each country to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. The imposition of lockdown and large-scale social restrictions or social distancing has been widely applied to limit the transmission of this virus among the community and provincial levels. Both policies have proven effective in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. To obtain the overview of this case, many researchers were conducted. Here, the Generalized STAR (GSTAR) model was applied to model the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases per day in six provinces in Java Island. The data was recorded simultaneously in six locations, namely in the Provinces of Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta Special Region, and East Java. This paper proposes a new approach in constructing the weight matrix required to build the GSTAR model, namely Minimum Spanning Tree (MST). The weight matrix represents the relationship among observed locations. By using the MST, a topological (undirected graph) network model could be created to show the correlation, centrality, and relationship on the increase of COVID-19 positive cases among the provinces in Java Island. The GSTAR(1;1) with the inverse distance weight matrix using MST presents a good ability to predict the COVID-19 increasing cases of Java island. This is indicated by the final MAPE average score of 19.55.
Predicting Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Malaysia using Multiple Linear Regression and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Sobri Norafefah Mohamad , Yaacob Wan Fairos Wan , Ismail Nor Azima , Malik Mohd Azry Abdul , Rahman Raudhah Ab. , Baser Nur Aqilah , Sukhairi Suwaibah Afiqah Mohd
Published: November 2021

Air pollution is a well-known issue for all countries, including Malaysia. It has been stated that particulate matter that less than 2.5mm known as PM2.5 has a greater effect on health as the smaller particulate size can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and affect the cardiovascular system significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the concentration of PM2.5 for haze precautions. This study characterizes the pattern of PM2.5 concentrations involving seven stations including Alor Setar, Shah Alam, Pasir Gudang, Ipoh, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Miri with seven indicator parameters (Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Humidity, Temperature and Wind Speed). PM2.5 concentrations were predicted for each station using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Descriptive and trend analysis using Mann-Kandell Trend analysis was used to describe the haze characteristics and identify significant trends in the haze selected locations in Malaysia. MLR and ANN were fitted for the data. The performance of both prediction models was compared based on R2 and Mean Square Error (MSE). The results show ANN performed better than MLR with a high value of coefficient determination (R2) and low error measure. The ANN model was used to predict the occurrence of haze for the next day in the Air Quality Index (API).
An Application of Fuzzy ANP in Evaluating Stress Factors Among University’s Students During Online Distance Learning
Authors: Hasnol Hisham Sharifah Fatimatuzzahra Syed , Ahmad Noraini , Yusof Zanariah Mohd , Nor Aini Hassanuddin
Published: November 2021

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has bring so many impacts on various aspects including education. Nearly two years into the pandemic, close to half of the world’s students, including Malaysia, are still affected by partial or full closures of educational institution. In spite of this, to ensure the continuity of learning, one of the initiatives taken by our government is introducing online distance learning (ODL) as the new platforms of learning. However, undeniably, ODL is so stressful and this situation is obviously non-pleasant, especially for the long-term development of the students. Therefore, a research to find out the most influential factors, which contribute to these stresses has been conducted. In this research, a decision-making tool known as the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) has been applied. Five main factors which are time management, environment of studies, resources, family and lecturer’s concerns, with additional of twenty-one sub-factors were studied. The percentage value of each factor was calculated using the FANP, which produced the rank for each factor. Results shows that, environment of study dominates the ranks, followed by time management, lecturer’s concern, resources and the last one is family’s concern.
Computation of Stability Criterion for Fractional Ocean Circulation Box Model Using Optimal Routh—Hurwitz Conditions
Authors: Ng Yong Xian , Phang Chang
Published: November 2021

Atlantic ocean thermohaline circulation is a deep ocean circulation occur in the Atlantic ocean which shows mixed of salt and freshwater transportation. The ocean circulation box model is defined to cover the large-scale behavior of the thermohaline circulation. On the other hand, fractional order dynamical systems are more flexible and realistic for real-life problems if compare with integer order dynamical systems. Hence, research on the stability for fractional dynamical systems is still infant and more difficult to analyze analytically. In this paper, we will extend the ocean circulation 3-box model into fractional order and investigate stability criterion for this fractional model by applying fractional Routh-Hurwitz conditions. Routh-Hurwitz conditions allow us to find the range of adjustable control parameter F1
which can detect the stability criterion for the fractional ocean circulation model.
The Proposed Framework and Challenges towards Smart City Implementation
Authors: Rahman Wan Fariza Wan Abdul , Abdalla Aisha Hassan , Islam Md. Rafiqul
Published: November 2021

The recent increment of population in the urban areas requires well-operated and well-managed cities with lots of automation in various aspects of everyday life. The backbone of this smart city is the Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology. This paper outlines the fundamental idea of IoT, followed by its framework for successful smart city implementation. The deployment of a city-scale IoT infrastructure involves heterogeneity of devices (in terms of hardware, software interfaces, communication interfaces and data transmitted), poses new challenges in several aspects including interoperability and security. There are many review articles on smart city proposing various frameworks, each with its own focus area. However, how different domain areas are to be interconnected together, remained questionable. Due to sensible nature of data involved, privacy and security must be ensured, considering secure environment for users’ personal data in transit and storage. These elements must be integrated into the smart city architecture. Additionally, with the increase demand for mobile applications, the issues of mobility and the optimization of resource management are another challenging part in smart city. These issues and several approaches to tackle each of them are also highlighted in brief. Finally, the enhanced framework for smart city considering the security and privacy issues has been proposed.
Factors That Lead to Misbehaviour in Class According to Students’ Perception at UiTM Seremban 3 Using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) Analysis
Authors: Saharizan Mohd Dzikri , Sam Marsya Maizura Mohd , Kahar Syafiqah Md Nur , Yasin Zaitul Anna Melisa
Published: November 2021

This study was conducted to describe the factors that lead to misbehaviour in class according to students’ perception in University Technology Mara (UiTM) Seremban 3. 372 students were surveyed regarding their perception of the factors that lead to misbehaviour in class. There are five factors that the researchers want to study, which are the lecturer’s personality, student’s lifestyle, influence from social media, students’ time management, and facilities. These five variables were chosen to determine the factors that lead to misbehaviour in class which is the main objective. To achieve the main objective of this study, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis will be used to come out with the result. Results show that three factors lead to misbehaviour in class. These factors are the lecturer’s personality, influence from social media and students’ time management. Other than that, there are several methods to achieve other research objectives. The Spearman correlation method was used to analyse the relationship between the factors that affect the students’ perceptions of misbehaviour in class. The analysis shows that the relationship for lecturer’s personality has a moderate positive relationship. In contrast, the other four factors, such as students’ lifestyle, influence from social media, students’ time management and facilities, have a weak positive relationship with students’ perception of misbehaviour in class. Moreover, the Kruskal Wallis test was used to identify the final objective, identifying the differences in students’ perceptions between different faculties in UiTM Seremban 3. The result shows that all students in the three faculties have the same perceptions of factors leading to misbehaviour in class. In conclusion, this study helps higher education organisations identify what makes students misbehave in class. Based on the results, organizations may know how to decrease misbehaviour cases among students. For these students, the administration needs to focus on the lecturer’s personality, influence from media social, and students’ time management in reducing the misbehaviour problem.
Polymorphism of follicle stimulating hormone beta sub-unit (FSH-P) gene as a molecular marker for reproductive status in Peranakan Ongole x Bali crossbred (POBA) cattle
Authors: Primasari A , Efendy J , Prihandini P W
Published: November 2021

POBA cattle is a crossbred cattle from Peranakan Ongole (PO) and Bali cattle, which is developed by the Beef Cattle Research Institute (BCRI), Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of POBA cattle raised in the BCRI. Genetic diversity of FSH-β gene was also determined in order to identify a possible marker for reproductive status in POBA cattle. Rambon cattle collected from Banyuwangi regency were used as comparison. A 313 bp fragment of the FSH-β gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were sequenced and aligned to detect polymorphism. As results, a polymorphism (SNP g.2583C/T) in the FSH-β gene, which produced three genotypes (TT, CC, and CT) was detected. The frequency of each allele was 0.13 (allele C) and 0.87 (allele T). However, the FSH-β gene polymorphism did not significantly affect sperm quality, body weight, body size, and cervical condition of POBA cattle.
Global cultivation of wheat crops induces considerable shifts in the range and niche of species relative to their wild progenitors
Authors: Rujing Yang , Xiang Gong , Xiaokang Hu , Yawen Hu , Jianmeng Feng
Published: November 2021

Species’ range and niche play key roles in understanding ecological and biogeographical patterns, especially in projecting global biotic homogenization and potential distribution patterns of species under global change scenarios. However, few studies have investigated the ability of crop cultivation to influence potential range sizes and niche shifts of species. Wheat and its wild progenitors share the same origin and evolutionary history, and thus provide an excellent system to explore this topic. Using ensembled ecological niche models and niche dynamic models, we studied the potential range sizes of wheat and its wild progenitors, as well as their niche dynamics. Our results showed that wheat had larger range size and niche breadth than its wild progenitors, suggesting that wheat cultivation is a more powerful driver of range and niche expansion than natural niche evolution. Additionally, wheat and its wild progenitors occupied different niche positions, and the former did not conserve the niches inherited from the latter, implying that wheat cultivation considerably induces niche shifts. The niche dynamics between wheat and its wild progenitors were not only closely associated with cultivation but were also modified by the niche conservatism of its wild progenitors. In contrast to most invasive plants, wheat, as a global staple crop species, did not conserve the niche space inherited from its wild progenitors, suggesting that compared with most plant invasions, cultivation may have a stronger effect on niche shifts. Therefore, global niche shifts induced by crop cultivation need much more attention, though the underlying mechanisms require further study.
Optical flow estimation using the Fisher–Rao metric
Authors: Maybank Stephen J , Ieng Sio-Hoi , Migliore Davide , Benosman Ryad
Published: November 2021

The optical flow in an event camera is estimated using measurements in the address event representation (AER). Each measurement consists of a pixel address and the time at which a change in the pixel value equalled a given fixed threshold. The measurements in a small region of the pixel array and within a given window in time are approximated by a probability distribution defined on a finite set. The distributions obtained in this way form a three dimensional family parameterized by the pixel addresses and by time. Each parameter value has an associated Fisher–Rao matrix obtained from the Fisher–Rao metric for the parameterized family of distributions. The optical flow vector at a given pixel and at a given time is obtained from the eigenvector of the associated Fisher–Rao matrix with the least eigenvalue. The Fisher–Rao algorithm for estimating optical flow is tested on eight datasets, of which six have ground truth optical flow. It is shown that the Fisher–Rao algorithm performs well in comparison with two state of the art algorithms for estimating optical flow from AER measurements.
Tragedy as a Symbol of Autonomy in Schiller’s Aesthetics
Authors: Stoll Timothy
Published: November 2021

Schiller’s essays on tragedy attempt to argue that tragic experience is ethically valuable by forging a connection with Kant’s conception of autonomy. Standard interpretations hold that the connection lies in the fact that tragedies depict characters (primarily the hero) exercising autonomy. This paper argues that Schiller also views the experience prompted by tragedy as itself involving autonomy. Drawing on Kant’s discussion of aesthetic “symbols”, Schiller holds that the audience members’ experience at the tragedy is isomorphic with the autonomous exercise of practical reason. Only in this way, I argue, can we make sense of Schiller’s contention that tragedy actively cultivates freedom in its viewers. Additionally, the interpretation shows how Schiller can hold that tragedy yields a kind of cognition of transcendental freedom while maintaining Kantian strictures on noumenal knowledge.
COVID-19 infection risk amongst 14,104 vaccinated care home residents: a national observational longitudinal cohort study in Wales, UK, December 2020–March 2021
Authors: Hollinghurst Joe , North Laura , Perry Malorie , Akbari Ashley , Gravenor Mike B , Lyons Ronan A , Fry Richard
Published: November 2021

Background

vaccinations for COVID-19 have been prioritised for older people living in care homes. However, vaccination trials included limited numbers of older people.

Aim

we aimed to study infection rates of SARS-CoV-2 for older care home residents following vaccination and identify factors associated with increased risk of infection.

Study Design and Setting

we conducted an observational data-linkage study including 14,104 vaccinated older care home residents in Wales (UK) using anonymised electronic health records and administrative data.

Methods

we used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection following vaccination, after landmark times of either 7 or 21 days post-vaccination. We adjusted HRs for age, sex, frailty, prior SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination type.

Results

we observed a small proportion of care home residents with positive polymerase chain reaction (tests following vaccination 1.05% (N = 148), with 90% of infections occurring within 28 days. For the 7-day landmark analysis we found a reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for vaccinated individuals who had a previous infection; HR (95% confidence interval) 0.54 (0.30, 0.95). For the 21-day landmark analysis, we observed high HRs for individuals with low and intermediate frailty compared with those without; 4.59 (1.23, 17.12) and 4.85 (1.68, 14.04), respectively.

Conclusions

increased risk of infection after 21 days was associated with frailty. We found most infections occurred within 28 days of vaccination, suggesting extra precautions to reduce transmission risk should be taken in this time frame.
“As if!” in Thunder
Authors: Fleissner Jennifer L
Published: November 2021

The crises of 2020, this essay argues, demonstrated anew both the dangers and the indispensability of state power. Yet Americanist critics often display the same antistatism that characterized the nation's canonical literature as well as those who championed it in the mid-twentieth century. For an alternative, this essay turns to the work of Lora Romero, a critic who linked those canonical works to political criticism inspired by Michel Foucault. The libertarianism of both, she argued, made it impossible for critics to conceive that “resistance” and “entanglement in power relations” might go hand in hand. The Foucauldian critique of biopolitics is here shown to be inseparable from a skepticism toward an often feminized welfare state linking France’s Second Left to figures in the US like Christopher Lasch. Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s argument against Foucauldian “critique” is then shown to offer a more recent, albeit equally overlooked, resource for taking the necessity of institutionality seriously. Without such correctives, American Studies Association calls for papers can inadvertently echo the “romantic” rhetoric of books like Huckleberry Finn, in which an absolutized freedom and care for all will simply coexist harmoniously, rather than representing two conflicting strands of the modern polis requiring constant negotiation.

In our instinctive antistatism and the conception of freedom it entails, we may share more in common than we recognize with the "American ideology" that . . . has formed the object of our ongoing critique.
Estimation of Aerosol Concentrations of Oil Dispersants COREXIT™ EC9527A and EC9500A during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and Clean-up Operations
Authors: Arnold Susan , Stewart Patricia A , Pratt Gregory C , Ramachandran Gurumurthy , Kwok Richard K , Engel Lawrence S , Sandler Dale P , Stenzel Mark R
Published: November 2021

The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling unit explosion at the Macondo oil well resulted in the release of approximately 779 million l of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. As part of the response effort to break up oil slicks on the water’s surface, 6.81 million l of chemical dispersants COREXIT™ EC9500A and COREXIT™ EC9527A were applied by plane or vessel or injected near the seabed. The GuLF Long-term Follow-up Study is investigating possible adverse health effects of workers involved in the oil spill response and clean-up (OSRC). In this paper, we describe potential dispersant-related air concentrations generated from aerial spraying of dispersants to provide insight as to what concentrations OSRC workers may have been exposed under worst-case conditions. Personal exposure measurement data were not collected. Modeling, therefore, was conducted to estimate airborne concentrations of total aerosol to COREXIT™ EC9527A and EC9500A. Using the AgDISP model, we estimated air concentrations to dispersant total aerosols, defined as all components of the dispersant including active ingredients, surfactants, and water, resulting from aerial and vessel applications, as average 1-h and 2-min concentrations. For comparison, 1-h air concentrations associated with aerial spraying were estimated using another model, AERMOD. At 152 m horizontal to the flight path, average 1-h total aerosol concentrations associated with aerial applications were estimated to be as high as 49.3 µg m−3 (9527A) and 45.4 µg m−3 (9500A), and both decreased with increased distance from the flight line. The estimates for spraying 9500A from vessels indicated that total aerosol concentrations were potentially as high as 0.33 µg m−3 at 10 m from the nozzles. These results suggest that personal exposures to dispersant aerosols were negligible.
Scale-dependent trends in the investment of leaf domatia
Authors: Biddick Matthew
Published: November 2021

Theory predicts that plants invest in defences proportional to the value or amount of tissue at risk. Domatia-bearing plants house predatory arthropods that defend against insect and fungal attack. Though leaf domatia represent a direct investment in the defence of leaf tissues, it remains unknown whether domatia production scales with amount of tissue at risk. I investigated how domatia investment scales with leaf size in 20 species of trees and shrubs from the south-west Pacific. Large-leaved species produced more domatia than smaller leaved species. However, domatia production did not consistently scale with leaf area among individuals of the same species, illustrating that trends in domatia investment are scale-dependent. Overall results suggest the processes modulating the allocation of resources to defence at the interspecific level are distinct from those operating at the intraspecific level.
NFT, copyright and intellectual property commercialization
Authors: Okonkwo Ifeanyi E
Published: November 2021

The invention of disruptive technologies broadens the horizon of opportunities for intellectual property owners. The very idea of selling copyright works in a digital space and using the same to form a digital currency is disruptive. This is one opportunity Non-Fungible Token (NFT) offers. But that disruptiveness raises certain questions and provoke the consciousness to wonder if NFTs are a form of intellectual property, or whether NFT would shift the paradigm of copyright law as we know it. Governments through her agencies are also caught in the unrestlessness of deciphering what NFT means and whether it holds any value for intellectual property. This article will address the relationship between NFT and copyright, the forseeable problems and solutions, and how NFTs are channels for intellectual property commercialisation.
Reproaching the Divine: Poetic Theologies of Protest as a Resource for Expanding the Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Burley Mikel
Published: November 2021

Engaging with works of poetry is one effective, yet hitherto underdeveloped, means of diversifying the philosophy of religion beyond the standard preoccupations with narrow formulations of theism. This article explores and exemplifies this potential in relation to two major poetic figures, namely R. S. Thomas and Rāmprasād Sen. Despite their locations in very different religious contexts—Anglican Christianity in twentieth-century Wales, in the one case, and Hindu Goddess devotion in eighteenth-century Bengal, in the other—each of these poets voices sentiments that are redolent of a theology (or thealogy) of protest. Such protest is exhibited not in an outright rejection of the divine but in a troubled relationship through which the deity is questioned, reproached, and sometimes railed against. Attending to such materials affords the philosophy of religion, and the study of religion more broadly, an enriched appreciation of the possibilities both of religious viewpoints and of conceptions of divinity.
The transcription factor WRKY75 regulates the development of adventitious roots, lateral buds and callus by modulating hydrogen peroxide content in poplar
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yang Xiaoqing , Nvsvrot Tashbek , Huang Liyu , Cai Guanghua , Ding Yiwei , Ren Wenyu , Wang Nian
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays important roles in plant development. Adventitious roots (AR), lateral buds (LB) and callus formation are important traits for plants. Here, a gene encoding RESPIRATORY BURST OXIDASE HOMOLOG B (PdeRBOHB) from poplar line ‘NL895’ (Populus. deltoides × P. euramericana) was predicted to be involved in H2O2 accumulation, and lines with reduced expression were generated. H2O2 content was decreased, and the development of adventitious roots, lateral buds, and callus was inhibited in reduced expression PdeRBOHB lines. A gene encoding PdeWRKY75 was identified as the upstream transcription factor positively regulating PdeRBOHB. This regulation was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay, GUS transient expression analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. In the reduced expression PdeWRKY75 lines, H2O2 content was decreased and the development of adventitious roots, lateral buds, and callus development was inhibited, while in the overexpression lines, H2O2 content was increased and the development of adventitious roots and lateral buds was inhibited, but callus formation was enhanced. Additionally, reduced expression PdeRBOHB lines showed lowered expression of PdeWRKY75, while exogenous application of H2O2 showed the opposite effect. Together, these results suggest that PdeWRKY75 and PdeRBOHB are part of a regulatory module in H2O2 accumulation, which is involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes.
Lindström’s theorem, both syntax and semantics free
Authors: Găină Daniel , Kowalski Tomasz
Published: November 2021

Lindström’s theorem characterizes first-order logic in terms of its essential model theoretic properties. One cannot gain expressive power extending first-order logic without losing at least one of compactness or downward Löwenheim–Skolem property. We cast this result in an abstract framework of institution theory, which does not assume any internal structure either for sentences or for models, so it is more general than the notion of abstract logic usually used in proofs of Lindström’s theorem; indeed, it can be said that institutional model theory is both syntax and semantics free. Our approach takes advantage of the methods of institutional model theory to provide a structured proof of Lindström’s theorem at a level of abstraction applicable to any logical system that is strong enough to describe its own concept of isomorphism and its own concept of elementary equivalence. We apply our results to some logical systems formalized as institutions and widely used in computer science practice.
Kafka’s Bureaucracy: Immigration Administrative Burdens in the Trump Era
Authors: Moynihan Donald , Gerzina Julie , Herd Pamela
Published: November 2021

What does a government do when it decides to make a public service as burdensome as possible? We consider this question in the context of immigration policy during the Trump administration. The case demonstrates the deliberate and governmentwide use of administrative burdens to make legal processes of immigration confusing, demanding, and stressful. Many of these changes occurred via what we characterize as formal administrative directives, a level of policy implementation that falls between high-level formal executive legal powers, such as executive orders or rules, and street-level discretion, pointing to the importance of processes such as memos and training as an understudied space of using burdens to make policy. The case challenges the standard portrayal of the principal–agent dilemma, given that the political principals engaged in a disruption of public services akin to sabotage, while the bureaucratic agents remained largely quiescent. The outcome was a system of racialized burdens, where changes were targeted at racially marginalized immigrants. The case also highlights the use of fear as a particular type of psychological cost.
Change in Medication-Associated Fall Risk Among Older Adults After Admission for Fall-Related Trauma
Authors: Gross Amber , Elliott David P. , Lasky Tiffany , Samanta Damayanti , Kafka Wesley , Murphy Miranda , Patel Apexa
Published: November 2021

Background:

As the population ages, it is predicted that approximately 40% of all patients who experience fall-related trauma will be 65 years of age and older. Most injuries in older adults are caused by falls that are the result of multiple contributing factors including home hazards, comorbidities, frailty, and medications. A variety of medications have been associated with falls, specifically those with sedating and anticholinergic effects. The drug burden index can be used to quantify sedating and anticholinergic drug burden, with higher scores being associated with reduced psychomotor function.

Objective:

Assess the medication-associated fall risk on admission and discharge for older patients admitted to a trauma nurse practitioner service.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational study of patients managed by trauma nurse practitioners at a Level 1 trauma center between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. Patients were included if they were at least 65 years of age, the primary diagnosis for the admission was fall-related trauma, and length of stay was at least 7 days.

Results:

A total of 172 patients were included in the study. The drug burden index was significantly higher at discharge than admission (M = 1.4, SD = 0.9 vs. M = 1.9, SD = 0.9) as was the total number of medications (M = 11.0, SD = 5.2 vs. M = 15.1, SD = 5.8).

Conclusions:

Medication-related fall risk was increased during admission due to fall-related trauma. Patients were discharged with a higher sedating and anticholinergic burden than on admission, which increases risk for future falls.
Navigating an American College of Surgeons Virtual Verification Review Committee Visit: A Health System Perspective
Authors: Marden Edie , Christopherson Nathan
Published: November 2021

Background:

Faced with a global pandemic at the beginning of 2020, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) canceled in-person site visits. Late in 2020, the focus shifted to recovery and returning to a “new normal,” and the ACS transitioned to virtual visits.

Objective:

This article provides insight from a health system perspective on how we developed a virtual platform, prepared our system and staff, organized our teams, and lessons learned during virtual ACS visits.

Methods:

The Northwell Health Trauma Institute, a member of the largest health system in New York State, oversees seven centers ranging from Level I to Level III, including two pediatric centers. Preparations for virtual visits began with standardizing processes to ensure a smooth transition for our centers. We utilized the ACS virtual agenda as a framework. The methods we used will be divided into categories, including technology, personnel, and preparations.

Results:

Having multiple sites engage in the virtual visit enabled us to gain insight as we completed each visit. We standardized processes and created a team site for uploading documents. As a result, we established best practices.

Conclusion:

Shifting focus from an in-person visit to a virtual visit provided us with an opportunity to assess our preparations and to determine the most effective and efficient ways to navigate this new process. Having multiple sites allowed us to critique our process and make changes as we proceeded with subsequent sites.
Bimodal Hearing with Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients: Effect of Acoustic Bandwidth
Authors: Gifford René H. , Sunderhaus Linsey , Sheffield Sterling
Published: November 2021

Objective:

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acoustic bandwidth on bimodal benefit for speech understanding in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients.

Study Design:

Ten children (6–13 years) with CIs utilizing a bimodal hearing configuration participated in this study. Speech understanding was assessed via recorded Pediatric AzBio sentences presented in a 10-talker babble. The CI stimulus was always unprocessed and the low-pass filtered acoustic stimuli were delivered to the non-CI ear with the following cutoff frequencies: 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1500 Hz.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Main Outcome Measures:

Sentence recognition in noise for the acoustic-alone, CI-alone, and bimodal listening conditions.

Results:

The primary findings were: (1) children gained significant bimodal benefit with 250 Hz, and (2) children demonstrated no statistically significant additional bimodal benefit with increasing acoustic bandwidth.

Conclusions:

Acoustic bandwidth effects for pediatric CI recipients were significantly different than those documented in the literature for adult CI recipients. Specifically, this group of pediatric CI recipients demonstrated no increases in bimodal benefit with increases in acoustic bandwidth, primarily consistent with a segregation theory of bimodal integration.