bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Оборонне планування в сучасних умовах: дослідження корпорації RAND
Authors: Бодрик Ю. Г.
Published: January 2020

Питання підвищення ефективності оборонного планування в Україні та нормативно-правового регулювання у цій сфері не втрачають своєї актуальності, що підтверджується положеннями низки документів стратегічного рівня.Вивчення досвіду оборонного планування країн-членів НАТО дозволяє як покращити розуміння методологічних основ оборонного планування, так і отримати корисні практичні рекомендації з цього питання. У цьому контексті доцільним є ознайомлення з роботами закордонних вчених, які проводять дослідження у зазначеній галузі.У статті подано огляд публікації «Процес планування Міністерства оборони США. Складові елементи та виклики», яка була підготовлена у вигляді звіту за результатами досліджень, виконаних у 2018 р. експертами відомої корпорації RAND. У центрі уваги дослідників – існуючий процес оборонного планування, який здійснюється в Міністерстві оборони США, з особливим акцентом на використання сценаріїв у цьому процесі. Під час роботи експертами узагальнено існуючі підходи до оборонного планування, розглянуто історичний досвід і поточний стан оборонного планування у США, проаналізовано виклики методологічного характеру щодо використання сценаріїв в оборонному плануванні.Поштовхом до проведення зазначених досліджень стало усвідомлення того, що в існуючих процесах оборонного планування рішення, як правило, ґрунтуються на негнучких припущеннях, що збільшує ризики цих рішень. Незважаючи на це, серед своїх загальних висновків експертами RAND підкреслюється стійкість процесу оборонного планування, побудованого на розглянутій методології, його здатність досягати визначених цілей, достатня гнучкість під час практичного використання. Звіт хоч і не містить детальний опис цього процесу, але вказує на важливі його елементи, включаючи переваги та недоліки. Порівняльний аналіз цих елементів з процесом оборонного планування в Україні може надати необхідні напрями для його подальшого вдосконалення. Висновки та рекомендації, зроблені за результатами цих досліджень, можуть бути корисними для врахування в роботі фахівців з оборонного планування та науковців, які здійснюють дослідження в цій галузі.
Topology Optimization – a Variational Formulation of the Problem and Example Application
Authors: Kutylowski Ryszard , Szwechłowicz Marek
Published: January 2020

A variational formulation of the topology optimization problem is presented. A strain energy functional, being an equivalent of compliance, was minimized while constraints were imposed on the body mass. A global mass constraint and a local constraint on the amount of mass accumulated in a single material point of the body were adopted. A penalization procedure was defined and implemented in the optimization process to speed up the latter. The procedure in the successive optimization process steps translocates mass within the design domain, from the less strained areas to the more strained ones. The optimization process was described as a series of sequences of topologies determined using various control parameters, including different threshold functions. This means that the optimization process is characterized by a sequence of objective functional values approaching a minimal value. Various functions updating Young’s modulus were considered. Primarily the updating method referred to as SIMP was adopted. Three ways of using the discrete strain energy value to update Young's modulus in the considered material point were taken into account. These were: the amount of energy accumulated in the preceding step, the sum of the amounts of energy from all the preceding steps and the average amount of energy from the last two steps. In order to ensure the global limiting condition a mass constancy satisfaction procedure was incorporated into the algorithm. The algorithm procedures are described in detail. Finally, the algorithm was used to analyze selected problem relating to the pavement structure and the structure of tall buildings.
A IMPORTÂNCIA DO SETOR DE SERVIÇOS PARA O CRESCIMENTO ECONÔMICO DE PAU DOS FERROS/RN
Authors: Araújo Mercia Herculano , Barreto Filho Boanerges De Freitas
Published: January 2020

Verifica-se que a relevância do Setor de Serviços vem crescendo em praticamente todos os entes da federação, como é o caso do município de Pau dos Ferros/RN, que tem apresentado um notável dinamismo desse Setor nos últimos anos, comportando-se positivamente para a geração de emprego e renda local. O objetivo do trabalho é analisar a evolução do Setor de Serviços na economia de Pau dos Ferros/RN, discutindo-se as implicações para o crescimento econômico local. A pesquisa se fundamentou em estudo bibliográfico e levantamento no banco de dados do IBGE. Verificou-se que o Setor de Serviços se consolidou como o mais importante da economia do país e, em alguns espaços subnacionais, representa mais de 90% do PIB, como é o caso da economia de Pau dos Ferros/RN em anos mais recentes. Verificou-se que, no ano de 2010, os serviços distributivos geraram o maior número de empregos com 5.342 pessoas. Tais dados se coadunam com a função desempenhada pela cidade no Alto Oeste Potiguar, justificando sua posição de centro comercial com ampla diversidade de estabelecimentos e geradora de postos de trabalho.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF CHINA'S REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXPORT TRADE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: ZHANG FENGHE , MEDVID VIKTORIIA
Published: January 2020

Since the reform and opening up, especially since its accession to the WTO, China has become an important agricultural trade country in the world. As China's agriculture and the entire national economy share the benefits of global economic integration, they must also meet the impact of fierce market competition, price fluctuations and industrial restructuring caused by this. This study puts the export trade of agricultural products into the national economic growth system and explores the impact and contribution of agricultural export trade to China's economic growth.
Based on the theory of international trade in agricultural products and economic growth, the paper analyzes the analysis framework of the impact of international trade in agricultural products on China's regional economic growth. First, based on the realistic understanding of the development of China's agricultural export trade, comprehensive and systematic analysis of the characteristics of China's agricultural export trade development to determine the future trend of it. Secondly, the correlation analysis of SPSS software is used to verify the impact of agricultural export trade on economic growth. Third, based on the test and analysis of the research results, systematically evaluate the contribution of agricultural export trade to China's economic growth.
Studies have shown that the increase in agricultural export trade has made great contributions to China's economic development and has become increasingly prominent in economic development. This paper uses the economic data from 2010 to 2017. According to China's 31 administrative divisions and the three economic divisions of the eastern, central and western regions, the technical methods such as absolute value increment analysis and correlation analysis are used to explain the promotion of regional agricultural products to economic development. To this end, China needs to increase investment in agricultural science and technology, promote the development of agricultural industrialization, improve the circulation of agricultural products, reduce the transaction costs of agricultural products, improve the efficiency of international trade in agricultural products, and continuously improve the comprehensive production capacity and international competitiveness of Chinese agricultural products.
Keywords: China, regional agricultural products, exports, economic growth, correlation analysis, impact.
Improving the economic efficiency of production biodieselfuel
Authors: Senchuk М. , Gutko L.
Published: January 2020

In order to optimize the performance of transportation works for the transportation of raw materials for the production of biodiesel fuel, the article examines the technology when oil from oilseeds is obtained at the processing points where they are grown. The resulting oil is transported to a biodiesel production plant.
The methodological bases for calculating the optimum distance from oilseed grain storage sites to a mechanized oil production point are presented.
Possible ways of the efficiency improving of production of biofuel at the stage of the planning are presented. Methodical bases of calculation of distance to mechanized points for biofuel production are given. A formula for determining the optimum capacity of an item for the processing of oil seeds and for obtaining raw materials for the production of biofuels has been derived.
It is established that optimum transportation distance of rape is 14,4 km, productivity of the rapeseed oil processing plant is 21280 tons/year and for 25% of the oil yield 5320 tons of biofuel raw materials can be obtained, when the total overhead costs are Zv = 360000 UAH / year; specific costs of transportation of raw materials сp = 2,6 UAH/ (тkm); yield of oilseed rape = 1 t / ha (100 t / km2); the density of the placement of fields a = 0.4.
The developed method can be used to calculate the location, performance of points for the manufacture of briquettes or pellets.
The direction of increasing the efficiency of biodiesel production at plants at the stage of their planning is to determine the optimal annual productivity of the plant, taking into account transport costs for the transportation of raw materials - oil.
The optimum distance of transportation of oil and productivity of the plant for biodiesel production is established for the cost of transportation - 2.6 UAH / t • km, overhead costs 13000000 UAH, direct costs for the production of 1 ton of biodiesel fuel - 25000 UAH
Therefore, the optimal distance of transportation of oil for the production of biofuels - 101 km, the capacity of the plant - 58923 tons.
The dependence of the cost of production of biodiesel fuel on the distance of transportation of oil is calculated: for distance to plant 40 km – the cost of biofuel production – 25596 UAH/t, for 60 km – 25496 UAH /t, for 80 km – 25462 UAH /t, for 100 km – 25459 UAH /t, for 120 km – 25471 UAH /t, for 140 km – 25493 UAH /t.
The proposed method provides an opportunity to determine the optimum productivity of the plant for the processing of organic raw materials into biofuels, taking into account the distance of its transportation at the design stage.
Key words: biodiesel, economic efficiency, production optimization, direct costs, overhead costs.
Management aspects of development of competitive biofuels production in Ukraine
Authors: Klymchuk O.
Published: January 2020

In the context of easing the dependence of most countries of the world on the import of fossil energy sources, a complex of systematic research on the search and effective use of renewable energy sources, in particular the development of the biofuels industry, is a necessary direction. An urgent problem need arises for the parallel implementation of the policy of diversification of supply and efficient use of fuel and energy resources with the active introduction of competition policy and infrastructure reforms in the economic and energy sector. Economically developed countries pay significant attention to energy supply on the basis of sustainable development, which determines the urgency of developing an integrated system of directions and priorities for the formation of Ukraine's energy security on the basis of its own biofuels production.
The purpose of research is to provide scientific and practical substantiation and systematization of organization and innovative aspects of effective regulation of the development of competitive biofuels production in Ukraine at different levels of management.
The methodical and practical experience of Ukrainian scientists concerning the division of Ukraine into natural-economic region was used. The methods of system analysis, monographic, graphical and abstract-logical are applied.
The development of national biofuels production contributes to the efficient use of scientific, economic and labor potential and provides optimization of biofuel specialization areas. On the basis of the natural-economic region, it is necessary to form the main economic-energy proportions of macro-regional development and carry out balance calculations of production and consumption of biofuels. The formation of competitive biofuels production should be based on the principles of independence, self-sufficiency, accessibility and quality, based on clusterization processes.
It is necessary to intensify the processes of increasing the volume and share of renewable energy consumption, giving priority to the development of the biofuels industry. Biofuels are a significant innovative contribution to the local energy supply of natural-economic regions, areas, administrative districts and individual agro-industrial enterprises to increase the competitiveness of manufactured products.
Keywords: economic development, management, state energy policy, renewable energy, biofuels industry, natural-economic region.
Factors Affecting Spitting Behavior on Betel Consumers in Applicating PHBS Public Places in Pasar Raya Simalungun Regency
Authors: S.H Panjaitan Kartini , Lita Sri Andayani  , R. Kintoko Rochadi
Published: January 2020

This study discusses about factors affecting spitting behavior on betel consumers in applicating PHBS public places in Pasar Raya Simalungun Regency. This research is a descriptive study to describe factors affecting spitting behavior on betel consumers in applicating phbs public places. This research is conducted at Pasar Raya Simalungun Regency. The time for conducting the research starts from the beginning of November 2018 until completion. The result shows Respondents are more well-informed, namely 44 people (43%), more respondents with shelter availability of spit consuming betel, namely 55 people (63.2%). More respondents with poor health support, 68 people (78.2%).
Diamonds Colour Measurements
Authors: Shirokikh Tatyana V. , Ivanov Valery E.
Published: January 2020

As a rule, evaluation of diamond colour is carrying out visually, because creation of the measuring devices is a complex problem due to influence of defects in diamonds (irregularity of coloration, cracks and graphite inclusions). And elimination of this influence is a very difficult task. In this work, an analysis of visual diamond colour evaluation methods and assessment of known devices for objective diamond colour measurements is carried out. As a result, an installation for measuring diamond colour is offered, which as much as possible meets the visual evaluation conditions.
Lighting of Engineering Structures and Industrial Facilities New Aspects of the Topic
Authors: Shepetkov Nikolai I. , Cherkasov George N. , Novikov Vladimir A.
Published: January 2020

This paper considers the fundamental problem of artificial lighting in various types and scales of industrial facilities, focusing on exterior lighting design solutions. There is a lack of interest from investors, customers and society in high­quality lighting design for industrial facilities in Russia, which in many cities are very imaginative structures, practically unused in the evening. Architectural lighting of various types of installations is illustrated with photographs. The purpose of the article is to draw attention to the aesthetic value of industrial structures, provided not only by the architectural, but also by a welldesigned lighting solution.
The Science of Light Engineering, Fields of Application and Theoretical Foundations
Authors: Aizenberg Julian B. , Budak Vladimir P.
Published: January 2020

The article discussed two important problems, which have not been addressed previously:
– The conceptual interpretation of lighting engineering, and the expansion of its definition beyond illumination, which has became widely accepted. An expanded concept of lighting engineering proposed by the authors includes all fields of application of optical radiation (light): illumination, irradiation, phototherapy (light therapy), light alarm systems, light location, light design, etc;
– The problem of developing the theoretical foundation of Lighting Engineering. Differences between three existing light theories are summarised. The first one is quantum theory, explaining all known light phenomena. The second one is wave theory based on the provision that light spreads in waves. The third theory is beam and photometric based on the light field theory, which is the most widely applied and simple for practical calculations and simulation.
Manufacturing Cost Optimization of Photovoltaic Enterprises Based on Neural Network
Authors: ZHANG Weiping , LI Shuming , YU Junfeng , MAO Yihua
Published: January 2020

How to reduce the cost of photovoltaic power generation is the core issue of the survival and development of photovoltaic enterprises. Based on this, the manufacturing cost optimization of photovoltaic enterprises is studied based on neural network. Through the design of cost accounting control of photovoltaic enterprises, a genetic algorithm is proposed to optimize the manufacturing cost of photovoltaic enterprises, which is predicted at the maximum power point of the same photovoltaic power generation system. The results show that the RBF neural network optimized by genetic algorithm not only improves the prediction speed, but also improves the prediction accuracy. Thus, the maximum power point tracking control of photovoltaic power generation can be achieved better, and the manufacturing cost of photovoltaic enterprises can be optimized.
Big Data Survey on Employee Exercise in New HighTech Photovoltaic Enterprises Highlights on StartUp Photovoltaic Companies
Authors: WANG Zewen
Published: January 2020

Numerous studies show that scientific and reasonable physical exercise can promote human health. Reasonable exercise prescriptions based on an individual’s physical condition is important in improving one’s health. On this basis and through the investigation on the big data of emerging hightech photovoltaic enterprises, the development and design of a human health model and science in sports are developed based on ant colony optimization algorithm. Finally, the requirement analysis, design, specific application, and model algorithm testing of the physical fitness exercise prescription model can provide a scientific strategy for human health and scientific movement.
Features of Clinical Use of Albumin. Problems and Ways of Decision Solutions
Authors: Belousov Andrey
Published: January 2020

The advantages of albumin over less costly alternative fluids continue to be debated. Many scientific articles were devoted to the clinical analysis of the use of albumin in acute illness as well as its comparison with other fluid regimens. However, the lack of fundamental knowledge about the physical and chemical properties of commercial albumin generates many unpromising discussions about the effectiveness of the use of albumin among practitioners and medical scientists. The manuscript provides information about the different variants of commercial albumin, the mechanisms of their action, indications and contraindications to use. The main purpose of this article is to objectively show the failure of generalizing conclusions and recommendations on the clinical use of commercial albumin, taking into account its various physical and chemical characteristics. To date, all studies should be conducted either in the form of a comparative analysis of a specific clinical effect, or within the framework of studies of only one brand of albumin. Otherwise, generalizing the conclusions, the recommendations on the use of different forms of albumin are not correct and generate a lot of useless of the discussions. The presented information is based on fundamental knowledge of physical and chemical properties of commercial albumin. This manuscript is not only educational information, but also is scientific guide for clinicians.
Does Hypertensive Patients are More Susceptible to the Risk of Drug-Drug Interactions?
Authors: Hamoudi Nehad M
Published: January 2020

Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) are the main problem among patients treated with multidrug therapy. Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) consider the main cause of all morbidities and mortalities in universal. The major cause of CVDs death is hypertension. Clinical trials have reported that the treatment of hypertension minimizes CVD cases and all reason of mortality. Hypertensive patients are especially suspectable to DDIs due to their age, polypharmacy, comorbid conditions, long hospital stay and the presence of a drug therapy for other comorbid conditions that arise as a complication of long‑term hypertension. This article reviews different case studies evaluating DDIs in hypertensive elderly patients with polypharmacy. The most generally prescribed drug group that observed mostly in all case studies are: antihypertensives, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAIDs), antidiabetics, antibiotics, antihistaminic, cardiac glycosides, calcium supplements, antimicrobial, Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant, thiazide diuretics, Lipid lowering drug, antigout, anticoagulants, analgesics, antibacterial and antianxiety. DDIs checker tool used in different case studies are REAX-Micromedex, Beers Criteria, Lexi-Interact software and Medscape checker software. The common interacting drug pairs among the antihypertensive drugs were atenolol-amlodipine, furosemide-telmisartan, furosemide-enalapril, furosemide-atenolol and metoprolol-amlodipine. Both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics type of DDIs were found in most cases but with different rates. The severity of DDIs was mainly significant and moderate. The prevalence of DDIs was differ from case to case depend on drug pair used and clinical disorder in each case. The majority of DDIs can be addressed through the dosage adjustment and lab monitoring of patient. This is particularly significant in the case of accompanying medication with various groups of antihypertensive drugs.
PENGARUH PENGGUNAAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN TEAM GAMES TOURNAMENT (TGT) DAN ROLE PLAYING TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PENDIDIKAN KEWARGANEGARAAN
Authors: Alamsyah Yusuf
Published: January 2020

In today's student learning model, an innovation strategy is needed to improve student learning achievement, including team games tournaments (TGT) and role-playing models. This study aims to determine the differences in Civics learning outcomes between and Role-Playing models, in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Ulil Amri's 4th-grade students. The design of the experiment is a randomized design to determine the effect of differences between the two models on student learning outcomes. The results showed that the Civics learning outcomes of students using the Team Games Tournament (TGT) learning method and the Role Playing learning method differed significantly. Based on the average mean TGT learning method has better results or values than the Role-Playing method.

Dalam model pembelajaran dewasa ini, diperlukan strategi inovatif untuk peningkatan prestasi belajar siswa, diantaranya dengan model pembelajaran Team games tournament dan role playing. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan hasil belajar PKn yang menggunakan model pembelajaran Team Games Tournament (TGT) dan Role Playing, pada siswa kelas IV Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Ulil Amri. Rancangan yang digunakan adalah rancangan acak lengkap untuk melihat pengaruh perbedaan antara kedua perlakuan terhadap hasil belajar siswa. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, dapat disimpulkan bahwa hasil belajar PKn siswa yang menggunakan metode pembelajaran TGT dan metode pembelajaran Role Playing berbeda secara signifikan. Dilihat dari rata-rata nilai hasil belajar, metode pembelajaran TGT memiliki  nilai yang lebih baik dibandingkan metode Role Playing.
ANALISIS PENYELENGGARAAN & LAYANAN MATAKULIAH PRAKTEK UNTUK DAERAH 3T
Authors: Budiastra A.A Ketut , Hanafi Hanafi , Mardiana Ade
Published: January 2020

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to analyze the implementation of Professional Capability Strengthening (PKP) courses for undergraduate student teacher of Universitas Terbuka, living in the outermost, frontier, and disadvantaged (3T) areas in Indonesia. A sample of 65 students was selected using a purposive sampling technique from four regions, namely: Lampung, Serang, Bogor, and Mataram. A total of 8 tutors and 4 program coordinators were interviewed to triangulate the data. The results indicates that in general students are successful to complete PKP courses because they were class teachers. In addition, the support of tutors, peers, school principals, and heads of regional technical implementation units (UPTD) are important factors in facilitating the completion of student teachers’ course assignments.  During the learning process students reported some diffculties, such as limited reference books, and lack of skills in making reports and operating computers, which needs to be addressed by the academic administration.

Penelitian ini dimaksudkan  untuk menganisis penyelenggaraan dan layanan matakuliah praktek Pemantapan Kemampuan Profesional (PKP) untuk mahasiswa yang berada di daerah terluar, terdepan, tertinggal (3T). Penelitian ini merupakan  penelitian deskriptif kualitatif. Populasi penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa program S1 PGSD UT di wilayah 3T di wilayah UPBJJ-UT Lampung, Serang, Bogor, dan Mataram. Sampel diambil dengan menggunakan teknik purposif sampling sebanyak  65 orang di empat UPBJJ-UT tersebut. Sebagai data pembanding 8 orang tutor dan 4 orang koordinator program diwawancarai secara mendalam. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa pada umumnya mahasiswa tidak mengalami kesulitan untuk mengikuti matakuliah PKP karena mereka adalah guru kelas. Di samping itu, dukungan tutor, teman sejawat, kepala sekolah, kepala unit pelaksana teknis daerah (UPTD) sangat membantu mahasiswa untuk menyelesaikan tugas-tugas perkuliahannya. Namun demikian, ada beberapa kendala yang dialami mahasiswa, antara lain terbatasnya buku rujukan yang dimiliki dan kurang terampil dalam membuat laporan dan mengoperasikan komputer. Kendala ini perlu mendapat perhatian dan pemecahan oleh pengelola akademik.
Clinical profile and management of scalp and calvarial defects in Kashmir
Authors: Rasool Altaf , Hussain Sajaad , Bashir Sheikh Adil , Yasir Mir , Zargar Haroon Rashid , Mohsin Mir , Zaroo Mohammad Inam
Published: January 2020

Introduction: The defects of the scalp and calvarium pose a potential threat to the underlying brain. These defects may result from trauma, thermal or electrical burns, resection of benign or malignant tumors, infections, osteoradionecrosis, or congenital lesions.

Aims and Objectives: Analysis of various scalp defects and their management.

Methods and materials: A total of 94 patients were included in the study from 2005-2014. Sixty four patients were in the retrospective group and thirty patients were in the prospective group.

Results: Majority of the patients in our study were young and middle age group and this group of patients were mostly affected by bear mauls, electrical burns or vehicular accidents. Commonest form of reconstruction in scalp defects was grafting followed by flap cover and expanders.

Conclusion: Scalp and calvarial defects are caused by wide variety of aetiologies but bear maul form a significant proportion of patients in our series and more than 40% of free flaps in our series were done for these bear maul defects.This depicts the severity of injury by bear mauls, which takes a significant portion of our time and effort to deal and manage these patients.
Comparison of Automated System Vitek-2 with Conventional Methods, for Identification and Antibiotic Sensitivity in Gram Positive Organisms.
Authors: Wani Nayeem U din , Bali Nargis , Bashir Lenah , Ahmad Junaid , Ahmad Suhail
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background: Prompt identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of organisms causing blood stream infections has a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections. The need to circumvent the slow turnaround time of conventional gold standard methods has paved way for the rapid automated systems.

Aim: To Compare the results of Vitek-2 for the ID and AST of Gram positive isolates with conventional manual methods.

Methodology: A total of 215 non-duplicate isolates of Gram positive bacteria recovered from blood samples were part of this prospective study carried out in the Department of Microbiology. Organisms were processed on the Vitek-2 system and by manual methods (ID/AST) for comparison. Descriptive statistics was used for the presentation and comparison of data and appropriate statistical charts were used to present the data.

Observations: Concordant identification (ID) results of Vitek-2 were seen with all the isolates of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pneumonia, E. faecalis and E. faecium. Discordant results of Vitek-2 were seen for S. hominis (5 isolates of the organism misidentified as S. epidermidis).  No minor, major or very major error with 100% categorical agreement (CA) was seen for penicillin, cefoxitin, oxacillin, linezolid, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, clindamycin and erythromycin for various organisms tested. Enterococci gave minor error of 4.5% with an overall CA of 95.5% for ampicillin and a major error of 2.8% with an overall CA of 97.2% for vancomycin.

Conclusion: The organisms having slow metabolic rates and late lactose fermenters (S. hominis) are prone to errors by the Vitek-2 system; hence need to be reconfirmed with other possible method. Also AST results for critical antibiotics like vancomycin need to be verified manually before reporting. 

Key words: Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing, Enterococci, Vitek-2
Septo-optic dysplasia with cerebellar hemiagenesis - a rare congenital malformation.
Authors: Parry Arshed Hussain , Wani Abdul Haseeb , Gojwari Tariq A. , Shaheen Feroze A.
Published: January 2020

Septo-optic dysplasia (De morsier’s syndrome) is a rare congenital malformation of the central nervous system and represents a clinical spectrum rather than a specific entity. It is defined by any combination of pituitary hypoplasia with or without consequent panhypopituitarism,optic nerve hypoplasia and midline neurological abnormalities such as absent septum pellucidum and corpus collasum agenesis or thinning. Septo-optic dysplasia with associated cerebellar hemiagenesis is a much rarer congenital anomaly and may represent one end of this spectrum.
Optimal Learning and Self-Awareness Versus PDI
Authors: Smeresky Brendon , Rizzo Alex , Sands Timothy
Published: January 2020

This manuscript will explore and analyze the effects of different paradigms for the control of rigid body motion mechanics. The experimental setup will include deterministic artificial intelligence composed of optimal self-awareness statements together with a novel, optimal learning algorithm, and these will be re-parameterized as ideal nonlinear feedforward and feedback evaluated within a Simulink simulation. Comparison is made to a custom proportional, derivative, integral controller (modified versions of classical proportional-integral-derivative control) implemented as a feedback control with a specific term to account for the nonlinear coupled motion. Consistent proportional, derivative, and integral gains were used throughout the duration of the experiments. The simulation results will show that akin feedforward control, deterministic self-awareness statements lack an error correction mechanism, relying on learning (which stands in place of feedback control), and the proposed combination of optimal self-awareness statements and a newly demonstrated analytically optimal learning yielded the highest accuracy with the lowest execution time. This highlights the potential effectiveness of a learning control system.
Methods for Management of Soilborne Diseases in Crop Production
Authors: Panth Milan , Hassler Samuel C. , Baysal-Gurel Fulya
Published: January 2020

The significant problems caused by soilborne pathogens in crop production worldwide include reduced crop performance, decreased yield, and higher production costs. In many parts of the world, methyl bromide was extensively used to control these pathogens before the implementation of the Montreal Protocol—a global agreement to protect the ozone layer. The threats of soilborne disease epidemics in crop production, high cost of chemical fungicides and development of fungicide resistance, climate change, new disease outbreaks and increasing concerns regarding environmental as well as soil health are becoming increasingly evident. These necessitate the use of integrated soilborne disease management strategies for crop production. This article summarizes methods for management of soilborne diseases in crop production which includes the use of sanitation, legal methods, resistant cultivars/varieties and grafting, cropping system, soil solarization, biofumigants, soil amendments, anaerobic soil disinfestation, soil steam sterilization, soil fertility and plant nutrients, soilless culture, chemical control and biological control in a system-based approach. Different methods with their strengths and weaknesses, mode of action and interactions are discussed, concluding with a brief outline of future directions which might lead to the integration of described methods in a system-based approach for more effective management of soilborne diseases.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Associated Microbiota as Plant Biostimulants: Research Strategies for the Selection of the Best Performing Inocula
Authors: Giovannini Luca , Palla Michela , Agnolucci Monica , Avio Luciano , Sbrana Cristiana , Turrini Alessandra , Giovannetti Manuela
Published: January 2020

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are beneficial soil microorganisms establishing mutualistic symbioses with the roots of the most important food crops and playing key roles in the maintenance of long-term soil fertility and health. The great inter- and intra-specific AMF diversity can be fully exploited by selecting AMF inocula on the basis of their colonization ability and efficiency, which are affected by fungal and plant genotypes and diverse environmental variables. The multiple services provided by AMF are the result of the synergistic activities of the bacterial communities living in the mycorrhizosphere, encompassing nitrogen fixation, P solubilization, and the production of phytohormones, siderophores, and antibiotics. The tripartite association among host plants, mycorrhizal symbionts, and associated bacteria show beneficial emerging properties which could be efficiently exploited in sustainable agriculture. Further in-depth studies, both in microcosms and in the field, performed on different AMF species and isolates, should evaluate their colonization ability, efficiency, and resilience. Transcriptomic studies can reveal the expression levels of nutrient transporter genes in fungal absorbing hyphae in the presence of selected bacterial strains. Eventually, newly designed multifunctional microbial consortia can be utilized as biofertilizers and biostimulants in sustainable and innovative production systems.
Weed-Competitive Ability of Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Varieties
Authors: Gebrehiwot Haftamu Gebretsadik , Aune Jens Bernt , Netland Jan , Eklo Ole Martin , Torp Torfinn , Brandsæter Lars Olav
Published: January 2020

Teff is a staple and well adapted crop in Ethiopia. Weed competition and control have major effects on yields and economic returns of the crop in the country. Among the weed management methods, development and use of weed competitive teff varieties remain the cheapest and most sustainable weed management option. Ten teff varieties were tested for their weed competitive ability in two locations. Treatments were applied using a split plot design with three blocks at each location for two consecutive seasons. Hand weeding and non-weeded treatments were applied to whole plot treatments with teff varieties assigned as split plots within the whole plot. The main objective was to determine relative competitive ability among teff varieties. Results showed that teff varieties showed significant variation in their weed competitive abilities. The varieties ‘Kora’ and ‘DZ-Cr-387’ significantly reduced weed density, dry weight, and cover more than the other teff varieties. They also had the lowest yield losses with a loss of 6% in biomass yield and 18% in grain yield recorded from ‘Kora’ and a loss of 17% in biomass yield and 21% in grain yield recorded from ‘DZ-Cr-387’. Therefore, they showed the highest weed competitive ability compared to the other varieties.
Agro-Morphological Exploration of Some Unexplored Wild Vigna Legumes for Domestication
Authors: Harouna Difo Voukang , Venkataramana Pavithravani B. , Matemu Athanasia O. , Ndakidemi Patrick Alois
Published: January 2020

The domestication of novel or hitherto wild food crops is quickly becoming one of the most popular approaches in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable food crop production, especially in this era, where producing more food with fewer resources is the need of the hour. The crop breeding community is not yet completely unanimous regarding the importance of crop neo-domestication. However, exploring the unexplored, refining unrefined traits, cultivating the uncultivated, and popularizing the unpopular remain the most adequate steps proposed by most researchers to achieve the domestication of the undomesticated for food and nutrition security. Therefore, in the same line of thought, this paper explores the agro-morphological characteristics of some wild Vigna legumes from an inquisitive perspective to contribute to their domestication. One hundred and sixty accessions of wild Vigna legumes, obtained from gene banks, were planted, following the augmented block design layout of two agro-ecological zones of Tanzania, during the 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons for agro-morphological investigations. The generalized linear model procedure (GLM PROC), two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA), agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the accession, block and block vs. accession effects, as well as the accession × site and accession × season interaction grouping variations among accessions. The results showed that the wild species (Vigna racemosa; Vigna ambacensis; Vigna reticulata; and Vigna vexillata) present a considerable variety of qualitative traits that singularly exist in the three studied checks (cowpea, rice bean, and a landrace of Vigna vexillata). Of the 15 examined quantitative traits, only the days to flowering, pods per plant, hundred seed weight and yield were affected by the growing environment (accession × site effect), while only the number of flowers per raceme and the pods per plant were affected by the cropping season (accession × season effect). All the quantitative traits showed significant differences among accessions for each site and each season. The same result was observed among the checks, except for the seed size trait. The study finally revealed three groups, in a cluster analysis and 59.61% of the best variations among the traits and accessions in PCA. Indications as to the candidate accessions favorable for domestication were also revealed. Such key preliminary information could be of the utmost importance for the domestication, breeding, and improvement of these species, since it also determines their future existence—that is, so long as biodiversity conservation continues to be a challenging concern for humanity.
A Comparison of Traditional and Geometric Morphometric Techniques for the Study of Basicranial Morphology in Horses: A Case Study of the Araucanian Horse from Colombia
Authors: Parés-Casanova Pere Miquel , Salamanca-Carreño Arcesio , Crosby-Granados René Alejandro , Bentez-Molano Jannet
Published: January 2020

Skull size and shape have been widely used to study domestic animal populations and breeds. Although several techniques have been proposed to quantify cranial form, few attempts have been made to compare the results obtained by different techniques. While linear morphometrics has traditionally been used in breed characterization, recent advances in geometric morphometrics have created new techniques for specifically quantifying shape and size. The objective of this study was to compare two morphometric methods for their ability to describe external morphology. For this purpose, 20 skull specimens of adult male Araucanian horses were examined. Two age categories were established (the “mature group”, M3 not fully erupted to moderately worn, n = 7; and the “senile group”, M3 totally erupted and highly worn, n = 13). Both methods showed that there were statistical differences between generations, but discrimination rates were different between methods with the geometric morphometric analysis obtaining a rate of 97.5%. Although linear morphometrics was found to be compatible with geometric morphometrics, the latter was better able to discriminate the two groups and it also provides more information on shape.
Philosophy of a “Good Death” in Small Animals and Consequences for Euthanasia in Animal Law and Veterinary Practice
Authors: Persson Kirsten , Selter Felicitas , Neitzke Gerald , Kunzmann Peter
Published: January 2020

Moral stress is a major concern in veterinary practice. Often, it is associated with the challenges in end-of-life situations. Euthanasia, however, is also meant to bring relief to animal patients and their owners. The reasons for the moral strain euthanizing animals causes to professional veterinarians need to be further clarified. This article investigates “euthanasia” from a philosophical, legal, and practical perspective. After introducing relevant aspects of euthanasia in small animal practice, the term is analyzed from an ethical point of view. That includes both a broad and a narrow definition of “euthanasia” and underlying assumptions regarding different accounts of animal death and well-being. Then, legal and soft regulations are discussed with regard to the theoretical aspects and practical challenges, also including questions of personal morality. It is argued that the importance of ethical definitions and assumptions concerning euthanasia and their intertwinement with both law and practical challenges should not be neglected. The conclusion is that veterinarians should clarify the reasons for their potential discomfort and that they should be supported by improved decision-making tools, by implementation of theoretical and practical ethics in veterinary education, and by updated animal welfare legislation.
A Comprehensive Physical Profile for Aqueous Dispersions of Carbon Derivatives as Solar Working Fluids
Authors: Sani Elisa , Vallejo Javier P. , Mercatelli Luca , Martina Maria Raffaella , Di Rosa Daniele , Dell’Oro Aldo , Lugo Luis
Published: January 2020

The application of nanofluids in direct solar absorption, heat transfer or direct solar steam generation entails carrying out a comprehensive study taking into account several physical quantities. Long-term stability, rheological, thermophysical and optical properties of dispersions must be known to assess their potential for envisaged applications. Two low-concentration nanofluids, 0.005 and 0.05 wt%, of sulfonic acid-functionalized and polycarboxylate chemically modified graphene nanoplatelets in water were considered in this work. Elemental analyses of the nanopowders and pH evaluations of the colloids were carried out. The rheological behaviour of dispersions at different temperatures was studied by rotational rheometry. Thermal conductivities were measured by the transient hot wire method and densities by the oscillating U-tube technique. Additionally, a brief report of the optical properties was included to provide a comprehensive physical analysis.
Simulation of the Hot Deformation and Fracture Behavior of Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic 13CrMoNbV Steel
Authors: Shaikh Asad , Churyumov Alexander , Pozdniakov Andrey , Churyumova Tatiana
Published: January 2020

This study describes deformation behavior and fracture during compression and tension at high temperatures of ferritic/martensitic 13CrMoNbV steel. Hot compression and tensile tests were carried out in the temperature range of 1100–1275 °C with a thermomechanical simulator Gleeble 3800. The true stress and ultimate tensile strength decrease with an increase in the deformation temperature. The modified Arrhenius-type constitutive model was built for 13CrMoNbV ferritic/martensitic steel using the experimental stress–strain compression data. The modified Rice and Tracy ductile fracture criteria were calculated using finite element simulation of the tensile test at different temperatures. The comparison between experimental and computed force vs. displacement curves shows high predictability of the deformation and fracture models for ferritic/martensitic 13CrMoNbV steel.
Computer-Aided Design and Kinematic Simulation of Huygens’s Pendulum Clock
Authors: Del Río-Cidoncha Gloria , Rojas-Sola José Ignacio , González-Cabanes Francisco Javier
Published: January 2020

This article presents both the three-dimensional modelling of the isochronous pendulum clock and the simulation of its movement, as designed by the Dutch physicist, mathematician, and astronomer Christiaan Huygens, and published in 1673. This invention was chosen for this research not only due to the major technological advance that it represented as the first reliable meter of time, but also for its historical interest, since this timepiece embodied the theory of pendular movement enunciated by Huygens, which remains in force today. This 3D modelling is based on the information provided in the only plan of assembly found as an illustration in the book Horologium Oscillatorium, whereby each of its pieces has been sized and modelled, its final assembly has been carried out, and its operation has been correctly verified by means of CATIA V5 software. Likewise, the kinematic simulation of the pendulum has been carried out, following the approximation of the string by a simple chain of seven links as a composite pendulum. The results have demonstrated the exactitude of the clock.
Preventative Taping in Futsal: An Exploratory Analysis of Low-Dye Taping on Planter Force Distribution and Pain Sensitivity
Authors: Klich Sebastian , Wang Biye , Chen Aiguo , Yan Jun , Kawczyński Adam
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in plantar foot force distribution (i.e., the percentage of force and force distribution under the rearfoot and forefoot) and plantar pressure pain sensitivity maps in professional futsal players after long-term low-dye taping (LDT). The subjects (n = 25) were male futsal players (age 23.03 ± 1.15 years). During the experiment, a nonelastic tape was applied on the plantar foot surface according to the standards of LDP. The experimental protocol consisted of a 3-day cycle during which the plantar foot force distribution (FFD) and plantar pressure pain threshold (PPT) were measured: (1) before the tape was applied, (2) 24 h after application, and (3) 72 h after application. The results revealed a significant decrease in the force distribution under the rearfoot (p ≤ 0.001) and forefoot (p ≤ 0.001) on the right and left sides. Moreover, the results showed an increase in the plantar pressure pain threshold in all regions of the foot (p ≤ 0.001). The results of this study suggest that plantar fascial taping can be an effective method for normalizing the force distribution on the foot and reducing the plantar pain threshold. The findings provide useful information regarding the prevention of and physical therapy of lower extremity injuries in soccer and futsal.