bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process parameter study for enhancement of directed energy deposition powder efficiency based on single-track geometry evaluation
Authors: Jardon Zoé , Ertveldt Julien , Hinderdael Michaël , Guillaume Patrick
Published: October 2021

Directed energy deposition (DED) is a widespread laser additive manufacturing process characterized by the simultaneous laser and powder delivery. During the layerwise bounding of the material, many complex interconnected physical phenomena take place in a very short time. Presently, one of the main challenges faced by DED is to enhance the powder deposition efficiency. It is defined as the ratio of powder that has been effectively solidified in the part over the total amount of powder that flowed through the nozzle while the laser was on during the deposition process. Increasing the powder efficiency would allow us to minimize the powder waste, minimize the overall costs of the DED process, and therefore reduce the printed part cost. The present work, therefore, proposes to study the influence of laser beam diameter, stand-off distance, and gas/powder settings on the DED powder efficiency. The considered gas/powder settings are carrier and shielding gas volumetric flow rate, powder mass flow rate, and particle diameter. The efficiency is computed by means of the geometry of 316L stainless steel single-track deposits. The track geometries are evaluated based on the deposition width, deposition height, and area of deposition, all extracted from the deposition profiles measured by means of laser triangulation. Optical micrographs of the single-track transversal cross sections are linked to the obtained powder efficiencies. The final aim is to get insight into the effect of process parameters on the powder efficiency and print quality and to identify the optimal process parameter combination in order to maximize the powder efficiency.
Constructions and Instrumentalization of the Past: A Comparative Study of Memory Management in the Region
Authors: Nilsson Rasmus
Published: October 2021

Rasmus Nilsson, University College London, reviews Constructions and Instrumentalization of the Past: A Comparative Study of Memory Management in the Region, edited by Ninna Mörner (CBEES, 2020).
Deciphering the Molecular Architecture of a Candidate R-gene (BjuWRR1) Product Mediating White Rust Resistance in Brassica juncea
Authors:   AICRP on  Rapeseed & Mustard,  Ranital, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Das Chinmaya Kumar , Nayak Umasankar ,   RRTTS, Ranital, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Pati Preetinanda ,   AICRP on  Rapeseed & Mustard,  Ranital, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Mohanty Mihir Ranjan ,   RRTTSS, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Das Sujata ,   RRTTS, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Sial Parshuram ,   HARS, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Kabat Bhagban ,   RRTTS, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India, Swain S. C. ,   APC, Ranital, Odisha University of Agriculture  & Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (756 111), India
Published: October 2021

In this investigation, a three-dimensional model of a R-gene encoded product BjuWRR1 which is known to play a role in white rust resistance in Brassica juncea was developed to synthesize innovative ways for evolving white rust resistant cultivars. The model was built from the amino acid sequence of BjuWRR1 using structural template information of a disease resistance protein (RPP13-like protein 4 of Arabidopsis thaliana) with the help of homology-based modelling approach. Built models were validated for their stereochemical parameters and structural descriptors using Ramachandran plot analysis, protein structure analysis and ERRAT analysis. Structural analysis of BjuWRR1 model revealed that it is composed of three distinct domains namely a coiled-coil domain, a central NB-ARC nucleotide binding domain and a hypervariable leucine-rich repeat domain. Further, canonical conserved motifs such as P-loop, Kinase2-motif and HD-motif were found in the NB-ARC domain. The built model would help in understanding the molecular basis of plant-immunity against white rust pathogen by understanding the significance of inter-domain interactions in BuWRR1 in triggering the activation of downstream defense response against the white rust pathogen by promoting oligomerization of coiled-coil domains through stabilized hydrophobic interactions and interaction with NB-ARC domain. Presence of patches of charged residues in each domain of BjuWRR1 indicated their possible role in intra-molecular interaction with other domains. Therefore, this model can help in designing functional genomic studies to understand the role of intra-molecular interaction in BjuWRR1 to mediate resistance against white rust pathogen.
Evaluation of Garden Pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense L.) Genotypes Under Irrigated and Rainfed Condition under Foothills of Terai Agro-ecological Region of West Bengal
Authors:   Dept. of Vegetable and Spice Crops, Uttar BangaKrishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Pundibari, Coochbehar,  West Bengal (736 165), India, V. C. Yathish , Chowdhury Riman Saha ,   Dept. of Vegetable and Spice Crops, Uttar BangaKrishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Pundibari, Coochbehar,  West Bengal (736 165), India, Datta Suchand ,   Dept. of Vegetable and Spice Crops, Uttar BangaKrishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), Pundibari, Coochbehar,  West Bengal (736 165), India
Published: October 2021

The experiment was carried out to study the performance of garden pea genotypes for growth, yield and quality during rabi season (November to april) of 2017–18 and 2018–19 with the help of split plot design through three number of replications. The results of the study revealed that, early flowering, flowering at early node and days to first harvest was earlier by 2.32, 2.90 and 0.89 days, respectively in rainfed conditions. Yield parameters like individual plant yield, number of pods plant-1, individual pod weight and total fresh yield were significantly reduced by water stress condition. Number of nodules plant-1 (7.93) and nodule dry weight (97.01 g) decreased in rainfed conditions, whereas root length (22.33 cm) was higher in rainfed condition. Considering yield, benefit cost ratio and moisture stress tolerance of garden pea genotypes, TSS content of fresh seeds was higher in rainfed conditions. Quality parameters such as protein content and shelling percentage were higher in irrigated conditions. Ascorbic acid content remained unchanged under both growing conditions. The varieties such as Arka Apoorva, Arka Priya, Goldie and GS-10 may be selected for cultivation under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. On the basis of per se performance and drought tolerant indices Arka Apoorva, Arka Priya and Jindal-10 may be selected as suitable for growing under moisture stress condition in terai agro-ecological condition of West Bengal.
Evaluation of Pseudomonas fluorescens Strains, Fungicides and Non-conventional Chemicals Against Botyrotinia ricini Causing Grey Mold Disease in Castor
Authors:   Dept. of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India, Basha S. Ameer , Ramya V. ,   Dept. of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Shameerpet, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 078), India, Begum A. Sajeli ,   Dept. of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Shameerpet, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 078), India, Raghavendra G. ,   Siddhartha Degree College for women, Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 060), India, Ramanjaneyulu A. V. ,   Maize Research Centre, Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India, Kumar M. V. Nagesh ,   Maize Research Centre, Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India
Published: October 2021

A study was made to evaluate the efficacy of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains, fungicides and non-conventional chemicals against Botryotinia ricini, causing grey mold disease in castor, under in vitro conditions. Among the 40 strains isolated from rhizosphere soil samples of different crops across the State of Telangana, India, only eight strains inhibited the growth of B. ricini under dual culture technique, of which strains Pf 21 (90.56%), Pf 23 (88.89%), Pf 34 (86.11%) and Pf 36 (84.17%) were the most effective. Among the seven chemicals (four fungicides and three non-conventional chemicals) tested for their efficacy, carbendazim followed by propiconazole had significant antagonistic effect against B. ricini. Exposure of healthy castor capsules to B. ricini and P. fluorescens for different time periods revealed that strains Pf 34 and Pf 36 were effective in completely inhibiting the growth of B. ricini and hence these two strains have been identified as effective biocontrol agents, on par with carbendazim, which offer scope for sustainable and integrated disease management of grey mold disease in castor.
Impact on Cluster Frontline Demonstrations on the Productivity of Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Authors:   Dept. of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Kishangarh-Bas (Alwar), Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan (301 405), India, Balai Laxman Prasad , Singh Navab ,   Dept. of Extension Education, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dholpur, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan (328 001), India, Sharma D. R. ,   Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Baseri–Dholpur, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan (328 027), India
Published: October 2021

Cluster frontline demonstrations (CFLDs) are the long-term educational activity conducted in a logical method on partner farmer’s field to show the worth of new technology under micro farming. The present investigation was carried out during the Rabi season (October to March) of respective year 2016-17 to 2019-20 under the National Food Security Mission, Government of India. Four hundred thirteen CFLDs were conducted in 165.2 ha area with the farmers and scientists of KVK. The CFLDs were conducted at adopted fifteen villages of Dholpur district. Cultivation technology was applied under CFLDs included scientific intervention. The highest yield was obtained in demonstrated practices (DP) with an average of 2272.00 kg ha-1 as compared to farmer practice (FP) with an average of 1829.00 kg ha-1. Further, an average additional return (` 16,063.6), effective gain (` 14,335.8), net return (` 64,512.1 ha-1) and benefit-cos ratio (3.49) were found in the DP as compared to farmer practice. An average occurrence of Alternaria blight, white rust, stem rot, aphid were recorded 27.44, 5.93 and 14.85 and 25.05, respectively showed in DP as compared to farmer practice. An average extension gap, technology gap and technology index between and was noted 443.0 kg ha-1, 234.75 kg ha-1 and 10.39%, respectively. The results indicate that the use of scientific intervention under CFLDs to increase the production and profitability of Mustard.
Genetic Variability of Reproductive Organs of Atlas Pistachio in Tiaret Region, Algeria
Authors:   Biotechnology Applied Laboratory to Agriculture and Environmental Preservation, Higher School of Agronomy, Ex-Hall of Technology, Kharrouba, Mostaganem (27000), Algeria, Mehdeb-Hireche Djamila , Azzaoui Mohamed El Saleh ,   SNV Faculty, University of IBN Khaldoun, Tiaret  (14000), Algeria, Chahbar Safia ,   SNV Faculty, University of IBN Khaldoun, Tiaret  (14000), Algeria, Benhassaini Hachemi ,   Environment Faculty, Universityof Djillali Liabes, Sidi Bel Abbes (22000), Algeria
Published: October 2021

Pistacia atlantica Desf., endemic to northern Africa belonging to the family Anacardiceae, is a dioecious species of great ecological and socio-economic importance that exhibits considerable variation between individuals but some cases of monoecis have been discovered within the same family such as Pistacia atlantica Desf., Pistacia therebinthus and Pistacia chinensis. The study was conducted to find for the existence of genetic variability of the Betoum from mid-February to mid-March. The study is made on the morphological parameters of reproductive organs of four sites in the Tiaret region in Algeria. The results showed that this species has a high polymorphism of the morphological, qualitative and quantitative parameters of the reproductive organs. This variation is found in the male and female individuals of the selected stands. Variations in these reproductive organs can in no way be influenced by climatic changes such as leaves and roots and their physiological, biochemical and anatomical parameters. This allowed us to discover the first case of the monoicy in the Rechaiga forest. It is necessary to carry out thorough studies to know all the effects and benefits that this species can bring in our daily life in all the social, ecological and economic medicinal fields with the aim of a better appreciation of the patrimony than presents this species, the maintenance of genetic diversity, its conservation and the prospects for its development.
Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Ketrampilan Wanita Tani dalam Pengelolaan Sampah di Wilayah Pesisir Kelurahan Srengsem
Authors: Safitri Yuli , Rangga Kordiyana K , Listiana Indah
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of coastal communities in waste management, to determine the level of attitudes of coastal communities in waste management and to determine the level of skills of coastal communities in waste management. This research was conducted in Srengsem Village, Panjang District, Bandar Lampung. Data collection in this study was conducted in October-November 2020. Respondents were 40 female farmers who participated in KWT Kenanga. This study used a survey method with a quantitative descriptive approach. The results from this research are the level of knowledge and attitudes of coastal communities in waste management was classified as high but not yet supported by concrete actions or skills, meaning that the community had made waste reduction and handling such as simply processing waste into planting media and accommodating waste in one container so that it would not be scattered. however, they have not fully implemented the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle management

Keywords: Knowledge, attitudes, skills, waste management
Kehidupan Sosial Anak Pada Keluarga Narapidana Perempuan
Authors: Lestari Riri Ayu , Fatmariza Fatmariza
Published: October 2021

Peran Ibu sangat penting dalam pengasuhan anak. Namun peran ini tidak dapat dimaksimalkan ketika Ibunya dalam masa tahanan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat kehidupan sosial anak dari narapidana perempuan, khususnya narapidana yang terlibat dalam kasus narkotika. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan data, observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil temuan penelitian menunjukkan dari lima subjek anak narapidana perempuan tidak mengalami perubahan tingkah laku ke arah negatif. Mereka mengakui tidak mau meniru tingkah laku buruk ibunya. Peran orang tua wali dari anak narapidana perempuan sangat berpengaruh dalam pengasuhan. Masyarakat lingkungan sekitar juga memberikan support kepada anak narapidana, tanpa ada yang mengucilkannya. Hal ini menimbulkan kepercayaan diri pada anak tersebut.
TEBERDINSKY STATE NATURAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE ON STEEP “BENDINGS” ON SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL FORMATIONS (EXPERIENCE AND UNCERTAIN PERSPECTIVE)
Authors:   Umar Aliev Karachay-Cherkessia State University, ONISCHENKO V.V. , DEGA N.S. , LYSENKO A.V. ,   North-Caucasus Federal University
Published: October 2021

During the 85-year period, Teberdinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve (TSNBR) has undergone numerous geopolitical, socio-economic and institutional changes aligning with the strategy of preservation and research of the natural territorial complex in a state of geo-ecological. Overcoming unexpected “bends” of historical, socio-economic events, adapting to regional conditions of geographical environment, the reserve has been for ming its scientific research and conservational potential. It has been developing its geographical-ecological style of work, managing to retain the leading positions in conservational geopolitics. Overcoming the unexpected "bends" of historical events and adapting in regional conditions of the geographical environment, the reserve formed its research and environmental potential, developed an environmental-geographical style of development at the forefront of regional geopolitics. Today the history of TSNBR survival and development is a remarkable example of invalid prohibitive conception and an unsuccessful experience of are serve integration into traditional recreational natural management. In August 2018, with implicit consent of legislative and executive bodies of Russia, without necessary discussions, the Federal law from 3rd August 2018 № 321-ФЗ was issued, in which the article 9 states: “Transform Teberdinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve… into national park”. In vague interpretation of Federal law on Special Protected Natural Areas further fate of conservation area remains highly inenarrable.
STATIONARY RESEARCH IN THE CENTRAL FOREST STATE NATURAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Authors:   Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve, ZHELTUKHIN A.S. , KURBATOVA YU.A. ,   A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, SANDLERSKY R.B. ,   Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve,   A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, PUZACHENKO M.YU. ,   Institute of Geography RAS
Published: October 2021

The article presents a brief history of the formation and development of long-term stationary research in the Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve, starting from the first soil-geomorphological works in the 1930s and up to the creation in 2017 of the IPEE RAS ecological observatory "Okovsky Les". The main results of stationary research in two directions are shown: climatic (implemented at ecological and climatic stations of turbulent pulsations) and landscape-ecological (implemented on the basis of field measurements and processing of remote information). The long-term stationary observations on the territory of the reserve provide extensive material for the study of natural processes and can serve as a basis for creating a national network of environmental monitoring.
Should drill or shouldn’t drill? Urban and rural dwellers’ acceptance of geothermal power plant in Mount Slamet protection forest, Indonesia
Authors: Qorizki Dhifa , Permadi Dwiko B. , Yuwono Teguh , Rohman Rohman
Published: October 2021

Geothermal is one of the new renewable energy, which is more environmentally friendly than the existing fossil energy and has great potential to become an alternative source of energy in the future. However, the level of social acceptance of geothermal power plants operating in forest areas has not been widely studied. This study aims to reveal the social acceptance of affected residents toward the exploration of Baturaden geothermal power plant, operating in the protection forest area of ​​Mount Slamet. The survey was conducted online  to indirectly affected residents living mostly in Banyumas urban areas, while the offline face-to-face survey was administered to the directly affected residents in Sambirata and Karang Tengah villages. A total of 286 samples were analyzed. It was found that the majority of respondents preferred not to continue the establishment of the geothermal power plant, but both rural and urban dwellers have distinctive responses and reasonings. The rural tended to have stronger rejection compared to the urban residents. The acceptance of the project in both groups combined was motivated mainly by the prospect of electricity from more environmentally friendly energy sources and compliance to government policy. Those who refused tend to see from the negative impacts on the disruptions of the daily livelihood in rural areas and environmental damages. Three attitude factors significantly affect the continuation of drilling operation of GPP, namely: economic prospects of geothermal utilization in protection forests, technological optimism to migate the engative impacts, and perceived environmental concerns. To increase the social acceptance, it is suggested that policy makers and energy industry players should integrate the mitigation measures by using more proper technology within the project budget and act harmoniously to increase public awareness of the use of renewable and cleaner energy as well as pay attention to the health, welfare and culture of the local community
Association between ethnicity and degree of improvement in cardiac function following initiation of sacubitril/valsartan
Authors: Holm Niels , Bromage Daniel I. , Cannata Antonio , DeCourcey Julia , Bhatti Prashan , Huang Marilou , McDonagh Theresa A.
Published: October 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of short-term improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), haemodynamics, NT-proBNP and quality of life following initiation of sacubitril/valsartan in black patients when compared with white patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational, single-centre, hypothesis-generating study of patients with symptomatic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treated with guideline recommended therapy, who were transitioned from an ACE inhibitor (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) to sacubitril/valsartan.

Results

Our analysis included 83 patients (mean age 57 years) with echocardiography performed before and after transition from ACE-I/ARB to sacubitril/valsartan, after excluding patients with concomitant Cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation. Overall, sacubitril/valsartan was associated with LVEF improvement from 28.8% ± 0.7 to 32.0% ± 1.1% (P = 0.0002), but no reverse remodelling was observed. The association with LVEF improvement was only observed in white patients (n = 46, P = 0.0006), but not in black patients (n = 37, P = 0.1728), and appeared to be associated with reduced blood pressure (baseline vs. 2-week blood pressure 116.5 ± 13.9 vs. 109.4 ± 14.3 mmHg, respectively, in white patients, P = 0.0449). Fifteen patients (18.1%) became ineligible for primary prevention Implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation.

Conclusion

Sacubitril/valsartan was associated with improved LVEF, NT-proBNP concentrations and quality of life in patients with symptomatic HFrEF on guideline recommended therapy. However, in our cohort, improvement of LVEF and quality of life might be attenuated in black patients, which warrants further investigation.
Polymer-free biolimus-A9-eluting stent performance according to renal impairment: insights from the RUDI-FREE registry
Authors: Chiarito Mauro , Sturla Matteo , Briguori Carlo , Mancone Massimo , Tamburino Corrado , Fabbiocchi Franco , Trabattoni Daniela , Tomai Fabrizio , Paggi Anita , Gioffrè Gaetano , Sclafani Rocco , Giordano Arturo , Stefanini Giulio G. , Sardella Gennaro
Published: October 2021

Aims

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and have a worse prognosis after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The BioFreedom polymer-free biolimus-A9-eluting stent (PF-BES) has shown promising results in patients at high bleeding risk; however, its performance in CKD patients has yet to be analyzed.

Methods

The all-comers RUDI-FREE registry documented patients undergoing PCI with PF-BES in routine clinical practice. Patients were stratified into three groups according to their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): preserved renal function, mild renal insufficiency (RI), and with moderate to severe RI (eGFR ≥ 90, between 90 and 45, and <45 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively). The primary safety end point was a patient-oriented composite end point of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST). The primary efficacy end point was target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Results

The registry documented 1,104 consecutive patients treated with PF-BES: 258 (23.4%) with preserved renal function, whereas 712 (64.7%) and 131 (11.9%) had mild and moderate to severe RI, respectively. At 1 year, the primary safety end point was significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe RI (3.5% vs. 2.8% vs. 11.5%; P < 0.001). Conversely, TLR proved similar among groups (0.4% vs. 1.8% vs. 0.8%; P = 0.235).

Conclusions

Patients with worse renal function had increased risk of the composite of cardiovascular deaths, MI, and definite or probable ST. However, the PF-BES showed similar efficacy despite differences in renal function. These findings need to be confirmed in large-scale randomized trials.
Tetracycline Removal from Water by Adsorption on Geomaterial, Activated Carbon and Clay Adsorbents
Authors: Hamoudi Souhila Ait , Hamdi Boualem , Brendlé Jocelyne
Published: October 2021

The use of antibiotics for breeding and for humans increased considerably in recent years, as a dietary supplement to enhance animal growth. This frequent use leads to the detection of residues in water and wastewater. Thus, the emergence of new strains of bacteria resistant to these antibiotics and, can lead to incurable diseases of livestock, and can lead to a possible transmission of these strains to humans. The purpose of this work is to develop new materials based on treated Maghnia clay, activated carbon, cement, and PVA polymer, named geomaterials. These materials were intended for the containment of hazardous wastes in landfills. The removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution was tested by adsorption onto synthesised geomaterials and their mineral constituents. Adsorption kinetics revealed that tetracycline was rapidly retained by GM and ATMa. This was confirmed by the relatively short equilibrium time of 30 min. The pseudo-second-order and intraparticle models well fitted the adsorption kinetic of the TC-adsorbent studied systems. It was noticed that the adsorption kinetic passes through several mechanisms, was demonstrated by the multi-linearity on the plot of qt
against the square root of t. The adsorption capacity (Qa
) of TC onto GM is pH-dependent. Indeed, Qa
reaches a maximum value (Qa
= 12.58 mg ∙ g–1 at a very acidic pH of 2, then the adsorbed amount decreases to reach a minimum value at pH of 8, and for basic pHsQa
increases up to 10 mg ∙ g–1.
Human Health Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Cross-Border Area of Romania and Serbia: A Review
Authors: Isvoran Adriana , Roman Diana Larisa , Dascalu Daniela , Vlad-Oros Beatrice , Ciorsac Alecu , Pitulice Laura , Jonovic Radojka , Stevanovic Zoran , Ostafe Vasile
Published: October 2021

This review illustrates the state of air, water and soil pollution with heavy metals resulting from mining activities in the cross-border area of Romania and the Republic of Serbia. It also emphasizes the possible human health effects that certain heavy metals can cause. The heavy metals that were identified as polluting the air, water, and/or soil in the area of interest are: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Acute or chronic exposure to these heavy metals may cause numerous human health effects as they affect numerous organs and tissues (gastrointestinal tract, liver, lungs, kidneys, bladder, central nervous system, reproductive system, etc.). The review shows that the pollution produced by both abandoned and active mines cannot be neglected and underlines the necessity of changes in the current mining practices so that mining operations will assure better protection for the environment and human health.
Effects of Essential Oils on in Vitro Growth of Fungi Cladobotryum dendroides and Mycogone perniciosa Infecting Button Mushroom
Authors: Górski Romuald , Dorna Hanna , Rosińska Agnieszka , Szopińska Dorota , Kałużewicz Alina
Published: October 2021

The aim of the studies was to investigate the effect of camel grass, lavender, patchouli, peppermint and tea tree essential oils, and their mixtures on the in vitro growth of pathogenic fungi Cladobotryum dendroides and Mycogone perniciosa, occurring in the cultivation of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The mycelial growth of the tested pathogens was evaluated on PDA medium. Essential oils were added in three doses: 0.25; 0.5 and 1 mg·cm–3 of PDA medium. Camel grass and peppermint essential oils applied at the highest dose inhibited completely the in vitro growth of C. dendroides mycelium. Lavender oil used at the amount of 1 mg·cm–3 reduced the growth of the pathogen by 90 %. In the case of M. perniciosa the complete inhibition of the pathogen’s growth was observed after the addition of camel grass oil to PDA medium, irrespective of a dose, and lavender oil at the doses of 0.5 and 1 mg·cm–3. The efficacy of the tested mixtures against M. perniciosa was high. Generally, all mixtures of essential oils, irrespective of a dose, completely controlled the growth of the pathogen. The complete inhibition of the growth of C. dendroides was observed only on the medium with the addition of the mixture of camel grass and peppermint oils at the highest dose. The conducted research showed that natural essential oils due to their antifungal properties could be useful in the Integrated Disease Management for the protection of button mushroom against diseases. They could be an effective alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides.
Poland in the European Union Single Market
Authors: Pasimeni Paolo
Published: October 2021

Subject and purpose of work: This paper studies the process of integration of Poland in the EU Single Market. It makes use of official statistics from a wide range of institutions (IMF, OECD, Eurostat, and Statistics Poland) in order to define structural patterns, shedding light on the overall integration of the country with the rest of the world.

Materials and methods: The results show the structural evolution of the Polish economy, mainly in terms of its integration process within the EU Single Market.

Results: The Single Market has indeed provided an urge for Poland’s integration.

Conclusions: Poland can so far be considered a success story in the process of integration in the EU Single Market.
Social Capital and Social Networks in the Life Sciences Industry Clusters. An Analysis of Selected Case Studies
Authors: Runiewicz-Wardyn Małgorzata
Published: October 2021

Subject and purpose of work: The study aims to explore the role of social capital in the new concept of “effective” cluster, by exploiting not only its human and financial assets but also the social networks with the cluster.

Materials and methods: The study presents the case-study findings of the five life-sciences clusters which were conducted in 2018-2019. Additionally, the article discusses the role of social capital and the collaborative efforts within the life sciences clusters during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Results: All the analyzed cluster environments have their own social dynamics. Considering the scale and scope of social ties, the Cambridge and Medicon Valley clusters conform with the concept of the “functional clusters”, while the Bay Area and Seattle clusters can be classified as “effective clusters”.

Conclusions: All the cluster ecosystems have evolved from different origins and they follow different evolutionary paths. Yet, clusters with richer social capital achieve higher collaborative synergy, leading to an increase in knowledge spillovers and innovations. Public policies should focus on the active promotion of social networks and market-oriented intermediaries connecting main cluster partners.
Risk of Investment in Cryptocurrencies
Authors: Kozak Sylwester , Gajdek Seweryn
Published: October 2021

Subject and purpose of work: Cryptocurrencies are a phenomenon that has been strengthening its place in the world of finance for over ten years and which is becoming a frequent investment tool. The aim of this study is to compare the level of risk measures of investments in the cryptocurrency market with investments in global capital markets in 2011-2020.

Materials and methods: The study used the quotations of the analysed instruments. The level of risk was estimated using standard deviation and semi-standard deviation of daily logarithmic rates of return.

Results: Investment in cryptocurrencies is more risky than in shares of the largest international companies. The level of risk decreases with the duration of the cryptocurrency presence on the market.

Conclusions: Achieving extraordinary rates of return generates an increased demand and volatility of cryptocurrencies’ quotations. The level of risk of investing in cryptocurrencies is much higher than in the indexes of global capital exchanges.
Current State of the Sector of Modern Business Services in Lublin and Prospects for Development
Authors: Kuźmicki Marek , Linkiewicz Kinga
Published: October 2021

Subject and purpose of work: The aim of the article is to define the current state of modern business services sector in Lublin and prospects for development against the background of the largest centers in the country.

Materials and methods: Pursuing the main goal, the authors based their study on the literature on the subject, research reports on the market of modern business services and content from industry websites. The analysis covered several modern business service centers operating on the market, the structure of business processes, the level of employment and the level of local specialization of selected cities.

Results: The sector of modern business services is developing intensively throughout Poland. Dynamic development is also taking place in Lublin. The city has the largest number of BPO, SSC, IT and R&D centers in eastern Poland. The workplaces in the sector is constantly growing. IT services currently have a particularly large share in the sales structure of Lublin centers.

Conclusions: The development of modern business services sector in Lublin is an opportunity for a dynamic economic development of the city and the region.
Borderland Location as a Factor of the Development of the Terespol Commune
Authors: Guzal-Dec Danuta , Bartniczuk Kamila , Zwolińska-Ligaj Magdalena
Published: October 2021

Subject and purpose of work: The aim of the study was to determine the significance of the borderland location as a factor in the development of the Terespol commune. The paper answers the questions how the borderland location is perceived by the inhabitants, whether it gives an opportunity for the development of the Terespol commune, and what is the significance of the borderland location compared to other factors in the commune’s development.

Materials and methods: The study uses the method of a survey with a representative sample of 50 inhabitants of the Terespol commune. The literature on the subject related to the factor of the borderland location and its role in local development as well as planning documents concerning the development of the commune were investigated. The analyzes were supplemented with a review of official statistical databases describing economic activity in the commune. The time scope of the research covers the years 1990-2021.

Results: In the light of the research, the borderland location is the leading factor in the development of the commune, and keeping it on the current development path and the growing significance of this factor may increase the chance of building a “New Silk Road”. Other development potential are rich natural and landscape values which favour the expansion of tourism and agriculture. The potential of the local community – residents, local entrepreneurs, and local government – is assessed as low. In the opinion of the inhabitants the potential of the location is also not fully used.

Conclusions: The commune’s potential should be used in the development of additional production specialties, its multifunctionality and better adaptation to new socio-economic conditions resulting from the economic transformation and the challenges of increasing competitiveness. It is necessary to activate other functions and factors, whose significance has decreased over the years, including human capital activation. A fuller use of the commune’s potential should be based to a greater extent on the participation of the local community.
Predicting Mobile Banking Adoption: An Integration of TAM and TPB with Trust and Perceived Risk
Authors: Aldammagh Ziad , Abdeljawad Rabah , Obaid Tareq
Published: October 2021

Mobile banking has been a game changer for financial organizations in terms of remote banking services. However, many customers remain uncertain due to its security. Therefore, improving the comprehension of the customer’s reasons and methods of using bank sites, including their behaviour towards e-banking, is crucial. This article discusses the matter by suggesting a technology acceptance model that integrates the theory of the planned behavior model in the classic TAM model with trust and perceived risk in order to elucidate the aspects that influence users’ acceptance of mobile banking applications in Palestine. This study is designed to give both theoretical and empirical support for e-commerce adoption. We are also capable in providing particular marketing ideas for practitioners in relation to the uptake of mobile banking.
Relations Between the Principle of Neutrality and Elements of Value Added Tax Structure
Authors: Daniel Paweł
Published: October 2021

The principal of neutrality is a key principle of the European Union (EU) Value Added Tax (VAT) system. The concept of tax neutrality has a number of dimensions and meanings. The purpose of the article is to examine whether the principle of neutrality shapes the main elements of VAT structure, what concepts of tax neutrality are proper to shape each of those elements, and how the principle of neutrality affects each of those elements. The method adopted for the examination is a doctrinal method – analysis of the VAT Directive provisions (using a formal-dogmatic approach supported by analysing selected judgements of the Court of Justice of the EU) but without those that concern special rules. The study showed that the basic elements of the VAT structure such as the subject of taxation, object of taxation, tax basis, tax rates, exemptions, and conditions of payment are shaped in different manner and extent by the principle of neutrality. Tax neutrality in its basic sense (marked N1) has the strongest influence on basis of taxation (improper amount of the basis disallows shifting the tax forward onto the customer and regaining output tax to relieve the taxable person entirely from the burden of the VAT) and obviously it influences the right to deduct input tax likewise in the tax period (term of refund). Tax neutrality in another sense (marked N2) by demanding equal treatment, affects such VAT elements as subject and object of taxation, exemptions and rates. Tax neutrality in the broadest sense (N3), as a term consisting of N1 and N2, concerns all the elements of VAT.
Russian Formalism vs Germanic Formalism: exploring the concept of European Formalism
Authors: Tchougounnikov Serge
Published: October 2021

This comparative reading of two conceptual corpora, Russian formalism and Germano-Austrian or Germanic formalism, begins with the idea that the European formalism presents a coherent unit. The continuity of this program authorizes such a comparative reading. The comparative analysis of formalisms in Europe could be a research program aimed at an epistemological reading of the phenomenon of European formalism at the turn of the 20th century. This program deals with a rereading of two conceptual fields–Russian formalism and Germanic (Germano-Austrian) formalism. This study seeks to contextualise the formalist project within the knowledge of its time by showing its genetic links with the disciplines of this period and by introducing it as an epistemological fact. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the growth of psychologism in aesthetic theories, constitutes a reaction against the dominant scientific positivism in the “humanities” of this period. Stemming from the tensions between “aesthetics from below” and “aesthetics from above,” European formalism expresses and achieves a heterogeneous aesthetic program, halfway between “experimental science” and the “science of lived experience.”
The Family as a Site of Consocial Learning: the Cultural Socialisation of Young People in the Process of Intergenerational Exchange
Authors: Deák Dušan , Kačane Ilze
Published: October 2021

This article explores the family as an educational environment and space for the intergenerational exchange of knowledge. Focusing on the process of cultural socialization as viewed against the currently popular “culture wars” it employs the concept of consociality, which is aimed at grasping the diversity and unpredictability of human interactions, and has been recently rejuvenated by Ulf Hannerz. Investigating the consocial character of learning and intergenerational exchange within the family educational environment, the article takes examples from Slovakia and Latvia and problematizes the relationship between formal and informal learning to demonstrate how it changes knowledge infused with cultural meanings and references. The article argues that this process depends on the consocial conditions in which it is created. It also suggests that viewing the family environment in consocial terms provides us with an opportunity to rethink the role of experiences shared within the family and thereby mitigate ethnic-cum-cultural essentialism.
The Impact of Work Centrality and Type
of Work on Life Satisfaction: an Exploration
of Global Respondents
Authors: Chandna Vallari Chandna
Published: October 2021

Organizations have over time, become concerned with non-work aspects of their employees’ lives such as their
life satisfaction and their happiness. This is because extant research has shown these states of being, truly
have an impact on their job performance, intra-organizational relationships, and other important work-
related outcomes. The World Values Survey assesses the cultural values of people across the world, what is
important to them in life, their physical and mental state of being, and other valuable information. Using a
random portion of this international dataset and drawing on the literatures pertaining to work centrality
and meaning of work, the hypothesized model is developed to test the relationship between work centrality
and the flow at work (i.e., type of work done) on the life satisfaction of individuals. These aspects of the
work domain were found to have a minimal direct impact on life satisfaction leading to the reaffirmation
that the different domains (work, family, values) have unequal impacts on life satisfaction and within each
domain, different components have differing levels of impact as well.
Enforcing Sets of Formulas in Structured Argumentation
Authors: Borg AnneMarie , Bex Floris
Published: October 2021

Enforcement, adjusting an argumentation framework such that a certain set of arguments becomes acceptable, is an important research topic within the study of dynamic argumentation, but one that has been little studied for structured argumentation. In this paper we study enforcement in a general structured argumentation setting. In particular, we study conditions on the argumentation setting and the knowledge base that ensure (or prevent) the acceptability of sets of formulas for structured argumentation frameworks.
Capturing Homomorphism-Closed Decidable Queries with Existential Rules
Authors: Bourgaux Camille , Carral David , Krötzsch Markus , Rudolph Sebastian , Thomazo Michaël
Published: October 2021

Existential rules are a very popular ontology-mediated query language for which the chase represents a generic computational approach for query answering. It is straightforward that existential rule queries exhibiting chase termination are decidable and can only recognize properties that are preserved under homomorphisms. In this paper, we show the converse: every decidable query that is closed under homomorphism can be expressed by an existential rule set for which the standard chase universally terminates. Membership in this fragment is not decidable, but we show via a diagonalisation argument that this is unavoidable.
Closed- and Open-world Reasoning in DL-Lite for Cloud Infrastructure Security
Authors: Cauli Claudia , Ortiz Magdalena , Piterman Nir
Published: October 2021

Infrastructure in the cloud is deployed through configuration files, which specify the resources to be created, their settings, and their connectivity. We aim to model infrastructure before deployment and reason about it so that potential vulnerabilities can be discovered and security best practices enforced.

Description logics are a good match for such modeling efforts and allow for a succinct and natural description of cloud infrastructure. Their open-world assumption allows capturing the distributed nature of the cloud, where a newly deployed infrastructure could connect to pre-existing resources not necessarily owned by the same user. However, parts of the infrastructure that are fully known need closed-world reasoning, calling for the usage of expressive formalisms, which increase the computational complexity of reasoning.

Here, we suggest an extension of DL-LiteF that is tailored for capturing such cloud infrastructure. Our logic allows combining a core part that is completely defined (closed-world) and interacts with a partially known environment (open-world). We show that this extension preserves the first-order rewritability of DL-LiteF for knowledge-base satisfiability and conjunctive query answering.

Security properties combine universal and existential reasoning about infrastructure. Thus, we also consider the problem of conjunctive query satisfiability and show that it can be solved in logarithmic space in data complexity.
Timed Trace Alignment with Metric Temporal Logic over Finite Traces
Authors: De Giacomo Giuseppe , Murano Aniello , Patrizi Fabio , Perelli Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

Trace Alignment is a prominent problem in Declarative Process Mining, which consists in identifying a minimal set of modifications that a log trace (produced by a system under execution) requires in order to be made compliant with a temporal specification. In its simplest form, log traces are sequences of events from a finite alphabet and specifications are written in DECLARE, a strict sublanguage of linear-time temporal logic over finite traces (LTLf ). The best approach for trace alignment has been developed in AI, using cost-optimal planning, and handles the whole LTLf . In this paper, we study the timed version of trace alignment, where events are paired with timestamps and specifications are provided in metric temporal logic over finite traces (MTLf ), essentially a superlanguage of LTLf . Due to the infiniteness of timestamps, this variant is substantially more challenging than the basic version, as the structures involved in the search are (uncountably) infinite-state, and calls for a more sophisticated machinery based on alternating (timed) automata, as opposed to the standard finite-state automata sufficient for the untimed version. The main contribution of the paper is a provably correct, effective technique for Timed Trace Alignment that takes advantage of results on MTLf decidability as well as on reachability for well-structured transition systems.