bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Mycoplasma synoviae and Mycoplasma gallisepticum from Vaccinated Hens in Mexico
Authors: Petrone-Garcia Víctor M. , Tellez-Isaias Guillermo , Alba-Hurtado Fernando , Vuong Christine N. , Lopez-Arellano Raquel
Published: November 2020

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) strains were isolated at 39.5 °C to rule out temperature-sensitive strains (ts+) and identified using random amplification of polymorphic DNA. Then, their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC100) were calculated in isolated strains from broiler breeders and laying hens vaccinated with ts+ MS-H and ts+ MG TS-11 vaccines in Mexico. We sampled 631 lots of hens. A total of 28 of the 123 MS isolates and 12 of the 23 MG isolates were analyzed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA, of which 24 and 3 matched the DNA banding patterns of the MS-H and MG-F strains, respectively. The isolated MS and MG strains were sensitive to tiamulin and tylosin and showed intermediate sensitivity or resistance to lincomycin, florfenicol, erythromycin, enrofloxacin, and curcumin. Although both the MS and MG strains were sensitive to the same antibiotics (MIC100 lower than 1 mg mL−1), the MG strains were 5 to 10 times more sensitive than the MS strains. MS is the most frequently isolated mycoplasma in Mexican poultry production. The MS vaccine used (ts+ MS-H) could reverse its thermosensitivity and therefore could regain its virulence. MS was less sensitive to tiamulin and tylosin compared to MG.
Combining Co-Amorphous-Based Spray Drying with Inert Carriers to Achieve Improved Bioavailability and Excellent Downstream Manufacturability
Authors: Zhang Yingxi , Gao Yuan , Du Xiaoxiao , Guan Rou , He Zhonggui , Liu Hongzhuo
Published: November 2020

It is crucial to improve poorly water-soluble orally administered drugs through both preclinical and therapeutic drug discovery. A co-amorphous formulation consisting of two low molecular weight (MW) molecules offers a solubility/dissolubility advantage over its crystalline form by maintaining their amorphous status. Here, we report on a co-amorphous solid dispersion (SD) system that includes inert carriers (lactose monohydrate or microcrystalline cellulose) and co-amorphous sacubitril (SAC)-valsartan (VAL) using the spray drying process. The strong molecular interactions between drugs were the driving force for forming robust co-amorphous SDs. Our system provided the highest solubility with more than ~11.5- and 3.12-times solubility increases when compared with the physical mixtures. Co-amorphous lactose monohydrate (LM) SDs showed better bioavailability of APIs (~356.27.8% and 154.01% for the relative bioavailability of LBQ 657 and valsartan, respectively). Co-amorphous inert carrier SDs possessed an excellent compressibility for the production of a direct compression pharmaceutical product. In conclusion, these brand-new co-amorphous SDs could reduce the number of unit processes to produce a final pharmaceutical product for downstream manufacturability.
An Experimental Study on Color Shift of Injection-Molded Mobile LGP Depending on Surface Micropattern
Authors: Kim Mooyeon , Lee Junhan , Yoon Kyunghwan
Published: November 2020

In the display industry, the LCD backlight unit (BLU) module is variously used in mobile phones, notebook computers, monitors, and TVs. The light guide plate (LGP), which is one of the core parts of a BLU, is getting bigger and thinner consistently. Conventional injection methods and injection processes like injection compression molding (ICM) are becoming more complex and harsher with high-speed injection at high mold and melt temperatures. These approaches lead to a change in physical properties and a decrease in optical properties such as yellowing and color shift in injection-molded parts. In the present study, an injection molding experiment was conducted to understand the effect of surface patterns and major injection process conditions like mold and melt temperatures on the color shift in injection-molded mobile LGP. Optical properties obtained by the direct and total transmittance and CIE xy chromaticity diagram for injection-molded mobile LGP were measured with a UV–visible spectrophotometer. From the measurement of patternless LGP, it was found that total or direct transmittance was not affected by molding process variables. It was also found that yellow shift, ΔE(xy), occurred as much as 0.00111 ± 0.00014, and a color shift angle, Θ(xy), of 43.05 ± 2.44° was recorded in CIE coordinates for all nine experimental cases. From the measurement of total transmittance of patterned LGP, ΔE(xy) and Θ(xx) were found to be almost the same as those of patternless LGP for the locations of low and medium density of the pattern for the LGP, T1 and T2. The measured data of direct transmittance of patterned LGP showed that additional yellow shift due to scattering caused by surface micropattern. Interestingly, Θ(xy) of patterned data remained 43.05 ± 2.44°, which was almost the same as that found in the case of patternless LGP.
Biodegradable Starch/Chitosan Foam via Microwave Assisted Preparation: Morphology and Performance Properties
Authors: Zhang Xian , Teng Zhuangzhuang , Huang Runzhou , Catchmark Jeffrey
Published: November 2020

The effects of chitosan (CTS) as the reinforcing phase on the properties of potato starch (PS)-based foams were studied in this work. The formic acid solutions of CTS and PS were uniformly mixed in a particular ratio by blending and then placed in a mold made of polytetrafluoroethylene for microwave treatment to form starch foam. The results showed that the molecular weight and concentration of CTS could effectively improve the density and compressive properties of starch-based foams. Furthermore, orthogonal experiments were designed, and the results showed that when the molecular weight of CTS in foams is 4.4 × 105, the mass fraction is 4 wt%, and the mass ratio of CTS–PS is 3/4.2; the compressive strength of foams is the highest at approximately 1.077 mPa. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis demonstrated the interaction between starch and CTS, which confirmed that the compatibility between CTS and PS is excellent.
Significant Effect of Sample Pretreatment on Ara h1 Extraction and Improved Sensitive SWCNT-Based Detection through Optimization
Authors: Lee Jinyoung
Published: November 2020

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-based nanobiosensors have received increasing attention from food researchers as a future instrument of food safety due to their high sensitivity. However, the pretreatment process of the sample applying to SWCNT-based nanobiosensor is required to be more delicate compared to other analyses. In this study, the pretreatment process of Ara h1 protein from its retained complex food matrix was optimized using various buffer compounds and the pretreated allergenic Ara h1 obtained for the optimized process was detected by SWCNT-based nanobiosensor. In the pretreatment process, the buffer extraction method with tris buffer (Tris-HNO3, pH 8.4) was developed and used to extract native peanut allergens from foods. The extraction procedure for Ara h1 from peanut butter foods was performed by varying the temperature, extraction time, and additives (NaCl and skim milk powder). The results of these tests using our SWCNT-based biosensor were analyzed to evaluate the allergenic nature of the extracts. The peak level of Ara h1 extraction was achieved as 84.60 ± 7.50 ng/mL at 21 °C/60 min with the mixture of Tris-HNO3 and 1 M NaCl. In addition, other significant Ara h1 extractions were found to be 29.59 ± 2.57 at 21 °C/15 min and 27.74 ± 1.33 ng/mL at 60 °C/15 min. This study emphasizes the importance of adjusting the extraction time and temperature with respect to the target allergen and food matrix components. After the optimization of the sample pretreatment, the precision of SWCNT-based nanobiosensor by the resistance difference (ΔR) of the SWCNT-based biosensor via linear sweep voltammetry in a potentiostat was identified using the pretreated Ara h1 sample from the processed food compared with the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results.
Double-Loop Control Structure for Rotary Drum Granulation Loop
Authors: Vesjolaja Ludmila , Glemmestad Bjørn , Lie Bernt
Published: November 2020

The operation of granulation plants on an industrial scale is challenging. Periodic instability associated with the operation of the granulation loop causes the particle size distribution of the particles flowing out from the granulator to oscillate, thus making it difficult to maintain the desired product quality. To address this problem, two control strategies are proposed in this paper, including a novel approach, where product-sized particles are recycled back to maintain a stable granulation loop process. A dynamic model of the process that is based on a population balance equation is used to represent the process dynamics. Both of the control strategies utilize a double-loop control structure that is suitable for highly oscillatory systems. The simulation results show that both control strategies, including the novel approach, are able to remove the oscillating behaviour and stabilize the granulation plant loop.
Colocalized Sensing and Intelligent Computing in Micro-Sensors
Authors: H Hasan Mohammad , Al-Ramini Ali , Abdel-Rahman Eihab , Jafari Roozbeh , Alsaleem Fadi
Published: November 2020

This work presents an approach to delay-based reservoir computing (RC) at the sensor level without input modulation. It employs a time-multiplexed bias to maintain transience while utilizing either an electrical signal or an environmental signal (such as acceleration) as an unmodulated input signal. The proposed approach enables RC carried out by sufficiently nonlinear sensory elements, as we demonstrate using a single electrostatically actuated microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The MEMS sensor can perform colocalized sensing and computing with fewer electronics than traditional RC elements at the RC input (such as analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters). The performance of the MEMS RC is evaluated experimentally using a simple classification task, in which the MEMS device differentiates between the profiles of two signal waveforms. The signal waveforms are chosen to be either electrical waveforms or acceleration waveforms. The classification accuracy of the presented MEMS RC scheme is found to be over 99%. Furthermore, the scheme is found to enable flexible virtual node probing rates, allowing for up to 4× slower probing rates, which relaxes the requirements on the system for reservoir signal sampling. Finally, our experiments show a noise-resistance capability for our MEMS RC scheme.
A Mixed-Perception Approach for Safe Human–Robot Collaboration in Industrial Automation
Authors: Mohammadi Amin Fatemeh , Rezayati Maryam , van de Venn Hans Wernher , Karimpour Hossein
Published: November 2020

Digital-enabled manufacturing systems require a high level of automation for fast and low-cost production but should also present flexibility and adaptiveness to varying and dynamic conditions in their environment, including the presence of human beings; however, this presence of workers in the shared workspace with robots decreases the productivity, as the robot is not aware about the human position and intention, which leads to concerns about human safety. This issue is addressed in this work by designing a reliable safety monitoring system for collaborative robots (cobots). The main idea here is to significantly enhance safety using a combination of recognition of human actions using visual perception and at the same time interpreting physical human–robot contact by tactile perception. Two datasets containing contact and vision data are collected by using different volunteers. The action recognition system classifies human actions using the skeleton representation of the latter when entering the shared workspace and the contact detection system distinguishes between intentional and incidental interactions if physical contact between human and cobot takes place. Two different deep learning networks are used for human action recognition and contact detection, which in combination, are expected to lead to the enhancement of human safety and an increase in the level of cobot perception about human intentions. The results show a promising path for future AI-driven solutions in safe and productive human–robot collaboration (HRC) in industrial automation.
A Pedestrian Dead Reckoning Method for Head-Mounted Sensors
Authors: Hou Xinyu , Bergmann Jeroen
Published: November 2020

Pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) plays an important role in modern life, including localisation and navigation if a Global Positioning System (GPS) is not available. Most previous PDR methods adopted foot-mounted sensors. However, humans have evolved to keep the head steady in space when the body is moving in order to stabilise the visual field. This indicates that sensors that are placed on the head might provide a more suitable alternative for real-world tracking. Emerging wearable technologies that are connected to the head also makes this a growing field of interest. Head-mounted equipment, such as glasses, are already ubiquitous in everyday life. Whilst other wearable gear, such as helmets, masks, or mouthguards, are becoming increasingly more common. Thus, an accurate PDR method that is specifically designed for head-mounted sensors is needed. It could have various applications in sports, emergency rescue, smart home, etc. In this paper, a new PDR method is introduced for head mounted sensors and compared to two established methods. The data were collected by sensors that were placed on glasses and embedded into a mouthguard. The results show that the newly proposed method outperforms the other two techniques in terms of accuracy, with the new method producing an average end-to-end error of 0.88 m and total distance error of 2.10%.
Learning Diatoms Classification from a Dry Test Slide by Holographic Microscopy
Authors: Memmolo Pasquale , Carcagnì Pierluigi , Bianco Vittorio , Merola Francesco , Goncalves da Silva Junior Andouglas , Garcia Goncalves Luis Marcos , Ferraro Pietro , Distante Cosimo
Published: November 2020

Diatoms are among the dominant phytoplankters in marine and freshwater habitats, and important biomarkers of water quality, making their identification and classification one of the current challenges for environmental monitoring. To date, taxonomy of the species populating a water column is still conducted by marine biologists on the basis of their own experience. On the other hand, deep learning is recognized as the elective technique for solving image classification problems. However, a large amount of training data is usually needed, thus requiring the synthetic enlargement of the dataset through data augmentation. In the case of microalgae, the large variety of species that populate the marine environments makes it arduous to perform an exhaustive training that considers all the possible classes. However, commercial test slides containing one diatom element per class fixed in between two glasses are available on the market. These are usually prepared by expert diatomists for taxonomy purposes, thus constituting libraries of the populations that can be found in oceans. Here we show that such test slides are very useful for training accurate deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). We demonstrate the successful classification of diatoms based on a proper CNNs ensemble and a fully augmented dataset, i.e., creation starting from one single image per class available from a commercial glass slide containing 50 fixed species in a dry setting. This approach avoids the time-consuming steps of water sampling and labeling by skilled marine biologists. To accomplish this goal, we exploit the holographic imaging modality, which permits the accessing of a quantitative phase-contrast maps and a posteriori flexible refocusing due to its intrinsic 3D imaging capability. The network model is then validated by using holographic recordings of live diatoms imaged in water samples i.e., in their natural wet environmental condition.
Industrial Robot Control by Means of Gestures and Voice Commands in Off-Line and On-Line Mode
Authors: Kaczmarek Wojciech , Panasiuk Jarosław , Borys Szymon , Banach Patryk
Published: November 2020

The paper presents the possibility of using the Kinect v2 module to control an industrial robot by means of gestures and voice commands. It describes the elements of creating software for off-line and on-line robot control. The application for the Kinect module was developed in the C# language in the Visual Studio environment, while the industrial robot control program was developed in the RAPID language in the RobotStudio environment. The development of a two-threaded application in the RAPID language allowed separating two independent tasks for the IRB120 robot. The main task of the robot is performed in Thread No. 1 (responsible for movement). Simultaneously, Thread No. 2 ensures continuous communication with the Kinect system and provides information about the gesture and voice commands in real time without any interference in Thread No. 1. The applied solution allows the robot to work in industrial conditions without the negative impact of the communication task on the time of the robot’s work cycles. Thanks to the development of a digital twin of the real robot station, tests of proper application functioning in off-line mode (without using a real robot) were conducted. The obtained results were verified on-line (on the real test station). Tests of the correctness of gesture recognition were carried out, and the robot recognized all programmed gestures. Another test carried out was the recognition and execution of voice commands. A difference in the time of task completion between the actual and virtual station was noticed; the average difference was 0.67 s. The last test carried out was to examine the impact of interference on the recognition of voice commands. With a 10 dB difference between the command and noise, the recognition of voice commands was equal to 91.43%. The developed computer programs have a modular structure, which enables easy adaptation to process requirements.
Robust 3D Hand Detection from a Single RGB-D Image in Unconstrained Environments
Authors: Xu Chi , Zhou Jun , Cai Wendi , Jiang Yunkai , Li Yongbo , Liu Yi
Published: November 2020

Three-dimensional hand detection from a single RGB-D image is an important technology which supports many useful applications. Practically, it is challenging to robustly detect human hands in unconstrained environments because the RGB-D channels can be affected by many uncontrollable factors, such as light changes. To tackle this problem, we propose a 3D hand detection approach which improves the robustness and accuracy by adaptively fusing the complementary features extracted from the RGB-D channels. Using the fused RGB-D feature, the 2D bounding boxes of hands are detected first, and then the 3D locations along the z-axis are estimated through a cascaded network. Furthermore, we represent a challenging RGB-D hand detection dataset collected in unconstrained environments. Different from previous works which primarily rely on either the RGB or D channel, we adaptively fuse the RGB-D channels for hand detection. Specifically, evaluation results show that the D-channel is crucial for hand detection in unconstrained environments. Our RGB-D fusion-based approach significantly improves the hand detection accuracy from 69.1 to 74.1 comparing to one of the most state-of-the-art RGB-based hand detectors. The existing RGB- or D-based methods are unstable in unseen lighting conditions: in dark conditions, the accuracy of the RGB-based method significantly drops to 48.9, and in back-light conditions, the accuracy of the D-based method dramatically drops to 28.3. Compared with these methods, our RGB-D fusion based approach is much more robust without accuracy degrading, and our detection results are 62.5 and 65.9, respectively, in these two extreme lighting conditions for accuracy.
PQ and Harmonic Assessment Issues on Low-Cost Smart Metering Platforms: A Case Study
Authors: Artale Giovanni , Caravello Giuseppe , Cataliotti Antonio , Cosentino Valentina , Di Cara Dario , Dipaola Nunzio , Guaiana Salvatore , Panzavecchia Nicola , Sambataro Marilena G. , Tinè Giovanni
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a feasibility study on how to implement power quality (PQ) metrics in a low-cost smart metering platform. The study is aimed at verifying the possibility of implementing PQ monitoring in distribution networks without replacing existing smart metering devices or adding new modules for PQ measurements, thus zeroing the installation costs. To this aim, an electronic board, currently used for remote energy metering, was chosen as a case study, specifically the STCOMET platform. Starting from the specifications of this device, the possibility of implementing power quality metrics is investigated in order to verify if compliance with standard requirements for PQ instruments can be obtained. Issues related to device features constraints are discussed; possible solutions and correction algorithms are presented and experimentally verified for different PQ metrics with a particular focus on harmonic analysis. The feasibility study takes into account both the use of on-board voltage and current transducers for low voltage applications and also the impact of external instrument transformers on measurement results.
Structural Health Monitoring Using Fibre Optic Acoustic Emission Sensors
Authors: Willberry James Owen , Papaelias Mayorkinos , Franklyn Fernando Gerard
Published: November 2020

Acoustic emission (AE) is widely used for condition monitoring of critical components and structures. Conventional AE techniques employ wideband or resonant piezoelectric sensors to detect elastic stress waves propagating through various types of structural materials, including composites during damage evolution. Recent developments in fibre optic acoustic emission sensors (FOAES) have enabled new ways of detecting and monitoring damage evolution using AE. An optical fibre consists of a core with a high refractive index and a surrounding cladding. The buffer layer and outer jacket both act as protective polymer layers. Glass optical fibres can be used for manufacturing AE sensors of sufficiently small size to enable their embedding into fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials. The embedding process protects the FOAES against environmental stresses prolonging operational lifetime. The immunity of FOAES to electromagnetic interference makes this type of sensor attractive for condition monitoring purposes across a wide range of challenging operational environments. This paper provides an exhaustive review of recent developments on FOAES including their fundamental operational principles and key industrial applications.
Exploring the Influence of Drug Trafficking Gangs on Overdose Deaths in the Largest Narcotics Market in the Eastern United States
Authors: Johnson Nicole J. , Roman Caterina G. , Mendlein Alyssa K. , Harding Courtney , Francis Melissa , Hendrick Laura
Published: November 2020

Research has found that drug markets tend to cluster in space, potentially because of the profit that can be made when customers are drawn to areas with multiple suppliers. But few studies have examined how these clusters of drug markets—which have been termed “agglomeration economies”—may be related to accidental overdose deaths, and in particular, the spatial distribution of mortality from overdose. Focusing on a large neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for its open-air drug markets, this study examines whether deaths from accidental drug overdose are clustered around street corners controlled by drug trafficking gangs. This study incorporates theoretically-informed social and physical environmental characteristics of street corner units into the models predicting overdose deaths. Given a number of environmental changes relevant to drug use locations was taking place in the focal neighborhood during the analysis period, the authors first employ a novel concentration metric—the Rare Event Concentration Coefficient—to assess clustering of overdose deaths annually between 2015 and 2019. The results of these models reveal that overdose deaths became less clustered over time and that the density was considerably lower after 2017. Hence, the predictive models in this study are focused on the two-year period between 2018 and 2019. Results from spatial econometric regression models find strong support for the association between corner drug markets and accidental overdose deaths. In addition, a number of sociostructural factors, such as concentrated disadvantage, and physical environmental factors, particularly blighted housing, are associated with a higher rate of overdose deaths. Implications from this study highlight the need for efforts that strategically coordinate law enforcement, social service provision and reductions in housing blight targeted to particular geographies.
A New Biased Estimator to Combat the Multicollinearity of the Gaussian Linear Regression Model
Authors: Dawoud Issam , Kibria B. M. Golam
Published: November 2020

In a multiple linear regression model, the ordinary least squares estimator is inefficient when the multicollinearity problem exists. Many authors have proposed different estimators to overcome the multicollinearity problem for linear regression models. This paper introduces a new regression estimator, called the Dawoud–Kibria estimator, as an alternative to the ordinary least squares estimator. Theory and simulation results show that this estimator performs better than other regression estimators under some conditions, according to the mean squares error criterion. The real-life datasets are used to illustrate the findings of the paper.
Ecotoxicity of Plastics from Informal Waste Electric and Electronic Treatment and Recycling
Authors: Butturi Maria Angela , Marinelli Simona , Gamberini Rita , Rimini Bianca
Published: November 2020

Plastic materials account for about 20% of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The recycling of this plastic fraction is a complex issue, heavily conditioned by the content of harmful additives, such as brominated flame retardants. Thus, the management and reprocessing of WEEE plastics pose environmental and human health concerns, mainly in developing countries, where informal recycling and disposal are practiced. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, it aimed to investigate some of the available options described in the literature for the re-use of WEEE plastic scraps in construction materials, a promising recycling route in the developing countries. Moreover, it presents an evaluation of the impact of these available end-of-life scenarios on the environment by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. In order to consider worker health and human and ecological risks, the LCA analysis focuses on ecotoxicity more than on climate change. The LCA evaluation confirmed that the plastic re-use in the construction sector has a lower toxicity impact on the environment and human health than common landfilling and incineration practices. It also shows that the unregulated handling and dismantling activities, as well as the re-use practices, contribute significantly to the impact of WEEE plastic treatments.
Plant and Fungal Hepatotoxicities of Cattle in Australia, with a Focus on Minimally Understood Toxins
Authors: Manthorpe Eve M. , Jerrett Ian V. , Rawlin Grant T. , Woolford Lucy
Published: November 2020

Plant- and fungus-derived hepatotoxins are a major cause of disease and production losses in ruminants in Australia and around the world. Many are well studied and described in the literature; however, this is not the case for a number of hepatotoxicities with economic and animal welfare impacts, such as acute bovine liver disease (ABLD), brassica-associated liver disease (BALD) and Trema tomentosa, Argentipallium blandowskianum and Lythrum hyssopifolia toxicity. Additionally, significant overlap in the clinical presentation and pathology of these conditions can present a diagnostic challenge for veterinarians. This review summarizes the current and most recently published knowledge of common plant- and fungus-associated hepatotoxins affecting cattle in Australia, with a focus on the mechanisms of toxicity and distinguishing diagnostic features. Consolidation of the current understanding of hepatotoxic mechanisms in cattle provides insight into the potential mechanisms of lesser-known toxins, including cellular and subcellular targets and potential metabolic pathways. In the absence of specific etiological investigations, the study of epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of hepatotoxicity provides valuable insights into potential toxic mechanisms and is integral for the successful diagnosis and management of these conditions.
Effectiveness of Different Prandial Regulators in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Morbid Obesity
Authors:   Sklifosovsky Institute of Clinical Medicine of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Fadeev V.V. , Gurova O.Yu. , Glinkina I.V. , Amosov M.V. , Maloletkina E.S. ,   University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
Published: November 2020

The choice of hypoglycemic therapy in patients with morbid obesity remains the urgent problem. At the same time, studies evaluating the features of treatment of diabetes in such patients have not yet been conducted. In this regard, an open prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of various drugs, mainly with prandial hypoglycemic effect in combination with basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity was initiated. The study involved 141 patients. The first group received glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist in combination with Metformin and basal insulin. In the second group, in addition to basal insulin and Metformin, the sulfonylurea drug was added. The third group used traditional basal-bolus therapy with Metformin. Initially and after 24 weeks of the study, all participants underwent the hospital examination, which included the determination of anthropometric indicators (height, body weight, waist circumference) and indicators of carbohydrate metabolism (fasting glucose, postprandial glycaemia, glycated hemoglobin). In addition, the frequency of hypoglycemia was assessed. It was found that in patients with type 2 diabetes and morbid obesity, the drug of choice as prandial component of treatment is the agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, possibly due to pleiotropic effects. In general, taking into account the presence of the complex of comorbid conditions in such patients, the ongoing hypoglycemic therapy should be personalized
Clinical Pharmacology of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors: Comparative Review
Authors:   Yaroslavl State Medical University, Sidorov A.V. Sidorov
Published: November 2020

The review discusses the class properties of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, including pleiotropic effects, as well as clinically meaningful pharmacological peculiarities of eight drugs approved to date in the Russian Federation: alogliptin, vildagliptin, hemigliptin, gozogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, evogliptin. Based on randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, the glycemic effect of DPP-4 inhibitors in monotherapy and combination therapy is analyzed. The article deals with the use of the drugs in special populations, including elderly and patients with renal function impairment. Potential drug interactions and topical safety aspects are considered utilizing the data obtained from long-term studies and recent meta-analyses.
Ecoturismo no Pós-COVID-19 no Parque Nacional da Tijuca e Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca
Authors: Vilani Rodrigo Machado , Pena Roberta Campelo , Simões Bruno Francisco Teixeira
Published: November 2020

A pandemia da COVID-19 exige uma revisão de parâmetros e hábitos individuais, coletivos e institucionais. O turismo é um dos setores econômicos mais afetados pelas medidas adotadas em todo planeta diante da pandemia. O presente artigo tem por objetivo discutir a retomada das atividades de ecoturismo em duas unidades de conservação no Rio de Janeiro (Parque Nacional da Tijuca e Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de revisão bibliográfica e análise de documentos oficiais. Os resultados obtidos revelam a importância do ecoturismo como alternativa econômica para iniciativas comunitárias e a falta de recursos humanos e financeiros como obstáculos à segurança sanitária em unidades de conservação. As diretrizes básicas para o fortalecimento do ecoturismo pós-pandemia são: a) garantir segurança sanitária em unidades de conservação e seu entorno; b) produzir e disseminar evidências científicas sobre iniciativas locais de ecoturismo, uso público e saneamento em unidades de conservação; c)  contribuir para a elaboração de políticas públicas (ambientais, sociais e de saneamento); d) desenvolver o ecoturismo em parques urbanos; e) reduzir as desigualdades sociais por meio do ecoturismo; f)  estimular uma reflexão crítica acerca do potencial do ecoturismo como alternativa econômica para comunidades em situação de vulnerabilidade social e ambiental.
Triboelectric Nanogenerator Enabled Smart Shoes for Wearable Electricity Generation
Authors: Zou Yongjiu , Libanori Alberto , Xu Jing , Nashalian Ardo , Chen Jun
Published: November 2020

The parallel evolution of wearable electronics, artificial intelligence, and fifth-generation wireless technology has created a technological paradigm with the potential to change our lives profoundly. Despite this, addressing limitations linked to continuous, sustainable, and pervasive powering of wearable electronics remains a bottleneck to overcome in order to maximize the exponential benefit that these technologies can bring once synergized. A recent groundbreaking discovery has demonstrated that by using the coupling effect of contact electrification and electrostatic induction, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can efficiently convert irregular and low-frequency passive biomechanical energy from body movements into electrical energy, providing an infinite and sustainable power source for wearable electronics. A number of human motions have been exploited to properly and efficiently harness this energy potential, including human ambulation. Shoes are an indispensable component of daily wearing and can be leveraged as an excellent platform to exploit such kinetic energy. In this article, the latest representative achievements of TENG-based smart electricity-generating shoes are comprehensively reviewed. We summarize ways in which not only can biomechanical energy be scavenged via ambulatory motion, but also biomonitoring of health parameters via tracking of rhythm and strength of pace can be implemented to aid in theranostic fields. This work provides a systematical review of the rational structural design, practical applications, scenario analysis, and performance evaluation of TENG-based smart shoes for wearable electricity generation. In addition, the perspective for future development of smart electricity-generation shoes as a sustainable and pervasive energy solution towards the upcoming era of the Internet of Things is discussed.
Two New Species of Begonia sect. Erminea (Begoniaceae) from the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar
Authors: Scherberich David
Published: November 2020

Begonia duruisseaui Scherber. and B. rahajasoae Scherber., both endemic to the Masoala Peninsula in northeast Madagascar, are described and illustrated. They both belong to Begonia L. sect. Erminea A. DC. The former is related to B. tsimihety Humbert from which it differs by its fewer, larger leaves, with finely denticulate margins and a villous inflorescence. The latter is morphologically related to B. bogneri Ziesenh. and the recently described B. ambodiforahensis Scherber. & Duruiss., although it differs from both by the combination of very narrow leaves with clearly demarcated petioles and blades, which are villous and pilose, respectively.
Examination Of Factors Affecting The Utilization Of Information Technology
Authors: Hiro Akira , Kei Kenzo
Published: November 2020

Data innovation incorporates PC innovation and correspondence innovation used to measure and disperse data, both money related and non-monetary. Interests in data innovation require huge assets and will increment from year to year. The measure of assets gave expects associations to utilize data innovation. The powerful utilization of data innovation should be possible if every person in the association can utilize this innovation. This article gives a clarification of the components that impact the utilization of data innovation by directing a hypothetical report. 

In view of hypothetical investigations and an audit of the aftereffects of past examination identified with the utilization of data innovation, there are six factors that impact the utilization of data innovation, in particular: social variables, influence factors, multifaceted nature factors, task appropriateness, long haul result factors and encouraging conditions.
KEBIJAKAN PEMERINTAH DALAM RANGKA MEWUJUDKAN NEGARA KESEJAHTERAAN
Authors: Darmini Darmini
Published: November 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apa sebenarnya peran pemerintah yang diamanatkan negara untuk rakyatnya. Kebijakan Pemerintah sebagai suatu kebijakan publik merupakan kebijakan yang menjadi wewenang pemerintah dan diberikan Negara sesuai dengan amanat Konstitusi. Untuk melaksanakan kebijakan dimaksud, pemerintah telah diberikan alat kelengkapan untuk mengeksekusi kebijakan, baik dalam bentuk dukungan anggaran, perangkat pemaksa, sumber daya manusia, instrumen hukum, pengelolaan sumber daya alam, yang dilaksanakan sesuai dengan peraturan per-undang-undangan. Untuk melaksanakan kebijakan pemerintah, telah disusun sistem perencanaan yang komprehensif dengan memperhatikan kemampuan ekonomi makro, dan kemampuan fiskal Negara. Telah disusun Rencana Pembangunan Menengah Nasional siklus 5 tahunan dan Rencana Kerja Pemerintah dan Rencana Strategis Kementerian / Lembaga untuk melaksanakan Konstitusi yaitu terwujudnya Negara Kesejateraan. Berbagai indikator Kesejahteraan telah dirumuskan oleh Badan Pusat Statistik sebagai lembaga pemerintah yang kredibel, dan terlihat progress yang telah dicapai untuk mewujudkan Negara Kesejahteraan. Hasilnya menunjukkan ada peningkatan, namun lambat dan kurang signikan jika dibandingkan dengan dukungan anggaran belanja yang disediakan pemerintah. Masih tingginya angka kemiskinan 11,22% dengan Gino rasio 0,41 merupakan indikasi bahwa tingginya angka kemiskian tersebut ( sekitar 28 juta jiwa), dikuti kesenjangan pendapatan yang semakin lebar, untuk terjadinya (pemicu) masalah sosial, konflik sosial dan kerawanan-kerawanan yang akan melebar ke wilayah politik, dan integritas NKRI.
Dağın Öteki Yüzü: Sûfî Tefsirde Dağ Metaforu
Authors: GÜL Ahmet
Published: November 2020

Kur’an-ı Kerim’de yerkürenin çalkalanmadan yerinde durabilmesi için yeryüzüne çakılan kazıklar olarak nitelenen dağların birer denge unsuru olarak yaratıldıkları bildirilmektedir. Birer denge unsuru olmakla birlikte dağlar, doğal su depoları işlevini görmeleri, içlerinde birçok doğal zenginlik barındırmaları nedeniyle insan yaşamına maddi anlamda da değer katmış, önemli bir role sahip olmuşlardır. Taşıdıkları manevi değerle de dağlar dinler tarihinde de önemli bir fonksiyona sahiptir. Birçok dini gelenekte kutsalın merkezi kabul edilen dağlar, vahyin indiği mistik mekânlardır. Ayrıca tanrının tecelli ettiği ilahi güçle donatılmış yerler olarak görülmektedirler. Gücün ve ihtişamın sembolü olan dağlar, yükseklik ve yücelikleriyle Allah’ın azametini vurgulayan güç olarak tezahür etmekte; insanın kibrini kırma noktasında örnek olarak gösterilmektedir. Bunun dışında Kur’ân’da başka özellikleriyle anılan dağlara emanet arz edilmiş, fakat onlar bunu reddetmişlerdir. Kur’an’ın indirilmesinden de haşyet ve korku duymuşlardır. Hz. Musa dağda vahye mazhar olmuş, Allah’la sözleşme yeri olarak kendisine dağ mekân seçilmiştir. Kezâ Hz. Peygambere dağ ilk vahyin ev sahipliğini yapmıştır. Allah’ın azametinin sembolü olan dağlar Kur’ân’da farklı bağlamlarda çeşitli kelimelerle nüans oluşturacak şekilde kullanılmıştır. Dağların mezkûr bu özellikleri onlarla ilgili ayetlerin anlaşılmasında metaforik yorumların oluşmasını beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu makalede Kur’ân’da dağın kavramsal alanı ve sûfî tefsîrde kendini tebarüz ettiren metaforik yorumlara yer verilecektir.
About Our Theme - Design and Resilience
Authors:   Carnegie Mellon University, Folan John , Ju-Youn Kim Julie ,   Georgia Institute of Technology
Published: November 2020

The working definition referenced above is the thread that we used to tie together the content of four sessions and frame discourse at the 2018 AIA Intersections Symposium on Design and Resilience. Three separate, but related, contextual frameworks- Technological, Ecological, and Sociological - provided a platform for a fourth discussion that addressed synthesis and action. Offered as part of the 2018 AIA Conference on Architecture and curated in collaboration with a cohort of moderators, this format represents a radical departure from previous Intersections Symposia. With an articulated mission of bridging the gaps that exists in education, research and practice, the Intersections Symposium is a joint venture between the AIA and ACSA. The move to construct the 2018 symposium as a constellation of sessions delivered throughout the programming of the AIA Conference promised to broaden discourse and make a forum more accessible to the voices who will reinforce the connections between practice and the academy.
When Performance Informs Design
Authors:   California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo), Stannard Sandy
Published: November 2020

It is clear that building energy performance plays an essential role in architecture and in architectural practice, not only for reasons of occupant comfort and energy efficiency but also for minimal code compliance. While achieving energy compliance is essential and even laudable, our current definition of “building performance” is somewhat limited. Energy performance analyses are often performed solely for code compliance with a minimal feedback loop during the design process. In the instances when analyses are completed as part of design, a growing array of simulation tools allow designers to make more informed decisions during the design process. There is tremendous potential in this trajectory.
Estrategias de adaptación de Veteranos de Guerra de Malvinas residentes en Río Negro y Neuquén
Authors:   , Ticac Helga Alejandra del Carmen
Published: November 2020

La obra surge del interés por un grupo de excombatientes de la Guerra de Malvinas (que tuvo lugar en el año 1982), que por sus características peculiares de adaptación se diferencian de las de otros grupos de excombatientes, en los cuales se han registrado un índice de suicidios superior a las bajas producidas durante el combate. El problema de investigación se centró en el esclarecimiento de las condiciones psicosociales de los excombatientes de Malvinas participantes de este estudio que intervinieron en su adaptación. El estudio se enfocó en conocer las estrategias de adaptación de los Veteranos de Guerra de Malvinas, a través de la identificación de aspectos sociodemográficos correspondientes a la historia vital y su participación en la contienda bélica; describir la situación de los exsoldados a su regreso al continente y el proceso de reinserción social; y precisar su autopercepción de la calidad de vida, la identificación de los eventos vitales estresantes por los que atravesaron y las estrategias de afrontamiento asumidas.
NIVEL DE INFORMACIÓN Y ADHERENCIA TERAPÉUTICA DE LOS PACIENTES ADULTOS CON ENFERMEDAD RENAL CRÓNICA HEMODIALIZADOS EN EL HOSPITAL FÉLIX TORREALVA GUTIÉRREZ – ESSALUD ICA 2011.
Authors: Loza Félix Viviana , Pecho Tataje Marianela Clarisa
Published: November 2020

Los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) que reciben tratamiento renal sustitutivo afrontan una serie de cambios personales y sociales que afectan de manera importante su ritmo y calidad de vida. La educación sanitaria es una parte integral del rol enfermero, de allí que los cuidados de Enfermería deben ser planificados individualmente, valorando previamente su estado físico y la información que posee respecto a su terapia. Objetivos: Establecer la relación entre el nivel de información y adherencia terapéutica de los pacientes adultos con Enfermedad renal crónica hemodializados en el Hospital Félix Torrealva Gutiérrez – EsSALUD Ica. Material y métodos: Es un estudio descriptivo correlacional de corte transversal de enfoque cuantitativo, cuya muestra tomada en cuenta estuvo constituida por 75 pacientes que reciben hemodiálisis. La técnica de recolección de datos fue una encuesta teniendo como instrumento un cuestionario previamente validado. La relación de las variables fue demostrada a través del estadístico Chi cuadrado (X2). Resultado s: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 60,5 años, existiendo mayor número de mujeres 53%( 40 pacientes), el estado civil casado 45%(34 pacientes); siempre cuentan con apoyo familiar 61%(46) teniendo como grado de instrucción secundaria 69%(52). El nivel de información sobre su terapia fue media alcanzando 53%(40) y la adherencia terapéutica es mala 56%(42), destacándose en el tratamiento hemodialítico, alimentación y controles médicos. Conclusiones: Existe relación entre las variables demostrado a través del chi cuadrado (p<0,05=5,99) donde X2=9,9 9.
Curve Estimation Modeling for Predictions of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Epidemic in Nigeria
Authors: Enyoh Christian Ebere , Verla Andrew Wirnkor , Duru Chidi Edbert , Enyoh Emmanuel Chinedu , Setiawan Budi
Published: November 2020

Based on the official Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) data, the current research paper modeled the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria. Ten different curve regression models including linear, logarithmic, inverse, quadratic, cubic, compound, power, S-curve, growth, and exponential were used to fit the obtained official data. The cubic (R2 = 0.999) model gave the best fit for the entire country. However, the growth and exponential had the lowest standard error of estimate (0.958) and thus may best be used. The equations for these models were e0.78897+0.0944x and 2.2011e0.0944x respectively. In terms of confirmed cases in individual State, quadratic, cubic, compound, growth, power and exponential models generally best describe the official data for many states except for the state of Kogi which is best fitted with S-curve and inverse models.  The error between the model and the official data curve is quite small especially for compound, power, growth and exponential models. The computed models will help to realized forward prediction and backward inference of the epidemic situation in Nigeria, and the relevant analysis help Federal and State governments to make vital decisions on how to manage the lockdown in the country.