bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Η τουριστική εποχικότητα και οι οικονομικές της διαστάσεις
Authors: Κραμποκούκης Θωμάς
Published: September 2022

Η Διδακτορική Διατριβή εξετάζει το θεωρητικό και εμπειρικό πλαίσιο της ανάλυσης της τουριστικής εποχικότητας και προχωρά στη διαμόρφωση ενός πλαισίου για την εκτίμηση της χωροχρονικής κατανομής της τουριστικής ζήτησης. Η δομή της διατριβής διαρθρώνεται σε τρία μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος παρουσιάζεται το θεωρητικό υπόβαθρο στο οποίο δομείται η ανάλυση του φαινομένου της τουριστικής εποχικότητας. Ειδικότερα περιγράφεται το φαινόμενο της τουριστικής εποχικότητας, αναλύονται οι ποσοτικές προσεγγίσεις που έχουν αναπτυχθεί για τη μελέτη του και γίνεται η συσχέτισή του με τις έννοιες της τουριστικής φέρουσας ικανότητας, της τουριστικής ανταγωνιστικότητας και της τουριστικής βιωσιμότητας, προκειμένου να διαμορφωθεί ο πολυδιάστατος χαρακτήρας του. Στο δεύτερο μέρος παρουσιάζεται το προτεινόμενο μεθοδολογικό πλαίσιο για την ανάλυση της τουριστικής εποχικότητας. Η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία αποσκοπεί στην ταυτόχρονη εξέταση των τριών διαστάσεων του φαινομένου (χρονική, χωρική, τουριστική ζήτηση) εντός ενός πλαισίου βιωσιμότητας, συνιστώντας ένα ολοκληρωμένο πλαίσιο ποσοτικής ανάλυσης. Επιπλέον, προτείνεται το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο για την ανάπτυξη ενός δείκτη τουριστικής ανταγωνιστικότητας των νομών της Ελλάδας και η αντίστοιχη ποσοτική εκτίμησή του. Τέλος, στο τρίτο μέρος της διατριβής γίνεται η εφαρμογή της προτεινόμενης μεθοδολογίας για τους νομούς της χώρας. Η τουριστική ζήτηση κατανέμεται με κάποια κριτήρια βιωσιμότητας στους νομούς και στους μήνες τους έτους, υπό συγκεκριμένους στόχους και περιορισμούς. Στη συνέχεια αναλύονται οι οικονομικοί δείκτες για τον κάθε προορισμό και προσδιορίζονται τα ανεκμετάλλευτα επενδυμένα κεφάλαια. Στο τέλος του τρίτου μέρους γίνεται μια σύνοψη των συμπερασμάτων της Διδακτορικής Διατριβής και η γενική αποτίμησή της.
MODIFIED METHOD AND DESIGN OF A POWER BRAKE STAND FOR VEHICLE TESTING
Authors: Blyankinstein Igor M. , Tarasov Pavel M.
Published: September 2022

The principles of functioning of stands for testing the braking qualities of wheeled vehicles are considered. Their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. There is a general disadvantage of the most common power brake roller stands in practice – the difference in the shape of the contact spot and the acting forces and reactions of the wheel on the support rollers and in road conditions. As a result of the system analysis of structures, a modified method and design of a power roller stand with an original support device in the form of a horizontally rotating disk are proposed. The description of the principle of implementation of tests on braking qualities and suspension of vehicles is given.

A preliminary analysis of the proposed stand design shows that in a static state, the wheel contact spot on such a disk is completely identical to the wheel spot on a horizontal road surface. When the disc rotates and the brake system is tested, the shape of the wheel contact spot on the support disc will change, but, according to the authors, slightly – similar to how the contact spot changes during the curvilinear movement of the car, characteristic of real operating conditions, but how much this will happen is the subject of further research.

Purpose – development of a method and design of a stand that provides an increase in the reliability of testing the braking qualities of cars under operating conditions.

Methodology system analysis of methods and designs of stands for testing braking qualities and suspension of vehicles, elements of block-modular design.

Results: a patentable design of a power stand is proposed, free from the disadvantages of power roller brake stands.

Practical implications the obtained results should be used in the creation and production of brake stands for monitoring the technical condition, when diagnosing and conducting technical inspections of vehicles under operating conditions.
DEVELOPMENT OF A MECHANISM FOR DETERMINING THE DOWNTIME AT REFUELING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS OF LPG CARS
Authors: Banket Mikhail V. , Eychler Ivan A. , Zyryanova Svetlana A.
Published: September 2022

One of the problems that arise during the operation of gas-balloon vehicles running on compressed natural gas is downtime associated with refueling with motor fuel. Accounting for downtime data is a necessary task when solving the issue of vehicle routing in the transportation of goods and passengers. At motor transport enterprises, this factor is often not taken into account or is determined subjectively based on experience and intuition. This fact leads to an increase in unaccounted for costs and a decrease in the profits of enterprises from transportation activities.

To solve this problem, the authors of these studies proposed a method for determining the time for filling an automobile gas cylinder with compressed natural gas (CNG), taking into account factors such as pressure in the gas cylinder before filling, ambient temperature and gas column performance. To implement the proposed methodology in the work of motor transport enterprises, an algorithm was developed for determining the downtime of a gas-balloon vehicle when refueling CNG.

The methodology and algorithm presented in the article formed the basis of the software product developed by the authors for determining the time to fill an automobile gas cylinder with compressed natural gas, which allows automatic calculation in the conditions of a motor transport enterprise. The use of the proposed software product will increase the productivity of operators involved in the accounting of the operating time of vehicles.

Purpose development of a mechanism for recording the downtime of vehicles during the transportation of an automobile gas cylinder with compressed natural gas.

Methodology of the article: mathematical methods, as well as statistical methods of analysis.

Results: A method for determining the time for filling an automobile gas cylinder with compressed natural gas has been developed, an algorithm for determining the downtime of a gas cylinder vehicle when refueling CNG has been developed, a software product has been developed for determining the time for filling an automobile gas cylinder with compressed natural gas

Practical implications: it is advisable to apply the results obtained in the operational planning of the operation of vehicles at enterprises operating rolling stock using CNG as a motor fuel.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHEME FOR A CHAIN OF DEVISES FOR GAS EMISSIONS CLEANING FROM METALLURGICAL PLANTS USING AN APPARATUS WITH A VIBROBOILING BED OF FERROMANGANESE NODULES
Authors: Sverdlik Grigoriy I. , Viskrebenets Alexander S. , Revo Alexey A.
Published: September 2022

In the analysis of the components of gas emissions from metallurgical industries, it is generally accepted that sulphur dioxide is the most harmful to the surrounding ecosystem, and its capture is a pressing problem. The aim of the development is to design a circuit diagram of devices chain for reducing the emissions of toxic gases from metallurgical plants using new technological solutions on the example of purification of roasting gases from sulphur dioxide in the production of molybdenum. The scheme includes an adsorber developed with a vibrating adsorbent layer, which is recommended for ferromanganese nodules (FMN), which have advantages over other adsorbents, including activated carbon. In the case of a spent adsorbent treatment system, elemental sulfur can be produced in the circuit, and FMN should then be considered as manganese concentrates and feedstock for the complex recovery of the associated elements: copper, nickel, cobalt. The line can be used in smelters firing sulphide ores, as in other industries emitting gases with sulphur dioxide as well.
AUTOMATION OF THE EQUIPMENT ACCOUNTING PROCESS AT THE ENTERPRISE
Authors: Richter Tatiana V. , Belous Anastasia V.
Published: September 2022

Currently, the digitalization of the Russian economy involves the automation of the main production processes, including the accounting of equipment at the enterprise, since the use of modern information systems helps to optimize and improve the efficiency of any organization. Digital technologies in the institutional environment of the functioning of enterprises have a radical impact on the level of its sustainable development and competitiveness. One of the effective means aimed at solving these tasks is the C# programming language, as the main application development language for the Microsoft .NET platform.

Purpose. Identification of the capabilities of the object-oriented C# programming language for automating the process of equipment accounting at the enterprise.

Methodology in article used methods of theoretical analysis and generalization of research papers, the importance of which is recognized by the scientific community in the field of automation of the process of equipment accounting at the enterprise.

Results: the possibilities of the object-oriented C# programming language for automating the process of equipment accounting at the enterprise are revealed: user authorization, reporting, viewing databases (directories), using parameterized queries.

Practical implications it is advisable to apply the results obtained by enterprises engaged in production activities for equipment accounting.
The advanced methods of hyperhidrosis treatment using Botulinum toxin
Authors: Blicharz Agnieszka , Marzęda Magdalena , Swatko Tomasz , Stachura Tomasz , Rybak Natalia
Published: September 2022

Introduction and purpose: Sweating plays an important role in the mechanism of human thermoregulation. A state in which the amount of sweat produced exceeds the physiological demand is called hyperhidrosis. About 4.8% of the population complains of this condition. The inconvenience of excessive sweat production significantly decrease the standard of living of patients suffering from this disorder. Nowadays, botulinum toxin injections are increasingly being used as a therapy for excessive sweating.
Brief description of the state of knowledge: Botulinum toxin is an exotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum . It is now considered one of the most potent poisons found in nature. Thanks to research conducted since the 1970s, the positive effects of using TB to treat strabismus, eyelid spasm, torticollis and other conditions associated with excessive muscle spasticity have been noted. This discovery coused a flood of subsequent research on the use of botulinum toxin in medicine and cosmetology. It derives its features from inhibiting the release of Acetylcholine in nerve endings, which prevents muscle contraction. Acetylcholine is the main transmitter of the sympathetic nervous system, which innervates the sweat glands. Thanks to these features, botulinum toxin has begun to be widely used to treat excessive sweating.
Summary: Excessive sweating is very often resistant to treatment attempts with iontophoresis or external substances. Botulinum toxin injections into the areas most affected by the condition, which are most often the hands, feet, armpits, bring significant improvement in patients. Currently, research is being conducted about the use of botulinum toxin in other areas of the body.
ADAPTIVE EXPERIMENTAL OPTIMISATION FOR SAMPLE-EFFICIENT ARMOUR DESIGN
Authors: RYAN SHANNON , BERK JULIAN , WEISS ALON , YATOM NATAV , VARDY MICHA , RANA SANTU , GREENHILL STEWART , VENKATESH SVETHA
Published: September 2022

We present a Bayesian optimisation methodology intended to support a human expert in the design of armour systems for which limited prior knowledge/data exists and within a limiting, pre-defined experimental budget. We apply the methodology to design an armour configuration consisting of multiple plates, with multiple materials, at varying orientations and spacing, for protection against 12.7 mm APM2 and 20 mm FSP threats. The full-factorial design matrix for the defined solution space exceeds 17,500 possible solutions. With an objective to minimise system weight, we identify a solution within 102 ballistic tests (44 design iterations) that provides a weight reduction of 11.4% over expert-designed reference configurations and a mass efficiency of 1.5 relative to a monolithic RHA Class 1. The value of the demonstrated methodology is expected to increase with increasing armour (or threat) complexity.
Melon Selection for Breeding Based on Traits and Diversity
Authors: Naroui Rad Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2022

Genetic improvement of vegetables like melons needs information on its phenotypic diversity and so on. To choose the appropriate breeding strategies to fulfill the goal of breeding, information on genetics and genetic resources is essential. Information on genetic diversity, genetic resource and types of breeding of vegetable crops is helpful for breeders. Based on the targets of breeding, improving of melon by scientific methods will result in useful varieties or hybrids. Increasing genetic diversity is vital for the production of hybrid seeds. Hence, determining the distribution of genetic relationships between popular and commercial melon accessions and foreign accessions could improve the proficiency of melon genetics. The recent breeding effort has developed several hybrids aiming to enhance storage and shelf life, disease resistance and resistance to abiotic stresses in the world. Generally, cultivars with a longer shelf life are thought of by customers as having low fruit quality and therefore, present minimal acceptability. Africa and Asia have been proposed as possible regions of origin. Besides the domestication of melon might have occurred independently or in parallel in Asia and Africa.
Semi-analytic simulation of optical wave propagation through turbulence
Authors: Schmidt Jason D. , Tellez Jason A. , Gbur Gregory J.
Published: September 2022

Split-step wave-optical simulations are useful for studying optical
propagation through random media like atmospheric turbulence. The
standard method involves alternating steps of paraxial vacuum
propagation and turbulent phase accumulation. We present a
semi-analytic approach to evaluating the Fresnel diffraction integral
with one phase screen between the source and observation planes
and another screen in the observation plane. Specifically, we express
the first phase screen’s transmittance as a Fourier series,
which allows us to bring phase screen effects outside of the Fresnel
diffraction integral, thereby reducing the numerical computations.
This particular setup is useful for simulating astronomical imaging
geometries and two-screen laboratory experiments that emulate real
turbulence with phase wheels, spatial light modulators, etc. Further,
this is a key building block in more general semi-analytic split-step
simulations that have an arbitrary number of screens. Compared with
the standard angular-spectrum approach using the fast Fourier
transform, the semi-analytic method provides relaxed sampling
constraints and an arbitrary computational grid. Also, when a limited
number of observation-plane points is evaluated or when many time
steps or random draws are used, the semi-analytic method can compute
faster than the angular-spectrum method.
Influence of surface roughness on nanosecond laser-induced shock wave enhancement effects
Authors: Chen Lei , Guo Chuan , Liu Zelin , Liu Hao , Chen Minsun , Xu Zhongjie , Zhao Guomin , Han Kai
Published: September 2022

In this paper, an effective method is proposed for improving the energy of the shock waves that are generated by plasma expanding outward and colliding with another gas. Silicon targets are used as the response medium with roughness of 2.3 nm, 457.8 nm, 1.1 µm, and 37.1 µm, respectively. A 532-nm-laser with a pulse duration of 8 ns and a repetition rate of 10 Hz is used as the irradiation source. An intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) is used to photograph the morphology of the shock waves. The time-resolved emission images of silicon plasma plumes are observed between 20–200 ns. As the surface roughness of the target increases, the intensity of the shock wave gradually increases, and the energy of the shock wave reaches up to 39.45 mJ at a roughness of 37.1 µm.
Hybrid-driven structural modal shape visualization using subtle variations in high-speed video
Authors: Zhang Dashan , Zhu Andong , Wang Yuwei , Guo Jie
Published: September 2022

The phase-based motion magnification technique can exaggerate specific structural vibrations and obtain potential applications in visualizing and understanding modal shapes. However, the quality of motion magnification is affected by noise and clipping artifacts, especially in large amplifications. We propose a hybrid-driven motion magnification framework that combines Eulerian and Lagrangian motion processing. Since the structural global spatial vibration corresponding to different modal shapes usually accumulates energy differences in the timeline, from a Eulerian perspective, temporal intensity variations are denoised and separated according to the energy distribution to control spatial motions. Meanwhile, from a Lagrangian perspective, the motion magnification is realized by compensating spatial motion according to the magnified inter-frame motion vector field. By utilizing both Eulerian and Lagrangian motion processing, the proposed framework supports a larger amplification factor and achieves better performance in perceiving subtle vibrations in controlled modal tests.
Learning local depth regression from defocus blur by soft-assignment encoding
Authors: Leroy Rémy , Trouvé-Peloux Pauline , Le Saux Bertrand , Buat Benjamin , Champagnat Frédéric
Published: September 2022

We present a novel, to the best of our knowledge, patch-based approach for depth regression from defocus blur. Most state-of-the-art methods for depth from defocus (DFD) use a patch classification approach among a set of potential defocus blurs related to a depth, which induces errors due to the continuous variation of the depth. Here, we propose to adapt a simple classification model using a soft-assignment encoding of the true depth into a membership probability vector during training and a regression scale to predict intermediate depth values. Our method uses no blur model or scene model; it only requires a training dataset of image patches (either raw, gray scale, or RGB) and their corresponding depth label. We show that our method outperforms both classification and direct regression on simulated images from structured or natural texture datasets, and on raw real data having optical aberrations from an active DFD experiment.
Deep learning enabled inverse design of nanocrystal-based optical diffusers for efficient white LED lighting
Authors: Li Gangyi , Liu Yuan , Xu Qiwei , Liang Hao , Wang Xihua
Published: September 2022

Angular color uniformity and luminous flux are the most important figures of merit for a white-light-emitting diode (WLED), and simultaneous improvement of both figures of merit is desired. The cellulose-nanocrystal (CNC)-based optical diffuser has been applied on the WLED module to enhance angular color uniformity, but it inevitably causes the reduction of luminous flux. Here we demonstrate a deep-learning-based inverse design approach to design CNC-coated WLED modules. The developed forward neural network successfully predicts two figures of merit with high accuracy, and the inverse predicting model can rapidly design the structural parameters of CNC film. Further explorations taking advantage of both forward and inverse neutral networks can effectively construct the coating layer for WLED modules to reach the best performance.
Optical design of a solar simulator for meteorological fields to
improve irradiance uniformity and expand the range of irradiation
regulation
Authors: Liu Shi , Zhang Jierui , Chen Siwen , Zhang Yu , Zou Guoxing , Zhang Guoyu , Yang Songzhou
Published: September 2022

Aiming at the problems of low irradiation
uniformity and a narrow irradiance regulation range in the existing
solar simulators, an optical design method for meteorological solar
simulators with high irradiation uniformity and wide-range irradiance
is proposed. Using a xenon lamp and a variable coefficient non-coaxial
ellipsoid reflector as the concentrator system, we analyze the causes
of stray light in the optical integrator. The optimal design method of
the integrator based on the anti-crosstalk diaphragm and the light
propagation matrix model, which effectively suppress the stray light,
is proposed. The irradiance regulation system is designed to
continuously regulate the irradiance in a wide range. The optimal
design method of the collimated system is given. The rationality of
the system design is verified by the simulation of LightTools
software. The results show that within the effective irradiation
surface of

100

m
m

×

100

m
m

, the irradiance is continuously
adjustable in the range of

100

−

1400

W

/

m

2

, and the irradiation uniformity is
better than 99.10% under different irradiances. This research breaks
through the limitations of low irradiation uniformity and a narrow
irradiance adjustment range of traditional meteorological solar
simulators and can provide accurate and reliable solar irradiance for
the verification and calibration of pyranometers.
Simulation analysis of the near and far fields of an ARROW laser array with narrow slots
Authors: Tian Kun , Zou Yonggang , Tang Hui , Ma Xiaohui
Published: September 2022

We studied a periodic slot-based three-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide laser array structure. Periodic narrow slots are used to define functional areas in the array, which directly avoids the epitaxial regrowth in the fabrication of traditional antiguide arrays. A comparative study confirmed the feasibility of the scheme. Moreover, the calculation results show that, with the increase of the width of the antiguide core, the power ratio of the main lobe in the far field increases, and the divergence angle of the main lobe and the angle between the secondary lobe and the main lobe decrease. This law provides ideas for the optimization of the array structure.
On the measurement of remote sensing reflectance by a traditional above-water approach in small water bodies
Authors: Chen Liangfeng , Lee Zhongping , Lin Gong , Wang Yongchao , Wang Junwei , Lai Wendian
Published: September 2022

Small water bodies are an important part of the Earth’s freshwater system, protecting biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. Because of various surrounding features, it is unknown to what extent we can obtain accurate remote-sensing reflectance (

R

rs

) of such an environment by the conventional above-water approach (AWA). In this study, we used both AWA and the skylight-blocked approach (SBA) side-by-side to measure

R

rs

in a typical small water body. It was found that the variation of

R

rs

in the UV-blue domain from AWA is around 50% and is inconsistent with the variation of the total absorption coefficient (

a
t

) obtained from water samples; on the contrary, the variation of

R

rs

obtained from SBA is highly consistent, with a coefficient of variation under

∼

5

%

. These results highlight the large uncertainties in the measured

R

rs

from AWA due to the complexity of such an environment and further echo the robustness of SBA to measure

R

rs

in the field, even in such challenge environments.
Simons Observatory: broadband metamaterial antireflection cuttings for
large-aperture alumina optics
Authors: Golec Joseph E. , Sutariya Shreya , Jackson Rebecca , Zimmerman Jerry , Dicker Simon R. , Iuliano Jeffrey , McMahon Jeff , Puglisi Giuseppe , Tucker Carole , Wollack Edward J.
Published: September 2022

We present the design, fabrication, and
measured performance of
metamaterial antireflection cuttings (ARCs) for large-format alumina
filters operating over more than an octave of bandwidth to be deployed
at the Simons Observatory (SO). The ARC consists of subwavelength
features diced into the optic’s surface using a custom dicing saw with
near-micrometer accuracy. The designs achieve percent-level control
over reflections at angles of incidence up to

20
∘

. The ARCs were demonstrated on four
42 cm diameter filters covering the 75 to 170 GHz band and a 50 mm
diameter prototype covering the 200 to 300 GHz band. The reflection
and transmission of these samples were measured using a broadband
coherent source that covers frequencies from 20 GHz to 1.2 THz. These
measurements demonstrate percent-level control over reflectance across
the targeted pass-bands and a rapid reduction in transmission as the
wavelength approaches the length scale of the metamaterial structure
where scattering dominates the optical response. The latter behavior
enables use of the metamaterial ARC as a scattering filter in this
limit.
ERA-WGAT: Edge-enhanced residual autoencoder with a window-based graph attention convolutional network for low-dose CT denoising
Authors: Liu Han , Liao Peixi , Chen Hu , Zhang Yi
Published: September 2022

Computed tomography (CT) has become a powerful tool for medical diagnosis. However, minimizing X-ray radiation risk for the patient poses significant challenges to obtain suitable low dose CT images. Although various low-dose CT methods using deep learning techniques have produced impressive results, convolutional neural network based methods focus more on local information and hence are very limited for non-local information extraction. This paper proposes ERA-WGAT, a residual autoencoder incorporating an edge enhancement module that performs convolution with eight types of learnable operators providing rich edge information and a window-based graph attention convolutional network that combines static and dynamic attention modules to explore non-local self-similarity. We use the compound loss function that combines MSE loss and multi-scale perceptual loss to mitigate the over-smoothing problem. Compared with current low-dose CT denoising methods, ERA-WGAT confirmed superior noise suppression and perceived image quality.
Housing quality and its impact on Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) symptoms among children in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Aftab Ammar , Noor Amamah , Aslam Memuna
Published: September 2022

Exposure to poor housing quality and household air pollution (HAP) are significant factors for morbidity and mortality in Pakistan. Children under five are particularly at risk of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Globally, it has been estimated that 6.6 million children less than five years of age die every year from this disease. Little is known regarding the effect of HAP and poor housing quality on children’s respiratory symptoms in Pakistan. Statistics concerning Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, are also not promising. Hence, an association between housing quality and respiratory symptoms among children under the age of five in Punjab has been studied in this paper. Using data from MICS 2017–18, logistic regression models were applied to the sample of 35000 children under the age of five living in poor housing quality. We estimated that acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms are higher among children when the floor of a house is made of natural material. However, the lower ARI symptoms were found among children living in a house with a wall made of natural material. On the other hand, we found that children residing in the western region of Punjab are at a higher risk of ARI symptoms. The findings remain consistent with the previous researchers. In addition to promoting increased access to quality housing material during construction activities, we suggest that critical community-based interventions are required to combat local issues and problems at the micro-level.
Prevalence, patterns, and attitude regarding dietary supplement use in Saudi Arabia: Data from 2019
Authors: Alhashem Anwar M. , Alghamdi Rawan A. , Alamri Rawan S. , Alzhrani Wejdan S. , Alrakaf Maha S. , Alzaid Njoud A. , Alzaben Abeer S.
Published: September 2022

Dietary supplements are products containing dietary elements including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or botanicals. They can aid consumers with low dietary intake and quality, as well as those with high demands, by boosting nutritious value. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults living in Saudi Arabia aged between 18–60 years old using online self-administered questionnaire. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, use and type of dietary supplements, and attitude toward and patterns of dietary supplement use was collected. The chi-square test, Pearson correlations, and the independent t-test were used. In total, 531 participants (115 men and 416 women) were included. Approximately half of the participants (51.8%, n = 275) used dietary supplements. Participants who were using dietary supplements were significantly younger (29.16 ± 9.32 years), more highly educated (85.5%, n = 235), and worked in the health sector (63.7%, n = 100). Herbal supplement use was associated with older age and female sex. Single mineral supplements were used more frequently by married, female, pregnant, or breastfeeding participants and those not working in the health sector. Fatty supplements were used more frequently by participants with a higher level of education. Regarding the attitude toward dietary supplement use, women, single participants, and health care workers showed a significant positive attitude. In-depth investigation into the amount of and reasons for dietary supplement use in the health sector is required. Additionally, educating pregnant and breastfeeding women on the importance of dietary supplements is necessary.
Mediación de la satisfacción vital entre la inteligencia emocional y el optimismo en personas con discapacidad intelectual
Authors: Gavín Chocano Óscar , Molero David , Rodríguez Fernández Sonia
Published: September 2022

Durante mucho tiempo las personas con discapacidad intelectual, por su condición, han sido relegadas a un segundo plano en lo referente a su papel como interlocutores válidos en la gestión de sus propias vidas, siendo prácticamente inexistente su participación en las diferentes estructuras sociales. En este estudio, participaron 79 personas con discapacidad intelectual, con una edad media de 36,82 años (±13,50) y grado de discapacidad promedio del 61,70 %. Se utilizaron los instrumentos: Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R), Trait Meta Mood Scale 24 (TMMS 24) y Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi-C). El objetivo fue determinar la relación entre la inteligencia emocional y el optimismo vs pesimismo, actuando como variable mediadora la Satisfacción Vital a través de la estadística multivariante de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados evidenciaron la relación positiva entre varias de las dimensiones de los instrumentos utilizados (p < ,01). Por otra parte, el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales obtuvo buena validez estructural (?²/gl = 2,855; RMSEA = ,074; GFI = ,901; CFI = ,912; IFI = ,919). Las consecuencias prácticas permitirán entender el valor instrumental o mediador de la Satisfacción Vital en los procesos de desarrollo personal y social.
Perspectivas familiares sobre la vivencia paternofilial de la discapacidad intelectual: una mirada fenomenológica
Authors: Serrano Fernández Laura
Published: September 2022

Introducción: La revisión de la literatura científica ha puesto de manifiesto que tener un hijo con discapacidad supone un impacto heterogéneo a nivel familiar. Método: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar en profundidad la vivencia paternofilial de la discapacidad intelectual. Debido a la naturaleza cualitativa de la investigación, se optó por atenerse al método fenomenológico abordado desde la perspectiva hermenéutica interpretativa propuesta por Heidegger. Los datos se recogieron a través de entrevistas no estructuradas en profundidad, realizadas a 15 padres y madres de 9 niños con discapacidad intelectual. Resultados: Los resultados arrojan que la vivencia de la discapacidad intelectual en la familia no responde a un patrón común, a pesar de poder ser identificadas una serie de categorías nucleares que permiten la consideración de dichas vivencias: “la primera noticia y el impacto del diagnóstico”; “la vivencia de la discapacidad desde la heterogeneidad de las estructuras familiares”; “los procesos personales, familiares y sociales de aceptación”; “la experiencia educativa”, y “la incertidumbre ante el futuro”. Conclusiones: La investigación sobre el modo en el que padres y madres entienden la crianza de sus hijos con discapacidad resulta esencial y estratégica para el desarrollo de programas de intervención centrados en la familia.
Quality of Life in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients with Different Radiotherapy Techniques after Definitive Chemo Radiotherapy - A Real-World Data Study with Indian Patients
Authors: Akkineni Naga Prasanthi  , Ashwini Gopal  , Sukrutha Boggula  , Heena Kauser  , Vallurupalli Sudhakar Kumar  , Deleep Kumar Gudipudi  , Alluri Krishnam Raju
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

The standard of care in non-resectable locally advanced head and neck cancer with squamous cell histology is radical radiotherapy (RT) along with concurrent chemotherapy. Previously, these patients were treated with conventional radiotherapy techniques. Such conventional techniques can lead to morbidity with an impact on quality-of-life (QOL) in long-term survivors. Conformal radiotherapy experiences significant improvements in QOL domains versus conventional techniques. Radiotherapy planning and treatment with conformal techniques require advanced and relatively expensive equipment. Our study is aimed at evaluating the feasibility of conventional radiotherapy techniques in terms of quality of life in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients in comparison to the conformal technique in the Indian setting.

METHODS

Sixty patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who received chemo-radiation therapy and came for follow-up after a minimum of two years were scheduled to complete the QOL questionnaire (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 scores). These scores were compared between the patients who were treated with conventional and conformal techniques.

RESULTS

Results showed that when comparing EORTC QLQ–C30 scoring, patients who were treated with conventional RT had a significantly higher median score for emotional QOL and lower median scores for fatigue, pain, appetite loss, and financial difficulties as compared to the conformal RT group. But only the financial difficulties scale showed a significant p-value. When comparing EORTC QLQ–H&N35 scores, all QLQ-HN35 scores did not show any significant difference, except for speech problems. Patients treated with the conventional technique had a significantly lower median score for speech problems compared to the conformal RT group.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, it is concluded that conventional radiotherapy techniques can be advised to locally advanced head and neck cancer patients when conformal radiotherapy techniques are not available, especially in developing or underdeveloped countries.
Impacto en los quirópteros de dos parques eólicos en el Valle del Ebro (Zaragoza) y propuesta de mitigación
Authors: Camiña Álvaro , Pinzolas José Antonio , Ibañez María Inmaculada , Vicente Nana , García-Albi Hernando
Published: September 2022

Este trabajo analiza la siniestralidad de murciélagos (27,09 ae/año) y aves (10,09 ae/ año) en dos parques eólicos de cinco y seis aerogeneradores en Aragón a lo largo de un ciclo anual en el Valle del Ebro. Comparamos los resultados de este estudio con los del promotor, profundizando en los errores de detectabilidad y tasa de permanencia asociados que afectan a la estima de mortalidad. Se identificaron cinco especies Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus y Pipistrellus kuhlii, Eptesicus serotinus e Hypsugo savii que colisionaron principalmente entre junio y octubre. La mortalidad anual de quirópteros se estimó entre 388-5.460 ejemplares al año, una de las mayores mortalidades detectadas a nivel mundial. A pesar de ser especies comunes de distribución amplia el impacto cuantitativo no es asumible. Con las conclusiones obtenidas del Plan de Vigilancia Ambiental (PVA) no se evaluaron correctamente los impactos que pasaron desapercibidos por la utilización errónea de la metodología de seguimiento referida a la frecuencia de visitas o área de búsqueda, y su análisis posterior de las tasas de predación, eficiencia del observador y estima de la mortalidad. Proponemos un programa de mitigación basado en el retraso de la velocidad de arranque de los aerogeneradores hasta los 6 m/s en ese período que reduciría la siniestralidad de quirópteros observada en torno al 46-54%. Además, es urgente por el Gobierno de Aragón revisar el protocolo de seguimiento de parques eólicos en lo referente a su duración, frecuencia de visitas y errores mencionados anteriormente, así como las Declaraciones de Impacto Ambiental. Los promotores y sus consultoras deben demostrar con análisis robustos las conclusiones de sus trabajos en vez de limitarse a trabajos descriptivos. Los parques también afectaron a las aves, especialmente rapaces como el buitre leonado Gyps fulvus o el cernícalo primilla Falco naumanni, los aláudidos e incluso grullas (Grus grus). En estas especies, las colisiones se asociaron a aspectos concretos de la ecología de estas especies como la presencia de carroña, el hábitat de cultivo o la presencia en época de migración e invernada.
The Effects of Public Debt Financing: A Multi-state Perspective
Authors: Alonge Funmilayo Bukola , Olaoye Clement Olatunji
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the relation between public debt financing and government expenditure. Using year and states fixed effect estimation, we find that the amount owed by federating states propels government spending. While external debts have a significant and positive association with public expenditure, domestic debts have positive effect, though not significantly different from zero, on government expenditure. The study recommends that policymakers in the public sector should widen external debts than domestic debts because its influence governments’ recurrent and capital expenditure.
The Chittagonian Coinage of Arakan’s Royal Sons
Authors: Hauret Philip
Published: September 2022

A researcher approaching the multi-lingual coins of the former Kingdom of Arakan (circa 1430-1784) must overcome many challenges. Difficult to read specimens, incorrect translations, poor scholarship and at times deficient photography within the existing treatments, when one can find them, are some of the obstacles encountered. Despite all the recent attention the Rohingya controversy has brought to these coins, studying them can still be productive of new information about Arakan. The objectives of this article are relatively modest, nonetheless. It will focus on a particular series of multi-lingual coins issued by a number of Arakanese-appointed governors of the Chittagong region, located in present-day Bangladesh, beginning in the 1570’s and ending circa 1612, with the aim of correcting some mistranslations and errors in descriptions as well as uncovering additional information about these governors, particularly those who were sons of Arakanese kings. It will also assess the effectiveness of the numismatic evidence in approximating the succession of these governors during the subject period. We will be assisted in this endeavor by the sale at auction of a major collection of Chittagonian coins in 2011 by Stephen Album Rare Coins (SARC) of Santa Rosa, California, a numismatic dealer specializing in Asian coinage. This unmatched assemblage of over 75 specimens offers students of Arakanese numismatics an unprecedented opportunity to study these coins, as today’s on-line auctions provide quality digital photography unavailable in the past.
A Plant Simulation approach for optimal resource utilization: A case study in the tire manufacturing industry
Authors: Butrat A. , Supsomboon S.
Published: September 2022

In this study, the resource allocation and vital manufacturing processes in the tire manufacturing industry was comprehensively optimized. The paper deals in detail with the Banbury mixing process, which produces homogeneous rubber materials for tire components. In addition, the mixing process models were established by the Plant Simulation software to validate and compare scenarios and experiments with realistic production constraints. Discrete empirical distribution (dEmp) was proposed for population data. Various scenarios were created for different resource and process. Experiments were set as different group of compound set. Experiment manager was used as a tool to set up scenarios and the experiments to provide alternative results. The study results display the production time and machine utilization. The shortest production time of experiment results represents the best group of each scenario. As results, the scenario, which BB1 is changed from non-productive Banbury mixer to special Banbury mixer along with the normal process is combined with second special process, provides the suitable production volume which can reduce of total production time for 8.06 %. Our study provides a variety of the resource utilization of a Banbury mixing process and suggests an efficient optimization method for production performance improvement.
Determining the gas accumulation period using fluid inclusion observations: Xiang Zhong Basin, China
Authors: Zhu Wei , Qi Yongdi , Dai Shixin , Shen Mingsu
Published: September 2022

There are a large number of natural gas shows in the Upper Paleozoic of the central Hunan Basin. However, the hydrocarbon accumulation process was complicated due to the strong tectonic reformation in this area. A study of the natural gas accumulation period is of significance for determining gas accumulation models. In this research, the fluid inclusion samples were tested, the fluid inclusion occurrence characteristics, uniform temperature data, and reservoir evolution were analyzed, and four diagenetic periods and four diagenetic periods and three hydrocarbon accumulation periods were identified. (i) For the syntaxial stage, the filling is dark and nonluminous, and the fluid captured by the overgrowing cement around the particles is mainly seawater; (ii) for the (Early) Mesogenetic burial stage, the calcite cement grows around the particles or micritic calcite matrix, and the fluid captured is mainly brine; (iii) for (Late) Mesogenetic burial stage, two sets of decomposed fissures developed in massive calcite colloids with non-luminous gas-rich hydrocarbon inclusions within the crystals; and (iv) for Telogenetic burial stage, weakly fluorescent pure gaseous hydrocarbon inclusions are developed in luminescent calcite veins. The result indicates that the organic inclusions in the Lower Carboniferous of the central Hunan Basin are dominated by weakly fluorescent and nonfluorescent rich gas inclusions and pure gas-phase inclusions, with three stages of hydrocarbon filling. By integrating the average homogenization temperatures on burial curves, the three charging orders correspond to 260–250 Ma during the Late Permian, 249–245 Ma during the Early Triassic, and 208–170 Ma during the Late Triassic. Dense reservoir characteristics reveal deep basin gas reservoir in deep basin.
Optimal sequencing of conventional distillation column train for multicomponent separation system by evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Giri Prashant A. , Mahajan Yogesh S.
Published: September 2022

The best structure of multicomponent separation techniques can be obtained using optimal distillation sequencing. Because distillation sequences contribute significantly to the fixed and operational cost of the entire chemical process, developing a systematic approach for choosing the most appropriate and economic distillation sequences becomes an important field of study. Due to its high dimensional space and combinatorial nature, synthesis of the optimal conventional distillation column sequence is a tough problem in the field of process plant development and optimization. A novel method for the synthesis of an optimal conventional distillation column sequence is suggested in this study. Genetic algorithm, an evolutionary algorithm is at the heart of the proposed method. The Total Annual Cost (TAC) is the main basis used to evaluate alternative configurations. To estimate the total cost of each sequence, rigorous methods are used to design all columns in the sequence. The proposed method’s performance and that of the conventional quantitative approach are compared using the results of a five component benchmark test problem used by researchers in this field. According to the comparison results, the suggested algorithm outclasses the other methods and is more adaptable than other existing approaches.
Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing using mini-STR-based next-generation sequencing: a pilot study
Authors: Song Wenqian , Xiao Nan , Zhou Shihang , Yu Weijian , Wang Ni , Shao Linnan , Liang Xiaohua
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of a mini-STR-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) method for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing (NIPPT).

Methods

Plasma DNA from 28 pregnant women was extracted and cell-free foetal DNA (cffDNA) genotyping was performed at 23 mini-STR loci using the Illumina NextSeq 500 system. For each mini-STR locus, the cffDNA genotype was validated by determining infant DNA genotype. The mini-STR loci with high concordance rates were selected for the comparison of STR genotyping results between cffDNA and biological father DNA or random male DNA for each family.

Results

The biological relationship was identified between alleged fathers and infants in all 28 families using the capillary electrophoresis (CE) method. Moreover, the concordance rates of STR genotypes D5S818, D19S253, and D21S1270 were less than 50% in 23 autosomal STR loci. The STR genotype matching probability was calculated using 20 STR loci with more than 60% concordance rate. There was a significant difference in the STR genotype matching probability between cffDNA and the DNA from the biological father (75–100%) or from random males (25–70%) (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that mini-STR can be used for NGS-based NIPPT. Furthermore, this method can be used for crime control purposes using the STR data available from the national forensic DNA databases.
Nicht-Direktivität als Leitkategorie in der humangenetischen Beratung in zeithistorischer Betrachtung
Authors: Söhner F. , Rolfes V. , Hofmann W. , Zerres K. , Fangerau H. , Krischel M.
Published: September 2022

In diesem Beitrag beschreiben und analysieren wir auf der Basis von gedruckten Quellen und Oral History Interviews die Frage der Nicht-Direktivität in der humangenetischen Beratung in Deutschland im Zeitraum von 1970 bis 2010. Dabei steht insbesondere die Frage im Fokus, inwieweit die fachwissenschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Diskurse zu ethischen Fragen in der genetischen Beratung von Fachkundigen wahrgenommen und inwieweit Aspekte der nicht-direktiven Beratung diskutiert wurden. Wie die Ergebnisse zeigen, maßen Fachkundige nicht nur rückblickend der Autonomie von Ratsuchenden einen hohen Stellenwert bei und lehnten „direktive“ Beratungen zumindest in öffentlichen Positionierungen ab. Ethische Begründungsansätze betrachteten sie hier als zentral.