bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Niklas Luhmann and Cybernetics
Authors: Paetau Michael 
Published: June 2019

Even though Niklas Luhmann himself never declared his own approach as a cybernetic one, and even if the relationship between systems theory and cybernetics is still not clearly defined in every way, it seems to be legitimate to classify Luhmann's Theory of Social Systems into the field of cybernetics approaches, more precisely as a socio-cybernetic one. Beside the concept of autopoiesis by Maturana and Varela there are various systems thinkers and cyberneticists like Wiener, Ashby, Shannon, Bateson, von Foerster who influenced Luhmanns work deeply. Certainly he fits the cybernetic principles into his theory rather idiosyncratically and partly after some significant revisions, but one can argue that Luhmann's Theorie of Social Systems is the conclusion of a confrontation of the mayor issues of cybernetic discourse with the European philosophical tradition. In the following article it is discussed the question in what extent we can include Luhmann's work into the cybernetic tradition. Which are the significant connection-points between cybernetics and Luhmann's work? What is the relevance of this connection for Luhmanns own theoretical development? Which are the congruences and which are the differences? To what extent is Luhmann's Theory of Social Systems even though his critical distance - integrable into the spectrum of the approaches of ``New Cybernetic'' (as Geyer & van der Zouwen formulated in 1986)? After a short discussion on what is characterizing a theory as a cybernetic one, the article reconstructs Luhmann's critical debate on the most important theoretical problems of cybernetics and finally it will sketch out Luhmanns answer to this debate, which he gives in his own concepts. For Luhmann the fascination of cybernetics consists in explaining the problem of constancy and invariance of systems in a highly complex and dynamical world by observing communication processes. This makes cybernetics to a definitive non-ontological approach and brings it near to the functionalistic sociology.
The Paradox of Social Ties after the ICT Revolution: A Second-Order Observation
Authors: Akahori Saburo 
Published: June 2019

This paper explores what kinds of distinctions are used when the change of social systems is observed. We seek a more appropriate description of society in the face of online relationships. This task will be carried out through a case study of Japan. In recent years, the significance of social ties has repeatedly been emphasized in Japan. One example is the frequency of use of the Japanese word kizuna which means “bond”. It sounds odd because conventionally kizuna indicates intimate, continuous relationships, not temporary relationships. Even though the word kizuna means strong ties, now it also implies weak ties. Here we examine the reason why the strange usage of the word kizuna has become acceptable. We focus on topics related to the observation of social ties. On one hand, connections between strangers are becoming more imaginable due to the recent change of communication media after the ICT revolution, especially the rise of so-called social media. On the other hand, social relationships between strangers through social media have been seen as paradoxical in recent years. We assume that this enables us to accept the strange usage of the word kizuna. Then we describe the phenomenon by using other distinctions. For example, we adopt the classic sociological distinction between personal and impersonal. Social relationships between strangers seen in social media can be categorized not as impersonal but as personal; however they are sharply distinguished from social ties in traditional communities or intimate relationships. It can be understood as a variant of “doubling of reality” in Niklas Luhmann’s theory of mass media. This can also be a clue to rethink modernity or to rethink solidarity among heterogeneous people. After the ICT revolution, observations on communications or social ties tend to be paradoxical. However, the recent changes can be seen from the meta-level by using other distinctions. Sociologists have to unfold the paradox and describe them through more appropriate frameworks.
A Hybrid Fuzzy TOPSIS – Best Worst Method for Risk Prioritization in Megaprojects
Authors: Norouzi Ashraf , Ghayur Namin Hamid 
Published: June 2019

Megaprojects are usually complex and in many cases encounter failure in terms of finish late or overspent. This study aims to investigate the critical risk factors behind these projects as well as their priority. Project risk management is a mature research stream. But when focus on megaprojects the amount of research decreases significantly. This research provides a hierarchy of risk structure in Tehran-Rasht railway megaproject and prioritizes the risk factors through a two-phase methodology. This method is a new hybrid MCDM technique consist of group fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy Best-Worst Method. BWM is the latest MCDM technique which in this paper, its fuzzy version combined with fuzzy TOPSIS is employed. This research also considers all the project success criteria including time, cost and quality simultaneously and calculates the risk priority Index (RPI) accordingly. The results imply that quality is the most important project success factor and the risk elements with greater impact on project quality, get higher PRI. The identified and ranked risk factors help practitioners and academics to follow the subsequent steps of the risk management process of Iranian transportation megaprojects.
Effect of Alccofine and GGBS Addition on the Durability of Concrete
Authors: R Balamuralikrishnan , J Saravanan 
Published: June 2019

Portland cement is the most important ingredient of concrete. A large scale production of cement plant consume large amount of energy and produce a number of undesirable products ( which negatively affect the environmental and depletion of natural resources. This treat to ecology has to lead to researchers to use industrial by-products as supplementary cementitious material in making concrete. In view this silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), rice husk ash, fly ash (FL), metakolin, alccofine (AL), micro fine material, etc.; are tried out for replacing cement partially or fully in concrete, without compromising on its strength, also reduce greenhouse gases and sustainable way of management of waste. A new ultra-fine material emerged in market is called alccofine. This is available as a cementious material for replacing cement. Since this a new material, a study is tried out with the combination of Alccofine and GGBS. Ordinary Portland Cement 53 grade was used throughout the study and the grade of concrete is M20. Totally 108 cubes and 27 cylinder were cast and tested in the laboratory with nine different percentage combination of alccofine (A), GGBS (G) and cement (C) (C100, C70A0G30, C90A10G0, C60A10G30, C30A10G30, C40A0G60, C85A15G0, C55A15G30, C25A15G60). Each case 3 nos. of specimen were used for repeatability. It is intended to study the compressive strength, and its durability properties like acid attack test, sulphate attack test and rapid chloride permeability test (RCPT). Among the nine different combination the maximum compressive strength of concrete is achieved by using AL10% and GGBS 30% is 38.08 N/mm2. C60A10G30 is 28.76% higher than the control mix. Result shows that concrete incorporating alccofine and GGBS have higher compressive strength and alccofine enhanced the durability of concrete also.
Hubungan Pengetahuan Fungsi Gigi Terhadap Status Gizi Manula Yang Kehilangan Gigi Sebagian Di Kecamatan Mamasa Sulawesi Barat
Authors: Alfriani Rangga , A’yun Quroti , Sutrisno Sutrisno 
Published: June 2019

Teeth had very important roles and functions so that someone with poor knowledge on tooth function might have poor oral health. The poor condition of the oral cavity might cause tooth loss and if not replaced with denture would disturb the functions and activities of the oral cavity, as well as influencing nutritional status. Determining the relation between knowledge on tooth function and nutritional status of elderly people with partial tooth loss in Mamasa Sub-district, West Sulawesi. This was an observational analytical study with Cross-Sectional design performed on September–November 2017. The research variables were knowledge on tooth function and nutritional status. The total sample was 64 people. Sampling used stratified random sampling technique. Data collection used questionnaire, body height measurement tool, and body weight scale. Data analysis used Kendall-Tau test. Most of the respondents’ knowledge on tooth function was high and most of the nutritional status of the elderly people were poor. The result of analysis test showed significance value of p=0,285 in male respondents and p=0,971 in female respondents (p>0,05), showing no significant relationship between knowledge on tooth function and nutritional status of elderly people with partial tooth loss. There was no relation between knowledge on tooth function and nutritional status of elderly people with partial tooth loss.
Hybrid functionalized phosphonate silica: insight into chromium removal chemistry from aqueous solutions
Authors: Hernández-Velázquez Pedro Iván , Gutiérrez-Ortega José A. , Carbajal-Arizaga Gregorio Guadalupe , Manríquez-Gonzalez Ricardo , De la Cruz-Hernández Wencel , Gomez-Salazar Sergio 
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Insight into Cr(III) ions removal chemistry from aqueous solutions was gained by using hybrid phosphonate-functionalized silica adsorbents synthesized through a modified route of sol-gel processing (SPMF). Evaluation of the degree of metal removal was obtained from kinetics and batch experiments. Elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR and XPS techniques were used to study the nature of surface complex formed on adsorbent. Adsorption equilibrium results showed a maximum Cr(III) removal of 78.639 mg g-1Cr(III) at pH 3.6 on adsorbent SPMF04; kinetics measurements indicated that equilibrium was reached in 80 min contact time. The achievement of 2.923 mmol P/g as phosphonate groups was obtained. A Langmuir-type mechanism explained the adsorption equilibrium results whereas kinetic measurements were explained through a pseudo-second order mechanism. FTIR measurements indicated a strong influence of Cr(III) adsorbed on surficial functional groups. 29Si CP MAS NMR results indicated that Cr(III) interacted not only with phosphonate surface groups but also with a large of amount of geminal OH surface groups. XPS studies suggested that Cr(III) was removed through the formation of the surface complex R as monovalent chromium acetate and/or divalent. The adsorbent SPMF04 can be potentially employed in industrial applications.
Resumen. Información sobre la química de remoción de Cr(III) de soluciones acuosas fue obtenida usando adsorbentes de sílice hibrida funcionalizada con fosfonato sintetizados a través de una ruta modificada del proceso sol-gel (SPMF). La evaluación del grado de remoción de metal fue obtenida a partir de experimentos de cinética y por lotes. Técnicas de análisis elemental, FTIR, NMR y XPS fueron usadas para estudiar la naturaleza del complejo de superficie formado sobre el adsorbente. Los resultados del equilibrio de adsorción mostraron una remoción máxima de Cr(III) de 78.639 mg g-1 Cr(III) a pH 3.6 sobre el adsorbente SPMF04; las mediciones cinéticas indicaron que el equilibrio fue alcanzado en 80 min de tiempo de contacto. El logro de 2.923 mmol P/g como grupos fosfonato fue obtenido. Un mecanismo tipo Langmuir explicó los resultados del equilibrio de adsorción mientras que las mediciones cinéticas fueron explicadas a través de un mecanismo de pseudo-segundo orden. Los resultados de 29Si CP MAS NMR indicaron que Cr (III) interactuó no solamente con grupos fosfonato de superficie sino también con una gran cantidad de grupos OH de superficie geminales. Los estudios de XPS sugirieron que Cr(III) fue removido a través de la formación del complejo de superficie R como acetato de cromo monovalente y/o divalente. El adsorbente SPMF04 puede ser potencialmente empleado en aplicaciones industriales.
Investigating the Effect of Blending MOOCs with Flipped Classroom on Engagement in Learning and Course Grades
Authors: Abdel-Maksoud Nahed F. 
Published: June 2019

Though MOOCs are usually used as stand-alone online courses, more and more instructors are using them to complement their traditional lectures, others are using them to flip their classrooms. This study investigates the impact of MOOCs-based flipped classroom on engagement in learning and course grades. This quasi-experimental study employed post-test only control group design. Participants of the study consisted of 155 pre-service teachers studying the undergraduate "EFL Teaching Methodology course at one of the universities in Egypt in the year 2018-2019. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental (flipped classroom) (N=78) or a control group (traditional) (N=77). Both groups were taught by the same instructor, the control group was taught in the traditional method, while the experimental group were required to enroll in two English Language Teaching MOOCs, assigned by the course instructor, and complete specific parts of each course, students had to watch videos, read articles, complete quizzes, and come to class prepared to discuss what they have read and watched, and complete in-class activities. Ten weeks later, the instrument of the study, Engagement Scale, was administered to both groups to assess their engagement in learning. Course grades were obtained from the instructor. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences in both engagement and course grades in favor of the ‎experimental group (flipped classroom group). Using MOOCs to flip traditional courses is found to improve students' engagement and learning, this is because students were able to use limited class time to engage in higher‐level interactive learning activities. There is no fear that technology or video lectures will replace faculty, rather it can make their teaching more effective. Integrating MOOCs and flipped classroom can harness technology to radically redesign teaching and learning experiences.
Genetic potential of quality in spring bread wheat cultivars bred at Kurgan agricultural research institute
Authors: Abugalieva A. I. , Maltsevа L. T. , Filippova E. A. , Morgunov A. I. , Zelensky Y. I. , Peña J. 
Published: June 2019

Background. For the Trans-Urals, characterized by unstable climate over the years (alternating droughty and excessively moist years, recurrences of colds in spring, possibility of early frosts, etc.), grain quality is a prioritized genetic trait in spring bread wheat cultivars. In Kurgan Province, the share of thirdclass wheat varied since 1994 from 43% to 96%; only in the recent unfavorable years (2015 – 2017) it dropped to 11 – 27% due to rust epidemics. The aim of the study was to characterize the genetic potential of grain quality and its phenotypic implementation in promising cultivars bred at Kurgan Agricultural Research Institute and officially released for cultivation in the region.Materials and methods. The capacities of the KASIB4 – 13 (Kazakhstan–Siberia Wheat Improvement Network under the auspices of CIMMYT) represented by 17 breeding centers in Kazakhstan and Siberia were used to assess grain quality of 14 cultivars with different maturation time bred at Kurgan Agricultural Research Institute. Quality assessment was performed with due regard to the standards of Kazakhstan, CIS, and leading exporting countries, thus combining local and international levels, and employing genetic, biochemical and technological grain quality levels under different soil and climate conditions.Results and discussion. Generally, all cultivars demonstrated protein and gluten content and the level of vitreousness sufficient for strong and valuable wheat. The selected percentage was 92% for hard grain and medium hard grain wheat forms, up to 94% for high-protein and high-gluten ones, and up to 57% for genotypes without 1B/1R wheat/rye translocation. In terms of sedimentation, 86% of the genotypes were predicted to belong to the strong and valuable wheat class; according to the composition of HMW glutenin subunits, mixing quality and flour strength (W), 30 – 42% were identified as high-quality genotypes. The in-depth study of grain quality within the KASIB environmental network revealed heterogeneity among cultivars in a number of genetic and biochemical parameters and provided an opportunity to select high-quality genotypes by marker characteristics and technological properties, which is likely to improve the efficiency of intra-cultivar selection and overall quality assessment of cultivars.
Agrobiological characteristics of hulless barley cultivars developed at Omsk agrarian Scientific Center
Authors: Nikolaev P. N. , Yusova O. A. , Aniskov N. I. , Safonova I. V. 
Published: June 2019

Background. An extremely important task today is to develop new hulless barley cultivars, capable of yielding large and high-quality grain harvests, and introduce them into agricultural production. Objective. The purpose was to study three hulless barley cultivars ‘Omsky golozerny 2’, ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ and ‘Maysky’, developed at Omsk Agrarian Scientific Center, in order to describe their agrobiological characteristics.Materials and methods.The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2015–2017 on the experimental fields of Omsk ASC in the southern forest steppe (third crop rotation after the wheat predecessor; fourth crop after fallow). There were 4 replications on the plot of 10 m2. The seeding rate was 4 million viable seeds per 1 ha. Agricultural practice used in the experiments was conventional for West Siberia. Parameters of stability and plasticity were calculated according to Eberhart and Russell, Wricke; adaptability, according to Zhivotkov; homeostasis, according to Khangildin; stress tolerance and compensatory ability, according to Rossielle and Hemblin.Results. Many years of breeding work at Omsk ASC resulted in the development of three hulless barley cultivars: ‘Omsky golozerny 2’ (listed in the State Register of the Russian Federation for regions 9, 10 and 11), ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ (submitted for the State Crop Variety Trials in 2017), and ‘Maysky’ (not included in the State Register). The new hulless barley cultivar ‘Omsky golozerny 4’, considering its higher productivity (+1.36 g to the reference in 1000 grain weight, and +0.73 t/ha to cv. ‘Maysky’), in the yield of nutrients per area unit equaled the reference ‘Omsky golozerny 2’, but exceeded ‘Maysky’ (+47.2 kg/ha of protein, +390 kg/ha of starch, and +42.4 kg/ha of crude fat). ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ was also characterized by stability (stability = 4.8), increased compensatory ability (3.29) and adaptability (103%). There was an increase in productivity with improved growing conditions (ecological plasticity = 1.25). ‘Maysky’ had higher stress tolerance (–1.35), while the reference ‘Omsky golozerny 2’ showed increased homeostasis (0.118). Thus, ‘Omsky golozerny 4’ exceeded the previous two cultivars in adaptability and stability.
Adaptive potential of winter rye cultivars developed at VIR in the context of their grain protein content in the environments of Leningrad province
Authors: Aniskov N. I. , Safonova I. V. , Horeva V. I. 
Published: June 2019

Background. In Leningrad Province, winter rye is an irreplaceable cereal crop for food and feed. At present, a reduction of the acreage under rye is observed. This situation may be changed by developing rye cultivars capable of maintaining high and stable protein content across variable natural environments.The objective of the research encompassed 9 winter rye cultivars developed by V. D. Kobylyansky and O. V. Solodukhina at VIR, all recommended for cultivation in this area.Materials and methods. The experimental part of the work was carried out in 2012–2017 in the fields of Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR. Nine low-pentosan winter rye cultivars bred at VIR were analyzed. Sowing time was within the period from August 28 to September 11. Agricultural practice used in the experiments was conventional for the Northwestern Region. The area of the plot was 10 m2; there were three replications. Seeding rate was 350 seeds/m2 or 3.5 million viable seeds per hectare. Analysis of variance was used for mathematical processing. Parameters of adaptability, stability, plasticity and stress resistance were calculated for the “grain protein content” indicator.Results. Protein content in grain for the studied winter rye cultivars in the environments of the Northwest region averaged 10.3% and varied from 8.7% to 12.2% depending on environmental conditions and hereditary features of the cultivars. It was confirmed by the results of the analysis of variance: the share of the ‘year of trial’ factor’s effect on protein content was 71.9%. The best conditions for increased protein content were observed in 2012, 2013 and 2016 (10.7%, 11.9% and 12.2%, respectively). The analysis of average protein content in grain showed that the cultivars ‘Ilmen’, ‘Vavilovskaya’, ‘Krasnoyarskaya universalnaya’, Novaya Era, ‘Yantarnaya’ exceeded the reference cultivar ‘Era’ by (1.0 – 10.0%). The most adaptable in the context of grain protein content under the conditions of the Northwestern Region were the winter rye cultivars ‘Ilmen’, ‘Era’, ‘Yantarnaya’, Novaya Era, and Rushnik 2. The sum of their ranks according to the coefficients of variation (V), environmental plasticity (O), relative trait stability (St²) and homeostasis (Hom), as well as each cultivar’s adaptability coefficient (AC), stress resistance level (Y min – Y max) and compensatory ability (Y min + Y max/2), was 13–31 units.Conclusion. Rye cultivars ‘Ilmen’, ‘Era’, ‘Yantarnaya’, Novaya Era, and Rushnik 2 possess high adaptability and can maintain high protein content levels in grain under widely varied environmental conditions in the Northwestern Region of Russia.