1st Tier Research Articles

Can incorporating molecular testing improve the accuracy of newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Single-tier newborn screening (NBS) for CAH using 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) measured by fluoroimmunoassay (FIA) in samples collected at 24-48 hours produces a high false-positive rate (FPR). 2nd tier steroid testing can reduce the FPR and has been widely implemented. We investigated the accuracy of an alternative multi-tier CAH NBS protocol that incorporates molecular testing of the CYP21A2 gene and reduces the 1st tier 17OHP cutoff to minimize missed cases. Created a Minnesota-specific CYP21A2 pathogenic variants panel; develop a rapid, high-throughput multiplex, allele-specific-primer-extension assay; perform 1-year retrospective analysis of Minnesota NBS results comparing metrics between a conventional steroid-based two-tier protocol and a molecular-based multi-tier NBS protocol, applied post-hoc. CYP21A2 gene sequencing of 103 Minnesota families resulted in a Minnesota-specific panel of 21 pathogenic variants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a molecular assay with 100% accuracy and reproducibility. Two-tier steroid-based screening of 68,659 live births during 2015 resulted in 2 false negatives (FNs), 91 FPs, and 1 true positive (TP). A three-tier protocol with a lower 1st-tier steroid cutoff, 2nd-tier 21-variant CYP21A2 panel and 3rd-tier CYP21A2 sequencing would have resulted in 0 FNs, 52 FPs and 3 TPs. Incorporation of molecular testing could improve the accuracy of CAH NBS, although some distinct challenges of molecular testing may need to be considered before implementation by NBS programs.

INTERFIRM PARTNERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION FOR INDONESIAN AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT MANUFACTURERS FACING THE TRANSITION TO BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Background: Indonesia’s Automotive Industry has gradually shifted from manufacturing Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in recent years. This transition of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is disrupting conventional automobile manufacturers, creating an urgent need for traditional automakers and component suppliers to innovate and revamp of the current automotive manufacturing capabilities. However, The pursuit of Interfirm partnerships between OEMs and suppliers is believed to enhance resiliency and innovative process within the automotive organization. The main objective of this study is to identify the impact of several factors interfirm partnerships affecting the implementation of organizational innovation activities. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted for this study. The data collection consisted of 30 respondents from 1st tier of Indonesian Automotive Component Manufacturers through site visits, interview and online questionnaires. Data processing and analysis were carried out using descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple linear regression. Results: The result indicate that interfirm partnerships factors associated with organizational innovation activities. Among four key aspects of interfirm partnerships such as Efficiency, Innovation and Learning, Market opportunities, and Technology and Competition, only the motives aligned with the latter were found to exert a statistically significant and positive impact on organizational innovation. Conclusion: The study reveals that technology and competition in the context of interfirm partnerships formation shows positive and significant relationships with organizational innovation. Implications of research: The research helps the Indonesia Automotive Industry to improve manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness in electric vehicles sector and also expands the literature on Battery Electric Vehicles research for academics. Originality and value: The study performs the assesment of relationship between interfirm partnership and automotive component organizations in Indonesia. By addressing practitioners’ viewpoints, this research utilizes quantitative measurement to drive automative innovation and enhance manufacturing capabilities with the presence of Battery Electric Vehicles.

Raw material management for rubber parts manufacturing supply chain using the LPSC model

The paper proposes a new raw material cost management concept in the rubber parts supply chain using the Linear Programming Sharing Cost (LPSC). Rubber parts are widely used in the auto parts industry. There are a variety of product models and material types as well as produced by several subcontractors in the 2nd Tier companies. However, the whole chain controls overall cost management as the 1st Tier company. Cost-effective models are more important in the competitive era.The research methodology combined linear programming (LP) with sharing cost (SC) and was applied to inventory management. The LPSC model is developed to deal with Tier 1 companies linked with Tier 2 companies of the subcontractors. The LPSC is combined with the EOQ inventory management model.A new approach has been developed to reduce the cost of raw material management in the rubber part supply chain.The limitation of the model development is that it does not yet have real-time control of the supply chain management system.The conceptual idea was introduced to Thailand's automotive rubber part supply chain and accepted for testing with the pilot test of actual orders.The paper presents the new conceptual raw material cost management model in the automotive rubber part supply chain. The LPSC combined with EOQ is effective, increases value to the supply chain, and simultaneously reduces waste and overproduction.

Pleasure, quality or status? an analysis of drivers of purchase of fresh pork in China

What are consumers aiming to get when they buy fresh meat? Is it the emotional pleasure, the nutritional quality and functionality, or the status that goes with it? We examine this question for Chinese consumers buying fresh pork. In order to understand the driving forces for pork purchases, we use the concept of perceived value of a product, and distinguish emotional value, quality/performance and social value, together with price/value for money. We look at how perceived value of pork products in China is related to consumers’ attitude to these products and to their repeated purchase of these products. In addition, we look at how value perception and its role in determining attitude and purchase behavior differ between different consumer segments, distinguished based on their shopping behavior. An online survey was carried out in 5 Chinese 1st and 2nd tier cities. Respondents were segmented based on their usage of different ways of shopping for pork using latent class cluster analysis. Relationships between constructs were estimated using PLS. Quality/functional value was the strongest determinant of attitude, but emotional value was both the strongest direct determinant of purchase behavioral and the strongest determinant overall when taking effects mediated by attitude into account. Customer journey segments differed in their pattern of determinants of attitudinal and behavioral loyalty. We conclude that buying fresh meat is, for Chinese consumers, mostly driven by the expected pleasure and to a lesser degree by quality and functional properties like safety and healthiness. The latter do have an impact on consumers’ attitude to the product, but less so on their buying behavior, suggesting that attitude and purchase are driven by different mental processes. We discuss implications for future demand for fresh pork in China.

Spatial distribution, movement, body damage, and feather condition of laying hens in a multi-tier system

The welfare and health of laying hens in the multitier system raise concern in public. The flock distributions during feeding time at 51 and 89 wk were studied in a multitier system. Furthermore, the ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification (UHF RFID) equipment was used to identify the transition between tiers and time spent in each tier of 48 focal hens (12 hens from each tier-group of the multitier system) at 92 wk of age. The body weight, tibia size (length and width), body damage (comb and rear part), and feather condition (neck, breast, back, tail, cloaca, and wings) of focal hens from different tier-groups were further compared. The results showed that the spatial distribution in flocks changed from top to bottom with increasing age. The hens at 51 wk of age were mainly distributed in the 4th tier (19.6 ± 5.0% in 1st tier, 9.6 ± 1.1% in 2nd tier, 23.6 ± 2.9% in 3rd tier and 47.3 ± 2.6% in 4th tier), and hens at 89 wk of age were mainly distributed in the lower tiers (33.5 ± 1.5% in 1st tier, 31.9 ± 5.1% in 2nd tier, 15.7 ± 3.4% in 3rd tier and 16.6 ± 3.1% in 4th tier). The spatial distribution of hens at 89 wk of age was more even than that at 51 wk of age. At 92 wk of age, the proportion of time spent in original tier of 4 tier-groups was 91.0 ± 5.7%, 51.9 ± 5.7%, 59.0 ± 7.0% and 63.0 ± 6.7%, respectively. Focal hens preferred to stay in the original tier and spent significantly less time in other tiers (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in body weight, body damage score, tibia width and partial feather scores (neck, breast, tail, and cloaca) of focal hens among 4 tier-groups (P > 0.05). However, focal hens from 1st tier had worse feather scores on wings and back, and shorter tibia length compared to other tiers suggesting that there were more lower ranking birds that located in lower tier to avoid competition, but had equal access to resource, which is good for their welfare and health. In summary, the overcrowding situation was improved near the end of the laying cycle in the multitier system, thereby mitigating the potential negative effects to the lower ranking hens and maintain a satisfactory level of welfare and health for laying hens near the end of the laying cycle.

Reduced real lifetime of PV panels – Economic consequences

The maintenance and analyzing failures of PV systems and plants are becoming more and more important issues. Our data from the long-term operation of 85 photovoltaic power plants in central Europe show that their actual lifetime is about half that of the originally planned lifetime. After about 10 years, serious failures of 1st tier (bankable) PV panels occur at an increasing rate. This article presents selected typical data and describes the most serious failures. Furthermore, economic calculations of returns on investment are carried out in relation to the price of electricity, which is currently changing at a rapid pace. It shows that the PV panel lifetime reduction from 20 to 30 years, declared at commercial leaflets, to real lifetime about 10–12 years can reduce PV power plant profit substantially, but the investment is still worth it. The reason is that after 10–12 years ser vice/maintenance expenses to replace damaged PV panels and inverters are growing very quickly. The new information could be helpful for owners of PV power plants to get a more realistic estimation of profits.

2-Methylglutaconic acid as a biomarker in routine urine organic acids leading to the diagnosis of glutaric acidemia type I in a low excretor

GA1 (OMIM# 231670) is an organic aciduria caused by defective Glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), encoded by GCDH. Early detection of GA1 is crucial to prevent patients from developing acute encephalopathic crisis and subsequent neurologic sequelae. Diagnosis of GA1 relies on elevated glutarylcarnitine (C5DC) in plasma acylcarnitine analysis and hyperexcretion of glutaric acid (GA) and 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (3HG) in urine organic acid (UOA) analysis. Low excretors (LE), however, exhibit subtly elevated or even normal plasma C5DC and urinary GA levels, leading to screening and diagnostic challenges. The measurement of 3HG in UOA is thus often used as the 1st tier test for GA1. We described a case of LE detected via newborn screen with normal excretion of GA, absent of 3HG and increased 2-methylglutaconic acid (2MGA), which was detected at 3mg/g creatinine (reference interval<1mg/g creatinine) without appreciable ketones. We retrospectively examined UOA of 8 other GA1 patients and the 2MGA level ranged from 2.5 to 27.39mg/g creatinine, which is significantly higher than normal controls (0.05-1.61mg/g creatinine). Although the underlying mechanism of 2MGA formation in GA1 is unclear, our study suggests 2MGA is a biomarker for GA1 and should be monitored by routine UOA to evaluate its diagnostic and prognostic value.

The configuration and evolution of Korean automotive supply network: an empirical study based on k-core network analysis

This study identified the hierarchical structure of the k-core network and examined how it changed over time by structurally analyzing the Korean automotive supply network. The k-core method is a useful subgroup analysis for identifying key nodes through a pruning process in a large and complex network such as the automotive industry. We used the information of 234 automotive parts suppliers listed in the “Automotive Industry Guide”. The supply network is divided into four subgroups, where at the center is the 4-core group with key nodes, surrounded by the next key group of the 3-core group. Around the 3-core group is the 2-core group, and at the periphery of the network is the 1-core group. Unlike in the traditional supply chain structure, all core groups include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier suppliers. In addition, it is confirmed that the k-core structure has a complementary relationship with the tier structure and degree centrality, and considering the three together, the key node could be identified in the network. Finally, an analysis of the evolution of the network revealed that most new suppliers entered the 1-core group, and those in the top k-core group had a higher remaining ratio. The significance of this study is 1) by presenting k-core, a new method to analyze the network structure, 2) confirming the structure and evolution of the actual supply network from a macroscopic perspective, and 3) identifying key suppliers that can directly or indirectly affect the company's performance.

Experience of the NPC Brazil Network with a Comprehensive Program for the Screening and Diagnosis of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal disorder caused by impaired cholesterol metabolism. Levels of lysosphingomyelin 509 (LysoSM509) have been shown elevated in dried blood spots (DBS) of NPC and acid sphingomyelinase deficiency patients. In this study, we report our experience using a two-tier approach (1st tier is the quantification of lysoSM509 by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry followed by the 2nd tier with next-generation sequencing of the NPC1 and NPC2 genes). DBS samples from 450 suspected patients were received by the NPC Brazil network. Of these, 33 samples had elevated levels of lysoSM509, and in 25 of them, variants classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of unknown significance were identified in the NPC1 or NPC2 genes by next-generation sequencing. The quantification of lysoSM509 in DBS as a first-tier test for the diagnosis of NPC followed by molecular analysis of the NPC1 and NPC2 genes almost doubled the detection rate when compared to the performance of chitotriosidase activity as a first-tier biomarker, and it could likely be increased with the addition of a third tier with MLPA of the two genes involved. This strategy seems suitable for the neonatal screening (NBS) of NPC if this disease is eventually adopted by NBS programs.

Increasing Sustainability Through Reverse Logistics

Increasing sustainability is the objective in all manufacturing and service sectors. For the increasing sustainability via circular economy, the research at hand reviews reverse logistics within the pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan. It proposes a recommendation to improve the current process of recycling medicines. The methodology is a qualitative method comprising unstructured interviews with an esteemed organization and observations to understand the dynamics of recycling and reverse logistics in drugs. The study helps develop and illustrates a framework divided into three stages (Distributor/Hospitals in 1st Tier, Whole sellers in 2nd Tier, Retailers and Customer in 3rd Tier) to target the customers and bring them into reverse logistics. The paper recommends policy implications to help improve the situation and initiate a sustainable practice for the environment and cost-efficient, including steps wise phases to gauge consumers for recycling medicines.

Hip adduction strength and provoked groin pain: A comparison of long-lever squeeze testing using the ForceFrame and the Copenhagen 5-Second-Squeeze test

ObjectivesTo compare long-lever squeeze testing using the ForceFrame and the Copenhagen 5-Second-Squeeze test (5SST) for assessment of hip adduction strength and provoked groin pain in elite male soccer players. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingPre-season testing at facilities of a Danish professional 1st tier soccer club and academy. ParticipantsElite male soccer players (n = 83, mean age; 16 ± 2.7 years) from U13, U14, U15, U17, U19 and senior teams cleared for full training and match participation. Main outcome measuresMaximum isometric hip adduction strength (Nm/kg) and provoked groin pain (NRS 0–10). ResultsHip adduction strength was 16% lower in the ForceFrame. A Bland-Altman plot showed a systematic bias (−0.47 Nm/kg, 95% CI [-0.57; −0.38]) and lack of agreement (95% limits of agreement: -1.31; 0.39 Nm/kg). In the ForceFrame, provoked groin pain was less intense (median NRS 0 [IQR: 0–1] vs. 5SST: 1 [IQR: 0–3], p < 0.001) and reported by fewer players (NRS >0) (27% [n = 22] vs. 5SST: 61.4% [n = 51], p < 0.001). ConclusionsThe ForceFrame and the 5SST lack agreement and are not interchangeable methods. This may have implications when selecting a method for screening and detecting early groin problems in male soccer players.

РОЗВИТОК ПЛІСЕНЕВИХ ГРИБІВ НА СУБСТРАТНИХ БЛОКАХ ПІД ЧАС ПЛОДОНОШЕННЯ ГЛИВИ ЗВИЧАЙНОЇ (PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS (JACK.) Р. KUMM.)

The results of studies conducted during the harvest of fruiting bodies of oyster mushrooms indicate that the development of harmful micromycetes during the first wave of fruiting was less than in the second about twice. It is established that the distribution of microorganisms is also influenced by the placement of substrate blocks in the fructification premises. In the first wave of fruiting, the number of affected blocks varied depending on the tier location. The least affected blocks were found on the 3rd tier, which is the highest – 3,6 %. The yield loss on this tier was 3.1 kg of mushrooms. On the second tier, the percentage of the contaminated blocks was 10,4. The largest amount of infected substrate was observed on the 1st tier – 27,1 %. The increase in the affected blocks on the 1st and 2nd tiers is due to excessive moisture, which leads to the flow of drops from the upper bags to the lower ones. Observation during the second wave of fructification has shown, that the dissemination and development of the diseases was considerably bigger. In the 1st tier, the substrate blocks were infected with the micromycetes by 34,6 %, and the rate of disease development was 13,4 %. The smallest amount of infected substrate was found on the 3rd tier – 4,4 %, and the rate of micromycetes was 1,8 %. Substrate blocks having infection with 4-5 point development were removed and disposed. The average lesion score ranged from 2 to 3. During the first and second waves of fruiting, the frequency of micromycetes on substrate blocks increases due to the development of Trichoderma (up to 69,4 %), Penicillium (up to 15,7 %), and Aspergillus spp. (up to 8,3 %), commonly known as green mold substrate pathogens.

Student Misconception Profile in Protein Synthesis Topic using Four-Tier Diagnostic Test Technique

Misconception is students’ misunderstanding in interpreting a concept within scientific theory. Amongst the biological topics that often cause misconceptions is protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is considered as a topic with complex concepts. This research aims to describe the students’ misconceptions profile in protein synthesis topic and describe the causing factors of students’ misconception in protein synthesis topic. This research is descriptive quantitative using four-tier diagnostic test instrument which consisting of 4 tiers, 1st tier is the question with 5 possible answers, 2nd tier is the level of confidence of the answer, 3rd tier is the 5 possible reasons, and 4th tier is the level of confidence of the reason. This research was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, which made it impossible to meet directly, so the data was collected online via google form and google meet. The study subjects were 34 students of grade XII MIPA-4 SMA Negeri 1 Gresik. Results showed that 32.37% misconceptions occurred in the protein synthesis topic. The highest misconception was in the concept of RNA characteristics, with the percentage of 65%. Factors that cause misconceptions were the students’ lack of interest in protein synthesis topic, the teacher were too fast in explaining the information, limited selection of learning methods during Covid-19 pandemic, and the information in the textbook was incomplete and difficult to understand. Implementation testing of models, methods, or learning media can be done to reduce students' misconceptions in protein synthesis topic, especially in the concept of RNA characteristic, DNA replication, and translation process.

Sustainable procurement drivers for extended multi-tier context: A multi-theoretical perspective in the Danish supply chain

In light of the rising global importance of sustainable procurement (SP) implementation for contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs), the main aim of this study is to perform an abductive research to analyse the drivers of SP under a Danish extended multi-tier supply chain context. Initially, the expansion of the traditional multi-tier theory to a novel extended multi-tier theory is accomplished by considering three factors: any number of upstream SC entities, the direct customer on the downstream entity, and the focal firm. This study has been done with the intention of implementing SP for the focal firm. Following that, the study develops a research framework to analyse the drivers of SP in an extended multi-tier environment by considering both upstream (1st tier and 2nd tier suppliers) and downstream (direct customer) supply chain entities together with the focal company using multiple theories such as extended multi-tier, triple bottom line (TBL), dynamic capability, institutional theory, and decision theory. Firstly, the relevant SP drivers are categorised (i.e., 7 categories of main drivers and 24 sub-drivers) based on the TBL, dynamic capability, and institutional theory. Secondly, applying the Best Worst Method (BWM), SP drivers were prioritized, and a comparative analysis was performed across the extended multi-tier context. The result shows that the top three priorities of the sub-drivers are “personal values,” “active top management support,” and “government regulation and legislation,” respectively for the focal company. Comparative analysis points to the fact that the sub-driver “government regulation and legislation” is considered important for all the SC entities; however, no mandatory government regulation currently exists to implement SP in the private sector context. On the other hand, the sub-driver “customer pressure / demand” for the sustainable products has been a low priority for the focal company and 2nd tier suppliers and it has not been considered relevant for the 1st tier supplier and direct customer. Thirdly, applying the Decision-Making Trial And Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), an interrelationship analysis was performed on the key SP drivers that exist from the focal company’s perspective. Finally, relevant managerial implications and conclusions were drawn for the focal case company based on the results of the prioritization and interrelationship analysis.

Managerial analysis of instruments for raising international financing

Syndicated loans and eurobonds are the major mechanisms for raising international financing. In this article the following types of financial instruments available to Russian corporate borrowers in the syndicated loans and eurobonds markets are considered: bridge loans, revolving credit facilities, terms and pre-export loans, project finance; bonds with one/several tranches, ruble-denominated eurobonds, benchmark and long-term bonds. Syndicated loans and eurobonds are complex financial instruments available for corporations with the following profiles: (1) leading 1st and 2nd tier and companies with a track-record of raising international financing; (2) industry leaders (top-5 by market share) with annual revenue exceeding USD 500 mln; (3) companies with a significant share of export operations and foreign currency revenue that is required for the payment of interest and principal amounts of the loans and bonds; (4) borrowers and issuers with credit ratings from the international rating agencies; (5) companies with audited accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS. The SWOT-analysis of these financial instruments is given, as well as the comparative analysis that includes the following parameters: industry specifics, liquidity, publicity. As part of the comparative analysis the execution schedule for syndicated loans and eurobonds transactions is considered. This schedule includes five stages: preparing the corporation for the transaction, working with banks, the syndication process, drafting the legal documentation, receiving the funds by the firm. The main characteristics of syndicated loans include flexibility of the structure, fast execution process and information confidentiality. This is why a syndicated loan is suitable for quickly raising financing from several key banks of the borrower in the case of an acquisition of another company. As the long-term solution, such loans can be then refinanced by eurobonds. The paper concludes that for the leading corporations the optimal choice between loans and bonds lies in the combined use of these instruments to solve various financial problems.

Second-Tier Next Generation Sequencing Integrated in Nationwide Newborn Screening Provides Rapid Molecular Diagnostics of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and other T cell lymphopenias can be detected during newborn screening (NBS) by measuring T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) in dried blood spot (DBS) DNA. Second tier next generation sequencing (NGS) with an amplicon based targeted gene panel using the same DBS DNA was introduced as part of our prospective pilot research project in 2015. With written parental consent, 21 000 newborns were TREC-tested in the pilot. Three newborns were identified with SCID, and disease-causing variants in IL2RG, RAG2, and RMRP were confirmed by NGS on the initial DBS DNA. The molecular findings directed follow-up and therapy: the IL2RG-SCID underwent early hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) without any complications; the leaky RAG2-SCID received prophylactic antibiotics, antifungals, and immunoglobulin infusions, and underwent HSCT at 1 year of age. The child with RMRP-SCID had complete Hirschsprung disease and died at 1 month of age. Since January 2018, all newborns in Norway have been offered NBS for SCID using 1st tier TRECs and 2nd tier gene panel NGS on DBS DNA. During the first 20 months of nationwide SCID screening an additional 88 000 newborns were TREC tested, and four new SCID cases were identified. Disease-causing variants in DCLRE1C, JAK3, NBN, and IL2RG were molecularly confirmed on day 8, 15, 8 and 6, respectively after birth, using the initial NBS blood spot. Targeted gene panel NGS integrated into the NBS algorithm rapidly delineated the specific molecular diagnoses and provided information useful for management, targeted therapy and follow-up i.e., X rays and CT scans were avoided in the radiosensitive SCID. Second tier targeted NGS on the same DBS DNA as the TREC test provided instant confirmation or exclusion of SCID, and made it possible to use a less stringent TREC cut-off value. This allowed for the detection of leaky SCIDs, and simultaneously reduced the number of control samples, recalls and false positives. Mothers were instructed to stop breastfeeding until maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) status was determined. Our limited data suggest that shorter time-interval from birth to intervention, may prevent breast milk transmitted CMV infection in classical SCID.

Research on survivability of mesh hyperboloid structures

The object of study is a mesh hyperboloid tower, which has a base diameter of 34 meters and a height of 128 meters, constructed by an engineer V.G. Shukhov. The survivability property of the mesh hyperboloid tower was accepted as a subject of research. The aim of the work is to perform a numerical calculation of the mesh hyperboloid tower for survivability in a static setting, under conditions of failure of individual load-bearing elements of the system as a result of an accident. This calculation evaluates the survivability of the structure. The research methodology involves consideration of several options for the collapse of the bearing elements: 1. Collapse of the intermediate rings of the 1st and 2nd tiers and 16 racks of the mesh tower, excluding power transmission cables; 2. Collapse of the intermediate rings of the 1st and 2nd tiers and 16 racks of the mesh tower, taking into account the influence of the load from the power transmission cables during operation. As a result, the most dangerous destruction zones are identified, from the point of view of the survivability of the structure, the survivability coefficient of the mesh tower, as a whole is determined. As a result of the calculations, it was revealed that when the intermediate rings and 16 racks in the tower elements are removed, the efforts in the elements adjacent to the collapse zone increase by 2.6 times. The asymmetry of the load on the removed elements plays a significant role in changing the efforts. With the removal of the intermediate rings of the 1st and 2nd tiers and 16 racks, the zone of the 1st lower tier becomes the most loaded. Compression efforts in the remaining racks of this tier increase by 150%. In addition, the number of compressed-bendable elements of the tower shell increase. The results of this work can be used by designers to calculate structures’ survivability.

Hydraulic elevator for cleaning sediment of a water outlet of a reservoir

Many scientists of the world were engaged in the study and development of various schemes and models of hydraulic elevators for the purpose of excavation and hydraulic transport of hydraulic mixtures [1-22]. For the specific conditions of the selected research object, we determined the main sizes and parameters of the hydraulic elevator, which allows cleaning the water area of the bottom water intake of the spillway of the Tupalang hydroelectric station, using the hydrostatic pressure at the object concentrated in front of its dam. To clarify the particle size distribution of sediment deposited at the inlet head of the water intake of the Tupalang reservoir water outlet, samples of bottom sediments were taken and their particle size distribution was analyzed in laboratory conditions. At the water intake area of the 1st tier of the Tupalang reservoir, the deposited sediments are represented by smaller particles, the diameter of which is from 5 mm to 0.1 mm, and in percentage terms, their share is 95%. The main results are given for calculating and justifying the parameters of a hydraulic elevator for cleaning sediment from the water area of the inlet head of the water outlet structure of the first tier of the Tupalang reservoir. When determining and substantiating the main sizes of the hydraulic elevator, theoretical and experimental research methods were used, and the method of S.M.Shtin was applied.

How cropland losses shaped by unbalanced urbanization process?

Urbanization has widely known to directly consume swaths of cropland worldwide. Knowledge on what kinds of urbanization processes spared cropland is important for land use planning. This study offered insights on the impact of city level (city hierarchy: from the 1st to the 6th Tier cities) and urbanization modes (mega-city, city, town and village modes) on cropland losses through a first-ever continuous national survey on 345 prefectural level cities or above in mainland China from 2003 to 2016. We found that higher tier cities were associated with more direct and severe losses. Specifically, over 80 % of the recent urbanization formed on cropland in the 1st Tier cities, and the newly 1st Tier cities suffered the most rigorous losses. At national level, mega-city mode urbanization resulted in direct cropland losses (80 %) and the village mode was associated with prominent high-quality ratio (45 %). Town mode spared cropland more than village mode. However, ranking with urbanization mode was less obvious and even changed in the lower-Tier cities. At national scale, around 1.45 % of the total cropland area (approximately 2297 km² per year), including 1.06 % of high quality cropland area (approximately 852 km² per year), has been permanently lost. The most rapid cropland loss was in 2009 (3464 km2), and that of high quality cropland occurring in 2007 (1775 km2). Over 95 % cropland losses located in the east of the Hu line. Findings in this study called for target adaptive planning with full considerations of city hierarchy and urbanization mode. Particularly, land use policies to effective support land development in small towns can potentially relief pressure on cropland.

Environmental risk assessment of pesticides currently applied in Ghana

Registration of pesticides for use in Ghana is based on prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) to assess the risks of future pesticide use on the environment. The present study evaluated whether pesticides currently used by Ghanaian farmers may harm the aquatic and terrestrial environment under day-to-day farm practice by performing a 1st tier ERA for terrestrial and aquatic environment and a 2nd tier ERA for the aquatic environment using existing scenarios and models. Results of the 1st tier risk assessment indicated that in the investigated regions in south Ghana, many pesticides might pose an acute risk to aquatic ecosystems adjacent to the treated fields while lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, dimethoate, mancozeb, carbendazim, sulphur, maneb and copper hydroxide may pose the highest chronic risks. Butachlor, dimethoate and carbendazim may pose acute risks to the terrestrial soil ecosystem, while glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, dimethoate, mancozeb, carbendazim, maneb, copper hydroxide and cuprous oxide may pose the highest chronic risks. Many insecticides and some fungicides may pose acute risks to bees and terrestrial non-target arthropods. The 2nd tier acute aquatic risk assessment showed that most risks were substantiated using species sensitivity distribution (SSD). Actual pesticide use was a factor of 1.3–13 times higher than the recommended label instructions, indicating a general practice of overdosing. The case study shows that the PRIMET model in combination with the SSD concept may offer pesticide registration authorities in Ghana a means to assess environmental risks associated with pesticide usage in a user-friendly and cost-effective manner.