Actual Stage Research Articles

Study of Phasing Plan of Kalimati Water Treatment Plant Installation in Sidoarjo

One of the programs to increase clean water supply services in Sidoarjo district is maximizing water sources to serve 5 sub-districts in Western Sidoarjo, including Prambon, Tarik, Tulangan, Krembung and Balongbendo sub-districts, by planning a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with total capacity of 1,000 LPS. The planning stages begin with calculation of projected water demands in 5 sub-districts for 10 years ahead. The results of projected water demands will be compared with the installation’s capacity to obtain the actual and initial staging plan for Water Treatment Plan’s constructions. Therefore, the construction and investment of Kalimati Water Treatment Plan could be arranged efficiently.

The Clinical Informatization in Portugal

In the context of the Technological Revolution, people are forced to change their way of being in order to survive in an increasingly competitive and efficient society. The healthcare sector is no exception. The clinical informatization brought a lot of changes in procedures and ways to act and manage in order to follow the advent of the Information Age. However, this clinical informatization should be evaluated and measured in order to report the actual stage of dematerialization and identify possible improvements. The maturity models, such as the EMRAM model, are good candidates to reach these goals. On behalf of the Health Ministry, the Portuguese Shared Services of the Ministry of Health wanted to implement the model in the National Health Service to certify, at a clinical level, the institutions, and, at the same time, contribute with a new methodology to ensure the certification of administrative services of health institutions.

A Heuristic Approach for Precipitation Data Assimilation: Effect of Forecast Errors and Assimilation of NCEP Stage IV Precipitation Analyses

Abstract Recently, Pérez Hortal et al. introduced a simple data assimilation (DA) technique named localized ensemble mosaic assimilation (LEMA) for the assimilation of radar-derived precipitation observations. The method constructs an analysis by assigning to each model grid point the information from the ensemble member that is locally closest to the precipitation observations. This study explores the effects of the forecasts errors in the performance of the method using a series of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) with different magnitudes of forecast errors employing a small ensemble of 20 members. The ideal experiments show that LEMA is able to produce forecasts with considerable and long-lived error reductions in the fields of precipitation, temperature, humidity, and wind. Nonetheless, the quality of the analysis deteriorates with increasing forecast errors beyond the spread of the ensemble. To overcome this limitation, we expand the spread of the ensemble used to construct the analysis mosaic by considering states at different times and states from forecasts initialized at different times (lagged forecasts). The ideal experiments show that the additional information in the expanded ensemble improves the performance of LEMA, producing larger and long-lived improvements in the state variables and in the precipitation forecast quality. Finally, the potential of LEMA is explored in real DA experiments using actual Stage IV precipitation observations. When LEMA uses only the background members, the quality of the precipitation forecast shows small or no improvements. However, the expanded ensemble improves the LEMA’s effectiveness, producing larger and more persistent improvements in precipitation forecasts.

Dentofacial mini- and microesthetics as perceived by dental students: A cross-sectional multi-site study.

How dental education influences students' dental and dentofacial esthetic perception has been studied for some time, given the importance of esthetics in dentistry. However, no study before has studied this question in a large sample of students from all grades of dental school. This study sought to fill that gap. The aim was to assess if students' dentofacial esthetic autoperception and heteroperception are associated with their actual stage of studies (grade) and if autoperception has any effect on heteroperception. Between October 2018 and August 2019, a questionnaire was distributed to 919 dental students of all 5 grades of dental school at all four dental schools in Hungary. The questionnaire consisted of the following parts (see also the supplementary material): 1. Demographic data (3 items), Self-Esthetics I (11 multiple- choice items regarding the respondents' perception of their own dentofacial esthetics), Self-Esthetics II (6 Likert-type items regarding the respondents' perception of their own dentofacial esthetics), and Image rating (10 items, 5 images each, of which the respondents have to choose the one they find the most attractive). Both the self-esthetics and the photo rating items were aimed at the assessment of mini- and microesthetic features. The response rate was 93.7% (861 students). The self-perception of the respondents was highly favorable, regardless of grade or gender. Grade and heteroperception were significantly associated regarding maxillary midline shift (p < 0.01) and the relative visibility of the arches behind the lips (p < 0.01). Detailed analysis showed a characteristic pattern of preference changes across grades for both esthetic aspects. The third year of studies appeared to be a dividing line in both cases, after which a real preference order was established. Association between autoperception and heteroperception could not be verified for statistical reasons. Our findings corroborate the results of most previous studies regarding the effect of dental education on the dentofacial esthetic perception of students. We have shown that the effect can be demonstrated on the grade level, which we attribute to the specific curricular contents. We found no gender effect, which, in the light of the literature, suggests that the gender effect in dentofacial esthetic perception is highly culture dependent. The results allow no conclusion regarding the relation between autoperception and heteroperception.

Performance-rating-based approach to formulate a new envelope index for commercial buildings in perspective of energy efficiency and thermal comfort

Taiwan's building envelope thermal performance assessment method (ENVLOAD) was implemented in 1995. The lack of regard for thermal comfort in ENVLOAD has caused ENVLOAD certified buildings to have indoor areas that cause thermal discomfort, which leads to an increase in the energy end-use of the building during actual operation stage. This study aims to develop a new building envelop energy performance index by simultaneously analyzing the influence of energy consumption and thermal comfort. Latin hypercube sampling method is adopted to generate various building envelope samples for building energy simulation to construct the evaluation equations. By comparing to each sample’s annual sensible cooling energy against its own baseline case, indices of performance ratings (PR) based on the dry-bulb temperature and the operative temperature control are proposed. Another aim is to establish an algorithm to convert the proposed index to the previous ENVLOAD benchmark so that the new index can be directly applied to the existing building energy conservation regulations. The study found that the standard regression coefficient of the glazing's thermal insulation property rises from 0.11 to 0.20 when the control scheme switches from dry-bulb control to operative temperature control. Suggesting that the thermal performance requirements for the openings of building envelopes are more important for the new index based on thermal comfort, and that designers need to pay more attention to the control of indoor solar radiation heat gain.

First assessed cervical dilatation: is it associated with oxytocin augmentation during labour? A retrospective cohort study in a university hospital in Switzerland.

The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between the first assessed cervical dilatation in a labourward and the use of oxytocin augmentation during labour. Further analysis was performed by examining the actual stage of labour at the point oxytocin was first administered to those women. Retrospective cohort study with the data collected from the medical records of the hospital. University Hospital Bern, Switzerland PARTICIPANTS: 1933 term nulliparous and multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy giving birth during the period June 2013 and May 2017, representing Robson groups 1 and 3. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were performed. It was found that for the entire process of labour, nulliparous and multiparous women (n=1933) with a first cervical dilatation of 5 or more cm were less likely to be augmented with oxytocin (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46; 0.88 and OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38; 0.82, respectively) compared to women with a first cervical dilatation of less than 5cm. Out of these augmented women (n=746) having a first cervical dilatation of 5 or more cm, they had a lower likelihood of being augmented during the first stage of labour compared to women with a first cervical dilatation of less than 5cm (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29; 0.7 for nulliparae and OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16; 0.6 for multiparae). Additionally, it was observed that other factors contributed to the application of oxytocin. One such example was that epidural analgesia was associated with a high risk of oxytocin augmentation in nulliparae (OR 13.88, 95% CI 9.29; 20.74) and multiparae (OR 15.52, 95% CI 9.94; 24.22). The application of oxytocin was also found to affect the caesarean section rate in nulliparous and multiparous women as it was 20% and 13% respectively for those with oxytocin versus 13% and 4% respectively for those without oxytocin. Early admission to the labourward is associated with an increased use of oxytocin to augment labour, particularly, during the first stage of labour. Epidural analgesia is a main predictor for oxytocin augmentation in nulliparous and multiparous women. Pregnant women warrant more appropriate support during early labour, avoiding early maternal exhaustion and excessive obstetrical interventions.

Comparison of actual porcine tooth crown development stages and computer image analysis.

Tooth developmental stage evaluation is important in dental and chronological age estimation, and it is important for accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment in dental practice. It is routinely assessed by clinical observations and radiographic techniques. This study aimed at ascertaining tooth developmental stage judgments made by examiners and Mimics software according to the Nolla method with radiographs. Meanwhile, the true tooth developmental stages would be explored with histological analysis. Twenty freshly slaughtered porcine heads were collected and hemisected, and both the left and right mandibular samples were numbered. The developmental stages of the second and third permanent molars (M2 and M3) were evaluated by examiners and Mimics software analysis. The ratio of the radiopaque calcified area to the dental follicle (RCA/DF) at different stages was calculated. Both non-decalcified and decalcified samples were processed for histologic observation. The results showed significant differences between RCA/DF ratios from different developmental stages. There was a high positive correlation between the examiners' evaluation results and Mimics analysis results. Radiograph judgments and histology observation results were consistent from Stages 2-6. However, radiograph images of Stage 1 samples showed only crypts present, while under a surgical operating microscope, a bell-shaped tooth germ was observed. This was also confirmed by normal and hard tissue histology. In conclusion, radiograph judgments made by either examiners or Mimics software were both reliable. Mimics analysis can be a useful tool in evaluating tooth developmental stages. However, judgments need to be made cautiously in early developmental stages.

Diplomacy at Crossroads: Challenges of Nigeria’s Foreign Service

This paper surveys the myriad challenges that confront and frustrate the fulfillment of Nigeria’s diplomatic visions and missions overseas. There is a wide-spread understanding and acceptance that Nigeria’s foreign and diplomatic missions operate below expectation. This is more so when comparisonis made between Nigeria’s diplomatic performance and those of the developed and well-ordered societies of the world. Nigeria’s foreign policy through its missions abroad is expected to improve the lots of its citizens living overseas, bring the country’s national and domestic interests to the stage of actualization, and project the country’s image as good before the comity of nations etc. To these expectations, the Nigerian state and its diplomacy leave much to be desired. Among other explanations for this failure of diplomacy are infiltration of the diplomatic profession by non-careerists who by their unprofessionalism, have shown to be foreigners in the foreign service; wanton corruption by the political class which frustrates foreign services; inadequacy of financial resources needed for role performance leading to embarrassments and difficulty in the timely payments of bills etc. The paper concludes that it is both imperative and compelling for the executive government of Nigeria to wake up to these challenges as a matter of urgency, if Nigeria must play an active role that befits its status in international affairs.

On the economics of carbon pricing: Insights from econometric modeling with industry-level data

Abstract The literature which tests the Porter hypothesis by studying the role of environmental policies on innovation is not only fragmented, but mostly employs broad measures of environmental regulations. In order to draw consensus in this literature and sufficiently incentivize the pursuit of environmental policy objectives, further contributions on the economics of environmental regulations utilizing alternative methods and data are needed. Therefore, our analysis takes the Chinese national emission trading scheme (ETS) as specific example of such a policy. In the econometric analysis, Chinese carbon prices from this market are used and their impact on innovation is estimated using a dynamic panel data regression. The main findings are that while a carbon price appears to stimulate R&D intensity (innovation input), the boost in R&D does not result into increased sales and profits for industries (innovation output). High energy consuming industries have higher tendencies to innovate but this takes place at the distribution and marketing stages of the value chain. However, since the energy requirement at these levels is less relative to the actual production stage, the energy costs saving may be limited. Therefore, to better the economics of carbon pricing in a competitive world in which risk aversion is a possibility, policies which encourage energy intensive industries to innovate at the production stage would present opportunities. In general, these findings contribute to our understanding of innovation behavior and have the potential to stimulate new debates in the literature.

Паратекстуальная интрига в драматургическом цикле Л. С. Петрушевской «Квартира Коломбины»

Abstract The article highlights the paratext specificity in L. S. Petrushevskaya’s drama cycle “The Apartment of Colombina”. It is stated that the paratext in drama is a zone of contact between dramaturgical and stage discourses, moreover, the paratextual frame explicates the space of direct interaction between the author and the addressee. In the analysis, a set of titles and one of the types of remarks is being updated, namely the locatives. It is being proved that from the point of view of a paratext, the cycle is an example of a polycode sense modeling when on the first level, we can highlight an inclusion of the dell’arte elements in the framework design, and on the second level, we should fix their correlation with the discourses of the characters. This structures’ clash is one of the features of the ambivalence poetics which is inherent in Petrushevskaya’s dramaturgy. It also demonstrates a conflict interaction between the nomination and the type of dramatic situation unfolding in the play, in which the intrigue is built autonomously in relation to the title. Special attention is paid to the organization of the chronotope in the plays of this cycle. A withdrawn locality in which the action proceeds simultaneously points out a social and domestic type of drama and the theatrical nature of what is happening in the plays. The author comes to the conclusion that, in addition to the direct function (stage directions), the paratext organizes the theatrical dimension of the plot. The key paratext role of the arts consists, therefore, in an effect of recoding the leading chronotope, which is here the apartment. In this regard, the apartment of Colombina appears as a receptacle for the entire theatrical form, and in this space of action, the characters and situations are variable only within the role, the mask. The principle that demonstrates a stylistic harmony of each individual play and the entire cycle of “The Apartment of Colombina” is the mobility and ambivalence of the paratext, which performs a reverse metamorphosis and transforms the scene of the plays into a stage platform. It is shown that there is a du- plication mechanism in the paratext of the drama cycle “The Apartment of Colombina”, when the formal living space becomes irrelevant due to an introduction of a metatheatrical code and exposes the actual stage.

Consideration of the actual stage of nanomaterials used in dentistry

The present paper is meant to be a short presentation of the actual stage of nanomaterials used in dentistry. It shows some theoretical consideration regarding characteristics of some nanomaterials used in dentistry. In recent years, increasing demands for dental reconstruction, have led to the development of new materials that have multiple applications in dental medicine and which must meet aesthetic requirements, biocompatibility requirements as well as hardness or durability. Surpassing the extraction period, dentistry has entered the “restorative era” in which it is desirable to introduce new materials that will lead to the most natural restorations with the physical and chemical closest properties to those of the dental tissues. The discovery of such materials has become a definite necessity in order to achieve consistent progress in this respect. Interest in using nanomaterials, composites with nanomaterials in restorative dentistry, as well as reconstruction, is constantly increasing. It is therefore important that the mechanical properties and not only, of these materials be carefully studied and especially improved

Digitization of justice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications of digitalization on constitutional rights

The article aims to generate a preliminary radiography on the actual stage of digitalization of justice in Romania, offering a perspective on its evolution both domestically and internationally, a development forced, at least in appearance, by the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed by it. The electronic file, the usual use of electronic signatures in trials, as well as the multitude of information provided in the virtual environment by public judicial institutions are some essential aspects that define the beginnings of this deeply restructuring process. The most important question, on which no rigorous analysis has been carried out so far, remains the following: how does this process impact the constitutional rights of citizens? In the chase after the alignment to the European approaches, to the evolution and speed of the digital age in which we live, we lose sight of the fact that the Romanian citizens may not be prepared for this process. The human component fades in front of the benefits of artificial intelligence, adaptation at any cost is required by society, and indirectly, by the state, without providing the necessary resources in this regard. We propose a necessary reading from the perspective of affecting some rights guaranteed by the Constitution through digitization, aspects worthy of consideration.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF INNOVATIVE PROJECTS UNDER UNCERTAINTY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REGULATION OF EXPERT SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The article is devoted to the problems of administrative and legal regulation of expert activities in the scientific and technological sphere, analysis of project financing of innovation activities, methods for evaluating the efficiency of investment and innovation projects, methods for calculating the actual cost of work performed under a government contract, calculating the discounted payback period of innovative projects in the planning and actual implementation stages.

The Intelligent Space Modeled as a Cyber-Physical System

According to a general rule definition, the intelligent space (iSpace) is defined as a location (or space) provided with electronic sensor networks that enable the considered environment with intelligent behaviors. As a result, the considered space will be able to perceive stimulus around them and to understand events that happen its near surrounding. Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are building blocks in Industry 4.0 that links digital technology and the physical environment in an industrial context. They combine intelligent physical objects and systems on a high level of functions integration. This paper emphasizes the main idea that intelligent spaces may be also modeled as complex cyber-physical systems, as well. This approach has been developed by discussing the theoretical basis of both the iSpaces and CPSs, respectively unfolding a short comparison between their basic behaviors. As a concrete example, the CPS model of a given iSpace framework is presented and discussed widely in the paper. This model has been experimented by using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processor-based ready-to-use development systems and software technologies that handles reconfigurable hardware technology. The implementation proves that the developed CPS model is well feasible and expresses in all the main behaviors and functions of iSpaces. It is also mentioned that the actual stage of the technological development terms and scientific areas related to iSpaces and CPSs overlaps. In fact, this is not surprising at all by considering nowadays evidence that iSpaces are widely present and shared components in modern manufactory processes that are an inherent part of Industry 4.0 vision and reality.

FORMATION OF OBJECT TOPOLOGY FOR THE HARMONIZATION OF THE EXAMINATION OF THE PROJECT DOCUMENTATION OF CONVERSION OBJECTS

Today, not only the scope of expertise has expanded, their number has increased in connection with various assignments, but their structure has become much more complicated. In this article, the authors systematized and generalized the regulatory and technical base and experience of passing state and non state expert reviews of design and estimate documentation, indicating the features of this procedure with various parameters and conditions in order to obtain complete information about this procedure for further optimization and harmonization project managers when determining the project approval format. The practical significance of the work is determined by the fact that it has developed on the basis of theoretical and methodological research methods that users need to prepare for passing examinations, formulated practical recommendations and proposals for examination procedures in the field of investment activity. The solution of these problems was carried out using a systematic approach, inductive and deductive methods for assessing the system of state and non-state expertise. In the process of research, the authors used along with scientific and educational sources: federal legislation, decrees and orders of the Government of the Russian Federation. In the work, for the first time, the topology of capital construction objects was developed and presented, on the basis of which a summary table was formed with the required format for coordinating the de-sign and estimate documentation of a particular type of investment and construction project. This material may be useful to project department employees, project managers (Chief Project Engineers), investment project developers in order to optimize work at the stage of examination of design and estimate documentation and to quickly transfer the project from the stage of coordination to the actual implementation stage (implementation construction and installation works).

Current therapeutic strategies for erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy – literature review and meta-analysis

Current therapeutic strategies for erectile function recovery after radical prostatectomy – literature review and meta-analysis

Forecasting Groundwater Level for Soil Landslide Based on a Dynamic Model and Landslide Evolution Pattern

The occurrence and migration of groundwater is a key natural factor that directly affects the stability of landslides, and rainfall has a large effect on the groundwater level in soil landslides. This study used the Baijiabao landslide in the Three Georges area of China as the research subject and used a combination of more than seven years of rainfall and GPS (Global Positioning System) monitoring data from 2007 to 2013. We applied the K-means clustering method to classify one cycle of the evolution stage into three classes based on the relative displacement of the main sliding surface of the landslide. To illustrate the relationship between the three landslide evolution divisions and the dynamic indicators, we identified rainfall factors that correspond to the actual change in the landslide using the minimal description length principle method. Based on the relationship between the actual deformation stage of the landslide and the rainfall factor from historical monitoring, the mean absolute error of the dynamic exponential smoothing model was 0.053, and the correlation coefficient was 0.929. The size of the smoothness index could be modified in real-time to achieve dynamic correction, which indicates that the model exhibited high reliability and confirmed the usefulness of the proposed model for forecasting groundwater level changes based on deep-seated soil landslide type.

O patrimônio industrial no Brasil no século XXI

O cenário de formação de estudos sobre patrimônio industrial no Brasil como foco do trabalho visa apresentar, de maneira preliminar, o atual estágio do estado da arte no País. O envolvimento de acadêmicos, grupos de trabalho e demais pesquisadores determina um conjunto de trabalhos acadêmicos e científicos que tragam a temática à discussão atual e construam um corpus teórico e práticas cuja atenção se centra na temática. A partir dessa ideia constrói-se a base metodológica de pesquisa, como um estudo bibliográfico cujos binômios “patrimônio industrial” e “arqueologia industrial” definem uma rede de correlação e seus preditores. Como campo de pesquisa tem-se os encontros nacionais e internacionais do período de 2004-2018, além das bases de dados de portais acadêmicos no Brasil: o Portal de Periódicos (CAPES/MEC), a Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD/IBICT) e o Portal Domínio Público (MEC). O cruzamento das informações determinou uma análise em relação dos campos de pesquisa e áreas pesquisadas ao patrimônio industrial. Assim, busca-se avaliar o campo teórico-prático construído, além de compreender sua inserção em diferentes cenários a partir da segunda década do século XXI. A sua concepção pretende trazer à discussão a importância dos espaços industriais segundo sua importância na formação do patrimônio e da sociedade brasileiros.

Analysis on diagnosis rate of chronic kidney disease in hospitalized pediatric patients

Objective: To analyze diagnosis rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in hospitalized pediatric patients in a single center and understand pediatricians' awareness of CKD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Children who were admitted to the Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017 and met the diagnostic criteria of CKD (kidney disease: improving global outcomes 2012 guideline) were recruited. A total of 4 472 cases were enrolled. Original CKD diagnosis was collected from the home page of medical records. Actual CKD diagnosis was validated and corrected by reviewing medical records and recalculating glomerular filtration rate. The diagnosis rate and influencing factors of pediatric CKD, the distribution and etiology of actual CKD were analyzed. The comparison between groups were performed with χ(2) test. Results: In 4 472 cases, there were 3 470 cases in actual CKD stage 1, among which only 24 cases were in original CKD stage 1. There were 543 cases in actual CKD stage 2-3, among which only 181 cases were in original CKD stage 2-3. Three hundred and one cases were in actual CKD stage 4-5, including 290 cases in original CKD stage 4-5. In addition, there were 43 cases with unknown CKD stage and 115 cases with acute kidney injury. Compared to original CKD diagnosis, the diagnosis rates of CKD stage 1-5 were 0.7% (24/3 470), 16.7% (58/348), 63.1% (123/195), 90.7% (78/86) and 98.6% (212/215), respectively. The proportions of actual CKD stage 1-5 were 80.4% (3 470/4 314), 8.1% (348/4 314), 4.5% (195/4 314), 2.0% (86/4 314) and 5.0% (215/4 314). The etiology of actual CKD included primary glomerular disease (62.2%, 2 686/4 314), secondary glomerular disease (19.7%, 849/4 314), hereditary kidney disease (9.1%, 391/4 314), congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) (3.1%, 135/4 314), tubulointerstitial disease (2.2%, 94/4 314) and etiology uncertain (2.1%, 89/4 314). The leading cause of end stage renal disease was etiology uncertain (31.1%, 67/215), followed by hereditary kidney disease (24.2%, 52/215), CAKUT (16.3%, 35/215) and primary glomerular disease (16.3%, 35/215). Conclusions: Among actual CKD hospitalized pediatric patients, the diagnosis rate of CKD given by physicians at discharge was relatively low, especially patients in earlier CKD stages, which reflected serious lack of physicians' awareness of CKD.

Hierarchical Energy Management System for Home Microgrids

With the spread of distributed energy resources, sensing infrastructure, and automation facilities, modern homes are becoming “home microgrids.” This paper intends to support this trend and proposes a two-stage hierarchical energy management system for smart homes by considering both day-ahead and actual operation stages. In the day-ahead stage, an efficient scenario analysis approach is developed to account for residential photovoltaic solar power uncertainty. The approach performs solar power scenario generation and reduction based on the Wasserstein distance metric and K-medoids, respectively. This is then followed by the use of a stochastic day-ahead residential energy resource scheduling model. In the actual operation stage, a semi-scenario based rolling horizon optimization mechanism is proposed, based on which an actual operation model is established. Simulations are then conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed system.