Form Of Strips Research Articles

Segments of the ancient cultural landscape in the “Hungarian Corner” of Moravia: A valuable pre-industrial heritage

After a brief historical overview, the paper discusses two basic types of natural and cultural heritage in the territory of the “Hungarian corner” of Moravia. For 300 years, this area called a Campus Lucsco in the southeast of today’s republic was disputed territory between the Czech and Hungarian states. Settlement therefore proceeded slowly in waves depending on the political situation. The present international border was established around the year 1333. Numerous documents of the ancient landscape, probably of medieval origin, have been preserved in the current landscape. They are the ground plans of the cores of municipalities, whether they were founded by Czech or Hungarian landlords on one hand, and the remains of ancient land distribution in the form of narrow strips of agricultural land on the other hand. Other areas succumbed to land consolidation during land reforms in the 20th century. While the ground plans of the village cores are only subject to minor changes, the small-scale use of land is still threatened by further merging. The ground plans of the municipalities and land division at the present time (in colour orthophoto maps) were visually compared with the situation documented by the stable cadastre maps from the 1820s–1830s (see Figure 3). Only identical areas in both sources represent urban and rural segments of the pre-industrial landscape, whose roots go back to the dated Medieval Ages. They are documented on selected representative examples well-preserved ground plans of village cores, probably of integrated Hungarian and Czech origin. Similarly, well-preserved examples of the ancient division of agricultural land in flat and dissected terrain both with poly-functional and mono-functional land use are demonstrated. The best-preserved remnants of the ancient pre-industrial landscape are equal in value to protected areas of nature and cultural monuments. Their number and quality these remnants are threatened by economic pressure.

Investigation of the process of bimetallic castings formation for crushing and grinding equipment

The analysis of the state of production of wear-resistant materials showed that one of the promising directions for improving their quality is the use of bimetallic castings, which have a complex of properties differentiated by the volume and surfaces of the products. However, the problem of obtaining a high-quality connection of the base and the working layer has not been solved until now. The article examines the influence of the chemical composition, temperature parameters, and mass ratio of alloys of bimetallic pairs on the process of bimetallic castings formation. The purpose of the study was to study the growth kinetics and structural-phase composition of the transition diffusion layers of bimetallic castings depending on the chemical composition, temperature parameters and the ratio of the masses of the alloys of the bimetallic pairs. As a research result, it was established that the formation of transition layers of bimetallic castings is determined by the processes of diffusion and structural-phase transformations in the interaction zone - "solid - liquid metal". The processes largely depends on the chemical composition of bimetallic pairs, temperature parameters, and the mass ratio of the layers. It was determined that in bimetallic castings obtained by pouring liquid metal onto a preheated solid billet, the transition layer is characterized by the presence of two zones - pearlitic, from the side of the base metal and without the carbide region of the matrix of the working layer. It has been established that the formation of transition layers in bimetallic castings obtained by successive pouring of melts into the mold through autonomous pouring systems is accompanied by the saturation of steel by carbon from cast iron to a depth of 600-800 microns and the formation of a zone with a lamellar pearlite structure along the border of the alloy junction, and the transition layer between cast iron and steel consists of pearlite in the form of a narrow strip and a zone of chromic ferrite from the side of cast iron. As a result of the study of the peculiarities of the formation of transitional layers of bimetallic castings when liquid metal is poured onto a solid billet, it was established that the degree of dissolution of the base metal in liquid cast iron increases with an increase of the billet preheating temperature and the temperature of the melt, as well as the ratio of the mass of liquid cast iron to a unit surface area of the metal base. At the same time, the rate of dissolution is proportional to the gradient between the temperatures of the contact surface and the cast iron solidus. It was established that the formation of a reliable diffusion bond for bimetallic pairs "carbon (low-alloy) steel - high-chromium cast iron" is ensured if the temperature of the contact surface exceeds the temperature of the eutectic transformation of cast iron. The mechanism is revealed of formation of the transition zone structure. The materials of the article can be used by scientists for further research and practitioners in the selection of materials for work in extreme conditions. Keywords: steel, cast iron, temperature, transitional layer, solidus, liquidus, melt, solidification.

Flexural behavior of green RC beams with disposable glasses fibers in a marine environment

Using supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete improves mechanical behavior and decreases the environmental pollution resulting from cement as a generator of greenhouse gases. On the other hand, the addition of disposable glasses as fibers to concrete can reduce cracking, increase ductility, and decrease environmental pollution too. Therefore, it seems that by the simultaneous use of SCM and plastic waste fiber in producing green concrete structures can reduce environmental pollution, improve mechanical behavior, and delay the cracking process, especially in marine. To achieve this objective, in the current research program, the effects of adding 0.5 % and1 % disposable glass fibers in form of ring or strip on the flexural behavior of ordinary green reinforced concrete (GRC) beams containing 10 % metakaolin/zeolite as SCMs were investigated at 28 and 180 days in the tidal environment of the Oman sea. According to the results, the cracking load (Pcr) of GRC beams was decreased up to 25 % and 32 % by adding ring and strip fibers, respectively. Moreover, adding fibers to GRC beams increased the maximum load capacity (Pmax) and flexural toughness (T) up to 28 % and 48 %, respectively. Also, green fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) beams containing strip fibers had greater Pmax and T than ring fibers. Furthermore, metakaolin GFRC beams had higher Pcr, Pmax, and T than zeolite by 7 %, 9 %, and 7 %, respectively. Considerating the results, addition of ring fibers to the GRC beams increased the pre-cracking stiffness (SFpr) more than the strip fibers and decreased the post-cracking stiffness (SFpo).

Study on reinforced concrete elements of buildings and structures with cracks, reinforced with composite polymer materials

With the rapid development of modern construction practice around the world, serious problems arise in the application and subsequent operation of reinforced concrete structures. Today, the problem of reconstruction and restoration of buildings and structures requires an urgent solution. The deterioration of the environmental situation threatens the reliability of buildings and structures, a sharp deterioration in their condition is observed in almost all countries and climatic zones. In our case, the trend towards wear is developing due to the imperfection of regulatory documents and the need for proper maintenance of objects. The development of the construction industry and the use of innovative composite polymer materials in construction and the strengthening of existing buildings and structures with modern methods are relevant. Often very rare, expensive, historically significant structures require reliable operation, and their dismantling or replacement is more expensive than repair, or even impossible. Reinforcement of building structures using composite polymer materials (CPM) is by far the most “cautious” measure for their restoration and improvement of performance. In our research, the main attention is paid to the technology of external reinforcement of reinforced concrete beams using CFRP to increase their load-bearing capacity at shear. To reduce material consumption when strengthening the structure, it is more efficient to use CFRP in the form of strips, however, this practice has not been practically studied. Previous researchers have concentrated their attention mainly on external reinforcement, generally ignoring the effect of internal reinforcement. However, it is known that internal and external reinforcement complement each other and the destruction during shearing of reinforced concrete elements is mainly influenced by such factors as steel clamps, longitudinal reinforcement and the ratio of the shear span to the working height of the section. Therefore, in our studies, special attention was paid to considering the influence of these factors on the overall bearing capacity of beams. In addition, the work studied the ability to transfer shear stresses through cracks in reinforced concrete beams reinforced with external reinforcement from CFRP compared to the same unreinforced ones.

Fluorenone Appended Colorimetric Sensor for Cascade Detection of Fluoride and Calcium Gluconate with Applications in Solid State and Logic Gate Systems

AbstractA novel fluorenone derived Schiff base chemosensor (1) has been synthesized as a colorimetric sensor for fluoride (F−) ions in CH3CN and characterized by various analytical techniques. The chemosensor 1 perceived high selectivity for F− ion detection in the presence of other anions along with naked eye color change from yellow to orange‐red with quantitative detection limit of 900 nM. The UV‐vis changes, density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations and 1H NMR titration studies pointed to F− ion induced deprotonation of −OH of sensor 1 that has been proposed to be responsible for the observed absorption as well as color changes. The sensor 1 has also been efficiently applied for the solid state concentration dependent naked eye detection of F− ions in the form of filter paper strips and smartphone applications. The in‐situ generated 1‐F− complex was further utilized for cascade recognition of calcium gluconate (CG). The reversible and reproducible changes produced by the addition of F− ions and CG enabled 1 to be used as “INHIBIT” molecular logic system and “SET/RESET” memorized device at the molecular level.

Thermal, structural, and morphological examination of mercerized coir fiber–reinforced composites

In recent times, the use of discarded single-use plastics in the manufacture of value-added products has increased drastically. Their use as recycled materials significantly reduce the environmental impact of waste plastic pollution, encourage sustainability, and provide an alternate solution to their disposal. This research also investigates and discusses the use of recycled low-density polyethylene in the form of milk pouches, collapsible tubes, and medicinal strips along with coir fiber as reinforcement for the fabrication of polymer composites. Composites were manufactured by compression molding technique and the effect of fiber surface treatment on the mechanical, morphological and structural characteristics was studied. Thermal stability was also studied by differential scanning calorimetry. It was observed that treating cellulosic fibers with 5% NaOH improved the wettability and interfacial adhesion between the fibers and matrix. Thermal stability was increased and a better mechanical property was achieved. Based on the finding of this research, it was concluded that using recycled plastic could produce a notable reduction in waste accumulation and the composites made by their incorporation also show better mechanical and morphological properties. They proved to be a sustainable and greener solution to the problem of waste management.

Объекты природного и культурного наследия и эстетически ценные пейзажи на территории природного заказника «Воробьевы горы» в атласной информационной системе

The Vorobyovy Gory Nature Reserve is a specially protected natural area with a unique location near the center of Moscow (6 km from the Kremlin) and configuration in the form of a narrow strip along the Moscow River on the high right bank. In 1998, by decree of the Moscow Government, the territory of the Vorobyovy Gory received the status of a natural reserve of regional significance. Currently, the reserve is experiencing anthropogenic pressure, which intensified with its transfer in 2013 to the free use of the Central Park of Culture and Recreation “Gorky Park”, which sharply changed the vector of use of the territory from environmental to recreational. Compromise solutions are needed, which are possible only if all participants in land use are provided with data on the characteristics of protected areas and on geo-ecological threats to it. All this data can be comprehensively presented in an atlas information system (AIS)—a computerized geographic information system associated with a specific territory or topic, combined with a narrative part where maps play a dominant role. When including a large amount of various non-cartographic information, AIS is classified as multimedia (MAIS), the creation of which has certain prospects for Vorobyovy Gory. Materials on the natural and cultural heritage of the Vorobyovy Gory were collected and the possibility of their inclusion in the AIS was assessed. The data collected, organized and processed during the study of the territory and the compiled map formed the basis of the designed AIS, for which a thematic structure was defined. On the territory of the natural reserve there are many valuable objects of natural and cultural heritage (animals and plants of the Red Book of Moscow, historical and cultural objects, including those of federal significance, associated not only with Moscow, but also with Russian history). Information about valuable natural objects was assessed from the point of view of threats due to recreational impact. It was found that areas with the greatest biodiversity also experience the greatest recreational pressure. Large-scale construction works pose the greatest danger to natural objects. A gestalt assessment of the aesthetic value of the landscapes of the reserve was carried out, and the most valuable of them from the point of view of recreational visitors were identified.

The Case for Self-Education. The Self-Help Manuals of the Communication Centre of Scientific Knowledge for Self-Reliance

This paper addresses self-help manuals presenting planning, building and survival knowledge in the form of comic strips. They were designed by the Communication Centre of Scientific Knowledge for Self-Reliance (CCSK) and distributed globally, with a particular focus on India. The CCSK, founded in 1982-83 by architects Yona Friedman and Eda Schaur and funded by the United Nations University (UNU), imagined a multidirectional exchange of different forms of expertise, taking the knowledge and agency of non-professionals into account and aiming to question conventional concepts of the expert. This paper asks how different forms of expertise were acknowledged, constructed, and challenged in the CCSK manuals. It situates Schaur and Friedman’s work within the discourse on self-help in general and on “appropriate technology” and the role of communication media and visualization techniques in development aid in particular. Although the knowledge transfer from “developing countries” to industrialized ones remained largely imaginary, the CCSK contributed to establishing development as a global and mutual learning process, a concept especially advocated by the UNU.

Advances in fentanyl testing.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was approved by the FDA in the late 1960s. In the decades since, non-prescription use of fentanyl, its analogs, and structurally unrelated novel synthetic opioids (NSO) has become a worsening public health crisis. There is a clear need for accessible testing for these substances in biological specimens and in apprehended drugs. Immunoassays for fentanyl in urine are available but their performance is restricted to facilities that hold moderate complexity laboratory licenses. Immunoassays for other matrices such as oral fluid (OF), blood, and meconium have been developed but are not widely available. Point of care tests (POCT), such as lateral flow immunoassays or fentanyl test strips (FTS), are widely available but not approved by the FDA for clinical use. All immunoassays are vulnerable to false positive and false negative results. Immunoassays may or may not be able to detect fentanyl analogs and NSOs. Mass spectrometry (MS) can accurately and reliably measure fentanyl and its major metabolite norfentanyl in urine and oral fluid. MS is available at reference laboratories and large hospitals. Liquid chromatography paired with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the most widely used method and has outstanding specificity and sensitivity for fentanyl and norfentanyl. When compared to immunoassays, MS is more expensive, requires more technical skill, and takes longer to result. Newer mass spectrometry methods can measure fentanyl analogs and NSO. Both mass spectrometry assays and immunoassays [in the form of fentanyl test strips (FTS)] have potential use in harm reduction programs.

МОРФОФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЩИТОВИДНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ И НАДПОЧЕЧНИКОВ БЕЛОГРУДОГО ЕЖА В ПЕРИОД НОВОРОЖДЕННОСТИ

The article studies the patterns of morphological changes in the thyroid gland and adrenal glands in a newborn white-breasted hedgehog, which should be considered as a compensatory-adaptive reaction of the body aimed at maintaining metabolic homeostasis by the period of postnatal life. In 75% of cases, a definitive cortical substance was found, which is not accompanied by zonal differentiation. The chromaffin cells of the medulla are few in number, poorly differentiated, and are located in the center of the gland in the form of a thin strip. The thyroid gland does not have a typical lobular structure and classic follicles, it is represented by asexual accumulations of thyrocytes, which indicates its incomplete definitive structure.

Prevalence and co-infection of Toxoplasma gondii and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among women of child-bearing age in Osun state Nigeria

This study assessed the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and Human immunodeficiency Virus and their co-infection infection in women of child-bearing age in communities in Osun State, Nigeria. The study also determines the factors that facilitate the organisms among the studied groups and possible interaction between the prevalence of infection and the risk factors. These were done with a view to providing baseline information on the mode of T. gondii and HIV transmission. Sera were analyzed for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii by commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Demeditec Diagnostics GmbH, Germany) conducted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The optical densities of wells were measured by a photometer at a wavelength of 450 nm and the detection of HIV was done using (Determine) rapid immunochromatographic (IC) test which are in strip form. Determination of the blood groups of the donors was done using commercially prepared Anti sera A, B, AB and anti D that determine the Rhesus blood group. The overall prevalence of T. gondii among the women of child-bearing age in selected six communities in Osun state was 74.2%, while the overall prevalence of HIV among the women was 2.6% and co-infection of T. gondii and HIV was 1.5%. The prevalence of T. gondii was lowest (57.8%) among women from Ile Ife, a peri-urban community and highest (100%) in women residing in Alajue, a rural community. The prevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly higher (p= 0.001) among Islamic women (85.9%) than in Christian women (68.2%) while the prevalence of HIV (2.7%) in Christianity and co-infection of T. gondii and HIV (2.3%) was higher among Islam. The highest prevalence of T. gondii (83.6%) was recorded in women with primary education while the lowest of (58.7%) was recorded in women with tertiary education (p =0.037) while the highest prevalence of HIV infection of 2.9% and co-infection of 1.8% was recorded in secondary school level. The highest prevalence of T. gondii (78.5%) was recorded in women that reside in rural area and the lowest (67.5%) was recorded in women that reside in peri-urban area (p=0.016) and also the prevalence of HIV (4.5%) (p= 0.045) and co-infection of T. gondii and HIV (3.2%) (p=0.025) was higher in peri-urban area. The highest prevalence of 84.0% of T. gondii was recorded in house wives while the lowest value of 59.3% was recorded in civil servant and the highest prevalence of HIV infection of 7.7% in house wives and co-infection of 3.3% was recorded in trading. The highest prevalence of T. gondii infection of 100.0% was recorded in women with blood group AB negative while the lowest prevalence of 30.0% was recorded in women with blood group A negative and the highest prevalence of HIV infection of 6.3% was recorded in women with blood group B negative and O negative each. Co-infection has highest prevalence of 6.3% in blood group B negative. The highest prevalence of 77.1% of T. gondii was recorded in women with one miscarriage while the lowest value of 73.3% was recorded in women with two miscarriages and the highest prevalence of HIV infection of 5.7% was recorded in women with one miscarriage while the lowest prevalence of 2.5% was recorded in women with no miscarriage. The highest prevalence of 100.0% of T. gondii and 2.7% of HIV infection was recorded in women with no pregnancy and the co-infection 1.6% was recorded in women no pregnancy. The study concluded that there was high prevalence of T. gondii infection (74.2%) and also implicates HIV (2.6%) and co-infection of both (1.5%) in the studied population. Hence, there is the need for health education and create awareness of the diseases and its transmission to women of reproductive age group in general and pregnant women in particular to reduce the risk of T. gondii and HIV in pregnant women.

INFLUENCE OF METAL LAYER SURFACED WITH LOCAL ADDITION OF AMPLIFER ON THE STRESSED AND DEFORMED STATE OF THE PLATE

One of the important aspects of the surfacing process, both restorative and strengthening, is the formation of metal layers that differ significantly in physical and mechanical properties from the base. At the same time, the local action of a concentrated heat source causes uneven heating of the workpiece in thickness, and the crystallization of the deposited layer is accompanied by casting shrinkage and structural transformations, the stress-deformed state of such objects will be quite unfavorable both from the point of view of forming and the subsequent operation of the finished products. In view of this, based on the methods of the theory of elasticity, develop an algorithm for analytically determining the stress-strain state of a welded plate of considerable width as a composite two-layer material under the influence of external normal loading, taking into account the location of zones of increased hardness in the form of strips in the welded layer. The surfaced prismatic plate was adopted as a two-layer structure, in which the deformations of the material are directly proportional to the stresses. The deposited layer is continuous. The thickness of the plate and the deposited layer are unchanged. By using the dependences of the stress-strain state indicators on one stress function, a mathematical model of the welded plate as a two-layer structure was formed. An algorithm for determining the deformations and distribution of stresses in the plate under the condition of its flat deformation in the direction of surfacing is constructed. The periodic change of the modulus of elasticity of the deposited layer is taken into account. The indicators of the stress-strain state of the plate from its normal load were determined. The effect of Poisson's ratio on the layer-by-layer distribution of stresses in the plate is shown.

Experimental Investigation of Actively Confined RC Columns Using Iron-Based Shape Memory Alloy Spiral Stirrups

Shape memory alloys (SMA) can be employed as prestressing components in the form of bars and strips in new reinforced concrete (RC) members or for reinforcing existing RC constructions because of their shape memory effect. Early research focused on retrofitting concrete components with external SMA spirals, but this technology has not been extensively used in new building. Civil engineering constructions can benefit from the development of a more affordable iron-based shape memory alloy (Fe-SMA). A good form recovery stress (prestress force) and high elastic stiffness describe this Fe-SMA. As an added benefit, it is less expensive in terms of raw materials and easier to manufacture than nickel-titanium alloys (NiTi). Industrial production of Fe-SMA strips has just recently begun. In this research under an axial compression force, three circular columns are tested experimentally. The confinement of reinforcement-type steel strips and (Fe-SMA) spiral stirrups, main reinforced steel bars, as well as numerical simulation using finite elements, are all researched. The (Fe-SMA) spiral stirrups are considered strengthening techniques, internal and external confinement. Axial compressive load, load-displacement curve, and strain-reinforcement bars are all terms used to define the cause of failure. Strengthening by Fe-SMA stirrups external reinforcement maximum gains in compressive strength of around 69.99% for stirrups steel reinforcement columns and 51.64% for Fe-SMA stirrups internal reinforcement.

Effect of Ti content on microstructure and mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC composites/GH536 superalloy joints brazed with CoFeCrNiCuTi high entropy filler

In this study, SiCf/SiC composite and GH536 superalloy was successfully vacuum brazed with a self-made CoFeNiCrCuTix high entropy filler with different Ti content. The effect of Ti content in the brazing fillers on the microstructure and mechanical properties of joints was studied in detail. When the molar ratio of Ti element to the elements in the filler is 0.5, the typical interfacial microstructure of joint is SiCf/SiC/Cr23C6/TiC/Ti3SiC2/TiNi3/Ni2Si/Fe3Si/MoNiSi/HEAF/rich-Ni phase/GH536. Increasing Ti content in the filler, the interfacial reaction controlled by Fe and Ni elements is gradually dominated by Ti elements. The TiC phase distributed in the form of continuous strips inhibits and reduces the generation of brittle phases FeSi and NiSi, which is beneficial to improve the mechanical properties of joints. The maximum shear strength of the brazed joint reach 98.23 MPa when the molar ratio of Ti content to other elements in the filler is 1, which is 14.10 % higher than that obtained using filler without Ti element. This work proves that Ti element in high entropy fillers can regulate interfacial reactions and reduce the amount of brittle intermetallic compounds, thus providing a new idea for high entropy filler design and its application in the field of brazing.

Electroplastic effect at tension in TRIP steel

The paper presents the results of a study of electroplastic effect in metastable high-alloyed austenitic-martensitic steel in strip form with the thickness of 0.3 mm during plastic deformation with current of different modes and regimes. Choice of the research material is due to manifestation of the TRIP effect in it, caused by martensitic transformation during deformation. The ratio of volume fractions of austenite and martensite in the steel before deformation was 50:50. Deformation behavior of the steel was studied by stress-strain curves and mechanical properties at room temperature in static tension with current by short single pulses of large density, as well as multipulse current with frequency of 1000 Hz and direct current. Microstructure in the initial, before tension, state was investigated by optical and transmission microscopy. It consists of large equiaxed grains of austenite and twinned martensite up to 80 µm in size. Phase composition of the steel before and after tension with and without current was studied by X-ray diffraction. Tensile deformation without current promotes martensitic transformation and increases the volume fraction of martensite from 50 to 82 %. The introduction of single current pulses does not influence the TRIP effect, causes power surges and confirms the occurrence of electroplastic effect. Current mode has a strong influence on manifestation of the TRIP effect, suppressing it at multipulse and direct current and causing a sharp decrease in tensile strength, yield stress, and elongation to failure. Tension with current stabilizes the austenite and reduces content of the formed martensite up to 72 % in multi-pulse mode and up to 50 % when using direct current.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MICROORGANISMS USED IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PESTS AND THEIR RELATION TO BEES: A REVIEW

The aim of the review is to describe a control of pests by microorganisms and its possible effect on bees, other pollinators and beekeeping. Biological control seems to be a natural way to solve the problem with pests in agriculture as an alternative to the use of pesticides. However, the proposed solution must be closely associated with the safety to pollinators, which are an important part of plant production as well as forest ecosystems. Entomopathogenic bacteria (mainly bacilli) and entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) are often used to suppress the pests in agriculture. The application of entomopathogenic microsporidia is controversial because their frequent representatives are pollinators' pests. Moreover, biocontrol can be applied in the form of pollinator strips near the fields with monocultures resulting in plant and pollinator protection. In some countries, bees are also used as biovectors of control agents for the plant protection in the fields. On the other hand, specific pests pose a threat to bees themselves in the hives. Varoosis is a problem in beekeeping all over the world. The suppression of bee pests using microorganisms was tested. An activity of Beauveria bassiana against Varroa destructor shows promising results. Surprisingly, Beauveria bassiana can be isolated from cadavers of Galleria mellonella larvae, another bee pest, which destroy wax combs. Therefore, understanding of various links between the organisms could be helpful for sustainable beekeeping. Overall, humans are more conscious that everything is connected to each other. Protecting agents designed on natural basis often possess excellent results in practice. Therefore, testing them is more than desirable.

Monitoring the state of snow cover in the Khabarovsk Territory

In the article, the authors considered the issues of snow cover monitoring in the conditions of the Khabarovsk Territory. An analysis was made of the main pollutants in the period from 2014 to 2020, the impact of snow cover on the environment was studied, and the ways in which pollutants entered were analyzed. The presented work is of an analytical and research nature — to trace the accumulation of pollutants in the snow cover, for further development of solutions to improve the atmospheric air monitoring system in the cities of the region. The work was carried out within the framework of research work 3.21-TOGU. The state of protection of the environment and vital human interests from the possible negative impact of economic and other activities on the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory at the present time cannot be considered satisfactory. Environmental problems are global in nature and do not have territorial, state borders, but to date, a unified system for monitoring and assessing the ecological state of the ecosystem with the prolongation of the dynamics of changes in the future has not been created in the region. And the known set of methods and tools for assessing the environmental situation does not provide the required level of reliability. Snow cover is a natural accumulator of a large amount of aerosol substances, in which atmospheric precipitation is accumulated and preserved; in addition, it can be considered a natural indicator of both the state of the atmosphere and pollution of soils, water, and biosphere objects. At present, under the conditions of an ever-increasing anthropogenic load on the environment, high-quality, timely information about the state of the environment is needed. Although interest in research on the chemical composition of the snow cover has recently grown, it should be noted that in the territory of the Khabarovsk Territory, little is done in depth research in this area. The territory of this region is located in the form of a narrow strip on the eastern outskirts of Asia, the climate of the region is monsoon. It is characterized by cold, snowy winters and wet, hot summers. Climatic conditions change significantly both from north to south, and depending on the proximity to the sea, as well as on the nature of the relief. The period of snow occurrence is from 4 months, mainly in the southern, southwestern regions, to 6 months in the northern regions, which, according to the authors, is a good help for a detailed study of accumulated pollutants. In addition, in the region, more than 83.14 % of the population lives in cities with high and very high levels of air pollution, which primarily affects health (among the common types of diseases, respiratory diseases are in first place, circulatory system diseases are in second, third disease of the musculoskeletal system). To reduce the technogenic load on the atmosphere, it is necessary to install more efficient cleaning systems at thermal power plants and introduce effective technical control of the transport composition in the region, review and improve the atmospheric air monitoring system.

Calprotectin and N-telopeptide of Type I Collagen (NTx) as Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) Biomarker in Peri-Implantitis Patients

Introduction: Formulation of various preventive and therapeutic strategies is possible only by a better understanding of the immune-inflammatory profile of peri-implant diseases. For understanding the changes and turnover of bone, various markers have been used in the past literature, out of which, N-telopeptide of Type I Collagen (NTx) is acknowledged to be the most reliable marker.Aims and objectives: Assessment of calprotectin and NTx concentration in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) around the implant sites in subjects suffering from peri-implantitis.Materials and methods: In total, 70 healthy individuals were included in the present study. These patients had opted for dental implants within the last decade. After collecting the peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and GCF, various examinations were carried out. PICF samples were obtained with the help of sterile paper available in the form of strips. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used for measuring the calprotectin and NTx. All the readings were obtained in nanograms per microliter of PICF. All the results were recorded and analyzed.Results: The overall mean calprotectin and NTx values were observed to be in a significantly higher range within the sites suffering from peri-implantitis when compared with healthy locations. The calprotectin values and NTx levels were positively correlated with the mean values of periodontal parameters observed clinically.Conclusion: Both calprotectin and NTx could be used as a biomarker signifying the presence of inflammation as well as bone resorption in patients suffering from peri-implantitis.

Development of pH Measuring Strip Test Based On West Kalimantan Local Plant

Synthetic acid-base indicators possess some disadvantages. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a natural acid-base indicator made from a mixture of plant extracts, which has a strip form, is safe, eco-friendly, has a wide pH range, and has clear color changing. This research aims to determine the pH range, make a pH indicator in the strip form, and produce a biodegradable acid-base indicator made from a mixture of Melastoma malabathricum flower, Dioscorea alata rhizome, Syzygium paniculatum leaves, Garcinia fruit peel, Eleutherine bulbosa rhizome extracts. Plant extracts were obtained using the maceration method. pH range was evaluated using the visual method by sensing the color changing in the pH range from 1 to 14. pH indicator strip was made by applying filter paper in the strip form into the extract mixture for 2 hours. The biodegradable property of acid-base indicator strips was established by measuring indicator strip degradation after planting it in the ground for 20 days at room temperature. The results showed that the acid-base indicator strip made from a mixture of plant extracts was able to give a color change from pink to light green in the pH range of 3-8 and can be decomposed completely after planting it in the ground for 20 days. Thus, it indicated that a natural pH indicator strip based on West Kalimantan plants has the potential to be developed as a safe and effective acid-base indicator to substitute synthetic acid-base indicators.

Activities to Foster The Students’ Socio-pragmatics Awareness: a Locally Situated Process

Equipping students with Sociopragamatic awareness is very crucial to be deployed. Since Sociopragmatic competences are required in communications, the ELT teachers need to facilitate them with engaging activities and authentic material. Making the students engage actively in classroom instruction will increase their enthusiasm and spread the positivity among the students. However, inserting Socioragmatic into classroom instruction is rarely to be implemented by the teachers. To fill this void, the article presents activities to arouse the students Sociopragmatic awareness through locally situated process. This process is implemented in form of Discourse Completion Task (DCT), movie clips, and comic strips. These classroom activities are believed to give opportunities for the students to experience language practices therefore they know how to use the sensitive English.