Real Capacity Research Articles

From Past to Present: The Link Between Reactive Oxygen Species in Sperm and Male Infertility.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be generated in mammalian cells via both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms. In sperm cells, while ROS may function as signalling molecules for some physiological pathways, the oxidative stress arising from the ubiquitous production of these compounds has been implicated in the pathogenesis of male infertility. In vitro studies have undoubtedly shown that spermatozoa are indeed susceptible to free radicals. However, many reports correlating ROS with sperm function impairment are based on an oxidative stress scenario created in vitro, lacking a more concrete observation of the real capacity of sperm in the production of ROS. Furthermore, sample contamination by leukocytes and the drawbacks of many dyes and techniques used to measure ROS also greatly impact the reliability of most studies in this field. Therefore, in addition to a careful scrutiny of the data already available, many aspects of the relationship between ROS and sperm physiopathology are still in need of further controlled and solid experiments before any definitive conclusions are drawn.

Fuga del Poder de Soberanía del Pueblo.

La sumisión de las fuerzas militares no está defnida plenamente en el presidente de la República como su Comandante Supremo, y quien funge como máxima autoridad administrativa y representante de la unidad de la nación. Por otra parte, es evidente que el pueblo no posee la capacidad real de exigir el sometimiento de las Fuerzas Militares mediante las acciones que le otorga la Constitución Política (en adelante CN), aun cuando este es su creador y, por ende, su mandante. En este artículo se plantean aspectos relacionados con la fuga del poder de la soberanía del pueblo hacia sus mandatarios, para este efecto se utilizó el método histórico lógico. En todo el recorrido de acontecimientos que se hace, se percibe cómo el pueblo cedió gradualmente su poder en cabeza de sus representantes, quienes, en posesión de él, paulatinamente lo utilizaron para su benefcio personal o de sus partidos y movimientos en detrimento del pueblo

On the Real Capacity of LoRa Networks: The Impact of Non-Destructive Communications

LoRa technology has recently gained popularity, becoming one of the most promising low power wide area technologies for the Internet of Things due to its proprietary modulation scheme, the use of unlicensed sub-GHz frequency bands, and a non-destructive communication property, enabling that the reception of a packet is not interfered by the transmission of one with weaker signal. Based on an exhaustive evaluation setup, this work characterizes the capture effect in the event of two or more LoRa concurrent transmissions. These results are afterwards used to evaluate the real performance of large scale Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) based on the LoRaWAN protocol, showing that the real network capacity of LoRaWAN does not follow the traditional pure Aloha performance, widely used in the literature.

DETERMINANTES DE LA INVERSIÓN EXTRANJERA DIRECTA PARA COLOMBIA EN EL PERIODO COMPRENDIDO ENTRE 2000-2018

Dada la importancia que viene adquiriendo la inversión extranjera directa en los países, esta investigación se planteo como objetivo encontrar los factores determinantes de la Inversión Extranjera Directa que ingresa a Colombia en el periodo comprendido entre el 2000-2018, a través del análisis econométrico de series temporales en el software de libre distribución Gretl, cuyos resultados arrojaron que a pesar de que la tasa de desempleo y la tasa de interés son los factores que más influyen en la atracción de este tipo de inversión al país, son las dinámicas internacionales las que contribuyen a que las empresas trasnacionales se ubiquen en Colombia y no hay una capacidad real de atracción de los mismos, por lo cual se requiere un cambio de estructura económica.

Energy efficiency as manifestation of collective intelligence in human societies

This article attempts to assess the real capacity of national economies to optimize their energy efficiency, measured as real output per unit of energy consumed. National economies are assumed to be collective intelligences, striving to optimize a set of values, including energy efficiency. A set of 59 countries has been studied in this respect over the period 1990–2014, with the use of a multi-layer perceptron mimicking their collective intelligence, expressed in 14 quantitative variables. The results obtained suggest that economies studied optimize the proportion between their R&D effort and their fixed capital in the first place, then they strive to optimize their sheer economic and demographic scale, and only after these values, they optimize their energy efficiency. Further theoretical interpretation allows guessing the presence of an evolutionary function of sexual selection between social sub-structures.

Earthquakes Effect on the Behavior of Multi-Story RC Building Using Non-Linear Dynamic Analysis

One of the buildings that were designed depending on the old Syrian Code is selected and modeled using SAP2000 by taking its non-linear properties to be checked under dynamical loading. Three earthquake records are taken and applied to the model as Time History loading cases. The dynamical displacement of the top roof of the building and the hysterical diagrams of the relation between base shear and roof displacement is compared and discussed. Asymmetry of shear walls and cores is responsible of the differences in responses of building elements, and insufficient nonlinear modeling of shear walls prevents from finding the real capacity of the system, although comparing pushover curves with hysteric loops from the applied ground motion excitations shows that the building is capable, depending on its old design, to withstand various types of extreme ground motions and earthquakes.

ANALISIS PELAYANAN LALU LINTAS SIMPANG JALAN TAK BERSINYAL PADA JALAN TEMUGURUH GENTENG

Temuguruh-Genteng road represent Cross-roads 3 (three) at one area that don’t have traffic light, so that often happened momentary stop.
 This research calculating amount and type of vehicle at the rushhour with time period 5 minute and geometrik measurement of cross-road at the silent condition of road. Then searched by traffic current in time period of 15 minute. Traffic current in this 15 minute period is multiplied 4 as volume per hour.
 Data analysis indicate that the real capacities (C) equal to 2.834 pcu/h and degree of saturation (DS) equal to 0,983. From the alternative prohibition order desisting around branch and prohibition order turn to right from by way direction and main road obtained by degree of saturation (DS) equal to 0,695 (DS < 0,85) and cross-roads capacities (C) equal to 4011 pcu/h, that mean up to standard in the plan of cross-roads.

Vegetative growth and yield of robusta coffee genotypes cultivated under different shading levels

The growing in shaded systems is one of the strategies adopted to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coffee trees. However, there are few studies about the effect of shading on the growth and production of clones of robusta coffee (Coffea canephora). Besides that, exist a paradigm in Brazil of that the shading in coffee robusta is synonymous of less yield. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether C. canephora genotypes subjected to shading increase their yield and growth vegetative under field conditions. The study was performed between September 2013 and July 2017 (four harvests) in Alegre, Espírito Santo state, Brazil. Three genotypes of cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142 were evaluated (03V, 06V, and 12V) and four levels of shade: full sunlight (witness) and, low, moderate and, high shade, with 38, 48 and, 68% of real capacity of shade, respectively. The shade was performed using black polyolefin screens; plants growing in full sunlight were only fenced. The tested shade levels affected the growth rate and yield of Robusta coffee plants. The shading caused a greater leaf expansion as compared to the full sunlight, as well as greater etiolation of the plagiotropic and orthotropic branches. The genotype 06V was shown to be responsive to shading, with a statistically equal production independently of shade level. The low, moderate, and high shade levels affected negatively the yield of genotypes 03V and 12V. The shading can improve the yield of Robusta coffee, in this case, of the genotype 06V of the cultivar Conilon Vitória - Incaper 8142. The success of shaded plantations depends the choice of the shade responsive genotypes and appropriate shading level.

Contribution of steel sheeting to the vertical shear capacity of composite slabs

The real capacity of steel-concrete composite slabs currently used in buildings tends to be governed by the longitudinal shear failure mode. However, in many cases, the design of these structural members according to Eurocode 4, Part 1.1 (EN 1994-1-1) is governed by the vertical shear capacity. The design methodology for the determination of the vertical shear resistance predicted in the referred standard underestimates the shear resistance of steel-concrete composite slabs because it is based on the design model for reinforced concrete slabs stated in Eurocode 2, Part 1.1 (EN 1992-1-1), does not take the contribution of the profiled steel sheeting into account adequately. The results of an experimental programme, comprising 4 experimental tests on short-span steel-concrete composite slabs and carried out at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, are then shown and discussed. In order to induce a failure by vertical shear, the composite slabs tested were provided with a longitudinal shear reinforcement system composed by transversal bars crossing longitudinal stiffeners placed along the upper flange of the steel sheets. The results of the experimental tests were also used to calibrate numerical models, which made it possible to carry out a parametric analysis. The experimental and numerical results showed that the design methodology prescribed by Eurocode 4, Part 1.1 is quite conservative as it underestimates the relevant contribution of the resistance of the profiled steel sheeting to the slab's vertical shear capacity.

The Ideal and Real Gas Heat Capacity of Cesium Atoms at High Temperatures

The Ideal and Real Gas Heat Capacity of Cesium Atoms at High Temperatures

Barreras para una atención eficaz en los hospitales de referencia del Ministerio de Salud del Perú: atendiendo pacientes en el siglo XXI con recursos del siglo XX

The reference hospitals of the Peruvian Ministry of Health serve patients with complex pathologies. Quality care involves not only good treatment, warmth and humanism in care, but also material resources and real capacity to solve problems. Unfortunately, the reality of the hospitals of the Peruvian Ministry of Health is far from the recommended quality standards, with notable deficiencies in their problem-solving capacity due to the lack of diagnostic aid methods, lack of equipment, and flaws in the acquisition of medications and supplies. It is inadmissible for a referential level hospital not to have imaging studies such as magnetic resonance, nuclear medicine, angiography, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and genetic studies, among others. This article presents some of the problems encountered in daily practice from the perspective of the author as a healthcare provider and reviews the findings of the quality of care evaluation conducted by the Comptroller General of the Republic in 2018 in reference hospitals. Some immediate measures of action are proposed, emphasizing the need to immediately address the lack of infrastructure and resolution capacity for diagnosis and treatment, as well as to promote public tenders for hospital managers that would allow a transparent and meritocratic exercise not subject to political vagaries.

Technical and economic evaluation of separation of dimethyl disulfide from disulfide oil at liquefied petroleum gas treatment facilities of Assaluyeh gas refinery

AbstractDisulfide oil (DSO) is produced as a hydrocarbon sulfide waste stream in liquefied petroleum gas and condensate sweetening units in refineries and can cause acute environmental pollutions. In this article, a simple process composed of two units including a distillation unit and a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit is proposed to overcome the disulfide oil problem in refineries. The commercial HDS catalyst is CoMo type that is applicable for hydrotreating of DSO. This catalyst is developed by different licensors such as Axens. The high sulfur content in DSO feed causes an increase in heat of reaction and partial pressure of H2S in HDS reactor. By using special design techniques such as reactor quenching or increase H2/oil ratio, the reactor can be designed properly for DSO feed. The waste stream DSO is converted to valuable products including: dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), sweet gas and condensate. A process flow diagram consisting of distillation and HDS units together with amine treating and hydrogen compression system is proposed and simulation of the process is carried out by Aspen plus: The distillation unit separates DMDS and the HDS unit removes sulfur from remainder DSO. Capital cost estimation methodology is based on bare module factor. The capital and operating cost of the process are estimated for a real capacity of DSO just produced in south pars of Iran. Financial parameters and sensitivity analysis show that the process is feasible both technically and economically with an internal rate of return of 73.6%. The proposed process is accepted environmentally by converting a harmful waste to saleable products.

PENILAIAN DAYA DUKUNG UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN EKOWISATA DI TAMAN WISATA ALAM KERANDANGAN

The development of tourism activities in Taman Wisata Alam Krandangan (TWAK) has shown an escalating trend with 33% visits increase in a period of 2010-2014. The increasing number of visits is potential to promote environmental damage. Therefore, to create a function balance between the area conservation and it’s utilization as a tourism destination, then an assessment study on the tourism carrying capacity is of high importance. This research aimed to analyze tourism carrying capacity based on the environment biophysical aspects as well as the management capacity in TWAK. Assessments method employed was a carrying capacity assessment developed by Cifuentes (1992). The concepts of this carrying capacity assessment considered physical, biological, and management conditions in determining the maximum number of visitors and was divided into three levels i.e. Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC) and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC). The assessment of carrying capacity was performed in 4 tourism area of TWAK i.e. recreational area, observation area, camping area and hiking tracks. The calculation results showed the physical carrying capacity (PCC) of TWAK was 1,406 visitors per day. This value implies the number of visitors that physically can be contained in every group of tourism area. Physical carrying capacity could not consider the biophysical factors of the area. Hence, this value cannot be utilized as a reference in visitor management. Based on the calculation result of the real carrying capacity, the maximum number of visitors to be allowed to visit TWAK is 186 people per day. An effective carrying capacity is 93 visitors per day.

Evaluasi Keserasian Kerja Alat Gali Muat dan Alat Angkut Guna Pencapaian Target Produksi Batugamping 350.000 ton/bulan pada Pit 242 Bukit Karang Putih PT Semen Padang (Persero) di Kecamatan Lubuk Kilangan Sumatera Barat

The tendency of increasing demand for limestone as one of the raw materials for making cement, it is necessary to have appropriate mining to fulfill these needs. The importance of synchronization of loading and hauling equipments in working optimally and efficiently will influences the ability of mechanical devices in productivity. Match factors can find out the comparison of the number of loading and hauling equipment working in mining operations. Analysis of the calculation of match factors based on the circulating time of mechanical devices and the number of devices operating, data taken 30 times a month in July 2018. The primary data such as; circulation time of mechanical devices, resistance factors, bucket and vessel real capacity, effective working time of devices and number of devices, while secondary data such as; devices specifications, devices and operator work time, layout maps, rainfall and company production targets. The research method used is the calculation and analysis of quantitative data on factors that influence the ability of mechanical devices in production. The production target for limestone mining in pit 242 is 350,000 tons / month using a Hitachi ex 2500-6 Excavator unit synchronized with five units of Dumptruck Komatsu HD 785-7. Current devices production capability is 262,198.66 tons / month with a value factor of 0.80. The problem that occurs is not yet achieved the planned production target, this is due to the still low effective working time and work efficiency as a result of existing constraints. Efforts to increase production can be done by improving the effective working time of initially 637.99 minutes per day to 707.30 minutes per day or 81.29% of the total available working time, adding the number of bulk filling to 6 times and adding transportation equipment as many as two units, so that production increased to 361,415.82 tons per month and the value of the match factor for mechanical devices increased to 0.96.

Customer Service Multichannel Model in a HCPS: A Discrete Simulation Case Study

This paper evaluates the real capacity of the customer service system in a Health Care Service Provider (HCSP) in which users request a service using a multi-channel M/M/n queueing system with Poisson arrivals and exponential times. The assistance process shows that an individual who wants to request a diagnostic test must wait his/her turn in several cubicles. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology that generates two-way results in improving not only HCSP performance, but also in implementing strategies that lead to better service perception. A discrete-event simulation model is presented to determine the times for processes and forecast the demand. The entire process in HCSP takes up to four hours, although, based on our results, waiting times could be 50% shorter by decreasing the number of operative tasks that physicians and nurses should perform and implementing an electronic ticket dispenser. Improving customer service is relevant for a HCSP organization. Therefore, our simulation process could be implemented in different scenarios in order to integrate results in planning and decision-making processes.

Invasive potential of Baccharis halimifolia: Experimental characterization of its establishment capacity

The early development of estuarine vegetation is a key aspect in the establishment of new individuals in invasion processes. The aim of this research was to characterize experimentally the survival capacity and early growth of the invasive Baccharis halimifolia and the native Juncus maritimus, the main native species displaced by the invasive species in European estuaries, with a complex experiment that recreated the multifactorial dynamics of the estuarine environment (controlled conditions of salinity, immersion time and interspecific competition). Seeds of both species were sown in soil cores subjected to a periodic immersion of saline water. The results show that the survival capacity of B. halimifolia is significantly affected by salinity, while the survival capacity of J. maritimus is significantly affected by immersion and the interaction of salinity and immersion. Interspecific competition did not affect neither species. The main finding of this research is that the survival rates of B. halimifolia were considerably lower than the germination rates measured in other published laboratory univariate experiments. This might indicate that in reality, the species is more sensitive to small changes in environmental conditions, and thus, not as capable of establishing as successfully as expected. The knowledge acquired might help to identify those areas in which this invasive species is prone to appear more accurately, based on its real capacity for establishing in a dynamic environment such as the estuary.

Lithium metal batteries capable of stable operation at elevated temperature

Rechargeable lithium metal batteries have attracted wide attention due to high theoretical energy density. For practical applications, high-temperature performance of lithium batteries is essential due to complex application environments, in terms of safety and cycle life. However, it's difficult for normal operation of lithium metal batteries at high temperature above 55–60 °C using current lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) electrolyte systems. Herein, a kind of new electrolyte system is designed by adding two thermal-stable lithium salts together (i.e. lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (LiTFSI) and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB)) into carbonate solvents with high boiling/flashing point (i.e. ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate(PC)). Small amount of LiPF6 is also added to prevent the corrosion of aluminum current collector. The results indicate that the new electrolyte possesses superior high-temperature performance, meanwhile, it effectively suppresses the formation of lithium dendrite by synergy effects of salts and solvents. Li/LiCoO2 cells with high LiCoO2 real capacity (2.4 mAh/cm2) using this kind of new electrolyte shows excellent cycling performance at elevated temperature up to 80 °C. Such performance is achieved for the first time for rechargeable Li metal battery using liquid organic electrolytes. It overcomes the operation temperature upper limit of traditional Li-ion batteries (i.e. 55–60 °C), which would effectively reduce thermal runaway risk and simplify the thermal management of Li metal batteries in reality.

Flexible accounting methods as a tool for mobilizing the enterprise’s under-utilized potential

Introduction. Since traditional accounting is based on the facts of financial and economic performance of enterprises, it does not always and fully display their real capacity, which is crucial to meet the challenge of the dynamic market environment.Methods used in flexible accounting are recognized throughout the world, as they provide a better picture of the internal capacity of the enterprise, and it is displayed in totally new balance sheet accounts and financial records.The study addresses the issue of applying flexible accounting methods and approaches for keeping records of assets (means) and liabilities (resources) in Ukrainian enterprises’ activities.Purpose. The purpose of the article is to highlight the methodological framework of using flexible accounting methods as a tool for mobilizing the enterprise’s under-utilized potential.Methods. The research methods used in the article include: the historical method (for describing the evolution of accounting studies); the method of abstraction (for harmonizing the terminology of accounting engineering); synthesis, induction and deduction (for providing rationale for applying flexible accounting methods); generalization (for making conclusions).Results. The study shows that flexible accounting methods can be used as a tool for mobilizing the enterprise’s under-utilized potential in the following segments: fixed assets– based on the optimal method of inventory accounting; inventory items – through the best values at the moment of goods release; bad debtors – through diversification when receivables are paid; creditors – through diversification when accounts payable are settled; of cash – a real prediction of their revenues in order to calculate the financial results of the enterprise; cash assets – through prediction of cash inflows and calculation of financial performance of the enterprise.Discussion. The rapid pace of the current scientific and technological breakthrough, the further globalization of the economy, and increased competition have led to the need for more effective management of business processes and financial performance, and to the search for material, human and financial resources. That has promoted accounting engineering viewed as one of the tools of flexible accounting. Further research efforts should be directed at approaches and techniques of information support for enterprise resource management.

Greatly Enhanced Faradic Capacities of 3D Porous Mn3O4/G Composites as Lithium-Ion Anodes and Supercapacitors by C–O–Mn Bonding

Through C-O-Mn bonding, graphene nanosheets are homogeneously dispersed in porous Mn3O4 to take full advantages of porous Mn3O4 and graphene nanosheets, making the as-formed three-dimensional porous Mn3O4/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite exhibit good electrochemical performance. Besides, C-O-Mn bonding is demonstrated to greatly promote the Faradic reactions of the composite, resulting in the enhancement of its real capacity in supercapacitor (SC) electrodes as well as lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. By simply fine-tuning the content of graphene (<7 wt %), the composite with 2.8 wt % of rGO delivers a high capacitance of 315 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 with a high rate capability of 64.7% at 30 A g-1 and an excellent cycling stability of 105% (5 A g-1, 5000 cycles) as an SC electrode. Also, the one with 6.9 wt % rGO can present a reversible capacity of more than 1500 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1 as the LIB anode, the highest value reported to date, which remains 561 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1.

Muscularity and Strength Affect Individual Variation in Self-Perception of Fighting Ability in Men.

Objective: There is evidence that competitive conflicts are the main form of intrasexual competition among men. The capacity to recognize visual cues of fighting ability in competitors is thought to be an important characteristic that allows men to avoid the costs of contest competition. However, for an accurate comparison to take place, individuals need to compare the fighting ability of their competitors to their own to assess this asymmetry.Methods: In order to improve our understanding of this self-assessment process, here we study the relationship between visual fighting ability cues, namely (i) muscularity, as measured with a bioimpedance device, (ii) the real capacity to inflict cost to a rival based on strength, as measured with a hand grip dynamometer (HGS), and (iii) self-perceived fighting ability, as determined with a questionnaire. The study sample was 364 men between 18 and 38 years of age (M ± SD = 22.27 ± 3.99).Results: Our results confirm the expected positive relationship between upper-body muscularity and strength, while controlling for body mass index (BMI). However, muscularity explained only around 30.2% of the variance in strength. In addition, muscularity was related to self-perception of fighting ability in our sample, its effect being partially mediated by strength.Conclusion: The more muscular men perceive their fighting ability as being greater, and not only because they are stronger (at least in the HGS task). Accordingly, it seems that men take into account the overestimation the robustness of the relationship between strength and muscularity that prevails within his peers.