Approach to verification of psychometric test results by integrating the methods of tempometry and video-oculography

One of the function of psychometrics is to assess hidden properties in persons as trasmitters of meanings to predict their behaviour under certain specific situational conditions with reference to the measured parameters. When the survey participants recourse to deliberate distortion of their answers in order to increase social acceptability thereof, then there is a great probability that the evaluation and predictions of their behavior will not be relevant. the answer-response processing algorithms envisioned in standardized tests are often ineffective when it comes to detection of intentional distortion; and this in fact is the problem that requires resolution. An approach to solve this problem is proposed. A tool suitable for implementation of the proposed approach is described. the results obtained by means of using the toolkit Video Tsvetomer are illustrated.

The Optimization Design of the Cross-Sectional Layout of an Umbilical Based on the Hybrid Genetic Algorithm

The umbilical which consists of hydraulic tubes, electrical cables and optical cables is a key equipment in the subsea production system. Each components perform different physical properties, so different cross-sections will present different geometrical characteristic, carrying capacities, the cost and the ease of manufacture. Therefore, the cross-sectional layout design of the umbilical is a typical multi-objective optimization problem. A mathematical model of the cross-sectional layout considering geometric and mechanical properties is proposed, and the genetic algorithm is introduced to copy with the optimization model in this paper. A steepest descent operator is embedded into the basic genetic algorithm, while the appropriate fitness function and the selection operator are advanced. The optimization strategy of the cross-sectional layout based on the hybrid genetic algorithm is proposed with the fast convergence and the great probability for global optimization. Finally, the cross-section of an umbilical case is performed to obtain the optimal the cross-sectional layout. The geometric and mechanical performance of results are compared with the initial design, which verify the feasibility of the proposed algorithm.

Socioeconomic development of Brazilian municipalities: The role of public and private banks

The economic literature has discussed the role of public banks regarding their performance as drivers of socioeconomic development, highlighting their social role when compared to private banks. This paper contributes to this discussion and analyzes the impact of the physical presence of public and private commercial banks on the Firjan Index of Municipal Development (FMDI) of Brazilian municipalities. The results of a logit panel model show that public banks have greater impact on the FMDI rather than private banks, taking into account where the municipality is located and the externalities caused by the neighboring municipality. There is great probability of a municipality being in a high level of development if it has the physical presence of commercial public banks.

Understanding mathematics of Grover’s algorithm

We analyze the mathematical structure of the classical Grover’s algorithm and put it within the framework of linear algebra over the complex numbers. We also generalize it in the sense, that we are seeking not the one ‘chosen’ element (sometimes called a ‘solution’) of the dataset, but a set of m such ‘chosen’ elements (out of $$n>m)$$ n > m ) . Besides, we do not assume that the so-called initial superposition is uniform. We assume also that we have at our disposal an oracle that ‘marks,’ by a suitable phase change $$\varphi $$ φ , all these ‘chosen’ elements. In the first part of the paper, we construct a unique unitary operator that selects all ‘chosen’ elements in one step. The constructed operator is uniquely defined by the numbers $$\varphi $$ φ and $$\alpha $$ α which is a certain function of the coefficients of the initial superposition. Moreover, it is in the form of a composition of two so-called reflections. The result is purely theoretical since the phase change required to reach this heavily depends on $$\alpha $$ α . In the second part, we construct unitary operators having a form of composition of two or more reflections (generalizing the constructed operator) given the set of orthogonal versors. We find properties of these operations, in particular, their compositions. Further, by considering a fixed, ‘convenient’ phase change $$\varphi ,$$ φ , and by sequentially applying the so-constructed operator, we find the number of steps to find these ‘chosen’ elements with great probability. We apply this knowledge to study the generalizations of Grover’s algorithm ($$m=1,\phi =\pi $$ m = 1 , ϕ = π ), which are of the form, the found previously, unitary operators.

Effects of Size and Surface Treatment on Fatigue Life of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Manufactured Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Parts

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of size and surface treatment on fatigue life of fused filament fabrication (FFF) manufactured acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) parts. Moore rotating beam fatigue tests were conducted with four levels of loading to obtain the S-N curves. Two different sizes and three different surface treatment methods (as printed, acetone treated, and sandpaper polished) were studied. The larger specimens had significantly decreased fatigue life because of a larger volume, and hence a great probability of defects for crack initiation and propagation, as compared to the control specimen. The acetone treated specimen had a smooth surface. Its fatigue life, however, decreased significantly because the acetone treatment caused internal damage that weakened the specimen. The sandpaper treated specimen also had a smooth surface, but its effect on the fatigue life was insignificant because the fiber direction on the specimen surface was parallel to the loading direction. The present results lead to a better understanding of the effects of geometric size and surface treatment on fatigue performance of FFF specimens. The study also provides important insights for the design of part size and surface treatment of 3D printed plastic components for fatigue loading applications.

Antibiotic resistance profiles in cultivable microbiota isolated from some romanian natural fishery lakes included in Natura 2000 network

Background The present study aims the characterization of antibiotic resistance phenotypes and encoding genes in bacterial strains isolated from some Romanian aquatic fishery lowland salted lakes. Material/Methods This study was conducted on 44 bacterial strains, mainly belonging to species used as microbiological indicators of fecal pollution isolated from four natural fishery lakes. All strains were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion method. Simplex and multiplex PCR were performed to identify the β-lactams antibiotic resistance genes (blaNMD, blaOXA−48, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaCTX−M, blaTEM), sulfonamides (Sul1, Sul2), tetracyclines (TetA, TetB, TetC, TetD, TetM), aminoglycosides (aac3Ia), vancomycin (VanA, VanB, VanC), macrolides (ermA, ermB, ermC) as well as the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) markers (QnrA, QnrB, QnrS), and class 1 integrons (Int1, drfA1-aadA1). Results The Enterococcus spp. isolates exhibited phenotypic resistance to vancomycin (35 %) and macrolides (erythromycin) (75 %); from the vancomycin – resistant strains, 5 % harboured VanA (E. faecalis), while the erythromycin resistant isolates were positive for the ermA gene (E. faecalis − 10 %, E. faecium − 5 %). The Gram- negative rods (GNR) exhibited a high level of resistance to β-lactams: cefuroxime (63 %), cefazolin (42 %), ceftriaxone (8 %), ceftazidime and aztreonam (4 % each). The genetic determinants for beta-lactam resistance were represented by blaCTX−M−like (33 %), blaNDM−like and blaIMP−like (8.33 %) genes. The resistance to non-β-lactam antibiotics was ascertained to the following genes: quinolones (QnrS − 4.16 %); sulfonamides (Sul1–75 %, Sul2–4.16 %); aminoglycosides (aac3Ia − 4.16 %); tetracyclines (tetA – 25 %, tetC − 15 %). The integrase gene was found in more than 50 % of the studied strains (58.33 %). Conclusions The cultivable aquatic microbiota from fishery lakes is dominated by enterococci and Enterobacterales strains. The GNR strains exhibited high levels of β-lactam resistance mediated by extended spectrum beta-lactamases and metallo-β-lactamases. The Enterococcus sp. isolates were highly resistant to macrolides and vancomycin. The high level and diversity of resistance markers, correlated with a high frequency of integrons is suggesting that this environment could act as an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes with a great probability to be horizontally transmitted to other associated species from the aquatic sediments microbiota, raising the potential zoonotic risk for fish consumers.

Fractal Plots of Topology Optimization Efficiency in Solving of the Problem for Strength Dependence on the Grid

In this research is solved the problem for determining of dependencies describing the strength redundancy of a part obtained by means of topology optimization using the SIMP method under a variety of grid’s finite elements. For this purpose, in the research was performed a digital experiment, during which almost fifty variants of part’s computer models were obtained, and their mechanical properties were studied. Based on the obtained data were constructed plots for the strength efficiency of topological optimization, which reflect fractal properties of part’s strength parameters changing. Upon reaching the research goal were solved the problems of software selection and applying a programs combination, which allowed automate the creation of models based on the topology optimization results. The main tool for topology optimization was the Autodesk Fusion 360 product, providing a free access to cloud computing, and Autodesk ReCap Photo was used when models converting. On the results of the experiment were formulated recommendations for obtaining the part’s optimized topology without critical defects of shape, using the SIMP method. With great probability, these recommendations are important when using other methods for topological optimization, such as ESO, BESO, or Level-Set. The received recommendations were tested in solution the problem of increasing the structures’ strength efficiency on the example of the rocker-Bogie wheel suspension using in modern Curiosity-type Mars rovers. The topology optimization results are openwork parts that can withstand heavy loads at low weight. This was confirmed by strength analysis, which had showed an increase in specific strength up to 13.5 times, relative to the prototype used in the Curiosity-type Mars rover’s suspension.

Ballasted track aerodynamic optimization by wind tunnel test and CFD simulation

Ballast flight problem sets back high-speed railway development, which causing damages to train and rail. The present paper puts forward wind tunnel tests and CFD simulation to study ballast flight mechanisms and ballasted track aerodynamics. A 1:1 scale ballasted track model was set up to analyze ballast flight phenomena, where aerodynamics influencing factors and impacts on ballast bed were investigated. A numerical model of CRH3 train-ballast bed was built by combining the Realizable k- ϵ viscous model and sliding mesh technique. CFD model with the above method was used to investigate aerodynamic effects as well as the mechanism of ballast flight, thus providing the theoretical basis for optimizing ballast bed profile and preventing ballast flight. Results show that pressure distribution exhibits large value at the center of the ballasted track and decreases at track edge. The head, tail and bogie area of the train result in large fluctuation of wind pressure, which has a great probability of ballast flight. Appropriate countermeasures should be taken, such as reduce shoulder ballast height and crib ballast could be effective methods to decrease the probability of ballast flight.

Papers by Simonas Vainbergas in didactics of mathematics

Simonas Vainbergas, a teacher of Jewish primary schools in prewar Lithuania (1894?), was one of few his colleagues that actively collaborated with Lithuanian pedagogical journals. He published in them 11 papers in didactics of mathematics about teaching mathematics at primary schools. The said papers helped young teachers of primary schools to improve their qualification. There is a great probability that S. Vainbergas was a victim of holocaust.

Eilbert (Hazel) (Corylus maxima Mill.) bole culture on the tree-like rootstocks

The authors have proved the hazel cultivation efficiency in the world and Ukraine. The expediency of this crop growing on the rootstock has been substantiated on the basis of the expedionary inspections of the hazel bole plants revealed in Ukraine. The problems of the grafted plants bole height have been considered, the crown forms, their formation technology recommended as well as the trees planting plans in the orchard. The bole height has proved to influence not only the habit but also sprouting formation of the under the conditions of such an orchard exploitation period. It appeared that hen creating hazel industrial orchards on its tree-like rootstocks it is important to elaborate the crown forms and bole height the parameters of which would ensure high productivity, limit the crown habit and enable to mechanize the fruits collection. The spherical and spindle-like crowns are proposed that are formed on a certain bole height, the latter form differing from the former by a less frit branches amount orientated concerning the row area (5-8). Hazel industrial orchards with the bole culture at present it is mainly are recommended to be established using the planting plan 7-6 х 6-4 m. But when choosing a concrete plan, first of all, the cultivar vigour should be taken into account like under the as well as the crown form, bole height and the fact that this orchard practically does not need irrigation. It is possible to foresee with great probability that the habit parameters of a bush-tree crown can be regulated by the bole height like concerning other fruit crops. However, the final conclusion cannot be made so far because of the lack of the facts as regards cultivars. Besides, it is a bush-tree that is studied and such sign as early-ripening occurs in those constructions in different ways. The necessity is stressed of improving the technology of the hazel grafted planting trees reproduction.