Folded Electronic Textiles: Weaving, Knitting, Pleating and Coating Three-dimensional Sensor Structures

This paper reports findings from a one-month design research project, in which four textile and fashion designers engaged in collaborative making on technical and artistic knowledge embedded in ‘folds and folding’. Textile technologies and construction methods to design, fabricate and analyze three-dimensional dynamic materiality in electronic textiles (e-textiles) were explored. The focus is on sensor structures achieved by knitting, weaving, pleating and coating techniques. Measurements of electrical resistance between one and 36 sensing areas per sample demonstrate the added value of folds integrated into textiles sensor structures, which are high resolution and soft touch (weave), high responsiveness to small movements (pleat), combining stretch and pressure in one movement (knit) and broadening aesthetics and choice for sensing materials (coating). Detailed information on design, fabrication and experimental results is provided as Supplementary Material to this article.

Comparison of functional outcome scales in paediatric acute encephalitis: Responsiveness and outcome predictors

PURPOSE: To compare scoring systems and their ability to capture short and long-term recovery of paediatric patients with acute encephalitis. To identify clinical predictors of short-term outcomes by correlating functional outcome measures at 1 month post diagnosis of acute encephalitis. METHODS: Patients with encephalitis diagnosed between July 2011 and 2016 based on Granerod’s criteria were studied in this retrospective cohort study. Functional outcome scores on WeeFIM, LOS, GOS-E, mRS and ICF at initial presentation and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months later were compared. RESULTS: WeeFIM and LOS scores both showed maximum change in the first 3 months, reflecting highest recovery in this period. With WeeFIM, the greatest change occurred within the first month following diagnosis. On univariate analysis, seizure frequency in the first month, presence of movement disorder, presence of autonomic dysfunction and lower baseline functional score was associated with poorer WeeFIM scores at 1 month. The latter three variables remained statistically significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: WeeFIM is a potentially preferred functional outcome assessment tool as it demonstrated greatest recovery within the first month due to a trend of high responsiveness and relatively low ceiling effect. Presence of autonomic dysfunction and movement disorders at diagnosis correlated with poorer outcome at 1 month post diagnosis.

Estimation of the initial material of spring barley for adaptability to arid conditions of the Stavropol territory

Grain production stabilization is one of the main criteria for the development of agriculture in Russia. In this regard, in modern breeding, when developing varieties, considerable attention must be paid to their adaptability, i.e. parameters that ensure stable productivity in various growing conditions. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the spring barley samples according to the trait ‘yield’ for adaptability to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory and their further use in breeding work. The material for the study were 86 spring barley samples. In order to determine the stability, there was used a variance coefficient (V%) according to the method of B.A. Dospekhov (2014). The ecological adaptability (bi) and the environment index (Ij) were determined according to the method of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell (1966) as presented by V.Z. Pakudin (1984). Homeostaticity (Hom) was assessed according to the method of V.V. Hangildin (1981). Stress resistance was determined according to the equations of A.A. Rosielle and J. Hamblin as presented by A.A. Goncharenko (2005). There were identified the highly productive samples ‘Mamlyuk’ (389 g/m2) and ‘Stirling’ (378 g/m2), possessing high responsiveness to improving environmental conditions (bi = 1.44–1.21), variability (V = 58.9–51,2%) and low stress resistance (Ymin – Ymax = -538–488). Such genotypes are capable of forming high yields in favorable conditions and may be of interest for breeding high-intensity varieties. The samples weakly responsive to changes in growing conditions were distinguished by high stability and homeostaticity according to the trait ‘yield’, namely ‘Nutans 74840’ (Hom = 2.88; V = 38.4%) and ‘Veles’ (Hom = 2.56; V = 38.5%), as well as the adaptable variety ‘Getman’ (Hom = 2.89; V = 40.6%). These samples are the most adaptive to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory and regions with similar cultivation conditions. They are recommended for use in breeding work.

Productivity of the facultative barley variety ‘Marusya’ depending on the use of mineral fertilizers and the growth retardant ‘Moddus’ in the southern part of the Rostov region

The current study was carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region at the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2018–2020. The purpose of the study was to investigate the combined effect of mineral fertilizers and treatments with the growth retardant ‘Moddus’ on productivity of the barley variety ‘Marusya’. In the course of the study, there was identified high responsiveness of the facultative barley variety ‘Marusya’ to the use of mineral fertilizers. Without fertilization, the productivity was 3.46–3.59 t/ha, and 0.87–1.57 t/ha when using the fertilizers. The maximum productivity and protein percentage were established in the variants with the introduction of N79P82K57 according to the active ingredient, with 5.81 t/ha and 0.55 t/ha, respectively. The treatment of plants with the growth retardant ‘Moddus’ contributed to productivity increase on 0.13–0.22 t/ha on average over the years of study. Under the effect of the growth retardant ‘Moddus’, the number of productive heads increased on 5–19 pieces/m2 , there was also a tendency to an increase in the number of grains per head and grain weight per head. The growth retardant ‘Moddus’ contributed to a decrease in plant height on 3.6–5.6 cm, at the same time there was a tendency to increase length of head on 0.2–0.5 cm in comparison with the control variant. Mineral fertilizers effectively increased nature weight of the facultative barley variety ‘Marusya’. Without fertilization, nature weight of grain was 579 g/l and 584 g/l, and when using fertilizers, it increased on 16–27 g/l or 2.7–4.6%. Productivity increase in the variant when treating with the growth retardant ‘Moddus’ resulted in an increase of the indicator of conditional net income over the control variant on 745–1884 rubles/ha.

Small UWB antenna with two stop bands by a compact EBG cell loaded with new open meander slots

In this paper, a small ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna with two stop bands by a compact electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) cell loaded with two new open meander slots is presented. With the coupling of the EBG cell to the feedline, the stop bands are formed. The designed EBG cell is a mushroom type that has the advantages of being able to independently control the stop bands, high responsiveness selectivity of stop bands, easy switching, the need for fewer EBG cells, and low impact on the working characteristics of the antenna. To have a better understanding of the proposed EBG mechanism, characteristic mode analysis is used. The size reduction of the suggested antenna is obtained by halving the reference antenna relative to the axis of symmetry. The measurement results for −10 dB adaptation are from 2.73 to 13 GHz with stop bands at 3.51 GHz (12.9%) and 5.34 GHz (14.1%). The radiation behavior of the minimized antenna is similar to that of a reference antenna. Minimized UWB antenna with transmission function and group delay with small variations in the operating frequency range is suitable for small multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and diversity systems.

Evaluation of the range of fertilizers and methods of their application for a new variety of fiber flax Universal

Relevance. The productivity and especially the quality of flax products largely depend on a set of technological techniques that take into account varietal characteristics, agrochemical properties of the soil and the fertilizers used. Identification of the reaction to the production process of a new high-yielding flax variety of Universal is an important element of agricultural technology.Methods. The sod-podzolic medium loamy soil is characterized by a slightly acidic reaction of the soil solution pHKCl-5.44, a very high content of phosphorus (298 mg/kg) and medium potassium (85 mg/kg), low humus — 2.05%, medium boron (0.33 mg/kg), low zinc (0.56 mg/kg). The HTC (hydrothermal coefficient) for May — August by year was — 1.56 optimal (2017), — 1.09 arid (2018), — 1.80 wet(2019).Results. Studies have shown that the Universal flax variety has a high responsiveness to the use of fertilizers. The yield increases were: for flax straw 24 to 43%, for flax seeds from 27 to 49%, depending on the form of fertilizer and the method of their application. The advantage of the complex organomineral OMU “Universal” and mineral nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium with boron containing trace elements over the azofoska in equalized doses of nitrogen is noted. The increase in the yield of the flax stock of thesefertilizers with the row method of application was lower by 40 and 34% of their main application, but the profitability of this method increased from 46 to 234% and from 62 to 219%. The application of organic fertilizer Sivid — Bor for seed treatment and Sivid-Zinc for crop processing on the background of reducing the dose of azofoski from 1.5 to 1.0 c/ha allowed to raise close to making azofoski of 1.5 c/ha, but with a greater profitability of 115%.

Evaluation of the range of fertilizers and methods of their application for a new variety of fiber flax Universal

Relevance. The productivity and especially the quality of flax products largely depend on a set of technological techniques that take into account varietal characteristics, agrochemical properties of the soil and the fertilizers used. Identification of the reaction to the production process of a new high-yielding flax variety of Universal is an important element of agricultural technology.Methods. The sod-podzolic medium loamy soil is characterized by a slightly acidic reaction of the soil solution pHKCl-5.44, a very high content of phosphorus (298 mg/kg) and medium potassium (85 mg/kg), low humus — 2.05%, medium boron (0.33 mg/kg), low zinc (0.56 mg/kg). The HTC (hydrothermal coefficient) for May — August by year was — 1.56 optimal (2017), — 1.09 arid (2018), — 1.80 wet(2019).Results. Studies have shown that the Universal flax variety has a high responsiveness to the use of fertilizers. The yield increases were: for flax straw 24 to 43%, for flax seeds from 27 to 49%, depending on the form of fertilizer and the method of their application. The advantage of the complex organomineral OMU “Universal” and mineral nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium with boron containing trace elements over the azofoska in equalized doses of nitrogen is noted. The increase in the yield of the flax stock of these fertilizers with the row method of application was lower by 40 and 34% of their main application, but the profitability of this method increased from 46 to 234% and from 62 to 219%. The application of organic fertilizer Sivid — Bor for seed treatment and Sivid-Zinc for crop processing on the background of reducing the dose of azofoski from 1.5 to 1.0 c/ha allowed to raise close to making azofoski of 1.5 c/ha, but with a greater profitability of 115%.

Chinese Bureaucracy Through Three Lenses: Weberian, Confucian, and Marchian

ABSTRACT Chinese bureaucracy, with its long history and distinctive characteristics, has provided the organizational basis of governance and played a pivotal role in the economic takeoff in recent decades. Chinese bureaucracy also shows intriguing dualism between entrepreneurial activism and bureaucratic inertia, between formal rules and informal institutions, and between high responsiveness and noticeable loose coupling. In this study, I explore these distinctive features of Chinese bureaucracy through three lenses: Weber's comparative-historical approach helps locate Chinese bureaucracy in a distinct mode of domination; the Confucian lens identifies the prevalence of informal institutions that underlie bureaucratic behaviors; and the Marchian lens sheds light on the organized anarchy and set of mechanisms that shape the key characteristics of Chinese bureaucracy.