Spatial analysis of COVID-19 in North Minahasa Regency of North Sulawesi Province

Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease that is currently a concern and has become a global problem. The trend in the number of confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 every day is still increasing significantly. North Sulawesi Province currently has 7 regencies/cities which are declared as local transmission areas including North Minahasa Regency. The population density factor can affect the process of transmission of this disease. This study aims to determine the spatial description of the distribution of COVID-19 events in North Minahasa Regency.Methods: This quantitative research with descriptive observational design using a geographic information system approach. The location is in 10 sub-districts of North Minahasa Regency. Study population was all patients who were confirmed positive for COVID-19 based on data from the North Minahasa District Health Office as of 13 February 2021, as many as 1,273 cases. Simple random sampling was used and obtained 300 samples.Results: Results showed that the highest number of cases was for the age group 30-49 years (40%), female gender (54.7%), symptom onset date interval 4 days (26.7%), confirmation date grouped by month, namely October in 2020 (23%), the status of the patient recovered (86%), and there were no comorbidities (82%).Conclusions: Most of the cases of COVID-19 were found in densely populated areas and passenger transit areas between districts/cities. Policies on prevention and supervision of health protocols that are implemented must synergize across sectors and need to be improved.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR THE FORMATION OF FASTS BY THE SLIDING CASTING METHOD

The materials of the article consider the effectiveness of additives for stabilization and dilution of clay-free slippers. For theproduction of radio-transparent ceramic materials of Celsius-Willemite composition, the most efficient and energy-saving methodof production is the method of slip casting. According to the charge composition, this technology is complicated by the lack of claycomponents, which shows the need to use impurities to improve the rheology of such a slip. The main characteristics of aqueousceramic slippers are density, humidity, fluidity, viscosity, density factor, rate of mass accumulation. The slip must meet thefollowing requirements: be free from foam and gas inclusions, have satisfactory fluidity under low viscosity; be aggregativelystable (characterized by the absence of aggregation, coagulation and sedimentation of solid phase particles); have a high filteringcapacity to ensure fast and defect-free weight gain; to be chemically inert, to provide sufficient strength and low shrinkage of semifinished products, as well as the possibility of their easy release from the mold.

Influence of Polypropylene Fibre Factor on Flowability and Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Geopolymer

The possibility of using geopolymer instead of Portland cement could effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cement manufacturing. Fibre-reinforced self-compacting geopolymers have great potential in civil engineering applications, such as chord member grouting for concrete-filled steel tubular truss beams. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the quantitative relationship between FF and the properties of the fibre-reinforced geopolymer has been rarely reported. In this research, 26 groups of mixtures were used to study the influence of the polypropylene fibre factor (FF) on the flowability and mechanical properties and also the compactness of the fibre-reinforced self-compacting geopolymer. At the same volume fraction, geopolymers with long fibres present worse flowability than those having short fibres due to the easier contacting of long fibres. By growing the FF the influence of fibre addition on the V-funnel flow rate is more significant than the slump spread. This can be ascribed to the consequence of fibre addition and friction by the V-funnel which estimates the restrained deformability. For FF lesser than critical factor Fc = 100, influence of fibres is negligible and fibres are far apart from each other and, thus, they cannot restrict cracking under load and transfer the load to improve the mechanical properties. For FF between the Fc = 100 and density factor Fd = 350, a noteworthy enhancement of mechanical properties was obtained and the geopolymer was still adequately workable to flow by weight of self, without any symbols of instability and fibre clumping. Under this condition, better fibre dispersal and reinforcing productivity can lead to better hardened properties. For FF higher than Fd = 350, fibres tend to come to be entwined together and form clumping resulting from the fibre balling, resulting in worse hardened properties. This research offers a sensible basis for the application of the workability regulator of the fresh properties of fibre-reinforced geopolymer as an operative way to basically obtain ideal mechanical properties.

Influence of high density planting and spatial arrangement on growth and development in Musa AAA Simmonds

Banana is after apple, the most consumed fruit in the world for its nutritional contribution. Given its importance, it is necessary to advance in the development of agronomic management strategies that contribute to increase productivity and offer alternatives to regulate the consequences derived from the seasonality of production in the Urabá area (Colombia). For this, the clone Williams (Musa AAA Simmonds), at different planting densities (2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500 plants ha-1), different population arrangements (triangle, rectangle and double furrow), compared with a relative control (1700 plants ha-1 in triangle) was evaluated. The design used was randomized complete blocks in factorial arrangement of 4 x 3 + 1 (densities x arrays + control). The variables height and perimeter of the pseudostem, number of leaves from planting to harvest, leaf area index (IAF), light extinction coefficient, number of suckers and developmental stages (days elapsed after flowering and harvest) were determined. An analysis of general variance was carried out and another one excluding the control. The Tukey test (P <0.05) was applied to the qualitative variables and contrasts of orthogonal polynomials were made to test the linear and quadratic effects of the population density factor. The results indicated that the high planting densities and the population arrangements had a negative effect on the perimeter of the pseudostem and the height of the main sucker, favored the LAI, influenced the extinction coefficient, but did not affect the development of the plants.

Pulpwood green density prediction models and sampling-based calibration

Pulpwood arriving at the mills is mainly measured by weighing. In the loading phase of forwarding and trucking, timber is weighed using scales mounted in the grapple loader. The measured weight of timber is converted into volume using a conversion factor defined as green density (kg m). At the mill, the green density factor is determined by sampling measurements, while in connection with weighing with grapple-mounted scales during transportation, fixed green density factors are used. In this study, we developed predictive regression models for the green density of pulpwood. The models were constructed separately by pulpwood assortments: pine (contains mainly L); spruce (mainly (L.) Karst.); decayed spruce; birch (mainly Ehrh. and Roth); and aspen (mainly L.). Study material was composed of the sampling-based measurements at the mills between 2013–2019. The models were specified as linear mixed models with both fixed and random parameters. The fixed effect produced the expected value of green density as a function of delivery week, storage time, and meteorological conditions during storage. The random effects allowed the model calibration by utilizing the previous sampling weight measurements. The model validation showed that the model predictions faithfully reproduced the observed seasonal variation in green density. They were more reliable than those obtained with the current practices. Even the uncalibrated (fixed) predictions had lower relative root mean squared prediction errors than those obtained with the current practices.–3Pinus sylvestrisPicea abiesBetula pubescensBetula pendulaPopulus tremula

Self-absorption Correction Factors: Applying A Simplified Method to Analysis of Lead-210 in Different Environment Samples by Direct Counting of Low-energy Using HPGe Detector

This study aimed to determine the self-absorption correction factors of lead-210 (210Pb) in various Syrian environment samples. Seven sediments, five soils, and four plant samples were analysed by Gamma Spectroscopy using simple and direct analysis method called Cutshall. The method is based on measuring the penetration of gamma which emitted from a standard source, prepared in the laboratory by deposition of QCYB40 Standard Solution on stainless steel disk. The source was placed on top of the studied sample and the reference air sample during the measurement. The purpose was to study the self-absorption inside each sample by calculation of its self-absorption factors without knowing its chemical composition. The self-absorption correction results for the sediment samples SE3, SE6 and SE8 ranged between 36% and 45%, and 34% to 42% for the soil samples S5 and S1, respectively. Also, for the four plant samples, it recorded variance range from 4% to 18%. This is due to the difference in the density of the G4 sample, which appeared to be very low. However, the self-absorption correction factors CF were set for the different environmental samples, and the results show that the density factor of the sample is not the only influent factor in the CF values for low energies measurement, the sample chemical composition (sample matrix) is also more effective in addition to the samples’ particle sizes.

Determination of correction factor of self-absorption for lead-210 in environment samples using spike method

In environment radiation measurement, calculation the correction factors are critical, especially for low energy measurement because of self-absorption phenomena. In this work the main purpose is to determination the self-absorption correction factors of lead-210 (210Pb) energy (46.5keV) in various environment samples (7 sediments, 5 soil) using an experimental method called Spike Method. The samples were collecting from different places in Syrian. They were prepared according to the laboratory producers starting from collecting, cleaning, drying, grounding, hemogenic and calculating the appearance density. Low-energy gamma spectroscopy HPGe was used for radiation analysis which available at the laboratories of the Protection and Safety Department - Syrian Atomic Energy Commission – Syria. The spike method depends on adding a quantity of a standard solution with a known activity which contains lead isotope 210Pb and added to the studied samples. Self-absorption correction factors (CF) calculated by the ratio of the count rate or activity of spiked and unspiked samples. The CF for sediment samples were between 29% to 54% and for soil samples, the CFs were between 38% to 56% recording correction higher than sediment samples. The results showed a relatively high self-absorption and CFs values because of the chemical composition changeable between the spiked and unspiked samples. For that, it is better to adopt other methods less expensive, give results faster, higher accuracy and do not make change in the chemical composition. The results were also showed the density factor is the most influential factor in self-absorption phenomena.

Methodological Aspects of the Typology of Regions and Territorial Formations

This paper presents the typology of regions in developed countries. It includes illustrated scientific concepts of describing development of regional territorial systems based on local cores used as the basis for the typology. The article identifies typologies, highlighting reasons behind the attractiveness of individual regions for capital and labour; as well as links among economic operators. Typology methods for European regions are discussed, including typologies associated with transport accessibility, economic specialisation and the functional structure of regions. In most typologies, the basic developmental factors and solutions to practical issues are taken into account. A special role is played by typologies that are associated with economic growth and those that take into consideration a GDP per capita increase; along with the population density factor. Attention is drawn to the use of research on the typology of regions with regards to developmental planning, modelling and strategizing.

Effect of using Trilobal® polyester on the functional performance of fencing suit

Purpose The paper aims to use the Trilobal® polyester (Y cross-section) for producing fabrics suitable for fencing suits and evaluating their various properties. Design/methodology/approach Double weave structure was chosen to produce the samples by using six different face structures and two back structures divided into two groups according to the back structures. They were evaluated by their physical and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, puncture resistance, air permeability and humidity properties in horizontal and vertical wicking, drying rate and water vapor transmission. Findings Fencing sport recently is one of the most growing sports in the world, which necessitates special requirements and properties of fencing suit, either mechanical properties, which allow the easily and freely movement for the athlete, or the comfort properties that save the player’s effort and energy for a long time to improve his performance. Originality/value ANOVA test analysis showed highly significant results in some properties comparing back and face structures of the double weave fabric high correlation coefficient were found between packing density factor of produced fabric and the weft material types. The final results showed the produced sample that weaved with plain 1/1 for back structure and warp rib 2/2 for face structure achieved the best results, followed by the produced sample weaved with plain 1/1 for back structure and weft rib 2/2 for face structure compared with the other produced samples.