The Concept and Context of Distance Learning in the New Normal Learning Scheme

Distance Learning has been around since its advent in 1960 and evolved in the creation of World Wide Web (WWW) in 1991 with the introduction of first education programs through internet of University of Phoenix and other universities and colleges. Vast ideas of concepts, theories and context have aroused in the popularization and implementation of distance learning in educational system and its first and most adversary are those in favor of lecture style of teaching. In the onset of the COVID-19, all fields of society have been affected and one of it is the educational system. This pandemic propagated the rise of distance learning in the Philippines and it becomes the most reliable modality of continuing the academic years. Distance learning becomes more adaptive and effective with the help of flexible teaching and learning modalities. Several studies exposed the concepts and theories for the distance learning to be more acceptable. These concepts and theories are supported by the literature with claims of context of distance learning in order to create an open and good system. Frameworks and being literate with the aid of continuous studies in this rising field is one of the key concepts in creating more possibilities to attain the quality of sufficient distance learning modality.

System for determining the parameters of a sea vessel by analyzing a photo image

In this paper, a method is considered for determining the parameters of a sea vessel, such as its spatial orientation and the distance from the observation point to this vessel from a photographic image to facilitate the task of identifying vessels at night. A measuring system for practical implementation is proposed, consisting of an optical segment, a segment for determining the angle of the vessel by the image, a segment for determining the distance to the object, and a segment for accumulating and filtering data. An algorithm for extracting the parameters of ship lights from a photographic image, their analysis, and the calculation of the quantities required for classification are described. The effectiveness of various classifier architectures for determining the angle of the vessel was experimentally tested, among which the SVM architecture was the most effective. A method for compiling a “depth map” for a static image based on the data of real distances to objects in the daylight image and the coordinates of the corresponding pixels in the same image is described. The method of backpropagation of the error is used for the obtained distances in the corresponding segment of the system based on the existence of the position-distance mapping. The model of the “depth map” constructed based on these data made it possible to obtain a sufficient distance to the object from the photograph.

Improving the efficiency of the technology and organization of the longwall face move during the intensive flat-lying coal seams mining at the Kuzbass mines

The reasons for the lag of the indicators of the leading Russian coal mines engaged in the longwall mining of the flat-lying coal seams from similar foreign mines are considered. The analysis of the efficiency of the longwall face move operations at the JSC SUEK-Kuzbass mines was carried out. A significant excess of the planned deadlines for the longwall face move during the thick flat-lying seams mining, the reasons for the low efficiency of disassembling operations and the main directions for improving the technology of disassembling operations are revealed. The directions of ensuring the operational condition of the recovery room formed by the longwall face are considered. The recommended scheme of converged coal seams mining and a three-dimensional model of a rock mass to justify its parameters are presented. Numerical studies using the finite element method are performed. The results of modeling the stress-strain state of a rock mass in the vicinity of a recovery room formed under conditions of increased stresses from the boundary part of a previously mined overlying seam are shown. The main factors determining the possibility of ensuring the operational condition of the recovery rooms are established. It is shown that it is necessary to take into account the influence of the increased stresses zone when choosing timbering standards and organizing disassembling operations at a interbed thickness of 60 m or less. A sufficient distance from the gob of above- or undermined seams was determined to ensure the operational condition of the recovery room of 50 m, for the set-up room – 30 m. Recommendations are given for improving technology and organization of the longwall face move operations at the mines applied longwall mining of flat-lying coal seams with the formation of a recovery room by the longwall face.

Locoregional recurrence via mucus-mediated extension following lung resection for mucinous tumors

Background Clinically, locoregional recurrences following mucinous tumor resection are often experienced. However, it remains unclear whether mucinous tumors directly affect local recurrence or not, and if so, the mechanism is not known. Therefore, we investigated whether mucinous tumors are associated with locoregional recurrence after pulmonary resection and whether mucus extension is a risk factor for locoregional recurrence. Methods The data of 152 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for metastases were reviewed. When mucus was partially or wholly present in the tumor based on macro- or microscopic identification, we assigned the tumor as mucinous. In mucinous tumors, when mucus was identified within the air spaces in the normal lung parenchyma, beyond the edge of the tumor, we assigned the tumor as positive for “mucus extension.” Results The 5-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence in patients with mucinous tumors was 48.1%, which was significantly higher than that observed in those with non-mucinous tumors (14.9%). Within the mucinous tumor, the presence of mucus extension beyond the tumor edge was an independent risk factor for locoregional recurrence after pulmonary resection (hazard ratio, 5.52; P = 0.019). Conclusions During the resection of mucinous cancer, surgeons should maintain sufficient distance from the tumor edge to prevent locoregional recurrences.

In silico method for selecting residue pairs for single-molecule microscopy and spectroscopy

Obtaining (dynamic) structure related information on proteins is key for understanding their function. Methods as single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) that measure distances between labeled residues to obtain dynamic information rely on selection of suitable residue pairs for chemical modification. Selection of pairs of amino acids, that show sufficient distance changes upon activity of the protein, can be a tedious process. Here we present an in silico approach that makes use of two or more structures (or structure models) to filter suitable residue pairs for FRET or EPR from all possible pairs within the protein. We apply the method for the study of the conformational dynamics of the substrate-binding domain of the osmoregulatory ATP-Binding Cassette transporter OpuA. This method speeds up the process of designing mutants, and because of its systematic nature, the chances of missing promising candidates are reduced.

Locoregional Recurrence via Mucus-Mediated Extension Following Lung Resection for Mucinous Tumors

Background Clinically, locoregional recurrences following mucinous tumor resection are often experienced. However, it is unclear whether mucinous tumors directly affect local recurrence or not, and if so, what the mechanism is. Therefore, we investigated whether mucinous tumors are associated with locoregional recurrence after pulmonary resection and whether mucus extension is a risk factor for locoregional recurrence. Methods The data of 90 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for metastases were reviewed. If mucus was partially or wholly present in the tumor based on macro- or microscopic identification, we assigned the tumor as mucinous. In mucinous tumors, if mucus was identified within the air spaces in the normal lung parenchyma, beyond the edge of the tumor, we assigned the tumor as positive for “mucus extension.” Results The 5-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence in patients with mucinous tumors was 80.3%, which was significantly higher than the 15.5% observed in patients with non-mucinous tumors. Within the mucinous tumor, presence of mucus extension beyond the tumor edge was an independent risk factor for locoregional recurrence after pulmonary resection (hazard ratio, 8.08; P = 0.049). Conclusion During the resection of mucinous cancer, surgeons should maintain sufficient distance from the tumor edge to prevent locoregional recurrences.

Bitter Shade

This book asks an age-old question about the relationship between human consciousness and the environment: How do we think about our own thoughts and actions? How can we transcend the exigencies of daily life? How can we achieve sufficient distance from our own everyday realities to think and act more sustainably? To address these questions, the book draws on the results of decades of research in South and Southeast Asia on how local cultures have circumvented the “curse of consciousness” — the paradox that we cannot completely comprehend the ecosystem of which we are part. The book is focussed on three principles: perspectivism (seeing oneself from outside oneself), metamorphosis (becoming something that one is not), and mimesis (copying something that one is not), which help a society to transcend the hubris and myopia of everyday existence and achieve greater insight into its ecosystem.

Economic and Ecological Comparison of Airship and Other Modes of Transport

The article deals with the comparison of airship, air, road, rail and ship transportation from the economic and environmental point of view. The economic aspect is represented by calculations of the transport time and the total price for the fuel consumed. The ecological aspect is expressed in terms of the amount of released CO2 into the atmosphere. The comparison is carried out on a selected route, specifically from Brest in France to Hamburg, Germany. These two points were chosen because they are located at a sufficient distance from each other, close to the airport and the port. The model situation does not take into account the various airport, road or other similar transport charges. Only the distance calculated on suitable roads and routes and the fuel consumption of the means of transport during transport are be taken into account.

In Silico Method for Selecting Residue Pairs for Single-Molecule Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Obtaining (dynamic) structure related information on proteins is key for understanding their function. Methods as single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) that measure distances between labeled residues to obtain dynamic information rely on selection of suitable residue pairs for chemical modification. Selection of pairs of amino acids, that show sufficient distance changes upon activity of the protein, can be a tedious process. Here we present an in silico approach that makes use of two or more structures (or structure models) to filter suitable residue pairs for FRET or EPR from all possible pairs within the protein. We apply the method for the study of the conformational dynamics of the substrate-binding domain of the osmoregulatory ATP-Binding Cassette transporter OpuA. This method speeds up the process of designing mutants, and because of its systematic nature, the chances of missing promising candidates are reduced.

Comparison of Interstorey Drift in General RC Buildings in Pounding and No Pounding Case

Inter-storey drift is an important parameter of structural behavior in seismic analysis of buildings. Pounding effect in building simply means collision between adjacent buildings due to earthquake load caused by out of phase vibration of adjacent buildings. There is variation in inter-storey drift of adjacent buildings during pounding case and no pounding case. The main objective of this research was to compare the inter-storey drift of general adjacent RC buildings in pounding and no pounding case. For this study two adjacent RC buildings having same number of stories have been considered. For pounding case analysis there is no gap in between adjacent buildings and for no pounding case analysis there is sufficient distance between adjacent buildings. The model consists of adjacent buildings having 4 and 4 stories but unequal storey height. Both the buildings have same material & sectional properties. Fast non-linear time history analysis was performed by using El-centro earthquake data as ground motion. Adjacent buildings having different overall height were modelled in SAP 2000 v 15 using gap element for pounding case. Finally, analysis was done and inter-storey drift was compared. It was found that in higher building inter-storey drift is greater in no pounding case than in pounding case but in adjacent lower height building the result was reversed. Additionally, it was found that in general residential RC buildings maximum inter-storey drift occurs in 2nd floor.