Investigation of the Adhesion Strength, Fracture Toughness, and Stability of M/Cr2N and M/V2N (M = Ti, Ru, Ni, Pd, Al, Ag, and Cu) Interfaces Based on First-Principles Calculations

Obtaining detailed information regarding the interfacial characteristics of metal/hexagonal-TMN composites is imperative for developing these materials with optimal mechanical properties. To this end, we systematically investigate the work of adhesion, fracture toughness, and interfacial stability of M/Cr2N and M/V2N interfaces using first-principles calculations. The orientation (0001) of hexagonal phases and (111) of fcc phases are selected as the interface orientations. Accordingly, we construct M/Cr2N interface models by considering 1N, 2N, and Cr terminations of Cr2N(0001), as well as two stacking sequences (top and hollow sites) for the 1N- and 2N-terminated interface models, respectively. The M/V2N interface models are constructed in the same way. The V-terminated Ni/V2N interface is demonstrated to provide a good combination of the work of adhesion, fracture toughness, and interfacial stability. Therefore, the Ni/V2N interface model can be regarded as the preferred configuration among the metal/hexagonal-TMN interface models considered. The present results offer a practical perspective for tailoring the interfaces in metal/hexagonal-TMN composite materials to obtain improved mechanical properties.

MODERN TRENDS OF FORMATION OF ARCHITECTURE OF INTERIORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AIR STATIONS

The ecological tendencies of forming of architecture of interiors of modern eco-air terminals for determination of leading principles of design and methods of forming of eco-interiors of this type of structures are elucidated. It is determined that ecological construction, eco-modernization and eco-reconstruction are important components of the success of modern airports. The modern eco-terminal is transformed into a sophisticated architectural object that reduces the environmental footprint. It is determined that the modern ecological environment of airport interiors is created with the help of non-standard planning solutions, organic bionic forms and eco materials. This environment is developed taking into account innovative technologies based on the synthesis of elements that determine its character: the basic design (its environmental characteristics), the symbolism of the form, the quality of natural light, the harmonious use of color and decoration, as well as natural materials, objects of phyto- and aqua-design, as living material that benefits the health of passengers, creating a comfortable microclimate and a good combination with nature.

Analysis of Semiotic Found in Football Shoes Advertisements

Aims in this study, first is to find out verbal and non-verbal signs found in football shoes advertisements, and second is to analyze the meaning of verbal and non-verbal signs found in football shoes advertisements. The data sources from this study were taken from the Official Account of Nike, Puma, and Adidas. This study used the descriptive qualitative method. The data were analyzed based on the theory proposed by Saussure (1983) about sign elements, the theory from Barthes (1964) about the meaning of signs, and the supporting theory from Cerrato (2012) to analyze the color terms. The result of this study showed the advertisements used the written texts as the verbal signs and the color choice and picture of advertisements as non-verbal signs. These signs also contained denotative and connotative meanings to make a good combination to attract the attention of readers.

Highly oleic collection of flax in VNIIMK

The researches were conducted in the laboratory of oil flax breeding of the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops, Krasnodar 2019– 2020. We studied the samples from the highly oleic collection of flax of the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops in order to select the best ones for introduction into a breeding process to improve the existing varieties and develop new ones with a good combination of biological and economically valuable traits. The samples from our collection demonstrated variability by the general economically valuable and biological traits. Thus, difference in duration of a period emergence–maturing was from 10 to 12 days depending on year and weather conditions. Maximal plant height (63.3 сm) was noted in 2020, and minimal (38.0 cm) was similar in all years of the research. Seed yield per a plot varied from 32.5 to 112.5 g/m 2 in 2019 and from 30.0 to 175.0 g/m 2 in 2020. The highest yield (175.0 g/m2) was fixed in 2020, and minimal one (30.0 g/m2) was at the same level in all years of the research. The samples from the collection were differed by their oil content in seeds: from 44.6 to 48.7% in 2019 and from 44.8 to 49.3% in 2020. Variation of this trait by years was 4.1–4.5%, difference between years of the research was equal to 0.4%. The presence of variability in oil contents in seeds among samples from flax collection proves a possibility to conduct selections by this trait in all breeding nurseries of the laboratory. Thus, in 2020 we selected two samples with oil content in seeds more than 49.0%.

Assessment of the Financial Condition of Knowledge Based Economy Entities – an Example of Polish Video Game Sector

The video game producers are currently in spotlight of market information services. Successes and huge budgets of such companies attract many readers. However, scientific studies related to this sector do not share the same popularity. A reflection on the source of value in this sector shows that what generates revenues is not disclosed in the report. Great examples are customers’ relationships or the value of employees creating the game code and story of the game. Video games producers sector presents a good combination of business and culture that allows reflection on financial characteristics of knowledge based companies. Prior studies show that market’s valuation takes into account unrecognised assets but capital-intensive character of a production and intangibility of a product and its assets causes problems with exact valuation. In this paper the author asks about the impact of the characteristics on the assessment of a financial condition. The research question in this paper is whether it is possible to use and interpret correctly popular discriminant analysis model for knowledge based entities on the example of video game companies. Results are applicable by analysts and managers of this sector and help to determine the usefulness of this method, but it still depends on assumptions and accounting policies. The reflection presented also broadens the discussion on financialisation because analysed companies can oppose this trend in a specific way.

THE EFFECTIVE VOLUME OF WATER IN SEVERAL TYPES OF SOIL FOR THE GROWTH OF Mucuna bracteata

The aim of this research was to determine the effective volume of water in several types of soil for the growth of Mucuna bracteata. This research was conducted at the Education and Research Garden (KP-2) of the Stiper Agricultural Institute located in Maguwoharjo, Sleman, DIY. This study uses factorial experiments arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of two factors and five replications. The first factor was the volume of water spray/day/plant consisting of four volume levels, namely: 50 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml and 200 ml. The second factor was the type of soil consisting of three types of soil, namely : regosol, latosol and grumusol. The results of the research data were analyzed using variance (Analysis of variance) at a real level of 5%. Data that is significantly different is continued with Duncan's multiple distance test or DMRT (Duncan multiple range test) at a real level of 5%. The results showed that there was no good combination of the volume of water and soil type on the growth of Mucuna bracteata. The volume of 50 ml / plant water was sufficient to produce good Mucuna bracteata plant growth. Mucuna bracteata plants can grow in regosol, latosol, and grumusol soil types.Keywords: volume, water, soil type, Mucuna bracteata

Anti-Acanthamoeba synergistic effect of chlorhexidine and Garcinia mangostana extract or α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoite and cyst forms

Acanthamoeba spp. can cause amoebic keratitis (AK). Chlorhexidine is effective for AK treatment as monotherapy, but with a relative failure on drug bioavailability in the deep corneal stroma. The combination of chlorhexidine and propamidine isethionate is recommended in the current AK treatment. However, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the parasite and virulence strains. This study aims to determine the potential of Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract and α-mangostin against Acanthamoeba triangularis, as well as the combination with chlorhexidine in the treatment of Acanthamoeba infection. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract and α-mangostin were assessed in trophozoites with 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL, for cysts with 4 and 1 mg/mL, respectively. The MIC of the extract and α-mangostin inhibited the growth of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts for up to 72 h. The extract and α-mangostin combined with chlorhexidine demonstrated good synergism, resulting in a reduction of 1/4–1/16 of the MIC. The SEM results showed that Acanthamoeba cells treated with a single drug and its combination caused damage to the cell membrane and irregular cell shapes. A good combination displayed by the extract or α-mangostin and chlorhexidine, described for the first time. Therefore, this approach is promising as an alternative method for the management of Acanthamoeba infection in the future.