Objektu monitorings ar zema enerģijas patēriņa iegultām iekārtām un heterogēniem bezvadu sensoru tīkliem

Elektroniskā versija nesatur pielikumusBezvadu sensoru tīkli ir kļuvuši par neatņemamu daļu no visuresošās skaitļošanas (Ubiquitous Computing) un lietu interneta (Internet of Things). Darba ietvaros izstrādāta un aprakstīta vispārīgā metode iegulto sensoro iekārtu izveidei, kuru pielietojot, iespējams radīt rīkus objektu monitoringam un datu ievākšanai, kas, savukārt, izmanto zema enerģijas patēriņa iegultas sensorās iekārtas un heterogēnus bezvadu sensoru tīklus. Darba gaitā izstrādātā metode pielietota, lai radītu rīku kopumu, kas piemēroti savvaļas dzīvnieku, piemēram, Eirāzijas lūšu (Lynx lynx) vai Eirāzijas pelēko vilku (Canis lupus lupus) monitoringam un aktivitāšu noteikšanai. Darbā izvirzītā hipotēze arī aprobēta un iegūtie rezultāti apkopoti, pielietojot radītos rīkus auto orientēšanās pasākumu dalībnieku izsekošanai. Daļa no darba rezultātiem tiek pielietoti datu ieguvei un apmaiņai, veicot apvidus izpēti pirms saules un vēja enerģijas ieguves iekārtu uzstādīšanas. Darbā sasniegtie rezultāti, radot dažāda pielietojuma iegultās sensorās iekārtas balstoties uz piedāvāto vispārīgo metodi, pierāda, ka tā ir pielietojama. Atslēgas vārdi Bezvadu sensoru tīkli, objektu monitorings, savvaļas dzīvnieki, komunikācija tīklā, pret aizturēm noturīga datu pārraide.Wireless sensor networks have become an integral part of the ubiquitous computing and the Internet of Things. During research has been developed and descrobed general method for creating embedded sensor equipment. By applying in one can create tools for object monitoring and data collection using low-power embedded sensor equipment and heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. In the course of work the method was applied to create the tool package suitable for monitoring and determination of activities of wild animals, i.e. Eurasian lynxes (Lynx lynx) or Eurasian grey wolves (Canis lupus lupus). Some of works hypotheses are evaluated and results are categorized by applying them to track participants of car orienteering events. As well some assumptions of research are evaluated based on data collection and exchange in monitoring of sites of future renewable energy plants. The results achieved by creating various usage embedded sensor devices shows that genral method described in thesis is applicable. Keywords: Wireless Sensor Networks, Object Monitoring, Wilds Animals, Network Communication, Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networking

Efficiencies of conventional anaerobic digestion procedure and ionizing radiation treatment for removal of pharmaceutical residues from municipal wastewater

Nowadays, pharmaceutical products (PPs) have raised global concerns due to accumulation of their residues in aquatic ecosystems. In the urban environment, epidemics and social factor illnesses, advancement of pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and other health-care institutions, veterinary institutions pharmaceutical industries and uses in household need are the main economic sources or factors influencing emerging dissemination of PPs in the environment

Efficiencies of conventional anaerobic digestion procedure and ionizing radiation treatment for removal of pharmaceutical residues from municipal wastewater

Nowadays, pharmaceutical products (PPs) have raised global concerns due to accumulation of their residues in aquatic ecosystems. In the urban environment, epidemics and social factor illnesses, advancement of pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and other health-care institutions, veterinary institutions pharmaceutical industries and uses in household need are the main economic sources or factors influencing emerging dissemination of PPs in the environment

Critical Evaluation of the Methods for the Characterization of the Degree of Sulfonation for Electron Beam Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) Membranes

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) materials are promising candidates for replacing Nafion™ in applications such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) and direct methanol fuel cells. SPEEK membranes have several advantages such as low cost, thermal and radiation stability and controllable physicochemical and mechanical properties, which depend on the degree of sulfonation (DS). Commercial PEEK was homogenously sulfonated up to a DS of 60–90% and the membranes were prepared using a solvent casting method. Part of the samples were irradiated with a 10 MeV electron beam up to a 500 kGy dose to assess the ionizing radiation-induced effects. Both non-irradiated and irradiated membranes were characterized by Fourier Transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance analysis and, for the first time for non-irradiated membranes, by spectrophotometric analysis with Cr(III). The above-mentioned methods for application for DS assessment were compared. The aim of this study is to compare different methods used for the determination of the DS of SPEEK membranes before and after high-dose irradiation. It was observed that irradiated membranes presented a higher value of DS. The appearance of different new signals in 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectra of irradiated membranes indicated that the effects of radiation induced changes in the structure of SPEEK materials. The good correlation of Cr(III) absorption and SPEEK DS up to 80% indicates that the spectrophotometric method is a comparable tool for the characterization of SPEEK membranes. © 2023 by the authors. --//-- Pakalniete L.D., Maskova E., Zabolockis R.J., Avotina L., Sprugis E., Reinholds I., Rzepna M., Vaivars G., Pajuste E.; Critical Evaluation of the Methods for the Characterization of the Degree of Sulfonation for Electron Beam Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) Membranes; (2023) Materials, 16 (18), art. no. 6098; DOI: 10.3390/ma16186098; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85172995367&doi=10.3390%2fma16186098&partnerID=40&md5=8a3142809e241c793672f5eb6da51820. Published under the CC BY 4.0 license.This research was funded by the European Regional Development Funds (Project No.1.1.1.1/19/137 Graphene-based electrochemical pumping system for radioactive hydrogen isotope separation. Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2

Molecular detection of fungi in paprika, chili powder and black pepper

Paprika powder, chili powder, and black pepper are among the most frequently used spices in the world. The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions were identified by high sequence similarity with the ITS regions of many microscopic fungi, especially representatives of the phylum Ascomycota, from 18 different spice samples that were examined. However, supplied quality certificates indicated that 10 of the 18 samples had no contamination present and were safe for human consumption. The various genera of fungi that were identified from the spices are considered to be a food safety concern as they are able to produce mycotoxins. Qualitative detection was supplemented by positive detection of viable fungal DNA using qPCR for the genera Aspergillus/Penicillium in two paprika powder and black pepper samples. These results concurred with the control analysis using axenic cultures. The described methods can be used for routine testing of spices to provide safe spices and other products to consumers.O

Stability and change in health behaviours as predictors for disability pension: a prospective cohort study of Swedish twins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stability or changes of health behaviours have not been studied in association with incidence of disability pension (DP). The aims were to (1) investigate if stability or changes in health behaviours predict DP due to musculoskeletal diagnosis (MSD), (2) to evaluate if an association exists for DP in general, and (3) after taking familial confounding into account.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study sample was 16,713 like-sexed twin individuals born in Sweden between 1935-1958 (6195 complete twin pairs) who had participated in two surveys 25 years apart, were alive, and not pensioned at the time of the latest survey. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the associations (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) between stability and change in health behaviours (physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, body mass index (BMI)), and number of pain locations collected at two time points 25 years apart and the incidence of DP until 2008.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During the follow-up, 1843 (11%) individuals were granted DP with 747 of these due to MSD. A higher proportion of women were granted DP than men. Increase in BMI and stable use of tobacco products were predictors for DP due to MSD (HR 1.21-1.48) and DP in general (HR 1.10-1.41). The stability in the frequency of physical activity and increased frequency of physical activity were protective factors for DP due to MSD only when accounting for familial confounding. However, the number of pain locations (stability, increase, or decrease) was the strongest predictor for future DP due to MSD (HR 3.69, CI 2.99-4.56) and DP in general (HR 2.15, CI 1.92-2.42). In discordant pair analysis, the HRs for pain were lower, indicating potential familial confounding.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Health behaviours in adulthood, including an increase in pain locations were associated with the incidence of DP. The association between physical activity and DP was especially related to adulthood choices or habits, i.e., the individual decision about frequency of exercising. Thus, it is important to e.g. increase public awareness of the potential beneficial effects of exercise throughout life to avoid permanent exclusion from the labour market for medical reasons.</p

Combined labor environment risks in the special pre-school educational institutions, safety and prevention

Novērtēta kombinēta fizikālo, ergonomisko, psihosociālo u.c. faktoru ietekme speciālās pirmskolas izglītības iestādes darba vidē. Veikti objektīvie mērījumi, nosakot asinsspiediena un pulsa rādītājus. Statistiski analizēti speciālās un vispārējo pirmsskolas izglītības iestāžu darbinieku (95 respondenti) rezultāti par darbinieku veselību, spriedzes līmeni un darba vidi. Autors pielietojis FMEA metodi kombinēto risku analīzei. Noteikts, ka ergonomisko faktoru uzlabošana un darbinieku izglītošana pareizu darba metožu efektīvu atpūtas metožu (muskuļu grupu relaksācijas, redzes atslodzes vingrinājumi u.c.) pielietošanā var sekmīgi nodrošināt darbinieku veselības veicināšanu darba vidē, uzlabot psihosociālo klimatu darba vidē un darba spēju efektivitāti.The impacts of combined physical, ergonomic, psychosocial, etc. factors risks in a labour environment of special pre-school institution were evaluated. The objective measurements of employer blood pressure and heart beats were performed. The results of questionnaire by special and common pre-school educational institution personnel (95 respondents) regards employee health, work stress and the work places were statistically analysed. FMEA method was applied by the author for the assessment of combined risks at workplace. Estimated that improvement of ergonomic factors and employees’education on proper work practices and effective relaxation methods (muscle group, eye relaxation exercises, etc.) can successfully provide a health promotion of employee at the work environment, improve the efficiency of psychosocial climate and working capacity

Multidimensional Empowerment in Child Marriage Interventions : A study of four Sub-Saharan African cases

Child marriage constitutes one of the currently biggest obstacles to gender equality and human development. As the practice has gained more attention in the international arena within the past two decades, a number of evaluations have been produced. These are mainly characterized by quantitative and linear assessments of the impact of child marriage interventions. This thesis considers the role of empowerment by applying the theoretical framework of Naila Kabeer to child marriage interventions. The purpose is to critically review the impact of employed methods. Through a collective case study, four programs in Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are examined.   The interventions cover different methods of child marriage prevention, or a combination of them. These include education, economic incentives, empowerment and community conversations. However, using only one of the approaches is typically not enough to create long-term change in the lives of at-risk and already married girls. As child marriage is a product of cultural complexity, the most successful interventions are those able to target all dimensions relating to empowerment as choice-making: resources, agency and achievements. Such is the case for the programs in both Uganda and Ethiopia. Whilst the studied interventions have provided different resources needed to strengthen the vulnerability of adolescent girls, this improved access does not guarantee a change of agency. By additionally mobilizing the communities which sustain the normative underpinning of the practice, the possibility of impacts beyond the duration of interventions is increased. Only then are other and new achievements possible, which are crucial to disrupting the cultural logic of the practice for future generations and avoid a sense of informed powerlessness for the current ones