bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Energy Management Strategy for Power-split Hybrid Electric Vehicle using Model Predictive Control
Authors: Zahid Muhammad , Ahmad Naseer
Published: December 2021

To fulfil future demand for energy and to control pollution, a power-split hybrid electric vehicle is a promising solution combining attributes of a conventional vehicle and an electric vehicle. Since energy is available from two subsystems i.e, engine and battery, there is the freedom to manage it optimally. In this work, model predictive control strategy, that has the constraint handling which makes it a better choice over other strategies for efficient energy management of hybrid electric vehicles. A detailed mathematical model of the power split configured hybrid electric vehicle is developed that encompasses the engine, planetary gear, motor/generator, inverter, and battery. An interior-point optimizer based-nonlinear model predictive control strategy is applied to the developed model by incorporation of operational constraints and cost function. The objective is to curtail fuel consumption while the battery’s state of charge should be maintained within predefined limits. The complete developed model was simulated in MATLAB for motor, generator, engine speed, and battery SoC. Computed specific fuel consumption from the proposed MPC during the NEDC and the HWFET cycles are 4.356liters/100km and 2.474 litres/100 km, respectively. These findings are validated by the rule-based strategy of ADVISOR 2003 that provides 4.900 litres/100 km and 3.600 litres/100 km over the NEDC and the HWFET cycles, respectively. This indicates that the proposed MPC shows 11.11 % and 31.26 % improvement in specific fuel consumption in the NEDC and HWFET drive cycles respectively.
Modelling an Electrically Turbocharged Engine and Predicting the Performance Under Steady-State Engine
Authors: Subramaniam Kamalleswaran , Wan Saiful-Islam Wan Salim
Published: December 2021

This paper discusses the evaluation of the energy recovery potential of turboshaft separated (decoupled) electric turbocharger and its boosting capability in a spark-ignition engine through simulation-based work and comparing it to a conventional turbocharged engine in terms of fuel consumption. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the amount of energy that can be recovered over a steady state full-load operating conditions and boosting capabilities from a decoupled electric turbocharger of an SI engine using a 1-D engine simulation software. The electric turbocharged system includes two motors and a battery pack to store the recovered electrical energy. Gt-Power engine simulation software was used to model both engines and utilizes each of the components described earlier. The conventional turbocharged engine is first simulated to obtain its performance characteristics. An electric turbocharger is then modelled by separating the turbine from the compressor. The turbine is connected to the generator and battery, whereas the compressor is connected to the motor. This electrically turbocharged engine was modelled at full load and controlled to produce the same brake power (kW) and brake torque (Nm) properties as the similarly sized conventional turbocharged engine. This step was necessary to investigate the effect an electrical turbocharger without a wastegate has on the engine’s BSFC and determine the energy that can be recovered by the electrical boosting components, and cycle-averaged fuel consumption was evaluated. The evaluation of energy recovered from the electrically turbocharged engine from the analysis can assessed in full-load steady state conditions that can be useful for research in part-load and transient studies involving the decoupled electrical turbocharger. The study revealed that a maximum of 21.6 kW of electrical power can be recovered from the decoupled electrical turbocharger system, whereas 2.6% increase in fuel consumption can be observed at 5000 rpm engine speed.
Strategies to Form Homogeneous Mixture and Methods to Control Auto-Ignition of HCCI Engine
Authors: Veza Ibham , Said Mohd Farid Muhamad , Latiff Zulkarnain Abdul , Abas Mohd Azman , Perang Mohd Rozi Mohd , Ng Hoon Kiat , A. Sule  , T.W.B. Riyadi  , N. Tamaldin
Published: December 2021

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine has emerged as a promising combustion technology. Theoretically, an HCCI engine can reduce both NOx and soot emissions significantly down to almost zero levels. This is possible as a result of two fundamental processes that occur in the HCCI engine, i.e. the homogeneous mixture and its autoignition characteristics. Neither spark plug nor injector is used in the HCCI engine. The autoignition of the homogeneous mixture is solely influenced by its chemical reactions inside the combustion chamber. However, this is where the problems start to occur. At low loads or too lean mixtures, misfire may occur, thus increasing the HC and CO emissions. At high loads or too rich mixtures, soot emissions and knocking tendency may increase. Moreover, an undesirable pressure rise due to knocking will increase the combustion temperature and potentially increase the probability of NOx formation. Therefore, the operating range of HCCI engine is very limited only to part loads. Controlling its combustion phasing play an important role to extend the narrow operating range of the HCCI engine. Despite numerous review articles have been published, classification of the approaches to achieve HCCI combustion in diesel engines were rarely presented clearly. Therefore, this review article aims to provide a concise and comprehensive classification of HCCI combustion so that the role and position of each strategy found in the literature could be understood distinctively. In short, two important questions must be solved to have successful HCCI combustion; (1) how to form a homogeneous mixture? and (2) how to control its auto-ignition?
Exploring Lean Production System Adoption in the Moroccan Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing Industries: Awareness, Benefits and Barriers
Authors: ARABI Salma , CHAFI Anas , BAJJOU Mohamed Saad , EL HAMMOUMI Mohammed
Published: December 2021

Although lean manufacturing emerged in the 1990s, and since then, it has become known and recognised worldwide, companies still struggle to implement it successfully, especially in less developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of maturity of lean production within small and medium-sized companies, identify what the benefits of lean implementation are, and present an exploration and analysis of the barriers that influence the implementation of lean production in these companies.To achieve this objective, items from previous studies were extracted through a systematic literature review and then validated by interviews with Moroccan experts in the manufacturing and non-manufacturing industry; on the other hand, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 78 small and medium enterprises in Morocco. Subsequently, all collected responses were statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V21.0). The results show that the lean approach is unfortunately not yet adopted and applied by all Moroccan SMEs (24% of our respondents have not yet tried to apply lean). In addition, the most significant benefits announced by Moroccan small and medium enterprises are ‘the elimination of waste (82.1%)’, ‘the reduction of costs (78.2%)’, and ‘the improvement of efficiency and performance of production units (70.5%)’. Finally, the principal component analysis indicated that the two main difficulties that need to be maintained are poor management (with 63.6 % of the total variance) and lack of financial resources, monitoring, and skilled labours (with 7.7 % of the total variance).
Identification of NID1 as a novel candidate susceptibility gene for familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma using whole-exome sequencing
Authors: de Mello Luis Eduardo Barbalho , Carneiro Thaise Nayane Ribeiro , Araujo Aline Neves , Alves Camila Xavier , Galante Pedro Alexandre Favoretto , Buzatto Vanessa Candiotti , das Graças de Almeida Maria , Vermeulen-Serpa Karina Marques , de Lima Vale Sancha Helena , José de Pinto Paiva Fernando , Brandão-Neto José , Cerutti Janete Maria
Published: December 2021

The genetics underlying non-syndromic familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC) is still poorly understood. To identify susceptibility genes for FNMTC, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in a Brazilian family affected by papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in three consecutive generations. WES was performed in four affected and two unaffected family members. Manual inspection in over 100 previously reported susceptibility genes for FNMTC showed that no variants in known genes co-segregated with disease phenotype in this family. Novel candidate genes were investigated using PhenoDB and filtered using Genome Aggregation (gnomAD) and Online Archive of Brazilian Mutations (ABraOM) population databases. The missense variant p.Ile657Met in the NID1 gene was the only variant that co-segregated with the disease, while absent in unaffected family members and controls. The allele frequency for this variant was <0.0001 in the gnomAD and ABbraOM databases. In silico analysis predicted the variant to be deleterious or likely damaging to the protein function. Somatic mutations in NID1 gene were found in nearly 500 cases of different cancer subtypes in the intOGen platform. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed NID1 expression in PTC cells, while it was absent in normal thyroid tissue. Our findings were corroborated using data from the TCGA cohort. Moreover, higher expression of NID1 was associated with higher likelihood of relapse after treatment and N1b disease in PTCs from the TCGA cohort. Although replication studies are needed to better understand the role of this variant in the FNMTC susceptibility, the NID1 variant (c.1971T>G) identified in this study fulfills several criteria that suggest it as a new FNMTC predisposing gene.
Dutch founder SDHB exon 3 deletion in patients with pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma in South Africa
Authors: Gordon Debra M , Beckers Pablo , Castermans Emilie , Neggers Sebastian J C M M , Rostomyan Liliya , Bours Vincent , Petrossians Patrick , Dideberg Vinciane , Beckers Albert , Daly Adrian F
Published: December 2021

Objective

Screening studies have established genetic risk profiles for diseases such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and pheochromocytoma–paraganglioma (PPGL). Founder effects play an important role in the regional/national epidemiology of endocrine cancers, particularly PPGL. Founder effects in the Netherlands have been described for various diseases, some of which established themselves in South Africa due to Dutch emigration. The role of Dutch founder effects in South Africa has not been explored in PPGL.

Design

We performed a single-center study in South Africa of the germline genetic causes of isolated/syndromic neuroendocrine tumors.

Methods

Next-generation panel, Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligand-dependent probe amplification for endocrine neoplasia risk genes.

Results

From a group of 13 patients, we identified 6 with PPGL, 4 with sporadic or familial isolated pituitary adenomas, and 3 with clinical MEN1; genetic variants were identified in 9/13 cases. We identified the Dutch founder exon 3 deletion in SDHB in two apparently unrelated individuals with distinct ethnic backgrounds that had metastatic PPGL. Asymptomatic carriers with this Dutch founder SDHBexon 3 deletion were also identified. Other PPGL patients had variants in SDHB, and SDHD and three MEN1variants were identified among MEN1 and young-onset pituitary adenoma patients.

Conclusions

This is the first identification of a Dutch founder effect for PPGL in South Africa. Awareness of the presence of this exon 3 SDHB deletion could promote targeted screening at a local level. Insights into PPGL genetics in South Africa could be achieved by studying existing patient databases for Dutch founder mutations in SDHx genes.
ALTRUISMO EFICAZ Y APLICACIÓN DE PRINCIPIOS ÉTICOS: UNA OPORTUNIDAD PARA LA EDUCACIÓN PARA LA CIUDADANÍA GLOBAL EN LA UNIVERSIDAD
Authors: Pastoriza Rozas Xosé Luís
Published: December 2021

Este artículo analiza la idoneidad del altruismo eficaz como marco ético de referencia para las prácticas de educación para la ciudadanía global en la Universidad. El altruismo eficaz demanda que las prácticas altruistas y solidarias se basen no solo en decisiones emocionales, sino en un análisis racional que permita conseguir el mayor impacto posible en beneficio de terceros. Simultáneamente, las Universidades promueven la educación para la ciudadanía global que incluye el desarrollo de competencias para la aplicación de principios éticos orientados a la mejora del mundo tal y como es definida en la Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible de Naciones Unidas. Pero la amplitud de los problemas de desarrollo requiere criterios de decisión para seleccionar aquellas causas que pueden tener un mayor y mejor impacto. Por ello, el altruismo eficaz ofrece un repertorio razonado de criterios de decisión facilitadores de la aplicación de principios éticos entre la ciudadanía global universitaria.
EL AMOR, LA BELLEZA Y EL ‘ETERNO FEMENINO’ EN EL FAUSTO DE GOETHE A TRAVÉS DE LOS HEROICOS FURORES DE GIORDANO BRUNO Y LA HYPNEROTOMACHIA POLIPHILI DE COLONNA
Authors: De Faramiñán Fernández-Fígares Juan Manuel
Published: December 2021

Este artículo analiza la presencia simbólica del amor, la belleza y el ‘eterno femenino’ en la tragedia Fausto de Johann Wolfgang von Goethe a través de la hermenéutica comparativa con dos textos fundamentales del Renacimiento, De los heroicos furores de Giordano Bruno y la Hypnerotomachia Poliphili de Colonna. La tesis de partida es que los tres amores de Fausto, Margarita, Helena y la Mater Gloriosa, son en realidad una representación simbólica de los tres aspectos fundamentales del alma (físico, psicológico y espiritual) que también podemos encontrar en estos dos textos por su conexión con la tradición neoplatónica.
Shrine Politics and Non-Institutional Religiosity
Authors: Belaj Marijana
Published: December 2021

The Mrtvalj spring is an integral part of a more complex sacred landscape, the center of which is the Shrine of St. John the Baptist located in Podmilačje near Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The shrine is a multi-confessional pilgrimage destination that is also very popular within the wider region. The Mrtvalj spring is one of the key stops in pilgrimage itineraries, but it is not only a sacred place within pilgrimage practices. In this paper the conceptualization of the Mrtvalj spring’s sacredness is examined as a reflection of the relationship between the religious and the political. The author analyzes the relationship between the shrine’s politics, which are based on the ideas of a “Bosnian Lourdes” and a shared shrine, and the spring as a focal point for the shared non-institutional practices of believers of various religious affiliations. She aims to show that a shared sacred site does not necessarily have to be controversial, and calls for a revalorization of non-institutional religiosity, which has proved to be a rich phenomenon for the study of interreligious relations
Croatianess and Children’s Popular Culture
Authors: Bukač Zlatko
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the discursive formation of Croatianness (hrvatstvo) during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s and the post-war era, focusing mainly on the domain of popular culture. In this analysis of Croatian children’s popular culture, the main emphasis is on chocolate bar stickers and sticker albums manufactured by Kraš. At the time, the company had published Cro-Army chocolate stickers and the accompanying Croatian army sticker album, Knights’ Tales, about Croatian history and various historical events, and Maki, a sticker album of Catholic saints. In relying on theoretical and methodological frameworks of representational and discourse theory regarding national identity and fantasy, this paper shows one of the ways in which Croatianness was formed in children’s popular culture through three main aspects – war, history, and religion
Forest, forest, forest. Sometimes we sleep. Walking, sleep, walking, sleep. It’s dangerous on this way
Authors: Hameršak Marijana , Pleše Iva
Published: December 2021

Hidden migrant routes through Croatia lead through forest areas (among other types of terrain) which include those along state borders, but also forests in the interior of the territory. Those forests can variously be seen as shelters for migrants, albeit harsh, or as green tunnels leading to desired destinations, and as scenes of suffering and violence. This article approaches the forests in question as landscapes that have been transformed from a neutral natural environment into active factors for creating and maintaining border control regimes and deterring and expelling unwanted migrants. Based on our long-term field research and publicly available (archival, media and other) sources, we seek to document, interpret, and interconnect the objects and practices involved in constructing the forest as a hostile terrain and perilous environment for migrants, and as an important element in controlling unwanted migrations. These are, on the one hand, objects and practices that intervene into forests, such as setting up cameras or cutting down trees, and, on the other, interventions that take place in forests, such as police interception or expulsion. Apart from these external interventions, in this context of remodeling forests into dangerous environments, one can also discuss the role of nature itself and its characteristics, as well as the causes of why migrants find themselves in nature in the first place. Although, at first glance, it seems that people on the move choose the forest as the place and route of their movement of their own volition, they are pushed and expelled into these forests by exclusionary policies (visa regimes, asylum systems, etc.). This, ultimately, classifies forests in Croatia as weaponized landscapes of exclusion and death, such as the desert (e.g., De León 2015), mountain (Del Biaggio et al. 2020), maritime (e.g., Albahari 2015) or archipelago (Mountz 2017) landscapes
Zadarski tanac
Authors: Dunatov Dora
Published: December 2021

U ovom se radu promatraju nastajanje, razvoj i utjecaj zadarskog tanca, jedinog plesa koji lokalna zajednica smatra specifično zadarskim. Riječ je o relativno novoj plesnoj tvorevini u domeni kulturno-umjetničkog amaterizma obrađenoj najprije iz plesnog, a potom i glazbenog aspekta. Njegovu koreografiju u Zadru pratimo od 1997. godine. Nakon šesnaestogodišnjeg izostanka sa scene, ponovno se javlja tek 2013. godine. Trenutačno ga plešu dva aktivna zadarska KUD-a čiji je nastanak usko povezan s prepoznavanjem zadarskog tanca kao vlastite tradicije. Uz glazbu i ples, u radu se obrađuje i problem izostanka folklornog amaterizma u Zadru tijekom gotovo dva desetljeća. Cilj je ovog rada rezultatima istraživanja rasvijetliti genezu plesa koji se naziva zadarskom baštinom ponajprije zahvaljujući aktivnosti dvaju zadarskih KUD-ova, te uskladiti predodžbe o starosti te tradicije
El sistema cultural del honor en las pandillas
Authors: Ordóñez Valverde Jorge
Published: December 2021

Este artículo es un estudio sobre la violencia de pandillas en barrios marginales de Cali, Colombia, basado en trabajos etnográficos de la primera década del siglo xxi. Sigue las ideas de la antropología simbólica de Clifford Geertz, el psicoanálisis freudiano en su interpretación de la cultura y la teoría de la civilización de Norbert Elias. La idea central es que existe un sistema cultural del honor que da sig- nificado a la violencia pandillera más allá de las causas objetivas. El honor se lee aquí como un sistema cultural que crea significados y sentidos, y la hipótesis central es que en las zonas marginales, dada la poca presencia del Estado, ocurre un proceso descivilizatorio en el cual se restituyen formas premoder- nas de relación social como los códigos de honor.
Entre polarización política y protesta social
Authors: Pécaut Daniel
Published: December 2021

El movimiento social que sacudió a Colombia entre abril y mayo de 2021 es inédito por su amplitud, al igual que por la violencia de la represión que lo acompañó. Los comentaristas ven allí una rebelión de la “ juventud”. Sin embargo, el término recubre evidentemente realidades muy diferentes. El artículo pone el acento sobre todo en el doble contexto en el cual tiene lugar. Por un lado, la intensa polarización polí­ tica suscitada por el rechazo de los Acuerdos de La Habana: las tensiones que de allí provienen acentúan el debilitamiento institucional en marcha. Por otro lado, la no menos intensa polarización social, que viene de lejos, ciertamente, pero que explota con la pandemia… y con la desmovilización de las FARC. El autor sostiene que tanto la violencia como el conflicto armado reciente han sido garantías para el mantenimiento del statu quo social en provecho de las élites, así solo sea porque favorecen la desorganización de las clases populares. La incapacidad del Estado de hacer acto de presencia sobre una gran parte del territorio y el crecimiento de la economía de la droga se traducen a partir de cierto momento en la proliferación de los núcleos de violencia. En lugar de ofrecer la ocasión para un reforzamiento de la simbólica nacional, los Acuerdos engendran finalmente nuevas fragmentaciones.
Modeling the dengue fever transmission in a periodic environment
Authors: Olarte Julián Alejandro , Muñoz Anibal
Published: December 2021

A mathematical model for dengue fever transmission is analyzed, which incorporates relevant biological and ecological factors: vertical transmission and seasonality in the interaction between the vector (Aedes aegypti females) and the host (human). The existence and uniqueness of a positive disease-free periodic solution is proved; the global stability of the disease-free solution and the effect of periodic migrations of mosquitoes carrying the virus on the transmission of dengue are analyzed utilizing the mathematical definition of the Basic Reproductive Number in periodic environments; finally, it is numerically corroborated with the help of the Basic Reproductive Number that dengue cannot invade the disease-free state if it is less than one and can invade if it is greater than one, however, in both threshold conditions when vertical transmission occurs, the number of infected people and carrier vectors rises, representing a mechanism for the persistence of dengue cases in a community throughout a natural year.
A Spectral Gradient Projection Method for the Positive Semi-definite Procrustes Problem
Authors: Oviedo Harry
Published: December 2021

This paper addresses the positive semi-deffnite procrustes problem (PSDP). The PSDP corresponds to a least squares problem over the set of symmetric and semi-deffnite positive matrices. These kinds of problems appear in many applications such as structure analysis, signal processing, among others. A non-monotone spectral projected gradient algorithm is proposed to obtain a numerical solution for the PSDP. The proposed algorithm employs the Zhang and Hager's non-monotone technique in combination with the Barzilai and Borwein's step size to accelerate convergence. Some theoretical results are presented. Finally, numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method, and comparisons are made with other state-of-the-art algorithms.
O desenvolvimento da pessoa com deficiência na teoria histórico-cultural
Authors: Abreu Fabrício Santos Dias de , Pederiva Patrícia Lima Martins
Published: December 2021

As discussões sobre o desenvolvimento psicológico da pessoa com deficiência marcam a trajetória intelectual de Lev Semionovitch Vigotski (1896-1934). Ao analisá-la é possível perceber que o autor bielorusso antecipa um olhar para as diferenças muito mais humanizado, ético e com contornos de inclusão e equidade que é percebido apenas no discurso científico do final do século XX e nas políticas públicas do século XXI. Neste artigo, por meio da análise de textos clássicos de Vigotski, buscamos debater os processos mediacionais e escolares destinados às pessoas com deficiências a partir de dois sistemas conceituais que consideramos angulares na discussão sobre a deficiência na Teoria Histórico- Cultural: a) caminhos indiretos de desenvolvimento e b) compensação social. A compreensão desses aspectos teóricos contribui para a consolidação de uma sociedade inclusiva, pois baseia-se na assertiva de que a deficiência não anula o desenvolvimento do ser humano, mas coloca-o em uma posição diferenciada, que necessita de recursos mediacionais distintos para acessar os bens culturais e relacionais.
Resenha crítica da tese Família e Escola
Authors: Santos Tiago Fermino dos , Pereira Marcos Villela
Published: December 2021

MAIA, Denise da Silva. Família e Escola: o que as crianças do 1° têm a dizer? 2019. Tese (Doutorado em Educação) – Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação, PUCRS. Porto Alegre, 2019.
Adult learning facilitators' professional identity: An exploratory review based on a selection of empirical studies
Authors: Zagir Togtokhmaa , Dorner Helga
Published: December 2021

This paper is an exploratory review of selected literature that focused on adult learning facilitators' professional identity. We employed the snow-ball technique for selection and followed the review protocol by Beijaard, Meijer, and Verloop (2004) to explore empirical studies that discussed how professional identity is defined, what constructs encompass professional identity, which methodologies are relevant when studying professional identity and what are adult learning facilitators' common characteristics as professionals. Our review shows that the studies included have a common understanding of professional identity: it is conceived of as a dynamic construct which encompasses job motivation and future vision as well. Narrative interview with biographical perspectives was used as the main research method in all the reviewed studies. This exploratory review offers a set of perspectives which could be considered as entry points into an in-depth (empirical) study of adult learning facilitators' identity formation in various regional and national contexts.
The effect of lamina configuration and compaction pressure on mechanical properties of laminated gigantochloa apus composites
Authors: Manik Parlindungan , Suprihanto Agus , Nugroho Sri , Sulardjaka Sulardjaka
Published: December 2021

This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of bamboo apus (gigantochloa apus) as a natural reinforced composite material. Bamboo’s laminates of gigantochloa apus were used as reinforcement on the epoxy resin matrix. The parameters examined in this study are the configuration of lamina and compaction pressure. Laminate configuration varies in the number, thickness and direction of the lamina. Compaction pressures of 1.5 MPa, 2 MPa, and 2.5 MPa were used to fabricate the Laminated Bamboo Composites (LBCs). The stem of bamboo with a length of 400 mm was split to obtain bamboo lamina with a size of 400×20 mm. The thickness of bamboo lamina is varied between 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm. The bamboo lamina is then preserved by watering it with a preservative solution in the form of 2.5 % sodium tetraborate solution and dried in an oven until the water content reaches 10 %. LBCs were made with a hand lay-up method. After the LBCs were molded, they were pressed with 3 variations of dies compaction 1.5 MPa, 2 MPa and 2.5 MPa. The tensile and bending tests were carried out on the LBCs. Tensile testing is performed in accordance with ASTM standard D3039 and the bending tests were conducted based on ASTM standard D7264. The results show that at each compaction pressure, the highest tensile and bending strength was achieved by LBCs with a thickness of 1 mm of bamboo lamina and 7 layers of bamboo laminates. The LBC with thinner bamboo lamina reinforcement and more layers has the highest tensile strength and bending strength, even it has a lower mass fraction. The LBCs with laminates oriented 0° exhibited greater tensile and bending strengths than the LBCs with laminates structured –45°/+45° and 0°/90°. The LBCs with the 0° laminates direction is matrix fracture followed by lamina fracture. In the 0°/90° direction, matrix fracture is followed by delamination in the 90° and 0° laminates direction. Delamination and lamina clefting were observed in LBCs with laminates oriented +45°/–45°.
Implementation of new hybrid evolutionary algorithm with fuzzy logic control approach for optimization problems
Authors: Afathi Maan
Published: December 2021

The main purpose of using the hybrid evolutionary algorithm is to reach optimal values and achieve goals that traditional methods cannot reach and because there are different evolutionary computations, each of them has different advantages and capabilities. Therefore, researchers integrate more than one algorithm into a hybrid form to increase the ability of these algorithms to perform evolutionary computation when working alone. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) with fuzzy logic control (FLC) approach for function optimization. Fuzzy logic is applied to switch dynamically between evolutionary algorithms, in an attempt to improve the algorithm performance. The HEF hybrid evolutionary algorithms are compared to GA, PSO, GAPSO, and PSOGA. The comparison uses a variety of measurement functions. In addition to strongly convex functions, these functions can be uniformly distributed or not, and are valuable for evaluating our approach. Iterations of 500, 1000, and 1500 were used for each function. The HEF algorithm’s efficiency was tested on four functions. The new algorithm is often the best solution, HEF accounted for 75 % of all the tests. This method is superior to conventional methods in terms of efficiency
Devising criteria for the authenticity of historical cold weapons based on X-ray fluorescence analysis of their surface
Authors: Merezhko Nina , Vovk Yuliia , Indutnyi Volodymyr , Pirkovich Kateryna , Davydiuk Valentyna , Andreiev Oleksii
Published: December 2021

This paper reports the results of studying the chemical composition of the surface of 4 objects of cold weapons of the 19th and early 20th centuries, made of iron – bayonet knives and sabers. This makes it possible to establish the signs of authenticity of cold weapon samples made of iron in that chronological period.
An authentic procedure has been proposed for examining the chemical composition of the surface of historical objects of cold weapons by rubbing the samples with cotton wool swabs and their subsequent investigation. This makes it possible to explore objects of cold weapons, whose size is large, as well as simplify the very procedure for studying objects of historical and cultural value.
Using the X-ray fluorescent chemical analyzer Expert Mobile, chemical elements were found at the surface of samples of cold weapons made of iron. The presence of such elements is the result of the process of re-crystallization and self-purification of metal during a long history of its life. Elements found in almost every rubbing sample were identified: calcium, ferrum, zinc, cuprum, and chlorine.
The studies of cold weapons samples testify to the heterogeneity of the composition of patina formations on their surface, which confirms the authenticity of ancient objects. In addition, the studies have shown a difference in the chemical composition of surface layers of different parts of individual samples of antique cold weapons, which may indicate different times or different technology for their manufacture.
The fluorescence spectra of the obtained rubbing of individual samples of cold weapons were compared with "pure" material, which made it possible to identify elements removed from the surface of objects. The study results are important indicators to confirm the authenticity of cultural monuments and the technology of their manufacture in the past.
Personnel qualimetric assessment of the consumer information center of insurance organization
Authors: Dolzhanskiy Anatoliy , Bondarenko Oksana , Vusatenko Тatyana
Published: December 2021

The object of the study was the system for assessing the quality of the information service personnel of the insurance company. When determining the approaches to improving the relevant components of the quality system, the organization took into account that the personnel assessment process is the most painstaking, complex and lengthy aspect of the firm’s activities. Mistakes in such a matter can not only cost one person’s dissatisfaction, but affect a certain number of problems regarding the stable functioning of an entire institution. The complexity of this issue lies in the absence, in general, of universal quantitative assessment criteria and the strong influence of the «human factor», which necessitates the use of expert qualimetric approaches with an increase in the objectivity of the assessment. In this regard, the work was aimed at developing an objective system for assessing personnel on the example of the information service of one of the insurance companies in Ukraine using qualimetric methods.
Tools for the integrated qualimetric assessment of the quality of the information center employees’ activities, which consist in determining of the appropriate list and significance of the personnel performance quality indicators, were proposed with an analysis of the possibility of their identification and measurement. Additionally, it is recommended to take into account independent control using «mystery shopper», as well as the self-esteem of workers. The obtained results were used in the development of the Methodology (Procedure) of the quality system for the assessment of activities and personnel certification. The use of the outlined approaches makes it possible to increase the level of satisfaction of customers and consumers of insurance services, to increase the economic efficiency of the organization’s activities, to differentiate personnel by the quality of work with appropriate personal encouragement for training, self-realization and work productivity.
The deliverables may be useful to organizations in the relevant domain and may be applicable in other similar settings.
Creation of a combined system for treatment of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations
Authors: Yatskov Mykola , Korchyk Natalia , Mysina Oksana , Budenkova Nadia
Published: December 2021

The object of research is the methods of purification of iron-containing wastewater from etching operations, the subject of the study is spent technological solutions of etching and wastewater from the operations of washing enterprises of hardware products. Spent etching solutions are characterized as highly concentrated solutions, and wash water belongs to the category of concentrated solutions containing toxic impurities: heavy metal ions, acids, surfactants. The main problem in the etching area is the processing of used etching solutions. The most progressive creation of combined systems in which the bulk of wastewater is treated in centralized systems with partial return of water to the production process. With such wastewater treatment, the problem arises of reducing the total concentration of iron to less than 1 mg/l. That is why, in accordance with the requirements of environmental legislation on nature management, there is a need for deep additional treatment of such wastewater.
The study used the methods of potentiometric titration and chemical deposition, as well as the method of photometric determination. Magnetic cleaning was studied in an experimental magnetic deposition apparatus.
The paper presents the results of studies evaluating methods for purifying iron-containing wastewater from etching operations. Improvement is achieved by the creation of technological combined schemes for the purification of iron-containing wastewater, including a magnetic device as an auxiliary element. At the same time, the main volume of wastewater is treated in centralized systems with a partial return of water to the production process. Waste solutions from etching operations are subject to regeneration with return to the production process and partial dosage into the main wastewater stream from washing operations. Deep purification from iron-containing impurities using a magnetic device expands the possibilities of practical implementation of reverse osmosis to obtain «clean» water in centralized systems. This water is applicable for the preparation of process solutions and mixed with industrial water for flushing operations.
Peptides of the innate immunity as potential anticancer agents: pros and cons
Authors: Chernov A. N. , Orlov D. S. , Shamova O. V.
Published: December 2021

Surgical resection was the main approach to cancer therapy, often supplemented by radiation and chemotherapy. The effectiveness of such complex treatment in many cases remains low. In this regard, there is an urgent need to search for new compounds that have selective cytotoxic activity against tumor cells and do not damage normal tissues of the organism. The review discusses mechanisms of antitumor action of cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of the cathelicidin family - human α-helical cathelicidin (LL-37), and a peptide with β-hairpin conformation – protegrin-1 (PG-1) on lung, breast, pancreas, prostate, squamous skin cancer cells, oral cancer, stomach, ovarian, colorectal cancer, melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, glioma and neuroblastoma cells. An opportunity of antitumor and pro-oncogenic actions of the peptides and an interplay of these effects with mmunomodulatory action of AMPs on tumor-associated macrophages, natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes is discussed. Possible mechanisms of LL-37 and PG-1 selective action upon tumor cells are presented, including the interaction of LL-37 with G-protein-coupled receptors: the N formylpeptide-2 receptor (FPR2), CXC chemokine-2 (CXCR2), Mas-related gene X2 (MrgX2), purinergic (P2Y11), epidermal (EGFR/ErbB1, ERBb2), insulin-like (IGF1R) growth factors, ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC) and Tolllike (TLR) receptors, with expression varying significantly in different types of tumors, as compared to normal tissues. An increase in the level of LL-37 secretion and expression of its CAMP gene are associated with progression of lung adenocarcinoma, breast, pancreas, and prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. In contrast, CAMP expression and LL-37 secretion are significantly reduced in gastric cancer cells, oral squamous cell cancer, colorectal cancer, leukemia, lymphomas, gliomas, and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma. Therefore, therapeutic effects of LL-37 can only be used for specific types of tumors. The mechanisms of action of PG-1 on tumor cells are still poorly understood, although the available data indicate that protegrin exhibits a more unidirectional effect, i.e., it damages cell membranes. Protegrin-1 and LL-37 can synergistically enhance the antitumor effects of chemotherapy drugs and have a more pronounced effect on tumor cells, than upon normal cells. Natural AMPs appear to be promising candidates for the role of new antitumor agents, which are also active against malignant metastatic, recurrent multidrug-resistant tumors. On the other hand, peptides such as LL-37, in some cases, exhibit properties that can be considered pro-oncogenic, which indicates a need for further detailed studies on the molecular mechanisms of their action on tumor cells.
Variability of CATCH-22 symptome complex within the framework of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Cheremokhin D. A. , Deryabina S. S. , Tuzankina I. A. , Vlasova E. V. , Nikitina N. V. , Bolkov M. A.
Published: December 2021

Chromosomal pathology is one of the most common causes of congenital malformations. The CATCH-22 symptom complex is most often associated with a microdeletion of chromosome 22, upon detection of which it is customary to diagnose DiGeorge syndrome, a known primary immunodeficiency or syndrome of innate errors of immunity. According to our data on the frequency of occurrence among all chromosomal abnormalities, DiGeorge’s syndrome takes second place in the Sverdlovsk region after Down’s syndrome, but its diagnosis is not simple due to varying severity of clinical manifestations, as well as different forms of the chromosome 22 defects. Along with several typical variants of 22q11 microdeletions, there duplications of critical regions are also reported, accompanied by immunodeficiency and other symptoms of CATCH-22. The effectiveness of diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities both in pre- and postnatal period largely depends on the grouping criteria of the patients with suspected chromosomal abnormalities, and on the methods used to identify hereditary pathology. In our study, we analyzed and compared the results of studies of 23 patients with various rearrangements of the 22q11.2 region, which were observed by a geneticist and clinical immunologist. The paper presents data on the polymorphism of phenotypes associated with rearrangements of the 22q11.2 region with an analysis of pathomorphological manifestations depending on the type of structural anomaly, i.e, del22q11.2, or dup22q11.2. The results of analysis demonstrate importance of different diagnostic options for laboratory studies of microdeletion and microduplication syndromes associated with immune-dependent pathology. We also compared the results of molecular genetic diagnostics and phenotypic manifestations in deletions and duplications of the 22q11.2 region. To identify the rearrangements of 22q11.2 region, two different methods were used – Prenatal BoBs and multiplex ligase-dependent probes’ amplification (MLPA). In particular, the both methods were used in the same patient to verify diagnosis, thus enabling to show differences in their efficiency. It was concluded that 22q11.2 deletion syndrome exhibits wide heterogeneity in phenotypic traits: neurological and immunological manifestations, anomalies in musculoskeletal development and internal organs, skull deformities and facial dysmorphia. Each clinical case was unique, requiring careful analysis of clinical manifestations. It is necessary to have a wide range of laboratory options for molecular genetic verification of the diagnosis.
The Comparative Effects of the Micro- and Macrosporogenesis of the Red Clover with Different Levels of Ploidy, in Relation with its Fertility
Authors: GREBENISAN Marioara , SAVATTI Mircea
Published: December 2021

. In this paper the di- and tetraploid red clover seedlings will be compared, under the aspects of micro and macrosporogenesys regarding his fertility. After a vast amount of research, the results obtained were that, often, the low seed yield in di- and tetraploid red clover is caused by fertility perturbance.One of the purpose of the experiments during the years 2004-2006, was to determine the low fertility effects and to offer important clues about di- and tetraploid red clover seed production. Red clover is a typical allogamous plant in which the autincompatibility system determined by the S alleles is very strong. The pollination is compulsorily done by honey and bumble bees, so the pollination mechanisms are being considerate as carrier of sexual differentiation, marked by microsporogenesys and macrosporogenesys, structural modification of flowers, pollen dispersion ecology and structural and physiological barriers as a reaction to fecundation process.
Optimization of the Dry Matter Production Based on the Percentage Participation of Italian Ryegrass in Mixtures with Crimson Clover
Authors: MARIAN Florin , MOISUC Alexandru , Cojocariu Luminita , LALESCU Dacian , HORABLAGA Nicolae , GROSZ Daniel , JURMESCU Irina
Published: December 2021

Annual forage mixtures are forage crops consisting of forage grasses (e.g. Italian ryegrass etc.) and annual clovers (e.g. Berseem clover, Crimson clover etc.) or mixtures of spring or autumn vetch with grain cereal (e.g. oats, barley, etc.) that are known as spring or autumn mash. The goal of this paper is to find the functional dependency of the average dry matter production of the Italian ryegrass (in the 67th phenophase) and Crimson clover mixture based on their different percentage participation in order to obtain the technical optimum in two variant of fertilization (N0P0K0 and N100P50K50). For this, we studied Italian ryegrass (I.r.) and Crimson clover (C.c.), both in pure and mixed culture, in the following proportions: I.r.75%+C.c.25%, I.r.50%+C.c.50%, I.r.25%+C.c.75%. In this paper we take in consideration the average dry matter production obtained in the experimental years 2007 – 2011 that allow us to have a few conclusions on the Italian ryegrass production capacity but also about the adaptation capacity of Crimson clover in Banat plain conditions. Results show that in the fertilized variant, there is an increasing of the percentage participation of Italian ryegrass in mixtures for which the maximum of dry matter production is realized than in the case of unfertilized variant, which shows that Italian ryegrass has a better response to chemical fertilizers than Crimson clover.
Influence of Iron on Respiration in Corn (Zea Mays) Seedlings
Authors: MIHALESCU Lucia , MARE ROSCA Oana , MARIAN Monica , VOSGAN Zorica , MAXIM Aurel , CORDEA Mirela
Published: December 2021

In this paper the influence of iron in different concentrations of FeCl3 solution on the respiration of corn (Zea mays) seedlings was observed. The following variants were used: V1 – as control, V2 = 0.1%FeCl3, V3 = 0.5%FeCl3, V4= 1%FeCl3. The respiration intensity of the 4 variants was determined applying the confined atmosphere procedure (Boysen-Jensen). This is a method based on determining the quantity of produced CO2. In case of this procedure, the contact between vegetal material and atmosphere takes place in a closed recipient, in which CO2 - resulted from respiration – is fixed by a solution of Ba(OH)2. An increase of the respiration intensity was noted, proportional with the increase of the administered FeCl3 solution concentration. Iron ion enters in the structure of cytochromes, which are components of the respiratory chain. Its presence in the growing environment of the corn seedlings led to the respiration increase. The intensity increase quickly evolves with low concentrations of iron, for example the variant with a concentration of 0.1% salt of FeCl3, for which it increased with 184% compared to the control, as the increase intensifies at concentrations of 0.5% with 259%. We note that in the last case, when iron is in the highest concentration of 1%FeCl3, the increase is no more so heightened, as it is higher with only 128% versus the previous variant. Iron highly stimulates the respiration up to a certain concentration, it was remarked
Research Concerning the Structure and Functioning of Low-Input Grassland Systems
Authors: PĂCURAR Florin , ROTAR Ioan , BOGDAN Anca , VIDICAN Roxana
Published: December 2021

The organic fertilizers’ application and the traditional use for long periods of time have influenced the rich plant diversity in Apuseni Mountains, Romania. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of manure’s application upon the plant diversity and productivity of Festuca rubra L. –Agrostis capillaris L. grasslands. The experimental field evaluated four variants (V1: control, V2: 10 t ha-1 manure, V3: 20 t ha-1 manure, V4: 30 t ha-1 manure). After ten years, important changes at the sward level were observed. The control’s phytocenosis is naturally represented by Festuca rubra L. - Agrostis capillaris L. grassland type. Then, following the application of organic fertilizers, Trisetum flavescens L. - Agrostis capillaris L. appeared. The large quantities of organic fertilizers produced a considerable limitation on plant diversity. The applied treatments do not produce any important improvement of the grassland types’ agronomic value. Taking account the influence of organic fertilizers upon the DM yield, plant diversity and agronomic value, it is considered that the treatment with 10 t ha -1 manure annually applied produces optimum changes and might be taken into consideration for the low-input systems in Apuseni Mountains