bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Fuzzy-Based Decision Support Model for Risk Maturity Evaluation of Construction Organizations
Authors: Roghabadi Mohammadjavad Arabpour , Moselhi Osama
Published: May 2020

Risk maturity evaluation is an efficient tool which can assist construction organizations in the identification of their strengths and weaknesses in risk management processes and in taking necessary actions for the improvement of these processes. The accuracy of its results relies heavily on the quality of responses provided by participants specialized in these processes across the organization. Risk maturity models reported in the literature gave equal importance to participants’ responses during the model development, neglecting their level of authority in the organization as well as their level of expertise in risk management processes. Unlike the existing models, this paper presents a new risk maturity model that considers the relative importance of the responses provided by the participants in the model development. It considered their authority in the organization and their level of involvement in the risk management processes for calculating the relative weights associated with the risk maturity attributes. It employed an analytic network process (ANP) to model the interdependencies among the risk maturity attributes and utilizes the fuzzy set theory to incorporate the uncertainty associated with the ambiguity of the responses used in the model development. The developed model allows the construction organizations to have a more accurate and realistic view of their current performance in risk management processes. The application of the developed model was investigated by measuring the risk maturity level of an industrial partner working on civil infrastructure projects in Canada.
Acoustic Performance-Based Design: A Brief Overview of the Opportunities and Limits in Current Practice
Authors: Badino Elena , Shtrepi Louena , Astolfi Arianna
Published: May 2020

Current development in digital design, combined with the growing awareness of the importance of building performance, had drawn attention to performance-based design (PBD) in architecture. PBD benefits both design workflow and outcome, allowing one to control the performance of the design proposal since early design phases. The paper aims to explore its current application in the acoustic field, where its potential is still little exploited in architectural practice. A set of built case studies is collected and briefly analyzed with the aim to shed some light on the state of the art of the application of acoustic performance-based design (APBD) in practice. The analysis suggests that in order to encourage the application of APBD it is needed on one side to enhance the integration and interoperability among modeling and simulation tools, and on the other side to improve the acoustic knowledge and programming skills of the architectural practitioners.
Valuing Reciprocal Synergies in Merger and Acquisition Deals Using the Real Option Analysis
Authors: Čirjevskis Andrejs
Published: May 2020

This research explores how global cosmetic players sense emerging market demand for new technologies and products, seize opportunities through the acquisition of core competencies that they needed, and transform their global value chain. The aim of this paper to assess the prerequisites of reciprocal synergies in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals pursuing global growth. To achieve this aim, the author asked a research question: what is the best way to measure the competence-based synergies as added market value in M&A deals? To answer this question, the author researched the latest theoretical findings on the antecedents of synergy in the merger and acquisition processes. The valuation of reciprocal synergies with real options was discussed with a focus on input variables’ values. Based on in-depth content analysis, the ARCTIC (A—Advantage, R—Relatedness, C—Complexity of Competence, T—Time of Integration, I—Implementation Plan, C—Cultural Fit) framework was developed and tested. The author selected three case studies to test the methodology empirically, namely, L’Oréal’s Body Shop acquisition in 2006 and divestiture in 2017, the acquisition of The Body Shop by Brazilian’s Natura Group in 2017, and the acquisition of Avon Products by Natura that was announced in 2019. The model for the valuation of reciprocal synergies used and discussed real options with a special focus on input variables’ values.
The Determinants of Farmers’ Choice of Markets for Staple Food Commodities in Dodoma and Morogoro, Tanzania
Authors: Kangile Rajabu Joseph , Mgeni Charles Peter , Mpenda Zena Theopist , Sieber Stefan
Published: May 2020

Institutional and policy-induced factors affect farmers’ decisions on the choice of the market to sell their staple foods. This results in low motivation to participate in the production and agricultural commodities’ commercialization. This study determines specific institutional and policy-induced factors affecting the farmers’ decisions regarding the staple food market choice in Tanzania. The study uses household survey data collected from 820 farmers raising staple food crops (maize, rice, sorghum, and millet) randomly selected from the Dodoma and Morogoro regions, Tanzania. The index method, descriptive statistics, and choice model (multinomial logit model) are used for data analysis. Qualitative policy analysis is used for analyzing policy-induced factors. Findings show a low level of integration of farmers into staple food markets, with female-headed households facing more hurdles in accessing markets than male-headed households. Age, formal training, the value of agricultural production, membership in organizations, access to credit, contractual arrangements, and distance to markets are significant factors driving farmers to choose a particular market to sell their produces. Restriction of selling and use of staple food commodities, instability of food policy administration, and procedural operation obstacles are found to be key policy-induced factors affecting the marketing of staple food commodities in Tanzania. The scale of production, as depicted by the value of production, and supply contract arrangement with buyers are important factors to ensure that farming households excel in lucrative markets through increased economies of scale and the ability to reach critical volumes for supplying to various markets. Supporting market linkage and infrastructure, as well as enforcing transparent and non-restrictive food marketing policies, would help many farmers enter into contractual arrangements that increase market access and improve market choices.
Epigenetic Variation at a Genomic Locus Affecting Biomass Accumulation under Low Nitrogen in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kuhlmann Markus , Meyer Rhonda C. , Jia Zhongtao , Klose Doreen , Krieg Lisa-Marie , von Wirén Nicolaus , Altmann Thomas
Published: May 2020

Nitrogen (N) is a macronutrient determining crop yield. The application of N fertilisers can substantially increase the yield, but excess use also causes the nitrate pollution of water resources and increases production costs. Increasing N use efficiency (NUE) in crop plants is an important step to implement low-input agricultural systems. We used Arabidopsis thaliana as model system to investigate the natural genetic diversity in traits related to NUE. Natural variation was used to study adaptive growth patterns and changes in gene expression associated with limited nitrate availability. A genome-wide association study revealed an association of eight SNP markers on Chromosome 1 with shoot growth under limited N. The identified linkage disequilibrium (LD) interval includes the DNA sequences of three cysteine/histidine-rich C1 domain proteins in tandem orientation. These genes differ in promoter structure, methylation pattern and expression level among accessions, correlating with growth performance under N deficiency. Our results suggest the involvement of epigenetic regulation in the expression of NUE-related traits.
Main Root Adaptations in Pepper Germplasm (Capsicum spp.) to Phosphorus Low-Input Conditions
Authors: Pereira-Dias Leandro , Gil-Villar Daniel , Castell-Zeising Vincente , Quiñones Ana , Calatayud Ángeles , Rodríguez-Burruezo Adrián , Fita Ana
Published: May 2020

Agriculture will face many challenges regarding food security and sustainability. Improving phosphorus use efficiency is of paramount importance to face the needs of a growing population while decreasing the toll on the environment. Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is widely cultivated around the world; hence, any breakthrough in this field would have a major impact in agricultural systems. Herein, the response to phosphorus low-input conditions is reported for 25 pepper accessions regarding phosphorus use efficiency, biomass and root traits. Results suggest a differential response from different plant organs to phosphorus starvation. Roots presented the lowest phosphorus levels, possibly due to mobilizations towards above-ground organs. Accessions showed a wide range of variability regarding efficiency parameters, offering the possibility of selecting materials for different inputs. Accessions bol_144 and fra_DLL showed an interesting phosphorus efficiency ratio under low-input conditions, whereas mex_scm and sp_piq showed high phosphorus uptake efficiency and mex_pas and sp_bola the highest values for phosphorus use efficiency. Phosphorus low-input conditions favored root instead of aerial growth, enabling increases of root total length, proportion of root length dedicated to fine roots and root specific length while decreasing roots’ average diameter. Positive correlation was found between fine roots and phosphorus efficiency parameters, reinforcing the importance of this adaptation to biomass yield under low-input conditions. This work provides relevant first insights into pepper’s response to phosphorus low-input conditions.
Allelopathic Impacts of Cover Crop Species and Termination Timing on Cotton Germination and Seedling Growth
Authors: Shekoofa Avat , Safikhan Sara , Raper Tyson B. , Butler Shawn A.
Published: May 2020

The integration of cover crops into cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) production remains challenging. One potential negative impact of cover crops on cotton is allelopathy. Proper selection of cover crop species and termination timing could potentially reduce the impacts of allelopathy on cotton seedlings. Two studies were conducted to determine cotton germination and growth sensitivity to cover crop leachate, which were measured using (I) five cover crops species, including: oats (Avena sativa L.), hairy vetch (Vicia Villosa), winter pea (Lathyrus hirsutus), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), and annual rye (Lolium multiflorum), and (II) a blend of cover crops at four termination timings, including: at planting, three weeks prior to planting, six weeks prior to planting, and a split termination, where a 25 cm band in the top of the bed was terminated six weeks prior to planting, and the remaining cover crop was terminated at planting (referred to as strip 6-wk). Samples for Experiment I were collected on May 24th and for Experiment II on March 22nd (Strip/6-wk and 6-wk), April 30th (3-wk), and May 11th (at planting) in 2018. The effect of 0 (deionized water), 25, and 50 (v/v) cover crop leachate extract on cotton seed germination was evaluated in a series of controlled environmental studies. All cover crop species’ leachates negatively impacted cotton germination and seedling growth (p < 0.05). Germination inhibition rates declined numerically by species, with winter pea ≥ hairy vetch ≥ oats ≥ annual rye ≥ winter wheat at the 50 v/v concentrations. Winter pea germination inhibition on cotton equaled 47.0% and cotton radicle length was decreased by 62.8%. Termination at planting suppressed cotton germination more than the other termination timings, with the 50 v/v treatment resulting in a germination inhibition of 60.0%. Proper selection of cover crop species and termination timing prior to planting cotton will be critical in maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of a cover crop.
Seed Priming with Carbon Nanomaterials to Modify the Germination, Growth, and Antioxidant Status of Tomato Seedlings
Authors: López-Vargas Elsy Rubisela , González-García Yolanda , Pérez-Álvarez Marissa , Cadenas-Pliego Gregorio , González-Morales Susana , Benavides-Mendoza Adalberto , Cabrera Raul I. , Juárez-Maldonado Antonio
Published: May 2020

The objective of this work was to determine the responses of tomato seed priming with CNMs (carbon nanomaterials), evaluating the changes in germination and biochemical compounds as well as the effect on the growth of tomato seedlings. Five concentrations of CNMs (10, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L−1) were evaluated, as well as an absolute control and a sonicated control. The results showed that seed priming with CNMs did not affect the germination rate of the tomato seeds; however, it negatively affected the vigor variables, such as the root length (up to 39.2%) and hypocotyl biomass (up to 33%). In contrast, the root biomass was increased by the application of both carbon nanotubes and graphene up to 127% in the best case. Seed priming with carbon nanotubes (1000 mg L−1) decreased the plant height (29%), stem diameter (20%), fresh shoot biomass (63%), fresh root biomass (63%), and dry shoot biomass (71%). Seed priming with graphene increased the content of chlorophylls (up to 111%), vitamin C (up to 78%), β-carotene (up to 11 fold), phenols (up to 85%), and flavonoids (up to 45%), as well as the H2O2 content (up to 215%). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) increased the enzymatic activity (phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). In addition, seed priming with high concentrations of CNMs showed negative effects. Seed priming with carbon nanomaterials can potentially improve the development of the tomato crop; therefore, this technique can be used to induce biostimulation and provides an easy way to apply carbon nanomaterials.
Determining the Carbon Footprint and Emission Hotspots for the Wine Produced in Cyprus
Authors: Litskas Vassilis D. , Tzortzakis Nikolaos , Stavrinides Menelaos C.
Published: May 2020

International agreements and policies on climate change urge for a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent a temperature rise above 2 °C at the end of the century. Determination of the product carbon footprint (CF), identifying carbon hotspots and examining ways for CF reduction is an essential step towards mitigation actions. Viticulture and winemaking are very important for the economy of Mediterranean regions, especially for the sustainability of rural areas. To determine the CF for wine, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach was adopted with system boundaries from vineyard to market. Input data were collected from 20 vineyards on the island of Cyprus, where the indigenous Xynisteri variety is cultivated and from an SME winery that uses the grapes to produce wine. The winery CF was 99,586 kg CO2-eq for 76,000 bottles produced (1.31 kg/0.75 L bottle). The uncertainty factor was determined to be ±50%, which was considered adequate for the methodology followed. The share of electrical energy was 46%, of packaging 18% and of the vineyard 16%. Fuel (transportation and heating), as well as waste management (solid and wastewater) contributed 10% each to the CF. There is potential for mitigation of the CF by replacing the bottles currently used by lighter ones, lowering the energy use and reusing a part of the solid waste as fertilizer. Research towards eco-innovation of viticulture/winemaking is essential for reducing the footprint of the sector to promote sustainable wine production.
Purification and Valorization of Waste Cotton Seed Oil as an Alternative Feedstock for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Djomdi  , Leku M. T. , Djoulde D. , Delattre C. , Michaud P.
Published: May 2020

This article is focused on the production of biodiesel from the waste cotton seed oil (WCSO), after purification, as an alternative to fossil fuels. Waste oil was collected from Sodecoton, a factory producing cotton seed oil in the Far North Cameroon. The WCSO was subjected to purification using activated coal, followed by transesterification under basic conditions (potassium hydroxide (KOH)), using methanol and ethanol. Some physico–chemical properties of biodiesel, such as absorbance of waste and purified oil, density, viscosity, water content, acid value, and its energy content were determined. The result of treating the WCSO with activated coal indicated that purification efficiency of activated coal increased with the contact time and the mass of the absorbent. Absorbance results directly proved that activated coal removed unwanted components. In the same way, activated coal concentration and exposure time influenced the level of free fatty acids of WCSO. The yield of methyl ester was 97%, while that of ethyl ester was 98%. The specific gravity at 25 °C was 0.945 ± 0.0601. An evaluation of the lower calorific value (PCI) was done in order to study the energy content of biodiesel. This was found to be a value of 37.02 ± 3.05 MJ/kg for methyl ester and 36.92 ± 7.20 MJ/kg for ethyl ester. WCSO constitutes feedstock for high volume, good quality, and sustainable production of biodiesel, as well as a realistic means of eliminating the pollution resulting from the indiscriminate disposal of waste oils from both household and industrial users.
Preparation of Terpenoid-Invasomes with Selective Activity against S. aureus and Characterization by Cryo Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Kaltschmidt Bernhard P. , Ennen Inga , Greiner Johannes F. W. , Dietsch Robin , Patel Anant , Kaltschmidt Barbara , Kaltschmidt Christian , Hütten Andreas
Published: May 2020

Terpenoids are natural plant-derived products that are applied to treat a broad range of human diseases, such as airway infections and inflammation. However, pharmaceutical applications of terpenoids against bacterial infection remain challenging due to their poor water solubility. Here, we produce invasomes encapsulating thymol, menthol, camphor and 1,8-cineol, characterize them via cryo transmission electron microscopy and assess their bactericidal properties. While control- and cineol-invasomes are similarly distributed between unilamellar and bilamellar vesicles, a shift towards unilamellar invasomes is observable after encapsulation of thymol, menthol or camphor. Thymol- and camphor-invasomes show a size reduction, whereas menthol-invasomes are enlarged and cineol-invasomes remain unchanged compared to control. While thymol-invasomes lead to the strongest growth inhibition of S. aureus, camphor- or cineol-invasomes mediate cell death and S. aureus growth is not affected by menthol-invasomes. Flow cytometric analysis validate that invasomes comprising thymol are highly bactericidal to S. aureus. Notably, treatment with thymol-invasomes does not affect survival of Gram-negative E. coli. In summary, we successfully produce terpenoid-invasomes and demonstrate that particularly thymol-invasomes show a strong selective activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Our findings provide a promising approach to increase the bioavailability of terpenoid-based drugs and may be directly applicable for treating severe bacterial infections such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
Efficaciousness of Low Affinity Compared to High Affinity TSPO Ligands in the Inhibition of Hypoxic Mitochondrial Cellular Damage Induced by Cobalt Chloride in Human Lung H1299 Cells
Authors: Zeineh Nidal , Denora Nunzio , Laquintana Valentino , Franco Massimo , Weizman Abraham , Gavish Moshe
Published: May 2020

The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) plays an important role in apoptotic cell death, including apoptosis induced by the hypoxia mimicking agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2). In this study, the protective effects of a high (CB86; Ki = 1.6 nM) and a low (CB204; Ki = 117.7 nM) affinity TSPO ligands were investigated in H1299 lung cancer cell line exposed to CoCl2. The lung cell line H1299 was chosen in the present study since they express TSPO and able to undergo programmed cell death. The examined cell death markers included: ATP synthase reversal, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) depolarization, cellular toxicity, and cellular viability. Pretreatment of the cells with the low affinity ligand CB204 at a concentration of 100 µM suppressed significantly (p < 0.05 for all) CoCl2-induced cellular cytotoxicity (100%), ATP synthase reversal (67%), ROS generation (82%), Δψm depolarization (100%), reduction in cellular density (97%), and also increased cell viability (85%). Furthermore, the low affinity TSPO ligand CB204, was harmless when given by itself at 100 µM. In contrast, the high affinity ligand (CB86) was significantly effective only in the prevention of CoCl2–induced ROS generation (39%, p < 0.001), and showed significant cytotoxic effects when given alone at 100 µM, as reflected in alterations in ADP/ATP ratio, oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and cell death. It appears that similar to previous studies on brain-derived cells, the relatively low affinity for the TSPO target enhances the potency of TSPO ligands in the protection from hypoxic cell death. Moreover, the high affinity TSPO ligand CB86, but not the low affinity ligand CB204, was lethal to the lung cells at high concentration (100 µM). The low affinity TSPO ligand CB204 may be a candidate for the treatment of pulmonary diseases related to hypoxia, such as pulmonary ischemia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD.
Atypical Electrophysiological Indices of Eyes-Open and Eyes-Closed Resting-State in Children and Adolescents with ADHD and Autism
Authors: Bellato Alessio , Arora Iti , Kochhar Puja , Hollis Chris , Groom Madeleine J.
Published: May 2020

Investigating electrophysiological measures during resting-state might be useful to investigate brain functioning and responsivity in individuals under diagnostic assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. EEG was recorded in 43 children with or without ADHD and autism, during a 4-min-long resting-state session which included an eyes-closed and an eyes-open condition. We calculated and analyzed occipital absolute and relative spectral power in the alpha frequency band (8–12 Hz), and alpha reactivity, conceptualized as the difference in alpha power between eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions. Alpha power was increased during eyes-closed compared to eyes-open resting-state. While absolute alpha power was reduced in children with autism, relative alpha power was reduced in children with ADHD, especially during the eyes-closed condition. Reduced relative alpha reactivity was mainly associated with lower IQ and not with ADHD or autism. Atypical brain functioning during resting-state seems differently associated with ADHD and autism, however further studies replicating these results are needed; we therefore suggest involving research groups worldwide by creating a shared and publicly available repository of resting-state EEG data collected in people with different psychological, psychiatric, or neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and autism.
OH Group Effect in the Stator of β-Diketones Arylhydrazone Rotary Switches
Authors: Hristova Silvia , Kamounah Fadhil S. , Crochet Aurelien , Vassilev Nikolay , Fromm Katharina M. , Antonov Liudmil
Published: May 2020

The properties of several hydrazon-diketone rotary switches with OH groups in the stators (2-(2-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione, 2-(2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione and 2-(2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazono)-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione) were investigated by molecular spectroscopy (UV-Vis and NMR), DFT calculations (M06-2X/TZVP) and X-ray analysis. The results show that, when the OH group is in ortho position, the E’ and Z’ isomers are preferred in DMSO as a result of a stabilizing intermolecular hydrogen bonding with the solvent. The availability, in addition, of a nitro group in para position increases the possibility of deprotonation of the OH group in the absence of water. All studied compounds showed a tendency towards formation of associates. The structure of the aggregates was revealed by theoretical calculation and confirmed by X-ray analysis.
Readiness to Change among Adolescents with Chronic Pain and Their Parents: Is the German Version of the Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire a Useful Tool?
Authors: Stahlschmidt Lorin , Grothus Susanne , Brown Donnamay , Zernikow Boris , Wager Julia
Published: May 2020

The Pain Stages of Change Questionnaire (PSOCQ) measures patients’ willingness to engage in active self-management of their pain. The present study aimed to create validated German short versions of the PSOCQ for adolescents (PSOCQ-A) and their parents (PSOCQ-P). Additionally, an investigation of stages of change regarding pain characteristics and treatment outcomes was undertaken. In Study 1, the data of adolescents aged 11 to 18 years and their parents were collected prior to intake (N = 501) and at admission (N = 240) to specialist inpatient pain treatment. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a poor fit of the full PSOCQ measures prior to intake, but an acceptable fit at admission. Short PSOCQ-A and PSOCQ-P versions were identified. In Study 2, these results were cross-validated with data from an additional N = 150 patients and their parents, collected during and 3 months after interdisciplinary inpatient pain treatment. Model fits for both short versions were acceptable, although low internal consistency for the PSOCQ-A Precontemplation and Contemplation subscales was identified. During treatment, both patients’ and their parents’ readiness to change increased. Stage of change at discharge did not predict treatment non-response 3 months later. This study indicates that the PSOCQ is neither meaningful prior to admission nor predictive of non-response to treatment. While some value may exist in monitoring treatment progress, based on the results of this study, it is not recommended that the PSOCQ-A and PSOCQ-P be used as a measure of stage of change in German pediatric pain populations.
Photocatalytic Bi2O3/TiO2:N Thin Films with Enhanced Surface Area and Visible Light Activity
Authors: Dias Luís P. , Correia Filipe C. , Ribeiro Joana M. , Tavares Carlos J.
Published: May 2020

Bi2O3 nanocone films functionalized with an overlayer of TiO2 were deposited by d.c. reactive magnetron sputtering. The aforementioned nanocone structures were formed via a vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) growth, starting from a catalytic bismuth seed layer. The resultant nanocones exhibit an improved surface area, measured by atomic force microscopy, when compared to non-VLS deposition of the same metal oxide. X-ray diffraction texture analysis enabled the determination of the crystallographic β-phase of Bi2O3. A very thin TiO2 overlayer (6 nm thick), undoped and doped with nitrogen, was deposited onto the nanocones template, in order to functionalize these structures with a photocatalytic, self-cleaning, cap material. N-doped TiO2 overlayers increased the selective absorption of visible light due to nitrogen doping in the anatase cell, thus, resulting in a concomitant increase in the overall photocatalytic efficiency.
Synthesis of a New Ruthenate Ba26Ru12O57
Authors: Lee Jeong-Eun , Burkhardt Ulrich , Komarek Alexander Christoph
Published: May 2020

Single crystals of Ba 26 Ru 12 O 57 were grown by the floating zone method. The crystal structure is formed by an alternating stacking of pseudo-hexagonal Ru single layers and double layers. The Ru ions within the double layers are dimerized (Ru 2 O 9 ) whereas the Ru ions within the single layers arrange in a distorted Kagome lattice of trigonal bipyramidally coordinated RuO 5 polyhedra. Additionally, this Kagome lattice is “decorated” with RuO 6 octahedra that are situated in the central free spaces within this Kagome lattice. According to the composition, the oxidation state of most of the Ru ions should be formally close to 5+.
Analysis of the Crack Initiation and Growth in Crystalline Materials Using Discrete Dislocations and the Modified Kitagawa–Takahashi Diagram
Authors: Sadananda Kuntimaddi , Adlakha Ilaksh , Solanki Kiran N. , Vasudevan A.K.
Published: May 2020

Crack growth kinetics in crystalline materials is examined both from the point of continuum mechanics and discrete dislocation dynamics. Kinetics ranging from the Griffith crack to continuous elastic-plastic cracks are analyzed. Initiation and propagation of incipient cracks require very high stresses and appropriate stress gradients. These can be obtained either by pre-existing notches, as is done in a typical American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) fatigue and fracture tests, or by in situ generated stress concentrations via dislocation pile-ups. Crack growth kinetics are also examined using the modified Kitagawa–Takahashi diagram to show the role of internal stresses and their gradients needed to sustain continuous crack growth. Incipient crack initiation and growth are also examined using discrete dislocation modeling. The analysis is supported by the experimental data available in the literature.
Formation of Unsymmetrical Trinuclear Metallamacrocycles Based on Two Different Cone Calix[4]arene Macrocyclic Rings
Authors: Kniazeva Mariia V. , Ovsyannikov Alexander S. , Islamov Daut R. , Samigullina Aida I. , Gubaidullin Aidar T. , Solovieva Svetlana E. , Antipin Igor S. , Ferlay Sylvie
Published: May 2020

A combination of tetrasulfonylcalix[4]arene (3-4H) together with a calix[4]arene dicarboxylate derivative 2-4H led, in the presence of MII(NO3)2 (M = Co, Ni, Zn), to the formation of three novel isostructural metallomacrocycles of formula [M3(DMF)2(μ3-H2O)-(2-2H)-3]. The structure of the prepared coordination compounds was studied in the solid state using single crystal/powder X-ray diffraction studies. The X-ray diffraction on single crystal revealed that the structure of the obtained supramolecular complexes is composed of a trinuclear metallic cluster [M3]+6 held between one di-deprotonated molecule of (2-2H)2− offering two carboxylate groups for binding metal cations and one tetra-deprotonated compound 34−, where four oxygen atoms, belonging to four deprotonated phenolic moieties and three oxygen atoms coming from three SO2 groups, are coordinated with the cluster core. Thus, an example of an easily reproducible molecular recognition pattern involving two different types of calix[4]arene based ligands, displaying different coordination moieties, and trinuclear metallic clusters, is reported here. In addition, it has been shown that the cone moieties of the calixarene also encapsulate solvent molecules.
Intramolecular sp2-sp3 Disequalization of Chemically Identical Sulfonamide Nitrogen Atoms: Single Crystal X-Ray Diffraction Characterization, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and DFT Calculations of N-Substituted Hexahydro-1,3,5-Triazines
Authors: Kletskov Alexey V. , Gil Diego M. , Frontera Antonio , Zaytsev Vladimir P. , Merkulova Natalia L. , Beltsova Ksenia R. , Sinelshchikova Anna A. , Grigoriev Mikhail S. , Grudova Mariya V. , Zubkov Fedor I.
Published: May 2020

In this manuscript, the synthesis and single crystal X-ray diffraction characterization of four N-substituted 1,3,5-triazinanes are reported along with a detailed analysis of the noncovalent interactions observed in the solid state architecture to these compounds, focusing on C–H···π and C–H···O H-bonding interactions. These noncovalent contacts have been characterized energetically by using DFT calculations and also by Hirshfeld surface analysis. In addition, the supramolecular assemblies have been characterized using the quantum theory of “atoms-in-molecules” (QTAIM) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) calculations. The XRD analysis revealed a never before observed feature of the crystalline structure of some molecules: symmetrically substituted 1,3,5-triazacyclohexanes possess two chemically identical sulfonamide nitrogen atoms in different sp2 and sp3-hybridizations.
Effects of Oral Commensal Streptococci on Porphyromonas gingivalis Invasion into Oral Epithelial Cells
Authors: Hanel Alyssa N. , Herzog Hannah M. , James Michelle G. , Cuadra Giancarlo A.
Published: May 2020

The objective of this study was to determine if the interaction between common oral commensal bacteria and oral epithelial cells would provide protective effects against the invasion of periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Oral epithelial OKF6/Tert cells were used in co-cultures with Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus intermedius. The viability of OKF6/Tert cells following a bacterial challenge was evaluated by trypan blue exclusion. The adherence of commensal species was determined by CFU counts. P. gingivalis invasion in OKF6/Tert cells was assessed before and after exposure to commensal species according to CFU counts. Viability assays show that only S. gordonii and S. intermedius display low toxicity toward OKF6/Tert cells. Both commensals adhere to OKF6/Tert cells at an average ratio of 1 CFU to 10 cells. P. gingivalis invasion into host cells is significantly reduced by 25% or 60% after exposure to S. gordonii or S. intermedius, respectively. The results suggest that these commensal species bind to host cells and diminish P. gingivalis invasion. This is important in the context of periodontal disease since P. gingivalis primarily acts on the host by invading it. Therefore, efforts to decrease invasion will eventually lead to future therapies harnessing the mechanisms employed by oral commensal bacteria.
Cooperative Detection of Multiple Targets by the Group of Mobile Agents
Authors: Matzliach Barouch , Ben-Gal Irad , Kagan Evgeny
Published: May 2020

The paper considers the detection of multiple targets by a group of mobile robots that perform under uncertainty. The agents are equipped with sensors with positive and non-negligible probabilities of detecting the targets at different distances. The goal is to define the trajectories of the agents that can lead to the detection of the targets in minimal time. The suggested solution follows the classical Koopman’s approach applied to an occupancy grid, while the decision-making and control schemes are conducted based on information-theoretic criteria. Sensor fusion in each agent and over the agents is implemented using a general Bayesian scheme. The presented procedures follow the expected information gain approach utilizing the “center of view” and the “center of gravity” algorithms. These methods are compared with a simulated learning method. The activity of the procedures is analyzed using numerical simulations.
Fact, Fiction, and Fitness
Authors: Prakash Chetan , Fields Chris , Hoffman Donald D. , Prentner Robert , Singh Manish
Published: May 2020

A theory of consciousness, whatever else it may do, must address the structure of experience. Our perceptual experiences are richly structured. Simply seeing a red apple, swaying between green leaves on a stout tree, involves symmetries, geometries, orders, topologies, and algebras of events. Are these structures also present in the world, fully independent of their observation? Perceptual theorists of many persuasions—from computational to radical embodied—say yes: perception veridically presents to observers structures that exist in an observer-independent world; and it does so because natural selection shapes perceptual systems to be increasingly veridical. Here we study four structures: total orders, permutation groups, cyclic groups, and measurable spaces. We ask whether the payoff functions that drive evolution by natural selection are homomorphisms of these structures. We prove, in each case, that generically the answer is no: as the number of world states and payoff values go to infinity, the probability that a payoff function is a homomorphism goes to zero. We conclude that natural selection almost surely shapes perceptions of these structures to be non-veridical. This is consistent with the interface theory of perception, which claims that natural selection shapes perceptual systems not to provide veridical perceptions, but to serve as species-specific interfaces that guide adaptive behavior. Our results present a constraint for any theory of consciousness which assumes that structure in perceptual experience is shaped by natural selection.
Classification of Covid-19 Coronavirus, Pneumonia and Healthy Lungs in CT Scans Using Q-Deformed Entropy and Deep Learning Features
Authors: Hasan Ali M. , AL-Jawad Mohammed M. , Jalab Hamid A. , Shaiba Hadil , Ibrahim Rabha W. , AL-Shamasneh Ala’a R.
Published: May 2020

Many health systems over the world have collapsed due to limited capacity and a dramatic increase of suspected COVID-19 cases. What has emerged is the need for finding an efficient, quick and accurate method to mitigate the overloading of radiologists’ efforts to diagnose the suspected cases. This study presents the combination of deep learning of extracted features with the Q-deformed entropy handcrafted features for discriminating between COVID-19 coronavirus, pneumonia and healthy computed tomography (CT) lung scans. In this study, pre-processing is used to reduce the effect of intensity variations between CT slices. Then histogram thresholding is used to isolate the background of the CT lung scan. Each CT lung scan undergoes a feature extraction which involves deep learning and a Q-deformed entropy algorithm. The obtained features are classified using a long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network classifier. Subsequently, combining all extracted features significantly improves the performance of the LSTM network to precisely discriminate between COVID-19, pneumonia and healthy cases. The maximum achieved accuracy for classifying the collected dataset comprising 321 patients is 99.68%.
A Blended Artificial Intelligence Approach for Spectral Classification of Stars in Massive Astronomical Surveys
Authors: Dafonte Carlos , Rodríguez Alejandra , Manteiga Minia , Gómez Ángel , Arcay Bernardino
Published: May 2020

This paper analyzes and compares the sensitivity and suitability of several artificial intelligence techniques applied to the Morgan–Keenan (MK) system for the classification of stars. The MK system is based on a sequence of spectral prototypes that allows classifying stars according to their effective temperature and luminosity through the study of their optical stellar spectra. Here, we include the method description and the results achieved by the different intelligent models developed thus far in our ongoing stellar classification project: fuzzy knowledge-based systems, backpropagation, radial basis function (RBF) and Kohonen artificial neural networks. Since one of today’s major challenges in this area of astrophysics is the exploitation of large terrestrial and space databases, we propose a final hybrid system that integrates the best intelligent techniques, automatically collects the most important spectral features, and determines the spectral type and luminosity level of the stars according to the MK standard system. This hybrid approach truly emulates the behavior of human experts in this area, resulting in higher success rates than any of the individual implemented techniques. In the final classification system, the most suitable methods are selected for each individual spectrum, which implies a remarkable contribution to the automatic classification process.
Influence of Waste Management on the Environmental Footprint of Electricity Produced by Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Herceg Sina , Pinto Bautista Sebastián , Weiß Karl-Anders
Published: May 2020

PV waste management will gain relevance proportionally to the amounts of waste that are expected to arise with the phasing-out of old installations in the upcoming years and decades. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology is used here to analyze the environmental performance of photovoltaic systems and the waste management methods that have been developed recently. Several LCA studies have already been performed for PV technologies, but in most cases these do not include the end of life stage, thus there is still uncertainty about the impacts of recycling on the environmental footprint of PV electricity. The present study offers a more detailed analysis of different end-of-life approaches for the main photovoltaic technologies that are found on the market. The results from the analysis demonstrate that recycling has the potential to improve the environmental profile of PV electricity but at the same time there is room for further improvements in developing dedicated recycling technologies.
Parallel Power Flow Computation Trends and Applications: A Review Focusing on GPU
Authors: Yoon Dong-Hee , Han Youngsun
Published: May 2020

A power flow study aims to analyze a power system by obtaining the voltage and phase angle of buses inside the power system. Power flow computation basically uses a numerical method to solve a nonlinear system, which takes a certain amount of time because it may take many iterations to find the final solution. In addition, as the size and complexity of power systems increase, further computational power is required for power system study. Therefore, there have been many attempts to conduct power flow computation with large amounts of data using parallel computing to reduce the computation time. Furthermore, with recent system developments, attempts have been made to increase the speed of parallel computing using graphics processing units (GPU). In this review paper, we summarize issues related to parallel processing in power flow studies and analyze research into the performance of fast power flow computations using parallel computing methods with GPU.
Local Green Power Supply Plants Based on Alcohol Regenerative Gas Turbines: Economic and Environmental Aspects
Authors: Cherednichenko Oleksandr , Havrysh Valerii , Shebanin Vyacheslav , Kalinichenko Antonina , Mentel Grzegorz , Nakonieczny Joanna
Published: May 2020

Growing economies need green and renewable energy. Their financial development can reduce energy consumption (through energy-efficient technologies) and replace fossil fuels with renewable ones. Gas turbine engines are widely used in transport and industry. To improve their economic attractiveness and to reduce harmful emissions, including greenhouse gases, alternative fuels and waste heat recovery technologies can be used. A promising direction is the use of alcohol and thermo-chemical recuperation. The purpose of this study is to estimate the economic efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of an alcohol-fueled regenerative gas turbine engine with thermo-chemical recuperation. The carbon dioxide emissions have been determined using engine efficiency, fuel properties, as well as life cycle analysis. The engine efficiency was maximized by varying the water/alcohol ratio. To evaluate steam fuel reforming for a certain engine, a conversion performance factor has been suggested. At the optimal water/methanol ratio of 3.075 this technology can increase efficiency by 4% and reduce tank-to-wake emission by 80%. In the last 6 months of 2019, methanol prices were promising for power and cogeneration plants in remote locations. The policy recommendation is that local authorities should pay attention to alcohol fuel and advanced turbines to curb the adverse effects of burning petroleum fuel on economic growth and the environment.
Energy Analysis for the Connection of the Nuclear Reactor DEMO to the European Electrical Grid
Authors: Ciattaglia Sergio , Falvo Maria Carmen , Lampasi Alessandro , Proietti Cosimi Matteo
Published: May 2020

Towards the middle of the current century, the DEMOnstration power plant, DEMO, will start operating as the first nuclear fusion reactor capable of supplying its own loads and of providing electrical power to the European electrical grid. The presence of such a unique and peculiar facility in the European transmission system involves many issues that have to be faced in the project phase. This work represents the first study linking the operation of the nuclear fusion power plant DEMO to the actual requirements for its correct functioning as a facility connected to the power systems. In order to build this link, the present work reports the analysis of the requirements that this unconventional power-generating facility should fulfill for the proper connection and operation in the European electrical grid. Through this analysis, the study reaches its main objectives, which are the definition of the limitations of the current design choices in terms of power-generating capability and the preliminary evaluation of advantages and disadvantages that the possible configurations for the connection of the facility to the European electrical grid can have. In reference to the second objective, the work makes possible a first attempt at defining the features of the point of connection to the European grid, whose knowledge will be useful in the future, for the choice of the real construction site.
Containergy—A Container-Based Energy and Performance Profiling Tool for Next Generation Workloads
Authors: Silva-de-Souza Wellington , Iranfar Arman , Bráulio Anderson , Zapater Marina , Xavier-de-Souza Samuel , Olcoz Katzalin , Atienza David
Published: May 2020

Run-time profiling of software applications is key to energy efficiency. Even the most optimized hardware combined to an optimally designed software may become inefficient if operated poorly. Moreover, the diversification of modern computing platforms and broadening of their run-time configuration space make the task of optimally operating software ever more complex. With the growing financial and environmental impact of data center operation and cloud-based applications, optimal software operation becomes increasingly more relevant to existing and next-generation workloads. In order to guide software operation towards energy savings, energy and performance data must be gathered to provide a meaningful assessment of the application behavior under different system configurations, which is not appropriately addressed in existing tools. In this work we present Containergy, a new performance evaluation and profiling tool that uses software containers to perform application run-time assessment, providing energy and performance profiling data with negligible overhead (below 2%). It is focused on energy efficiency for next generation workloads. Practical experiments with emerging workloads, such as video transcoding and machine-learning image classification, are presented. The profiling results are analyzed in terms of performance and energy savings under a Quality-of-Service (QoS) perspective. For video transcoding, we verified that wrong choices in the configuration space can lead to an increase above 300% in energy consumption for the same task and operational levels. Considering the image classification case study, the results show that the choice of the machine-learning algorithm and model affect significantly the energy efficiency. Profiling datasets of AlexNet and SqueezeNet, which present similar accuracy, indicate that the latter represents 55.8% in energy saving compared to the former.