bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Administrative and legal bases of activity of local local law enforcement units in the conditions of decentralization of executive power
Authors: Oleksandr Banchuk
Published: June 2020

The scientific article is devoted to covering peculiarities of local units activities in providing law and order in the conditions of decentralization of executive power. It is stated that local units are set up by the decision of local councils as utility companies or as executive local self government bodies. The categories of cases which are investigated by local units are determined and the problems in the procedure of their solving are identified. The efficiency of measures of local self government bodies often depends on the activity of the state bodies because the representatives of the units can not start proceedings by themselves even when the circumstances of commitment of a certain administrative offense are identified.

The conclusion is made that local units ( guards/ police) are a wide spread phenomenon in Ukraine, however, they have not received a proper law regulation so far. Their officers do not have the authority of police but, in fact, try to take over their powers. It is admitted that there is a necessity to continue the process of decentralization of the powers of local self government bodies in this sphere.
Institualization of referendum in EU countries
Authors: O. М. Stoyko
Published: June 2020

The evolution of the referendum institutionalization in the constitutions of the EU states is considered. The peculiarities of its initiation, realization and implementation of results in the "old" and "new" members of the Union are highlighted and analyzed. It is concluded that young democracies are pioneering in using this tool of direct democracy both to legitimize government decisions and to involve citizens in the decision-making process.

The history of the introduction of plebiscites into the practice of political processes in European countries shows, that they are closely linked to democratic transit: the later the constitution is adopted, the more opportunities for citizens to use referendums not only to control the legislative process in parliament (support or veto certain decisions, draft laws), but also to formulate an agenda - to propose their own initiatives for consideration by public authorities. Accordingly, there are obvious differences between the referendum practices of the "old" and "new" members of the European Union, since the latter are much more active in using them and give citizens real leverage on public policy by holding plebiscites on popular initiatives.
Concept And Types of Bribery as a Cross-cutting Сoncept in the Сriminal Law of Ukraine
Authors: O. H. Bilokon
Published: June 2020

The article explores and analyzes the general meaning of the term "bribery" in the Criminal Law of Ukraine. It was defined that the main social dangers of bribery are the following:

committing this crime prevents citizens from free exercising their right to participate in all-Ukrainian and local referendum, violates their procedure, may affect the elections results and the decision on the referendum issue;
goes beyond the granted official or official authority, characterized by the committing of substantial harm to the rights or interests of individuals, protected by law, or to the state or public interests or interests of legal entities;
it is a socially dangerous act, the commission of which is to use the authority given to persons for the purpose of obtaining from other persons undue benefits; it is a socially dangerous act, the commission of which is performed via use of power against the interests of the service;
it is a socially dangerous act, the commission of which is performed via use the position powers contrary to the interests of a legal entity of private law, regardless of the legal form.
At the same time, the prerequisites of becoming responsible for bribery in the Ukrainian legislation were clarified and the types of bribery were analyzed, depending on the specifics of the rights and powers of subjects, depending on the degree of obviousness for persons, who are not parties or interested parties to bribery, as a corruption offense and depending on the role of the state in setting of social relations, the order of which is disrupted by bribery.

From the analysis of articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine bribery is characterized as: acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt for oneself or for the third party of unlawful benefit; an offer or promise to provide an illegal benefit;

The definition of the concept of "bribery" in the criminal law of Ukraine is proposed to be considered as a socially dangerous, punishable act, characterized by the agreement of two interested persons, or the inclination of one person for the benefit of the other, to gain (give) illegal advantage by abuse of the authorized person by their authority or their official power another person.
Legal doctrine as a matrix of quality law
Authors: Olena Lvova
Published: June 2020

Іntroduction. The article notes the relevance of defining the role of doctrine in the development of the law, given the rapid legislative races on the road to European integration. It is emphasized that the legal doctrines of different States may differ in the strength of their national characteristics, certain objective factors – historical, political, economic, cultural, religious and the like. As an example, it is possible to call existing since ancient times, doctrines of natural rights, popular sovereignty, social contract, the theological doctrine of state and law, rule of law and the like.

Тhe aim of the article. Given the above, the aim of the article is the study of the legal doctrine as a kind of matrix quality law and the definition of its influence on legislative activities. One of the definitions of the term «matrix» is understanding it as a General framework, models, diagrams, anything.

Results. Scientists, analyzing the legal doctrine distinguish two main functions: on the one hand it is the theoretical basis for the legislative process, and on the other source of law, and, accordingly, is implemented in the enforceability of the process.

Based on the reviewed definitions of legal doctrine and its role in law-making activities, its influence on the formation of high-quality law, as the conclusion should focus on the following features that characterize its matrix, to create high-quality law.

Сonclusion. As a conclusion it is noted that the capacity of legal doctrine to serve as a matrix in the legislative and realtime processes due to its functional and content side: on the one hand, it is a waste years of theoretical (conceptual) framework for law-making; second, it objectifies the results of scientific research in the form of fundamental legal ideas and concepts (ideals, values, principles, norms); thirdly, the doctrinal knowledge transforms in legislation, filling it with quality content.

Consequently, the legal doctrine as a body of basic scientific ideas is intended to be a repository of fundamental principles and values formed in the process of development of society, perceived them, and which should be to find objective expression in national law.
Formation and properties of metallic atomic chains and wires
Authors: Syromyatnikov A G , Kolesnikov S V , Saletsky A M , Klavsyuk A L
Published: June 2020

We discuss the current state of a promising area of modern physics, the study of the physical properties of metal nanowires and atomic chains. One-dimensional nanostructures are attractive because of both the promise of their practical applications and the possibility of using them to test various theoretical models and approaches by comparing theoretical results with experimental data. We describe experimental conditions under which metal nanowires form on metal and semiconductor surfaces. We give special attention to theoretical models describing the scenario of nanowire growth on various surfaces. We analyze the main experimentally determined factors that affect the distribution of nanowire lengths. We show that the distribution of nanowire lengths on metal and semiconductor surfaces depends not only on external parameters but also on the formation time. We consider the magnetic properties of finite-length atomic chains located on the surfaces of metal and semiconductor crystals. We demonstrate a correlation among the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of nanowires. We elucidate the effect that nanowires exert on the electronic properties of the surface on which they form. The nature of edge states is explained. The electron states of nanowire atoms are shown to be sensitive to the nanowire length. We discuss the Rashba effect for metal nanowires on a semiconductor surface and analyze how the exchange energy between atoms and the magnetic anisotropy energy affect the macroscopic characteristics of nanowires, such as their critical temperature and the time of spontaneous magnetization reversal.
PERBANDINGAN EKSTRAK LAMUR Aquilaria malaccensis DENGAN METODE MASERASI DAN REFLUKS
Authors: Syamsul Eka Siswanto , Amanda Nadhila Ajrina , Lestari Dwi
Published: June 2020

Gaharu (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk) is a plant of the thymelaeaceae family that is widely used by the people of West Kutai Regency as a medicinal plant for skin wounds, diabetes, asthma, stomach pain and sleep disorders, aromatherapy and used as ingredients for perfume because it has a distinctive aroma. The extraction process will determine how much yield is produced. This study aims to determine the percent (%) yield of agarwood leaf ethanol extract using maceration and reflux methods. The research stage includes plant determination, sample processing, extraction using maceration and reflux methods with 70% ethanol solvent, determination of the yield and phytochemical screening. Data analysis in the form of descriptive data analysis and presented in tabular form. The results showed that the reflux method produced a higher average yield of 30.70% and maceration method of 29.97%. Statistical test results using the Independent Sample T-Test method showed that there was no significant difference in the yield produced from the maceration and reflux method because (p> 0.05). Phytochemical screening test results showed that agarwood leaf extract contains flavonoids, tannins, saponins and steroids
Mapping and Estimating Weeds in Cotton Using Unmanned Aerial Systems-Borne Imagery
Authors: Sapkota Bishwa , Singh Vijay , Cope Dale , Valasek John , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: June 2020

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have emerged as an innovative technology to provide spatio-temporal information about weed species in crop fields. Such information is a critical input for any site-specific weed management program. A multi-rotor UAS (Phantom 4) equipped with an RGB sensor was used to collect imagery in three bands (Red, Green, and Blue; 0.8 cm/pixel resolution) with the objectives of (a) mapping weeds in cotton and (b) determining the relationship between image-based weed coverage and ground-based weed densities. For weed mapping, three different weed density levels (high, medium, and low) were established for a mix of different weed species, with three replications. To determine weed densities through ground truthing, five quadrats (1 m × 1 m) were laid out in each plot. The aerial imageries were preprocessed and subjected to Hough transformation to delineate cotton rows. Following the separation of inter-row vegetation from crop rows, a multi-level classification coupled with machine learning algorithms were used to distinguish intra-row weeds from cotton. Overall, accuracy levels of 89.16%, 85.83%, and 83.33% and kappa values of 0.84, 0.79, and 0.75 were achieved for detecting weed occurrence in high, medium, and low density plots, respectively. Further, ground-truthing based overall weed density values were fairly correlated (r2 = 0.80) with image-based weed coverage assessments. Among the specific weed species evaluated, Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) showed the highest correlation (r2 = 0.91) followed by red sprangletop (Leptochloa mucronata Michx) (r2 = 0.88). The results highlight the utility of UAS-borne RGB imagery for weed mapping and density estimation in cotton for precision weed management.
Using GFP-Tagged Escherichia coli to Investigate the Persistence of Fecal Bacteria in Vegetated Wetlands: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Chiapponi Emilia , Henriot Charles P. , Bertrand Xavier , Hocquet Didier , Bornette Gudrun
Published: June 2020

The contamination of surface water by pathogenic bacteria of human origin is an important public health issue. Wetlands can be contaminated with fecal bacteria by water originating from different sources, such as wastewater treatment plants and agriculture. Escherichia coli is a commensal of the human gut flora and the major indication of fecal contamination in surface water. Little is known about the association between fecal bacteria and submerged macrophytes and how this may influence the water quality. We questioned whether macrophytes enhance or inhibit the bacterial growth in wetlands. For this purpose, we grew four different species of macrophytes (Mentha aquatica, Baldellia ranunculoides, Sparganium emersum and Elodea canadensis, in mono- or multispecies cultures) in aquatic rhizotrons and inoculated the devices with a fluorescent strain of Escherichia coli (producing a green fluorescent protein) to simulate the fecal contamination of wetlands. Bacterial survival was monitored by measuring the fluorescence for 19 days. We found (i) that contaminated sediments did not release E. coli in the water column in lentic conditions and (ii) that monocultures of E. canadensis, M. aquatica and S. emersum reduced the E. coli concentration in the water column. This suggests that aquatic plant species may be used in constructed wetlands to clear surface freshwater from bacteria of fecal origin.
Metal–Peptide Complexes as Promising Antibiotics to Fight Emerging Drug Resistance: New Perspectives in Tuberculosis
Authors: Di Natale Concetta , De Benedictis Ilaria , De Benedictis Arianna , Marasco Daniela
Published: June 2020

In metal-peptide interactions, cations form stable complexes through bonds with coordinating groups as side chains of amino acids. These compounds, among other things, exert a wide variety of antimicrobial activities through structural changes of peptides upon metal binding and redox chemistry. They exhibit different mechanisms of action (MOA), including the modification of DNA/RNA, protein and cell wall synthesis, permeabilization and modulation of gradients of cellular membranes. Nowadays, the large increase in antibiotic resistance represents a crucial problem to limit progression at the pandemic level of the diseases that seemed nearly eradicated, such as tuberculosis (Tb). Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics due to chromosomal mutations which can lead to the onset of novel strains. Consequently, the maximum pharmaceutical effort should be focused on the development of new therapeutic agents and antimicrobial peptides can represent a valuable option as a copious source of potential bioactive compounds. The introduction of a metal center can improve chemical diversity and hence specificity and bioavailability while, in turn, the coordination to peptides of metal complexes can protect them and enhance their poor water solubility and air stability: the optimization of these parameters is strictly required for drug prioritization and to obtain potent inhibitors of Mtb infections with novel MOAs. Here, we present a panoramic review of the most recent findings in the field of metal complex-peptide conjugates and their delivery systems with the potential pharmaceutical application as novel antibiotics in Mtb infections.
The Basis for Natural Multiresistance to Phage in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pourcel Christine , Midoux Cédric , Vergnaud Gilles , Latino Libera
Published: June 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for long-term infections and is particularly resistant to treatments when hiding inside the extracellular matrix or biofilms. Phage therapy might represent an alternative to antibiotic treatment, but up to 10% of clinical strains appear to resist multiple phages. We investigated the characteristics of P. aeruginosa clinical strains naturally resistant to phages and compared them to highly susceptible strains. The phage-resistant strains were defective in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis, were nonmotile and displayed an important degree of autolysis, releasing phages and pyocins. Complete genome sequencing of three resistant strains showed the existence of a large accessory genome made of multiple insertion elements, genomic islands, pyocins and prophages, including two phages performing lateral transduction. Mutations were found in genes responsible for the synthesis of LPS and/or type IV pilus, the major receptors for most phages. CRISPR-Cas systems appeared to be absent or inactive in phage-resistant strains, confirming that they do not play a role in the resistance to lytic phages but control the insertion of exogenous sequences. We show that, despite their apparent weakness, the multiphage-resistant strains described in this study displayed selective advantages through the possession of various functions, including weapons to eliminate other strains of the same or closely related species.
Impact of Different Pasteurization Techniques and Subsequent Ultrasonication on the In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids in Valencia Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Juice
Authors: Etzbach Lara , Stolle Ruth , Anheuser Kerstin , Herdegen Volker , Schieber Andreas , Weber Fabian
Published: June 2020

The effects of traditional pasteurization (low pasteurization, conventional pasteurization, hot filling) and alternative pasteurization (pulsed electric fields, high pressure processing), followed by ultrasonication on the carotenoid content, carotenoid profile, and on the in vitro carotenoid bioaccessibility of orange juice were investigated. There was no significant difference in the total carotenoid content between the untreated juice (879.74 µg/100 g juice) and all pasteurized juices. Significantly lower contents of violaxanthin esters were found in the high thermally-treated juices (conventional pasteurization, hot filling) compared to the untreated juice, owing to heat-induced epoxy-furanoid rearrangement. The additional ultrasonication had almost no effects on the carotenoid content and profile of the orange juices. However, the in vitro solubilization and the micellarization efficiency were strongly increased by ultrasound, the latter by approximately 85.3–159.5%. Therefore, among the applied processing techniques, ultrasonication might be a promising technology to enhance the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids and, thus, the nutritional value of orange juice.
Role of Lipopolysaccharide in Protecting OmpT from Autoproteolysis during In Vitro Refolding
Authors: Sinsinbar Gaurav , Gudlur Sushanth , Metcalf Kevin J , Mrksich Milan , Nallani Madhavan , Liedberg Bo
Published: June 2020

Outer membrane protease (OmpT) is a 33.5 kDa aspartyl protease that cleaves at dibasic sites and is thought to function as a defense mechanism for E. coli against cationic antimicrobial peptides secreted by the host immune system. Despite carrying three dibasic sites in its own sequence, there is no report of OmpT autoproteolysis in vivo. However, recombinant OmpT expressed in vitro as inclusion bodies has been reported to undergo autoproteolysis during the refolding step, thus resulting in an inactive protease. In this study, we monitor and compare levels of in vitro autoproteolysis of folded and unfolded OmpT and examine the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in autoproteolysis. SDS-PAGE data indicate that it is only the unfolded OmpT that undergoes autoproteolysis while the folded OmpT remains protected and resistant to autoproteolysis. This selective susceptibility to autoproteolysis is intriguing. Previous studies suggest that LPS, a co-factor necessary for OmpT activity, may play a protective role in preventing autoproteolysis. However, data presented here confirm that LPS plays no such protective role in the case of unfolded OmpT. Furthermore, OmpT mutants designed to prevent LPS from binding to its putative LPS-binding motif still exhibited excellent protease activity, suggesting that the putative LPS-binding motif is of less importance for OmpT’s activity than previously proposed.
Voltammetric Sensors Based on Nanomaterials for Detection of Caffeic Acid in Food Supplements
Authors: Bounegru Alexandra , Apetrei Constantin
Published: June 2020

Caffeic acid may be accurately detected in food supplements by using cyclic voltammetry and carbon screen-printed sensors modified with various nanomaterials. Sensor characterization by cyclic voltammetry in reference solutions has shown that carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers significantly improve the sensor response in terms of sensitivity and reversibility. Screen-printed sensors were then used in order to study the electrochemical behavior of caffeic acid in aqueous solution at pH 3.6. A redox process was observed in all cases, which corresponds to a reversible redox process involving the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The role of nanomaterials in the increment of sensor performance characteristics was evidenced. Calibration curves were developed for each sensor, and the detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits were calculated. Low LOD and LOQ values were obtained, in the 10−7 to 10−9 M range, which demonstrates that the method is feasible for quantification of caffeic acid in real samples. Caffeic acid was quantitatively determined in three food supplements using the most sensitive sensor, namely the carbon nanofiber sensor. The Folin–Ciocalteu spectrophotometric assay was used to validate the results obtained with the sensor. The results obtained by using the voltammetric method were consistent with those obtained by using the spectrophotometric method, with no statistically significant differences between the results obtained at 95% confidence level.
Securing Additive Manufacturing with Blockchains and Distributed Physically Unclonable Functions
Authors: Cambou Bertrand , Gowanlock Michael , Heynssens Julie , Jain Saloni , Philabaum Christopher , Booher Duane , Burke Ian , Garrard Jack , Telesca Donald , Njilla Laurent
Published: June 2020

Blockchain technology is a game-changing, enhancing security for the supply chain of smart additive manufacturing. Blockchain enables the tracking and recording of the history of each transaction in a ledger stored in the cloud that cannot be altered, and when blockchain is combined with digital signatures, it verifies the identity of the participants with its non-repudiation capabilities. One of the weaknesses of blockchain is the difficulty of preventing malicious participants from gaining access to public–private key pairs. Groups of opponents often interact freely with the network, and this is a security concern when cloud-based methods manage the key pairs. Therefore, we are proposing end-to-end security schemes by both inserting tamper-resistant devices in the hardware of the peripheral devices and using ternary cryptography. The tamper-resistant devices, which are designed with nanomaterials, act as Physical Unclonable Functions to generate secret cryptographic keys. One-time use public–private key pairs are generated for each transaction. In addition, the cryptographic scheme incorporates a third logic state to mitigate man-in-the-middle attacks. The generation of these public–private key pairs is compatible with post quantum cryptography. The third scheme we are proposing is the use of noise injection techniques used with high-performance computing to increase the security of the system. We present prototypes to demonstrate the feasibility of these schemes and to quantify the relevant parameters. We conclude by presenting the value of blockchains to secure the logistics of additive manufacturing operations.
Oral and Dental Abnormalities Caused by a Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumor Treatment: A Clinical Case Report
Authors: Lopes Luísa Bandeira , Themudo Rodrigo , Botelho João , Machado Vanessa
Published: June 2020

Rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas in children. The therapy for this condition has evolved significantly over recent decades, as has survival rates. Nevertheless, multiagent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical resection or a combination of these modalities still have to be performed. This case report presents a 16-year-old boy with oral and dental effects after rhabdomyosarcoma treatment, diagnosed at the age of 4 years old. This report highlights the key role of dentists in the clinical management of rhabdomyosarcoma cases before, during and after treatment, and its potential side effects.
The Role of Gravity in the Evolution of the Concentration Field in the Electrochemical Membrane Cell
Authors: Batko Kornelia M. , Ślęzak Andrzej , Bajdur Wioletta M.
Published: June 2020

The subject of the study was the osmotic volume transport of aqueous CuSO4 and/or ethanol solutions through a selective cellulose acetate membrane (Nephrophan). The effect of concentration of solution components, concentration polarization of solutions and configuration of the membrane system on the value of the volume osmotic flux ( J v i r ) in a single-membrane system in which the polymer membrane located in the horizontal plane was examined. The investigations were carried out under mechanical stirring conditions of the solutions and after it was turned off. Based on the obtained measurement results J v i r , the effects of concentration polarization, convection polarization, asymmetry and amplification of the volume osmotic flux and the thickness of the concentration boundary layers were calculated. Osmotic entropy production was also calculated for solution homogeneity and concentration polarization conditions. Using the thickness of the concentration boundary layers, critical values of the Rayleigh concentration number ( R C r ), i.e., the switch, were estimated between two states: convective (with higher J v i r ) and non-convective (with lower J v i r ). The operation of this switch indicates the regulatory role of earthly gravity in relation to membrane transport.
Evolutionary Processes in Quantum Decision Theory
Authors: Yukalov Vyacheslav I.
Published: June 2020

The review presents the basics of quantum decision theory, with an emphasis on temporary processes in decision making. The aim is to explain the principal points of the theory. How an operationally-testable, rational choice between alternatives differs from a choice decorated by irrational feelings is elucidated. Quantum-classical correspondence is emphasized. A model of quantum intelligence network is described. Dynamic inconsistencies are shown to be resolved in the frame of the quantum decision theory.
Gini Index Estimation within Pre-Specified Error Bound: Application to Indian Household Survey Data
Authors: Bilson Darku Francis , Konietschke Frank , Chattopadhyay Bhargab
Published: June 2020

The Gini index, a widely used economic inequality measure, is computed using data whose designs involve clustering and stratification, generally known as complex household surveys. Under complex household survey, we develop two novel procedures for estimating Gini index with a pre-specified error bound and confidence level. The two proposed approaches are based on the concept of sequential analysis which is known to be economical in the sense of obtaining an optimal cluster size which reduces project cost (that is total sampling cost) thereby achieving the pre-specified error bound and the confidence level under reasonable assumptions. Some large sample properties of the proposed procedures are examined without assuming any specific distribution. Empirical illustrations of both procedures are provided using the consumption expenditure data obtained by National Sample Survey (NSS) Organization in India.
Doubly Fed Induction Generator Open Stator Synchronized Control during Unbalanced Grid Voltage Condition
Authors: Khan Akrama , Hu Xiao Ming , Khan Mohamed Azeem , Barendse Paul
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a systematic synchronization procedure is proposed for a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) during unbalanced grid voltage conditions. The initial induced voltage at the open stator terminal is required to synchronize with the grid voltage in magnitude, frequency and phase. An open stator negative sequence rotor current controller is implemented with the conventional DFIG vector controller, which allows the induced stator voltage to become as unbalanced as the grid voltage, hence enabling a smooth connection. A brief comparison is provided for practical issues such as controller structure variation between DFIG open stator and normal operating conditions, and initial encoder rotor angle measurement offset. The procedure is validated experimentally on a 2.2 kW laboratory-scaled DFIG test bench.
Spillovers to Renewable Energy Stocks in the US and Europe: Are They Different?
Authors: Liu Tiantian , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: June 2020

This paper examines the spillovers of return and volatility transmitted from fossil energies (crude oil and natural gas) and several important financial variables (stock market index, bonds, and the volatility index) to renewable stock markets in the US and Europe under the time-frequency domain frameworks. The total spillovers of return and volatility from all variables to renewable stock markets in the US are higher than those in Europe. Stock markets transmit the highest return spillovers to renewable energy stocks, which far exceed the spillovers from fossil energy to renewable energy stocks in both regions. In addition, both return and volatility spillovers could be enhanced, possibly due to specific events or sudden changes in prices. In particular, extreme events such as the Brexit referendum in 2016 influenced mostly the volatility spillovers across European markets. Moreover, the spillovers of return and volatility are contingent on frequency, and most return spillovers are concentrated at the high frequency, whereas most volatility spillovers are concentrated at the low frequency. These results remind investors that it is necessary to consider the investment horizon when making their financial decisions on renewable energy investment.
Performance Characteristics of Single-Phase Self-Excited Induction Generators with an Iron Core of Various Non-Grain Oriented Electrical Sheets
Authors: Makowski Krzysztof , Leicht Aleksander
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with the computation of the performance characteristics of the single-phase self-excited induction generator by field–circuit method. It presents and compares previously unpublished results—self-excitation and no-load characteristics of the generator for different rotor speeds, and complete load steady-state performance characteristics for various types of the core materials. The discrepancies between the performance characteristics of the generator for the catalog’s magnetization curves of different types of electrical sheets and for an actual magnetic core of the generator for self-excitation transients and load steady-state are presented. The results may be useful for designing new constructions of single-phase self-excited induction generators.
A Virtual Tool for Load Flow Analysis in a Micro-Grid
Authors: Artale Giovanni , Caravello Giuseppe , Cataliotti Antonio , Cosentino Valentina , Di Cara Dario , Guaiana Salvatore , Nguyen Quang Ninh , Palmeri Marco , Panzavecchia Nicola , Tinè Giovanni
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a virtual tool for load flow analysis in energy distribution systems of micro-grids. The solution is based on a low-cost measurement architecture, which entails low-voltage power measurements in each secondary substation and a voltage measurement at the beginning of the medium voltage (MV) feeder. The proposed virtual tool periodically queries these instruments to acquire the measurements. Then, it implements a backward–forward load flow algorithm, to evaluate the power flow in each branch and the voltage at each node. The virtual tool performances are validated using power measurements acquired at the beginning of each MV feeder. The uncertainties on each calculated quantity are also evaluated starting from the uncertainties due to the used measurement instruments. Moreover, the influence of the line parameter uncertainties on the evaluated quantities is also considered. The validated tool is useful for the online analysis of power flows and also for planning purposes, as it allows verifying the influence of future distributed generator power injection. In fact, the tool is able to off-line perform the load flow calculation in differently distributed generation scenarios. The micro-grid of Favignana Island was used as a case study to test the developed virtual tool.
Leaf Phenology Drives Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Throughfall under a Single Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey.
Authors: Fathizadeh Omid , Sadeghi Seyed Mohammad Moein , Holder Curtis D. , Su Lei
Published: June 2020

Throughfall (TF) makes up the majority of understory rainfall and thereby plays an important role in controlling the amount of water reaching the forest floor. TF under a single Quercus castaneifolia (C.A.Mey, chestnut-leaved oak) tree in Northern Iran was measured during the leafed and leafless periods. TF quantity under the Q. castaneifolia canopy made up 69.3% and 88.0% of gross rainfall during leafed and leafless periods, respectively. Phenoseason influenced TF distribution patterns as TF temporal patterns during the leafed period were slightly more stable than during the leafless periods. The minimum number of TF collectors needed to yield a representative mean TF with accepted errors of 10% at 95% confidence level was twenty-six and twelve TF collectors for leafed and leafless periods, respectively. We conclude that phenoseasonality significantly affects TF spatiotemporal variability and presented the required number of collectors necessary for sampling TF under an individual Q. castaneifolia tree.
Urban Green Space Accessibility and Distribution Equity in an Arid Oasis City: Urumqi, China
Authors: Shi Lei , Halik Ümüt , Abliz Abdulla , Mamat Zulpiya , Welp Martin
Published: June 2020

Urban green space (UGS) is crucial to the healthy development of urban residents. However, UGS that is accessible can benefit residents to an even greater degree. Based on the two-step floating catchment area model (2SFCA) and the location quotient (LQ), we analyzed the changes from 1999 to 2019 in UGS walking accessibility and equity in built-up areas of Urumqi at different administrative levels, and how UGS policy affects the improvement of accessibility. The results showed that UGS accessibility and equity are not evenly distributed at different administrative levels and UGS categories. Although the overall UGS accessibility and equity has improved with policy implementation, these changes are caused by metro-level UGS construction in urban fringe areas. The improvement in UGS accessibility at the neighborhood level in densely populated areas is neglected, which leads to a mismatch between UGS construction and population distribution. In addition, the accessibility of UGS is also limited by geographical location, population density, road distribution, and water shortage in arid metropolitan Urumqi. Our research results provide a theoretical basis for Urumqi and other cities in the optimization of UGS structure and the realization of social equity.
Evaluation of Media Components and Process Parameters in a Sensitive and Robust Fed-Batch Syngas Fermentation System with Clostridium ljungdahlii
Authors: Infantes Alba , Kugel Michaela , Neumann Anke
Published: June 2020

The fermentation of synthesis gas, or syngas, by acetogenic bacteria can help in transitioning from a fossil-fuel-based to a renewable bioeconomy. The main fermentation products of Clostridium ljungdahlii, one of such microorganisms, are acetate and ethanol. A sensitive, robust and reproducible system was established for C. ljungdahlii syngas fermentation, and several process parameters and medium components (pH, gas flow, cysteine and yeast extract) were investigated to assess its impact on the fermentation outcomes, as well as real time gas consumption. Moreover, a closed carbon balance could be achieved with the data obtained. This system is a valuable tool to detect changes in the behavior of the culture. It can be applied for the screening of strains, gas compositions or media components, for a better understanding of the physiology and metabolic regulation of acetogenic bacteria. Here, it was shown that neither yeast extract nor cysteine was a limiting factor for cell growth since their supplementation did not have a noticeable impact on product formation or overall gas consumption. By combining the lowering of both the pH and the gas flow after 24 h, the highest ethanol to acetate ratio was achieved, but with the caveat of lower productivity.
Quality and Safety of Meat Products
Authors: Panea Begoña , Ripoll Guillermo
Published: June 2020

Food safety is a major problem around the world, both regarding human suffering and with respect to economic costs. Scientific advances have increased our knowledge surrounding the nutritional characteristics of foods and their effects on health. This means that a large proportion of consumers are much more conscious with respect to what they eat and their demands for quality food. Food quality is a complex term that includes, in addition to safety, other intrinsic characteristics, such as appearance, color, texture and flavor, and also extrinsic characteristics, such as perception or involvement.
Being Merle: The Molecular Genetic Background of the Canine Merle Mutation
Authors: Varga László , Lénárt Xénia , Zenke Petra , Orbán László , Hudák Péter , Ninausz Nóra , Pelles Zsófia , Szőke Antal
Published: June 2020

The intensity of the merle pattern is determined by the length of the poly(A) tail of a repeat element which has been inserted into the boundary of intron 10 and exon 11 of the PMEL17 locus in reverse orientation. This poly(A) tail behaves as a microsatellite, and due to replication slippage, longer and shorter alleles of it might be generated during cell divisions. The length of the poly(A) tail regulates the splicing mechanism. In the case of shorter tails, the removal of intron 10 takes place at the original splicing, resulting in a normal premelanosome protein (PMEL). Longer tails generate larger insertions, forcing splicing to a cryptic splice site, thereby coding for an abnormal PMEL protein, which is unable to form the normal fibrillar matrix of the eumelanosomes. Thus, eumelanin deposition ensuring the dark color formation is reduced. In summary, the longer the poly(A) tail, the lighter the coat color intensity of the melanocytes. These mutations can occur in the somatic cells and the resulting cell clones will shape the merle pattern of the coat. When they take place in the germ line, they occasionally produce offspring with unexpected color variations which are different from those of their parents.
Partaking in Culinary Heritage at Yaxunah, Yucatán during the 2017 Noma Mexico Pop-Up
Authors: Fisher Chelsea , Ardren Traci
Published: June 2020

In spring of 2017, celebrity chef René Redzepi opened a pop-up of his famed restaurant, Noma, on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. During its run, Noma Mexico worked closely with the town of Yaxunah, a Yucatec-Mayan speaking community in the peninsula’s interior, hiring women to make tortillas and acquiring local ingredients for the restaurant. For us—two archaeologists interested in past and present Maya food and agriculture who have worked in the Yaxunah community for years—this made the 2017 field season a compelling time to engage in culinary heritage. We share on-the-ground perspectives from our work with Yaxunah community members during a decisive spring for rural Yucatán’s globalizing food system. These perspectives offer a candid contribution to this special issue’s archive of community-based and heritage-engaged archaeological work in the Maya area.
Targeting KRAS Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Uras Iris Z. , Moll Herwig P. , Casanova Emilio
Published: June 2020

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer with an aggressive clinical course and high mortality rates. Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and the efficacy of chemotherapy is poor. The disease has a complex and heterogeneous background with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 85% of patients and lung adenocarcinoma being the most common histological subtype. Almost 30% of adenocarcinomas of the lung are driven by an activating Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutation. The ability to inhibit the oncogenic KRAS has been the holy grail of cancer research and the search for inhibitors is immensely ongoing as KRAS-mutated tumors are among the most aggressive and refractory to treatment. Therapeutic strategies tailored for KRAS+ NSCLC rely on the blockage of KRAS functional output, cellular dependencies, metabolic features, KRAS membrane associations, direct targeting of KRAS and immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an update on the most recent advances in anti-KRAS therapy for lung tumors with mechanistic insights into biological diversity and potential clinical implications.
BrmiR828 Targets BrPAP1, BrMYB82, and BrTAS4 Involved in the Light Induced Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Pathway in Brassica rapa
Authors: Zhou Bo , Leng Jingtong , Ma Yanyun , Fan Pengzhen , Li Yuhua , Yan Haifang , Xu Qijiang
Published: June 2020

Comprehensive research in various plants shows that the metabolic pathway of anthocyanin biosynthesis is affected by environmental factors and regulated by microRNAs through post-transcriptional regulation. In seedlings of Brassica rapa Tsuda, the accumulation of anthocyanin is induced by light. However, the roles of BrmiR828 in the light-induced synthesis of anthocyanin in Brassica rapa remain to be explored. Here, a primary transcript of BrmiR828 was identified to be located on the chromosomes of the A03 sub-genome. Five candidate MYB family genes were predicted as targets of BrmiR828 in the database of Brassica rapa (BRAD, V1.1) by using psRNATarget. The transcript abundance of mature BrmiR828 was reduced in seedlings of Brassica rapa Tsuda under blue light irradiation comparing with dark treatment. However, Real-time PCR showed the transcript level of the five candidate targets, Bra004162, Bra022602, Bra001917, Bra029113, and Bra039763 was up-regulated when the seedlings exposed to blue or UV-A light. Trans-acting siRNA gene 4 (BrTAS4) was also identified to have a higher transcript level under blue and UV-A light irradiation than that in dark treatment. RNA ligase mediated 5′amplification of cDNA ends (RLM-5′ RACE) showed that BrmiR828 can splice the mRNA of Bra039763, Bra022602, and BrTAS4 on binding sites. Phylogenetic analysis of candidate BrMYBs targets along with MYBs from Arabidopsis thaliana showed that Bra039763, Bra004162, Bra001917, Bra029113, and Bra022602 are classified to the same group with AtMYB75, AtMYB114, AtMYB90, AtMYB113, and AtMYB82 which are involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. As a result, light-induced down-regulation of BrmiR828 can target BrTAS4, BrPAP1 (Bra039763), MYB82 (Bra022602) to negatively regulate their transcript levels leading to the accumulation of MYB transcription factors that positively regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in light-exposed seedlings of Brassica rapa.
Inherited Genetic Mutations and Polymorphisms in Malignant Mesothelioma: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Panou Vasiliki , Røe Oluf Dimitri
Published: June 2020

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is mainly caused by air-born asbestos but genetic susceptibility is also suspected to be a risk factor. Recent studies suggest an increasing number of candidate genes that may predispose to MM besides the well-characterized BRCA1-associated protein-1 gene. The aim of this review is to summarize the most important studies on germline mutations for MM. A total of 860 publications were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science, of which 81 met the inclusion criteria and were consider for this review. More than 50% of the genes that are reported to predispose to MM are involved in DNA repair mechanisms, and the majority of them have a role in the homologous recombination pathway. Genetic alterations in tumor suppressor genes involved in chromatin, transcription and hypoxia regulation have also been described. Furthermore, we identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may promote MM tumorigenesis as a result of an asbestos–gene interaction, including SNPs in DNA repair, carcinogen detoxification and other genes previously associated with other malignancies. The identification of inherited mutations for MM and an understanding of the underlying pathways may allow early detection and prevention of malignancies in high-risk individuals and pave the way for targeted therapies.
Prevalence of an Intestinal ST40 Enterococcus faecalis over Other E. faecalis Strains in the Gut Environment of Mice Fed Different High Fat Diets
Authors: Sánchez Beatriz , Cobo Antonio , Hidalgo Marina , Martínez-Rodríguez Ana M. , Prieto Isabel , Gálvez Antonio , Martínez-Cañamero Magdalena
Published: June 2020

E. faecalis is a commensal bacterium with specific strains involved in opportunistic and nosocomial infections. Therefore, it is important to know how the strains of this species are selected in the gut. In this study, fifteen E. faecalis strains, isolated over twelve weeks from the faeces of mice fed standard chow or one of three high fat diets enriched with extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil or butter were subjected to a genetic “Multilocus Sequence Typing” study that revealed the presence of mainly two genotypes, ST9 and ST40, the latter one prevailing at the end of the research. A V3–V5 sequence comparison of the predominant ST40 strain (12B3-5) in a metagenomic study showed that this sequence was the only E. faecalis present in the mouse cohort after twelve weeks. The strain was subjected to a comparative proteomic study with a ST9 strain by 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. After comparing the results with a E. faecalis database, unshared entries were compared and 12B3-5 showed higher antimicrobial production as well as greater protection from environmental factors such as xenobiotics, oxidative stress and metabolite accumulation, which could be the reason for its ability to outcompete other possible rivals in an intestinal niche.
Impact of Attrition, Intercellular Shear in Dry Eye Disease: When Cells are Challenged and Neurons are Triggered
Authors: van Setten Gysbert-Botho
Published: June 2020

The mechanical component in the pathophysiology of dry eye disease (DED) deserves attention as an important factor. The lubrication deficit induced impaired mechano-transduction of lid pressure to the ocular surfaces may lead to the dysregulation of homeostasis in the epithelium, with sensations of pain and secondary inflammation. Ocular pain is possibly the first sign of attrition and may occur in the absence of visible epithelial damage. Attrition is a process which involves the constant or repeated challenge of ocular surface tissues by mechanical shear forces; it is enhanced by the thinning of corneal epithelium in severe DED. As a highly dynamic process leading to pain and neurogenic inflammation, the identification of the impact of attrition and its potential pathogenic role could add a new perspective to the current more tear film-oriented models of ocular surface disease. Treatment of DED addressing lubrication deficiencies and inflammation should also consider the decrease of attrition in order to stimulate epithelial recovery and neural regeneration. The importance of hyaluronic acid, its molecular characteristics, the extracellular matrix and autoregulative mechanisms in this process is outlined. The identification of the attrition and recognition of its impact in dry eye pathophysiology could contribute to a better understanding of the disease and optimized treatment regimens.