bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technological Methods of Forming Thin Semiconductor Layers. Part 1
Authors: Tsizh B. , Dziamski Z.
Published: June 2019

The review and analysis of the basic technological methods of formation of thin layers of semiconductor materials is presented. The timeframe for the occurrence of thin film technologies and the main centers of their localization are specified. It is shown that nowadays structure, properties and basic methods of obtaining thin films sufficiently well studied for not only simple but also complex, multi-component inorganic semiconductor materials, new areas of application and increase of requirements to the operational characteristics of devices on their basis require improvement of existing technologies and development of new methods for their synthesis, which involves a detailed analysis of the known, and the search for new, progressive methods of preparation. Due to the fact that the main methods for obtaining thin films of inorganic semiconductor materials are vacuum condensation and chemical precipitation, the first part of the review describes the methods of their vacuum application, in particular, thermal spraying in an open vacuum. It is shown that the most common way of obtaining thin films is the thermal spraying under resistive heating of the evaporator with the source material.We analyze the special structural and technological changes and improvement of traditional methods and systems of thermal spraying, which allow to equalize the ratio of the chemical composition of thin films and the source material, improve the stoichiometry of condensates, and ensure their homogeneity.The designs of thermal evaporators with resistive heating of crucibles in an open vacuum with sublimation or evaporation of one and two substances are presented. It is shown how these types of evaporators exclude the transfer of solid particles into evaporating or sublimation into the vapor phase and eliminate direct vapor deposition on the condensation surface, which more or less protects against heterogeneous condensate inclusions.It is shown that the methods analyzed or their modifications are nowadays the necessary means for the creation of thin-film semiconductor structures with predetermined properties, while vacuum deposition, in particular, traditional and modified thermal spraying in a vacuum due to its simplicity(but at the same time its ability to effectively control a large the number of technological factors and create the necessary conditions for the growth of condensates) remains one of the most common ways of obtaining thin films, including inorganic semiconductors.
Investigation of a bifunctional food ingredient based on a biopolymer complex of plant origin
Authors: Okhotska M. I.
Published: June 2019

The article presents the results of studies on organoleptic, structural and mechanical, sanitary and hygienic quality indices and technological characteristics of a functional food ingredient with pro-and prebiotic properties. The technology of obtaining synbiotic is based on the process of immobilization of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the framework structure of the prebiotic. The raw material chosen for prebiotic production was a pulp of sugar beet, a product of processing. By physico-chemical composition of sugar beet pulp is capable of sorption of low molecular weight metabolites, toxins, radionuclides, and due to combinations of carbohydrate nature – to normalize the composition of intestinal microbiotics. In addition to using it as a “food” for microorganisms, it contributed to the protection of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria from aggressive conditions of the human digestive tract and was a protector for microorganisms, protecting them from the negative effects of the technological process – the tableting used to give the finished product a final form. The parameters of the tabletting process can affect the quantitative composition of viable microorganisms, which is associated with their deformation in an unprotected state under pressure. The amount of lactobacillus in the finished product, the tablet, was 7·108 CFU/g, and the bifidobacterium was 5·108 CFU/g, corresponding to a probiotic dose of not less than 1·108 g/cm3. An optimal shelf-life of the product, which is 9 months at a temperature of 4 ± 2 °С, was also determined. During storage, the physiological state of the probiotic component of the functional food ingredient remains practically unchanged. The porous structure of the sugar beet biopolymer complex allows the cells to be well positioned and adsorbed on its surface. The extension of the shelf life is ensured by the carbohydrate composition of the biopolymer complex of plant origin.
Unconventional mushroom components in the recipe of dressing
Authors: Romashkо I. , Maуkovа S.
Published: June 2019

The taste of many dishes depends on the sauces that complement them. This includes hot dishes, cold appetizers, and salads. Іt is proposed to expand the range of restaurant products by using salad dressings with a fungal therapeutic effect. The expediency of introducing functional ingredients into the recipe composition of sauces is considered. The characteristics of mushrooms of maitake and mushroom powder on their basis for the development of medicines and prophylactic appointments were studied. The healing mushroom Maitaique (maitake) became the object of modern science, just recently - only a few decades ago - and to this day the scientists do not cease to see new useful and curative properties. This mushroom comes from the northeast of Japan and China and is quite rare and extremely tasty. Substances that are part of maitake stimulate, activate and prolong the growth of the cells of the body, responsible for the destruction of all alien, including malignant formations. The use of nutrition by healthy people can significantly increase the immunity to diseases, including oncology. Mushroom also affects all types of malignant organisms, slowing down their development and stimulating the breakdown of “bad” cells. One way to enrich the dish with functional ingredients is to use semi-finished products, for example, dry powders based on raw materials that have therapeutic and prophylactic properties. The recipes of mayonnaise dressing sauce using mushrooms maitake are developed. Organoleptic properties of cooked dressing with different contents of mushroom powder are investigated. The physical and chemical characteristics of functional mushroom sauces have been determined and their conformity to the normative requirements has been confirmed. Their compliance with the normative requirements is confirmed. The optimal ratio of components in the composition of mayonnaise dressing with the addition of mushroom powder maitake is established and prospects of further experiments are presented in order to improve it.
Assessment of organoleptic and functional-technological indices of truncated semi-finished products
Authors: Simonova I. I. , Peshuk L. V.
Published: June 2019

Manufacturing of chopped products of poultry meat and lentils is one of the promising areas of meat food production. The combination of animal and plant components allows to supplement the products with lacking biologically active substances and to obtain food products with a required chemical composition. In this respect, issues related to the investigation of the possibility to use lentil flour, maize grits in prefabricated poultry meat products, and the improvement of their technology are relevant. An analytical review of the literature was conducted, meat for processing was selected, new recipes of truncated semi-finished products using lentil flour, maize grits were developed, organoleptic parameters of truncated semi-finished products were determined, physicochemical and functional-technological properties of minced meat products of semi-finished raw and finished products were investigated. The main raw material for the production of semi-finished products is semi-lean pork, goose meat, chicken meat, sprouted lentil flour, maize grits for pre-dust and other components according to the developed formulation. Cutlets were taken as a control sample, its recipe include first grade beef, semi-lean pork, wheat flour bread, wheat bread wheat bread and other ingredients. According to the organoleptic evaluation of new types of minced semi-finished products, it was found that the best organoleptic properties had samples that included semi-lean pork and chicken meat, with addition of 8% of sprouted lentil flour and chicken meat, with the addition of 12% of lentil flour. It was revealed that meat and lentil flour cause the increase of the weight fraction of protein (16.91, 18.04%) in specimens number 1 and number 3. The moisture- and grease-retention capacity of the products is improved by the use of lentil flour and maize grits for pre-dust in samples No. 2 and No. 3
Application of 3D GIS Flood Simulation to Investigate the Source of Inundation at Pekan Sub-District
Authors: Shammodin Muhammad shaheed
Published: June 2019

Flood is usually caused by heavy precipitation that eventually lead to river spillage. In some rare cases, inundation could happen due to the accumulation of water on land cover resulting in stagnant flooding. Pekan sub-district is chosen as the ideal study area to determine the type of flood in this location. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) approach, 3-Dimensional inundation simulation procedure is applied to discover the real source of flooding at the study area. This study is performed to observe flood pattern over the study area based on the river surface level readings of nearby Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (DID) station. Flood simulation used SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) dataset to produce Pekan sub-district topography into 3D TIN (triangulated irregular network) model. Additionally, water body layer represents specific Pahang River gauge level offsets for overland inundation and river expansion inspection. Historical datasets of Pahang River hydrograph at station 3434401 published by DID were used to find the peak level. Results from inundation model instances show that very few overtopping incidences observed along Pahang River within the study boundary. Still, signs of the growing number of water spots on land cover positively indicate that inundation is again happening. This situation concludes that Pekan sub-district flood occurrences are caused by stagnant flooding. Justification is done through photographic evidence and historical DID hydrograph datasets of the year 2007 to the 1st quarter of 2018.
Olaus Sirman runojen vertailevaa luentaa
Authors: Kallio Kati , Valtonen Taarna , Jouste Marko
Published: June 2019

Olaus Sirman runojen vertailevaa luentaa: runojen poetiikka ja rakenne ympäröivien kulttuurien tekstien näkökulmasta

Vuonna 1673 Uppsalan yliopiston professori ja Ruotsin antikviteettikollegion assessori Johannes Schefferus julkaisi latinaksi kirjan Lapponia, joka sisältää kaksi Olaus Sirman antamaa runoa. Sirma oli Sodankylän alueella syntynyt saamelainen, Uppsalan yliopiston opiskelija ja myöhemmin pappismies Enontekiöllä. Sirman runojen luonteesta on kiistelty: ovatko ne yksilöllisiä taiteellisia luomuksia vai esimerkkejä tämän myöhemmin assimiloituneen saamelaisryhmän alkuperäisestä suullisen perinteen lajista? Dokumentoiko Sirma omaa suullista perinnettään, käytti tai muokkasi sitä kirjallisiin tarkoituksiin vai loiko hän jotain uutta?

Yhdistäen kielitieteen, folkloristiikan ja etnomusikologian näkökulmia vertailemme runoanalyysin tuloksia 1600-luvun oppineisiin runousihanteisiin sekä myöhemmin tallentuneisiin lähikulttuurien suullisiin perinteisiin (saami, suomi, ruotsi, venäjä). Sirman kaksi runoa näyttävän kuuluvaan kahteen eri laulun lajiin tai tyyliin. Ensimmäinen runo on selvästi sidoksissa sekä suullisena että kirjallisena laajalti suosittuun riiimillisen parisäkeen malliin, mutta se ei jaa olennaisimpia 1600-luvun kirjallisen runouden ihanteita. Toisen runon rakentumisen logiikka vaihtelevine säerakenteineen taas on lähempänä esimerkiksi joitain myöhempiä kolttasaamelaisia leu’ddeja kuin kirjallisia malleja.
Lähtökielen sanansisäisten soinnittomien klusiilien edustus kantasuomen balttilaislainoissa: Osa II. Edustus kohdekielen pitkän tavuaineksen jäljessä
Authors: Junttila Santeri
Published: June 2019

In this article I intend to prove that the word-internal Baltic tenuis consonants k, t and p after a long syllable appear as the single stops k, t and p in old Baltic loanwords in Proto-Finnic in all regular instances, to confirm that all Finnic geminate stops after a long syllable have arisen after the end of the contacts between Baltic and Proto-Finnic.

I will critically assess the Baltic loan etymologies which contain geminate stops kk, tt and pp after a long syllable, at which point most of such etymologies will be rejected, and either the long syllable or the geminate stop in the Baltic loanwords kaikki, laukko and peikko in Finnish, malk and kurt in Estonian, will be shown to be secondary. Vowel contraction, like in kaikki, will be claimed as a frequent source of Finnic -ai-. In the possible Baltic loanwords haukkua, paukkua, ronkkua, harakka and peippo, the geminate stop will be explained as onomatopoeic. The two historically geminated Baltic borrowings, South Estonian kaugas and ärk ́, originate from more recent local contacts with Old Latgalian.

I will give more credible etymological explanations for 29 Finnic words, once claimed to be of Baltic origin. 18 of these explanations are already known, but I will specify the etymologies given to Finnish aitta, seitti, vaikku and Estonian kärpima, and support the origins of Finnish kartta, riitta and South Estonian kirges with new arguments. I will suggest new etymologies for 11 words: Finnish haitta, karppa, kurpponen, liettää, porkkana, Karelian nautti, Estonian karp, paat, Livonian keŗk, South Estonian käo|kirǵ and virṕ.

I will also present several cases, where words of different origin with similarities in both form and meaning have an influence on each other’s phonological and/or semantic development.
Saumatonta yhteistyötä ‒ Julie Wichmannin tutkimukset csángó-unkarilaisista
Authors: Lehtinen Ildikó
Published: June 2019

Julie Wichmann eli unkarilaisittain Zsüli Wichmann vietti miehensä Yrjö Wichmannin kanssa syys- ja kevättalven marraskuusta 1906 maaliskuun loppuun 1907  Moldovan Szabófalvan kylässä Romaniassa. Pariskunta asui varakkaan talonpojan Anton Robin (rom. Antal Robun) perheessä. Matkasta Julie ehti julkaista kolme artikkelia tapakulttuurin alalta. Kirjoitukset perustuivat nuoren naisen havaintoihin ja haastatteluihin. Kuvauksissa hän tarkasteli tapakulttuuria ajan, paikan ja sosiaalisen sidonnaisuuden kautta, kuten kansatieteeen tutkimuksessa on aina ollut tapana.
Yrjö Wichmannin keruuvuosi Komissa
Authors: Kokkonen Paula
Published: June 2019

Yrjö Wichmannin (1868–1932) kiinnostus permiläisiin kieliin vei hänet tutkimusmatkoille ensin udmurttien pariin ja 10 vuotta myöhemmin vuosina 1901–02 komien maille. Matkaa varten Wichmann oli saanut ns. Aleksanderin stipendin; sen turvin kerätty mittava aineisto julkaistiin murretekstikokoelmana Syrjänische Volksdichtung (342 sivua) vuonna 1916 ja T. E. Uotilan vuonna 1942 toimittamana murresanakirjana Syrjänischer Wortschatz (486 sivua, n. 10 000 sanaa).

 Yrjö Wichmann oli ahkera päiväkirjojen ja kirjeiden kirjoittaja, joka piti matkoillaankin tiiviisti yhteyttä paitsi tutkijatovereihinsa – erityisesti Suomalais-Ugrilaisen Seuran sihteeriksi hänen sijaisekseen tulleeseen Jooseppi Julius Mikkolaan – myös kotiväkeensä, etenkin äitiinsä Charlotta Wilhelmina Wichmanniin, jonka saamia kirjeitä komien ja permjakkien mailta on julkaistu kaikkiaan 16 teoksessa Matkamuistiinpanoja (SUST 195).
Anadolu’da İklime Bağlı Kıtlık Afeti ve Risk Yönetimi
Authors: VAROL Nehir , SELİMOĞLU Eda , GÜLTEKİN Timur
Published: June 2019

Afet, ekonomik ve sosyal kayıplara neden olan, sosyal hayatı kesintiye uğratan ve ani olarak gelişen ve yerel kapasite ile üstesinden gelinemeyen olaylar olarak tanımlanır. Doğa kaynaklı ya da insan/teknoloji kaynaklı afetler aynı zamanda yavaş gelişen ve ani gelişen afetler olarak da sınıflandırılmaktadır. İklim değişiklikleri, kuraklık, çölleşme ve bu süreçlere bağlı olarak gelişen kıtlık afeti de yavaş gelişen afetler sınıfında değerlendirilebilir. Dünya coğrafyasının birçok bölümünde insanoğlunun varoluşundan bu yana yaşanan kıtlık afeti dönem dönem Anadolu topraklarında da etkili olmuştur. Kıtlık, uzun süre yiyecek yetersizliğinin bir sonucu olarak ortaya çıkar. Yağışların azlığı ile su kaynakları azalmaya başlar ve kuraklığın etkisi artmaya başlar. Kıtlık, açlık ve susuzluk ciddi sonuçlara neden olabilir. Anadolu tarihi dönemler boyunca, özellikle yağışların azlığı ve çekirge istilaları nedeniyle kıtlık afetine maruz kalmıştır. Hatta efsaneler, destanlara konu olan önemli kıtlıklar göç olgusunu da beraberinde getirmiştir. İnsan göçü, din, kültür, ekonomi, savaş, terör ve afet gibi faktörlerle gerçekleşmektedir. Genellikle bu göçler zorunlu nedenlerle ortaya çıkmış, yiyecek bulma arayışından ya da diğer türden afetlerden kaynaklanmıştır. Kuraklık ve buna bağlı oluşan kıtlık iklim değişikliklerinin hızlanması ile artış göstermektedir. Bu alışmada kıtlık afeti kavramı, türleri, tarihte yaşanan kıtlık olayları anlatılmış ve kıtlık afetine karşı alınabilecek önlemler ve risk yönetimi tartışılmıştır.
Rural and ecological tourism: modern tendencies and role in the increase of level of socio-economic development of rural population of Ukraine
Authors: Kotsenko Kateryna
Published: June 2019

The aim of the article is an analysis of modern tendencies atdevelopment of rural and ecological tourism in Ukraine as tothe type of entrepreneurial activity in rural locali, research of his influence on development of rural territories, and- problems, that arise up in his organization. Researchmethodology consists in the use of totality of methods : dialectical, statistical, historical and comparative: exactly theanalysis of experience of development of rural tourism in thecountries of Western and East Europe convinces of necessityof development of rural and ecological tourism for rural localities. The scientific novelty of the got results consists in opening of factors that assist to development of rural and ecological tourism in Ukraine, research of role of cluster models of his organization, and also value of increaseof level of enterprise form of peasants, in the decision ofproblems of him dynamic development in the conditions of thecrisis phenomena. Conclusions. For today in rural localitythere is a sufficient fund of accommodation for Devel- opmentof green tourism, but for his organization convincing information is needed about possibility of bringing in ofvillagers to the recreational-tourist en- terprise, convinced ofadvantages of realization of such activity, that testifies to thenecessity of increase of universal and professional education,enterprise form of peasants-farmers
The main ways to collect clients email-addresses in the
implementation of email-marketing
Authors: Fedorchenko Andrii , Ponomarenko Igor
Published: June 2019

The subject of the research is a set of methods for collecting emailaddresses of users as part of the implementation of the company’s email marketing strategy.The purpose of writing this article is to study the main approaches to the formation of the company’s base of potential customers emailaddresses to increase conversion as a result of using a comprehensive email-marketing strategy. Methodology. The research methodology is to use a combination of methods: system-structural and comparative analyzes (to form a mechanism for the effective functioning of the company’s email-marketing); monographic (when studying the basic methods of collecting email-addresses of the company potential customers); economic analysis (in assessing the conversion as a result of using various approaches of email-marketing). The scientific novelty consist features of email-marketing functioning in modern conditions are identified as an important tool of digital marketing in the process of building effective communication between a company and its target audience. The main offline ways of collecting postal addresses of potential customers in the framework of the email databases formation are considered, and the specifics of influencing the target audience with the aim of providing voluntary contact information are disclosed. The main online ways of potential clients collecting email are investigated and their characteristics are given. Conclusions. The use of various methods of collecting electronic postal addresses of users as part of the implementation of the email-marketing strategy will allow the company to enhance communication with the target audience, which ultimately will have a positive effect on conversion growth.
Intact Forest in Selective Logging Landscapes in the Tropics
Authors: Putz Francis E. , Baker Tracy , Griscom Bronson W. , Gopalakrishna Trisha , Roopsind Anand , Umunay Peter M. , Zalman Joey , Ellis Edward A. , Ruslandi  , Ellis Peter W.
Published: June 2019

The selective logging that characterizes most timber extraction operations in the tropics leaves large patches of logging blocks (i.e., areas allocated for harvesting) intact, without evidence of direct impacts. For example, in ~10,000 ha sampled in 48 forest management enterprises in Africa (Gabon, Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo), Indonesia, Suriname, and Mexico, an average of 69% (range 20–97%) of the area in logging blocks was not directly affected by timber harvests. The proportion of intact forest within logging blocks decreased very slightly with increases in harvest intensity in the accessed portion of the logging blocks (9–86 m3 ha−1) but decreased strongly with harvest intensity in entire logging blocks (0.3–48.2 m3 ha−1). More forest was left intact in areas farther from roads, on slopes >40%, and within 25 m of perennial streams, but the effect sizes of each of these variables was small (~8%). It is less clear how much of the intact forest left after one harvest will remain intact through the next. Conservation benefits without reductions in timber yields will derive from better management planning so that sensitive and ecologically critical areas, such as steep slopes and riparian buffers, constitute large and permanent proportions of the intact forest in selectively logged landscapes in the tropics.
Activated PPARγ Abrogates Misprocessing of Amyloid Precursor Protein, Tau Missorting and Synaptotoxicity
Authors: Moosecker Susanne , Gomes Patrícia , Dioli Chrysoula , Yu Shuang , Sotiropoulos Ioannis , Almeida Osborne F. X.
Published: June 2019

Type 2 diabetes increases the risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Pioglitazone (Pio), a pharmacological agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), improves insulin sensitivity and has been suggested to have potential in the management of AD symptoms, albeit through mostly unknown mechanisms. We here investigated the potential of Pio to counter synaptic malfunction and loss, a characteristic of AD pathology and its accompanying cognitive deficits. Results from experiments on primary mouse neuronal cultures and a human neural cell line (SH-SY5Y) show that Pio treatment attenuates amyloid β (Aβ)-triggered the pathological (mis-) processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and inhibits Aβ-induced accumulation and hyperphosphorylation of Tau. These events are accompanied by increased glutamatergic receptor 2B subunit (GluN2B) levels that are causally linked with neuronal death. Further, Pio treatment blocks Aβ-triggered missorting of hyperphosphorylated Tau to synapses and the subsequent loss of PSD95-positive synapses. These latter effects of Pio are PPARγ-mediated since they are blocked in the presence of GW9662, a selective PPARγ inhibitor. Collectively, these data show that activated PPARγ buffer neurons against APP misprocessing, Tau hyperphosphorylation and its missorting to synapses and subsequently, synaptic loss. These first insights into the mechanisms through which PPARγ influences synaptic loss make a case for further exploration of the potential usefulness of PPARγ agonists in the prevention and treatment of synaptic pathology in AD.
Learning Output Reference Model Tracking for Higher-Order Nonlinear Systems with Unknown Dynamics
Authors: Radac Mircea-Bogdan , Lala Timotei
Published: June 2019

This work suggests a solution for the output reference model (ORM) tracking control problem, based on approximate dynamic programming. General nonlinear systems are included in a control system (CS) and subjected to state feedback. By linear ORM selection, indirect CS feedback linearization is obtained, leading to favorable linear behavior of the CS. The Value Iteration (VI) algorithm ensures model-free nonlinear state feedback controller learning, without relying on the process dynamics. From linear to nonlinear parameterizations, a reliable approximate VI implementation in continuous state-action spaces depends on several key parameters such as problem dimension, exploration of the state-action space, the state-transitions dataset size, and a suitable selection of the function approximators. Herein, we find that, given a transition sample dataset and a general linear parameterization of the Q-function, the ORM tracking performance obtained with an approximate VI scheme can reach the performance level of a more general implementation using neural networks (NNs). Although the NN-based implementation takes more time to learn due to its higher complexity (more parameters), it is less sensitive to exploration settings, number of transition samples, and to the selected hyper-parameters, hence it is recommending as the de facto practical implementation. Contributions of this work include the following: VI convergence is guaranteed under general function approximators; a case study for a low-order linear system in order to generalize the more complex ORM tracking validation on a real-world nonlinear multivariable aerodynamic process; comparisons with an offline deep deterministic policy gradient solution; implementation details and further discussions on the obtained results.
Impact of Significant Dyads on Dominance Indices in Pigs
Authors: Büttner Kathrin , Czycholl Irena , Mees Katharina , Krieter Joachim
Published: June 2019

Dominance indices are calculated by considering the differences between the number of won and lost fights. Whether these differences show a significant asymmetric outcome or not is neglected. Thus, two calculation methods for the limits of significant dyads are proposed using a sign test based on the differences in won and lost fights, considering all dyadic interactions in the pen (PEN: pen individual limits), and a sign test focusing on each individual dyad (DYAD: dyad individual limits). These were compared to the data set containing all dyadic interactions (ALL). Agonistic interactions in three mixing events were video recorded for two and a half days (weaned piglets) or one and a half days (fattening pigs, gilts). Dominance indices (DI) were calculated for all data sets. Pen/dyad individual limits revealed a small number of significant dyads (weaned piglets: 12.4%/8.8%; fattening pigs: 4.2%/0.6%; gilts: 3.6%/0.4%). Pen individual limits should be selected as they allow adaption of the limits according to the fighting frequency. Spearman rank correlation coefficients of the dominance indices between the data sets were always above 0.7, implying that the rank order remained relatively stable. Information about the impact of significant dyads on sociometric measures is important to prevent misinterpretations about the social structure in animal groups and should be considered in future studies.
A Vision Servo System for Automated Harvest of Sweet Pepper in Korean Greenhouse Environment
Authors: Lee BongKi , Kam DongHwan , Min ByeongRo , Hwa JiHo , Oh SeBu
Published: June 2019

Recently, farmers of sweet pepper suffer from the increase of its unit production costs due to the rise of labor costs. The rise of unit production costs of sweet pepper, on the other hand, decreases its productivity and causes the lack of its farming expertise, thus resulting in the quality degradation of products. In this regard, it is necessary to introduce an automated robot harvest system into the farming of sweet pepper. In this study, the authors developed an image-based closed-loop control system (a vision servo system) and an automated sweet pepper harvesting robot system and then carried out experiments to verify its efficiency. The working area of the manipulator that detects products through an imaging sensor in the farming environment of sweet pepper, decides whether to harvest it or not, and then informs the location of the product to the control center, which is set up at the distance scope of 350~600 mm from the center of the system and 1000 mm vertically. In order to confirm the performance of the sweet pepper recognition in this study, 269 sweet pepper images were used to extract fruits. Of 269 sweet pepper images, 82.16% were recognized successfully. The harvesting experiment of the system developed in this study was carried out with 100 sweet peppers. The result of experiment with 100 sweet peppers presents the fact that its approach rate to peduncle is about 86.7%, and via four sessions of repetitive harvest experiment it achieves a maximal 70% harvest rate, and its average time of harvest is 51.1 s.
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Anti-MOG Syndromes
Authors: Lana-Peixoto Marco A. , Talim Natália
Published: June 2019

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) syndromes are immune-mediated inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system that frequently involve the optic nerves and the spinal cord. Because of their similar clinical manifestations and habitual relapsing course they are frequently confounded with multiple sclerosis (MS). Early and accurate diagnosis of these distinct conditions is relevant as they have different treatments. Some agents used for MS treatment may be deleterious to NMOSD. NMOSD is frequently associated with antibodies which target aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most abundant water channel in the CNS, located in the astrocytic processes at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). On the other hand, anti-MOG syndromes result from damage to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), expressed on surfaces of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths. Acute transverse myelitis with longitudinally extensive lesion on spinal MRI is the most frequent inaugural manifestation of NMOSD, usually followed by optic neuritis. Other core clinical characteristics include area postrema syndrome, brainstem, diencephalic and cerebral symptoms that may be associated with typical MRI abnormalities. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and bilateral or recurrent optic neuritis are the most frequent anti-MOG syndromes in children and adults, respectively. Attacks are usually treated with steroids, and relapses prevention with immunosuppressive drugs. Promising emerging therapies for NMOSD include monoclonal antibodies and tolerization.
Roles of Toll-Like Receptors in Nitroxidative Stress in Mammals
Authors: Li Yao , Deng Shou-Long , Lian Zheng-Xing , Yu Kun
Published: June 2019

Free radicals are important antimicrobial effectors that cause damage to DNA, membrane lipids, and proteins. Professional phagocytes produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) that contribute towards the destruction of pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a fundamental role in the innate immune response and respond to conserved microbial products and endogenous molecules resulting from cellular damage to elicit an effective defense against invading pathogens, tissue injury, or cancer. In recent years, several studies have focused on how the TLR-mediated activation of innate immune cells leads to the production of pro-inflammatory factors upon pathogen invasion. Here, we review recent findings that indicate that TLRs trigger a signaling cascade that induces the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
Solar Irradiance and Temperature Variability and Projected Trends Analysis in Burundi
Authors: Lawin Agnidé Emmanuel , Niyongendako Marc , Manirakiza Célestin
Published: June 2019

This paper assessed the variability and projected trends of solar irradiance and temperature in the East of Burundi. Observed temperature from meteorological stations and the MERRA-2 data set provided by NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center are used over the historical period 1976–2005. In addition, solar irradiance data provided by SoDa database were considered. Furthermore, projection data from eight Regional Climate Models were used over the periods 2026–2045 and 2066–2085. The variability analysis was performed using a standardized index. Projected trends and changes in the future climate were respectively detected through Mann-Kendall and t-tests. The findings over the historical period revealed increase temperature and decrease in solar irradiance over the last decades of the 20th century. At a monthly scale, the variability analysis showed that excesses in solar irradiance coincide with the dry season, which led to the conclusion that it may be a period of high production for solar energy. In the future climate, upward trends in temperature are expected over the two future periods, while no significant trends are forecasted in solar irradiance over the entire studied region. However, slight decreases and significant changes in solar irradiance have been detected over all regions.
A High Performance Optimizing Method for Modeling Photovoltaic Cells and Modules Array Based on Discrete Symbiosis Organism Search
Authors: Bouali Chaabane , Schulte Horst , Mami Abdelkader
Published: June 2019

Exact models are a necessary prerequisite for optimal hardware configuration and the design of high-performance controllers. The photovoltaic system is considered a dynamic nonlinear multimodal system, where an optimization method must be used to resolve non-linearity and to identify the parameters describing the models of such systems. This has incited several researchers to work on and to develop several optimization methods. Recently, a number of methods have been proposed, including deterministic approaches, as well as probabilistic and stochastic numerical approaches, that aimed at obtaining a more accurate model for the PV cell and module array. This paper demonstrates the application of a performance optimization method based on discrete symbiotic organism search (DSOS), that mimics the behaviors of an organism in an ecosystem to survive. The high performance of such a method is attributable to the simplicity of the algorithm used; this algorithm is different from other heuristic algorithms, in that the GA needs two tuning parameters, i.e., the cross over and mutation rate, while the harmony search needs three rules to adjust and improvise new harmony, being memory consideration, pitch adjustment, and random choosing. Meanwhile, in the ABC algorithm, three phases are introduced to find the best food source, that is, the employed bee, the onlooker bee, and the scout bee phases, while the DSOS algorithm did not need any tuning parameters, wherein the proposed algorithm was used in both a single diode and double diode model across three test cases in the study. Compared to other previously published works, the level of performance of the algorithm is high in both implementation and accuracy; the DSOS algorithm is more capable of reaching the best set of solutions. The Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test to evaluate the discrete solutions of the algorithm for multiple runs with a 5% degree of confidence was evaluated and performed with a good level of accuracy.
A Lithium-ion Battery RUL Prediction Method Considering the Capacity Regeneration Phenomenon
Authors: Pang Xiaoqiong , Huang Rui , Wen Jie , Shi Yuanhao , Jia Jianfang , Zeng Jianchao
Published: June 2019

Prediction of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of lithium-ion batteries plays a significant role in battery health management. Battery capacity is often chosen as the Health Indicator (HI) in research on lithium-ion battery RUL prediction. In the rest time of batteries, capacity will produce a certain degree of regeneration phenomenon, which exists in the use of each battery. Therefore, considering the capacity regeneration phenomenon in RUL prediction of lithium-ion batteries is helpful to improve the prediction performance of the model. In this paper, a novel method fusing the wavelet decomposition technology (WDT) and the Nonlinear Auto Regressive neural network (NARNN) model for predicting the RUL of a lithium-ion battery is proposed. Firstly, the multi-scale WDT is used to separate the global degradation and local regeneration of a battery capacity series. Then, the RUL prediction framework based on the NARNN model is constructed for the extracted global degradation and local regeneration. Finally, the two parts of the prediction results are combined to obtain the final RUL prediction result. Experiments show that the proposed method can not only effectively capture the capacity regeneration phenomenon, but also has high prediction accuracy and is less affected by different prediction starting points.
Design and Simulation of an LQR-PI Control Algorithm for Medium Wind Turbine
Authors: Kim Kwansu , Kim Hyun-Gyu , Song Yuan , Paek Insu
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a new linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and proportional integral (PI) hybrid control algorithm for a permanent-magnet synchronous-generator (PMSG) horizontal-axis wind turbine was developed and simulated. The new algorithm incorporates LQR control into existing PI control structures as a feed-forward term to improve the performance of a conventional PI control. A numerical model based on MATLAB/Simulink and a commercial aero-elastic code were constructed for the target wind turbine, and the new control technique was applied to the numerical model to verify the effect through simulation. For the simulation, the performance data were compared after applying the PI, LQR, and LQR-PI control algorithms to the same wind speed conditions with and without noise in the generator speed. Also, the simulations were performed in both the transition region and the rated power region. The LQR-PI algorithm was found to reduce the standard deviation of the generator speed by more than 20% in all cases regardless of the noise compared with the PI algorithm. As a result, the proposed LQR-PI control increased the stability of the wind turbine in comparison with the conventional PI control.
Forecasting Corporate Failure in the Chinese Energy Sector: A Novel Integrated Model of Deep Learning and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Xu Wei , Pan Yuchen , Chen Wenting , Fu Hongyong
Published: June 2019

Accurate forecasts of corporate failure in the Chinese energy sector are drivers for both operational excellence in the national energy systems and sustainable investment of the energy sector. This paper proposes a novel integrated model (NIM) for corporate failure forecasting in the Chinese energy sector by considering textual data and numerical data simultaneously. Given the feature of textual data and numerical data, convolutional neural network oriented deep learning (CNN-DL) and support vector machine (SVM) are employed as the base classifiers to forecast using textual data and numerical data, respectively. Subsequently, soft set (SS) theory is applied to integrate outputs of CNN-DL and SVM. Hence, NIM inherits advantages and avoids disadvantages of CNN-DL, SVM, and SS. It is able to improve the forecasting performance by taking full use of textual data and numerical data. For verification, NIM is applied to the real data of Chinese listed energy firms. Empirical results indicate that, compared with benchmarks, NIM demonstrates superior performance of corporate failure forecasting in the Chinese energy sector.
A Generalized and Mode-Adaptive Approach to the Power Flow Analysis of the Isolated Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids
Authors: Xiao Yu , Ren Chunguang , Han Xiaoqing , Wang Peng
Published: June 2019

Hybrid AC/DC microgrids (HMG) are emerging as an attracting method for integrating AC/DC distributed energy resources (DERs). In the isolated hybrid AC/DC microgrid (IHMG), the key problem is how to balance power variation and regulate voltage and frequency. Various energy storage systems (ESS) and interlinking converter (IC) technologies are viable for this application. The present study proposes a novel unified power flow (PF) model which can be applied to compare and analyze the practical operation modes of the IHMG and, further, to evaluate and compare the abilities of the ESS with different connection topologies and ICs with different control approaches to maintain the voltage and frequency stability of the IHMG. Five operation modes of the IHMG are defined and explained. Then, a set of generic PF equations are derived. Moreover, three binary matrices are applied as input parameters of the unified power equations. These matrices enable a single operation mode of the IHMG at a time to be constructed in the power equation. Finally, the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed scheme are verified against the time domain simulation result. The quasi-steady-state behaviors of multi-DC subgrids IHMG in different modes after a range of load fluctuation are investigated. The results show that the use of multiple grid-forming units in the AC and DC subgrids, when IC adopted normalized.
Achievements of the European Union Countries in Seeking a Sustainable Electricity Sector
Authors: Siksnelyte Indre , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras
Published: June 2019

The electricity production sector has a significant share of final energy consumption and has a huge potential to use more renewable energy sources. Over the last two decades, the European Union (EU) reform of electricity markets has had positive results, and market liberalization acts as a stimulus for energy efficiency, lower prices, and technological progress. Today’s EU policy for the development of electricity and the entire energy sector seeks to provide system modernization, stability, reinforcement of the single market, and implementation of climate change policy with an emphasis on the decarbonization of energy sources and the increase of energy efficiency. After all of the EU efforts to form an electricity sector in member states, it is necessary to assess the efficiency of the policy implemented and to identify the results achieved in shaping a sustainable electricity sector. The purpose of this article is to carry out a sustainability assessment of the electricity sector in the EU countries. A set of eight indicators designed to assess the sustainability of the electricity sector of different EU countries in 2017 has been drawn up. The assessment is made using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) Technique for Order Preference (TOPSIS). The assessment shows that the electricity market of Slovenia is the most sustainable, with Luxembourg in the second position in the EU.
Ectopic Expression of Cold Responsive LlaCIPK Gene Enhances Cold Stress Tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Aslam Mohammad , Fakher Beenish , Anandhan Sivalingam , Pande Veena , Ahmed Zakwan , Qin Yuan
Published: June 2019

Low-temperature stress severely affects the growth, development, and geographical distribution of various crop plants, resulting in significant economic loss to producers. In a quest to identify cold-regulated genes, we constructed a cDNA suppression subtractive library from a high altitude adapted ecotype of Lepidium. We cloned a cold-induced gene LlaCIPK from the subtracted cDNA library which gave homology to Arabidopsis CIPK15 gene. The predicted 3D structure of LlaCIPK protein also showed homology with Arabidopsis CIPK protein. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis in Lepidium seedlings exposed to 6 h of cold stress shows a 3-fold increase in the expression of LlaCIPK transcript. The expression of LlaCIPK was also differentially regulated by ethylene, CaCl2, ABA, and SA treatments. Ethylene and CaCl2 treatments up regulated LlaCIPK expression, whereas ABA and SA treatments down regulated the LlaCIPK expression. Transgenic plants overexpressing LlaCIPK gene under constitutive promoter show an increased level of proline and cell membrane stability. Taken together, our results suggest that the LlaCIPK contributes to the cold-response pathway in Lepidium plants.
Diabetes Mellitus and Colon Carcinogenesis: Expectation for Inhibition of Colon Carcinogenesis by Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs
Authors: Kato Junichi , Shirakami Yohei , Shimizu Masahito
Published: June 2019

The global deaths due to colorectal cancer and diabetes mellitus have increased by 57% and 90%, respectively. The relationship between various cancers and diabetes mellitus has been shown in multiple epidemiological studies. Hence, better management of diabetes mellitus is expected to reduce the risk of various cancers. This review focuses on colorectal cancer and aims to summarize recent findings on the antitumor effects of various oral hypoglycemic drugs on colorectal cancer and their estimated mechanisms. Of the seven classes of oral hypoglycemic agents, only metformin was found to have suppressive effects on colorectal cancer in both clinical and basic research. Clinical and basic researches on suppressing effects of glinides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, thiazolidinedione, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors against colon carcinogenesis have been insufficient and have not arrived at any conclusion. Therefore, further research regarding these agents is warranted. In addition, the suppressive effects of these agents in healthy subjects without diabetes should also be investigated.
Do the Emotions of Middle-Income Mothers Affect Fetal Development More Than Those of High-Income Mothers?—The Association between Maternal Emotion and Fetal Development
Authors: Kim Dasom , Lee Insook , Bang Kyung-Sook , Kim Sungjae , Yi Yunjeong
Published: June 2019

This study examines the relationship between the emotions of mothers and fetal development and explores the modifying effect that family income has on this relationship. Socio-demographic information, maternal depression, stress, positive and negative emotions, and maternal-fetal attachment data were collected at 16–20 weeks of pregnancy. Data on fetal body weight and biparietal diameter indicating fetal development were collected at 33–35 weeks to observe the longitudinal effects of mothers’ emotions on fetal development. We divided subjects into two groups: those with more than 150% of the median income were classified as the high-income group and less than 150% as the middle-income group. T-test, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis on maternal emotional status and fetal development were performed for each group. A positive correlation was found between maternal-fetal attachment and negative emotion that was associated with the biparietal diameter and fetal body weight only in the middle-income group. Results of the multiple regression analysis were statistically significant, indicating that maternal-fetal attachment was associated with fetal weight. These results show that the management of subjective emotion is associated with healthy development of the fetus and contributes to health equity.