bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Holistic Success Model for Sustainable E-Learning: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Authors: Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed , Albelbisi Nour Awni , Hujran Omar , Al-Rahmi Waleed Mugahed , Alkhalifah Ali
Published: August 2021

In higher education learning, e-learning systems have become renowned tools worldwide. The evident importance of e-learning in higher education has resulted in a prenominal increase in the number of e-learning systems delivering various forms of services, especially when traditional education (face-to-face) was suddenly forced to move online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Accordingly, assessing e-learning systems is pivotal in the interest of effective use and successful implementation. By relying on the related literature review, an extensive model is developed by integrating the information system success model (ISSM) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) to illustrate key factors that influence the success of e-learning systems. Based on the proposed model, theory-based hypotheses are tested through structural equation modeling employing empirical data gathered through a survey questionnaire of 537 students from three private universities in Jordan. The findings demonstrate that quality factors, including instructor, technical system, support service, educational systems, and course content quality, have a direct positive influence on students’ satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and system use. Moreover, self-regulated learning negatively affects students’ satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and system use. Students’ satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and system use are key predictors of their academic performance. These findings provide e-learning stakeholders with important implications that guarantee the effective, successful use of e-learning that positively affects students’ learning.
The Study of Dust Removal Using Electrostatic Cleaning System for Solar Panels
Authors: Altıntaş Murat , Arslan Serdal
Published: August 2021

This study explores the use of electrostatic cleaning to remove dust from the surface of photovoltaic solar panels. First of all, existing systems used for dust removal from solar panels were evaluated. Then, the effects of dust on the panel were investigated for Şanlıurfa province in Turkey. In addition, the elemental content of the powder was analyzed. A new device for electrostatic cleaning has been designed and implemented. The cleaning performance of this device has been tested considering the electrode designs. The electric field value was determined by analytical and numerical methods in the conventional model (parallel electrode) model. Electric field distribution was investigated using Ansys Maxwell simulation software. The printed circuit boards of the proposed model and the conventional model were produced. The traditional model with positive and negative waveform is widely used in electrostatic cleaner studies. Dust removal efficiencies and electrical losses for different frequency and voltage values were compared for both cards. It has been shown that the proposed model can perform cleaning with high efficiency despite similar loss variation.
Development of a Novel Helical-Ribbon Mixer Dryer for Conversion of Rural Slaughterhouse Wastes to an Organic Fertilizer and Implications in the Rural Circular Economy
Authors: Bhowmik Ankita , Bhunia Shantanu , Debsarkar Anupam , Mallick Rambilash , Roy Malancha , Mukherjee Joydeep
Published: August 2021

Organic wastes of rural slaughterhouses in developing countries comprise of blood and undigested rumen contents harboring infectious microbial pathogens and having impermissible BOD5 and COD values. Previously we demonstrated valorization of blood and rumen contents through drying and conversion to an efficacious organic fertilizer which was free from infectious pathogens and heavy metals. Here we describe fabrication of a novel helical-ribbon mixer dryer for transition from the current small-scale household cooking to equipment-driven sustainable production. Blood and rumen digesta mixed in a 3:1 ratio, having initial moisture of 85%, were dried at 90–110 °C for 3–4 h to attain 15.6% final moisture-containing organic fertilizer. Energy consumption and moisture extraction rate were 49.4 MJ per batch and 18.9 kg h−1 respectively. Using this method, small abattoir owners could emerge as multi-product producers to enhance earnings while farmers could source the fertilizer locally for organic farming. The two activities can be complementary to each other and become a sustainable circular economy model. We applied a spreadsheet-based model for calculation of cash flow, breakeven point and conducted financial cost–benefit analysis on the projected operation of the dryer. Fertilizer production parallel with the meat trade should be profitable for slaughterhouse owners and farmers apart from generating local employment opportunities.
Search of the Shortest Path in a Communication Network with Fuzzy Cost Functions
Authors: Valdés Lissette , Ariza Alfonso , Allende Sira M. , Triviño Alicia , Joya Gonzalo
Published: August 2021

A communication network management system takes the measurements of its state variables at specific instants of time, considering them constant in the interval between two consecutive measurements. Nevertheless, this assumption is not true, since these variables evolve in real time. Therefore, uncertainty is inherent in the processing of the measurements during the intervals so that they cannot be efficiently managed using crisp variables. In this paper, we face this problem by modeling the communications network as a type-V fuzzy graph, where both the nodes and the links are described with precision, but the cost of each link is modeled as a triangular fuzzy number. Different fuzzy cost allocation functions and fuzzy optimization strategies are described and applied to the search for the shortest path between two nodes. An experimental study has been conducted using two representative networks: the backbone network of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and the National Science Foundation’s Network (NFSNET). In these networks, our fuzzy cost functions and strategies have been compared with the well-known crisp equivalents. The optimal search strategies are based on the proposed Fuzzy Dijkstra Algorithm (FDA), which is described deeply. The simulation results demonstrate that in all cases the fuzzy alternatives surpass or equal the crisp equivalents with statistically significant values. Specifically, the so-called Strategy 8 presents the best throughput, as it significantly exceeds the performance of all those evaluated, achieving a Global Mean Delivery Rate (GMDR) close to 1.
An Implementation Suite for a Hybrid Public Key Infrastructure
Authors: Chia Jason , Heng Swee-Huay , Chin Ji-Jian , Tan Syh-Yuan , Yau Wei-Chuen
Published: August 2021

Public key infrastructure (PKI) plays a fundamental role in securing the infrastructure of the Internet through the certification of public keys used in asymmetric encryption. It is an industry standard used by both public and private entities that costs a lot of resources to maintain and secure. On the other hand, identity-based cryptography removes the need for certificates, which in turn lowers the cost. In this work, we present a practical implementation of a hybrid PKI that can issue new identity-based cryptographic keys for authentication purposes while bootstrapping trust with existing certificate authorities. We provide a set of utilities to generate and use such keys within the context of an identity-based environment as well as an external environment (i.e., without root trust to the private key generator). Key revocation is solved through our custom naming design which currently supports a few scenarios (e.g., expire by date, expire by year and valid for year). Our implementation offers a high degree of interoperability by incorporating X.509 standards into identity-based cryptography (IBC) compared to existing works on hybrid PKI–IBC systems. The utilities provided are minimalist and can be integrated with existing tools such as the Enterprise Java Bean Certified Authority (EJBCA).
Subclasses of Uniform Univalent Functions Associated with Srivastava and Attiya Operator
Authors: Yaseen Mohammad , Ali Irfan , Hussain Sardar Muhammad , Ro Jong-Suk
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we introduce new subclasses k−STs(p,β) and k−UKs(p,β) of analytic and univalent functions in the canonical domain associated with the Srivastava and Attiya operator. The radius problems of these subclasses regarding symmetrical points are investigated and compared with previous known results. Certain properties and conditions of these subclasses such as integral representation are also discussed in this work.
Certain Applications of Generalized Kummer’s Summation Formulas for 2F1
Authors: Choi Junesang
Published: August 2021

We present generalizations of three classical summation formulas 2F1 due to Kummer, which are able to be derived from six known summation formulas of those types. As certain simple particular cases of the summation formulas provided here, we give a number of interesting formulas for double-finite series involving quotients of Gamma functions. We also consider several other applications of these formulas. Certain symmetries occur often in mathematical formulae and identities, both explicitly and implicitly. As an example, as mentioned in Remark 1, evident symmetries are naturally implicated in the treatment of generalized hypergeometric series.
Analytical Fragility Curves for Seismic Design of Glass Systems Based on Cloud Analysis
Authors: Mattei Silvana , Bedon Chiara
Published: August 2021

Given the growing spread of glass as a construction material, the knowledge of structural response must be ensured, especially under dynamic accidental loads. In this regard, an increasingly popular method to probabilistically characterize the seismic response of a given structure is based on the use of “fragility” or “seismic vulnerability” curves. Most existing applications, however, typically refer to construction and structural members composed of traditional building materials. The present study extends and adapts such a calculation method to innovative structural glass systems, which are characterized by specific material properties and expected damage mechanisms, restraint details, and dynamic features. Suitable Engineering Demand Parameters (EDPs) for seismic design are thus required. In this paper, a major advantage is represented by the use of Cloud Analysis in the Cornell’s reliability method, for the seismic assessment of two different case-study glass systems. Cloud Analysis is known to represent a simple and immediate tool to analytically investigate a given (glass) structure by taking into account variations in seismic motions and uncertainties of structural parameters. Such a method is exploited by means of detailed three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element (FE) numerical models and non-linear dynamic analyses (ABAQUS/Standard). Critical issues and typical failure mechanisms for in-plane seismically loaded glass systems are discussed. The validity of reference EDPs are addressed for the examined solutions. Based on a broad seismic investigation (60 records in total), fragility curves are developed from parametric results, so as to support a multi-hazard performance-based design (PBD) procedure.
Construction of an Approximate Analytical Solution for Multi-Dimensional Fractional Zakharov–Kuznetsov Equation via Aboodh Adomian Decomposition Method
Authors: Rashid Saima , Kubra Khadija Tul , Guirao Juan Luis García
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the Aboodh transform is utilized to construct an approximate analytical solution for the time-fractional Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation (ZKE) via the Adomian decomposition method. In the context of a uniform magnetic flux, this framework illustrates the action of weakly nonlinear ion acoustic waves in plasma carrying cold ions and hot isothermal electrons. Two compressive and rarefactive potentials (density fraction and obliqueness) are illustrated. With the aid of the Caputo derivative, the essential concepts of fractional derivatives are mentioned. A powerful research method, known as the Aboodh Adomian decomposition method, is employed to construct the solution of ZKEs with success. The Aboodh transform is a refinement of the Laplace transform. This scheme also includes uniqueness and convergence analysis. The solution of the projected method is demonstrated in a series of Adomian components that converge to the actual solution of the assigned task. In addition, the findings of this procedure have established strong ties to the exact solutions to the problems under investigation. The reliability of the present procedure is demonstrated by illustrative examples. The present method is appealing, and the simplistic methodology indicates that it could be straightforwardly protracted to solve various nonlinear fractional-order partial differential equations.
Inhibition of Diarrheal Shellfish Toxins Accumulation in the Mussel Perna viridis by Curcumin and Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Yuan Kuan-Kuan , Duan Guo-Fang , Liu Qing-Yuan , Li Hong-Ye , Yang Wei-Dong
Published: August 2021

Diarrheal shellfish toxins (DSTs) are among the most widely distributed phytotoxins, and are associated with diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP) events in human beings all over the world. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to identify an effective method for toxin removal in bivalves. In this paper, we found that curcumin (CUR), a phytopolylphenol pigment, can inhibit the accumulation of DSTs (okadaic acid-eq) in the digestive gland of Perna viridis after Prorocentrum lima exposure. qPCR results demonstrated that CUR inhibited the induction of DSTs on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), hormone receptor 96 (HR96) and CYP3A4 mRNA, indicating that the CUR-induced reduction in DSTs may be correlated with the inhibition of transcriptional induction of AhR, HR96 and CYP3A4. The histological examination showed that P. lima cells caused severe damage to the digestive gland of P. viridis, and the addition of curcumin effectively alleviated the damage induced by P. lima. In conclusion, our findings provide a potential method for the effective removal of toxins from DST-contaminated shellfish.
An Update on Ciguatoxins and CTX-like Toxicity in Fish from Different Trophic Levels of the Selvagens Islands (NE Atlantic, Madeira, Portugal)
Authors: Costa Pedro Reis , Estévez Pablo , Soliño Lucía , Castro David , Rodrigues Susana Margarida , Timoteo Viriato , Leao-Martins José Manuel , Santos Carolina , Gouveia Neide , Diogène Jorge , Gago-Martínez Ana
Published: August 2021

The Selvagens Islands, which are a marine protected area located at the southernmost point of the Portuguese maritime zone, have been associated with fish harboring ciguatoxins (CTX) and linked to ciguatera fish poisonings. This study reports the results of a field sampling campaign carried out in September 2018 in these remote and rarely surveyed islands. Fifty-six fish specimens from different trophic levels were caught for CTX-like toxicity determination by cell-based assay (CBA) and toxin content analysis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Notably, high toxicity levels were found in fish with an intermediate position in the food web, such as zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) and barred hogfish (Bodianus scrofa), reaching levels up to 0.75 µg CTX1B equivalent kg−1. The LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed that C-CTX1 was the main toxin, but discrepancies between CBA and LC-MS/MS in D. cervinus and top predator species, such as the yellowmouth barracuda (Sphyraena viridis) and amberjacks (Seriola spp.), suggest the presence of fish metabolic products, which need to be further elucidated. This study confirms that fish from coastal food webs of the Selvagens Islands represent a high risk of ciguatera, raising important issues for fisheries and environmental management of the Selvagens Islands.
Dark Matter Sterile Neutrino from Scalar Decays
Authors: Popa Lucia Aurelia
Published: August 2021

We place constraints on DM sterile neutrino scalar decay production (SDP) assuming that sterile neutrinos representa fraction from the total Cold Dark Matter energy density. For the cosmological analysis we complement the CMB anisotropy measurements with CMB lensing gravitational potential measurements, that are sensitive to the DM distribution to high redshifts and with the cosmic shear data that constrain the gravitational potential at lower redshifts than CMB. We also use the most recent low-redshift BAO measurements that are insensitive to the non-linear effects, providing robust geometrical tests. We show that our datasets have enough sensitivity to constrain the sterile neutrino mass mνs and the mass fraction fS inside the co-moving free-streaming horizon. We find that the best fit value mνs=7.88±0.73 keV (68% CL) is in the parameter space of interest for DM sterile neutrino decay interpretation of the 3.5 keV X-ray line and that fS=0.86±0.07 (68% CL) is in agreement with the upper limit constraint on fS from the X-ray non-detection and Ly-α forest measurements that rejects fS=1 at 3σ. However, we expect that the future BAO and weak lensing surveys, such as EUCLID, will provide much more robust constraints.
Editorial to the Special Issue “80 Years of Professor Wigner’s Seminal Work: On Unitary Representations of the Inhomogeneous Lorentz Group”
Authors: Hoff da Silva Julio Marny
Published: August 2021

The present Special Issue is dedicated to celebrate 80 years of the Professor Eugene Paul Wigner paper “On Unitary Representations of the Inhomogeneous Lorentz Group”, published in 1939 [...]
Cross Talk between Viruses and Insect Cells Cytoskeleton
Authors: Khorramnejad Ayda , Perdomo Hugo D. , Palatini Umberto , Bonizzoni Mariangela , Gasmi Laila
Published: August 2021

Viruses are excellent manipulators of host cellular machinery, behavior, and life cycle, with the host cell cytoskeleton being a primordial viral target. Viruses infecting insects generally enter host cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis or membrane fusion mechanisms followed by transport of the viral particles to the corresponding replication sites. After viral replication, the viral progeny egresses toward adjacent cells and reaches the different target tissues. Throughout all these steps, actin and tubulin re-arrangements are driven by viruses. The mechanisms used by viruses to manipulate the insect host cytoskeleton are well documented in the case of alphabaculoviruses infecting Lepidoptera hosts and plant viruses infecting Hemiptera vectors, but they are not well studied in case of other insect–virus systems such as arboviruses–mosquito vectors. Here, we summarize the available knowledge on how viruses manipulate the insect host cell cytoskeleton, and we emphasize the primordial role of cytoskeleton components in insect virus motility and the need to expand the study of this interaction.
Persistence of Multiple Paramyxoviruses in a Closed Captive Colony of Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum)
Authors: Gibson Louise , Ribas Maria Puig , Kemp James , Restif Olivier , Suu-Ire Richard D. , Wood James L. N. , Cunningham Andrew A.
Published: August 2021

Bats have been identified as the natural hosts of several emerging zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, that can cause fatal disease in humans. Recently, African fruit bats with populations that roost in or near urban areas have been shown to harbour a great diversity of paramyxoviruses, posing potential spillover risks to public health. Understanding the circulation of these viruses in their reservoir populations is essential to predict and prevent future emerging diseases. Here, we identify a high incidence of multiple paramyxoviruses in urine samples collected from a closed captive colony of circa 115 straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum). The sequences detected have high nucleotide identities with those derived from free ranging African fruit bats and form phylogenetic clusters with the Henipavirus genus, Pararubulavirus genus and other unclassified paramyxoviruses. As this colony had been closed for 5 years prior to this study, these results indicate that within-host paramyxoviral persistence underlies the role of bats as reservoirs of these viruses.
Efficacy of Unsupervised Self-Collected Mid-Turbinate FLOQSwabs for the Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: D’Andrea Egildo Luca , Cossu Alessia Maria , Scrima Marianna , Messina Vincenzo , Iuliano Pasquale , Di Perna Felice , Pizza Marco , Pizza Fabio , Coppola Nicola , Rinaldi Luca , Bellizzi Anna Maria , Pelosi Chiara , Cocca Carmen , Frieri Angelo , Lo Calzo Fabio , Capasso Giovambattista , Castriciano Santina , Maggi Paolo , Fucci Alessandra , Caraglia Michele
Published: August 2021

Context: The Global Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has resulted in explosive patterns of transmission in most countries. Nasopharyngeal swabs were the specimen’s collection tools recommended for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and for monitoring infection outbreaks in communities. Our objective was to report the quality and efficacy of unsupervised self-collected mid turbinate “dry FLOQSwabs” (MT FLOQSwabs) (56380CS01, Copan). There were 111 specimens collected for the study: 36 by health care personnel, from themselves, to verify the quality and efficacy of mid-turbinate swabs; 75 to compare and assess the diagnostic performance, among health care personnel, of nasopharyngeal swabs and self-collected mid-turbinate FLOQSwabs. A collection of 51 specimens was enrolled to define the efficacy of the Testami program (validation). Our analyses demonstrate that self-collected mid-turbinate dry swabs ensure an accuracy of 97.3%, as compared to the standard nasopharyngeal swabs collected by health care workers. Furthermore, the mid-turbinate FLOQSwabs can be stored without medium for six days at room temperature without affecting the molecular diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Self-collection of diagnostic specimens at home could offer an avenue to increase testing availability for SARS-CoV-2 infection without asking people to travel to a clinic or a laboratory, thus reducing people’s exposure to infection. Our findings demonstrate that unsupervised self-collection swabs, transported dry, are sensitive, practical and easy-to-use tools and should be considered for diagnosis of SARS-COV-2 and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance.
The Protective Effect of Snail Secretion Filtrate in an Experimental Model of Excisional Wounds in Mice
Authors: Gugliandolo Enrico , Macrì Francesco , Fusco Roberta , Siracusa Rosalba , D’Amico Ramona , Cordaro Marika , Peritore Alessio Filippo , Impellizzeri Daniela , Genovese Tiziana , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Paola Rosanna Di , Licata Patrizia , Crupi Rosalia
Published: August 2021

Wound healing is a physiological process comprising several coordinated phases, such as inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. For centuries, Helix aspersa Muller mucus has been known to have biological properties that are useful for treating skin disorders. In this study, we used a full-thickness excisional wound model in mice to test the hypothesis that Snail Secretion Filtrate (SSF) can improve the wound healing process. The mucus from Helix aspersa Muller was obtained mechanically by manually stimulating snails with a sterile cotton swab tip, and then the mucus was subjected to a series of filtrations to obtain SSF. After wounding, the mice were treated topically with SSF for 14 days. Our macroscopic results show that the SSF treatment significantly improved the speed and percentage of wound area closure. Furthermore, SSF improved several markers of proper wound healing, such as collagen deposition (Masson, COL3A1, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)) and the tissue remodeling process (α-sma, vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF)). SSF was also able to counteract the inflammatory process in injured wound tissue (myeloperoxidase (MPO) IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). In conclusion, our results show that SSF is able to enhance the speed and efficiency of wound healing and positively regulate several aspects of the wound healing process, such as the proliferative and remodeling phases.
Marine Seagrasses Transplantation in Confined and Coastal Adriatic Environments: Methods and Results
Authors: Curiel Daniele , Kraljević Pavelić Sandra , Kovačev Agata , Miotti Chiara , Rismondo Andrea
Published: August 2021

The anthropogenic pressures of the twentieth century have seriously endangered the Mediterranean coastal zone; as a consequence, marine seagrass habitats have strongly retreated, mostly those of Posidonia oceanica. For this reason, over time, restoration programs have been put in place through transplantation activities, with different success. These actions have also been conducted with other Mediterranean marine seagrasses. The results of numerous transplanting operations conducted in the Northern Adriatic Sea and lagoons with Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina and Z. noltei and in the Central and Southern Adriatic Sea with P. oceanica (only within the project Interreg SASPAS), are herein presented and compared, taking also into account the presence of extensive meadows of C. nodosa, Z. marina and Z. noltei, along the North Adriatic coasts and lagoons.
Impacts of Mixing Mode on Photocatalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium over Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterial under Various Environmental Conditions
Authors: Yang Chih-Chi , Dao Khanh-Chau , Lin Yo-Sheng , Cheng Teng-Yun , Chen Ku-Fan , Tsai Yung-Pin
Published: August 2021

This study explores the effects of initial Cr(VI) concentration, wavelength, hole-scavenger (absence and presence of salicylic acid), and oxygen conditions (aeration by air, nitrogen gas, and mechanical stir only) on photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium over titanium dioxide photocatalyst and the chromic species distribution after photocatalysis. The experimental results show the existence of strong interactions between these factors. The factor of hole-scavenger was more important than the UV light wavelength condition for a reduction of 3 mg Cr(VI) L−1, whereas both factors became important when Cr(VI) concentration increased to 20 mgL−1. The higher the UV wavelength was, the less the amount of chromium retained on the TiO2 surface. The influence of oxygen-containing conditions in the solution on the reduction of 3 mgL−1 Cr(VI) was unobvious, whereas its influence became remarkable for the reduction of 20 mgL−1 Cr(VI) in the presence of SA. The interaction between oxygen-containing factor and other environmental factors, such as Cr(VI) concentration and scavenger presence (SA in this study), is a key factor about the degree of oxygen effect on Cr(VI) photo-reduction and the chromic species distribution. Simple stirring obtained better photocatalytic efficiency than aeration by air or nitrogen gas.
Algal Boom Characteristics of Yeongsan River Based on Weir and Estuary Dam Operating Conditions Using EFDC-NIER Model
Authors: Kim Darae , Shin Changmin
Published: August 2021

A number of hydraulic structures have been installed along the Yeongsan River, including an estuary dam and two weirs (Seungchon and Juksan). While these structures aid in regional water security and use and reduce flooding, they reduce water flow in the summer, thereby frequently causing algal blooms. This study simulated algal bloom and water quality characteristics of sections of the Yeongsan River in South Korea under different weir and estuary dam operating conditions using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code—National Institute of Environment Research (EFDC-NIER) model. Results showed that when the management levels of the Juksan Weir and estuary dam were maintained, simulated water levels were EL. 3.7 m in the weir section and EL. −1.2 m (below average water level of the Yellow Sea) in the dam section. When both the weir and dam were open, the water levels varied with the tide; in contrast, when the Juksan Weir alone was open, the water level was between EL. −1.2 and −0.9 m, in line with the management level of the estuary dam. Opening the weir alone reduced algal blooms by 72–84% in the weir region, and opening the estuary dam alone reduced the algal blooms by 83% in the dam region. This improvement was attributed to the reduced water retention time and dilution due to seawater inflows.
Electronic Differential System Based on Adaptive SMC Combined with QP for 4WID Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Liu Zhuxing , Chen Qingzhang
Published: August 2021

This study investigates an adaptive differential control system for 4WID (4-wheel-independent-drive) electric vehicles. The novel adaptive system will maneuver the independently operating hub motors without the help of any conventional steering mechanism. The control system consists of a hierarchical structure to confront the vehicle stability condition, which includes a novel SMC (sliding mode control) with a fuzzy algorithm parameter modification to achieve the required virtual control signal at the top level, and a quadratic programming-based torque allocation algorithm at the bottom-level controller. The proposed controller was tested through Simulink/Carsim simulation and experiments. All the test cases showed the advantages of the proposed method over some of the currently existing 4WID control strategies.
Research on Electromagnetic-Radiated Emission of Multi-in-One Electric Drive System
Authors: Tan Ruoxi , Ye Shangbin , Yu Cheng , Deng Chenghao , Zhou Anjian
Published: August 2021

The strong electromagnetic interference produced by the electric drive system is the main factor that leads to the strong radiated emission of electric vehicles. It is very important to study the influence of the electric drive system on vehicle-radiated emission by taking the common-mode current of the electric drive system as the interference source. In this paper, the conducted emission model of the electric drive system is proposed, and the common-mode current is calculated by this model. The influence of filter on the common-mode interference current of HVDC cables is calculated and analyzed, and then the radiating antenna effect model of HVDC cables is established. Based on this, a vehicle-level radiated emission simulation model including an electric drive system and DC cables was established. The effectiveness of the conducted emission model was verified by experiments. The effects of different shielding structures on the shielding efficiency of HVDC cables were compared. Quantitative guidance for EMI suppression design of multi-in-one electric drive system design can be provided by the model in this paper.
Review of the Hydrogen Permeability of the Liner Material of Type IV On-Board Hydrogen Storage Tank
Authors: Su Ying , Lv Hong , Zhou Wei , Zhang Cunman
Published: August 2021

The hydrogen storage tank is a key parameter of the hydrogen storage system in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), as its safety determines the commercialization of HFCVs. Compared with other types, the type IV hydrogen storage tank which consists of a polymer liner has the advantages of low cost, lightweight, and low storage energy consumption, but meanwhile, higher hydrogen permeability. A detailed review of the existing research on hydrogen permeability of the liner material of type IV hydrogen storage tanks can improve the understanding of the hydrogen permeation mechanism and provide references for following-up researchers and research on the safety of HFCVs. The process of hydrogen permeation and test methods are firstly discussed in detail. This paper then analyzes the factors that affect the process of hydrogen permeation and the barrier mechanism of the liner material and summarizes the prediction models of gas permeation. In addition to the above analysis and comments, future research on the permeability of the liner material of the type IV hydrogen storage tank is prospected.
Psoriasis: can a systemic disease become a way of life?
Authors: Armakov Sergey Petrovich
Published: August 2021

According to the literature, about 3% of the world's population suffers from psoriasis; the highest prevalence is observed in the countries of Western Europe and Scandinavia, while this disease is less common among representatives of the Mongoloid and Negroid races. In different countries, the proportion of psoriasis is from 10 to 40% in the total structure of skin diseases. This pathological process has a multifactorial nature; it is based on hyperproliferation of keratinocytes with impaired differentiation, which clinically manifests itself in the form of damage to the skin, nails and joints. Psoriasis is one of the most common dermatoses; men and women suffer from it equally often. The triggering factor for the development of psoriasis can be a psychoemotional stressful situation, as well as the impact of other environmental factors, including hypothermia, trauma, infections, and taking certain medications. As a result of exposure to provoking endogenous and exogenous factors, autoimmune mechanisms, which are based on increased activity of T cells, are triggered. About 70% of psoriasis patients have mild to moderate severity of the disease. Despite the wide range of drugs used to treat psoriasis, they do not demonstrate high efficiency, and the prevalence of this pathology is growing every year. The existing methods of treatment help to cope with exacerbations and relieve inflammation, however, it is impossible to completely cure this disease, and the risk of relapse always remains. One of the tasks of doctors involved in the treatment of psoriasis is not only to reduce the severity of symptoms, but also to teach a patient suffering from psoriasis to live a full life and not depend to a large extent on the manifestations of the disease and the opinions of others.
Organization of the activities of mid-level medical staff in providing care to urological patients
Authors: Kuzmina Maya Andreevna , Vasina Dariya Dmitrievna
Published: August 2021

In the last decade, the health care system has been suffering from an imbalance of medical personnel and low efficiency in the use of nursing personnel in practical health care, which significantly affects the quality of medical care. The article reveals the main goals and objectives of the activity of mid-level medical staff in the system of providing medical care to patients in a urological hospital. The need for nurses to comply with the formulated standards is a central link in the process of organizing their activities. The effectiveness of treatment and recovery of patients without reducing the further quality of their lives depends on timely measures for care, psychological assistance, tact and compliance with ethical standards by nurses. All these factors directly affect the prospects for the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with urological pathology, as well as the performance indicators of the urological hospital.
Analysis of the results of medical examination of citizens of draft age
Authors: Kuzmin Sergey Aleksandrovich , Grigorieva Lyubov Kuzminichna , Izbagambetova Kargla Amanzhulovna
Published: August 2021

In the context of the reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the issues of recruiting troops with healthy, physically developed and mentally stable young conscripts are of paramount importance. Only citizens "A" - fit for military service and "B" fit for military service with minor restrictions are subject to conscription. When analyzing the results of medical examination of persons of military age, it was found that over the studied period of time, fitness for military service for health reasons decreased by 3.8% (from 78.3% in 2016 to 74.5% in 2020). However, despite the general decrease in fitness for military service, there is an increase in the fitness for military service "A" by 13.5% (from 23.4% in 2016 to 36.9% in 2020). Every year, during the period of work of the draft commissions, a significant number of citizens (more than 10%) were sent for additional examination to medical organizations. As a rule, the examination of conscripts was carried out on an outpatient basis (up to 85%) and much less often in an inpatient setting (up to 15%). The first place was occupied by diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, which accounted for 24.9%. Mental and behavioral disorders ranked second with an indicator of 18.7%. The third place was taken by diseases of the circulatory system - 14.9%. Diseases of the eye and adnexa ranked fourth - 8.2%. Diseases of the digestive system were less common, accounting for only 4.5%. Thus, in total, the listed diseases accounted for 71.2% and were the main ones in determining the fitness of conscripts for military service for health reasons.
Differences in the mechanisms of therapeutic action of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of various joints
Authors: Teplov Oleg Vadimovich , Teplov Aleksandr Yurievich
Published: August 2021

The paper presents the results of the application of the plasmolifting technique in the treatment of various types of musculoskeletal pathology and analyzes the possible mechanisms of the positive therapeutic effect of this technique. It is suggested that its success is in direct proportion to the composition of the tissues that make up a particular articular formation. It is supposed that the conditions for the positive therapeutic effect of the platelet auto-suspension technique include, first of all, the presence of a branched network of capillaries, which provides sufficient blood supply and, as a result, access to the sanitized tissue of granulocytic cells. The second condition is the presence of connective tissue formations containing basophils and mast cells, which, together with the endothelium of the above capillaries, secrete a sufficient amount of cytokines that trigger the therapeutic effect of this manipulation. A number of recommendations were made to increase the sanitizing effect of the plasmolifting technique on a specific joint formation.
¿Es posible mitigar sesgos cognitivos?
Authors: Massolo Alba , Traversi Mariel
Published: August 2021

En este artículo, realizamos una evaluación crítica de diferentes estrategias empleadas para reducir el sesgo a mi favor. Este sesgo cognitivo ha sido caracterizado como la tendencia a producir y evaluar argumentos de manera influenciada por las propias opiniones e ideologías. Proponemos una división en dos grandes conjuntos de estrategias: un primer conjunto, vinculado a las teorías de los procesos cognitivos duales, que apunta a mejorar las habilidades del razonamiento en solitario y un segundo conjunto, vinculado a las teorías evolucionistas sobre el pensamiento humano, que se basa en el intercambio de puntos de vista en contextos dialógicos de argumentación. Mostramos que estos dos conjuntos de estrategias están enfocados en activar el mismo tipo de procesos cognitivos, sólo que mientras que el primero intenta hacerlo mediante instrucciones directas para activar estos procesos en el razonamiento en solitario, el segundo lo hace mediante el intercambio argumentativo con pares. Asimismo, argumentamos que las estrategias pertenecientes al segundo conjunto pueden resultar más promisorias puesto que esta manera de razonar con pares podría replicarse con posterioridad en otras situaciones y contextos de producción y evaluación de argumentos. Finalmente, destacamos la importancia de seguir explorando estrategias destinadas a estimular las prácticas metacognitivas.
De la posible renovación del pensamiento crítico ante la filosofía emancipadora de J. Rancière
Authors: Castillo Villapudua Karla
Published: August 2021

El siguiente artículo pretende rastrear algunas de las principales objeciones en contra de aquello que Rancière llama teoría crítica tradicional. Esto con el objetivo de explorar la posibilidad de redefinir las coordenadas del pensamiento crítico. Pues, para Rancière, la forma de operar de aquel continúa realizándose a través de formas como la lógica de la denuncia, la concientización de clase y la insistencia en la oposición entre apariencia y realidad. Finalmente, reflexionamos sobre este otro pensamiento crítico enfocado en investigar las ideas que perfilarían y sostendrían un mundo igualitario más allá de la lógica de la denuncia.
Desymmetrization of Cyclic 1,3-Diketones under
N
-Heterocyclic Carbene Organocatalysis: Access to Organofluorines with Multiple Stereogenic Centers
Authors: Wang Guanjie , Zhang Min , Guan Yezhi , Zhang Ye , Hong Xianfang , Wei Chenlong , Zheng Pengcheng , Wei Donghui , Fu Zhenqian , Chi Yonggui Robin , Huang Wei
Published: August 2021

Symmetric 1,3-diketones with fluorine or fluorinated substituents on the prochiral carbon remain to be established. Herein, we have developed a novel prochiral fluorinated oxindanyl 1,3-diketone and successfully applied these substrates in carbene-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization. Accordingly, a versatile strategy for asymmetric generation of organofluorines with fluorine or fluorinated methyl groups has been developed. Multiple stereogenic centers were selectively constructed with satisfactory outcomes. Structurally diverse enantioenriched organofluorines were generated with excellent results in terms of yields, diastereoselectivities, and enantioselectivities. Notably, exchanging fluorinated methyl groups to fluorine for this prochiral 1,3-diketones leads to switchable stereoselectivity. Mechanistic aspects and origin of stereoselectivity were studied by DFT calculations. Notably, some of the prepared organofluorines demonstrated competitive antibacterial activities.
Innovative solutions in container transport
Authors: Henryk Zielaskiewicz
Published: August 2021

The article presents a historical perspective on the development of transport technology, i.e. a container. It was indicated what solutions are currently used on terminals in order to shorten the service time of intermodal units and ensure an increase in the efficiency of handling operations. Intelligent containers are presented, which are equipped with numerous sensors, which include can follow the route of the container. The author outlined what activities are currently carried out by governmental and international organizations to ensure cargo safety during transport operations. The directions of changes in the design of containers and IT support systems have been signaled, and how the logistics industry reacts and should proceed in the era of the spread of the coronavirus in the event that many companies' strategies will be revised with new consumer behavior. Keywords: Intermodal transport; Intelligent containers; Information systems; Coronovirus CoVid
Effects of Saharan dust cloud water in the remediation of soil having high heavy metal content
Authors: Elmaslar Özbaş Emine , Sönmez Vildan Zulal
Published: August 2021

Studies revealed that the precipitation from the Saharan Desert brings on a natural fertilizer effect on the plants, contributing to the growth of plants during daytime. In this study, the effectiveness of the Saharan dust has been investigated in the remediation of soil, which has been a very low pH value and high concentrations of various metals. The effects of using the solution obtained by dilution of Saharan dust (as namely Saharan dust water) and Saharan dust on the development of Phaseolus vulgaris and the amount of metal passing to the plant were investigated. It was observed that no plant growth occurred when no remediation was provided on the soil. When metal amounts penetrating the plant was considered, lower metal concentrations were determined in the plants growing with mixtures in which Saharan dust was added and which were irrigated with Saharan dust water compared to mixtures in which compost was added and which were irrigated with Saharan dust water. It was observed that irrigation with Saharan dust water and/or addition of Saharan dust was making the soil suitable for the growth of the plant by increasing its pH in a similar way as adding compost. It was seen that the compost and Saharan dust, and that the solution obtained by Saharan dust water were enabling remediation in soil containing high amounts of metal and having an acidic character at a level as to enable plant growth, and are causing a decrease in the amounts of heavy metal penetrating the plant.
Deneysel Diyabette Deri Hasarına Karşı Propolisin İyileştirici Etkilerinin Araştırılması
Authors: TÜREDİ Sibel
Published: August 2021

Özet
Amaç: Bu çalışmada deneysel Diabetes Mellitus’un dermal doku üzerinde oluşturduğu hasara karşı propolisin muhtemel olumlu etkilerini histopatolojik parametreler ile araştırmaktır.
Materyal ve Metod: Çalışmamızda 24 adet 10-12 haftalık Wistar Albino türü erkek sıçanlar Kontrol, Propolis 100mg, DM ve DM+Propolis (100mg) olarak rastgele 4 gruba ayrıldı. 0.1 Molar (Ph: 4,5) sitrat tamponunda çözülen tek doz 60 mg/kg Streptozotosin (inroperitoneal) ile deneysel diyabet oluşturuldu. Deney süresinin bitiminde (28. Gün) tüm gruplar sakrifiye edildi ve elde edilen dermal dokularda Hematoksilen&Eozin ve Masson Trikrom boyamaları ile histopatolojik değerlendirme yapıldı.
Bulgular: Yapılan histopatolojik değerlendirmede; kontrol ve Propolis 100mg gruplarına ait deri örneklerinin normal morfolojik yapıda olduğu izlendi. DM grubunda çok tabakalı epitelde incelme, dejenerasyon, dermis tabakasında yer alan bağ dokusunda ayrılma ve azalma gözlenirken DM+Propolis 100 mg grubunda ise bu bulgularda belirgin şekilde bir iyileşme izlendi.
Sonuç: Bu çalışma, Propolis 100mg dozunun biyolojik özelliklerin diyabetin dermal dokuda meydana getirdiği cilt hasarını morfolojik düzeyde önleyebileceğini göstermiştir.
Anahtar kelimeler: Deri, Diabetes Mellitus, Propolis, Histopatoloji, Rat
COVID-19 and Mental Stress among the Urban Youths of Dhaka City
Authors: Khan Sarah Farheen
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed threats on both physical and mental health since its outbreak. This paper aims to highlight the mental and physical health challenges amongst the home-quarantined youths of Dhaka city. A total of 150 young adults were surveyed, within the age range of (12-30). The participation was voluntary and was completed online.The findings suggest, many youngsters are currently suffering a wide range of mental health issues related to anxiety, fear, isolation, depression, feeling lonely, emotional outburst, insomnia, and other sleeping/ eating habit disturbances during COVID 19 pandemic. Many are emotionally vulnerable after losing their close ones, losing jobs, uncertain education or by staying indoors for months. Many get agitated wearing protective gear like masks or using sanitizers. The panic caused by the infection from physical proximity has reached such a level that everything now is shifted from physically going out to virtual conferences and many other significant shifts in people's behavior. But, in spite of all the trauma and negative affects the pandemic has put us through, there is some hope that the new focus on mental health issues may reduce stigma and increase availability of support services. Finally the paper recommends some way forward for effective mitigation against the harmful effects of limited or indoor physical activity on mental and physical health due to social distancing and quarantine based on the collected data.