bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Моделювання артеріальної гіпертензії шляхом тривалого сольового навантаження. Моніторинг функціонування серцево-судинної системи та динаміки інтегральних показників життєдіяльності в щурів (частина II)
Authors: Серединська Н. М. , Хоменко В. С. , Марченко О. М. , Марченко-Толста К. С. , Киричок Л. М.
Published: November 2019

Запропоновано нову модель артеріальної гіпертензії (АГ), індуковану тривалим сольовим навантаженням. Розробка такої моделі базується на ролі натрію хлориду у функціонуванні життєво важливих органів і систем, у генезі АГ та її судинних порушень. Недостатня вивченість механізмів розвитку сольової АГ, фазності та тривалості патологічного стану за умов продовження сольового навантаження на тривалий час (до декількох місяців), особливостей дії різних лікарських засобів на тлі підвищеного споживання солі, стану серцево-судинної системи та інтегральних показників життєдіяльності зумовили мету дослідження. Мета дослідження – вивчити стан серцево-судинної системи та динаміку інтегральних показників життєдіяльності в білих щурів за формування АГ шляхом тривалого сольового навантаження. Формування нової моделі АГ забезпечувалося сольовим навантаженням щурів упродовж 81 доби за умов заміни води на 1 % розчин натрію хлориду з вільним доступом тварин до пиття. За проведення динамічних досліджень встановлено, що модель АГ характеризується суттєвим підвищенням артеріального тиску на 10–18 % у самиць і на 14–36 % у самців, про що свідчать зміни зазначеного показника в різні терміни від початку до 81 доби сольового навантаження. Значне зростання артеріального тиску спостерігалося в 54,5–66,6 % тварин упродовж 60 діб від початку сольового навантаження, водночас кількість тварин з підвищеним артеріальним тиском знижувалася до 23,6 % через 81 добу від початку сольового навантаження. Продовження сольового навантаження понад 21 добу характеризувалося розвитком брадикардії. Збільшення терміну сольового навантаження в щурів не призводило до суттєвої зміни інтегральних показників життєдіяльності різних органів і систем, патологічної зміни маси тіла тварин і коефіцієнтів маси внутрішніх органів, у тому числі тимуса. За формування АГ на 18–30 % знижувалася больова чутливість у щурів і спостерігався набряк кінцівок (суглобів і м’яких тканин стоп), що зростав з тривалістю сольового навантаження й перевищував значення в інтактних тварин понад 21 % через 81 добу від початку формування моделі АГ. Запропонована модель АГ відрізняється простотою формування, економічністю, досягненням відповідного ефекту в значної кількості щурів різної статі, можливістю відбору тварин з підвищеним артеріальним тиском на будь-якому етапі формування патологічного процесу, можливістю їхнього утримання за звичайних лабораторних умов, відсутністю загибелі тварин. Формування моделі АГ шляхом тривалого сольового навантаження не потребує спеціальної підготовки фахівців. Модель АГ за тривалого сольового навантаження пропонується для дослідження специфічної фармакологічної ефективності (гіпотензивної дії) і безпечності новосинтезованих сполук і відомих ліків за умов їхнього тривалого застосування.
Конкурс інноваційних розробок «Сходи в Майбутнє: відзнака молодих науковців у сфері охорони здоров’я та фармацевтики»
Authors: авторів Колектив
Published: November 2019

30 травня 2019 року в Києві в Жовтневому Палаці відбувся фінал Конкурсу інноваційних розробок «Сходи в Майбутнє: відзнака молодих науковців у сфері охорони здоров’я та фармацевтики», організаторами якого виступили Громадська спілка «Центр інновацій «Сходи у Майбутнє» і Національна академія медичних наук України. У Конкурсі взяли участь проєкти за темами, що спрямовані на вивчення механізмів розвитку фармакорезистентності, у тому числі до антибіотиків, та її подолання в лікуванні соціально небезпечних хвороб, зокрема, ВІЛ, туберкульозу тощо, а також на розробку препаратів для лікування вірусних інфекцій з використанням наступних технологій: – Біотехнологія (Biotechnology); – Нанотехнологія (Nanotechnology); – Генна інженерія (Gene engineering); – Нові молекули і фармкомпозиції (New molecules and pharmaceutical compositions).

Після попереднього відбору проєктів, що відповідали вимогам: інноваційність, можливість технологічної реалізації, інвестиційна привабливість і висока ймовірність впровадження в практику охорони здоров’я, їхні автори та проєктні команди були запрошені до участі в освітній програмі Конкурсу, що мала на меті навчання бізнес­плануванню, підготовці презентацій для потенційних інвесторів, маркетинговим навичкам, взаємодії зі стратегічними партнерами та інвесторами тощо. Після проходження навчання авторам було запропоновано модернізувати презентації проєктів, використовуючи отримані навички, та представити їх перед журі на фіналі Конкурсу.
Globalization trends in education. Professional training of future teachers of musical art is a hedonistic approach
Authors: Zhiginas Tetyana
Published: November 2019

The article deals with the latest trends in the world, modern educational space, musical pedagogy, etc. The presented tendencies are subject to the hedonistic approach that manifests itself as an awareness of the joy of communicating with works of art, the recognition of the pleasure of communicating with the language of music, the affirmation through activity, the conscious professional choice – "the teacher of musical art – the profession of vocation".
The above accents confirm our scientific positions that deliberately chosen profession and professional training supported by goal-setting in activity brings spiritual growth, moral satisfaction and fully corresponds to the positions stated in the article, regarding the use of hedonistic approach in the process of personal and professional formation of students of art faculties of Ukrainian pedagogical universities-trained to practical selfrealization in rapidly changing conditions, according to the trends of globalization. In the flow of the basic modern trends of world development, globalization is at the same time a continuous process and a phenomenon that has certain characteristics. As a phenomenon, it is based on the theory of self-organization (synergetics) and includes such processes of openness to change and emergence (suddenness, unexpected and unexpected emergence).
In general, the irreversibility of the globalization process lays the foundation for a new vision of the world and trends, in particular, in changing the educational paradigm. The united world community's readiness to solve global problems comes first, thanks to cooperation within the international community, which requires the modern thinking inherent in progressive humanists and the young generation, since the tendencies of democratization, expanding the range of social and strategic choices make it necessary to choose to conscious mature in progressive search, choice.
Analisis Persepsi Pengguna Lajur Khusus Sepeda Motor (Studi Kasus: Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, DKI Jakarta)
Authors: Wulansari Dwi Novi , M. Septiansyah Muhammad Vikry
Published: November 2019

Motorcycle lanes on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, DKI Jakarta aim to reduce traffic congestion and to minimize the occurrence of traffic accidents for motorbike rides. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of motorbike lanes based on perceptions of motorbike lane users. Analysis of perceptions of motorcycle lane users is based on questionnaire survey data using the Importance Peroformance Analysis (IPA) method. The questionnaire survey data collection was conducted by 100 respondents. From the results of the analysis, it can be seen that the special lane of the motorcycle is still not as expected by the user due to the many side barriers, parking vehicles and vehicles stopping at the motorcycle lane.
Расчет предела огнестойкости термичеcки тонкого тела, защищенного поглощающим покрытием
Authors: Sharshanov Andrey
Published: November 2019

Рассмотрена защита плоского термически тонкого тела от теплового воздействия пожара. Защита осуществляется при помощи нанесенного на поверхность тела плоского однородного слоя инертного теплопоглощающего материала. Целью работы является нахождение зависимости температуры защищенного тела от времени теплового воздействия.
Вопрос сведен к линейной задаче нестационарной теплопроводности с граничными условиями третьего рода на внешних границах системы. Ее решение осуществлялось при помощи преобразований Лапласа по временной переменной.
Впервые получено аналитическое решение данной задачи при стационарных граничных условиях третьего рода. Оно представлено в безразмерном (критериальном) виде как зависимость относительной избыточной температуры термически тонкого тела от пяти критериев: 1) критерия Фурье для задачи прогрева теплозащитного слоя; 2) двух критериев Био; 3) отношения поверхностных теплоемкостей покрытия и термически тонкого тела; 4) относительной избыточной температуры среды с необогреваемой стороны. Зависимость температуры термически тонкого тела от времени имеет вид бесконечного ряда, слагаемые которого экспоненциально убывают с ростом времени. Получен явный вид зависимости слагаемых ряда от параметров задачи. Указан явный вид характеристического уравнения задачи и интервалы единственности корней этого уравнения, что значительно упрощает получение численного значения данных корней. Показано, что для большинства расчетов температуры достаточно двух первых членов соответствующего ряда.
На основе найденных соотношений в явном виде получены формулы функциональной зависимости предела огнестойкости от параметров термически тонкого тела и защитного покрытия. Полученные результаты позволяют рассчитывать предел огнестойкости защищенных металлических конструкций. Расширить применение полученных соотношений на металлические конструкции неплоского сечения можно, использовав вместо толщины защищенных металлических конструкций их приведенную толщину.
Diseño de filtros analógicos de capacidades conmutadas con Optimización por Enjambre de partículas
Authors: Vodanovic Gonzalo Tomás , Romero Eduardo , Peretti Gabriela
Published: November 2019

En este trabajo se aplica el método Optimización por Enjambre de Partículas para el diseño de filtros analógicos de capacidades conmutadas embebidos en la plataforma configurable de señales mixtas PSoC1 de Cypress Semiconductor. Se realiza una evaluación intensiva del algoritmo para un amplio rango de filtros. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el optimizador es capaz de encontrar al menos una solución que cumple con las especificaciones de diseño para todos los casos evaluados.
Plataforma para la Creación de Audiojuegos: una Solución Mediante el uso de Interfaces Enactivas
Authors: Gilberto Guillermo , García Bauza Cristian D. , Bermejo Fernando R. , Tommasini Fabián C.
Published: November 2019

Se presentan en este trabajo los principales avances de la primer etapa del proyecto de tesis “Plataforma para la creación de audiojuegos: una solución mediante el uso de interfaces enactivas”, de la carrera Doctorado en Ingeniería mención Electrónica, de la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Facultad Regional Córdoba. Este proyecto busca contribuir al conocimiento en el diseño de tecnologías de apoyo e inclusión a personas con diversidad funcional visual. Se plantea la investigación y desarrollo de una solución integrada de hardware-software + diferentes aplicaciones (audiojuegos) guiada mediante el enfoque innovador provisto por teorías de cognición corporizada y de interfaces hombre máquina de tipo enactivas. Los objetivos planteados contemplan la generación de un espacio mediado tecnológicamente donde se habilite el entretenimiento, entrenamiento de habilidades de audición espacial e inclusión de personas con diferentes capacidades visuales.
Material Compuesto por Polímeros Plásticos Reciclados para Perfilería de Aberturas
Authors: Julián Gonzalez Laría Julián , Gaggino Rosana , Positieri María , Kreiker Jerónimo
Published: November 2019

La contaminación ambiental por residuos sólidos urbanos (RSU) como problema alarmante y creciente requiere del desarrollo de tecnologías novedosas para su reciclado y la construcción en ese sentido es central. El desarrollo propuesto, presenta la aplicación de un material compuesto (MC) de polímeros plásticos reciclados de distinto origen, reutilizando entre otros los films de Silobolsas, que hoy en día presentan tasas de reciclado menores al 10%. Se obtuvo a partir de este, un MC de características mecánicas suficientes y con un comportamiento similar al de maderas blandas o semi blandas. Su aplicación a la producción de perfilería de aberturas fue muy positiva, generándose prototipos que verificaron al desempeño Mínimo (M) o Intermedio (I) de la norma brasileña NBR 15575, en permeabilidad al aire y operaciones de manejo. Solo fue considerado como insuficiente, la estanqueidad de las mismas.
Degradación de Contaminantes Emergentes Presentes en Efluentes Acuosos, Empleando Catalizadores tipo Ferritas
Authors: Gerbaldo María Verónica , Crivello Mónica E. , Mendieta Silvia N. , Elías Verónica R.
Published: November 2019

Se sintetizaron óxidos mixtos tipo ferrita siguiendo el método de Pechini modificado. Se obtuvieron cuatro series variando el catión +2: Co, Cu, Zn y Ni y su temperatura de calcinación (600°C, 800°C y 1000°C).Se caracterizaron las estructuras de los mismos por difracción de rayos X y microscopía electrónica de barrido. Por espectroscopia UV-Vis con reflectancia difusa se calcularon las energías de corte. Exceptuando la ferrita de Zn calcinada a 1000°C, todos los materiales serían potencialmente activos en procesos fotocatalíticos empleando radiación visible, ya que su energía de corte es inferior a 3 eV. Las propiedades magnéticas se evaluaron mediante un magnetómetro de muestra vibrante. En general las muestras presentaron buenas propiedades magnéticas. El aumento de la temperatura de calcinación mejora la magnetización de saturación de las muestras con Cu mientras que, en las series de Co, Ni y Zn disminuye. El campo coercitivo de las ferritas de Co y Cu disminuye a medida que aumenta la temperatura de calcinación, en cambio en las ferritas de Zn se observó un leve aumento. Las ferritas de Ni no mostraron variaciones significativas, pudiéndose encontrar en un régimen superparamagnético. Se evaluaron catalíticamente las ferritas de Co y Zn calcinadas a 800°C en procesos foto-Fenton heterogéneo para la degradación de diclofenac sódico. Se obtuvo una degradación del 100% del contaminante con ambos materiales en los primeros 15 minutos de fotoreacción empleando una lámpara UV-germicida de 8W y H2O2. Utilizando la ferrita de Co, se logró una mineralización del 86% del carbono orgánico total en 4 horas de fotoreacción.
Desarrollo de Estructuras Osteointegrables Base Titanio para Implantes Biomédicos mediante tecnologías de impresión 3D y pulvimetalurgia
Authors: Roure César Andrés , Oldani Carlos Rodolfo , Lucci Roberto Oscar
Published: November 2019

En el siguiente trabajo se plantea la utilización de la tecnología de impresión 3D para prototipado de moldes con la geometría definida de la prótesis, combinando técnicas de moldeo por gel-casting en la preparación de un producto en verde fabricado con polvo de TiH2 que permita llenar la cavidad del molde impreso en 3D y posterior sinterización controlada, se logrará la obtención de implantes biomédicos de titanio con la rugosidad y porosidad adecuada para la oseointegración.
Pirólisis Catalítica de Cáscara de Maní para la Obtención de Productos Químicos de Interés
Authors: Fermanelli Carla Soledad , Pierella Liliana , Saux Clara
Published: November 2019

Se estudió la pirólisis catalítica de cáscaras de maní (Arachis hipogaea) en un reactor de lecho fijo que integra los procesos de pirólisis y craqueo catalítico. Se analizó el efecto de los catalizadores sobre la composición del bio-oil, incorporando diferentes cantidades de Níquel a zeolitas ZSM-11, por el método de impregnación húmeda. Las experiencias se realizaron con cargas de metal en un rango desde 1% a 10% p/p. Estos materiales fueron exhaustivamente caracterizados por Difracción de Rayos X, Reducción a Temperatura Programada TPR y Análisis Termogravimétrico. Al evaluar la composición del bio-oil generado, se encontró que aumenta la selectividad hacia algunos hidrocarburos aromáticos y aldehídos de interés. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron cuando el contenido del metal fue del 3% p/p, disminuyendo para cargas menores y mayores..
A New Strategy for the Treatment of Atherothrombosis – Inhibition of Inflammation
Authors: SLÍVA J. , CHARALAMBOUS C. , BULTAS J. , KARETOVÁ D.
Published: November 2019

Improvement in the prognosis of patients at risk of atherothrombotic events is based on three pillars – slowing down the process of atherogenesis (i.e. the development of atherosclerotic plaque), stabilizing the current atherosclerotic plaque, and reducing the risk of thrombotic occlusion in cases with unstable atherosclerotic plaque. The current prophylaxis has so far taken into consideration the adjustment of several risk factors, including dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, smoking, and diabetes through lifestyle changes or pharmacological therapies. An essential part of prophylaxis is the anti-thrombotic strategy, especially anti-platelet therapy. Recently, a new pathway has been developed, based on reducing the activity of the inflammatory process with NLRP3 inflammasome, specifically a monoclonal antibody against interleukin 1β (canakinumab). The efficacy and safety of this treatment, in secondary prevention, were documented in the CANTOS study. Other therapeutic procedures, including suppression of the inflammatory component of atherogenesis, are at the stage of clinical assessment.
ACETALDEHYDE IN AN URBAN AIR OF THE KRASNOYARSK
Authors: Mikhailuta Sergey , Lezhenin Anatoly , Gudovsky Pavel
Published: November 2019

The paper presents the results of a full-scale survey of the urban air pollution in industrial and residential areas of the Krasnoyarsk. The features of the spatial distribution of acetaldehyde concentrations in the atmospheric air on the territory of Krasnoyarsk are shown. The average, characteristic level of acetaldehyde in residential areas is more than 10 µg / m3, and in industrial areas it reaches values more than 140 µg / m3.
A SKETCH OF A DIGITAL MAP OF THE VEGETATION COVER USING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY DATA
Authors: Kazantsev Ivan , Namsalov Bimba-Tsyren , Ovcharova Elena
Published: November 2019

The paper presents a preliminary stage of automated interpretation of aerial photography data for mapping the vegetation cover of the south of Western Siberia and landscapes such as gully systems. To test computer methods, an aerial photograph is chosen of a typical area with field interpretation carried out on it. A sketch of a digital map of vegetation with digitized contours is created.
MODELLING OF ZONES OF THERMAL AND CHEMICAL EFFECTS BY BURNING OF ASSOCIATED PETROLEUM GAS
Authors: Alekseeva Maria , Yashchenko Irina
Published: November 2019

With the use of satellite images of the winter period, operating oil and gas torches were installed at the Fedorov field. With the use of satellite images Landsat 8, zones of their thermal impact on the surrounding area were built. The zone of chemical impact on the environment is calculated on the example of a typical for the oil industry of the Khanty-Mansiysk flaring plant.
INFLUENCE OF THE PALEOCLIMATIC RECONSTRUCTIONS UNCERTAINTY ON THE SUBMARINE PERMAFROST DYNAMICS
Authors: Malakhova Valentina , Eliseev Alexey
Published: November 2019

The estimates of the subsea permafrost sensitivity to the uncertainty of paleoclimatic reconstructions of air temperature and ocean level have been obtained. This was done by using the model for thermophysical processes in the subsea sediments and the scenario for climate changes at the Arctic shelf for the last 400 kyr. This model was forced by four time series of temperature at the sediment top, by using different combinations of air temperature and sea level. The uncertainty coefficient of the response of the permafrost base depth is less than 0,3, with the exception of isolated time intervals and / or the deepest areas of the shelf.
Developing a Model of Adjusting Speed and Distance between Vehicle to Vehicle with Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Adak M. Fatih
Published: November 2019

Today, inter-vehicle communication is a popular issue and the presence of driverless vehicles is increasing day by day. Even in today's vehicles, many decisions are made by the control center of the vehicles instead of the driver. Therefore, the studies to be carried out on the automatic control of vehicles has major importance. In this study, a model was developed to adjust the distance and speed of the vehicle with the vehicle in front according to the conditions by using fuzzy logic. Prototype work was done by using arduino micro controller on model vehicle. Tests carried out under different road conditions have achieved an average success of nearly 80%. For automatic control systems, this ratio is quite good. This study suggested a model that would provide convenience to drivers especially in stop-and-go traffic. The results showed that using fuzzy logic model in vehicle control systems will bring high success.
Estimated Stock Price Based on Company Communications: Mind Genomics and Cognitive Economics as Knowledge-Creation Tools for Behavioral Finance
Authors: Moskowitz Howard , Baum Edgar , Rappaport Stephen D , Gere Attila
Published: November 2019

Respondents estimated the price of a share of stock for a company, based upon a set of short vignettes, one estimate for each vignette. The vignettes comprised 2-4 elements-statements selected from four groups: WHO presents the information, the companys VALUES, how the presenter shows ALIGNMENT with company values, and how CUSTOMERS respond. The linkage between expected dollar value of the stock and message was highest for the element talking about positive customer reviews. The respondents divide into two groups or mind-sets, based upon their patterns of response to the elements. Mind-Set 1 estimates stock price based on messages communicating good governance. Mind-Set 2 estimates stock price based on messages communicating customer intimacy and excitement.
Fattening Pig Farmers’ Intention to Participate in Animal Welfare Programs
Authors: Schukat Sirkka , Kuhlmann Alina , Heise Heinke
Published: November 2019

Farmers are considered a highly important stakeholder group for the successful implementation of higher farm animal welfare (FAW) standards, but so far little is known about their attitudes and the determinants of their participation in programs that request higher FAW standards. To close this research gap, fattening pig farmers in Germany were questioned via a large-scale online survey in 2018 (n = 239). Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, a partial least squares path modeling (PLS) was run. Results show that the expected performance as well as the expected costs associated with the Initiative Animal Welfare (IAW) substantially influence fattening pig farmers’ behavioral intention to participate in the IAW. Furthermore, the decision is influenced by social determinants and facilitating conditions such as deadweight effects. Farmers’ hedonic motivation, fair remuneration and previous experiences with the establishment of higher FAW standards can influence their intention to take part in the IAW. In addition, farmers’ trust in the program is a major determinant. There are also moderating variables such as age and work experience that influence farmers’ intention to take part in the IAW. Our results have important managerial implications for the IAW and can help to design further tailor-made animal welfare programs (AWPs) that fulfill the requirements of both fattening pig farmers and the broader public not only in Germany but the European Union.
Host-Targeted Therapeutics against Multidrug Resistant Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Bravo-Santano Natalia , Behrends Volker , Letek Michal
Published: November 2019

Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative intracellular pathogen that invades and replicates within many types of human cells. S. aureus has shown to rapidly overcome traditional antibiotherapy by developing multidrug resistance. Furthermore, intracellular S. aureus is protected from the last-resort antibiotics—vancomycin, daptomycin, and linezolid—as they are unable to achieve plasma concentrations sufficient for intracellular killing. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel anti-infective therapies against S. aureus infections. Here, we review the current state of the field and highlight the exploitation of host-directed approaches as a promising strategy going forward.
Circulating Interleukin-6 Level, Dietary Antioxidant Capacity, and Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kim Jimi , Lee Jeonghee , Oh Jae Hwan , Chang Hee Jin , Sohn Dae Kyung , Shin Aesun , Kim Jeongseon
Published: November 2019

Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of colorectal cancer (CRC), and circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers have been linked to tumor promotion and progression. We aimed to evaluate the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in CRC patients and determine whether a diet rich in antioxidants was associated with CRC. This study included 654 cases and 1312 controls matched for age and sex. We measured the plasma IL-6 concentration and estimated dietary antioxidant capacity based on oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) combined with a 106-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The IL-6 concentration was significantly increased in individuals with CRC (OR Q4 vs. Q1, 95% CI = 6.23, 4.10–9.45, p < 0.001). High dietary ORAC showed an inverse association with CRC (total ORAC OR Q4 vs. Q1, 95% CI = 0.26, 0.16–0.40, p < 0.001; total phenolics = 0.32, 0.21–0.50, p < 0.001). We found that low dietary ORAC was associated with a significant increase in CRC in the group with elevated IL-6 levels (total ORAC OR Q4 vs. Q1, 95% CI = 4.34, 3.12–6.02, p < 0.001; total phenolics = 4.61, 3.33–6.39, p < 0.001). This study suggested an inverse association between dietary antioxidant capacity and IL-6 level among patients with CRC.
A Cloud Image Data Protection Algorithm with Multilevel Encryption Scheme and Automated- Selection Mechanism
Authors: Li Shih-Yu , Benalcázar Hernández Miguel Angel , Tam Lap-Mou , Chen Chin-Sheng
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we present a cloud image data protection algorithm with a multilevel encryption scheme and automated-selection mechanism to maintain the privacy of cloud data contents. This algorithm is also useful for the protection of personal or commercial data uploaded to the cloud server for real-time applications, monitoring, and transmission. Fundamental and well-known in cryptography, the confusion–diffusion scheme, as well as an automated-selection mechanism (sliding pixel window) were selected as the main motor of the proposed algorithm to cipher images. First, a sliding pixel window is selected to expedite a two-stepped process, whether in small or big images. The confusion stage was designed to drastically change data from plain image to cipher image. The conversion of pixels from decimal to binary and their vertical and horizontal relocation were performed to help in this stage, not only by randomly moving bits, but also by changing the pixel values when they returned to their corresponding decimal values. Meanwhile, the diffusion stage was designed to destroy all possible existing patterns in the sliding pixel window after the confusion stage. Two hyperchaotic systems, together with a logistic map (multilevel scheme), produce pseudorandom numbers to separately conceal the original data of each subplain image through first- and second-level encryption processes. The two-stepped algorithm was designed to be easily implemented by practitioners. Furthermore, the experimental analysis demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed encryption algorithm after being tested using the benchmark “Lena” image, as well as the “Bruce Lee” image, the latter of which is completely different to the first one, statistically speaking.
Long-Term Aerosol Trends and Variability over Central Saudi Arabia Using Optical Characteristics from Solar Village AERONET Measurements
Authors: Al Otaibi Mohammed , Farahat Ashraf , Tawabini Bassam , Omar M. Hafidz , Ramadan Emad , Abuelgasim Abdelgadir , P. Singh Ramesh
Published: November 2019

Natural and anthropogenic aerosols over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) play a major role in affecting the regional radiation budget. The long-term variability of these aerosols’ physical and optical parameters, including aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Ångström exponent (α), were measured at a location near central KSA using the Solar Village (SV) AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) station during the period December 1999–January 2013. The AERONET measurements show an overall increase in AOD on an annual basis. This upward trend is mainly attributed to a prolonged increase in the monthly/seasonal mean AOD during March–June and during August–September. In contrast, lower AOD values were observed during November–December. This can be attributed to a low frequency of dust outbreaks and higher precipitation rates. An overall, weak declining trend in α was observed, except during the summer. The spring and summer seasons experienced a pronounced increase in the number of coarse particles (~2 µm) during April 2006–January 2013 as compared to December 1999–March 2006, suggesting an increase in natural aerosol loadings. Using the HYSPLIT model, it was found that the March 2009 dust storm contributed to the mixing of long-transported dust with anthropogenic local emissions near the SV. The results suggest that extensive industrial activity contributed to the increase of anthropogenic emissions over KSA during the period April 2006–January 2013.
Analysis of a Severe PM2.5 Episode in the Seoul Metropolitan Area in South Korea from 27 February to 7 March 2019: Focused on Estimation of Domestic and Foreign Contribution
Authors: Lee Daegyun , Choi Jin-Young , Myoung Jisu , Kim Okgil , Park Jihoon , Shin Hye-Jung , Ban Soo-Jin , Park Hyun-Ju , Nam Ki-Pyo
Published: November 2019

In this study, domestic and foreign contributions to a severe PM2.5 episode in South Korea, in which “emergency reduction measures against particulate matter” were issued, were analyzed. During the period between 27 February and 7 March in 2019 when high PM2.5 concentrations occurred, the PM2.5 concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area (SMA) in South Korea was approximately 87.3 μg/m3 on average, and a severe PM2.5 concentration level of approximately 113.4 μg/m3 was observed between 3 March and 5 March. The results of the analysis conducted using the HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model and meteorological observation data showed that northwesterly wind or westerly winds were formed during the P1 and P3 periods when the PM2.5 concentration markedly increased. When the PM2.5 concentrations in East Asia were simulated using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ), it was found that the high PM2.5 concentrations that occurred in the SMA of South Korea were mostly affected by PM2.5 transported over long distances and following atmospheric stagnation. When the domestic and foreign contributions were evaluated using the brute-force method (BFM), the foreign and domestic contribution concentrations were found to be 62.8 and 16.8 μg/m3, respectively, during the target period of this study. It was also found that the foreign contribution was 78.8%, while the domestic contribution was 21.2%.
Structural Lesions of Proteins Connected to Lipid Membrane Damages Caused by Radical Stress: Assessment by Biomimetic Systems and Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Torreggiani Armida , Tinti Anna , Jurasekova Zuzana , Capdevila Mercè , Saracino Michela , Foggia Michele Di
Published: November 2019

Model systems constituted by proteins and unsaturated lipid vesicles were used to gain more insight into the effects of the propagation of an initial radical damage on protein to the lipid compartment. The latter is based on liposome technology and allows measuring the trans unsaturated fatty acid content as a result of free radical stress on proteins. Two kinds of sulfur-containing proteins were chosen to connect their chemical reactivity with membrane lipid transformation, serum albumins and metallothioneins. Biomimetic systems based on radiation chemistry were used to mimic the protein exposure to different kinds of free radical stress and Raman spectroscopy to shed light on protein structural changes caused by the free radical attack. Among the amino acid residues, Cys is one of the most sensitive residues towards the attack of free radicals, thus suggesting that metal-Cys clusters are good interceptors of reactive species in metallothioneins, together with disulfides moieties in serum albumins. Met is another important site of the attack, in particular under reductive conditions. Tyr and Phe are sensitive to radical stress too, leading to electron transfer reactions or radical-induced modifications of their structures. Finally, modifications in protein folding take place depending on reactive species attacking the protein.
Erratum: Nepravishta, R., et al. CoCUN, a Novel Ubiquitin Binding Domain Identified in N4BP1. Biomolecules 2019, 9, 284
Authors: Nepravishta Ridvan , Ferrentino Federica , Mandaliti Walter , Mattioni Anna , Weber Janine , Polo Simona , Castagnoli Luisa , Cesareni Gianni , Paci Maurizio , Santonico Elena
Published: November 2019

The Biomolecules Editorial Offices wishes to make the following erratum to this paper [...]
Socio-Moral Development of Preschool Children: Aspects of Theory and Practice
Authors: Korotaeva Evgeniya , Chugaeva Irina
Published: November 2019

This article deals with issues relating to the social and moral education and development of preschool children. The theoretical understanding of the current state of this field is reflected in the modern normative documents “On education in the Russian Federation”, the state educational standards. The analysis of theoretical and practice-oriented research in this area shows that the phrase “moral education” today is gradually being replaced by “social and moral education” and “social and moral development”. This trend is found in preschool pedagogy. It is the study of social and moral representations of preschool children that many relevant diagnostic methods are aimed at: to explain the actions of children and their relationships with each other and adults, and to assess these actions (i.e., to correlate the situation with the moral norm). The presented research was based on the method of research of moral representations of children of senior preschool age. The analysis of the results showed that children of senior preschool age willingly include themselves in the retelling of the actions described in situations but find it difficult to assess what is happening from a moral point of view. It is obvious that psychological and pedagogical work is necessary in this direction, taking into account the age characteristics of the children, as well as the social and moral guidelines relevant to the current situation in regard to the development of society.
Role of Postoperative Complications in Overall Survival after Radical Resection for Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis of 1107 Patients
Authors: Galata Christian , Blank Susanne , Weiss Christel , Ronellenfitsch Ulrich , Reissfelder Christoph , Hardt Julia
Published: November 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of postoperative complications on overall survival (OS) after radical resection for gastric cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of our institutional database for surgical patients with gastroesophageal malignancies was performed. All consecutive patients who underwent R0 resection for M0 gastric cancer between October 1972 and February 2014 were included. The impact of postoperative complications on OS was evaluated in the entire cohort and in a subgroup after exclusion of 30 day and in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 1107 patients were included. In the entire cohort, both overall complications (p < 0.001) and major surgical complications (p = 0.003) were significant risk factors for decreased OS in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, overall complications were an independent risk factor for decreased OS (p < 0.001). After exclusion of patients with complication-related 30 day and in-hospital mortality, neither major surgical (p = 0.832) nor overall complications (p = 0.198) were significantly associated with decreased OS. Conclusion: In this study, postoperative complications influenced OS due to complication-related early postoperative deaths. In patients successfully rescued from early postoperative complications, neither overall complications nor major surgical complications were risk factors for decreased survival.
Microplastic Contamination Has Limited Effects on Coral Fertilisation and Larvae
Authors: Berry Kathryn L. E. , Epstein Hannah E. , Lewis Phoebe J. , Hall Nora M. , Negri Andrew P.
Published: November 2019

Microplastics are ubiquitous throughout the world’s oceans and contaminate coral reef ecosystems. There is evidence of microplastic ingestion by corals and passive contact with coral tissues, causing adverse health effects that include energy expenditure for particle removal from the tissue surface, as well as reduced growth, tissue bleaching, and necrosis. Here, it was examined whether microplastic contamination impairs the success of gamete fertilisation, embryo development and larval settlement of the reef-building coral Acropora tenuis. Coral gametes and larvae were exposed to fifteen microplastic treatments using two types of plastic: (1) weathered polypropylene particles and (2) spherical polyethylene microbeads. The treatments ranged from five to 50 polypropylene pieces L−1 and 25 to 200 microbeads L−1. Fertilisation was only negatively affected by the largest weathered microplastics (2 mm2), but the effects were not dose dependent. Embryo development and larval settlement were not significantly impacted by either microplastic type. The study shows that moderate–high levels of marine microplastic contamination, specifically particles <2 mm2, will not substantially interfere with the success of critical early life coral processes.
Data-Driven GENERIC Modeling of Poroviscoelastic Materials
Authors: Ghnatios Chady , Alfaro Iciar , González David , Chinesta Francisco , Cueto Elias
Published: November 2019

Biphasic soft materials are challenging to model by nature. Ongoing efforts are targeting their effective modeling and simulation. This work uses experimental atomic force nanoindentation of thick hydrogels to identify the indentation forces are a function of the indentation depth. Later on, the atomic force microscopy results are used in a GENERIC general equation for non-equilibrium reversible–irreversible coupling (GENERIC) formalism to identify the best model conserving basic thermodynamic laws. The data-driven GENERIC analysis identifies the material behavior with high fidelity for both data fitting and prediction.
Using Entropy for Welds Segmentation and Evaluation
Authors: Haffner Oto , Kučera Erik , Drahoš Peter , Cigánek Ján
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a methodology based on weld segmentation using entropy and evaluation by conventional and convolution neural networks to evaluate quality of welds is developed. Compared to conventional neural networks, there is no use of image preprocessing (weld segmentation based on entropy) or data representation for the convolution neural networks in our experiments. The experiments are performed on 6422 weld image samples and the performance results of both types of neural network are compared to the conventional methods. In all experiments, neural networks implemented and trained using the proposed approach delivered excellent results with a success rate of nearly 100%. The best results were achieved using convolution neural networks which provided excellent results and with almost no pre-processing of image data required.
A Low-Complexity Resource Allocation for Multiple Access Passive IoT System
Authors: Han Shiying , Wang Zixiong
Published: November 2019

An ambient backscatter communication (AmBC) system with multiple backscatter devices (BDs) is investigated in this work. The cooperative reader receives the information from the primary transmitter (PT) and the multiple BDs simultaneously. With the asymptotic signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio (SINR) of the BDs, an optimization problem that jointly optimizes the reflection coefficients of BDs and the primary transmit power is formulated. Considering that the adaptive optimization of reflection coefficients according to the instantaneous primary channel state information (CSI) is unaffordable in practice, we propose a low-complexity resource allocation scheme, which results in a long-term configuration of the BD reflection coefficients before the primary transmit power is allocated. With the long-term reflection coefficients, the transmit power of the primary system is optimized by solving the transformed two cascaded optimization problems which have closed-form solutions. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A Fast-Transient All-Digital LDO with Adaptive Clock Technique
Authors: Yu Yi , Yuan Jia , Qiao Shushan , Hei Yong
Published: November 2019

To get a better tradeoff between the transient performance and current efficiency of Digital Low-Dropout (DLDO) regulator, this paper proposes an all-digital Low-Dropout (LDO) regulator with adaptive clock technique. The sample clock is supplied by a proposed digital oscillator (DOSC) whose output frequency can be changed seamlessly. The frequency of sample clock and loop gain boost adaptively when the output voltage undershoot/overshoot is detected. Proposed DLDO integrates a ripple controller to eliminate steady-state supply ripple and reduce steady-state power. The proposed DLDO is simulated at Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) 55 nm with 5.03e-4 mm2 active area. The simulation results show that the operating voltage of proposed DLDO can be down to 0.5 V and the peak current efficiency is 99.99%. The measured voltage undershoot is 40 mV and transient response time is 500 ns with load step of 10 to 800 uA.
Comparison of Data-Driven Techniques for Nowcasting Applied to an Industrial-Scale Photovoltaic Plant
Authors: Sala Simone , Amendola Alfonso , Leva Sonia , Mussetta Marco , Niccolai Alessandro , Ogliari Emanuele
Published: November 2019

The inherently non-dispatchable nature of renewable sources, such as solar photovoltaic, is regarded as one of the main challenges hindering their massive integration in existing electric grids. Accurate forecasting of the power output of the solar plant might therefore play a key role towards this goal. In this paper, we compare several machine learning and deep learning algorithms for intra-hour forecasting of the output power of a 1 MW photovoltaic plant, using meteorological data acquired in the field. With the best performing algorithms, our data-driven workflow provided prediction performance that compares well with the present state of the art and could be applied in an industrial setting.
A Novel Deep Feature Learning Method Based on the Fused-Stacked AEs for Planetary Gear Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Chen Xihui , Ji Aimin , Cheng Gang
Published: November 2019

Planetary gear is the key component of the transmission system of electromechanical equipment for energy industry, and it is easy to damage, which affects the reliability and operation efficiency of electromechanical equipment of energy industry. Therefore, it is of great significance to extract the useful fault features and diagnose faults based on raw vibration signals. In this paper, a novel deep feature learning method based on the fused-stacked autoencoders (AEs) for planetary gear fault diagnosis was proposed. First, to improve the data learning ability and the robustness of feature extraction process of AE model, the sparse autoencoder (SAE) and the contractive autoencoder (CAE) were studied, respectively. Then, the quantum ant colony algorithm (QACA) was used to optimize the specific location and key parameters of SAEs and CAEs in deep learning architecture, and multiple SAEs and multiple CAEs were stacked alternately to form a novel deep learning architecture, which gave the deep learning architecture better data learning ability and robustness of feature extraction. The experimental results show that the proposed method can address the raw vibration signals of planetary gear. Compared with other deep learning architectures and shallow learning architecture, the proposed method has better diagnosis performance, and it is an effective method of deep feature learning and fault diagnosis.
Why PV Modules Should Preferably No Longer Be Oriented to the South in the Near Future
Authors: Mubarak Riyad , Weide Luiz Eduardo , Seckmeyer Gunther
Published: November 2019

PV modules tilted and oriented toward east and west directions gain gradually more importance as an alternative to the presently-preferred south (north in the Southern Hemisphere) orientation and it is shown to become economically superior even under the reimbursement of feed-in tariff (FIT). This is a consequence of the increasing spread between the decreasing costs of self-consumed solar power and the costs for power from the grid. One-minute values of irradiance were measured by silicon sensors at different orientations and tilt angles in Hannover (Germany) over three years. We show that south-oriented collectors give the highest electrical power during the day, whereas combinations of east and west orientations (E-W) result in the highest self-consumption rate (SC), and combinations of southeast and southwest (SE-SW) orientations result in the highest degree of autarky (AD), although they reduce the yearly PV Power by 5–6%. Moreover, the economic analysis of PV systems without FIT shows that the SE-SW and E-W combinations have the lowest electricity cost and they are more beneficial in terms of internal rate of return (IRR), compared to the S orientation at the same tilt. For PV systems with FIT, the S orientation presently provides the highest transfer of money from the supplier. However, as a consequence of the continuing decline of FIT, the economic advantage of S orientation is decreasing. E-W and SE-SW orientations are more beneficial for the owner as soon as FIT decreases to 7 Ct/kWh. East and west orientations of PV modules do not only have benefits for the individual owner but avoid high costs for storing energy—regardless who would own the storage facilities—and by avoiding high noon peaks of solar energy production during sunny periods, which would become an increasing problem for the grid if more solar power is installed. Furthermore, two types of commonly used PV software (PVSOL and PVsyst) were used to simulate the system performance. The comparison with measurements showed that both PV software underestimate SC and AD for all studied orientations, leading to the conclusion that improvements are necessary in modelling.