bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced anti-Escherichia coliproperties of Fe-doping in MgO nanoparticles
Authors: Hong Xiaoyu , Yang Yan , Li Xiaoyi , Abitonze Maurice , Diko Catherine Sekyerebea , Zhao Jiao , Ma Qiao , Liu Weifeng , Zhu Yimin
Published: January 2021

Fe was successfully incorporated into MgO nanoparticles (NPs), which has significant enhanced the antibacterial property of MgO NPs againstE. coli.
Understanding the effect of oxide components on proton mobility in phosphate glasses using a statical analysis approach
Authors: Omata Takahisa , Suzuki Issei , Sharma Aman , Ishiyama Tomohiro , Nishii Junji , Yamashita Toshiharu , Kawazoe Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

Relationship between composition and proton mobility in proton conducting phosphate glass has been obtained using a statical analysis approach.
Monolayer nanosheets formed by liquid exfoliation of charge-assisted hydrogen-bonded frameworks
Authors: Nicks Joshua , Boer Stephanie A. , White Nicholas G. , Foster Jonathan A.
Published: January 2021

We report the liquid-phase ultrasonic exfoliation of two layered hydrogen-bonded frameworks into monolayer, micron-sized, and water-stable nanosheets (HONs) connected purely by hydrogen-bonding interactions.
Overview of cellulose-based flexible materials for supercapacitors
Authors: Sun Zhe , Qu Keqi , You Yue , Huang Zhanhua , Liu Shouxin , Li Jian , Hu Qian , Guo Zhanhu
Published: January 2021

Cellulose-based materials as supercapacitor components including flexible electrodes, electrolytes and membranes are reviewed.
ACE/ACE2 balance might be instrumental to explain the certain comorbidities leading to severe COVID-19 cases
Authors: Bank Sarbashri , De Subrata Kumar , Bankura Biswabandhu , Maiti Smarajit , Das Madhusudan , A Khan Gausal
Published: January 2021

The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global catastrophe. The elderly and people with comorbidity are facing a serious complication of the disease. The entry and infection strategy of SARS-CoV-2 in a host cell is raised by an amazing way of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 (ACE2) receptor recognition and imbalance of ACE/ACE2 in various organs, especially in the lungs. Here it has been discussed the role of interferon and protease during the receptor recognition (begining of infection) and followed by the impact of cytokine and hypoxia in the context of the balance of ACE/ACE2. It has also very concisely delineated the biochemistry and mechanism of ACE/ACE2 balance in different stages of infection and its role in comorbidity.
Large-amplitude variables in Gaia Data Release 2
Authors: Mowlavi N. , Rimoldini L. , Evans D. W. , Riello M. , De Angeli F. , Palaversa L. , Audard M. , Eyer L. , Garcia-Lario P. , Gavras P. , Holl B. , Jevardat de Fombelle G. , Lecœur-Taïbi I. , Nienartowicz K.
Published: January 2021

Context. Photometric variability is an essential feature that sheds light on the intrinsic properties of celestial variable sources, the more so when photometry is available in various bands. In this respect, the all-sky Gaia mission is particularly attractive as it collects, among other quantities, epoch photometry measured quasi-simultaneously in three optical bands for sources ranging from a few magnitudes to fainter than magnitude 20.

Aims. The second data release (DR2) of the mission provides mean G, GBP, and GRP photometry for ∼1.4 billion sources, but light curves and variability properties are available for only ∼0.5 million of them. Here, we provide a census of large-amplitude variables (LAVs) with amplitudes larger than ∼0.2 mag in the G band for objects with mean brightnesses between 5.5 and 19 mag.

Methods. To achieve this, we rely on variability amplitude proxies in G, GBP, and GRP computed from the uncertainties on the magnitudes published in DR2. We then apply successive filters to identify two subsets containing sources with reliable mean GBP and GRP (for studies using colours) and sources having compatible amplitude proxies in G, GBP, and GRP (for multi-band variability studies).

Results. The full catalogue gathers 23 315 874 LAV candidates, and the two subsets with increased levels of purity contain, respectively, 1 148 861 and 618 966 sources. A multi-band variability analysis of the catalogue shows that different types of variable stars can be categorized according to their colours and blue-to-red amplitude ratios as determined from the G, GBP, and GRP amplitude proxies. More specifically, four groups are globally identified. They include: long-period variables in a first group with amplitudes more than twice larger in the blue than in the red; hot compact variables in a second group with amplitudes smaller in the blue than in the red; classical instability strip pulsators in a third group with amplitudes larger in the blue than in the red by 50% to 80%; and other non-pulsating variables in a fourth group, mainly achromatic, but 10% of them still having 20% to 50% larger amplitudes in the blue than in the red.

Conclusions. The catalogue constitutes the first census of Gaia LAV candidates extracted from the public DR2 archive. The overview presented here illustrates the added value of the mission for multi-band variability studies, even at this stage when epoch photometry is not yet available for all sources.
Space and laboratory discovery of HC3S+
Authors: Cernicharo J. , Cabezas C. , Endo Y. , Marcelino N. , Agúndez M. , Tercero B. , Gallego J. D. , de Vicente P.
Published: January 2021

We report the detection in TMC-1 of the protonated form of C3S. The discovery of the cation HC3S+ was carried through the observation of four harmonically related lines in the Q band using the Yebes 40 m radiotelescope, and is supported by accurate ab initio calculations and laboratory measurements of its rotational spectrum. We derive a column density N(HC3S+) = (2.0 ± 0.5)×1011 cm−2, which translates to an abundance ratio C3S/HC3S+ of 65 ± 20. This ratio is comparable to the CS/HCS+ ratio (35 ± 8) and is a factor of about ten larger than the C3O/HC3O+ ratio previously found in the same source. However, the abundance ratio HC3O+/HC3S+ is 1.0 ± 0.5, while C3O/C3S is just ∼0.11. We also searched for protonated C2S in TMC-1, based on ab initio calculations of its spectroscopic parameters, and derive a 3σ upper limit of N(HC2S+) ≤ 9 × 1011 cm−2 and a C2S/HC2S+ ≥ 60. The observational results are compared with a state-of-the-art gas-phase chemical model and conclude that HC3S+ is mostly formed through several pathways: proton transfer to C3S, reaction of S+ with c-C3H2, and reaction between neutral atomic sulfur and the ion C3H3+.
Promising Areas for Developing HR Managers' Competencies in the Digital Age
Authors: Kapitanov V.A. , Osipova O.S. , Chikileva L.S.
Published: January 2021

The rapid development of technologies is creating a new digital reality in human resource management. In the context of the transition to the digital economy and transformation of traditional classical organizations to digital ones, digital management decentralization will take place on the basis of digital technologies. The most important characteristic feature of a digital organization is interaction of the HR service with employees using mobile applications. Predictive HR analytics, employee-centered professional training, feedback not only at the vertical level but also at the horizontal level requires the development of new competencies of HR specialists. Based on the authors' research, implemented by a temporary creative team, the practice of developing managerial competencies in the process of digital transformation is analyzed using the example of HR management services in organizations at different levels of digital maturity. The study has shown understanding on the part of HR specialists that automation has a significant potential and will be in demand in all the companies, regardless of their size. The transition from a traditional organization to a digital one will require changes in the qualification requirements for HR specialists, readiness of HR specialists to acquire new digital competencies, to develop their professional skills and personal abilities.
The Agile Content Marketing Roadmap Based on the B2B Buyer’s Journey – The Case Study of the Slovak republic
Authors: Gajanova Lubica
Published: January 2021

The rise of new technologies has created opportunities for the emergence of many trends today. This fact is a chance for the visibility of companies and in recent years internet marketing has become an integral part of marketing strategies of companies across all markets. Today’s marketing world give new opportunities to engage and gain the attention of relevant users. But customers including B2B buyers are overwhelmed by advertising on the Internet. Emphasis on the creation of quality content therefore becomes necessary and creates another of the right ways to address customers. This paper deals with the use of content marketing strategy in the B2B market in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. As there are a large number of tools usable in the content marketing strategy, the aim of the paper is to use factor analysis to obtain an alternative description of the variability of the observed variables (B2B content marketing tools) with a potentially lower number of latent variables.
Prospects for the development of the entrepreneurial potential of the regions of the Russian Federation
Authors: Ashmarina S.I. , Murzagalina G.M.
Published: January 2021

This article analyzes the business environment of regions on the example of the Russian Federation through a system of indicators that characterize the level of its development within the 8 selected groups of factors (general economic, social, demographical, innovative, natural and geographical, factors of living standards, financial, infrastructural). The main research methods are correlation analysis, regression analysis, and modeling. Based on the results of the research, the authors come to the conclusion about the key role of socio-demographic, general economic and innovative infrastructure conditions for the development of the business environment of the regions.
Big Five in University Students in Relation to Psychological and Entrepreneurial Competences
Authors: Kmecová Iveta , Kajanová Alena
Published: January 2021

The objective of the research was to find and analyse the dependence factors of the individual personality. For the purpose of the analysis, students of two higher education institutions in the South Bohemian Region, the Czech Republic, were chosen. The students were from different fields of study, men and women, of different age. The research further dealt with the dependency of the Big Five factors on the positive and negative stress management strategies. The research results can be used for further studies that would be a contribution to theory as well as for the individualization of the approach to concrete groups or individual students.
Methodology of calculating risk premiums in the environment of the Czech Republic and its comparison with Damodaran
Authors: Kucera Jiri , Maskova Lenka
Published: January 2021

Investors' decisions are largely influenced by the riskiness of the country. Several different approaches are available to calculate this risk, but even so, the values set by Damodaran are usually used, even for non-US states. The aim of the paper is to propose a methodology for creating a risk premium in the environment of the Czech Republic and then compare it with Damodaran [1]. Methods applicable in the Czech Republic and Damodaran methods are used, then these methods are compared. For Czech as well as foreign investors, the easiest way to obtain a risk premium is to use the company’s investment rating. In the case of determining the risk premium of the Czech Republic, the easiest method is the CRP (country risk premiums) model. If the country’s market does not have a long history or does not have such a developed capital market, it is recommended to apply data from the US capital market. However, there are significant differences in the economy between Europe and the USA, so the data of an European country such as Germany, which has historical risk premium calculations, should be used.
An Analysis of the Time Series of the PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) Share Price and a Prediction of its Development
Authors: Kalinová Eva , Tlustý Michal
Published: January 2021

The paper deals with the topic of stock time series and their forecasts. The aim of the paper is to provide a detailed analysis of the time series of PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) shares and subsequently, to use machine tools to predict its further development. The results of the paper in their first part identify the boundaries of RSI indicators for the oversold or overbought market and moreover, with the help of these indicators, predict further possible development of the time series. Daily share price data from PepsiCo, Inc. from the end of April 2019 to the end of April 2020 are used. Two indicators have been recorded since the beginning of 2020. The first one, recorded at the end of January, recommended the trader to sell the position, and further developments suggest that this step would be correct, as stock values then began to fall sharply. The second indicator was identified at the beginning of March, when the world was shaken by the coronavirus crisis, and this indicator recommended the trader to buy a position. Further developments indicated that this would be the right move, as stock values rose in the following period. Moreover, the moving average method is employed as well. Values are calculated for 50, 100 and 200 days. With this tool, only one recommendation is identified, in March 2020, when the fast moving average intersected both slower moving averages, and the ideal solution was to sell the position, which could be described as the right step with the further development of the time series, because stock values began to fall again after this period.
Epidemien und gesellschaftliches Leben
Authors: Wildner Manfred
Published: January 2021

Eine gern zitierte Bestimmung des Aristoteles beschreibt den Menschen als „geselliges Lebewesen“, ja geradezu als „politisches Tier“ (zoon politikon) 1. In seiner Abhandlung über „Die politischen Dinge“ macht der altgriechische Philosoph das u. a. an der Fähigkeit des Menschen zur einsichtigen Rede fest, zur „Unterscheidung von Gut und Böse, Richtig und Falsch und zu anderen moralischen Qualitäten“. Diese gemeinsame Befähigung wiederum vereint die Menschen und befähigt sie so zu staatlicher Organisation – mehr noch: Damit ist gesellschaftliches Leben Teil der menschlichen Natur.
The Key Role of Staging Definitions for Assessment of Downstaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yao Francis Y. , Fidelman Nicholas , Mehta Neil
Published: January 2021

The success of liver transplant (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is dependent on accurate tumor staging using validated imaging criteria, and adherence to acceptable criteria based on tumor size and number. Other factors including α-fetoprotein (AFP) and response to local regional therapy (LRT) have now played a larger role in candidate selection. Tumor downstaging is defined as reduction in the size of viable tumors using LRT to meet acceptable criteria for LT, and serves as a selection tool for a subgroup of HCC with more favorable biology. The application of tumor downstaging requires a structured approach involving three key components in tumor staging—initial tumor stage and eligibility criteria, tumor viability assessment following LRT, and target tumor stage prior to LT—and incorporation of AFP into staging and treatment response assessments. In this review, we provide in-depth discussions of the key role of these staging definitions in ensuring successful outcome.
Electronic Health Records in Danish Home Care and Nursing Homes: Inadequate Documentation of Care, Medication, and Consent
Authors: Hertzum Morten
Published: January 2021

Background Electronic health records (EHRs) are used in long-term care to document the patients' condition, medication, and care, thereby supporting communication among caregivers and counteracting adverse drug events. However, the use of EHRs in long-term care has lagged behind EHR use in hospitals. In addition, most EHR research focuses on hospitals.

Objective This study gives a countrywide status of the documentation-related risks to patient safety in Danish home care and nursing homes, which are the two main providers of long-term care. Such a status provides a basis for national improvement efforts and international comparisons.

Method The study is based on the reports from 893 inspections of home care and nursing homes by the Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed [STPS]).

Results As much as 69% of the inspected institutions document inadequately to an extent that has led to demands (i.e., issues the institution is legally obliged to rectify) or requests (i.e., issues the institution is merely asked to rectify) from STPS. Documentation issues about the patients' condition and care are present in nearly all institutions that receive demands (97%) and in the majority of those that receive requests (68%). Documentation issues about medication and consent to care are also common, but less so. The predominant risk to patient safety is incomplete documentation. It covers 72% of the documentation issues identified in the institutions that received demands; the remaining risks concern inconsistent (11%), nonexistent (7%), inaccessible (5%), and noncompliant (5%) documentation. The documentation inadequacies are similar for home care and nursing homes.

Conclusion Inadequate EHR documentation is a widespread problem in Danish long-term care. While previous research mainly focuses on how EHR documentation affects patient medication, this study finds that documentation issues about the patients' condition and care are more prevalent and that issues about their consent are also common.
Two Missense CACNA1A Variants in a Single Family with Variable Neurobehavioral, Cerebellar, Epileptic, and Oculomotor Features
Authors: Ko Pin-Yi , Glass Ian A. , Crandall Suzanne , Weiss Avery , Dorschner Michael O. , Kelly John P. , Phillips James O. , Lopez Jonathan
Published: January 2021

We describe two novel missense variants in CACNA1A segregating in a family with variable severity of ataxia/oculomotor dysfunction, neurobehavioral impairments, and epilepsy. The most severe outcome occurred in a compound heterozygous proband, which could represent variable expression of the paternal allele or biallelic modulation of calcium channel function. Acetazolamide and lamotrigine were effective for seizure control.
Anatomical Variations of the Jugular Foramen Region in Patients with Pulsatile Tinnitus
Authors: Ma Xiaobo , Li Pingdong , Li Lifeng , Yang Bentao , Creighton Francis X. , Carrau Ricardo L. , London Nyall R.
Published: January 2021

Objective Structural anomalies of the jugular foramen (JF) and adjacent structures may contribute to development of pulsatile tinnitus (PT). The goal of this study was to assess anatomical variants in the ipsilateral JF region in patients with PT and to explore possible predisposing factors for PT.

Methods One hundred ninety-five patients with PT who underwent CT angiography and venography of the temporal bone were retrospectively analyzed. Anatomic variants including dominance of the ipsilateral JF, bony deficiency of the sigmoid sinus and internal carotid artery canal, high riding or dehiscent jugular bulb, dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal, tumors in the JF region, or cerebellopontine angle were assessed.

Results Of 195 patients with PT, the prevalence of a dominant JF on the ipsilateral side of patients with PT was 67.2%. Furthermore, the dominant JF demonstrated a significant correlation with the presence of ipsilateral PT (p < 0.001). No anatomical variants were present in 22 patients (11.3%), whereas in patients with structural variants, bony deficiency of the sigmoid sinus was most common (65.6%), followed by high riding (54.9%) or dehiscent jugular bulb (14.4%). Dehiscent internal carotid artery canal (3.1%) and superior semicircular canal (4.1%) were occasionally identified, while arteriovenous fistula, arterial aneurysm and tumors arising from the JF region or cerebellopontine angle were rarely encountered.

Conclusion Structural abnormalities of the JF and adjacent structures may predispose to the development of PT. Knowledge of these anatomical variants in the JF region may help establish a clinical strategy for addressing PT.
Cytosolic Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Deficiency: Cause of Hypoglycemia-Induced Seizure and Death
Authors: Becker Johanna , Haas Nikolaus A. , Vlaho Stefan , Heineking Beatrice , Wortmann Saskia B. , Rabenhorst Dorothée , Thomas Clara , Brunet Theresa
Published: January 2021

Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) deficiency (MIM 261680, EC 4.1.1.32, encoded by PCK1) is a rare disorder of gluconeogenesis presenting with recurrent hypoglycemia, hepatic dysfunction, and lactic acidosis. We report on a previously healthy 3-year-old boy who was initially admitted under the suspicion of a febrile seizure during an upper airway infection. Diagnostic workup revealed hypoglycemia as well as a cerebral edema and ruled out an infection. After a complicated course with difficult to treat symptomatic seizures, the child died on the 5th day of admission due to progressive cerebral edema. The metabolic screening showed elevated urinary lactate and Krebs cycle intermediates in line with a primary or secondary energy deficit. Due to the unclear and fatal course, trio exome sequencing was initiated postmortem (“molecular autopsy”) and revealed the diagnosis of cytosolic PEPCK deficiency based on the compound heterozygosity of a known pathogenic (c.925G > A, p.(Gly309Arg)) and a previously unreported (c.724G > A, p.(Gly242Arg)) variant in PCK1 (NM_002591.3). Sanger sequencing ruled out the disease and carrier status in three older brothers. Molecular autopsy was performed due to the unclear and fatal course. The diagnosis of a cytosolic PEPCK deficiency not only helped the family to deal with the grief, but especially took away the fear that the siblings could be affected by an unknown disease in the same manner. In addition, this case increases the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of cytosolic PEPCK deficiency.
Ambivalence and the biopolitics of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation
Authors: Gaspar Mark , Salway Travis , Grace Daniel
Published: January 2021

Ambivalence, the vacillation between conflicting feelings and thoughts, is a key characteristic of scientific knowledge production and emergent biomedical technology. Drawing from sociological theory on ambivalence, we have examined three areas of debate surrounding the early implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men in Canada, including epistemology and praxis, clinical and epidemiological implications, and sexual politics. These debates are not focused on the science or efficacy of PrEP to prevent HIV, but rather represent contradictory feelings and opinions about the biopolitics of PrEP and health inequities. Emphasizing how scientists and health practitioners may feel conflicted about the biopolitics of novel biomedical technologies opens up opportunities to consider how a scientific field is or is not adequately advancing issues of equity. Scientists ignoring their ambivalence over the state of their research field may be deemed necessary to achieve a specific implementation goal, but this emotion management work can lead to alienation. We argue that recognizing the emotional dimensions of doing HIV research is not a distraction from “real” science, but can instead be a reflexive site to develop pertinent lines of inquiry better suited at addressing health inequities.
Optoelectronic properties of one-dimensional molecular chains simulated by a tight-binding model
Authors: Chen Qiuyuan , Chang Jiawei , Ma Lin , Li Chenghan , Duan Liangfei , Ji Xiaolin , Zhang Jin , Wu Wei , Wang Hai
Published: January 2021

Studying optical properties of organic materials is important due to the rapid development of organic light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and photon detectors. Here, for the first time, we have performed tight-binding calculations for singlet excitons, in combination with first-principles calculations of the excited states in molecular dimers, to describe the optical properties of a zinc-phthalocyanine one-dimensional molecular chain. We have included the intra-molecule and charge-transfer excitations and the coupling between them. Our calculations have successfully interpreted a body of experimental UV–visible optical spectra of transition-metal phthalocyanines. Compared with the previous ab initio calculations for a molecular dimer, the optical absorptions at the split peaks of the Q-bands can be comparable, which indicates the importance of the coupling between the intra-molecular and charge-transfer excitons.
A genre-based investigation of the “About Us” section of private hospitals’ Websites
Authors: Aghbolagh Nasser Salimi , Hashim Azirah , Mei Cecilia Cheong Yin
Published: January 2021

Medical tourism industry is currently viewed as one of the lucrative sources of income for some countries and in essence, owes much of its reputation and success to private hospitals and the Internet (Connell, 2006). However, how these private hospitals discursively present themselves to prospective health tourists in order to entice them to use their medical services rather than their rivals’ still remains under-researched. Following the ESP genre school, this study seeks to explore the “About Us” sections of private hospitals’ websites and aims to see how such sections are rhetorically designed and constructed. Using Bhatia’s (1993, 2004) move structures for promotional texts, this study examines the rhetorical structure of the constituent webpages of the “About Us” sections of forty-one Malaysian private hospitals’ websites. Our study demonstrates how Malaysian private hospitals utilize a number of cognitive structures to present and promote themselves in their “About Us” sections. Our findings are, in general, beneficial for the private hospitals in Malaysia or elsewhere in the world, and in particular, are helpful for novice medical website designers.
Dialogue between smart education and classical education
Authors: Sharonova Svetlana , Avdeeva Elena
Published: January 2021

Paradigmatic changes in education arise as a result of the emergence of a fundamentally new reality in society. Society
has predicted this new reality through the concepts of post-industrial society, information society, knowledge society. The basis of this
new reality is the development of information technologies (IT). These transformations of reality are taking place so rapidly that the
institute of education has not had the time to realign itself in this new space and has been late in its development of new breakthroughs in
the field of artificial intelligence. The purpose of the study is to show the fundamental paradigmatic differences between classical
education and smart education, and to build a bridge of dialogue between these two paradigms.
Tissue culture.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Plant tissue culture (micropropagation) is the aseptic culture of cells, tissues, organs and their components under controlled conditions in vitro where the environment and nutrition are rigidly controlled. While tissue culture is the most commonly applied and widely recognised term for this process, micropropagation, in vitro culture, sterile culture and axenic culture may also be used (Smith, 2013). Tissue culture has developed to the point where it has become an important tool in both basic and applied studies, as well as in commercial application and large scale plant production (Thorpe, 2007). The first attempts at culturing isolated plant cells in vitro on artificial medium were carried out by the German scientist, Gottlieb Haberlandt in 1902 (Krikorian and Berquam, 1969). While these early experiments were unsuccessful, Haberlandt proposed and established the new concept of 'totipotency' - the potential of a plant cell to grow and develop into a whole new multicellular plant via differentiation of a single cell into many other cell types. Thus Haberlandt is justifiably recognised as the father of plant tissue culture (Thorpe, 2007). By 1922 further studies by Robbins and Kottle had established short-term cultures of isolated root tips. By 1934 other researchers began to build on this process and maintained indefinite culture of tomato root tips (White, 1934). During the 1930s and 1940s more important findings added to the initial process of cell culturing with the first long-term plant tissue culture of callus from explants of cambial tissue isolated from carrot carried out by Gautheret and Nobecourt. This was followed by callus culture of tobacco tumour tissue which was induced to differentiate into roots and shoots (White, 1939).
Development, division and discontent in informal markets: insights from Kampala
Authors: Young Graeme
Published: January 2021

This article explores the recent history of Owino Market in Kampala, Uganda, to analyse the constraints to agency that exist in the informal economy. Detailing conflicts over market management and development in Owino, it argues that agency in the informal economy must be understood in reference to the economic divisions that exist within the informal sphere and the political divisions that characterise urban governance. The interaction of the two, as Owino illustrates, can severely circumscribe the ability of informal vendors to act in ways that allow them to participate in urban development. In this case, ongoing efforts by the ruling party and executive to monopolise power in Kampala solidified and politicised internal market hierarchies defined by vending location and ownership and employment status, leading to conflicts that threatened the majority of vendors’ livelihoods and the viability of their economic activities. For many in the informal economy, these structural constraints to agency may be impossible to overcome.
Miscellaneous optical solitons in magneto-optic waveguides associated to the influence of the cross-phase modulation in instability spectra
Authors: Abbagari Souleymanou , Alphonse Houwe , Mukam Serge P , Inc Mustafa , Serge Doka Y , Bouetou Thomas B
Published: January 2021

By employing the traveling-wave hypothesis to the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation (CNLSE), the constraint relation on metamaterials parameters and the auxiliary equation have been recovered successfully. Conjecturing the values of the coefficients of the auxiliary equation, a diversity of solutions have been constructed while respecting the conditions of existence of these solutions. By choosing adequate parameters, it is obtained W-shape bright, dark, kink, anti-kink like optical solitons for the CNLSE which controls waves in magneto-optic waveguides in the presence of cross-phase modulation (XMP). To deal with the influence of the XMP to Modulation Instability (MI), the linearization technique was adopted and the continuous wave (CW) solutions were used to obtaining the dispersion relation as well as the associated MI gain spectrum. The study of the MI gain spectrum have been done in the normal and anomalous dispersive regimes associated with zero-birefringence, linear-birefringence and circular birefringence. The MI gain spectrum curves illustrating the miscellaneous of optical solitons in the magneto-optic waveguides were obtained. It is noted that these results sufficiently illustrate the dynamic of the nonlinear optic fibers through the 3D and 2D spatiotemporal plot evolutions.
Closed-loop controlled compensation of thermal lensing in high-power thin-disk lasers using spherically deformable mirrors
Authors: Beirow Frieder , Schmidt Kevin , Sawodny Oliver , Graf Thomas , Ahmed Marwan Abdou
Published: January 2021

We present the closed-loop controlled compensation of the thermally induced lens in a high-power thin-disk oscillator to obtain fundamental-mode operation over a wide range of pump powers. The radius of the oscillating beam was measured in real time at the position of the thin-disk crystal. This signal was used by the control system to adapt the curvature of a spherically deformable mirror to maintain a constant radius of the oscillating laser beam.
Autoelectronic emission and charge relaxation of thorium ions implanted into a thin-film silicon oxide matrix
Authors: Borisyuk P V , Chubunova E V , Kolachevsky N N , Lebedinskii Yu Yu , Tkalya E V , Vasilyev O S , Yakovlev V P
Published: January 2021

An ensemble of thorium-229 ions embedded by pulsed laser implantation into a matrix of a broadband dielectric-silicon oxide is studied. The results of the experimental investigation of thorium ions’ lifetime as charged components of the Th+/SiO2/Si system formed immediately after laser implantation are presented. The modelled theoretical description takes into account the instantaneous charging of the surface via laser implantation followed by charge relaxation due to the effect of autoelectronic emission that leads to time dependent partial neutralization of the surface charge by tunneling electrons. It was found that the lifetime of Th+ ions on the SiO2 surface can exceed 10 s, which would be an attractive opportunity for studying the nuclear low-lying isomeric transition in the thorium-229 isotope.
Classification of visual comprehension based on EEG data using sparse optimal scoring
Authors: Ford Linda K , Borneman Joshua D , Krebs Julia , Malaia Evguenia A , Ames Brendan P
Published: January 2021

Objective.Understanding and differentiating brain states is an important task in the field of cognitive neuroscience with applications in health diagnostics, such as detecting neurotypical development vs. autism spectrum or coma/vegetative state vs. locked-in state. Electroencephalography (EEG) analysis is a particularly useful tool for this task as EEG data can detect millisecond-level changes in brain activity across a range of frequencies in a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive fashion. The goal of this study is to apply machine learning methods to EEG data in order to classify visual language comprehension across multiple participants.Approach.26-channel EEG was recorded for 24 Deaf participants while they watched videos of sign language sentences played in time-direct and time-reverse formats to simulate interpretable vs. uninterpretable sign language, respectively. Sparse optimal scoring (SOS) was applied to EEG data in order to classify which type of video a participant was watching, time-direct or time-reversed. The use of SOS also served to reduce the dimensionality of the features to improve model interpretability.Main results.The analysis of frequency-domain EEG data resulted in an average out-of-sample classification accuracy of 98.89%, which was far superior to the time-domain analysis. This high classification accuracy suggests this model can accurately identify common neural responses to visual linguistic stimuli.Significance.The significance of this work is in determining necessary and sufficient neural features for classifying the high-level neural process of visual language comprehension across multiple participants.
Current reversal of active particles in channel with time-oscillating boundaries
Authors: Lü Yan , Rong Zhijiang
Published: January 2021

Directed transport of active particles in a two-dimensional asymmetrical periodic channel with time-oscillating boundaries is numerically investigated. It is found that the oscillation of the channel boundaries and the self-propulsion of active particles are two different types of non-equilibrium driving that can induce directional transport, the competition between the both determine the direction of the transport. Remarkably, for a given asymmetric parameter of the channel, the average velocity can change direction twice on changing the oscillating frequency due to the competition of the oscillation of the channel boundaries and the self-propulsion. Additionally, we find that the particles with different self-propulsion velocities or rotational diffusion coefficients will move in opposite direction and can be separated.
Parameter extraction of solar photovoltaic modules using various optimization techniques: a review
Authors: Maniraj B , Peer Fathima A
Published: January 2021

Parameter extraction of the solar module is essential for performance analysis, efficiency calculation and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the PV system. This paper makes a detailed analysis of parameter extraction from the solar PV system through application of optimization techniques based on single and two-diode models. The characteristics of PV panel are investigated using power-voltage (P-V) and current-voltage (I-V) curves. To identification of circuit model parameters of PV panel has been done by its representation of an electrical equivalent circuit which consists of a current source in parallel with diodes. The important parameters of solar PV system are Photo current (Iph
), Reverse saturation current (Io/Io1and Io2), Diode ideality factor (A/A
1 and A
2), Series resistor (Rs
) and parallel resistor (Rp
). The difficulties in extracting parameters from solar PV modules are referred to as parameter estimation problems and form the focus for many researchers. This paper may be useful for researchers and PV panel designers in making precise PV panels with the help of suitable optimization techniques available in the literature.
Variable Parametric Pulse Width Modulation Scheme Applied to Harmonic Current Regulation using Shunt Active Harmonic Filter in Distribution Network
Authors: Balamurugan P. , Senthil Kumar N.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, an adaptive carrier based pulse width modulation scheme for controlling current output of shunt active harmonic filter (SAHF) is proposed. The control strategy adapts the magnitude of the carrier signal in accordance with the modulation signal so as to generate appropriate pulse width for SAHF for synthesizing desired harmonic current at the point of common coupling (PCC). The technique adapted considers the error magnitude and polarity with the feedback of generated pulse width modulated(PWM) signals. To ameliorate the tracking of reference current, with fast response and defined switching frequency, the variable parametric PWM technique (VP-PWM) is implemented and validated for a distribution network feeding a balanced/unbalanced nonlinear loads. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated using MATLAB/Simulink based simulations and the controller performance metrics are evaluated. The results proves the feasibilityand effectiveness of the proposed control strategy to operate with SAHFin regulating current harmonics in the distribution network.
Passive Cell Balancing of Li-Ion batteries used for Automotive Applications
Authors: Samaddar Neil , Senthil Kumar N , Jayapragash R
Published: January 2021

Due to the increasing demand of Li-ion batteries in automobiles and home applications due to their high volumetric energy density, high gravimetric energy density, low self-discharge and high efficiency. However, due to their high energy carrying capability, they tend to be more unstable compared to other batteries like lead acid batteries and hence need extensive monitoring to make sure they are operating within their specified safe operating limits; failing to do so may result in fire hazards and explosions. Hence this creates a demand for sophisticated Battery Management System (BMS) which will not only optimize power draw from the batteries but also keep them operating within safe limits, thus not putting the users at risk. This research paper begins with battery modelling using passive components and discusses the major factors which are important while designing an effective BMS. It also provides simulation to help better understand the functioning of a BMS.
Implementation of Cuk Converter with dSPACE1103 controller
Authors: Santra Tinoy , Gupta Ritik , Gunabalan R
Published: January 2021

This paper discusses a simple approach for the implementation of closed loop control of Cuk converter in real time using dSPACE1103 controller. The control algorithm and the proportional integral controller (PI) are constructed in MATLAB simulink with dSPACE blocksets. The converter is designed with a power rating of 18 W with 30 V output voltage for LED driver applications for an input of 12 V DC supply. The Cuk converter and the driver circuits are designed and fabricated in real time. The circuit is tested under different running conditions. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the performance of the converter.
Tidal Current Energy for Indian Coastal Lines – A State Art of Review
Authors: Vyshnavi P , Venkatesan Nithya , Samad A. , Avital E.J.
Published: January 2021

India has about 7500 km of coastal lines with a significant potential to harvest marine energy. Tidal energy, one of the types of marine energy that emerges has a practical option to supply reliable and renewable energy to the Indian coastal areas. This paper focuses on tidal current turbines that can be adapted to various potential sites available along Indian coasts. Tidal energy projects all over the world and the type of turbines used by their applications are presented. This is followed by preliminary analysis of the Indian sites that includes current speeds and depth, possible adoption of current tidal current technology to those sites and the likely power output. Finally, challenges facing those who adopt the current technology are briefly discussed.
Conduction Angle Control of Switched Reluctance Motor
Authors: Sherla Pramesh B , Gupta Harshabh , Thite Jayshree , Jayapragash R
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a microcontroller based closed loop speed control of Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) drive powered through Asymmetric Half Bridge Converter (AHBC). Conduction angle control method is adopted for speed control and it is done by adjusting the duty cycle of PWM signal using a potentiometer. The performance comparison of speed control of SRM drive through single switch per phase converter and AHBC is performed with the help of soft chopping in conduction angle control method.
Analysis of tubular joint of offshore structure
Authors: Santosh Sawant Sanket , Dr. Muthumani K.
Published: January 2021

The Jacket of an offshore structure is made up of tubular members. These tubular members are made up of steel and designed to resist yield and buckling loads. The tubular sections form various types of joints like K joint, KT joint, Y joint, etc. These joints are subjected to various types of cyclic loading conditions, due to which fatigue failure starts and increases as the time passes. As a result, the most critical section of the jacket fails first epically joint. The excessive strains due to axial forces, in-plane, and out plane bending moment accelerate the failure mechanism. In this paper, the comparative study is made between K joint and KT joint for the same loading conditions is made by selecting a finite method approach. By referring to API RP 2A and DNV RP C203. The observations are made on the behavior of joints for the same loading conditions, to the made conclusion of this project. Keywords: K Joint, KT joint, Axial force, in plane bending moment, out plane Bending moment, API RP 2A, DNV RP C203
Structural Integrity of RCC Modular Concrete Structure
Authors: Reddy Kuncham Seshananda , Ramesh Kannan M.
Published: January 2021

The structural integrity of composite structural elements is very significant. This corroborates for RCC modular reinforced concrete structural systems as well. In this research, a detailed 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of commonly built RCC modular concrete system is perceived. The FEA of RCC modular concrete structure is carried out using an industrial standard cutting edge software. This is a comprehensive attempt on the modelling and analysis of RCC modular concrete structure as per BIS standard.
Multi criteria decision making approach for selection of biodiesel blend using AHP-TOPSIS analysis
Authors: Sunil Chaitanya G , Raj Kumar M , Deivanathan R
Published: January 2021

Due to globalization, the demand for fossil fuels has exponentially raised and pollution level in ozone also increased. This causes awareness, leading the researchers to study about various renewable energy sources. In that extensive research, bio-diesel blends form a small part of business and are playing a vital role in developing an alternative fuel for automotive usage, which will be more efficient, balanced, and less pollutant. This research study deals with the use of a multi criteria decision making techniques called Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and TOPSIS to analyse and rank the different blends of biodiesel from the engine performance data. For acquiring data, for ranking the biofuel, a 4-stroke test engine was fuelled with Pungam oil biodiesel and operated at various engine rpm and torques. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is basically to analyse the performance and emission of the IC engine. Here, separate models are developed for emission characteristics. To rank the best fuel blend, the biodiesel blend percentage and engine load conditions are used as the input data, while the exhaust emissions parameters such as NOx, smoke, CO2, HC, etc. are considered as the output. From the comparison of results of the AHP-TOPSIS method, the B20 blend is the best option for low engine loads while B80 shows up as the best option at high engine loads.
Welding Defect Identification with Machine Vision System using Machine Learning
Authors: Praveen Kumar R , Deivanathan R , Jegadeeshwaran R
Published: January 2021

Friction stir welding is a solid-state joining process to join similar or dissimilar metals, which uses the friction developed between the metals to join them. Friction stir welding is an efficient way to join the metals but the welding defects are a little difficult to find through naked eyes. Hence, there is a chance of it being unnoticed even in final inspection in industries. So the welded joints are inspected by machine vision, using camera and an intelligent system. After obtaining the images of the welded joints and processing them using MATLAB, they are differentiated according to the various defects in them, using machine learning technique. For this, the statistical features of the image are extracted and they are classified into different defects using classifiers like Decision Trees, Discriminant Analysis, Support Vector Machine and Nearest Neighbour.
Multi-phase simulation of semi-submersible platform with pencil column using CFD
Authors: Rohit K , Sharan V , Ravishankar M , Bhuvaneshwar D , Harish R
Published: January 2021

This paper reports based on a numerical study of multiphase fluid flow through a channel with a semi-submersible platform using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The present study will be designing and analysing semisubmersible platform with pencil column and without pencil column. The computational fluid dynamics which solves simple differential equations and finite volume method (FVM) will be used. A turbulence model is considered i.e. large eddy simulation (LES). The semi-submersible model is designed as pontoons, columns, horizontal brace, pencil column and deck. The pontoons are horizontal placed stadium shaped structures which are submerged into the water. The columns are structures which connects the deck and pontoons. The horizontal braces are structures which connects the two or more columns which increases the rigidity of the columns. The pencil columns are columns with lesser diameter of about 0.25D which are placed between the columns. The deck are flat surfaces which provides workable area. This paper is a comparison of fluid flow by varying the model i.e. with and without pencil column in the semi-submersible platform. The velocity contours, pressure contours and streamline contours are plotted. The difference in pressure, velocity and streamline flow are tabulated and graphically represented. The percentage difference in pressure and velocity are calculated for structural design for various offshore platforms.