bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DIRECTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIZATION’S INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL
Authors: Gritskevich Olga V.
Published: November 2021

To implement innovations, organizations need to form and develop innovative potential. The innovation potential of an organization includes the potential of material resources and intellectual potential. Taking into account the peculiarities of the influence of laws and principles of the organization on the innovation potential, it is possible to choose the directions of its development. The aim is to study formation principles of organization’s innovative potential, taking into account the influence of laws and principles of the organization, and to determine possible directions for its development. The objects of research are organizations engaged in the implementation of innovations. The subject of the study is the principles and directions of the development of innovative potential. In the course of the research, a number of theoretical methods were used: analysis and synthesis, observation, comparison, and abstraction. The peculiarities of the influence of the law and the principles of development on the innovation potential indicate that personnel, information, organizational and managerial potentials, play the main role. The development of the innovative potential of organizations using the scientific and technical component can be achieved by conducting research in the field of creating new materials, developing and modernizing production processes, solving resource-saving problems. Innovation potential contributes to the development of the organization's strategy. In this study, the theories of innovation potential and the objective laws of the organization were jointly considered.
APPLICATION OF MICRORELIEF PLANARIZATION BY PHOTORESIST FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF DIFFRACTIVE ORIGINALS AT PRODUCTION OF BIFOCAL INTRAOCULAR LENS «MIOL-ACCORD»
Authors: Korolkov Viktor P. , Konoshenko Polina Y. , Mikerin Sergey L.
Published: November 2021

Bifocal diffraction-refractive intraocular lenses (BDRIOL) are widely used in ophthalmology for replacing natural lenses that have been clouded by cataracts. In Russia, the REPER-NN company has developed a manufacturing technology for such BDRIOLS which based on the frontal polymerization of a liquid photopolymer placed between two transparent quartz matrices. The direct measurement of the light energy distribution over the foci after the manufactured quartz diffraction matrix is complicated by the fact that the diffraction relief depth corresponds to the polymer lens operation in the intraocular fluid and is therefore significantly greater than is required when working in air. We have developed a method for the energy distribution measuring over the foci of the BDRYOL diffraction component which based on the time planarization of the matrix relief by a photoresist layer. The diffraction relief filling with a material with a refractive index of a given value higher than refractive index of fused quartz makes it possible to achieve light focusing conditions equivalent to working in the intraocular environment, and also to measure the light energy distribution across the foci under conditions close to the calculated light wavelength in the visible range. The primary task at the moment is to obtain such a photoresist refractive index, which will provide the relief depth of the intraocular lens diffraction component, corresponding to the work in the vitreous body of the eye. The work is devoted to the selection of drying conditions and the method of measuring the photoresist refractive index.
ESTIMATION OF ERRORS OF MEASUREMENT METHODS ON A UNIVERSAL MEASURING MICROSCOPE
Authors: Vikhareva Nadezhda A.
Published: November 2021

The article presents the results of evaluating the errors of measurement methods on a universal measuring microscope, determines the causes of their occurrence and their impact on the measurement result, and also provides a comparative analysis of the resulting errors in comparison with other measuring microscopes.
IMPROVING THE INFORMATIVITY OF TRAJECTORY MEASUREMENTS FOR GLONASS EPHEMERIS AND BALLISTIC SUPPORT
Authors: Krylov Vladimir S. , Tolstikov Alexander S.
Published: November 2021

Possibilities of the instrumental variables method using to improve the matrix properties of algebraic equations system are shown in the article. The problem of trajectory measurements from a network of ground-based, no-demand measuring stations using GLONASS navigation satellites is considered. The need to increase information content of trajectory measurements is especially important for trajectory measurements in the southern hemisphere of the Earth with a small number of measuring stations. The numerical experiment results of trajectory measurements of the navigation satellite movement from two and three request-free measuring stations with geometric constraints with use of simulation modeling are presented. The possibility of the measurements’ information content increasing from such base stations using the instrumental variables method is shown. Comparison of an indicator of the trajectory measurements informativity is made according to the degree of the matrix conditionality of the algebraic equations system being solved. Based on the results of the numerical experiment, it is concluded that it is possible to increase the information content of trajectory measurements from a network of non-query measuring stations with geometric constraints, involving the method of instrumental variables in processing. A quantitative estimation of the increase in information content was obtained in the form of a decrease in the condition number of the system matrix being solved by more than one order of magnitude. In the future, the research is predicted on the possibility of the trajectory measurements informativeness increasing for various basic functions used as instrumental variables, and their effect on the geometric constraints reducing an uneven network of measuring stations.
THE ROLE OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENTERPRISE
Authors: Samoyluk Tamara A. , Popova Anastasia S. , Shaburova Aelita V.
Published: November 2021

In a market economy, the competitiveness of an enterprise is ensured by the introduction of innovations. In order to remain innovative, enterprises need high-quality human resources. Investments in human resources, as the main factor of innovative growth, determine the ability of employees to transform their existing knowledge, skills and abilities into high-tech products, highly qualified services.
METHOD FOR REMOTE DETECTION OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN THE NEAR AND MIDDLE IR RANGE
Authors: Ayrapetyan Valerik S. , Makeev Alexander V.
Published: November 2021

A scheme of a lidar complex for remote identification of explosives by the method of differential absorption and scattering is proposed. Calculation studies on remote sensing of spectroscopic parameters of some hazardous chemicals have been carried out.
F-THETA LENS DISTORTION
Authors: Bodnarchuk Andrey I. , Khatsevich Tatiana N.
Published: November 2021

The features of F-Theta lenses, the values of the characteristics of the most common models are considered. The conditions for achieving the F-Theta law and the telecentric run of the main rays in the optical scheme of the lens are identified. A formula for the distortion required to provide a linear law, depending on the angle of the inclined beam of rays relative to the optical axisis given. The criteria for the permissible error of deviation from the exact compliance with the linear law are formulated. The relevance of the development of new optical systems for F-Theta lenses is justified.
NEW TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE "CAPSULE-IGNITER-CARTRIDGE-WEAPON" COMPLEX
Authors: Kislin Mikhail А. , Vikhareva Nadezhda A. , German Aleksandr А.
Published: November 2021

The article offers data about primers, small arms cartridges, and small arms. These devices are considered as devices, changes in the design and parameters of which significantly change the operation of the complex "capsule-igniter-cartridge-weapon". The article also presents new technical solutions for modernization of this complex.
LIBRARY OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS AND MICROWAVE GENERATORS
Authors: Chekotun Natalia V. , Savelkaev Sergei S.
Published: November 2021

The paper considers mathematical models of an amplifier, an unstabilized generator, and an autogenerator which take into account the stability parameters of the active component. The developed library of mathematical models provides automation of simulation modeling of amplifiers and autogenerators by means of a simulator-analyzer in the CAD system.
SIMULATION OF A FLEXIBLE LINEAR GRAPHENE ANTENNA ARRAY ON A PAPER SUBSTRATE
Authors: Cherevko Alexander G. , Morgachev Yury V.
Published: November 2021

The article presents an analysis of flexible graphene antenna arrays, which has shown the promise of using a folded dipole antenna as an element of such array. The structure of the flexible folded dipole operating at a frequency of 5,8 GHz on a photo-paper substrate is considered. Simulation yields a gain of 2,53 dBi with a final efficiency of 75% and | S 11| -31,82 dB. The influence of bending on the final shape of the radiation pattern is considered, as well as the value and position of the minimum of the | S 11|. The gain of a linear three-element graphene flexible antenna array based on a folded flexible dipole is 5,78 dBi.
METHODS OF COUNTERING THE INFORMATION TAKING FROM AN INDIVIDUAL THROUGH MANIPULATION
Authors: Kozlov Mikhail А. , Polikanin Alexey N.
Published: November 2021

The article considers the actual problem of information leakage through employees, draws attention to the ways of influencing a person, both open and secret, suggests ways of countering, familiarization with which may prevent leakage.
TO THE QUESTION OF FORMING A PARTICULAR THREAT MODEL FOR MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Authors: Popkov Gleb V.
Published: November 2021

The article deals with the issues related to the prospective formation of particular threat models on the network of multiservice communication networks (MCN) resistant to external destructive influences (EDI). To form a threat model, the concept of synthesis of models of the life cycle of MCN networks, ITU-T recommendations of the X.800 series, in particular X.805 [1], an eight-level hyper MCN networks.
AUTOMATIC APPEARANCE INSPECTION OF THE FUEL ELEMENT SHELLS
Authors: Vykhristyuk Ignat A. , Kulikov Rodion V.
Published: November 2021

The system of automatic appearance inspection of the fuel element shells surface is presented. The system structure, the measurement methods in use and the inspection process are considered. The performance specification of the system is given.
THE EFFECTIVE COHERENCE LENGTH DEFINITION IN PARTIALLY COHERENT LIGHT INTERFEROMETER
Authors: Sysoev Evgeny V. , Kulikov Rodion V. , Syeva Synaru A.
Published: November 2021

The influence of numerical aperture of the Linnik interferometer optical system on the interferogram contrast was investigated. It was shown that the numerical aperture growth leads to effective coherence length decreasing. The modeling and full-scale experiments results were presented.
PENGARUH RAW MATERIALS COST DAN DIRECT LABOR COST TERHADAP COST OF PRODUCTION PADA UMKM DI KOTA BATAM
Authors: Harahap Baru
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study was to find out whether the cost of raw materials and direct labor costs had an effect on the increase in production. In this quantitative research two types of variables are used, namely the independent variable is Raw Material Cost, Direct Labor Cost  and the dependent variable is Increased Production Results. Sampling is done by the technique used, namely purposive sampling. Data analysis using Classical Assumptions and Multiple Linear Regression methods. The results of the study were processed using SPSS 20, it can be seen that the Raw Material Cost has a tcount of 4.616 with a significance probability of 0.000, concluded that Raw Material Costs  partially have a positive and significant effect on Increasing Production Cost of Direct Labor Costs  has t count of 4.944 with a significance of 0,000 can be concluded that Direct Labor Costs  partially have a positive and significant effect on Increasing Production Results. The F test shows the Fcount value of 71,270 and significance of 0,000b means that there is a significant effect between Raw Material Costs  and Direct Labor Costs on Increasing Production Results.
Propuesta de mejora del servicio al cliente en una óptica en Lima Perú
Authors: Cusicanqui-Zavaleta Iris Samanta Siu , Martínez-Quintanilla Roy Fernando , Valdiviezo-López Raúl
Published: November 2021

Las expectativas que tienen los clientes y su satisfacción han cobrado cada vez mayor importancia para las empresas, porque de estas depende en gran medida la respuesta comercial, por lo tanto, tener y mantener al cliente satisfecho es una actividad vital para la empresa. La investigación aborda el caso de una óptica en la ciudad de Lima y cómo plantea una propuesta de solución para el logro de las expectativas de los clientes y su consiguiente satisfacción. La investigación se desarrolló a través de un enfoque mixto, bajo el sintagma holístico, de tipo proyectiva, considerando un nivel comprensivo, empleando el método inductivo y deductivo. La población fue de 1,200 clientes, una muestra de 60 personas; asimismo, las unidades informantes para las 4 entrevistas realizadas fueron 2 clientes y 2 colaboradores. El instrumento empleado fue el cuestionario Servqual, posteriormente se utilizó el diagrama de Pareto y el software IBM SPSS Statistics para procesar los datos cuantitativos. Para las entrevistas se utilizó una guía de entrevista y los datos cualitativos obtenidos se procesaron en el software Atlas.ti. Una vez recopilada la información, se procedió a realizar el diagnóstico mediante la triangulación de los datos. El estudio concluye que los problemas que afectan la satisfacción de los clientes son la falta de un servicio de calidad, de una metodología de planificación, seguimiento, evaluación de las labores y buenas prácticas en el control de la calidad, por lo que la propuesta se basa en subsanar dichos puntos.
Reduced Nitrogen Rate with Increased Planting Density Facilitated Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Modern Conventional Japonica Rice
Authors: Meng Tianyao , Chen Xi , Ge Jialin , Zhang Xubin , Zhou Guisheng , Dai Qigen , Wei Huanhe
Published: November 2021

The past three decades have seen a pronounced development of conventional japonica rice from the 1990s, although little information is available on changes regarding grain yield and nutrient use efficiency during this process. Nine conventional japonica rice released during the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s were grown under a reduced nitrogen rate, with increased planting density (RNID) and local cultivation practice (LCP) in 2017 and 2018. The rice from the 2010s had 3.6–5.5% and 7.0–10.1% higher (p < 0.05) grain yield than the 2000s and the 1990s, respectively, under RNID and LCP. The harvest index contributed more to genetic yield gain from the 1990s to the 2000s; whereas from the 2000s to 2010s, yield increase contributed through shoot biomass. Genetic improvement increased total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) accumulation, and their use efficiencies. The rice from the 2010s showed a similar grain yield, whereas the 1990s and 2000s’ rice exhibited a lower (p < 0.05) grain yield under RNID relative to LCP. RNID increased N, P, and K use efficiencies, particularly the N use efficiency for the grain yield (NUEg) of the 2010s’ rice, compared with LCP. For three varietal types, RNID increased the panicles per m2, the filled-grain percentage, and the grain weight (p < 0.05) while decreasing spikelets per panicle of the 2010s’ rice. Compared with LCP, RNID reduced non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content and shoot biomass, at heading and maturity, while increasing the remobilization of NSC and the harvest index, especially for the 2010s’ rice. Our results suggested the impressive progressive increase in grain yield and nutrient use efficiency of conventional japonica rice since the 1990s in east China. RNID could facilitate grain yield and NUEg for modern conventional japonica rice.
Evaluation of Soil S Pools under 23 Years of Maize Monoculture
Authors: Suran Pavel , Kulhánek Martin , Balík Jiří , Černý Jindřich , Sedlář Ondřej
Published: November 2021

Sulfur nutrition is a critical part of proper crop growth and development. In our study, biomass yields (BY) and S uptake were investigated on long-term maize monoculture on haplic luvisol soil during the 23 years of this trial, as well as changes in water extractable (Sw), adsorbed (Sads), mineral (Sav), and pseudo-total S (St) fractions. Treatments used in this study are: (1) Control (Cont); (2) ammonium sulfate (AS); (3) urea and ammonium nitrate (UAN); (4) UAN + phosphorus and potassium (UAN + PK); (5) UAN + phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur (UAN + PMgS); and (6) Fallow. Recently, the Mehlich 3 method started to be used in the Czech Republic to determine content of plant available S. Using this method, it was found that the content of S extracted by Mehlich 3 (SM3) closely correlates to Sav in both topsoil and subsoil (r = 0.958 in 1997 and 0.990 in 2019, both at p < 0.001). We also found that, on average, during the entire experiment, all treatments had increased yields over Cont (135–147%) and increased S uptake (291, 192, 180, and 246% of Cont for AS, UAN, UAN + PK, and UAN + PMgS, respectively). Examining the changes from 1997 to 2019 in topsoil (0–30 cm depth), we discovered a decrease of S content in Sw, Sads, Sav, and St fractions on all treatments to an average of 34.6%, 65.8%, 42.2%, and 78.6% of their initial values. The exception was AS treatment, which doubled its initial content in mineral fractions and maintained the same levels of St, and which we attribute to the very high dose of S on this treatment (142 kg ha−1 year−1). Using the simple balance method, AS and UAN + PMgS treatments lost 142.2 and 95.3 kg S ha−1 year−1 to other sinks, except plant uptake, from the entire soil profile (0–60 cm) during 23 years of experiment. Other treatments also show significant losses with the exception of Fallow. Given these results, it is clear that content of sulfur in soil is generally decreasing and attention should be paid mainly towards minimizing of its losses.
Soil–Plant Interaction: Effects on Plant Growth and Soil Biodiversity
Authors: Baldi Elena
Published: November 2021

Soil is a non-renewable resource essential to human life [...]
Postharvest Physiology of Ornamentals: Processes and Their Regulation
Authors: Meir Shimon , Philosoph-Hadas Sonia
Published: November 2021

The ornamentals industry is a very important agricultural sector [...]
Plant Disease Identification Using Shallow Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Hassan Sk Mahmudul , Jasinski Michal , Leonowicz Zbigniew , Jasinska Elzbieta , Maji Arnab Kumar
Published: November 2021

Various plant diseases are major threats to agriculture. For timely control of different plant diseases in effective manner, automated identification of diseases are highly beneficial. So far, different techniques have been used to identify the diseases in plants. Deep learning is among the most widely used techniques in recent times due to its impressive results. In this work, we have proposed two methods namely shallow VGG with RF and shallow VGG with Xgboost to identify the diseases. The proposed model is compared with other hand-crafted and deep learning-based approaches. The experiments are carried on three different plants namely corn, potato, and tomato. The considered diseases in corns are Blight, Common rust, and Gray leaf spot, diseases in potatoes are early blight and late blight, and tomato diseases are bacterial spot, early blight, and late blight. The result shows that our implemented shallow VGG with Xgboost model outperforms different deep learning models in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score, and specificity. Shallow Visual Geometric Group (VGG) with Xgboost gives the highest accuracy rate of 94.47% in corn, 98.74% in potato, and 93.91% in the tomato dataset. The models are also tested with field images of potato, corn, and tomato. Even in field image the average accuracy obtained using shallow VGG with Xgboost are 94.22%, 97.36%, and 93.14%, respectively.
The Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Porphyromonas gingivalis: Genetic Repertoire, Global Phenotype, and Review of the Literature
Authors: Conrads Georg , Klomp Tim , Deng Dongmei , Wenzler Johannes-Simon , Braun Andreas , Abdelbary Mohamed M. H.
Published: November 2021

The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of 29 strains of the major periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and three P. gulae (as an ancestor) to nine antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, clindamycin, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, doxycycline, azithromycin, imipenem, and cefoxitin) was evaluated by E-testing of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) according to international standards. The results were compared with 16 international studies reporting MICs from 1993 until recently. In addition, 77 currently available P. gingivalis genomes were screened for antimicrobial resistance genes. E-testing revealed a 100% sensitivity of P. gingivalis and P. gulae to all antibiotics. This was independent of the isolation year (1970 until 2021) or region, including rural areas in Indonesia and Africa. Regarding studies worldwide (675 strains), several method varieties regarding medium, McFarland inoculation standards (0.5–2) and incubation time (48–168 h) were used for MIC-testing. Overall, no resistances have been reported for amoxicillin + clavulanate, cefoxitin, and imipenem. Few strains showed intermediate susceptibility or resistance to amoxicillin and metronidazole, with the latter needing both confirmation and attention. The only antibiotics which might fail in the treatment of P. gingivalis-associated mixed anaerobic infections are clindamycin, macrolides, and tetracyclines, corresponding to the resistance genes erm(B), erm(F), and tet(Q) detected in our study here, as well as fluoroquinolones. Periodical antibiotic susceptibility testing is necessary to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial agents and to optimize antibiotic stewardship.
Hospital Pharmacists and Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Wong Lok Hang , Tay Evonne , Heng Shi Thong , Guo Huiling , Kwa Andrea Lay Hoon , Ng Tat Ming , Chung Shimin Jasmine , Somani Jyoti , Lye David Chien Boon , Chow Angela
Published: November 2021

Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in hospitals are predominantly led by specific ASP physicians and pharmacists. Limited studies have been conducted to appreciate non-ASP-trained hospital pharmacists’ perspectives on their roles in antimicrobial stewardship. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 74 pharmacists, purposively sampled from the 3 largest acute-care public hospitals in Singapore, to explore facilitators and barriers faced by them in antimicrobial stewardship. Applied thematic analysis was conducted and codes were categorised using the social–ecological model (SEM). At the intrapersonal level, pharmacists identified themselves as reviewers for drug safety before dispensing, confining to a restricted advisory role due to lack of clinical knowledge, experience, and empowerment to contribute actively to physicians’ prescribing decisions. At the interpersonal level, pharmacists expressed difficulties conveying their opinions and recommendations on antibiotic therapy to physicians despite frequent communications, but they assumed critical roles as educators for patients and their caregivers on proper antibiotic use. At the organisational level, in-house antibiotic guidelines supported pharmacists’ antibiotic interventions and recommendations. At the community level, pharmacists were motivated to improve low public awareness and knowledge on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. These findings provide important insights into the gaps to be addressed in order to harness the untapped potential of hospital pharmacists and fully engage them in antimicrobial stewardship.
Cations and Phenolic Compounds Concentrations in Fruits of Fig Plants Exposed to Moderate Levels of Salinity
Authors: Francini Alessandra , Sodini Mirko , Vicario Giulia , Raffaelli Andrea , Gucci Riccardo , Caruso Giovanni , Sebastiani Luca
Published: November 2021

Fig trees are often grown in areas affected by salinity problems. We investigated changes in the concentrations of 15 phenolic compounds and mineral elements (Mg, Ca, K, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Fe, Na) in fruits of fig plants (Ficus carica L. cv. Dottato) subjected to irrigation with saline water (100 mM of NaCl) for 28 days. We used UHPLC-MS/MS techniques to determine chlorogenic acid, tiliroside, catechin, epicatechin (ECTC), p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, phloridzin, phloretine, quercetagetin 7-O-glucoside, rutin, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol 7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, and quercetin. There was a steep gradient of Na+ concentrations between the root and the canopy of salinized plants, but leaf Na+ was similar in control and salt-treated plants. Quercetin, ECTC, and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in fig fruits. Salinity increased total phenols by 5.6%, but this increase was significant only for ECTC. Salt stress significantly increased Zn and Mg concentration in the fruit. Leaf levels of K, Mg, Ca, and Mn were similar in control and salinized plants. Moderate salt stress appears to improve fig fruit quality because of its positive effect on nutrients and antioxidant compounds such as epicatechin.
Influence of Oxidative Stress Generated by Smoking during Pregnancy on Glutathione Status in Mother-Newborn Pairs
Authors: Chełchowska Magdalena , Gajewska Joanna , Ambroszkiewicz Jadwiga , Mazur Joanna , Ołtarzewski Mariusz , Maciejewski Tomasz M.
Published: November 2021

Glutathione plays a key role in maintaining a physiological balance between prooxidants and antioxidants in the human body. Therefore, we examined the influence of maternal smoking as a source of oxidative stress measured by total oxidant capacity (TOC) on reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx-3), and reductase (GR) amount in maternal and umbilical cord blood in 110 (45 smoking and 65 non-smoking) mother-newborn pairs. Concentrations of glutathione status markers and TOC were evaluated by competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay technique. Plasma TOC levels were significantly higher and the GSH/GSSG ratio, which is considered an index of the cell’s redox status, were significantly lower in smoking women and their offspring than in non-smoking pairs. Decreased GR levels were found in smoking mothers and their newborns compared with similar non-smoking groups. Although plasma GPx-3 concentrations were similar in both maternal groups, in the cord blood of newborns exposed to tobacco smoke in utero they were reduced compared with the levels observed in children of tobacco abstinent mothers. Oxidative stress generated by tobacco smoke impairs glutathione homeostasis in both the mother and the newborn. The severity of oxidative processes in the mother co-existing with the reduced potential of antioxidant systems may have a negative effect on the oxidative-antioxidant balance in the newborn.
Phytohormones Producing Acinetobacter bouvetii P1 Mitigates Chromate Stress in Sunflower by Provoking Host Antioxidant Response
Authors: Qadir Muhammad , Hussain Anwar , Hamayun Muhammad , Shah Mohib , Iqbal Amjad , Irshad Muhammad , Ahmad Ayaz , Lodhi Muhammad Arif , Lee In-Jung
Published: November 2021

Different physical and chemical techniques are used for the decontamination of Cr+6 contaminated sites. The techniques are expensive, laborious, and time-consuming. However, remediation of Cr+6 by microbes is viable, efficient, and cost-effective. In this context, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Acinetobacter bouvetii P1 isolated from the industrial zone was tested for its role in relieving Cr+6 induced oxidative stress in sunflower. At the elevated Cr+6 levels and in the absence of P1, the growth of the sunflower plants was inhibited. In contrast, the selected strain P1 restored the sunflower growth under Cr+6 through plant growth–promoting interactions. Specifically, P1 biotransformed the Cr+6 into a stable and less toxic Cr+3 form, thus avoiding the possibility of phytotoxicity. On the one hand, the P1 strengthened the host antioxidant system by triggering higher production of enzymatic antioxidants, including catalases, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase. Similarly, P1 also promoted higher production of nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as flavonoids, phenolics, proline, and glutathione. Apart from the bioremediation, P1 solubilized phosphate and produced indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, and salicylic acid. The production of phytohormones not only helped the host plant growth but also mitigated the harsh condition posed by the elevated levels of Cr+6. The findings mentioned above suggest that P1 may serve as an excellent phyto-stimulant and bio-remediator in a heavy metal-contaminated environment.
Murine Neonatal Oxidant Lung Injury: NRF2-Dependent Predisposition to Adulthood Respiratory Viral Infection and Protection by Maternal Antioxidant
Authors: Cho Hye-Youn , Miller-DeGraff Laura , Perrow Ligon A. , Gladwell Wesley , Panduri Vijayalakshmi , Lih Fred B. , Kleeberger Steven R.
Published: November 2021

NRF2 protects against oxidant-associated airway disorders via cytoprotective gene induction. To examine if NRF2 is an important determinant of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) susceptibility after neonate lung injury, Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2−/−) and wild-type (Nrf2+/+) mice neonatally exposed to hyperoxia were infected with RSV. To investigate the prenatal antioxidant effect on neonatal oxidative lung injury, time-pregnant Nrf2−/− and Nrf2+/+ mice were given an oral NRF2 agonist (sulforaphane) on embryonic days 11.5–17.5, and offspring were exposed to hyperoxia. Bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathologic analyses determined lung injury. cDNA microarray analyses were performed on placenta and neonatal lungs. RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation, injury, oxidation, and virus load were heightened in hyperoxia-exposed mice, and injury was more severe in hyperoxia-susceptible Nrf2−/− mice than in Nrf2+/+ mice. Maternal sulforaphane significantly alleviated hyperoxic lung injury in both neonate genotypes with more marked attenuation of severe neutrophilia, edema, oxidation, and alveolarization arrest in Nrf2−/− mice. Prenatal sulforaphane altered different genes with similar defensive functions (e.g., inhibition of cell/perinatal death and inflammation, potentiation of angiogenesis/organ development) in both strains, indicating compensatory transcriptome changes in Nrf2−/− mice. Conclusively, oxidative injury in underdeveloped lungs NRF2-dependently predisposed RSV susceptibility. In utero sulforaphane intervention suggested NRF2-dependent and -independent pulmonary protection mechanisms against early-life oxidant injury.
Taurine as a Natural Antioxidant: From Direct Antioxidant Effects to Protective Action in Various Toxicological Models
Authors: Surai Peter F. , Earle-Payne Katie , Kidd Michael T.
Published: November 2021

Natural antioxidants have received tremendous attention over the last 3 decades. At the same time, the attitude to free radicals is slowly changing, and their signalling role in adaptation to stress has recently received a lot of attention. Among many different antioxidants in the body, taurine (Tau), a sulphur-containing non-proteinogenic β-amino acid, is shown to have a special place as an important natural modulator of the antioxidant defence networks. Indeed, Tau is synthesised in most mammals and birds, and the Tau requirement is met by both synthesis and food/feed supply. From the analysis of recent data, it could be concluded that the direct antioxidant effect of Tau due to scavenging free radicals is limited and could be expected only in a few mammalian/avian tissues (e.g., heart and eye) with comparatively high (>15–20 mM) Tau concentrations. The stabilising effects of Tau on mitochondria, a prime site of free radical formation, are characterised and deserve more attention. Tau deficiency has been shown to compromise the electron transport chain in mitochondria and significantly increase free radical production. It seems likely that by maintaining the optimal Tau status of mitochondria, it is possible to control free radical production. Tau’s antioxidant protective action is of great importance in various stress conditions in human life, and is related to commercial animal and poultry production. In various in vitro and in vivo toxicological models, Tau showed AO protective effects. The membrane-stabilizing effects, inhibiting effects on ROS-producing enzymes, as well as the indirect AO effects of Tau via redox balance maintenance associated with the modulation of various transcription factors (e.g., Nrf2 and NF-κB) and vitagenes could also contribute to its protective action in stress conditions, and thus deserve more attention.
Controlling Conditions of the One-Dimensional Consolidation Test on Peat Soil
Authors: Peng Bo , Feng Ruiling , Wu Lijian , Shen Yupeng
Published: November 2021

This paper studies the changes in the loss on ignition (LOI), total nitrogen content (TN), and strain in a one-dimensional consolidation test on peat soil. The effects of small-range fluctuations in the ambient temperature and changes in the sample height on the consolidation process of peat soil are proposed and verify the inhibitory effect of thymol on the decomposition of organic matter. The results show that when the ambient temperature fluctuates in a small range, the consolidation rate is significantly affected. Under a low load, the ambient temperature increases by 1–2 °C, and the consolidation rate can be increased by up to 10 times. This study presents the changes in loss on ignition (LOI) and total nitrogen content (TN) during consolidation, which proves that soaking the samples with a thymol solution can effectively control the decomposition of organic matter in peat soil. The strain of peat soil at a height of 30 mm is greater than or equal to that of other height samples, while that of mucky soil is 20 mm. Therefore, 30mm is the recommended sample height for peat soil for the one-dimensional consolidation test.
Phosphorus Dynamics in the Soil–Plant–Environment Relationship in Cropping Systems: A Review
Authors: Lizcano-Toledo Rodolfo , Reyes-Martín Marino Pedro , Celi Luisella , Fernández-Ondoño Emilia
Published: November 2021

This work performs a review of the relevant aspects of agronomic dynamics of phosphorus (P) in the soil–plant relationship as a community (crop ecophysiology), the effect of environmental conditions and global warming on the redistribution and translocation of P in some crop, and the use of good agricultural practices with the aim of improving the efficiency of the element. The research focuses on Northern Europe, North-Eastern Asia, Oceania, North America, and the tropical area of Latin America. This review covers general research and specific works on P found in the literature, 70% of which date from the last 10 years, as well as some older studies that have been of great relevance as references and starting points for more recent investigations. The dynamics of P in a system implies taking into account genetic aspects of the plant, component of the soil–plant–fertilizer–environment relationship, and use of technologies at the molecular level. In addition, in a climate change scenario, the availability of this element can significantly change depending on whether it is labile or non-labile.
A Tunable Metamaterial Joint for Mechanical Shock Applications Inspired by Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Giannopoulos Georgios I. , Georgantzinos Stylianos K.
Published: November 2021

The significant developments of additive manufacturing and especially 3D-printing technologies have broadened the application field of metamaterials. The present study aims at establishing the main design parameters of a novel 3D-printed polymer-based joint. The proposed joint can efficiently absorb impact energy, relieving the material components from extensive plastic deformations. The design of the machine element is inspired by the molecular structure of carbon nanotubes and appropriately adjusted in such a way that it has the ability to partially transform translational motion to rotational motion and, thus, provide axial structural protection from compressive shocks. The utilized material is a photosensitive resin that is typically utilized in 3D manufacturing processes. Experiments are utilized to characterize the mechanical performance of the raw material as well as the static compressive behavior of the joint. Finally, finite element simulations are performed to test the developed design under impact loadings characterized by different frequencies. The damping capabilities of the metamaterial-based joint are revealed and discussed.
Usefulness of Compiled Geophysical Prospecting Surveys in Groundwater Research in the Metropolitan District of Quito in Northern Ecuador
Authors: Peñafiel Lilia , Alcalá Francisco Javier , Senent-Aparicio Javier
Published: November 2021

As in other large Andean cities, the population in the Metropolitan District of Quito (MDQ) in northern Ecuador is growing, and groundwater is becoming essential to meet the increasing urban water demand. Quito’s Public Water Supply Company (EPMAPS) is promoting groundwater research for sustainable water supply, and geophysical prospecting surveys are used to define aquifer geometry and certain transient groundwater features. This paper examines the usefulness of existing geophysical prospecting surveys in groundwater research in the MDQ. A database was built using 23 representative geophysical prospecting surveys compiled from EPMAPS’ public repository, official geotechnical research reports, and the scientific literature. Fifteen EPMAPS-promoted surveys used near-surface electrical techniques (seven used electrical resistivity tomography and eight used vertical electrical sounding) to explore Holocene and Pleistocene sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary formations in the 25–500-m prospecting depth range, some of which form shallow aquifers used for water supply. Four other surveys used near-surface seismic techniques (refraction microtremor) for geotechnical research in civil works. These surveys have been reinterpreted to define shallow aquifer geometry. Finally, four surveys compiled from the scientific literature used electromagnetic techniques (magnetotelluric sounding and other very low-frequency methods) to explore Holocene to late Pliocene formations, some of which form thick regional aquifers catalogued as the larger freshwater reservoirs in the MDQ. However, no geophysical prospecting surveys exploring the complete saturated thickness of the Pliocene aquifers could be compiled. Geophysical prospecting surveys with greater penetration depth are proposed to bridge this research gap, which prevents the accurate assessment of the renewable groundwater fraction of the regional aquifers in the MDQ that can be exploited sustainably.
Exploring Users’ Mental Models for Anthropomorphized Voice Assistants through Psychological Approaches
Authors: Park Dasom , Namkung Kiechan
Published: November 2021

Various perspectives are being studied to increase the usability and persistence of voice assistants (VA) as the use is rapidly expanding to various domains. Particularly, many studies note that users personify VA. Systems designed to suit users differing mental models while using specific systems can provide a positive user experience, increasing usability and persistence. Therefore, we tried to structure the mental model of users using personified VA and proposed these results as an important factor to consider in personifying VA. To determine important factors to consider in personifying VA, this research structures the mental model of users using personified VA. Furthermore, we used two types of psychological approaches that were not applied in previous studies to analyze users’ mental models. Using two types of psychological approaches that were not applied in previous studies, this research analyzed users’ mental models. In Study 1, each user’s thinking process is derived through ZMET (Zaltman metaphor elicitation techniques) as a consensus map. Afterward, in Study 2, correlations between the key components analyzed in Study 1 are validated through RG (repertory grid technique). As a result, the research found that there are three different psychological structures. The first structure is of users who feel human-like empathy and warmth in the use of VA. Meanwhile, the second structure is of users who seek help with problem-solving. The last is the psychological structure of users who regarded anthropomorphic VA as just a machine. Users with this mental model expect the potential for development as a machine rather than the personification of VA. Ultimately, this research is meaningful in that it analyzes each user’s psychological mechanism for personified VA through a psychological approach and derives three new mental models in detail.
Quantitative Description for Sand Void Fabric with the Principle of Stereology
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Ma Zhigang , Meng Fanchao
Published: November 2021

Based on the principle of stereology to describe void fabric, the fabric tensor is redefined by the idea of normalization, and a novel quantitative description method for the orthotropic fabric of granular materials is presented. The scan line is described by two independent angles in the stereo space, and the projection of the scan line on three orthogonal planes is used to determine the plane tensor. The second-order plane tensor can be described equivalently by two invariants, which describe the degree and direction of anisotropy of the material, respectively. In the three-dimensional orthogonal space, there are three measurable amplitude parameters on the three orthogonal planes. Due to the normalized definition of tensor in this paper, there are only two independent variations of the three amplitude parameters, and any two amplitude parameters can be used to derive the three-dimensional orthotropic fabric tensor. Therefore, the same orthorhombic anisotropy structure can be described by three fabrics, which enriches the theoretical description of orthotropy greatly. As the geometric relationship of the stereoscopic space scan line changes, the three sets of orthotropic fabrics degenerate into different forms of transversely isotropic and isotropic fabrics naturally and have a clear physical meaning. The novel fabric tensor is quantitatively determined based on mathematical probability and statistics. The discrete distribution of voids in space is projected as a scalar measurable parameter on a plane. This parameter is related to the macroscopic constitutive relationship directly and can be used to describe the effect of microscopic voids on the macroscopic phenomenon of materials.
Study of Transmission Line Boundary Protection Using a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network with Back Propagation and Wavelet Transform
Authors: Okojie Daniel , Idoko Linus , Herbert Daniel , Nnachi Agha
Published: November 2021

Protection schemes are usually implemented in the planning of transmission line operations. These schemes are expected to protect not only the network of transmission lines but also the entire power systems network during fault conditions. However, it is often a challenge for these schemes to differentiate accurately between various fault locations. This study analyses the deficiencies identified in existing protection schemes and investigates a different method that proposes to overcome these shortcomings. The proposed scheme operates by performing a wavelet transform on the fault-generated signal, which reduces the signal into frequency components. These components are then used as the input data for a multilayer perceptron neural network with backpropagation that can classify between different fault locations in the system. The study uses the transient signal generated during fault conditions to identify faults. The scientific research paradigm was adopted for the study. It also adopted the deduction research approach as it requires data collection via simulation using the Simscape electrical sub-program of Simulink within Matrix laboratory (MATLAB). The outcome of the study shows that the simulation correctly classifies 70.59% of the faults when tested. This implies that the majority of the faults can be detected and accurately isolated using boundary protection of transmission lines with the help of wavelet transforms and a neural network. The outcome also shows that more accurate fault identification and classification are achievable by using neural network than by the conventional system currently in use.
Binary-Encounter Model for Direct Ionization of Molecules by Positron-Impact
Authors: Franz Małgorzata , Wiciak-Pawłowska Katarzyna , Franz Jan
Published: November 2021

We introduce two models for the computation of direct ionization cross sections by positron impact over a wide range of collision energies. The models are based on the binary-encounter-Bethe model and take into account an extension of the Wannier theory. The cross sections computed with these models show good agreement with experimental data. The extensions improve the agreement between theory and experiment for collision energies between the first ionization threshold and the peak of the cross section. The models are based on a small set of parameters, which can be computed with standard quantum chemistry program packages.
Population Kinetics Modeling of Low-Temperature Argon Plasma
Authors: Chung Hyun-Kyung , Song Mi-Young , Kwon Ji-Won , Lee Myeong-Geon , Park Jihoon , Bae Namjae , Song Jeamin , Kim Gon-Ho , Dipti  , Ralchenko Yuri
Published: November 2021

Optical emission spectroscopy has been widely used in low-temperature argon plasma diagnostics. A coronal model is usually used to analyze the measured line ratios for diagnostics with a single temperature and density. However, many plasma processing conditions deviate from single temperature and density, optically thin conditions, or even coronal plasma conditions due to cascades from high-lying states. In this paper, we present a collisional-radiative model to investigate the validity of coronal approximations over a range of plasma conditions of Te = 1–4 eV and Ne = 108–1013 cm−3. The commonly used line ratios are found to change from a coronal limit where they are independent of Ne to a collisional-radiative regime where they are not. The effects of multiple-temperature plasma, radiation trapping, wall neutralization, and quenching on the line ratios are investigated to identify the plasma conditions under which these effects are significant. This study demonstrates the importance of the completeness of atomic datasets in applying a collisional-radiative model to low-temperature plasma diagnostics.