bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Analyses of [Li Salt+Triglyme)] and Ionic Transport in Li-Air Battery Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Alam Md Khorshed , Yamamoto Wataru , Takaba Hiromitsu
Published: October 2020

In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) study of triglyme (G3) solution containing lithium bis (trifluoro methyl sulfonyl) amide (Li[TFSA]) were investigated using classical atomistic force fields. G3 is a typical solvent used in non-aqueous Li-air battery. It shows here coordination of Li+ with G3 and [TFSA]- does not significantly change with increasing the concentration of G3 but self-diffusion coefficient of all the ions increases with increasing G3 concentration. The density of [Li(G3)[TFSA] complex decreases with increasing G3 concentration which lead to accelerate diffusivity of ions.

Bangladesh Journal of Physics, 27(1), 13-22, June 2020
Targeting Streptococcus pneumoniae UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase): in vitro validation of a putative inhibitor
Authors: Sharma Monica , Sharma Swati , Ray Pallab , Chakraborti Anuradha
Published: October 2020

Background: Genome plasticity of Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for the reduced efficacy of various antibiotics and capsular polysaccharide based vaccines. Therefore targets independent of capsular types are sought to control the pneumococcal pathogenicity. UcrDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) is one such desired candidate being responsible for the synthesis of UDP-glucose, a sugar-precursor in capsular biosynthesis and metabolic Leloir pathway. Being crucial to pneumococcal pathobiology, the effect of UGPase inhibition on virulence was evaluated in vitro.

Methods: A putative inhibitor (UDP) was evaluated for effective inhibitory concentration in S. pneumoniae and A549 cells, its efficacy and toxicity. Effect of UDP on adherence and phagocytosis was measured in human respiratory epithelial (A549 and HEp-2) and macrophage (THP1 and J774.A.1) cell lines respectively.

Results: A differential effective inhibitory concentration of UDP for UGPase inhibition was observed in S. pneumoniae and A549 cells i.e. 5 µM and 100 µM respectively. UDP treatments lowered percent cytotoxicity in pneumococcal infected monolayers and didn't exert adverse effects on viabilities. S. pneumoniae adherence to host cells was decreased significantly with UDP treatments. UDP induced the secretion of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 and increased pneumococcal phagocytosis.

Conclusion: Our study shows UDP mediated decrease in the virulence of S. pneumoniae and demonstrates UDP as an effective inhibitor of pneumococcal UGPase.
Causes of cetacean stranding and death on the Catalonian coast (western Mediterranean Sea), 2012-2019
Authors: Cuvertoret-Sanz M , López-Figueroa C , O’Byrne A , Canturri A , Martí-Garcia B , Pintado E , Pérez L , Ganges L , Cobos A , Abarca ML , Raga JA , Van Bressem MF , Domingo M
Published: October 2020

The causes of cetacean stranding and death along the Catalan coast between 2012 and 2019 were systematically investigated. Necropsies and detailed pathological investigations were performed on 89 well-preserved stranded cetaceans, including 72 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 9 Risso’s dolphins Grampus griseus, 5 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 1 common dolphin Delphinus delphis, 1 Cuvier’s beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris and 1 fin whale Balaenoptera physalus. The cause of death was determined for 89.9% of the stranded cetaceans. Fisheries interaction was the most frequent cause of death in striped dolphins (27.8%) and bottlenose dolphins (60%). Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was detected on the Catalan coast from 2016 to 2017, causing systemic disease and death in 8 of the 72 (11.1%) striped dolphins. Chronic CeMV infection of the central nervous system was observed from 2018-2019 in a further 5 striped dolphins. Thus, acute and chronic CeMV disease caused mortality in 18% of striped dolphins and 14.6% of all 89 cetaceans. Brucella ceti was isolated in 6 striped dolphins and 1 bottlenose dolphin with typical brucellosis lesions and in 1 striped dolphin with systemic CeMV. Sinusitis due to severe infestation by the nematode parasite Crassicauda grampicola caused the death of 4 out of 6 adult Risso’s dolphins. Maternal separation, in some cases complicated with septicemia, was a frequent cause of death in 13 of 14 calves. Other less common causes of death were encephalomalacia of unknown origin, septicemia, peritonitis due to gastric perforation by parasites and hepatitis caused by Sarcocystis spp.
Population status and trend of the threatened ivory gull Pagophila eburnea in Svalbard
Authors: Strøm H , Bakken V , Skoglund A , Descamps S , Fjeldheim VB , Steen H
Published: October 2020

The ivory gullPagophila eburneais a high-Arctic seabird associated with sea ice throughout the year. It breeds at high latitudes, mostly in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic. It is rare (<11500 breeding pairs globally) and remains one of the most poorly known seabirds in the world. Although Svalbard (Norway) supports breeding populations of international significance, the population trend in the region was unknown prior to this study. We conducted annual surveys of known breeding sites from 2006 to 2019 to estimate the size of the ivory gull population in Svalbard and to assess the population trend. We visited 117 colonies, 60 of which were new discoveries during this study. All breeding sites were situated in cliffs, and no ground-breeding ivory gulls were found. Based on the most complete survey in 2019, we estimated the Svalbard breeding population to be between 1500 and 2000 breeding pairs. We recorded an overall 40% decline in the number of breeding ivory gulls, but the trends varied significantly among colonies. The inter-annual fluctuations in the number of breeding pairs were not synchronous among colonies, which can be explained by the movements of adult breeding birds between colonies. The current decline in the Svalbard ivory gull population could be related to the ongoing decline in sea ice extent and quality in the Barents Sea. It may also be driven by ecological changes along the migration routes or at the wintering grounds, as hypothesized for the Canadian breeding population.
A heart-shaped bone artifact from Körtiktepe
Authors: Özkaya Vecihi , Sıddıq Abu Bakar
Published: October 2020

Along with the emergence of sedentary life, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) settlements brought revolutionary changes in production of material cultures as well as cultic and ritual activities, which are often argued to be associated with new waves of interactions between humans and their natural world. Körtiktepe of southeastern Turkey yielded by far the richest PPN assemblage in the world, standing among the very few earliest cultural and production centers which acted to be the predecessors of the development and spread of the Neolithic in West Asia. In this paper, we report a heart-shaped bone artifact which is one of the rarest finds in the extremely large cultural assemblage of Körtiktepe. The manufacture features indicate that the “heart-like” shape of this unique artifact was the product of intentional human activity. Overall archaeological context indicates its probable use as a bone pendant or amulet for the dead; providing the fact of its association with three early PPNA burials, many other ritual objects, and a large number of grave goods. Although difficult to argue for its association with the sense for “emotion”, “affection” or “love” in the present world, it is still significant that the unique specimen traces the symbolic presence and ritual use of the shape of a “heart” in West Asian prehistoric context back to the Early Pre-Pottery Neolithic of around 10000 cal BC.
Aphelinids, Aphidiids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae, Aphidiidae) - Parasites of Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) of Azerbaijan
Authors: Mustafayeva G.
Published: October 2020

As a result of many years of research, 30 species of parasites derived from aphids have been identified for the fauna of Azerbaijan. For the first time an annotated list of aphelinids and aphidiids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae, Aphidiidae), parasites of aphids of Azerbaijan is given. Of these parasites, there are 14 species of aphelinids (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) and 16 species of aphidiids (Hymenoptera, Aphidiidae). Of aphelinids two species are recorded for the first time for the fauna of the South Caucasus, and 4 species for the fauna of Azerbaijan. All the 16 known species of the aphidiids are new for the fauna of Azerbaijan. Aphidiids Adialytus salicaphis, Lysiphlebus fabarum, Aphidius rosae are recorded for the first time for the fauna of the South Caucasus.
The Role of Rhetoric (balāgha) in Teaching Arabic in Western Universities: An Experience from Britain
Authors: Haleem M.A.S. Abdel
Published: October 2020

Balāgha is an important part of the curriculum of schools and universities in the Arab world because of its vital importance to appreciation of Arabic literature and the Qur'an. This is not the case in the BA Arabic curricula in British universities, where students have only three or four years to not only learn Arabic but also cover areas such as Islam and Arabo-Islamic literature and history. Western scholars have also historically neglected to translate basic Arabic texts on the science of balāgha, especially ʿilm al-maʿānī. As a consequence, important features of Qur'anic style can be perplexing to the western student of Arabic.

Conversely, it is suggested that in the Arabic curriculum the teaching of balāgha has tended to stress rules more than appreciation, and methodological approaches have remained largely unchanged for centuries. In view of this some suggestions are made of ways in which ʿilm al-maʿānī might be developed and expanded. Three crucial areas of ʿilm al-maʿānī are selected here for consideration: (i) the requirement that speech should conform to the context; (ii) the ways in which affective sentences in Arabic, which are widespread in the Qur'an, are used to engage the reader; (iii) departure from what is expected, including grammatical shifts and the whole area of the use of pronouns in the Qur'an. This article also addresses some recent trends in western studies on Qur'anic style, in the hope that they might allow the two traditions of scholarship, western and Arabo-Islamic, to engage with, and benefit from, each other.
Influence of Kagocel upon IL‑10 and TNF-α levels in treatment of community-acquired viral-bacterial pneumonia
Authors: Popov A. F. , Markelova E. V. , Komarova I. A. , Kostyushko A. V. , Simakova A. I. , Shchelkanov M. Yu.
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Cytokines regulate intercellular and intersystem interactions and are involved in the development and prevention of various pathologies. Purposes of work were a comparative assessment of the dynamics of the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory blood cytokines (TNF-α and IL‑10) in patients with community-acquired viral-bacterial pneumonia (CAVBP) with ceftriaxone monotherapy with antibiotic and combined use this antibiotic with the antiviral drug Kagocel, and comparison of getting data with native (reference) indicators of healthy patients.

Materials and methods.The study included 60 patients, aged 18–65 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia of moderate severity, divided into two groups equal in number, comparable by gender, age and timing of admission to the hospital. The first group received intravenous monotherapy only with the antibacterial drug Ceftriaxone, and the second group received a combination of Ceftriaxone with the oral antiviral drug Kagocel.

Results. A pronounced imbalance of the levels of proand anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with CAVBP of both groups was demonstrated both during the onset of the disease and on the 7th day hospitalization. When analyzing the concentration ratio of TNF-α / IL‑10, it was found that monotherapy with an antibacterial drug did not lead to a decrease in this indicator, while when using a combination of an antibiotic with an antiviral drug, a significant decrease in its values to normal was observed on the 7th day treatment. Good tolerance of the combination therapy and the absence of adverse reactions were noted.

Conclusion.The addition of Kagocel to the treatment regimen for CAVBP with ceftriaxone contributed to the decrease the concentration of TNF-α and increases the level of IL‑10, which is clinically reflected in a reduction in the duration of fever, symptoms of general intoxication, catarrhal phenomena and the duration of hospitalization (by 1 day) compared with ceftriaxone monotherapy.
STATE OF CAD INFORMATION SECURITY
Authors: Gorohov Roman S. , Novikov Sergey N.
Published: October 2020

The analysis of the current state of CAD is carried out. The article describes the position of advanced CAD information security equipment. Since any CAD system is a non-standard information system, an individual approach to guarantee its security is required. Special attention is paid to the need for a rational combination of cryptographic and steganographic methods to protect project documentation from unauthorized access. Based on theoretical provisions and practical data, the issues of reliable and secure transmission of project documentation over fiber-optic communication lines are considered. It is concluded that when considering the state of information security of design automation systems used in enterprises with project documentation for classified products, as well as dual-use products, reliable security tools should be created, for which it is necessary to use all the tools implemented in field of information security, including steganographic, cryptographic and hardware methods of ensuring it.
ANALYSIS OF QUANTUM BB84 AND B92 ENCRYPTION ALGORITHMS
Authors: Dolgochub Evgeny A. , Polikanin Alexey N.
Published: October 2020

A communication channel protected by quantum cryptography cannot be hacked under ideal conditions. But only because there are currently no suitable hacking methods available. All existing methods of breaking cryptographic networks are aimed at mathematical models of ciphers. However, if we follow the rule that the stability of a system is determined by the stability of its weakest link, we can see the opposite. Quantum cryptography is a promising young and developing field in the field of information security. Every specialist in the field of information security is interested in creating a perfect and secure communication network. Systems that currently use the BB84 and B92 protocols are vulnerable to attacks from hackers. These security protocols are already considered outdated, but scientists can not yet offer other options. The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the first quantum encryption algorithms BB84 and B92.
CREATION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE IN AGISOFT PHOTOSCAN
Authors: Kazharin Egor V.
Published: October 2020

All architectural structures are a subject to periodic surveys and use of photogrammetric methods for these purposes will ensure a reduction in time required to complete the work, required accuracy, as well as ability to fulfill the required measurements on a pair of images in office conditions without additional field visits, which will significantly reduce the cost of implementation of this type of work. In order to solve the problems of building three-dimensional models of such objects, a ground-based photography is used more often. This method of photographing, in comparison with other methods, such as ground-based laser scanning, facade shooting with the help of electronic total stations, seems more affordable, since it does not require the use of expensive equipment, but it makes it possible to build an object model with the specified accuracy. For ground photography it is enough to have a calibrated digital camera, computer and software. The purpose of this work is to study the method of constructing a three-dimensional model of an architectural structure based on photogrammetric processing of images, as well as optimizing the result and demonstrating the operability of the method.
EXPANDING THE FIELD OF ACCREDITATION AS THE BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN METROLOGICAL SERVICES
Authors: Krupko Daniil O. , Shaburova Aelita V.
Published: October 2020

The article describes the iciency of expanding the field of accreditation in the development of a quality management system (QMS) in metrological services. The object of research is the quality management system of the organization "CSM" LLC. In the course of work, the QMS of the organization "CSM" LLC was analyzed. One of the problems has been identified - when forming the QMS, due attention is not paid to customers ' requests for verification of measuring instruments (SI) that are not in the scope of accreditation of the organization. Based on this, an analysis of customer requests was made. Based on customer requests for verification of measuring instruments, it was concluded that it is advisable for "CSM" LLC to expand the scope of accreditation for verification of spectrophotometers. The organization of a laboratory for verification of optical devices contributes to the improvement of quality management in the organization.
Propaganda as Protest Prevention: How Regime Labeling Deters Citizens from Protesting—Without Persuading Them
Authors: Arnon Daniel , Edwards Pearce , Li Handi
Published: October 2020

How do authoritarian regimes prevent protests? One strategy, which frequently accompanies the use of repression, is labeling regime opponents negatively in an attempt to discredit them. This paper considers two frameworks through which negative regime labels about protesters could affect citizens: through persuading them of protesters' illegitimacy, or through signaling the regime's disapproval of protest. We adjudicate the two frameworks with a survey experiment in China which varies regime responses to environmental protest. The results are consistent with the signaling disapproval framework: negative labels do not affect respondents' perceptions of protests but do affect their willingness to protest. Furthermore, these effects depend on respondents' support for the government, and suggest a polarization effect of negative labels. The findings connect research on authoritarian repression and propaganda, suggesting complementarities between the two strategies for regimes.
A Socially Adaptable Framework for Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Tanevska Ana , Rea Francesco , Sandini Giulio , Cañamero Lola , Sciutti Alessandra
Published: October 2020

In our everyday lives we regularly engage in complex, personalized, and adaptive interactions with our peers. To recreate the same kind of rich, human-like interactions, a social robot should be aware of our needs and affective states and continuously adapt its behavior to them. Our proposed solution is to have the robot learn how to select the behaviors that would maximize the pleasantness of the interaction for its peers. To make the robot autonomous in its decision making, this process could be guided by an internal motivation system. We wish to investigate how an adaptive robotic framework of this kind would function and personalize to different users. We also wish to explore whether the adaptability and personalization would bring any additional richness to the human-robot interaction (HRI), or whether it would instead bring uncertainty and unpredictability that would not be accepted by the robot's human peers. To this end, we designed a socially adaptive framework for the humanoid robot iCub. As a result, the robot perceives and reuses the affective and interactive signals from the person as input for the adaptation based on internal social motivation. We strive to investigate the value of the generated adaptation in our framework in the context of HRI. In particular, we compare how users will experience interaction with an adaptive versus a non-adaptive social robot. To address these questions, we propose a comparative interaction study with iCub whereby users act as the robot's caretaker, and iCub's social adaptation is guided by an internal comfort level that varies with the stimuli that iCub receives from its caretaker. We investigate and compare how iCub's internal dynamics would be perceived by people, both in a condition when iCub does not personalize its behavior to the person, and in a condition where it is instead adaptive. Finally, we establish the potential benefits that an adaptive framework could bring to the context of repeated interactions with a humanoid robot.
Nutritional and Visual Diagnosis in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) Plants: Disorders in Physiological Activity, Nutritional Efficiency and Metabolism of Carbohydrates
Authors: Almeida Hilário Júnior de , Carmona Victor Manuel Vergara , Cavalcante Valéria Santos , Filho Arthur Bernardes Cecílio , Prado Renato de Mello , Flores Rilner Alves , Borges Bernardo Melo Montes Nogueira , Mauad Munir
Published: October 2020

Information on the nutritional status of plants enables adequate fertilisation management. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate how nutritional disorders alter the biological, nutritional and biochemical mechanisms of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.) plants grown under greenhouse conditions. A complete nutrient solution and omissions of macronutrients were tested in a completely randomised design with four replicates. Broccoli plants grown with the omission of N and Ca were the first of show deficiency symptoms and the greatest reduction in the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance, with evidently impaired plant growth and biomass. Omissions of macronutrients affected carbohydrate partitioning, and the content of soluble sugars significantly decreased by more 60% in response to Mg omission. With K omission, the contents of soluble sugars and starch increased in broccoli leaves by 40% and 60%, respectively. K transport increased in plants grown without Ca. S translocation decreased with the absence of any macronutrient in the nutrient solution. Deficiencies in the nutrients N, K, and Ca cause the most critical early damage in the photosynthetic apparatus and in the nutritional balance of broccoli plants, so attention should be given to replenishing these nutrients in plantations.
Strategies for Feeding Unweaned Dairy Beef Cattle to Improve Their Health
Authors: Devant Maria , Marti Sonia
Published: October 2020

In order to answer the question of whether nutritional interventions may help to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease in dairy beef calves at arrival, the present review is divided in three sections. In the first section, the nutrition of calves previous to the arrival from the origin farm to the final rearing farm is reviewed. In the second section, the possible consequences of this previous nutrition on gut health and immune status upon arrival to the rearing farm are described. The main consequences of previous nutrition and management that these unweaned calves suffer at arrival are the negative energy balance, the increased intestinal permeability, the oxidative stress, the anemia, and the recovery feed consumption. Finally, in the third section, some considerations to advance in future nutritional strategies are suggested, which are focused on the prevention of the negative consequences of previous nutrition and the recovery of the gut and immune status. Moreover, additional suggestions are formulated that will be also helpful to reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) that are not directly linked to nutrition like having a control golden standard in the studies or designing risk categories in order to classify calves as suitable or not to be transported.
Heuristic Route Adjustment for Balanced Working Time in Urban Logistics with Driver Experience and Time-Dependent Traffic Information
Authors: Krityakierne Tipaluck , Laesanklang Wasakorn
Published: October 2020

This article proposes a method to reduce working time violations of a real-world courier service in the urban logistics with time-dependent traffic information. The challenge is to reduce working time violation without creating significant changes to the urban logistics plan which provides city coverage to each driver. Furthermore, courier businesses require time-dependent traffic information to have an integrated traffic routing plan. This process will require very long enquiry time as the traffic information is available online, but a good decision must be made as soon as possible. To tackle the problem, we first propose a heuristic method for route adjustment using a particular traffic time instance (single traffic time). The route solution obtained from the single traffic time is subsequently transferred to the time-dependent traffic scenario. Computational results demonstrate that the heuristic route adjustment algorithm could decrease working time violations and create a balanced working time solution. We include also in-depth analyses on the optimal working time, and the effect of using a single traffic time solution in the time-dependent traffic information environment. The obtained results illustrate the effectiveness of our approach in solving the real applications of time-dependent vehicle routing in urban logistics.
Precast Bridges of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete in Disadvantaged Village Areas in Indonesia
Authors: Muhtar
Published: October 2020

Bamboo is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and renewable building material that thrives in Indonesia. Bamboo has a high tensile strength but also has weaknesses, namely, it is easily attacked by insects and has high water absorption. Utilization of bamboo as a precast concrete bridge reinforcement must be treated first through soaking, drying, and giving a waterproof coating and sand. This research aimed to obtain a precast bamboo reinforced concrete bridge technology with good integrity, with measuring parameters of deformation and deflection according to AASHTO standards. The dimensions of the bridge were a span of 320 cm, a width of 224 cm, and a height of 115 cm. Two bridge frames were connected by four bridge beams. The bridge plate was made of a 10-cm-thick concrete plate. The bridge support of the reinforced concrete is assumed to be the hinge support and the rubber bearing is assumed to be the roller support. The bamboo reinforced concrete frame bridge test was carried out directly with a load of a minibus-type vehicle. The test results show that the precast bamboo reinforced concrete frame bridges have sufficiently good integrity; that is, they can distribute loads with deflection and deformation that do not exceed their permits. The maximum displacement occurs in the bridge frame of 0.25 mm, meeting the requirements based on the AASTHO and RSNI T-12-2004 standards, which is not more than Δmax = L/800 = 3.75 mm. The maximum deformation occurs in the bridge beam of 0.20 mm, and the bridge frame of 0.13 mm meets the requirements based on the AASTHO and RSNI T-12-2004 standards, which is not more than δmax = L/800 = 3.75 mm.
Constraints Hindering the Development of High-Rise Modular Buildings
Authors: Sun Yanhui , Wang Jun , Wu Jeremy , Shi Weixiang , Ji Dazhi , Wang Xiangyu , Zhao Xianzhong
Published: October 2020

Off-site construction has been increasingly employed due to its advantages, for instance, improved quality control, reduced skills labour, faster construction time, decreased material wastage and safe working environment. As the most cutting-edge off-site construction, modular buildings have been utilised for residential building, student accommodation, and hotel projects. However, because of existing and underlying constraints, the adoption of modular buildings is still relatively low. To reveal factors hindering the development of high-rise modular buildings, a comprehensive literature review, coupled with a focus group study, were conducted. A questionnaire survey inquiring about all stakeholders was implemented to quantify constraints. The results were further examined according to a real-life case study. This paper manifested that “Lack of coordination and communication among stakeholders”, “Higher cost”, “Lack of government support”, “Lack of experience and expertise”, “Lack of building codes and standards”, “Poor supply chain integration”, and “Complexity of connection” are the top barriers curbing the uptake of modular buildings. The findings should provide a valuable reference for stakeholders adopting modular buildings, whilst mitigating risks amid modular construction. Future research is expected to exploit building information modelling and design for manufacture and assembly to alleviate these existing constraints and promote the performance of modular construction as well.
Naming in Multichannel with Beeps in the Strong Model
Authors: Aldawsari Layla S. , Altman Tom
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a system of anonymous processes is considered that communicates with beeps through multiple channels in a synchronous communication model. In beeping channels, processes are limited to hearing either a beep or a silence from the channel with no collision detection. A strong model is assumed in which a process can beep on any single channel and listen on any specific channel during a single round. The goal is to develop distributed naming algorithms for two models where the number of processes is either known or unknown. A Las Vegas algorithm was developed for naming anonymous processes when the number of processes is known. This algorithm has an optimal time complexity of O(nlogn) rounds and uses O(nlogn) random bits, where n is the number of processes for the largest group. For the model with an unknown number of processes, a Monte Carlo algorithm was developed, which has an optimal running time of O(nlogn) rounds and a probability of success that is at least 1−12Ω(logn). The algorithms solve the naming problem in new models where processes communicate through multiple channels.
ADC Quantization Effects in Two-Loop Digital Current Controlled DC-DC Power Converters: Analysis and Design Guidelines
Authors: González-Castaño Catalina , Restrepo Carlos , Giral Roberto , Vidal-Idiarte Enric , Calvente Javier
Published: October 2020

This paper analyzes the presence of undesired quantization-induced perturbations (QIP) in a dc-dc buck-boost converter using a two-loop digital current control. This work introduces design conditions regarding control laws gains and signal quantization to avoid the quantization effects due to the addition of the outer voltage loop in a digital current controlled converter. The two-loop controller is composed of a multisampled average current control (MACC) in the inner current-programmed loop and a proportional-integrator compensator at the external loop. QIP conditions have been evaluated through simulations and experiments using a digitally controlled pulse width modulation (DPWM) buck-boost converter. A 400 V 1.6 kW proof-of-concept converter has been used to illustrate the presence of QIP and verify the design conditions. The controller is programmed in a digital signal controller (DSC) TMS320F28377S with a DPWM with 8.96-bit equivalent resolution, a 12-bit ADC for current sampling, and a 12-bit ADC for voltage sampling or a 16-bit ADC for voltage error sampling.
Supervision of the Infection in an SI (SI-RC) Epidemic Model by Using a Test Loss Function to Update the Vaccination and Treatment Controls
Authors: De la Sen Manuel , Ibeas Asier , Nistal Raul , Alonso-Quesada Santiago , Garrido Aitor
Published: October 2020

This paper studies and proposes some supervisory techniques to update the vaccination and control gains through time in a modified SI (susceptible-infectious) epidemic model involving the susceptible and subpopulations. Since the presence of linear feedback controls are admitted, a compensatory recovered (or immune) extra subpopulation is added to the model under zero initial conditions to deal with the recovered subpopulations transferred from the vaccination and antiviral/antibiotic treatment on the susceptible and the infectious, respectively. Therefore, the modified model is referred to as an SI(RC) epidemic model since it integrates the susceptible, infectious and compensatory recovered subpopulations. The defined time-integral supervisory loss function can evaluate weighted losses involving, in general, both the susceptible and the infectious subpopulations. It is admitted, as a valid supervisory loss function, that which involves only either the infectious or the susceptible subpopulations. Its concrete definition involving only the infectious is related to the Shannon information entropy. The supervision problem is basically based on the implementation of a parallel control structure with different potential control gains to be judiciously selected and updated through time. A higher decision level structure of the supervisory scheme updates the appropriate active controller (i.e., that with the control gain values to be used along the next time window), as well as the switching time instants. In this way, the active controller is that which provides the best associated supervisory loss function along the next inter-switching time interval. Basically, a switching action from one active controller to another one is decided as a better value of the supervisory loss function is detected for distinct controller gain values to the current ones.
Research on Corrosion Damage Evolution of Aluminum Alloy for Aviation
Authors: Gao Zhigang , He Yuting , Zhang Sheng , Zhang Tianyu , Yang Fei
Published: October 2020

Based on the real annual average value of atmospheric environmental data in the Wanning area of Hainan Province in China by selecting 7075 ultra-high-strength aluminum alloy specimens for aviation, a new corrosion solution was designed and the traditional alternate immersion corrosion method of using the alternate immersion corrosion test box was improved to simulate the environment of the internal structure of the aircraft. On this basis, two kinds of corrosion damage parameters, the depth of corrosion pits and corrosion rate, were quickly and accurately obtained by the three-dimensional profile of the specimen and binarization images’ method. The optimal linear regression equation combination of pitting depth and corrosion rate was established, and the dynamic evolution equation of the depth of corrosion pits and corrosion rate was obtained. The results showed that: The depth of corrosion pits in the early stage of corrosion (8 h and 24 h) obeyed the Gumbel distribution and Weibull distribution, respectively, and the later stage (48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 120 h) conformed to the normal distribution; the depth of corrosion pits’ evolution law was in the form of double straight lines and the corrosion rate evolution law was in the power function form (y = a × xb); and the depth of corrosion pits changed rapidly in the early stage and gradually slowed down in the later stage, while the corrosion rate was just the opposite.
Active Power Control of PV-Battery Connected MMC-HVDC System for FRT Support
Authors: Hossain Md Ismail , Abido Mohammad A.
Published: October 2020

Modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based VSC system has become attractive around the world for renewable energy integration. Instead of a dynamic braking resistor, this work proposes an active power reduction technique for PV systems to support the fault ride through (FRT) of the MMC-HVDC system. In addition, it develops a battery control strategy to improve transient performance during solar radiation and temperature change due to partial shading of the PV panels. Besides, a control technique for the battery to regulate the surplus energy in the HVDC transmission network is developed. Furthermore, the proposed control scheme optimally integrates solar energy using the modified incremental conductance method. A feedforward controller was employed to create a standalone AC grid. The complete system has been implemented in real-time digital simulation (RTDS). The results confirm the efficacy of active power reduction technique to protect the HVDC link voltage and battery control strategy for the improvement of transient performance during the irradiance and temperature changes. Besides, it improves the low voltage ride-through capability during balanced and unbalanced disturbances at the point of common coupling.
Full-Scale Experimental Investigation of the Interaction between Trains and Tunnels
Authors: Somaschini Claudio , Argentini Tommaso , Brambilla Elia , Rocchi Daniele , Schito Paolo , Tomasini Gisella
Published: October 2020

This works focuses on a series of experimental tests carried out to investigate overpressures in tunnels due to train crossings. Although the above-mentioned topic is well known and also defined in European standards, in the literature full-scale data are lacking, which are useful to validate the numerical codes required in the certification process and are used in train structural dimensioning. In this respect, an extensive full-scale experimental campaign was planned for observing as many test conditions as possible, such as single passages of different trains, two train crossing, different tests speed, and different tunnel characteristics. In detail, the understanding of the pressure wave generation and transmission is deeply enhanced by studying the pressure evolution both on board and at trackside, considering both single train passages or two trains crossings and having the possibility to compare aerodynamic loads on sealed and unsealed trains. Furthermore, the position of sensors, the speed of the train, and the initial conditions within the tunnel have been proven to be fundamental parameters for properly estimating the pressure loads on trains.
Materialising Markets: The Agency of Auctions in Emergent Art Genres in the Global South
Authors: Archer Anita
Published: October 2020

For the last two decades, the international auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s have been at the forefront of global art market expansion. Their world-wide footprints have enabled auction house specialists to engage with emerging artists and aspiring collectors, most notably in the developing economies of the Global South. By establishing their sales infrastructure in new locales ahead of the traditional mechanisms of primary market commercial galleries, the international auction houses have played a foundational role in the notional construction of new genres of art. However, branding alone is not sufficient to establish these new markets; the auction houses require a network of willing supporters to facilitate and drive marketplace supply and demand, be that trans-locational art market intermediaries, local governments, and/or regional auction businesses. This paper examines emerging art auction markets in three Global South case studies. It elucidates the strategic mechanisms and networks of international and regional art auction houses in the development of specific genres of contemporary art: Hong Kong and ‘Chinese contemporary art’, Singapore and ‘Southeast Asian art’, and Australia and ‘Aboriginal art’. Through examination and comparison of these three markets, this paper draws on research conducted over the past decade to reveal an integral role played by art auctions in the expansion of broader contemporary art world infrastructure in the Global South.
Hydrogen Line Shapes in Plasmas with Large Magnetic Fields
Authors: Rosato Joël
Published: October 2020

We report on hydrogen line shape calculations in the presence of an external magnetic field, at conditions such that the quadratic Zeeman effect is important. The latter is described through a term proportional to B2 in the Hamiltonian, accounting for atomic diamagnetism. It provides a shift and an asymmetry on Lorentz triplets, and it leads to the occurrence of forbidden components. Motivated by investigations performed at the fifth edition of the Spectral Line Shape in Plasmas (SLSP5) code comparison workshop, we perform new calculations of hydrogen Lyman line profiles. Field values representative of magnetized white dwarf atmosphere conditions are taken. The calculations are done using a computer simulation technique, designed for Stark broadening modeling. A discussion of the results is done in the framework of plasma diagnostics.
Trapezium-Type Inequalities for an Extension of Riemann–Liouville Fractional Integrals Using Raina’s Special Function and Generalized Coordinate Convex Functions
Authors: Vivas-Cortez Miguel , Kashuri Artion , Liko Rozana , Hernández Jorge Eliecer Hernández
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the authors analyse and study some recent publications about integral inequalities related to generalized convex functions of several variables and the use of extended fractional integrals. In particular, they establish a new Hermite–Hadamard inequality for generalized coordinate ϕ-convex functions via an extension of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral. Furthermore, an interesting identity for functions with two variables is obtained, and with the use of it, some new extensions of trapezium-type inequalities using Raina’s special function via generalized coordinate ϕ-convex functions are developed. Various special cases have been studied. At the end, a brief conclusion is given as well.
Activation Treatments and SiO2/Pd Modification of Sol–Gel TiO2 Photocatalysts for Enhanced Photoactivity under UV Radiation
Authors: Mahy Julien , Sotrez Valériane , Tasseroul Ludivine , Hermans Sophie , Lambert Stéphanie
Published: October 2020

The objective of this work is to improve the efficiency of TiO2 photocatalysts by activation treatments and by modification with palladium nanoparticles and doping with SiO2. The influence of the additive loading was explored, and two activation treatments were performed: UV exposition and H2 reduction. TiO2/SiO2/Pd photocatalysts were synthesized by an original cogelation method: a modified silicon alkoxide, i.e., [3-(2-aminoethyl)aminopropyl]trimethoxysilane (EDAS), was used to complex the palladium ions, thanks to the ethylenediamine group, while the alkoxide groups reacted with TiO2 precursors. Pure TiO2 was also synthesized by the sol–gel process for comparison. X-ray diffraction evidenced that the crystallographic structure of TiO2 was anatase and that Pd was present, either in its oxidized form after calcination, or in its reduced form after reduction. The specific surface area of the samples varied from 5 to 145 m2 g-1. Transmission electron microscopy allowed us to observe the homogeneous dispersion and nanometric size of Pd particles in the reduced samples. The width of the band gap for pure TiO2 sample, measured by UV/Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy at approximately 3.2 eV, corresponded to that of anatase. The band gap for the TiO2/SiO2/Pd composite samples could not be calculated, due to their high absorption in visible range. The photocatalytic activity of the various catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of a methylene blue solution under UV radiation. The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was inversely proportional to the content of silica present in the matrix. A small amount of silica improved the photocatalytic activity, as compared to the pure TiO2 sample. By contrast, a high amount of silica delayed the crystallization of TiO2 in its anatase form. The activation treatment under UV had little influence on photocatalytic efficiency. The introduction of Pd species increased the photocatalytic activity of the samples because it allowed for a decrease in the rate of electron–hole recombinations in TiO2. The reduction treatment improved the activity of photocatalysts, whatever the palladium content, thanks to the reduction of Ti4+ into Ti3+, and the formation of defects in the crystallographic structure of anatase.
Effect of pH on the Formation of Amorphous TiO2 Complexes and TiO2 Anatase during the Pyrolysis of an Aqueous TiCl4 Solution
Authors: Duong Ngoc Huyen , Mai Xuan Dung , Mai Van Tuan
Published: October 2020

The titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures resulted by the pyrolysis of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) at a low temperature of 80 °C were found to be a mixture of amorphous TiO2 complexes and anatase nanostructures, whose ratio depends on the pH of the pyrolysis medium. At a low pH level, the resulting TiO2 nanostructures are predominantly anatase and gradually shift to amorphous TiO2 complexes as the pH level increases. Moreover, the amorphous TiO2 complexes can convert back to anatase nanostructures by a post-heating treatment, and can then transform to rutile with elevating temperature. Amongst the TiO2 nanostructures recovered from the amorphous TiO2 complexes, anatase appears to be the most effective photocatalyst in the decomposition of methylene blue.
Photocatalytic Reactivity of Carbon–Nitrogen–Sulfur-Doped TiO2 Upconversion Phosphor Composites
Authors: Eun Seong-Rak , Mavengere Shielah , Cho Bumrae , Kim Jung-Sik
Published: October 2020

Sol–gel synthesized N-doped and carbon–nitrogen–sulfur (CNS)-doped TiO2 solutions were deposited on upconversion phosphor using a dip coating method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging showed that there was a change in the morphology of TiO2 coated on NaYF4:Yb,Er from spherical to nanorods caused by additional urea and thiourea doping reagents. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further verified the existence of nitrate–hyponitrite, carboxylate, and SO42− because of the doping effect. NaYF4:Yb,Er composites coated with N- and CNS-doped TiO2 exhibited a slight shift of UV-Vis spectra towards the visible light region. Photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB) was evaluated under 254 nm germicidal lamps and a 300 W Xe lamp with UV/Vis cut off filters. The photodegradation of toluene was evaluated on TiO2/NaYF4:Yb,Er and CNS-doped TiO2/NaYF4:Yb,Er samples under UV light illumination. The photocatalytic reactivity with CNS-doped TiO2/NaYF4:Yb,Er surpassed that of the undoped TiO2/NaYF4:Yb,Er for the MB solution and toluene. Photocatalytic activity is increased by CNS doping of TiO2, which improves light sensitization as a result of band gap narrowing due to impurity sites.
Biological Activities of NHC–Pd(II) Complexes Based on Benzimidazolylidene N-heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligands Bearing Aryl Substituents
Authors: Al Nasr Ibrahim , Touj Nedra , Koko Waleed , Khan Tariq , Özdemir Ismail , Yaşar Sedat , Hamdi Naceur
Published: October 2020

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors (2a–i), their pyridine-enhanced precatalyst preparation stabilization and initiation (PEPPSI)-themed palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes (3a–i) and palladium N-heterocyclic triphenylphosphines complexes (4a–i) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, and LC–MS spectroscopic techniques. The (NHC)Pd(II) complexes 3–4 were tested against MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Candida albicans microorganisms, Leishmania major promastigotes and amastigotes, Toxoplasma gondii parasites, and Vero cells in vitro. The biological assays indicated that all compounds are highly active against cancer cells, with an IC50 < 1.5 µg mL−1. Eight compounds proved antibacterial and antileishmanial activities, while only three compounds had strong antifungal activities against C. albicans. In our conclusion, compounds 3 (b, f, g, and h) and 4b are the most suitable drug candidates for anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiparasitical.