bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information control system for dynamic modes of tumble dryer
Authors: Yu Muromtsev D , Gribkov A N , Kurkin I A , Shamkin V N , Belousov O A , Belyaev M P
Published: September 2019

The development of information and control systems that provide solutions to the tasks of energy-saving management of complex technological objects is an urgent problem, since the introduction of such systems in various industries allows not only to reduce energy costs significantly, but also to improve the quality of products. One of the most labor-intensive stages in the development of an information control system is the creation of its algorithmic support, since the models, methods and algorithms being developed must take into account all the specific features of the control object. Modern industrial production, as a rule, includes many energy-intensive technological processes and facilities, among which it is possible to distinguish drying processes, which are widespread. The article deals with the development of algorithmic and software of information and control system by dynamic modes of tumble dryer unit used for distillery dreg drying. While the algorithmic support developing, methods of analysis and synthesis of systems at a set of operating states, the Pontryagin maximum principle, the method of synthesizing variables and graph theory were used. The software modules of the information control system that implement the developed algorithmic software are integrated into the existing production management system. The developed control system allows reducing energy costs in dynamic modes of drying processes by 3-10%.
Management the paper printing properties by methods of factor analysis
Authors: Novoselskaya O A , Kolesnikov V L , Penkin A A , Solov’eva T V , Kashin A N , Nagornova I V , Varepo L G
Published: September 2019

The article deals with the actual problem of managing the paper printing properties using factor analysis methods. The analysis of the stone debris method allowed us to prove the combination of data in three ways: the interaction of the ink with the paper surface, which controls the optical density of the print, the value of dot gain; structural properties of the surface, which determine the effusing ability of the paper, printing slip; features of the distribution of the ink layer, which change the parameters of the prints resolution, font resolution threshold, print contrast. The identified factors allowed to simplify the task of rational decision making. As a result of the analysis of a set of technological parameters, i.e. the composition by fiber, filling, surface treatment and mass sizing, production of paper within the improved printing properties was achieved. Changes have been made in the technology of producing uncoated printing paper under the conditions of IUE “Paper Mill” Goznak. The analysis of the quality of management was carried out on the basis of the integral method and made up 92%.
Control of rotational motion of a partially inoperable small spacecraft using fuzzy sets
Authors: Sedelnikov A V , Safronov S L , Khnyreva E S
Published: September 2019

During processing of telemetric information, in particular data on the current from the AIST small satellite (SS) solar panels, in order to control the parameters of rotational motion ambiguous interpretations of primary information have occurred occasionally. The ambiguity was caused by readings from the solar array electric current sensors - significant currents were recorded from two panels located on the opposite sides of the SS. The Sun, however, could only light one of them at a time. In order to resolve this problem, an automated algorithm based on the use of a fuzzy set for controlling the parameters of the small SS rotational motion is proposed the paper. In that approach, the current values from different panels would be included in the set with different values of the membership function. The implementation of presented automated algorithm onboard the SS will not only improve the operating conditions of the target equipment, but also have a backup orientation system, thereby increasing the reliability of the mission.
Universal test-object for monitoring resolution of inkjet printers
Authors: Sysuev I A , Yu Yudenko M , Parshakova S S , Trapeznikova O V , Serkova L B , Bezzateeva E G
Published: September 2019

An inkjet printer is currently one of the most competitive types of a printer in a digital printing market. As in any printing technology, image quality is a key aspect. In this context, the development of evaluation tools, and in particular the tools of fine details reproduction along with color rendering, is relevant. The paper studies methods of assessing the resolution and inkjet printer resolution as well as the interpretation of the obtained parameters depending on the test-objects used to determine specified indicators. The expediency of using the developed test-object containing linear strokes positioned in different ways in the image space to assess the resolution and inkjet printer resolution is shown.
Adaptive formulas of numerical differentiation of functions with large gradients
Authors: Il’in V P , Zadorin A I
Published: September 2019

There are constructed formulas for the numerical differentiation of functions of one variable with large gradients. Formulas are based on the fitting to the singular component responsible for the large gradients of the function. The singular component is considered as a function of the general form. The error estimates of the difference formulas for calculating first and second derivatives are obtained. The results of the calculations are given.
Development and research of the electric drive generalized computer model with pulse-phase regulation of angular speed
Authors: Bubnov A V , Chetverik A N , Chudinov A N , Shpineva V I
Published: September 2019

The article presents the developed generalized computer model of the electric drive with pulse-phase regulation of the angular speed. The model was created on the basis of a pulse frequency-phase detector (PFPD) model with additional functionality, that give a possibility to investigate the most effective ways to control this electric drive, from the point of view of dynamic indicators improving of regulation quality. On the basis of the known methods of phasing and synchronization, the model of precision electric drive was validated. The test showed that the work of the model meets theoretical expectations.
Improving the economic efficiency of heat sources and heating systems
Authors: Gaak V K , Gaak A V , Khamitov R N , Gritsay A S
Published: September 2019

Russia produces more than 41, 000 million Gcal of heat energy annually, of which only 36% is produced in a combined way. The centralized heat supply system also has the potential of increasing efficiency up to 50%. To improve the efficiency of heat energy generation, the article proposed 5 ways to reconstruct enterprises supplying heat to the population and industrial enterprises.
Comparison approximate analytical solution of the nonlinear differential equation of heating with numerical
Authors: Girshin S S , Ya Bigun A , Kropotin O V , Shepelev A O , Tkachenko V A , Petrova E V , Goryunov V N
Published: September 2019

To improve the efficiency of existing networks, special mathematical models for assessing the losses and temperature of conductors in real time can be used, with the climatic factors being taken into account. The approximate analytical solution of the nonlinear differential equation of heating and cooling of the insulated conductor with numerical method simulation of heat transfer is proposed comparison in this work. The solution is based on lowering the degree of temperature of the conductor using the least squares method in the integral form. A positive feature of the proposed solution is its universality. It allows the analysis of overhead conductors both with and without insulation. The developed method is almost as accurate as the calculation of the conductor temperature by numerical methods. The reliability of the heat balance equation of overhead power lines at non-stationary thermal mode developed by this method is confirmed by comparison with the results obtained by the finite elements method.
Increased efficiency of tests of electric machines of various types
Authors: Kharlamov V V , Popov D I
Published: September 2019

The paper describes the issues of operation of electric machines of various types. A wide adoption of asynchronous electric drives in various fields is noted. The relevance of the issue of embedding test complexes at companies conducting repairs, both asynchronous motors and direct current machines with different excitation types, is justified. The importance of the application modern power-saving technologies in the process of repair of electric machines is noted. One such technology is the method of mutual loading. Proposed scheme makes it possible to carry out tests by means of method of mutual loading such as induction motors, and direct-current machines with serial and independent (parallel) excitation. The effect is that the proposed scheme has a much lower cost compared to the total cost of schemes designed for testing of electric machines of the same types.
Analytical Method for Magnetic Field Calculation of Induction Heater for Heat Supply Systems
Authors: Khatsevskiy V F , Khatsevskiy K V , Gonenko T V
Published: September 2019

This paper presents an analysis of the need and technical feasibility of using electric heaters for heat supply systems. The use of induction heating units in the design of individual heating systems is proposed. Electromagnetic systems for the conversion of electrical energy into heat are considered. The heater is made in the form of coaxial cylinders using ferromagnetic cores. The analysis is based on magnetic equivalent circuits. The ways of optimization of the considered devices used for heating liquids in multi-purpose water heaters are formulated.
Verification for the simulation model of submersible electric motor with downhole compensator based on the bench tests results
Authors: Kopyrin V A , Portnyagin A L , Khamitov R N , Deneko M V
Published: September 2019

The bench tests results of submersible electric motor with downhole reactive power compensator are presented in this study. The decrease in the current consumption by 13 % and the increase in the power factor from 0.84 to 0.95 are recorded according to the test results. A simulation model of a submersible electric motor with a downhole reactive power compensator is developed. The data obtained on the simulation model are compared with the bench tests results. It is found that the discrepancy between the calculated and experimental data is less than 10 %. Consequently, the simulation model adequately reflects the electromechanical processes of the real object.
Modernization of acoustic method for the diagnostics of power transformers based on digital signal processing
Authors: Koshekov K T , Belyaev P V , Latypov S I , Savostin A A , Kalantayevskaya N I , Yu Kobenko V , Koshekova B V
Published: September 2019

The technology of modernization of acoustic diagnostics of oil-filled transformers is described by connecting an additional diagnostic unit for analyzing the temporal and statistical characteristics of the measuring signal. The algorithm of the block functioning is based on the application of identification measurements technologies and digital processing of diagnostic signals, classification of parameters according to designated signal classes and conclusion of the object state with the name. The results of studies of measuring signal images of transformer diagnostics operated on the basis of «SEVKAZENERGO» JSC are presented.
Improvement of a single-phase rectifier for manual arc welding by stick electrode for thin-sheet constructions
Authors: Mukhin V F , Eremin E N
Published: September 2019

The article shows the results of work to improve the single-phase rectifier for manual arc welding of thin-sheet structures. An additional unit is proposed, which is an electronic switch that includes a control circuit for the rectifier thyristors for two half-periods with a constant frequency, a multiple of the number of half-periods of the rectified current. At the same time, the selection of mode parameters for manual arc welding with a coated electrode allows for a stable quasistationary process of melting and transfer of the electrode metal. The use of an additional unit provides welding thin-sheet structures without reducing the diameter of the coated electrode, by analogy with the known processes for welding in protective gas.
The Means of Electromagnetic Compatibility Improvement for DC current consumer in Three-Phase Mains
Authors: Olhovskiy V Y , Myateg T V , Atamanova O S
Published: September 2019

The article is devoted to principle of creating a technical means for improving the electromagnetic compatibility of three-phase rectifiers in AC supply networks. The principle of the scheme constructing this technical device is described and the calculation models for its implementation are presented on the basis of transformer converters of the phase number and the windings connections as a sliding triangle. This solution allows to implement a controlled mode of increased equivalent number of pulses of rectification and provide high energy performance in the supply network by regulating the phase shifts of three-phase voltages feeding three-phase rectifiers, which is confirmed by a series of model experiments.
Feasible Ratio Determination of the Thermal Oil Equipment Waste-Heat Recovery
Authors: Paramonov A M , Rezanov E M
Published: September 2019

The applicability of the thermal oil equipment flue gases thermal energy recovery relates to heating the air amount required for the fuel burning, and technical and economic feasibility. The paper objective is to define the regenerative system air heating temperature optimal value and to study the temperature impact on the heat power unit efficiency. The problem solution is air heating temperature optimal value. calculation algorithm. The methods of the complex heat exchange mathematical modelling, optimization problem numerical solution, non-linear programming, and feasibility study were used in the research carried out. The study results of the temperature influence of heating the air required for fuel combustion on the thermal oil equipment technical and economic efficiency are presented.
Research of the acceleration dynamics of the horizontal separation centrifuge for drilling mud cleaning
Authors: Ryndin I A , Brendakov V N , Kladiev S N
Published: September 2019

This article presents a method for assessing the technical condition of a horizontal centrifugal centrifuge using vibration analysis methods. The study has been conducted on a centrifuge’s single-mass rotor model with a rigid and flexible shaft and flexible supports. Based on the results of the research recommendations for assessing the compliance of the bearings and deflection of the rotor shaft, the location of the natural frequency in the frequency spectrum of oscillations have been identified. An approach to damping vibrational oscillations of a rotor system using controlled acceleration of the rotor by means of a frequency-controlled electric drive is proposed.
Model of preform deflected mode in the process of secondary polymer materials coextrusion processing
Authors: Dyadichev A V , Dyadichev V V , Kolesnikov A V , Menyuk S G , Dyadicheva E A , Ye Chornobay S
Published: September 2019

The paper analyzes the topicality of secondary polymer materials usage in new products. It considers the main stages of secondary polymers processing. Three main groups of recycling processes are singled out, i.e. preparatory, shape-generating, and auxiliary. The paper highlights special perspectives of the coextrusion with further blowing technology usage. The calculation of multilayer preform adhesion for different loading conditions is done. The paper researches the deflected mode in the process of blowing the preform, consisting of three layers; two outside layers consist of primary polymer, and the inside layer is the polymer received during the recycling. While modelling the material of each preform layer, a viscous-elastic model of the material is used; this model allows identifying the deflected mode within each layer and between the layers, taking into account the change of polymer viscosity in the nonuniform cooling conditions. The dependencies of deformation rate intensity on blowing pressure for each of three layers of a multilayer product are calculated.
Technology of manufacturing powder from aluminium chips
Authors: Dyadichev V V , Ryabicheva L A , Dyadichev A V , Menyuk S G , Dyadicheva E A , Ye Chornobay S
Published: September 2019

The paper studies two technologies of manufacturing powder from aluminium chips of A7E brand. It presents the research results of physico-technological properties of the manufactured powders with different fractures. The dependencies of apparent density and tap density on the fraction size are identified. The influence of annealing on the compression rate is revealed. The most effective technology of manufacturing aluminium powder with high technological properties is identified. Aluminium powder, manufactured according to the proposed technology, is recommended for application in manufacturing constructional parts.
Effect of gas-phase processes in argon-helium-silane plasma on amorphous-nanocrystalline transition in thin films of a-Si:H
Authors: Lyakhov A A , Strunin V I , Zh Khudaibergenov G
Published: September 2019

The aim of the study is to increase the efficiency of solar cell elements on the basis of thin films of amorphous-nanocrystalline silicon, by incorporating silicon nanocrystals (SiNPs) into a film of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). As a result of performing the works, a two-dimensional model of the chemical composition of plasma Ar + He/SiH4 is proposed on the basis of the system of balanced transport equations for 24 components in the discharge chamber of cylindrical geometry. It is shown that the model reasonably describes the kinetics of the chemical reactions In the PECVD reactor. Based on the calculation according to the proposed model, the densities of the main particles in the helium-argon-silane plasma of the radio-frequency capacitive (RF)-discharge are determined. It has been shown that the addition of helium to the silane plasma causes an increase in the concentration of atomic silicon. Optimal concentration of helium in the mixture is set, and a mechanism for forming silicon nanocrystals is proposed.
The effect of ultrasonic activation on the formation of polytetrafluoroethylene modified by detonation nanodiamonds
Authors: Negrov D A , Eremin E N , Korusenko P M , Yu Putintsev V , Nesov S N
Published: September 2019

The article discusses the influence of low-frequency ultrasonic vibrations on the structure and tribological properties of the synthesized polymer composite material based on polytetrafluoroethylene, modified by detonation nanodiamonds. As a result of researches it is established that the effect of low frequency ultrasonic vibrations and entered a modifier of detonating nanodiamonds leads to changes the supramolecular structure of the polymer composite, expressed in the increasing the blocks size and degree of crystallinity. Studies of the elemental composition and chemical state of the atoms indicate the improvement of the composite structure, which has a better structure and contains no defects as a C-H, C-C and C-CFn ties and contains mainly of the –CF2 and –CF3 chemical bonders. Detonation nanodiamonds are introduced in the process of forming material, prevent the formation of unwanted C-H, C-C due to the absorption of excess carbon, whereby the surface of the composite material has a more perfect structure. Low frequency ultrasonic vibrations lead to the improvement of wear resistance by 13.6% and to reduce the coefficient of sliding friction is 15% of the studied composite material.
The effect of thermal cycling on the properties of VO2±Y materials
Authors: Semenyuk N A , Surikov Vad I , Kuznetsova Y V , Surikov Val I , Volkova V K
Published: September 2019

The article presents the research results of the thermal cycling influence on the ratio of the ultimate composition, chemical state and electrical resistance of VO2±Y system materials. It is established that for all VO2±Y system materials a phase transition semiconductor-metal (PTSM) is observed at temperature of ∼ 340 K, accompanied by a sharp change in electrical resistance both before and after thermal cycling. Despite the fact that PTMD retained after thermal cycling, the resistivity jump Δln(R/R0) at PTMD for all test materials decreases, the transition temperature becomes more diffused. It is shown that after a series of 30 thermal cycles, the ratio of the surface ultimate composition of all the materials under study changes to a decrease in the oxygen content. Minimal changes in properties as a result of thermal cycling are observed in vanadium dioxide of stoichiometric composition. According to the results of XPS spectra, it was determined that V4+ oxide predominates in the surface layer of VO2 samples, both before and after thermal cycling, and there are also small inclusions of V5+ oxide.
Problems equilibration of aggregates on the basis of slow moving stages
Authors: Yusha V L , Busarov S S , Nedovenchany A V , Busarov I S , Kobylski R E
Published: September 2019

The study of new design solutions in the field of reciprocating compressor units led to the creation of units based on low-speed long-stroke compression stages. Regime and design parameters of such units, along with the use of linear drives do not allow to use a flywheel as a means of reducing fluctuations in the load on the drive mechanism. A number of schemes for such units has been proposed, the most successful of which is a design with two pistons moving towards each other. This design allows us to fully balance the unit. In addition, this design has a number of additional advantages, such as increased service life and improved performance of the workflow.
Simulate, evaluate the temperature performance of TEG when changing the height and angle of inclined plates
Authors: Hoang T H
Published: September 2019

Thermoelectric generators (TEG) have attracted considerable attention for the recovery of waste heat of internal combustion engines. In this study, a three-dimensional digital model for engine-based emission generator (ETEG) was developed based on Ansys Fluent simulation platform. By considering the detailed shape of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) and the thermal zones, along with the change in height and angle of the inclined plate. From the various changes studied and the design, optimization proposal was made. It was found that the inclined plate size should be moderate to balance the heat transfer for the TEG modules and reduce the pressure along the inclined plates. Increasing the number of inclined plates can improve thermal efficiency. However, because more space and TEG modules are needed, system size and cost should also be considered. Although it is only possible to place the slant plates at the inlet of the slant plate, it is possible to increase the heat transfer coefficient for the entire TEG hot surface. To ensure efficient use of hot emissions, the angle of inclined plates should be large enough, especially for downstream locations. Since larger inclined angle angles significantly increase the pressure drop, it is suggested that the angle of inclined plates change, with the angle increasing along the flow direction, possibly as a middle lock to balance the heat transfer and pressure drop. A single TEG design may not be suitable for all engine operating conditions and adjusting the number of inclined plates and inclined corners according to different engine operating conditions can improve performance.
Solution of the task of planar geometric optics with a non-stationary source
Authors: Lyubchinov E V , Panchuk K L
Published: September 2019

In the present paper a geometric model of acquisition of receiver curve in the tasks of planar geometric optics with a non-stationary emitter is proposed. The model is based on cyclographic mapping of Euclidean space on a plane and significantly differs in terms of simplicity from the existing mathematical models applied in solution of similar tasks. Furthermore, the proposed model differs in applying uniform solution algorithms for direct and inverse planar geometric optics tasks. The variety of such tasks is dictated by variety of geometric forms of the sought element of the triad “emitter-reflector-receiver” as well as the initial conditions, where a single element of the triad is unknown and sought. The results of the present paper can find application in the area of metrology for optical profile control of machined cylindrical workpieces constituting reflector of the triad.
Designing optimal structure of road construction machines kits
Authors: Permyakov V B , Salikhov R F , Musagitova G N , Yu Levin N
Published: September 2019

The article presents modernized mathematical model for optimizing the structure of road sets of machines, taking into account the technical and organizational downtimes of mechanization facilities employed in technological construction processes. In the process of operation, technical downtimes are caused by the wear of parts, assemblies and units of transport and technological machines, the removal of which takes more time each year. This circumstance causes an adequate decrease in the annual output of the mechanization facilities. The organizational kind of downtimes is caused by internal and external factors. The internal factors lead to the under-exploitation of the potential capabilities of individual pieces of the equipment of the kit. External factors are characterized by late supply of construction materials, caused by the irregularity of their production and delivery. Dependencies between productivity and the operating period of transport-technological machines, obtained using this mathematical model, will allow determining the real time of work, the output of machines, taking into account their age.
Minimizing resource cost in project scheduling problem with accumulative resources
Authors: Romanova A A
Published: September 2019

We consider the project scheduling problem with accumulative resources and criterion of resource cost minimization. The purchase cost of a resource depends on its amount per time period. If the amount of the resource exceeds a certain level a new higher price is set. For unlimited storage, when any amount of each resource can be stored, we show the polynomial solvability of the problem. For limited storage, the problem is proved to be strongly NP-hard. Integer linear programming model and dynamic programming algorithm are also proposed.
Structures of the Pareto set and their reduction in bicriteria discrete problems
Authors: Zakharov A O , Kovalenko Y V
Published: September 2019

We investigate discrete bicriteria problems and apply to them the axiomatic approach of the Pareto set reduction proposed by V. Noghin. Values of “quantum of information” parameter are identified, that guarantee the reduction of the Pareto set with special structures. We analyze the families of the bicriteria set covering instances in the scope of the Pareto set reduction.
Effect of Design Parameters on the Sensitivity of a Thermal Microaccelerometer with Inertial Mass
Authors: Kozlov A G
Published: September 2019

An analytical method is presented that allows one to determine the influence of the design parameters of a thermal microaccelerometer with inertial mass on its output signal. In the thermal microaccelerometer, a two-dimensional domain of modeling is marked out, in which the main thermal processes take place. This domain is replaced by the equivalent rectangular one, divided into a number of regions with uniform parameters. The temperature distribution in the regions is determined by the Fourier method. The parameters characterizing the processes of heat transfer between the regions are found from the conjugation conditions. Using the proposed method, the dependencies of the output voltage on the design parameters of the microaccelerometer (the gap between the element with inertial mass and the thermally isolated structure, the thickness of the thermally isolated structure, the length of the thermally insulated structure occupied by the battery of film thermocouples, the thermal conductivity of the air in the gap) and the sensitivities of the voltage to change of these parameters are determined.
Some dynamic features of ferroelectric thin films
Authors: Levi M O , Kalinchuk V V , Shirokov V B
Published: September 2019

The dynamic problem of the surface acoustic wave propagation in a thin-film structure is investigated. The propagation of plane waves in the film-substrate structure is considered. Thin film is made of barium titanate oxide, and solid substrate is made of magnesium oxide. Ferroelectric film is subjected to misfit strain because of the deposition. Assumed that the solid substrate retains its properties due to the large difference in the hardness of the materials. Built Green function, obtained phase velocities and electromechanical coupling coefficients in the C-phase of BaTiO3. The present investigation is of practical interest for developing high-frequencies smart ferroelectric devices for engineering applications.
Study of the effect of substrate holder temperature on the etching rate of monocrystalline silicon carbide
Authors: Osipov A
Published: September 2019

The paper touches upon the features of thermal stimulated plasma chemical etching (PCE) 6H-SiC in fluorine-containing inductively coupled plasma (ICP) in the temperature range from 50 °C to 300 °C. It was found that the etching rate of silicon carbide increases linearly from 0.9 µm/min to 1.3 µm / min with an increase in the temperature of the substrate holder from 50 °C to 150 °C, and further temperature increase to 300 °C does not contribute to an increase in the etching rate of SiC. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, the physicochemical regularities of plasma chemical etching of silicon carbide at elevated values of the substrate temperature were determined.
Embodied emissions in rail infrastructure: a critical literature review
Authors: Olugbenga Olubanjo , Kalyviotis Nikolaos , Saxe Shoshanna
Published: September 2019

This paper investigates the state of knowledge in quantifying the embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rail infrastructure and develops a sketch model for estimating the GHG impact of rail infrastructure based on the literature. A literature review identified 22 publications, containing 57 case studies, at least touching on the embodied GHG for different types of rail infrastructure. The cases studies include high speed rail, intercity rail, light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, freight, and metro rail. The paper examines the GHG impact per kilometre of rail infrastructure reported across the case studies and compares the boundaries, functional units, methods, and data used. Most studies employed process-based LCA for an attributional analysis. The embodied emissions associated with the case studies range from 0.5 to 12 700 tCO2 km−1; much of the variation is dependent on the proportion of the rail line at-grade, elevated, or in a tunnel. However, large ranges in GHG per kilometre remain after controlling for elevated and tunneled distance. Comparing the embodied emissions across the rail types was challenging, due to the large variations in system boundaries, study goals, and inventory methods adopted in the publications. This review highlights the need for standardization across the reporting of embodied GHG for rail infrastructure to better facilitate hot spot detection, engineering design and GHG policy decision making. The statistical model finds that overall ∼941(±168) tCO2e are embodied per kilometre of rail at-grade, and tunneling has 27 (±5) times more embodied GHG per kilometre than at-grade construction. The statistical model is based on the findings of published literature and does not explicitly consider function, geometry, specifications, emphasis on whole lifecycle, legislative constraints, socio-economic factors, or the physical and environmental conditions of the construction site.
Perceptions of emerging biotechnologies
Authors: Azodi Christina B , Dietz Thomas
Published: September 2019

Research on public views of biotechnology has centered on genetically modified (GM) foods. However, as the breadth of biotechnology applications grows, a better understanding of public concerns about non-agricultural biotechnology products is needed in order to develop proactive strategies to address these concerns. Here, we explore the perceived benefits and risks associated with five biotechnology products and how those perceptions translate into public opinion about the use and regulation of biotechnology in the United States. While we found greater support for non-agricultural biotechnology product, 70% of individuals surveyed showed no or little variation in their support across the products, indicating opinions about early GM products may be influencing the acceptance of emerging biotechnologies. We identified five common patterns of opinions about biotechnology and used machine learning models to integrate a wide range of factors and predict a respondent’s opinion group. While the model was particularly good at identifying individuals supportive of biotechnology, differentiating between individuals from the non- and conditionally-supportive opinion groups was more challenging, emphasizing the complexity of public opinions of emerging biotechnology products.
A dynamic climate finance allocation mechanism reflecting the Paris Agreement
Authors: Egli Florian , Stünzi Anna
Published: September 2019

Reaching the goal of the Paris Agreement requires substantial investment. The developed country parties have agreed to provide USD$100 billion in climate finance annually from 2020 to 2025. Ongoing negotiations on post-2025 commitments are likely to exceed that sum and include a broader scope of parties. However, there is no guidance regarding the allocation of contributions. Here, we develop a dynamic mechanism based on two conventional pillars of a burden sharing mechanism: emission responsibility and ability to pay. The mechanism adds dynamic components that reflect the Paris principle to ‘ratchet-up’ ambition; it rewards countries with ambitious mitigation targets and relieves countries with a high degree of climate vulnerability. Including developed country parties only, we find that ten countries should bear 85% of climate finance contributions (65% if all parties to the Paris Agreement are included). In both scopes, increasing climate ambition is rewarded. If the EU increased its emission reduction target from 40% to 55% by 2030, member states could reduce their climate finance contributions by up to 3.3%. The proposed mechanism allows for an inclusion of sub-, supra- or non-state actors. For example, we find a contribution of USD$3.3 billion annually for conventionally excluded emissions from international aviation and shipping.
Evidence map of crop diversification strategies at the global scale
Authors: Beillouin Damien , Ben-Ari Tamara , Makowski David
Published: September 2019

The diversification of cropping systems encompasses different strategies that may help maintain or enhance the sustainability of agriculture. Thousands of experiments have been carried out around the world since almost five decades to evaluate and compare the performances of various diversification strategies in a wide array of agroecosystems and climates. Although these analyses have been synthesized in a growing number of meta-analyses, the information remains somewhat fragmented. A multicriteria systematic synthesis of worldwide agricultural diversification is still lacking. Here, we review all meta-analyses conducted on crop diversification strategies and produce a detailed overview of their results and of their quality. We identified and analyzed 99 meta-analyses summarizing the results of more than 3700 agronomic experiments on seven crop diversification strategies. Among these strategies, rotation and associated plant species are dominant in the literature followed by intercropping, agroforestry and landscape heterogeneity. Our analysis reveals that rotation and intercropping are associated with yield increases. Agroforestry systematically induces an improvement of biodiversity and soil quality—in particular soil organic carbon. We show that, regardless of the context, a combination of several diversification strategies outperforms any individual strategy. Our review reveals that a significant knowledge gap remains, in particular regarding water use, farmers’ profitability, product quality and production stability. Few meta-analyses investigate the performance of landscape heterogeneity and of systems with species other than cereals and pulses. Additionally, we show that most of the meta-analyses studied cannot be considered fully transparent and reproducible. Their conclusions should therefore be interpreted with caution. Our systematic mapping provides a benchmark to guide and improve the relevance and reliability of future meta-analyses in agronomy.
Defect properties of vanadium doped barium titanate ceramics
Authors: Böttcher R , Langhammer H T , Walther T , Syrowatka F , Ebbinghaus S G
Published: September 2019

X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) powder spectra (9 and 34 GHz) and the magnetic susceptibility of BaTiO3 + 0.04 BaO + 0.01 V2O5 ceramics were studied to investigate the valence states of V ions and their solubility in the BaTiO3 lattice. In samples sintered at 1400 °C in air, only about 0.1 mol% V is incorporated in the BaTiO3 lattice being in V4+ and V5+ valence state, respectively. 95% of the nominal V dopant content occurs in the secondary phase Ba3(V/Ti)2O8. All BaTiO3 samples investigated are in tetragonal phase at room temperature. In the as-sintered samples V4+ is detected at temperatures T < 20 K by its hyperfine structure (HFS) octet due to the nuclear spin 7/2 of 51V. Samples post-annealed in H2/Ar atmosphere at 1200 °C exhibit a further HFS octet occurring at T > 25 K and vanishing at T > 250 K, which is caused by V2+ ions. This spectrum is characterized by a simultaneous HFS and fine structure splitting constituted by allowed and forbidden transitions. Both V4+ and V2+ ions are incorporated at Ti4+ sites of the BaTiO3 lattice.
Telecom photon interface of solid-state quantum nodes
Authors: Li Changhao , Cappellaro Paola
Published: September 2019

Solid-state spins such as nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center are promising platforms for large-scale quantum networks. Despite the optical interface of NV center system, however, the significant attenuation of its zero-phonon-line photon in optical fiber prevents the network extended to long distances. Therefore a telecom-wavelength photon interface would be essential to reduce the photon loss in transporting quantum information. Here we propose an efficient scheme for coupling telecom photon to NV center ensembles mediated by rare-earth doped crystal. Specifically, we proposed protocols for high fidelity quantum state transfer and entanglement generation with parameters within reach of current technologies. Such an interface would bring new insights into future implementations of long-range quantum network with NV centers in diamond acting as quantum nodes.
Exploiting asymmetric wire critical current for the reduction of AC loss in HTS coil windings
Authors: Jiang Zhenan , Endo Natsumi , Wimbush Stuart C , Brooks Justin , Song Wenjuan , Badcock Rodney A , Miyagi Daisuke , Tsuda Makoto
Published: September 2019

Critical current and AC loss in coil windings are two important factors for various HTS applications. Many coated conductors exhibit asymmetry in the variation of the critical current with magnetic field angle. This asymmetry results in different coil critical current values depending on the orientation of the conductors in the coil windings. We report critical current and AC loss results at 77 K and 65 K for three hybrid coil assemblies which have a common central winding and different arrangements of the end windings. We found a difference greater than 13% in both the critical current and the AC loss results for the different arrangements. The results imply that if we wind coil assemblies smartly even using the same materials and the same design, we can not only improve critical current but also reduce AC loss significantly.
Biaxial strain tuning of interlayer excitons in bilayer MoS2
Authors: Carrascoso Felix , Lin Der-Yuh , Frisenda Riccardo , Castellanos-Gomez Andres
Published: September 2019

We show how the excitonic features of biaxial MoS2 flakes are very sensitive to biaxial strain. We find a lower bound for the gauge factors of the A exciton and B exciton of (−41 ± 2) meV/% and (−45 ± 2) meV/% respectively, which are larger than those found for single-layer MoS2. Interestingly, the interlayer exciton feature also shifts upon biaxial strain but with a gauge factor that is systematically larger than that found for the A exciton, (−48 ± 4) meV/%. We attribute this larger gauge factor for the interlayer exciton to the strain tunable van der Waals interaction due to the Poisson effect (the interlayer distance changes upon biaxial strain).
Genome-Wide Association Study of Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension in the CHARGE Consortium: The CHARGE Pharmacogenetics Working Group
Authors: Irvin Marguerite R , Sitlani Colleen M , Floyd James S , Psaty Bruce M , Bis Joshua C , Wiggins Kerri L , Whitsel Eric A , Sturmer Til , Stewart James , Raffield Laura , Sun Fangui , Liu Ching-Ti , Xu Hanfei , Cupples Adrienne L , Tanner Rikki M , Rossing Peter , Smith Albert , Zilhão Nuno R , Launer Lenore J , Noordam Raymond , Rotter Jerome I , Yao Jie , Li Xiaohui , Guo Xiuqing , Limdi Nita , Sundaresan Aishwarya , Lange Leslie , Correa Adolfo , Stott David J , Ford Ian , Jukema J Wouter , Gudnason Vilmundur , Mook-Kanamori Dennis O , Trompet Stella , Palmas Walter , Warren Helen R , Hellwege Jacklyn N , Giri Ayush , O'donnell Christopher , Hung Adriana M , Edwards Todd L , Ahluwalia Tarunveer S , Arnett Donna K , Avery Christy L
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Only a handful of genetic discovery efforts in apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) have been described.

METHODS

We conducted a case–control genome-wide association study of aTRH among persons treated for hypertension, using data from 10 cohorts of European ancestry (EA) and 5 cohorts of African ancestry (AA). Cases were treated with 3 different antihypertensive medication classes and had blood pressure (BP) above goal (systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg) or 4 or more medication classes regardless of BP control (nEA = 931, nAA = 228). Both a normotensive control group and a treatment-responsive control group were considered in separate analyses. Normotensive controls were untreated (nEA = 14,210, nAA = 2,480) and had systolic BP/diastolic BP < 140/90 mm Hg. Treatment-responsive controls (nEA = 5,266, nAA = 1,817) had BP at goal (<140/90 mm Hg), while treated with one antihypertensive medication class. Individual cohorts used logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, study site, and principal components for ancestry to examine the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms with case–control status. Inverse variance-weighted fixed-effects meta-analyses were carried out using METAL.

RESULTS

The known hypertension locus, CASZ1, was a top finding among EAs (P = 1.1 × 10−8) and in the race-combined analysis (P = 1.5 × 10−9) using the normotensive control group (rs12046278, odds ratio = 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.6–0.8)). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in this locus were robustly replicated in the Million Veterans Program (MVP) study in consideration of a treatment-responsive control group. There were no statistically significant findings for the discovery analyses including treatment-responsive controls.

CONCLUSION

This genomic discovery effort for aTRH identified CASZ1 as an aTRH risk locus.
Two Distinct Systems Represent Contralateral and Ipsilateral Sensorimotor Processes in the Human Premotor Cortex: A Dense TMS Mapping Study
Authors: Lega Carlotta , Chelazzi Leonardo , Cattaneo Luigi
Published: September 2019

Animal brains contain behaviorally committed representations of the surrounding world, which integrate sensory and motor information. In primates, sensorimotor mechanisms reside in part in the premotor cortex (PM), where sensorimotor neurons are topographically clustered according to functional specialization. Detailed functional cartography of the human PM is still under investigation. We explored the topographic distribution of spatially dependent sensorimotor functions in healthy volunteers performing left or right, hand or foot, responses to visual cues presented in the left or right hemispace, thus combining independently stimulus side, effector side, and effector type. Event-related transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to single spots of a dense grid of 10 points on the participants’ left hemiscalp, covering the whole PM. Results showed: (1) spatially segregated hand and foot representations, (2) focal representations of contralateral cues and movements in the dorsal PM, and (3) distributed representations of ipsilateral cues and movements in the ventral and dorso-medial PM. The present novel causal information indicates that (1) the human PM is somatotopically organized and (2) the left PM contains sensory-motor representations of both hemispaces and of both hemibodies, but the hemispace and hemibody contralateral to the PM are mapped on a distinct, nonoverlapping cortical region compared to the ipsilateral ones.
The Emergence of “Universal Jurisdiction” in Response to Somali Piracy: An Empirically Informed Critique of International Law’s “Paradigmatic” Universal Jurisdiction Crime
Authors: Garrod Matthew
Published: September 2019

Since the 1980s, the idea that piracy is the “original” and “paradigmatic” universal jurisdiction crime in customary international law has been increasingly supported by weighty scholarship. In the wake of the unprecedented surge in Somali piracy, this view is gaining ground among various powerful actors in international law. Yet, remarkably little empirically grounded scholarship exists in support of universal jurisdiction. This Article provides the first comprehensive empirical analysis of state practice in response to Somali piracy in a ten-year period since 2006. Additionally, the data on Somali piracy are compared with the empirical findings of state practice regarding international crimes, which are more “heinous” than piracy, since the end of World War II to 2016. In so doing, this Article brings new insight and the first thorough critique of what most scholars, governments, the UN and even the International Court of Justice have said on universal jurisdiction, its purpose and the basis for it in international law. In view of inter-state tensions and conflict caused by universal jurisdiction and a move towards law codification, there is now a pressing need for a paradigm shift in the concept of universal jurisdiction for both piracy and international crimes, a step away from conventional scholarly accounts, and the grand narratives from which they proceed, to a position that has a solid basis in the actual practice of states. Empirically and historically informed, it is proposed that “universal jurisdiction” for both categories of crime provides a basis in international law permitting the exercise of national criminal jurisdiction over offences involving foreign nationals abroad that have a close nexus between the case over which jurisdiction is asserted and the state asserting jurisdiction. Common and traditionally held assumptions that universal jurisdiction is based solely on the grave nature of crimes and is applied by states absent any nexus to offences and in the interest of the international community are unfounded.