bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Alternative Method for Calculating the Eddy Current Loss in the Sleeve of a Sealless Pump
Authors: Strinić Tomislav , Wex Bianca , Jungmayr Gerald , Stallinger Thomas , Frevert Jörg , Panholzer Martin
Published: April 2021

A sealless pump, also known as a wet rotor pump or a canned pump, requires a stationary sleeve in the air gap to protect the stator from a medium that flows around the rotor and the pump impeller. Since the sleeve is typically made from a non-magnetic electrically conductive material, the time-varying magnetic flux density in the air gap creates an eddy current loss in the sleeve. Precise assessment of this loss is crucial for the design of the pump. This paper presents a method for calculating the eddy current loss in such sleeves by using only a two-dimensional (2D) finite element method (FEM) solver. The basic idea is to use the similar structure of Ampère’s circuital law and Faraday’s law of induction to solve eddy current problems with a magnetostatic solver. The theoretical background behind the proposed method is explained and applied to the sleeve of a sealless pump. Finally, the results obtained by a 2D FEM approach are verified by three-dimensional FEM transient simulations.
Regional Differences of Agricultural Land Market in Slovakia: A Challenge for Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Lazíková Jarmila , Rumanovská Ľubica , Takáč Ivan , Prus Piotr , Fehér Alexander
Published: April 2021

The agricultural land market and its legal and political limitations play an important role in sustainable agricultural production. This study analyzed the agricultural land market in particular regions of Slovakia in terms of the sustainability of agricultural production. We focused on the development of proposed land prices between 2014 and 2018 to find out whether the prices proposed by landowners align with administrative land prices reflecting the soil quality in particular regions of Slovakia, or whether they are influenced by the proposed land prices of neighboring regions. Moreover, we focused on the existence of regional differences in proposed land prices in Slovakia, including differences in supply prices of arable land and permanent grasslands in particular regions. Statistical induction tools, together with multiple range tests and spatial autocorrelation, were used to confirm or refuse our expectations. We confirmed statistically significant differences in proposed land prices between regions. Moreover, we found that landowners are only influenced by the proposed land prices of their neighboring regions to a slight degree. However, we found that the price scissors between proposed land prices and administrative land prices open towards smaller administrative land prices, meaning that land of poorer fertility is supplied at a higher price than land of the best soil quality. There is a risk that expensive and poorer land plots will be used by investors for non-agricultural purposes, and agricultural production will be crowded out from these regions. Therefore, we propose that changes to the prepared legislative measures are necessary in order to promote the sustainability of agricultural production in all regions of the country.
Evaluation of Drift-Reducing Nozzles for Pesticide Application in Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.)
Authors: Biocca Marcello , Cutini Maurizio , Romano Elio , Pallottino Federico , Gallo Pietro
Published: April 2021

Spraying pesticides using air induction nozzles is a well-known method to reduce drift. These drift-reducing nozzles have been tested on many different tree crops (such as apples, citrus, and grapes), but we are still lacking information on their utilization on hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) groves, although hazelnut is a major nut crop in Italy, and in recent years its cultivated area has been constantly growing. This paper reports a comparison between treatments carried out with cone and flat-fan low-drift nozzles versus two conventional nozzles. The distribution quality, the number of droplets per cm2 of the target area, and the drift in non-target trees adjacent to those treated were evaluated by analyzing the impact of the droplets on water-sensitive papers placed on the tree canopies. The results show that because no significative differences in terms of application quality were found between the tested nozzles, low-drift nozzles can be a good alternative to the standard nozzles to reduce the drift of pesticide applications in hazelnuts without altering the chosen distribution of the pesticide.
Rice Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) Occurrence Prediction and the Key Factor Sensitivity Analysis by Machine Learning
Authors: Liu Li-Wei , Hsieh Sheng-Hsin , Lin Su-Ju , Wang Yu-Min , Lin Wen-Shin
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to establish a machine learning (ML)-based rice blast predicting model to decrease the appreciable losses based on short-term environment data. The average, highest and lowest air temperature, average relative humidity, soil temperature and solar energy were selected for model development. The developed multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machine (SVM), Elman recurrent neural network (Elman RNN) and probabilistic neural network (PNN) were evaluated by F-measures. Finally, a sensitivity analysis (SA) was conducted for the factor importance assessment. The study result shows that the PNN performed best with the F-measure (β = 2) of 96.8%. The SA was conducted in the PNN model resulting in the main effect period is 10 days before the rice blast happened. The key factors found are minimum air temperature, followed by solar energy and equaled sensitivity of average relative humidity, maximum air temperature and soil temperature. The temperature phase lag in air and soil may cause a lower dew point and suitable for rice blast pathogens growth. Through this study’s results, rice blast warnings can be issued 10 days in advance, increasing the response time for farmers preparing related preventive measures, further reducing the losses caused by rice blast.
Assessing Opportunities to Increase Yield and Profit in Rainfed Lowland Rice Systems in Indonesia
Authors: Erythrina Erythrina , Anshori Arif , Bora Charles Y. , Dewi Dina O. , Lestari Martina S. , Mustaha Muhammad A. , Ramija Khadijah E. , Rauf Abdul W. , Mikasari Wilda , Surdianto Yanto , Suriadi Ahmad , Purnamayani Rima , Darwis Valeriana , Syahbuddin Haris
Published: April 2021

In this study, we aimed to improve rice farmers’ productivity and profitability in rainfed lowlands through appropriate crop and nutrient management by closing the rice yield gap during the dry season in the rainfed lowlands of Indonesia. The Integrated Crop Management package, involving recommended practices (RP) from the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), were compared to the farmers’ current practices at ten farmer-participatory demonstration plots across ten provinces of Indonesia in 2019. The farmers’ practices (FP) usually involved using old varieties in their remaining land and following their existing fertilizer management methods. The results indicate that improved varieties and nutrient best management practices in rice production, along with water reservoir infrastructure and information access, contribute to increasing the productivity and profitability of rice farming. The mean rice yield increased significantly with RP compared with FP by 1.9 t ha−1 (ranges between 1.476 to 2.344 t ha−1), and net returns increased, after deducting the cost of fertilizers and machinery used for irrigation supplements, by USD 656 ha−1 (ranges between USD 266.1 to 867.9 ha−1) per crop cycle. This represents an exploitable yield gap of 37%. Disaggregated by the wet climate of western Indonesia and eastern Indonesia’s dry climate, the RP increased rice productivity by 1.8 and 2.0 t ha−1, with an additional net return gain per cycle of USD 600 and 712 ha−1, respectively. These results suggest that there is considerable potential to increase the rice production output from lowland rainfed rice systems by increasing cropping intensity and productivity. Here, we lay out the potential for site-specific variety and nutrient management with appropriate crop and supplemental irrigation as an ICM package, reducing the yield gap and increasing farmers’ yield and income during the dry season in Indonesia’s rainfed-prone areas.
Antibacterial Mechanisms and Efficacy of Sarecycline in Animal Models of Infection and Inflammation
Authors: Bunick Christopher G. , Keri Jonette , Tanaka S. Ken , Furey Nika , Damiani Giovanni , Johnson Jodi L. , Grada Ayman
Published: April 2021

Prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic use is more likely to induce bacterial resistance and dysbiosis of skin and gut microflora. First and second-generation tetracycline-class antibiotics have similar broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Targeted tetracycline-class antibiotics are needed to limit antimicrobial resistance and improve patient outcomes. Sarecycline is a narrow-spectrum, third-generation tetracycline-class antibiotic Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for treating moderate-to-severe acne. In vitro studies demonstrated activity against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria but reduced activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Recent studies have provided insight into how the structure of sarecycline, with a unique C7 moiety, interacts with bacterial ribosomes to block translation and prevent antibiotic resistance. Sarecycline reduces Staphylococcus aureus DNA and protein synthesis with limited effects on RNA, lipid, and bacterial wall synthesis. In agreement with in vitro data, sarecycline demonstrated narrower-spectrum in vivo activity in murine models of infection, exhibiting activity against S. aureus, but reduced efficacy against Escherichia coli compared to doxycycline and minocycline. In a murine neutropenic thigh wound infection model, sarecycline was as effective as doxycycline against S. aureus. The anti-inflammatory activity of sarecycline was comparable to doxycycline and minocycline in a rat paw edema model. Here, we review the antibacterial mechanisms of sarecycline and report results of in vivo studies of infection and inflammation.
Validation of a Questionnaire for Patient Awareness and the Need for a Community-Based Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (O-ASP): A Pilot Study
Authors: Park Sohyun , Geum Min Jeong , Choi Hee Jung , Kim Chung-Jong , Kwack Won Gun , Chung Eun Kyoung , Rhie Sandy Jeong
Published: April 2021

An outpatient antimicrobial stewardship program (O-ASP) was developed and implemented to promote appropriate antibiotic therapy in outpatient settings. As active patient involvement is a critical component of an effective O-ASP, this study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire addressing patient awareness for appropriate antibiotic therapy and the need for pharmaceutical care services (PCS) in the O-ASP in Korea. The questionnaire was drafted based on ASPs and PCS guidelines and validated for content and construct validity using the item-content validity index (I-CVI) and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. The estimated I-CVI and Cronbach’s alpha were considered excellent or adequate (≥0.8 and 0.70–0.90, respectively) for most of the survey items (17 out of 23 items). The validated questionnaire was utilized in a pilot survey study, including 112 individuals (37% male) with the mean ± SD age of 37 ± 13 years. Among the survey participants, 68% responded that antibiotics had been prescribed appropriately; however, ≥50% showed a lack of knowledge regarding their antibiotic therapy. The participants expressed the need for PCS as part of an O-ASP in the questionnaire (average Likert score ≥3.4/5). In conclusion, our newly validated questionnaire successfully measured patient awareness and knowledge of antimicrobial use and the need for PCS in the O-ASP.
Effects of On-Farm Dairy Manure Composting on Tetracycline Content and Nutrient Composition
Authors: Schueler Jenna , Naas Kayla , Hurst Jerod , Aga Diana , Lansing Stephanie
Published: April 2021

This study quantified the potential of farm-scale composting to degrade antibiotics in dairy manure. The compost windrow, consisting of sick cow bedding from a 1000-cow US dairy farm, was managed using the dairy farm’s typical practices and monitored for tetracycline and nutrient composition. Samples were collected over 33 days, which was the time from compost pile formation to land application as fertilizer, and analyzed for solids, antibiotics, and nutrient content. Average tetracycline concentrations at the beginning of the study (452 ng/g DW) were lower than at the end of composting (689 ng/g DW), illustrating that antibiotic degradation was not greater than degradation of the compost solids. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) increased from 15.3 to 18.4 g/kg during the composting period due to decreases in solids and likely inhibition of N-mineralization due to the presence of antibiotics. The results indicated that antibiotics were not completely degraded when using the farm’s compost pile management techniques, with antibiotics possibly impacting nitrogen transformation in the compost, which should be considered in nutrient management when using sick cow bedding. Additionally, the results showed that antibiotic degradation during farm-scale composting can vary from reported laboratory-scale due to differences in management, composting duration, and temporal conditions, illustrating the need for more extensive on-farm research including common farm practices and real-world conditions.
Contact-Area-Changeable CMP Conditioning for Enhancing Pad Lifetime
Authors: Son Jungyu , Lee Hyunseop
Published: April 2021

Chemical–mechanical polishing (CMP) is a process that planarizes semiconductor surfaces and is essential for the manufacture of highly integrated devices. In CMP, pad conditioning using a disk with diamond grit is adopted to maintain the surface roughness of the polishing pad and remove polishing debris. However, uneven pad wear by conditioning is unavoidable in CMP. In this study, we propose a contact-area-changeable conditioning system and utilize it to conduct a preliminary study for improving pad lifetime. Using the conventional conditioning method (Case I), the material removal rate (MRR) decreased rapidly after 12 h of conditioning and the within-wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU) increased. However, the results of conditioning experiments show that when using a contact-area-changeable conditioning system, uniform pad wear can be obtained in the wafer–pad contact area and the pad lifetime can be extended to more than 20 h. Finally, the newly proposed conditioning system in this study may improve the CMP pad lifetime.
Preliminary Study of New Sustainable, Alkali-Activated Cements Using the Residual Fraction of the Glass Cullet Recycling as Precursor
Authors: Giro-Paloma Jessica , Maldonado-Alameda Alex , Alfocea-Roig Anna , Mañosa Jofre , Chimenos Josep Maria , Formosa Joan
Published: April 2021

During the glass selection process by optical sorting equipment, a rejection material called CSP (ceramic, stone, and porcelain) is generated, which is lower than 2 wt % of the glass cullet collected in Catalonia (Spain). Although this process should only separate non-glass impurities from the glass cullet, around 84 wt % of glass is found in the CSP. The CSP characterization reveals that CSP is mainly compound by SiO2, Al2O3, alkali metals, and CaO, which are key components for the alkali-activated cement (AAC) development. Consequently, this study is focused on the potential of CSP as a precursor to synthesize AAC. The concentration of the alkali activator (NaOH: 1 M, 4 M, and 8 M) and the liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio were tested in the formulation of the AAC. The AAC specimens at 28 days cured were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), apparent density (ρapp), and compressive strength (σs). The results obtained showed that the L/S of 0.5 and 4.0 M for NaOH concentration are the best conditions, due to the mechanical properties (ρapp = 1.75 g·cm−3; σs = 52.8 MPa), cohesion (SEM), and formed phases (XRD and FT-IR). Therefore, CSP can be a precursor for developing new, sustainable binders.
Effects of Tube Radius and Surface Tension on Capillary Rise Dynamics of Water/Butanol Mixtures
Authors: Baek Seungyeop , Jeong Sungjin , Seo Jaedeok , Lee Sanggon , Park Seunghwan , Choi Jaeyoun , Jeong Hyomin , Sung Yonmo
Published: April 2021

Capillary-driven action is an important phenomenon which aids the development of high-performance heat transfer devices, such as microscale heat pipes. This study examines the capillary rise dynamics of n-butanol/water mixture in a single vertical capillary tube with different radii (0.4, 0.6, and 0.85 mm). For liquids, distilled water, n-butanol, and their blends with varying concentrations of butanol (0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 wt.%) were used. The results show that the height and velocity of the capillary rise were dependent on the tube radius and liquid surface tension. The larger the radius and the higher the surface tension, the lower was the equilibrium height (he) and the velocity of rise. The process of capillary rise was segregated into three characteristic regions: purely inertial, inertial + viscous, and purely viscous regions. The early stages (purely inertial and inertial + viscous) represented the characteristic heights h1 and h2, which were dominant in the capillary rise process. There were linear correlations between the characteristic heights (h1, h2, and he), tube radius, and surface tension. Based on these correlations, a linear function was established between each of the three characteristic heights and the consolidated value of tube radius and surface tension (σL/2πr2).
The Soil Chemical Properties Influencing the Oribatid Mite (Acari; Oribatida) Abundance and Diversity in Coal Ash Basin Vicinage
Authors: Feketeová Zuzana , Mangová Barbara , Čierniková Malvína
Published: April 2021

The samples of two technogenic sediments (MOS, coal ash sediment; MOD, a mixture of ash and natural soil) and two natural soils (MOM, meadow; MOF—forest; both Cambisol Dystric) in the vicinage of the coal ash basin were studied. We evaluated risk element concentrations and select-ed chemical and microbiological parameters to determine their influence on the community structure of Oribatida. High concentrations of various toxic elements, alkaline pH, and low hu-midity negatively affected the abundance of oribatid mites. The microbial indicator values showed that the soil microbial community formed in technogenic sediments could effectively use organic carbon. However, considering the wide C/N ratio of the substrates, the process of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition was slowed down, and thus nutrients were less available for the mites, which could be among the reasons why we did not find any individual of oribatid mite in MOS. In MOD, however, we found representatives of three species, but only Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis established an abundant community at the highly contaminated site. Anthropogenic pressure resulted in the selection of r-strategists, which became dominant and reduced the whole community’s species’ diversity. Therefore, we consider it a suitable indicator of improper human intervention in the ecosystem.
The Effect of Polymer Waste Addition on the Compressive Strength and Water Absorption of Geopolymer Ceramics
Authors: Linda Bih Numfor , Aboubakar Mahamat Assia , Bidossèssi Hounkpè Jechonias , Azikiwe Onwualu Peter , Boakye Emmanuel E.
Published: April 2021

The quantity of polymer waste in our communities is increasing significantly. It is therefore necessary to consider reuse or recycling waste to avoid an increase in the risk to public health. This project is aimed at using pulverized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste as a source to reinforce and improve compressive strength, and to reduce the water absorption of geopolymer ceramics (GC). Clay:LDPE composition consisting of 5%, 10%, and 15% LDPE was geopolymerized with an NaOH/Na2SiO3 solution and cured at 30 °C and 50 °C. Characterization of the geopolymer samples was carried out using XRF and XRD. The microstructure was analyzed by SEM and chemical bonding by FTIR. The SEM micrographs showed LDPE particle pull-out on the geopolymer ceramics’ fracture surface. The result showed that the compressive strength increases with the addition of pulverized polymer waste compared to the controlled without LDPE addition. Water absorption decreased with an increase in LDPE addition in the geopolymer ceramics composite.
Eco-Compatible Construction Materials Containing Ceramic Sludge and Packaging Glass Cullet
Authors: Andreola Fernanda , Lancellotti Isabella , Pozzi Paolo , Barbieri Luisa
Published: April 2021

This research reports results of eco-compatible building material obtained without natural raw materials. A mixture of sludge from a ceramic wastewater treatment plant and glass cullet from the urban collection was used to obtain high sintered products suitable to be used as covering floor/wall tiles in buildings. The fired samples were tested by water absorption, linear shrinkage, apparent density, and mechanical and chemical properties. Satisfactory results were achieved from densification properties and SEM/XRD analyses showed a compact polycrystalline microstructure with albite and wollastonite embedded in the glassy phase, similar to other commercial glass-ceramics. Besides, the products were obtained with a reduction of 200 °C with respect to the firing temperatures of commercial ones. Additionally, the realized materials were undergone to leaching test following Italian regulation to evaluate the mobility of hazardous ions present into the sludge. The data obtained verified that after thermal treatment the heavy metals were immobilized into the ceramic matrix without further environmental impact for the product use. The results of the research confirm that this valorization of matter using only residues produces glass ceramics high sintered suitable to be used as tile with technological properties similar or higher than commercial ones.
Use of Gene Therapy in Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection: Current Concepts and Future Directions
Authors: Rhee Jess , Shih Kendrick Co
Published: April 2021

We systematically reviewed published translational research on gene-based therapy for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neuroprotection. A search was conducted on Entrez PubMed on 23 December 2020 using the keywords “gene therapy”, “retinal ganglion cell” and “neuroprotection”. The initial search yielded 82 relevant articles. After restricting publications to those with full text available and in the English language, and then curating for only original articles on gene-based therapy, the final yield was 18 relevant articles. From the 18 papers, 17 of the papers utilized an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector for gene therapy encoding specific genes of interest. Specifically, six of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two of the studies utilized an AAV vector encoding erythropoietin (EPO), the remaining 10 papers utilized AAV vectors encoding different genes and one microRNA study. Although the literature shows promising results in both in vivo and in vitro models, there is still a significant way to go before gene-based therapy for RGC neuroprotection can proceed to clinical trials. Namely, the models of injury in many of the studies were more acute in nature, unlike the more progressive and neurodegenerative pathophysiology of diseases, such as glaucoma. The regulation of gene expression is also highly unexplored despite the use of AAV vectors in the majority of the studies reviewed. It is also expected that with the successful launch of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccinations in 2020, we will see a shift towards this technology for gene-based therapy in glaucoma neuroprotection.
Extending the Architecture of Collective Housing: Towards Common Worlds of Care
Authors: Gutiérrez-Mozo María-Elia , Parra-Martínez José , Gilsanz-Díaz Ana
Published: April 2021

This article addresses the question of collective housing from the standpoint of two key notions in the contemporary architectural debate: care and the commons. With this objective in mind, a series of analytical parameters are put forward. The aim is to contribute to broadening and qualifying our understanding of the production and management of the collective habitat. As an illustration of each of the ideas expounded in this this paper, insightful examples of recent Spanish architecture are specifically selected and commented, as well as two case studies chosen to elaborate upon their particularities. They all share the fact of being projects, partly or wholly, designed by women, a matter which has had particular relevance in the creation of more sensitive, diverse and integration of built environments. At a time of acute health, economic and social crisis, as well as isolation and insecurity, more than ever, there is an urgent need for inspirational new ways of living and thinking in common.
A Conceptual Design Approach for Archaeological Structures, a Challenging Issue between Innovation and Conservation: A Studied Case in Ancient Pompeii
Authors: Calvanese Vincenzo , Zambrano Alessandra
Published: April 2021

The preservation of the authenticity of a building artifact in an archaeological area is a responsible practice. On the other hand, the need to save the building artifact from natural and anthropic degradation and ensuring the structural reliability as well as an efficient maintenance program are big challenges. These tasks usually involve the cooperation of several professionals and the responsible use of innovative techniques and materials. This paper focused on a specific design approach for the rehabilitation works of ancient constructions at archaeological sites. The proposed approach implies different steps that allow for design optimization at an increasing knowledge level of the existing structures. In the archaeological area, some crucial design aspects cannot be defined before the execution work phase, since some elements can only be revealed and identified during work execution. As a consequence, the final design has often been optimized after all the information has been acquired. A studied case at the archaeological site of Pompeii is herein presented to prove the efficiency of the proposed approach. This methodology reduces the uncertainty related due to the ancient material performance, to the level of damage and to the effectiveness of the rehabilitation work, unknown at the design stage.
Prevalence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Patients with Dermatomyositis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Irekeola Ahmad Adebayo , Shueb Rafidah Hanim , E. A. R. Engku Nur Syafirah , Wada Yusuf , Abdul Rahman Zaidah , Ahmad Suhana , Mohamud Rohimah , Mat Lazim Norhafiza , Yean Chan Yean
Published: April 2021

For more than 50 years, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been associated with dermatomyositis (DM), a rare idiopathic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the skin and muscles. Although the association between these rare diseases is well-documented, the actual prevalence of NPC in DM patients remains unknown. Here, a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched without year or language restrictions for studies reporting the occurrence of NPC in DM patients. The study protocol was lodged with PROSPERO (CRD42021225335). A total of 95 studies covering 303 cases of NPC among 16,010 DM patients was included. Summary estimates were calculated using the random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of NPC in DM was 3.3% (95% CI, 2.5–4.3). When stratified according to study location, higher prevalence estimates were obtained for Hong Kong (36.5%), Malaysia (27.7%), and Singapore (11.9%). There was a predominance of cases among male DM patients compared with females, and most patients were aged 40 and above. Many of the NPC cases were found to be diagnosed after the diagnosis of DM. It is therefore pertinent to screen for NPC in DM patients, especially among older DM patients in the Asian region.
Rapid Synthesis of Asymmetric Methyl-Alkyl Carbonates Catalyzed by α-KMgPO4 in a Sealed-Vessel Reactor Monowave 50
Authors: Wang Tiefeng , Li Xu , Zhang Xiaosheng , Dong Jinxiang
Published: April 2021

Dimethyl-carbonate (DMC) is a green carboxymethylation agent for synthesis of the versatile long-chain alkyl carbonates through base-catalyzed transesterification with aliphatic alcohols. Herein, we demonstrated the facile preparation of a novel heterogeneous base catalyst α-KMgPO4 using commercially cheap metal salts via hydrothermal-calcination procedure. The combination of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and FTIR measurements with CO2 pre-adsorbed revealed the presence of weak and medium base sites on α-KMgPO4. Furthermore, α-KMgPO4 catalyzed transesterification of DMC and n-octanol was performed in a sealed-vessel reactor (Monowave 50). The results show that the reaction was completed in only 10 min with the 97.5% conversion of n-octanol and >99% selectivity to asymmetric methyl-octyl carbonate under the optimal conditions. Additionally, the possible catalytic mechanism is proposed. As an extended contribution, the tribology performance of the asymmetric methyl-alkyl carbonates was further evaluated.
Continuous 2-Methyl-3-butyn-2-ol Selective Hydrogenation on Pd/γ-Al2O3 as a Green Pathway of Vitamin A Precursor Synthesis
Authors: Fernández-Ropero Antonio J. , Zawadzki Bartosz , Kowalewski Emil , Pieta Izabela S. , Krawczyk Mirosław , Matus Krzysztof , Lisovytskiy Dmytro , Śrębowata Anna
Published: April 2021

In this work, the effect of pretreatment conditions (10% H2/Ar flow rate 25 mL/min and 400 °C, 3 h or 600 °C, 17 h) on the catalytic performance of 1 wt.% Pd/γ-Al2O3 has been evaluated for hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol in continuous-flow mode. Two palladium catalysts have been tested under different conditions of pressure and temperature and characterized using various physicochemical techniques. The catalytic performance of red(400 °C)-Pd/γ-Al2O3 and red(600 °C)-Pd/γ-Al2O3 are affected by the coexistence of several related factors like the competition between PdH and PdCx formation during the reaction, structure sensitivity, hydrogen spillover to the alumina support and presence or absence of Pd–Al species. High-temperature reduction leads to formation of Pd–Al species in addition to pure Pd. The Pd–Al species which reveal unique electronic properties by decreasing the Pdδ− surface concentration via electron transfer from Pd to Al, leading to a weaker Pd–Alkyl bonding, additionally assisted by the hydrogen spillover, are the sites of improved semi-hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol towards 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (97%)—an important intermediate for vitamin A synthesis.
Exploitation of Baird Aromaticity and Clar’s Rule for Tuning the Triplet Energies of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Plasser Felix
Published: April 2021

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a prominent substance class with a variety of applications in molecular materials science. Their electronic properties crucially depend on the bond topology in ways that are often highly non-intuitive. Here, we study, using density functional theory, the triplet states of four biphenylene-derived PAHs finding dramatically different triplet excitation energies for closely related isomeric structures. These differences are rationalised using a qualitative description of Clar sextets and Baird quartets, quantified in terms of nucleus independent chemical shifts, and represented graphically through a recently developed method for visualising chemical shielding tensors (VIST). The results are further interpreted in terms of a 2D rigid rotor model of aromaticity and through an analysis of the natural transition orbitals involved in the triplet excited states showing good consistency between the different viewpoints. We believe that this work constitutes an important step in consolidating these varying viewpoints of electronically excited states.
Prospects of Intraoperative Multimodal OCT Application in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Authors: Kiseleva Elena , Ryabkov Maxim , Baleev Mikhail , Bederina Evgeniya , Shilyagin Pavel , Moiseev Alexander , Beschastnov Vladimir , Romanov Ivan , Gelikonov Grigory , Gladkova Natalia
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Despite the introduction of increasingly multifaceted diagnostic techniques and the general advances in emergency abdominal and vascular surgery, the outcome of treatment of patients with acute impaired intestinal circulation remains unsatisfactory. The non-invasive and high-resolution technique of optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used intraoperatively to assess intestine viability and associated conditions that frequently emerge under conditions of impaired blood circulation. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of multimodal (MM) OCT for intraoperative diagnostics of both the microstructure (cross—polarization OCT mode) and microcirculation (OCT angiography mode) of the small intestine wall in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). Methods and Participants: A total of 18 patients were enrolled in the study. Nine of them suffered from AMI in segments II-III of the superior mesenteric artery (AMI group), whereby the ischemic segments of the intestine were examined. Nine others were operated on for adenocarcinoma of the colon (control group), thus allowing areas of their normal small intestine to be examined for comparison. Data on the microstructure and microcirculation in the walls of the small intestine were obtained intraoperatively from the side of the serous membrane using the MM OCT system (IAP RAS, Russia) before bowel resection. The MM OCT data were compared with the results of histological examination. Results: The study finds that MM OCT visualized the damage to serosa, muscularis externa, and blood vessels localized in these layers in 100% of AMI cases. It also visualized the submucosa in 33.3% of AMI cases. The MM OCT images of non-ischemic (control group), viable ischemic, and necrotic small intestines (AMI group) differed significantly across stratification of the distinguishable layers, the severity of intermuscular fluid accumulations, and the type and density of the vasculature. Conclusion: The MM OCT diagnostic procedure optimally meets the requirements of emergency surgery. Data on the microstructure and microcirculation of the intestinal wall can be obtained simultaneously in real time without requiring contrast agent injections. The depth of visualization of the intestinal wall from the side of the serous membrane is sufficient to assess the volume of the affected tissues. However, the methodology for obtaining MM OCT data needs to be improved to minimize the motion artefacts generated in actual clinical conditions.
A Multi Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for the Parameters Extraction of Organic Thin Film Transistors Models
Authors: Schiano Lo Moriello Rosario , Ruggiero Davide , Angrisani Leopoldo , Caputo Enzo , de Pandi Francesco , de Alteriis Giorgio
Published: April 2021

Thanks to their peculiar features, organic transistors are proving to be a valuable alternative to traditional semiconducting devices in several application fields; however, before releasing their exploitation, simulating their behaviour through adequate circuital models could be advisable during the design stage of electronic circuits and/or boards. Consequently, accurately extracting the parameter value of those models is fundamental to developing useful libraries for hardware design environments. To face the considered problem, the authors present a method based on successive application of Single- and Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for the optimal tuning of model parameters of organic transistors on thin film (OTFT). In particular, parameters are first roughly estimated to assure the best fit with the experimental transfer characteristics; the estimates are successively refined through the multi-objective strategy by also matching the values of the experimental mobility. The performance of the method has been assessed by estimating the parameters value of both P-type and N-type OTFTs characterized by different values of channel lengths; the obtained results evidence that the proposed method can obtain suitable parameters values for all the considered channel lengths.
Artificial Intelligence and Ambient Intelligence
Authors: Gams Matjaz , Gjoreski Martin
Published: April 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its sister ambient intelligence (AmI) have in recent years become one of the main contributors to the progress of digital society and human civilization [...]
A Novel Interconnection Network with Improved Network Cost Through Shuffle-Exchange Permutation Graph
Authors: Seong Bo-Ok , Lee Hyeong-Ok , Kim Jong-Seok , Seo Jung-Hyun
Published: April 2021

The interconnection network represents an interconnected structure of processors that strongly determines the performance quality of a parallel processing system. The shuffle-exchange permutation (SEP) network with three degrees has high fault tolerance and can be efficiently simulated through star, bubble-sort, and pancake graphs. This study proposes a new interconnection network: the new SEP (NSEP), which improves the diameter and reduces network cost by adding one edge to the SEP network, and presents its graph properties and routing algorithms. The NSEP network, with a degree of connectivity of four, demonstrated maximum fault tolerance and Hamiltonian cycle. Furthermore, the diameter was seen to be improved by 40% or more and the network cost by 20% or more.
Static Reactive Power Compensator Design, Based on Three-Phase Voltage Converter
Authors: Ayala-Chauvin Manuel , Kavrakov Bahodurjon S. , Buele Jorge , Varela-Aldás José
Published: April 2021

At present, electrical network stability is of the utmost importance because of the increase in electric demand and the integration of distributed generation deriving from renewable energy. In this paper, we proposed a static reactive power compensator model with common direct current voltage sources. Converter parameters were calculated and designed to fulfill specifications. In order to ascertain the device response for different operating modes as reactive power consumer and generator, we developed the model’s power and control circuits in Matlab Simulink. Simulations were performed for different conditions, and as a result, the current and voltage waveforms and the circular power chart were obtained. This paper has theoretically proven it is possible to achieve the consumption or generation of purely active or reactive power by implementing a static reactive power compensator with common DC voltage sources.
Hydrolytic Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane Attained by Ru-Based Catalysts: An Auspicious Option to Produce Hydrogen from a Solid Hydrogen Carrier Molecule
Authors: Navlani-García Miriam , Salinas-Torres David , Cazorla-Amorós Diego
Published: April 2021

Chemical hydrogen storage stands as a promising option to conventional storage methods. There are numerous hydrogen carrier molecules that afford satisfactory hydrogen capacity. Among them, ammonia borane has attracted great interest due to its high hydrogen capacity. Great efforts have been devoted to design and develop suitable catalysts to boost the production of hydrogen from ammonia borane, which is preferably attained by Ru catalysts. The present review summarizes some of the recent Ru-based heterogeneous catalysts applied in the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane, paying particular attention to those supported on carbon materials and oxides.
The Energy Transition in the Visegrad Group Countries
Authors: Kochanek Ewelina
Published: April 2021

The aim of the research is to analyse the energy transition in the Visegrad Group countries, because they depend on the production of energy from the burning of fossil fuels, and transition is a huge challenge for them. The diversity of the energy transformation in the V4 countries was examined by using two qualitative methods, including literature analysis and comparative analysis. The timeframe of the study was set for the period from 2020 to 2030, as these years are crucial for the implementation of the European Green Deal Programme. Four diagnostic features were taken into account in the analysis: the share of RES in final energy consumption, reduction of CO2 emissions in the non-Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector, date of withdrawal of coal from the economy, and energy efficiency. The analysis shows that the V4 countries have different approaches and levels of energy transformation in their economies. Poland is in the most difficult situation, being the most dependent on the production of electricity from coal, as well as having the largest number of employees in the coal and around coal sector. The other countries of the group can base their transformation on nuclear energy, as each of them has at least four such power units. The increased use of biomass for energy and heat production is the most important stimulus for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) growth in the analysed countries. The ambivalent attitude of the political elite to unconventional sources in the four analysed countries significantly hinders the development of certain forms of green energy. However, it has been observed that an increasing proportion of the population, especially those living in regions of the country where there is no fossil fuel mining industry, has a positive attitude towards energy transformation. The study is the first that shows the state of involvement in the process of systemic change of the Visegrad Group countries. The results can serve as a starting point for understanding the reticence of this group of European countries towards the transformation phenomenon, as well as contributing to further research on the implementation of closed-circuit economies in the Visegrad Group countries.
Effect of Organic Residues on Pesticide Behavior in Soils: A Review of Laboratory Research
Authors: Carpio María J. , Sánchez-Martín María J. , Rodríguez-Cruz M. Sonia , Marín-Benito Jesús M.
Published: April 2021

The management of large volumes of organic residues generated in different livestock, urban, agricultural and industrial activities is a topic of environmental and social interest. The high organic matter content of these residues means that their application as soil organic amendments in agriculture is considered one of the more sustainable options, as it could solve the problem of the accumulation of uncontrolled wastes while improving soil quality and avoiding its irreversible degradation. However, the behavior of pesticides applied to increase crop yields could be modified in the presence of these amendments in the soil. This review article addresses how the adsorption–desorption, dissipation and leaching of pesticides in soils is affected by different organic residues usually applied as organic amendments. Based on the results reported from laboratory studies, the influence on these processes has been evaluated of multiple factors related to organic residues (e.g., origin, nature, composition, rates, and incubation time of the amended soils), pesticides (e.g., with different use, structure, characteristics, and application method), and soils with different physicochemical properties. Future perspectives on this topic are also included for highlighting the need to extend these laboratory studies to field and modelling scale to better assess and predict pesticide fate in amended soil scenarios.
Effect of HHP, Enzymes and Gelatin on Physicochemical Factors of Gels Made by Using Protein Isolated from Common Cricket (Acheta domesticus)
Authors: Urbina Pietro , Marin Cuauhtemoc , Sanz Teresa , Rodrigo Dolores , Martinez Antonio
Published: April 2021

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) combined with enzymatic methods or gelatin incorporation in the gelation process of protein isolated from Acheta domesticus was investigated. The results indicate that transglutaminase (TGasa) or glucose oxidase (GOx) enzymes can induce reversible aggregation in dispersions of insoluble protein fractions and increase viscosity in dispersions of soluble fractions, but does not induce gel formation even after HHP treatment; in consequence, enzymatic treatment on cricket protein can be used to increase viscosity but not to form gels. It is technically feasible to obtain gels by adding 2% porcine gelatin to dispersions of protein fractions and subjecting them to HHP. The firmness and syneresis variation values of those gels during storage depended on the protein extracted fraction (insoluble or soluble protein) and on the concentration of protein used. The highest hardness and lowest syneresis was found with the gels obtained from the insoluble fraction at 11 and 15% (w/w) protein concentration. Color difference (ΔE* > 3) appreciable to the naked eye was observed along the storage period and no noticeable pH variations were found after 28 days of storage. Results indicate that new raw materials of interest can be developed for the food industry based on cricket protein isolates, to make high-protein foods which could be applied in a wide variety of different food applications including 3D printing or fat substitution.
Oxidation in Low Moisture Foods as a Function of Surface Lipids and Fat Content
Authors: Gumus Cansu Ekin , Decker Eric Andrew
Published: April 2021

Lipid oxidation is a major limitation to the shelf-life of low moisture foods and can lead to food waste. Little is known of whether the surface lipids in low moisture foods are more susceptible to oxidation since they are exposed to the environment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to compare the rate of oxidation in surface and total lipids. Lipids in crackers were found to be in a heterogeneous matrix with proteins and starch, as determined by confocal microscopy. However, unlike spray-dried powders, both surface and interior lipids oxidized at similar rates, suggesting that the cracker matrix was not able to protect lipids from oxidation. Increasing the fat content of the crackers increased oxidation rates, which could be due to differences in the lipid structure or higher water activities in the high-fat crackers.
Detection of Meat Adulteration Using Spectroscopy-Based Sensors
Authors: Fengou Lemonia-Christina , Lianou Alexandra , Tsakanikas Panagiοtis , Mohareb Fady , Nychas George-John E.
Published: April 2021

Minced meat is a vulnerable to adulteration food commodity because species- and/or tissue-specific morphological characteristics cannot be easily identified. Hence, the economically motivated adulteration of minced meat is rather likely to be practiced. The objective of this work was to assess the potential of spectroscopy-based sensors in detecting fraudulent minced meat substitution, specifically of (i) beef with bovine offal and (ii) pork with chicken (and vice versa) both in fresh and frozen-thawed samples. For each case, meat pieces were minced and mixed so that different levels of adulteration with a 25% increment were achieved while two categories of pure meat also were considered. From each level of adulteration, six different samples were prepared. In total, 120 samples were subjected to visible (Vis) and fluorescence (Fluo) spectra and multispectral image (MSI) acquisition. Support Vector Machine classification models were developed and evaluated. The MSI-based models outperformed the ones based on the other sensors with accuracy scores varying from 87% to 100%. The Vis-based models followed in terms of accuracy with attained scores varying from 57% to 97% while the lowest performance was demonstrated by the Fluo-based models. Overall, spectroscopic data hold a considerable potential for the detection and quantification of minced meat adulteration, which, however, appears to be sensor-specific.