bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An In Vitro Study of the Influence of Curcuma longa Extracts on the Microbiota Modulation Process, In Patients with Hypertension
Authors: Vamanu Emanuel , Gatea Florentina , Sârbu Ionela , Pelinescu Diana
Published: April 2019

The multiple causes of cardiovascular diseases signify a major incidence and developmental risk of this pathology. One of the processes accountable for this pathologic development is the instauration of dysbiosis and its connection with an inflammatory process. Low antioxidant colonic protection encourages the progression of inflammation, with cardiovascular dysfunctions being a secondary consequence of the dysbiosis. Curcumin is one of the bioactive compounds displaying promising results for the reduction of an inflammatory process. The present study aims at demonstrating the capacity of three extracts drawn from Curcuma (C.) longa through an in vitro simulation process, for microbiota modulation in patients with hypertension. The acidic pH in the extraction process determined a high curcumin content in the extracts. The major phenolic compound identified was curcumin III, 622 ± 6.88 µg/mL for the ethanol/water/acetic acid extract. Low EC50 values were associated (0.2 µg/mL for DPPH scavenging activity) with the presence of curcumin isomers. A metabolic pattern became evident because the relationship between the short-chain fatty acids acted as a clinical biomarker. The curcumin present stimulated the formation of butyric and propionic acids. Microbiota activity control included a high degree of curcumin degradation and biotransformation in the other phenolic compounds. This developmental process was supported by the progression in the enterobacteria with a corresponding escalation in the pH level. The metabolomic pattern demonstrated a performance similar to the administration of dietary fibre, with the positive effects being dose-dependent.
Explorative Frequency Analysis of Leaf Temperature Behavior of Maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) at Water Deficit
Authors: Kögler Friederike , Söffker Dirk
Published: April 2019

In this study, different standard frequency analysis (FA) methods are applied to measured leaf temperature data of maize plants (developmental stages EC13–15). These FA methods are used to identify specific behaviors, regularities, and sudden changes in frequencies/amplitudes of data, e.g., in control engineering. The thorough application of different FA methods in plant studies is novel. The aim of this paper is to analyze features of the measured data and to explore the explanatory power of different methods for the detection of plant dynamic behavioral changes. The basic assumption is an expected relation between plant water stress and resulting changes in leaf temperature oscillations caused by stress-induced changes in stomatal behavior. Therefore, an irrigation experiment (laboratory; controlled environmental conditions) was implemented to compare leaf temperature behavior of stressed and unstressed plants. Leaf temperature time series are processed and the results are compared as functions of time showing the behavioral changes in terms of the different methods applied. The analysis of results is explained; conclusions, which can be made based on different methods, are given. The study confirms the applicability of FA methods and provides new insights into leaf temperature behavioral patterns. Results are discussed regarding the hypothesized incipience of leaf temperature oscillations due to water stress.
The Influence of Low Shear Microbore Extrusion on the Properties of High Molecular Weight Poly(l-Lactic Acid) for Medical Tubing Applications
Authors: Dillon Brian , Doran Patrick , Fuenmayor Evert , Healy Andrew V. , Gately Noel M. , Major Ian , Lyons John G.
Published: April 2019

Biodegradable polymers play a crucial role in the medical device field, with a broad range of applications such as suturing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, scaffolding, orthopaedics, and fixation devices. Poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) is one of the most commonly used and investigated biodegradable polymers. The objective of this study was to determine the influence low shear microbore extrusion exerts on the properties of high molecular weight PLLA for medical tubing applications. Results showed that even at low shear rates there was a considerable reduction in molecular weight (Mn = 7–18%) during processing, with a further loss (Mn 11%) associated with resin drying. An increase in melt residence time from ~4 mins to ~6 mins, translated into a 12% greater reduction in molecular weight. The degradation mechanism was determined to be thermal and resulted in a ~22-fold increase in residual monomer. The differences in molecular weight between both batches had no effect on the materials thermal or morphological properties. However, it did affect its mechanical properties, with a significant impact on tensile strength and modulus. Interestingly there was no effect on the elongational proprieties of the tubing. There was also an observed temperature-dependence of mechanical properties below the glass transition temperature.
A Simple Low-Cost Method to Prepare Lignocellulose-Based Composites for Efficient Removal of Cd(II) from Wastewater
Authors: Wen Yingying , Ji Yong , Zhang Shifeng , Zhang Jie , Cai Gaotang
Published: April 2019

The fabrication of functional lignocellulose-based materials has drawn considerable attention because it acts as a green separation/absorption material owing to its multi-porous mesostructure. In this study, a surface functionalized lignocellulose-based adsorbent for the highly efficient capture of Cd(II) ions was prepared through facile in situ co-deposition of wood waste-derived saw powder (SP) in the presence of tannic acid (TA) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) mixed aqueous solution. The SP was first modified using TA-APTES coating to synthesize the functional SP substrate (SP-(TA-APTES)). The SP-(TA-APTES) hybrids served as reactive platforms, which enabled further decoration with amino-rich polyethylenimine (PEI) due to the outstanding secondary reactions of the TA-APTES layer. The surface morphology of the resulting SP-(TA-APTES)-PEI (SP-TAPI) composites were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significantly, the combined advantages of the lignocellulosic skeleton, the layer-particle structure, and the hybrid coating contributed to the enhanced adsorption capacity of Cd(II) (up to 22.66 mg/g at pH = 5.0). This removal capacity was higher than that of most reported agricultural waste-based or lignocellulose-based materials. The Cd(II) adsorption mechanism of the surface-modified SP-TAPI composites was studied in detail. These results provide new insights into the high value-added utilization of agricultural waste for water purification applications.
Convergence of Subtangent-Based Relaxations of Nonlinear Programs
Authors: Cao Huiyi , Song Yingkai , Khan Kamil A.
Published: April 2019

Convex relaxations of functions are used to provide bounding information to deterministic global optimization methods for nonconvex systems. To be useful, these relaxations must converge rapidly to the original system as the considered domain shrinks. This article examines the convergence rates of convex outer approximations for functions and nonlinear programs (NLPs), constructed using affine subtangents of an existing convex relaxation scheme. It is shown that these outer approximations inherit rapid second-order pointwise convergence from the original scheme under certain assumptions. To support this analysis, the notion of second-order pointwise convergence is extended to constrained optimization problems, and general sufficient conditions for guaranteeing this convergence are developed. The implications are discussed. An implementation of subtangent-based relaxations of NLPs in Julia is discussed and is applied to example problems for illustration.
A New Strategy for the Use of Post-Processing Vacuum Bags from Aerospace Supplies: Nucleating Agent to LLDPE Phase in PA6/LLDPE Blends
Authors: Souza Gabriel Portilho Monteiro de , Anjos Erick Gabriel Ribeiro dos , Montagna Larissa Stieven , Ferro Orestes , Passador Fabio Roberto
Published: April 2019

In the aerospace industry, many composite parts are manufactured by processes using plastic vacuum bags made of polyamide 6 (PA6) as a consumable material. This implies that after demolding the part, this plastic material should be discarded, generating a considerable amount of waste. Tons of vacuum bags are discarded and incinerated per month by several companies in this sector, which highlights the need to recycle and/or reuse this material. PA6/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends are of great technological interest because they can combine the excellent thermo-mechanical and oxygen barrier properties of the PA6 with high impact strength, good processability, and low cost of LLDPE. The replacement of neat PA6 by the post-processing vacuum bags residue PA6 may be a new strategy for the recycling of this material. In this work, PA6/LLDPE/maleic anhydride-grafted LLDPE (LLDPE-g-MA) (90/5/5) blends were prepared using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder and the neat PA6 was replaced by different contents of post-processing PA6 (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%). The mechanical, thermal, and morphological characterization was evaluated. The increase in the content of post-processing PA6 caused an increase in the crystallinity degree of the LLDPE phase, acting as a nucleating agent to the LLDPE phase, reducing the toughening effect of this phase in the blends and, therefore, providing this phase to act as a reinforcing agent.
The Compensation for Losses to Indigenous Peoples Due to the Arctic Industrial Development in Benefit Sharing Paradigm
Authors: Gassiy Violetta , Potravny Ivan
Published: April 2019

This article discusses the results of research on the benefit sharing system in Russia focusing on compensation of losses to indigenous peoples due to industrial development in the Arctic. The authors analyzed a Russian case-study on the economic mechanisms of coordination and harmonization of multi-vector and conflicting interests in the process of industrial development of traditional lands. The developed recommendations will allow, on the one hand, compensating the losses of the indigenous communities, and, on the other hand, to engage indigenous peoples in the process of environmental management and socio-economic development of their territories. The object of the research was the Republic of Sakha and the indigenous communities of the remote Anabar region. The calculation of losses was considered. The authors suggest using this tool for the traditional lands development, because it helps to define fair compensation due to project impacts and to form a fund for sustainable community development. The considered project was exploring and extracting placer diamonds in Polovinnaya River in Yakutia. This paper also presents the social poll results organized in the indigenous communities in 2017. The results helped to formulate the recommendations for the business on benefit sharing agreements with Anabar communities.
The Assessment of Innovation Development in the Arctic Regions of Russia Based on the Triple Helix Model
Authors: Egorov Nikolay , Pospelova Tatiana , Yarygina Anastasia , Klochkova Elena
Published: April 2019

This article presents the methodology and tools for the econometric analysis and assessment of the innovation development of the Russian Arctic regions, under the Triple Helix concept. The econometric calculations based on this methodology allow the express assessment of innovation development of a region and the contribution of the science and education complex (SEdC), industries, and the government, to the integral index of innovation development of this region, using minimum key statistical indicators in the field of science and innovation. The calculation results obtained using the author’s methodology show the adequacy of the express rating, with respect to the rating data obtained using other methodologies. The main advantage of the proposed methodology is the elimination of the human factors arising from the weighing coefficients and the results of the expert assessments used in the other rating methodologies. The calculation results obtained using this methodology might be useful to the executive bodies of state authorities, business entities, and scientific and educational institutions, for an express assessment and for making various organizational and managerial decisions on innovation development in a region.
Correction: Shang, R.; Liu, R.; Xu, M.; Liu, Y.; Dash, J.; Ge, Q. Determining the Start of the Growing Season from MODIS Data in the Indian Monsoon Region: Identifying Available Data in the Rainy Season and Modeling the Varied Vegetation Growth Trajectories, Remote Sens. 2018, 10, 122
Authors: Shang Rong , Liu Ronggao , Xu Mingzhu , Liu Yang , Dash Jadunandan , Ge Quansheng
Published: April 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Correction: Olmedo, E., et al. Seven Years of SMOS Sea Surface Salinity at High Latitudes: Variability in Arctic and Sub-Arctic Regions. Remote Sensing 2018, 10, 1772
Authors: Olmedo Estrella , Gabarró Carolina , González-Gambau Verónica , Martínez Justino , Ballabrera-Poy Joaquim , Turiel Antonio , Portabella Marcos , Fournier Severine , Lee Tong
Published: April 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Damage Detection and Evaluation for an In-Service Shield Tunnel Based on the Monitored Increment of Neutral Axis Depth Using Long-Gauge Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors
Authors: Shen Sheng , Lv Huaxin , Ma Sheng-Lan
Published: April 2019

It is difficult to detect and evaluate the structural damage in a shield tunnel during operation because many traditional techniques based on the observation of vibrations are limited in daily monitoring in tunnels. Thus, the curvature radius of a static longitudinal settlement curve is used to identify the residual health and safety of an in-service shield tunnel. However, there are still two problems. The curvature radius is suitable for a qualitative judgment rather than a quantitative evaluation for longitudinal damage detection. Moreover, the curvature radius, which is calculated from the measured settlements of three neighboring points, gives an average damage degree in a wide scope only and is difficult to use to identify the damage’s precise location. By means of the analysis of three kinds of longitudinal failure modes in a shield tunnel, this paper proposes: (1) a damage detection method based on the monitored increment of the neutral axis depth; and (2) an index to evaluate longitudinal damage. The index is composed of the residual ratios of the equivalent flexural stiffness (HFM1) and the equivalent shear stiffness (HFM3). The neutral axis position and the proposed damage index can be determined using long-gauge Fiber Bragg Grating sensors. Results from numerical simulations show that the deviation between the HFM1 and the true value residual ratio of the equivalent flexural stiffness is no more than 1.7%. The HFM3 is equal to its true value in the entire damage process. A loading experiment for a scaled-down model of a shield tunnel using long-gauge Fiber Bragg Grating sensors indicated that the errors in the HFM1 were no more than 5.0% in the case of early damage development (HFM1 ≥ 0.5). The maximum error did not exceed 9.0% even under severe damage conditions in the model. Meanwhile, the HFM3 also coincided with its true value in the entire testing process.
Modeling the Influence of Oil Film, Position and Orientation Parameters on the Accuracy of a Laser Triangulation Probe
Authors: Wu Chengxing , Chen Baijin , Ye Chunsheng , Yan Xiaopeng
Published: April 2019

The laser triangulation probe conveniently obtains surface topography data of a measured target. However, compared to the touch probe, its reliability and accuracy can be negatively affected by various factors associated with the object being measured and the probe itself. In this paper, to identify potential compensation strategies to improve the accuracy of depth measurement for laser triangulation probe, the measuring errors caused by an oil film on the measured surface, and the probe’s position and orientation parameters with respect to the measuring object (including scan depth, incident angle, and azimuth angle), were studied. A theoretical model based on the geometrical optics, and an empirical model from the error evaluations, were established to quantitatively characterize the error influence of oil film and probe’s parameters, respectively. We also investigated the influence pattern of different filtering methods with several comparison experiments. The verification procedures, measuring both a free-form surface (chevron-corrugated plate) and a gauge block covered with an oil film, demonstrate that these models and measurement suggestions are viable methods for predicting theoretical error and can be used as compensation references to improve the accuracy of depth measurement to the laser triangulation probe.
A Review on Automatic Facial Expression Recognition Systems Assisted by Multimodal Sensor Data
Authors: Samadiani Najmeh , Huang Guangyan , Cai Borui , Luo Wei , Chi Chi-Hung , Xiang Yong , He Jing
Published: April 2019

Facial Expression Recognition (FER) can be widely applied to various research areas, such as mental diseases diagnosis and human social/physiological interaction detection. With the emerging advanced technologies in hardware and sensors, FER systems have been developed to support real-world application scenes, instead of laboratory environments. Although the laboratory-controlled FER systems achieve very high accuracy, around 97%, the technical transferring from the laboratory to real-world applications faces a great barrier of very low accuracy, approximately 50%. In this survey, we comprehensively discuss three significant challenges in the unconstrained real-world environments, such as illumination variation, head pose, and subject-dependence, which may not be resolved by only analysing images/videos in the FER system. We focus on those sensors that may provide extra information and help the FER systems to detect emotion in both static images and video sequences. We introduce three categories of sensors that may help improve the accuracy and reliability of an expression recognition system by tackling the challenges mentioned above in pure image/video processing. The first group is detailed-face sensors, which detect a small dynamic change of a face component, such as eye-trackers, which may help differentiate the background noise and the feature of faces. The second is non-visual sensors, such as audio, depth, and EEG sensors, which provide extra information in addition to visual dimension and improve the recognition reliability for example in illumination variation and position shift situation. The last is target-focused sensors, such as infrared thermal sensors, which can facilitate the FER systems to filter useless visual contents and may help resist illumination variation. Also, we discuss the methods of fusing different inputs obtained from multimodal sensors in an emotion system. We comparatively review the most prominent multimodal emotional expression recognition approaches and point out their advantages and limitations. We briefly introduce the benchmark data sets related to FER systems for each category of sensors and extend our survey to the open challenges and issues. Meanwhile, we design a framework of an expression recognition system, which uses multimodal sensor data (provided by the three categories of sensors) to provide complete information about emotions to assist the pure face image/video analysis. We theoretically analyse the feasibility and achievability of our new expression recognition system, especially for the use in the wild environment, and point out the future directions to design an efficient, emotional expression recognition system.
Facilitating Engagement among Academic and Community Partners: The Monteverde Institute’s View from the Middle
Authors: Hamilton Debra
Published: April 2019

Researchers have recommended operative standards and ethical considerations to maintain the integrity of community engaged scholarship programs. This framework is valuable for guiding good practices and promoting enhancements. Implementation of these considerations in actual programs provides experiential knowledge and reveals additional considerations due to the distinctive nature of each program. This article presents a descriptive overview of the Monteverde Institute’s history and model in its application of community engaged scholarship in Costa Rica. As a reflective exercise, I discuss the Monteverde Institute’s successes and challenges as related to six principles put forth by scholars. As witnessed by its practices, the Monteverde Institute endorses these important concepts and I provide specific examples of the implementation and customization of these principles in different situations. As a result of this review, I outline the beneficial role provided by the Monteverde Institute as an intermediary, on-site institution in the facilitation of community engaged scholarship. The Monteverde Institute is an academic, research, and community organization that provides both academic structure and community project coordination to its partners. It views community engaged scholarship from different perspectives and guides the applicability of programs to real situations in the region. These actions enable the Monteverde Institute to co-create respectful and functional partnerships. This is important for long-term sustained cooperation and in-depth community engaged scholarship. The process is continual, and I end this reflection with the question, what now? Answering this question, as it relates to the Monteverde Institute, may reveal aspects applicable for the advancement of community engaged scholarship in other regions.
Working Memory Training in Professional Football Players: A Small-Scale Descriptive Feasibility Study—The Importance of Personality, Psychological Well-Being, and Motivational Factors
Authors: In de Braek Dymphie , Deckers Kay , Kleinhesselink Timo , Banning Leonie , Ponds Rudolf
Published: April 2019

Background: Working memory training (WMT) programs can improve working memory (WM). In football players, this could lead to improved performance on the pitch. Method: Eighteen professional football players of Maatschappelijke Voetbal Vereniging Maastricht (MVV) participated and followed an online, computerized WMT program. Neuropsychological performance, psychological wellbeing, self-efficacy, and football skills (Loughborough Soccer Passing Test; LSPT) were assessed at three time points, before and after WMT and at three-month follow-up. Descriptive data are reported. Results: Baseline characteristics were roughly similar for both groups. Participants performed better on the trained WM tasks, but performance for other neuropsychological test measures or the LSPT did not change. Low compliance rates were observed, showing differences in personality and well-being between compliers and non-compliers. Conclusions: WMT is not a feasible and effective strategy to improve non-trained cognitive measures and football performance. However, this study indicates that it is important to take individual characteristics into account.
Territorial Cognition, Behavior, and Space of Residents: A Comparative Study of Territoriality between Open and Gated Housing Blocks; a Case Study of Changchun, China
Authors: Huang Jiayu , Mori Suguru , Nomura Rie
Published: April 2019

Residents have territorial cognition with different hierarchies and conduct corresponding behaviors in the outdoor space of housing blocks through sharing space and facilities. This mechanism stems from human need and might be influenced by physical environmental elements. To understand this effect, especially after a guideline for transforming existing gated housing blocks was enacted in China, this study compared the territoriality of open and gated housing blocks from the view of the cognition, behavior, and space through combined methods. Interview, snapshot, and observation were conducted to capture the situation of these three dimensions, then they were evaluated and grouped by factor analysis and quartiles. Obtained results in the open housing block were found to be inferior to that in the gated case. The conclusion was drawn based on the above that there are remarkable differences between open and gated housing blocks on the intensity of residents’ territorial cognition, the level and quantity of their territorial behaviors, and the distribution as well as continuity of the territorial space.
Impact of Ambidexterity and Environmental Dynamism on Dynamic Capability Development Trade-Offs
Authors: Peng Michael Yao-Ping , Lin Ku-Ho
Published: April 2019

Based on the dynamic capabilities view, this study first examines whether the co-existence of explorative and exploitative capabilities can directly cause organizational tensions. In addition, this study employs the combination of these two capabilities to examine how organizational ambidexterity affects organizational tensions. The research subjects consisted of high-tech firms in Taiwan developing new, high-tech products, and a total of 154 valid questionnaires were returned from these. A hierarchical multiple regression model was used for hypotheses testing. Our findings show that explorative capability is not statistically significant, but that exploitative capability significantly and positively influences organizational tensions. This study provides support for the strong moderating effect of environmental dynamism on the relationship between organizational ambidexterity and organizational tensions.
Power-Law Distribution of Natural Visibility Graphs from Reaction Times Series
Authors: Mira-Iglesias Ainara , Navarro-Pardo Esperanza , Conejero J. Alberto
Published: April 2019

In this study, we analyze the response times of students to yes/no decision tasks from the perspective of network science. We analyze the properties of the natural visibility graphs (NVG) associated with their reaction time series. We observe that the degree distribution of these graphs usually fits a power-law distribution p ( x ) = x − α . We study the range in which parameter α occurs and the changes of this exponent with respect to the age and gender of the students. In addition to this, we also study the links between the parameter α and the parameters of the ex-Gaussian distribution that best fit the response times for each subject.
UCTM—An Ambidextrous Service Innovation Framework—A Bottom-Up Approach to Combine Human- and Technology-Centered Service Design
Authors: Vorraber Wolfgang , Neubacher Dietmar , Moesl Birgit , Brugger Julia , Stadlmeier Sigmar , Voessner Siegfried
Published: April 2019

Digital innovation is a key success factor for business enterprises and organizations concerned with public safety. Increasingly shorter technology cycles produce a stream of highly promising gadgets and smart devices and this innovative provision opens a gap between what is currently in use for the value-creation processes of an organization and what could potentially be used. The presented framework provides guidance on how to implement dynamic capabilities needed for business model and service innovation within a complex socio-technical system. A way to combine technology and use-case sensing with the ultimate aim of creating innovative artifacts for organizations is presented. While Business Model Innovation (BMI) literature mainly focuses on a strategic top-down process, we propose a bottom-up process-driven approach to complement business frameworks. Based on these insights, new service artifacts can be designed and analyzed in a systemic way. The applied research methodology is based on the design science research concept. A qualitative approach with focus groups was used to gather user requirements and facilitate participatory and user-centered design of information systems. In this paper, we provide a framework that supports business executives as well as IT experts on how to cope with and integrate new technologies into organizations, their processes, and their business models. In addition to a comprehensive theoretical overview of the proposed framework, we also provide practical results, since this framework was applied in the course of a service design and engineering research project. A use case of alpine rescue missions serves as an example to demonstrate the practical application of the proposed framework.
Dehydrocrenatidine Inhibits Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and Ameliorates Mechanic Allodia in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Zhao Fang , Tang Qinglian , Xu Jian , Wang Shuangyan , Li Shaoheng , Zou Xiaohan , Cao Zhengyu
Published: April 2019

Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn, a medical plant, is used in clinic to treat inflammation, pain, sore throat, and eczema. The alkaloids are the main active components in P. quassioides. In this study, we examined the analgesic effect of dehydrocrenatidine (DHCT), a β-carboline alkaloid abundantly found in P. quassioides in a neuropathic pain rat model of a sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury. DHCT dose-dependently attenuated the mechanic allodynia. In acutely isolated dorsal root ganglion, DHCT completely suppressed the action potential firing. Further electrophysiological characterization demonstrated that DHCT suppressed both tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) and sensitive (TTX-S) voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) currents with IC50 values of 12.36 μM and 4.87 µM, respectively. DHCT shifted half-maximal voltage (V1/2) of inactivation to hyperpolarizing direction by ~16.7 mV in TTX-S VGSCs. In TTX-R VGSCs, DHCT shifted V1/2 of inactivation voltage to hyperpolarizing direction and V1/2 of activation voltage to more depolarizing potential by ~23.9 mV and ~12.2 mV, respectively. DHCT preferred to interact with an inactivated state of VGSCs and prolonged the repriming time in both TTX-S and TTX-R VGSCs, transiting the channels into a slow inactivated state from a fast inactivated state. Considered together, these data demonstrated that the analgesic effect of DHCT was likely though the inhibition of neuronal excitability.
Reassessment of Viroid RNA Cytosine Methylation Status at the Single Nucleotide Level
Authors: Di Serio Francesco , Torchetti Enza Maria , Daròs José-Antonio , Navarro Beatriz
Published: April 2019

Composed of a few hundreds of nucleotides, viroids are infectious, circular, non-protein coding RNAs able to usurp plant cellular enzymes and molecular machineries to replicate and move in their hosts. Several secondary and tertiary RNA structural motifs have been implicated in the viroid infectious cycle, but whether modified nucleotides, such as 5C-methylcytosine (m5C), also play a role has not been deeply investigated so far. Here, the possible existence of m5C in both RNA polarity strands of potato spindle tuber viroid and avocado sunblotch viroid -which are representative members of the nucleus- and chloroplast-replicating viroids, respectively- has been assessed at single nucleotide level. We show that a standard bisulfite protocol efficiently used for identifying m5C in cellular RNAs may generate false positive results in the case of the highly structured viroid RNAs. Applying a bisulfite conversion protocol specifically adapted to RNAs with high secondary structure, no m5C was identified in both polarity strands of both viroids, indicating that this specific nucleotide modification does not likely play a role in viroid biology.
A New Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methodology for the Selection of New Water Supply Infrastructure
Authors: Amorocho-Daza Henry , Cabrales Sergio , Santos Raquel , Saldarriaga Juan
Published: April 2019

Reliable and safe access to drinking water is necessary to ensure the economic and social sustainable development of human communities. This task requires a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology to select alternatives for new water supply infrastructure. These alternatives represent significant financial resources and are established for a long lifespan. To support decision-making in the context of building new water supply infrastructure, this study developed an MCDA methodology that integrates a hierarchy of non-economic benefits and the expected costs into a global index. Our methodology was implemented in the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. This city currently has a 60% drinking water shortage, and urgently needs to expand its capacity to satisfy the increasing water demand. The results of this study support the implementation of the best alternative for addressing Santa Marta’s water supply problem by considering the preferences of stakeholders.
Design of Terrace Drainage Networks Using UAV-Based High-Resolution Topographic Data
Authors: Pijl Anton , Tosoni Michele , Roder Giulia , Sofia Giulia , Tarolli Paolo
Published: April 2019

Hillslope viticulture has a long history in Mediterranean Europe, and still holds important cultural and economic value. Steep hillsides have widely been levelled by terraces, in order to control surface water flow and facilitate cultivation. However, under unsustainable management and growing rainfall aggressiveness, terraced vineyards have become one of the most erosion-prone agricultural landscapes. The Valcamonica valley in Lombardy (Italy) presents a typical example of an ancient wine production region where rural land abandonment has previously caused widespread degradation of the traditional terracing systems. Recently, a local revival of wine production led to restoration plans of the terraces and their drainage functioning, to safeguard productivity and hydrogeologic safety. In this study, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey was carried out to reconstruct an accurate and precise 3D terrain model of a Valcamonica vineyard through photogrammetry. The resulting high-resolution topographic data allowed insights of surface flow-induced soil erosion patterns based on the Relative Path Impact Index (RPII). Three diverse drainage networks were designed and digitally implemented, allowing scenario analysis of the costs and benefits in terms of potential erosion mitigation. The presented methodology could likely improve the time-efficiency and cost-effectiveness of similar restoration plans in degraded landscapes.
Determination of Radar Features During Simulator Space Sensing with Radio Pulses of Short Duration
Authors: Baranov G. , Gabruk R. , Gorishna I.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we analyzed the features of obtaining radar information, and also determined the advantages of using short pulses in comparison with pulses of long duration. In the course of the study it was determined that the range is limited by the characteristics of the pulse and the propagation loss. Long pulses can be superimposed and interpreted as a single reflected echo or object. Short pulses improve the radar’s resolution by returning individual echoes, but they require a system with a wider bandwidth.
Expansion of the Range of Refrigeration of the Surface Heat Flow Unit Under Conductive Energy Produce
Authors: Kovtun S.
Published: April 2019

The article presents the results of investigations of factors that influence the accuracy of reproduction of the unit of measurement of the surface density of the heat flow by conductivity. Components of the uncertainty of the surface heat flux density measurement were analyzed using the Ishikawa cause-and-effect diagram, as shown in Fig. 1
The mathematical model of the method of reproduction of the unit of measurement was obtained, which takes into account the influence of the sources of uncertainty by making the corresponding corrections. The possibility of extending the lower boundary of the dynamic range by the correction of the factors having the greatest influence is substantiated. The rationale is based on the estimation of the uncertainty of the individual components, which, in the course of the correction of their impact, should not exceed the values (achieved to date).
As an example, the calculation of the total uncertainty in the reproduction of the heat flux density of 20 W·m-2 is given. Table 1 contains all data important for the uncertainty analysis such as input quantities, their estimated values as well as the associated sensitivity coefficients and the variances determined.
Use of the Fuzzy-Logic for Control of Accuracy and Increase of Production Quality
Authors: Hrihorenko I. , Hrihorenko S. , Bezborodyi E.
Published: April 2019

The paper deals with the solution of the scientific and practical task of controlling the accuracy of the parameters of the process of making kefir and improving its quality by creating a heuristic analyzer based on the user interface of the fuzzy logic system.
The factors influencing the accuracy of the operation of the digital meter are analyzed, the possibility of using the fuzzy logic apparatus has been proved to determine the parameters of the technological process that ensure the maximum quality of the product. Computer simulation was carried out, which confirmed that the creation of a heuristic analyzer for determining the quality of yogurt is appropriate and necessary in order to prevent the production of low-quality products through the definition of the stage of production on which there is a deviation of the technology and timely eliminate the violation.
Metrological Properties Analysis of Portable Dc Voltage Calibrator with Errors Correction
Authors: Yatsuk V. , Matviiv R. , Yatsuk Yu.
Published: April 2019

It is shown that, it is expedient to use a DC voltage calibrator with automatic error correction by double switching inverting method and averaging the output voltage with a low frequency filter for operational monitoring and remote calibration of measuring channels was shown in this paper (Figre 1). A comparison of the dynamic and metrological characteristics of DC voltage calibrators with single- and two-period demodulation has been carried out and operator and time mathematical models have been proposed (Figure 2). Computer simulation of both structures of voltage calibrators in manual and automatic control modes was carried out. The results of experimental studies of a DC voltage calibrator model with single-phase demodulation and averaging by an active low frequency filter are described (Figure 3). Conclusions about the good convergence of experimental results with theoretical assumptions were made; the unadjusted value of the additive displacements in the manual control mode did not exceed ±1 μV. A certain frequency dependence of the additive displacements unadjusted value of the made model has been established and it is determined that its minimum value is at a frequency near 1.2 kHz. Conditions of practical realization of a DC voltage calibrator with automatic correction of additive displacements by the proposed method of switching inverting in the basis of programmable systems on a chip are discussed. Emphasized that in the future it will also adjust the multiplier and additional errors during the reproduction of DC voltage small values in working conditions.
The scientific results, presented in this article, were obtained in the frame of research project number 0115U000446, 01.01.2015 - 31.12.2017, financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Problems of Accuracy of Measurements of Curves on International Transport Corridors of Ukraine
Authors: Matvienko A. , Shevchenko A.
Published: April 2019

The analysis of the line layout on curves and straight sections of international transport corridors, calculations based on the accuracy measurement method for rapid and high-speed traffic, confirmed the need to take into account the scope of work, the cost of reconstructing curves and saving energy resources to establish rational layout parameters in accordance with a specified level of maximum speed.
Research of Errors in Measuring Instruments with Fixed Ends of Measurement Range by Integral Functional Method
Authors: Stentsel Y. , Litvinov K. , Sotnikova T. , Lopatin V.
Published: April 2019

The article presents the research results of additional errors in measuring instruments caused by the change of normalized influential parameters. The analysis of modern methods of additional measurement errors determination is performed, and their disadvantages are shown. A new method for research and determination of additional errors is proposed, which is based on Euler’s optimality integral functional. Applicability of such measurement errors research by the integral functional method is substantiated, the essence of which is to determine the difference of planes with nominal and current static characteristics of the measuring instrument with further definition of the integral functional and measurement errors. The research results of additional measurement errors are presented for the case when the static characteristic of the measuring instrument is linear and fixed at the initial input signal. It is shown that for measuring instruments with the linear static characteristic the change of the influence parameter does not change the characteristic linearity, but only leads to nonlinearity of the additional measurement error with increase in deviation of the influence parameter from its normalized value. The mathematical models of additional measurement errors and their graphical distribution along the measurement range are presented.
Analysis of the requirements of the new version of the standard DSTU ISO / IEC 17025: 2017
Authors: Novikov V. , Nykytyuk О.
Published: April 2019

The comparative analysis of the requirements of the standards of DSTU ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 [1] and DSTU ISO / IEC 17025: 2005 [2] was carried out. According to the results of this analysis, the main regularities of the development of requirements for the laboratory management system are determined.
A Comprehensive Assessment of the Scientific and Pedagogical Employee Activities
Authors: Kosach N. , Bondarenko H.
Published: April 2019

The article analyzes the existing methods of the staff competence assessment and identifies their advantages and disadvantages, describes the peculiarities of their application in making an assessment of the academic staff competence. The ways of an improved evaluation of the academic staff performance in the higher educational establishments are determined based on the rating system that will take into account all the participants’ grades in the educational process, in particular, those of the stakeholders.
Bi-Generators Flow Meter of Instant Values (Characteriograph)
Authors: Topolov I.
Published: April 2019

The article describes a variant of constructing an instantaneous flowmeter, designed to monitor the energy characteristics of internal combustion engines located on long-term bench tests, under different load conditions. The result of the development is a system using the method of indirect control of the weight of consumed fuel from a sample tank, by measuring the pressure in it. To ensure the required accuracy and stability, the flowmeter uses a pressure-period frequency converter built on a bi-ge­nerator circuit.
As a result of the research carried out in the work:

the algorithm of work and the functional scheme of the automated device intended for precision control of instantaneous fuel consumption are developed;
the method of calculation of the basic metrological parameters of the flowmeter of instantaneous values is proposed;
conducted research is the basis for designing new automa­ted devices for precision consumption control.
Automation of Dosimetric Control for Laser Radiation
Authors: Neyezhmakov P. , Tymofeiev E. , Lyashenko О.
Published: April 2019

The wide application of laser systems and the increase in the values of their energy characteristics, which may hazard to the health of staff and other people in the area of direct and reflected laser radia­tion, necessitates a permanent dosimetric monito­ring in these areas. However, the methods of mea­suring the parameters of laser radiation at a given point in space to determine the degree of radiation safety for the human body, established in the stan­dard DSTU EN 60825-1: 2016, are difficult to implement when using obsolete monitoring equipment. Therefore, the development of an automated method for determining the characteristics of a laser system and the rapid detection and determination of the direction and coordinates of laser radiation is relevant.
The proposed method for automated determination of the laser system characteristics differs by applying an additional measurement channel with a photodetector, as in the main channel, and a compensated filter to ensure the difference of the rea­dings in the channels, so that each difference of measured channel values corresponds to the one wavelength value. For the formation of a compensation filter with a constant spectral characteristic in the most demanded wavelength range from 0.4 microns to 1.1 microns are used by known methods of calculation and manufacturing. A combination of optical glass NSNU 13 and SZS-9 with varying thickness as a compensation filter is permitting measure of laser irradia­tion doze for radiation in this range with an error that does not exceed 15%.
It is necessary to perform the tasks of quickly finding and estimating the angular coordinates of the laser sources for monitoring the parameters of laser radiation in the working area. Improving the design of the device for detecting and determining the angular coordinates of laser radiation is made by using an optical system that directs laser radiation to a photodetector of radiation and an information processing unit, in front of which a volume matted screen is installed so that the distance from the middle of the optical system to the nearest point of the screen is greater distance of the optical system. The photodetector matrix installed in the optical system focus is used as a photodetector of laser radiation.
The application of spherical screens for direct laser radiation and cones for diffused and diffused reflec­ted radiation is proposed for the effective and rapid determination of radiation corners in the working zone.
Dosimeters with automated wavelength monitoring and detection and determination of the angular coordinates of laser radiation will facilitate and reduce the cost of conducting dosimetry monitoring.
The Results of the Testing of Led Light According to the Method of Measuring the Lighting Engineering Parameters
Authors: Kolesnyk A. , Usichenko D. , Nazarenko L.
Published: April 2019

LED lighting sources, appeared on the market in the 60s of the last century, are the most effective option and it is the fastest developing lighting technology for now. The problem of efficient heat removal from the LED becomes to be one of the basic ones. Due to high heat flux on the individual diodes surface, problems related to the light source cooling become to be one of the most. Modeling and thermal calculations are the solution to the problem of heat sink and maintenance of optimal thermal mode of operation of LEDs.
One of the biggest drawbacks of LED lighting is the excessive price, so it is important to take into account the cost-effectiveness in selecting the components of the luminaire, and use the resour­ces correctly. In the conducted research the model of the LED light in the software complex has been designed and analyzed. And a real sample was made. As a rule, the corresponding photometric characteristics are determined depending on the field of application of the light device. In addition, the conditions of this coil are taken into account in the overload mode. Photometric characteristics and thermographic calculations for 75 W and 90 W have been measured. This proves the cost-effectiveness of a projected luminaire, using a power supply of Mean Well.
The paper presents the results of light enginee­ring calculations and thermographic analysis of a sample LED device. Experimental and computational data have been compared and discussed.