bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Based on Competitive Marketing: A New Framework mechanism in Social Media
Authors: Hashim Mohammed Mahdi , Ajeel Nidhal Khaleel , Alhamdane Hayder Jasim , Herez Atheer Hani , Taha Mustafa Sabah , Ali Adnan Hussein
Published: August 2020

In social merchandise, there are many similar products emanating from many enterprises. The enterprises want to scatter details for their products so that they are known widely in social media. This is because they believe in competitive advantage for commercial products. There has been research merging two enterprises for worldwide circulation and popularity. The initial procedure entails finding seed points then later disseminate details separately as per the separate Cascade approach. The aim is finding an initial common ground the dissemination to social platforms. Significant is also how fast data diffusion can be done. Data effect will arise from either none, one or more nodes in a social interconnection. Evaluation is also accomplished on the number of fraction parts in various sections are affected by the different rates of data diffusion. The simulation result for proposed framework introduces good outcomes result.
Fuzzy Logic Power Flow Control in divide Full Bridge Three-Port Converter
Authors: Al-Chlaihawi Sarab , Alrubei Mohammed A. T. , Al-Gizi Ammar , Al-Saadi Mohammed , Louzazni Mohamed
Published: August 2020

On this work, the three-port converter derivative from the full-bridge converter is analysed and control. The full-bridge converter is made up of two parts, A and B. Each part contains two switches with independent input sources. The inputs drive the load through a transformer that boosts voltage and provides isolation. The controller is an important portion of the converter. It controls the pass of power between the three ports. The controller uses Fuzzy Logic Control to make decisions regarding the two control signals for each part. These decisions are based on the variance between the whole energy generated by the photovoltaic panel and the energy demand at the load. The proposed design is verified through MATLAB and Simulink.
Modified inverse neural controller using adaptive gain factor for DC motor
Authors: Waheed Ali Reyadh , Issa Abbas Hussain , Hassan Mohammed Y
Published: August 2020

Disturbances and input changes effects lead to condition of error in the action integrity of control systems especially when the system is nonlinear. Adaptive controllers are being used to solve this problem. However they may add cost and complexity to the system design, and may not give the required action. This paper presents a DC motor speed controller using Inverse Neural controller and adaptive gain factor. The adaptive gain factor designed to be a function of the error signal (will be used to cancel the error in the controller signal), also a positive feedback from the output (to overcome the error of the plant) will be added to the adaptive gain factor signal to create a new input to the plant. Simulation results proved that the proposed method excellently controls the DC motor speed and evicts the steady-state response error thus; makes the output correctly tracking the desired input with minimum rising time, reduced peak time and settling time, and minimum peak overshoot, with average enhancement of 50% for each versus the results of PID controller for the same plant and same inputs. MATLAB R2015b, SIMULINK simulation has been used to simulate the system and obtain the results.
Implementation of Phase Shifted Carrier Modulation Technique for Cascaded Five-Level Inverter Using FPGA
Authors: Ibraheem Ahmed M. T. , Mohammed Laith A. , Ali Qusay H.
Published: August 2020

This paper presents the development of Xilinx Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to control single phase Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (MLI). FPGA realizes high speed switching and attains a high over sampling rate. The FPGA provide eight control signals for five level output voltage using Phase Shifted Carrier (PSC) modulation technique. All the function modules of the designed program was implemented using Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) and Xilinx ISE 9.2i software was employed as a simulation and compiler tool. The proposed strategy can provide a wide range of rms output voltage by varying the modulation index. The simulation of the system was carried out by Matlab/Simulink. Simulation and experimental results are provided.
Design and optimization of backstepping controller applied to autonomous quadrotor
Authors: Kadhim Mina Qays , Hassan Mohammed Y
Published: August 2020

In this paper a Quadrotor dynamics is exploited. This system dynamics is nonlinear, multivariable, coupled and unstable, and suffers from parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. Hence, controlling of Quadrotor is on demand to meet the stability, robustness, and desired dynamic properties, furthermore, to overcome the hindrance of nonlinearity and to have a system that is pliant to changing parameters and environmental disturbances. Three PID position controllers are used in the outer feedback loop to track the reference trajectory, while the angular rotations are controlled through the inner feedback backstepping control. The control law is derived based on Lyapunov stability theorem to render strong closed-loop stability. The tuning of the gains for both controllers is not convenient with this kind of system model due to high non-linearity and instability. Thereafter, the gains and parameters referred to both controllers are optimized using Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO) to find the best navigation routes and ensure compensation of nonlinearities and disturbances. This is performed by minimizing the 3 Dimensional position errors and 3Angular rotation errors using ITAE as a performance index. Simulation results presented using different types of trajectories have proved the enhancement in motion as compared with previous published papers.
An integral sliding mode control for the magnetic levitation system based on backstepping approach
Authors: Al-Samarraie Shibly Ahmed , Gorial Ivan Isho , Mshari Mustafa Hussein
Published: August 2020

Due to their reduced maintenance costs, increased power efficiency and reduced power consumption, the Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) system make a significant contribution to the industrial application. Maglev’s production of electricity (e.g. wind turbines), maglev trains and medical devices (e.g. artificial heart pump magnetically suspended) are typical applications. This paper suggests designing a nonlinear control for the Maglev system model which represented by a third-order model consists of the mechanical (ball position and velocity) and electrical (the current) subsystems. The controller is designed utilizing the Integral Sliding Mode Control (ISMC) and based on the Backstepping approach. The tracking accuracy of the ball position to the desired reference is determined by computing the ultimate boundedness as a function to the controller parameters and that using the Lyapunov function. The numerical simulation results showed the robustness and the efficiency of the proposed controller where the tracking error limited by the computed bound.
Performance Evaluation of a Campus HotSpot Network in Baghdad
Authors: Habeeb Habeeb.S. , Al_Yasiri Hayam A. , Al_Nakkash Aseel.H.
Published: August 2020

Wi-Fi evolving towards increase throughput and reduce delay enables providing reliable and seamless internet in a public and private venue or what is addressed as hotspots. The widespread of internet paves the road for smart cities and E-government systems development. This includes the educational sector, where internet becomes an integral part of the educational process. Deploying wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) in university campuses helps to provide the students with knowledge and academic information. In this work, a site survey for a large scale WiFi network deployed in Baghdad University College of Arts campus is conducted in order to evaluate the network performance in terms of; coverage, interference, Quality of Services (QoS). The statistical results obtained from the walk test are used to overcome the main problems and suggest solution for performance enhancement.
Design and Software Implementation of Multilevel Diode Clamped Converter
Authors: Shyaa Suha S , Hassan Raaed F
Published: August 2020

The work presented in this paper concerned with the design and software synthesis of multilevel diode clamped converter. Two topologies of this type of converters have been considered and tested. The first topology was three-level diode clamped converter, while the second one was the five-level diode clamped converter. The major task of the proposed work is to feed a three-phase load with semi-pure (low distorted) sinewave three-phase voltages. Simulation results show that an approximately unity power factor, low harmonic distortion and balance of capacitors voltages are achieved. The work presented for three level and five level to verify the positive effect of increasing the level of converter. The digital simulation is performed using the MATLAB / Simulink software.
Design and Implementation a New Real Time Overcurrent Relay Based on Arduino MEGA
Authors: Hameed Ali Abdulsattar , Sultan Ahmed Jasim , Booneya Mehdi F.
Published: August 2020

The relay is very important part of a power system to protect the electrical power system from the disturbances. The new proposed relay is overcurrent relay OCR that be used to protect the devices from any increasing of setting current. The new designs of OCR based on embedded system that used to emulate two characteristics: Instantaneous and Definite Time, The Instantinious work directly without any wait when the current exceed the max current that causes system damage, the other type is working when the passing current exceeded the setting current and at the same time the current continuous in a period of time. The proposed circuit which is used with three-phase power system load depending on the Arduino Mega as a main controller of OCR. The experimental results showed the reliability, sensitivity and flexibility under different operation conditions. This relay was tested on the modern electric system from (Audubon company) to several cases and the results showed the efficiency of the proposed OCR to protect the system.
Compact 3x1 Elements Reconfigurable MIMO Antenna for Cognitive Radio Applications
Authors: Jabber Abdullah A , Jassim Ali Khalid , Thaher Raad H
Published: August 2020

This paper presents, compact multiband frequency reconfigurable 3x1 MIMO antenna for cognitive radio applications. The antenna comprises 3-elements reconfigurable MIMO antenna and single element UWB sensing antenna. The frequency reconfigurability range under (S11 ≤ -10 dB) from 7-14.8 GHz using single PIN diode, while the UWB frequency range from 2.597-23.08 GHz. The antenna is designed and optimized to cover such wireless applications such as WiMAX, international telecommunication union (ITU), satellite, and broadband applications. The antenna is optimized using a Genetic Algorithm to operate in the MIMO and cognitive radio systems. The antenna dimensions for 3-elements MIMO antenna are 55 x 65 x 1.6 mm3 printed on an FR-4 epoxy substrate with relative dielectric constant εr = 4.3, loss tangent tan (δ) = 0.002 and 50 Ω microstrip feed line. The obtained simulated gain is ranging from 2.8-8.25 dB and the maximum simulated gain is 8.25 dB at 8.5 GHz. The return loss, Envelope Correlation Coefficient ECC, and Isolation are obtained to be less than -25 dB, less than 0.018, and less than -17 dB respectively. Detailed simulation results are explored and studied in this research. The CST software is used to simulate and optimize the proposed antenna.
Fabrication of magnetic water system for drip irrigation by using solar energy
Authors: Naser Kadhim Fadhil , Al-Hamadani Haider , Waroish Mustafa H. , Mahmood Haider F.
Published: August 2020

In present investigation solar power-driven irrigation system for magnetic water was established experimentally via the improvement of greater efficiency, economic solar Photovoltaic (PV) cell panels. This system reduced the using the oil fuel for power-driven irrigation systems and reduction in greenhouse gasses. The work was established in outdoor for 7 days and seven different water volume flow rates namely 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2 Litter per minute (L/min).experiment tests on a half hourly foundation, from 8:00am to 16:00pm, with gage pressure, water flow rate, moisture, solar intensity, temperature, current, voltage measurements throughout each experiment. The results shown that directly influence of solar intensity on energy construction, also it is shown inversely proportional relationship between water flow rate and salinity of water. This system can pump and desalinate water from sewage or groundwater into the ground.
Design of a Smart Energy Management System for Photovoltaic Stand-Alone Building
Authors: Abbas Alaa Kh , Obed Adel A , Abid Ahmed J
Published: August 2020

PV stand-alone buildings, that depend completely on PV array, are suffering from the uncertainty of the supplied power due to weather conditions. To manage this uncertainty and reduce the risk of completely losing power, the proposed system offers a design that able to manage the consumed power according to the produced energy, battery capacity, and weather conditions, it also gives permission for the user to select its load priorities. A hardware prototype has been built to simulate all the system possible states included; PV voltage & current, the battery capacity, PV produced power, the loads. An ESP32 microcontroller has been used to adapt accurate forecasting and loads management strategy with a prediction model for managing the consumed energy with hourly and two days ahead planning. The results show a promising module that able to manage the stand-alone building energy without affecting the quality of life.
Numerical study for the ventilation with solar chimney under effect of different location and the shape of the section opening window
Authors: Mohamed Ahamed Q. , Alshara Ahmed K , Mitlaik Hussein M.
Published: August 2020

Heat transfer process and fluid flow in a solar chimney used for natural ventilation are investigated numerically in the present work. Solar chimney was tested by selecting different positions and shape of window namely: at the up, middle, and bottom side, as well as for horizontal and vertical and square shape windows. CFD analysis based on finite volume method is used to predict the thermal performance, and air flow in three dimensional solar chimney under steady state condition, to identify the effect of different parameters such as solar radiation. Results show that a solar chimney with horizontal at the bottom of the Room better ventilation performance.
Compressive strength and shrinkage of concrete containing calcium oxide (CaO) powder
Authors: Mahdi Zainab H. , Abbas Waleed A. , Abdulhussein Faisal K. , Abdulghani Mays R. , Hasan Mustafa Q.
Published: August 2020

In this study, CaO powder was added in proportions (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5) % by weight of cement to concrete mixtures with mixing ratios (1: 2: 4 and 1: 1.5: 3). The ratio of water to cement used in mixing was 0.48 and 0.25 with 2% of superplasticizer (KUT PLAST Sp 400). The results showed that when adding CaO to the mixture (1: 2: 4) the highest compressive strength was for samples containing 2% CaO. Where the percentage of increase was 69.23% at 28 days age compared to the reference specimen of mixture (1: 2:4). The lowest percentage of shrinkage for specimens containing 1.5% CaO in the laboratory atmosphere at 25° C and humidity was 65%, while the specimens that were in the outside atmosphere at 40° C and humidity 20 % were lower percentages (0.673 and 0.405) %, respectively, compared with reference specimen of the same mixture. The results also showed that when the mixing ratio (1:1.5:3), the highest compressive strength was for specimens containing 2.5% CaO, and the lowest shrinkage was for samples containing 1.5% CaO. As the percentage of increase in compressive strength reached (73.58) % at the age of 28 days compared to the reference specimen of mixture (1:1.5: 3) and the percentage of decrease in shrinkage for specimens that were in the laboratory and outside atmosphere (7.44 and 7.77) %, respectively, compared to the reference specimens.
Stress-strain behaviour and flexural strength of silica fume polymer-modified concrete
Authors: Mezher Thaer Matlab , Breesem Khalid Mohammed , Hassen Douread Raheem , Jaafar Azhar Ayad
Published: August 2020

The adding of silica fume to mix is becoming a huge benefit due to an improvement of mechanical properties. The percent of adding is very important to get targeted mechanical properties. This study investigates the behaviour of polymer modified concrete (PMC) modified with different percentages of silica fume as a percentage of cement weight. Using silica fume powder leads to improve the behaviour of the stress-strain diagram until 10% from the weight of cement, and to increase the values of modulus of elasticity. More dosages of silica fume decrease the modulus of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity increased from 27932 MPa for reference mixes to 43029 MPa for mixes having 10% silica fume powder. Also the of flexural strength increases by increasing silica fume to 12.5%, then after this value is dropped. All of the tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity have been studied in this investigation.
The application of six sigma - supported expert system in construction projects
Authors: Salih Mohammed A M , Mahmoud Awss H , Khalaf Batool A
Published: August 2020

Certain methods and techniques are usually applied in the construction industry to ensure a level of quality necessary to make a project proportionally capable of meeting the terms and requirements set in its contract. The research was conducted on Al-Rumaitha residential project where lack of quality was detected in a number of concrete samples. Actually low-quality samples picked up indicated that low-quality concrete was casted onto the third-story roofs of buildings A25 and A26 and second-story roofs buildings A27 – A 33. The same holds true to the samples taken from the upper roofs of the buildings A15, A16 and A19. This is a research that aims at improving the quality of the concrete used in construction projects while reducing, to the extent possible, any deviations from the quality targeted. To achieve that goal, the process capability was checked via the application of the components of the Six Sigma approach, namely: the define measure, analyze, improve, control (DMAIC). Additionally, dispersions, whenever found, were also taken into considerations with the aim being to improve each stage of the project separately. Moreover, an expert-system program was devised to facilitate the application of first, second and third elements of the (DMAIC) (i.e. the definition, measurement and analysis) while leaving the fourth element (improvement) to suggestions on what changes to be made to enhance the quality to the targeted level. Finally, accomplishing the fifth element (control) was to be done by reviewing and controlling the improvements attained through the preceding stages so as to maintain the level of Sigma accomplished. Besides its ability to achieve accurate results necessary to reach the targeted quality level, the application of the Six Sigma approach also enriches the overall process since the data collected by the tests would be part of the database to be used to feed the expert-system program, hence improving the quality of the project. As a conclusion, the research shows that applying the Six Sigma index to construction projects helps in improving the quality of the concrete consistently while maintaining the costs within specific ranges. This makes Six Sigma an appropriate approach to be adopted whenever improving the quality desired would not affect the costs, which is contrary to raising the quality of the concrete to the highest level possible, where Six Sigma appears to be inappropriate and where CPk index proves to be the best suitable alternative.
Calculating the Vertical Displacement using the Method of Least Squares Adjustment and 3D Objects Fitting
Authors: Abdulateef Nagham A. , Khalaf Yousif H. , Al-Bakri M
Published: August 2020

In this research, the Iraqi flagpole in Baghdad University, which is the longest flagpole in Baghdad, with a height of 75m, was monitored. According to the importance of this structure, the calculation of the displacement (vertical deviation) in the structure monitored using the Total Station device, where several observation were taken at different times for a period of two years the monitoring started from November 2016 until May 2017, at a rate four observations for one year. And the observation processed using the least square method, and the fitting of circles, then the data was processed and the deviation was calculated using Matlab program with calculating the values of corrections, where the mathematical laws have been programmed in a format that suits the program, observation have been entered and correction were made on them, calculating corrected values and the amount of error between the observed and calculated values. The deviation was between (0.720 to 0.759)m during the observation period. The Auto CAD program and the 3D MAX program used to product the two-dimensional (2D) and (3D) Models of the structure.
Effect of Palm Fibers on Asphalt Pavement Properties
Authors: Aljubory Ahmed , Abbas Alaa Saadi , Bdan A F
Published: August 2020

The continuous population growth around the world associated with industries development results in considerable amounts of waste materials. Therefore, a series concern has arisen to find environmentally safe treatment for these wastes. This research aims to study the possibility of using palm fibers locally available as waste materials in asphalt pavement industry. In particular, this work investigates the volumetric properties and tensile strength of asphalt mixtures manufactured with palm fibers. Asphalt mixtures were prepared with five contents of palms fibers (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) % by weight of aggregate passing sieve No. 4 to compare their properties with that of traditional mixtures. Marshall and indirect tensile strength (ITS) test methods were conducted to evaluate the volumetric and mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures. It can be concluded that adding this type of fiber to asphalt mixtures is possible. It was found that adding different contents of palm fiber has generally increased the density, voids filled with asphalt, and tensile strength and decreased the voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) of asphalt mixtures. However, no inflection points can be noticed on the curves of these properties. That might suggest investigating more palm fiber contents to find its optimum.
Optimization of Eco-friendly Pavement Concrete Mixture Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Al-Fahdawi Jasim Z. , Banyhussan Qais Sahib
Published: August 2020

The premature deterioration of pavement concrete structures under loading has led to the development of high-performance concrete. It is required that pavement concrete must have high strength properties because it is subjected to destructive traffic loads. The main purpose of the present study is to design optimum Eco-friendly concrete mixtures containing different amount of silica fume used in rigid pavement matching Iraqi requirements by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experiments were designed using a thirty mixtures with four factors, namely, the cement content 300,350 and 400 kg/m3, water/cementitious ratio of 0.3, 0.40 and 0.5, three different amount of fine/course ratios0.3,0.4 and 0.5, and 0, 5, and 10% Silica fume by weight of cement. The results stated that, cement amount and silica fume ratios are the higher factors affecting the mechanical properties followed by fine-to-course aggregate and water-to-cementisous ratio. Furthermore, good correlation between the adopted variables and mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) was found through statistical models, where the correlation coefficients R2 for all models were greater than 0.95. finally, the optimal components to design concrete mixtures used in pavement that having compressive strength of (>30 Mpa) and flexural strength of (> 4.1 Mpa) where found to be: cement 365 kg/m3, silica fume 3.9%, F/C ratio of 0.3, and W/C ratio of 0.5.
Assessment of Groundwater Quality Using Correlation Matrix in Humaydat-Region, Mosul, Iraq
Authors: Rahman Eman A.
Published: August 2020

The current study deals with analyzing samples of 29 groundwater samples collected from 29 wells which are used in the Humaydat-Mosul region for irrigation, home use, and sometimes for drinking purposes. Standard water tests were carried out over the course of a year, all of which were in use. The tests included HCO3−, CL−, Mg+2, Na+, NO3−, Ca+2, SO4−2, TDS, EC and the well depth with the symbol D and conducting statistical analysis method (Main Components) for the tests. The correlation matrix showed that the significant levels between the components of the study, as a result, the TDS, EC and SO4−2distinct roots are known for the regression equation that will connect the distinctive roots with the other components. Thus these water wells are not valid for human and domestic use and were outside the permissible limits and the viability of those wells water for agricultural use after treatment on water
Using The Glass and Rubber waste as Sustainable Materials to Prepare Foamed Concrete with Improved Properties
Authors: Hameed Awham M. , Hamada Ruqaya F.
Published: August 2020

Building materials and technologies in the world have evolved in line with the new requirements for sustainable construction, which have spread throughout the world to reduce damage to the environment and reduce energy consumption, and rely on renewable energy sources to ensure the rights of future generations of environmental resources. This paper aims at identifying the possibility of using recycled materials such as glass powder (windows glass) and rubber wastes (gloves) to produce the foamed concrete as a substitute filler for cement. The samples of foamed were prepared by using two different percentages of foam agent (FA). The use of gloves rubber waste (GV) and glass powder (GP) in this study could enhance the strength by filling the voids in foam concrete. The amount of rubber waste and glass powder used as additive in foam concrete are 1, 3, 5 wt. % of rubber waste and 1, 0.7 wt. % of glass powder. The mix design was set to achieve a target density of 1600kg/m3. The results showed that the optimum compressive strength value is 10.26MPa of water cured sample at 0.8wt. %FA and 0.7wt.%GP but it is 9.26MPa of air cured sample at 1wt.%FA and 0.7wt.%GP. Flexural strength values were 3.79MPa, 3.87MPa of water and air cured samples at 0.8%FA and 0.7%GP while the splitting tensile strength was increased to 1.71MPa, 1.52MPa in both curing methods for the same percentages. The bulk density was decreased with increasing of glass powder and foam agent content. It is found that the best thermal conductivity value is 0.4096(W/m.°c) to achieve appropriate insulation property of the sample contained 1wt. % of each FA and GP. All of the studied properties were increased after adding 1wt. % of gloves rubber waste (GV).
Improving the adhesive strength of coatings from multicomponent materials with thermoelastic phase transformations by external high-energy influences at various processing stages
Authors: Blednova Zh M , Kurapov G V , Yu O Balaev E
Published: August 2020

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive study of the influence of external high-energy ultrasonic and electropulse influences on the adhesive strength of a coating from the material with thermoelastic phase transformations (TEPT) at various processing stages: preparing the base; preparing the sprayed material at the finishing stage after coating. It has been shown that as a result of complex high-energy influences at the processing finishing stage, one observes a distinct fusion of the coating from the material with TEPT (Ni-33%, Ti-49%, Zr -49%) with a base and the absence of the interface, confirmed by electron microscopic studies. The fusion zone is 10-20 μm with the coating thickness of 1 mm; there are practically no coating elements in the base material at the depth of 20 μm. The experimental studies have confirmed an increase in adhesive strength by 1.2-1.5 times up to 130-150 MPa.
Interaction of components features of the reaction mixture ZO2(m)-Al-C systems when heated
Authors: Dzhelialov S I
Published: August 2020

By the complex analysis basis of the interaction theory of the reaction mixture components ZrO2(m)-Al-C when heated to temperatures of 1650-1775°C and experimental data (DTA, x-ray d iffraction analysis), the nature of the formation of final synthesis products is studied. The probability of multistage interaction of components in the heating process with the formation of aluminum oxide Al2O3 and zircon iu m carbide ZrC as final components, which is accompanied by an intermediate stage of formation of i nter m etallid e based on Al and Zr, is noted. The results obtained indicate that it is advisable to further study the laws of phase and structure formation of materials in the considered system in order to obtain high-density functional ceramics of the oxide-carbide type.
Operational properties of drill pipes made of coated aluminum alloy 2024
Authors: Shvetsov O V , Kondrat’ev S Y , Yakhimovich V A , Kurakin M K
Published: August 2020

The main aim of this article is to provide for the comprehensive study that has been carried out. We tested the performance characteristics of coated aluminum alloy 2024 under conditions simulating the operation of drill pipes in the oil industry. In the course of our study we experimentally determined electrochemical potential and corrosion rate of the coated aluminum alloy 2024. Moreover, a comparative analysis of adhesion and wear resistance of coatings during the use of the alloy has been carried out. The authors have also studied structures of various coatings and the nature of damage to aluminum alloy drill pipes under operation.
Polymeric nanomaterialsbased on iron (III) tris-acetylacetonate: synthesis, structure and properties
Authors: Shapkin N P , Khalchenko I G , Papynov E K
Published: August 2020

The formation of iron (III) polychelates under different conditions has been investigated: at mechanochemical activation of iron (III) tris-acety lacetonate with subsequent condensation in boiling toluene (method 1) and through chelate heating in air at 100, 150, and 200°C (method 2).The obtained compounds have been studied by the methods of gel permeation chromatography, diffractometry and infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and gamma resonance spectroscopy.Based on the obtained data, the maximal particle size has been calculated. The fractal structure of spherical particles was presented.
Etidronic acid adduct and bis (2-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolyl-3) butane: properties and effect on pain sensitivity
Authors: Cheretaev I V , Yu Ravaeva M , Chuyan E N
Published: August 2020

The article presents the results of experimental studies on the effect of etidrononic acid adduct and bis(2-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolyl-3)butane (EA+BTB) on the pain sensitivity of male and female rats. This substance is created on the precursors basis, which have a pronounced analgesic activity in acute pain when injected once into male and female rats. Experiments were performed on 30 male and 30 female adult Wistar rats weighing 200-220 gr. Pain sensitivity of animals was assessed 1 hour after a single intraperitoneal injection of the studied solution substances by acute pain tests (“tail-flick” test, Randall-Sellitto test, “hot plate” test). It was found out that EA+BTB, when injected once in doses of 5 and 50 mg/kg, significantly changes the pain sensitivity of male and female rats in acute pain tests, showing gender specificity of the analgesic effect with the participation of various pain mechanisms (spinal and supraspinal) and nociception components (perceptual and mechanical). The compound EA+BTB is recommended for further in-depth preclinical tests of its analgesic activity, decoding its physiological and molecular mechanisms in order to create an improved prototype of a new generation drug based on EA+BTB.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of chromium doped cobalt ferrite nanotubes
Authors: Li Zengpeng , Dai Jianfeng , Cheng Chen , Suo Zhongqiang , qing Wang
Published: August 2020

Chromium (Cr) doped cobalt ferrite (Co1−xCrxFe2O4:x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1, denoted as to CCFO) hollow nanotubes were synthesized by electrospinnig method followed by, calcining treatment at 700 °C in air. The samples exhibited a single phase cubic spinel phase. The lattice constant of the samples was found to initially decreased and thereafter increases with increased of Cr content. The morphology analysis indicated that the samples displayed a disordered arrangements of hollow structures and the relevant surfaces were rough and porous. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) paragraph confirmed that the doped CCFO nanotubes had a polycrystalline nature and exhibited the changes in the corresponding crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that Cr doping affect the crystal structure and atomic-binding energy. The analysis of magnetic hysteresis loop indicated an obvious reduction in the saturation magnetization (Ms) of cobalt ferrite with increasing in Cr substitution. The remanent magnetization (Mr) and coercivity were increased at first and then decreased with increasing of Cr content, which was elucidated by the surface effect and magnetic moment direction. The switching field distribution analysis indicated the magnetically crystal soft phase and there were multiple-step processes to reach magnetic reversal.
Synthesis and characterization of starch ether/alginate hydrogels with reversible and tunable thermoresponsive properties
Authors: Dai Mingyun , Shang Yue , Li Miao , Ju Benzhi , Liu Ying , Tian Ye
Published: August 2020

A thermoresponsive hydrogel that was composed of 2-hydroxy-3-isopropoxypropyl starch (HIPS) and alginate was synthesized via cross-linking with hybrid crosslinkers including ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EDGE) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) were used to confirm that cross-linking occurred. The porous architecture of the HIPS/SA composite hydrogels was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Composite hydrogels had a tunable volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) that was in the range from 29.4 to 40.2 °C and resulted from changes in the compositions (HIPS concentration from 5.5 to 7.5 wt%). It was also found that the presence of NaCl (0 to 20 g l−1) or organic solvents (alcohols, 0 to 50 g l−1) in aqueous medium changed the VPTT of the composite hydrogels; also, the VPTT decreased as the concentration of NaCl or organic solvents increased. Additionally, alcohols that have long carbon chains (isopropanol > ethanol > methanol) exhibited a more significant effect on the VPTT of hydrogel. The hydrogel could shed and absorb most of the water in a very short time and demonstrate a stable reversible swelling-deswelling property after 5 swelling-deswelling cycles.
A comparison between plausible models in layered turbid media with geometrical variations applying a Bayesian selection criterion
Authors: Vera Demián A , Baez Guido R , García Héctor A , Iriarte Daniela I , Pomarico Juan A
Published: August 2020

One possible application of Near Infrared techniques is to analyze human brain metabolic activity. Currently used models take into account the layered structure of the human head but, usually, they do not consider the non-planar surface of some of the boundaries, i.e. gray matter, which results in a much more complex structure, thus leading to more sophisticated models and longer calculation times. The main objective of this work is to determine if it is worth to replace a planar layered structure by a non-planar one. To this end we implement a Bayesian-based quantitative methodology for choosing between two competitive models describing light propagation in layered turbid media. Experiments of time-resolved diffuse reflectance measurements are performed in layered phantoms and complemented with numerical calculations. The resulting Distributions of Time of Flight of both models are compared using Bayesian model selection analysis. The non-planar interface was introduced in the simulations by a simple surface parametrization. Results suggest that, under certain conditions, a multilayer model with planar boundaries is good enough.
Low cycles pulsed chemical vapor deposition of polycrystalline anatase TiO2
Authors: Humphreys Morgan , Corti Giancarlo
Published: August 2020

In this work, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) system is used to identify deposition conditions resulting in anisotropic growth and the formation of highly defined polycrystalline anatase titanium dioxide. FESEM, Raman Spectroscopy, and XRD were extensively used to characterize the deposited titania. The ALD parameter refinement resulted in the attainment of a polycrystalline anatase phase titania in as low as 30 cycles, although the final parameter resulted in a pulsed-chemical vapor deposition (pulsed-CVD). This work suggests that the anatase crystal phase’s development is more dependent on deposition process parameters such as precursor pulse, waiting time, and vacuum times than on the number of cycles. Moreover, the developed pulsed-CVD procedure to deposit anatase titania was capable of coating rough aluminum and titanium substrates with polycrystalline anatase titania, highly increasing the potential to be used in other biomedical implants made of different metals such as stainless steel or in other applications such as dielectrics
Rapid exploration of the epitope coverage produced by an Ebola survivor to guide the discovery of therapeutic antibody cocktails
Authors: Yuan Tom Z , Lujan Hernandez Ana G , Keane Erica , Liu Qiang , Axelrod Fumiko , Kailasan Shweta , Noonan-Shueh Madeleine , Aman Mohammad Javad , Sato Aaron K , Abdiche Yasmina N
Published: August 2020

Background

Development of successful neutralizing antibodies is dependent upon broad epitope coverage to increase the likelihood of achieving therapeutic function. Recent advances in synthetic biology have allowed us to conduct an epitope binning study on a large panel of antibodies identified to bind to Ebola virus glycoprotein with only published sequences.

Methods and Results

A rapid, first-pass epitope binning experiment revealed seven distinct epitope families that overlapped with known structural epitopes from the literature. A focused set of antibodies was selected from representative clones per bin to guide a second-pass binning that revealed previously unassigned epitopes, confirmed epitopes known to be associated with neutralizing antibodies, and demonstrated asymmetric blocking of EBOV GP from allosteric effectors reported from literature.

Conclusions

Critically, this workflow allows us to probe the epitope landscape of EBOV GP without any prior structural knowledge of the antigen or structural benchmark clones. Incorporating epitope binning on hundreds of antibodies during early stage antibody characterization ensures access to a library’s full epitope coverage, aids in the identification of high quality reagents within the library that recapitulate this diversity for use in other studies, and ultimately enables the rational development of therapeutic cocktails that take advantage of multiple mechanisms of action such as cooperative synergistic effects to enhance neutralization function and minimize the risk of mutagenic escape. The use of high-throughput epitope binning during new outbreaks such as the current COVID-19 pandemic is particularly useful in accelerating timelines due to the large amount of information gained in a single experiment.
Using intravenous pump infusion data to optimize continuous infusion concentrations and reduce drug and fluid waste
Authors: Forshay Charlotte M , Hansen Kevin N , Eckel Stephen F
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To outline a data-driven analysis involving use of intravenous (i.v.) pump data to identify optimal drug and fluid amounts for various continuous infusions, with the primary goal of minimizing medication waste. This methodology incorporates analysis of vial sizes, infusion rates, number of bag exchanges, and bag volumes to determine optimal concentrations that improve operational efficiencies and decrease drug and fluid waste.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of i.v. infusion pump utilization data for continuous infusions of norepinephrine, phenylephrine, vasopressin, and cisatracurium was performed using data provided by 9 hospitals in North Carolina during January, April, and June of 2015.

Results

The recommended medication concentrations and fluid volumes were determined using a novel 4-step analysis, the VERB (Vial, Exchange, Rate, and Bag) analysis, which applied optimal practices for cost reduction, operational efficiency, and patient safety. The application of the VERB analysis to the i.v. infusion pump utilization data resulted in the following recommended medication concentrations: norepinephrine, 4 mg/100 mL (final concentration, 40 µg/mL) and 16 mg/250 mL (final concentration, 64 µg/mL); phenylephrine, 10 mg/100 mL (final concentration, 100 µg/mL); vasopressin, 20 units/100 mL (final concentration, 0.2 unit/mL); and cisatracurium, 200 mg/100 mL (final concentration, 2 mg/mL). It was determined that implementation of the recommended concentrations by the 9 study hospitals would result in significant medication cost savings and fluid volume savings.

Conclusion

Analysis of i.v. infusion pump data from multiple hospitals using VERB analysis resulted in standardized medication concentrations and bag sizes for continuous infusions that reduce drug and fluid waste and improve operational efficiencies.
Embryonic Exposure to Ethanol Increases Anxiety-Like Behavior in Fry Zebrafish
Authors: Pinheiro-da-Silva Jaquelinne , Agues-Barbosa Thais , Luchiari Ana Carolina
Published: August 2020

Aims

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term to describe the effects of ethanol (Eth) exposure during embryonic development, including several conditions from malformation to cognitive deficits. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a translational model popularly applied in brain disorders and drug screening studies due to its genetic and physiology homology to humans added to its transparent eggs and fast development. In this study, we investigated how early ethanol exposure affects zebrafish behavior during the initial growth phase.

Methods

Fish eggs were exposed to 0.0 (control), 0.25 and 0.5% ethanol at 24 h post-fertilization. Later, fry zebrafish (10 days old) were tested in a novel tank task and an inhibitory avoidance protocol to inquire about morphology and behavioral alterations.

Results

Analysis of variance showed that ethanol doses of 0.25 and 0.5% do not cause morphological malformations and did not impair associative learning but increased anxiety-like behavior responses and lower exploratory behavior when compared to the control.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that one can detect behavioral abnormalities in the zebrafish induced by embryonic ethanol as early as 10 days post-fertilization and that alcohol increases anxious behavior during young development in zebrafish.
Seed size, number and strategies in annual plants: a comparative functional analysis and synthesis
Authors: Hodgson John G , Montserrat Marti Gabriel , Šerá Bozena , Jones Glynis , Bogaard Amy , Charles Mike , Font Xavier , Ater Mohammed , Taleb Abdelkader , Santini Bianca A , Hmimsa Younes , Palmer Carol , Wilson Peter J , Band Stuart R , Styring Amy , Diffey Charlotte , Green Laura , Nitsch Erika , Stroud Elizabeth , Warham Gemma
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Plants depend fundamentally on establishment from seed. However, protocols in trait-based ecology currently estimate seed size but not seed number. This can be rectified. For annuals, seed number should simply be a positive function of vegetative biomass and a negative function of seed size.

Methods

Using published values of comparative seed number as the ‘gold standard’ and a large functional database, comparative seed yield and number per plant and per m2 were predicted by multiple regression. Subsequently, ecological variation in each was explored for English and Spanish habitats, newly calculated C-S-R strategies and changed abundance in the British flora.

Key Results

As predicted, comparative seed mass yield per plant was consistently a positive function of plant size and competitive ability, and largely independent of seed size. Regressions estimating comparative seed number included, additionally, seed size as a negative function. Relationships differed numerically between regions, habitats and C-S-R strategies. Moreover, some species differed in life history over their geographical range. Comparative seed yield per m2 was positively correlated with FAO crop yield, and increasing British annuals produced numerous seeds. Nevertheless, predicted values must be viewed as comparative rather than absolute: they varied according to the ‘gold standard’ predictor used. Moreover, regressions estimating comparative seed yield per m2 achieved low precision.

Conclusions

For the first time, estimates of comparative seed yield and number for >800 annuals and their predictor equations have been produced and the ecological importance of these regenerative traits has been illustrated. ‘Regenerative trait-based ecology’ remains in its infancy, with work needed on determinate vs. indeterminate flowering (‘bet-hedging’), C-S-R methodologies, phylogeny, comparative seed yield per m2 and changing life history. Nevertheless, this has been a positive start and readers are invited to use estimates for >800 annuals, in the Supplementary data, to help advance ‘regenerative trait-based ecology’ to the next level.
MELODI Presto: a fast and agile tool to explore semantic triples derived from biomedical literature
Authors: Elsworth Benjamin , Gaunt Tom R
Published: August 2020

The field of literature-based discovery is growing in step with the volume of literature being produced. From modern natural language processing algorithms to high quality entity tagging, the methods and their impact are developing rapidly. One annotation object that arises from these approaches, the subject–predicate–object triple, is proving to be very useful in representing knowledge. We have implemented efficient search methods and an application programming interface, to create fast and convenient functions to utilize triples extracted from the biomedical literature by SemMedDB. By refining these data, we have identified a set of triples that focus on the mechanistic aspects of the literature, and provide simple methods to explore both enriched triples from single queries, and overlapping triples across two query lists.

Availability and Implementation

https://melodi-presto.mrcieu.ac.uk/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.