bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Earth Pressure during Sinking Stage of Super Large Caisson Foundation
Authors: Guo Mingwei , Dong Xuechao , Li Jiahang
Published: November 2021

End resistance is a dominant variable in the sinking process of super-sized caisson foundation, which is of great importance to the safe sinking of the caisson foundation. Based on soil excavation process of super large caisson foundation of the main tower of Changtai Yangtze River Bridge, the distribution characteristics and variation of earth pressure under the foot blade was analyzed using 3D finite element method at the first stage of soil excavation. Furthermore, the earth pressure was monitored in real time during soil excavation in order to analyze the influence of soil excavation process on the distribution of earth pressure. The analysis results of engineering practice showed that in the process of soil excavation from inner area to outer area, the end resistance of inner bulkhead and inner partition walls decreased, while the end resistance of outer bulkhead and outer partition walls gradually increased till the soil reached the failure state in the outer bulkhead area. The distribution characteristics and variation of the earth pressure can really reflect overall stress state of caisson foundation, which helps guide the safe sinking by soil excavation.
Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Celery Leaf and Stem Extracts in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Cells Using Nitric Oxide Assay and LC-MS Based Metabolomics
Authors: Lau Hazel , Ni Nengyi , Dayal Hiranya , Lim Si-Ying , Ren Yi , Li Sam Fong-Yau
Published: November 2021

The present work demonstrated and compared the anti-inflammatory effects of celery leaf (CLE) and stem (CSE) extracts. LC-MS-based metabolomics were an effective approach to achieve the biomarker identification and pathway elucidation associated with the reduction in inflammatory responses. The celery extracts suppressed LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells, and CLE was five times more effective than CSE. Distinct differences were revealed between the control and celery-treated samples among the 24 characteristic metabolites that were identified. In celery-treated LPS cells, reversals of intracellular (citrulline, proline, creatine) and extracellular (citrulline, lysine) metabolites revealed that the therapeutic outcomes were closely linked to arginine metabolism. Reversals of metabolites when treated with CLE (aspartate, proline) indicated targeted effects on the TCA and urea cycles, while, in the case of CSE (histidine, glucose), the glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathways were implicated. Subsequently, apigenin and bergapten in CLE were identified as potential biomarkers mediating the anti-inflammatory response.
Elucidating Drug-Like Compounds and Potential Mechanisms of Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) against Obesity: A Network Pharmacology Study
Authors: Oh Ki-Kwang , Adnan Md. , Cho Dong-Ha
Published: November 2021

Corn silk (Stigma Maydis) has been utilized as an important herb against obesity by Chinese, Korean, and Native Americans, but its phytochemicals and mechanisms(s) against obesity have not been deciphered completely. This study aimed to identify promising bioactive constituents and mechanism of action(s) of corn silk (CS) against obesity via network pharmacology. The compounds from CS were identified using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and were confirmed ultimately by Lipinski’s rule via SwissADME. The relationships of the compound-targets or obesity-related targets were confirmed by public bioinformatics. The signaling pathways related to obesity, protein-protein interaction (PPI), and signaling pathways-targets-bioactives (STB) were constructed, visualized, and analyzed by RPackage. Lastly, Molecular Docking Test (MDT) was performed to validate affinity between ligand(s) and protein(s) on key signaling pathway(s). We identified a total of 36 compounds from CS via GC-MS, all accepted by Lipinski’s rule. The number of 36 compounds linked to 154 targets, 85 among 154 targets related directly to obesity-targets (3028 targets). Of the final 85 targets, we showed that the PPI network (79 edges, 357 edges), 12 signaling pathways on a bubble chart, and STB network (67 edges, 239 edges) are considered as therapeutic components. The MDT confirmed that two key activators (β-Amyrone, β-Stigmasterol) bound most stably to PPARA, PPARD, PPARG, FABP3, FABP4, and NR1H3 on the PPAR signaling pathway, also, three key inhibitors (Neotocopherol, Xanthosine, and β-Amyrone) bound most tightly to AKT1, IL6, FGF2, and PHLPP1 on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Overall, we provided promising key signaling pathways, targets, and bioactives of CS against obesity, suggesting crucial pharmacological evidence for further clinical testing.
A Practical Validation of Uncooled Thermal Imagers for Small RPAS
Authors: Leblanc George , Kalacska Margaret , Arroyo-Mora J. Pablo , Lucanus Oliver , Todd Andrew
Published: November 2021

Uncooled thermal imaging sensors in the LWIR (7.5 μm to 14 μm) have recently been developed for use with small RPAS. This study derives a new thermal imaging validation methodology via the use of a blackbody source (indoors) and real-world field conditions (outdoors). We have demonstrated this method with three popular LWIR cameras by DJI (Zenmuse XT-R, Zenmuse XT2 and, the M2EA) operated by three different popular DJI RPAS platforms (Matrice 600 Pro, M300 RTK and, the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced). Results from the blackbody work show that each camera has a highly linearized response (R2 > 0.99) in the temperature range 5–40 °C as well as a small (<2 °C) temperature bias that is less than the stated accuracy of the cameras. Field validation was accomplished by imaging vegetation and concrete targets (outdoors and at night), that were instrumented with surface temperature sensors. Environmental parameters (air temperature, humidity, pressure and, wind and gusting) were measured for several hours prior to imaging data collection and found to either not be a factor, or were constant, during the ~30 min data collection period. In-field results from imagery at five heights between 10 m and 50 m show absolute temperature retrievals of the concrete and two vegetation sites were within the specifications of the cameras. The methodology has been developed with consideration of active RPAS operational requirements.
The Health of the Water Planet: Challenges and Opportunities in the Mediterranean Area. An Overview
Authors: Vinci Giuliana , Maddaloni Lucia , Mancini Leo , Prencipe Sabrina Antonia , Ruggeri Marco , Tiradritti Margherita
Published: November 2021

According to the United Nations (2020), since the 1980s, the global overall rate of water use has grown by 1% per year, and it is projected that, by 2050, humanity’s water footprint could exceed 30% of current levels. This situation is in stark contrast to the path toward the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 6, “clean water and sanitation”, which also influences Goal 14, “life below water”, and Goal 15, “life on land”. This is because the availability of water directly affects the food security and production capacity of each Country, and therefore its management is a crucial issue worthy of particular attention. Problems related to water security are particularly evident in the Mediterranean area, which is already facing high environmental challenges. It is an area severely affected by global warming; thus, it is one of the most vulnerable environments to climate change globally. It follows that the improper management of water resources could further worsen an already alarming situation. This research aims to study the main water-related challenges that Mediterranean Countries face, highlighting the significant problems that weaken each Country. In this regard, the indicators relating to Goal 6 were considered, to define each Country’s current state. However, for a correct understanding, the main problems these Countries face were researched through a critical review of the literature (Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science). In this way, we were able to underline the effects of human activities on the hydrosphere and the repercussions on various ecosystems, following the drivers-pressures-state-impact-response causal framework. The results suggest that there is still a long way for Mediterranean Countries to progress toward Agenda 2030, as they face problems related to chemical (nitrate, microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.) and biological (E. coli and other microorganisms) pollution, as well as saline aquifers, absent or obsolete infrastructures, and transboundary basins. Hence, this study aims to provide valuable tools for a better evaluation of water management in Mediterranean Countries.
A Cartesian Method with Second-Order Pressure Resolution for Incompressible Flows with Large Density Ratios
Authors: Bergmann Michel , Weynans Lisl
Published: November 2021

An Eulerian method to numerically solve incompressible bifluid problems with high density ratio is presented. This method can be considered as an improvement of the Ghost Fluid method, with the specificity of a sharp second-order numerical scheme for the spatial resolution of the discontinuous elliptic problem for the pressure. The Navier–Stokes equations are integrated in time with a fractional step method based on the Chorin scheme and discretized in space on a Cartesian mesh. The bifluid interface is implicitly represented using a level-set function. The advantage of this method is its simplicity to implement in a standard monofluid Navier–Stokes solver while being more accurate and conservative than other simple classical bifluid methods. The numerical tests highlight the improvements obtained with this sharp method compared to the reference standard first-order methods.
Validating Hourly Satellite Based and Reanalysis Based Global Horizontal Irradiance Datasets over South Africa
Authors: Mabasa Brighton , Lysko Meena D. , Moloi Sabata J.
Published: November 2021

This study validates the hourly satellite based and reanalysis based global horizontal irradiance (GHI) for sites in South Africa. Hourly GHI satellite based namely: SOLCAST, Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), and Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring (CMSAF SARAH) and two reanalysis based, namely, fifth generation European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts atmospheric reanalysis (ERA5) and Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA2) were assessed by comparing in situ measured data from 13 South African Weather Service radiometric stations, located in the country’s six macro climatological regions, for the period 2013–2019. The in situ data were first quality controlled using the Baseline Surface Radiation Network methodology. Data visualization and statistical metrics relative mean bias error (rMBE), relative root mean square error (rRMSE), relative mean absolute error (rMAE), and the coefficient of determination (R2) were used to evaluate the performance of the datasets. There was very good correlation against in situ GHI for the satellite based GHI, all with R2 above 0.95. The R2 correlations for the reanalysis based GHI were less than 0.95 (0.931 for ERA5 and 0.888 for MERRA2). The satellite and reanalysis based GHI showed a positive rMBE (SOLCAST 0.81%, CAMS 2.14%, CMSAF 2.13%, ERA5 1.7%, and MERRA2 11%), suggesting consistent overestimation over the country. SOLCAST satellite based GHI showed the best rRMSE (14%) and rMAE (9%) combinations. MERRA2 reanalysis based GHI showed the weakest rRMSE (37%) and rMAE (22%) combinations. SOLCAST satellite based GHI showed the best overall performance. When considering only the freely available datasets, CAMS and CMSAF performed better with the same overall rMBE (2%), however, CAMS showed slightly better rRMSE (16%), rMAE (10%), and R2 (0.98) combinations than CMSAF rRMSE (17%), rMAE (11%), and R2 (0.97). CAMS and CMSAF are viable freely available data sources for South African locations.
Establishing Task-Relevant MVC Protocols for Modelling Sustained Isometric Force Variability: A Manual Control Study
Authors: Novak Thomas S. , Wilson Shane M. , Newell Karl M.
Published: November 2021

The present study examined how prevalent methods for determining maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) impact the experimentally derived functions of graded force-force variability. Thirty-two young healthy subjects performed continuous isometric force tracking (20 s trials) at 10 target percentages (5–95% MVC) normalized to a conventional discrete-point (n = 16), or sustained (n = 16) MVC calculation. Distinct rates and magnitudes of change were observed for absolute variability (standard deviation (SD), root mean squared error (RMSE)), tracking error (RMSE, constant error (CE)), and complexity (detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA)) (all p < 0.05) of graded force fluctuations between the MVC groups. Differential performance strategies were observed beyond ~65% MVC, with the discrete-point group minimizing their SD at force values below that of the criterion target (higher CE/RMSE). Moreover, the sustained group’s capacity to minimize SD/RMSE/CE corresponded to a more complex structure in their force fluctuations. These findings reveal that the time component of MVC estimation has a direct influence on the corrective strategies supporting near-maximal manual force control. While discrete MVC protocols predominate in the study of manual strength/endurance/precision, a 1:1 MVC-task mapping appears more to be ecologically valid if visuo-motor precision outcomes are of central importance.
Prediction of Deflection of Reinforced Concrete Beams Considering Shear Effect
Authors: Kim Sang-Woo , Kim Kil-Hee
Published: November 2021

This paper proposes a method to evaluate the effect of shear on the deflection of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. The deflection of RC beams due to the effects of flexural and shear cracks shows different results from those obtained from the elastic theory. The effect of shear on deflection was compared and analyzed in this study, on the basis of experimental results and elastic theory using the virtual work method. The shear effect on the deflection of RC beams by elastic theory was extremely small. However, experimental results showed a difference of over 40% from the results predicted by elasticity theory. In this study, a new method was developed to reasonably predict the deflection of flexure-critical RC beams using the deflection incremental coefficient due to shear. The proposed method was compared with the existing experimental results obtained from the literature for verification. As a result of the comparison, the deflection obtained using ACI 318-19 underestimated the actual deflection by approximately 33%, whereas the deflection obtained by the proposed method predicted the experimental results relatively accurately.
A Comparative Analysis on Prediction Performance of Regression Models during Machining of Composite Materials
Authors: Bhattacharya Shibaprasad , Kalita Kanak , Čep Robert , Chakraborty Shankar
Published: November 2021

Modeling the interrelationships between the input parameters and outputs (responses) in any machining processes is essential to understand the process behavior and material removal mechanism. The developed models can also act as effective prediction tools in envisaging the tentative values of the responses for given sets of input parameters. In this paper, the application potentialities of nine different regression models, such as linear regression (LR), polynomial regression (PR), support vector regression (SVR), principal component regression (PCR), quantile regression, median regression, ridge regression, lasso regression and elastic net regression are explored in accurately predicting response values during turning and drilling operations of composite materials. Their prediction performance is also contrasted using four statistical metrics, i.e., mean absolute percentage error, root mean squared percentage error, root mean squared logarithmic error and root relative squared error. Based on the lower values of those metrics and Friedman rank and aligned rank tests, SVR emerges out as the best performing model, whereas the prediction performance of median regression is worst. The results of the Wilcoxon test based on the drilling dataset identify the existence of statistically significant differences between the performances of LR and PCR, and PR and median regression models.
Production of Agglomerates, Composite Materials, and Seed Coatings from Tannery Waste as New Methods for Its Management
Authors: Ławińska Katarzyna
Published: November 2021

This paper presents methods for managing waste produced by the leather industry, including tanning shavings derived from chrome tanning technologies and collagen preparations. Shavings were classified according to their shape (in accordance with Zingg’s shape classification). The content of individual elements was determined, together with the content of volatile organic compounds. Two new products were developed as part of the completed works: agglomerates (methods of non-pressure granulation) and composite materials were produced on the basis of tanning shavings and mineral fillers. Young’s modulus values classify these composite materials in the group of polymers and certain materials from the group of elastomers. A method for seed coating (on the example of legumes and rape) was also developed using a disc granulator, including collagen preparations in one of the layers as a solution for preventing the effects of droughts (biostimulant). The analyses of selected properties of the new products confirm the wide possible application of waste shavings and collagen preparations in a circular economy, especially in the construction, packaging, and agricultural sectors.
Development and Structures of Trialogue for Bipolar Disorders in Germany and Guidelines of the German Society for Bipolar Disorders
Authors: Schaefer Martin , Selo Marylou , Stehlin Nadja , Wagenblast Barbara , Bock Thomas
Published: November 2021

The German concept of a trialogue in medicine is at its best a cooperation between patients, relatives, and professionals as partners on equal footing. Prerequisites, and also the aim of the trialogue, are mutual respect, an open attitude from professionals, and self-confidence from patients and relatives. The expertise of each of these groups is to be strengthened through the trialogue and should benefit all. Trialogue cooperation brings about a change of perspective and promotes mutual understanding. By establishing a therapeutic relationship on equal footing with the patient with involvement of their relatives, individual and family resources can be better utilized, professional assistance can be designed to better meet the patient’s needs, and acceptance of and commitment to treatment can be increased. In addition, early symptoms and new phases of the disease can be recognized earlier and adequate treatment can be initiated more quickly. A favorable course of the disease is thus more likely, and relapses are less likely to present. The use of peers has proven to be quite helpful. The consistently trialogue structure within the German Society for Bipolar Disorder (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Bipolare Störungen e.V./DGBS: Heinrich-Hoffmann-Straße 10, 60528 Frankfurt am Main) as a medical society enables further development of the trialogue on many levels, for example, the drafting and updating of the German guidelines for bipolar disorder with the trialogue in mind.
Jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) Peel as a Sustainable Source of Anthocyanins and Ellagitannins Delivered by Phospholipid Vesicles for Alleviating Oxidative Stress in Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Castangia Ines , Manca Maria Letizia , Allaw Mohamad , Hellström Jarkko , Granato Daniel , Manconi Maria
Published: November 2021

The Brazilian berry scientifically known as jabuticaba is a fruit covered by a dark purple peel that is still rich in bioactives, especially polyphenols. Considering that, this work was aimed at obtaining an extract from the peel of jabuticaba fruits, identifying its main components, loading it in phospholipid vesicles specifically tailored for skin delivery and evaluating their biological efficacy. The extract was obtained by pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), which is considered an easy and low dissipative method, and it was rich in polyphenolic compounds, especially flavonoids (ortho-diphenols and condensed tannins), anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside) and gallic acid, which were responsible for the high antioxidant activity detected using different colorimetric methods (DPPH, FRAP, CUPRAC and metal chelation). To improve the stability and extract effectiveness, it was incorporated into ultradeformable phospholipid vesicles (transfersomes) that were modified by adding two different polymers (hydroxyethyl cellulose and sodium hyaluronate), thus obtaining HEcellulose-transfersomes and hyaluronan-transfersomes. Transfersomes without polymers were the smallest, as the addition of the polymer led to the formation of larger vesicles that were more stable in storage. The incorporation of the extract in the vesicles promoted their beneficial activities as they were capable, to a greater extent than the solution used as reference, of counteracting the toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide and even of speeding up the healing of a wound performed in a cell monolayer, especially when vesicles were enriched with polymers. Given that, polymer enriched vesicles may represent a good strategy to produce cosmetical and cosmeceutical products with beneficial properties for skin.
Alkaloids and Selected Topics in Their Thermochemistry
Authors: Ponikvar-Svet Maja , Zeiger Diana N. , Liebman Joel F.
Published: November 2021

Alkaloid chemistry is varied and complex. Many alkaloids attract a great deal of interest because of their physiological activity, yet surprisingly little is known about the thermochemistry of these compounds, especially in the gas phase. In this paper, we investigate the thermochemical characteristics, specifically demethoxylation enthalpies rather than those derived from trans-methoxylation reactions, of a series of biologically relevant alkaloids in their condensed phase.
Cannabinoids—Characteristics and Potential for Use in Food Production
Authors: Kanabus Joanna , Bryła Marcin , Roszko Marek , Modrzewska Marta , Pierzgalski Adam
Published: November 2021

Scientific demonstrations of the beneficial effects of non-psychoactive cannabinoids on the human body have increased the interest in foods containing hemp components. This review systematizes the latest discoveries relating to the characteristics of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa, it also presents a characterization of the mentioned plant. In this review, we present data on the opportunities and limitations of cannabinoids in food production. This article systematizes the data on the legal aspects, mainly the limits of Δ9-THC in food, the most popular analytical techniques (LC-MS and GC-MS) applied to assay cannabinoids in finished products, and the available data on the stability of cannabinoids during heating, storage, and access to light and oxygen. This may constitute a major challenge to their common use in food processing, as well as the potential formation of undesirable degradation products. Hemp-containing foods have great potential to become commercially popular among functional foods, provided that our understanding of cannabinoid stability in different food matrices and cannabinoid interactions with particular food ingredients are expanded. There remains a need for more data on the effects of technological processes and storage on cannabinoid degradation.
Interaction Study between ESIPT Fluorescent Lipophile-Based Benzazoles and BSA
Authors: Kroetz Thais , Nogara Pablo Andrei , da Silveira Santos Fabiano , da Luz Lilian Camargo , Câmara Viktor Saraiva , da Rocha João Batista Teixeira , Gonçalves Dal-Bó Alexandre , Rodembusch Fabiano Severo
Published: November 2021

In this study, the interactions of ESIPT fluorescent lipophile-based benzazoles with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied and their binding affinity was evaluated. In phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution these compounds produce absorption maxima in the UV region and a main fluorescence emission with a large Stokes shift in the blue–green regions due to a proton transfer process in the excited state. The interactions of the benzazoles with BSA were studied using UV-Vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The observed spectral quenching of BSA indicates that these compounds could bind to BSA through a strong binding affinity afforded by a static quenching mechanism (Kq~1012 L·mol−1·s−1). The docking simulations indicate that compounds 13 and 16 bind closely to Trp134 in domain I, adopting similar binding poses and interactions. On the other hand, compounds 12, 14, 15, and 17 were bound between domains I and III and did not directly interact with Trp134.
Chromatographic Determination of Total Selenium in Biofortified Allium sp. following Piazselenol Formation and Micro-Solid-Phase Extraction
Authors: Bosca Bogdan M. , Mot Augustin C.
Published: November 2021

Herein, a method based on selective piazselenol formation is applied for total selenium determination in biofortified Allium species. Piazselenol is formed by reacting Se(IV) with an aromatic diamine, namely 4-nitro-1,2-phenylenediamine, in acidic medium. Samples were digested in a nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide open system, followed by selenate reduction in hydrochloric acid. Reaction conditions were optimized in terms of pH, temperature, reaction time, and other auxiliary reagents for interference removal, namely, EDTA and hydroxylamine. For the extraction of the selectively formed 4-nitro-piazselenol, micro-solid-phase extraction (μSPE) was applied, and the analysis and detection of the corresponding complex was performed by HPLC coupled with DAD. An external standard calibration curve was developed (R2 = 0.9994) with good sensitivity, and was used to calculate the total selenium content from several Allium plants material, with good intermediate precision (RSD% < 16%). The accuracy of the method was evaluated using both, a comparison with an accepted reference method from our previously published data, as well as three certified reference material with recoveries between 84–126%. The limit of detection was determined to be 0.35 μg/g (in solids) and 1.1 μg/L (in solution), while the limit of quantification was 1.07 μg/g and 3.4 μg/L (in solution). Using the proposed method, selenium content can be quickly and accurately determined in several types of samples. In addition, this study present experimental conditions for overcoming the interferences that might be encountered in selenium determination using piazselenol.
Solid-State Structures and Photoluminescence of Lamellar Architectures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) Paddlewheel Clusters with Hydrogen-Bonded Polar Guests
Authors: Inoue Haruki , Yamashita Yuga , Ozawa Yoshiki , Ono Toshikazu , Abe Masaaki
Published: November 2021

Two hexanuclear paddlewheel-like clusters appending six carboxylic-acid pendants have been isolated with the inclusion of polar solvent guests: [Cu6(Hmna)6]·7DMF (1·7DMF) and [Ag6(Hmna)6]·8DMSO (2·8DMSO), where H2mna = 2-mercaptonicotininc acid, DMF = N,N’-dimethylformamide, and DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide. The solvated clusters, together with their fully desolvated forms 1 and 2, have been characterized by FTIR, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, TG-DTA analysis, and DFT calculations. Crystal structures of two solvated clusters 1·7DMF and 2·8DMSO have been unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Six carboxylic groups appended on the clusters trap solvent guests, DMF or DMSO, through H-bonds. As a result, alternately stacked lamellar architectures comprising of a paddlewheel cluster layer and H-bonded solvent layer are formed. Upon UV illumination (λex = 365 nm), the solvated hexasilver(I) cluster 2·8DMSO gives intense greenish-yellow photoluminescence in the solid state (λPL = 545 nm, ΦPL = 0.17 at 298 K), whereas the solvated hexacopper(I) cluster 1·7DMF displays PL in the near-IR region (λPL = 765 nm, ΦPL = 0.38 at 298 K). Upon complete desolvation, a substantial bleach in the PL intensity (ΦPL < 0.01) is observed. The desorption–sorption response was studied by the solid-state PL spectroscopy. Non-covalent interactions in the crystal including intermolecular H-bonds, CH⋯π interactions, and π⋯π stack were found to play decisive roles in the creation of the lamellar architectures, small-molecule trap-and-release behavior, and guest-induced luminescence enhancement.
Physical-Mechanical Behavior and Water-Barrier Properties of Biopolymers-Clay Nanocomposites
Authors: Calambas Heidy Lorena , Fonseca Abril , Adames Dayana , Aguirre-Loredo Yaneli , Caicedo Carolina
Published: November 2021

The preparation and characterization of biodegradable films based on starch-PVA-nanoclay by solvent casting are reported in this study. The films were prepared with a relation of 3:2 of starch:PVA and nanoclay (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% w/v), and glycerol as plasticizer. The nanoclays before being incorporated in the filmogenic solution of starch-PVA were dispersed in two ways: by magnetic stirring and by sonication. The SEM results suggest that the sonication of nanoclay is necessary to reach a good dispersion along the polymeric matrix. FTIR results of films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/v of sonicated nanoclay suggest a strong interaction of hydrogen bond with the polymeric matrix of starch-PVA. However, the properties of WVP, tensile strength, percentage of elongation at break, and Young’s modulus improved to the film with sonicated nanoclay at 0.5% w/v, while in films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/w these properties were even worse than in film without nanoclay. Nanoclay concentrations higher than 1.0 w/v saturate the polymer matrix, affecting the physicochemical properties. Accordingly, the successful incorporation of nanoclays at 0.5% w/v into the matrix starch-PVA suggests that this film is a good candidate for use as biodegradable packaging.
Biosynthesis of Tetrapyrrole Cofactors by Bacterial Community Inhabiting Porphyrine-Containing Shale Rock (Fore-Sudetic Monocline)
Authors: Stasiuk Robert , Krucoń Tomasz , Matlakowska Renata
Published: November 2021

This study describes for the first time the comprehensive characterization of tetrapyrrole cofactor biosynthetic pathways developed for bacterial community (BC) inhabiting shale rock. Based on the genomic and proteomic metadata, we have detailed the biosynthesis of siroheme, heme, cobalamin, and the major precursor uroporphyrinogen III by a deep BC living on a rock containing sedimentary tetrapyrrole compounds. The obtained results showed the presence of incomplete heme and cobalamin biosynthesis pathways in the studied BC. At the same time, the production of proteins containing these cofactors, such as cytochromes, catalases and sulfite reductase, was observed. The results obtained are crucial for understanding the ecology of bacteria inhabiting shale rock, as well as their metabolism and potential impact on the biogeochemistry of these rocks. Based on the findings, we hypothesize that the bacteria may use primary or modified sedimentary porphyrins and their degradation products as precursors for synthesizing tetrapyrrole cofactors. Experimental testing of this hypothesis is of course necessary, but its evidence would point to an important and unique phenomenon of the tetrapyrrole ring cycle on Earth involving bacteria.
Eucalyptus gunnii and Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’ Essential Oils as Potential Natural Herbicides
Authors: Danna Cristina , Cornara Laura , Smeriglio Antonella , Trombetta Domenico , Amato Giuseppe , Aicardi Pierluca , De Martino Laura , De Feo Vincenzo , Caputo Lucia
Published: November 2021

The phytotoxicity and eco-compatibility of essential oils (EOs) from Eucalyptus gunnii (EG) and E. pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’ (EP), cultivated in Italy for their cut foliage, were investigated. Leaf micromorphology, EOs phytochemical characterization, and phytotoxicity were analysed. EP revealed a significantly higher oil gland density and a higher EO yield with respect to EG. In both EOs, 1,8-cineole was the major compound (~75%), followed by α-pinene in EG (13.1%) and eugenol in EP (7.5%). EO phytotoxicity was tested on both weeds (Lolium multiflorum, Portulaca oleracea) and crops (Raphanus sativus, Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum, Solanum lycopersicum, Pisum sativum, Cucumis sativus). EG EO inhibited germination of P. oleracea, R. sativus, and S. lycopersicum seeds (ranging from 61.5 to 94.6% for the higher dose used), while affecting only radical elongation in S. lycopersicum (ranging from 66.7 to 82.6%). EP EO inhibited germination of P. oleracea and R. sativus (ranging from 41.3 to 74.7%) and affected radical elongation of L. sativum and L. multiflorum (ranging from 57.4 to 76.0%). None of the EOs affected the germination and radical growing of L. sativa, P. sativum, and C. sativus. Moreover, EP EO was more active than EG EO in inhibiting α-amylase, a key enzyme for seed growth regulation. Brine shrimp lethality assay showed that both EOs are safe for aquatic organisms, suggesting their high eco-compatibility. The data collected provide useful information for future applications of these EOs in agriculture as safe and selective bioherbicides.
Validated Modernized Assay for Foscarnet in Pharmaceutical Formulations Using Suppressed Ion Chromatography Developed through a Quality by Design Approach
Authors: Dinh Ngoc Phuoc , Shamshir Adel , Hulaj Gjani , Jonsson Tobias
Published: November 2021

Inspired by the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) “monograph modernization” initiative, we developed and validated an assay for foscarnet sodium injection solution (“foscavir”), following quality by design (QbD) principles, incorporating design of experiments (DoE) and multivariate data analysis to establish the design space and robust setpoint of the method. The resulting analytical procedure was based on ion chromatography (IC) with suppressed conductivity detection, employing an isocratic carbonate–bicarbonate eluent system. The assay was successfully validated at the robust setpoint conditions, according to the guidelines established by the International Council for Harmonization (ICH). The linear range stretched at least from 5 to 100 mg/L with high repeatability (relative standard deviation, RSD ≤ 0.3%) both at the target concentration (60 mg/L) and at 50% and 150% from this level. Special attention was given to establish a rugged assay that would be easily transferable between laboratories, and the recorded recoveries of 98.2–100.5% for both the formulated drug product and the drug substance during intermediate precision evaluation at different analysis situations indicated that this mission was accomplished. A multivariate assessment of intermediate precision data acquired using an experimental design scheme revealed that the assay was not adversely affected by any of the situation variables, including the use of different liquid chromatography instrument types, regardless of if they were constructed from inert materials or stainless steel that had been passivated, even though such problems have been reported in several previous methods for analysis of foscarnet.
Social Acceptance of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) from Industrial Applications
Authors: Witte Katja
Published: November 2021

To limit global warming, the use of carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) is considered to be of major importance. In addition to the technical–economic, ecological and political aspects, the question of social acceptance is a decisive factor for the implementation of such low-carbon technologies. This study is the first literature review addressing the acceptance of industrial CCS (iCCS). In contrast to electricity generation, the technical options for large-scale reduction of CO2 emissions in the energy-intensive industry sector are not sufficient to achieve the targeted GHG neutrality in the industrial sector without the use of CCS. Therefore, it will be crucial to determine which factors influence the acceptance of iCCS and how these findings can be used for policy and industry decision-making processes. The results show that there has been limited research on the acceptance of iCCS. In addition, the study highlights some important differences between the acceptance of iCCS and CCS. Due to the technical diversity of future iCCS applications, future acceptance research must be able to better address the complexity of the research subject.
THE EFFICIENCY OF RAISING DAIRY HEIFERS IN DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: СИВКИН Н.В. , САЛУНБЕК П.Ж. , СТРЕКОЗОВ Н.И.
Published: November 2021

Изучена эффективность выращивания телок молочных пород при различных технологиях. В качестве объекта исследований выступали 14 племенных хозяйств Центрального Федерального округа, разводящих высококровную по голштинам черно-пеструю и голштинскую породы крупного рогатого скота при использовании разных способов содержания и технологических схем выращивания телок до 6-месячного возраста. Содержание молодняка молочного периода на открытом воздухе, относительно помещений, способствует увеличению его сохранности до 12 мес. на 5,2%, а также более высокой энергии прироста и соответственно живой массы как в первый и шестой (на 11,8 кг и 38,1 кг, или 26,6% и 26,0%, Р≤0,01—0,001), так и десятый и двенадцатый месяцы жизни (на 46,1 кг и 52,3 кг, или 19,5% и 18,6%; Р≤0,05). В онтогенезе условия содержания и кормления телят раннего возраста оказывают наиболее существенное влияние на формирование продуктивных качеств скота. Так, в первые 2 мес жизни телки, когда основными кормами являлись цельное молоко и концентраты, коэффициент корреляции между среднесуточным приростом и надоем молока был наиболее высоким, достигая значений: r=0,34—0,42; с содержанием жира и белка на порядок ниже — r=0,19—0,22 и r=0,11—0,13 соответственно. В последующих возрастных периодах выращивания телок, с 4- до 10—12-месячного возраста корреляционная зависимость между этими признаками снижалась до минимальных значений.

Studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficiency of raising dairy heifer breeding using various technologies. The object of research were 14 breeding farms of the Central Federal District, breeding high-blooded Black-and-White and Holstein cattle breeds using different methods of housing and technological schemes for raising heifers up to 6 months of age. Housing young calves outdoors compared to building increases their survival rate up to 12 months by 5.2% and increased energy gain and live weight respectively in both the first and sixth months (by 11.8 kg and 38.1 kg, or 26.6% and 26.0%; P≤0.01-0.001) and the tenth and twelfth months (by 46.1 kg and 52.3 kg, or 19.5% and 18.6%; P≤0.05). During ontogeny, the conditions of housing and feeding of young calves have the most significant influence on the formation of productive qualities of livestock. Thus, in the first 2 months of the heifer's life, when the basic fodder was whole milk and concentrates, the correlation coefficient between an average daily gain in body weight and milk production was the highest, reaching the values: r=0.34-—0.42; with fat and protein content an order of magnitude lower - r=0.19-—0.22 and r=0.11—0.13, respectively. During the following age periods of heifer rearing, from 4 to 10—12 months of age, the correlation relationship between these traits decreased to minimum value.
Penerapan sistem manajemen keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja (SMK3) pada industri pengolahan minyak kelapa sawit
Authors: Tarigan Susiani
Published: November 2021

Upaya penanggulangan risiko bahaya industri harus dikendalikan sebaik mungkin. Keselamatan harus dikelola dalam sistem manajemen yang disebut sistem manajemen keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja (SMK3). Data dari P2K3 sebuah industri pengolahan minyak kelapa sawit di Asahan menunjukkan bahwa pada tahun 2016-2018 menunjukkan kasus terbanyak yang terjadi adalah semburan dari katup uap. Penelitian ini menganalisis penerapan SMK3 dalam pengendalian kecelakaan kerja pada steam valve pada industri pengolahan minyak sawit. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan deskriptif dengan desain studi cross-sectional dengan data retrospektif selama 3 tahun (tahun 2016-2018). Sampel diambil dari seluruh jumlah populasi (sampling jenuh) berjumlah 48 orang yang terdiri dari 1 orang manajer, 29 orang pekerja di bagian instalasi katup uap, dan 18 orang pengurus Panitia Pembina Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja (P2K3). Data primer diperoleh dengan observasi lapangan dan wawancara langsung dengan menggunakan kuesioner berdasarkan Permenaker No. 05/Men/969 yang berisi pertanyaan tentang penerapan SMK3. Data sekunder diperoleh dari dokumentasi struktur organisasi, laporan kecelakaan selama 2016-2018, catatan medis tenaga kerja, dan data-data tingkat pendidikan tenaga kerja. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada satupun bidang penerapan dalam sistem manajemen keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja (SMK3) yang terlaksana dengan baik sesuai Permenaker No. 05/Men/96. Hal ini disebabkan karena tim P2K3 belum bekerja dengan optimal dalam mencegah kecelakaan kerja khususnya pada katup uap di industri tersebut. Perusahaan perlu membuat suatu program pencegahan kecelakaan kerja pada katup uap meliputi pengendalian secara administratif, penyuluhan, dan pendidikan teknis secara berkala.
СОЦІАЛЬНА ДОВІРА ДО ОРГАНІВ ПУБЛІЧНОЇ ВЛАДИ ЯК ФАКТОР РОЗВИТКУ ГРОМАДЯНСЬКОГО СУСПІЛЬСТВА
Authors: Palagnyuk Yuliana
Published: November 2021

У даній науковій статті розглянуто взаємозв’язок між соціальною довірою до органів публічної влади та розвитком громадянського суспільства в умовах проведення реформ у різних сферах в сучасній Україні. Розглянуто сутність таких ключових понять, як «довіра», «соціальна довіра», зокрема у новітніх дослідженнях західних вчених. Проаналізовано рівень соціальної довіри до різних соціальних інститутів у 2020-2021 роках відповідно до міжнародного моніторингового проєкту World Values Survey, а також українських соціологічних центрів. Показано, що низький рівень соціальної довіри, у тому числі, до органів публічної влади, є наслідком негативного досвіду участі українців у довірчих відносинах з цими соціальними інститутами. Наголошено, що в останні роки в Україні збільшується соціальна довіра до волонтерських організацій і до органів місцевого самоврядування. Це є одним із позитивних аспектів реформи децентралізації, свідченням розвитку громадянського суспільства на рівні розвитку громади.
О ПРИБЛИЖЕНИИ ФУНКЦИЙ ИНТЕГРАЛАМИ ГАУССА–ВЕЙЕРШТРАССА
Authors: Швай Ольга Леонидовна
Published: November 2021

Рассматривая разные схемы и алгоритмы игровых задач динамики, исследователи часто сталкиваются с решением дифференциальных уравнений в частных производных. Особое место среди последних занимают так называемые уравнения эллиптического типа (согласно соответствующей классификации), с помощью которых наиболее полно и качественно можно описать естественные и социальные процессы. Кроме того, математический аппарат дифференциальных уравнений в част-ных производных эллиптического типа позволяет проникать в среду детерминированных явлений и предсказывать их будущее. В то же время одним из самых важных понятий прикладной математики является понятие модуля непрерывности. Термин «модуль непрерывности» и его определение был введен Анри Лебегом в начале прошлого века с целью изучения разнообразных свойств непрерывных функций. Используя понятие модуля непрерывности и его свойства, можно исследовать принадлежность изучаемого объекта к определенному классу функций: Гельдера, Липшица, Зигмунда и т.д. Это, несомненно, позволяет наиболее эффективно осуществлять приближение функций различного рода операторами. В данной работе на примере интеграла Гаусса-Вейерштрасса, как решение соответствующего дифференциального уравнения эллиптического типа, исследуется его скорость сходимости в терминах модуля непрерывности второго порядка к функции, по которой он фактически был построен. А именно, были изучены предельные свойства интеграла Гаусса-Вейерштрасса, как линейного положительного оператора, осуществляющего свое наилучшее приближение на функциях класса Зигмунда. Полученные в данной статье результаты в дальнейшем могут использоваться при решении многих задач прикладной математики.
Поиск оптимальных функций принадлежности нечетких систем на основе биоинспирированных эволюционных алгоритмов. Часть 2. Реализация метода и исследование его эффективности
Authors: Козлов Алексей Валериевич , Кондратенко Юрий Пантелеевич
Published: November 2021

Исследована эффективность метода поиска оптимальных функций принадлежности нечетких систем на основе биоинспирированных эволюционных алгоритмов глобальной оптимизации. Предложенный метод позволяет находить оптимальные функции принадлежности лингвистических термов при решении компромиссной задачи минимизации целевой функции и уменьшения вычислительных затрат в процессе дальнейшей параметрической оптимизации нечетких систем. Для исследования эффективности рассматриваемого метода проведен поиск оптимальных функций принадлежности для нечеткого регулятора системы управления многоцелевым мобильным роботом, предназначенный для перемещения по наклонным и вертикальным ферромагнитным поверхностям, с реализацией данного метода на основе трех биоинспирированных эволюционных алгоритмов: , искусственных иммунных систем, биогеографический Анализ полученных результатов компьютерного моделирования показал, что применение предложенного метода поиска оптимальных функций принадлежности позволяет существенно повысить эффективность управления мобильным роботом, а также уменьшить общее количество параметров при последующей параметрической оптимизации лингвистических термов, что подтверждает высокую эффективность разработанного метода. .
Точные равенства наближения функций класса Соболева их обобщенными интегралами Пуассона
Authors: Харкевич Юрий Илиодорович
Published: November 2021

Решение задач о движении системы взаимодействующих материальных точек в большинстве случаев сводится как к обычным дифференциальным уравнениям, так и к уравнениям в частных производных. Одним из решений такого типа уравнений являются так называемые обобщенные интегралы Пуассона, которые в отдельных случаях превращаются в хорошо известные интегралы Абеля-Пуассона или бигармонические интегралы Пуассона. Существует ряд результатов по приближению различных классов дифференцируемых периодических и непериодических функций вышеупомянутыми интегралами (так называемая задача Колмогорова-Никольского в терминологии А.И. Степанця). Но практически во всех решенных задачах Колмогорова-Никольского как для интегралов Абеля-Пуассона, так и для бигармонических интегралов Пуассона с точки зрения математического моделирования (вычислительного эксперимента) существенный недостаток. Суть этого недостатка состоит в том, что в большинстве решенных ранее задач Колмо-горова-Никольского для интегралов Абеля-Пуассона и бигармонических интегралов Пуассона (в конечном итоге) был получен только главный и остаточный члены приближения, что существенно может влиять на точность вычислительного опыта. Данная работа посвящена получению чётких равенств приближения функций классов Соболева их обобщенными интегралами Пуассона. Итак, доказанная в работе теорема является обобщением и уточнением ранее известных результатов, характеризующих апроксимативные свойства интегралов Абеля-Пуассона и бигармонических интегралов Пуассона на классах дифференцируемых периодических функций. Особенностью решенной в работе задачи приближения для обобщенного интеграла Пуас-сона на классах дифференцирующих функций является то, что полученный результат удалось записать с помощью известных констант Ахиезера-Крейна-Фавара. Указанный факт значительно повышает точность результата математического моделирования (вычислительного эксперимента) любого реального процесса, описываемого с помощью обобщенного интеграла Пуассона. Эти результаты в дальнейшем смогут значительно расширить рамки применения задач Колмогорова-Никольского к математическому моделированию.