bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo antimicrobial activity of 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drops in patients undergoing intravitreal injections: a prospective study
Authors: Tognetto Daniele , Pastore Marco R. , Belfanti Lorenzo , Merli Riccardo , Vinciguerra Alex L. , Busetti Marina , Barbati Giulia , Cirigliano Gabriella
Published: December 2021

To investigate the antimicrobial activity of a preservative-free 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drop as an antiseptic procedure in decreasing the conjunctival bacterial load in eyes scheduled for intravitreal treatment and to compare its efficacy to the untreated fellow eye used as the control group. Prospective cohort analysis in which 208 patients received preservative-free 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drops three times a day for three days before intravitreal injection. Before and after the prophylactic treatment, a conjunctival swab was collected from both the study eye and the untreated contralateral eye, used as control. The swab was inoculated on different culture media and the colony-forming units were counted. Bacteria and fungi were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Treatment with 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drops significantly reduced the conjunctival bacterial load from baseline (p < 0.001 for blood agar and p < 0.001 for chocolate agar) with an eradication rate of 80%. The most commonly isolated pathogen at each time-point and in both groups was coagulase-negative Staphylococci, isolated in 84% of the positive cultures. The study provides evidence about the effectiveness of 0.6% povidone-iodine eye drops treatment in reducing the conjunctival bacterial load in eyes scheduled for intravitreal treatment.
A multicenter, randomized, active-controlled, clinical trial study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of navigation guided balloon Eustachian tuboplasty
Authors: Choi Sung-Won , Oh Se-Joon , Kim Yehree , Kwak Min Young , Suh Myung-Whan , Park Moo Kyun , Lee Chi Kyou , Park Hong Ju , Kong Soo-Keun
Published: December 2021

To assess the safety and efficacy of navigation-guided balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) compared to medical management (MM) alone in patients with chronic Eustachian tube dilatory dysfunction (ETD). This is a prospective, multicenter, 1:1 parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT). It aims to assess the efficacy of navigation-guided BET compared to MM alone in patients with chronic ETD. The primary outcome measure was an improvement in the Eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire (ETDQ)-7 score at the 6-week follow-up compared with baseline. Secondary outcome measures included changes in the signs and symptoms during the follow-up, changes in the score for each subcategory of ETDQ-7, type of tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and the availability of a positive modified Valsalva maneuver. Navigation-guided BET was safely performed in all patients. A total of 38 ears of 31 patients (19 ears of 16 patients in the BET group and 19 ears of 15 patients in the control group) completed the planned treatment and 6 weeks of follow-up. More patients in the BET group (1.99 ± 0.85) had less symptomatic dysfunction than in the control group (3.40 ± 1.29) at 6 weeks post-procedure (P = 0.001). More patients experienced tympanogram improvement in the BET group at 6 weeks compared to the control group (36.5% vs. 15.8%) with a positive modified Valsalva maneuver (36.6% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.014). Additionally, air–bone gap change was significantly decreased in the BET group compared to the control group at the 6-week follow-up visit (P = 0.037). This prospective, multicenter, RCT study suggests that navigation-guided BET is a safe and superior treatment option compared to MM alone in patients with chronic ETD.
Harnessing the ambiphilicity of silyl nitronates in a catalytic asymmetric approach to aliphatic β3-amino acids
Authors: Das Sayantani , Mitschke Benjamin , De Chandra Kanta , Harden Ingolf , Bistoni Giovanni , List Benjamin
Published: December 2021

Nitronate anions, formally generated by α-deprotonating the corresponding nitroalkanes, are highly nucleophilic and versatile intermediates in many carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions. In contrast, the corresponding silyl nitronates are ambiphilic and react, at the same carbon atom, with both electrophiles and nucleophiles. However, while their nucleophilicity has been well exploited in catalytic enantioselective reactions with imines and aldehydes, utilizing the electrophilicity of silyl nitronates in asymmetric synthesis has remained elusive. Here we report the facile, efficient and general reactivity of readily available silyl nitronates with silyl ketene acetals, catalysed by highly Lewis-acidic and confined silylium imidodiphosphorimidate catalysts. The products of this reaction, so-called nitroso acetals, are obtained in excellent enantioselectivity and can be easily converted into N-Boc-β3-amino acid esters in a single step.
Mutant alleles differentially shape fitness and other complex traits in cattle
Authors: Xiang Ruidong , Breen Ed J. , Bolormaa Sunduimijid , Jagt Christy J. Vander , Chamberlain Amanda J. , Macleod Iona M. , Goddard Michael E.
Published: December 2021

Mutant alleles (MAs) that have been classically recognised have large effects on phenotype and tend to be deleterious to traits and fitness. Is this the case for mutations with small effects? We infer MAs for 8 million sequence variants in 113k cattle and quantify the effects of MA on 37 complex traits. Heterozygosity for variants at genomic sites conserved across 100 vertebrate species increase fertility, stature, and milk production, positively associating these traits with fitness. MAs decrease stature and fat and protein concentration in milk, but increase gestation length and somatic cell count in milk (the latter indicative of mastitis). However, the frequency of MAs decreasing stature and fat and protein concentration, increasing gestation length and somatic cell count were lower than the frequency of MAs with the opposite effect. These results suggest bias in the mutations direction of effect (e.g. towards reduced protein in milk), but selection operating to reduce the frequency of these MAs. Taken together, our results imply two classes of genomic sites subject to long-term selection: sites conserved across vertebrates show hybrid vigour while sites subject to less long-term selection show a bias in mutation towards undesirable alleles.
Identification of TCR repertoires in functionally competent cytotoxic T cells cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Shimizu Kanako , Iyoda Tomonori , Sanpei An , Nakazato Hiroshi , Okada Masahiro , Ueda Shogo , Kato-Murayama Miyuki , Murayama Kazutaka , Shirouzu Mikako , Harada Naoko , Hidaka Michihiro , Fujii Shin-ichiro
Published: December 2021

SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are scarce but detectable in unexposed healthy donors (UHDs). It remains unclear whether pre-existing human coronavirus (HCoV)-specific CD8+ T cells are converted to functionally competent T cells cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we identified the HLA-A24-high binding, immunodominant epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 spike region that can be recognized by seasonal coronavirus-specific CD8+ T cells from HLA-A24+ UHDs. Cross-reactive CD8+ T cells were clearly reduced in patients with hematological malignancy, who are usually immunosuppressed, compared to those in UHDs. Furthermore, we showed that CD8+ T cells in response to a selected dominant epitope display multifunctionality and cross-functionality across HCoVs in HLA-A24+ donors. Cross-reactivity of T-cell receptors isolated from them exhibited selective diversity at the single-cell level. Taken together, when stimulated well by immunodominant epitopes, selective pre-existing CD8+ T cells with high functional avidity may be cross-reactive against SARS-CoV-2.
Controlled synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of heterogeneous isomorphic Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped Na0.9Ca0.9Gd1.1F6 nanorods with multiple luminescence centers
Authors: Tang Ruijun , Wang Jianxun , Xu Yueshan , Wang Shasha , De Gejihu
Published: December 2021

Heterogeneous isomorphic β-Na0.9Ca0.9Gd1.1F6:Yb3+/Er3+ nanorods with multiple luminescence centers were successfully synthesized and exhibited strong luminescence, long decay lifetime and high optical stability.
Threshold photoelectron spectroscopy of iminoborane, HBNH
Authors: Schleier Domenik , Schaffner Dorothee , Gerlach Marius , Hemberger Patrick , Fischer Ingo
Published: December 2021

A threshold photoelectron spectrum of HBNH is reported, recorded using synchrotron radiation.
Computer-aided design of molecular machines: techniques, paradigms and difficulties
Authors: Fu Haohao , Shao Xueguang , Cai Wensheng
Published: December 2021

Currently, exploring the operation of a molecular machine and optimizing its performance through computational simulations seems possible, while thede novodesign of an original nanoarchitecture to achieve a particular task is still very challenging.
Oxide-ion diffusion in brownmillerite-type Ca2AlMnO5+δ from first-principles calculations
Authors: Matsumoto Ushio , Kuwabara Akihide , Fisher Craig A. J. , Moriwake Hiroki , Tanaka Isao
Published: December 2021

Oxide-ion diffusion pathways in brownmillerite oxides Ca2AlMnO5 and Ca2AlMnO5.5 are systematically investigated using first-principles calculations.
Photothermal strategy for the highly efficient conversion of glucose into lactic acid at low temperatures over a hybrid multifunctional multi-walled carbon nanotube/layered double hydroxide catalyst
Authors: Ye Xin , Shi Xiaoyu , Zhong Heng , Wang Tianfu , Duo Jia , Jin Binbin , Jin Fangming
Published: December 2021

A light-driven system of highly selective conversion of glucose into lactic acid over carbon nanotube/layered double hydroxide composites (CNT/LDHs) with excellent stability was developed.
Tandem-column extraction chromatography for Nd separation: minimizing mass-independent isotope fractionation for ultrahigh-precision Nd isotope-ratio analysis
Authors: Wang Da , Carlson Richard W.
Published: December 2021

A new rapid and effective Nd separation scheme for 142Nd/144Nd isotope ratio measurement is shown to have no detectable mass-independent isotope fractionation.
Formulation of PLGA nano-carriers: specialized modification for cancer therapeutic applications
Authors: Chatterjee Manosree , Chanda Nripen
Published: December 2021

Synthesis and functionalization of PLGA nanoparticles for cancer therapeutic applications.
Insights into the diverse precursor-based micro-spherical hard carbons as anode materials for sodium–ion and potassium–ion batteries
Authors: Nagmani  , Tyagi Ashwani , Puravankara Sreeraj
Published: December 2021

Micro-spherical hard carbon (MSHC) anodes from eco-friendly and adverse precursors with scalability benefits, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability in non-aqueous sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries.
High phenoxazinone synthase activity of two mononuclear cis-dichloro cobalt(ii) complexes with a rigid pyridyl scaffold
Authors: Muley Arabinda , Karumban Kalai Selvan , Kumbhakar Sadananda , Giri Bishnubasu , Maji Somnath
Published: December 2021

Two mononuclear cis-dichloro cobalt(II) complexes with bidentate pyridyl ligands have been successfully synthesized and employed as active o-aminophenol oxidation catalysts resulting in high turnover numbers under aerobic conditions.
A novel organic–inorganic hybrid phase transition compound based on 4-ethylmorpholine with switchable dielectric and luminescent properties
Authors: Liu Jing-Yuan , Ye Si-Yu , Wan Min , Wang Yan-Ning , Tong Liang , Chen Li-Zhuang
Published: December 2021

[4-Ethylmorpholine]2MnCl4 shows a significant thermal hysteresis in the phase transition with switchable dielectric and luminescent properties.
Investigation of apoptosis based on fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with a mitochondria-targeted viscosity probe
Authors: Zou Gengjin , Yu Wenhui , Xu Yunjian , Li Yanping , Hu Rui , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei
Published: December 2021

Here we designed a mitochondria-targeted two-photon viscosity probe (TPA-Mit), which sensitively responds to viscosity variations with fluorescence lifetime changes.
High-throughput design of Na–Fe–Mn–O cathodes for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Jia Shipeng , Counsell Jonathan , Adamič Michel , Jonderian Antranik , McCalla Eric
Published: December 2021

Over 448 compositions of Na–Fe–Mn–O sodium-ion battery cathodes were made and characterized to determine structure, electrochemical performance, and air stability. Two materials (P2 and P3) are found to have particularly significant improvements.
Highly adhesive and disposable inorganic barrier films: made from 2D silicate nanosheets and water
Authors: Eguchi Miharu , Konarova Muxina , L. Torad Nagy , Chang Te-An , Kang Dun-Yen , Shapter Joe , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: December 2021

A gas barrier film with moderate permeance due to capillary flow and high adhesion was made from only water and layered aluminosilicates. Interestingly, gas permeability decreased with increasing humidity. This film preserved the freshness of apples.
Ratiometric fluorescence analysis for miR-141 detection with hairpin DNA-templated silver nanoclusters
Authors: Liu Meiqing , Shen Ren , Li Haoran , Jia Yanwei , Mak Pui-In , Martins Rui P.
Published: December 2021

Hairpin DNA-templated silver nanoclusters enable ratiometric fluorescence analysis for miRNA detection. In the presence of the target miRNA, the green emission of the silver nanoclusters decreases with the red one increasing concurrently.
PHOrming the inflammasome: phosphorylation is a critical switch in inflammasome signalling
Authors: McKee Chloe M. , Fischer Fabian A. , Bezbradica Jelena S. , Coll Rebecca C.
Published: December 2021

Inflammasomes are protein complexes in the innate immune system that regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell death. Inflammasome activation and subsequent cell death often occur within minutes to an hour, so the pathway must be dynamically controlled to prevent excessive inflammation and the development of inflammatory diseases. Phosphorylation is a fundamental post-translational modification that allows rapid control over protein function and the phosphorylation of inflammasome proteins has emerged as a key regulatory step in inflammasome activation. Phosphorylation of inflammasome sensor and adapter proteins regulates their inter- and intra-molecular interactions, subcellular localisation, and function. The control of inflammasome phosphorylation may thus provide a new strategy for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Herein we describe the current knowledge of how phosphorylation operates as a critical switch for inflammasome signalling.
Inflammasome-independent functions of NAIPs and NLRs in the intestinal epithelium
Authors: Scarfe Lisa , Mackie Gillian M. , Maslowski Kendle M.
Published: December 2021

The gut relies on the complex interaction between epithelial, stromal and immune cells to maintain gut health in the face of food particles and pathogens. Innate sensing by the intestinal epithelium is critical for maintaining epithelial barrier function and also orchestrating mucosal immune responses. Numerous innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are involved in such sensing. In recent years, several Nucleotide-binding-domain and Leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors (NLRs) have been found to partake in pathogen or damage sensing while also being implicated in gut pathologies, such as colitis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we discuss the current literature focusing on NLR family apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs) and other NLRs that have non-inflammasome roles in the gut. The mechanisms behind NLR-mediated protection often converges on similar signalling pathways, such as STAT3, MAPK and NFκB. Further understanding of how these NLRs contribute to the maintenance of gut homeostasis will be important for understanding gut pathologies and developing new therapies.
A cross‐lingual secure semantic searching scheme with semantic analysis on ciphertext
Authors: Yang Wenyuan , Sun Boyu , Ma Xuewei , Zhu Yuesheng
Published: December 2021

Secure semantic searching can search arbitrary query words semantically related to keywords over the encrypted data. However, most of the current schemes perform the matching after query semantic expansion on the plaintext. The existing works rarely support cross‐lingual searching that breaks the language barrier to allow a query issued in a lingual to retrieve the documents written in other languages. Meanwhile, most of the previous schemes are difficult to be applied to real‐time applications because of their poor efficiency. This letter designs an efficient cross‐lingual secure semantic searching scheme that performs semantic analysis, semantic matching, and relevance ranking on the ciphertext. The proposed scheme encrypts the language‐aligned word vectors of the keywords, and further calculates the semantic similarity between the encrypted vectors to perform clustering for the encrypted keywords. Therefore, the scheme uses the encrypted language‐aligned word vectors of query words to perform cross‐lingual semantic matching only with the cluster centre keywords to get encrypted keywords semantically related to the query, instead of scanning all the keywords, thus significantly improving the search efficiency. The scheme also realises the ciphertext relevance ranking algorithm to rank the documents. Experimental results show the practicability of the proposed scheme.
Ceramic‐elements‐based distributed resonators and filters
Authors: Bulja Senad , Claussen Holger , Kozlov Dmitry , Munina Irina , Turalchuk Pavel
Published: December 2021

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new family of low‐profile resonators and filters that achieve high performance and low insertion loss without the need for post‐production tuning. The new resonator is termed ceramic‐element based distributed resonator and consists of a matrix of subwavelength‐length ceramic posts connected in the inter‐digital fashion to the top and bottom ground planes. Such a disposition of elements is beneficial for two main reasons. First, the frequency of operation of such a resonator becomes a function of its height, unlike in the case of standard ceramic resonators. Second, the ceramic element matrix performs inherent dimensional averaging, resulting in a filter that requires no post‐production tuning. As a demonstrator of the proposed technology, a two‐pole filter using a ceramic with a dielectric permittivity of 37 and a loss tangent of 0.0033 and operating at a centre frequency of 3.5 GHz was designed, fabricated and tested. The measured and predicted results are in excellent agreement and are extensively discussed.
CRB‐based multi‐parameter DOA estimation model for directional UCA with reflective plane
Authors: Zhao Di , Deng Zhongliang , Tan Weijie , Li Gang
Published: December 2021

In this letter, a new multi‐parameter direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation model for directional uniform circular array (UCA) is proposed, which considers the plane‐reflected effect. Unlike the most existing models, the proposed model explores the impact of the perturbation on radiation pattern caused by reflected signals and makes full use of the reflected radiation pattern, so it is suited to the practical situations where the impinging signals are reflected on the plane. Based on the principle of sources reconstruction, a modified 3D radiation pattern with image pattern factor is constructed. Moreover, in order to realize high reception performance on the basis of achievable DOA estimation accuracy, the multi‐parameter Cramer‐Rao Bound (CRB) function is derived to achieve the appropriate optimal parameter of height to wavelength ratio (HWR), which serves as a benchmark for optimizing the accuracy of DOA estimates. Simulation experiments are conducted to demonstrate that the DOA estimation performance of the proposed model outperforms that of the previous models.
Adjoint least mean square control for solar photovoltaic array grid‐connected energy generating system
Authors: Singh Sunaina , Kewat Seema , Singh Bhim , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan
Published: December 2021

This study deals with a new control for a double‐stage grid‐integrated solar photovoltaic array (SPVA)‐based energy generation system, which is based on adjoint least mean square (ALMS) control. This ALMS control algorithm has some new features: (1) it provides a fast rate of convergence, (2) harmonics mitigation ability, and (3) ease of implementation. The solar PV energy generating system includes a DC–DC boost converter, a voltage source converter (VSC), a ripple filter, a three‐phase grid, and local non‐linear loads. The VSC is controlled for feeding the active power from the solar array to the grid and three‐phase non‐linear loads. Moreover, VSC control is used to improve the grid current quality. A DC–DC boost converter is coupled between the photovoltaic array and the DC‐link capacitor, which tracks the maximum SPVA power from the SPV array by using perturb & observe algorithm. Here, the main goals of SPVA generating system are to eradicate power quality problems caused by unbalanced and non‐linear loads and to provide sinusoidal grid currents at solar PV array irradiance variation. Moreover, a comparison of ALMS control is made with other control algorithms. Performance of this ALMS control is studied at varying non‐linear loads and under different environmental conditions on a developed prototype in the laboratory. The simulated results of the system are validated with test results. Detailed behaviour of the grid‐integrated SPV system and harmonics spectrum of grid currents are given here while meeting the IEEE 519 Standard.
Two‐stage progressive residual learning network for multi‐focus image fusion
Authors: Wang Haoran , Hua Zhen , Li Jinjiang
Published: December 2021

Boundary artifacts and color detail distortion are easily caused by the common multi‐focus image fusion methods. In order to solve this problem, we propose a two‐stage progressive residual learning network for multi‐focus image fusion. The proposed network can progressively learn color information and detail features through end‐to‐end mapping. The whole network is composed of two sub‐networks: the initial fusion block network and the enhanced fusion block network. First, the color information in the source image is fused by the initial fusion block network to generate the initial fusion image. Then on the basis of the initial fusion image, the detailed features of the source image are further fused by enhanced the fusion network to form the final fusion image. In order to solve the problem of lack of groundtruth when multi‐focus image fusion is carried out with supervised method, the multi‐focus image fusion problem is compared to the easy‐to‐solve image restoration problem. A synthetic dataset for network training is generated by ”degenerating” the VOC2012 dataset according to the set rules. After training, the method works well for fusion tasks without further processing. Experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the existing methods in subjective visual perception and objective quantitative evaluation.
An improved tucker decomposition‐based imputation method for recovering lane‐level missing values in traffic data
Authors: Lu Wenqi , Zhou Tian , Li Linheng , Gu Yuanli , Rui Yikang , Ran Bin
Published: December 2021

High‐quality lane‐scale traffic data is of great importance to the intelligent transportation system. However, missing values are sometimes inevitable due to the failure of the detectors or the low penetration rates of the connected automated vehicles. Most existing data recovery methods concentrate on traffic data of a whole section and ignore the spatio‐temporal correlations between lanes. To this end, this paper organizes the lane‐scale traffic data into tensor patterns that can simultaneously consider the spatio‐temporal dependencies of traffic flow. Then an improved Tucker decomposition‐based imputation method (ITDI) is proposed to recover the missing values of the traffic data by extending the Tucker decomposition model with an adaptive rank calculation algorithm and improved objective function. Using the real‐world traffic data to construct multiple datasets with three missing scenarios and different missing rates, the performance of the proposed model is evaluated and compared with that of state‐of‐the‐art data imputation methods. The experimental results indicate that the ITDI method has better performance than the baseline models in terms of imputation accuracy. Besides, the ITDI model can adapt to typical missing scenarios and keep stable under different missing rates.
A 28‐GHz reconfigurable 1‐bit substrate‐integrated‐waveguide based phase shifter
Authors: Acri G. , Podevin F. , Ferrari P. , Pistono E. , Boccia L.
Published: December 2021

A switched‐line substrate integrated waveguide 1‐bit phase shifter is designed and measured at 28 GHz. Reconfigurability is achieved through a set of floating metallized vias whose connection to the waveguide top and bottom layers can be controlled using PIN diodes. The reconfigurable vias are used to dynamically create alternative paths having different phase delays. A three‐metal layer printed circuit board stack‐up is employed to fully integrate the diode biasing network and to ease the routing of the bias signal. The high integration of the proposed configuration makes it well suited for the implementation of reconfigurable Butler matrices. The phase shift offset between the two states of this digital 1‐bit phase shifter equals 262° at 28 GHz, leading to a measured figure of merit of 161°/dB, and input 1‐dB compression point over 20 dBm. The total area is 13.72 × 10.9 mm without feeding lines and bias.
Wide‐bandwidth signal‐based multireceiver SAS imagery using extended chirp scaling algorithm
Authors: Zhang Xuebo , Yang Peixuan , Huang Pan , Sun Haixin , Ying Wenwei
Published: December 2021

Traditional chirp scaling algorithm is often developed based on the quadratic approximation of point target reference spectrum, which neglects the higher‐order coupling between range and azimuth dimensions. Besides, the scaling operation is conducted based on quadratic term of reference range, and the residual quadratic error increases with target range far away from reference range. The analysis of phase error shows that both errors are noticeable under the case of wide‐bandwidth signal, and the imaging performance would be seriously distorted. To solve this problem, the higher‐order coupling and quadratic error are compensated by exploiting sub‐block processing method in the range dimension when the chirp scaling algorithm is exploited to reconstruct targets. Compared to traditional methods, the presented method significantly improves the focussing performance based on the simulation results. The processing of real data further shows that the performance of presented method is superior to that of traditional method.
Adaptive beamforming algorithm for coprime array based on interference and noise covariance matrix reconstruction
Authors: Du Yuxi , Xu Haiyun , Cui Weijia , Jian Chunxiao , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2021

Compared with the uniform linear array (ULA) under the same physical array element, the coprime array can obtain a higher degree of freedom and a larger array aperture, so it has received extensive attention from scholars in recent years. Based on the idea of interference plus noise covariance matrix (INCM) reconstruction, this study proposed a robust adaptive beamforming algorithm using the coprime array. In the virtual array generated by the coprime array, the authors prove from the perspective of virtual signals that the constructed Toeplitz matrix is equivalent to a virtual ULA with more array elements. Subsequently, a high‐resolution subspace algorithm is used to estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of the signals, and the estimated DOA is used to reconstruct the direction vector (DV) of the coprime array. Through the eigenvalue decomposition of the reconstructed Toeplitz matrix, the corresponding relationship between the eigenvalue and the power is deduced, and the signals and noise power are estimated using the eigenvalue. Finally, combine the DV of the desired signal and the reconstructed INCM to calculate the weight vector of the proposed algorithm. The simulation results prove the superiority and effectiveness of the algorithm.
Line start synchronous reluctance motor with improved power factor for agriculture electric pump applications
Authors: Uvaraj G. Aswin , Lenin N.C. , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Khan Baseem
Published: December 2021

Line start synchronous reluctance motor (LSRM) is more efficient than the existing induction motor (IM). However, the power factor is a major concern in LSRM. The power factor of the LSRM depends on the saliency ratio. To increase the saliency ratio, either d‐axis inductance (Ld) has to be improved, or q‐axis inductance (Lq) reduced. Here, q‐axis inductance is decreased by making the minimal or negligible flux variation in the q‐axis. Initially, the rotor geometry has been optimized employing an optimization algorithm. Then, finite element analysis is adopted to predict the capability of the designed rotors. Stress analysis has been carried out for both axial and radial rotor structures to verify the mechanical robustness. The fabrication steps such as folding, stacking and screwing, wire cut, die‐casting and milling process of both the rotor structures are explained in detail. Further, both the machines are tested with the centrifugal pump. From the test results, it is observed that the proposed rotor structure provides a higher power factor.
Kernelised correlation filters target tracking fused multi‐feature based on the unmanned aerial vehicle platform
Authors: Liu Zhouzhou , Liu Mengna , Zhang Yangmei
Published: December 2021

As unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) emerged as a flexible acquisition system that is widely used in military and civilian fields, efficient target tracking algorithm is in urgent need for UAV‐based computer vision. Although research studies have been reported on typical interferences in the tracking process such as scale change, occlusion, distortion etc., some issues still exist for the target tracking algorithm based on UAV vision. This study exploited the features hidden in different colour spaces, and proposed a multi‐feature multi‐filter fusion tracking method that combines the HSV (hue, saturation and value) colour space with the histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) feature. The HSV colour space is proved to be able to discriminate objects under different conditions. The HOG of each HSV channel is utilised to train Kernelised correlation filters (KCF), respectively. The final tracking result is the candidate result with the biggest peak sidelobe ratio (PSR). Computer simulations proved that the fusion strategy proposed in this study can effectively improve the tracking performance of the tracker especially when the image sequences are interfered by deformation, occlusion, low resolution, etc. The performance of the tracker is also tested on UAV.
Study of thickness of humus profiles of gray forest and chernozem soils of different terms of agricultural use in landscape shrubs of the central forest-steppe
Authors: Kovalyova Elena , Kotlyarova Ekaterina , Kuzmina Olga , Breslavets Yuri , Teteryadchenko Alexey
Published: December 2021

The article presents the results of a field study of the thickness of the humus profiles of gray forest soils and podzolized chernozems of dif-ferent terms of agricultural use of soil catens of broad-leaved-forest (background) and meadow-steppe areas of the Belgorod region. The work was carried out in the spring and summer period 2018-2019. The objects of the study were different-aged arable plots with the age of agricultural development of 100 and 160 years, respectively. The steepness of the surface on the plots did not exceed 5-60. It is established that the thickness of humus profile under the influence of agricultural cultivation during 60 years has decreased by 49 cm, at that on the slopes of northern exposition this index is more expressed (33 cm) than on the slopes of southern exposition (16 cm). It is possible, to note, that with increase of age of agricultural use on slopes of northern and southern expositions the greatest thickness of humus horizon is observed on anomalous soils (72 and 65 sm accordingly). Within the background catens the soil cover is homogeneous, the second humus horizon was observed in each of the studied transects.
Honey flora of forest plant community
Authors: Naumkin V.P. , Lopachev N.A. , Lobkov V.T.
Published: December 2021

The honey flora of the forest plant community is an important forage resource for the development of beekeeping. That’s why it is desirable to assess species composition and total number of honey plants and to determine the honey reserve of the area of the forest community plant. The forest cover of the Orel region is 9.3%, and this cover is distributed on its territory very irregularly. 257 species out of the total number of honey plants in the region are found in the forests. Deciduous forests are dominant in the Orel region including oak, ash, linden, birch and aspen. The results of studies of flowering plants in the forest plant community showed that there is a sufficient number of honey plants in the forest to provide bee families with nectar from spring to late autumn due to the natural flower-nectar conveyor. The assessment of the honey stock of this community shows that the stock equals 4,872 tons from 203 thousand hectares of forest. And bees can sip only about 30% (1,626 tons). It proves that significant honey reserves are concentrated in the forest plant community of the Orel region. The rational use of these reserves will help to solve the problem of reproduction of new bee families of the aboriginal Central Russian breed and to organize a long honey gathering by bees that provide people of the region with honey.
The use of polymer super absorbent in the adaptation of revitalized grape plants to non-sterile conditions
Authors: Lopatkina Ekaterina , Rebrov Anton
Published: December 2021

The article discusses the effect of a cross-linked copolymer of potassium and ammonium salts of acrylic acid “Aquasin” on in vitro revitalized grape plants when adapting to non-sterile conditions and growing completion before planting in open ground. The research was carried out on the basis of VNIIViV named after Ya.I. Potapenko on the indigenous Don variety Krasnostop Zolotovsky and the indigenous Crimean variety Kandavasta. The aim of the study was to study the usage effectiveness of super absorbents (hydrogels) for the post vitro stage. As a result, the positive effect of adding the water-retaining agent Aquasin to the substrate on the growth and development of plants was noted. This was especially reflected in such indicators as ripening and the shoots’ diameter. In addition, the possibility of preliminary saturation of the super absorbent with immunostimulants or fertilizers is of interest.
Endophytic microorganisms of apple fruit (Malus domestica)
Authors: Vankova A.A. , Drenova N.V. , Sviridova L.A. , Golovkin G.A.
Published: December 2021

The plant-associated microorganisms are of key importance in ensuring the quality and safety of plant products. This paper focuses on the study and composition of endophytic microorganisms inautumn apple varieties from domestic selection intended for long-term storage: Bessemyanka Barantseva, Orlovsky Pioner, Alesya and Verbnoe.It was discovered that the internal tissues of fruits are richly populated with microorganisms, the number of which depends on the plant variety and the stage of fruit development. The dominant group is yeast (up to 107 CFU/g). The most common speciesis Hanseniaspora uvarum (26,0%). The number of bacteria averages 102-104 CFU/g, the dominant species–Lactobacillus sp. (52,0%) and Pantoea agglomerans(34,2%). The soft tissue of the fruits of all studied apple varieties contains mycelial fungi, the number of which, as a rule, does not exceed 102 CFU/g. The dominant species is Cladosporium aggregatocicatricatum (33,3%). The microorganisms - producers of biologically active compounds, promising for agrobiotechnologies, have been identified.
The russian agricultural sector in the innovative component of the country’s food security
Authors: Molchanova L.A. , Akupiyan O.S. , Kravchenko D.P. , Pak Z.Ch. , Chovgan N.I.
Published: December 2021

Achieving competitiveness in the global world economy system requires strengthening the innovative direction of representatives of the domestic agro-industrial sector. The innovative component of the agricultural sector also plays an important role in solving the country’s food security. The article considers the basics of the development of innovative activity of agro-industrial enterprises and the impact of innovative activity in the agro-industrial complex on the country food security. Obstacles are analyzed and priority directions of innovative development of agro-industrial enterprises are reflected.
“Green” technologies at the heart of sustainable development of the economy of russia and the world
Authors: Nasedkina T.A. , Molchanova L.A. , Chernykh A.I. , Demesheva I.A. , Breslavets A.P.
Published: December 2021

The article examines the essence of the “green” economy, identifies its three components - economic, social, environmental, and justifies the need for the green economy development in Russia. It is argued that the environmental component is a priority for sustainable development. Among the main directions of the “green” economy implementation in Russia, the following is highlighted: rational use of natural resource potential, diversification of energy supply sources, environmental protection, production of organic agricultural products, modernization of housing and communal services, formation of new ecological behavior of the population.
Numerical solution of problems of plasma dynamics with a neutral layer
Authors: Khudainazarov Sherzod , Karabayev Obidjon , Khalmatov Ubaydulla , Numonov Akhrorbek
Published: December 2021

Mathematical modeling on a computer is widely used in problems of magnetic hydrodynamics and dynamics of ionized gas (plasma). In these problems, in addition to the equations of mass, momentum, and energy balance that are common in continuum mechanics, it is necessary to solve Maxwell’s equations for the electromagnetic field. An urgent and interesting problem in the theory of ionized gas is the problem of changing the topology of the magnetic field in plasma during the processes of magnetic field lines reconnection. Such situations are characteristic of plasma processes in the Earth’s magnetosphere (natural processes and the ones resulting from active experiments in space) and in laboratory facilities for the creation of closed configurations. Because of the difficulties of diagnostics, mathematical numerical modeling is of great importance. The article presents twodimensional mathematical models of the processes of magnetic field lines reconnection occurring in plasma with finite conductivity in the vicinity of the neutral surface. Effective numerical algorithms are constructed for solving problems of plasma dynamics in the approximation of one-fluid magnetohydrodynamics. Calculations are conducted taking into account dissipative processes. The problem of transportation and interaction of closed plasma configurations in a single computational domain was solved.
Numerical analysis of mechanical reliability of multi-coated phase change materials
Authors: Forner-Escrig Josep , Navarrete Nuria , Palma Roberto , La Zara Damiano , Goulas Aristeidis , Valdesueiro David , van Ommen J. Ruud , Hernández Leonor , Mondragón Rosa
Published: December 2021

Nanoencapsulated phase change materials (nePCMs) are nowadays under research for thermal energy storage purposes. NePCMs are composed of a phase change core surrounded by a shell that confines the core when molten. One of the main concerns of nePCMs when subjected to thermal processes is the mechanical failure of the passivation shell initially present in commercial metallic nanoparticles. In order to overcome this issue, multi-coated nePCMs, based on the synthesis of an additional coating by atomic layer deposition, appear to be as a candidate solution. With the objective of studying the influence of the composition and thickness of the additional nePCM shells on their probability of failure, a numerical tool combining a thermomechanical finite element model with phase change and Monte Carlo algorithms is developed. This tool also allows including the uncertainty of material and geometrical properties into the numerical analysis to account for their influence in the mechanical performance of nePCMs. In the present work, the mechanical reliability of SiO2 and Al2O3 coatings on Sn@SnOx nanoparticles is assessed by considering both deterministic and probabilistic failure criteria and Al2O3 coatings appear to have a better mechanical performance than their SiO2 counterparts.
Calculation model of the anisotropy of strength at compression of masonry
Authors: Derkach Valery , Galalyuk Anton
Published: December 2021

The article presents the results of experimental studies of anisotropy compressive strength of solid ceramic brick masonry. It was found that the minimum values of the compressive strength of masonry made of ceramic bricks on a standard lime-cement mortar take place with the direction of the compressive force at angles to the horizontal seams of the masonry 45°-67°. It is shown that under the action of a compressive force at angles 0°< θ <90° on the mechanism the destruction of masonry is affected by the shear stresses arising in it, the values of which increase with decreasing angle of direction of the compressive force to horizontal seams of masonry. A design model of strength is proposed masonry when compressed at different angles to horizontal mortars masonry seams.
Some issues of calculation of complex rod and plate systems on an elastic base
Authors: Kozunova Oksana
Published: December 2021

This paper summarizes some issues of a new universal method for static calculation of complex rod and plate systems on an arbitrary elastic base under the influence of an external load, when modeling the base with various models, ranging from the classical Winkler model to the combined Winkler-Kogan model.

The relevance and timeliness of the proposed work lies in the fact that the issues of calculating complex structures on an elastic base have not yet been fully investigated and there is no general approach to their calculation. The author knows the works of M. I. Gorbunov-Posadov, I. A. Simvulidi, B. N. Zhemochkin, G. Ya. Popov, S. N. Klepikov, S. D. Semenyuk, S. V. Bosakov, in which various approaches have been used to conduct research on the calculation of simple core structures, isolated foundation structures, including mesh slabs, as well as spatial monolithic foundations, as a system of cross belts on an elastic base.

The proposed method is based on a mixed method of structural mechanics using the functions of the influence of an elastic medium in the relations of B. N. Zhemochkin. To simplify these relations, when determining the coefficients of canonical equations and free terms of the mixed method in the calculation of isolated and connected plates, the relations for deflections of plates with a normal pinched in the centre of the plate are used. For pivotally connected beams, it is convenient to introduce pinching with unknown displacements at the beginning or end of each beam, for frame rods-in their nodal connections. The numerical implementation of the general approach is performed using the Mathematica computer program.
Nonlinear analysis of a crossing-beams system on an elastic with usage of the Mathematica software
Authors: Kozunova Oksana , Sirosh Kristina
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the authors consider the method of calculating an infinite system of cross beams on an elastic base by the variationaldifference method. The system of cross beams on an elastic base is most often modeled as shallow strip foundations for buildings of various functional purposes. The variation-difference method is one of the numerical and analytical methods for calculating building structures, it is based on the variational principles of the Ritz-Timoshenko method and on the minimum of the total potential energy of the entire system according to the Lagrange principle, and is also close to the real operating conditions of the foundation – base. A single-layer isotropic artificial base was used as an elastic base in the work, as an elastic layer limited in thickness. The algorithm of nonlinear calculation is based on the use of the iterative method of elastic solutions. The physical nonlinearity of the material of reinforced concrete beams is taken into account through the asymptotic dependence “Moment-curvature”. Numerical approbation of the results of elastic and nonlinear calculations of the system of cross beams on an elastic base was carried out using the MATHEMATICA software package.
Reconstruction of the suspended pedestrian bridge through the River Bug to border island
Authors: Shalabyta Mikalai , Shuryn Andrei , Kurlapov Dmitry , Dragan Viacheslav
Published: December 2021

The results of the technical examination of the pedestrian bridge over the Western Bug River on the territory of the Brest Fortress are presented. A new constructive solution of the bridge, the results of its numerical modeling and the features of installation are presented. The fullscale tests of the bridge with a movable test load confirmed the design decisions made by the authors. The resulting efforts in the ropes did not exceed the calculated values.
Creative thinking as methodical category of foreign language learning
Authors: Litvinov Aleksandr Victorovich , Bukovsky Stanislav Leonidovich
Published: December 2021

This article is devoted to the development and improvement of the creative thinking approach of foreign language learning, namely speaking process. In that sense, the authors of the given article consider creative thinking as method and technique of foreign language learning and means of communicative competence development. The authors also describe the estimation system of the given method and its content in a form of methodical algorithm and theoretical principles of foreign language learning using creative thinking as an approach. The aim of the given article to develop a new approach for better development of foreign language communication, especially in skills of speaking, to be based on unique thinking as a technique in learning. The authors of the given article also developed and presented notion called “creativization” as methodical and theoretical category in foreign language learning process comprising some theoretical aspects of the given foreign language learning approach including its own specifics and conceptual points described in the given article. Creativization is also described by the authors of the given article as a technique in foreign language learning especially concerning speaking. The notion “creativization” presents concept ideas and basic principles of creative thinking approach in foreign language learning in a form of several methodical principles and theoretical aspects.