bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase-controlled and chaos-assisted or -suppressed quantum entanglement for a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate
Authors: Kong Chao , Luo Xiaobing , Chen Hao , Luo Yunrong , Hai Wenhua
Published: October 2019

It has been demonstrated that the presence of chaos may lead to greater entanglement generation for some physical systems. Here, we find different effects of chaos on the spin-motion entanglement for a two-frequency driven Bose-Einstein condensate with spin–orbit coupling. We analytically and numerically demonstrate that classical chaos can assist or suppress entanglement generation, depending on the initial phase differences between two motional states, which can be manipulated by using the known phase-engineering method. The results could be significant in engineering nonlinear dynamics for quantum information processing with many-body entanglement.
Defects induced huge magnetoresistance in epitaxial La1–xSrxMnO3 thin films deposited by magnetic sputtering
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Jin Chao , Wang Ping , Pang Xin , Zheng Wanchao , Zheng Dongxing , Li Zhiqing , Zheng Rongkun , Bai Haili
Published: October 2019

In this work, epitaxial La1–xSrxMnO3 (LSMO) films were fabricated on SrTiO3 substrates at temperatures (Ts) ranging from 550 to 750 °C by RF magnetron sputtering. Significant Ts-dependent structural, magnetic, and magnetotransport properties were observed. The LSMO (Ts = 750 °C) film exhibits the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) of −47% under the magnetic field (H) of 5 T. In contrast, the LSMO (Ts = 650 °C) film demonstrates a huge magnetoresistance (MR) of −98% (H = 5 T) around the metal-insulator transition temperature and –59% at 5 K. The spin-glass-like behaviors indicate that the defects, particularly the oxygen vacancies, in the epitaxial LSMO (Ts = 650 °C) films destroy the double exchange. The huge MR is related to the defect modulated magnetic structures and spin-dependent magnetotransport properties. Our work helps to understand the physical mechanism of the CMR and provides a way for tuning the magnetotransport properties of the perovskite films.
Dynamic band structure and capacitance effects in scanning tunneling spectroscopy of bilayer graphene
Authors: Holdman Gregory R. , Krebs Zachary J. , Behn Wyatt A. , Smith Keenan J. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Brar Victor W.
Published: October 2019

We develop a fully self-consistent model to describe scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) measurements of Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG), and we compare the results of our model with experimental measurements. Our results show that the STS tip acts as a top gate that changes the BLG band structure and Fermi level, while simultaneously probing the voltage-dependent tunneling density of states (TDOS). These effects lead to differences between the TDOS and the local density of states; in particular, we show that the bandgap of the BLG appears larger than expected in STS measurements, that an additional feature appears in the TDOS that is an artifact of the STS measurement, and that asymmetric charge distribution effects between the individual graphene layers are observable via STS.
Perspectives on the production of milk on small-holder dairy farms and its utilisation in developing countries
Authors: Wynn P. C. , Godfrey S. S. , Aslam N. , Warriach H. M. , Tufail S. , Jahan M. , Batool Naqvi Z. , Latif S. , Wang B. , McGill D. M.
Published: October 2019

The profitability of milk production in the developing world varies widely among farming systems. This results from poor animal productivity and an inefficient marketing-chain structure in which farmers seldom profit from their dairying activities. The lack of chilling facilities for milk storage and the need to adulterate the raw product along the market chain to enhance profit margins means that consumers are not well catered for. Co-operative selling of milk, along with the acquisition of higher-quality feeds and veterinary medicines, has boosted the financial resilience of small-holder farming communities worldwide, although, in many regions, the co-operative model has not succeeded largely through a lack of trust between families even within the communities. Commercial reality dictates that farming communities work together to achieve financial sustainability, although the model adopted for each community may differ. Although milk has traditionally provided many consumers with their only source of animal protein, vitamin and minerals, we are now discovering its many other virtues, particularly in relation to cognitive development and memory retention and the provision of antioxidants. The impact of milk-processing technology on some of these remarkable properties requires further investigation to ensure that milk consumers worldwide benefit from these positive attributes.
The phytoestrogen, quercetin, in serum, uterus and ovary as a potential treatment for dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in the rat
Authors: Jafari Khorchani Majid , Zal Fatemeh , Neisy Asma
Published: October 2019

The exact mechanisms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are unknown and there is no effective cure for the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in serum oestradiol and adiponectin levels and in the expression of some important genes in the uterine and ovarian tissues of PCOS rats. The therapeutic effect of quercetin on PCOS was also assessed. Rats were divided into five groups: control, ethanol, quercetin (Q), PCOS and PCOS+Q. After 30 days of oral treatments, the rats’ ovaries and uteri were removed and nesfatin-1, aromatase and adipoR1 expressions were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum adiponectin and oestradiol levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. The results of this study showed that expression of nesfatin-1 and adipoR1 genes and adiponectin serum levels decreased in the PCOS rats, but aromatase expression and oestradiol level increased. Treatment with quercetin increased the adiponectin level and expression of adipoR1 and nesfatin-1 and decreased both the expression of aromatase and the oestradiol level. Quercetin improved PCOS by phytoestrogenic effects and mimicking oestrogen’s function. Quercetin also affects important factors in both the uterus and ovary and could improve the obesity and the diabetic and infertility symptoms of PCOS.
Precision mapping of snail habitat provides a powerful indicator of human schistosomiasis transmission
Authors: Wood Chelsea L. , Sokolow Susanne H. , Jones Isabel J. , Chamberlin Andrew J. , Lafferty Kevin D. , Kuris Armand M. , Jocque Merlijn , Hopkins Skylar , Adams Grant , Buck Julia C. , Lund Andrea J. , Garcia-Vedrenne Ana E. , Fiorenza Evan , Rohr Jason R. , Allan Fiona , Webster Bonnie , Rabone Muriel , Webster Joanne P. , Bandagny Lydie , Ndione Raphaël , Senghor Simon , Schacht Anne-Marie , Jouanard Nicolas , Riveau Gilles , De Leo Giulio A.
Published: October 2019

Recently, the World Health Organization recognized that efforts to interrupt schistosomiasis transmission through mass drug administration have been ineffective in some regions; one of their new recommended strategies for global schistosomiasis control emphasizes targeting the freshwater snails that transmit schistosome parasites. We sought to identify robust indicators that would enable precision targeting of these snails. At the site of the world’s largest recorded schistosomiasis epidemic—the Lower Senegal River Basin in Senegal—intensive sampling revealed positive relationships between intermediate host snails (abundance, density, and prevalence) and human urogenital schistosomiasis reinfection (prevalence and intensity in schoolchildren after drug administration). However, we also found that snail distributions were so patchy in space and time that obtaining useful data required effort that exceeds what is feasible in standard monitoring and control campaigns. Instead, we identified several environmental proxies that were more effective than snail variables for predicting human infection: the area covered by suitable snail habitat (i.e., floating, nonemergent vegetation), the percent cover by suitable snail habitat, and size of the water contact area. Unlike snail surveys, which require hundreds of person-hours per site to conduct, habitat coverage and site area can be quickly estimated with drone or satellite imagery. This, in turn, makes possible large-scale, high-resolution estimation of human urogenital schistosomiasis risk to support targeting of both mass drug administration and snail control efforts.
Tuning friction to a superlubric state via in-plane straining
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Hou Yuan , Li Suzhi , Liu Luqi , Zhang Zhong , Feng Xi-Qiao , Li Qunyang
Published: October 2019

Controlling, and in many cases minimizing, friction is a goal that has long been pursued in history. From the classic Amontons–Coulomb law to the recent nanoscale experiments, the steady-state friction is found to be an inherent property of a sliding interface, which typically cannot be altered on demand. In this work, we show that the friction on a graphene sheet can be tuned reversibly by simple mechanical straining. In particular, by applying a tensile strain (up to 0.60%), we are able to achieve a superlubric state (coefficient of friction nearly 0.001) on a suspended graphene. Our atomistic simulations together with atomically resolved friction images reveal that the in-plane strain effectively modulates the flexibility of graphene. Consequently, the local pinning capability of the contact interface is changed, resulting in the unusual strain-dependent frictional behavior. This work demonstrates that the deformability of atomic-scale structures can provide an additional channel of regulating the friction of contact interfaces involving configurationally flexible materials.
Microbial communities in the tropical air ecosystem follow a precise diel cycle
Authors: Gusareva Elena S. , Acerbi Enzo , Lau Kenny J. X. , Luhung Irvan , Premkrishnan Balakrishnan N. V. , Kolundžija Sandra , Purbojati Rikky W. , Wong Anthony , Houghton James N. I. , Miller Dana , Gaultier Nicolas E. , Heinle Cassie E. , Clare Megan E. , Vettath Vineeth Kodengil , Kee Carmon , Lim Serene B. Y. , Chénard Caroline , Phung Wen Jia , Kushwaha Kavita K. , Nee Ang Poh , Putra Alexander , Panicker Deepa , Yanqing Koh , Hwee Yap Zhei , Lohar Sachin R. , Kuwata Mikinori , Kim Hie Lim , Yang Liang , Uchida Akira , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Junqueira Ana Carolina M. , Schuster Stephan C.
Published: October 2019

The atmosphere is vastly underexplored as a habitable ecosystem for microbial organisms. In this study, we investigated 795 time-resolved metagenomes from tropical air, generating 2.27 terabases of data. Despite only 9 to 17% of the generated sequence data currently being assignable to taxa, the air harbored a microbial diversity that rivals the complexity of other planetary ecosystems. The airborne microbial organisms followed a clear diel cycle, possibly driven by environmental factors. Interday taxonomic diversity exceeded day-to-day and month-to-month variation. Environmental time series revealed the existence of a large core of microbial taxa that remained invariable over 13 mo, thereby underlining the long-term robustness of the airborne community structure. Unlike terrestrial or aquatic environments, where prokaryotes are prevalent, the tropical airborne biomass was dominated by DNA from eukaryotic phyla. Specific fungal and bacterial species were strongly correlated with temperature, humidity, and CO
2
concentration, making them suitable biomarkers for studying the bioaerosol dynamics of the atmosphere.
Retinotopic specializations of cortical and thalamic inputs to area MT
Authors: Mundinano Inaki-Carril , Kwan William C. , Bourne James A.
Published: October 2019

Significance

Foveal specializations in the primate visual system have allowed for high-acuity vision and are crucial to the evolution of the brain and primate behaviors. Here we show that the dorsal visual stream, which is dedicated to processing visual motion and visually guided behaviors, comprises foveal specializations. We report that spiny stellate cells, an anatomically specialized type of projection neuron, are distributed mainly in the foveal portion of the primary visual cortex (V1)-middle temporal area (MT) pathway. Moreover, we demonstrate that the thalamic input to the MT area from the medial inferior pulvinar is organized in a retinotopic manner. These results change our understanding of the anatomic organization of the early visual system.
A mechanistic examination of salting out in protein–polymer membrane interactions
Authors: Moringo Nicholas A. , Bishop Logan D. C. , Shen Hao , Misiura Anastasiia , Carrejo Nicole C. , Baiyasi Rashad , Wang Wenxiao , Ye Fan , Robinson Jacob T. , Landes Christy F.
Published: October 2019

Developing a mechanistic understanding of protein dynamics and conformational changes at polymer interfaces is critical for a range of processes including industrial protein separations. Salting out is one example of a procedure that is ubiquitous in protein separations yet is optimized empirically because there is no mechanistic description of the underlying interactions that would allow predictive modeling. Here, we investigate peak narrowing in a model transferrin–nylon system under salting out conditions using a combination of single-molecule tracking and ensemble separations. Distinct surface transport modes and protein conformational changes at the negatively charged nylon interface are quantified as a function of salt concentration. Single-molecule kinetics relate macroscale improvements in chromatographic peak broadening with microscale distributions of surface interaction mechanisms such as continuous-time random walks and simple adsorption–desorption. Monte Carlo simulations underpinned by the stochastic theory of chromatography are performed using kinetic data extracted from single-molecule observations. Simulations agree with experiment, revealing a decrease in peak broadening as the salt concentration increases. The results suggest that chemical modifications to membranes that decrease the probability of surface random walks could reduce peak broadening in full-scale protein separations. More broadly, this work represents a proof of concept for combining single-molecule experiments and a mechanistic theory to improve costly and time-consuming empirical methods of optimization.
Compact single-shot metalens depth sensors inspired by eyes of jumping spiders
Authors: Guo Qi , Shi Zhujun , Huang Yao-Wei , Alexander Emma , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Capasso Federico , Zickler Todd
Published: October 2019

Significance

Nature provides diverse solutions to passive visual depth sensing. Evolution has produced vision systems that are highly specialized and efficient, delivering depth-perception capabilities that often surpass those of existing artificial depth sensors. Here, we learn from the eyes of jumping spiders and demonstrate a metalens depth sensor that shares the compactness and high computational efficiency of its biological counterpart. Our device combines multifunctional metalenses, ultrathin nanophotonic components that control light at a subwavelength scale, and efficient computations to measure depth from image defocus. Compared with previous passive artificial depth sensors, our bioinspired design is lightweight, single-shot, and requires a small amount of computation. The integration of nanophotonics and efficient computation establishes a paradigm for design in computational sensing.
Plant defense resistance in natural enemies of a specialist insect herbivore
Authors: Zhang Xi , van Doan Cong , Arce Carla C. M. , Hu Lingfei , Gruenig Sandra , Parisod Christian , Hibbard Bruce E. , Hervé Maxime R. , Nielson Chad , Robert Christelle A. M. , Machado Ricardo A. R. , Erb Matthias
Published: October 2019

Significance

Certain adapted insect herbivores utilize plant toxins for self-defense against their own enemies. These adaptations structure ecosystems and limit our capacity to use biological control agents to manage specialized agricultural pests. We show that entomopathogenic nematodes that are exposed to the western corn rootworm, an important agricultural pest that sequesters defense metabolites from maize, can evolve resistance to these defenses. Resisting the plant defense metabolites likely allows the nematodes to infect and kill the western corn rootworm more efficiently. These findings illustrate how predators can counter the plant-based resistance strategies of specialized insect herbivores. Breeding or engineering biological control agents that resist plant defense metabolites may improve their capacity to kill important agricultural pests such as the western corn rootworm.
SERF engages in a fuzzy complex that accelerates primary nucleation of amyloid proteins
Authors: Meinen Ben A. , Gadkari Varun V. , Stull Frederick , Ruotolo Brandon T. , Bardwell James C. A.
Published: October 2019

The assembly of small disordered proteins into highly ordered amyloid fibrils in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients is closely associated with dementia and neurodegeneration. Understanding the process of amyloid formation is thus crucial in the development of effective treatments for these devastating neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, a tiny, highly conserved and disordered protein called SERF was discovered to modify amyloid formation in
Caenorhabditis elegans
and humans. Here, we use kinetics measurements and native ion mobility-mass spectrometry to show that SERF mainly affects the rate of primary nucleation in amyloid formation for the disease-related proteins Aβ40 and α-synuclein. SERF’s high degree of plasticity enables it to bind various conformations of monomeric Aβ40 and α-synuclein to form structurally diverse, fuzzy complexes. This structural diversity persists into early stages of amyloid formation. Our results suggest that amyloid nucleation is considerably more complex than age-related conversion of Aβ40 and α-synuclein into single amyloid-prone conformations.
Hybridization increases population variation during adaptive radiation
Authors: Grant Peter R. , Grant B. Rosemary
Published: October 2019

Significance

Adaptive radiations, comprising many species derived from one or a small number of ancestral species in a geologically short time, are prominent components of the world’s biodiversity. Introgressive hybridization of divergent species has been important in increasing variation, leading to new morphologies and even new species, but how that happens throughout evolutionary history is not known. A long-term field study of Darwin’s finches on Daphne Major island, Galápagos, shows that introgression enhances variation and increases the potential for future evolution. We use a dated phylogeny to infer that populations became more variable in morphological traits through time, consistent with this enhancement effect, and then declined in variation after reaching a maximum. Introgression may be especially important with future climate change.
How kinesin waits for ATP affects the nucleotide and load dependence of the stepping kinetics
Authors: Takaki Ryota , Mugnai Mauro L. , Goldtzvik Yonathan , Thirumalai D.
Published: October 2019

Significance

Dimeric molecular motors walk on polar tracks by binding and hydrolyzing one ATP per step. Despite tremendous progress, the waiting state for ATP binding in kinesin that walks on microtubule (MT), remains controversial. One experiment suggests that in the waiting state both heads are bound to the MT, while the other shows that ATP binds to the leading head after the partner head detaches. To discriminate between these 2 scenarios, we developed a theory to calculate accurately several experimentally measurable quantities as a function of ATP concentration and resistive force. In particular, we predict that measurement of the randomness parameter could discriminate between the 2 scenarios for the waiting state of kinesin, thereby resolving this standing controversy.
An antibody against HK blocks Alzheimer’s disease peptide β-amyloid−induced bradykinin release in human plasma
Authors: Chen Zu-Lin , Singh Pradeep , Wong Jyen , Horn Katharina , Strickland Sidney , Norris Erin H.
Published: October 2019

Bradykinin is a proinflammatory factor that mediates angioedema and inflammation in many diseases. It is a key player in some types of hereditary angioedema and is involved in septic shock, traumatic injury, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and stroke, among others. Activation of the plasma contact system leads to elevated levels of plasma kallikrein, which cleaves high molecular weight kininogen (HK) to release bradykinin. Drug development for bradykinin-meditated pathologies has focused on designing inhibitors to the enzymes that cleave HK (to prevent bradykinin release) or antagonists of endothelial bradykinin receptors (to prevent downstream bradykinin action). Here we show a strategy to block bradykinin generation by using an HK antibody that binds to HK, preventing its cleavage and subsequent bradykinin release. We show that this antibody blocks dextran sodium sulfate-induced HK cleavage and bradykinin production. Moreover, while the pathogenic AD peptide β-amyloid (Aβ)42 cleaves HK and induces a dramatic increase in bradykinin production, our HK antibody blocked these events from occurring. These results may provide strategies for developing treatments for bradykinin-driven pathologies.
“Brexit means…”
Authors: Tincheva Nelly
Published: October 2019

Brexit, i.e. the withdrawal of theukfrom theeu, is an event, which, regardless of its course and destination, has had a lasting impact on international politics. This paper offers a cognitive linguistic perspective on Brexit and investigates its conceptual metaphorizations on the first days after theukreferendum. The paper compares data fromukand non-uk eumedia. The perspective adopted is that of Socio-Cognitive Studies in combination with quantitative analysis. The findings suggest there are significant differences betweenuksource domains and continentaleuones, e.g. overall metaphor use throughout the period is more pronounced in theuksub-dataset; in theuksub-dataset,divorcemetaphorizations characterize either a ‘break-up’ between ‘two Britains’ or anuk-eu‘break-up’;journey, disasterandwarare more frequently used in theuk, whilemechanical failureis more prominent in the continental sub-dataset. Overall, a preference for inanimate source domains characterizes both sub-datasets.
Antibiotics can cause weight loss by impairing gut microbiota in mice and the potent benefits of lactobacilli
Authors: Miao Zhonghua , Cheng Ruyue , Zhang Yujie , Liang Huijing , Jiang Fengling , Shen Xi , Chen Gong , Zhang Qisheng , He Fang , Li Ming
Published: October 2019

This study assessed whether antibiotics could alter gut microbiota to affect host growth and the possibility of alleviation by lactobacilli. We divided four-week-old BABL/c mice into control (Ctrl), antibiotic exposure (Abx), Lactobacillus plantarum PC-170 (PC), and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) group and the Abx, LGG, and PC group received an one-week antibiotic/antibiotic + probiotic treatment. The fecal microbiota and the expression of splenic cytokines were determined. Following the ceftriaxone treatment, the body weight gain of Abx was delayed compared with others. The ceftriaxone treatment significantly decreased the alpha-diversity of the fecal microbiota and altered the fecal microbiota but LGG and PC can partly alleviate the effect. At the end of the study, the microbial community of LGG and PC group were more similar to Ctrl compared with Abx group. The results indicated that ceftriaxone could significantly alter intestinal microbiota. Lactobacilli might alleviate the side effects of antibiotics by stabilizing the intestinal microbiota.
TIPE2 specifies the functional polarization of myeloid-derived suppressor cells during tumorigenesis
Authors: Yan Dehong , Wang Jinghui , Sun Honghong , Zamani Ali , Zhang Honglin , Chen Weihong , Tang Aifa , Ruan Qingguo , Yang Xiaolu , Chen Youhai H. , Wan Xiaochun
Published: October 2019

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are “polarized” myeloid cells that effectively promote tumorigenesis by inhibiting antitumor immunity. How myeloid cells acquire the protumoral properties during tumorigenesis is poorly understood. We report here that the polarity protein TIPE2 (tumor necrosis factor-α–induced protein 8-like 2) mediates the functional polarization of murine and human MDSCs by specifying their pro- and antitumoral properties. Tumor cells induced the expression of TIPE2 in Gr1+CD11b+ cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS). TIPE2 in turn increased the expression of protumoral mediators such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β while inhibiting the expression of antitumoral mediators. Consequently, tumor growth in TIPE2-deficient mice was significantly diminished, and TIPE2-deficient MDSCs markedly inhibited tumor growth upon adoptive transfer. Pharmaceutical blockade of ROS inhibited TIPE2 expression in MDSCs and reduced tumor growth in mice. These findings indicate that TIPE2 plays a key role in the functional polarization of MDSCs and represents a new therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.
Continuous-variable quantum computing in the quantum optical frequency comb
Authors: Pfister Olivier
Published: October 2019

This topical review introduces the theoretical and experimental advances in continuous-variable (CV)—i.e. qumode-based in lieu of qubit-based—large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing and quantum simulation. An introduction to the physics and mathematics of multipartite entangled CV cluster states is given, and their connection to experimental concepts is delineated. Paths toward fault tolerance are also presented. It is the hope of the author that this review attract more contributors to the field and promote its extension to the promising technology of integrated quantum photonics.
Glycerine as an electrolytic electrode
Authors: Sh Akhatov G , Kayumov R R , Valeeva R R , Akhatov M F
Published: October 2019

This paper presents the results of the experimental studies of an electric discharge with liquid electrodes. An aqueous solution of NaCl in glycerine was used as liquid electrodes, in the range of discharge voltage parameters Up = 0 ÷ 1.5 kV, currents I = 0.01 ÷ 2 A. The current-voltage characteristics of the discharge were established.
Electric properties of carbon films deposited by magnetron sputtering with ion assistance
Authors: Grushin M A , Kral’kina E A , Neklyudova P A , Nikonov A M
Published: October 2019

The paper deals with the study of ion assistance impact on structure and electrophysical properties of the carbon films deposited by magnetron sputtering of graphite targets. The flow of assisting ions was generated in the plasma reactor based on inductive RF discharge located in the external magnetic field. The change of the ionic current density in the range from 0.5 to 1 mA/cm2 was provided. Ion energy was changed by biasing the substrate in the range from 10 to 85 V. Neon, argon and krypton were used as working gases. The electrophysical properties of carbon films are shown to depend non-monotonous on energy of the assisting ions.
Internal characteristics of distribution of glow discharge at supersonic speed gas flow in the positive column area
Authors: Timerkaev B A , Zalyaliev B R , Egorov R E
Published: October 2019

A discharge device providing the ability to create an area in the interelectrode space with a controlled concentration of neutral particles due to the supersonic flow arrangement has been developed and implemented. The possibility to control the internal discharge parameters distribution by supersonic gas flow arrangement in a limited area of the glow discharge is shown experimentally.
The influence of the capacitive coupled radio-frequency discharge on cotton fiber and technological effects of its application
Authors: Borodaev I A , Azanova A A , Zheltukhin V S , Abutalipova L N , Khisamiyeva L G
Published: October 2019

The authors studied the effect of capacitively coupled radio-frequency (RF) discharge at low pressure on cotton fiber. It is shown that non-cellulose impurities of cotton fiber are removed during processing: the content of extracted substances is reduced by 22-70% depending on the type of solvent when using air, by 5-6% – when using argon. The surface of the fibers becomes hydrophilic, additional submicroscopic pores appear, the roughness increases 1.6 times, water absorption increases 1,5-1,8 times. Discontinuous knitted fabric dyeing was carried out varying the concentration of the active dyes (remasol) in the dye-bath. It was found that the sorption capacity of cotton fibers in relation to the dye increases on average 1.1-1.25 times. To achieve the required color intensity of plasma pre-treated samples dye concentration on average 10-30% less than in the controlled dyeing is needed. The concentrations of dyes that allow obtaining the same intensity of color for the knitted fabric prepared in different ways are selected.
Ring shaped plasma structures in radio-frequency discharge between liquid jet electrodes
Authors: Gaisin Al F , Zheltukhin V S , Yu Chebakova V
Published: October 2019

The effect of ring or semi-ring shaped plasma structures around the jet liquid electrodes in radio-frequency discharge is discussed. These structures occur owing to amplification of electric fields in jet constriction.
Pulsating combustion of solid particles in Helmholtz resonator type device
Authors: Larionov V M , Iovleva O V , Zagidullina D I , Larionova I V
Published: October 2019

There are a number of works in which pulsating combustion of the wood particles in Helmholtz resonator type device was studied. The dependences of the frequency and amplitude of oscillations on the geometry of the device were determined. The aim of this work is to study the thermodynamic properties of pulsating combustion. P-V diagrams of pulsating combustion and the amplitude of oscillations of the heat release rate are determined. It is proved that the acoustic power generated in the combustion zone is the result of work performed on the gas during one oscillation cycle.
Acoustic-resonance method for control of the location of hidden hollow objects
Authors: Nazarychev S A , Gaponenko S O , Kondratiev A E , Shakurova R Z
Published: October 2019

There are quite a number of methods for monitoring the location of buried pipelines: radio wave method, radiation method, acoustic location, resonant-acoustic profiling, infrared thermography, electromagnetic method.

However, these methods have several disadvantages: they are not applicable to pipelines of non-metallic materials, and also have a weak selectivity in controlling the location of buried pipelines when many different communications pass in close proximity to the object under control.

In this work, an improved acoustic-resonance method for controlling the location of hidden hollow objects has been developed and implemented as an information-measuring complex consisting of devices for exciting and receiving forced vibrations. The algorithmic and software-technical support of the processes of controlling the information-measuring complex and processing of vibroacoustic signals in the LabVIEW environment has been developed and created.
Investigation of the plasma electron source based on discharge in crossed electric and magnetic field in hollow configuration
Authors: Podguyko N A , Marahtanov M K , Khohlov Yu A
Published: October 2019

This article presents a study of the plasma electron source based on discharge in crossed electric and magnetic fields in hollow configuration with a discharge current of up to 1 A. It was found that using a cathode screen with a central hole affects the operation of the device. The discharge voltage is reduced and the formation of an electron beam becomes possible without using for this purpose the extraction voltage. It is shown that the current strength of the electron beam in the absence of an extraction voltage depends on the flow rate of the plasma-forming gas.
Analysis of interaction processes between the silver nanoparticles and the surface of fur semi-finished products within conditions of HF plasma at decreased pressure
Authors: Pankova E A , Nizamova D K , Rakhmatullina G R , Shaekhov M F , Sharifullin F S
Published: October 2019

In order to impart the bactericidal properties and the additional strength to the fur semi-product, it is proposed to perform its treatment with the silver nanoparticles within conditions of high frequency (HF) plasma at decreased pressure.

Silver comes to the fur surface in atomic and ionized form, which significantly facilitates its interaction with keratin, provides their efficient adsorbing on the surface of fur semi-product and forming the stable compositions+.
Study of the possibility of obtaining metal nanoparticles under the action of a non-equilibrium plasma on aqueous solutions of salts
Authors: Titov V A , Sirotkin N A , Nikitin D I , Naumova I K , Subbotkina I N , Kochkina N E , Agafonov A V
Published: October 2019

Dispersions of metal nanoparticles were obtained at the gas discharge treatment of aqueous solutions of CuCl2, CuSO4 and AgNO3. Direct current discharge was excited between a metal cathode located in the air and metal salt solution being used as an anode at a current of 5–25 mA. The average sizes of obtained nanoparticles were estimated using dynamic light scattering method. The sizes have been shown to depend on the solution concentration, discharge current and processing time. The obtained nanoparticles were applied from dispersions to medical dressings and their bactericidal activity was tasted. Samples treated with silver-containing particles showed bactericidal activity against bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis and microscopic fungus Candida albicans. Copper-containing samples did not show biological activity.
Disentangling the impacts of human and environmental change on catchment response during Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Sebastian Antonia , Gori Avantika , Blessing Russell B , van der Wiel Karin , Bass Benjamin
Published: October 2019

Flooding is a function of hydrologic, climatologic, and land use characteristics. However, the relative contribution of these factors to flood risk over the long-term is uncertain. In response to this knowledge gap, this study quantifies how urbanization and climatological trends influenced flooding in the greater Houston region during Hurricane Harvey. The region—characterized by extreme precipitation events, low topographic relief, and clay-dominated soils—is naturally flood prone, but it is also one of the fastest growing urban areas in the United States. This rapid growth has contributed to increased runoff volumes and rates in areas where anthropogenic climate changes has also been shown to be contributing to extreme precipitation. To disentangle the relative contributions of urban development and climatic changes on flooding during Hurricane Harvey, we simulate catchment response using a spatially-distributed hydrologic model under 1900 and 2017 conditions. This approach provides insight into how timing, volume, and peak discharge in response to Harvey-like events have evolved over more than a century. Results suggest that over the past century, urban development and climate change have had a large impact on peak discharge at stream gauges in the Houston region, where development alone has increased peak discharges by 54% (±28%) and climate change has increased peak discharge by about 20% (±3%). When combined, urban development and climate change nearly doubled peak discharge (84% ±35%) in the Houston area during Harvey compared to a similar event in 1900, suggesting that land use change has magnified the effects of climate change on catchment response. The findings support a precautionary approach to flood risk management that explicitly considers how current land use decisions may impact future conditions under varying climate trends, particularly in low-lying coastal cities.
Research on data system framework and key technologies of EV charging station maintenance
Authors: Liao Jiaqi , Fang Hualiang , Qian Kejun , Zhou Chengke , Dai Luyang
Published: October 2019

With the increase in the utilization rate of EV (Electric vehicle) charging facilities, the perception of operation status and the intelligent maintenance have become the key technologies of charging station development. A charging station data analysis method based on the two-dimension data framework is proposed according to the power transmission characteristic and data classification. Combined with the frequency and characteristic of fault events as well as the working principle of the charging station, the hardware and software framework based on the data processing and analysis for state evaluation and scientific maintenance planning is designed. Finally, the actual operation and maintenance statistics of the electric bus charging station in Suzhou, China is taken as an example for analysis.
Study of two-spring piezoelectric harvesters
Authors: Georgiev N P , Raichev R P
Published: October 2019

The paper considers two piezoelectric harvesters, consisting of two springs, attached to a piezoelectric transformer, and having a common concentrated mass. Modeling has been done by means of ANSYS, whereas the horizontal deviation of the mechanical system has been obtained, and the charge, accumulated on the electrodes of the piezo plate has been calculated. An equivalent circuit has been drawn and experimental studies have been conducted in order to validate the developed model.
Determining the parameters of induction motors by Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Stoykova Stela , Spasov Vasil
Published: October 2019

The paper presents an approach for determining the equivalent circuit parameters of two widely used induction motors types by Genetic Algorithms. The T-shaped equivalent circuit without considering the steel losses is utilized. Genetic Algorithms are applied and the results are compared by using one, two and three data sets. The accuracy of the proposed approach is analyzed by determining the relative error in the parameters, obtained by Genetic Algorithms, with regard to analytical values. The different computation times for one, two and three data sets are discussed. The results indicate that to obtain low relative error, the proposed approach using the conventional parameters settings and fitness function needs three points from the motors load curves.
Computer technologies in shipping and a new tendency in ship’s officers’ education and training
Authors: Belev B C , Daskalov S I
Published: October 2019

This article presents the results of the authors’ work on a project of the European program Erasmus+ “Diversification of seafarers’ employability paths through collaborative development of competences and certification” – DivSea. In this project, the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy is actively involved in partnerships with related maritime education institutions from Romania, Cyprus and the Netherlands. The aim of the project is introducing qualifications required by the marine labour market into the European education and training institutes to ensure transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications to facilitate learning, employability and labour mobility. Transferring the aim to the shipping, we propose to use modern ship communication equipment and computer technology to enable seafarers to access up-to-date training and qualifications at any point in the World. The created and developed training programs by the participants in the project fill the gap created by the rapid development of shipping over the last twenty years and the changes in maritime legislation in this regard. The opportunities for ship Internet delivery at every point of the world ocean are used. These communication technologies enable the training of marine professionals to become an ongoing process.
Legal data extraction and possible applications
Authors: Stoykov K , Chelebieva S
Published: October 2019

The functioning of the modern society provokes creation of significant number of documents, most of them in text form. Many of them are legally relevant and complex in nature, which makes their understanding difficult. They are written in nature language for people, which is hard for computer processing and hence hard for further analysis. Documents represent an abundance of data in unstructured form. They can be handled using NLP methodology. Different models, trained for specific use cases are used, depending on a type of legal document. Automation of number of processes can save time and speed up work on document processing. This, of course, does not rule out the need for highly qualified lawyers. The goal is to ease their work in terms of processing large amount of documents. Increased productivity should be beneficial for both natural and legal persons when working with textual and legal issues.
Substantiation of multinomial classification using ensemble learning approach
Authors: Goel Lipika , Damodaran D , Sharma Mayank , Khatri Sunil Kumar
Published: October 2019

The software defect prediction is the most operative research domain in software engineering as it enhances its reliability. The availability of defect data related to different projects leads to cross project defect prediction an open issue. This paper instanced on multiclass/multinomial classification of defect prediction on different categories of cross projects. The ensemble learning statistical models – Random forest and Gradient Boosting are used for classification. An empirical study is carried out to determine the predictive performance of the within project and cross project prediction models. Depending on the number of defects, class level information is classified into one of three defined multiclass. The homogeneous set of object oriented metrics is used for training the model. Furthermore, k-fold cross validation is done to evaluate the training accuracy of the statistical models. Major outcome of the paper concludes that multinomial/multiclass classification is applicable on cross project data and has comparable results to within project defect data with statistical significance.
Algorithm for assessing the quality of service in special-purpose networks during operation
Authors: Kireeva N , Zastupov V
Published: October 2019

This article is to show an algorithm for assessing the quality of service in special-purpose networks, regardless of the type of traffic being transmitted and the network architecture. This method allows to obtain a detailed assessment of the quality of service, as well as to adjust the values of the characteristics of the network during the evaluation. The values used in the calculations are entered in the database to aid in the design of new networks.
Assessment of the Internet of Things Projects on the Real Estate Market
Authors: Pupentsova S , Leventsov V , Livintsova M , Alexeeva N , Vodianova S
Published: October 2019

This paper discusses the concept of the Internet of Things. It analyzes the existing definitions, and introduces a new definition of this concept. In this research study, the experience of the Internet of Things in the world has been analyzed, the possibilities of deflationary development of the economy have been identified with the use of the Internet of Things. The paper presents directions for important qualitative changes in economy and for organizational and technological transformations of production, which may be induced by the development of the Internet of Things. The “smart home” system market has been examined. Its potential has been identified for Russian companies that work in the field of information and telecommunication technology connected with the development of the Internet of Things. To justify the efficiency of money investments into the “smart home” system and services, the algorithm of cost estimation for such systems, which can be used in making a decision about investing, is proposed. The authors conducted the review of the typical projects offered with the “smart home” system. The power law dependence of the unit cost of the system installation from the floor space of the object has been received. The internal rate of return on investment for the introduction of the “smart home” system has been identified at the level of 50%.
The artificial intelligence methods testing in case of engineering diagnostics system creation of the synchronous machines
Authors: Polishchuk V , Baratova K
Published: October 2019

Due to the lack of the exact mathematical processes description for internal faults diagnosis of synchronous machine rotor winding. To solve the problem of concurrent processing of the indirect diagnostic signs complex connected with the concrete type of multiple disabilities. It is the author’s opinion that such problem is necessary to solve by artificial intelligence systems accepted in the theory and practice. The architecture of intelligent diagnostic system and the technical condition forecast of the synchronous machine rotor winding on the basis of the fuzzy logic mathematical tool are offered. Diagnosing reliability of and selectivity support determination of synchronous machine rotor winding defect category is reached by complex conjugation of separation of diagnostic information sensitive methods on the basis of intellectual digital signal processing methods. It is proved experimentally that the fuzzy logic using provided diagnosing reliability of synchronous machine rotor winding turn-to-turn short-circuit at the 1,5% level of rotor pole winding Visualization of all making decision stages about the existence and defect type was made in Fuzzy Logic Toolbox software package.
System for materials testing at static loading
Authors: Tsonev V , Kuzmanov N , Borisov B , Penkov K
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a newly developed system for mechanical testing at static loading. The separate modules of the system are described - tensile testing machine, grips, extensometers for axial end transverse deformations, electronic control system. The results obtained during tensile testing with the new system are given. The yield strength, the tensile strength, the elasticity modules and the Poisson’s ratio of general purpose steal S235JRC are determined.
Some aspects of the informational support of technological processes
Authors: Koleva S
Published: October 2019

The increase of the efficiency of technological processes during the various stages of product development, such as design and manufacture, is in direct connection with their informational support. In this paper are considered the state of the art of modern informational support of processes, and the methods of its realisation. On the basis of informational modelling of technological processes, are considered and analysed the capabilities of the suggested scientific approaches for the assurance of the parameters of its efficiency, including their evaluation. Established is the necessity of a new approach during the modelling of technological processes for parts manufacturing, which would enable to overcome the main problem of their development – the ambiguity of the values of the technological parameters and their influence on efficiency. In order to guarantee the efficiency of these processes, formulated are the tasks and approaches which are to be applied for developing a reliable and up-to-date informational system.
Qualitative analysis of oscillating magnetomechanical system
Authors: Todorov T S , Mitrev R P , Tudjarov B N , Nikolov R F
Published: October 2019

The paper deals with mathematical modelling and qualitative analysis of a dynamic system of the type mass-spring-permanent magnet. The mass of the system is suspended on the free end of a cantilever beam and oscillates in a magnetic field created by a permanent magnet. The the magnetic force is obtained using the finite element method and approximated by a function similar to the Coulomb’s Law. The dynamical model of the system is built on the basis of the Newton 2nd law. By means of qualitative analysis of a nonlinear differential equation, the bifurcation zones are determined. The phase portraits of the system are investigated depending on its bifurcation behaviour. Based on the performed analysis a method for dynamical synthesis of system parameters is proposed. Besides, some typical properties of the dynamical system are determined.