bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimasi Pengelolaan Waduk Pondok Ngawi Jawa Timur
Authors: Susilo Hendro
Published: December 2019

Pondok Reservoir is one of the smaller reservoirs built in Bengawan Solo River Basin, located in Kali Dero, Gandong Village, Bringin District, Ngawi District, with a puddle of 3.6 km2 and 32.9 km2 of drainage area. The total reservoir volume is 25,233 MCM and the effective dams volume is 22,333 MCM. The reservoirs are used to irrigate 3.596 Ha of irrigated rice fields which are distributed through four weirs, namely Dero weir, Sambiroto dam, Plesungan dam, and Padas dam. The results showed that selected crops were rice and maize, while to obtain maximum annual agricultural benefit benefit can be done with the initial period of planting for the first planting season is the third week of November, which has annual net benefit value of agriculture of Rp. 10,797,000,000. Through continuous water supply, the optimal planting area for each planting season is the first planting season in the third week of November with rice plant of 2877 ha and 719 ha of maize; the second growing season in the third week of March with rice plants 1216 ha and 1216 ha of maize; third planting season in the third week of July with 402 ha of corn. Percentage of planted area from available land per planting season is: first planting season is 100%, second planting season is 67,63% and planting season is 11,18%, so planting intensity is 178,8%.
Analisis Sistem Informasi CRM Untuk Meningkatkan Pelayanan dengan Pendekatan SDLC (Studi Kasus: UMKM “SAKTI”)
Authors: STT Latjuba Sofyana , Putera Andi Rahman
Published: December 2019

The development of information technology is endless. Every day there is something new that we can find outside. Will affect many sectors. One of the fastest growing is UMKM. Screen printing and convection is one of the UMKM that produces and sells plain shirts and screen printing. To improve its services, screen printing and convection information systems need to be developed so that the service is more optimal, effective and efficient. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a core business strategy that can support, obtain and retain customers. Based on the results of the needs analysis and system analysis of the company that can be known about the CRM modules needed for the system are Customer Service and Support (CSS) and Entreprise Marketing Automation (EMA).
Analisa Pengaruh Influencer Social Media Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Konsumen Generasi Z di Kota Surabaya
Authors: Amalia Adhimurti Citra , Sagita Gabriella
Published: December 2019

Social media influencers have now been used by many commercial brands as one of the promotional strategies to market their products. Especially for Z generation who are close to the use of the internet, social media, and digital media in their daily lives. Although the existence of social media influencers is on the rise, the trust of commercial brands to advertise their products on conventional media such as televisions is still quite high compare to the digital media. This issue encourages researchers to dig deeper whether social media influencers really influence the purchasing decisions of Z generation consumers in Surabaya city or not. In addition to measure the influence, researchers also want to know what factors are related to social media influencers that influence the purchasing decisions of Z generation consumers. This research uses quantitative methods where data collection is obtained through questionnaires. The results of the research were analyzed using Pearson Product Moments and it was found that Chi-square value (239.088) > Chi-Square table (42.557) and P-value (0.000) < alpha (0.05) which leads to the decline of H0, which indicates that there is an influence between social media influencers variables (independent / X) with generation Z consumer purchasing decision variables (dependent / Y).Keywords: influencer, social media, marketing strategy, consumer behaviour.
García-Escudero Márquez, Piedad, Técnica legislativa y seguridad jurídica: ¿hacia el control constitucional de la calidad de las leyes?
Authors: García Martínez María Asunción
Published: December 2019

Recensión de la obra: GARCÍA-ESCUDERO MÁRQUEZ, Piedad: Técnica legislativa y seguridad jurídica: ¿hacia el control constitucional de la calidad de las leyes?. Cuadernos Civitas, Madrid, 2010, 214 pp.
BUDAYA KEMPONAN PADA MASYARAKAT MELAYU PONTIANAK (KAJIAN KEARIFAN LOKAL DALAM KEHIDUPAN SOSIAL ETNIK MELAYU
Authors: Asyura Muhammad
Published: December 2019

Kemponan merupakan perwujudan kebudayaan lokal masyarakat Melayu Pontianak yang mengajarkan nilai sosial dalam bentuk sugesti. Kemponan merupakan budaya menghargai dan mengapresiasi sebuah tawaran ataupun pemberian orang lain berupa makanan dan minuman. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan metode kualitatif dengan teknik wawancara mendalam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan budaya kemponan berdasarkan sebab dan media terjadinya, pola pencegahannya, dan nilai sosial budaya yang terkandung di dalamnya. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa sebab terjadinya budaya kemponan ialah adanya sugesti negatif dalam diri seseorang mana kala tidak memakan atau meminum yang disuguhkan atau yang diinginkan sehingga akan menimbulkan bala atau celaka bagi orang tersebut. Media terjadinya kemponan ialah makanan dan minuman, bahkan terdapat beberapa makanan dan minuman yang disakralkan oleh masyarakat Melayu Pontianak. Sebagai sebuah ‘sugesti negatif’ kemponan dapat dicegah dengan cara ‘dipatahkan’ melalui perilaku khas yang disebut jamah, cempalet, dan palet; yang mengandung nilai-nilai sosial yang berfungsi sebagai penangkal bala atau celaka mana kala seseorang menolak ajakan untuk menyantap makanan ataupun minuman tertentu yang dianggap sakral. Di dalam perilaku menjamah, cempalet dan palet, budaya kemponan mengandung nilai kearifan lokal yaitu 1) nilai budaya saling menghargai sesama manusia, 2) nilai budaya menghargai alam, dan 3) nilai budaya religi.
PERKEMBANGAN BUDAYA KOSMOPOLITAN DI BATAVIA 1905-1942
Authors: Ariwibowo Andika
Published: December 2019

Kosmopolitan dapat diartikan sebagai suatu kewarganegaraan global. Giddens mengatakan bahwa salah satu faktor sebuah kota dikatakan kosmopolitan adalah perkembangan globalisasi dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan sehari-hari masyarakat. Konektivitas yang semakin mudah berkat perkembangan komunikasi, media, dan transportasi sejak abad ke-19 telah menjadikan kota-kota besar seperti Batavia menjadi titik luluh (melting pot) berbagai budaya dan bangsa. Sebuah kota kosmopolitan ditandai dengan hadirnya masyarakat kosmopolitan global yang berasal dari berbagai latar belakang budaya, bangsa, tingkat ekonomi, dan gaya hidup. Kapitalisme dan industrialisasi telah mendorong perubahan pada struktur sosial dalam masyarakat. Kajian ini menggunakan metode sejarah dengan menelisik berbagai literatur sezaman yang terdiri atas artikel, dokumentasi, laporan, dan survei baik oleh instansi pemerintah, individu, maupun lembaga nonpemerintah. Kajian ini menemukan bahwa kebijakan tata ruang dengan menempatkan berbagai etnis dan bangsa dalam permukiman yang sama telah menghadirkan suasana kota yang lebih toleran. Keberadaan ruang publik rupanya dikelola dengan baik oleh Gemeente Batavia yang menjadi titik luluh beragam etnis dan kelas sosial.
Characterization of a Novel Resistance-Breaking Isolate of Potato Virus Y in Nicotiana Tabacum
Authors: Kim Jae-Hyun , Kim Young-Soo , Jang Soo-Won , Jeon Yong-Ho
Published: December 2019

Potato virus Y (PVY) was identified from a PVY-resistance flue-cured tobacco variety KF120 showing vein necrosis at Buron province, Korea. Biological properties of the isolate named PVY-ToBR1 was characterized using various host plants with another isolate PVY-ToJC37. The isolated PVY-ToBR1 induced systemic vein necrosis symptoms on a PVY-resistant tobacco cultivar (VAM) harboring potyvirus resistant va gene, though tissue printing showed the systemic movement of virus was slightly delayed. By contrast, the isolate PVY-ToJC37 failed to infect VAM plants and the virus was not detected on inoculated leaf and systemic leaves in VAM plants. Similarly, the isolated PVY-ToBR1 induced distinctly systemic vein necrosis symptoms on PVY-resistant tobacco cultivars (V.SCR, PBD6, TN86, TN90, Virgin A Mutant, NC744, and Wislica) that have the recessive potyvirus resistance gene va, but PVY-ToJC37 did not infect systemically infect these tobacco cultivars, suggesting that PVY-ToBR1 is a novel resistance-breaking isolate in tobacco. The coat protein (CP) genes of PVY-ToBR1 and PVY-ToJC37 were amplified using RT-PCR assays with specific primers for PVY isolates and nucleotide sequences of the CP genes were determined. The isolate PVY-ToBR1 showed 88.4% - 99.4% and 86.6% - 99.4% CP identities to the 46 different PVY isolates at the nucleotide and amino acid, respectively. Phylogenetic relationship from CP comparisons showed that PVY-ToBR1 isolate clustered with PVYNTN isolates and PVY-ToBR1 isolate more closely related to the isolates from European than from North American PVY NTN.
Mycelial Compatibility Groups and Microsatellite Markers Reveal Genetic Diversity Within and Among Populations of Sunflower Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in China
Authors: Wang Yujie , Hou Yaguang , Bo Haoyu , Zhou Hongyou , Jing Lan , Zhao Jun
Published: December 2019

The genetic variability and differentiation among 101 sunflower Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates collected from four different geographic regions of China were analyzed using mycelial compatibility groupings (MCGs) and microsatellite markers. Twenty three MCGs were identified among all tested isolates. The majority of isolates collected from the same region were grouped in to the same MCGs, indicating less genetic variation of S. sclerotiorum within the same region. But there still have exceptions for some isolates. Also microsatellite marker data revealed that all tested isolates from four geographic populations could be divided into three distinct clusters, isolates from Inner Mongolia and Ninxia regions formed cluster I, isolates from Heilongjiang and Xinjiang formed separate clusters II and III . The percentage of variance within and among different geographic populations was 84.54% and 15.46% respectively and both variances were significantly different from each other (p<0.01). Meanwhile, association between the microsatellite haplotype and MCGs was observed but not so significant; majority isolates from the same MCG showed the same haplotype, but certain samples showed different haplotypes, although they belonged to the same MCG. Based on the virulence test results, we also found that MCGs not only represent the genetic variation of tested isolates, but also reflect their pathogenic ability to a certain extent.
DELETRIOUS SOFTWARE AND METHODS FOR COMBATING IT
Authors: Tarzhanov Timofey , Kudryashov Vadim , Makarova Diana
Published: December 2019

The article discusses existing malware. To study the features of building deletrious software, the most common computer viruses were analyzed. A program for capturing keystrokes by means of the Python 3.7 language was developed, and a function for sending captured data to mail was implemented.
First report on biodegradation of low density polyethylene
by rice moth larvae, Corcyra cephalonica
(stainton)
Authors: Suresh Kesti Sheetal , Chandrabanda Thimmappa Shivasharana
Published: December 2019

Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), rice
moth larvae were used for biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE).
The role of larval gut microorganisms in LDPE biodegradation was studied by
force feeding the larvae with a cocktail of antibiotic solution. After force
feeding, the larvae were left in contact with LDPE films. Larvae which were
unfed with antibiotic solution were used as controls. Degradation rate was
checked by measuring the weight loss after 20 day period of contact with LDPE
films in insect rearing bottles. The DNA of both antibiotic fed and unfed
larvae was isolated. There was no DNA band of antibiotic fed larvae which
indicated the gut microorganisms were eliminated. Larvae fed with antibiotic
digested 21 % and those which were unfed with antibiotic showed 25 % weight
loss of LDPE films. We report the gut microorganisms were not solely
responsible for biodegradation of LDPE. The digestive enzymes could also play a
major role in digesting the plastic in insect’s gut.
Priorities of improvement of monetary policy are in the system ofstrengthening of financial safety of Ukraine
Authors: Tkachenko Irina
Published: December 2019

The article of research is totality of organizationally-economic relations thatarise up in the process of forming and improvement of monetary policy in thesystem of strengthening of financial safety of Ukraine.The aim of the articleconsists in the analysis of basic problems, contradictions that arise up in the processof realization of complex of events in relation to determination of priority directionsof forming and improvement of monetary policy in the system of strengthening offinancial safety of Ukraine. Research methodology consists in the use of totalityof methods : dialectical, analytical, comparative. The indicated methodologicalapproach allowed to analyse теоретико-методологеские and practical aspects ofmonetary policy, that is represented in works of home and foreign scientists andto define their connection and influence on the system of financial safety ofUkraine.Research methodology consists in the use of totality of methods : dialectical,analytical, comparative. The indicated methodological approach allowed to analyseтеоретико-методологеские and practical aspects of monetary policy, that isrepresented in works of home and foreign scientists and to define their connectionand influence on the system of financial safety of Ukraine.The scientific noveltyof the got results consists in complex illumination of the generalized going neardetermination of priorities of improvement of monetary policy in the system ofstrengthening of financial safety of Ukraine. Scientific conclusions are done inrelation to character, features of the state of realization of monetary policy anda necessity and expediency of further study of her influence are reasonable onstrengthening of financial safety of Ukraine.Conclusions. In the article the lightedup questions of necessity of scientific comprehension and practical decision ofproblems related to the improvement of monetary policy, determinations of theirpriorities in the system of strengthening of financial safety of Ukraine. Takinginto account that an important scientific and practical task is now remained bydetermination of list of national economic interests, providing of realization ofthat straight depends on the state of safety of different constituents of the financialsystem of Ukraine, the improvement of monetary policy is necessary to spare thespecial attention.
A role of financial-economics instruments of management touristactivity is in creation of favourable terms for the conduct of touristbusiness
Authors: Kotsenko Kateryna , Gromovdovaya Larisa , Gromovdov Vladimyir
Published: December 2019

The aim of the article consists in the analysis of financial-economics instruments of management tourist activity and their roles in creation of favorableterms for the conduct of tourist business in connection with determination oftourism as one of basic priorities of Ukraine. Research methodology consists inthe use of totality of methods: dialectical, analytical, statistical, comparative. Suchmethodological approach allowed to examine a financial-economics instruments as important constituent of mechanism of management of tourist activity inUkraine. The scientific novelty of this article consists in research of specific ofinfluence on development of tourist industry of such financial-economics instruments as planning, self-supporting basis, pricing, financing, systems of creditsand taxation, insufficient sponsorship from the side of the state, necessity of introduction of the flexible system of taxation is underlined, especially for development of small tourist business, rural tourism. Conclusions. In the article grounded some ways of perfection of functioning of financial-economics instruments ofmanagement by tourist activity of Ukraine: decline of rate VAT for tourist industry as an event that will stipulate an investment attractiveness, and in finalanalysis – will result in the increase of profit in the state budget; creations ofrecreational-tourist clear zones, increase of charges on marketing and advancementof tourist product, and also introduction in practice of under backs on developmentof tourism.
Enhanced Knowledge Graph Embedding by Jointly Learning Soft Rules and Facts
Authors: Zhang Jindou , Li Jing
Published: December 2019

Combining first order logic rules with a Knowledge Graph (KG) embedding model has recently gained increasing attention, as rules introduce rich background information. Among such studies, models equipped with soft rules, which are extracted with certain confidences, achieve state-of-the-art performance. However, the existing methods either cannot support the transitivity and composition rules or take soft rules as regularization terms to constrain derived facts, which is incapable of encoding the logical background knowledge about facts contained in soft rules. In addition, previous works performed one time logical inference over rules to generate valid groundings for modeling rules, ignoring forward chaining inference, which can further generate more valid groundings to better model rules. To these ends, this paper proposes Soft Logical rules enhanced Embedding (SoLE), a novel KG embedding model equipped with a joint training algorithm over soft rules and KG facts to inject the logical background knowledge of rules into embeddings, as well as forward chaining inference over rules. Evaluations on Freebase and DBpedia show that SoLE not only achieves improvements of 11.6%/5.9% in Mean Reciprocal Rank (MRR) and 18.4%/15.9% in HITS@1 compared to the model on which SoLE is based, but also significantly and consistently outperforms the state-of-the-art baselines in the link prediction task.
Autophagy and Apoptosis of Porcine Ovarian Granulosa Cells During Follicular Development
Authors: Zheng Yuxin , Ma Lizhu , Liu Ning , Tang Xiaorong , Guo Shun , Zhang Bin , Jiang Zhongliang
Published: December 2019

Follicular atresia is closely related to both apoptosis and autophagy of granulosa cells (GCs) in ovarian follicles. In the present study, GCs were isolated from pig ovaries in small, medium and large antral follicles, and the current results showed that the proliferation of GCs was higher in medium follicles, and lower in large follicles compared to small follicles. The Bax and Caspase 3 mRNA levels were significantly higher, but the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was lower in GCs of large follicles. The marker genes of autophagy, Atg3, Atg7 and LC3 mRNA levels were higher in GCs from medium follicles. Apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins had a similar expression pattern to the mRNA level. Our results showed that phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) was activated in GCs of large follicles, while phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) were inhibited in GCs of medium follicles. Labeling of autophagic vesicles with 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) confirmed the results of gene transcription and protein expression in GCs of different size follicles. We conclude that autophagy and apoptosis of GCs occurred in different size follicles during follicular development, and autophagy was mainly found in GCs of medium follicles, while apoptosis was mainly found in GCs of large follicles.
Carotenoids Overproduction in Dunaliella Sp.: Transcriptional Changes and New Insights through Lycopene β Cyclase Regulation
Authors: Elleuch Fatma , Hlima Hajer Ben , Barkallah Mohamed , Baril Patrick , Abdelkafi Slim , Pichon Chantal , Fendri Imen
Published: December 2019

Dunaliella is a green microalga known for its ability to produce high levels of carotenoids under well-defined growing conditions. Molecular responses to the simultaneous effect of increasing salinity, light intensity and decrease of nitrogen availability were investigated in terms of their effect on different metabolic pathways (isoprenoids synthesis, glycolysis, carbohydrate use, etc.) by following the transcriptional regulation of enolase (ENO), 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS), lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB), carotene globule protein (CGP), chloroplast-localized heat shock protein (HSP70), and chloroplast ribulose phosphate-3-epimerase (RPE) genes. The intracellular production of carotenoid was increased five times in stressed Dunaliella cells compared to those grown in an unstressed condition. At transcriptional levels, ENO implicated in glycolysis, and revealing about polysaccharides degradation, showed a two-stage response during the first 72 h. Genes directly involved in β-carotene accumulation, namely, CGP and LCYB, revealed the most important increase by about 54 and 10 folds, respectively. In silico sequence analysis, along with 3D modeling studies, were performed to identify possible posttranslational modifications of CGP and LCYB proteins. Our results described, for the first time, their probable regulation by sumoylation covalent attachment as well as the presence of expressed SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier) protein in Dunaliella sp.
Readiness of Enterprises in Czech Republic to Implement Industry 4.0: Index of Industry 4.0
Authors: Vrchota Jaroslav , Pech Martin
Published: December 2019

Industry 4.0 includes digital process transformation, information technology (IT) development, mobile devices, learning software, automation, and robotics, as well as intelligent sensors to collect large datasets, store, analyze, and use them in business, including simulation, virtual reality, and digital twins. The aim of the paper is to characterize the readiness of the enterprise to use Industry 4.0. In the research, a questionnaire survey was carried out on a sample of 276 enterprises mainly from the manufacturing industry. Using explorative factor analysis, the index of Industry 4.0 (VPi4) was designed to determine the level of Industry 4.0 implementation in the enterprises. The results were further verified by a statistical analysis, using Mann–Whitney test and correlation coefficients. The results indicate that the VPi4 index was consistent in terms of distribution when comparing the results on the verification sample. Its results correlate with the subjective perception of the enterprises, and different levels of the index reflect the difference in technological intensity of the industry. The VPi4 index enables the enterprises to determine their own level of current state of readiness for Industry 4.0, to better prioritize business development. The proposed solution categorizes Industry 4.0 components into a useful theoretical framework. Further research offers the possibility of applying the index in other sectors, its relation to the size of enterprises, and updating with respect to new trends in information technology.
Lipid Membrane Adsorption Determines Photodynamic Efficiency of β-Imidazolyl-Substituted Porphyrins
Authors: Jiménez-Munguía Irene , Fedorov Arseniy K. , Abdulaeva Inna A. , Birin Kirill P. , Ermakov Yury A. , Batishchev Oleg V. , Gorbunova Yulia G. , Sokolov Valerij S.
Published: December 2019

Photosensitizers (PSs) represent a group of molecules capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen (SO); thus, they are considered to be promising agents for anti-cancer therapy. The enhancement of the photodynamic efficiency of these compounds requires increasing the PS activity in the cancer cell milieu and exactly at the target cells. In the present work, we report the synthesis, lipid membrane binding and photodynamic activity of three novel cationic PSs based on β-imidazolyl-substituted porphyrin and its Zn(II) and In(III) complexes (1H2, 1Zn and 1In). Comparison of the behavior of the investigated porphyrins at the bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) demonstrated the highest adsorption for the 1In complex and the lowest one for 1Zn. The photodynamic efficiency of these porphyrins was evaluated by determining the oxidation rate of the styryl dye, di-4-ANEPPS, incorporated into the lipid membrane. These rates were proportional to the surface density (SD) of the porphyrin molecules at the BLM and were roughly the same for all three porphyrins. This indicates that the adsorption of these porphyrins at the BLM determines their photodynamic efficiency rather than the extinction or quantum yield of singlet oxygen.
To Use or Not to Use: No Consensus on Whether and How to Apply Genetic Information in the Justice System
Authors: Selita Fatos , Chapman Robert , Kovas Yulia
Published: December 2019

Little is known about the public’s attitudes towards applying genetic information in the justice system. This study aimed to extend previous research to explore this among the general public and those with training in law. Data were collected from over 10,000 participants, including 486 lawyers and law students. We analysed eight available relevant items from the International Genetic Literacy and Attitudes Survey (iGLAS). The majority of participants viewed genetic information as relevant to justice. For example, 65% believed that we should make provisions (legal and policy) to buffer the effects of genetic disadvantage on individuals, and almost 60% believed that genetic information should be taken into account in sentencing. At the same time, many participants (70%) disagreed that genetic influences on behaviour negate free will. The results of the correlational analyses suggest that people who consider genetic information relevant in one context tend to consider it relevant across all aspects of the justice system, including in sentencing, crime prevention and access to justice. Overall, the results suggest that views on the use of genetics by justice systems are complex and widely varied. Further research is needed to understand these complex views.
Learning Styles Determine Different Immigrant Students’ Results in Testing Settings: Relationship Between Nationality of Children and the Stimuli of Tasks
Authors: Figueiredo Sandra , Brandão Tânia , Nunes Odete
Published: December 2019

Background: Literature presents little examination on the learning styles and sensorial preferences of immigrants during decoding of different tasks in testing contexts. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, non-native children (between 2nd and 12th grade) were divided into six groups determined by country of origin and examined on different stimuli, visual and auditory, associated with four tasks that measure cognitive and linguistic specific abilities. Results: The multivariate analysis confirmed that the children’s nationality significantly explained achievement variability regarding picture recognition and auditory discrimination. η2 values indicated that there were moderate to larger effects for the nationality as a factor that explains the variance of performance. Conclusions: Results indicate that tasks’ stimuli can effectively assess and differentiate specific young minority groups in order to understand their actual level of preparation and their needs for further learning. The listening input, on the one hand, should be established as the main differentiator for all groups at the time of school entry, but, on the other hand, it should be avoided in Asian groups and Eastern European students during the first stages of second language (L2) learning in European contexts with romance languages as the target learning.
Dissipation in Non-Steady State Regulatory Circuits
Authors: Szymańska-Rożek Paulina , Villamaina Dario , Miȩkisz Jacek , Walczak Aleksandra M.
Published: December 2019

In order to respond to environmental signals, cells often use small molecular circuits to transmit information about their surroundings. Recently, motivated by specific examples in signaling and gene regulation, a body of work has focused on the properties of circuits that function out of equilibrium and dissipate energy. We briefly review the probabilistic measures of information and dissipation and use simple models to discuss and illustrate trade-offs between information and dissipation in biological circuits. We find that circuits with non-steady state initial conditions can transmit more information at small readout delays than steady state circuits. The dissipative cost of this additional information proves marginal compared to the steady state dissipation. Feedback does not significantly increase the transmitted information for out of steady state circuits but does decrease dissipative costs. Lastly, we discuss the case of bursty gene regulatory circuits that, even in the fast switching limit, function out of equilibrium.
Development of a Low-Cost IoT System for Lightning Strike Detection and Location
Authors: Mialdea-Flor Ismael , Segura-Garcia Jaume , Felici-Castell Santiago , Garcia-Pineda Miguel , Alcaraz-Calero Jose M. , Navarro-Camba Enrique
Published: December 2019

Lightning and thunder are some of the most violent natural phenomena. They generate a great deal of expenditure and economic loss, especially when they strike in cities. The identification of the concrete geographic area where they strike is of critical importance for emergency services in order to enhance their effectiveness by doing an intensive coverage of the affected area. To achieve this purpose at the city scale, this paper proposes the design, prototype, and validation of a distributed network of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The IoT devices are empowered with lightning detection capabilities and are synchronized with the other devices in the sensor network. All of them cooperate within a network that is able to locate different events thanks to a trilateration algorithm implemented in a big data environment. The designed low-cost lightning detection system is based on the AS3935 sensor. This system alone has a limited range of effective detection, but when it is embedded in an IoT mesh network, the accuracy and performance are increased. A fully operational IoT network was deployed, and a functional validation and empirical measurements are provided.
Multi-Objective Optimization of a Permanent Magnet Actuator for High Voltage Vacuum Circuit Breaker Based on Adaptive Surrogate Modeling Technique
Authors: Jiang Jiaming , Lin Heyun , Fang Shuhua
Published: December 2019

A novel mono-stable permanent magnet actuator (PMA) for high voltage vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) and its optimal design method are proposed in this paper. The proposed PMA is featured with a structure of separated magnetic circuits, which makes the holding part and closing driving part work independently without interference. The application of an auxiliary breaking coil decreases the response time in the initial phase of opening operation, and an external disc spring is adopted to accelerate the opening movement, which makes the PMA meet the fast-breaking requirement of high voltage VCB. As calculating the characteristics of the PMA accurately through numerical simulation is a time-consuming process, a multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithm based on surrogate modeling technique and adaptive samples adding strategy are proposed to reduce the workload of numerical simulations during optimization. Firstly, initial surrogate models are constructed and evaluated, and then iteratively updated to improve their global approximating abilities. Secondly, according to the approximate MOO results obtained by the global surrogate models, additional samples are added to constantly update the surrogate models to gradually improve the models’ local accuracies in optimal solution regions and finally guide the algorithm to the true Pareto front. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed algorithm are verified by test functions. By applying the optimization strategy to the design of the proposed PMA, a set of satisfying Pareto optimal solutions, which improve the overall performance of the PMA obviously, can be derived at a reasonable computation cost.
Improving Prediction Intervals Using Measured Solar Power with a Multi-Objective Approach
Authors: Aler Ricardo , Huertas-Tato Javier , Valls José M. , Galván Inés M.
Published: December 2019

Prediction Intervals are pairs of lower and upper bounds on point forecasts and are useful to take into account the uncertainty on predictions. This article studies the influence of using measured solar power, available at prediction time, on the quality of prediction intervals. While previous studies have suggested that using measured variables can improve point forecasts, not much research has been done on the usefulness of that additional information, so that prediction intervals with less uncertainty can be obtained. With this aim, a multi-objective particle swarm optimization method was used to train neural networks whose outputs are the interval bounds. The inputs to the network used measured solar power in addition to hourly meteorological forecasts. This study was carried out on data from three different locations and for five forecast horizons, from 1 to 5 h. The results were compared with two benchmark methods (quantile regression and quantile regression forests). The Wilcoxon test was used to assess statistical significance. The results show that using measured power reduces the uncertainty associated to the prediction intervals, but mainly for the short forecasting horizons.
Analysis, Control and Optimal Placement of Static Synchronous Compensator with/without Battery Energy Storage
Authors: Tu Ganggang , Li Yanjun , Xiang Ji
Published: December 2019

Static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) and battery energy storage (BES) have been increasingly employed in power systems for the reliable and economic operation of power transmission. However, the transient interaction between the electrical power of synchronous generator (SG) and the active power of STATCOM with/without BES is still misunderstood and treated incorrectly. This paper presents an analysis of this interaction and investigates the control and optimal placement of STATCOM with/without BES for the purpose of improving SG’s damping, and thus enhancing system’s oscillation damping performance. The results show that (1) the deviated electrical power of SG is not equal to the active power of STATCOM. Instead, it is related to STATCOM’s current, placement and SG’s electrical states, (2) with the increased damping as the index, the optimal location for STATCOM with BES is at the terminal of SG, while it is at the electrical mid-point of the transmission line for STATCOM without BES. Non-linear simulations and eigenvalue analysis are performed to validate the correctness of the above results.
Error Models for the Kinetic Evaluation of Chemical Degradation Data
Authors: Ranke Johannes , Meinecke Stefan
Published: December 2019

In the kinetic evaluation of chemical degradation data, degradation models are fitted to the data by varying degradation model parameters to obtain the best possible fit. Today, constant variance of the deviations of the observed data from the model is frequently assumed (error model “constant variance”). Allowing for a different variance for each observed variable (“variance by variable”) has been shown to be a useful refinement. On the other hand, experience gained in analytical chemistry shows that the absolute magnitude of the analytical error often increases with the magnitude of the observed value, which can be explained by an error component which is proportional to the true value. Therefore, kinetic evaluations of chemical degradation data using a two-component error model with a constant component (absolute error) and a component increasing with the observed values (relative error) are newly proposed here as a third possibility. In order to check which of the three error models is most adequate, they have been used in the evaluation of datasets obtained from pesticide evaluation dossiers published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). For quantitative comparisons of the fits, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used, as the commonly used error level defined by the FOrum for the Coordination of pesticide fate models and their USe(FOCUS) is based on the assumption of constant variance. A set of fitting routines was developed within the mkin software package that allow for robust fitting of all three error models. Comparisons using parent only degradation datasets, as well as datasets with the formation and decline of transformation products showed that in many cases, the two-component error model proposed here provides the most adequate description of the error structure. While it was confirmed that the variance by variable error model often provides an improved representation of the error structure in kinetic fits with metabolites, it could be shown that in many cases, the two-component error model leads to a further improvement. In addition, it can be applied to parent only fits, potentially improving the accuracy of the fit towards the end of the decline curve, where concentration levels are lower.
Evaluation of Aroma Compounds in the Process of Wine Ageing with Oak Chips
Authors: Dumitriu (Gabur) Georgiana-Diana , Teodosiu Carmen , Gabur Iulian , Cotea Valeriu V. , Peinado Rafael A. , López de Lerma Nieves
Published: December 2019

Many modern alcoholic beverages are subjected to ageing processes during which compounds extracted from wood contribute decisively to the overall beverage character. Wines represent a perfect example of beverage in which ageing is a crucial technological manufacturing step. During winemaking, producers accelerate chemical changes in wine composition by traditional and alternative methods, such as the use of oak wood barrels and/or oak wood chips. Our research aimed to investigate the overall volatile composition and sensory quality of red wines aged for two timeframes, namely, 1.5 and 3 months, and with two technological variants, i.e., American and French oak wood chips. Red grapes from the Fetească neagră (Vitis vinifera) variety were harvested from a vineyard in the North-East region of Romania. Stir bar sorptive extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (SBSE–GC–MS) was used to extract minor aromas present in wine samples. The results showed clear differences between wines treated with American and French oak chips. Furthermore, ageing for 3 months increased the concentration of cis-whiskey lactone and guaiacol in American oak-treated wine samples. For wines aged with French oak chips, we observed higher concentrations of furfural, 5-methylfurfural, 4-vinylguaiacol, and trans-whiskey lactone. The increased presence of chemical compounds in wine aged with French oak chips generated prominent smoky, licorice, and toasty aromas, whereas in wines aged with American oak chips, notes of vanilla, toasty, and cacao aromas were noticed. Moreover, red wines aged with American and French oak chips were discriminated by chemometric analysis, which confirmed the evolution of aroma compounds.
Diversity and Use of Edible Grasshoppers, Locusts, Crickets, and Katydids (Orthoptera) in Madagascar
Authors: Van Itterbeeck Joost , Rakotomalala Andrianavalona Irina N. , Rajemison Faneva I. , Rakotondrasoa Johanna F. , Ralantoarinaivo Valisoa R. , Hugel Sylvain , Fisher Brian L.
Published: December 2019

Madagascar has a long history of using Orthoptera as food and feed. Our understanding of the biological diversity of this resource, its contemporary use, and its future potentials in Madagascar is extremely limited. The present study contributes basic knowledge of the biological diversity and local uses of edible Orthoptera in Malagasy food cultures. Data was collected with key informants in 47 localities covering most of the ecoregions of Madagascar and corresponding to 12 of the 19 ethnic groups. Orthoptera are consumed throughout Madagascar. We report 37 edible Orthoptera species, of which 28 are new species records of edible Orthoptera in Madagascar and 24 are new species records of edible Orthoptera in the world. Most species are endemic and occur in farming zones. Children are the primary collectors and consumers of edible Orthoptera. The insects are eaten both as snacks and main meals. Edible Orthoptera are primarily collected casually and marketing is rare, with the notable exceptions of the large cricket Brachytrupes membranaceus colosseus and during locust outbreaks (e.g., Locusta migratoria). The use of Orthoptera as feed seems rare. Further investigations of cultural and personal preferences are required to assess the future potential roles of Orthoptera in Malagasy food habits.
The Genetic Basis of Scale-Loss Phenotype in the Rapid Radiation of Takifugu Fishes
Authors: Kim Dong In , Kai Wataru , Hosoya Sho , Sato Mana , Nozawa Aoi , Kuroyanagi Miwa , Jo Yuka , Tasumi Satoshi , Suetake Hiroaki , Suzuki Yuzuru , Kikuchi Kiyoshi
Published: December 2019

Rapid radiation associated with phenotypic divergence and convergence provides an opportunity to study the genetic mechanisms of evolution. Here we investigate the genus Takifugu that has undergone explosive radiation relatively recently and contains a subset of closely-related species with a scale-loss phenotype. By using observations during development and genetic mapping approaches, we show that the scale-loss phenotype of two Takifugu species, T. pardalis Temminck & Schlegel and T. snyderi Abe, is largely controlled by an overlapping genomic segment (QTL). A search for candidate genes underlying the scale-loss phenotype revealed that the QTL region contains no known genes responsible for the evolution of scale-loss phenotype in other fishes. These results suggest that the genes used for the scale-loss phenotypes in the two Takifugu are likely the same, but the genes used for the similar phenotype in Takifugu and distantly related fishes are not the same. Meanwhile, Fgfrl1, a gene predicted to function in a pathway known to regulate bone/scale development was identified in the QTL region. Since Fgfr1a1, another memebr of the Fgf signaling pathway, has been implicated in scale loss/scale shape in fish distantly related to Takifugu, our results suggest that the convergence of the scale-loss phenotype may be constrained by signaling modules with conserved roles in scale development.
Common Features of the Pericentromere and Nucleolus
Authors: Lawrimore Colleen J. , Bloom Kerry
Published: December 2019

Both the pericentromere and the nucleolus have unique characteristics that distinguish them amongst the rest of genome. Looping of pericentromeric DNA, due to structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) proteins condensin and cohesin, drives its ability to maintain tension during metaphase. Similar loops are formed via condensin and cohesin in nucleolar ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Condensin and cohesin are also concentrated in transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, genes which may be located within the pericentromere as well as tethered to the nucleolus. Replication fork stalling, as well as downstream consequences such as genomic recombination, are characteristic of both the pericentromere and rDNA. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that the pericentromere may function as a liquid–liquid phase separated domain, similar to the nucleolus. We therefore propose that the pericentromere and nucleolus, in part due to their enrichment of SMC proteins and others, contain similar domains that drive important cellular activities such as segregation, stability, and repair.
Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) in Tumors and Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Wang Feng , Liu Lin
Published: December 2019

A telomere consists of repeated DNA sequences (TTAGGG)n as part of a nucleoprotein structure at the end of the linear chromosome, and their progressive shortening induces DNA damage response (DDR) that triggers cellular senescence. The telomere can be maintained by telomerase activity (TA) in the majority of cancer cells (particularly cancer stem cells) and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which exhibit unlimited self-proliferation. However, some cells, such as telomerase-deficient cancer cells, can add telomeric repeats by an alternative lengthening of the telomeres (ALT) pathway, showing telomere length heterogeneity. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms of the ALT pathway and potential clinical implications. We also discuss the characteristics of telomeres in PSCs, thereby shedding light on the therapeutic significance of telomere length regulation in age-related diseases and regenerative medicine.
Microbial Arsenic Methylation in Soil and Uptake and Metabolism of Methylated Arsenic in Plants: A Review
Authors: Di Xuerong , Beesley Luke , Zhang Zulin , Zhi Suli , Jia Yan , Ding Yongzhen
Published: December 2019

Arsenic (As) poses a risk to the human health in excess exposure and microbes play an important role in the toxicity of As. Arsenic methylation mediated by microbes is a key driver of As toxicity in the environment and this paper reviews the role of microbial arsenic methylation and volatilization in the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic. In specific, little is presently known about the molecular mechanism and gene characterization of arsenic methylation. The uptake of methylated arsenic in plants is influenced by microbial arsenic methylation in soil, thus enhancing the volatilization of methylated arsenic is a potential mitigation point for arsenic mobility and toxicity in the environment. On the other hand, the potential risk of methylated arsenic on organisms is also discussed. And the directions for future research, theoretical reference for the control and remediation of arsenic methylation, are presented.
Combining Monte Carlo Simulation and Bayesian Networks Methods for Assessing Completion Time of Projects under Risk
Authors: Namazian Ali , Yakhchali Siamak Haji , Yousefi Vahidreza , Tamošaitienė Jolanta
Published: December 2019

In this study, Monte Carlo simulation and Bayesian network methods are combined to present a structure for assessing the aggregated impact of risks on the completion time of a construction project. Construction projects often encounter different risks which affect and prevent their desired completion at the predicted time and budget. The probability of construction project success is increased in the case of controlling influential risks. On the other hand, interactions among risks lead to the increase of aggregated impact of risks. This fact requires paying attention to assessment and management of project aggregated risk before and during the implementation phase. The developed structure of this article considers the interactions among risks to provide an indicator for estimating the effects of risks, so that the shortage of extant models including the lack of attention to estimate the aggregated impact caused by risks and the intensifying impacts can be evaluated. Moreover, the introduced structure is implemented in an industrial case study in order to validate the model, cover the functional aspect of the problem, and explain the procedure of structure implementation in detail.