bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening Sorghum Breeding Lines for Identification of Resistance Sources for Multiple Fungal Diseases
Authors: Anjum Syeda Samina , N G Hanamaratti , T T Bandiwaddar , H M Shaila , S N Chattanavar
Published: December 2024

Sorghum is a dual purpose crop; both grain and fodder are highly valued for human and animal consumption respectively. However, the crop is vulnerable for many fungal diseases of which downy mildew, rust and grain moldshave become major concern in Dharwad district of North Karnataka revealing impact on sorghum yield. New and alternate sources of host plant resistance are needed for successful management of these diseases. Host plant resistance is the best practice to enable the crop to tolerate diseases which aid in increasing yield. This study aimed to identify the resistant sources against these foliar diseases. About hundred sorghum entries were evaluated under natural unprotected conditions for three continuous years by providing feasible environmental conditions for respective pathogen growth in order to identify resistant sources for downy mildew, rust and grain mold diseases. The incidence of the downy mildew disease was recorded followed by grade for estimation of reaction to downy mildew. However, rust (top four leaves will be considered) and grain mold disease severity was scored using the disease severity rating scale i.e., 1-9 scale at physiological maturity. Among the different entries evaluated, some of the entries viz., SVD-1621, SVD–1503Kand SVD–1411Kshowed multiple disease resistance with reaction varied from resistant to moderately resistant to sorghum downy mildew, rust and grain mold.
Combretastatin A4 Nanodrug‐Induced MMP9 Amplification Boosts Tumor‐Selective Release of Doxorubicin Prodrug
Authors: Jiang Jian , Shen Na , Ci Tianyuan , Tang Zhaohui , Gu Zhen , Li Gao , Chen Xuesi
Published: September 2019

Tumor‐associated enzyme‐activated prodrugs can potentially improve the selectivity of chemotherapeutics. However, the paucity of tumor‐associated enzymes which are essential for prodrug activation usually limits the antitumor potency. A cooperative strategy that utilizes combretastatin A4 nanodrug (CA4‐NPs) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9)‐activated doxorubicin prodrug (MMP9‐DOX‐NPs) is developed. CA4 is a typical vascular disrupting agent that can selectively disrupt immature tumor blood vessels and exacerbate the tumor hypoxia state. After treatment with CA4‐NPs, MMP9 expression can be significantly enhanced by 5.6‐fold in treated tumors, which further boosts tumor‐selective active drug release of MMP9‐DOX‐NPs by 3.7‐fold in an orthotopic 4T1 mammary adenocarcinoma mouse model. The sequential delivery of CA4‐NPs and MMP9‐DOX‐NPs exhibits enhanced antitumor efficacy with reduced systemic toxicity compared with the noncooperative controls.
Self‐Powered Photodetectors Based on 2D Materials
Authors: Qiao Hui , Huang Zongyu , Ren Xiaohui , Liu Shuhua , Zhang Yupeng , Qi Xiang , Zhang Han
Published: September 2019

Self‐powered photodetectors are considered as a new type of photodetectors enabling self‐powered photodetection without external power. The excellent photoresponsivity, fast photoresponse rate, low dark current, and large light on/off ratio of these photodetectors have attracted wide interest among scholars. 2D materials are widely used in self‐powered photodetectors due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, unique 2D structures, and their capabilities to exhibit excellent photodetection performance. According to the self‐driving mechanism of 2D material‐based self‐powered photodetectors, they are divided into three categories: p–n junction photodetectors, Schottky junction photodetectors, and photoelectrochemical photodetectors. From these three perspectives, the research progress of 2D material‐based self‐powered photodetectors is summarized in detail here. Research reports indicate that 2D material‐based self‐powered photodetectors have excellent self‐powered photoresponse behavior, good light on/off characteristics, and wideband spectral response ranges. The excellent photoresponse performance of 2D material‐based self‐powered photodetectors facilitates their potential applications in the field of optoelectronic devices. In particular, self‐powered photodetectors have great potential as novel emerging self‐driven optoelectronic devices. Finally, directions for the further development of 2D material‐based self‐powered photodetectors are anticipated.
Core‐Shell Functionalized Zirconium‐Pemetrexed Coordination Nanoparticles as Carriers with a High Drug Content
Authors: Steinborn Benjamin , Hirschle Patrick , Höhn Miriam , Bauer Tobias , Barz Matthias , Wuttke Stefan , Wagner Ernst , Lächelt Ulrich
Published: September 2019

Selected drug molecules with Lewis base functions can be assembled into coordinative nanoparticles (NPs) by linking them with suitable metal ions. Such nanomaterials exhibit a high material economy due to high drug contents and minor amounts of inactive additives. The antifolate pemetrexed (PMX) which is used for the treatment of lung cancers contains two carboxy functions that are able to undergo coordinative binding of metal ions. This study presents the development of a multilayer PMX NP system where each layer serves a distinct purpose. The metal‐drug NP core is assembled in a bottom‐up approach by coordinative interactions between zirconium (IV) ions and PMX molecules. Since the NP core is generated from drug molecules as essential units, it features a very high drug content of almost 80%. The NP core is stabilized against serum with a shell of a polymerized oligoamine‐modified trimethoxysilane derivative (TMSP). As external layer, a polyglutamate‐block‐polysarcosine‐N3 (pGlu‐b‐pSar) coating mediates efficient colloidal stabilization and enables introduction of targeting functionalities by click chemistry. Attaching folate or transferrin ligands to the polymer layer enhances NP uptake into target receptor positive KB and L1210 cells. This study illustrates the development and characterization of metal‐drug coordination NPs with high drug content and variable external functionalizations.
Evaluation of CYP2C19 Genotype‐Guided Voriconazole Prophylaxis After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
Authors: Patel Jai N. , Hamadeh Issam S. , Robinson Myra , Shahid Zainab , Symanowski James , Steuerwald Nury , Hamilton Alicia , Reese Emily S. , Plesca Dragos C. , Arnall Justin , Taylor Margaret , Trivedi Jigar , Grunwald Michael R. , Gerber Jonathan , Ghosh Nilanjan , Avalos Belinda , Copelan Edward
Published: September 2019

There is a high risk of voriconazole failure in those with subtherapeutic drug concentrations, which is more common in CYP2C19 (cytochrome P450 2C19) rapid/ultrarapid metabolizers (RMs/UMs). We evaluated CYP2C19 genotype‐guided voriconazole dosing on drug concentrations and clinical outcomes in adult allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Poor (PMs), intermediate (IMs), and normal metabolizers (NMs) received voriconazole 200 mg twice daily; RMs/UMs received 300 mg twice daily. Steady‐state trough concentrations were obtained after 5 days, targeting 1.0–5.5 mg/L. Of 89 evaluable patients, 29% had subtherapeutic concentrations compared with 50% in historical controls (P < 0.001). Zero, 26%, 50%, and 16% of PMs, IMs, NMs, and RMs/UMs were subtherapeutic. Voriconazole success rate was 78% compared with 54% in historical controls (P < 0.001). No patients experienced an invasive fungal infection (IFI). Genotype‐guided dosing resulted in $4,700 estimated per patient savings as compared with simulated controls. CYP2C19 genotype‐guided voriconazole dosing reduced subtherapeutic drug concentrations and effectively prevented IFIs.
Chemical Controls for an Integrated Pest Management Program
Authors: Fredricks Kim T. , Hubert Terrance D. , Amberg Jon J. , Cupp Aaron R. , Dawson Verdel K.
Published: September 2019

Chemical controls ranging from natural products to synthesized chemicals are widely used in aquatic pest management activities. Chemicals can be used to lure organisms to traps or can cause direct mortality by altering the physiological function of an organism. Much of what is known about controlling pests with chemicals is from research done on terrestrial pesticides. This paper focuses on how chemicals might be used as aquatic pesticides to control or eradicate aquatic invasive species. Current control tools are described, as are new technologies designed to selectively target the pest to reduce risks to nontarget organisms and the environment.
Developing and Maintaining an RDN‐Led Bedside Feeding Tube Placement Program
Authors: Brown Britta D. , Hoffman Stacey R. , Johnson Sarah J. , Nielsen Wendy R. , Greenwaldt Heidi J.
Published: September 2019

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), like other healthcare professionals, are often searching for ways to improve their skills and advance their practice. One way RDNs have expanded their skills is by learning to place small bowel feeding tubes (SBFTs). However, it is also important that staffing RDNs to place SBFTs makes sense for their institution and their patient population. Although it is unknown how many RDNs place SBFTs, feeding tube placements by RDNs have been in practice for almost 2 decades, and it is within the RDN scope of practice. This article is a review of the literature, including indications for SBFT, possible benefits of RDNs placing SBFTs, development and maintenance of an RDN‐led SBFT program, and assessment of clinical and institutional outcomes for this procedure.
Chyme Reinfusion for Small Bowel Double Enterostomies and Enteroatmospheric Fistulas in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bhat Sameer , Sharma Puja , Cameron Nelle‐Rose , Bissett Ian P. , O'Grady Greg
Published: September 2019

Background

High‐output double enterostomies (DESs) and enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAFs) of the small bowel account for substantial patient morbidity and mortality. Management may include parenteral nutrition (PN) and prolonged admissions, at high cost. Reinfusion of chyme into the distal bowel is a proposed therapeutic alternative when the distal DES limb is accessible; however, standardized information on this technique is required. This review aimed to critically assess the literature regarding chyme reinfusion (CR) to define its current status and future directions.

Methods

A systematic search of medical databases was conducted for articles investigating CR in adults. Articles reporting indications, methods, benefits, technical issues, and complications resulting from CR were reviewed. A narrative synthesis of the retrieved data was undertaken.

Results

In total, 24 articles reporting 481 cases of CR were identified, although articles were heterogeneous in their structure and reporting. CR was most frequently performed for remediation of high‐output DES and intestinal failure and for proximally located DES. Effluent output collection was commonly manual, with distal reinfusion more commonly automated, and with few dedicated systems. Multiple benefits attributed to CR were reported, encompassing weight gain, cessation of PN, and improvements in liver function. Technical problems included distaste, labor‐intensive methods, reflux of contents, and tube dislodgement. No serious AEs or mortality directly attributable to CR were reported.

Conclusions

CR appears to be a promising, safe and well‐validated intervention for small bowel DES and EAF. However, more efficient and acceptable methods are required to promote greater adoption of the practice of CR.
Giant Vesicles with Encapsulated Magnetic Nanowires as Versatile Carriers, Transported via Rotating and Nonhomogeneous Magnetic Fields
Authors: Mateos‐Maroto Ana , Ortega Francisco , Rubio Ramón G. , Berret Jean‐François , Martínez‐Pedrero Fernando
Published: September 2019

Two real‐time methods to transport magnetic nanowires confined in giant hybrid vesicles upon the application of different strategies are studied. The microscale carriers are either magnetically guided through the viscous medium by a nonhomogenous field or advected by precisely monitored hydrodynamic flows. The slender geometry of the magnetic component enables the application of large torques, the in situ characterization of the rotational dynamics, as well as the guided propulsion via the continuous thrust of the nanowire tip on the confining bilayer. The flexibility of the vesicles, required to deform along the steering direction during passage through microscale openings, is enhanced via the adsorption of nonionic surfactants on the lipid membrane. The resulting integrated system is an excellent candidate to transport colloidal cargos or fluid amounts of some picoliters in microfluidic platforms, even in physiological environments, since it combines the maneuverability of propelled microscopic systems and the protection conferred by the vesicle.
Influence of MnO2 and Fe2O3 on the Burning Characteristics of AN/AP‐Based Composite Propellants
Authors: Kohga Makoto , Togo Shimpei
Published: September 2019

The partial substitution of ammonium perchlorate (AP) for ammonium nitrate (AN) improves the burning characteristics of AN‐based propellants, because the advantages of AP propellants compensate for the drawbacks of AN propellants and vice versa. The burning characteristics of AN/AP‐based propellants supplemented with MnO2 and Fe2O3 were measured, and the effects of these catalysts on the burning characteristics of the propellants were investigated using the collected data. The ignitability and the burning rate of the AN/AP propellant was improved by the addition of MnO2. The addition of the MnO2/Fe2O3 bicatalyst improved the ignitability of the propellants compared to adding only MnO2, but the improvement was identical to that obtained using Fe2O3. The burning rate increased in the order MnO2<Fe2O3<bicatalyst. Furthermore, the effect of these catalysts on the burning characteristics was found to depend on the size of the AP particles and the type of binder.
Probing Effective Out‐of‐Plane Piezoelectricity in van der Waals Layered Materials Induced by Flexoelectricity
Authors: Wang Xiang , Cui Anyang , Chen Fangfang , Xu Liping , Hu Zhigao , Jiang Kai , Shang Liyan , Chu Junhao
Published: September 2019

Many van der Waals layered 2D materials, such as h‐BN, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and group‐III monochalcogenides, have been predicted to possess piezoelectric and mechanically flexible natures, which greatly motivates potential applications in piezotronic devices and nanogenerators. However, only intrinsic in‐plane piezoelectricity exists in these 2D materials and the piezoelectric effect is confined in odd‐layers of TMDs. The present work is intent on combining the free‐standing design and piezoresponse force microscopy techniques to obtain and directly quantify the effective out‐of‐plane electromechanical coupling induced by strain gradient on atomically thin MoS2 and InSe flakes. Conspicuous piezoresponse and the measured piezoelectric coefficient with respect to the number of layers or thickness are systematically illustrated for both MoS2 and InSe flakes. Note that the promising effective piezoelectric coefficient (deff33) of about 21.9 pm V−1 is observed on few‐layered InSe. The out‐of‐plane piezoresponse arises from the net dipole moment along the normal direction of the curvature membrane induced by strain gradient. This work not only provides a feasible and flexible method to acquire and quantify the out‐of‐plane electromechanical coupling on van der Waals layered materials, but also paves the way to understand and tune the flexoelectric effect of 2D systems.
N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers with Interweaved Nanochannels for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhao Wenxiang , Hu Xiang , Ci Suqin , Chen Junxiang , Wang Genxiang , Xu Qiuhua , Wen Zhenhai
Published: September 2019

Although graphite materials have been applied as commercial anodes in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), there still remain abundant spaces in the development of carbon‐based anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, an electrospinning route is reported to fabricate nitrogen‐doped carbon nanofibers with interweaved nanochannels (NCNFs‐IWNC) that contain robust interconnected 1D porous channels, produced by removal of a Te nanowire template that is coelectrospun within carbon nanofibers during the electrospinning process. The NCNFs‐IWNC features favorable properties, including a conductive 1D interconnected porous structure, a large specific surface area, expanded interlayer graphite‐like spacing, enriched N‐doped defects and active sites, toward rapid access and transport of electrolyte and electron/sodium ions. Systematic electrochemical studies indicate that the NCNFs‐IWNC exhibits an impressively high rate capability, delivering a capacity of 148 mA h g−1 at current density of as high as 10 A g−1, and has an attractively stable performance over 5000 cycles. The practical application of the as‐designed NCNFs‐IWNC for a full SIBs cell is further verified by coupling the NCNFs‐IWNC anode with a FeFe(CN)6 cathode, which displays a desirable cycle performance, maintaining acapacity of 97 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles.
Fuel characteristics, loads and consumption in Scots pine forests of central Siberia
Authors: Ivanova Galina A. , Kukavskaya Elena A. , Ivanov Valery A. , Conard Susan G. , McRae Douglas J.
Published: September 2019

Forest fuel investigations in central and southern Siberian taiga of Scots pine forest stands dominated by lichen and feather moss ground vegetation cover revealed that total aboveground biomass varied from 13.1 to 21.0 kg/m2. Stand biomass was higher in plots in the southern taiga, while ground fuel loads were higher in the central taiga. We developed equations for fuel biomass (both aerial and ground) that could be applicable to similar pine forest sites of Central Siberia. Fuel loading variability found among plots is related to the impact and recovery time since the last wildfire and the mosaic distribution of living vegetation. Fuel consumption due to surface fires of low to high-intensities ranged from 0.95 to 3.08 kg/m2, that is, 18–74% from prefire values. The total amount of fuels available to burn in case of fire was up to 4.5–6.5 kg/m2. Moisture content of fuels (litter, lichen, feather moss) was related to weather conditions characterized by the Russian Fire Danger Index (PV-1) and FWI code of the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System. The data obtained provide a strong foundation for understanding and modeling fire behavior, emissions, and fire effects on ecosystem processes and carbon stocks and could be used to improve existing global and regional models that incorporate biomass and fuel characteristics.
How can CISOs use AI in their business?
Authors: Kell Neil
Published: September 2019

No sector is immune from cyber attacks and the increasing level of sophistication means that they present some of the most strategically significant risks to business today. Cyber security is driven by the need to remain one step ahead of the attacker. As a business transforms digitally by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, its cyber weaponry needs to transform with it if it's to have a perpetual edge on cyberthreats.
Close to home: building in-house security expertise
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: September 2019

Information security is now such a critical part of an organisation's ability to manage risk that it pays to have skilled and knowledgeable people on hand to guide, advise and deal with issues. But as everyone knows, cyber security skills are in short supply and firms have trouble hanging on to the experienced security experts they have. So what do they do about this? In this interview, Matt Lorentzen, principal security consultant at Trustwave SpiderLabs, outlines the current state of in-house security skills within organisations, where they're falling short and what can be done about it, particularly in terms of upskilling existing staff.
Temporal Variation in Obsidian Procurement in the Northern Rio Grande and Its Implications for Obsidian Movement into the San Juan Area
Authors: Moore James L. , Blinman Eric , Shackley M. Steven
Published: September 2019

Arakawa and colleagues (2011) use temporal changes in obsidian source patterns to link the late thirteenth-century abandonment of the Mesa Verde region to Ortman's (2010, 2012) model of Tewa migration to the northern Rio Grande. They employ Anthony's (1990) concept of reverse migration, inferring that an increase in Mesa Verde–region obsidian from a specific Jemez Mountain source reflects the scouting of an eventual migration path. Weaknesses of this inference are that only obsidian data from the Mesa Verde region were used in its development and that the model does not consider the complexities of previously documented patterns of settlement and stone raw material use in the northern Rio Grande. By examining source data from parts of northwestern and north-central New Mexico, we find that the patterning seen in the Mesa Verde obsidian data is widespread both geographically and temporally. The patterns are more indicative of a change in acquisition within a down-the-line exchange system than a reverse migration stream. Population trends on the southern Pajarito Plateau, the probable source of the acquisition change, suggest ancestral Keres rather than Tewa involvement in thirteenth-century obsidian distribution.
Anatomía económica del lobo marino de dos pelos (Arctocephalus australis): Un aporte a la generación de marcos de referencia para especies del neotrópico
Authors: Martinoli María Paz
Published: September 2019

Los índices de utilidad económica son aplicados en análisis zooarqueológicos desde hace más de cuatro décadas, lo que llevó al desarrollo de indicadores exclusivos para especies de mamíferos marinos. En Sudamérica se explotaron dos tipos de pinnípedos:Otaria flavescensyArctocephalus australis; sin embargo, sólo para el primero fue derivado dicho índice. A partir de un individuo recolectado en el canal Beagle (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) se presenta un índice de utilidad económica paraA. australisbasado en la medición de peso de carne para cada elemento o porción del esqueleto. Los resultados generales indican queO. flavescenspresenta mayor desarrollo muscular en el sector de las costillas, mientras que losA. australislo presentan en las vértebras cervicales. La aplicación del índice en conjuntos zooarqueológicos del canal Beagle con predominio de especímenes deA. australisha mostrado un ajuste mejor respecto de las tendencias observadas previamente utilizando los valores generados paraO. flavescens: (1) en el Segundo Componente de Imiwaia I (Holoceno medio) fue posible reconocer un perfil anatómico compatible con la selección de porciones de bajo valor económico; y (2) en Ajej I (Holoceno tardío) se identificó una tendencia similar, no identificada anteriormente.
Propaganda to persuade
Authors: Yu Tinghua
Published: September 2019

I analyze a model in which an incumbent ruler designs a rule for propaganda disclosure that reveals information about her competence to her allies and opponents. A message that increases beliefs about the incumbent's competence is considered as propaganda. I show that for propaganda to be persuasive, it must be limited in frequency. I also demonstrate how various features of the environment affect the frequency of propaganda. Propaganda increases in frequency as the incumbent's allies become more dependent on her and as her opponents become weaker. Further, there is a non-monotonic relationship between the strength of the conflict of interest between both her allies and her opponents and the frequency of propaganda. As conflict increases, the frequency of propaganda decreases up to a threshold beyond which increased conflict is associated with more frequent propaganda.
The levels problem in psychopathology
Authors: Eronen Markus I.
Published: September 2019

Psychiatric disorders are studied at multiple levels, but there is no agreement on how these levels are related to each other, or how they should be understood in the first place. In this paper, I provide an account of levels and their relationships that is suited for psychopathology, drawing from recent debates in philosophy of science. Instead of metaphysical issues, the focus is on delivering an understanding of levels that is relevant and useful for scientific practice. I also defend a pragmatic approach to the question of reduction, arguing that even in-principle reductionists should embrace pluralism in practice. Finally, I discuss the benefits and challenges in integrating explanations and models of different levels.
Material and Medium: An examination of sound recycling in Oval’s 94 diskont
Authors: O Connor Neil
Published: September 2019

Reproduction (playback) is responsible for the presentation of the full spectrum of sound character captured during the recording process. The control of this and the faithfulness to an original sound has informed modern sound aesthetics. Current modes of reproduction, such as streaming, see the listener more interested in an approximate presentation of sound, rather than a broad and more psychoacoustically pleasing one. In the sonic arts, the practice of sound recycling and its associated methodologies, reproduction is re-contextualised, involving material that is borrowed, reworked and often disconnected from its source. Such issues are considered in this article through the examination of sound recycling in94 diskont(1995), an album produced by the German act Oval. By studying the use of material and medium in the work, an attempt is made to discuss approaches to sound recycling through conceptual frameworks proposed by Bregman, Deleuze, Guattari and Smalley to provide a forum towards the interpretation of sound recycling in wider sonic arts practices.
Towards a Materialist Conception of Sound as Thing
Authors: Döbereiner Luc
Published: September 2019

This article proposes a conception of sound as the material of artistic experimentation. It centres on a discussion of the nature of sound’s ontological status and aims to contribute to a new understanding of the role of materiality in artistic practices. A central point of discussion is Pierre Schaeffer’s notion of the sound object, which is critically examined. The phenomenological perspective that underlies the concept of the sound object depicts sound as an ideal unity constituted by a subject’s intentionality. Thus, it can barely grasp the physicality of sounds and their production or their reality beyond individual perception. This article aims to challenge the notion of the sound object as a purely perceptual phenomenon while trying to rethink experimentation as a practical form of thought that takes place through interacting with sonorous material. Against the background of recent object-oriented and materialist philosophical theories and by drawing on the Heideggerian concept of the thing and Gilbert Simondon’s theories of perception and individuation, this article strives to outline a conception of sound as a non-symbolic otherness. The proposed idea of thingness revolves around a morphogenetic conception of the becoming of sonorous forms that links their perception to their physicality.
Frogs with denser group-spawning mature later and live longer
Authors: Cai Yun Lin , Mai Chun Lan , Liao Wen Bo
Published: September 2019

The understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic causes of longevity variation has deservedly received much attention in evolutionary ecologist. Here we tested the association between longevity and spawning-site groups across 38 species of Chinese anurans. As indicators of group-spawning we used spawning-site group size and spawning-site density, which we measured at 152 spawning sites in the field. We found that both spawning-site density and group size were positively associated with longevity. Male group-spawning (e.g., male spawning-site density and male spawning-site group size) was also positively correlated with longevity. A phylogenetic path analysis further revealed that longevity seems directly associated with spawning-site density and group size, and that the association in part depend on the ‘groups-spawning-age at first reproduction’ association. Our findings suggest that the increased group-spawning are likely to benefit in declining extrinsic mortality rates and living longer through improving total anti-predator behaviour under predation pressure.
Long-term trends of air pollutant concentrations in Poland
Authors: Hoffman Szymon
Published: September 2019

The assessment of changes in air pollution quality for 4 selected sites in Southern and Central Poland was presented in this paper. The evaluation was based on the sets of long-term data, recorded by the state air monitoring network. Concentrations of O3, PM10, SO2, NOx, and CO, were considered. The basis for the calculations were 12-year time series of hourly concentrations. Using the hourly data, the monthly averages were calculated to illustrate seasonal changes of pollutant concentrations. Linear trends were adjusted to the concentration courses with the least squares method. Long-time trends were calculated for each pollutant separately. Based on the analysis of the trend lines slopes, risks those may arise in the future were identified.
Testing the performance of a prototype thermal energy storage tank working with organic phase change material for space heating application conditions
Authors: Koukou Maria K. , Vrachopoulos Michail Gr. , Dogkas George , Pagkalos Christos , Lymperis Kostas , Coelho Luis , Rebola Amandio
Published: September 2019

A prototype Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) unit has been designed, constructed, and experimentally analysed for its thermal storage performance under different operational conditions considering heating application and exploiting solar and geothermal energy. The system consists of a rectangular tank filled with Phase Change Material (PCM) and a finned tube staggered Heat Exchanger (HE) while water is used as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Different HTF inlet temperatures and flow rates were tested to find out their effects on LHTES performance. Thermal quantities such as HTF outlet temperature, heat transfer rate, stored energy, were evaluated as a function of the conditions studied. Two commercial organic PCMs were tested A44 and A46. Results indicate that A44 is more efficient during the charging period, taking into account the two energy sources, solar and heat pump. During the discharging process, it exhibits higher storage capacity than A46. Concluding, the developed methodology can be applied to study different PCMs and building applications.
The influence of the secondary geodynamic factors on medico-biological and economic risks
Authors: Minaev V. A. , Sychev M. P. , Faddeev A. O. , Pizengolts V. M. , Karpova D. P.
Published: September 2019

Influence of secondary geodynamic factors on medical and biological safety of population is considered. Among these factors are electromagnetic and infrasound fields caused by “slow” geodynamic nature catastrophes discussed. Some features and causes of “slow catastrophes”, as well as the specifics of infrasonic oscillations are described. The hypothesis about the influence of infrasound field on the incidence of cancer diseases considered. The possibility of application of the proposed research methods in the planning of development and operation of modern settlements.
Diversity of occupants’ activity impact on indoor air
Authors: Szczurek Andrzej , Maciejewska Monika , Dolega Anna
Published: September 2019

The problem of indoor air quality (IAQ) has attracted a great deal of attention recently. One of interesting aspects of this problem is the characterization of human impact on IAQ. This work presents a method which allows to determine the diversity of building occupants influence on indoor air. The method is based on the supervised clustering of the indoor air measurement data in domains of various indoor air parameters. The introduced approach was applied to examine the exemplary data set. The diversity of impact was studied in the domain of air parameters which characterize thermal conditions indoors and in the domain of chemical parameters of indoor air. The obtained results showed that the diversity of impact was greatly related to the fact that occupants’ activities occurred in combinations, rather than individually. It was also demonstrated that the diversity of impact was domain dependent. Most of examined activities showed greater diversity of influence in the domain of parameters which characterize thermal conditions. This shows that the activity-specific impacts would be rather associated with the domain of chemical parameters of indoor air. The proposed method allows to obtain information which can be useful in the diagnostics of IAQ and for the control of ventilation.
Environmental and social effects of the change of heat sources on the example of a selected quarter of tenement houses in Wroclaw
Authors: Szulgowska-Zgrzywa Małgorzata , Baborska-Narożny Magdalena , Piechurski Krzysztof , Stefanowicz Ewelina , Chmielewska Agnieszka , Fidorów-Kaprawy Natalia , Laska Marta
Published: September 2019

The energy consumption for space heating and domestic hot water preparation are significant burdens of a polish household budget, especially in old tenement houses. Simultaneously, lowering the emission of pollutants is under the great importance and one of main goals to achieve in big cities. This policy results in the need of elimination of systems based on solid fuels. The article analyses the environmental and social consequences of the exchange of heat sources in such buildings in one of the quarters in Wroclaw. It presents how this change will affect the levels of low emission and costs of energy supply to tenement buildings.
Renewable hydrogen as an energy storage solution
Authors: Widera Barbara
Published: September 2019

The paper will discuss the potential of renewable hydrogen as an energy storage medium for the decarbonisation of multiple sectors and for the energy system security. The author will particularly focus on the applications related to the building industry with perspectives to be further developed. The paper will cover the most up-to-date initiatives addressing the combination of hydrogen production based on water electrolysis and solar energy methods with the possibility of hydrogen implementations for energy storage, transportation and stationary applications such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants or fuel cell electric generators. The opportunity to reach improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the energy transition will be presented on the example of the two selected case studies: the world’s first full-scale wind power and hydrogen plant and the most up-to-date on-going project chosen by Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. They will be analysed in purpose to draw the conclusions regarding the options and limitations of the actual renewable hydrogen based energy storage systems tested in the real life situation. The second aim of the paper is to formulate the recommendations for the further action in this field, including the reduction of some non-technological barriers.
Ensuring the reliability and safety of renovation facilities when introducing modern methods of building control
Authors: Yurgaytis Alexey , Topchy Dmitry , Popova Aleksandra
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to compare building control procedures in the countries of the European Union (EU) and Russia. Considered issues are related to regulatory regulation in countries, a fundamental approach to control, participants, performance results, as well as a vector for the development of construction control activities. The solution of these problems was carried out with the help of studying the foreign experience of research on this subject, as well as studying the regulatory framework for this area in the Russian Federation and the countries of the European Union. As a result of the science-metric analysis, a systematized database of official sources for regulating construction control was created. In addition, the concept of automated control was developed. The result obtained allows us to develop a comprehensive system of building control, to ensure an increase in the safety of construction and installation works. Using the data obtained, it is possible to take into account the experience of both structures and create automated software to track the construction process as a whole or as individual parts, to timely eliminate the identified defects. The possible options for improving software technologies for building control that differ from the others is by the possibility of choice of independent and dependent control parameters, by model of processing results of the construction process control in order to localize the defective situations and minimize the size of the secondary damage from the effects of the commissioning of buildings. Based on the obtained data the further development of models and algorithms for construction control of buildings and structures providing the required level of reliability and safety of their construction and operation, taking into account technical and economic efficiency criteria.
Estimating the mass of cosmic rays by combining radio and muon measurements
Authors: Holt Ewa M.
Published: September 2019

The Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) is a radio detector at the Pierre Auger Observatory and it is dedicated to measure the radio emission of cosmic-ray air showers. AERA is co-located with the underground muon detectors of the Auger Muons and Infill for the Ground Array (AMIGA). This provides a perfect setup to experimentally test the benefits of combining muons and radio emission for estimating the primary mass. We have investigated this combination using air-shower simulations. We compared the performance for mass separation of this new method to alternative methods in which the electrons and muons are measured with particle detectors at the surface. Forshowers with zenith angles below 50° the new method is of comparable performance, and for showers more inclinedthan 50° it is clearly superior. Therefore, measuring the radio signal in addition to the muons significantly improves the mass sensitivity compared to techniques using solely particle measurements.
Artificial Intelligence methods suitable for Incident Handling Automation
Authors: Trifonov Roumen , Yoshinov Radoslav , Manolov Slavcho , Tsochev Georgi , Pavlova Galya
Published: September 2019

The Faculty of Computer Systems and Technology at Technical University – Sofia undertook analyses and experiments on the use of Artificial Intelligence methods in the field of Information Security. In the course of the study a Cyber Defence related to the classification consisting of three phases has been proposed: Operative Cyber Intelligence, Tactical Cyber Intelligence and Incident Handling. It has been found that there is no universal Artificial Intelligence method effective for all phases mentioned above and for all applications. In each case, a set of criteria should be developed to select (and then experiment) an appropriate method (or combination of methods). A selection of methods for the first two stages of Cyber Defence was described in previous work. In the present paper are considered some of the considerations related to effective use of appropriate methods for the Incident Handling phase.
Designing an Ultra-Low-Power RTU for Use in NB-IoT Water Applications
Authors: Ganchev Ivan , Ji Zhanlin , O’Droma Máirtín
Published: September 2019

This paper presents the design and realization of a ultra-low-power and low-cost remote transfer unit (RTU), working as an outdoor gateway for collecting hydrographic data, such as rainfall, water flow rate, water quality, etc. Based on the NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard, it facilitates the communication between the sensors and the information center (server). The unit consists of an Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) microcontroller unit (MCU), a NB-IoT module, and a power supply module. The RTU was experimentally tested and its use successfully demonstrated.
Assessment the quality of apricots in the process of drying with neural networks and support vector machines
Authors: Dejanov Mаrtin , Ilieva-Stefanova Darinka , Chelik Iva
Published: September 2019

The paper presents an analysis of the assessment the quality of apricots during the drying process using two types of classifires: ANNs and SVMs. The quality of apricots is categorized in three classes according to the color and b-carotene content through the process of drying. The classification is made by using ‘CIE Lab’ color model and spectral characteristics in the VIS range. Neural networks are BPN and PNN, and classifiers are kernel and linear SVM. The spectral characteristics are pre-processed with SNV, MSC, First derivative and PCA. According to the results for color features, BPN and SVM with “rbf” kernel have the best performance while PNN has the worst performance. When using spectral characteristics the BPN network performs well: eavg = 4.1% and emax = 12.1% but the SVM linear (eavg = 3.4%, emax =5.3%) and SVM with “rbf” kernel (eavg = 2.4%, emax =5.2%) classifiers have better results. As a conclusion, it could be said that classifiers using spectral features perform well with errors at about 2-5%. Classification with color features is an alternative method, which is less complex, cheaper and with acceptable errors.
The FBXW2–MSX2–SOX2 axis regulates stem cell property and drug resistance of cancer cells
Authors: Yin Yuan , Xie Chuan-Ming , Li Hua , Tan Mingjia , Chen Guoan , Schiff Rachel , Xiong Xiufang , Sun Yi
Published: September 2019

SOX2 is a key transcription factor that plays critical roles in maintaining stem cell property and conferring drug resistance. However, the underlying mechanisms by which SOX2 level is precisely regulated remain elusive. Here we report that MLN4924, also known as pevonedistat, a small-molecule inhibitor of neddylation currently in phase II clinical trials, down-regulates SOX2 expression via causing accumulation of MSX2, a known transcription repressor of SOX2 expression. Mechanistic characterization revealed that MSX2 is a substrate of FBXW2 E3 ligase. FBXW2 binds to MSX2 and promotes MSX2 ubiquitylation and degradation. Likewise, FBXW2 overexpression shortens the protein half-life of MSX2, whereas FBXW2 knockdown extends it. We further identified hypoxia as a stress condition that induces VRK2 kinase to facilitate MSX2–FBXW2 binding and FBXW2-mediated MSX2 ubiquitylation and degradation, leading to SOX2 induction via derepression. Biologically, expression of FBXW2 or SOX2 promotes tumor sphere formation, which is blocked by MSX2 expression. By down-regulating SOX2 through inactivation of FBXW2 E3 ligase, MLN4924 sensitizes breast cancer cells to tamoxifen in both in vitro and in vivo cancer cell models. Thus, a negative cascade of the FBXW2–MSX2–SOX2 axis was established, which regulates stem cell property and drug resistance. Finally, an inverse correlation of expression was found between FBXW2 and MSX2 in lung and breast cancer tissues. Collectively, our study revealed an anticancer mechanism of MLN4924. By inactivating FBXW2, MLN4924 caused MSX2 accumulation to repress SOX2 expression, leading to suppression of stem cell property and sensitization of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen.
Gendered inanimates in Shetland dialect
Authors: Velupillai Viveka
Published: September 2019

The use of gendered pronouns with inanimate noun referents, such as referring tolineandpipeassheand tobagorlidashe, has been described as typical for Shetland dialect. In light of recent discussion on the shift from Shetland dialect to Standard English, presumably triggered by the sociodemographic changes brought on by the oil industry, this study investigates the gender system in both the pre-oil and post-oil speech of the variety. Using a database of over 368,000 words of oral history material and a sample of elicited contemporary speech, it is shown that the choice of gender correlates with a number of linguistic and social variables. Furthermore, the study shows that the use of gendered pronouns with inanimate nouns is a robust and stable feature of contemporary Shetland dialect.
Lexical bundles in conversation across Englishes
Authors: Huang Zeping , Bui Gavin
Published: September 2019

This study adoptsNelson’s (2014)methodological framework to investigate core and peripheral lexical bundles (i.e. recurrent multi-word sequences) in conversation, using data from the British, Canadian, Singapore, and Hong Kong components of theInternational Corpus of English(ICE). The overlap and non-overlap comparisons reveal (dis)similarities in the use of bundles across the four World Englishes (WEs). Our findings suggest that in terms of discourse building blocks, the more advanced a variety is according toSchneider’s (2007)Dynamic Model of New Englishes, the more lexical bundles it shares with the common core in conversation. Canadian English (CanE) shares the most common ground with British English (BrE). As a nascent variety, Hong Kong English (HKE) differs most from BrE, while Singapore English falls between CanE and HKE. Though the results do not correlate with Schneider’s Dynamic Model at the level of recurring chunks, they allow us to test predictions of WEs models. Quantitative and qualitative analyses enable the identification of bundles with significantly high frequency in each regional variety, thus enriching comparative research of WEs.
Egophoric marking and person indexation in Japhug
Authors: Jacques Guillaume
Published: September 2019

Japhug, like other Gyalrong languages, is one of the very few languages with both a full-fledged person indexation system and an egophoric evidential category. A detailed account of the uses and meanings of the Egophoric and its interaction with person is thus of interest to the typology of evidential systems. This paper describes the uses of Egophoric marking in Japhug and of the other two evidential categories with which it contrasts (Factual and Sensory), as well as their interaction with person indexation. Due to the limited distribution of the Egophoric in Japhug (it only occurs in present contexts), the present paper exclusively focuses on the uses of evidentials with stative verbs in present (imperfective) contexts, where minimal pairs are available in the corpus.
The effect of dialectal variation on word recognition
Authors: Lu Yu-An
Published: September 2019

Previous studies on Chinese dialect variation have mostly focused on the description of dialects, the regions where these dialects are spoken, attitudes towards dialects, and acoustic differences across dialects. The present study draws on experimental evidence concerning a vowel difference in two Taiwan Southern Min (TSM) dialects to provide more understanding on how non-contrastive, dialectal variations may affect speakers’ processing of speech. The variation of interest is a phonemic difference, [ə] and [ɔ], in the vowel inventory in two TSM dialects, in which the difference signals a lexical contrast in one dialect (e.g. [ə-a] ‘oyster’ vs. [ɔ-a] ‘taro’) but not in the other ([ɔ-a] ‘oyster, taro’). A long-term repetition-priming experiment investigating the word recognition involving the two vowels revealed a dialect effect on TSM speakers’ word recognition in accordance with prior exposure, native-ness and variant frequency. Implications of the findings are provided.