Research Work as a Factor of Successful Development

Efficient innovation policy and adequate investment in scientific research are a starting point for the sustainable development of a country. A prerequisite for sustainable development in any country is the development of indigenous scientific and technological capacity, as well as investment in innovation, research and development

Organic MgB2-xCx superconductor with high performance enabled by liquid mixing approach

Comparative analysis of structural and electromagnetic characteristics have been performed on nano SiC- and polycarbosilane-doped MgB2 samples prepared by the dry and liquid mixing approaches. The total benefit of liquid mixing approach for fabrication of organic MgB2 superconductor with excellent electromagnetic performance has been demonstrate

TugaTAC Broker: A Fuzzy Logic Adaptive Reasoning Agent for Energy Trading

Smart Grid technologies are changing the way energy is generated, distributed and consumed. With the increasing spread of renewable power sources, new market strategies are needed to guarantee a more sustainable participation and less dependency of bulk generation. In PowerTAC (Power Trading Agent Competition), different software agents compete in a simulated energy market, impersonating broker companies to create and manage attractive tariffs for customers while aiming to profit. In this paper, we present TugaTAC Broker, a PowerTAC agent that uses a fuzzy logic mechanism to compose tariffs based on its customers portfolio. Fuzzy sets allow adaptive configurations for brokers in different scenarios. To validate and compare the performance of TugaTAC, we have run a local version of the PowerTAC competition. The experiments comprise TugaTAC competing against other simple agents and a more realistic configuration, with instances of the winners of previous editions of the competition. Preliminary results show a promising dynamic: our approach was able to manage imbalances and win the competition in the simple case, but need refinements to compete with more sophisticated market. (c) Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

Praćenje promene broja bakterija familije enterobacteriaceae u pastrmci i odrescima šarana upakovanim u vakuum i modifikovanu atmosferu

Kvar ribe može se definisati kao bilo koja promena u mesu ribe koja proizvod čini neprihvatljivim za ljudsku ishranu i najčešće nastaje kao rezultat rasta mikroorganizama. Od toga koji su mikroorganizmi najzastupljeniji u ribi u trenutku ulova u velikoj meri zavisi i kolika će biti njena održivost tokom skladištenja. Bakterije koje pripadaju familiji Enterobacteriaceae su fakultativni anaerobi, gram negativni i katalaza pozitivni mikroorganizmi. Ovoj familiji pripadaju sledeći rodovi: Salmonelle, Escherichia, Proteus, Shigella, Serratia, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, Enterobacter i Erwinia, a neki od njih su izraziti patogeni i izazivači velikog broja različitih oboljenja kod ljudi, kao što su septikemija, pneumonija, meningitis, infekcije urinarnog trakta, bolesti organa za varenje i mnogih drugih bolesti. Široko su rasprostranjeni u spoljašnjoj sredini, a neki su saprofitski stanovnici digestivnog trakta. Cilj ovog eksperimenta je bio da se ispita rast bakterija familije Enterobacteriaceae u svežoj pastrmci i odrescima šarana upakovanim u vakuum i modifikovanu atmosferu. Uzorci su podeljeni u tri grupe. Grupa I je upakovana u modifikovanu atmosferu sa odnosom gasova 60%CO2 i 40%N2, grupa II je upakovana u modifikovanu atmosferu sa 40%CO2 i 60%N2 dok je III grupa upakovana u vakuum. Odnos gas/uzorak u pakovanju bio je 2:1. Svi uzorci su skladišteni pri istovetnim uslovima na temperaturi od +3˚C. Određivanje broja bakterija familije Enterobacteriaceae prema ISO 21528 -2:2004 obavljeno je 0, 7. i 14. dana skladištenja. U pastrmci i odrescima šarana upakovanim u modifikovanu atmosferu sa 60%CO2 i 40% N2 (I grupa), rast ukupnog broja enterobakterija bio je sporiji nego u pastrmci i odrescima šarana upakovanim u modifikovanu atmosferu sa 40%CO2 i 60%N2 (II grupa) ili pak u vakuum (III grupa). Ovo se može objasniti antimikrobnim dejstvom ugljen-dioksida, koji je procentualno najzastupljeniji u smeši gasova u koju su upakovani uzorci I grupe kao i činjenicom da ugljen-dioksid deluje inhibitorno pre svega na gram-negativne bakterije, kakvi i jesu mikroorganizmi iz familije Enterobacteriaceae. Najveću stopu rasta imale su enterobakterije u pastrmci i odrescima šarana III grupe tj. u uzorcima upakovanim u vakuum. Ovi rezultati ukazuju na sposobnost Enterobacteriaceae da rastu u anaerobnim uslovima, na temperaturi frižidera u proizvodima upakovanim u vakuum. Modifikovana atmosfera smanjuje ukupan broj enterobakterija, a najniža vrednost je dobijena kod odrezaka šarana upakovanih u modifikovanu atmosferu sa 60%CO2 i 40%N2

Induction of Crystallization of Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate in Micellar Solutions of Anionic Surfactants

Calcium oxalate dihydrate (CaC2O4.(2+x)H2O; COD; x ≤ 0.5) does not readily crystallize from electrolytic solutions but appears as a component in crystalluria. In this paper, we review in vitro studies on the factors responsible for its nucleation and growth with special attention given to the role of surfactants. The following surfactants were tested: dodecyl ammonium chloride (cationic), octaethylene monohexadecylether (non-ionic), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SOS, anionic), dioctyl sulphosuccinate (AOT, anionic), and sodium cholate (NaC, anionic). The cationic and some of the anionic surfactants (SOS, AOT) induced different habit modifications of growing calcium oxalate crystals by preferential adsorption at different crystal faces. In addition, the anionic surfactants effectively induced crystallization of COD at the expense of COM, the proportion of COD in the precipitates abruptly increasing above a critical surfactant concentration, close to, but not necessarily identical with the respective CMC. A mechanism is proposed, whereby crystallization of COD in the presence of surfactants is a consequence of the inhibition of COM by preferential adsorption of surfactant hemimicelles (two-dimensional surface aggregates) at the surfaces of growing crystals

Superconducting and Normal State Properties of Neutron Irradiated MgB2

We have performed a systematic study of the evolution of the superconducting and normal state properties of neutron irradiated MgB$_2$ wire segments as a function of fluence and post exposure annealing temperature and time. All fluences used suppressed the transition temperature, Tc, below 5 K and expanded the unit cell. For each annealing temperature Tc recovers with annealing time and the upper critical field, Hc2(T=0), approximately scales with Tc. By judicious choice of fluence, annealing temperature and time, the Tc of damaged MgB2 can be tuned to virtually any value between 5 and 39 K. For higher annealing temperatures and longer annealing times the recovery of Tc tends to coincide with a decrease in the normal state resistivity and a systematic recovery of the lattice parameters.Comment: Updated version, to appear in Phys. Rev.

A survey-based assessment of how existing and potential electric vehicle owners perceive range anxiety

Electric vehicle (EV) owners enjoy many positive aspects when driving their cars, including low running costs and zero tailpipe gas emissions, which makes EVs a clean technology provided that they are sourced through renewable sources, e.g., biomass, solar power, or wind energy. However, their driving behaviour is often negatively affected by the so-called range anxiety phenomenon, i.e., a concern that an EV might not have enough driving range to reach the desired destination due to its limited battery size. The perception of range anxiety may also affect potential buyers in their decisions on whether to purchase an internal combustion engine vehicle as opposed to an EV. This paper investigates some factors that influence range anxiety through a comparative analysis of two target groups: (i) existing EV owners, and (ii) non-EV owners (i.e., potential EV owners). The specially crafted survey was used to collect range anxiety data from more than 200 participants. In particular, participants provided their perceptions on (i) the potential relationship between existing gas station infrastructure and the desired EV charging station infrastructure, and (ii) the potential relationship between range anxiety and two influencing variables, namely the current state of charge and remaining range. Concerning the existing gas station infrastructure, evidence suggests that both target groups think that the distances between gas stations could be increased. Moreover, our analysis shows that the desired distances between charging stations correspond to the distances between the existing gas stations, which indicates that both EV owners and non-EV owners have a common view on the optimal gas station and charging station topology. Furthermore, we find that the type of settlement (urban vs rural) influences preferred distances, where both target groups living in cities desire shorter distances, and that non-EV owners, as opposed to EV owners, are more prone to be affected by the state of charge and remaining range. Quantitatively, we are able to define a measure for range anxiety, which is connected with the preferred distance between two neighbouring charging stations. Throughout our analyses, we find that the mean preferred distance between two neighbouring charging stations is 7 km, but this value significantly differs based on the settlement type of a (potential) EV owner

An Investigation into the Measurement and Prediction of Mechanical Stiffness of Lower-limb Prostheses used for Running

Two energy return prosthesis are subjected to three different statically applied loading methods. This initial study proposes that statically applied loading to a sport prosthesis using several controlled methods were statistically robust enough to derive a mechanical stiffness value. However, any predicted stiffness is drawn into question when allowing any movement of the distal end. This uncertainty will make any evaluation or prescription of lower-limb prosthesis technology based upon their stiffness incorrect. In addition, the peak calculated stiffness at the expected bodyweight induced ground impact load of a runner is judged the most representative assessment method. This study attempts to build on previous research advocating the need to monitor the performance of prosthesis lower-limb technology in disability sport. Practitioner Summary: This paper extends previous research regarding the fairness of prosthetics technology used in running with a lower-limb amputation. It pilots a quantitative assessment of high activity prosthetics technology and ultimately demonstrates how incorrect assessment can lead to incorrect specification of running prosthesis for elite level spor

Plasma inflammatory cytokines and survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation and inflammatory conditions have been associated with pancreatic cancer risk and progression in a number of clinical, epidemiological, and animal model studies. The goal of the present study is to identify plasma markers of inflammation associated with survival of pancreatic cancer patients, and assess their joint contribution to patient outcome. METHODS: We measured circulating levels of four established markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (sTNF-RII), and macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1)) in 446 patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective clinic-based study. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for death were estimated using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Overall mortality was significantly increased in patients in the top quartile of CRP (HR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.82-3.49), IL-6 (HR = 2.78, 95% CI: 2.03-3.81), sTNF-RII (HR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.46-2.72), and MIC-1 (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.83-3.50), compared to those in the bottom quartile (P-trend CONCLUSION: Individual elevated plasma inflammatory cytokines are associated with significant and dramatic reductions in pancreatic cancer patient survival. Furthermore, we observed an independent combined effect of those cytokines on patient survival, suggesting that multiple inflammatory pathways are likely involved in PDAC progression. Future research efforts to target the inflammatory state using combination strategies in pancreatic cancer patients are warranted

Capacitive Spring Softening in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanoelectromechanical Resonators

We report the capacitive spring softening effect observed in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanoelectromechanical (NEM) resonators. The nanotube resonators adopt dual-gate configuration with both bottom-gate and side-gate capable of tuning the resonance frequency through capacitive coupling. Interestingly, downward resonance frequency shifting is observed with increasing side-gate voltage, which can be attributed to the capacitive softening of spring constant. Furthermore, in-plane vibrational modes exhibit much stronger spring softening effect than out-of-plan modes. Our dual-gate design should enable the differentiation between these two types of vibrational modes, and open up new possibility for nonlinear operation of nanotube resonators.Comment: 12 pages/ 3 figure