Development Of Methodology Research Articles

Employing Ammonia for the Synthesis of Primary Amines: Recent Achievements over Heterogeneous Catalysts.

Primary amines represent highly privileged chemicals for synthesis of polymers, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, coatings, etc. Consequently, the development of efficient and green methodologies for the production of primary amines are of great importance in chemical industry. Owing to the advantages of low cost and ease in availability, ammonia is considered as a feasible nitrogen source for synthesis of N-containing compounds. Thus, the efficient transformation of ammonia into primary amines has received much attention. In this review, the commonly applied synthetic routes to produce primary amines from ammonia were summarized, including the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds, the hydrogen transfer amination of alcohols, the hydroamination of olefins and the arylation with ammonia, in which the catalytic performance of the recent heterogeneous catalysts is discussed. Additionally, various strategies to modulate the surface properties of catalysts are outlined in conjunction with the analysis of reaction mechanism. Particularly, the amination of the biomass-derived substrates is highlighted, which could provide competitive advantages in chemical industry and stimulate the development of sustainable catalysis in the future. Ultimately, perspectives into the challenges and opportunities for synthesis of primary amines with ammonia as N-resource are discussed.

Rapid identification of the coefficient of moisture expansion of polymer materials by the employment of plates with asymmetric concentration fields

The paper pursues the development of a novel methodology for the rapid identification of the diffuso-mechanical properties of polymer materials based on the employment of plates subject to asymmetric moisture concentration fields. The study is carried out on epoxy plate samples equipped with a thin aluminium foil on a surface exposed to the environment to promote asymmetric moisture absorption. The asymmetric moisture fields promote deformations of the plate. Mass gain and plate curvatures are measured as a function of time during conditioning. By using a weakly coupled diffuso-mechanical model: 1D Fick’s diffusion model and 2D plane stress hygroelastic model the diffuso-mechanical properties of the material can be then identified. Due to the chosen size of the experimental samples the present study allows the identification of the coefficient of moisture expansion of the epoxy material. For the material under study, the following values can be identified for saturation mass gain, water diffusivity and coefficient of moisture expansion respectively: 1.67%, 0.025 mm2.h−1, 0.1628.

Enhancing Software Testing Quality Assurance Using Agile Development Environment and Artificial Intelligence With Research Travelogue

This paper presents the analysis of software testing quality assurance using agile development environment and artificial intelligence with research travelogue. It explores the integration of Agile development methodologies with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to elevate the quality assurance (QA) processes in software testing. By leveraging Agile practices, such as iterative development and continuous feedback, alongside AI-driven tools for automation, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection, the approach aims to significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of QA processes. The research travelogue documents the journey through various Agile environments, detailing how AI technologies are applied to streamline testing workflows, identify potential issues earlier in the development cycle, and adapt to changing requirements. The findings reveal that this hybrid approach not only accelerates the testing process but also improves defect detection rates and overall software reliability, offering valuable insights for future advancements in software QA practices

The blue economy effects on EUROMED tourism: forecasting approach

This study examines the factors that influence the blue economy in EUROMED, aiming at promoting economic growth in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. EUROMED was chosen because all of its nations have fisheries and marine tourism, which are the two key indicators of the blue economy. Blue economy contributes to sustainable development in the fisheries and marine tourism sectors. A commitment to sustainability has sped up national and regional blue economy policy development. The study uses secondary qualitative data and literature review to analyse the synergies and conflicts between EUROMED blue economy strategies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The findings suggest that GDP growth, aqua production, open trade, CO2 emissions, and inflation rate influence the blue economy, and that ecotourism that considers education, society, and the environment may generate sustainable fisheries and marine tourism. Only 21 countries gave the ARDL test between 2000 and 2019. This study analyses synergies and conflicts between EUROMED blue economy strategies and UN Sustainable Development Goals. Location-based contextual development of blue economies that suit all players' requirements is essential to maintain sustainability objectives. Ensure resilience against future environmental and political shocks, preserve the ecological underpinning for vibrant blue economies, and create capacity at all levels to promote effective and fair governance. This study tries to make good use of ocean conservation and aquaculture within the context of the blue economy. This is the first EUROMED blue economy study and contributes to the theoretical and methodological development of blue economy research.

Comparative study of kernel- and deep learning-based proxy models for nonlinearly constrained life-cycle production optimization

This study presents a comparative study for the application of deep learning–based and kernel-based proxy models in hydrocarbon production optimization with nonlinear constraints, comparing their performance against high-fidelity simulators (HFS) in terms of computational efficiency and the quality of the results achieved. One of the proxy models employed is referred to as embed to control and observe (E2CO), a deep learning–based model. The other model is a kernel-based proxy model known as least-squares support-vector regression (LS-SVR). Both proxy models can predict production/injection outputs for each well. We use the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method for nonlinearly constrained production optimization. Our optimization objective revolves around the net present value (NPV), while the nonlinear state constraints involve field liquid production rate (FLPR) and field water production rate (FWPR). NPV, FLPR, and FWPR are estimated using two different types of proxy models. The gradient of the objective function and the Jacobian matrix of constraints are computed analytically for LS-SVR. In contrast, the method of stochastic simplex approximated gradient (StoSAG) is employed for optimization with E2CO and HFS. The reservoir model considered in this study is a two-phase, three-dimensional reservoir characterized by channelized and heterogeneous permeability, sourced from the SPE10 benchmark case. We optimize well controls to maximize NPV in an oil-water waterflooding scenario. All proxy models can achieve optimal NPV results like those obtained through HFS but with significantly lower computational resources. Both proxy models are found to be approximately 15-fold more efficient than using HFS when the number of simulation runs is compared. Forward prediction results show that both proxy models outperform numerical simulator, and the E2CO can predict up to 2400 times faster than HFS whereas speedups gained over HFS go up to 5000-fold with LS-SVR. The training time required for E2CO is at least an order of magnitude longer than that for LS-SVR. The main contributions of the paper are (i) development of a novel methodology that uses an E2CO proxy model within a gradient-based iterative retraining proxy approach for life-cycle production optimization with nonlinear state constraints, (ii) comparison of this methodology in terms of computational cost and accuracy with an LS-SVR proxy model, and (iii) new insights into the accuracy and prediction performances of these machine learning-based proxy models for 3D oil-water systems as well as their efficiency in nonlinearly constrained production optimization for waterflooding applications.

Dynamics in the Intact fd Bacteriophage Revealed by Pseudo 3D REDOR-Based Magic Angle Spinning NMR.

The development of robust NMR methodologies to probe dynamics on the atomic scale is vital to elucidate the close relations between structure, motion, and function in biological systems. Here, we present an automated protocol to measure, using magic-angle spinning NMR, the effective 13C-15N dipolar coupling constants between multiple spin pairs simultaneously with high accuracy. We use the experimental dipolar coupling constants to quantify the order parameters of multiple C-N bonds in the thousands of identical copies of the coat protein in intact fd-Y21M filamentous bacteriophage virus and describe its overall dynamics on the submillisecond time scale. The method is based on combining three pseudo three-dimensional NMR experiments, where a rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) dephasing block, designed to measure internuclear distances, is combined with three complementary 13C-13C mixing schemes: dipolar-assisted rotational resonance, through-bond transfer-based double quantum/single quantum correlation, and radio frequency driven recoupling. These mixing schemes result in highly resolved carbon spectra with correlations that are created by different transfer mechanisms. We show that the helical part of the coat protein undergoes a uniform small (∼30°) amplitude motion, while the N-terminus is highly flexible. In addition, our results suggest that the reduced mobility of lysine sidechains at the C-terminus are a signature of binding to the single stranded DNA.

Non-Ionic Peterson-type Olefination Reactivity and its Use in a Silicon-promoted Carbonyl-Carbonyl Cross Coupling Reaction.

The [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between the Si=C double bond of adamantylsilene and the carbonyl group of aliphatic, aromatic or acetylenic ketones and aldehydes is demonstrated. The product of this reaction that is central to a non-ionic version of the Peterson olefination is an unusual four-membered 1,2-silaoxetane heterocycle that was characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically. In the presence of SiO2, the silaoxetane undergoes retro-cycloaddition with the formation of alkene products. As the [2+2] cycloaddition proceeds without the necessity of any base, enolizable ketones can be converted into olefins. In addition, it is shown that the adamantylsilene can be produced in situ by a sila-Peterson reaction, providing valuable input for the development of a new one-pot silicon-based reductive carbonyl-carbonyl cross coupling methodology.

Development of Geometry Transformation Learning Media by Utilizing Mobile Technology

This study is dedicated to the creation of geometry transformation learning media through the utilization of Mobile-Based App Inventor and a subsequent comprehensive evaluation of its influence on student academic performance. The research adopts a meticulously structured Research and Development (R&D) methodology, encompassing critical stages such as analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The culmination of this research journey unveils compelling evidence that underscores the transformative potential of the developed learning media. Through quantitative and qualitative assessments, this study unearths a significant enhancement in students' grasp of the intricate concepts inherent to geometry transformation. The outcomes of this research illuminate the pivotal role of technology, particularly the Mobile-Based App Inventor, in shaping contemporary pedagogical landscapes. The learning media serves as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between innovation and education, offering an engaging and effective resource to empower students in their quest for mathematical proficiency and analytical prowess.

Kvisoft Flipbook Maker-Assisted E-Modules to Foster Learning Motivation in Elementary School Students on the Topic of Changes in The Shape of the Earth

Student motivation in learning IPAS (Natural and Social Sciences) subjects remains relatively low. This issue can be attributed to various factors, such as the limited utilization of learning resources and the lack of comprehensive content coverage. The purpose of this study is to create an electronic instructional module with the assistance of Kvisoft Flipbook Maker. The study used research and development (R&D) methodology, explicitly incorporating the ADDIE model. The participants were subject content experts, media experts, language experts, and 96 fifth-grade elementary school students. Data collection methods consist of observations and assessments. Expert evaluations were conducted utilizing questionnaires, whereas students were administered with Pre-test and Post-test assessments. Data analysis was performed using quantitative descriptive techniques. The evaluation results from media experts indicated a 77% feasibility score, while material experts scored 93% and language experts scored 100%, signifying high feasibility. The findings suggest that implementing E-Modules positively impacts student performance, as evidenced by improved evaluation outcomes following integrating of the Kvisoft Flipbook Maker-assisted electronic module. This research underscores the significant role of technology in boosting elementary school students' motivation.

Kinetic model implementation in raceway pond reactors with hydrodynamic and radiation fields

Vertical mixing plays a critical role in solar-driven processes using raceway pond reactors (RPRs). However, incorporating the time history of radiation for each fluid element is still an open issue. This work aims to develop an effective methodology using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools that couples hydrodynamics and radiation fields into kinetic models of biomass growth or cell lysis enhanced from radiation. First, three methodologies to assess vertical mixing were investigated. It was found that, under typical RPR flow conditions, the velocity in the direction of solar light incidence can maintain particles in constant motion and a near-homogenous particle distribution. In addition, two RPR applications were studied regarding radiation influence analysis: the production of microalgae and an innovative approach for waste activated sludge (WAS) pre-treatment, fostering biogas production. Regarding microalgae production, coupling the biokinetic models with CFD data enables the development of a cost-effective computational methodology to describe the growth of microalgae cultures accounting for hydrodynamics and radiation fields. This work was successful in introducing hydrodynamics and radiation conditions in models to design and optimise RPRs. Reduced geometries based in 2D and Periodic Boundary Conditions were used for CFD simulations to make it feasible for RPRs design purposes.

Cognitive abilities as one of the criteria for the selection and orientation of athletes of various ages in game team sports (for example, football)

Selection in the system of long-term training of athletes is one of the most complex problems in the theory and practice of sports training and involves the development and implementation of scientific and methodological developments in several directions at once: forecasting, modeling and control. As a result, in game team sports and in particular in football, ensuring the effectiveness of the selection and orientation process is determined by a comprehensive assessment of the athlete's abilities, covering all aspects of his preparation. Nowadays, psychodiagnostics and the practical application of the obtained data in the process of selection, competitive activity and in the educational and training process of young football players of various ages are still a reserve that can significantly increase the effectiveness of the training of the sports reserve in football. Not an exception is the study of the cognitive sphere of players, the lack of attention to which leads to a decrease in the prognostic value of conclusions about the potential capabilities of football players, as well as a negative impact on the effectiveness of training in certain areas and, first of all, tactical and technical. In order to determine the level of formation of a number of cognitive abilities of young football players of various ages, appropriate diagnostic measures were carried out, which made it possible to establish the dynamic characteristics of changes in individual cognitive indicators at different stages of training. The two tests used during the diagnosis showed consistent results in determining the age limits, where there is a stabilization of the rate of growth of the studied indicators. The obtained data can be used as criteria for assessing the degree of suitability of a young football player for effective functioning within sports activities at a specific stage of multi-year training.

A Comprehensive Review of Agile Methodologies in Mobile App Development

A Comprehensive Review of Agile Methodologies in Mobile App Development

Teaching mathematics in college: The need for a set of professionally oriented tasks

The purpose of the study is to solve this problem, which consists of substantiating, developing, and implementing a methodological system for preparing students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college. Professionally oriented mathematics education in colleges is advisable, as it helps students see the practical benefits and importance of mathematics in their future professional activities. This approach allows us to better prepare students for their future professions. Research problem: what are the leading directions, principles, content, and forms of methodological preparation of students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college? In achieving this goal, we distinguish a complex of professionally oriented tasks in the fact that they reflect specific scenarios and difficulties that specialists face in their professional activities, and this allows students to gain experience in specific tasks from their field. Research methods: interviewing and testing students, teachers; observation, study, and generalization of pedagogical experience; development of an author's methodology for preparing students for professionally oriented mathematics education in college. We identified criteria to verify the effectiveness of the training methodology, assessing the students’ assimilation of subject knowledge and their increased motivation for learning. The results of the pedagogical experiment show that the process of teaching mathematics in a college with a professionally oriented methodological learning system, implemented through the use of a set of professionally oriented tasks, contributes to an increase in the level of mathematical training and educational motivation of students.

Solutions of Second-Order Nonlinear Implicit ψ-Conformable Fractional Integro-Differential Equations with Nonlocal Fractional Integral Boundary Conditions in Banach Algebra

In this paper, we introduce and thoroughly examine new generalized ψ-conformable fractional integral and derivative operators associated with the auxiliary function ψ(t). We rigorously analyze and confirm the essential properties of these operators, including their semigroup behavior, linearity, boundedness, and specific symmetry characteristics, particularly their invariance under time reversal. These operators not only encompass the well-established Riemann–Liouville and Hadamard operators but also extend their applicability. Our primary focus is on addressing complex fractional boundary value problems, specifically second-order nonlinear implicit ψ-conformable fractional integro-differential equations with nonlocal fractional integral boundary conditions within Banach algebra. We assess the effectiveness of these operators in solving such problems and investigate the existence, uniqueness, and Ulam–Hyers stability of their solutions. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the theoretical advancements and practical implications of our approach. Through this work, we aim to contribute to the development of fractional calculus methodologies and their applications.

Devising an integrated methodology for energy safety assessment at an industrial power-generating enterprise

This paper’s research object is a process of estimating the level of energy safety at an industrial enterprise within an electricity-power system at a microeconomic level. The task to estimate the energy safety of an industrial enterprise was solved on the basis of a combined method for the continuous monitoring of threats under an automated mode to the hour, in order to make management decisions related to reducing the influence of threats to energy safety. Analysis of known methods for investigating the state of energy safety was performed, which revealed the lack of continuous control over the dynamic state of research objects, as well as the complexity in objectivity when giving exact and reliable primary information to calculate indicators-indexes. It has been shown that the use of the combined approach could underlie the development of methodology for estimating the energy safety of industrial power-generating enterprise. Such approach involves comprehensive combination of logical methods when implementing continuous monitoring of technological parameters at generation, transmission, distribution, and energy consumption facilities. The process of choosing the objects of research and criteria for describing their properties and functions has been substantiated, in order to build the system of indicators-indexes when estimating the level of enterprise energy safety. It has been shown that a computation algorithm makes it possible to monitor the dynamics of changes in indicators and take a management decision to eliminate energy safety threats, which leads to a reduction in economic losses in the amount exceeding USD 150,000. Practical significance of the current research relates to the fact that the results could be used by enterprises (public authorities) for determining obstacles on a way to reducing the consumption of power resources and devising a set of organizational-economic measures

Comparison of the Bulut Index-Beta method and Global Health Security Index: results from the world's countries.

The Global Health Security Index (GHSI), which is used to assess the global health security preparedness levels of countries, and the Bulut Index-Beta (BI-β) method, developed as a multicriteria decision-making method, were compared in terms of global health security in the context of the world's countries. It was aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of the BI-β method by testing it on GHSI datasets and contribute to the methodological development of the GHSI. The datasets used in this study were the publicly available GHSI datasets, which allow for comparative evaluations of countries. The BI-β method and GHSI were used to compare countries in terms of global health security. In 2021, the top three best-performing countries in terms of global health security were the United States (BI-β = 85.46), Australia (BI-β = 82.53), and the United Kingdom (BI-β = 82.29). For 2019, the United States (BI-β = 85.44) and Australia (BI-β = 81.69) had the same ranks as in 2021, but the United Kingdom (BI-β = 76.63) dropped to 9th place. There was a statistically significant positive weak monotonic relationship between BI-β and GHSI rankings. Since the GHSI scoring system is not consistent or questionable, the weighting process needs to be objectively reconsidered and the reasons for the weighting process need to be explained. The GHSI was conceptualized based on a narrow and technical framework. Therefore, it is recommended that the social and political determinants of public health be taken into account in the GHSI. On the other hand, the BI-β method can be easily used in solving other multicriteria decision-making problems, especially in public health areas such as global health security.

Results of research work on forming the readiness of future bachelors of physical culture and sports to provide pre-medical care

The article is devoted to the problem of forming the readiness of future bachelor’s of physical culture and sports to provide pre-medical care in the conditions of the educational process of a higher education institution. Readiness to provide pre-medical care is presented as a professional quality that ensures the compliance of future bachelor’s of physical culture and sports with the requirements of professional activity in situations of injuries and emergencies in athletes and consumers of physical culture and sports services. Based on the analysis of scientific sources, it has been proven that the issue of preparing future bachelor’s of physical culture and sports to provide pre-medical care is insufficiently developed. On this basis, a conclusion was made about the expediency of conducting a scientific study aimed at checking the effectiveness of innovative approaches and means of teaching students of the specialty 017 "Physical culture and sports" actions in situations of injuries and emergencies in the course of professional activity. The research work on checking the effectiveness of innovative methodological developments in training students to provide pre-medical assistance in professional activities is described. In particular, this characteristic is: dependent and independent variables; experimental and control samples; research design; methods of data collection, including a knowledge test, situational tasks, simulation tasks for providing pre-medical assistance in typical situations of sports activities). The results of research work in experimental and control institutions of higher education are highlighted. Cross-tabulation of data and histograms of their distribution, results of data comparison according to the Mann- Whitney test are presented. On the basis of the interpretation of the results of the research work, a conclusion was formulated about the effectiveness of the author's methodical studies in the context of the formation of the readiness of future bachelors of physical culture and sports to provide pre-medical care.

Insertions and Deletions: Computational Methods, Evolutionary Dynamics, and Biological Applications.

Insertions and deletions constitute the second most important source of natural genomic variation. Insertions and deletions make up to 25% of genomic variants in humans and are involved in complex evolutionary processes including genomic rearrangements, adaptation, and speciation. Recent advances in long-read sequencing technologies allow detailed inference of insertions and deletion variation in species and populations. Yet, despite their importance, evolutionary studies have traditionally ignored or mishandled insertions and deletions due to a lack of comprehensive methodologies and statistical models of insertions and deletion dynamics. Here, we discuss methods for describing insertions and deletion variation and modeling insertions and deletions over evolutionary time. We provide practical advice for tackling insertions and deletions in genomic sequences and illustrate our discussion with examples of insertions and deletion-induced effects in human and other natural populations and their contribution to evolutionary processes. We outline promising directions for future developments in statistical methodologies that would allow researchers to analyze insertions and deletion variation and their effects in large genomic data sets and to incorporate insertions and deletions in evolutionary inference.

Unraveling RNA contribution to the molecular origins of bacterial surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is widely utilized in bacterial analyses, with the dominant SERS peaks attributed to purine metabolites released during sample preparation. Although adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nucleic acids are potential molecular origins of these metabolites, research on their exact contributions remains limited. This study explored purine metabolite release from E. coli and RNA integrity following various sample preparation methods. Standard water washing generated dominant SERS signals within 10 s, a duration shorter than the anticipated RNA half-lives under starvation. Evaluating RNA integrity indicated that the most abundant ribosomal RNA species remained intact for hours post-washing, whereas messenger RNA and transfer RNA species degraded gradually. This suggests that bacterial SERS signatures observed after the typical washing step could originate from only a small fraction of endogenous purine-containing molecules. In contrast, acid depurination led to degradation of most RNA species, releasing about 40 times more purine derivatives than water washing. Mild heating also instigated the RNA degradation and released more purine derivatives than water washing. Notably, differences were also evident in the dominant SERS signals following these treatments. This work provides insights into SERS-based studies of purine metabolites released by bacteria and future development of methodologies.

Development of Methodologies and Software for Design, Simulation and Optimization of Oil Hydraulic Cylinders of Large Dimensions and Power

As part of the research carried out in the field of processing systems and the production process of oil-hydraulic cylinders of large dimensions and power, the specifics of fluid power transmission, in the functioning of hydropower facilities, were analyzed. The research also includes the optimization of the physical–mathematical model of non-stationary processes, which take place inside the chamber of a large hydrocylinder. In parallel with the definition of the optimization model, the work parameters that affect the process of fluid flow and piston movement were determined. The operating and technological construction parameters of the hydraulic cylinder, which most significantly affect the operation of the hydraulic cylinder, were defined, and the observed parameters were optimized, based on which a prototype with improved characteristics compared to existing solutions was realized.