**Abstract**

This article aims to describe what self-study research is, why self-study can be a good approach to teacher educators' professional development and improvements in practice and highlight some challenges and opportunities in this research approach. In addition, the article will shed light on some methodological aspects related to self-study. Self-study refers to teacher educators who in an intentionally and systematically way examine their practice to improve it, based on a deeper understanding of practice, as well as the context practice takes place. In the article, I argue that engaging in self-study is a learning and development process and an approach to developing personal professionalism, collective professionalism and improvements in practice.

**Keywords:** self-study, pedagogy in teacher education, professional identity, teaching about teaching

## **1. Introduction**

The professionalization of teachers´, teachers´ learning and teaching has been high on the political agenda in many countries, both in Europe and in large part of the world [1–5]. In the last 40 years, the discourse around teachers'professional learning and development has largely been linked to various forms of practitioner research. That is, research where teachers actively initiate innovations and research their own practice to improve their understanding of practice, and as a consequence, improve their teaching and professional actions [6–9].

A closely related approach to practice-oriented research related to professional learning and development is also found in the *self-study research*, which is explicitly related to teacher educators [9, 10]. The professionalization of teacher's and teacher educators has both emerged from and been influenced by a range of approaches and has built on the work of fields such as reflective practice (e.g [11–14]), action research (e.g [15–17]), teacher research (e.g [6]) and other forms for practitioners'reseach (for a more detailed overview, see [18]). Self-study is the study of oneself and one's own practice and involves a moral commitment to improving practice [19]. According to Bullough and Pinnegar [20], self-study is used in relation to teaching and research on practice with the intention of better understanding of both oneself (in the different roles one holds as teacher educator), instruction, teaching and learning; and the development of knowledge related to these factors. Self-study refers to teacher educators who in an intentionally and

systematic way examine their practice in order to improve it, based on a deeper understanding of the practices, as well as the contexts practice is taken place [9]. With such an understanding of self-study, self-study is characterized as a specific form of action research, and corresponds to Pinnegar and Hamilton's [19] definition which describe self-study as something more comprehensive than just applying the study of oneself:

*"it is not the self but the self and the others in practice that is most of interest … the self seeks to explore the gap between who I am and who I would like to be in my practice and studies that self and the others involved as the self takes action to reduce or alter that gap" (p. 12).*

This means that self-study should not only be of significance to the person who conducting the study, but also of importance for creating meaning and contribute to increased understanding and knowledge for other teacher educators. Self-study research is an approach to understand one's own practice and one's self-concept, means that teacher educators look critically at their own professional values [21], work towards a better self-understanding [22], and have a moral purpose [23].

In this article, it will first be an elaboration of what self-study is about, before it is elucidated why self-study can be a useful approach for development in teacher education and various purposes related to self-studies. Then follows a discussion of methodological aspects associated with self-studies, before a presentation of some methodological approaches from self-studies that have been completed. Finally, some challenges and opportunities related to self-study research will be highlighted. The conclusion is: 1) that teacher educators have a professional responsibility for continuous professional development that contributes to better understanding for teaching and students learning- and development processes, 2) engaging in self-study is a learning and development process and approach to develop personal professionalism, collective professionalism and improvements in practice.


*Article* **BCS Class IV Oral Drugs and Absorption Windows: Regional-Dependent Intestinal Permeability of Furosemide**

#### **Milica Markovic 1, Moran Zur 1, Inna Ragatsky 1, Sandra Cviji´c 2 and Arik Dahan 1,\***

Received: 16 November 2020; Accepted: 30 November 2020; Published: 2 December 2020

**Abstract:** Biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV drugs (low-solubility low-permeability) are generally poor drug candidates, yet, ~5% of oral drugs on the market belong to this class. While solubility is often predictable, intestinal permeability is rather complicated and highly dependent on many biochemical/physiological parameters. In this work, we investigated the solubility/permeability of BCS class IV drug, furosemide, considering the complexity of the entire small intestine (SI). Furosemide solubility, physicochemical properties, and intestinal permeability were thoroughly investigated in-vitro and in-vivo throughout the SI. In addition, advanced in-silico simulations (GastroPlus ®) were used to elucidate furosemide regional-dependent absorption pattern. Metoprolol was used as the low/high permeability class boundary. Furosemide was found to be a low-solubility compound. Log D of furosemide at the three pH values 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5 (representing the conditions throughout the SI) showed a downward trend. Similarly, segmental-dependent in-vivo intestinal permeability was revealed; as the intestinal region becomes progressively distal, and the pH gradually increases, the permeability of furosemide significantly decreased. The opposite trend was evident for metoprolol. Theoretical physicochemical analysis based on ionization, pKa, and partitioning predicted the same trend and confirmed the experimental results. Computational simulations clearly showed the e ffect of furosemide's regional-dependent permeability on its absorption, as well as the critical role of the drug's absorption window on the overall bioavailability. The data reveals the absorption window of furosemide in the proximal SI, allowing adequate absorption and consequent e ffect, despite its class IV characteristics. Nevertheless, this absorption window so early on in the SI rules out the suitability of controlled-release furosemide formulations, as confirmed by the in-silico results. The potential link between segmental-dependent intestinal permeability and adequate oral absorption of BCS Class IV drugs may aid to develop challenging drugs as successful oral products.

**Keywords:** BCS class IV drugs; segmental-dependent intestinal permeability; intestinal absorption; oral drug delivery; biopharmaceutics; physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling; furosemide


*4.4. H2O2 Histological Analysis: 3,3-Diamino-Benzidine (DAB) Staining*

DAB-vascular uptake staining method was used to measure the H2O2 production. The cucumber leaves (1 cm sections) were immersed in a solution containing 1 mg/mL DAB that was dissolved in HCl-acidified (pH 3.8) distilled water, then incubated under light for 8 h, then the treated leaves were examined under a microscope [36].

#### *4.5. ROS Assay*

The H2O2 content in cucumber was measured according to the method described by Gong et al. using potassium iodide [37]. Superoxide anion (O2 •−) content was measured according to the method of Wang et al. [38].

### *4.6. Antioxidative Enzyme and Antioxidant Substances Analysis*

To assay antioxidative enzymes, 0.5 g of cucumber leaves were weighed and ground together with 6 mL of 200 mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.8) which contains 1% (*w*/*v*) soluble polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) under ice bath conditions. The homogenates were centrifuged at 11,000× g for 20 min at 4 ◦C and the supernatant were collected to measure the activities of SOD, CAT, POD and the contents of soluble protein and MDA [8]. For the assay of antioxidant substances, 1.0 g of cucumber leaves were homogenized in 5 mL of 1% (*w*/*v*) saline buffer (1% (*w*/*v*) PVP, 1 mmol/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)). Homogenates were centrifuged at 11,000 g for 15 min at 4 ◦C and the supernatants were collected to check the content of ASA and GSH [39].

#### *4.7. Total RNA Extraction and Antioxidant Enzyme Gene Expression Analysis*

Total RNA was isolated from cucumber leaves using Trizol total RNA Extraction Reagent (Bioer, Hangzhou, China). First-strand cDNA was synthesized by a HiFiScript cDNA Synthesis Ki (CoWin Biosciences, Beijing, China). The expression of selected genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTq-PCR). The corresponding primer sequences were selected from Zhao et al. [23]. The qPCR was performed with the iCycleriQTM 5 multicolor real-time PCR detection system (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA) following the manufacturer s instructions. Gene expression levels were calculated on the basis of the 2−ΔΔCt method [40]. Three biological and technical replications were performed, respectively.


**1. Introduction**

In the Republic of Serbia, there is a growing interest in and increasing consumer demand for high-quality and healthy products. The intensification of local food products' (LFPs) production would contribute to halting biodiversity loss and improving ecosystems, and on the other hand, would help towards improving the economic positions of farmers, who form the basis of sustainable local development, and are directly related to the achievement of UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) second, 12th, and 15th sustainable development goals [1]. The leading activity of the population in the Republic of Serbia, especially in rural areas, relies on agriculture and support for local development, which also represents the fight against poverty and hunger. However, the integration of agricultural production with the secondary and tertiary sectors is needed, which will ensure a higher degree of marketability of agri-food products. The role of agriculture in the development of society is significant [2], whether in terms of local development or sustainability of resources. The ultimate goal of enhancing LFPs' production should be the greater utilization of available natural resources [3], processing capacity increase, and improvement of the social position of the population. It is well known that every country has its own path and strategy for local development and that not every strategy is a guarantee for success, and therefore countries exhibit different degrees of economic development.

Unlike economically-developed countries where scientific research on local produce has been present for a relatively long time, in less developed countries or countries in transition, this concept is only beginning. In the Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2014–2024 [4], it is stated that the share of agriculture in total employment in the Republic of Serbia is very high and amounts to over 20%, with a high number of family farms using up to 2 ha of agricultural land (48.8% of the total). These farms account for about 8% of agricultural land. By moving the boundary of utilized land to a higher group (up to 5 ha), it appears that agricultural holdings of this size, although they make up 78% of the total, represent only 25.3% of the area. As Cvijanovi´c and Ignjatijevi´c [5] point out, the transition process has led to the creation of a monopoly on the agricultural market on one hand, and on the other, direct producers have not adapted to the new market order and have remained unorganized and unprotected. For significant improvements in production, small producers lack necessary capital, expertise, and modern equipment (since the value exceeds the financial capabilities of individual producers). It is for this reason that local food producers tend to produce the same products for years, in the same way, although they are not satisfied with the selling prices and earnings.

In recent years, consumers in the Republic of Serbia have shown an increased interest in value-added food products; the findings on the Serbian WTP (willingness to pay) for organic products show that consumers are willing to pay a premium price for organic products, up to 20% [6]. In light of the future development of the local food system in Serbia, it is important to identify and understand the determinants of consumer and producer behaviors in Serbia's local food system in relation to the general patterns identified already in the literature. This process requires detailed information on consumer and producer attitudes and their decision-making processes connected to the purchase and production of local food products. The perceptions and beliefs towards local food products from the point of view of consumers and producers in the Republic of Serbia have not been investigated so far. The inclusion of local food producers in the study is important, especially for countries in the early stages of local food system development. There are no previous surveys on local food systems relating consumers' and producers' data simultaneously. Therefore, the specific objectives of the current study were to: (1) Investigate the current perceptions of local food products in the Republic of Serbia; (2) determine if the perceptions of consumers and producers of local food products differ; and (3) analyze the perceived impact of local food product attributes on sustainable regional development. After the introduction, the conclusions of a number of authors, who have analyzed the various aspects of LFPs, have been presented. This segment of the paper represents a special contribution because it highlights the views and recommendations of authors of different economic, political, and cultural beliefs. As there is no previous research on local food systems in Serbia, the results obtained in this research may be of special interest to authors and researchers, members of the SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises) sector, educators and representatives of advisory services, and government bodies. In the following section, the authors present the methodology and the research results. Finally, the concluding observations summarize the research findings. In particular, we emphasize that our findings can serve as a starting point for the creation of further strategies for the development of the LFPs sector.


*Supporting open minds since 2005*

Lean Manufacturing http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92922 Edited by Karmen Pažek

#### Contributors

Ssafra Imen, Kaouther Ghachem, Shyam Sunder Sharma, Rahul Khatri, Venkataramanaiah Saddikuti, Saketh Saddikuti Venkat, Ganesh Babu Shanmugam, Sevilay Demirkesen, Kassu Jilcha Sileyew, Selamawit Gebreyohanis, Yash Dave, Stella Despoudi, Lokpriya Mohanrao Gaikwad, Vivek K. Sunnapwar, Vasileios Ismyrlis, J.P. Rishi, Sajit Jacob, Krishnamurthy Kothandaraman, Ruhet Genç, Luis Alfredo Avila-Lopez, María Marcela Solís-Quinteros, Carolina Zayas-Márquez, Teresa Carrillo-Gutiérrez, Bruno Vallespir, Anne Zougar-Amrani

#### © The Editor(s) and the Author(s) 2021

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First published in London, United Kingdom, 2021 by IntechOpen IntechOpen is the global imprint of INTECHOPEN LIMITED, registered in England and Wales, registration number: 11086078, 5 Princes Gate Court, London, SW7 2QJ, United Kingdom Printed in Croatia

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**2. Material and methods**

A retrospective chart review of 153 consecutive suction-assisted procedure was performed on various parts of the body. Of the 153 procedures 22 patients had suction assisted transverse medial thigh lifts as an outpatient procedure.

#### **2.1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria**

All patients in the series belonged to ASA class 1 or 2 with skin excess predominantly limited to upper medial compartment of thigh. Contraindications to this procedure include, lymphodema, smoking, diabetes or patients with history of vasculopathies. Those with a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or other venous abnormalities of lower limb should be investigated and appropriate prophylaxis given. Those patients who strongly expect or request circumferential results in upper, middle and lower thigh were excluded and not considered suitable for medial thigh lift.


*Editorial* **Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing: Methods, Technologies, Systems, Applications and Policy Making**

**Miltiadis D. Lytras 1,2 and Anna Visvizi 3,4,\***

**Abstract:** Artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing (CC) are subject of increased attention of both academia and industry today. The understanding is that AI- and CC-enhanced methods and techniques create a variety of opportunities relating to improving basic and advanced business functions, including production processes, logistics, financial management and others. AI-enhanced tools and methods tend to offer more precise results in the field of engineering, financial accounting, tourism, air-pollution management and many more. The objective of this special issue was to bring together diverse communities of scholars and engage in a broad discussion on the role of AI and CC in today's society, including the process of policy-making.

**Keywords:** artificial intelligence (AI); cognitive computing (CC); AI-enhanced methods; AI-enhanced applications; policy-making

**Citation:** Lytras, M.D.; Visvizi, A. Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing: Methods, Technologies, Systems, Applications and Policy Making. *Sustainability* **2021**, *13*, 3598. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13073598

Received: 18 March 2021 Accepted: 20 March 2021 Published: 24 March 2021

**Publisher's Note:** MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

**Copyright:** © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).


**1. Introduction**

Biocomposite materials derived from biodegradable, renewable sources have perceived substantial attention in current times, in particular due to the amplified consciousness towards more environmentally sustainable technologies. In most of the cases bio-composites offer weight reduction, supplemented capabilities (e.g., structural, electrical, electronic, and medical) and occupational health benefits. These bio-composites have great potential for their use in electronic, automobile, packaging, insulations and construction industries with a potential to disassociate material costs from the fluctuating price of oil and energy.


**4.2 Base functions of spaces Si**

Consider the function pi(**x**) of coordinates of point **x** and relative to node ni, which is equal to 1 at this node, varies continuously in geometric elements having this node in common, and becomes equal to 0 in other elements without discontinuity (**Figure 6**). This function is nothing else than the base function, relative to node ni, of the function space of nodal finite elements built on the considered geometric elements. The function subspaces associated with each of the finite elements have respective dimensions 4, 8 or 6, for tetrahedra, hexahedra and prisms [4, 6, 9].

With **node** ni = {i}, is associated the function

$$\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{n}\_i}(\mathbf{x}) = \mathbf{p}\_i(\mathbf{x}). \tag{34}$$

The finite dimensional space generated by all sni's is denoted by S0 . With **edge** eij = {i, j}, is associated the vector field

$$\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{e}\_{\vec{\mathbb{I}}}} = \mathbf{p}\_{\vec{\mathbb{I}}} \mathbf{grad} \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathcal{N}\_{\mathbb{F}, \vec{\mathbb{I}}}} \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{r}} - \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{i}} \mathbf{grad} \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathcal{N}\_{\mathbb{F}, \vec{\mathbb{I}}}} \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{r}},\tag{35}$$

where NF,mn is the set of nodes which belong to the facet of the geometrical element including evaluation point **x**, and including node m but not node n; such a facet is uniquely defined for three-edge-per-node elements. Its determination is shown in **Figure 8**, where either a triangular or a quadrangular facet is involved, and where shown edges belong to the geometric element including point **x**. Directions of dotted edges can be modified in order to schematize either a tetrahedron, a hexahedron or a prism. The defined set of nodes comes into view as being either {{m}, {o}, {p}} or {{m}, {o}, {p}, {q}}, respectively. The set NF,mn depends on point **x**, thus on elements. Particularly, it is empty (no node) in elements which have not

**Figure 8.** *Determination of the facet associated with* NF,mn *[6].*

edge {m, n} in common. Consequently, field **s**eij is zero in all the elements non adjacent to edge eij.

The vector field space generated by all **s**e is denoted by S1 .

With **facet** f=fijk = {i, j, k} = {q1, q2, q3} or f = fijkl = {i, j, k, l} = {q1, q2, q3, q4}, is associated the vector field

$$\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{f}} = \mathbf{a}\_{\mathbf{f}} \sum\_{\mathbf{c}=1}^{\mathsf{s} \cdot \mathsf{N}\_{\mathbf{f}}} \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{c}\_{\mathbf{c}}} \operatorname{grad} \left( \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathsf{N}\_{\mathbf{f},\mathbf{q}\_{\mathbf{c}}} \overline{\mathbf{q}\_{\mathbf{c}}} + 1} \right) \times \operatorname{grad} \left( \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathsf{N}\_{\mathbf{f},\mathbf{q}\_{\mathbf{c}}} \overline{\mathbf{q}\_{\mathbf{c}}} - 1} \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{r}} \right) \tag{36}$$

where #Nf is the number of nodes of facet f, af = 2 if #Nf = 3, af = 1 if #Nf = 4, and the list of qi's is made circular by setting q0 � q#Nf and q#Nf + 1 � q1. Field **s**f is zero in all the elements non adjacent to facet f.

Vector fields sfijk(l)'s generate the space S2 .

With **volume** v, is associated the function sv, equal to 1/vol(v) on v and 0 elsewhere. The space S3 is generated by these functions.

Some developments give the following results: sni is equal to 1 at node ni, and to 0 at other nodes; the circulation of **s**eij is equal to 1 along edge eij, and to 0 along other edges; the flux of sfijk(l) is equal to 1 across facet sfijk(l), and to 0 across other facets; and the volume integration of sv is equal to 1 over volume v, and to 0 over other volumes; that is

$$\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{i}}(\mathbf{x}\_{\mathbf{j}}) = \delta\_{\mathbf{i}\mathbf{j}}, \quad \forall \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j} \in \mathbf{N} \tag{37}$$

$$\int\_{\mathbf{j}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{i}} \cdot \mathbf{dl} = \delta\_{\mathbf{i}\mathbf{j}}, \quad \forall \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j} \in \mathbf{E} \tag{38}$$

$$\int\_{\mathfrak{j}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathfrak{i}} \cdot \mathbf{n} \, \mathbf{ds} = \mathfrak{delta}\_{\mathfrak{i}\mathfrak{j}}, \quad \forall \mathfrak{i}, \mathfrak{j} \in \mathcal{F} \tag{39}$$

$$\int\_{\mathbf{j}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{i}} \mathbf{d} \mathbf{v} = \mathbf{\delta}\_{\mathbf{i}\mathbf{j}}, \quad \forall \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j} \in \mathbf{V} \tag{40}$$

where δij = 1 if i = j and δij = 0 if i 6¼ j.

These properties show up various kinds of functionals and involve that functions sn, **s**e, **s**f, sv form bases for the spaces they generate. They are then called nodal, edge, facet and volume **base functions**. The associated finite elements are called **nodal**, **edge**, **facet** and **volume finite elements**.

#### **4.3 Geometric interpretation of edge and facet functions**

A geometric interpretation of edge and facet functions may be helpful to verify some of their properties. The vector field [4, 6, 9]

$$\mathbf{gradP\_{F,m\overline{m}}} = \mathbf{grad} \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathbb{N}\_{\mathbb{F},m\overline{m}}} \mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{r}},\tag{41}$$

involved in both expressions (31) and (32), should be analyzed at first. The continuous scalar field,

$$\mathbf{P\_{F,m\bar{m}}} = \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathcal{N}\_{\mathcal{F},m}} \mathbf{p\_r},\tag{42}$$

has the characteristic of being equal to 1 at every point on the facet associated with NF,mn. This is a property of the nodal base functions. Therefore, vector field (42) is orthogonal to this facet at every point on it (**Figure 9**).

*The Finite Element Method Applied to the Magnetostatic and Magnetodynamic Problems DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93696*

**Figure 9.** *Geometric interpretation of the edge function se (35) [6].*

The vector field which is the product of pm and (35),

$$\mathbf{p\_m} \text{ grad } \sum\_{\mathbf{r} \in \mathcal{N}\_{\mathbb{F}, \mathbf{mn}}} \mathbf{p\_{r}},\tag{43}$$

is considered now. This field is said to be associated with edge {m, n}. As far as the function pm is concerned, it is equal to 0 on all the edges of the geometric element including point **x**, except those which are incident to node {m}. Therefore, the circulation of (43) is equal to 0 along all the edges except emn; field (43) is either simply equal to zero on them, or orthogonal to them (**Figure 9**). The combination of two fields of form (43) associated with edges {j, i} and {i, j}, as in (35), leads to a vector field which has the same properties as (43) (**Figure 9**), and

**Figure 10.** *Vector field a b involved in sf (33) [6].*

has consequently the announced properties of **s**eij. The fact that its circulation along edge eij is equal to 1 needs some calculation to be proved.

The vector field

$$\mathbf{p}\_{\mathbf{q}\_c} \mathbf{grad} \mathbf{P}\_{\mathbf{F}, \mathbf{q}\_c} \mathbf{\bar{q}}\_{c+1} \times \mathbf{grad} \mathbf{P}\_{\mathbf{F}, \mathbf{q}\_c \bar{\mathbf{q}}\_{c-1}} \tag{44}$$

which appears in expression (35) of **s**f, is considered now. Both gradients in (44) are shown in **Figure 10**. Each one is orthogonal to its associated facet and, therefore, their cross product (i.e., **a** � **b** in **Figure 10**) is parallel to both these facets.

The flux of this cross product, and in consequence the one of (44), is then equal to 0 across these facets. The term pqc in (44) enables the flux of (44) to be equal to zero across all other facets except facet f. The summation in (44) keeps the same property. The flux of **s**f across facet f is then the only one to differ from zero (**Figure 11**).

#### **4.4 Degrees of freedom**

The expression of a field in the base of a space Si –S0 or S3 for a scalar field, S1 or S2 for a vector field– gives scalar coefficients, called **degrees of freedom**. Fields ϕ ∈ S0 , **h** ∈ S1 , **j** ∈ S2 and ρ ∈ S3 can be expressed as [4, 6, 9]

$$\Phi = \sum\_{\mathbf{n} \in \mathcal{N}} \phi\_{\mathbf{n}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{n}}, \phi \in \mathbb{S}^{0}, \phi\_{\mathbf{n}} = \phi(\mathbf{x}\_{\mathbf{n}}), \mathbf{n} \in \mathcal{N}, \tag{45}$$

$$\mathbf{h} = \sum\_{\mathbf{e} \in \mathcal{E}} \mathbf{h}\_{\mathbf{e}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{e}}, \mathbf{h} \in \mathbb{S}^1, \mathbf{h}\_{\mathbf{e}} = \int\_{\mathbf{e}} \mathbf{h} \cdot \mathbf{dl}, \mathbf{e} \in \mathcal{E} \tag{46}$$

$$\mathbf{j} = \sum\_{f \in F} j\_f \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{f}}, \mathbf{j} \in \mathbb{S}^2, \quad \mathbf{j}\_{\mathbf{f}} = \int\_{\mathbf{f}} \mathbf{j} \cdot \mathbf{n} \mathbf{ds}, \mathbf{f} \in \mathbf{F} \tag{47}$$

$$\sigma = \sum\_{\mathbf{v} \in \mathcal{V}} \sigma\_{\mathbf{v}} \mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{v}}, \rho \in \mathbb{S}^3, \sigma\_{\mathbf{v}} = \int\_{\mathbf{v}} \sigma \mathbf{d} \mathbf{v}, \mathbf{v} \in \mathcal{V} \tag{48}$$

The degrees of freedom ϕn, he, jf and ρv are thus, respectively, values at nodes, circulations along edges, fluxes across facets or volume integrals, of the associated fields. This is a consequence of the base functions. The associated linear functionals,

**Figure 11.** *Geometric interpretation of the facet function sf (36) [6].*

as mentioned in the definition of finite elements, are thus respectively pointwise evaluations, line, surface and volume integrals.

### **4.5 Continuity of base functions across facets**

It can be proved that the function sn is continuous across facets. The same holds true for the tangential component of **s**e and for the normal component of **s**f. As for function sv, it is discontinuous. This property, called **conformity**, allows to take exactly into account interface conditions for fields used in the modeling of physical problems. For example, in electromagnetic problems, vector fields of S1 can represent vector fields like magnetic field **h** or electric field **e** whose tangential components are continuous across interfaces between materials, and those of S2 can represent fields like induction field **b** or current density field **j** whose normal components are continuous across interfaces between these materials.

#### **4.6 Spaces Si form a sequence**

The notion of **incidence** is first defined [4, 6, 9]:

The incidence of node n in edge e, denoted by i (n, e), is equal to 1 if n is the extremity of e, �1 if n is the origin of e, and 0 if n does not belong to e.

Next, the incidence of edge e in facet f is denoted by i(e, f). If e belongs to f, and if the ordered set of nodes of e appears as a direct subset in the circular set of nodes of f, then it is equal to 1. It is equal to �1 in the case of an inverse subset. If e does not belong to f, it is equal to 0.

Finally, the incidence of facet f in volume v is denoted by i(f, v). If f belongs to v, and if the normal to f, whose direction is given by the ordered set of nodes of f (right-hand rule), is outer to v, then it is equal to 1. It is equal to �1 in the case of an inner normal. If f does not belong to v, it is equal to 0.

Thanks to this notion, the following equalities can be proved,

$$\sum\_{\mathbf{e}\in\mathcal{E}}\mathbf{i}(\mathbf{n},\mathbf{e})\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{e}}=\mathbf{grad}\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{n}}\tag{49}$$

$$\sum\_{\mathbf{f}\in\mathcal{F}}\mathbf{i}(\mathbf{e},\mathbf{f})\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{f}}=\mathbf{curl}\,\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{e}},\tag{50}$$

$$\sum\_{\mathbf{v}\in\mathcal{V}}\mathbf{i}(\mathbf{f},\mathbf{v})\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{v}}=\mathbf{div}\,\mathbf{s}\_{\mathbf{f}}.\tag{51}$$

The following inclusions are then verified,

$$\operatorname{grad}(\mathbb{S}^0) \subset \mathbb{S}^1, \operatorname{curl}(\mathbb{S}^1) \subset \mathbb{S}^2, \operatorname{div}(\mathbb{S}^2) \subset \mathbb{S}^3. \tag{52}$$

Therefore, the spaces Si, i = 0 to 3, form a **sequence**, that can be schematized by the diagram in **Figure 12**.

These spaces can then constitute approximation spaces for some continuous spaces Fi, i = 0 to 3, which contain scalar and vector fields associated with electromagnetic fields. The associated finite elements can then be called **mixed elements**.

$$\mathbf{s}^{0} \xrightarrow{\mathbf{grad}} \mathbf{s}^{1} \xrightarrow{\mathbf{curl}} \mathbf{s}^{2} \xrightarrow{\mathbf{div}} \mathbf{s}^{3}$$

**Figure 12.** *The sequence of spaces Si .*

All the established properties of base functions are **valid for any collection of considered geometric elements**, that is, for any mixing of tetrahedra, hexahedra and prisms.


**8. Conclusions**

Computer algorithms rapidly assign, refine, and evaluate work. This article discussed the effect of this algorithmic, data-driven management on Uber and Bolt's new ride-sharing services. This study's qualitative research results illustrated possibilities and difficulties in the architecture of human-centered algorithmic job assignment, knowledge and assessment, and the importance of fostering social sensemaking around the algorithmic method. The implications for HCI, CSCW, and Artificial Intelligent Systems research were discussed. We hope that this study will stimulate future work so that we can empower human workers to work with intelligent machines not only in an accurate but also in a rewarding and meaningful way.


**2.1. Pedagogical projection model**

• *The learning domain theoretician*: his/her role is concerned with the specifications of each knowledge object and its micro-components within his/her domain of work. In the learning to read domain, this actor is the linguist (various sub-fields: semantics, psycholinguistics)

• *The domain expert*: is the teacher who is in contact with reality (learners), whose role is to fix the limits of acceptance of tests. He/she also prepares a critical report, which may contain

• *The cognitician*: there is, therefore, much communication between the different design actors, the cognitician and the domain expert even if in certain cases he/she could take care of the final specifications himself/herself. His/her role is to identify the individual knowledge, the cognitive structure, the strategies implemented by the learner and the various

• *The ergonomist*: the role of ergonomics in the project is to design the pedagogical instrument as being a medium of knowledge as well as an interface tool. This articulation should create a better comprehension of the effects of the knowledge object to be taught and the other types of practical knowledge used by the learner (for example, the logic of use of the interface, etc.). For this reason, the knowledge effectively used must be specified by including

facts or learner's behaviour which could be characterized by other models.

who specifies the knowledge object of this domain (letter, sentences, texts, etc.).

a lot of rejections.

94 Active Learning - Beyond the Future

**Figure 1.** Pedagogical instrument structure.

stimuli according to the learning style envisaged.

The entities manipulated and adopted in the pedagogical model have progressive degree of smoothness (macro-, meso- and microscale); the entities presented in macroscale are the objective units, these entities are the objective units which can be represented in the form of couples of information: <action; knowledge unit>; or triplets: <action; status of learner's knowledge; knowledge unit>. The objective units represent the properties part of the learning object. For example, in the learning to read domain the following are valid information couples <Make acquire; sentence limits> or <verify; Known; word>. In the mesoscale, we use classes of didactic situation. The entities represented in the microscale are the individualizing elements of the instantiated didactic situation which is considered as a learning object.

By instantiating parameters of the contents, words will be instantiated. These couples and triplets are used to report the progress in the state of the learner's knowledge of reading but with the hypothesis that this takes into account the different pedagogical factors and policies used within a learning theory (our case is concerned with activity theory). Consequently this model is defined to provide to our system the possibility to adapt the pedagogical behaviour to a specific student. From this point of view, the choice of pedagogical actions with respect to learning strategies will be more adaptive.


*Scenario 2*

In this section, a scenario is considered where the irradiance across the PV panels connected to sub-modules in an arm of the MMC is uneven. The sub-modules in an arm of the MMC are allowed to track MPPT by providing individual MPP references from the MPPT algorithm to the power reference generation block in the controller.

If the sub-module capacitor voltage is allowed to follow the MPPT reference within the arm of the MMC, then each sub-module in the arm will deviate from the average value i.e., *vcxyi*= *v*Σ*cxy*/*N*.

The current controllers will increase or decrease the inserted arm voltage reference to compensate for the voltage difference due to unequal sub-module voltages in the arm of the MMC. However, the sorting and tracking algorithm does not account for the voltage error between the desired arm voltage and the arm voltage to be inserted. This voltage error varies based on choice of sub-modules to be inserted. This leads to a voltage error in each switching period per arm of the MMC, resulting in a residual voltage. This residual voltage per phase (sub-script 'y' is dropped for simplicity) can be expressed as

$$v\_{\mathbf{x},\mathcal{E}} = N\left(\frac{v\_{\mathbf{x}}^{\star}}{v\_{d\mathcal{E}}}\right) - \sum\_{j=1}^{N\_{\mathcal{E}}} v\_{\mathbf{c}X\_{K(j)}}\tag{6}$$

where the '*K*' is a row matrix [1 × *Nxy* ] with the sub-module indexes to be inserted. Therefore, *vcxyK*(*j*) will yield the value of the sub-module capacitor whose index is stored in the *j*th location of the row matrix '*K*'.

If the residual error is large then it will lead to increased harmonics in the output current. Such a variation is acceptable until the THD is well below 5% as required by IEEE 519 [21] and that no *dc* current greater than 0.5% of the rated current is injected to the grid [22].

The simulation results are shown where the irradiance is linearly distributed across all of the upper and lower arms of the MMC from 10 W/m2 to 1000 W/m2. For the scenario considered, the sub-module capacitor voltages are shown in Figure 8a for each of the six arms of the MMC. Figure 8b shows the upper and lower arm currents (*iuy* [*A*], *ily* [*A*]), output currents (*isy* [*A*]), circulating currents (*icy* [*A*] ∀ y = a, b, c), the active and reactive power injected to the grid (*P* [*kW*], *Q* [*kVAr*]), and the last plot shown the voltages (*vsy* [*V*] ∀ y = a, b, c) at PCC along with the phase currents (*isy* [*A*]) for 100 ms duration between 4.9 s to 5 s, ∀ y = a, b, c.

**Figure 8.** Simulation results for scenario 2: (**a**) Capacitor voltages for all the sub-modules in an arm of the MMC for all three phases.

It is seen that the sorting and tracking algorithm [13] can be used for tracking the MPP voltages for the respective sub-modules by providing the individual references from the MPPT algorithm instead of a average voltage. Moreover, balanced active power is injected to the grid at unity power factor. Since each arm of the MMC produces equal power there is no need to transfer power between the phases of the MMC. Hence the circulating current is zero. The Figure 9 shows the residual voltage defined as in (6). The Figure 10a–c shows the frequency spectrum of the phase currents; the THDs are 5.11%, 5.28%, and 5.36% for phase a, b, and c currents, respectively. It is seen that the THD is higher that the permitted level as per IEEE 519 standard.

The positive, negative, and zero sequence components of the three-phase currents are shown in Figure 11 for the scenario 2. It is seen that the unbalance current injected to the grid is well within 0.5% of the rated magnitude of phase current for the scenario 2.

**Figure 9.** The residual voltage as defined in (6) for the phase a upper arm of the MMC.

(**a**) THD = 5.11%, *isa*1 = 43.06A (**b**) THD = 5.11%, *isb*1 = 43.11A (**c**) THD = 5.11%, *isc*1 = 43.06A **Figure 10.** Frequency spectrum of the output phase currents in % with respect to the 50 Hz fundamental current, *isy*1 ∀ y = a, b, c.

**Figure 11.** The positive sequence current (*is*(+)), negative sequence current (*is*(−)), and zero sequence current (*is*(0)) for the currents injected to the grid for scenario 2.

#### **5. Modified Sorting and Tracking Algorithm**

The sorting and tracking algorithm enables the MMC to have individual MPPT for each sub-module, as seen in scenario 2. This increases the MPPT granularity of the MMC-based PV plant to 6N. For the plant considered in this paper, the MPPT granularity will be 114. The drawback is that the residual error leads to harmonic distortion at the output current. Based on the operating condition, the value of the harmonic distortion might not adhere to the value permitted by the IEEE standard 519 [21]. Therefore, to ensure that for all operating steady-state conditions the harmonic distortion is within the limits, the residual voltage has to be alleviated. The voltage error as per (6) has to be mitigated to reduces the harmonic distortion and any unbalance in current injected to the grid.

In this section, a modified sorting and tracking algorithm is proposed that takes into account the voltage error and increases or decreases the insertion indexes. Further, during a switching period one of the inserted sub-modules is pulse-width modulated such that the average value of the inserted arm voltage inserted matches the desired arm voltage in a switching period. Sub-modules with minimum or maximum voltage deviation from their MPP voltage value are selected, based on the arm current polarity, for PWM in every switching period. Therefore, the duty ratio and the sub-module index for the PWM changes every switching period. By doing so, the loss of power extraction from the PV panel due to the PWM of the sub-module is minimized.

The sorting and tracking algorithm selects the *Nx* sub-modules to be inserted per arm of the MMC in a given phase, with this the residual voltage is computed as per (6). If the error is negative, then the insertion index is increased to minimize the error. If the error is positive, then the insertion index is decreased to mitigate the residual voltage. The insertion index is either increased or decreased until the magnitude of the ratio as per (7) is less than one, this will be the modified number of sub-modules to be inserted " *N*- *x* ".

$$w = \frac{|v\_{x,\epsilon}|}{\sum\_{j=1}^{N\_{\rm tr}} v\_{c x\_{\mathcal{K}(j)}}} \tag{7}$$

If the arm current is positive (or negative) then the sub-module with the lowest (or highest) voltage in the set of sub-modules to be inserted is selected for modulation. The duty ratio is the calculated as

$$d = \frac{\left| N\left(\frac{\upsilon^{\star}\_{\mathcal{X}}}{\upsilon\_{d\mathcal{L}}}\right) - \sum\_{j=1}^{N^{\star}\_{\mathcal{x}}} \upsilon\_{c\mathbf{x}\_{\mathcal{K}(j)}} \right|}{\sum\_{j=1}^{N^{\star}\_{\mathcal{X}}} \upsilon\_{c\mathbf{x}\_{\mathcal{K}(j)}}} < 1\tag{8}$$


**5.5 Identification of the genetic traits of aromatic character of cabernet sauvignon**

Methoxypyrazines are a family of volatile compounds found in many fruits and vegetables and especially in grapes, providing herbaceous flavors (green capsicum aroma) to the wines of some varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or sauvignon blanc. While several methoxypyrazine biosynthetic pathways have been proposed, none of the metabolic steps have been genetically confirmed. Dunlevy et al. [24] used a F2 population derived from a F1 microvine obtained by crossing the Cabernet Sauvignon and a picovine. The Cabernet Sauvignon variety is capable of producing the molecule 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP), the major compound associated with capsicum flavors, while the microvine that derives from Pinot Meunier produces very little amount of this compound. In F1 offspring, all individuals produced IBMP, suggesting a homozygote dominant genotypic status for this trait in Cabernet Sauvignon. The phenotyping of the F2 individuals identified 43 lines able to accumulate IBMP, while 21 individuals lacked this compound confirming the dominant homozygous genotype for Cabernet Sauvignon and the homozygous recessive genotype for picovine progenitor.

After genotyping and phenotyping, the entire F2 progeny, a 2.3 Mb locus determining IBMP accumulation in grape berries, was found on chromosome n°3. Of the 261 genes identified in the corresponding QTL, two candidate methyltransferase genes have been identified, *VvOMT3* and *VvOMT4*. Screening a collection of 91 grapevine genotypes differentially accumulating IBMP into the grapes indicated *VvOMT3* as the most likely candidate to explain the genetic determinism of the green capsicum trait in grapevine fruits. Moreover, the data suggested that the low level of methoxypyrazines found in most cultivated grape varieties resulted from human selection for mutations in methyltransferase. The markers identifying this locus are valuable tools for the selection of grape varieties that are aromatically typified by IBMP and recalling Cabernet wines.

## **5.6 Effect of application of exogenous stimulants of fruit metabolism**

The microvine plant model which displays unique reproductive organ behavior offers new experimental options for grapevine fruit physiological studies, not only because of the size of the plants which facilitate experimental handling in greenhouse or growth cabinet but also because it is possible to study several developmental stages at once. Taking advantage of the biological properties of the microvine, two studies were recently performed to study the impact of exogenous compound application to the ML1 microvine grapes on the aroma accumulation during ripening. The first study was about the impact of vine-shoot aqueous extracts, which have been proposed as bio-stimulants to be sprayed to the canopy to modify wine aromatic profile. Sanchez-Gomez et al. [44] experimented the effect of vine-shoot extract foliar application on the composition of the grapes at 21 stages of development. The application was carried out from BBCH53 (detached inflorescences) to BBCH85 (berry softening) to reveal stage-specific responses of the accumulation of

*Advances in Grape and Wine Biotechnology*

respiration and/or through H+

relatively low experimental flow.

growth and cellular respiration rate, malic acid respiration, as a supplemental energy source in the fruit, is not compulsory. In cool climate, the allocation of carbon to the fruit can support glycolysis, malate synthesis, and sugar accumulation into the vacuole. Conversely, under hot climate, cytoplasmic sugars could be limiting when the cell starts to accumulate sugar in the vacuole at the onset of ripening. Thus, the malate would be drained from the vacuole to supply energy through

/sugar exchange at the tonoplast.

**5.4 Identification of QTLs of development stable under fluctuating environments**

Air temperature elevation combined with the shift of all phenological stages to warmer period is causing critical changes on vine yield and grape composition. Plant breeding has the potential to offer new cultivars with stable yield and quality under warmer conditions, but this requires the identification of stable genetic traits. The investigation about the stability of developmental QTLs with regard to abiotic factors is complicated with the non-dwarf varieties, because of its biological properties (long juvenile period, big size of the plants). Most of previous studies were carried out outdoors, in uncontrolled environmental conditions and with a

Houel et al. [25] reported the first experiment performed with microvines, to identify QTLs of vegetative and reproductive development, testing their stability under fluctuating environments. A F1 mapping population consisting of 129 microvines derived from the PV00C001V0008 x ugni blanc fleshless berry mutant was genotyped using an Illumina® 18 K SNPs chip (single-nucleotide polymorphism). Forty-three vegetative and reproductive traits were phenotyped over four vegetative cycles in the field, and a subset of 22 characters were measured over two climatic chamber culture cycles under two contrasting temperature regimes. Ten stable QTLs were identified for the development and composition of the berry and the leaf area on the parental genetic maps. A new major QTL accounting for up to 44% of variance of the berry weight was identified on the chromosome 7 in the ugni blanc parent. This QTL co-locates with QTLs of number of seeds per berry (accounting for up to 76% of the total variance), QTLs of fruit acidity before maturation (up to 35% of explained variance), and yield components such as the number of clusters and berries per cluster (up to 25% explained variance). In addition, a minor leaf surface QTL was found on the chromosome 4 in the same parent. This study which combined the use of microvine population to boost and facilitate the phenotyping with high-throughput genotyping technologies was innovative in grapevine genetics and also for perennial fruit crops. It allowed the identification of 10 stable QTLs, including the first QTLs of *V. vinifera* berry acidity detected in an

This progeny was also included in a study addressing the diversity for fruit volume, main sugar, and organic acid amounts in *V. vinifera* [43]. A panel of 33 genotypes, including 12 grapevine varieties and 21 microvine offspring, were characterized. Fruit phenotyping focused on two critical stages of fruit development: the end of green growth phase when organic acidity reaches a maximum and the physiological ripe stage when sugar unloading and water uptake stop. To determine the date of sampling for each critical stage, fruit texture and growth were carefully monitored. Analyses at both stages revealed large phenotypic variation for malic and tartaric acids as well as for sugars and berry size. At ripe stage, fruit fresh weight ranged from 1.04 to 5.25 g and sugar concentration from 751 to

. The content in organic acids varied both in quantity (from 80 to

) and in composition, with malic to tartaric acid ratio ranging from 0.13 to 3.62. At the inter-genotypic level, data showed no link between berry growth

**18**

intraspecific cross.

1353 mmol.L−1

361 meq.L−1

glycosylated aroma precursors at BBCH89 (ripe stage). Fifty grape sampling time points spreading to 86 days were established and normalized using the cumulative growing degree days parameter. The results confirmed that vine-shoot extract treatment had a positive impact on the accumulation of glycosylated compounds [45], especially aglycones such as alcohols, terpenes, and C13-norisoprenoids, with a higher impact when the treatment was applied at grape ripening stage.

The same approach was carried out to characterize the behavior of glycosylated aroma precursors in microvine fruits after foliar application of guaiacol. Previous outdoor experiments have showed that spraying guaiacol on vines could modify the contents of aroma compounds in grape and grape-derived wines. It was shown that such treatments could increase guaiacol glycoconjugates in leaves, shoots, and fruits of Monastrell variety, where there was a release of aglycone compounds during wine processing. However, the effect of such application and its timing on glycosylated aroma precursor pool remained unstudied. Sanchez-Gomez [46] studied the effect of guaiacol sprays when applied at several fruit developmental stages on glycosylated compound accumulation. The applications were carried out from phenological stage BBCH71 (fruit set) to BBCH85 (berry softening), to reveal stagespecific responses of the accumulation of glycosylated aroma precursors at BBCH89 (ripe stage). Data confirmed that guaiacol is an elicitor of the accumulation of glycosylated aromatic compounds in the microvine fruit, with a higher efficiency of application during ripening stages of the fruits. Geraniol, a terpene compound, exhibited the higher increase increment with up to 50-fold high concentration after guaiacol spraying than in the control.


**Maximum Power Extraction from Utility-Interfaced Wind Turbines**

Ali M. Eltamaly, A. I. Alolah and Hassan M. Farh

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/54675