bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUITABILITY OF LOCATION FOR RESTOCKING CLAMS TRIDACNIDAE IN THE SPERMONDE ARCHIPELAGO
Authors: Susiana . , Niartiningsih Andi , Amran Muh. Anshar , Rochmady .
Published: January 2018

Efforts to protect giant clams from extinction one of them through conservation, which set a region as a restocking area. The research aimed to analyze the suitability environments with the density giant clams in the aquatic. The research conducted in September 2013-January 2014. The research site was determined by purposive sampling of middle inner zone = MIZ, middle outer zone = MOZ, and outer zone = OZ in the aquatic of Spermonde Archipelago. The research conducted was using observation method of biology, physics, and chemistry parameters of aquatic at mintakat reef flats, reef slope and reef base. Data analysis of location suitability of restocking giant clams using WSM method (and correlation analysis of giant clams density with water quality, then integrated with ALOS Avnir-2 image. The result research shows the density giant clams influenced by the physical environment parameters, mainly salinity, brightness and depth. The suitability location of restocking giant clams for class Very suitable in P. Langkadea and P. Pala (MOZ), P. Cangke (OZ), P. Tambakulu and P. Kondongbali (OZ) on mintakat reef flats. Class Very suitability on reef slope in P. Kondongbali and P. Kapoposang (OZ). Class accordance with the reef flats, there are P. Podang Podang Lompo (MOZ), P. Sarappo Keke (OZ) and P. Kapoposang (OZ). Class Appropriate to reef slope mintakat in P. Langkadea (MOZ) and P. Sarappo Keke (OZ). Determination of giant clams restocking area in nature needs considers the location suitability, primarily the quality of aquatic physics.  Keywords: conservation, clam, weight sum model, ALOS Avnir-2 image
CHARACTERISTICS AND VARIABILITY OF THE FLORES ITF AND ITS COHERENCE WITH THE SOUTH JAVA COASTAL CURRENT
Authors: Atmadipoera Agus S. , Hasanah Paradita
Published: January 2018

Characteristics and transport variability of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) in the western Flores Sea (FS) and its coherency with the South Java Coastal Current (SJCC) fluctuation are investigated using validated ocean general circulation model output (2008-2014) from the INDESO configuration.  The results show that near-surface circulation in the study area is characterized by two distinct regimes:  strong southwestward ITF flow and quasi-transient anti-cyclonic eddies. Vertical dimension of ITF crossing 7.5°S is about 112 km width, 250 m depth, and high velocity core at thermocline >0.3 m/s.  Transport volume estimates along this latitude is -4.95 Sv (southward).  Bifurcation of ITF flow appears north offshore Lombok Island where -2.92 Sv flowing into Lombok Strait and the rest flowing eastward into FS. Meanwhile, vertical dimension of SJCC crossing 114°E is about 89 km width, 120 m depth, and high velocity core at sub-surface >0.35 m/s. Mean transport of SJCC is +2.65 Sv. Coherency between Flores ITF and SJCC transport variability on intra-seasonal scales is significantly high, e.g., on 30 day period (coher=0.92) and phase-lags of 0.6-day with SJCC leading to Flores ITF. This result confirmed previous studies, related to intrusion of coastally trapped Kelvin waves into Flores Sea via Lombok Strait. Keywords: Indonesian Throughflow, western Flores Sea, South Java Coastal Current
GROWTH AND BLOOD PROFILE OF CORAL TROUT GROUPER Plectropomus leopardus SEEDS IN DIFFERENT SALINITIES
Authors: Setiawati Ketut Maha , Mahardika Ketut , Alit A. A. Ketut , Kusumawati Daniar , Mastuti Indah
Published: January 2018

The information about the optimum and tolerable salinity to support in the success of coral trout grouper’s seed culture is still limited until now. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of different salinity on growth, survival, feed conversion (FCR) and the profile of blood (hematocrit and hemoglobin) of coral trout grouper seed. The seed with total length 6.0 ± 0.5 cm and body weight 3.2±0.3 g were used as tested animals. Five different salinity treatments, namely: 10±1 ppt (A), 16±1 ppt (B), 22±1 ppt (C), 28±1 ppt (D), and the sea water (34 ppt) as a control (E) were undertaken in this study, with three replications for each treatment. Salinity values were reach by adding freshwater into the tested seawater. Water changing system in this study was performed in recirculation process, with 25% of water replacement every 7 days. The result of this study showed that the survival rate values were 100% for all treatments, indicating that coral trout grouper seed can be cultured in the range of salinity between 10 to 34 ppt.  The highest total length and body weight were recorded from treatment C (22 ppt), as well as noted to gain the lowest FCR. Correspondingly, the seed in treatment C also founded to have in the greatest amount of hematocrit and hemoglobin. Optimum salinity for rearing of coral trout grouper seeds  with  total length 6 cm was 22 ppt.  Keywords: salinity, growth, survival rate, feed conversion, blood profile
THE ANALYSIS OF TUNA RESOURCE UTILIZATION LEVEL WITH SPAWNING POTENTIAL RATIO METHOD IN SENDANGBIRU WATERS
Authors: Jaya Made Mahendra , Wiryawan Budy , Simbolon Domu
Published: January 2018

High market demand for tuna drives the increasing intensity of tuna fishery in Sendangbiru waters. This occours also in almost all of Indonesian waters. High intensity of tuna fishing especially in Southern Java will threaten the preservation and sustainabilityof tuna resource. The decreasing trend of CPUE occured in the last 3 years (2013-2015) indicates that the exploitation rate of tuna resources in Sendangbiru was over fishing. This study aims to assess the status of tuna reasources due to fishing in Sendangbiru. The method used in this research is length based spawning potential ratio approaches or LB-SPR. Results from this study showed that the utilization of tuna resources in Sendangbiru is already at the level of over-exploited as shown by SPR value of 16.98 (less than 20%). Keywords : decreasing tren of CPUE, LB-SPR, Tuna fisheries
RELATIONS OF SEVERAL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND PHYTOPLANKTON IN COASTAL KUBU RAYA DISTRICT, WEST KALIMANTAN
Authors: Purnamaningtyas Sri Endah , Hedianto Dimas Angga , Riswanto .
Published: January 2018

This research was conducted in April, July and October 2013 at 8 (eight) stations: 1. Tj. Intan, 2. Tj. Tempurung, 3. Tj. Bunga Dalam, 4. Tj. Bunga dalam, 5. Tj. Burung, 6. P. Dabung, 7. Tasik Malaya, and 8. Tj. Harapan. This study aims to determine the relationship between several physic-chemical parameters and phytoplankton abundance. The results show the growth of phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) was determined by high concentration of NH4 and NO3, while its growth is limited by turbidity (turbidity). Station that has high fertility in the Coastal District of Kubu Raya is Dabung Island. Keyword: water quality, chlorophyll a, coastal Kubu Raya district
Task-Based Language Teaching for Beginner-Level Learners of L2 French: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Erlam Rosemary , Ellis Rod
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the effect of input-based tasks on the acquisition of vocabulary and grammar by beginner-level learners of L2 French and reported the introduction of task-based teaching as an innovation in a state secondary school. The experimental group (n = 19) completed a series of focused input-based language tasks, taught by their teacher, over two lessons. These tasks drew students’ attention to markers of plurality in French. Students did not receive any explicit explanation of these features. Tests established that they acquired receptive knowledge of new vocabulary and target structures in comparison with a control group (n = 15) that completed the tests only. The teacher successfully implemented the tasks and considered the materials effective but also suggested improvements.
The effects of friction stir processing on the wear behavior of cast AZ91C magnesium alloy
Authors: Hassani Behzad , Karimzadeh Fathallah , Enayati Mohammad Hossein , Mutschlechner Fabian , Vallant Rudolf , Hassani Kamran
Published: January 2018

The microstructure and wear properties of AZ91C alloy were studied by performing solution annealing and then aging heat treatment, friction stir processing, and friction stir processing followed by solution annealing and aging. The heat-treated microstructure included fine dendritic grains (50 ± 14.2 μm) with a considerable dissolution and dispersion of continuous network-like β-Mg17Al12 precipitates at grain boundaries. Friction stir processing significantly refined the microstructure and grains (9 ± 2.3 μm); followed by the breaking-up and dissolution of dendrites and continuous β-Mg17Al12 precipitates. Heat treatment of the friction stir processed area resulted in excessive grain growth (175 ± 71.4 μm) and dispersion of fine β precipitates. Under a range of applied stresses (0.78 MPa, 2.44 MPa and 3.66 MPa) for the wear tests, only friction stir processed samples showed improvement in wear behavior at low stress, while at the higher stresses, along with the effectiveness of other processes it was the most effective process on improving the wear resistance. Heat treatment had the most effect on improving the wear resistance at the intermediate stress; moreover, applying it to the friction stir processed area remarkably enhanced the wear resistance at all stresses. Heat treatment of the friction stir processed area also resulted in the lowest friction coefficient values during the wear test, indicating the convenience of this process for wear performance of cast AZ91C alloy. Abrasion was shown as the dominant wear mechanism.
VET as transformative, collaborative research: Cross self-confrontation, dialogical artefacts, and the development of organizational dialogue in a Swiss factory
Authors: Kloetzer Laure
Published: January 2018

In this article, VET-related collaborative research is discussed as a potential transformative experience for workers/work collectives/work organizations. Three main ideas in the creation of dialogical frameworks for collaborative research are presented: (a) Vygotsky’s research focus on provoking development in order to study it (Vygotsky, 1934/1986); (b) Oddone’s ideas on close collaboration with professionals in ‘associated research groups’ to understand and develop work experience (Oddone et al., 1981); (c) Clot’s psychological concept of activity (Clot, 1999), which includes both ‘realised activity’ and ‘real activity.’ The methodology of cross self-confrontation (Clot et al., 2001; Kloetzer et al., 2015) is based on collective work analysis, thanks to the interplay of two activities – observation and dialogue – within various contexts and for different addressees. Carefully edited video recordings, which we call here ‘dialogical artefacts,’ support this activity of analysis and transformation. This methodology aims at triggering individual thinking, collective elaboration, and rich institutional discussions, with the goal of transforming everyday work organisation. The paper presents a recently completed research project in a Swiss factory, on knowledge transmission and the training of expert workers. The production of films as dialogical artefacts, and their effects in the research and factory, are discussed. In particular, the collaborative research process shows a transformation of the topics and style of dialogue across hierarchical levels.
Modeling Plasma via Electron Impact Ionization
Authors: Shang Joseph
Published: January 2018

Variable and potential plasma applications in aerospace engineering are exemplified by ion thrusters, flow control by plasma actuator, enhanced ignition and combustion stability. The operational environments span a range from the rarefied to continuum gasdynamic regimes; however, the ionization process in practical applications is mostly by electron impact. The fundamental ionization mechanisms by electron impact consist of electron secondary mission and the cascading process. In an alternating electric field, unsteady and random micro discharges or streamers are always presented; therefore the discharge physics imposes a formidable challenge for incisive understanding. Meanwhile, the ionized species constitute hundreds of metastable chemical species; under this circumstance the physics-based modeling for analyzing the inhomogeneous medium becomes necessary. A summary of the physics-based modeling for electron impact ionization from the Boltzmann distribution equation to the inelastic particle kinetics formulation is delineated.
Foods and Places: Comparing Different Supply Chains
Authors: Carbone Anna
Published: January 2018

This paper explores the relationships between food and places and how these affect the organization and functioning of different supply chains. The theme is increasingly relevant due to demand trends and new production patterns, including globalization, that deeply affect the (re)localization of production. This is a conceptual paper extensively relying on previous studies done by the author and on evidence and concepts discussed in the literature; it does not present new in-depth case studies or any other original evidences. First, the different ways of conceptualizing and thinking the linkages between food and production places are discussed. Then, three chains that seek at delivering products for which the place of origin is important are compared: (i) short chains, where producers integrate the whole process in order to access the final consumer; (ii) geographical indications, where producers gather under a common name in order to build their reputation in connection with the place of production; (iii) retailers specialized in high quality foods, where advantages of large retailers are combined with the strong identity of products. The objective is to contribute understanding differences in the coordination modes and in the kind of governance at stake in each chain and to compare their strengths and drawbacks in terms of capacity to assure place-related quality and of delivering reliable information to consumers. Attention is also given to the role of farmers within the different chains, as these are usually strongly rooted in the place of origin but the weakest knots in the chain in terms of bargaining power. Vertical and horizontal coordination, together with collective actions, are essential for an effective alignment of the production process that can enhance quality and create/distribute value. The discussion also assesses difficulties and drawbacks related to sharing decisions and to managing common resources.
Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Infused Compressed Air Foam for Depopulation of Caged Laying Hens
Authors: Gurung Shailesh , White Dima , Archer Gregory , Styles Darrel , Zhao Dan , Farnell Yuhua , Byrd James , Farnell Morgan
Published: January 2018

Depopulation of infected poultry flocks is a key strategy to control and contain reportable diseases. Water-based foam, carbon dioxide inhalation, and ventilation shutdown are depopulation methods available to the poultry industry. Unfortunately, these methods have limited usage in caged layer hen operations. Personnel safety and welfare of birds are equally important factors to consider during emergency depopulation procedures. We have previously reported that compressed air foam (CAF) is an alternative method for depopulation of caged layer hens. We hypothesized that infusion of gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2), into the CAF would reduce physiological stress and shorten time to cessation of movement. The study had six treatments, namely a negative control, CO2 inhalation, N2 inhalation, CAF with air (CAF Air), CAF with 50% CO2 (CAF CO2), and CAF with 100% N2 (CAF N2). Four spent hens were randomly assigned to one of these treatments on each of the eight replication days. A total of 192 spent hens were used in this study. Serum corticosterone and serotonin levels were measured and compared between treatments. Time to cessation of movement of spent hens was determined using accelerometers. The addition of CO2 in CAF significantly reduced the foam quality while the addition of N2 did not. The corticosterone and serotonin levels of spent hens subjected to foam (CAF, CAF CO2, CAF N2) and gas inhalation (CO2, N2) treatments did not differ significantly. The time to cessation of movement of spent hens in the CAF N2 treatment was significantly shorter than CAF and CAF CO2 treatments but longer than the gas inhalation treatments. These data suggest that the addition of N2 is advantageous in terms of shortening time to death and improved foam quality as compared to the CAF CO2 treatment.
Review and Perspectives of Aurivillius Structures as a Lead-Free Piezoelectric System
Authors: Moure Alberto
Published: January 2018

According to the EU-Directives 2002/95/EC, 2002/96/EC, lead-based piezoceramics must be substituted in the future with more environmentally friendly alternatives, only when a reliable alternative is found. This is why an increasing interest has grown in the research community to find lead free piezoelectric materials that fulfil the requirements for this substitution. Different families of compounds have been shown to be possible candidates for this use, such as bismuth and niobates based perovskites, pyrochlores, etc. However, a material with piezoelectric coefficients similar to those of PZT (lead zirconate titanate, Pb[ZrxTi1-x]O3) has not been yet found. Besides, each of these families has its specific characteristics in terms of remnant polarization, coercive field or application temperature. Thus, the choice of each material should be made according to the specific needs of the application. In this sense, Aurivillius-type structure materials (also known as Bismuth Layered Structure Ferroelectrics, BLSF) can take advantage of their specific properties for uses as Lead Free Piezoelectric systems. Some of them have a high Curie temperature, which make them good candidates to be used as high temperature piezoelectrics; high coercive fields, which facilitates their use as actuators; or a high switching fatigue resistance, which can be useful for future applications as Ferroelectric Random Access Memories (FERAM).
Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Dry and Wet Conditions in Central Asia
Authors: Ta Zhijie , Yu Ruide , Chen Xi , Mu Guijin , Guo Yanfei
Published: January 2018

Drought has become an important threat to industrial and agricultural production and human activities in Central Asia. Using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), we explored the spatial and temporal patterns of dry and wet changes in Central Asia from 1930–2014. The Mann-Kendall trend test and empirical orthogonal function analysis were used to analyze the characteristics of drought in the interannual and seasonal scales. The results showed that the interannual SPEI index in Central Asia presented a distinct phased feature, in the late 1930s, 1970s and 1990s, three consecutive periods of drought occurred. Seasonal SPEI presented different characteristics, with no obvious drying trends in spring and summer. Autumn and winter showed a wet trend. While an obviously wetting tendency has been detected for the winter season, it started in the mid-1950s. Spatially, drought frequency is 42.87% over the entire region of Central Asia from 1930 to 2014. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are wet relative to other countries in Central Asia, with the frequency of drought occurring at 41.6% and 41.9%, respectively; lower than the average frequency of drought in Central Asia. The average frequency of drought in Kazakhstan is 43.1%. Droughts frequently occur in the central and southern parts of Kazakhstan, with the frequency of drought reaching 46.76%. Droughts hardly occur in eastern of Kazakhstan, as well as in the northeastern region. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the two driest countries in Central Asia, especially in the desert region. The frequency of drought was 50.68% and 47.64% respectively.
Surface Free Energy Utilization to Evaluate Wettability of Hydrocolloid Suspension on Different Vegetable Epicarps
Authors: Osorio Fernando , Valdés Gonzalo , Skurtys Olivier , Andrade Ricardo , Villalobos-Carvajal Ricardo , Silva-Weiss Andrea , Silva-Vera Wladimir , Giménez Begoña , Zamorano Marcela , Lopez Johana
Published: January 2018

Surface free energy is an essential physicochemical property of a solid and it greatly influences the interactions between vegetable epicarps and coating suspensions. Wettability is the property of a solid surface to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in contact with it such that it spreads over the surface and wets it, resulting from intermolecular interactions when the two are brought together. The degree of wetting (wettability) is determined by an energy balance between adhesive and cohesive work. The spreading coefficient (Scf/food) is the difference between the work of adhesion and the work of cohesion. Surface wettability is measured by the contact angle, which is formed when a droplet of a liquid is placed on a surface. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), κ-carrageenan, glycerol, and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) concentrations on the wettability of edible coatings on banana and eggplant epicarps. Coating suspension wettability on both epicarps were evaluated by contact angle measurements. For the (Scf/food) values obtained, it can be concluded that the surfaces were partially wet by the suspensions. Scf/food on banana surface was influenced mainly by κ-carrageenan concentration, HPMC-glycerol, κ-carrageenan-CNF, and glycerol-CNF interactions. Thus, increasing κ-carrageenan concentrations within the working range led to a 17.7% decrease in Scf/banana values. Furthermore, a HPMC concentration of 3 g/100 g produced a 10.4% increase of the Scf/banana values. Finally, Scf/fruit values for banana epicarps were higher (~10%) than those obtained for eggplant epicarp, indicating that suspensions wetted more the banana than the eggplant surface.
Effects of Immobilizations of rhBMP-2 and/or rhPDGF-BB on Titanium Implant Surfaces on Osseointegration and Bone Regeneration
Authors: Lee So-Hyoun , Bae Eun-Bin , Kim Sung-Eun , Yun Young-Pil , Kim Hak-Jun , Choi Jae-Won , Lee Jin-Ju , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of immobilizing rhPDGF-BB plus rhBMP-2 on heparinized-Ti implants on in vivo osseointegration and vertical bone regeneration at alveolar ridges. Successful immobilizations of rhPDGF-BB and/or rhBMP-2 onto heparinized-Ti (Hepa/Ti) were confirmed by in vitro analysis, and both growth factors were found to be sustained release. To evaluate bone regeneration, rhPDGF-BB, and/or rhBMP-2-immobilized Hepa/Ti implants were inserted into beagle dogs; implant stability quotients (ISQ), bone mineral densities, bone volumes, osseointegration, and bone formation were assessed by micro CT and histometrically. In vivo study showed that the osseointegration and bone formation were greater in the rhPDGF-BB/rhBMP-2-immobilized Hepa/Ti group than in the rhPDGF-BB-immobilized Hepa/Ti group. The rhPDGF-BB/rhBMP-2 immobilized Hepa/Ti group also showed better implant stability and greater bone volume around defect areas and intra-thread bone density (ITBD) than the rhBMP-2-immobilized Hepa/Ti group. However, no significant differences were observed between these two groups. Through these results, we conclude rhBMP-2 immobilized, heparin-grafted implants appear to offer a suitable delivery system that enhances new bone formation in defect areas around implants. However, we failed to observe the synergetic effects for the rhBMP-2 and rhPDGF-BB combination.
Rotor Position Self-Sensing of SRM Using PSO-RVM
Authors: Xiang Qianwen , Yuan Ye , Yu Yanjun , Chen Kunhua
Published: January 2018

The motors’ flux-linkage, current and angle obtained from the system with sensors were chosen as the sample data, and the estimation model of rotor position based on relevance vector machine (RVM) was built by training the sample data. The kernel function parameter in RVM model was optimized by the particle swarm algorithm in order to increase the fitting precision and generalization ability of RVM model. It achieved higher prediction accuracy with staying at the same on-line testing time as the RVM. And because the short on-line computation, the motor can operate at 3000 r/min in sensorless control with particle swarm optimization-relevance vector machine (PSO-RVM), which is higher than support vector machine (SVM) and neural network (NN). By simulation and experiment on the test motor, it is verified that the proposed estimation model can obtain the angle of full electrical period accurately under low speed and high speed operations in current chopped control and angle position control, which has satisfactory estimation precision.
A Time for Introducing the Principle of Least Potential Energy in High School Physics
Authors: Ben-Abu Yuval
Published: January 2018

Comprehending physical phenomena in topics such as advanced mechanics, quantum mechanics, relativity theory, or particle physics demands one considering the system’s energy, usually under equilibrium constrains. The least potential energy principle (LPEP), which demonstrates an interesting fascinating generalization in physics, is a powerful tool to understand such physics phenomena. Unfortunately, students at high school and universities are exposed to solely considering the forces acting on the system’s particle and apply the Newton’s laws on the system’s particles. Thus, they gain only partial understanding of the physical phenomena they are confronted with and find enormous difficulties to apply energy consideration when needed. If we wish providing students with necessary background to deal with advanced physics, the LPEP should be introduced already in high schools. The current essay provides examples of physics situations in equilibrium where students can apply the LPEP.
Comparison of Conductor-Temperature Calculations Based on Different Radial-Position-Temperature Detections for High-Voltage Power Cable
Authors: Yang Lin , Qiu Weihao , Huang Jichao , Hao Yanpeng , Fu Mingli , Hou Shuai , Li Licheng
Published: January 2018

In this paper, the calculation of the conductor temperature is related to the temperature sensor position in high-voltage power cables and four thermal circuits—based on the temperatures of insulation shield, the center of waterproof compound, the aluminum sheath, and the jacket surface are established to calculate the conductor temperature. To examine the effectiveness of conductor temperature calculations, simulation models based on flow characteristics of the air gap between the waterproof compound and the aluminum are built up, and thermocouples are placed at the four radial positions in a 110 kV cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated power cable to measure the temperatures of four positions. In measurements, six cases of current heating test under three laying environments, such as duct, water, and backfilled soil were carried out. Both errors of the conductor temperature calculation and the simulation based on the temperature of insulation shield were significantly smaller than others under all laying environments. It is the uncertainty of the thermal resistivity, together with the difference of the initial temperature of each radial position by the solar radiation, which led to the above results. The thermal capacitance of the air has little impact on errors. The thermal resistance of the air gap is the largest error source. Compromising the temperature-estimation accuracy and the insulation-damage risk, the waterproof compound is the recommended sensor position to improve the accuracy of conductor-temperature calculation. When the thermal resistances were calculated correctly, the aluminum sheath is also the recommended sensor position besides the waterproof compound.
Fractal Curves from Prime Trigonometric Series
Authors: Vartziotis Dimitris , Bohnet Doris
Published: January 2018

We study the convergence of the parameter family of series: V α , β ( t ) = ∑ p p − α exp ( 2 π i p β t ) , α , β ∈ R > 0 , t ∈ [ 0 , 1 ) defined over prime numbers p and, subsequently, their differentiability properties. The visible fractal nature of the graphs as a function of α , β is analyzed in terms of Hölder continuity, self-similarity and fractal dimension, backed with numerical results. Although this series is not a lacunary series, it has properties in common, such that we also discuss the link of this series with random walks and, consequently, explore its random properties numerically.
On the Query Complexity of Black-Peg AB-Mastermind
Authors: El Ouali Mourad , Glazik Christian , Sauerland Volkmar , Srivastav Anand
Published: January 2018

Mastermind is a two players zero sum game of imperfect information. Starting with Erdős and Rényi (1963), its combinatorics have been studied to date by several authors, e.g., Knuth (1977), Chvátal (1983), Goodrich (2009). The first player, called “codemaker”, chooses a secret code and the second player, called “codebreaker”, tries to break the secret code by making as few guesses as possible, exploiting information that is given by the codemaker after each guess. For variants that allow color repetition, Doerr et al. (2016) showed optimal results. In this paper, we consider the so called Black-Peg variant of Mastermind, where the only information concerning a guess is the number of positions in which the guess coincides with the secret code. More precisely, we deal with a special version of the Black-Peg game with n holes and k ≥ n colors where no repetition of colors is allowed. We present upper and lower bounds on the number of guesses necessary to break the secret code. For the case k = n , the secret code can be algorithmically identified within less than ( n − 3 ) ⌈ log 2 n ⌉ + 5 2 n − 1 queries. This result improves the result of Ker-I Ko and Shia-Chung Teng (1985) by almost a factor of 2. For the case k > n , we prove an upper bound of ( n − 2 ) ⌈ log 2 n ⌉ + k + 1 . Furthermore, we prove a new lower bound of n for the case k = n , which improves the recent n − log log ( n ) bound of Berger et al. (2016). We then generalize this lower bound to k queries for the case k ≥ n .
A Comparison Study of Kernel Functions in the Support Vector Machine and Its Application for Termite Detection
Authors: Achirul Nanda Muhammad , Boro Seminar Kudang , Nandika Dodi , Maddu Akhiruddin
Published: January 2018

Termites are the most destructive pests and their attacks significantly impact the quality of wooden buildings. Due to their cryptic behavior, it is rarely apparent from visual observation that a termite infestation is active and that wood damage is occurring. Based on the phenomenon of acoustic signals generated by termites when attacking wood, we proposed a practical framework to detect termites nondestructively, i.e., by using the acoustic signals extraction. This method has the pros to maintain the quality of wood products and prevent higher termite attacks. In this work, we inserted 220 subterranean termites into a pine wood for feeding activity and monitored its acoustic signal. The two acoustic features (i.e., energy and entropy) derived from the time domain were used for this study’s analysis. Furthermore, the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm with different kernel functions (i.e., linear, radial basis function, sigmoid and polynomial) were employed to recognize the termites’ acoustic signal. In addition, the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was also adopted to analyze and improve the performance results. Based on the numerical analysis, the SVM with polynomial kernel function achieves the best classification accuracy of 0.9188.
Pharmacogenetics of Vascular Risk Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Cacabelos Ramón , Meyyazhagan Arun , Carril Juan , Cacabelos Pablo , Teijido Óscar
Published: January 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a polygenic/complex disorder in which genomic, epigenomic, cerebrovascular, metabolic, and environmental factors converge to define a progressive neurodegenerative phenotype. Pharmacogenetics is a major determinant of therapeutic outcome in AD. Different categories of genes are potentially involved in the pharmacogenetic network responsible for drug efficacy and safety, including pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter, and pleiotropic genes. However, most drugs exert pleiotropic effects that are promiscuously regulated for different gene products. Only 20% of the Caucasian population are extensive metabolizers for tetragenic haplotypes integrating CYP2D6-CYP2C19-CYP2C9-CYP3A4/5 variants. Patients harboring CYP-related poor (PM) and/or ultra-rapid (UM) geno-phenotypes display more irregular profiles in drug metabolism than extensive (EM) or intermediate (IM) metabolizers. Among 111 pentagenic (APOE-APOB-APOC3-CETP-LPL) haplotypes associated with lipid metabolism, carriers of the H26 haplotype (23-TT-CG-AG-CC) exhibit the lowest cholesterol levels, and patients with the H104 haplotype (44-CC-CC-AA-CC) are severely hypercholesterolemic. Furthermore, APOE, NOS3, ACE, AGT, and CYP variants influence the therapeutic response to hypotensive drugs in AD patients with hypertension. Consequently, the implementation of pharmacogenetic procedures may optimize therapeutics in AD patients under polypharmacy regimes for the treatment of concomitant vascular disorders.
Corrosion Fatigue of Fine Grain Mg-Zn-Zr and Mg-Y-Zn Alloys
Authors: Linderov Mikhail , Vasilev Evgenii , Merson Dmitry , Markushev Mikhail , Vinogradov Alexei
Published: January 2018

Corrosion fatigue data for magnesium alloys are still scarce. The present communication reports the results of microstructural investigations and fatigue testing of the fine grain Mg-Zn-Zr (ZK60) alloy after multiaxial isothermal forging and of the hot extruded Mg-Y-Zn (WZ21) alloy in air and in the 0.9% NaCl water solution. Both of the alloys demonstrate a very good high-cycle fatigue performance in air. However, the significant drop of fatigue resistance is observed in the corrosive environment. Results are discussed from perspectives of potential applications and future studies.
Super Abrasive Machining of Integral Rotary Components Using Grinding Flank Tools
Authors: González Haizea , Calleja Amaia , Pereira Octavio , Ortega Naiara , López de Lacalle L. Norberto , Barton Michael
Published: January 2018

Manufacturing techniques that are applied to turbomachinery components represent a challenge in the aeronautic sector. These components require high resistant super-alloys in order to satisfy the extreme working conditions they have to support during their useful life. Besides, in the particular case of Integrally Bladed Rotors (IBR), usually present complex geometries that need to be roughed and finished by milling and grinding processes, respectively. In order to improve their manufacturing processes, Super Abrasive Machining (SAM) is presented as a solution because it combines the advantages of the use of grinding tools with milling feed rates. However, this innovative technique usually needed high tool rotary speed and pure cutting oils cooling. These issues implied that SAM technique was not feasible in conventional machining centers. In this work, these matters were tackled and the possibility of using SAM in these five-axis centers with emulsion coolants was achieved. To verify this approach, Inconel 718 single blades with non-ruled surfaces were manufactured with Flank-SAM technique and conventional milling process, analyzing cutting forces, surface roughness, and dimension accuracy in both cases. The results show that SAM implies a suitable, controllable, and predictable process to improve the manufacture of aeronautical critical components, such as IBR.
Haptic-Based Manipulation Scheme of Magnetic Nanoparticles in a Multi-Branch Blood Vessel for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Hamdipoor Vahid , Afzal Muhammad , Le Tuan-Anh , Yoon Jungwon
Published: January 2018

Magnetic drug targeting is a promising technique that can deliver drugs to the diseased region, while keeping the drug away from healthy parts of body. Introducing a human in the control loop of a targeted drug delivery system and using inherent bilateralism of a haptic device at the same time can considerably improve the performance of targeted drug delivery systems. In this paper, we suggest a novel intelligent haptic guidance scheme for steering a number of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using forbidden region virtual fixtures and a haptic rendering scheme with multi particles. Forbidden region virtual fixtures are a general class of guidance modes implemented in software, which help a human-machine collaborative system accomplish a specific task by constraining a movement into limited regions. To examine the effectiveness of our proposed scheme, we implemented a magnetic guided drug delivery system in a virtual environment using a physics-based model of targeted drug delivery including a multi-branch blood vessel and realistic blood dynamics. We performed user studies with different guidance modes: unguided, semi virtual fixture and full virtual fixture modes. We found out that the efficiency of targeting was significantly improved using the forbidden region virtual fixture and the proposed haptic rendering of MNPs. We can expect that using intelligent haptic feedback in real targeted drug delivery systems can improve the targeting efficiency of MNPs in multi-branch vessels.
New MEMS Tweezers for the Viscoelastic Characterization of Soft Materials at the Microscale
Authors: Di Giamberardino Paolo , Bagolini Alvise , Bellutti Pierluigi , Rudas Imre J. , Verotti Matteo , Botta Fabio , Belfiore Nicola P.
Published: January 2018

As many studies show, there is a relation between the tissue’s mechanical characteristics and some specific diseases. Knowing this relationship would help early diagnosis or microsurgery. In this paper, a new method for measuring the viscoelastic properties of soft materials at the microscale is proposed. This approach is based on the adoption of a microsystem whose mechanical structure can be reduced to a compliant four bar linkage where the connecting rod is substituted by the tissue sample. A procedure to identify both stiffness and damping coefficients of the tissue is then applied to the developed hardware. Particularly, stiffness is calculated solving the static equations of the mechanism in a desired configuration, while the damping coefficient is inferred from the dynamic equations, which are written under the hypothesis that the sample tissue is excited by a variable compression force characterized by a suitable wave form. The whole procedure is implemented by making use of a control system.
A Wireless Implant for Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Authors: Lo Yi-Kai , Wang Po-Min , Dubrovsky Genia , Wu Ming-Dao , Chan Michael , Dunn James , Liu Wentai
Published: January 2018

Implantable functional electrical stimulation (IFES) has demonstrated its effectiveness as an alternative treatment option for diseases incurable pharmaceutically (e.g., retinal prosthesis, cochlear implant, spinal cord implant for pain relief). However, the development of IFES for gastrointestinal (GI) tract modulation is still limited due to the poorly understood GI neural network (gut–brain axis) and the fundamental difference among activating/monitoring smooth muscles, skeletal muscles and neurons. This inevitably imposes different design specifications for GI implants. This paper thus addresses the design requirements for an implant to treat GI dysmotility and presents a miniaturized wireless implant capable of modulating and recording GI motility. This implant incorporates a custom-made system-on-a-chip (SoC) and a heterogeneous system-in-a-package (SiP) for device miniaturization and integration. An in vivo experiment using both rodent and porcine models is further conducted to validate the effectiveness of the implant.
Exploring the Chemical Diversity of Algerian Plants: Three New Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Launaea acanthoclada Roots
Authors: Zergainoh Nabila , Ciavatta Maria , Carbone Marianna , Bitam Fatma , Aberkane Mohamed , Gavagnin Margherita
Published: January 2018

The chemical study of Launaea acanthoclada from South-East Algeria led to the isolation of twelve oxygenated terpenoid compounds, including three new pentacyclic triterpenoids 1–3 with either lupane or ursane rearranged skeletons. The structure and the stereochemistry of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including NMR techniques. The chemical pattern of L. acanthoclada is in accordance with the triterpenoid scenario of the genus Launaea embracing to date lupane, oleane, ursane and taraxastane skeletons. However, the carbon frameworks exhibited by new compounds 1–3 have never been reported from Launaea species.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Substituted Diquinolinyl-Pyridine Ligands as Anticancer Agents by Targeting G-Quadruplex
Authors: Das Rabindra , Chevret Edith , Desplat Vanessa , Rubio Sandra , Mergny Jean-Louis , Guillon Jean
Published: January 2018

G-quadruplexes (G4) are stacked non-canonical nucleic acid structures found in specific G-rich DNA or RNA sequences in the human genome. G4 structures are liable for various biological functions; transcription, translation, cell aging as well as diseases such as cancer. These structures are therefore considered as important targets for the development of anticancer agents. Small organic heterocyclic molecules are well known to target and stabilize G4 structures. In this article, we have designed and synthesized 2,6-di-(4-carbamoyl-2-quinolyl)pyridine derivatives and their ability to stabilize G4-structures have been determined through the FRET melting assay. It has been established that these ligands are selective for G4 over duplexes and show a preference for the parallel conformation. Next, telomerase inhibition ability has been assessed using three cell lines (K562, MyLa and MV-4-11) and telomerase activity is no longer detected at 0.1 μM concentration for the most potent ligand 1c. The most promising G4 ligands were also tested for antiproliferative activity against the two human myeloid leukaemia cell lines, HL60 and K562.
Increasing the Strength and Production of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives
Authors: Badshah Syed , Ullah Asad , Ahmad Nasir , Almarhoon Zainab , Mabkhot Yahia
Published: January 2018

Artemisinin is a natural sesquiterpene lactone obtained from the Artemisia annua herb. It is widely used for the treatment of malaria. In this article, we have reviewed the role of artemisinin in controlling malaria, spread of resistance to artemisinin and the different methods used for its large scale production. The highest amount of artemisinin gene expression in tobacco leaf chloroplast leads to the production of 0.8 mg/g of the dry weight of the plant. This will revolutionize the treatment and control of malaria in third world countries. Furthermore, the generations of novel derivatives of artemisinin- and trioxane ring structure-inspired compounds are important for the treatment of malaria caused by resistant plasmodial species. Synthetic endoperoxide-like artefenomel and its derivatives are crucial for the control of malaria and such synthetic compounds should be further explored.
Ethanol-Mediated 2D Growth of Cu2O Nanoarchitectures on Nanoporous Cu Templates in Anhydrous Ethanol
Authors: Dan Zhenhua , Lu Jiafei , Li Feng , Qin Fengxiang , Chang Hui
Published: January 2018

Two types of cupric oxide (Cu2O) nanoarchitectures (nanobelts and nanopetal networks) have been achieved via immersion nanoporous copper (NPC) templates in anhydrous ethanol. NPC templates with different defect densities have been prepared by dealloying amorphous Ti60Cu40 ribbons in a mixture solution of hydrofluoric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with different ratios of HF/PVP. Both a water molecule reactant acting as OH− reservoir and the ethanol molecule serving as stabilizing or capping reagent for inhibiting the random growth of Cu2Oplayed a role of the formation of 2-dimensional Cu2O nanoarchitectures. Cu2O nanobelts are preferred to form in anhydrous ethanol on the NPC templates from Ti60Cu40 ribbons dealloying in the solution with low HF concentration and small addition of PVP; and Cu2O nanopetals are tended to grow in anhydrous ethanol from the NPC templates from Ti60Cu40 ribbons dealloying in the solution with high HF concentration and large addition of PVP. With increasing the immersion time in anhydrous ethanol, Cu2O nanopetals united together to create porous networks about 300 nm in thickness. The defect sites (i.e., twin boundary) on nanoporous Cu ligaments preferentially served as nucleation sites for Cu2O nanocrystals, and the higher defect density leads to the formation of uniform Cu2O layer. Synergistic effect of initial microstructure of NPC templates and stabilizing agent of ethanol molecule results in different Cu2O nanoarchitectures.
Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Property Relationships of Er3+-Doped TiO2 Luminescent Particles Synthesized by Sol-Gel
Authors: Lopez-Iscoa Pablo , Pugliese Diego , Boetti Nadia , Janner Davide , Baldi Giovanni , Petit Laeticia , Milanese Daniel
Published: January 2018

Titania particles doped with various concentrations of Erbium were synthesized by the sol-gel method followed by different heat treatments. The shape and the grain growth of the particles were noticeably affected by the concentration of Erbium and the heat treatment conditions. An infrared emission at 1530 nm, as well as green and red up-conversion emissions at 550 and 670 nm, were observed under excitation at 976 nm from all of the synthesized particles. The emission spectra and lifetime values appeared to be strongly influenced by the presence of the different crystalline phases. This work presents important guidelines for the synthesis of functional Er3+-doped titania particles with controlled and tailored spectroscopic properties for photonic applications.
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of UP-5, an Ultrashort Antimicrobial Peptide Designed Using Only Arginine and Biphenylalanine
Authors: Almaaytah Ammar , Qaoud Mohammed , Khalil Mohammed Gubran , Abualhaijaa Ahmad , Knappe Daniel , Hoffmann Ralf , Al-Balas Qosay
Published: January 2018

The recent upsurge of multidrug resistant bacteria (MDRB) among global communities has become one of the most serious challenges facing health professionals and the human population worldwide. Cationic ultrashort antimicrobial peptides (USAMPs) are a promising group of molecules that meet the required criteria of novel antimicrobial drug development. UP-5, a novel penta-peptide, displayed significant antimicrobial activities against various standard and clinical isolates of MDRB. UP-5 displayed MICs values within the range of (10–15 μM) and (55–65 μM) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Furthermore, UP-5 displayed antibiofilm activity with minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) value as equal to twofold higher than MIC value. At the same inhibitory concentrations, UP-5 exhibited very low or negligible toxicity toward human erythrocytes and mammalian cells. Combining UP-5 with conventional antibiotics led to a synergistic or additive mode of action that resulted in the reduction of the MIC values for some of the antibiotics by 99.7% along a significant drop in MIC values of the peptide. The stability profile of UP-5 was evaluated in full mouse plasma and serum with results indicating a more stable pattern in plasma. The present study indicates that USAMPs are promising antimicrobial agents that can avoid the negative characteristics of conventional antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, USAMPs exhibit good to moderate activity against MDRB, negligible toxicity, and synergistic outcomes in combination with conventional antimicrobial agents.