bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of multi-criteria plant layout design by combining AHP and DEA methodologies
Authors: Arunyanart Sirawadee , Pruekthaisong Surangkana
Published: August 2018

This paper deals with the problem of finding the optimal plant layout design. Decision-making methodologies based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach are applied in the selection of the best plant layout. New layouts are developed, in an efficient manner, based on the systematic layout planning (SLP). By using the multiple criteria, AHP is applied to weigh the qualitative performance measures. DEA is then used to determine the suitable layout design by measuring layouts’ efficiency, using the information of AHP and combining with the quantitative data. The utilization of the proposed procedure is applied to a real data set of a machining precision parts manufacturing company.
Wear characteristics of die surface in deep drawing of stainless steel 304 by using finite element simulation
Authors: Sabangban Numchoak , Sirikun Warit , Sangounsak Krittatee , Sucharitpwatskul Sedthawatt
Published: August 2018

The characteristics of adhesive wear of TiN coating in drawing process by using finite element method were carried out to investigate the effects of drawing angles and sliding velocities of punch to explained wear index. Bending radius of die was used to increase the contact pressure between stainless sheet and TiN coating surface. Three sliding velocities (0.5, 1 and 5 mm/s) were studied each bending angle between (0O to 90O) by keeping the hardness of material coating to 24 GPa (HV.0.05). The results showed that the wear index were decreased with drawing angle but sliding speed of punch was not affected in slightly speed.
A traffic micro-simulation model to estimate four-lane highways' capacity in Thailand
Authors: Chaipanha Wuttikrai , Tanwanichkul Ladda , Pitaksringkarn Jumrus
Published: August 2018

This article purposed to present the maximum capacity and to develop the equation in the capacity estimation of 4 types of four-lane highways by using the micro-simulation model. Regarding the analysis, the factors affecting the capacity include access-point, heavy vehicles and median u-turn. According to the study, it was found that the maximum capacity of the four-lane highways in type 1 is 2194 passenger car/hour/lane. In the descending orders, the maximum capacity of the highways with four lanes in type 2, 3, and 4 are 2161, 2094 and 2017 passenger car/hour/lane, respectively. At the same time, the maximum capacity of the prevailing condition in the study is 1300-1600 vehicles/hour/lane, which is different from the HCM2010 method for 20-30%, due to the Thai's highway characteristics directly affect the traffic and driving behavior. Median u-turn affects the four-lane highways in type 1 and 2 the most, while access-point factor has the most influence towards type 3 and 4. In addition, the author has developed the equation models for capacity estimation, which the result derived from the relationship between the capacities and affecting factors. It was aimed at using as the guidelines in the capacity assessment of Thai's four-lane highways in the future.
Cluster and regression analysis for predicting salinity in groundwater
Authors: Aphiphan Phiraphat , Seeboonruang Uma , Kaitwanidvilai Somyot
Published: August 2018

Groundwater salinity is a major problem particularly in the northeastern region of Thailand. Saline groundwater can cause widespread saline soil problem resulting in reducing agricultural productivity as in the Lower Nam Kam River Basin. In order to better manage the salinity problem, it is important to be able to predict the groundwater salinity. The objective of this research was to create a cluster-regression model for predicting the groundwater salinity. The indicator of groundwater salinity in this study was electrical conductivity because it was simple to measure in field. Ninety-eight parameters were measured including precipitation, surface water levels, groundwater levels and electrical conductivity. In this study, the highest groundwater salinity at 3 wells was predicted using the combined cluster and multiple linear regression analysis. Cross correlation and cluster analysis were applied in order to reduce the number of parameters to effectively predict the quality. After the parameter selection, multiple linear regression was applied and the modeling results obtained were R2 of 0.888, 0.918, and 0.692, respectively. This linear regression model technique can be applied elsewhere in the similar situation.
CO2 concentration from turbocharged common rail diesel engine dually fueled with compressed biomethane gas controlled at optimum ratio
Authors: Kammuang-lue Niti , Bhudtiyatanee Matas
Published: August 2018

The objectives of this study are to investigate the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration from the compressed biomethane gas (CBG) and diesel dual-fueled diesel engine and to compare the CO2 concentration produced from the dual-fueled and the diesel-fueled engines. The duration of CBG injection was controlled by following the optimum ratio of the CBG obtained from the previous study. During the test, the engine speed was varied from 1,000 to 4,000 rpm and the engine torque was maintained to be 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the maximum engine torque. Experiment was divided into two parts consisting of the dual-fueled and the diesel-fueled modes. From the dual-fueled mode, when the engine speed increased, the CO2 concentration decreased. Because the optimum ratio of the CBG and the volumetric efficiency decrease during the high engine speed range, the proportion of the diesel increases, the incomplete combustion occurs. The unburned carbon oxidizes to be the CO in higher proportion than the CO2, thus, the CO2 consequently decreases. From the CO2 comparison, the dual-fuel mode produced the CO2 nearly the same as that of the diesel-fuel mode during the low engine torque. On contrary, the dual-fuel mode had higher CO2 concentration during the high engine torque.
Numerical simulation of porous media combustion for high temperature heat exchanger
Authors: Iamsakulpanich Panu , Wasinarom Kittipass , Sesuk Thanathon , Charoensuk Jarruwat , Hanamura Katsunori , Karin Preecha , Lilavivat Visarn
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this work is developing the numerical 1D model of porous media combustion for investigating porous media burner systems. The software is used to solve energy, mass transfer and chemical reaction equation of the combustion. The operating condition and property parameters, which mainly affect the functions and quality of the industrial burner design, such as the inlet velocity of the reactants, the equivalence ratio, the extinction coefficient and the thermal conductivity of porous media, will be investigated and validated with experimental data. For developing the procedure of experiment, three diameter sizes of porous media materials (5 mm, 10 mm, and 15 mm.) were used. As a result, the developed model will be used as a tool to explore temperature distribution of heat exchange to improve thermal performance and overall efficiency system. Moreover, this knowledge can be applied to design porous media burner systems for uniform temperature distribution operation.
Plastic collapse load analysis for circumferential cracked
cylinder under pure torsion
Authors: Arun Sutham , Fongsamootr Thongchai
Published: August 2018

This paper aims to analyze the plastic collapse moment of circumferential cracked cylinder under pure torsion using the NSC approach and 3D FE model. The material considered in this work is assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic. The influences of geometric parameters of crack and cylinder, such as Rm/t, a/t and θ/π on solution of plastic collapse load are also investigated. The analysis shows that for the case of a/t < 0.75, the values of limit torsion moment can be estimated by NSC analysis which provides conservative results. However, for the case of deeper crack, a/t ≥ 0.75, the limit load solution predicted by NSC approach may not be safe, because the distribution of stress at yielding state does not correspond to the NSC assumption. Therefore, the approximated solution of collapse torsion moment for the case of deeper crack with a/t ≥ 0.75 is proposed based on FE analysis.
Collapse load analysis for circumferentially cracked cylinder
subjected to combined torsion and bending moments
Authors: Arun Sutham , Fongsamootr Thongchai
Published: August 2018

Cylinder is one of the most commonly used components which has a risk of having circumferential cracks, especially in the welding zone. When cracks are discovered, it is necessary to perform the failure strength assessment of cracked cylinder and the limit load play an important part as the input of the assessment. At present, the limit load solution for circumferential cracked cylinder under combined bending and torsion can be estimated by using the methods of equivalent moment or biaxial failure parameter. However, these methods still have some limitations. The main aim of this paper is to propose the alternative method for predicting the failure moment of circumferential cracked cylinder under combined bending and torsion. The method used in this paper is based on the modification of biaxial failure parameter and the data from finite element analysis. Details of this method is presented in this paper.
Comparison of the heat for rectangular and circle salt boiling stove in Ban Dung area, Udon Thani Province.
Authors: Srichat Aphichat , Vengsungnle Ponthep , Hongtong Kaweepongt , Kaewka Weeraphon , Jongpluempiti Jarinee
Published: August 2018

This research aims a study to compare the thermal parameter of the original (rectangular) and circle salt boiling stove by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of the boiling salt process in Ban Dung area, Udon Thani province. The first study, the rectangular stove has U-shaped channel for heating flow through chimney that the stove size is 2.4 m of width, 6.0 m of long, 0.8 m of high and cross-sectional area of heating flue was 0.8 x 0.8 m2. The second study, the circle salt boiling stove has a similarly volume of the rectangular stove of 4.32 m3 and the diameter of 4.58 m. From the results of mathematical models by CFD found that the rectangular stove have the thermal efficiency, the highest fired temperature and the velocity outlet of hot air of 17.78%, 537.77oC and 4.862 m/s, respectively. Then, the circle stove have 24.59%, 758.32oC and 3.1424 m/s, respectively. it can be calculated the thermal efficiency reduce of the boiling salt production is 27.69%. Comparison between the rectangular and the circle salt boiling stove found that the circle stove have the thermal efficiency and heating flue more than the rectangular stove. It can reduce the cost of production and reduce the fuel consumption in the salt boiling process.
The modelling of ground water quality in urban area based on demographics factor and building coverage ratio by using geographically weighted regression approach (case study in Jakarta, Indonesia)
Authors: Fitria Fitria , Sutjiningsih Dwita , Siswantining Titin
Published: August 2018

The population density as consequences of urbanisation in certain area may cause the occurrence of land utility shifting from natural site to impervious. Thus, this imperivious cover can be used as indicator of environment quality, particularly the water quality, such being the case of Jakarta, that 80% of ground water sample in Jakarta has been contaminated by E.Coli. Due to this condition, there are indicators which might be correlated with the water quality, namely building coverage ratio (BCR) and demographic factors such as population and building density. This study argues the influence of those three factors toward the ground water quality. The aim of this study is to formulate a spatial regression-correlation model between those three factors with the main indicator of water quality, namely E.Coli. The sampling data were obtained from a densely populated areas in Duren Sawit sub-district, in Jakarta. In term of statistical process, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) was used to analyse the spatial data. The result suggested that the value of R2 at 68.9% and the largest influence of E.Coli value in this models was more affected by the BCR rather than by demographic factors. This outcome would be an early recommendation for Jakarta.
An evaluation on the performance of two simple triangular bending plate elements
Authors: Rahmawati Dian , Jauhari Maknun Imam , Katili Irwan
Published: August 2018

This paper will study and compare two different three-node triangular bending plate elements with three degree of freedom per node, i.e. MITC3 and DKMT. Both elements, which were developed based on Reissner-Mindlin plate theory and independent shear strain field, have simple formulation and have already been used widely. In this paper, numerical tests for circular plate case are conducted to verify the performance and show the convergence of these two triangular elements.
The contribution agriculture waste reinforcement to the floor topping of renovation building architectures: compressive strength test by trial the percentage of the pseudostem of banana dried powder
Authors: Subpa-asa Prang , Maleesee Komson , DATE Shigeyuki , KASAI Tetsurou , Phromsuwansiri Nutchaphon , Duangpan Chakorn
Published: August 2018

The growing demand of construction around the world has led to an increased usage of concrete. However, convention concrete making materials are not entirely environmental friendly and this has enthused research on seeking greener alternative for concrete production. Agriculture industries are one of the major industries globally that harvested products such as food and biomass for organism around the world. After harvesting products, there are effluence of agriculture waste as left, straw and pseudostem. This research focusing on mechanical properties as compressive Strength Test of mortar cement adding with the pseudostem of banana dried powder (PBDP) by trial the percentage of PBDP and chemical properties as using scanning electron microscope (SEM). These findings indicate that 10% of PBDP replacement is the best ratio and element of PBDP which C was the most element in PBDP as 59.96% of mass and 71.49 % of atomic.
Influence of impervious cover determination method of upper Ciliwung watershed on flood warning system level change in Katulampa weir
Authors: Farika Niswatin , Sutjiningsih Dwita , Anggraheni Evi
Published: August 2018

The Katulampa Weir is a part of Jakarta Flood Early Warning System for the Ciliwung River. The measured water level fluctuation in the Katulampa Weir is affected by the physical condition of the Upper Ciliwung Watershed. In this study, the definition and relevance of the impervious cover determination method based on the Total Impervious Area (TIA) and Effective Impervious Area (EIA) in generating design flood discharge and its effect on the change of flood early warning level in Katulampa Weir will be evaluated. Identification of land use distribution is based on digitized process used combined GIS maps using visual interpretation of high resolution satellite images 2017. The flood analysis for both methods is applied to the same rain conditions. Evaluation of flood early warning level changes are based on flood discharge simulated results and rating curve discharge in the Katulampa Weir. The simulation by WinTR-20 gives that maximum discharge using TIA method is 150 m3/s and EIA method 139.5 m3/s. There is no significant difference between and both are classified as the same level of flood early warning system level, which is on stage 3. However, for large watersheds, it takes much effort to identify and digitize an effective impervious area.
Kinetic modeling and simulation of bio-methanol process from biogas by using aspen plus
Authors: Tamnitra Rujiroj , Jitwung Rujira , Puangpetch Tarawipa , Patthaveekongka Weerawat , Leeheng Kamonrat
Published: August 2018

A process of bio-methanol from biogas was studied by modifying kinetic model of reaction’s Richardson and Paripatyadar comparing with laboratory data. Bio-methanol process consists of 2 steps: reforming reaction (at atmospheric pressure, temperature 500 - 750 °C) and methanol synthesis (at constant pressure 40 bar, temperature 140 - 280 °C). The reaction model of each step was individual simulated. Next both steps were integrated, then they were simulated using ASPEN PLUS software. This work investigated the optimum operating condition and predicted result of both reactions. The developing model was obtained, then it was applied for ten thousand liters per day of methanol. The simulation result received from reforming reaction showed increasing temperature effect to rising in CH4 and CO2 conversion and relating with laboratory result. The optimum condition of methanol synthesis is temperature 200 °C under constant pressure 40 bar.
A study of atrazine adsorption by using the rice straw synthesized adsorbent
Authors: Samanmulya Thachanan , Deetae Pawinee , Wongpromrat Patthranit
Published: August 2018

This study focused on adsorption of atrazine in adsorbent synthesized from Rice Straw. Rice Straw biochar were used in the study as they exhibited significantly high adsorption capacity for pesticide. Briefly, rice straw was pyrolysis at 600°C under nitrogen then biochar was modified using H3PO4. Biochar were characterized for their physico-chemical characteristics. The elemental analysis of biochar was performed using CHNS Analysis. The surface area and pore volume of adsorbents were estimated using the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET Analysis). In parts of Batch adsorption experiments was performed in range of room temperature and were divided to 2 parts. Part 1: Study of the kinetics adsorption was investigated using two models, namely, the pseudo-first-order and the pseudo-second-order models. Part 2: study of Adsorption isotherms. The results of CHNS analysis shows the elemental analysis that 51.795% of C, 0.763% of H, 1.634% of N and 0.654 % of S and the result of BET Analysis shows the surface area is 372.4 m2/g and pore volume of adsorbents is 0.315 cm3. From plotting between qt(mg/g) and time (t) shows the dynamics of the adsorption of atrazine onto the biochar at 15 ppm of initial atrazine concentrations. In general, atrazine was adsorbed quickly around 1-30 min. This could be due to fast mass transfer of solute from the solution to surface of adsorbent s as a result of concentration gradient of the solute. The study of the kinetics adsorption showed that the pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption which agrees with chemisorption as the rate controlling mechanism.
Development of an automatic tracking system to determine field efficiency of agricultural machines
Authors: Tamrai Natussapol , Masarn Boripun , Kaewkabthong Apidul , Lapcharoensuk Ravipat , Sangchan Songvoot , Udompetaikul Vasu
Published: August 2018

Field efficiency of machines tells how efficient the farm machines are operating in the field. Measuring of the field efficiency used to be a tedious and laborious work which is not worth to collect for further operational optimization. The objective of this study was to develop an automatic system for monitoring the field activities and then evaluation of the field efficiency of farm machines. The system consisted of a microcontroller to collect working data including position, speed heading, and working status of the machine. The system was installed on a farm tractor with plowing disc to test on two fields with the same size, but in different traveling directions, i.e., lengthwise and crosswise. The results showed lengthwise operation yielded a higher field efficiency due to less number of turning at headlands. The proposed system allowed to collect necessary information for detailed efficiency evaluation of farm machines. This technique enables further utilization of the operational information and benefit to use in the optimization of the farm works.
Strukturen der Palliativversorgung im Krankenhaus
Authors: Gerhard Christoph
Published: August 2018

Neuerungen des Hospiz- und Palliativgesetzes (HPG) ergeben Chancen für eine bessere Hospiz- und Palliativversorgung im Krankenhaus. Es wurde infolge des HPG eine
eigene Komplexpauschale für multiprofessionelle Palliativdienste im Krankenhaus (OPS 8–98h) gebildet. Außerdem können Palliativstationen jetzt wieder tageweise
statt mittels Fallpauschalen abrechnen, falls das Krankenhaus dies wünscht. Diese Neuerungen aufgrund der vom Gesetzgeber erlassenen Regelungen sind für eine
gelingende Versorgung fortgeschritten Erkrankter und sterbender Menschen im Krankenhaus besonders förderlich. Während Palliativdienste überall im Krankenhaus
multiprofessionell mitbehandeln, sind Palliativstationen besondere Orte für besonders schwer betroffene Menschen.
Exercise Training-induced Modulation in Microenvironment of Rat Mammary Neoplasms
Authors: Figueira Ana , Figueira Mafalda , Silva Carina , Padrão Ana , Oliveira Paula , Ferreira Rita , Duarte Jose
Published: August 2018

Despite the importance attributed to exercise training in the breast cancer (BC) continuum, the underlying mechanisms modulating tumor behavior are unknown. We evaluated the effects of long-term moderate-exercise in the development of mammary tumors, and studied the microenvironment of infiltrative lesions, the amount of connective tissue, and balance between cellular proliferation/death.

Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly assigned into four groups: two control groups (sedentary and exercised) and two models of BC groups (sedentary and exercised) induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosoureia (MNU), were sacrificed after 35 weeks of moderate-exercise, and all perceptible tumors were removed for histological and immunohistochemistry analysis.

The median number of infiltrative-lesions per animal was lower in the MNU exercised animals (p=0.02). More than one histological pattern was identified, and papillary carcinoma was the most frequent in both groups. Within infiltrative-lesions, the number of immunopositive cells per μm2 of Ki67 was lower in exercised animals (p=0.002). This presents increased cell death per μm2 (p=0.019). Tumors from sedentary animals had a higher expression of collagen deposition (p=0.027).

Long-term moderate-exercise has beneficial effects in tumor development with a diminished prevalence of malignancy. Within infiltrative-lesions, moderate-exercise improves the balance between cell-proliferation and cell-death with decreased connective tissue that suggests lower tumor aggressiveness.
Electrophilic Activation of Carboxylic Anhydrides for Nucleophilic Acylation Reactions
Authors: Mahajan Dinesh , Kumar Varun , Rana Anil , Lal Meena Chhuttan , Sharma Nidhi , Kumar Yashwant
Published: August 2018

Nucleophilic acylation of symmetrical carboxylic anhydrides has inherited limitation of reaction efficiency along with relatively poor reactivity. Traditionally, one equivalent carboxylic acid is generated during nucleophilic acylation of a symmetrical anhydride, which always limits the yield of final product to 50% or less. This is a major drawback, which discourages the use of anhydrides for laboratory or industrial applications. Electrophilic activation of carboxylic anhydride using methanesulfonyl chloride is found to be an efficient method for nucleophilic acylation, which increases product yield by restricting the formation of corresponding acid as a side product. The developed protocol found to be a mild and high yielding methodology for one-pot nucleophilic acylation of carboxylic anhydrides with several type of N- and S-nucleophiles demonstrating appreciable functional group tolerance.
Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties and Anticancer
Activities of Porphyrin-Cored Fluorenodendrimers Synthesized by Click Chemistry
Authors: Rajakumar Perumal , Anandkumar Devaraj
Published: August 2018

A new class of porphyrin-cored fluorenodendrimers were synthesized by a convergent approach through click chemistry. The zeroth-, first-, and second-generation porphyrin-cored fluorenodendrimers were characterized by means of 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The UV-vis spectrum of the dendrimers showed an increase in the absorption intensity on increasing the dendrimer generation, and a bathochromic shift was observed for higher-generation dendrimers compared with lower-generation dendrimers. The dendrimers showed emission bands at 317, 604–668, and 617–668 nm, the intensity of which increased with increasing dendrimer generation. All the synthesized dendrimers exhibited a reversible oxidation potential in cyclic voltammetry. The therapeutic efficacy of the porphyrin-cored fluorenodendrimers for the inhibition of a growth tumor cell (PA-1) increased with increasing generation number of the dendrimer.
Navigation an der Halswirbelsäule
Authors: Schütze Konrad , Gebhard Florian , Richter Peter
Published: August 2018

Wie in allen anderen Abschnitten der Wirbelsäule gewinnt die intraoperative Navigation auch im Bereich der Halswirbelsäule zunehmend an Bedeutung. Die Nähe der neurovaskulären Strukturen, die komplexe Anatomie des 1. und 2. Halswirbelkörpers und die Einführung von minimalinvasiven Verfahren erschwert die sichere Schraubenplatzierung im Bereich der Halswirbelsäule. Etablierte und neuere navigierte Verfahren zielen darauf ab, die Genauigkeit bei der Schraubenplatzierung immer weiter zu erhöhen. Alle gängigen Operationen im Bereich der Halswirbelsäule können auch navigiert durchgeführt werden und zeigen im Vergleich zur konventionellen Technik niedrigere Fehllageraten. Von den zur Verfügung stehenden Verfahren zeigt die 3-D-Navigation mit einem intraoperativ generierten Bilddatensatz die höchste Genauigkeit. Die Benutzung von aus den CT-Daten modellierten Templates und roboterassistierten Verfahren muss sich gegenüber den etablierten Verfahren in großen Studien noch beweisen, stellt aber für die Zukunft eine weitere Möglichkeit dar, die Genauigkeit der Schraubenplatzierung an der Halswirbelsäule zu verbessern.
Molecular beam epitaxy and defect structure of Ge (111)/epi-Gd2O3 (111)/Si (111) heterostructures
Authors: Khiangte Krista R. , Rathore Jaswant S. , Das Sudipta , Pokharia Ravindra S. , Schmidt Jan , Osten H. J. , Laha Apurba , Mahapatra Suddhasatta
Published: August 2018

Molecular beam epitaxy of Ge (111) thin films on epitaxial-Gd2O3/Si(111) substrates is reported, along with a systematic investigation of the evolution of Ge growth and structural defects in the grown epilayer. While Ge growth begins in the Volmer-Weber growth mode, the resultant islands coalesce within the first ∼10 nm of growth, beyond which a smooth two-dimensional surface evolves. Coalescence of the initially formed islands results in the formation of rotation and reflection microtwins, which constitute a volume fraction of less than 1%. It is also observed that while the stacking sequence of the (111) planes in the Ge epilayer is similar to that of the Si substrate, the (111) planes of the Gd2O3 epilayer are rotated by 180° about the [111] direction. In metal-semiconductor-metal Schottky photodiodes fabricated with these all-epitaxial Ge-on-insulator (GeOI) samples, significant suppression of dark current is observed due to the presence of the Gd2O3 epilayer. These results are promising for applications of these GeOI structures as virtual substrates or for realization of high-speed group-IV photonic components.
Whistler modes in highly nonuniform magnetic fields. I. Propagation in two-dimensions
Authors: Urrutia J. M. , Stenzel R. L.
Published: August 2018

The propagation of whistler wave packets is studied in a large laboratory plasma with nonuniform ambient magnetic fields. The wave packets are excited by magnetic loop antennas and, for uniform fields, have the topology of helicon modes in unbounded plasmas. The waves propagate across the separatrix of X-type nulls and across circular field lines of magnetic islands. Classical wave refraction is not observed when the magnetic gradient scale length becomes shorter than the wavelength. Since the ambient magnetic field is generated by a line current, it is two dimensional and the wave magnetic field is measured and displayed in transverse planes. Using wave bursts, the space-time evolution of wave packets is observed. The group velocity has been measured. Waves can cross a separatrix and refract into nearly parallel whistler modes. The phase rotation of helicons is lost on a strongly curved field. In highly nonuniform magnetic fields, the phase velocity is determined from multipoint magnetic hodograms, the group velocity from the Poynting vector fields. The energy flow is highly field aligned while the phase flow can be highly oblique to the ambient magnetic field without encountering cyclotron resonance absorption. In the limiting case of circular field lines, counter propagating waves create azimuthal standing waves while still propagating radially. Standard concepts of plane wave refraction do not apply to whistler modes in highly nonuniform magnetic fields. Implications of these observations on research in space plasmas and helicon devices will be pointed out.
Enhanced coherence and decoupled surface states in topological insulators through structural disorder
Authors: Banerjee Abhishek , Ganesan R. , Anil Kumar P. S.
Published: August 2018

To harness the true potential of topological insulators as quantum materials for information processing, it is imperative to maximise topological surface state conduction while simultaneously improving their quantum coherence. However, these goals have turned out to be contradictory. Surface dominated transport in topological insulators has been achieved primarily through compensation doping of bulk carriers which introduces tremendous electronic disorder and drastically deteriorates electronic coherence. In this work, we use structural disorder instead of electronic disorder to manipulate the electrical properties of thin films of topological insulator Bi2Se3. We achieve decoupled surface state transport in our samples and observe significantly suppressed carrier dephasing rates in the coupled surface state regime. As the film thickness is decreased, the dephasing rate evolves from a linear to a super-linear temperature dependence. While the former is consistent with Nyquist electron-electron interactions, the latter leads to significantly enhanced coherence at low temperatures and is indicative of energy exchange due to frictional drag between the two surface states. Our work opens up the way to harness topological surface states, without being afflicted by the deleterious effects of compensation doping.
Large Hall angle-driven magneto-transport phenomena in topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhang Cheng , Gao Hongxiang , Liu Yanwen , Liu Xiaoyang , Xiu Faxian , Kou Xufeng
Published: August 2018

We report the electrical transport properties of topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2. Unlike the ordinary Hall resistance with linear slope and the parabolic magnetoresistance (MR) in conventional semiconductors, the linear-band dispersion in this system give rise to a high electron mobility of 3.4 × 104 cm/V s and a giant linear MR exceeding 5 × 103% at 2.1 K. More importantly, the large Hall angle-induced phenomena can be captured by applying a generic two-band magneto-transport model on both the Hall and MR data, and the fitting results are consistent over the entire temperature range from 2.1 K to 350 K. Furthermore, the large-Hall-angle condition also enables the observation of distinct quantum oscillations with non-trivial band topology of the Cd3As2 sample at low temperatures. Our work provides a general approach to investigate the high-mobility topological Dirac semimetals and their potential applications.
Scaling of magnetized inertial fusion with drive current rise-time
Authors: Slutz S. A.
Published: August 2018

The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept [Slutz et al. Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010); Gomez et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)] is being studied on the Z facility at Sandia National Laboratories. MagLIF is a specific example of the more general Magnetized Inertial Fusion (MIF) approach to fusion. Numerical simulations indicate that yields approaching 100 kJ should be possible on the Z machine and much higher yields (10–1000 MJ) should be possible with pulsed power machines producing larger drive currents (45–60 MA) [Slutz et al. Phys. Plasmas 23, 022702 (2016)]. A significant advantage of MIF is that the implosions can be driven more slowly than conventional inertial fusion. In general, the efficiency of pulsed power machines increases with the current rise-time; however, we show by numerical simulation that the current and energy required to obtain a given fusion gain increase monotonically with the current rise-time over the range (10–500 ns). These results can be used to optimize the design of future accelerators to drive MIF concepts such as MagLIF. We also show that the required preheat energy increases strongly with current rise-time, which indicates that very long current rise-times are not desirable at least for MagLIF.
Understanding the microscopic origin behind heterogeneous properties of water confined in and around Aβ17–42 protofilaments
Authors: Khatua Prabir , Bandyopadhyay Sanjoy
Published: August 2018

Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is responsible for one of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases, namely, Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we have carried out atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to explore the effects of non-uniform structural distortions of Aβ17–42 pre-fibrillar aggregates of different sizes on the microscopic structure and ordering of water molecules confined within their amphiphilic nanocores. The calculations revealed non-uniform peptide-water interactions resulting in simultaneous existence of both highly ordered and disordered water molecules within the spatially heterogeneous confined environment of the protofilament cores. It is found that the high degree of ordering originates from a sizable fraction of doubly coordinated core water molecules, while the randomly oriented ones are those that are coordinated with three neighbors in their first coordination shells. Furthermore, it is quantitatively demonstrated that relative fractions of these two types of water molecules are correlated with the protofilament core topology and the degree of confinement within that. It is proposed that the ordered core waters are likely to stabilize the Aβ protofilaments by screening the residue charges and favoring water-mediated salt bridge formations, while the randomly oriented ones can drive further growth of the protofilaments by being displaced easily during the docking of additional peptides. In that way, both types of core water molecules can play equally important roles in controlling the growth and stability of the Aβ-aggregates.
Identification of nonlinear piezoelectric coefficients
Authors: Meesala Vamsi C. , Hajj Muhammad R.
Published: August 2018

An identification scheme that exploits the vibration response and generated voltage of an energy harvester is proposed to estimate parameters representing nonlinear piezoelectric coefficients. We develop the governing equations of a cantilever beam with tip mass and a piezoelectric layer using the generalized Hamilton's principle and by accounting for mechanical energy, virtual work, and electric enthalpy. We then use the method of multiple scales to determine the approximate solution of the response to a direct resonant excitation. We show that the nonlinear behavior captured by the method of multiple scales as approximate solution and amplitude and phase modulation equations can be used to estimate parameters of the nonlinear piezoelectric constitutive relations.
Partner violence and postnatal mental health: cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with depression and anxiety in new mothers
Authors: Mandal Shubha Kamana , Hooker Leesa , Vally Hassan , Taft Angela
Published: August 2018

Intimate-partner violence and poor mental health are common, harmful issues for women of childbearing age. Although the prevalence and correlates of postpartum depression are well established, far less is known about postpartum anxiety. We aimed to investigate the association between postnatal depression and anxiety, and intimate-partner violence among women attending Victorian Maternal and Child Health services, using data from a randomised control trial: Improving Maternal and Child Health care for Vulnerable Mothers (MOVE). These data included postnatal women who had given birth between May and December 2010. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between intimate partner violence (using the Composite Abuse Scale) and postnatal depression and anxiety (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), controlling for participant socio-demographic characteristics. Findings showed that abused women were more likely to report postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms. There was an almost two-fold (odds ratio (OR) 1.76, 95% CI 1.03–3.01) and three-fold (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.58–4.28) increase in the odds of reporting depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively, among abused compared with non-abused women. Abused women are at a higher risk of mental health problems. This study validated findings that intimate-partner violence is strongly associated with an increased risk of postnatal depression and highlighted the previously under-reported relationship with postnatal anxiety.
Gentle masculinity in East Asia
Authors: Kroo Judit
Published: August 2018

This study considers the Japanese phenomenon ofsooshokukei-danshi(SKD) ‘Herbivore Men’ within larger discourses of ‘East-Asian gentle masculinity.’ Focusing on lexical variation across both scripted and naturalistic data, the current study argues that while use of salient variables by SKD identified speakers in media closely conform to stereotypically gendered usage patterns, use of these variables in naturalistic data is more complex, suggesting speakers’ engagement in the performance of a range of gendered stances. Furthermore, data indicate that rather than use of particular lexical items, e.g. a given pragmatic particle, the performance of gendered types emerges through patterns in the use of a range of items and that use of a single item does not by itself signal gendered performance. Concurrently, interlocutors ignore speakers’ use of otherwise salient variables when they do not conform to interlocutors’ pre-existing images of these speakers, focusing instead on use of those variables that confirm their metalinguistic images of the speaker.
Migrant youth identity work in transnational new mediascape
Authors: Kim Sujin
Published: August 2018

This paper argues that transnational new media space is an important developmental context for migrant youth who have multiple social networks across geographical and cultural locations. Informed by the ecological model of development and literacy studies, this paper examines Korean migrant adolescents’ sense of self and belonging in relation to the three intertwined identity categories – nationality, race, and ethnicity; and the role of new media in youth’s identity negotiation and representation. Using an ethnographic case study design, this paper analyzes adolescents’ identity work reflected in their verbal interviews and multimodal new media literacy practices. Findings suggest that despite the complexity of youths’ identity as seen in their shifting meaning of being Korean across national, ethno-cultural, and racial contexts, youths actively reconstructed and shared a fuller range of their identity constructs drawing on the resources and linguistic tools in transnational new media.
Blueberry field management and harvesting.
Authors: Retamales J. B. , Hancock J. F.
Published: August 2018

This chapter covers several management practices of utmost importance in blueberry cultivation, including mulching, protected cultivation, soilless culture, irrigation, pruning, grafting, pollination and harvesting. The impact of insufficient or excess water is explained. The methods to determine water status in blueberry fields are discussed and the most important irrigation systems compared. In the case of mulching, the characteristics, considerations and effects of both organic and plastic materials are presented. Soilless and protected cultivation techniques and their effects on plant behaviour are addressed. The timing, intensity and effects of pruning are presented, along with the reproductive biology of blueberries and the most effective planting designs to maximize yield and fruit quality. A section on pollination and its impact on fruit size, fruit set and yield is included. The section on grafting presents the developments that have occurred in this area. The different types of harvesting and their effect on fruit quality at both harvest and postharvest are also discussed.
The use and abuse of the term 'GMO' in the 'common weal rhetoric' against the application of modern biotechnology in agriculture.
Authors: Aerni P.
Published: August 2018

This chapter addresses the shift of discursive power from supporters to opponents of GMOs over the past three decades from a social psychology as well as a political economy perspective. In this context, the view that opponents of GMOs are driven by ethical concerns is challenged. Opportunistic behaviour by professional anti-GMO factions is illustrated through two specific political debates on GMOs in the Swiss and the EU Parliaments. The two cases reveal how the public narrative against the case of GMOs allows opponents to conceal their private agendas behind a 'common weal rhetoric', which portrays them as selfless representatives of the common or public interest. However, the credibility of this common weal rhetoric stands and falls with the credibility of the term 'GMO', which has developed a life of its own, very much detached from the technology itself.
Collaborating with the enemy? A view from down under on GM research partnerships.
Authors: Ankeny R. A. , Bray H. J. , McKinley K. A.
Published: August 2018

This chapter explores the distribution of funding and approvals for GM crops in Australia in order to determine if private interests dominate public research in agricultural biotechnology and if public interests can be served by collaborations with private organizations. Although a highly detailed analysis is not possible given the available data, it is contended that the Australian setting provides a different perspective on the potential for various forms of public-private collaborations in GM research, as well as an excellent test bed for assessing effects of diverse types of funding and institutional arrangements. Three brief GM case studies from the Australian context are presented to explore key issues arising and underlying complexities associated with GM research: (i) drought-tolerant wheat; (ii) high-amylose wheat; and (iii) Vitamin A-enhanced 'super banana'.
Three models of public opinion and public interest for agricultural biotechnology: precautionary, conventional and accommodative.
Authors: Windsor D.
Published: August 2018

The normative research question addressed in this chapter is whether the public interest means agricultural biotechnology should lead (and thus reshape) public opinion or wait for public opinion to become sufficiently supportive. The chapter considers three models of how public opinion is linked to regulatory approaches and reviews examples of each. For example, the chapter shows how European regulatory systems are precautionary and that public opinion leads and biotechnology research follows. Many agriculturally oriented countries are conventional; while not being anti-GMO, public opinion leads over new technology research. In the USA, regulation is accommodative, so that agricultural biotechnology leads and public opinion follows. The chapter explains how ethical tensions are affected by each regulatory model, and suggests that regulatory models can change, by, for instance, moving from precautionary to conventional to accommodative.
Nature-identical outcomes, artificial processes: governance of CRISPR/cas genome editing as an ethical challenge.
Authors: Pirscher F. , Bartkowski B. , Theesfeld I. , Timaeus J.
Published: August 2018

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology and introduces the critical concept of nature-identical genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It presents an outline of the current societal debate on regulating cisgenic plants created by means of CRISPR/Cas genome editing, with a particular focus on the European Union . It discusses the different value concepts and ethical tensions that lead to different perspectives on regulation and frames possible governance solutions that may help to balance those diverging values by highlighting governance-specific challenges . Finally, this chapter offers conclusions about how CRISPR/Cas genome editing gives rise to a set of ethical tensions that go well beyond previous debates surrounding GM crops, particularly by opening up a debate about a product vs process perspective, in both ethical and governance discourses.
Heterologous expression of geraniol dehydrogenase for identifying the metabolic pathways involved in the biotransformation of citral by Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5
Authors: Usami Atsushi , Ishikawa Masahito , Hori Katsutoshi
Published: August 2018

The biotransformation of citral, an industrially important monoterpenoid, has been extensively studied using many microbial biocatalysts. However, the metabolic pathways involved in its biotransformation are still unclear, because citral is a mixture of the trans-isomer geranial and the cis-isomer neral. Here, we applied the heterologous expression of geoA, a gene encoding geraniol dehydrogenase that specifically converts geraniol to geranial and nerol to neral, to identify the metabolic pathways involved in the biotransformation of citral. Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5 was employed in order to demonstrate the utility of this methodology. Tol 5 transformed citral to (1R,3R,4R)-1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-1,3-cyclohexanediol and geranic acid. Biotransformation of citral precursors (geraniol and nerol) by Tol 5 transformant cells expressing geoA revealed that these compounds were transformed specifically from geranial. Our methodology is expected to facilitate a better understanding of the metabolic pathways involved in the biotransformation of substrates that are unstable and include geometric isomers.
Reconstitution reveals Ykt6 as the autophagosomal SNARE in autophagosome–vacuole fusion
Authors: Bas Levent , Papinski Daniel , Licheva Mariya , Torggler Raffaela , Rohringer Sabrina , Schuschnig Martina , Kraft Claudine
Published: August 2018

Autophagy mediates the bulk degradation of cytoplasmic material, particularly during starvation. Upon the induction of autophagy, autophagosomes form a sealed membrane around cargo, fuse with a lytic compartment, and release the cargo for degradation. The mechanism of autophagosome–vacuole fusion is poorly understood, although factors that mediate other cellular fusion events have been implicated. In this study, we developed an in vitro reconstitution assay that enables systematic discovery and dissection of the players involved in autophagosome–vacuole fusion. We found that this process requires the Atg14–Vps34 complex to generate PI3P and thus recruit the Ypt7 module to autophagosomes. The HOPS-tethering complex, recruited by Ypt7, is required to prepare SNARE proteins for fusion. Furthermore, we discovered that fusion requires the R-SNARE Ykt6 on the autophagosome, together with the Q-SNAREs Vam3, Vam7, and Vti1 on the vacuole. These findings shed new light on the mechanism of autophagosome–vacuole fusion and reveal that the R-SNARE Ykt6 is required for this process.
Dan Davis: Up close and personal with immune cells
Authors: Infarinato Nicole
Published: August 2018

Davis uses microscopy and imaging approaches to study immune cell interactions.