bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extractive Fermentation of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum Using Vacuum Fractionation Technique: Optimization and Techno-Economic Assessment
Authors: Kongkaew Artit , Tönjes Jan , Siemer Michael , Boontawan Pailin , Rarey Jürgen , Boontawan Apichat
Published: April 2018

Direct extraction of high purity ethanol from fermentation broth was investigated using a vacuum fractionation technique. Batch and repeated-batch extractive fermentation of ethanol were carried out using concentrated sweet sorghum as a carbon source. The effect of product inhibition was reduced by continuous removing ethanol from the fermented broth. About 60 % relative viability was observed in fermented broth with a higher productivity value. Due to the high value of living cells presented in the medium, repeated-batch extractive fermentation was subsequently performed. The ethanol was continuously fractionated out from the system at the average rate of 10.2 g/h with the concentration of approximately 80 wt%. There were 8 cycles of fermentation using only 1 time inoculation. Nevertheless, the calculated ethanol productivity and relative viability for each fermentation cycle were decreased gradually due to the accumulation of toxic substances in fermented broth. The simulation of 200 liters continuous extractive fermentation system using ASPEN PLUS was studied including process optimization and economical consideration. 18.5 liters of ethanol solutions 82 wt% with insignificant amounts of by-product was produced from a 200 liters extractive fermentation system per day. Production cost including raw material and utilities cost was approximately 0.71 €/liter. The economic and systemic performance process were subsequently analyzed, and including that ethanol loss was recovered using a gas scrubber connected to the vapor exiting the venturi tank as well as in the stillage stream. The calculated utility costs after process modification were 0.5 €/liter of ethanol, approximately 30 % of production cost was reduced.
Modeling and Hydraulic Characterization of a Filter-Press-Type Electrochemical Reactor by Using Residence Time Distribution Analysis and Hydraulic Indices
Authors: Regalado-Méndez Alejandro , Mentado-Morales Juan , Vázquez Carlos Estrada , Martínez-Villa Gerardo , Cordero Mario E. , Zárate Luis G. , Skogestad Sigurd , Peralta-Reyes Ever
Published: April 2018

Modeling and hydraulic characterization of a filter-press-type electrochemical reactor was studied by means of residence time distribution and hydraulic indices. For these purposes, a theoretical and approximation of residence time distribution experimental curves with axial dispersion model and Danckwerts’ boundary conditions, the Morrill dispersion index, the short-circuiting index, the Morrill volumetric efficiency index, and useful volume percent were used in order to establish deviation from plug-flow ideal, as well as dead volume, and the hydraulic efficiency. The hydraulic efficiency measure of the filter-press-type electrochemical reactor confirms uniformity of flow and a highly effective useful volume percent (91 %-98 % for all liquid flow rates tested). The axial dispersion coefficients computed (0.0005–0.0021 m2/s) indicates a small deviation of plug-flow ideal. Hence, the plug-flow reactor model is reliable for purpose modeling of the filter-press-type electrochemical reactor used in this research. Furthermore, hydrodynamic characterization of the tested filter-press-type electrochemical reactor by using hydraulic indices demonstrated its suitability for several electrochemical applications.
Promoting Effects of Ni for Toluene Catalytic Combustion Over CoNi/TiO2 Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Xie Hongmei , Xia Deping , Zhou Guilin
Published: April 2018

The supported CoNi/TiO2composite oxide catalysts were prepared by impregnation method. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared catalysts were studied by XRD, XPS and H2-TPR. The results show that the Co3O4, NiO and NiCo2O4species are formed in the CoNi/TiO2composite oxide catalysts. The interaction between the Co and Ni species can effectively enhance the properties of the CoNi/TiO2oxide catalysts. The introduction of Ni species can effectively enhance the surface hydroxyl oxygen species and adsorbed oxygen species content, and the Co3+species content can be enhanced on the surface of the prepared CoNi/TiO2composite oxide catalysts. The low temperature reducibility and toluene catalytic combustion activity of the CoNi/TiO2composite oxide catalysts can be improved by the Ni species. The toluene catalytic combustion activity of CoNi/TiO2composite catalysts can be obviously affected by the Co/Ni molar ratio. The CoNi/TiO2composite oxide catalyst, which has a Co/Ni molar ratio of 1.0, has the best toluene catalytic combustion activity and wide scope of the concentration of toluene. The toluene catalytic combustion conversion can exceed 99 % at 340 °C. That is to say, the toluene concentration in air can be decreased to 80 ppm from 8000 ppm.
Electrodermal response to auditory stimuli in relation to menopausal transition period
Authors: Kishan Ashwini , Marakur Nikitha , Moodithaya Shailaja , Mirajkar Amrit M.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Menopause-associated estrogen deficiency results in climacteric symptoms like vasomotor, psychological and sleep disturbances that cause a decline in the quality of life. Electrodermal activity (EDA), a psychophysiological measure, reflects sympathetic activity, which provides information associated with individual’s emotions, phobias, arousal, cognition and stress. The study compared electrodermal response to auditory stimuli between postmenopausal and perimenopausal women with and without symptoms and also correlated the association of scores of the menopausal transition symptoms with indices of EDA.

Methods:

Seventy-five women volunteers in the age group of 45–60 years, 25 in each group who were postmenopausal, perimenopausal with symptoms and perimenopausal without symptoms, were recruited. Indices of EDA such as latency, amplitude, rise time and half recovery time for auditory stimuli were quantified using standard techniques. Symptoms of menopausal transition were assessed using Women Health Questionnaire.

Results:

Analysis using one-way analysis of covariance after controlling for variables showed that mean skin conductance level of EDA was significantly higher among perimenopausal women with symptoms compared with perimenopausal women without symptoms and postmenopausal women. Perimenopausal women with symptoms had significantly lower latency of response when compared with other groups. Analysis using Pearson correlation test showed that latency of EDA had significant positive correlation and amplitude had significant negative correlation with menopausal transition symptom scores.

Conclusions:

Perimenopausal women with symptoms exhibited increased sympathetic sudomotor activity when compared with perimenopausal women without symptoms and postmenopausal women as measured by EDA. Further, select measures of EDA exhibited significant association with the symptoms of menopausal transition.
Regulation of hypoxia inducible factor/prolyl hydroxylase binding domain proteins 1 by PPARα and high salt diet
Authors: Ozurumba Ezinne , Mathew Omana , Ranganna Katsuri , Choi Myung , Oyekan Adebayo
Published: April 2018

Background:

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)/prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)-containing proteins are involved in renal adaptive response to high salt (HS). Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a transcription factor involved in fatty acid oxidation is implicated in the regulation of renal function. As both HIF-1α/PHD and PPARα contribute to the adaptive changes to altered oxygen tension, this study tested the hypothesis that PHD-induced renal adaptive response to HS is PPARα-dependent.

Methods:

PPARα wild type (WT) and knock out (KO) mice were fed a low salt (LS) (0.03% NaCl) or a HS (8% NaCl) diet for 8 days and treated with hydralazine. PPARα and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression were evaluated in the kidney cortex and medulla. A 24-h urinary volume (UV), sodium excretion (UNaV), and nitrite excretion (UNOx
V) were also determined.

Results:

PHD1 expression was greater in the medulla as compared to the cortex of PPARα WT mice (p<0.05) fed with a LS (0.03% NaCl) diet. The HS diet (8% NaCl) downregulated PHD1 expression in the medulla (p<0.05) but not the cortex of WT mice whereas expression was downregulated in the cortex (p<0.05) and medulla (p<0.05) of KO mice. These changes were accompanied by HS-induced diuresis (p<0.05) and natriuresis (p<0.05) that were greater in WT mice (p<0.05). Similarly, UNOx
V, index of renal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity or availability and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression was greater in WT (p<0.05) but unchanged in KO mice on HS diet. Hydralazine, a PHD inhibitor, did not affect diuresis or natriuresis in LS diet-fed WT or KO mice but both were increased (p<0.05) in HS diet-fed WT mice. Hydralazine also increased UNOx
V (p<0.05) with no change in diuresis, natriuresis, or HO-1 expression in KO mice on HS diet.

Conclusions:

These data suggest that HS-induced PPARα-mediated downregulation of PHD1 is a novel pathway for PHD/HIF-1α transcriptional regulation for adaptive responses to promote renal function via downstream signaling involving NOS and HO.
What is Gained from Past Learning
Authors: Pearl Judea
Published: April 2018

We consider ways of enabling systems to apply previously learned information to novel situations so as to minimize the need for retraining. We show that theoretical limitations exist on the amount of information that can be transported from previous learning, and that robustness to changing environments depends on a delicate balance between the relations to be learned and the causal structure of the underlying model. We demonstrate by examples how this robustness can be quantified.
On Comprehensively Intermediate Measures of Inequality and Poverty, with an Illustrative Application to Global Data
Authors: Subramanian S.
Published: April 2018

The dominant convention in the measurement of inequality and poverty is to employ scale-invariant and replication-invariant measures, that is, measures that are thoroughgoingly relative. This is a routine feature of both the theoretical and applied literature in the area, despite weighty arguments that have been advanced by certain practitioners in favor of centrist measures which avoid the “extreme” values of both income-relative and income-absolute measures. The present paper extends these arguments in favor of measures which arebothincome-centrist and population centrist. A comprehensively centrist Gini coefficient of inequality is proposed, and likewise a comprehensively centrist class of poverty measures which are counterparts of the well-known Foster-Greer Thorbecke class of relative poverty measures. It is suggested that our diagnosis of the problems of inequality and poverty is likely to be a profoundly variable function of the precise types of inequality and poverty measures we employ in order to assess the magnitudes and trends of the phenomenon.
Deficiency and commensurators
Authors: Hillman Jonathan A.
Published: April 2018

We show that if π is the fundamental group of a 4-dimensional
infrasolvmanifold then

-
2

≤

def
⁢

(
π
)

≤
0

{-2\leq\mathrm{def}(\pi)\leq 0}

,
and give examples realizing each value allowed by our constraints,
for each possible value of the rank of

π
/

π
′

{\pi/\pi^{\prime}}

.
We also consider the abstract commensurators of such groups.
Finally, we show that if G is a finitely generated group, the kernel
of the natural homomorphism from G to its abstract commensurator

Comm
⁢

(
G
)

{\mathrm{Comm}(G)}

is locally nilpotent by locally finite,
and is finite if

def
⁢

(
G
)

>
1

{\mathrm{def}(G)>1}

.
Finite rank and pseudofinite groups
Authors: Palacín Daniel
Published: April 2018

It is proven that an infinite finitely generated group cannot be elementarily equivalent to an ultraproduct of finite groups of a given Prüfer rank. Furthermore, it is shown that an infinite finitely generated group of finite Prüfer rank is not pseudofinite.
From Finite Time to Finite Physical Dimensions Thermodynamics: The Carnot Engine and Onsager’s Relations Revisited
Authors: Feidt Michel , Costea Monica
Published: April 2018

Many works have been devoted to finite time thermodynamics since the Curzon and Ahlborn [1] contribution, which is generally considered as its origin. Nevertheless, previous works in this domain have been revealed [2], [3], and recently, results of the attempt to correlate Finite Time Thermodynamics with Linear Irreversible Thermodynamics according to Onsager’s theory were reported [4].

The aim of the present paper is to extend and improve the approach relative to thermodynamic optimization of generic objective functions of a Carnot engine with linear response regime presented in [4]. The case study of the Carnot engine is revisited within the steady state hypothesis, when non-adiabaticity of the system is considered, and heat loss is accounted for by an overall heat leak between the engine heat reservoirs.

The optimization is focused on the main objective functions connected to engineering conditions, namely maximum efficiency or power output, except the one relative to entropy that is more fundamental.

Results given in reference [4] relative to the maximum power output and minimum entropy production as objective function are reconsidered and clarified, and the change from finite time to finite physical dimension was shown to be done by the heat flow rate at the source.

Our modeling has led to new results of the Carnot engine optimization and proved that the primary interest for an engineer is mainly connected to what we called Finite Physical Dimensions Optimal Thermodynamics.
A contraction property of an adaptive divergence-conforming discontinuous Galerkin method for the Stokes problem
Authors: Sharma Natasha , Kanschat Guido
Published: April 2018

We prove the contraction property for two successive loops of the adaptive algorithm for the Stokes problem reducing the error of the velocity. The problem is discretized by a divergence-conforming discontinuous Galerkin method which separates pressure and velocity approximation due to its cochain property. This allows us to establish the quasi-orthogonality property which is crucial for the proof of the contraction. We also establish the quasi-optimal complexity of the adaptive algorithm in terms of the degrees of freedom.
Transmission Performance of 112 Gb/s POLMUX QPSK Signal in OOK/DPSK WDM System
Authors: Sandhu Harmanpreet Kaur , Kaler R.S , Kaur Gurpreet , Randhawa Rajneesh
Published: April 2018

In this article, the impact of cross-phase modulation (XPM) and cross-polarization modulation (XpolM) on transmission of 112 Gb/s polarization multiplexed quadrature phase shift keying (POLMUX QPSK) signal in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system has been investigated. This WDM system comprises of on-off keying (OOK) or differential phase shift keying (DPSK) channels. It is observed that the effects of XPM and XpolM are greatly reduced in a hybrid system of co-propagating OOK and DPSK channels. This is due to the dominance of phase modulation of DPSK signals rather than the intensity modulated OOK signals. The error vector magnitude (EVM) of the received optical signal is evaluated for the increase in number of neighbouring OOK and DPSK channels respectively within a bandwidth of 350 GHz. Also, the effect of increase in bit rate for two neighbouring OOK and DPSK channels has been observed individually on the 112 Gb/s POLMUX QPSK signal. It is concluded that DPSK signals display an improvement of −9.44 dB in EVM over OOK signals when there are eight neighbouring channels in the transmission system.
Performance Evaluation of DPSK System with Different Combination of Hybrid Optical Amplifiers by Using Equal and Unequal Channel Spacing
Authors: Singh Manveer , Dewra Sanjeev
Published: April 2018

This article investigates the performance of differential phase shift key system with different hybrid optical amplifiers with equal and unequal channel spacing. The differential phase shift key signals are transmitted with equal channel spacing of 0.1 THz and unequal channel spacing of 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.15 THz at 96×20 Gbps bit rate. The maximum transmission distance of 230 km is achieved with unequal channel spacing. It is observed that the interference between adjacent channels decreases due to unequal channel spacing and gives better results than equal channel spacing in terms of bit error rate and quality factor. It is found that the maximum distance of 220 km is achieved with equal channel spacing using Raman-erbium-doped fiber amplifier hybrid amplifier.
Companding Schemes for Reducing PAPR in OFDM System: A Review
Authors: Goel Ashish , Mathur Prateek
Published: April 2018

High PAPR poses a large hindrance to high data rate Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals. A companding transform converts the Probability distribution function (PDF) of the transmitted OFDM signal in a way which reduces the Peak-to-average power-ratio (PAPR). In this paper, we have performed the study of companding techniques and analyzes the PAPR and BER performances of these schemes. Here, we have considered μ-law companding, exponential companding, trapezoidal companding (TC) and trigonal companding for comparison. In this paper, we have demonstrated that μ-law companding, exponential companding and trigonal companding schemes have no adaptability in designing the companding function, and along these lines an exchange off between BER performance and PAPR reduction ability is unrealistic to accomplish. However, TC scheme has two parameters (a and b) to design the companding function and hence a trade-off between PAPR reduction capability and BER performance is possible to achieve. BER performance and PAPR reduction capabilities of the scheme under consideration are evaluated and compared through computer simulations. We have also presented an approach to obtain the minimum BER and PAPR of TC and found out the values of design parameters (a and b) for which TC scheme has minimum BER and PAPR.
Prediction of First Higher Order Modal Field for Graded Index Fiber in Presence of Kerr Nonlinearity
Authors: Chakraborty Subhalaxmi , Mandal Chintan Kumar , Gangopadhyay Sankar
Published: April 2018

We report evaluation of first higher order modal field for dual mode optical fiber having step and parabolic index profiles. The study is carried out both in absence as well as in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. The analysis is based on a simple iterative method involving Chebyshev formalism. Taking some typical step- and parabolic-index fibers as examples, we show that our results agree excellently with the exact results which can be obtained by applying rigorous methods. Thus, our simple formalism stands the merit of being considered as an accurate alternative to the existing cumbersome methods. The prescribed formalism provides scope for accurate estimation of different propagation parameters associated with first higher order mode in such kinds of fibers in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. The execution of formalism being user friendly, it will be beneficial to the system engineers working in the field of optical technology.
Low Input Power an All Optical 4 × 2 Encoder based on Triangular Lattice Shape Photonic Crystal
Authors: Naghizade S. , Khoshsima H.
Published: April 2018

An all optical encoder based triangular lattice shape photonic crystal (PC) is proposed. The device is composed of two ring resonator waveguides and two OR gate with four input ports waveguides and two output ports waveguides in triangular lattice shape PC. The band diagram of base PC structure calculated by plane wave expansion (PWE) method. Also, transmission and distribution of electrical field behaviors of the proposed device are verified by two dimensional finite difference time domain (2D-FDTD) method. The proposed 4 × 2 encoder can operate at third communication window range, considering definitions of logic 0 and 1 being the normalized transmission as less than 3% and greater than 95% respectively. Despite the nonlinear encoders, in our case, due to the non-use of non-linear effects such as Kerr effect, low input power required for encoder.
Cord blood klotho levels are inversely associated with leptin in healthy Latino neonates at risk for obesity
Authors: Wojcicki Janet M. , Prather Aric A. , Epel Elissa , Wang Dan , Dubal Dena B.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Klotho serum levels reflect nutritional state in adults including obesity and anorexia. The relationship between cord blood klotho levels at birth and parameters of growth including anthropometrics are not known.

Methods:

We evaluated the relationship between cord blood klotho, leptin and adipocyte hormones and infant, child and maternal anthropometrics and maternal depression in a cohort of 73 children. Non-parametric tests were used to assess differences between dichotomous and categorical predictors and klotho levels and Spearman’s rank coefficients were used to assess the relationship between klotho levels and continuous predictors. A multivariable log transformed linear regression model was used to test for independent predictors of serum klotho levels.

Results:

Mean klotho levels were 2864.9±1409.7 (pg/mL) in cord blood and we found no relationship with infant sex, delivery specifics including gestational age or anthropometrics at birth. There was similarly no association between klotho levels at birth and future obesity at age 2. Leptin levels at birth were inversely associated with klotho levels in multivariable models after adjusting for other covariates (p<0.01). Similarly, in multivariable models insulin levels were inversely correlated with klotho levels (p=0.03). Leptin levels in our cohort of at-risk infants were more than 50% higher than other studies with neonates.

Conclusions:

We found no associations between weight or length at birth or obesity in early childhood and cord blood klotho levels. Cord blood klotho levels were inversely correlated with leptin and insulin levels at birth and should be further investigated to better understand the inter-relationship between this hormone and key regulators of growth and adiposity.
Review and evaluation of patient-centered psychosocial assessments for children with central precocious puberty or early puberty
Authors: Williams Valerie S.L. , Soliman Ahmed M. , Barrett Amy M. , Klein Karen O.
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the current use of patient-centered psychosocial assessments for the evaluation of children with central precocious puberty (CPP). Studies evaluating the psychosocial impact of CPP were identified through searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, ClinicalTrials.gov, a drug prescribing information database, and regulatory websites. Studies were screened using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Potentially relevant patient-centered outcome assessments (including patient-, parent- or observer-reported measures) used in the identified studies were evaluated in detail for their relevance in CPP. Of the 467 studies identified, 15 met the inclusion criteria. Frequently assessed concepts included depression and anxiety, behavior and behavioral problems, body image and self-esteem and personality type/characteristics. Among the assessments used in the identified studies, the Child Behavior Checklist, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), SF-10 for Children and Child Health Questionnaire were comprehensively evaluated. The PedsQL showed promise as a patient-centered outcome measure in CPP. Although there is a lack of validated tools measuring psychosocial health and health-related quality of life in patients with CPP, the PedsQL captures issues seen in this patient population and is relatively easy to administer. Further studies using this and other tools in children with CPP are needed.
Pleasure and Purpose in Kant’s Theory of Taste
Authors: Rueger Alexander
Published: April 2018

In the Critique of Judgment Kant repeatedly points out that it is only the pleasure of taste that reveals to us the need to introduce a third faculty of the mind with its own a priori principle. In order to elucidate this claim I discuss two general principles about pleasure that Kant presents, the transcendental definition of pleasure from § 10 and the principle from the Introduction that connects pleasure with the achievement of an aim. Precursors of these principles had been employed by Kant and others in empirical psychology. But how can such principles of empirical psychology be transferred to transcendental philosophy? I suggest that Kant accomplishes this by deriving the connection of pleasure with achievement of an aim from the transcendental definition and the assumption that faculties have interests. I finally reconstruct § 11 as a ‘regressive argument’ from the peculiarities of the pleasure of taste to the need to acknowledge a new faculty.
Descartes’s Legacy in Kant’s Notions of Physical Influx and Space-Filling: True Estimation
and
Physical Monadology
Authors: Ferrini Cinzia
Published: April 2018

This paper examines Kant’s pre-Critical distinction between the capacity of an immaterial simple substance to occupy space by having a spatial location and the sphere of its activity, in contrast to the power of material compound bodies to fill space by their extension and solidity. I highlight some important features of Descartes’ metaphysical and physical models of the contingent locality of simple unextended substances and challenge the recently articulated view that Henry More’s model of extended but metaphysically indivisible spirits is an archetype for, or at least a precursor to, Kant’s dynamic monads. I claim that, contra More and the Newtonians, Kant is indebted to Descartes for this idea of how simple substances take up space and can be extended in an ‘analogous’ way by means of the effects of their activity.
English versus Spanish Procedural Law Terminology and Phraseology: Troublesome Features for Translators
Authors: Vázquez y del Árbol Esther
Published: April 2018

Legal translation is increasingly demanded in the professional market.When a translator tackles the translation of a source text from the same law system as to the target text the difficulties encountered may not prove very onerous. Nevertheless, when the translation brief comprises heterogeneous legal systems it places the translator into a difficult translation task. That is precisely the case of Common Law versus Civil Law and the legislation arising therefrom: Procedural Law. In this paper we will explain the features of procedural legal discourse and the tools for providing an adequate translation (English-Spanish/Spanish-English) for the terminology and phraseology identified in our bilingual corpus.
La terminografía basada en corpus y su repercusión/importancia/relevancia en la interpretación sanitaria: creación de la base de datos TermiMED
Authors: Lavado Puyol Rocío , Postigo Pinazo Encarnación
Published: April 2018

Medical interpreting has a great deal of importance in Spain, which is mainly due to both the large number of residents from English-speaking countries attended in hospitals and, especially, health tourism (Observatorio Europeo de Sistemas y Políticas de Salud, 2010; Escuela de Organización Industrial y la Secretaría de Estado de Turismo, 2013 b; Instituto Nacional de Estadística, 2015). Consequently, it is essential that interpreters have the tools they need to carry out their work as efficiently and effectively as possible (Hale, 2010; Angelelli, 2015; Postigo Pinazo, 2015), especially in the terminology field, which constitutes one of the biggest difficulties in biomedical interpretation (Roat/Creeze, 2015). Thus, and based on past research (Postigo Pinazo/Lavado Puyol, 2015), a self-designed survey-based study and the evaluation of the existing terminological resources, in this article we will present a new terminological and research tool intended for interpreters, translators and health professionals: TermiMED.
A special class of functional equations
Authors: Charifi Ahmed , Łukasik Radosław , Zeglami Driss
Published: April 2018

We obtain in terms of additive and multi-additive functions the solutions f, h: S → H of the functional equation

∑

λ
∈
Φ

f
(
x
+
λ
y
+

a

λ

)
=
N
f
(
x
)
+
h
(
y
)
,

x
,
y
∈
S
,

$$\begin{array}{}
\displaystyle \sum\limits_{\lambda \in \Phi }f(x+\lambda y+a_{\lambda })=Nf(x)+h(y),\quad
x,y\in S,
\end{array} $$

where (S, +) is an abelian monoid, Φ is a finite group of automorphisms of S, N = | Φ | designates the number of its elements, {a
λ, λ ∈ Φ} are arbitrary elements of S and (H, +) is an abelian group. In addition, some applications are given. This equation provides a joint generalization of many functional equations such as Cauchy’s, Jensen’s, Łukasik’s, quadratic or Φ-quadratic equations.
Theoretical Analysis of the Rectangular Defect Orientation using Magnetic Flux Leakage
Authors: Alaric J. Sam , Suresh V. , Abudhahir A. , Sobia M. Carmel , Baarkavi M.
Published: April 2018

This paper presents an approach to estimate the orientation of the rectangular defect in the ferromagnetic specimen using the magnetic flux leakage technique. Three components of the magnetic flux leakage profile, such as radial, axial, and tangential component are considered to estimate the orientation of the rectangular defect. The orientation of the rectangular defect is estimated by the proposed analytical model using MATLAB software. The results calculated by the analytical model are validated by the three-dimensional finite element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Tangential component provides better performance to estimate the orientation of the rectangular defect compared with radial and axial component of the magnetic flux leakage profile.
Shifting multilingual strategies in a Flemish public healthcare service
Authors: De Wilde July , Van Hoof Sarah , Decock Sofie , Rillof Pascal , Van Praet Ellen
Published: April 2018

This paper addresses the challenges service providers are facing amidst growing ethnolinguistic diversity in a neoliberal climate. We focus on the public service provider Kind & Gezin (K&G), the agency that monitors the wellbeing of young children on behalf of the Flemish authorities in Belgium. We demonstrate that the organisation has taken various multilingual measures that go against the government’s preference for monolingual service provision. This is particularly the case for ‘bottom-up’ bilingual practices, where bilingual family support workers and medical staff developed bilingual routines in service provision, much in line with the ‘client-centered communication’ which K&G professes. Whereas these practices were initially endorsed by K&G’s management, a further diversification of K&G’s clientele, along with budgetary restrictions, prompted management to restrict these practices and explore alternative ways of providing multilingual services that do not require the recruitment of extra staff. Drawing on ethnographic data we explore the rationale underlying the organisation’s decision to restrict its multilingual policy and the way this decision is influenced by neoliberal principles which foreground effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility and entrepreneurialism. We conclude that the policy shift leads to ideological reconceptualisations of ‘language’ and ‘language difference’ that sit uncomfortably with the reality of language-discordant service encounters, as well as to redefinitions of the professional identity of bilingual family support workers.
Metamaterial superconductors
Authors: Smolyaninov Igor I. , Smolyaninova Vera N.
Published: April 2018

Searching for natural materials exhibiting larger electron-electron interactions constitutes a traditional approach to high-temperature superconductivity research. Very recently, we pointed out that the newly developed field of electromagnetic metamaterials deals with the somewhat related task of dielectric response engineering on a sub-100-nm scale. Considerable enhancement of the electron-electron interaction may be expected in such metamaterial scenarios as in epsilon near-zero (ENZ) and hyperbolic metamaterials. In both cases, dielectric function may become small and negative in substantial portions of the relevant four-momentum space, leading to enhancement of the electron pairing interaction. This approach has been verified in experiments with aluminum-based metamaterials. Metamaterial superconductor withTc=3.9 K have been fabricated, which is three times that of pure aluminum (Tc=1.2 K), which opens up new possibilities to improve theTcof other simple superconductors considerably. Taking advantage of the demonstrated success of this approach, the critical temperature of hypothetical niobium, MgB2- and H2S-based metamaterial superconductors is evaluated. The MgB2-based metamaterial superconductors are projected to reach the liquid nitrogen temperature range. In the case of an H2S-based metamaterial, the projectedTcappears to reach ~250 K.
Six-port optical switch for cluster-mesh photonic network-on-chip
Authors: Jia Hao , Zhou Ting , Zhao Yunchou , Xia Yuhao , Dai Jincheng , Zhang Lei , Ding Jianfeng , Fu Xin , Yang Lin
Published: April 2018

Photonic network-on-chip for high-performance multi-core processors has attracted substantial interest in recent years as it offers a systematic method to meet the demand of large bandwidth, low latency and low power dissipation. In this paper we demonstrate a non-blocking six-port optical switch for cluster-mesh photonic network-on-chip. The architecture is constructed by substituting three optical switching units of typical Spanke-Benes network to optical waveguide crossings. Compared with Spanke-Benes network, the number of optical switching units is reduced by 20%, while the connectivity of routing path is maintained. By this way the footprint and power consumption can be reduced at the expense of sacrificing the network latency performance in some cases. The device is realized by 12 thermally tuned silicon Mach-Zehnder optical switching units. Its theoretical spectral responses are evaluated by establishing a numerical model. The experimental spectral responses are also characterized, which indicates that the optical signal-to-noise ratios of the optical switch are larger than 13.5 dB in the wavelength range from 1525 nm to 1565 nm. Data transmission experiment with the data rate of 32 Gbps is implemented for each optical link.
Crystal structure of poly[bis(1-methyl-[4,4′-bipyridin]-1-ium-κN)-tetrakis(μ3-sulfato-κ3
O:O′:O′′)trizinc(II)], C22H22Zn3N4O16S4
Authors: Fu Hong-Ru , Wang Kai-Lu , Zhao Xiao-Xiao
Published: April 2018

C22H22Zn3N4O16S4, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.2909(2) Å, b = 16.8888(4) Å, c = 19.3547(6) Å, β = 98.924(3)°, V = 3000.22(14) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0401, wRref(F2) = 0.0942, T = 293(2) K.
The crystal structure of catena-poly[aquachlorido(3,3′-([4,4′-bipyridine]-1,1′-diium-1,1′-diylbis(methylene))dibenzoato-κ2
O:O′)copper(II)] chloride dihydrate, C26H26Cl2CuN2O7
Authors: Gao Xiaoli , Zhu Kai , Wang Wenmin , Lu Liping
Published: April 2018

{[Cu(C26H20N2O4)Cl(H2O)]+ ⋅ Cl− ⋅ 2H2O}n, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 17.225(4), b = 14.918(3), c = 11.589(3) Å, β = 118.957(3)°, V = 2605.6(10) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0334, ωR
ref(F2) = 0.0819, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of aqua-bis(3-(2-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-κ2
N,N′)copper(II) sulfate tetrahydrate, C24H28CuN10O9S
Authors: Fu Ai-Yun
Published: April 2018

C24H28CuN10O9S, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 16.3499(16) Å, b = 14.0411(13) Å, c = 12.7069(13) Å, β = 104.019(2)°, V = 2830.2(5) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0472, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1165, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of diethyl 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxane-5,5-dicarboxylate, C16H19Cl1O6
Authors: Yuan Lin , Zhang Min , Yuan Xian-You , Liu Fang
Published: April 2018

C16H19Cl1O6, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.827(8) Å, b = 9.253(9) Å, c = 12.978(13) Å, α = 101.910(11)°, β = 100.040(11)°, γ = 110.345(10)°, V = 830.7(14) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0873, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0909, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of benzoato-κO-bis(1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane-κP)silver(I) monohydrate C19H31AgN6O3P2
Authors: Jacobs Francois J.F. , Venter Gertruida J.S. , Brink Alice
Published: April 2018

C19H31AgN6O3P2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 16.5661(8) Å, b = 6.1644(3) Å, c = 23.8822(10) Å, β = 114.553(3)°, V = 2218.32(18) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0188, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0525, T = 100(2) K.
Crystal structure of methyl 4′-amino-3′,5′-diisopropyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate, C20H25NO2
Authors: Zhang Mao-Yuan , Shi Da-Bin
Published: April 2018

C20H25NO2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 6.2095(16) Å, c = 16.992(4) Å, β = 100.775(4)°, V = 1748.9(8) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0473, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1417, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of catena-poly[bis(μ2-1,4-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene-κ2
N:N′)-bis(5-tert-butyl-isophthalate-κO)copper(II)]tetrahydrate, C36H46CuN6O12
Authors: Zhao Ying , Wang San-Tai
Published: April 2018

C36H46CuN6O12, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.3759(18) Å, b = 10.749(2) Å, c = 11.873(3) Å, α = 63.165(2)°, β = 82.979(2)°, γ = 80.932(2)°, V = 940.3(3) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt(F) = 0.0460, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1107, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of methyl 4′-amino-3′,5′-dimethyl-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-carboxylate, C16H17NO2
Authors: Zhang Mao-Yuan , Shi Da-Bin
Published: April 2018

C16H17NO2, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 6.3761(2) Å, b = 12.0521(4) Å, c = 17.3288(5) Å, V = 1331.64(7) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0462, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1243, T = 153(2) K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of μ-[1,1′-di(mesitylphosphanido)ferrocene]bis[η5-cyclopentadienylnickel(II)] tetrahydrofurane solvate, C42H48FeNi2OP2
Authors: Langen Christina , Bruhn Clemens , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: April 2018

C42H48FeNi2OP2, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 9.4551(4) Å, b = 19.7133(9) Å, c = 39.693(2) Å, V = 7398.4(6) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0598, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1481, T = 100(2) K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of (E)-1-(4-(((E)-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethan-1-one O-methyl oxime, C16H15ClN2O2
Authors: Ma Jin-Xia , Li Qing-Lin , Li Peng-Peng , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li
Published: April 2018

C16H15ClN2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 33.491(11) Å, b = 7.124(2) Å, c = 6.1977(19) Å, β = 92.212(6)°, V = 1477.6(8) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0418, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1193, T = 296(2) K.
Halogen bonds in the crystal structure of 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene–1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (1/1), C19H14F4I2N2
Authors: Dang Limin , Huang Saijin , Yin Aiwu
Published: April 2018

C19H14F4I2N2, monoclinic, I2/a (no. 15), a = 20.997(2) Å, b = 4.4785(3) Å, c = 23.242(3) Å, β = 113.532(14)°, V = 2003.8(4) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0684, wRref(F2) = 0.0706, T = 287 K.
Crystal structure of the coordination polymer catena-poly[chlorido-{μ2-2-(((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amino)-3-hydroxybutanoato-κ4
N,N,O:O′}copper(II)], C11H16ClCuN2O3
Authors: Messali Mouslim , Ati Rafika El , Touzani Rachid , Aouad Mohamed Reda , Warad Ismail
Published: April 2018

C11H16ClCuN2O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 5.6017(4) Å, b = 10.7601(8) Å, c = 10.4036(8) Å, β = 95.697(2)°, V = 623.98(8) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0321, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0833, T = 100(1) K.
Diffusion-Chemotaxis Model of Effects of Cortisol on Immune Response to Human Immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Samuel Shikaa , Gill Vinod
Published: April 2018

In quest to contain and subsequently eradication Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the society, mathematical modelling remains an important research tool. In this paper, we formulated a mathematical model to study the effects of cortisol on immune response to HIV capturing the roles played by dendritic cells, T helper cells, regulatory T cells and cytotoxic T cells in the virus replication dynamics. The primary source of concentration of cortisol in this work is through psychological stress. Numerical experiments are performed to examine the effect of cortisol on selective inhibition of antigen presentation activities and up-regulation of naive cytotoxic T cells activation in the case of acute and persistent stressful conditions.
Solutions of the Singular IVPs of Lane-Emden type equations by combining Laplace transformation and perturbation technique
Authors: Aminikhah Hossein
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose an efficient method to solve linear and nonlinear singular initial value problems of Lane-Emden type equations by combining Laplace transformation and homotopy perturbation methods. The method is based upon Laplace transform, polynomial series and perturbation technique. Several examples, including some well-known Lane-Emden problems, are presented to show the ability and accuracy of the modify method.
A new method for isolating (E)-azastilbene derivatives with antimicrobial properties from aqueous samples
Authors: Kluska Mariusz , Witkowska-Krajewska Ewa , Prukała Wiesław
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at developing the extraction process and determining long-term stability of (E)-azastilbene derivatives in order to explore their possible use as preservative, antiseptic and disinfectant substances. The study was performed in three different matrices: distilled, surface and waste water. Test substances included bromide of (E)-N-(o-bro-mobenzyl)-4′-hydroxystilbazole-4 and chloride of (E)-N-(p-chlorobenzyl)-4′-hydroxystilbazole-4. The extraction process involved the use of three stationary phases: octyl, octadecyl and naphthylpropyl. The highest recovery values (amounting to approx. 95%) were obtained in the naphthylpropyl column for all of the above-mentioned matrices. A decline in the stability of the analysed derivatives after a 28-day period was below 14% in all matrix types.
Periodic events of Potamogeton alpinus in NW Poland (Pomerania region)
Authors: Robionek Alicja E. , Banaś Krzysztof , Chmara Rafał , Szmeja Józef
Published: April 2018

We have determined the timing of periodic events, such as leaf formation, flowering, fruiting and wintering of the aquatic plant Potamogeton alpinus. This study was performed in 15 watercourses situated in NW Poland in 2014–2015. Characteristics of the age stages were determined on the basis of 728 modules and phenological data were collected from permanent plots. In the study area, the plant appeared in week 12 of the calendar year, when water temperature in the streams was 5.4 ± 0.16°C. At that time, the first leafy juvenile shoots developed from winter buds. In week 22 (water temperature 13.9 ± 0.85°C), juvenile shoots became mature, whereas the first flowers were formed in week 24 (15.6 ± 1.04°C). The generative phase lasted twelve weeks with water temperature from 15.6 ± 1.04°C to 18.9 ± 3.23°C. Between weeks 37 and 44 (water temperature from 13.7 ± 0.77°C to 6.3 ± 1.05°C), senile shoots dominated in the population. From week 45 until week 11 of the next year (water temperature < 5.4 ± 0.16°C), the plants were in the winter resting stage. In our view, climate warming might disturb the phenology of P. alpinus, decreasing the probability of sexual reproduction of the species and the phenological distance between the Central European Plain and the Scandinavian populations.
Macroinvertebrate communities on various microhabitats of a saline coal mine settling pond
Authors: Sowa Agnieszka , Krodkiewska Mariola , Halabowski Dariusz
Published: April 2018

To date, no studies have been conducted on macroinvertebrate communities in coal mine settling ponds used for temporary retention of saline mine waters. The objective of the research was to evaluate which habitat – Ruppia maritima, Phragmites australis or sediments without macrophytes – is the most favorable for the abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrate communities. The study was carried out in a hyposaline settling pond located in a mining and urban area in southern Poland. At this time, it is the only inland locality of R. maritima in Poland.

In the studied coal mine settling pond, the non-native, euryhaline amphipod Gammarus tigrinus dominated in the communities on all the habitats. The abundance of other taxa was small and similar on each type of substrate; only Corixidae were much more abundant on the widgeongrass beds. The highest abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrates was recorded at the sites with R. maritima. Our study highlights the importance of coal mine settling ponds as a substitute habitat for salt-tolerant invertebrates.
Reproductive biology of the black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1827 (Pisces: Syngnathidae) in the Aegean Sea of Turkey
Authors: Taylan Burcu , Tatarhan Gozde Ekin , Aksoy Ozlem , Culha Mehmet
Published: April 2018

The paper presents the results of research on the reproductive biology of Syngnathus abaster – a species distributed in Çandarli Bay. For this purpose, seine nets were collected from a depth of 0.5–2 m in 15 minute periods between April 2013 and March 2014, and a total of 185 individuals were sampled. It has been determined that 94 individuals (50.81%) were females, 79 were males (42.70%) and 12 were immature (6.49%). The sex ratio was 1:0.84. The average length values in female, male and immature individuals were 111.5 ± 7.35, 109.9 ± 11.08 and 79.8 ± 5.30 mm, respectively. The maximum mean surface water temperature is in spring and summer seasons. When Gonadosomatic Index (GSI%) values were examined, the spawning period of the species was indicated as spring and summer. Three groups of species were identified as maturing (diameter: 0.61–1.20 mm), mature (diameter: 1.21–1.70 mm) and hydrated oocytes (diameter: 1.71–2.10 mm) in ovaries of female individuals. The number of eggs in the brood pouch of pregnant male fishes was on average 48 (mean ± SD = 48 ± 14.09 eggs, range: 23–78 eggs). The hydrated oocyte/total length relationship was: y = 0.8651x – 84.332 (n = 14, r2 = 0.64) and the number of eggs/total length relationship in the brood pouch of pregnant males was: y = 1.0168x – 67.715 (n = 33, r2=0.58).
Interaction researching mental spaces of movable context, stakeholders, and project manager
Authors: Verenych Olena , Bushuyev Sergey
Published: April 2018

As practice shows, the success of project imple­mentation depends on the clear and integrated interac­tion between stakeholders, the project manager, and the movable context. Such an interaction exists on the level of mental spaces. If the mental spaces are congruent, in other words, all things are in the space of clear and univo­cal understanding of all aspects of the project, “are speak­ing the same language,” then project implementation is clear, exact, and in time. On practice, it is observed that full understanding is absent during project initialization and implementation and mental space cannot be congruent completely or is congruent partially. This situation exists during the imple­mentation of the international projects, which involves working together with specialists from different countries. In this case, the project manager must organize interac­tion between different mental spaces. A research hypothesis consists of the assumption that the interaction between mental spaces of the movable context, stakeholders, and the project manager is carried out in a blended mental space. This space is temporary in relative to other mental spaces during the project life cycle; the project manager should manage this space through the usage of different skills. The research was carried out by scientific methods of theories of mental and blended spaces, and the theory of knowledge, i.e. theoretical and empirical research using project management approaches. The research’s results showed that organization of inter­action in the blended mental space with using appropriate competencies of the project manager provides successful project implementation. The theoretical base of research is presented in the example of the implementation of one of the largest infrastructure projects in Ukraine: New Safe Confinement Construction.