bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing mathematical skills and moral behavior through cultural artifacts: a study of math trail activities at Patan Durbar Square in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Toyanath , Sharman Trilochan , Orey Daniel Clark
Published: March 2020

Nepalese education is often inclined towards rote memorization and teacher centered instruction and learning processes. In this regard, how can instruction be actively made more effective as a key idea as researchers take this into account when conducting research in this area. This study forms an ethnographic case study of one of the schools that is transforming itself from a traditional book-based teaching and learning approach to a curriculum specific child friendly learning process. As researchers and teacher trainers we have been involved in teacher training programs for numbers of schools in Nepal. What we have observed during the four years of involvement is that the training solely do not make changes in the school system. This program is helping teachers in making instructional activities that allows them to galvanize their work for increased student involvement. This research also indicates how moral behavior can be developed through math trail activities where students do field work in groups for different objectives. Children develop their understanding through day to day activities where the perspective of different contexts, culture and ethnic groups play a vital role. At this point, we started working on excursion-based instruction. The change in instruction forces them to design activities and projects that demand children to work in outside school context with curricular objectives. It ensured opportunities for participating in hands-on activities and experiential learning. Finally, this research supports the assumption that mathematical knowledge, skill and moral behavior can be developed through different cultural project-based instructional activities and cultural artifacts and practices are key to ensure effectiveness of learning.
Cultural artefacts as a metaphor to communicate mathematical ideas
Authors: Pradhan Jaya Bishnu
Published: March 2020

The cultural artifacts created by the culture of a particular group of people embed sophisticated mathematical ideas and knowledge. The cultural artifacts familiar to students mediate to communicate abstract ideas of mathematics. This paper is intended to explore the mathematical ideas embedded in cultural artifacts and to assess its contribution to the process of teaching and learning of school mathematics. The ethnographic methodology was used to collect the data. Highly sophisticated mathematical ideas were found in the analysis of different cultural artifacts observed in the out-of-school environment. The cultural artifacts familiar to students are the source domain of conceptual metaphor to communicate difficult and abstract concepts of mathematics. Both teachers and students reported that the cultural artefacts and different cultural activities of the group of people help them in teaching and learning of mathematical concepts.
Effect of Post Heat-Treatment on the Microstructure, Tensile and Fatigue Properties of Al 3003 Alloy Manufactured by Strip Casting Process
Authors: Baek Min-Seok , Euh Kwangjun , Jeong Chang-Yeol , Lee Kee-Ahn
Published: March 2020

Al 3003 alloy was manufactured by strip casting process, and the effect of post heat-treatment on tensile and fatigue properties was investigated. The strip cast Al 300 alloy exhibited a unique globular shaped rapid-cooled solidification structure, and the microstructural characteristic remained after heat-treatment. Asstrip cast (F) and heat-treated (O) alloys were commonly composed of Al matrix and strengthening phases such as Al6(Mn,Fe), α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si. In the phase analysis and Factsage simulation result, Al6(Mn,Fe) fraction increased while α-Al(Mn,Fe)Si fraction decreased after heat-treatment. Strengthening phases were more uniformly and finely distributed in the case of O alloy, than F alloy. In the Vickers hardness results, F alloy (measured 59.7 Hv) showed higher hardness than O alloy (measured 53.4 Hv). The yield strengths (YS) and ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) measured 124.8 MPa and 166.4 MPa (F alloy), and 111.2 MPa and 167.2 MPa (O alloy), respectively. F alloy exhibited superior YS compared to O alloy, while UTSs were similar in both alloys. For elongation, the F alloy (19.6%) had a lower value than the O alloy (23.0%). High cycle fatigue tests were performed at room temperature under a stress ratio (R) of 0.1 and frequency (F) of 10 Hz. The F alloy exhibited higher fatigue than the O alloy under all cyclic stress conditions. However, the deviation in the fatigue property of the F alloy was relatively broader than the O alloy. Tensile and fatigue fracture surfaces were examined, and the tensile and fatigue deformation mechanisms of the strip cast Al 3003 alloy were also discussed.
The Effect of Post Annealing on Physical Properties of NiTe2 Thin Film Fabricated by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Park Ho Jun , Lee Jun Ho , Min Byeong Uk , Kim Suk Jun
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effect of post annealing time on the physical properties of NiTe2 thin films with 2D structure deposited by co-sputtering was investigated. After heat treatment for 10 min, nickel ditelluride thin films with a composition of Ni : Te = 1 : 2 exhibited transmittance of 46% and a resistivity of 40 μΩ • cm. When using both Ni and Te targets, the formation of NiTe2 with 2D structure was found to depend on the co-sputtering and heat treatment conditions. Thin films with the composition of NiTe2 were deposited on glass substrates by co-sputtering (Radio Frequency : Te, Direct Current : Ni). The Ni : Te = 1: 2 composition was confirmed by X-ray Photo Electron Spectroscopy (XPS) after in situ heat treatment in the sputter chamber (10 min, 20 min, 40 min, 80 min). In this study, we confirmed that the NiTe2 thin film with the ratio of Ni : Te = 1 : 2 can be obtained by co-sputtering, followed by in situ heat treatment. We believe that the NiTe2 thin film is a potential candidate for transparent electrodes because of its high electrical conductivity and 2D structure. It should be possible to reduce the thickness of the NiTe2 films with 2D structure by exfoliation, thus increasing their optical transparency.
Gothicizing Victorian Folklore: Spring-heeled Jack and the Enacted Gothic
Authors: Bell Karl
Published: March 2020

This article focuses on the Victorian bogeyman, Spring-heeled Jack, as a historicised example of Gothic and folklore's cultural dialogue and divergences in nineteenth-century Britain. Variously described as a ghost, beast, or devil when he first terrorised Londoners in 1837–38, Spring-heeled Jack evolved from local folklore to press sensation to penny dreadful serials. These texts reworked his folkloric accounts through stories that were heavily indebted to earlier Gothic literature for many of their narrative tropes. The article uses this urban legend to explore what it terms the enacted Gothic; the eruption of folkloric and gothic elements beyond the bounds of fiction and into Victorians’ everyday lives. While encouraging Gothic scholarship to engage with folkloric ‘texts’, it argues that we need to look beyond obvious similarities to appreciate important distinctions arising from their differing natures, cultural functions, and modes of storytelling.
A Trail of Bread Crumbs to Follow, or Gothic Rewritings of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ by Lina Meruane, Jorge Volpi and Mariana Enríquez
Authors: Piñeiro Aurora
Published: March 2020

This article analyses postmodern Gothic rewritings of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ by three Latin American writers as works in which different degrees of appropriation of themes and strategies from the classic tale, and the use of the metaphor of the magic mirror, achieve ideologically subversive effects. Gothic rewritings of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ by Meruane, Volpi and Enríquez denounce intolerance and present an eminent link between literary works and troubled historical contexts.
Tilianin Extracted From Dracocephalum moldavica L. Induces Intrinsic Apoptosis and Drives Inflammatory Microenvironment Response on Pharyngeal Squamous Carcinoma Cells via Regulating TLR4 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Jiang Hailun , Zeng Li , Dong Xueqi , Guo Shuilong , Xing Jianguo , Li Zhuorong , Liu Rui
Published: March 2020

Human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is highly invasive and proliferative, and exhibits an extremely low 5-year survival rate due to poor understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, and lack of efficient treatment. It has been shown that the immunosuppressive microenvironment created by tumor cells impairs the immune response against tumor progression, thereby affecting the prognosis for tumor patients. Thus, to improve therapeutic efficacy, it is critical to identify novel drugs with immunoinflammatory modulatory properties to treat tumor immune evasion. Tilianin, the main ingredient of total flavonoids extracted from Dracocephalum moldavica L., has multiple biological functions, including cardiovascular protective effects, anti-tumor effects, and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, the suppressive effects of tilianin on human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were investigated and the underlying mechanisms in regulating the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment were explored. The cytotoxicity of tilianin on FaDu cells was determined by CCK-8 and clone formation assays. Moreover, the levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling transduction and apoptotic pathways were determined by immunocytochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological technologies. In addition, the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) that were co-cultured in supernatant of FaDu cells was evaluated by flow cytometry to investigate alterations in immune system function. For mechanistic exploration, TLR4 siRNA, p38 siRNA, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) siRNA, and p65 siRNA were used as loss-of-function target evaluation of tilianin therapy. Combined, these results showed that tilianin treatment increased cytotoxicity as well as the apoptotic population of FaDu cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, tilianin treatment decreased the level of anti-apoptotic markers Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, increased the level of apoptotic factors Bad and Bax, and stimulated cytochrome c release, caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) activation in FaDu cells. Furthermore, our findings indicated that tilianin treatment activated TLR4/p38/JNK/NF-κB signaling pathways and increased the release of inflammatory cytokines. This promoted the maturation of DCs to enhance immune system function in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, the effects of tilianin on immune system function were abolished by TLR4 siRNA and p65 siRNA. In conclusion, these findings suggested that tilianin may be of immunotherapeutic value for inhibiting human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Biochar Amendment Enhances Water Retention in a Tropical Sandy Soil
Authors: Lustosa Carvalho Martha , Tuzzin de Moraes Moacir , Cerri Carlos Eduardo P. , Cherubin Maurício Roberto
Published: March 2020

The use of biochar, which is the solid product of biomass pyrolysis, in agricultural soils, has been shown as a strategic solution for building soil carbon stocks and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, biochar amendment might also benefit other key soil processes and services, such as those that are related to water retention, particularly in sandy soils. Here, we conducted an experiment to investigate the potential of biochar to enhance pore size distribution and water retention properties in a tropical sandy soil. Three biochar rates were incorporated (equivalent to 6.25, 12.5, and 25 Mg ha−1) into plastic pots containing a sandy Oxisol sampled from a sugarcane field in Brazil. Undisturbed samples of the mixture were collected at two evaluation times (50 and 150 days) and used to determine water retention curves and other soil physical properties. The results showed that biochar amendment decreased soil bulk density and increased water retention capacity, micropore volume, and available water content. Higher soil water retention in amended soil is associated with the inherent characteristics of biochar (e.g., internal porosity) and potential improvements in soil structure. Microporosity and water retention were enhanced with intermediate biochar rate (12.5 Mg ha−1), instead of the highest rate (25 Mg ha−1) tested. Further studies are needed to validate these results under field conditions.
Long-Term Effects of Different Nitrogen Levels on Growth, Yield, and Quality in Sugarcane
Authors: Zeng Xu-Peng , Zhu Kai , Lu Jian-Ming , Jiang Yuan , Yang Li-Tao , Xing Yong-Xiu , Li Yang-Rui
Published: March 2020

Nitrogen (N) plays an important role in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) growth and development; however, long-term effects of N application levels on cane and sugar production in different sugarcane cultivars under field conditions remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the agronomic, yield, and quality traits in three sugarcane cultivars (GT11, B9, and ROC22) under different N levels (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha urea) from 2015 to 2019. Continuous four-year field experiments of plant and ratoon crops were carried out by using two-factor split-plot design. The results showed that N fertilizer application improved the tillering rate, stalk diameter, plant height, stalk weight, millable stalks/ha, cane yield, sugar yield and juice rate of cane, and the difference between N application and non-N application was significant. The cane yield, millable stalks/ha, juice rate, and juice gravity purity increased with the increase of N application, but the milled juice brix and sucrose % cane decreased with the increase of N application. The sugar yield was the highest at 150 kg/ha urea application, while the cane yield was the highest at 300 kg/ha urea application. Different N fertilizer application levels significantly regulated the activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and the contents of chlorophyll and nitrate N in plant leaves, which reflected the regulation in nitrogen metabolism and alteration in dry matter production and distribution, cane yield and sugar accumulation in different sugarcane cultivars. During the four-year experiment duration, the cane yield and sugar yield generally showed ROC22 > B9 > GT11. These data suggested that 300 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the plant and first ratoon crops, and 150 kg/ha urea application was suitable for the second and third ratoon crops. Both cane and sugar yields could be the highest in a four-year production cycle under this circumstance.
Variation in Anther Extrusion and Its Impact on Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol Content in Oat (Avena sativa L.)
Authors: Tekle Selamawit , Stråbø Schofer Sissela , He Xinyao , Dong Yanhong , Bjørnstad Åsmund
Published: March 2020

Variation and inheritance of anther extrusion and its effects on Fusarium head blight were studied. On a 0 to 9 scale, variation ranged from 1 to 6 in a North American oat panel and from 0 to 8 in a Nordic population. The inheritance was studied in two recombinant inbred line populations (Fiia × Stormogul and Svea × Stormogul). Fiia and Svea are recent white-seeded cultivars with low to medium anther extrusion, while Stormogul is an old black-seeded cultivar with high anther extrusion. Highly significant transgressive segregations and high heritabilities were observed (h2 = 0.91 in Fiia × Stormogul and h2 = 0.83 in Svea × Stormogul). Another extrusion was negatively correlated with Fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol in spawn-inoculated field experiments, but significantly only in Fiia × Stormogul where the range in resistance was widest. Correlations were reversed in spray-inoculated greenhouse experiments, apparently spraying open florets defeated the avoidance mechanism. Anther extrusion may help oat avoid Fusarium infection in the field, but the genetic variance is inadequate and high anther extrusion is rare in modern genepools.
Effect of Winter Oilseed Rape Cropping on the Development of the Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode, Heterodera schachtii, and Control of Volunteer Plants as a Trap Crop Method
Authors: Daub Matthias
Published: March 2020

The integration of oilseed rape (OSR) into sugar beet rotation systems is restricted due to the very good host status of OSR for the beet cyst nematode (BCN) Heterodera schachtii. In contrast to sugar beet, the cultivation of winter OSR covers a longer period, but at a lower soil temperature regime. Thus, presumably one or two generations of BCN may develop during the cultivation of winter OSR, resulting in moderate multiplication rates of 1–2 in the present study. This multiplication rate was year-dependent, but not affected by different sowing times. For the first time, the present study identified volunteer OSR emerging in high densities post-harvest as a major risk for a high multiplication of BCN at optimum temperatures. The emergence of BCN females with offspring was observed very early, resulting in a significant population increase before 350-degree days (>8 °C) in inoculation experiments and in field investigations. Conducting treatment trials with glyphosate to control volunteer OSR in micro-plots and field experiments confirmed effective suppression of BCN reproduction when growth of volunteer OSR was interrupted at 250–350-degree days. Thus, data gained from BCN reproduction studies under controlled and field conditions provided a unique basis for the development of a trap crop method. The degree day model has been successfully implemented as part of an open access management tool.
An Overview of the Oil Palm Industry: Challenges and Some Emerging Opportunities for Nanotechnology Development
Authors: Maluin Farhatun Najat , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Idris Abu Seman
Published: March 2020

The increase in the world’s oil demand due to the rise of the global population urges more research into the production of sustainable vegetable oilseeds, among which palm oil is the most suitable candidate as it is the most efficient oilseed crop in the world. In an effort to drive the oil palm industry in the areas of food safety and security nanotechnology could offer a sustainable alternative. However, the utilization of nanotechnology in the oil palm industry is still limited. In this review, we aim to encourage the researchers to fully utilize nanotechnology as an alternative solution to tackle the challenges faced by the oil palm industry. Moreover, we also aim to highlight the opportunities for nanotechnology development in oil palm-based related research. The major points are as follows: (1) Nanosensing enables real-time monitoring of plantation status and crop progression, including soil, water and nutrient management, early pest/disease detection, and the spreading of pests/diseases. The use of nanosensing conveniently extends into advanced breeding topics, such as the development of disease-tolerant plants; (2) Nanotechnology could be the answer for the development of integrated management of pest and disease. Active agricultural ingredients can be entrapped or encapsulated into nanocarrier systems to improve their solubility, stability, enhance their efficient delivery to site-specific targets, with longer shelf life, and consequently improved efficacy; (3) Valuable nanomaterials can be isolated and generated from oil palm biomass waste. The utilization of oil palm biomass waste could overcome the issue of the massive production of waste in the oil palm industry and palm oil mills, where oil only accounts for 10% of the biomass, while 90% is comprised of the generated biowastes. (4) Palm oil can be utilized as a green alternative as a capping and stabilizing agent in the biosynthesis of metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles. In addition, nanoemulsion formulations using palm oil in drug delivery systems offer advantages such as low toxicity, enhance bioavailability and solubility of the drugs, apart from being inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
Ozone Induced Loss of Seed Protein Accumulation Is Larger in Soybean than in Wheat and Rice
Authors: Broberg Malin , Daun Sara , Pleijel Håkan
Published: March 2020

We investigated the effects of ozone (O3) on seed protein accumulation in soybean, rice, and wheat based on existing literature. We identified 30, 10, and 32 datasets meeting the requirements for soybean, rice, and wheat, respectively. Data for each crop were combined in response regressions for seed protein concentration, seed protein yield, and seed yield. Although seed yield in rice was less sensitive to O3 than in wheat, there was a significant positive effect of O3 on the seed protein concentration of the same magnitude in both crops. Soybean, an N-fixing high-protein crop, responded differently. Even though the effect on seed yield was similar to wheat, there was no indication of any effect of O3 on seed protein concentration in soybean. The negative influence of O3 on seed protein yield was statistically significant for soybean and wheat. The effect was larger for soybean (slope of response function: −0.58% per ppb O3) than for wheat (slope: −0.44% per ppb) and especially compared to rice (slope: −0.08% per ppb). The different response of protein concentration in soybean, likely to be associated with adverse O3 effects on N fixation, has large implications for global protein production because of the much higher absolute protein concentration in soybean.
Impacts of Compost Bedded Pack Barns on the Welfare and Comfort of Dairy Cows
Authors: Fernández Anna , Mainau Eva , Manteca Xavier , Siurana Adriana , Castillejos Lorena
Published: March 2020

Three loose housing systems for lactating cows (compost bedded pack, CBP; conventional bedded pack, BP; and freestalls, FS) were assessed on one farm in terms of cow behavior and welfare. An on-farm welfare assessment based on the Welfare Quality protocols was used four times every three months on 757 cows. Video recordings taken twice over four days were used to assess behavior patterns at resting areas. Cows in CBP and BP were dirtier than those in FS (p < 0.0001). Fewer integument alterations were recorded for CBP and BP than FS (p < 0.001). Cows in BP were quicker to lie down and stand up compared to those in CBP or FS (p < 0.001). Percentages of cows needing more attempts before rising were higher for FS (p < 0.01). However, a higher frequency of kneeling was observed in CBP (p = 0.033). A lower percentage of cows lying in the resting area was recorded for FS (56%) than CBP or BP (97 or 84%, respectively, p < 0.05). Overall, in this study, cows kept in bedded pack barns were dirtier but had fewer integument alterations and spent more time lying down in the resting area than cows housed in freestalls.
Comparison of Mineral, Metabolic, and Oxidative Profile of Saanen Goat during Lactation with Different Mediterranean Breed Clusters under the Same Environmental Conditions
Authors: Manuelian Carmen L. , Maggiolino Aristide , De Marchi Massimo , Claps Salvatore , Esposito Luigi , Rufrano Domenico , Casalino Elisabetta , Tateo Alessandra , Neglia Gianluca , De Palo Pasquale
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to describe metabolic, oxidative, and mineral blood profiles of Saanen does through lactation compared with Mediterranean breed clusters (Maltese and Rossa Mediterranea, and Jonica, Garganica, and Girgentana). Milk and blood samples of 57 dairy goats (9–10 goats per breed) were collected from the 2nd to the 30th week of lactation every 2–3 weeks. Saanen showed greater milk yield and somatic cell score, and lower fat and protein percentage through lactation (p < 0.05) than the Mediterranean breed clusters. Blood analysis revealed that stage of lactation had a greater impact than breed cluster, except for uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Plasmatic non-esterified fatty acids indicated a greater negative energy balance in Saanen than the other breed clusters during early and medium lactation stages (p < 0.05). Serum Cl, Mg, and Ca increased in all the breed clusters from early to the following stages of lactation (p < 0.05). No significant prooxidant/antioxidant imbalances were detected in any of the three clusters during the entire lactation. In conclusion, Mediterranean breeds tended to recover earlier from negative energy balance than Saanen, but effects of breed or stage of lactation on long-term oxidative stress indicators were not evident.
Abundant Extractable Metabolites from Temperate Tree Barks: The Specific Antimicrobial Activity of Prunus Avium Extracts
Authors: Abedini Amin , Colin Marius , Hubert Jane , Charpentier Emilie , Angelis Apostolis , Bounasri Heithem , Bertaux Benjamin , Kotland Alexis , Reffuveille Fany , Nuzillard Jean-Marc , Renault Jean-Hugues , Gangloff Sophie C.
Published: March 2020

Tree barks are mainly considered as wood wastes from forestry activities, but represent valuable resources as they may contain antimicrobial compounds. Here, we aimed to evaluate the possible antimicrobial activities of bark extracts and to characterize the chemical composition of the most active extract. Ten methanol bark extracts were tested in vitro against 17 bacterial strains and 5 yeast strains, through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (or fungicidal) concentration (MBC/MFC) assays. The extract from Prunus avium (E2-4) displayed the largest bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with a lethal effect on 6 out of 8 strains. Antibiofilm assays of E2-4 were performed by crystal violet staining and enumeration of adhered bacteria. Assays demonstrated a biofilm inhibitory effect of E2-4 against Staphylococcus aureus CIP 53.154 at concentrations equal to or higher than 250 µg/mL. Chemical profiling of E2-4 by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed the presence of dihydrowogonin as a major constituent of the extract. E2-4 was fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography and the three fractions containing dihydrowogonin were tested for their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, revealing similar activities to those of E2-4. Dihydrowogonin was positively assessed as an interesting antimicrobial compound, which could be valued from wastes of Prunus avium barks.
Combining Medicinal Plant In Vitro Culture with Machine Learning Technologies for Maximizing the Production of Phenolic Compounds
Authors: García-Pérez Pascual , Lozano-Milo Eva , Landín Mariana , Gallego Pedro Pablo
Published: March 2020

We combined machine learning and plant in vitro culture methodologies as a novel approach for unraveling the phytochemical potential of unexploited medicinal plants. In order to induce phenolic compound biosynthesis, the in vitro culture of three different species of Bryophyllum under nutritional stress was established. To optimize phenolic extraction, four solvents with different MeOH proportions were used, and total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (FC) and radical-scavenging activity (RSA) were determined. All results were subjected to data modeling with the application of artificial neural networks to provide insight into the significant factors that influence such multifactorial processes. Our findings suggest that aerial parts accumulate a higher proportion of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in comparison to roots. TPC was increased under ammonium concentrations below 15 mM, and their extraction was maximum when using solvents with intermediate methanol proportions (55–85%). The same behavior was reported for RSA, and, conversely, FC was independent of culture media composition, and their extraction was enhanced using solvents with high methanol proportions (>85%). These findings confer a wide perspective about the relationship between abiotic stress and secondary metabolism and could serve as the starting point for the optimization of bioactive compound production at a biotechnological scale.
Nanoparticles as Tools to Target Redox Homeostasis in Cancer Cells
Authors: Ciccarese Francesco , Raimondi Vittoria , Sharova Evgeniya , Silic-Benussi Micol , Ciminale Vincenzo
Published: March 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitute a homeostatic rheostat that modulates signal transduction pathways controlling cell turnover. Most oncogenic pathways activated in cancer cells drive a sustained increase in ROS production, and cancer cells are strongly addicted to the increased activity of scavenging pathways to maintain ROS below levels that produce macromolecular damage and engage cell death pathways. Consistent with this notion, tumor cells are more vulnerable than their normal counterparts to pharmacological treatments that increase ROS production and inhibit ROS scavenging. In the present review, we discuss the recent advances in the development of integrated anticancer therapies based on nanoparticles engineered to kill cancer cells by raising their ROS setpoint. We also examine nanoparticles engineered to exploit the metabolic and redox alterations of cancer cells to promote site-specific drug delivery to cancer cells, thus maximizing anticancer efficacy while minimizing undesired side effects on normal tissues.
An Analytical Approach to Cutter Edge Temperature Prediction in Milling and Its Application to Trochoidal Milling
Authors: Deng Qi , Mo Rong , Chen Zezhong C. , Chang Zhiyong
Published: March 2020

Cutter edge temperature in milling is an important factor to cutter life. With high cutting speed and feedrate, the cutting efficiency is high; however, the cutter edge temperature is high, shortening the cutter life. Therefore, it is necessary to know the cutter edge temperature in milling. Unfortunately, the cutter edge temperature is difficult to measure and predict in milling. To address the technical challenge, an analytical approach was proposed to predict cutter edge temperature in milling. First, the heat flux into the cutter edge was calculated. Second, by using the Green function, the cutter edge temperature was figured out, and the results obtained from this approach agreed well with that of a recognized test. Then, based on the engagement between the cutter and workpiece in trochoidal milling, the cutter edge temperature was obtained in trochoidal milling. Finally, a temperature comparison was made between trochoidal and side milling based on this analytical approach, and the reasons that trochoidal machining could extend the cutter life were found. This approach is first proposed to calculate the cutter edge temperature in trochoidal milling and can be applied to machining parameters optimization in trochoidal milling and cutter design optimization.
Co-Processing Parallel Computation for Distributed Optical Fiber Vibration Sensing
Authors: Wang Yu , Lv Yuejuan , Jin Baoquan , Xu Yuelin , Chen Yu , Liu Xin , Bai Qing
Published: March 2020

Rapid data processing is crucial for distributed optical fiber vibration sensing systems based on a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometer (Φ-OTDR) due to the huge amount of continuously refreshed sensing data. The vibration sensing principle is analyzed to study the data flow of Rayleigh backscattered light among the different processing units. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is first chosen to synchronously implement pulse modulation, data acquisition and transmission in parallel. Due to the parallelism characteristics of numerous independent algorithm kernels, graphics processing units (GPU) can be used to execute the same computation instruction by the allocation of multiple threads. As a conventional data processing method for the sensing system, a differential accumulation algorithm using co-processing parallel computation is verified with a time of 1.6 μs spent of the GPU, which is 21,250 times faster than a central processing unit (CPU) for a 2020 m length of optical fiber. Moreover, the cooperation processes of the CPU and GPU are realized for the spectrum analysis, which could shorten substantially the time of fast Fourier transform analysis processing. The combination of FPGA, CPU and GPU can largely enhance the capacity of data acquisition and processing, and improve the real-time performance of distributed optical fiber vibration sensing systems.
Implementation of a Demand-Side Management Solution for South Korea’s Demand Response Program
Authors: Ko Wonsuk , Vettikalladi Hamsakutty , Song Seung-Ho , Choi Hyeong-Jin
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we show the development of a demand-side management solution (DSMS) for demand response (DR) aggregator and actual demand response operation cases in South Korea. To show an experience, Korea’s demand response market outline, functions of DSMS, real contracted capacity, and payment between consumer and load aggregator and DR operation cases are revealed. The DSMS computes the customer baseline load (CBL), relative root mean squared error (RRMSE), and payments of the customers in real time. The case of 10 MW contracted customers shows 108.03% delivery rate and a benefit of 854,900,394 KRW for two years. The results illustrate that an integrated demand-side management solution contributes by participating in a DR market and gives a benefit and satisfaction to the consumer.
Preformed Pd-Based Nanoparticles for the Liquid Phase Decomposition of Formic Acid: Effect of Stabiliser, Support and Au–Pd Ratio
Authors: Sanchez Felipe , Bocelli Ludovica , Motta Davide , Villa Alberto , Albonetti Stefania , Dimitratos Nikolaos
Published: March 2020

Hydrogen is one of the most promising energy carriers for the production of electricity based on fuel cell hydrogen technology. Recently, hydrogen storage chemicals, such as formic acid, have been proposed to be part of the long-term solution towards hydrogen economy for the future of our planet. Herein we report the synthesis of preformed Pd nanoparticles using colloidal methodology varying a range of specific experimental parameters, such as the amount of the stabiliser and reducing agent, nature of support and Pd loading of the support. The aforementioned parameters have shown to affect mean Pd particle size, Pd oxidation, atomic content of Pd on the surface as well as on the catalytic performance towards formic acid decomposition. Reusability studies were carried out using the most active monometallic Pd material with a small loss of activity after five uses. The catalytic performance based on the Au–Pd atomic ratio was evaluated and the optimum catalytic performance was found to be with the Au/Pd atomic ratio of 1/3, indicating that the presence of a small amount of Pd is essential to promote significantly Au activity for the liquid phase decomposition of formic acid. Thorough characterisation has been carried out by means of XPS, SEM-EDX, TEM and BET. The observed catalytic performance is discussed in terms of the structure/morphology and composition of the supported Pd and Au–Pd nanoparticles.
Graphene Nanoplatelets
Authors: Jiménez-Suárez A. , Prolongo S. G.
Published: March 2020

The excellent performance of graphene nanoplatelets turns them into engaging fillers for different materials, offering a wide range of applications from energy harvesting, flexible electronic devices, smart sensors and structural-functional   composites.
Graphs Regularized Robust Matrix Factorization and Its Application on Student Grade Prediction
Authors: Zhang Yupei , Yun Yue , Dai Huan , Cui Jiaqi , Shang Xuequn
Published: March 2020

Student grade prediction (SGP) is an important educational problem for designing personalized strategies of teaching and learning. Many studies adopt the technique of matrix factorization (MF). However, their methods often focus on the grade records regardless of the side information, such as backgrounds and relationships. To this end, in this paper, we propose a new MF method, called graph regularized robust matrix factorization (GRMF), based on the recent robust MF version. GRMF integrates two side graphs built on the side data of students and courses into the objective of robust low-rank MF. As a result, the learned features of students and courses can grasp more priors from educational situations to achieve higher grade prediction results. The resulting objective problem can be effectively optimized by the Majorization Minimization (MM) algorithm. In addition, GRMF not only can yield the specific features for the education domain but can also deal with the case of missing, noisy, and corruptive data. To verify our method, we test GRMF on two public data sets for rating prediction and image recovery. Finally, we apply GRMF to educational data from our university, which is composed of 1325 students and 832 courses. The extensive experimental results manifestly show that GRMF is robust to various data problem and achieves more effective features in comparison with other methods. Moreover, GRMF also delivers higher prediction accuracy than other methods on our educational data set. This technique can facilitate personalized teaching and learning in higher education.
Privacy-Preserving Lightweight Authentication Protocol for Demand Response Management in Smart Grid Environment
Authors: Yu SungJin , Park KiSung , Lee JoonYoung , Park YoungHo , Park YoHan , Lee SangWoo , Chung BoHeung
Published: March 2020

With the development in wireless communication and low-power device, users can receive various useful services such as electric vehicle (EV) charging, smart building, and smart home services at anytime and anywhere in smart grid (SG) environments. The SG devices send demand of electricity to the remote control center and utility center (UC) to use energy services, and UCs handle it for distributing electricity efficiently. However, in SG environments, the transmitted messages are vulnerable to various attacks because information related to electricity is transmitted over an insecure channel. Thus, secure authentication and key agreement are essential to provide secure energy services for legitimate users. In 2019, Kumar et al. presented a secure authentication protocol for demand response management in the SG system. However, we demonstrate that their protocol is insecure against masquerade, the SG device stolen, and session key disclosure attacks and does not ensure secure mutual authentication. Thus, we propose a privacy-preserving lightweight authentication protocol for demand response management in the SG environments to address the security shortcomings of Kumar et al.’s protocol. The proposed protocol withstands various attacks and ensures secure mutual authentication and anonymity. We also evaluated the security features of the proposed scheme using informal security analysis and proved the session key security of proposed scheme using the ROR model. Furthermore, we showed that the proposed protocol achieves secure mutual authentication between the SG devices and the UC using Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic analysis. We also demonstrated that our authentication protocol prevents man-in-the-middle and replay attacks utilizing AVISPA simulation tool and compared the performance analysis with other existing protocols. Therefore, the proposed scheme provides superior safety and efficiency other than existing related protocols and can be suitable for practical SG environments.
Application of Machine Learning Method to Quantitatively Evaluate the Droplet Size and Deposition Distribution of the UAV Spray Nozzle
Authors: Guo Han , Zhou Jun , Liu Fei , He Yong , Huang He , Wang Hongyan
Published: March 2020

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) spray has been used for efficient and adaptive pesticide applications with its low costs. However, droplet drift is the main problem for UAV spray and will induce pesticide waste and safety concerns. Droplet size and deposition distribution are both highly related to droplet drift and spray effect, which are determined by the nozzle. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an evaluating method for a specific UAV spray nozzles. In this paper, four machine learning methods (REGRESS, least squares support vector machines (LS-SVM), extreme learning machine, and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)) were applied for quantitatively evaluating one type of UAV spray nozzle (TEEJET XR110015VS), and the case of twin nozzles was investigated. The results showed REGRESS and LS-SVM are good candidates for droplet size evaluation with the coefficient of determination in the calibration set above 0.9 and root means square errors of the prediction set around 2 µm. RBFNN achieved the best performance for the evaluation of deposition distribution and showed its potential for determining the droplet size of overlapping area. Overall, this study proved the accuracy and efficiency of using the machine learning method for UAV spray nozzle evaluation. Additionally, the study demonstrated the feasibility of using machine learning model to predict the droplet size in the overlapping area of twin nozzles.
Seepage Analysis in Short Embankments Using Developing a Metaheuristic Method Based on Governing Equations
Authors: Tang Dongchun , Gordan Behrouz , Koopialipoor Mohammadreza , Jahed Armaghani Danial , Tarinejad Reza , Thai Pham Binh , Huynh Van Van
Published: March 2020

Seepage is one of the most challenging issues in some procedures such as design, construction, and operation of embankment or earth fill dams. The purpose of this research is to develop a new solution based on governing equations to solve the seepage problem in an effective way. Therefore, by implementing the equations in the programming environment, more than 24,000 models were designed to be applicable to different conditions. Input data included different parameters such as slopes in upstream and downstream, embankment width, soil permeability coefficient, height, and freeboard. With the use of this big data, a new process was developed to provide simple mathematical models for the seepage rate analysis. The study first used intelligent models to simulate the seepage behavior. Finally, the accuracy of the models was optimized using a new metaheuristic algorithm. This led to the ultimate flexibility of the final model presented as a new solution capable of evaluating different conditions. Finally, using the best model, new mathematical relationships were developed based on this methodology. This new solution can be used as a proper alternative to the governing equations of seepage rate estimation. Another advantage of the proposed model is its high flexibility that can be well applied to engineering design in this field, which was not possible using the initial equations.
A Combined Visualization Method for Multivariate Data Analysis. Application to Knee Kinematic and Clinical Parameters Relationships
Authors: Bensalma Fatima , Richardson Glen , Ouakrim Youssef , Fuentes Alexandre , Dunbar Michael , Hagemeister Nicola , Mezghani Neila
Published: March 2020

This paper aims to analyze the correlation structure between the kinematic and clinical parameters of an end-staged knee osteoarthritis population. The kinematic data are a set of characteristics derived from 3D knee kinematic patterns. The clinical parameters include the answers of a clinical questionnaire and the patient’s demographic characteristics. The proposed method performs, first, a regularized canonical correlation analysis (RCCA) to evaluate the multivariate relationship between the clinical and kinematic datasets, and second, a combined visualization method to better understand the relationships between these multivariate data. Results show the efficiency of using different and complementary visual representation tools to highlight hidden relationships and find insights in data.
Real Cyclic Load-Bearing Test of a Ceramic-Reinforced Slab
Authors: Albareda-Valls Albert , Rivera-Rogel Alicia , Costales-Calvo Ignacio , García-Carrera David
Published: March 2020

Ceramic-reinforced slabs were widely used in Spain during the second half of the 20th century, especially for industrial buildings. This solution was popular due to the lack of materials at that time, as it requires almost no concrete and low ratios of reinforcement. In this study, we present and discuss the results of a real load-bearing test of a real ceramic-reinforced slab, which was loaded and reloaded cyclically for a duration of one week in order to describe any damage under a high-demand loading series. Due to the design of these slabs, the structural response is based more on shear than on bending due to the low levels of concrete and the geometry and location of re-bars. The low ratio of concrete makes these slabs ideal for short-span structures, mainly combined with steel or RC frames. The slab which was analyzed in this study covers a span of 4.88 m between two steel I-beams (IPN400), and corresponds to a building from the mid-1960s in the city of Igualada (Barcelona, Spain). A load-bearing test was carried out up to 7.50 kN/m2 by using two-story sacks full of sand. The supporting steel beams were propped up in order to avoid any interference in the results of the test; without the shoring of the steel structure, deflections would come from the combination of the ceramic slab together with the steel profiles. A process of loading and unloading was repeated for a duration of six days in order to describe the cyclic response of the slab under high levels of loading. Finally, vibration analysis of the slab was also done; the higher the load applied, the higher the fundamental frequency of the cross section, which is more comfortable in terms of serviceability.
Unbalanced and Reactive Currents Compensation in Three-Phase Four-Wire Sinusoidal Power Systems
Authors: Montoya-Mira Rafael , Blasco Pedro A. , Diez José M. , Montoya Rafael , Reig Miguel J.
Published: March 2020

In an unbalanced linear three-phase electrical system, there are inefficient powers that increase the apparent power supplied by the network, line losses, machine malfunctions, etc. These inefficiencies are mainly due to the use of unbalanced loads. Unlike a three-wire unbalanced system, a four-wire system has zero sequence currents that circulate through the neutral wire and can be compensated by means of compensation equipment, which prevents it from being delivered by the network. To design a compensator that works with unbalanced voltages, it is necessary to consider the interactions between it and the other compensators used to compensate for negative-sequence currents and positive-sequence reactive currents. In this paper, through passive compensation, a new method is proposed to develop the zero sequence current compensation equipment. The method does not require iteration algorithms and is valid for unbalanced voltages. In addition, the interactions between all compensators are analyzed, and the necessary modifications in the calculations are proposed to obtain a total compensation. To facilitate the application of the method and demonstrate its validity, a case study is developed from a three-phase linear four-wire system with unbalanced voltages and loads. The results obtained are compared with other compensation methods that also use passive elements.