bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Simulation of Process Windows for Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing: Influence of the Powder Bulk Density
Authors: Rausch Alexander , Küng Vera , Pobel Christoph , Markl Matthias , Körner Carolin
Published: September 2017

The resulting properties of parts fabricated by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes are determined by their porosity, local composition, and microstructure. The objective of this work is to examine the influence of the stochastic powder bed on the process window for dense parts by means of numerical simulation. The investigations demonstrate the unique capability of simulating macroscopic domains in the range of millimeters with a mesoscopic approach, which resolves the powder bed and the hydrodynamics of the melt pool. A simulated process window reveals the influence of the stochastic powder layer. The numerical results are verified with an experimental process window for selective electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V. Furthermore, the influence of the powder bulk density is investigated numerically. The simulations predict an increase in porosity and surface roughness for samples produced with lower powder bulk densities. Due to its higher probability for unfavorable powder arrangements, the process stability is also decreased. This shrinks the actual parameter range in a process window for producing dense parts.
Enhancement of the Electrical Conductivity and Interlaminar Shear Strength of CNT/GFRP Hierarchical Composite Using an Electrophoretic Deposition Technique
Authors: Haghbin Amin , Liaghat Gholamhossein , Hadavinia Homayoun , Arabi Amir , Pol Mohammad
Published: September 2017

In this work, an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique has been used for deposition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of glass fiber textures (GTs) to increase the volume conductivity and the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CNT/glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRPs) composites. Comprehensive experimental studies have been conducted to establish the influence of electric field strength, CNT concentration in EPD suspension, surface quality of GTs, and process duration on the quality of deposited CNT layers. CNT deposition increased remarkably when the surface of glass fibers was treated with coupling agents. Deposition of CNTs was optimized by measuring CNT’s deposition mass and process current density diagrams. The effect of optimum field strength on CNT deposition mass is around 8.5 times, and the effect of optimum suspension concentration on deposition rate is around 5.5 times. In the optimum experimental setting, the current density values of EPD were bounded between 0.5 and 1 mA/cm2. Based on the cumulative deposition diagram, it was found that the first three minutes of EPD is the effective deposition time. Applying optimized EPD in composite fabrication of treated GTs caused a drastic improvement on the order of 108 times in the volume conductivity of the nanocomposite laminate in comparison with simple GTs specimens. Optimized CNT deposition also enhanced the ILSS of hierarchical nanocomposites by 42%.
A Novel Nanocomposite as an Efficient Adsorbent for the Rapid Adsorption of Ni(II) from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhang Xiaotao , Wang Ximing , Chen Zhangjing
Published: September 2017

A sulfhydryl-lignocellulose/montmorillonite (SLT) nanocomposite was prepared using a chemical intercalation reaction. The SLT nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), the results demonstrated that an intercalated-exfoliated nanostructure was formed in the SLT nanocomposite. Batch experiments were conducted to optimize parameters such as SLT nanocomposite dosage, the initial concentration of Ni(II), solution pH, temperature, and time. The results indicated that the attractive adsorption capacity reached 1134.08 mg/g with 0.05 g of SLT at an initial concentration of Ni(II) of 700 mg/L, solution pH of 5.5, adsorption temperature of 50 °C, and adsorption time of 40 min, meanwhile, the Ni(II) adsorption capacity significantly decreased with the increase in ionic strength. The pseudo-second order kinetic model could describe the whole adsorption process well, and the isotherm adsorption equilibrium conformed to the Freundlich model. The adsorption mechanism of SLT was also discussed by means of FTIR and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray (EDX). Dramatically, the introduction of sulfhydryl achieves the increased activated functional groups content of SLT nanocomposite, leading to remarkably higher adsorption amount on Ni(II). The desorption capacity of SLT was dependent on parameters such as HNO3 concentration, desorption temperature, and ultrasonic desorption time. The satisfactory desorption capacity and desorption efficiency of 458.21 mg/g and 40.40% were obtained at an HNO3 concentration, desorption temperature, and ultrasonic desorption time of 0.4 mol/L, 40 °C, and 30 min, respectively. The regeneration studies showed that the adsorption capacity of SLT was consistent for four cycles without any appreciable loss and confirmed that the SLT was reusable. Owing to such outstanding features, the novel SLT nanocomposite proved the great potential in adsorption for Ni(II) removal from aqueous solution, and exhibited an extremely significant amount of Ni(II), compared to pristine lignocellulose/montmorillonite and the conventional spent adsorbents.
Design and Additive Manufacturing of 3D Phononic Band Gap Structures Based on Gradient Based Optimization
Authors: Wormser Maximilian , Wein Fabian , Stingl Michael , Körner Carolin
Published: September 2017

We present a novel approach for gradient based maximization of phononic band gaps. The approach is a geometry projection method combining parametric shape optimization with density based topology optimization. By this approach, we obtain, in a two dimension setting, cellular structures exhibiting relative and normalized band gaps of more than 8 and 1.6, respectively. The controlling parameter is the minimal strut size, which also corresponds with the obtained stiffness of the structure. The resulting design principle is manually interpreted into a three dimensional structure from which cellular metal samples are fabricated by selective electron beam melting. Frequency response diagrams experimentally verify the numerically determined phononic band gaps of the structures. The resulting structures have band gaps down to the audible frequency range, qualifying the structures for an application in noise isolation.
Specificities of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Developed on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Absence of Cirrhosis Revealed by Tissue Extracts 1H-NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Teilhet Camille , Morvan Daniel , Joubert-Zakeyh Juliette , Biesse Anne-Sophie , Pereira Bruno , Massoulier Sylvie , Dechelotte Pierre , Pezet Denis , Buc Emmanuel , Lamblin Géraldine , Peoc’h Michel , Porcheron Jack , Vasson Marie-Paule , Abergel Armando , Demidem Aicha
Published: September 2017

There is a rising incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as well as of the frequency of Hepato-Cellular Carcinoma (HCC) associated with NAFLD. To seek for putative metabolic pathways specific of the NAFLD etiology, we performed comparative metabolomics between HCC associated with NAFLD and HCC associated with cirrhosis. The study included 28 pairs of HCC tissue versus distant Non-Tumoral Tissue (NTT) collected from patients undergoing hepatectomy. HCC was associated with cirrhosis (n = 9), normal liver (n = 6) and NAFLD (n = 13). Metabolomics was performed using 1H-NMR Spectroscopy on tissue extracts and combined to multivariate statistical analysis. In HCC compared to NTT, statistical models showed high levels of lactate and phosphocholine, and low level of glucose. Shared and Unique Structures (SUS) plots were performed to remove the impact of underlying disease on the metabolic profile of HCC. HCC-cirrhosis was characterized by high levels of β-hydroxybutyrate, tyrosine, phenylalanine and histidine whereas HCC-NAFLD was characterized by high levels of glutamine/glutamate. In addition, the overexpression glutamine/glutamate on HCC-NAFLD was confirmed by both Glutamine Synthetase (GS) immuno-staining and NMR-spectroscopy glutamine quantification. This study provides evidence of metabolic specificities of HCC associated with non-cirrhotic NAFLD versus HCC associated with cirrhosis. These alterations could suggest activation of glutamine synthetase pathway in HCC-NAFLD and mitochondrial dysfunction in HCC-cirrhosis, that may be part of specific carcinogenic processes.
Aspalathin Reverts Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through Increased Autophagy and Decreased Expression of p53/mTOR/p62 Signaling
Authors: Johnson Rabia , Shabalala Samukelisiwe , Louw Johan , Kappo Abidemi , Muller Christo
Published: September 2017

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of various cancers. Its clinical use is often limited due to its potentially fatal cardiotoxic side effect. Increasing evidence indicates that tumour protein p53 (p53), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nucleoporin p62 (p62), and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) are critical mediators of Dox-induced apoptosis, and subsequent dysregulation of autophagy. Aspalathin, a polyphenolic dihydrochalcone C-glucoside has been shown to activate AMPK while decreasing the expression of p53. However, the role that aspalathin could play in the inhibition of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity through increased autophagy flux remained unexplored. H9c2 cardiomyocytes and Caov-3 ovarian cancer cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium and treated with or without Dox for five days. Thereafter, cells exposed to 0.2 µM Dox were co-treated with either 20 µM Dexrazozane (Dexra) or 0.2 µM aspalathin (ASP) daily for 5 days. Results obtained showed that ASP mediates its cytoprotective effect in a p53-dependent manner, by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreasing apoptosis. The latter effect was diminished through ASP-induced activation of autophagy-related genes (Atgs) with an associated decrease in p62 through induction of AMPK and Fox01. Furthermore, we showed that ASP was able to potentiate this effect without decreasing the anti-cancer efficacy of Dox, as could be observed in Caov-3 ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, the data presented in this study provides a credible mechanism by which ASP co-treatment could protect the myocardium from Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.
One-Pot Multi-Enzymatic Synthesis of the Four Stereoisomers of 4-Methylheptan-3-ol
Authors: Brenna Elisabetta , Crotti Michele , Gatti Francesco , Monti Daniela , Parmeggiani Fabio , Pugliese Andrea
Published: September 2017

The use of pheromones in the integrated pest management of insects is currently considered a sustainable and environmentally benign alternative to hazardous insecticides. 4-Methylheptan-3-ol is an interesting example of an insect pheromone, because its stereoisomers are active towards different species. All four possible stereoisomers of this compound were prepared from 4-methylhept-4-en-3-one by a one-pot procedure in which the two stereogenic centres were created during two sequential reductions catalysed by an ene-reductase (ER) and an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), respectively.
Polyyne-Enriched Extract from Oplopanax elatus Significantly Ameliorates the Progression of Colon Carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ Mice
Authors: Qiao Xin , Sun Wei , Wang Chongzhi , Zhang Li , Li Ping , Wen Xiaodong , Yang Jie , Yuan Chunsu
Published: September 2017

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Oplopanax elatus is widely used in traditional medicine. However, little is known about its pharmacological effects and bioactive compounds. We evaluated the effects of the polyyne-enriched extract from O. elatus (PEO) on the progression of colon carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. In addition, these effects were also investigated in HCT116 and SW480 cells. After PEO oral administration (0.2% diet) for 12 weeks, PEO significantly improved body weight changes and reduced the tumor burden and tumor multiplicity compared with the untreated mice. Meanwhile, western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed PEO significantly reduced the expression of β-catenin and cyclinD1 in both small intestine and the colon tissues compared with the untreated mice. In addition, PEO treatment significant decreased the cell viability in both HCT116 and SW480 cell lines. It also decreased the levels of β-catenin, cyclinD1, c-myc and p-GSK-3β in HCT116 and SW480 cells at 25 μM. These results indicate that PEO may have potential value in prevention of colon cancer by down-regulating Wnt-related protein.
Antifungal Activity of Thapsia villosa Essential Oil against Candida, Cryptococcus, Malassezia, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species
Authors: Pinto Eugénia , Gonçalves Maria-José , Cavaleiro Carlos , Salgueiro Lígia
Published: September 2017

The composition of the essential oil (EO) of Thapsia villosa (Apiaceae), isolated by hydrodistillation from the plant’s aerial parts, was analysed by GC and GC-MS. Antifungal activity of the EO and its main components, limonene (57.5%) and methyleugenol (35.9%), were evaluated against clinically relevant yeasts (Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and Malassezia furfur) and moulds (Aspergillus spp. and dermatophytes). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured according to the broth macrodilution protocols by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The EO, limonene and methyleugenol displayed low MIC and MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration) values against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans, dermatophytes, and Aspergillus spp. Regarding Candida species, an inhibition of yeast–mycelium transition was demonstrated at sub-inhibitory concentrations of the EO (MIC/128; 0.01 μL/mL) and their major compounds in Candida albicans. Fluconazole does not show this activity, and the combination with low concentrations of EO could associate a supplementary target for the antifungal activity. The association of fluconazole with T. villosa oil does not show antagonism, but the combination limonene/fluconazole displays synergism. The fungistatic and fungicidal activities revealed by T. villosa EO and its main compounds, associated with their low haemolytic activity, confirm their potential antimicrobial interest against fungal species often associated with human mycoses.
Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions in Luminescent Quinoline-Triazoles with Dominant 1D Crystals
Authors: Bai Shi-Qiang , Young David James , Hor T. S. Andy
Published: September 2017

Quinoline-triazoles 2-((4-(diethoxymethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)quinoline (1), 2-((4-(m-tolyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)quinoline (2) and 2-((4-(p-tolyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)quinoline (3) have been prepared with CuAAC click reactions and used as a model series to probe the relationship between lattice H-bonding interaction and crystal direction of growth. Crystals of 1–3 are 1D tape and prism shapes that correlate with their intermolecular and solvent 1D lattice H-bonding interactions. All compounds were thermally stable up to about 200 C and blue-green emissive in solution.
An Al2O3 Gating Substrate for the Greater Performance of Field Effect Transistors Based on Two-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Yang Hang , Qin Shiqiao , Zheng Xiaoming , Wang Guang , Tan Yuan , Peng Gang , Zhang Xueao
Published: September 2017

We fabricated 70 nm Al2O3 gated field effect transistors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials and characterized their optical and electrical properties. Studies show that the optical contrast of monolayer graphene on an Al2O3/Si substrate is superior to that on a traditional 300 nm SiO2/Si substrate (2.4 times). Significantly, the transconductance of monolayer graphene transistors on the Al2O3/Si substrate shows an approximately 10-fold increase, due to a smaller dielectric thickness and a higher dielectric constant. Furthermore, this substrate is also suitable for other 2D materials, such as WS2, and can enhance the transconductance remarkably by 61.3 times. These results demonstrate a new and ideal substrate for the fabrication of 2D materials-based electronic logic devices.
Total Antioxidant Capacity from Dietary Supplement Decreases the Likelihood of Having Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Subeen , Song YoonJu , Lee Jung , Jun Shinyoung , Shin Sangah , Wie Gyung-Ah , Cho Yoon , Joung Hyojee
Published: September 2017

This study was conducted to estimate antioxidant vitamin intake and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) from diet and dietary supplements and to examine their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults. Out of 6308 adults 19~64 years old from the 2010~2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1847 adults were classified as dietary supplement users and the other 4461 adults were classified as non-users. Antioxidant intake and TAC from diet and dietary supplements were estimated using dietary intake data and linked with the antioxidant and TAC database for common Korean foods. The prevalence of MetS was lower in dietary supplement users (odds ratio (OR) = 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68–0.98) than that in non-users. Among dietary supplement users, a lower prevalence of MetS was observed in the highest tertile for vitamin A (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53–0.99) and vitamin E (OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55– 0.99) intake than that in the lowest tertile among non-users. Subjects in the highest tertile of TAC among dietary supplement users showed a lower prevalence of MetS (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52–0.99) than non-users. The results imply that intake of vitamin A, vitamin E, and TAC from dietary supplements might have a protective effect on MetS among Korean adults.
Bayesian Modelling, Monte Carlo Sampling and Capital Allocation of Insurance Risks
Authors: Peters Gareth , Targino Rodrigo , Wüthrich Mario
Published: September 2017

The main objective of this work is to develop a detailed step-by-step guide to the development and application of a new class of efficient Monte Carlo methods to solve practically important problems faced by insurers under the new solvency regulations. In particular, a novel Monte Carlo method to calculate capital allocations for a general insurance company is developed, with a focus on coherent capital allocation that is compliant with the Swiss Solvency Test. The data used is based on the balance sheet of a representative stylized company. For each line of business in that company, allocations are calculated for the one-year risk with dependencies based on correlations given by the Swiss Solvency Test. Two different approaches for dealing with parameter uncertainty are discussed and simulation algorithms based on (pseudo-marginal) Sequential Monte Carlo algorithms are described and their efficiency is analysed.
Two-Dimensional Linear Inversion of GPR Data with a Shifting Zoom along the Observation Line
Authors: Persico Raffaele , Ludeno Giovanni , Soldovieri Francesco , De Coster Albéric , Lambot Sébastien
Published: September 2017

Linear inverse scattering problems can be solved by regularized inversion of a matrix, whose calculation and inversion may require significant computing resources, in particular, a significant amount of RAM memory. This effort is dependent on the extent of the investigation domain, which drives a large amount of data to be gathered and a large number of unknowns to be looked for, when this domain becomes electrically large. This leads, in turn, to the problem of inversion of excessively large matrices. Here, we consider the problem of a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey in two-dimensional (2D) geometry, with antennas at an electrically short distance from the soil. In particular, we present a strategy to afford inversion of large investigation domains, based on a shifting zoom procedure. The proposed strategy was successfully validated using experimental radar data.
Wuhan Surface Subsidence Analysis in 2015–2016 Based on Sentinel-1A Data by SBAS-InSAR
Authors: Zhou Lv , Guo Jiming , Hu Jiyuan , Li Jiangwei , Xu Yongfeng , Pan Yuanjin , Shi Miao
Published: September 2017

The Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans (TOPS) acquisition mode of Sentinel-1A provides a wide coverage per acquisition and features a repeat cycle of 12 days, making this acquisition mode attractive for surface subsidence monitoring. A few studies have analyzed wide-coverage surface subsidence of Wuhan based on Sentinel-1A data. In this study, we investigated wide-area surface subsidence characteristics in Wuhan using 15 Sentinel-1A TOPS Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images acquired from 11 April 2015 to 29 April 2016 with the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric SAR (SBAS InSAR) technique. The Sentinel-1A SBAS InSAR results were validated by 110 leveling points at an accuracy of 6 mm/year. Based on the verified SBAS InSAR results, prominent uneven subsidence patterns were identified in Wuhan. Specifically, annual average subsidence rates ranged from −82 mm/year to 18 mm/year in Wuhan, and maximum subsidence rate was detected in Houhu areas. Surface subsidence time series presented nonlinear subsidence with pronounced seasonal variations. Comparative analysis of surface subsidence and influencing factors (i.e., urban construction, precipitation, industrial development, carbonate karstification and water level changes in Yangtze River) indicated a relatively high spatial correlation between locations of subsidence bowl and those of engineering construction and industrial areas. Seasonal variations in subsidence were correlated with water level changes and precipitation. Surface subsidence in Wuhan was mainly attributed to anthropogenic activities, compressibility of soil layer, carbonate karstification, and groundwater overexploitation. Finally, the spatial-temporal characteristics of wide-area surface subsidence and the relationship between surface subsidence and influencing factors in Wuhan were determined.
Robust Dehaze Algorithm for Degraded Image of CMOS Image Sensors
Authors: Qu Chen , Bi Du-Yan , Sui Ping , Chao Ai-Nong , Wang Yun-Fei
Published: September 2017

The CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a new type of solid image sensor device widely used in object tracking, object recognition, intelligent navigation fields, and so on. However, images captured by outdoor CMOS sensor devices are usually affected by suspended atmospheric particles (such as haze), causing a reduction in image contrast, color distortion problems, and so on. In view of this, we propose a novel dehazing approach based on a local consistent Markov random field (MRF) framework. The neighboring clique in traditional MRF is extended to the non-neighboring clique, which is defined on local consistent blocks based on two clues, where both the atmospheric light and transmission map satisfy the character of local consistency. In this framework, our model can strengthen the restriction of the whole image while incorporating more sophisticated statistical priors, resulting in more expressive power of modeling, thus, solving inadequate detail recovery effectively and alleviating color distortion. Moreover, the local consistent MRF framework can obtain details while maintaining better results for dehazing, which effectively improves the image quality captured by the CMOS image sensor. Experimental results verified that the method proposed has the combined advantages of detail recovery and color preservation.
Bioelectrochemical Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 in an Antibody-Based Biomicrosystem
Authors: Sepulveda Danna , Aroca Miguel , Varela Andres , Del Portillo Patricia , Osma Johann
Published: September 2017

Bioelectrochemical sensing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis through electro-immunosensors is a promising technique to detect relevant analytes. In general, immunosensors require the formation of organic assemblies by the adsorption of molecular constituents. Moreover, they depend on the correct immobilization of the bio-recognition element in the biosensor. These procedures cannot be easily monitored without the use of invasive methods. In this work, an impedance analysis technique was used, as a non-invasive method, to measure and differentiate the manufacturing stages of the sensors. Biomicrosystems were fabricated through physical vapor deposition (PVD) of 80 nm Au nanolayers on 35 µm copper surfaces. Later, the surface was modified through thiolation methods generating a self-assembled-monolayer (SAM) with 20 mM 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) on which a polyclonal antibody (pAb) was covalently attached. Using impedance analysis, every step of the electro-immunosensor fabrication protocol was characterized using 40 independent replicas. Results showed that, compared to the negative controls, distilled water, and 0.5 µg/mL HSA, a maximum variation of 171% between each replica was achieved when compared to samples containing 0.5 µg/mL of ESAT-6 M. tuberculosis immunodominant protein. Therefore, this development validates a non-invasive method to electrically monitor the assembly process of electro-immunosensors and a tool for its further measure for detection of relevant antigens.
Rural Tourism Accommodation Prices by Land Use-Based Hedonic Approach: First Results from the Case Study of the Self-Catering Cottages in Asturias
Authors: Bilbao-Terol Celia , Cañal-Fernández Verónica , Valdés Luis , Del Valle Eduardo
Published: September 2017

This study analyses the impacts of environmental amenities associated with agricultural and silvicultural land use on the price of rural tourism accommodation in Asturias (Spain). A hedonic price model that relates the price of rural accommodation to environmental amenities as well as equipment, services offered, and the locational characteristics of the accommodation is estimated. The rural accommodations in the study are the self-catering cottages, the intrinsic features of which promote the development of rural tourism sustainability. Geographic information systems (GIS) data are used to measure the location and the proximity to amenities of these self-catering cottages. The main results indicate that agricultural land use has an important impact on the price of accommodation in self-catering cottages. Specifically, a high percentage of grassland in the municipality where the self-catering cottage is sited has a positive effect on rental prices, while a high percentage of arable crops has the opposite effect. The analysis is interesting for decision-making in the context of environmental policies, land use conflict resolution, and rural tourism sustainability.
Community Participation in the Decision-Making Process for Sustainable Tourism Development in Rural Areas of Hong Kong, China
Authors: Mak Bonnie , Cheung Lewis , Hui Dennis
Published: September 2017

Examining the extent to which a community plays a role in the decision-making process in tourism planning can provide a better understanding of how tourism can benefit a community. Arnstein’s ladder of citizen participation (ALCP) has been adopted by tourism scholars to understand both the nature of the participation expected of the community and the community’s actual participation in tourism development. However, the literature on tourism development and community involvement is underdeveloped in the context of urban tourism, and few studies have attempted to identify the differences between the expected and actual participation of local residents. Identifying this gap reveals the reasons behind it and generates possible suggestions and solutions. The level of community participation of Tai O residents has been assessed by employing Arnstein’s framework. The results indicated the difference between the level of local residents’ expected and actual participation in tourism development. The reasons for the difference are identified, and suggestions for improvement are provided.
Testing Consumers’ Preferences for Environmental Attributes of Pasta. Insights from an ABR Approach
Authors: Defrancesco Edi , Perito Maria , Bozzolan Irene , Cei Leonardo , Stefani Gianluca
Published: September 2017

Consumer appreciation for food environmental attributes has recently gained in importance. The health-related attributes have received less attention in the literature, if organic farming products are excluded. We measure the consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for a traditional Italian product, pasta, when environmental and healthy attributes are added to it in turn. Relying on the prospect theory and on the bundling/unbundling debate, attributes cannot be perceived by consumers in absolute values. Accordingly, we assess if the way in which attributes are presented to consumers influences their WTP by comparing an “unbundling” approach—informing consumers of all product attributes and then subtracting one of them, to a “bundling” approach, progressively adding further attributes to the product’s description. To do this, we administered a questionnaire to a sample of households in North-Central Italy. WTP is elicited using an attribute based referenda format, slightly modified in accordance with our research objectives. The results show that Italian consumers, with the exception of specific subgroups, tend to prefer a traditional pasta product, probably because of both their taste preferences and eating habits. Some evidence emerged of an endowment effect, consumers valuing environmental attributes more when they feel themselves entitled to them.
Monitoring the Temporal Expression of Genes Involved in Ochratoxin A Production of Aspergillus carbonarius under the Influence of Temperature and Water Activity
Authors: Lappa Iliada , Kizis Dimosthenis , Panagou Efstathios
Published: September 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of environmental factors, namely temperature and water activity, on genes involved in the regulation of ochratoxin A (OTA) production over time. For this purpose, the previously characterized toxigenic Aspergillus carbonarius Ac29 isolate from Greek vineyards and the A. carbonarius ITEM 5010 reference strain were subjected to combined temperature and water activity (aw) treatments to study OTA production and relative gene expression. The fungal isolates were grown on a synthetic grape juice liquid medium (SGM) under different temperature (20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) and aw (0.94 and 0.98) regimes. The expression of the AcOTApks, AcOTAnrps, and laeA OTA related genes was investigated using real time PCR. Gene expression was monitored at the same time points, along with fungal biomass and OTA accumulation at three, six and nine days of incubation. In gene expression analysis, stimulation of the biosynthetic genes was observed a few days before any toxin could be detected. This fact may underline a possible early indicator of potential toxin contamination of grapes. However, the transcript levels varied with respect to the different combinations of ecophysiological conditions and time, highlighting a complex regulation of OTA related gene expression of A. carbonarius in the specific medium.
A Unique Mathematical Derivation of the Fundamental Laws of Nature Based on a New Algebraic-Axiomatic (Matrix) Approach ‡
Authors: Zahedi Ramin
Published: September 2017

In this article, as a new mathematical approach to origin of the laws of nature, using a new basic algebraic axiomatic (matrix) formalism based on the ring theory and Clifford algebras (presented in Section 2), “it is shown that certain mathematical forms of fundamental laws of nature, including laws governing the fundamental forces of nature (represented by a set of two definite classes of general covariant massive field equations, with new matrix formalisms), are derived uniquely from only a very few axioms.” In agreement with the rational Lorentz group, it is also basically assumed that the components of relativistic energy-momentum can only take rational values. In essence, the main scheme of this new mathematical axiomatic approach to the fundamental laws of nature is as follows: First, based on the assumption of the rationality of D-momentum and by linearization (along with a parameterization procedure) of the Lorentz invariant energy-momentum quadratic relation, a unique set of Lorentz invariant systems of homogeneous linear equations (with matrix formalisms compatible with certain Clifford and symmetric algebras) is derived. Then by an initial quantization (followed by a basic procedure of minimal coupling to space-time geometry) of these determined systems of linear equations, a set of two classes of general covariant massive (tensor) field equations (with matrix formalisms compatible with certain Clifford, and Weyl algebras) is derived uniquely as well.
Calculation of Steady-State Evaporation for an Arbitrary Matric Potential at Bare Ground Surface
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhan Hongbin
Published: September 2017

Evaporation from soil columns in the presence of a water table is a long lasting subject that has received great attention for many decades. Available analytical studies on the subject often involve an assumption that the potential evaporation rate is much less than the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. In this study, we develop a new semi-analytical method to estimate the evaporation rate for an arbitrary matric potential head at bare soil surface without assuming that the potential evaporation rate is much less than the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The results show that the evaporation rates calculated by the new solutions fit well with the HYDRUS-1D simulation. The new solutions also can reproduce the results of potential evaporation rate calculated from previous equations under the special condition of an infinite matric potential head at bare soil surface. The developed new solutions expand our present knowledge of evaporation estimation at bare ground surface to more general field conditions.
EVALUATION OF GPS OBSERVATIONS ACCURACY WITHIN LIMITED VISIBILITY BASING ON EMPIRIC DATA
Authors: YANCHUK Oleksandr , ROMAN Shulgan , DETS Tetiana , STRUK Stanislav
Published: September 2017

In this paper, the exploration of accuracy of empirical GPS observations within the limited horizon has been conducted. The exploration has been done by assessing the outcome accuracy conducted at six points with a different percentage of limited horizon. The accuracy evaluation has been done in two variants. In the first one, the measured values of one-hour sessions have been compared with the values for the whole period of observations (6–12 hours) taken as standard. In the second variant, in order to get the independent data check, the measurement of distances and heights differences between the indicated points using the electronic total station has been conducted. In the second variant, the accuracy evaluation has been done basing on outcome deviations of one-hour session observations from the values measured by electronic total station. As the inadequate results of accuracy have been received (on the level of dozens of centimeters), it has been decided to check the measurements accuracy on observation sessions with a minimal value of DOP. In order to do this the preliminary planning has been completed and the optimal onehour sessions of observations at each point have been selected. After that, the absolute errors of observation outcomes have been calculated at these points in both mentioned above variants. The research results prove that upon doing the preliminary planning the accuracy on the level of 0.5–3 cm can be achieved.
MATCHING OF URBAN PATHWAYS IN A MULTI-SCALE DATABASE USING FUZZY REASONING
Authors: DEHGHANI Ali , CHEHREGHAN Alireza , ALI ABBASPOUR Rahim
Published: September 2017

One of the main steps of acquiring and handling data in a multi-scale database is generation of automatic links between corresponding objects in different scales, which is provided by matching them in the datasets. The basic concept of this process is to detect and measure the spatial similarity between various objects, which differ from one application to another, largely depends on the intrinsic properties of the input data. In fact, spatial similarity index, which is a function of other criteria such as geometric, topological, and semantic ones, is to some extent uncertain. Therefore, the present study aims to provide a matching algorithm based on fuzzy reasoning, while considering human spatial cognition. The proposed algorithm runs on two road datasets of Yazd city in Iran, which are in the scales of 1:5000 and 1:25000. The evaluation results show that matching rate and correctness of the algorithm is 92.7% and 88%, respectively, which validates the appropriate function of the proposed algorithm in matching.
THE HISTORY OF MINE SURVEYING AND MINING MAPS
Authors: OVESNÁ Gabriela , STAŇKOVÁ Hana , PLÁNKA Ladislav , WLOCHOVÁ Andrea
Published: September 2017

The beginnings of the mining history date back to ancient times, up to the second century B.C. One field closely related to mining activities is mine surveying. Mine surveying and mapping are disciplines that deal with the surveying and displaying of underground works and mining claims, in which their spatial relationships are determined against the surface.
The introductory part of the paper is dedicated to the history and development of the mine surveying discipline and mapping, and to the profession of a mine surveyor. The second part of the article is devoted to historical mining maps produced in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Historical mine maps belong to the significant treasures of past times, and from today's perspective they are often considered to be pieces of art. In the time of their origin they belonged to the most sophisticated technical-natural documents that were used for the registration of property rights, and for the performance of mining activities. With regard to the period in which they were created they are accurate, yet there are few records on their history.
CREATING AND ANALYSING THE DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL OF THE SLIVOVO AREA USING QGIS SOFTWARE
Authors: MALIQI Edon , PENEV Petar , KELMENDI Faik
Published: September 2017

The aim of the paper is developing the Digital Terrain Model (DTM in the further text) through QGIS software. In order to accomplish intention of the paper will test some of the methods and techniques that are widely known in nowadays and those are supported by QGIS software – an open source software. And those methods named TIN and GRID. For showing complexity on the study area will analyse some features or characteristics of terrain in the created DTM. All of these methods and techniques will be applied in QGIS. In general, the QGIS software has rich methodology for creation, intepretation, visualization and analysing the geo-spatial data and the DTM in particular.
Le travail des limites dans le processus d’écriture. Exploration dans la création littéraire et en atelier d’écriture
Authors: Lempen Olivia , Roman Pascal
Published: September 2017

Les auteurs présentent des réflexions issues d’une recherche ayant pour objet l’étude des processus d’écriture d’écrivains publiés et de participants à un atelier d’écriture en centre de jour. Cette double approche de l’écriture comme expérience créatrice permet d’explorer trois temps du processus : la mise à l’écriture ; le travail de la matière ; le partage avec les lecteurs. La mise à l’écriture s’appuie sur la mobilisation des premiers accordages affectifs dans leurs modalités rythmique et sonore alors que la composition du texte a pour enjeu le travail des limites dedans/dehors en vue du partage avec des lecteurs. Ces expériences de création montrent que l’écriture peut avoir une fonction d’enveloppe protectrice qui soutient le sujet dans sa rencontre avec un interlocuteur, permettant un travail de symbolisation.
Les droits fragiles. L’insécurité juridique des huguenots au temps des guerres de Religion
Authors: Foa Jérémie
Published: September 2017

Cet article explore la question des droits reconnus aux protestants dans la France des guerres de Religion. Il tente de tenir ensemble deux moments contradictoires mais constitutifs de l’expérience huguenote : l’obtention de droits et leur soudaine révocation au cours des dernières décennies du XVI e siècle. Il s’interroge sur les effets de ces deux séquences, très rapprochées dans le temps, d’octroi et de privation de droits. Un premier temps est consacré à l’étude de la manière dont les huguenots ont obtenu leurs droits et incorporé leur appartenance et leur soumission à l’État royal par l’intermédiaire de la rédaction de très nombreuses plaintes, dont le contenu, loin d’être confessionnel, se révèle de fait très sécularisé. Il s’agit de mettre en lumière, au cœur du XVI e siècle, la quête menée par les huguenots qui ne réclament aucun bien matériel mais sont engagés dans une « lutte pour la reconnaissance », qui les conduit à se placer dans les mains de l’État royal à qui ils doivent leur onction de « sujets » et la reconnaissance de leurs droits confessionnels comme minorité. Le deuxième temps de l’article s’arrête sur la soudaine révocation des droits des protestants, en 1562, 1568 et surtout 1585 : quels sont les effets, au niveau des pratiques mais aussi des représentations (du pouvoir, du temps), de cette soudaine perte du « droit d’avoir des droits » ? Quelles sont les modalités par lesquelles on prive un groupe minoritaire de ses droits mais aussi de ses biens ?
« Une sorte de nom collectif » : lecture catégorielle et lecture approximative
Authors: Lammert Marie
Published: September 2017

Résumé En testant les noms collectifs français avec les « marqueurs » espèce , sorte et genre , cette étude s’attache à examiner la manière dont ces noms peuvent accéder à une lecture catégorielle et / ou approximative, ainsi que la façon dont ils réagissent à ces deux lectures. Bien que se comportant globalement de la même manière que les noms standard, les noms collectifs se particularisent par leur mode et leur facilité d’accès à l’une ou l’autre lecture, et par les types de traits engagés dans la lecture approximative de ces noms. Cette étude fait également ressortir la pertinence de la distinction entre une lecture approximative intracatégorielle et une lecture approximative intercatégorielle proposée par Gerhard-Krait & Vassiliadou (2017).
Taxinomie dans les reformulations du point de vue de la linguistique de corpus
Authors: Eshkol-Taravella Iris , Grabar Natalia
Published: September 2017

Résumé L’article traite du procédé de la reformulation à l’oral et en contexte écrit dialogique issu d’Internet du point de vue de la linguistique de corpus en se fondant sur les résultats du corpus annoté manuellement. Le procédé de reformulation est modélisé ainsi d’une manière taxinomique, à travers une structure arborescente et hiérarchique selon un jeu d’étiquettes. La taxinomie intervient également dans la représentation des liens lexicaux entre le segment source et le segment reformulé parmi lesquels les liens épistémiques occupent une place importante. La répartition de ces liens est comparée selon les trois marqueurs de reformulation ( c’est-à-dire , je veux dire , disons ), les deux genres discursifs (oral et écrit dialogique issu d’Internet) et du point de vue de l’évolution diachronique. L’article étudie la taxinomie en contexte et montre comment la taxinomie peut être appropriée et / ou personnalisée par un locuteur ou scripteur et comment elle peut dépendre de la situation d’énonciation et du contenu évoqué.
Blocking all Receiving Links of Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Yu Zhang , Xiaodong Peng , Feng Liu
Published: September 2017

Jamming attack is an effective way to disrupt the communication of adversaries. This paper tries to design methods for blocking all receiving links (BARL) of a wireless sensor network (WSN). Firstly the condition for blocking a receiving link is derived and AJRL (area for jamming a receiving link) is defined. Then BARL jamming method for a network with an unlimited JSR parameter is discussed. Finally, under a limited JSR parameter, BARL jamming attack problem on several networks types, i.e. JN (N,â‰¥N), JN(2,1), JN(3,1)and JN(N,â‰¥2, are discussed; and BARL jamming methods are presented respectively. The methods are proved mathematically
An Efficient Approach for Storage Balancing in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ez-zaidi Asmaa , Rakrak Said
Published: September 2017

the use of mobile sinks in data collection has received much attention in recent years. In fact, mobility was introduced to solve problems that occur in data gathering with static sinks such as hotspots, quick energy depletion of sensor nodes and so on. Using mobile sinks provides an effective mechanism to improve reliability, security as well as connectivity within the network. Nevertheless, the sink’s mobility poses new challenges, especially when the sink follows an unpredictable movement while gathering data. In this case, the network will experience huge latency and suffer from significant packet loss particularly when sensor nodes do not have enough memory storage to buffer collected data between two successive visits of the mobile sink. In this paper we propose a new approach in which sensor nodes cooperate to manage the storage and prevent packet drops. When a node’s memory is almost full, it offloads its data to its neighbor nodes in function of their free spaces.  In case there are no neighbor nodes with sufficient storage space, the sink is urgently notified about the overloaded region that needs to be rapidly dumped. Simulation results reveal that our proposed approach decreases drastically the loss of packets and balances the sensor network.
An Enhanced Hybrid 3D Localization Algorithm Based on APIT and DV-Hop
Authors: Yi Lianjun , Chen Miaochao
Published: September 2017

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), as a new method of information collection and processing, has a wide range of applications. Since the acquired data must be bound with the location information of sensor nodes, the sensor localization is one of the supporting technologies of wireless sensor networks. However, the common localization algorithms, such as APIT algorithm and DV-Hop algorithm, have the following problems: 1) the localization accuracy of beacon nodes is not high; 2) low coverage rate in sparse environment. In this paper, an enhanced hybrid 3D localization algorithm is designed with combining the advantages of APIT algorithm and DV-Hop algorithm. The proposed hybrid algorithm can improve the localization accuracy of the beacon nodes in dense environments by reducing the triangles in the triangle interior point test (PIT) and selecting good triangles. In addition, the algorithm can combine the advantages of APIT algorithm and DV-Hop algorithm localization algorithm to calculate the unknown node coordinates, and also improve the location coverage of the beacon nodes in sparse environment. Simulation results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm can effectively improve the localization accuracy of beacon nodes in the dense environment and the location coverage of beacon nodes in sparse environment.
Cloud-based Geophysical Inversion Modeling Using GNU Octave and MatlabMPI on Amazon EC2
Authors: Xiong Jie , Zhang Song , Chen Yuantao
Published: September 2017

Computer modeling and simulation can be very demanding in terms of computational resources. Cloud computing has opened up new avenues for the scientific researchers with limited resources to do complicated simulation. In order to investigate whether cloud computing is suitable for modeling and simulation, we first describe how to build a cloud-based modeling and simulation platform using GNU Octave and MatlabMPI on the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). Then, we evaluation its performance taking the geophysical inversion modeling as an example. The results show that the cloud-based modeling and simulation platform is suitable for basic modeling for free. It can provide much more higher performance with acceptable price. Furthermore, we can cut down the cost by  employing the Spot instance without losing the computation performance.