bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Metaheuristic-Neural Assessment of the Adhesion in Existing Cement Composites
Authors: Sadowski Łukasz , Nikoo Mehdi , Nikoo Mohammad
Published: April 2017

The article presents the hybrid metaheuristic-neural assessment of the pull-off adhesion in existing multi-layer cement composites using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA). The ICA is a metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the human political-social evolution. This method is based solely on the use of ANNs and two non-destructive testing (NDT) methods: the impact-echo method (I-E) and the impulse response method (IR). In this research, the ICA has been used to optimize the weights of the ANN. The combined ICA-ANN model has been compared to the genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) to evaluate its accuracy. The results showed that the ICA-ANN model outperforms other techniques when testing datasets in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. As presented in the validation stage, it is possible to reliably map the adhesion level on a tested surface without local damage to the latter.
Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 Piezoelectric Single-Crystal Rectangular Beams: Mode-Coupling Effect and Its Application to Ultrasonic Array Transducers
Authors: Wang Wei , Or Siu Wing , Luo Haosu
Published: April 2017

Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PIN–PMN–PT) piezoelectric single-crystal rectangular beams with the PIN:PMN:PT ratio of 0.33:0.35:0.32 are prepared, and their mode-coupling effect is investigated both theoretically and experimentally for ultrasonic array transducer applications. The PIN–PMN–PT rectangular beams become a tall-narrow beam and a short-wide plate, and so exhibiting an uncoupled height-extensional (beam) mode and an uncoupled thickness-extensional (plate) mode, at a width-to-height ratio G (= L / H) of <0.7 and >6.0, respectively. With G varying in the range of 1.6 to 3.1, the beam mode not only couples strongly with the width (lateral) mode, but also coexists obviously with the plate mode, giving high electromechanical coupling coefficients k_33^' and k_t of ~0.75 and ~0.50, respectively. With the guide of the mode-coupling results, a multifrequency ultrasonic array transducer having three distinct operational frequencies of 1.52, 2.60, and 6.01 MHz, corresponding to the coupled/coexistent beam mode, lateral mode, and plate mode, respectively, is developed using a mode-coupled rectangular beam of G = 1.6. Two different single-frequency ultrasonic array transducers, fabricated using two different uncoupled rectangular beams, one operating in uncoupled beam mode with G = 0.6 at 2.24 MHz and one working in uncoupled plate mode with G = 10.0 at 5.75 MHz, are also developed for comparison.
Fatigue Reliability Analysis of Wind Turbine Cast Components
Authors: Mirzaei Rafsanjani Hesam , Sørensen John , Fæster Søren , Sturlason Asger
Published: April 2017

The fatigue life of wind turbine cast components, such as the main shaft in a drivetrain, is generally determined by defects from the casting process. These defects may reduce the fatigue life and they are generally distributed randomly in components. The foundries, cutting facilities and test facilities can affect the verification of properties by testing. Hence, it is important to have a tool to identify which foundry, cutting and/or test facility produces components which, based on the relevant uncertainties, have the largest expected fatigue life or, alternatively, have the largest reliability to be used for decision-making if additional cost considerations are added. In this paper, a statistical approach is presented based on statistical hypothesis testing and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which can be applied to compare different groups (manufacturers, suppliers, test facilities, etc.) and to quantify the relevant uncertainties using available fatigue tests. Illustrative results are presented as obtained by statistical analysis of a large set of fatigue data for casted test components typically used for wind turbines. Furthermore, the SN curves (fatigue life curves based on applied stress) for fatigue assessment are estimated based on the statistical analyses and by introduction of physical, model and statistical uncertainties used for the illustration of reliability assessment.
A Facile Approach to Preparing Molecularly Imprinted Chitosan for Detecting 2,4,6-Tribromophenol with a Widely Linear Range
Authors: Huang Limei , Lu Yaqi , Wu Zhenyue , Li Meishan , Xiang Shengchang , Ma Xiuling , Zhang Zhangjing
Published: April 2017

The environmental pollution of 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) has attracted attention. Based on an urgent need for the better provision of clean water, in situ determination of TBP is of great importance. Here, a facile and effective approach for detecting TBP is developed, based on coupling molecular imprinting technique with electrodeposition of chitosan (CS) on the gold electrode. The TBP imprinting CS film was fabricated by using CS as functional material and TBP as template molecule. The experiments show that the morphologies and electrochemical properties of the imprinted film sensor was different from non-imprinted film electrode. The current of the imprinted film was linearly proportional to the TBP concentration, with a wide linear range of 1.0 × 10−7 mol•L−1 to 1.0 × 10−3 mol•L−1. By selecting drop-coating method as a reference for controlled trials with the same functional material, the results illustrated that the electrodeposition enjoyed a widely linear range advantage.
Dynamics of Wood Pulp Production: Evidence from OECD Countries
Authors: Jaunky Vishal Chandr , Lundmark Robert
Published: April 2017

This paper investigates whether shocks to pulp for paper production for 17 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) members over the period 1980–2012 are transitory or permanent. A variety of univariate and panel data unit root tests are employed. The presence of structural breaks is taken into account when performing those tests. Based on the Narayan-Popp univariate unit root test, wood production series for approximately 64.71% of countries is found to follow a non-stationary process. However, univariate unit root tests tend to have low power when the time span is relatively short. Consequently, three generations of panel unit root tests are considered. Cross-sectional dependence is detected. The first generation of unit roots do not effectively control for cross-sectional dependence, while the second and third generations do. The third generation accounts mainly for cross-sectional co-integration. As a confirmatory analysis, both unit root tests that tests for the null of non-stationarity and stationarity are considered. Most of the panel unit root tests point towards a non-stationary process. Hence, while these shocks can be transmitted to other economic sectors, past behaviours of wood production cannot be used for forecasting purposes. Forest conservation policies can have a permanent impact on pulp for paper production.
Criminal Modus Operandi and Psychoanalysis as Genealogical Evidence
Authors: Hatton Stephen
Published: April 2017

A critical issue in genealogy is proving genealogical identity. Failure to do so often results in generational linkages and entire pedigrees built on fantasy. Correctly separating different individuals and combining records related to the same individual require careful analysis and consideration of evidence using personal qualities, relations, events, and objects such as places of residence or employment, key dates, occupation, religion, and physical characteristics. This article explores two behavioral identifiers—criminal modus operandi and psychoanalysis. To illustrate the argument that they can serve an important role in establishing identity, it examines the case of John Hatton, a teenaged London thief who was transported to America in 1726. Using a trial transcript and other evidence, the paper argues that criminal modus operandi and psychoanalysis can, where adequate evidence survives, be used to adduce genealogical identity, thus enabling one to combine evidence recorded at different times and across two continents.
Recent Advances in Targeting the EGFR Signaling Pathway for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Miyamoto Yuji , Suyama Koichi , Baba Hideo
Published: April 2017

Outcomes for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients have been improved by treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibodies, particularly when combined with predictive biomarkers to select patients lacking RAS mutations. New technologies such as liquid biopsy and next-generation sequencing have revealed that potential mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapies act through acquired mutations of KRAS and the EGFR ectodomain. Mutations in cross-talking molecular effectors that participate in downstream EGFR signaling are also negative predictors for anti-EGFR therapy. In the current review, we describe recent advances in anti-EGFR therapy and discuss new treatment strategies to target downstream RAS-MAPK signaling in mCRC.
Investigation of the Defect Structure of Congruent and Fe-Doped LiNbO3 Powders Synthesized by the Combustion Method
Authors: Li You-Yun , Chen Hao-Long , Chen Guo-Ju , Kuo Chia-Liang , Hsieh Ping-Hung , Hwang Weng-Sing
Published: April 2017

Fe-doped LiNbO3 synthesized by the combustion method to seek new multiferroic materials exhibits room-temperature ferromagnetism, as reported in our previous work [1]. In this work, the defect structure of congruent and Fe-doped LiNbO3 (0.57–3.3 mol %) powders was investigated in detail by several methods. The molar ratio of [Li]/([Li]+[Nb]) was determined by the Curie temperature (Tc) via DSC. Two peaks of Tc were observed due to phase splitting [2], and the phase at lower Tc disappears as the Fe doping concentration increases. The coexistence of two different oxidation states of Fe ions in LiNbO3 was probed by XPS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The Raman spectra exhibit displacements along the c axis of Li and Nb ions, and a deformation of the NbO6 framework owing to Fe doping. Several doping models were applied in the Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction collected by synchrotron radiation. The fitting by the Nb vacancy model leads to an improbably distorted structure of congruent LiNbO3. In Fe-doped LiNbO3, we conjecture that Li and Nb vacancies coexist in the lattice structure; Fe+2/Fe+3 ions are substituted for Li ions at the regular Li site and may push the anti-site NbLi ion back to the regular Nb site.
Effect of the Fabrication Parameters of the Nanosphere Lithography Method on the Properties of the Deposited Au-Ag Nanoparticle Arrays
Authors: Liu Jing , Chen Chaoyang , Yang Guangsong , Chen Yushan , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: April 2017

The nanosphere lithography (NSL) method can be developed to deposit the Au-Ag triangle hexagonal nanoparticle arrays for the generation of localized surface plasmon resonance. Previously, we have found that the parameters used to form the NSL masks and the physical methods required to deposit the Au-Ag thin films had large effects on the geometry properties of the nanoparticle arrays. Considering this, the different parameters used to grow the Au-Ag triangle hexagonal nanoparticle arrays were investigated. A single‐layer NSL mask was formed by using self‐assembly nano-scale polystyrene (PS) nanospheres with an average radius of 265 nm. At first, the concentration of the nano-scale PS nanospheres in the solution was set at 6 wt %. Two coating methods, drop-coating and spin-coating, were used to coat the nano-scale PS nanospheres as a single‐layer NSL mask. From the observations of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), we found that the matrixes of the PS nanosphere masks fabricated by using the drop-coating method were more uniform and exhibited a smaller gap than those fabricated by the spin-coating method. Next, the drop-coating method was used to form the single‐layer NSL mask and the concentration of nano-scale PS nanospheres in a solution that was changed from 4 to 10 wt %, for further study. The SEM images showed that when the concentrations of PS nanospheres in the solution were 6 and 8 wt %, the matrixes of the PS nanosphere masks were more uniform than those of 4 and 10 wt %. The effects of the one-side lifting angle of substrates and the vaporization temperature for the solvent of one-layer self-assembly PS nanosphere thin films, were also investigated. Finally, the concentration of the nano-scale PS nanospheres in the solution was set at 8 wt % to form the PS nanosphere masks by the drop-coating method. Three different physical deposition methods, including thermal evaporation, radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, and e-gun deposition, were used to deposit the Au-Ag triangle hexagonal periodic nanoparticle arrays. The SEM images showed that as the single-layer PS nanosphere mask was well controlled, the thermal evaporation could deposit the Au-Ag triangle hexagonal nanoparticle arrays with a higher quality than the other two methods.
On Optimal Fuzzy Best Proximity Coincidence Points of Proximal Contractions Involving Cyclic Mappings in Non-Archimedean Fuzzy Metric Spaces
Authors: Sen Manuel , Abbas Mujahid , Saleem Naeem
Published: April 2017

The main objective of this paper is to deal with some properties of interest in two types of fuzzy ordered proximal contractions of cyclic self-mappings T integrated in a pair ( g , T ) of mappings. In particular, g is a non-contractive fuzzy self-mapping, in the framework of non-Archimedean ordered fuzzy complete metric spaces and T is a p -cyclic proximal contraction. Two types of such contractions (so called of type I and of type II) are dealt with. In particular, the existence, uniqueness and limit properties for sequences to optimal fuzzy best proximity coincidence points are investigated for such pairs of mappings.
Preparing of Interdigitated Microelectrode Arrays for AC Electrokinetic Devices Using Inkjet Printing of Silver Nanoparticles Ink
Authors: Tran Van-Thai , Wei Yuefan , Liau Wei , Yang Hongyi , Du Hejun
Published: April 2017

The surge in popularity of lab-on-chip applications has set a new challenge for the fabrication of prototyping devices, such as electrokinetic devices. In such devices, a micro-electrode is the key component. Currently, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processes such as lift-off and etching techniques are employed to prepare the micro-sized conductive patterns. These processes are time-consuming, require a material removal step, clean-room facilities, and the utilisation of harmful chemicals. On the other hand, rapid fabrication is required by researchers designing such devices to test their functionality. Additive manufacturing technology such as the inkjet printing of conductive material is one potential solution to achieve that objective. In this study, we report the utilisation of inkjet printing for the rapid prototyping of alternating current (AC) electrokinetic devices on a rigid glass substrate. The non-lithographical and vacuum-free process for the fabrication of a microfluidic device was demonstrated. The smallest feature size of 60 μm was successfully printed. The crystalline structure of the printed material under different curing temperatures was characterised. It was found that these treatment conditions affect electrical conductivity. Although a low-temperature sintering process was applied, low resistivity was obtained. An AC electrokinetics device for the manipulation of microparticles has been prepared to illustrate such printed silver micro-patterns. The results strongly support the idea that inkjet printing is a powerful and cost-effective prototyping tool for researchers who work with electrokinetic devices.
Ethnic Variability in Glycemic Response to Sucrose and Isomaltulose
Authors: Tan Wei , Tan Sze-Yen , Henry Christiani
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to compare the glycemic response of Caucasians and Asians to two disaccharides of different glycemic index (GI), and to examine if ethnic groups that showed the largest glycemic response to sucrose would benefit the most when it is replaced with isomaltulose. Forty healthy participants (10 Chinese; 10 Malays; 10 Caucasians; and 10 Indians) consumed beverages containing 50 g of sucrose or isomaltulose on two separate occasions using a randomized crossover design. Capillary blood glucose was measured in a fasted state and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after beverage ingestion. Glycemic response to sucrose was significantly higher in Malays compared to Caucasians (p = 0.041), but did not differ between Caucasians vs. Chinese (p = 0.145) or vs. Indians (p = 0.661). When sucrose was replaced with isomaltulose, glycemic responses were significantly reduced in all ethnic groups, with the largest reduction in glycemic response being observed in Malays. Malays, who had the greatest glycemic response to sucrose, also showed the greatest improvement in glycemic response when sucrose was replaced with isomaltulose. This implies that Malays who are more susceptible to type 2 diabetes mellitus may benefit from strategies that replace high GI carbohydrate with lower GI alternatives to assist in glycemic control.
Nutrition Society of New Zealand Annual Conference Held in Christchurch, New Zealand, 8–9 December 2016
Authors: Brown Rachel , Skeaff Sheila
Published: April 2017

The annual conference and scientific meeting of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand took place in Christchurch, New Zealand from 8–9 December 2016.[...]
Security Enhancement of Wireless Sensor Networks Using Signal Intervals
Authors: Moon Jaegeun , Jung Im Y. , Yoo Jaesoo
Published: April 2017

Various wireless technologies, such as RF, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, have been applied to sensor communications. However, the applications of Bluetooth-based wireless sensor networks (WSN) have a security issue. In one pairing process during Bluetooth communication, which is known as simple secure pairing (SSP), the devices are required to specify I/O capability or user interference to prevent man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. This study proposes an enhanced SSP in which a nonce to be transferred is converted to a corresponding signal interval. The quantization level, which is used to interpret physical signal intervals, is renewed at every connection by the transferred nonce and applied to the next nonce exchange so that the same signal intervals can represent different numbers. Even if attackers eavesdrop on the signals, they cannot understand what is being transferred because they cannot determine the quantization level. Furthermore, the proposed model does not require exchanging passkeys as data, and the devices are secure in the case of using a fixed PIN. Subsequently, the new quantization level is calculated automatically whenever the same devices attempt to connect with each other. Therefore, the pairing process can be protected from MITM attacks and be convenient for users.
Strategy for Accurate Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ground Pork Using a Lateral Flow Immunoassay
Authors: Cheng Song , Chen Ming-hui , Zhang Gang-gang , Yu Zhi-biao , Liu Dao-feng , Xiong Yong-hua , Wei Hua , Lai Wei-hua
Published: April 2017

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is known to cause serious diseases including hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. A gold nanoparticle lateral flow immunoassay (Au-LFIA) was used to detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground pork samples. False-positive results were detected using Au-LFIA; a Citrobacter freundii strain was isolated from the ground pork samples and identified by using CHROmagarTM plates, API 20E, and 16S RNA sequencing. Since C. freundii showed cross-reactivity with E. coli O157:H7 when Au-LFIA test strips were used, a novel method combining modified enrichment with a lateral flow immunoassay for accurate and convenient detection of E. coli O157:H7 in ground pork was developed in this study to minimize these false positives. MacConkey broth was optimized for E. coli O157:H7 enrichment and C. freundii inhibition by the addition of 5 mg/L potassium tellurite and 0.10 mg/L cefixime. Using the proposed modified enrichment procedure, the false-positive rate of ground pork samples spiked with 100 CFU/g C. freundii decreased to 5%.
Effects of CEOs’ Negative Traits on Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Myung Jae Kyu , Choi Yoon Hyuk , Kim Jong Dae
Published: April 2017

The dark triad, composed of Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism, refers to negative personality traits, which may influence business processes. While negative traits could be an important factor explaining the relationship between a CEO’s immoral and unethical behavior and corporate social responsibility (CSR), there has been minimal research focusing on this relationship. This paper thus attempts to investigate how a CEO exhibiting these negative traits affects CSR, and if an employee’s perception of ethics and social responsibility would mediate the relationship. In addition, this paper considers the moderating effects of an individual performance-based compensation system (IPBCS) between employee’s CSR perception and CSR activities. The data are collected through a survey conducted on 165 employees (companies) in twelve industries. The regression result indicates an inverse relationship between the negative traits of a CEO and an employee’s perception of ethics and social responsibility and CSR activities, and the mediating effect of the perception in the relationship between the negative traits and CSR activities. It also indicates that an IPBCS moderates the relationship between CSR perception and activities. Implications for the study, future research directions, and management approach are discussed.
On the Complexity of the Universal Order in Vico’s Establishing Principles
Authors: Al-Douri Taha
Published: April 2017

In his seminal work The Principles of a New Science of the Common Nature of Nations (Principii di una scienza nuova d’intorno alla natura delle nazioni, published in 1725 then again in 1730 and posthumously in 1744), Giambattista Vico (Born in 1668) wrote to qualify the scientific to include the humanities and their complexity beyond the popular Cartesian circumscription within the laws of physics—divinely instituted and set in motion—in describing its phenomena. The work is, for one, a manifesto of the essential complexity inherent in universal order, and against a reduction of scholarship to the pure sciences, in which elimination is key. Vico proposed a structure that afforded the organic integration of the humanities within the laws of physics as parts of “a tree of knowledge” whose trunk branched out into a progression toward certainty, drawn out of the most fluid humanities at the roots, in an order of premise and conclusion. The tree metaphor is the juncture of early moments of disparity and interdependence between complexity, on the one hand, and certainty on the other. Starting at the unknown, the immeasurably immense ultimate uncertainty, perception is shaped through fear, self-protection and subject to survival instincts. And so, crude metaphysics makes the trunk rooted in “poetic wisdom” with a natural mixture of limited sensuous cognition and unlimited imagination—or one striving beyond the fetters of immediate reality, logic, ethics, economics and politics which are all poetic sciences to Vico—branch out. On the other side of those branches, physics extends into chronology and geography—the most certain—in agreement that the faculties of the human mind, including imagination, may not be outside of physics: the trunk from whence all knowledge cometh, and by the laws of which life is governed. Past validating human uncertainty as a measure of complexity—not lack of knowledge—in scientific inquiry, key concepts in Vico’s The New Science, such as imagination, reason, creativity and science, maintain pressing relevance to examining complexity today, enabling consideration of their relevance between Vico’s time and today, while maintaining that the uncertainty of imagination and the pragmatism of physics are but facets of the equally plausible constitution of a universal order.
Service Ecosystems Supporting High Reliability Assets
Authors: Beckett Ronald
Published: April 2017

The owners/operators of complex assets such as production systems, military equipment and power stations aim to achieve high reliability with financial sustainability over long periods of time, and rely on a combination of internal and external socio-technical support systems to achieve this. Changes in the operational environment and technological advances may stimulate the need/opportunity for innovative reconfiguration of the assets and/or the related support systems. These assets and their support arrangements may be regarded as elements of a broader industry ecosystem. Drawing on analogies with natural ecosystems suggested in the literature, a concept of a service ecosystem is presented. Ten service system, management, engineering and design (SSMED) concepts elaborated by Spohrer and Kwan are represented in operational terms by interlinked networks of actors, of resources and of activities whose interconnections may change dynamically, combined with a business model perspective that indicates why particular configurations might make sense. Six support system case studies illustrate how effective service ecosystems are informed by multiple viewpoints including reliability assurance, business models and linkages with context-specific knowledge networks to stimulate the identification of innovative support solution architectures.
MTase Domain of Dendrolimus punctatus cypovirus VP3 Mediates Virion Attachment and Interacts with Host ALP Protein
Authors: Su Lan , Xu Congrui , Cheng Chuangang , Lei Chengfeng , Sun Xiulian
Published: April 2017

Dendrolimus punctatus cypovirus (DpCPV) is an important pathogen of D. punctatus, but little is known about the mechanisms of DpCPV infection. Here, we investigated the effects of VP3, VP4 and VP5 structural proteins on the viral invasion. Both the C-terminal of VP3 (methyltransferase (MTase) domain) and VP4 (A-spike) bound to Spodoptera exigua midgut brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) in a dose-dependent manner, and the binding was inhibited by purified DpCPV virions. Importantly, anti-MTase and anti-VP4 antibodies inhibited viral binding to S. exigua BBMVs. Using far-Western blots, a 65 kDa protein in Bombyx mori BBMVs, identified as alkaline phosphatase protein (BmALP) by mass spectrometry, specifically interacted with DpCPV MTase. The interaction between MTase and BmALP was verified by co-immunoprecipitation in vitro. Pretreatment of B. mori BBMVs with an anti-ALP antibody or incubation of DpCPV virions with prokaryotically expressed BmALP reduced viral attachment. Additionally, BmALP inhibited DpCPV infection in S. exigua larvae. Our data provide evidence that the MTase domain and A-spike function as viral attachment proteins during the DpCPV infection process, and ALP is the ligand that interacts with DpCPV via the MTase domain. These results augment our understanding of the mechanisms used by cypoviruses to enter their hosts.
ICAM-1 Binding Rhinoviruses Enter HeLa Cells via Multiple Pathways and Travel to Distinct Intracellular Compartments for Uncoating
Authors: Ganjian Haleh , Zietz Christin , Mechtcheriakova Diana , Blaas Dieter , Fuchs Renate
Published: April 2017

Of the more than 150 human rhinovirus (RV) serotypes, 89 utilize intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) for cell entry. These belong either to species A or B. We recently demonstrated that RV-B14 and RV-A89, despite binding this same receptor, are routed into distinct endosomal compartments for release of their RNA into the cytosol. To gain insight into the underlying mechanism we now comparatively investigate the port of entry, temperature-dependence of uncoating, and intracellular routing of RV-B3, RV-B14, RV-A16, and RV-A89 in HeLa cells. The effect of various drugs blocking distinct stages on the individual pathways was determined via comparing the number of infected cells in a TissueFaxs instrument. We found that RV-B14 and RV-A89 enter via clathrin-, dynamin-, and cholesterol-dependent pathways, as well as by macropinocytosis. Drugs interfering with actin function similarly blocked entry of all four viruses, indicating their dependence on a dynamic actin network. However, uniquely, RV-A89 was able to produce progeny when internalized at 20 °C followed by neutralizing the endosomal pH and further incubation at 37 °C. Blocking dynein-dependent endosomal transport prevented uncoating of RV-A16 and RV-A89, but not of RV-B3 and RV-B14, indicative for routing of RV-A16 and RV-A89 into the endocytic recycling compartment for uncoating. Our results call for caution when developing drugs aimed at targeting entry or intracellular trafficking of all rhinovirus serotypes.
Water Quality Study on the Hot and Cold Water Supply Systems at Vietnamese Hotels
Authors: Toyosada Kanako , Otani Takayuki , Shimizu Yasutoshi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: April 2017

This study was conducted as part of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of the Environment project’s preparation in Vietnam. Samples were taken from hot and cold water supplies from guest rooms’ faucets in 12 hotels in Hanoi city, Vietnam, and 13 hotels in Japan for comparison. A simple water quality measurement and determination of Legionella was carried out. The results showed that residual effective chlorine—which guarantees bactericidal properties—was not detected in tap water supplied in hotel rooms in Vietnam, and nitrite (an indicator of water pollution) was detected in 40% of buildings. In the hotels in Japan, the prescribed residual chlorine concentration met the prescribed levels, and nitrite was not detected. Additionally, while there was no Legionella detected in the Japanese cases, it was detected in most of the Vietnamese hotels, which were found to manage the hot water storage tank at low temperatures of 40–50 °C. It was found that there were deficiencies in cold and hot water supply quality, and that there was no effective system in place for building operation maintenance and management.
Le karst du massif des Calanques (Marseille -Cassis)
Authors: Blanc Jean-Joseph , Monteau Raymond
Published: April 2017

Description, cadres lithologique et structurai, hydrographie, formes karstiques.

Analyse des remplissages karstiques indurés : spéléothèmes, amas de calcite, silts rubéifiés, planchers stalagmitiques supérieurs, grès éoliens. Relations avec la néotectonique.

Hydrogéologie : résurgences en mer, rivières souterraines de Port-Miou et du Bestouan.
Exploring endoperoxides as a new entry for the synthesis of branched azasugars
Authors: Domeyer Svenja , Bjerregaard Mark , Johansson Henrik , Sejer Pedersen Daniel
Published: April 2017

A new class of nitrogen-containing endoperoxides were synthesised by a photochemical [4 + 2]-cycloaddition between a diene and singlet oxygen. The endoperoxides were dihydroxylated and protected to provide a series of endoperoxide building blocks for organic synthesis, with potential use as precursors for the synthesis of branched azasugars. Preliminary exploration of the chemistry of these building blocks provided access to a variety of derivatives including tetrahydrofurans, epoxides and protected amino-tetraols.
TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC DESIGN OF ASPHALT MIXTURE COMPOSITION BASED ON OPTIMIZATION METHODS
Authors: SIVILEVIČIUS Henrikas , VISLAVIČIUS Kęstutis , BRAŽIŪNAS Justas
Published: April 2017

The asphalt pavement made of high quality materials and having the optimal composition best resists destructive effects of environmental factors and vehicles. The optimal content of the mineral materials of the asphalt mixture and a bituminous binder is selected employing calculation and experimental methods. The properties of the designed asphalt mixture must meet the requirements of technical specifications thus reducing its cost. The paper presents algorithms for simulating the composition of the asphalt mixture applying mathematical programming techniques. The algorithms allow designing the asphalt mixture with minimal bitumen content, a low cost of the mineral part and the densest gradation assessing technological requirements for producing the mixture. Optimal bitumen content is calculated considering bitumen capacities specified for different types of rock and determined employing the most recent standard sieves screening for narrow fractions. For verifying the new proposed algorithms, a numerical experiment on the materials most commonly used in asphalt mixing plants was done. The analysis of findings indicates that the application of the algorithms assist in comparing real results.
Mistakes of Performance in Social Roles Creation
Authors: Pulkauninkas Andrius , Kregždaitė Rusnė
Published: April 2017

Roles and performances created by theatre methods are not just the genre of the stage. Creation of the roles is transforming into to social sphere and in this case it is important to identify, understand and analyse these processes. In this article the definitions of performance are explained. Performance, as the method of expression, is analysed in various contexts: social roles creation in politics, in social markets and marketing tools. It is impossible to avoid the performance in social roles, but it is possible to understand how it is functioning. If person has abilities to notice the manipulations in marketing or politics, he will not be influenced by them. This article analyses cases of performance in various contexts, the mistakes in the roles creation and interpretation are revealed.
Review of the Book a Rift in the Everyday: a Dialogue that Lasted for 300 Cups of Coffee and Three Cartons of Cigarettes by A. Sergeev and B. Sokolov
Authors: Voronov Vasiliy M.
Published: April 2017

A. Sergeev, B. Sokolov. Razryv povsednevnosti: dialog dlinoyu v trista chashek kofe i tri bloka sigaret [a Rift in the everyday: a dialogue that lasted for 300 Cups of Coffee and Three Cartons of Cigarettes]. 2015. Sankt-Peterburg: izdatel’stvo Aleteya.
Orbital Evolution of Moons in Weakly Accreting Circumplanetary Disks
Authors: Fujii Yuri I. , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Takahashi Sanemichi Z. , Gressel Oliver
Published: April 2017

We investigate the formation of hot and massive circumplanetary disks (CPDs) and the orbital evolution of satellites formed in these disks. Because of the comparatively small size-scale of the sub-disk, quick magnetic diffusion prevents the magnetorotational instability (MRI) from being well developed at ionization levels that would allow MRI in the parent protoplanetary disk. In the absence of significant angular momentum transport, continuous mass supply from the parental protoplanetary disk leads to the formation of a massive CPD. We have developed an evolutionary model for this scenario and have estimated the orbital evolution of satellites within the disk. We find, in a certain temperature range, that inward migration of a satellite can be stopped by a change in the structure due to the opacity transitions. Moreover, by capturing second and third migrating satellites in mean motion resonances, a compact system in Laplace resonance can be formed in our disk models.
CCD Measurements of Double and Multiple Stars at NAO Rozhen and ASV in 2015
Authors: Cvetković Z. , Pavlović R. , Boeva S.
Published: April 2017

Results of CCD observations of 154 double or multiple stars, made with the 2 m telescope of the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory at Rozhen over five nights in 2015, are presented. This is the ninth series of measurements of CCD frames obtained at Rozhen. We also present results of CCD observations of 323 double or multiple stars made with the 0.6 m telescope of the Serbian Astronomical Station on the mountain of Vidojevica over 23 nights in 2015. This is the fourth series of measurements of CCD frames obtained at this station. This paper contains the results for the position angle and angular separation for 801 pairs and residuals for 127 pairs with published orbital elements or linear solutions. The angular separations are in the range from 1.″52 to 201.″56, with a median angular separation of 8.″26. We also present eight pairs that are measured for the first time and linear elements for five pairs.
La tente dans la solitude
Authors: Casajus Dominique
Published: April 2017

Les Touaregs Kel Ferwan nomadisent aux portes de la vieille ville d'Agadez, déplaçant leurs lourdes tentes en nattes de doum. La tente kel ferwan, avec sa base circulaire analogue au cercle de la terre, sa forme sphérique évoquant la voûte céleste, et ses quatre piquets d'angles semblables aux quatre piliers qui, dit-on, soutiennent le ciel aux quatre coins du monde, est censée être une réplique du cosmos. Dieu en donna autrefois le plan aux Touaregs et, depuis, ces tentes toujours reconstruites selon ce modèle immuable et céleste sont transmises de mère en fille.

La tente en effet appartient à l'épouse, alors que l'époux, même s'il en est le « maître », n'y est qu'un hôte. Dès qu'il commence à devenir un homme, l'adolescent déserte la tente de sa mère et mène une vie incertaine durant laquelle il partage de précaires abris de nattes avec des compagnons d'âge. Il ne réintègre une tente que lorsqu'il se marie, et un divorce ou le veuvage peut toujours le ramener à la condition précaire de l'adolescent.

Cependant, les tentes appartenant à des femmes, et auxquelles toute une symbolique attribue un caractère féminin, se regroupent autour d'hommes puisque chaque campement rassemble un homme, ses fils, son épouse et ses brus. Dans le paradoxe constitué par ces campements d'hommes vivant dans des tentes appartenant à des femmes s'inscrit l'essentiel de la vie sociale touarègue, dont ce livre décrit le déroulement rythmique.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using Relational Discriminant Analysis of Malignancy-Associated Changes
Authors: Klyushin Dmitry , Boroday Natalia , Golubeva Kateryna , Prysiazhna Maryna , Shlykov Maksym
Published: April 2017

The chapter is devoted to description of a novel method of breast cancer diagnostics based on the analysis of the distribution of the DNA concentration in interphase nuclei of epitheliocytes of buccal epithelium with the aid of novel algorithms of statistical machine learning, namely: novel proximity measure between multivariate samples, novel algorithm of construction of tolerance ellipsoids, novel statistical depth and novel method of multivariate ordering. In contrast to common methods of diagnostics used in oncology, this method is a non-invasive and offers a high rate of accuracy and sensitivity.
Segmentation of Brain Tumor from MRI Images Based on Hybrid Clustering Techniques
Authors: Abdel Maksoud Eman A. , Elmogy Mohammed Mahfouz , Al-Awadi Rashid Mokhtar
Published: April 2017

The popularity of clustering in segmentation encouraged us to develop a new medical image segmentation system based on two-hybrid clustering techniques. Our medical system provides an accurate detection of brain tumor with minimal time. The hybrid techniques make full use of merits of these clustering techniques and overcome the shortcomings of them. The first is based on K-means and fuzzy C-means (KIFCM). The second is based on K-means and particle swarm optimization (KIPSO). KIFCM helps Fuzzy C-means to overcome the slow convergence speed. KIPSO provides global optimization with less time. It helps K-means to escape from local optima by using particle swarm optimization (PSO). In addition, it helps PSO to reduce the computation time by using K-means. Comparisons were made between the proposed techniques and K-means, Fuzzy C-means, expectation maximization, mean shift, and PSO using three benchmark brain datasets. The results clarify the effectiveness of our second proposed technique (KIPSO).
Cloud Services Publication and Discovery
Authors: Afify Yasmine M. , Moawad Ibrahim F. , Badr Nagwa. L. , Tolba Mohamed F.
Published: April 2017

Cloud computing is an information technology delivery model accessed over the Internet. Its adoption rate is dramatically increasing. Diverse cloud service advertisements introduce more challenges to cloud users to locate and identify required service offers. These challenges highlight the need for a consistent cloud service registry to serve as a mediator between cloud providers and users. In this chapter, state-of-the-art research work related to cloud service publication and discovery is surveyed. Based on the survey findings, a set of key limitations are emphasized. Discussion of challenges and future requirements is presented. In order to contribute to cloud services publication and discovery area, a semantic-based system for unified Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) service advertisements is proposed. Its back-end foundation is the focus on business-oriented perspective of the SaaS services and semantics. Service registration template, guided registration model, and registration system are introduced. Additionally, a semantic similarity model for services metadata matchmaking is presented.
Data Streams Processing Techniques Data Streams Processing Techniques
Authors: Mohamed Fatma , Ismail Rasha M. , Badr Nagwa. L. , Tolba Mohamed F.
Published: April 2017

Many modern applications in several domains such as sensor networks, financial applications, web logs and click-streams operate on continuous, unbounded, rapid, time-varying streams of data elements. These applications present new challenges that are not addressed by traditional data management techniques. For the query processing of continuous data streams, we consider in particular continuous queries which are evaluated continuously as data streams continue to arrive. The answer to a continuous query is produced over time, always reflecting the stream data seen so far. One of the most critical requirements of stream processing is fast processing. So, parallel and distributed processing would be good solutions. This paper gives (1) analysis to the different continuous query processing techniques; (2) a comparative study for the data streams execution environments; and (3) finally, we propose an integrated system for processing data streams based on cloud computing which apply continuous query optimization technique on cloud environment.
A Hybrid Optimization Algorithm for Single and Multi-Objective Optimization Problems
Authors: Rizk-Allah Rizk M. , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: April 2017

This chapter presents a hybrid optimization algorithm namely FOA-FA for solving single and multi-objective optimization problems. The proposed algorithm integrates the benefits of the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA) and the firefly algorithm (FA) to avoid the entrapment in the local optima and the premature convergence of the population. FOA operates in the direction of seeking the optimum solution while the firefly algorithm (FA) has been used to accelerate the optimum seeking process and speed up the convergence performance to the global solution. Further, the multi-objective optimization problem is scalarized to a single objective problem by weighting method, where the proposed algorithm is implemented to derive the non-inferior solutions that are in contrast to the optimal solution. Finally, the proposed FOA-FA algorithm is tested on different benchmark problems whether single or multi-objective aspects and two engineering applications. The numerical comparisons reveal the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Neuro-Imaging Machine Learning Techniques for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Sayed Gehad Ismail , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: April 2017

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered one of the most common dementia's forms affecting senior's age staring from 65 and over. The standard method for identifying AD are usually based on behavioral, neuropsychological and cognitive tests and sometimes followed by a brain scan. Advanced medical imagining modalities such as MRI and pattern recognition techniques are became good tools for predicting AD. In this chapter, an automatic AD diagnosis system from MRI images based on using machine learning tools is proposed. A bench mark dataset is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. The adopted dataset consists of 20 patients for each diagnosis case including cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease and normal. Several evaluation measurements are used to evaluate the robustness of the proposed diagnosis system. The experimental results reveal the good performance of the proposed system.
Differential Evolution Algorithm with Space Reduction for Solving Large-Scale Global Optimization Problems
Authors: Ali Ahmed Fouad , Ahmed Nashwa Nageh
Published: April 2017

Differential evolution algorithm (DE) is one of the most applied meta-heuristics algorithm for solving global optimization problems. However, the contributions of applying DE for large-scale global optimization problems are still limited compared with those problems for low dimensions. In this chapter, a new differential evolution algorithm is proposed in order to solve large-scale optimization problems. The proposed algorithm is called differential evolution with space partitioning (DESP). In DESP algorithm, the search variables are divided into small groups of partitions. Each partition contains a certain number of variables and this partition is manipulated as a subspace in the search process. Searching a limited number of variables in each partition prevents the DESP algorithm from wandering in the search space especially in large-scale spaces. The proposed algorithm is investigated on 15 benchmark functions and compared against three variants DE algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm is a cheap algorithm and obtains good results in a reasonable time.
Data Clustering Using Sine Cosine Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Kumar Dinesh
Published: April 2017

The clustering techniques suffer from cluster centers initialization and local optima problems. In this chapter, the new metaheuristic algorithm, Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA), is used as a search method to solve these problems. The SCA explores the search space of given dataset to find out the near-optimal cluster centers. The center based encoding scheme is used to evolve the cluster centers. The proposed SCA-based clustering technique is evaluated on four real-life datasets. The performance of SCA-based clustering is compared with recently developed clustering techniques. The experimental results reveal that SCA-based clustering gives better values in terms of cluster quality measures.
Complex-Valued Neural Networks
Authors: El-Telbany Mohammed E. , Refat Samah , Nasr Engy I.
Published: April 2017

In this chapter, the authors will try to go through the problem of learning the complex-valued neural networks (CVNNs) using particle swarm optimization (PSO); which is one of the open topics in the machine learning society. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling is one of the well developed areas in drug development through computational chemistry. This relationship between molecular structure and change in biological activity is center of focus for QSAR modelling. Machine learning algorithms are important tools for QSAR analysis, as a result, they are integrated into the drug production process. Predicting the real-valued drug activity problem is modelled by the CVNN and is learned by a new strategy based on PSO. The trained CVNNs are tested on two drug sets as a real world bench-mark problem. The results show that the prediction and generalization abilities of CVNNs is superior in comparison to the conventional real-valued neural networks (RVNNs). Moreover, convergence of CVNNs is much faster than that of RVNNs in most of the cases.