bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CARACTERÍSTICAS MORFOGÊNICAS E ESTRUTURAIS DE CAPIM-CONVERT HD364® SUBMETIDO À ADUBAÇÃO ORGÂNICA E QUÍMICA
Authors: Biserra Thiago Trento , Paiva Luísa Melville , Fernandes Henrique Jorge , Duarte Camila Fernandes Domingues , Kozuka Maycon Satoshi Hukama , Ferreira Kethylleen De Carvalho
Published: July 2018

A adubação orgânica pode substituir ou complementar a adubação mineral reduzindo os custos de produção e nutrindo as plantas. No entanto, são restritas as informações referentes às doses a serem aplicadas. Objetivou-se avaliar o desenvolvimento de capim-convert HD364® recebendo diferentes níveis de adubação orgânica baseada em biofertilizante líquido de esterco bovino e diferentes condições de adubação química. O biofertilizante associado ou não com adubação química proporcionou aumentos em todas as características morfogênica e estrutural da planta, exceto na duração de vida das folhas e no número de perfilhos vivos por vaso.  A utilização de biofertilizante pode ser uma alternativa promissora em substituição total ou parcial da adubação química, melhorando o desenvolvimento do capim- convert HD364® na implantação.Palavras-chave: biofertilização, Brachiaria híbrida convert HD364®, desenvolvimento sustentável. MORPHOGENETIC AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONVERT-GRASS HD364® SUBMITTED TO ORGANIC FERTILIZER AND CHEMICAL ABSTRACT:The organic fertilization can replace or supplement chemical fertilizers reducing production costs and nurturing plants. However, information on the doses to be applied are restricted. Aimed to evaluate the development of convert-grass HD364® receiving organic fertilizer levels in different conditions chemical fertilizer. The biofertilizer associated or not with chemical fertilizer provided increases in all morphogenic and structural characteristics of convert-grass HD364® except the lifetime of leaves and number of live tillers per pot. The use of biofertilizers could be a promising alternative in total or partial replacement of chemical fertilizers, improving the development of convert-grass HD364® in the deployment.Keywords: biofertilization, Brachiaria híbrida convert HD364®, sustainable development.
APLICAÇÃO FOLIAR DE NITROGÊNIO NA SOJA EM DIFERENTES FASES FENOLÓGICAS E INOCULAÇÃO COM Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Authors: Buratto Willian , Buratto Weslley , Oliveira Amanda Martins de , Oliveira Reginaldo de , Caione Gustavo , Seben Junior Getúlio de Freitas
Published: July 2018

A adubação nitrogenada na cultura da soja, associada a inoculação com a bactéria Bradyrhizobium japonicum é uma prática comum na agricultura, no entanto, muito contestada. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar a resposta da soja à aplicação foliar de N em diferentes estádios fenológicos e à aplicação de inoculante com Bradyrhizobium japonicum. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação da Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Alta Floresta-MT. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 4x2, sendo quatro épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio (R1 - Início de floração, R3 - Final da floração, R5.1 - Grãos perceptíveis ao tato e R5.3 - Maioria das vagens entre 25-50% de granação) e presença ou ausência de Bradyrhizobium japonicum, com quatro repetições. Conclui-se que a aplicação de nitrogênio foliar na cultura da soja no estágio R1 proporcionou aumento no acúmulo de nitrogênio na parte aérea, no número de vagens e de grãos por planta. A presença do inoculante proporcionou maior número de vagens quando aplicou se N nas épocas R1 e R3, já para a matéria seca de parte aérea, o melhor resultado foi obtido, quando o N foi aplicado em R 5.3, na ausência do inoculante.Palavras-chave: adubação nitrogenada, fixação biológica, inoculante. LEAF APPLICATION OF NITROGEN IN DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES IN SOYBEAN AND INOCULATION WITH Bradyrhizobium japonicum ABSTRACT:Nitrogen fertilization in soybean crop, associated with inoculation with a bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum is a common practice in agriculture, however, much contested. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of soybeans to foliar application of N in different stages of phenology and the application of inoculant with the diazotrophic bacterium Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the State University of Mato Grosso, Alta Floresta-MT. The completely randomized experimental design was used in a 4x2 factorial arrangement, with 4 nitrogen application times (R1 - Beginning of flowering, R3 - Final flowering, R5.1 - Grains perceptible to touch and R5.3 - Most pods between 25 -50% granulation) and presence or absence of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, with 4 replicates. It was concluded that the application of leaf nitrogen in the non-stage soybean crop provided an increase in the accumulation of nitrogen in the aerial part, there is no number of pods and grains per plant. The presence of the inoculant provided a larger number of pods when applicable. N in the periods R1 and R3, and for the aerial part dry matter, the best result obtained when it was obtained in R 5.3, in the absence of the inoculant.Keywords: nitrogen fertilization, biological fixation, inoculant.
SEGMENTATION OF RGB IMAGES USING DIFFERENT VEGETATION INDICES AND THRESHOLDING METHODS
Authors: Aureliano Netto Abdon Francisco , Nogueira Martins Rodrigo , Aquino de Souza Guilherme Silverio , Araújo Guilherme de Moura , Hatum de Almeida Samira Luns , Agnolette Capelini Vinicius
Published: July 2018

SEGMENTAÇÃO DE IMAGENS RGB USANDO DIFERENTES ÍNDICES DE VEGETAÇÃO E MÉTODOS DE LIMIARIZAÇÃO A segmentação é um dos aspectos fundamentais envolvidos no processamento de imagens, que geralmente consiste na discriminação de objetos de interesse e fundo da imagem. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes índices de vegetação (IV) (ExG, ExGR e NDI) no desempenho de três métodos de limiarização (Otsu, Ridler e Triângulo) em termos de precisão e tempo de processamento na segmentação de imagens. Para tal, foram utilizadas 30 imagens advindas de área cultivada com milho sob diferentes tipos de cobertura do solo (plantio convencional, casca de café e palhada). O processamento das imagens foi realizado através de algoritmos desenvolvidos com base nos IV e métodos de limiarização. A acurácia das imagens resultantes foi avaliada com a verdade de campo obtida pelo algoritmo K-means. Os resultados demonstraram desempenho superior para o método do triângulo quando precedido dos índices NDI (90,7%) e ExGR (90,23%) e dos métodos de Otsu e Ridler quando precedidos pelo NDI com 89,06% e 89,03% de acurácia, respectivamente. O tempo de processamento foi estatisticamente igual entre os métodos avaliados. De modo geral, a abordagem combinada de IV e métodos de limiarização foram capazes de separar com alta acurácia a cultura do milho do objeto de fundo.Palavras-chave: processamento de imagens, imagens digitais, método do triângulo.ABSTRACT:Image Segmentation is one of the fundamental aspects involved in image processing, which generally consists of discriminating objects of interest from its background. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vegetation indices (VI) (ExG, ExGR, and NDI) on the performance of three automated thresholding methods (Otsu, Ridler, and Triangle) in terms of accuracy and processing time on image segmentation. A set of 30 images from an area cultivated with maize under different types of soil cover (conventional planting, no-tillage with coffee husk, and straw residue) were selected and processed. The images were processed through algorithms developed based on VI and thresholding methods. Then, the accuracy of the resulting images was evaluated through the ground truth image obtained by the K-means algorithm. The results demonstrated superior performance for the triangle method when preceded by the NDI (90.7%) and ExGR (90.23%) indices and the Otsu and Ridler methods when preceded by the NDI with 89.06% and 89.03% accuracy, respectively. The processing time was statistically equal among the evaluated methods. In general, the combined approach of VI and thresholding based methods were capable of separating with high accuracy the maize crop from the background.Keywords: image processing, digital images, triangle method.
BROMATOLOGIA DE GRAMÍNEAS TROPICAIS SOB DIFERENTES TENSÕES DE ÁGUA NO SOLO EM AMBIENTE PROTEGIDO
Authors: Gonçalves Morgana Scaramussa , Ribeiro Wilian Rodrigues , Dos Reis Edvaldo Fialho , Cóser Antônio Carlos
Published: July 2018

A irrigação é usada para conter os efeitos da sazonalidade de produção garantindo maior intensificação dos sistemas de produção a pasto, assim, contribuindo para o aumento da produção e do valor bromatológico das gramíneas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar o valor bromatológico de gramíneas tropicais cultivadas em condições de ambiente protegido, submetidas a diferentes tensões de água no solo. Foram realizados três experimentos com as gramíneas Mombaça, Marandu e Tifton 85, onde cada qual, foi conduzida em um esquema de parcelas subdivididas, tendo nas parcelas os níveis do fator tensão de água no solo (20, 40, 50, 60 e 70 kPa) e nas subparcelas níveis 1º, 2º e 3º do fator corte, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições. Nas tensões de água no solo de 20 (Mombaça) e 50 kPa (Marandu e Tifton 85) as gramíneas expressaram seu máximo de valor nutritivo. Os maiores teores de PB foram obtidos nas gramíneas Mombaça e Tifton 85. Para as variáveis FDN e FDA o fator tensão de água no solo não foi significativo.Palavras-chave: proteína bruta, fibra, irrigação, forrageiras. BROMATOLOGY OF TROPICAL GRASSES UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL WATER TENSIONS IN PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT ABSTRACT:The irrigation is used to contain the effects of seasonality of production, ensuring a greater intensification of pasture production systems, thus contributing to the increase of production and the bromatological value of grasses. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritive value of tropical grasses grown under protected environment conditions, subject to different soil water stresses. Three experiments, using Mombasa, Marandu and Tifton 85 grasses under a protected environment were carried out and each one was conducted in a subdivided plots scheme, with the levels of soil water tension factor (20, 40, 50, 60 and 70 kPa) and in the subplots levels 1, 2 and 3 of the cut factor, in a completely randomized design with five replicationss. At soil water stresses of 20 (Mombasa) and 50 kPa (Marandu and Tifton 85) the grasses expressed their maximum nutritive value. The highest CP levels were obtained in the Mombasa and Tifton 85 grasses. For the NDF and ADF variables, the soil water stress factor was not significant.Keywords: crude protein, fiber, irrigation, forages.
Tracking dinosaurs in BLM canyon country, Utah
Authors: Hunt-Foster ReBecca K. , Lockley Martin G. , Milner Andrew R.C. , Foster John R. , Matthews Neffra A. , Breithaupt Brent H. , Smith Joshua A.
Published: July 2018

Although only recognized as a discrete stratigraphic unit since 1944, the Cedar Mountain Formation represents tens of millions of years of geological and biological history on the central Colorado Plateau. This field guide represents an attempt to pull together the results of recent research on the lithostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, and biostratigraphy of these medial Mesozoic strata that document the dynamic and complex geological history of this region. Additionally, these data provide a framework by which to examine the history of terrestrial faunas during the final breakup of Pangaea. In fact, the medial Mesozoic faunal record of eastern Utah should be considered a keystone in understanding the history of life across the northern hemisphere.

Following a period of erosion and sediment bypass spanning the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary, sedimentation across the quiescent Colorado Plateau began during the Early Cretaceous. Thickening of these basal Cretaceous strata across the northern Paradox Basin indicate that salt tectonics may have been the predominant control on deposition in this region leading to the local preservation of fossiliferous strata, while sediment bypass continued elsewhere. Thickening of overlying Aptian strata west across the San Rafael Swell provides direct evidence of the earliest development of a foreland basin with Sevier thrusting that postdates geochemical evidence for the initial development of a rain shadow.
Total Synthesis of Leoligin from Edelweiss Roots
Authors: Xia Yamu , Zou Lijia , Zhang Jiahong , Zhang Wen
Published: July 2018

Leoligin, a tetrahydrofuran lignan isolated from the root of the edelweiss plant, was synthesised from veratraldehyde (2 mol), diethyl succinate and 2-methyl-(Z)-2-butenoic acid. Initially, veratraldehyde and diethyl succinate underwent a Stobbe condensation to yield a C6-C5 acid which, after esterification, was condensed with a second molecule of veratraldehyde to generate a 2,3,4-trisubsituted γ-butyrolactone intermediate. Two reduction steps yielded a triol, which was ring-closed with tosyl chloride to form a hydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuran, esterification of which with 2-methyl-(Z)-2-butenoic acid generated leoligin.
Exegetes of Nishapur: A Preliminary Survey of Qur'anic Works by Ibn Ḥabīb, Ibn Fūrak, and ʿAbd al-Qāhir al-Baghdādī
Authors: Nguyen Martin
Published: July 2018

This article provides a preliminary study of three previously unstudied Qur'anic works, each of which has been ascribed to an important fifth/eleventh-century member of the Shāfiʿī elite of Nishapur. Previous studies have documented the importance of the city in the formation of the classical tafsīr tradition, with special attention paid to al-Thaʿlabī (d. 427/1035) and his student al-Wāḥidī (d. 468/1076). Nevertheless, other important Nishapuri personalities demonstrating a wide range of interests have yet to receive proper coverage. By examining the bio-bibliographical records and the extant texts, I introduce three important Nishapuri scholars as exegetes and outline the nature of their contributions. The first work is an ʿulūm al-Qurʾān text written by Abū’l-Qāsim Ibn Ḥabīb (d. 406/1016) the famed Qur'an scholar who marks the beginning of the Thaʿlabī-Wāḥidī lineage of exegetical development. Then follows the tafsīr of the Ashʿarī theologian Ibn Fūrak (d. 406/1015), of which only a part survives. The third and final work is another tafsīr, which has been attributed to Ibn Fūrak's Ashʿarī colleague Abū Manṣūr ʿAbd al-Qāhir al-Baghdādī (d. 429/1037).
Insights into the Positive Effect of Pyraclostrobin on Sugarcane Productivity
Authors: Moreira Lopes Amanda , Schumacher Pedro , Terylene Pérez Martínez Aurora , Paulino da Costa Netto Antônio , Chalfun-Junior Antonio
Published: July 2018

Achieving high yields is a challenge for sugarcane producers due to the diverse environmental conditions to which the crop is subjected. In tropical and subtropical regions, where sugarcane is typically cultivated, crop diseases are common. This necessitates the development of disease management techniques. Among these techniques, chemical control is of particular significance due to the development of new antifungal agents, such as pyraclostrobin. For some crops, pyraclostrobin has a positive influence on yield due to its effects on plant physiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses and yield of three sugarcane cultivars treated with the fungicide, pyraclostrobin. The experiment was performed in a randomized block design (RBD) with a split-plot arrangement; the variables analyzed were the application or non-application of fungicide in the plots and, in the subplots, the evaluation times after fungicide application. Both the rate of photosynthesis and the antioxidant enzyme (Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Ascorbate Peroxidades) activity increased in plants treated with fungicide in comparison to untreated plants, and in the RB855156 cultivar the stomatal conductance, transpiration, and nocturnal respiratory rate were increased. Furthermore, application of pyraclostrobin increased stalk yield and the green biomass index in the RB855156 and RB86751 sugarcane cultivars. In certain cultivars of sugarcane, application of pyraclostrobin leads to an increased yield.
Acyltransferases as Tools for Polyketide Synthase Engineering
Authors: Musiol-Kroll Ewa Maria , Wohlleben Wolfgang
Published: July 2018

Polyketides belong to the most valuable natural products, including diverse bioactive compounds, such as antibiotics, anticancer drugs, antifungal agents, immunosuppressants and others. Their structures are assembled by polyketide synthases (PKSs). Modular PKSs are composed of modules, which involve sets of domains catalysing the stepwise polyketide biosynthesis. The acyltransferase (AT) domains and their “partners”, the acyl carrier proteins (ACPs), thereby play an essential role. The AT loads the building blocks onto the “substrate acceptor”, the ACP. Thus, the AT dictates which building blocks are incorporated into the polyketide structure. The precursor- and occasionally the ACP-specificity of the ATs differ across the polyketide pathways and therefore, the ATs contribute to the structural diversity within this group of complex natural products. Those features make the AT enzymes one of the most promising tools for manipulation of polyketide assembly lines and generation of new polyketide compounds. However, the AT-based PKS engineering is still not straightforward and thus, rational design of functional PKSs requires detailed understanding of the complex machineries. This review summarizes the attempts of PKS engineering by exploiting the AT attributes for the modification of polyketide structures. The article includes 253 references and covers the most relevant literature published until May 2018.
Modeling of Gas Permeation through Mixed-Matrix Membranes Using Novel Computer Application MOT
Authors: Rybak Aurelia , Rybak Aleksandra , Sysel Petr
Published: July 2018

The following article proposes a modern computer application MOT (Membrane Optimization Tool) for modeling of gas transport processes through mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). The current version of the application is based on the Maxwell model, which can be successfully used to model gas transport through the simplest types of hybrid membranes without any defects. The application has been verified on the example of four types of hybrid membranes, consisting of various types of polymer matrix, such as: poly (vinyl acetate), 2, 2′-BAPB + BPADA, Ultem, hyperbranched polyimide (ODPA-MTA) and zeolite 4A. The average absolute relative error (AARE) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) were calculated in order to compare the theoretical MOT-predicted results with the experimental results. It was found that the AARE ranges from 29% to 36%, while the RMSE is in the range of 10% to 29%. The article presents also the comparison of MOT-predicted data obtained with Maxwell and Bruggeman models. To obtain more accurate reproduction of experimental results, further versions of the proposed application will be extended with next-generation permeation models (Lewis–Nielsen, Pal, modified Maxwell or Felske models), allowing for the description of transport in more complex systems with the possibility of taking into account possible defects.
Shear Wave Elastography Measures of the Achilles Tendon: Influence of Time of Day, Leg Dominance and the Impact of an Acute 30-Minute Bout of Running
Authors: Payne Catherine , Watt Peter , Webborn Nick
Published: July 2018

The mechanical properties of human tendons are likely to be influenced by factors known to affect elastic structures, including patterns of loading and unloading during the day. However, the exact scale and relevance of these variables to tendon stiffness remains unclear. The aim of this study was to (1) measure Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness over the course of the day, (2) examine AT stiffness between dominant and non-dominant standing leg tendons and (3) assess the impact of previous activity on AT stiffness. To assess the impact of time of day and leg dominance, 15 healthy participants (6 females, 9 males; mean age 28 ± 4 year, mean VISA-A score 99.0 ± 1.2) had shear wave elastography (SWE) measures taken at 08:00 h, 12:30 h and 17:00 h on both dominant and non-dominant legs. To assess the impact of exercise, 24 tendons were analysed (7 females, 5 males; mean age 27 ± 4 year, mean VISA-A Score 99.1 ± 1.1) with participants randomly assigned to either a control (CONT) group or a running (RUN) group. The RUN group performed a 30-min run at a subjective intensity of 13–15 on rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale and had SWE measures taken before, immediately after, 6 h 24 h, 48 h and 72 h following the run. There were no significant differences in AT stiffness over the course of a day or between dominant and non-dominant leg. Significant increases in AT stiffness were noted pre-post run (0.27 m/s, 2.95%, p = 0.037). Leg dominance does not affect SWE values from asymptomatic ATs or change throughout a day, but a 30-min run significantly increases AT stiffness. Leg dominance and timing of clinical appointments are unlikely to affect SWE results, however a prior bout of physical activity may cause changes within the AT resulting in a significantly different SWE measure. Clinicians and researchers should be cautious of interpreting SWE results if weight bearing exercise has been performed beforehand.
Origin of Warm SST Bias over the Atlantic Cold Tongue in the Coupled Climate Model FGOALS-g2
Authors: Shi Yanyan , Huang Wenyu , Wang Bin , Yang Zifan , He Xinsheng , Qiu Tianpei
Published: July 2018

Most of the coupled models contain a strong warm bias in sea surface temperature (SST) over the Atlantic Cold Tongue (ACT) region (10° S–3° N, 20° W–10° E) during June–August (JJA) and September–November (SON). In this study, the origins of the ACT SST bias and their relative contributions to the bias are explored by conducting a set of sensitivity experiments, which are based on an ocean-ice model, and by ignoring the nonlinear effects of each origin. The origins for the warm bias over the ACT in the coupled climate model during JJA are estimated as follows: westerly wind bias along the equator (5° S–5° N) during March–May (MAM; contributes approximately 32.6% of the warm bias), northerly bias over the southern tropical Atlantic (25° S–3° N, 40° W–20° E) during MAM and JJA (21.4%), bias in the surface specific humidity and surface air temperature (11.9%), and downward shortwave radiation bias (6.5%). The origins of the ACT bias during SON are as follows: northerly bias over the southern tropical Atlantic during SON (31.2%), bias in the surface specific humidity and surface air temperature (27.9%), downward shortwave radiation bias (17.4%), and zonal wind bias (13.4%). Note that these contribution ratios of these origins may be model-dependent. In addition, the local and non-local effects of the zonal wind bias are explored explicitly, while those of all the other biases are examined implicitly. Therefore, a better-performing atmospheric component is crucial when simulating zonal winds during MAM along the equator (5° S–5° N) and meridional winds during MAM, JJA, and SON over the southern tropical Atlantic, which will alleviate the warm bias over the ACT region in the coupled climate model.
Current Challenges in Understanding and Predicting Transport and Exchange in the Atmosphere over Mountainous Terrain
Authors: Lehner Manuela , Rotach Mathias W.
Published: July 2018

Coupling of the earth’s surface with the atmosphere is achieved through an exchange of momentum, energy, and mass in the atmospheric boundary layer. In mountainous terrain, this exchange results from a combination of multiple transport processes, which act and interact on different spatial and temporal scales, including, for example, orographic gravity waves, thermally driven circulations, moist convection, and turbulent motions. Incorporating these exchange processes and previous studies, a new definition of the atmospheric boundary layer in mountainous terrain, a mountain boundary layer (MBL), is defined. This paper summarizes some of the major current challenges in measuring, understanding, and eventually parameterizing the relevant transport processes and the overall exchange between the MBL and the free atmosphere. Further details on many aspects of the exchange in the MBL are discussed in several other papers in this issue.
Neutrosophic Incidence Graphs With Application
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Sayed Sidra , Smarandache Florentin
Published: July 2018

In this research study, we introduce the notion of single-valued neutrosophic incidence graphs. We describe certain concepts, including bridges, cut vertex and blocks in single-valued neutrosophic incidence graphs. We present some properties of single-valued neutrosophic incidence graphs. We discuss the edge-connectivity, vertex-connectivity and pair-connectivity in neutrosophic incidence graphs. We also deal with a mathematical model of the situation of illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe.
Some Exact Solutions to Non-Fourier Heat Equations with Substantial Derivative
Authors: Zhukovsky Konstantin , Oskolkov Dmitrii , Gubina Nadezhda
Published: July 2018

One-dimensional equations of telegrapher’s-type (TE) and Guyer–Krumhansl-type (GK-type) with substantial derivative considered and operational solutions to them are given. The role of the exponential differential operators is discussed. The examples of their action on some initial functions are explored. Proper solutions are constructed in the integral form and some examples are studied with solutions in elementary functions. A system of hyperbolic-type inhomogeneous differential equations (DE), describing non-Fourier heat transfer with substantial derivative thin films, is considered. Exact harmonic solutions to these equations are obtained for the Cauchy and the Dirichlet conditions. The application to the ballistic heat transport in thin films is studied; the ballistic properties are accounted for by the Knudsen number. Two-speed heat propagation process is demonstrated—fast evolution of the ballistic quasi-temperature component in low-dimensional systems is elucidated and compared with slow diffusive heat-exchange process. The comparative analysis of the obtained solutions is performed.
Per-Flow Throughput Fairness in Ring Aggregation Network with Multiple Edge Routers
Authors: Nakayama Yu , Sezaki Kaoru
Published: July 2018

Ring aggregation networks are often employed by network carriers because of their efficiency and high fault tolerance. A fairness scheme is required in ring aggregation to achieve per-flow throughput fairness and bufferbloat avoidance, because frames are forwarded along multiple ring nodes. N Rate N + 1 Color Marking (NRN + 1CM) was proposed to achieve fairness in ring aggregation networks consisting of Layer-2 Switches (SWs). With NRN + 1CM, frames are selectively discarded based on color and the frame-dropping threshold. To avoid the accumulation of a queuing delay, frames are discarded at upstream nodes in advance through the notification process for the frame-dropping threshold. However, in the previous works, NRN + 1CM was assumed to be employed in a logical daisy chain topology linked to one Edge Router (ER). The currently available threshold notification process of NRN + 1CM cannot be employed for ring networks with multiple ERs. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for applying NRN + 1CM to a ring aggregation network with multiple ERs. With the proposed algorithm, an SW dynamically selects the dropping threshold to send in order to avoid excess frame discarding. The performance of the proposed scheme was confirmed through computer simulations.
Optimization and in Silico Analysis of a Cold-Adapted Lipase from an Antarctic Pseudomonas sp. Strain AMS8 Reaction in Triton X-100 Reverse Micelles
Authors: Abd. Jalil Fatin Nur Fauzi Ana , Raja Abd. Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha , Salleh Abu Bakar , Mohamad Ali Mohd Shukuri
Published: July 2018

A moderate yield of a purified enzyme can be achieved by using the simple technique of reverse micellar extraction (RME). RME is a liquid–liquid extraction method that uses a surfactant and an organic solvent to extract biomolecules. Instead of traditional chromatographic purification methods, which are tedious and expensive, RME using the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 and toluene is used as an alternative purification technique to purify a recombinant cold-adapted lipase, AMS8. Various process parameters were optimized to maximize the activity recovery of the AMS8 lipase. The optimal conditions were found to be 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7, 0.125 M NaCl, and 0.07 M Triton X-100 in toluene at 10 °C. Approximately 56% of the lipase activity was successfully recovered. Structural analysis of the lipase in a reverse micelle (RM) was performed using an in silico approach. The predicted model of AMS8 lipase was simulated in the Triton X-100/toluene reverse micelles from 5 to 40 °C. The lid 2 was slightly opened at 10 °C. However, the secondary structure of AMS8 was most affected in the non-catalytic domain compared to the catalytic domain, with an increased coil conformation. These results suggest that an AMS8 lipase can be extracted using Triton X-100/water/toluene micelles at low temperature. This RME approach will be an important tool for the downstream processing of recombinant cold-adapted lipases.
Recrystallization and Production of Spherical Submicron Particles of Sulfasalazine Using a Supercritical Antisolvent Process
Authors: Wu Wei-Yi , Su Chie-Shaan
Published: July 2018

In this study, the recrystallization and production of spherical submicron particles of sulfasalazine, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), were performed using the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process, a nonconventional crystallization technique. Sulfasalazine was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) served as the antisolvent. The effects of operating parameters on the SAS process, including the operating pressure, solution concentration, solution flowrate, CO2 flowrate, and spraying nozzle diameter, at two operating temperatures were examined. The solid-state characteristics of sulfasalazine before and after the SAS process, including particle size, crystal habit, and crystal form, were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). A higher operating temperature, intermediate operating pressure, higher CO2 flowrate, and lower solution flowrate are recommended to obtain spherical particles of sulfasalazine. The effects of the solution concentration and spraying nozzle diameter on the SAS process were negligible. Under optimal conditions, spherical sulfasalazine crystals with a mean size of 0.91 μm were generated, and this study demonstrated the feasibility for tuning the solid-state characteristics of API through the SAS process.
Phylogeny of the Genus Dichotrachelus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cyclominae)
Authors: Meregalli Massimo , Germann Christoph , Bernasconi Marco V. , Cervella Piero
Published: July 2018

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Dichotrachelus (Curculionidae: Cyclominae) was carried out, based on a morphological matrix and, for some species, on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences. Bayesian Inference, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony were implemented and the results were compared. The genus is found to be isolated in the subfamily, not related to the only other Palaearctic tribe (Hipporhinini) and possibly nearer to the south-American genera of Cyclominae of the tribe Listroderini. Among these, Macrostyphlus is also equally associated to mosses as the host plant. In Dichotrachelus, two main clades were recognized, one distributed in the western part of the Mediterranean region (Iberian Peninsula, northern Africa and southern France) and the second distributed in the Alps and Apennines. Within each clade, some differentiated monophyletic subgroups could be identified. An evaluation of the most important characters that led to the phylogenetic reconstruction indicated the male genital sclerite as the most useful structure to characterize the different clades.
Mechatronic Design and Manufacturing of the Intelligent Robotic Fish for Bio-Inspired Swimming Modes
Authors: Ay Mustafa , Korkmaz Deniz , Ozmen Koca Gonca , Bal Cafer , Akpolat Zuhtu Hakan , Bingol Mustafa Can
Published: July 2018

This paper presents mechatronic design and manufacturing of a biomimetic Carangiform-type autonomous robotic fish prototype (i-RoF) with two-link propulsive tail mechanism. For the design procedure, a multi-link biomimetic approach, which uses the physical characteristics of a real carp fish as its size and structure, is adapted. Appropriate body rate is determined according to swimming modes and tail oscillations of the carp. The prototype is composed of three main parts: an anterior rigid body, two-link propulsive tail mechanism, and flexible caudal fin. Prototype parts are produced with 3D-printing technology. In order to mimic fish-like robust swimming gaits, a biomimetic locomotion control structure based on Central Pattern Generator (CPG) is proposed. The designed unidirectional chained CPG network is inspired by the neural spinal cord of Lamprey, and it generates stable rhythmic oscillatory patterns. Also, a Center of Gravity (CoG) control mechanism is designed and located in the anterior rigid body to ensure three-dimensional swimming ability. With the help of this design, the characteristics of the robotic fish are performed with forward, turning, up-down and autonomous swimming motions in the experimental pool. Maximum forward speed of the robotic fish can reach 0.8516 BLs-1 and excellent three-dimensional swimming performance is obtained.
An Algorithm of Daubechies Wavelet Transform in the Final Field When Processing Speech Signals
Authors: Popov Dmitry , Gapochkin Artem , Nekrasov Alexey
Published: July 2018

Development and improvement of a mathematical model for a large-scale analysis based on the Daubechies discrete wavelet transform will be implemented in an algebraic system possessing a property of ring and field suitable for speech signals processing. Modular codes are widely used in many areas of modern information technologies. The use of these non-positional codes can provide high-speed data processing. Therefore, these algebraic systems should be used in the algorithms of digital processing of signals, which are characterized by processing large amounts of data in real time. In addition, modular codes make it possible to implement large-scale signal processing using the wavelet transform. The paper discusses examples of the Daubechies wavelet transform application. Integer processing, presented in the paper, will reduce the number of rounding errors when processing the speech signals.
Numerical Investigations of the Effects of the Rotating Shaft and Optimization of Urban Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Zhang Lidong , Zhu Kaiqi , Zhong Junwei , Zhang Ling , Jiang Tieliu , Li Shaohua , Zhang Zhongbin
Published: July 2018

The central shaft is an important and indispensable part of a small scale urban vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). Normally, it is often operated at the same angular velocity as the wind turbine. The shedding vortices released by the rotating shaft have a negative effect on the blades passing the wake of the wind shaft. The objective of this study is to explore the influence of the wake of rotating shaft on the performance of the VAWT under different operational and physical parameters. The results show that when the ratio of the shaft diameter to the wind turbine diameter (α) is 9%, the power loss of the wind turbine in one revolution increases from 0% to 25% relative to that of no-shaft wind turbine (this is a numerical experiment for which the shaft of the VAWT is removed in order to study the interactions between the shaft and blade). When the downstream blades pass through the wake of the shaft, the pressure gradient of the suction side and pressure side is changed, and an adverse effect is also exerted on the lift generation in the blades. In addition, α = 5% is a critical value for the rotating shaft wind turbine (the lift-drag ratio trend of the shaft changes differently). In order to figure out the impacts of four factors; namely, tip speed ratios (TSRs), α, turbulence intensity (TI), and the relative surface roughness value (ks/ds) on the performance of a VAWT system, the Taguchi method is employed in this study. The influence strength order of these factors is featured by TSRs > ks/ds > α > TI. Furthermore, within the range we have analyzed in this study, the optimal power coefficient (Cp) occurred under the condition of TSR = 4, α = 5%, ks/ds = 1 × 10−2, and TI = 8%.
Grid Integration and Power Smoothing of an Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Rajapakse Gimara , Jayasinghe Shantha , Fleming Alan , Negnevitsky Michael
Published: July 2018

This paper applies model predictive control (MPC) for the power processing of an oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy conversion (WEC) system to achieve smooth power delivery to the grid. The particular air turbine design adopted in this study produces large power pulses ranging from 0 to 1 MW in magnitude, and thus, direct connection to the grid is practically impossible, especially in weak grid conditions. Therefore, energy storage is an essential element that should be integrated into this particular WEC system in order to absorb power pulses and thereby ensure smooth delivery of power to the grid. Taking into account the repetitive nature, duration, and magnitude of the power pulses, this study has chosen “supercapacitor” as the suitable energy storage technology. The supercapacitor energy storage (SCES) is integrated into the dc-link of the back-to-back power converter of the WEC system through a bidirectional dc-dc converter. In order to achieve the desired operation of this complex power converter arrangement, a finite control set MPC strategy is proposed in this paper. Performance of the proposed energy storage system (ESS) and control strategy are evaluated through computer simulations. Simulation results show that the proposed SCES system and the control strategy are able to achieve smooth power delivery to the grid amidst power pulses coming from the generator.
A Methodology Based on Cyclostationary Analysis for Fault Detection of Hydraulic Axial Piston Pumps
Authors: Casoli Paolo , Bedotti Andrea , Campanini Federico , Pastori Mirko
Published: July 2018

Condition monitoring has been an active area of research in many industrial fields during the last decades, particularly in fluid power systems. This paper presents a solution for the fault diagnosis of a variable displacement axial-piston pump, which is a critical component in many hydraulic systems. The proposed methodology follows a data-driven approach including data acquisition and feature extraction and is based on the analysis of acceleration signals through the theory of cyclostationarity. An experimental campaign was carried out on a laboratory test bench with the pump in the flawless state and in faulty states. Different operating conditions were considered and each test was repeated several times in order to acquire a suitable population to verify data repeatability. Results showed the capability of the proposed approach of detecting a typical fault related to worn slippers. Future works will include tests in order to apply the approach to a wider set of faults and the development of a classifier for accurate fault identification.
Estimating the Level of Uncertainty in Electron-Impact Excitation and Photoionisation Rates of Low-Ionised Stages of Ni Ions
Authors: Fernández-Menchero Luis , Ramsbottom Catherine A. , Ballance Connor P.
Published: July 2018

Ni iv lines can be used as diagnostics for temperature and density for various astrophysical objects. In addition, ionization of Ni2+ is one of the causes of the opacity in the interstellar medium. We calculate the photoionization of Ni2+ and the electron-impact excitation of Ni3+. We use a fully-relativistic Dirac Atomic R-Matrix Code (DARC) method. We include a large set of configurations in the expansion of the wave functions of the target, up to the n=6 atomic shell. We show preliminary results for the photoionization cross-sections of Ni2+ and the electron-impact excitation collision strengths of Ni3+. The expected final results can be implemented in the available software packages for astrophysical plasma simulation, such as CLOUDY. We also show a preliminary estimation of the error of the data by the comparison of different sets of calculations.
In the Digital Era, Is Community Outrage a Feasible Proxy Indicator of Emotional Epidemiology? The Case of Meningococcal Disease in Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Dettori Marco , Arru Benedetto , Azara Antonio , Piana Andrea , Mariotti Gavino , Camerada Maria Veronica , Stefanelli Paola , Rezza Giovanni , Castiglia Paolo
Published: July 2018

The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the relationship between official data on invasive meningococcal disease cases in Sardinia and the reporting of the cases by a regional online newspaper and (ii) to identify indicators useful for understanding the community outrage related to health events. Cases of meningococcal disease, selected from articles published between 1999 and 2016 on a regional newspaper database, were compared to those reported to the Infectious Disease Information Service. In order to evaluate the equality of the two distribution records, the Kolgomorov Smirnov test for two samples was applied. A community outrage indicator was obtained by calculating the number of published articles for each case of meningococcal disease identified. The outrage indicator was evaluated in comparison with other phenomena: drinking water supply limitation and domestic accidents. Overall, 2724 articles on meningitis/sepsis referring to 89 cases related to meningococcal disease were considered. Significant differences between the distribution of cases officially reported and those found in the newspaper (combined K-S = 0.39; p = 0.08) were not observed. The meningococcal disease outrage indicator showed an average of seven items per case. Comparing the meningococcal disease outrage indicator with those regarding the limitation of drinking water supplies and domestic accidents, a different risk perception by the reference media was found, with the highest outrage for meningococcal disease. The present study supports the role played by emotional factors as behavioral determinants in emerging threats to public health. The analysis of the data allowed us to highlight that the proposed outrage indicator could be a feasible proxy of emotional epidemiology. Finally, data confirm that meningitis is perceived as a highly outrageous health threat.
“In Their Own Voice”—Incorporating Underlying Social Determinants into Aboriginal Health Promotion Programs
Authors: Vallesi Shannen , Wood Lisa , Dimer Lyn , Zada Michelle
Published: July 2018

Despite growing acknowledgement of the socially determined nature of health disparities among Aboriginal people, how to respond to this within health promotion programs can be challenging. The legacy of Australia’s assimilation policies have left profound consequences, including social marginalisation, limited educational opportunities, normalisation of premature death, and entrenched trauma. These social determinants, in conjunction with a reluctance to trust authorities, create barriers to accessing healthcare services for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of chronic disease. The Heart Health program is a culturally sensitive cardiac rehabilitation program run at the local Aboriginal Medical Service in Perth, Western Australia that has since moved beyond cardiac education to provide a holistic approach to chronic disease management. A participatory action research framework was used to explore Heart Health participant and service provider perspectives on the barriers, enablers, and critical success factors to program participation and behaviour change. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was undertaken, and through yarning (Aboriginal storytelling) sessions, many participants made unprompted reference to the impacts of white settlement, discrimination, and the forced fracturing of Aboriginal families, which have been explored in this paper reiterating the need for a social determinants lens to be taken when planning and implementing Aboriginal health promotion programs.
Prevalence of All-Cause Mortality and Suicide among Bariatric Surgery Cohorts: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lim Russell B.C. , Zhang Melvyn W.B. , Ho Roger C.M.
Published: July 2018

Introduction: Prior meta-analysis has reported mortality rates among post-operative bariatric patients, but they have not considered psychiatric factors like suicide contributing to mortality. Objectives: The current meta-analysis aims to determine the pooled prevalence for mortality and suicide amongst cohorts using reported suicides post bariatric surgery. It is also the aim of the current meta-analytical study to determine moderators that could account for the heterogeneity found. Results: In our study, the pooled prevalence of mortality in the studies which reported suicidal mortality was 1.8% and the prevalence of suicide was 0.3%. Mean body mass index (BMI) and the duration of follow-up appear to be significant moderators. Conclusions: Given the prevalence of suicide post bariatric surgery, it is highly important for bariatric teams to consider both the medical and psychiatric well-being of individuals pre- and post-operatively.
Protective Effects of 6-(Methylsulfinyl)hexyl Isothiocyanate on Aβ1-42-Induced Cognitive Deficit, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Mice
Authors: Morroni Fabiana , Sita Giulia , Graziosi Agnese , Turrini Eleonora , Fimognari Carmela , Tarozzi Andrea , Hrelia Patrizia
Published: July 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Although soluble amyloid species are recognized triggers of the disease, no therapeutic approach is able to stop it. 6-(Methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC) is a major bioactive compound in Wasabia japonica, which is a typical Japanese pungent spice. Recently, in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that 6-MSITC has several biological properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective activity of 6-MSITC in a murine AD model, induced by intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid oligomers (Aβ1-42O). The treatment with 6-MSITC started 1 h after the surgery for the next 10 days. Behavioral analysis showed that 6-MSITC ameliorated Aβ1-42O-induced memory impairments. The decrease of glutathione levels and increase of reactive oxygen species in hippocampal tissues following Aβ1-42O injection were reduced by 6-MSITC. Moreover, activation of caspases, increase of inflammatory factors, and phosphorylation of ERK and GSK3 were inhibited by 6-MSITC. These results highlighted an interesting neuroprotective activity of 6-MSITC, which was able to restore a physiological oxidative status, interfere positively with Nrf2-pathway, decrease apoptosis and neuroinflammation and contribute to behavioral recovery. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that 6-MSITC could be a promising complement for AD therapy.