bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Values estimation of deflection angle of a floating sensor for various objects (to the resistance to measuring the water surface rate)
Authors: Presnyakov K. , Kerimkulova G. , Askalieva G.
Published: February 2019

A device is proposed for measuring the surface velocity of water, the use of which is based on the use of a new informative parameter — the deflection angle of the movable float sensor (together with the guide slide) from the vertical in the direction of the dynamic axis of the flow, allowing you to simply and reliably measure the surface velocity of water.
On improving the performance of contract and design companies in Uzbekistan
Authors: Nurimbetov R. , Davletov I. , Khasanov N.
Published: February 2019

The article deals with the improvement of housing and communal services of the population of Uzbekistan, and also gives a brief overview of the results achieved in the field of housing construction, noted in the Action Strategy in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2017–2021. In addition, the authors investigated the trends in the development of housing construction and the features of housing and communal services in Uzbekistan, the improvement of the activities of contracting and design and construction organizations, and also suggested the main directions for improving construction and design works.
Introduction: Critical Explorations of Media Modernity in India
Authors: Ohm Britta , Parthasarathi Vibodh , Ståhlberg Per
Published: February 2019

No abstract available.
Social Media, Violence and the Law: ’Objectionable Material’ and the Changing Countours of Hate Speech Regulation in India
Authors: Narrain Siddharth
Published: February 2019

With the advent of the internet and increasing circulation of hate speech, and material that has been linked to public order disturbances, there has been a shift in the legal discourse around hate speech. What has emerged, especially post the striking down of section 66A of the Information Technology Act, are categories such as ‘objectionable’, ‘provocative’ content. The focus has shifted from the content itself, what it says, and the intention of the author, to being able to pre-empt the circulation of such material. Law is increasingly invoked to prevent speech (through prior restraint) rather than post facto investigation and prosecutions. This in turn has given rise to a range of institutional mechanisms such as monitoring labs that are now part of policing practice. Additionally, civil society organizations are now collaborating with police to help trigger mechanisms to take content off internet platforms. Increasingly it is through keywords and algorithmic searches that the category of hate speech has been defined rather than traditional legal doctrine. In the words of Lawrence Lessig, code plays the role of law, and the architecture of the internet becomes policy. This paper will examine the issues outlined above relying heavily on a series of interviews with lawyers, policy analysts, journalists, academics, civil society activists, and police personnel conducted in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Pune.
From Autonomy to Anonymity: Information Technology Policy and Changing Politics of the Media System in Indian Democracy
Authors: Khan Aasim
Published: February 2019

The prominence of information and communications technology (ICTs) in defining India’s media modernity can be gauged by the growing reach of online social media as well as continuing expansion of digital media channels and satellite broadcasting even in the early 21stCentury. Policies concerning information technologies, from telegraph to satellite networks, have also been central to media politics and with the rise of new media, internet related policies have similarly become pivotal to the interaction between the state and media system. Drawing from a comparative media system perspective, this paper argues that while there has been no major constitutional or legal overhaul, as yet, new ideas and information technology policy activism are reshaping the contours of state action and ‘autonomy’ of the press in India’s democracy. Comparing technology debates in an earlier era, when satellite networks swept across the media system, with the more recent deliberations around liabilities for digital intermediaries, the paper unpacks the nature of change and locates its origins in the revival of discursive institutions (Schmidt 2002, 2008) of technology policy since the early 2000s. Technology related ideas, I argue, now serve as institutions, able to function as a ‘coordinating discourse’ (ibid) that have revived ideals of an autonomous media. Technology inflected ideals of ‘anonymity’ also counter the ‘communicative discourse’ (ibid) of Hindutva and cultural nationalist politics of media which framed the issue of autonomy in the ascendant phase of print and electronic media capitalism until the 1990s.
Reactivity and Resistance to Evaluation Devices
Authors: Forseth Ulla , Clegg Stewart , Røyrvik Emil André
Published: February 2019

This paper explores the trajectory of a novel evaluation device for customer satisfaction with service encounters and the performance of financial advisors. Drawing on literature on quantification and commensuration, boundary objects and bipartite collaboration, we explore the set-up and collaboration between employer and trade union in the design phase and the actual use and translation of the valuation system. The data stems from a multi-year, multi-site study of banking in two Nordic countries. The analysis illustrates how, when some operational managers started using the device to suit their own purposes, the process morphed from an initial agreement into a dispute. The paper shows how quantitative systems of evaluation easily diverge from their initially proposed purposes when in use, producing reactivity and resistance among organizational members. Some financial advisors were positive about the evaluation device and the opportunity it afforded to improve performance, whereas others regarded it as another surveillance attempt for enhancing management control. We also contribute to the literature by elaborating on the relationship between reactivity and resistance on individual and collective levels.
Conjugate Gradient Hard Thresholding Pursuit Algorithm for Sparse Signal Recovery
Authors: Zhang Yanfeng , Huang Yunbao , Li Haiyan , Li Pu , Fan Xi’an
Published: February 2019

We propose a new iterative greedy algorithm to reconstruct sparse signals in Compressed Sensing. The algorithm, called Conjugate Gradient Hard Thresholding Pursuit (CGHTP), is a simple combination of Hard Thresholding Pursuit (HTP) and Conjugate Gradient Iterative Hard Thresholding (CGIHT). The conjugate gradient method with a fast asymptotic convergence rate is integrated into the HTP scheme that only uses simple line search, which accelerates the convergence of the iterative process. Moreover, an adaptive step size selection strategy, which constantly shrinks the step size until a convergence criterion is met, ensures that the algorithm has a stable and fast convergence rate without choosing step size. Finally, experiments on both Gaussian-signal and real-world images demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm in convergence rate and reconstruction performance.
Conjugate Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Highly Thermally Loaded Film Cooling Configuration with TBC in Syngas
Authors: Ren Jing , Li Xueying , Jiang Hongde
Published: February 2019

Future power equipment tends to take hydrogen or middle/low heat-value syngas as fuel for low emission. The heat transfer of a film-cooled turbine blade shall be influenced more by radiation. Its characteristic of conjugate heat transfer is studied experimentally and numerically in the paper by considering radiation heat transfer, multicomposition gas, and thermal barrier coating (TBC). The Weighted Sum of Gray Gases Spectral Model and the Discrete Transfer Model are utilized to solve the radiative heat transfer in the multicomposition field, while validated against the experimental data for the studied cases. It is shown that the plate temperature increases significantly when considering the radiation and the temperature gradient of the film-cooled plate becomes less significant. It is also shown that increasing percentage of steam in gas composition results in increased temperature on the film-cooled plate. The normalized temperature of the film-cooled plate decreases about 0.02, as the total percentage of steam in hot gas increases 7%. As for the TBC effect, it can smooth out the temperature distribution and insulate the heat to a greater extent when the radiative heat transfer becomes significant.
Innovative Scaled Test Platform e-Genius-Mod—Scaling Methods and Systems Design
Authors: Bergmann Dominique Paul , Denzel Jan , Baden Asmus , Kugler Lucas , Strohmayer Andreas
Published: February 2019

Future aircraft design highly depends on the successful implementation of new technologies. However, the gap between conventional designs and new visions often comes with a high financial risk. This significantly complicates the integration of innovations. Scaled unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are an innovative and cost-effective way to get new configurations and technologies in-flight. Therefore the Institute of Aircraft Design developed the e-Genius-Mod taking into account all relevant similitude requirements. It is a scale model of the electric motor glider e-Genius. Since the Reynolds number for the free-flight model cannot be adhered to, an airfoil was developed with lift-to-drag and lift-to-angle-of-attack courses reproducing the full-scale e-Genius flight characteristics. This will enable testing and assessment of new aviation technologies in a scaled version with an opportunity for free-flight demonstration in relevant environment.
Reframing the Debate Surrounding the Yield Gap between Organic and Conventional Farming
Authors: Wilbois Klaus-Peter , Schmidt Jennifer Elise
Published: February 2019

In this article, we review the literature regarding the yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture and then reflect on the corresponding debate on whether or not organic farming can feed the world. We analyze the current framework and highlight the need to reframe the yield gap debate away from “Can organic feed the world?” towards the more pragmatic question, “How can organic agriculture contribute to feeding the world?”. Furthermore, we challenge the benchmarks that are used in present yield comparison studies, as they are based on fundamentally distinct paradigms of the respective farming methods, and then come up with a novel model to better understand the nature of yield gaps and the benchmarks that they are premised on. We thus conclude that, by establishing appropriate benchmarks, re-prioritizing research needs, and focusing on transforming natural resources rather than inputs, organic systems can raise their yields and play an ever-greater role in global sustainable agriculture and food production in the future.
Betaine Improves Milk Yield in Grazing Dairy Cows Supplemented with Concentrates at High Temperatures
Authors: Dunshea Frank R. , Oluboyede Kehinde , DiGiacomo Kristy , Leury Brian J. , Cottrell Jeremy J.
Published: February 2019

Betaine is an organic osmolyte sourced from sugar beet that accumulates in plant cells undergoing osmotic stress. Since the accumulation of betaine lowers the energy requirements of animals and, therefore, metabolic heat production, the aim of this experiment was to investigate if betaine supplementation improved milk yield in grazing dairy cows in summer. One hundred and eighteen Friesian × Holstein cows were paired on days in milk and, within each pair, randomly allocated to a containing treatment of either 0 or 2 g/kg natural betaine in their concentrate ration for approximately 3 weeks during February/March 2015 (summer in Australia). The mean maximum February temperature was 30 °C. Cows were allocated approximately 14 kg dry matter pasture and 7.5 kg of concentrate pellets (fed in the milking shed) per cow per day and were milked through an automatic milking system three times per day. Betaine supplementation increased average daily milk yield by over 6% (22.0 vs. 23.4 kg/day, p < 0.001) with the response increasing as the study progressed as indicated by the interaction (p < 0.001) between betaine and day. Milk fat % (p = 0.87), milk protein % (p = 0.90), and milk somatic cell count (p = 0.81) were unchanged by dietary betaine. However, betaine supplementation increased milk protein yield (677 vs. 719 g/day, p < 0.001) and fat yield (874 vs. 922 g/day, p < 0.001) with responses again being more pronounced as the study progressed. In conclusion, dietary betaine supplementation increased milk and component yield during summer in grazing dairy cows.
Tyrosinase/Chitosan/Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode for Sensitive and Interference-Free Detection of Dopamine
Authors: Liu Cheng-You , Chou Yi-Chieh , Tsai Jui-Hsuan , Huang Tzu-Ming , Chen Jian-Zhang , Yeh Yi-Chun
Published: February 2019

Tyrosinase, chitosan, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are sequentially used to modify a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for the detection of dopamine (DA), without interference from uric acid (UA) or ascorbic acid (AA). The use of tyrosinase significantly improves the detection’s specificity. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements demonstrate the high sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed electrochemical sensors, with detection limits of 22 nM and broad linear ranges of 0.4–8 μM and 40–500 μM. The fabricated tyrosinase/chitosan/rGO/SPCE electrodes achieve satisfactory results when applied to human urine samples, thereby demonstrating their feasibility for analyzing DA in physiological samples.
Hierarchical Optimization Method for Energy Scheduling of Multiple Microgrids
Authors: Rui Tao , Li Guoli , Wang Qunjing , Hu Cungang , Shen Weixiang , Xu Bin
Published: February 2019

This paper proposes a hierarchical optimization method for the energy scheduling of multiple microgrids (MMGs) in the distribution network of power grids. An energy market operator (EMO) is constructed to regulate energy storage systems (ESSs) and load demands in MMGs. The optimization process is divided into two stages. In the first stage, each MG optimizes the scheduling of its own ESS within a rolling horizon control framework based on a long-term forecast of the local photovoltaic (PV) output, the local load demand and the price sent by the EMO. In the second stage, the EMO establishes an internal price incentive mechanism to maximize its own profits based on the load demand of each MG. The optimization problems in these two stages are solved using mixed integer programming (MIP) and Stackelberg game theory, respectively. Simulation results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of the promotion of energy trading and improvement of economic benefits of MMGs.
Evaluating the Role of Aggregate Gradation on Cracking Performance of Asphalt Concrete for Thin Overlays
Authors: Garcia-Gil Lívia , Miró Rodrigo , Pérez-Jiménez Félix E.
Published: February 2019

Thin asphalt concrete overlays are a maintenance technique that mainly restore the functional properties of pavements. One of the main issues in thin overlays is reflective cracking that can cause early deterioration and reduce their service life. For this reason, the purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effect of material selection on cracking performance of asphalt concrete mixtures for thin overlays. In particular, this paper evaluates the role of aggregate skeleton gradation. The study of the effect of aggregate gradation was divided into two stages: (1) fine fraction content and (2) maximum nominal aggregate size. Based on this, up to seven asphalt mixture gradations were designed and evaluated through the Fénix test at different test temperatures. The results showed a significant correlation between the fine fraction content, and maximum nominal aggregate size, and the cracking performance of the asphalt concrete mixtures. Mixtures manufactured with a low content of fine aggregates, as well as small nominal maximum size, experienced a further improvement of their toughness. These results reflected the importance of considering not only the effect of asphalt binder and environmental conditions but also aggregate gradation in the design of asphalt concrete mixtures in order to achieve a desirable cracking performance.
Expanded Douglas–Peucker Polygonal Approximation and Opposite Angle-Based Exact Cell Decomposition for Path Planning with Curvilinear Obstacles
Authors: Jung Jin-Woo , So Byung-Chul , Kang Jin-Gu , Lim Dong-Woo , Son Yunsik
Published: February 2019

The Expanded Douglas–Peucker (EDP) polygonal approximation algorithm and its application method for the Opposite Angle-Based Exact Cell Decomposition (OAECD) are proposed for the mobile robot path-planning problem with curvilinear obstacles. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the existing Douglas–Peucker (DP) polygonal approximation and vertical cell decomposition algorithm. The experimental results show that the path generated by the OAECD algorithm with EDP approximation appears much more natural and efficient than the path generated by the vertical cell decomposition algorithm with DP approximation.
Iterative Learning Method for In-Flight Auto-Tuning of UAV Controllers Based on Basic Sensory Information
Authors: Giernacki Wojciech
Published: February 2019

With an increasing number of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), solutions supporting the improvement in their precision of operation and safety of autonomous flights are gaining importance. They are particularly crucial in transportation tasks, where control systems are required to provide a stable and controllable flight in various environmental conditions, especially after changing the total mass of the UAV (by adding extra load). In the paper, the problem of using only available basic sensory information for fast, locally best, iterative real-time auto-tuning of parameters of fixed-gain altitude controllers is considered. The machine learning method proposed for this purpose is based on a modified zero-order optimization algorithm (golden-search algorithm) and bootstrapping technique. It has been validated in numerous simulations and real-world experiments in terms of its effectiveness in such aspects as: the impact of environmental disturbances (wind gusts); flight with change in mass; and change of sensory information sources in the auto-tuning procedure. The main advantage of the proposed method is that for the trajectory primitives repeatedly followed by an UAV (for programmed controller gains), the method effectively minimizes the selected performance index (cost function). Such a performance index might, e.g., express indirect requirements about tracking quality and energy expenditure. In the paper, a comprehensive description of the method, as well as a wide discussion of the results obtained from experiments conducted in the AeroLab for a low-cost UAV (Bebop 2), are included. The results have confirmed high efficiency of the method at the expected, low computational complexity.
On the Time Scales of Optical Variability of AGN and the Shape of Their Optical Emission Line Profiles
Authors: Bon Edi , Marziani Paola , Jovanović Predrag , Bon Nataša
Published: February 2019

The mechanism of the optical variability of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is still very puzzling. It is now widely accepted that the optical variability of AGN is stochastic, producing red noise-like light curves. In case they were to be periodic or quasi-periodic, one should expect that the time scales of optical AGN variability should relate to orbiting time scales of regions inside the accretion disks with temperatures mainly emitting the light in this wavelength range. Knowing the reverberation scales and masses of AGN, expected orbiting time scales are in the order of decades. Unfortunately, most of monitored AGN light curves are not long enough to investigate such time scales of periodicity. Here we investigate the AGN optical variability time scales and their possible connections with the broad emission line shapes.
Paradoxical Roles of Oxidative Stress Response in the Digestive System before and after Carcinogenesis
Authors: Takaki Akinobu , Kawano Seiji , Uchida Daisuke , Takahara Masahiro , Hiraoka Sakiko , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: February 2019

Oxidative stress is recognized as a cancer-initiating stress response in the digestive system. It is produced through mitochondrial respiration and induces DNA damage, resulting in cancer cell transformation. However, recent findings indicate that oxidative stress is also a necessary anticancer response for destroying cancer cells. The oxidative stress response has also been reported to be an important step in increasing the anticancer response of newly developed molecular targeted agents. Oxidative stress might therefore be a cancer-initiating response that should be downregulated in the precancerous stage in patients at risk of cancer but an anticancer cell response that should not be downregulated in the postcancerous stage when cancer cells are still present. Many commercial antioxidant agents are marketed as “cancer-eliminating agents” or as products to improve one’s health, so cancer patients often take these antioxidant agents. However, care should be taken to avoid harming the anticancerous oxidative stress response. In this review, we will highlight the paradoxical effects of oxidative stress and antioxidant agents in the digestive system before and after carcinogenesis.
Combination of Baseline LDH, Performance Status and Age as Integrated Algorithm to Identify Solid Tumor Patients with Higher Probability of Response to Anti PD-1 and PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Cona Maria Silvia , Lecchi Mara , Cresta Sara , Damian Silvia , Del Vecchio Michele , Necchi Andrea , Poggi Marta Maria , Raggi Daniele , Randon Giovanni , Ratta Raffaele , Signorelli Diego , Vernieri Claudio , de Braud Filippo , Verderio Paolo , Di Nicola Massimo
Published: February 2019

Predictive biomarkers of response to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an urgent clinical need. The aim of this study is to identify manageable parameters to use in clinical practice to select patients with higher probability of response to ICIs. Two-hundred-and-seventy-one consecutive metastatic solid tumor patients, treated from 2013 until 2017 with anti- Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) ICIs, were evaluated for baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum level, performance status (PS), age, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, type of immunotherapy, number of metastatic sites, histology, and sex. A training and validation set were used to build and test models, respectively. The variables’ effects were assessed through odds ratio estimates (OR) and area under the receive operating characteristic curves (AUC), from univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. A final multivariate model with LDH, age and PS showed significant ORs and an AUC of 0.771. Results were statistically validated and used to devise an Excel algorithm to calculate the patient’s response probabilities. We implemented an interactive Excel algorithm based on three variables (baseline LDH serum level, age and PS) which is able to provide a higher performance in response prediction to ICIs compared with LDH alone. This tool could be used in a real-life setting to identify ICIs in responding patients.
Current Therapeutic Results and Treatment Options for Older Patients with Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ferrara Felicetto , Lessi Federica , Vitagliano Orsola , Birkenghi Erika , Rossi Giuseppe
Published: February 2019

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, current therapeutic results are still unsatisfactory in untreated high-risk patients and poorer in those with primary refractory or relapsed disease. In older patients, reluctance by clinicians to treat unfit patients, higher AML cell resistance related to more frequent adverse karyotype and/or precedent myelodysplastic syndrome, and preferential involvement of chemorefractory early hemopoietic precursors in the pathogenesis of the disease further account for poor prognosis, with median survival lower than six months. A general agreement exists concerning the administration of aggressive salvage therapy in young adults followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation; on the contrary, different therapeutic approaches varying in intensity, from conventional salvage chemotherapy based on intermediate–high-dose cytarabine to best supportive care, are currently considered in the relapsed, older AML patient population. Either patients’ characteristics or physicians’ attitudes count toward the process of clinical decision making. In addition, several new drugs with clinical activity described as “promising” in uncontrolled single-arm studies failed to improve long-term outcomes when tested in larger randomized clinical trials. Recently, new agents have been approved and are expected to consistently improve the clinical outcome for selected genomic subgroups, and research is in progress in other molecular settings. While relapsed AML remains a tremendous challenge to both patients and clinicians, knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease is fast in progress, potentially leading to personalized therapy in most patients.
Comprehensive Comparison between Nanocatalysts of Mn−Co/TiO2 and Mn−Fe/TiO2 for NO Catalytic Conversion: An Insight from Nanostructure, Performance, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics
Authors: Gao Yan , Luan Tao , Zhang Shitao , Jiang Wenchao , Feng Wenchen , Jiang Haolin
Published: February 2019

The nanocatalysts of Mn−Co/TiO2 and Mn−Fe/TiO2 were synthesized by hydrothermal method and comprehensively compared from nanostructures, catalytic performance, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The physicochemical properties of the nanocatalysts were analyzed by N2 adsorption, transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2-temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), NH3-temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Based on the multiple characterizations performed on Mn−Co/TiO2 and Mn−Fe/TiO2 nanocatalysts, it can be confirmed that the catalytic properties were decidedly dependent on the phase compositions of the nanocatalysts. The Mn−Co/TiO2 sample presented superior structure characteristics than Mn−Fe/TiO2, with the increased surface area, the promoted active components distribution, the diminished crystallinity, and the reduced nanoparticle size. Meanwhile, the Mn4+/Mnn+ ratios in the Mn−Co/TiO2 nanocatalyst were higher than Mn−Fe/TiO2, which further confirmed the better oxidation ability and the larger amount of Lewis acid sites and Bronsted acid sites on the sample surface. Compared to Mn−Fe/TiO2 nanocatalyst, Mn−Co/TiO2 nanocatalyst displayed the preferable catalytic property with higher catalytic activity and stronger selectivity in the temperature range of 75–250 °C. The results of mechanism and kinetic study showed that both Eley-Rideal mechanism and Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism reactions contributed to selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 (NH3-SCR) over Mn−Fe/TiO2 and Mn−Co/TiO2 nanocatalysts. In this test condition, the NO conversion rate of Mn−Co/TiO2 nanocatalyst was always higher than that of Mn−Fe/TiO2. Furthermore, comparing the reaction between doping transition metal oxides and NH3, the order of temperature−Gibbs free energy under the same reaction temperature is as follows: Co3O4 < CoO < Fe2O3 < Fe3O4, which was exactly consistent with nanostructure characterization and NH3-SCR performance. Meanwhile, the activity difference of MnOx exhibited in reducibility properties and Ellingham Diagrams manifested the promotion effects of cobalt and iron dopings. Generally, it might offer a theoretical method to select superior doping metal oxides for NO conversion by comprehensive comparing the catalytic performance with the insight from nanostructure, catalytic performance, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
Strong Photo-Oxidative Capability of ZnWO4 Nanoplates with Highly Exposed {0 1 1} Facets
Authors: Zhai Bao-gai , Yang Long , Zhou Fu-fang , Shi Jun-sheng , Huang Yuan
Published: February 2019

ZnWO4 nanoplates with highly exposed {0 1 ¯ 1} facets were synthesized via a hydrothermal technique. The phase, morphology, and optical characteristics of ZnWO4 nanoplates were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction, diffuse ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometry, and PL lifetime spectroscopy. Optical characterizations, along with the density functional calculations, confirm that the strong blue PL band of ZnWO4 nanoplates originates from the intrinsic defects in ZnWO4 nanoplates. Furthermore, photocatalytic tests show that ZnWO4 nanoplates exhibit strong photo-oxidative capability of complete mineralization of the organic pollutant (methyl orange) in water, whereas ZnWO4 nanoparticles can only cleave the organic molecules into fragments. The superior photo-oxidative capability of ZnWO4 nanoplates can be attributed to the specific chemical bonding and stereochemistry on the exposed facets. This work demonstrates that crystal facet engineering is an efficient strategy to endow ZnWO4 with strong photo-oxidative capability.
Review of Micro–Nanoscale Surface Coatings Application for Sustaining Dropwise Condensation
Authors: Khan Shoukat Alim , Tahir Furqan , Baloch Ahmer Ali Bozdar , Koc Muammer
Published: February 2019

Condensation occurs in most of the heat transfer processes, ranging from cooling of electronics to heat rejection in power plants. Therefore, any improvement in condensation processes will be reflected in the minimization of global energy consumption, reduction in environmental burdens, and development of sustainable systems. The overall heat transfer coefficient of dropwise condensation (DWC) is higher by several times compared to filmwise condensation (FWC), which is the normal mode in industrial condensers. Thus, it is of utmost importance to obtain sustained DWC for better performance. Stability of DWC depends on surface hydrophobicity, surface free energy, condensate liquid surface tension, contact angle hysteresis, and droplet removal. The required properties for DWC may be achieved by micro–nanoscale surface modification. In this survey, micro–nanoscale coatings such as noble metals, ion implantation, rare earth oxides, lubricant-infused surfaces, polymers, nanostructured surfaces, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and porous coatings have been reviewed and discussed. The surface coating methods, applications, and enhancement potential have been compared with respect to the heat transfer ability, durability, and efficiency. Furthermore, limitations and prevailing challenges for condensation enhancement applications have been consolidated to provide future research guidelines.
Temperature Effects on the HOPG Intercalation Process
Authors: Bussetti Gianlorenzo , Yivlialin Rossella , Goletti Claudio , Zani Maurizio , Duò Lamberto
Published: February 2019

Graphite intercalation via chemical strategies is a common procedure to delaminate stratified crystals and obtain a suspension of graphene flakes. The intercalation mechanism at the molecular level is still under investigation in view of enhancing graphene production and reducing damage to the original pristine crystal. The latter, in particular, can undergo surface detriment due to both blister evolution and carbon dissolution. The role of the electrolyte temperature in this process has never been investigated. Here, by using an in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) apparatus, we explore surface morphology changes after the application of fast cyclic-voltammetries at 343 K, in view of de-coupling the crystal swelling phenomenon from the other electrochemical processes. We find that blisters do not evolve as a consequence of the increasing temperature, while the quality of the graphite surface becomes significantly worse, due to the formation of some adsorbates on possible defect sites of the electrode surface. Our results suggest that the chemical baths used in graphite delamination must be carefully monitored in temperature for avoiding undesired electrode detriment.
A New Carrier for Advanced Cosmeceuticals
Authors: Morganti Pierfrancesco , Coltelli Maria-Beatrice
Published: February 2019

Cosmetic products are generally formulated as emulsions, ointments, solutions or powders containing active ingredients. According to EU legislation, a cosmetic product is “any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning, perfuming them, changing their appearance, and/or correcting body odors and/or protecting them or keeping them in good conditions”. However, science advancement in both active carriers and ingredients has streamlined the process through which many cosmetic products by their delivery systems can induce modifications on the skin physiology. This is the reason why Reed and Kligman redefined these products as “cosmeceuticals”, which refers to the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Until recently, the term of cosmeceuticals has not had legal significance. The so-called cosmeceuticals, in fact, may induce modifications on the skin physiology, modifying, for example, transepidermal water loss, keratinocytes cohesion and turnover, modulating the inflammatory cascade, and/or altering the surface microbiota by the activity of the preservatives content. For these reasons, they are claimed to have medical or drug-like benefits. Naturally, their effectiveness on minor skin disorders or mild skin abnormalities has to be shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. On the other hand, their formulations contain emulsifiers, preservatives, and other chemicals which, by their cumulative use, may provoke side effects, such as allergic and/or sensitization phenomena. Moreover, many ingredients and packaging for such products are not biodegradable. In this study, we would like to introduce an innovative category of cosmeceuticals made by biodegradable nonwoven tissues. These cosmeceutical tissues, produced through the use of natural fibers, may bind different active ingredients and therefore become effective as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sun-protective, whitening, or anti-aging products, depending on the ingredient(s) used. Differently from the usual cosmetics, they do not contain preservatives, emulsifiers, colors, and other chemicals. They can be applied as dried tissue on wet skin, remaining in loco for around 30 min, slowly releasing the active ingredients entrapped into the fibers. It is interesting to underline that the tissue, acting as a carrier, has its own effectiveness via chitin and lignin polymers with an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. When hydrolyzed by the human microbiota enzymes, they give rise to ingredients used as cell nourishment or energy. This paper will review part of the scientific research results, supporting this new category of biodegradable cosmetic products known as facial mask sheets.
The Historical Small Smart City Protocol (HISMACITY): Toward an Intelligent Tool Using Geo Big Data for the Sustainable Management of Minor Historical Assets
Authors: Pica Valentina , Cecili Alessandro , Annicchiarico Stefania , Volkova Elena
Published: February 2019

This research reports the ongoing design of the HISMACITY (Historical Small Smart City) Protocol, a planning tool with a certification system. The tool is designed for small municipalities in Europe. Through the award-winning certification system, the Protocol supports the fulfillment of best practices. Such practices can enhance town attractiveness. It also counteracts excessive land use that results from urban growth, and reduces demographic decline in internal areas of each country. The research methodology is grounded on building a dynamic dataset using geo big data, local data, and mobile data via information communications technology (ICT), and real-time data through sensors. The tool aims to build algorithms to calculate indicators that measure quality standards of integrated interventions. The aim is to reach specific goals within defined priority areas of the Historical Small Smart City Protocol. Being highly adaptive, the framework follows urban responsive design principles based on weighted suitability models that can be calibrated by changing the input data and the weights of the linear combination formula. The results highlight varying framework data, including the tool’s development procedures and practicality.
A full Model-Based Design Environment for the Development of Cyber Physical Systems
Authors: Manione Roberto
Published: February 2019

This paper discusses a full model-based design approach in the applicative development of Cyber Physical Systems targeting the fast development of Logic controllers (i.e., the “Cyber” side of a CPS). The proposed modeling language provides a synthesis between various somehow conflicting constraints, such as being graphical, easily usable by designers, self-contained with no need for extra information, and to leads to efficient implementation, even in low-end embedded systems. Its main features include easiness to describe parallelism of actions, precise time handling, communication with other systems according to various interfaces and protocols. Taking advantage the modeling easiness deriving from the above features, the language encourages to model whole CPSs, that is their Logical and their Physical side, working together; such whole models are simulated in order to achieve insight about their interaction and spot possible flaws in the controller; once validated, the very same model, without the Physical side, is compiled and into the logic controller, ready to be flashed on the controller board and to interact with the physical side. The discussed language has been implemented into a real model-based development environment, TaskScript, in use since a few years in the development of production grade systems. Results about its effectiveness in terms of model expressivity and design effort are presented; such results show the effectiveness of the approach: real case production grade systems have been developed and tested in a few days.
Bell Inequalities with One Bit of Communication
Authors: Zambrini Cruzeiro Emmanuel , Gisin Nicolas
Published: February 2019

We study Bell scenarios with binary outcomes supplemented by one bit of classical communication. We developed a method to find facet inequalities for such scenarios even when direct facet enumeration is not possible, or at least difficult. Using this method, we partially solved the scenario where Alice and Bob choose between three inputs, finding a total of 668 inequivalent facet inequalities (with respect to relabelings of inputs and outputs). We also show that some of these inequalities are constructed from facet inequalities found in scenarios without communication, that is, the well-known Bell inequalities.
Feature Extraction of Ship-Radiated Noise Based on Regenerated Phase-Shifted Sinusoid-Assisted EMD, Mutual Information, and Differential Symbolic Entropy
Authors: Li Guohui , Yang Zhichao , Yang Hong
Published: February 2019

To improve the recognition accuracy of ship-radiated noise, a feature extraction method based on regenerated phase-shifted sinusoid-assisted empirical mode decomposition (RPSEMD), mutual information (MI), and differential symbolic entropy (DSE) is proposed in this paper. RPSEMD is an improved empirical mode decomposition (EMD) that alleviates the mode mixing problem of EMD. DSE is a new tool to quantify the complexity of nonlinear time series. It not only has high computational efficiency, but also can measure the nonlinear complexity of short time series. Firstly, the ship-radiated noise is decomposed into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by RPSEMD, and the DSE of each IMF is calculated. Then, the MI between each IMF and the original signal is calculated; the sum of MIs is taken as the denominator; and each normalized MI (norMI) is obtained. Finally, each norMI is used as the weight coefficient to weight the corresponding DSE, and the weighted DSE (WDSE) is obtained. The WDSEs are sent into the support vector machine (SVM) classifier to classify and recognize three types of ship-radiated noise. The experimental results demonstrate that the recognition rate of the proposed method reaches 98.3333%. Consequently, the proposed WDSE method can effectively achieve the classification of ships.
Ecophilosophical Principles for an Ecocentric Environmental Education
Authors: Molina-Motos David
Published: February 2019

As environmental slogans have been permeating the social imaginary and permeating the conceptual and axiological dimensions of the different educational currents, Environmental Education has been prompted to define its own specific nature in contrast to the supposedly more integrative educational movements. In contrast to the historical or meta-theoretical strategies of specification and foundation of environmental education, we propose the establishment of some principles derived from genuinely ecological and ecocentric environmental philosophies; the ecophilosophies. This work reviews—in a conciliatory framework and with a pedagogical interest in mind—the most significant contributions of land ethics, deep ecology, social ecology, ecofeminism and the change of paradigm ecologies. The result is a set of facets, key categories and features that offer an integrated and synoptic view of how Ecocentric Environmental Education (EEE) could be based on ecophilosophical principles. In addition, the contrasting features that define those non-ecocentric perspectives of Environmental Education are proposed, and a deconstructive transition of these in alliance with another reconstructive ecophilosophical feature is suggested as the central intention of the Environmental Education methodology. Finally, the value of the theoretical proposal is defended as a foundation and framework for future pedagogical specifications and methodological developments.
Design of Experiment (DOE) Analysis of System Level ESD Noise Coupling to High-Speed Memory Modules
Authors: Yousaf Jawad , Faisal Muhammad , Youn Jinsung , Nah Wansoo
Published: February 2019

This paper presents, for the first time, a comprehensive detailed design of experiment (DOE) based system level electrostatic discharge (ESD) coupling analysis of high-speed dynamic random access (DRAM) memory modules. The sensitive traces and planes on the high-speed DRAM modules (DDR3 and DDR4) against injected ESD noise are determined through full-wave numerical simulations of the memory modules using the developed 3D model of the ESD gun. The validity of the full-wave numerical setup is confirmed through measurements, prior to the DOE analysis. Besides, current distribution analysis of DRAMs, seven different DOE configurations based on the number of installed decoupling capacitors (decaps) and their values on memory modules, are analyzed. The findings of DOE analysis suggests that DDR4 is less susceptible (70–80 % less) to the coupled ESD noise compared to DDR3. In addition, the command address (CA) nets are most sensitive in both memory modules. The utilization of the maximum possible number of decaps covering low, medium and high frequency ranges, as well as separate power and ground layers in memory stack-up design, increase the robustness and immunity of memory modules for the transient ESD event. The suggested approach offers time-saving and financial advantages to high-speed memory community, with the robust design of the memory products at the design stage before the start of the production phase.
Hardware RTOS: Custom Scheduler Implementation Based on Multiple Pipeline Registers and MIPS32 Architecture
Authors: Zagan Ionel , Găitan Vasile Gheorghiță
Published: February 2019

The task context switch operation, the inter-task synchronization and communication mechanisms, as well as the jitter occurred in treating aperiodic events, are crucial factors in implementing real-time operating systems (RTOS). In practice and literature, several solutions can be identified for improving the response speed and performance of real-time systems. Software implementations of RTOS-specific functions can generate significant delays, adversely affecting the deadlines required for certain applications. This paper presents an original implementation of a dedicated processor, based on multiple pipeline registers, and a hardware support for a dynamic scheduler with the following characteristics: performs unitary event management, provides access to architecture shared resources, prioritizes and executes the multiple events expected by the same task. The paper also presents a method through which interrupts are assigned to tasks. Through dedicated instructions, the integrated hardware scheduler implements tasks synchronization with multiple prioritized events, thus ensuring an efficient functioning of the processor in the context of real-time control.
Safety Analysis of AADL Models for Grid Cyber-Physical Systems via Model Checking of Stochastic Games
Authors: Wei Xiaomin , Dong Yunwei , Sun Pengpeng , Xiao Mingrui
Published: February 2019

As safety-critical systems, grid cyber-physical systems (GCPSs) are required to ensure the safety of power-related systems. However, in many cases, GCPSs may be subject to uncertain and nondeterministic environmental hazards, as well as the variable quality of devices. They can cause failures and hazards in the whole system and may jeopardize system safety. Thus, it necessitates safety analysis for system safety assurance. This paper proposes an architecture-level safety analysis approach for GCPSs applying the probabilistic model-checking of stochastic games. GCPSs are modeled using Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL). Random errors and failures of a GCPS and nondeterministic environment behaviors are explicitly described with AADL annexes. A GCPS AADL model including the environment can be regarded as a game. To transform AADL models to stochastic multi-player games (SMGs) models, model transformation rules are proposed and the completeness and consistency of rules are proved. Property formulae are formulated for formal verification of GCPS SMG models, so that occurrence probabilities of failed states and hazards can be obtained for system-level safety analysis. Finally, a modified IEEE 9-bus system with grid elements that are power management systems is modeled and analyzed using the proposed approach.
Exergy Analysis and Performance Improvement of a Subcritical/Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for Exhaust Gas Waste Heat Recovery in a Biogas Fuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Engine Through the Use of Regeneration
Authors: Koç Yıldız , Yağlı Hüseyin , Koç Ali
Published: February 2019

In the present study, a subcritical and supercritical regenerative organic Rankine cycle (rORC) was designed. The designed rORCs assist a combined heat and power (CHP) engine, the fuel of which is biogas produced from anaerobic digestion of domestic wastes in Belgium. R245fa was selected as the working fluid for both the subcritical and supercritical rORC. During the parametric optimisation, the net power production, mass flow rate, exchanged heat in the regenerator, total pump power consumption, thermal and exergetic efficiencies of rORC were calculated for varying turbine inlet temperatures and pressures. After parametric optimisation of the rORC, the results were compared with the results of the previous study, in which only a simple ORC is analysed and parametrically optimised. Moreover, the effect of the regenerator was revealed by examining all results together. Finally, the exergetic analysis of the best performing subcritical and supercritical rORC was performed. Furthermore, the results of the present and previous studies were considered together and it is clearly seen that the subcritical rORC shows the best performance. Consequently, by using the subcritical rORC, the disadvantages of the using simple ORC (low performance) and supercritical cycle (safety, investment) can be eliminated and system performance can be improved.