bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arenização, areais e políticas de ordenamento territorial
Authors: Suertegaray Dirce Maria , Oliveira Mateus Gleiser
Published: December 2018

O artigo tem como objetivo relatar de forma sintética os estudos relativos ao entendimento da gênese dos areais e do processo de arenização no SW do Rio Grande do Sul /BR. Mais especificamente, explicita a gênese dos areais e do processo de arenização e os processos que lhes dão origem. Apresenta as causas naturais, e da mesma forma a expansão deste processo, em decorrência da expansão da cultura da soja partir dos anos 1960. Na continuidade é exposto a apropriação dessas áreas frágeis, fundadas numa mudança de matriz econômica em transformação vinculada a implantação de políticas de estado visando a expansão da silvicultura. Apresenta os conflitos sociais e ambientais advindos dessas políticas e visualiza a necessidade de continuidade de investigação sobre os desdobramentos destas políticas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul –BR.
Leisure sports habits in Spanish adults: gender and social differences
Authors: Espada María , Martín María , Jiménez Víctor , Moscoso-Sánchez David , Jiménez-Beatty Navarro José Emilio , Rivero Herraiz Antonio
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to analyse sports habits in Spanish adults according to the temporal aspects of the activities, gender and social class. The research followed a cross-sectional quantitative methodology. The sample was made up of 3.463 people, 1.732 men (46.6 ± 9.7 years) and 1.731 women (44.5 ± 9.6 years). Twostep cluster and classification tree (Exhaustive-Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection) multivariate models were used to identify the best predictor variables on the temporal aspects of the sports activities. The results show that women and older people have fewer sports habits.
La participación social online y offline de estudiantes universitarios españoles
Authors: Lizaso Elgarresta Izarne , Sánchez-Queija M. Inmaculada , Parra Águeda , Arranz Freijo Enrique
Published: December 2018

El objetivo fundamental del trabajo es conocer si la participación social online favorece la participación social offline de los jóvenes universitarios. 1502 estudiantes universitarios respondieron la encuesta latinoamericana de participación cívica, a la que se añadieron ítems de participación online. Los resultados mostraron que los jóvenes más activos en la vida online respecto a una temática lo son también en la vida offline en esa misma temática. Se discute que el mundo online es una ampliación del offline tan real como este último. Potenciar la participación online redundará en la mejora social y en la tarea de convertirse en ciudadano.
Análisis del desempeño ocupacional de las personas en situación de desalojo en la ciudad de A Coruña (Galicia-España)
Authors: Pazos-Carro Irene , Souto-Gómez Ana-Isabel , Talavera-Valverde Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2018

Introducción: la crisis global tiene impacto en numerosos hogares debido al desempleo de sus integrantes propiciando desalojos de vivienda por impagos. Esto repercute en la salud y en el desempeño ocupacional de individuos-comunidades. Método: se realizó un estudio cualitativo fenomenológico en A Coruña (Galicia/España), cuyo fin pretendía realizar una aproximación al constructo vivencial del desempeño ocupacional de estas personas. Resultados: se evidencian modificaciones del desempeño ocupacional y de la salud, resultante de las vivencias experimentadas. Conclusión: el constructo vivencial de desempeño ocupacional se vio influenciado por cambios en contextos/entornos, acciones de actores sociales implicados y modificaciones experimentadas en su desempeño ocupacional y salud.
Robust and adaptive chatter free formation control of wheeled mobile robots with uncertainties
Authors: De Melo Maximilian Jaderson , Begnini Mauricio , Da Silva Heber Rabelo , Da França Júnior Marcelo Christiano
Published: December 2018

This paper addresses the robust formation control of non-holonomic mobile robots with homogeneous system architecture and decentralized control structure. Therefore, it was necessary the mathematical modeling of mobile robots, from which, the Separation-Bearing variant of Leader-Following control strategy was implemented. The stability proof were based on the Lyapunov theory. The sliding mode control (SMC) strategy was used in the controller design to make the control robust to the incidence of uncertainties and disturbances. The Fuzzy Adaptive Formation Control is designed to eliminate the  previous bounding knowledge of these uncertainties and disturbances. The proposed control effectiveness is demonstrated by results obtained with simulations in Matlab/Simulink. The pure kinematic and kinematic with disturbances is also analyzed. The results shows the controllers effectiveness to formation of multi-robots systems to the eight-shaped trajectory.
A Comparison of the YCBCR Color Space with Gray Scale for Face Recognition for Surveillance Applications
Authors: Dargham Jamal Ahmad , Chekima Ali , Moung Ervin Gubin , Omatu Segiru
Published: December 2018

Face recognition is an important biometric method because of its potential applications in many fields, such as access control and surveillance. In this paper, the performance of the individual channels from the YCBCR colour space on face recognition for surveillance applications is investigated and compared with the performance of the grayscale. In addition, the performance of fusing two or more colour channels is also compared with that of the grayscale. Three cases with a different number of training images per persons were used as a test bed. It was found out that, the grayscale always outperforms the individual channel. However, the fusion of CBxCR with any other channel outperforms the grayscale when three images of the same class from the same database are used for training. Regardless of the cases used, the CBxCR channel always gave the best performance for the individual colour channels. It was found that, in general, increasing the number of fused channels increases the performance of the system. It was also found that the grayscale channel is the better choice for face recognition since it contains better quality edges and visual features which are essential for face recognition.
Greedy Algorithms for Approximating the Diameter of Machine Learning Datasets in Multidimensional Euclidean Space: Experimental Results
Authors: Hassanat Ahmad
Published: December 2018

Finding the diameter of a dataset in multidimensional Euclidean space is a well-established problem, with well-known algorithms. However, most of the algorithms found in the literature do not scale well with large values of data dimension, so the time complexity grows exponentially in most cases, which makes these algorithms impractical. Therefore, we implemented 4 simple greedy algorithms to be used for approximating the diameter of a multidimensional dataset; these are based on minimum/maximum l2 norms, hill climbing search, Tabu search and Beam search approaches, respectively. The time complexity of the implemented algorithms is near-linear, as they scale near-linearly with data size and its dimensions. The results of the experiments (conducted on different machine learning data sets) prove the efficiency of the implemented algorithms and can therefore be recommended for finding the diameter to be used by different machine learning applications when needed.
Histological changes of immediate skin expansion of the distal limb of rats
Authors: Ali Ahmed Khalaf , Abubakar Adamu Abdul , Kaka Ubedullah , Radzi Zamri , Khairuddin Nurul Hayah , Yusoff Md Sabri Mohd , Loqman Mohamad Yusof
Published: December 2018

Aim: Tissue expansion is an applicable technique to reconstruct many surgical defects. The aim of this research was to evaluate the histological changes caused by immediate skin tissue expansion in rats as an animal model.

Materials and Methods: Immediate skin tissue expansion in 18 adult female rats was performed using three different sizes (small, medium, and big) of polymethylmethacrylate tissue expanders at the dorsal surface of the metatarsal area of the right limb. The contralateral limb was served as the control. The tissue expanders were surgically implanted and kept for 15 days.

Results: The immediate skin expansion resulted in histological changes such as the increased thickness of the epidermal layer, the reduction of the dermal layer, an elevated number of fibroblast as well as increased vascularity. Furthermore, skin adnexal structures such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands were farther apart.

Conclusion: The rat skin was able to rapidly adjust and compensate against a specific range of immediate mechanical expansion. The histological changes suggest that the tissues were prepared to withstand the increased external forces, in addition to create possibly additional skin in a relatively short-term period.
A IMPORTÂNCIA DO VÍNCULO ASSOCIATIVO PARA O FORTALECIMENTO DA MAGISTRATURA
Authors: Anjos Gilberto Kilian dos , Mourão Rodrigo Fagundes
Published: December 2018

O presente artigo está inserido na linha de pesquisa de direito e democracia e propõe-se a analisar a importância do exercício do vínculo associativo, com foco especial na carreira da magistratura. O trabalho é desenvolvido em quatro tópicos, nos primeiros são abordados aspectos históricos e conceituais dos movimentos associativos e o seu papel na defesa das prerrogativas dos magistrados, em especial da sua independência. No item seguinte, apresenta-se a relação entre associativismo e democracia, demonstrando que o associativismo se reserva dos princípios fundamentais da democracia, em especial os princípios da maioria, da igualdade (material) e da liberdade, formatados para proteção da convivência tolerante e respeitosa das opiniões em divergência. No último subitem, são analisados os obstáculos ao exercício do movimento associativo, decorrentes de contrariedade à decisão tomada pelas maiorias, as frustração e ausência de sintonia entre os agir da associação e os anseios que lhe foram creditados, e o consequente desejo de desvinculação da associação. Na conclusão, o artigo destaca o fato de que em qualquer agrupamento os debates e choques de opiniões são naturais, e que tais circunstâncias não contemplam fundamentação necessária para afastamento das agremiações. Sustenta, ao final, que a força da associação, em última instância, decorre da composição de seu quadro associativo, uma vez que o reduzido quantitativo não reforça a legitimidade, ao contrário, enfraquece a associação, diminuindo o poder de luta pela defesa das prerrogativas e pelos interesses da classe.
Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Cherif Leila , Boudabous Jaweher , Khemekhem Khaoula , Mkawer Salma , Ayadi Héla , Moalla Yousr
Published: December 2018

Background: Feeding problems are common in autism. Parents are frequently worried about the health status of their children, which may be threatened by some consequent nutritional deficiencies. Despite this, feeding behaviours remain little explored by clinicians working with children with autism spectrum disorders and researches are lacking especially in Tunisia. Aims: To evaluate the frequency and the types of feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorders. Settings and Design: A comparison was made between 57 children with autism spectrum disorders and 57 control groups regarding the feeding problems. Parents completed the children’s eating behavior inventory (CEBI). Autism severity is evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. The SPSS statistical package, version 20.0 was used. Results: According to the CEBI, children with autism spectrum disorders showed more feeding problems than the control group (82.4% versus 56.1%, p=0.002). In fact, the parents of these children observed more pica habits on their children compared to the control group (p=0.000). They also observed more selectivity for starchy foods compared to the control group (p=0.000). The more the autistic symptoms were severe, the more children exhibited feeding problems (p=0.02). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that feeding problems are more common in children with autism. Clinical implications trigger the need for clinicians to provide the necessary assessment and treatment.
Investigar desde la extensión: apuesta a una epistemología pasional y rebelde
Authors: Cardozo Dulcinea
Published: December 2018

En este artículo pretendemos abordar algunos aportes epistemológicos y teórico–metodológicos presentes en nuestra investigación de tesis de la Maestría en Psicología Social de la Universidad de la República. Se produce desde un entramado de prácticas de extensión y enseñanza que llevamos adelante junto a estudiantes y egresados de distintas disciplinas, así como actores sociales no universitarios, en el desafío de generar espacios y tiempos que habiliten experienciar y pensar juntos. Fue una apuesta a producir conocimiento desde la integralidad, desafiándonos a generar nuevos pensamientos desde nuestras afectaciones y superar las dicotomía académico–militante que fuertemente se hace carne en nuestras prácticas universitarias. Esta perspectiva la denominamos pasional y rebelde, ya que no nos consideramos ni académicos, ni militantes, sino sujetos de la experiencia y, por lo tanto, sujetos políticos y pasionales de nuestra vida, que incluye otra academia y otras relaciones que van siendo parte de una apuesta a una revolución molecular en el marco de una lucha por mundos vivibles para todas y todos.
Integración extensión e investigación: ¿Otra manera de construir conocimientos? Enfoques, políticas y prácticas desde la Universidad Nacional del Litoral
Authors: Menéndez Gustavo , Abeledo Carlos
Published: December 2018

En el presente artículo nos proponemos abordar diversos aspectos y enfoques de la integración de la extensión con la investigación, a partir del reconocimiento de las trayectorias académicas y experiencias de gestión que venimos realizando en distintos espacios vinculados a instituciones de educación superior.

En este trabajo centraremos la mirada en la Universidad Nacional del Litoral a fin de reflexionar y problematizar los procesos de generación, circulación, apropiación y democratización de los conocimientos, a partir de interrogantes tales como: ¿de qué conocimientos estamos hablando? ¿conocimientos para qué y para quiénes? ¿quién utiliza ese conocimiento y con qué fin? ¿cómo se definen las agendas de investigación? ¿sólo la comunidad científica puede definir la relevancia y la pertinencia de lo que se investiga? ¿es posible pensar en otras maneras de producir conocimientos relevantes y validados que los tradicionalmente conocidos? ¿qué significado le damos a los procesos de apropiación social de los conocimientos e innovación?
La extensión como objeto de investigación. Análisis desde el campo de la salud
Authors: Bordoni Noemí
Published: December 2018

Este artículo toma como objeto de estudio la extensión universitaria en el campo de la salud a partir de un marco teórico–metodológico sustentado en la conceptualización de salud como una construcción social compleja, en el modelo constructivista para la generación de conocimientos y en la necesidad de evaluar el impacto social de las intervenciones. Se desarrolla respondiendo a tres cuestiones: (a) la extensión universitaria en sus diferentes modalidades, (b) la naturaleza y la generación de conocimientos interdisciplinarios y (c) los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje vigentes en la educación superior. Tiene como objetivos: identificar y describir los deslizamientos conceptuales producidos en los componentes estructurales y metodológicos de la extensión universitaria y analizar el impacto social producido como resultado de la aplicación de la Práctica Social curricular y del desarrollo de redes estratégicas en escenarios diversificados, por iniciativa de la Cátedra de Odontología Preventiva y Comunitaria de la Facultad de Odontología desde 1984 y del Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud Pública de la Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Cartografía Social, cartografías y multiplicidad. Producir método desde las trayectorias en Patagonia Central
Authors: Diez Tetamanti Juan Manuel
Published: December 2018

La extensión universitaria suma preguntas. Puede sumarlas a partir de una mirada distante, o bien incluirlas en procesos que están marcha: implicarse y producir esas preguntas colectivamente. Este trabajo deambula entre varios territorios, produciendo nuevos sentidos. Los sentidos se producen con el otro y no sobre el otro, principio sobresaliente en la “pesquisa cartográfica”. El texto revisa un proceso de producción metodológica y de productos de investigación e implicación, desde proyectos de extensión en Patagonia Central. Cada lugar en ese proceso constituyó una marca, que sumó aprendizajes, deseos y preguntas para poder continuar. Como en un proyecto indeterminado, la investigación social se abre las puertas entre lo múltiple, navegando diferentes experiencias y tomando de ellas calcos que se pondrán en función en una próxima experiencia, mientras sufrirá transformaciones. Así, experiencia, método e implicación, desembarcan en Cartografía Social como método que reúne estas perspectivas para ponerlas en función sobre planos comunes: el mapa en blanco. Desde allí, se producirán nuevos sentidos, nuevas preguntas y así, estaremos convidados en una permanente deriva de investigación.
«Veritatem diligere». Misión de la Universidad: buscar, encontrar, comunicar la verdad
Authors: Abellán-García Barrio Álvaro , Agejas Esteban José Ángel , Antuñano Alea Salvador
Published: December 2018

Aunque debería parecer evidente, la necesaria relación entre Universidad y verdad se ve con frecuencia obscurecida por las tendencias relativistas y por la primacía de lo práctico y lo útil propias de nuestra época. Sobre este trasfondo y para redescubrir y calibrar la importancia de la verdad como misión esencial de la Universidad, el artículo intenta describir en primer lugar la situación cultural presente en relación con la verdad; indaga, en un segundo momento, en un sentido de verdad que se enmarca en el orden del amor —y no sólo del pensamiento—; y finalmente justifica por qué la Universidad sólo puede ser tal en la medida en que se dedica a buscar, encontrar y comunicar la verdad en una tensión y con un ímpetu que tienen que darse precisamente en el orden del amor.
DEALUMINATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZSM - 5 AS CATALYST FOR GLYCEROL CONVERSION TO GLYCEROL MONOLAURATE
Authors: Dwi Anggoro Didi , Rikardo Putra Riko , Oktaviani Herawati , Af’idatul Kamilah Lutfi , Chamdani FatmaTsaniya
Published: December 2018

Glycerol Monolaurate (GML) is a naturally occurring fatty acid widely utilized in food, cosmetics, andhomeopathic supplements. Glycerol is a compound glycerides, a byproduct of biodiesel production from the transesterification process. Glycerol is converted to glycerol derivative product that has more value as Glycerol Monolaurate (GML).GML is a naturally occurring fatty acid widely utilized in food, cosmetics, andhomeopathic supplements.One of the catalyst that had beenused is ZSM-5. Dealumination is used to change the acidity of the zeolite. This study consists of several stages, there are dealumination of zeolite ZSM-5 using H2SO4, drying at 110 ° C for 1 hour, Then calcination at a temperature of 550 ° C for 4 hours. Characterization catalyst to testing the acidity of the catalyst by absorption of ammonia and pyridine. Acidity of Zeolite is expressed in the mmol of ammonia or pyridine per gram of catalyst. Synthesis of monolaurate with dealuminated result are performed by GC-MS analysis, it’s to determine the molecular weight and to show a purity of Glycerol Monolaurate. Testing results obtained in the optimum conditions at dealumination temperature and dealumination time respectively are 40-60 0C and 2-5 hours. The dealumination variables are acid concentration, temperature and time of dealumination affecting ZSM-5 acidity and % yield of GML. The acidity affecting the yield% of Glycerol monolaurate produced Keywords :Glycerol, Glycerol Monolaurate, dealumination, ZSM - 5.
Commutability assessment of reference materials for the enumeration of lymphocyte subsets
Authors: Li Chenbin , Peng Mingting , Xu Dongsheng , Lu Hong , Zhou Wenbin , Liu Yanhong , Liu Xiuli , Chen Wenxiang
Published: December 2018

Background

Flow cytometric enumeration of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood can provide important information about immune status. Commutable reference materials (RM) are crucial for maintaining accurate and comparable measurement results over time and space. Commutability assessment of RMs for lymphocyte subsets enumeration has not been reported elsewhere.

Methods

Lymphocyte subsets were measured in triplicate on 56 patient samples and eight RMs using two measuring systems commonly used in laboratories (FACS Canto II and Cytomics FC500). The first step was to determine the suitability of RMs and comparability of different systems with patient samples. After the requirements of suitability and comparability were met, the second step was to assess commutability following regression approach and difference in bias approach.

Results

Two RMs were not measurable on FC500 system for CD3-CD16/56+ and CD3-CD19+ percentages. The results of comparability showed no significant difference in the two systems. Eight RMs for CD3+CD4+ cell count, six RMs for CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ percentages, five RMs for CD3-CD16/56+ percentage, and three RMs for CD3-CD19+ percentage were commutable using the two approaches. For CD3+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3-CD19+ percentages, the results of regression approach showed that one RM was non-commutable for each parameter, while the other approach showed that the RM was commutable.

Conclusions

The suitability of RM and comparability of different measuring systems are prerequisites for assessing commutability. This study indicated that different approaches led to different results. The difference in bias approach is recommended for criteria relating to medical requirements and performance characteristics of measuring systems in use.
Improvement in detecting sepsis using leukocyte cell population data (CPD)
Authors: Urrechaga Eloísa , Bóveda Oihane , Aguirre Urko
Published: December 2018

Background

The cell population data (CPD) parameters reported by XN analyzers (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) reflect the size and internal structure of leukocytes. We explored whether CPD values could contribute to recognize those patients with fever at risk to develop sepsis. A profile of sepsis was developed combining CPD parameters and other markers.

Methods

We recruited 295 patients at the onset of fever, with infection confirmed by positive cultures. We studied the diagnostic performance of the CPD parameters in the differential diagnosis of sepsis vs. non-systemic bacterial infection using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Additionally, the K-means unsupervised clustering method was applied. Once the clusters had been defined, the relationship between them and the CPD parameter values was assessed with the non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Lastly, the relationship between the clusters obtained and the categorical variables was examined with the χ2-test (or Fisher’s exact test).

Results

ROC analysis demonstrated that NE-FSL, NE-WY, NE-WZ and MO-WZ had areas under the curve (AUCs) >0.700 for predicting sepsis. Using the K-means clustering algorithm, 80 patients (66.67%) were assigned to Cluster 1 and the others to Cluster 2. Out of 80 of patients in Cluster 1, 45 (56.25%) presented a PCT value ≥2 ng/mL, whereas almost 80% of Cluster 2 patients had a PCT <2 ng/mL. Cluster 1 was characterized by high NE-SFL, NE-WY, MO-X, MO-WX and MO-Z values (p<0.05).

Conclusions

CPD related to monocyte complexity and neutrophil activation were found to be significant, with high values suggesting sepsis.
What Drives Price Dispersion in the European E-commerce Industry?
Authors: Gyódi Kristóf , Sobolewski Maciej , Ziembiński Michał
Published: December 2018

An important aspect of economic integration of the European Union is price convergence on digital single market. In this study, we propose a novel way to measure price dispersion in the e-commerce industry, using a custom made web-scraping tool. We target all the major price comparisons sites in the 26 EU member states, which enables us to collect price signals from thousands of retail shops operating on-line. We analyse pricing data of 182 branded products sold on-line across the EU, representing the most popular categories: fashion, consumer electronics, gaming and software, and cosmetics. We find considerable dispersion of both pre and post-vat on-line prices ranging from 20% to 40%, depending on the product category. The observed on-line price dispersion is driven by both cost factors and the level of per capita income, which is consistent with the view that producers or large distributors might engage in strategic price discrimination induced by income heterogeneity.

At first look, our results point to the unexplored potential for cross-border trade, which could be released by policy interventions with regards to delivery, payment or law harmonization. However, under strategic price discrimination, reduced costs of arbitrage for consumers might induce discriminating firms to lower the magnitude of price dispersion between high and low income countries, bringing adverse welfare changes of a priori unknown net effect.
Rare etiology of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita at term: congenital cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Delaney Shani , Ussakli Cigdem , Fligner Corinne
Published: December 2018

Background

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is the presence of multiple congenital contractures of two or more body parts. Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a rare etiology of arthrogryposis.

Case presentation

We report a case of intrauterine fetal akinesia and arthrogryposis multiplex congenita delivered at term with subsequent neonatal demise. Placental pathology and autopsy revealed congenital CMV infection.

Conclusions

Evaluation for potential CMV infection is an important part of the arthrogryposis evaluation which is often missed due to lack of maternal infectious symptoms during pregnancy.
Relationships between step and cumulative PMI and E-factors: implications on estimating material efficiency with respect to charting synthesis optimization strategies
Authors: Andraos John
Published: December 2018

This report describes mathematical relationships between step and cumulative process mass intensities (PMIs) for synthesis plans, and analogous parameters applied to E-factors. It is shown that both step E-factors and step PMIs are not additive for synthesis plans. It is also shown that a recursive calculation of cumulative PMIs from step PMIs is a rapid method of determining overall PMIs for synthesis plans, though cumulative PMIs are not sufficiently informative as step PMIs or step E-factors to identify bottlenecks in synthesis plans. Illustrations on the use of these metrics to track the material efficiency of published synthesis plans for the pharmaceutical, apixaban, are given as a template example. Advantages and disadvantages of each metric are discussed. A general algorithm to select the most promising candidate synthesis plans considered at the design stage for a given molecular target that most likely satisfy “green” material efficiency criteria is also presented.
EFFECT OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS APPLIED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) / EFECTO DE FUENTES ORGANICAS E INORGANICAS DE SUSTANCIAS NUTRITIVAS APLICADAS EN PARTICULAR Y EN COMBINACIONES SOBRE EL CRECIMIENTO Y EL RENDIMIENTO DE GIRASOL (Helianthus annuus L.) / EFFET DES ENGRAIS DE SOURCE S ORGANIQUE ET INORGANIQUE ADMINISTRÉS ISOLÉMENT OU EN COMBINAISON SUR LA CROISSANCE ET LE RENDEMENT DU TOURNESOL (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Nanjundappa G. , Shivaraj B. , Janarjuna S. , Sridhara S.
Published: December 2018

Field experiments have been conducted to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients applied alone or in combination on the growth and yield of sunflower. Application of a recommended dose of fertilizer (62.5:75:62.5 kg NPK ha-1) coupled with 10 t ha-1 of farmyard manure has recorded highest seed and stalk yields of sunflower. Growth and yield parameters were also favorably influenced by the application of the recommended dose of fertilizer coupled with farmyard manure. Seed oil content was not influenced by the application of organic or inorganic sources of nutrients.
VARIABILITY OF Phomopsis POPULATIONS IN SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) / VARIABILIDAD DE LAS POBLACIONES DE Phomopsis EN EL GIRASOL (Helianthus annuus L.) / VARIABILITÉ DES POPULATIONS DE Phomopsis CHEZ LE TOURNESOL (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Vukojević J. , Mihaljčević M. , Franić-Mihajlović D.
Published: December 2018

Various reports state that the sunflower disease, primarily caused by Diaporthe/Phomopsis helianthi Munt.-Cvet. et al., has a wide geographic distribution in Europe, USA, Argentina and Australia. Various Phomopsis isolates obtained during this investigation of the sunflower disease differed in conidial type (α, β, α and β). Phomopsis helianthi was the only isolate producing exclusively β-conidia and perithecia on debris (Diaporthe helianthi). The other Phomopsis isolates were saprobes on sunflower plants.
DEVELOPMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES OF Phomopsis helianthi Munt.-Cvet. et al. AND Phoma macdonaldii Boerema ON SUNFLOWER SEEDS / DESARROLLO DE ORGANOS REPRODUCTIVOS DE Phomopsis helianthi Munt.-Cvet. et al. Y Phoma macdonaldii Boerema EN LAS SEMILLAS DE GIRASOL / DÉVELOPPEMENT DES ORGANES REPRODUCTEURS DU Phomopsis helianthi Munt.-Cvet. et al. ET DE Phoma macdonaldii Boerema SUR LES ACHÈNES DE TOURNESOL
Authors: Stajić Mirjana , Vukojević Jelena , Duletić-Laušević Sonja
Published: December 2018

We investigated possibilities for the formation of reproductive structures of important sunflower pathogens, Phomopsis helianthi and Phoma macdonaldii, on the husk and kernels of naturally infected and inoculated seeds.

Pycnidia were typically formed at the wider part of the husk in all sunflower lines and hybrids infected by P.helianthi and/or P.macdonaldii, partly immersed in the epidermis. The pycnidia of P.macdonaldii were larger than the pycnidia of P.helianthi.

The kernels infected by P.helianthi showed slight structural changes in comparison with the non-infected achenes. An exception were the seeds of a line which, on infection by P.helianthi, showed a complete disintegration of the central part of the cotyledon while numerous pycnidia formed in the outer layers of the parenchyma. Seeds of lines infected by P.macdonaldii were considerably damaged. The cotyledonary tissue was disintegrated and pycnidia arranged in rows formed in the outer layers of the parenchyma.
Anabasis aretioides Coss. & Moq. phenolic compounds exhibit in vitro hypoglycemic, antioxidant and antipathogenic properties
Authors: Berrani Assia , Marmouzi Ilias , Kharbach Mourad , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , El Hamdani Maha , El Jemli Meryem , Lrhorfi Aicha , Benassaoui Hayat , Zouarhi Meryem , My Larbi Ouahidi , El Abbes Faouzi My , Bengueddour Rachid
Published: December 2018

Background

Based on our previous ethnobotanical survey, the non-investigated Saharan plant Anabasis aretioides Coss. & Moq., growing in the region of Errachidia, was selected for pharmacological investigation. In Moroccan traditional medicine, A. aretioides is being used for diabetes treatment. Thus, the current work aims at evaluating the antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of the plant in relation to the digestive tract.

Methods

The different parts of the plant (aerial parts, roots, seeds) were extracted with methanol (MeOH) and screened in enzymatic assays for their inhibitory potential against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the phenolic compounds were analyzed using HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS.

Results

The MeOH extracts of A. aretioides aerial parts, roots, and seeds, respectively, inhibited α-amylase (IC50 of 3148.07 μg/mL, 2440.20 μg/mL, 3395.71 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 of 2940.59 μg/mL, 3521.81 μg/mL, 3393.83 μg/mL). Moreover, compared to aerial parts and seeds, the plant roots exhibited higher antioxidant capacity and a potent reducing power. In resazurin microplate assay, the plant parts displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 7.81 mg/mL to 31.25 mg/mL. Chemical analysis revealed 25 phenolic compounds, with chlorogenic acid as the main phenolic compound in the aerial parts, hesperidin in roots, and quercitrin in seeds.

Conclusion

Anabasis aretioides cited for treatment of diabetes shows promising antioxidant and antibacterial properties, as well as an ability to inhibit digestive enzyme, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Thus, our results explain in part the traditional use of this Saharan medicine and open doors for further in vivo mechanistic and functional studies.
Iterated Local Search for Time-extended Multi-robot Task Allocation with Spatio-temporal and Capacity Constraints
Authors: Mitiche Hakim , Boughaci Dalila , Gini Maria
Published: December 2018

We propose a method for task allocation to multiple physical agents that works when tasks have temporal and spatial constraints and agents have different capacities. Assuming that the problem is over-constrained, we need to find allocations that maximize the number of tasks that can be done without violating any of the constraints. The contribution of this work is the study of a new multi-robot task allocation problem and the design and the experimental evaluation of our approach, an iterated local search that is suitable for time critical applications. We created test instances on which we experimentally show that our approach outperforms a state-of-the-art approach to a related problem. Our approach improves the baseline’s score on average by 2.35% and up to 10.53%, while responding in times shorter than the baseline’s, on average, 1.6 s and up to 5.5 s shorter. Furthermore, our approach is robust to run replication and is not very sensitive to parameters tuning.
A Comparative Analysis of Dual-Order Bidirectional Pumping Schemes in Optical Fiber Raman Amplification
Authors: Singh Kulwinder , Patterh Manjeet Singh , Bhamrah Manjit Singh
Published: December 2018

In this paper, dual-order bidirectional pumping schemes of distributed fiber Raman amplifier are compared with standard first-order pumping in wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission systems. The novel comparison analysis is carried out in terms of Optical signal-to-noise ratio and Q-factor, on-off gain and noise figure by varying optical input power and fiber lengths. The results indicate that dual-order schemes present 0.02 dB higher OSNR and 5 dB higher Q-factor in comparison to first-order pumping when input optical power is varied from −4 to 5 dBm. Similarly, there is 4 dB higher on-off gain with dual order comparatively to first order when fiber length varied from 10 to 100 km. However, there is degradation in noise figure and Q-factor due to DRBS noise with dual-order pumping when fiber length from 10 to 100 km. Further, the signal power evolutions along fiber length show that there is 5 dBm improvement for 100 km fiber. The novelty of the work is that comparative analysis exhibits improvement in OSNR, on-off gain and Q-factor using dual-order bidirectional pumping.
An Improved Hybrid WDM/TDM PON Model with Enhanced Performance Using Different Modulation Formats of WDM Transmitter
Authors: Kumar Anil , Randhawa Rajneesh
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we have proposed an improved hybrid passive optical network model using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and time division multiplexing (TDM) with 96 users in the bidirectional optical fiber networks. The performance is evaluated based on different distances and modulation formats with the help of Q factor, BER and Eye diagram. In the proposed model, the data is successfully transmitted up-to a distance of 96 km with a data rate of 10 Gbits/sec. Comparative analysis of proposed models with respect to other four models are hence put forth.
A Novel Multicast Scheme with Grooming for Quality of Service (QoS) Provision and Resource Optimization over Optical Label Switching (OLS) Networks
Authors: Khlifi Yassine , Alotaibi Majid , Othmani Mohamed
Published: December 2018

Optical label switching is proposed for providing fast all-optical switching, covering all granularities transfer and assuring quality of service support. However, the important issue is improving optical resource and providing a steadiness between satisfying traffic demands and reducing resource utilization. This paper proposes a novel multicast approach which enables grooming using an upgraded core node architecture that switches suitably unicast and multicast connections. The proposed node architecture manages appropriately all optical resource including a fiber delay line and wavelength bandwidth, as well as traffic requirements. A new label framework is introduced to assure the required information exchange for handling suitably real-time traffic constraints and optical resource status. Moreover, innovative signaling and switching schemes are introduced to perform suitably lightpath and traffic constraints supervision. Theoretical model and simulation experiments are conducted for validating the proposed scheme and evaluating its performances and effectiveness. Finally, the proposal guarantees traffic requirements and reduces resource usage while improving resource availability.
A Novel Implementation of TCP Vegas by UsingA Fuzzy-Threshold Base Algorithm to Improve Performance of Optical Networks
Authors: Poorzare Reza , Abedidarabad Siamak
Published: December 2018

There is a misunderstanding in Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks about the congestion status in the network that can cause a reduction in the performance of the networks. OBS networks are bufferless in their nature so when a burst drop happens in the network it can be because of the congestion or contention in the network but TCP cannot distinguish it is due to the congestion or contention. TCP wrongly decreases the congestion window size (cwnd) and causes significant reduction of the network performance. In this paper we are trying to employ a new algorithm by using fuzzy logic and some thresholds to divide the network into several areas then we can solve the problem. This new scheme can help us to distinguish a burst drop is because of the congestion or a burst contention in the network. Extensive simulative studies show that the proposed algorithm outperforms TCP Vegas in terms of throughput and packet delivery count.
Prenatal diagnosis, associated findings and postnatal outcome of fetuses with double outlet right ventricle (DORV) in a single center
Authors: Gottschalk Ingo , Abel Judith S. , Menzel Tina , Herberg Ulrike , Breuer Johannes , Gembruch Ulrich , Geipel Annegret , Brockmeier Konrad , Berg Christoph , Strizek Brigitte
Published: December 2018

Objective

To assess the spectrum of associated anomalies, the intrauterine course, postnatal outcome and management of fetuses with double outlet right ventricle (DORV).

Methods

All cases of DORV diagnosed prenatally over a period of 8 years were retrospectively collected in a single tertiary referral center. All additional prenatal findings were assessed and correlated with the outcome. The accuracy of prenatal diagnosis was assessed.

Results

Forty-six cases of DORV were diagnosed prenatally. The mean gestational age at first diagnosis was 21+4 weeks (range, 13–37). A correct prenatal diagnosis of DORV was made in 96.3% of the cases. If the relation of the great arteries, the position of the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and additional cardiac anomalies are taken into account, the prenatal diagnosis was correct in 92.6% of the cases. One case was postnatally classified as transposition of the great arteries with subpulmonary VSD and was excluded from further analysis. A total of 41 (91.1%) fetuses with DORV had major additional cardiac anomalies, 30 (66.7%) had extracardiac anomalies and 13 (28.9%) had chromosomal or syndromal anomalies. Due to their complex additional anomalies, five (11.1%) of our 45 fetuses had multiple malformations and were highly suspicious for non-chromosomal genetic syndromes, although molecular diagnosis could not be provided. Disorders of laterality occurred in 10 (22.2%) fetuses. There were 17 terminations of pregnancy (37.8%), two (4.4%) intrauterine and seven (15.6%) postnatal deaths. Nineteen of 22 (86.4%) live-born children with an intention to treat were alive at last follow-up. The mean follow-up among survivors was 32 months (range, 2–72). Of 21 children who had already undergone postnatal surgery, eight (38.1%) achieved biventricular repair and 13 (61.9%) received univentricular palliation. One recently born child is still waiting for surgery. All children predicted prenatally to need a single ventricle palliation, and all children predicted to achieve biventricular repair, ultimately received the predicted type of surgery. After surgery, 14 of 18 (77.8%) children were healthy without any impairment.

Conclusion

DORV is a rare and often complex cardiac anomaly that can be diagnosed prenatally with high precision. DORV is frequently associated with major additional anomalies, leading to a high intrauterine and postnatal loss rate due to terminations or declined postnatal therapy. Without additional anomalies, the prognosis is good, although approximately 60% of children will have single ventricle palliation.
High optical magnetism of dodecahedral plasmonic meta-atoms
Authors: Many Véronique , Dézert Romain , Duguet Etienne , Baron Alexandre , Jangid Vikas , Ponsinet Virginie , Ravaine Serge , Richetti Philippe , Barois Philippe , Tréguer-Delapierre Mona
Published: December 2018

The generation in artificial composites of a magnetic response to light, comparable in magnitude with the natural electric response, may offer an invaluable control parameter for a fine steering of light at the nanoscale. In many experimental realizations, however, the magnetic response of artificial meta-atoms is too weak so that there is a need for new designs with increased magnetic polarizability. Numerical simulations show that geometrical plasmonic nanostructures based on Platonic solids are excellent candidates for the production of strong optical magnetism in visible light. Inspired by these models, we report a bottom-up approach to synthesize plasmonic nanoclusters made of 12 gold patches located at the center of the faces of a dodecahedron. The scattering of the electric and magnetic dipole induced by light is measured across the whole visible range. The ratio of the magnetic to electric response at resonance is found three times higher than its counterpart measured on disordered plasmonic clusters (“plasmonic raspberries”) of the same size. Numerical simulations confirm the experimental measurements of the magnetic response.
Making and breaking of phosphorus–phosphorus bonds
Authors: Grell Toni , Yufanyi Divine Mbom , Adhikari Anup Kumar , Sárosi Menyhárt-Botond , Lönnecke Peter , Hey-Hawkins Evamarie
Published: December 2018

In contrast to their mostly unstable isolobal carbon counterparts, oligophosphanide anions, such as M(cyclo-P5

t
Bu4) (M=Li, Na) and M2(P4R4) [M=Na, K; R=Ph,
t
Bu, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (Mes)], have unique features, depending on their composition and structure, and are highly suitable building blocks for the synthesis of phosphorus-rich metal compounds. However, alkali metal oligophosphanediides are highly reactive and highly reducing, and a major problem is their tendency for disproportionation in reactions with electrophiles. This, however, can also give rise to a fascinating chemistry of making and breaking of P–P bonds. On the other hand, neutral cyclooligophosphines, such as cyclo-(P5Ph5), are suitable stable ligands for the formation of phosphorus-rich metal complexes.
Prediction of Wear Behavior in Porous Sintered Steels: Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Abdoos Hassan , Tayebi Ahmad , Bayat Meysam
Published: December 2018

Due to the increasing usage of powder metallurgy (PM), there is a demand to evaluate and improve the mechanical properties of PM parts. One of the most important mechanical properties is wear behavior, especially in parts that are in contact with each other. Therefore, the choice of materials and select manufacturing parameters are very important to achieve proper wear behavior. So, prediction of wear resistance is important in PM parts. In this paper, we try to investigate and predict the wear resistance (volume loss) of PM porous steels according to the affecting factors such as: density, force and sliding distance by artificial neural network (ANN). ANN training was done by a multilayer perceptron procedure. The comparison of the results estimated by the ANN with the experimental data shows their proper matching. This issue confirms the efficiency of using method for prediction of wear resistance in PM steel parts.
New Chances for the Masteralloy Approach
Authors: de Oro Calderon Raquel , Jaliliziyaeian Maryam , Dunkley John , Gierl-Mayer Christian , Danninger Herbert
Published: December 2018

The Masteralloy (MA) alloying route has a great potential for reducing the alloying costs in sintered steels, while allowing the introduction of innovative alloying systems. However, in order to achieve an efficient use of the alloying elements, the particle sizes needed are often below 25 µm, which means that for standard gas atomization a significant fraction of the batch has to be discarded or at least recycled. This work evaluates the performance of steels containing MA powders obtained with a novel atomization technique (Ultra-High-Pressure Water atomization) that allows the production of low-cost powders with low oxygen contents, rounded morphologies and mean particle sizes as low as 6 microns. Mechanical properties, dimensional variations and interstitial contents were measured in steels containing different MA compositions sintered at either 1120 °C or1250 ºC in N2-5H2atmospheres. Already with less than 3 wt.% of alloying elements these steels present excellent combinations of properties, reaching strength levels of 560-915 MPa and hardness 220-260 HV10, combined with elongations of 1.3-3.2% and impact energies around 20-30 J/cm2.
Novel High-Performance CVD Coatings for Machining Applications
Authors: Haubner R. , Rauchenwald E. , Lessiak M. , Pitonak R. , Weissenbacher R.
Published: December 2018

Investigations of hard and wear resistant materials have a long tradition to increase the performance and profitability of machining applications. The evolution started with WC-Co hardmetal alloys, which were produced by PM technology, followed by CVD coatings on hardmetal tools. The first CVD coatings applied were TiC, TiN and Al2O3. The properties of these coatings could be optimized by varying the crystal size, crystal orientation but also combination of the materials in multilayer systems. Nowadays, about 85% of all hardmetal tools are coated.During the last years, driven by PVD coatings showing good performance (e.g. TiAlN), the search for new CVD coatings was intensified. Medium temperature (MT) CVD processes for TiCN allowed the deposition of TiCN crystals with different composition side by side. Due to this microstructure the adhesion between single layers in new multilayer coatings like TiN/MT-TiCN/Al2O3/TiN could be increased. Novel (Ti,Al)N coatings were developed, showing a nanolamellae microstructure consisting of self-assembled (Ti,Al)N with different composition.

For the future there is still plenty to investigate. The already existing coatings and coating systems have to be optimized for the various machining applications. To find new types of CVD coatings, we look for chemical reactions practicable for its use in CVD equipment.