bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valoração das perdas ambientais
Authors: Portugal Nilton dos Santos , Portugal Júnior Pedro dos Santos , Abreu' Gustavo Andrade
Published: May 2019

A busca por métodos de valoração do meio ambiente e de suas perdas torna-se a cada dia, a mais presente nos estudos administrativos e económicos. Com base nessa questão, o presente artigo objetiva apresentar uma proposta de valoração das perdas ambientais com base na curva de possibilidade de produção, levando-se em consideração os fatores de produção e suas variações, que seja passível de aplicação tanto a nível micro quanto macroeconómico. A princípio, a pesquisa trata sobre o desenvolvimento sustentável, seu histórico e sua fundamentação teórica; após são apresentadas as principais teorizações sobre 0 meio ambiente, mostrando algumas correntes econômicas e suas considerações. A partir da revisão sobre os conceitos de fatores de produção e da curva de possibilidade de produção parte-se para a apresentação da proposta de valoração das perdas ambientais, sendo que exemplos hipotéticos apresentados ilustram a aplicação desta proposta.
A reeducação psicomotora na terceira idade
Authors: Estevão Gláucia Regina , Monteiro Alessandra Mendonça
Published: May 2019

O crescente envelhecimento populacional faz com que a atuação dos profissionais em relação à terceira idade sofra um avanço, sendo assim exigido o desenvolvimento de pesquisas e programas específicos a esta determinada população. Devido a este fator, foi realizado o estudo em tela, tendo como principal objetivo promover a reeducação psicomotora dos idosos através de atividades lúdicas realizadas em grupo, na tentativa de favorecer a independência, a autoconfiança e melhorar a autoestima. A pesquisa foi elaborada através da avaliação da organização psicomotora pela bateria psicomotora de Fonseca, sendo realizada inicialmente a avaliação, 10 sessões terapêuticas compostas de alongamentos, fortalecimentos, circuito psicomotor e estímulo da interação social e, posteriormente, a reavaliação. Obteve-se como resultado uma melhora de 17% da organização psicomotora do grupo, comprovando que os estímulos e a reeducação psicomotora influenciam nos fatores psicomotores mesmo que na retrogênese. Conclui-se que é necessário investir em novas pesquisas nesta área, como também estimular a formação de grupos de terceira idade, favorecendo o acréscimo de vida aos anos e não de anos à vida.
O dialogismo e a hipertextualidade
Authors: Bovol Ana Paula Corrêa , Faria Valéria Domingueti
Published: May 2019

O artigo está centrado na relação entre linguagem e ambientes de aprendizagem. O objetivo é analisar a importância do dialogismo e da hipertextualidade na formação de comunidades virtuais de aprendizagem na educação a distância on-line. Para tanto, os próprios conceitos de dialogismo e hipertextualidade e comunidade virtual de aprendizagem são discutidos. É fundamental que os projetos de educação a distância on-line estejam baseados em concepções de aprendizagem centradas no aprendente, as quais necessariamente são dialógicas e hipertextuais.
Geração Y
Authors: Carvalho Thayane Viana de , Moreira Alessandro Messias
Published: May 2019

Este trabalho aborda estratégias da comunicação interna que otimizam a relação da empresa com colaboradores da Geração Y. Tal abordagem se faz necessária diante das dificuldades que as empresas e instituições têm para lidar com as características dos membros deste público, que têm comportamentos diferentes de seus antecessores no mercado de trabalho. O objetivo deste estudo é mostrar de que modo a comunicação interna pode contribuir para tornar este colaborador mais engajado e diminuir a rotatividade de profissionais. Este propósito será conseguido através da revisão bibliográfica. O estudo esclareceu que os representantes da Geração Y cresceram em um contexto de democracia, popularização da internet e jogos eletrônicos. Fatores que contribuem para uma postura que busca resultados imediatos, recompensas tangíveis e o foco em superação de desafios. Esses colaboradores precisam enxergar em suas vidas profissionais a superação de desafios pessoais, oportunidades de aprimoramento e têm a necessidade de receber feedback constante. São extremamente familiarizados com a tecnologia e inovação, mas têm dificuldades em lidar com hierarquias. A comunicação interna para esse público precisa ser interativa e visar aproximar a realidade das pessoas com a da empresa.
A ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA EM SAÚDE NO POSTO DE SAÚDE AVANÇADO DA GUARNIÇÃO DE FORTALEZA
Authors: Vidal André Luis Nunes , Bomfim Francisco José de Andrade , De  Carvalho Viviel Rodrigo José
Published: May 2019

Este trabalho descreve a Atenção Primária em Saúde no Posto de Saúde Avançado da Guarnição de Fortaleza. Tal abordagem se justifica no sentido de proporcionar a identificação de uma adequada e eficaz atenção à saúde, com efetividade e racionalidade aos seus usuários. O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver o Projeto Saúde da Família Militar na Guarnição de Fortaleza, por intermédio de ações de implantação de um Posto de Saúde para atendimento primário. A finalidade deste estudo é direcionar o foco da atenção à saúde para a Atenção Primária, que terá como beneficiário os usuários do Fundo de Saúde do Exército do Comando da 10ª Região Militar, que residem na Vila de Subtenentes e Sargentos e adjacências, da Guarnição de Fortaleza, para lá prestar-lhes o adequado atendimento em saúde; com base nos procedimentos operacionais emanados pelo Governo Federal, completando assim, com o nível primário, os níveis secundário e terciário de atenção à saúde, já prestados pelo Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (HGeF). Este propósito será alcançado a partir da revisão bibliográfica dos documentos oficiais do Ministério da Saúde e estudo de caso, nos quais se procurou evidenciar como esse órgão tem apresentado tais concepções para a implementação do Posto de Saúde Avançado da Vila de Subtenentes e Sargentos da Guarnição de Fortaleza. O estudo esclarece que as ações de instalação de um Posto de Saúde para atendimento primário na Guarnição proporcionará a execução da Estratégia de Saúde da Família Militar, na cidade de Fortaleza, minimizando a procura pelo atendimento secundário e terciário ao longo do tempo.
A INFLUÊNCIA DO MARKETING NO COMPORTAMENTO DO CONSUMIDOR:
Authors: Rodriguez Marcelle Elias , De Almeida Júnior Altamiro Lacerda , Dos Santos Pollyana Moura Carias
Published: May 2019

O marketing digital, principalmente o de senvolvido nas redes sociais, vem ganhando destaque nas relações com os consumidores, visto que a estratégia quando bem utilizada contribui positiva mente para os resultados das organizações. Seja na que tange à comunicação e venda, ou mesmo nos relacionamentos com os clientes. O presente estudo de caso apresenta as impressões sobre a influência das campanhas de marketing realizadas por empresas de Cataguases nas redes sociais e o comportamento dos consumidores impactados por essas ações.
Application of Nano-Silicon Dioxide Improves Salt Stress Tolerance in Strawberry Plants
Authors: Avestan Saber , Ghasemnezhad Mahmood , Esfahani Masoud , Byrt Caitlin S.
Published: May 2019

Silicon application can improve productivity outcomes for salt stressed plants. Here, we describe how strawberry plants respond to treatments including various combinations of salt stress and nano-silicon dioxide, and assess whether nano-silicon dioxide improves strawberry plant tolerance to salt stress. Strawberry plants were treated with salt (0, 25 or 50 mM NaCl), and the nano-silicon dioxide treatments were applied to the strawberry plants before (0, 50 and 100 mg L−1) or after (0 and 50 mg L−1) flowering. The salt stress treatments reduced plant biomass, chlorophyll content, and leaf relative water content (RWC) as expected. Relative to control (no NaCl) plants the salt treated plants had 10% lower membrane stability index (MSI), 81% greater proline content, and 54% greater cuticular transpiration; as well as increased canopy temperature and changes in the structure of the epicuticular wax layer. The plants treated with nano-silicon dioxide were better able to maintain epicuticular wax structure, chlorophyll content, and carotenoid content and accumulated less proline relative to plants treated only with salt and no nano-silicon dioxide. Analysis of scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed that the salt treatments resulted in changes in epicuticular wax type and thickness, and that the application of nano-silicon dioxide suppressed the adverse effects of salinity on the epicuticular wax layer. Nano-silicon dioxide treated salt stressed plants had increased irregular (smoother) crystal wax deposits in their epicuticular layer. Together these observations indicate that application of nano-silicon dioxide can limit the adverse anatomical and biochemical changes related to salt stress impacts on strawberry plants and that this is, in part, associated with epicuticular wax deposition.
Population Structure Analysis of the Border Collie Dog Breed in Hungary
Authors: Ács Virág , Bokor Árpád , Nagy István
Published: May 2019

Pedigree data of the Border Collie dog breed were collected in Hungary to examine genetic diversity within the breed and its different lines. The database was based on available herd books dating from the development of the breed (in the late 1800s) to the present day. The constructed pedigree file consisted of 13,339 individuals, of which 1566 dogs (born between 2010 and 2016) composed the alive reference population which was active from breeding perspective. The breed is subdivided by phenotype, showing a thicker coat, harmonic movement, a wide skull, and heavier bones for the show type, and a thinner or sometimes short coat and smaller body for the working line, while the mixed line is quite heterogeneous (a combination of the above). Thus, the reference population was dissected according to the existing lines. The number of founders was 894, but eight individuals were responsible for contributing 50% of the genetic variability. The reference population had a pedigree completeness of 99.6% up to 15 generations and an inbreeding coefficient of 9.86%. Due to the changing breed standards and the requirements of the potential buyers, the effective population size substantially decreased between 2010 and 2016. Generation intervals varied between 4.09 and 4.71 years, where the sire paths were longer due to the later initial age of breeding in males compared to females. Genetic differences among the existing lines calculated by fixation indices are not significant; nonetheless ancestral inbreeding coefficients are able to show contrasts.
Numerical Study on the Seismic Response of Fluid-Saturated Porous Media Using the Precise Time Integration Method
Authors: Li Liang , Zhou Shuo , Du Xiuli , Song Jia , Gao Chao
Published: May 2019

The seismic response behavior of fluid-saturated porous media (FSPM) has been a critical subject in the area of soil dynamics and geotechnical earthquake engineering. In this paper, the numerical study of the seismic response of the FSPM is performed based on the u-p dynamic formulation. A time-stepping explicit algorithm for the numerical solution to the u-p dynamic formulation is developed. The precise time integration method is adopted in the algorithm to improve the computational accuracy. The transmitting artificial boundary is used to describe the energy radiative effect of the wave motion in the FSPM. The numerical results indicate that the time-stepping explicit algorithm developed in the current study is applicable and effective for the numerical solution of the dynamic problems of the FSPM based on the u-p dynamic formulation. Furthermore, parametric studies are performed to investigate the effect of the permeability coefficient, elastic modulus of the solid skeleton and porosity on the dynamic response of the FSPM. The analyses show that the permeability coefficient value has a negligible effect on the solid skeleton displacement but has a noticeable impact on the pore fluid pressure. With the decrease of the permeability coefficient value, the peak pore pressure increases remarkably. The elastic modulus of the solid skeleton has an important effect on the solid skeleton displacement and pore fluid pressure. With the decrease of the magnitude of elastic modulus, the solid skeleton displacement and pore fluid pressure increase remarkably. The porosity value has an insignificant effect on the solid skeleton displacement but has a significant impact on the pore fluid pressure. With the increase of the porosity value, the peak pore pressure decreases significantly.
A Critical Review of Spatial Predictive Modeling Process in Environmental Sciences with Reproducible Examples in R
Authors: Li Jin
Published: May 2019

Spatial predictive methods are increasingly being used to generate predictions across various disciplines in environmental sciences. Accuracy of the predictions is critical as they form the basis for environmental management and conservation. Therefore, improving the accuracy by selecting an appropriate method and then developing the most accurate predictive model(s) is essential. However, it is challenging to select an appropriate method and find the most accurate predictive model for a given dataset due to many aspects and multiple factors involved in the modeling process. Many previous studies considered only a portion of these aspects and factors, often leading to sub-optimal or even misleading predictive models. This study evaluates a spatial predictive modeling process, and identifies nine major components for spatial predictive modeling. Each of these nine components is then reviewed, and guidelines for selecting and applying relevant components and developing accurate predictive models are provided. Finally, reproducible examples using spm, an R package, are provided to demonstrate how to select and develop predictive models using machine learning, geostatistics, and their hybrid methods according to predictive accuracy for spatial predictive modeling; reproducible examples are also provided to generate and visualize spatial predictions in environmental sciences.
On the Relationship between Documentary Films and Magic Lanterns in 1950s Japan
Authors: Toba Koji
Published: May 2019

In this paper, I explore three cases from postwar Japanese media history where a single topic inspired the production of both documentary films and magic lanterns. The first example documents the creation of Maruki and Akamatsu’s famed painting Pictures of the Atomic Bomb. A documentary and two magic lantern productions explore this topic through different stylistic and aesthetic approaches. The second example is School of Echoes, a film and magic lantern about children’s education in rural Japan. The documentary film blurs distinctions between the narrative film and documentary film genres by utilizing paid actors and a prewritten script. By contrast, the original subjects of the documentary film appear as themselves in the magic lantern film. Finally, the documentary film Tsukinowa Tomb depicts an archeological excavation at the site named in the title. Unlike the monochrome documentary film, the magic lantern version was made on color film. Aesthetic and material histories of other magic lanterns include carefully hand-painted monochrome films. Monochrome documentary films in 1950s Japan tended to emphasize narrative and political ideology, while magic lantern films projected color images in the vein of realism. Through these examples of media history, we can begin to understand the entangled histories of documentary film and magic lanterns in 1950s Japan.
Web Application for Atmospheric Aerosol Data Management: Software and Case Study in the Spanish Network on Environmental Differential Mobility Analysers
Authors: Andrade-Garda Javier , Suárez-Garaboa Sonia , Álvarez-Rodríguez Antonio , Piñeiro-Iglesias María , López-Mahía Purificación , Díaz-Ramiro Elías , Artíñano Begoña , Gómez-Moreno Francisco J.
Published: May 2019

SCALA© (Sampling Campaigns for Aerosols in the Low Atmosphere) is a web-based software system that was developed in a multidisciplinary manner to integrally support the documentation and the management and analysis of atmospheric aerosol data from sampling campaigns. The software development process applied considered the prototyping and the evolutionary approaches. The software product (SCALA©) allows for the comprehensive management of the sampling campaigns’ life cycle (management of the profiles and processes involved in the start-up, development and closure of a campaign) and provides support for both intra- and inter-campaigns data analysis. The pilot deployment of SCALA© considers the Spanish Network on Environmental Differential Mobility Analysers (DMAs) (REDMAAS) and the PROACLIM project. This research project involves, among other objectives, the study of temporal and spatial variations of the atmospheric aerosol through a set of microphysical properties (size distribution, optical properties, hygroscopicity, etc.) measured in several locations in Spain. The main conclusions regarding size distribution are presented in this work. These have been have been extracted through SCALA© from the data collected in the REDMAAS 2015 and 2019 intercomparison campaigns and two years (2015 and 2016) of measurements with two Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers (SMPS) at CIEMAT (Madrid, central Spain) and UDC (A Coruña, NW of Spain) sites.
On the Spatial Uniformity of the Degree of Ionization in a Helium ECR Plasma Produced under a Simple Cusp Field
Authors: Ueda Akira , Shikama Taiichi , Iida Yohei , Hasuo Masahiro
Published: May 2019

Production of a plasma that has a large degree of ionization (DOI), volume, and spatial and temporal uniformities is a challenge for the improvement of the performance of plasma-based vapor deposition processes. As a potential candidate for the discharge, we investigate plasma parameters arising in helium electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) discharges due to a simple cusp field. Two-dimensional distributions of helium atom emission-line intensities were measured using spectroscopy with multiple viewing chords and then de-convoluted by Abel inversion. The local plasma parameters, including the atomic density, were evaluated using collisional-radiative model analysis. The DOI calculated from the electron and atomic densities reached up to 35% and, in most of the region inside the ECR surface, it was more than 10%.
Controlling Electronic Devices with Brain Rhythms/Electrical Activity Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Muhammad Yar , Vaino Daniil
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this research study was to explore the possibility to develop a brain-computer interface (BCI). The main objective was that the BCI should be able to recognize brain activity. BCI is an emerging technology which focuses on communication between software and hardware and permitting the use of brain activity to control electronic devices, such as wheelchairs, computers and robots. The interface was developed, and consists of EEG Bitronics, Arduino and a computer; moreover, two versions of the BCIANNET software were developed to be used with this hardware. This BCI used artificial neural network (ANN) as a main processing method, with the Butterworth filter used as the data pre-processing algorithm for ANN. Twelve subjects were measured to collect the datasets. Tasks were given to subjects to stimulate brain activity. The purpose of the experiments was to test and confirm the performance of the developed software. The aim of the software was to separate important rhythms such as alpha, beta, gamma and delta from other EEG signals. As a result, this study showed that the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is the best compared with the backpropagation, resilient backpropagation, and error correction algorithms. The final developed version of the software is an effective tool for research in the field of BCI. The study showed that using the Levenberg–Marquardt learning algorithm gave an accuracy of prediction around 60% on the testing dataset.
Loss of Prefrontal Cortical Higher Cognition with Uncontrollable Stress: Molecular Mechanisms, Changes with Age, and Relevance to Treatment
Authors: Datta Dibyadeep , Arnsten Amy
Published: May 2019

The newly evolved prefrontal cortex (PFC) generates goals for “top-down” control of behavior, thought, and emotion. However, these circuits are especially vulnerable to uncontrollable stress, with powerful, intracellular mechanisms that rapidly take the PFC “off-line.” High levels of norepinephrine and dopamine released during stress engage α1-AR and D1R, which activate feedforward calcium-cAMP signaling pathways that open nearby potassium channels to weaken connectivity and reduce PFC cell firing. Sustained weakening with chronic stress leads to atrophy of dendrites and spines. Understanding these signaling events helps to explain the increased susceptibility of the PFC to stress pathology during adolescence, when dopamine expression is increased in the PFC, and with advanced age, when the molecular “brakes” on stress signaling are diminished by loss of phosphodiesterases. These mechanisms have also led to pharmacological treatments for stress-related disorders, including guanfacine treatment of childhood trauma, and prazosin treatment of veterans and civilians with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cancer Cells Tune the Signaling Pathways to Empower de Novo Synthesis of Nucleotides
Authors: Villa Elodie , Ali Eunus , Sahu Umakant , Ben-Sahra Issam
Published: May 2019

Cancer cells exhibit a dynamic metabolic landscape and require a sufficient supply of nucleotides and other macromolecules to grow and proliferate. To meet the metabolic requirements for cell growth, cancer cells must stimulate de novo nucleotide synthesis to obtain adequate nucleotide pools to support nucleic acid and protein synthesis along with energy preservation, signaling activity, glycosylation mechanisms, and cytoskeletal function. Both oncogenes and tumor suppressors have recently been identified as key molecular determinants for de novo nucleotide synthesis that contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis and the proliferation of cancer cells. Inactivation of tumor suppressors such as TP53 and LKB1 and hyperactivation of the mTOR pathway and of oncogenes such as MYC, RAS, and AKT have been shown to fuel nucleotide synthesis in tumor cells. The molecular mechanisms by which these signaling hubs influence metabolism, especially the metabolic pathways for nucleotide synthesis, continue to emerge. Here, we focus on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which oncogenes and tumor suppressors modulate nucleotide synthesis in cancer cells and, based on these insights, discuss potential strategies to target cancer cell proliferation.
Future Options of Molecular-Targeted Therapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Schulze Arik Bernard , Evers Georg , Kerkhoff Andrea , Mohr Michael , Schliemann Christoph , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Schmidt Lars Henning
Published: May 2019

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. With a focus on histology, there are two major subtypes: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (the more frequent subtype), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (the more aggressive one). Even though SCLC, in general, is a chemosensitive malignancy, relapses following induction therapy are frequent. The standard of care treatment of SCLC consists of platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with etoposide that is subsequently enhanced by PD-L1-inhibiting atezolizumab in the extensive-stage disease, as the addition of immune-checkpoint inhibition yielded improved overall survival. Although there are promising molecular pathways with potential therapeutic impacts, targeted therapies are still not an integral part of routine treatment. Against this background, we evaluated current literature for potential new molecular candidates such as surface markers (e.g., DLL3, TROP-2 or CD56), apoptotic factors (e.g., BCL-2, BET), genetic alterations (e.g., CREBBP, NOTCH or PTEN) or vascular markers (e.g., VEGF, FGFR1 or CD13). Apart from these factors, the application of so-called ‘poly-(ADP)-ribose polymerases’ (PARP) inhibitors can influence tumor repair mechanisms and thus offer new perspectives for future treatment. Another promising therapeutic concept is the inhibition of ‘enhancer of zeste homolog 2’ (EZH2) in the loss of function of tumor suppressors or amplification of (proto-) oncogenes. Considering the poor prognosis of SCLC patients, new molecular pathways require further investigation to augment our therapeutic armamentarium in the future.
Photocatalytic Degradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol by MgO–MgFe2O4 Derived from Layered Double Hydroxide Structures
Authors: Ramos-Ramírez Esthela , Tzompantzi-Morales Francisco , Gutiérrez-Ortega Norma , Mojica-Calvillo Héctor G. , Castillo-Rodríguez Julio
Published: May 2019

In recent years, the search for solutions for the treatment of water pollution by toxic compounds such as phenols and chlorophenols has been increasing. Phenols and their derivatives are widely used in the manufacture of pesticides, insecticides, paper, and wood preservers, among other things. Chlorophenols are partially biodegradable but not directly photodegradable by sunlight and are extremely toxic—especially 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is considered to be potentially carcinogenic. As a viable proposal to be applied in the treatment of water contaminated with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, this paper presents an application study of the thermally activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides as photocatalysts for the mineralization of this contaminant. Activated Mg/Fe layered double hydroxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, N2 physisorption, and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray dispersive energy. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in aqueous solution showed good photocatalytic activity, with an efficiency of degradation of up to 93% and mineralization of 82%; degradation values which are higher than that of TiO2-P25, which only reached 18% degradation. The degradation capacity is attributed to the structure of the MgO–MgFe2O4 oxides derived from double laminate hydroxide Mg/Fe. A path of degradation based on a mechanism of superoxide and hollow radicals is proposed.
Recent Progress on Metal Sulfide Composite Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Lee Sher Ling , Chang Chi-Jung
Published: May 2019

Metal sulfide-based photocatalysts have gained much attention due to their outstanding photocatalytic properties. This review paper discusses recent developments on metal sulfide-based nanomaterials for H2 production, acting as either photocatalysts or cocatalysts, especially in the last decade. Recent progress on key experimental parameters, in-situ characterization methods, and the performance of the metal sulfide photocatalysts are systematically discussed, including the forms of heterogeneous composite photocatalysts, immobilized photocatalysts, and magnetically separable photocatalysts. Some methods have been studied to solve the problem of rapid recombination of photoinduced carriers. The electronic density of photocatalysts can be investigated by in-situ C K-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra to study the mechanism of the photocatalytic process. The effects of crystal properties, nanostructure, cocatalyst, sacrificial agent, electrically conductive materials, doping, calcination, crystal size, and pH on the performance of composite photocatalysts are presented. Moreover, the facet effect and light trapping (or light harvesting) effect, which can improve the photocatalytic activity, are also discussed.
Crystal Structure Optimization and Gibbs Free Energy Comparison of Five Sulfathiazole Polymorphs by the Embedded Fragment QM Method at the DFT Level
Authors: Hao Xuan , Liu Jinfeng , Luo Hongyuan , Han Yanqiang , Hu Wenxin , Liu Jinyun , Li Jinjin , He Xiao
Published: May 2019

Molecular crystal plays an important role in many fields of science and technology, but it often crystallizes in different polymorphs with different physical properties. To guide the experimental synthesis of candidate materials, the atomic-scale model is frequently used to predict the most stable polymorph and its structural properties. Here, we show how an ab initio method can be used to achieve a rapid and accurate prediction of sulfathiazole crystal polymorphs (an antibiotic drug), based on the Gibbs free energy calculation and Raman spectra analysis. At the atmospheric pressure and the temperature of 300 K, we demonstrate that form III (FIII) is the most stable structure of sulfathiazole. The agreement between the predicted and experimental crystal structures corresponds to the order of stability for five sulfathiazole polymorphs as FI < FV < FIV < FII < FIII, which is achieved by employing the density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Historical Perspective on Diffraction Line-Profile Analyses for Crystals Containing Defect Clusters
Authors: Larson Bennett C.
Published: May 2019

Deviations of crystal diffraction line profiles from those predicted by the dynamical theory of diffraction for perfect crystals provide a window into the microscopic distributions of defects within non-perfect crystals. This overview provides a perspective on key theoretical, computational, and experimental developments associated with the analysis of diffraction line profiles for crystals containing statistical distributions of point defect clusters, e.g., dislocation loops, precipitates, and stacking fault tetrahedra. Pivotal theoretical developments beginning in the 1940s are recalled and discussed in terms of their impact on the direction of theoretical and experimental investigations of lattice defects in the 1960s, the 1970s, and beyond, as both experimental and computational capabilities advanced. The evolution of experimental measurements and analysis techniques, as stimulated by theoretical and computational progress in understanding the distortion fields surrounding defect clusters, is discussed. In particular, consideration is given to determining dislocation loop densities and separate size distributions for vacancy and interstitial type loops, and to the internal strain and size distributions for coherent precipitates.
The Influence of Canopy Cover on the Ecological Function of A Key Autogenic Ecosystem Engineer
Authors: Pocklington Jacqueline B. , Keough Michael J. , O’Hara Tim D. , Bellgrove Alecia
Published: May 2019

Intertidal fucoid algae can function as ecosystem engineers across temperate marine regions. In this investigation, we assessed the function of the alga dominating rocky reefs in temperate Australia and New Zealand, Hormosira banksii. Invertebrate and algal species assemblages were examined within areas of full H. banksii canopy, areas where it was naturally patchy or absent (within its potential range on the shore) and areas where the intact canopy was experimentally disturbed. Differences in species assemblages were detected between areas with natural variation in H. banksii cover (full, patchy, negligible), with defined species associated with areas of full cover. Differences were also detected between experimentally manipulated and naturally patchy areas of canopy cover. Species assemblages altered in response to canopy manipulations and did not recover even twelve months after initial sampling. Both light intensity and temperature were buffered by full canopies compared to patchy canopies and exposed rock. This study allows us to predict the consequences to the intertidal community due to the loss of canopy cover, which may result from a range of disturbances such as trampling, storm damage, sand burial and prolonged exposure to extreme temperature, and further allow for improved management of this key autogenic ecosystem engineer.
A Business Rules Management System for Fixed Assets
Authors: Necula Sabina-Cristiana
Published: May 2019

The goal of this paper is to discuss the necessity of separating decision rules from domain model implementation. (1) Background: can rules help to discover hidden connections between data? We propose a separated implementation of decision rules on data about fixed assets for decision support. This will enhance search results. (2) Methods and technical workflow: We used DROOLS (Decision Rules Object Oriented System) to implement decision rules on the subject of accounting decisions on fixed assets; (3) Results: Making the model involves: the existence of a domain ontology and an ontology for the developed application; the possibility of executing specified inferences; the possibility of extracting information from a database; the possibility of simulations, predictions; the possibility of addressing fuzzy questions; and (4) Conclusions: The rules, the plans, and the business models must be implemented to allow specification of control over concepts. The editing of meta models must be directed to the user to ensure adaptation and not implemented at the level of control of the data control.
Entropy in Image Analysis
Authors: Sparavigna Amelia Carolina
Published: May 2019

Image analysis is playing a very essential role in numerous research areas in the fields of science and technology, ranging from medical imaging to the computer science of automatic vision [...]
State and Parameter Estimation from Observed Signal Increments
Authors: Nüsken Nikolas , Reich Sebastian , Rozdeba Paul J.
Published: May 2019

The success of the ensemble Kalman filter has triggered a strong interest in expanding its scope beyond classical state estimation problems. In this paper, we focus on continuous-time data assimilation where the model and measurement errors are correlated and both states and parameters need to be identified. Such scenarios arise from noisy and partial observations of Lagrangian particles which move under a stochastic velocity field involving unknown parameters. We take an appropriate class of McKean–Vlasov equations as the starting point to derive ensemble Kalman–Bucy filter algorithms for combined state and parameter estimation. We demonstrate their performance through a series of increasingly complex multi-scale model systems.
Optimal Microbiome Networks: Macroecology and Criticality
Authors: Li Jie , Convertino Matteo
Published: May 2019

The human microbiome is an extremely complex ecosystem considering the number of bacterial species, their interactions, and its variability over space and time. Here, we untangle the complexity of the human microbiome for the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that is the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder in human populations. Based on a novel information theoretic network inference model, we detected potential species interaction networks that are functionally and structurally different for healthy and unhealthy individuals. Healthy networks are characterized by a neutral symmetrical pattern of species interactions and scale-free topology versus random unhealthy networks. We detected an inverse scaling relationship between species total outgoing information flow, meaningful of node interactivity, and relative species abundance (RSA). The top ten interacting species are also the least relatively abundant for the healthy microbiome and the most detrimental. These findings support the idea about the diminishing role of network hubs and how these should be defined considering the total outgoing information flow rather than the node degree. Macroecologically, the healthy microbiome is characterized by the highest Pareto total species diversity growth rate, the lowest species turnover, and the smallest variability of RSA for all species. This result challenges current views that posit a universal association between healthy states and the highest absolute species diversity in ecosystems. Additionally, we show how the transitory microbiome is unstable and microbiome criticality is not necessarily at the phase transition between healthy and unhealthy states. We stress the importance of considering portfolios of interacting pairs versus single node dynamics when characterizing the microbiome and of ranking these pairs in terms of their interactions (i.e., species collective behavior) that shape transition from healthy to unhealthy states. The macroecological characterization of the microbiome is useful for public health and disease diagnosis and etiognosis, while species-specific analyses can detect beneficial species leading to personalized design of pre- and probiotic treatments and microbiome engineering.
Export Competitiveness of India’s Textiles and Clothing Sector in the United States
Authors: Kim Misu
Published: May 2019

We analyzed India’s export competitiveness in the textiles and clothing (T&C) sector in the United States. The T&C industry is traditionally important for the Indian economy due to its significant contribution to export, employment, and industrial production. However, the competition in the global T&C market intensified after the Multi-Fiber Arrangement phase-out in 2005. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the export competitiveness of India’s T&C sector in the U.S., India’s largest export destination and one of the world’s largest consumers of T&C. In this study, we calculated the comparative advantage of India’s T&C based on Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Market Comparative Advantage (MCA), and Comparative Advantage by Countries (CAC). Our analysis shows that India had a comparative advantage in the T&C sector in the U.S. from 1991 to 2017, despite intensified competition in the global market.
Recent Developments in Time-Delay Systems and Their Applications
Authors: Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: May 2019

The last few decades have witnessed the rapid development of networked control systems due to their significant advantages and they have been applied to variant industrial areas such as unmanned surface vehicles, unmanned space vehicles, smart grids, wastewater treatment processes, Internet-based teleoperation, intelligent transportation systems and so on [...]
Challenges in Adapting Sustainable City Solutions from Finland to Different Contexts Worldwide: A Libyan Case Study
Authors: Antuña-Rozado Carmen , García-Navarro Justo , Huovila Pekka
Published: May 2019

The EcoCity concept presented here has been designed in Finland and improved through collaboration with local partners and stakeholders to adapt to varying contexts while trying to provide solutions for the improvement of human settlements around the world, particularly in the Global South. Supported by specific methodologies and effective facilitation processes and skills, also developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (VTT), it provides a structured yet flexible framework for conducting the complex dialogue leading to ecocity implementation, the importance of which is typically overlooked. This article discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the concept in relation to the general ecocity debate, as well as its main historical influences linked to the Finnish urban development tradition. The process thus enabled is illustrated by a Libyan case study.
Investigation of Internal Short Circuits of Lithium-Ion Batteries under Mechanical Abusive Conditions
Authors: Yang Sheng , Wang Wenwei , Lin Cheng , Shen Weixiang , Li Yiding
Published: May 2019

Current studies on the mechanical abuse of lithium-ion batteries usually focus on the mechanical damage process of batteries inside a jelly roll. In contrast, this paper investigates the internal short circuits inside batteries. Experimental results of voltage and temperature responses of lithium-ion batteries showed that battery internal short circuits evolve from a soft internal short circuit to a hard internal short circuit, as battery deformation continues. We utilized an improved coupled electrochemical-electric-thermal model to further analyze the battery thermal responses under different conditions of internal short circuit. Experimental and simulation results indicated that the state of charge of Li-ion batteries is a critical factor in determining the intensities of the soft short-circuit response and hard short-circuit response, especially when the resistance of the internal short circuit decreases to a substantially low level. Simulation results further revealed that the material properties of the short circuit object have a significant impact on the thermal responses and that an appropriate increase in the adhesion strength between the aluminum current collector and the positive electrode can improve battery safety under mechanical abusive conditions.
Analytical Modeling and Comparison of Two Consequent-Pole Magnetic-Geared Machines for Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zhao Hang , Liu Chunhua , Song Zaixin , Yu Jincheng
Published: May 2019

The exact mathematical modeling of electric machines has always been an effective tool for scholars to understand the working principles and structure requirements of novel machine topologies. This paper provides an analytical modeling method—the harmonic modeling method (HMM)—for two types of consequent-pole magnetic-geared machines, namely the single consequent-pole magnetic-geared machine (SCP-MGM) and the dual consequent-pole magnetic-geared machine (DCP-MGM). By dividing the whole machine domain into different ring-like subdomains and solving the Maxwell equations, the magnetic field distribution and electromagnetic parameters of the two machines can be obtained, respectively. The two machines were applied in the propulsion systems of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The electromagnetic performances of two machines under different operating conditions were also compared. It turns out that the DCP-MGM can reach a larger electromagnetic torque compared to that of the SCP-MGM under the same conditions. Finally, the predicted results were verified by the finite element analysis (FEA). A good agreement can be observed between HMM and FEA. Furthermore, HMM can also be applied to the mathematical modeling of other consequent-pole electric machines in further study.
Conversion of Plant Secondary Metabolites upon Fermentation of Mercurialis perennis L. Extracts with two Lactobacteria Strains
Authors: Lorenz Peter , Bunse Marek , Sauer Simon , Conrad Jürgen , Stintzing Florian C. , Kammerer Dietmar R.
Published: May 2019

Microbial fermentation of plant extracts with Lactobacteria is an option to obtain microbiologically stable preparations, which may be applied in complementary medicine. We investigated the metabolic conversion of constituents from Mercurialis perennis L. extracts, which were prepared for such applications. For this purpose, aqueous extracts were inoculated with two Lactobacteria strains, namely Pediococcus sp. (PP1) and Lactobacillus sp. (LP1). Both were isolated from a fermented M. perennis extract and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing. After 1 day of fermentation, an almost complete conversion of the genuine piperidine-2,6-dione alkaloids hermidine quinone (3) and chrysohermidin (4)—both of them being oxidation products of hermidin (1) —was observed by GC-MS analysis, while novel metabolites such as methylhermidin (6) and methylhermidin quinone (7) were formed. Surprisingly, a novel compound plicatanin B (bis-(3-methoxy-1N-methylmaleimide); 8) was detected after 6 days, obviously being formed by ring contraction of 4. An intermediate of a postulated reaction mechanism, isochrysohermidinic acid (14), could be detected by LC-MS. Furthermore, an increase in contents of the metabolite mequinol (4-methoxyphenol; 9) upon fermentation points to a precursor glycoside of 9, which could be subsequently detected by GC-MS after silylation and identified as methylarbutin (15). 15 is described here for M. perennis for the first time.
Tree Mortality Following Mixed-Severity Prescribed Fire Dramatically Alters the Structure of a Developing Pinus taeda Forest on the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain
Authors: Ray David G. , Landau Deborah
Published: May 2019

This case study documents the aftermath of a mixed-severity prescribed fire conducted during the growing season in a young loblolly pine forest. The specific management objective involved killing a substantial proportion of the overstory trees and creating an open-canopy habitat. The burn generated canopy openings across 26% of the 25-ha burn block, substantially altering the horizontal structure. Mortality of pines was high and stems throughout the size distribution were impacted; stem density was reduced by 60% and basal area and aboveground biomass (AGB) by ~30% at the end of the first growing season. A nonlinear regression model fit to plot data portrays a positive relationship between high stocking (i.e., relative density > 0.60) and postburn mortality. Survival of individual trees was reliably modeled with logistic regression, including variables describing the relative reduction in the size of tree crowns following the burn. Total AGB recovered rapidly, on average exceeding levels at the time of the burn by 23% after six growing seasons. Intentional mixed-severity burning effectively created persistent canopy openings in a young fire-tolerant precommercial-sized pine forest, meeting our objectives of structural alteration for habitat restoration.
Time-Reversal Analogy by Nonlinear Acoustic–Gravity Wave Triad Resonance
Authors: Kadri Usama
Published: May 2019

Time reversal of free-surface water (gravity) waves due to a sudden change in the effective gravity has been extensively studied in recent years. Here, we show that an analogy to time-reversal can be obtained using nonlinear acoustic-gravity wave theory. More specifically, we present a mathematical model for the evolution of a time-reversed gravity wave packet from a nonlinear resonant triad perspective. We show that the sudden appearance of an acoustic mode in analogy to a sudden vertical oscillation of the liquid film, can resonate effectively with the original gravity wave packet causing energy pumping into an oppositely propagating (time-reversed) surface gravity wave of an almost identical shape.
Maternal Consumption of a Diet Rich in Maillard Reaction Products Accelerates Neurodevelopment in F1 and Sex-Dependently Affects Behavioral Phenotype in F2 Rat Offspring
Authors: Csongová Melinda , Renczés Emese , Šarayová Veronika , Mihalovičová Lucia , Janko Jakub , Gurecká Radana , Troise Antonio Dario , Vitaglione Paola , Šebeková Katarína
Published: May 2019

Thermal processing of foods at temperatures > 100 °C introduces considerable amounts of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) into the diet. Maternal dietary exposure might affect the offspring early development and behavioral phenotype in later life. In a rat model, we examined the influence of maternal (F0) dietary challenge with AGEs-rich diet (AGE-RD) during puberty, pregnancy and lactation on early development, a manifestation of physiological reflexes, and behavioral phenotype of F1 and F2 offspring. Mean postnatal day of auditory conduit and eye opening, or incisor eruption was not affected by F0 diet significantly. F1 AGE-RD offspring outperformed their control counterparts in hind limb placing, in grasp tests and surface righting; grandsons of AGE-RD dams outperformed their control counterparts in hind limb placing and granddaughters in surface righting. In a Morris water maze, female AGE-RD F1 and F2 offspring presented better working memory compared with a control group of female offspring. Furthermore, male F2 AGE-RD offspring manifested anxiolysis-like behavior in a light dark test. Mean grooming time in response to sucrose splash did not differ between dietary groups. Our findings indicate that long-term maternal intake of AGE-RD intergenerationally and sex-specifically affects development and behavioral traits of offspring which have never come into direct contact with AGE-RD.