bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Modeling of Propane Reforming Processes to Quantify Hydrogen and Syngas Production with and without Product Removal
Authors: Kumar Shashi , Tondwal Neelam , Kumar Surendra , Kumar Sandeep
Published: November 2015

The present study aims to explore the possibility of promoting hydrogen and syngas production capacity and quality by steam (SRP) and oxidative steam (OSRP) reforming of propane with and without H2 and CO2 removal. Conditions studied are temperature range of 600–1,100 K under atmospheric pressure with steam to propane feed ratio (WPR) of 1–18, oxygen to propane feed ratio (OPR) and fractional removal of H2 and CO2 (f) ranging from 0–0.99. The results indicate that SRP with 99% H2 removal produces high H2 yield of 9.93 moles close to theoretical value of 10 moles at relatively low temperature (750 K) than SRP (950 K). Approximately identical results are achieved at 950 K with 99% CO2 removal at same conditions of WPR (12), pressure (1 atm), and complete conversion of propane. Thus, SRP with H2 removal is more energy saving process. In OSRP, lower OPR, higher WPR minimize CO and CH4 production but at the expense of H2 production. However, OSPR process is the most suitable process to provide most favourable H2/CO ratio in syngas. Molar H2/CO ratio in syngas in the range of 1–3 are found at T≥1,000 K, WPR≤6 in SRP, SRP with H2 removal (f=0.4–0.99) and OSRP (OPR=0.2–2). Thermal efficiency is higher than 80% in both SRP with H2 or CO2 removal than SRP(69.39%). The thermal efficiency in OSRP is less than 69%. Hence, propane reforming process in hydrogen selective membrane reactor, provides high quality of hydrogen at relatively lower energy utilization.
The BWC Gray Area: Locating the Blurry Line of Defining Biological Weapons
Authors: Wissinger Jennifer
Published: November 2015

The member states bound by the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) have committed to not produce, stock pile, or use biological weapons, but finding the line between what is a biological weapon and what is justified by “prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes” is difficult with the broad wording of the convention. In a world of quickly emerging technology, the gray area created by the broad exceptions to what constitutes a BWC biological weapon produces ever-changing security risks and public policy considerations. Despite the BWC’s attempt to strengthen prohibition on biological weapons of prior agreements, a large exception is carved out for the three justified uses, which hinges on the intent and purpose of the actor. The three permitted purposes are not defined, and there is no objective test for determining the intention of the actor.
Eco-Terrorism: A Legal Update on the Laws Protecting Scientific Research from Extremist Activists
Authors: Leamons Josh W.
Published: November 2015

Over the past two decades, the event of eco-terrorism has become a significant threat. The law should encourage the advancement of scientific research by providing criminal penalties for those who engage in eco-terrorism. This article examines the threat eco-terrorists pose to scientific researchers in the United States, and covers the historical use of animal research, notable activists and organizations, and the applicable laws as they currently exist, including potential improvements.
Haar Wavelet Operational Matrix Method for the Numerical Solution of Fractional Order Differential Equations
Authors: Shah Firdous A. , Abbas R.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we propose a new operational matrix method of fractional order integration based on Haar wavelets to solve fractional order differential equations numerically. The properties of Haar wavelets are first presented. The properties of Haar wavelets are used to reduce the system of fractional order differential equations to a systemof algebraic equationswhich can be solved numerically byNewton’s method.Moreover, the proposed method is derived without using the block pulse functions considered in open literature and does not require the inverse of the Haar matrices. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the present method.
Characterization of bi-layered magnetic nanoparticles synthesized via two-step surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization
Authors: Wang Li , Baudis Stefan , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas
Published: November 2015

A versatile strategy to integrate multiple functions in a polymer based material is the formation of polymer networks with defined nanostructures. Here, we present synthesis and comprehensive characterization of covalently surface functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) comprising a bi-layer oligomeric shell, using Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst for a two-step functionalization. These hydroxy-terminated precursors for degradable magneto- and thermo-sensitive polymer networks were prepared via two subsequent surface-initiated ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) with ω-pentadecalactone and ε-caprolactone. A two-step mass loss obtained in thermogravimetric analysis and two distinct melting transitions around 50 and 85°C observed in differential scanning calorimetry experiments, which are attributed to the melting of OPDL and OCL crystallites, confirmed a successful preparation of the modified MNPs. The oligomeric coating of the nanoparticles could be visualized by transmission electron microscopy. The investigation of degrafted oligomeric coatings by gel permeation chromatography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy showed an increase in number average molecular weight as well as the presence of signals related to both of oligo(ω-pentadecalactone) (OPDL) and oligo(ε-caprolactone) (OCL) after the second ROP. A more detailed analysis of the NMR results revealed that only a few ω-pentadecalactone repeating units are present in the degrafted oligomeric bi-layers, whereby a considerable degree of transesterification could be observed when OPDL was polymerized in the 2nd ROP step. These findings are supported by a low degree of crystallinity for OPDL in the degrafted oligomeric bi-layers obtained in wide angle X-ray scattering experiments. Based on these findings it can be concluded that Sn(Oct)2 was suitable as catalyst for the preparation of nanosized bi-layered coated MNP precursors by a two-step ROP.
Automatisierte Vermessung der Sichtliniencharakteristik von
Bolometerkameras für die Fusionsforschung
Authors: Penzel Florian , Meister Hans , Sehmer Till , Koch Alexander W.
Published: November 2015

Um in einem Fusionsexperiment die vom Plasma abgegebene
Strahlungsleistung – ein Teil der Energiebilanz – zu bestimmen,
werden seit langer Zeit Metallwiderstands-Bolometer verwendet. Sie
messen die emittierte Strahlung breitbandig entlang vieler Sichtlinien
(SL), von denen mehrere in einer Kamera integriert werden
können. Mittels tomografischer Rekonstruktionsverfahren kann
anschließend die räumliche Struktur der Plasmastrahlung
berechnet werden. Für das sich im Aufbau befindliche
internationale Fusionsexperiment ITER werden an die Bolometerkameras
besonders hohe Anforderungen gestellt, insbesondere bezüglich der
sehr engen Sichtliniencharakteristik und deren präziser
Ausrichtung im Plasmagefäß. Im Rahmen der Entwicklung einer
neuen Bolometerkamera wurde ein vollständig automatisierter
Prüfstand auf Basis eines KUKA-Roboters für die
Vermessung der zweidimensionalen Charakteristik der Sichtlinien
entwickelt . In diesem Beitrag werden die prinzipielle Funktionsweise
dieses Messverfahrens, die theoretischen Grundlagen von Sichtlinien
bezogen auf ein Fusionsexperiment, die erreichbare Messunsicherheit,
insbesondere bezüglich des Einflusses der Kalibrierquelle und der
Positionsgenauigkeit, sowie die Messreproduzierbarkeit und einige
ausgewählte Messergebnisse präsentiert. Außerdem wird das
Verfahren für die geometrische Kalibrierung der Komponenten des
Messsystems in einem globalen Koordinatensystem, wie z. B. in dem
Fusionsexperiment ASDEX (Axialsymmetrisches Divertor-Experiment)
Upgrade (AUG), vorgestellt.
Feuchtluftgenerator auf Basis eines Sorptionshygrostaten mit einem
Hochpräzisionstauspiegel
Authors: Rogge Norbert , Engwicht Michael , Welsch Steffen , Hilbrunner Falko , Fröhlich Thomas
Published: November 2015

Diese Arbeit behandelt
ein neues Konzept zur Kalibrierung von Luftfeuchtesensoren mit einem
Feuchtluftgenerator. Die Feuchtluft wird mittels eines
Hygrostaten erzeugt und mit Hilfe eines Referenzsensors
gemessen. Ziel dieser Anordnung ist,
die Taupunkttemperatur der konditionierten Luft über einen längeren
Zeitraum stabil zu regeln, sodass nur noch geringe
Restschwankungen auftreten. Hierzu ist ein geeigneter
Referenzsensor notwendig, um die tatsächliche
Taupunkttemperatur der Luft zu bestimmen.

In dieser Arbeit wurde ein Tauspiegelhygrometer
verwendet, um die erforderliche Präzision zu
erreichen. Das genutzte Hygrometer,
welches von der ConSens GmbH entwickelt wurde, erzeugt
einen Temperaturgradienten auf der
Spiegeloberfläche, deren mittlere Temperatur der
Taupunkttemperatur entspricht. Nach Erreichen des
Gleichgewichtszustandes ist eine Seite des Spiegels betaut und die andere
trocken. Dies vermindert Probleme mit unterkühltem
Wasserdampf, die auftreten
können, wenn eine nicht ausreichende Menge an
Kondensationskeimen vorhanden ist. Außerdem kann die
Temperatur an der Kondensationslinie durch Interpolation bestimmt
werden, selbst wenn sich diese Linie nicht in der Mitte
des Spiegels befindet. Die Lage der Kondensationslinie
auf der Spiegeloberfläche kann durch Bildverarbeitung erfasst
werden, wodurch eine genaue und kontinuierliche Messung
auch bei kurzfristig schwankender Taupunkttemperatur möglich
ist [1].
Erfassung und Beurteilung des Verspannungszustandes von
Schraubenverbindungen durch eine akustische Resonanzanalyse
Authors: Fuchs Normen , Wanner Martin-Christoph
Published: November 2015

Die Beurteilung des Verspannungszustandes von Schraubenverbindung
mittels einer akustischen Resonanzanalyse ist Gegenstand der
dargestellten Untersuchungen. Durch impulsförmiges Anregen der
Schraube wird diese in Schwingung versetzt. Das resultierende
Schwingungsverhalten wird über einen Beschleunigungsaufnehmer
erfasst und ist maßgeblich vom vorliegenden Verspannungszustand
der Verschraubung abhängig.

Die Verifizierung des Verfahrens erfolgte in zwei Schritten. Im ersten
Schritt wurde die Fragestellung der Zuordnung einer messtechnisch
erfassten Resonanzfrequenz zum Verspannungszustand einer
Schraubenverbindung an einer idealisierten Modellschraubenverbindung
nachgewiesen. Diese Ergebnisse konnten weiterführend am Beispiel
von Zylinderkopfverschraubungen (∅ M39, Länge
350 mm) an einer komplexen Bauteilstruktur (Gasmotor)
bestätigt werden. Hierbei konnte eine lokale, auf die
Verschraubung bezogene und vom Verspannungszustand abhängige
Resonanzfrequenz erfasst werden. Mit Hilfe des Verfahrens konnten 48
Schrauben erfolgreich geprüft und deren Verspannungszustand
beurteilt werden.

Die Eignung des Verfahrens konnte somit erfolgreich an nachgewiesen
werden.
Créolité, (Im)Mobility, and Music in Dominica
Authors: Rommen Timothy
Published: November 2015

This article examines how Dominican musicians, festival organizers, and their audiences negotiate two rather slippery concepts: the complex of creole/creolization/créolité  ; and the question of borders and (im)mobilities, in other words who moves where and how. Music provides sites and sounds in which creole possibilities and mobilities of various kinds are explored, challenged, and rethought. I illustrate these ideas with reference to two types of expressly creole, Dominican popular music (cadence-lypso and bouyon) and their central role in Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival. Both genres find artists reflecting on what it means to perform creole music and how such performances might facilitate new mobilities. The World Creole Music Festival stages these genres as part of an attempt to generate global creole solidarities. The significant challenges confronting this endeavor suggest that a reevaluation of what creole can mean in Dominica and a better understanding of how these meanings are embedded in contemporary mobilities can yield new insights not only into the production and staging of Caribbean genres, but also into the nature of the creole itself.
Longitudinal behavior of autoimmune GH deficiency: from childhood to transition age
Authors: De Bellis Annamaria , Bellastella Giuseppe , Maiorino Maria Ida , Aitella Ernesto , Lucci Emma , Cozzolino Domenico , Bellastella Antonio , Bizzarro Antonio , Giugliano Dario , Esposito Katherine , _ _
Published: November 2015

Background

Some cases of apparently idiopathic GH deficiency (GHD) may be caused by pituitary autoimmunity.

Objective

To study the variations in pituitary function and antipituitary antibodies (APA) from childhood to transition age in patients with apparently idiopathic GHD.

Design

We conducted a longitudinal study.

Patients and methods

Pituitary function and APA detection by immunofluorescence were investigated in 24 childhood patients with isolated GHD before starting recombinant GH therapy and after the stopping of this therapy in transition age. Sera of patients positive for APA were processed by double immunofluorescence to identify their pituitary target.

Results

At diagnosis, 16 out of 24 patients were APA positive targeting only somatotrophs (group 1), while the remaining eight were APA negative (group 2). When retested off therapy, 12 out of 16 patients in group 1 persisted being APA positive, while the remaining four became negative with recovery of pituitary function. All patients in group 2 persisted being APA negative but still showing GHD. Of the 12 patients persistently APA positive, eight with confirmed GHD showed APA still targeting somatotrophs, whereas four showed APA targeting only gonadotrophs associated with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH).

Conclusion

Patients with APA at middle but not at high titer in childhood may show a remission of autoimmune GHD in childhood after GH replacement therapy. As APA may shift their target in transition period, an early characterization of APA by double immunofluorescence is advisable in APA positive GHD patients showing delayed puberty, to allow an early diagnosis and an appropriate therapy, thus preventing the progression toward HH.
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and BRAF V600E in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Kim Seo Ki , Woo Jung-Woo , Lee Jun Ho , Park Inhye , Choe Jun-Ho , Kim Jung-Han , Kim Jee Soo
Published: November 2015

It has been reported that papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is less associated with extrathyroidal extension (ETE), advanced tumor stage and lymph node (LN) metastasis. Other studies have suggested that concurrent CLT could antagonize PTC progression, even in BRAF-positive patients. Since the clinical significance of the BRAF mutation has been particularly associated with conventional PTC, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of CLT according to BRAF mutation status in conventional PTC patients. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 3332 conventional PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral central neck dissection at the Thyroid Cancer Center of Samsung Medical Center between January 2008 and June 2015. In this study, the prevalence of BRAF mutation was significantly less frequent in conventional PTC patients with CLT (76.9% vs 86.6%). CLT was an independent predictor for low prevalence of ETE in both BRAF-negative (OR=0.662,P=0.023) and BRAF-positive (OR=0.817,P=0.027) conventional PTC patients. In addition, CLT was an independent predictor for low prevalence of CLNM in both BRAF-negative (OR=0.675,P=0.044) and BRAF-positive (OR=0.817,P=0.030) conventional PTC patients. In conclusion, BRAF mutation was significantly less frequent in conventional PTC patients with CLT. However, CLT was an independent predictor for less aggressiveness in conventional PTC patients regardless of BRAF mutation status.
Evaluation of Salmonella Gallinarum ghost formulated with Montanide™ ISA 70 VG adjuvant as a vaccine against fowl typhoid
Authors: Jawale Chetan V. , Somsanith Nithiphonh , Eo Seong Kug , Park Sang-Youel , Lee John Hwa
Published: November 2015

Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) protein is a potent adjuvant. Salmonella Gallinarum ghosts carrying LTB (S. Gallinarum-LTB ghosts) were genetically constructed using a plasmid, pJHL187-LTB, designed for the co-expression of the LTB and E lysis proteins. This study evaluates the immunopotentiating effects of Montanide™ ISA 70 VG on S. Gallinarum-LTB ghost vaccination against fowl typhoid. Five-week-old layer chickens were injected intramuscularly with sterile PBS (non-immunised control, Group A), S. Gallinarum-LTB ghost (Group B) or S. Gallinarum-LTB ghost emulsified with Montanide™ ISA 70 VG adjuvant (Group C). Chickens from both Groups B and C showed significant induction of antigen-specific systemic IgG response compared to controls; in addition, Group C showed enhanced induction of systemic IgG response compared to Group B. We observed significant induction of antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferative response and increased mRNA levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL2) in both Groups B and C. Furthermore, in the challenge experiment with a virulent strain of S. Gallinarum, Group C showed higher survival rates compared with other groups. These results indicate that vaccination with the S. Gallinarum-LTB ghost in combination with Montanide™ ISA 70 VG may enhance the protective immunity against fowl typhoid.
Exploring the meaning and productivity of a polysemous prefix
Authors: Efthymiou Angeliki , Fragaki Georgia , Markos Angelos
Published: November 2015

This paper follows a corpus-based approach to the meaning and productivity of the Modern Greek prepositional prefix para-. A semantic categorization of the prefix is proposed and its productivity is measured across semantic categories, registers, text types and grammatical categories. Para- was found to be more productive in non-locational and evaluative meanings. Its most productive meaning is excess, while the locational meaning of proximity still remains strong. It is also more productive in written than spoken registers and the grammatical category of nouns. The findings of the study can have implications about the prefix’s ongoing grammaticalization and its affixal status.
β-glucan content and β-glucanase activity of winter and spring malting barley cultivars
Authors: Šimić G. , Lalić A. , Horvat D. , Abičić I. , Beraković I.
Published: November 2015

β-Glucan content and β-glucanase activity of winter and spring barley cultivars grown under different environments were evaluated. There were significant differences in both β-glucan content and β-glucanase activity between analysed barleys. The results showed that, for all cultivars and locations, approximately 75% of β-glucan present in grains was degraded after malting, and that marked differences existed among winter and spring type of cultivars in malt β-glucan content. The correlation analysis of β-glucan content and malt quality parameters showed that malt β-glucan content was significantly positively correlated with viscosity and extract difference, and negatively with malt β-glucanase activity and friability. Regarding malt β-glucanase activity, significantly higher activity was found in spring cultivars in contrast to winter cultivars.
Determination of ochratoxin a in baby foods by ELISA and HPLC
Authors: Hampikyan H. , Bingol E.B. , Colak H. , Cetin O. , Bingol B.
Published: November 2015

Ochratoxin A, is a well-known nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, produced by some species of mould genera such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. under various environmental conditions, such as moisture and temperature. The main sources of Ochratoxin A intake for humans are cereals and cereal derived products, when they are consumed in large quantities, as in the case of breakfast cereals and cereal based baby foods principally consumed by babies. In this study, a total of 150 samples (50 infant formulas, 50 follow-on formulas, and 50 cereal based supplementary foods for infants and children) were obtained randomly from various supermarkets and pharmacies in Istanbul, and 52 out of 150 (34.7%) analysed samples were contaminated with Ochratoxin A. None of the examined baby food samples were above the Turkish Food Codex maximum limit of Ochratoxin A in baby, infant, and young children foods (0.5 μg kg−1). These results reinforce the idea of strict and routine quality controls and good hygiene practices have to be performed in every step of production to minimize the potential risk of Ochratoxin A contamination.
First record of Urotheca dumerilli (Bibron, 1840) (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in Cauca state, Colombia and notes on natural history
Authors: Vera-Pérez Luis Enrique , Zúñiga-Baos Jorge Alberto
Published: November 2015

Urotheca dumerilli has been rediscovered after 44 years through a single specimen collected at sector El Cóndor, Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, municipality of El Tambo, Cauca State, Colombia. Herein we present the coloration in life and description of fully everted hemipenis of the species for first time, with notes on geographical distribution and natural history.
New records of plants for San Andres and Old Providence islands (International Biosphere Reserve Seaflower), Caribbean Colombia
Authors: Tobar-Vargas Alexandra , Gavio Brigitte , Fernández José Luis
Published: November 2015

Fifty seven new records of vascular plants are reported for the Archipelago of San Andres and Old Providence, part of the International Biosphere Reserve Seaflower. Of these, about 81% have been introduced for agriculture or ornamental purpose. With these introductions, we report ten new families and 30 new genera for the Archipelago. The possible impacts of some of these introductions are discussed.
Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata) of the Corn Islands, Caribbean Nicaragua
Authors: Sunyer Javier , Nicholson Kirsten Elizabeth , Phillips John Gerhardt , Gubler Jenny Ann , Obando Lenin Alexander
Published: November 2015

The Corn Islands are two small Caribbean islands with the richest collection of endemic herpetofaunal taxa in Nicaragua. Despite increasing human population and associated habitat alteration, both islands lack protected areas. The lizard fauna of Great Corn Island consists of 14 species corresponding to nine families, and includes three endemic taxa. We collected three lizard species (Corytophanes cristatus, Gonatodes albogularis, and Hemidactylus frenatus) that were not previously recorded from that island. On Little Corn Island, where there were no previous records of lizards, we found seven species (Ctenosaura similis, Gonatodes albogularis, Hemidactylus frenatus, Holcosus undulatus, Iguana iguana, Lepidodactylus lugubris, and Norops unilobatus), all of which are also present on Great Corn Island.
Mammals of a forest fragment in Cambuci municipality, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Albuquerque Hermano Gomes , Martins Paula Ferreira , Pessôa Flávia Soares , Modesto Thiago Carvalho , Luz Júlia Lins , Raíces Daniel S. L. , Ardente Natalia Carneiro , Lessa Isadora Cristina Motta , Attias Nina , Jordão-Nogueira Tássia , Enrici Maria Carlota , Bergallo Helena De Godoy
Published: November 2015

The Atlantic Forest is considered a hotspot due to its current state of vast degradation and high indexes of biodiversity. This biome has been degraded through the years by processes resulting from the Brazilian socioeconomic model of development. The seasonal semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest is a poorly studied phytophysiognomy specially degraded by human activities in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In the present study we report the results of a rapid mammalian inventory conducted in the municipality of Cambuci, in a fragment of seasonal semi-deciduous forest. We used live traps and pitfall traps to capture non-volant small mammals, and mist-nets of different lengths to collect bats. To sample medium and large-sized mammals we used camera traps. We recorded 27 mammal species in the region, of which 16 are volant mammals. We emphasize the distribution extension of Trinomys setosus in 150 km (that enabled its insertion in the species list of Rio de Janeiro) and the capture of Lonchophylla peracchii, a recently described species apparently restricted to Atlantic Forest. Both facts show the importance of the fragment for the region biodiversity.
New records of Nasitrema atenuatta and Nasitrema globicephalae (Trematoda: Brachycladiidae) Neiland, Rice and Holden, 1970 in delphinids from South Atlantic
Authors: Ebert Mariana Bertholdi , Valentere Ana Luisa Schifino
Published: November 2015

Twenty-one Sotalia guianensis (van Bénéden, 1864) and one Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828) stranded on Brazilian coast were necropsied. Two species of Nasitrema (Trematoda: Brachycladiidae) Ozaki, 1935, were identified in the respiratory tract of the dolphins. Nasitrema atenuatta (Neiland, Rice and Holden, 1970) was found in S. guianensis (prevalence 28.7%, mean intensity 4.66 and mean abundance 1.33) and S. bredanensis (mean intensity and mean abundance six helminths). Nasitrema globicephalae (Neiland, Rice and Holden, 1970) was only found in S. bredanensis, with an infection intensity of 14 helminths. Nasitrema atenuatta and N. globicephalae are reported for the first time in South Atlantic.
An unexpected record of Teratohyla midas (Lynch and Duellman, 1973) for Brazil reveals the presence of glassfrogs in the Brazilian northern lowlands (Anura: Centrolenidae)
Authors: Pontes Rafael , Mattedi Camila
Published: November 2015

We reported a new record of Teratohyla midas for Northeast Brazil and extending its distribution in 1,200km east from the nearest reported area. Additionally we constructed a distribution map based on literature records. Previously to this study, this species was known to occur in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Brazil (states of Amazonas and Rondônia), and an isolated population in French Guyana. Also, this record represents the first for Centrolenidae in transitional forests between Cerrado and Amazon biomes.
First record of Cithaeron reimoseri (Araneae: Cithaeronidae) from the New World and first record of the family from southern Brazil
Authors: Ott Ricardo , Brescovit Antonio Domingos
Published: November 2015

The African spider Cithaeron reimoseri Platnick, 1991 is registered for the first time in the New World, based in two females collected at Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Until now C. reimoseri was known only by the holotype from Eritrea. The species C. praedonius O. P.-Cambridge, 1872 was, until now, the only known species of the family with worldwide distribution and is considered prone to introduction in anthropic environments. Cithaeronidae are considered lower gnaphosoids being identifiable by the depressed posterior median eyes and the pseudosegmented tarsi.
A second record of Phaeocollybia megalospora var. tetraspora Singer, 1987 (Agaricales: Hymenogastraceae) from Brazil
Authors: Karstedt Fernanda , Oliveira Jadson José Souza de , Capelari Marina
Published: November 2015

Phaeocollybia megalospora var. tetraspora was described from Amazonas State, and is reported now from Pará State, Brazil, as a second record. Phaeocollybia megalospora var. tetraspora is characterized by a conic pileus with the surface strongly viscid, and stipe with pseudorhiza. It differs from P. megalospora var. megalospora by the presence of four-spored basidia instead of two-spored. The present work provides macro- and micromorphological descriptions, illustrations and ITS and LSU sequences.
Pluralistic Humanism
Authors: Solymosi Tibor
Published: November 2015

I propose we discuss pluralistic humanism as an alternative to both atheism and traditional theism in an effort to establish a democratic faith to which we, despite our differences, can bind ourselves. I draw on the thought of American pragmatists (James, Dewey, Rorty, and Kitcher) to articulate a constructive criticism of new atheists (Dawkins, Dennett, Harris, and Hitchens). This criticism primarily focuses on the unacknowledged affinities between religion and scientific atheism – namely, a naive realism and a conversion experience – with the hope of using such common ground as a starting point for not only shared experience but for self-examination. I conclude with the proposal that we take up a Deweyan conception of democracy as a common faith aimed at effecting religious or spiritual experiences despite the traditional oppression of institutional religion.
A Time-Bound Ticket-Based Mutual Authentication Scheme for Cloud Computing
Authors: Hao Zhuo , Zhong Sheng , Yu Nenghai
Published: November 2015

Cloud computing is becoming popular quickly. In cloud computing, people store their important data in the cloud, which makes it important to ensure the data integrity and availability. Remote data integrity checking enables the client to perform data integrity verification without access to the complete file. This service brings convenience to clients, but degrades the server’s performance severely. Proper schemes must be designed to reduce the performance degradation.
 In this paper, a time-bound ticket-based mutual authentication scheme is proposed for solving this problem. The proposed authentication scheme achieves mutual authentication between the server and the client. The use of timebound tickets reduces the server’s processing overhead efficiently. The correspondence relationship between the digital ticket and the client’s smart card prevents user masquerade attack effectively. By security analysis, we show that the proposed scheme is resistant to masquerade attack, replay attack and password guessing attack. By performance analysis, we show that the proposed scheme has good efficiency. The proposed scheme is very suitable for cloud computing.
Multi-Objective Optimization for the m-PDPTW: Aggregation Method With Use of Genetic Algorithm and Lower Bounds
Authors: Dridi Imen Harbaoui , Kammarti Ryan , Ksouri Mekki , Borne Pierre
Published: November 2015

The PDPTW is an optimization vehicles routing problem which must meet requests for transport between suppliers and customers in purpose to satisfy precedence, capacity and time constraints. We present, in this paper, a genetic algorithm for multi-objective optimization of a multi pickup and delivery problem with time windows (m-PDPTW), based on aggregation method and lower bounds. We propose in this sense a brief literature review of the PDPTW, present our approach to give a satisfying solution to the m-PDPTW minimizing the compromise between total travel cost and total tardiness time.
Factors Affecting Egyptian Broomrape (Orobanche aegyptiaca) Control in Carrot
Authors: Cochavi Amnon , Rubin Baruch , Smirnov Evgeny , Achdari Guy , Eizenberg Hanan
Published: November 2015

Carrot is a high-value cash crop that is grown in Israel throughout the year. Egyptian broomrape is a chlorophyll-lacking, obligate, root holoparasite that parasitizes members of many botanical families, including the Apiaceae. At high infestation levels, Egyptian broomrape can cause total yield loss in carrot. A protocol has been developed for the control of Egyptian broomrape in carrot. Because carrots are grown in Israel under fall, winter, and spring conditions, information about the relations between the efficacy of control and temperature is important. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the response of carrot and Egyptian broomrape to herbicides at different phenological stages under varying temperature regimes. This study was conducted under temperature-controlled conditions in a multiclimate greenhouse and in a net house. Applications of the imidazolinone herbicides imazapic and imazamox (each applied at 4.8 g ai ha−1) injured carrot plants and reduced yield and yield quality. Glyphosate effectively controlled Egyptian broomrape and did not negatively affect the carrot plants when applied three times at ≤ 108 g ae ha−1. High temperatures increased the carrot plants’ sensitivity to glyphosate. This study found that three applications of glyphosate at 108 g ae ha−1can prevent Egyptian broomrape damage without causing any damage to the carrot crop. Our results indicate that weather conditions can affect herbicide phytotoxicity in carrot. The highest temperature at the time of herbicide application corresponded to the strongest observed phytotoxic effect. To summarize, effective Egyptian broomrape control can be achieved by three sequential foliar applications of glyphosate (108 g ae ha−1), beginning during the early parasitism stage (i.e., small tubercles). Moreover, applying glyphosate on carrot at high temperature (i.e., 28/22 C day/night temperatures) can injure carrot plants and reduce control efficacy.
Measurement and modelling of conduction in carbon fibre-cement composites
Authors: Xu Jing , Yao Wu
Published: November 2015

The present work investigated the conductive performance of carbon fibre-reinforced cement under different frequencies of alternating current, involving fibre fractions both below and above the percolation threshold. The electrical conductivity of carbon fibre-reinforced cement changes according to the frequency of the alternating current. Tests on samples with fibre fractions below the percolation threshold show similar change pattern in the impedance–frequency curve. The trend of decreasing impedance with increasing frequency becomes less marked as the carbon fibre content increases. An equivalent circuit model of carbon fibre-reinforced cement has been proposed to describe the electrical performance based upon the experimental results. Moreover, using linear regression the correlation coefficients were analysed to show the rationality of the model. Results indicate that the resistance under alternating current is lower than that under direct current. The capacitance increases with increasing fibre content.
Technical visit: ICOLD 2011, Lucerne: study tour T3 to Lucendro and Göscheneralp dams
Authors: Williamson Tracey
Published: November 2015

This article summarises the technical tour undertaken by a group attending ICOLD 2011, including members of the BDS, Andy Hughes and Tracey Williamson. The tour group travelled through the Reuss Valley in the south of Switzerland up to the Gotthard Pass with a visit to the 69 m high Lucendro buttress dam, completed just after Word War II. The buttresses have been laterally reinforced by massive struts to increase the stability of the structure. This was followed by a visit to the 155 m high Göscheneralp dam, completed in 1962, which consists of a central impervious core with rockfill shoulders.
Fostering sustainability in infrastructure development schemes
Authors: Willetts R. , Burdon J. , Glass J. , Frost M.
Published: November 2015

In recent years much emphasis has been placed upon meeting the environmental and socioeconomic aims of sustainable development. This is being driven by government policy and industry initiatives, with the main emphasis placed on the building sector, where it is perceived that most benefits can be gained. Although financial incentives and drivers are perhaps more readily quantifiable in this market, the potential to mitigate the negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the development of infrastructure such as roads, drainage and utilities at a neighbourhood scale may be no less significant, if more difficult to measure. Despite this, relatively little attention has been paid to the sustainable design of infrastructure. In addition, change to the UK planning system has been identified as a key mechanism to deliver sustainability policy, but there appears to be a poor connection between planning policy and infrastructure implementation practices. Sustainable construction, planning policy and the notion of the engineer's role in sustainable infrastructure are explored in this paper, which concludes by presenting four areas where improved dialogue between stakeholders and enhancement of the engineer's role at an early stage could improve sustainability in infrastructure development projects.
Knowledge exchange between academia and industry
Authors: Moncaster A. , Hinds D. , Cruickshank H. , Guthrie P. M. , Crishna N. , Baker K. , Beckmann K. , Jowitt P. W.
Published: November 2015

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report unambiguously demonstrated the critical and serious nature of climate change. It specifically outlined the urgent need for new practices and technologies within the built environment, and this in turn needs effective and quick knowledge development and transfer. While, historically, construction research has presupposed the ‘pipeline’ model of knowledge transfer from academics to practitioners, often in a slow and piecemeal process, there has been a recent move towards greater involvement of practitioners in research, following theories from the social sciences about the roles of social networks and communities of practice in the co-production of knowledge. However, there is little empirical evidence to show whether the involvement of practitioners in construction research is changing either research practices or the acquisition of new knowledge by practitioners. This paper provides some of this evidence, by summarising the results from four studies to investigate how knowledge is being created within the Sustainable Urban Environment research consortia and how it is being accessed by the construction industry. It describes some of the successful approaches that are currently being followed and also highlights some of the continuing discontinuities between research and practice. Some recommendations for further improvement are suggested.
Effect of high temperatures on the physical and mechanical properties of HDPE geomembranes in air
Authors: Abdelaal F. B. , Rowe R. K. , Hsuan Y. G. , Awad R.
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT: The effect of elevated temperatures, particularly between 95 and 115°C as encountered in some geoenvironmental applications, on the physical and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes (GMBs) is examined. Four commercially available HDPE GMBs were incubated in air at temperatures ≥ 85°C. Investigation of the thermograms by differential scanning calorimetry showed a significant change in the polymer morphology with an increase of the incubation temperature and duration, especially at 105 and 115°C. The morphological changes due to annealing involve thickening of the lamella crystals of the polymer and a change in the tie molecules joining the lamella crystals. The effect of annealing was most evident in the stress crack resistance of the GMB incubated at 105 and 115°C prior to polymer degradation. In particular, an increase in stress crack resistance due to annealing could mask the effects of polymer degradation at temperatures above 95°C. Changes in morphology did not affect melt index whose changes were largely attributed to polymer degradation.
Vertical earth pressure increments due to vibratory roller on geogrid-reinforced embankments
Authors: Jeon S.-S.
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACT: There is an increasing demand for geogrid-reinforced soils in geotechnical areas. Geogrid-reinforced soils have been used to minimise the settlement and to increase the bearing capacity of roadway constructions, especially embankments. In this study, field tests have been performed to investigate the effects of geogrid reinforcement under various conditions of embankment heights, the number of reinforced layers of the geogrid, and the mechanical properties of the soils and the geogrid. Dynamic loading generated by a vibratory roller was applied to the ground surface of the embankment and the dynamic vertical earth pressures were measured using an electrical dynamic pressure cell. The results of these measurements indicate that the dynamic vertical earth pressure increment from the vibratory roller decreases for greater embankment heights above the measuring location, which is expected, and the geogrid has little or no effect on the dynamic vertical earth pressures induced by the vibratory roller.
Cohesion in an Undisturbed Sensitive Clay
Authors: Crawford Carl B.
Published: November 2015

The true cohesion of an undisturbed, sensitive clay was measured by compression testing of laboratory specimens at very low effective stresses. On the basis of modern ideas, the measured cohesion may be visualized as a frictional resistance mobilized by the arrangement of, and the intrinsic stresses between, individual soil particles. This concept, supported by observed fracture patterns in the laboratory and in the field, is considered to lead to a better fundamental understanding of the strength of undisturbed clay. Extrapolation of strength theories developed for remoulded clays to the assessment of undisturbed, sensitive clays is refuted.

La cohésion vraie d'une argile intacte et sensible fut mesurée au moyen d'essais de compression, á tension efficace trés basse, sur des échantillons de laboratoire. Selon les idées contemporaines, la cohésion mesurée peut étre comparé á une friction mobiliske par l'arrangement des particules individuelles et les tensions intrinséques entre elles. Ce concept soutenu par le genre de ruptures observées in situ et en laboratoire, conduit á une meilleure compréhension fondamentale de la résistance d'une argile intacte. L'extrapolation des théories de résistance pour les argiles remaniées dans le domaine des argiles intactes et sensibles est réfutée.
The bearing capacity of footings on granular soils. I: Numerical analysis
Authors: LAU C.K. , BOLTON M.D.
Published: November 2015

The method of characteristics has been used to determine the bearing capacity of shallow foundations, in either plane-strain or axisymmetric condition. Most previous solutions for granular soils were based either on a straight (c, φ) envelope or simply on a constant angle of shearing, φ. For granular soils, sec φ usually varies linearly with the logarithm of mean effective stress. A new method of calculation permits φ to vary throughout the stress field as an arbitrary (or empirical) function of stress. This method is verified for both plane-strain and axisymmetric conditions by forcing a variation in sec φ equivalent to generating a constant-cohesion envelope, for which solutions already exist. The variable-φ analysis is used to demonstrate the highly significant effect of stress variation around and beneath a footing. Finally, it is shown that an equivalent constant value φm can be derived empirically, using the new solutions to identify an equivalent mean effective stress pm. However, only the variable-φ solution can simultaneously capture the bearing capacity and the geometry of the bearing mechanism.
Effects of temperature and thermal gradient on thermocouple psychrometer measurements
Authors: ABUEL-NAGA H.M. , BOUAZZA A.
Published: November 2015

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at assessing the effects of temperature and thermal gradient on psychrometer readings, and at developing a calibration protocol that takes into account these effects. An intensive calibration programme was conducted at different temperatures (20–35°C) and water potential levels (0·0 to ∼7·0 MPa), for this purpose. The thermal gradient was expressed as the difference in temperature between wet and dry junctions in the thermocouple psychrometer sensor. The collected calibration data were used to build an artificial neural network psychrometer model. The developed model was able to simulate successfully the psychrometer output at different conditions, and was used to conduct a detailed parametric study to evaluate the influence of temperature and thermal gradient on thermocouple psychrometer measurements. The outcome of this study shows the importance of including the effects of temperature and thermal gradient in the standard calibration process. Moreover, it introduces a new, precise calibration protocol that takes advantage of the artificial neural network approach.
Temperature-dependent internal friction of clay in a cylindrical heat source problem
Authors: HUECKEL T. , FRANCOIS B. , LALOUI L.
Published: November 2015

The effect of the temperature dependence of the internal friction angle is studied in a boundary value problem simulating the impact of a cylindrical heat source on the soil mass in which it is embedded. This follows a previous study which shows that such temperature dependence may substantially affect the interpretation of thermal failure in laboratory experiments. Even if the thermal increase of the internal friction is quite modest (less than 20% in terms of the critical state parameter, M), it affects quite significantly the effective stress path near the heat source. The effective stress path approaches the yield locus and the critical state at significantly higher principal stress difference values for the variable internal friction than for the M = const case. The ‘mean effective stress distance from the critical state' is substantially reduced during heating, which in the case of small perturbations of any parameter may lead to potentially unstable or statically inadmissible behaviour. The solutions obtained allow one to identify zones of influence around the heat source of several variables of interest. The two fields most affected by the thermal sensitivity of M are that of the axial stress, dropping significantly near the heat source, and that of the appearance of the thermoplastic strain. Both zones of influence are reduced in size by almost half when the friction angle is increased by 20% over 70°. The presented results may be of relevance to the design of prototype in situ installations and their monitoring, and eventually of actual facilities for nuclear waste disposal.
On the operating critical friction ratio in general stress states
Authors: JEFFERIES M. , SHUTTLE D.
Published: November 2015

Stress dilatancy provides a fundamental flow rule for constitutive models and several variations on the framework have similar operational performance. However, regardless of idealisation adopted for stress dilatancy, the scaling coefficient evolves and only attains the critical friction ratio at large strain. The scaling coefficient also depends on the proportion of intermediate principal stress. Data on stress dilatancy in triaxial compression and plane strain are reviewed. Based on these data, a simple function is proposed for stress-dilatancy scaling using an operational friction ratio Mi based on work-conjugate stress and strain invariants. The function is calibrated to soil properties measured in conventional drained triaxial tests (about three, suitably chosen, tests are needed in addition to those used to define the critical state locus) and predicts strength in plane strain to an accuracy of ∆η = ±0·03 at 80% confidence for the Brasted and Changi sands considered (i.e. about ± 3% of typical peak strength). The proposed function is suitable for any soil constitutive model that includes a critical state line and which invokes stress dilatancy.
A high frame rate image acquisition system for dynamic centrifuge tests
Authors: Okamura Mitsu , Matsuo Osamu , Tamoto Shuichi
Published: November 2015

A high frame rate image acquisition system for dynamic centrifuge tests developed at Public Works Research Institute is described. The image acquisition and processing technique provide not only residual deformations but also the cyclic component of deformation. In order to verify the performance of the developed system a dynamic centrifuge test was conducted where both the high frame rate image recording and displacement measurements were made. The results of this calibration test showed that the deformation of target markers derived from image analysis compared fairly well with that obtained from direct measurement by displacement transducers.