bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Stable Targets in High-Resolution Polarimetric SAR Data Stacks
Authors: Scheuchl B.
Published: June 2016

Polarimetric SAR data provide information about the scattering of the area observed. The availability of data stacks allows the identification of stable targets and subsequent scattering analysis with a high degree of confidence at full resolution. A novel approach to find and evaluate polarimetric persistent target is presented, that is an extension of well-established analysis methods for single scenes. The use of the Cloude-Pottier distributed target decomposition analysis applied on the temporal averages (as opposed to spatial averaging), combined with a Cameron point target analysis applied on each layer separately to select pixels only, provides an efficient scattering classification of polarimetric persistent point targets in the stack. This method can also be used to analyze targets identified through other means, albeit at a lower degree of confidence. The approach retains the full resolution of the data set, though temporal changes between acquisitions add additional complexity. Result interpretation is therefore performed under consideration of a set of boundary conditions. Results from the analysis of two polarimetric data stacks acquired by RADARSAT-2 are shown.
Physico-chemical and phytochemical evaluation of Aloe acutissima leaves
Authors: S.* Abdul Nasar , N. Narasegowda P.
Published: June 2016

Aloe acutissima is a fast growing shrub belonging to the family Xanthorrhoeaceae. This plant is a point of concern as it has profound importance in the field of pharmacology. The secondary metabolites obtained from this plant viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, quinines, glycosides, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, proteins, oils and free fatty acids serves as a medicinal tool to mankind. The study comprises of physico-chemical and phytochemical evaluation of leaves of Aloe acutissima by using standard methods. Physico-chemical parameters such as percentage of loss on drying (LOD), ash values, extractive values were determined. Phytochemical evaluation was carried out to detect the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, quinines, glycosides, terpenoids, phenols, couramins, acids, proteins, oils and free fatty acids in different extracts of Aloe acutissima leaf powder. Estimation of Phenols, Tannin, flavonoids, Alkaloids, steroids and ascorbic acid content of Aloe acutissima leaves were also carried out. Thus the present study revealing the physico-chemical data and phytochemical analysis of leaves of Aloe acutissima is useful for further studies of pharmacological parameters which is helpful for the future at large.
Influence of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress on survival rate of early chick embryo development
Authors: Jadhav* Jaywant Tanaji , Kengar Suryakant
Published: June 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced oxidative stress influences embryonic growth and development. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a major source of ROS generation that induces oxidative stress by altering redox status. In present study, direct effect of H2O2 generated oxidative stress on survival rate and associated toxicity in chick embryo was studied during early development. Chick embryos at 96 hrs of incubation were treated with single doses of 2.5μg, 5.0μg, 10μg, 50μg, 100μg, 300μg and 500μg H2O2 concentrations per embryo. The toxic effects recorded after 144 hrs of development. The results showed that treatments of 2.5 and 5.0μg H2O2 doses did not affect survival rate and embryo development. 10μg and 50μg H2O2 doses treatment exhibited slightly reduced survival rate without affecting normal morphology. Administration of 100 and 300μg H2O2 doses caused predominant decrease in the survival rate in comparison with the normal and PBS treated control embryos with deformities such as growth retardation, defected brain, limbs and vascular development with hemorrhage. Treatment of 500μg H2O2 exhibited no survival of embryos. These results indicated that post-omphalomesentric stages of early chick embryos are more susceptible to elevated level of H2O2 induced oxidative stress leading to significant reduction in survival rate with associated deformities. These results are discussed with probable reasons.
Response surface modeling and optimization of lead uptake from aqueous solution by porous graphitic carbon synthesized from Egyptian bituminous coal
Authors: Mohamed Essam A. , Zayed Ahmed M. , Selim Ali Q. , Ibrahim Suzan S. , Seliem* Moaaz K.
Published: June 2016

El Maghara bituminous coal, collected from northern Sinai, Egypt, was used as a precursor material in the synthesis of porous graphitic carbon by chemical and thermal treatment. The activation process was carried out using phosphoric acid followed by thermal treatment at 800ºC in an electric muffle furnace for 1h. The raw coal and the synthetic porous carbon were characterized by polarized light microscope (PLM), XRD, SEM and FTIR. Experiments were conducted based on a central composite rotatable statistical design (CCRD) and analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). The sorption process was investigated as a function of four independent parameters, initial solution pH (2–7), initial lead concentration (50–150 mg/l), contact time (30-240 min) and porous carbon dose (0.1–0.5 g). According to the F-values, the second order polynomial model was found to be highly significant for lead uptake with only a 0.01% noise. Also, the matching between the actual and the predicted results (R2 > 0.98) reflects the suitability of the design to represent the sorption process. The experimental optimum conditions for the uptake of lead by the porous carbon at pH 4 were found to be120 min, 50 mg/L, 0.3 g for contact time, initial concentration and adsorbent mass, respectively. By studying the effect of the selected parameters and the interaction between them, the applied model can enhance the adsorbed amount of lead (qe) and the removal efficiency (%) through a series of suggested solutions.
Predicting Diet Quality of White-Tailed Deer via NIRS Fecal Profiling
Authors: Showers Scott E. , Tolleson Douglas R. , Stuth Jerry W. ,   Society for Range Management
Published: June 2016

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) of feces for the prediction of diet quality in several species of livestock and wildlife has been reported. The technique has not been reported in deer. This study was conducted to determine the ability of fecal NIRS to determine dietary crude protein (CP), digestible organic matter (DOM), and phosphorus (P) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Seventy-six diet reference chemistry:fecal spectrum (D:F) pairs were created ranging from 6.00 to 18.95% CP, 26.64 to 76.08% DOM, and 0.08 to 0.48% P. Calibration results (R2 and SE cross validation) were: 0.95 and 1.17, 0.88 and 3.62, 0.83 and 0.04 for CP, DOM, and P, respectively. These equations were used to predict a validation D:F set (n = 11). Results (R2 and SE prediction) were: 0.79 and 1.53, 0.49 and 5.46, 0.67 and 0.03 for CP, DOM, and P, respectively. These two D:F sets were combined and calibrations reformulated. Results (R2 and SE cross validation) were: 0.84 and 1.40, 0.89 and 3.55, 0.83 and 0.04 for CP, DOM, and P, respectively. These combined calibrations were used to predict diet quality characteristics using 11 fecal samples from wild deer. The diet quality characteristics were compared to NDVI greenness values for the study area in winter, spring and summer. High correlation (R2 > 0.7) between fecal NIRS predicted diet quality and NDVI greenness was observed with the exception of P in summer (R2 = 0.25). Fecal NIRS can be used to determine diet quality in white-tailed deer and thus become another tool to evaluate habitat suitability.
Letter to the Editor
Authors: Smith Lamar ,   Society for Range
                        Management
Published: June 2016

Letter to the editor includes Dr Uresk's Response.
Cross-Sectional Examination of Patient and Therapist Factors Affecting Participation in Physical Therapy in Acute Care Hospital Settings
Authors: Young Daniel L. , Moonie Sheniz , Bungum Tim
Published: June 2016

Background

Research has demonstrated benefits of early and continued physical therapy for patients in acute care hospitals. Despite known benefits, scheduled sessions do not always result in treatment. Reported percentages for nontreatment are 15% to 25%. Understanding when and why nontreatment occurs is fundamental to future interventions to reduce it and provide patients with needed services.

Objective

The study objective was to describe nontreatment and the extent to which attributes of the patient, physical therapist, and environment affect its occurrence at a suburban community hospital.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Medical records for 1,252 patients who were scheduled for 6,246 physical therapy sessions were reviewed. Therapist demographics were collected via a questionnaire.

Results

Therapist sexes were equally represented, and most therapists were nonwhite and worked full time at the hospital. The nontreatment percentage for individual therapists ranged from 5.4% to 23.2%. This percentage was 1.3% for the first scheduled session but nearly 20% for the remaining sessions. In more than 30% of nontreatment events, the specific therapist attempting treatment was not identified. Patients were much less likely to experience nontreatment if they were scheduled for therapy on a Tuesday or if they were in the hospital for a musculoskeletal condition. Sunday had a particularly high percentage of nontreatment.

Limitations

The participants were recruited from a single hospital. The specific therapist associated with nontreatment events was not always known.

Conclusions

Hospital and rehabilitation department policies and culture for weekend therapy staffing should be evaluated in light of the high percentage of nontreatment on Sunday. The impact of patient diagnosis on nontreatment must be evaluated further and may reflect hospital culture. Future research efforts should be designed to obtain data on the assigned therapist for all instances of nontreatment.
Mathematics Content Coverage and Student Learning in Kindergarten
Authors: Engel Mimi , Claessens Amy , Watts Tyler , Farkas George
Published: June 2016

Analyzing data from two nationally representative kindergarten cohorts, we examine the mathematics content teachers cover in kindergarten. We expand upon prior research, finding that kindergarten teachers report emphasizing basic mathematics content. Although teachers reported increased coverage of advanced content between the 1998–1999 and 2010–2011 school years, they continued to place more emphasis on basic content. We find that time on advanced content is positively associated with student learning, whereas time on basic content has a negative association with learning. We argue that increased exposure to more advanced mathematics content could benefit the vast majority of kindergartners.
Fracture behavior of various welded steels
Authors: Ozdemir Tevfik Ertugrul , Cetinel Hakan , Uyulgan Bahadir
Published: June 2016

In this study, P295GH (17Mn4) pressure vessel steel and AISI 304 stainless steel were joined by using ER 309L electrodes. Welded specimens were fatigued by four point bending experiments. Cracks occurred on the stainless steel side of the weldment during the fatigue tests. Finite element (FE) analyses were conducted by fixing 2-D precracked model for welded 17Mn4 pressure vessel steel and AISI 304 stainless steel by using ER 309L electrodes. True stress and true strain values of the AISI 304, 17Mn4 steels and ER 309L electrodes were determined by tensile tests. Stress analyses were conducted after entering the linear and nonlinear properties of the materials into software manually. Eventually, fracture mechanics analyses were conducted for the model, and J integral fracture toughness values of the crack on the weldment were calculated.
Abrasion wear behavior of a forged and unforged Fe-B alloy
Authors: Ma Sude , Zhang Jianjun , Ma Shengqiang
Published: June 2016

Fe-B alloys exhibit continuous networks of eutectic borides, which destroy the continuity of matrix and result in the brittleness of the material. In order to improve its toughness, Fe-B alloy was treated by hot forging process in this study. Three-body abrasion wear behaviors of forged and unforged Fe-B alloy under three different abrasive (SiC, garnet and quartz sand) and applied load conditions were studied. Wear mechanisms were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 3D laser scanning microscope (LSM). The result shows that under three-body abrasion condition, Fe-B alloy exhibits excellent wear resistance. The wear resistance of forged samples is higher than that of unforged samples on the three different kinds of abrasive. A correlation between the hardness of the abrasive, movement patterns of abrasive particles and applied load was found. The movement patterns of quartz sand are sliding between the contacting surfaces under the load of 3 kg. In the wear process of Fe-B alloy, sliding/cutting is the dominant removal mechanism in the case of quartz sand abrasive and rolling is the dominant removal mechanism in the case of garnet abrasive during three-body abrasion under the load of 3 kg. When Fe-B alloys are tested under the load of 1, 3 and 5 kg, it is found that load can change the movement patterns of abrasive particles. With increasing load, the movement patterns of abrasive particles are changed from rolling to sliding mechanism. Our investigations reveal that the three-body abrasive wear mechanism of forged and unforged Fe-B alloy depends on material/abrasive hardness ratio and applied load.
Environmental Migration as Planned Livelihood Among the Rebaris of Western Rajasthan, India
Authors: Singh Vipul
Published: June 2016

The Rebaris are a traditional pastoral community in the semi-arid zone of western Rajasthan. Historically, the Rebaris have adapted to local scarcity through migration. These “environmental migrants” cover hundreds and even thousands of miles each year to feed their sheep, goats, and camels. They migrate in large groups, with each camp consisting of adults, children, and hundreds of animals. Unlike other pastoral groups throughout the world who have gradually become more sedentary, the Rebaris continue to migrate with their flocks of sheep in order to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. Despite the arid conditions and unpredictable grazing resources in western Rajasthan, herd populations have increased. In recent years, the Rebaris have expanded their range, migrating to more distant regions such as Haryana, the Punjab, and even Andhra Pradesh, almost 1,000 miles from Rajasthan. On occasion they have remained away from their homes for the entire year. This paper argues that a broader view of environmental migration is needed in order to understand the relationship between increasing herd sizes and shrinking grazing resources. My research suggests that environmental migration in western Rajasthan, once viewed as a response to drought and famine, has also developed into a planned livelihood strategy.
The Desert and the Garden: Climate as Attractor and Obstacle in the Settlement History of the Western United States
Authors: Culver Lawrence
Published: June 2016

This article examines climate and perceptions of climate as factors in the migration and settlement history of the western United States. It focuses on two regions of great interest in the nineteenth century. One, the so-called Great American Desert, in the western Great Plains, seemed a potential obstacle to settlement. The other, the Mexican state of Alta California, which after 1848 became the US state of California, proved a definite attraction to settlers. By the late nineteenth century, both regions were attracting migrants. One, however, would experience climatic disasters that discouraged settlement, while the other would continue to grow, encouraging an even larger migration after 1945 to the southernmost tier of US states, from Florida to California, a region that became known as the Sunbelt. The Sunbelt drew migrants from the US Northeast and Midwest in part because of its warmer climate. By examining these regions, and the climatic migrations they spurred, this article illustrates how perceptions of climate changed in the US Climate was transformed from a problem into a commodity. For prospective migrants, climate, once a matter of profound concern, became a benign asset. Yet the Sunbelt region is subject to major climatic hazards, from droughts to hurricanes. By better understanding historical perceptions of climate, we can more clearly see how it could prove either an obstacle or an attraction for migration, and why people migrated to areas of environmental hazards, whether in the US or elsewhere.
The Vulnerability of Nations: Food Security in the Aftermath of World War II
Authors: Hamblin Jacob Darwin
Published: June 2016

The present essay focuses on the scientific approaches emerging from the war that attempted to identify key risks to food security. It shows how a number of scientists in the United States and Britain addressed the problem of human vulnerability in the immediate postwar years, prior to the implementation of the Marshall Plan. The goal of the essay is to highlight how wartime experiences informed notions of food security within international organizations for many decades to come. It encourages scholars to look beyond the East-West and to look in addition to the ways in which American attitudes stood in conflict with European (particularly British) ones in the immediate postwar years. Attitudes in the longlived organization, FAO, were deeply influenced by European attitudes, which in turn were fundamentally shaped by wartime experience, in ways that often stood in stark contrast with American views. We can see these differences in sharp relief when experts debated diet, crops, and the overall approach to managing global food insecurity in the long term.
World War II and the “Great Acceleration” of North Atlantic Fisheries
Authors: Holm Poul
Published: June 2016

World War II impacted both the marine and the terrestrial environment of the North Atlantic, triggered major political and economic decisions with profound cultural implications, and eventually induced a change in ocean management. The War helped develop technologies and state responses to immediate post-war market problems and impacted the Great Acceleration of fisheries between 1945 and 1975. During the war, fisheries were closed completely only in certain parts of the most fished waters, such as the central North Sea and the English Channel. Even in the most affected Northern European waters some fishing continued throughout the war. Fishing was carried on in the waters off Iceland and the Arctic, but extractions were much reduced. Previously unfished stocks in the Baltic were targeted for the first time ever. The effect of the closure of certain fisheries was an overall increase of survival rates of marine animals. Technological advances made during the War increased the fishing efficiency of vessels when the technology was put to commercial use soon after the War. The immediate benefit of better catch-per-unit effort after the War was concealed by the slump in the international fish market. The wartime ‘dividend’ of marine resources was largely spent by the mid-1950s in the North Sea and by 1960 in the wider North Atlantic. The war disrupted market allegiances, effectively ended old fishing patterns and introduced a forced modernisation in the High North. Among North Sea countries, Denmark in particular responded to the disruption of the market for fresh fish by introducing reduction fishery, which led to severe environmental stress and eventually a collapse of the North Sea herring stock. Before WWII, the oceans had largely been regulated according to the international law of open access to all ocean resources. North Sea countries resumed negotiations over fishing rights after 1945, expecting to revert to old principles. However, U.S. President Harry Truman’s declaration against Japan came to impact fishing negotiations in the North Atlantic and changed post-war fishing management forever.
Possibility of Inferring Water Quality using DC Electrical Resistivity Measurements : A Case Study of the Dupi Tila Aquifer in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Delwar
Published: June 2016

A method of determining some parameters of water quality, namely calcium and hardness concentrations in the Dupi Tila sand aquifer in Bangladesh using vertical electrical sounding (VES) measurements is presented. The study site comprises an elevated land of the Madhupur Tract representing the Madhupur Clay Formation of the Pleistocene age. Using the relationships between formation water resistivity (Rw) and calcium and hardness concentrations have allowed to relate the latter to formation resistivity (Ro) as functions of porosity (?). The VES derived water quality parameter values seem to differ to some extent from that obtained from laboratory analysis. Provided VES data interpretation is well constrained, it can be a tool that might give some hints of the quality of water. The assumptions to be made to infer water quality from geoelectric sections are presented.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 40, No. 1, 1-10, 2016
Prevalence of Fungi in Different Varieties of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Seeds in Storage
Authors: Shamsi Shamim , Khatun Amina
Published: June 2016

A total of nine species of fungi were found to be associated with seeds of nine varieties of chickpea. The isolated fungi were Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, Curvularia lunata, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus stolonifer and Trichoderma viride. Association of fungi with chickpea seeds was recorded three times, within a week after harvest, after two and five months of storage. The fungal association varied with duration of storage period. Species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Rhizopus become predominating fungi with increase of the storage period. The fungal association with seeds of chickpea also affects germination, seedling mortality and seedling height. Germination of BARI chola 6 and 7 were completely inhibited due to prevalence of Rhizopus stolonifer in the seeds examined within seven days of harvest. The total fungal infection in chickpea seeds was highest in BARI chola 8 (168) and lowest in BARI chola 1 (65).Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 40, No. 1, 37-44, 2016
Magnetic Actuator with Multiple Vibration Components Arranged at Eccentric Positions for Use in Complex Piping
Authors: Yaguchi Hiroyuki , Kamata Kazushige , Sugawara Hiroshi
Published: June 2016

This paper proposes a magnetic actuator using multiple vibration components to perform locomotion in a complex pipe with a 25 mm inner diameter. Due to the desire to increase the turning moment in a T-junction pipe, two vibration components were attached off-center to an acrylic plate with an eccentricity of 2 mm. The experimental results show that the magnetic actuator was able to move at 40.6 mm/s while pulling a load mass of 20 g in a pipe with an inner diameter of 25 mm. In addition, this magnetic actuator was able to move stably in U-junction and T-junction pipes. If a micro-camera is implemented in the future, the inspection of small complex pipes can be enabled. The possibility of inspection in pipes with a 25 mm inner diameter was shown by equipping the pipe with a micro-camera.
Sulfate Aerosols from Non-Explosive Volcanoes: Chemical-Radiative Effects in the Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere
Authors: Pitari Giovanni , Visioni Daniele , Mancini Eva , Cionni Irene , Di Genova Glauco , Gandolfi Ilaria
Published: June 2016

SO2 and H2S are the two most important gas-phase sulfur species emitted by volcanoes, with a global amount from non-explosive emissions of the order 10 Tg-S/yr. These gases are readily oxidized forming SO42− aerosols, which effectively scatter the incoming solar radiation and cool the surface. They also perturb atmospheric chemistry by enhancing the NOx to HNO3 heterogeneous conversion via hydrolysis on the aerosol surface of N2O5 and Br-Cl nitrates. This reduces formation of tropospheric O3 and the OH to HO2 ratio, thus limiting the oxidation of CH4 and increasing its lifetime. In addition to this tropospheric chemistry perturbation, there is also an impact on the NOx heterogeneous chemistry in the lower stratosphere, due to vertical transport of volcanic SO2 up to the tropical tropopause layer. Furthermore, the stratospheric O3 formation and loss, as well as the NOx budget, may be slightly affected by the additional amount of upward diffused solar radiation and consequent increase of photolysis rates. Two multi-decadal time-slice runs of a climate-chemistry-aerosol model have been designed for studying these chemical-radiative effects. A tropopause mean global net radiative flux change (RF) of −0.23 W·m−2 is calculated (including direct and indirect aerosol effects) with a 14% increase of the global mean sulfate aerosol optical depth. A 5–15 ppt NOx decrease is found in the mid-troposphere subtropics and mid-latitudes and also from pole to pole in the lower stratosphere. The tropospheric NOx perturbation triggers a column O3 decrease of 0.5–1.5 DU and a 1.1% increase of the CH4 lifetime. The surface cooling induced by solar radiation scattering by the volcanic aerosols induces a tropospheric stabilization with reduced updraft velocities that produce ice supersaturation conditions in the upper troposphere. A global mean 0.9% decrease of the cirrus ice optical depth is calculated with an indirect RF of −0.08 W·m−2.
Networked Social Enterprises: A New Model of Community Schooling for Disadvantaged Neighborhoods Facing Challenging Times
Authors: Kerr Kirstin , Dyson Alan
Published: June 2016

Community schools have long been accepted as an institutional mechanism for intervening in the relationship between poverty, poor educational outcomes, and limited life chances. At a time when public services are being retracted, and disadvantaged places are being increasingly left to struggle, community schools are poised to become more important in offering a response to the needs of children, families, and communities in these places. Yet, despite their apparent promise, community schools remain badly under-conceptualized. As an international field, research on community schooling has rarely articulated or questioned how—by providing additional learning and leisure opportunities and personal and social supports—community schools might create a viable intervention in the relationship between poverty and poor outcomes. This paper explicitly addresses this significant challenge. Conceptualizing empirical findings emerging from a research-practice partnership, it identifies the core features of a new institutional design for community schools which can help to clarify their potential contribution to addressing disadvantage. Marking a considerable shift from a traditional design of simply adding new services to the school day, it argues that community schools will need to operate as social enterprises with networked governance arrangements, and to develop strategies which engage with children’s social ecologies, and are risk-reducing and resilience-building within these. This, in turn, sets a new agenda for significantly advancing the field of community schooling by further defining—conceptually and empirically—the core elements of a new institutional design as identified here.
A Review of CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery with a Simulated Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Perera Mandadige , Gamage Ranjith , Rathnaweera Tharaka , Ranathunga Ashani , Koay Andrew , Choi Xavier
Published: June 2016

This paper reports on a comprehensive study of the CO2-EOR (Enhanced oil recovery) process, a detailed literature review and a numerical modelling study. According to past studies, CO2 injection can recover additional oil from reservoirs by reservoir pressure increment, oil swelling, the reduction of oil viscosity and density and the vaporization of oil hydrocarbons. Therefore, CO2-EOR can be used to enhance the two major oil recovery mechanisms in the field: miscible and immiscible oil recovery, which can be further increased by increasing the amount of CO2 injected, applying innovative flood design and well placement, improving the mobility ratio, extending miscibility, and controlling reservoir depth and temperature. A 3-D numerical model was developed using the CO2-Prophet simulator to examine the effective factors in the CO2-EOR process. According to that, in pure CO2 injection, oil production generally exhibits increasing trends with increasing CO2 injection rate and volume (in HCPV (Hydrocarbon pore volume)) and reservoir temperature. In the WAG (Water alternating gas) process, oil production generally increases with increasing CO2 and water injection rates, the total amount of flood injected in HCPV and the distance between the injection wells, and reduces with WAG flood ratio and initial reservoir pressure. Compared to other factors, the water injection rate creates the minimum influence on oil production, and the CO2 injection rate, flood volume and distance between the flood wells have almost equally important influence on oil production.
Cost Engineering Techniques and Their Applicability for Cost Estimation of Organic Rankine Cycle Systems
Authors: Lemmens Sanne
Published: June 2016

The potential of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems is acknowledged by both considerable research and development efforts and an increasing number of applications. Most research aims at improving ORC systems through technical performance optimization of various cycle architectures and working fluids. The assessment and optimization of technical feasibility is at the core of ORC development. Nonetheless, economic feasibility is often decisive when it comes down to considering practical instalments, and therefore an increasing number of publications include an estimate of the costs of the designed ORC system. Various methods are used to estimate ORC costs but the resulting values are rarely discussed with respect to accuracy and validity. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into the methods used to estimate these costs and open the discussion about the interpretation of these results. A review of cost engineering practices shows there has been a long tradition of industrial cost estimation. Several techniques have been developed, but the expected accuracy range of the best techniques used in research varies between 10% and 30%. The quality of the estimates could be improved by establishing up-to-date correlations for the ORC industry in particular. Secondly, the rapidly growing ORC cost literature is briefly reviewed. A graph summarizing the estimated ORC investment costs displays a pattern of decreasing costs for increasing power output. Knowledge on the actual costs of real ORC modules and projects remains scarce. Finally, the investment costs of a known heat recovery ORC system are discussed and the methodologies and accuracies of several approaches are demonstrated using this case as benchmark. The best results are obtained with factorial estimation techniques such as the module costing technique, but the accuracies may diverge by up to +30%. Development of correlations and multiplication factors for ORC technology in particular is likely to improve the quality of the estimates.
Dicyanovinyl and Cyano-Ester Benzoindolenine Squaraine Dyes: The Effect of the Central Functionalization on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Galliano Simone , Novelli Vittoria , Barbero Nadia , Smarra Alessandra , Viscardi Guido , Borrelli Raffaele , Sauvage Frédéric , Barolo Claudia
Published: June 2016

In order to achieve a greater light absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region with a panchromatic spectral response and to suppress the photo-isomerisation phenomenon, we herein report the design, synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of novel centrally functionalized symmetric benzoindolenine squaraine dyes. These molecules have shown different photoelectrical conversion properties, depending on the dicyanovinyl and cyano-ester group substitution on the squaric core unit and on the extension of the π-conjugation.
A Linear Programming Model to Biophysically Assess Some Ecosystem Service Synergies and Trade-Offs in Two Irish Landscapes
Authors: Corrigan Edwin , Nieuwenhuis Maarten
Published: June 2016

Ecosystem service provisions are becoming more frequently used to assess land-use related conflicts in recent decades. This study investigates the current spatial and research information available to quantify ecosystem services relative to forest land-use planning in Ireland. A model is developed using the linear-programming method in Remsoft’s Woodstock platform. This model is applied to two case study areas in Ireland: Western Peatlands and Newmarket. Each case study area was chosen to assess a unique issue in the Irish and European context on the provision of ecosystem services. Western Peatlands was chosen to assess the effects of forest and alternative land-use options and Newmarket was chosen to investigate the effect of afforestation. The synergies and trade-offs of biophysically optimising the provisions of each ecosystem service are presented and discussed. The study quantitatively determines that trade-offs among provisions of some ecosystem services are required when optimising an ecosystem service while other ecosystem services are synergistic when the provision of a single ecosystem service is optimised.
Application of Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts to Wine-Making Process
Authors: Mateo José , Maicas Sergi
Published: June 2016

Winemaking is a complex process involving the interaction of different microbes. The two main groups of microorganisms involved are yeasts and bacteria. Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are present on the grape surface and also on the cellar. Although these yeasts can produce spoilage, these microorganisms could also possess many interesting technological properties which could be exploited in food processing. It has been shown that some of the metabolites that these yeasts produce may be beneficial and contribute to the complexity of the wine and secrete enzymes providing interesting wine organoleptic characteristics. On the other hand, non-Saccharomyces yeasts are the key to obtain wines with reduced ethanol content. Among secreted enzymes, β-glucosidase activity is involved in the release of terpenes to wine, thus contributing to varietal aroma while β-xylosidase enzyme is also interesting in industry due to its involvement in the degradation of hemicellulose by hydrolyzing its main heteroglycan (xylan).
Food Safety: Recommendations for Determining Doneness in Consumer Egg Dish Recipes and Measurement of Endpoint Temperatures When Recipes Are Followed
Authors: Godwin Sandria , Maughan Curtis , Chambers Edgar
Published: June 2016

Many consumers do not follow recommended food safety practices for cooking egg dishes, such as pies, quiches, and casseroles, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses such as Salmonellosis. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking egg mixtures until the center reaches 71 °C (160 °F). The objectives of this study were to determine what endpoint temperature information consumers receive from egg dish recipes, and if recipes would lead to safe temperatures when followed. Egg dish recipes (n = 226) from 65 websites, 50 cookbooks, and nine magazine titles (multiple issues of each) were analyzed. Time was the most frequently used indicator, given in 92% of the recipes, with 15% using only time. Other indicators included: set (89), browned (76), clean toothpick/knife (60), puffed (27), and jiggled (13). Only two recipes indicated final endpoint temperatures. Three recipes (a pie, a quiche, and an egg casserole) were chosen and prepared in triplicate to see if they would reach recommended temperatures. The pie and quiche were still liquid at 71 °C, and were well over the recommended temperature when cooked according to instructions, but the egg casserole was not consistently above 71 °C, when the recipe instructions indicated it was done and the center was light brown and “jiggled” This research indicates that consumers are not receiving information on endpoint temperatures in egg recipes, but the likelihood of foodborne illness is low since most dishes probably be cooked past the recommended temperature before the consumer considers them done unless there are many inclusions that may absorb liquid and reduce the appearance of liquid in the dish.
Comparison of Effect of Two-Hour Exposure to Forest and Urban Environments on Cytokine, Anti-Oxidant, and Stress Levels in Young Adults
Authors: Im Su , Choi Han , Jeon Yo-Han , Song Min-Kyu , Kim Won , Woo Jong-Min
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two-hour exposure to a forest environment on cytokine, anti-oxidant and stress levels among university students and to compare the results to those measured in urban environments. Forty-one subjects were recruited. For our crossover design, subjects were divided into two groups based on similar demographic characteristics. Group A remained in the urban environment and was asked to perform regular breathing for 2 h. Blood samples were collected and the serum levels of cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were examined. Subjects were moved to a small town in a rural area for an equal amount of time to exclude carryover effects, and then remained for another 2 h in a forest environment. The second set of blood samples was collected to assess the effect of exposure to the forest environment. Using the same method, Group B was first exposed to the forest environment, followed by exposure to the urban environment. Blood samples collected after the subjects were exposed to the forest environment showed significantly lower levels of IL-8 and TNF-α compared to those in samples collected after urban environment exposure (10.76 vs. 9.21, t = 4.559, p < 0.001, and 0.97 vs. 0.87, t = 4.130, p < 0.001). The GPx concentration increased significantly after exposure to the forest environment (LnGPx = 5.09 vs. LnGPx = 5.21, t = −2.039, p < 0.05).
Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects of Polyphenols from Sugar Beet Molasses on Colon Carcinoma Cells in Vitro
Authors: Chen Mingshun , Zhao Zhengang , Yu Shujuan
Published: June 2016

Three polyphenols were isolated and purified from sugar beet molasses by ultrasonic-aid extraction and various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. Cytotoxicity and the molecular mechanism were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, caspase-3 activity assay and Western blot assay. The results showed that gallic acid, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride and epicatechin have cytotoxicity to the human colon, hepatocellular and breast cancer cells. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride showed its cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines, particularly against colon cancer Caco-2 cells with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 23.21 ± 0.14 μg/mL in vitro. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride may be a potential candidate for the treatment of colon cancer. In the mechanism study, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride increased the ratio of cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and reduced cyclin D1 expression on Caco-2 cells. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride decreased mutant p21 expression, and increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the activation of caspase-3 to induce apoptosis.
Standard Compliant Hazard and Threat Analysis for the Automotive Domain
Authors: Beckers Kristian , Dürrwang Jürgen , Holling Dominik
Published: June 2016

The automotive industry has successfully collaborated to release the ISO 26262 standard for developing safe software for cars. The standard describes in detail how to conduct hazard analysis and risk assessments to determine the necessary safety measures for each feature. However, the standard does not concern threat analysis for malicious attackers or how to select appropriate security countermeasures. We propose the application of ISO 27001 for this purpose and show how it can be applied together with ISO 26262. We show how ISO 26262 documentation can be re-used and enhanced to satisfy the analysis and documentation demands of the ISO 27001 standard. We illustrate our approach based on an electronic steering column lock system.
The Impact of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Arterial Stiffness and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Angina Pectoris
Authors: Zagidullin Naufal , Scherbakova Elena , Safina Yuliana , Zulkarneev Rustem , Zagidullin Shamil
Published: June 2016

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is the set of ischemia episodes that protects against subsequent periods of prolonged ischemia through the cascade of adaptive responses; however, the mechanisms of RIPC are not entirely clear. Here, we aimed to study the impact of RIPC in patients with stable angina pectoris and compare it with healthy individuals with respect to arterial stiffness and heart rate variability. In the randomized, sham-controlled, crossover blind design study, a group of 30 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients (63.9 ± 1.6 years) with stable angina pectoris NYHA II-III and a control group of 20 healthy individuals (58.2 ± 2.49) were both randomly allocated for remote RIPC or sham RIPC. Arterial stiffness, pulse wave velocity (Spygmacor, Australia), and heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded before and after the procedure followed by the crossover examination. In the group of healthy individuals, RIPC showed virtually no impact on the cardiovascular parameters, while, in the CHD group, the systolic and central systolic blood pressure, central pulse pressure, and augmentation decreased, and total power of HRV improved. We conclude that ischemic preconditioning reduces not only systolic blood pressure, but also reduces central systolic blood pressure and improves arterial compliance and heart rate modulation reserve, which may be associated with the antianginal effect of preconditioning.
Physical Activity for Health—An Overview and an Update of the Physical Activity Guidelines of the Italian Ministry of Health
Authors: Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

Physical activity for health is the topic chosen for the third editorial of this newly launched journal. The aim of this editorial is to illustrate and comment on the physical activity guidelines of the Italian Ministry of Health.
Incorporation of Rutin in Electrospun Pullulan/PVA Nanofibers for Novel UV-Resistant Properties
Authors: Qian Yongfang , Qi Mengjie , Zheng Laijiu , King Martin , Lv Lihua , Ye Fang
Published: June 2016

This study aimed to investigate the incorporation of rutin into electrospun pullulan and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers to obtain ultraviolet (UV)-resistant properties. The effect of weight ratios between pullulan and PVA, and the addition of rutin on the nanofibers’ morphology and diameters were studied and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was utilized to investigate the interaction between pullulan and PVA, as well as with rutin. The results showed that the inclusion of PVA results in the increase in the fiber’s diameter. The addition of rutin had no obvious effect on the fibers’ average diameters when the content of rutin was less than 7.41%. FTIR results indicated that a hydrogen bond formed between pullulan and PVA, also between these polymers and rutin. Moreover, the addition of rutin could enhance the mechanical properties due to its stiff structure and could decrease the transmittance of UVA and UVB to be fewer than 5%; meanwhile, the value of ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) reached more than 40 and 50 when the content of rutin was 4.46% and 5.67%, respectively. Therefore, the electrospun pullulan/PVA/rutin nanofibrous mats showed excellent UV resistance and have potential applications in anti-ultraviolet packaging and dressing materials.
Characterization of Aluminum-Based-Surface Matrix Composites with Iron and Iron Oxide Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing
Authors: Mahmoud Essam , Tash Mahmoud
Published: June 2016

Surface composite layers were successfully fabricated on an A 1050-H24 aluminum plate by dispersed iron (Fe) and magnetite (Fe3O4) particles through friction stir processing (FSP). Fe and Fe3O4 powders were packed into a groove of 3 mm in width and 1.5 mm in depth, cut on the aluminum plate, and covered with an aluminum sheet that was 2-mm thick. A friction stir processing (FSP) tool of square probe shape, rotated at a rate of 1000–2000 rpm, was plunged into the plate through the cover sheet and the groove, and moved along the groove at a travelling speed of 1.66 mm/s. Double and triple passes were applied. As a result, it is found that the Fe particles were homogenously distributed in the whole nugget zone at a rotation speed of 1000 rpm after triple FSP passes. Limited interfacial reactions occurred between the Fe particles and the aluminum matrix. On the other hand, the lower rotation speed (1000 rpm) was not enough to form a sound nugget when the dispersed particles were changed to the larger Fe3O4. The Fe3O4 particles were dispersed homogenously in a sound nugget zone when the rotation speed was increased to 1500 rpm. No reaction products could be detected between the Fe3O4 particles and the aluminum matrix. The saturation magnetization (Ms) of the Fe-dispersed nugget zone was higher than that of the Fe3O4-dispersed nugget zone. Moreover, there were good agreement between the obtained saturation magnetization values relative to that of pure Fe and Fe3O4 materials and the volume content of the dispersed particles in the nugget zone.
The Effect of High Concentration and Small Size of Nanodiamonds on the Strength of Interface and Fracture Properties in Epoxy Nanocomposite
Authors: Haleem Yasir , Song Pin , Liu Daobin , Wang Changda , Gan Wei , Saleem Muhammad , Song Li
Published: June 2016

The concentration and small size of nanodiamonds (NDs) plays a crucial role in the mechanical performance of epoxy-based nanocomposites by modifying the interface strength. Herein, we systemically analyzed the relation between the high concentration and small size of ND and the fracture properties of its epoxy-based nanocomposites. It was observed that there is a two-fold increase in fracture toughness and a three-fold increase in fracture energy. Rationally, functionalized-NDs (F-NDs) showed a much better performance for the nanocomposite than pristine NDs (P-NDs) because of additional functional groups on its surface. The F-ND/epoxy nanocomposites exhibited rougher surface in contrast with the P-ND/epoxy, indicating the presence of a strong interface. We found that the interfaces in F-ND/epoxy nanocomposites at high concentrations of NDs overlap by making a web, which can efficiently hinder further crack propagation. In addition, the de-bonding in P-ND/epoxy nanocomposites occurred at the interface with the appearance of plastic voids or semi-naked particles, whereas the de-bonding for F-ND/epoxy nanocomposites happened within the epoxy molecular network instead of the interface. Because of the strong interface in F-ND/epoxy nanocomposites, at high concentrations the de-bonding within the epoxy molecular network may lead to subsequent cracks, parallel to the parent crack, via crack splitting which results in a fiber-like structure on the fracture surface. The plastic void growth, crack deflection and subsequent crack growth were correlated to higher values of fracture toughness and fracture energy in F-ND/epoxy nanocomposites.