bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Symbiotic Organisms Search Algorithm for Parameter Extraction of Solar Cell Models
Authors: Xiong Guojiang , Zhang Jing , Yuan Xufeng , Shi Dongyuan , He Yu
Published: November 2018

Extracting accurate values for relevant unknown parameters of solar cell models is vital and necessary for performance analysis of a photovoltaic (PV) system. This paper presents an effective application of a young, yet efficient metaheuristic, named the symbiotic organisms search (SOS) algorithm, for the parameter extraction of solar cell models. SOS, inspired by the symbiotic interaction ways employed by organisms to improve their overall competitiveness in the ecosystem, possesses some noticeable merits such as being free from tuning algorithm-specific parameters, good equilibrium between exploration and exploitation, and being easy to implement. Three test cases including the single diode model, double diode model, and PV module model are served to validate the effectiveness of SOS. On one hand, the performance of SOS is evaluated by five state-of-the-art algorithms. On the other hand, it is also compared with some well-designed parameter extraction methods. Experimental results in terms of the final solution quality, convergence rate, robustness, and statistics fully indicate that SOS is very effective and competitive.
Design Considerations for Murine Retinal Imaging Using Scattering Angle Resolved Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Gardner Michael R. , Katta Nitesh , Rahman Ayesha S. , Rylander Henry G. , Milner Thomas E.
Published: November 2018

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), an optical imaging approach enabling cross-sectional analysis of turbid samples, is routinely used for retinal imaging in human and animal models of diseases affecting the retina. Scattering angle resolved (SAR-)OCT has previously been demonstrated as offering additional contrast in human studies, but no SAR-OCT system has been reported in detail for imaging the retinas of mice. An optical model of a mouse eye was designed and extended for validity at wavelengths of light around 1310 nm; this model was then utilized to develop a SAR-OCT design for murine retinal imaging. A Monte Carlo technique simulates light scattering from the retina, and the simulation results are confirmed with SAR-OCT images. Various images from the SAR-OCT system are presented and utility of the system is described. SAR-OCT is demonstrated as a viable and robust imaging platform to extend utility of retinal OCT imaging by incorporating scattering data into investigative ophthalmologic analysis.
Planning of Partially Accelerated Degradation Test with Two Stress Variables for Practical Lifetime Estimation
Authors: Kim Sung Kyu , Lim Heonsang , Sung Si-Il , Kim Yong Soo
Published: November 2018

The reliability information for novel products and specimens available for various tests is limited during the development stage. In many real cases, the results of general tests under use and the maximum stress levels for checking performance and design are not utilized to obtain reliability information. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a practical partially accelerated degradation test (PADT) plans with two stress variables using a two-phase strategy. In addition, a sample scenario is introduced to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed procedure. In the first phase, the ratios of the specimens used and the maximum stress levels for each variable are determined to estimate the parameters of an accelerated model based on the D-optimality criteria. To estimate the lifetime information and check the curvature effects of the accelerated model, practical PADT plans are developed in the second phase with three stress levels for each variable, which are based on the compromise concept. In this phase, the ratios for all test points and the middle-stress levels for two variables are determined. This information is used to minimize the asymptotic variance of the maximum likelihood estimator for the q-th quantile of the lifetime distribution under the use conditions. Thus, more accurate lifetime information and model validity can be obtained when using practical PADT plans. Finally, the statistical efficiency of the proposed test plan is demonstrated in a sample scenario.
Stability Prediction Model of Roadway Surrounding Rock Based on Concept Lattice Reduction and a Symmetric Alpha Stable Distribution Probability Neural Network
Authors: Liu Yang , Ye Yicheng , Wang Qihu , Liu Xiaoyun
Published: November 2018

To combat the uncertainty of the multiple factors affecting roadway surrounding rock stability, five initial indexes are selected for reduction according to concept lattice theory: rock quality designation (RQD), uniaxial compressive strength (Rc), the integrity coefficient of rock mass, groundwater seepage, and joint condition. The aim of this study is to compute correlation coefficients among various indexes and verify the effectiveness of lattice reduction. Alpha stable distribution is used to replace the commonly used Gauss distribution in probabilistic neural networks. A prediction model for the stability of roadway surrounding rock is then established based on a concept lattice and improved probabilistic neural network. 100 groups of training sample data are plugged into this model one by one to examine its rationality. The established model is employed for engineering application prediction with ten indiscriminate sample groups from the Jianlinshan mining area of the Daye iron mine, revealing accuracy of up to 90%. This demonstrates that our prediction model based on a concept lattice and improved probabilistic neural network has high reliability and applicability.
An AWS Machine Learning-Based Indirect Monitoring Method for Deburring in Aerospace Industries Towards Industry 4.0
Authors: Caesarendra Wahyu , Pappachan Bobby K. , Wijaya Tomi , Lee Daryl , Tjahjowidodo Tegoeh , Then David , Manyar Omey M.
Published: November 2018

The number of studies on the Internet of Things (IoT) has grown significantly in the past decade and has been applied in various fields. The IoT term sounds like it is specifically for computer science but it has actually been widely applied in the engineering field, especially in industrial applications, e.g., manufacturing processes. The number of published papers in the IoT has also increased significantly, addressing various applications. A particular application of the IoT in these industries has brought in a new term, the so-called Industrial IoT (IIoT). This paper concisely reviews the IoT from the perspective of industrial applications, in particular, the major pillars in order to build an IoT application, i.e., architectural and cloud computing. This enabled readers to understand the concept of the IIoT and to identify the starting point. A case study of the Amazon Web Services Machine Learning (AML) platform for the chamfer length prediction of deburring processes is presented. An experimental setup of the deburring process and steps that must be taken to apply AML practically are also presented.
Aesthetics and Clarity in Information Visualization: The Designer’s Perspective
Authors: Quispel Annemarie , Maes Alfons , Schilperoord Joost
Published: November 2018

Designers are increasingly involved in creating ‘popular’ data visualizations in mass media. Scientists in the field of information visualization propose collaborations between designers and scientists in popular data visualization. They assume that designers put more emphasis on aesthetics than on clarity in their representation of data, and that they aim to convey subjective, rather than objective, information. We investigated designers’ criteria for good design for a broad audience by interviewing professional designers and by reviewing information design handbooks. Additionally, we investigated what might make a visualization aesthetically pleasing (attractive) in the view of the designers. Results show that, according to the information designers, clarity and aesthetics are the main criteria, with clarity being the most important. They aim to objectively inform the public, rather than conveying personal opinions. Furthermore, although aesthetics is considered important, design literature hardly addresses the characteristics of aesthetics, and designers find it hard to define what makes a visualization attractive. The few statements found point at interesting directions for future research.
Dietary Nitrate from Beetroot Juice for Hypertension: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bonilla Ocampo Diego , Paipilla Andrés , Marín Estevan , Vargas-Molina Salvador , Petro Jorge , Pérez-Idárraga Alexandra
Published: November 2018

According to current therapeutic approaches, a nitrate-dietary supplementation with beetroot juice (BRJ) is postulated as a nutritional strategy that might help to control arterial blood pressure in healthy subjects, pre-hypertensive population, and even patients diagnosed and treated with drugs. In this sense, a systematic review of random clinical trials (RCTs) published from 2008 to 2018 from PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and manual searches was conducted to identify studies examining the relationship between BRJ and blood pressure. The specific inclusion criteria were: (1) RCTs; (2) trials that assessed only the BRJ intake with control group; and (3) trials that reported the effects of this intervention on blood pressure. The search identified 11 studies that met the inclusion criteria. This review was able to demonstrate that BRJ supplementation is a cost-effective strategy that might reduce blood pressure in different populations, probably through the nitrate/nitrite/nitric oxide (NO3−/NO2−/NO) pathway and secondary metabolites found in Beta vulgaris. This easily found and cheap dietary intervention could significantly decrease the risk of suffering cardiovascular events and, in doing so, would help to diminish the mortality rate associated to this pathology. Hence, BRJ supplementation should be promoted as a key component of a healthy lifestyle to control blood pressure in healthy and hypertensive individuals. However, several factors related to BRJ intake (e.g., gender, secondary metabolites present in B. vulgaris, etc.) should be studied more deeply.
Rituximab Therapy in Renal Amyloidosis Secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kilic Levent , Erden Abdulsamet , Sener Yusuf Ziya , Armagan Berkan , Sari Alper , Kalyoncu Umut , Karadag Omer , Akdogan Ali , Dogan Ismail , Apras Bilgen Sule , Kiraz Sedat , Ertenli Ihsan
Published: November 2018

Secondary amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a late and serious complication of poorly controlled, chronic inflammatory diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with poorly controlled, longstanding disease and those with extra-articular manifestations are under risk for the development of AA amyloidosis. Although new drugs have proven to be significantly effective in the treatment of secondary AA amyloidosis, no treatment modality has proven to be ideal. To date, only in small case series preliminary clinical improvement have been shown with rituximab therapy for AA amyloidosis secondary to RA that is refractory to TNF-α inhibitors (TNF-i) therapy. In these case series, we assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab therapy for patients with RA and secondary amyloidosis. Hacettepe University Biologic Registry was developed at 2005. The data of the RA patients who were prescribed a biological drug were recorded regularly. Patients with biopsy proven AA amyloidosis patients were screened. Of 1022 RA patients under biologic therapy, 0.7% patients had clinically apparent histologically confirmed amyloidosis. Four of seven patients who were prescribed rituximab at least one infusion enrolled to those case series. Two of four patients showed significant clinical improvement and one of them also had decrease in proteinuria and the other one had stable renal function and proteinuria. The main goal for the treatment of AA amyloidosis is to control the activity of the underlying disorder. In this study, we showed that rituximab may be an effective treatment in RA patients with amyloidosis who were unresponsive to conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or TNFi.
Sex Differences in Salivary Oxytocin and Cortisol Concentration Changes during Cooking in a Small Group
Authors: Yuhi Teruko , Ise Kosuke , Iwashina Kei , Terao Naoya , Yoshioka Satoshi , Shomura Keijiro , Maehara Toshikatsu , Yazaki Akari , Koichi Kana , Furuhara Kazumi , Cherepanov Stanislav M. , Gerasimenko Maria , Shabalova Anna A. , Hosoki Kouhei , Kodama Hikari , Zhu Hong , Tsuji Chiharu , Yokoyama Shigeru , Higashida Haruhiro
Published: November 2018

Background: Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide, has positive effects on social and emotional processes during group activities. Because cooking is an integrated process in the cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional areas, cooking in a group is reported to improve emotion and cognition. However, evidence for efficacy in group cooking has not been well established at the biological level. Methods: To address this shortcoming, we first measured salivary levels of OT and cortisol (CORT), a biomarker of psychological stress, before and after group cooking for approximately 1 h by people who know each other in healthy married or unmarried men and women. We then compared the initial OT and CORT concentrations with those during individual non-cooking activities in isolation. Results: Baseline OT concentrations before group and non-group sessions did not significantly differ and OT levels increased after both types of activity in men and women. In men, however, the percentage changes of OT levels in the first over the second saliva samples were significantly small during cooking compared with those in individual activities. In women, however, such a difference was not observed. In contrast, the mean salivary CORT concentrations after group cooking were significantly decreased from the baseline level in both sexes, though such decreases were not significant after individual activity sessions. The sex-specific differences were marital-status independent. Conclusion: These results indicate that OT and CORT concentrations after two activity sessions by a familiar group changed in opposite directions in a sex-specific manner. This suggests that, because cooking is experience-based, we need to consider the sex-specific features of group cooking if we apply it for intervention.
Assessing the Solar Radiation Quantity of High-Rise Residential Areas in Typical Layout Patterns: A Case in North-East China
Authors: Lu Ming , Zhang Yan , Xing Jun , Ma Wenda
Published: November 2018

With the development of energy-saving and emission-reduction, solar energy as a clean energy with excellent characteristics has bright prospects for development and application in residential environment with high energy consumption. With the intensification of land use, there are more and more high-rise residential areas in the city. If the residential construction becomes more compact, the solar radiation of the buildings will be in loss. Therefore, there may exist some restrictive relationship between the residential layout patterns and the solar radiation quantity. Through the multiple response frequency analysis method of SPSS, the study summarizes three typical high-rise residential layout patterns, which are parallel determinant, non-parallel determinant and three-sided enclosure. The Autodesk Ecotect is used to simulate the solar radiation quantity of each building roof and south facade. Last, obtain the relationship between the residential layout index and the solar radiation quantity. The results show that there actually exists certain correlativity between solar radiation quantity and floor area ratio, building density and building height; meanwhile, each annual solar radiation quantity changed by residential layout index has its own variable curve. The results also indicate that three-sided enclosure layout pattern has greater solar radiation potential than parallel determinant and non-parallel determinant. By summarizing the corresponding conclusions, the optimal mode of high-rise settlements with high solar radiation is explored, which can provide reference for further residential planning.
Properties of Latex Polymer Modified Mortars Reinforced with Waste Bamboo Fibers from Construction Waste
Authors: Akinyemi Banjo , Omoniyi Temidayo
Published: November 2018

This study evaluated the properties of latex modified cement mortars from ordinary paints which were reinforced with treated bamboo fibers from construction waste. Fiber variations of 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% at 10% of the weight of cement were utilized. Mechanical properties were determined according to standards; similarly, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to analyze the microstructural and elemental properties of the samples. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 1.5% bamboo fibers and 10% latex solution produced excellent mechanical properties. This was as a result of improved fiber adhesion to the matrix through pre-treatment, coupled with the contributed high strength from the latex paint modified mortars. The micrograph showed that latex precipitated in the voids and on the surface of the bamboo fibers as well as gels of calcium silicate hydrates which contributed to the observed improvement in strength of the tested samples.
Targeting the Hippo Pathway for Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wu Liqing , Yang Xiaolong
Published: November 2018

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prominent diseases in the world, and the treatments for BC have many limitations, such as resistance and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Currently the Hippo pathway is emerging as a tumor suppressor pathway with its four core components that regulate downstream transcriptional targets. In this review, we introduce the present targeted therapies of BC, and then discuss the roles of the Hippo pathway in BC. Finally, we summarize the evidence of the small molecule inhibitors that target the Hippo pathway, and then discuss the possibilities and future direction of the Hippo-targeted drugs for BC therapy.
Immobilization of Eversa Lipase on Octyl Agarose Beads and Preliminary Characterization of Stability and Activity Features
Authors: Arana-Peña Sara , Lokha Yuliya , Fernández-Lafuente Roberto
Published: November 2018

Eversa is an enzyme recently launched by Novozymes to be used in a free form as biocatalyst in biodiesel production. This paper shows for first time the immobilization of Eversa (a commercial lipase) on octyl and aminated agarose beads and the comparison of the enzyme properties to those of the most used lipase, the isoform B from Candida antarctica (CALB) immobilized on octyl agarose beads. Immobilization on octyl and aminated supports of Eversa has not had a significant effect on enzyme activity versus p-nitrophenyl butyrate (pNPB) under standard conditions (pH 7), but immobilization on octyl agarose beads greatly enhanced the stability of the enzyme under all studied conditions, much more than immobilization on aminated support. Octyl-Eversa was much more stable than octyl-CALB at pH 9, but it was less stable at pH 5. In the presence of 90% acetonitrile or dioxane, octyl-Eversa maintained the activity (even increased the activity) after 45 days of incubation in a similar way to octyl-CALB, but in 90% of methanol, results are much worse, and octyl-CALB became much more stable than Eversa. Coating with PEI has not a clear effect on octyl-Eversa stability, although it affected enzyme specificity and activity response to the changes in the pH. Eversa immobilized octyl supports was more active than CALB versus triacetin or pNPB, but much less active versus methyl mandelate esters. On the other hand, Eversa specificity and response to changes in the medium were greatly modulated by the immobilization protocol or by the coating of the immobilized enzyme with PEI. Thus, Eversa may be a promising biocatalyst for many processes different to the biodiesel production and its properties may be greatly improved following a suitable immobilization protocol, and in some cases is more stable and active than CALB.
Sol-Gel Mediated Greener Synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 Nanostructures for the Selective and Sensitive Determination of Uric Acid and Dopamine
Authors: Sundar Sasikala , Venkatachalam Ganesh , Kwon Seong Jung
Published: November 2018

Novel eco-freindly benign morphology-controlled biosynthesis of acicular iron oxide (γ-Fe2O3) nanostructures with various shapes and sizes have been synthesized through greener surfactant, Aloe vera (AV) extract assisted sol-gel method. By simply varying the experimental parameters, pure phase of cubic spinel superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanospherical aggregates, nanobelts and nanodots have been developed. The synthesized γ-Fe2O3 nanostructures are characterized through X-Ray Diffractommetry (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrsocopy (FT-IR), Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Moreover, the electrochemical determination of uric acid (UA) and dopamine (DA) of the as obtained γ-Fe2O3 nanostructures are systematically demonstrated. The electrochemical properties of the γ-Fe2O3 nanostructures modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) displayed an excellent sensing capability for the determination of DA and UA, simultaneously than the bare GCE. When compared with the other iron oxide nanostructures, γ-Fe2O3 nanobelts/GCE exhibited remarkable oxidation current response towards the biomolecules. This occurred due to the high surface area and the unique one-dimensional nanostructure of γ-Fe2O3 nanobelts. Ultimately, the greener synthesis protocol explored in this research work may also be expanded for the preparation of other morphology controlled magnetic and non-magnetic nanomaterials, which could easily open up innovative potential avenues for the development of practical biosensors.
Selective Hydrogenation of Benzene to Cyclohexene over Ru-Zn Catalysts: Investigations on the Effect of Zn Content and ZrO2 as the Support and Dispersant
Authors: Sun Haijie , Chen Zhihao , Chen Lingxia , Li Huiji , Peng Zhikun , Liu Zhongyi , Liu Shouchang
Published: November 2018

m-ZrO2 (monoclinic phase) supported Ru-Zn catalysts and unsupported Ru-Zn catalysts were synthesized via the impregnation method and co-precipitation method, respectively. The catalytic activity and selectivity were evaluated for selective hydrogenation of benzene towards cyclohexene formation. Catalyst samples before and after catalytic experiments were thoroughly characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2-sorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and a contact angle meter. It was found that Zn mainly existed as ZnO, and its content was increased in Ru-Zn/m-ZrO2 by enhancing the Zn content during the preparation procedure. This results in the amount of formed (Zn(OH)2)3(ZnSO4)(H2O)3 increasing and the catalyst becoming more hydrophilic. Therefore, Ru-Zn/m-ZrO2 with adsorbed benzene would easily move from the oil phase into the aqueous phase, in which the synthesis of cyclohexene took place. The generated cyclohexene then went back into the oil phase, and the further hydrogenation of cyclohexene would be retarded because of the high hydrophilicity of Ru-Zn/m-ZrO2. Hence, the selectivity towards cyclohexene formation over Ru-Zn/m-ZrO2 improved by increasing the Zn content. When the theoretical molar ratio of Zn to Ru was 0.60, the highest cyclohexene yield of 60.9% was obtained over Ru-Zn (0.60)/m-ZrO2. On the other hand, when m-ZrO2 was utilized as the dispersant (i.e., employed as an additive during the reaction), the catalytic activity and selectivity towards cyclohexene synthesis over the unsupported Ru-Zn catalyst was lower than that achieved over the Ru-Zn catalyst with m-ZrO2 as the support. This is mainly because the supported catalyst sample demonstrated superior dispersion of Ru, higher content of (Zn(OH)2)3(ZnSO4)(H2O)3, and a stronger electronic effect between Ru and ZrO2. The Ru-Zn(0.60)/m-ZrO2 was reused 17 times without any regeneration, and no loss of catalytic activity and selectivity towards cyclohexene formation was observed.
Feasibility Study on the Etherification of Fermentative-Produced Isobutylene to Fully Renewable Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE)
Authors: Tretbar Maik , Witzel Thomsen , Hauffe Anika , Junghans Ulrike , Bulc Aleš , Pufky-Heinrich Daniela
Published: November 2018

This work evaluates the direct etherification of bio-sourced isobutylene with ethanol forming fully renewable ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE). Challenge was the use of the fermentative produced substrate in a solvent-free catalysis using the acidic ion exchanger Amberlyst-15. CO2 impurities have a significant influence on the liquid phase process. The conversion at a ratio that is based on molarities of isobutylene to ethanol of 1:0.9 results in yields up to 97 mol% ETBE. Purities up to 99 wt.% could be achieved by subsequent water extraction in order to ensure qualities for technical application as high performance fuel additive.
Support Effect on the Performance of Ni2P Catalysts in the Hydrodeoxygenation of Methyl Palmitate
Authors: Deliy Irina V. , Shamanaev Ivan V. , Aleksandrov Pavel V. , Gerasimov Evgeny Yu. , Pakharukova Vera P. , Kodenev Evgeny G. , Yakovlev Ilya V. , Lapina Olga B. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A.
Published: November 2018

The effect of support nature, SiO2 and γ-Al2O3, on physicochemical and catalytic properties of nickel phosphide catalysts in methyl palmitate hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) has been considered. Firstly, alumina-supported nickel phosphide catalysts prepared by temperature-programmed reduction method starting from different precursors (phosphate–Ni(NO3)2 and (NH4)2HPO4 or phosphite–Ni(OH)2 and H3PO3) were compared using elemental analysis, N2 physisorption, H2-TPR, XRD, TEM, NH3-TPD, 27Al and 31P MAS NMR techniques and catalytic experiments. The mixture of nickel phosphide phases was produced from phosphate precursor on alumina while using of phosphite precursor provides Ni2P formation with the higher activity in methyl palmitate HDO. Besides, the comparative study of the performances of Ni2P/SiO2 and Ni2P/Al2O3 catalysts demonstrates the apparent superiority of alumina-supported Ni2P in the methyl palmitate hydrodeoxygenation. Considering the tentative scheme of methyl palmitate transformation, we proposed that cooperation of Ni2P and acid sites on the surface of alumina provides the enhanced activity of alumina-supported Ni2P through the acceleration of acid-catalysed hydrolysis.
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Synthons as Precursors for Enantiopure Clenbuterol and Other β2-Agonists
Authors: Blindheim Fredrik , Hansen Mari , Evjen Sigvart , Zhu Wei , Jacobsen Elisabeth
Published: November 2018

Clenbuterol is a β2-agonist used in the veterinary treatment of asthma in several countries. The drug is listed on the World Antidoping Agency’s prohibited list due to its effect on increased protein synthesis in the body. However, racemic clenbuterol has recently been shown to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In order to reveal which one (or both) of the enantiomers that cause this effect, pure enantiomers need to be separately studied. (R)-1-(4-Amino-3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-bromoethan-1-ol has been synthesised in 93% enantiomeric excess (ee) by asymmetric reduction of the corresponding ketone catalysed by a ketoreductase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as the cofactor in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). (S)-N-(2,6-Dichloro-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)phenyl)acetamide has been synthesised in >98% ee by the same system. Both synthons are potential precursors for clenbuterol enantiomers.
Pyrolyzing Renewable Sugar and Taurine on the Surface of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Hydroxymethylfurfural Production
Authors: Ji Huiping , Fu Jie , Wang Tianfu
Published: November 2018

Conversion of biorenewable feedstocks into transportation fuels or chemicals likely necessitates the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts with good hydrothermal stability, due to the nature of highly oxygenated biomass compounds and the prevalence of water as a processing solvent. The use of carbon-based materials, derived from sugars as catalyst precursors, can achieve hydrothermal stability while simultaneously realizing the goal of sustainability. In this work, the simultaneous pyrolysis of glucose and taurine in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to obtain versatile solid acids, has been demonstrated. Structural and textural properties of the catalysts have been characterized by TEM, TGA, and XPS. Additionally, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy has been exploited to elucidate the chemical nature of carbon species deposited on the surface of MWCNTs. Al(OTf)3, a model Lewis acidic metal salt, has been successfully supported on sulfonic groups tethered to MWCNTs. This catalyst has been tested for C6 sugar dehydration for the production of HMF in a tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water solvent system with good recyclability.
Photo-Induced Charge Separation vs. Degradation of a BODIPY-Based Photosensitizer Assessed by TDDFT and RASPT2
Authors: Ziems Karl Michael , Gräfe Stefanie , Kupfer Stephan
Published: November 2018

A meso-mesityl-2,6-iodine substituted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dye is investigated using a suite of computational methods addressing its functionality as photosensitizer, i.e., in the scope of light-driven hydrogen evolution in a two-component approach. Earlier reports on the performance of the present iodinated BODIPY dye proposed a significantly improved catalytic turn-over compared to its unsubstituted parent compound based on the population of long-lived charge-separated triplet states, accessible due to an enhanced spin-orbit coupling (SOC) introduced by the iodine atoms. The present quantum chemical study aims at elucidating the mechanisms of both the higher catalytic performance and the degradation pathways. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and multi-state restricted active space perturbation theory through second-order (MS-RASPT2) simulations allowed identifying excited-state channels correlated to iodine dissociation. No evidence for an improved catalytic activity via enhanced SOCs among the low-lying states could be determined. However, the computational analysis reveals that the activation of the dye proceeds via pathways of the (prior chemically) singly-reduced species, featuring a pronounced stabilization of charge-separated species, while low barriers for carbon-iodine bond breaking determine the photostability of the BODIPY dye.
Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 Composite
Authors: Mavengere Shielah , Jung Sang-Chul , Kim Jung-Sik
Published: November 2018

TiO2 photocatalysts are limited to ultraviolet light photo-activation, however, by coupling with NaYF4:(Yb,Er) they can utilize visible light activation, but with low efficiencies. In order to enhance visible light photo-activity, CuO nanoparticles were coupled with NaYF4:(Yb,Er) by mechanical ball-milling and coated with TiO2-sol. The coupling of CuO nanoparticles with NaYF4:(Yb,Er)/TiO2 caused the formation of a NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 composite capable of visible absorption with a remarkably reduced band gap of ~2.5 eV. The NaYF4:(Yb,Er)-CuO/TiO2 composite in H2O2 showed the most efficient methylene blue (MB) degradation efficiency of more than 99.5% after exposure to visible light.
Whole-Genome and Expression Analyses of Bamboo Aquaporin Genes Reveal Their Functions Involved in Maintaining Diurnal Water Balance in Bamboo Shoots
Authors: Sun Huayu , Wang Sining , Lou Yongfeng , Zhu Chenglei , Zhao Hansheng , Li Ying , Li Xueping , Gao Zhimin
Published: November 2018

Water supply is essential for maintaining normal physiological function during the rapid growth of bamboo. Aquaporins (AQPs) play crucial roles in water transport for plant growth and development. Although 26 PeAQPs in bamboo have been reported, the aquaporin-led mechanism of maintaining diurnal water balance in bamboo shoots remains unclear. In this study, a total of 63 PeAQPs were identified, based on the updated genome of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), including 22 PePIPs, 20 PeTIPs, 17 PeNIPs, and 4 PeSIPs. All of the PeAQPs were differently expressed in 26 different tissues of moso bamboo, based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. The root pressure in shoots showed circadian rhythm changes, with positive values at night and negative values in the daytime. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) result showed that 25 PeAQPs were detected in the base part of the shoots, and most of them demonstrated diurnal rhythm changes. The expression levels of some PeAQPs were significantly correlated with the root pressure. Of the 86 sugar transport genes, 33 had positive co-expression relationships with 27 PeAQPs. Two root pressure-correlated PeAQPs, PeTIP4;1 and PeTIP4;2, were confirmed to be highly expressed in the parenchyma and epidermal cells of bamboo culm, and in the epidermis, pith, and primary xylem of bamboo roots by in situ hybridization. The authors’ findings provide new insights and a possible aquaporin-led mechanism for bamboo fast growth.
A New Competitive Binary Grey Wolf Optimizer to Solve the Feature Selection Problem in EMG Signals Classification
Authors: Too Jingwei , Abdullah Abdul Rahim , Mohd Saad Norhashimah , Mohd Ali Nursabillilah , Tee Weihown
Published: November 2018

Features extracted from the electromyography (EMG) signal normally consist of irrelevant and redundant features. Conventionally, feature selection is an effective way to evaluate the most informative features, which contributes to performance enhancement and feature reduction. Therefore, this article proposes a new competitive binary grey wolf optimizer (CBGWO) to solve the feature selection problem in EMG signals classification. Initially, short-time Fourier transform (STFT) transforms the EMG signal into time-frequency representation. Ten time-frequency features are extracted from the STFT coefficient. Then, the proposed method is used to evaluate the optimal feature subset from the original feature set. To evaluate the effectiveness of proposed method, CBGWO is compared with binary grey wolf optimization (BGWO1 and BGWO2), binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO), and genetic algorithm (GA). The experimental results show the superiority of CBGWO not only in classification performance, but also feature reduction. In addition, CBGWO has a very low computational cost, which is more suitable for real world application.
Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of a Structurally Characterized Hetero-Hexanuclear Zn(II)-La(III) Salamo-Like Coordination Compound Containing Auxiliary Ligands
Authors: Guo Wen-Ting , Liu Ling-Zhi , Yu Meng , Wang Fei , Ma Jian-Chun , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: November 2018

A hetero-hexanuclear Zn(II)-La(III) coordination compound, [{(ZnL)2La}2(bdc)2](NO3)2 (H2bdc = terephthalic acid) has been synthesized with a symmetric Salamo-like bisoxime, and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-Vis, fluorescent spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All of the Zn(II) ions are pentacoordinated by N2O2 donator atoms from the (L)2− unit and one oxygen atom from one terephthalate anion. The Zn(II) ions adopt trigonal bipyramidal geometries (τZn1 = 0.61, τZn2 = 0.56). The La(III) ions are decacoordinated in the Zn(II)-La(III) coordination compound and has a distorted bicapped square antiprism geometry. Meanwhile, the photophysical property of the Zn(II)-La(III) coordination compound was also measured and discussed.
A New Polarization-Reconfigurable Antenna for 5G Applications
Authors: Al-Yasir Yasir I. A. , Abdullah Abdulkareem S. , Ojaroudi Parchin Naser , Abd-Alhameed Raed A. , Noras James M.
Published: November 2018

This paper presented a new circular polarization reconfigurable antenna for 5G wireless communications. The antenna, containing a semicircular slot, was compact in size and had a good axial ratio and frequency response. Two PIN diode switches controlled the reconfiguration for both the right-hand and left-hand circular polarization. Reconfigurable orthogonal polarizations were achieved by changing the states of the two PIN diode switches, and the reflection coefficient |S11| was maintained, which is a strong benefit of this design. The proposed polarization-reconfigurable antenna was modeled using the Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. It had a 3.4 GHz resonance frequency in both states of reconfiguration, with a good axial ratio below 1.8 dB, and good gain of 4.8 dBic for both modes of operation. The proposed microstrip antenna was fabricated on an FR-4 substrate with a loss tangent of 0.02, and relative dielectric constant of 4.3. The radiating layer had a maximum size of 18.3 × 18.3 mm2, with 50 Ω coaxial probe feeding.
Reliable User Datagram Protocol as a Solution to Latencies in Network Games
Authors: Huh Jun-Ho
Published: November 2018

One of the major problems in network games has been that of latency (lagging) that game technology researchers are still tackling. Latency largely affects user satisfaction and it is often caused by insufficient hardware capacity or the internet speed that the user is employing. Even though online games are becoming more complex and the number of participants in these games is increasing continuously, users cannot properly deal with the requirements to play these games, as system upgrades and subscription changes to a higher speed internet service are costly. Instead of passing such a burden on to the users, the game companies should instead invest in providing an improved communication algorithm. Thus, the reliable user datagram protocol (RUDP)-based communication system design has been considered in this research instead of transmission control protocol (TCP) or user datagram protocol (UDP)-based systems. This could be a viable alternative system model. Many researchers agree that RUDP is a better protocol for the transport layer, but it seems that the large-scale testbeds that could support such an idea and carry out direct tests are very scarce, meaning that actual experimental implementation is difficult to achieve. This suggests that game designers or researchers need to rely on a small-scale testbed to collect performance data. Moreover, generating an analytic model from a small-scale testbed may not be viable due to the large number of elements involved in the implementation process, including latency. This study introduces an RUDP-based communication model created and tested by using the OPNET simulation tool. They are novel energy and cost-effective photonics technologies for access/metro networks.
Solid State Transformers Topologies, Controllers, and Applications: State-of-the-Art Literature Review
Authors: Abu-Siada Ahmed , Budiri Jad , Abdou Ahmed
Published: November 2018

With the global trend to produce clean electrical energy, the penetration of renewable energy sources in existing electricity infrastructure is expected to increase significantly within the next few years. The solid state transformer (SST) is expected to play an essential role in future smart grid topologies. Unlike traditional magnetic transformer, SST is flexible enough to be of modular construction, enabling bi-directional power flow and can be employed for AC and DC grids. Moreover, SSTs can control the voltage level and modulate both active and reactive power at the point of common coupling without the need to external flexible AC transmission system device as per the current practice in conventional electricity grids. The rapid advancement in power semiconductors switching speed and power handling capacity will soon allow for the commercialisation of grid-rated SSTs. This paper is aimed at introducing a state-of-the-art review for SST proposed topologies, controllers, and applications. Additionally, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis along with a brief review of market drivers for prospective commercialisation are elaborated.
Metaheuristic Regression Equations for Split-Ring Resonator Using Time-Varying Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Mughal Muhammad Ali , Ejaz Tahir , Arshad  , Hussain Ashiq
Published: November 2018

This article presents a new technique for determining accurate values of resonant frequency and quality factor pertaining to the split-ring resonator. Different conducting shield materials have been used around a copper split-ring. The split-ring has been designed to operate at about 2.1 GHz. Various equations were worked out earlier to determine the values of resonant frequency and quality factor. However, these equations yielded different solutions. Therefore, simulations were used to obtain the values of the resonant frequency and quality factor of the split-ring resonator with different five-shield materials, using High-Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software. In this work, a novel method has been introduced for obtaining values of resonant frequency which provides results with negligible error. An optimal technique, namely time-varying particle swarm optimization (TVPSO), was then performed to obtain two sets of equations for resonant frequency and quality factor. The two sets of equations, optimized using TVPSO, were compared for their effectiveness in matching the actual frequency and quality factor for each of the five materials. It was found that the TVPSO was significant in achieving the frequency and quality factor regression equation to accurately resemble the actual values portrayed by the low mean absolute error.
Estimators of the Impact of Climate Change in Salt Weathering of Cultural Heritage
Authors: Menéndez Beatriz
Published: November 2018

Changes induced by climate change in salt weathering of built cultural heritage are estimated in different ways, but generally as a function of phase changes phenomena of two common salts, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. We propose to use not only these salts, but also other common salts as calcium sulfate, or mixtures of chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Comparisons between the predicted changes in salt weathering obtained for single salts and for combinations of different salts are presented. We applied the proposed methodology to 41 locations uniformly distributed in France. The results show that estimations of actual and evolution of future weathering depend on the selected salt or combination of salts. According to our results, when using a combination of different salts, weathering evolution is less favorable (more damage in the future) than when using a single salt.
Holocene Soil Evolution in South Siberia Based on Phytolith Records and Genetic Soil Analysis (Russia)
Authors: Gavrilov Denis A. , Loiko Sergey V. , Klimova Nina V.
Published: November 2018

Dark, coniferous hemiboreal forests in the south of West Siberia are located in the Holocene forest-steppe ecotone, where natural environmental conditions have been quite dynamic. This dynamic environment resulted in the contrasting evolution of regional soil cover and the development of unique soil profiles with the second humus horizon. The second humus horizon is assumed to be a relic from the dark-humus soil formation stage in the mid-Holocene. This article draws conclusions about changes in regional environmental conditions by analysing data from a geochemically interrelated coevolutionary soil series, obtained by using a combination of conventional soil studies, phytolith analyses, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC) and humic acids. The results showed that, in general, phytocenoses changed from mire-meadow vegetation towards forest vegetation via the meadow stage. However, these stages had different durations, depending on the soil catenary position. The topographical divergence of soil phytolith profiles reflects the relief effect on the development of specific soil type combinations, accounting for the major elements of the regional mid-Holocene soil cover. The leading elementary soil-forming processes were humus accumulation and hydrogenic accumulation of calcium carbonates. In the hilltop site of Endocalcic Stagnic Albic Luvisols, the evolutionary changes were shown by the shift from the meadow phytocenosis (Calcic Stagnic Chernozem) to the forest phytocenosis. In the midslope site, the environment was more humid from the start, favouring a phytocenosis with features of the meadow-mire type. The shift from the meadow-mire environment (with Spodic Chernic Gleysols) to the forest type environment with leading profile-forming processes, acid hydrolysis and lessivage, was gradual, occurring via the meadow stage with Calcic Stagnic Chernozem. In the toeslope site (Calcic Stagnic Greyzemic Epidystric Umbrisols), the meadow-mire stage (with Spodic Chernic Gleysols) was succeeded by the forest stage of soil formation. The AMS-dating of PhytOC estimated that the dark-humus stage of soil formation began 6.5–5.7 years calBC. Despite the observed slight translocation of phytoliths down soil profiles and phytolith solubilisation, phytolith analysis can be used to reconstruct shifts in the soil formation environment for surface Holocene palaeosols.
Correction: Patrick Nadoll et al. REY and Trace Element Chemistry of Fluorite from Post-Variscan Hydrothermal Veins in Paleozoic Units of the North German Basin. Geosciences, 2018, 8, 283
Authors: Nadoll Patrick , Rehm Meike , Duschl Florian , Klemd Reiner , Kraemer Dennis , Sośnicka Marta
Published: November 2018

The authors would like to correct the published article [...]
Precision Medicine: The Role of the MSIDS Model in Defining, Diagnosing, and Treating Chronic Lyme Disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome and Other Chronic Illness: Part 2
Authors: Horowitz Richard I. , Freeman Phyllis R.
Published: November 2018

We present a precision medical perspective to assist in the definition, diagnosis, and management of Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS)/chronic Lyme disease. PTLDS represents a small subset of patients treated for an erythema migrans (EM) rash with persistent or recurrent symptoms and functional decline. The larger population with chronic Lyme disease is less understood and well defined. Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome (MSIDS) is a multifactorial model for treating chronic disease(s), which identifies up to 16 overlapping sources of inflammation and their downstream effects. A patient symptom survey and a retrospective chart review of 200 patients was therefore performed on those patients with chronic Lyme disease/PTLDS to identify those variables on the MSIDS model with the greatest potential effect on regaining health. Results indicate that dapsone combination therapy decreased the severity of eight major Lyme symptoms, and multiple sources of inflammation (other infections, immune dysfunction, autoimmunity, food allergies/sensitivities, leaky gut, mineral deficiencies, environmental toxins with detoxification problems, and sleep disorders) along with downstream effects of inflammation may all affect chronic symptomatology. In part two of our observational study and review paper, we postulate that the use of this model can represent an important and needed paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease.