bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an Energy-Efficient Burner for Heat Treatment Furnaces with a Reducing Gas Atmosphere*
Authors: Schmitz N. , Schwotzer C. , Pfeifer H. , Schneider J. , Cresci E. , Wünning J. G.
Published: April 2017

One of the main reasons for metal loss of semi-finished metal products during heating in reheating and heat treatment furnaces is scale formation. In the presented project a burner is developed which produces a low oxidizing / reducing atmosphere in the furnace. The concept is realized by a recuperative burner, which generates a reducing furnace atmosphere due to fuel rich combustion of natural gas and air. The complete combustion of the furnace atmosphere is ensured by the injection of additional air and takes places in an open radiant tube resulting in a high energy efficiency. In this paper numerical and experimental results are presented and discussed. The numerical results showed the huge impact of the secondary air swirl on the post-combustion in the annular gap which is formed between the open radiant tube and the burner. Mixing phenomena in the annular gap results in a nearly complete post-combustion at low and high swirl angles of the additional combustion air (ω = 0°, ω = 90°). Instead of that, at a swirl angle of ω = 45° the entire reaction from CO to CO2 was not ensured within the boundaries of the numerical model. The quality of the post-combustion was experimentally evaluated by measuring the CO-emissions in the off-gas channel. These were lower than 50 mg/m3 in a wide range of operation. The NOx-emissions are lower than 121 mg/m3 at all tested cases.
Einfluss der Temperatur und des Vergütungszustands auf die Wärmeleitfähigkeit von Warmarbeitsstählen für das Presshärten*
Authors: Hafenstein S. , Werner E. , Wilzer J. , Theisen W. , Weber S. , Sunderkötter C. , Bachmann M.
Published: April 2017

Kurzfassung

Die erreichbare Bauteilfestigkeit ist beim Presshärten von der Einstellung einer möglichst raschen Wärmeabfuhr abhängig. Diese Studie untersucht den Einfluss der Werkstoffzusammensetzung und der Wärmebehandlung auf die Wärmeleitfähigkeit von zwei unterschiedlichen Warmarbeitsstählen im Temperaturbereich zwischen 293 K und 773 K. Die Temperaturleitfähigkeit wurde mithilfe der dynamischen Messmethode indirekt gemessen. Die dargestellten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Wärmeleitfähigkeit eines Warmarbeitsstahls mit zunehmendem Legierungsgehalt abnimmt. In dem für die Anwendung des Presshärtens relevanten Temperaturbereich unterhalb von 473 K steigt die Wärmeleitfähigkeit ungeachtet des jeweiligen Wärmebehandlungszustands bei den zwei untersuchten Warmarbeitsstählen mit der Untersuchungstemperatur an. Für Anwendungen, bei denen die Werkzeuge Temperaturen oberhalb von 473 K ausgesetzt werden, ist zu beachten, dass die Wärmeleitfähigkeit mit weiterer Erhöhung der Temperatur abfällt.
Thermochemical Wear of Single Crystal Diamond Catalyzed by Ferrous Materials at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Zou Lai , Huang Yun , Zhou Ming , Xiao Guijian
Published: April 2017

Single crystal diamond has been recognized as the optimal tool material in ultra-precision machining. However, the excessive tool wear prevents it from cutting ferrous materials. This paper conducts a series of thermal analysis tests under the conditions of different gas atmospheres, heating temperatures, crystallographic planes and workpiece materials, in order to clarify the details of thermochemical wear of diamond catalyzed by iron at elevated temperature. Raman scattering analysis was performed to identify the transformation of diamond crystal structure. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis was used to detect the change in chemical composition of the work material. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was adopted to confirm the resultants of interfacial thermochemical reactions. The experimental results revealed that the diamond wear included the graphitization, diffusion and oxidation. Temperature was considered as the key factor affecting these wear mechanisms. The initial graphitization temperatures of diamond catalyzed by iron under different conditions were obtained, and the graphitized degree relied heavily on the crystallographic plane while being insensitive to the workpiece material. The diffusion wear rule was preliminarily achieved by the established prediction model of the carbon atoms diffusing into the iron lattice, and the types and resultants of interfacial chemical reactions were deduced.
Leaks: Quantum, Classical, Intermediate and More
Authors: Selby John , Coecke Bob
Published: April 2017

We introduce the notion of a leak for general process theories and identify quantum theory as a theory with minimal leakage, while classical theory has maximal leakage. We provide a construction that adjoins leaks to theories, an instance of which describes the emergence of classical theory by adjoining decoherence leaks to quantum theory. Finally, we show that defining a notion of purity for processes in general process theories has to make reference to the leaks of that theory, a feature missing in standard definitions; hence, we propose a refined definition and study the resulting notion of purity for quantum, classical and intermediate theories.
An Energy Efficient MAC Protocol for Wireless Passive Sensor Networks
Authors: Yu Qingyao , Li Guangming , Hang Xiaojie , Fu Kun , Li and Tianqi
Published: April 2017

Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is one of the key network protocols that ensure Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) maintain high performance during communication. MAC protocol design plays an important role in improving the performances of the whole network. First, Wireless Passive Sensor Networks (WPSNs) and MAC protocols are introduced in this paper. Second, some existing MAC protocols are introduced. Sensor MAC (S-MAC) protocol is analyzed and existing improved backoff algorithms are introduced. A new MAC protocol called Improved Sensor MAC (IS-MAC) is then proposed to solve the problem that the contention window (CW) during carrier sense is fixed in S-MAC protocol. IS-MAC protocol is able to adjust CW in terms of network load, so energy consumption can be decreased. Finally, according to the simulation results on NS2, the proposed protocol has better performance in terms of throughput and energy consumption.
Economic Burden of Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tremmel Maximilian , Gerdtham Ulf-G. , Nilsson Peter , Saha Sanjib
Published: April 2017

Background: The rising prevalence of obesity represents an important public health issue. An assessment of its costs may be useful in providing recommendations for policy and decision makers. This systematic review aimed to assess the economic burden of obesity and to identify, measure and describe the different obesity-related diseases included in the selected studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of studies in the English language was carried out in Medline (PubMed) and Web of Science databases to select cost-of-illness studies calculating the cost of obesity in a study population aged ≥18 years with obesity, as defined by a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m², for the whole selected country. The time frame for the analysis was January 2011 to September 2016. Results: The included twenty three studies reported a substantial economic burden of obesity in both developed and developing countries. There was considerable heterogeneity in methodological approaches, target populations, study time frames, and perspectives. This prevents an informative comparison between most of the studies. Specifically, there was great variety in the included obesity-related diseases and complications among the studies. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for public health measures to prevent obesity in order to save societal resources. Moreover, international consensus is required on standardized methods to calculate the cost of obesity to improve homogeneity and comparability. This aspect should also be considered when including obesity-related diseases.
Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Purple Leaves of Zijuan Tea (Camellia sinensis var. kitamura)
Authors: Wang Lingxia , Pan Dezhuo , Liang Meng , Abubakar Yakubu , Li Jian , Lin Jinke , Chen Shipin , Chen Wei
Published: April 2017

Plant anthocyanin biosynthesis is well understood, but the regulatory mechanism in purple foliage tea remains unclear. Using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), 815 differential proteins were identified in the leaves of Zijuan tea, among which 20 were associated with the regulation of anthocyanin metabolism. We found that the abundances of anthocyanin synthesis-related enzymes such as chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and anthocyanin synthetase, as well as anthocyanin accumulation-related UDP-glucosyl transferase and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the purple leaves were all significantly higher than those in the green leaves. The abundances of the transcription factors bHLH and HY5, regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis at transcriptional level were also obviously higher in purple leaves than those in green leaves. In addition, bifunctional 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase and chorismate mutase in purple leaves were distinctly higher in abundance compared to green leaves, which provided sufficient phenylalanine substrate for anthocyanin synthesis. Furthermore, lignin synthesis was found to be reduced due to the lower abundances of cinnamoyl-CoA reductase 1, peroxidase 15 and laccase-6, which resulted in increase of intermediates flow into anthocyanin synthesis pathway. The physiological data were consistent with proteomic results. These four aspects of biosynthetic regulation contribute to anthocyanin accumulation in purple leaves of Zijuan tea.
Annexins as Overlooked Regulators of Membrane Trafficking in Plant Cells
Authors: Konopka-Postupolska Dorota , Clark Greg
Published: April 2017

Annexins are an evolutionary conserved superfamily of proteins able to bind membrane phospholipids in a calcium-dependent manner. Their physiological roles are still being intensively examined and it seems that, despite their general structural similarity, individual proteins are specialized toward specific functions. However, due to their general ability to coordinate membranes in a calcium-sensitive fashion they are thought to participate in membrane flow. In this review, we present a summary of the current understanding of cellular transport in plant cells and consider the possible roles of annexins in different stages of vesicular transport.
Adiponectin and Intelectin-1: Important Adipokine Players in Obesity-Related Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Authors: Kawashima Keisuke , Maeda Kenichi , Saigo Chiemi , Kito Yusuke , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Takeuchi Tamotsu
Published: April 2017

Overweight is believed to be associated with colorectal cancer risk. Adipose tissue is loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. It is now recognized as a major endocrine organ, secreting humoral factors collectively called adipokines. Aberrant hormonal systems consisting of modulated adipokines and their receptors are thought to play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis and cancer progression in obese conditions. However, it is still unclear whether and how each adipokine relates to colorectal carcinogenesis. Notably, a couple of molecules that were initially proposed to be obesity-related adipokines were disqualified by subsequent studies. The adipokines, adiponectin, and intelectin-1 (also known as omentin-1), whose levels are decreased in obesity, act as tumor suppressor factors in various cancers. Numerous studies have demonstrated a link between the insufficient expression and function of adiponectin and its receptor, T-cadherin, in colorectal carcinogenesis. Moreover, our recent study indicated that loss of TMEM207, which is critical for the proper processing of intelectin-1 in the colon mucosa, leads to insufficient intelectin-1 production, thus participating in colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we discuss the recent understanding of the role of adipokines in colorectal carcinogenesis and subsequently describe the potent tumor suppressor roles of intelectin-1 and TMEM207 in colorectal cancer.
One Year Follow-Up Risk Assessment in SKH-1 Mice and Wounds Treated with an Argon Plasma Jet
Authors: Schmidt Anke , Woedtke Thomas , Stenzel Jan , Lindner Tobias , Polei Stefan , Vollmar Brigitte , Bekeschus Sander
Published: April 2017

Multiple evidence in animal models and in humans suggest a beneficial role of cold physical plasma in wound treatment. Yet, risk assessment studies are important to further foster therapeutic advancement and acceptance of cold plasma in clinics. Accordingly, we investigated the longterm side effects of repetitive plasma treatment over 14 consecutive days in a rodent full-thickness ear wound model. Subsequently, animals were housed for 350 days and sacrificed thereafter. In blood, systemic changes of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α were absent. Similarly, tumor marker levels of α-fetoprotein and calcitonin remained unchanged. Using quantitative PCR, the expression levels of several cytokines and tumor markers in liver, lung, and skin were found to be similar in the control and treatment group as well. Likewise, histological and immunohistochemical analysis failed to detect abnormal morphological changes and the presence of tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, α-fetoprotein, or the neighbor of Punc 11. Absence of neoplastic lesions was confirmed by non-invasive imaging methods such as anatomical magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Our results suggest that the beneficial effects of cold plasma in wound healing come without apparent side effects including tumor formation or chronic inflammation.
Effects of Pr6O11 Addition on the Acid Resistance of Ceramic Proppant
Authors: Xiong Guodong , Wu Bolin , Wu Tingting
Published: April 2017

This paper investigated the effect of Pr6O11 addition on the acid resistance of ceramic proppant. Acid resistance of proppants can be improved by introducing Pr6O11 into the Al2O3-CaO-MgO-SiO2 (ACMS) system. To illustrate and explain the mechanism of acid resistance, the samples were characterized by different techniques, using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase structure of the specimens was characterized by XRD and SEM-detected microstructures of the specimens. It was observed that with the increase of rare-earth oxide content, the acid solubility of the specimens decreased, and then increased when it reached the minimum value 0.45 wt %. The results of the research show that the improvement of acid resistance with rare-earth oxides was achieved by refining the grain size, strengthening the grain boundary, and turning Ca2Al2SiO7, in which acid resistance is poor, into CaAl12O19, which possesses better acid resistance, and then enhance the acid resistance of the proppants. Furthermore, Pr6O11 can form a solid solution with Ca2Al2SiO7 and CaAl12O19. The acid resistance of CaAl12O19 improves with the increase of solid solubility. In contrast, the acid resistance of Ca2Al2SiO7 will decrease after Ca2Al2SiO7 forms a solid solution with Pr6O11.
Stencil Lithography for Scalable Micro- and Nanomanufacturing
Authors: Du Ke , Ding Junjun , Liu Yuyang , Wathuthanthri Ishan , Choi Chang-Hwan
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we review the current development of stencil lithography for scalable micro- and nanomanufacturing as a resistless and reusable patterning technique. We first introduce the motivation and advantages of stencil lithography for large-area micro- and nanopatterning. Then we review the progress of using rigid membranes such as SiNx and Si as stencil masks as well as stacking layers. We also review the current use of flexible membranes including a compliant SiNx membrane with springs, polyimide film, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer, and photoresist-based membranes as stencil lithography masks to address problems such as blurring and non-planar surface patterning. Moreover, we discuss the dynamic stencil lithography technique, which significantly improves the patterning throughput and speed by moving the stencil over the target substrate during deposition. Lastly, we discuss the future advancement of stencil lithography for a resistless, reusable, scalable, and programmable nanolithography method.
Tellurite and Tellurate Reduction by the Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototroph Erythromonas ursincola, Strain KR99 Is Carried out by a Novel Membrane Associated Enzyme
Authors: Maltman Chris , Donald Lynda , Yurkov Vladimir
Published: April 2017

Erythromonas ursincola, strain KR99 isolated from a freshwater thermal spring of Kamchatka Island in Russia, resists and reduces very high levels of toxic tellurite under aerobic conditions. Reduction is carried out by a constitutively expressed membrane associated enzyme, which was purified and characterized. The tellurite reductase has a molecular weight of 117 kDa, and is comprised of two subunits (62 and 55 kDa) in a 1:1 ratio. Optimal activity occurs at pH 7.0 and 28 °C. Tellurite reduction has a Vmax of 5.15 µmol/min/mg protein and a Km of 3.36 mM. The enzyme can also reduce tellurate with a Vmax and Km of 1.08 µmol/min/mg protein and 1.44 mM, respectively. This is the first purified membrane associated Te oxyanion reductase.
Growth Inhibition of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Produced Water from the Petroleum Industry Using Essential Oils
Authors: Souza Pamella , Goulart Fátima , Marques Joana , Bizzo Humberto , Blank Arie , Groposo Claudia , Sousa Maíra , Vólaro Vanessa , Alviano Celuta , Moreno Daniela , Seldin Lucy
Published: April 2017

Strategies for the control of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the oil industry involve the use of high concentrations of biocides, but these may induce bacterial resistance and/or be harmful to public health and the environment. Essential oils (EO) produced by plants inhibit the growth of different microorganisms and are a possible alternative for controlling SRB. We aimed to characterize the bacterial community of produced water obtained from a Brazilian petroleum facility using molecular methods, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of EO from different plants and their major components against Desulfovibrio alaskensis NCIMB 13491 and against SRB growth directly in the produced water. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of the genera Pelobacter and Marinobacterium, Geotoga petraea, and the SRB Desulfoplanes formicivorans in our produced water samples. Sequencing of dsrA insert-containing clones confirmed the presence of sequences related to D. formicivorans. EO obtained from Citrus aurantifolia, Lippia alba LA44 and Cymbopogon citratus, as well as citral, linalool, eugenol and geraniol, greatly inhibited (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 78 µg/mL) the growth of D. alaskensis in a liquid medium. The same MIC was obtained directly in the produced water with EO from L. alba LA44 (containing 82% citral) and with pure citral. These findings may help to control detrimental bacteria in the oil industry.
Synthetic Fluororutaecarpine Inhibits Inflammatory Stimuli and Activates Endothelial Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-Type 1
Authors: Lee Chi-Ming , Gu Jiun-An , Rau Tin-Gan , Wang Chi , Yen Chiao-Han , Huang Shih-Hao , Lin Feng-Yen , Lin Chun-Mao , Huang Sheng-Tung
Published: April 2017

The natural product, rutaecarpine (RUT), is the main effective component of Evodia rutaecarpa which is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. It has vasodilation, anticoagulation, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, further therapeutic applications are limited by its cytotoxicity. Thus, a derivative of RUT, 10-fluoro-2-methoxyrutaecarpine (F-RUT), was designed and synthesized that showed no cytotoxicity toward RAW264.7 macrophages at 20 μM. In an anti-inflammation experiment, it inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages; cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) induced by LPS were also downregulated. After 24 h of treatment, F-RUT significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion of ovarian A2780 cells. Furthermore, F-RUT promoted expressions of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and endothelial (e)NOS in human aortic endothelial cells, and predominantly reduced the inflammation in ovalbumin/alum-challenged mice. These results suggest that the novel synthetic F-RUT exerts activities against inflammation and vasodilation, while displaying less toxicity than its lead compound.
Detecting Disease Specific Pathway Substructures through an Integrated Systems Biology Approach
Authors: Alaimo Salvatore , Marceca Gioacchino , Ferro Alfredo , Pulvirenti Alfredo
Published: April 2017

In the era of network medicine, pathway analysis methods play a central role in the prediction of phenotype from high throughput experiments. In this paper, we present a network-based systems biology approach capable of extracting disease-perturbed subpathways within pathway networks in connection with expression data taken from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Our system extends pathways with missing regulatory elements, such as microRNAs, and their interactions with genes. The framework enables the extraction, visualization, and analysis of statistically significant disease-specific subpathways through an easy to use web interface. Our analysis shows that the methodology is able to fill the gap in current techniques, allowing a more comprehensive analysis of the phenomena underlying disease states.
Photothermal Microscopy for High Sensitivity and High Resolution Absorption Contrast Imaging of Biological Tissues
Authors: Miyazaki Jun , Kobayahsi Takayoshi
Published: April 2017

Photothermal microscopy is useful to visualize the distribution of non-fluorescence chromoproteins in biological specimens. Here, we developed a high sensitivity and high resolution photothermal microscopy with low-cost and compact laser diodes as light sources. A new detection scheme for improving signal to noise ratio more than 4-fold is presented. It is demonstrated that spatial resolution in photothermal microscopy is up to nearly twice as high as that in the conventional widefield microscopy. Furthermore, we demonstrated the ability for distinguishing or identifying biological molecules with simultaneous muti-wavelength imaging. Simultaneous photothermal and fluorescence imaging of mouse brain tissue was conducted to visualize both neurons expressing yellow fluorescent protein and endogenous non-fluorescent chromophores.
Influence of Defined Hydrophilic Blocks within Oligoaminoamide Copolymers: Compaction versus Shielding of pDNA Nanoparticles
Authors: Morys Stephan , Krhac Levacic Ana , Urnauer Sarah , Kempter Susanne , Kern Sarah , Rädler Joachim , Spitzweg Christine , Lächelt Ulrich , Wagner Ernst
Published: April 2017

Cationic polymers are promising components of the versatile platform of non-viral nucleic acid (NA) delivery agents. For a successful gene delivery system, these NA vehicles need to comprise several functionalities. This work focuses on the modification of oligoaminoamide carriers with hydrophilic oligomer blocks mediating nanoparticle shielding potential, which is necessary to prevent aggregation or dissociation of NA polyplexes in vitro, and hinder opsonization with blood components in vivo. Herein, the shielding agent polyethylene glycol (PEG) in three defined lengths (12, 24, or 48 oxyethylene repeats) is compared with two peptidic shielding blocks composed of four or eight repeats of sequential proline-alanine-serine (PAS). With both types of shielding agents, we found opposing effects of the length of hydrophilic segments on shielding and compaction of formed plasmid DNA (pDNA) nanoparticles. Two-arm oligoaminoamides with 37 cationizable nitrogens linked to 12 oxyethylene units or four PAS repeats resulted in very compact 40–50 nm pDNA nanoparticles, whereas longer shielding molecules destabilize the investigated polyplexes. Thus, the balance between sufficiently shielded but still compact and stable particles can be considered a critical optimization parameter for non-viral nucleic acid vehicles based on hydrophilic-cationic block oligomers.
Recent Developments in Fiber Optics Humidity Sensors
Authors: Ascorbe Joaquin , Corres Jesus , Arregui Francisco , Matias Ignacio
Published: April 2017

A wide range of applications such as health, human comfort, agriculture, food processing and storage, and electronic manufacturing, among others, require fast and accurate measurement of humidity. Sensors based on optical fibers present several advantages over electronic sensors and great research efforts have been made in recent years in this field. The present paper reports the current trends of optical fiber humidity sensors. The evolution of optical structures developed towards humidity sensing, as well as the novel materials used for this purpose, will be analyzed. Well-known optical structures, such as long-period fiber gratings or fiber Bragg gratings, are still being studied towards an enhancement of their sensitivity. Sensors based on lossy mode resonances constitute a platform that combines high sensitivity with low complexity, both in terms of their fabrication process and the equipment required. Novel structures, such as resonators, are being studied in order to improve the resolution of humidity sensors. Moreover, recent research on polymer optical fibers suggests that the sensitivity of this kind of sensor has not yet reached its limit. Therefore, there is still room for improvement in terms of sensitivity and resolution.
Study on Temperature and Synthetic Compensation of Piezo-Resistive Differential Pressure Sensors by Coupled Simulated Annealing and Simplex Optimized Kernel Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Li Ji , Hu Guoqing , Zhou Yonghong , Zou Chong , Peng Wei , Alam SM Jahangir
Published: April 2017

As a high performance-cost ratio solution for differential pressure measurement, piezo-resistive differential pressure sensors are widely used in engineering processes. However, their performance is severely affected by the environmental temperature and the static pressure applied to them. In order to modify the non-linear measuring characteristics of the piezo-resistive differential pressure sensor, compensation actions should synthetically consider these two aspects. Advantages such as nonlinear approximation capability, highly desirable generalization ability and computational efficiency make the kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) a practical approach for this critical task. Since the KELM model is intrinsically sensitive to the regularization parameter and the kernel parameter, a searching scheme combining the coupled simulated annealing (CSA) algorithm and the Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm is adopted to find an optimal KLEM parameter set. A calibration experiment at different working pressure levels was conducted within the temperature range to assess the proposed method. In comparison with other compensation models such as the back-propagation neural network (BP), radius basis neural network (RBF), particle swarm optimization optimized support vector machine (PSO-SVM), particle swarm optimization optimized least squares support vector machine (PSO-LSSVM) and extreme learning machine (ELM), the compensation results show that the presented compensation algorithm exhibits a more satisfactory performance with respect to temperature compensation and synthetic compensation problems.
Resonant Rectifier ICs for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Using Low-Voltage Drop Diode Equivalents
Authors: Din Amad , Chandrathna Seneke , Lee Jong-Wook
Published: April 2017

Herein, we present the design technique of a resonant rectifier for piezoelectric (PE) energy harvesting. We propose two diode equivalents to reduce the voltage drop in the rectifier operation, a minuscule-drop-diode equivalent (MDDE) and a low-drop-diode equivalent (LDDE). The diode equivalents are embedded in resonant rectifier integrated circuits (ICs), which use symmetric bias-flip to reduce the power used for charging and discharging the internal capacitance of a PE transducer. The self-startup function is supported by synchronously generating control pulses for the bias-flip from the PE transducer. Two resonant rectifier ICs, using both MDDE and LDDE, are fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process and their performances are characterized under external and self-power conditions. Under the external-power condition, the rectifier using LDDE delivers an output power POUT of 564 μW and a rectifier output voltage VRECT of 3.36 V with a power transfer efficiency of 68.1%. Under self-power conditions, the rectifier using MDDE delivers a POUT of 288 μW and a VRECT of 2.4 V with a corresponding efficiency of 78.4%. Using the proposed bias-flip technique, the power extraction capability of the proposed rectifier is 5.9 and 3.0 times higher than that of a conventional full-bridge rectifier.
Sex Work and the Politics of Space: Case Studies of Sex Workers in Argentina and Ecuador
Authors: Van Meir Jessica
Published: April 2017

While many studies examine how different legal approaches to prostitution affect sex workers’ living and working conditions, few studies analyze how sex workers’ physical workspaces and the policies regulating these spaces influence sex work conditions. Based on interviews with 109 current or former sex workers, 13 civil society representatives, 12 government officials, and 5 other actors in Ecuador and Argentina, this study describes sex workers’ uses of urban space in the two countries and compares how they experience and respond to government regulation of locations of prostitution. Argentina and Ecuador took different approaches to regulating sex work space, which appear to reflect different political ideologies towards prostitution. Sex workers expressed different individual preferences for spaces, and government limitation of these spaces represented one of their major concerns. The results illuminate how sex workers’ workspaces influence their working conditions and suggest that governments should consider sex worker preferences in establishing policies that affect their workspaces.
Abstracto:
Mientras que muchos estudios examinan cómo las diferentes estrategias legales respecto a la prostitución afectan las condiciones de trabajo y de vida de las y los trabajadores sexuales, pocos estudios analizan cómo los espacios de trabajo físicos de las y los trabajadores sexuales y las políticas que regulan estos espacios influyen en las condiciones del trabajo sexual. Este estudio, basado en entrevistas con 109 trabajadores sexuales actuales o anteriores, 13 representantes de la sociedad civil, 12 funcionarios gubernamentales y otros 5 actores en Ecuador y Argentina, describe los usos del espacio urbano por parte de las y los trabajadores sexuales en los dos países y compara cómo experimentan y responden a la regulación gubernamental de lugares de prostitución. Argentina y Ecuador adoptaron diferentes estrategias para regular los espacios de trabajo sexual, las cuales parecen reflejar diferentes ideologías políticas hacia la prostitución. Las y los trabajadores sexuales expresaron diferentes preferencias individuales por los espacios, y la limitación gubernamental de estos espacios representó una de sus principales preocupaciones. Los resultados ilustran cómo los espacios de trabajo de las y los trabajadores sexuales influyen en sus condiciones de trabajo, y sugieren que los gobiernos deben considerar sus preferencias en el establecimiento de políticas que afectan sus espacios de trabajo.
Analytical and Thermal Evaluation of Carbon Particles Recovered at the Cyclone of a Downdraft Biomass Gasification System
Authors: Nwokolo Nwabunwanne , Mamphweli Sampson , Makaka Golden
Published: April 2017

Gasification of biomass gives off syngas that is contaminated mostly by carbon particulates and tars. The degree of contamination is attributed to factors such as gasification process, type of gasifier and type of biomass material. Downdraft gasifier minimizes the production of tar to a tolerable limit for engine applications; however, carbon particles still pose a challenge particularly with the integration of a heat exchanger for the purpose of heat recovery from the product gas. The presence of carbon particles in the syngas does influence the heat recovery process and materials used in the recovery. Hence, there is need for the characterization of these carbon particles to ascertain their chemical compositions, thermal properties and morphological features. This study was aimed at evaluating the characteristic features of carbon particles recovered from the syngas stream during gas cleaning at the cyclone. The elemental analysis of the carbon particle samples was performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. An electron beam from scanning electron microscopy was passed through the sample surface at a magnification of 1000× and an accelerating voltage of 15 kV to determine the morphological features of the carbon particles. Their thermal properties were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer at a heating rate of 10°C/min. A weight loss of approximately 5.4 wt % was recorded at the maximum temperature of 900 °C. Silicon, oxygen and carbon were found to be the dominating elements in the carbon particulate.
Palliative Care in the Process of Human Terminality: Integrative review
Authors: Costa Emilie De Oliveira , Batista Patrícia Serpa de Souza , Silva Jessyka Cibelly Minervina da Costa , Lima Débora Rodrigues Alves de , Farias Priscilla De Freitas , Bezerra Ana Hévila Marinho , Oliveira Lúcia Raiza Feitosa Alves de , Costa Thaíza Ferreira da , Dias Kalina Coeli Costa de Oliveira
Published: April 2017

Objectives: to characterize the scientific production on Palliative Care in the process of human terminality in the Health field, from 2007 to 2016.

Methods: integrative review of the literature conducted in September and October 2016, available from the Virtual Health Library through the electronic databases: SciELO, LILACS and BDENF. The guiding question was: What is the characterization of the scientific production on Palliative Care in the process of the human terminality disseminated in online journals in the Health field, from 2007 to 2016? The study sample consisted of 27 publications related to the investigated topic, using the descriptors "palliative care and terminality". The analyzed data were grouped and presented in figures.

Results: from the selected publications, two thematic categories emerged: Palliative care to the terminal patient with an emphasis on humanization and Assistance to the terminal patient in palliative  care.

Conclusion: this review verified that the production is incipient, and that technical and humanized actions guide the practice of palliative care.
Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution Parallaxes and Proper Motions for Five Galactic Globular Clusters
Authors: Watkins Laura L. , van der Marel Roeland P.
Published: April 2017

We present a pilot study of Galactic globular cluster (GC) proper motion (PM) determinations using Gaia data. We search for GC stars in the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution (TGAS) catalog from Gaia Data Release 1 (DR1), and identify five members of NGC 104 (47 Tucanae), one member of NGC 5272 (M3), five members of NGC 6121 (M4), seven members of NGC 6397, and two members of NGC 6656 (M22). By taking a weighted average of member stars, fully accounting for the correlations between parameters, we estimate the parallax (and, hence, distance) and PM of the GCs. This provides a homogeneous PM study of multiple GCs based on an astrometric catalog with small and well-controlled systematic errors and yields random PM errors similar to existing measurements. Detailed comparison to the available Hubble Space Telescope (HST) measurements generally shows excellent agreement, validating the astrometric quality of both TGAS and HST. By contrast, comparison to ground-based measurements shows that some of those must have systematic errors exceeding the random errors. Our parallax estimates have uncertainties an order of magnitude larger than previous studies, but nevertheless imply distances consistent with previous estimates. By combining our PM measurements with literature positions, distances, and radial velocities, we measure Galactocentric space motions for the clusters and find that these also agree well with previous analyses. Our analysis provides a framework for determining more accurate distances and PMs of Galactic GCs using future Gaia data releases. This will provide crucial constraints on the near end of the cosmic distance ladder and provide accurate GC orbital histories.
Kellundite 8, un nuevo cemento
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: April 2017

Not available
New accelerated test for cement
Authors: Vitkup A. W.
Published: April 2017

Not available
Cerámica pretensada, su fabricación
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: April 2017

El pretensado puede aplicarse, además del hormigón, a otros muchos materiales, entre ellos, en particular, a las piezas cerámicas. El desarrollo que va cobrando en los países vecinos el procedimiento de la cerámica pretensada nos ha inducido a presentar este breve resumen, en el cual se compendian todas las fases características del proceso de su fabricación.
Manufacture of brick and tile from extruded limestone
Authors: Whitaker L. R.
Published: April 2017

Not available
Neutralizing mechanism of a monoclonal antibody against Japanese encephalitis virus glycoprotein E.
Authors: Butrapet S , Kimura-Kuroda J , Zhou D S , Yasui K
Published: April 2017

The neutralization of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was studied using JEV-specific neutralizing (NT) monoclonal antibody (MAb) 503 that recognizes the envelope glycoprotein. Analysis using radiolabeled JEV and observations by confocal laser microscopy and electron microscopy indicated that the NT and protection activities of MAb 503 did not result from the prevention of the first step of JEV infection, binding of virus to the cell surface. Treatment with MAb 503 strongly inhibited JEV-induced cell fusion and internalization of JEV into the cells, and resulted in enhanced release of JEV-RNA from the cells. These observations suggested that the NT activity of MAb 503 is involved in the later steps of JEV infection.
Genetic control of blood infection levels in human malaria: evidence for a complex genetic model.
Authors: Garcia A , Cot M , Chippaux J P , Ranque S , Feingold J , Demenais F , Abel L
Published: April 2017

There is now accumulating evidence for the involvement of genetic factors in the control of immune response against malaria. These arguments come from numerous animal models, from population studies showing associations of red blood cell genetic defects as well as HLA antigens with severe malaria, and from familial studies including a recent segregation analysis, which led to detection of a major gene effect predisposing to high infection levels. The heterogeneity and complexity of this genetic control is one of the main findings of these previous studies, and probably a major cause of the difficulty in developing an effective malaria vaccine. A segregation analysis of blood infection levels is performed here in 44 pedigrees living in the tropical rain forest of southern Cameroon and exposed to high vectorial transmission intensity. The results confirm the existence of complex genetic factors controlling blood infection levels in human malaria but are not consistent with the parent-offspring transmission of a single Mendelian gene. This study also shows the dramatic effect of age on infection levels and its interaction with a putative major gene suggesting that genetic related differences are much more important in children than in adults. Further genetic studies focused on children may help to identify the nature of the genetic factors involved in the expression of human malaria, by means of linkage analyses using both familial information and genetic markers.
Risk factors for trichomoniasis among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at a public clinic in Los Angeles County, California: implications for HIV prevention.
Authors: Sorvillo F , Kovacs A , Kerndt P , Stek A , Muderspach L , Sanchez-Keeland L
Published: April 2017

Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who subsequently develop an acute sexually transmitted disease have an increased probability of transmitting HIV. Therefore, characterizing such persons can help direct prevention efforts to a group who are likely to be continuing sources of HIV transmission. We assessed the incidence and factors associated with trichomoniasis in a cohort of HIV-infected women receiving care at a public clinic in Los Angeles County, California from 1992 through 1995. Demographic, clinical, and behavioral data were available from medical records and from patient interviews. Trichomonas infection was the most frequently identified sexually transmitted disease and was found in 37 (17.4%) of 212 women representing a crude incidence rate of 14.1 per 100 person-years experience. The crude rate of trichomoniasis was highest in black women (69.0 per 100 person-years), women with a history of trading sex for drugs or money (51.0 per 100 person-years), those using crack or cocaine (35.5 per 100 person-years), women with four or more sex partners (43.0 per 100 person years), and those born in the United States (23.3 per 100 person-years). Among women with severe immunosuppression (CD4+ count < 200), 18.4% (18 of 98) were diagnosed with trichomoniasis. After multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards approach, black race (adjusted rate ratio [RR] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3, 13.3) continued to be strongly associated with Trichomonas infection. Trading sex for money or drugs (adjusted RR = 25.2, 95% CI = 4.3, 148.6) and single marital status (adjusted RR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.1, 13.0) were independent risk factors for trichomoniasis in nonblack women but not among black women. Data from this study indicate that Trichomonas may be a frequently acquired infection in HIV-positive women. Our findings suggest that HIV-infected women who are black, and nonblack women who trade sex for money or drugs or are unmarried, are at increased risk of trichomoniasis and therefore may be more likely to transmit HIV infection. Local HIV prevention strategies should target such women for intervention efforts.
Relative importance of black carbon, brown carbon, and absorption enhancement from clear coatings in biomass burning emissions
Authors: Pokhrel Rudra P. , Beamesderfer Eric R. , Wagner Nick L. , Langridge Justin M. , Lack Daniel A. , Jayarathne Thilina , Stone Elizabeth A. , Stockwell Chelsea E. , Yokelson Robert J. , Murphy Shane M.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. A wide range of globally significant biomass fuels were burned during the fourth Fire Lab at Missoula Experiment (FLAME-4). A multi-channel photoacoustic absorption spectrometer (PAS) measured dry absorption at 405, 532, and 660 nm and thermally denuded (250 °C) absorption at 405 and 660 nm. Absorption coefficients were broken into contributions from black carbon (BC), brown carbon (BrC), and lensing following three different methodologies, with one extreme being a method that assumes the thermal denuder effectively removes organics and the other extreme being a method based on the assumption that black carbon (BC) has an Ångström exponent of unity. The methodologies employed provide ranges of potential importance of BrC to absorption but, on average, there was a difference of a factor of 2 in the ratio of the fraction of absorption attributable to BrC estimated by the two methods. BrC absorption at shorter visible wavelengths is of equal or greater importance to that of BC, with maximum contributions of up to 92 % of total aerosol absorption at 405 nm and up to 58 % of total absorption at 532 nm. Lensing is estimated to contribute a maximum of 30 % of total absorption, but typically contributes much less than this. Absorption enhancements and the estimated fraction of absorption from BrC show good correlation with the elemental-carbon-to-organic-carbon ratio (EC ∕ OC) of emitted aerosols and weaker correlation with the modified combustion efficiency (MCE). Previous studies have shown that BrC grows darker (larger imaginary refractive index) as the ratio of black to organic aerosol (OA) mass increases. This study is consistent with those findings but also demonstrates that the fraction of total absorption attributable to BrC shows the opposite trend: increasing as the organic fraction of aerosol emissions increases and the EC ∕ OC ratio decreases.
Real-time aerosol optical properties, morphology and mixing states under clear, haze and fog episodes in the summer of urban Beijing
Authors: Li Rui , Hu Yunjie , Li Ling , Fu Hongbo , Chen Jianmin
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Elucidating the relationship between characteristics of aerosol particles and optical absorption is important to deepen the understanding of atmospheric chemistry. Aerosol particles play significant roles in climate forcing via their optical absorption properties. However, the relationship between characteristics of aerosol particles and optical absorption remains poorly understood. Aerosol optical properties and morphologies were measured by a transmission electron microscope (TEM), cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS), a nephelometer and an Aethalometer in a urban site of Beijing from 24 May to 22 June. Five episodes were categorized according to the meteorological conditions and composition. The results showed that the clear episode (EP-2 and EP-4) featured as the low aerosol optical depth (AOD  =  0.72) and fewer pollutants compared with haze (1.14) and fog (2.92) episodes and the particles are mostly externally mixed. The high Ångström exponent (> 2.0) suggests that coarse particles were scarcely observed in EP-2 due to the washout of a previous heavy rain, whereas they were widespread in EP-4 (Ångström exponent  =  0.04), which had some mineral particles introduced from the north. In contrast, industry-induced haze (EP-1) and biomass-burning-induced haze (EP-5) were both affected by the south air mass. Compared with the EP-2 and EP-4, the AOD values and the size distribution of particles during EP-1 and EP-5 were much greater because of relatively high particle concentrations. All of the particles were classified into nine categories, i.e. S-rich, N-rich, mineral, K-rich, soot, tar ball, organic, metal and fly ash, on the basis of TEM analysis. In contrast to the EP-1, a large fraction of soot, which sticks to KCl, sulfate or nitrate particles, was detected during EP-5. Additionally, evident enhancement of light absorption was observed during the EP-5, which was mainly ascribed to both black carbon (BC) acceleration and other absorbing substances. However, soot was found mostly internally mixed with sulfate and nitrate during a soot fog episode (EP-3), resulting in evident enhancement of light absorption. The larger size distribution was likely to be caused by both hygroscopic growth and collision between particles during the aging. About 28 % of particles were internally mixed during the foggy days, which favoured the light absorption. The comparison of all the episodes provides a deeper insight into how mixing states influence the aerosol extinction properties and also a clue as to how to control air pollution in the crop burning seasons.