bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Mushroom Growth Measurement System Applying Deep Learning for Image Recognition
Authors: Lu Chuan-Pin , Liaw Jiun-Jian , Wu Tzu-Ching , Hung Tsung-Fu
Published: January 2019

In Taiwan, mushrooms are an agricultural product with high nutritional value and economic benefit. However, global warming and climate change have affected plant quality. As a result, technological greenhouses are replacing traditional tin houses as locations for mushroom planting. These greenhouses feature several complex parameters. If we can reduce the complexity such greenhouses and improve the efficiency of their production management using intelligent schemes, technological greenhouses could become the expert assistants of farmers. In this paper, the main goal of the developed system is to measure the mushroom size and to count the amount of mushrooms. According to the results of each measurement, the growth rate of the mushrooms can be estimated. The proposed system also records the data of the mushrooms and broadcasts them to the mobile phone of the farmer. This improves the effectiveness of the production management. The proposed system is based on the convolutional neural network of deep learning, which is used to localize the mushrooms in the image. A positioning correction method is also proposed to modify the localization result. The experiments show that the proposed system has a good performance concerning the image measurement of mushrooms.
Redox Biology in Transition Periods of Dairy Cattle: Role in the Health of Periparturient and Neonatal Animals
Authors: Abuelo Angel , Hernández Joaquín , Benedito José L. , Castillo Cristina
Published: January 2019

Dairy cows undergo various transition periods throughout their productive life, which are associated with periods of increased metabolic and infectious disease susceptibility. Redox balance plays a key role in ensuring a satisfactory transition. Nevertheless, oxidative stress (OS), a consequence of redox imbalance, has been associated with an increased risk of disease in these animals. In the productive cycle of dairy cows, the periparturient and neonatal periods are times of increased OS and disease susceptibility. This article reviews the relationship of redox status and OS with diseases of cows and calves, and how supplementation with antioxidants can be used to prevent OS in these animals.
Clamping Resonators for Low-Frequency S0 Lamb Wave Reflection
Authors: Hakoda Christopher , Lissenden Cliff J. , Shokouhi Parisa
Published: January 2019

A recent elastic metamaterial study found that resonators that “clamp” a plate waveguide can be used to create a frequency stop-band gap. The result was that the resonator array can prohibit the propagation of an A0 Lamb wave mode. This study investigates whether the concept can be extended to S0 Lamb wave modes by designing resonators that can prohibit the propagation of S0 Lamb wave modes in a 1-mm aluminum plate waveguide at 50 kHz. The frequency-matched resonators did not reduce the transmitted signal, leading to the conclusion that the design concept of frequency-matched resonators is not always effective. On the other hand, the resonators designed to clamp the upper surface of the plate were very effective and reduced the transmitted signal by approximately 75%.
Simultaneous Optimisation of Cable Connection Schemes and Capacity for Offshore Wind Farms via a Modified Bat Algorithm
Authors: Qi Yuanhang , Hou Peng , Yang Liang , Yang Guangya
Published: January 2019

Offshore wind energy has attracted worldwide attention and investments in the last decade due to the stability and abundance of wind resources. As one of the main components of this, internal array cables have a great impact on the levelised cost of energy of offshore wind farms, and thus their connection layout is a matter of concern. In this paper, a classical mathematical problem—the traveling salesman problem, which belongs to the field of graph theory—is applied to solve the offshore wind farm cable connection layout optimization problem. Both the capital investment on cables, cable laying, and the cost of power losses associated with array cables are considered in the proposed model. A modified bat algorithm is presented to resolve the problem. Furthermore, a cable crossing detection method is also adopted to avoid obtaining crossed cable connection layouts. The effectiveness was verified through a case study.
Nucleation Triggering of Highly Undercooled Xylitol Using an Air Lift Reactor for Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Duquesne Marie , Palomo Del Barrio Elena , Godin Alexandre
Published: January 2019

Bio-based glass-forming materials are now considered for thermal energy storage in building applications. Among them, Xylitol appears as a biosourced seasonal thermal energy storage material with high potential. It has a high energy density and a high and stable undercooling, thus allowing storing solar energy at ambient temperature and reducing thermal losses and the risk of spontaneous nucleation (i.e., the risk of losing the stored energy). Generally when the energy is needed, the discharge triggering of the storage system is very difficult as well as reaching a sufficient power delivery. Both are indeed the main obstacles for the use of pure Xylitol in seasonal energy storage. Different techniques have been hence considered to crystallize highly undercooled Xylitol. Nucleation triggering of highly undercooled pure Xylitol by using an air lift reactor has been proven here. This method should allow reaching performances matching with building applications (i.e., at medium temperatures, below 100 °C). The advantages of this technique compared to other existing techniques to activate the crystallization are discussed. The mechanisms triggering the nucleation are investigated. The air bubble generation, transportation of nucleation sites and subsequent crystallization are discussed to improve the air injection operating conditions.
Hemodynamic Interference of Serial Stenoses and Its Impact on FFR and iFR Measurements
Authors: Ju Siyeong , Gu Linxia
Published: January 2019

The hemodynamic interference of serial stenoses poses challenges for identifying the functional severity using the fractional flow reserve (FFR) method. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), i.e., the distal-to-proximal pressure ratio at 75% of diastole, was recently proposed to overcome the disadvantages of the FFR. However, the underlying mechanism remained ambiguous due to the lack of quantitative definition of hemodynamic interference. The objective of this study is to quantitatively define the hemodynamic interference and then examine its role on the FFR and iFR measurements. Pressure distributions, velocity fields, and Q-criterion which identifies vortices, were obtained through the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for five cases with spacing ratios at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10. The hemodynamic interference was identified using vortex structures which were quantified by Q-criterion. Results have shown that a spacing ratio of 7 or larger was interference-free. Serial stenoses with a smaller spacing ratio led to a larger hemodynamic interference, and thus, larger errors in the FFR measurements compared to the spacing ratio of 7. Moreover, the underestimation of the first stenosis lesion has been observed, even in interference-free cases due to the nature of hyperemia. However, the hemodynamic interference of the serial stenoses has a negligible impact on the iFR measurement, regardless of the spacing ratio. Our results demonstrated that the quantification of the hemodynamic interference in serial stenoses provided a better understanding of its role on the pressure measurements, which could be further exploited for the optimal treatment of serial stenoses.
Long-Term Changes of Source Apportioned Particle Number Concentrations in a Metropolitan Area of the Northeastern United States
Authors: Squizzato Stefania , Masiol Mauro , Emami Fereshteh , Chalupa David C. , Utell Mark J. , Rich David Q. , Hopke Philip K.
Published: January 2019

The northeastern United States has experienced significant emissions reductions in the last two decades leading to a decrease in PM2.5, major gaseous pollutants (SO2, CO, NOx) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) concentrations. Emissions controls were implemented for coal-fired power plants, and new heavy-duty diesel trucks were equipped with particle traps and NOx control systems, and ultralow sulfur content is mandatory for both road and non-road diesel as well as residual oil for space heating. At the same time, economic changes also influenced the trends in air pollutants. Investigating the influence of these changes on ultrafine particle sources is fundamental to determine the success of the mitigation strategies and to plan future actions. Particle size distributions have been measured in Rochester, NY since January 2002. The particle sources were investigated with positive matrix factorization (PMF) of the size distributions (11–470 nm) and measured criteria pollutants during five periods (2002–2003, 2004–2007, 2008–2010, 2011–2013, and 2014–2016) and three seasons (winter, summer, and transition). Monthly, weekly, and hourly source contributions patterns were evaluated.
Biochemical Changes in Irradiated Oral Mucosa: A FTIR Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Ukkonen Helena , Vuokila Simo , Mikkonen Jopi J. W. , Dekker Hannah , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M. , Bloemena Elisabeth , Koistinen Arto , Valdez Tulio A. , Kullaa Arja M. , Singh Surya Pratap
Published: January 2019

Radiation exposure during the course of treatment in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients can induce both structural and biochemical anomalies. The present study is focused on utilizing infrared imaging for the identification of the minor biochemical alterations in the oral mucosa. Chemical maps generated using glycoprotein band indicates its differential distribution along the superficial layer. Spectra extracted from this layer suggests changes in overall nucleic acid and protein content in response to the therapeutic irradiation. Discrimination among control and irradiated groups have been achieved using principal component analysis. Findings of this preliminary study further support prospective utilization of Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) imaging as a non-destructive, label-free tool for objective assessment of the oral mucosa in patient groups with or without radiation therapy.
Education Attainment and Alcohol Binge Drinking: Diminished Returns of Hispanics in Los Angeles
Authors: Assari Shervin , Farokhnia Mehdi , Mistry Ritesh
Published: January 2019

According to the minorities’ diminished returns (MDR) theory, socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as education attainment have smaller protective effects on health risk behaviors for racial and ethnic minority groups in comparison to the ‘dominant’ social group. However, most studies of MDR theory have been on comparison of Blacks versus Whites. Much less is known about diminished returns of SES in ethnic subpopulations (i.e., Hispanics versus non-Hispanic Whites). To test whether MDR also holds for the social patterning of problematic alcohol use among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites, this study investigated ethnic variations in the association between education attainment and alcohol binge drinking frequency in a population-based sample of adults. Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey, 2001, included 907 non-Hispanic White and 2117 Hispanic White adults (≥18 years old). Hispanic ethnicity (moderator), education attainment (independent variable), alcohol binge drinking frequency (dependent variable), and gender, age, immigration status, employment status, self-rated health, and history of depression (confounders) were included in four linear regressions. In the overall sample that included both non-Hispanic and Hispanic Whites, higher education attainment was correlated with lower alcohol binge drinking frequency (b = −0.05, 95% CI = −0.09–−0.02), net of covariates. A significant interaction was found between ethnicity and education attainment (b = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.00–0.17), indicating a stronger protective effect of high education attainment against alcohol binge drinking frequency for non-Hispanic than Hispanic Whites. In ethnic-stratified models, higher level of education attainment was associated with lower binge drinking frequency among non-Hispanic Whites (b = −0.11, 95% CI = −0.19–−0.03), but not among Hispanic Whites (b = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.04–0.03). While, overall, higher education attainment is associated with lower frequency of alcohol binge drinking, this protective effect of education attainment seems to be weaker among Hispanic Whites compared to non-Hispanic Whites, a phenomenon consistent with the MDR theory.
Cancer Prevention and Therapy of Two Types of Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication–Deficient “Cancer Stem Cell”
Authors: Trosko James E.
Published: January 2019

Early observations showed a lack of growth control and terminal differentiation with a lack of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Subsequent observations showed that epigenetic tumor promoters and activated oncogenes, which block gap junction function, provide insights into the multi-stage, multi-mechanism carcinogenic process. With the isolation of embryonic induced pluri-potent stem cells and organ-specific adult stem cells, gap junctions were linked to early development. While tumors and tumor cell lines are a heterogeneous mixture of “cancer stem cells” and “cancer non-stem cells”, the cancer stem cells seem to be of two types, namely, they express (a) no connexin genes or (b) connexin genes, but do not have functional GJIC. These observations suggest that these “cancer stem cells” originate from normal adult stem cells or from the de-differentiation or re-programming of somatic differentiated cells. This “Concept Paper” provides a hypothesis that “cancer stem cells” either originate from (a) organ-specific adult stem cells before the expression of the connexin genes or (b) organ-specific adult stem cells that just express gap junction genes but that the connexin proteins are rendered dysfunctional by activated oncogenes. Therefore, cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies must account for these two different types of “cancer stem cell”.
The Potential Mechanism of Bufadienolide-Like Chemicals on Breast Cancer via Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yingbo , Tang Xiaomin , Pang Yuxin , Huang Luqi , Wang Dan , Yuan Chao , Hu Xuan , Qu Liping
Published: January 2019

Bufadienolide-like chemicals are mostly composed of the active ingredient of Chansu and they have anti-inflammatory, tumor-suppressing, and anti-pain activities; however, their mechanism is unclear. This work used bioinformatics analysis to study this mechanism via gene expression profiles of bufadienolide-like chemicals: (1) Differentially expressed gene identification combined with gene set variation analysis, (2) similar small -molecule detection, (3) tissue-specific co-expression network construction, (4) differentially regulated sub-networks related to breast cancer phenome, (5) differentially regulated sub-networks with potential cardiotoxicity, and (6) hub gene selection and their relation to survival probability. The results indicated that bufadienolide-like chemicals usually had the same target as valproic acid and estradiol, etc. They could disturb the pathways in RNA splicing, the apoptotic process, cell migration, extracellular matrix organization, adherens junction organization, synaptic transmission, Wnt signaling, AK-STAT signaling, BMP signaling pathway, and protein folding. We also investigated the potential cardiotoxicity and found a dysregulated subnetwork related to membrane depolarization during action potential, retinoic acid receptor binding, GABA receptor binding, positive regulation of nuclear division, negative regulation of viral genome replication, and negative regulation of the viral life cycle. These may play important roles in the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolide-like chemicals. The results may highlight the potential anticancer mechanism and cardiotoxicity of Chansu, and could also explain the ability of bufadienolide-like chemicals to be used as hormones and anticancer and vasoprotectives agents.
Benzothiazole Nickelation: An Obstacle to the Catalytic Arylation of Azoles by Cyclopentadienyl Nickel N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes
Authors: Shahane Saurabh , de P. Cardoso Bernardo , Chetcuti Michael J. , Ritleng Vincent
Published: January 2019

NiCp†L(NHC)](+) complexes (Cp† = Cp (η5-C5H5), Cp* (η5-C5Me5); NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; L = Cl− or NCMe) have been tested as pre-catalysts for the direct arylation of benzothiazole in the presence of an alkoxide. Only the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl derivative, [NiCp*Cl(IMes)] (IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimidazol-2-ylidene), enabled low conversion to the desired coupling product with phenyl iodide as the electrophilic coupling partner. In contrast, all cyclopentadienyl complexes proved to be inactive. 1H NMR studies of the “catalytic” reaction mixtures demonstrate that they cleanly convert to an unreactive C(2)-benzothiazolyl derivative, whose identity has been confirmed by an independent synthesis and characterization. The latter constitutes a potential energy well that quenches all further reactivity, and provides a rare example of C(2)-metallated azolyl complex.
Adsorption and Photocatalytic Decomposition of Gaseous 2-Propanol Using TiO2-Coated Porous Glass Fiber Cloth
Authors: Yanagida Sayaka , Hirayama Kentaro , Iwasaki Kenichiro , Yasumori Atsuo
Published: January 2019

Combinations of TiO2 photocatalysts and various adsorbents have been extensively investigated for eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low concentrations. Herein, TiO2 and porous glass cloth composites were prepared by acid leaching and subsequent TiO2 dip-coating of the electrically applied glass (E-glass) cloth, and its adsorption and photocatalytic ability were investigated. Acid leaching increased the specific surface area of the E-glass cloth from 1 to 430 m2/g while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for supporting TiO2. Further, the specific surface area remained large (290 m2/g) after TiO2 coating. In the photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol, the TiO2-coated porous glass cloth exhibited higher adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition ability than those exhibited by the TiO2-coated, non-porous glass cloth. The porous composite limited desorption of acetone, which is a decomposition intermediate of 2-propanol, until 2-propanol was completely decomposed to CO2. The CO2 generation rate was affected by the temperature condition (15 or 35 °C) and the water content (2 or 18 mg/L); the latter also influenced 2-propanol adsorption in photocatalytic decomposition. Both the conditions may change the diffusion and adsorption behavior of 2-propanol in the porous composite. As demonstrated by its high adsorption and photocatalytic ability, the composite (TiO2 and porous glass cloth) effectively eliminates VOCs, while decreasing the emission of harmful intermediates.
Non-Monotonic Trends of Hydrogen Adsorption on Single Atom Doped g-C3N4
Authors: Li Hao , Zhang Zhien , Liu Zhijian
Published: January 2019

To estimate the reaction free energies of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on under-coordinated metallic sites, density function theory (DFT) calculations are usually employed to calculate the hydrogen adsorption energy with an “only-one-hydrogen-adsorption” model, assuming that adsorption with one hydrogen is the most thermodynamically favorable situation during catalysis. In this brief report, we show that on many single atom sites, adsorption of more than one hydrogen is sometimes even more thermodynamically favorable, with the presence of two or three hydrogens resulting in lower adsorption energies. These interesting non-monotonic trends indicate that modeling HER and other hydrogen-related reactions on under-coordinated sites should also consider the numbers of hydrogen being adsorbed at the same site, otherwise the results could deviate from real experimental situations.
Adoptive T Cell Therapy Strategies for Viral Infections in Patients Receiving Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Ottaviano Giorgio , Chiesa Robert , Feuchtinger Tobias , Vickers Mark A. , Dickinson Anne , Gennery Andrew R. , Veys Paul , Todryk Stephen
Published: January 2019

Adverse outcomes following virus-associated disease in patients receiving allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have encouraged strategies to control viral reactivation in immunosuppressed patients. However, despite timely treatment with antiviral medication, some viral infections remain refractory to treatment, which hampers outcomes after HSCT, and are responsible for a high proportion of transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Adoptive transfer of donor-derived lymphocytes aims to improve cellular immunity and to prevent or treat viral diseases after HSCT. Early reports described the feasibility of transferring nonspecific lymphocytes from donors, which led to the development of cell therapy approaches based on virus-specific T cells, allowing a targeted treatment of infections, while limiting adverse events such as graft versus host disease (GvHD). Both expansion and direct selection techniques have yielded comparable results in terms of efficacy (around 70–80%), but efficacy is difficult to predict for individual cases. Generating bespoke products for each donor–recipient pair can be expensive, and there remains the major obstacle of generating products from seronegative or poorly responsive donors. More recent studies have focused on the feasibility of collecting and infusing partially matched third-party virus-specific T cells, reporting response rates of 60–70%. Future development of this approach will involve the broadening of applicability to multiple viruses, the optimization and cost-control of manufacturing, larger multicentred efficacy trials, and finally the creation of cell banks that can provide prompt access to virus-specific cellular product. The aim of this review is to summarise present knowledge on adoptive T cell manufacturing, efficacy and potential future developments.
Nanobody Detection of Standard Fluorescent Proteins Enables Multi-Target DNA-PAINT with High Resolution and Minimal Displacement Errors
Authors: Sograte-Idrissi Shama , Oleksiievets Nazar , Isbaner Sebastian , Eggert-Martinez Mariana , Enderlein Jörg , Tsukanov Roman , Opazo Felipe
Published: January 2019

DNA point accumulation for imaging in nanoscale topography (PAINT) is a rapidly developing fluorescence super-resolution technique, which allows for reaching spatial resolutions below 10 nm. It also enables the imaging of multiple targets in the same sample. However, using DNA-PAINT to observe cellular structures at such resolution remains challenging. Antibodies, which are commonly used for this purpose, lead to a displacement between the target protein and the reporting fluorophore of 20–25 nm, thus limiting the resolving power. Here, we used nanobodies to minimize this linkage error to ~4 nm. We demonstrate multiplexed imaging by using three nanobodies, each able to bind to a different family of fluorescent proteins. We couple the nanobodies with single DNA strands via a straight forward and stoichiometric chemical conjugation. Additionally, we built a versatile computer-controlled microfluidic setup to enable multiplexed DNA-PAINT in an efficient manner. As a proof of principle, we labeled and imaged proteins on mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, and chromatin. We obtained super-resolved images of the three targets with 20 nm resolution, and within only 35 minutes acquisition time.
Characterization of Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor-Like Kinase 4 as a Negative Regulator of Leaf Senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Xiaoxu , Ahmad Salman , Ali Akhtar , Guo Cun , Li Hong , Yu Jing , Zhang Yan , Gao Xiaoming , Guo Yongfeng
Published: January 2019

Leaf senescence is a genetically controlled process that involves the perception of extracellular signals and signal transduction. The receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs) are known to act as an important class of cell surface receptors and are involved in multiple biological processes such as development and stress responses. The functions of a number of RLK members have been characterized in Arabidopsis and other plant species, but only a limited number of RLK proteins have been reported to be associated with leaf senescence. In the present study, we have characterized the role of the somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase 4 (SERK4) gene in leaf senescence. The expression of SERK4 was up-regulated during leaf senescence and by several abiotic stress treatments in Arabidopsis. The serk4-1 knockout mutant was found to display a significant early leaf senescence phenotype. Furthermore, the results of overexpression analysis and complementary analysis supported the idea that SERK4 acts as a negative regulator in the process of leaf senescence.
Unavoidable Destroyed Exergy in Crude Oil Pipelines due to Wax Precipitation
Authors: Cheng Qinglin , Yang JinWei , Zheng Anbo , Yang Lu , Gan Yifan , Liu Yang
Published: January 2019

Based on the technological requirements related to waxy crude oil pipeline transportation, both unavoidable and avoidable destroyed exergy are defined. Considering the changing characteristics of flow pattern and flow regime over the course of the oil transportation process, a method of dividing station oil pipelines into transportation intervals is suggested according to characteristic temperatures, such as the wax precipitation point and abnormal point. The critical transition temperature and the specific heat capacity of waxy crude oil are calculated, and an unavoidable destroyed exergy formula is derived. Then, taking the Daqing oil pipeline as an example, unavoidable destroyed exergy in various transportation intervals are calculated during the actual processes. Furthermore, the influential rules under various design and operation parameters are further analyzed. The maximum and minimum unavoidable destroyed exergy are 381.128 kJ/s and 30.259 kJ/s. When the design parameters are simulated, and the maximum unavoidable destroyed exergy is 625 kJ/s at the diameter about 250 mm. With the increase of insulation layer thickness, the unavoidable destroyed exergy decreases continuously, and the minimum unavoidable destroyed exergy is 22 kJ/s at 30 mm. And the burial depth has little effect on the unavoidable destroyed exergy. When the operation parameters are simulated, the destroyed exergy increases, but it is less affected by the outlet pressure. The increase amplitude of unavoidable destroyed exergy will not exceed 2% after the throughput rises to 80 m3/h. When the outlet temperature increases until 65 °C, the loss increase range will not exceed 4%. Thus, this study provides a theoretical basis for the safe and economical transportation of waxy crude oil.
K-th Nearest Neighbor (KNN) Entropy Estimates of Complexity and Integration from Ongoing and Stimulus-Evoked Electroencephalographic (EEG) Recordings of the Human Brain
Authors: Trujillo Logan T.
Published: January 2019

Information-theoretic measures for quantifying multivariate statistical dependence have proven useful for the study of the unity and diversity of the human brain. Two such measures–integration, I(X), and interaction complexity, CI(X)–have been previously applied to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded during ongoing wakeful brain states. Here, I(X) and CI(X) were computed for empirical and simulated visually-elicited alpha-range (8–13 Hz) EEG signals. Integration and complexity of evoked (stimulus-locked) and induced (non-stimulus-locked) EEG responses were assessed using nonparametric k-th nearest neighbor (KNN) entropy estimation, which is robust to the nonstationarity of stimulus-elicited EEG signals. KNN-based I(X) and CI(X) were also computed for the alpha-range EEG of ongoing wakeful brain states. I(X) and CI(X) patterns differentiated between induced and evoked EEG signals and replicated previous wakeful EEG findings obtained using Gaussian-based entropy estimators. Absolute levels of I(X) and CI(X) were related to absolute levels of alpha-range EEG power and phase synchronization, but stimulus-related changes in the information-theoretic and other EEG properties were independent. These findings support the hypothesis that visual perception and ongoing wakeful mental states emerge from complex, dynamical interaction among segregated and integrated brain networks operating near an optimal balance between order and disorder.
Composite Tests under Corrupted Data
Authors: Broniatowski Michel , Jurečková Jana , Moses Ashok Kumar , Miranda Emilie
Published: January 2019

This paper focuses on test procedures under corrupted data. We assume that the observations Z i are mismeasured, due to the presence of measurement errors. Thus, instead of Z i for i = 1 , … , n, we observe X i = Z i + δ V i, with an unknown parameter δ and an unobservable random variable V i. It is assumed that the random variables Z i are i.i.d., as are the X i and the V i. The test procedure aims at deciding between two simple hyptheses pertaining to the density of the variable Z i, namely f 0 and g 0. In this setting, the density of the V i is supposed to be known. The procedure which we propose aggregates likelihood ratios for a collection of values of δ. A new definition of least-favorable hypotheses for the aggregate family of tests is presented, and a relation with the Kullback-Leibler divergence between the sets f δ δ and g δ δ is presented. Finite-sample lower bounds for the power of these tests are presented, both through analytical inequalities and through simulation under the least-favorable hypotheses. Since no optimality holds for the aggregation of likelihood ratio tests, a similar procedure is proposed, replacing the individual likelihood ratio by some divergence based test statistics. It is shown and discussed that the resulting aggregated test may perform better than the aggregate likelihood ratio procedure.
A Programmable Mechanical Maxwell’s Demon
Authors: Lu Zhiyue , Jarzynski Christopher
Published: January 2019

We introduce and investigate a simple and explicitly mechanical model of Maxwell’s demon—a device that interacts with a memory register (a stream of bits), a thermal reservoir (an ideal gas) and a work reservoir (a mass that can be lifted or lowered). Our device is similar to one that we have briefly described elsewhere, but it has the additional feature that it can be programmed to recognize a chosen reference sequence, for instance, the binary representation of π . If the bits in the memory register match those of the reference sequence, then the device extracts heat from the thermal reservoir and converts it into work to lift a small mass. Conversely, the device can operate as a generalized Landauer’s eraser (or copier), harnessing the energy of a dropping mass to write the chosen reference sequence onto the memory register, replacing whatever information may previously have been stored there. Our model can be interpreted either as a machine that autonomously performs a conversion between information and energy, or else as a feedback-controlled device that is operated by an external agent. We derive generalized second laws of thermodynamics for both pictures. We illustrate our model with numerical simulations, as well as analytical calculations in a particular, exactly solvable limit.
On Using Linear Diophantine Equations for in-Parallel Hiding of Decision Tree Rules
Authors: Feretzakis Georgios , Kalles Dimitris , Verykios Vassilios S.
Published: January 2019

Data sharing among organizations has become an increasingly common procedure in several areas such as advertising, marketing, electronic commerce, banking, and insurance sectors. However, any organization will most likely try to keep some patterns as hidden as possible once it shares its datasets with others. This paper focuses on preserving the privacy of sensitive patterns when inducing decision trees. We adopt a record augmentation approach to hide critical classification rules in binary datasets. Such a hiding methodology is preferred over other heuristic solutions like output perturbation or cryptographic techniques, which limit the usability of the data, since the raw data itself is readily available for public use. We propose a look ahead technique using linear Diophantine equations to add the appropriate number of instances while maintaining the initial entropy of the nodes. This method can be used to hide one or more decision tree rules optimally.
Visualizing the Greenhouse Effect: Restructuring Mental Models of Climate Change Through a Guided Online Simulation
Authors: Thacker Ian , Sinatra Gale M.
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this design based research study was to better understand and build from students’ perceptual experiences of visual representations of the greenhouse effect. Twenty undergraduate students were interviewed as they engaged with an online visualization for the learning of the greenhouse effect. We found that, even though all students agreed that climate change is happening, a majority initially held a misconception about how it works. Upon engaging with the visualization, students made perceptual inferences and formulated causal rules that culminated in an improved description of how climate change works. This trajectory was supported with prompts from the interviewer to make predictions, observe specific interactions in the visualization and revise their causal inferences based on these observations. A case study is presented to illustrate a typical learning trajectory.
Comparison of NOx and Smoke Characteristics of Water-in-Oil Emulsion and Marine Diesel Oil in 400-kW Marine Generator Engine
Authors: Oh Jungmo , Im Myeonghwan , Oh Seungjin , Lee Changhee
Published: January 2019

Currently, the exhaust gas of a ship is regulated for nitrogen oxides and sulphur compounds; however, there is no IMO regulation on smoke under discussion. This study investigated the reduction of exhaust gas through ship emulsion fuel, which can simultaneously reduce nitrogen oxides and smoke in ship engines before smoke regulations are established. The combustion and exhaust characteristics were investigated according to the moisture content of emulsion fuel using a 400-kW generator engine. As the water content of the emulsion and the temperature of the combustion chamber increase, micro explosion increases and the combustion period decreases. The nitrogen oxide and smoke from the emulsion fuel used in this study decreased by 7% and 75%, respectively. The nitrogen oxides and soot reductions obtained by the use of emulsion fuel were boosted by micro-explosion of water contained in the fuel during combustion.
Development of a Tree-Shaped Hybrid Nanogenerator Using Flexible Sheets of Photovoltaic and Piezoelectric Films
Authors: Ahmed Rahate , Kim Yeongmin , Zeeshan  , Chun Wongee
Published: January 2019

This paper reports on the feasibility of a tree-shaped hybrid nanogenerator (TSHG) made of flexible sheets of photovoltaic (PV) and piezoelectric (piezo) films for harnessing both wind and solar energy. The proposed system has been designed to produce electricity if there is any light, wind or strong rainfall. It shows how the power developed by each piezo film sheet was integrated in conjunction with its limited power output which is produced by the sporadic movement of the sheets. Regardless of its magnitude, the AC power output of each piezo film sheet was converted with a full wave bridge rectifier and then passed to a capacitor. The TSHG has an excellent performance with an open circuit voltage of 5.071 V, a short-circuit current of 1.282 mA, and a maximum power output of 3.42 mW at a loading resistance of 5 kΩ. Moreover, a wind driven TSHG was capable of charging a 1000 µF capacitor, which was subsequently discharged through LED lighting.
Harmonic Detection for Power Grids Using Adaptive Variational Mode Decomposition
Authors: Cai Guowei , Wang Lixin , Yang Deyou , Sun Zhenglong , Wang Bo
Published: January 2019

The harmonic pollution problem in power grids has become increasingly prominent with the large-scale application of power electronic equipment, nonlinear loads, and renewable energy. This study proposes a method based on adaptive variational mode decomposition (AVMD) and Hilbert transform (HT) that is applicable to harmonic detection in power system. The AVMD method constructs and solves the constrained variational model. Then, a single-frequency harmonic component with stable features can be obtained. The proposed method can effectively avoid the recursive process in empirical mode decomposition (EMD). In this study, the variational mode decomposition algorithm is used to obtain the periodic harmonic components concurrently. Subsequently, the characteristic parameters of each harmonic component are extracted via HT. Simulation analysis and measured data verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed algorithm. Compared with the detection results obtained using the EMD algorithm, the proposed method is proven to exhibit stronger applicability to harmonic detection in power system.
Multi-Parameter Optimization for the Wet Steam Accumulator of a Steam-Powered Catapult
Authors: Zhu Qidan , Lu Peng , Yang Zhibo , Ji Xun , Han Yu
Published: January 2019

Selecting the optimal parameters for wet steam accumulator of steam-powered catapult is an important task, due to launching safety. There is no literature on the topic of the parameters optimization for wet steam accumulator of steam-powered catapult. The genetic algorithm (GA) was used to determine the optimal wet steam accumulator in this article. The sink-off-the-bow (SOB), angle of attack and rate of climb were used to create the objective function. The multi-objective optimization can be converted to single-objective optimization, which is subject to angle of attack and rate of climb. Moreover, the simulation model of the steam catapult system was built by creating a thermodynamics model of steam-powered catapult, a mathematical model of traction release device, a statics model of tensioning, a statics model of full takeoff power, a mathematical model of catapult force build-up with holdback, a model of release, a dynamics model of power stroke, a dynamics model of free deck run and a dynamics model of fly away. Finally, the optimal combination of the wet steam accumulator was obtained via numerical simulation. The GA method can effectively find the optimal parameters of wet steam accumulator, and its optimized parameters can increase the safety of catapult launch process.
Sustainable District Cooling Systems: Status, Challenges, and Future Opportunities, with Emphasis on Cooling-Dominated Regions
Authors: Eveloy Valerie , Ayou Dereje S.
Published: January 2019

A review of current and future district cooling (DC) technologies, operational, economic, and environmental aspects, and analysis and optimization methodologies is presented, focusing on the demands of cooling-dominated regions. Sustainable energy sources (i.e., renewable, waste/excess electricity and heat, natural/artificial cold) and cooling/storage technology options with emphasis on heat-driven refrigeration, and their integrations in published DC design and analysis studies are reviewed. Published DC system analysis, modeling, and optimization methodologies are analyzed in terms of their objectives, scope, sustainability-related criteria, and key findings. The current and future development of DC in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, a major developing cooling-dominated market, is examined more specifically in terms of current and future energy sources and their use, and economic, environmental, and regulatory aspects, with potential technical and non-technical solutions identified to address regional DC sustainability challenges. From the review of published DC design and analysis studies presented, collective research trends in key thematic areas are analyzed, with suggested future research themes proposed towards the sustainability enhancement of DC systems in predominantly hot climates.
A Review of Gasoline Compression Ignition: A Promising Technology Potentially Fueled with Mixtures of Gasoline and Biodiesel to Meet Future Engine Efficiency and Emission Targets
Authors: Putrasari Yanuandri , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: January 2019

Efforts have been made to develop efficient and alternative powertrains for internal combustion engines including combustion at low-temperature (LTC) concepts. LTC has been widely studied as a novel combustion mode that offers the possibility to minimize both nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) via enhanced air-fuel mixing and intake charge dilution, resulting in lower peak combustion temperatures. Gasoline compression ignition (GCI) is a new ignition method related to the extensive classification of combustion at low-temperature approaches. In this method of ignition, a fuel with high evaporation characteristics and low autoignition sensitivity, for instance gasoline, is burned in a high pressure process. Despite many research efforts, there are still many challenges related with GCI performance for compression ignition (CI) engines. Unstable combustion for idle- to low-load operation was observed because of the low reactivity characteristics of gasoline, and this will affect the efficiency and emissions of the engine. This paper contributes a detailed review of several topics associated with GCI engines and the effort to improve its efficiency and emissions, including its potential when using gasoline-biodiesel blends. Some recommendations are proposed to encourage GCI engines improvement and development in the near future.
Thermal Protection System and Thermal Management for Combined-Cycle Engine: Review and Prospects
Authors: Dong Yiwei , Wang Ertai , You Yancheng , Yin Chunping , Wu Zongpu
Published: January 2019

Combined-cycle engine is a potential propulsion system for hypersonic aircraft. To ensure long-term, normal operation of combined-cycle engine under the harsh environment of high thermal load, it is of great significance to study the thermal protection and management of the propulsion system. In this study, the objective and development status of thermal protection and thermal management systems for the combined-cycle propulsion system were described. The latest research progresses of thermal protection, thermal barrier coating, and thermal management system of the combined-cycle propulsion system were summarized. Moreover, the problems and shortcoming in current researches were summarized. In addition, a prospect for the future development of thermal protection and management of the combined-cycle propulsion system was presented, pointing out a direction of great value and vital research significance to thermal protection and management of the combined-cycle propulsion system.
Analysis of a Control System for DFIG Wind Generators Based on the Transmission of Power References through a GSM Wireless Network: A Smart Grid Experimental Approach
Authors: Gomez Luis , Pereira Samuel , Murari André , Franco Henrique , Altuna Jose , Salles Mauricio , Filho Alfeu , Capovilla Carlos , Casella Ivan
Published: January 2019

This work proposes the use of the automatic Short Message Service (SMS) of a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network to transmit the control information to a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) of a wind turbine, according to the Smart Grid (SG) concept. In the proposed strategy, the Control Center (CC) can remotely transmit the required power references (active and reactive) to the DFIG controller, in order to manage the power generation of the wind turbine dynamically. The proposed wireless network was developed in a Software Defined Radio (SDR) transceiver connected to an OpenBTS platform. The control information can be directly inserted in the Open Base Transceiver Station (OpenBTS) server (located at the CC) or sent by a wireless device (e.g., mobile phone) connected to the GSM network, and then transmitted to the wireless receiver at the wind turbine. The receiver on the turbine side was developed in a microcontroller board with a GSM card, and the DFIG controller was implemented in a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) board. The results of the tests showed that the DFIG can be satisfactorily controlled according to the power references, considering that they vary at low rates.
Low Water Availability Increases Necrosis in Picea abies after Artificial Inoculation with Fungal Root Rot Pathogens Heterobasidion parviporum and Heterobasidion annosum
Authors: Terhonen Eeva , Langer Gitta Jutta , Bußkamp Johanna , Rӑscuţoi David Robert , Blumenstein Kathrin
Published: January 2019

Research Highlights: Dedicated experiments to investigate how disturbances will affect Heterobasidion sp.—Norway spruce pathosystems are important, in order to develop different strategies to limit the spread of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. under the predicted climate change. Here, we report on a greenhouse experiment to evaluate the effects of water availability on the infection severity of Heterobasidion parviporum or Heterobasidion annosum, respectively, on Picea abies saplings. Background and Objectives: Changes in climatic conditions and intense logging will continue to promote H. annosum s.l. in conifer forests, increasing annual economic losses. Thus, our aim was to test if disease severity in Norway spruce was greater after infection with H. parviporum or H. annosum in low water availability conditions, compared to seedlings with high water availability. Materials and Methods: We performed inoculation studies of three-year-old saplings in a greenhouse. Saplings were treated as high (+) or low (−) water groups: High water group received double the water amount than the low water group. The necrosis observed after pathogen inoculation was measured and analyzed. Results: The seedling growth was negatively influenced in the lower water group. In addition, the water availability enhanced the necrosis length of H. parviporum in phloem and sapwood (vertical length) in the low water group. H. annosum benefited only in horizontal length in the phloem. Conclusions: Disturbances related to water availability, especially low water conditions, can have negative effects on the tree host and benefit the infection ability of the pathogens in the host.