bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toulouse face à la Garonne: emprise de l'urbanisation dans la plaine inondable et geohistoire des amenagements fluviaux
Authors: Valette Philippe , Carozza Jean Michel
Published: September 2017

The city of Toulouse in France settled on the banks of the Garonne.The evolution of the urbanization of the city reflects the ambivalent relationship with the river: scourge to fight against dams which is landscape,but also sought to resource which is created mills, ports ... The historical geography of river developments facing urbanization reveals the development and juxtaposition of artifacts on the river. Urban river landscapes Toulouse are the result of a slow time construction. The objective of this work is to define these different temporalities that produced the current river landscapes. These are the subject of development projects and their implementation will change the looks by putting the Garonne in the center and heart of the city.
Les services bancaires et d'assurances et les services informatiques dans les villes moyennes du grand Sud-Ouest Français. Logiques de déploiement et stratégies d'ancrage
Authors: Zuliani Jean Marc
Published: September 2017

En el suroeste de Francia (regiones de Aquitania, Mediodía-Pirineos y Laguedoc-Rosellón) se está cimentando un nuevo sistema de ciudades medianas sobre los servicios financieros (banca y aseguradoras) e informáticos con modelos de implantación espacial diferente. Mientras que algunos establecimientos bancarios consideran a las ciudades intermedias simples espacios de operaciones comerciales, las mutualidades desarrollan en ellas funciones que conllevan tomas de decisiones estratégicas. Por otra parte, los servicios informáticos se polarizan en estos núcleos urbanos para luchar por un mercado cada vez más competitivo y global, apoyándose en las ciudades intermedias que favorecen los servicios, redes y recursos humanos.
Población, desarrollo humano y procesos de urbanización en los países mediterráneos del Magreb Central
Authors: Cutillas Orgilés Ernesto
Published: September 2017

Desde finales del siglo XX se advierten en varios países bañados por el Mediterráneo, pero más intensamente los situados al sur, múltiples cambios sociodemográficos vinculados con la aceleración de sus transiciones demográficas; cuyo reparto por países refleja notables diferencias en las estructuras y en las dinámicas de sus poblaciones. Estos cambios, al margen de las diferencias nacionales, se originan en un contexto general en el que los diferentes ritmos en el aumento de los índices de desarrollo y los procesos de urbanización marcan el futuro de estas sociedades.
Datos sobre la evolución de los "fresnales" o fresnedas de flor valencianas, obtenidos mediante el inventariado diacrónico
Authors: Laguna Lumbreras Emilio , Ferrer Gallego Pedro Pablo , Gómez Montblanch David Cristel , Lozano Valencia Peio José , Meaza Rodríguez Guillermo
Published: September 2017

Se exponen resultados del seguimiento de inventarios fitosociológicos de bosques de fresno de flor (Fraxinus ornus L.) valencianos, Hedero helicis –Cytisetum patentis fraxinetosum orni, monitorizados durante 3 décadas, cuyos datos de abundancia– dominancia se tomaron cada 10 años –1984,1994, 2004 y 2014– en la localidad del typus nominis de esta asociación vegetal en los montes de Malacara (Buñol, Valencia, España). El análisis de los datos demuestra un incremento progresivo de la riqueza específica y la cobertura media, notablemente para las especies consideradas indicadoras de la evolución al encinar climácico local (Hedero helicis-Quercetum rotundifoliae).
El turismo gastronómico, rutas turísticas y productos locales: el caso del vino y el queso en Cataluña
Authors: Molleví Bortoló Gemma , Fusté Forné Francesc
Published: September 2017

El turismo gastronómico es una tipología turística cuya práctica se extiende a lo largo de todo el año, y que se da en contextos geográficos de cualquier índole. A su vez, las rutas turísticas, tanto naturales como culturales, representan un producto turístico que contribuye también a la desestacionalización de la actividad turística, con un gran potencial para el desarrollo regional. El presente artículo analiza de forma descriptiva e lcaso del turismo gastronómico en Cataluña a través de la oferta de los productos locales mediante las rutas turísticas. Para ello, se estudian cuatro casos de rutas turísticas y gastronómicas en torno a dos productos en particular, el vino y el queso. Las rutas analizadas reflejan una parte del gran mosaico de posibilidades turísticas de Cataluña vinculadas a la potenciación y visibilidad del turismo rural y su impacto económico, y se valora desde un punto de vista teórico cómo han permitido la defensa y valorización del paisaje agrario y de su patrimonio cultural en general y gastronómico en particular.
Secrets of South Asia from Fra Mauro (1459) to Later Maps
Authors: Simon Zoltan A.
Published: September 2017

This evaluation of Fra Mauro's world map is due to coincidence. After studying Marco Polo's route in Asia for a decade, in early 2016, I discovered Professor Piero Falchetta's important book about the subject, which every major library should have. Considering his 2,921 entries, one may assume that Falchetta has identified about 90% of Fra Mauro's place names. Our aim was to add about another 3%, including some proposed revisions. Myanmar, Thailand, Central Asia, and China offered many new cartographical fix points. Some of these are confirmed by the identifications and conclusions of the Thai scholar Thavatchai Tangsirivanich. The accuracy of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea on Fra Mauro's map invites a map-maker to trace their shorelines onto vellum and overlay it on a modern map of Eurasia in the Mercator projection. This methodology may seem too simple, but such visual comparison yields invaluable conclusions, including a table of geographical points with true latitudes and longitudes compared with those obtained from Fra Mauro. Many maps from past centuries are compared with his across South Asia from Turkey to Vietnam.
Vertical Strain-rate Measurements in an Arctic Ice Cap and deductions from them
Authors: Paterson W. S. B.
Published: September 2017

Closely spaced measurements of diameter of thermally drilled bore holes reveal a pattern of small variations. These patterns serve to igerntify points on the bore-hole wall; thus the change in length of sections of bore hole can be gertermined as a function of time. This method has been used to measure vertical strain-rate as a function of gerpth in two bore holes near the crest of the Devon Island ice cap. The measured strain-rate, corrected for firn compaction, varies significantly with gerpth. The vertical component of velocity at the surface was gertermined freom the contraction rate of a bore hole that penetrated to the base of the ice. Comparison of this velocity with the present accumulation rate suggests that the ice cap, in the vicinity of the bore hole, is thickening slightly at present. The age of the ice at various gerpths, as calculated freom the measured vertical velocities, is in broad agreement with radio-carbon dates covering the past 6 000 years. This suggests that the flow of the ice cap has not varied significantly over this period, and thus that the present accumulation rate, which is causing thickening, is slightly above the average for the period.
A Correction Factor for Rogh's Stability Index of Slab Avalanche Release
Authors: Sommerfeld R. A. , King R. M. , Budding F.
Published: September 2017

Roch (1966) proposed that the ratio of the strength of a bed layer to the load on it could be used to predict slab avalanche release. However, both he and Perla (unpublished) found that the mean strength was approximately twice the mean stress for snow layers known to have failed. A strength-size relationship is proposed to explain this discrepancy.
Assessing knee strength ratios and bilateral deficit via dynamic vs. static tests in amateur rugby union players
Authors: Dobbs Ian J. , Watkins Casey M. , Barillas Saldiam R. , Wong Megan A. , Brown Lee E.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Assessing players’ leg strength ratios prior to season is important in order to measure performance and identify weaknesses. Leg ratios are calculated by dividing the moment of hamstring by quadriceps. The simple (concentric only) HQ ratio and the dynamic control ratio (DCR) (Hamstring eccentric/Quadriceps concentric) are used to detect asymmetry, knee strength, and bilateral deficit (BD). However, open (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) tests potentially provide different information regarding muscle strength and balance.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to measure the abovementioned ratios in male and female amateur rugby union players and to assess difference between OKC and CKC tests.

METHODS:

Six males (age [Formula: see text] 22.00 [Formula: see text] 2.61 y, height [Formula: see text] 172.67 [Formula: see text] 6.12 cm, mass [Formula: see text] 80.28 [Formula: see text] 11.13 kg) and 11 females (age [Formula: see text] 24.73 [Formula: see text] 3.66, height [Formula: see text] 164.00 [Formula: see text] 5.23, mass [Formula: see text] 74.00 [Formula: see text] 18.14 kg) rugby union players performed an isometric-mid thigh pull (IMTP) and isokinetic knee extension/flexion at 60[Formula: see text]/s.

RESULTS:

The non-dominant leg simple ratio (0.81 [Formula: see text] 0.13%) was greater than dominant (0.74 [Formula: see text] 0.14%) while the DCR (0.81 [Formula: see text] 0.14%) was greater than simple ratio (0.73 [Formula: see text] 0.10%). The OKC BD ([Formula: see text]21.00 [Formula: see text] 13.86%) was significantly greater than its CKC counterpart ([Formula: see text]6.76 [Formula: see text] 9.79%) while males’ OKC BD ([Formula: see text]30.55 [Formula: see text] 14.93%) was significantly greater than females’ ([Formula: see text]15.79 [Formula: see text] 10.55%).

CONCLUSION:

The DCR may be more sport specific when measuring knee strength, while an OKC test is more likely to detect BD due to muscle isolation.
PET Imaging of Tau Pathology and Relationship to Amyloid, Longitudinal MRI, and Cognitive Change in Down Syndrome: Results from the Down Syndrome Biomarker Initiative (DSBI)
Authors: Rafii Michael S. , Lukic Ana S. , Andrews Randolph D. , Brewer James , Rissman Robert A. , Strother Stephen C. , Wernick Miles N. , Pennington Craig , Mobley William C. , Ness Seth , Matthews Dawn C. ,   for the Down Syndrome Biomarker Initiative and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2017

Background:

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) represent an enriched population for the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which could aid the study of therapeutic interventions, and in turn, could benefit from discoveries made in other AD populations.

Objectives:

1) Understand the relationship between tau pathology and age, amyloid deposition, neurodegeneration (MRI and FDG PET), and cognitive and functional performance; 2) detect and differentiate AD-specific changes from DS-specific brain changes in longitudinal MRI.

Methods:

Twelve non-demented adults, ages 30 to 60, with DS were enrolled in the Down Syndrome Biomarker Initiative (DSBI), a 3-year, observational, cohort study to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting AD intervention/prevention trials in adults with DS. We collected imaging data with 18F-AV-1451 tau PET, AV-45 amyloid PET, FDG PET, and volumetric MRI, as well as cognitive and functional measures and additional laboratory measures.

Results:

All amyloid negative subjects imaged were tau-negative. Among the amyloid positive subjects, three had tau in regions associated with Braak stage VI, two at stage V, and one at stage II. Amyloid and tau burden correlated with age. The MRI analysis produced two distinct volumetric patterns. The first differentiated DS from normal (NL) and AD, did not correlate with age or amyloid, and was longitudinally stable. The second pattern reflected AD-like atrophy and differentiated NL from AD. Tau PET and MRI atrophy correlated with several cognitive and functional measures.

Conclusions:

Tau accumulation is associated with amyloid positivity and age, as well as with progressive neurodegeneration measurable using FDG and MRI. Tau correlates with cognitive decline, as do AD-specific hypometabolism and atrophy.
An On-Line Oxygen Forecasting System for Waterless Live Transportation of Flatfish Based on Feature Clustering
Authors: Zhang Yongjun , Wang Chengguo , Yan Liu , Li Daoliang , Zhang Xiaoshuan
Published: September 2017

Accurate prediction of forthcoming oxygen concentration during waterless live fish transportation plays a key role in reducing the abnormal occurrence, increasing the survival rate in delivery operations, and optimizing manufacturing costs. The most effective ambient monitoring techniques that are based on the analysis of historical process data when performing forecasting operations do not fully consider current ambient influence. This is likely lead to a greater deviation in on-line oxygen level forecasting in real situations. Therefore, it is not advisable for the system to perform early warning and on-line air adjustment in delivery. In this paper, we propose a hybrid method and its implementation system that combines a gray model (GM (1, 1)) with least squares support vector machines (LSSVM) that can be used effectively as a forecasting model to perform early warning effectively according to the dynamic changes of oxygen in a closed system. For accurately forecasting of the oxygen level, the fuzzy C-means clustering (FCM) algorithm was utilized for classification according to the flatfish’s physical features—i.e., length and weight—for more pertinent training. The performance of the gray model-particle swarm optimization-least squares support vector machines (GM-PSO-LSSVM) model was compared with the traditional modeling approaches of GM (1, 1) and LSSVM by applying it to predict on-line oxygen level, and the results showed that its predictions were more accurate than those of the LSSVM and grey model. Therefore, it is a suitable and effective method for abnormal condition forecasting and timely control in the waterless live transportation of flatfish.
Gas Sensor Design Based on a Line Locked Tunable Fiber Laser and the Dual Path Correlation Spectroscopy Method
Authors: Vargas-Rodriguez Everardo , Guzman-Chavez Ana , Raja-Ibrahim Raja , Cardoso-Lozano Luis
Published: September 2017

In this work a hybrid gas sensor based on a tunable fiber laser and a correlation spectroscopy technique is presented. The laser is tuned by varying the temperature of a bulk silicon wafer of 85 μ m thickness and, once the desired wavelength is reached the line, is locked by keeping fixed its temperature. According to experimental results the wafer temperature variation was in the order of 0.02 K, which induced an estimated wavelength deviation of 0.12 pm, which satisfies the high wavelength position accuracy required for gas sensing applications. Additionally, it is shown that errors due to laser intensity fluctuations can be minimized by implementing a simple dual path correlation spectroscopy stage. As a proof of the suitability of our tunable fiber laser for gas sensing applications, a C2H2 sensor was implemented. By using a 10 cm gas cell at atmospheric pressure, it was possible to detect concentrations from 0 to 20% with a sensitivity of 521 ppm and sub-minute time response. Moreover, the experimental measurements and simulated results have a high level of agreement. Finally, it is important to point out that, by using doped fiber with different characteristics, other wavelength emissions can be generated.
Which Method Detects Foot Strike in Rearfoot and Forefoot Runners Accurately when Using an Inertial Measurement Unit?
Authors: Mitschke Christian , Heß Tobias , Milani Thomas
Published: September 2017

Accelerometers and gyroscopes are used to detect foot strike (FS), i.e., the moment when the foot first touches the ground. However, it is unclear whether different conditions (footwear hardness or foot strike pattern) influence the accuracy and precision of different FS detection methods when using such micro-electromechanical sensors (MEMS). This study compared the accuracy of four published MEMS-based FS detection methods with each other and the gold standard (force plate) to establish the most accurate method with regard to different foot strike patterns and footwear conditions. Twenty-three recreational runners (12 rearfoot and 11 forefoot strikers) ran on a 15-m indoor track at their individual running speed in three footwear conditions (low to high hardness). MEMS and a force plate were sampled at a rate of 3750 Hz. Individual accuracy and precision of FS detection methods were found which were dependent on running styles and footwear conditions. Most of the methods were characterized by a delay which generally increased from rearfoot to forefoot strike pattern and from high to low midsole hardness. It can be concluded that only one of the four methods can accurately determine FS in a variety of conditions.
Data Assimilation in Air Contaminant Dispersion Using a Particle Filter and Expectation-Maximization Algorithm
Authors: Wang Rongxiao , Chen Bin , Qiu Sihang , Zhu Zhengqiu , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: September 2017

The accurate prediction of air contaminant dispersion is essential to air quality monitoring and the emergency management of contaminant gas leakage incidents in chemical industry parks. Conventional atmospheric dispersion models can seldom give accurate predictions due to inaccurate input parameters. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of dispersion models, two data assimilation methods (i.e., the typical particle filter & the combination of a particle filter and expectation-maximization algorithm) are proposed to assimilate the virtual Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) observations with measurement error into the atmospheric dispersion model. Two emission cases with different dimensions of state parameters are considered. To test the performances of the proposed methods, two numerical experiments corresponding to the two emission cases are designed and implemented. The results show that the particle filter can effectively estimate the model parameters and improve the accuracy of model predictions when the dimension of state parameters is relatively low. In contrast, when the dimension of state parameters becomes higher, the method of particle filter combining the expectation-maximization algorithm performs better in terms of the parameter estimation accuracy. Therefore, the proposed data assimilation methods are able to effectively support air quality monitoring and emergency management in chemical industry parks.
Stark Widths of Na IV Spectral Lines
Authors: Dimitrijević Milan , Simić Zoran , Valjarević Aleksandar , Yubero Cristina
Published: September 2017

Sodium is a very important element for the research and analysis of astrophysical, laboratory, and technological plasmas, but neither theoretical nor experimental data on Stark broadening of Na IV spectral lines are present in the literature. Using the modified semiempirical method of Dimitrijević and Konjević, here Stark widths have been calculated for nine Na IV transitions. Na IV belongs to the oxygen isoelectronic sequence, and we have calculated Stark widths belonging to singlets, triplets, and quintuplets, as well as with different parent terms. This is used to discuss similarities within one transition array with different multiplicities and parent terms. Additionally, calculated widths will be implemented in the STARK-B database (http://stark-b.obspm.fr) which is also a part of the Virtual Atomic and Molecular Data Center (VAMDC—http://www.vamdc.org/).
COACH CV: The Seven Clinical Phenotypes of Concussion
Authors: Craton Neil , Ali Haitham , Lenoski Stephane
Published: September 2017

Our understanding of the diverse physiological manifestations of concussion is changing rapidly. This has an influence on the clinical assessment of patients who have sustained a concussion. The 2017 Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport states that numerous post-injury clinical findings, such as cognitive deficits, post-traumatic headaches, dizziness, difficulties with oculomotor function, and depression have all been associated with a poorer prognosis in concussed patients. This demonstrates that there are several potential clinical manifestations after head injury warranting clinical evaluation. We have developed an acronym to guide the office-based assessment of concussed patients to consider each of the potential clinical phenotypes. “COACH CV” prompts the clinician to evaluate for cognitive problems, oculomotor dysfunction, affective disturbances, cervical spine disorders, headaches, and cardiovascular and vestibular anomalies.
Investing in the Early Childhood Mental Health Workforce Development: Enhancing Professionals’ Competencies to Support Emotion and Behavior Regulation in Young Children
Authors: Ritblatt Shulamit , Hokoda Audrey , Van Liew Charles
Published: September 2017

This paper delineates a preventive approach to early childhood mental health by preparing the workforce to provide relational, sensitive care to young children ages 0–5. One of the most prevalent issues in early childhood is behavioral challenges and the inability of young children to regulate themselves. This leads to an expulsion rate in early childhood (3–4 times higher than K-12 expulsion rate) and future mental health issues. The Early Childhood Social-Emotional and Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist (EC-SEBRIS) graduate level certificate program was created to strengthen early care and education providers with the knowledge and practice of how to support emotion and behavior regulation in young children in their groups. Evaluation data provide evidence that early care and education professionals increased in their perception of self-efficacy and in their sensitivity of care and skills to support behavioral health in young children. Results indicated that the children in their care showed less challenging behaviors and increased social competencies. This manuscript highlights the importance of prevention and the dire need to provide young children with high-quality, appropriate care to support their mental health.
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Short-Term Outcome Study
Authors: Gómez Lázaro , Vidal Belkis , Maragoto Carlos , Morales Lilia , Berrillo Sheyla , Vera Cuesta Héctor , Baez Margarita , Denis Marlén , Marín Tairí , Cabrera Yaumara , Sánchez Abel , Alarcón Celia , Selguera Maribel , Llanez Yaima , Dieguez Lucila , Robinson María
Published: September 2017

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) is a relatively new therapeutic approach that has shown beneficial effects in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). One question to be answered is how enduring its neuromodulatory effect could be. Twenty-four patients with ASD (mean age: 12.2 years) received 20 sessions of NIBS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC). They were randomized into two groups with two (G1) or three (G2) clinical evaluations before NIBS. Both groups had a complete follow-up at six months after the intervention, with the aim of determining the short-term outcome using the total score on the Autism Behavior Checklist, Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, and the Autism Diagnostic Interview. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) was used in ASD patients aged <11 years, and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for 11–13-year-olds. Observation points were at one, three, and six months after completing all the sessions of NIBS. A significant reduction in the total score on the three clinical scales was observed and maintained during the first six months after treatment, with a slight and non-significant tendency to increase the scores in the last evaluation. Twenty sessions of NIBS over the L-DLPFC improves autistic symptoms in ASD children, with a lasting effect of six months.
Hybrid Ti-MoS2 Coatings for Dry Machining of Aluminium Alloys
Authors: Brzezinka Tomasz , Rao Jeff , Chowdhury Mohamad , Kohlscheen Joern , Fox Rabinovich German , Veldhuis Stephen , Endrino Jose
Published: September 2017

Combinatorial deposition, comprising filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) magnetron sputtering is employed to deposit molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and titanium (Ti) thin films onto TiB2-coated tool inserts specifically designed for the dry machining of aluminium alloys. Titanium is deposited by FCVA while MoS2 is magnetron sputtered. The deposition set up allows several compositions of Ti-MoS2 to be deposited simultaneously, with Ti content ranging between 5 and 96 at. %, and their machining performances to be evaluated. Milling took place using a CNC Vertical Machining Center at a 877 mm/min feed rate. The effect of different coating compositional ratios on the degree of aluminium sticking when a milling insert is used to face mill an Al alloy (SAE 6061) was investigated using a combination of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. XPS studies suggest that the greater degree of Al sticking on the rake face of the inserts is due to the formation of greater amounts of non-protective Ti-O phases. EDX mapping of the milling inserts after machining reveal that a Ti:MoS2 ratio of around 0.39 prevents Al from sticking to the tool edges. Since we prevent Al from sticking to the tool surface, the resultant machined surface finish is improved thus validating the machining performance of TiB2-coated tools using optimum compositions of Ti:MoS2 thin film coatings.
Effect of Particle Size on the Thermal Shock Resistance of Plasma-Sprayed YSZ Coatings
Authors: Huang Jibo , Wang Weize , Lu Xiang , Hu Doudou , Feng Zhengqu , Guo Tianxu
Published: September 2017

In this study, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) using feedstocks with two different particle sizes. The effect of particle size on the pore structure and failure mechanism of the coatings was investigated. The evolution of the pore structure of the two kinds of coatings during cyclic thermal shock test was described by quantitative metallography. The influence of pore orientation on the thermal stress of the coating system was analyzed by the finite element method. It was found that the coatings deposited using coarse particles show a high thermal shock life time. The orientation of the pores in the coatings prepared by different particle sizes was different. A structural parameter was proposed to effectively characterize the pore orientation of the coatings. Coatings prepared by coarse YSZ powder tend to form almost the same number of horizontal and vertical pores, while coatings prepared by fine powder tend to form horizontal ones parallel to the direction of the substrate. The simulation results revealed that the vertical pores can reduce the thermal stress in the coating. The results of this investigation are a benefit to the design and integrity of TBCs.
Olive Mill Wastewater: From a Pollutant to Green Fuels, Agricultural Water Source and Bio-Fertilizer—Part 1. The Drying Kinetics
Authors: Jeguirim Mejdi , Dutournié Patrick , Zorpas Antonis A. , Limousy Lionel
Published: September 2017

Olive Mill Wastewater (OMWW) treatment is considered to be one of the main challenges that Mediterranean countries face. Although several procedures and technologies are mentioned in the literature, these techniques have several disadvantages or have been limited to laboratory pilot validation without posterior industrial projection. Recently, an advanced environmental friendly strategy for the recovery of OMWW was established involving the impregnation of OMWW on dry biomasses, drying of these impregnated samples, and finally green fuels and biochar production. This established strategy revealed that the drying step is crucial for the success of the entire recovery process. Hence, two impregnated samples were prepared through OMWW impregnation on sawdust (IS) and olive mill solid waste (ISW). The drying kinetics of OMWW and impregnated samples (IS and ISW) were examined in a convective dryer (air velocity range from 0.7–1.3 m/s and the temperature from 40–60 °C). The experimental results indicated that the drying of the impregnated samples occurred twice as fast as for the OMWW sample. Such behavior was attributed to the remaining thin layer of oil on the OMWW surface Furthermore, the Henderson and Pabis model showed the suitable fit of the drying curves with a determination coefficient R2 above 0.97. The drying rates were extracted from the mathematical models and the drying process was analyzed. The coefficient of effective diffusivity varied between 2.8 and 11.7 × 10−10 m2/s. In addition, the activation energy values ranged between 28.7 and 44.9 kJ/mol. These values were in the same range as those obtained during the drying of other agrifood byproducts. The final results could be very helpful to engineers aiming to improve and optimize the OMWW drying process.
Generic Type 3 Wind Turbine Model Based on IEC 61400-27-1: Parameter Analysis and Transient Response under Voltage Dips
Authors: Lorenzo-Bonache Alberto , Honrubia-Escribano Andrés , Jiménez-Buendía Francisco , Molina-García Ángel , Gómez-Lázaro Emilio
Published: September 2017

This paper analyzes the response under voltage dips of a Type 3 wind turbine topology based on IEC 61400-27-1. The evolution of both active power and rotational speed is discussed in detail when some of the most relevant control parameters, included in the mechanical, active power and pitch control models, are modified. Extensive results are also included to explore the influence of these parameters on the model dynamic response. This work thus provides an extensive analysis of the generic Type 3 wind turbine model and provides an estimation of parameters not previously discussed in the specific literature. Indeed, the International Standard IEC 61400-27-1, recently published in February 2015, defines these generic dynamic simulation models for wind turbines, but does not provide values for the parameters to simulate the response of these models. Thus, there is a pressing need to establish correlations between IEC generic models and specific wind turbine manufacturer models to estimate suitable parameters for simulation purposes. Extensive results and simulations are also included in the paper.
Insects and the Kafkaesque: Insectuous Re-Writings in Visual and Audio-Visual Media
Authors: Grammatikopoulos Damianos
Published: September 2017

In this article, I examine techniques at work in visual and audio-visual media that deal with the creative imitation of central Kafkan themes, particularly those related to hybrid insects and bodily deformity. In addition, the opening section of my study offers a detailed and thorough discussion of the concept of the “Kafkaesque”, and an attempt will be made to circumscribe its signifying limits. The main objective of the study is to explore the relationship between Kafka’s texts and the works of contemporary cartoonists, illustrators (Charles Burns), and filmmakers (David Cronenberg) and identify themes and motifs that they have in common. My approach is informed by transtextual practices and source studies, and I draw systematically on Gerard Genette’s Palimpsests and Harold Bloom’s The Anxiety of Influence.
Using Historical Maps within a GIS to Analyze Two Centuries of Rural Landscape Changes in Southern Italy
Authors: Statuto Dina , Cillis Giuseppe , Picuno Pietro
Published: September 2017

The current characteristics of a rural landscape may be better understood if suitable information related to its past is available. The availability of a Geographical Information System (GIS) can enable the analysis of landscape features in relation to several aspects, e.g., the evolution and mutual inter-relation among different ecosystems, the impact and sustainability of human activities, the visual characteristics of a landscape, etc. The analysis of geographical information, derived from historical maps, within a GIS could, therefore, prove to be a very powerful tool, for a better-informed decision-making and management of a rural landscape. With the aim to identify the land use changes in a rural area located in the Basilicata Region (Southern Italy), a territorial analysis was conducted through a GIS, in which data taken from historical maps—covering a period of 184 years, from 1829 to 2013—were implemented. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the rural landscape during different periods were obtained through digital terrain models (DTM). The land cover changes were also evaluated, demonstrating how they have affected the quality of the forest ecosystem in the area. The final results that were obtained comparing historical documents and current maps enabled the evaluation of the multi-temporal, morphological, and vegetation variations in this rural landscape. The analysis that was conducted has great potential for assessing and monitoring landscape diversity and typical changes of vegetation, even in different geographical locations, where appropriate interventions in landscape structures may be so planned.
Quartz-Amethyst Hosted Hydrocarbon-Bearing Fluid Inclusions from the Green Ridge Breccia in the Snoqualmie Granite, North Cascades, WA, USA
Authors: Feely Martin , Costanzo Alessandra , Lindner Franzisca , George Joe , Parnell John , Bowden Stephen , Baba Mas’ud , Owens Peter
Published: September 2017

The Green Ridge Breccia cuts the composite Miocene Snoqualmie Batholith in King County, WA, USA. The granite was emplaced at ~5 km depth between ~17 and 20 Ma and the crosscutting NW trending breccia contains large angular blocks of the host granite (<1 m in longest dimension). The brecciated granite blocks are cemented by quartz-amethyst euhedra (<10 cm in longest dimension) bearing vugs. A notable feature is the presence of centimetric scale amber coloured oil inclusions within the quartz-amethyst crystals. Fluid inclusion studies using Transmitted Light Petrography, UV Microscopy, Microthermometry, Laser Raman Microspectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry record the presence and the fluid composition of three fluid inclusion types hosted by the euhedra: primary Type 1 (liquid rich two-phase (L + V) aqueous inclusions) and secondary Type 2 bituminous two-phase (S + L) inclusions and Type 3 amber coloured oil bearing two-phase immiscible liquid inclusions. The Green Ridge Breccia was the locus for convective hydrothermal fluid flow that formed the quartz-amethyst vugs formed at T~390 °C assuming a trapping pressure of ~1.65 kb. Later, hydrocarbon fluids migrated downwards from the roof source rock (e.g., the Guye Sedimentary Member) and were trapped in the euhedra. This was followed by unroofing of the batholith and exposure of the Green Ridge Breccia. This study highlights the potential for other oil migrations into the Snoqualmie Batholith in areas where it forms the basement capped by the Guye Sedimentary Member.
Comparison of Two Components of Propolis: Caffeic Acid (CA) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Induce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest of Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-231
Authors: Kabała-Dzik Agata , Rzepecka-Stojko Anna , Kubina Robert , Jastrzębska-Stojko Żaneta , Stojko Rafał , Wojtyczka Robert , Stojko Jerzy
Published: September 2017

Studies show that caffeic acid (CA) and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) are compounds with potent chemopreventive effects. Breast cancer is a common form of aggressive cancer among women worldwide. This study shows a comparison of CA and CAPE activity on triple-negative human caucasian breast adenocarcinoma line cells (MDA-MB-231). MDA-MB-231 cells were treated by CA and CAPE with doses of from 10 to 100 µM, for periods of 24 h and 48 h. Cytotoxicity MTT tests, apoptosis by Annexin V, and cell cycle with Dead Cell Assays were performed. Cytotoxic activity was greater for CAPE compared to CA (both incubation times, same dosage). IC50 values for CAPE were 27.84 µM (24 h) and 15.83 µM (48 h) and for CA > 10,000 µM (24 h) and > 1000 µM (48 h). Polyphenols induced apoptosis, while CAPE (dose dependently), induced a higher apoptotic effect. CAPE also induced cell cycle arrest in S phase (time and dose dependently), CA did it only for 50 and 100 µM. A dose dependent decline was seen for the G0/G1 phase (CAPE, 48 h), as well as elimination of phase G2/M by 100 µM of CAPE (only mild effect for CA). Comparing CA and CAPE activity on MDA-MB-231, CAPE clearly showed better activity for the same dosages and experiment times.
A New Erythrinan Alkaloid Glycoside from the Seeds of Erythrina crista-galli
Authors: Tan Qing-Wei , Ni Jian-Cheng , Fang Pei-Hua , Chen Qi-Jian
Published: September 2017

A new Erythrina alkaloid glycoside, named erythraline-11β-O-glucopyranoside, was isolated from the seeds of Erythrina crista-galli L., together with five known Erythrina alkaloids and an indole alkaloid. The structure of the new alkaloid glycoside was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and all of the compounds were evaluated for their antiviral activity against tobacco mosaic virus.
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Activities of Phenolic Compounds from Alnus sibirica Stems Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis
Authors: Le Thi , Yin Jun , Lee MinWon
Published: September 2017

Fermentation of Alnus sibirica (AS) stems using Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was conducted and three compounds isolated from the Alnus species were identified for the first time, 7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptan-3-one, 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-heptan-3-one and 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-butan-2-one, along with 14 known compounds. The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory abilities of AS and fermented AS (FAS) as well as the isolated phenolic compounds from FAS were investigated. FAS showed stronger anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities than non-fermented AS.
Covalent Organic Frameworks—Organic Chemistry Beyond the Molecule
Authors: Diercks Christian , Kalmutzki Markus , Yaghi Omar
Published: September 2017

The synthesis of organic molecules has at its core, purity, definitiveness of structure, and the ability to access specific atoms through chemical reactions. When considering extended organic structures, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) stand out as a true extension of molecular organic chemistry to the solid state, because these three fundamental attributes of molecular organic chemistry are preserved. The fact that COFs are porous provides confined space within which molecules can be further modified and controlled.
Pictorial AR Tag with Hidden Multi-Level Bar-Code and Its Potential Applications
Authors: Le Huy , Nguyen Minh , Tran Huy , Yeap Wai
Published: September 2017

For decades, researchers have been trying to create intuitive virtual environments by blending reality and virtual reality, thus enabling general users to interact with the digital domain as easily as with the real world. The result is “augmented reality” (AR). AR seamlessly superimposes virtual objects on to a real environment in three dimensions (3D) and in real time. One of the most important parts that helps close the gap between virtuality and reality is the marker used in the AR system. While pictorial marker and bar-code marker are the two most commonly used marker types in the market, they have some disadvantages in visual and processing performance. In this paper, we present a novelty method that combines the bar-code with the original feature of a colour picture (e.g., photos, trading cards, advertisement’s figure). Our method decorates on top of the original pictorial images additional features with a single stereogram image that optically conceals a multi-level (3D) bar-code. Thus, it has a larger capability of storing data compared to the general 1D barcode. This new type of marker has the potential of addressing the issues that the current types of marker are facing. It not only keeps the original information of the picture but also contains encoded numeric information. In our limited evaluation, this pictorial bar-code shows a relatively robust performance under various conditions and scaling; thus, it provides a promising AR approach to be used in many applications such as trading card games, educations, and advertisements.
Preparation of Electrospun Nanocomposite Nanofibers of Polyaniline/Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Amino-Functionalized Graphene
Authors: Abdali Hanan , Ajji Abdellah
Published: September 2017

In this paper we report upon the preparation and characterization of electrospun nanofibers of doped polyaniline (PANI)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/amino-functionalized graphene (Am-rGO) by electrospinning technique. The successful functionalization of rGO with amino groups is examined by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman microspectrometer. The strong electric field enables the liquid jet to be ejected faster and also contributes to the improved thermal and morphological homogeneity of PANI/PMMA/Am-rGO. This results in a decrease in the average diameter of the produced fibers and shows that these fibers can find promising uses in many applications such as sensors, flexible electronics, etc.
Catalyst System for Hydrogenation Catalysis Based on Multiarm Hyperbranched Polymer Templated Metal (Au, Pt, Pd, Cu) Nanoparticles
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Liu Lixin , Zhang Fengyue , Niu Mengyuan , Zhao Yanzhu , Fan Yifan , Liang Yanping , Liu Mei , Zhang Zhenzhu , Wang Junjie
Published: September 2017

With a hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) core and many water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether arms connected by pH-sensitive acylhydrazone bonds, multiarm hyperbranched polymer was used as nanoreactor and reductant to prepare metal nanoparticles endowed with intelligence and biocompatibility. The multiarm hyperbranched polymer encapsulated nanoparticles (NPs) showed excellent catalytic activity for hydrogenation, thus an excellent catalyst system for hydrogenation was established. The rate constants could reach as high as 3.48 L·s−1·m−2, which can be attributed to the lack of surface passivation afforded by the multiarm hyperbranched polymer.
Relationship among Vulcanization, Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Blends Containing Recycled EPDM
Authors: Zanchet Aline , Bandeira Dotta Aline , D. Bastos de Sousa Fabiula
Published: September 2017

The production of consumption goods made of elastomer generates large amounts of vulcanized residues. The final proper environmental disposal of this material is a serious problem, which involves high costs and a possible waste of a material with high added value. The recycling of elastomers is a very important alternative since it is related directly to the protection of the environment, energy conservation, and sustainability. An option for companies that produce elastomeric residues is their incorporation in the formulations by producing polymeric blends. Thus, this work aims to prepare polymeric blends composed of ethylene-propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) and raw EPDM/EPDM residue (EPDM-r) in different concentrations, when the residue is ground at room temperature. The morphology of the residue, vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, and morphology of the blends were analyzed, showing promising results that point to the feasibility of using EPDM-r in the production of polymeric blends and as a possible solution to the problem of the final disposal of solid residues.
A Method for Retrieving Vertical Air Velocities in Convective Clouds over the Tibetan Plateau from TIPEX-III Cloud Radar Doppler Spectra
Authors: Zheng Jiafeng , Liu Liping , Zhu Keyun , Wu Jingya , Wang Binyun
Published: September 2017

In the summertime, convective cells occur frequently over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) because of the large dynamic and thermal effects of the landmass. Measurements of vertical air velocity in convective cloud are useful for advancing our understanding of the dynamic and microphysical mechanisms of clouds and can be used to improve the parameterization of current numerical models. This paper presents a technique for retrieving high-resolution vertical air velocities in convective clouds over the TP through the use of Doppler spectra from vertically pointing Ka-band cloud radar. The method was based on the development of a “small-particle-traced” idea and its associated data processing, and it used three modes of radar. Spectral broadening corrections, uncertainty estimations, and results merging were used to ensure accurate results. Qualitative analysis of two typical convective cases showed that the retrievals were reliable and agreed with the expected results inferred from other radar measurements. A quantitative retrieval of vertical air motion from a ground-based optical disdrometer was used to compare with the radar-derived result. This comparison illustrated that, while the data trends from the two methods of retrieval were in agreement while identifying the updrafts and downdrafts, the cloud radar had a much higher resolution and was able to reveal the small-scale variations in vertical air motion.
Combining a Multi-Agent System and Communication Middleware for Smart Home Control: A Universal Control Platform Architecture
Authors: Zheng Song , Zhang Qi , Zheng Rong , Huang Bi-Qin , Song Yi-Lin , Chen Xin-Chu
Published: September 2017

In recent years, the smart home field has gained wide attention for its broad application prospects. However, families using smart home systems must usually adopt various heterogeneous smart devices, including sensors and devices, which makes it more difficult to manage and control their home system. How to design a unified control platform to deal with the collaborative control problem of heterogeneous smart devices is one of the greatest challenges in the current smart home field. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a universal smart home control platform architecture (IAPhome) based on a multi-agent system and communication middleware, which shows significant adaptability and advantages in many aspects, including heterogeneous devices connectivity, collaborative control, human-computer interaction and user self-management. The communication middleware is an important foundation to design and implement this architecture which makes it possible to integrate heterogeneous smart devices in a flexible way. A concrete method of applying the multi-agent software technique to solve the integrated control problem of the smart home system is also presented. The proposed platform architecture has been tested in a real smart home environment, and the results indicate that the effectiveness of our approach for solving the collaborative control problem of different smart devices.
Medium Access Control Protocols for Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks: A Survey
Authors: Zareei Mahdi , Islam A. , Baharun Sabariah , Vargas-Rosales Cesar , Azpilicueta Leyre , Mansoor Nafees
Published: September 2017

New wireless network paradigms will demand higher spectrum use and availability to cope with emerging data-hungry devices. Traditional static spectrum allocation policies cause spectrum scarcity, and new paradigms such as Cognitive Radio (CR) and new protocols and techniques need to be developed in order to have efficient spectrum usage. Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols are accountable for recognizing free spectrum, scheduling available resources and coordinating the coexistence of heterogeneous systems and users. This paper provides an ample review of the state-of-the-art MAC protocols, which mainly focuses on Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks (CRAHN). First, a description of the cognitive radio fundamental functions is presented. Next, MAC protocols are divided into three groups, which are based on their channel access mechanism, namely time-slotted protocol, random access protocol and hybrid protocol. In each group, a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the latest MAC protocols is presented, as well as the pros and cons of each protocol. A discussion on future challenges for CRAHN MAC protocols is included with a comparison of the protocols from a functional perspective.