bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Panic! Humanity's Cis-Heteronormative Fear of the Transgender Android
Authors: Sasala An
Published: March 2018

Androids occupy a position of fascination within US pop culture and science fiction television, yet they rarely acknowledge their own experiences of gender. Reading Wendy the entertainment android from Syfy Channel's Dark Matter (2015–2017) as trans*, this article analyzes the material, cultural, and imagined bodies of the android through an intersectional lens of gender, sex, and race. At times, the article slips between different versions of the transgender android, wading through their cinematic representation, theoretical conceptualization, socio-cultural construction, and material reality, striving always to relate these overlapping categories to the android's trans* and technological body. First, the article delves into gender, race, and David Huebert's ‘species panic’, arguing that the triply othered transgender android would inspire a triple panic with direct ramifications for trans* bodies, especially trans women of color. The article then addresses the role of the multilayered cinematic, scientific, raced, cis-heteronormative gaze in the biopolitical ordering of life. Using Susan Stryker's theorization of passing and micha cárdenas's practice of the shift, the article then views sexual encounters as creating both the potential for and then panic of transgender otherness. This potential and potentially real panic then directly impacts the bodies of trans women of color and transgender androids through a reliance on sex work narratives and the commodification of sex.
Of Bodies, Changed to Different Bodies, Changed to Other Forms
Authors: Brinkema Eugenie
Published: March 2018

This Afterword performs a close reading of the contributions of the special issue on ‘Cinematic Bodies’ in relation to their shared rethinking of a co-implicated relationship of embodiment to the cinematic, focusing on interpretive and methodological similarities and differences between the pieces. From a reading of Spinoza and Deleuze on the equivalent questions of what a body is and what a body can do, the Afterword considers how each of the contributions ultimately poses the problem of aesthetic form—issues of scale, texture, framing, montage—as essential to their rethinking of what cinematic bodies are and might be and also what they can do. A simultaneous exploration notes the legacy of phenomenologies of spectatorship in the contributions, ultimately concluding that, amidst its reconsideration of its two titular terms, the special issue is also participating in debates about methods of reading and the speculative promise of different interpretive approaches to film.
Generalized Kinetic Monte Carlo Framework for Organic Electronics
Authors: Kaiser Waldemar , Popp Johannes , Rinderle Michael , Albes Tim , Gagliardi Alessio
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we present our generalized kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) framework for the simulation of organic semiconductors and electronic devices such as solar cells (OSCs) and light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Our model generalizes the geometrical representation of the multifaceted properties of the organic material by the use of a non-cubic, generalized Voronoi tessellation and a model that connects sites to polymer chains. Herewith, we obtain a realistic model for both amorphous and crystalline domains of small molecules and polymers. Furthermore, we generalize the excitonic processes and include triplet exciton dynamics, which allows an enhanced investigation of OSCs and OLEDs. We outline the developed methods of our generalized kMC framework and give two exemplary studies of electrical and optical properties inside an organic semiconductor.
Ancient Artifacts vs. Digital Artifacts: New Tools for Unmasking the Sale of Illicit Antiquities on the Dark Web
Authors: Paul Katie
Published: March 2018

Since the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS, also known as Daesh and ISIL) in 2014, antiquities have been a widely publicized source of funding for what has become one of the most technologically savvy terrorist organizations of the modern era. The globalization of technology and rise of popularity in cryptocurrencies has changed the face of black-market trade and the actors that carry out these crimes. While art and antiquities have long served as a market with susceptibilities to laundering, the emergence of Dark Web markets, identification-masking software, and untraceable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have opened new doors to potential vulnerabilities. The anonymity that is offered by these technologies acts as a roadblock for authorities, while attracting the likes of terrorists and transnational criminals. Investigative research using cyber security platforms to identify digital artifacts connected to potential traffickers provides the opportunity to unmask the seemingly untraceable actors behind these activities. The evidence of illicit antiquities trafficking on the Dark Web displayed in this article can generate a new discussion on how and where to study black-market antiquities to gain needed insight into combating the illicit trade online and the transnational criminal groups it may finance.
A Robust Non-Gaussian Data Assimilation Method for Highly Non-Linear Models
Authors: Nino-Ruiz Elias , Cheng Haiyan , Beltran Rolando
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we propose an efficient EnKF implementation for non-Gaussian data assimilation based on Gaussian Mixture Models and Markov-Chain-Monte-Carlo (MCMC) methods. The proposed method works as follows: based on an ensemble of model realizations, prior errors are estimated via a Gaussian Mixture density whose parameters are approximated by means of an Expectation Maximization method. Then, by using an iterative method, observation operators are linearized about current solutions and posterior modes are estimated via a MCMC implementation. The acceptance/rejection criterion is similar to that of the Metropolis-Hastings rule. Experimental tests are performed on the Lorenz 96 model. The results show that the proposed method can decrease prior errors by several order of magnitudes in a root-mean-square-error sense for nearly sparse or dense observational networks.
Cross Entropy Measures of Bipolar and Interval Bipolar Neutrosophic Sets and Their Application for Multi-Attribute Decision-Making
Authors: Pramanik Surapati , Dey Partha Pratim , Smarandache Florentin , Ye Jun
Published: March 2018

The bipolar neutrosophic set is an important extension of the bipolar fuzzy set. The bipolar neutrosophic set is a hybridization of the bipolar fuzzy set and neutrosophic set. Every element of a bipolar neutrosophic set consists of three independent positive membership functions and three independent negative membership functions. In this paper, we develop cross entropy measures of bipolar neutrosophic sets and prove their basic properties. We also define cross entropy measures of interval bipolar neutrosophic sets and prove their basic properties. Thereafter, we develop two novel multi-attribute decision-making strategies based on the proposed cross entropy measures. In the decision-making framework, we calculate the weighted cross entropy measures between each alternative and the ideal alternative to rank the alternatives and choose the best one. We solve two illustrative examples of multi-attribute decision-making problems and compare the obtained result with the results of other existing strategies to show the applicability and effectiveness of the developed strategies. At the end, the main conclusion and future scope of research are summarized.
Role of Nutrition in Alcoholic Liver Disease: Summary of the Symposium at the ESBRA 2017 Congress
Authors: Kharbanda Kusum , Ronis Martin , Shearn Colin , Petersen Dennis , Zakhari Samir , Warner Dennis , Feldstein Ariel , McClain Craig , Kirpich Irina
Published: March 2018

The symposium, “Role of Nutrition in Alcoholic Liver Disease”, was held at the European Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism Congress on 9 October 2017 in Crete, Greece. The goal of the symposium was to highlight recent advances and developments in the field of alcohol and nutrition. The symposium was focused on experimental and clinical aspects in relation to the role of different types of dietary nutrients and malnutrition in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The following is a summary of key research presented at this session. The speakers discussed the role of dietary fats and carbohydrates in the development and progression of alcohol-induced multi-organ pathology in animal models of ALD, analyzed novel nutrition-related therapeutics (specifically, betaine and zinc) in the treatment of ALD, and addressed clinical relevance of malnutrition and nutrition support in ALD. This summary of the symposium will benefit junior and senior faculty currently investigating alcohol-induced organ pathology as well as undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students and fellows.
Coverage of Emotion Recognition for Common Wearable Biosensors
Authors: Hui Terence , Sherratt R.
Published: March 2018

The present research proposes a novel emotion recognition framework for the computer prediction of human emotions using common wearable biosensors. Emotional perception promotes specific patterns of biological responses in the human body, and this can be sensed and used to predict emotions using only biomedical measurements. Based on theoretical and empirical psychophysiological research, the foundation of autonomic specificity facilitates the establishment of a strong background for recognising human emotions using machine learning on physiological patterning. However, a systematic way of choosing the physiological data covering the elicited emotional responses for recognising the target emotions is not obvious. The current study demonstrates through experimental measurements the coverage of emotion recognition using common off-the-shelf wearable biosensors based on the synchronisation between audiovisual stimuli and the corresponding physiological responses. The work forms the basis of validating the hypothesis for emotional state recognition in the literature and presents coverage of the use of common wearable biosensors coupled with a novel preprocessing algorithm to demonstrate the practical prediction of the emotional states of wearers.
Down Syndrome, Obesity, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Cancer: A Brief Review and Hypothesis
Authors: Nixon Daniel
Published: March 2018

Down syndrome (trisomy 21), a complex mix of physical, mental, and biochemical issues, includes an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and childhood leukemia, a decreased risk of other tumors, and a high frequency of overweight/obesity. Certain features related to the third copy of chromosome 21 (which carries the APP gene and several anti-angiogenesis genes) create an environment favorable for Alzheimer’s disease and unfavorable for cancer. This environment may be enhanced by two bioactive compounds from fat cells, leptin, and adiponectin. This paper outlines these fat-related disease mechanisms and suggests new avenues of research to reduce disease risk in Down syndrome.
Enhancing Heat Treatment Efficacy for Insect Pest Control: A Case Study of a CFD Application to Improve the Design and Structure of a Flour Mill
Authors: Valenti Francesca , Porto Simona , Tomasello Nicoletta , Arcidiacono Claudia
Published: March 2018

Heat treatment of the indoor environment of flour mills is an alternative technique to chemical fumigation for controlling insect pests. The aim of this research was to assess temperature distribution inside a flour mill during a heat treatment for insect pest control by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling and simulation. The model was validated by using the average values of experimental data acquired during a heat treatment carried out in a flour mill, which is representative of the building materials and techniques used in the milling industry of South Italy. Simulations were carried out in steady-state conditions, and simulated data were validated by the average values of air and wall temperature measurements. Since the modelled temperature distribution in the mill fit the real one with a good accuracy (maximum error equal to 2.57 °C), the CFD model was considered reliable to simulate other operating conditions. Since it was observed that the internal surface temperatures of the mill were much lower than the value required for the success of the heat treatment, equal to 45 °C, the CFD model could be used for improving the effectiveness of heat treatments in the flour mill. Application of the proposed CFD model in the simulation of specific interventions could be aimed at improving both building performance and fan heaters’ localisatio,n in order to find the best configuration.
Investigation of Iron Vanadates for Simultaneous Carbon Soot Abatement and NH3-SCR
Authors: Casanova Marzia , Colussi Sara , Trovarelli Alessandro
Published: March 2018

FeVO4 and Fe0.5Er0.5VO4 were prepared and loaded over standard Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) supports based on TiO2-WO3-SiO2 (TWS) and redox active supports like CeO2 and CeZrO2 with the aim of finding a suitable formulation for simultaneous soot abatement and NH3-SCR and to understand the level of interaction between the two reactions. A suitable bi-functional material was identified in the composition FeVO4/CeZrO2 where an SCR active component is added over a redox active support, to increase carbon oxidation properties. The influence of the presence of ammonia in soot oxidation and the effect of the presence of soot on SCR reaction have been addressed. It is found that the addition of NO and NO/NH3 mixtures decreases at different levels the oxidation temperature of carbon soot, while the presence of carbon adversely affects the NH3-SCR reaction by increasing the oxidation of NH3 to NO, thus lowering the NO removal efficiency.
What are the Current Priorities and Challenges for (Urban) Soundscape Research?
Authors: Aletta Francesco , Xiao Jieling
Published: March 2018

Soundscape research is attracting an ever-increasing worldwide interest from different disciplines and stakeholders. This brief commentary paper aims at offering some insights into the new directions this research (and practice) field will likely go, in the near future. For this purpose, eleven early-career soundscape researchers and practitioners were approached and asked to provide a response to the question “What are the current priorities and challenges for soundscape research?” Five recurring themes were identified in the participants’ statements. A major concern of the interviewed sample is the need to bridge the academic and practice sides of the soundscape community, in order to better position this discipline in the broader framework of (urban) sound planning and design.
Comparison of Selected Properties of Shellac Varnish for Restoration and Polyurethane Varnish for Reconstruction of Historical Artefacts
Authors: Šimůnková Kristýna , Pánek Miloš , Zeidler Aleš
Published: March 2018

At present, many historical artefacts and furniture are only reconstructed and not restored. They are preserved in terms of material reparation, but their historical value decreases significantly. This work is focused on the comparison of the resistance of high-gloss polyurethane varnish with traditional shellac varnish. The varnishes were applied to oak wood and exposed to interior artificial accelerated ageing in Xenotest. Before and after ageing, cold liquid-resistance tests were performed on the tested specimens and gloss, colour, and adhesion were also evaluated. The structures of the surfaces were also analysed using a confocal laser scanning microscope. As expected, polyurethane varnish was much more durable than shellac varnish. Interestingly, shellac varnish was fairly resistant to water at the beginning, but this resistance was greatly reduced after artificial accelerated ageing. This illustrates the importance of sheltering the shellac treated artefacts in stable temperature-humidity conditions with the least possible effect of solar radiation.
SiO2@TiO2 Coating: Synthesis, Physical Characterization and Photocatalytic Evaluation
Authors: Rosales A. , Maury-Ramírez A. , Gutiérrez R. Mejía-De , Guzmán C. , Esquivel K.
Published: March 2018

Use of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) have been widely investigated individually in coatings technology, but their combined properties promote compatibility for different innovative applications. For example, the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 coatings, when exposed to UV light, have interesting environmental applications, such as air purification, self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. However, as reported in different pilot projects, serious durability problems, associated with the adhesion between the substrate and TiO2, have been evidenced. Thus, the aim of this work is to synthesize SiO2 together with TiO2 to increase the durability of the photocatalytic coating without affecting its photocatalytic potential. Therefore, synthesis using sonochemistry, synthesis without sonochemistry, physical characterization, photocatalytic evaluation, and durability of the SiO2, SiO2@TiO2 and TiO2 coatings are presented. Results indicate that using SiO2 improved the durability of the TiO2 coating without affecting its photocatalytic properties. Thus, this novel SiO2@TiO2 coating shows potential for developing long-lasting, self-cleaning and air-purifying construction materials.
LES and Wind Tunnel Test of Flow around Two Tall Buildings in Staggered Arrangement
Authors: Zu Gongbo , Lam Kit
Published: March 2018

Wind flow structures and their consequent wind loads on two high-rise buildings in staggered arrangement are investigated by Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Synchronized pressure and flow field measurements by particle image velocimetry (PIV) are conducted in a boundary layer wind tunnel to validate the numerical simulations. The instantaneous and time-averaged flow fields are analyzed and discussed in detail. The coherent flow structures in the building gap are clearly observed and the upstream building wake is found to oscillate sideways and meander down to the downstream building in a coherent manner. The disruptive effect on the downstream building wake induced by the upstream building is also observed. Furthermore, the connection between the upstream building wake and the wind loads on the downstream building is explored by the simultaneous data of wind pressures and wind flow fields.
Kohn Anomaly and Phase Stability in Group VB Transition Metals
Authors: Landa Alexander , Söderlind Per , Naumov Ivan , Klepeis John , Vitos Levente
Published: March 2018

In the periodic table, only a few pure metals exhibit lattice or magnetic instabilities associated with Fermi surface nesting, the classical examples being α-U and Cr. Whereas α-U displays a strong Kohn anomaly in the phonon spectrum that ultimately leads to the formation of charge density waves (CDWs), Cr is known for its nesting-induced spin density waves (SDWs). Recently, it has become clear that a pronounced Kohn anomaly and the corresponding softening in the elastic constants is also the key factor that controls structural transformations and mechanical properties in compressed group VB metals—materials with relatively high superconducting critical temperatures. This article reviews the current understanding of the structural and mechanical behavior of these metals under pressure with an introduction to the concept of the Kohn anomaly and how it is related to the important concept of Peierls instability. We review both experimental and theoretical results showing different manifestations of the Kohn anomaly in the transverse acoustic phonon mode TA (ξ00) in V, Nb, and Ta. Specifically, in V the anomaly triggers a structural transition to a rhombohedral phase, whereas in Nb and Ta it leads to an anomalous reduction in yield strength.
Design and Crystal Structures of Two New Compounds Fused with 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzyl Group and 6,10-Dioxaspiro Group
Authors: Zeng Wulan , Wang Xia , Jiang Jinhe
Published: March 2018

Two new compounds, 8-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylidene)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione (J1) and 8-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-6,10-dioxaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione (J2) have been designed and generated by the reaction of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde with 6,10-dioxaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione in different solvents. The 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl group of the two compounds connects with the dioxaspiro group via double bond (J1) and single bond (J2), respectively. The crystal structure determinations show that Compound J1 belongs to the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 5.4056(11) Å, b = 11.465(2) Å, c = 13.502(3) Å, α = 92.06(3)° Å, β = 91.35(3)°, γ = 93.50(3)°, C18H20O7, Mr = 348.34, V = 834.4(3) Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.386 g/cm3, F(000) = 368. Compound J2 is also of the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 8.8778(18) Å, b = 9.5285(19) Å, c = 11.082(4) Å, α = 89.69(3)°, β = 67.38(3)°, γ = 81.68(3)°, C18H22O7, Mr = 250.36, V = 854.9(3) Å3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.361 g/cm3, F(000) = 372. Both compounds form three-dimensional network structures via C–H···O intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
Synthesis and Characterization of Photo-Responsive Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Based on Azobenzene
Authors: Yang Runmiao , Zhao Dejian , Dong Guanxiu , Liu Yuhai , Wang Danting
Published: March 2018

A series of new thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs) containing azobenzene units was synthesized. The structures of the compounds were characterized by means of NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Their mesomorphic behaviors were investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Based on the POM and DSC measurements, the optical properties of the Razo-ester were tested using UV-vis spectroscopy. The azobenzene side chain displayed a strong ability to influence the formation of thermotropic LCs.
On the Decomposition of the Esteban and Ray Index by Income Sources
Authors: Bárcena-Martín Elena , Silber Jacques
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a simple algorithm based on a matrix formulation to compute the Esteban and Ray (ER) polarization index. It then shows how the algorithm introduced leads to quite a simple decomposition of polarization by income sources. Such a breakdown was not available hitherto. The decomposition we propose will thus allow one to determine the sign, as well as the magnitude, of the impact of the various income sources on the ER polarization index. A simple empirical illustration based on EU data is provided.
Calculation of Equivalent Resistance for Ground Wires Twined with Armor Rods in Contact Terminals
Authors: Liu Gang , Guo Deming , Wang Pengyu , Deng Honglei , Hong Xiaobin , Tang Wenhu
Published: March 2018

Ground wire breakage accidents can destroy the stable operation of overhead lines. The excessive temperature increase arising from the contact resistance between the ground wire and armor rod in the contact terminal is one of the main reasons causing the breakage of ground wires. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the equivalent resistance for ground wires twined with armor rods in contact terminals. According to the actual distribution characteristics of the contact points in the contact terminal, a three-dimensional electromagnetic field simulation model of the contact terminal was established. Based on the model, the current distribution in the contact terminal was obtained. Subsequently, the equivalent resistance of a ground wire twined with the armor rod in the contact terminal was calculated. The effects of the factors influencing the equivalent resistance were also discussed. The corresponding verification experiments were conducted on a real ground wire on a contact terminal. The measurement results of the equivalent resistance for the armor rod segment showed good agreement with the electromagnetic modeling results.
Performance and Combustion Characteristics Analysis of Multi-Cylinder CI Engine Using Essential Oil Blends
Authors: Rahman S. M. Ashrafur , Nabi Md. , Van Thuy , Suara Kabir , Jafari Mohammad , Dowell Ashley , Islam Md. , Marchese Anthony , Tryner Jessica , Hossain Md. , Rainey Thomas , Ristovski Zoran , Brown Richard
Published: March 2018

Essential oils are derived from not-fatty parts of plants and are mostly used in aromatherapy, as well as cosmetics and perfume production. The essential oils market is growing rapidly due to their claimed health benefits. However, because only therapeutic grade oil is required in the medicinal sector, there is a substantial low-value waste stream of essential oils that can be used in the transportation and agricultural sectors. This study investigated the influence of orange, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil on engine performance and combustion characteristics of a multi-cylinder compression ignition engine. Orange, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil were blended with diesel at 10% by volume. For benchmarking, neat diesel and 10% waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blend were also tested. The selected fuels were used to conduct engine test runs with a constant engine speed (1500 RPM (revolutions per minute)) at four loads. As the load increased, frictional power losses decreased for all of the fuel samples and thus mechanical efficiency increased. At higher loads (75% and 100%), only orange oil-diesel blends produced comparable power to diesel and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends. Fuel consumption (brake and indicated) for the essential oil-diesel blends was higher when compared to base diesel and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends. Thermal efficiency for the essential oil-diesel blends was comparable to base diesel and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends. At higher loads, blow-by was lower for essential oil blends as compared to base diesel and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends. At 50% and 100% load, peak pressure was lower for all of the essential oil-diesel blends when compared to base diesel and waste cooking biodiesel-diesel blends. From the heat release rate curve, the essential oil-diesel blends ignition delay times were longer because the oils have lower cetane values. Overall, the low-value streams of these essential oils were found to be suitable for use in diesel engines at 10% blends by agricultural producers of these oils.
Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration in Field Programmable Gate Arrays: An Experimental Case Study
Authors: Conti Vincenzo , Rundo Leonardo , Billeci Giuseppe , Militello Carmelo , Vitabile Salvatore
Published: March 2018

Both computational performances and energy efficiency are required for the development of any mobile or embedded information processing system. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the latest evolution of these systems, paving the way for advancements in ubiquitous computing. In a context in which a large amount of data is often analyzed and processed, it is mandatory to adapt node logic and processing capabilities with respect to the available energy resources. This paper investigates under which conditions a partially reconfigurable hardware accelerator can provide energy saving in complex processing tasks. The paper also presents a useful analysis of how the dynamic partial reconfiguration technique can be used to enable energy efficiency in a generic IoT node that exploits a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. Furthermore, this work introduces a hardware infrastructure and new energy metrics tailored for the energy efficiency evaluation of the dynamic partial reconfiguration process in embedded FPGA based devices. Exploiting the ability of reconfiguring circuit portions at runtime, the latest generation of FPGAs can be used to foster a better balance between energy consumption and performance. More specifically, the design methodology for the implemented digital signal processing application was adapted for the ZedBoard. To this aim, a case study of a video filtering system is proposed and analyzed by dynamically loading three different hardware filters from the management software running on a Linux-based device. With more details, the presented analytical framework allows for a direct comparison between the energy efficiency of a dynamic partially reconfigurable device and a static non-reconfigurable one. The estimated timing conditions that allow the dynamic partially reconfigurable process to achieve relevant energy efficiency with respect to the corresponding static architecture are also outlined.
A Comprehensive Strategy for Accurate Reactive Power Distribution, Stability Improvement, and Harmonic Suppression of Multi-Inverter-Based Micro-Grid
Authors: Dong Henan , Yuan Shun , Han Zijiao , Cai Zhiyuan , Jia Guangdong , Ge Yangyang
Published: March 2018

Among the issues of accurate power distribution, stability improvement, and harmonic suppression in micro-grid, each has been well studied as an individual, and most of the strategies about these issues aim at one inverter-based micro-grid, hence there is a need to establish a model to achieve these functions as a whole, aiming at a multi-inverter-based micro-grid. This paper proposes a comprehensive strategy which achieves this goal successfully; since the output voltage and frequency of micro-grid all consist of fundamental and harmonic components, the strategy contains two parts accordingly. On one hand, a fundamental control strategy is proposed upon the conventional droop control. The virtual impedance is introduced to solve the problem of accurate allocation of reactive power between inverters. Meanwhile, a secondary power balance controller is added to improve the stability of voltage and frequency while considering the aggravating problem of stability because of introducing virtual impedance. On the other hand, the fractional frequency harmonic control strategy is proposed. It can solve the influence of nonlinear loads, micro-grid inverters, and the distribution network on output voltage of inverters, which is focused on eliminating specific harmonics caused by the nonlinear loads, micro-grid converters, and the distribution network so that the power quality of micro-grid can be improved effectively. Finally, small signal analysis is used to analyze the stability of the multi-converter parallel system after introducing the whole control strategy. The simulation results show that the strategy proposed in this paper has a great performance on distributing reactive power, regulating and stabilizing output voltage of inverters and frequency, eliminating harmonic components, and improving the power quality of multi-inverter-based micro-grid.
Novel Concept of an Installation for Sustainable Thermal Utilization of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Tic Wilhelm , Guziałowska-Tic Joanna , Pawlak-Kruczek Halina , Woźnikowski Eugeniusz , Zadorożny Adam , Niedźwiecki Łukasz , Wnukowski Mateusz , Krochmalny Krystian , Czerep Michał , Ostrycharczyk Michał , Baranowski Marcin , Zgóra Jacek , Kowal Mateusz
Published: March 2018

This study proposes an innovative installation concept for the sustainable utilization of sewage sludge. The aim of the study is to prove that existing devices and technologies allow construction of such an installation by integration of a dryer, torrefaction reactor and gasifier with engine, thus maximizing recovery of the waste heat by the installation. This study also presents the results of drying tests, performed at a commercial scale paddle dryer as well as detailed analysis of the torrefaction process of dried sewage sludge. Both tests aim to identify potential problems that could occur during the operation. The scarce literature studies published so far on the torrefaction of sewage sludge presents results from batch reactors, thus giving very limited data of the composition of the torgas. This study aims to cover that gap by presenting results from the torrefaction of sewage sludge in a continuously working, laboratory scale, isothermal rotary reactor. The study confirmed the feasibility of a self-sustaining installation of thermal utilization of sewage sludge using low quality heat. Performed study pointed out the most favorable way to use limited amounts of high temperature heat. Plasma gasification of the torrefied sewage sludge has been identified that requires further studies.
Wind Turbine Condition Monitoring Strategy through Multiway PCA and Multivariate Inference
Authors: Pozo Francesc , Vidal Yolanda , Salgado Óscar
Published: March 2018

This article states a condition monitoring strategy for wind turbines using a statistical data-driven modeling approach by means of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data. Initially, a baseline data-based model is obtained from the healthy wind turbine by means of multiway principal component analysis (MPCA). Then, when the wind turbine is monitorized, new data is acquired and projected into the baseline MPCA model space. The acquired SCADA data are treated as a random process given the random nature of the turbulent wind. The objective is to decide if the multivariate distribution that is obtained from the wind turbine to be analyzed (healthy or not) is related to the baseline one. To achieve this goal, a test for the equality of population means is performed. Finally, the results of the test can determine that the hypothesis is rejected (and the wind turbine is faulty) or that there is no evidence to suggest that the two means are different, so the wind turbine can be considered as healthy. The methodology is evaluated on a wind turbine fault detection benchmark that uses a 5 MW high-fidelity wind turbine model and a set of eight realistic fault scenarios. It is noteworthy that the results, for the presented methodology, show that for a wide range of significance, α ∈ [ 1 % , 13 % ] , the percentage of correct decisions is kept at 100%; thus it is a promising tool for real-time wind turbine condition monitoring.
Optimization of Energy Management Strategy and Sizing in Hybrid Storage System for Tram
Authors: Wang Yu , Yang Zhongping , Li Feng
Published: March 2018

In order to design a well-performing hybrid storage system for trams, optimization of energy management strategy (EMS) and sizing is crucial. This paper proposes an improved EMS with energy interaction between the battery and supercapacitor and makes collaborative optimization on both sizing and EMS parameters to obtain the best working performance of the hybrid storage system. This paper demonstrates the whole process of the improvement of the EMS, the traction calculation, the parameter optimization, and the sizing optimization based on real tram and line conditions. The improved strategy is proven to be superior as it guarantees normal operation and avoids shutdown conditions when the supercapacitor is at a low voltage. Furthermore, the optimized sizing result largely decreases the weight of the storage system and obtains a long battery lifespan.
Reliability Equivalence to Symmetrical UHVDC Transmission Systems Considering Redundant Structure Configuration
Authors: Jiang Xing , Ye Chengjin , Ding Yi , Guo Ruipeng
Published: March 2018

In recent years, the ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission system has been developed rapidly for its significant long-distance, high-capacity and low-loss properties. Equipment failures and overall outages of the UHVDC system have increasingly vital influence on the power supply of the receiving end grid. To improve the reliability level of UHVDC systems, a quantitative selection and configuration approach of redundant structures is proposed in this paper, which is based on multi-state reliability equivalence. Specifically, considering the symmetry characteristic of an UHVDC system, a state space model is established as a monopole rather than a bipole, which effectively reduces the state space dimensions to be considered by deducing the reliability merging operator of two poles. Considering the standby effect of AC filters and the recovery effect of converter units, the number of available converter units and corresponding probability are expressed with in universal generating function (UGF) form. Then, a sensitivity analysis is performed to quantify the impact of component reliability parameters on system reliability and determine the most specific devices that should be configured in the redundant structure. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis is utilized to help determine the optimal scheme of redundant devices. Case studies are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. Based on the numerical results, configuring a set of redundant transformers is indicated to be of the greatest significance to improve the reliability level of UHVDC transmission systems.
Effects of Two Doses of Curry Prepared with Mixed Spices on Postprandial Ghrelin and Subjective Appetite Responses—A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial
Authors: Haldar Sumanto , Lim Joseph , Chia Siok , Ponnalagu Shalini , Henry Christiani
Published: March 2018

Spices are known to provide orosensory stimulation that can potentially influence palatability, appetite, and energy balance. Previous studies with individual spices have shown divergent effects on appetite and energy intake measures. In a real-life context, however, several spices are consumed in combinations, as in various forms of curries. Therefore, we investigated changes in postprandial appetite and plasma ghrelin in response to the intake of two doses of curry prepared with mixed spices. The study was undertaken in healthy Chinese men, between 21 and 40 years of age and body mass index ≤27.5 kg/m2. Appetite was measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) and plasma ghrelin was measured using multiplex assay. Compared with the control meal (Dose 0 Control (D0C), 0 g mixed spices), we found significantly greater suppression in ‘hunger’ (both p < 0.05, after Bonferroni adjustments) as well in ‘desire to eat’ (both p < 0.01) during the Dose 1 Curry (D1C, 6 g mixed spices) and Dose 2 Curry (D2C, 12 g mixed spices) intake. There were no differences, however, in plasma ghrelin or in other appetite measures such as in ‘fullness’ or in ‘prospective eating’ scores. Overall, the results of our study indicate greater inter-meal satiety due to mixed spices consumption, independent of any changes in plasma ghrelin response.
Geochemistry and Structure of Krakatoa Volcano in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia
Authors: Abdurrachman Mirzam , Widiyantoro Sri , Priadi Bambang , Ismail Taufik
Published: March 2018

The violent eruption of Krakatoa Volcano located in the Sunda Strait, Indonesia, in 1883 represents one of the deadliest eruptions in human civilization. Although lots of data have been reported, the trajectory of the subducted slab and the upper mantle structure beneath this volcano are still rather poorly known. We combined geochemical data, major, trace and rare earth elements with seismic tomograms to characterize the deep structure of Krakatoa Volcano at the junction of Sumatra and Java subduction systems. Geochemical data are in agreement with the partial melting of mantle wedge in these subduction systems, based on previous studies, and this conclusion is also supported by inferences from P-wave tomographic model. Whereas, the tomographic image of S-wave suggests that subducted slab has been intruded by hot material of mantle upwelling. The presence of both partial melting of mantle wedge and mantle upwelling in the upper mantle might be caused by the thinning of subducted slab beneath Krakatoa Volcano.
Association between Cervical Spondylosis and Migraine: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lin Wang-Sheng , Huang Tung-Fu , Chuang Tien-Yow , Lin Cheng-Li , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: March 2018

Background: Few studies have investigated the longitudinal association between cervical spondylosis (CS) and migraine by using a nationwide population-based database. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from 2000 to 2011 identifying 27,930 cases of cervical spondylosis and 111,720 control subjects (those without cervical spondylosis) from a single database. The subjects were frequency-matched on the basis of sex, age, and diagnosis date. The non- cervical spondylosis cohort was four times the size of the cervical spondylosis cohort. To quantify the effects of cervical spondylosis on the risk of migraine, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: After a 10-year follow-up controlling for potential confounding factors, overall migraine incidence was higher in the cervical spondylosis cohort than in the non-cervical spondylosis cohort (5.16 and 2.09 per 1000 people per year, respectively; crude hazard ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval = 2.28–2.69), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.03 (95% confidence interval = 1.86–2.22) after accounting for sex, age, comorbidities, and medication. Individuals with myelopathy in the cervical spondylosis cohort had a 2.19 times (95% confidence interval = 1.80–2.66) higher incidence of migraine when compared than did those in the non- cervical spondylosis cohort. Conclusions: Individuals with cervical spondylosis exhibited a higher risk of migraine than those without cervical spondylosis. The migraine incidence rate was even higher among individuals with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Trauma and Depression among North Korean Refugees: The Mediating Effect of Negative Cognition
Authors: Park Subin , Lee Yeeun , Jun Jin
Published: March 2018

North Korean refugees experience adaptation difficulties, along with a wide range of psychological problems. Accordingly, this study examined the associations between early traumatic experiences, negative automatic thoughts, and depression among young North Korean refugees living in South Korea. Specifically, we examined how different factors of negative automatic thoughts would mediate the relationship between early trauma and depressive symptoms. A total of 109 North Korean refugees aged 13–29 years were recruited from two alternative schools. Our path analysis indicated that early trauma was positively linked with thoughts of personal failure, physical threat, and hostility, but not with thoughts of social threat. The link with depressive symptoms was only significant for thoughts of personal failure. After removing all non-significant pathways, the model revealed that early traumatic experiences were positively associated with depressive symptoms (ß = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.48–0.73) via thoughts of personal failure (ß = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.08–0.28), as well as directly (ß = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.27–0.59). Interventions that target negative cognitions of personal failure may be helpful for North Korean refugees at risk of depression.
Exploring Geographic Variation of Mental Health Risk and Service Utilization of Doctors and Hospitals in Toronto: A Shared Component Spatial Modeling Approach
Authors: Law Jane , Perlman Christopher
Published: March 2018

Mental Health has been known to vary geographically. Different rates of utilization of mental health services in local areas reflect geographic variation of mental health and complexity of health care. Variations and inequalities in how the health care system addresses risks are two critical issues for addressing population mental health. This study examines these issues by analyzing the utilization of mental health services in Toronto at the neighbourhood level. We adopted a shared component spatial modeling approach that allows simultaneous analysis of two main health service utilizations: doctor visits and hospitalizations related to mental health conditions. Our results reflect a geographic variation of both types of mental health service utilization across neighbourhoods in Toronto. We identified hot and cold spots of mental health risks that are common to both or specific to only one type of health service utilization. Based on the evidence found, we discuss intervention strategies, focusing on the hotspots and provision of health services about doctors and hospitals, to improve mental health for the neighbourhoods. Limitations of the study and further research directions are also discussed.
Hidden Markov Model for Stock Trading
Authors: Nguyen Nguyet
Published: March 2018

Hidden Markov model (HMM) is a statistical signal prediction model, which has been widely used to predict economic regimes and stock prices. In this paper, we introduce the application of HMM in trading stocks (with S&P 500 index being an example) based on the stock price predictions. The procedure starts by using four criteria, including the Akaike information, the Bayesian information, the Hannan Quinn information, and the Bozdogan Consistent Akaike Information, in order to determine an optimal number of states for the HMM. The selected four-state HMM is then used to predict monthly closing prices of the S&P 500 index. For this work, the out-of-sample R OS 2 , and some other error estimators are used to test the HMM predictions against the historical average model. Finally, both the HMM and the historical average model are used to trade the S&P 500. The obtained results clearly prove that the HMM outperforms this traditional method in predicting and trading stocks.
The Role of Social Factors in the Accessibility of Urban Areas for People with Motor Disabilities
Authors: Gharebaghi Amin , Mostafavi Mir-Abolfazl , Chavoshi Seyed , Edwards Geoffrey , Fougeyrollas Patrick
Published: March 2018

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities recognizes the right of people with disabilities to attain full social participation without discrimination on the basis of disability. Furthermore, mobility is one of the most important life habits for achieving such participation. Providing people with disabilities with information regarding accessible paths and accessible urban places therefore plays a vital role in achieving these goals. The accessibility of urban places and pedestrian networks depends, however, on the interaction between human capabilities and environmental factors, and may be subdivided into physical or social factors. An optimal analysis of accessibility requires both kinds of factors, social as well as physical. Although there has been considerable work concerning the physical aspects of the environment, social aspects have been largely neglected. In this paper, we highlight the importance of the social dimension of environments and consider a more integrated approach for accessibility assessment. We highlight the ways by which social factors such as policies can be incorporated into accessibility assessment of pedestrian networks for people with motor disabilities. Furthermore, we propose a framework to assess the accessibility of pedestrian network segments that incorporates the confidence level of people with motor disabilities. This framework is then used as a tool to investigate the influence of different policies on accessibility conditions of pedestrian networks. The methodology is implemented in the Saint-Roch neighborhood in Quebec City and the effectiveness of three policy actions is examined by way of illustration.