bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Side Channel Leakages Against Financial IC Card of the Republic of Korea
Authors: Won Yoo-Seung , Lee Jonghyeok , Han Dong-Guk
Published: November 2018

Integrated circuit (IC) chip cards are commonly used in payment system applications since they can provide security and convenience simultaneously. More precisely, Europay, MasterCard, and VISA (EMV) are widely known to be well equipped with security frameworks that can defend against malicious attacks. On the other hand, there are other payment system applications at the national level. In the case of the Republic of Korea, standards for financial IC card specifications are established by the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute. Furthermore, security features defending against timing analysis, power analysis, electromagnetic analysis, and TEMPEST are required. This paper identifies side channel leakages in the financial IC cards of the Republic of Korea, although there may be side channel countermeasures. Side channel leakages in the financial IC cards of the Republic of Korea are identified for the first time since the side channel countermeasures were included in the standards. The countermeasure that is applied to the IC card from a black box perspective is estimated to measure security features against power analysis. Then, in order to investigate whether an underlying countermeasure is applied, first-order and second-order power analyses are performed on the main target, e.g., a S-box of the block cipher SEED that is employed in the financial system. Furthermore, the latest proposal in ICISC 2017 is examined to apply block cipher SEED to the financial IC card protocol. As a result, it is possible to identify some side channel leakages while expanding the lemma of the paper accepted in ICISC 2017. Algebraic logic is also constructed to recover the master key from some round keys. Finally, it is found that only 20,000 traces are required to find the master key.
The Stability of Temporary Restorations Fabricated on a Healing Cap for Immediate Loading: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Jun Sangho , Jang Hyonseok , Cheon Enji , Kim MinJu , Ju Sungwon , Ahn Jinsoo
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze the load distribution of interim restorations using healing cap during immediate loading implant treatment in vitro. A total of 29 models with interim restorations which were fabricated with healing cap were selected. The pull-out strength was measured with a used healing cap and new healing cap. The compressive strength and sinking distance were also measured. The pull-out strength of interim restoration showed lower value (max. 29.8 N) compared to the natural bite force. The sinking amounts were larger than normal tooth sinking. The sinking amounts of interim restorations fabricated on a healing cap were roughly 3 times (0.3–0.5 mm under 450 N) those of normal teeth. The interim restoration on plastic healing cap would be useful for immediate loading implant treatment.
Emission of Air Pollutants from Rice Residue Open Burning in Thailand, 2018
Authors: Junpen Agapol , Pansuk Jirataya , Kamnoet Orachorn , Cheewaphongphan Penwadee , Garivait Savitri
Published: November 2018

Crop residue burning negatively impacts both the environment and human health, whether in the aspect of air pollution, regional and global climate change, or transboundary air pollution. Accordingly, this study aims to assess the level of air pollutant emissions caused by the rice residue open burning activities in 2018, by analyzing the remote sensing information and country specific data. This research also aims to analyze the trend of particulate matter 10 microns or less in diameter (PM10) concentration air quality sites in provinces with large paddy rice planting areas from 2010–2017. According to the results, 61.87 megaton (Mt) of rice residue were generated, comprising 21.35 Mt generated from the irrigated fields and 40.53 Mt generated from the rain-fed field. Only 23.0% of the total rice residue generated were subject to open burning—of which nearly 32% were actually burned in the fields. The emissions from such rice residue burning consisted of: 5.34 ± 2.33 megaton (Mt) of CO2, 44 ± 14 kiloton (kt) of CH4, 422 ± 179 kt of CO, 2 ± 2 kt of NOX, 2 ± 2 kt of SO2, 38 ± 22 kt of PM2.5, 43 ± 29 kt of PM10, 2 ± 1 kt of black carbon (BC), and 14 ± 5 kt of organic carbon (OC). According to the air quality trends, the results shows the higher level of PM10 concentration was due to the agricultural burning activities, as reflected in the higher monthly averages of the months with the agricultural burning, by around 1.9–2.1 times. The result also shows the effect of government’s policy for farmers on the crop burning activities and air quality trends.
The Impact of Adverse Weather and Climate on the Width of European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Tree Rings in Southeastern Europe
Authors: Stjepanović Stefan , Matović Bratislav , Stojanović Dejan , Lalić Branislava , Levanič Tom , Orlović Saša , Gutalj Marko
Published: November 2018

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the most important deciduous tree species in Europe. According to different climate scenarios, there is a relatively high probability of a massive decline in and loss of beech forests in southern Europe and in the southern part of central Europe. Thus, the authors of this study explored the dynamics of tree diameter increments and the influence of extremely dry years on the width of tree rings. This study used dendroecological methods to analyze the growth and diameter increments of European beech trees at locations in Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. The sampling was conducted along the vertical distribution of beech forests, at five sites at the lower limit of the distribution, at five optimal sites of the distribution, and at five sites at the upper limit of the distribution. Long-term analyses indicate that dry conditions during a growing season can reduce tree-ring width, but a reduction in tree growth can be expected as a result of more than one season of unfavorable conditions. Low temperatures in autumn and winter and prolonged winters can strongly affect upcoming vegetation and reduce tree development even under normal thermal conditions during a growing season.
Degree-Distance Based Topological Indices of Crystal Cubic Carbon Structure
Authors: Yang Hong , Siddiqui Muhammad Kamran , Arshad Misbah , Naeem Muhammad
Published: November 2018

Chemical graph theory comprehends the basic properties of an atomic graph. The sub-atomic diagrams are the graphs that are comprised of particles called vertices and the covalent bond between them are called edges. The eccentricity ϵ u of vertex u in an associated graph G, is the separation among u and a vertex farthermost from u. In this article, we consider the precious stone structure of cubic carbon and registered Eccentric-connectivity index ξ ( G ) , Eccentric connectivity polynomial E C P ( G , x ) and Connective Eccentric index C ξ ( G ) of gem structure of cubic carbon for n-levels.
Evolution of Phenolic Compound Profiles and Antioxidant Activity of Syrah Red and Sparkling Moscatel Wines Stored in Bottles of Different Colors
Authors: De Souza Joyce Fagundes , De Souza Nascimento Antonio Mendes , Linhares Maria do Socorro Silva , Dutra Maria da Conceição Prudêncio , Dos Santos Lima Marcos , Pereira Giuliano Elias
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of storage time and bottle color on the phenolic compound profiles of Syrah red and sparkling Moscatel wines stored for 12 months in green, amber, and clear bottles. The profile of the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity in vitro were determined. Commercial wines were bottled in an automatic filling machine and closed with natural cork. After the bottling process, the wines were stored vertically on shelves which received natural light indirectly (±8 h/day), at temperatures which varied from 24 to 30 °C and relative humidity 40–65%. The wines were analyzed every three months over one year. Several phenolic compound families were quantified through reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled to diode-array detection (DAD) and fluorescence detection (FD). The different bottle colors studied had not influenced the evolution of the sparkling Moscatel and Syrah red wines. The main variations obtained were related to storage time. The main changes were observed in the Syrah wine, where storage time was associated with an increase in hue (h*), decrease in catechin and epicatechin, and most notably, a decrease in the anthocyanin malvidin 3-glucoside. The sparkling Moscatel wine did not show important changes in most phenolic compounds; however, the catechin increased significantly during storage and this increase was similar in bottles of all colors. In general, the wines were stable in relation to the antioxidant activity in vitro.
Cell Death Patterns Due to Warm Ischemia or Reperfusion in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells Originating from Human, Mouse, or the Native Hibernator Hamster
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Pissas Georgios , Antoniadi Georgia , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: November 2018

Ischemia–reperfusion injury contributes to the pathogenesis of many diseases, with acute kidney injury included. Hibernating mammals survive prolonged bouts of deep torpor with a dramatic drop in blood pressure, heart, and breathing rates, interspersed with short periods of arousal and, consequently, ischemia–reperfusion injury. Clarifying the differences under warm anoxia or reoxygenation between human cells and cells from a native hibernator may reveal interventions for rendering human cells resistant to ischemia–reperfusion injury. Human and hamster renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) were cultured under warm anoxia or reoxygenation. Mouse RPTECs were used as a phylogenetic control for hamster cells. Cell death was assessed by both cell imaging and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, apoptosis by cleaved caspase-3, autophagy by microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 B II (LC3B-II) to LC3B-I ratio, necroptosis by phosphorylated mixed-lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase, reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorometrically, and lipid peroxidation, the end-point of ferroptosis, by malondialdehyde. Human cells died after short periods of warm anoxia or reoxygenation, whereas hamster cells were extremely resistant. In human cells, apoptosis contributed to cell death under both anoxia and reoxygenation. Although under reoxygenation, ROS increased in both human and hamster RPTECs, lipid peroxidation-induced cell death was detected only in human cells. Autophagy was observed only in human cells under both conditions. Necroptosis was not detected in any of the evaluated cells. Clarifying the ways that are responsible for hamster RPTECs escaping from apoptosis and lipid peroxidation-induced cell death may reveal interventions for preventing ischemia–reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in humans.
Dual-Family Peptidylprolyl Isomerases (Immunophilins) of Select Monocellular Organisms
Authors: Barik Sailen
Published: November 2018

The dual-family peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerases (immunophilins) represent a naturally occurring chimera of the classical FK506-binding protein (FKBP) and cyclophilin (CYN), connected by a flexible linker. They are found exclusively in monocellular organisms. The modular builds of these molecules represent two distinct types: CYN-(linker)-FKBP and FKBP-3TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat)-CYN. Abbreviated respectively as CFBP and FCBP, the two classes also exhibit distinct organism preference, the CFBP being found in prokaryotes, and the FCBP in eukaryotes. This review summarizes the mystery of these unique class of prolyl isomerases, focusing on their host organisms, potential physiological role, and likely routes of evolution.
Methylation and Acetylation Enhanced the Antidiabetic Activity of Some Selected Flavonoids: In Vitro, Molecular Modelling and Structure Activity Relationship-Based Study
Authors: Ahmed Qamar , Sarian Murni , Mat So'ad Siti , Latip Jalifah , Arief Ichwan Solachuddin , Hussein Nurlaili , Taher Muhammad , Alhassan Alhassan , Hamidon Hanisuhana , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: November 2018

Flavonoids have been reported to exert antihyperglycemic effects and have potential to enhance the current therapy options against type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the structure activity relationships (SAR) studies of flavonoids against this disease have not been thoroughly comprehended. Hence, in the present study, 14 structurally related flavonoids viz. wogonin, techtochrysin, norwogonin, isoscutellarein, hypolaetin, kaempferol, quercetin, methyl ether of wogonin, acetate of wogonin, acetate of norwogonin, 8-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, chrysin, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin were taken into account for in vitro antidiabetic evaluation. Cell viability of RIN-5F pancreatic cells and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells was initially tested, then an insulin secretion assay of RIN-5F as well as adipogenesis and glucose uptake measurements of adipocyte were investigated. Subsequently, protein expressions study through adipokines measurement (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, RBP-4) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, Western blotting analysis against GLUT4 and C/EBP-α as well as molecular docking against GLUT1 were analyzed. The results from cell culture antidiabetic assays (insulin secretion, adipogenesis, and glucose uptake), protein expressions and molecular docking pointed that the methoxy group at position C-8 is responsible for antidiabetic property of selected flavonoids via glucose uptake mechanism indicated by up regulation of GLUT4 and C/EBP-α expressions. The mechanism could be enhanced by the addition of an acetate group at C-5 and C-7 of the flavone skeleton.
Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Rapid Detection of Grapevine Leafroll-Associated Virus
Authors: Byzova Nadezhda A. , Vinogradova Svetlana V. , Porotikova Elena V. , Terekhova Uliana D. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: November 2018

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is one of the main pathogens of grapes, causing a significant loss in yield and decrease in quality for this agricultural plant. For efficient widespread control of this infection, rapid and simple analytical techniques of on-site testing are requested as a complementary addition for the currently applied hybridization (PCR) and immunoenzyme (ELISA) approaches. The given paper presents development and approbation of the immunochromatographic assay (ICA) for rapid detection of GLRaV-3. The ICA realizes a sandwich immunoassay format with the obtaining complexes ((antibody immobilized on immunochromatographic membrane)–(virus in the sample)–(antibody immobilized on gold nanoparticles (GNP)) during sample flow along the membrane compounds of the test strip. Three preparations of GNPs were compared for detection of GLRaV-3 at different dilutions of virus-containing sample. The GNPs with maximal average diameters of 51.0 ± 7.9 nm provide GLRaV-3 detection for its maximal dilutions, being 4 times more than when using GNPs with a diameter of 28.3 ± 3.3 nm, and 8 times more than when using GNPs with a diameter of 18.5 ± 3.3 nm. Test strips have been manufactured using the largest GNPs conjugated with anti-GLRaV-3 antibodies at a ratio of 1070:1. When testing samples containing other grape wine viruses, the test strips have not demonstrated staining in the test zone, which confirms the ICA specificity. The approbation of the manufactured test strips indicated that when using ELISA as a reference method, the developed ICA is characterized by a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. If PCR is considered as a reference method, then the sensitivity of ICA is 93% and the specificity is 92%. The proposed ICA can be implemented in one stage without the use of any additional reactants or devices. The testing results can be obtained in 10 min and detected visually. It provides significant improvement in GLRaV-3 detection, and the presented approach can be transferred for the development of test systems for other grape wine pathogens.
Electrochemical Study of Enzymatic Glucose Sensors Biocatalyst: Thermal Degradation after Long-Term Storage
Authors: Christwardana Marcelinus , Frattini Domenico
Published: November 2018

The thermal degradation related to stability in long-term storage of a carbon nanotube-based biosensor has been investigated. The effect of storage temperature on detachment and denaturation of glucose oxidase (GOx) biocatalyst has been proved. The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as entrapping polymer to attract more GOx to form a durable and layered CNT/PEI/GOx structure is used for long-term storage to minimize GOx detachment from the structure and minimize the possibility of enzyme and protein denaturation. After 120 days, the glucose response of the CNT/PEI/GOx biosensor stored under 4°C is preserved up to 66.7% of its initial value, while under a 25 °C storage the response is maintained up to 41.7%. The enzyme coverage activity of CNT/PEI/GOx stored at 4 °C and 25 °C has decreased by 31.1% and 51.4%, respectively. Denaturation and detachment of GOx are the common causes of thermal degradation in biosensors under improper storage temperatures, but the presence of PEI in the structure can slow-down these phenomena. Moreover, the electrons transfer constant of CNT/PEI/GOx biocatalyst stored at 4 °C and 25 °C were 7.5 ± 0.5 s−1 and 6.6 ± 0.3 s−1, respectively, indicating that also electrons mobility is damaged by detachment and denaturation of enzyme protein and the detection of glucose from the glucose oxidation reaction (GOR) is compromised.
Rheology and Screen-Printing Performance of Model Silver Pastes for Metallization of Si-Solar Cells
Authors: Yüce Ceren , König Markus , Willenbacher Norbert
Published: November 2018

Further strong growth of solar energy conversion based on PV (photovoltaic) technology requires constant improvement to increase solar cell efficiency. The challenge in front-side metallization of Si-solar cells is to print uniform fine lines with a high aspect ratio to achieve higher efficiencies simultaneously with a reduced consumption of raw materials. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between paste composition, rheology and screen-printed line morphology is essential. Three model pastes with similar silver content and corresponding vehicles differing in their thixotropic agent content were investigated. Rheological properties (yield stress, viscosity, wall slip velocity, structural recovery, and fracture strain) were determined using steady and oscillatory shear, as well as elongational flow rheometry. Pastes were screen-printed at various speeds through a layout screen including line widths between 20 and 55 µm. Dried fingers were analyzed with respect to line width, aspect ratio (AR) and cross-sectional area. Our investigations reveal that minor changes of thixotropic agent result in substantial variations of the paste’s flow properties. However, this only weakly affects the line morphology. Irrespective of printing speed or finger opening, AR is slightly increasing; i.e., the screen-printing process is robust against changes in paste rheology.
Water Vapor Adsorption by Some Manganese Oxide Forms
Authors: Rakitskaya Tatyana , Truba Alla , Dzhyga Ganna , Nagaevs’ka Anna , Volkova Vitaliya
Published: November 2018

Manganese oxide forms prepared by different methods differ by their compositions, phase ratios in polyphase samples, and crystallite sizes (XRD and TEM characterization). Among the phases, tunnel-structured β-MnO2 (pyrolusite), α-MnO2 (cryptomelane), ε-MnO2 (akhtenskite), and β-Mn2O3 (bixbyite) have been identified. Water vapor sorption isotherms showed substantial differences in the affinities of water molecules to oxide surfaces of the manganese oxide forms under study. The parameters of the BET equation and pore size distribution curves have been calculated. The manganese oxide forms have mesoporous structures characterized by uniform and non-uniform pore sizes as well as by moderate hydrophilic behavior.
A Fractional Single-Phase-Lag Model of Heat Conduction for Describing Propagation of the Maximum Temperature in a Finite Medium
Authors: Kukla Stanisław , Siedlecka Urszula
Published: November 2018

In this paper, an investigation of the maximum temperature propagation in a finite medium is presented. The heat conduction in the medium was modelled by using a single-phase-lag equation with fractional Caputo derivatives. The formulation and solution of the problem concern the heat conduction in a slab, a hollow cylinder, and a hollow sphere, which are subjected to a heat source represented by the Robotnov function and a harmonically varying ambient temperature. The problem with time-dependent Robin and homogenous Neumann boundary conditions has been solved by using an eigenfunction expansion method and the Laplace transform technique. The solution of the heat conduction problem was used for determination of the maximum temperature trajectories. The trajectories and propagation speeds of the temperature maxima in the medium depend on the order of fractional derivatives occurring in the heat conduction model. These dependencies for the heat conduction in the hollow cylinder have been numerically investigated.
Module Based Floorplanning Methodology to Satisfy Voltage Island and Fixed Outline Constraints
Authors: Balasubramanian Srinath , Panchanathan Arunapriya , Chokkalingam Bharatiraja , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Leonowicz Zbigniew
Published: November 2018

Multiple supply voltage is the most prevalent method for low power reduction in the design of modern Integrated circuits. Floorplanning process in this design performs positioning of functional blocks in the layout satisfying both fixed outline and voltage island constraints. The floorplans while satisfying these two significant constraints causes significant rise in wirelength and congestion. In this paper, a congestion and wirelength aware floorplanning algorithm is proposed which allows effective placement of functional blocks in the layout to satisfying fixed outline and voltage island constraints simultaneously. To perform voltage island floorplanning, the proposed algorithm uses Skewed binary tree representation scheme to operate the functional blocks in its predefined voltage level. The proposed methodology determines the feasible dimensions of the functional blocks in the representation which aids the placement process for the reduction of congestion and wirelength. With these optimal dimensions of the functional blocks, floorplanning is also performed for the layouts of aspect 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, to evaluate the ability of proposed algorithm for satisfying the fixed outline constraint. The proposed methodology is implemented in the layout of InternationalWorkshop on Logic and Synthesis (IWLS) benchmarks circuits for experimental purpose. The resulting floorplans were iteratively optimized for optimal reduction of wirelength and congestion. Experimental results show that the proposed methodology outperforms existing state-of-the-art approaches in wirelength reduction by about 18.65% and in congestion reduction by around 63%, while delivering the 30.35% power consumption.
A Nonlinearly Modulated Logistic Map with Delay for Image Encryption
Authors: Li Shouliang , Yin Benshun , Ding Weikang , Zhang Tongfeng , Ma Yide
Published: November 2018

Considering that a majority of the traditional one-dimensional discrete chaotic maps have disadvantages including a relatively narrow chaotic range, smaller Lyapunov exponents, and excessive periodic windows, a new nonlinearly modulated Logistic map with delay model (NMLD) is proposed. Accordingly, a chaotic map called a first-order Feigenbaum-Logistic NMLD (FL-NMLD) is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that FL-NMLD has a considerably wider chaotic range, larger Lyapunov exponents, and superior ergodicity compared with existing chaotic maps. Based on FL-NMLD, we propose a new image encryption algorithm that joins the pixel plane and bit-plane shuffle (JPB). The simulation and test results confirm that JPB has higher security than simple pixel-plane encryption and is faster than simple bit-plane encryption. Moreover, it can resist the majority of attacks including statistical and differential attacks.
SOCP Relaxations of Optimal Power Flow Problem Considering Current Margins in Radial Networks
Authors: Chen Yuwei , Xiang Ji , Li Yanjun
Published: November 2018

Optimal power flow (OPF) is a non-linear and non-convex problem that seeks the optimization of a power system operation point to minimize the total generation costs or transmission losses. This study proposes an OPF model considering current margins in radial networks. The objective function of this OPF model has an additional term of current margins of the line besides the traditional transmission losses and generations costs, which contributes to thermal stability margins of power systems. The model is a reformulated bus injection model with clear physical meanings. Second order cone program (SOCP) relaxations for the proposed OPF are made, followed by the over-satisfaction condition guaranteeing the exactness of the SOCP relaxations. A simple 6-node case and several IEEE benchmark systems are studied to illustrate the efficiency of the developed results.
An Approach for Estimating Solar Photovoltaic Potential Based on Rooftop Retrieval from Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Song Xiaoyang , Huang Yaohuan , Zhao Chuanpeng , Liu Yuxin , Lu Yanguo , Chang Yongguo , Yang Jie
Published: November 2018

Solar energy is the most clean renewable energy source and has good prospects for future sustainable development. Installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on building rooftops has been the most widely applied method for using solar energy resources. In this study, we developed an approach to simulate the monthly and annual solar radiation on rooftops at an hourly time step to estimate the solar PV potential, based on rooftop feature retrieval from remote sensing images. The rooftop features included 2D rooftop outlines and 3D rooftop parameters retrieved from high-resolution remote sensing image data (obtained from Google Maps) and digital surface model (DSM, generated from the Pleiades satellite), respectively. We developed the building features calculation method for five rooftop types: flat rooftops, shed rooftops, hipped rooftops, gable rooftops and mansard rooftops. The parameters of the PV modules derived from the building features were then combined with solar radiation data to evaluate solar photovoltaic potential. The proposed method was applied in the Chao Yang District of Beijing, China. The results were that the number of rooftops available for PV systems was 743, the available rooftop area was 678,805 m2, and the annual PV electricity potential was 63.78 GWh/year in the study area, which has great solar PV potential. The method to perform precise calculation of specific rooftop solar PV potential developed in this study will guide the formulation of energy policy for solar PV in the future.
A Nonlinear Disturbance Observer Based Virtual Negative Inductor Stabilizing Strategy for DC Microgrid with Constant Power Loads
Authors: Liu Sheng , Su Peng , Zhang Lanyong
Published: November 2018

For the dc microgrid system with constant power loads (CPLs), the dc bus voltage can easily cause high-frequency oscillation owing to the complicated impedance interactions. The large line inductance and the CPL-side capacitance will form an undamped LC circuit on the dc bus, which, together with the CPL, will make the system fall into the negative-damping region, thus causing the system instability. To address this problem, a virtual negative inductor (VNI) is built on the source side converter in this paper, which can effectively counteract the large line inductance, thus alleviating the instability problem. Moreover, a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is proposed for estimating the converter output current, which relieves the strong dependence of the proposed VNI strategy on the output current measurement. And the proposed strategy is implemented in a totally decentralized manner, thus alleviating the single-point-failure problem in the central controller. For assuring the optimal parameter value for the proposed stabilizing strategy, a system root-locus diagram based parameter designing approach is adopted. And comparative Nyquist diagram based stability analyses are taken for studying the robustness of the proposed strategy to the system perturbations. Finally, detailed real-time simulations are conducted for validating the effectiveness of the proposed stabilizing strategy.
Degradation of Triclosan and Carbamazepine in Two Agricultural and Garden Soils with Different Textures Amended with Composted Sewage Sludge
Authors: Shao Yanqiu , Yang Kai , Jia Rongchang , Tian Chao , Zhu Ying
Published: November 2018

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) has been extensively used in agriculture and landscaping, offering a practical solution for waste disposal. However, some pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) like triclosan (TCS) and carbamazepine (CBZ) have restricted its land application. In this study, CSS was added to agricultural soil and garden soil at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 25% (w/w soil), and 4 mL of TCS and CBZ stock solution (1000 mg/L in methanol) was spiked into soil amended with CSS of each bottle to arrive at the concentration of 10 mg/kg. Samples were then collected after incubation for 120 days and analyzed for concentrations and half-life (t1/2) of TCS and CBZ, and soil physicochemical properties, together with enzyme activities. The results showed that TCS was degraded completely during the incubation period. In contrast, only about 5.82–21.43% CBZ was degraded. CSS amendment inhibited TCS and CBZ degradation and prolonged t1/2 compared to the control, and the t1/2 of TCS and CBZ increased with CSS addition amount in all treatments except for CBZ in the garden soil amended with 10% CSS. Correlation studies showed a significantly positive relationship between t1/2 of TCS and CBZ and total organic carbon (TOC), while a significantly negative relationship between t1/2 of the two PPCPs and pH was observed. Alkaline phosphatase showed a significantly negative relationship with the Ct/C0 of TCS in garden soil amended with 25% CSS and CBZ in the control. The urease activity was negatively correlated with the Ct/C0 of TCS in 10% and 25% CSS treatments and CBZ in 10% CSS treatment for garden soil.
Household Air Pollution Is Associated with Chronic Cough but Not Hemoptysis after Completion of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment in Adults, Rural Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Katoto Patrick D.M.C. , Murhula Aime , Kayembe-Kitenge Tony , Lawin Herve , Bisimwa Bertin C. , Cirhambiza Jean Paul , Musafiri Eric , Birembano Freddy , Kashongwe Zacharie , Kirenga Bruce , Mfinanga Sayoki , Mortimer Kevin , De Boever Patrick , Nawrot Tim S. , Nachega Jean B. , Nemery Benoit
Published: November 2018

Little is known about the respiratory health damage related to household air pollution (HAP) in survivors of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). In a population-based cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence and associated predictors of chronic cough and hemoptysis in 441 randomly selected PTB survivors living in 13 remote health zones with high TB burden in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Trained community and health-care workers administered a validated questionnaire. In a multivariate logistic regression, chronic cough was independently associated with HAP (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.10, 95% CI: 1.10–4.00) and PTB treatment >6 months (aOR 3.80, 95% CI: 1.62–8.96). Among women, chronic cough was associated with cooking ≥3 h daily (aOR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.25–6.07) and with HAP (aOR 3.93, 95% CI: 1.15–13.43). Independent predictors of hemoptysis were PTB retreatment (aOR 3.04, 95% CI: 1.04–5.09) and ignorance of treatment outcome (aOR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.09–4.58) but not HAP (aOR 1.86, 95% CI: 0.61–5.62). Exposure to HAP proved a major risk factor for chronic cough in PTB survivors, especially in women. This factor is amenable to intervention.
Modelling, Validation and Quantification of Climate and Other Sensitivities of Building Energy Model on 3D City Models
Authors: Murshed Syed Monjur , Picard Solène , Koch Andreas
Published: November 2018

New planning tools are required to depict the complete building stock in a city and investigate detailed measures on reaching local and global targets to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To pursue this objective, ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) 13790:2008 monthly heating and cooling energy calculation method is implemented using geometric information from 3D city models (e.g., CityGML format) in an open source software architecture. A model is developed and applied in several urban districts with different number of 3D buildings in various cities. The model is validated with the simulation software TRNSYS. We also perform a sensitivity analysis to quantify the impact of climate change and other physical and behavioral factors on modelling results. The proposed approach can help to perform city or district-wide analysis of the building energy needs and prepare different renovation plans to support decision-making, which finally will enhance the livability of a city and the quality of life of the citizens.
A Graded Multifunctional Hybrid Scaffold with Superparamagnetic Ability for Periodontal Regeneration
Authors: Sprio Simone , Campodoni Elisabetta , Sandri Monica , Preti Lorenzo , Keppler Tobias , Müller Frank A. , Pugno Nicola M. , Tampieri Anna
Published: November 2018

The regeneration of dental tissues is a still an unmet clinical need; in fact, no therapies have been completely successful in regenerating dental tissue complexes such as periodontium, which is also due to the lack of scaffolds that are able to guide and direct cell fate towards the reconstruction of different mineralized and non-mineralized dental tissues. In this respect, the present work develops a novel multifunctional hybrid scaffold recapitulating the different features of alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum by integrating the biomineralization process, and tape casting and electrospinning techniques. The scaffold is endowed with a superparamagnetic ability, thanks to the use of a biocompatible, bioactive superparamagnetic apatite phase, as a mineral component that is able to promote osteogenesis and to be activated by remote magnetic signals. The periodontal scaffold was obtained by engineering three different layers, recapitulating the relevant compositional and microstructural features of the target tissues, into a monolithic multifunctional graded device. Physico-chemical, morphological, and ultrastructural analyses, in association with preliminary in vitro investigations carried out with mesenchymal stem cells, confirm that the final scaffold exhibits a good mimicry of the periodontal tissue complex, with excellent cytocompatibility and cell viability, making it very promising for regenerative applications in dentistry.
Identification of Self-Incompatibility Alleles by Specific PCR Analysis and S-RNase Sequencing in Apricot
Authors: Herrera Sara , Rodrigo Javier , Hormaza José I. , Lora Jorge
Published: November 2018

Self-incompatibility (SI) is one of the most efficient mechanisms to promote out-crossing in plants. However, SI could be a problem for fruit production. An example is apricot (Prunus armeniaca), in which, as in other species of the Rosaceae, SI is determined by an S-RNase-based-Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility (GSI) system. Incompatibility relationships between cultivars can be established by an S-allele genotyping PCR strategy. Until recently, most of the traditional European apricot cultivars were self-compatible but several breeding programs have introduced an increasing number of new cultivars whose pollination requirements are unknown. To fill this gap, we have identified the S-allele of 44 apricot genotypes, of which 43 are reported here for the first time. The identification of Sc in 15 genotypes suggests that those cultivars are self-compatible. In five genotypes, self-(in)compatibility was established by the observation of pollen tube growth in self-pollinated flowers, since PCR analysis could not allowed distinguishing between the Sc and S8 alleles. Self-incompatible genotypes were assigned to their corresponding self-incompatibility groups. The knowledge of incompatibility relationships between apricot cultivars can be a highly valuable tool for the development of future breeding programs by selecting the appropriate parents and for efficient orchard design by planting self-compatible and inter-compatible cultivars.
Alignment: A Hybrid, Interactive and Collaborative Ontology and Entity Matching Service
Authors: Karampatakis Sotirios , Bratsas Charalampos , Zamazal Ondřej , Filippidis Panagiotis Marios , Antoniou Ioannis
Published: November 2018

Ontology matching is an essential problem in the world of Semantic Web and other distributed, open world applications. Heterogeneity occurs as a result of diversity in tools, knowledge, habits, language, interests and usually the level of detail. Automated applications have been developed, implementing diverse aligning techniques and similarity measures, with outstanding performance. However, there are use cases where automated linking fails and there must be involvement of the human factor in order to create, or not create, a link. In this paper we present Alignment, a collaborative, system aided, interactive ontology matching platform. Alignment offers a user-friendly environment for matching two ontologies with the aid of configurable similarity algorithms.
Cangrelor Induces More Potent Platelet Inhibition without Increasing Bleeding in Resuscitated Patients
Authors: Prüller Florian , Bis Lukasz , Milke Oliver , Fruhwald Friedrich , Pätzold Sascha , Altmanninger-Sock Siegfried , Siller-Matula Jolanta , Von Lewinski Friederike , Ablasser Klemens , Sacherer Michael , Von Lewinski Dirk
Published: November 2018

Dual antiplatelet therapy is the standard of care for patients with myocardial infarction (MI), who have been resuscitated and treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH). We compare the antiplatelet effect and bleeding risk of intravenous cangrelor to oral P2Y12-inhibitors in patients with MI receiving TH in a prospective comparison of two matched patient cohorts. Twenty-five patients within the CANGRELOR cohort were compared to 17 patients receiving oral P2Y12-inhibitors. CANGRELOR group (NCT03445546) and the ORAL P2Y12 Group (NCT02914795) were registered at clinicaltrials.gov. Platelet function testing was performed using light-transmittance aggregometry and monitored for 4 days. P2Y12-inhibition was stronger in CANGRELOR compared to ORAL P2Y12 (adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (area under the curve (AUC)) 26.0 (5.9–71.6) vs. 160.9 (47.1–193.7)) at day 1. This difference decreased over the following days as more patients were switched from CANGRELOR to oral P2Y12-inhibitor treatment. There was no difference in the effect of aspirin between the two groups. We did not observe significant differences with respect to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) or Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) classified bleedings, number of blood transfusions or drop in haemoglobin B (Hb) or hematocrit (Hct) over time. Cangrelor treatment is not only feasible and effective in resuscitated patients, but also inhibited platelet function more effectively than orally administered P2Y12-inhibitors without an increased event rate for bleeding.
Context and Opportunities for Expanding Protected Areas in Canada
Authors: Wulder Michael , Cardille Jeffrey , White Joanne , Rayfield Bronwyn
Published: November 2018

At present, 10.5% of Canada’s land base is under some form of formal protection. Recent developments indicate Canada aims to work towards a target of protecting 17% of its terrestrial and inland water area by 2020. Canada is uniquely positioned globally as one of the few nations that has the capacity to expand the area under its protection. In addition to its formally protected areas, Canada’s remote regions form de facto protected areas that are relatively free from development pressure. Opportunities for expansion of formally protected areas in Canada include official delineation and designation of de facto protected areas and the identification and protection of land to improve connectivity between protected areas (PAs). Furthermore, there are collaborative opportunities for expanding PA through commitments from industry and provincial and territorial land stewards. Other collaborative opportunities include the contributions of First Nations aligning with international examples of Indigenous Protected Areas, or the incorporation and cultivation of private protection programs with documented inclusion in official PA networks. A series of incremental additions from multiple actors may increase the likelihood for achieving area-based targets, and expands stakeholder engagement and representation in Canada’s PA system. Given a generational opportunity and high-level interest in expansion of protected areas in Canada and elsewhere, it is evident that as a diverse number of stakeholders and rights holders collaboratively map current and future land uses onto forest landscapes, science-based conservation targets and spatial prioritizations can inform this process.
On the Temperature and Lubricant Film Thickness Distribution in EHL Contacts with Arbitrary Entrainment
Authors: Omasta Milan , Adam Jakub , Sperka Petr , Krupka Ivan , Hartl Martin
Published: November 2018

An understanding of mechanisms which are responsible for elastohydrodynamic lubricant film formation under high sliding conditions is necessary to increase durability of machine parts. This work combines thin-film colorimetric interferometry for lubricant film thickness measurement and infrared microscopy for in-depth temperature mapping through the contact. The results describe the effect of operating conditions such as speed, slide-to-roll ratio, ambient temperature, and sliding direction on lubricant film thickness and temperature distribution. Film thickness data shows how much the film shape is sensitive to operating conditions when thermal effects are significant, while the temperature profiles provides an explanation of this behavior.
Hot Deformation Behavior of Homogenized Mg-13.5Gd-3.2Y-2.3Zn-0.5Zr Alloy via Hot Compression Tests
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Yan Zhaoming , Du Yue , Zhang Guanshi , Zhu Jiaxuan , Ren Luying , Wang Yiding
Published: November 2018

Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr Mg alloys show excellent performance in high-end manufacturing due to its strength, hardness and corrosion resistance. However, the hot deformation and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behaviors of Mg-13.5Gd-3.2Y-2.3Zn-0.5Zr were not studied. For this article, hot compression behavior of homogenized high rare-earth (RE) content Mg-13.5Gd-3.2Y-2.3Zn-0.5Zr (wt%) alloy was investigated by using the Gleeble-3500D thermo-simulation test machine under the temperature of 350–500 °C and the strain rate of 0.001–1 s−1. It was found that the high flow stress corresponded to the low temperature and high strain rate, which showed DRX steady state curve during the hot compression. The hot deformation average activation was 263.17 kJ/mol, which was obtained by the analysis of the hyperbolic constitutive equation and the Zener-Hollomon parameter. From observation of the microstructure, it was found that kink deformation of long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase was one of the important coordination mechanisms of hot deformation at low temperature. The processing map with the strain of 0.5 was established under the basis of dynamic material model (DMM); it described two high power dissipation domains: one appearing in the temperature range of 370–440 °C and the strain rate range of 0.001–0.006 s−1, the other appearing in the temperature range of 465–500 °C and strain rate range of 0.001–0.05 s−1, in which dynamic recrystallization (DRX) mainly ocurred. The highest degree of DRX was 18% from the observation of the metallographic.
Evolution of Secondary α Phase during Aging Treatment in Novel near β Ti-6Mo-5V-3Al-2Fe Alloy
Authors: Zhang Haoyu , Wang Chuan , Zhang Siqian , Zhou Ge , Chen Lijia
Published: November 2018

Evolution of secondary α phase during aging treatment of a novel near β titanium alloy Ti-6Mo-5V-3Al-2Fe(wt.%) was studied by OM, SEM, and TEM. Results indicated that size and distribution of secondary α phase were strongly affected by aging temperature and time. Athermal ω phase formed after super-transus solution treatment followed by water quenching, and promoted nucleation of needle-like intragranular α in subsequent aging process. When aged at 480 °C, fine scaled intragranular α with small inter-particle spacing precipitated within β grains and high ultimate tensile strength above 1500 MPa was achieved. When the aging temperature increased, the size and inter-particle spacing of intragranular α increased and made the strength reduce, but the ductility got improved. When aging temperature reached as high as 600 °C, ω phase disappeared and intragranular α coarsened obviously, resulting in serious decrease of strength. While mutually parallel Widmanstätten α laths formed at the vicinity of β grain boundaries and grew into the internal area of β grains, and significant improvement of ductility was achieved. As the aging time increased from 4 h to 16 h at 600 °C, the intragranular α grew slightly and brought about minor change of mechanical properties.
Study of Deformation Behavior and Microstructural Evolution in Multiphase Steel
Authors: Lu Jun , Yu Hao , Duan Xiaoni , Song Chenghao
Published: November 2018

In the present work, the tensile deformation characteristics of the high performance multiphase steel with complex microstructures are investigated. A mixture of ferrite, bainite, and 14.4 vol% retained austenite (RA) with an average grain size of less than 3 μm of the matrix is obtained after specific heat treatment. Tensile tests are performed with increasing strain, i.e., 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Then X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and electron backscatter diffraction are utilized to analyze the deformation-transformation behaviors of the complex microstructures. Phase transformation of the RA, which is controlled by its morphology and distribution, contributes to high strain hardening capacity of the steel. The blocky-type RA that locates in ferrite grain boundaries shows less stability and transforms easily at early deformation stage, while the film-like RA that distributes between bainitic ferrite shows higher stability and transforms continuously throughout plastic deformation. Moreover, the substructure formation by dislocation configuration in ferrite grains begins with randomly distributed dislocations and ends up with cellular structures, resulting in ferrite subdivision during deformation and also grain refinement strengthening. As a result, the experimental steel is reinforced not only by the martensite transformation of RA, but also ferrite refinement.