bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,3-Bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane
Authors: Marchenko Roman , Potapov Andrei
Published: December 2017

Functional adamantane derivatives are interesting as active pharmaceutical ingredients, building blocks for supramolecular ensembles, and ligands in light of the coordination chemistry of functional materials. In this communication, synthesis of two isomeric 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazolyl)adamantanes by the reaction of 1,3-dibromoadamantane with 1,2,4-triazole in the absence of solvent is reported. The products, namely 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)adamantane and 1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-3-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)adamantane were separated by column chromatography and identified by NMR and mass-spectrometry.
Molybdenum Dichalcogenides for Environmental Chemical Sensing
Authors: Zappa Dario
Published: December 2017

2D transition metal dichalcogenides are attracting a strong interest following the popularity of graphene and other carbon-based materials. In the field of chemical sensors, they offer some interesting features that could potentially overcome the limitation of graphene and metal oxides, such as the possibility of operating at room temperature. Molybdenum-based dichalcogenides in particular are among the most studied materials, thanks to their facile preparation techniques and promising performances. The present review summarizes the advances in the exploitation of these MoX2 materials as chemical sensors for the detection of typical environmental pollutants, such as NO2, NH3, CO and volatile organic compounds.
Mechanical, Thermodynamic and Electronic Properties of Wurtzite and Zinc-Blende GaN Crystals
Authors: Qin Hongbo , Luan Xinghe , Feng Chuang , Yang Daoguo , Zhang Guoqi
Published: December 2017

For the limitation of experimental methods in crystal characterization, in this study, the mechanical, thermodynamic and electronic properties of wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN crystals were investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Firstly, bulk moduli, shear moduli, elastic moduli and Poisson’s ratios of the two GaN polycrystals were calculated using Voigt and Hill approximations, and the results show wurtzite GaN has larger shear and elastic moduli and exhibits more obvious brittleness. Moreover, both wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN monocrystals present obvious mechanical anisotropic behavior. For wurtzite GaN monocrystal, the maximum and minimum elastic moduli are located at orientations [001] and <111>, respectively, while they are in the orientations <111> and <100> for zinc-blende GaN monocrystal, respectively. Compared to the elastic modulus, the shear moduli of the two GaN monocrystals have completely opposite direction dependences. However, different from elastic and shear moduli, the bulk moduli of the two monocrystals are nearly isotropic, especially for the zinc-blende GaN. Besides, in the wurtzite GaN, Poisson’s ratios at the planes containing [001] axis are anisotropic, and the maximum value is 0.31 which is located at the directions vertical to [001] axis. For zinc-blende GaN, Poisson’s ratios at planes (100) and (111) are isotropic, while the Poisson’s ratio at plane (110) exhibits dramatically anisotropic phenomenon. Additionally, the calculated Debye temperatures of wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN are 641.8 and 620.2 K, respectively. At 300 K, the calculated heat capacities of wurtzite and zinc-blende are 33.6 and 33.5 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. Finally, the band gap is located at the G point for the two crystals, and the band gaps of wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN are 3.62 eV and 3.06 eV, respectively. At the G point, the lowest energy of conduction band in the wurtzite GaN is larger, resulting in a wider band gap. Densities of states in the orbital hybridization between Ga and N atoms of wurtzite GaN are much higher, indicating more electrons participate in forming Ga-N ionic bonds in the wurtzite GaN.
The Lipid Lowering and Cardioprotective Effects of Vernonia calvoana Ethanol Extract in Acetaminophen-Treated Rats
Authors: Egbung Godwin , Atangwho Item , Odey Ochuole , Ndiodimma Victor
Published: December 2017

Background: Paracetamol overdose/abuse as a result of self-medication is a common occurrence amongst people living in low/middle income countries. The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic and cardioprotective potentials of Vernonia calvoana (VC) ethanol extract in acetaminophen (paracetamol)-treated rats. Methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats weighing 100–150 g were randomly assigned into five groups of seven rats each. Groups 2–5 received high doses of paracetamol to induce liver damage, while group 1 was used as normal control. Afterwards, they were allowed to receive varying doses of VC (group 3 and 4) or vitamin E (group 5), whilst groups 1 and 2 were left untreated. The treatment period lasted for twenty one days after which sera were harvested and assayed for serum lipid indices using standard methods. Results: Groups 3 to 5 treated animals indicated significant decrease (p < 0.001) in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) levels relative to the normal and acetaminophen-treated controls, the atherogenic index showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in all treated groups compared with normal and acetaminophen-treated controls. However, the VC- and vitamin E-treated groups showed significant (p < 0.001) increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) relative to the controls. Conclusions: Data from our study suggest that ethanol leaf extract of VC possesses probable hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects.
Concentration and Separation of Scandium from Ni Laterite Ore Processing Streams
Authors: Kaya Şerif , Dittrich Carsten , Stopic Srecko , Friedrich Bernd
Published: December 2017

The presence of a considerable amount of scandium in lateritic nickel-cobalt ores necessitates the investigation of possible processing alternatives to recover scandium as a byproduct during nickel and cobalt production. Therefore, in this study, rather than interfering with the main nickel-cobalt production circuit, the precipitation-separation behavior of scandium during a pH-controlled precipitation process from a synthetically prepared solution was investigated to adopt the Sc recovery circuit into an already existing hydrometallurgical nickel-cobalt hydroxide processing plant. The composition of the synthetic solution was determined according to the hydrometallurgical nickel laterite ore processing streams obtained from a HPAL (high-pressure sulphuric acid leaching) process. In order to selectively precipitate and concentrate scandium with minimum nickel and cobalt co-precipitation, the pH of the solution was adjusted by CaCO3, MgO, Na2CO3, and NaOH. It was found that precipitation with MgO or Na2CO3 is more advantageous to obtain a precipitate containing higher amounts of scandium with minimum mass when compared to the CaCO3 route, which makes further processing more viable. As a result of this study, it is proposed that by a simple pH-controlled precipitation process, scandium can be separated from the nickel and cobalt containing process solutions as a byproduct without affecting the conventional nickel-cobalt hydroxide production. By further processing this scandium-enriched residue by means of leaching, SX (solvent extraction), and precipitation, an intermediate (NH4)2NaScF6 product can be obtained.
Fracture Resistance of 14Cr ODS Steel Exposed to a High Temperature Gas
Authors: Hojna Anna , Michalicka Jan , Hadraba Hynek , Di Gabriele Fosca , Duchon Jan , Rozumova Lucia , Husak Roman
Published: December 2017

This paper studies the impact fracture behavior of the 14%Cr Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steel (ODM401) after high temperature exposures in helium and air in comparison to the as-received state. A steel bar was produced by mechanical alloying and hot-extrusion at 1150 °C. Further, it was cut into small specimens, which were consequently exposed to air or 99.9% helium in a furnace at 720 °C for 500 h. Impact energy transition curves are shifted towards higher temperatures after the gas exposures. The transition temperatures of the exposed states significantly increase in comparison to the as-received steel by about 40 °C in He and 60 °C in the air. Differences are discussed in terms of microstructure, surface and subsurface Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) observations. The embrittlement was explained as temperature and environmental effects resulting in a decrease of dislocation level, slight change of the particle composition and interface/grain boundary segregations, which consequently affected the nucleation of voids leading to the ductile fracture.
Extending the Limits of Wireless Power Transfer to Miniaturized Implantable Electronic Devices
Authors: Dinis Hugo , Colmiais Ivo , Mendes Paulo
Published: December 2017

Implantable electronic devices have been evolving at an astonishing pace, due to the development of fabrication techniques and consequent miniaturization, and a higher efficiency of sensors, actuators, processors and packaging. Implantable devices, with sensing, communication, actuation, and wireless power are of high demand, as they pave the way for new applications and therapies. Long-term and reliable powering of such devices has been a challenge since they were first introduced. This paper presents a review of representative state of the art implantable electronic devices, with wireless power capabilities, ranging from inductive coupling to ultrasounds. The different power transmission mechanisms are compared, to show that, without new methodologies, the power that can be safely transmitted to an implant is reaching its limit. Consequently, a new approach, capable of multiplying the available power inside a brain phantom for the same specific absorption rate (SAR) value, is proposed. In this paper, a setup was implemented to quadruple the power available in the implant, without breaking the SAR limits. A brain phantom was used for concept verification, with both simulation and measurement data.
Anti-Allergic Activity of Monoacylated Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucosides
Authors: Miura Kaori , Morishita Yuta , Matsuno Hiroaki , Aota Yusuke , Ito Hideyuki , Tai Akihiro
Published: December 2017

2-O-α-d-Glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) is one of the stable ascorbic acid (AA) derivatives known as provitamin C agents. We have previously synthesized two types of monoacylated derivatives of AA-2G, 6-O-acyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acids having a straight-acyl chain of varying length from C4 to C18 (6-sAcyl-AA-2G) and a branched-acyl chain of varying length from C6 to C16 (6-bAcyl-AA-2G) in order to improve the bioavailability of AA-2G. In this study, 6-sAcyl-AA-2G and 6-bAcyl-AA-2G per se showed the inhibitory effects on hyaluronidase activity and degranulation. 6-sAcyl-AA-2G exhibited strong inhibitory effects on hyaluronidase activity and degranulation in a concentration-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effects tended to become stronger with increasing length of the acyl chain. 2-O-α-d-Glucopyranosyl-6-O-hexadecanoyl-l-ascorbic acid (6-sPalm-AA-2G), which has a straight C16 acyl chain, was the most potent effective for inhibition of hyaluronidase activity and for inhibition of degranulation among the 6-sAcyl-AA-2G derivatives and the two isomers of 6-sPalm-AA-2G. Furthermore, percutaneous administration of 6-sPalm-AA-2G significantly inhibited IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in mice. These findings suggest that 6-sPalm-AA-2G will be useful for treatment of allergies.
Differences of Rotavirus Vaccine Effectiveness by Country: Likely Causes and Contributing Factors
Authors: Desselberger Ulrich
Published: December 2017

Rotaviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide and in many other mammalian and avian host species. Since 2006, two live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix® and RotaTeq®, have been licensed in >100 countries and are applied as part of extended program of vaccination (EPI) schemes of childhood vaccinations. Whereas the vaccines have been highly effective in high-income countries, they were shown to be considerably less potent in low- and middle-income countries. Rotavirus-associated disease was still the cause of death in >200,000 children of <5 years of age worldwide in 2013, and the mortality is concentrated in countries of sub-Saharan Africa and S.E. Asia. Various factors that have been identified or suggested as being involved in the differences of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness are reviewed here. Recognition of these factors will help to achieve gradual worldwide improvement of rotavirus vaccine effectiveness.
The Abrasive Wear Resistance of the Segmented Linear Polyurethane Elastomers Based on a Variety of Polyols as Soft Segments
Authors: Kwiatkowski Konrad , Nachman Małgorzata
Published: December 2017

The presented results make an original contribution to the development of knowledge on the prediction and/or modeling of the abrasive wear properties of polyurethanes. A series of segmented linear polyurethane elastomers (PUR)—In which the hard segments consist of 4,4′-methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) and 1,4-butanodiol, whilst polyether, polycarbonate, or polyester polyols constitute the soft segments—Were synthesized and characterized. The hardness and wear performance as functions of the variable chemical composition of polyurethane elastomers were evaluated in order to define the relationship between studied factors. The microstructure was characterized in detail, including analysis of the hydrogen bonding by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and the phase structure by X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The presented studies provide the key features of the polymer composition affecting the abrasive resistance as well as attempts to explain the origin of the differences in the polyurethane elastomers’ performance.
Encountering Transcendence: Žižek, Liberation Theology and African Thought in Dialogue
Authors: Verhoef Anné
Published: December 2017

The concept of transcendence has been described by various academic disciplines like philosophy, theology, art and literature, but also by various religions and cultures. This has also been the case with the three traditions that are brought into dialogue in this special issue, namely critical theory, African thought and Liberation theology. In this article I will focus on transcendence as it is ‘encountered’ by the philosopher Slavoj Žižek as a postmetaphysical thinker and as a voice from critical theory. Žižek’s emphasis on the ‘gap in immanence’ and its implications for freedom will then be brought into dialogue with African thought and Liberation theology. Transcendence as an entry point in this dialogue has the potential not only to give more insight into these traditions, but also to advance the concept of freedom, which is central in all these traditions.
Atmospheric Profile Retrieval Algorithm for Next Generation Geostationary Satellite of Korea and Its Application to the Advanced Himawari Imager
Authors: Lee Su , Ahn Myoung-Hwan , Chung Sung-Rae
Published: December 2017

In preparation for the 2nd geostationary multi-purpose satellite of Korea with a 16-channel Advanced Meteorological Imager; an algorithm has been developed to retrieve clear-sky vertical profiles of temperature (T) and humidity (Q) based on a nonlinear optimal estimation method. The performance and characteristics of the algorithm have been evaluated using the measured data of the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) on board the Himawari-8 of Japan, launched in 2014. Constraints for the optimal estimation solution are provided by the forecasted T and Q profiles from a global numerical weather prediction model and their error covariance. Although the information contents for temperature is quite low due to the limited number of channels used in the retrieval; the study reveals that useful moisture information (2~3 degrees of freedom for signal) is provided from the three water vapor channels; contributing to the increase in the moisture retrieval accuracy upon the model forecast. The improvements are consistent throughout the tropospheric atmosphere with almost zero mean bias and 9% (relative humidity) of root mean square error between 100 and 1000 hPa when compared with the quality-controlled radiosonde data from 2016 August.
Remote-Sensing Hydraulic Characterization of Channel Habitat Units in a Tropical Montane River: Bladen River, Belize
Authors: Praskievicz Sarah , Buege Emily
Published: December 2017

The physical characteristics of river systems exert significant control on the habitat for aquatic species, including the distribution of in-stream channel habitat units. Most previous studies on channel habitat units have focused on midlatitude rivers, which differ in several substantive ways from tropical rivers. Field delineation of channel habitat units is especially challenging in tropical rivers, many of which are remote and difficult to access. Here, we developed an approach for delineating channel habitat units based on a combination of field measurements, remote sensing, and hydraulic modeling, and applied it to a 4.1-km segment of the Bladen River in southern Belize. We found that the most prevalent channel habitat unit on the study segment was runs, followed by pools and riffles. Average spacing of channel habitat units was up to twice as high on the study segment than the typical values reported for midlatitude rivers, possibly because of high erosion rates in the tropical environment. The approach developed here can be applied to other rivers to build understanding of the controls on and spatial distribution of channel habitat units on tropical rivers and to support river management and conservation goals.
Geo-Parcel Based Crop Identification by Integrating High Spatial-Temporal Resolution Imagery from Multi-Source Satellite Data
Authors: Yang Yingpin , Huang Qiting , Wu Wei , Luo Jiancheng , Gao Lijing , Dong Wen , Wu Tianjun , Hu Xiaodong
Published: December 2017

Geo-parcel based crop identification plays an important role in precision agriculture. It meets the needs of refined farmland management. This study presents an improved identification procedure for geo-parcel based crop identification by combining fine-resolution images and multi-source medium-resolution images. GF-2 images with fine spatial resolution of 0.8 m provided agricultural farming plot boundaries, and GF-1 (16 m) and Landsat 8 OLI data were used to transform the geo-parcel based enhanced vegetation index (EVI) time-series. In this study, we propose a piecewise EVI time-series smoothing method to fit irregular time profiles, especially for crop rotation situations. Global EVI time-series were divided into several temporal segments, from which phenological metrics could be derived. This method was applied to Lixian, where crop rotation was the common practice of growing different types of crops, in the same plot, in sequenced seasons. After collection of phenological features and multi-temporal spectral information, Random Forest (RF) was performed to classify crop types, and the overall accuracy was 93.27%. Moreover, an analysis of feature significance showed that phenological features were of greater importance for distinguishing agricultural land cover compared to temporal spectral information. The identification results indicated that the integration of high spatial-temporal resolution imagery is promising for geo-parcel based crop identification and that the newly proposed smoothing method is effective.
Rational Design Approach for Enhancing Higher-Mode Response of a Microcantilever in Vibro-Impacting Mode
Authors: Migliniene Ieva , Ostasevicius Vytautas , Gaidys Rimvydas , Dauksevicius Rolanas , Janusas Giedrius , Jurenas Vytautas , Krasauskas Povilas
Published: December 2017

This paper proposes an approach for designing an efficient vibration energy harvester based on a vibro-impacting piezoelectric microcantilever with a geometric shape that has been rationally modified in accordance with results of dynamic optimization. The design goal is to increase the amplitudes of higher-order vibration modes induced during the vibro-impact response of the piezoelectric transducer, thereby providing a means to improve the energy conversion efficiency and power output. A rational configuration of the energy harvester is proposed and it is demonstrated that the new design retains essential modal characteristics of the optimal microcantilever structures, further providing the added benefit of less costly fabrication. The effects of structural dynamics associated with advantageous exploitation of higher vibration modes are analyzed experimentally by means of laser vibrometry as well as numerically via transient simulations of microcantilever response to random excitation. Electrical characterization results indicate that the proposed harvester outperforms its conventional counterpart (based on the microcantilever of the constant cross-section) in terms of generated electrical output. Reported results may serve for the development of impact-type micropower generators with harvesting performance that is enhanced by virtue of self-excitation of large intensity higher-order mode responses when the piezoelectric transducer is subjected to relatively low-frequency excitation with strongly variable vibration magnitudes.
Performance Analysis of the IEEE 802.11p Multichannel MAC Protocol in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Song Caixia
Published: December 2017

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) employ multichannel to provide a variety of safety and non-safety applications, based on the IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 1609.4 protocols. The safety applications require timely and reliable transmissions, while the non-safety applications require efficient and high throughput. In the IEEE 1609.4 protocol, operating interval is divided into alternating Control Channel (CCH) interval and Service Channel (SCH) interval with an identical length. During the CCH interval, nodes transmit safety-related messages and control messages, and Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) mechanism is employed to allow four Access Categories (ACs) within a station with different priorities according to their criticality for the vehicle’s safety. During the SCH interval, the non-safety massages are transmitted. An analytical model is proposed in this paper to evaluate performance, reliability and efficiency of the IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 1609.4 protocols. The proposed model improves the existing work by taking serval aspects and the character of multichannel switching into design consideration. Extensive performance evaluations based on analysis and simulation help to validate the accuracy of the proposed model and analyze the capabilities and limitations of the IEEE 802.11p and IEEE 1609.4 protocols, and enhancement suggestions are given.
Conceal Carry and Race: A Test of Minority Threat Theory in Law Generation
Authors: Mullins Christopher , Kavish Daniel
Published: December 2017

Conceal carry weapon (CCW) laws have generated a great deal of public discussion in the past decades, but little social science attention. Scholarly work on the topic has been focused on finding potential effects of such laws on crime and victimization; little has attempted to explain the trends behind the adoption of the laws. This paper attempts to fill that gap by testing a series of hypotheses grounded in minority threat approaches. Our paper examines whether changes in the racial and ethnic composition of a county predict the voting outcome of Missouri’s 1999 conceal-carry referendum. Findings fail to reject the null hypothesis and show the best predictor of the vote within a county was how that county voted in the 2000 Presidential election.
Multi-Objective Land-Use Allocation Considering Landslide Risk under Climate Change: Case Study in Pyeongchang-gun, Korea
Authors: Yoon Eun , Lee Dong , Kim Ho , Kim Hae , Jung Eunah , Yoon Heeyeun
Published: December 2017

Extreme landslides triggered by rainfall in hilly regions frequently lead to serious damage, including casualties and property loss. The frequency of landslide occurrences may increase under climate change, due to the increasing variability of precipitation. Developing urban areas outside landslide risk zones is the most effective method of reducing or preventing damage; however, planning in real life is a complex and nonlinear problem. For such multi-objective problems, genetic algorithms may be the most appropriate optimization tools. Therefore, in this study, we suggest a comprehensive land-use allocation plan using the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II to overcome multi-objective problems, including the minimization of landslide risk, minimization of change, and maximization of compactness. Our study area is Pyeongchang-gun, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea, where high development pressure has resulted in urban sprawl into the hazard zone where a large-scale landslide occurred in 2006. We obtain 100 Pareto plans that are better than the actual land use data for at least one objective, with five plans that explain the trade-offs between meeting the first and second objectives. The results can be used by decision makers for better urban planning and for climate change-related spatial adaptation.
Examining the Business Case and Models for Sustainable Multifunctional Edible Landscaping Enterprises in the Phoenix Metro Area
Authors: Robinson Christopher , Cloutier Scott , Eakin Hallie
Published: December 2017

This study assesses whether multifunctional edible landscaping business models provide a sufficient business case at enterprise and city scales to justify widespread implementation. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four landscaping entrepreneurs, and the information obtained from the interviews was utilized to carry out a business model comparison with the Business Model Canvas framework. The comparison showed that the landscaping enterprises using multifunctional edible landscaping methods possessed a greater range of value propositions and revenue streams, enhancing their competitive advantage. Second, a GIS landscape analysis of seven Phoenix metro area cities was carried out to identify landscapes that were suited for becoming multifunctional edible landscapes. The GIS analysis identified single family residential, residential recreational open space, municipal parks, and municipal schools as being suitable landscapes, and that the area of these landscapes in the seven cities exceeded 180,000 acres. Third, scenarios were created using interview and GIS data to estimate potential value creation and return on investment of implementing multifunctional edible landscaping in the cities of interest. The scenarios found that the potential value creation of edible landscaping ranged between $3.9 and $66 billion, and that positive return on investment (ROI) could be achieved in 11 out of 12 scenarios within one to five years. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing potential long-term implications of implementing multifunctional edible urban landscaping, as well as possible future directions for multifunctional landscaping business model development and research.
Comparisons of Different Instruments for Measuring Suspended Cohesive Sediment Concentrations
Authors: Shao Yuyang , Maa Jerome
Published: December 2017

Laboratory experiments were conducted to compare the performances of four different instruments for measuring suspended cohesive sediment concentrations (SSCs). Among these instruments, two were different models of optical backscatter sensor (i.e., OBS3+ and OBS5+), one was an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (MicroADV), and the last was a laser infrared optical sensor developed at Hohai University, China (HHU-LIOS). Sediments collected from the Yangtze River Estuary and a commercially available kaolinite were selected to check the responses of these four instruments. They were placed in an aqueous solution, and the SSCs were changed within a range from about 10 mg/L to 30 g/L to demonstrate the effective measuring ranges for each instrument. For the kaolinite suspension, the results showed that the HHU-LIOS has a much larger linear response range (0.1 to 13 g/L) when compared with other devices (the MicroADV: 0.1 to 1.35 g/L; the OBS3+: 0.1 to 5 g/L; and the OBS5+: 0.1 to 1 g/L). For the sediment sample from the Yangtze River Estuary, the results showed that the HHU-LIOS has a much wider usable range (from 0.1 to 25 g/L), compared with those for the others. It also showed that a combination of using a HHU-LIOS for the quadratic increasing range up to 25 g/L and the OBS5+ for the clear decreasing output are able to measure the SSCs of the estuarine mud up to 50 g/L.
Treatment of Rural Wastewater Using a Spiral Fiber Based Salinity-Persistent Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor
Authors: Zhao Ying-Xin , Chao Chun-Fang , Zhai Si-Yuan , Wang Zi-Jian , Ji Min
Published: December 2017

Differing from municipal wastewater, rural wastewater in salinization areas is characterized with arbitrary discharge and high concentration of salt, COD, nitrogen and phosphorus, which would cause severe deterioration of rivers and lakes. To overcome the limits of traditional biological processes, a spiral fiber based salinity-persistent Sequencing Biofilm Batch Reactor (SBBR) was developed and investigated with synthetic rural wastewater (COD = 500 mg/L, NH4+-N = 50 mg/L, TP = 6 mg/L) under different salinity (0.0–10.0 g/L of NaCl). Results indicated that a quick start-up could be achieved in 15 days, along with sufficient biomass up to 7275 mg/L. During operating period, the removal of COD, NH4+-N, TN was almost not disturbed by salt varying from 0.0 to 10.0 g/L with stable efficiency reaching 92%, 82% and 80%, respectively. Although TP could be removed at high efficiency of 90% in low salinity conditions (from 0.0 to 5.0 g/L of NaCl), it was seriously inhibited due to nitrite accumulation and reduction of Phosphorus Accumulating Organisms (PAOs) after addition of 10.0 g/L of salt. The behavior proposed in this study will provide theoretical foundation and guidance for application of SBBR in saline rural wastewater treatment.
Searching for the Transit of the Earth-mass Exoplanet Proxima Centauri b in Antarctica: Preliminary Result
Authors: Liu Hui-Gen , Jiang Peng , Huang Xingxing , Yu Zhou-Yi , Yang Ming , Jia Minghao , Awiphan Supachai , Pan Xiang , Liu Bo , Zhang Hongfei , Wang Jian , Li Zhengyang , Du Fujia , Li Xiaoyan , Lu Haiping , Zhang Zhiyong , Tian Qi-Guo , Li Bin , Ji Tuo , Zhang Shaohua , Shi Xiheng , Wang Ji , Zhou Ji-Lin , Zhou Hongyan
Published: December 2017

Proxima Centauri is known as the closest star to the Sun. Recently, radial velocity (RV) observations revealed the existence of an Earth-mass planet around it. With an orbital period of ∼11 days, Proxima Centauri b is probably in the habitable zone of its host star. We undertook a photometric monitoring campaign to search for its transit, using the Bright Star Survey Telescope at the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. A transit-like signal appearing on 2016 September 8 has been tentatively identified. Its midtime, T

C
 = 2,457,640.1990 ± 0.0017 HJD, is consistent with the predicted ephemeris based on the RV orbit in a 1σ confidence interval. Time-correlated noise is pronounced in the light curve of Proxima Centauri, affecting the detection of transits. We develop a technique, in a Gaussian process framework, to gauge the statistical significance of a potential transit detection. The tentative transit signal reported here has a confidence level of 2.5σ. Further detection of its periodic signals is necessary to confirm the planetary transit of Proxima Centauri b. We plan to monitor Proxima Centauri in the next polar night at Dome A in Antarctica, taking advantage of continuous darkness. Kipping et al. reported two tentative transit-like signals of Proxima Centauri b observed by the Microvariability and Oscillation of Stars space telescope in 2014 and 2015. The midtransit time of our detection is 138 minutes later than that predicted by their transit ephemeris. If all of the signals are real transits, the misalignment of the epochs plausibly suggests transit timing variations of Proxima Centauri b induced by an outer planet in this system.
On the Rotation Period and Shape of the Hyperbolic Asteroid 1I/‘Oumuamua (2017 U1) from Its Lightcurve
Authors: Knight Matthew M. , Protopapa Silvia , Kelley Michael S. P. , Farnham Tony L. , Bauer James M. , Bodewits Dennis , Feaga Lori M. , Sunshine Jessica M.
Published: December 2017

We observed the newly discovered hyperbolic minor planet 1I/‘Oumuamua (2017 U1) on 2017 October 30 with Lowell Observatory’s 4.3 m Discovery Channel Telescope. From these observations, we derived a partial lightcurve with a peak-to-trough amplitude of at least 1.2 mag. This lightcurve segment rules out rotation periods less than 3 hr and suggests that the period is at least 5 hr. On the assumption that the variability is due to a changing cross-section, the axial ratio is at least 3:1. We saw no evidence for a coma or tail in either individual images or in a stacked image having an equivalent exposure time of 9000 s.
O enfoque ciência, tecnologia e sociedade como promoção da alfabetização científica e tecnológica em museus de ciências
Authors: Palmieri Luciane Jatobá , Silva Camila Silveira da , Lorenzetti Leonir
Published: December 2017

O trabalho objetiva identificar as ações educativas ocorridas em museus de ciências com elementos do enfoque Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS) para a promoção da Alfabetização Científica e Tecnológica (ACT). Por meio de uma pesquisa documental, foram selecionados trabalhos publicados em periódicos nacionais da área de Ensino de Ciências avaliados com Qualis A1 e A2 e nas atas de todas as edições do Encontro Nacional de Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências – ENPEC. Os trabalhos apontam para a importância de o Ensino de Ciências utilizarem os estudos CTS para atingir uma efetividade na ACT e a necessidade de estreitar relações entre museu e escola, pois essa última instituição não tem condições de proporcionar a seu público todas as informações científicas necessárias para a compreensão do mundo atual e os museus de ciências podem contribuir na formação crítica dos cidadãos com relação as questões sobre Ciência e Tecnologia (C&T).
Análise da verdura química de experimentos propostos para o ensino médio
Authors: Mendes Sandri Marilei Casturina , Santin Filho Ourides
Published: December 2017

Este trabalho apresenta a análise da verdura química de experimentos, propostos por licenciandos em química, para o ensino médio. Para realização dessa análise empregou-se a métrica holística Matriz Verde que consiste na elaboração de uma matriz SWOT, na qual, em uma análise interna elencam-se os pontos positivos e negativos do experimento em relação aos princípios da Química Verde considerados e, numa análise externa, apontam-se as possibilidades de melhoria de verdura e as ameaças intrínsecas ao experimento. Foram analisados 04 (quatro) propostas experimentais elaboradas, em dupla, por 06 (seis) acadêmicos assíduos à disciplina. Os resultados demonstram que duas propostas – P1 e P3 – apresentaram maior verdura atendendo parcial ou plenamente os princípios de verdura analisados. O alto índice de verdura deveu-se principalmente à baixa toxicidade dos reagentes utilizados, suas fontes renováveis e a possibilidade de emprega-los em outros experimentos. As outras duas propostas apresentaram menor verdura química em relação as primeiras, mas em suas análises externas verificou-se possibilidades de melhorá-las sob esse aspecto. Todas as propostas buscaram empregar materiais alternativos como forma de atenuar os impactos ambientais e melhorar a verdura do experimento. Entretanto, verificou-se que a simples substituição de reagentes convencionais por reagentes alternativos não é garantia para atingir esse objetivo. O emprego da Matriz Verde pode servir como uma ferramenta viável, de baixa dificuldade e de largo alcance para avaliar os experimentos de maneira sistêmica, além de propor melhorias que os tornem mais sustentáveis, evitando alegações de “falsa verdura”.
O uso da ludicidade como ferramenta para o ensino de química orgânica: o que pensam os alunos
Authors: Ramos Elaine Da Silva , Dos Santos Fernanda Alves Campolin , Laburú Carlos Eduardo
Published: December 2017

Para a maioria dos alunos a disciplina de química é muito teórica, monótona, com muitos cálculos e, na maioria das vezes, não possui interação com seu cotidiano. Existem muitas ferramentas que podem vir a auxiliar para que o processo de ensino e aprendizagem se torne mais significativo e mais atraente para os alunos. Uma delas é a utilização de jogos e atividades lúdicas, opção escolhida, para desenvolver um projeto de PIBIC-Jr no IFPR Campus Telêmaco Borba durante o ano de 2016. O presente estudo aborda o desenvolvimento, a aplicação e a avaliação de um jogo didático e de duas atividades lúdicas para o ensino de química orgânica para uma turma de 3° ano do Técnico em Informática para Internet Integrado ao Ensino Médio. Os dados foram analisados por meio de respostas a questionários e posteriormente foram categorizados para a análise dos resultados, que apontaram como o jogo e as atividades lúdicas puderam auxiliar no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, e mostraram também que essas ferramentas auxiliaram para que houvesse um maior diálogo e interação entre os alunos.
Levantamento de resíduos de laboratórios, propostas de atividades experimentais e ações com foco em química verde
Authors: Pagno Vanessa , Salapata André , Schimtz Edinéia Paula Sartori , Cabrera Liziara Da Costa
Published: December 2017

Partindo da necessidade de discutir questões ligadas à Química Verde no Ensino Superior, este trabalho tem por objetivo mostrar o impacto dos resíduos químicos gerados no desenvolvimento de atividades práticas do curso de Química – Licenciatura, da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Campus Realeza, Paraná, e propor ações para reduzir estes impactos. Assim, foram realizadas análises qualitativas e quantitativas dos reagentes utilizados nas aulas experimentais do curso, tendo como base, a identificação dos reagentes mais tóxicos e mais utilizados, descritos nos roteiros de aulas experimentais, nos períodos de 2014 e 2015. Com os dados obteve-se um panorama dos resíduos gerados nas aulas experimentais e problematizou-se o assunto no meio acadêmico. Gerando assim, propostas de ações voltadas para a Química Verde, como uma nova forma de classificação da toxicidade dos reagentes, minimizando a quantidade de reagentes utilizados nas aulas experimentais, bem como práticas de ações sustentáveis e educação ambiental.
A Alfabetização Científica na Educação em Ciências
Authors: Lorenzetti Leonir
Published: December 2017

Editorial para o terceiro número da ACTIO: docência em ciências.
Padronização do processo de inspeção visual para redução do índice de PPM de cliente por meio da implementação da metodologia TWI em uma empresa de autopeças
Authors: Campos Amanda Karina dos Santos , Silva Gisele Ferreira da , Fardin Everton Luis , Franciscato Ricardo Scavariello , Correr Ivan
Published: December 2017

O cenário competitivo atual exige que as organizações busquem métodos de trabalho que garantam o atendimento aos requisitos do cliente, estejam estes relacionados a preço, prazo, quantidade e/ou qualidade. O trabalho padronizado (TP) é um método voltado para a redução da variabilidade dos processos de modo a alcançar os requisitos dos clientes e objetivos internos das organizações, porém para a eficácia do padrão determinado existe a necessidade de um plano de abordagem para apresentação e preparação dos colaboradores. Uma das maneiras da aplicação do trabalho padronizado é o uso da metodologia TWI (Training Within Industry) que possibilita a padronização do processo combinado com o treinamento e qualificação no local de trabalho. Neste contexto o presente trabalho visa reduzir o índice de PPM de devolução de cliente e melhorar a sistemática de inspeção visual por meio da padronização do processo de inspeção, utilizando a metodologia TWI em uma empresa de autopeças do interior de São Paulo. Os dados utilizados nesse estudo foram coletados por meio de uma pesquisa-ação. A partir da implementação da metodologia TWI, que incluiu à análise do local de trabalho, a definição do trabalho padronizado, o treinamento e a qualificação no local de trabalho, foi obtido à redução do índice de PPM de cliente de 0,96 para 0,57, o que representa 41% de redução frente à meta estabelecida de 10% das devoluções de produtos pelo cliente, e melhoria na sistemática da inspeção visual por meio do treinamento e instrução de trabalho padronizada.
Le Centaure et les ambivalences du conseiller : Nessos et Chiron
Authors: Gourmelen Laurent
Published: December 2017

Résumé Une tradition bien connue et largement attestée fait du Centaure Chiron le parfait conseiller, éducateur des plus grands héros grecs. Mais s’oppose à lui un autre Centaure, Nessos, incarnation du conseiller perfide et trompeur, double inversé et contre-modèle de Chiron. Une lecture de la tragédie de Sophocle, Les Trachiniennes , permet de faire apparaître de nombreuses convergences entre les deux personnages et, ce faisant, de mettre en lumière les ambivalences du rôle et du statut de conseiller.
Conseiller pour le meilleur et pour le pire : réflexions sur le conseil et la délibération dans les fables grecques
Authors: Guieu-Coppolani Ariane
Published: December 2017

Résumé D’Hésiode aux collections « ésopiques » d’époque impériale, la littérature grecque conservée témoigne de la popularité et de l’ubiquité du genre de la fable, utilisée aussi bien dans la vie quotidienne que sur la scène politique ou judiciaire. Or ces petits textes, dont la fonction première est de donner des conseils, mettent parfois en scène des animaux ou des hommes en posture de conseiller. L’étude de ces passages, avant tout dans le corpus ésopique mais aussi dans la tragédie, l’histoire ou la rhétorique, permet ainsi d’analyser des types du conseiller, du conseillé et du conseil que pouvait partager la majorité des Grecs. L’analyse révèle que la fable réfléchit de manière dispersée mais récurrente sur les critères du bon conseil et de la bonne écoute qui le rend efficace, tout en révélant une image complexe du conseiller : souvent fourbe et suscitant une méfiance légitime lorsqu’il cherche son intérêt personnel ou celui du despote qu’il sert, il peut aussi se mettre au service de la communauté dans le cadre d’une vraie délibération. Le corpus des fables offre ainsi un éclairage original, et d’autant plus intéressant qu’il se construit lentement au fil du temps et en reflétant des préoccupations pragmatiques et largement populaires, sur des problématiques cruciales pour les sociétés grecques et leur vie sociale et politique.
La revendication du statut de conseiller par les sophistes : aspects politiques et éthiques
Authors: Hourcade Annie
Published: December 2017

Résumé Le but de cette étude est de montrer que la sophistique ancienne fournit le cadre initial du développement de la pratique de conseil et de la naissance du statut de conseiller. Cette valorisation du conseil chez les sophistes puise son origine dans leur conception du discours dont le but premier est de persuader. Le conseil prend trois formes privilégiées : l’ epideixis , la paramuthia et surtout le sumbouleuein , particulièrement emblématique, par son ambiguïté en grec : conseil, mais aussi délibération, de la double dimension, symétrique ou asymétrique, de la relation de conseil.
La dynamique de mémoire dans le discours démosthénien au milieu du IV e siècle – ou comment conseiller les Athéniens pour qu’ils redeviennent eux-mêmes
Authors: Queyrel Bottineau Anne
Published: December 2017

Résumé Le milieu du iv e  siècle est marqué par la guerre qui oppose Athènes aux plus puissantes des cités alliées de la Seconde Confédération maritime et par la rapide ascension de Philippe II de Macédoine : la communication étudie, à partir de discours allant de 356 à 348, comment, dans cette période où leurs rapports hégémoniques avec d’autres entités politiques sont remis en question, des Athéniens conseillent à leurs concitoyens de s’adapter à ces défis nouveaux. On examine particulièrement, dans l’argumentation de Démosthène, l’exhortation à un type de conduite reposant sur des vertus que les Athéniens s’attribuent traditionnellement depuis les guerres médiques, prothumia , eunoia , megalopsuchia  : faisant de la mémoire de la cité un moteur pour l’action, Démosthène conseiller veut faire naître chez le dèmos souverain d’Athènes une dynamique identitaire de développement qui permette, « en prenant exemple chez soi » ( 3 e  Olynthienne , 23), de réaliser pleinement ce qu’il estime être la vocation des Athéniens.
Théodora. De la femme de l’empereur à la conseillère du prince
Authors: Becker Audrey
Published: December 2017

Résumé Théodora fut la première impératrice à exercer dans le même temps une influence officieuse sur son mari et un rôle officiel de conseillère en tant qu’ Augusta . Pour cela, elle dut résoudre le paradoxe que représentaient ses deux identités biologique et politique. En effet, c’était bien à son mariage qu’elle devait sa proximité avec l’empereur qui lui donnait, de fait, accès à un pouvoir politique dont elle était, dans le même temps, en tant que femme, théoriquement exclue. C’est précisément la redéfinition de son titre d’ Augusta qui permit à Théodora et Justinien de dépasser cette dichotomie.
Le cercle d’Hérode : enquête prosopographique. Identités ethniques et choix politiques dans l’entourage du roi
Authors: Parmentier Édith
Published: December 2017

Résumé À la cour d’Hérode, les visiteurs venus du monde grec côtoient les Judéens et les Iduméens. Avec la réorganisation du monde méditerranéen autour d’Auguste après la bataille d’Actium, une partie du judaïsme alexandrin se déplace à Jérusalem et l’on observe des transferts culturels entre Alexandrie, Jérusalem et Rome, sans que l’instabilité de la région permette à Jérusalem de jouer le rôle d’une nouvelle Alexandrie. La mixité culturelle de l’entourage royal est attestée par la prosopographie, mais si l’on en croit Flavius Josèphe, les crises politiques et dynastiques du royaume ne laisseraient émerger, pour servir le roi, qu’un groupe de conseillers et d’ambassadeurs d’origine grecque.
L’image des conseillers chez Tacite : un art de la dissimulation et de la manipulation
Authors: Utard Régine
Published: December 2017

Résumé Nombreux et variés sont les conseillers qui accompagnent de hauts personnages ou qui gravitent autour des empereurs. Tacite dans les Histoires et les Annales nous montre le rôle prépondérant qu’ils ont joué dans les prises de décision, surtout en temps de crise. Proches de ces personnages dont ils connaissent les forces et les faiblesses, les conseillers sont capables de déployer un art de la parole ainsi qu’une stratégie persuasive et manipulatrice, au point qu’ils exercent une forme de pouvoir non seulement sur l’empereur lui-même, mais aussi sur le cours des événements. Or, par-delà les actions et les mobiles psychologiques qui guident les conseillers, ce sont conjointement les traits propres aux empereurs que nous dévoile l’historien.
Les mauvais conseillers de Pompée
Authors: Martin Paul M.
Published: December 2017

Résumé L’image que César donne de Pompée est celui d’un homme soumis à l’influence de ses conseillers. Or la confrontation avec les autres sources historiques et avec la Correspondance de Cicéron dément cette image pour le déclenchement et le début de la guerre civile, mais fait apparaître en revanche que, non seulement à Pharsale, mais à plusieurs reprises lors des opérations en Grèce, Pompée se montra très influençable, par un affaiblissement de sa capacité décisionnelle. Une hypothèse est avancée pour expliquer ce fait.