bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Lamp, Qasim Amin, Jewish Women and Baghdadi Men: A Reading in the Jewish Iraqi Journal al-Misbah
Authors: Bashkin Orit
Published: September 2018

This chapter provides a detailed reading of al-Misbah, a Jewish Iraqi publication which appeared in Baghdad between the years 1924 and 1929 and has been characterised both as a Zionist mouthpiece and a testimony to the success of Arab nationalism. In addressing this apparent contradiction, the chapter examines the issues which dominated its pages in order to highlight the identity of the paper and to enrich our understanding of the Iraqi press under the British Mandate. The chapter addresses two discursive circles – the Iraqi and the Jewish – and proposes that al-Misbah conveyed an unmistakable Iraqi and Arab identity. Despite the editor’s Zionist inclinations, the conversations between readers and writers acquired a life of their own and the paper, in fact, promoted a new Arab Jewish identity and illustrated how Jews sought to use state institutions as venues for the cultivation of non-sectarian and democratic citizenship.
Variations of the Mixed Discourse
Authors: Jaquet Chantal
Published: September 2018

Lastly, on the basis of this definition, the author shows how affects shed light on the body-mind relationship and provide an opportunity to produce a mixed discourse that focuses, by turns, on the mental, physical, or psychophysical aspect of affect. The final chapter has two parts:
– An analysis of the three categories of affects: mental, physical, and psychophysical
– An examination of the variations of Spinoza’s discourse
Some affects, such as satisfaction of the mind, are presented as mental, even though they are correlated with the body. Others, such as pain or pleasure, cheerfulness (hilaritas) or melancholy are mainly rooted in the body, even though the mind forms an idea of them. Still others are psychophysical, such as humility or pride, which are expressed at once as bodily postures and states of mind. These affects thus show us how the mind and body are united, all the while expressing themselves differently and specifically, according to their own modalities.
Conclusion
Authors: Jaquet Chantal
Published: September 2018

Although it excludes interaction, the equality of body and mind is not parallelism, in which everything repeats itself identically and interchangeably. Equality is not uniformity; it allows differential treatment of the body and mind, according to the constitutive principle of affect.
Introduction: Exploring Russian nationalisms
Authors: Kolstø Pål , Blakkisrud Helge
Published: September 2018

Russian societal nationalism comes in various guises, both ethnic and imperialist. Also Putin’s rhetoric is marked by the tensions between ethnic and state-focused, imperialist thinking. Noting the complex interplay of state nationalism and societal nationalism, this introductory chapter examines the mental framework within which Russian politicians were acting prior to the decision to annex Crimea. The chapter develops a typology of Russian nationalisms, surveys recent developments, and presents the three-part structure of this book: official nationalism, radical and other societal nationalisms, and identities/otherings. It concludes that after the annexation of Crimea, when the state took over the agenda of both ethnic and imperialist nationalists in Russia, societal nationalism finds itself at low ebb.
Imperial and ethnic nationalism: A dilemma of the Russian elite
Authors: Ponarin Eduard , Komin Michael
Published: September 2018

New drivers of Russian nationalism appeared in the 1990s, making possible either a return to imperial nationalism, as a reaction to globalisation, or, in response to ethnic conflict, a rise in ethnic nationalism. This chapter analyses the changing balance of elite and mass preferences and their influence on the choices made by the Russian government. Recently, in a sharp reversal of long-term post-Soviet trends, elite attitudes have shifted in favour of imperial projects beyond Russia’s borders. Another long-term trend has also accelerated: that of valuing military might over economic power in international relations. Anti-Muslim sentiment simmering across the Russian Federation might inspire ethnic nationalism. However, this chapter shows that mass-level attitudes towards Muslims correlate negatively with attitudes towards the USA. Given the current high levels of anti-US sentiment, the ethnic scenario seems unlikely – for the moment.
The Russian nationalist movement at low ebb
Authors: Verkhovsky Alexander
Published: September 2018

This chapter examines changes in the Russian nationalist movement from Russia’s annexation of Crimea until the State Duma elections in September 2016. Since 2014, the nationalist movement has been split over which side to support in the war in Ukraine. Then, with the subsequent increase in state repression of ultra-rightists, the movement lapsed into total decline. The chapter traces activities in various sectors of Russian nationalism, discussing the separate trajectories of the pro-Kremlin and oppositional nationalists, as well as the latter group’s further subdivision into groups that support or oppose the ‘Novorossiia programme’. Attention is paid to the complex relationship and interaction between the various groups of nationalists, as well as to their interaction with the powers-that-be and with the liberal opposition.
‘Restore Moscow to the Muscovites’: Othering ‘the migrants’ in the 2013 Moscow mayoral elections
Authors: Blakkisrud Helge , Kolstø Pål
Published: September 2018

Russia encompasses the world’s second-largest migrant population in absolute numbers. This chapter explores the role migrants play in contemporary Russian identity discourse, focusing on the topic that ordinary Muscovites identified as most important during the 2013 Moscow mayoral election campaign: the large number of labour migrants in the capital. It explores how the decision to open up the elections into a more genuine contest compelled the regime candidate, incumbent mayor Sergei Sobianin, to adopt a more aggressive rhetoric on migration than otherwise officially endorsed by the Kremlin. The chapter concludes that the Moscow electoral experiment, allowing other candidates than the regime’s own hand-picked, ‘controllable’ sparring partners to run, contributed to pushing the borders of what mainstream politicians saw as acceptable positions on migrants and migration policy.
Anti-migrant, but not nationalist: Pursuing statist legitimacy through immigration discourse and policy
Authors: Schenk Caress
Published: September 2018

Despite increasingly securitized anti-migrant policies in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has been extremely cautious in his rhetoric about international migrants, avoiding overtly ethno-nationalist frames. By repeatedly emphasizing the role of migrants in development and their potential for integration, Putin has charted out a statist agenda, outlining how immigration can contribute to the state’s goals. This chapter analyses a series of Putin’s speeches, asking whether he employs the rhetoric of three common migration myths: ‘migrants take our jobs’; ‘migrants are culturally incompatible with the host society’; and ‘migrants represent a security threat’. While these myths are partially consistent with public opinion, they are not actively employed by the Kremlin. These findings temper the notion of an ‘ethnic turn’ in Russian politics and are especially surprising, given the current populist swing experienced throughout much of the Western world.
Everyday patriotism and ethnicity in today’s Russia
Authors: Goode J. Paul
Published: September 2018

When does patriotism turn into nationalism? From 2001, the Kremlin promoted a multi-ethnic vision of patriotism and patriotic education in all walks of life, while publicly opposing extremist and opposition nationalism. However, the outpouring of public support for the 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequent involvement in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine showed that patriotism and nationalism are not easily distinguished, and that the one may shift into the other. Through interviews and focus groups conducted in Russian regions, this chapter investigates how Russian citizens understand the meaning and implications of patriotism in their daily lives. The analysis reveals the ease with which state patriotism can be ethnicised, making the practical difference between patriotism and nationalism a matter of regime loyalty and legitimacy rather than ethnicity.
Identity in Crimea before annexation: A bottom-up perspective
Authors: Knott Eleanor
Published: September 2018

Using the approach of everyday nationalism, this chapter examines the lived experience of Russian identity and nationalism beyond Russia’s borders using the case of Crimea. This is a region where the majority of residents have been assumed to identify as ethnically Russian and where Russian identity is typically used to explain Russia’s 2014 annexation of the peninsula. First, the chapter examines how being Russian was articulated, experienced, negotiated, subverted, and opposed to – or combined with – being Ukrainian and/or Crimean. It then explores the evidence (or the lack of such) of support for territorial reconfiguration of Crimea’s relationship with Ukraine and Russia. The chapter argues that, prior to 2014, rather than seeing Crimea as a region of separatism, preferences for political-territorial affiliation should be recognised as constructed through a path-dependent framing where status quo and a ‘bad peace’ were preferred to a ‘good conflict’
Hearer-Oriented Attitude Datives in Social Context
Authors: Haddad Youssef A.
Published: September 2018

This chapter examines the social functions of hear-oriented attitude datives in Levantine Arabic. These are often used to grab the hearer’s attention, especially in such activities as storytelling. In addition, the datives may also be employed by a speaker to anchor the main message of her utterance, along with her evaluation of it, to her hearers and to mark their engagement in an attempt to recruit their empathy, solicit their assent, and/or invoke a shared identity, experience, knowledge, and membership. The chapter analyzes specific instances of hearer-oriented attitude datives as used in different types of social acts (e.g., promises) and in different types of activities (e.g., gossip).
Subject-Oriented Attitude Datives in Social Context
Authors: Haddad Youssef A.
Published: September 2018

The focus of this chapter is on Levantine Arabic attitude datives that take the subject of the construction in which they occur as a referent. The chapter analyzes specific instances of subject-oriented attitude datives as used in different types of social acts. It shows that when a speaker uses these datives in representatives (i.e., statements that may be assessed as true or false), she expresses an evaluative attitude toward an event as either unimportant/trivial or unexpected/surprising, based on her familiarity with the subject of that event and her expectations of that subject. When a speaker uses the same datives in directives (e.g., requests), she evaluates the potential cost of the action required by her utterance as minimal compared to any potential gain. All social functions are contingent on contextual factors, including the sociocultural, situational, and co-textual context.
The Essence of 2.5-Dimensional Musicals? Sakura Wars and Theater Adaptations of Anime
Authors: Yoshioka Shiro
Published: September 2018

This paper examines 2.5-Dimensional musicals, or theater adaptations of anime/manga/videogames. As the genre has been gaining popularity in Japan since around 2007, criticism on the genre began to appear. What they uncritically assume is that the pioneer of the genre was the theater adaptation of Prince of Tennis first produced in 2003, and the unique mise-en-scène that attempts to recreate the “world” of the original, including the characters, setting, and the characters’ extreme skills of tennis, is a hallmark of the genre. However, such a view fails to consider the fact that these are actually merely characteristics of a subgenre of 2.5-Dimensional musicals represented by Prince of Tennis and other similar shows. This paper argues that another show, namely the theater adaptation of the videogame Sakura Wars, first produced in 1997 and continuing to this day, actually presents a number of important questions and viewpoints that are useful and necessary to critically discuss the genre, such as how two-dimensional characters are materialized on stage, which role audiences play in that process, how 2.5-Dimensional musicals can be contextualized within conventional theater genres rather than a part of “media mix” strategies, and tension between the local and global in their production and consumption.
Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Degenerative Brain Diseases, an Overview
Authors: Dagda Ruben K.
Published: September 2018

Mitochondria are multifaceted organelles that serve to power critical neuronal functions.[…]
Kinetic and Equilibrium Study of the Adsorption of CO2 in Ultramicropores of Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Aerogels Obtained in Acidic and Basic Medium
Authors: Guarín Romero Jhonatan R. , Moreno-Piraján Juan Carlos , Giraldo Gutierrez Liliana
Published: September 2018

In this work, aerogels were prepared using resorcinol-formaldehyde as a precursor in two synthetic routes, one basic and one acidic, to perform the adsorption of CO2 at 0 °C and atmospheric pressure. Aerogels were Characterization by N2 and CO2 Physisorption, Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Infrared Spectroscopy. In general, was found that aerogels have a polymeric, disordered, three-dimensional structure and have a microporous surface. Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Toth equilibrium models present a good data fit of CO2 adsorption at relative pressure ranging between 1 × 10−4 and 3 × 10−2. The diffusion intra-particle kinetic model explains the setps of this process; the Elovich model also showed a good fit, therefore, there are an energetic heterogeneity of the CO2 superficial adsorption sites. The aerogel carbonized in basic medium at 1050 °C (ACB 1050) material was the best adsorbent of this pollutant, reaching an adsorption capacity of 6.43 mmol g−1.
NACC1, as a Target of MicroRNA-331-3p, Regulates Cell Proliferation in Urothelial Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Morita Kohei , Fujii Tomomi , Itami Hiroe , Uchiyama Tomoko , Nakai Tokiko , Hatakeyama Kinta , Sugimoto Aya , Miyake Makito , Nakai Yasushi , Tanaka Nobumichi , Shimada Keiji , Yamazaki Masaharu , Fujimoto Kiyohide , Ohbayashi Chiho
Published: September 2018

The nucleus accumbens-associated protein 1 (NACC1) is a transcription factor constitutively expressed in the urothelium, where it regulates cell growth, senescence, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. microRNA (miRNA) constitutes a class of small non-coding RNAs which are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and progression of tumors. miRNAs and their target molecules are utilized for molecular diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma. NACC1 is one of several putative target molecules of miR-331-3p, and is associated with cell proliferation in cancers such as prostate and cervical cancer. Functional experiments involving miR-331-3p and its target molecule NACC1 were conducted using the urothelial carcinoma (UC) cell lines, T24, UMUC6, and KU7. Furthermore, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining were performed to evaluate the expression of NACC1 in UC derived from transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) specimens. The methane thiosulfonate (MTS) assay revealed that cell proliferation was significantly reduced after transient transfection of miR-331-3p precursor and/or NACC1 siRNA in UC cells. Cell senescence via cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase was induced by NACC1 inhibition. On the other hand, suppression of NACC1 induced cell migration and invasion abilities. Immunohistochemical analysis of TUR-Bt specimens revealed that over 70% of UC cells presented strongly positive results for NACC1. In contrast, normal urothelial cells were weakly positive for NACC1. It was also found that NACC1 expression was lower in invasive UC cells than in non-invasive UC cells. Loss of NACC1 induced vessel invasion in invasive UC tissues. The present results indicate that NACC1 regulated by miR-331-3p contributes to cell proliferation, and is involved in cell migration and invasion. This suggests that NACC1 can serve as a potential target molecule for the prediction and prognosis of UC, and can contribute to effective treatment strategies.
Incidence of Daytime Sleepiness and Associated Factors in Two First Nations Communities in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Karunanayake Chandima , Dosman James , Rennie Donna , Lawson Joshua , Kirychuk Shelley , Fenton Mark , Ramsden Vivian , Seeseequasis Jeremy , Abonyi Sylvia , Pahwa Punam ,   The First Nations Lung Health Project Research Team
Published: September 2018

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the tendency to sleep at inappropriate times during the day. It can interfere with day-to-day activities and lead to several health issues. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between income, housing conditions, and incidence of EDS in adults living in two Cree First Nations communities. The data for this study involved 317 individuals aged 18 years and older who participated in baseline and follow-up evaluations (after four years) of the First Nations Lung Health Project, which was conducted in Saskatchewan in 2012–2013 and 2016. Both at baseline and follow-up survey after four years, an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score >10 was considered to be abnormal. Logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between abnormal ESS and covariates at baseline. In 2016, 7.6% (24/317) of the participants reported an ESS >10 with the mean being 12.8 ± 2.0. For the same group, the mean ESS at baseline was 6.9 ± 2.2. The incidence of subjective EDS based on the ESS >10 was estimated at 7.6% over four years. This study showed an association between incidence of subjective EDS and less money left over at end of the month, having a house in need of repairs, having water or dampness in the past 12 months, and damage caused by dampness.
A Monte-Carlo Study on the Coupling of Magnetism and Ferroelectricity in the Hexagonal Multiferroic RMnO3
Authors: Duan Chunruo , Chern Gia-Wei , Louca Despina
Published: September 2018

The ferroelectric phase transition in RMnO3 breaks both Z3 and Z2 symmetries, giving rise to 6 structural domains. Topological protected vortices are formed at the junctions of all 6 domains, and the ferroelectric phase transition is closely related to these Z6 vortices. In this work, Monte-Carlo studies on both the ferroelectric and magnetic transition have been performed on RMnO3 system. The magnetic simulation results on lattices with different structural domain distributions induced by external electric field and simulated quenching show different magnetic transition temperature T s , indicating that the coupling of magnetism and ferroelectricity is through the Z6 structural domain. At extreme case, lattice quenched from above the ferroelectric transition results in high vortex density, which can drive the system into spin glass.
Non-Platinum Metal Complexes as Potential Anti-Triple Negative Breast Cancer Agents
Authors: Domínguez-Martís Eva , Mosteiro-Miguéns Diego , Vigo-Gendre Lucía , López-Ares David , Freire-Garabal Manuel , Núñez-Iglesias María , Novío Silvia
Published: September 2018

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with a mortality rate that has been forecasted to rise in the next decade. This is especially worrying for people with triple-negative BC (TNBC), because of its unresponsiveness to current therapies. Different drugs to treat TNBC have been assessed, and, although platinum chemotherapy drugs seem to offer some hope, their drawbacks have motivated extensive investigations into alternative metal-based BC therapies. This paper aims to: (i) describe the preliminary in vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of non-platinum metal-based complexes (NPMBC) against TNBC; and (ii) analyze the likely molecular targets involved in their anticancer activity.
Fractional Form of a Chaotic Map without Fixed Points: Chaos, Entropy and Control
Authors: Ouannas Adel , Wang Xiong , Khennaoui Amina-Aicha , Bendoukha Samir , Pham Viet-Thanh , Alsaadi Fawaz E.
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a fractional order chaotic map corresponding to a recently developed standard map that exhibits a chaotic behavior with no fixed point. This is the first study to explore a fractional chaotic map without a fixed point. In our investigation, we use phase plots and bifurcation diagrams to examine the dynamics of the fractional map and assess the effect of varying the fractional order. We also use the approximate entropy measure to quantify the level of chaos in the fractional map. In addition, we propose a one-dimensional stabilization controller and establish its asymptotic convergence by means of the linearization method.
Complexity of the Yellowstone Park Volcanic Field Seismicity in Terms of Tsallis Entropy
Authors: Chochlaki Kalliopi , Michas Georgios , Vallianatos Filippos
Published: September 2018

The Yellowstone Park volcanic field is one of the most active volcanic systems in the world, presenting intense seismic activity that is characterized by several earthquake swarms over the last decades. In the present work, we focused on the spatiotemporal properties of the recent earthquake swarms that occurred on December–January 2008–2009 and the 2010 Madison Plateau swarm, using the approach of Non Extensive Statistical Physics (NESP). Our approach is based on Tsallis entropy, and is used in order to describe the behavior of complex systems where fracturing and strong correlations exist, such as in tectonic and volcanic environments. This framework is based on the maximization of the non-additive Tsallis entropy Sq, introducing the q-exponential function and the entropic parameter q that expresses the degree of non-extentivity of the system. The estimation of the q-parameters could be used as a correlation degree among the events in the spatiotemporal evolution of seismicity. Using the seismic data provided by University of Utah Seismological Stations (UUSS), we analyzed the inter-event time (T) and distance (r) distribution of successive earthquakes that occurred during the two swarms, fitting the observed data with the q-exponential function, resulting in the estimation of the Tsallis entropic parameters qT, qr for the inter-event time and distance distributions, respectively. Furthermore, we studied the magnitude-frequency distribution of the released earthquake energies E as formulated in the frame of NESP, which results in the estimation of the qE parameter. Our analysis provides the triplet (qE, qT, qr) that describes the magnitude-frequency distribution and the spatiotemporal scaling properties of each of the studied earthquake swarms. In addition, the spatial variability of qE throughout the Yellowstone park volcanic area is presented and correlated with the existence of the regional hydrothermal features.
Microscopic Theory of Energy Dissipation and Decoherence in Solid-State Quantum Devices: Need for Nonlocal Scattering Models
Authors: Iotti Rita , Rossi Fausto
Published: September 2018

Energy dissipation and decoherence in state-of-the-art quantum nanomaterials and related nanodevices are routinely described and simulated via local scattering models, namely relaxation-time and Boltzmann-like schemes. The incorporation of such local scattering approaches within the Wigner-function formalism may lead to anomalous results, such as suppression of intersubband relaxation, incorrect thermalization dynamics, and violation of probability-density positivity. The primary goal of this article is to investigate a recently proposed quantum-mechanical (nonlocal) generalization (Phys. Rev. B 2017, 96, 115420) of semiclassical (local) scattering models, extending such treatment to carrier–carrier interaction, and focusing in particular on the nonlocal character of Pauli-blocking contributions. In order to concretely show the intrinsic limitations of local scattering models, a few simulated experiments of energy dissipation and decoherence in a prototypical quantum-well semiconductor nanostructure are also presented.
Energy Production Systems
Authors: Elkamel Ali
Published: September 2018

This Special Issue aims to present solutions that effectively account for sustainability and lower […]
Modeling and Enhanced Error-Free Current Control Strategy for Inverter with Virtual Resistor Damping
Authors: Nie Cheng , Wang Yue , Lei Wanjun , Li Tian , Yin Shiyuan
Published: September 2018

In microgrid, the grid-connected inverter current with the LCL (inductor-capacitor-inductor) output filter is amplified at certain frequencies. Using virtual resistor damping method can help suppress the amplification. By choosing an appropriate virtual resistor value, the model of the inverter current control loop is simplified as a 2nd-order lowpass filter. Based on such simplified model, this paper proposes a design method of reference current compensation controller, which does not require decomposition of harmonic components. With the reference compensation, the inverter output current control precision is improved obviously. The simulation and experimental results verify the accuracy of the inverter simplified model and effectiveness of the reference compensation design method.
Robust Tracking Controller for a DC/DC Buck-Boost Converter–Inverter–DC Motor System
Authors: Hernández-Márquez Eduardo , Avila-Rea Carlos Alejandro , García-Sánchez José Rafael , Silva-Ortigoza Ramón , Silva-Ortigoza Gilberto , Taud Hind , Marcelino-Aranda Mariana
Published: September 2018

This paper has two aims. The first is to develop a robust hierarchical tracking controller for the DC/DC Buck-Boost–inverter–DC motor system. This controller considers a high level control for the inverter–DC motor subsystems and a low level control for the DC/DC Buck-Boost converter subsystem. Such controls solve the tracking task associated with the angular velocity of the motor shaft and the output voltage of the converter, respectively, via the differential flatness approach. The second aim is to present a comparison of the robust hierarchical controller to a passive controller. This, with the purpose of showing that performance achieved with the hierarchical controller proposed in this paper, is better than the one achieved with the passive controller. Both controllers are experimentally implemented on a prototype of the DC/DC Buck-Boost–inverter–DC motor system by using Matlab-Simulink along with the DS1104 board from dSPACE. According to experimental results, the proposal in the present paper achieves a better performance than the passive controller.
Numerical Study of Fracture Network Evolution during Nitrogen Fracturing Processes in Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Zhang Xiangxiang , Wang Jianguo , Gao Feng , Wang Xiaolin
Published: September 2018

This paper develops a numerical model to study fracture network evolution during the nitrogen fracturing process in shale reservoirs. This model considers the differences of incompressible and compressible fluids, shear and tensile failure modes, shale heterogeneity, and the strength and permeability of both shale matrix and bedding planes through the coupling of mechanical-seepage-damage during fracturing fluid injection. The results show that nitrogen fracturing has a lower breakdown pressure and larger seepage zone than hydraulic fracturing under the same injection pressure. Tensile failure was identified as the major reason for the initiation and propagation of fractures. Ignoring the effect of bedding planes, the fracture initiation pressure, breakdown pressure, and fracturing effectiveness reached their maxima when the stress ratio is 1. Under the same strength ratio, the propagation path of the fractures was controlled by the stronger effect that was casused by the bedding angle and stress ratio. With increasing the strength ratio, the fracture number and shearing of the bedding plane increased significantly and the failure pattern changed from tensile-only mode to tensile-shear mode. These analyses indicated that the fracture network of bedding shale was typically induced by the combined impacts of stress ratio, bedding angle and strength ratio.
Numerical Study on Melting Heat Transfer in Dendritic Heat Exchangers
Authors: Luo Xinmei , Liao Shengming
Published: September 2018

The dendritic fin was introduced to improve the solid-liquid phase change in heat exchangers. A theoretical model of melting phase change in dendritic heat exchangers was developed and numerically simulated. The solid-liquid phase interface, liquid phase rate and dynamic temperature change in dendritic heat exchanger during melting process are investigated and compared with radial-fin heat exchanger. The results indicate that the dendritic fin is able to enhance the solid-liquid phase change in heat exchanger for latent thermal storage. The presence of dendritic fin leads to the formation of multiple independent PCM zones, so the heat can be quickly diffused from one point to across the surface along the metal fins, thereby making the PCM far away from heat sources melt earlier and faster. In addition, the dendritic structure makes the PCM temperature distribution more uniform over the entire zone inside heat exchangers due to high-efficient heat flow distribution of dendritic fins. As a result, the time required for the complete melting of the PCM in dendritic heat exchanger is shorter than that of the radial-fin heat exchanger.
Data-Driven Risk Analysis for Probabilistic Three-Phase Grid-Supportive Demand Side Management
Authors: Blaauwbroek Niels , Nguyen Phuong , Slootweg Han
Published: September 2018

Along with the emerging development of demand side management applications, it is still a challenge to exploit flexibility realistically to resolve or prevent specific geographical network issues due to limited situational awareness of the (unbalanced low-voltage) network as well as complex time dependent constraints. To overcome these problems, this paper presents a time-horizon three-phase grid-supportive demand side management methodology for low voltage networks by using a universal interface that is established between the demand side management application and the monitoring and network analysis tools of the network operator. Using time-horizon predictions of the system states that the probability of operational limit violations is identified. Since this analysis is computationally intensive, a data driven approach is adopted by using machine learning. Time-horizon flexibility is procured, which effectively prevents operation limit violation from occurring independent of the objective that the demand side management application has. A practical example featuring fair power sharing demonstrates the effectiveness of the presented method for resolving over-voltages and under-voltages. This is followed by conclusions and recommendations for future work.
Recent Advances in the Analysis of Sustainable Energy Systems
Authors: Calise Francesco , Costa Mário , Wang Qiuwang , Zhang Xiliang , Duić Neven
Published: September 2018

EU energy policy is more and more promoting a resilient, efficient and sustainable energy system. Several agreements have been signed in the last few months that set ambitious goals in terms of energy efficiency and emission reductions and to reduce the energy consumption in buildings. These actions are expected to fulfill the goals negotiated at the Paris Agreement in 2015. The successful development of this ambitious energy policy needs to be supported by scientific knowledge: a huge effort must be made in order to develop more efficient energy conversion technologies based both on renewables and fossil fuels. Similarly, researchers are also expected to work on the integration of conventional and novel systems, also taking into account the needs for the management of the novel energy systems in terms of energy storage and devices management. Therefore, a multi-disciplinary approach is required in order to achieve these goals. To ensure that the scientists belonging to the different disciplines are aware of the scientific progress in the other research areas, specific Conferences are periodically organized. One of the most popular conferences in this area is the Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES) Series Conference. The 12th Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems Conference was recently held in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The present Special Issue of Energies, specifically dedicated to the 12th SDEWES Conference, is focused on five main fields: energy policy and energy efficiency in smart energy systems, polygeneration and district heating, advanced combustion techniques and fuels, biomass and building efficiency.
Combined Blade-Element Momentum—Lifting Line Model for Variable Loads on Downwind Turbine Towers
Authors: Yoshida Shigeo
Published: September 2018

Downwind rotors are a promising concept for multi-megawatt scale large wind turbines due to their advantages in safety and cost reduction. However, they have risks from impulsive loads when one of the blades passes across the tower wake, where the wind speed is lower and locally turbulent. Although the tower shadow effects on the tower loads have been discussed in former studies, there is currently no appropriate model for the blade-element and momentum theory so far. This study formulates the tower shadow effects on the tower load variation induced by blades using the lifting line theory, which does not require any empirical parameters. The method is verified via computational fluid dynamics for a 2 MW(megawatt), 3-bladed downwind turbine. The amplitude and the phase of the variation are shown to be accurate in outboard sections, where the rotor-tower clearance is large (>3.0 times of the tower diameter) and the ratio of the blade chord length is small (<0.5 times of the tower diameter), in both of rated and cut-out conditions.
An Optimal Collocation Strategy for the Key Components of Compact Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems
Authors: Chen Pi-Yun , Chao Kuei-Hsiang , Wu Zih-Yi
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study was to develop an optimal evaluation system for collocating photovoltaic (PV) modules and power conditioners by using the extension engineering method. The matter-element model and correlation functions of the extension theory were adopted as the basis of the proposed extension evaluation system, which was then used to develop a multilevel evaluation model for PV modules and PV power conditioners. The extension evaluation system was used to evaluate and test numerous PV modules and power conditioner products that are commonly employed and commercially available in Taiwan. First, a PV module matter-element model was established based on price, power temperature, size, and weight, and a PV power conditioner matter-element model was established based on input voltage range, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) voltage range, number of MPPT units, minimum operating voltage, and maximum input current. Second, the weighting values of the various characteristics in the extension method were determined according to numerous consideration factors of the PV modules and power conditioners. Finally, the values of the degree of correlation between numerous user preferences and the various PV modules and power conditioner brands were calculated using correlation functions to determine the key components of PV power generation systems (PV-PGSs) that corresponded to user preferences. The test results confirmed that the proposed extension evaluation system can determine the optimal collocation for the key components of the PV-PGSs under different user preference settings.
Diagnosis of Inter-Turn Short Circuit of Synchronous Generator Rotor Winding Based on Volterra Kernel Identification
Authors: Wang Luo , Li Yonggang , Li Junqing
Published: September 2018

The inter-turn short circuit is a common fault in the synchronous generator. This fault is not easily detected at early stage. However, with the development of the fault, it will pose a threat to the safe operation of the generator. To detect the inter-turn short circuit of rotor winding, the feasibility of identifying the stator branch characteristics of synchronous generator during inter-turn short circuit was analyzed. In this paper, an on-line fault identification method based on Volterra kernel identification is presented. This method uses the stator branch voltage and stator unbalance branch current collected from the generator as input and output signals of the series model. Recursive batch least squares method is applied to calculate the three kernels of Volterra series. When the generator is in normal state or fault state, the Volterra kernel will change accordingly. Through the identification of the time-domain kernel of the nonlinear transfer model, the inter-turn short circuit fault of the synchronous generator is diagnosed. The correctness and effectiveness of this method is verified by using the data of fault experimental synchronous generator.
Research on Modeling of Microgrid Based on Data Testing and Parameter Identification
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Sun Yaojie , Liu Meiyin , Dong Wei , Han Pingping
Published: September 2018

The model parameter identification based on real operation data is a means to accurately determine the simulation parameters of the microgrid, but the real operation data cannot guarantee the exact agreement with the required data for parameter identification, which has become an important restriction factor in the accurate simulation and analysis of the dynamics of the microgrid. This paper provides a method of modeling of microgrid based on data testing and parameter identification. In this paper, the method of parameter trajectory sensitivity is first introduced. Then, the data testing scheme for parameter identification is presented, and the parameter identification flow chart is given. Thirdly, a microgrid demonstration system in China is taken as an example, the important parameters of the distributed photovoltaic, direct-drive wind turbine and energy storage unit in the system are obtained by data testing and parameter identification, and in the end, the accuracy of the model is verified through the comparison of the simulation data and the test data of the microgrid during grid-connection/island switching process. The obtained microgrid model provides a base model for the analysis of the overall characteristics, such as the transient stability, as well as power quality of the microgrid.
Estimation of the Relative Arrival Time of Microseismic Events Based on Phase-Only Correlation
Authors: Wang Peng , Chang Xu , Zhou Xiyan
Published: September 2018

The arrival time of a microseismic event is an important piece of information for microseismic monitoring. The accuracy and efficiency of arrival time identification is affected by many factors, such as the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the records, the vast amount of real-time monitoring records, and the abnormal situations of monitoring equipment. In order to eliminate the interference of these factors, we propose a method based on phase-only correlation (POC) to estimate the relative arrival times of microseismic events. The proposed method includes three main steps: (1) The SNR of the records is improved via time-frequency transform, which is used to obtain the time-frequency representation of each trace of a microseismic event. (2) The POC functions of all pairs of time-frequency representations are calculated. The peak value of the POC function indicates the similarity of the traces, and the peak position in the time lag axis indicates the relative arrival times between the traces. (3) Using the peak values as weighting coefficients of the linear equations, consistency processing is used to exclude any abnormal situations and obtain the optimal relative arrival times. We used synthetic data and field data to validate the proposed method. Comparing with Akaike information criterion (AIC) and cross-correlation, the proposed method is more robust at estimating the relative arrival time and excluding the influence of abnormal situations.
Optimizing the Location of Biomass Energy Facilities by Integrating Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Authors: Woo Heesung , Acuna Mauricio , Moroni Martin , Taskhiri Mohammad Sadegh , Turner Paul
Published: September 2018

Internationally forest biomass is considered to be a valuable renewable energy feedstock. However, utilization of forest harvesting residues is challenging because they are highly varied, generally of low quality and usually widely distributed across timber harvesting sites. Factors related to the collection, processing and transport impose constraints on the economic viability of residue utilization operations and impact their supply from dispersed feedstock locations. To optimize decision-making about suitable locations for biomass energy plants intending to use forest residues, it is essential to factor in these supply chain considerations. This study conducted in Tasmania, Australia presents an investigation into the integration of Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information systems (GIS) to identify optimal locations for prospective biomass power plants. The amount of forest harvesting biomass residues was estimated based on a non-industrial private native resource model in Tasmania (NIPNF). The integration of MCA and a GIS model, including a supply chain cost analysis, allowed the identification and analysis of optimal candidate locations that balanced economic, environmental, and social criteria within the biomass supply. The study results confirm that resource availability, land use and supply chain cost data can be integrated and mapped using GIS to facilitate the determination of different sustainable criteria weightings, and to ultimately generate optimal candidate locations for biomass energy plants. It is anticipated that this paper will make a contribution to current scientific knowledge by presenting innovative approaches for the sustainable utilization of forest harvest residues as a resource for the generation of bioenergy in Tasmania.
A Low-Cost Spore Trap Allows Collection and Real-Time PCR Quantification of Airborne Fusarium circinatum Spores
Authors: Quesada Tania , Hughes Jennifer , Smith Katherine , Shin Keumchul , James Patrick , Smith Jason
Published: September 2018

A variety of commercial instruments are available for sampling and quantifying microscopic airborne organisms from the environment. Although most samplers are highly sensitive, they are also expensive, costing thousands of dollars per unit, a price that is out of reach for many researchers, especially those looking to design experiments with replication. While looking at options to monitor pine stands for the presence of Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pitch canker disease, on multiple sites with several units per site, we developed a simple, low-cost spore trap that allows surveying spore abundance in outdoor environments. The trap consists of a rotating motor that holds a metal rod and two petroleum jelly-coated microscope slides. As the motor rotates, the slides collect airborne particles. To test whether the traps allowed detection of F. circinatum spores, we placed six traps on three sites: an actively-managed slash pine commercial stand located in Lake Butler, FL, a semi-managed loblolly and slash pine stand near Gainesville, FL, and a site with little perturbance at Goethe State Forest, FL, consisting of mainly slash pine trees. The slides were replaced weekly, and F. circinatum was detected by quantitative PCR using species-specific primers. Results show detection of low levels ( X ¯ = 1.7–77.1 picograms ± SE = 0.3–39.7) of the pathogen spores with high reproducibility. These traps offer a low-cost solution to spore, pollen, or small insect trapping experiments for initial or general assessment of a pathogen or species population. Their low cost has the added benefit that multiple traps can be deployed per experiment, thus increasing statistical power by using multiple replications.
Tree- and Stand-Level Biomass Estimation in a Larix decidua Mill. Chronosequence
Authors: Jagodziński Andrzej M. , Dyderski Marcin K. , Gęsikiewicz Kamil , Horodecki Paweł
Published: September 2018

Carbon pool assessments in forests is one of the most important tasks of forest ecology. Despite the wide cultivation range, and economical and traditional importance, the aboveground biomass of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) stands is poorly characterized. To increase knowledge about forest biomass accumulation and to provide a set of tools for aboveground biomass estimation, we studied a chronosequence of 12 larch forest stands (7–120 years old). From these stands, we measured the biomass of 96 sample trees ranging from 1.9 to 57.9 cm in diameter at breast height. We provided age-specific and generalized allometric equations, biomass conversion and expansion factors (BCEFs) and biomass models based on forest stand characteristics. Aboveground biomass of stands ranged from 4.46 (7-year-old forest stand) to 445.76 Mg ha−1 (106-year-old). Stand biomass increased with increasing stand age, basal area, mean diameter, height and total stem volume and decreased with increasing density. BCEFs of the aboveground biomass and stem were almost constant (mean BCEFs of 0.4688 and 0.3833 Mg m−3, respectively). Our generalized models at the tree and stand level had lower bias in predicting the biomass of the forest stands studied, than other published models. The set of tools provided fills the gap in biomass estimation caused by the low number of studies on larch biomass, which allows for better estimation of forest carbon pools.
Health Risk of Polonium 210 Ingestion via Drinking Water: An Experience of Malaysia
Authors: Ahmed Minhaz Farid , Alam Lubna , Mohamed Che Abd Rahim , Mokhtar Mazlin Bin , Ta Goh Choo
Published: September 2018

The presence of toxic polonium-210 (Po-210) in the environment is due to the decay of primordial uranium-238. Meanwhile, several studies have reported elevated Po-210 radioactivity in the rivers around the world due to both natural and anthropogenic factors. However, the primary source of Po-210 in Langat River, Malaysia might be the natural weathering of granite rock along with mining, agriculture and industrial activities. Hence, this is the first study to determine the Po-210 activity in the drinking water supply chain in the Langat River Basin to simultaneously predict the human health risks of Po-210 ingestion. Therefore, water samples were collected in 2015–2016 from the four stages of the water supply chain to analyze by Alpha Spectrometry. Determined Po-210 activity, along with the influence of environmental parameters such as time-series rainfall, flood incidents and water flow data (2005–2015), was well within the maximum limit for drinking water quality standard proposed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and World Health Organization. Moreover, the annual effective dose of Po-210 ingestion via drinking water supply chain indicates an acceptable carcinogenic risk for the populations in the Langat Basin at 95% confidence level; however, the estimated annual effective dose at the basin is higher than in many countries. Although several studies assume the carcinogenic risk of Po-210 ingestion to humans for a long time even at low activity, however, there is no significant causal study which links Po-210 ingestion via drinking water and cancer risk of the human. Since the conventional coagulation method is unable to remove Po-210 entirely from the treated water, introducing a two-layer water filtration system at the basin can be useful to achieve SDG target 6.1 of achieving safe drinking water supplies well before 2030, which might also be significant for other countries.