bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MENJAGA KESTABILAN SUHU RUANG EVAPORATOR BERDAMPAK PADA HASIL PRODUKSI AIR TAWAR FRESH WATER GENERATOR
Authors: Khamdila Ali , Wilastari Santhi , Saleh Agus
Published: June 2019

Maintaining a Fresh Water Generator from the loss of vacuuming means getting the best fresh water production process. The balance of the heated substance and the heater measurement inside the evaporator could effect on the steam result or even could influence the steam process. There are many factors that could cause the loss or the decreasing of vacuuming when operating Fresh Water Generator, such as system leakage, the lack of sea water volume used for vacuuming, the balance of water ejector capability to maintain the steam volume inside Fresh Water Generator, the brine ejector capability to maintain the unused brine water and condension water being exhaust of Fresh Water Generator.

Keywords: Condenser, Evaporator, Ejector, Ejector Pump

Menjaga serta mempertahankan kondisi Fresh Water Generator dari kevakuman merupakan hal yang harus selalu diperhatikan secara baik,dengan tujuan untuk mendapatkan proses produksi air tawar secara optimal. Pengaturan keseimbangan antara media untuk memanaskan dan media untuk dipanaskan didalam ruang evaporator berdampak pada hasil uap yang diproduksi ataupun justru berpengaruh terhadap proses penguapan. Banyak faktor penyebab hilangnya ataupun turunnya kevakuman pada saat pengoperasian fresh water generator,seperti kebocoran pada sistem,kurangnya kapasitas volume air laut yang digunakan oleh ejector pump untuk proses kevakuman, tidak seimbangnya kemampuan air ejector menjaga jumlah uap yang ada di dalam ruang fresh water generator , kemampuan brine ejector menjaga jumlah air brine dan air kondensasi yang tidak tertampung diruang kondensor untuk di buang keluar dari ruang fresh water generator.

Kata kunci : Kondensor, Evaporator, Ejector, Ejector Pump
PENGARUH KARAKTERISTIK PEKERJAAN TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI (Studi pada Pegawai di Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang)
Authors: Suryadi Awel
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this research is to test and analyse jobs characteristics to the employees performance if Polytechnic Merchant Marine Semarang. The population is 190 employese which using random sampling technique of 129 respondents. The data analysis is using multi regression analysis which concludes that performance characteristic has positive and significance influence to the employee’s performance.   

Keywords : Performance characteristic, Performance of employee

Target dari penelitian ini untuk menguji dan menganalisa karakteristik pekerjaan terhadapa kinerja pegawai di Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang.  Pada penelitian ini populasi pegawai di Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang dihitung sampai dengan 190 orang..Mengambil sampel dari teknik porposional stratifikasi acak. Penilaian dari jumlah ini menggunakan rumus Slovin didapatkan dengan menghitung 129 responden. Data analisis menggunakan analisis regresi ganda.  Karakteristik kinerja mempunyai efek positif dan signifikan pada kinerja pegawai.             

Kata kunci : Karakteristik kinerja, Kinerja pegaiwai
The Cause of the People: Sartre's Encounter with Lacan in Badiou's Theory of the Subject
Authors: Gordienko Andrey
Published: June 2019

In one of his late interviews, Alain Badiou acknowledges that his concept of the event can be traced back to Jean-Paul Sartre's notion of the group-in-fusion, presented in the Critique of Dialectical Reason as a momentous historical irruption that dissolves the serial existence of the masses. Given the lack of engagement with Sartre in Being and Event, the present essay attempts to account for this unexpected admission by arguing that Sartre figures as Badiou's silent partner in Theory of the Subject. The centrality of Sartre to Badiou's first major philosophical work is evident in the mobilization of the category of destruction to supplement the structural dialectic developed by Badiou's other master, Jacques Lacan. In so far as the mass movement is said to effectively destroy the space of placement by forcing the evental presentation of the real, Theory of the Subject pre-emptively contradicts Badiou's subsequent attempts to deny political status to the group-in-fusion. The present article thus concludes that the Sartrean group functions as a veritable cause that commences the subject-process constitutive of politics itself.
Medicina centrada en la persona
Authors: Perales-Cabrera Alberto
Published: June 2019

La medicina, desde sus épocas primigenias, ha sido, es y será una actividad que integra, en diversos porcentajes, arte y ciencia. Por ello, no extraña que en la antigua Grecia fuera categorizada como Thekné, basada en la Doxa (opinión, en este caso experta) y no como ciencia epistémica, con exigencia de exactitud.
Declaración de Lima 2017. Educación Medica Centrada en la Persona
Authors: Latino- americanas de Medicina Jornadas
Published: June 2019

La concepción de la Medicina Centrada en la Persona (MCP) significa la convergencia entre la plena vigencia de los derechos humanos en el campos de la salud humana, el ejercicio efectivo de los principios éticos en la actuación profesional, y la articulación de ciencia y humanismo para la optimización de la medicina del siglo XXI. Al mismo tiempo, valora la plena vigencia de los avances científricos en el campo de la Medicina actual, según corresponda aplicados como lo determine el criterio benéfico oportunamente acordado con la persona involucrada.
Passados privados, ou privados do passado? Nostalgia, in-diferença e as comemorações do Sete de Setembro brasileiro
Authors: Freixo Andre de Lemos
Published: June 2019

Proponho pensar como funciona, que tipo de elementos são deslocados, apagados ou focalizados e, acima de tudo, que tipo de figurações são apresentadas nas celebrações oficiais (públicas) do passado brasileiro, em geral, e em particular, no discurso oficial das comemorações do Dia da Independência do Brasil (7 de setembro de 1822). Que estética é mobilizada quando o passado “brasileiro” aparece em público (oficialmente)? Argumento que esse conjunto de figurações permite identificar o que eu chamo de “estética do brasileiro”: promover uma consciência nacional (e histórica) in-diferente e etnocêntrica. A poderosa imaginação histórica mobilizada quando se trata de performances do passado brasileiro recicla anualmente os elementos estereotipados nessa estética, acionados por uma cultura histórica modernista que não lançam novos e promissores futuros, mas a celebração pública de um formato específico de nostalgia.
Intercropping Simulation Using the SWAP Model: Development of a 2×1D Algorithm
Authors: Pinto Victor Meriguetti , van Dam Jos C. , de Jong van Lier Quirijn , Reichardt Klaus
Published: June 2019

Intercropping is a common cultivation system in sustainable agriculture, allowing crop diversity and better soil surface exploitation. Simulation of intercropped plants with integrated soil–plant–atmosphere models is a challenging procedure due to the requirement of a second spatial dimension for calculating the soil water lateral flux. Evaluations of more straightforward approaches for intercrop modeling are, therefore, mandatory. An adaptation of the 1D model Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Plant coupled to the World Food Studies (SWAP/WOFOST) to simulate intercropping (SWAP 2×1D) based on solar radiation and water partitioning between plant strips was developed and the outcomes are presented. An application of SWAP 2×1D to maize–soybean (MS) strip intercropping was evaluated against the monocropping maize (M) and soybean (S) simulated with the 1D model SWAP/WOFOST, and a sensitivity analysis of SWAP 2×1D was carried out for the intercropping MS. SWAP 2×1D was able to simulate the radiation interception by both crops in the intercropping MS and also to determine the effect of the radiation attenuation by maize on soybean plants. Intercropped plants presented higher transpiration and resulted in lower soil evaporation when compared to their equivalent monocropping cultivation. A numerical issue involving model instability caused by the simulated lateral water flux in the soil from one strip to the other was solved. The most sensitive plant parameters were those related to the taller plant strips in the intercropping, and soil retention curve parameters were overall all significantly sensitive for the water balance simulation. This implementation of the SWAP model presents an opportunity to simulate strip intercropping with a limited number of parameters, including the partitioning of radiation by a well-validated radiation sharing model and of soil water by simulating the lateral soil water fluxes between strips in the 2×1D environment.
Potential Use of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) to Suppress Three Invasive Plant Species in Agroecosystems (Ageratum conyzoides L., Bidens pilosa L., and Galinsoga parviflora Cav.)
Authors: Shen Shicai , Xu Gaofeng , Li Diyu , Jin Guimei , Liu Shufang , Clements David Roy , Yang Yanxian , Rao Jia , Chen Aidong , Zhang Fudou , Zhu Xiaocheng , Weston Leslie A.
Published: June 2019

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is a logical candidate crop to suppress invasive plants, but additional information is needed to support its potential application as a suppressive ground cover. The current study utilized a de Wit replacement series incorporating five ratios of sweet potato grown in the field in combination with one of three invasive plants (Ageratum conyzoides L., Bidens pilosa L., and Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) in replicated 9 m2 plots. Stem length, total biomass, and leaf area were higher for monoculture-grown sweet potato than these parameters for any of the invasive plants grown in monoculture. In mixed culture, the plant height, branch, leaf, inflorescence, seed, and biomass of all invasive plants were suppressed by sweet potato. The relative yield parameter indicated that intraspecific competition was greater than interspecific competition for sweet potato, while the reverse was true for invasive species. The net photosynthetic rate was higher for sweet potato than for B. pilosa and G. parviflora but not A. conyzoides. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities of each of the three invasive plants were reduced in mixture with sweet potato. Our results demonstrated that these three invasive plants were significantly suppressed by sweet potato competition due to the rapid growth and phenotypic plasticity of sweet potato.
Unobtrusive Respiratory Flow Monitoring Using a Thermopile Array: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Lorato Ilde , Bakkes Tom , Stuijk Sander , Meftah Mohammed , de Haan Gerard
Published: June 2019

Low-resolution thermal cameras have already been used in the detection of respiratory flow. However, microbolometer technology has a high production cost compared to thermopile arrays. In this work, the feasibility of using a thermopile array to detect respiratory flow has been investigated in multiple settings. To prove the concept, we tested the detector on six healthy subjects. Our method automatically selects the region-of-interest by discriminating between sensor elements that output noise and flow-induced signals. The thermopile array yielded an average root mean squared error of 1.59 b r e a t h s p e r m i n u t e . Parameters such as distance, breathing rate, orientation, and oral or nasal breathing resulted in being fundamental in the detection of respiratory flow. The paper provides the proof-of-concept that low-cost thermopile-arrays can be used to monitor respiratory flow in a lab setting and without the need for facial landmark detection. Further development could provide a more attractive alternative for the earlier bolometer-based proposals.
Experimental Study on Photocatalytic Effect of Nano TiO2 Epoxy Emulsified Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Huang Ming , Wen Xuejun
Published: June 2019

The two major problems that have plagued urban underground roads since their introduction are the harmful emissions caused by hot mix paving and vehicle exhaust accumulation during operation. In order to solve these two problems at the same time, a new asphalt mixture degrading automobile exhaust, which has the advantage of cold mix and cold-application, was presented and studied. A considerable amount of research shows that the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for pavements has received considerable attention in recent years to improve air quality near large metropolitan areas. However, the proper method of applying TiO2 to asphalt pavements is still unclear. The new mixture presented in this article contains epoxy emulsified asphalt as the binder; therefore, how to apply TiO2 in the special asphalt mixture proves to be the main focus. By experimental design, four influence factors on the photocatalytic effect, which are the nano-TiO2 particle sizes, dosage, degradation time, and light intensity, have been investigated. The experimental results showed that the 5-nm particle size of TiO2 is better than 10–15 nm for exhaust gas degradation, especially for HC and NO; with an increase in the amount of photocatalytic material, the degradation of CO and CO2 in the exhaust gas did not increase obviously, while the degradation effects of HC and NO were remarkable; in the 4-h time extended degradation test, the experimental data show that the extended time has little effect on the degradation rate of CO2 and CO, and the general trend is that the degradation of exhaust became significant with the extension of time; while setting a 2-h NO degradation rate as an indicator, to make the index more than 50% or 25%, the average illumination of the road surface cannot be less than 60 lx or 40 lx.
Flood Mitigation Using an Innovative Flood Control Scheme in a Large Lake: Dongting Lake, China
Authors: Liu Yizhuang , Yang Shu-Qing , Jiang Changbo , Sivakumar Muttucumaru , Enever Keith , Long Yuannan , Deng Bin , Khalil Usman , Yin Lingshi
Published: June 2019

A large lake plays an important role in mitigating flood disasters in its nearby regions during the flooding period; however, the effect is limited, because most of its storage capacity becomes dead storage prior to the arrival of the flood wave. In the current study, an innovative flood control scheme (IFCS) is applied to Dongting Lake (the second largest freshwater lake in China) to alleviate flood disasters. MIKE 21 FM was used to examine its feasibility to mitigate flood disasters. One of the largest floods in the 20th century, the 1998-type flood, was modelled and the maximum water levels with/without IFCS were compared. The result shows that the effective flood control storage could be at least doubled when compared with the natural condition once IFCS was applied. The peak flood level in the Dongting Lake could be lowered by at least 0.32 m at the Chenglingji station in the same flood passage of Dongting Lake. The case study reveals that, after applying IFCS, the hydraulic gates play a very important role in floodwater regulation and further study should be conducted to find the optimized operation for each gate in the flood control scheme system.
A Process-Oriented Method for Tracking Rainstorms with a Time-Series of Raster Datasets
Authors: Xue Cunjin , Liu Jingyi , Yang Guanghui , Wu Chengbin
Published: June 2019

Extreme rainstorms have important socioeconomic consequences, but understanding their fine spatial structures and temporal evolution still remains challenging. In order to achieve this, in view of an evolutionary property of rainstorms, this paper designs a process-oriented algorithm for identifying and tracking rainstorms, named PoAIR. PoAIR uses time-series of raster datasets and consists of three steps. The first step combines an accumulated rainfall time-series and spatial connectivity to identify rainstorm objects at each time snapshot. Secondly, PoAIR adopts the geometrical features of eccentricity, rectangularity, roundness, and shape index, as well as the thematic feature of the mean rainstorm intensity, to match the same rainstorm objects in successive snapshots, and then tracks the same rainstorm objects during a rainstorm evolution sequence. In the third step, an evolutionary property of a rainstorm sequence is used to extrapolate its spatial location and geometrical features at the next time snapshot and reconstructs a rainstorm process by linking rainstorm sequences with an area-overlapping threshold. Experiments on simulated datasets demonstrate that PoAIR performs better than the Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis and Nowcasting algorithm (TITAN) in both rainfall tracking and identifying the splitting, merging, and merging-splitting of rainstorm objects. Additionally, applications of PoAIR to Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Mission (GPM/IMERG) final products covering mainland China show that PoAIR can effectively track rainstorm objects.
External Robotic Arm vs. Upper Limb Exoskeleton: What Do Potential Users Need?
Authors: Nam Hyung Seok , Seo Han Gil , Leigh Ja-Ho , Kim Yoon Jae , Kim Sungwan , Bang Moon Suk
Published: June 2019

Robotic devices that practically assist activities of daily living (ADL) are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate practical demands of potential users of external robotic arms and upper limb exoskeletons for assistance in ADL. A survey was performed in rehabilitation clinics in individuals with functional impairments in the upper extremity, divided into unilateral (UIG, n = 24) and bilateral impairment groups (BIG, n = 24). Descriptive analyses were performed for current dependency, objective importance, and subjective necessity of the 18 ADLs by using a 5-point Likert scale. Overall, handling foods, dressing, and moving close items were highly necessary functions for both robot types. The UIG demonstrated a high demand for self-exercise using exoskeletons, whereas one-hand ADLs showed low necessity. In the UIG, the exoskeleton had significantly higher demands than the external robotic arm in washing face (p = 0.005) and brushing teeth (p = 0.007). The subjects in the BIG replied that cleaning desks and eating are highly necessary abilities for the external robotic arm; and transfer and wheelchair control, for exoskeletons. In the BIG, the exoskeleton showed significantly higher necessity than the external robotic arms in dressing (p = 0.010), making phone calls (p = 0.026), using a smartphone (p = 0.011), and writing (p = 0.005). The practical demands of potential users were affected by laterality and robot type. Further robot developments should involve essential functions based on the survey results to meet end-user needs.
Comparison of Raman and Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy for Real-Time Monitoring of Yeast Fermentations: A Proof-of-Concept for Multi-Channel Photometric Sensors
Authors: Schalk Robert , Heintz Annabell , Braun Frank , Iacono Giuseppe , Rädle Matthias , Gretz Norbert , Methner Frank-Jürgen , Beuermann Thomas
Published: June 2019

Raman and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy are useful tools for the specific detection of molecules, since both methods are based on the excitation of fundamental vibration modes. In this study, Raman and MIR spectroscopy were applied simultaneously during aerobic yeast fermentations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on the recorded Raman intensities and MIR absorption spectra, respectively, temporal concentration courses of glucose, ethanol, and biomass were determined. The chemometric methods used to evaluate the analyte concentrations were partial least squares (PLS) regression and multiple linear regression (MLR). In view of potential photometric sensors, MLR models based on two (2D) and four (4D) analyte-specific optical channels were developed. All chemometric models were tested to predict glucose concentrations between 0 and 30 g L−1, ethanol concentrations between 0 and 10 g L−1, and biomass concentrations up to 15 g L−1 in real time during diauxic growth. Root-mean-squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.68 g L−1, 0.48 g L−1, and 0.37 g L−1 for glucose, ethanol, and biomass were achieved using the MIR setup combined with a PLS model. In the case of Raman spectroscopy, the corresponding RMSEP values were 0.92 g L−1, 0.39 g L−1, and 0.29 g L−1. Nevertheless, the simple 4D MLR models could reach the performance of the more complex PLS evaluation. Consequently, the replacement of spectrometer setups by four-channel sensors were discussed. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of Raman and MIR setups are demonstrated with regard to process implementation.
CFD Simulation of the Wind Field in Jinjiang City Using a Building Data Generalization Method
Authors: Li Mengxi , Qiu Xinfa , Shen Juanjun , Xu Jinqin , Feng Bo , He Yongjian , Shi Guoping , Zhu Xiaochen
Published: June 2019

The urban wind environment is an important element of urban microclimates and plays an important role in the quality of the urban environment. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation method is an important means for urban wind field research. However, CFD simulation has high requirements for computer hardware and software. In this paper, based on geographic information system (GIS) technology, a new building data generalization method was developed to solve the problems of a huge amount of data and calculations in urban-scale CFD wind field simulations. Using Fluent software and high-precision urban building geographic information data with elevation attributes, the method was applied to Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, China. A CFD simulation of the wind field of Jinjiang City was implemented, and detailed, intuitive wind field information was obtained, which were compared with the measured data. The results show that the building data generalization method could effectively improve the efficiency of the city's overall wind field CFD simulation. The simulated wind speed was significantly correlated with the measured data, but it was overestimated. The simulated wind direction was consistent with the measured data of most stations. The simulation results were reasonable and could provide reference for application and subsequent research.
Mechanical Characterization of a New Architectural Concrete with Glass-Recycled Aggregate
Authors: Tamayo-García Bernardo , Albareda-Valls Albert , Rivera-Rogel Alicia , Cornado Cossima
Published: June 2019

Concrete is a material which is widely used in architecture, not only for structural purposes but also for architectural elements for its versatility and excellent performance. However, the manufacturing of this material as a mixture of water, cement, and fine and coarse aggregate comes with a high environmental cost, such as gas emissions, among other things. This is the reason why different alternatives are being proposed in order to replace coarse aggregates with other recycled materials, as it is one of the less sustainable components of the mixture in terms of extraction. One of these alternatives is recycled glass coming from drinking bottles, crushed into small grains and mixed in the same proportions as regular aggregates. This study proposes the mechanical characterization of a new architectural concrete mixture by using white Lafarge cement and glass-recycled aggregates; this proposed concrete is made especially for architectural elements like façade panels, rather than structural elements. The mechanical evaluation of this new material is done through a set of experimental tests under compression and also bending, comparing three different ratios of glass aggregate in the mixture.
Monitoring Enzymatic Hydroesterification of Low-Cost Feedstocks by Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy
Authors: Cruz Mariana , Almeida Manuel Fonseca , Alvim-Ferraz Maria da Conceição , Dias Joana Maia
Published: June 2019

Enzymatic hydroesterification is a heterogeneous catalyzed process suitable for the conversion of low-cost feedstocks in biodiesel production, namely, because of its tolerance to high free fatty acid contents. The current study describes the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to monitor biodiesel production using enzymatic hydroesterification and, as raw materials, acid oil from soapstock and olive pomace oil. Acid oil (~34 wt.% FFA) and olive pomace oil (~50 wt.% FFA) were first hydrolyzed (35 °C, 24 h, 200 rpm, 3 wt.% of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus, and 1:0.5 water:oil ratio, w:w), and then enzymatic esterification was performed (35 °C, 7 h, 200 rpm, 2 wt.% of lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus, and 2:1 molar ratio of methanol to acid). FTIR analyses were conducted on the products using a Jasco FT/IR-4100 with a scanning range of 4000–650 cm−1 at 4 cm−1 spectral resolution and 54 scans. For free fatty acid (FFA) quantification, the C=O band at 1708 cm–1 was used, corresponding to the carboxylic acid, whereas for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) quantification, the peak corresponding to C=O at 1746 cm−1 was considered, which corresponded to the ester. The results were calibrated using volumetric titration and gas chromatography analyses, concerning FFA and FAME quantification, respectively. The best conditions for analysis were determined, and a calibration method was established. FTIR has shown to be a simple, fast, and clean technique suitable to monitor hydroesterification of low-cost feedstocks.
Cu Modified Pt Nanoflowers with Preferential (100) Surfaces for Selective Electroreduction of Nitrate
Authors: Chen Ting , Li Yuxuan , Li Luyan , Zhao Yanjie , Shi Shuhua , Jiang Rongyan , Ma Houyi
Published: June 2019

Improving surface selectivity and maximizing electrode surface area are critical needs for the electroreduction of nitrate. Herein, preferential (100) oriented Pt nanoflowers with an extended surface area were prepared by potentiostatic deposition on carbon cloth (Pt NFs/CC), and then Cu atoms were adsorbed on the Pt NFs (Cu/Pt NFs/CC) for application of nitrate electroreduction. The results reveal that Cu/Pt NFs/CC with 8.7% Cu coverage exhibits a high selectivity for nitrate electroreduction to N2 following two steps: Nitrate firstly converts into nitrite on Cu sites adsorbed on Pt NFs, then nitrite subsequently selective reduction and ammonia oxidation to N2 occur on the large exposed (100) terraces in Pt NFs. In addition, electrocatalytic activity and selectivity of nitrate reduction strongly rely on the Cu surface coverage on Pt NFs, the lower activity of nitrate reduction is displayed with increase of Cu coverage. Accordingly, the selective reduction of nitrate to N2 is feasible at such nanostructured Pt nanoflowers modified with Cu.
Heterogeneous Bimetallic Cu–Ni Nanoparticle-Supported Catalysts in the Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzaldehyde
Authors: Liu Lili , Zhou Xiaojing , Liu Li , Jiang Shuai , Li Yingjie , Guo Luxia , Yan Shijuan , Tai Xishi
Published: June 2019

Three bimetallic Cu–Ni nanoparticle-supported catalysts were synthesized by co-immobilization followed by H2 reduction. A chromium(III) terephthalate metal organic framework (MIL-101), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and carbon (C) with different properties (acidity and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area) were selected as supports for studying the effect of the support nature on the catalytic activity and selectivity in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The physicochemical properties of the Cu–Ni-supported catalysts were characterized by XRD, NH3-TPD, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, TEM, EDS, XPS, and ICP-OES. Bimetallic Cu–Ni nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the support. The catalytic activities of CuNi/MIL-101, CuNi/TiO2, and CuNi/C were tested in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in the presence of molecular oxygen under mild reaction conditions. The highest benzaldehyde yields were achieved with CuNi/TiO2, CuNi/MIL-101, and CuNi/C catalysts at 100 °C within 4 h under 5, 3, and 3 bar of O2, respectively. The bimetallic Cu–Ni-supported catalysts possessed two types of catalytic active sites: acid sites and bimetallic Cu–Ni nanoparticles. The CuNi/MIL-101 catalyst possessed a high number of acid sites and exhibited high yield during selective benzyl alcohol oxidation to benzaldehyde. Importantly, the catalysts exhibited a high functional group (electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups) tolerance. Cu–Ni-supported catalysts with an Cu:Ni mole ratio of 1:1 exhibited the highest yield of 47% for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Reusability and leaching experiment results exhibited that CuNi/MIL-101 showed better stability than CuNi/TiO2 and CuNi/C catalysts due to the large porous cavities of MIL-101 support; these cavities can be used to trap bimetallic Cu–Ni nanoparticles and inhibit nanoparticle leaching.
Rho GTPases in the Physiology and Pathophysiology of Peripheral Sensory Neurons
Authors: Kalpachidou Theodora , Spiecker Lisa , Kress Michaela , Quarta Serena
Published: June 2019

Numerous experimental studies demonstrate that the Ras homolog family of guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (Rho GTPases) Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) are important regulators in somatosensory neurons, where they elicit changes in the cellular cytoskeleton and are involved in diverse biological processes during development, differentiation, survival and regeneration. This review summarizes the status of research regarding the expression and the role of the Rho GTPases in peripheral sensory neurons and how these small proteins are involved in development and outgrowth of sensory neurons, as well as in neuronal regeneration after injury, inflammation and pain perception. In sensory neurons, Rho GTPases are activated by various extracellular signals through membrane receptors and elicit their action through a wide range of downstream effectors, such as Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or mixed-lineage kinase (MLK). While RhoA is implicated in the assembly of stress fibres and focal adhesions and inhibits neuronal outgrowth through growth cone collapse, Rac1 and Cdc42 promote neuronal development, differentiation and neuroregeneration. The functions of Rho GTPases are critically important in the peripheral somatosensory system; however, their signalling interconnections and partially antagonistic actions are not yet fully understood.
Genome-Wide Profiling of Laron Syndrome Patients Identifies Novel Cancer Protection Pathways
Authors: Werner Haim , Lapkina-Gendler Lena , Achlaug Laris , Nagaraj Karthik , Somri Lina , Yaron-Saminsky Danielle , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada , Sarfstein Rive , Laron Zvi , Yakar Shoshana
Published: June 2019

Laron syndrome (LS), or primary growth hormone resistance, is a prototypical congenital insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) deficiency. The recent epidemiological finding that LS patients do not develop cancer is of major scientific and clinical relevance. Epidemiological data suggest that congenital IGF1 deficiency confers protection against the development of malignancies. This ‘experiment of nature’ reflects the critical role of IGF1 in tumor biology. The present review article provides an overview of recently conducted genome-wide profiling analyses aimed at identifying mechanisms and signaling pathways that are directly responsible for the link between life-time low IGF1 levels and protection from tumor development. The review underscores the concept that ‘data mining’ an orphan disease might translate into new developments in oncology.
Involvement of E3 Ligases and Deubiquitinases in the Control of HIF-α Subunit Abundance
Authors: Kubaichuk Kateryna , Kietzmann Thomas
Published: June 2019

The ubiquitin and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathways are cellular processes involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions. Enzymes called ubiquitin E3 ligases perform protein ubiquitylation. The action of these enzymes can be counteracted by another group of enzymes called deubiquitinases (DUBs), which remove ubiquitin from target proteins. The balanced action of these enzymes allows cells to adapt their protein content to a variety of cellular and environmental stress factors, including hypoxia. While hypoxia appears to be a powerful regulator of the ubiquitylation process, much less is known about the impact of DUBs on the HIF system and hypoxia-regulated DUBs. Moreover, hypoxia and DUBs play crucial roles in many diseases, such as cancer. Hence, DUBs are considered to be promising targets for cancer cell-specific treatment. Here, we review the current knowledge about the role DUBs play in the control of HIFs, the regulation of DUBs by hypoxia, and their implication in cancer progression.
Humanized Mouse Models for the Study of Hepatitis C and Host Interactions
Authors: Yong Kylie Su Mei , Her Zhisheng , Chen Qingfeng
Published: June 2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is commonly attributed as a major cause of chronic hepatotropic diseases, such as, steatosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. As HCV infects only humans and primates, its narrow host tropism hampers in vivo studies of HCV-mammalian host interactions and the development of effective therapeutics and vaccines. In this context, we will focus our discussion on humanized mice in HCV research. Here, these humanized mice are defined as animal models that encompass either only human hepatocytes or both human liver and immune cells. Aspects related to immunopathogenesis, anti-viral interventions, drug testing and perspectives of these models for future HCV research will be discussed.
Numerical Simulation of Thermal Evolution and Solidification Behavior of Laser Cladding AlSiTiNi Composite Coatings
Authors: Li Chonggui , Liu Chuanming , Li Shuai , Zhang Zhe , Zeng Ming , Wang Feifei , Wang Jinqian , Guo Yajun
Published: June 2019

In order to better understand how a high energy input and a fast cooling rate affect the geometric morphology and microstructure of laser cladding aluminum composite coatings, a three-dimensional (3D) transient finite element model (FEM) has been established to study the temperature field evolution during laser cladding of AlSiTiNi coatings on a 304 stainless steel substrate. In this model, a planar Gauss heat source and a temperature selection judgment mechanism are used to simulate the melting and solidification process as well as the geometric morphology of the laser cladding coatings. The differences in physical characteristics of the cladding materials before and after melting are considered. The results of thermal simulations, including temperature history, temperature gradient, and solidification rate, of the laser cladding coatings are investigated. Corresponding experiments, conducted using an IPG-YLS-5000 fiber laser, are used to verify the simulation results. The experimental observations agree well with the theoretical predictions, which indicates that the established model is valid.
On the Information Content of Coarse Data with Respect to the Particle Size Distribution of Complex Granular Media: Rationale Approach and Testing
Authors: García-Gutiérrez Carlos , Martín Miguel Ángel , Pachepsky Yakov
Published: June 2019

The particle size distribution (PSD) of complex granular media is seen as a mathematical measure supported in the interval of grain sizes. A physical property characterizing granular products used in the Andreasen and Andersen model of 1930 is re-interpreted in Information Entropy terms leading to a differential information equation as a conceptual approach for the PSD. Under this approach, measured data which give a coarse description of the distribution may be seen as initial conditions for the proposed equation. A solution of the equation agrees with a selfsimilar measure directly postulated as a PSD model by Martín and Taguas almost 80 years later, thus both models appear to be linked. A variant of this last model, together with detailed soil PSD data of 70 soils are used to study the information content of limited experimental data formed by triplets and its ability in the PSD reconstruction. Results indicate that the information contained in certain soil triplets is sufficient to rebuild the whole PSD: for each soil sample tested there is always at least a triplet that contains enough information to simulate the whole distribution.
A 3D Numerical Study of Supersonic Steam Dumping Process of the Pressurizer Relief Tank
Authors: Wang Yi , Guo Xiao-Wei , Liu Dong , Wu Ge , Li Chao , Chen Lijuan , Zhao Ran , Yang Canqun
Published: June 2019

Simulating the steam dumping process of a pressurized relief tank is a challenging engineering problem, due to the massive computing resource requirements and its complex physical models. This study gave a comprehensive 3D numerical study for the transient dumping process from the PRT (Pressurizer Relief Tank) to the room containing the tank. The physical model, geometry design and meshing strategy, along with the numerical techniques, have been described in detail. Through parallel simulations based on the open source CFD toolbox OpenFOAM, numerical results for the temperature, pressure, and the velocity distribution are presented. The results show that the maximum velocity throughout the whole domain is 967 m/s over Mach 2 and the maximum pressure on the roof of the room is 2.8 atm. It could provide the guidance information for the safety design of the reactor coolant system. Additionally, comparison cases between OpenFOAM and CFX are tested, and it turns out that OpenFOAM could produce comparable accuracy with commercial CFD software and scale to much more computing cores in parallel simulations.
Analysis and Mitigation of Stray Capacitance Effects in Resistive High-Voltage Dividers
Authors: Riba Jordi-Roger , Capelli Francesca , Moreno-Eguilaz Manuel
Published: June 2019

This work analyzes the effects of the parasitic or stray distributed capacitance to ground in high-voltage environments and assesses the effectiveness of different corrective actions to minimize such effects. To this end, the stray capacitance of a 130 kV RMS high-voltage resistive divider is studied because it can severely influence the behavior of such devices when operating under alternating current or transient conditions. The stray capacitance is calculated by means of three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. Different laboratory experiments under direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) supply are conducted to corroborate the theoretical findings, and different possibilities to mitigate stray capacitance effects are analyzed and discussed. The effects of the capacitance are important in applications, such as large electrical machines including transformers, motors, and generators or in high-voltage applications involving voltage dividers, conductors or insulator strings, among others. The paper also proves the usefulness of FEA simulations in predicting the stray capacitance, since they can deal with a wide range of configurations and allow determining the effectiveness of different corrective configurations.
An Investigation of the Effect of Fuel Supply Parameters on Combustion Process of the Heavy-Duty Dual-Fuel Diesel Ignited Gas Engine
Authors: Kozlov Andrey , Grinev Vadim , Terenchenko Alexey , Kornilov Gennady
Published: June 2019

Modern research in the area of internal combustion engines is focused on researching and investigating the technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and decrease emissions. Application of dual-fuel engines is considered as a potential solution to these problems. In the dual-fuel engine, a natural gas-air mixture is ignited by a small amount of the diesel fuel directly injected into a combustion chamber. Pilot fuel injection parameters can strongly effect the combustion process. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of such fuel-supply parameters as pilot fuel mass, pilot fuel injection pressure, pilot fuel injection timing and excess air ratio on the combustion process. Investigation is based on the data obtained during bench tests conducted with the use of measurement equipment. The dependences of engine characteristics from the fuel supply parameters under review were obtained based on the results of the experimental study. Optimal values for every investigated fuel-supply parameter were chosen based on the obtained results. Over the course of the investigation, the coefficient for heat release rate according to the Vibe equation was calculated for each operating point.
Thermal Analysis of Busbars from a High Current Power Supply System
Authors: Plesca Adrian
Published: June 2019

Copper busbar technology is widely used with the aim to achieve electrical connections with power distribution systems because of their flexibility and compactness. The thermal analysis takes into account the heat conduction and convection of a copper busbar system used to supply a test bench with high currents in order to check the electro-thermal behaviour of power circuit breakers during overload and short circuit conditions. This paper proposes a mathematical model for busbars used within a high current power supply. The obtained thermal model can be used to analyse the thermal behaviour of busbars in steady-state conditions at different values of the electric current, cross-section and length of the busbar. Also, the mathematical model allows to calculate the temperature distribution along the busbar at different values of the contact resistances at junction points with other conductors. There is a good correlation between calculated, simulated and experimental results.
Sizing and Siting of Distributed Generators and Energy Storage in a Microgrid Considering Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Mingrui , Gan Ming , Li Luyao
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a sizing and siting model for distributed generators (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESS) towards the design of a cost-efficient and reliable microgrid considering electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed model exploits the coordinated energy dispatching of DGs, ESS, and EVs, aiming at minimizing the overall planning and operating cost as well as meeting power supply reliability requirements. This issue is addressed in a two-stage framework. The upper stage determines the sizes and sites of candidate DGs and ESS, and the lower stage optimizes the microgrid’s economic power dispatch. Since the two-stage model contains both planning and operational variables, a two-stage iterative heuristic algorithm is designed. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated by case studies, and corresponding results demonstrate that the planning approach that considers coordinated management of an EV fleet and economic power dispatch of microgrid achieves better economics. In addition, the suggested approach can also better match distributed generation and power demands as well as securing microgrid power supply.
Nature-Inspired Whale Optimization Algorithm for Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays in Power Systems
Authors: Wadood Abdul , Khurshaid Tahir , Farkoush Saeid Gholami , Yu Jiangtao , Kim Chang-Hwan , Rhee Sang-Bong
Published: June 2019

In power systems protection, the optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) is of paramount importance. The coordination of DOCRs in a multi-loop power system is formulated as an optimization problem. The main objective of this paper is to develop the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for the optimal coordination of DOCRs and minimize the sum of the operating times of all primary relays. The WOA is inspired by the bubble-net hunting strategy of humpback whales which leads toward global minima. The proposed algorithm has been applied to six IEEE test systems including the IEEE three-bus, eight-bus, nine-bus, 14-bus, 15-bus, and 30-bus test systems. Furthermore, the results obtained using the proposed WOA are compared with those obtained by other up-to-date algorithms. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed WOA to minimize the relay operating time for the optimal coordination of DOCRs.
Alkaline Mineral Soil Amendment: A Climate Change ‘Stabilization Wedge’?
Authors: Haque Fatima , Chiang Yi , Santos Rafael
Published: June 2019

Extreme climate change due to heat-trapping gases, especially carbon dioxide, necessitates its mitigation. In this context, the carbon dioxide sequestration technology of enhanced weathering has for years been investigated, with a possible implementation strategy via alkaline mineral soil amendment being more recently proposed. Candidate materials for enhanced weathering include calcium and magnesium silicates, most notably those belonging to the olivine, pyroxene and serpentine groups of minerals, given their reactivity with CO2 and global availability. When these finely crushed silicate rocks are applied to the soil, the alkaline earth metal cations released during mineral weathering gradually react with carbonate anions and results in the formation of pedogenic carbonates, which, over time, and under the right conditions, can accumulate in the soil. This review paper critically reviews the available literature on alkaline mineral soil amendments and its potential to sequester enough CO2 to be considered a climate change ‘stabilization wedge’. Firstly, evidence of how agricultural soil can serve as a carbon sink in discussed, based on the observed accumulation of inorganic carbon in alkaline mineral-amended soils. Secondly, the impact of alkaline minerals on agricultural soil and crops, and the factors determining the rate of the weathering process are assessed. Lastly, the CO2 sequestration potential via alkaline mineral soil amendment is quantified according to an idealized shrinking core model, which shows that it has the potential to serve as a climate change stabilization wedge.
Optimization Methods Applied to Power Systems
Authors: Montoya Francisco G. , Baños Raúl , Alcayde Alfredo , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: June 2019

Continuous advances in computer hardware and software are enabling researchers to address optimization solutions using computational resources, as can be seen in the large number of optimization approaches that have been applied to the energy field [...]
From Carbon Calculators to Energy System Analysis in Cities
Authors: Drysdale David , Vad Mathiesen Brian , Lund Henrik
Published: June 2019

Energy systems in cities need to be decarbonized and are becoming more integrated via energy sector coupling. Today, cities often use simple methods to assess their low carbon targets, e.g., carbon calculators, and these methods use annualized carbon reduction potentials. For example, reductions from heat savings in buildings or fuel demand in transport. This is done because it is simple and fast. This paper describes a methodology that goes beyond carbon calculators and assesses highly renewable energy systems. The methodology is carried out for a case city—Sønderborg, Denmark. Using a national 100% renewable energy study and a suitable energy system analysis tool (EnergyPLAN), the method accounts for inter-sector coupling and energy system dynamics. The energy system is assessed by comparing the results from the analysis tool against numerous key sustainability factors for a Smart Energy System. The paper illustrates how the method delivers a sustainable 100% renewable Smart Energy System for Sønderborg, which can be part of the Danish energy system in 2050 based on local resources. The paper discusses the broader applicability of the method within strategic energy planning.