bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seed Oil evaluation of the Desert Plant Jatropha peiranoi and its Potential as Feedstock for Biofuel
Authors: Fracchia Sebastián , Miranda Victoria , A. Rickert Adriana
Published: January 2018

Jatropha peiranoi is a plant native to the Monte Desert of Northwest Argentina, where harsh arid conditions prevail. In this work we describe for the first time fruit yield and seed oil characteristics of wild plants, in order to evaluate its potential as a biodiesel source. The seeds showed considerable high oil content, averaging 47% of total seed mass, and high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly linoleic and oleic acids (66% and 18%, respectively). Our results show that, though J. peiranoi has potential as an oilseed crop especially suitable for deserts, systematic and selective breeding should be carried out in order to develop higher seed yielding lines with high oil yield.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue with ZnO Nanoparticles; a Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Irani Mehdi , Mohammadi Tahereh , Mohebbi Sajjad
Published: January 2018

The present work focuses on the photocatalytic degradation and adsorption properties of Methylene Blue (MB) on ZnO nanoparticles from experimental and theoretical points of view. The photoreaction is carried out in a Pyrex photoreactor, equipped with a Krypton lamp. The kinetics of the degradation is explained in terms of Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model. The results show that the pseudofirst-order equation is the model that gives the best fit to the experimental data. The value of the adsorption equilibrium constant is calculated as 0.128 L mg-1. The quantum mechanical cluster approach is used to model the adsorption of MB on the ZnO (0001) facet. Geometrical optimizations and vibrational analysis are performed using density functional theory methods. The calculations show a negative charge transfer from the substrate to the photocatalyst. The calculated value of the adsorption energy is in the range of chemical adsorption energies.
DC-EPD of nanoceramic particles accelerated via anodic dissolution in organic media
Authors: Raissi Babak , Riahifar Reza , Yaghmaee Maziar Sahba , Taati-Asil Fatemeh , Aghaei Alireza , Chatrnoor Sara , Taghadossi Amir Hossein , Irankhah Reza , Karimi Mohamad
Published: January 2018

This paper presents the fabrication of nanoceramic layers by electrophoretic deposition. Suspensions containing TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared in different organic solvents, such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, and acetylacetone. During electrophoretic deposition, the color of organic media at around 200 V cm−1 began to change. This phenomenon is related to the anodic dissolution, which may assist deposition processes in some cases. Deviation from Hamaker's equation was observed upon measuring the deposited mass using different anode electrodes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to measure concentrations of chemical elements liberated in the suspension due to the dissolution of anodes. These results show that anodic dissolution directly affects deposition rate. We observed this event even in the absence of powder and additives. Therefore, this is advantageous if anodic contaminants are not effective or influential.
Effects of heat treatment and testing temperature on the tensile properties of Al–Cu and Al–Cu–Si based alloys
Authors: Ibrahim A. I. , Elgallad E. M. , Samuel A. M. , Doty H. W. , Samuel F. H.
Published: January 2018

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of different additives and heat treatments on the mechanical properties of Al-2.4 %Cu-1.2 %Si-0.4 %Mg-0.4 %Fe-0.6 %Mn alloy, a casting alloy intended for automotive applications. The research was accomplished through a study of the tensile properties in both as-cast and heat-treated conditions, where the effects of different heat treatments, i. e., T5, T6, T62 and T7, commonly applied to aluminum casting alloys were evaluated at ambient and at high temperature (250 °C), using different holding (stabilization) times at testing temperature. Six alloys were prepared using 0.15 wt.% Ti grain-refined alloy – considered as the base alloy B0, and alloys B1 and B2, and D0, D1, and D2 containing various amounts of Ni, Cr, V, Zr and La, added individually or in combination. The D-series alloys had a higher Si content of 8 wt.%. The results showed that T6 and T62 treatments provide the best improvements in strength at room temperature. At high temperature, the tensile properties vary depending on the stabilization time and heat treatment. The best alloy quality is provided by B1 and D1 alloys in T62 (444/368 MPa) and T7 (430/360 MPa) conditions, respectively.
Removal of Aluminum(III) from Polluted Water Using Active Carbon Derived from Barks of Ficus Racemosa Plant
Authors: Aruna Kumari Anna , Ravindhranath K.
Published: January 2018

Nitric acid activated carbon is prepared from barks of Ficus Racemosa plant and it is characterized for various parameters to assess its suitability as adsorbent for the removal of Al (III) ions from polluted water. By adopting batch methods, the effect of various major parameters such as pH, contract time, initial Al(III) ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, particle size and temperature, on the affinity of the active carbon towards Al(III), is investigated and optimized for the maximum removal of Al(III) ions. The influence of co-ions on the extraction is investigated. Various adsorption isotherms such as Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich are analyzed and correlation coefficient ( R2 = 0.998) and dimensionless separation factor ( RL = 0.0035174) values, confirm that the sorption process obeys Langmuir adsorption, indicating monolayer formation. Further, the Temkin heat of sorption, B = 2.227 J/mol and the Dubinin-Radushkevich mean free energy, E = 7.071 kJ/mol indicate that the adsorption is ‘physisorption’ in nature. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion, Bangham’s pore diffusion and Elovich equations are applied to identify the rate and kinetics of adsorption process. The adsorption process has good correlation coefficient values with pseudo-second-order model. FTIR studies indicate the involvement of some surface functional groups in Al(III) adsorption. The methodology developed is applied to real Al(III) contaminated water samples and found to be successful.
Comparison of Different Artificial Neural Networks Techniques and Autoregressive Models for Forecasting of PM10
Authors: Yadav Vibha , Nath Satyendra
Published: January 2018

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) is one of the pollutant affecting human health significantly and has become a global issue. Data collected during three years in an urban area of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, are analysed and compared for 1-month ahead forecasting of PM10 using four models: Levenberg algorithm (LM) based artificial neural network (ANN), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and autoregressive (AR) model. Measured PM10 concentration are used as input to forecast the monthly averaged concentration of PM10 for one month ahead. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for AR models varies from 10.20% to 32.78% whereas MAPE for ANN, RBFNN and GRNN are found 4.75%, 13.40% and 11.43% respectively, showing ANN model with LM algorithm forecast PM10 at one month ahead better than RBFNN, GRNN and AR models. In addition GRNN forecast is better than RBFNN with good accuracy. The average values of PM10 for Bharat Yantra Nigam Allahabad and Ardali Bazar Varanasi are found to be 182.16 and 262 respectively, showing Varanasi has high value of PM10. This study is useful for researcher working in forecasting of PM10.
A Hydrological Tank Model Assessing Historical Runoff Variation in the Hieu River Basin
Authors: Phuong Ho Thi , Tien Nguyen Xuan , Chikamori Hidetaka , Okubo Kenji
Published: January 2018

The Hieu River is the largest tributary on the left bank of the Ca River, which is one of the large basins in north-central Vietnam. Here, we use cumulative anomaly tests and Pettitt tests to ascertain the turning points in annual rainfall and discharge during the time period 1962–2014. The results of our statistical analysis reveal a breaking point in 1982 for the rainfall time series and in the late 1970s and late 1990s for the discharge time series. A storage-type hydrological model is used to determine runoff processes for different periods corresponding to detecting points of rainfall and discharge. The results of our model simulation confirm that a two-tank model with monthly input data is the most appropriate tank model for the Hieu River. The difference between the hydrographs improved when we used a rain factor function. A comparison between the observed and calculated runoff revealed a drastic decrease between 1999 and 2014. The rate of discharge loss in the Lower Basin was approximately six times higher than that in the Upper Basin, a finding potentially due to reservoir construction and intensive water use for agricultural and residential purposes.
Deep Brain Stimulation of Frontal Lobe Networks to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Scharre Douglas W. , Weichart Emily , Nielson Dylan , Zhang Jun , Agrawal Punit , Sederberg Per B. , Knopp Michael V. , Rezai Ali R. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: January 2018

The study objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the ventral capsule/ventral striatum (VC/VS) region to specifically modulate frontal lobe behavioral and cognitive networks as a novel treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. This is a non-randomized phase I prospective open label interventional trial of three subjects with matched comparison groups. AD participants given DBS for at least 18 months at the VC/VS target were compared on the Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), our primary outcome clinical measure, to matched groups without DBS from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort. Serial 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) images of AD participants were also compared longitudinally over time. Three AD DBS participants were matched to subjects from the ADNI cohort. All participants tolerated DBS well without significant adverse events. All three AD DBS participants had less performance decline and two of them meaningfully less decline over time on our primary outcome measure, CDR-SB, relative to matched comparison groups from the ADNI using score trajectory slopes. Minimal changes or increased metabolism on FDG-PET were seen in frontal cortical regions after chronic DBS at the VC/VS target. The first use of DBS in AD at a frontal lobe behavior regulation target (VC/VS) was well-tolerated and revealed less performance decline in CDR-SB. Frontal network modulation to improve executive and behavioral deficits should be furthered studied in AD.
A novel method for the core loss calculation in the surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine
Authors: Feng Yanli , Zhang Chengning
Published: January 2018

The core loss is of great significance in the machine designing and optimization. In the paper, an analytical method for calculating the flux density of surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous machine is first presented based on the equivalent magnetic circuit and conformal mapping method. The model takes into account the slotting effect and stator saturation. Subsequently, the core loss was calculated by improved Bertotti’s formula in terms of the analytical model of flux density. Finally, experiment and finite element analysis (FEA) are used to validate the accuracy of the proposed analytical method for core loss. It shows that the analytical results for core loss can keep excellent agreement with the experimental results and FEA results. Therefore, the analytical model provides a great potential to the machine designing and optimization.
Fourth-Line Therapy in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC): Results from the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC)
Authors: Stukalin Igor , Wells J. Connor , Fraccon Anna , Pasini Felice , Porta Camillo , Lalani Aly-Khan A. , Srinivas Sandy , Bowman I. Alex , Brugarolas James , Lee Jae-Lyun , Donskov Frede , Beuselinck Benoit , Bamias Aristotelis , Rini Brian I. , Sim Hao-Wen , Agarwal Neeraj , Rha Sun-Young , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Choueiri Toni K. , Heng Daniel Y.C.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Fourth-line therapy (4LT) in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) varies significantly due to the lack of data and recommendations to guide treatment decisions.

Objective:

To evaluate the use and efficacy of 4LT in mRCC patients.

Methods:

The International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) dataset was used to identify patients with mRCC treated with 4LT. This is a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Patients were evaluated for overall response. The six prognostic variables included in the IMDC prognostic model were used to stratify patients into favorable-, intermediate- and poor-risk groups. Exploratory analyses were performed examining the elderly (>70 years old) and non-clear cell RCC subgroups. Proportional hazards regression modelling was performed adjusting these covariates by IMDC criteria measured at initiation of 4th line therapy.

Results:

7498 patients were treated with first line targeted therapy and out of these 594 (7.9%) received 4LT. Everolimus was the most frequently used 4LT (16.8%). Sorafenib, axitinib, pazopanib, sunitinib and clinical trial drugs were also used in >10% of patients. The OS of patients on any 4LT was 12.8 months, with a PFS of 4.4 months. The overall response rate (ORR) was 13.7%. Favorable-risk patients using IMDC criteria (5%) displayed an OS of 23.1 months, intermediate-risk patients (66%) had an OS of 13.8 months and poor-risk patients (29%) had an OS of 7.8 ( p < 0.0001) months. Age >70 years and non-clear cell histology did not impact OS. Our study is limited by its retrospective design.

Conclusions:

4LT use appears to have activity in mRCC patients. The IMDC continues to be of prognostic value in the fourth-line setting for OS. This study helps to set a benchmark for response rate and survival for which clinical trials can plan sample size calculations and aim to improve upon.
Isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens from cloacal swabs of turkeys and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns
Authors: Roy Polash Chandra , Hossain Md Khaled , Rumi Nazmi Ara , Rahman Md Shajedur , Mahmud Md Shahin , Hossion Ishaq
Published: January 2018

The present study was carried for the isolation, identification of bacterial pathogens from cloacal swabs of turkeys during the period from January-June, 2016. The entire research work was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur. The study was performed with 48 cloacal swab samples. The cloacal swab samples were collected carefully from three different Turkey Farms randomly and transferred aseptically to the laboratory. On the basis of morphology, staining, cultural and biochemical characteristics it was found that among the isolates 25(52.08%) samples were positive E. coli, 10(20.83%) samples were positive for Salmonella spp., 9(18.76%) samples were positive for both E. coli and Salmonella spp. and 4(8.33%) samples shown no growth in subculture media. Antibiogram profiles indicate that E. coli isolated were 100% sensitive to Azithromycin, Kanamycin and Ciprofloxacin, 80% sensitive to Cefradine, Vancomycin and Levofloxacin, 60% sensitive to Cefotetan and Nitrofurantoin and 40% sensitive to Erythromycin. The isolates were 100% resistant to Cloxacillin and Cefixime. On the other hand, Salmonella spp. were 100% sensitive to Azithromycin, Kanamycin, Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin, 80% sensitive to Nitrofurantoin and Teicoplanin, 60% sensitive to Vancomycin, Erythromycin and Cefixime and 20% sensitive to Cefotetan. The isolates were 100% resistant to cefradine and cloxacillin. So, for E. coli Azithromycin, Kanamycin and Ciprofloxacin were more sensitive and for Salmonella spp. Azithromycin, Kanamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin were highly sensitive. Diversified bacterial species were present in cloacal swabs of Turkeys. However, E. coli, Salmonella spp. infection might make the birds vulnerable for easy access of infection. It could be concluded that E. coli and Salmonella spp. may pass through the feces to the environment. It causes a potential human health hazards and can cause illness.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 419-425
Microbial assessment of different samples of ostrich (Struthio camelus) and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolated bacteria
Authors: Jahan Israt , Rumi Nazmi Ara , Hossain Md Khaled , Rahman Md Shajedur , Fakhruzzaman Md , Akter Samina , Miah Abdul Gaffar
Published: January 2018

The study was conducted to monitor the microbial assessment in oropharyngeal swab, cloacal swab and faecal samples of ostrich and also update knowledge on antimicrobial sensitivity of isolated organisms. The study was performed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University (HSTU) ostrich farm from January to June, 2016. A total 75 samples were randomly collected from 8 ostriches at different age of which 25 oropharyngeal, 25 cloacal swabs sample and 25 were faeces samples. The organisms were isolated by using standard microbiological method. The result revealed that the average microbial load in plate count agar was highest in faeces (1.48×109±0.27 CFU) than oropharyngeal swab (1.36×109±0.38 CFU) and cloacal swab (1.28×109±0.34 CFU). Among 75 samples, 29 (38.66%) Escherichia coli, 21 (28%) Salmonella spp., 20 (26.67%) Staphylococcus spp. and 5(6.6%) Bacillus spp. were identified. In 25 oropharyngeal swab samples, Staphylococcus spp. was found highest 15 (60%) than other organisms but Escherichia coli were found highest both in cloacal 11(44%) and faecal 12(48%) samples. On antibiogram study Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were more sensitive to Levofloxacin, Azithromycin, Nalidixic Acid and Amoxicillin respectively. While more resistant to Azithromycin, Penicillin, Chloramphenicol and Erythromycin respectively. The obtained results indicated that ostrich excreta are one of the most important sources of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp. in ostrich farms. Finally, it may be concluding that the logical use of antibiotics must be adopted in ostrich farms reared in Bangladesh for prevention of the appearance of multidrug resistance bacteria. Moreover, proper measures should be taken to aware off zoonotic diseases in peoples who are involved in ostrich farming.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 437-445
Gandhi and His ‘Scientific’ Experiments in ‘Becoming-Woman’
Authors: Rajeevan B.
Published: January 2018

Gandhi's politics is thoroughly biopolitical and ‘minoritarian’ in all its aspects. His political practice and concepts could be redefined as micro-political experiments in the Deleuzian sense. Gandhi himself viewed his life and practices as ‘experiments’. Like Gilles Deleuze, who grants the concept of becoming-woman a privileged position in his philosophical idea of becoming, Gandhi gives becoming-woman a decisive role in his experiments of ‘self-rule’ in both its personal and collective sense. He sees woman as the emblem of ahimsa (nonviolence), which according to him is the only principle and means to attain ‘self-rule’. Gandhi identifies the minoritarian political potential of woman as against Man, who resists becomings by being himself destined to be static and standardised, that is, ‘Majoritarian’. From this perspective, Gandhi's concept of the practice of Brahmacharya is an experiment in becoming-woman by creating a new line of relation between man and woman that goes beyond the confinement of conjugal sexuality and familial desire. Building upon the complementary relation between the philosophical concepts of Deleuze and the political practice of Gandhi, this paper attempts a detailed re-evaluation of Gandhi's practice of Brahmacharya as a political experiment in liberating man, who otherwise acts as a subject of the colonial, national, patriarchal and biopolitical powers.
Resonance in Dhvani Aesthetics and the Deleuzian Logic of Sensation
Authors: Kaikini Srajana
Published: January 2018

This paper undertakes an intersectional reading of visual art through theories of literary interpretation in Sanskrit poetics in close reading with Deleuze's notions of sensation. The concept of Dhvani – the Indian theory of suggestion which can be translated as resonance, as explored in the Rasa – Dhvani aesthetics offers key insights into understanding the mode in which sensation as discussed by Deleuze operates throughout his reflections on Francis Bacon's and Cézanne's works. The paper constructs a comparative framework to review modern and classical art history, mainly in the medium of painting, through an understanding of the concept of Dhvani, and charts a course of reinterpreting and examining possible points of concurrence and departure with respect to the Deleuzian logic of sensation and his notions of time-image and perception. The author thereby aims to move art interpretation's paradigm towards a non-linguistic sensory paradigm of experience. The focus of the paper is to break the moulds of normative theory-making which guide ideal conditions of ‘understanding art’ and look into alternative modes of experiencing the ‘vocabulary’ of art through trans-disciplinary intersections, in this case the disciplines being those of visual art, literature and phenomenology.
Excavating the Relation Between Non-Being and Permanence in the Vedas, Upanishads, Bergson, Deleuze and Vaddera Chandidas
Authors: Raghuramaraju A.
Published: January 2018

In the context of discussing Deleuze's account of Bergson's idea of non-being, this paper brings into discussion different versions of non-being as available in Indian philosophy. These versions are drawn both from classical Indian philosophy including Vedas and Upanishads and modern Indian philosophy such as Vaddera Chandidas. The paper discusses Deleuze's analysis of Bergson on the relation between non-being and negation. While Bergson rightly traces the roots of non-being to negation, he, however, rendered it to intuition. Extending Bergson's diagnosis of negation as the basis of non-being, the paper goes on to show, using Chandidas's work Desire and Liberation: The Fundamentals of Cosmicontology, how negation in the form of pre-existence and post-existence that negate existence is made possible by permanence. Pre- and post-existence are permanent; in contrast, existence is rendered impermanent and changing. The paper concludes, using the insights from Chandidas, by exposing this conspiracy of metaphysics that renders the real existence as fleeing and impermanent in contrast to the non-being that is projected by the intellect as real.
‘This Intimate Object’: Imagining the World in John Lehmann's New Writing
Authors: Battershill Claire
Published: January 2018

This article explores ideas of globalism presented in John Lehmann's ‘periodical in book form’, New Writing. Running between 1936 and 1950 and published by five different publishers, New Writing aimed to provide reading material that documented the immediate threat of war and brought anti-Fascist activists from many countries together to combat it. The internationalist project of New Writing through the interwar period was problematically idealistic given that it maintains a colonial view with Europe (and specifically Britain) as the centre, and reinforces a language of colonialism. Its attempt to imagine the globe as at once poetic and political was nevertheless a vital force in British literary culture of the 1930s. By examining the publishing practices around New Writing alongside its contents, I uncover the ways in which its editorial selections and its circulation and distribution in the book world related to its ideals of a global left-leaning literary culture as expressed in John Lehmann's editorial statements and prefaces. The range of distribution methods and practices employed by New Writing's publishers illustrates the way in which large-scale mass production could co-exist with conventional hardback publication in order to reach a diverse and very large audience in the early part of the twentieth century.
From New York to Shanghai: Global Modernism, Cheap Reprint Series and Copyright
Authors: Jaillant Lise
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on the international expansion of modern literature in the early twentieth century through the examples of cheap reprint series published in the United States (the Modern Library), Britain (the Phoenix Library), and Continental Europe (Albatross). Since these series published all kinds of texts (‘high’, ‘low’, and ‘middlebrow’), ‘modern literature’ is defined broadly, to include difficult modernist texts and popular literature. Cheap reprint series created in the fifteen years from 1917 to 1932 opened up new markets for texts by James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and other writers previously associated with little magazines and small presses. Books have no borders, copyright issues aside. And copyright proved a big headache for the owners of these series, leading to honest mistakes and serious disagreements. The story of modernism as an international product sold to the world is not complete without an overview of copyright issues. The central argument is that copyright problems limited the reach of cheap reprint series and slowed down the international expansion of the new literature. It is not a coincidence that one of the most dynamic markets for modern literature was the Far East, where Anglophone publishers could trade books without restrictions. Continental Europe is another example of a market where the low barriers to access stimulated intense competition and the launch of innovative series such as Albatross Modern Continental Library.
Cultivar Variety and Added Potassium Influence the Nutraceutical and Antioxidant Content in Hydroponically Grown Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)
Authors: Salas-Pérez Lilia , Fornari-Reale Tiziana , Preciado-Rangel Pablo , García-Hernández José , Sánchez-Chávez Esteban , Troyo-Diéguez Enrique
Published: January 2018

The potential impact of increased levels of potassium (K+) in hydroponic solution on the production of bioactive compounds, which provide added value to products, is relevant for local economy and human health. This research pursues assessing different levels of K+ on the nutrition of basil, an important aromatic crop in the arid region of La Laguna, northern México, where water scarcity demands the conversion from open-field agriculture to hydroponics. A randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement (3 × 4) was used to determine the content of nutraceutical components, including polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, chlorophylls, and the antioxidant capacity of three varieties of hydroponic basil, with four doses of K+ in the nutrient solution, 7, 9, 11 and 13 mmol L−1. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) in most of the response variables, caused by the genotype and doses of K+. The antioxidant capacity of assessed cultivars was improved when doses of K+ were increased in the nutrient solution. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was positively correlated to the content of flavonoids (r = 0.621), anthocyanins (r = 0.655) and total phenolic compounds (r = 0.549). In conclusion, the nutraceutical content was increased in basil when controlling K+ in the nutrient solution.
Special Issue on Modeling, Simulation, Operation and Control of Discrete Event Systems
Authors: Li Zhiwu , Zhou Mengchu , Wu Naiqi , Huang Yi-sheng
Published: January 2018

Information and computer technologies provide the spur to burgeoning man-made, highly automated systems.[...]
Intrinsic Magnetic Properties of Ce2Fe14B Modified by Al, Ni, or Si
Authors: Orimoloye Kayode , Ryan Dominic , Pinkerton Frederick , Medraj Mamoun
Published: January 2018

Intrinsic magnetic properties (saturation magnetization, anisotropy fields, and Curie temperatures) of Ce2Fe14B doped with Al, Ni, and Si are presented. Substitution for Fe by these elements leads to the formation of solid solutions that crystallize in the tetragonal Nd2Fe14B structure. Substituting Al, Ni, or Si for Fe leads to a decrease in both the saturation magnetization and the anisotropy field of Ce2Fe14B. Ni and Si increase the Curie temperature of Ce2Fe14B while Al reduces it. While, for the Ce2(Fe14−xTx)B containing Ni, a maximum Curie temperature of 210 °C was observed at 9 atom % Ni (x = 1.45), the highest value of 252 °C was found for the Ce2Fe14B containing 14 atom % Si (x = 2.26).
Glucose Sensing Using Capacitive Biosensor Based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride Thin Film
Authors: Hartono Ambran , Sanjaya Edi , Ramli Ramli
Published: January 2018

A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film-based capacitive biosensor was developed for glucose sensing. This device consists of a PVDF film sandwiched between two electrodes. A capacitive biosensor measures the dielectric properties of the dielectric layers at the interface between the electrolyte and the electrode. A glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme was immobilized onto the electrode to oxidize glucose. In practice, the biochemical reaction of glucose with the GOx enzyme generates free electron carriers. Consequently, the potential difference between the electrodes is increased, resulting in a measurable voltage output of the biosensor. The device was tested for various glucose concentrations in the range of 0.013 to 5.85 M, and various GOx enzyme concentrations between 4882.8 and 2.5 million units/L. We found that the sensor output increased with increasing glucose concentration up to 5.85 M. These results indicate that the PVDF film-based capacitive biosensors can be properly applied to glucose sensing and provide opportunities for the low-cost fabrication of glucose-based biosensors based on PVDF materials.
Are Mental Biases Responsible for the Perceived Comfort Advantage in “Green” Buildings?
Authors: Holmgren Mattias , Sörqvist Patrik
Published: January 2018

Previous research has shown that merely calling an indoor environment environmentally certified will make people favor that environment over a conventional alternative. In this paper we explore whether this effect depends on participants deliberately comparing the two environments, and whether different reasons behind the certification influence the magnitude of the effect. In Experiment 1, participants in a between-subjects design assigned higher comfort ratings to an indoor environment that had been labeled “environmentally certified” in comparison with the exact same indoor environment that was unlabeled, suggesting that the effect arises even when participants do not compare the two environments when making their estimates. The results from Experiment 2 indicate that climate change mitigation (as the reason for the certification) is a slightly better trigger of the effect compared to climate change adaptation. The results suggest that studies on psychological effects of “green” buildings should experimentally control for the influence from participants’ judgmental biases.
Targeted Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Amanam Idoroenyi , Chung Vincent
Published: January 2018

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related death and by 2030, it will be second only to lung cancer. We have seen tremendous advances in therapies for lung cancer as well as other solid tumors using a molecular targeted approach but our progress in treating pancreatic cancer has been incremental with median overall survival remaining less than one year. There is an urgent need for improved therapies with better efficacy and less toxicity. Small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and immune modulatory therapies have been used. Here we review the progress that we have made with these targeted therapies.
A Bibliometric Study of Scientific Publications regarding Hemicellulose Valorization during the 2000–2016 Period: Identification of Alternatives and Hot Topics
Authors: Abejón Ricardo
Published: January 2018

A bibliometric analysis of the Scopus database was carried out to identify the research trends related to hemicellulose valorization from 2000 to 2016. The results from the analysis revealed an increasing number of annual publications, a high degree of transdisciplinary collaboration and prolific contributions by European researchers on this topic. The importance of a holistic approach to consider the simultaneous valorization of the three main components of lignocellulosic biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) must be highlighted. Optimal pretreatment processes are critical for the correct fractionation of the biomass and the subsequent valorization. On the one hand, biological conversion of sugars derived from hemicellulose can be employed for the production of biofuel (ethanol) or chemicals such as 2,3-butadiene, xylitol and lactic acid. On the other hand, the chemical transformation of these sugars produces furfural, 5-hydroxyfurfural and levulinic acid, which must be considered very important starting blocks for the synthesis of organic derivatives.
Effects of Combining Medication and Pivotal Response Treatment on Aberrant Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Rezaei Mohammad , Moradi AliReza , Tehrani-Doost Mehdi , Hassanabadi HamidReza , Khosroabadi Reza
Published: January 2018

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined risperidone (RIS) and pivotal response treatment (PRT) on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 34 children diagnosed with ASD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-V) (mean age of 12.36 years) were randomly assigned to either of two groups; the first group (n = 17) received combined PRT–RIS while the second group (n = 17) received RIS only. Behavioral problems were evaluated with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), whereas global improvement (GI) was measured with the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). Assessment of ABC was performed before intervention, after intervention (12 weeks), and following 3 months of the intervention (follow-up). Total ABC scores were seen to decrease in both groups after 3 months, as compared with the scores prior to the interventions. Also, in both groups, mean scores of behavioral problems after the intervention were not significantly different from those prior to the intervention, in all subscales but the inappropriate speech (p < 0.001). However, both groups showed significant differences in mean scores of ABC subscales in both of the post-intervention evaluation stages. It was concluded that the combination of behavioral and drug interventions can further improve behavioral problems, ultimately improving patient’s communication and social skills.
A DFT-Based Model on the Adsorption Behavior of H2O, H+, Cl−, and OH− on Clean and Cr-Doped Fe(110) Planes
Authors: Hu Jun , Wang Chaoming , He Shijun , Zhu Jianbo , Wei Liping , Zheng Shunli
Published: January 2018

The impact of four typical adsorbates, namely H2O, H+, Cl−, and OH−, on three different planes, namely, Fe(110), Cr(110) and Cr-doped Fe(110), was investigated by using a density functional theory (DFT)-based model. It is verified by the adsorption mechanism of the abovementioned four adsorbates that the Cr-doped Fe(110) plane is the most stable facet out of the three. As confirmed by the adsorption energy and electronic structure, Cr doping will greatly enhance the electron donor ability of neighboring Fe atoms, which in turn prompts the adsorption of the positively charged H+. Meanwhile, the affinity of Cr to negatively charged adsorbates (e.g., Cl− and O of H2O, OH−) is improved due to the weakening of its electron donor ability. On the other hand, the strong bond between surface atoms and the adsorbates can also weaken the bond between metal atoms, which results in a structure deformation and charge redistribution among the native crystal structure. In this way, the crystal becomes more vulnerable to corrosion.
Synthesis and Characterization of Perovskite-Type [K1−xNax]MgF3 Mixed Phases via the Fluorolytic Sol-Gel Synthesis
Authors: Schütz Florian , Lange Linda , Scheurell Kerstin , Scholz Gudrun , Kemnitz Erhard
Published: January 2018

The focus of this article is the synthesis of perovskite-type [K1−xNax]MgF3 mixed phases via the room-temperature fluorolytic sol-gel approach. Different molar ratios of K/Na were examined and analyzed by 19F MAS NMR and X-ray powder diffraction. Starting from pure KMgF3, a systematic substitution of potassium by sodium was evidenced when replacing K by Na. As long as the amount of sodium is less than 80% as compared to potassium, spectra just show [K4−xNaxF] environments in a [K1−xNax]MgF3 mixed phase but separate structures appear when the amount of sodium is further increased. Moreover, colloidal dispersions of nanoscaled KMgF3 particles were obtained, which were used to fabricate coatings on glass slides. Thin films showed antireflective behavior and high transmittance.
Evaluation of Alternatives for the Passenger Road Transport Sector in Europe: A Life-Cycle Assessment Approach
Authors: Paulino Filipe , Pina André , Baptista Patrícia
Published: January 2018

The road passenger transport is responsible for a large share of energy consumption and pollutants emission in Europe. Efforts have been made in the definition of new policies to reduce the environmental impacts of this sector. However, an integrated and consistent assessment of the most promising policies is required, using specific European indicators. For that matter, a life-cycle analysis was applied to the road passenger transport, for the European Union with 27 countries (EU27) in 2010, following a basket-of-products methodology and considering three main stages: production, use, and end-of-life of vehicles. Simapro 8 software was used, along with Ecoinvent 3 database and the impact assessment method International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) 2011 Midpoint+. Changes in vehicle production processes, vehicle constitution, and energy sources for vehicle propulsion were analyzed. The policies resulting in a decrease in all impact categories are the use of smaller or lightweight vehicles by positively influencing use, production, and end-of-life of vehicles. The use of more recent vehicles technology or diesel vehicles show substantial reductions in, respectively, five and eight impact categories (out of 15), justifying their adoption in the European fleet. Generally, the most notorious policies compared to the actual transport paradigm, like compressed natural gas (CNG), biofuels, or electric vehicles use, show the greatest reduction in climate change (up to 46%) but also a very significant rise of impacts in the categories that in the conventional basket-of-products already resulted in the worst indicators after normalization.
Effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention on Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Physical Activity among Older Adults: Evaluation of Texercise Select
Authors: Ory Marcia , Lee Shinduk , Han Gang , Towne Samuel , Quinn Cindy , Neher Taylor , Stevens Alan , Smith Matthew
Published: January 2018

Despite the well-recognized benefits of physical activity across the life course, older adults are more inactive than other age groups. The current study examines the effects of Texercise Select participation on self-reported sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. Secondarily, this study examined intervention effects on two potential facilitators of physical activity: (1) self-efficacy for being more physically active and (2) social support received for physical activity. This study used a non-equivalent group design with self-reported surveys administered at baseline, three-month (immediate post for cases) and six-month follow-ups for the intervention (n = 163) and a comparison group (n = 267). Multivariable mixed model analyses were conducted controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, comorbid conditions, and site. Among the intervention group, the program had significant immediate effects on most primary outcomes (p < 0.05) at three months. Furthermore, significant improvements were observed for all physical activity intensity levels at six months (p < 0.05). The reduction in sedentary behavior and increases in all physical activity intensity levels were significantly greater from baseline to three-month and baseline to six-month follow-ups among intervention group participants relative to those in the comparison group. This study confirms the effectiveness of Texercise Select to reduce sedentary behavior and improve physicality, supporting the intervention’s robustness as a scalable and sustainable evidence-based program. It also counters negative stereotypes that older adults are not interested in attending multi-modal lifestyle intervention programs nor able to make health behavior changes that can improve health and overall functioning.
Patterns of Signs That Telephone Crisis Support Workers Associate with Suicide Risk in Telephone Crisis Line Callers
Authors: Hunt Tara , Wilson Coralie , Caputi Peter , Wilson Ian , Woodward Alan
Published: January 2018

Signs of suicide are commonly used in suicide intervention training to assist the identification of those at imminent risk for suicide. Signs of suicide may be particularly important to telephone crisis-line workers (TCWs), who have little background information to identify the presence of suicidality if the caller is unable or unwilling to express suicidal intent. Although signs of suicide are argued to be only meaningful as a pattern, there is a paucity of research that has examined whether TCWs use patterns of signs to decide whether a caller might be suicidal, and whether these are influenced by caller characteristics such as gender. The current study explored both possibilities. Data were collected using an online self-report survey in a Australian sample of 137 TCWs. Exploratory factor analysis uncovered three patterns of suicide signs that TCWs may use to identify if a caller might be at risk for suicide (mood, hopelessness, and anger), which were qualitatively different for male and female callers. These findings suggest that TCWs may recognise specific patterns of signs to identify suicide risk, which appear to be influenced to some extent by the callers’ inferred gender. Implications for the training of telephone crisis workers and others including mental-health and medical professionals, as well as and future research in suicide prevention are discussed.
A New Approach to Line Simplification Based on Image Processing: A Case Study of Water Area Boundaries
Authors: Shen Yilang , Ai Tinghua , He Yakun
Published: January 2018

Line simplification is an important component of map generalization. In recent years, algorithms for line simplification have been widely researched, and most of them are based on vector data. However, with the increasing development of computer vision, analysing and processing information from unstructured image data is both meaningful and challenging. Therefore, in this paper, we present a new line simplification approach based on image processing (BIP), which is specifically designed for raster data. First, the key corner points on a multi-scale image feature are detected and treated as candidate points. Then, to capture the essence of the shape within a given boundary using the fewest possible segments, the minimum-perimeter polygon (MPP) is calculated and the points of the MPP are defined as the approximate feature points. Finally, the points after simplification are selected from the candidate points by comparing the distances between the candidate points and the approximate feature points. An empirical example was used to test the applicability of the proposed method. The results showed that (1) when the key corner points are detected based on a multi-scale image feature, the local features of the line can be extracted and retained and the positional accuracy of the proposed method can be maintained well; and (2) by defining the visibility constraint of geographical features, this method is especially suitable for simplifying water areas as it is aligned with people’s visual habits.
Incrementally Detecting Change Types of Spatial Area Object: A Hierarchical Matching Method Considering Change Process
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Zhang Qisheng , Guan Hongliang
Published: January 2018

Detecting and extracting the change types of spatial area objects can track area objects’ spatiotemporal change pattern and provide the change backtracking mechanism for incrementally updating spatial datasets. To respond to the problems of high complexity of detection methods, high redundancy rate of detection factors, and the low automation degree during incrementally update process, we take into account the change process of area objects in an integrated way and propose a hierarchical matching method to detect the nine types of changes of area objects, while minimizing the complexity of the algorithm and the redundancy rate of detection factors. We illustrate in details the identification, extraction, and database entry of change types, and how we achieve a close connection and organic coupling of incremental information extraction and object type-of-change detection so as to characterize the whole change process. The experimental results show that this method can successfully detect incremental information about area objects in practical applications, with the overall accuracy reaching above 90%, which is much higher than the existing weighted matching method, making it quite feasible and applicable. It helps establish the corresponding relation between new-version and old-version objects, and facilitate the linked update processing and quality control of spatial data.
Dissecting the Structure–Activity Relationship of Galectin–Ligand Interactions
Authors: Chan Yi-Chen , Lin Hsien-Ya , Tu Zhijay , Kuo Yen-Hsi , Hsu Shang-Te , Lin Chun-Hung
Published: January 2018

Galectins are β-galactoside-binding proteins. As carbohydrate-binding proteins, they participate in intracellular trafficking, cell adhesion, and cell–cell signaling. Accumulating evidence indicates that they play a pivotal role in numerous physiological and pathological activities, such as the regulation on cancer progression, inflammation, immune response, and bacterial and viral infections. Galectins have drawn much attention as targets for therapeutic interventions. Several molecules have been developed as galectin inhibitors. In particular, TD139, a thiodigalactoside derivative, is currently examined in clinical trials for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Herein, we provide an in-depth review on the development of galectin inhibitors, aiming at the dissection of the structure–activity relationship to demonstrate how inhibitors interact with galectin(s). We especially integrate the structural information established by X-ray crystallography with several biophysical methods to offer, not only in-depth understanding at the molecular level, but also insights to tackle the existing challenges.