bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Spectrum Management: Approaches for India
Authors: Basaure Arturo , Kokkinen Heikki , Hämmäinen Heikki , Sridhar V.
Published: September 2016

Radio spectrum for commercial mobile services continues to be scarce. Countries around the world have recognized the importance of efficient utilization of this scarce resource and have initiated regulatory and policy steps towards flexible approaches to spectrum management, including sharing of licensed spectrum, and releasing unlicensed spectrum for mobile services. Technologies for shared access and the associated standardization activities have also progressed towards possible large scale deployments. In this paper, we analyze the evolution of spectrum management policies using a causal model and indicate how the markets can lock in to either centralized or flexible approach. We also cite a use case of a flexible spectrum management approach using spectrum band fill option and indicate its suitability to the Indian context.
Troska Boga o słabych i uciśnionych w świetle Ez 34, 16
Authors: Majewski Marcin
Published: September 2016

In all polish translations of Ez 34, 16 there appears a statement about God’s „watching over” (šmr) of fat and strong sheep. This rendering derives not from masoretic text but from tradition (LXX, Vulgate, Jakub Wujek Bible). But is this rendering justified? This article attempts to convince that we should stay with hebrew šmd (“to destroy”).
Teologia kapłaństwa i urzędu kapłańskiego w I wieku chrześcijaństwa
Authors: Kasprzak Dariusz
Published: September 2016

Neither the Apostles nor any Christian minister is admitted to use the priest’s title in the text of the New Testament. Nevertheless, in the New Testament we can perceive the development of the doctrine of the priest ministry in the early Church. Albert Vanhoye maintains that the lack of the term “priest” in the New Testament suggests the way of understanding of the Christian ministry, different from this in the Old Testament. It can’t be considered as a continuation of Jewish priesthood, which was concentrated mainly on ritual action and ceremonies. In the first century the Church developed the Christology of priesthood (Hbr) and ecclesiology of priesthood (1 P). Early Christians focused first on the redemptive event of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and Jesus as the mediator of a new covenant. Only then the religious communities adopted the priest’s title for their ministry.In the early years of the Church, all the ministries were regarded as a charismatic service among the Christian communities. In their services the early Christians followed Jesus Christ sent by God to serve. The Holy Spirit sent by God in the name of Jesus bestowed the spiritual gifts upon the Church (1 Kor 12–13). Consequently the disciples of Jesus and their successors could continue his mission. The Twelve Apostles’ ministry was the very first and most important Christian ministry. It was closely connected to the service of Jesus Christ himself. The Apostles were sent by the authority of Jesus Christ to continue his mission upon earth and they preached the Good News of the risen Christ. The Apostolicity was the fundamental base for every Church ministry established in different Christian communities. Successive ministries were established in order to transmit the teaching of Jesus Christ and to lead the community. For the early Christians the priesthood was not an individual privilege. It had rather the community character.
Modlitwa święceń biskupa (studium liturgiczno-teologiczne)
Authors: Szczych Jan
Published: September 2016

The bishop’s ordination prayer derives from Traditio Apostolica (3th century). This prayer had been re-instated to the latin liturgy of the Church after the Second Vatican Council. Its structure contains the anamnesis, the call, the part of the intercede and the enlogize. Detailed content’s analysis of the prex ordinationis episcopi allows deeply substantiate of the purpose and sense of the bishop’s mission in the Church. Only God calls up the chosen one to attend the bishop’s service. When the elect receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, the ordained bishop will comes about superior of the God’s people who are entrusting him and will actualize the topflight priesthood. The mainspring of the bishop’s ordination prayer had been inscribed to the trend of the Church’s Instruction, particularly expressed by the Vaticanum II. Contemporary successor of the Apostles guides the God’s sheep-fold and as the minister of the Christ’s mysteries fulfils the Christ’s work of redemption.
Kapłan i kapłaństwo w kręgu tematów literackich
Authors: Borowski Andrzej
Published: September 2016

Priests were present in world literature from its beginning as a closely linked literary and religious culture. Priests were the first writers. Sacred and secular texts show priests as an intermediary between god and man, especially in the act of sacrifice. Sometimes he is a personification of certain religious, moral and political issues. Catholic priests are sometimes depicted as followers of Christ and servants of the servants of God. They may be heroic figures, reflecting life for God and people, or practical, close to people in their daily lives with a sense of humor. A priest serves as a moral authority, although he is not devoid of human weaknesses and shortcomings, with tolerance condemned in the satirical songs.
The effect of concussion history on cognitive-motor integration in elite hockey players
Authors: Hurtubise Johanna , Gorbet Diana , Hamandi Yehyah , Macpherson Alison , Sergio Lauren
Published: September 2016

Aim: To observe the effects of concussion history on cognitive-motor integration in elite-level athletes. Methods: The study included 102 National Hockey League draft prospects (n = 51 concussion history [CH]; n = 51 no history [NC]). Participants completed two computer-based visuomotor tasks, one involved ‘standard’ visuomotor mapping and one involved ‘nonstandard’ mapping in which vision and action were decoupled. Results: We observed a significant effect of group on reaction time (CH slower) and accuracy (CH worse), but a group by condition interaction only for reaction time (p < 0.05). There were no other deficits found. We discussed these findings in comparison to our previous work with non-elite athletes. Conclusion: Previously concussed elite-level athletes may have lingering neurological deficits that are not detected using standard clinical assessments.
Cracking caused by cutting of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings and its relation to the structural features of coatings deposited at different initial substrate temperatures
Authors: Gligorijevic Bojan , Vilotijevic Miroljub , Scepanovic Maja , Radovanovic Radovan , Radovic Nenad
Published: September 2016

The present study estimated the cracking phenomenon in as-plasma-sprayed hydroxylapatite coatings (HACs) after they were being subjected to the severe cutting conditions in the direction perpendicular to the coating/substrate interface. In order to evaluate the effects of substrate preheating on the occurrence of micro-cracks, the HACs were deposited at different initial substrate temperatures (TS = 20, 100 and 200?C). The changes in phase composition and HA splat morphology with TS were observed and were correlated with the cracking occurrence. The results showed that severe cutting conditions introduced a localized cracking in the regions of HACs dominantly attributed to the brittle hydroxyl-deficient amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) phase. This effect was particularly observable in the HACs deposited without preheating of substrate. On the other hand, the preheating of substrate reduced the presence of micro-cracks and caused insignificant changes in the average local phase composition. In HACs deposited with preheating of substrate, the HA splats (of which HACs are composed) were thinner and recrystallized HA regions seemed smaller in size and more evenly distributed. These results implied potentially important roles of the HA splat formation mechanism on the distribution of ACP and recrystallized HA regions in the as-plasma-sprayed HACs and the cracking resistance of HACs.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of azepines via nucleophilic aromatic substitution
Authors: Bozinovic Nina , Solaja Bogdan , Opsenica Igor
Published: September 2016

A novel and efficient route has been developed to afford 5H-dipyridoazepine
derivatives from primary amines and
3,3'-(Z)-ethene-1,2-di-ylbis(4-chloropyridine). The procedure based on the
double nucleophilic aromatic substitution provides a valuable synthetic tool
for the synthesis of dipyridoazepines. The reaction proceeds without
catalyst, under microwave irradiation condition.
Organized Labor and Debt Contracting: Firm-Level Evidence from Collective Bargaining
Authors: Cheng Lin
Published: September 2016

This paper employs a firm-level collective bargaining dataset to investigate the effect of labor, as an important stakeholder of a firm, on debt contracting. I conjecture and provide evidence that firms with strong organized labor prefer bank loans to public bonds because, by communicating with banks privately, unionized firms can reduce the adverse selection costs while preserving the information asymmetry with organized labor. Furthermore, I show that organized labor influences the structure of syndicated loans. When firms with strong unions withhold public disclosures, but communicate privately with lead lenders, heightened information asymmetry between the lead lenders and the participant lenders induces the lead lenders to retain larger shares of the loans and form more concentrated syndicates. Overall, this study demonstrates that the proprietary costs of disclosure related to organized labor significantly influence firms' debt contracting decisions and outcomes.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the text.
Antimicrobial and physical characteristics of orthodontic primers containing antimicrobial agents
Authors: Chung Shin-Hye , Cho Soha , Kim Kyungsun , Lim Bum-Soon , Ahn Sug-Joon
Published: September 2016

Objective: To compare the antimicrobial and physical properties of experimental primers containing chlorhexidine (CHX) or ursolic acid (UA) with a commercial primer.

Materials and Methods: Two antibacterial agents, 3 mg each of CHX and UA were incorporated respectively into 1 ml of Transbond XT primer (TX) to form antibacterial primers, TX-CHX and TX-UA. The antimicrobial activity of the three primers (TX, TX-CHX, and TX-UA) against Streptococcus mutans in both planktonic and biofilm phases was analyzed by determining minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations and by performing growth and biofilm assays. Growth and biofilm assays were performed in both the absence and presence of thermocycling in a water tank to analyze the effects of water aging on the antimicrobial activities of primers. After bonding brackets onto bovine incisors using the primers, shear bond strength and mode of fracture were analyzed to compare physical properties.

Results: TX-CHX had stronger antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in the planktonic and biofilm phases than did TX or TX-UA. When applied, TX-CHX completely inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of TX-CHX was maintained after thermocycling. However, TX-UA did not show significant antimicrobial activity compared with TX. There was no significant difference in either shear bond strength or bond failure interface among the primers.

Conclusion: Incorporation of CHX into an orthodontic primer may help prevent enamel demineralization around surfaces without compromising its physical properties.
Orthodontic treatment stability predictors: A retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: de Bernabé Paloma González-Gil , Montiel-Company José María , Paredes-Gallardo Vanessa , Gandía-Franco Jose Luis , Bellot-Arcís Carlos
Published: September 2016

Objective: To examine medium- to long-term orthodontic treatment stability and its possible association with certain variables.

Materials and Methods: In a retrospective longitudinal study of 70 postretention patients, the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index was measured at the start (T1) and end (T2) of treatment and between 4 and 10 years afterwards (T3). The stability was considered absolute when the T2 and T3 values were identical and relative when the difference was within the ±5 range.

Results: Among the 70 patients, 65.8% were female and 34.2% were male. Their mean age was 14.5 years. The mean treatment length was 2.4 years. The mean retention phase was 3.3 years. The mean pre- and posttreatment PAR scores were 29.8 (T1) and 6.3 (T2). The mean T1–T2 difference was 23.6. The mean T2–T3 difference was −0.39.

Conclusions: Within the study, 7.1% presented absolute stability and 68.6% presented relative stability. Lower anterior segment alignment and overbite were the most unstable occlusal features and tended to worsen. Fixed retainer (odds ratio [OR] 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10–0.98) as a protective factor and years without retention (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.03–1.68) as a risk factor are predictor variables of instability in the case of lower anterior segment alignment. The PAR value at the end of treatment (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.08–1.54) and extractions (OR 4.76; 95% CI 1.05–21.6) before treatment are predictors for midline instability.
Challenges and Opportunities in Implementation of Future California Rail Network
Authors: Levy Samuel , Faulkner A. Awadagin , Sussman Joseph M.
Published: September 2016

The California High-Speed Rail Authority adopted a blended system at the northern and southern terminuses of the planned first phase of its high-speed rail line. In this blended operation, the high-speed rail line share track and other infrastructure with commuter, intercity, and freight rail. However, the lack of common infrastructure between rail modes and the financial and organizational challenges associated with building that common infrastructure and capacity allocation in California present challenges for the implementation of high-speed rail by a blended system in the state. This paper reviews the blended system and discusses the level of cooperation and coordination necessary between host railroads–agencies and the operator of the high-speed rail tenant. Sharing track comes with challenges for all participating railroad operators and often requires coordination between heterogeneous rail traffic. However, costs can be reduced when compared with those for dedicated track. How blended service is performed will affect state and local agencies, railroad owners and operators, and customers across the California rail network.
Viability of Natural Gas in Fuel Cell Traction for Heavy Freight Locomotion: Economic, Efficiency, and Technology Factors
Authors: Lidicker Jeffrey , Rothschild Adriano , Dunnebacke Lisa
Published: September 2016

Recent changes in the cost and the availability of natural gas (NG) have sparked interest in applying fuel cell (FC) technologies to commercial shipping to take advantage of beneficial market factors. Historically, FC technology has been primarily developed for private automobiles and faces considerable economic and logistical barriers, including cost, range, durability, and refueling infrastructure. Serendipitously, the rail industry has been investigating NG as a supplement to diesel fuel, which accounts for a large portion of its operating expenses. This study investigated the economic and technology factors that determined fuel efficiency and emissions advantages of FC technologies applied to NG locomotives. Results indicated that economic advantage would come either from the price of NG and diesel fuel diverging in the future or from the development of two key FC technologies, which would mitigate the disadvantages of FCs and make them economically superior to diesel fuel. These technologies are variable-output solid-oxide FCs and hot start-up optimization. Two configurations are suggested: high-temperature responsive multistack and dual-temperature responsive multistack. Both are discussed with proposed configurations and estimated benefits. These recommendations are the opposite of those required for private automobiles. Breakeven prices for liquefied NG are estimated for nine distinct drive train configurations.
Theoretical analysis and simulation of an enhancement method for the micro-crack signal in MFL inspection
Authors: Yang Yun , Li Long , Feng Bo , Kang Yihua
Published: September 2016

The micro-crack is always difficult to discover in the widely applied magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection because of the weak leakage magnetic field. Hence, a novel method for enhancing the micro-crack signal based on the magnetic particle adsorption is proposed. The mechanism of magnetic field distribution in the vicinity of the micro-crack based on the new method is analyzed from the angle of magnetic refraction. The confirmation for the signal enhancement and further discussion are presented with the finite element simulation. Simulation results indicate that the signal of the micro-crack is significantly enhanced based on the magnetic particle adsorption which confirms the feasibility of the novel method. In addition, the ability of the signal enhancement is more relevant to the maximum height than the maximum width of the magnetic particle indication, and the signal increases when the relative permeability of the gathered magnetic particles is bigger.
Reconstruction of stress corrosion cracks using high-dimension hybrid optimization algorithm from eddy current signals
Authors: Wang Li , Chen Zhenmao
Published: September 2016

Quantitative evaluation of crack profiles using Eddy Current Testing (ECT) signals often underestimates depth of a Stress Corrosion Crack (SCC) because of the crack complicated property, especially the conductivity property. In this paper, to improve reconstruction precision of crack depth, an SCC numerical model considering crack conductivity distribution is adopted. To solve the high-dimension optimization problem with multiple conductivity parameters, a hybrid inversion strategy combined Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm with Powell direction acceleration method is proposed. Owing to overcoming local optimum and slow search speed in a high-dimension solution space of PSO algorithm, and solving the difficulty of initial value selection for Powell direction acceleration method, the hybrid inversion strategy can improve SCC reconstruction accuracy and numerical stability. Results from simulated and measured ECT signals of several artificial SCCs demonstrate that the proposed strategy is effective to improve reconstruction precision of crack depth.
The performance analysis of a new type DEAP vibration isolator
Authors: Mao Boyong , Xie Shilin , Zhou Jinxiong , Zhang Xinong
Published: September 2016

Dielectric electro-active polymer (DEAP) is a new kind of smart materials and has many advantages such as large deformation, fast response and so on. These features make dielectric elastomeric is a suitable material for actuators. In the article, a new type of DEAP vibration isolator is proposed, which utilizes the fiber stiffening DEAP membranes. The dynamic model of the DEAP isolator is developed by employing a nonequilibrium thermodynamic model. A set of harmonic vibration tests are conducted to identify the model parameters of DEAP isolator. The results show that the area of hysteresis loop increases with the increase of displacement amplitude, and the dynamic stiffness of DEAP isolator increases with the increase of excitation frequency. An additional stiffness component is introduced thereafter in the model in order to correct the stiffness coefficients based on the measured data. Based on the identified isolator model, a simulated study on semi-active vibration isolation is also carried out. The simulated results show that the effective frequency range of vibration isolation can be expanded in some extent under DC input voltage. It indicates the feasibility of semi-active vibration isolation with the present DEAP isolator.
Consideration of multi-coil type magnetizer for detection of omnidirectional crack in magnetic particle testing
Authors: Fukuoka Katsuhiro , Noma Shota , Kobayashi Masaki , Ozaki Tomohiro , Oikawa Yoshiro
Published: September 2016

In a rotating-magnetic-field-type magnetizer using a three-pole (three-phase) coil, omnidirectional cracks can be detected via a single test. However, the rotating magnetic field ultimately experiences non-homogeneous distribution in an area far from the centre of the magnetizer. In this study, a multi-coil-type magnetizer that widely obtains uniform rotating magnetic fields was hence developed. Distributions of rotating magnetic flux densities in test object were evaluated using finite-element analysis, and the utility of the multi-coil was confirmed. In addition, the technique for omnidirectional magnetization on whole surfaces of 3D-shaped test object was considered via implementation of the subject multi-coil magnetizer.
Fuzzy PID control of doubly curved shell using MFC actuator
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Zhang Yahong , Zhang Xinong , Zheng Yisheng
Published: September 2016

This paper deals with the vibration control of a doubly curved shell by Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) piezoelectric actuator. The driving force and bending moment formulas of MFC actuator are derived based on the constitutive relations of the piezoelectric material and bending deformation theory. The vibration of the doubly curved shell under fuzzy PID control is simulated. Results show that using fuzzy PID controller can effectively suppress the vibration of the system. Compared with classical PID controller, the fuzzy PID controller shows better performance, faster response and stronger robustness.
A particle filter-based method for acoustic emission source localization
Authors: Tang Jianfei , Yan Gang , Cai Chenning
Published: September 2016

This paper proposes a probabilistic approach to localize acoustic emission (AE) source in plate-like structures using particle filter (PF) with consideration of uncertainties from modeling error and measurement noise. The AE signals acquired by piezoelectric sensors are first processed by a complex wavelet transform to extract the time of arrival (TOA) information. Then localization of the AE source is formulated as a Bayesian state estimation problem with the source location and the wave velocity as unknown state parameters. A PF procedure is developed to iteratively estimate the unknown parameters simultaneously by using the TOA data. Experimental studies on a stiffened aluminum panel with AE events simulated by pensile lead breaks (PLBs) are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the PF-based AE localization method.
Study suggests it is safe to ease neutropenic restrictions
Authors: Barton Mary Kay
Published: September 2016

Key Points

Evidence is lacking that the commonly placed restrictions on diet, social contacts, and pets decrease infection rates in patients undergoing intense chemotherapy.

The current study supports the relaxation of neutropenic restrictions.

More research is needed to study social contact and pet restrictions, but major centers have relaxed dietary restrictions and emphasize a common sense approach.
The Form and Function of Dialectical Cinécriture in Beckett's Company
Authors: Flynn Deirdre
Published: September 2016

In this essay I argue that throughout Company Beckett adopts the technique of dialectical montage, which he encountered in the work of Eisenstein, to create a radically new autographical form of transmedial cinécriture. I suggest that this cinécriture enables Beckett not only intellectually to communicate the provisionality of self to readers, but also bodily to engage readers in a dialectical dynamic by which they directly experience the self for what it really is: an always-provisional synthesis in an always-provisional time and space. I begin the essay by considering the motivating factors that may have compelled Beckett to combine elements of film, radio, and prose in the late 1970s, after decades of resisting transmedial adaptations. I then examine the form and function of dialectical montage and constructive editing in Company. Next, I outline the form and function of intellectual montage and deep-focus space-time throughout the text and, in particular, in the penultimate watch sequence. Finally, I elaborate upon the ethical implications of the dialectic that these techniques set in motion.
On the q-Laplace Transform and Related Special Functions
Authors: Naik Shanoja , Haubold Hans
Published: September 2016

Motivated by statistical mechanics contexts, we study the properties of the q-Laplace transform, which is an extension of the well-known Laplace transform. In many circumstances, the kernel function to evaluate certain integral forms has been studied. In this article, we establish relationships between q-exponential and other well-known functional forms, such as Mittag–Leffler functions, hypergeometric and H-function, by means of the kernel function of the integral. Traditionally, we have been applying the Laplace transform method to solve differential equations and boundary value problems. Here, we propose an alternative, the q-Laplace transform method, to solve differential equations, such as as the fractional space-time diffusion equation, the generalized kinetic equation and the time fractional heat equation.
The Influence of One-Electron Self-Interaction on d-Electrons
Authors: Schmidt Tobias , Kümmel Stephan
Published: September 2016

We investigate four diatomic molecules containing transition metals using two variants of hybrid functionals. We compare global hybrid functionals that only partially counteract self-interaction to local hybrid functionals that are designed to be formally free from one-electron self-interaction. As d-orbitals are prone to be particularly strongly influenced by self-interaction errors, one may have expected that self-interaction-free local hybrid functionals lead to a qualitatively different Kohn–Sham density of states than global hybrid functionals. Yet, we find that both types of hybrids lead to a very similar density of states. For both global and local hybrids alike, the intrinsic amount of exact exchange plays the dominant role in counteracting electronic self-interaction, whereas being formally free from one-electron self-interaction seems to be of lesser importance.
Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced CT in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Eriksen Rie , Strauch Louise , Sandgaard Michael , Kristensen Thomas , Nielsen Michael , Lauridsen Carsten
Published: September 2016

The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the use of Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (DCE-CT) in patients with pancreatic cancer. This study was composed according to the PRISMA guidelines 2009. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify all relevant publications. The QUADAS-2 tool was implemented to assess the risk of bias and applicability concerns of each included study. The initial literature search yielded 483 publications. Thirteen articles were included. Articles were categorized into three groups: nine articles concerning primary diagnosis or staging, one article about tumor response to treatment, and three articles regarding scan techniques. In exocrine pancreatic tumors, measurements of blood flow in eight studies and blood volume in seven studies were significantly lower in tumor tissue, compared with measurements in pancreatic tissue outside of tumor, or normal pancreatic tissue in control groups of healthy volunteers. The studies were heterogeneous in the number of patients enrolled and scan protocols. Perfusion parameters measured and analyzed by DCE-CT might be useful in the investigation of characteristic vascular patterns of exocrine pancreatic tumors. Further clinical studies are desired for investigating the potential of DCE-CT in pancreatic tumors.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Maxillofacial Applications
Authors: Mellott Adam , Zamierowski David , Andrews Brian
Published: September 2016

Negative pressure wound therapy has greatly advanced the field of wound healing for nearly two decades, by providing a robust surgical adjunct technique for accelerating wound closure in acute and chronic wounds. However, the application of negative pressure wound therapy in maxillofacial applications has been relatively under utilized as a result of the physical articulations and contours of the head and neck that make it challenging to obtain an airtight seal for different negative pressure wound therapy systems. Adapting negative pressure wound therapies for maxillofacial applications could yield significant enhancement of wound closure in maxillofacial applications. The current review summarizes the basic science underlying negative pressure wound therapy, as well as specific maxillofacial procedures that could benefit from negative pressure wound therapy.
Marginal Vertical Fit along the Implant-Abutment Interface: A Microscope Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Mobilio Nicola , Fasiol Alberto , Franceschetti Giulio , Catapano Santo
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the marginal vertical fit along two different implant-abutment interfaces: (1) a standard abutment on an implant and (2) a computer-aided-design/computer-aided-machine (CAD/CAM) customized screw-retained crown on an implant. Four groups were compared: three customized screw-retained crowns with three different “tolerance” values (CAD-CAM 0, CAD-CAM +1, CAD-CAM −1) and a standard titanium abutment. Qualitative analysis was carried out using an optical microscope. Results showed a vertical gap significantly different from both CAD-CAM 0 and CAD-CAM −1, while no difference was found between standard abutment and CAD-CAM +1. The set tolerance in producing CAD/CAM screw-retained crowns plays a key role in the final fit.
Hybrid LSA-ANN Based Home Energy Management Scheduling Controller for Residential Demand Response Strategy
Authors: Ahmed Maytham , Mohamed Azah , Homod Raad , Shareef Hussain
Published: September 2016

Demand response (DR) program can shift peak time load to off-peak time, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and allowing energy conservation. In this study, the home energy management scheduling controller of the residential DR strategy is proposed using the hybrid lightning search algorithm (LSA)-based artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the optimal ON/OFF status for home appliances. Consequently, the scheduled operation of several appliances is improved in terms of cost savings. In the proposed approach, a set of the most common residential appliances are modeled, and their activation is controlled by the hybrid LSA-ANN based home energy management scheduling controller. Four appliances, namely, air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator, and washing machine (WM), are developed by Matlab/Simulink according to customer preferences and priority of appliances. The ANN controller has to be tuned properly using suitable learning rate value and number of nodes in the hidden layers to schedule the appliances optimally. Given that finding proper ANN tuning parameters is difficult, the LSA optimization is hybridized with ANN to improve the ANN performances by selecting the optimum values of neurons in each hidden layer and learning rate. Therefore, the ON/OFF estimation accuracy by ANN can be improved. Results of the hybrid LSA-ANN are compared with those of hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) based ANN to validate the developed algorithm. Results show that the hybrid LSA-ANN outperforms the hybrid PSO based ANN. The proposed scheduling algorithm can significantly reduce the peak-hour energy consumption during the DR event by up to 9.7138% considering four appliances per 7-h period.
Failure to Communicate: Inefficiencies in Voluntary Incentive Programs for Private Forest Owners in Michigan
Authors: Rouleau Mark , Lind-Riehl Jennifer , Smith Miranda , Mayer Audrey
Published: September 2016

Coordinating forest management across thousands of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners is a difficult yet necessary task for state land management agencies. Voluntary Incentive Programs (VIPs) can coordinate the decentralized activities of these owners in return for services or financial incentives. However, many VIPs typically have low enrollment. Our study investigates the implementation of VIPs to increase forest management coordination among NIPFs in Michigan. We present findings from 20 semi-structured interviews with leaders of state and local land management organizations, and government officials at state natural resource agencies, and contrast their answers with those recorded from 37 interviews of NIPF owners regarding their knowledge and attitudes toward VIPs. Our interviews highlight a critical disconnect between NIPF owner motivations and VIP incentives, as well as misallocated resources for VIP promotion by state agencies, driving low enrollment. At the core, low enrollment in VIPs is generated by inadequate communication between NIPF owners and program managers, along with distrust of government agency objectives. Viewing managers as “street level bureaucrats”, civil servants whose job discretion is impacted heavily by available resources, may increase our understanding of the issues plaguing VIPs and help identify improvements to VIP design and implementation.
Intra-Day Simultaneous Optical Monitoring of S5 0716+714
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyuan , Wu Jianghua , Man Zhongyi
Published: September 2016

We present the results of simultaneous optical multi-color observations of BL Lac object 0716+714 in November 2014 and February 2016. The intra-day variability (IDV) varies from 0.04 to 0.3 mags. Both achromatic and bluer-when-brighter (BWB) color behaviors were detected. A probable quasi-periodic oscillation overlapping on a significant flare was also observed. We used the interpolated cross-correlation function to calculate time lags between light curves in different bands. Variations in the B and R lagging behind that in the I band were found, which corresponds with anti-clockwise loops on the color-magnitude diagrams.
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Chitosan/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Film-Forming Hydrosols Hydrolyzed by Cellulase
Authors: Zimoch-Korzycka Anna , Bobak Łukasz , Jarmoluk Andrzej
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cellulase (C) on the biological activity of chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (CH/HPMC) film-forming hydrosols. The hydrolytic activity of cellulase in two concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) was verified by determination of the progress of polysaccharide hydrolysis, based on viscosity measurement and reducing sugar-ends assay. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging effect, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and microbial reduction of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus were studied. During the first 3 h of reaction, relative reducing sugar concentration increased progressively, and viscosity decreased rapidly. With increasing amount of enzyme from 0.05% to 0.1%, the reducing sugar concentration increased, and the viscosity decreased significantly. The scavenging effect of film-forming solutions was improved from 7.6% at time 0 and without enzyme to 52.1% for 0.1% cellulase after 20 h of reaction. A significant effect of cellulase addition and reaction time on antioxidant power of the tested film-forming solutions was also reported. Film-forming hydrosols with cellulase exhibited a bacteriostatic effect on all tested bacteria, causing a total reduction.
Affinity of nat/68Ga-Labelled Curcumin and Curcuminoid Complexes for β-Amyloid Plaques: Towards the Development of New Metal-Curcumin Based Radiotracers
Authors: Rubagotti Sara , Croci Stefania , Ferrari Erika , Iori Michele , Capponi Pier , Lorenzini Luca , Calzà Laura , Versari Annibale , Asti Mattia
Published: September 2016

Curcumin derivatives labelled with fluorine-18 or technetium-99m have recently shown their potential as diagnostic tools for Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, no study by exploiting the labelling with gallium-68 has been performed so far, in spite of its suitable properties (positron emitter, generator produced radionuclide). Herein, an evaluation of the affinity for synthetic β-amyloid fibrils and for amyloid plaques of three nat/68Ga-labelled curcumin analogues, namely curcumin curcumin (CUR), bis-dehydroxy-curcumin (bDHC) and diacetyl-curcumin (DAC), was performed. Affinity and specificity were tested in vitro on amyloid synthetic fibrils by using gallium-68 labelled compounds. Post-mortem brain cryosections from Tg2576 mice were used for the ex vivo visualization of amyloid plaques. The affinity of 68Ga(CUR)2+, 68Ga(DAC)2+, and 68Ga(bDHC)2+ for synthetic β-amyloid fibrils was moderate and their uptake could be observed in vitro. On the other hand, amyloid plaques could not be visualized on brain sections of Tg2576 mice after injection, probably due to the low stability of the complexes in vivo and of a hampered passage through the blood–brain barrier. Like curcumin, all nat/68Ga-curcuminoid complexes maintain a high affinity for β-amyloid plaques. However, structural modifications are still needed to improve their applicability as radiotracers in vivo.
Mammalian Metallothionein-2A and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Ling Xue-Bin , Wei Hong-Wei , Wang Jun , Kong Yue-Qiong , Wu Yu-You , Guo Jun-Li , Li Tian-Fa , Li Ji-Ke
Published: September 2016

Mammalian metallothionein-2A (MT2A) has received considerable attention in recent years due to its crucial pathophysiological role in anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, detoxification and anti-inflammation. For many years, most studies evaluating the effects of MT2A have focused on reactive oxygen species (ROS), as second messengers that lead to oxidative stress injury of cells and tissues. Recent studies have highlighted that oxidative stress could activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and MT2A, as a mediator of MAPKs, to regulate the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, the molecule mechanism of MT2A remains elusive. A deeper understanding of the functional, biochemical and molecular characteristics of MT2A would be identified, in order to bring new opportunities for oxidative stress therapy.
Ion Channels in Brain Metastasis
Authors: Klumpp Lukas , Sezgin Efe , Eckert Franziska , Huber Stephan
Published: September 2016

Breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma exhibit a high metastatic tropism to the brain. Development of brain metastases severely worsens the prognosis of cancer patients and constrains curative treatment options. Metastasizing to the brain by cancer cells can be dissected in consecutive processes including epithelial–mesenchymal transition, evasion from the primary tumor, intravasation and circulation in the blood, extravasation across the blood–brain barrier, formation of metastatic niches, and colonization in the brain. Ion channels have been demonstrated to be aberrantly expressed in tumor cells where they regulate neoplastic transformation, malignant progression or therapy resistance. Moreover, many ion channel modulators are FDA-approved drugs and in clinical use proposing ion channels as druggable targets for future anti-cancer therapy. The present review article aims to summarize the current knowledge on the function of ion channels in the different processes of brain metastasis. The data suggest that certain channel types involving voltage-gated sodium channels, ATP-release channels, ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors and gap junction-generating connexins interfere with distinct processes of brain metastazation.
Carbon Supported Engineering NiCo2O4 Hybrid Nanofibers with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Hassan Diab , El-safty Sherif , Khalil Khalil , Dewidar Montasser , Abu El-magd Gamal
Published: September 2016

The design of cheap and efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is of a significant importance in sustainable and renewable energy technologies. Therefore, ORR catalysts with superb electrocatalytic activity and durability are becoming a necessity but still remain challenging. Herein, we report C/NiCo2O4 nanocomposite fibers fabricated by a straightforward electrospinning technique followed by a simple sintering process as a promising ORR electrocatalyst in alkaline condition. The mixed-valence oxide can offer numerous accessible active sites. In addition, the as-obtained C/NiCo2O4 hybrid reveals significantly remarkable electrocatalytic performance with a highly positive onset potential of 0.65 V, which is only 50 mV lower than that of commercially available Pt/C catalysts. The analyses indicate that C/NiCo2O4 catalyst can catalyze O2-molecules via direct four electron pathway in a similar behavior as commercial Pt/C catalysts dose. Compared to single NiCo2O4 and carbon free NiCo2O4, the C/NiCo2O4 hybrid displays higher ORR current and more positive half-wave potential. The incorporated carbon matrices are beneficial for fast electron transfer and can significantly impose an outstanding contribution to the electrocatalytic activity. Results indicate that the synthetic strategy hold a potential as efficient route to fabricate highly active nanostructures for practical use in energy technologies.
A Family of Lanthanoid Dimers with Nitroanilato Bridges
Authors: Benmansour Samia , López-Martínez Gustavo , Canet-Ferrer Josep , Gómez-García Carlos
Published: September 2016

The first complexes with lanthanoid ions and the nitroanilato ligand have been synthesized (nitroanilate dianion = [C6O4(NO2)2]2− = dianion of the 3,6-dinitro-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-dibenzoquinone ligand). This family of dimers can be formulated as [Ln2(C6O4(NO2)2)3(H2O)10]·6H2O with Ln(III) = Sm (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), and Er (6). The X-ray structure of this family of isostructural complexes shows that they all present a dimeric structure where the Ln3+ ions are connected by a bis-bidentate nitroanilato ligand. Each metal completes its nonacoordination environment with a terminal bidentate nitroanilato ligand and five water molecules in a slightly distorted tri-capped trigonal prismatic geometry. The magnetic properties of this family show the expected contributions of the lanthanoid ions without any noticeable magnetic interaction through the nitroanilato ligand. The compounds present luminesce of the nitroanilato ligand superimposed with a weaker emission from the lanthanide ion in compound 5 (Ho).
Membrane Technology for the Recovery of Lignin: A Review
Authors: Humpert Daniel , Ebrahimi Mehrdad , Czermak Peter
Published: September 2016

Utilization of renewable resources is becoming increasingly important, and only sustainable processes that convert such resources into useful products can achieve environmentally beneficial economic growth. Wastewater from the pulp and paper industry is an unutilized resource offering the potential to recover valuable products such as lignin, pigments, and water [1]. The recovery of lignin is particularly important because it has many applications, and membrane technology has been investigated as the basis of innovative recovery solutions. The concentration of lignin can be increased from 62 to 285 g∙L−1 using membranes and the recovered lignin is extremely pure. Membrane technology is also scalable and adaptable to different waste liquors from the pulp and paper industry.
Welding Distortion Prediction in 5A06 Aluminum Alloy Complex Structure via Inherent Strain Method
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Wu Xiaoyong , Yang Mao , Peng Bei
Published: September 2016

Finite element (FE) simulation with inherent deformation is an ideal and practical computational approach for predicting welding stress and distortion in the production of complex aluminum alloy structures. In this study, based on the thermal elasto-plastic analysis, FE models of multi-pass butt welds and T-type fillet welds were investigated to obtain the inherent strain distribution in a 5A06 aluminum alloy cylindrical structure. The angular distortion of the T-type joint was used to investigate the corresponding inherent strain mechanism. Moreover, a custom-designed experimental system was applied to clarify the magnitude of inherent deformation. With the mechanism investigation of welding-induced buckling by FE analysis using inherent deformation, an application for predicting and mitigating the welding buckling in fabrication of complex aluminum alloy structure was developed.
Phylogenetic Characterization of Marine Benthic Archaea in Organic-Poor Sediments of the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean (ODP Site 1225)
Authors: Lauer Antje , Sørensen Ketil , Teske Andreas
Published: September 2016

Sequencing surveys of microbial communities in marine subsurface sediments have focused on organic-rich, continental margins; the database for organic-lean deep-sea sediments from mid-ocean regions is underdeveloped. The archaeal community in subsurface sediments of ODP Site 1225 in the eastern equatorial Pacific (3760 m water depth; 1.1 and 7.8 m sediment depth) was analyzed by PCR, cloning and sequencing, and by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA genes. Three uncultured archaeal lineages with different depth distributions were found: Marine Group I (MG-I) within the Thaumarchaeota, its sister lineage Marine Benthic Group A (MBG-A), the phylum-level archaeal lineage Marine Benthic Group B (also known as Deep-Sea Archaeal Group or Lokiarchaeota), and the Deep-Sea Euryarchaeotal Group 3. The MG-I phylotypes included representatives of sediment clusters that are distinct from the pelagic members of this phylum. On the scale from fully oxidized, extremely organic carbon-depleted sediments (for example, those the South Pacific Gyre) to fully reduced, organic carbon-rich marine subsurface sediments (such as those of the Peru Margin), Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1225 falls into the non-extreme organic carbon-lean category, and harbors archaeal communities from both ends of the spectrum.
Multispectral Emissions of Lanthanide-Doped Gadolinium Oxide Nanophosphors for Cathodoluminescence and Near-Infrared Upconversion/Downconversion Imaging
Authors: Thi Kim Dung Doan , Fukushima Shoichiro , Furukawa Taichi , Niioka Hirohiko , Sannomiya Takumi , Kobayashi Kaori , Yukawa Hiroshi , Baba Yoshinobu , Hashimoto Mamoru , Miyake Jun
Published: September 2016

Comprehensive imaging of a biological individual can be achieved by utilizing the variation in spatial resolution, the scale of cathodoluminescence (CL), and near-infrared (NIR), as favored by imaging probe Gd2O3 co-doped lanthanide nanophosphors (NPPs). A series of Gd2O3:Ln3+/Yb3+ (Ln3+: Tm3+, Ho3+, Er3+) NPPs with multispectral emission are prepared by the sol-gel method. The NPPs show a wide range of emissions spanning from the visible to the NIR region under 980 nm excitation. The dependence of the upconverting (UC)/downconverting (DC) emission intensity on the dopant ratio is investigated. The optimum ratios of dopants obtained for emissions in the NIR regions at 810 nm, 1200 nm, and 1530 nm are applied to produce nanoparticles by the homogeneous precipitation (HP) method. The nanoparticles produced from the HP method are used to investigate the dual NIR and CL imaging modalities. The results indicate the possibility of using Gd2O3 co-doped Ln3+/Yb3+ (Ln3+: Tm3+, Ho3+, Er3+) in correlation with NIR and CL imaging. The use of Gd2O3 promises an extension of the object dimension to the whole-body level by employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).