bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Team Skills: Comparing Pedagogy in a Graduate Business School to That of a College of Pharmacy Professional Program
Authors: E. Brock Sabra , G Loewy Zvi , Ellen Loh F.
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: To measure the change in team skills resulting from team projects in professional and graduate school courses, a pilot study was conducted among students in two courses in a graduate school of business and one in the pharmacy school of the same institution of higher learning. This pilot study evaluated (a) students receiving training and practice in working as part of a classroom team were able to translate the formal training into the belief they had improved routine team interactions and experienced benefits from the intervention, and (b) determine whether changes in perceived team skills acquired by graduate business students differed from those of pharmacy school students.

Background: This pilot study examined the usefulness of adding a teamwork skills module imported from a graduate school of business to increasing team skills in a pharmacy curriculum.

Methodology: Thirty-five students (22 in a graduate school of business and 13 in a school of pharmacy) took a survey comprised of 15 questions designed on a 5-point scale to self-evaluate their level of skill in working in a team. They were then exposed to a seminar on team skills, which included solving a case that required teamwork. After this intervention the students repeated the survey.

Contribution: As the pharmacy profession moves to be more integrated as part of inter-professional healthcare teams , pharmacy schools are finding it necessary to teach students how to perform on teams where many disciplines are represented equally. The core of the pharmacy profession is shifting from dependence on the scientific method to one where team skills are also important.

Findings: The small size of the pilot sample limited significance except in the greater importance of positive personal interaction for business students. Directional findings supported the hypothesis that the business culture allows risk-taking on more limited information and more emphasis on creating a positive environment than the pharmacy culture given its dependence on scientific method. It remains moot as to whether directly applying a teaching intervention from a business curriculum can effectively advance the team skills of pharmacy students.

Recommendations For Practitioners: Educators in professional schools such as pharmacy and medicine may find curricular guidance to increase emphasis on learning teamwork skills.

Recommendations for Researchers: Researchers are encouraged to explore cross-disciplinary exchanges of teaching core business skills.

Impact on Society : The question is posed that as pharmacy schools and the pharmacy profession integrate more into the business of pharmacy whether this difference will close.

Future Research: A full study is planned with the same design and larger sample sizes and expanding to include students in medical, as well as pharmacy classes.
Learning Foreign Languages Using Mobile Applications
Authors: Gafni Ruti , Biran Achituv Dafni , Rahmani Gila
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: This study examines how the use of a Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) application influences the learners' attitudes towards the process of learning, in voluntary and mandatory environments.

Background: Mobile devices and applications, which have become an integral part of our lives, are used for different purposes, including educational objectives. Among others, they are used in the process of foreign language acquisition. The use of a MALL application to learn foreign languages has advantages and drawbacks, which are important to understand, in order to achieve better learning results, while improving the enjoyment of the process.

Methodology: The study population included people who participated in a foreign language course and used Duolingo application on a mobile device in parallel. One group consisted of high school pupils, who were obliged to use the application, while the other group consisted of people who took face-to-face courses, and chose to use the same Duolingo application voluntarily, in order to assist their studies.

Contribution: This paper helps to understand the perceived advantages and drawbacks of using a MALL application by students both in mandatory and voluntary environments.

Findings: Most of the participants found the MALL Duolingo application as enhancing the learning process. The gamification characteristics, ease of use, ubiquity and self-learning facilities had a stimulating effect on the process of learning, and contributed to the willingness to continue using the application and to recommend it to others.

Recommendations for Practitioners: The research findings can contribute to both teachers and students who conduct and participate in foreign language courses, by helping them examine the possibility of combining mobile learning with a traditional face-to-face course. Moreover, the findings can assist developers of mobile learning applications, in order to include gamification options in the process of learning.

Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers in the fields of mobile applications and m-learning need to understand the factors enhancing the learning process, in order to develop the next generations of m-learning applications.

Impact on Society: Mobile devices have become an accessory that almost every person in the world uses. Its ubiquitous characteristics allow using it everywhere and anytime. This is a greatjite opportunity to facilitate education to people all around the world. Gamification of m-learning applications can promote and encourage the use of these applications.

Future Research: Further examination is need in different cultures, in order to understand if the findings are universal.
Business Analytics as a Tool to Transforming Information into an Informing System: The Case of the On-Line Course Registration System
Authors: Grozdanov Christozov Dimitar
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: Sharing ideas generated in a Business Intelligence (BI) Applications class to upgrade an Information System in to an Informing System.

Background: Course Registration is the essential university’s business process in a university that follows a liberal-arts education model. Almost all categories of users are involved, including students, individual faculties and departments, and administration. A typical Information System, designed to support this process, allows departments to schedule selected courses for a particular time slot and location, and allows students to choose courses to study for the semester.

Methodology: The course project is to design a BI application. Domain knowledge is essential for such projects and course registration was the natural choice for this class.
The assignment includes (1) identifying the categories of stakeholders; (2) identifying the information needs of different categories; (3) identifying available information sources; (4) identifying how is possible to acquire the additional data; and (5) designing the Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) process and interface scenarios in a way to inform clients.

Contribution: Contributions are in two directions: (1) pedagogy - involving students in such a project motivates creativity, also enforcing students to think in cost-benefit framework may lead to creation of really effective and efficient solutions; (2) practice - implementation of some of the ideas could be with low cost, but with high impact.

Findings: Exploring BI techniques may increase the informing value of existing Information Systems.

Recommendations for Practitioners: Careful analysis of information needs and the way information is used, combined with deep domain knowledge and understanding the value provided by Data Mining techniques, is the way to initiate a process of transforming an Retrieval Information System to better inform clients.

Recommendation for Researchers : Combining pedagogy with practice allows one to overcome routine thinking and may lead to effective solutions. This needs further structuring and research on outcomes.
Impact on Society Transforming Information towards Informing Systems has a significant impact by allowing users to make rational data driven decisions in an efficient way.

Future Research: The future of this project is implementation of developed ideas and assessment of the results.

Impact on Society : Transforming Information towards Informing Systems has a significant impact by allowing users to make rational data driven decisions in an efficient way.

Future Research: The future of this project is implementation of developed ideas and assessment of the results.
The Informing Needs of Procurement Officers in Israel
Authors: Bouhnik Dan , Giat Yahel , Zarruk Issachar
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: To develop and introduce a questionnaire that investigates the informing needs, information-seeking behavior, and supplier selection of procurement officers in Israel. The questionnaire’s internal consistency reliability is given. Additionally, we describe the demographic description of the procurement officers in Israel.

Background: Procurement science is an important field that affects firms’ profits in the private sector and is significant to growth, innovation, sustainability, and welfare in the public sector. There is little research about the informing needs of procurement officers in general and particularly in Israel.

Methodology: A quantitative questionnaire that is sent to all the procurement officers in Israel’s procuring association.

Contribution: The questionnaire that is developed in this paper may be used by other researchers and practitioners to evaluate the information needs of procurement officers.

Findings: The typical procurement officer is male, with a bachelor degree and is digitally proficient.

Recommendations for Practitioners: The procuring side can use the questionnaire to develop better tools for obtaining information efficiently. The supplying side can use this knowledge to improve its exposure to potential customers and address its customer’s needs better.

Recommendation for Researchers: The questionnaire can address theoretical questions such as how digital literacy affects the procuring process and provide empirical findings about active research areas such as supplier selection and information-seeking behavior.

Future Research: Future research will examine the relationship between the various variables and demographic features to understand why specific information needs and information-seeking behaviors arise.
The Impact of Utilising Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) on Vocabulary Acquisition among Migrant Women English Learners
Authors: Sila Ahmad Kham , Armarego Jocelyn , Sudweeks Fay
Published: October 2017

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL)]

Aim/Purpose : To develop a framework for utilizing Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) to assist non-native English migrant women to acquire English vocabulary in a non-formal learning setting.

Background: The women in this study migrated to Australia with varied backgrounds including voluntary or forced migration, very low to high levels of their first language (L1), low proficiency in English, and isolated fulltime stay-at-home mothers.

Methodology : A case study method using semi-structured interviews and observations was used. Six migrant women learners attended a minimum of five non-MALL sessions and three participants continued on and attended a minimum of five MALL sessions. Participants were interviewed pre- and post-sessions. Data were analysed thematically.

Contribution: The MALL framework is capable of enriching migrant women’s learning experience and vocabulary acquisition.

Findings: Vocabulary acquisition occurred in women from both non-MALL and MALL environment; however, the MALL environment provided significantly enriched vocabulary learning experience.

Impact on Society: MALL offers an enriched and interactive medium of learning, and positive, enriched learning experience

Future Research: A standardised approach to measure the effectiveness of MALL for vocabulary acquisition among migrant women in non-formal setting.
Research Foci, Methodologies, and Theories Used in Addressing E-Government Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Developing Countries
Authors: Agangiba Millicent , Kabanda salah
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the key research foci, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives adopted by researchers when studying E-government accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly in developing countries. The study aims to develop a conceptual framework for designing accessible E-government for PWDs in developing countries.

Background: Studies on E-government accessibility for persons with disabilities in developing countries have been minimal. The few studies conducted until now have failed to integrate PWDs, a population already marginalized, into the digital society. Accessibility has been identified by researchers as a major hindrance to PWDs participating in E-government. It is imperative therefore to examine the manner in which researchers investigate and acquire knowledge about this phenomenon.

Methodology : The study synthesizes literature from top IS journals following a systematic literature review approach. The data synthesis focuses on identifying key concepts relating to E-government accessibility for PWDs.

Contribution: The study contributes to the field of E-government, with a focus on how E-government services can be made accessible to PWDs. The study calls on researchers to reflect on their epistemological and ontological paradigms when examining accessibility of E-government services in developing countries.

Findings: The findings show that most researchers focus on the evaluation of E-government websites and predominantly adopt quantitative methods. The study also reveals that the use of technological determinism as a theoretical lens is high among researchers.

Recommendations for Practitioners : The study recommends that E-government web developers and policy makers involve PWDs from design to evaluation in the development of E-government applications.

Recommendation for Researchers: The study advocates the need to conduct studies on E-government accessibility by employing more qualitative and mixed approaches to gain in-depth and better understanding of the phenomenon.

Impact on Society : This study creates greater awareness and points out inadequacies that society needs to address to make E-government more inclusive of and participatory for PWDs.

Future Research: Further empirical work is required in order to refine the relevance and applicability of various constructs in EADM so as to arrive at a framework for addressing E-government accessibility for PWDs in developing countries.
Promoting Peer-to-Peer Ridesharing Services as Transit System Feeders
Authors: Masoud Neda , Nam Daisik , Yu Jiangbo , Jayakrishnan R.
Published: October 2017

Peer-to-peer (P2P) ridesharing is a recently emerging travel alternative that can help accommodate the growth in urban travel demand and at the same time alleviate problems such as excessive vehicular emissions. Prior ridesharing projects suggest that the demand for ridesharing is usually shifted from transit, but its true benefits are realized when the demand shifts from single-occupancy vehicles. This study investigated the potential of shifting demand from private autos to transit by providing a general modeling framework that found routes for private vehicle users that were a combination of P2P ridesharing and transit. The Los Angeles Metro Red Line in California was considered for a case study because it has recently shown declining ridership trends. For successful implementation of a ridesharing system, strategically selecting locations for individuals to get on and off the rideshare vehicles is crucial, along with an appropriate pricing structure for the rides. The study conducted a parametric analysis of the application of real-time P2P ridesharing to feed the Los Angeles Metro Red Line with simulated demand. A mobile application with an innovative ride-matching algorithm was developed as a decision support tool that suggested transit-rideshare and rideshare routes.
Comparison of Light Rail Streetcar Against Shared Autonomous Vehicle Fleet for Brooklyn–Queens Connector in New York City
Authors: Mendes Lucas Mestres , Bennàssar Manel Rivera , Chow Joseph Y. J.
Published: October 2017

Policy makers predict that autonomous vehicles will have significant market penetration in the next decade or so. In several simulation studies shared autonomous vehicle fleets have been shown to be effective public transit alternatives. This study compared the effectiveness of a shared autonomous vehicle fleet with an upcoming transit project proposed in New York City, the Brooklyn–Queens Connector light rail project. The study developed an event-based simulation model to compare the performance of the shared autonomous vehicle system with the light rail system under the same demand patterns, route alignment, and operating speeds. The simulation experiments revealed that a shared autonomous vehicle fleet of 500 vehicles of 12-person capacity (consistent with the EZ10 vehicle) would be needed to match the 39-vehicle light rail system if operated as a fixed-route system. However, as a demand-responsive system, a fleet of only 150 vehicles would lead to the same total travel time (22 min) as the 39-vehicle fleet light rail system. Furthermore, a fleet of 450 12-person vehicles in a demand-responsive operation would have the same average wait times while reducing total travel times by 36%. The implications for system resiliency, idle vehicle allocation, and vehicle modularity are discussed.
Legislating Transportation Network Companies
Authors: Moran Maarit , Lasley Philip
Published: October 2017

The rapid expansion of transportation network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Lyft, has led policy makers across the country to consider legislation to legalize and regulate TNC operations. In 2012, TNCs introduced a new travel option that used digital technology to provide an on-demand and highly automated private ride service, which has received support from consumers and investors. The emergence of TNCs has generated uncertainty about the legal status of TNC services, criticism from the taxicab industry, and concerns about public safety. In almost every U.S. state, policy makers have considered TNC legislation to address these issues, but there is no comprehensive source of information on the content of these policies. In this study, researchers systematically compiled a database of state TNC legislation and evaluated a set of policy issues addressed in the legislation. Thirty-four states and Washington, D.C., enacted legislation to authorize TNC operations through May 2016. These laws addressed policy areas including permits and fees, insurance and financial responsibility, driver and vehicle requirements, operational requirements, passenger protections, data reporting, and regulatory and rulemaking authority. This database can help policy makers navigate the evolving policy considerations presented by the rising popularity—and accompanying controversy—of TNCs. Key policy questions that emerged from this review of state TNC legislation include whether to regulate TNCs; if so, at what level of government; how to harmonize TNC policies with existing taxi and transportation policies; and how to address public safety without suppressing market competition.
A Single-Step Palladium-Catalysed Synthesis of Naphtho[2,3-b]Benzofuran-6,11-Diones and 2-(Hydroxyphenyl)Naphthalene-1,4-Diones
Authors: Gu Binjie , Yu Xiaoli , Xu Zhaojun , Pan Feng , Wang Dawei
Published: October 2017

Palladium-catalysed competitive three-component C–H functionalisation reactions and cascade coupling ring-closing reactions of quinones with iodophenols in dihaloalkanes are described. During initial attempts to conduct C–H functionalisation reactions of quinones with iodophenols in dihaloalkanes, surprisingly a three-component C–H functionalisation reaction was discovered. Furthermore, as the reaction of chloroquinones with iodophenols was in progress, another surprising cascade coupling with ring closure was achieved. This provided an efficient single-step synthesis of naphtho[2,3- b]benzofuran-6,11-diones.
Adam Smith and the Social Foundation of Agreement: Walford v Miles as a Relational Contract
Authors: Campbell David
Published: October 2017

That the reception in subsequent case law of Leggatt J's outstanding discussion of good faith in Yam Seng Pte Ltd v International Trade Corporation Ltd has been disappointing demonstrates the continuing failure to appreciate the normative constitution of economic exchange and the law of contract.

This paper re-examines the concept of economic exchange which may be derived from the work of Adam Smith in order to show that Smith did not conceive of exchange as a system of solipsistic self-interest but as self-interest which is formed on the basis of the mutual respect of the parties to the exchange.

The significance of Smith's views for the law of contract will be demonstrated by a re-examination of the rejection of good faith in Walford v Miles in light of those views. Whilst it is moot whether the law of contract should recognise a general doctrine of good faith, that law must become self-conscious of the mutual respect it requires of parties to a contract which is indicated in the concept of good faith.
Murdoch andMargaret: Learning a Moral Life
Authors: Bolton Lucy
Published: October 2017

Reading the moral philosophy of Iris Murdoch alongside film enables us to see Murdoch's notions of practical moral good in action. For Murdoch, moral philosophy can be seen as “a more systematic and reflective extension of what ordinary moral agents are continually doing”. Murdoch can help us further by her consideration of the value of a moral fable: does a morally important fable always imply universal rules? And how do we decide whether a fable is morally important? By bringing Murdoch and Margaret (Kenneth Lonergan, 2011) together in an exploration of the moral decision making of the film's protagonist and our assessment of her choices, we can learn more about the idea of film as a morally important fable rather than a fable that is purely decorative.
Electric-Pneumatic Actuator: A New Muscle for Locomotion
Authors: Ahmad Sharbafi Maziar , Shin Hirofumi , Zhao Guoping , Hosoda Koh , Seyfarth Andre
Published: October 2017

A better understanding of how actuator design supports locomotor function may help develop novel and more functional powered assistive devices or robotic legged systems. Legged robots comprise passive parts (e.g., segments, joints and connections) which are moved in a coordinated manner by actuators. In this study, we propose a novel concept of a hybrid electric-pneumatic actuator (EPA) as an enhanced variable impedance actuator (VIA). EPA is consisted of a pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) and an electric motor (EM). In contrast to other VIAs, the pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) within the EPA provides not only adaptable compliance, but also an additional powerful actuator with muscle-like properties, which can be arranged in different combinations (e.g., in series or parallel) to the EM. The novel hybrid actuator shares the advantages of both integrated actuator types combining precise control of EM with compliant energy storage of PAM, which are required for efficient and adjustable locomotion. Experimental and simulation results based on the new dynamic model of PAM support the hypothesis that combination of the two actuators can improve efficiency (energy and peak power) and performance, while does not increase control complexity and weight, considerably. Finally, the experiments on EPA adapted bipedal robot (knee joint of the BioBiped3 robot) show improved efficiency of the actuator at different frequencies.
Shear Wave Elastography Combining with Conventional Grey Scale Ultrasound Improves the Diagnostic Accuracy in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Baig Faisal , Liu Shirley , Lam Hoi-Chun , Yip Shea-Ping , Law Helen , Ying Michael
Published: October 2017

Shear wave elastography provides information about the stiffness of thyroid nodules that could be a new indicator of malignancy. The current study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using shear wave elastography (SWE) alone and in conjunction with grey scale ultrasound (GSU) to predict malignancy in 111 solitary thyroid nodules. Malignant thyroid nodules tended to have microcalcification, hypoechogenicity, tall to width ratio >1, and irregular borders (p < 0.05). SWE indices (Emaximum and Emean) of malignant nodules (median ± standard error: 85.2 ± 8.1 kPa and 26.6 ± 2.5 kPa) were significantly higher than those of benign nodules (median ± standard error: 50.3 ± 3.1 kPa and 20.2 ± 1 kPa) (p < 0.05). The optimal cut-off of Emaximum and Emean for distinguishing benign and malignant nodules was 67.3 kPa and 23.1 kPa, respectively. Diagnostic performances for GSU + Emaximum, GSU + Emean, GSU, Emaximum and Emean were: 70.4%, 74.1%, 96.3%, 70.4% and 74.1% for sensitivity, 83.3%, 79.8%, 46.4%, 70.2%, and 66.7% for specificity, and 80.2%, 78.4%, 58.5%, 70.3%, and 68.5% for accuracy, respectively. Our results suggested that combining GSU with SWE (using Emaximum or Emean) increased the overall diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Settlement Prediction of Footings Using VS
Authors: CHO Hyung , KIM Nam , PARK Heon , KIM Dong
Published: October 2017

The shear wave velocity (VS) is a key parameter for estimating the deformation characteristics of soil. In order to predict the settlement of shallow footings in granular soil, the VS and the concept of Schmertmann’s framework were adopted. The VS was utilized to represent soil stiffness instead of cone tip resistance (qc) because the VS can be directly related to the small-strain shear modulus. By combining the VS measured in the field and the modulus reduction curve measured in the laboratory, the deformation characteristics of soil can be reliably estimated. Vertical stress increments were determined using two different profiles of the strain influence factor (Iz) proposed in Schmertmann’s method and that calculated from the theory of elasticity. The corresponding modulus variation was determined by considering the stress level and strain at each depth. This state-dependent stress-strain relationship was utilized to calculate the settlement of footings based on the theory of elasticity. To verify the developed method, geotechnical centrifuge tests were carried out. The VS profiles were measured before each loading test, and the load-settlement curves were obtained during the tests. Comparisons between the measured and estimated load-settlement curves showed that the developed method adequately predicts the settlement of footings, especially for over-consolidated ground conditions.
A Hardware-Efficient Vector Quantizer Based on Self-Organizing Map for High-Speed Image Compression
Authors: Huang Zunkai , Zhang Xiangyu , Chen Lei , Zhu Yongxin , An Fengwei , Wang Hui , Feng Songlin
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a compact vector quantizer based on the self-organizing map (SOM), which can fulfill the data compression task for high-speed image sequence. In this vector quantizer, we solve the most severe computational demands in the codebook learning mode and the image encoding mode by a reconfigurable complete-binary-adder-tree (RCBAT), where the arithmetic units are thoroughly reused. In this way, the hardware efficiency of our proposed vector quantizer is greatly improved. In addition, by distributing the codebook into the multi-parallel processing sub-blocks, our design obtains a high compression speed successfully. Furthermore, a mechanism of partial vector-component storage (PVCS) is adopted to make the compression ratio adjustable. Finally, the proposed vector quantizer has been implemented on the field programmable gate array (FPGA). The experimental results indicate that it respectively achieves a compression speed of 500 frames/s and a million connections per second (MCPS) of 28,494 (compression ratio is 64) when working at 79.8 MHz. Besides, compared with the previous scheme, our proposed quantizer achieves a reduction of 8% in hardware usage and an increase of 33% in compression speed. This means the proposed quantizer is hardware-efficient and can be used for high-speed image compression.
Map Sensitivity vs. Map Dependency: A Case Study of Subway Maps’ Impact on Passenger Route Choices in Washington DC
Authors: Xu John
Published: October 2017

This paper addresses the key assumption in behavioral and transportation planning literature that, when people use a transit system more frequently, they become less dependent on and less sensitive to transit maps in their decision-making. Therefore, according to this assumption, map changes are much less impactful to travel decisions of frequent riders than to that of first-time or new passengers. This assumption—though never empirically validated—has been the major hurdle for transit maps to becoming a planning tool to change passengers’ behavior. This paper examines this assumption using the Washington DC metro map as a case study by conducting a route choice experiment between 30 Origin-Destination (O-D) pairs on seven metro map designs. The experiment targets two types of passengers: frequent metro riders through advertisements on a free daily newspaper available at DC metro stations, and general residents in the Washington metropolitan area through Amazon Mechanical Turk, an online crowdsourcing platform. A total of 255 and 371 participants made 2024 and 2960 route choices in the respective experiments. The results show that frequent passengers are in fact more sensitive to subtle changes in map design than general residents who are less likely to be familiar with the metro map and therefore unaffected by map changes presented in the alternative designs. The work disproves the aforementioned assumption and further validates metro maps as an effective planning tool in transit systems.
Ideal Point Design and Operation of CO2-Based Transcritical Rankine Cycle (CTRC) System Based on High Utilization of Engine’s Waste Heats
Authors: Shi Lingfeng , Shu Gequn , Tian Hua , Huang Guangdai , Chang Liwen , Chen Tianyu , Li Xiaoya
Published: October 2017

This research conducted a study specially to systematically analyze combined recovery of exhaust gas and engine coolant and related influence mechanism, including a detailed theoretical study and an assistant experimental study. In this research, CO2-based transcritical Rankine cycle (CTRC) was used for fully combining the wastes heats. The main objective of theoretical research was to search an ‘ideal point’ of the recovery system and related influence mechanism, which was defined as operating condition of complete recovery of two waste heats. The theoretical methodology of this study could also provide a design reference for effective combined recovery of two or multiple waste heats in other fields. Based on a kW-class preheated CTRC prototype that was designed by the ‘ideal point’ method, an experimental study was conducted to verify combined utilization degree of two engine waste heats by the CTRC system. The operating results showed that the prototype can gain 44.4–49.8 kW and 22.7–26.7 kW heat absorption from exhaust gas and engine coolant, respectively. To direct practical operation, an experimental optimization work on the operating process was conducted for complete recovery of engine coolant exactly, which avoided deficient or excessive recovery.
Unique Hydrogen Desorption Properties of LiAlH4/h-BN Composites
Authors: Nakagawa Yuki , Isobe Shigehito , Ohki Takao , Hashimoto Naoyuki
Published: October 2017

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is known as an effective additive to improve the hydrogen de/absorption properties of hydrogen storage materials consisting of light elements. Herein, we report the unique hydrogen desorption properties of LiAlH4/h-BN composites, which were prepared by ball-milling. The desorption profiles of the composite indicated the decrease of melting temperature of LiAlH4, the delay of desorption kinetics in the first step, and the enhancement of the kinetics in the second step, compared with milled LiAlH4. Li3AlH6 was also formed in the composite after desorption in the first step, suggesting h-BN would have a catalytic effect on the desorption kinetics of Li3AlH6. Finally, the role of h-BN on the desorption process of LiAlH4 was discussed by comparison with the desorption properties of LiAlH4/X (X = graphite, LiCl and LiI) composites, suggesting the enhancement of Li ion mobility in the LiAlH4/h-BN composite.
Impacts of Voltage Control Methods on Distribution Circuit’s Photovoltaic (PV) Integration Limits
Authors: Dubey Anamika
Published: October 2017

The widespread integration of photovoltaic (PV) units may result in a number of operational issues for the utility distribution system. The advances in smart-grid technologies with better communication and control capabilities may help to mitigate these challenges. The objective of this paper is to evaluate multiple voltage control methods and compare their effectiveness in mitigating the impacts of high levels of PV penetrations on distribution system voltages. A Monte Carlo based stochastic analysis framework is used to evaluate the impacts of PV integration, with and without voltage control. Both snapshot power flow and time-series analysis are conducted for the feeder with varying levels of PV penetrations. The methods are compared for their impacts on (1) the feeder’s PV hosting capacity; (2) the number of voltage violations and the magnitude of the largest bus voltage; (3) the net reactive power demand from the substation; and (4) the number of switching operations of feeder’s legacy voltage support devices i.e., capacitor banks and load tap changers (LTCs). The simulation results show that voltage control help in mitigating overvoltage concerns and increasing the feeder’s hosting capacity. Although, the legacy control solves the voltage concerns for primary feeders, a smart inverter control is required to mitigate both primary and secondary feeder voltage regulation issues. The smart inverter control, however, increases the feeder’s reactive power demand and the number of LTC and capacitor switching operations. For the 34.5-kV test circuit, it is observed that the reactive power demand increases from 0 to 6.8 MVAR on enabling Volt-VAR control for PV inverters. The total number of capacitor and LTC operations over a 1-year period also increases from 455 operations to 1991 operations with Volt-VAR control mode. It is also demonstrated that by simply changing the control mode of capacitor banks, a significant reduction in the unnecessary switching operations for the capacitor banks is observed.
Effects of Hot-Hydrostatic Canned Extrusion on the Stock Utilization, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of TiBw/TC4 Composites with Quasi-Continuous Network
Authors: Feng Yangju , Li Bing , Cui Guorong , Zhang Wencong
Published: October 2017

In-situ TiB whisker-reinforced Ti–6Al–4V (TC4) titanium matrix composites (TiBw/TC4) with quasi-continuous networks were successfully fabricated by vacuum hot-pressing sintering. The effects of the hot-hydrostatic canned extrusion on stock utilization, microstructure and mechanical properties of the TiBw/TC4 composites were investigated. It was satisfactory that the utilization of composites could be obviously improved by canned extrusion compared to that extruded without canned extrusion. The microstructure results showed that after canned extrusion the grain was refined and the TiB whiskers were distributed from a random array state to a state in which the whiskers were distributed along the extrusion direction. The properties testing results revealed that the tensile strength, the hardness and the ductility of the composites all significantly improved after extrusion due to the grain refinement and orientation of the TiB whisker caused by extrusion. Tensile fracture results showed that when the TiB whiskers were randomly distributed only part of them played a role in strengthening the matrix during the deformation process (as-sintered composites), while when the TiB whiskers were oriented all whiskers could strengthen the matrix during the tensile testing process (as-extruded composites).
The Effect of Cold Rolling on the Hydrogen Susceptibility of 5083 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Georgiou E.P. , Celis J.-P. , Panagopoulos C.N.
Published: October 2017

This work focuses in investigating the effect of cold deformation on the cathodic hydrogen charging of 5083 aluminum alloy. The aluminium alloy was submitted to a cold rolling process, until the average thickness of the specimens was reduced by 7% and 15%, respectively. A study of the structure, microhardness, and tensile properties of the hydrogen charged aluminium specimens, with and without cold rolling, indicated that the cold deformation process led to an increase of hydrogen susceptibility of this aluminum alloy.
Estimation of Non-Revenue Water Ratio for Sustainable Management Using Artificial Neural Network and Z-Score in Incheon, Republic of Korea
Authors: Jang Dongwoo , Choi Gyewoon
Published: October 2017

The non-revenue water (NRW) ratio in a water distribution system is the ratio of the loss due to unbilled authorized consumption, apparent losses and real losses to the overall system input volume (SIV). The method of estimating the NRW ratio by measurement might not work in an area with no district metered areas (DMAs) or with unclear administrative district. Through multiple regression analyses is a statistical analysis method for calculating the NRW ratio using the main parameters of the water distribution system, although its disadvantage is lower accuracy than that of the measured NRW ratio. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to estimate the NRW ratio. The results of the study proved that the accuracy of NRW ratio calculated by the ANN model was higher than by multiple regression analysis. The developed ANN model was shown to have an accuracy that varies depending on the number of neurons in the hidden layer. Therefore, when using the ANN model, the optimal number of neurons must be determined. In addition, the accuracy of the outlier removal condition was higher than that of the original data used condition.
Perceived Resource Quality as a Framework to Analyze Impacts of Climate Change on Adventure Tourism: Snow, Surf, Wind, and Whitewater
Authors: Buckley Ralf
Published: October 2017

Surf, snow, wind, and whitewater provide natural resources for adventure tourism. Both the resources themselves, and access for tourism, are dependent on weather and hence are affected by climate change. For some adventure tourism subsectors (e.g., skiing and snowboarding) the industry
has already responded to climate change, along with other pressures, by changing its geography and business models. In most subsectors, commercial tour operators perceive themselves as affected by short-term extreme weather events, and climate change models are not yet precise enough to predict
how these will change over the short time horizons of tourism business planning. Some particular subsectors, however, can provide early warning indicators of industry responses to climate change. These include: heliskiing and heliboarding; professional big-wave surfing; and whitewater rafting
and kayaking on snow melt, monsoon rainfall, or dam-release water flows. These responses may be detected through multiparameter models of visitor numbers and the geography of preferred sites or, more immediately, from the perceptions of commercial tourism operators involved in these subsectors.
Trail Accreditation as a Mechanism to Enhance Hikers' Confidence During Decision-Making
Authors: Slabbert Liandi , Du Preez Elizabeth Ann
Published: October 2017

Though regarded as a "soft" adventure activity, the growing popularity of hiking has led to increased documentation of associated risks and unfortunate incidents. Various systems are being used to facilitate adequate trail management to prevent risks, and information provision through
accreditation systems provides a means to manage risk perceptions. However, little research has been done on the influence of accreditation systems on consumers' decision-making and buying behaviour within the adventure tourism context. This study took a quantitative approach to measure the
importance of and future intended response towards trail accreditation among a sample of 926 hiking tourists in South Africa. A hypothetical country-wide implementation of a case study accreditation system was presented to respondents. The study indicates safety-related information as one
of the key components of an accreditation system. It also demonstrates a link between trustworthy information, accreditation, and future hiking participation through addressing perceptions of risk.
Constraining the Dust Opacity Law in Three Small and Isolated Molecular Clouds
Authors: Webb K. A. , Di Francesco J. , Sadavoy S. , Thanjavur K. , Launhardt R. , Shirley Y. , Stutz A. , Vicente J. Abreu , Kainulainen J.
Published: October 2017

Density profiles of isolated cores derived from thermal dust continuum emission rely on models of dust properties, such as mass opacity, that are poorly constrained. With complementary measures from near-infrared extinction maps, we can assess the reliability of commonly used dust models. In this work, we compare Herschel-derived maps of the optical depth with equivalent maps derived from CFHT WIRCAM near-infrared observations for three isolated cores: CB 68, L 429, and L 1552. We assess the dust opacities provided from four models: OH1a, OH5a, Orm1, and Orm4. Although the consistency of the models differs between the three sources, the results suggest that the optical properties of dust in the envelopes of the cores are best described by either silicate and bare graphite grains (e.g., Orm1) or carbonaceous grains with some coagulation and either thin or no ice mantles (e.g., OH5a). None of the models, however, individually produced the most consistent optical depth maps for every source. The results suggest that either the dust in the cores is not well-described by any one dust property model, the application of the dust models cannot be extended beyond the very center of the cores, or more complex SED fitting functions are necessary.
Toward Rapid Transient Identification and Characterization of Kilonovae
Authors: Coughlin Michael , Dietrich Tim , Kawaguchi Kyohei , Smartt Stephen , Stubbs Christopher , Ujevic Maximiliano
Published: October 2017

With the increasing sensitivity of advanced gravitational-wave (GW) detectors, the first joint detection of an electromagnetic and GW signal from a compact binary merger will hopefully happen within this decade. However, current GW likelihood sky areas span

, and thus it is a challenging task to identify which, if any, transient corresponds to the GW event. In this study, we make a comparison between recent kilonova/macronova light-curve models for the purpose of assessing potential light-curve templates for counterpart identification. We show that recent analytical and parameterized models for these counterparts result in qualitative agreement with more complicated radiative transfer simulations. Our analysis suggests that with improved light-curve models with smaller uncertainties it will become possible to extract information about ejecta properties and binary parameters directly from the light-curve measurement. Even tighter constraints are obtained in cases for which GW and kilonova parameter estimation results are combined. It will therefore be important to make comparisons and potentially combine parameter estimation with the kilonova and GW results. However, to be prepared for upcoming detections, more realistic kilonova models are needed. These will require numerical relativity with more detailed microphysics, better radiative transfer simulations, and a better understanding of the underlying nuclear physics.
Direct effects of fermented cow’s milk product with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 on human enterocytes
Authors: Paparo L. , Aitoro R. , Nocerino R. , Fierro C. , Bruno C. , Canani R. Berni
Published: October 2017

Cow’s milk fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (FM-CBAL74) exerts a preventive effect against infectious diseases in children. We evaluated if this effect is at least in part related to a direct modulation of non-immune and immune defence mechanisms in human enterocytes. Human enterocytes (Caco-2) were stimulated for 48 h with FM-CBAL74 at different concentrations. Cell growth was assessed by colorimetric assay; cell differentiation (assessed by lactase expression), tight junction proteins (zonula occludens1 and occludin), mucin 2, and toll-like receptor (TRL) pathways were analysed by real-time PCR; innate immunity peptide synthesis, beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) and cathelicidin (LL-37) were evaluated by ELISA. Mucus layer thickness was analysed by histochemistry. FMCBA L74 stimulated cell growth and differentiation, tight junction proteins and mucin 2 expression, and mucus layer thickness in a dose-dependent fashion. A significant stimulation of HBD-2 and LL-37 synthesis, associated with a modulation of TLR pathway, was also observed. FM-CBAL74 regulates non-immune and immune defence mechanisms through a direct interaction with the enterocytes. These effects could be involved in the preventive action against infectious diseases demonstrated by this fermented product in children.
Bacteriocin biosynthesis contributes to the anti-inflammatory capacities of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Yin X. , Heeney D. , Srisengfa Y. , Golomb B. , Griffey S. , Marco M.
Published: October 2017

Plantaricin EF (PlnEF) is a class IIb bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum. We compared L. plantarum NCIMB8826 and LM0419, a plnEFI deletion mutant of that strain lacking plnEF and the gene for the cognate immunity protein plnI, in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced mouse model of acute inflammatory bowel disease. Mice fed either L. plantarum NCIMB8826 or LM0419 were not protected against TNBS according to either disease activity or histology (Ameho) scores. Mice consuming NCIMB8826 exhibited intermediate (non-significant) levels of colonic tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) that ranged between the TNBS-treated animals and healthy controls. By comparison, TNF-α and IL-6 quantities were elevated in mice given L. plantarum LM0419 and equivalent to mice given TNBS alone. Both strains survived digestive tract transit in equal numbers and did not result in global changes to the bacterial composition in the intestine according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing either prior to or after TNBS administration. Examination of intestinal taxa showed that mice consuming wild-type L. plantarum, but not LM0419 contained lower proportions of Mucispirillum (Deferribacteres phylum) in the faeces prior to TNBS administration and Parabacteroides (Bacteroidetes phylum) in the caecum after disease induction. Parabacteroides also positively correlated with disease activity and histology scores. These findings suggest a role for PlnEFI production by L. plantarum in benefiting digestive tract health.