bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of key enzymes responsible for protolimonoid biosynthesis in plants: Opening the door to azadirachtin production
Authors: Hodgson Hannah , De La Peña Ricardo , Stephenson Michael J. , Thimmappa Ramesha , Vincent Jason L. , Sattely Elizabeth S. , Osbourn Anne
Published: August 2019

Limonoids are natural products made by plants belonging to the Meliaceae (Mahogany) and Rutaceae (Citrus) families. They are well known for their insecticidal activity, contribution to bitterness in citrus fruits, and potential pharmaceutical properties. The best known limonoid insecticide is azadirachtin, produced by the neem tree (
Azadirachta indica
). Despite intensive investigation of limonoids over the last half century, the route of limonoid biosynthesis remains unknown. Limonoids are classified as tetranortriterpenes because the prototypical 26-carbon limonoid scaffold is postulated to be formed from a 30-carbon triterpene scaffold by loss of 4 carbons with associated furan ring formation, by an as yet unknown mechanism. Here we have mined genome and transcriptome sequence resources for 3 diverse limonoid-producing species (
A. indica
,
Melia azedarach
, and
Citrus sinensis
) to elucidate the early steps in limonoid biosynthesis. We identify an oxidosqualene cyclase able to produce the potential 30-carbon triterpene scaffold precursor tirucalla-7,24-dien-3β-ol from each of the 3 species. We further identify coexpressed cytochrome P450 enzymes from
M. azedarach
(MaCYP71CD2 and MaCYP71BQ5) and
C. sinensis
(CsCYP71CD1 and CsCYP71BQ4) that are capable of 3 oxidations of tirucalla-7,24-dien-3β-ol, resulting in spontaneous hemiacetal ring formation and the production of the protolimonoid melianol. Our work reports the characterization of protolimonoid biosynthetic enzymes from different plant species and supports the notion of pathway conservation between both plant families. It further paves the way for engineering crop plants with enhanced insect resistance and producing high-value limonoids for pharmaceutical and other applications by expression in heterologous hosts.
Disruption of IRE1α through its kinase domain attenuates multiple myeloma
Authors: Harnoss Jonathan M. , Le Thomas Adrien , Shemorry Anna , Marsters Scot A. , Lawrence David A. , Lu Min , Chen Yung-Chia Ariel , Qing Jing , Totpal Klara , Kan David , Segal Ehud , Merchant Mark , Reichelt Mike , Ackerly Wallweber Heidi , Wang Weiru , Clark Kevin , Kaufman Susan , Beresini Maureen H. , Laing Steven T. , Sandoval Wendy , Lorenzo Maria , Wu Jiansheng , Ly Justin , De Bruyn Tom , Heidersbach Amy , Haley Benjamin , Gogineni Alvin , Weimer Robby M. , Lee Dong , Braun Marie-Gabrielle , Rudolph Joachim , VanWyngarden Michael J. , Sherbenou Daniel W. , Gomez-Bougie Patricia , Amiot Martine , Acosta-Alvear Diego , Walter Peter , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: August 2019

Significance

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a lethal malignancy arising from plasma cells. MM cells experience endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to immunoglobulin hyperproduction. The ER-resident sensor IRE1α mitigates ER stress by expanding protein-folding and secretion capacity, while supporting proteasomal degradation of ER misfolded proteins. IRE1α elaborates these functions by deploying a cytoplasmic kinase–RNase module to activate the transcription factor XBP1s. Although IRE1α has been implicated in MM, its validity as a potential therapeutic target—particularly as a kinase—has been unclear. Using genetic and pharmacologic disruption, we demonstrate that the IRE1α–XBP1s pathway is critical for MM tumor growth. We further show that the kinase domain of IRE1α is an effective and safe potential small-molecule target for MM therapy.
BCL6 regulates brown adipocyte dormancy to maintain thermogenic reserve and fitness
Authors: Kutyavin Vassily I. , Chawla Ajay
Published: August 2019

Brown adipocytes provide a metabolic defense against environmental cold but become dormant as mammals habituate to warm environments. Although dormancy is a regulated response in brown adipocytes to environmental warmth, its transcriptional mechanisms and functional importance are unknown. Here, we identify B cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 (BCL6) as a critical regulator of dormancy in brown adipocytes but not for their commitment, differentiation, or cold-induced activation. In a temperature-dependent manner, BCL6 suppresses apoptosis, fatty acid storage, and coupled respiration to maintain thermogenic fitness during dormancy. Mechanistically, BCL6 remodels the epigenome of brown adipocytes to enforce brown and oppose white adipocyte cellular identity. Thus, unlike other thermogenic regulators, BCL6 is specifically required for maintaining thermogenic fitness when mammals acclimate to environmental warmth.
Highly diversified shrew hepatitis B viruses corroborate ancient origins and divergent infection patterns of mammalian hepadnaviruses
Authors: Rasche Andrea , Lehmann Felix , König Alexander , Goldmann Nora , Corman Victor M. , Moreira-Soto Andres , Geipel Andreas , van Riel Debby , Vakulenko Yulia A. , Sander Anna-Lena , Niekamp Hauke , Kepper Ramona , Schlegel Mathias , Akoua-Koffi Chantal , Souza Breno F. C. D. , Sahr Foday , Olayemi Ayodeji , Schulze Vanessa , Petraityte-Burneikiene Rasa , Kazaks Andris , Lowjaga Kira A. A. T. , Geyer Joachim , Kuiken Thijs , Drosten Christian , Lukashev Alexander N. , Fichet-Calvet Elisabeth , Ulrich Rainer G. , Glebe Dieter , Drexler Jan Felix
Published: August 2019

Shrews, insectivorous small mammals, pertain to an ancient mammalian order. We screened 693 European and African shrews for hepatitis B virus (HBV) homologs to elucidate the enigmatic genealogy of HBV. Shrews host HBVs at low prevalence (2.5%) across a broad geographic and host range. The phylogenetically divergent shrew HBVs comprise separate species termed crowned shrew HBV (CSHBV) and musk shrew HBV (MSHBV), each containing distinct genotypes. Recombination events across host orders, evolutionary reconstructions, and antigenic divergence of shrew HBVs corroborated ancient origins of mammalian HBVs dating back about 80 million years. Resurrected CSHBV replicated in human hepatoma cells, but human- and tupaia-derived primary hepatocytes were resistant to hepatitis D viruses pseudotyped with CSHBV surface proteins. Functional characterization of the shrew sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), CSHBV/MSHBV surface peptide binding patterns, and infection experiments revealed lack of Ntcp-mediated entry of shrew HBV. Contrastingly, HBV entry was enabled by the shrew Ntcp. Shrew HBVs universally showed mutations in their genomic preCore domains impeding hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) production and resembling those observed in HBeAg-negative human HBV. Deep sequencing and in situ hybridization suggest that HBeAg-negative shrew HBVs cause intense hepatotropic monoinfections and low within-host genomic heterogeneity. Geographical clustering and low MSHBV/CSHBV-specific seroprevalence suggest focal transmission and high virulence of shrew HBVs. HBeAg negativity is thus an ancient HBV infection pattern, whereas Ntcp usage for entry is not evolutionarily conserved. Shrew infection models relying on CSHBV/MSHBV revertants and human HBV will allow comparative assessments of HBeAg-mediated HBV pathogenesis, entry, and species barriers.
Structural and dielectric properties of giant dielectric Na1/2Sm1/2Cu3Ti4O12 ceramics prepared by reactive sintering methods
Authors: Mahfoz Kotb H
Published: August 2019

Na0.5Sm0.5Cu3Ti4O12 (NSCTO) ceramics have been prepared by reactive sintering of amorphous powder. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) for 10 min at 1025 °C and conventional sintering (CS) for 10 h at 1090 °C have been employed. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the pure CCTO-like phase for SPS and CS NSCTO ceramics. The SPS ceramic showed an average grain size of 500 nm, which is much smaller than that of the CS (

∼
5

μ
m

) sample. The impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed an electrically inhomogeneous structure in the prepared ceramics. While the resistivities of grains of both ceramic samples were in the same order of magnitude, the resistivity of grain-boundaries of the CS ceramic was three orders of magnitude greater than that of the SPS ceramic. Both of the samples showed giant dielectric constant (

>

10

3

) over wide ranges of temperatures and frequencies. Nevertheless, the room-temperature dielectric loss of the SPS NSCTO (3.2 at 1.1 kHz) ceramic sample was higher than that of the CS NSCTO (0.08 at 1.1 kHz) ceramic sample due to the reduced grain-boundary resistivity of the former. Two dielectric relaxations were detected for each sample and attributed to the relaxations in grains and grain-boundaries. The dielectric behavior of the SPS and CS NSCTO ceramics could be interpreted in terms of the internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) model.
The effect of Mn-doped ZnSe passivation layer on the performance of CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells*
Authors: Deng Yun-Long , Xu Zhi-Yuan , Cai Kai , Ma Fei , Hou Juan , Peng Shang-Long
Published: August 2019

ZnSe as a surface passivation layer in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells plays an important role in preventing charge recombination and thus improves the power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, as a wide bandgap semiconductor, ZnSe cannot efficiently absorb and convert long-wavelength light. Doping transition metal ions into ZnSe semiconductors is an effective way to adjust the band gap, such as manganese ions. In this paper, it is found by the method of density functional theory calculation that the valence band of ZnSe moves upward with manganese ions doping, which leads to acceleration of charge separation, wider light absorption range, and enhancing light harvesting. Finally, by using ZnSe doped with manganese ions as the passivation layer, the TiO2/CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cell has a PCE of 6.12%, and the PCE of the solar cell increases by 9% compared with the undoped one (5.62%).
Geometrical quantum discord and negativity of two separable and mixed qubits*
Authors: Liu Tang-Kun , Liu Fei , Shan Chuan-Jia , Liu Ji-Bing
Published: August 2019

We studied quantum correlation and quantum entanglement of a quantum system in which a coherent state light field interacts with two qubits that are initially prepared in a separable and mixed state. The influence of mean photon number of the coherent field and distribution probability of the atom on the geometrical quantum discord and the negativity are discussed. Our results show that the mean photon number of light field and distribution function of the atom can regulate and control the quantum correlation and quantum entanglement.
Terahertz coherent detection via two-color laser pulses of various frequency ratios*
Authors: Gu Xin-Yang , Wang Ke-Jia , Yang Zhen-Gang , Liu Jin-Song
Published: August 2019

The mechanism of terahertz (THz) pulse coherent detection via two-color laser pulses of various frequency ratios in gas plasma is theoretically investigated. Our investigations demonstrate that except for the commonly used frequency ratio of 2, other uncommon frequency ratios can also be utilized to detect THz pulse, such as 2n, n+1/2 (

n
≤
3

, n is a positive integer). The well-developed transient photocurrent model is extended to our terahertz detection process. Based on this model, our simulation results can be explained by analyzing the process of asymmetric electron ionization and electron acceleration.
Numerical prediction of hill charts of Francis turbines
Authors: Nordvik Andreas , Iliev Igor , Trivedi Chirag , Gunnar Dahlhaug Ole
Published: August 2019

This present work compares numerically predicted hill chart to experimental measurements of a Francis turbine. The main objective is to create a model for recreating hill charts using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Accurate prediction of hill charts are useful in the design stage of production and may result in a more efficient runner. The primary focus is the prediction of efficiency and investigation of possible simplifications without loss in accuracy. By using steady-state simulations, preliminary tests were made on four different meshes, and two different turbulence models, namely the standard k – ε model and the shear stress transport model. Simplifications of geometry have been tested to investigate if the simulation time can be reduced without sacrificing accuracy. Numerical simulations of 132 operating points were carried out. The efficiency was predicted with the maximal difference from measured values of 6.93%.
Regression classifier in adaptive technical vision system
Authors: Shmyrin A , Mishachev N , Kavygin V , Kuznetsov A
Published: August 2019

The article deals with the problem of constructing a classifier for a set of n physical objects encoded by vectors of the space

ℝ
N

. In this well-known problem of pattern recognition, we are interested in the case when the number of factors N is much larger than the number of training vectors. As a classifier we use a linear homogeneous function

f
:

ℝ
N

→

ℝ
1

. It is assumed that for each object with the number i there is a cluster set

K
^

I

⊂

ℝ
N

consisting of Ki
training vectors corresponding to the observations of this object, for example, a set of its digitized photographs. In the case when

N
≫
K
=

K
1

+
⋯
+

K
n

a linear homogeneous classifier, as a rule, exists. We describe the algorithm for constructing the classifier and discuss the properties of this algorithm.
3D modelling of angular spindle’s head for machining centre
Authors: Krol O , Sokolov V
Published: August 2019

The unified design of the angular spindle head of the machining centre for drilling-milling and boring type is considered. Three-dimensional modeling of the angular head assembly in CAD KOMPAS-3D is performed using a specialized application “Shafts and 3D mechanical transmissions” including a three-dimensional representation of the machining centre kinematic scheme. The photorealistic visualization module Artisan Rendering, which is integrated into the KOMPAS-3D CAD contour, was used to create presentations and promote this construction to the machine tool industry. A two-stage procedure for analyzing the structure by the stiffness criterion is proposed: at the early stages of the design by the matrix initial parameters method; at the stage of the working project by the finite element method in the APM FEM module. The procedure for determining the stress-strain state of the angular head spindle with end mills realized.
Nonlinear simulation of electrohydraulic drive for technological equipment
Authors: Sokolov V , Krol O , Stepanova O
Published: August 2019

The problem of nonlinear simulation of the dynamic characteristics of the electrohydraulic servo drives with throttle regulation for technological equipment is considered. The mathematical model for investigation of the nonstationary work processes in the drives has developed. The model adapted for drives of the technological equipment, built using standard modules, in particular, an electrohydraulic amplifier and a hydraulic cylinder. The estimation of the basic parameters of the mathematical model is carried out using the technical certificate data of the drive devices. The recommendations are given on setting initial data for numerical simulation. For numerical integration of the nonlinear mathematical model of the nonstationary work processes software was developed in the environment of the MATLAB. In addition to the integration subroutine, the software includes a source data file, a control program and a subroutine for calculating the right parts of the system of ordinary differential equations. The example of the calculation of the dynamic characteristics for the electrohydraulic servo drive with throttle regulation is presented.
Application of computer simulation models in the study of the impact of data buffering on the quality of control in network systems
Authors: Abramov G V , Avcinov I A , Emelyanov A E , Sukhanova N V
Published: August 2019

The work focuses on the computer simulation modeling of the control system with the network channel of information transmission. We have studied the impact of data buffering on the quality of control for the systems with a limited volume buffer for data packets. It has been expected that the data packet transmission over the network channel for the quantization period is carried out with a given probability. If the data packet from the digital sensor is not transmitted in one quantization tact to the controller, it is placed in the sensor buffer. During data is transmitted over the channel, all packets from the sensor buffer are transmitted to the controller buffer. The controller processes incoming data from the buffer sequentially-one packet per quantization tact. To simulate such situations, it was proposed to use the appropriate developed random processes. The novelty of the developed simulation model lies in the fact that in the basis for the development of this model is accepted the modeling of the time gap of the information flow of data. Simulation of the network control system operation was carried out in the environment Simulink of Matlab system.
Numerical study of cyclic adsorption processes of air oxygen enrichment in dynamics
Authors: Akulinin E I , Golubyatnikov O O , Dvoretsky D S , Dvoretsky S I
Published: August 2019

The paper discusses the results of numerical analysis of the properties and modes of the adsorption air separation process and oxygen concentration with purity of ∼90% carried out in a double-adsorber PSA unit with a 13X granular zeolite adsorbent with capacity of up to 2 l/min. Calculation experiments have been performed using the developed mathematical model and the influence of perturbations (temperature, composition and pressure of atmospheric air) on the dynamics of the process, the unit performance, the extraction degree and oxygen purity has been investigated. It has been established that the most effective control action is the pressure at the compressor outlet, the increase in which from 2 to 6×105Pa leads to the increase in the extraction degree and oxygen concentration on average by ∼57% and ∼12 vol.% respectively.
Mathematical modeling of deformations of flexible threads under their dynamic loading in the zone of material plasticity
Authors: Tarasov D , Konovalov V , Zaitsev V , Rodionov Yu
Published: August 2019

The object of study is a vertical flexible thread rotating at some distance around a vertical axis with a lateral load. The calculation is made for the dynamic load condition in the form of centrifugal forces depending on the displacement of the thread from the initial position. The geometric and physical nonlinearity of the flexible threads is taken into account. The proposed method is based on the theory of mathematical modeling using differential and integral calculus of functions of one and several variables as well as on the theory of resistance of materials. A method of the nonlinear calculation of the stress-strain state of flexible threads, taking into account the real properties of materials is proposed. The text of the calculation in the computer program MatchCAD for calculations of the thread, its deformation and tension was theoretically described and developed. The calculation results corresponded to the results obtained by the finite element method (the discrepancy is about 1%). The implementation of the method makes it possible to study the operation of structures outside the conditions of elastic work of the material. The comparative results of modeling inertia loaded rotating threads with linear properties of changes in their strength properties and in the case of nonlinearity of their properties are presented.
Modeling of the droplet surface dried on a solid substrate
Authors: Pakhomov A , Gatapova N , Pakhomova Y
Published: August 2019

The paper presents an approach to modeling the surface of a liquid droplet lying on a solid substrate. Receiving the real shape of the droplet surface plays an important role in modeling the process of drying droplets of liquid dispersed systems on solid diffusion-impermeable substrates. This relates to the strong influence of the characteristics of the droplet surface on the values of the coefficients of heat and mass transfer and the value of the surface area of evaporation. A description of the experimental setup for determining the characteristic parameters of the droplet surface is presented. The formulation and solution to the problem of mathematical modeling of the shape of the droplet’s surface, depending on the wetting angle of the liquid-substrate system, surface tension and droplet parameters, are given. The incorrectness of the assumption about the shape of a droplet as an element of a sphere segment is shown. Some results of visualization of the surface of a droplet for various wettability conditions are presented.
Experimental plant for studying hydrodynamics and heat and mass exchange processes in packing contact devices
Authors: Merentsov N A , Persidskiy A V , Topilin M V , Lebedev V N , Balashov V A , Golovanchikov A B
Published: August 2019

The paper provides a description of the developed experimental plant for studying hydrodynamic and heat and mass exchange processes in packing devices of all kinds of configuration, examples of the obtained data and original classification methods for processing experimental data. The authors describe hydrodynamic characteristics allowing carrying out classification studies and obtaining the necessary data to complete the developed methods for calculating mass exchange devices: the retaining capacity of packing devices at liquid and gas phases in particular. The authors provide the criteria function X=f(Rem) which gives a direction for industrial application of packing contact devises. The function is based on the analysis and generalization of the experimental data obtained in express studies of single-phase filtration curves. The paper also covers an example of the experimental data of the response function in case of recognizing flow structures of contact phases which allow obtaining necessary data to complete the developed diffusion models of mass exchange processes and implement calculations of mass exchange packing with a high precision.
Simulation of the process of rectification with the account of longitudinal diffusion
Authors: Golovanchikov A B , Prokhorenko N A , Shibitova N V , Romanenko M D , Zalipayeva O A
Published: August 2019

Based on the differential equations of material balance and mass transfer, taking into account the longitudinal mixing of the boiling solution, the formulas of the working lines of the reinforcing and exhaustive parts of the packed distillation column, the concentration profiles along the nozzle height, and the algorithm for calculating the height of the nozzle are proposed.The equations of the working lines of the reinforcing and exhaustive parts of the distillation column are analytically derived, taking into account the longitudinal diffusion, which, when the longitudinal diffusion number or the longitudinal diffusion coefficient, is transformed into the known equations of the working lines for the flow patterns of ideal displacement in both phases. Analytically, on the basis of the differential equations of material balance, the equations of working lines and mass transfer in a rectifying column for binary mixtures with allowance for longitudinal diffusion are derived. It is shown that in its absence, when the flow structure for both phases corresponds to an ideal displacement, that is, the Peclet number of longitudinal diffusion, and the longitudinal diffusion coefficient itself, the resulting equations of working lines and mass transfer become known equations for the reinforcing and exhaustive parts of the column. Comparative examples of calculations for typical structures of the ideal displacement flow and for derived equations that take into account longitudinal diffusion for the binary mixture “ethyl alcohol-ethyl alcohol” are given.
Parametrization and manufacturing of a combined electrode tool using additive technologies and modern computer-aided design systems
Authors: Suvorov A
Published: August 2019

The research is aimed at modernizing the technology of designing and manufacturing an electrode instrument for electrical processing methods in order to reduce costs in terms of experimental design and individual production. In this regard, the article is aimed at disclosing the possibilities of using modern computer-aided design tools and rapid prototyping technology for the manufacture of a complex profile tool for individual and experimental production. The materials of the article are of practical value for enterprises of the machine-building complex, as they allow making changes in the technology of designing and manufacturing electrode tools for electrical processing methods and using modern computer-aided design systems and additive technologies that reduce the cost and increase the variability of its application.
Simulation images of external objects in a virtual simulator for training human-machine systems operators
Authors: Alekseev V , Lakomov D , Shishkin A , Al Maamari G , Nasraoui M
Published: August 2019

The article presents the results of a study of the contour analysis algorithm developed by the authors for automatic recognition of objects in an image with their subsequent modeling in virtual simulators for training human-computer systems operators. The main distinctive feature of the developed contour analysis algorithm is the use of image convolution in four directions and the tracing procedure, which makes it possible to more accurately search for the contour of objects compared to other algorithms of this type. The results of the study of the algorithm are given. Based on this study, recommendations on the choice of the parameters of the algorithm are given. As a result of the analysis of three-dimensional modeling methods, it was concluded that for the effective implementation of three-dimensional graphics in virtual simulators for training human-machine system operators, it is advisable to use an algorithm for contour image analysis of external objects.
Algorithm for the boundary detection of dental crowns for 3D dental model segmentation
Authors: Pupykina A A , Ochepovsky A V , Gushchina O M , Nasonov D A
Published: August 2019

This paper presents the segmentation algorithm on the 3D digital dental model for separating individual dental crown using fuzzy multi criteria analysis and Visualization Toolkit (VTK). The aim is to apply the algorithm in the 3D aligner development software package. The digital dental model is produced by 3D scanner in STL format and dental crown contour is calculated based two control points defined by user. Fussy multi criteria analysis with pairwise comparison of the mesh points aims to select a points subset that define the boundary between the dental crown and the jawbone. VTK provides ease of use computer graphics algorithms and visualisation tools. The result has shown that the proposed approach can successfully separate dental crown on the 3D digital dental model.
Ar-powered educational application based upon convolutional neural network
Authors: Gushchina O M , Ochepovsky A V , Rogova N N , Pupykina A A
Published: August 2019

This research aims to justify the importance of using convolutional neural networks (CNN) in AR-powered educational applications to provide the learning process with impressive visualization of studied objects. Demonstration of the developed application proves neural network to be its basic part that allows for high-quality accuracy of object localization and image recognition in AR systems. As these systems provide a more informative and impressive way of learning, the application can be used for data mining and big data analysis disciplines to demonstrate real-time operation of localization, clustering and segmentation algorithms.
The calculation of the impedance of biological tissue on the model of Yamamoto in the process of galvanic effects
Authors: Gorbunov A , Gromov Y , Egorov V
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this work is to improve the accuracy of research related to the work in the field of modeling and measurement of galvanic processes in biological tissues under the influence of electric current. For this purpose, we propose a refined equivalent electrical model of biotissue and an algorithm for numerical determination of its components.
An Evaluation Graph of Hourly Rainfall Estimation in Malang
Authors: Putra R M , Kurniawan A , Rangga I A , Ryan M , Endarwin  , Luthfi A
Published: August 2019

Satellite-based rainfall estimation is evolving rapidly. Most studies use data, which is spatially fine, but poorly regarding time. On the other hand, availability of verification data is also quite rare. This study used Hillman Form B report that was corrected by ME-48 from Malang Climatological Station. 2009-2016 IR1 satellite data were used in hourly temporal resolution (only less than 3% data missing). Four estimation methods were compared: Auto Estimator, CST, mCST, and Quantile Analysis Equation. Data processing was carried out using Python and R statistic as a quality control. The analysis was done by creating a graph that combines False Alarm and Miss Information for each rainfall intensity. Binary transformation was done for enabling information to be plotted. All rainfall estimation methods have a high false alarm (more than 74% at 1 mm) but quite low miss (less than 0.03%). By taking into account its error pattern, satellite data can be used in rainfall observation. The Quantile equation is slightly superior to other methods. This study is relatively inexpensive to be duplicated so it can be used as an evaluation tool for rainfall estimation best practice for Meteorological and Climatological Agency’s network.
Chemical Composition of Fine Particulate Matter from Peat Forest Fires at Palangka Raya and Its Dispersion using HYSPLIT
Authors: Lestiani D D , Santoso M , Kurniawati S , Sari D K , Kusmartini I , Manurung A , Riadi A
Published: August 2019

An air quality monitoring was conducted to investigate the chemical characteristics of particulate emissions in peat forest fires at Palangka Raya, Indonesia during 2012 where a peat forest fire episode occurred. Aerosol samples were collected at Palangka Raya where represents a sub urban site downwind of the peat forest fires. The samples were collected using Gent stacked filter unit sampler. The sampler provides two size fractions: coarse (2.5-10 μm equivalent aerodynamic diameters EAD) and fine (<2.5 μm EAD). Black carbon (BC) was measured using Smoke Stain Reflectometer, and elemental compositions were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The concentrations of PM2.5 during a haze episode were significantly different about seven to eight times higher when compared to the concentrations in non-haze conditions. The major components of PM2.5 in peat smoke haze consist of sulphur, biomass burning component (BC, K), and crustal components (Al, Fe, Si). The sulphur mainly comes from the peat as it is the earliest stage of transition from compressed plant growth to the formation of coal. The dispersion pattern to show the effect of wind direction using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) simulation was also applied.
Unveiling of the SST gradient over the South China Sea and its possible relationship to the Asian precipitation
Authors: Vaid B H
Published: August 2019

The present study examines the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) variations over the South China Sea (SCS) using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) SST daily datasets for the period 1988–2009. In the SST over the South China Sea (SCS), a north-west versus south-east SST gradient (hereafter gra-SCS SST) is revealed. This SST gradient is seen to be induced by the distinct wind anomaly along with fresh water flux changes. The slope difference between the gra-SCS SST before and after 1999 is observed to be statistically significantly different than zero at a 95% confidence level. A decreasing/increasing trend in the gra-SCS SST is revealed before/after 1999. Besides, it is found that the gra-SCS SST characterizes the Asian monsoon variability by inducing cross equatorial monsoon flow towards the Asian Continent. In addition, we established the role of the gra-SCS SST in the Asian monsoon by computing causation based on the information flow concept between the gra-SCS SST and traditional monsoon indices, which pronounces that former impact the later. Based on the present corollary, we suggest that the gra-SCS SST should be considered as an important parameter in the climate studies as it is meticulously related to the precipitation over Asia.
Massive arrival of low-cost and low-consuming sensors in buildings: towards new building energy services
Authors: Delinchant B , Dang H A , Vu H T T , Nguyen D Q
Published: August 2019

Building is one of the most consuming sector with 5 MWh per person per year. Building energy efficiency is already addressed by countries policies but is still a topic of research. In our paper, we are addressing a new way of improving energy consumption in building, based on Internet of Things (IoT). IoT is synonymous of increase of the amount and accessibility of measurements. How is this impressive growth possible? How to use these new data to reduce building energy consumption and bring new energy performance services? IoT technologies are analysed and future tendencies are proposed. Our analysis is illustrated on the experience acquired within 2 smart building research and teaching platforms, one in Grenoble France, and the other in Hanoi, Vietnam. These research platform aim at improving energy efficiency and sobriety, and prepare building to energy grid services.
An optimal TEC model with input-Output analysis and its application for reducing CO2 emission in China
Authors: Wan Yi , Yang Dongming , Zhao Yifei , Yanagita Tatsuo
Published: August 2019

In managing regional environmental-economic systems, it is significant to design a comprehensive total emission control (TEC) policy. In this paper, an optimal TEC model with an input-output analysis is established to maximize the total production profit of all the economic sectors. With an empirical application of the model on reducing total CO2 emission in China, a TEC policy scheme is approximately calculated by using the national input-output table to give optimal solutions respectively for total production, final use and the corresponding CO2 emission of each sector. Finally, the key sectors most responsible for total emission reduction are identified, and then the impacts of improving emission intensity coefficient of the sector with the highest emission share are analysed quantitatively on the allocations of total CO2 emissions set as the TEC target by policy maker.
Application of integrated spatial approaches for studying the vegetation alternation’s effect on the reclaimed land of contaminated zinc mine
Authors: Somprasong K
Published: August 2019

The Mae Tao basin, Thailand has been considered to be a remote cadmium (Cd) - contaminated area since 2002. This area has been reported as the largest zinc deposition area so that the explicit potential cadmium source has not been detected. According to the reports from both government and private sectors, the zinc mine in the middle of the basin were determined to be one of the cadmium contributors in the area. From 2014, the mine closure operation has been conducted, thus the study on the selection of cover vegetation in the area has not been accomplished. In this study, the integrated approaches between MINESITE 3D, Geographic Information System (GIS) application and remote sensing techniques, were assigned to simulate the repetition of the vegetation over the reclaimed area. The study demonstrates that using the grass type vegetation for the reclamation of the area can largely reduce the potential erosion of the mine with a range from 89.70 to 94.45%. The results also demonstrate that the young vetiver grass cannot effectively reduce the potential erosion. Additionally, the study on the development of the supporting practice over the mining production area should be further conduct.
Stabilization of a sliding slope by using mixed wooden-concrete piles
Authors: Tataru I , Ilieş N M , Bucur I
Published: August 2019

This paper aims to present an ecological solution for stabilizing a sliding slope located near a saltwater lake, by using mixed wooden-concrete piles. Aspects about major disadvantage of wood degradation due to watering and drying were discussed since 1920. Today, due to a massive deforestation in Romania, ecological organizations are trying to limit the wood exploitation as global warming effects are becoming more and more obvious year after year. Therefore, by using mixed wooden-concrete piles, the life expectancy of a wooden structure is extended with about 80 years. This combination of wood and concrete could save natural and non-renewable materials consumption by extending the life of existing ones or, simply, by designing sustainable piles. The present research study includes a series of calculations and computer tests in order to determine the exactly dimension of the piles and their effect on slope stability.
Mechanical tests for Ti-based alloys as new medical materials
Authors: Bălţatu M S , Vizureanu P , Goanţă V , Ţugui C A , Voiculescu I
Published: August 2019

Medical implants of titanium alloys are frequently used in medicine being in attention for the researchers to develop alloys with properties close to the human bone. The most important thing in development of alloys for medical apllications is to be composed from biocompatible elements to avoid to affect the health of patients. The paper contains some mechanical properties of three alloys of Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta. Results revealed that it possesses very good mechanical properties for use in medical applications.
In Vitro study for new Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta alloys for medical use
Authors: Bălţatu I , Vizureanu P , Ciolacu F , Achiţei D C , Bălţatu M S , Vlad D
Published: August 2019

In recent years, researchers have shown a particular interest in improving titanium alloys in the field of medicine.Paper presents a vitro study for three alloys of Ti-Mo-Zr-Ta. This alloys was obtained in order to use them in medical applications as well as in paper studies present a lower level of cytotoxicity with future tissues.
Graphene geopolymer hybrid: A review on mechanical properties and piezoelectric effect
Authors: Danial N S , Che Halin D S , Ramli M M , Abdullah M M A , Mohd Salleh M A A , Mat Isa S S , Talip L F A , Mazlan N S
Published: August 2019

A review on graphene geopolymers hybrid is presented, focusing on the mechanical properties and piezoelectric effect. The method and way of mixing graphene with geopolymers are discussed, including form of graphene that frequently being used by researchers which is graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Type of geopolymers being focused in this paper is fly ash and kaolin. The flexural and compressive strength, fracture toughness and stiffness are highlighted in terms of mechanical properties after mixing with geopolymers. The piezoelectric effects on geopolymer is emphasized as graphene acted as conductive filler. Research findings revealed that graphene geopolymer hybrid displayed improvement in mechanical properties despite agglomeration and some defects that need to be rectified. Geopolymers such as metakaolin exhibited piezoelectric effect after being compressed cyclically with the migration of ions and by incorporating graphene nanoplateletes.
Study on corrosion behaviour of AZ91 alloys at different aging time
Authors: Salleh S H , Zaidi N H A , Abdullah S S C
Published: August 2019

The current work presents the corrosion behavior of AZ91 magnesium alloys in 0.01M NaCl. 2 different aging time samples were used in this study. It is found that sample with 2 hrs aging time shows a better corrosion resistance as compared to the 4 hrs aging time. It is also showing a significant small amount of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during the hydrogen gas collection examination. XRD indicates a few β- Mg17Al12 phase formed at 4 hrs aged samples. This is suggested that the formation of β phase in the alloy were accelerating the corrosion rate due to the galvanic corrosion mechanism.
Influence of melt preparing technology on the structure of cast aluminum-silicon alloy
Authors: Tyagunov G , Kostina T , Baryshev E , Vandysheva I , Shmakova K
Published: August 2019

Influence of melting conditions on the structure of AL30 alloy has been studied. To this end, the temperature dependences of physical properties of liquid alloy has been investigated. In is shown, that the formation of the microhomogeneous and the equilibrium alloy structure during melting process leads to significant decreasing of amounts of eutectic silicon. However, the amounts of primary α-aluminum solid solution and intermetallic compounds with dendritic form are increasing. Such treatment leads to decreasing of size of primary α-aluminum solid solution particles. On the base of experiments the physical model of aluminum-silicon alloy solidification was proposed.
A new approach on 3D scanning-printing technologies with medical applications
Authors: Negru N , Leba M , Rosca S , Marica L , Ionica A
Published: August 2019

The 3D printer is a very much discussed subject nowadays. It has many positive aspects and its purpose is to minimize costs, streamline complex processes, and shorten implementation times. From simple applications to complex systems, almost any assembly or subassembly can be reproduced using 3D printers, either based on a design or on a 3D real-world scan. Medicine is one of the domains that has turned to these devices, achieving amazing performance. 3D scanning and printing are basic elements in the development of new processes that were not possible at the moment. Thus, there are 3D models of the external ear of the human ear, applications in the repair of the epithelium affected by certain external factors, prostheses, medical models, and heart valves. In the present paper, we aim to explore, presenting advantages and disadvantages, existing systems for 3D scanning and designing of 3D models for printing in the field of orthopaedics.
Investigation of thermal coating influence on the fire resistance of a multi-layer material
Authors: Mocanita O , Chicet D , Istrate B , Micu C , Munteanu C
Published: August 2019

In modern practice, more and more multi-layered materials are emerging as response to the ever-changing demands of construction beneficiaries. One of these, a fire resistant multilayer material, is studied in this article. The multilayer material was made in two variants - on support of aluminium foam, respectively ceramic foam, and a ceramic fibre plate was used for the side exposed directly to the flame. On this plate, an Al2O3 ceramic coating with the role of thermal barrier was realized by atmospheric plasma spray method. His influence of was evaluated by comparing the recorded temperatures during the fire resistance tests for both the coated and the non-coated samples.
Metakaolin - waste glass geopolymers. The influence of hardening conditions on mechanical performances
Authors: Moncea M A , Panait A M , Dumitru F D , Baraitaru A G , Olteanu M V , Deák Gy , Boboc M , Stanciu S
Published: August 2019

The development of new ecological materials for the construction field represents a sustainable solution for waste management as long as their properties are comparable with those of traditional materials in terms of strengths, durability, corrosion resistance etc. Considering the large amount of glass wastes that are generated (e.g. technical waste glass derived from industrial activities) a sustainable approach is to recycle them in new products. To this purpose, metakaolin-waste glass geopolymers were obtained by using 10% technical glass powder and 90% metakaolin, activated with alkaline solutions of NaOH 8M and 12M. After 24 hours of hardening in certain conditions (cured for 2 hours at 60°C respectively 90 °C in covered moulds and up to 24 hours at room temperature) the geopolymer specimens were subjected to thermal treatments at temperatures up to 700°C, in order to establish the influence of hardening conditions on mechanical performances. The transformations which occur in the geopolymer matrix during the hardening process were studied by SEM analyses and x-ray diffraction. The results showed that a higher treatment temperature improves the mechanical resistance.
Study to achieving a class of road concrete with slag powder addition at the cement mass and substitution with artificial aggregates
Authors: Nicula L M , Corbu O , Iliescu M
Published: August 2019

In order to notice the influence of slag in the form of powder used as an addition to the cement mass and the substitution of natural aggregates with artificial aggregates from crushed and sorted slag, first of all, mixtures of mortars were made for a reduced volume of material. In the mixes design of new road concrete, we have taken into account the results obtained on the most representative mortar mixes. We chose mixtures of mortar with 15% addition of slag powder in the cement mass and those in which the 0/4 mm natural aggregate was substituted in a ratio of 20%, 40%, and 60% with artificial aggregates of crushed and sorted slag from the by-products stockpiles resulting from the process of obtaining the cast iron in the furnaces. The intended objective is to obtain a BcR 5.0 road concrete class that can be used in all categories of traffic. From the results obtained on mortar and concrete mixtures, it can be seen that compressive strengths and flexural tensile strengths remain close both in mortars and in concretes. Also, the results show that the control mixture falls into the BcR5.0 road concrete class and the new mixtures are very close to it.
Bending performance of cold formed steel structural member with perforated section in housing framing system
Authors: De’nan F , Sheng L Y
Published: August 2019

The study shows a numerical analysis on bending behavior of cold-formed steel framing system and the effective cost reduction between perforated and non-perforated steel section in steel framing system. The results are presented in the form of displacement and yield moment. Using finite element analysis software, a total of 26 set of nonlinear analysis were executed to determine the effects of opening spacing, edge distance and thickness of section on bending behavior. The result shows that the increasing of the opening spacing and edge distance would increase the bending capacity. C-channel steel section showed better moment resistance in thicker section. The result was then compared to the C-channel steel section without perforation. From the analysis, it was observed that C-channel steel section without perforation had higher bending capacity than C-channel steel section with perforation in major axis. However, there is a small difference in terms of yield moment when comparing C- channel section with 0.4D of square opening and 0.3L edge opening as well as 0.1L opening space with C-channel section without perforation while reducing the volumes up to 7.28%. Thus, C-channel section with 0.4D of square opening, 0.3L edge opening and 0.1L opening space give a very effective cost reduction.
Augmented reality in postindustrial tourism
Authors: Olar M L , Samuil I , Leba M , Ionica A
Published: August 2019

This paper explores the possibility of building an augmented reality (AR) smart system with a certain degree of artificial intelligence in order to recognize the components and their properties from the environment. The elements of the environment can be buildings, access roads, vegetation and so on. All of these can be accessed with AR devices, intelligent glasses, or smartphones displays. The buildings’ facades and the access routes, or any other form of geographical relief from the environment, can become triggers for connecting digital content to the real world. The paper presents the different existing applications of AR systems with emphasizes on the tourism field, discussing the potential of further development, the particular aspects concerning the conceptual elements of an AR based model design for postindustrial tourism development.