bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equine Activities Influence Horses’ Responses to Different Stimuli: Could This Have an Impact on Equine Welfare?
Authors: Mendonça Tiago , Bienboire-Frosini Cécile , Kowalczyk Izabela , Leclercq Julien , Arroub Sana , Pageat Patrick
Published: May 2019

The learning and cognitive challenges that horses may face differ according to the activities in which they are involved. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of equine activities on the behavioral responses and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity of adult horses. Forty-one horses were divided into four groups: dressage (9), jumping (10), eventing (13) and equine-assisted activity/therapy (9). A test was created to compare the horses’ behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli. The goal was always to obtain a treat. To study the ANS activity, heart rate variability was assessed using the standard deviation of the R-R intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between successive interbeat-intervals (RMSSD) and low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF). To assess behavioral responses, video analysis was performed considering the following behaviors: exploration, interactions with another horse, and latency to approach. Significant differences in SDNN (DF = 3; F = 3.36; p = 0.0202), RMSSD (DF = 3; F = 4.09; p = 0.0078), LF/HF (DF = 3; F = 4.79; p = 0.0031), exploration (DF = 3; F = 5.79; p = 0.0013) and latency to approach (DF = 3; F = 8.97; p < 0.0001) were found among horses from different equine activities. The activity that adult horses practice appears to influence behavioral and physiological responses to different stimuli, thus impacting equine welfare.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Related to Persistent Endovascular Infection
Authors: Li Liang , Yeaman Michael R. , Bayer Arnold S. , Xiong Yan Q.
Published: May 2019

Persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia (PB) represents an important subset of S. aureus infection and correlates with poor clinical outcomes. MRSA isolates from patients with PB differ significantly from those of resolving bacteremia (RB) with regard to several in vitro phenotypic and genotypic profiles. For instance, PB strains exhibit less susceptibility to cationic host defense peptides and vancomycin (VAN) killing under in vivo-like conditions, greater damage to endothelial cells, thicker biofilm formation, altered growth rates, early activation of many global virulence regulons (e.g., sigB, sarA, sae and agr) and higher expression of purine biosynthesis genes (e.g., purF) than RB strains. Importantly, PB strains are significantly more resistant to VAN treatment in experimental infective endocarditis as compared to RB strains, despite similar VAN minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in vitro. Here, we review relevant phenotypic and genotypic characteristics related to the PB outcome. These and future insights may improve our understanding of the specific mechanism(s) contributing to the PB outcome, and aid in the development of novel therapeutic and preventative measures against this life-threatening infection.
Effect of Polyphenol-Rich Dark Chocolate on Salivary Cortisol and Mood in Adults
Authors: Tsang Catherine , Hodgson Lindsay , Bussu Anna , Farhat Grace , Al-Dujaili Emad
Published: May 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ingestion of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate improved salivary cortisol levels and subjective mood states in adults recruited from a health and social care setting. Twenty-six participants ingested 25 g/day of a high polyphenol dark chocolate (containing 500 mg of total flavonoids) or a similar amount of a control dark chocolate containing negligible flavonoids for four weeks. Twenty-four-hour salivary glucocorticoid levels (cortisol and cortisone) were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and subjective mood was assessed using a validated Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule. Total daily cortisol, morning cortisol, and the cortisol/cortisone ratio were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) after ingestion of only the high polyphenol dark chocolate. There were no significant differences between groups for overall scores for positive affect and negative affect. No changes were observed after the control dark chocolate, or any other parameter measured. In conclusion, the findings from this small-scale study indicate lowering of salivary cortisol levels following polyphenol-rich dark chocolate in adults recruited from a health and social care setting. Such changes may be attributable to their ability to inhibit 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity and warrant further investigation.
Reinforcing Efficiency of Micro and Macro Continuous Polypropylene Fibers in Cementitious Composites
Authors: Mobasher Barzin , Dey Vikram , Bauchmoyer Jacob , Mehere Himai , Schaef Steve
Published: May 2019

The effect of the microstructure of hydrophilic polypropylene (PP) fibers in the distribution of cracking associated with the strengthening and toughening mechanism of cement-based composites under tensile loading was studied. Using a filament winding system, continuous cement-based PP fiber composites were manufactured. The automated manufacturing system allows alignment of the fiber yarns in the longitudinal direction at various fiber contents. Composites with surface-modified hydrophilic macro-synthetic continuous polypropylene fibers and monofilament yarns with different diameters and surface structures were used. Samples were characterized using the tensile first cracking strength, post-crack stiffness, ultimate strength, and strain capacity. A range of volume fractions of 1–4% by volume of fibers was used, resulting in tensile first cracking strength in the range of 1–7 MPa, an ultimate strength of up to 22 MPa, and a strain capacity of 6%. The reinforcing efficiency based on crack spacing and width was documented as a function of the applied strain using digital image correlation (DIC). Quantitative analysis of crack width and spacing showed the sequential formation and gradual intermittent opening of several active and passive cracks as the key parameters in the toughening mechanism. Results are correlated with the tensile response and stiffness degradation. The mechanical properties, as well as crack spacing and composite stiffness, were significantly affected by the microstructure and dosage of continuous fibers.
Chitosan as a Natural Copolymer with Unique Properties for the Development of Hydrogels
Authors: Sami El-banna Fatma , Mahfouz Magdy Elsayed , Leporatti Stefano , El-Kemary Maged , A. N. Hanafy Nemany
Published: May 2019

Hydrogel-based polymers are represented by those hydrophilic polymers having functional groups in their chain such as amine (NH2), hydroxyl [-OH], amide (-CONH-, -CONH2), and carboxyl [COOH]. These hydrophilic groups raise their potential to absorb fluids or aqueous solution more than their weights. This physicochemical mechanism leads to increased hydrogel expansion and occupation of larger volume, the process which shows in swelling behavior. With these unique properties, their use for biomedical application has been potentially raised owing also to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Chitosan as a natural copolymer, presents a subject for hydrogel structures and function. This review aimed to study the structure as well as the function of chitosan and its hydrogel properties.
Influence of Horseback Riding and Horse Simulator Riding on Heart Rate Variability: Are There Differences?
Authors: Villafaina Santos , Cordón-González Carmen , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Fuentes-García Juan P. , Adsuar J. C. , Merellano-Navarro E. , Parraca J. A.
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to compare the heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy young people while riding a real horse or a horse gait simulator. The sample consisted of a group of 23 healthy young adults aged 22.91 (2.37), who rode a horse for five minutes at walking speed and spent five minutes on a horse gait simulator, while their HRV values were being recorded. Furthermore, immediately after each protocol, the HRV at rest was also recorded to observe the acute effects. We used the paired samples t-test to compare between the HRV during the horse-riding and the horse simulator-riding activities, as well as the differences in the acute effects between both situations. The findings indicate that the HRV was lower when participants were riding the horse compared with the activity on the horse simulator. However, no differences were observed immediately after the two protocols. Therefore, we state that the sympathetic tone is higher while riding a real horse than while riding a horse simulator. These differences may be due to emotional aspects and not due to differences in the physical load, considering the absence of differences in the acute effects.
Photo-Electrochemical Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Biomimetic CaMn2O4 Catalyst
Authors: Gagrani Ankita , Alsultan Mohammed , Swiegers Gerhard F. , Tsuzuki Takuya
Published: May 2019

Calcium manganese oxide catalysts are a new class of redox catalysts with significant importance because of their structural similarity to natural oxygen-evolving complex in plant cells and the earth-abundant elemental constituents. In the present study, the photo-electrocatalytic properties of CaMn2O4 in water-splitting were investigated. CaMn2O4 powders with irregular shapes and nanowire shapes were synthesised using mechanochemical processing and a hydrothermal method, respectively. The anode in a photo-electrochemical cell was fabricated by embedding CaMn2O4 powders within polypyrrole. The results showed that CaMn2O4 induced a higher dark and light current in comparison to the control sample (polypyrrole alone). CaMn2O4 nanowires exhibited higher dark and light current in comparison to irregular-shaped CaMn2O4 powders. The difference was attributable to the higher surface area of nanowires compared to the irregular-shaped particles, rather than the difference in exposed crystal facets.
Development of Rock Embedded Drilled Shaft Resistance Factors in Korea based on Field Tests
Authors: KIM Seok Jung , KWON Sun Yong , HAN Jin Tae , YOO Mintaek
Published: May 2019

Load and resistance factor design (LRFD) is a limit state design method that has been applied worldwide. Because the data for determining LRFD factors in Korea has been insufficient, the resistance factors suggested by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the US have been used for design in Korea; however, these resistance factors were defined based on the characteristics of the predominant bedrock types in the U.S. As such, it remains necessary to determine resistance factors that reflect the bedrock conditions in Korea. Accordingly, in this study, LRFD resistance factors were determined using 13 sets of drilled shaft load test data. To obtain accurate resistance factors, calibration of the elastic modulus of the drilled shaft and the equivalent load–displacement curve considering the axial load and elastic settlement was conducted. After determining accurate resistance values, a reliability analysis was performed. The resistance factors were determined to be within 0.13–0.32 of the AASHTO factors for the shaft resistance, 0.19–0.29 for the base resistance, and 0.28–0.42 for the total resistance. This is equivalent to being 30–60% of the AASHTO-recommended values for the shaft resistance and 40–60% of the AASHTO-recommended values for the base resistance. These differences in resistance factors were entirely the result of discrepancies in the conditions of the rock in the US and Korea in which the shafts were founded.
Design and Implementation of a New Wireless Carotid Neckband Doppler System with Wearable Ultrasound Sensors: Preliminary Results
Authors: Song Ilseob , Yoon Jongmin , Kang Jinbum , Kim Min , Jang Won Seuk , Shin Na-Young , Yoo Yangmo
Published: May 2019

Noninvasive monitoring of blood flow in the carotid artery is important for evaluating not only cerebrovascular but also cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, a wireless neckband ultrasound Doppler system, in which two 2.5-MHz ultrasonic sensors are utilized for acquiring Doppler signals from both carotid arteries, is presented for continuously evaluating blood flow dynamics. In the developed wireless neckband Doppler system, the acquired Doppler signals are quantized by 14-bit analog-to-digital-converters running at 40 MHz, and pre-processing operations (i.e., demodulation and clutter filtering) are performed in an embedded field programmable gate array chip. Then, these data are transferred to an external smartphone (i.e., Galaxy S7, Samsung Electronics Co., Suwon, Korea) via Bluetooth 2.0. Post-processing (i.e., Fourier transform and image processing) is performed using an embedded application processor in the smartphone. The developed carotid neckband Doppler system was evaluated with phantom and in vivo studies. In a phantom study, the neckband Doppler system showed comparable results with a commercial ultrasound machine in terms of peak systolic velocity and resistive index, i.e., 131.49 ± 3.97 and 0.75 ± 0.02 vs. 131.89 ± 2.06 and 0.74 ± 0.02, respectively. In addition, in the in vivo study, the neckband Doppler system successfully demonstrated its capability to continuously evaluate hemodynamics in both common carotid arteries. These results indicate that the developed wireless neckband Doppler system can be used for continuous monitoring of blood flow dynamics in the common carotid arteries in point-of-care settings.
Priming of Solanum melongena L. Seeds Enhances Germination, Alters Antioxidant Enzymes, Modulates ROS, and Improves Early Seedling Growth: Indicating Aqueous Garlic Extract as Seed-Priming Bio-Stimulant for Eggplant Production
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Hayat Sikandar , Ahmad Husain , Ghani Muhammad Imran , Amin Bakht , Atif Muhammad Jawaad , Cheng Zhihui
Published: May 2019

The current study was aimed to evaluate the seed priming potential of AGE (aqueous garlic extracts) to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth of eggplant. Different concentrations (100, 200, and 300 µg mL−1) of AGE were evaluated along with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), plant growth regulators with reported seed priming potential whereas, water was taken as a control treatment. Eggplant seeds were primed for 4-, 8-, and 12-h and seed germination traits such germination rate index, germination percentage, mean germination time, and early seedling growth traits such as fresh and dry weights, root, and shoot lengths were observed. Moreover, plant antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation levels, soluble protein contents and reactive oxygen species were monitored to establish the stimulatory/inhibitory effects of the treatments. Our results indicate priming potential of AGE, SA, and MeJA to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth in eggplant and the effects were obvious in various morphological and physiological traits. Seed priming significantly altered the antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) with alteration in the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, priming duration also affected the bioactivity of these chemicals because seed priming with 300 µg mL−1 AGE for 4 h had a positive influence, however, prolonged exposure to the same concentration inhibited the seed germination process and induced oxidative stress on the seedlings with elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) content. We propose AGE seed priming as a bio-stimulant to enhance seed germination and early seedling growth in eggplant, and the results hence lay the foundation for the preparation of garlic-based compounds to improve vegetables production under plastic tunnels and greenhouse production units.
An Optical Interference Suppression Scheme for TCSPC Flash LiDAR Imagers
Authors: Carrara Lucio , Fiergolski Adrian
Published: May 2019

This paper describes an optical interference suppression scheme that allows flash light detection and ranging (LiDAR) imagers to run safely and reliably in uncontrolled environments where multiple LiDARs are expected to operate concurrently. The issue of optical interference is a potential show-stopper for the adoption of flash LiDAR as a technology of choice in multi-user application fields such as automotive sensing and autonomous vehicle navigation. The relatively large emission angle and field of view of flash LiDAR imagers make them especially vulnerable to optical interference. This work illustrates how a time-correlated single-photon counting LiDAR can control the timing of its laser emission to reduce its statistical correlation to other modulated or pulsed light sources. This method is based on a variable random delay applied to the laser pulse generated by LiDAR and to the internal circuitry measuring the time-of-flight. The statistical properties of the pseudorandom sequence of delays determines the effectiveness of LiDAR resilience against unintentional and intentional optical interference. For basic multi-camera operation, a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) was used as a random delay generator, and the performance of the interference suppression was evaluated as a function of sequence length and integration time. Direct interference from an identical LiDAR emitter pointed at the same object was reduced up to 50 dB. Changing integration time between 10 ms and 100 ms showed a marginal impact on the performance of the suppression (less than 3 dB deviation). LiDAR signal integrity was characterized during suppression, obtaining a maximum relative deviation of the measured time-of-flight of 0.1%, and a maximum deviation of measurements spread (full-width half-maximum) of 3%. The LiDAR signal presented an expected worst-case reduction in intensity of 25%.
Effects of Aging, Cognitive Dysfunction, Brain Atrophy on Hemoglobin Concentrations and Optical Pathlength at Rest in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Sakatani Kaoru , Hu Lizhen , Oyama Katsunori , Yamada Yukio
Published: May 2019

Background: In order to evaluate usefulness of a time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS) in screening test of cognitive dysfunction, we studied the effects of aging, cognitive dysfunction, brain atrophy on hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and optical pathlengths (OPLs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) at rest, using TRS. Methods: Employing TRS, we measured Hb concentrations and OPLs at rest in the PFC, and evaluated the relationship between the TRS parameters and cognitive function assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). In addition, we evaluated the relationship between the TRS parameters and the brain atrophy assessed by MRI. Results: We found positive correlations between MMSE scores and oxygen saturation (SO2), oxy-Hb in the PFC, suggesting that the greater the degree of PFC activity, the higher the cognitive function. In addition, we found the negative correlation between the subject’s age and SO2 and oxy-Hb in the PFC, suggesting that the older the subject, the lower the PFC activity at rest. Moreover, the OPLs in the right PFC negatively correlated with degree of brain atrophy evaluated by MRI, indicating that the shorter the OPL, greater degree of brain atrophy. Conclusions: TRS allowed us to evaluate the relation between the cerebral blood oxygenation (CBO) in the PFC at rest and cognitive function.
Local Ternary Cross Structure Pattern: A Color LBP Feature Extraction with Applications in CBIR
Authors: Feng Qinghe , Wei Ying , Yi Yugen , Hao Qiaohong , Dai Jiangyan
Published: May 2019

With the advent of medical endoscopes, earth observation satellites and personal phones, content-based image retrieval (CBIR) has attracted considerable attention, triggered by its wide applications, e.g., medical image analytics, remote sensing, and person re-identification. However, constructing effective feature extraction is still recognized as a challenging problem. To tackle this problem, we first propose the five-level color quantizer (FLCQ) to acquire a color quantization map (CQM). Secondly, according to the anatomical structure of the human visual system, the color quantization map (CQM) is amalgamated with a local binary pattern (LBP) map to construct a local ternary cross structure pattern (LTCSP). Third, the LTCSP is further converted into the uniform local ternary cross structure pattern (LTCSPuni) and the rotation-invariant local ternary cross structure pattern (LTCSPri) in order to cut down the computational cost and improve the robustness, respectively. Finally, through quantitative and qualitative evaluations on face, objects, landmark, textural and natural scene datasets, the experimental results illustrate that the proposed descriptors are effective, robust and practical in terms of CBIR application. In addition, the computational complexity is further evaluated to produce an in-depth analysis.
Dynamic Numerical Analysis of Displacement Restraining Effect of Inclined Earth-Retaining Structure during Embankment Construction
Authors: Son Su-Won , Seo Minsu , Im Jong-Chul , Yoo Jae-Won
Published: May 2019

Retaining walls are generally used for temporary installations during the excavation process of a construction project. They are also utilized to construct embankments in order to extend a railway facility. In this case, a retaining wall is installed during the construction process and contributes to the resistance of large amounts of stress, including the railway load. However, it is generally difficult to retain walls to maintain their stability. Therefore, alternative construction methods, such as the use of an inclined earth-retaining wall, have been utilized to suppress the lateral displacement. The stability is verified in advance through field tests; however, the maximum stress acting on the railway is thought to be the concentrated railway load. In this study, a two-dimensional numerical analysis was conducted by changing the railway load to a dynamic load. The analysis was applied according to the number of H-piles of the same length (10 m) when only the front wall was installed and when a back support was also applied. It was determined that the lateral displacement of the latter case is smaller than that of the former, whereas the resistance to dynamic loading of the former case is greater.
Three-Dimensional Modelling of Precipitation Enhancement by Cloud Seeding in Three Different Climate Zones
Authors: Ćurić Mladjen , Lompar Miloš , Romanic Djordje , Zou Linda , Liang Haoran
Published: May 2019

This study numerically investigates precipitation enhancement from cumuliform clouds in three different climate regions: (1) Arid climate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); (2) maritime climate of Thailand; and (3) continental climate of Serbia. Recently developed core/shell sodium chloride (NaCl)/titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructure (CSNT) aerosol was tested as a precipitation enhancer in all three climate regions. Previous experimental studies in cloud chambers and idealized numerical simulations demonstrated that CSNT is a significantly more effective precipitation enhancer than the traditional NaCl. Here, CSNT and NaCl seeding agents are incorporated into the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model microphysics with explicate treatment of aerosol. Our results show that CSNT is a profoundly more effective precipitation enhancer in the case of arid climate characterized with low humidity. The accumulated surface precipitation in the arid test was 1.4 times larger if CSNT seeding agent was used instead of NaCl. The smallest difference in the effectiveness between CSNT and NaCl was observed in the maritime case due to their similar activation properties at high values of relative humidity.
False Discovery Rate Control in Cancer Biomarker Selection Using Knockoffs
Authors: Shen Arlina , Fu Han , He Kevin , Jiang Hui
Published: May 2019

The discovery of biomarkers that are informative for cancer risk assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment predictions is crucial. Recent advances in high-throughput genomics make it plausible to select biomarkers from the vast number of human genes in an unbiased manner. Yet, control of false discoveries is challenging given the large number of genes versus the relatively small number of patients in a typical cancer study. To ensure that most of the discoveries are true, we employ a knockoff procedure to control false discoveries. Our method is general and flexible, accommodating arbitrary covariate distributions, linear and nonlinear associations, and survival models. In simulations, our method compares favorably to the alternatives; its utility of identifying important genes in real clinical applications is demonstrated by the identification of seven genes associated with Breslow thickness in skin cutaneous melanoma patients.
Cobalt Based Catalysts Supported on Two Kinds of Beta Zeolite for Application in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Sadek Renata , Chalupka Karolina A. , Mierczynski Pawel , Rynkowski Jacek , Gurgul Jacek , Dzwigaj Stanislaw
Published: May 2019

Co-containing Beta zeolite catalysts prepared by a wet impregnation and two-step postsynthesis method were investigated. The activity of the catalysts was examined in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), performed at 30 atm and 260 °C. The physicochemical properties of all systems were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), in situ XRD, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed reduction of hydrogen (TPR-H2), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Among the studied catalysts, the best results were obtained for the samples prepared by a two-step postsynthesis method, which achieved CO conversion of about 74%, and selectivity to liquid products of about 86%. The distribution of liquid products for Red-Me-Co20Beta was more diversified than for Red-Mi-Co20Beta. It was observed that significant influence of the zeolite dealumination of mesoporous zeolite on the catalytic performance in FTS. In contrast, for microporous catalysts, the dealumination did not play such a significant role and the relatively high activity is observed for both not dealuminated and dealuminated catalysts. The main liquid products of FTS on both mesoporous and microporous catalysts were C10-C14 isoalkanes and n-alkanes. The iso-/n-alkanes ratio for dealuminated zeolite catalysts was three times higher than that for not dealuminated ones, and was related to the presence of different kind of acidic sites in both zeolite catalysts.
Solar-Light-Driven Efficient ZnO–Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Photocatalyst for the Degradation of a Persistent Water Pollutant Organic Dye
Authors: Sapkota Kamal Prasad , Lee Insup , Hanif Md. Abu , Islam Md. Akherul , Hahn Jae Ryang
Published: May 2019

An efficient photocatalyst, ZnO–single-walled carbon nanotube (ZnO–SWCNT) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated through a straightforward one-pot–two-chemical recrystallization technique followed by thermal decomposition. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared ZnO–SWCNT composite was investigated by assessing the degradation of a persistent water-pollutant dye (methylene blue, MB) under visible-light irradiation. We found that the synthesized photocatalyst is an effective and recyclable agent for the decomposition of an MB solution. Its photocatalytic performance was substantially better than that of pristine ZnO nanorods or pristine SWCNTs. The reusability of the photocatalyst was also examined, affirming that it could be used repeatedly for five cycles without conspicuous loss of morphology or catalytic performance.
Atmospheric and Ocean Dynamics May Explain Cycles in Oceanic Oscillations
Authors: Seip Knut L. , Grøn Øyvind
Published: May 2019

What causes cycles in oceanic oscillations, and is there a change in the characteristics of oscillations in around 1950? Characteristics of oceanic cycles and their sources are important for climate predictability. We here compare cycles generated in a simple model with observed oceanic cycles in the great oceans: The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), El Niño, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). In the model, we let a stochastic movement in one oceanic oscillation cause a similar but lagging movement in another oceanic oscillation. The two interacting oscillations show distinct cycle lengths depending upon how strongly one oscillation creates lagging cycles in the other. The model and observations both show cycles around two to six, 13 to 16, 22 to 23, and 31 to 32 years. The ultimate cause for the distinct cycles is atmospheric and oceanic “bridges” that connect the ocean basins, but the distinct pattern in cycle lengths is determined by properties of statistical distributions. We found no differences in the leading or lagging strength between well separated basins (the North Atlantic and the Pacific) and overlapping ocean basins (both in the Pacific). The cyclic pattern before 1950 appears to be different from the cyclic pattern after 1950.
Hot Corrosion Behavior of BaLa2Ti3O10 Thermal Barrier Ceramics in V2O5 and Na2SO4 + V2O5 Molten Salts
Authors: Liu Hui , Cai Jin , Zhu Jihong
Published: May 2019

BaLa2Ti3O10 ceramics for thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications were fabricated, and exposed to V2O5 and Na2SO4 + V2O5 molten salts at 900 °C to investigate the hot corrosion behavior. After 4 h corrosion tests, the main reaction products resulting from V2O5 salt corrosion were LaVO4, TiO2, and Ba3V4O13, whereas those due to Na2SO4 + V2O5 corrosion consisted of LaVO4, TiO2, BaSO4 and some Ba3V4O13. The structures of reaction layers on the surfaces depended on the corrosion medium. In V2O5 salt, the layer was dense and had a thickness of 8–10 μm. While in Na2SO4 + V2O5 salt, it had a ~15 μm porous structure and a dense, thin band at the bottom. Beneath the dense layer or the band, no obvious molten salt was found. The mechanisms by which the reaction layer forms were discussed.
Improved Sum of Residues Modular Multiplication Algorithm
Authors: Mehrabi Mohamad Ali
Published: May 2019

Modular reduction of large values is a core operation in most common public-key cryptosystems that involves intensive computations in finite fields. Within such schemes, efficiency is a critical issue for the effectiveness of practical implementation of modular reduction. Recently, Residue Number Systems have drawn attention in cryptography application as they provide a good means for extreme long integer arithmetic and their carry-free operations make parallel implementation feasible. In this paper, we present an algorithm to calculate the precise value of “ X mod p ” directly in the RNS representation of an integer. The pipe-lined, non-pipe-lined, and parallel hardware architectures are proposed and implemented on XILINX FPGAs.
Electro-Optical Properties of a Polymer Dispersed and Stabilized Cholesteric Liquid Crystals System Constructed by a Stepwise UV-Initiated Radical/Cationic Polymerization
Authors: Li Chen-Yue , Wang Xiao , Liang Xiao , Sun Jian , Li Chun-Xin , Zhang Shuai-Feng , Zhang Lan-Ying , Zhang Hai-Quan , Yang Huai
Published: May 2019

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and polymer-stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) are two typical liquid crystal (LC)/polymer composites. PDLCs are usually prepared by dispersing LC droplets in a polymer matrix, while PSLC is a system in which the alignment of LC molecules is stabilized by interactions between the polymer network and the LC molecules. In this study, a new material system is promoted to construct a coexistence system of PDLC and PSLC, namely PD&SChLC. In this new material system, a liquid-crystalline vinyl-ether monomer (LVM) was introduced to a mixture containing cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) and isotropic acrylate monomer (IAM). Based on the different reaction rates between LVM and IAM, the PD&SChLC architecture was built using a stepwise UV-initiated polymerization. During the preparation of the PDS&ChLC films, first, the mixture was irradiated with UV light for a short period of time to induce the free radical polymerization of IAMs, forming a phase-separated microstructure, PDLC. Subsequently, an electric filed was applied to the sample for long enough to induce the cationic polymerization of LVMs, forming the homeotropically-aligned polymer fibers within the ChLC domains, which are similar to those in a PSLC. Based on this stepwise UV-initiated radical/cationic polymerization, a PD&SChLC film with the advantages of a relatively low driving voltage, a fast response time, and a large-area processability is successful prepared. The film can be widely used in flexible displays, smart windows, and other optical devices.
Mechanochemical Access to Elusive Metal Diphosphinate Coordination Polymer
Authors: Ienco Andrea , Tuci Giulia , Guerri Annalisa , Costantino Ferdinando
Published: May 2019

Several binary metal diphosphinate compounds (ML) have been reported for diphosphinate bonded by a single methylene fragment. In case of longer bridges, binary products are difficult to isolate in crystalline form. Here, using a solvent assisted mechano-chemistry synthesis, we report two new ML crystalline phases, one hydrated and one anhydrous. The hydrated phase is a 2D coordination polymer with an open framework structure. Its network displays a new topology for coordination polymers and metal organic frameworks. The thermal behavior of the two phases has been studied. Finally, the importance of the bridge length is discussed in view of known metal diphosphinate compounds.
Fostering Professional Competencies in Engineering Undergraduates with EPS@ISEP
Authors: Malheiro Benedita , Guedes Pedro , Silva Manuel F. , Ferreira Paulo
Published: May 2019

Engineering education addresses the development of professional competencies in undergraduates. In this context, the core set of professional competencies includes critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication, collaboration and team building, and creativity and innovation—also known as the four Cs—as well as socio-professional ethics and sustainable development—referred in this paper as the two Ss. While the four Cs were identified by the associates of the American Management Association based on the needs of the society, professional associations, and businesses; this paper proposes the two S extension to ensure that future engineers contribute to the well-being of individuals and the preservation of life on Earth. It proposes a tangible framework—the 4C2S—and an application method to analyse the contributions made by engineering capstone programmes to the development of these core competencies in future engineering professionals. The method is applied to an engineering capstone programme—the European Project Semester (EPS) offered by the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP)—and a specific project case—EPS@ISEP Pet Tracker project developed in 2013, constituting, in addition, a road map for the application of the 4C2S framework to engineering capstone programmes. The results show that EPS@ISEP complies with the 4C2S framework.
How Do Physics Teacher Candidates Substantiate Their Knowledge? An Analytical Framework for Examining the Epistemic Dimensions of Content Knowledge in Higher Education
Authors: Nousiainen Maija , Hyytinen Heidi , Palmgren Elina , Toom Auli
Published: May 2019

Supporting teacher candidates’ learning of coherent and well-ordered content knowledge is one of the most important educational aims in subject teacher education. To reach this aim, teacher educators need suitable tools to enhance the formation of such knowledge. In this article, we present an analytical framework to examine conceptual knowledge, meaning the ability to define the relevant concepts pertaining to a task; relational knowledge, i.e., the ability to consider interrelations between the concepts; and strategic knowledge, i.e., the ability to use the knowledge by providing (experimental or modeling) procedures, which build new knowledge. A sample analysis of 16 teacher candidates’ written reports is presented to illustrate how this framework can be used. The aim of the study was to reveal what kind of variation in teacher candidates’ content knowledge can be found. This study suggests that teacher candidates’ written reports can reveal remarkable differences in the epistemic dimensions of content knowledge. The framework shows the differences among the teacher candidates as well as produces information for teacher educators of the critical aspects, when and where to intervene, and where to focus using different teaching practices.
A Building Information Modelling (BIM) based Water Efficiency (BWe) Framework for Sustainable Building Design and Construction Management
Authors: Liu Zhen , Zhang Chao , Guo Yuanxiang , Osmani Mohamed , Demian Peter
Published: May 2019

There is a lack of decision-making tools for water efficiency design and construction to maximize project benefits and water conservation. An increasing number of research studies indicate that building information modelling (BIM) can enhance the cooperation, improve work efficiency, and conduct simulation and analysis of sustainability performance in building projects. However, BIM’s potential to enhance water efficiency is yet to be established, such as water gird design optimization, clash detection, combination of BIM with smart appliances and sensors. The research adopted a mixed method approach to investigate the potential impact of BIM on water efficiency in building projects. It involved 50 practitioners from the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry through a questionnaire survey and the follow-up interviews. The quantitative results of questionnaire data and qualitative results of interviews were used to develop a “BIM-based Water Efficiency (BWe) Framework” which was subsequently validated by five experienced practitioners and researchers in the form of semi-structured interviews. The framework applies BIM to optimize traditional water efficiency measures based on an information database. The geometry, attributes, status information of building components or non-component objects stored in the database greatly improve information integration degree of construction engineering. This study provided a reference for the use of BIM for water conservation in building design and construction.
Analysis of DC Link Energy Storage for Single-Phase Grid-Connected PV Inverters
Authors: Ertasgin Gurhan , Whaley David M. , Ertugrul Nesimi , Soong Wen L.
Published: May 2019

Single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) inverters (GCI) are commonly used to feed power back to the utility. However, the inverter output power fluctuates at 100 Hz, which can be seen by the PV panel, and this reduces the PV output power. It is important to determine and analyze the correlation between the array voltage and current ripple and the average output power reduction of PV array. Therefore, this paper investigates the relationships between the oscillations due to single-phase switching and the DC link energy storage for PV GCIs. The balanced ripple definition is introduced and compared with the more common centered ripple definition. Some examples are provided that demonstrate the importance of these results, in the inverter design industry. The analysis presented here incorporates inductor trade-offs, which are verified with experimental results.
Conversion of Natural Evergreen Broadleaved Forests Decreases Soil Organic Carbon but Increases the Relative Contribution of Microbial Residue in Subtropical China
Authors: Yang Liuming , Chen Silu , Li Yan , Wang Quancheng , Zhong Xiaojian , Yang Zhijie , Lin Chengfang , Yang Yusheng
Published: May 2019

It has been recognized that land use change affects soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics and the associated microbial turnover. However, the contribution of microbial residue to SOC storage remains largely unknown in land use change processes. To this end, we adopted a “space for time” approach to examine the dynamics of SOC and amino sugars, which was a biomarker of microbial residue C, in different natural forest conversions. Three typical converted forests were selected: an assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and two coniferous plantations of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook (Chinese fir) and Pinus massoniana Lamb. (pine) each. All of these were developed at the same time after the harvest of an old natural forest and they were used to evaluate the effects of forest conversions with contrasting anthropogenic disturbance on SOC and microbial residue C, along with the natural forest. Natural forest conversion led to an approximately 42% decrease in SOC for ANR with low anthropogenic disturbance, 60% for the Chinese fir plantation, and 64% for the pine plantation. In contrast, the natural forest conversion led to a 32% decrease in the total amino sugars (TAS) for ANR, 43% for the Chinese fir plantation, and 54% for the pine plantation at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. The ratios of TAS to SOC were significantly increased following natural forest conversion, with the highest ratio being observed in the Chinese fir plantation, whereas the ratios of glucosamine to muramic acid (GluN/MurA) were significantly decreased in the two plantations, but not in ANR. The contents of SOC, individual amino sugar, or TAS, and GluN/MurA ratios were consistently higher at a soil depth of 0–10 cm than at 10–20 cm for all of the experimental forests. Redundancy analysis showed that microbial residue C was significantly correlated with SOC, and both were positively correlated with fine root biomass, annual litterfall, and soil available phosphorus. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that microbial residue C accumulation varied with SOC and litter input, and played a more important role in SOC storage following forest conversion to plantations with higher anthropogenic disturbance.
Temporalities and Transitions of Family History in Europe: Competing Accounts
Authors: Mathieu Jon
Published: May 2019

Standard collective publications on European family history manifest large differences in their temporal structure. This article examines three examples from different countries and currents of research for the last five centuries. It discusses the question of whether, and to which degree, time theory can be applied to adjust and balance investigations of the domestic domain in the long run. For that purpose, this article uses the theoretical framework of US-American scholar Andrew Abbott. His work has provided important inputs for contemporary family research. Can we also use it for long-term investigations?
“Saving Venice”: Local, Global and Transnational Perspectives on Cultural Heritage in Children’s Fantasy
Authors: Myers Lindsay
Published: May 2019

Children’s literature has always been heavily influenced by the local and national climate in which it is produced, the birth of this literature having coincided in many places with the formation of the nation-state. Over the last 50 years, however, the effects of globalization have radically transformed the relationship between authors and their markets, and a new tension has arisen in children’s texts between the local and the global. Celebrating commonality across boundaries while simultaneously safeguarding the tutelage of cultural heritage can be particularly difficult, especially when (as is the case with Venice) that heritage has been singled out by UNESCO as being under threat. This essay undertakes a close reading of three 21st-century fantasies for children set in Venice: Mary Hoffman’s Stravaganza: City of Masks, Laura Walter’s Mistica Maeva e l’anello di Venezia, and Michelle Lovric’s The Undrowned Child, all of which have been translated into other languages and reached audiences far beyond their places of origin. It asks what we mean when we speak about cultural heritage conservation in children’s literature today and the extent to which the preservation of Venice’s cultural heritage is being depicted in this literature as a transnational phenomenon.
Post-Disaster Recovery Associations of Power Systems Dependent Critical Infrastructures
Authors: Sarker Partha , Lester Henry D.
Published: May 2019

The complete failure of the power systems infrastructure in Puerto Rico, following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, severely hampered the recovery efforts of multiple critical infrastructure systems (CIS). Understanding the relationships of infrastructure recovery efforts between power infrastructure systems and the other CIS has the potential to be a key in developing an effective recovery plan leading to resilient infrastructure systems, and thereby a more resilient community. This paper explores the critical interfaces and interdependencies in CIS recovery by examining the disruptions and recovery progress of the CIS, including the power infrastructure systems, in Puerto immediately following the events of Hurricane Maria. This research uncovers that strong CIS recovery interdependency relationships exist between the power infrastructure systems and other CIS in Puerto Rico, and these relationships contribute to the resilience of these CIS. The resultant CIS recovery associations may potentially predict the recovery progress of post-disaster CIS recovery centered on the power infrastructure systems and lay the groundwork for further interdependency analysis of CIS in post-disaster scenarios. The results may also be helpful while designing CIS for resiliency in natural disaster areas.
Second-Line Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel for Patients with Unresectable Advanced Pancreatic Cancer after First-Line FOLFIRINOX Failure
Authors: Mita Naoki , Iwashita Takuji , Uemura Shinya , Yoshida Kensaku , Iwasa Yuhei , Ando Nobuhiro , Iwata Keisuke , Okuno Mitsuru , Mukai Tsuyoshi , Shimizu Masahito
Published: May 2019

FOLFIRINOX (FX) and gemcitabine (GEM) plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) have been reported as effective regimens for unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). FX may be more effective but is also associated with more adverse events (AEs). Therefore, first-line treatment with FX followed by second-line GnP may be appropriate. Aims: To assess the safety and efficacy of second-line GnP for patients with APC after first-line FX failure. Methods: This study was a multicenter prospective phase II study evaluating second-line GnP in patients with APC after failed first-line FX. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and the frequency and degree of adverse events (AEs). Results: Thirty patients (14 male; median age, 64 years) were enrolled. The RR was 13.3%, with a median follow-up time of 9.3 months. The median OS and PFS were 7.6 and 3.8 months, respectively. From the beginning of first-line treatment, the median OS and PFS were 14.2 and 9.3 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 AEs were seen in 70% of patients. Conclusion: Second-line GnP after FX failure for patients with APC could be more effective than GEM alone. Further comparison studies are warranted.