bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on NOx Reduction in Oxy-fuel Combustion Using Synthetic Coals with Pyridinic or Pyrrolic Nitrogen
Authors: Wang Chang’an , Wang Pengqian , Zhao Lin , Du Yongbo , Che Defu
Published: December 2018

Oxy-fuel combustion technology can capture carbon dioxide (CO2) in the large-scale and greatly lower nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission in coal-fired power plants. However, the influence of inherent minerals on NOx reduction still remains unclear and the impact of oxy-fuel combustion on the transformation of different nitrogen functional groups has yet to be fully understood. The present work aims to obtain a further understanding of the NOx reduction during oxy-fuel combustion using synthetic coals with pyrrolic or pyridinic nitrogen. Compared to pyridinic nitrogen, more of the pyrrolic nitrogen in synthetic coal was converted to NOx. The conversion ratio of nitric oxide (NO) first increased significantly with the rising oxygen content and then trended to an asymptotically constant as the oxygen (O2) content varied between 10–50%. The nitrogen dioxide (NO2) formation was roughly proportional to the oxygen content. The NO2 conversion was increased with particle size but the case of NO showed a non-monotonic variation. The catalytic effects of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) on the transformation of pyridinic nitrogen to NO were independent of the combustion atmosphere, while the alteration from air to the oxy-fuel combustion led to a change of mineral catalytic effect on the oxidation of pyrrolic nitrogen within the coal matrix.
Lightweight NFC Protocol for Privacy Protection in Mobile IoT
Authors: Fan Kai , Zhang Chen , Yang Kan , Li Hui , Yang Yintang
Published: December 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) aims to achieve the interconnection of all devices in our lives. Due to the complex network environment, the IoT with mobile devices often faces many security problems, such as privacy leakages and identity forgery attacks. As a developing technology in mobile IoT, near field communication (NFC) is widely used in electronic payments and identity authentications. The current NFC studies mainly focus on payment technology, but there are a few studies on privacy protection and the lightweight requirements in the mobile IoT authentication protocol. We focus on the lightweight privacy protection authentication technology in mobile IoT. In the paper, we summarize the clustering model in mobile IoT networks and propose a lightweight authentication protocol. A security analysis shows that the protocol can resist many security threats, such as privacy leakages, identity forgeries, and replay attacks. The simulation also shows that the protocol is lightweight, with the utilization of look-up-tables (LUTs) and registers in our protocol being less than 0.5%. Our work can provide a secure and lightweight mobile authentication serve in the NFC-based mobile IoT network such as smart home and office attendance.
Contrasting Impacts of ENSO on the Interannual Variations of Summer Runoff between the Upper and Mid-Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River
Authors: Ye Xiaochen , Wu Zhiwei
Published: December 2018

The Yangtze River Basin is an El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-sensitive region, prone to floods and droughts. Hydrological records were collected to examine the temporal and spatial distribution of runoff in this drainage basin. An apparent difference in runoff variations between the upper and mid-lower Yangtze reaches was detected in response to ENSO. The upper basin usually experiences floods or droughts during the summer of ENSO developing years, while the mid-lower runoff variations tend to coincide with ENSO decaying phases. Composite analysis is employed to investigate the underlying mechanism for the teleconnection between the specific phases of the ENSO cycle and Yangtze runoff variation. Results show that the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) exhibits large variability on its western side in summer with different ENSO phases, thus resulting in a contrasting influence between the upper and mid-lower Yangtze floods and droughts. During the central Pacific-La Niña developing summers, the WPSH is significantly enhanced with its westward extension over the Yangtze upper basin. Anomalous water vapor converges in its northwest edge thus favoring upper-basin flooding. Meanwhile, the mid-lower reaches are controlled by the WPSH, and the local rainfall is not obvious. In addition, when the El Niño decaying phases occur, the WPSH denotes a westward extending trend and the position of its ridge line shifts to the mid-lower Yangtze reaches. The southwest moisture cannot extend to the upper basin but converges in the mid-lower basin. Accompanied by the anomalous 100 hPa South Asia High and lower-tropospheric Philippines anticyclone movements, this upper–middle–lower configuration acts as a key bridge linking ENSO and Yangtze floods and droughts.
Quantifying Thermal Stress for Sport Events—The Case of the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo
Authors: Matzarakis Andreas , Fröhlich Dominik , Bermon Stéphane , Adami Paolo Emilio
Published: December 2018

The effect of weather on sport events is largely discussed in the sports medicine and exercise physiology context. It is important, both for event organizers and for medical staff, to know whether the competition is happening at a time and place with extreme weather or in general not appropriate weather and climatic conditions. In order to find out, whether a place or time is appropriate, two factors should be included when establishing the effect of atmospheric conditions on visitors and athletes. These are the main climatic conditions, based on long term data, and the quantification of extreme events, like heat waves. The present analysis aims at determining what kind of data are required for an appropriate quantification of weather and climate thermal stress. For the analysis, indices like Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and mPET (modified PET) are applied. The advantage of these indices is the consideration of both, thermo-physiological and meteorological factors to provide results and information that can be used for decision making. In this paper, we analyzed the Tokyo area with regards to the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The results show that this kind of event may not be appropriate for visitors, if it is placed during months with extreme conditions. For Tokyo, this is the period from May to September, when conditions cause strong heat stress to the visitors for the vast majority of hours of the day. A more appropriate time would be the months from November to February or the early morning and the late afternoon hours, when thermally comfortable conditions are much more frequent. The methods that are applied here can quantify the thermal conditions and show limitations and possibilities for specific events and locations. Should the organizers still want to have these competitions organized during these months with extreme conditions, they should promote and propose all possible countermeasures for the spectators, workforce, and athletes.
Main Drivers of Battery Industry Changes: Electric Vehicles—A Market Overview
Authors: Pelegov Dmitry V. , Pontes José
Published: December 2018

The growing popularity of electric vehicles is one of the main drivers of battery industry transformation. Words like “transport system decarbonization”, “electromobility”, and “environmental-friendly society” are very popular today, but questions remain as to how to measure electric vehicles’ adoption progress and how this transition changes the battery industry. This perspective paper provides a review of the electric cars and buses market, estimates the production volumes of some other electric vehicle types, and discusses the role of traction batteries in the global battery market. A simple estimation of the sales rate allows us to evaluate the prospects of electric vehicle adoption in leading countries. Finally, the application of the main battery chemistries is reviewed and topical issues to the research society are addressed and formulated.
Use of Oak Fragments during the Aging of Red Wines. Effect on the Phenolic, Aromatic, and Sensory Composition of Wines as a Function of the Contact Time with the Wood
Authors: Rubio-Bretón Pilar , Garde-Cerdán Teresa , Martínez Juana
Published: December 2018

The use of oak fragments allows wine cellars to reduce costs and the length of wine aging compared to traditional aging in oak barrels in the winery. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of the use of oak fragments on the volatile, phenolic, and organoleptic characteristics of Tempranillo red wines, as a function of the contact time between the wood and the wine. The results showed important changes in the wines’ colorimetric parameters after two months of contact time. Extraction kinetics of volatile compounds from the wood was highest during the first month of contact for chips, variable for staves, and slower and continuous over time for barrels. Wines macerated with fragments showed the best quality in short periods of aging, while barrel-aged wines improved over the time they spent in the barrel. In addition, the results allowed an analytical discrimination between the wines aged with oak fragments and those aged in oak barrels, and between chips and staves, just as at the sensory level with triangular tasting tests. In conclusion, the use of oak fragments is a suitable practice for the production of red wines, which may be an appropriate option for wines destined to be aged for short periods.
Association of Genetic Variation at AQP4 Locus with Vascular Depression
Authors: Westermair Anna L. , Munz Matthias , Schaich Anja , Nitsche Stefan , Willenborg Bastian , Muñoz Venegas Loreto M. , Willenborg Christina , Schunkert Heribert , Schweiger Ulrich , Erdmann Jeanette
Published: December 2018

Despite its substantial clinical importance, specific genetic variants associated with depression have not yet been identified. We sought to identify genetic variants associated with depression by (a) focusing on a more homogenous subsample (vascular depression) and (b) applying a three-stage approach. First, we contacted 730 participants with a confirmed atherosclerotic disease (coronary artery disease) from a population-based study population (German Myocardial Infarction Family Study IV) for psychiatric assessment with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Second, we genotyped these patients using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays. Third, we characterized the SNP via in-silico analysis. The final sample consisted of 342 patients (78.3% male, age = 63.2 ± 9.9 years), 22.8% with a severe depressive disorder. Variant rs528732638 on chromosome 18q11.2 was a genome-wide significant variant and was associated with 3.6-fold increase in the odds of lifetime depression. The locus belongs to a linkage disequilibrium block showing expression quantitative trait loci effects on three putative cis-regulated genes, including the aquaporin 4 (AQP4) locus. AQP4 is already known to mediate the formation of ischemic edema in the brain and heart, increasing the size and extent of resulting lesions. Our findings indicate that AQP4 may also play a role in the etiopathology of vascular depression.
Biomolecular Component Analysis of Phospholipids Composition in Live HeLa Cells
Authors: Levchenko Svitlana M. , Qu Junle
Published: December 2018

The alteration of the phospholipid composition within the cell, in particular the ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, can serve as an important biomarker to prognosis of the disease progression (e.g., fatty-liver disease, prostate cancer, or neurodegenerative disorders). Major techniques for lipid analysis in biological samples require a lipid extraction procedure that is not compatible with live cell studies. To address this challenge, we apply microRaman-Biomolecular Component Analysis (BCA) for comparative analysis of phospholipid composition and sensing the saturation degree of fatty acid lipid chain in live HeLa cells and lipids extracted from HeLa cells. After processing raw Raman data, acquired in lipid droplets (LDs) free cytoplasmic area, LDs and extracted lipids with BCA, the lipid component was isolated. Despite the similarity in general profiles of processed Raman spectra acquired in live cells and extracted lipids, some clear differences that reflect diversity in their phospholipids composition were revealed. Furthermore, using the direct relation between the number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain and the intensity ratio of the corresponding Raman bands, the saturation degree of fatty acids was estimated.
Energetic, Cost, and Comfort Performance of a Nearly-Zero Energy Building Including Rule-Based Control of Four Sources of Energy Flexibility
Authors: Manrique Delgado Benjamin , Ruusu Reino , Hasan Ala , Kilpeläinen Simo , Cao Sunliang , Sirén Kai
Published: December 2018

A focal point of ongoing research is matching the energy demand in the built environment to the energy supply from onsite generation, to maximize the self-consumption, and from the energy grids, to lower energy costs and reduce peak loads on the system. Energy flexibility addresses this task by modulating the energy demand in a building according to dynamic criteria such as electricity prices or onsite generation. This study addresses the potential of building performance simulation with real time rule-based control that provides energy flexibility based on onsite generation and hourly electricity prices, prioritizing energy matching, and reducing costs. The novelty relies on investigating four sources of energy flexibility simultaneously: shiftable machine loads, charging/discharging of batteries, hot-water storage tanks, and the building’s mass. The energy matching and flexibility actions provided a decrease of up to 4% in annual energy costs, yet risk increasing the cost by 9% when the savings are offset by the increase in the energy demand. As well, the method for price categorization strongly influences the cost performance of the flexibility actions. The outcomes of this study provide insight to energy flexibility sources in nearly-zero energy buildings and how their outcomes are affected by price thresholds.
Physical Activation of Wooden Chips and the Effect of Particle Size, Initial Humidity, and Acetic Acid Extraction on the Properties of Activated Carbons
Authors: Bergna Davide , Romar Henrik , Lassi Ulla
Published: December 2018

In this research study, two different wooden biomasses (birch and pine) were thermally carbonized and steam-activated into activated carbons in a one-stage process. The effects of particle size and humidity (as received and oven-dried) on the properties, such as specific surface areas, pore volumes, and pore size distributions, of the final activated carbon characteristics were examined. Another set of biomasses (birch, spruce, and pine) was pre-treated before carbonization and the activation steps through an extractive process using a weak acetic acid in Soxhlet extractors. According to the results, the dried samples had a slightly lower surface area, while no difference was observed in the yields. For the extracted samples, there was a significant difference, especially in the pore size distributions, compared to the non-extracted samples. There appeared to be a shift from a meso-microporous distribution to a microporous distribution caused by the extractive pre-treatment.
Metals on ZrO2: Catalysts for the Aldol Condensation of Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to C8 Ketones
Authors: Al-Auda Zahraa , Al-Atabi Hayder , Hohn Keith L.
Published: December 2018

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) was converted to heavier ketones in one step, using a multi-functional catalyst having both aldol condensation (aldolization and dehydration) and hydrogenation properties. 15% Cu supported zirconia (ZrO2) was investigated in the catalytic gas phase reaction of MEK in a fixed bed reactor. The results showed that the main product was 5-methyl-3-heptanone (C8 ketone), with side products including 5-methyl-3-heptanol, 2-butanol, and other heavy products (C12 and up). The effects of various reaction parameters, like temperature and molar ratio of reactants (H2/MEK), on the overall product selectivity were studied. It was found that with increasing the temperature of the reaction, the selectivity to the C8 ketone increased, while selectivity to the 2-butanol decreased. Also, hydrogen pressure played a significant role in the selectivity of the products. It was observed that with increasing the H2/MEK molar ratio, the 2-butanol selectivity increased because of the hydrogenation reaction, while decreasing this ratio led to increasing the aldol condensation products. In addition, it was noted that both the conversion and selectivity to the main product increased using a low loading percentage of copper, 1% Cu–ZrO2. The highest selectivity of 5-methyl-3-heptanone reached ~64%, and was obtained at a temperature of around 180 °C and a molar ratio of H2/MEK equal to 2. Other metals (Ni, Pd, and Pt) that were supported on ZrO2 also produced 5-methyl-3-heptanone as the main product, with slight differences in selectivity, suggesting that a hydrogenation catalyst is important for producing the C8 ketone, but that the exact identity of the metal is less important.
Surface Probing by Spectroscopy on Titania-Supported Gold Nanoparticles for a Photoreductive Application
Authors: Compagnoni Matteo , Villa Alberto , Bahdori Elnaz , Morgan David J. , Prati Laura , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Rossetti Ilenia , Ramis Gianguido
Published: December 2018

The continuous increase in scientific reports concerning photocatalysis and in particular CO2 photoreduction in recent years reveals the high degree of interest around the topic. However, the adsorption and activation mechanisms of CO2 on TiO2, the most used photocatalyst, are poorly understood and investigated. Gold nanoparticles were prepared by a modified deposition-precipitation method using urea and a chemical reductant. Bare P25 was used as reference. Combined spectroscopic investigations of fresh and spent samples with photoactivity studies reported in this article provide new insights to the role of CO2 adsorption and carbonate formation on Au/TiO2 during CO2 photocatalytic reduction. The key intermediates’ and products’ adsorption (CO, methanol, ethanol) was studied, coupled with X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The adsorption of CO2 on fresh and spent catalysts changes radically considering the carbonate formation and the gold surface presence. Methanol and ethanol revealed new adsorbed species on Au with respect to bare titania. The characterisation of the spent catalysts revealed the good stability of these samples.
Biotechnological Methods of Sulfoxidation: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Authors: Mączka Wanda , Wińska Katarzyna , Grabarczyk Małgorzata
Published: December 2018

The production of chiral sulphoxides is an important part of the chemical industry since they have been used not only as pharmaceuticals and pesticides, but also as catalysts or functional materials. The main purpose of this review is to present biotechnological methods for the oxidation of sulfides. The work consists of two parts. In the first part, examples of biosyntransformation of prochiral sulfides using whole cells of bacteria and fungi are discussed. They have more historical significance due to the low predictability of positive results in relation to the workload. In the second part, the main enzymes responsible for sulfoxidation have been characterized such as chloroperoxidase, dioxygenases, cytochrome flavin-dependent monooxygenases, and P450 monooxygenases. Particular emphasis has been placed on the huge variety of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and flavin-dependent monooxygenases, which allows for pure sulfoxides enantiomers effectively to be obtained. In the summary, further directions of research on the optimization of enzymatic sulfoxidation are indicated.
Kinetic Modeling of Catalytic Olefin Cracking and Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO) over Zeolites: A Review
Authors: Standl Sebastian , Hinrichsen Olaf
Published: December 2018

The increasing demand for lower olefins requires new production routes besides steam cracking and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). Furthermore, less energy consumption, more flexibility in feed and a higher influence on the product distribution are necessary. In this context, catalytic olefin cracking and methanol-to-olefins (MTO) gain in importance. Here, the undesired higher olefins can be catalytically converted and, for methanol, the possibility of a green synthesis route exists. Kinetic modeling of these processes is a helpful tool in understanding the reactivity and finding optimum operating points; however, it is also challenging because reaction networks for hydrocarbon interconversion are rather complex. This review analyzes different deterministic kinetic models published in the literature since 2000. After a presentation of the underlying chemistry and thermodynamics, the models are compared in terms of catalysts, reaction setups and operating conditions. Furthermore, the modeling methodology is shown; both lumped and microkinetic approaches can be found. Despite ZSM-5 being the most widely used catalyst for these processes, other catalysts such as SAPO-34, SAPO-18 and ZSM-23 are also discussed here. Finally, some general as well as reaction-specific recommendations for future work on modeling of complex reaction networks are given.
Recent Advances in the Gold-Catalysed Low-Temperature Water–Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Carter James H. , Hutchings Graham J.
Published: December 2018

The low-temperature water–gas shift reaction (LTS: CO + H2O ⇌ CO2 + H2) is a key step in the purification of H2 reformate streams that feed H2 fuel cells. Supported gold catalysts were originally identified as being active for this reaction twenty years ago, and since then, considerable advances have been made in the synthesis and characterisation of these catalysts. In this review, we identify and evaluate the progress towards solving the most important challenge in this research area: the development of robust, highly active catalysts that do not deactivate on-stream under realistic reaction conditions.
Hydrogen Sensing Properties of Co-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Moosavi Fatemeh , Bahrololoom Mohammad Ebrahim , Kamjou Ramin , Mirzaei Ali , Leonardi Salvatore Gianluca , Neri Giovanni
Published: December 2018

In this study, the gas sensing properties of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Co-ZnO NPs) synthesized via a simple sol-gel method are reported. The microstructure and morphology of the synthesized Co-ZnO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Co-ZnO NPs were then used for developing a conductometric gas sensor for the detection, at mild temperature, of low concentration of hydrogen (H2) in air. To evaluate the selectivity of the sensor, the sensing behavior toward some VOCs such as ethanol and acetone, which represent the most important interferents for breath hydrogen analysis, was also investigated in detail. Results reported demonstrated better selectivity toward hydrogen of the Co-ZnO NPs sensor when compared to pure ZnO. The main factors contributing to this behavior, i.e., the transition from n-type behavior of pristine ZnO to p-type behavior upon Co-doping, the modification of oxygen vacancies and acid-base characteristics have been considered. Hence, this study highlights the importance of Co doping of ZnO to realize a high performance breath hydrogen sensor.
Trusted Time-Based Verification Model for Automatic Man-in-the-Middle Attack Detection in Cybersecurity
Authors: Kang James Jin , Fahd Kiran , Venkatraman Sitalakshmi
Published: December 2018

Due to the prevalence and constantly increasing risk of cyber-attacks, new and evolving security mechanisms are required to protect information and networks and ensure the basic security principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability—referred to as the CIA triad. While confidentiality and integrity can be achieved using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates, these depend on the correct authentication of servers, which could be compromised due to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Many existing solutions have practical limitations due to their operational complexity, deployment costs, as well as adversaries. We propose a novel scheme to detect MITM attacks with minimal intervention and workload to the network and systems. Our proposed model applies a novel inferencing scheme for detecting true anomalies in transmission time at a trusted time server (TTS) using time-based verification of sent and received messages. The key contribution of this paper is the ability to automatically detect MITM attacks with trusted verification of the transmission time using a learning-based inferencing algorithm. When used in conjunction with existing systems, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), which require comprehensive configuration and network resource costs, it can provide a robust solution that addresses these practical limitations while saving costs by providing assurance.
Parameter Identification of DC-DC Converters under Steady-State and Transient Conditions Based on White-Box Models
Authors: Riba Jordi-Roger , Moreno-Eguilaz Manuel , Bogarra Santiago , Garcia Antoni
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a white-box approach for identifying the parameters of DC-DC buck and boost switch mode power converters. It is based on discretizing the differential equations that describe the dynamic behavior of the converters. From the discretized equations and experimental data, the parameters of the converters are identified, thus obtaining both the values of the passive components and the transfer function coefficients of the controller. To this end, steady state and transient experimental signals are analyzed, including the input and output voltages and the inductor and output currents. To determine the accuracy of the proposed method, once the parameters are identified, a simulation with the identified parameters of the converter is run and compared with experimental signals. Such results show the accuracy and feasibility of the approach proposed in this work, which can be extended to other converters and electrical and electronic devices.
A Torque Vectoring Control for Enhancing Vehicle Performance in Drifting
Authors: Vignati Michele , Sabbioni Edoardo , Cheli Federico
Published: December 2018

When dealing with electric vehicles, different powertrain layouts can be exploited. Among them, the most interesting one in terms of vehicle lateral dynamics is represented by the one with independent electric motors: two or four electric motors. This allows torque-vectoring control strategies to be applied for increasing vehicle lateral performance and stability. In this paper, a novel control strategy based on torque-vectoring is used to design a drifting control that helps the driver in controlling the vehicle in such a condition. Drift is a particular cornering condition in which high values of sideslip angle are obtained and maintained during the turn. The controller is applied to a rear-wheel drive race car prototype with two independent electric motors on the rear axle. The controller relies only on lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and vehicle speed measurement. This makes it independent from state estimators, which can affect its performance and robustness.
Topographic Controls on Vegetation Changes in Alpine Tundra of the Changbai Mountains
Authors: Wu Miaomiao , He Hong S. , Zong Shengwei , Tan Xinyuan , Du Haibo , Zhao Dandan , Liu Kai , Liang Yu
Published: December 2018

The vegetation of alpine tundra is undergoing significant changes and topography has played a significant role in mediating such changes. The roles of topography varied at different scales. In this study, we intended to identify topographic controls on tundra vegetation changes within the Changbai Mountains of Northeast China and reveal the scale effects. We delineated the vegetation changes of the last three decades using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series. We conducted a trend analysis for each pixel to reveal the spatial change and used binary logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between topographic controls at different scales and vegetation changes. Results showed that about 30% of tundra vegetation experienced a significant (p < 0.05) change in the NDVI, with 21.3% attributable to the encroachment of low-altitude plants resulting in a decrease in the NDVI, and 8.7% attributable to the expansion of tundra endemic plants resulting in an increase in the NDVI. Plant encroachment occurred more severely in low altitude than in high altitude, whereas plant expansion mostly occurred near volcanic ash fields at high altitude. We found that plant encroachment tended to occur in complex terrains and the broad-scale mountain aspect had a greater effect on plant encroachment than the fine-scale local aspect. Our results suggest that it is important to include the mountain aspect in mountain vegetation change studies, as most such studies only use the local aspect.
Tree-Lists Estimation for Chinese Boreal Forests by Integrating Weibull Diameter Distributions with MODIS-Based Forest Attributes from kNN Imputation
Authors: Zhang Qinglong , Liang Yu , He Hong S.
Published: December 2018

Wall-to-wall tree-lists information (lists of species and diameter for every tree) at a regional scale is required for managers to assess forest sustainability and design effective forest management strategies. Currently, the k-nearest neighbors (kNN) method and the Weibull diameter distribution function have been widely used for estimating tree lists. However, the kNN method usually relies on a large number of field inventory plots to impute tree lists, whereas the Weibull function relies on strong correlations between stand attributes and diameter distribution across large regions. In this study, we developed a framework to estimate wall-to-wall tree lists over large areas based on a limited number of forest inventory plots. This framework integrates the ability of extrapolating diameter distribution from Weibull and kNN imputation of wall-to-wall forest stand attributes from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). We estimated tree lists using this framework in Chinese boreal forests (Great Xing’an Mountains) and evaluated the accuracy of this framework. The results showed that the passing rate of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test for Weibull diameter distribution by species was from 52% to 88.16%, which means that Weibull distribution could describe the diameter distribution by species well. The imputed stand attributes (diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and age) from the kNN method showed comparable accuracy with the previous studies for all species. There was no significant difference in the tree density between the estimated and observed tree-lists. Results suggest that this framework is well-suited to estimating the tree-lists in a large area. Our results were also ecologically realistic, capturing dominant ecological patterns and processes.
The Year 2017: Megafires and Management in the Cerrado
Authors: Fidelis Alessandra , Alvarado Swanni T. , Barradas Ana Carolina S. , Pivello Vânia R.
Published: December 2018

The year 2017 was a megafire year, when huge areas burned on different continents. In Brazil, a great extension of the Cerrado burned, raising once more the discussion about the “zero-fire” policy. Indeed, most protected areas of the Cerrado adopted a policy of fire exclusion and prevention, leading to periodic megafire events. Last year, 78% of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park burned at the end of the dry season, attracting media attention. Furthermore, 85% of the Reserva Natural Serra do Tombador burned as a result of a large accumulation of fuel caused by the zero-fire policy. In 2014, some protected areas started to implement the Integrate Fire Management (IFM) strategy. During 2017, in contrast to other protected areas, the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins experienced no megafire events, suggesting that a few years of IFM implementation led to changes in its fire regime. Therefore, we intended here to compare the total burned area and number of fire scars between the protected areas where IFM was implemented and those where fire exclusion is the adopted policy. The use of fire as a management tool aimed at wildfire prevention and biodiversity preservation should be reconsidered by local managers and environmental authorities for most Cerrado protected areas, especially those where open savanna physiognomies prevail. Changing the paradigm is a hard task, but last year’s events showed the zero-fire policy would bring more damage than benefits to Cerrado protected areas.
tRNA-Derived Small RNAs: Biogenesis, Modification, Function and Potential Impact on Human Disease Development
Authors: Oberbauer Vera , Schaefer Matthias R.
Published: December 2018

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are abundant small non-coding RNAs that are crucially important for decoding genetic information. Besides fulfilling canonical roles as adaptor molecules during protein synthesis, tRNAs are also the source of a heterogeneous class of small RNAs, tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). Occurrence and the relatively high abundance of tsRNAs has been noted in many high-throughput sequencing data sets, leading to largely correlative assumptions about their potential as biologically active entities. tRNAs are also the most modified RNAs in any cell type. Mutations in tRNA biogenesis factors including tRNA modification enzymes correlate with a variety of human disease syndromes. However, whether it is the lack of tRNAs or the activity of functionally relevant tsRNAs that are causative for human disease development remains to be elucidated. Here, we review the current knowledge in regard to tsRNAs biogenesis, including the impact of RNA modifications on tRNA stability and discuss the existing experimental evidence in support for the seemingly large functional spectrum being proposed for tsRNAs. We also argue that improved methodology allowing exact quantification and specific manipulation of tsRNAs will be necessary before developing these small RNAs into diagnostic biomarkers and when aiming to harness them for therapeutic purposes.
Pedogenic Carbonates and Radiocarbon Isotopes of Organic Carbon at Depth in the Russian Chernozem
Authors: Mikhailova Elena A. , Bryant Ray B. , Galbraith John M. , Wang Yang , Post Christopher J. , Khokhlova Olga S. , Schlautman Mark A. , Cope Michael P. , Shen Zhixiong
Published: December 2018

Conversion of native grasslands to agricultural sites has resulted in remarkable changes in soil carbon at depth, but its impact on soil diagnostic horizons is unknown. This study was conducted to radiocarbon date the soil organic carbon (SOC) and quantify pedogenic carbonates in the Russian Chernozem at depth at three sites: a native grassland field (not cultivated for at least 300 years), an adjacent 50-year continuous fallow field in the V.V. Alekhin Central-Chernozem Biosphere State Reserve in the Kursk region of Russia (UNESCO—MAB Biosphere Reserve), and a cropland in the Experimental Station of the Kursk Institute of Agronomy and Soil Erosion Control. All sampled soils were classified as Fine-silty, mixed, frigid Pachic Hapludolls (Haplic Chernozem). The radiocarbon age (14C date, y BP) of SOC was highly variable: in the native grassland field, it varied from post-bomb (A-horizon) to 8011 ± 54 y BP (C-horizon); in the continuous fallow, it varied from 1569 ± 41 y BP (Ap-horizon) to 11,380 ± 180 y BP (C1-horizon); and in the cropland, it varied from 1055 ± 38 y BP (Ap-horizon) to 11,805 ± 68 y BP (Ck-horizon). Cultivation resulted in morphological/diagnostic changes in the soil profile (conversion of A to Ap; conversion of Bw to Bk horizon) over a 50-year period. These changes are supported by radiocarbon dating of SOC and pedogenic carbonate distribution within the soil profile. The proportion of pedogenic carbonates was highly variable: in the native grassland, it was 27% (C-horizon); in the continuous fallow, it varied from 53% (Bk1-horizon) to 72% (C2-horizon); and in the cropland, it varied from 85% (A-horizon) to 10% (Ck-horizon). The radiocarbon age differences with depth among the soils reflect changes in the soil carbon dynamics resulting from cultivation.
The Severe 2013–14 Winter Storms in the Historical Evolution of Cantabrian (Northern Spain) Beach-Dune Systems
Authors: Garrote Julio , Díaz-Álvarez Aurora , Nganhane Hélio V. , Garzón Heydt Guillermina
Published: December 2018

The 2013–14 winter storms were the most energetic storms in the European Atlantic on record since at least 1948. They caused intense erosive processes along the coast, similar to those described previously in places such as the United Kingdom and France. In this study, an analysis is conducted of the historical evolution (1956–2017) of four dune systems in the region of Cantabria (northern Spain) and their response to such storms. The analysis uses aerial images (from 1956, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2017) implemented in ArcGIS, and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) model for the estimation of a series of statistical parameters relative to the historical behavior of the shoreline. The DSAS model allows a geometric structure to be calculated that is flexible and can be adapted to the morphological conditions of the coast. The results obtained from the model for the entire historical period and the pre-storm analysis show clear variability in the evolution of the dune systems, while the post-storm analysis yields homogeneous results that indicate significant erosion, with no signs of recovery. The limited time elapsed since the 2013–14 winter storm clustering and the high interannual energy variability of the subsequent winters seem to be behind the absence of evidence of dune system recovery and even the increase in the erosion processes observed in some cases.
Local Variability of CO2 Partial Pressure in a Mid-Latitude Mesotidal Estuarine System (Tagus Estuary, Portugal)
Authors: Oliveira Ana Paula , Pilar-Fonseca Tereza , Cabeçadas Graça , Mateus Marcos
Published: December 2018

Estuaries play a crucial role in regional carbon cycling. Until now, accurate estimations of the impact of environmental variables on estuarine air–water CO2 fluxes have been mostly characterized by a low spatial-temporal sampling resolution. This study reports on the variations of CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) and related environmental parameters, at both tidal and seasonal temporal scales, in the surface seawater of a station located in the lower section of the Tagus estuary, Portugal. The study was carried out from February to December 2007. Air–water CO2 fluxes suggest that the lower estuary acted as a relatively weak source of CO2 to the atmosphere, with an average rate of 7.2 mol∙m−2∙year−1, with highest fluxes occurring in winter. Over a tidal cycle, pCO2 was mainly influenced by tidal-induced mixing. Results suggest an influence of upper and central estuary inputs with higher pCO2 values. pCO2 varied seasonally, with values decreasing from ~890 µatm in winter to ~400 µatm in summer and increasing again to ~990 µatm in autumn. The generalized linear model (GLM) applied to the data set explained 69.3% of the pCO2 variability, pointing to the thermodynamic effect of temperature and biological activity as the most relevant processes in CO2 dynamics. Tidal variation of pCO2 corresponded to ~35% of its seasonal variability, denoting the importance of tide conditions on the dynamics of inorganic carbon. Results showed distinct patterns in the dynamics of CO2 at the tidal scale. This outcome suggests that disregarding tidal variability in the use of seasonal data sets may lead to significant errors in annual carbon budget estimations.
Comment on “Non-Mineralized Fossil Wood” by George E. Mustoe (Geosciences, 2018)
Authors: Luczaj John A. , Leavitt Steven W. , Csank Adam Z. , Panyushkina Irina P. , Wright William E.
Published: December 2018

We were pleased to see the summary article in Geosciences on fossil wood by George E. [...]
Exemplary Care among Chinese Dementia Familial Caregivers
Authors: Lau Bobo Hi Po , Lou Vivian Weiqun , Cheung Karen Siu Lan
Published: December 2018

Objective: This study investigates the feasibility of using the Exemplary Care Scale (ECS) among Chinese dementia familial caregivers, and reports its psychometric properties. Method: Back translation was used to develop the Chinese version of ECS (C-ECS). Three hundred and ninety-seven dyads of caregivers and their relatives with dementia responded to an assessment battery which included questions on care recipients’ cognition, behavioral and psychological symptoms, daily activities assistance, social support, and caregiver well-being. Results: Results of an exploratory principal component analysis revealed two subscales in the 11-item C-ECS: considerate caregiving and preserving esteem. C-ECS and its subscales demonstrated sufficient reliability, as well as criteria-related validity through its association with care recipient’s cognition and health, and caregivers’ well-being and social support. Discussion: Our findings provide preliminary support to C-ECS as a reliable and valid measure of exemplary caregiving among Hong Kong Chinese familial dementia caregivers. In the light of the increasing importance of familial care in dementia care planning, we recommend the use of this brief scale in regular caregiver assessment in research and service delivery.
The Role of Tangible Interaction to Communicate Tacit Knowledge of Built Heritage
Authors: Nofal Eslam , Reffat Rabee , Boschloos Vanessa , Hameeuw Hendrik , Moere Andrew
Published: December 2018

Meanings and values of built heritage vary from factual and explicit meanings which are relatively easy to present, to more tacit knowledge, which is typically more challenging to communicate due to its implicit and often abstract character. In this paper, we investigate how tangible interaction influences the communication of this tacit knowledge of built heritage, and howit affects the experience of visitors. Through a between-group comparative study in a real-world museum context, we examined howthe tangible characteristics of an interactive prototypemuseuminstallation influence how visitors perceive a particular story containing tacit heritage knowledge. The communicated story relates a historical journey in ancient Egypt to the physical and architectural characteristics of the entrance colonnade at the Djoser Complex in Saqqara. Our experimental conditions consisted of an interactive navigation (input) and a passive representation (output) components, ranging from traditional digital displays to fully tangible means of interaction. We report on our findings, which showed various differences and commonalities between our three experimental conditions. We conclude with a number of discussion points and design recommendations: (a) to strive for balance between navigation and representation modalities in terms of affordance and the required cognitive effort; (b) to take advantage of physical representation and grasping, such as conveying particular physical details and characteristics; and (c) to consider design aspects of embodiment, physical abstraction and materiality for future research or potential further development of communicating the meanings and values of heritage.
Risk Management for the Optimal Order Quantity by Risk-Averse Suppliers of Food Raw Materials
Authors: Lin Tyrone T. , Hsu Shu-Yen
Published: December 2018

In uncertain food safety environments, the suppliers of food raw materials (FRM) are facing crucial food safety issues. Therefore, this article aims to probe the risk-averse attitude of FRM suppliers in the face changing marketing environments, in order to establish a decision-making theory as a standard reference for optimization methods to satisfy the maximum expected profit and utility function for the optimal order quantity of FRM suppliers’ decision-making. We assume that urgent orders are permitted when products are out of stock, and surplus products will be sold at discounted prices, as based on the food safety circumstances and the differences of market acceptance (optimistic/normal/pessimistic), in order to affect the procurement costs and selling prices. The results of sensitivity analysis for the maximum expected profit show that the probability of imported FRM having no food safety problems when the external environment has no food safety problems is the most important parameter, with the importers fulfilling their responsibility for FRM source quality control. Meanwhile, a responsible attitude toward handling a crisis will reduce losses, transform the crisis into an opportunity, and win the trust of consumers, thereby, fostering corporate sustainability. Sensitivity analysis identifies the significant parameters that influence suppliers’ maximum utility function, and provides a reference by which food-related companies may formulate sustainable business policies.
Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease and Other Hemoglobinopathies: A Short Review on Classical Laboratory Methods—Isoelectric Focusing, HPLC, and Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Frömmel Claudia
Published: December 2018

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and other hemoglobinopathies are a major health concern with a high burden of disease worldwide. Since the implementation of newborn screening (NBS) for SCD and other hemoglobinopathies in several regions of the world, technical progress of laboratory methods was achieved. This short review aims to summarize the current practice of classical laboratory methods for the detection of SCD and other hemoglobinopathies. This includes the newborn screening technologies of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and isoelectric focusing (IEF).
Chemical Diversity and Biological Activities of Phaeosphaeria Fungi Genus: A Systematic Review
Authors: El-Demerdash Amr
Published: December 2018

Microbial natural products (MNPs) have been identified as important hotspots and effective sources for drug lead discovery. The genus Phaeosphaeria (family: Phaeosphaeriaceae, order: Pleosporales), in particular, has produced divergent chemical structures, including pyrazine alkaloids, isocoumarins, perylenequinones, anthraquinones, diterpenes, and cyclic peptides, which display a wide scope of biological potentialities. This contribution comprehensively highlights, over the period 1974–2018, the chemistry and biology of the isolated natural products from the micro-filamentous Phaeosphaeria fungi genus. A list of 71 compounds, with structural and biological diversities, were gathered into 5 main groups.
Hybrid Second Order Method for Orthogonal Projection onto Parametric Curve in n-Dimensional Euclidean Space
Authors: Liang Juan , Hou Linke , Li Xiaowu , Pan Feng , Cheng Taixia , Wang Lin
Published: December 2018

Orthogonal projection a point onto a parametric curve, three classic first order algorithms have been presented by Hartmann (1999), Hoschek, et al. (1993) and Hu, et al. (2000) (hereafter, H-H-H method). In this research, we give a proof of the approach’s first order convergence and its non-dependence on the initial value. For some special cases of divergence for the H-H-H method, we combine it with Newton’s second order method (hereafter, Newton’s method) to create the hybrid second order method for orthogonal projection onto parametric curve in an n-dimensional Euclidean space (hereafter, our method). Our method essentially utilizes hybrid iteration, so it converges faster than current methods with a second order convergence and remains independent from the initial value. We provide some numerical examples to confirm robustness and high efficiency of the method.