bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of soybean and rice bran oil on hemato-biochemical parameters in mice
Authors: Islam Nafis , Islam Md Shahidul , Alam Md Jahangir , Islam Md Kamrul , Ahmad Nazim
Published: December 2018

The study was conducted on “Swiss Albino” mice fed with additional supplementation of soybean oil and rice bran oil to observe the effects on hematological (total erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration) and biochemical parameters (total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins and uric acid). A total of 30, 6-8 weeks old mice were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n=10) as A, B and C. Group A was considered as control (fed only commercial ration), group B was supplemented with rice bran oil and group C treated with soybean oil respectively in addition to commercial ration for 60 days. At the end of feeding trial the mice were sacrificed for analysis of hematobiochemical parameters. The total erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration were increased significantly (P<0.05) in group B and C compared to control group A and the highest values was recorded in soybean oil group C. The total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and uric acid were increased significantly (P<0.05) in both rice bran oil and soybean oil group compared to control group. It is concluded that some hemato-biochemical parameters of blood in the mice are affected by rice bran and soybean oil enriched diet. Though, oils and fats are detrimental to health but to evaluate the effects of rice bran and soybean oil, further studies with more animals and some other parameters like liver function, kidney function may be conducted.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(3): 365-372, December 2018
Antidiabetic effect of bitter melon/Kerala (Momordica charantia) in alloxan induced diabetic rat
Authors: Akhter Rupaly , Rasel Imrul Hasan , Islam Mohammad Saiful
Published: December 2018

This study aims at investigating the effect of Momordica charantia extract on glucose tolerance and some biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetes rat. A total of 150 rats (50 normal rats and 100 alloxan induced diabetic rats) were used for five trials. The rats were divided into three groups for each trial, each containing 10 individuals as follows: Group A: is the control group, Group B as diabetic control group and group C were diabetic rat received bitter melon (Momordica charantia). Then alloxan injection was injected at a dose rate of 150 mg/kg body weight through intra-peritoneal route to each rat to induce diabetes in groups B and C. Aqueous extract of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) were fed by gavage at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight daily for 21 days in group C. On 15th day blood glucose level and the body weights, biochemical parameters were measured for the first time to ensure diabetic induction. Then all the rats of this group were kept for more 21 days for the treatment of diabetic condition. Alloxan produced a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and significant decrease in body weight and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). Bitter melon treatment reduced non-fasting and fasting glucose level (p<0.05). In addition, administration of bitter melon juice was associated with a reduction in the serum levels of Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) when compared with positive diabetic control (p<0.05). High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and body weight level significantly increased in bitter melon treated group C compare to Group B (p<0.05).

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(3): 373-379, December 2018
A review on dried fish processing and marketing in the coastal region of Bangladesh
Authors: Paul Parimal Chadra , Reza Md Shaheed , Islam Md Nazrul , Kamal Md
Published: December 2018

Sun drying of fish is an important method of fish preservation throughout the world. Due to its availability and product specific flavor and texture, dried fish has become an important part in the diet of people living particularly in the coastal region of many Asian countries including Bangladesh. Product type is considerably wide depending on the season, availability of fish, infrastructure and technical know-how of the processors. These are mainly processed from marine fishes that are caught by the artisanal fishermen and marketed throughout the country by multistep marketing channel up to reaching to the consumer. Due to the importance of the product in terms of market volume as well as its major role in the socio-economic condition of millions of people of the country, the sector needs proper attention by appropriate authorities to ensure quality and safety of the product produced and marketed. In this paper, different methods of sun drying practiced traditionally in the coastal region of Bangladesh and associated marketing systems are reviewed. It is expected that training of processors on Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures and monitoring by appropriate government body would be necessary to improve quality and simultaneously ensure safety of sun-dried fish produced in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.5(3): 381-390, December 2018
Diagonally Implicit Runge–Kutta Type Method for Directly Solving Special Fourth-Order Ordinary Differential Equations with Ill-Posed Problem of a Beam on Elastic Foundation
Authors: Ghawadri Nizam , Senu Norazak , Adel Fawzi Firas , Ismail Fudziah , Ibrahim Zarina Bibi
Published: December 2018

In this study, fifth-order and sixth-order diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta type (DIRKT) techniques for solving fourth-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are derived which are denoted as DIRKT5 and DIRKT6, respectively. The first method has three and the another one has four identical nonzero diagonal elements. A set of test problems are applied to validate the methods and numerical results showed that the proposed methods are more efficient in terms of accuracy and number of function evaluations compared to the existing implicit Runge–Kutta (RK) methods.
Saffron Cultivation in Marginal Alpine Environments: How AMF Inoculation Modulates Yield and Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Caser Matteo , Victorino Íris Marisa Maxaieie , Demasi Sonia , Berruti Andrea , Donno Dario , Lumini Erica , Bianciotto Valeria , Scariot Valentina
Published: December 2018

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) establish mutualistic symbiotic associations with plant roots and act as biofertilizers by enhancing plant nutrient and water uptake. Moreover, AMF colonization may influence the biosynthesis of plant bioactive compounds in medicinal and aromatic plants. There is limited information on AMF associations with Crocus sativus L. (saffron) roots and their effect on crop performances and spice quality. In the present work we verified the efficiency of root mycorrhization in potted conditions, and then we evaluated the yield and quality of the saffron produced in two Alpine sites during two cultivation cycles with the application of AMF. Two inocula were applied, either a single-species (Rhizophagus intraradices) or a multispecies mixture (R. intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae). The trial conducted in potted conditions confirmed that both AMF commercial inocula established symbiotic relationships with saffron roots. The multispecies inoculation yielded the highest content of arbuscules in colonized portions of the root (100%), while the single-species was slightly less (82.9%) and no AMF were recorded in untreated control corms. In open-field conditions, AMF colonization of the root systems, flower production, and saffron yields were monitored, and bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant activity in the dried spice were analyzed using spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, the saffron produced was high quality (ISO category) and had high contents of bioactive compounds, with very high total polyphenol content and elevated antioxidant activity. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbionts as biostimulants positively affected saffron cultivation, improving the crop performances and the content of important nutraceutical compounds. In particular, the inoculum composed by R. intraradices and F. mosseae increased flower production and the saffron yield. R. intraradices alone enhanced the spice antioxidant activity and the content of bioactive compounds such as picrocrocin, crocin II, and quercitrin. Since saffron is the world’s highest priced spice, the increases in yield and quality obtained using AMF suggests that farms in marginal areas such as alpine sites can increase profitability by inoculating saffron fields with arbuscular mycorrhiza.
Study on Restoring Force Performance of Corrosion Damage Steel Frame Beams under Acid Atmosphere
Authors: Wang Bin , Huang Weizeng , Zheng Shansuo
Published: December 2018

In order to study the restoring force characteristics of corroded steel frame beams in an acidic atmosphere, based on different corrosion damage degrees, tests on the material properties of 48 steel samples and six steel frame beam specimens with a scale ratio of 1/2 under low cyclic repeated loading were conducted. According to the test results, the relationship between the weight loss rate and the mechanical properties of corrosion damage steel was obtained by numerical regression analysis, and the hysteresis curves and skeleton curves of the corroded steel frame beams were also obtained. The simplified trilinear skeleton curve model of the corroded steel frame beams and the expression of the corresponding feature points were determined by analyzing the failure process. The strength and stiffness degradation rule of the steel frame beam was analyzed furtherly. The hysteresis rule was established by introducing the cyclic degradation index which considers the effect of different corrosion degrees, and finally the restoring force model based on the corroded steel frame beams in an acidic atmospheric environment was established. Comparison with the test results show that the skeleton curve and the restoring force model established in this paper can accurately describe the seismic performance of corrosion damaged steel frame beams and can provide a basis for the seismic calculation analysis of corroded steel structures in an acidic atmosphere.
The Generation Mechanism of the Flow-Induced Noise from a Sail Hull on the Scaled Submarine Model
Authors: Liu Yongwei , Li Yalin , Shang Dejiang
Published: December 2018

Flow-induced noise from the sail hull, which is induced by the horseshoe vortex, the boundary layer separation and the tail vortex shedding, is a significant problem for the underwater vehicles, while has not been adequately studied. We have performed simulations and experiments to reveal the noise generation mechanism from these flows using the scaled sail hull with part of a submarine body. The large eddy simulation and the wavenumber–frequency spectrum are adopted for simulations. The frequency ranges from 10 Hz to 2000 Hz. The simulation results show that the flow-induced noise with the frequency less than 500 Hz is mainly generated by the horseshoe vortex; the flow-induced noise because of the tail vortex shedding is mainly within the frequency of shedding vortex, which is 595 Hz in the study; the flow-induced noise caused by the boundary layer separation lies in the whole frequency range. Moreover, we have conducted the experiments in a gravity water tunnel, and the experimental results are in good accordance with the simulation results. The results can lay the foundation for the design of flow control devices to suppress and reduce the flow-induced noise from the sail hull.
Frequency-Shifted Optical Feedback Measurement Technologies Using a Solid-State Microchip Laser
Authors: Zhu Kaiyi , Chen Hongfang , Zhang Shulian , Shi Zhaoyao , Wang Yun , Tan Yidong
Published: December 2018

Since its first application toward displacement measurements in the early-1960s, laser feedback interferometry has become a fast-developing precision measurement modality with many kinds of lasers. By employing the frequency-shifted optical feedback, microchip laser feedback interferometry has been widely researched due to its advantages of high sensitivity, simple structure, and easy alignment. More recently, the laser confocal feedback tomography has been proposed, which combines the high sensitivity of laser frequency-shifted feedback effect and the axial positioning ability of confocal microscopy. In this paper, the principles of a laser frequency-shifted optical feedback interferometer and laser confocal feedback tomography are briefly introduced. Then we describe their applications in various kinds of metrology regarding displacement measurement, vibration measurement, physical quantities measurement, imaging, profilometry, microstructure measurement, and so on. Finally, the existing challenges and promising future directions are discussed.
Damage Mechanisms of Polymer Impregnated Carbon Textiles Used as Anode Material for Cathodic Protection
Authors: Asgharzadeh Amir , Raupach Michael
Published: December 2018

Carbon textiles as anode material for cathodic corrosion protection (CP) have been used in several reinforced steel structures. However, experience with durability is limited. To date, various influencing factors have been discovered and systematic tests on different carbon textiles with different impregnation materials in various environmental media have been carried out and considered the degradation of the impregnation materials. In this work the boundary potentials are determined at which the impregnation and sizing is destroyed under anodic polarization and the damage mechanisms are described.
Variable-Constrained Model Predictive Control of Coordinated Active Power Distribution for Wind-Turbine Cluster
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Liu Jizhen , Lin Zhongwei , Qu Chenzhi
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a wind-turbine active power control strategy is proposed from the cluster level to optimize the active power set-point for each wind turbine in a specific cluster. The wind turbine power tracking characteristic is described as an inertial link to establish the power tracking predictive model, and the model predictive control (MPC) method is used to optimize the cluster power demand and output. Time-varying constraints are proposed to coordinate the power output for different time-scale wind turbines and sustain that the cluster has enough fast-tracking capacity when the cluster power demand changes. Under different scenarios, the proposed strategy is tested to verify the effectiveness in improving the power output stability and frequency support ability.
Antioxidant Properties of Synthesized Bicyclic Thiazolopyrimidine Derivatives as Possible Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Gjorgieva Ackova Darinka , Kotur-Stevuljevic Jelena , Bhushan Mishra Chandra , Mehta Luthra Pratibha , Saso Luciano
Published: December 2018

Oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the body has been implicated as one of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to disease development. Therefore, we searched for a good antioxidant candidate that can be used as a therapeutic agent alone or in combination with other reported drugs. Earlier, we reported the A2A receptor antagonist properties of 7-Imino-3-substituted-2-thioxo-3,7-dihydro-2H-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)-urea derivatives (compounds 1–12) and the neuroprotective effect of compound 2. Therefore, in the present work, the antioxidant potential of compounds 1–12 was studied. Compounds 1–12 were screened using different (red/ox) tests, such as the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, to determine total antioxidant activity, redox status tests (with and without prooxidants) such as Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) and Total Oxidative Status (TOS) which measures H2O2 and lipid hydroperoxides, Paraoxonase-1 Enzyme Activity (PON1), Total SH-groups content, and Total Antioxidative Status (TAS) for antioxidant determination. The Prooxidative Score, Antioxidative Score, and Oxy Score were also calculated. From the obtained results, compounds 6 (8720 FRAP value and 39.31 Oxy Score) and 12 (7866 FRAP value and 36.41 Oxy Score) were found to possess significant antioxidant activity with reasonable potential for therapeutic activity.
Grain Sieve Loss Fuzzy Control System in Rice Combine Harvesters
Authors: Liang Zhenwei , Li Yaoming , Xu Lizhang
Published: December 2018

The main working parts of the cleaning device of a rice combine harvester can be controlled by an established control strategy in real time based on the monitored grain sieve loss. This is an efficient way to improve their cleaning adaptability, since as a consequence, the main working parameters of combine harvesters can automatically adapt to crop and environment changes, and the corresponding cleaning performance can be improved. To achieve the target of cleaning control based on the monitored grain sieve loss, a fuzzy control system was developed, which selected S7-1200 PLC as the main control unit to build the lower computer hardware system, utilized ladder language to complete the system compilation, and used LabVIEW 14.0 software to design the host–computer interface. The effects of fan speed, guide plate angle, and sieve opening on the grain sieve loss and grain impurity ratio have been investigated through a large number of bench tests. The relevance level of the operating parameters on the performance parameters has been determined also, and finally, a fuzzy control model was developed for the cleaning system. The experiment results indicated that the designed fuzzy control model can control the cleaning section settings, such as fan speed and guide plate angle automatically, and reduce the grain sieve loss to some extent.
Effect of Various Temperatures on Bletillae Rhizoma Polysaccharide Extraction and Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Long Xiaoyan , Yan Quan , Peng Linwei , Liu Xinyue , Luo Xuegang
Published: December 2018

Six fractional polysaccharides were prepared by water extraction and alcohol precipitation under controlled temperature from bletillae rhizoma, a traditional Chinese medicine. Based on this, yields of bletillae rhizome polysaccharides (RBPs) were obtained. The extracting temperature impacted the characteristics of the fractional polysaccharides. The fractional polysaccharides were characterized by glucomannan (GM) content, thermal stability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). For the analysis, 2.0% w/v dispersions of the six fractional polysaccharides were prepared and their flow behaviors were evaluated using a rotational rheometer. The results showed that increased extraction temperature led to increased GM extraction yields and extraction rate, but GM content was relative stable (over 90%). The average molecular weight (Mw) of fractional polysaccharides obtained at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C was 3.598 × 104, 4.188 × 104, 8.632 × 104, 8.850 × 104, 2.372 × 105, and 3.081 × 105 g/mol, respectively. SEM revealed that fractional polysaccharides had a porous structure of different sizes and densities. Thermal analysis, FTIR, and XRD results indicated that extraction temperature affects the structure and moisture content of fractional polysaccharides. All results showed that the extraction temperature has an obvious impact on the morphology, molecular weight, and polydispersity of the RBPs. This simple process is a promising method for the preparation of fractional polysaccharides.
Investigation of the Environmentally-Friendly Refrigerant R152a for Air Conditioning Purposes
Authors: Bellos Evangelos , Tzivanidis Christos
Published: December 2018

Heat pumps are efficient and well-established technologies for providing the proper cooling load in the building sector. The objective of this work is the parametric investigation of a heat pump operating with the promising refrigerant R152a for different operating conditions. More specifically, the heat pump is studied for different ambient temperatures, different indoor temperatures and various compressor rotational speeds. The cooling capacity and the coefficient of performance (COP) are the most important parameters which calculated in every scenario. A detailed model is developed in Engineering Equations Solver (EES) and it is validated with literature data. According to the final results, the system can operate in nominal conditions with 5 kW cooling capacity and a COP equal to 6.46. It is found that the COP can be ranged from 4 to 12 and the cooling capacity, while the cooling capacity can reach up to 9 kW. Moreover, a regression equation about the performance of the system is suggested. The obtained results indicate that the use of the R152a leads to high performance and so it can be an environmentally friendly choice for the cooling systems.
Functionalized Polyisobutylene and Liquid/Liquid Separations as a Method for Scavenging Transition Metals from Homogeneously Catalyzed Reactions
Authors: Chouikhi Dalila , Kulai Ihor , Bergbreiter David E. , Al-Hashimi Mohammed , Bazzi Hassan S.
Published: December 2018

Ethanedithiol-functionalized polyisobutylene was prepared in one step by a photoinitiated thiol-ene “click” reaction starting from ethanedithiol and polyisobutylene (PIB). The functionalized oligomer product was then used as a soluble sequestrant for transition metals. This PIB-bound thioether-thiol ligand is phase selectively soluble in alkanes and it quantitatively sequesters common transition metals like Cu2+ and Pd2+ into an alkane phase, separating them from polar solvents in a biphasic liquid/liquid separation. The chelating thioether-thiol ligand was also successfully used to remove Cu and Pd transition metal catalyst residues from products in crude reaction mixtures in both azide/alkyne click reactions and cross-coupling reactions using a liquid/liquid extraction. Separation efficiencies exceeding 95% and in many cases 99% were achieved.
Iron Speciation of Natural and Anthropogenic Dust by Spectroscopic and Chemical Methods
Authors: Petroselli Chiara , Moroni Beatrice , Crocchianti Stefano , Selvaggi Roberta , Vivani Riccardo , Soggia Francesco , Grotti Marco , D’Acapito Francesco , Cappelletti David
Published: December 2018

In this work, we have characterized the iron local structure in samples of two different types of atmospheric dust using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and selective leaching experiments. Specifically, we have investigated samples of long-range transported Saharan dust and freshly emitted steel plant fumes with the aim of individuating possible fingerprints of iron in the two cases. Findings include (1) prevalence of octahedral coordinated Fe 3 + for all samples; (2) presence of 6-fold coordinated Fe 3 + , aluminosilicates and iron oxy(hydr)oxides in Saharan dust and (3) of Fe-bearing spinel-like structures in the industrial fumes; (4) general predominance of the residual insoluble fraction with a notable difference: 69% for Saharan dust and 93% for steel production emissions, associated with aluminosilicates and non-reducible iron oxy(hydr)oxides, and Fe spinels, respectively. The remarkable differences between the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra and leaching test results for the two sample types suggest the possibility to exploit the present approach in more complex cases. To this aim, two additional case studies of mixed aerosol samples are presented and discussed.
Delineating the Dynamic Transcriptome Response of mRNA and microRNA during Zebrafish Heart Regeneration
Authors: Klett Hagen , Jürgensen Lonny , Most Patrick , Busch Martin , Günther Fabian , Dobreva Gergana , Leuschner Florian , Hassel David , Busch Hauke , Boerries Melanie
Published: December 2018

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death for the vast majority of people around the world, which is often due to the limited capability of human cardiac regeneration. In contrast, zebrafish have the capacity to fully regenerate their hearts after cardiac injury. Understanding and activating these mechanisms would improve health in patients suffering from long-term consequences of ischemia. Therefore, we monitored the dynamic transcriptome response of both mRNA and microRNA in zebrafish at 1–160 days post cryoinjury (dpi). Using a control model of sham-operated and healthy fish, we extracted the regeneration specific response and further delineated the spatio-temporal organization of regeneration processes such as cell cycle and heart function. In addition, we identified novel (miR-148/152, miR-218b and miR-19) and previously known microRNAs among the top regulators of heart regeneration by using theoretically predicted target sites and correlation of expression profiles from both mRNA and microRNA. In a cross-species effort, we validated our findings in the dynamic process of rat myoblasts differentiating into cardiomyocytes-like cells (H9c2 cell line). Concluding, we elucidated different phases of transcriptomic responses during zebrafish heart regeneration. Furthermore, microRNAs showed to be important regulators in cardiomyocyte proliferation over time.
Ovarian Cancer Relies on Glucose Transporter 1 to Fuel Glycolysis and Growth: Anti-Tumor Activity of BAY-876
Authors: Ma Yibao , Wang Wei , Idowu Michael O. , Oh Unsong , Wang Xiang-Yang , Temkin Sarah M. , Fang Xianjun
Published: December 2018

The recent progresses in understanding of cancer glycolytic phenotype have offered new strategies to manage ovarian cancer and other malignancies. However, therapeutic targeting of glycolysis to treat cancer remains unsuccessful due to complex mechanisms of tumor glycolysis and the lack of selective, potent and safe glycolytic inhibitors. Recently, BAY-876 was identified as a new-generation inhibitor of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), a GLUT isoform commonly overexpressed but functionally poorly defined in ovarian cancer. Notably, BAY-876 has not been evaluated in any cell or preclinical animal models since its discovery. We herein took advantage of BAY-876 and molecular approaches to study GLUT1 regulation, targetability, and functional relevance to cancer glycolysis. The anti-tumor activity of BAY-876 was evaluated with ovarian cancer cell line- and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Our results show that inhibition of GLUT1 is sufficient to block basal and stress-regulated glycolysis, and anchorage-dependent and independent growth of ovarian cancer cells. BAY-876 dramatically inhibits tumorigenicity of both cell line-derived xenografts and PDXs. These studies provide direct evidence that GLUT1 is causally linked to the glycolytic phenotype in ovarian cancer. BAY-876 is a potent blocker of GLUT1 activity, glycolytic metabolism and ovarian cancer growth, holding promise as a novel glycolysis-targeted anti-cancer agent.
High-Throughput Production of Heterogeneous RuO2/Graphene Catalyst in a Hydrodynamic Reactor for Selective Alcohol Oxidation
Authors: Jeong Jae-Min , Jin Se Bin , Yoon Jo Hee , Yeo Jae Goo , Lee Geun Young , Irshad Mobina , Lee Seongwoo , Seo Donghyuk , Kwak Byeong Eun , Choi Bong Gill , Kim Do Hyun , Kim Jung Won
Published: December 2018

We report on the high-throughput production of heterogeneous catalysts of RuO2-deposited graphene using a hydrodynamic process for selective alcohol oxidation. The fluid mechanics of a hydrodynamic process based on a Taylor–Couette flow provide a high shear stress field and fast mixing process. The unique fluidic behavior efficiently exfoliates graphite into defect-free graphene sheets dispersed in water solution, in which ionic liquid is used as the stabilizing reagent to prevent the restacking of the graphene sheets. The deposition of RuO2 on a graphene surface is performed using a hydrodynamic process, resulting in the uniform coating of RuO2 nanoparticles. The as synthesized RuO2/IL–graphene catalyst has been applied efficiently for the oxidation of a wide variety of alcohol substrates, including biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) under environmentally benign conditions. The catalyst is mechanically stable and recyclable, confirming its heterogeneous nature.
Ordered Array of Metal Particles on Semishell Separated with Ultrathin Oxide: Fabrication and SERS Properties
Authors: Li Xianglin , Wang Zhiwei , Tan Chiew Kei , Shen Zexiang , Tok Alfred Iing Yoong
Published: December 2018

Metal particles in gap cavities provide an interesting system to achieve hybrid local surface plasmon modes for local field enhancement. Here, we demonstrate a relatively simple method to fabricate Ag nanoparticles positioned on Ag semishells separated by a thin (~5 nm) dielectric layer. The obtained structure can provide strong local electric field enhancement for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The fabrication of the ordered array structure was realized by nanosphere self-assembly, atomic layer deposition, and metal thin-film dewetting. Numerical simulation proved that, compared to the conventional metal semishell arrays, the additional Ag particles introduce extra hot spots particularly in the valley regions between adjacent Ag semishells. As a result, the SERS enhancement factor of the metal semishell-based plasmonic structure could be further improved by an order of magnitude. The developed novel plasmonic structure also shows good potential for application in plasmon-enhanced solar water-splitting devices.
Porous Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resins
Authors: Egorin Andrei , Tokar Eduard , Tutov Mikhail , Portnyagin Arseniy
Published: December 2018

Porous ion-exchanging resorcinol-formaldehyde resins were prepared by removing an inorganic template (CaCO3) and by polymerization of a highly concentrated emulsion with toluene as a dispersing phase. As compared to original resorcinol-formaldehyde resins, the porous one is characterized with higher values of internal diffusion, providing exceptional purification coefficients. However, the amounts of the introduced CaCO3 and toluene have to be below 10 wt.% and 25 wt.%, respectively, to avoid fast degradation of the ion-exchanger. Under dynamic conditions, average purification coefficients in the model solution of Cs-137 are twice higher than those of the non-porous sample. The prepared porous ion-exchange resin can be used in cases when high Cs-137 uptake from liquid media should be realized at increased rates of solution percolation.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, DFT Studies, Docking Studies, and Fluorescent Properties of 2-(Adamantan-1-yl)-2H-isoindole-1-carbonitrile
Authors: Joubert Jacques
Published: December 2018

2-(Adamantan-1-yl)-2H-isoindole-1-carbonitrile (1) has been identified as a neurobiological fluorescent ligand that may be used to develop receptor and enzyme binding affinity assays. Compound 1 was synthesized using an optimized microwave irradiation reaction, and crystallized from ethanol. Crystallization occurred in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit cell parameters: a = 6.4487(12) Å, b = 13.648(3) Å, c = 16.571(3) Å, V = 1458(5) Å3, Z = 4. Density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP/6-311++G (d,p)) calculations of 1 were carried out. Results indicated that the optimized geometry was similar to the experimental results, with a root-mean-squared deviation of 0.143 Å. In this paper, frontier molecular orbital energies and net atomic charges are discussed with a focus on potential biological interactions. Docking experiments within the active site of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein crystal structure were carried out and analyzed. Important binding interactions between the DFT-optimized structure and amino acids within the nNOS active site were identified that explained the strong NOS binding affinity reported. Fluorescent properties of 1 were studied using aprotic solvents of different polarities. Compound 1 showed the highest fluorescence intensity in polar solvents, with excitation and emission maximum values of 336 nm and 380 nm, respectively.
Non-Invasive Assessment of Intravascular Pressure Gradients: A Review of Current and Proposed Novel Methods
Authors: Nguyen Tin-Quoc , Hansen Kristoffer Lindskov , Bechsgaard Thor , Lönn Lars , Jensen Jørgen Arendt , Nielsen Michael Bachmann
Published: December 2018

Invasive catheterization is associated with a low risk of serious complications. However, although it is the gold standard for measuring pressure gradients, it induces changes to blood flow and requires significant resources. Therefore, non-invasive alternatives are urgently needed. Pressure gradients are routinely estimated non-invasively in clinical settings using ultrasound and calculated with the simplified Bernoulli equation, a method with several limitations. A PubMed literature search on validation of non-invasive techniques was conducted, and studies were included if non-invasively estimated pressure gradients were compared with invasively measured pressure gradients in vivo. Pressure gradients were mainly estimated from velocities obtained with Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. Most studies used the simplified Bernoulli equation, but more recent studies have employed the expanded Bernoulli and Navier–Stokes equations. Overall, the studies reported good correlation between non-invasive estimation of pressure gradients and catheterization. Despite having strong correlations, several studies reported the non-invasive techniques to either overestimate or underestimate the invasive measurements, thus questioning the accuracy of the non-invasive methods. In conclusion, more advanced imaging techniques may be needed to overcome the shortcomings of current methods.
Regional Collaboration for Sustainability via Place-Based Ecology Education: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative
Authors: Duffin Michael , Perry Elizabeth E.
Published: December 2018

Place-based Ecology Education (PBEE) has emerged as a compelling approach to achieving the sustainability goals of Environmental Education (EE), including helping children understand, care about, and take action to protect the environment. Collaboration for teacher training can amplify and expand the reach and effectiveness of PBEE within a given geographic region. This case study of a collaborative of five PBEE professional development organizations provided a noteworthy example of collective evaluation. The primary data source was quantitative and qualitative analysis of 156 survey responses from K-12 classroom teachers, administered from 2016 to 2018 in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire and Vermont. On average, teachers reported medium-sized (Cohen’s d 0.4 to 0.6), statistically significant changes over the prior year for all six PBEE core practices measured. Teacher responses to open-ended survey items suggested that PBEE often involves coordination between and contribution from multiple players with different roles but similar goals. Cross tabulation with quantitative results suggested that collaboration within schools was a central factor associated with high levels of PBEE practice.
Mechanism Reduction and Bunsen Burner Flame Verification of Methane
Authors: Lu Haitao , Liu Fuqiang , Wang Yulan , Fan Xiongjie , Yang Jinhu , Liu Cunxi , Xu Gang
Published: December 2018

Based on directed relation graph with error propagation methods, 39 species and 231 reactions skeletal mechanism were obtained from Mech_56.54 (113 species and 710 reactions) mechanism of methane. The ignition delay times, laminar flame propagation speed, and important species were calculated using the simplified mechanism at different pressures and equivalence ratios. The simulation results were in good agreement with that of detailed mechanisms and experimental data. The numerical simulation of the Bunsen burner jet flame was carried out using the simplified methane mechanism, and the simulation results well reproduced the temperature, flow fields and distribution of important species at flame zone. The compact methane reduced mechanism can not only correctly respond to its dynamic characteristics, but also can be well used for numerical simulation, which is of great significance in engineering applications.
Genetic Mechanism and Evolution of the Covert Fault Zone and Its Oil-Controlling Mode in Qikou Sag, Eastern China
Authors: Jiang Shuai , Wang Weifeng , Zhang Aizhu , Zhou Weiwei
Published: December 2018

Covert fault zone is an important type of geological phenomenon that is closely related to hydrocarbon formation and distribution but has often been overlooked because it lacks obvious fault displacement and fault plane. To meet this challenge, a novel cognitive framework is proposed in this study, in which criteria for identifying the existence of covert fault zone are developed based on the regional tectonic backgrounds and geophysical data. The Riedel shear model is then utilized to analyze the genetic mechanism of the covert fault zone. The Mohr-Coulomb theory is also introduced to conduct a structural physical simulation to interpret the evolution process of the covert fault zone. Information about the genetic mechanism and evolution of the covert fault zone is finally combined to determine the oil-controlling mode. The study site is Qikou Sag in Eastern China. It is found that the covert fault zone in Qikou Sag meets four recognition criteria and is generated by the stress transferred from the strike-slip activity of the basement fault. Moreover, it can be concluded that the covert fault zone in Qikou Sag contains five evolution stages and controls the reservoir mainly via three aspects, that is, sedimentary sand, subtle traps and oil accumulation mode.
Observation of Near-Inertial Oscillations Induced by Energy Transformation during Typhoons
Authors: Hou Huaqian , Yu Fei , Nan Feng , Yang Bing , Guan Shoude , Zhang Yuanzhi
Published: December 2018

Three typhoon events were selected to examine the impact of energy transformation on near-inertial oscillations (NIOs) using observations from a subsurface mooring, which was deployed at 125° E and 18° N on 26 September 2014 and recovered on 11 January 2016. Almost 16 months of continuous observations were undertaken, and three energetic NIO events were recorded, all generated by passing typhoons. The peak frequencies of these NIOs, 0.91 times of the local inertial frequency f, were all lower than the local inertial frequency f. The estimated vertical group velocities (Cgz) of the three NIO events were 11.9, 7.4, and 23.0 m d−1, and were relatively small compared with observations from other oceans (i.e., 100 m d−1). The directions of the horizontal near-inertial currents changed four or five times between the depths of 40 and 800 m in all three NIO events, implying that typhoons in the northwest Pacific usually generate high-mode NIOs. The NIO currents were further decomposed by performing an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The first and second EOF modes dominated the NIOs during each typhoon, accounting for more than 50% of the total variance. The peak frequencies of the first two EOF modes were less than f, but those of the third and fourth modes were higher than f. The frequencies of all the modes during non-typhoon periods were more than f. Our analysis indicates that the relatively small downward group velocity was caused by the frequent direction changes of the near-inertial currents with depth.
Multi-Objective Economic Dispatch of Cogeneration Unit with Heat Storage Based on Fuzzy Chance Constraint
Authors: Wang Xiuyun , Tian Junyu , Wang Rutian , Xu Jiakai , Chen Shaoxin , Wang Jian , Cui Yang
Published: December 2018

With the increasing expansion of wind power, its impact on economic dispatch of power systems cannot be ignored. Adding a heat storage device to a traditional cogeneration unit can break the thermoelectric coupling constraint of the cogeneration unit and meet the economic and stable operation of a power system. In this paper, an economy-environment coordinated scheduling model with the lowest economic cost and the lowest pollutant emissions is constructed. Economic costs include the cost of conventional thermal power generating units, the operating cost of cogeneration units, and the operating cost of wind power. At the same time, green certificate costs are introduced into the economic costs to improve the absorption of wind power. Pollutant emissions include SO2 and NOx emissions from conventional thermal power units and cogeneration units. The randomness and uncertainty of wind power output are fully considered, and the prediction error of wind power is fuzzy treated according to the fuzzy random theory, and the electric power balance and spinning reserve fuzzy opportunity conditions are established, which are converted into the explicit equivalent. The improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) was used to solve the model. With this method, the validity of the model is verified by taking a system with 10 machines as an example.
Energy Efficiency of the Baltic Sea Countries: An Application of Stochastic Frontier Analysis
Authors: Hsiao Wen-Ling , Hu Jin-Li , Hsiao Chan , Chang Ming-Chung
Published: December 2018

Using the stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) model, this research measures total-factor energy efficiency (TFEE) and disaggregate input efficiency for 10 countries across the Baltic Sea from 2004 to 2014. Real capital, labor, energy use, and carbon dioxide (CO2) are input variables, real gross domestic product (GDP) is the output variable, and renewable energy consumption and urban population are the environmental variables. The results provide not only the TFEE scores, in which statistical noise is considered, but also the determinants of inefficiency, which show the following. (i) Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Latvia perform better with respect to energy efficiency than other countries in the Baltic Sea Region. (ii) Interestingly, the average energy use efficiency scores from 2004 to 2014 in the 10 Baltic countries exhibit a gradual upward trend except for 2009. (iii) For the inefficiency estimates, higher renewable energy consumption and urban population correspond to higher TFEE scores.
Investigation of Separated Two-Phase Thermosiphon Loop for Relieving the Air-Conditioning Loading in Datacenter
Authors: Daraghmeh Hafiz M. , Sulaiman Mohammed W. , Yang Kai-Shing , Wang Chi-Chuan
Published: December 2018

This study investigates the feasibility of using R-134a filled separated two-phase thermosiphon loop (STPTL) as a free cooling technique in datacenters. Two data center racks one of them is attached with fin and tube thermosiphon were cooled by CRAC unit (computer room air conditioning unit) individually. Thermosiphon can help to partially eliminate the compressor loading of the CRAC; thus, energy saving potential of thermosiphon loop was investigated. The condenser is a water-cooled design and perfluoroalkoxy pipes were used as adiabatic riser/downcomer for easier installation and mobile capability. Tests were conducted with filling ratio ranging from 0 to 90%. The test results indicate that the energy saving increases with the rise of filling ratio and an optimum energy savings of 38.7% can be achieved at filling ratios of 70%, a further increase of filling ratio leads to a reduction in energy saving. At a low filling ratio like 10%, the evaporator starves for refrigerant and a very uneven air temperature distribution occurring at the exit of data rack. The uneven temperature distribution is relieved considerably when the evaporator is fully flooded. It is also found that the energy saving is in line with the rise of system pressure. Overfilling of the evaporator may lead to a decline of system pressure. A lower thermal resistance occurs at high filling ratios and higher ambient temperature.
Two States for Optimal Position and Capacity of Distributed Generators Considering Network Reconfiguration for Power Loss Minimization Based on Runner Root Algorithm
Authors: Viet Truong Anh , Ngoc Ton Trieu , Thanh Nguyen Thuan , Duong Thanh Long
Published: December 2018

Although the distributed generator (DG) placement and distribution network (DN) reconfiguration techniques contribute to reduce power loss, obviously the former is a design problem which is used for a long-term purpose while the latter is an operational problem which is used for a short-term purpose. In this situation, the optimal value of the position and capacity of DGs is a value which must be not affected by changing the operational configuration due to easy changes in the status of switches compared with changes in the installed location of DG. This paper demonstrates a methodology for choosing the position and size of DGs on the DN that takes into account re-switching the status of switches on distribution of the DN to reduce power losses. The proposed method is based on the runner root algorithm (RRA) which separates the problem into two states. In State-I, RRA is used to optimize the position and size of DGs on closed-loop distribution networks which is a mesh shape topology and power is delivered through more than one line. In State-II, RRA is used to reconfigure the DN after placing the DGs to find the open-loop distribution network which is a tree shape topology and power is only delivered through one line. The calculation results in DN systems with 33 nodes and 69 nodes, showing that the proposed method is capable of solving the problem of the optimal position and size of DGs considering distribution network reconfiguration.
Investigation on Water Hammer Control of Centrifugal Pumps in Water Supply Pipeline Systems
Authors: Wan Wuyi , Zhang Boran , Chen Xiaoyi
Published: December 2018

Water hammer control in water supply pipeline systems is significant for protecting pipelines from damage. The goal of this research is to investigate the effects of pumps moment of inertia design on pipeline water hammer control. Based on the method of characteristics (MOC), a numerical model is established and plenty of simulations are conducted. Through numerical analysis, it is found that increasing the pumps moment of inertia has positive effects both on water hammer control as well as preventing pumps rapid runaway speed. Considering the extra cost of space, starting energy, and materials, an evaluation methodology of efficiency on the increasing moment of inertia is proposed. It can be regarded as a reference for engineers to design the moment of inertia of pumps in water supply pipeline systems. Combined with the optimized operations of the valve behind the pumps, the pipeline systems can be better protected from accident events.
Thermodynamic Efficiency Gains and their Role as a Key ‘Engine of Economic Growth’
Authors: Sakai Marco , Brockway Paul , Barrett John , Taylor Peter
Published: December 2018

Increasing energy efficiency is commonly viewed as providing a key stimulus to economic growth, through investment in efficient technologies, reducing energy use and costs, enabling productivity gains, and generating jobs. However, this view is received wisdom, as empirical validation has remained elusive. A central problem is that current energy-economy models are not thermodynamically consistent, since they do not include the transformation of energy in physical terms from primary to end-use stages. In response, we develop the UK MAcroeconometric Resource COnsumption (MARCO-UK) model, the first econometric economy-wide model to explicitly include thermodynamic efficiency and end energy use (energy services). We find gains in thermodynamic efficiency are a key ‘engine of economic growth’, contributing 25% of the increases to gross domestic product (GDP) in the UK over the period of 1971–2013. This confirms an underrecognised role for energy in enabling economic growth. We attribute most of the thermodynamic efficiency gains to endogenised technical change. We also provide new insights into how the ‘efficiency-led growth engine’ mechanism works in the whole economy. Our results imply a slowdown in thermodynamic efficiency gains will constrain economic growth, whilst future energy-GDP decoupling will be harder to achieve than we suppose. This confirms the imperative for economic models to become thermodynamically consistent.