bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small bowel obstruction with gallstone. Case report
Authors: V. M. Braslavets  , K. I. Pavlov  , O. V. Kulak  , Ya. F. Kolos  , S. A. Chernov
Published: July 2018

Clinical case study of a cholelithiasis rare complication — gallstone small bowel obstruction with cholecystoduodenal fistula has been presented. According to several studies, the frequency of gallstone small bowel obstruction is approximately 0.3 to 4 % of all cases of small bowel obstruction, and 0.2 to 0.6 % of patients with cholelithiasis. A patient at the age of 69 years, was admitted to the surgical department in urgently 07.11.2017 with the diagnosis of acute gallstone small bowel obstruction. The diagnosis was based on complaints, anamnesis, clinical signs, additional imaging methods (radiography and ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs). The patient was operated urgently. In the lumen of the small intestine at a distance of 120 cm from the Treitz ligament a concrement up to 33 × 26 mm was found, proximal to the concrement the loops of the small intestine were expanded to 42 mm, filled with intestinal contents and gas, distal to the concrement, the small intestine collapsed. The dense infiltrate up to 6 × 4 cm, involving the gallbladder and duodenum was visualized during operation in the subhepatic space. There was no bile and intestinal content leakage in the infiltration area. Enterotomy, lithoextraction, enterorrhaphia were performed. Dissociation of the cholecystoduodenal fistula was not performed due to the severity of the patient’s condition and the presence of small bowel obstruction. The postoperative period was without complications. The patient was discharged in a satisfactory condition. An ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs allowed to diagnose this pathology before the operation, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity of the method.
Fluorescence angiography for blood flow assess during right hemicolectomy. Case study
Authors: A. V. Malinovsky  , M. M. Mayorenko  , A. S. Sergievа
Published: July 2018

Fluorescent laparoscopy enables to visualize blood vessels and blood flow in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, which can be used in colon resection. Laparoscopic right hemiclectomy was performed in a patient aged 55 years with an adenomatous polyp of Bauginia flap without dysplasia. The operation was performed through four trocars: 1 — 10 mm, 1 — 13 mm, 2 — 5 mm. During surgery, the hepatic flexure of the colon was saved due to the expressed a. colica dextra. After intracorporal ileotransversoanastomosis formation of with the device Endo GIA‑60 fluorescence angiography was performed: Indocyanine green in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg of body weight was injected intravenously. After 2 minutes, in near‑infrared survey regime, a satisfactory vascularization of the terminal ileum mesentery and accumulation of the fluorescing substance in the walls of the ileum and the stomach stump, in particular the finite regions of the stump, have been achieved. Regarding the received data, there was no risk of failure of anastomosis and bowel stump. The operation was completed on a planned extension. No technical difficulties with fluorescence angiography were found. Allergic reactions to the administered drug and the failure of anastomosis were not. The first experience of using fluorescence angiography for assessing blood supply in the anastomosis area during resection of the colon demonstrated the convenience and safety of the technique. Fluorescence angiography helped to evaluate the blood supply to intestinal walls and mesentery, which allowed to execute a limited variant of operation with the preservation of hepatic flexure of the colon with blood supply from a. colica dex.
Current realities and prospects for the arginine as a nitric oxide donor in purulent surgery
Authors: V. I. Lyakhovsky  , T. V. Gorodova-Andreeva  , O. O. Kizimenko
Published: July 2018

Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in the use of L‑arginine for surgical practice. Positive effects of this powerful nitric oxide donor, which is used in the treatment of various nosology has already been experimentally and clinically proven. At the local level, the neo‑angiogenesis processes are stimulated significantly, mechanisms of mechanical and microbial cleansing of the wound are accelerated, pro‑inflammatory cytokines are indirectly inactivated due to the powerful antihypoxic action, allowing to obtain clinically and visually clean wounds in significantly shorter terms. Detailed mechanisms of the L‑arginine effect on the purulent wounds have not been thoroughly elucidated, so promising is the study of aimed activation on wound healing mechanisms at the various stages of the wound healing process.
Transport Phenomena, equations and numerical methods
Authors: Pudjaprasetya Sri Redjeki
Published: July 2018

(Version 2021) This book offers a preliminary overview of transport phenomena. Topics covered are the basic introduction on several aspects of heat transfer, mass transfer, and fluid mechanics, focusing on issues arising from conservation laws. Conservation laws arise when some (physical) quantity is conserved, for example, mass or momentum. Thus they are frequently encountered in a wide range of scientific and engineering fields. Conservation laws when expressed in terms of partial differential equations, they are mostly non-linear, and often they also admit discontinuous shock wave solutions. In applications, shock wave solutions may be found as bores in rivers, sonic boom, or traffic jam. This book contains a comprehensive coverage of numerical techniques and analysis, as well as theoretical development, which is vital to the understanding and implementation of applications. This book would be suitable for advanced undergraduate students in mathematics and computational sciences.
The Stability of Constitutions and their Role in Promoting Intergenerational Justice
Authors: Gárdos–Orosz Fruzsina
Published: July 2018

U radu se zastupa tvrdnja da prirodna stabilnost normativnog ustava omogućava, tj. ne priječi, međugeneracijsku pravednost. U radu se navode dva glavna zapažanja. Prvo glasi da je nepromjenjivost prirodno obilježje ustava čak i kada on ne sadržava klauzulu vječnosti te tako ni ustav koji ne sadržava klauzulu vječnosti ili neku drugu klauzulu ukorijenjenosti nije u potpunosti fleksibilan. Razina stabilnosti u normativnom smislu dijelom ovisi o ustavnome sudu. Prema autorici, to je ključni dokaz da ustav može omogućiti međugeneracijsku pravednost. Iz prvoga slijedi drugo zapažanje: ako je takva uloga
ustavnog suda u tumačenju ustava, ustavni će suci uvijek moći prilagoditi ustav ovisno o tome kako će buduće generacije tumačiti zakone. No taj je argument valjan jedino ako ustavnost prihvaćamo kao normativnu. Popularnost usvajanja ustava i nepromjenjivih pravila iznova je porasla na globalnoj razini nakon Drugoga svjetskog rata. Stabilnost pruža solidan temelj za nova tumačenja, no s obzirom na ograničenja koja nameće normativnost također dopušta i temeljnu
promjenu u smislu usvajanja novoga ustava. Stoga je normativan pristup u najboljem interesu budućih generacija jer zahtijeva primjenu ustavnog sudovanja. Normativni ustav ne čini razliku među generacijama, bez obzira na to što je unutargeneracijski i međugeneracijski, već štiti zakonski kontinuitet. Time što omogućava fleksibilnu prilagodbu protumačenih pravila istovremeno osigurava
stabilnost i svim generacijama nudi jednaku mogućnost za promjene.
Information Technology in Small Medium Enterprise
Authors: Pighin Maurizio
Published: July 2018

This paper presents and discuss a survey which describes how small-medium
enterprises (SMEs) implement and use their information system with respect to their
logistic and production processes.
The study first describes the rationale of the research, then it identifies the
characteristics of the companies and detects their general attitude towards information
technology (IT). In the following section the paper presents a set of detailed processes
to verify the structure and workflow of companies and how IT supports their
processes. In the last part we study the influence of some company characteristics to
effective use of processes and to different technological approaches, to support
defined logistic and production processes.
The novelty of the study and its interest, both in academic and institutional context as
in the real world, resides in the opportunity to verify and understand the different
attitudes of SMEs towards information technology in defining, organizing, planning
and control their processes.
Detecting Source Code Plagiarism on .NET Programming Languages using Low-level Representation and Adaptive Local Alignment
Authors: Rabbani Faqih Salban , Karnalim Oscar
Published: July 2018

Even though there are various source code plagiarism detection approaches, only a few
works which are focused on low-level representation for deducting similarity. Most of
them are only focused on lexical token sequence extracted from source code. In our
point of view, low-level representation is more beneficial than lexical token since its
form is more compact than the source code itself. It only considers semantic-preserving
instructions and ignores many source code delimiter tokens. This paper proposes a
source code plagiarism detection which rely on low-level representation. For a case
study, we focus our work on .NET programming languages with Common Intermediate
Language as its low-level representation. In addition, we also incorporate Adaptive
Local Alignment for detecting similarity. According to Lim et al, this algorithm
outperforms code similarity state-of-the-art algorithm (i.e. Greedy String Tiling) in
term of effectiveness. According to our evaluation which involves various plagiarism
attacks, our approach is more effective and efficient when compared with standard
lexical-token approach.
Utilization of Discrete Event Simulation in Business Processes Management Projects
Authors: Bosilj Vukšić Vesna , Pejić Bach Mirjana , Tomičić-Pupek Katarina
Published: July 2018

Discrete event simulation (DES) software is often used in business process management (BPM) projects, in order to support modeling, change and automatization of process modeling. However, the current research lacks systematic overview of the benefits and pitfalls of using DES software for BPM. The goal of this paper is to provide a systematic analysis of research paper related to the operations research, computer science, business and management that report the usage of DES in BPM projects, in order to shed some light in this area. Results of this analysis could be useful to academics and business practitioners in their projects.
On Simulation of the Young Measures
Authors: Grzybowski Andrzej Z. , Puchała Piotr
Published: July 2018

"Young measure" is an abstract notion from mathematical measure theory. Originally, the notion appeared in the context of some variational problems related to the analysis of sequences of “fast” oscillating of functions. From the formal point of view the Young measure may be treated as a continuous linear functional defined on the space of Carathéodory integrands satisfying certain regularity conditions. Calculating an explicit form of specific Young measure is a very important task. However, from a strictly mathematical standpoint it is a very difficult problem not solved as yet in general. Even more difficult would be the problem of calculating Lebasque’s integrals with respect to such measures. Based on known formal results it can be done only in the most simple cases. On the other hand in many real-world applications it would be enough to learn only some of the most important probabilistic characteristics of the Young distribution or learn only approximate values of the appropriate integrals. In such a case a possible solution is to adopt Monte Carlo techniques. In the presentation we propose three different algorithms designed for simulating random variables distributed according to the Young measures associated with piecewise functions. Next with the help of computer simulations we compare their statistical performance via some benchmarking problems. In this study we focus on the accurateness of the distribution of the generated sample.
Computer Games as Virtual Environments for Safety-Critical Software Validation
Authors: Korečko Štefan , Sobota Branislav
Published: July 2018

Computer games became an inseparable part of everyday life in modern society and the time people spend playing them every day is increasing. This trend caused a noticeable research activity focused on utilizing the time spent playing in a meaningful way, for example to help solving scientific problems or tasks related to computer systems development. In this paper we present one contribution to this activity, a software system consisting of a modified version of the Open Rails train simulator and an application called TS2JavaConn, which allows to use separately developed software controllers with the simulator. The system is intended for validation of controllers developed by formal methods. The paper describes the overall architecture of the system and operation of its components. It also compares the system with other approaches to purposeful utilization of computer games, specifies suitable formal methods and illustrates its intended use on an example.
Prestige and Collaboration Among Researchers in the Field of Education and Career Development of ICT Graduates
Authors: Pažur Aničić Katarina , Divjak Blaženka , Arbanas Krunoslav
Published: July 2018

This paper analyzes state of the art of the research regarding the education and career development of ICT graduates based on a comprehensive literature review. Analysis presented in this paper includes 155 papers in two research areas – one related to the education of ICT graduates (101 papers) and the other to their career development (54 papers). The most prestigious papers, most influential journals and groupings of authors in the abovementioned fields are identified by using the citation analysis and Social Network Analysis (SNA). Results show that the most influential papers related to ICT career are research papers dealing with ICT job skills requirements, and related to ICT education are ICT association’s related reports and recommendations on curriculum development. In general, results show that there is a lack of cross-fertilization of knowledge in both areas which means that the mixing of ideas that can lead to better research results is missing.
Knowledge Management Systems in the Polish Private, State and Foreign Owned Companies
Authors: Soniewicki Marcin , Wawrowski Łukasz
Published: July 2018

The importance of knowledge management for enterprises increased significantly in the recent years. In this paper one element of knowledge management will be considered, namely knowledge management systems (KMS). The main purpose of this paper is to compare the level of use of KMS between Polish private and state owned companies as well as foreign owned enterprises of different size. To measure intensity of use of particular KMS technologies research questionnaire has been created. The sample was selected from Kompass Poland database and more than 1200 questionnaires have been collected. Statistical analysis of differences between target sections was conducted by Mann-Whitney U test. Overall analysis of results showed that foreign owned companies feature greater intensity of use of KMS functions than Polish state owned and private owned enterprises. Detailed results indicated that small and medium Polish private companies utilize discussed systems to a far lesser extent. Nevertheless, large private companies feature higher intensity of use of 4 out of 5 examined KMS than large state owned enterprises.
Emotion-Based Content Personalization in Social Networks
Authors: Amalanathan Anthoniraj , Anouncia S Margret , Kock Wiil Uffe
Published: July 2018

Personalization is the process of customizing social network pages of users according to their needs and personal interests. It can also be used for filtering unwanted information from an individual's page received from other users, in case this information is unpleasant or unacceptable. To avoid unwanted information from a particular user in current social networks, the user needs to be denied accessibility by blocking them. However, instead of blocking the user, it would be preferable to have a mechanism that prevents the undesirable content in a user's social network page. Thus, this paper presents a model that determine the emotions shared in the content of a social network page by the user. The model determines the dominant emotions for a period of time and uses these to filter the content using the user's dominant emotions. Using the developed model, a novel system based on item based collaborative filtering process to personalize the user's social network page has been developed. A user study involving 5000 Twitter messages shows that the developed system performs satisfactory with a correctness in the filtering process of 87%.
Microstructural characterization and residual stress distribution in a nanostructured austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Krawczynska Agnieszka T. , Lewandowska Malgorzata , Fry Anthony T.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, residual stress distribution is investigated by a novel X-ray cosα diffraction technique in a nanostructured austenitic stainless steel after hydrostatic extrusion processes. Hydrostatic extrusion performed at 20°C and with a total true strain of 2.3 leads to the creation of a nanostructure consisting of nanotwins and shear bands. The results reveal that the greatest compressive residual stresses of −1 GPa are found 3 mm from the surface of the nanostructured austenitic stainless steel. These compressive residual stresses restrict crack growth into the material, thereby preventing catastrophic failure.
First evidence of grain boundary serration in a specifically heat treated wrought Alloy 625 Ni-based superalloy
Authors: Terner Mathieu , Lee Ji-Won , Kim Jin-Hyeok , Hong Hyun-Uk
Published: July 2018

Grain boundary serration is an effective way to increase the high temperature resistance of superalloys and steels. The popular Alloy 625 Ni-based superalloy was until now believed not to form serrated grain boundaries based on previous considerations of serrability criteria. Following the recent strain-induced serration mechanism, a special heat treatment involving continuous slow cooling between the solution and aging temperature was designed. As a result, significant serration was observed for the first time for Alloy 625 promoted by slow cooling. Grain boundary M
23C6 carbides were systematically detected from either degenerescence of solidification MC carbides or heterogeneous nucleation. Upon aging, serration amplitude increased and precipitation of the δ phase proliferated.
Film as A Media Used by Teachers to Teach Writing for Tertiary Level Students
Authors: Ardayati Ardayati
Published: July 2018

The aim of this research was to find out whether or not it was significantly effective to use film as a media in teaching writing for tertiary level students. This study used preexperimental method which was focused on writing skill at the eleventh grade students of Senior High School Tugumulyo. The writer formulated two hypotheses; they were null hypothesis (Ho) and the alternative hypothesis (Ha). There were 352 students from nine classes as the population of this study. The sample was taken through cluster random sampling. The result was XI IA.2 class which consisted of 37 students. In this case, the writer collected the data by using writing test. Based on the findings, the result showed that tobtained was 6.38 where ttable was 1.697. It showed that tobtained was higher than ttable (tobtained more than ttable). Finally, the writer concludes that it was significantly effective to use film as  media in teaching writing at the eleventh grade students of Senior High School Tugumulyo.

Keywords: teaching writing, film, media.
Simulasi Numerik dan Eksperimental Pola Aliran dalam Modified Atmosphere Storage Terhadap Waktu Pembusukan Buah Pisang
Authors: Libyawati Wina , Suwandi Agri , Mahardhika Lanang
Published: July 2018

Waktu pembusukan pada buah dan sayur dapat dikendalikan dengan penambahan atau pengurangan gas sehingga O2 dan CO2 dapat diatur untuk mendapatkan berbagai komposisi gas. Teknologi pengawetan makan seperti Modified Atmosphere Storage (MAS) adalah sistem pengontrolan laju aliran udara untuk menurunkan kadar O2 dengan menyuntikan CO2 untuk menahan laju pembusukan pada buah dan sayur.Penelitian ini dilakukan dalamdua tahap, yaitu tahap simulasi dan eksperimental. Simulasi dilakukan menggunakan software ANSYS dan eksperimental menggunakan hubungan antara pola aliran dengan waktu pembusukan. Pola aliran diwakili oleh parameter energi turbulen kinetik, sedangkanwaktu pembusukan diwakili oleh warna dan kadar glukosa. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan simulasi pola aliran dalam MAS serta mengetahui hubungan jumlah dan posisi sparger terhadap pola aliran dan hubungan antara kadar oksigen dengan waktu pembusukan buah.Luaran dari penelitian ini adalah model hubungan antara kadar O2 dengan waktu pembusukan buah dengan membuat lima varian jumlah dan posisi sparger pada MAS. Penurunan kadar oksigen dilakukan dengan menyuntik CO2 selama 24 jam dan ditunggu selama dua hari. Hasil eksperimental kadar oksigen dalam MAS menunjukan varian 3 dapat menurunkan kadar O2 paling rendah sampai 8,5% dan kadar glukosa pada pisang di dalam MAS 5,33%, sedangkan pisang di luar MAS 9,65%.
Active Force and That Which Is Its Recipient
Authors: Johnson Rick
Published: July 2018

Applying a framework for understanding the creative process generally, this essay explores the notion that the universe is coded to be creative. The view is offered that the universal system exists in a perpetually poised, generative, dynamic state and that creativity is the fundamental reality of the universe. Utilizing the concept of “covenant” as a metaphor for the governance structure of the universal generative dynamic, the author investigates the unique role of consciousness in the creative process.
Introduction
Authors: Ladwig Patrice , Roque Ricardo
Published: July 2018

Engaging critically with literature on mimesis, colonialism, and the state in anthropology and history, this introduction argues for an approach to mimesis and imitation as constitutive of the state and its forms of rule and governmentality in the context of late European colonialism. It explores how the colonial state attempted to administer, control, and integrate its indigenous subjects through mimetic policies of governance, while examining how indigenous polities adopted imitative practices in order to establish reciprocal ties with, or to resist the presence of, the colonial state. In introducing this special issue, three main themes will be addressed: mimesis as a strategic policy of colonial government, as an object of colonial regulation, and, finally, as a creative indigenous appropriation of external forms of state power.
Book Reviews
Authors: Mustonen Tero , Sokolovskiy Sergei V. , Beach Hugh , Kantarovich Jessica
Published: July 2018

The World of the Khanty Epic Hero-Princes: An Exploration of a
Siberian Oral Tradition
Arthur Hatto
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017), 246 pp., bibliography, index.
$99.99 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-107-10321-4

A. A. Nikishenkov: “Izobretaia traditsiiu” i sozdavaia
“voobrazhaemye soobschestva”
Edited by E. V. Mis’kova and A. V. Tutorskii
(Moscow: Novyi khronograf, 2017), 272 pp., 1 illustration. Moscow State University
Historical Department Transactions, Number 90; Series II: Historical
Studies, Number 46. Paperback. ISBN 978-5-94881-301-1

Leaving Footprints in the Taiga: Luck, Spirits and Ambivalence among
the Siberian Orochen Reindeer Herders and Hunters
Donatas Brandišauskas
(New York: Berghahn Books, 2017), 305 pp., 32 illustrations, bibliography, index.
$120.00 (hardcover). ISBN 978-1-78533-238-8

Oral History Meets Linguistics
Edited by Erich Kasten, Katja Roller, and Joshua Wilbur
(Fürstenberg/Havel, Germany: Kulturstiftung Sibirien, 2017), 211 pp., 12 color
photos. €26.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-3-942883-30-6
Estimation of Serum Iron and Ferritin in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Mohammed Rihab Akasha , Siddig Sara M. , Mahdi Mohammed A. , Babiker Adil A.
Published: July 2018

Background:  The incidence of renal failure, and potentially of CRF, is increasing steadily in Sudan. Anaemia is an accompaniment and independent risk factor for the development of cardiac dysfunction along with other complications. It is also responsible for 40-50% deaths in CRF patients. For this reason, the quick and accurate diagnosis of anaemia should help in decreasing the morbidity caused by CRF. The correction of anaemia, e.g. by the administration of iron supplements and/or erythropoietin, should help improving the general outcome of CRF. methods: Fifty patients with chronic renal failure, already diagnosed clinically and on laboratory basis were selected as a sample group. Another 50 healthy individuals not known to have renal disease were selected as a control group. 5 ml of venous blood was collected in lithium heparin container for iron and ferritin. Concentration of iron was measured by colorimetric method by using SPINREACT™ and serum ferritin by Turbilatex-Ferritin kit. The data obtained were analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS) on programmed computer. Results: The mean ± SD of serum ferritin was calculated in patients and controls and it was found 72 μg/L ± 16.2  for patients and 96 μg/L ± 19.7 for controls the (p-value 0.000). Also the mean ± SD of serum iron was obtain from patients and controls and was found 41μg/dL ± 29.2 and 87 μg/dL ± 47.5 respectively with (p-value = 0.000). There were a weak negative correlation between serum iron and serum ferritin concentrations in patients and controls (R -0.161). Conclusion: The study concludes that serum iron and ferritin levels in CRF patients are significantly low in comparison to healthy controls.
Bullous Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Sayeed Sk Jakaria Been , Rahman Md Mujibur , Kabir AKM Humayon , Moniruzzaman Md , Mallik Uzzal , Hussain Arman , Rahman Sabrina , Siddique Abu Baker
Published: July 2018

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is extremely rare but distinct disease, characterized by vesicobullous skin eruptions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It can develop either before or after a diagnosis of SLE has been established. BSLE is characterized by a dermatitis herpetiformis-like histology and an autoimmunity to type VII collagen. It must be differentiated from other autoimmune vesicobullous diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA disease, and bullous pemphigoid. Its important to combine clinical, histological, and immunofluorescence findings to establish a diagnosis of BSLE. We report a case of BSLE to illustrate and emphasize the need for an integrative diagnostic approach.J MEDICINE JUL 2018; 19 (2) : 123-125
Spectral Linewidth vs. Front Facet Reflectivity of 780 nm DFB Diode Lasers at High Optical Output Power
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Phuong , Wenzel Hans , Brox Olaf , Bugge Frank , Ressel Peter , Schiemangk Max , Wicht Andreas , Quoc Tien Tran , Tränkle Günther
Published: July 2018

The influence of the front facet reflectivity on the spectral linewidth of high power DFB (distributed feedback) diode lasers emitting at 780 nm has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. Characterization of lasers at various front facet reflections showed substantial reduction of the linewidth. This behavior is in reasonable agreement with simulation results. A minimum linewidth of 8 kHz was achieved at an output power of 85 mW with the laser featuring a front facet reflectivity of 30%. The device with a front facet reflectivity of 5% reached the same linewidth value at an output power of 290 mW.
Potentials and Pitfalls on the Use of Passion Fruit By-Products in Drinkable Yogurt: Physicochemical, Technological, Microbiological, and Sensory Aspects
Authors: De Toledo Nataly Maria Viva , De Camargo Adriano Costa , Ramos Paula Bortolotto Mendes , Button David Charles , Granato Daniel , Canniatti-Brazaca Solange Guidolin
Published: July 2018

Peels and seeds are the primary by-products of the passion fruit agroindustry. This study was designed to evaluate the potential of passion fruit peel and seeds flour (PFF) as a source of fiber and minerals to enhance the functional properties of drinkable yogurt. Proximate composition, mineral content, technological (pH, viscosity, color, and syneresis), and microbiological analyses (lactic acid bacteria, as well as yeast and mold counts), acceptance test, descriptive sensory analysis, and shelf life assessments were analyzed. Drinkable yogurts fortified with PFF showed higher fiber levels (both soluble and insoluble) and mineral content (potassium, magnesium, and manganese). Incorporation of PFF increased the viscosity and promoted changes in the color parameters of yogurts. During storage, the pH and the number of viable lactic acid bacteria decreased while the syneresis and yeast and mold counts increased. The shelf life of drinkable yogurts was estimated to be 21 days. Regarding sensorial aspects, drinkable yogurt fortified with 2% of PFF was considered the most viable product for market exploitation. The present contribution indicates that the use of passion fruit by-products in the development of drinkable yogurts is a viable alternative which can be explored for nutritional, technological, and sensory purposes by the food industry.
Cascade Strategy for the Tunable Catalytic Valorization of Levulinic Acid and γ-Valerolactone to 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran and Alcohols
Authors: Licursi Domenico , Antonetti Claudia , Fulignati Sara , Giannoni Michael , Raspolli Galletti Anna Maria
Published: July 2018

A cascade strategy for the catalytic valorization of aqueous solutions of levulinic acid as well as of γ-valerolactone to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran or to monoalcohols, 2-butanol and 2-pentanol, has been studied and optimized. Only commercial catalytic systems have been employed, adopting sustainable reaction conditions. For the first time, the combined use of ruthenium and rhenium catalysts supported on carbon, with niobium phosphate as acid co-catalyst, has been claimed for the hydrogenation of γ-valerolactone and levulinic acid, addressing the selectivity to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. On the other hand, the use of zeolite HY with commercial Ru/C catalyst favors the selective production of 2-butanol, starting again from γ-valerolactone and levulinic acid, with selectivities up to 80 and 70 mol %, respectively. Both levulinic acid and γ-valerolactone hydrogenation reactions have been optimized, investigating the effect of the main reaction parameters, to properly tune the catalytic performances towards the desired products. The proper choice of both the catalytic system and the reaction conditions can smartly switch the process towards the selective production of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran or monoalcohols. The catalytic system [Ru/C + zeolite HY] at 200 °C and 3 MPa H2 is able to completely convert both γ-valerolactone and levulinic acid, with overall yields to monoalcohols of 100 mol % and 88.8 mol %, respectively.
Addendum: Amadori, S., et al. Experimental Evaluation and Modeling of the Damping Properties of Multi-Layer Coated Composites. Coatings 2018, 8, 53
Authors: Amadori Stefano , Catania Giuseppe , Casagrande Angelo
Published: July 2018

We wish to add the following statement to the published article [1].[...]
Distribution of Plant Species and Dispersal Traits along Environmental Gradients in Central Mediterranean Summits
Authors: Di Musciano Michele , Carranza Maria Laura , Frate Ludovico , Di Cecco Valter , Di Martino Luciano , Frattaroli Anna Rita , Stanisci Angela
Published: July 2018

High-mountain ecosystems are spots of plant diversity in which species composition and traits depict a long evolutionary history of species adaptation to steep environmental gradients. We investigated the main trends in plant species composition and reproductive and dispersal traits (pollen vector, diaspore appendages, dispersal of diaspores and fruit type) in central Mediterranean summits in relation to environmental factors (altitude, aspect, debris cover and slope). Based on 114 plots, with floristic and environmental data collected in the year 2016 on alpine calcareous grasslands in the central Apennines, we explored how species composition varies in relation to environmental factors using CCA (canonical correspondence analysis). Then, we analyzed the relationships among species presence, the occurrence of reproductive and dispersal traits and environmental variables. We used for this analysis the fourth-corner model approach. Our results highlight a consistent response of floristic composition and of structural and ecological characteristics to environmental gradients, with elevation and debris cover being the most important ones. The environmental characteristics of the analyzed ecosystems (e.g., steep slopes and harsh environments) combined with the persistence of perennial plant species already present in each stand, the high precision of pollination and the prevalence of short-distance dissemination strategies should allow the calcareous endemic plant communities of the analyzed Mediterranean summits to be conserved at least for a mid-term period slowing down the expansion of the warm-adapted species, less adapted to the local environmental constrains.
A Measure of Information Available for Inference
Authors: Isomura Takuya
Published: July 2018

The mutual information between the state of a neural network and the state of the external world represents the amount of information stored in the neural network that is associated with the external world. In contrast, the surprise of the sensory input indicates the unpredictability of the current input. In other words, this is a measure of inference ability, and an upper bound of the surprise is known as the variational free energy. According to the free-energy principle (FEP), a neural network continuously minimizes the free energy to perceive the external world. For the survival of animals, inference ability is considered to be more important than simply memorized information. In this study, the free energy is shown to represent the gap between the amount of information stored in the neural network and that available for inference. This concept involves both the FEP and the infomax principle, and will be a useful measure for quantifying the amount of information available for inference.
Impact of Quality of Service on Cloud Based Industrial IoT Applications with OPC UA
Authors: Ferrari Paolo , Flammini Alessandra , Rinaldi Stefano , Sisinni Emiliano , Maffei Davide , Malara Matteo
Published: July 2018

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is becoming a reality thanks to Industry 4.0, which requires the Internet connection of as many industrial devices as possible. The sharing and storing of a huge amount of data in the Cloud allows the implementation of new analysis algorithms and the delivery of new “services” with added value. From an economical point of view, several factors can decide the success of Industry 4.0 new services but, among others, the “short latency” can be one of the most interesting, especially in the industrial market that is used to the “real-time” concept. For these reasons, this work proposes an experimental methodology to investigate the impact of quality of service parameters on the communication delay from the production line to the Cloud and vice versa, when gateways with OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) are used for accessing data directly in the production line. In this work, the feasibility of the proposed test methodology has been demonstrated by means of a use case with a Siemens S7 1500 controller exchanging data with the IBM Bluemix platform. The experimental results show that, thanks to the proposed method, the solutions based on OPC UA for the implementation of industrial IoT gateways can be easily evaluated, compared and optimized. For instance, during the 14-day observation period of the considered use case, the great impact on performance of the Quality of Service parameters emerged. Indeed, the average communication delay from the production line to the Cloud may vary from less than 90 ms to about 300 ms.
Feasibility Study of Ground Source Heat Pump System Considering Underground Thermal Properties
Authors: Bae Sang Mu , Nam Yujin , Shim Byoung Ohan
Published: July 2018

: A typical ground source heat pump (GSHP) system in South Korea has a ground heat exchanger (GHX) with a length of 100–150 m, which utilizes annually stable underground temperature to meet the loads of cooling, heating and hot water in buildings. However, most GSHP systems have been introduced in heating dominated areas because the system performance advantage is larger compared with air source heat pump system than that in cooling dominated areas. To effectively provide geothermal energy to the building in the limited urban area, it is necessary to install deep GHXs. Despite its large capacity, there are few studies on GSHP system with deep GHX over 300 m. In this study, to estimate the performance of the GSHP system with deep GHX and evaluate its feasibility, numerical simulation was conducted. To quantitatively analyze heat transfer between soil and GHX, the coupled model with GHX model and ground heat and groundwater transfer model was used. Furthermore, the heat exchange rate and the source temperature were calculated according to the operation modes, the length of GHX, and soil conditions such as geothermal gradient and thermal conductivity. As a result, the total heat exchange rate of GHX with a length of 300 m heat exchanger was 12.62 kW, 173% that of a length of 150 m. Finally, it was found that the GSHP system with deep GHX has realistic possibility in good condition of geothermal gradient.
Optimization of Induction Motor Equivalent Circuit Parameter Estimation Based on Manufacturer’s Data
Authors: Al-Jufout Saleh A. , Al-rousan Wasseem H. , Wang Caisheng
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a two-stage optimization of the parameters of a seven-parameter equivalent circuit of three-phase induction motor. The initial parameters of this equivalent circuit are estimated by a method called the Engineering Method using the data given in the manufacturer’s data sheet. The two-stage parameter optimization procedure was developed to minimize the errors between the estimated and the actual values in motor torque and current. In the first stage, the method is targeted to optimize the parameters of the stator only. The second stage, if necessary, aims at optimizing the rotor-circuit parameters. Normalized least squares method is used to formulate the optimization problem. An objective function is established to minimize the errors between the calculated starting torque and current and the pullout torque and the given values in the manufacturer’s data sheet. The model parameters of ten industrial induction motors are estimated without and with optimization. The obtained results are compared with the Engineering Method and the actual manufacturer’s data to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Induction Motor Drive Direct Torque Control and Predictive Torque Control Comparison Based on Switching Pattern Analysis
Authors: Karlovsky Pavel , Lettl Jiri
Published: July 2018

This paper describes a switching pattern generated in case of induction motor drive predictive torque control (PTC) compared to a switching pattern of direct torque control (DTC). PTC is a modern control method for electric drives based on model predictive control (MPC). DTC is a very powerful method and is today an industrial standard for controlling an induction motor drive. Its usage is wide-spread, mainly in high-power applications. However, the method suffers from a few disadvantages. One of the causes of the control method’s problematic behavior is choosing the switching combinations in the flux sector. Another inconvenience is the common selection table not including all voltage vectors in given sector. By these factors, the ripples of flux vector trajectory and torque waveforms are influenced. The longer the sample time is, the more significant the influence of factors becomes, because only a few steps occur within one turn of the magnetic flux vector. Based on the detailed analysis, the reasons of the different performance of both systems are explained. The analysis performed by simulation in Matlab Simulink environment has proved that, while DTC might choose voltage vector that pushes system away from the reference values, the MPC always chooses the most proper vector. The experimental results measured on the real drive confirm the appropriate vector selection, just in case of the predictive control method.
Biogas Quality across Small-Scale Biogas Plants: A Case of Central Vietnam
Authors: Roubík Hynek , Mazancová Jana , Le Dinh Phung , Dinh Van Dung , Banout Jan
Published: July 2018

Production of bioenergy by the fermentation reaction is gaining attraction due to its easy operation and the wide feedstock selection. Anaerobic fermentation of organic waste materials is generally considered a cost-effective and proven technology, allowing simultaneous waste management and energy production. Small-scale biogas plants are widely and increasingly used to transform waste into gas through anaerobic fermentation of organic materials in the developing world. In this research, the quality of biogas produced in small-scale biogas plants was evaluated, as it has a direct effect on its use (as fuel for biogas cookers), as well as being able to influence a decision making process over purchasing such technology. Biogas composition was measured with a multifunctional portable gas analyser at 107 small-scale biogas plants. Complementary data at household level were collected via the questionnaire survey with the owners of biogas plants (n = 107). The average daily biogas production equals 0.499 m3, not covering the demand of rural households which are using other sources of energy as well. Related to the biogas composition, the mean content of methane (CH4) was 65.44% and carbon dioxide (CO2) was 29.31% in the case of biogas plants younger than five years; and CH4 was 64.57% and CO2 was 29.93% for biogas plants older than five years. Focusing on the age of small-scale biogas plants there are no, or only minor, differences among tested values. In conclusion, the small-scale biogas plants are sustaining a stable level of biogas quality during their life-span.
Physiological Responses of Species to Microclimate Help explain Population Dynamics along Succession in a Tropical Dry Forest of Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Jackson Paula C. , Andrade José Luis , Reyes-García Casandra , Hernández-González Olivia , McElroy Thomas , Us-Santamaría Roberth , Simá José Luis , Dupuy Juan Manuel
Published: July 2018

We investigated relationships between population dynamics and microclimate, physiology, and the degree of mycorrhizal colonization, for three species (Piscidia piscipula L.(Sarg.)) (Fabaceae), Bunchosia swartziana Griseb. (Malpighiaceae) and Psidium sartorianum (Bergius) Nied. (Myrtaceae)) of a tropical sub deciduous forest in Yucatan, Mexico that were growing in plots of different successional ages. We hypothesized that abundance and persistence were related to increased plasticity in CO2 assimilation. We found that Piscidia piscipula had greater abundance in intermediate plots (18 to 21 years), presented higher levels of plasticity in CO2 assimilation (greater variability among individuals, plots, and seasons), presented the highest CO2 assimilation rates, and presented greater drought resistance (higher water potentials and capacitance). Conversely, Psidium sartorianum had greater abundance in older plots (more than 50 years of secondary succession), lower assimilation rates, and low levels of plasticity in CO2 assimilation. Bunchosia had intermediate values. Locally, the degree of mycorrhizal colonization was consistent with abundance across plots. Regionally (but not locally), plasticity in CO2 assimilation was consistent with abundance. We found differences in microclimates among plots and within plots among species. Physiological adjustments appeared to play an important role in the capacity to regenerate and in the successional persistence of these species in this tropical dry forest.
Different Influences of Vegetation Greening on Regional Water-Energy Balance under Different Climatic Conditions
Authors: Zhang Dan , Liu Xiaomang , Bai Peng
Published: July 2018

Vegetation serves as a key element in the land-atmospheric system, and changes in vegetation can impact the regional water-energy balance via several biophysical processes. This study proposes a new water-energy balance index that estimates the available-water-to-available-energy ratio (WER) by improving upon the Budyko framework, which evaluates climate variation and vegetation change. Moreover, the impact of vegetation greening on WER is quantified in 34 catchments under different climatic conditions. The results show that the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) increased at all the catchments, which indicates that there was a vegetation greening trend in the study area. There are negative relationships between the NDVI and runoff at both water-limited and energy-limited catchments, which demonstrates that both types of catchments became drier due to vegetation greening. Four numerical experiments were executed to quantify the contribution of vegetation greening and climate variations to WER changes. The results show that the calculated WER trends by numerical tests fit well with the observed WER trends (R2 = 0.96). Vegetation greening has positive influences on WER changes under energy-limited conditions, which indicates that residual energy decreases faster than water availability, resulting in less energy for sensible heat, i.e., a cooling effect. Nevertheless, vegetation greening has negative influences on WER under water-limited conditions, which indicates that water availability decreases faster than residual energy, resulting in more energy for sensible heat. Notably, the WER decrease in water-limited catchments is dominated by potential evapotranspiration and NDVI variation, whereas the WER change in energy-limited catchments is dominated by climate variation. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationships among water, energy and vegetation greening under different climatic conditions, which is important for land-atmosphere-vegetation modeling and designing strategies for ecological conservation and local water resource management.
Enzymes for Wine Fermentation: Current and Perspective Applications
Authors: Claus Harald , Mojsov Kiro
Published: July 2018

Enzymes are used in modern wine technology for various biotransformation reactions from prefermentation through fermentation, post-fermentation and wine aging. Industrial enzymes offer quantitative benefits (increased juice yields), qualitative benefits (improved color extraction and flavor enhancement) and processing advantages (shorter maceration, settling and filtration time). This study gives an overview about key enzymes used in winemaking and the effects of commercial enzyme preparations on process engineering and the quality of the final product. In addition, we highlight on the presence and perspectives of beneficial enzymes in wine-related yeasts and lactic acid bacteria.