bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Reynold Number LES of a Rotating Two-Pass Ribbed Duct
Authors: Tafti Danesh , Dowd Cody , Tan Xiaoming
Published: November 2018

Cooling of gas turbine blades is critical to long term durability. Accurate prediction of blade metal temperature is a key component in the design of the cooling system. In this design space, spatial distribution of heat transfer coefficients plays a significant role. Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) has been shown to be a robust method for predicting heat transfer. Because of the high computational cost of LES as Reynolds number (Re) increases, most investigations have been performed at low Re of O(104). In this paper, a two-pass duct with a 180° turn is simulated at Re = 100,000 for a stationary and a rotating duct at Ro = 0.2 and Bo = 0.5. The predicted mean and turbulent statistics compare well with experiments in the highly turbulent flow. Rotation-induced secondary flows have a large effect on heat transfer in the first pass. In the second pass, high turbulence intensities exiting the bend dominate heat transfer. Turbulent intensities are highest with the inclusion of centrifugal buoyancy and increase heat transfer. Centrifugal buoyancy increases the duct averaged heat transfer by 10% over a stationary duct while also reducing friction by 10% due to centrifugal pumping.
Crystal Structure of Chloroplastic Thioredoxin f2 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Reveals Distinct Surface Properties
Authors: Lemaire Stéphane D. , Tedesco Daniele , Crozet Pierre , Michelet Laure , Fermani Simona , Zaffagnini Mirko , Henri Julien
Published: November 2018

Protein disulfide reduction by thioredoxins (TRXs) controls the conformation of enzyme active sites and their multimeric complex formation. TRXs are small oxidoreductases that are broadly conserved in all living organisms. In photosynthetic eukaryotes, TRXs form a large multigenic family, and they have been classified in different types: f, m, x, y, and z types are chloroplastic, while o and h types are located in mitochondria and cytosol. In the model unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the TRX family contains seven types, with f- and h-types represented by two isozymes. Type-f TRXs interact specifically with targets in the chloroplast, controlling photosynthetic carbon fixation by the Calvin–Benson cycle. We solved the crystal structures of TRX f2 and TRX h1 from C. reinhardtii. The systematic comparison of their atomic features revealed a specific conserved electropositive crown around the active site of TRX f, complementary to the electronegative surface of their targets. We postulate that this surface provides specificity to each type of TRX.
Continuum Damage-Healing and Super Healing Mechanics in Brittle Materials: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Oucif Chahmi , Mauludin Luthfi Muhammad
Published: November 2018

Over the last several years, self-healing materials have become more and more popular in terms of damage reparation. Moreover, a recent theoretical investigation of super healing materials that aims at repairing and strengthening itself was also developed. This research area is well known by the rich experimental studies compared to the numerical investigations. This paper provides a review of the literature of continuum damage-healing and super healing mechanics of brittle materials based on continuum damage and healing mechanics. This review includes various damage-healing models, methodologies, hypotheses and advances in continuum damage and healing mechanics. The anisotropic formulations of damage and healing mechanics are also highlighted. The objective of this paper is also to review the super healing theory based on continuum damage-healing mechanics and its role in material and structure strengthening. Finally, a conclusion of the reviewed damage-healing models is pointed out and future perspectives are given.
Research on the Open-Categorical Classification of the Internet-of-Things Based on Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Zhao Caidan , Shi Mingxian , Cai Zhibiao , Chen Caiyun
Published: November 2018

Nowadays, it is more and more important to deal with the potential security issues of internet-of-things (IoT). Indeed, using the physical layer features of IoT wireless signals to achieve individual identity authentication is an effective way to enhance the security of IoT. However, traditional classifiers need to know all the categories in advance to get the recognition models. Realistically, it is difficult to collect all types of samples, which will result in some mistakes that the unknown target class may be decided as a known one. Consequently, this paper constructs an improving open-categorical classification model based on the generative adversarial networks (OCC-GAN) to solve the above problems. Here, we have modified the loss function of the generative model G and the discriminative model D. Compared to the traditional GAN model which can generate the fake sample overlapping with the real samples, our proposed G model generates the fake samples as negative samples which are evenly surrounding with the real samples, while the D model learns to distinguish between real samples and fake samples. Besides, we add auxiliary training not only to gain a better recognition result but also to improve the efficiency of the model. Furthermore, Our proposed model is verified through experimental study. Compared to other common methods, such as one-class support vector machine (OC-SVM) and one-versus-rest support vector machine (OvR-SVM), the OCC-GAN model has a better performance. The recognition rate of the OCC-GAN model can reach more than 90% with a recall rate of 97% by the data of the IoT module.
An Improved Empirical Wavelet Transform and Its Applications in Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Xu Yonggang , Zhang Kun , Ma Chaoyong , Li Xiaoqing , Zhang Jianyu
Published: November 2018

As essential but easily damaged parts of rotating machinery, rolling bearings have been deeply researched and widely used in mechanical processes. The real-time detection of bearing state and simple, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of bearing fault are indispensable to the industrial system. The bearing’s inner ring and outer ring vibration acceleration can be measured by high-precision sensors, and the running state of the bearing can be effectively extracted. The empirical wavelet transform (EWT) can adaptively decompose the vibration acceleration signal into a series of empirical modes. However, this method not only runs slowly, but also causes inexplicable empirical modes due to the unreasonable boundaries of the frequency domain division. In this paper, a new method is proposed to improve the empirical wavelet transform by dividing the boundaries from the spectrum, named the fast empirical wavelet transform (FEWT). The proposed method chooses different points in the Fourier transform of the spectrum (key function) to reconstruct the trend component of the spectrum. The minimum points in the trend component divide the spectrum into a series of bands. A more reasonable set of boundaries can be found by choosing appropriate trend components to obtain effective empirical modes. The simulation results show that the proposed method is effective and that the acquired empirical mode is more reasonable than the EWT method. Combining kurtosis with fault feature extraction of inner and outer rings of bearings, the method is successfully applied to the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings.
A Robust Impulsive Control Strategy of Supercavitating Vehicles in Changing Systems
Authors: Kim Jonghoek
Published: November 2018

Supercavitation is a hydrodynamic phenomenon in which an underwater body is almost entirely inside the cavity wall. Since the density of the gas is much lower than that of water, skin friction drag can be reduced considerably. We develop controllers to control a supercavitating vehicle, which is a high-speed vehicle with a cavitator at its nose. We designed controllers based on impulsive inputs, which are used to change the pitch of the vehicle slightly. This slight pitch change is desirable, since a large pitch change can lead to instability of the vehicle due to large planing force. Moreover, our impulsive controllers are robust to disturbances. In practice, the vehicle consumed its fuel to move forward. This fuel consumption led to changing parameters of the vehicle, such as mass. To handle this changing system, we used fuzzy impulsive controllers. We ran simulations to verify the effectiveness of our controllers.
Method-Induced Errors in Fractal Analysis of Lung Microscopic Images Segmented with the Use of HistAENN (Histogram-Based Autoencoder Neural Network)
Authors: Oszutowska-Mazurek Dorota , Mazurek Przemyslaw , Parafiniuk Miroslaw , Stachowicz Agnieszka
Published: November 2018

The designing of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CADx) is necessary to improve patient condition analysis and reduce human error. HistAENN (Histogram-based Autoencoder Neural Network, the first hierarchy level) and the fractal-based estimator (the second hierarchy level) are assumed for segmentation and image analysis, respectively. The aim of the study is to investigate how to select or preselect algorithms at the second hierarchy level algorithm using small data sets and the semisupervised training principle. Method-induced errors are evaluated using the Monte Carlo test and an overlapping table is proposed for the rejection or tentative acceptance of particular segmentation and fractal analysis algorithms. This study uses lung histological slides and the results show that 2D box-counting substantially outweighs lacunarity for considered configurations. These findings also suggest that the proposed method is applicable for further designing of classification algorithms, which is essential for researchers, software developers, and forensic pathologist communities.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis under Variable Rotational Speeds Using Stockwell Transform-Based Vibration Imaging and Transfer Learning
Authors: Hasan Md Junayed , Kim Jong-Myon
Published: November 2018

In this paper, discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform (DOST)-based vibration imaging is proposed as a preprocessing step for supporting load and rotational speed invariant scenarios for signals of various health conditions. For any health condition, features can easily be extracted from its generated health pattern. To automate the feature selection process, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based transfer learning (TL) approach for diagnosis has also been introduced. Transfer learning allows an established model to use feature knowledge obtained under one set of working conditions through hidden layers to diagnose faults that occur under other working conditions. The network learns from the massive source dataset, and that knowledge is applied to the target data to identify faults. Using the bearing dataset of Case Western Reserve University, the proposed approach yields an average 99.8% classification accuracy and, specifically, 99.99% for healthy condition (HC), 99.95% for inner race fault (IRF), 99.96% for ball fault (BF), 99.68% for outer race fault for 12 o’clock sensor position (ORF@12), 99.93% for outer race fault for 3 o’clock sensor position (ORF@3), and 99.89% for outer race fault for 6 o’clock sensor position (ORF@6). In this paper, the proposed approach is compared with conventional artificial neural networks (ANNs), support vector machines (SVMs), hierarchical CNNs, and deep autoencoders. The proposed approach outperforms these conventional methods in the accuracy under all working conditions.
Delayed Benefits from Spaced Training When Learning a Precision Throwing Task
Authors: Casabona Antonino , Lombardo Luciano , Cioni Matteo , Valle Maria Stella
Published: November 2018

Spaced training produces gains in performance associated with memory consolidation, which develops between sessions (offline gain). Learning motor skills that require many repetitions may generate a delay in memory formation and in offline gain. We tested the presence of this delay by studying a precision throwing task. Sixteen participants performed 1020 underarm precision throws distributed over four sessions. Eight participants spaced the training by 40-min between-session intervals, while the remaining subjects distributed the practice with 1-day intervals. Memory retention was tested 15 days after training. Differences in accuracy over groups, sessions, directions of throwing movements and blocks of throws were evaluated by analysis of variance. The 40-min group had better performance than the 1-day group after the first two sessions. As the level of skill stabilized, the 1-day group exhibited offline gains, with significant performance improvements during the fourth and retention session. Both medial-lateral and antero-posterior movement directions of throwing contributed to the performance. Initial decrements in performance appeared within sessions for both groups. Overall, when learning a precision throwing task, benefits from spaced training is delayed and occurs as the skill stabilizes. These findings may help to optimize training distribution schedules, particularly for precision motor skills requiring extensive practice.
Influence of Surface State in Micro-Welding of Copper by Nd:YAG Laser
Authors: Maina Martin Ruthandi , Okamoto Yasuhiro , Inoue Reiki , Nakashiba Shin-ichi , Okada Akira , Sakagawa Tomokazu
Published: November 2018

Laser welding of copper is characterized by low and unstable light absorption around 1000 nm wavelength. Combination of high thermal conductivity and low melting point makes it difficult to obtain good welding quality and leads to low energy utilization. To improve efficiency and welding quality, a technique to enhance process stability using 1064 nm wavelength Nd:YAG laser has been proposed, and absorption rate and molten volume in laser micro-welding were discussed. Since the surface state of specimen affects absorption phenomena, effects of surface shape and surface roughness were investigated. Absorption rate and molten volume were increased by creating appropriate concave holes and by controlled surface roughness. Stable micro-welding process with deep penetration and good surface quality was achieved for transitional processing condition between heat conduction and keyhole welding, by enhanced absorption rate.
Advances in the Assembly Model of Bacterial Type IVB Secretion Systems
Authors: Wang Shan , Wang Dan , Du Dan , Li Shanshan , Yan Wei
Published: November 2018

Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are related to not only secretion of effector proteins and virulence factors, but also to bacterial conjugation systems that promote bacterial horizontal gene transfer. The subgroup T4BSS, with a unique mosaic architecture system, consists of nearly 30 proteins that are similar to those from other secretory systems. Despite being intensively studied, the secretion mechanism of T4BSS remains unclear. This review systematically summarizes the protein composition, coding gene set, core complex, and protein interactions of T4BSS. The interactions of proteins in the core complex of the system and the operation mechanism between each element needs to be further studied.
Scalable Production of Graphene/Semiconducting Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Film Schottky Broadband Photodiode Array with Enhanced Photoresponse
Authors: Cao Jun , Zou Yuexin , Gong Xue , Qian Ruijie , An Zhenghua
Published: November 2018

A general approach was developed to fabricate graphene/semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotube (graphene/s-SWCNT) film Schottky junctions on a large scale. The graphene/s-SWCNT film photodiodes array based on the vertically stacked Schottky junction were fabricated. The all-carbon cross-shaped structure consisted of multielement graphene/s-SWCNT Schottky photodiodes and presented a rich collection of electronics and photonics. The as-fabricated carbon-based photodiode presented an ultra-broadband photodetection characteristic with a high responsivity of 1.75 A/W at near-infrared wavelengths and a fast response rise time of 15 μs. The as-fabricated device clearly showed gate-tunable and wavelength-dependent photoelectric characteristic. Moreover, the corresponding photocurrent excitation spectrum was also demonstrated. In particular, the Si compatible and high throughput fabrication process for the devices made it conducive for large-area multielement optoelectronics devices.
A Two Dimensional Discrete Mollification Operator and the Numerical Solution of an Inverse Source Problem
Authors: Echeverry Manuel D. , Mejía Carlos E.
Published: November 2018

We consider a two-dimensional time fractional diffusion equation and address the important inverse problem consisting of the identification of an ingredient in the source term. The fractional derivative is in the sense of Caputo. The necessary regularization procedure is provided by a two-dimensional discrete mollification operator. Convergence results and illustrative numerical examples are included.
Laboratory Automation in Clinical Microbiology
Authors: Burckhardt Irene
Published: November 2018

Laboratory automation is currently the main organizational challenge for microbiologists. Automating classic workflows is a strenuous process for the laboratory personnel and a huge and long-lasting financial investment. The investments are rewarded through increases in quality and shortened time to report. However, the benefits for an individual laboratory can only be estimated after the implementation and depending on the classic workflows currently performed. The two main components of automation are hardware and workflow. This review focusses on the workflow aspects of automation and describes some of the main developments during recent years. Additionally, it tries to define some terms which are related to automation and specifies some developments which would further improve automated systems.
Tracking Lysosome Migration within Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells Following Exposure to Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields
Authors: Thompson Gary L. , Beier Hope T. , Ibey Bennett L.
Published: November 2018

Above a threshold electric field strength, 600 ns-duration pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure substantially porates and permeabilizes cellular plasma membranes in aqueous solution to many small ions. Repetitive exposures increase permeabilization to calcium ions (Ca2+) in a dosage-dependent manner. Such exposure conditions can create relatively long-lived pores that reseal after passive lateral diffusion of lipids should have closed the pores. One explanation for eventual pore resealing is active membrane repair, and an ubiquitous repair mechanism in mammalian cells is lysosome exocytosis. A previous study shows that intracellular lysosome movement halts upon a 16.2 kV/cm, 600-ns PEF exposure of a single train of 20 pulses at 5 Hz. In that study, lysosome stagnation qualitatively correlates with the presence of Ca2+ in the extracellular solution and with microtubule collapse. The present study tests the hypothesis that limitation of nsPEF-induced Ca2+ influx and colloid osmotic cell swelling permits unabated lysosome translocation in exposed cells. The results indicate that the efforts used herein to preclude Ca2+ influx and colloid osmotic swelling following nsPEF exposure did not prevent attenuation of lysosome translocation. Intracellular lysosome movement is inhibited by nsPEF exposure(s) in the presence of PEG 300-containing solution or by 20 pulses of nsPEF in the presence of extracellular calcium. The only cases with no significant decreases in lysosome movement are the sham and exposure to a single nsPEF in Ca2+-free solution.
Distribution of Glycerophospholipids in the Adult Human Lens
Authors: Seng Jo Ann , Nealon Jessica R. , Blanksby Stephen J. , Mitchell Todd W.
Published: November 2018

In humans, the age of fibre cells differs across the ocular lens, ranging from those formed before birth in the core of the lens to those formed just prior to death in the outer cortex. The distribution of glycerophospholipids in the adult human lens should reflect this range; however, limited data currently exists to confirm this hypothesis. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the distribution of glycerophospholipids in adult human lens using mass spectrometry imaging. To achieve this, 20-µm thick slices of two human lenses, aged 51 and 67 were analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation imaging mass spectrometry. The data clearly indicate that intact glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid are mainly present in the outer cortex region, corresponding to the youngest fibre cells, while lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, likely produced by the degradation of phosphatidylethanolamine, is present in the nucleus (older fibre cells). This study adds further evidence to the relationship between fibre cell age and glycerophospholipid composition.
Policies and Motivations for the CO2 Valorization through the Sabatier Reaction Using Structured Catalysts. A Review of the Most Recent Advances
Authors: Navarro Juan C. , Centeno Miguel A. , Laguna Oscar H. , Odriozola José A.
Published: November 2018

The current scenario where the effects of global warming are more and more evident, has motivated different initiatives for facing this, such as the creation of global policies with a clear environmental guideline. Within these policies, the control of Greenhouse Gase (GHG) emissions has been defined as mandatory, but for carrying out this, a smart strategy is proposed. This is the application of a circular economy model, which seeks to minimize the generation of waste and maximize the efficient use of resources. From this point of view, CO2 recycling is an alternative to reduce emissions to the atmosphere, and we need to look for new business models which valorization this compound which now must be considered as a renewable carbon source. This has renewed the interest in known processes for the chemical transformation of CO2 but that have not been applied at industrial level because they do not offer evident profitability. For example, the methane produced in the Sabatier reaction has a great potential for application, but this depends on the existence of a sustainable supply of hydrogen and a greater efficiency during the process that allows maximizing energy efficiency and thermal control to maximize the methane yield. Regarding energy efficiency and thermal control of the process, the use of structured reactors is an appropriate strategy. The evolution of new technologies, such as 3D printing, and the consolidation of knowledge in the structing of catalysts has enabled the use of these reactors to develop a wide range of possibilities in the field. In this sense, the present review presents a brief description of the main policies that have motivated the transition to a circular economy model and within this, to CO2 recycling. This allows understanding, why efforts are being focused on the development of different reactions for CO2 valorization. Special attention to the case of the Sabatier reaction and in the application of structured reactors for such process is paid.
Mixed-Phase (2H and 1T) MoS2 Catalyst for a Highly Efficient and Stable Si Photocathode
Authors: Joe Jemee , Bae Changdeuck , Kim Eunsoo , Ho Thi Anh , Yang Heejun , Park Jong Hyeok , Shin Hyunjung
Published: November 2018

We describe the direct formation of mixed-phase (1T and 2H) MoS2 layers on Si as a photocathode via atomic layer deposition (ALD) for application in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of water to hydrogen. Without typical series-metal interfaces between Si and MoS2, our p-Si/SiOx/MoS2 photocathode showed efficient and stable operation in hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). The resulting performance could be explained by spatially genuine device architectures in three dimensions (i.e., laterally homo and vertically heterojunction structures). The ALD-grown MoS2 overlayer with the mixed-phase 1T and 2H homojunction passivates light absorber and surface states and functions as a monolithic structure for effective charge transport within MoS2. It is also beneficial in the operation of p-i-n heterojunctions with inhomogeneous barrier heights due to the presence of mixed-phase cocatalysts. The effective barrier heights reached up to 0.8 eV with optimized MoS2 thicknesses, leading to a 670 mV photovoltage enhancement without employing buried Si p-n junctions. The fast-transient behaviors via light illumination show that the mixed-phase layered chalcogenides can serve as efficient cocatalysts by depinning the Fermi levels at the interfaces. A long-term operation of ~70 h was also demonstrated in a 0.5 M H2SO4 solution.
CuO Thin Films Functionalized with Gold Nanoparticles for Conductometric Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensing
Authors: Wimmer-Teubenbacher Robert , Sosada-Ludwikowska Florentyna , Zaragoza Travieso Bernat , Defregger Stefan , Tokmak Oeznur , Niehaus Jan Steffen , Deluca Marco , Köck Anton
Published: November 2018

Metal oxides (MOx) are a well-established material for gas sensing. MOx-based gas sensors are sensitive to a wide variety of gases. Furthermore, these materials can be applied for the fabrication of low-cost and -power consumption devices in mass production. The market of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas sensors is mainly dominated by infra-red (IR)-based gas sensors. Only a few MOx materials show a sensitivity to CO 2 and so far, none of these materials have been integrated on CMOS platforms suitable for mass production. In this work, we report a cupric oxide (CuO) thin film-based gas sensor functionalized with gold (Au) nanoparticles, which exhibits exceptional sensitivity to CO 2 . The CuO-based gas sensors are fabricated by electron beam lithography, thermal evaporation and lift-off process to form patterned copper (Cu) structures. These structures are thermally oxidized to form a continuous CuO film. Gold nanoparticles are drop-coated on the CuO thin films to enhance their sensitivity towards CO 2 . The CuO thin films fabricated by this method are already sensitive to CO 2 ; however, the functionalization of the CuO film strongly increases the sensitivity of the base material. Compared to the pristine CuO thin film the Au functionalized CuO film shows at equal operation temperatures (300 ∘ C) an increase of sensitivity towards the same gas concentration (e.g., 2000 ppm CO 2 ) by a factor of 13. The process flow used to fabricate Au functionalized CuO gas sensors can be applied on CMOS platforms in specific post processing steps.
Efficient Heuristics for Structure Learning of k-Dependence Bayesian Classifier
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Limin , Sun Minghui
Published: November 2018

The rapid growth in data makes the quest for highly scalable learners a popular one. To achieve the trade-off between structure complexity and classification accuracy, the k-dependence Bayesian classifier (KDB) allows to represent different number of interdependencies for different data sizes. In this paper, we proposed two methods to improve the classification performance of KDB. Firstly, we use the minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance analysis, which sorts the predictive features to identify redundant ones. Then, we propose an improved discriminative model selection to select an optimal sub-model by removing redundant features and arcs in the Bayesian network. Experimental results on 40 UCI datasets demonstrate that these two techniques are complementary and the proposed algorithm achieves competitive classification performance, and less classification time than other state-of-the-art Bayesian network classifiers like tree-augmented naive Bayes and averaged one-dependence estimators.
New Nonlinear Second-Order Phase-Locked Loop with Adaptive Bandwidth Regulation
Authors: Zhao Lei , Shi Lei , Zhu Congying
Published: November 2018

Synchronization of large acquisition bandwidth brings great challenges to the traditional second-order phase-locked loop (PLL). To address the contradiction between acquisition bandwidth and noise suppression capability of the traditional PLL, a new second-order PLL coupled with a nonlinear element is proposed. The proposed nonlinear second-order PLL regulates the loop noise bandwidth adaptively by the nonlinear module. When a large input–output phase error occurs, this PLL reduces the frequency offset quickly by taking advantage of the large bandwidth. When the phase error is reduced by the loop control, the proposed PLL suppresses noises by using the small bandwidth to increase the tracking accuracy. Simulation results demonstrate that the tracking speed of the proposed PLL is increased considerably, and its acquisition bandwidth is increased to 18.8 kHz compared with that of the traditional second-order PLL (4 kHz).
Multi-Agent System with Plug and Play Feature for Distributed Secondary Control in Microgrid—Controller and Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Implementation
Authors: Nguyen Tung-Lam , Guillo-Sansano Efren , Syed Mazheruddin , Nguyen Van-Hoa , Blair Steven , Reguera Luis , Tran Quoc-Tuan , Caire Raphael , Burt Graeme , Gavriluta Catalin , Luu Ngoc-An
Published: November 2018

Distributed control and optimization strategies are a promising alternative approach to centralized control within microgrids. In this paper, a multi-agent system is developed to deal with the distributed secondary control of islanded microgrids. Two main challenges are identified in the coordination of a microgrid: (i) interoperability among equipment from different vendors; and (ii) online re-configuration of the network in the case of alteration of topology. To cope with these challenges, the agents are designed to communicate with physical devices via the industrial standard IEC 61850 and incorporate a plug and play feature. This allows interoperability within a microgrid at agent layer as well as allows for online re-configuration upon topology alteration. A test case of distributed frequency control of islanded microgrid with various scenarios was conducted to validate the operation of proposed approach under controller and power hardware-in-the-loop environment, comprising prototypical hardware agent systems and realistic communications network.
Simulation Tools to Build Urban-Scale Energy Models: A Review
Authors: Sola Alaia , Corchero Cristina , Salom Jaume , Sanmarti Manel
Published: November 2018

The development of Urban-Scale Energy Modelling (USEM) at the district or city level is currently the goal of many research groups due to the increased interest in evaluating the impact of energy efficiency measures in city environments. Because USEM comprises a great variety of analysis areas, the simulation programs that are able to model urban-scale energy systems actually consist of an assemblage of different particular sub-models. In order to simulate each of the sub-models in USEM, one can choose to use either existing specific simulation engines or tailor-made models. Engines or tools for simulation of urban-scale energy systems have already been overviewed in previous existing literature, however the distinction and classification of tools according to their functionalities within each analysis area in USEM has not been clearly presented. Therefore, the present work aims at reviewing the existing tools while classifying them according to their capabilities. The ultimate goal of this classification is to expose the available resources for implementing new co-simulation approaches in USEM, which may reduce the modelling effort and increase reliability as a result of using established and validated simulation engines.
Sizing Methodology of a Multi-Mirror Solar Concentrated Hybrid PV/Thermal System
Authors: Gomaa Mohamed , Mustafa Ramadan , Rezk Hegazy , Al-Dhaifallah Mujahed , Al-Salaymeh A.
Published: November 2018

The use of a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system significantly reduces the required solar cell area that often accounts for the major cost of a PV solar system. A comprehensive performance analysis of a multi-mirror solar concentrated hybrid PV thermal (CPVT) system was conducted. Among different concentrating systems, Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) systems are more effective due to their simplicity of operation and low fabrication cost. A mathematical model and the simulation of a CPVT system employing a linear configuration and horizontal absorber is developed here in order to evaluate its performance parameters, using a FORTRAN programing technique. The concentrator system consists of, different width of flat glass mirrors placed under various inclination angles, focusing sunlight on to the PV solar cells mounted along the active cooling system. The effect of focus distance on concentration ratio, collector width, and heat gained by the coolant fluid are investigated. All parameters of the linear Fresnel reflector solar concentrator system are determined and the effect of cooling mass flow rate and cooling inlet temperature upon the system performance is evaluated. With regards to simulation results obtained via the focus distances, the width of mirrors decreased by increasing the number of mirrors, and in turn by increasing the focus distances, this resulted in an increase in CR values. For the specific number of mirrors, concentration ratio increased simultaneously increasing the focus distance; furthermore, increasing the number of mirrors resulted in a reduction in both the width of the mirrors and their inclination angles, and an increase in CR values. The results further confirmed that the total (combined electrical-thermal) efficiency is higher than that of the individual electrical as well as thermal efficiency; reaching approximately 80% and showed no sensitivity to the rises in cooling water temperature for temperature cases under consideration.
Early Detection and Identification of the Main Fungal Pathogens for Resistance Evaluation of New Genotypes of Forest Trees
Authors: Shestibratov Konstantin A. , Baranov Oleg Yu. , Subbotina Natalya M. , Lebedev Vadim G. , Panteleev Stanislav V. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Padutov Vladimir E.
Published: November 2018

The growing importance of forest plantations increases the demand for phytopathogen resistant forest trees. This study describes an effective method for early detection and identification of the main fungal phytopathogens in planting material of silver birch (Betula pendula) and downy birch (B. pubescens), based on the estimation of the size of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) in the 18S-5.8S-28S rDNA gene cluster, which are species-specific for most micromycetes. The electrophoretic assay of the ITS1 and ITS2 loci has allowed us to identify predominant phytopathogenic fungal species in downy and silver birch in planta. This new molecular genetic method can be used to screen birch and other forest trees for different fungal pathogens to evaluate disease resistance. This information can be useful in breeding new genotypes of forest trees, including transgenic clones with modified wood composition.
The Astrochemistry Implications of Quantum Chemical Normal Modes Vibrational Analysis
Authors: Sadjadi SeyedAbdolreza , Parker Quentin Andrew
Published: November 2018

Understanding the molecular vibrations underlying each of the unknown infrared emission (UIE) bands (such as those found at 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 6.2, 6.9, 7.7, 11.3, 15.8, 16.4, 18.9 μ m) observed in or towards astronomical objects is a vital link to uncover the molecular identity of their carriers. This is usually done by customary classifications of normal-mode frequencies such as stretching, deformation, rocking, wagging, skeletal mode, etc. A large literature on this subject exists and since 1952 ambiguities in classifications of normal modes via this empirical approach were pointed out by Morino and Kuchitsu New ways of interpretation and analyzing vibrational spectra were sought within the theoretical framework of quantum chemistry. Many of these methods cannot easily be applied to the large, complex molecular systems which are one of the key research interests of astrochemistry. In considering this demand, a simple and new method of analyzing and classifying the normal mode vibrational motions of molecular systems was introduced. This approach is a fully quantitative method of analysis of normal-mode displacement vector matrices and classification of the characteristic frequencies (fundamentals) underlying the observed IR bands. Outcomes of applying such an approach show some overlap with customary empirical classifications, usually at short wavelengths. It provides a quantitative breakdown of a complex vibration (at longer wavelengths) into the contributed fragments such as their aromatic or aliphatic components. In addition, in molecular systems outside the classical models of chemical bonds and structures where the empirical approach cannot be applied, this quantitative method enables an interpretation of vibrational motion(s) underlying the IR bands. As a result, further modifications in the structures (modeling) and the generation of the IR spectra (simulating) of the UIE carriers, initiated by proposing a PAH model, can be implemented in an efficient way. Here fresh results on the vibrational origin of the spectacular UIE bands based on astrochemistry molecular models, explored through the lens of the quantitative method applied to thousands of different vibrational motion matrices are discussed. These results are important in the context of protoplanetary nebulae and planetary nebulae where various molecular species have been uncovered despite their harsh environments.
Using Cross-Sectional Data to Identify and Quantify the Relative Importance of Factors Associated with and Leading to Food Insecurity
Authors: Daly Alison , Pollard Christina M. , Kerr Deborah A. , Binns Colin W. , Caraher Martin , Phillips Michael
Published: November 2018

Australian governments routinely monitor population household food insecurity (FI) using a single measure—‘running out of food at least once in the previous year’. To better inform public health planning, a synthesis of the determinants and how they influence and modify each other in relation to FI was conducted. The analysis used data from the Health & Wellbeing Surveillance System cross-sectional dataset. Weighted means and multivariable weighted logistic regression described and modelled factors involved in FI. The analysis showed the direction and strength of the factors and a path diagram was constructed to illustrate these. The results showed that perceived income, independent of actual income was a strong mediator on the path to FI as were obesity, smoking and other indicators of health status. Eating out three or more times a week and eating no vegetables more strongly followed FI than preceded it. The analysis identified a range of factors and demonstrated the complex and interactive nature of them. Further analysis using propensity score weighted methods to control for covariates identified hypothetical causal links for investigation. These results can be used as a proof of concept to assist public health planning.
Urbanization, Land Use Behavior and Land Quality in Rural China: An Analysis Based on Pressure-Response-Impact Framework and SEM Approach
Authors: Liu Hongbin , Zhou Yuepeng
Published: November 2018

During the last 40 years, China has undergone rapid urbanization which has resulted in land degradation and a decrease in land. Cultivated land protection has thus become one of the most active and important aspects of land science. This study presents a pressure-response-impact (PRI) framework which may reveal the inter-correlations among households’ land-use behavior and cultivated land quality change in the process of rapid urbanization in China. The structural equation model (SEM) has been applied using a household survey dataset collected in 2015 in Sujiatun district, Shenyang city, Liaoning province. The results show that: (1) there is a complex causal relationship between the latent variables urbanization, household land-use behavior and cultivated land quality (i.e., urbanization → land-use behavior → land quality), which supports our PRI conceptual framework; (2) the changes of external social-economic context stemming from urbanization are the major cause of land-use behavior variance; (3) land quality is mostly affected by farmers’ land-use behavior including land-use pattern, land-use degree and land-input intensity, in particular the growing of cash crops (GCC, associated with land use pattern) and capital input per unit of farmland (LII, associated with land input intensity). These findings are of some theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, they add to the current literature by identifying the roles of sociological factors and farmers’ land-use behavior in the process of land quality protection using a PRI framework. Practically, measures should be taken to reasonably set the prices of agricultural products, promote the development of the land rental market and increase the comparative revenue of agricultural production, so as to stimulate incentives to farming and land quality protection.
Development of a Brazilian Food Truck Risk Assessment Instrument
Authors: Isoni Auad Lígia , Cortez Ginani Verônica , Dos Santos Leandro Eliana , Farage Priscila , Costa Santos Nunes Aline , Puppin Zandonadi Renata
Published: November 2018

This study aimed to develop and validate a checklist instrument as a first step for the risk assessment of the hygienic-sanitary practices and conditions of food trucks. We invited sixteen experienced experts in the food safety field to take part in the process. The checklist was designed based on the Codex Alimentarius, Brazilian resolutions Collegiate Board Resolution 216, Brazilian Collegiate Board Resolution 275, Brazilian Federal District Law no. 5.627 and Brazilian Federal District Normative Instruction 11. The preliminary version of the checklist—composed of 29 items (nine sections)—was evaluated by 13 experts. They evaluated the items regarding their importance (content validation) and clarity (semantic evaluation) by the Delphi technique. The criteria for the approval of the content validation (Likert scale from 1 to 5) and semantic evaluation (Likert scale from 0 to 5) processes were as follows: a minimum of 75% agreement among the experts (W-values ≥ 0.75) and a mean grade ≥ 4. We performed the complete validation process in three rounds. The final version of the assessment instrument comprised 39 items, following suggestions from experts to add or subdivide some questions. The checklist can be used to conduct inspections of food trucks by health surveillance auditors, of food truck vendors’ decision-making processes and also as a diagnostic tool. The application of this checklist will allow the effective risk assessment of the hygienic-sanitary practices and conditions in food trucks and potentially ensure consumers’ access to safe street food.
Intersections Between Systems Thinking and Market Shaping for Assistive Technology: The SMART (Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies) Thinking Matrix
Authors: MacLachlan Malcolm , McVeigh Joanne , Cooke Michael , Ferri Delia , Holloway Catherine , Austin Victoria , Javadi Dena
Published: November 2018

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aspire to “leave no-one behind”. Universal access to assistive products is a critical link between the realization of the SDGs and those most likely to be left behind. However, assistive technology provision in many countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries, has traditionally been conducted through small-scale local providers, manufacturing products of varying degrees of quality at a limited price range. An effective way to scale these production and provision enterprises to the required level is needed to close the gap between available and required assistive technology. We argue that better access to assistive technology will only be realized through the adoption of a far stronger systems thinking and market shaping approach. We undertook a rapid literature review to explore the relationship between market shaping and assistive technology. Based on our review, we present an emergent framework for conceptualizing intersections between systems thinking and market shaping for assistive technology—the SMART (Systems-Market for Assistive and Related Technologies) Thinking Matrix.
Influence of Industrialization and Environmental Protection on Environmental Pollution: A Case Study of Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Li Yan , Zhou Shenglu , Jia Zhenyi , Ge Liang , Mei Liping , Sui Xueyan , Wang Xiaorui , Li Baojie , Wang Junxiao , Wu Shaohua
Published: November 2018

In order to quantitatively study the effect of environmental protection in China since the twenty-first century and the environmental pollution projected for the next ten years (under the model of extensive economic development), this paper establishes a Bayesian regulation back propagation neural network (BRBPNN) to analyze the typical pollutants (i.e., cadmium (Cd) and benzopyrene (BaP)) for Taihu Lake, a typical Chinese freshwater lake. For the periods 1950–2003 and 1950–2015, the neural network model estimated the BaP concentration for the database with Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NS) = 0.99 and 0.99 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 3.1 and 9.3 for the total database and the Cd concentration for the database with NS = 0.93 and 0.98 and RMSE = 45.4 and 65.7 for the total database, respectively. In the model of extensive economic development, the concentration of pollutants in the sediments of Taihu reached the maximum value at the end of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century, and there was an inflection point. After the early twenty-first century, the concentration of pollutants was controlled under various environmental policies and measures. In 2015, the environmental protection ratio of Cd and BaP reached 52% and 89%, respectively. Without environmental protection measures, the concentrations of Cd and BaP obtained from the neural network model is projected to reach 2015.5 μg kg−1 and 407.8 ng g−1, respectively, in 2030. Based on the results of this study, the Chinese government will need to invest more money and energy to clean up the environment.
Public Participation Using 3D Web-Based City Models: Opportunities for E-Participation in Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Onyimbi Jacob R. , Koeva Mila , Flacke Johannes
Published: November 2018

Public participation is significant for the success of any urban planning project. However, most members of the general public are not planning professionals and may not understand the technical details of a 2D paper-based plan, which might hamper their participation. One way to expand the participation of citizens is to present plans in well-designed, user-friendly and interactive platforms that allow participation regardless of the technical skills of the participants. This paper investigates the impacts of the combined use of 3D visualization and e-participation on public participation in Kisumu, Kenya. A 3D city model, created with CityEngine2016, was exported into a web-based geoportal and used as a Planning Support System in two stakeholder workshops in order to evaluate its usability. In order to assess the workshops 300 questionnaires were given out to planning practitioners and interview were done with key informants. Five indicators were developed for evaluating the usability of the 3D model while the usability of e-participation was evaluated using communication, collaboration and learning as indicators. Results showed that effectiveness and efficiency varied within different professional groups while the questionnaires showed strong preference for e-participation methods, especially Short Message Servicess/Unstructured Supplementary Service Data and emails. The study concludes that the use of 3D visualization and e-participation has the potential to improve the quality and quantity of public participation and recommends further research on the subject.