bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of corrosion and sandblasting on the high cycle fatigue behavior of reinforcing B500C steel bars
Authors: Vasco Marina C. , Polydoropoulou Panagiota , Chamos Apostolos N. , Pantelakis Spiros G.
Published: July 2018

In a series of applications, steel reinforced concrete structures are subjected to fatigue loads during their service life, what in most cases happens in corrosive environments. Surface treatments have been proved to represent proper processes in order to improve both fatigue and corrosion resistances. In this work, the effect of corrosion and sandblasting on the high cycle fatigue behavior reinforcing steel bars is investigated. The investigated material is the reinforcing steel bar of technical class B500C, of nominal diameter of 12 mm. Steel bars specimens were first exposed to corrosion in alternate salt spray environment for 30 and 60 days and subjected to both tensile and fatigue tests. Then, a series of specimens were subjected to common sandblasting, corroded and mechanically tested. Metallographic investigation and corrosion damage evaluation regarding mass loss and martensitic area reduction were performed. Tensile tests were conducted after each corrosion exposure period prior to the fatigue tests. Fatigue tests were performed at a stress ratio, R, of 0.1 and loading frequency of 20 Hz. All fatigue tests series as well as tensile test were also performed for as received steel bars to obtain the reference behavior. The results have shown that sandblasting hardly affects the tensile behavior of the uncorroded material. The effect of sandblasting on the tensile behavior of pre-corroded specimens seems to be also limited. On the other hand, fatigue results indicate an improved fatigue behavior for the sandblasted material after 60 days of corrosion exposure. Martensitic area reductions, mass loss and depth of the pits were significantly smaller for the case of sandblasted materials, which confirms an increased corrosion resistance.
Crack growth of explosive welding zirconium-steel bimetal subjected to cyclic bending
Authors: Rozumek D. , Marciniak Z.
Published: July 2018

The paper presents the fatigue test results including the cracks growth in the composite zirconium-steel subjected to oscillatory bending. Specimens of square cross-section without melted layer and with a melted layer were tested. In the specimens the net ratio of thickness of steel to zirconium layers was h1 : h2 = 2.5 : 1. It was observed that a higher fraction of the intermetallic inclusions near the interface increase the fatigue life. Two different interaction mechanisms between a crack and interface were observed.
Identification of fatigue and mechanical characteristics of explosively welded steel - titanium composite
Authors: Kowalski M.
Published: July 2018

Paper presents results of fatigue tests performed on S355J2 steel - titanium Grade 1 composite produced in explosive welding technology. Specimens were subjected to cyclic tension-compression loading with zero mean value and controlled force. Also mechanical properties were investigated.
Over-deterministic method: The influence of rounding numbers on the accuracy of the values of Williams’ expansion terms
Authors: Ruzicka Vladimir , Malikova Lucie , Seitl Stanislav
Published: July 2018

A study on the accuracy of the values of Williams’ expansion terms influenced by rounding numbers is presented. The results are presented taking into account a three-point bend single edge notched beam. Crack tip stress tensor components are expressed using the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) theory in this work, more precisely via its multi-parameter formulation, i.e. by Williams’ power series (WPS). Determination of the coefficients of the terms of this series is performed using the least squaresbased regression technique known as the over-deterministic method (ODM), for which displacements data obtained numerically in software ANSYS are taken as inputs. The values of Williams’ expansion terms based on the displacement data obtained are calculated by using various levels of rounding numbers and the results are compared and discussed.
Notch stress intensity factors under mixed mode loadings: an overview of recent advanced methods for rapid calculation
Authors: Peron M. , Razavi S.M.J. , Berto F. , Torgersen J.
Published: July 2018

Recently some methods for the rapid calculation of notch stress intensity factors (NSIFs) have been developed and three of them are compared in this work. First, the criteria proposed by Lazzarin et al. and Treifi et al. have been reviewed. The former is based on the calculation of the mean value of SED on two different control volume (characterized by two different radius values) centred at the stress singularity point, whereas the latter takes advantage of the strain energy density averaged within two control volumes (semi-circular sector) centred at the notch tip. Then, a new method based on the evaluation of the total and deviatoric SED averaged in a single control volume has been proposed. Finally, plate specimens weakened by different notch geometries have been subjected to the application of the above mentioned methods and the obtained values of the NSIFs have been compared with those derived according to Gross and Mendelson.
Classification of ductile cast iron specimens: a machine learning approach
Authors: De Santis Alberto , Iacoviello Daniela , Di Cocco Vittorio , Iacoviello Francesco
Published: July 2018

In this paper an automatic procedure based on a machine learning approach is proposed to classify ductile cast iron specimens according to the American Society for Testing and Materials guidelines. The mechanical properties of a specimen are strongly influenced by the peculiar morphology of their graphite elements and useful characteristics, the features, are extracted from the specimens’ images; these characteristics examine the shape, the distribution and the size of the graphite particle in the specimen, the nodularity and the nodule count. The principal components analysis are used to provide a more efficient representation of these data. Support vector machines are trained to obtain a classification of the data by yielding sequential binary classification steps. Numerical analysis is performed on a significant number of images providing robust results, also in presence of dust, scratches and measurement noise.
Influence the loading conditions and the stress concentrators on the spatial-time inhomogeneity due to the yield delay and the jerky flow: study by using the digital image correlation and the infrared analysis
Authors: Tretyakova Tatyana V. , Wildemann Valery E.
Published: July 2018

The paper deals with the investigation of the temporal instabilities and spatial localization due to the Lüders behavior and the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect in the carbon steel C1010 and the aluminummagnesium alloy AA5052, which manifest the unstable plastic flow. The digital image correlation technique and the infrared thermography were used to capture and study the processes of the initiation and propagation of the deformation bands. The main part of the research focuses on the estimation of the influence of the loading system’s stiffness on the irregular plastic flow, which was carried out on flat specimens with complicated geometry and on specimens with additional deformable parts.
Characterizations of Efficient Charge Transfer and Photoelectric Performance in the Cosensitization of Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Qian , Lin Xiaochen , Mi Lu , Gao Nan , Song Peng , Ma Fengcai , Li Yuanzuo
Published: July 2018

Dyes D35 and XY1 for solar cells have been investigated theoretically with the quantum chemistry method and visualized 3D cube representation. Some important information (such as absorption spectra, molecular orbitals, reorganization energy, chemical reactivity, driving force of electron injection, light-harvesting efficiency, as well as the dipole moment, etc.) has been studied to explain the efficiency of dyes, and the visualized intramolecular and intermolecular charge transfer process and fast dynamic process of the interface electron transfer have been studied to estimate the strength of electron transfer in cosensitization. Calculated results indicated that the improved absorption spectra range, fast electron injection, and the larger dipole moment significantly promote the cosensitized solar cell efficiency in comparison with isolated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs).
Spectral Methods for Modelling of Wave Propagation in Structures in Terms of Damage Detection—A Review
Authors: Palacz Magdalena
Published: July 2018

Modern methods of detection and identification of structural damage direct the activities of scientific groups towards the improvement of diagnostic methods using for example the phenomenon of mechanical wave propagation. Damage detection methods that use mechanical wave propagation in structural components are extremely effective. Many different numerical approaches are used to model this phenomenon, but, due to their universal nature, spectral methods are the most commonly used, of which there are several types. This paper reviews recent research efforts in the field to show basic differences and effectiveness of the two most common spectral methods used for modelling the wave propagation problem in terms of damage detection.
Effects of Industry 4.0 on the Labor Markets of Iran and Japan
Authors: Ziaei Nafchi Majid , Mohelská Hana
Published: July 2018

Industry 4.0 is the essence of the fourth Industrial revolution and is happening right now in manufacturing by using cyber-physical systems (CPS) to reach high levels of automation. Industry 4.0 is especially beneficial in highly developed countries in terms of competitive advantage, but causes unemployment because of high levels of automation. The aim of this paper is to find out if the impact of adopting Industry 4.0 on the labor markets of Iran and Japan would be the same, and to make analysis to find out whether this change is possible for Iran and Japan with their current infrastructures, economy, and policies. With the present situation of Iran in science, technology, and economy, it will be years before Iran could, or better say should, implement Industry 4.0. Japan is able to adopt Industry 4.0 much earlier than Iran and with less challenges ahead; this does not mean that the Japanese labor market would not be affected by this change but it means that those effects would not cause as many difficulties as they would for Iran.
Online State of Charge and State of Health Estimation for a Lithium-Ion Battery Based on a Data–Model Fusion Method
Authors: Wei Zhongbao , Leng Feng , He Zhongjie , Zhang Wenyu , Li Kaiyuan
Published: July 2018

The accurate monitoring of state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) is critical for the reliable management of lithium-ion battery (LIB) systems. In this paper, online model identification is scrutinized to realize high modeling accuracy and robustness, and a model-based joint estimator is further proposed to estimate the SOC and SOH of an LIB concurrently. Specifically, an adaptive forgetting recursive least squares (AF-RLS) method is exploited to optimize the estimation’s alertness and numerical stability so as to achieve an accurate online adaption of model parameters. Leveraging the online adapted battery model, a joint estimator is proposed by combining an open-circuit voltage (OCV) observer with a low-order state observer to co-estimate the SOC and capacity of an LIB. Simulation and experimental studies are performed to verify the feasibility of the proposed data–model fusion method. The proposed method is shown to effectively track the variation of model parameters by using the onboard measured current and voltage data. The SOC and capacity can be further estimated in real time with fast convergence, high stability, and high accuracy.
State of the Art of Lithium-Ion Battery SOC Estimation for Electrical Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Xia Bizhong , Li Baohua , Cao Libo , Lai Yongzhi , Zheng Weiwei , Wang Huawen , Wang Wei
Published: July 2018

Sate of charge (SOC) accurate estimation is one of the most important functions in a battery management system for battery packs used in electrical vehicles. This paper focuses on battery SOC estimation and its issues and challenges by exploring different existing estimation methodologies. The key technologies of lithium-ion battery state estimation methodologies of the electrical vehicles categorized under five groups, such as the conventional method, adaptive filter algorithm, learning algorithm, nonlinear observer, and the hybrid method, are explored in an in-depth analysis. Lithium-ion battery characteristic, battery model, estimation algorithm, and cell unbalancing are the most important factors that affect the accuracy and robustness of SOC estimation. Finally, this paper concludes with the challenges of SOC estimation and suggests other directions for possible research efforts.
Association between Health Literacy and Radiation Anxiety among Residents after a Nuclear Accident: Comparison between Evacuated and Non-Evacuated Areas
Authors: Kuroda Yujiro , Iwasa Hajime , Orui Masatsugu , Moriyama Nobuaki , Nakayama Chihiro , Yasumura Seiji
Published: July 2018

Following the accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011, both experts and the national government provided insufficient information on radiation, leading to widespread distrust in the community. This study aimed at clarifying the association between anxiety about radiation and health literacy among residents in evacuation and non-evacuation areas in Fukushima. A questionnaire survey was sent to randomly sampled residents between August and October 2016, and data from 777 responses (38.9% valid response) were analyzed. The questionnaire assessed current radiation anxiety and discrimination and prejudice based on radiation exposure through seven items and communicative and critical health literacy through five items. Multiple regression analysis of the association between radiation anxiety and health literacy showed that the level of health literacy was significantly negatively associated with radiation anxiety in the evacuation areas (marginally in the non-evacuation areas) and marginally negatively associated with discrimination and prejudice in the evacuation areas but not in the non-evacuation areas. Therefore, improving health literacy could alleviate radiation anxiety.
Growth Hormone: Therapeutic Possibilities—An Overview
Authors: Harvey Steve , Martinez-Moreno Carlos G.
Published: July 2018

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Integrating Thyroid Hormone Signaling in Hypothalamic Control of Metabolism: Crosstalk Between Nuclear Receptors
Authors: Kouidhi Soumaya , Clerget-Froidevaux Marie-Stéphanie
Published: July 2018

The obesity epidemic is well recognized as a significant global health issue. A better understanding of the energy homeostasis mechanisms could help to identify promising anti-obesity therapeutic strategies. It is well established that the hypothalamus plays a pivotal role governing energy balance. The hypothalamus consists of tightly interconnected and specialized neurons that permit the sensing and integration of several peripheral inputs, including metabolic and hormonal signals for an appropriate physiological response. Current evidence shows that thyroid hormones (THs) constitute one of the key endocrine factors governing the regulation and the integration of metabolic homeostasis at the hypothalamic level. THs modulate numerous genes involved in the central control of metabolism, as TRH (Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone) and MC4R (Melanocortin 4 Receptor). THs act through their interaction with thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). Interestingly, TH signaling, especially regarding metabolic regulations, involves TRs crosstalk with other metabolically linked nuclear receptors (NRs) including PPAR (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) and LXR (Liver X receptor). In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on the important role of THs integration of metabolic pathways in the central regulation of metabolism. Particularly, we will shed light on the crosstalk between TRs and other NRs in controlling energy homeostasis. This could be an important track for the development of attractive therapeutic compounds.
Drug Release Properties of Diflunisal from Layer-By-Layer Self-Assembled κ-Carrageenan/Chitosan Nanocapsules: Effect of Deposited Layers
Authors: Rochín-Wong Sarai , Rosas-Durazo Aarón , Zavala-Rivera Paul , Maldonado Amir , Martínez-Barbosa María , Vélaz Itziar , Tánori Judith
Published: July 2018

Engineering of multifunctional drug nanocarriers combining stability and good release properties remains a great challenge. In this work, natural polymers κ-carrageenan (κ-CAR) and chitosan (CS) were deposited onto olive oil nanoemulsion droplets (NE) via layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly to study the release mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory diflunisal (DF) as a lipophilic drug model. The nano-systems were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (ζ-potential) measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm the NE-coating with polymer layers. In addition, kinetic release studies of DF were developed by the dialysis diffusion bag technique. Mathematical models were applied to investigate the release mechanisms. The results showed that stable and suitably sized nanocapsules (~300 nm) were formed. Also, the consecutive adsorption of polyelectrolytes by charge reversal was evidenced. More interestingly, the drug release mechanism varied depending on the number of layers deposited. The nanosized systems containing up to two layers showed anomalous transport and first order kinetics. Formulations with three and four layers exhibited Case II transport releasing diflunisal with zero order kinetics. Hence, our results suggest that these polyelectrolyte nanocapsules have great potential as a multifunctional nanocarrier for drug delivery applications.
A SEMG-Force Estimation Framework Based on a Fast Orthogonal Search Method Coupled with Factorization Algorithms
Authors: Chen Xiang , Yuan Yuan , Cao Shuai , Zhang Xu , Chen Xun
Published: July 2018

A novel framework based on the fast orthogonal search (FOS) method coupled with factorization algorithms was proposed and implemented to realize high-accuracy muscle force estimation via surface electromyogram (SEMG). During static isometric elbow flexion, high-density SEMG (HD-SEMG) signals were recorded from upper arm muscles, and the generated elbow force was measured at the wrist. HD-SEMG signals were decomposed into time-invariant activation patterns and time-varying activation curves using three typical factorization algorithms including principal component analysis (PCA), independent component analysis (ICA), and nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF). The activation signal of the target muscle was obtained by summing the activation curves, and the FOS algorithm was used to create basis functions with activation signals and establish the force estimation model. Static isometric elbow flexion experiments at three target levels were performed on seven male subjects, and the force estimation performances were compared among three typical factorization algorithms as well as a conventional method for extracting the average signal envelope of all HD-SEMG channels (AVG-ENVLP method). The overall root mean square difference (RMSD) values between the measured forces and the estimated forces obtained by different methods were 11.79 ± 4.29% for AVG-ENVLP, 9.74 ± 3.77% for PCA, 9.59 ± 3.81% for ICA, and 9.51 ± 4.82% for NMF. The results demonstrated that, compared to the conventional AVG-ENVLP method, factorization algorithms could substantially improve the performance of force estimation. The FOS method coupled with factorization algorithms provides an effective way to estimate the combined force of multiple muscles and has potential value in the fields of sports biomechanics, gait analysis, prosthesis control strategy, and exoskeleton devices for assisted rehabilitation.
Novel Adaptive Laser Scanning Method for Point Clouds of Free-Form Objects
Authors: Zang Yufu , Yang Bisheng , Liang Fuxun , Xiao Xiongwu
Published: July 2018

Laser scanners are widely used to collect coordinates, also known as point-clouds, of three-dimensional free-form objects. For creating a solid model from a given point-cloud and transferring the data from the model, features-based optimization of the point-cloud to minimize the number if points in the cloud is required. To solve this problem, existing methods mainly extract significant points based on local surface variation of a predefined level. However, comprehensively describing an object’s geometric information using a predefined level is difficult since an object usually has multiple levels of details. Therefore, we propose a simplification method based on a multi-level strategy that adaptively determines the optimal level of points. For each level, significant points are extracted from the point cloud based on point importance measured by both local surface variation and the distribution of neighboring significant points. Furthermore, the degradation of perceptual quality for each level is evaluated by the adjusted mesh structural distortion measurement to select the optimal level. Experiments are performed to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method, demonstrating a reliable solution to optimize the adaptive laser scanning of point clouds for free-forms objects.
Physical Activity and Sleep Quality in Students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Braşov, Romania
Authors: Badicu Georgian
Published: July 2018

Background and objectives: The purpose of this research is to assess the level of physical activity (PAL) and quality of sleep in students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Braşov, Romania. This research will also analyse the correlation between these two parameters. Materials and Methods: The study participants consist of 394 students (255 male and 139 female) of Transilvania University of Braşov. Participants in this study are from three specializations: Physical Education and Sport (PES), Kinetotherapy and Special Motility (KSM), Sport and Physical Performance (SPP). To assess PAL, we used the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF); and to measure sleep quality, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI). Results: The study shows one average intensity correlation between sleep quality and physical activity (PA), rho (0.585). Certain correlations can be found between the two parameters, depending on the students’ specialization. The biggest differences between the two parameters are found between PES and KSM, and SPP and KSM. Conclusions: PA is beneficial for the body, and can improve the quality and quantity of sleep, if carried out systematically and continuously.
Social Exclusion and Switching Barriers in Medicare Part D Choices
Authors: Ko Dong Woo , Bae Young Han , Han Jayoung
Published: July 2018

Previous studies have shown that Medicare beneficiaries do not tend to switch their prescription drug plans (Part D), even though they can greatly save on the money spent on drugs by switching plans. To explore this occurrence, the present study focused on the concept of social exclusion—one of the most important characteristics prevalent in the elderly. This study compared the impact of two types of social exclusion on the association between psychological cost and plan switching: active (or rejected) social exclusion and passive (or ignored) social exclusion. The study’s aim was to examine the moderating effect of social exclusion on the relationship between the cost of switching and willingness to switch plan to build sustainable health care system. The Prescription Drug Study supplementary to the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data were utilized for analysis by applying a Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM) (N = 1042). The findings suggest that active social exclusion moderates the relationship between the switching cost and willingness to switch plan. This study’s findings will help policymakers better understand the elderly’s decision-making process pertaining to plans and promote their informed plan decisions to build sustainable health care system.
Can China’s Carbon Emissions Trading Rights Mechanism Transform its Manufacturing Industry? Based on the Perspective of Enterprise Behavior
Authors: Dai Yue , Li Nan , Gu Rongrong , Zhu Xiaodong
Published: July 2018

The pilot policy of carbon emissions trading rights covers six heavy pollution industries in the manufacturing industry and has achieved considerable emission reductions. Based on enterprise behavior, this study analyzes the impact of the carbon emissions trading rights pilot policy on the productivity of manufacturing enterprises. In addition, we examine whether the pilot policy can aid in the transformation and upgrading of China’s manufacturing industry. Furthermore, we examine the influence of carbon emissions trading rights on manufacturing enterprises of different sizes and with different property rights. The results show that the trading rights have not produced a “Porter effect” on the productivity of manufacturing enterprises in China or in subsamples based on the nature of enterprise ownership. The impact of the carbon trading rights on the productivity of state-owned manufacturing enterprises in the pilot provinces is based on the compliance cost hypothesis. Therefore, the pilot policy has yet to achieve coordinated economic, social, and environmental development. Lastly, we put forward several policy suggestions on the coordinated development of a carbon trading policy and manufacturing enterprises from the perspective of the government, enterprises, and society.
Land Cover Changes Induced by Demining Operations in Halgurd-Sakran National Park in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Hamad Rahel , Kolo Kamal , Balzter Heiko
Published: July 2018

This study presents an analysis of Landsat data to quantify how the deployment of landmines and demining operations in the first national park in Iraq, the Halgurd-Sakran Core Zone (HSCZ) in the Kurdistan region, has altered the vegetation/land cover patterns over 17 years (between 1998 and 2015). Post-war impacts of landmines on land cover fragmentation and degradation in HSCZ are examined using GIS and remote sensing. Landmines fundamentally change the available land use options for local communities by limiting access to the land. Their widespread use in military conflicts around the world made investigating the impacts of minefields on land cover fragmentation the subject of scientific studies. The Iraqi-Iranian war (1980–1988) and subsequent conflicts have left behind densely mined areas in Kurdistan, especially in the border zones, which were previous battle zones. These leftover weapons of historic wars are indiscriminate and still affecting people. The results revealed that the relationship between land use/land cover (LULC) classes before and after the Fall of Baghdad is different for all classes, especially for pasture and cultivated lands. Between 1998 and 2015 the proportion of land covered by forest or under agricultural cultivation decreased substantially, matched by a large increase in pasture extent. The results also show that after 2003 increased attention has been paid to raising landmine awareness in the areas most affected by mines. Additionally, the landmines slowed down the progression in HSCZ, otherwise, agricultural production and productivity could potentially have doubled. The change in cultivated land area in the park does not relate to population growth but to the presence of minefields, minefield programme awareness, and socio-economic factors. Strong rural pull factors succeeded in bringing displaced people back to villages as a result of social progress, economic growth, and political stability in HSCZ.
Environmental Quantification of the Existing Waste Management System in a Developing World Municipality Using EaseTech: The Case of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Authors: Majeed Asma , Batool Syeda Adila , Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz
Published: July 2018

Evaluation of existing operational and managerial provisions and identification of specific actions that fit and impact in a local context is key to find sustainable solutions. The study aims to develop an understanding of existing waste management practices for a medium sized city of Pakistan and to quantify the related environmental impacts using life cycle assessment (LCA). The existing waste management system in “Bahawalpur”, a city with predominant rural-urban infusion, is characterized by straining resources, low generation rates (0.424 kg/capita/day), prominent source separation, high scavenging activities and open dumping practices. The waste composition analysis proposes organic wastes as the largest constituent (64%) followed by recyclables (27%) and inerts (9%). The LCA model “EaseTech” used to quantify the environmental performance of existing waste management arrangements illustrated that existing waste management system in Bahawalpur City has tangible effects on climate change (3.16 × 107 kg CO2-Eq) and ecotoxicity (3.12 × 106 CTU) categories, while depletion of abiotic resources fossil (−9.60 × 107) category points up most environmental savings. Significant environmental compensations for different impact categories are offered due to high source separation and recycling trade off. The overview necessitates suitable modification in existing waste disposal practice that poses severe impacts on the environment.
Establishment of Baculovirus-Expressed VLPs Induced Syncytial Formation Assay for Flavivirus Antiviral Screening
Authors: Dai Shiyu , Zhang Yanfang , Zhang Tao , Zhang Bo , Wang Hualin , Deng Fei
Published: July 2018

The baculovirus-insect cell expression system has been widely used for heterologous protein expression and virus-like particles (VLPs) expression. In this study, we established a new method for antiviral screening targeting to glycoprotein E of flaviviruses based on the baculovirus expression system. ZIKV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus and has posed great threat to the public health. It has been reported that ZIKV infection was associated with microcephaly and serious neurological complications. Our study showed that either ZIKV E or prME protein expressed in insect cells can form VLPs and induce membrane fusion between insect cells. Therefore, the E protein, which is responsible for receptor binding, attachment, and virus fusion during viral entry, achieved proper folding and retained its fusogenic ability in VLPs when expressed in this system. The syncytia in insect cells were significantly reduced by the anti-ZIKV-E specific polyclonal antibody in a dose-dependent manner. AMS, a thiol-conjugating reagent, was also shown to have an inhibitory effect on the E protein induced syncytia and inhibited ZIKV infection by blocking viral entry. Indeed the phenomenon of syncytial formation induced by E protein expressed VLPs in insect cells is common among flaviviruses, including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2), and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). This inhibition effect on syncytial formation can be developed as a novel, safe, and simple antiviral screening approach for inhibitory antibodies, peptides, or small molecules targeting to E protein of ZIKV and other flaviviruses.
Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecological Specialization of Baculoviruses: A Treasure Trove for Future Applied Research
Authors: Thézé Julien , Lopez-Vaamonde Carlos , Cory Jenny S. , Herniou Elisabeth A.
Published: July 2018

The Baculoviridae, a family of insect-specific large DNA viruses, is widely used in both biotechnology and biological control. Its applied value stems from millions of years of evolution influenced by interactions with their hosts and the environment. To understand how ecological interactions have shaped baculovirus diversification, we reconstructed a robust molecular phylogeny using 217 complete genomes and ~580 isolates for which at least one of four lepidopteran core genes was available. We then used a phylogenetic-concept-based approach (mPTP) to delimit 165 baculovirus species, including 38 species derived from new genetic data. Phylogenetic optimization of ecological characters revealed a general pattern of host conservatism punctuated by occasional shifts between closely related hosts and major shifts between lepidopteran superfamilies. Moreover, we found significant phylogenetic conservatism between baculoviruses and the type of plant growth (woody or herbaceous) associated with their insect hosts. In addition, we found that colonization of new ecological niches sometimes led to viral radiation. These macroevolutionary patterns show that besides selection during the infection process, baculovirus diversification was influenced by tritrophic interactions, explained by their persistence on plants and interactions in the midgut during horizontal transmission. This complete eco-evolutionary framework highlights the potential innovations that could still be harnessed from the diversity of baculoviruses.
Factors Influencing Energy Consumption and Cost-Competiveness of Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kamguia Simeu Severin , Brokate Jens , Stephens Thomas , Rousseau Aymeric
Published: July 2018

The widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) will depend on public appreciation of the potential savings in ownership costs that PEVs offer over conventional, internal combustion energy vehicles (ICEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), including fuel savings. This study compares the energy consumption and estimated ownership costs of various technologies for multiple drive cycles in the United States and the European Union; identifies and quantifies the impacts of the main parameters influencing the ownership costs of PEVs in comparison with other powertrains for different timeframes, vehicle classes, and technologies; and assesses under what combinations of parameters the cost of PEVs can be competitive with other powertrains.
A RESEARCH ON OPERATIONAL PATTERNS IN CONTAINER LINER SHIPPING
Authors: Tran Nguyen Khoi , Haasis Hans-Dietrich
Published: July 2018

This article studies operational patterns in container liner shipping with the emphasis on End-To-End (ETE), Round-The-World (RTW), and pendulum patterns. The first research issue deals with their deployment on designing shipping routes on the East–West corridor. The second issue compares their operational characteristics to realize their strength and weakness. The empirical work is carried out using 2074 route records of the top 20 shipping lines from 1995 to 2011. During the period, ETE was the dominant pattern. From 81 to 93% of the surveyed routes operated under this pattern. Pendulum was in favour in the early 2000s, but its use later declined. Round the world had been expected as an innovation in the industry but it was employed limitedly. An important feature of RTW and pendulum patterns is to include multiple trades on a single route, which can bring about the advantages of traffic bundling and less fleet requirement. On the other hand, multiple trades result in more complexity of these patterns, displayed through long voyage distance and time, a greater number of visited regions and more ports of call. Additionally, the deployment of mega vessels is also restricted due to traffic discrepancy between trade lanes.
MODELLING THE IMPACTS OF UNCERTAIN CARBON TAX POLICY ON MARITIME FLEET MIX STRATEGY AND CARBON MITIGATION
Authors: Zhu Mo , Chen Michael , Kristal Murat
Published: July 2018

The maritime transport industry continues to draw international attention on significant Greenhouse Gas emissions. The introduction of emissions taxes aims to control and reduce emissions. The uncertainty of carbon tax policy affects shipping companies’ fleet planning and increases costs. We formulate the fleet planning problem under carbon tax policy uncertainty a multi-stage stochastic integer-programming model for the liner shipping companies. We develop a scenario tree to represent the structure of the carbon tax stochastic dynamics, and seek the optimal planning, which is adaptive to the policy uncertainty. Non-anticipativity constraint is applied to ensure the feasibility of the decisions in the dynamic environment. For the sake of comparison, the Perfect Information (PI) model is introduced as well. Based on a liner shipping application of our model, we find that under the policy uncertainty, companies charter more ships when exposed to high carbon tax risk, and spend more on fleet operation; meanwhile the CO2 emission volume will be reduced.
Plasma Interactions with the Space Environment in the Acceleration Region: Indications of CME-trailing Reconnection Regions
Authors: Jensen Elizabeth A. , Heiles Carl , Wexler David , Kepley Amanda A. , Kuiper Thomas , Bisi Mario M. , Lorin Deborah Domingue , Kuiper Elizabeth V. , Vilas Faith
Published: July 2018

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are sources of major geomagnetic disturbances. On 2013 May 10, a CME crossed the signal path between the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft and Earth. Using the MESSENGER signal, characteristics of the density, velocity, and magnetic field properties of the crossing plasma were measured. An anomalously strong event occurred in the plasma trailing the CME’s passage that correlated with a wave mode conversion, indicating a potential reconnection region. We determine that the plasma following CMEs should be considered when studying how CMEs evolve in interplanetary space and the severity of their geomagnetic impact.
A Molecular Line Investigation of the Interaction between Mid-infrared Bubbles and the Interstellar Medium
Authors: Devine Kathryn , Mori Johanna , Watson Christer , Trujillo Leonardo , Hicks Matthew
Published: July 2018

We used the Green Bank Telescope to detect molecular lines observed toward mid-infrared bubbles N62, N65, N90, and N117. The bubbles were selected from Watson et al., who detected non-Gaussian CS (1–0) emission lines toward the bubbles. Two of the bubbles are adjacent to infrared dark clouds (IRDCs); we examined these sources for evidence of interaction between the bubble rim and IRDC. The other two bubbles contain young stellar objects (YSOs) interior to the bubble rim; in these sources, we observed the gas near the YSOs. We detect CS (1–0) emission toward all of the sources, and in several pointings the CS emission shows non-Gaussian line shapes. HC3N (5–4), C34S (1–0), CH3OH (1–0), and SiO (v = 0) (1–0) were also detected in some pointings. We calculate column densities and abundances for the detected molecules. We compare the velocity of optically thick CS emission with the velocity of the other optically thin lines to look for evidence of infall. We find that even in pointings with non-Gaussian CS emission, our detections do not support an infall model. We interpret the kinematics of the gas in N62, N65, and N117 as likely evidence of multiple clouds along the line of sight moving at slightly offset velocities. We do not detect evidence of bubble rims interacting with IRDCs in N62 or N90. The gas interior to bubbles appears more disrupted than the gas in the IRDCs. N65 shows significantly stronger emission lines than the other sources, as well as the most complicated non-Gaussian line shapes.
Astrometric Limits on the Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background
Authors: Darling Jeremy , Truebenbach Alexandra E. , Paine Jennie
Published: July 2018

The canonical methods for gravitational wave detection are ground- and space-based laser interferometry, pulsar timing, and polarization of the cosmic microwave background. But as has been suggested by numerous investigators, astrometry offers an additional path to gravitational wave detection. Gravitational waves deflect light rays of extragalactic objects, creating apparent proper motions in a quadrupolar (and higher-order modes) pattern. Astrometry of extragalactic radio sources is sensitive to gravitational waves with frequencies between roughly 10−18 and 10−8 Hz (H
0 and 1/3 yr−1), overlapping and bridging the pulsar timing and CMB polarization regimes. We present a methodology for astrometric gravitational wave detection in the presence of large intrinsic uncorrelated proper motions (i.e., radio jets). We obtain 95% confidence limits on the stochastic gravitational wave background using 711 radio sources, ΩGW < 0.0064, and using 508 radio sources combined with the first Gaia data release: ΩGW < 0.011. These limits probe gravitational wave frequencies 6 × 10−18 Hz ≲ f ≲ 1 × 10−9 Hz. Using a WISE-Gaia catalog of 567,721 AGN, we predict a limit expected from Gaia alone of ΩGW < 0.0006, which is significantly higher than was originally forecast. Incidentally, we detect and report on 22 new examples of optical superluminal motion with redshifts 0.13–3.89.
Metal-rich Trailing Outflows Uplifted by AGN Bubbles in Galaxy Clusters
Authors: Duan Xiaodong , Guo Fulai
Published: July 2018

Recent Chandra X-ray observations of many galaxy clusters find evidence for hot metal-rich outflows preferentially aligned with the large-scale axes of X-ray cavities with typical outflow masses of around 109–1010
M
⊙. Here, we perform a suite of three hydrodynamic simulations to investigate if AGN jets could drive these metal-rich outflows in a representative cluster. By using both the tracer variable and virtual particle methods, and additionally following the gas metallicity evolution, we show that metal-rich gas initially located in central regions can indeed be uplifted by the AGN bubble to large distances, a phenomenon called Darwin drift in fluid mechanics, and forming a filamentary trailing outflow extending beyond 100 kpc behind the bubble. The gas entrained in the trailing outflow is entirely outflowing with an average outflow rate of nearly 100M
⊙ yr−1 during the first 100 Myr, and at later times, a growing lower part flows back towards the cluster center due to gravity. The outflow mass rises up to about 1010
M
⊙ with an entrained iron mass of about 106–107
M
⊙, consistent with observations and predictions from the drift model. By the end of our simulation (∼800 Myr after the AGN event), several 109
M
⊙ of the uplifted high-metallicity gas still remains at large altitudes, potentially contributing to the enrichment of the bulk ICM and the broadening of central metallicity peaks observed in cool-core clusters.
Streamer-blowout Coronal Mass Ejections: Their Properties and Relation to the Coronal Magnetic Field Structure
Authors: Vourlidas Angelos , Webb David F.
Published: July 2018

We present a comprehensive analysis of a particular class of coronal mass ejection (CME) event called streamer-blowout CMEs (SBOs). The events are characterized by a gradual swelling of the overlying streamer, lasting hours to days, followed by a slow, wide CME, generally exhibiting a three-part structure, which leaves the streamer significantly depleted in its wake. We identify 909 SBO events in the LASCO/C2 observations between 1996 and 2015. The average blowout lasts for 40.5 hr, but the evacuation can take days for some events. The SBO CMEs are wider and more massive than the average CME. Their properties generally vary during and between solar cycles. Their minimum (maximum) monthly occurrence rate of one (six) events in cycle 23 has doubled in cycle 24—a probable manifestation of the weaker global fields in the current cycle. The locations of SBOs follow the tilt of the global dipole (but not from 2014 onward), do not correlate with sunspot numbers, and exhibit flux rope morphology at a much higher rate (61%) than regular CMEs (40%). We propose that these characteristics are consistent with SBOs arising from extended polarity inversion lines outside active regions (e.g., quiet Sun and polar crown filaments) through the release via reconnection of magnetic energy, likely accumulated via differential rotation.
GLONASS: Revisão teórica e estado da arte
Authors: Jerez Gabriel Oliveira , Alves Daniele Barroca Marra
Published: July 2018

O GPS (Global Positioning System) e o GLONASS (GLObal NAvigation Satellite System) começaram a ser desenvolvidos ainda no início da década de setenta e são, atualmente, os principais sistemas GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) com constelação completa disponível. Apesar de os dois sistemas terem obtido constelações completas em períodos próximos, o GLONASS passou por um longo período de degradação, causada principalmente pela falta de investimentos e lançamentos para substituição de satélites mais antigos. Com isso o uso de dados combinados GPS/GLONASS acabou se tornando inviável já no final da década de noventa, devido à instabilidade do GLONASS. Porém, o sistema passou por um processo de modernização e restabelecimento a partir de 2001, obtendo novamente constelação completa de 24 satélites e cobertura global em 2011. A partir dessa nova realidade, novos estudos se fizeram necessário. Nesse sentido o presente trabalho buscou fazer uma revisão dos principais conceitos relacionados ao sistema, bem como do seu histórico, estrutura, além do seu processo de modernização e algumas perspectivas futuras.
Territorialidade e identidade pomerana no processo de criação e regulamentação do Monumento Natural dos Pontões Capixabas em Pancas/ES
Authors: Spamer Helmar , Silva Ana Tereza Reis da
Published: July 2018

Este artigo apresenta resultados parciais da pesquisa de mestrado, ainda em andamento, “Monumento Natural dos Pontões Capixabas: identidade pomerana em defesa do território”, desenvolvida no município de Pancas, Espírito Santo, cujo território tradicional da comunidade pomerana local foi transformado em uma Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral, gerando uma situação de conflito socioambiental e a emergência de processos de  defesa do território e fortalecimento identitário. O objetivo da pesquisa é analisar as relações de mútuo esforço entre a luta por direitos e defesa do território e o processo de afirmação identitária e de pertencimento da comunidade pomerana, além de desenvolver ações de intervenção junto à população local ao mesmo tempo que analisa o contexto da proteção ambiental no Brasil. Desse modo, o estudo afina-se com a pesquisa-ação, pois, ao mesmo tempo em que busca compreender o contexto, interfere na realidade.
Ciência e tecnologia se encontram com a sociedade no campo da política: análise dialógica do discurso presente em editorial da Revista Ciência Hoje
Authors: Vieira Feitosa Erike Luiz , Fanini Angela Maria Rubel
Published: July 2018

Este artigo reflete sobre a visão de ciência e tecnologia presente em editorial publicado pela Ciência Hoje. Por meio da análise do discurso de viés bakhtiniano, identifica que, defendendo a posição de que o governo deveria manter e aumentar investimentos em C&T como forma de combate à crise econômica, a revista adere à perspectiva linear de inovação tecnológica, que consiste na ideia de que mais investimentos em C&T trazem, necessariamente, mais progresso social. Dialogando com autores que discutem ciência, tecnologia e sociedade (CTS), o artigo problematiza essa perspectiva, que se apresenta de forma hegemônica no jornalismo científico brasileiro. Destacando a oposição discursiva da comunidade científica ao governo, a análise conclui que, na conjuntura na qual o editorial foi publicado, até mesmo a visão hegemônica do modelo ofertista-linear está em risco.