bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘THE MOUTHS OF CORPSES’: DEATH, FEMININITY AND THE GROTESQUE IN SYLVIA PLATH’S POETRY
Authors: Menéndez Cuesta Vanesa
Published: May 2017

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review on Sylvia Plath’s representation of womanhood and the archetypes of femininity in her poetry. Here, I will provide an analysis on Plath’s imagery related to female genitalia, fertility and infertility, menstruation, and motherhood. On the other hand, I will focus on the presence of female figures related to popular culture and the grotesque, inspired by other traditional forms associated to witchcraft and sorcery. This way, I intend to illustrate how Plath expresses her feelings and emotions on the experience of being a woman by using these poetics images of femininity and the female body. Title in Spanish: ‘Las bocas de cadáveres’: Muerte, Feminindad y lo Grotesco en la poesía de Sylvia PlathResumen: El propósito de este artículo es presentar un análisis crítico sobre cómo Sylvia Plath representa la feminidad y los arquetipos de la mujer en su poesía. Aquí se analizarán las imágenes poéticas utilizadas por Plath y relacionadas con los órganos sexuales femeninos, la fertilidad e infertilidad, la menstruación, y la maternidad. Por otro lado, me centraré en la presencia de figuras femeninas relacionadas con la cultura popular y lo grotesco, inspiradas en formas tradicionalmente asociadas a la brujería y la magia. De esta manera, pretendo ilustrar como Plath expresa sus sentimientos y emociones sobre a la experiencia de ser mujer utilizando estas imágenes poéticas entorno a la feminidad y el cuerpo de la mujer.
‘HURT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE… BUT ALIVE AND WELL’: HEALING IN TONI MORRISON’S HOME
Authors: López Ramírez Manuela
Published: May 2017

Abstract: Toni Morrison’s novels can be read as stories of trauma and healing. In Home, Morrison wants to demystify the 1950s, a time when blacks still suffered extreme violence and racial hatred. African Americans underwent both personal and collective traumas dated back to the time of slavery. Morrison depicts the restorative journeys of her characters from damaged victims towards self-sufficient and whole individuals. She deploys key elements of their recuperative process, such as storytelling, re-memorying, a supportive community, nature, etc. By the end of the novel, Frank and Cee, who carry the burden of an ominous past, experience healing and change. Título en español: “‘Herido justo en el centro…pero vivo y entero’: Curación en Volver de Toni Morrison”Resumen: Las novelas de Toni Morrison pueden ser interpretadas como historias de trauma y curación. En Home, Morrison desmitifica los años 1950, cuando los negros todavía sufrían extrema violencia y odio racial. Los traumas personales y colectivos de los afro-americanos remontan a los tiempos de la esclavitud. Morrison describe los viajes curativos de sus personajes, de víctimas dañadas a la auto-suficiencia e integridad, utilizando elementos claves de esta recuperación, como son el relato, la re-memoria, una comunidad acogedora, la naturaleza, etc. Al final de la novela, Frank and Cee, que arrastran la carga de un pasado ominoso, experimentan cambio y curación.
THE POWER AND PROMISE OF 21ST- CENTURY LITERARY CRITICISM
Authors: Martínez Serrano Leonor M.
Published: May 2017

Abstract: Literature is an ancestral enterprise whereby humans seek to understand reality and make sense of the world at large. A sophisticated construct of the human imagination, Literary Criticism has served the purpose of scrutinizing verbal works of art from a wide range of critical perspectives to find out the truths contained in them about humanity and our world. This is a way of honouring the deep thinking and the beauty inherent in Literature. In this paper, we look at the concept of ‘liminality’ in Anglophone Studies, as well as to the power and promise of 21st-century Literary Criticism as part of the Humanities, at a time where there is a fierce need for a transdisciplinary approach to the study of literature that brings together the lessons of contemporary Philosophy and other relevant fields of knowledge that may shed light on our understanding of literature. Título en español: “El poder y la promesa de la Crítica literaria del siglo XXI”Resumen: La literatura es una empresa ancestral con la que los seres humanos tratan de comprender la realidad y el mundo en toda su extensión. Sofisticado constructo de la imaginación humana en sí misma, la Crítica Literaria ha estudiado las obras literarias desde múltiples perspectivas teóricas a lo largo de los siglos con el objeto de sacar a la luz las verdades que encierran sobre la humanidad y nuestro mundo. La Crítica Literaria no deja de ser una forma de honrar el pensamiento profundo y la belleza inherentes a la propia literatura. En este artículo meditamos acerca del concepto de ‘liminalidad’ en los Estudios Anglófonos, y reflexionamos sobre el poder y la promesa de la Crítica Literaria del siglo XXI como parte de las Humanidades, en unos tiempos en que urge apostar por un acercamiento holístico y transdisciplinar al estudio del fenómeno literario que aúne las lecciones de la Filosofía contemporánea y de otras disciplinas que acaso puedan arrojar luz sobre nuestra comprensión de la literatura
Assessment of physico-chemical parameters of rainbow trout farms for the evaluation of potential threat to natural streams in Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Payaswini , Niraula Archana , Rai Anuradha , Pandey Aastha , Gurung Smriti , Sharma Chhatra Mani
Published: May 2017

Three trout farms from Nepal were studied to investigate the changes in physico-chemical parameters and their potential threat to natural water bodies receiving the effluents. Reference and impact sites were determined in each farm so as to find out the level of impacts due to farming activities. Some of the parameters such as dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, and total dissolve solids were significantly changed in the impacted zones compared to reference sites. Similarly, concentrations of some major ions such as calcium and sodium were increased in the impacted zones. On the other hand, some of the parameters such as pH and potassium did not change in the impacted zone although their concentrations were different among farms studied. Nevertheless, the overall changes in the physico-chemical parameters did not pose health risk to the aquatic ecosystems receiving effluents from these fish farms as the concentrations were below the prescribed levels by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as Nepal Environment Statistics. This is an indication that, although fish farming activities are degrading water qualities, there is no threat to the water quality receiving the effluents yet probably due to small scale farming. The increase in number of fish farms in the same area, however might pose risk to the ecological health in the region which warrants regular monitoring.  INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-6, Issue-2, Mar-May 2017, Page: 43-55
Evaluation of 3D Additively Manufactured Canine Brain Models for Teaching Veterinary Neuroanatomy
Authors: Schoenfeld-Tacher Regina M. , Horn Timothy J. , Scheviak Tyler A. , Royal Kenneth D. , Hudson Lola C.
Published: May 2017

Physical specimens are essential to the teaching of veterinary anatomy. While fresh and fixed cadavers have long been the medium of choice, plastinated specimens have gained widespread acceptance as adjuncts to dissection materials. Even though the plastination process increases the durability of specimens, these are still derived from animal tissues and require periodic replacement if used by students on a regular basis. This study investigated the use of three-dimensional additively manufactured (3D AM) models (colloquially referred to as 3D-printed models) of the canine brain as a replacement for plastinated or formalin-fixed brains. The models investigated were built based on a micro-MRI of a single canine brain and have numerous practical advantages, such as durability, lower cost over time, and reduction of animal use. The effectiveness of the models was assessed by comparing performance among students who were instructed using either plastinated brains or 3D AM models. This study used propensity score matching to generate similar pairs of students. Pairings were based on gender and initial anatomy performance across two consecutive classes of first-year veterinary students. Students' performance on a practical neuroanatomy exam was compared, and no significant differences were found in scores based on the type of material (3D AM models or plastinated specimens) used for instruction. Students in both groups were equally able to identify neuroanatomical structures on cadaveric material, as well as respond to questions involving application of neuroanatomy knowledge. Therefore, we postulate that 3D AM canine brain models are an acceptable alternative to plastinated specimens in teaching veterinary neuroanatomy.
Evaluation of a Jugular Venipuncture Alpaca Model to Teach the Technique of Blood Sampling in Adult Alpacas
Authors: Rousseau Marjolaine , Beauchamp Guy , Nichols Sylvain
Published: May 2017

The effectiveness of teaching aids in veterinary medical education is not often assessed rigorously. The objective in the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercially available jugular venipuncture alpaca model as a complementary tool to teach veterinary students how to perform venipuncture in adult alpacas. We hypothesized that practicing on the model would allow veterinary students to draw blood in alpacas more rapidly with fewer attempts than students without previous practice on the model. Thirty-six third-year veterinary students were enrolled and randomly allocated to the model (group M; n=18) or the control group (group C; n=18). The venipuncture technique was taught to all students on day 0. Students in group M practiced on the model on day 2. On day 5, an evaluator blinded to group allocation evaluated the students' venipuncture skills during a practical examination using live alpacas. Success was defined as the aspiration of a 6-ml sample of blood. Measured outcomes included number of attempts required to achieve success (success score), total procedural time, and overall qualitative score. Success scores, total procedural time, and overall scores did not differ between groups. Use of restless alpacas reduced performance. The jugular venipuncture alpaca model failed to improve jugular venipuncture skills in this student population. Lack of movement represents a significant weakness of this training model.
1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition approach to novel dispiro[pyrazolidine-4,3′-pyrrolizidine-2′,3″-indoline]-2″,3,5-triones
Authors: Hussein Essam M. , Ahmed Saleh A. , Guesmi Nizar El , Khairou Khalid S.
Published: May 2017

A simple and convenient 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of non-stabilised azomethine ylides derived from isatins and L-proline, in a variety of different solvents, to ( Z)-4-arylidene-1-phenylpyrazolidine-3,5-diones as dipolarophiles afforded a series of novel dispiro[pyrazolidine-4,3′-pyrrolizidine-2′,3″-indoline]-2″,3,5-triones regioselectively and in good yields.
The burden of rare cancers in the United States
Authors: DeSantis Carol E. , Kramer Joan L. , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: May 2017

There are limited published data on the burden of rare cancers in the United States. By using data from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, the authors provide information on incidence rates, stage at diagnosis, and survival for more than 100 rare cancers (defined as an incidence of fewer than 6 cases per 100,000 individuals per year) in the United States. Overall, approximately 20% of patients with cancer in the United States are diagnosed with a rare cancer. Rare cancers make up a larger proportion of cancers diagnosed in Hispanic (24%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (22%) patients compared with non‐Hispanic blacks (20%) and non‐Hispanic whites (19%). More than two‐thirds (71%) of cancers occurring in children and adolescents are rare cancers compared with less than 20% of cancers diagnosed in patients aged 65 years and older. Among solid tumors, 59% of rare cancers are diagnosed at regional or distant stages compared with 45% of common cancers. In part because of this stage distribution, 5‐year relative survival is poorer for patients with a rare cancer compared with those diagnosed with a common cancer among both males (55% vs 75%) and females (60% vs 74%). However, 5‐year relative survival is substantially higher for children and adolescents diagnosed with a rare cancer (82%) than for adults (46% for ages 65‐79 years). Continued efforts are needed to develop interventions for prevention, early detection, and treatment to reduce the burden of rare cancers. Such discoveries can often advance knowledge for all cancers. CA Cancer J Clin 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:261–272. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Accurate frequency and time dissemination in the optical domain
Authors: Khabarova K Yu , Kalganova E S , Kolachevsky N N
Published: May 2017

The development of the optical frequency comb technique has enabled a wide use of atomic optical clocks by allowing frequency conversion from the optical to the radio frequency range. Today, the fractional instability of such clocks has reached the record eighteen-digit level, two orders of magnitude better than for cesium fountains representing the primary frequency standard. This is paralleled by the development of techniques for transferring accurate time and optical frequency signals, including fiber links. With this technology, the fractional instability of transferred frequency can be lowered to below 10−18 with an averaging time of 1000 s for a 1000 km optical link. At a distance of 500 km, a time signal uncertainty of 250 ps has been achieved. Optical links allow comparing optical clocks and creating a synchronized time and frequency standard network at a new level of precision. Prospects for solving new problems arise, including the determination of the gravitational potential, the measurement of the continental Sagnac effect, and precise tests of fundamental theories.
Quantifying Dry and Wet Deposition Fluxes in Two Regions of Contrasting African Influence: The NE Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands
Authors: Castillo Sonia , Alastuey Andrés , Cuevas Emilio , Querol Xavier , Avila Anna
Published: May 2017

This study considers the role of distance to the African source on the amount of deposition. To this end, dry and wet deposition was measured at a site close to Africa (Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, SCO) and at a distant site located in NE Spain (La Castanya, Montseny, MSY). Because of the important influence of African influence on the buildup of particles in the atmosphere, we specifically addressed the contribution of North African events (NAF events) compared to other provenances (no-NAF events) in the wet and dry pathways at the two sites. At the site close to Africa, most of the crustal-derived elements were deposited in the dry mode, with NAF events contributing more than no-NAF events. Marine elements, by contrast, were mostly deposited at this site in the wet form with a predominance of no-NAF events. At MSY, wet deposition of SO4–S, NO3–N and NH4–N during NAF events was higher than at the site close to Africa, either in the wet or dry mode. This fact suggests that mineral dust interacts with pollutants, the mineral surface being coated with ammonium, sulphate and nitrate ions as the dust plume encounters polluted air masses in its way from North Africa to the Western Mediterranean. African dust may provide a mechanism of pollution scavenging and our results indicate that this removal is more effective in the wet mode at sites far away from the mineral source.
Understanding the Partitioning of the Available Energy over the Semi-Arid Areas of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Yuan Guanghui , Zhang Lei , Liang Jiening , Cao Xianjie , Liu Hui , Yang Zhaohong
Published: May 2017

To investigate the mechanism of available energy partitioning to sensible and latent heat fluxes over semi-arid regions, data from the Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University (SACOL) were analyzed to assess the effects of soil moisture, net radiation, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) on available energy partitioning, as quantified by Bowen ratio. It was found that the Bowen ratio decreased rapidly with increasing soil moisture when soil was dry but was insensitive to the change in soil moisture when soil became wet. Net radiation and VPD affected the sensitivity of the Bowen ratio to soil moisture under dry conditions and the soil moisture threshold above which the Bowen ratio became insensitive to soil moisture. The Bowen ratio increases with net radiation at a high level of VPD, while the Bowen ratio first increases and then decreases with net radiation at a low level of VPD. Reduced soil moisture enhanced the effects of the net radiation and VPD on available energy partitioning. The effects of the VPD on Bowen ratio depended on the relative strength of the positive and negative impacts of VPD on the latent heat flux under different soil and net radiation conditions.
Inter-Series Interactions on the Atomic Photoionization Spectra Studied by the Phase-Shifted Multichannel-Quantum Defect Theory
Authors: Lee Chun-Woo
Published: May 2017

Development in mathematical formulations of parameterizing the resonance structures using the phase-shifted multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT) and their use in analyzing the effect of inter-series interactions on the autoionizing Rydberg spectra is reviewed. Reformulation of the short-range scattering matrix into the form analogous to S = SBSR in scattering theory are the crucial step in this development. Formulation adopts different directions and goals depending on whether autoionizing series converge to the same limit (degenerate) or to different limits (nondegenerate) because of the different nature of the perturbation. For the nondegenerate case, finding the simplest form of profile index functions of the autoionizing spectra with the minimal number of parameters is the main goal and some results are reviewed. For the degenerate case where perturbation acts uniformly throughout the entire series, isolation of the overlapped autoionizing series into the unperturbed autoionizing series is the key objective in research and some results in that direction are reviewed.
Hypoxic Three-Dimensional Scaffold-Free Aggregate Cultivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Stirred Tank Reactor
Authors: Egger Dominik , Schwedhelm Ivo , Hansmann Jan , Kasper Cornelia
Published: May 2017

Extensive expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cell-based therapies remains challenging since long-term cultivation and excessive passaging in two-dimensional conditions result in a loss of essential stem cell properties. Indeed, low survival rate of cells, alteration of surface marker profiles, and reduced differentiation capacity are observed after in vitro expansion and reduce therapeutic success in clinical studies. Remarkably, cultivation of MSCs in three-dimensional aggregates preserve stem cell properties. Hence, the large scale formation and cultivation of MSC aggregates is highly desirable. Besides other effects, MSCs cultivated under hypoxic conditions are known to display increased proliferation and genetic stability. Therefore, in this study we demonstrate cultivation of adipose derived human MSC aggregates in a stirred tank reactor under hypoxic conditions. Although aggregates were exposed to comparatively high average shear stress of 0.2 Pa as estimated by computational fluid dynamics, MSCs displayed a viability of 78–86% and maintained their surface marker profile and differentiation potential after cultivation. We postulate that cultivation of 3D MSC aggregates in stirred tank reactors is valuable for large-scale production of MSCs or their secreted compounds after further optimization of cultivation parameters.
Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Cancer Survivors: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Research
Authors: Burke Shaunna , Wurz Amanda , Bradshaw Andrew , Saunders Stephanie , West Malcolm A. , Brunet Jennifer
Published: May 2017

Qualitative research on the impact of physical activity on quality of life (QoL) in adults diagnosed with cancer is accumulating. However, the field of physical activity and cancer survivorship lack a synthesis of this research to reliably understand the implications for future research and practice. The aim of this meta-synthesis was to identify, appraise, and synthesize qualitative research on cancer survivors’ perspectives of the impact of physical activity on their QoL. Seven electronic databases were searched for original studies published in English, and reference lists of relevant studies were hand-searched to identify additional studies. Forty studies met eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-synthesis. Study characteristics and major findings were extracted, and findings were summarized, compared, and synthesized. Themes identified in this review revealed that physical activity positively impacted four dimensions of cancer survivors’ QoL: physical (e.g., managing the physical consequences of cancer and its treatment), psychological (e.g., evoking positive self-perceptions), social (e.g., feeling understood by others), and spiritual (e.g., redefining life purpose). This meta-synthesis corroborates conclusions from reviews of quantitative research and illustrates that physical activity can be used to improve QoL in adult cancer survivors, regardless of diagnosis (i.e., stage, cancer type) and treatment status. It also provides detailed insight into specific aspects within each dimension of QoL impacted by physical activity from cancer survivors’ perspectives, which is important for understanding the meaning and utility of physical activity for them. However, more research is needed to further develop the qualitative evidence base in order to better understand how physical activity impacts on QoL experiences in men, young adults, and adults diagnosed with less common types of cancer at different points along cancer trajectory (i.e., diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment, palliation).
Respiratory Care Considerations for Children with Medical Complexity
Authors: Chiang Jackie , Amin Reshma
Published: May 2017

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are a growing population of diagnostically heterogeneous children characterized by chronic conditions affecting multiple organ systems, the use of medical technology at home as well as intensive healthcare service utilization. Many of these children will experience either a respiratory-related complication and/or they will become established on respiratory technology at home during their care trajectory. Therefore, healthcare providers need to be familiar with the respiratory related complications commonly experienced by CMC as well as the indications, technical and safety considerations and potential complications that may arise when caring for CMC using respiratory technology at home. This review will outline the most common respiratory disease manifestations experienced by CMC, and discuss various respiratory-related treatment options that can be considered, including tracheostomy, invasive and non-invasive ventilation, as well as airway clearance techniques. The caregiver requirements associated with caring for CMC using respiratory technology at home will also be reviewed.
A Climate Change Assessment via Trend Estimation of Certain Climate Parameters with In Situ Measurement at the Coasts and Islands of Viet Nam
Authors: Ca Vu Thanh
Published: May 2017

This study presents results on an assessment of climate change in the nearshore and coastal areas of Viet Nam through an evaluation of trends of certain climatic parameters (air temperature, sea water temperature, sea level, and number of typhoons landed at the Vietnamese coast by year) using time series data of hydro-meteorological records at the coasts and islands of Viet Nam. The method used for the trend evaluation is the Mann–Kendall test ran at the 5% significance level and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. It was found that there is an extremely likely increasing trend of air temperature for almost all observation stations at the coasts and islands of Viet Nam. However, it was unable to confirm a general trend for sea surface water temperature; except for very few stations in semi-closed waters, there is no clear trend in annual average sea water temperature at a majority of stations. Additionally, there is an extremely likely rising trend of sea level at a majority of stations with reliable data, but the rates of increase are very different for different stations. The reasons for discrepancies in the trend of annual average sea water temperature and sea level at different stations are still not understood, but it seems that an assessment of the vertical movement of the ground surface at the stations is necessary to have an accurate assessment of the rate of sea level rise due to climate change and of the influence of general circulation in the East Viet Nam Sea on the trend of sea water temperature in that location. It is also found that there is a likely decreasing trend in the frequency of typhoons landed at the Vietnamese coast; however, this trend might not be due to climate change, but to climate variability.
Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results
Authors: Schagen Silke
Published: May 2017

In the last two decades, many new peptides have been developed, and new knowledge on how peptides improve the skin has been uncovered. The spectrum of peptides in the field of cosmetics is continuously growing. This review summarizes some of the effective data on cosmeceutical peptides that work against intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Some peptides have been proven in their efficacy through clinical skin trials. Well-known and documented peptides like copper tripeptide are still under research to obtain more details on their effectiveness, and for the development of new treatments. Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 and Carnosine are other well-researched cosmeceuticals. Additionally, there are many more peptides that are used in cosmetics. However, study results for some are sparse, or have not been published in scientific journals. This article summarizes topical peptides with proven efficacy in controlled in vivo studies.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Nonlinear Optical Property of RbHgI3
Authors: Li Yanjun , Ding Yuxun , Li Yaming , Liu Hongming , Meng Xianggao , Cong Ye , Zhang Jiang , Li Xuanke , Chen Xingguo , Qin Jingui
Published: May 2017

Searching for new nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals to be used in the infrared (IR) region is still a challenge. This paper presents the synthesis, crystal structure and properties of a new halide, RbHgI3. Its non-centrosymmetric single crystal can be grown in solution. In its crystal structure, all the polar [HgI4]2− groups align in such a way that brings a favorable net polarization. The measurement by Kurtz–Perry powder technique indicates that RbHgI3 shows a phase-matchable second harmonic generation (SHG) property seven times stronger than that of KH2PO4 (KDP). RbHgI3 displays excellent transparency in the range of 0.48–25 μm with relatively good thermal stability. The UV absorption implies that this yellow compound’s band gap is about 2.56 eV, close to that of AgGaS2. A preliminary measurement indicates that the laser-induced damage threshold of the crystal is about 28.3 MW/cm2. These preliminary experimental data reveal that RbHgI3 is a new candidate as nonlinear optical material in the infrared region.
Ion Hopping and Constrained Li Diffusion Pathways in the Superionic State of Antifluorite Li2O
Authors: Annamareddy Ajay , Eapen Jacob
Published: May 2017

Li2O belongs to the family of antifluorites that show superionic behavior at high temperatures. While some of the superionic characteristics of Li2O are well-known, the mechanistic details of ionic conduction processes are somewhat nebulous. In this work, we first establish an onset of superionic conduction that is emblematic of a gradual disordering process among the Li ions at a characteristic temperature Tα (~1000 K) using reported neutron diffraction data and atomistic simulations. In the superionic state, the Li ions are observed to portray dynamic disorder by hopping between the tetrahedral lattice sites. We then show that string-like ionic diffusion pathways are established among the Li ions in the superionic state. The diffusivity of these dynamical string-like structures, which have a finite lifetime, shows a remarkable correlation to the bulk diffusivity of the system.
A Novel Faults Diagnosis Method for Rolling Element Bearings Based on EWT and Ambiguity Correlation Classifiers
Authors: Jiang Xingmeng , Wu Li , Ge Mingtao
Published: May 2017

According to non-stationary characteristic of the acoustic emission signal of rolling element bearings, a novel fault diagnosis method based on empirical wavelet transform (EWT) and ambiguity correlation classification (ACC) is proposed. In the proposed method, the acoustic emission signal acquired from a one-channel sensor is firstly decomposed using the EWT method, and then the mutual information of decomposed components and the original signal is computed and used to extract the noiseless component in order to obtain the reconstructed signal. Afterwards, the ambiguity correlation classifier, which has the advantages of ambiguity functions in the processing of the non-stationary signal, and the combining of correlation coefficients, is applied. Finally, multiple datasets of reconstructed signals for different operative conditions are fed to the ambiguity correlation classifier for training and testing. The proposed method was verified by experiments, and experimental results have shown that the proposed method can effectively diagnose three different operative conditions of rolling element bearings with higher detection rates than support vector machine and back-propagation (BP) neural network algorithms.
A Kullback–Leibler View of Maximum Entropy and Maximum Log-Probability Methods
Authors: Abbas Ali , H. Cadenbach Andrea , Salimi Ehsan
Published: May 2017

Entropy methods enable a convenient general approach to providing a probability distribution with partial information. The minimum cross-entropy principle selects the distribution that minimizes the Kullback–Leibler divergence subject to the given constraints. This general principle encompasses a wide variety of distributions, and generalizes other methods that have been proposed independently. There remains, however, some confusion about the breadth of entropy methods in the literature. In particular, the asymmetry of the Kullback–Leibler divergence provides two important special cases when the target distribution is uniform: the maximum entropy method and the maximum log-probability method. This paper compares the performance of both methods under a variety of conditions. We also examine a generalized maximum log-probability method as a further demonstration of the generality of the entropy approach.
Entropy in Investigation of Vasovagal Syndrome in Passive Head Up Tilt Test
Authors: Buszko Katarzyna , Piątkowska Agnieszka , Koźluk Edward , Opolski Grzegorz
Published: May 2017

This paper presents an application of Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and Sample Entropy (SampEn) in the analysis of heart rhythm, blood pressure and stroke volume for the diagnosis of vasovagal syndrome. The analyzed biosignals were recorded during positive passive tilt tests—HUTT(+). Signal changes and their entropy were compared in three main phases of the test: supine position, tilt, and pre-syncope, with special focus on the latter, which was analyzed in a sliding window of each signal. In some cases, ApEn and SampEn were equally useful for the assessment of signal complexity (p < 0.05 in corresponding calculations). The complexity of the signals was found to decrease in the pre-syncope phase (SampEn (RRI): 1.20–0.34, SampEn (sBP): 1.29–0.57, SampEn (dBP): 1.19–0.48, SampEn (SV): 1.62–0.91). The pattern of the SampEn (SV) decrease differs from the pattern of the SampEn (sBP), SampEn (dBP) and SampEn (RRI) decrease. For all signals, the lowest entropy values in the pre-syncope phase were observed at the moment when loss of consciousness occurred.
Lyapunov Spectra of Coulombic and Gravitational Periodic Systems
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Miller Bruce
Published: May 2017

An open question in nonlinear dynamics is the relation between the Kolmogorov entropy and the largest Lyapunov exponent of a given orbit. Both have been shown to have diagnostic capability for phase transitions in thermodynamic systems. For systems with long-range interactions, the choice of boundary plays a critical role and appropriate boundary conditions must be invoked. In this work, we compute Lyapunov spectra for Coulombic and gravitational versions of the one-dimensional systems of parallel sheets with periodic boundary conditions. Exact expressions for time evolution of the tangent-space vectors are derived and are utilized toward computing Lypaunov characteristic exponents using an event-driven algorithm. The results indicate that the energy dependence of the largest Lyapunov exponent emulates that of Kolmogorov entropy for each system for a given system size. Our approach forms an effective and approximation-free instrument for studying the dynamical properties exhibited by the Coulombic and gravitational systems and finds applications in investigating indications of thermodynamic transitions in small as well as large versions of the spatially periodic systems. When a phase transition exists, we find that the largest Lyapunov exponent serves as a precursor of the transition that becomes more pronounced as the system size increases.
Axiomatic Characterization of the Quantum Relative Entropy and Free Energy
Authors: Wilming Henrik , Gallego Rodrigo , Eisert Jens
Published: May 2017

Building upon work by Matsumoto, we show that the quantum relative entropy with full-rank second argument is determined by four simple axioms: (i) Continuity in the first argument; (ii) the validity of the data-processing inequality; (iii) additivity under tensor products; and (iv) super-additivity. This observation has immediate implications for quantum thermodynamics, which we discuss. Specifically, we demonstrate that, under reasonable restrictions, the free energy is singled out as a measure of athermality. In particular, we consider an extended class of Gibbs-preserving maps as free operations in a resource-theoretic framework, in which a catalyst is allowed to build up correlations with the system at hand. The free energy is the only extensive and continuous function that is monotonic under such free operations.
Globalization and Digitalization as Challenges for a Professional Career in Manufacturing Industries—Differences in Awareness and Knowledge of Students from Brazil and Germany
Authors: Souza De Oliveira Patrick , Sommer Lutz
Published: May 2017

In this study, we provide the outcomes of a survey with Brazilian and German students about two main topics: (1) students’ willingness and motivation to work abroad; and (2) the students’ awareness about current industrial challenges, their knowledge perception and perspectives about the workplace of the future. We survey 733 college students from technical and natural sciences degrees in the period of October to December 2016 and compare our findings with the existing literature. We analyze the results by stressing the relevance of management’s international experience for the success of company’s internationalization as well as the importance of student’s awareness about current industrial challenges for the development of national industry. The analysis shows that Brazilian students have a significant higher willingness to work abroad and are less money-driven compared to students from Germany. On the other hand, German surveyed students have a higher awareness regarding industrial digitalization than students from Brazil.
Hydrodynamic Investigation of an Oscillating Buoy Wave Energy Converter Integrated into a Pile-Restrained Floating Breakwater
Authors: Zhao Xuanlie , Ning Dezhi , Zhang Chongwei , Kang Haigui
Published: May 2017

An analytical model is developed based on linear potential flow theory and matching eigenfunction expansion technique to investigate the hydrodynamics of a two-dimensional floating structure. This structure is an integration system consisting of a breakwater and an oscillating buoy wave energy converter (WEC). It is constrained to heave motion, and linear power take-off (PTO) damping is used to calculate the absorbed power. The proposed model is verified against the published results. The proposed integrated structure is compared with the fixed structure and free heave-motion structure, respectively. The hydrodynamic properties of the integrated structure with the optimal PTO damping i.e., the transmission coefficient, reflection coefficient, capture width ratio (CWR), and heave response amplitude operator (RAO), are investigated. The effect of the PTO damping on the performance of the integrated system is also evaluated. Results indicate that with the proper adjustment of the PTO damping, the proposed integrated system can produce power efficiently. Meanwhile, the function of coastal protection can be compared with that of the fixed structure.
Determination of Equivalent Thermal Conductivity of Window Spacers in Consideration of Condensation Prevention and Energy Saving Performance
Authors: Shin Mi-Su , Rhee Kyu-Nam , Yu Ji-Yong , Jung Gun-Joo
Published: May 2017

This study investigated the impact of thermally improved spacers (TISs) on the condensation prevention and energy saving performances of residential windows. The temperature factor and total U-value were analyzed with the two-box model, by which the TISs are represented with the equivalent thermal conductivity. The results showed that the TISs could increase the temperature factor by up to 12%, and this significantly improved the condensation prevention performance. In addition, it was proved that the TIS enables the prevention of the condensation at an outdoor temperature that is 4.2 °C to 15.7 °C lower compared with the conventional spacer. Also, it was shown that the TISs reduce the total U-value by an amount from 0.07 W/m2K to 0.12 W/m2K, implying that the heat loss through the window is reduced by a rate from 2.8% to 8.2%. In addition, the results of the whole building energy simulation proved that the TISs can reduce the annual heating-energy consumption by a rate from 3.0% to 6.3%. The results were then used for the development of monographs to determine the equivalent thermal conductivity of a window spacer that can meet the performance criteria in terms of condensation prevention and energy saving.
Mapping Urban Heat Demand with the Use of GIS-Based Tools
Authors: Wyrwa Artur , Chen Yi-kuang
Published: May 2017

This article presents a bottom-up approach for calculation of the useful heat demand for space heating and hot water preparation using geo-referenced datasets for buildings at the city level. This geographic information system (GIS) based approach was applied in the case study for the city of Krakow, where on the one hand the district heat network is well developed, while on the other hand there are still substantial number of buildings burning solid fuels in individual boilers and stoves, causing air pollution. The calculated heat demand was aggregated in the grid with 100 m × 100 m spatial resolution to deliver the heat map depicting the current situation for 21 buildings types. The results show that the residential buildings, in particular one- and multi-family buildings, have the highest share in overall demand for heat. By combining the results with location of the district heat (DH) network, the potential areas in its close vicinity that have sufficient heat demand density for developing the net were pointed out. Future evolution in heat demand for space heating in one-family houses was evaluated with the use of deterministic method employing building stock model. The study lays a foundation for planning the development of the heating system at the city level.
Effects of Support Structures in an LES Actuator Line Model of a Tidal Turbine with Contra-Rotating Rotors
Authors: Creech Angus , Borthwick Alistair , Ingram David
Published: May 2017

Computational fluid dynamics is used to study the impact of the support structure of a tidal turbine on performance and the downstream wake characteristics. A high-fidelity computational model of a dual rotor, contra-rotating tidal turbine in a large channel domain is presented, with turbulence modelled using large eddy simulation. Actuator lines represent the turbine blades, permitting the analysis of transient flow features and turbine diagnostics. The following four cases are considered: the flow in an unexploited, empty channel; flow in a channel containing the rotors; flow in a channel containing the support structure; and flow in a channel with both rotors and support structure. The results indicate that the support structure contributes significantly to the behaviour of the turbine and to turbulence levels downstream, even when the rotors are upstream. This implies that inclusion of the turbine structure, or some parametrisation thereof, is a prerequisite for the realistic prediction of turbine performance and reliability, particularly for array layouts where wake effects become significant.
Simulation Modeling Method and Experimental Investigation on the Uniflow Scavenging System of an Opposed-Piston Folded-Cranktrain Diesel Engine
Authors: Ma Fukang , Zhao Zhenfeng , Zhang Yangang , Wang Jun , Feng Yaonan , Su Tiexiong , Zhang Yi , Liu Yuhang
Published: May 2017

The scavenging process for opposed-piston folded-cranktrain (OPFC) diesel engines can be described by the time evolution of the in-cylinder and exhaust chamber residual gas rates. The relation curve of in-cylinder and exhaust chamber residual gas rate is called scavenging profile, which is calculated through the changes of in-cylinder and exhaust chamber gas compositions determined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The scavenging profile is used to calculate the scavenging process by mono-dimensional (1D) simulation. The tracer gas method (TGM) is employed to validate the accuracy of the scavenging profile. At the same time, the gas exchange performance under different intake and exhaust state parameters was examined based on the TGM. The results show that the scavenging process from 1D simulation and experiment match well, which means the scavenging model obtained by CFD simulation performs well and validation of its effectiveness by TGM is possible. The difference between intake and exhaust pressure has a significant positive effect on the gas exchange performance and trapped gas mass, but the pressure difference has little effect on the scavenging efficiency and the trapped air mass if the delivery ratio exceeds 1.4.
A Feasibility Study on Hydrate-Based Technology for Transporting CO2 from Industrial to Agricultural Areas
Authors: Matsuo Seiji , Umeda Hiroki , Takeya Satoshi , Fujita Toyohisa
Published: May 2017

Climate change caused by global warming has become a serious issue in recent years. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the above system to quantitatively supply CO2 or CO2 hydrate from industrial to agricultural areas. In this analysis, several transportation methods, namely, truck, hydrate tank lorry, and pipeline, were considered. According to this analysis, the total CO2 supply costs including transportation ranged from 15 to 25 yen/kg-CO2 when the transportation distance was 50 km or less. The cost of the hydrate-based method increased with the transport distance in contrast to the liquefied CO2 approach. However, the technology of supplying CO2 hydrate had merit by using a local cooling technique for cooling specific parts of agricultural products.
A New Methodology for Building-Up a Robust Model for Heliostat Field Flux Characterization
Authors: Cruz Nicolás , Álvarez José , Redondo Juana , Fernández-Reche Jesús , Berenguel Manuel , Monterreal Rafael , Ortigosa Pilar
Published: May 2017

The heliostat field of solar central receiver systems (SCRS) is formed by hundreds, even thousands, of working heliostats. Their adequate configuration and control define a currently active research line. For instance, automatic aiming methodologies of existing heliostat fields are being widely studied. In general, control techniques require a model of the system to be controlled in order to obtain an estimation of its states. However, this kind of information may not be available or may be hard to obtain for every plant to be studied. In this work, an innovative methodology for data-based analytical heliostat field characterization is proposed and described. It formalizes the way in which the behavior of a whole field can be derived from the study of its more descriptive parts. By successfully applying this procedure, the instantaneous behavior of a field could be expressed by a reduced set of expressions that can be seen as a field descriptor. It is not intended to replace real experimentation but to enhance researchers’ autonomy to build their own reliable and portable synthetic datasets at preliminary stages of their work. The methodology proposed in this paper is successfully applied to a virtual field. Only 30 heliostats out of 541 were studied to characterize the whole field. For the validation set, the average difference in power between the flux maps directly fitted from the measured information and the estimated ones is only of 0.67% (just 0.10946 kW/m2 of root-mean-square error, on average, between them). According to these results, a consistent field descriptor can be built by applying the proposed methodology, which is hence ready for use.
Modeling and Optimization of a CoolingTower-Assisted Heat Pump System
Authors: Wei Xiaoqing , Li Nianping , Peng Jinqing , Cheng Jianlin , Hu Jinhua , Wang Meng
Published: May 2017

To minimize the total energy consumption of a cooling tower-assisted heat pump (CTAHP) system in cooling mode, a model-based control strategy with hybrid optimization algorithm for the system is presented in this paper. An existing experimental device, which mainly contains a closed wet cooling tower with counter flow construction, a condenser water loop and a water-to-water heat pump unit, is selected as the study object. Theoretical and empirical models of the related components and their interactions are developed. The four variables, viz. desired cooling load, ambient wet-bulb temperature, temperature and flow rate of chilled water at the inlet of evaporator, are set to independent variables. The system power consumption can be minimized by optimizing input powers of cooling tower fan, spray water pump, condenser water pump and compressor. The optimal input power of spray water pump is determined experimentally. Implemented on MATLAB, a hybrid optimization algorithm, which combines the Limited memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) algorithm with the greedy diffusion search (GDS) algorithm, is incorporated to solve the minimization problem of energy consumption and predict the system’s optimal set-points under quasi-steady-state conditions. The integrated simulation tool is validated against experimental data. The results obtained demonstrate the proposed operation strategy is reliable, and can save energy by 20.8% as compared to an uncontrolled system under certain testing conditions.