bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition, Enantiomeric Distribution, and Sensory Evaluation of the Essential Oils Distilled from the Ecuadorian Species Myrcianthes myrsinoides (Kunth) Grifo and Myrcia mollis (Kunth) DC. (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Montalván Mayra , Peñafiel Manuel  Alejandro , Ramírez Jorge , Cumbicus Nixon , Bec Nicole , Larroque Christian , Bicchi Carlo , Gilardoni Gianluca
Published: November 2019

The essential oils of Myrcianthes myrsinoides and Myrcia mollis, belonging to the Myrtaceae family, were obtained by steam distillation. They were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), enantioselective gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). A total of 58 compounds for Myrcianthes myrsinoides essential oil (EO) and 22 compounds for Myrcia mollis EO were identified and quantified by GC-MS with apolar and polar columns (including undetermined components). Major compounds (>5.0%) were limonene (5.3%–5.2%), 1,8-cineole (10.4%–11.6%), (Z)-caryophyllene (16.6%–16.8%), trans-calamenene (15.9%–14.6%), and spathulenol (6.2%–6.5%). The enantiomeric excess of eight chiral constituents was determined, being (+)-limonene and (+)-germacrene D enantiomerically pure. Eight components were identified as determinant in the aromatic profile: α-pinene, β-pinene, (+)-limonene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, β-elemene and spathulenol. For M. mollis, the major compounds (>5.0%) were α-pinene (29.2%–27.7%), β-pinene (31.3%–30.0%), myrcene (5.0%–5.2%), 1,8-cineole (8.5%–8.7%), and linalool (7.7%–8.2%). The enantiomeric excess of five chiral constituents was determined, with (S)-α-pinene and (+)-germacrene D enantiomerically pure. The metabolites β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, and (E)-β-caryophyllene were mainly responsible for the aroma of the EO. Finally, the M. myrsinoides essential oil has an inhibitory activity for cholinesterase enzymes (IC50 of 78.6 μg/mL and 18.4 μg/mL vs. acethylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) respectively). This activity is of interest to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Revealing Adsorption Behaviors of Amphoteric Polyacrylamide on Cellulose Fibers and Impact on Dry Strength of Fiber Networks
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Zhu Yangyang , Wang Xiaoyan , Wang Peipei , Tian Jing , Zhu Wenyuan , Song Junlong , Xiao Huining
Published: November 2019

Amphoteric polyacrylamide (AmPAM) has been widely used in a variety of industrial areas and the adsorption behavior of AmPAM plays a crucial role in its applications. In this study, a series of AmPAMs with various molecular weights (MW) were synthesized; and their impact on dry strength of fiber networks or paper was assessed. The results showed that the optimal MW of AmPAM for strength enhancement ranged between 300 and 500 k. More importantly, the adsorption behaviors of three typical AmPAM samples on silica (model substrate) and cellulose surfaces were revealed using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) in situ and in real time. The adsorption dynamics of AmPAM and the conformation of the adlayers were further derived. The results indicated that a relatively high adsorption amount was achieved under the conditions of a high polymer concentration, a medium pH close to its isoelectric point (IEP), a mild ionic strength, and a high charged surface; whereas the MW of AmPAM had little effect on the equilibrium adsorption mass of AmPAM, but significantly affected the conformation of adsorbed layer on substrates. Based on the adsorption behaviors of AmPAM, the explanation of the best dry strength achieved in a narrow range of MW of AmPAM is proposed. It was concluded that the appropriate balance between bridging and flocculation, penetration into fiber pores, and conformation were only achieved in the optimal MW range of AmPAM. The findings obtained from in this work enable us to better understand the adsorption behaviors of polyampholyte, and provide a guideline on molecular design of AmPAM and its applications from both fundamental and practical points of view.
Coherent States for the Isotropic and Anisotropic 2D Harmonic Oscillators
Authors: Moran James , Hussin Véronique
Published: November 2019

In this paper we introduce a new method for constructing coherent states for 2D harmonic oscillators. In particular, we focus on both the isotropic and commensurate anisotropic instances of the 2D harmonic oscillator. We define a new set of ladder operators for the 2D system as a linear combination of the x and y ladder operators and construct the S U ( 2 ) coherent states, where these are then used as the basis of expansion for Schrödinger-type coherent states of the 2D oscillators. We discuss the uncertainty relations for the new states and study the behaviour of their probability density functions in configuration space.
Water, Livelihoods, and Migration in SIDS: Climate Change and Future Prospects for Carriacou, West Indies
Authors: Cashman Adrian , Yawson David
Published: November 2019

Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable to climate change, which will have a disproportionate impact on local environments and economies. Whilst there is a growing literature on how Caribbean SIDS can adapt to become more resilient, an issue that has received little attention is with regard to migration as an unplanned response. It is recognised that events such as hurricanes and flooding can lead to internal relocation in the short term, but societal responses to droughts through migration have not generally been investigated. This paper seeks to address this by considering the case of the island of Carriacou, part of the state of Grenada. Carriacou, with its small population, limited land area, and local economy historically based on agriculture, has had a high degree of migration. This is in part a response to limited economic opportunities. Environmental stress, manifest through limited water availability, inappropriate land management, and social conditions, is likely to be exacerbated by climate change and variability. Resultant increases in the frequency and intensity of droughts, in the absence of proactive interventions, are likely to result in non-linear migration, both to Grenada itself and beyond.
SAR Target Recognition via Joint Sparse and Dense Representation of Monogenic Signal
Authors: Yu Meiting , Quan Sinong , Kuang Gangyao , Ni Shaojie
Published: November 2019

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) target recognition under extended operating conditions (EOCs) is a challenging problem due to the complex application environment, especially for insufficient target variations and corrupted SAR images in the training samples. This paper proposes a new strategy to solve these problems for target recognition. The SAR images are firstly characterized by multi-scale components of monogenic signal. The generated monogenic features are decomposed to learn a class dictionary and a shared dictionary, which represent the possible intraclass variations information and the common information, respectively. Moreover, a sparse representation of the class dictionary and a dense representation of the shared dictionary are jointly employed to represent a query sample for classification. The validity of the proposed strategy is demonstrated with multiple comparative experiments on moving and stationary target acquisition and recognition (MSTAR) database.
Fano Resonance in a MIM Waveguide with Two Triangle Stubs Coupled with a Split-Ring Nanocavity for Sensing Application
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Hua Ertian , Wang Mengmeng , Wang Yifei , Wen Feng , Yan Shubin
Published: November 2019

Herein, a compact refractive index nanosensor comprising a metal- insulator- metal (MIM) waveguide with symmetric two triangle stubs coupled with a circular split-ring resonance cavity (CSRRC) is theoretically presented. An analysis of the propagation characteristics of the designed structure is discussed employing the finite element method (FEM). The calculation results revealed that a Fano resonance outline emerged, which results from an interaction between the continuous broadband state of the waveguide with two symmetric triangle stubs and the discrete narrowband state of the CSRRC. The influence of geometric parameters on sensing properties was studied in detail. The maximum sensitivity reached 1500 nm/RIU with a high figure of merit of 65.2. The presented structure has great applications for on-chip plasmonic nanosensors.
Development of Ratiometric Fluorescence Sensors Based on CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots for the Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Duong Hong Dinh , Rhee Jong Il
Published: November 2019

In this study, carboxyl group functionalized-CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) and aminofluorescein (AF)-encapsulated polymer particles were synthesized and immobilized to a sol–gel mixture of glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) for the fabrication of a hydrogen peroxide-sensing membrane. CdSe/ZnS QDs were used for the redox reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via a reductive pathway by transferring electrons to the acceptor that led to fluorescence quenching of QDs, while AF was used as a reference dye. Herein, the ratiometric fluorescence intensity of CdSe/ZnS QDs and AF was proportional to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The fluorescence membrane (i.e., QD–AF membrane) could detect hydrogen peroxide in linear detection ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 mM with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.016 mM and from 1.0 to 10 mM with an LOD of 0.058 mM. The sensitivity of the QD–AF membrane was increased by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase (HRP) over the surface of the QD–AF membrane (i.e., HRP–QD–AF membrane). The HRP–QD–AF membrane had an LOD of 0.011 mM for 0.1–1 mM H2O2 and an LOD of 0.068 mM for 1–10 mM H2O2. It showed higher sensitivity than the QD–AF membrane only, although both membranes had good selectivity. The HRP–QD–AF membrane could be applied to determine the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in wastewater, while the QD–AF membrane could be employed for the detection of α-ketobutyrate.
E-Cabin: A Software Architecture for Passenger Comfort and Cruise Ship Management
Authors: Barsocchi Paolo , Ferro Erina , La Rosa Davide , Mahroo Atieh , Spoladore Daniele
Published: November 2019

A cruise ship is a concentrate of technologies aimed at providing passengers with the best leisure experience. As tourism in the cruise sector increases, ship owners turned their attention towards novel Internet of things solutions able, from one hand, to provide passengers with personalized and comfortable new services and, from the other hand, to enable energy saving behaviors and a smart management of the vessel equipment. This paper introduces the E-Cabin system, a software architecture that leverages sensor networks and reasoning techniques and allows a customized cabin indoor comfort. The E-Cabin architecture is scalable and easily extendible; sensor networks can be added or removed, rules can be added to/changed in the reasoner software, and new services can be supported based on the analysis of the collected data, without altering the system architecture. The system also allows the ship manager to monitor each cabin status though a simple and intuitive dashboard, thus providing useful insights enabling a smart scheduling of maintenance activities, energy saving, and security issues detection. This work delves into the E-Cabin’s system architecture and provides some usability tests to measure the dashboard’s efficacy.
Estimating Driving Fatigue at a Plateau Area with Frequent and Rapid Altitude Change
Authors: Wang Fan , Chen Hong , Zhu Cai-hua , Nan Si-rui , Li Yan
Published: November 2019

Due to the influence of altitude change on a driver’s heart rate, it is difficult to estimate driving fatigue using heart rate variability (HRV) at a road segment with frequent and rapid altitude change. Accordingly, a novel method of driving fatigue estimation for driving at plateau area with frequent altitude changes is proposed to provide active safety monitoring in real time. A naturalistic driving experiment at Qinghai-Tibet highway was conducted to collect drivers’ electrocardiogram data and eye movement data. The results of the eye movement-based method were selected to enhance the HRV-based driving fatigue degree estimation method. A correction factor was proposed to correct the HRV-based method at the plateau area so that the estimation can be made via common portable devices. The correction factors for both upslope and downslope segments were estimated using the field experiment data. The results on the estimation of revised driving fatigue degree can describe the driver’s fatigue status accurately for all the road segments at the plateau area with altitudes from 3540 to 4767 m. The results can provide theoretical references for the design of the devices of active safety prevention.
MIGOU: A Low-Power Experimental Platform with Programmable Logic Resources and Software-Defined Radio Capabilities
Authors: Utrilla Ramiro , Rodriguez-Zurrunero Roberto , Martin Jose , Rozas Alba , Araujo Alvaro
Published: November 2019

The increase in the number of mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, along with the demands of new applications and services, represents an important challenge in terms of spectral coexistence. As a result, these devices are now expected to make an efficient and dynamic use of the spectrum, and to provide processed information instead of simple raw sensor measurements. These communication and processing requirements have direct implications on the architecture of the systems. In this work, we present MIGOU, a wireless experimental platform that has been designed to address these challenges from the perspective of resource-constrained devices, such as wireless sensor nodes or IoT end-devices. At the radio level, the platform can operate both as a software-defined radio and as a traditional highly integrated radio transceiver, which demands less node resources. For the processing tasks, it relies on a system-on-a-chip that integrates an ARM Cortex-M3 processor, and a flash-based FPGA fabric, where high-speed processing tasks can be offloaded. The power consumption of the platform has been measured in the different modes of operation. In addition, these hardware features and power measurements have been compared with those of other representative platforms. The results obtained confirm that a state-of-the-art tradeoff between hardware flexibility and energy efficiency has been achieved. These characteristics will allow for the development of appropriate solutions to current end-devices’ challenges and to test them in real scenarios.
Fabrication and Characterization of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics Containing Magnetostrictive Fe-Co Fibers with Damage Self-Detection Capability
Authors: Katabira Kenichi , Kurita Hiroki , Yoshida Yu , Narita Fumio
Published: November 2019

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is an excellent choice in the areas where weight reduction is important and multi-functionalization of CFRP, especially by adding sensor capabilities, is a promising approach to realize lightweight battery-free devices in structural health monitoring (SHM). In this study, we fabricated hybrid CFRP with Fe-Co fibers and evaluated the inverse magnetostrictive response characteristics. It was shown that the measured magnetic flux density of the CFRP fluctuates in response to cyclic bending load. It was also revealed that our Fe-Co fiber inserted CFRP has damage self-sensing ability. In addition, it seems that the optimization of design and more experimental and numerical investigation improves the capability of the hybrid CFRP with Fe-Co fiber as sensor composite materials.
An Analytical Model for Interference Alignment in Broadcast Assisted VANETs
Authors: Zhao Chong , Han Jianghong , Ding Xu , Shi Lei , Yang Fan
Published: November 2019

Application of safety-related information interaction among vehicles has always been a research frontier in Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks (VANETs). These messages require high real-time performance. There is a lot of research dependant on creating optimization model for communication task scheduling or routing protocols to reduce communication delay. In this paper, we analyze characteristics of safety-related information and introduce Interference Alignment (IA) technology in VANETs. To further improve routing efficiency, a data-driven assisted transmission routing and broadcast model framework for Vehicle to Vehicle(V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) communication are constructed which are the basis for IA. Depending on the proposed model, we propose an optimization problem of minimizing total number of time slots required for safety information sharing in VANETs. Then a clustering algorithm is designed to narrow feasible solution space. Simulation results show that the approach can effectively reduce the number of time slots required and improve link use by 20% percent compared with no IA applied.
Contact Resonance Atomic Force Microscopy Using Long, Massive Tips
Authors: Jaquez-Moreno Tony , Aureli Matteo , Tung Ryan C.
Published: November 2019

In this work, we present a new theoretical model for use in contact resonance atomic force microscopy. This model incorporates the effects of a long, massive sensing tip and is especially useful to interpret operation in the so-called trolling mode. The model is based on traditional Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, whereby the effect of the tip as well as of the sample in contact, modeled as an elastic substrate, are captured by appropriate boundary conditions. A novel interpretation of the flexural and torsional modes of vibration of the cantilever, when not in contact with the sample, is used to estimate the inertia properties of the long, massive tip. Using this information, sample elastic properties are then estimated from the in-contact resonance frequencies of the system. The predictive capability of the proposed model is verified via finite element analysis. Different combinations of cantilever geometry, tip geometry, and sample stiffness are investigated. The model’s accurate predictive ranges are discussed and shown to outperform those of other popular models currently used in contact resonance atomic force microscopy.
Detection of the Species of Origin for Pork, Chicken and Beef in Meat Food Products by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Chiş Lavinia-Maria , Vodnar Dan Cristian
Published: November 2019

Processed food products of animal origin raise questions related to industrial safety and human health protection. This paper aimed to optimize and validate a real-time, sensitive, and accurate PCR method for the detection and quantification of meat species in selected processed meat products: chicken sausages, beef bologna, and pork bologna. A common detection limit of 8 DNA copies was established for each sample, corresponding to 0.1% for beef and pork and 0.2% for chicken. For the limit of quantification, dilutions of 20 copies of DNA for the bovine and pig species and 50 copies of DNA for the chicken species were performed. Specificity and selectivity tests in six replicates each showed no extraneous meat species, in line with the label. Repeatability was assessed in six replicates, both quantitatively and qualitatively, by the same analyst, on the same day, and with the same equipment. The results showed that beef bologna contained 84.49% beef meat, pork bologna 92.8% pork meat, and chicken sausages 95.14% chicken meat. The reproducibility results obtained by two analysts, on different days, for each sample were very similar. The real-time PCR technique can be used as a tool in internal and public safety control to improve industrial safety and human health protection.
4-Hydroxyderricin Isolated from the Sap of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi: Evaluation of Its Inhibitory Activity towards Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV
Authors: Aulifa Diah Lia , Adnyana I Ketut , Levita Jutti , Sukrasno Sukrasno
Published: November 2019

Angelica keiskei sap is used as a blood-sugar reducer in Indonesia, however its molecular mechanism has not yet been explored. 4-hydroxyderricin (4-HD) is one of the major components extracted from A. keiskei sap. The aim of this work was to isolate 4-HD from the sap of A. keiskei planted in Lombok, Indonesia, and to study in silico and in vitro mechanisms against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). The dried sap was submitted to liquid–liquid extraction using solvents with different polarity. Further purification processing was conducted using gradient elution column chromatography. The isolated compound was a yellowish powder, m/z 339.2215 [M + H]+, which was confirmed as 4-HD. Sitagliptin, a DPP-IV inhibitor, was employed as the positive control for both the in silico and in vitro studies. It was indicated that 4-HD interacts with Glu206 and Phe357, important amino acid residues in the DPP-IV binding pocket. These interactions are similar to that of sitagliptin. The affinity of 4-HD (inhibition constant (Ki) = 3.99 μM) to DPP-IV is lower than that of sitagliptin (inhibition constant (Ki) = 0.17 μM). Furthermore, in vitro study showed that 4-HD inhibits DPP-IV (IC50 = 81.44 μM) weaker than for sitagliptin (IC50 = 0.87 μM). We concluded that 4- HD might have potential in inhibiting DPP-IV. However, by considering the polar interaction of sitagliptin with DPP-IV, a further structure modification of 4-HD, e.g., by introducing a polar moiety such as a hydroxyl group, might be needed to obtain stronger activity as a DPP-IV inhibitor.
Is There a Gender Gap in the Sense of Duty to Vote?
Authors: Galais Carol , Blais André
Published: November 2019

The topic of gender differences in the propensity to vote has been a central theme in political behavior studies for more than seventy years. When trying to explain why the turnout gender gap has shrunk over the last few decades, some scholars have claimed that this might be due to the fact that women are more dutiful than men; however, no study to date has systematically addressed gender differences regarding the sense of civic duty to vote. The present research focused on such differences and empirically tested the role of political interest and moral predispositions on this gender gap. We explored duty levels in nine different Western countries and, most of the time, we found small but significant gender differences in favor of men. Our estimations suggest that this relationship can be explained mainly by the simple fact that women are less interested in politics than men.
Flipped Classroom to Improve University Student Centered Learning and Academic Performance
Authors: Mingorance Estrada Ángel Custodio , Granda Vera Juan , Rojas Ruiz Gloria , Alemany Arrebola Inmaculada
Published: November 2019

In recent years, educational research has focused on analyzing significant differences in the academic performance of university students according to the intervention model of the traditional methodology vs. the flipped classroom. This empirical-analytical research is based on a quasi-experimental design with non-equivalent groups. The results reveal significant differences on the average grades of university students; those participating in the flipped classroom obtained higher scores than students following a traditional methodology, regardless of the specialization. Moreover, this research concludes that the flipped classroom approach offers an opportunity to transform the traditional system by improving the classroom environment, the teaching-learning process and the student’s assessment.
Towards Circular Economy Solutions for The Management of Rice Processing Residues to Bioenergy via Gasification
Authors: Vaskalis I. , Skoulou V. , Stavropoulos G. , Zabaniotou A.
Published: November 2019

A techno-economic assessment of two circular economy scenarios related to fluidized bed gasification-based systems for combined heat and power (CHP) generation, fueled with rice processing wastes, was conducted. In the first scenario, a gasification unit with 42,700 t/y rice husks capacity provided a waste management industrial symbiosis solution for five small rice-processing companies (SMEs), located at the same area. In the second scenario, a unit of 18,300 t/y rice husks capacity provided a waste management solution to only one rice processing company at the place of waste generation, as a custom-made solution. The first scenario of a cooperative industrial symbiosis approach is the most economically viable, with an annual revenue of 168 €/(t×y) of treated rice husks, a very good payout time (POT = 1.05), and return in investment (ROI = 0.72). The techno-economic assessment was based on experiments performed at a laboratory-scale gasification rig, and on technological configurations of the SMARt-CHP system, a decentralized bioenergy generation system developed at Aristotle University, Greece. The experimental proof of concept of rice husks gasification was studied at a temperature range of 700 to 900 °C, under an under-stoichiometric ratio of O2/N2 (10/90 v/v) as the gasification agent. Producer gas’s Lower Heating Value (LHV) maximized at 800 °C (10.9 MJ/Nm3), while the char’s Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET) surface reached a max of 146 m2/g at 900 °C. Recommendations were provided for a pretreatment of rice husks in order to minimize de-fluidization problems of the gasification system due to Si-rich ash. With the application of this model, simultaneous utilization and processing of waste flows from various rice value chain can be achieved towards improving environmental performance of the companies and producing energy and fertilizer by using waste as a fuel and resource with value.
How Job Autonomy Promotes Employee’s Sustainable Development? A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Zhou Qiwei , Li Qian , Gong Shiyang
Published: November 2019

In the rapidly changing business world, improving employee’s self-development level is of great importance for organizations to pursue sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine how and when job autonomy promotes employee’s self-development. Drawing from self-determination theory, we examined the effect of job autonomy on employee’s self-development, and the mediation role of intrinsic motivation in this relationship. Moreover, we argued that team connectivity strengthened the relationship between job autonomy and intrinsic motivation, and further moderated the indirect effect of job autonomy and self-employment via intrinsic motivation. Using a two-wave panel design, we collected data from a sample of 473 employees in China. The results indicated that job autonomy predicted employee’s self-development, and employee’s intrinsic motivation fully mediated this relationship. Team connectivity positively moderated the relationship between job autonomy and intrinsic motivation, and further moderated the mediation effect of intrinsic motivation. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are discussed along with the limitations and further research directions.
The Economic and Ecological Impacts of Dismantling End-of-Life Vehicles in Romania
Authors: Rovinaru Flavius Ioan , Rovinaru Mihaela Daciana , Rus Adina Viorica
Published: November 2019

In a global market characterized by the trend of saving non-renewable resources, recycling has become one of the key factors that alleviates the rarity of resources and preserves existing ones. One of the largest industries that consumes natural resources is the automotive industry. This includes not only resource consumption but also the environmental effects of each new unit produced in this industry. As a result, recycling end-of-life vehicles has become an increasingly obvious and widespread concern. This paper proposes a preliminary analysis of the dismantling/recycling activities in Romania compared to other economies (e.g., USA). It aims to determine the impact that dismantling end-of-life vehicles has, according to the legislation in the field, on the economy and the environment. In order to obtain a complete picture, it is obvious that further research is needed.
Sustainable Development Model for the Automotive Industry
Authors: Cioca Lucian-Ionel , Ivascu Larisa , Turi Attila , Artene Alin , Găman George Artur
Published: November 2019

The relationship between sustainability and business has become one of the central debates at the national and international level in both industrialized and emerging countries. A series of existing business models lack some critical aspects. The automotive industry strongly affects economic development, requiring rethinking business models in order to reduce their impact on the environment. An evaluation of the websites of the major automotive industry companies shows they have reported sustainability (through different methods) and present various practices in implementing organizational sustainability (OS). This paper aims to present a new business model for the automotive industry that takes into account the three dimensions of sustainability and emphasizes the importance of involving stakeholders in the OS approach. This model is developed based upon the literature review of three focus groups with a participation of 33 automotive industry members, of which three are highly-skilled experts of the industry. The proposed sustainable development model is scientifically relevant as it considers that all dimensions of sustainability exist and aims to increase organizational capacity for sustainable organizational development. It is also relevant from a practical point of view because it has been developed and validated by industry experts with automotive industry companies, taking into account the industrial, technical, and technological requirements for organizational sustainability assessment. The findings of this research will guide shareholders and managers in planning and developing organizational strategies.
Modified Power-Symmetric Distribution
Authors: Gómez-Déniz Emilio , Iriarte Yuri A. , Calderín-Ojeda Enrique , Gómez Héctor W.
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a general class of modified power-symmetric distributions is introduced. By choosing as symmetric model the normal distribution, the modified power-normal distribution is obtained. For the latter model, some of its more relevant statistical properties are examined. Parameters estimation is carried out by using the method of moments and maximum likelihood estimation. A simulation analysis is accomplished to study the performance of the maximum likelihood estimators. Finally, we compare the efficiency of the modified power-normal distribution with other existing distributions in the literature by using a real dataset.
An E-Sequence Approach to the 3x + 1 Problem
Authors: Wang Sanmin
Published: November 2019

For any odd positive integer x, define ( x n ) n ⩾ 0 and ( a n ) n ⩾ 1 by setting x 0 = x ,   x n = 3 x n − 1 + 1 2 a n such that all x n are odd. The 3 x + 1 problem asserts that there is an x n = 1 for all x. Usually, ( x n ) n ⩾ 0 is called the trajectory of x. In this paper, we concentrate on ( a n ) n ⩾ 1 and call it the E-sequence of x. The idea is that we generalize E-sequences to all infinite sequences ( a n ) n ⩾ 1 of positive integers and consider all these generalized E-sequences. We then define ( a n ) n ⩾ 1 to be Ω -convergent to x if it is the E-sequence of x and to be Ω -divergent if it is not the E-sequence of any odd positive integer. We prove a remarkable fact that the Ω -divergence of all non-periodic E-sequences implies the periodicity of ( x n ) n ⩾ 0 for all x 0 . The principal results of this paper are to prove the Ω -divergence of several classes of non-periodic E-sequences. Especially, we prove that all non-periodic E-sequences ( a n ) n ⩾ 1 with lim ¯ n → ∞ b n n > log 2 3 are Ω -divergent by using Wendel’s inequality and the Matthews and Watts’ formula x n = 3 n x 0 2 b n ∏ k = 0 n − 1 ( 1 + 1 3 x k ) , where b n = ∑ k = 1 n a k . These results present a possible way to prove the periodicity of trajectories of all positive integers in the 3 x + 1 problem, and we call it the E-sequence approach.
Study of Indoor Ventilation Based on Large-Scale DNS by a Domain Decomposition Method
Authors: Jiang Junyang , Jiang Zichao , Kwan Trevor Hocksun , Liu Chun-Ho , Yao Qinghe
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a large-scale Domain Decomposition Method (DDM) based Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) for predicting the behavior of indoor airflow, where the aim is to design a comfortable and efficient indoor air environment of modern buildings. An analogy of the single-phase convection problems is applied, and the pressure stabilized domain decomposition method is used to symmetrize the linear systems of Navier-Stokes equations and the convection-diffusion equation. Furthermore, a balancing preconditioned conjugate gradient method is utilized to deal with the interface problem caused by domain decomposition. The entire simulation model is validated by comparing the numerical results with that of recognized experimental and numerical data from previous literature. The transient behavior of indoor airflow and its complexity in the ventilated room are discussed; the velocity and vortex distribution of airflow are investigated, and its possible influence on particle accumulation is classified.
On Some Sufficient Conditions for a Function to Be p-Valent Starlike
Authors: Nunokawa Mamoru , Sokół Janusz , Trybucka Edyta
Published: November 2019

A function f analytic in a domain D ∈ C is called p-valent in D, if for every complex number w, the equation f ( z ) = w has at most p roots in D, so that there exists a complex number w 0 such that the equation f ( z ) = w 0 has exactly p roots in D. The aim of this paper is to establish some sufficient conditions for a function analytic in the unit disc D to be p-valent starlike in D or to be at most p-valent in D . Our results are proved mainly by applying Nunokawa’s lemmas.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Reveals Exposed Residues in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor that Interacts with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-G Envelope
Authors: Al-Allaf Faisal A. , Abduljaleel Zainularifeen , Taher Mohiuddin M. , Abdellatif Ahmed A. H. , Athar Mohammad , Bogari Neda M. , Al-Ahdal Mohammed N. , Al-Mohanna Futwan , Al-Hassnan Zuhair N. , Alzabeedi Kamal H. Y. , Banssir Talib M. , Bouazzaoui Abdellatif
Published: November 2019

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease most often caused by mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene, which consists of 18 exons spanning 45 kb and codes for a precursor protein of 860 amino acids. Mutations in the LDLR gene lead to a reduced hepatic clearance of LDL as well as a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Recently, LDLR transgenes have generated interest as potential therapeutic agents. However, LDLR packaging using a lentiviral vector (LVV) system pseudotyped with a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-G envelope is not efficient. In this study, we modified the LVV system to improve transduction efficiency and investigated the LDLR regions responsible for transduction inhibition. Transduction efficiency of 293T cells with a 5′-LDLReGFP-3′ fusion construct was only 1.55% compared to 42.32% for the eGFP construct. Moreover, co-expression of LDLR affected eGFP packaging. To determine the specific region of the LDLR protein responsible for packaging inhibition, we designed constructs with mutations or sequential deletions at the 3′ and 5′ ends of LDLR cDNA. All constructs except one without the ligand-binding domain (LBD) (pWoLBD–eGFP) resulted in low transduction efficiency, despite successful packaging of viral RNA in the VSV envelope, as confirmed through RT-PCR. When we evaluated a direct interaction between LDLR and the VSV envelope glycoprotein using MD simulation and protein–protein interactions, we uncovered Val119, Thr120, Thr67, and Thr118 as exposed residues in the LDLR receptor that interact with the VSV protein. Together, our results suggest that the LBD of LDLR interacts with the VSV-G protein during viral packaging, which significantly reduces transduction efficiency.
Water-Exchange Response of Downstream River–Lake System to the Flow Regulation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Zhang Junhong , Huang Tao , Chen Lu , Liu Xiaofang , Zhu Lingling , Feng Luojie , Yang Yunping
Published: November 2019

Hydrological regime changes in the river–lake system and their influences on the ecological environment downstream dams have attracted increasingly more attention all over the world. The Dongting lake downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in the Yangtze River has been experiencing a series of hydraulic and hydrological changes over the last decade. The hydrological and ecological influences of the TGD flow regulation on the Dongting river–lake system and its functional mechanism during the impounding periods remain extremely unclear. This study examines the hydrological changes in the Dongting river–lake system based on a 1D/2D coupled hydrodynamic model. In particular, the inflow boundary of the model with and without the TGD was applied with the outflow and inflow of the TGD, respectively, during the same regulation periods. The results show that the diverted flow from the Yangtze River into the Dongting lake and outflow from the lake back to the river drastically decreased during the impounding periods, especially in October. The decreased water exchange between the Yangtze River and the Dongting lake impaired the water residence capacity to some extent in the lake. Stage decrease in the lake area resulted in a significant reduction in the water volume of the Dongting lake with the same time percentage. In addition, the obvious drainage effect in Dongting lake due to the increased stage difference and current speed after the TGD operation was the essential cause of hydrological changes in the lake area. These results provide an improvement in the understanding of impoundment influences on the large river–lake system and give some practical information for ecological environment management in similar river–lake systems.
Invasive Alien Vines Affect Leaf Traits of Riparian Woody Vegetation
Authors: Grašič Mateja , Piberčnik Mateja , Zelnik Igor , Abram Dragan , Gaberščik Alenka
Published: November 2019

The vines Echinocystis lobata and Parthenocissus quinquefolia are spreading over the natural vegetation in riparian zones, which may significantly affect riparian vegetation properties and the quality of litter for aquatic organisms. We examined leaf morphological, biochemical and optical traits of these invasive alien species, each paired with its host, the willows Salix caprea and S. fragilis, respectively. The vines altered the host radiation environment and the amount of photosynthetic pigments. Both vines had significantly higher specific leaf area and lower leaf tissue density compared to the willows, even though the leaves of P. quinquefolia were significantly thicker. Leaf optical properties varied significantly between vines and willows in some spectral regions. Compared to the willows, the vines reflected less light as UV, and more as green, and transmitted more light as green, yellow and red. The overgrowth of the willows with vines affected the reflectance of the willow leaves. Redundancy analysis of the relationships between leaf biochemical traits and reflectance spectra showed that chlorophyll a, anthocyanins, and UVB- and UVA-absorbing substances explained 45% of the reflectance spectra variability, while analysis with morphological traits revealed that specific leaf area, leaf thickness and upper cuticle thickness explained 43%. For leaf transmittance, UVB- and UVA-absorbing substances, carotenoids and anthocyanins explained 53% of the transmittance spectra variability, while analysis with morphological traits revealed that specific leaf area explained 51%. These data show that invasive alien vines can be discerned from each other and their hosts by their spectral signatures. In addition, the differences in the leaf functional traits between the vines and their hosts indicate significant differences in the quality of the plant litter entering the river.
Analysis of Wet Soil Granular Flow down Inclined Chutes Using Discrete Element Method
Authors: Zhao Chuan , Jiang Linlin , Lu Xin , Xiao Xiang
Published: November 2019

This paper presents numerical simulation and analysis of two numerical experiments of wet soil granular flow down inclined chutes based on the JKR(Johnson-Kendall-Roberts)-cohesion model of the discrete element method. JKR is a cohesive contact model, which can reflect the influence of van der Waals forces in the contact range to simulate cohesive granular matter. A surface energy coefficient kw was proposed to reflect the liquid surface tension between particles, and maximum surface energy (γmax) of wet soil composed of uniform particles was obtained at 0.2 J/m2. Computational results show that surface energy (γ) and granular size play significant roles in the simulation of wet soil granular flow. The larger surface energy is, and the stronger of adhesion between soil grains. Besides, surface energy also has a great effect on the average velocity and kinetic energy of the moist soil avalanches. With baffles on both sides of the inclined chute, the dry soil granular flow has the longest runout distance on the horizontal plane; with the increase of surface energy, the runout distance decreased gradually. However, without baffles on both sides of the geometric model, the runout distance of wet soil granular flow is farther, though expansion to the sides is more obvious. Wet soil with larger grains requires larger surface energy to maintain the soil structure intact during the sliding process. Furthermore, with the increase of granular size, the soil structure is not compact enough, and the cohesion between water and soil grains is extremely poor, which lead to the impact scope expanded of wet soil landslide disasters.
Comparison of the Economic and Environmental Performance of V2H and Residential Stationary Battery: Development of a Multi-Objective Optimization Method for Homes of EV Owners
Authors: Kataoka Ryosuke , Shichi Akira , Yamada Hiroyuki , Iwafune Yumiko , Ogimoto Kazuhiko
Published: November 2019

The use of batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) for home electricity applications using a bidirectional charger, a process called vehicle-to-home (V2H), is attracting the attention of EV owners as a valuable additional benefit of EVs. To motivate owners to invest in V2H, a quantitative evaluation to compare the performance of EV batteries with that of residential stationary batteries (SBs) is required. In this study, we developed a multi-objective optimization method for the household of EV owners using energy costs including investment and CO2 emissions as indices and compared the performances of V2H and SB. As a case study, a typical detached house in Japan was assumed, and we evaluated the economic and environmental aspects of solar power self-consumption using V2H or SB. The results showed that non-commuting EV owners should invest in V2H if the investment cost of a bidirectional charger is one third of the current cost as compared with inexpensive SB, in 2030. In contrast, our results showed that there were no advantages for commuting EV owners. The results of this study contribute to the rational setting of investment costs to increase the use of V2H by EV owners.
À propos de hallice (Ét . celt. XX/1, 1983, p. 140-141)
Authors: Le Duc Gwenaël
Published: November 2019

In a Latin marginal of the ms. Angers 477, the word hallice seems to come from an Anglo-Saxon adverb, either hál-lic «wholly» or (better) healice, heahlice «highly».
Le mura coloniali di Ariminum e il deposito monetale di fondazione con semuncia a «testa di Gallo»
Authors: Ortalli Jacopo
Published: November 2019

The colonial walls of Ariminum and the deposit of coins with a “Gaulish head semuncia”

Excavations made in Rimini, near the Arch of August, have brought to light remnants of the surrounding wall of the city, built on 268 BC, when the Latin colony was founded. At the bottom of the wall, on the outside, was discovered a votive deposit dating from the time of building. It included a sacrified dog, and three coins : two bronzes minted in the Ariminum colony and a “Gaulish head semuncia”. Offered in 268 BC or in the immediate aftertime, this deposit shows that the Rimini “Gaulish head” aes graue cannot be attributed to the Senones, but has been minted by the Roman shortly before the foundation of the colony, between 283 and 268 BC.
Notes lexicographiques
Authors: Lambert Pierre-Yves
Published: November 2019

Lexicographical notes

Gaulish Ανδοουνναβο (dat. pl. of a fem, theonym) might be compound with the prev. ande “below” ; OIr. sleic “lye” and Breton stloak “ashes used to make lye”.
Images of enchainment in the Hisperica Famina and vernacular Irish texts
Authors: Sayers William
Published: November 2019

Images of Enchainment in the Hisperica Famina and Vernacular Irish Texts.

The expression “ausonica catena”, in the Hisperica Famina, does not refer to the unability to speak Latin or Irish, but rather to the voluntary submission to the discipline of Latin rhetoric, as the “faminatores” conceived it. In the ancient Irish literature, the chain image symbolizes a link with the Otherworld, from which warriors, musicians, historiographers, rhetors and judges draw power, art and truth.
Gloses en vieux-breton (§ 6-9)
Authors: Lambert Pierre-Yves
Published: November 2019

Old Breton Glosses (6-9)

6. The alternation between a and o in the OBret. glosses might reflect a phonetic feature (neutralization of the distinction in a nasalizing context), but in some cases it might simply be a graphical blunder. — 7. esatcod St. Omer 666 contains the copula es. — 8. Notes on the glosses on the Irish Canons, Orléans 221, particularly the nouns eleuc, uitula, amsobe “chronicler”, olo/olguo “track, trace”, milintric “whore”, etc., and the verbs im “sum”, doguolouit “redegit”, testoner “habendus est”, di-imdam “if he suffers”, mar-dotas “if it has revealed”, etc. — 9. erublobion gl. proletarios and eusouion gl. gestatorum.
Quality of Products: Problems and Solutions
Authors: Kupriyanova Lyudmila M.
Published: November 2019

The article is devoted to the problems of products quality improvement. It is focused on the integrated management of product quality and production efficiency. Foreign experience in standardization (England, Germany, the United States, France, Japan), quality requirements and issues of national significance related to energy-saving, environmental protection, ensuring safety of life, the safety of conditions in the workplace were studied. The characteristics of public and private functions in the system of quality management and recommendations for evaluation of the quality were given. The basic principle of achieving dynamic stability of business was highlighted, oriented on active response and measurement of internal and external risk factors. The conclusion is made that there is a need to identify and use reserves to ensure the competitiveness of manufactured products, the opportunity to improve the quality using breakthrough innovations, and intellectualization that provides the creation of new products that affect the survival of producers and business development.
GESTIÓN DE BIENES SUSTITUTOS DEL TRANSPORTE PARA TRABAJADORES QUE ESTÁN EN EMPRESAS PRIVADAS
Authors: Duana Avila Danae , Valencia Sandoval Karina
Published: November 2019

Dado que la investigación se centra en el comportamiento
económico de los consumidores partimos de la necesidad
por entender qué es la demanda. Siguiendo la exposición de
Varian en relación a la teoría económica de la demanda,
este señala que la demanda son todos los bienes y servicios
que el consumidor está dispuesto a retirar del mercado,
asumiendo que sus elecciones óptimas dependen del
ingreso y de los precios de los bienes.
En el caso de los consumidores hay dos elementos que
afectan su elección óptima: los precios y el ingreso, por lo
tanto en la teoría del consumidor (demanda), la estática
comparativa consiste en investigar cómo varía la demanda
cuando varían los precios y los ingresos, si mantenemos fijos
los precios de ambos bienes y observamos cómo varia la
demanda cuando varía el ingreso, obtendremos una curva
llamada curva de Engel, que nos muestra la variación de la
demanda.