bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suriyeli Mülteci Kadınlar ve İnsani Güvenlik
Authors: Özdemir Özlem , Özdemir Emrah
Published: November 2018

Suriye’de iç çatışmanın başladığı 2011 Mart ayından itibaren milyonlarca Suriyeli, güvenlik, korunma ve sığınma hakkı için hem Avrupa’ya, hem de sınır ülkelere göç etmektedir. Kadın, erkek ve çocuk göçmenler zorunlu göçün yarattığı güvensiz ortamdan, risklerden ve tehlikelerden farklı şekilde etkilenmektedir. Bu nedenle çalışmada, Suriye iç savaşından kaçan mültecilerin yarısını oluşturan ve genellikle göz ardı edilen Suriyeli mülteci kadınların tehdit algısı, insani güvenlik bağlamında ele alınmıştır. Bu kapsamda, Birleşmiş Milletler raporları, sivil toplum örgütlerinin araştırmaları ve uluslararası medyaya yansımalar analiz edilmiştir.
Fleshy Stories. New Materialism and Female Suicides in Late Nineteenth-Century Finland
Authors: Salmela Anu
Published: November 2018

In nineteenth-century western medicine suicide was a gendered phenomenon. Female suicides were linked to emotion, whereas the male ones were seen as social acts, reflecting the state of the national economy and social wellbeing. Concentrating on late nineteenth-century Finnish female suicides, this article offers a new perspective on the medical history of suicides: firstly, it utilizes an underused source type, the post-mortems of suicides, and, secondly, it develops a methodology inspired by Karen Barad’s agential realism. While recognizing the gendered and cultural dimensions of suicide, I argue that female suicides included factors even beyond the human. Hence, the article suggests that suicide was neither a human nor a discursive phenomenon but an entanglement of multiple agencies, including human and nonhuman, matter and discourse.
USO DE CAROÇOS DE AÇAIZEIRO, PALMITEIRO E FIBRAS DE PERICARPO DE COCO VERDE COMO SUBSTRATOS PARA A ORQUÍDEA OLHO DE BONECA
Authors: Venturieri Giorgini Augusti , Teixeira Thiago Nunes , Batista Barwinski Marina Juliana
Published: November 2018

RESUMO: A orquídea olho de boneca (Dendrobium nobile), é uma espécie ornamental originária do Sudeste Asiático, de fácil cultivo, com floração abundante durante a primavera, sendo hoje a orquídea de menor preço do mercado e por isto uma das mais comercializadas. Os derivados do caule do xaxim (Dicksonia sellowiana) têm sido reputados como os melhores substratos para orquídeas, mas devido a sua sobrexploração, a sua coleta e uso foram proibidos e, desde então, substratos alternativos vêm sendo buscados. No presente trabalho foi estudada a influência de diferentes substratos na sobrevivência, altura, número de brotos laterais (“Keikes”) e no vigor da orquídea olho de boneca. Os tratamentos foram: 1) pó de xaxim - considerado como a testemunha; 2) pó de xaxim mais caroços de palmiteiro na proporção de 1:1; 3) fibras de pericarpo de coco verde (Coccus nucifera)  lavadas; 4) fibras de pericarpo de coco verde; 5) caroços secos de palmiteiro (Euterpe edulis); 6) caroços secos de açaizeiro (E. oleracea). Os substratos feitos com caroços de palmiteiro e fibras de pericarpo de coco verde lavadas não diferiram estatisticamente dos substratos formulado somente com o pó de xaxim ou a mistura de pó de xaxim: caroços de palmiteiro e, portanto, podem ser usados como alternativos ao pó de xaxim. Devido à elevada disponibilidade de cocos verdes, caroços de açaizeiro e de palmiteiro, sugere-se que melhorias nas formulações e no manejo das plantas cultivadas sobre os substratos que os usem como base, continuem sendo buscadas. São sugeridas: a mescla com outros materiais e sistemas de adubação e de irrigação, para melhorarem o seu desempenho e o uso de espécies de orquídeas mais adaptadas a tais substratos. PALAVRAS CHAVE: Formulação, Substrato alternativo, Xaxim.
FOTOSSÍNTESE EM DIFERENTES GENÓTIPOS DE FEIJOEIRO
Authors: Da Silva Luzia Pereira , Ramos Maria Lucrecia Gerosa , Cruz Andre Freire , Junior Walter Quadros Ribeiro , Rodrigues Gustavo , Oliveira Sebastiao Alberto de , Calbo Maria Elisa
Published: November 2018

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de taxa de fotossíntese (TF), condutância estomática (CE), matéria seca total de raiz e parte aérea, área foliar e clorofila a, clorofila b e clorofila total, sobre a produtividade em genótipos de feijoeiro. Foram realizados dois experimentos, um em campo (CP), no município de Cristalina – GO, e outro em casa de vegetação (CV), na Estação Experimental da Universidade de Brasília - DF, entre Agosto e Novembro de 2002... Na avaliação da TF e CE, utilizou-se o analisador portátil de gás por infravermelho. O teor de clorofila foi determinado pelo método de extração acetona 80% e leitura em espectrofotômetro. A biomassa vegetal foi determinada pelo método da secagem e pesagem. A área foliar foi determinada utilizando-se o medidor de área foliar. Os genótipos apresentaram valores diferenciados para a maioria dos parâmetros avaliados, tanto em campo como em casa de vegetação. Não houve correlação na maioria das combinações que envolveram épocas de avaliação, local de experimento (campo e casa de vegetação) e genótipos avaliados. O teor de clorofila não se correlacionou com qualquer dos parâmetros analisados. A taxa de fotossíntese na fase R7 apresentou correlação positiva (r = 0,627) com a produção de grão. Os demais fatores não se correlacionaram. A fase R7 foi a melhor época para avaliar o efeito da fotossíntese na produção de grãos. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Área foliar, Clorofila, Condutância estomática, Matéria seca, Produtividade, Taxa de fotossíntese.
SISTEMA PRODUTIVO DA LARANJA ORGÂNICA E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES: ESTUDO NO SÍTIO SOS AGROECOLÓGICO, NORDESTE PARAENSE
Authors: Fortaleza Amanda Pinheiro , Nascimento Filho José Jaime Pessoa do , De Oliveira Marcelo Araújo , Dias Thiago Da Silva , Vasconcelos Marcelo Augusto Machado , Kato Osvaldo Ryokei
Published: November 2018

RESUMO: A produção orgânica no Brasil vem crescendo a cada ano, pois com uma maior demanda por produtos mais saudáveis, vários produtores estão migrando para esse conceito de alimentos. Assim este trabalho tem como objetivo entender a concepção filosófica, bem como fazer uma descrição e analisar as implicações do sistema de produção da laranja orgânica. A pesquisa ocorreu no Sítio SOS Agroecológico, localizado no município de Capitão Poço, Nordeste Paraense. Foi realizada pesquisa exploratória qualitativa junto ao proprietário da área e produtor de laranja orgânica por meio, principalmente, de visitas, entrevistas semiestruturadas, caminhadas transversais na área e registros fotográficos. A produção do sítio é considerada boa, seus principais mercados são feiras orgânicas e grandes supermercados, porém o preço e a logística são os principais entraves, além da certificação, que no Brasil ainda é um processo oneroso. O sistema de produção do Sítio apresenta certa similaridade com a concepção da agricultura biológica e natural, visto que ambos os sistemas visam à redução de custos do produtor rural, a utilização de produtos alternativos e/ou naturais disponíveis na propriedade. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Agroecologia, Certificação, Sistemas agroflorestais.
ANÁLISE VISUAL DE ABOBRINHA MINIMAMENTE PROCESSADA EM ATMOSFERA MODIFICADA ATIVA, UMA APLICAÇÃO GEOESTATÍSTICA
Authors: Lundgren Wellington Jorge Cavalcanti , Lundgren Giovanna Alencar , Ramos Juliana Arruda , Monteiro Gean Charles , Nasser Flávia Aparecida de Carvalho Mariano , Vieites Rogério Lopes
Published: November 2018

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a possível aplicação da geoestatística em análise visual de abobrinha minimamente processada com atmosfera modificada ativa, que são dados não georeferenciados. A abobrinha passou pelo processamento mínimo em condições normais de higiene e armazenadas em embalagens com diferentes condições de atmosfera: Testemunha atmosfera ambiente (T1), vácuo (T2), 4% de O2+ 5% de CO2 (T3), 4% de O2+ 6% de CO2 (T4), 4% de O2+ 7% de CO2 (T5) e 4% de O2+ 8% de CO2 (T6) e analisadas visualmente por avaliadores não selecionados e não treinados por um período de 12 dias com escala hedônica para atratividade e intenção de compra. Foi aplicado a geoestatística com o software GS+. Foi verificada que a intenção de compra apresentou forte dependência espacial. Os tratamentos a 4% de O2+ 7% de CO2 (T5) e 4% de O2+ 8% de CO25 (T6) apresentaram as maiores áreas nos mapas de krigagem para a intenção de compra para os valores de escala hedônica maiores que 4, em todo o período de observação. A maior área no mapa de intenção de compra, após o quarto dia de exposição, para valores da escala hedônica maiores que 4, foi apresentado pelo tratamento 6. PALAVRAS CHAVE: Conservação de alimentos, Curcubita moschata, Dependência espacial, Krigagem, Pós-colheita.
Ciclo político en las finanzas de los gobiernos regionales de Colombia, 1998-2014
Authors: Granger Clark , Hernández Yurany , Murcia Carlos , Yaya Lisseth
Published: November 2018

Este artículo busca comprobar la presencia de ciclos políticos sobre las finanzas de los gobiernos regionales de Colombia durante el periodo 1998-2014. A partir de una base de datos que contiene información detallada de la situación fiscal y los resultados electorales de una muestra representativa de municipios y departamentos, se estiman modelos de panel dinámicos mediante el Método Generalizado de Momentos (mgm). Los resultados de las estimaciones muestran evidencia del ciclo político en las finanzas territoriales, al corroborar la existencia de aumentos de los gastos y el déficit fiscal durante los años electorales. De forma complementaria, se realiza un análisis con la información de finalidad de gasto, donde se revela que en los periodos de elecciones los gobernantes tienden a incrementar los gastos de inversión más visibles, dentro de los cuales se destacan la inversión en carreteras, infraestructura y servicios públicos.
Consistencia del ratio Omega con el criterio de dominancia estocástica de segundo orden: evaluación del desempeño de ETF
Authors: Acosta Osorio Iván Leonardo
Published: November 2018

En este trabajo se usa el criterio de dominancia estocástica de segundo orden (en adelante ssd) y el ratio Omega para medir el desempeño de etf de renta variable del mercado norteamericano. Con base en el trabajo de Balder y Schweizer (2017) se ilustra la consistencia del ratio Omega con ssd en la evaluación del desempeño de etf. Los resultados presentados en este trabajo muestran que los etf clasificados como superiores para todos los inversionistas aversos al riesgo no saciados (ssd) son igualmente clasificados como superiores utilizando el ratio Omega. En los casos en los que el parámetro umbral K con el que se evalúan las estrategias genera inconsistencias en el ranking entre ssd y Omega, se observa que ssd captura en forma más completa el efecto en todos los momentos de la distribución en comparación a como lo hace Omega.
Valoración de opciones americanas por el método de malla estocástica bajo movimiento Browniano fraccional del activo subyacente
Authors: Aragón Urrego Daniel
Published: November 2018

Se presentan las principales definiciones y resultados del movimiento Browniano fraccional (mbf) y la manera como su incorporación en el método de malla estocástica permite la valoración de opciones call y put americanas. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, la prima de la opción americana tiene tendencia a disminuir cuando el comportamiento del precio del activo subyacente es persistente o tiene memoria de largo plazo. Se observa que el precio de la opción tiende a disminuir conforme el valor del coeficiente Hurst se acerca a 1, alejándose de las estimaciones realizadas mediante movimiento Browniano geométrico (mbg).
Modelo estocástico para el precio de activos en alta frecuencia basado en procesos de ramificación aleatoriamente indexados
Authors: Moreno Trujillo John Freddy
Published: November 2018

Se presenta un modelo de precios de activos basado en un proceso de ramificación aleatoriamente indexado como el propuesto por T. W. Epps en 1996, como una alternativa para la modelación estocástica del precio de activos en alta frecuencia. Se consideran los resultados básicos de la teoría que permiten entender el modelo, la caracterización de los precios bajo una distribución geométrica de dos parámetros de la descendencia, y simulaciones del precio bajo diferentes niveles de intensidad del proceso que determina el número de generaciones. Se plantean extensiones del modelo en diversas direcciones.
Natural Computing Applied to the Underground System: A Synergistic Approach for Smart Cities
Authors: Morales Lucas Clemencio , de Mingo Lopez Luis Fernando , Gómez Blas Nuria
Published: November 2018

The management and proper use of the Urban Public Transport Systems (UPTS) constitute a field as critical as little investigated according to its relevance and urgent idiosyncrasy within smart cities realm. In this paper, a newfangled approach by using the Natural Computing paradigm and Collective Computation is shown, more concretely taking advantage of an Ant Colony Optimization algorithm variation in order to build a system that makes the complete control of the UPTS a tangible reality.
Seasonality of discrepancies between admission and discharge diagnosis for Medicare patients
Authors: Shrestha Aashara , Zikos Dimitrios , Fegaras Leonidas
Published: November 2018

Admission and discharge diagnoses of in-hospital patients are often in discord. Incorrect admission diagnoses are related to increased cost of care and patient safety. Additionally, due to the seasonality of many conditions, this discord may vary across the year. In this paper, we used medical claims data to develop a methodological framework that examines these differences, for Medicare beneficiaries. We provide examples for pneumonia, a condition with seasonal implications, and aneurysm, where early detection can be life-saving. Following a Bayesian approach, our work quantifies and visualizes with time series plots the degree that any clinical condition is correctly diagnosed upon admission. We examined differences in weekly intervals, during a calendar year. The mean length of stay and hospital charges were furthermore compared between matching and non-matching {admission, discharge Dx} pairs, and 95% confidence intervals of the difference of means were estimated. We applied Statistical Process Control methods and then visualized differences, for the hospital charges and the length of stay, per week, with time series plots. Our methodology and the visualizations underline the importance of a rigorous and non-delayed diagnostic process upon admission since there are significant implications in terms of hospital outcomes and cost of care.
Decision Making within the Built Environment as a Strategy for Mitigating the Risk of Malaria and other Vector-Borne Diseases
Authors: Obonyo Esther , Pareek Sumit , Woldu Dawit Okubatsion
Published: November 2018

Although significant efforts have been made to combat the spread of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), they still account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 216 million estimated cases in 2016, which is a 9.3% decrease from the estimated cases reported one decade earlier. It is known that the built environment, through features such as openings, can propagate the spread of malaria. There have been some significant efforts directed at addressing this risk. This notwithstanding, there are some knowledge gaps that have resulted in a missed opportunity for synergistically tackling the problem of vectors through leveraging design decisions made by built environment professionals. This work assesses the extent to which design decisions in the built environment can have a positive impact on the efforts directed at mitigating the risk of malaria based on selected cases from East Africa. Secondary data derived from relevant urban health journals as well as repositories curated by leading health agencies such as WHO were synthesized and analyzed using a web of causation approach. The outcome of the analysis is a schema of primary and secondary source (risk) factors. The use of the web of causation approach revealed the existing factor-to-factor interactions that could have a reinforcing effect. This information was used to identify the critical linkages and interdependencies across different factors. The outcome of the analysis was mapped against risk factors that can be linked to decisions made during the six primary phases of the construction life cycle: preliminary phase, conceptual design, detailed design, construction, facilities management, and end of life/disuse. The findings of the research have established that 1) there is, in fact, a built environment–related opportunity that can be leveraged to advance the impact of malaria mitigation effort; 2) cross-disciplinary synergies are critical to managing the interdependencies and complexity of malaria risk factors that have a reinforcing effect; and 3) a knowledge-management framework that serves as a decision support tool would be valuable for sharing data under a push-and-pull mechanism, in which data shared in real time can address the timeliness of mitigating the spread of malaria at the earliest stages for the greatest impact. Based on the findings, a conceptual architecture for a decision support framework has been proposed. This will be developed into a knowledge-management platform in subsequent efforts.
Society 5.0 and Social Development
Authors: Serpa Sandro , Ferreira Carlos
Published: November 2018

In this working paper we intended to address the emergence of what, potentially, will be a central concept in the very near future, Society 5.0 and that arises politically in (with) following the implementation of the concept of Industry 4.0. Society 5.0 proposes to deepen the potential of the individual-technology relationship in the promotion of the improvement of the quality of life of all people through a super smart society, is an extremely recent concept as a guiding social development that can have a profound impact in societies at all levels, such as quality of life and sustainability. It is a presentation that is based on very recent3 publications, but which also has a prospective component, which always generates some indetermination and uncertainty. Also, for this reason, it is a contribution that seeks above all else to contribute to this very urgent and necessary discussion.
Genomic Characterization of a B Chromosome in Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes
Authors: Clark Frances , Conte Matthew , Kocher Thomas
Published: November 2018

B chromosomes (Bs) were discovered a century ago, and since then most studies have focused on describing their distribution and abundance using traditional cytogenetics. Only recently have attempts been made to understand their structure and evolution at the level of DNA sequence. Many questions regarding the origin, structure, function and evolution of B chromosomes remain unanswered. Here we identify B chromosome sequences from several species of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi by examining the ratios of DNA sequence coverage in individuals with and without B chromosomes. We examine the efficiency of this method, and compare results using both Illumina and PacBio sequence data. The B chromosome sequences detected in 13 individuals from 7 species were compared to assess the rates of sequence replacement. B-specific sequence common to at least 12 of the 13 datasets are identified as the “Core” B chromosome. The location of B sequence homologs throughout the genome provides further support for theories of B chromosome evolution. Finally, we identified candidate genes located on the B chromosome which may regulate the segregation and maintenance of the B chromosome.
Effect of Fabric Count and Weave Design on the Properties of Hybrid Fabric Kenaf-Carbon Reinforced Laminated Epoxy Composites
Authors: Humaira Alias Aisyah , Md Tahir Paridah , Abdan Khalina , Salit Mohd Sapuan , Wahab Md Saidin , Berkalp Omer Berk , Lee Ching Hao , Lee Seng Hua
Published: November 2018

Hybrid woven kenaf-carbon composite were fabricated in this study using epoxy resin as matrix. Effects of different fabric material namely weave designs (plain and satin) and fabric counts (5×5 and 6×6) on the properties of laminated woven kenaf polymer composite were evaluated. This study evaluates the mechanical and morphological properties of hybrid fabric kenaf-carbon from kenaf yarn of 500tex. Kenaf and carbon fabrics were used in this work, where vacuum infusion technique was selected to prepare the composite and epoxy resin was used as a matrix. The fibre weight content is 30% and four specimens were prepared for each samples and tested for their tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. The morphological properties of composites were analysed through the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results revealed that plain woven fabric is favourable in terms of tensile and impact strengths compared to satin woven fabric. Meanwhile, 5×5 of fabric count gives better flexural modulus than composite fabricated with 6×6 fabric count. The morphologies of the fractured surface investigated by SEM demonstrated better adhesion properties and less fibre pull-out on plain woven fabric.
Optimization and Validation of Efficient Models for Predicting Polythiophene Self-Assembly
Authors: Miller Evan , Jones Matthew , Henry Michael , Chery Paul , Miller Kyle , Jankowski Eric
Published: November 2018

We develop an optimized force-field for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and demonstrate its utility for predicting thermodynamic self-assembly. In particular, we consider short oligomer chains, model electrostatics and solvent implicitly, and coarsely model solvent evaporation. We quantify the performance of our model to determine what the optimal system sizes are for exploring self-assembly at combinations of state variables. We perform molecular dynamics simulations to predict the self-assembly of P3HT at ~350 combinations of temperature and solvent quality. Our structural calculations predict that the highest degrees of order are obtained with good solvents just below the melting temperature. We find our model produces the most accurate structural predictions to date, as measured by agreement with grazing incident X-ray scattering experiments.
Efficient Large Sparse Arrays Synthesis by Means of Smooth Re-Weighted L1 Minimization
Authors: Pinchera Daniele , Migliore Marco Donald , Lucido Mario , Schettino Fulvio , Panariello Gaetano
Published: November 2018

In this paper we present an efficient technique for the synthesis of very large sparse arrays, with arbitrary circularly symmetrical upper bounds for the pattern specifications. The algorithm, that is based on iterative smooth re-weighted L1 minimizations is very flexible, and is capable of achieving very good performances with respect to competitive algorithms. Furthermore, thanks to its efficiency, planar arrays of hundreds of wavelengths can be synthesized with limited computational effort.
A Survey on Access Control in the Age of IoT
Authors: Qiu Jing , Du Chunlai , Su Shen , Zuo Qi , Tian Zhihong
Published: November 2018

With the development of IoT technology, various information resources, such as social resources and physical resources, are deeply integrated for different comprehensive applications. Social networking, car networking, medical services, video surveillance and other forms of IoT information Service model gradually change people's daily life. Facing the vast amounts of IoT information data, IoT search technology is used to quickly find accurate information to meet real-time search needs of users. However, IoT search requires to use a large number of user privacy Information, such as personal health information, location information, social relations information, to provide personalized services. User privacy information will meet security problems if an effective access control mechanism is missing during the IoT search process. Access control mechanism can effectively monitor the access activities of resources, and ensure authorized users to access information resources under legitimate conditions. This survey examines the growing literature on access control for IoT search. Problems and challenges of access control mechanism are analyzed to facilitate the adoption of access control solutions in real-life settings. This paper aims to provides theoretical, methodological and technical guidance for IoT search access control mechanism in large-scale dynamic heterogeneous environment. Based on the literature study, we also analyzed future development direction of access control in the age of IoT.
DIY Materials and Circular Economy: A Case Study, Educating Industrial Designers for Sustainability
Authors: Alarcón Jimena , Llorens Andrea
Published: November 2018

The article presents an experience based on the design of DIY materials (Do-It-Yourself) as a phenomenon that contributes to the circular economy, making use of household waste and organic binders. The development context is the southernmost Industrial Design School in Latin America, where students are educated through the transfer of knowledge emphasized on the experimentation and territory assessment. Methodology corresponds to the traditional industrial design process, inserting DIY design of materials in the strategic stage. Objective and subjective variables are determined applied in the definition of new materials, being able to determine a range of proposals based on household waste. Citrus × Sinensis, Peperomia caperata (Piperaceae), Radiata pine veneers, among them, which are conceived by students to be self-produced at the user level. The results are materials elaborated based on household waste, exemplified with three types based on organic husks. Beyond findings associated to technique, compatibilities between residual materials and results expressed in materials and catalogs, it is possible to educate future designers on the innovative theme, with the potential to improve life quality of people and their environments.
Heating Characteristics of Film Prepared with Polymer Composites Containing Graphite
Authors: Kim Seojin , Oh Weontae , Bae Jong-Seong , Yeum Jeong Hyun , Park Jaehyung , Sung Choonghyun , Kim Jeongsoo
Published: November 2018

Heating films were prepared by using poly(methyl methacrylate) and polybutadiene composites containing graphite. The heating film was prepared by casting the as-made polymer composite on PET film. Copper electrodes were attached to both ends of the as-prepared film, and the heating characteristics of the film was analyzed while applying DC voltage. The electrical conductivity and the heating temperature of the heating films depended on the size, the structure, the content and the dispersion characteristics of the graphite in the composite. The electrical resistance of the heating film was controlled to adjust the heating temperature of the film. The relationship between the physical/chemical structure and the heating characteristics of the composite film was studied by measuring the heating temperature as functions of film thickness and resistance by using an infrared thermal imaging camera. The lower the film resistance, the higher the heating temperature of the film. The surface temperature was uniform throughout the film.
In-Situ Monitoring and Analyzing Pitting Corrosion of Carbon Steel by Acoustic Emission
Authors: Tang Junlei , Li Junyang , Wang Hu , Wang Yingying , Chen Geng
Published: November 2018

The acoustic emission (AE) technique was applied to monitor the pitting corrosion of carbon steel in NaHCO3 + NaCl solutions. The open circuit potential (OCP) measurement and the corrosion morphology in-situ capturing using optical microscope were conducted during AE monitoring. The corrosion micromorphology was characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The propagation behavior and AE features of natural pitting on carbon steel were investigated. After the performing of signal processing including pre-treatment, shape preserving interpolation and denoising for raw AE waveforms, three types of AE signals can be classified in the correlation diagrams of new waveform parameters. Finally, a 2D pattern recognition method was established to calculate the similarity of different continuous AE graphics, which is quite effective to distinguish the localized corrosion from uniform corrosion.
AC Dielectric Strength of Mineral Oil-Based Fe3O4 and Al2O3 Nanofluids
Authors: Khaled Usama , Beroual Abderrahmane
Published: November 2018

This paper deals with experimental study of the influence of conductive (Fe3O4) and insulating (Al2O3) nanostructured particles at various concentrations on the dielectric strength of transformer mineral oil. The method of preparation and characterization of these nanofluids (NFs) through the measurements of zeta potential, the real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant as well as the concentration and size of nanoparticles using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of nanoparticles powders and Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis are presented. Experimental findings reveal that these two types of nanoparticles materials significantly improve AC breakdown voltage and the magnitude of this improvement depends on the concentration, size and nature (material) of nanoparticles. For a given type of nanoparticles, the effect is more marked with the smallest nanoparticles. The conductive nanoparticles offer higher enhancement of dielectric strength compared with insulating nanoparticles based nanofluids. With Fe3O4, the breakdown voltage (BDV) can exceed twice that of mineral oil and it increases by more than 76% with Al2O3. The physicochemical mechanisms implicated in this improvement are discussed.
The Role of the Cell Volume-Area Ratio in Thermodynamic Analysis of the Cancer Growth Control for In Vitro Experiments
Authors: Lucia Umberto , Grisolia Giulia
Published: November 2018

From a thermodynamic point of view, living cell life is no more than a cyclic process. It starts with the newly separated daughter cells and restarts when the next generations grow as free entities. In this cycle the cell changes its entropy. In cancer the growth control is damaged. In this paper we analyze the role of the volume-area ratio in cell in relation to the heat exchange between cell and its environment in order to point out the effect on the cancer growth. The result holds to a possible control of the cancer growth based on the heat exchanged by the cancer towards its environment, and the membrane potential variation, with the consequence of controlling the ions fluxes and the related biochemical reactions. This second law approach could represent a starting point for a possible future support for the anticancer therapies, in order to improve their effectiveness for the untreatable cancers.
MRI Study of the Influence of Surface Coating Aging on the In Vivo Biodistribution of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Carregal-Romero Susana , Plaza-Carcía Sandra , Piñol Rafael , Murillo Losé Luís , Ruiz-Cabello Jesús , Padro Daniel , Millán Ángel , Ramos-Cabrer Pedro
Published: November 2018

Medical imaging is an active field of research that fosters the necessity for novel multimodal imaging probes. In this line, nanoparticle-based contrast agents are of special interest, since those can host functional entities either within their interior, reducing potential toxic effects of the imaging tracers, and on their surface, providing high payloads of probes, due to their large surface-to-volume ratio. The long-term stability of the particles in solution is an aspect usually under-tackled during probe design in research laboratories, since their performance is generally tested briefly after synthesis. This may jeopardize a later translation into practical medical devices, due to stability reasons. To dig into the effects of nanoparticle aging in solution, respect to their behavior in vivo, iron oxide stealth nanoparticles were used at two stages (3 weeks vs. 9 months in solution), analyzing their biodistribution in mice. Both sets of nanoprobes showed similar sizes, zeta potentials and morphology, as observed by DLS and TEM but, fresh nanoparticles accumulated in the kidneys after systemic administration, while aged ones accumulated in liver and spleen, confirming an enormous effect of particle aging on their in vivo behavior, despite barely noticeable changes perceived on a simple inspection of their structural integrity.
Angucycline Glycosides from an Intertidal Sediments Strain Streptomyces sp. and Their Cytotoxic Activity against Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Peng Aihong , Qu Xinying , Liu Fangyuan , Li Xia , Li Erwei , Xie Weidong
Published: November 2018

Four angucycline glycosides including three new compounds landomycin N (1), galtamycin C (2) and vineomycin D (3), and a known homologue saquayamycin B (4), along with two alkaloids 1-acetyl-β-carboline (5) and indole-3-acetic acid (6), were identified from the fermentation broth of an intertidal sediments derived Streptomyces sp. Their structures were mainly established by IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Among the isolated angucyclines, saquayamycin B displayed potent cytotoxic activity against hepatoma carcinoma cells HepG-2, SMMC-7721 and plc-prf-5, with IC50 values 0.135, 0.033 and 0.244 μM respectively, superior to positive drug doxorubicin. Saquayamycin B treatment to SMMC-7721 cells led to the typical morphological signs of apoptosis in 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining experiment.
Simultaneous Occurrence of Bioactive Compounds (Melatonin, Protocatechuic Acid and Hydroxytyrosol) Increases Their Neuroprotective Effects Against Alpha-Synuclein-Induced Proteotoxicity
Authors: Gallardo-Fernández Marta , Hornedo-Ortega Ruth , Cerezo Ana B , Troncoso Ana M , Garcia-Parrilla Mª Carmen
Published: November 2018

The abnormal assembly of α-synuclein (α-Syn) is an initial step in the formation of Lewy bodies in the brain, which finally causes the neuronal death, being considered as a pathological hallmark in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Certain food bioactives or their metabolites at very low concentrations can trespass the blood brain barrier (BBB) that might, thereafter, act simultaneously. The aim of this work was to evaluate the inhibitory and destabilising capacities on α-Syn kinetics and the neuroprotective effects of three well-known bioactive compounds able to cross the BBB and present in foods; melatonin (MEL), protocatechuic acid (PCA) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), and their combinations. For this purpose, different in vitro techniques (Thioflavin T (ThT), Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), electrophoresis and MTT assay) were used. All tested compounds and their combinations were able to abolish the toxicity induced by α-Syn. In addition, the combination of PCA (100 µM) +HT (100 µM) showed the highest inhibitory effect against α-Syn fibril formation and destabilises α-Syn fibrils (88 and 62%, respectively). This is the first time that MEL, PCA and HT prove a joint effect against α-Syn aggregation and toxicity when they are tested together.
Effect of Pressure-Propagation Behavior on Production Performance: Implication for Advancing Low-Permeability Coalbed-Methane Recovery
Authors: Sun Zheng , Shi Juntai , Wu Keliu , Zhang Tao , Feng Dong , Li Xiangfang
Published: November 2018

Low-permeability coalbed-methane (CBM) reservoirs possess unique pressure-propagation behavior, which can be classified further as the expansion characteristics of the drainage area and the desorption area [i.e., a formation in which the pressure is lower than the initial formation pressure and critical-desorption pressure (CDP), respectively]. Inevitably, several fluid-flow mechanisms will coexist in realistic coal seams at a certain production time, which is closely related to dynamic pressure and saturation distribution. To the best of our knowledge, a production-prediction model for CBM wells considering pressure-propagation behavior is still lacking. The objective of this work is to perform extensive investigations into the effect of pressure-propagation behavior on the gas-production performance of CBM wells. First, the pressure-squared approach is used to describe the pressure profile in the desorption area, which has been clarified as an effective-approximation method. Also, the pressure/saturation relationship that was developed in our previous research is used; therefore, saturation distribution can be obtained. Second, an efficient iteration algorithm is established to predict gas-production performance by combining a new gas-phase-productivity equation and a material-balance equation. Finally, using the proposed prediction model, we shed light on the optimization method for production strategy regarding the entire production life of CBM wells. Results show that the decrease rate of bottomhole pressure (BHP) should be slow at the water single-phase-flow stage, fast at the early gas/water two-phase-flow stage, and slow at the late gas/water two-phase-flow stage, which is referred to as the slow/fast/slow (SFS) control method. Remarkably, in the SFS control method, the decrease rate of the BHP at each period can be quantified on the basis of the proposed prediction model. To examine the applicability of the proposed SFS method, it is applied to an actual CBM well in Hancheng Field, China, and it enhances the cumulative gas production by a factor of approximately 1.65.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Cotton Yield and Fiber Quality in the Mid‐South
Authors: Raper Tyson B. , Snider John L. , Dodds Darrin M. , Jones Andrea , Robertson Bill , Fromme Dan , Sandlin Tyler , Cutts Trey , Blair Ryan
Published: November 2018

Producers need to know the contributions of genotype, environment, and their interaction (G×E) in determining cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) lint yield, lint percentage, and fiber quality. The recent introduction of longer upper half mean length (UHML) fiber, lower micronaire cultivars may alter previously defined contributions. The objectives of this research were to define the genotype, environment, and G×E contributions to lint yield, lint percentage, and fiber quality from common cultivars evaluated within the US Mid‐South and define shifts in these contributions caused by the introduction of a longer UHML, lower micronaire cultivar. Data from 102 large‐plot trials within Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee were compiled from the 2015 and 2016 seasons; 85 site‐years contained three common cultivars, and 69 contained four common cultivars. Analysis of three common cultivars within the 69‐site‐year dataset indicated environment dominated factors of lint yield (85.8%), lint percentage (88.5%), micronaire (70.9%), length (70.5%), and uniformity (70.4%). Large increases in the contribution of genotype to micronaire (26.0%) and length (37.6%) were observed when the lower micronaire, longer UHML cultivar was included. The relatively minor role of cultivar in determining lint yield and the substantial role of cultivar in determining micronaire and length suggest that producers within the Mid‐South should begin to place more importance on fiber quality data when selecting cultivars.
Soil Quality and Region Influence Performance and Ranking of Switchgrass Genotypes
Authors: Casler M. D. , Sosa S. , Boe A. R. , Bonos S. A.
Published: November 2018

Development of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a dedicated bioenergy feedstock requires intensive and extensive breeding programs that include careful and thoughtful consideration of appropriate target populations of environments (TPEs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate region (climate), soil quality, and N fertilization level as potential factors influencing the choice of TPE. A total of 45 switchgrass genotypes were evaluated in uniform field studies at six field sites defined as prime or marginal soils in New Jersey, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Region and soil quality had strong interactions with genotype, but N fertilization had little impact on genetic variation or ranking of genotypes. Lowland genotypes were considerably more sensitive than upland genotypes to interactions with environmental factors, probably due to these field sites being outside of the traditional lowland adaptation zones. Genotype rankings were highly inconsistent across regions and soil types, indicating that breeding programs that target marginal soils should be located on soils that represent the appropriate TPE. Furthermore, interactions across the three regions suggest that breeding programs for the lowland ecotype should be subdivided into different sets of TPEs, which are largely a function of hardiness zone and annual precipitation. Lastly, even with negligible interactions involving N fertilization level, future definitions of TPEs should be based on minimal or no N fertilizer applications to allow breeders to select plants with greater N‐use efficiency, N‐scavenging ability, and N‐recycling efficiency.
Spatiotemporal Variability and Related Factors of Soil Organic Carbon in Henan Province
Authors: Zhang Congzhi , Li Wei , Zhao Zhanhui , Zhou Yanfang , Zhang Jiabao , Wu Qicong
Published: November 2018

Core Ideas

Changes in SOC over 30 yr were revealed in a field survey in Henan Province of China.

We analyzed influential factors of SOC spatiotemporal variability at a large scale.

Cropland was shown to have great potential for C sequestration in the future.

Spatial variability and influential factors are important to evaluate soil organic C (SOC) and the C pool in large areas. In the present study, sampling was conducted from May to November 2011 in Henan Province, a typical agricultural region of Central China, to study the effects of soil properties and anthropogenic factors on SOC variability in cropland. Physicochemical properties of soil samples collected at 280 sites from the surface layer (at a depth of 0–20 cm) were analyzed, and related data about the sampling sites were also collected from the Second State Soil Survey of China, conducted in 1981. Firstly, we found increasing trends in SOC density (SOCD) and SOC pool (SOCP) were obvious from 1981 to 2011, and we concluded that cropland presents great C sequestration potential for the future. Carbon pool ability varied with soil properties: the order of fixed Camount in different soil types was found to be Inceptisols > Luvisols > semihydromorphic soil > Anthrosols, and the average SOCP increased significantly from 1981 to 2011. Secondly, soil bulk density, pH, and returning straw were the key influential factors for SOCD in the past 30 yr. Thirdly, although random factors (returning straw) only explain 29.1% of SOCD variability, more attention should be paid to the factors, because application of returning straw was the most dominant anthropogenic factor, which can be used to improve cropland productivity and C sink capacity within a short period if they are properly managed in the future.
Vegetable market: competitive advantages of Georgian product and competition challenges
Authors: Kharaishvili Eter , Gechbaia Badri , Mamuladze Gela
Published: November 2018

The paper evaluates the level of competition on the vegetable market. Based on the analysis of the production development trends and resource potential, dynamics and ratio of export and import of agricultural products, including vegetables are presented; dynamics of self-sufficiency ratio of these products is studied; challenges of food security and competitive advantages of Georgian vegetables are identified.The article concludes that the country has a significant potential for exporting vegetables both to the countries of Europe and Middle East. The paper discusses the factors that hinder export of vegetables; in addition, the ways for reducing dependency on seasonality, opportunities for the development of modern greenhouses and mechanisms for supplying goods to customers all year round are suggested.On the basis of analyzing the level of competition on the vegetable market, vegetable business is considered as monopolistic. In addition, it is calculated that, currently, local vegetables products account for only 75% of the market.The paper evaluates the outcomes of high market power caused by monopoly in vegetable business; the impact of market power on pricing mechanism and the welfare of population is determined. In accordance with the problems identified, conclusions are made and recommendations for solving these problems are suggested.
Primera época - Año VI, Número 17, mayo-agosto del 2004
Authors: De San Luis Revista de El Colegio
Published: November 2018

Este número corresponde a la primera época de la Revista de El Colegio de San Luis, denominado VETAS.
Nutraceuticals and "Repurposed" Drugs of Phytochemical Origin in Prevention and Interception of Chronic Degenerative Diseases and Cancer
Authors: Albini Adriana , Bassani Barbara , Baci Denisa , Dallaglio Katiuscia , Gallazzi Matteo , Corradino Paola , Bruno Antonino , Noonan Douglas M.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Chronic, degenerative diseases are often characterized by inflammation
and aberrant angiogenesis. For these pathologies, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular
and autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, current therapies have limited efficacy.

Objectives:

The validation of novel (chemo)preventive and interceptive approaches, and the use
of new or repurposed agents, alone or in combination with registered drugs, are urgently required.

Results:

Phytochemicals (triterpenoids, flavonoids, retinoids) and their derivatives, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin) as well as biguanides (metformin and phenformin)
originally developed from phytochemical backbones, are multi-target agents showing antiangiogenic
and anti-anti-inflammatory proprieties. Many of them target AMPK and metabolic
pathways such as the mTOR axis. We summarize the beneficial effects of several compounds in
conferring protection and supporting therapy, and as a paradigm, we present data on terpenoids & biquanides on beer hop xanthohumol and hydroxytryrosol from olive mill waste waters.

Conclusions:

These molecules could be employed for combinatorial chemoprevention and interception
approaches or chemoprevention/therapy regimens for cancer and other chronic complex
diseases.
Pyrrolopyrazoles: Synthesis, Evaluation and Pharmacological Screening as Antidepressant Agents
Authors: Fatahala Samar S. , Nofal Shahira , Mahmoud Eman , Abd El-hameed Rania H.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Pyrroles and fused pyrroles are of great interest as biologically active compounds, among these activities; antidepressant activity is of special concern.

Objective:

Synthesis of a series of pyrrolopyrazoles and their pyrimidine derivatives and their characterization using spectral data to be monitored for antidepressant activity using behavioral techniques.

Methods:

A control group was administered the vehicle i.p., positive control group received fluoxetine as standard and all other groups were administered the tested compounds. The groups were subjected to tail suspension test (TST) to determine the antidepressant activity compared with fluoxetine as a standard drug. The compounds exhibiting antidepressant activity were then used to analyze changes in serotonin (5HT) level in the brain of albino mice.

Results:

TST results showed that both pyrazoles and pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives exhibit promising anti-depressant activity.

Conclusion:

Compounds [pyrazoles & pyrazlopyrimidines] showed promising antidepressant activity possibly mediated by the increased levels of 5HT.