bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Triglyceride Levels through the Intake of Enriched-β-Conglycinin Soybean (Nanahomare) Revealed in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Nishimura Mie , Ohkawara Tatsuya , Sato Yuji , Satoh Hiroki , Takahashi Yoko , Hajika Makita , Nishihira Jun
Published: August 2016

Soybean is recognized as a beneficial food with various functional components, such as β-conglycinin, which improves lipid metabolism. We evaluated the effects of the β-conglycinin-rich soybean Nanahomare on triglyceride (TG) levels. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we divided 134 adult subjects into test and placebo groups that consumed processed food containing enriched-β-conglycinin soybean or low-β-conglycinin soybean. Hematological tests and body composition measurements were performed at weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 8, and 12 of the study period. TG levels significantly decreased in the test group compared with the placebo group at weeks 4 (change from baseline to week 4, placebo: 0.27 ± 44.13 mg/dL, test: −20.31 ± 43.74 mg/dL, p = 0.035) and 12 (change from baseline to week 12, placebo: −0.14 ± 65.83 mg/dL, test: −21.30 ± 46.21 mg/dL, p = 0.041). In addition, among subjects whose baseline TG levels were ≥100 mg/dL, the levels significantly improved in the test group at weeks 4 (p = 0.010) and 12 (p = 0.030), whereas the levels were not different between the test and placebo groups among those whose baseline levels were <100 mg/dL. These results suggest that the ingestion of enriched-β-conglycinin soybean improves serum TG levels.
Iron Fortification of Foods for Infants and Children in Low-Income Countries: Effects on the Gut Microbiome, Gut Inflammation, and Diarrhea
Authors: Paganini Daniela , Uyoga Mary , Zimmermann Michael
Published: August 2016

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common among infants and children in Sub-Saharan Africa and is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, as well as a hindrance to national development. In-home iron fortification of complementary foods using micronutrient powders (MNPs) effectively reduces the risk for IDA by ensuring that the iron needs of infants and young children are met without changing their traditional diet. However, the iron dose delivered by MNPs is high, and comparable on a mg iron per kg body weight to the supplemental doses (2 mg/kg) typically given to older children, which increases diarrhea risk. In controlled studies, iron-containing MNPs modestly increase risk for diarrhea in infants; in some cases, the diarrhea is severe and may require hospitalization. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies provide insights into the mechanism of this effect. Provision of iron fortificants to school-age children and iron-containing MNPs to weaning infants decreases the number of beneficial ‘barrier’ commensal gut bacteria (e.g., bifidobacteria), increases the enterobacteria to bifidobacteria ratio and abundances of opportunistic pathogens (e.g., pathogenic Escherichia coli), and induces gut inflammation. Thus, although iron-containing MNPs are highly effective in reducing IDA, they may increase gastrointestinal morbidity in infants, and safer formulations are needed.
Airborne Lidar Estimation of Aboveground Forest Biomass in the Absence of Field Inventory
Authors: Ferraz António , Saatchi Sassan , Mallet Clément , Jacquemoud Stéphane , Gonçalves Gil , Silva Carlos , Soares Paula , Tomé Margarida , Pereira Luisa
Published: August 2016

The scientific community involved in the UN-REDD program is still reporting large uncertainties about the amount and spatial variability of CO2 stored in forests. The main limitation has been the lack of field samplings over space and time needed to calibrate and convert remote sensing measurements into aboveground biomass (AGB). As an alternative to costly field inventories, we examine the reliability of state-of-the-art lidar methods to provide direct retrieval of many forest metrics that are commonly collected through field sampling techniques (e.g., tree density, individual tree height, crown cover). AGB is estimated using existing allometric equations that are fed by lidar-derived metrics at either the individual tree- or forest layer-level (for the overstory or underneath layers, respectively). Results over 40 plots of a multilayered forest located in northwest Portugal show that the lidar method provides AGB estimates with a relatively small random error (RMSE = of 17.1%) and bias (of 4.6%). It provides local AGB baselines that meet the requirements in terms of accuracy to calibrate satellite remote sensing measurements (e.g., the upcoming lidar GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation), and the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions NISAR (National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organization SAR) and BIOMASS from the European Space Agency, ESA) for AGB mapping purposes. The development of similar techniques over a variety of forest types would be a significant improvement in quantifying CO2 stocks and changes to comply with the UN-REDD policies.
Inertial Sensor Based Analysis of Lie-to-Stand Transfers in Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Schwickert Lars , Boos Ronald , Klenk Jochen , Bourke Alan , Becker Clemens , Zijlstra Wiebren
Published: August 2016

Many older adults lack the capacity to stand up again after a fall. Therefore, to analyse falls it is relevant to understand recovery patterns, including successful and failed attempts to get up from the floor in general. This study analysed different kinematic features of standing up from the floor. We used inertial sensors to describe the kinematics of lie-to-stand transfer patterns of younger and healthy older adults. Fourteen younger (20–50 years of age, 50% men) and 10 healthy older community dwellers (≥60 years; 50% men) conducted four lie-to-stand transfers from different initial lying postures. The analysed temporal, kinematic, and elliptic fitting complexity measures of transfer performance were significantly different between younger and older subjects (i.e., transfer duration, angular velocity (RMS), maximum vertical acceleration, maximum vertical velocity, smoothness, fluency, ellipse width, angle between ellipses). These results show the feasibility and potential of analysing kinematic features to describe the lie-to-stand transfer performance, to help design interventions and detection approaches to prevent long lies after falls. It is possible to describe age-related differences in lie-to-stand transfer performance using inertial sensors. The kinematic analysis remains to be tested on patterns after real-world falls.
Energy Performance of Hotel Buildings in Lijiang, China
Authors: Tang Mingfang , Fu Xiao , Cao Huiming , Shen Yuan , Deng Hongbing , Wu Gang
Published: August 2016

The hotel industry in China has experienced rapid growth in the past ten years and made a considerable contribution to the global tourism economy. This paper focuses on the energy performance of hotel buildings in Lijiang, China. Hotel characteristics, daily operational data, and energy use data were collected by carrying out a survey of 24 hotels. The average annual energy use intensity (EUI) of four-, three-, two-, and one-star rated hotels was 180.8 kWh/m2, 113.3 kWh/m2, 74.2 kWh/m2, and 70.2 kWh/m2, respectively. Electricity, as the dominant energy source, accounted for 81% of total energy consumption and was used in the operation of air conditioning, lighting, heating, etc. Pearson correlations between EUI showed that hotel star rating, number of guest rooms, room revenue, and number of workers gave a reasonably strong correlation. A regression-based benchmarking model was established to predict EUI, and a standardization process of EUI was illustrated by statistical analysis.
How Supportive Are Romanian Consumers of the Circular Economy Concept: A Survey
Authors: Lakatos Elena , Dan Viorel , Cioca Lucian , Bacali Laura , Ciobanu Andreea
Published: August 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate consumer behavior regarding the environment and the adoption of new patterns of behavior and responsible consumption in the promotion of a Circular Economy (CE) in Romania. With this goal in mind, a questionnaire survey was performed on-line on a nationwide scale to explore consumers’ behaviors and attitudes, which was distributed in all four of Romania’s macro-regions and interviewing 642 respondents. The results indicate that the consumers have a positive attitude towards the importance of the environmental protection, in general and it also measures the frequency of adopting eco-friendly behaviors by the consumers, showing that the consumption behavior is not very consistent with the general attitude regarding environment. As a parallel, consumers are aware of the importance of CE business models, in general, both for the economy and for the environment, but the adoption of consumption patterns specific to CE business models, necessary for the development and the success of the CE business models, has a low probability in the absence of direct or indirect incentives and benefits fostering the adoption of these consumption patterns. In conclusion, the development of CE business models in Romania requires a national strategy, which includes means to sustain the adoption of necessary new consumption behaviors, besides awareness raising and educational campaigns for explaining to consumers the liaison and the impact of their behavior to the environment and to the economy.
Sustaining Cultural and Natural Heritage in Albania
Authors: Dollani Arta , Lerario Antonella , Maiellaro Nicola
Published: August 2016

This article describes the ongoing project “School for Cultural Heritage through Map Exploitation” (SCHEME), an integrated set of activities designed to support social inclusion in heritage promotion processes in Albania. The main project goal is delivering ICT tools (map and crowdfunding platforms) and procedures as well as improving the capacity of stakeholders to sustainably valorize hidden resources. The underlying approach has capitalized on existing technologies and experiences through the development of an advanced interactive multimedia map using data produced in the Ljubljana Process. Subsequently, the map will be extended by collecting more data on the Lake Ohrid Region, which has been selected as a pilot area to promote the neglected inland, relieving pressure on more famous coastal sites. A contest among schools will enrich the database, uploading multifaceted memories collected by students. The winning cultural asset will be the object of a small-scale rehabilitation project supported by a fundraising campaign through a crowdfunding platform. The centrality of people’s active participation will contribute to governance innovation by reverting to traditional top-down promotion processes and practices, in which heritage consumers represent passive recipients of ready-made offers and messages. The map platform also holds specific potential for cultural tourism purposes, avoiding mistakes in the geo-localization of sites.
IGF-I Induces Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via the IGF-IR‐Src‐MicroRNA-30a‐E-Cadherin Pathway in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Li Heming , Guo Xuefen , Wang Zhe , Liang Shanshan , Dang Chengxue
Published: August 2016

Recurrence and distant metastasis are the most common cause of therapeutic failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in many epithelial tumors; however, whether IGF-I can enhance NPC metastasis by EMT and the mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we have identified that IGF-I could induce EMT and enhance migration ability in NPC cell lines. Furthermore, both Src inhibitor and microRNA-30a (miR-30a) inhibitor reversed IGF-I-induced EMT, suggesting the involvement of an IGF-IR‐Src‐miR-30a‐E-cadherin pathway in IGF-I-induced EMT in NPC cell lines. Overall, the results of the present study may provide more useful information regarding the mechanisms of the IGF-IR signaling pathway in the regulation of NPC metastasis. Both Src kinase and miR-30a can be potential biomarkers for selecting high risk of metastasis in NPC patients.
Novel BRCA2-Interacting Protein, LIMD1, Is Essential for the Centrosome Localization of BRCA2 in Esophageal Cancer Cell
Authors: Hou Xiaobin , Li Tinghui , Ren Zhipeng , Liu Yang
Published: August 2016

Mutation of breast cancer 2, early onset (BRCA2) has been identified as a vital risk factor for esophageal cancer (EC). To date, several proteins have been reported as BRCA2-interacting proteins and are associated with multiple biological processes. This study’s aim was to identify
a novel interactive protein of BRCA2 and to explore its functional roles in EC. A yeast two-hybrid screening was performed to identify a novel BRCA2-interacting protein. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down analysis was performed to find out how the binding domain of BRCA2 interacts
with LIM domains containing 1 (LIMD1). The interaction between LIMD1 and BRCA2 at the endogenous level was confirmed by using coimmunoprecipitation and immunobloting. Furthermore, two different sequences of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against LIMD1 were transfected into the human EC cell line
ECA109. Afterward, the effects of LIMD1 suppression on the centrosome localization of BRCA2 and cell division were analyzed using an immunofluorescence microscope. Results showed that LIMD1 was a novel BRCA2-interacting protein, and LIMD1 interacted with the conserved region of BRCA2 (amino
acids 2,750‐3,094) in vitro. Importantly, after interfering with the protein expression of LIMD1 in ECA109 cells, the centrosome localization of BRCA2 was significantly abolished and abnormal cell division was significantly increased. These results suggested that LIMD1 is a novel BRCA2-interacting
protein and is involved in the centrosome localization of BRCA2 and suppression of LIMD1, causing abnormal cell division in EC cells.
Suppression of Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 17 (USP17) Inhibits Tumorigenesis and Invasion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhang Shengchao , Yuan Jun , Zheng Ruheng
Published: August 2016

Recently, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are emerging as new regulators in cancer progression. However, understanding of the involvement of DUBs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is just beginning. In this study, we investigated the expression and biological function of ubiquitin-specific
peptidase 17 (USP17) in NSCLC progression in vitro and in vivo. We found that the expression of USP17 was higher than in a normal control. We further efficiently depleted USP17 expression in two different NSCLC cells, A549 and H1299. The anchorage-independent growth ability of these cells,
estimated by soft agar colony formation assay, was significantly reduced after USP17 knockdown. Moreover, Matrigel‐Transwell analysis showed that suppression of USP17 decreased cell migration and invasion capacity. Molecular mechanism studies found that USP17 silencing downregulated
the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMP3 and MMP9) in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, animal model results showed that USP17 suppression inhibited NSCLC tumorigenesis and growth. Altogether, this study illustrates the important functions of USP17 in NSCLC and suggests that USP17 might be an attractive target for NSCLC therapy.
Knockdown of CUL4B Suppresses the Proliferation and Invasion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Xuguang , Chen Zhe
Published: August 2016

Cullin 4B (CUL4B), a scaffold protein that assembles CRL4B ubiquitin ligase complexes, was found to be overexpressed in many types of tumors. However, the expression pattern and role of CUL4B in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown. Therefore, in the present study,
we investigated the role of CUL4B in NSCLC, and the underlying mechanism was also explored. Our results showed that CUL4B was highly expressed in NSCLC cell lines. Silencing CUL4B obviously inhibited proliferation and migration/invasion of NSCLC cells, and it also suppressed the epithelial‐mesenchymal
transition (EMT) progress in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CUL4B significantly inhibited the expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-Myc in NSCLC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that knockdown of CUL4B inhibited the proliferation and invasion through suppressing
the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in NSCLC cells. Therefore, CUL4B may represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.
LIMIT CYCLES CAN REDUCE THE WIDTH OF THE HABITABLE ZONE
Authors: Haqq-Misra Jacob , Kopparapu Ravi Kumar , Batalha Natasha E. , Harman Chester E. , Kasting James F.
Published: August 2016

The liquid water habitable zone (HZ) describes the orbital distance at which a terrestrial planet can maintain above-freezing conditions through regulation by the carbonate-silicate cycle. Recent calculations have suggested that planets in the outer regions of the HZ cannot maintain stable, warm climates, but rather should oscillate between long, globally glaciated states and shorter periods of climatic warmth. Such conditions, similar to “Snowball Earth” episodes experienced on Earth, would be inimical to the development of complex land life, including intelligent life. Here, we build on previous studies with an updated energy balance climate model to calculate this “limit cycle” region of the HZ where such cycling would occur. We argue that an abiotic Earth would have a greater CO2 partial pressure than today because plants and other biota help to enhance the storage of CO2 in soil. When we tune our abiotic model accordingly, we find that limit cycles can occur but that previous calculations have overestimated their importance. For G stars like the Sun, limit cycles occur only for planets with CO2 outgassing rates less than that on modern Earth. For K- and M-star planets, limit cycles should not occur; however, M-star planets may be inhospitable to life for other reasons. Planets orbiting late G-type and early K-type stars retain the greatest potential for maintaining warm, stable conditions. Our results suggest that host star type, planetary volcanic activity, and seafloor weathering are all important factors in determining whether planets will be prone to limit cycling.
« Secte » et regain du religieux. Le cas de Georges Roux, contempteur de la « Science » et Dieu-le-Père tout puissant
Authors: Romuald Hamon , Yohan Trichet , Lamote Thierry
Published: August 2016

Les auteurs se proposent, dans cet article, d’examiner l’édification du délire paraphrénique de Georges Roux, surnommé le Christ de Montfavet, dans ses liens avec la création et le développement de l’Église chrétienne universelle. Cette analyse porte sur la logique subjective de cette construction, qui conduisit son fondateur à occuper une place de gourou en s’identifiant à Dieu. En outre, est étudiée la portée sociale du délire de Roux, révélatrice de l’évolution des mentalités, à l’aube de la société néolibérale. Le regain du religieux semble notamment corrélé à la domination des discours scientifique et capitaliste. En effet, fondés sur l’expulsion de la subjectivité, mais aussi, respectivement, sur l’exclusion du sens et le délitement du lien social, ils entraînent le recours à des croyances et pratiques du sens, susceptibles de se radicaliser. Nous discuterons de cette corrélation, à partir du cas de G. Roux, dont témoigne son rejet de la médecine et du libéralisme. Enfin, si la religion propose une version imaginaire du Père symbolique, certains gourous, comme G. Roux, s’instituent dans le réel comme l’incarnation même de l’exception paternelle, en incarnant ainsi une figure de l’ Urvater .
Engagement, réciprocité et Écritures. Réflexions sur l’herméneutique de l’alliance dans l’Ancien Testament
Authors: Nocquet Dany
Published: August 2016

Dany Nocquet * propose d’évaluer comment l’Ancien Testament a rendu compte de l’engagement divin à l’égard d’Israël. Pour l’Israël de la période exilique et postexilique ( vi e - iv e siècle av. J.-C.), cet engagement se manifeste surtout par le don d’une parole qui devient livre. C’est là ce qui fait l’une des singularités les plus remarquables de la Bible hébraïque et de l’Israël ancien. Pour répondre à l’initiative divine, les textes de l’Ancien Testament déploient alors la thématique de l’alliance. Une notion qui va être le sujet d’une herméneutique interne foisonnante en fonction des différentes situations historiques, et des changements anthropologiques profonds de la période postexilique. Un tel travail interne aux Écritures appelle le lecteur à être un interprète, plus qu’un répétiteur, pour en devenir l’héritier.
Vanité des excuses de ceux qui ont succombé souz la persécution : faiblesses humaines et engagement pour Dieu selon Gabriel Mathurin au temps de la Révocation et de l’apostasie
Authors: Bernat Chrystel
Published: August 2016

À l’appui de l’examen d’un imprimé issu de la littérature pastorale combative diffusée depuis le Refuge huguenot, Chrystel B ernat 1 interroge les notions antithétiques de désertion spirituelle et d’engagement pour Dieu qui s’y déploient au temps de la Révocation. Tout entier dédié à la réfutation des motifs et des stratagèmes auxquels recourent les protestants français pour justifier leur abjuration et leur duplicité confessionnelle, l’ouvrage attribué à Gabriel Mathurin offre d’évaluer les principes qui président à la défense de l’engagement à préserver la foi réformée, tout en révélant la tension théologique qui parcourt les discours pastoraux fondés sur un principe de justice rétributive qui cherche à interpeller les renégats sur la question de savoir si l’amour de Dieu peut aller jusqu’à les sauver de leur parjure et ce que la grâce gratuite néanmoins leur commande pour espérer préserver leur salut.
De la chaire à la tribune. La parole pastorale comme geste d’engagement civique sous la Révolution française
Authors: Borello Céline
Published: August 2016

Par leurs fonctions diverses au sein des Églises, les pasteurs manifestent un engagement constant pour Dieu, matérialisé notamment par leur prédication. Durant les années 1789-1799, la question de cet engagement devient complexe du fait de la situation aléatoire du protestantisme, qui est un temps pleinement reconnu, puis de nouveau contraint à la clandestinité durant la déchristianisation engagée par la Terreur. Dans ce contexte mouvementé, quels sont les lieux et les types d’engagement des ministres de la Parole de Dieu ? Céline Borello * revient sur les conditions de l’engagement des pasteurs, les modalités oratoires de leur implication et l’expression d’un désengagement apparent, l’abdication.
Emploi agrégé, polarisation des emplois et inégalités de salaire : une comparaison transatlantique
Authors: Albertini Julien , Hairault Jean-Olivier , Langot François , Sopraseuth Thepthida
Published: August 2016

Cet article analyse les effets à court terme et à long terme de réformes structurelles du marché du travail dans une situation où des réallocations de grande ampleur sont nécessaires compte tenu de l’adoption des nouvelles technologies. Nous mettons l’accent sur le problème du niveau de l’emploi européen pour comprendre l’évolution de sa composition. Les nouvelles technologies détruisent des emplois au milieu de la distribution des salaires, et en créent en haut et en bas aux Etats-Unis. Ce processus génère une hausse de l’emploi dans ce pays. A contrario , ce processus de polarisation des emplois est bloqué en France, conduisant à des pertes d’emplois. Nous montrons que l’interaction entre les hausses du salaire minimum et ce progrès technologique biaisé est la principale cause du faible taux d’emploi français.
Salaires et emploi dans les secteurs public et privé. Différences et interactions
Authors: Bradley Jake , Dickson Matt , Postel-Vinay Fabien , Turon Hélène
Published: August 2016

Les différences de conditions salariales et d’emploi entre les secteurs public et privé n’existent pas seulement dans les comparaisons statiques mais aussi dans les dimensions dynamiques telles que la croissance des salaires avec l’expérience, la volatilité des salaires et la sécurité dans l’emploi. Nous documentons d’abord les différences intersectorielles statiques et dynamiques d’emplois et de salaires dans six pays européens pendant la période 19942001 à l’aide de la base de données fournie par le European Community Household Panel. Nous sommes ainsi en mesure de présenter une évaluation des primes du secteur à long terme dans ces pays. Nous proposons ensuite un modèle structurel permettant de quantifier une réponse de l’ensemble du marché du travail à différentes alternatives de choix politiques en termes d’emplois et de salaires dans le secteur public. Cette approche structurelle nous permet d’évaluer et de comparer l’impact potentiel de différentes politiques visant à réduire la masse salariale du secteur public.
Impact des droits de succession sur le comportement d’accumulation du patrimoine
Authors: Goupille-Lebret Jonathan , Infante Arturo
Published: August 2016

Cet article s’intéresse à l’impact des droits de succession sur le comportement d’accumulation du patrimoine des individus. Notre stratégie empirique repose sur l’expérience naturelle créée par les réformes de 1992 et 1998 sur les transmissions de patrimoine au décès via l’assurance-vie. Elle s’appuie sur l’accès à une base inédite reportant le comportement d’accumulation du patrimoine en panel des assurés d’Axa de 2003 à 2013. Nous estimons l’élasticité de l’accumulation de patrimoine à l’imposition des droits de succession à 0,25. Notre élasticité agrège deux effets différents : un comportement réel de désaccumulation du patrimoine et un comportement de réallocation des actifs au sein du patrimoine. Cette élasticité doit donc être vue comme une borne haute de l’élasticité réelle aux droits de succession. Elle suggère que, d’un pur point de vue de l’efficacité économique, le taux maximal d’imposition des successions pourrait s’établir à 80 %.
Recognizing Maltreatment in Children with Special Needs
Authors: Traisman Edward S.
Published: August 2016

Children with special needs are at a greater risk of maltreatment than other children. Understanding risk factors unique to this population will help the pediatrician determine which children are at risk, make the physician aware of what to assess in the office setting, and provide education to the child, family, and caregivers to prevent maltreatment.
[Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(8):e273–e277.]
Polynomial Correlated Function Expansion
Authors: Chakraborty Souvik , Chowdhury Rajib
Published: August 2016

Uncertainty quantification of civil engineering structures are often time consuming. Hence, one has to rely on equivalent models (EM) that represent the original functions with a specific level of accuracy. In this chapter, a fully equivalent operational model, referred as, Polynomial Correlated Function Expansion (PCFE) has been discussed. PCFE facilitates a systematic mapping between the input and output by expressing the output as a ranked order of component functions, with higher order component functions representing higher-order cooperative effect. The component functions are expressed in terms of extended bases and the unknown coefficients associated with the bases are determined by employing homotopy algorithm (HA). HA determines the unknown coefficients by minimizing the least-squared error and imposing an additional criteria defined as an objective function. Implementation of PCFE has been illustrated with two large scale problems. Results obtained have been compared with other popular techniques. For both the problems, PCFE outperforms popular EMs available in literature.
Prevention of Corrosion in Austenitic Stainless Steel through a Predictive Numerical Model Simulating Grain Boundary Chromium Depletion
Authors: Samal M.K.
Published: August 2016

In this chapter, a mathematical model for rate of formation of chromium carbides near the grain boundary, which is a pre-cursor to chromium depletion and corresponding sensitization behavior in stainless steels, is presented. This model along with the diffusion equation for chromium in the grain has been used to obtain chromium depletion profiles at various time and temperature conditions. Finite difference method has been used to solve the above equations in the spherical co-ordinate system and the results of time-temperature-sensitization diagrams of four different types of alloys have been compared with those of experiment from literature. For the problem of low temperature sensitization and corresponding inter-granular corrosion in austenitic stainless steel, it is very difficult to carry out experiment at higher temperatures and justify its validity at lower operating temperatures by extrapolation. The development of predictive models is highly useful in order to design the structures for prevention of corrosion of the material in aggressive environments.
Analysis of HRV during the Menstrual Cycle and Postmenopause
Authors: Rawal Kirti , Saini Barjinder Singh , Saini Indu
Published: August 2016

Every woman experiences an extensive fluctuation in HRV during her menstrual cycle and even after menopause. A woman who lives long enough will experience menopause as a normal physiologic event. The study of the influence of premenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms on HRV has not been adequate. During this period, health management is an important factor to be considered as it affects the entire quality of women life. Many women having diverse physical, behavioural as well as psychological symptoms at the time of menopause and even after the menopause. Thus, HRV analysis is an appropriate tool to examine the physiological effects of the menstrual cycle in young healthy women and the postmenopause in old women. This chapter intends to study the influence of the menstrual cycle, and postmenopause on autonomic modulation of heart with a perspective of signal processing approach.
Open and Transparent Judicial Records in the Digital Age
Authors: Raaen Nial
Published: August 2016

Open access to accurate and reliable records is essential to participation in the judicial process and government transparency. As the judiciary and other branches of government increasingly rely on records which are created and maintained in digital form, a new set of challenges faces policy makers to ensure ongoing access and authenticity. One of the keys to this effort is the development of a set of principles and related performance standards which provide a framework and a system for measuring success. Using the recently adopted records management standards published by the U.S. Conference of State Court Administrators as a basis, this chapter discusses their application to digital record-keeping and how existing court performance standards addressing records management already developed by judicial organizations and the records management industry can be brought together to create a new set of performance measures to ensure that court records remain open, accessible, and trustworthy in the digital age.
Defining Corporate Social Responsibility for Developing and Developed Countries
Authors: Windsor Duane
Published: August 2016

This chapter proposes a conceptual framework for comparing enterprise and governmental approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR) for developed and developing countries. An enterprise approach is voluntary. A governmental approach provides either requirements or guidance, strong or weak, for enterprise CSR. Focus is on multinational enterprises (MNEs), for two reasons. First, MNEs may operate across quite different conditions. Second, a major MNE concern has to do with fair trade and sustainable development supply chains. The chapter considers three approaches found in the extant literature. One approach asserts autonomy of developing countries from developed countries, and thus divergence of enterprise and governmental CSR by type of context. A second approach examines global convergence as highly context path-dependent and perhaps cosmetic. A third approach emphasizes “glocality” combining global thinking with local action. The author proposes an alternative understanding of how to compare CSR for developed and developing countries using theory versus context.
Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Latin American Companies
Authors: Haro-de-Rosario Arturo , del Mar Gálvez-Rodríguez María , Caba-Pérez María del Carmen
Published: August 2016

The oil and gas sector exerts a major influence on the global economy. However, its negative impact on the environment and society has provoked increasing concerns about its activities and consumption of natural resources. Therefore, and in view of the fact that Latin America has the world's largest conventional oil reserves, the aim of this paper is to analyse the voluntary disclosure of information on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of oil and gas companies operating in Latin America, and to study the factors that may influence the provision of this information. The results obtained show that although companies in this sector are becoming more aware of the impact of their activity, greater efforts need to be made with respect to CSR. We find that the largest, most profitable oil and gas companies tend to publish the most complete CSR reports.
Selection of a Waste Heat Recovery System for a Marine Diesel Engine Based on Exergy Analysis
Authors: Abdu Salman , Zhou Song , Orji Malachy
Published: August 2016

Highly increased fuel prices and the need for greenhouse emissions reduction from diesel engines used in marine engines in compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the strict regulations and guidelines for the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) make diesel engine exhaust gas heat recovery technologies attractive. The recovery and utilization of waste heat not only conserves fuel, but also reduces the amount of waste heat and greenhouse gases dumped to the environment .The present paper deals with the use of exergy as an efficient tool to measure the quantity and quality of energy extracted from waste heat exhaust gases in a marine diesel engine. This analysis is utilized to identify the sources of losses in useful energy within the components of the system for three different configurations of waste heat recovery system considered. The second law efficiency and the exergy destroyed of the components are investigated to show the performance of the system in order to select the most efficient waste heat recovery system. The effects of ambient temperature are also investigated in order to see how the system performance changes with the change of ambient temperature. The results of the analysis show that in all of the three different cases the boiler is the main source of exergy destruction and the site of dominant irreversibility in the whole system it accounts alone for (31-52%) of losses in the system followed by steam turbine and gas turbine each accounting for 13.5-27.5% and 5.5-15% respectively. Case 1 waste heat recovery system has the highest exergetic efficiency and case 3 has the least exergetic efficiency.
Experimental Study on Evolution Process of Short Fatigue Crack in 2A12 Alloy under Complex Stress State
Authors: Liu Shan Lin , Wang Lu , Wang Zheng
Published: August 2016

The fatigue behavior of 2A12 Aluminum alloy was experimentally studied through different annular notched specimens under symmetrical triangle with the frequency of 0.5 Hz. The experimental result showed that the microstructure played an important role during the entire fatigue life of 2A12 Aluminum alloy. The short fatigue crack only initiated due largely to the second-phase particle such as the S phase (Al2CuMg), the θ phase (CuAl2) and especially the black impurity phases debonding from the basal body when the fatigue cycle was sufficient. The cracks propagated separately along the circumferential direction of the notch, crack coalescence and interaction of cracks were not common at early and middle stage of short crack’s fatigue life. Cracks tended to propagate along direction different from the original one after crack coalescence. Surface crack length at early and middle stage of short crack’s fatigue life were presented. These curves showed crack growth rate increased relatively as the reducing of notched radius or the increasing of nominal strain amplitude which implied that geometry and loading conditions were the factors of the crack propagation.
Thermal, Strength and Leachability Characteristics of Cellulose Fibre Reinforced Lime-Soil Brick
Authors: Namboonruang Weerapol , Yongam-Nuai Prayoon
Published: August 2016

This research studies on the possibility of producing a more sustainable lightweight brick. Natural cellulose fibre produced from leaf and wood aggregates, lime and soil from local area of Thailand were added into the brick with minimizing Portland cement content. Effects of varied amount of cellulose fibre contents typically (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 %) on mechanical and thermal properties of bricks are studied. Mechanical performances have been investigated with compressive, flexural strength and thermal conductivity of the samples. Also, the Leachate Extraction Procedure is observed. Results showed that adding more cellulose fibre contents can reduce the thermal conductivity, density including the compressive and flexural strength of the brick. On the other hand, the water absorption increases. It is also shown that the composite bricks can add fibre contents up to 55% by weight that can be used as non-load bearing concrete masonry units considered by the compressive strength. By conclusion, this application may be an interesting solution in order to improve sustainability and energy efficiency of the low cost house in local area of Thailand.
Predicting Edge Cracks on Shear-Cut High-Strength Steels by Modified Uniaxial Tensile Tests
Authors: Feistle Martin , Pätzold Isabella , Golle Roland , Volk Wolfram
Published: August 2016

During the forming of high-strength steels, edge cracks occur unexpectedly on sheared edges e.g. during collar forming. A non-contact measurement method based on the well-known tensile test was developed. It allows the investigation of the formation of edge cracks under tensile loads and determining general criteria to predict the formation of edge cracks during a specific forming process. The criteria are validated experimentally by means of the collar-forming test. In conjunction with the proposed line-fit-method these criteria can be implemented easily in FEM software in the near future for the prediction of edge cracks.
Advance of Sintering Methods of High Purity Alumina Ceramics
Authors: Tian Qing Bo , Dai Jin Shan , Xu Li Na , Wang Xiu Hui
Published: August 2016

The sintering of alumina ceramics with high-purity has gained much attention due to their wide range applications. The improved sinteirng methods, such as the spark plasma sintering, super-high pressure sintering, two-step sintering, and so on, have advantages on the decreasing the sinteirng temperature or inhibiting the grain coarsening, compared with the conventional sintering.
Development of PEG/PMMA Based Binders for Ti-Metal Injection Moulding
Authors: Hayat Muhammad Dilawer , Cao Peng
Published: August 2016

As the world is moving towards green manufacturing, there is an increasing demand for the use of clean and environmentally friendly binder systems in metal injection moulding (MIM) industry. One example of these developed binders is polyethylene glycol (PEG) - polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based system. We have systematically evaluated and optimized this binder system, and reported some interesting new results. In this article, we reported the effect of PEG molecular weight on rheological properties of the feedstock and its water debinding behaviour. We also investigated the effects of different surfactants on MIM feedstock rheological and mechanical properties, and identified a potential surfactant that enhances compatibility between the binder components and metal powders. Furthermore, we reported an interesting problem – ‘voids formation’, which is associated with PEG crystallization. To minimize this void formation a crystallization inhibitor is incorporated in the PEG/PMMA system, thereby eliminating the void formation while maintaining the clean nature of this system. This paper is concluded with some new thoughts with regard to binder design.
Metal Injection Moulding of Ti-6Al-4V with Yttrium Addition
Authors: Limberg Wolfgang , Ebel Thomas
Published: August 2016

For highly loaded parts, such as medical implants as well as for engineering application, high strength and good ductility are indispensable, but also the fatigue resistance plays an important role. For both, quasi static and fatigue properties, a fine microstructure is essential. Furthermore, especially for titanium alloys the control of interstitial impurities like oxygen and nitrogen is very important. In a former study additions of several oxides of rare earth elements were tested with respect to their effect on the microstructure of MIM processed Ti-6Al-4V. Yttrium oxide has shown the strongest effect on the colony size of Ti-6Al-4V.In this study elementary yttrium powder was added to Ti-6Al-4V. During sintering, the yttrium scavenges oxygen out of the titanium matrix, increasing the ductility. The yttrium oxide, which is formed, leads to a colony refinement and therefore to a higher strength.For preliminary tests cylindrical samples consisting of Ti-6Al-4V powder blended with coarse yttrium powder and a wax and polyethylene-based binder were manufactured by uniaxial pressing and sintering. The addition of yttrium led to a slight decrease of the colony size: specimens sintered at a high temperature of 1400 °C show a stronger dependency of yttrium content on the colony size than those sintered at 1300 °C.Tensile test specimens were produced by MIM using gas atomized Ti-6Al-4V-powder with additions of yttrium powder between 0.1 and 0.5 wt.-%. Sintering took place at temperatures between 1300 °C and 1400 °C with two different dwell times (2 and 4 hours). Tensile tests were conducted in air at room temperature. The microstructures were observed by SEM and light optical microscope. Oxygen and nitrogen contents were analysed by a melt extraction technique.
Microstructural Investigation of Routes for Gamma Titanium Aluminides Production by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Henriques V.A.R. , Galvani Eduardo T. , Cairo Carlos Alberto Alves , Graça M.L.A. , Dutra A.C.S.M.
Published: August 2016

The alloy design and efficient routes of TiAl processing are important technological challenges for the development of new aerospace systems. Gamma-TiAl alloys are potential replacements for nickel and conventional titanium alloys in hot sections of turbine engines, as well as in sub-structures of orbital platform vehicles. Powder metallurgy (P/M) of Ti-based alloys may lead to the obtainment of components having weak-to-absent textures, uniform grain structure and higher homogeneity compared with conventional wrought products. This paper aims to investigate the microstructural evolution and densification aspects involved in the obtainment of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb (at.%) alloy by three P/M-processing routes. Samples were prepared from elemental and pre-alloyed powders mixed for 2 h, followed by cold uniaxial and isostatic pressing followed by sintering and hot pressing stages between 1100°C up to 1400°C, for 1 h. After metallographic preparation, sintered samples were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the backscattered mode (BSE), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and density measurements. The results showed the potential of TiAl pre-alloyed powders to prevent Kirkendall porosity. A full lamellar microstructure was obtained by the pressureless route while a duplex microstructure was observed in samples produced by the hot pressing route.
Spark Plasma Sintering of Titanium Alloys for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Molinari Alberto , Zadra Mario , Vicente Jr. Nério , Facchini Luca , Bucciotti Francesco
Published: August 2016

A dense Ti6Al4V with a porous cp2-Ti surface layer was produced by Spark Plasma Sintering, using a Calcium Phosphate powder as space holder. The duplex porosity structure resulting from the space holder (large pores) and the uncompleted densification of the titanium powder (micrometric pores) has a very positive effect on both cell in-growth and cell proliferation.The porous structure decreases the fatigue resistance significantly, even if less than what reported in literature, likely due to the formation of a globular microstructure in the interface region of the substrate, where fatigue crack nucleation occurs. The porous surfaced specimens succeeded the adhesion by pull-off test, the resistance to static and cyclic shear stresses and the Taber abrasion test.
Titanium Matrix Composites with High Specific Stiffness
Authors: Neubauer Erich , Vály Lilla , Kitzmantel Michael , Grech David , Ortega Ana Rovira , Montealegre-Meléndez Isabel , Arévalo Cristina M.
Published: August 2016

Materials with specific stiffness value above 100 [GPa/(g/cm3)] are typically fiber‑reinforced materials. These materials suffer from the fact that they have anisotropic behavior which means high specific stiffness values can only be obtained in the direction parallel to the fiber. In order to obtain materials with a specific stiffness >60 in all directions, several Titanium based composites have been screened. Fillers based on B4C particles have been identified as most promising to reinforce a Titanium or Titanium alloy matrix for this purpose. For the manufacturing of the composites a rapid hot pressing technique (similar to Spark Plasma Sintering) was used. Besides the assessment and characterization of the Young´s Modulus and the hardness the impact of processing parameters on the microstructure was also investigated.
A Detailed Experimental Assessment of Microwave Heating of Titanium Hydride Powder
Authors: Sun Ying Ying , Luo Shu Dong , Yang Ya Feng , Sun J.F. , Qian Ma
Published: August 2016

Powder metallurgy (PM) of titanium hydride (TiH2) has emerged as an attractive alternative to PM of Ti. Microwave (MW) heating has the potential to further facilitate the development of PM TiH2 as TiH2 is essentially a ceramic material. A detailed assessment has been made of the effectiveness of MW heating of Ti-xTiH2 (x =0-100) powder compacts through 30 experiments conducted under a variety of conditions. MW hybrid heating (i.e. when assisted with a SiC MW susceptor) proved to be reliable and consistent in heating Ti-xTiH2 powder compacts and the heating rate increased progressively with increasing TiH2 powder content, indicating that TiH2 powder is more responsive to MW heating than Ti metal powder. However, heating of TiH2 powder compacts by MW radiation without the assistance of a SiC MW susceptor proved to be inconsistent and unpredictable, where successful heating (heated to 1300°C in 20 min) was achieved but many failures also occurred. However, the use of SiC can cause contamination (Si and C). The challenges of heating of TiH2 powder by direct MW radiation were discussed.
Influence of Oxygen on the Fatigue Behaviour of Ti-6Al-7Nb Alloy
Authors: Hidalgo Alexandra Amherd , Ebel Thomas , Limberg Wolfgang , Pyczak Florian
Published: August 2016

One of the challenges in PM Ti alloys is to control the impurities level. Oxygen affects the microstructure and the mechanical properties of titanium alloys. Ti-6Al-7Nb is a promising alloy to use in PM due to its outstanding biocompatibility and mechanical properties required for load bearing medical implants. In this work, the influence of the impurities content on the ductility, fatigue resistance and microstructure of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy processed by metal injection moulding was examined. Tensile and fatigue specimens were manufactured using Ti-6Al-7Nb gas atomized powder. Depending on the thermal treatment time, various oxygen contents were introduced into the specimens. The resulting oxygen content was determined by melt extraction technique. Tensile tests and high cycle four-point bending fatigue tests at room temperature were performed. First studies about the effect of oxygen content on crack initiation and propagation were done by the observation of microstructures and fractured surfaces using light and electron microscopy (SEM).