bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the Advanced Surface Modification Process to the ASME Code Case for Sections III and XI of Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Cho Sungwoo , Hong Hyun-Uk , Mohr Nicholas , Albert Marc , Broussard John , Amanov Auezhan , Pyun Young-Sik
Published: February 2020

The advanced surface modification process is known as a promising solution to improve the performance of machine components and systems, especially for vehicles, nuclear power plants, biomedical device, etc. There have been several successful applications of water jet peening and underwater laser peening to nuclear components in Japan since 2001 which resulted in inspection and repair cost savings. The prerequisite condition for the application of the advanced surface modification process to nuclear power plants is the approval of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code Case, so performance criteria and requirements (PCRs) in the ASME Code Case for repair and maintenance of nuclear power components are explained. A challenging project to apply advanced surface modification processes, such as ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification and air laser peening to new nuclear power plants and new canisters, was created with the goal to develop a technical basis and the PCRs for ASME Section III (New Manufacturing). The results of this work will be an ASME Section III Code Case which is currently in progress. An initial draft of the new Code Case with the intermediate results of this work is introduced. Four kinds of advanced surface modification processes are explained and compared briefly.
Effect of Ultrasonic Vibration and Interpass Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cu-8Al-2Ni-2Fe-2Mn Alloy Fabricated by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Yuhua , Zhang Timing , Wen Taotao , Yin Zuozhu , Feng Xiaosong
Published: February 2020

A novel ultrasonic vibration assisted (UVA) wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) was used to fabricate Cu-8Al-2Ni-2Fe-2Mn alloy in this study. The effect of different interpass temperatures with and without ultrasonic vibration on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the fabricated part were investigated by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), nanoindentation, and mechanical tensile testing. The results showed that reduction of the interpass temperature without UVA treatment cannot prevent the columnar dendrites directionally growing along the deposition direction. Under the UVA treatment, the coarse columnar dendrites were broken at the interpass temperature of 400 °C, and formed a fine cellular structure with an interpass temperature of 100 °C, owing to the acoustic streaming effect and cavitation effect. In addition, globular κII phase was based on Fe3Al and lamellar κIII phase was based on NiAl distributed in the interdendritic region, whereas κIV phase (rich-Fe) were precipitated in the α-Cu matrix. The improvement of microstructural characteristics caused by UVA treatment further improved the tensile properties and nano-hardness of WAAM fabricated parts. Eventually, it is experimentally demonstrated that WAAM fabricated Cu-8Al-2Ni-2Mn-2Fe alloy can obtain high-performance at UVA process under an interpass temperature of 100 °C.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Cutting Parameters in Turning AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Su Yu , Zhao Guoyong , Zhao Yugang , Meng Jianbing , Li Chunxiao
Published: February 2020

Energy conservation and emission reduction is an essential consideration in sustainable manufacturing. However, the traditional optimization of cutting parameters mostly focuses on machining cost, surface quality, and cutting force, ignoring the influence of cutting parameters on energy consumption in cutting process. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization method of cutting parameters based on grey relational analysis and response surface methodology (RSM), which is applied to turn AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel in order to improve cutting quality and production rate while reducing energy consumption. Firstly, Taguchi method was used to design the turning experiments. Secondly, the multi-objective optimization problem was converted into a simple objective optimization problem through grey relational analysis. Finally, the regression model based on RSM for grey relational grade was developed and the optimal combination of turning parameters (ap = 2.2 mm, f = 0.15 mm/rev, and v = 90 m/s) was determined. Compared with the initial turning parameters, surface roughness (Ra) decreases 66.90%, material removal rate (MRR) increases 8.82%, and specific energy consumption (SEC) simultaneously decreases 81.46%. As such, the proposed optimization method realizes the trade-offs between cutting quality, production rate and energy consumption, and may provide useful guides on turning parameters formulation.
Nano-in-Micro Dual Delivery Platform for Chronic Wound Healing Applications
Authors: Zarubova Jana , Hasani-Sadrabadi Mohammad Mahdi , Bacakova Lucie , Li Song
Published: February 2020

Here, we developed a combinatorial delivery platform for chronic wound healing applications. A microfluidic system was utilized to form a series of biopolymer-based microparticles with enhanced affinity to encapsulate and deliver vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Presence of heparin into the structure can significantly increase the encapsulation efficiency up to 95% and lower the release rate of encapsulated VEGF. Our in vitro results demonstrated that sustained release of VEGF from microparticles can promote capillary network formation and sprouting of endothelial cells in 2D and 3D microenvironments. These engineered microparticles can also encapsulate antibiotic-loaded nanoparticles to offer a dual delivery system able to fight bacterial infection while promoting angiogenesis. We believe this highly tunable drug delivery platform can be used alone or in combination with other wound care products to improve the wound healing process and promote tissue regeneration.
Experimental Study on the Lubrication and Cooling Effect of Graphene in Base Oil for Si3N4/Si3N4 Sliding Pairs
Authors: Zhang Lixiu , Wei Xiaoyi , Wang Junhai , Wu Yuhou , An Dong , Xi Dongyang
Published: February 2020

Recently, the engineering structural ceramics as friction and wear components in manufacturing technology and devices have attracted much attention due to their high strength and corrosion resistance. In this study, the tribological properties of Si3N4/Si3N4 sliding pairs were investigated by adding few-layer graphene to base lubricating oil on the lubrication and cooling under different experimental conditions. Test results showed that lubrication and cooling performance was obviously improved with the addition of graphene at high rotational speeds and low loads. For oil containing 0.1 wt% graphene at a rotational speed of 3000 r·min−1 and 40 N loads, the average friction coefficient was reduced by 76.33%. The cooling effect on Si3N4/Si3N4 sliding pairs, however, was optimal at low rotational speeds and high loads. For oil containing 0.05 wt% graphene at a lower rotational speed of 500 r·min−1 and a higher load of 140 N, the temperature rise was reduced by 19.76%. In addition, the wear mark depth would decrease when adding appropriate graphene. The mechanism behind the reduction in friction and anti-wear properties was related to the formation of a lubricating protective film.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Safety and Probiotic Potential of Akkermansia muciniphila DSM 22959 in Comparison with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Cozzolino Autilia , Vergalito Franca , Tremonte Patrizio , Iorizzo Massimo , Lombardi Silvia J. , Sorrentino Elena , Luongo Delia , Coppola Raffaele , Di Marco Roberto , Succi Mariantonietta
Published: February 2020

In this study, for the first time, we examined some of the physico-chemical properties of the cell surface of Akkermansia muciniphila DSM 22959, comparing it with those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG—one of the most extensively studied probiotic microorganisms. In particular, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, and biofilm formation were investigated. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility, co-culture, and antimicrobial activity of the two strains were compared. Hydrophobicity was evaluated using xylene and toluene, showing that A. muciniphila DSM 22959 possessed moderate hydrophobicity. A. muciniphila showed a faster and higher auto-aggregation ability than Lb. rhamnosus GG, but a lower aptitude in biofilm formation. In the co-aggregation test, the best performance was obtained by Lb. rhamnosus GG. Regarding the susceptibility to antibiotics, the differences between the two strains were remarkable, with A. muciniphila DSM 22959 showing resistance to half of the antibiotic tested. Interesting results were also obtained with regard to the stimulating effect of Lb. rhamnosus GG on the growth of A. muciniphila when co-cultured.
Influence of GDM Diagnosis and Treatment on Weight Gain, Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Pregnant Women with Obesity: Secondary Analysis of the UPBEAT Study
Authors: Atakora La’Shay , Poston Lucilla , Hayes Louise , Flynn Angela C. , White Sara L.
Published: February 2020

Obesity during pregnancy is associated with the development of gestational diabetes (GDM). This study aimed to assess if the result of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for GDM influences health (diet and physical activity) behaviours of pregnant women with obesity. In total, 1031 women who participated in the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) of a lifestyle intervention from early pregnancy were included. Changes in weight gain, dietary intake and physical activity following an OGTT undertaken between 27+0 and 28+6 weeks’ and 34 and 36 weeks’ gestation were examined using linear regression with appropriate adjustment for confounders. Obese women without GDM (IADPSG criteria) gained 1.9 kg (95% CI −2.2, −1.5, p < 0.001) more weight than women with GDM. Women with GDM demonstrated greater reductions in energy (–142kcal, 95%CI −242.2, −41.9, p = 0.006), carbohydrate intake (−1.5%E 95%CI –2.8, −0.3, p = 0.016) and glycaemic load (–15.2, 95%CI −23.6, –6.7, p < 0.001) and a greater increase in protein intake (2%E, 95%CI 1.3, 2.7, p < 0.001), compared to women without GDM. Trial intervention allocation did not influence any associations observed. The findings emphasise the need for strategies to optimise the health behaviours of pregnant women with obesity, following a negative OGTT for GDM.
A Validated IVRT Method to Assess Topical Creams Containing Metronidazole Using a Novel Approach
Authors: Rath Seeprarani , Kanfer Isadore
Published: February 2020

An IVRT method was developed and validated to confirm its reproducibility, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy, robustness, and reliability. A novel approach was used to demonstrate the appropriateness of the IVRT method to accurately assess “sameness” between topical products and to confirm that the methodology applied also possesses the requisite discriminatory power to detect differences should such differences exist between products. In the first instance, the reference product (Metrocreme®) containing 0.75% metronidazole (MTZ) was tested against itself as a positive control, to accurately demonstrate “sameness”, where the results met the relevant acceptance criteria falling within the limits of 75–133.33% in accordance with the FDA’s SUPAC-SS guidance. In addition, two specially prepared creams containing 25% less and 26% more MTZ, i.e., 0.563% and 0.945%, served as negative controls and were compared against the reference product. Neither of these creams fell within the “sameness” acceptance criteria, thereby confirming the discriminatory ability of the IVRT method to detect differences between MTZ products. Furthermore, another cream containing 0.75% MTZ tested against the reference product was shown to be pharmaceutically equivalent to the reference product. These results confirm the appropriateness of the IVRT method as a valuable tool for use in the development of topical MTZ products intended for local action and indicate the potential for general use with other topical products.
The Role of the Clinical Pharmacist in an Irish University Teaching Hospital: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Ronan Sarah , Shannon Nicola , Cooke Katie , McKeon Trish , Walsh Elaine K. , Kearney Alan , Sahm Laura J.
Published: February 2020

Medication review (MR) is a vital part of the pharmacist’s role in hospital. However, in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH), Cork, Ireland, this has not been fully implemented due to resource issues. In addition, the cost of providing this service has not been evaluated. Moreover, it is not clear how other members of the multidisciplinary team e.g., Nurses, value any interventions made as a result of the MR. This mixed methods study assessed the impact of MR in terms of (i) potential clinical harm, (ii) cost avoidance and (iii) the views of nursing staff on the role of the pharmacist. The setting is a 192-bed, voluntary, acute hospital, in the Munster region of Ireland. Study I: The pharmacist provided MR to patients conventionally once a week. Any interventions were then assessed for potential clinical harm and to calculate cost avoidance. Study II: Semi-structured interviews, guided by a topic guide were completed with 12 nurses (11 female). Thematic analysis was used to code the main themes. Main outcome measure: To estimate the cost, cost avoidance, and the net cost benefit ratio of MR provided by pharmacists. Study I: Of 128 patients who received the MR, 113 interventions were made. The estimated cost of providing the MR was €2559 (senior pharmacist). Using €1084 as the cost of an adverse drug event (ADE), the cost avoidance was calculated at €42,330. This led to a net cost benefit of €39,771 (senior pharmacist) which equated to a net cost benefit ratio of 16.5:1. Study II: The main themes were (i) perceptions of pharmacy services, (ii) the role of the pharmacist—past, present and future, and (iii) teamwork and communication. Nurses expressed a desire to have more pharmacists present on the wards.
Sensitivity Analysis of Italian Lolium spp. to Glyphosate in Agricultural Environments
Authors: Panozzo Silvia , Collavo Alberto , Sattin Maurizio
Published: February 2020

Empirical observations generally indicate a shifting and decreased Lolium spp. susceptibility to glyphosate in Italy. This is likely due to the long history of glyphosate use and to the sub-lethal doses commonly used. There is, therefore, a need to determine the variability of response of Lolium spp. to glyphosate and identify the optimum field dose. To perform a sensitivity analysis on Lolium spp. populations in an agriculture area, collection sites were mainly chosen where glyphosate had not been applied intensely. Known glyphosate-resistant or in-shifting populations were included. Two outdoor dose-response pot experiments, including eleven doses of glyphosate, were conducted. The dose to control at least 93%–95% of susceptible Lolium spp. was around 450 g a.e. ha−1. However, to preserve its efficacy in the long term, it would be desirable not to have survivors, and this was reached at a glyphosate dose of 560 ± 88 g a.e. ha−1. Taking into account the variability of response among populations, it was established that the optimal dose of glyphosate to control Lolium spp. in Italy up to the stage BBCH 21 has to be at least 700 g a.e. ha−1. As a consequence, it is recommended to increase the label recommended field rate for Lolium spp. control in Italy to a minimum of 720 g a.e. ha−1.
High Nitrogen Enhance Drought Tolerance in Cotton through Antioxidant Enzymatic Activities, Nitrogen Metabolism and Osmotic Adjustment
Authors: Iqbal Asif , Dong Qiang , Wang Xiangru , Gui Huiping , Zhang Hengheng , Zhang Xiling , Song Meizhen
Published: February 2020

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses and hampers many plant physiological processes under suboptimal nitrogen (N) concentration. Seedling tolerance to drought stress is very important for optimum growth and development, however, the enhancement of plant stress tolerance through N application in cotton is not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigates the role of high N concentration in enhancing drought stress tolerance in cotton. A hydroponic experiment supplying low (0.25 mM) and high (5 mM) N concentrations, followed by 150 g L−1 polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced stress was conducted in a growth chamber. PEG-induced drought stress inhibited seedling growth, led to oxidative stress from excessive malondialdehyde (MDA) generation, and reduced N metabolism. High N concentrations alleviated oxidative damage and stomatal limitation by increasing antioxidant enzymatic activities, leaf relative water content, and photosynthesis in cotton seedlings under drought stress. The results revealed that the ameliorative effects of high N concentration may be ascribed to the enhancement of N metabolizing enzymes and an increase in the amounts of osmoprotectants like free amino acids and total soluble protein. The present data suggest that relatively high N concentrations may contribute to drought stress tolerance in cotton through N metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and osmotic adjustment.
Foliar Application of Polyamines Modulates Winter Oilseed Rape Responses to Increasing Cold
Authors: Jankovska-Bortkevič Elžbieta , Gavelienė Virgilija , Šveikauskas Vaidevutis , Mockevičiūtė Rima , Jankauskienė Jurga , Todorova Dessislava , Sergiev Iskren , Jurkonienė Sigita
Published: February 2020

Cold stress is one of the most common abiotic stresses experienced by plants and is caused by low temperature extremes and variations. Polyamines (PAs) have been reported to contribute in abiotic stress defense processes in plants. The present study investigates the survival and responses of PA-treated non-acclimated (N) and acclimated (A) winter oilseed rape to increasing cold conditions. The study was conducted under controlled conditions. Seedlings were foliarly sprayed with spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm), and putrescine (Put) solutions (1 mM) and exposed to four days of cold acclimation (4 °C) and two days of increasing cold (from −1 to −3 °C). Two cultivars with different cold tolerance were used in this study. The recorded traits included the percentage of survival, H+-ATPase activity, proline accumulation, and ethylene emission. Exogenous PA application improved cold resistance, maintained the activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase, increased content of free proline, and delayed stimulation of ethylene emission under increasing cold. The results of the current study on winter oilseed rape revealed that foliar application of PAs may activate a defensive response (act as elicitor to trigger physiological processes), which may compensate the negative impact of cold stress. Thus, cold tolerance of winter oilseed rape can be enhanced by PA treatment.
Water Vapor Permeability through Porous Polymeric Membranes with Various Hydrophilicity as Synthetic and Natural Barriers
Authors: Anatoly Chalykh , Pavel Zolotarev , Tatiana Chalykh , Alexei Rubtsov , Svetlana Zolotova
Published: February 2020

The article is devoted to the analysis of sorption kinetics, permeability, and diffusion of water vapor in porous polymeric membranes of different hydrophilicities and through-porosities. The water transport measurement with a constant gradient of partial pressure allows the authors to obtain reliable characteristics for porous membranes, films, artificial leathers, and fabrics of various chemical natures (synthetic and bio-based) and phase structures. All the kinetic permeability curves were determined and effective diffusion coefficients, as well as their apparent activation energies, were calculated at the stationary and non-stationary stages of the mass transfer. The relationship between the sorption–diffusion characteristics of the polymer barriers and their vapor permeability is traced. Within the framework of a Zolotarev–Dubinin dual dispersive model, an analytical equation is obtained that relates permeability to diffusion coefficients of water vapor in the pore volume, polymer skeleton material using such characteristics as porosity and the solubility coefficient. It is proposed to use this equation to predict the sorption properties for barrier and porous materials of complex architecture specifically in food packaging.
A Feasible Method Applied to One-Bath Process of Wool/Acrylic Blended Fabrics with Novel Heterocyclic Reactive Dyes and Application Properties of Dyed Textiles
Authors: Wang Meihui , Wang Xianfeng , Guo Chong , Zhao Tao , Li Wenyao
Published: February 2020

Reactive dyes containing cationic groups have great potentiality as novel dyes, which can be applicable to one-bath dyeing of wool/acrylic blended fabrics. In this work, four novel heterocyclic reactive dyes containing cationic groups were designed by using m-aminophenyltrimethylammonium salt or N-(2-aminoethyl) pyridinium chloride salt as cationic groups, N, N-diethyl-1,3-benzenediamine as a coupling component, 2-amino-6-methoxybenzothiazole, 2-aminobenzothiazole or 3-amino-5-nitrobenzoisothiazole as diazo components. These dyes based on benzothiazole derivative chromophores not only showed beautiful color, including blue-green and fuchsia, but also had larger tinctorial strength with a high molar extinction coefficient, further reducing the dosage of dyes to achieve same color depth. Factors affecting the dyeability on fabrics, such as pH value, dyeing temperature and dye concentration were discussed. Excellent dyeing behavior, levelling properties and good fastness on wool/acrylic blended fabric were obtained. What’ more, excellent anti-ultraviolet and antibacterial properties were obtained for textiles with these dyes. The application of these dyes with large molar extinction coefficients presents a wide range of possibilities for the further development of cleaner production and eco-friendly dyeing, even functional textiles.
The Effect of Crystallinity on the Toughness of Cast Polyamide 6 Rods with Different Diameters
Authors: Odrobina Miklós , Deák Tamás , Székely László , Mankovits Tamás , Keresztes Róbert Zsolt , Kalácska Gábor
Published: February 2020

The present paper concentrates on the toughness and the degree of crystallinity of the magnesium-catalyzed polyamide 6 rods cast in different diametres, which are commonly used for gear manufacturing. Its toughness cannot be regarded as a constant feature due to the casting technology. The mechanical properties of the semi-finished products are sensitive to the manufactured dimension, e.g., cast diameter, which are investigated by the Charpy impact test and tensile impact test. It is generally accepted that the impact strength and tensile-impact strength correlate with the degree of crystallinity beside many other material’s feature. Crystallinity is evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between toughness and crystallinity of the magnesium-catalyzed cast PA6 rods with different diameters. For the research cast rods between 40 and 300 mm diameter were selected in seven-dimensional steps. Based on the results, it was found that the toughness depends strongly on the diameter size. Furthermore, it is proved that the crystallinity explains 62.3% of the variation of the Charpy’s impact strengths, while the tensile impact method was not suitable to detect the difference between the test samples.
Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80: In Vitro Characterization Using Primary Cell Cultures
Authors: Roacho-Pérez Jorge A , Ruiz-Hernandez Fernando G , Chapa-Gonzalez Christian , Martínez-Rodríguez Herminia G , Flores-Urquizo Israel A , Pedroza-Montoya Florencia E , Garza-Treviño Elsa N , Bautista-Villareal Minerva , García-Casillas Perla E , Sánchez-Domínguez Celia N
Published: February 2020

Some medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles require direct contact with healthy tissues and blood. If nanoparticles are not designed properly, they can cause several problems, such as cytotoxicity or hemolysis. A strategy for improvement the biological proprieties of magnetic nanoparticles is their functionalization with biocompatible polymers and nonionic surfactants. In this study we compared bare magnetite nanoparticles against magnetite nanoparticles coated with a combination of polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) and polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). Physical characteristics of nanoparticles were evaluated. A primary culture of sheep adipose mesenchymal stem cells was developed to measure nanoparticle cytotoxicity. A sample of erythrocytes from a healthy donor was used for the hemolysis assay. Results showed the successful obtention of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80, with a spherical shape, average size of 119.2 nm and a zeta potential of +5.61 mV. Interaction with mesenchymal stem cells showed a non-cytotoxic propriety at doses lower than 1000 µg/mL. Interaction with erythrocytes showed a non-hemolytic propriety at doses lower than 100 µg/mL. In vitro information obtained from this work concludes that the use of magnetite nanoparticles coated with PEG 3350-Tween 80 is safe for a biological system at low doses.
The Figure of Pontius Pilate in Josephus Compared with Philo and the Gospel of John
Authors: Gers-Uphaus Christian
Published: February 2020

In this paper, I attempt an approach to the ‘historical Pilate.’ I aim to present the sources referring to him as well as to point out their rhetorical tendencies. However, the approach is selective: whereas all references to Pilate in Philo and Josephus will be addressed, with respect to the New Testament, this study will be based only on the Gospel of John, because its text offers the longest narrative of the Roman trial of Jesus among the Gospels. At the end of each section, the main conclusions are presented. Finally, after discussed all the sources chosen for this work, I will try to depict a picture of the ‘historical Pilate.’
Long White Procession: Social Order and Liberation in a Religious Ritual
Authors: Sharaby Rachel
Published: February 2020

The Seged is a pilgrimage holiday celebrated by the Jews of Ethiopia on 29 November. Its purpose is to reconstruct a renewal of the covenant between the Jewish People and God in Jerusalem and at Sinai and to strengthen their religious belief. The research is based on a qualitative research method and uses interviews with religious priests and members of Ethiopian communities. The findings show that normative communitas was created during the Seged, which afforded expression for the solidarity of the Jewish community and strengthened their identity as a minority group in a multi-national culture. The hierarchic structure remained, and I did not find evidence for competition and conflict. The liminality in the Seged encouraged a different reality, of undermined routine, but also continuity of the social structure and control by the elite. The reflectance of the social structure also shows that contrary to the model presented by Victor Turner, the communitas created during the Seged was normative from the onset and did not develop over the course of the holiday.
Anti-Diarrheal Effects of Wood Creosote, Seirogan, in Japanese Patients
Authors: Takagi Masanori , Ito Masafumi , Morino Hirofumi , Miura Takanori , Oshida Kyoichi , Suzuki Mayu , Takemori Hiroshi , Shibata Takashi
Published: February 2020

Wood creosote, Seirogan, is a non-prescription drug used to treat diarrhea. However, reports of its clinical use are rare. Here, we report the efficacy of wood creosote (3 capsules daily) in alleviating diarrheal symptoms in 148 patients from 10 clinics in Osaka, Japan. Wood creosote was classified to be remarkably effective, effective, partially effective, or not effective on the basis of the degree of alleviation of diarrheal symptoms. The anti-diarrheal efficacy of wood creosote soft capsules did not differ between males and females. Younger patients (21–30 years) showed greater improvement in diarrhea symptoms than elderly patients (>61 years) did. Wood creosote soft capsules were remarkably effective (44 patients), effective (71 patients), and partially effective (13 patients) in alleviating diarrhea symptoms due to a variety of causes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the clinical effectiveness of wood creosote soft capsules in treating diarrhea.
The Embeddedness of Social Sciences and Economics in Research on Resources
Authors: Uribe-Toril Juan , Ruiz-Real José Luis , de Pablo Valenciano Jaime
Published: February 2020

Sustainability, local development, and ecology are keywords that cover a wide range of research fields in both experimental and social sciences. The transversal nature of this knowledge area creates synergies but also divergences, making a continuous review of the existing literature necessary in order to facilitate research. There has been an increasing number of articles that have analyzed trends in the literature and the state-of-the-art in many subjects. In this Special Issue of Resources, the most prestigious researchers analyzed the past and future of Social Sciences in Resources from an economic, social, and environmental perspective.
Do We Need Stochastic Volatility and Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity? Comparing Squared End-Of-Day Returns on FTSE
Authors: Allen David E. , McAleer Michael
Published: February 2020

The paper examines the relative performance of Stochastic Volatility (SV) and Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) (1,1) models fitted to ten years of daily data for FTSE. As a benchmark, we used the realized volatility (RV) of FTSE sampled at 5 min intervals taken from the Oxford Man Realised Library. Both models demonstrated comparable performance and were correlated to a similar extent with RV estimates when measured by ordinary least squares (OLS). However, a crude variant of Corsi’s (2009) Heterogeneous Autoregressive (HAR) model, applied to squared demeaned daily returns on FTSE, appeared to predict the daily RV of FTSE better than either of the two models. Quantile regressions suggest that all three methods capture tail behaviour similarly and adequately. This leads to the question of whether we need either of the two standard volatility models if the simple expedient of using lagged squared demeaned daily returns provides a better RV predictor, at least in the context of the sample.
A Comprehensive Stability Indicator for Banks
Authors: J. Powell Robert , H. Vo Duc
Published: February 2020

Stability indicators are essential to banks in order to identify instability caused by adverse economic circumstances or increasing risks such as customer defaults. This paper develops a novel comprehensive stability indicator (CSI) that can readily be used by individual banks, or by regulators to benchmark financial health across banks. The CSI incorporates the three key risk factors of Creditworthiness, Conditions and Capital (3Cs), using a traffic light system (green, orange and red) to classify bank risk. The CSI achieves similar outcomes in ranking the risk of 20 US banks to the much more complex US Federal Reserve Dodd–Frank stress tests.
Loss Reserving Estimation With Correlated Run-Off Triangles in a Quantile Longitudinal Model
Authors: Badounas Ioannis , Pitselis Georgios
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider a loss reserving model for a general insurance portfolio consisting of a number of correlated run-off triangles that can be embedded within the quantile regression model for longitudinal data. The model proposes a combination of the between- and within-subportfolios (run-off triangles) estimating functions for regression parameter estimation, which take into account the correlation and variation of the run-off triangles. The proposed method is robust to the error correlation structure, improves the efficiency of parameter estimators, and is useful for the estimation of the reserve risk margin and value at risk (VaR) in actuarial and finance applications.
3D Simplification Methods and Large Scale Terrain Tiling
Authors: Campos Ricard , Quintana Josep , Garcia Rafael , Schmitt Thierry , Spoelstra George , M. A. Schaap Dick
Published: February 2020

This paper tackles the problem of generating world-scale multi-resolution triangulated irregular networks optimized for web-based visualization. Starting with a large-scale high-resolution regularly gridded terrain, we create a pyramid of triangulated irregular networks representing distinct levels of detail, where each level of detail is composed of small tiles of a fixed size. The main contribution of this paper is to redefine three different state-of-the-art 3D simplification methods to efficiently work at the tile level, thus rendering the process highly parallelizable. These modifications focus on the restriction of maintaining the vertices on the border edges of a tile that is coincident with its neighbors, at the same level of detail. We define these restrictions on the three different types of simplification algorithms (greedy insertion, edge-collapse simplification, and point set simplification); each of which imposes different assumptions on the input data. We implement at least one representative method of each type and compare both qualitatively and quantitatively on a large-scale dataset covering the European area at a resolution of 1/16 of an arc minute in the context of the European Marine Observations Data network (EMODnet) Bathymetry project. The results show that, although the simplification method designed for elevation data attains the best results in terms of mean error with respect to the original terrain, the other, more generic state-of-the-art 3D simplification techniques create a comparable error while providing different complexities for the triangle meshes.
Citric Acid Regulated Fabrication of Macroporous TiO2
Authors: Chen Rui , Shao Ningning , Zhou Xiaoquan , Chen Tiehong
Published: February 2020

Macroporous TiO2 monolith was prepared by a microphase separation method. After citric acid was added to the synthesis procedure, the yield of the titanium precursor has been significantly increased, and the stability of macroporous structure can be obviously enhanced. Anatase and rutile phase of TiO2 were obtained after a 550 °C and 800 °C calcination, respectively.
The Gross–Pitaevskii Equation with a Nonlocal Interaction in a Semiclassical Approximation on a Curve
Authors: Shapovalov Alexander V. , Kulagin Anton E. , Trifonov Andrey Yu.
Published: February 2020

We propose an approach to constructing semiclassical solutions for the generalized multidimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation with a nonlocal interaction term. The key property of the solutions is that they are concentrated on a one-dimensional manifold (curve) that evolves over time. The approach reduces the Cauchy problem for the nonlocal Gross–Pitaevskii equation to a similar problem for the associated linear equation. The geometric properties of the resulting solutions are related to Maslov’s complex germ, and the symmetry operators of the associated linear equation lead to the approximation of the symmetry operators for the nonlocal Gross–Pitaevskii equation.
A Consensus Measure of Expert Judgment in the Fuzzy TOPSIS Method
Authors: Ziemba Paweł , Becker Aneta , Becker Jarosław
Published: February 2020

In the case of many complex, real-world decision problems solved with the participation of a group of experts, it is important to capture the uncertainty of opinions and preferences expressed. In such situations, one can use many modifications of the technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) method, for example, based on fuzzy numbers. In fuzzy TOPSIS, two aggregation methods of fuzzy expert opinions dominate, the first based on the average value technique and the second one extended by the minimum and maximum functions for determining the support of the aggregated fuzzy number. An important disadvantage of both techniques is the fact that the agreement degree of expert opinions is not taken into account. This article proposes the inclusion of the modified procedure for aggregating individual expert opinions, taking into account the degree of agreement of their opinions (called the similarity aggregation method—SAM) and the ranking of experts into the fuzzy TOPSIS method. The fuzzy TOPSIS method extended in this way was used to solve the decision problem of recruiting employees by a group of experts. As part of the solution, the modified SAM was compared with aggregation procedures based on the average value and min-max (minimum and maximum) support. The results of the conducted research indicate that SAM allows fuzzy numbers to be obtained, characterized by less imprecision and greater stability than the other two considered aggregation procedures.
A Hybrid Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Supplier Evaluation and Selection in the Food Processing Industry
Authors: Wang Chia-Nan , Tsai Hsiung-Tien , Nguyen Van Thanh , Nguyen Viet Tinh , Huang Ying-Fang
Published: February 2020

Selecting suppliers plays an important role in improving efficiency of supply chains. In the field of extraction of vegetable oil, one of the main submaterials is hexane solvent. Choosing a supplier of hexane solvent is a multicriteria decision-making task that decision-makers must have an understanding of the quantitative and qualitative elements for assessing the symmetrical impact of the criteria to reach the most accurate result. In this paper, the authors suggest a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model for N-hexane solvent (C6H14) supplier evaluation and selection for vegetable oil production. All criteria affecting to the hexane solvent supplier evaluation and selection process are defined by experts. Then, a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) multicriteria comparative analysis method has been applied for determining the weight of all criteria. Finally, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was applied to select the optimal hexane solvent supplier. As a result, decision making unit 003 (DMU3) is the optimal supplier. The contribution of this research is to propose an MCDM model for hexane solvent supplier selection in the food industry. The work also proposed a useful guideline for supplier evaluation and selection processes in other industries.
The Wave-Front Equation of Gravitational Signals in Classical General Relativity
Authors: Cremaschini Claudio , Tessarotto Massimo
Published: February 2020

In this paper the dynamical equation for propagating wave-fronts of gravitational signals in classical general relativity (GR) is determined. The work relies on the manifestly-covariant Hamilton and Hamilton–Jacobi theories underlying the Einstein field equations recently discovered (Cremaschini and Tessarotto, 2015–2019). The Hamilton–Jacobi equation obtained in this way yields a wave-front description of gravitational field dynamics. It is shown that on a suitable subset of configuration space the latter equation reduces to a Klein–Gordon type equation associated with a 4-scalar field which identifies the wave-front surface of a gravitational signal. Its physical role and mathematical interpretation are discussed. Radiation-field wave-front solutions are pointed out, proving that according to this description, gravitational wave-fronts propagate in a given background space-time as waves characterized by the invariant speed-of-light c. The outcome is independent of the actual shape of the same wave-fronts and includes the case of gravitational waves which are characterized by an eikonal representation and propagate in a generic curved space-time along a null geodetics. The same waves are shown: (a) to correspond to the geometric-optics limit of the same curved space-time solutions; (b) to propagate in a flat space-time as plane waves with constant amplitude; (c) to display also the corresponding form of the wave-front in curved space-time. The result is consistent with the theory of the linearized Einstein field equations and the existence of gravitational waves achieved in such an asymptotic regime. Consistency with the non-linear Trautman boundary-value theory is also displayed.
A Novel Identification Method for Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Cultivars Based on a Deep Convolutional Neural Network with Leaf Image Input
Authors: Liu Chengzhong , Han Junying , Chen Baihong , Mao Juan , Xue Zhengxu , Li Shunqiang
Published: February 2020

The innovation of germplasm resources and the continuous breeding of new varieties of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) have yielded more than 8000 apple cultivars. The ability to identify apple cultivars with ease and accuracy can solve problems in apple breeding related to property rights protection to promote the healthy development of the global apple industry. However, the existing methods are inconsistent and time-consuming. This paper proposes an efficient and convenient method for the classification of apple cultivars using a deep convolutional neural network with leaf image input, which is the delicate symmetry of a human brain learning. The model was constructed using the TensorFlow framework and trained on a dataset of 12,435 leaf images for the identification of 14 apple cultivars. The proposed method achieved an overall accuracy of 0.9711 and could successfully avoid the over-fitting problem. Tests on an unknown independent testing set resulted in a mean accuracy, mean error, and variance of μ a c c = 0.9685 , μ ε = 0.0315 , and σ 2 = 1.89025 E − 4 , respectively, indicating that the generalization accuracy and stability of the model were very good. Finally, the classification performance for each cultivar was tested. The results show that model had an accuracy of 1.0000 for Ace, Hongrouyouxi, Jazz, and Honey Crisp cultivars, and only one leaf was incorrectly identified for 2001, Ada Red, Jonagold, and Gold Spur cultivars, with accuracies of 0.9787, 0.9800, 0.9773, and 0.9737, respectively. Jingning1 and Pinova cultivars were classified with the lowest accuracies, with 0.8780 and 0.8864, respectively. The results also show that the genetic relationship between cultivars Shoufu 3 and Yanfu 3 is very high, which is mainly because they were both selected from a red mutation of Fuji and bred in Yantai City, Shandong Province, China. Generally, this study indicates that the proposed deep learning model is a novel and improved solution for apple cultivar identification, with high generalization accuracy, stable convergence, and high specificity.
Demonstration of Reconfigurable BPFs with Wide Tuning Bandwidth Range Using 3λ/4 Open- and λ/2 Short- Ended Stubs
Authors: Arain Salman , Quddious Abdul , Nikolaou Symeon , Vryonides Photos
Published: February 2020

In this paper, two implementations of reconfigurable bandwidth bandpass filters (BPFs) are demonstrated both operating at a fixed center frequency of 2.4 GHz. The proposed reconfigurable bandwidth filters are based on a square ring resonator loaded with λg/4 open-ended stubs that are permanently connected to the ring and converted to either 3λg/4 open-ended stubs or λg/2 short-ended stubs by means of positive-intrinsic-negative(PIN) diodes to implement two reconfigurable bandwidth states for each case. Due to the symmetrical nature of the design, even- and odd-mode analysis is used to derive the closed-form to describe the reconfigurable filters’ behavior. The switching between narrowband and wideband is achieved using PIN diodes. In the first implementation (λg/4 open-ended stubs to 3λg/4 open-ended stubs), a reconfigurable bandwidth bandpass filter is proposed where additional out-of-band transmission zeros are generated by integrating a λg/2 open-ended stub at the input port. In the second implementation (λg/4 open-ended stubs to λg/2 short-ended stubs), further improvement in the upper stopband is achieved by utilizing a pair of parallel coupled lines (PCLs) as feeding lines and a pair of λg/4 high impedance short-ended stubs implemented at the input and output ports. To verify the validity of the simulated results, the prototypes of the proposed reconfigurable filters were fabricated. For the first case, measured insertion loss is less than 1.8 dB with a switchable 3-dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) range from 28% to 54%. The measured results for the second case exhibit a low insertion loss of less than 1 dB and a 3-dB fractional bandwidth that can be switched from 34% to 75%, while the center frequency is kept constant at 2.4 GHz in both cases.
The First Non-LRV RNA Virus in Leishmania
Authors: Grybchuk Danyil , Macedo Diego H. , Kleschenko Yulia , Kraeva Natalya , Lukashev Alexander N. , Bates Paul A. , Kulich Pavel , Leštinová Tereza , Volf Petr , Kostygov Alexei Y. , Yurchenko Vyacheslav
Published: February 2020

In this work, we describe the first Leishmania-infecting leishbunyavirus—the first virus other than Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) found in trypanosomatid parasites. Its host is Leishmania martiniquensis, a human pathogen causing infections with a wide range of manifestations from asymptomatic to severe visceral disease. This virus (LmarLBV1) possesses many characteristic features of leishbunyaviruses, such as tripartite organization of its RNA genome, with ORFs encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, surface glycoprotein, and nucleoprotein on L, M, and S segments, respectively. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that LmarLBV1 originated from leishbunyaviruses of monoxenous trypanosomatids and, probably, is a result of genomic re-assortment. The LmarLBV1 facilitates parasites’ infectivity in vitro in primary murine macrophages model. The discovery of a virus in L. martiniquensis poses the question of whether it influences pathogenicity of this parasite in vivo, similarly to the LRV in other Leishmania species.
The Detection and Association of Canine Papillomavirus with Benign and Malignant Skin Lesions in Dogs
Authors: Chang Chia-Yu , Chen Wei-Tao , Haga Takeshi , Yamashita Nanako , Lee Chi-Fen , Tsuzuki Masano , Chang Hui-Wen
Published: February 2020

Papillomavirus (PV) mainly infects the squamous epithelium and may potentially lead to benign or even malignant cutaneous lesions. However, the malignant transforming ability has been identified in several types of PVs. In humans, papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18 are the most prevalent causative agents of cervical cancer. Therefore, vaccines are being developed to protect against these types. For dogs, there have been limited investigations into the association of different canine papillomavirus (CPV) genotypes with malignant lesions. Understanding the high-risk CPV genotype(s) responsible for these malignant lesions would contribute to the development of interventions for preventing CPV-induced carcinomas. In the present study, a retrospective cohort of 102 pathologically confirmed papillomas and 212 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) were included. The viral genome and antigens in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues were detected using PCR targeting pan PV E1 and COPV L1 genes and by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC), respectively. PVs were successfully detected from 11 FFPE cutaneous tissues and four oral tissues using pan PV E1- and COPV L1-based PCR, respectively. After sequencing, CPV 1, CPV 2, and CPV 6 were detected in the benign lesions using PCR and were confirmed through IHC. While CPV 9 and CPV 15 were first detected in the SCCs of dogs, CPV 16 was most often detected in SCC specimens. The association and confirmative demonstration of viral genes and intralesional antigens of CPV 9, CPV 15, and CPV 16 in SCCs highlight the potential risk of these genotypes of CPVs in malignant transformation.