bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation on the Effects of Baffles with Various Thermal and Geometrical Conditions on Thermo-Fluid Dynamics and Kinetic Power of a Solar Updraft Tower
Authors: Lee Seungjin , Kim Yoon Seok , Park Joong Yull
Published: August 2018

Solar updraft towers (SUTs) are used for renewable power generation, taking advantage of the thermal updraft air flow caused by solar energy. Aerodynamic devices have been applied to SUTs to improve their performance and the baffle is one such device. Here, we investigate the effect of baffle installation on the thermo-fluid dynamic phenomena in the collector of an SUT and how it enhances the overall SUT performance using computational fluid dynamics analysis. Two geometric parameters (height and width of baffle) and two thermal boundary conditions of the baffle (adiabatic condition and heat flux condition) were tested through simulations with 10 different models. The vortex generated by the baffle has a positive effect on the delivery of heat energy from the ground to the main flow; however, one disadvantage is that the baffle inherently increases the resistance of the main flow. Over 3% higher kinetic power was achieved with some of the simulated baffle models. Therefore, an optimum design for baffle installation can be achieved by considering the positive and negative thermo-fluid dynamics of baffles.
Compact Water-Cooled Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) Based on a Portable Gas Stove
Authors: Lv Hongkun , Li Guoneng , Zheng Youqu , Hu Jiangen , Li Jian
Published: August 2018

A compact water-cooled thermoelectric generator (TEG) based on a portable gas stove was designed and analyzed to supply electricity in off-grid scenarios. The TEG incorporates a newly designed heat collector, eight thermoelectric (TE) modules, and a radiator to ensure its portability (5.9 kg) and sufficiency of electric power (12.9 W). Detailed measurements and discussions on power load feature and TE efficiency are presented. Experiments showed that the power generation capability of the proposed TEG is compromised by its compactness over previous water-cooled TEGs. A theoretical model incorporated with heat leaks from various origins has been developed to illustrate that the designed TEG exerts the potential of every TE module, and to reveal the proportion of various heat fluxes. The predicted electric power, various heat fluxes, and TE efficiency agree well with experimental data. The limitations of TE efficiency and the nonlinearity caused by Joule heat are discussed quantitatively.
Design and Experimental Verification of 400-W Class LED Driver with Cooperative Control Method for Two-Parallel Connected DC/DC Converters
Authors: Yada Tomoharu , Katamoto Yuta , Yamada Hiroaki , Tanaka Toshihiko , Okamoto Masayuki , Hanamoto Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2018

This paper deals with a design and experimental verification of 400-W class light-emitting diode (LED) driver with cooperative control method for two-parallel connected DC/DC converters. In the cooperative control method, one DC/DC converter is selected to supply the output current for the LED, based on the reference value of the LED current. Thus, the proposed cooperative-control strategy achieves wide dimming range operation. The discontinuous current conduction mode (DCM) operation improves the total harmonic distortion (THD) value on the AC side of the LED driver. The standard of Electrical Applications and Materials Safety Act in Japan has defined the flicker frequency and minimum optical output. The smoothing capacitors are designed by considering the power flow and LED current ripple for satisfying the standard. A prototype LED driver is constructed and tested. Experimental results demonstrate that a wide dimming operation range from 1 to 100% is achieved with a THD value less than 10% on the AC side, by the proposed control strategy. The authors compare the power conversion efficiency between Si- and SiC-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) based LED driver. The maximum power conversion efficiency by using SiC-MOSFETs based LED driver is 91.4%. Finally, the variable switching frequency method is proposed for improving the power conversion efficiency for a low LED current region.
Adaptive Sliding Mode Speed Control for Wind Energy Experimental System
Authors: Merabet Adel
Published: August 2018

In this paper, an adaptive sliding mode speed control algorithm with an integral-operation sliding surface is proposed for a variable speed wind energy experimental system. In the control design, an estimator is designed to compensate for the uncertainties and the unknown turbine torque. In addition, the bound of the sliding mode is investigated to deal with uncertainties. The stability of the system can be guaranteed in the sense of the Lyapunov stability theorem. The laboratory size DC generator wind energy system is controlled using a buck-boost DC-DC converter interface. The control system is validated by experimentation and results demonstrate the achievement of favorable speed tracking performance and robustness against parametric variations and external disturbances.
Power Plant Economic Analysis: Maximizing Lifecycle Profitability by Simulating Preliminary Design Solutions of Steam-Cycle Conditions
Authors: Hong Chul-Seung , Lee Eul-Bum
Published: August 2018

Many existing financial models for power plants chose a design based on the maximum thermal efficiency excluding the operational (OPEX) and capital (CAPEX) cost variations of technical factors. These factors are often fixed because including them in financial assessments can be burdensome and it is assumed that maximum efficiency equals maximum profit. However, this assumption may not always be right. Through 19,440 power plant steam-cycle design solutions and their associated OPEX and CAPEX, this study found the eighth most thermally-efficient solution to be $1.284 M more profitable than the traditional thermally-optimized design solution. As such, this paper presents a model incorporating technical factors through parametric estimation by minimizing the burden on decision makers. While this may reduce precision, it allows for quick cost assessments across differing design solutions. The data for model development was collected from a Korean-constructed, operational 600 MW coal-fired power plant in the Philippines. Using the Thermoflex software, nearly all design configurations’ heat rate outputs are simulated. Profitability is then optimized based on the resultant design configuration’s impact on revenue and CAPEX and OPEX costs. The simulation inputs included variables found to be most impactful on the steam generated power efficiency per existing literature. Lastly, the model includes an assessment of cost impacts among recent environmental regulations by incorporating carbon tax costs and a sensitivity analysis. The economic analysis model discussed in this paper is non-existent in current literature and will aid the power-plant project investment industry through their project feasibility analyses.
Alternating Current Discharge Characteristics and Simulation Analysis of Rod-Plane Short Air Gaps under Salt Fog Conditions
Authors: Liu Yunpeng , Jiang Shuo , Zhong Zheng , Geng Jianghai , Lv Fangcheng
Published: August 2018

In this paper, smog meteorological conditions in the natural environment is simulated by the salt fog method. The study of the alternating current (AC) discharge characteristics of rod-plane short air gaps in salt fog environments has important guiding significance for how to strengthen the external insulation strength of ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines and electrical equipment in smog environments. The rod-plane short air gap is selected as the model to simulate the extremely uneven electric field. The AC discharge test is carried out in the salt fog environment with different conductivity, and the finite element method (FEM) is used to simulate the distribution of electric field in air gap under salt fog environment conditions. The results show that under clean fog conditions the AC discharge voltage in the air gap increased by 15.1% to 35.5% compared to that under dry conditions. With the increased conductivity of salt fog, the AC discharge voltage in air gap decreased by 4.1% to 9.2% compared to that under clean fog conditions, and the reduction is within 10%. The distortion of the electric field and the adsorption of free electrons in the gap by droplets lead to the decrease of the electric field intensity in the air gap. With the increase of the conductivity, the electric field intensity in the air gap increases slightly. Meanwhile, the influence of salt fog and its conductivity on the AC discharge voltage of rod-plane short air gap is examined, becoming saturated with the increase of the gap distance and the conductivity of salt fog.
Effects and Characteristics of AC Interference on Parallel Underground Pipelines Caused by an AC Electrified Railway
Authors: Chen Minwu , Liu Siyang , Zhu Jiuguo , Xie Chonghao , Tian Hang , Li Jianjun
Published: August 2018

An AC electrified railway can interfere significantly with parallel underground pipelines in a public transportation corridor. Such interference may threaten the long-term transportation and the operational safety of the pipelines. Therefore, this paper presents a mathematical model to illustrate the electromagnetic coupling between an AC electrified railway and nearby parallel underground pipelines. As the basis of the engineering calculation, an integration simulation model based on CDEGS software, which included an electrified railway and pipeline system, was built and its correctness was validated by comparing it with a mathematical model. Also, the effects of electric traction load parameters, pipeline parameters, and soil structure parameters were analyzed, the results of which demonstrate the distribution characteristics of AC interference on parallel underground pipelines. Using a real case in China as an example, protection measures were introduced to decrease coupling interference and their effectiveness was verified by simulation calculations and field measurements.
Quota Allocation for Carbon Emissions in China’s Electric Power Industry Based Upon the Fairness Principle
Authors: Meng Ming , Wang Lixue , Chen Qu
Published: August 2018

As an essential measure to mitigate the CO2 emissions, China is constructing a nationwide carbon emission trading (CET) market. The electric power industry is the first sector that will be introduced into this market, but the quota allocation scheme, as the key foundation of market transactions, is still undetermined. This research employed the gross domestic product (GDP), energy consumption, and electric generation data of 30 provinces from 2001 to 2015, a hybrid trend forecasting model, and a three-indicator allocation model to measure the provincial quota allocation for carbon emissions in China’s electric power sector. The conclusions drawn from the empirical analysis can be summarized as follows: (1) The carbon emission peak in China’s electric power sector will appear in 2027, and peak emissions will be 3.63 billion tons, which will surpass the total carbon emissions of the European Union (EU) and approximately equal to 2/3 of the United States of America (USA). (2) The developed provinces that are supported by traditional industries should take more responsibility for carbon mitigation. (3) Nine provinces are expected to be the buyers in the CET market. These provinces are mostly located in eastern China, and account for approximately 63.65% of China’s carbon emissions generated by the electric power sector. (4) The long-distance electric power transmission shifts the carbon emissions and then has an impact on the quotas allocation for carbon emissions. (5) The development and effective utilization of clean power generation will play a positive role for carbon mitigation in China’s electric sector.
The Neighborhood Effect Averaging Problem (NEAP): An Elusive Confounder of the Neighborhood Effect
Authors: Kwan Mei-Po
Published: August 2018

Ignoring people’s daily mobility and exposures to nonresidential contexts may lead to erroneous results in epidemiological studies of people’s exposures to and the health impact of environmental factors. This paper identifies and describes a phenomenon called neighborhood effect averaging, which may significantly confound the neighborhood effect as a result of such neglect when examining the health impact of mobility-dependent exposures (e.g., air pollution). Several recent studies that provide strong evidence for the neighborhood effect averaging problem (NEAP) are discussed. The paper concludes that, due to the observed attenuation of the neighborhood effect associated with people’s daily mobility, increasing the mobility of those who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be helpful for improving their health outcomes.
The Effect of Usual Source of Care on the Association of Annual Healthcare Expenditure with Patients’ Age and Chronic Disease Duration
Authors: Moon Sungje , Choi Mankyu
Published: August 2018

Along with rapid population aging, the importance of chronic disease management increases with high growth of national healthcare expenditures, and efficient spending on healthcare is required to reduce unnecessary utilizations. For that reason, this study examined the association of annual healthcare expenditure with age and disease duration of chronic patients. Furthermore, the study investigated the effect of usual source of care (USOC) to suggest directions for preventive management of chronic disease. Using Korean Health Panel Study data, this study selected 1481 outpatients, who had out-of-pocket costs for hypertension or diabetes, and their total healthcare and chronic disease management (CDM) costs were examined. With patient aging, CDM cost decreased while the total healthcare cost increased, but longer duration of hypertension or diabetes resulted in increases in both CDM and total healthcare costs. In addition, the moderating effect of USOC indicated that elderly patients had increased CDM costs when they had a regular site for healthcare. In contrast, patients with longer duration had reductions in both CDM and total healthcare costs while having a regular doctor increased CDM cost. The results of this study could be an evidence for future policies to suggest proper preventive management plans for specific subjects.
Exposure to Harmful Dusts on Fully Powered Longwall Coal Mines in Poland
Authors: Brodny Jarosław , Tutak Magdalena
Published: August 2018

The mining production process is exposed to a series of different hazards. One of them is the accumulation of dust which can pose a serious threat to the life and health of mine workers. The analysis of dust hazard in hard coal mining should include two aspects. One is the risk of coal dust explosions, which poses a direct risk of injury or even loss of life, the second is the risk of harmful dust, associated with the possibility of negative health effects as a result of long-term exposure to dust in the worker’s body. The technologies currently applied in underground mining produce large amounts of coal and stone dust. Long-term exposure to dust and crystalline silica may cause chronic respiratory disease. The article presents the results of tests on the dust levels in the area of a fully-powered longwall. The tests were conducted for five longwalls from different hard coal mines. In each of them, the average values of inhalable and respirable dust as well as the percentage content of free silica in the dust were determined in ten selected working positions. Additionally, for the longwall with the highest dust concentration, the levels of dust were determined for the basic activities related to the phases of the technological cycle. The comparative analysis conducted and the results obtained demonstrate large variations in the dust levels in the different areas. The permissible values were significantly exceeded in a number of cases. This poses a great threat to the health of Polish miners. The results obtained indicate that it is necessary to undertake more effective measures in order to improve the working environment of the crew in hard coal mines.
Influence of Host and Environmental Factors on the Distribution of the Japanese Encephalitis Vector Culex tritaeniorhynchus in China
Authors: Liu Boyang , Gao Xiang , Ma Jun , Jiao Zhihui , Xiao Jianhua , Wang Hongbin
Published: August 2018

Culex tritaeniorhynchus is an important vector that transmits a variety of human and animal diseases. Japanese encephalitis (JE), an endemic disease in the Asia-Pacific region, is primarily transmitted by Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Insufficient monitoring of vector mosquitoes has led to a poor understanding of the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in China. To delineate the habitat of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and any host and environmental factors that affect its distribution, we used a maximum entropy modeling method to predict its distribution in China. Our models provided high resolution predictions on the potential distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. The predicted suitable habitats of the JE vector were correlated with areas of high JE incidence in parts of China. Factors driving the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in China were also revealed by our models. Furthermore, human population density and the maximum NDVI were the most important predictors in our models. Bioclimate factors and elevation also significantly impacted the distribution of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus. Our findings may serve as a reference for vector and disease control.
Nurses’ Occupational and Medical Risks Factors of Leaving the Profession in Nursing Homes
Authors: Pélissier Carole , Charbotel Barbara , Fassier Jean Baptiste , Fort Emmanuel , Fontana Luc
Published: August 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the association between intention to leave work, and working conditions and health status among female care-staff in nursing homes. A multicenter cross-sectional study included female care-staff in 105 nursing homes for the elderly. We used validated questionnaires to assess occupational, psychosocial and medical data in a multicenter transverse study. Univariate analysis on chi² test was performed with stratification according to job (nurse, nursing assistant), and variables found to be significant on each dimension were included on multivariate models. 1428 nursing assistants and 342 registered nurses were included. 391 nursing assistants and 85 registered nurses intended to leave their work with the elderly. The registered nurses’ intention to leave was associated with deteriorated care-team or residents relations, and with perceived elevated hardship due to the proximity of residents’ death. The nursing assistants’ intention to leave was associated with deteriorated management relation, with job insecurity and elevated hardship due to the residents’ intellectual deterioration. Impaired physical or psychological health status also correlated with this intention. Policy to reduce voluntary turnover of care-staff in nursing homes for the elderly could be based on multifactorial management, acting on work organization and reducing psychosocial stress.
High Electrochemical Performance of Nanotube Structured ZnS as Anode Material for Lithium–Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhang Junfan , Zhao Yan , Tan Taizhe , Yang Tai
Published: August 2018

By using ZnO nanorods as an ideal sacrificial template, one-dimensional (1-D) ZnS nanotubes with a mean diameter of 10 nm were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. The phase composition and microstructure of the ZnS nanotubes were characterized by using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron micrograph), and TEM (transmission electronic microscopy) analysis. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nitrogen sorption isotherms measurements were also used to study the information on the surface chemical compositions and specific surface area of the sample. The prepared ZnS nanotubes were used as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. Results show that the ZnS nanotubes deliver an impressive prime discharge capacity as high as 950 mAh/g. The ZnS nanotubes also exhibit an enhanced cyclic performance. Even after 100 charge/discharge cycles, the discharge capacity could still remain at 450 mAh/g. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were also carried out to evaluate the ZnS electrodes.
Nanoparticle Enhanced Antibody and DNA Biosensors for Sensitive Detection of Salmonella
Authors: Savas Sumeyra , Ersoy Aylin , Gulmez Yakup , Kilic Selcuk , Levent Belkis , Altintas Zeynep
Published: August 2018

Bacteria-related pathogenic diseases are one of the major health problems throughout the world. Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped Gram-negative enterobacteria of which more than 2600 serotypes have been identified. Infection with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, a serious bacterial toxi-infection syndrome associated with gastroenteritis, and paralyphoid and typhoid fevers. Its rapid and sensitive detection is a key to the prevention of problems related to health. This paper describes the development of antibody and DNA sensors for Salmonella detection using a microfluidic-based electrochemical system. Commercial Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella typhimurium from human stool samples were investigated using standard and nanomaterial-amplified antibody sensors. S. typhimurium could be detected down to 1 cfu mL−1. The specificity of immunoassay was tested by studying with non-specific bacteria including E. coli and S. aureus that revealed only 2.01% and 2.66% binding when compared to the target bacterium. On the other hand, the quantification of Salmonella DNA was investigated in a concentration range of 0.002–200 µM using the developed DNA biosensor that demonstrated very high specificity and sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.94 nM. Our custom-designed microfluidic sensor offers rapid, highly sensitive, and specific diagnostic assay approaches for pathogen detection.
An Ab Initio Study of Thermodynamic and Mechanical Stability of Heusler-Based Fe2AlCo Polymorphs
Authors: Friák Martin , Oweisová Sabina , Pavlů Jana , Holec David , Šob Mojmír
Published: August 2018

We use quantum-mechanical calculations to test a hypothesis of Glover et al. (J. Mag. Mag. Mater. 15 (1980) 699) that Co atoms in the Fe 2 AlCo compound have on average 3 Fe and 3 Co atoms in their second nearest neighbor shell. We have simulated four structural configurations of Fe 2 AlCo including the full Heusler structure, inverse Heusler polymorph and two other phases matching this idea. The highest thermodynamic stability at T = 0 K is indeed predicted for one of the phases with the distribution of atoms according to Glover and et al. However, small energy differences among three of the studied polymorphs lead to a disordered CsCl-structure-like (B2-like) phase at elevated temperatures. The fourth variant, the full Heusler phase, is predicted to be mechanically unstable. The global magnetic states are predicted to be ferromagnetic but local magnetic moments of Fe and Co atoms sensitively depend on the composition of the first and second coordination shells.
Tuning Nano-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Content in Novel Rechargeable Antibacterial Dental Sealant
Authors: Ibrahim Maria Salem , AlQarni Faisal D. , Al-Dulaijan Yousif A. , Weir Michael D. , Oates Thomas W. , Xu Hockin H. K. , Melo Mary Anne S.
Published: August 2018

Dental sealants with antibacterial and remineralizing properties are promising for caries prevention among children and adolescents. The application of nanotechnology and polymer development have enabled nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) and dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) to emerge as anti-caries strategies via resin-based dental materials. Our objectives in this study were to (1) incorporate different mass fractions of NACP into a parental rechargeable and antibacterial sealant; (2) investigate the effects on mechanical performance, and (3) assess how the variations in NACP concentration would affect the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (PO4) ion release and re-chargeability over time. NACP were synthesized using a spray-drying technique and incorporated at mass fractions of 0, 10, 20 and 30%. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, and flowability were assessed for mechanical and physical performance. Ca and PO4 ion release were measured over 70 days, and three ion recharging cycles were performed for re-chargeability. The impact of the loading percentage of NACP upon the sealant’s performance was evaluated, and the optimized formulation was eventually selected. The experimental sealant at 20% NACP had flexural strength and flexural modulus of 79.5 ± 8.4 MPa and 4.2 ± 0.4 GPa, respectively, while the flexural strength and flexural modulus of a commercial sealant control were 70.7 ± 5.5 MPa (p > 0.05) and 3.3 ± 0.5 GPa (p < 0.05), respectively. A significant reduction in flow was observed in the experimental sealant at 30% NACP (p < 0.05). Increasing the NACP mass fraction increased the ion release. The sealant formulation with NACP at 20% displayed desirable mechanical performance and ideal flow and handling properties, and also showed high levels of long-term Ca and PO4 ion release and excellent recharge capabilities. The findings provide fundamental data for the development of a new generation of antibacterial and rechargeable Ca and PO4 dental sealants to promote remineralization and inhibit caries.
Buckling Analysis of Vacancy-Defected Graphene Sheets by the Stochastic Finite Element Method
Authors: Chu Liu , Shi Jiajia , Ben Shujun
Published: August 2018

Vacancy defects are unavoidable in graphene sheets, and the random distribution of vacancy defects has a significant influence on the mechanical properties of graphene. This leads to a crucial issue in the research on nanomaterials. Previous methods, including the molecular dynamics theory and the continuous medium mechanics, have limitations in solving this problem. In this study, the Monte Carlo-based finite element method, one of the stochastic finite element methods, is proposed and simulated to analyze the buckling behavior of vacancy-defected graphene. The critical buckling stress of vacancy-defected graphene sheets deviated within a certain range. The histogram and regression graphs of the probability density distribution are also presented. Strengthening effects on the mechanical properties by vacancy defects were detected. For high-order buckling modes, the regularity and geometrical symmetry in the displacement of graphene were damaged because of a large amount of randomly dispersed vacancy defects.
Design, Synthesis, Phloem Mobility, and Bioactivities of a Series of Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid-Amino Acid Conjugates
Authors: Yu Linhua , Huang Di , Zhu Xiang , Zhang Min , Yao Zongli , Wu Qinglai , Xu Zhihong , Li Junkai
Published: August 2018

Developing fungicides with phloem mobility that can be applied to leaves to control root or vascular pathogens has long been desirable. To achieve this goal, an efficient and economical strategy involves introducing an amino acid into the existing highly active parent pesticide molecule. Hence, 12 L-phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA)-amino acid conjugates 4a–l were designed and synthesized via a simple synthetic route. In vitro bioassays results showed that all synthesized compounds 4a–l exhibited certain fungicidal activities against six tested fungi. Compound 4c exhibited relatively good fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani, and the EC50 value was 0.084 ± 0.006 mmol/L. The phloem mobility experiments revealed that introducing an amino acid to PCA could effectively endow PCA with phloem mobility in R. communis L. Among them, nine conjugates were found in phloem sap, and L-PCA-Valine 4d exhibited the highest phloem mobility. Analysis results from the prediction of the Kleier model indicated that an active carrier-mediated mechanism may be involved in L-PCA-amino acid conjugates—a result that needs to be confirmed and complemented with further tests. The current research provides useful data for modifying non-phloem-mobile fungicidal molecules to phloem-mobile types.
Comparative Studies of the Dynamics Effects of BAY60-2770 and BAY58-2667 Binding with Human and Bacterial H-NOX Domains
Authors: Rehan Khalid Rana , Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Maryam Arooma , Ashique Ayesha , Anwar Farooq , H. Geesi Mohammed , Siddiqi Abdul Rauf
Published: August 2018

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a key enzyme implicated in various physiological processes such as vasodilation, thrombosis and platelet aggregation. The enzyme’s Heme-Nitric oxide/Oxygen (H-NOX) binding domain is the only sensor of nitric oxide (NO) in humans, which on binding with NO activates sGC to produce the second messenger cGMP. H-NOX is thus a hot target for drug design programs. BAY60-2770 and BAY58-2667 are two widely studied activators of sGC. Here we present comparative molecular dynamics studies to understand the molecular details characterizing the binding of BAY60-2770 and BAY58-2667 with the human H-NOX (hH-NOX) and bacterial H-NOX (bH-NOX) domains. HartreeFock method was used for parametrization of both the activators. A 50 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was run to identify the functionally critical regions of the H-NOX domains. The CPPTRAJ module was used for analysis. BAY60-2770 on binding with bH-NOX, triggered rotational movement in signaling helix F and significant dynamicity in loops α and β, but in hH-NOX domain the compound showed relatively lesser aforementioned structural fluctuations. Conversely, hH-NOX ligated BAY58-2667 experienced highest transitions in its helix F due to electrostatic interactions with D84, T85 and R88 residues which are not conserved in bH-NOX. These conformational transformations might be essential to communicate with downstream PAS, CC and cyclase domains of sGC. Comparative MD studies revealed that BAY bound bHNOX dynamics varied from that of hH-NOX, plausibly due to some key residues such as R40, F74 and Y112 which are not conserved in bacteria. These findings will help to the design of novel drug leads to cure diseases associated to human sGC.
Enhancing the Delivery of Chemotherapeutics: Role of Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles
Authors: Ahlawat Jyoti , Henriquez Gabriela , Narayan Mahesh
Published: August 2018

While pharmaceutical drugs have revolutionized human life, there are several features that limit their full potential. This review draws attention to some of the obstacles currently facing the use of chemotherapeutic drugs including low solubility, poor bioavailability and high drug dose. Overcoming these issues will further enhance the applicability and potential of current drugs. An emerging technology that is geared towards improving overall therapeutic efficiency resides in drug delivery systems including the use of polymeric nanoparticles which have found widespread use in cancer therapeutics. These polymeric nanoparticles can provide targeted drug delivery, increase the circulation time in the body, reduce the therapeutic indices with minimal side-effects, and accumulate in cells without activating the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Given the inroads made in the field of nanodelivery systems for pharmaceutical applications, it is of interest to review and emphasize the importance of Polymeric nanocarrier system for drug delivery in chemotherapy.
“Mirror” Method to Estimate Mutagenic Activity of DNA Lesions
Authors: Gening Leonid V. , Shevchenko Oleg V. , Kazachenko Konstantin Y. , Tarantul Vyacheslav Z.
Published: August 2018

We propose an improved method for detecting mutations that arise in DNA due to misincorporations of deoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate (dAMP) opposite 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). The method is based on the synthesis of complementary chains (“mirror” products) using a template containing 8-oxoG. The misincorporation of dAMP in the “mirror” product forms EcoRI sites. The restriction analysis of double-stranded DNAs obtained by PCR of “mirror” product allows quantification of the mutagenesis frequency. In addition, single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the single-stranded “mirror” products shows that different DNA polymerases only incorporate dA or dC opposite 8-oxoG. The proposed approach used in developing this technique can be applied in the study of other lesions as well, both single and clustered.
Structural Evolution of Two-Phase Blends of Polycarbonate and PMMA by Simultaneous Biaxial Stretching
Authors: Kobayashi Takumi , Saito Hiromu
Published: August 2018

We investigated the structural evolution of the two-phase blends of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at various blend compositions by simultaneous biaxial stretching, using optical microscopy and SEM observation. The spherical PMMA domains and PC matrix of 30/70 PC/PMMA were enlarged uniformly at the all in-plane direction, while the anisotropic-shaped co-continuous structure in 50/50 PC/PMMA was deformed to a crosshatched structure by the in-plane bimodal orientation. In 70/30 PC/PMMA, the phase inversion was found to occur by simultaneous biaxial stretching; that is, the spherical PMMA domains were changed to a crosshatched matrix by the in-plane bimodal orientation due to coalescence of the PMMA domains during the stretching. Owing to the phase inversion, the surface hardness estimated by the pencil hardness test became harder, from 2B to 2H, increasing the strain from 1.0 to 2.0.
Breast Cancer Detection Using Infrared Thermal Imaging and a Deep Learning Model
Authors: Mambou Sebastien Jean , Maresova Petra , Krejcar Ondrej , Selamat Ali , Kuca Kamil
Published: August 2018

Women’s breasts are susceptible to developing cancer; this is supported by a recent study from 2016 showing that 2.8 million women worldwide had already been diagnosed with breast cancer that year. The medical care of a patient with breast cancer is costly and, given the cost and value of the preservation of the health of the citizen, the prevention of breast cancer has become a priority in public health. Over the past 20 years several techniques have been proposed for this purpose, such as mammography, which is frequently used for breast cancer diagnosis. However, false positives of mammography can occur in which the patient is diagnosed positive by another technique. Additionally, the potential side effects of using mammography may encourage patients and physicians to look for other diagnostic techniques. Our review of the literature first explored infrared digital imaging, which assumes that a basic thermal comparison between a healthy breast and a breast with cancer always shows an increase in thermal activity in the precancerous tissues and the areas surrounding developing breast cancer. Furthermore, through our research, we realized that a Computer-Aided Diagnostic (CAD) undertaken through infrared image processing could not be achieved without a model such as the well-known hemispheric model. The novel contribution of this paper is the production of a comparative study of several breast cancer detection techniques using powerful computer vision techniques and deep learning models.
Physical Wellbeing Monitoring Employing Non-Invasive Low-Cost and Low-Energy Sensor Socks
Authors: García Laura , Parra Lorena , Jimenez Jose M. , Lloret Jaime
Published: August 2018

Determining and improving the wellbeing of people is one of the priorities of the OECD countries. Nowadays many sensors allow monitoring different parameters in regard to the wellbeing of people. These sensors can be deployed in smartphones, clothes or accessories like watches. Many studies have been performed on wearable devices that monitor certain aspects of the health of people, especially for specific diseases. In this paper, we propose a non-invasive low-cost and low-energy physical wellbeing monitoring system that provides a wellness score based on the obtained data. We present the architecture of the system and the disposition of the sensors on the sock. The algorithm of the system is presented as well. The wellness threshold evaluation module allows determining if the monitored parameter is within healthy ranges. The message forwarding module allows decreasing the energy consumption of the system by detecting the presence of alerts or changes in the data. Finally, a simulation was performed in order to determine the energy consumption of the system. Results show that our algorithm allows saving 44.9% of the initial energy in 10,000 min for healthy people.
Investigation of a Three-Dimensional Micro-Scale Sensing System Based on a Tapered Self-Assembly Four-Cores Fiber Bragg Grating Probe
Authors: Feng Kunpeng , Cui Jiwen , Sun Xun , Dang Hong , Shi Tangjun , Niu Yizhao , Jin Yihua , Tan Jiubin
Published: August 2018

Three-dimensional micro-scale sensors are in high demand in the fields of metrology, precision manufacturing and industry inspection. To extend the minimum measurable dimension and enhance the accuracy, a tapered four-cores fiber Bragg grating (FBG) probe is proposed. The sensing model is built to investigate the micro-scale sensing characteristics of this method and the design of the tapered stylus is found to influence the accuracy. Therefore, a π/2 phase-shift point is introduced into the FBGs comprised in the probe to suppress spectrum distortion and improve accuracy. Then, the manufacturing method based on capillary self-assembly is proposed to form the probe and the critical length to form a square array for four cylindrical fibers is verified to be effective for the tapered fibers. Experimental results indicate that the design of the tapered stylus can extend the minimum measurable dimension by twofold and has nearly no influence on its sensitivity. The three-dimensional measurement repeatability is better than 31.1 nm and the stability is better than 200 nm within once measuring process. Furthermore, the measurement precision of the three-dimensional micro-scale measurement results is less than 150 nm. It would be widely used in measuring micro-scale features for industry inspection or metrology.
Coarse-Fine-Stitched: A Robust Maritime Horizon Line Detection Method for Unmanned Surface Vehicle Applications
Authors: Sun Yuan , Fu Li
Published: August 2018

The horizon line has numerous applications for an unmanned surface vehicles (USV), such as autonomous navigation, attitude estimation, obstacle detection and target tracking. However, maritime horizon line detection is quite a challenging problem. The pixel points of the horizon line features are far fewer than the pixel points of the entire image, on the one hand. Conversely, the detection results might be impacted negatively by the complex maritime environment, waves, light changing, and partial occlusions due to maritime vessels or islands, for example. To solve these problems, a robust horizon line detection method named coarse-fine-stitched (CFS) is proposed in this paper. First, in the coarse step of CFS, a line segment detection approach using gradient features is applied to build a line candidate pool, which probably contains many false detection results. Then, hybrid feature filtering is designed to pick the horizon line segments from the pool in the fine step. Finally, the fine line segments are stitched to obtain the whole horizon line based on random sample consensus (RANSAC). Using real data in the maritime environment, the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of CFS, compared to the existing methods in terms of accuracy and robustness.
The Effects of Inequality, Density, and Heterogeneous Residential Preferences on Urban Displacement and Metropolitan Structure: An Agent-Based Model
Authors: Boeing Geoff
Published: August 2018

Urban displacement—when a household is forced to relocate due to conditions affecting its home or surroundings—often results from rising housing costs, particularly in wealthy, prosperous cities. However, its dynamics are complex and often difficult to understand. This paper presents an agent-based model of urban settlement, agglomeration, displacement, and sprawl. New settlements form around a spatial amenity that draws initial, poor settlers to subsist on the resource. As the settlement grows, subsequent settlers of varying income, skills, and interests are heterogeneously drawn to either the original amenity or to the emerging human agglomeration. As this agglomeration grows and densifies, land values increase, and the initial poor settlers are displaced from the spatial amenity on which they relied. Through path dependence, high-income residents remain clustered around this original amenity for which they have no direct use or interest. This toy model explores these dynamics, demonstrating a simplified mechanism of how urban displacement and gentrification can be sensitive to income inequality, density, and varied preferences for different types of amenities.
A Mid-IR Selected Changing-look Quasar and Physical Scenarios for Abrupt AGN Fading
Authors: Stern Daniel , McKernan Barry , Graham Matthew J. , Ford K. E. S. , Ross Nicholas P. , Meisner Aaron M. , Assef Roberto J. , Baloković Mislav , Brightman Murray , Dey Arjun , Drake Andrew , Djorgovski S. G. , Eisenhardt Peter , Jun Hyunsung D.
Published: August 2018

We report a new changing-look quasar, WISE J105203.55+151929.5 at z = 0.303, found by identifying highly mid-IR-variable quasars in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)/Near-Earth Object WISE Reactivation (NEOWISE) data stream. Compared to multiepoch mid-IR photometry of a large sample of SDSS-confirmed quasars, WISE J1052+1519 is an extreme photometric outlier, fading by more than a factor of two at 3.4 and 4.6 μm since 2009. Swift target-of-opportunity observations in 2017 show even stronger fading in the soft X-rays compared to the ROSAT detection of this source in 1995, with at least a factor of 15 decrease. We obtained second-epoch spectroscopy with the Palomar telescope in 2017 that, when compared with the 2006 archival SDSS spectrum, reveals that the broad Hβ emission has vanished and that the quasar has become significantly redder. The two most likely interpretations for this dramatic change are source fading or obscuration, where the latter is strongly disfavored by the mid-IR data. We discuss various physical scenarios that could cause such changes in the quasar luminosity over this timescale, and favor changes in the innermost regions of the accretion disk that occur on the thermal and heating/cooling front timescales. We discuss possible physical triggers that could cause these changes, and predict the multiwavelength signatures that could distinguish these physical scenarios.
Reflection Spectroscopy of the Black Hole Binary XTE J1752−223 in Its Long-stable Hard State
Authors: García Javier A. , Steiner James F. , Grinberg Victoria , Dauser Thomas , Connors Riley M. T. , McClintock Jeffrey E. , Remillard Ronald A. , Wilms Jörn , Harrison Fiona A. , Tomsick John A.
Published: August 2018

We present a detailed spectral analysis of the black hole binary XTE J1752−223 in the hard state of its 2009 outburst. Regular monitoring of this source by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer mission provided high signal-to-noise spectra along the outburst rise and decay. During one full month this source stalled at ∼30% of its peak count rate at a constant hardness and intensity. By combining all the data in this exceptionally stable hard state, we obtained an aggregate proportional counter array spectrum (3–45 keV) with 100 million counts, and a corresponding high energy X-ray timing experiment spectrum (20–140 keV) with 5.8 million counts. Implementing a version of our reflection code with a physical model for Comptonization, we obtain tight constraints on important physical parameters for this system. In particular, the inner accretion disk is measured very close in, at R
in = 1.7 ± 0.4 R

g
. Assuming R
in = R
ISCO, we find a relatively high black hole spin (a
* = 0.92 ± 0.06). Imposing a lamppost geometry, we obtain a low inclination (i = 35° ± 4°), which agrees with the upper limit found in the radio (i < 49°). However, we note that this model cannot be statistically distinguished from a non-lamppost model with a free emissivity index, for which the inclination is markedly higher. Additionally, we find a relatively cool corona (57–70 keV) and large iron abundance (3.3–3.7 solar). We further find that properly accounting for Comptonization of the reflection emission improves the fit significantly and causes an otherwise low reflection fraction (∼0.2–0.3) to increase by an order of magnitude, in line with geometrical expectations for a lamppost corona. We compare these results with similar investigations reported for GX 339−4 in its bright hard state.
A Standardized Clinical Performance Grading Rubric: Reliability Assessment
Authors: Kopp Mary Louisa
Published: August 2018

Background:

Students expect consistent and fair grading. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate reliability of an undergraduate clinical performance grading rubric.

Method:

The rubric was tested for measures of reliability and consistency. Formative and summative measures were compared. Written assignments were compared with clinical performance. A convenience sample of 58 first-semester clinical undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students was used.

Results:

Significance was found between midterm (
M
= .89) and final performance (
M
= .94;
t
[57] = −15.896;
p
⩽ .001, two-tailed) showing an increase in final performance. No correlation was found between final written work and performance evaluations (
r
[56] = .164,
p
⩾ .05), and a significant difference was noted between written work (
M
= .973) and performance evaluations (
M
= .915;
t
[114]) = 14.536,
p
⩽ .001). Cronbach's alpha scores equaled .917. All clinical instructors agreed that the results accurately measured student performance.

Conclusion:

Use of the grading rubric was effective in measuring student clinical performance and provided an objective grade calculation for any level student. [
J Nurs Educ.
2018;57(9):544–548.]
Frying performance of olive-extracted oils
Authors: Márquez-Ruiz G. , Holgado F.
Published: August 2018

In this article, the main studies on frying performance of olive-extracted oils, namely, virgin olive oils, olive oils and olive-pomace oils, are reviewed and discussed in relation to other vegetable oils. Firstly, the most relevant compositional data of olive-extracted oils and commonly used vegetable oils are reported, including modified seed oils developed for frying uses. The influence of the degree of unsaturation and of the minor compounds with protective effect during frying are discussed, with special reference to tocopherols, other phenolic compounds, phytosterols and squalene. Results on comparative behavior of olive-extracted oils and other vegetable oils reflect that all olive-extracted oils show great stability to thermal oxidation and are highly suitable for frying, due to their high content of oleic acid, low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and occurrence of minor components with antioxidant activity or protective effects. Among olive-extracted oils, the scarce information published on used frying pomace-olive oils is noted.