bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Analog-To-Digital Conversion Characteristics and Design Considerations for the Creation of Power-Efficient Hybrid Data Converters
Authors: Zahrai Seyed Alireza , Onabajo Marvin
Published: April 2018

This article reviews design challenges for low-power CMOS high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Basic ADC converter architectures (flash ADCs, interpolating and folding ADCs, subranging and two-step ADCs, pipelined ADCs, successive approximation ADCs) are described with particular focus on their suitability for the construction of power-efficient hybrid ADCs. The overview includes discussions of channel offsets and gain mismatches, timing skews, channel bandwidth mismatches, and other considerations for low-power hybrid ADC design. As an example, a hybrid ADC architecture is introduced for applications requiring 1 GS/s with 6–8 bit resolution and power consumption below 11 mW. The hybrid ADC was fabricated in 130-nm CMOS technology, and has a subranging architecture with a 3-bit flash ADC as a first stage, and a 5-bit four-channel time-interleaved comparator-based asynchronous binary search (CABS) ADC as a second stage. Testing considerations and chip measurements results are summarized to demonstrate its low-power characteristics.
Development of a Constitutive Model for Friction in Bulk Metal Forming
Authors: Lüchinger Marco , Velkavrh Igor , Kern Kerstin , Baumgartner Michael , Klien Stefan , Diem Alexander , Schreiner Michael , Tillmann Wolfgang
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a systematic procedure for the development of a constitutive model of friction with focus on the application in bulk metal forming simulations. The empirically based friction model describes friction as a function of sliding distance and the most relevant friction influencing parameters. The latter were determined by means of designed experiments. An optimal friction model is obtained as a trade-off between model accuracy and complexity by using stepwise nonlinear regression and a modified version of the Akaike information criterion. Within this study, the procedure is applied to determine a friction model for tube drawing. However, the same approach can also be used for modeling friction of any other bulk metal forming process.
Synthesis and Characterization of Silver-Doped Mesoporous Bioactive Glass and Its Applications in Conjunction with Electrospinning
Authors: Ciraldo Francesca E. , Liverani Liliana , Gritsch Lukas , Goldmann Wolfgang H. , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: April 2018

Since they were first developed in 2004, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) rapidly captured the interest of the scientific community thanks to their numerous beneficial properties. MBGs are synthesised by a combination of the sol–gel method with the chemistry of surfactants to obtain highly mesoporous (pore size from 5 to 20 nm) materials that, owing to their high surface area and ordered structure, are optimal candidates for controlled drug-delivery systems. In this work, we synthesised and characterised a silver-containing mesoporous bioactive glass (Ag-MBG). It was found that Ag-MBG is a suitable candidate for controlled drug delivery, showing a perfectly ordered mesoporous structure ideal for the loading of drugs together with optimal bioactivity, sustained release of silver from the matrix, and fast and strong bacterial inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Silver-doped mesoporous glass particles were used in three electrospinning-based techniques to produce PCL/Ag-MBG composite fibres, to coat bioactive glass scaffolds (via electrospraying), and for direct sol electrospinning. The results obtained in this study highlight the versatility and efficacy of Ag-substituted mesoporous bioactive glass and encourage further studies to characterize the biological response to Ag-MBG-based antibacterial controlled-delivery systems for tissue-engineering applications.
A Tensile Specimen of Tailor Rolled Blanks with Equal Probability in Yield and Its Mechanical Behavior Analysis
Authors: Zhang Sijia , Liu Xianghua , Liu Lizhong
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties that distribute regulation along the rolling direction of tailor rolled blanks (TRB) were investigated. A tensile specimen with equal probability in yield (EYS) was first designed considering variation both in thickness and in material strength. The uniaxial tension test was carried out with a digital image correlation method to analyze the mechanical behaviors. The results showed that the strain distribution of EYS was homogeneous. From the results, it can be known that a new design philosophy for a TRB tensile specimen is reasonable and EYS is suitable to characterize the mechanical behavior of TRB. The true stress-strain curves of metal in different cross sections of TRB were calculated. On the basis of the true stress-strain curves, a material model of TRB was constructed and then implemented into finite element simulations of TRB uniaxial tensile tests. The strain distribution of numerical and experimental results was similar and the error between the elongation of the specimen after fracture obtained by experiment and FE ranged from 9.51% to 13.06%. Therefore, the simulation results match well with the experimental results and the material model has high accuracy and as well as practicability.
Investigation of the Behavior of Hardening Masonry Exposed to Variable Stresses
Authors: Šlivinskas Tomas , Jonaitis Bronius , Marčiukaitis Jonas Gediminas , Zavalis Robertas
Published: April 2018

This paper analyzes the behavior of masonry under variable loads during execution (construction stage). It specifies the creep coefficient for calcium silicate brick masonry, presenting the research data of masonry deformation under variable and constant long-term loads. The interaction of separate layers of composite material in masonry is introduced and the formulae for determining long-term deformations are offered. The research results of masonry’s compressive strength and deformation properties under variable and constant long-term loads are presented. These are then compared to calculated ones. According to the presented comparison, the calculated long-term deformations coincide quite well with those determined experimentally.
Understanding the Interaction between a Steel Microstructure and Hydrogen
Authors: Depover Tom , Laureys Aurélie , Pérez Escobar Diana , Van den Eeckhout Emilie , Wallaert Elien , Verbeken Kim
Published: April 2018

The present work provides an overview of the work on the interaction between hydrogen (H) and the steel’s microstructure. Different techniques are used to evaluate the H-induced damage phenomena. The impact of H charging on multiphase high-strength steels, i.e., high-strength low-alloy (HSLA), transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) and dual phase (DP) is first studied. The highest hydrogen embrittlement resistance is obtained for HSLA steel due to the presence of Ti- and Nb-based precipitates. Generic Fe-C lab-cast alloys consisting of a single phase, i.e., ferrite, bainite, pearlite or martensite, and with carbon contents of approximately 0, 0.2 and 0.4 wt %, are further considered to simplify the microstructure. Finally, the addition of carbides is investigated in lab-cast Fe-C-X alloys by adding a ternary carbide forming element to the Fe-C alloys. To understand the H/material interaction, a comparison of the available H trapping sites, the H pick-up level and the H diffusivity with the H-induced mechanical degradation or H-induced cracking is correlated with a thorough microstructural analysis.
Evaluation of Residual Stress Distribution and Relaxation on In Situ TiB2/7050 Al Composites
Authors: Lin Kunyang , Wang Wenhu , Jiang Ruisong , Xiong Yifeng , Zhao Dezhong
Published: April 2018

Interior residual stresses induced by quenching may cause distortion during subsequent machining processes. Hence, various strategies have been employed to relieve the interior residual stress, such as stretching, post treatment, and other techniques. In this study, the stress distribution inside TiB2/7050 Al composite extrusions was investigated and the effects of different methods on relieving the quenching-induced stress were compared. Firstly, three TiB2/7050 Al composite extrusions were treated by stretching, stretching and heat treatment, and stretching and cold treatment processes, respectively. Then, the multiple-cut contour method was employed to assess the residual stresses in the three workpieces. Experimental results indicate that the interior stress of TiB2/7050 Al composite extrusions after stretching ranges from −89 MPa to +55 MPa, which is larger than that in 7050 aluminum alloy, which ranges from −25 Pa to +25 MPa. The heat treatment performs better than the cold treatment to reduce the post-stretching residual stress, with a reduction of 23.2–46.4% compared to 11.3–40.8%, respectively. From the stress map, it is found that the stress distribution after the heat treatment is more uniform compared with that after the cold treatment.
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Ag3PO4 Microparticles for Degradation of Organic Dyestuffs under White-Light Light-Emitting-Diode Irradiation
Authors: Tseng Chi-Shun , Wu Tsunghsueh , Lin Yang-Wei
Published: April 2018

This study demonstrated facile synthesis of silver phosphate (Ag3PO4) photocatalysts for the degradation of organic contaminants. Ag3PO4 microparticles from different concentrations of precursor, AgNO3, were produced and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Degradation rates of methylene blue (MB) and phenol were measured in the presence of microparticles under low-power white-light light-emitting-diode (LED) irradiation and the reaction rate followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The prepared Ag3PO4 microparticles displayed considerably high photocatalytic activity (>99.8% degradation within 10 min). This can be attributed to the microparticles’ large surface area, the low recombination rate of electron–hole pairs and the higher charge separation efficiency. The practicality of the Ag3PO4 microparticles was validated by the degradation of MB, methyl red, acid blue 1 and rhodamine B under sunlight in environmental water samples, demonstrating the benefit of the high photocatalytic activity from Ag3PO4 microparticles.
High Temperature AlGaN/GaN Membrane Based Pressure Sensors
Authors: Gajula Durga , Jahangir Ifat , Koley Goutam
Published: April 2018

A highly sensitive Gallium Nitride (GaN) diaphragm based micro-scale pressure sensor with an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field effect transistor (HFET) deflection transducer has been designed and fabricated for high temperature applications. The performance of the pressure sensor was studied over a pressure range of 20 kPa, which resulted in an ultra-high sensitivity of ~0.76%/kPa, with a signal-to-noise ratio as high as 16 dB, when biased optimally in the subthreshold region. A high gauge factor of 260 was determined from strain distribution in the sensor membrane obtained from finite element simulations. A repeatable sensor performance was observed over multiple pressure cycles up to a temperature of 200 °C.
Applications of Laser Welding in Dentistry: A State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Perveen Asma , Molardi Carlo , Fornaini Carlo
Published: April 2018

The dental industry without lasers is inconceivable right now. This captivating technology has outlasted other possible alternative technologies applied in dentistry in the past due to its precision, accuracy, minimal invasive effect as well as faster operating time. Other alternatives such as soldering, resistance (spot) welding, plasma (torch) welding, and single pulse tungsten inert gas welding have their pros and cons; nevertheless, laser welding remains the most suitable option so far for dental application. This paper attempts to give an insight into the laser principle and types of lasers used for dental purposes, types of dental alloys used by the dentist, and effect of laser parameters on prosthesis/implants. It is apparent from the literature review that laser assisted dental welding will continue to grow and will become an unparalleled technology for dental arena.
Biofunctionalized Lysophosphatidic Acid/Silk Fibroin Film for Cornea Endothelial Cell Regeneration
Authors: Choi Joo Hee , Jeon Hayan , Song Jeong Eun , Oliveira Joaquim Miguel , Reis Rui Luis , Khang Gilson
Published: April 2018

Cornea endothelial cells (CEnCs) tissue engineering is a great challenge to repair diseased or damaged CEnCs and require an appropriate biomaterial to support cell proliferation and differentiation. Biomaterials for CEnCs tissue engineering require biocompatibility, tunable biodegradability, transparency, and suitable mechanical properties. Silk fibroin-based film (SF) is known to meet these factors, but construction of functionalized graft for bioengineering of cornea is still a challenge. Herein, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is used to maintain and increase the specific function of CEnCs. The LPA and SF composite film (LPA/SF) was fabricated in this study. Mechanical properties and in vitro studies were performed using a rabbit model to demonstrate the characters of LPA/SF. ATR-FTIR was characterized to identify chemical composition of the films. The morphological and physical properties were performed by SEM, AFM, transparency, and contact angle. Initial cell density and MTT were performed for adhesion and cell viability in the SF and LPA/SF film. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence were performed to examine gene and protein expression. The results showed that films were designed appropriately for CEnCs delivery. Compared to pristine SF, LPA/SF showed higher biocompatibility, cell viability, and expression of CEnCs specific genes and proteins. These indicate that LPA/SF, a new biomaterial, offers potential benefits for CEnCs tissue engineering for regeneration.
A Vitamin E-Enriched Antioxidant Diet Interferes with the Acute Adaptation of the Liver to Physical Exercise in Mice
Authors: Hoene Miriam , Irmler Martin , Beckers Johannes , Hrabě de Angelis Martin , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Weigert Cora
Published: April 2018

Physical exercise is beneficial for general health and is an effective treatment for metabolic disorders. Vitamin E is widely used as dietary supplement and is considered to improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by reducing inflammation and dyslipidemia. However, increased vitamin E intake may interfere with adaptation to exercise training. Here, we explored how vitamin E alters the acute exercise response of the liver, an organ that plays an essential metabolic role during physical activity. Mice fed a control or an α-tocopherol-enriched diet were subjected to a non-exhaustive treadmill run. We assessed the acute transcriptional response of the liver as well as glucocorticoid signalling and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and performed indirect calorimetry. Vitamin E interfered with the exercise-induced increase in FFA and upregulation of hepatic metabolic regulators, and it shifted the transcriptional profile of exercised mice towards lipid and cholesterol synthesis while reducing inflammation. Energy utilization, as well as corticosterone levels and signalling were similar, arguing against acute differences in substrate oxidation or glucocorticoid action. Our results show that high-dose vitamin E alters the metabolic and inflammatory response of the liver to physical exercise. The interference with these processes may suggest a cautious use of vitamin E as dietary supplement.
Impact of a Specific Amino Acid Composition with Micronutrients on Well-Being in Subjects with Chronic Psychological Stress and Exhaustion Conditions: A Pilot Study
Authors: Armborst Deborah , Metzner Christine , Alteheld Birgit , Bitterlich Norman , Rösler Daniela , Siener Roswitha
Published: April 2018

Chronic work-life stress leads to dysfunction of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, the autonomic nervous system, and the serotonergic system, with resultant impairment of overall well-being. Aim of the study was to improve perceived stress by a specific amino acid composition with micronutrients in the verum versus placebo group. A total of 59 participants (18–65 years) with self-reported perceived chronic stress and exhaustion conditions participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ30), amino acid profile, anthropometric, clinical, blood, urine parameters, and dietary intake were assessed. After 12 weeks, the verum group achieved significantly greater improvements in the total PSQ30 score compared with the placebo group. In the verum group, serum taurine concentration, folic acid concentration, urinary magnesium excretion, and the ratio of l-tryptophan to the sum of competing amino acids rose significantly. In the placebo group, serum concentrations of serotonin, protein, and magnesium decreased significantly, whereas the cardiometabolic risk parameters body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio increased significantly. Compared with placebo, the verum supplementation resulted in a higher improvement in perceived stress. Beneficial effects on the serotonergic system and preventive effects on magnesium homeostasis and some cardiometabolic risk factors were supposed. Additional effects might be caused by the optimized food intake.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaneoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function
Authors: Ochi Eisuke , Tsuchiya Yosuke
Published: April 2018

Nutritional supplementation not only helps in improving and maintaining performance in sports and exercise, but also contributes in reducing exercise fatigue and in recovery from exhaustion. Fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3). It is widely known that omega-3 fatty acids are effective for improving cardiac function, depression, cognitive function, and blood as well as lowering blood pressure. In the relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and exercise performance, previous studies have been predicted improved endurance performance, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, and effectivity against delayed-onset muscle soreness. However, the optimal dose, duration, and timing remain unclear. This review focuses on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on muscle damage and function as evaluated by human and animal studies and summarizes its effects on muscle and nerve damage, and muscle mass and strength.
Myoprotective Potential of Creatine Is Greater than Whey Protein after Chemically-Induced Damage in Rat Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Cooke Matthew B. , Rybalka Emma , Stathis Christos G. , Hayes Alan
Published: April 2018

The myoprotective effects of creatine monohydrate (CR) and whey protein (WP) are equivocal, with the use of proxy measures of muscle damage making interpretation of their effectiveness limited. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of CR and WP supplementation on muscle damage and recovery following controlled, chemically-induced muscle damage. Degeneration of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was induced by bupivacaine in rats supplemented with either CR, WP, or standard rat chow (CON). At day 7 and 14 post-myotoxic injury, injured EDL muscles were surgically removed and tested for isometric contractile properties, followed by the contralateral, non-injured EDL muscle. At the completion of testing, muscles were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored for later analysis. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Creatine-supplemented muscles displayed a greater proportion of non-damaged (intact) fibers (p = 0.002) and larger cross-sectional areas of regenerating and non-damaged fibers (p = 0.024) compared to CON muscles at day 7 post-injury. At day 14 post-injury, CR-supplemented muscles generated higher absolute forces concomitant with greater contractile protein levels compared to CON (p = 0.001, p = 0.008) and WP-supplemented muscles (p = 0.003, p = 0.006). Creatine supplementation appears to offer an element of myoprotection which was not observed following whey protein supplementation.
Nutritional Status and Nutritional Treatment Are Related to Outcomes and Mortality in Older Adults with Hip Fracture
Authors: Malafarina Vincenzo , Reginster Jean-Yves , Cabrerizo Sonia , Bruyère Olivier , Kanis John A. , Martinez J. Alfredo , Zulet M. Angeles
Published: April 2018

Malnutrition is very prevalent in geriatric patients with hip fracture. Nevertheless, its importance is not fully recognized. The objective of this paper is to review the impact of malnutrition and of nutritional treatment upon outcomes and mortality in older people with hip fracture. We searched the PubMed database for studies evaluating nutritional aspects in people aged 70 years and over with hip fracture. The total number of studies included in the review was 44, which analyzed 26,281 subjects (73.5% women, 83.6 ± 7.2 years old). Older people with hip fracture presented an inadequate nutrient intake for their requirements, which caused deterioration in their already compromised nutritional status. The prevalence of malnutrition was approximately 18.7% using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) (large or short form) as a diagnostic tool, but the prevalence was greater (45.7%) if different criteria were used (such as Body Mass Index (BMI), weight loss, or albumin concentration). Low scores in anthropometric indices were associated with a higher prevalence of complications during hospitalization and with a worse functional recovery. Despite improvements in the treatment of geriatric patients with hip fracture, mortality was still unacceptably high (30% within 1 year and up to 40% within 3 years). Malnutrition was associated with an increase in mortality. Nutritional intervention was cost effective and was associated with an improvement in nutritional status and a greater functional recovery. To conclude, in older people, the prevention of malnutrition and an early nutritional intervention can improve recovery following a hip fracture.
Mechanism of the Dual Activities of Human CYP17A1 and Binding to Anti-Prostate Cancer Drug Abiraterone Revealed by a Novel V366M Mutation Causing 17,20 Lyase Deficiency
Authors: Fernández-Cancio Mónica , Camats Núria , Flück Christa E. , Zalewski Adam , Dick Bernhard , Frey Brigitte M. , Monné Raquel , Torán Núria , Audí Laura , Pandey Amit V.
Published: April 2018

The CYP17A1 gene regulates sex steroid biosynthesis in humans through 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase activities and is a target of anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone. In a 46, XY patient with female external genitalia, together with a loss of function mutation S441P, we identified a novel missense mutation V366M at the catalytic center of CYP17A1 which preferentially impaired 17,20 lyase activity. Kinetic experiments with bacterially expressed proteins revealed that V366M mutant enzyme can bind and metabolize pregnenolone to 17OH-pregnenolone, but 17OH-pregnenolone binding and conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was impaired, explaining the patient’s steroid profile. Abiraterone could not bind and inhibit the 17α-hydroxylase activity of the CYP17A1-V366M mutant. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed that V366M creates a “one-way valve” and suggests a mechanism for dual activities of human CYP17A1 where, after the conversion of pregnenolone to 17OH-pregnenolone, the product exits the active site and re-enters for conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone. The V366M mutant also explained the effectiveness of the anti-prostate cancer drug abiraterone as a potent inhibitor of CYP17A1 by binding tightly at the active site in the WT enzyme. The V366M is the first human mutation to be described at the active site of CYP17A1 that causes isolated 17,20 lyase deficiency. Knowledge about the specificity of CYP17A1 activities is of importance for the development of treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome and inhibitors for prostate cancer therapy.
Preparation of PLGA/MWCNT Composite Nanofibers by Airflow Bubble-Spinning and Their Characterization
Authors: Fang Yue , Liu Fujuan , Xu Lan , Wang Ping , He Jihuan
Published: April 2018

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite nanofibers have been successfully fabricated via airflow bubble-spinning. In this work, a systematic study of the effects of solution concentration, relative humidity (RH), and composition on the morphology of PLGA nanofibers is reported. By comparing the distribution of fiber diameter, we found that the spinning effect was the best when the temperature was kept at 25 °C, the collecting distance 18 cm, the concentration 8 wt %, and the relative humidity 65%. MWCNTs used as added nanoparticles were incorporated into the PLGA nanofibers. The volatile solvents were used to achieve the purpose of producing nanoporous fibers. Besides, the rheological properties of solutions were studied and the PLGA or PLGA/MWCNT composite nanofibers with a nanoporous structure were also completely characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), a thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition, we compared the mechanical properties of the fibers. It was found that the addition of MWCNTs significantly enhanced the tensile strength and elasticity of composite nanofibers without compromising the nanoporous morphology. The results showed that the breaking strength of the composite fiber bundle was three times as strong as the pure one, and the elongation at the break was twice as great. This work provided a novel technique successfully not only to get rid of the potential safety hazards caused by unexpected static but also prepare oriented nanoporous fibers, which would demonstrate an impressive prospect for the fields of adsorption and filtration.
Hybrid Multi-Channel MAC Protocol for WBANs with Inter-WBAN Interference Mitigation
Authors: Le Thien Thi Thanh , Moh Sangman
Published: April 2018

Herein, we propose a hybrid multi-channel medium access control (HM-MAC) protocol for wireless body area networks (WBANs) that mitigates inter-WBAN interference significantly. In HM-MAC, a superframe consists of a random access phase and a scheduled access phase. That is, a carrier sensing multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) phase and a time division multiple access (TDMA) phase are included in a superframe. The random access phase allows higher-priority users to transmit data packets with low latency and high reliability. The retransmission of data packets is also performed in the random access phase. The periodic data are transmitted in the scheduled phase, resulting in no contention and high reliability. A channel selection algorithm is also proposed to avoid collision between neighboring WBANs. The HM-MAC protocol allows multiple transmissions simultaneously on different channels, resulting in high throughput and low collision. The sensor nodes update idle channels by listening to the beacon signal; consequently, the sensor nodes can change the working channel to reduce inter-WBAN interference. According to our simulation results, HM-MAC achieves a higher packet delivery ratio and higher throughput with lower energy consumption than the conventional scheme in multi-WBAN scenarios. HM-MAC also causes lower end-to-end delays for higher-priority users.
Social Sentiment Sensor in Twitter for Predicting Cyber-Attacks Using ℓ1 Regularization
Authors: Hernandez-Suarez Aldo , Sanchez-Perez Gabriel , Toscano-Medina Karina , Martinez-Hernandez Victor , Perez-Meana Hector , Olivares-Mercado Jesus , Sanchez Victor
Published: April 2018

In recent years, online social media information has been the subject of study in several data science fields due to its impact on users as a communication and expression channel. Data gathered from online platforms such as Twitter has the potential to facilitate research over social phenomena based on sentiment analysis, which usually employs Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning techniques to interpret sentimental tendencies related to users’ opinions and make predictions about real events. Cyber-attacks are not isolated from opinion subjectivity on online social networks. Various security attacks are performed by hacker activists motivated by reactions from polemic social events. In this paper, a methodology for tracking social data that can trigger cyber-attacks is developed. Our main contribution lies in the monthly prediction of tweets with content related to security attacks and the incidents detected based on ℓ 1 regularization.
Impact of Rural Land Transfer on Land Use Functions in Western China’s Guyuan Based on a Multi-Level Stakeholder Assessment Framework
Authors: Xue Zhichao , Zhen Lin
Published: April 2018

To achieve sustainable rural development, it is necessary to simultaneously protect ecologically important land and efficiently use existing agricultural land. Land use functions (LUFs) are widely used to assess regional sustainable development. Guyuan is located in a typical hilly and gully region of western China, with ecologically fragile land. Rural land transfer (RLT) has been advocated to prevent abandonment of agricultural land and promote rational, effective utilization of the land. In this study, we used LUFs in a multi-level stakeholder assessment framework to integrate the opinions of all stakeholders in an evaluation of the impact of RLT on regional sustainable development. We employed the framework for participatory impact assessment, key informant interviews, and questionnaires to obtain data to support the development of scenarios to compare the impacts on LUFs. We found that RLT had positive impacts on each LUF in Guyuan, especially for the land-based production and food security LUFs. Importantly, the measures required to support RLT must vary among landforms and location conditions to successfully develop the LUFs and ensure sustainable development. We found that the integrated multi-level stakeholder assessment framework can comprehensively assess the impacts of land use measures on sustainable development and support regional land-use decision-making.
Improving NFC Technology Promotion for Creating the Sustainable Education Environment by Using a Hybrid Modified MADM Model
Authors: Hu Shu-Kung , Liou James J. H. , Lu Ming-Tsang , Chuang Yen-Ching , Tzeng Gwo-Hshiung
Published: April 2018

With the growing prevalence of mobile devices, the use of near-field communication (NFC) technology has increased constantly in recent years. Scholars expect NFC technology to be used to develop new campuses with sustainable education environments for safely transferring information or services. In campuses, the decisions to adopt NFC technology considers multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems, which require multicriteria decision analysis that in turn involves the feedback and interdependence effects among criteria/dimensions. This paper proposes an improvement model that could facilitate NFC technology promotion for creating the sustainable education environment in a campus (Kainan University of Taiwan). Furthermore, in this model, the interdependence and feedback effects among criteria/dimensions, optimal alternative selections, and systematic improvements for NFC technology promotion can be addressed by using a hybrid modified MADM model, which integrating the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, the DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP) method and the modified VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method. Finally, an empirical case for improving NFC technology promotion in the context of creating the sustainable education environment is presented to prove the proposed model. The results revealed that government policy was the largest driver in NFC technology promotion and the most influential criterion for creating the sustainable education environment, and that alternative C (educational institution) should be the first improvement priority. Furthermore, the comparative results revealed that the proposed method is better than the traditional method because using hybrid modified MADM model can obtain the most realistic performance-gap to innovation and determine the most effective improvement plan towards achieving the aspiration value.
Nanobody Technology for Mycotoxin Detection: Current Status and Prospects
Authors: He Ting , Zhu Jiang , Nie Yao , Hu Rui , Wang Ting , Li Peiwu , Zhang Qi , Yang Yunhuang
Published: April 2018

Mycotoxins, which are toxic, carcinogenic, and/or teratogenic, have posed a threat to food safety and public health. Sensitive and effective determination technologies for mycotoxin surveillance are required. Immunoassays have been regarded as useful supplements to chromatographic techniques. However, conventional antibodies involved in immunoassays are difficult to be expressed recombinantly and are susceptible to harsh environments. Nanobodies (or VHH antibodies) are antigen-binding sites of the heavy-chain antibodies produced from Camelidae. They are found to be expressed easily in prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression systems, more robust in extreme conditions, and facile to be used as surrogates for artificial antigens. These properties make them the promising and environmentally friendly immunoreagents in the next generation of immunoassays. This review briefly describes the latest developments in the area of nanobodies used in mycotoxin detection. Moreover, by integrating the introduction of the principle of nanobodies production and the critical assessment of their performance, this paper also proposes the prospect of nanobodies in the field of food safety in the foreseeable future.
Neurodivergent Themed Neighbourhoods as A Strategy to Enhance the Liveability of Cities: The Blueprint of an Autism Village, Its Benefits to Neurotypical Environments
Authors: Chan Eurydice
Published: April 2018

In the next decades, it is expected that there will be a significant number of adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who will continue to strive in the neurotypical environment. Despite the recent rise of developments that deviate from the institutional type of facility, many parents continue to voice their struggle to find safe and appropriate living environments for their adult children. The problem is not just the limited option on where to live, financing a home is also another dilemma. Thus, the challenge to provide appropriate living environments coincide with the need to provide meaningful opportunities that allows them to thrive and function in the society. This paper explores the existing design guidelines through recommendations on how spaces can be articulated by considering the value of savant skills and productive vocational skills for individuals living with ASD. This optimistic approach hopes to enlighten built environment practitioners in designing spaces where different populations can co–exist, particularly those with varied abilities. The environmental needs of ASDs and the proposed spatial interventions also extend its benefits to the well–being of neurotypicals. In addition, the participation of the ASD population in the built environment bridges accessibility and spatial experience. Therefore, designing neurodivergent neighbourhoods can be employed as a strategy to improve and enhance the liveability of urban regions.
A Case Study for the Application of an Operational Two-Dimensional Real-Time Flooding Forecasting System and Smart Water Level Gauges on Roads in Tainan City, Taiwan
Authors: Chang Che-Hao , Chung Ming-Ko , Yang Song-Yue , Hsu Chih-Tsung , Wu Shiang-Jen
Published: April 2018

An operational two-dimensional real-time flood forecasting system has been developed to prevent urban inundation in Taiwan, and it uses the Delft-FEWS (Flood Early Warning System) platform to integrate the SOBEK models to forecast flooding. A new generation of smart water level gauges, integrating power charging, recording, transmission, and sensing into one, can monitor the inundation on roads in real-time. This study took Annan District in Tainan City, Taiwan, as the study object and presented the application of the flood forecasting system and smart water level gauges in the urban environment. The collected data from Storm 0611 and Typhoon Megi in 2016 were used to assess the accuracy of the flood forecasting system. The analysis of three water level stations in the drainage showed that the one-dimensional simulation results were fairly accurate. According to the 18 observed and simulated inundation depths on the roads, the true positive, false positive, false negative, and true negative values were 8, 0, 2, and 8, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, and precision of the flood forecasting system were 0.889, 0.800, and 1.000, respectively, indicating that the two-dimensional simulation results were highly accurate.
Draining Effects on Recent Accumulation Rates of C and N in Zoige Alpine Peatland in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Chunyi , Huang Yilan , Guo Huanhuan , Cui Lijuan , Li Wei
Published: April 2018

Peatlands play an essential role in the global carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. In order to ascertain the draining effects on recent accumulation rates of C (RERCA) and N (RERNA) in the Zoige peatland in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the core samples of peat growth, C and N accumulation for both natural and drained peatlands were measured using 210Pb and 137Cs dating methods. As a result, RERCA and RERNA showed an increasing trend from the bottom to the surface of the peatland, which was in accordance with the peat accumulation rates. However, the average RERCA in permanently flooded and seasonally flooded peatlands were 1.5–2.5 times that of drainage peatlands, and the average of RERNA were 1.2–1.7 times. Our findings indicate that the Zoige peatland is still in the stage of peat development with a large carbon sequestration capacity, and drainage from human activities leads to the decreasing of RERCA and RERNA, which will contribute to the selection of the effective ways to slow down the anthropogenic effects on the degradation of the Zoige peatland.
Effect of Alternative Irrigation Strategies on Yield and Quality of Fiesta Raisin Grapes Grown in California
Authors: Abrisqueta Isabel , Ayars James
Published: April 2018

Traditionally, grapes are fully irrigated, but alternative irrigation strategies to reduce applied irrigation water may be necessary in the future as occurrences of drought increase. This study was conducted in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California from 2012 to 2014. Three irrigation treatments were used to study the effects on the yield and quality of Fiesta grapes. The treatments included: grower irrigation (GI) weekly irrigation lasting for approximately 65 h; sustained deficit (SD) equal to 80% of the GI treatment; and regulated deficit (RD) equal to 50% of the GI until fruit set when it was increased to 80% of the GI through harvest and reduced to 50% of the GI after harvest. Average water use across treatments was ≈489 mm. Average yield across all treatments was 7.9 t ha−1, 9.1 t ha−1 and 11.8 t ha−1 in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. Yield was sustained in SD and RD, with up to a 20% reduction in applied water use compared to GI. There were no differences in raisin quality and grade among any of the treatments in any year. The percentage of substandard grapes decreased from an average of 12.6% in 2012 to 3.6% in 2013 and 2014. Growers may use a sustained deficit approach during periods of limited water availability to minimize the effect on yield.
Généricité, spécificité et constructions verbales : les structures à sujet inversé
Authors: Willems Dominique
Published: April 2018

A comparison between the referential properties of subjects in pre-or postverbal position seems to suggest that only preverbal subjects permit a generalising interpretation — and hence often give rise to ambiguities — , whereas postverbal subjects limit themselves to a specifying role (une découverte sensationnelle s'annonce vs (il) s'annonce une découverte sensationnelle).

Impersonal structures (il V S) are of particular interest in this respect as the conditions governing their occurrence, as opposed to those of inverted structures (V-S), are apparently more appropriate for utterances of a general nature (il meurt chaque année des milliers d'enfants). But whereas generic sentences with a preverbal subject express a generalisation of a definitional nature, impersonal sentences express a generalisation of a quantitative nature, linked to the event itself.

Our study emphasizes the importance of word-order in the analysis of generic reference. Furthermore, it is also evident that the problem of classifying generic sentences requires further investigation.
LTC-Communicator: a web-based multilingual help desk
Authors: Goffe Nigel
Published: April 2018

Software vendors operating in international markets face two problems : first, products must be localised to meet the requirements of each target country ; then there is the need to support diverse customers, where end-users may not speak the same language as the help desk. Localisation (new versions of screens, help text and documentation), while not cheap, is relatively well understood, with many companies providing expertise and tools. The problem of multilingual user support is much more complex, with few off-the-shelf solutions available. LTC-Communicator, a software product from the Language Technology Centre Ltd, offers an innovative and costeffective response to this growing need.
Unités monolexicales et unités polylexicales : entre équivalence sémantique et synonymie, le cas des adverbes
Authors: Oueslati Lassaâd
Published: April 2018

Les unités polylexicales relèvent le plus souvent du figement dans la mesure où elles se caractérisent par une certaine globalité sémantique. Plus précisément, elles se caractérisent par leur non-compositionnalité. Cette caractéristique implique que les unités polylexicales se comportent exactement comme les unités monolexicales sur les plans syntaxique et sémantique. Tout comme les lexèmes simples, les séquences polylexicales établissent un réseau de relations sémantiques impliquant l’antonymie, la synonymie, l’hyperonymie, etc. Certains linguistes parlent d’équivalence sémantique en esquivant la synonymie. Par exemple, certains lexicologues donnent faire peur pour synonyme de effrayer ; avoir l’air pour synonyme de sembler ; en

dépit pour synonyme de malgré ; panier percé pour dépensier, etc. La synonymie existe donc entre les unités monolexicales et les unités polylexicales, toutes les parties du discours confondues. Les dictionnaires définissent les unités polylexicales en donnant et les antonymes et les synonymes. Par exemple, dans le Petit Robert électronique, on donne faussement, indûment, injustement pour synonymes de à tort ; et on donne aussi inconsidérément pour synonyme de à tort et à travers. Nous nous intéresserons, dans ce travail à la synonymie entre les adverbes simples et les séquences adverbiales figées. Nous mettrons l’accent sur le degré d’équivalence sémantique entre des unités du type en vain et vainement.

Cette investigation est de nature à nous permettre de vérifier le degré d’équivalence entre les unités polylexicales et les lexèmes simples. Nous pourrons aussi vérifier si les unités polylexicales servant de paraphrases aux adverbes en ment leur servent vraiment de synonymes. La notion d’emploi développée dans les travaux du LDI nous servira d’outil d’analyse pour mesurer le degré de synonymie entre les différentes unités lexicales adverbiales.
La traduction linguistique vers l’arabe : la métalangue polylexicale comme exemple
Authors: Chekir Abdellatif
Published: April 2018

Nous constatons aujourd’hui un foisonnement de termes polylexicaux dans la linguistique française pour véhiculer des phénomènes et des concepts de plus en plus complexes ; ce qui traduit une évolution manifeste de ce domaine de connaissance. Toutefois ces termes présentent des structures variées en français et posent énormément de difficultés au moment de leur transfert en arabe. Certes, certaines séquences restent proches du patron de départ, mais d’autres s’en écartent sur le plan morphosyntaxique. D’autres encore semblent inadéquates parce qu’elles ne reflètent pas le fonctionnement du phénomène de départ et plus particulièrement celles qui désignent des phénomènes idiosyncrasiques. Toutefois la traduction des ouvrages de linguistique est d’un grand apport : elle permet, à travers ce regard croisé, d’affiner la description de la langue arabe et même de découvrir des phénomènes insoupçonnés dans notre langue.
Le traitement des interjections dans le dictionnaire bilingue français-arabe
Authors: Jmil Fethi
Published: April 2018

Parmi les catégories lexicales traditionnelles connues dans la tradition grammaticale française et dans les écrits linguistiques modernes (le verbe, le nom, l'adjectif, l'adverbe, et les particules), la dernière catégorie a des caractéristiques particulières et soulève plusieurs problèmes. Nous nous proposons d'étudier le traitement de l''une de particules dans le dictionnaire bilingue français-arabe : l'interjection. Cette étude abordera deux types de problèmes : les problèmes théoriques qui concernent la définition, l’identification, la traductibilité de l’interjection, et les problèmes pratiques observés dans le dictionnaire bilingue al-Manhal, comme les stratégies de traduction, l’étiquetage, la néologie, la polysémie, etc.
Défigement dans les textes poétiques. Typologies et exemples en français, espagnol, catalan, polonais, russe et bélarusse
Authors: Yakubovich Yauheniya
Published: April 2018

De nos jours, le défigement est une ressource stylistique d’un grand potentiel non seulement dans le langage de la presse et de la publicité, mais aussi dans le langage poétique. Notre recherche en cours aborde le sujet du défigement dans des corpus poétiques en six langues (français, espagnol, catalan ; polonais, russe, bélarusse). Son objet est de systématiser et d’analyser les phrasèmes défigés (collocations, locutions, noms propres, proverbes, pragmatèmes, clichés, citations…) extraits de textes poétiques contemporains, en nous basant sur l’appareil conceptuel de la Théorie Sens-Texte et en adoptant une nouvelle technique d’analyse poétique formelle, avancée par Blanco (2012 et à paraître). Dans cet article, nous présentons les objectifs, la méthode et les premiers résultats de ladite recherche (pour l’instant, seulement en trois langues du projet : français, bélarusse et russe).
New 2D graphene hybrid composites as an effective base element of optical nanodevices
Authors: Glukhova Olga E , Nefedov Igor S , Shalin Alexander S , Slepchenkov Мichael М
Published: April 2018

For the first time, we estimated perspectives for using a new 2D carbon nanotube (CNT)–graphene hybrid nanocomposite as a base element of a new generation o optical nanodevices. The 2D CNT–graphene hybrid nanocomposite was modelled by two graphene monolayers between which single-walled CNTs with different diameters were regularly arranged at different distances from each other. Spectra of the real and imaginary parts of the diagonal elements of the surface conductivity tensor for four topological models of the hybrid nanocomposite have been obtained. The absorption coefficient for p-polarized and s-polarized radiation was calculated for different topological models of the hybrid nanocomposite. It was found that the characteristic peaks with high intensity appear in the UV region at wavelengths from 150 to 350 nm (related to graphene) and in the optical range from 380 to 740 nm irrespective of the diameter of the tubes and the distance between them. For waves corresponding to the most intense peaks, the absorption coefficient as a function of the angle of incidence was calculated. It was shown that the optical properties of the hybrid nanocomposite were approximately equal for both metallic and semiconductor nanotubes.