bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online vs Konvensional: Keunggulan dan Konflik Antar Moda Transportasi di Kota Makassar
Authors: Anwar Ahsani Amelia
Published: August 2018

The existence of online mode of transportation has attracted consumers’ attention, and therefore many switch from the use of conventional to online mode of transportation. The switch has become a trigger of conflict between drivers of conventional transportation, such as city transportation (angkot), taxi, motorbike (bentor), rickshaw (ojek pangkalan), and drivers of online transportation, such as Grab and Go-Jek. This artikel is focused on the existence and the conflict between these two mode of transportations in Kota Makassar. It was found that online transportation has become an alternative of transportation for society for a number of reasons: practicality, transparency, trustworthiness, security, insurance, features, discount and promotion rates, as well as new employment/part-time opportunities. The existence of online-based transportation has caused a conflict between the two. In one side, online transportation is considered to facilitate drivers and their passangers. On the other side, online transportation got criticised from drivers of conventional transportation due to the fact that the latter is being marginalised by the former. Conflict between the two is commonly base on operating lisence, colour of vehicle plate that significantly impacted on payment of taxes, passangers’ recruitment base, and competitive online transportation rates. The rate has becomeone of the advantages of online transportation as well as one of the source of conflicts between conventional and online transportation.
Review Buku
Authors: Makhmud Andi ilham
Published: August 2018

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‘Tuyul’: Transportasi Onlen Fiktif, Media Sosial dan Hukum
Authors: Fajrianiamin Fajrianiamin -
Published: August 2018

Technology today cannot be denied is developed very rapidly. People compete to innovate and take advantage of this technology development to create something that has economic value. One form of these rapid technology development that is currently being discussed and massively utilised is the presence of online-based application transportation. In Indonesia, there are a number of online-based application transportation companies, one of the most popular companies is  Grab. However, this technological advance still have a gap to be cheated by irresponsible people who want to earn money  by breaking the rules through modifying android handphone (HP root). Thus, they do not have to bother driving to pick up passengers from place of origin to destination by onlinely ‘playing’ the aplication. In this way, incentives are obtained, something that can only be legally obtained with certain targets of a company with considerable revenue. Both driver ‘tuyul’ and police understand that burglary apllication is a violation of the law. However, there is a symbiotic mutualism between the two. On the one hand, ‘tuyul’ drivers are excempted for the offence committed by paying some money. On the other hand, police also get some money from ‘the release’. Such ‘peaceful arrangement’ can be done only if the case is not exposed to the media, especially social media  which release news is much faster and up-to-date. This indicates the significant role of media, not only to expose cases of ’tuyul’ driver, but also to make these cases go into the realm of law. This proves that the media is more respected than the police and money remains a ‘king’ capable of buying the law. Therefore, online trandportation companies should evaluate and improve the security sistem of their application so as not to be easily broken by ‘tuyul’ drivers. In addition, cooperation among Grab companies, police, and media in conducting raids since research findings indicate that media can be a controller in expressing this online-based application transportation crime.
Acute impact of cigarette smoking on power spectral measures of HRV
Authors: Ferdous Mehboba , Ferdousi Sultana
Published: August 2018

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with various forms of acute cardiac events such as myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation etc.Objective: To observe immediate impact of cigarette smoking on power spectral measures of heart rate variability (HRV) in current apparently healthy male regular cigarette smokers.Methods: This study was carried out on 120 apparently healthy male current regular cigarette smoker aged 20-55 years. To watch the intense impacts, data were recorded 5 and 30 min after completing a full stick of cigarette. Power spectral measures of HRV were recorded by a RMS digital polyrite D. Statistical analysis was done by paired sample t test.Results: LF power, LF nu & LF/HF ratio were significantly increased and HF power & HF nu were significantly decreased from their corresponding baseline value just 5 minutes after smoking and returned close to their baseline value after 30 minutes of smoking.Conclusion: The result of the study concludes that acceleration of sympathetic activity with simultaneous withdrawn of cardiovascular vagal adjustment happens quickly in the wake of smoking a cigarette.J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2018, June; 13(1): 8-12
Complex phase diagrams of systems with isotropic potentials: results of computer simulations
Authors: Ryzhov V N , Tareyeva E E , Fomin Yu D , Tsiok E N
Published: August 2018

This review is based on a talk by the authors at the field Scientific session of the Physical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Vereshchagin Institute for High Pressure Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The dependence of phase-diagram characteristics and phase transitions on the shape of the intermolecular potential is reviewed and analyzed for two- and three-dimensional systems with isotropic interaction. First, the case of monotonic repulsive and attractive parts of the potential is considered. In particular, it is demonstrated that if the width of the attractive part decreases, the critical point can disappear and even go under the melting curve. In the main part of the review, three-dimensional systems with potentials having a negative curvature in the repulsive region, that is, with two spatial scales in this region, are discussed in detail: in this case, a number of crystalline phases can occur, as can maxima on the melting curve, water-like anomalies, and liquid–liquid transitions. The dependence of the melting scenario on the shape of the potential in two-dimensional systems is also discussed.
Nano-optical elements for surface plasmon waves: (50th anniversary of the Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences)
Authors: Melentiev P N , Balykin V I
Published: August 2018

The main results obtained recently at the Laboratory of Laser Spectroscopy, Institute of Spectroscopy of the Russian Academy of Sciences in researching and developing various 2D optical elements for surface plasmon waves and their characterization using near- and far-field methods are presented. They include an optical medium for plasmon waves, a plasmon interferometer, a parabolic mirror for focusing plasmon waves, a dielectrically loaded plasmon-polariton waveguide, a plasmon nanolaser based on a plasmonic crystal, and a plasmon sensor of fluorescent biomarkers. lenses, mirrors, detectors, interferometers, waveguides, and lasers. We show that state-of-the-art techniques for the development of plasmon optics elements, which are based on utilizing single-crystal ultrahigh quality metal surfaces, enable us to come closer to the theoretically predicted characteristics of these elements.
Light bullet dynamics in uniform dielectrics: (50th anniversary of the Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences)
Authors: Chekalin S V , Kompanets V O , Dormidono A E , Kandidov V P
Published: August 2018

Experiments and numerical simulations performed jointly by the Institute of Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences, and Lomonosov Moscow State University have shown that unlike solitons in guiding structures, the light bullet, a wave packet compressed to the extreme in space and time in the bulk of a transparent dielectric, is a short-lived formation whose free path is no more than several hundred micrometers. The supercontinuum spectrum generated by a light bullet experiences superbroadening, and an isolated anti-Stokes wing emerges if the bullet is compressed to the state of a wave packet close to the single-cycle one, and a plasma channel develops. These findings have been confirmed by numerical simulations and experiments demonstrating periodic density modulation of the color centers induced in LiF, which occurs due to the difference between the wave packet envelope and frequency-carrier velocities in a medium.
X(3872) in the molecular model
Authors: Kalashnikova Yu S , Nefediev A V
Published: August 2018

We discuss methods and approaches for describing molecular states in the spectrum of heavy quarks and investigate various properties of the exotic charmonium-like state X(3872) in detail in the framework of the mesonic molecule model.
Dielectric Electroactive Polymers with Chemical Pre-Strain: An Experimentally Validated Model
Authors: Newell Brittany , Garcia Jose , Krutz Gary
Published: August 2018

Dielectric electroactive polymer materials represent a distinct group of smart materials that are capable of converting between electrical and mechanical energy. This research focuses on the modeling and testing of an industrial grade fluoropolymer material for its feasibility as a dielectric elastomer electroactive polymer. Through this process, a novel chemical pre-strain method was tested, along with a one-step process for application of pre-strain and addition of an elastomer conductive layer. Modeled and experimental actuators produced approximately 1 mm displacements with 0.625 W of electrical power. The displacement of the actuators was characterized, and the effects of multiple parameters were modeled and analyzed.
Reviewing the Online Tourism Value Chain
Authors: Berne-Manero Carmen , Gómez-Campillo Maria , Marzo-Navarro Mercedes , Pedraja-Iglesias Marta
Published: August 2018

The booking purchase process in B2C tourism online from the perspective of the quality-satisfaction-loyalty value chain has scarcely been investigated. The measurement models of the variables are not unified and essential variables, as transaction costs, need more research in order to achieve a comprehensive model of the digital tourist purchase process. This research is aimed at solving this gap through the proposal of a theoretical structural model, which is tested for the Spanish context. The results show that the measurement of website-perceived quality must include utilitarian and hedonic aspects, which can provide a competitive advantage to acquire and retain customers. Perceived quality and transaction costs determine customer’s satisfaction and, ultimately, repurchase intentions or brand loyalty. Prices are found as mediator variables fostering the effect of quality on satisfaction, and non-monetary costs act as a cause of satisfaction. The online B2C tourism business must implement efficient internal and external processes to justify perceived costs.
Patterns of Genetic Diversity and Implications for In Situ Conservation of Wild Celery (Apium graveolens L. ssp. graveolens)
Authors: Frese Lothar , Bönisch Maria , Nachtigall Marion , Schirmak Uta
Published: August 2018

In Germany, the wild ancestor (Apium graveolens L. ssp. graveolens) of celery and celeriac is threatened by genetic erosion. Seventy-eight potentially suitable genetic reserve sites representing differing ecogeographic units were assessed with regard to the conservation status of the populations. At 27 of the 78 sites, 30 individual plants were sampled and genetically analyzed with 16 polymorphic microsatellite makers. The Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) was applied to identify clusters of genetically similar individuals. In most cases (25 out of 27 occurrences) individuals clustered into groups according to their sampling site. Next to three clearly separated occurrences (AgG, AgUW, AgFEH) two large groups of inland and Baltic Sea coast occurrences, respectively, were recognized. Occurrences from the coastal part of the distribution area were interspersed into the group of inland occurrences and vice versa. The genetic distribution pattern is therefore complex. The complementary compositional genetic differentiation Δj was calculated to identify the Most Appropriate Wild Populations (MAWP) for the establishment of genetic reserves. Altogether 15 sites are recommended to form a genetic reserve network. This organisational structure appears suitable for promoting the in situ conservation of intraspecific genetic diversity and the species’ adaptability. As seed samples of each MAWP will be stored in a genebank, the network would likewise contribute to the long-term ex situ conservation of genetic resources for plant breeding.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Broomcorn Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and Comparative Analysis with Other Panicoideae Species
Authors: Nie Xiaojun , Zhao Xian , Wang Sue , Zhang Ting , Li Chong , Liu Hui , Tong Wei , Guo Yuan
Published: August 2018

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is one of the earliest domesticated cereals worldwide, holding significant agricultural, historical, and evolutionary importance. However, our genomic knowledge of it is rather limited at present, hampering further genetic and evolutionary studies. Here, we sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genome (cp) of broomcorn millet and compared it with five other Panicoideae species. Results showed that the cp genome of broomcorn millet was 139,826 bp in size, with a typical quadripartite structure. In total, 108 genes were annotated and 18 genes were duplicated in the IR (inverted region) region, which was similar to other Panicoideae species. Comparative analysis showed a rather conserved genome structure between them, with three common regions. Furthermore, RNA editing, codon usage, and expansion of the IR, as well as simple sequence repeat (SSR) elements, were systematically investigated and 13 potential DNA markers were developed for Panicoideae species identification. Finally, phylogenetic analysis implied that broomcorn millet was a sister species to Panicum virgatum within the tribe Paniceae, and supported a monophyly of the Panicoideae. This study has reported for the first time the genome organization, gene content, and structural features of the chloroplast genome of broomcorn millet, which provides valuable information for genetic and evolutionary studies in the genus Panicum and beyond.
Familiarity and Interest in Working with Livestock Decreases the Odds of Having Positive Attitudes towards Non-Human Animals and Their Welfare among Veterinary Students in Italy
Authors: Mariti Chiara , Pirrone Federica , Albertini Mariangela , Gazzano Angelo , Diverio Silvana
Published: August 2018

We investigated the attitudes of veterinary students towards animals and their welfare in Italy. Regression analyses revealed predictors that are significant in differentiating students’ scoring tendency based on their gender, familiarity, and intention to work with a specific animal species, type of diet, and membership in an animal rights association. Female students, who were mostly familiar with pets and aspired to work with species other than livestock, following an animal-free diet and being a member of an animal rights association, had a significantly greater odds of having a high Animal Attitude Scale score (AAS), i.e., very positive attitude towards animals, versus a less positive attitude. Conversely, the familiarity with livestock and preference for working with livestock significantly increased the odds of a low AAS. Overall, students considered all of the Brambell Report’s Five Freedoms important for animal welfare protection. However, students scored higher for companion animals than for livestock, particularly regarding the freedom to express normal behaviour and the absence of fear and distress. This study suggests that veterinary students place less importance on the psychological aspects of welfare for livestock, and there is a tendency for students who are mostly familiar, or aspire to work, with livestock to have a less positive attitude towards non-human animals and their welfare. These findings should be considered within the veterinary educational curriculum due to their potential impact on animal welfare.
Silver and Antibiotic, New Facts to an Old Story
Authors: Barras Frédéric , Aussel Laurent , Ezraty Benjamin
Published: August 2018

The therapeutic arsenal against bacterial infections is rapidly shrinking, as drug resistance spreads and pharmaceutical industry are struggling to produce new antibiotics. In this review we cover the efficacy of silver as an antibacterial agent. In particular we recall experimental evidences pointing to the multiple targets of silver, including DNA, proteins and small molecules, and we review the arguments for and against the hypothesis that silver acts by enhancing oxidative stress. We also review the recent use of silver as an adjuvant for antibiotics. Specifically, we discuss the state of our current understanding on the potentiating action of silver ions on aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Region Adjacency Graph Approach for Acral Melanocytic Lesion Segmentation
Authors: Jaworek-Korjakowska Joanna , Kleczek Pawel
Published: August 2018

Malignant melanoma is among the fastest increasing malignancies in many countries. Due to its propensity to metastasize and lack of effective therapies for most patients with advanced disease, early detection of melanoma is a clinical imperative. In non-Caucasian populations, melanomas are frequently located in acral volar areas and their dermoscopic appearance differs from the non-acral ones. Although lesion segmentation is a natural preliminary step towards its further analysis, so far virtually no acral skin lesion segmentation method has been proposed. Our goal was to develop an effective segmentation algorithm dedicated for acral lesions. We obtain a superpixel oversegmentation of a lesion image by performing clustering in a joint color-spatial 5d space defined by coordinates of CIELAB color space and spatial coordinates of the image. We then construct a region adjacency graph based on this superpixel representation. We obtain the ultimate segmentation result by performing a hierarchical region merging. The proposed segmentation method has been tested on 134 color dermoscopic images of different types of acral melanocytic lesions (including melanoma) from various sources. It achieved an average Dice index value of 0.85, accuracy 0.91, precision 0.89, sensitivity 0.87, and specificity 0.88. Experimental results suggest the effectiveness of the proposed method, which would help improve the accuracy of other diagnostic algorithms for acral melanoma detection. The results also suggest that the computational approach towards lesion segmentation yields more stable output than manual segmentation by dermatologists.
The Suppression Characteristics of NH4H2PO4/Red Mud Composite Powders on Methane Explosion
Authors: Zhang Yimin , Wang Yan , Meng Xiangqing , Zheng Ligang , Gao Jianliang
Published: August 2018

The composite powders composed of red mud (RM) and NH4H2PO4 (NH4H2PO4/RM) were successfully prepared by the anti-solvent method. The composition and structure of the NH4H2PO4/RM composite powders were characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, N2 adsorption-desorption and Thermogravimetry-Differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC). The analysis results indicate that the as-prepared samples are composed with uniform nanoparticles and possess the porous structure. The methane explosion suppression characteristics of the NH4H2PO4/RM composite powders were tested by a 20 L spherical explosion system and a 5 L pipe test system. The results show that the NH4H2PO4/RM composite powders possess considerable suppression properties on methane explosion. When the loading content of NH4H2PO4 reached 30%, the maximum pressure and the maximum pressure rise rate of methane explosion were decreased by 35.1% and 95.8%, respectively. When comparing with no powder addition, the time to reach the pressure peak was extended from 0.07 s to 0.50 s. The NH4H2PO4/RM composite powders presented a synergistic suppression effect between NH4H2PO4 and RM, which made it exhibit considerable suppression property than that of pure NH4H2PO4 or red mud powders.
Asymptotic and Spectral Analysis of a Model of the Piezoelectric Energy Harvester with the Timoshenko Beam as a Substructure
Authors: Shubov Marianna
Published: August 2018

Mathematical analysis of the well known model of a piezoelectric energy harvester is presented. The harvester is designed as a cantilever Timoshenko beam with piezoelectric layers attached to its top and bottom faces. Thin, perfectly conductive electrodes are covering the top and bottom faces of the piezoelectric layers. These electrodes are connected to a resistive load. The model is governed by a system of three partial differential equations. The first two of them are the equations of the Timoshenko beam model and the third one represents Kirchhoff’s law for the electric circuit. All equations are coupled due to the piezoelectric effect. We represent the system as a single operator evolution equation in the Hilbert state space of the system. The dynamics generator of this evolution equation is a non-selfadjoint matrix differential operator with compact resolvent. The paper has two main results. Both results are explicit asymptotic formulas for eigenvalues of this operator, i.e., the modal analysis for the electrically loaded system is performed. The first set of the asymptotic formulas has remainder terms of the order O ( 1 n ) , where n is the number of an eigenvalue. These formulas are derived for the model with variable physical parameters. The second set of the asymptotic formulas has remainder terms of the order O ( 1 n 2 ) , and is derived for a less general model with constant parameters. This second set of formulas contains extra term depending on the electromechanical parameters of the model. It is shown that the spectrum asymptotically splits into two disjoint subsets, which we call the α -branch eigenvalues and the θ -branch eigenvalues. These eigenvalues being multiplied by “i” produce the set of the vibrational modes of the system. The α -branch vibrational modes are asymptotically located on certain vertical line in the left half of the complex plane and the θ -branch is asymptotically close to the imaginary axis. By having such spectral and asymptotic results, one can derive the asymptotic representation for the mode shapes and for voltage output. Asymptotics of vibrational modes and mode shapes is instrumental in the analysis of control problems for the harvester.
Numerical Simulation of a Heavy Precipitation Event in the Vicinity of Madrid-Barajas International Airport: Sensitivity to Initial Conditions, Domain Resolution, and Microphysics Parameterizations
Authors: Bolgiani Pedro , Fernández-González Sergio , Valero Francisco , Merino Andrés , García-Ortega Eduardo , Sánchez José Luis , Martín María Luisa
Published: August 2018

Deep convection is a threat to many human activities, with a great impact on aviation safety. On 7 July 2017, a widespread torrential precipitation event (associated with a cut-off low at mid-levels) was registered in the vicinity of Madrid, causing serious flight disruptions. During this type of episode, accurate short-term forecasts are key to minimizing risks to aviation. The aim of this research is to improve early warning systems by obtaining the best WRF model setup. In this paper, the aforementioned event was simulated. Various model configurations were produced using four different physics parameterizations, 3-km and 1-km domain resolutions, and 0.25° and 1° initial condition resolutions. Simulations were validated using data from 17 rain gauge stations. Two validation indices are proposed, accounting for the temporal behaviour of the model. Results show significant differences between microphysics parameterizations. Validation of domain resolution shows that improvement from 3 to 1 km is negligible. Interestingly, the 0.25° resolution for initial conditions produced poor results compared with 1°. This may be linked to a timing error, because precipitation was simulated further east than observed. The use of ensembles generated by combining different WRF model configurations produced reliable precipitation estimates.
The Reducing Effect of Green Spaces with Different Vegetation Structure on Atmospheric Particulate Matter Concentration in BaoJi City, China
Authors: Qiu Ling , Liu Fang , Zhang Xiang , Gao Tian
Published: August 2018

With the acceleration of urbanisation and industrialisation, atmospheric particulate pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems in China. In this study, green spaces in Baoji city were classified into different patterns on the basis of vegetation structural parameters, i.e., horizontal structure, vertical structure and vegetation type. Eleven types of green space with different structures were selected for investigating the relationships between atmospheric particulate matter (PM) concentration and green spaces with different vegetation structure, based on the “matrix effect” of environmental factors, i.e., location, time, wind velocity, temperature, humidity and area to the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 in the green spaces. The results showed that: (1) Location, time, wind velocity, temperature and humidity had highly significant effects on the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10. In sunny and breeze weather conditions, PM2.5 and PM10 concentration increased with the wind velocity and humidity, and decreased with the temperature. The range of PM10 concentration was greater than the range of PM2.5 concentration. (2) Less than 2 hectares of the green space had no significant influence on the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10. (3) The concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 showed no significant difference between all the green spaces and the control group. There was no significant difference in the reduction of PM2.5 concentration between different structural green spaces, but there was a significant difference in the reduction of PM10 concentration. The above results will provide a theoretical basis and practical methods for the optimisation of urban green space structures for improving urban air quality effectively in the future.
Micellar Parameters of Aqueous Solutions of Tween 20 and 60 at Different Temperatures: Volumetric and Viscometric Study
Authors: Szymczyk Katarzyna , Szaniawska Magdalena , Taraba Anna
Published: August 2018

Density, viscosity and speed of sound of aqueous solutions of nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60) at T = 293, 303 and 313 K are reported. From these measured values different parameters such as, for example, isentropic compressibility, molecular free length, acoustic impedance, primary hydration numbers and internal pressure have been calculated and employed to discuss molecular packing, structural alteration and molecular interactions. The variation in these parameters with temperature indicates that the mobility of surfactant molecules increases the disordered state of the liquid (surfactant + water) due to irregular packing of the molecules. Also, for Tween 20 solutions, more conversion to bulk water of the structured water molecules was observed, obtaining lower compressibilities and higher values of hydration numbers as well as internal pressure for a given T.
Aging Behavior of Aluminum Alloy 6082 Subjected to Friction Stir Processing
Authors: Al-Fadhalah Khaled , Asi Fahad
Published: August 2018

The present work examined the effect of artificial aging on the microstructure, texture, and hardness homogeneity in aluminum alloy AA6082 subjected to friction stir processing (FSP). Aging was applied to FSP samples at three different temperatures (150 °C, 175 °C, and 200 °C) for a period of 1 h, 6 h, and 12 h. Microstructure analysis using optical Microscopy (OM) and Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) indicated that FSP produced fine equiaxed grains, with an average grain size of 6.5 μm, in the stir zone (SZ) due to dynamic recrystallization. Aging was shown to result in additional grain refinement in the SZ due to the occurrence of recovery and recrystallization with either increasing aging temperature and/or aging time. An optimum average grain size of 3–4 μm was obtained in the SZ by applying aging at 175 °C. This was accompanied by an increase in the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries. FSP provided a simple shear texture with a major component of B fiber. Increasing aging temperature and/or time resulted in the formation of recrystallization texture of a Cube orientation. In addition, Vickers microhardness was evaluated for the FSP sample, indicating a softening in the SZ due to the dissolution of the hardening precipitates. Compared to other aging temperatures, aging at 175 °C resulted in maximum hardness recovery (90 Hv) to the initial value of base metal (92.5 Hv). The hardness recovery is most likely attributed to the uniform distribution of fine hardening precipitates in the SZ when increasing the aging time to 12 h.
Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films: From Preparation to Biomedical Sensing Applications
Authors: Liao Zhengluan , Xia Tifeng , Yu Enyan , Cui Yuanjing
Published: August 2018

Metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films are receiving increasing attention in a number of different application fields, such as optoelectronics, gas separation, catalysis electronic devices, and biomedicine. In particular, their tunable composition and structure, accessible metal sites and potential for post-synthetic modification for molecular recognition make MOF thin films promising candidates for biosensing applications. Compared with solution-based powdery probes, film-based probes have distinct advantages of good stability and portability, tunable shape and size, real-time detection, non-invasion, extensive suitability in gas/vapor sensing, and recycling. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in luminescent MOF thin films, including the fabrication methods and origins of luminescence. Specifically, luminescent MOF thin films as biosensors for temperature, ions, gases and biomolecules are highlighted.
Effects on the Surface and Luminescence Properties of GaAs by SF6 Plasma Passivation
Authors: Xu Yumeng , Gao Xin , Zhang Xiaolei , Qiao Zhongliang , Zhang Jing , Zhou Lu , Bo Baoxue
Published: August 2018

The passivation effects of the SF6 plasma on a GaAs surface has been investigated by using the radio frequency (RF) plasma method. The RF’s power, chamber pressure, and plasma treatment time are optimized by photoluminescence (PL), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The PL intensity of passivated GaAs samples is about 1.8 times higher than those which are untreated. The oxide traps and As-As dimers can be removed effectively by using SF6 plasma treatment, and Ga-F can form on the surface of GaAs. It has also been found that the stability of the passivated GaAs surface can be enhanced by depositing SiO2 films onto the GaAs surface. These indicate that the passivation of GaAs surfaces can be achieved by using SF6 plasma treatment.
Energy Management and Switching Control of PHEV Charging Stations in a Hybrid Smart Micro-Grid System
Authors: Kamal Tariq , Karabacak Murat , Hassan Syed , Fernández-Ramírez Luis , Riaz Muhammad , Riaz Muhammad , Khan Muhammad , Khan Laiq
Published: August 2018

In this study, the energy management and switching control of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in a hybrid smart micro-grid system was designed. The charging station in this research consists of real market PHEVs of different companies with different sizes. The rate of charging of PHEVs is managed via switching control to receive maximum benefits from renewable energy sources and reduce the consumption of electricity from the grid. To support the optimum utilization of sustainable power, charging time and network stability, seven scenarios were developed for different interaction among the proposed micro-grid system and PHEVs. The proposed hybrid smart micro-grid system consists of three renewable energy sources: photovoltaic (PV) array controlled via an intelligent fuzzy control maximum power point subsystem, a fuel cell stack and a microturbine set controlled by proportional integral differential/proportional integral subsystems. A hybrid energy storage system (super-capacitor, battery storage bank and hydrogen) and residential load are also included in the proposed architecture. The hybrid smart micro-grid system is checked in terms of voltage regulation, frequency deviation and total harmonic distortion (THD). It was found that these are in limits according to the international standards. The simulations verify the feasibility of the proposed system and fulfill the requirement of vehicle-to-grid and grid-to-vehicle operations in a smart grid environment.
Influence of Fuel Moisture Content, Packing Ratio and Wind Velocity on the Ignition Probability of Fuel Beds Composed of Mongolian Oak Leaves via Cigarette Butts
Authors: Sun Ping , Zhang Yunlin , Sun Long , Hu Haiqing , Guo Futao , Wang Guangyu , Zhang Heng
Published: August 2018

Cigarette butts are an important human firebrand and account for a significant amount of man-made fires. To better address forest fires caused by cigarette butts, the influencing factors governing the ignition probability of cigarette butts can be used to establish a prediction model. This study obtains the influencing factors of the ignition probability of cigarette butts in order to establish a prediction model by constructing fuel beds composed of Mongolian oak leaves with varied fuel moisture content and packing ratios. A total of 2520 ignition experiments were then conducted by dropping cigarette butts on the fuel beds to test the burning probability of the fuels under varied wind speeds. Moisture content, wind speed, and their interaction significantly influenced ignition probability. In the absence of wind, the ignition probability is zero. The maximum moisture content of Mongolian oak leaves that could be ignited by cigarette butts was 15%. A logistic model and self-built model for predicting the ignition probability were established using these results; the mean absolute error values for the two models were 2.71% and 1.13%, respectively, and the prediction error of the self-built model was lower than that of the logistic model. This is important research to mitigate the threat of forest fires due to cigarette butts given the frequent occurrence of these events.
Zygosaccharomyces rouxii: Control Strategies and Applications in Food and Winemaking
Authors: Escott Carlos , Del Fresno Juan Manuel , Loira Iris , Morata Antonio , Suárez-Lepe José Antonio
Published: August 2018

The genus Zygosaccharomyces is generally associated to wine spoilage in the winemaking industry, since a contamination with strains of this species may produce re-fermentation and CO2 production in sweet wines. At the same time, this capacity might be useful for sparkling wines production, since this species may grow under restrictive conditions, such as high ethanol, low oxygen, and harsh osmotic conditions. The spoilage activity of this genus is also found in fruit juices, soft drinks, salad dressings, and other food products, producing besides package expansion due to gas production, non-desired compounds such as ethanol and esters. Despite these drawbacks, Zygosaccharomyces spp. produces high ethanol and acetoin content in wines and may play an important role as non-Saccharomyces yeasts in differentiated wine products. Control strategies, such as the use of antimicrobial peptides like Lactoferricin B (Lfcin B), the use of dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) or non-thermal sterilization techniques may control this spoilage genus in the food industry.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe: A Promising Biotechnology for Modulating Wine Composition
Authors: Loira Iris , Morata Antonio , Palomero Felipe , González Carmen , Suárez-Lepe José Antonio
Published: August 2018

There are numerous yeast species related to wine making, particularly non-Saccharomyces, that deserve special attention due to the great potential they have when it comes to making certain changes in the composition of the wine. Among them, Schizosaccharomyces pombe stands out for its particular metabolism that gives it certain abilities such as regulating the acidity of wine through maloalcoholic fermentation. In addition, this species is characterized by favouring the formation of stable pigments in wine and releasing large quantities of polysaccharides during ageing on lees. Moreover, its urease activity and its competition for malic acid with lactic acid bacteria make it a safety tool by limiting the formation of ethyl carbamate and biogenic amines in wine. However, it also has certain disadvantages such as its low fermentation speed or the development of undesirable flavours and aromas. In this chapter, the main oenological uses of Schizosaccharomyces pombe that have been proposed in recent years will be reviewed and discussed.
Micromorphological and Chemical Features of Soils as Evidence of Bronze Age Ancient Anthropogenic Impact (Late Bronze Age Muradymovo Settlement, Ural Region, Russia)
Authors: Golyeva Alexandra , Khokhlova Olga , Lebedeva Marina , Shcherbakov Nickolay , Shuteleva Iia
Published: August 2018

In some cases, the human impact on ancient landscapes has been so profound that local soils still remain significantly affected even after hundreds and thousands of years after ending impact. We studied the Late Bronze Age Muradymovo settlement located in the Urals, Russia, aiming to estimate the consequences of the ancient people’s activity on the environment. Despite the present humid climate, the modern soils inside the cultural layer of the study site contain more than 27% of gypsum at a depth of just 10 cm from the surface, and a microrelief of the study site is typical of a gypsum desert. The nearby background Chernozems are gypsum-free to a depth of 2 m. According to the archaeological data, the ancient people belonged to the ‘Srubno-Alakul’ archaeological culture (1750–1350 years B.C. cal (calibrated years before Christ)) and had a tradition of building their houses from gypsum rocks. At the present time, this area is still unsuitable for human settlement. The properties of modern soils inside the cultural layer of the study site are directly affected by the Late Bronze Age human activities. It has been identified on soil morphology, micromorphology, and chemical properties of soils developed inside the cultural layer of the settlement.
Semi-Automatic 3D City Model Generation from Large-Format Aerial Images
Authors: Buyukdemircioglu Mehmet , Kocaman Sultan , Isikdag Umit
Published: August 2018

3D city models have become crucial for better city management, and can be used for various purposes such as disaster management, navigation, solar potential computation and planning simulations. 3D city models are not only visual models, and they can also be used for thematic queries and analyzes with the help of semantic data. The models can be produced using different data sources and methods. In this study, vector basemaps and large-format aerial images, which are regularly produced in accordance with the large scale map production regulations in Turkey, have been used to develop a workflow for semi-automatic 3D city model generation. The aim of this study is to propose a procedure for the production of 3D city models from existing aerial photogrammetric datasets without additional data acquisition efforts and/or costly manual editing. To prove the methodology, a 3D city model has been generated with semi-automatic methods at LoD2 (Level of Detail 2) of CityGML (City Geographic Markup Language) using the data of the study area over Cesme Town of Izmir Province, Turkey. The generated model is automatically textured and additional developments have been performed for 3D visualization of the model on the web. The problems encountered throughout the study and approaches to solve them are presented here. Consequently, the approach introduced in this study yields promising results for low-cost 3D city model production with the data at hand.
Quantifying Surface Urban Heat Island Formation in the World Heritage Tropical Mountain City of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranagalage Manjula , Dissanayake DMSLB , Murayama Yuji , Zhang Xinmin , Estoque Ronald , Perera ENC , Morimoto Takehiro
Published: August 2018

Presently, the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, and its adverse impacts, are becoming major research foci in various interrelated fields due to rapid changes in urban ecological environments. Various cities have been investigated in previous studies, and most of the findings have facilitated the introduction of proper mitigation measures to overcome the negative impact of UHI. At present, most of the mountain cities of the world have undergone rapid urban development, and this has resulted in the increasing surface UHI (SUHI) phenomenon. Hence, this study focuses on quantifying SUHI in Kandy City, the world heritage tropical mountain city of Sri Lanka, using Landsat data (1996 and 2017) based on the mean land surface temperature (LST), the difference between the fraction of impervious surfaces (IS), and the fraction of green space (GS). Additionally, we examined the relationship of LST to the green space/impervious surface fraction ratio (GS/IS fraction ratio) and the magnitude of the GS/IS fraction ratio. The SUHI intensity (SUHII) was calculated based on the temperature difference between main land use/cover categories and the temperature difference between urban-rural zones. We demarcated the rural zone based on the fraction of IS recorded, <10%, along with the urban-rural gradient zone. The result shows a SUHII increase from 3.9 °C in 1996 to 6.2 °C in 2017 along the urban-rural gradient between the urban and rural zones (10 < IS). These results relate to the rapid urban expansion of the study areas from 1996 to 2017. Most of the natural surfaces have changed to impervious surfaces, causing an increase of SUHI in Kandy City. The mean LST has a positive relationship with the fraction of IS and a negative relationship with the fraction of GS. Additionally, the GS/IS fraction ratio shows a rapid decline. Thus, the findings of this study can be considered as a proxy indicator for introducing proper landscape and urban planning for the World Heritage tropical mountain city of Kandy in Sri Lanka.
Roles of the TGF-β–VEGF-C Pathway in Fibrosis-Related Lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Kinashi Hiroshi , Ito Yasuhiko , Sun Ting , Katsuno Takayuki , Takei Yoshifumi
Published: August 2018

Lymphatic vessels drain excess tissue fluids to maintain the interstitial environment. Lymphatic capillaries develop during the progression of tissue fibrosis in various clinical and pathological situations, such as chronic kidney disease, peritoneal injury during peritoneal dialysis, tissue inflammation, and tumor progression. The role of fibrosis-related lymphangiogenesis appears to vary based on organ specificity and etiology. Signaling via vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, and VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 is a central molecular mechanism for lymphangiogenesis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key player in tissue fibrosis. TGF-β induces peritoneal fibrosis in association with peritoneal dialysis, and also induces peritoneal neoangiogenesis through interaction with VEGF-A. On the other hand, TGF-β has a direct inhibitory effect on lymphatic endothelial cell growth. We proposed a possible mechanism of the TGF-β–VEGF-C pathway in which TGF-β promotes VEGF-C production in tubular epithelial cells, macrophages, and mesothelial cells, leading to lymphangiogenesis in renal and peritoneal fibrosis. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is also involved in fibrosis-associated renal lymphangiogenesis through interaction with VEGF-C, in part by mediating TGF-β signaling. Further clarification of the mechanism might lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat fibrotic diseases.
The Anatomy, Development, and Evolution of the Atrioventricular Conduction Axis
Authors: Anderson Robert H. , Mori Shumpei , Spicer Diane E. , Sanchez-Quintana Damian , Jensen Bjarke
Published: August 2018

It is now well over 100 years since Sunao Tawara clarified the location of the axis of the specialised myocardium responsible for producing coordinated ventricular activation. Prior to that stellar publication, controversies had raged as to how many bundles crossed the place of the atrioventricular insulation as found in mammalian hearts, as well as the very existence of the bundle initially described by Wilhelm His Junior. It is, perhaps surprising that controversies continue, despite the multiple investigations that have taken place since the publication of Tawara’s monograph. For example, we are still unsure as to the precise substrates for the so-called slow and fast pathways into the atrioventricular node. Much has been done, nonetheless, to characterise the molecular make-up of the specialised pathways, and to clarify their mechanisms of development. Of this work itself, a significant part has emanated from the laboratory coordinated for a quarter of a century by Antoon FM Moorman. In this review, which joins the others in recognising the value of his contributions and collaborations, we review our current understanding of the anatomy, development, and evolution of the atrioventricular conduction axis.
Genetic and Environmental Dispositions for Cardiovascular Variability: A Pilot Study
Authors: Karan Radmila , Cvjeticanin Suzana , Kovacevic-Kostic Natasa , Nikolic Dejan , Velinovic Milos , Milicevic Vladimir , Obrenovic-Kircanski Biljana
Published: August 2018

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the degree of genetic homozygosity in the group of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as to evaluate morphogenetic variability in CAD patients regarding the presence of investigated risk factors (RF) compared to a control sample of individuals. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the distribution of ABO blood type frequencies between tested samples of individuals. Methods: This study analyzed individual phenotype and morphogenetic variability of 17 homozygously-recessive characteristics (HRC), by using HRC test in a sample of 148 individuals in CAD patients group and 156 individuals in the control group. The following RF were analyzed: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Results: The mean value of HRC in CAD patients is significantly higher, while variability decreases compared to the control sample (CAD patients: 4.24 ± 1.59, control sample: 3.75 ± 1.69; VCAD-patients = 37.50%, VC = 45.07%). There is a significant difference in individual variations of 17 HRC between control sample and CAD patients (χ2 = 169.144; p < 0.01), which points out to different variability for tested genes. Mean values of HRC significantly differed in CAD patients in regard to the number of RF present. A blood type (OR = 1.75) is significant predictor for CAD, while O blood type (OR = 0.43) was significantly associated with controls. Conclusion: There is a higher degree of recessive homozygosity in CAD patients versus individuals in the control sample, and the presence of significant variations in the degree of recessive homozygosity as the number of tested RF increases.