bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Plants: Multisensory Visual-Tactile Interaction Enhances Emotional Experience
Authors: Yamauchi Takashi , Seo Jinsil Hwaryoung , Sungkajun Annie
Published: October 2018

Using a multisensory interface system, we examined how people’s emotional experiences change as their tactile sense (touching a plant) was augmented with visual sense (“seeing” their touch). Our system (the Interactive Plant system) senses the electrical capacitance of the human body and visualizes users’ tactile information on a flat screen (when the touch is gentle, the program draws small and thin roots around the pot; when the touch is more harsh or abrupt, big and thick roots are displayed). We contrasted this multimodal combination (touch + vision) with a unimodal interface (touch only or watch only) and measured the impact of the multimodal interaction on participants’ emotion. We found significant emotional gains in the multimodal interaction. Participants’ self-reported positive affect, joviality, attentiveness and self-assurance increased dramatically in multimodal interaction relative to unimodal interaction; participants’ electrodermal activity (EDA) increased in the multimodal condition, suggesting that our plant-based multisensory visual-tactile interaction raised arousal. We suggest that plant-based tactile interfaces are advantageous for emotion generation because haptic perception is by nature embodied and emotional.
Nominal Stress-Based Equal-Fatigue-Bearing-Capacity Design of under-matched HSLA Steel Butt-welded Joints
Authors: Wen Xue , Wang Ping , Dong Zhibo , Liu Yong , Fang Hongyuan
Published: October 2018

Under-matched welds could minimize the tendency of cold cracking and reduce the preheating operations when high strength steels are welded. However, its low load-carrying capacity might make the high strength parent metal meaningless. With the aim of improving the fatigue limit of under-matched butt-welded joints, this work establishes a nominal stress based fatigue design method for under-matched butt welds while considering its heterogeneous mechanical features. The fatigue life of the base metal is set to be the design goal for the under-matched butt-welded joints, which has scarce been tried before. An equal-fatigue-bearing capacity (EFBC) design method fit for the under-matched butt-welded joints is thus applied with the aims of equal fatigue limit of base metal. X-shaped butt-welded joint is selected to carry out experimental verification where HSLA steel Q550 as the base metal and ER70S-6 as the under-matched filler metal are used. The results show that the EFBC method proposed here is feasible. Note that the EFBC method is valid only in high cycle fatigue.
On the Critical Resolved Shear Stress and Its Importance in the Fatigue Performance of Steels and Other Metals with Different Crystallographic Structures
Authors: Mlikota Marijo , Schmauder Siegfried
Published: October 2018

This study deals with the numerical estimation of the fatigue life represented in the form of strength-life (S-N, or Wöhler) curves of metals with different crystallographic structures, namely body-centered cubic (BCC) and face-centered cubic (FCC). Their life curves are determined by analyzing the initiation of a short crack under the influence of microstructure and subsequent growth of the long crack, respectively. Micro-models containing microstructures of the materials are set up by using the finite element method (FEM) and are applied in combination with the Tanaka-Mura (TM) equation in order to estimate the number of cycles required for the crack initiation. The long crack growth analysis is conducted using the Paris law. The study shows that the crystallographic structure is not the predominant factor that determines the shape and position of the fatigue life curve in the S-N diagram, but it is rather the material parameter known as the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS). Even though it is an FCC material, the investigated austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 shows an untypically high fatigue limit (208 MPa), which is higher than the fatigue limit of the BCC vanadium-based micro-alloyed forging steel AISI 1141 (152 MPa).
Research and Development of a 3D Jet Printer for High-Viscosity Molten Liquids
Authors: Yang Yang , Gu Shoudong , Liu Jianfang , Tian Hongyu , Lv Qingqing
Published: October 2018

Micro-droplet jetting manufacture is a new 3D printing technology developed in recent years. Presently, this new technology mainly aims at ejecting a low-viscosity medium. Therefore, a device for ejecting high-viscosity molten liquid is designed by analyzing the injection principle of high-viscosity molten liquid. Initially, the cooling mechanism is designed to overcome the defect that the piezoelectric stacks cannot operate in high-temperature conditions. Thereafter, the mathematical model of the liquid velocity in the nozzle is derived, and the factors influencing injection are verified by Fluent. Subsequently, a prototype of the jet printer is fabricated, and the needle velocity is tested by the laser micrometer; the relationship between voltage difference and the needle velocity is also obtained. The experimental results matched the theoretical model well, showing that the voltage difference, needle radius, nozzle diameter, and taper angle are closely related to the injection performance of the 3D jet printer. By using a needle with a radius of 0.4 mm, a nozzle with a diameter of 50 μm, a taper angle of 90°, a supply pressure of 0.05 Mpa, and a voltage difference of 98 V, a molten liquid with a viscosity of 8000 cps can be ejected with a minimum average diameter of 275 μm, and the variation of the droplet diameter is within ±3.8%.
Microhotplates for Metal Oxide Semiconductor Gas Sensor Applications—Towards the CMOS-MEMS Monolithic Approach
Authors: Liu Haotian , Zhang Li , Li King Ho Holden , Tan Ooi Kiang
Published: October 2018

The recent development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare and indoor air quality monitoring expands the market for miniaturized gas sensors. Metal oxide gas sensors based on microhotplates fabricated with micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology dominate the market due to their balance in performance and cost. Integrating sensors with signal conditioning circuits on a single chip can significantly reduce the noise and package size. However, the fabrication process of MEMS sensors must be compatible with the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits, which imposes restrictions on the materials and design. In this paper, the sensing mechanism, design and operation of these sensors are reviewed, with focuses on the approaches towards performance improvement and CMOS compatibility.
Enzymes Catalyzing the TCA- and Urea Cycle Influence the Matrix Composition of Biofilms Formed by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300
Authors: De Backer Sarah , Sabirova Julia , De Pauw Ines , De Greve Henri , Hernalsteens Jean-Pierre , Goossens Herman , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi
Published: October 2018

In methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is known to negatively regulate production of the major biofilm-matrix exopolysaccharide, PIA/PNAG. However, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) produce a primarily proteinaceous biofilm matrix, and contribution of the TCA-cycle therein remains unclear. Utilizing USA300-JE2 Tn-mutants (NARSA) in genes encoding TCA- and urea cycle enzymes for transduction into a prolific biofilm-forming USA300 strain (UAS391-Erys), we studied the contribution of the TCA- and urea cycle and of proteins, eDNA and PIA/PNAG, to the matrix. Genes targeted in the urea cycle encoded argininosuccinate lyase and arginase (argH::Tn and rocF::Tn), and in the TCA-cycle encoded succinyl-CoA synthetase, succinate dehydrogenase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, fumarate hydratase class II, and citrate synthase II (sucC::Tn, sdhA/B::Tn, acnA::Tn, icd::Tn, fumC::Tn and gltA::Tn). Biofilm formation was significantly decreased under no flow and flow conditions by argH::Tn, fumC::Tn, and sdhA/B::Tn (range OD492 0.374−0.667; integrated densities 2.065−4.875) compared to UAS391-EryS (OD492 0.814; integrated density 10.676) (p ≤ 0.008). Cellular and matrix stains, enzymatic treatment (Proteinase K, DNase I), and reverse-transcriptase PCR-based gene-expression analysis of fibronectin-binding proteins (fnbA/B) and the staphylococcal accessory regulator (sarA) on pre-formed UAS391-Erys and Tn-mutant biofilms showed: (i) < 1% PIA/PNAG in the proteinaceous/eDNA matrix; (ii) increased proteins under no flow and flow in the matrix of Tn mutant biofilms (on average 50 and 51 (±11)%) compared to UAS391-Erys (on average 22 and 25 (±4)%) (p < 0.001); and (iii) down- and up-regulation of fnbA/B and sarA, respectively, in Tn-mutants compared to UAS391-EryS (0.62-, 0.57-, and 2.23-fold on average). In conclusion, we show that the biofilm matrix of MRSA-USA300 and the corresponding Tn mutants is PIA/PNAG-independent and are mainly composed of proteins and eDNA. The primary impact of TCA-cycle inactivation was on the protein component of the biofilm matrix of MRSA-USA300.
Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Uhlemann Sebastian , Chambers Jonathan , Falck W. Eberhard , Tirado Alonso Avelino , Fernández González José Luis , Espín de Gea Antonio
Published: October 2018

In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to guide ornamental stone extraction is investigated. ERT is not conventionally used in highly resistive environments, such as on rock faces, due to the high contact resistances that can impede current injection. Here, the challenges of conducting ERT in such environments are discussed and possible solutions suggested. For this, an example of the application of ERT in a deep and narrow marble quarry is used. The marble deposit is affected by fracturing and karstification. Due to the nature of these features, they present a significant resistivity contrast to the background resistivity of the marble and thus excellent targets to test the application of ERT. Their location was mapped using field observations and complementary ground penetrating radar data. By using an appropriate sensor deployment, a suitable resistivity meter, and advanced data processing routines, the derived 3D resistivity model is in good agreement with the independent observations. This shows that despite the challenges, ERT can be used as a non-invasive tool to obtain information on the stone properties prior to extraction. This will help in guiding quarry operations and will allow for a targeted, safe, and efficient extraction of high quality stone, thereby increasing sustainability and economical competitiveness.
Advanced Liver Fibrosis Is Independently Associated with Palmitic Acid and Insulin Levels in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Cansanção Kátia , Silva Monteiro Luana , Carvalho Leite Nathalie , Dávalos Alberto , Tavares do Carmo Maria , Arantes Ferreira Peres Wilza
Published: October 2018

Changes in lipid metabolism occur during the development and progression non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the fatty acid (FA) profile in red blood cells (RBC) from patients with liver fibrosis remains unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid profile in RBC, dietary lipid intake and insulin resistance indicators in patients with NAFLD, according to the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Using elastography, patients were classified with (n = 52) and without (n = 37) advanced liver fibrosis. The fatty acid profile in RBC was analyzed using gas chromatography and the lipid intake was evaluated through a 24-h dietary recall. Subjects with advanced liver fibrosis had higher levels of palmitic, stearic and oleic acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and insulin (p < 0.05), and lower levels of elongase very long chain fatty acids protein-6 and the delta-5-desaturase enzymatic activity (p < 0.05). These results suggest a lack of regulation of enzymes related to FA metabolism in patients with advanced fibrosis.
Reviewing the Prospects of Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) as Emerging Vegetable Crop
Authors: Renna Massimiliano
Published: October 2018

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.), a perennial halophyte typical of coastal habits, is well known for several food and non-food uses. This review presents both the characteristics and ethnobotany as well as the findings, technical advances and potential of sea fennel research with the aim to improve and disseminate knowledge regarding the value and potentials of this halophyte. Current knowledge suggest that sea fennel shows good potential as an emerging crop, being a refined food and also an interesting source of human health compounds and crop protection products. Moreover, sea fennel may be proposed as an alternative and sustainable cash crop also in the context of a saline agriculture regime. On the other hand, some aspects of sea fennel require further understanding; therefore, new research and development activities should be carried out before full commercial exploitation.
Revised and Improved Procedure for Immunolocalization of Male Meiotic Chromosomal Proteins and Spindle in Plants without the Use of Enzymes
Authors: De Kuntal , Yuan Li , Makaroff Christopher A.
Published: October 2018

Immunolocalization studies to visualize the distribution of proteins on meiotic chromosomes have become an integral part of studies on meiosis in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. These techniques have been used to visualize a wide range of meiotic proteins involved in different aspects of meiosis, including sister chromatid cohesion, recombination, synapsis, and chromosome segregation. However, the analysis of meiotic spindle structure by immunofluorescence is of outstanding importance in plant reproductive biology and is very challenging. In the following report, we describe the complete and easy protocol for the localization of proteins to the male meiotic spindle and male meiotic chromosomes. The protocol is fast, improved, and robust without the use of any harsh enzymes.
Curse, Interrupted: Richard III, Jacob and Esau, and the Elizabethan Succession Crisis
Authors: Skwire Sarah
Published: October 2018

A previously unexplored reference to the biblical story of Jacob and Esau in Shakespeare’s Richard III underlines connections to the early modern dramatic preoccupation with the question of succession in the late Elizabethan era.
On the Use of Dual-Doppler Radar Measurements for Very Short-Term Wind Power Forecasts
Authors: Valldecabres Laura , Nygaard Nicolai Gayle , Vera-Tudela Luis , Von Bremen Lueder , Kühn Martin
Published: October 2018

Very short-term forecasts of wind power provide electricity market participants with extremely valuable information, especially in power systems with high penetration of wind energy. In very short-term horizons, statistical methods based on historical data are frequently used. This paper explores the use of dual-Doppler radar observations of wind speed and direction to derive five-minute ahead deterministic and probabilistic forecasts of wind power. An advection-based technique is introduced, which estimates the predictive densities of wind speed at the target wind turbine. In a case study, the proposed methodology is used to forecast the power generated by seven turbines in the North Sea with a temporal resolution of one minute. The radar-based forecast outperforms the persistence and climatology benchmarks in terms of overall forecasting skill. Results indicate that when a large spatial coverage of the inflow of the wind turbine is available, the proposed methodology is also able to generate reliable density forecasts. Future perspectives on the application of Doppler radar observations for very short-term wind power forecasting are discussed in this paper.
Assessing Plyometric Ability during Vertical Jumps Performed by Adults and Adolescents
Authors: Snyder Brandon W. , Munford Shawn N. , Connaboy Chris , Lamont Hugh S. , Davis Shala E. , Moir Gavin L.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare different methods for assessing plyometric ability during countermovement (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ) in a group of adults and adolescents. Ten resistance-trained adult men (age: 22.6 ± 1.6 years) and ten adolescent male basketball players (age: 16.5 ± 0.7 years) performed a CMJ and a DJ from a height of 0.40 m. Jump height (JH), contact time, normalized work (WNORM), and power output (PONORM) during the absorption and propulsion phases were calculated from force platforms and 3-D motion analysis data. Plyometric ability was assessed using the modified reactive strength index (RSIMOD during CMJ) and the reactive strength index (RSI during DJ) as well as three indices using propulsion time, propulsion work (PWI), and propulsion power. Adults jumped significantly higher than adolescents (mean difference [MD]: 0.05 m) while JH (MD: 0.05 m) and ground contact time (MD: 0.29 s) decreased significantly from CMJ to DJ. WNORM (MD: 4.2 J/kg) and PONORM (MD: 24.2 W/kg) during the absorption phase of CMJ were significantly less than these variables during the propulsion phases of the jumps. The reactive strength index variants increased significantly from the CMJ to DJ (MD: 0.23) while all other plyometric indices decreased significantly. Neither RSIMOD nor RSI contributed significantly to the prediction of JH during CMJ and DJ, respectively, while PWI was able to explain ≥68% of the variance in JH. Variants of the reactive strength index do not reflect the changes in mechanical variables during the ground contact phase of CMJ and DJ and may not provide an accurate assessment of plyometric ability during different vertical jumps.
Selection of Technological Innovation for Service-Orientated Enterprises
Authors: Yang Yang , Guo Lin , Zhong Zhuling , Zhang Mu
Published: October 2018

Technological innovation is a vital method for enterprises to remain sustainably competitive. Highlighting the emerging information technology such as cloud computing, big data, and Internet of Things (IOT) provides grounds for options of technological innovation for service-orientated enterprises, how could the service-orientated enterprises make appropriate and effective decisions? This paper constructs the evaluation criteria system of a technological innovation scheme selection based on the four-dimensional model of service innovation and uses the hybrid multi-criteria decision model (MCDM) to make systematic selection. That is, to analyze the relationship between every dimension and criteria based on Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method, draw out the network diagram, calculate the weighted ratio of each indicator using the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method, and finally through integrating the modified VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (mVIKOR) method to order the enterprise innovation scheme. The result of this paper shows that Beacons technology is the best service innovation scheme, and the sequencing of each dimension’s weight is the new service delivery system, new client interface, new service concept, and technology choice. It also, combining with the research conclusion, gives out advice on enterprises’ technological innovation selection process.
Archaeological Site Conservation and Enhancement: An Economic Evaluation Model for the Selection of Investment Projects
Authors: Di Ruocco Giacomo , Nesticò Antonio
Published: October 2018

For sustainable development of the territory, public administrations must guarantee the efficient allocation of available resources. This is also important for the conservation and enhancement of archaeological sites, able to generate multiple effects—not only strictly cultural, but also social, environmental, and financial—in their reference area. Although today, decisions on investments to be implemented are seldom supported by logical and operational methodologies able to rationalize the selection processes. Thus, proposing and implementing survey instruments to optimize the use of funds, in the light of a technical-economic process that is valid on a methodological level—that is repeatable and not complex to use—is likely necessary. This paper proposes a multicriteria evaluation model for the choice among projects concerning archaeological sites. According to pre-established criteria, the analysis protocol is defined using the algorithms of discrete linear programming, already successfully used in urban and territorial planning. These algorithms are written in A Mathematical Programming Language (AMPL); software which allows the consideration of several—both technical and economic—constraints that the system imposes. The model is verified by a case study, highlighting its potential and limits, as well as outlining future research perspectives.
Comparison of Regular Atmospheric Storage versus Modified Atmospheric Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Organically Grown Lowbush and Half-Highbush Blueberries
Authors: Koort Angela , Moor Ulvi , Põldma Priit , Kaiser Clive , Starast Marge
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of modified atmosphere (MA) packages on the external quality of organically grown lowbush blueberry and half-highbush blueberry (’Northblue’) and the nutritional value of the fruits. Fruits were divided into plastic punnets and stored as follows: regular atmosphere (RA), punnets without packing; punnets sealed in a low-density polyethylene (LDPE, Estiko) bag; punnets sealed in an Xtend® blueberry bag (Stepac). Fruits were stored at 3 ± 1 °C. Compared to RA conditions, the Xtend® package prolonged the postharvest life for 15 days for lowbush and 9 days for half-highbush blueberries. Fruit dry matter (DM) and titratable acidity (TA) were higher in the Xtend® package. Fruit SSC decreased in the LDPE packages and increased in the Xtend® packages during storage. Based on the decreased soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) ratio (SSC:TA) values during storage, it can be concluded that the taste of the fruits became sourer in all packages. Anthocyanin biosynthesis of lowbush blueberries was suppressed in MA, but this effect was not noticed for ‘Northblue’. Regarding fruit firmness, shrivelling, and decay, there were significant differences between the MA packages, but the genetic differences were more important: half-highbush blueberry fruits were firmer and less shrivelled.
Diversified Forage Cropping Systems and Their Implications on Resilience and Productivity
Authors: Islam M. Anowarul , Ashilenje Dennis S.
Published: October 2018

Plant diversity is associated with resilient ecosystems. Loss of plant biodiversity triggered by anthropogenic and climatic factors jeopardizes environmental stability and sustainable forage production. The understanding of biodiversity mechanisms and functional traits of species can help to design forage production systems to buffer against perturbations. Resilience and productivity are linked to plant species characteristics and interactions that enable them to recover from adverse conditions and compensate for the loss of susceptible species. Benefits of diversified crops including enhanced carbon assimilation, nitrogen fixation, and turnover are transferred to soil microbes which in return contribute to resilience against drought and poor soil fertility. In the absence of disturbances, these mechanisms are credited for stability and climax ecosystems. Cultivated systems are more fragile because management interferes with many functions while maintaining few. Strategies that sustain an entire range of functions can increase production regardless of climatic and management factors. This has been demonstrated in binary mixtures of cool season grasses including meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Suitable combinations of perennial species and cultivars bred for compatible traits can enhance resilience and productivity in a wide range of ecosystems.
Urban Expansion and Farmland Loss in Beijing during 1980–2015
Authors: Hu Yingjie , Kong Xiangbin , Zheng Ji , Sun Jin , Wang Linlin , Min Mingzhe
Published: October 2018

The analysis of urban land expansion and farmland loss is essential to adequately understand the land use change in a rapidly urbanizing China. We found that both urban expansion and farmland loss in Beijing experienced high- and low-speed stages and their spatial patterns were consistent during the past 35 years as most of the newly expanded urban land was converted from farmland. The area of farmland loss by urban expansion in Beijing is 12.6 km2/year, 39.86 km2/year, 23.38 km2/year, and 41.11 km2/year during the period of 1980–1990, 1990–2000, 2000–2010, and 2010–2015, respectively. The urban expansion in Beijing continuously preferred to consume “above average” quality farmland during 1980–2015. Meanwhile, although the urban expansion in Beijing was highly dependent on occupying farmland, the dependence of urban expansion on farmland consumption has declined over time. However, the contribution of urban expansion on farmland loss increased during 1980–2010 and decreased afterward. In order to protect the farmland from urban expansion, we call for more effort to improve the urban land use efficiency with rigid controls over areas of urban expansion.
Mixed Model Assembly Line Scheduling Approach to Order Picking Problem in Online Supermarkets
Authors: Huang Minfang , Guo Qiong , Liu Jing , Huang Xiaoxu
Published: October 2018

Online retail orders, especially online supermarket orders, have been highlighted to have several distinguished features from traditional online retailers. These include a huge amount of daily orders and orders containing multiple items. Tens of thousands of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) sold by online retailers have to be stored at multiple storage zones due to the limit capacity of one area, and ordered items should to be picked with a parallel picking strategy. What is the most efficient and accurate method of picking, sorting and packaging the ordered items from SKUs for online orders? This paper focuses on scheduling the three processes of order picking problems in a warehouse for an online supermarket. Referring to the principle of the mixed-model assembly line, it presents a new optimization method of group order picking. With an objective of minimizing the picking and packaging time, this paper studies order batching and order sequencing. In order batching, considering the workload balance, it builds a mathematical optimization model and applies a bi-objective genetic algorithm to solve it. Then an order batching sequencing model is built, and a solving algorithm based on Pseudo-Boolean Optimization is developed. Case study and sensitivity analyses are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the method.
Transforming the Peri-Urban Fringe in China: The Example of Xi’an-Xianyang
Authors: Robinson Guy M. , Song Bingjie
Published: October 2018

Rapid urbanization in the past four decades has transformed the hinterlands of China’s major cities. While urban growth has consumed large quantities of farmland, many of the remaining farms in the country’s peri-urban fringes have responded to the nearby presence of a fast-expanding and wealthier urban market by changing the farm enterprise to cater directly for this market. The various responses are exemplified herewith, for the metropolis of Xi’an-Xianyang (13 million population), in north-west China’s Shaanxi Province. Based on participant observation and structured interviews with a sample of farmers from three peri-urban fringe villages, the study charted changes in ecosystem services as a quantitative measure of change between 1986 and 2017. An additional Delphi approach focused on the chief technological innovations during this period. The survey revealed the growing multi-functionality of those villages that had switched from traditional grain production to horticulture, supported by various government-funded programs. A significant development has been the introduction of farm-based tourism catering for urban-based tourists. The physical appearance of the fringe now resembles the so-called desakota landscape associated with south-east Asian cities, as massive new urban-industrial complexes sit alongside villages amidst islands of intensive farmland. The conclusion addresses key issues regarding the overall sustainability of agriculture within this fast-changing process of rapid urbanization.
Dominance and Growth Factors of Pseudanabaena sp. in Drinking Water Source Reservoirs, Southern China
Authors: Gao Jingsi , Zhu Jia , Wang Maowei , Dong Wenyi
Published: October 2018

Pseudanabaena sp. is a common and harmful species in freshwater cyanobacteria blooms. There are very few studies on its distribution characteristics and growth influencing factors. In the current study, it was found to be dominant in three cascading reservoirs in Southern China. Field observations and laboratory experiments were integrated to investigate the dominance and growth factors of Pseudanabaena sp. The effects of temperature, light intensity, nutrients, chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and disturbance on Pseudanabaena sp. growth were evaluated. The results indicated that Pseudanabaena sp. had significant positive correlations with water temperature, pH, and COD (p < 0.01) and a positive correlation with NH3-N (p < 0.05). The optimum growth temperature range for Pseudanabaena sp. was from 20 to 30 °C; hence, it usually has outbreaks in May and August. The optimum light intensity and pH for Pseudanabaena sp. were 27 μmol photons m−2s−1 and from 7 to 9, respectively. The superior tolerance for low light, disturbance, and phosphorus deficiency of Pseudanabaena sp. may be the main factors affecting its dominance in reservoirs. Controlling nitrogen was more effective than controlling phosphorus to avoid the risk that was brought by Pseudanabaena sp. This study contributed to the theoretical knowledge for the prediction and control of the growth of Pseudanabaena sp.
Research on the Gradual Process of the Metallization Structures and Mechanical Properties of Wood Veneer
Authors: Li Jingkui , Wang Ruoying , Tian He , Wang Yanan , Qi Dawei
Published: October 2018

In order to improve the mechanical properties of the wood surface and explore the mechanical effect of wood veneer surface metallization, the 31-year-old Pinus sylvestris is taken as the research object and Cu is deposited on the wood surface by magnetron sputtering to achieve wood veneer metallization. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nanoindentation, a research on the gradual process of the structures and mechanical properties of wood veneer metallization was carried out. The results indicate that wood veneer metallization does not affect the crystallization zone of wood, there are still wood cellulose characteristic peaks and the crystalline structure of the wood cellulose is not damaged; the thickness of the copper thin film increases with the increase of the deposition time, the cellulose characteristic peak strength gradually decrease, and the relative crystallinity also decreases; the characteristic diffraction peaks of Cu (111), Cu (200), and Cu (220) appear near the diffraction angle 2θ which is equal to 43.3°, 50.4°, and 74.1°, and the diffraction peak intensity increases with increase of deposition time, the copper film of the metal wood veneer crystallizes well; the load–displacement of wood veneer decreases significantly with the increase of deposition time, while the moduli of elasticity and hardness increase rapidly. The load–displacement of the samples which were coated for 15 min decreased by 80%, while the moduli of elasticity and hardness of these samples increased by 24.1 times and 17.3 times, respectively. From the results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) measurement of the metallization of wood veneer, it can be seen that the uniform and continuous copper film can be formed on the wood veneer surface by using the magnetron sputtering method. This paper provides a basis for wood veneer surface metallization, which is of great significance for the functional improvement of wood, the expansion of wood application fields, and the enhancement of added value.
Set-Blocked Clause and Extended Set-Blocked Clause in First-Order Logic
Authors: Ning Xinran , Xu Yang , Wu Guanfeng , Fu Huimin
Published: October 2018

Due to scale and complexity of first-order formulas, simplifications play a very important role in first-order theorem proving, in which removal of clauses and literals identified as redundant is a significant component. In this paper, four types of clauses with the local redundancy property were proposed, separately called a set-blocked clause (SBC), extended set-blocked clause (E-SBC), equality-set-blocked clause (ESBC) and extended equality-set-blocked clause (E-ESBC). The former two are redundant clauses in first-order formulas without equality while the latter two are redundant clauses in first-order formulas with equality. In addition, to prove the correctness of the four proposals, the redundancy of the four kinds of clauses were proved. It was guaranteed eliminating clauses with the four forms has no effect on the satisfiability or the unsatisfiability of original formulas. In the end, effectiveness and confluence properties of corresponding clause elimination methods were analyzed and compared.
Impact of Microcystin-LR on Liver Function Varies by Dose and Sex in Mice
Authors: Mrdjen Igor , Morse Mark A. , Ruch Randall J. , Knobloch Thomas J. , Choudhary Shambhunath , Weghorst Christopher M. , Lee Jiyoung
Published: October 2018

Microcystin (MC) exposure is an increasing concern because more geographical locations are covered with cyanobacterial blooms as eutrophication and bloom-favoring environmental factors become more prevalent worldwide. Acute MC exposure has been linked to gastrointestinal distress, liver toxicity, and death in extreme circumstances. The goal of this study was to provide an accurate and comprehensive description of MC-LRs impacts on liver pathology, clinical chemistry, and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in CD-1 male and female mice. Mice were exposed to 0, 3000, and 5000/4000 µg/kg/day MC-LR, daily for 7 days, and were necropsied on Day 8. Blood samples for clinical chemistry analysis were processed to serum, while liver sections were fixed for histopathology or evaluated for GJIC using fluorescent cut-load dye. Results show a dose-dependent relationship with MC-LR exposure and hepatocellular hypertrophy, degradation, and necrosis. Clinical chemistry parameters alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and cholesterol increased significantly in MC-LR exposed mice. Clinical chemistry parameter analysis showed significantly increased susceptibility to MC-LR in females compared to males. Changes in GJIC were not noted, but localization of hepatotoxicity near the central veins and midlobular areas was seen. Future toxicity studies involving MCs should consider response differences across sexes, differing MC congeners, and combinatorial exposures involving other cyanotoxins.
Evaluation of Aflatoxin M1 Effects on the Metabolomic and Cytokinomic Profiling of a Hepatoblastoma Cell Line
Authors: Marchese Silvia , Sorice Angela , Ariano Andrea , Florio Salvatore , Budillon Alfredo , Costantini Susan , Severino Lorella
Published: October 2018

Hepatoblastoma incidence has been associated with different environmental factors even if no data are reported about a correlation between aflatoxin exposure and hepatoblastoma initiation. Considering that hepatoblastoma develops in infants and children and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) hydroxylated metabolite, can be present in mothers’ milk and in marketed milk products, in this study we decided to test the effects of AFM1 on a hepatoblastoma cell line (HepG2). Firstly, we evaluated the effects of AFM1 on the cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and metabolomic and cytokinomic profile of HepG2 cells after treatment. AFM1 induced: (1) a decrease of HepG2 cell viability, reaching IC50 at 9 µM; (2) the blocking of the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase; (3) the decrease of formiate levels and incremented level of some amino acids and metabolites in HepG2 cells after treatment; and (4) the increase of the concentration of three pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and the decrease of the anti-inflammatory interleukin, IL-4. Our results show that AFM1 inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells, inducing both a modulation of the lipidic, glycolytic, and amino acid metabolism and an increase of the inflammatory status of these cells.
iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Changes in Metabolite Biosynthesis in Monascus purpureus in Response to a Low-Frequency Magnetic Field
Authors: Zhang Jialan , Liu Yingbao , Li Li , Gao Mengxiang
Published: October 2018

Background: Low-frequency magnetic fields (LF-MFs) dampen the citrinin output by Monascus purpureus in fermentations. The influence of LF-MFs on biosynthesis by M. purpureus was evaluated at the protein level. Methods: Cultures were treated with a 1.6-mT MF from day 0 to day 2 of incubation, and secondary metabolite production was evaluated on the day 12 of incubation. All proteins were extracted from M. purpureus mycelia and subjected to isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling and subsequent liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis on day 6 of fermentation. Results: There was no difference in biomass between the treated samples and the control. Citrinin production was 46.7% lower, and the yields of monacolin K and yellow, orange, and red pigment were 29.3%, 31.3%, 41.7%, and 40.3% higher, respectively, in the exposed samples compared to the control. Protein expression in M. purpureus under LF-MF treatment was quantified using iTRAQ technology. Of 2031 detected proteins, 205 were differentially expressed. The differentially-expressed proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and statistical analysis, which revealed that they mainly refer to biological metabolism, translation, antioxidant, transport and defense pathways. Among all the tagged proteins, emphasis was placed on the analysis of those involved in the synthesis of citrinin, pigment and monacolin K was emphasized. Conclusions: LF-MFs affected Monascus secondary metabolism at the protein level, and aggregate data for all the protein profiles in LF-MF-treated Monascus was obtained.
Linear Potentials in Galaxy Halos by Asymmetric Wormholes
Authors: Bahamonde Sebastian , Benisty David , Guendelman Eduardo I.
Published: October 2018

A spherically symmetric space-time solution for a diffusive two measures theory is studied. An asymmetric wormhole geometry is obtained where the metric coefficients has a linear term for galactic distances and the analysis of Mannheim and collaborators, can then be used to describe the galactic rotation curves. For cosmological distances a de-Sitter space-time is realized. Center of gravity coordinates for the wormhole are introduced which are the most suitable for the collective motion of a wormhole. The wormholes connect universes with different vacuum energy densities which may represent different universes in a “landscape scenario”. The metric coefficients depend on the asymmetric wormhole parameters. The coefficient of the linear potential is proportional to both the mass of the wormhole and the cosmological constant of the observed universe. Similar results are also expected in other theories like k-essence theories, that may support wormholes.
Measuring Neighborhood Quality of Life: Placed-Based Sustainability Indicators in Freiburg, Germany
Authors: Talmage Craig A. , Hagen Bjoern , Pijawka David , Nassar Cara
Published: October 2018

There has been a recent upswing of academic interest in the social dimensions of sustainable cities, especially the dynamics of Quality of Life (QoL), Environmental Equity, Ecosystem Services, Eco-Friendliness, Public Engagement, and Well-Being and Happiness Indicators. These factors are only now being evaluated as critical aspects of sustainable place-making and community development. This paper explores the social dimensions of neighborhood development in what some believe to be one of the most sustainable cities—Freiberg, Germany. We look at two neighborhoods that were specifically designed and built with sustainability principles and practices at their core. The authors surveyed residents of these neighborhoods to measure their levels of well-being, satisfaction with place, and other important QoL factors. Quantitative data was ascertained from residents using a survey questionnaire. The results show a high correlation between QoL factors as a function of place-making and sustainability practice.
Water Allocation Computation Model for River and Multi-Reservoir System with Sustainability-Efficiency-Equity Criteria
Authors: Farriansyah Anang M. , Juwono Pitojo Tri , Suhartanto Ery , Dermawan Very
Published: October 2018

Limitation and inequality of water in interspace and time opposite to the increased water demand indicated from the density of headwork nodes in the river system. It requires proportional-equal water allocation determined by the model. Existing models are not based on water as a public good and not using the sustainability-efficiency-equity criteria despite irrigation is the biggest use. The Water Allocation Model Equalization or in Indonesian it is called “Model Ekualisasi Alokasi Air” (MEQAA) is proposed. MEQAA modeling system is inspired by the shortage of irrigation water for a quite extended period of time and the complexity of the water allocation system in the Lombok river basin. MEQAA is assisted by MS Excel-VBA 2016 that can be tracked automatically on an independent river system scheme to create a network equation with mass balance principle and operation rule. This model is based on the dynamic-deterministic, so the performance test can be used with synthetic data. This experiment was compared with the output from the equalization method and the “first-come, first-served” (FCFS) method. The conclusions of this experiment are: (a) MEQAA can build a specific model according to a network-flow configuration for optimization-simulation with iteration of K-factor (release portion) and C-factor (storage portion) in order to get a maximum and equal and (b) the FCFS method can be detrimental to the river system. MEQAA is suggested as a decision support tool for water allocation planning or real-time operation.
Microbial Community Composition and Antibiotic Resistance Genes within a North Carolina Urban Water System
Authors: Lambirth Kevin , Tsilimigras Matthew , Lulla Anju , Johnson James , Al-Shaer Abrar , Wynblatt Orion , Sypolt Shannon , Brouwer Cory , Clinton Sandra , Keen Olya , Redmond Molly , Fodor Anthony , Gibas Cynthia
Published: October 2018

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are thought to be potential incubators of antibiotic resistance. Persistence of commonly used antibiotics in wastewater may increase the potential for selection of resistance genes transferred between bacterial populations, some of which might pose a threat to human health. In this study, we measured the concentrations of ten antibiotics in wastewater plant influents and effluents, and in surface waters up- and downstream from two Charlotte area treatment facilities. We performed Illumina shotgun sequencing to assay the microbial community and resistome compositions at each site across four time points from late winter to mid-summer of 2016. Antibiotics are present throughout wastewater treatment, and elevated concentrations of multiple antibiotics are maintained in moving stream water downstream of effluent release. While some human gut and activated sludge associated taxa are detectable downstream, these seem to attenuate with distance while the core microbial community of the stream remains fairly consistent. We observe the slight suppression of functional pathways in the downstream microbial communities, including amino acid, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid metabolism, as well as nucleotide and amino acid scavenging. Nearly all antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potentially pathogenic taxa are removed in the treatment process, though a few ARG markers are elevated downstream of effluent release. Taken together, these results represent baseline measurements that future studies can utilize to help to determine which factors control the movement of antibiotics and resistance genes through aquatic urban ecosystems before, during, and after wastewater treatment.
A Comprehensive Review of Low Impact Development Models for Research, Conceptual, Preliminary and Detailed Design Applications
Authors: Kaykhosravi Sahereh , Khan Usman T. , Jadidi Amaneh
Published: October 2018

This review compares and evaluates eleven Low Impact Development (LID) models on the basis of: (i) general model features including the model application, the temporal resolution, the spatial data visualization, the method of placing LID within catchments; (ii) hydrological modelling aspects including: the type of inbuilt LIDs, water balance model, runoff generation and infiltration; and (iii) hydraulic modelling methods with a focus on the flow routing method. Results show that despite the recent updates of existing LID models, several important features are still missing and need improvement. These features include the ability to model: multi-layer subsurface media, tree canopy and processes associated with vegetation, different spatial scales, snowmelt and runoff calculations. This review provides in-depth insight into existing LID models from a hydrological and hydraulic point of view, which will facilitate in selecting the best-suited model. Recommendations on further studies and LID model development are also presented.
CRITICAL REGIONALISM IN THE POST-COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT
Authors: Misra Sumantra , Chakraborty Manjari , Mandal N. R.
Published: October 2018

Critical Regionalism as expounded by Kenneth Frampton has found its use in many parts of the world as a reaction to the international architecture practised in the Western world. India, which was deprived of exposure to the advanced developments in architecture in the US and Europe was at one stroke brought into world contact after gaining independence. This paper traces the exposure of the Indian architects to Western training and philosophy and how they developed their works to suit the regional context. Important aspects of the paper are mentioned below:

‒ International exposure of the Indian architects after independence.

‒ Their designs and their approaches to the creation of an Indian flavour on their return to homeland.

‒ Examined the works of a few prominent architects and inferred on their special regional contributions.
A New C–D-like Diagram for SPB Stars: The Variations of Period Spacing as a Signature of Evolutionary Status
Authors: Wu Tao , Li Yan , Deng Zhen-min
Published: October 2018

The slowly pulsating B-type (SPB) stars are the upper main-sequence stars on the HR diagram. Their oscillations are high-order, low-degree g-mode and can be used to probe the structure of the radiative zone near the outer boundary of the convective core and constrain the chemical mixing in stellar interiors. In SPB stars, the period spacing periodically varies with periods. It has been regarded as a signature of the chemical composition gradient beyond the convective core. Based on theoretical calculations, we find that the variation frequency of the period spacings (f
ΔP
) is related to the width of the μ-gradient region on the buoyancy radius (Λ
μ
) with the relation of f
ΔP
 ∼ 0.5Λ
μ
. This indicates that the variation frequency f
ΔP
is sensitive to the central hydrogen mass fraction X
C (i.e., the evolutionary status). Finally, we find that the variation frequency f
ΔP
and the means of the period spacings

can be used to construct a new C–D-like diagram (f
ΔP
versus

), which can be used to roughly decide the stellar evolutionary stages and to approximately determine stellar mass for SPB stars.