bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic Performance of a New Structural Design Solution for First-Story Isolated RC Buildings with Coupled Beam-Column Connections
Authors: Wu Yingxiong , Liu Ning , Qi Ai
Published: January 2019

This study proposes a new structural design of the first-story isolation system in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Compared to the conditional buildings with independent columns, this new design integrates the independent columns with beams to increase the seismic capacity of the building by increasing the integrated stiffness of the coupled columns and the stability of the isolation system. The seismic responses of the proposed structure and the corresponding isolation effect were investigated by performing a series of numerical simulation and shaking table tests on a typical 7-story RC frame structure. The structure models were subjected to four earthquake waves with two PGAs (peak ground acceleration) of 0.30 g and 0.40 g for seismic analysis regarding the peak acceleration and inter-story displacement. Both simulation and testing results showed that the story acceleration and inter-story displacement of the superstructure in the isolated model decreased significantly. While the substructure below the isolation layer had a negligible decrease of acceleration. The connection of beams with concrete columns significantly increases the seismic capacity of the RC frame buildings compared to non-isolated frame buildings. The coupled beam-column connections could thus be potentially adopted in the practical first-story isolation system to avoid the requirements of large column stiffness and large column size.
Truth and Myths about 2D Tensegrity Trusses
Authors: Obara Paulina , Kłosowska Joanna , Gilewski Wojciech
Published: January 2019

The concept of tensegrity is understood in many ways. This term is often improperly used for structures that have some, but not necessarily the key, tensegrity properties. The concept of tensegrity systems is misused in reference to both mathematical models and completed engineering structures. The aim of the study is to indicate which of the plane (2D) trusses presented in the literature are erroneously classified as tensegrities. Singular value decomposition of the compatibility matrix and spectral analysis of the stiffness matrix with the effect of self-equilibrated forces is used for the analysis. A new precise definition of tensegrity trusses is proposed and implemented.
Analysis of Six Active Power Control Strategies of Interconnected Grids with VSC-HVDC
Authors: Song Sungyoon , Yoon Minhan , Jang Gilsoo
Published: January 2019

In this paper, the generator angle stability of several active power control schemes of a voltage-source converter (VSC)-based high-voltage DC (HVDC) is evaluated for two interconnected AC systems. Excluding frequency control, there has been no detailed analysis of interconnected grids depending upon the converter power control, so six different types of active power control of the VSC-HVDC are defined and analyzed in this paper. For each TSO (transmission system operator), the applicable schemes of two kinds of step control and four kinds of ramp-rate control with a droop characteristic are included in this research. Furthermore, in order to effectively evaluate the angle stability, the Generators-VSC Interaction Factor (GVIF) index is newly implemented to distinguish the participating generators (PGs) group which reacts to the converter power change. As a result, the transient stabilities of the two power systems are evaluated and the suitable active power control strategies are determined for two TSOs. Simulation studies are performed using the PSS®E program to analyze the power system transient stability and various active power control schemes of the VSC-HVDC. The results provide useful information indicating that the ramp-rate control shows a more stable characteristic than the step-control for interconnected grids; thus, a converter having a certain ramp-rate slope similar to that of the other generator shows more stable results in several cases.
TOSCA-Based and Federation-Aware Cloud Orchestration for Kubernetes Container Platform
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Muhammad Hanif , Kim Eunsam , Helal Sumi , Lee Choonhwa
Published: January 2019

Kubernetes, a container orchestration tool for automatically installing and managing Docker containers, has recently begun to support a federation function of multiple Docker container clusters. This technology, called Kubernetes Federation, allows developers to increase the responsiveness and reliability of their applications by distributing and federating container clusters to multiple service areas of cloud service providers. However, it is still a daunting task to manually manage federated container clusters across all the service areas or to maintain the entire topology of cloud applications at a glance. This research work proposes a method to automatically form and monitor Kubernetes Federation, given application topology descriptions in TOSCA (Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications), by extending the orchestration tool that automatizes the modeling and instantiation of cloud applications. It also demonstrates the successful federation of the clusters according to the TOSCA specifications and verifies the auto-scaling capability of the configured system through a scenario in which the servers of a sample application are deployed and federated.
Overcoming Individual Discrepancies, a Learning Model for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement
Authors: Liu Weijie , Huang Anpeng , Wan Ping
Published: January 2019

Non-invasive Glucose Measurement (NGM) technology makes great sense for the blood glucose management of patients with hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Individual Discrepancies (IDs), e.g., skin thickness and color, not only block the development of NGM, but also become the reason why NGM cannot be widely used. To solve this problem, our solution is designing an individual customized NGM model that can measure these discrepancies through multi-wavelength and tune parameters for glucose estimating. In this paper, an NGM prototype is designed, and a learning model for glucose estimating with automatically parameters tuning based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Random Forest (RF) is presented. The clinic trial proves that the correlation coefficient between estimation and reference Blood Glucose Concentration (BGC) can reach 0.5 after merely 10 times of learning, and rise to 0.8 after about 60 times of learning.
Volume Holographic Optical Elements as Solar Concentrators: An Overview
Authors: Ferrara Maria Antonietta , Striano Valerio , Coppola Giuseppe
Published: January 2019

Generally, to reduce the area of a photovoltaic cell, which is typically very expensive, solar concentrators based on a set of mirrors or mechanical structures are used. However, such solar concentrators have some drawbacks, as they need a tracking system to track the sun’s position and also they suffer for the overheat due to the concentration of both light and heat on the solar cell. The fundamental advantages of volume holographic optical elements are very appealing for lightweight and cheap solar concentrators applications and can become a valuable asset that can be integrated into solar panels. In this paper, a review of volume holographic-based solar concentrators recorded on different holographic materials is presented. The physical principles and main advantages and disadvantages, such as their cool light concentration, selective wavelength concentrations and the possibility to implement passive solar tracking, are discussed. Different configurations and strategies are illustrated and the state-of-the-art is presented including commercially available systems.
Transmission Matrix Measurement of Multimode Optical Fibers by Mode-Selective Excitation Using One Spatial Light Modulator
Authors: Rothe Stefan , Radner Hannes , Koukourakis Nektarios , Czarske Jürgen W.
Published: January 2019

Multimode fibers (MMF) are promising candidates to increase the data rate while reducing the space required for optical fiber networks. However, their use is hampered by mode mixing and other effects, leading to speckled output patterns. This can be overcome by measuring the transmission matrix (TM) of a multimode fiber. In this contribution, a mode-selective excitation of complex amplitudes is performed with only one phase-only spatial light modulator. The light field propagating through the fiber is measured holographically and is analyzed by a rapid decomposition method. This technique requires a small amount of measurements N, which corresponds to the degree of freedom of the fiber. The TM determines the amplitude and phase relationships of the modes, which allows us to understand the mode scrambling processes in the MMF and can be used for mode division multiplexing.
Effect of the Nature and Relative Concentration of Substrate, Water Mineralization, and Storage Temperature on the Oxidants Produced by Lactoperoxidase and on Their Antifungal Activity against Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Bafort Françoise , Damblon Christian , Lognay Georges C. , Barthelemy Jean-Paul , Perraudin Jean-Paul , Jijakli Mohamed Haïssam
Published: January 2019

Lactoperoxidase is an enzyme that generates oxidants with antimicrobial activity in presence of a (pseudo)halogen and hydrogen peroxide, but various factors can drastically reduce the antimicrobial activity of the lactoperoxidase system. Spectroscopic, ionic chromatography, and 13C-NMR methods showed that the oxidants generated by lactoperoxidase are OSCN− in the presence of SCN− and I2 in the presence of I−. Neither of them, however, inhibited Penicillium expansum, one of the causal agents of fruit mold. When a mixture of SCN− and I− was used, no OSCN−, OCN−, I2, or interhalogen I2SCN− was produced. However, its long-term stability, NH2-oxidizing capacity, and antifungal activity against P. expansum argue in favor of an I−-derived oxidant. Strongly mineralized water optimized enzyme-catalyzed reactions with higher oxidant production. Storage at 4 °C resulted in long-term stability and extended antifungal activity against P. expansum. The relative iodide/thiocyanate concentrations turned out to be important, as better in vitro inhibition of Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of apples’s grey mold, was obtained with a high KI + KSCN concentration, a KI/KSCN ratio of 4.5, and a (KI + KSCN)/H2O2 ratio of 1. The nature of the substrates, their relative concentrations, the medium, and the storage temperature modifed the antifungal activity of lactoperoxidase.
Calibration for Sample-And-Hold Mismatches in M-Channel TIADCs Based on Statistics
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Xu Hui , Wang Yinan , Dai Yingqiang , Li Nan , Liu Guiqing
Published: January 2019

Time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TIADC) is a good option for high sampling rate applications. However, the inevitable sample-and-hold (S/H) mismatches between channels incur undesirable error and then affect the TIADC’s dynamic performance. Several calibration methods have been proposed for S/H mismatches which either need training signals or have less extensive applicability for different input signals and different numbers of channels. This paper proposes a statistics-based calibration algorithm for S/H mismatches in M-channel TIADCs. Initially, the mismatch coefficients are identified by eliminating the statistical differences between channels. Subsequently, the mismatch-induced error is approximated by employing variable multipliers and differentiators in several Richardson iterations. Finally, the error is subtracted from the original output signal to approximate the expected signal. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the selection of key parameters and the advantage to other methods.
Capacity Credit Evaluation of Correlated Wind Resources Using Vine Copula and Improved Importance Sampling
Authors: Cai Jilin , Xu Qingshan , Cao Minjian , Yang Yongbiao
Published: January 2019

This paper concentrates on the capacity credit (CC) evaluation of wind energy, where a new method for constructing the joint distribution of wind speed and load is proposed. The method is based on the skew-normal mixture model (SNMM) and D-vine copulas, which is used to model the marginal distribution and the correlation structure, respectively. Then a cross entropy based importance sampling (CE-IS) is improved to enhance the efficiency of the power system reliability assessment, which is a crucial part of the CC evaluation. After that, the proposed methods are adopted to combine with the secant method to develop a complete algorithm to calculate the CC of wind energy. Numerical tests are designed and carried out based on the IEEE-RTS 79 system and wind speed data obtained from four wind farms in Northwest China. In order to show the superiority of SNMM and D-vine copula, the goodness-of-fit is quantified by different statistics. Besides, the improved CE-IS method is validated by comparison with Monte Carlo sampling (MCS) and traditional CE-IS in the efficiency of reliability assessment. Finally, the proved methods are combined with the secant method to calculate the CC of four wind farms, which can provide information for wind farm planning.
Local, Story, and Global Ductility Evaluation for Complex 2D Steel Buildings: Pushover and Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Llanes-Tizoc Mario D. , Reyes-Salazar Alfredo , Bojorquez Eden , Bojorquez Juan , Lopez-Barraza Arturo , Rivera-Salas J. Luz , Gaxiola-Camacho Jose R.
Published: January 2019

A numerical investigation regarding ductility evaluation of steel buildings with moment resisting steel frames is conducted. Bending (µLϕ) and tension (µLδ) local ductilities as well as story (µS) and global ductilities are studied. Global ductility is calculated as the mean values of story ductilities (µGS) and as the ratio of the maximum inelastic to yielding top displacements (µGt). The ductility capacity is associated to drifts of about 5%. Ductility values significantly may vary with the strong motion, ductility definition, structural element, story number, type of analysis, and model. µLϕ is much larger for beams than for columns. Even though the demands of µLδ are considered an important issue they are less relevant than µLϕ. µS is much smaller than µLϕ for beams. µGS for dynamic analysis give reasonable values, but µGt does not. µLϕ, µS and µGS obtained from pushover are larger than those obtained from dynamic analysis and unlike the case of dynamic analysis, µLϕ tend to increase with the story number showing an opposite trend. Considering that: µGt for dynamic analysis results in unreasonable values, pushover analysis does not consider energy dissipation, the strong column–weak beam (SCWB) concept was followed in the model designs, and µLδ is not relevant in framed steel buildings, the ratio (RLG) of global to local ductility capacity is calculated as the ratio of µGS to µLϕ of beams, for dynamic analysis. A value of 1/3 is proposed. Thus, if bending local ductility capacity is stated as the basis for the design, the global ductility capacity can be easily estimated.
A Novel Heart Rate Robust Method for Short-Term Electrocardiogram Biometric Identification
Authors: Wang Di , Si Yujuan , Yang Weiyi , Zhang Gong , Liu Tong
Published: January 2019

In the past decades, the electrocardiogram (ECG) has been investigated as a promising biometric by exploiting the subtle discrepancy of ECG signals between subjects. However, the heart rate (HR) for one subject may vary because of physical activities or strong emotions, leading to the problem of ECG signal variation. This variation will significantly decrease the performance of the identification task. Particularly for short-term ECG signal without many heartbeats, the hardly measured HR makes the identification task even more challenging. This study aims to propose a novel method suitable for short-term ECG signal identification. In particular, an improved HR-free resampling strategy is proposed to minimize the influence of HR variability during heartbeat processing. For feature extraction, the Principal Component Analysis Network (PCANet) is implemented to determine the potential difference between subjects. The proposed method is evaluated using a public ECG-ID database that contains various HR data for some subjects. Experimental results show that the proposed method is robust to HR change and can achieve high subject identification accuracy (94.4%) on ECG signals with only five heartbeats. Thus, the proposed method has the potential for application to systems that use short-term ECG signals for identification (e.g., wearable devices).
Analysis and Impact Evaluation of Missing Data Imputation in Day-ahead PV Generation Forecasting
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Ko Woong , Kim Jinho
Published: January 2019

Over the past decade, PV power plants have increasingly contributed to power generation. However, PV power generation widely varies due to environmental factors; thus, the accurate forecasting of PV generation becomes essential. Meanwhile, weather data for environmental factors include many missing values; for example, when we estimated the missing values in the precipitation data of the Korea Meteorological Agency, they amounted to ~16% from 2015–2016, and further, 19% of the weather data were missing for 2017. Such missing values deteriorate the PV power generation prediction performance, and they need to be eliminated by filling in other values. Here, we explore the impact of missing data imputation methods that can be used to replace these missing values. We apply four missing data imputation methods to the training data and test data of the prediction model based on support vector regression. When the k-nearest neighbors method is applied to the test data, the prediction performance yields results closest to those for the original data with no missing values, and the prediction model’s performance is stable even when the missing data rate increases. Therefore, we conclude that the most appropriate missing data imputation for application to PV forecasting is the KNN method.
Investigation on Interference Test for Wells Connected by a Large Fracture
Authors: Han Guofeng , Liu Yuewu , Liu Wenchao , Gao Dapeng
Published: January 2019

Pressure communication between adjacent wells is frequently encountered in multi-stage hydraulic fractured shale gas reservoirs. An interference test is one of the most popular methods for testing the connectivity of a reservoir. Currently, there is no practical analysis model of an interference test for wells connected by large fractures. A one-dimensional equation of flow in porous media is established, and an analytical solution under the constant production rate is obtained using a similarity transformation. Based on this solution, the extremum equation of the interference test for wells connected by a large fracture is derived. The type-curve of pressure and the pressure derivative of an interference test of wells connected by a large fracture are plotted, and verified against interference test data. The extremum equation of wells connected by a large fracture differs from that for homogeneous reservoirs by a factor 2. Considering the difference of the flowing distance, it can be concluded that the pressure conductivity coefficient computed by the extremum equation of homogeneous reservoirs is accurate in the order of magnitude. On the double logarithmic type-curve, as time increases, the curves of pressure and the pressure derivative tend to be parallel straight lines with a slope of 0.5. When the crossflow of the reservoir matrix to the large fracture cannot be ignored, the slope of the parallel straight lines is 0.25. They are different from the type-curves of homogeneous and double porosity reservoirs. Therefore, the pressure derivative curve is proposed to diagnose the connection form of wells.
Minimum Length Uncertainty Relations in the Presence of Dark Energy
Authors: Lake Matthew J.
Published: January 2019

We introduce a dark energy-modified minimum length uncertainty relation (DE-MLUR) or dark energy uncertainty principle (DE-UP) for short. The new relation is structurally similar to the MLUR introduced by Károlyházy (1968), and reproduced by Ng and van Dam (1994) using alternative arguments, but with a number of important differences. These include a dependence on the de Sitter horizon, which may be expressed in terms of the cosmological constant as l dS ∼ 1 / Λ . Applying the DE-UP to both charged and neutral particles, we obtain estimates of two limiting mass scales, expressed in terms of the fundamental constants G , c , ℏ , Λ , e . Evaluated numerically, the charged particle limit corresponds to the order of magnitude value of the electron mass ( m e ), while the neutral particle limit is consistent with current experimental bounds on the mass of the electron neutrino ( m ν e ). Possible cosmological consequences of the DE-UP are considered and we note that these lead naturally to a holographic relation between the bulk and the boundary of the Universe. Low and high energy regimes in which dark energy effects may dominate canonical quantum behaviour are identified and the possibility of testing the model using near-future experiments is briefly discussed.
Remote Sensing Analyses on Sentinel-2 Images: Looking for Roman Roads in Srem Region (Serbia)
Authors: Zanni Sara , De Rosa Alessandro
Published: January 2019

The present research is part of the project “From Aquileia to Singidunum: reconstructing the paths of the Roman travelers—RecRoad”, developed at the Université Bordeaux Montaigne, thanks to a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship. One of the goals of the project was to detect and reconstruct the Roman viability between the Roman cities of Aquileia (Aquileia, Italy) and Singidunum (Belgrade, Serbia), using different sources and methods, one of which is satellite remote sensing. The research project analyzed and combined several data, including images produced by the Sentinel-2 mission, funded by the European Commission Earth Observation Programme Copernicus, in which satellites were launched between 2015 and 2017. These images are freely available for scientific and commercial purposes, and constitute a constantly updated gallery of the whole planet, with a revisit time of five days at the Equator. The technical specifications of the satellites’ sensors are particularly suitable for archaeological mapping purposes, and their capacities in this field still need to be fully explored. The project provided a useful testbed for the use of Sentinel-2 images in the archaeological field. The study compares traditional Vegetation Indices with experimental trials on Sentinel images applied to the Srem District in Serbia. The paper also compares the results obtained from the analysis of the Sentinel-2 images with WorldView-2 multispectral images. The obtained results were verified through an archaeological surface survey.
Comparative Analysis of Tsunami Recovery Strategies in Small Communities in Japan and Chile
Authors: Valenzuela Ven Paolo Bruno , Samarasekara Ratnayakage Sameera Maduranga , Kularathna A.H.T. Shyam , Perez G. Carlota Cubelos , Norikazu Furukawa , Crichton Richard Nathan , Quiroz Marco , Yavar Ramon , Izumi Ikeda , Aranguiz Rafael , Motoharu Onuki , Esteban Miguel
Published: January 2019

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes the need to rebuild better after a disaster to ensure that the at-risk communities can withstand a similar or stronger shock in the future. In the present work, the authors analyzed the reconstruction paths through a comparative analysis of the perspective of a community in Japan and another in Chile, and their respective local governments. While both countries are at risk to tsunamis, they follow different reconstruction philosophies. Data was gathered through key informant interviews of community members and local government officials, by adapting and modifying the Building Resilience to Adapt to Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) 3As framework to a tsunami scenario. The 3As represent anticipatory, adaptive, and absorptive capacities as well as transformative capacities and respondents were asked to rate this according to their perspectives. It was found that while both communities perceive that much is to be done in recovery, Kirikiri has a more holistic and similar perspective of the recovery with their government officials as compared to Dichato. This shows that community reconstruction and recovery from a disaster requires a holistic participation and understanding.
Gas Hydrate Estimate in an Area of Deformation and High Heat Flow at the Chile Triple Junction
Authors: Villar-Muñoz Lucía , Vargas-Cordero Iván , Bento Joaquim , Tinivella Umberta , Fernandoy Francisco , Giustiniani Michela , Behrmann Jan , Calderón-Díaz Sergio
Published: January 2019

Large amounts of gas hydrate are present in marine sediments offshore Taitao Peninsula, near the Chile Triple Junction. Here, marine sediments on the forearc contain carbon that is converted to methane in a regime of very high heat flow and intense rock deformation above the downgoing oceanic spreading ridge separating the Nazca and Antarctic plates. This regime enables vigorous fluid migration. Here, we present an analysis of the spatial distribution, concentration, estimate of gas-phases (gas hydrate and free gas) and geothermal gradients in the accretionary prism, and forearc sediments offshore Taitao (45.5°–47° S). Velocity analysis of Seismic Profile RC2901-751 indicates gas hydrate concentration values <10% of the total rock volume and extremely high geothermal gradients (<190 °C·km−1). Gas hydrates are located in shallow sediments (90–280 m below the seafloor). The large amount of hydrate and free gas estimated (7.21 × 1011 m3 and 4.1 × 1010 m3; respectively), the high seismicity, the mechanically unstable nature of the sediments, and the anomalous conditions of the geothermal gradient set the stage for potentially massive releases of methane to the ocean, mainly through hydrate dissociation and/or migration directly to the seabed through faults. We conclude that the Chile Triple Junction is an important methane seepage area and should be the focus of novel geological, oceanographic, and ecological research.
Use of Geogrids and Recycled Rubber in Railroad Infrastructure for Enhanced Performance
Authors: Indraratna Buddhima , Qi Yujie , Ngo Trung Ngoc , Rujikiatkamjorn Cholachat , Neville Tim , Ferreira Fernanda Bessa , Shahkolahi Amir
Published: January 2019

Railway tracks are conventionally built on compacted ballast and structural fill layers placed above the natural (subgrade) foundation. However, during train operations, track deteriorations occur progressively due to ballast degradation. The associated track deformation is usually accompanied by a reduction in both load bearing capacity and drainage, apart from imposing frequent track maintenance. Suitable ground improvement techniques involving plastic inclusions (e.g., geogrids) and energy absorbing materials (e.g., rubber products) to enhance the stability and longevity of tracks have become increasingly popular. This paper presents the outcomes from innovative research and development measures into the use of plastic and rubber elements in rail tracks undertaken at the University of Wollongong, Australia, over the past twenty years. The results obtained from laboratory tests, mathematical modelling and numerical modelling reveal that track performance can be improved significantly by using geogrid and energy absorbing rubber products (e.g., rubber crumbs, waste tire-cell and rubber mats). Test results show that the addition of rubber materials can efficiently improve the energy absorption of the structural layer and also reduce ballast breakage. Furthermore, by incorporating the work input parameters, the energy absorbing property of the newly developed synthetic capping layer is captured by correct modelling of dilatancy. In addition, the laboratory behavior of tire cells and geogrids has been validated by numerical modelling (i.e., Finite Element Modelling-FEM, Discrete Element—DEM), and a coupled DEM-FEM modelling approach is also introduced to simulate ballast deformation.
Plutonium Migration during the Leaching of Cemented Radioactive Waste Sludges
Authors: Law Kathleen A. , Parry Stephen , Bryan Nicholas D. , Heath Sarah L. , Heald Steven M. , Knight Darrell , O’Brien Luke , Fuller Adam J. , Bower William R. , Law Gareth T. W. , Livens Francis R.
Published: January 2019

One of the most challenging components of the UK nuclear legacy is Magnox sludge, arising from the corrosion of Mg alloy-clad irradiated metallic U fuel that has been stored in high pH ponds. The sludges mainly comprise Mg hydroxide and carbonate phases, contaminated with fission products and actinides, including Pu. Cementation and deep geological disposal is one option for the long-term management of this material, but there is a need to understand how Pu may be leached from the waste, if it is exposed to groundwater. Here, we show that cemented Mg(OH)2 powder prepared with Pu(IV)aq is altered on contact with water to produce a visibly altered ‘leached zone’, which penetrates several hundred microns into the sample. In turn, this zone shows slow leaching of Pu, with long-term leaching rates between 1.8–4.4 × 10−5% of total Pu per day. Synchrotron micro-focus X-ray fluorescence mapping identified decreased Pu concentration within the ‘leached zone’. A comparison of micro-focus X-ray absorption spectroscopy (µ-XAS) spectra collected across both leached and unleached samples showed little variation, and indicated that Pu was present in a similar oxidation state and coordination environment. Fitting of the XANES spectra between single oxidation state standards and EXAFS modeling showed that Pu was present as a mixture of Pu(IV) and Pu(V). The change in Pu oxidation from the stock solution suggests that partial Pu oxidation occurred during sample ageing. Similarity in the XAS spectra from all samples, with different local chemistries, indicated that the Pu oxidation state was not perturbed by macro-scale variations in cement chemistry, surface oxidation, sample aging, or the leaching treatment. These experiments have demonstrated the potential for leaching of Pu from cementitious waste forms, and its underlying significance requires further investigation.
Inscription and ‘Anscription’: Surface and System in Cybernetics, Deconstruction, and Don DeLillo
Authors: Zetter Nathaniel
Published: January 2019

This essay proposes the concept of ‘anscription’, and employs it to re-think some of the typical valences of inscription in media theory. The word is derived from the German anschreiben, which can simply mean, ‘to write up’, but also refers to the specific act, and the set of social relations that come into place, when one writes something up on a blackboard. Not quite encompassed by inscription, it offers an essential counterpart to the term for media-oriented thinkers. The essay draws out this corresponding function through readings of three imagined (but not-quite-imaginary) media, across which emerges a dialectic in the cultural imaginary of inscription. The first comes from the mathematician Norbert Wiener’s description of a mechanism that would translate written text into tactile impressions; the second, from Jacques Derrida’s historical framing of the project of deconstruction in relation to writing systems; and the third, from a thirty-two-page description of an American football game in Don DeLillo’s 1972 novel, End Zone. Each will offer a different exemplification of the function termed ‘anscription’. Just as significantly, each example presents this function in relation to the technical possibilities of media and articulates it through a theory of the body that is entangled with writing.
The Characteristics of Büyükada as a Cultural Landscape
Authors: Karsan Ayanoğlu Selin , Kahya Yegan
Published: January 2019

This paper addresses the cultural landscape characteristics of Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, with regard to the universal definition of the content and extent of the cultural landscape, to provide background to the site’s history and its socio-cultural and urban development. It focuses on the relationship between the built and natural environment in terms of vernacular architecture and organic landscape, and is based on survey studies and research conducted as part of a PhD Thesis.[...]
Comparative Study between a Novel In Vivo Method and CBCT for Assessment of Ridge Alterations after Socket Preservation—Pilot Study
Authors: Ivanova Vasilena , Chenchev Ivan , Zlatev Stefan , Iordanov Georgi , Mijiritsky Eitan
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to compare two different methods for evaluation of alveolar bone resorption after the socket preservation procedure. In the current study, 9 patients with a total of nine teeth indicated for extraction were included. Patients received alveolar ridge preservation with allograft (BoneAlbumin™, OrthoSera Dental, Gyor, Hungary) or Platelet-Rich fibrin (PRF). CBCT (Planmeca ProMax 3D, Helsinki, Finland), was taken at 1 week and 4 months after the socket preservation procedure. A 3D scan, obtained with Trios (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) of the alveolar bone of the surgical site and the adjacent teeth at the place of extraction was performed during the surgical procedure, immediately after the graft placement in the alveolar socket, and after 4 months. Virtual study models were generated using the three-dimensional file processing software “Meshlab” (ISTI—CNR Rome Italy). The changes of alveolar height and width were measured and analyzed. Results were taken from both methods. Radiographic examination revealed that the average value of horizontal resorption is 0.6–2.4 mm, and vertical resorption is 0.46–2.8 mm. On virtual models, the average value for horizontal resorption is 1.92–3.64 mm, the vertical resorption value is 0.95–2.10 mm. The Trios intraoral scan can provide non-invasive and more accurate quantitative insights into the dimensional changes in the alveolar ridge after the bone remodeling process. More research is needed for verification of these results.
Determination of Occurrences, Distribution, Health Impacts of Organochlorine Pesticides in Soils of Central China
Authors: Gereslassie Tekleweini , Workineh Ababo , Atieno Onyango Janet , Wang Jun
Published: January 2019

Organochlorine pesticides are groups of chemicals applied to prevent pest and insect infestation. This study was aimed at investigating the concentration, potential sources, cancer risk and ecological toxicity of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in Huangpi district, Wuhan, China. Eight OCPs in soil samples collected from four land-use types at depths of 0–10 and 10–20 cm were examined. Sample extraction was carried out by solid phase matrix extraction method and analyzed using Agilent gas chromatograph 7890B equipped with electron capture detectors (ECD). The total concentration of OCPs ranged from 0.00–32.7 ng g−1 in the surface and 0.01–100.45 ng g−1 in the subsurface soil layer. Beta hexachlorocyclohexanes (β-HCH) with 2.20 and 7.71 ng g−1 in the surface and subsurface soil layers, respectively, was the dominant compound. The mean concentrations of OCPs in all samples were less than the threshold values for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) in China soil. Concentration of OCPs in the four land-use types were in the order of: paddy field > barren land > farmland > plastic greenhouse. Results of composition analysis revealed recent application of lindane as a major and historical use of new technical HCHs as a minor source of HCHs. On the other hand, application of new technical p,p’-DDT is the main source of DDTs in the study area. The estimated lifetime average daily dose, incremental lifetime cancer risks and hazard quotient values revealed that there is less likelihood of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks on the local residents.
Carbon Information Disclosure, Marketization, and Cost of Equity Financing
Authors: Li Li , Liu Quanqi , Wang Jun , Hong Xuefei
Published: January 2019

Using listed enterprises in China’s heavy pollution industry from 2009 to 2013, this study tests the relationship between marketization degree, carbon information disclosure, and the cost of equity financing. The results show that, regardless of marketization degree, the overall level of carbon information disclosure of listed enterprises in China’s heavy pollution industry is low. The content of carbon information disclosure is mainly non-financial carbon information, and the financial carbon information disclosure is very low. The cost of equity financing is different in areas with different marketization degrees, specifically speaking, the cost of equity financing is lower in regions with a high marketization degree than that of a low marketization degree. Carbon information disclosure, non-financial carbon information disclosure, and financial carbon information disclosure are negatively correlated with the cost of equity financing. The marketization degree has strengthened the negative correlation between carbon information disclosure, non-financial carbon information disclosure, financial carbon information disclosure, and the cost of equity financing, respectively.
Does a Good Firm Breed Good Organizational Citizens? The Moderating Role of Perspective Taking
Authors: Kim Byung-Jik , Nurunnabi Mohammad , Kim Tae-Hyun , Jung Se-Youn
Published: January 2019

Although some previous studies have examined the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employees in an organization, they have mainly focused on employees’ perceptions or attitudes rather than behaviors. However, in that employees’ behaviors are the direct outcome of the perceptions or attitudes and critically affect organizational outcomes, we need to investigate the impact of CSR on employees’ behaviors. Based on the context-attitude-behavior framework, we investigate the underlying process of the association between CSR and employees’ behavior with a moderated mediation model. Specifically, we hypothesize (1) the intermediating effect of organizational commitment (OC) in the association between CSR and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and (2) the contingent role of employees’ perspective taking ability (PT) in the CSR-OC link. Using three-wave survey data from 301 currently working employees in Korea, we found that OC mediates the association between CSR and OCB and that PT can positively moderate the CSR-OC link. Our findings suggest that OC (as an intermediating process) and PT (as a contingent factor) function as important underlying mechanisms to elaborately describe the CSR-OCB link.
LGM2605 Reduces Space Radiation-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Damage in In Vitro Lung Vascular Networks
Authors: Chatterjee Shampa , Pietrofesa Ralph A. , Park Kyewon , Tao Jian-Qin , Carabe-Fernandez Alejandro , Berman Abigail T. , Koumenis Constantinos , Sielecki Thais , Christofidou-Solomidou Melpo
Published: January 2019

Updated measurements of charged particle fluxes during the transit from Earth to Mars as well as on site measurements by Curiosity of Martian surface radiation fluxes identified potential health hazards associated with radiation exposure for human space missions. Designing mitigation strategies of radiation risks to astronauts is critical. We investigated radiation-induced endothelial cell damage and its mitigation by LGM2605, a radioprotector with antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. We used an in vitro model of lung vascular networks (flow-adapted endothelial cells; FAECs), exposed to gamma rays, low/higher linear energy transfer (LET) protons (3–4 or 8–10 keV/µm, respectively), and mixed field radiation sources (gamma and protons), given at mission-relevant doses (0.25 gray (Gy)–1 Gy). We evaluated endothelial inflammatory phenotype, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and oxidative cell injury. LGM2605 (100 µM) was added 30 min post radiation exposure and gene expression changes evaluated 24 h later. Radiation induced a robust increase in mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes post 0.25 Gy and 0.5 Gy gamma radiation, which was significantly decreased by LGM2605. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) induction by individual or mixed-field exposures were also significantly blunted by LGM2605. We conclude that LGM2605 is a likely candidate to reduce tissue damage from space-relevant radiation exposure.
Ethanol-Induced Autophagy in Sertoli Cells Is Specifically Marked at Androgen-Dependent Stages of the Spermatogenic Cycle: Potential Mechanisms and Implications
Authors: Horibe Akio , Eid Nabil , Ito Yuko , Otsuki Yoshinori , Kondo Yoichi
Published: January 2019

In a recent study, we reported that acute ethanol exposure enhanced autophagy in Sertoli cells (SCs) of adult rats. However, further research is needed to clarify the specific spermatogenic stage exhibiting the highest autophagic response, the mechanisms behind such specificity, and the related relevance to sperm. This brief report provides results indicating that stages VII–VIII (androgen-dependent or spermiation stages) of the spermatogenic cycle exhibited more marked autophagic response in acute-ethanol treated rats (ETRs) than other stages based on suppression of androgen receptor (AR), analysis of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) (an autophagosomal marker) immunostaining in SCs, double labeling of LC3 and lysosomal proteins and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural observations and TUNEL method revealed a notable presence of phagocytosed apoptotic germ cells and retained sperm in SCs of ETRs at these specific stages—a finding rarely observed in control testes. In addition, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 ( PINK1) (a sensor of mitochondrial damage and mitophagy) and giant lipid droplets were found to have accumulated in SCs of ETRs at same stages. Our data show novel findings indicating that stages VII–VIII of the spermatogenic cycle exhibit high levels of autophagy, specifically under stress conditions, as expressed by the term autophagic stages. This stage-specific upregulation of autophagy in SCs may be related to AR suppression, mitochondrial damage, lipid accumulation, and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. The phenomenon may be an essential part of ensuring the viability of SCs and supporting germ cells in toxic environments.
Long-Term Changes in Cognition and Physiology after Low-Dose 16O Irradiation
Authors: Howe Alexis , Kiffer Frederico , Alexander Tyler C. , Sridharan Vijayalakshmi , Wang Jing , Ntagwabira Fabio , Rodriguez Analiz , Boerma Marjan , Allen Antiño R.
Published: January 2019

Astronauts traveling to Mars will be exposed to high levels of ionizing radiation upon leaving low-Earth orbit. During prolonged space travel, astronauts are exposed to galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) composed of protons; oxygen molecules; and high energy, high mass charged particles. Notably, oxygen molecules can travel through the shielding of spacecraft, potentially impacting 25% of the hippocampus. The aim of the current study was to assess whether 16O-particle radiation induced a behavioral deficit and histological changes in mice. Mice were sent to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory and exposed to particulate 16O radiation at doses of 0 and 0.05 Gy. Nine months after irradiation, the mice were tested for novel object recognition and in the Y-maze, after which the animals were sacrificed. The brains were then dissected along the midsagittal plane for Golgi staining. Exposure to 0.05 Gy significantly impaired novel object recognition. However, short term memory and exploratory activity in the Y-maze were not affected. Micromorphometric analysis revealed significant decreases in mushroom spine density in the dentate gyrus and cornu Ammonis-1 and -3 of the hippocampus. Sholl analysis revealed a significant decrease in dendritic complexity in the dentate gyrus. The present data provide evidence that space radiation has deleterious effects on mature neurons associated with hippocampal learning and memory.
HPV-Mediated Resistance to TNF and TRAIL Is Characterized by Global Alterations in Apoptosis Regulatory Factors, Dysregulation of Death Receptors, and Induction of ROS/RNS
Authors: Cabeça Tatiane Karen , De Mello Abreu Alice , Andrette Rafael , De Souza Lino Vanesca , Morale Mirian Galliote , Aguayo Francisco , Termini Lara , Villa Luisa Lina , Lepique Ana Paula , Boccardo Enrique
Published: January 2019

Persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) is the main risk factor for the development of invasive cervical cancer although is not sufficient to cause cervical cancer. Several host and environmental factors play a key role in cancer initiation/progression, including cytokines and other immune-response mediators. Here, we characterized the response to the individual and combined action of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on HPV-transformed cells and human keratinocytes ectopically expressing E6 and E7 early proteins from different HPV types. We showed that keratinocytes expressing HPV early proteins exhibited global alterations in the expression of proteins involved in apoptosis regulation/execution, including TNF and TRAIL receptors. Besides, we provided evidence that TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) was down-regulated and may be retained in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes expressing HPV16 oncoproteins. Finally, fluorescence analysis demonstrated that cytokine treatment induced the production and release of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in cells expressing HPV oncogenes. Alterations in ROS/RNS production and apoptosis regulatory factors expression in response to inflammatory mediators may favor the accumulation of genetic alterations in HPV-infected cells. Altogether, our results suggested that these events may contribute to lesion progression and cancer onset.
Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis Treatment from the Viewpoint of Nonsedative Properties
Authors: Kawauchi Hideyuki , Yanai Kazuhiko , Wang De-Yun , Itahashi Koju , Okubo Kimihiro
Published: January 2019

Antihistamines targeting the histamine H1 receptor play an important role in improving and maintaining the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis. For more effective and safer use of second-generation drugs, which are recommended by various guidelines, a classification based on their detailed characteristics is necessary. Antihistamines for first-line therapy should not have central depressant/sedative activities. Sedative properties (drowsiness and impaired performance) are associated with the inhibition of central histamine neurons. Brain H1 receptor occupancy (H1RO) is a useful index shown to be correlated with indices based on clinical findings. Antihistamines are classified into non-sedating (<20%), less-sedating (20–50%), and sedating (≥50%) groups based on H1RO. Among the non-sedating group, fexofenadine and bilastine are classified into “non-brain-penetrating antihistamines” based on the H1RO. These two drugs have many common chemical properties. However, bilastine has more potent binding affinity to the H1 receptor, and its action tends to last longer. In well-controlled studies using objective indices, bilastine does not affect psychomotor or driving performance even at twice the usual dose (20 mg). Upon selecting antihistamines for allergic rhinitis, various situations should be taken into our consideration. This review summarizes that the non-brain-penetrating antihistamines should be chosen for the first-line therapy of mild allergic rhinitis.