bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalizadores para la producción de plastificantes derivados de la biomasa
Authors: Aguzín Federico , Okulik Nora , Padró Cristina , Beltramone Andrea
Published: November 2019

El uso de la biomasa como materia prima para la síntesis de diversos materiales es una actividad que continúa creciendo y ha permitido el desarrollo de nuevos procesos y productos, como la síntesis de bioplastificantes a base de ácidos orgánicos como el ácido succínico, y materiales carbonáceos a partir de azúcares, polímeros naturales como la celulosa, almidón, entre otros. Aquí hemos desarrollado una serie de catalizadores, entre ellos uno a base de almidón con propiedades ácidas, un material mesoporoso no cristalino como la SBA -15 con ZrO2 incorporado y sulfatada, y carbones impregnados con ácido dodecatungstofosfórico. Estos fueron probados en la reacción de esterificación de ácido succínico con etanol, empleando la resina ácida Amberlyst 36 como catalizador de referencia para comparar los catalizadores y estudiar la influencia de los parámetros de reacción.
Propuesta de Test Funcional y Estructural para Filtros Analógicos Embebidos en Hardware Reconfigurable Basadas en Análisis de Respuesta Transitoria
Authors: Dri Emanuel , Romero Eduardo , Peretti Gabriela
Published: November 2019

En este trabajo se presenta una estrategia de test basada en análisis de respuesta transitoria para filtros analógicos de capacidades conmutadas embebidos en dispositivos PSoC1 de Cypress® Semiconductor. La propuesta es de bajo costo y puede ser usada para mantenimiento en campo. La solución de test consiste en establecer bloques reconfigurables analógicos de PSoC1 como filtros pasabajos de segundo orden y evaluar su respuesta transitoria. El estímulo de entrada se genera internamente, mientras que la respuesta se procesa mediante un osciloscopio y posteriormente con una PC. Se demuestra experimentalmente que la estrategia es capaz de determinar especificaciones del filtro bajo test con bajo error y dispersión. Asimismo, es capaz de detectar en su totalidad fallas introducidas mediante reconfiguración de recursos del dispositivo. No obstante, para evaluar la capacidad de detectar fallas en componentes que no son accesibles para el usuario, se plantea un modelo de simulación de los circuitos bajo test. Los resultados preliminares señalan un buen grado de correlación entre el filtro real y el simulado, con y sin fallas.
Nanomateriales para la Valorización de Compuestos Provenientes de Fuentes Renovables
Authors: Viola Belén Melisa , Casuscelli Sandra G. , Cánepa Analía L. , Eimer Griselda A.
Published: November 2019

Se estudió la funcionalización del alcohol trans-2-hexen-1-ol proveniente de una fuente natural con el objetivo de obtener productos de mayor valor agregado mediante la aplicación de catálisis heterogénea. Para ello, se emplearon arcillas naturales procedentes de la provincia de San Juan, Argentina, que fueron modificadas químicamente con el fin de evaluar su actividad catalítica en la reacción de oxidación del alcohol trans-2-hexen-1-ol. Así, se les realizó unproceso de intercambio iónico y posterior pilareado con titanio. Se obtuvieron sólidos que fueron caracterizados por DRX e isotermas de adsorción-desorción de N2. Para llevar a cabo la reacción, se empleó peróxido de hidrógenocomo oxidante, acetonitrilo como solvente y la temperatura se mantuvo en 70 °C. Los resultados mostraron que al pilarear el sólido, la conversión del sustrato se incrementó y, a pesar de que la selectividad hacia el 2,3-epoxihexanolse favoreció, se obtuvieron altos rendimientos de reacción al 2-hexenal (12%). Luego se varió la relación sustrato/oxidante. Al usar una relación molar igual a 1, la selectividad al epóxido disminuyó favoreciéndose la formación del 2-hexenal y alcanzando un rendimiento de reacción cercano al 20%.
Mejoramiento de los Parámetros en la Elaboración de una Bebida Fermentada de Sorgo Símil Cerveza
Authors: Gómez Pamies Laura Cecilia , Benítez Elisa Inés
Published: November 2019

En el uso de granos alternativos para elaborar bebidas fermentadas para personas celíacas, como el sorgo, puede partirse de granos malteados o sin maltear. Aquí se presentan los estudios realizados a sorgo sin maltear para lograr la disminución de taninos del grano y mejorar el desarrollo de FAN (Free Amino Nitrogen) del mosto durante el macerado. El proceso de elaboración de esta bebida consiste en un pretratamiento de los granos, constituido por etapas de sanitización, extracción de taninos y tratamiento químico. Luego un proceso de decocción que permite la gelatinización del almidón y, a continuación, el proceso de maceración con escalones de temperatura y el uso de dos enzimas exógenas, amilasa y papaína. El sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) de la región nordeste de Argentina se caracteriza por su alto contenido en taninos, que, en el proceso de elaboración de la bebida, se unen a las enzimas alfa-amilasa y limitan su acción durante el macerado. Es por este motivo que se debe reducir la concentración de taninos para no comprometer el rendimiento del proceso. Para esto, se realizó una primera extracción con agua caliente y luego pretratamientos durante 2 y 4 días con soluciones diluidas de hidróxido de sodio 0,1%, hipoclorito de sodio 0,5% y agua destilada como blanco . El acondicionamiento durante 4 días se realizó sin cambiar las soluciones en el lapso de tiempo propuesto, sin em bargo, para el caso de 2 días, se realizó la prueba con y sin recambio de las soluciones cada 12 horas. Se encontró que el procedimiento que logra una mayor reducción de la cantidad de taninos en el sorgo es el pretratamiento con hipoclorito de sodio durante 4 días. Para mejorar los niveles de FAN del mosto se realizó un diseño experimental con dos concentraciones de alfa amilasa (2 y 3% en peso de granos secos), tres concentraciones de papaína (0,5; 1 y 1,5 g/kg de sorgo seco) y también en ausencia total de enzimas. El análisis estadístico indica que existe un efecto de interacción entre las enzimas durante la maceración. Se encontró un valor máximo de FAN de 11,39mgN/l con el uso de 1,5g/kg de papaína y 3% de alfa amilasa (p < 0,05), sin embargo, aún este valor de FAN no es suficiente para una correcta fermentación del mosto. Esto puede deberse a la interacción de las enzimas durante el proceso, insuficiente cantidad de las mismas o baja gelatinización del almidón.
Optimización de Layout de Planta, Síntesis y Topografía de Playas de Almacenamiento
Authors: Orellano Santiago , Scenna Nicolás José , Rodríguez Néstor Hugo
Published: November 2019

A través del presente trabajo se presentan modelos de programación mixta entera lineal (MILP), con el objetivo optimizar por un lado la síntesis de la playa de almacenamiento de sustancias peligrosas (en este caso inflamables) considerando la posibilidad de incendio de trinchera (trench fire) y por otro, la distribución del layout general de planta donde dicha playa se integra. Se incluye además la adaptación y vinculación de ambos modelos a través de su ejecución secuencial, pretendiéndose la minimización de los costos asociados al diseño del layout y a la playa de almacenamiento contemplando el riesgo.Se incluye además la aplicación de esta metodología y los modelos a un caso de estudio particular, la optimización del layout de una planta de biodiesel con una producción de 720 Ton/día incluyendo la optimización rigurosa de la playa de tanques de metanol.
Clasificación Automática de la Calidad Vocal
Authors: García Mario Alejandro , Destéfanis Eduardo A.
Published: November 2019

Se presenta un enfoque para la construcción de un clasificador extremo-a-extremo de la calidad vocal en escala GRBAS basado en redes neuronales profundas. En base a este enfoque se muestran tres redes neuronales. Las redes presentadas calculan la transformada de Fourier de término reducido (STFT), el cepstrum y shimmer de una señal de audio. Las redes neuronales que calculan la STFT y shimmer se logran entrenar correctamente, mientras que la que calcula el cepstrum no. Para este último caso, se plantea una solución alternativa al cepstrum, la autocovariance, que sí se puede entrenar. Se concluye que las redes neuronales desarrolladas son compatibles con el enfoque planteado porque permiten que el gradiente del error se propague hacia atrás, condición necesaria para entrenar el modelo completo.
Desarrollo de Morteros Sostenibles para su Aplicación en Impresión 3D
Authors: Yoris Adrián Isidro , Positieri María Josefina , Fernandez Elena Blanco , Raggiotti Bárbara Belén
Published: November 2019

En el presente trabajo, correspondiente a la tesis doctoral en curso, se darán a conocer algunos resultados de ensayos mecánicos y físicos de distintos tipos de morteros de geopolímeros y de cemento, cuya finalidad es ser utilizados como material aditivo en una impresora 3D, tipo contour crafting. Los morteros de geopolímeros empleados se componen de fly ash, como precursor, disolución alcalina, como activador, árido calizo, vidrio triturado y conchas marinas, como árido y aditivos. Los morteros de cemento, como su nombre lo indica, se componen de cemento, adiciones, aditivos y distintos áridos (arena caliza, vidrio triturado y conchas marinas). Los ensayos mecánicos corresponden a flexión y compresión en probetas prismáticas de 4 x 4 x 16 cm. Los morteros de geopolímero fueron curados en diferentes condiciones (a temperatura ambiente, en agua -de mar y de grifo- y en estufa a 40 ºC) y se expusieron a diferentes ambientes (ambiente de laboratorio e inmersos en agua); en tanto que los morteros de cemento se curaron a temperatura ambiente y en agua (de mar y de grifo). Se imprimieron elementos de diferentes tamaños, formas y complejidades para comprobar su efectividad como material aditivo, obteniéndose comportamientos satisfactorios. Los resultados mecánicos muestran que los morteros siguen adquiriendo resistencia hasta los 90 días, para cementos y 60 días para geopolímeros; estos últimos presentan menor resistencia comparados con los cementos, los cuales registraron valores entorno a los 70 MPa para los que contienen árido calizo y vidrio triturado, curados en agua.
Estrategia de Recomendación por Similitud en Repositorios con Grandes Volúmenes de Datos de Medición y Evaluación
Authors: Sánchez Reynoso María Laura , Diván Mario José
Published: November 2019

La Arquitectura de Procesamiento de Flujos de Datos es una estrategia de procesamiento basada en Apache Storm focalizada en proyectos de medición y evaluación. Los proyectos de medición y evaluación son definidos utilizando un marco forma de medición y evaluación que permite establecer previamente la entidad bajomonitoreo junto con sus conceptos asociados. Este acercamiento permite guiar el procesamiento y toma de decisiones basada en datos de múltiples proyectos concurrentes sustentado en la semántica de las etiquetas definidas en el alcance de cada proyecto. La estrategia incorpora un comportamiento activo, lo que implica que ante una situación tipificada es posible proveer recomendaciones y-o instruir cursos de acciones basado en la experiencia previa. Sin embargo, es posible que existan situaciones para las cuales una entidad bajo monitoreo no cuente con experiencia o conocimiento previo (por ejemplo, por que constituye una nueva situación), lo que imposibilitaría brindar sugerencias. Para abordar esta situación, la idea es detectar entidades bajo monitoreo similares estableciendo un puntaje de similitud que permita brindar experiencias y-o recomendaciones por analogía con otra entidad en caso de ausencia de estas en la entidad objeto de análisis. Aquí se presenta un avance parcial de esta línea de investigación. Así, se ha logrado establecer coeficientes de similitud estructurales y comportamentales, analizar el efecto de técnicas de descarte selectivo en el procesamiento de flujos, fomentar la interoperabilidad de proyectos de medición y evaluación y su efecto en la confiabilidad del sistema de medición y evaluación.
Jornada de Intercambio y Difusión de los Resultados de Investigaciones de los Doctorados en Ingeniería
Authors: IV Jornada de Intercambio y Difusión Nº
Published: November 2019

El objetivo principal de estas jornadas es propiciar un ámbito de reunión, el cuál permita dar a conocer el estado actual de la investigación de cada uno de los planes de tesis que se encuentran en desarrollo, difundir los procesos y resultados actuales de la investigación, posibilitando el intercambio y experiencias entre los distintos doctorandos y sus respectivos directores y codirectores, incentivando la difusión de resultados y logros alcanzados dentro del desarrollo de su respectivo plan de investigación
β‐caryophyllene Oxide and Trans-nerolidol Affect Enzyme Activity of CYP3A4 – In Vitro and In Silico Studies
Authors: ŠPIČÁKOVÁ A. , BAZGIER V. , SKÁLOVÁ L. , OTYEPKA M. , ANZENBACHER P.
Published: November 2019

Evaluation of possible interactions with enzymes of drug metabolism is an important part of studies on safety and, in general, on the properties of any drug or biologically active compound. Here, focus is given on interactions of three sesquiterpenes (β-caryophyllene oxide (CAO), trans-nerolidol (tNER) and farnesol (FAR)) with CYP3A4. To determine the CYP3A4 activity, specific substrates testosterone (TES) and midazolam (MDZ) were used. In human liver microsomes, the CAO inhibited the MDZ 1´-hydroxylation by mixed type inhibition and Ki 46.6 μM; TES 6-hydroxylation was inhibited more strongly by tNER by the same mechanism and with Ki of 32.5 μM. Results indicated a possibility of different mode of interaction of both compounds within the active site of CYP3A4 and this was why the molecular docking study was done. The docking experiments showed that the studied sesquiterpenes (CAO and tNER) bound to the CYP3A4 active site cause a significant decrease of binding affinity of substrates tested which corresponded well to the inhibition studies. The inhibition observed, however, most probably does not pose a real harm to microsomal drug metabolism as the levels of sesquiterpenes in plasma (assuming the use of these compounds as spices or flavoring additives) does not usually exceed micromolar range. Hence, the interaction of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 with sesquiterpenes is less probable.
Non-Traditional Administration of Remifentanil in an Experimental Setting
Authors: KURZOVÁ A. , MÁLEK J. , HESS L. , JAČEK M. , SLÍVA J.
Published: November 2019

Remifentanil is ultrashort-acting opioid with a unique pharmacokinetic profile. It is used exclusively intravenously. While considering its rapid onset of action and other pharmacokinetic properties, we decided to assess its effects following administration via non-traditional routes. Rabbits (n=10 per each group) were randomized into six groups: remifentanil 1 μg/kg and 3 μg/kg IM, 5.0 and 10.0 μg/kg conjunctivally, and 10 μg/kg and 25.0 μg/kg intranasally. Sedating effects were assessed via a loss of the righting reflex. Secondary, mean arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and pulse rate was monitored in all rabbits. Non-traditional routes of administration were shown to provide a rapid onset of action as well as fast recovery. Importantly, the administration of remifentanil did not result in any deterioration of cardiovascular functions.
Pengaruh Kinerja Keuangan terhadap Return saham perusahaan Mining and Mining Services terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2012-2016
Authors: Anggraini Hilwa , Hanifa Riri , Patmawati Patmawati , Irsan Irsan
Published: November 2019

This study aims to analyze the effect of financial performance on stock returns in mining and mining service companies in the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2012-2016. The research method used is quantitative descriptive. The analysis techniques used in this study are the Classic Assumption Test, Multiple Regression Analysis, t Test and F Test. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. The independent variable used in this study is financial performance. Financial performance intended here is financial performance measured using financial ratios, namely Debt to Equity Ratio (DER), Earning per Share (EPS), Return on Asset (ROA), Net Profit Margin (NPM) and Price Earning Ratio (PER), while the dependent variable is Stock Return. The sample in this study was 20 mining and mining services companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2012-2016 study period. Analysis of the data used in this study is multiple linear regression (t test and f test) obtained with SPSS. The results showed that the DER, NPM and PER variables did not affect stock returns and only EPS and ROA variables affected stock return.
SATELLITE DATA IN FORECAST FOR WHEAT YIELD FOR AREAS OF THE KEMEROVO REGION
Authors: Kononenko Sergey , Starostina Taisia , Toporov Vladimir
Published: November 2019

Models of forecasting the yield of spring wheat for all administrative districts of the Kemerovo region have been developed. Standard surface agrometeorological data and satellite information on the vegetative index NDVI are used. The quality of the received models was checked and author's tests were carried out on an independent sample. The best models are transferred for production tests and for practical use.
ON ONE PROBLEM FOR A STATIONARY SYSTEM IN A TWO-LIQUID MEDIUM IN A HALF-SPACE
Authors: Imomnazarov Kholmatzhon , Urev Mikhail , Iskandarov Ilham
Published: November 2019

This paper considers a classical solution in the half-space of the second boundary value problem for an overdetermined stationary system of second order equations arising in a two-fluid medium with a single pressure. The solution of the considered boundary value problem using the Fourier transform apparatus has been obtained. The effect of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the medium is shown on the solution to the system in question.
ABOUT ONE MODEL OF THE CLAY SHALE SWELLING AROUND THE CYLINDRICAL WELLBORE
Authors: Imomnazarov Bunyod , Nyago Vadim , Khaydarov Ilkhom
Published: November 2019

This paper proposes a modified version of the linear theory of poroelasticity, described by the three elastic parameters applied to the shale swelling with aqueous electrolyte. It is assumed that the shale behaves as an isotropic, ideal ionic membrane, and in this case the swelling depends only on the total stress and on the chemical potential of water in the pores of the rock. An analysis of the plane strain around the wellbore has been made.
SEMI-SUPERVISED SPECTRAL-TEXTURE IMAGE CLASSIFICATION ALGORITHM
Authors: Rylov Sergey
Published: November 2019

When classifying satellite images, training sample often turns out to be unrepresentative. This leads to low segmentation quality. In such conditions, it is advisable to use semi-supervised classification methods, which simultaneously utilize both training sample and unclassified data. At the same time, high resolution satellite images are characterized by high interclass heterogeneity of spectral characteristics, which demands to take spatial information into account. We propose a new semi-supervised classification algorithm for multispectral images, that utilizes both spectral and texture features. The use of the semi-supervised concept allows improving the classification quality when the amount of training sample is small. The results of experiments on model and satellite images confirming the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are given.
Mass Selection for Reduced Deoxynivalenol Concentration Using an Optical Sorter in SRW Wheat
Authors: Carmack W. Jesse , Clark Anthony J. , Dong Yanhong , Van Sanford David A.
Published: November 2019

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) results in discolored Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). DON accumulation, a primary measure of FHB resistance, can be used as a basis for selection, but testing each genotype in several genetically variable populations is expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, FHB resistance breeding decisions are routinely based on in-field phenotypic evaluation. However, using an optical sorter as an alternative to in-field evaluation, mass selection (MS) for FHB resistance can be quickly performed post-harvest. The objective of this study was to utilize an optical seed sorter to select breeding lines with enhanced FHB resistance (lower DON and FDK values). Three hundred F4 derived breeding lines were grown in an inoculated disease nursery over several years in Lexington, KY. Grain from each breeding line was sorted using an optical seed sorter calibrated to reject scabby (discolored) seed. The accepted (non-scabby) seed was used to plant subsequent generations. DON and kernel damage traits were lowered each cycle of line selection with the optical sorter. Our findings suggest that optically sorting grain may be an effective breeding strategy for lowering DON accumulation and limiting kernel damage associated with FHB.
UHPLC–Q/Orbitrap/MS/MS Fingerprinting, Free Radical Scavenging, and Antimicrobial Activity of Tessaria absinthiodes (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) Lyophilized Decoction from Argentina and Chile
Authors: Gómez Jessica , Simirgiotis Mario J. , Lima Beatriz , Gamarra-Luques Carlos , Bórquez Jorge , Caballero Duilio , Feresin Gabriela Egly , Tapia Alejandro
Published: November 2019

The decoction of Tessaria absinthioides is used in traditional medicine of South America as hypocholesterolemic, balsamic, and expectorant; but it is also useful for the prevention of hepatitis, renal insufficiency, and diabetes, and is used as digestive. A lyophilized decoction from the aerial parts of this plant (TLD) collected in San Juan (TLDSJ) and Mendoza (TLDM) provinces (Argentina) and one collection from Antofagasta, Chile (TLDCH) were characterized regarding antioxidant and antibacterial activities, phenolics and flavonoids content, and ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography Orbitrap MS analysis UHPLC–PDA–OT-MS/MS metabolite profiling. The antioxidant properties were carried out "in vitro" using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) methods, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (LP). The antibacterial activity was evaluated following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) rules. TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH displayed a strong DPPH scavenging activity (EC50 = 42, 41.6, and 43 µg/mL, respectively) and inhibition of lipoperoxidation in erythrocytes (86–88% at 250 µg TLD/mL), while a less effect in the FRAP and TEACantioxidant assays was found. Additionally, the decoctions showed a content of phenolics compounds of 94 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, 185 GAE/g, and 64 GAE/g, for TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH samples, respectively. Regarding the flavonoid content, the Chilean sample was highlighted with 19 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g. In this work, several phenolic compounds, including sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, were rapidly identified in TLDSJ, TLDM, and TLDCH extracts by means UHPLC–PDA–OT-MS/MS for the first time, which gave a first scientific support to consider this medicinal decoction from both countries as a valuable source of metabolites with antioxidant effects, some with outstanding potential to improve human health.
Oxidative Imbalance and Kidney Damage: New Study Perspectives from Animal Models to Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Pellegrino Daniela , La Russa Daniele , Marrone Alessandro
Published: November 2019

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem worldwide and affects both elderly and young subjects. Its main consequences include the loss of renal function, leading to end-stage renal disease, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a significant increase in morbidity and mortality, and a decrease in health-related quality of life. This review arose in significant part from work in the authors’ laboratory, complemented by literature data, and was based on a translational approach: we studied the role of many CKD risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, and oxidative stress/inflammation. The aim was to identify new molecular mechanisms of kidney damage to prevent it through successful behavior modifications. For this purpose, in our studies, both human and animal models were used. In the animal models, we analyzed the mechanisms of renal damage induced by hypertension (spontaneously hypertensive rats) and obesity (cafeteria diet-fed rats), showing that redox disequilibrium in plasma and tissue is extremely important in renal alteration in terms of both oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, altered expression antioxidant enzymes) and apoptotic pathway (intrinsic/extrinsic) activation. In hemodialysis patients, we explored the correlation between the global oxidative balance and both inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risk, showing a strong correlation between the oxidative index and the blood levels of C-reactive protein and previous cardiovascular events. This multilevel approach allowed us to individually and synergistically analyze some aspects of the complex pathogenic mechanisms of CKD in order to clarify the role of the new amplified risk factors for CKD and to prepare an effective personalized prevention plan by acting on both modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors.
Impact of Extraction Conditions on the Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Grape Stem Extracts
Authors: Jiménez-Moreno Nerea , Volpe Francesca , Moler Jose Antonio , Esparza Irene , Ancín-Azpilicueta Carmen
Published: November 2019

The use of grape stems for the extraction of bioactive compounds to be used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries is a promising objective. The aim of this work is to determine the influence of the different extraction conditions (temperature, ethanol concentration, and ratio of sample/solvent) on phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of Mazuelo stem extracts. In general, the ethanol concentration of the extraction solvent was the factor that had the greatest influence on the extraction of different bioactive compounds. The greatest content of total phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant activity of the extracts were obtained with 50% ethanol and at 40 °C. The most abundant compound found in the different extracts obtained from Mazuelo grape stem was (+)-catechin, but appreciable concentrations of gallic acid, a quercetin derivative, and stilbenes (trans-resveratrol and trans-ε-viniferin) were also extracted. Quercetin and malvidin-3-glucoside showed the highest correlation with the antioxidant capacity of the extracts, while stilbenes did not present such relation. The maximum concentration of gallic acid was extracted with water but the extraction of most of the compounds was maximum on using 50% ethanol. Consequently, the selection of the extraction method to be used will depend on the particular compound to be extracted in greatest quantity.
Study of Orientation Error on Robot End Effector and Volumetric Error of Articulated Robot
Authors: OH Yeon Taek
Published: November 2019

Robots are being used in many areas. The robot performance constraints are repeatability and accuracy. Standardized testing and evaluation techniques are needed to examine the process capability of a wide variety of robots. Robot calibration is a term applied to the procedure used in determining actual values which describe the geometric dimensions and mechanical characteristics of a robot. The robot accuracy evaluation method is introduced. The study proposed a technique to analyze robot’s orientation error by using the data measured during circle contouring movement of the articulated robot end effectors. New measuring method is proposed to measure orientation errors. Circle contouring measurements were also undertaken to assess the significance of multi-axis movements on the accuracy of the end effector. The paper describes the experimental and theoretical accuracy characteristics of an articulated robot. Also, the technique devised using a simulation program for the robot geometry, together with results from a circular test, enables robot errors to be characterized in terms of orientation error and volumetric error. Close correlation was obtained between the experimental and theoretical results. Also, robot pose error was shown a significant factor influencing the accuracy of the robot end effector. Proposed techniques are useful to set up the articulated robot in the industrial site.
Hierarchically Authorized Transactions for Massive Internet-of-Things Data Sharing Based on Multilayer Blockchain
Authors: Xuan Shichang , Zhang Yibo , Tang Hao , Chung Ilyong , Wang Wei , Yang Wu
Published: November 2019

With the arrival of the Internet of Things (IoT) era and the rise of Big Data, cloud computing, and similar technologies, data resources are becoming increasingly valuable. Organizations and users can perform all kinds of processing and analysis on the basis of massive IoT data, thus adding to their value. However, this is based on data-sharing transactions, and most existing work focuses on one aspect of data transactions, such as convenience, privacy protection, and auditing. In this paper, a data-sharing-transaction application based on blockchain technology is proposed, which comprehensively considers various types of performance, provides an efficient consistency mechanism, improves transaction verification, realizes high-performance concurrency, and has tamperproof functions. Experiments were designed to analyze the functions and storage of the proposed system.
Methodologies of Learning Served by Virtual Reality: A Case Study in Urban Interventions
Authors: Sanchez-Sepulveda Monica V. , Torres-Kompen Ricardo , Fonseca David , Franquesa-Sanchez Jordi
Published: November 2019

A computer-simulated reality and the human-machine interactions facilitated by computer technology and wearable computers may be used as an educational methodology that transforms the way students deal with information. This turns the learning process into a more participative and active process, which fits both the practical part of subjects and the learner’s profile, as students nowadays are more technology-savvy and familiar with current technological advances. This methodology is being used in architectural and urbanism degrees to support the design process and to help students visualize design alternatives in the context of existing environments. This paper proposes the use of virtual reality (VR) as a resource in the teaching of courses that focus on the design of urban spaces. A group of users—composed of architecture students and professionals related to the architecture field—participated in an immersing VR experience and had the opportunity to interact with the space that was being redesigned. Later, a quantitative tool was used in order to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual systems in the design of urban environments. The survey was designed using as a reference the competences required in the urbanism courses; this allowed the authors to identify positive and negative aspects in an objective way. The results prove that VR helps to expand digital abilities in complex representation and helps users in the evaluation and decision-making processes involved in the design of urban spaces.
Impact of the Maximum Number of Switching Reconfigurations on the Cost Saving in Network Function Virtualization Environments with Elastic Optical Interconnection
Authors: Eramo Vincenzo , Lavacca Francesco G. , Catena Tiziana
Published: November 2019

Network Function Virtualization is based on the virtualization of the network functions and it is a new technology allowing for a more flexible allocation of cloud and bandwidth resources. In order to employ the flexibility of the technology and to adapt its use according to the traffic variation, reconfigurations of the cloud and bandwidth resources are needed by means of both migration of the Virtual Machines executing the network functions and reconfiguration of circuits interconnecting the Virtual Machines. The objective of the paper is to study the impact of the maximum number of switch reconfigurations on the cost saving that the Networking Function Virtualization technology allows us to achieve. The problem is studied in the case of a scenario with an elastic optical network interconnecting datacenters in which the Virtual Machines are executed. The problem can be formulated as an Integer Linear Programming one introducing a constraint on the maximum number of switch reconfigurations but due to its computational complexity we propose a low computational complexity heuristic allowing for results close to the optimization ones. The results show how the limitation on the number of possible reconfigurations has to be taken into account to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of cost saving that the Virtual Machine migrations in Network Function Virtualization environment allows us to achieve.
Relationship between External and Internal Workloads in Elite Soccer Players: Comparison between Rate of Perceived Exertion and Training Load
Authors: Rossi Alessio , Perri Enrico , Pappalardo Luca , Cintia Paolo , Iaia F.
Published: November 2019

The use of machine learning (ML) in soccer allows for the management of a large amount of data deriving from the monitoring of sessions and matches. Although the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), training load (S-RPE), and global position system (GPS) are standard methodologies used in team sports to assess the internal and external workload; how the external workload affects RPE and S-RPE remains still unclear. This study explores the relationship between both RPE and S-RPE and the training workload through ML. Data were recorded from 22 elite soccer players, in 160 training sessions and 35 matches during the 2015/2016 season, by using GPS tracking technology. A feature selection process was applied to understand which workload features influence RPE and S-RPE the most. Our results show that the training workloads performed in the previous week have a strong effect on perceived exertion and training load. On the other hand, the analysis of our predictions shows higher accuracy for medium RPE and S-RPE values compared with the extremes. These results provide further evidence of the usefulness of ML as a support to athletic trainers and coaches in understanding the relationship between training load and individual-response in team sports.
Apoptosis Induction of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes Is an Important Molecular-Mechanism for Herbal Medicine along with its Active Components in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Zhang Qing , Liu Jia , Zhang Mengmeng , Wei Shujun , Li Ruolan , Gao Yongxiang , Peng Wei , Wu Chunjie
Published: November 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a known chronic autoimmune disease can cause joint deformity and even loss of joint function. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), one of the main cell types in synovial tissues of RA patients, are key effector cells in the development of RA and are considered as promising therapeutic targets for treating RA. Herbal medicines are precious resources for finding novel agents for treating various diseases including RA. It is reported that induction of apoptosis in FLS is an important mechanism for the herbal medicines to treat RA. Consequently, this paper reviewed the current available references on pro-apoptotic effects of herbal medicines on FLS and summarized the related possible signal pathways. Taken together, the main related signal pathways are concluded as death receptors mediated apoptotic pathway, mitochondrial dependent apoptotic pathway, NF-κB mediated apoptotic pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mediated apoptotic pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) mediated apoptotic pathway, PI3K-Akt mediated apoptotic pathway, and other reported pathways such as janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signal pathway. Understanding the apoptosis induction pathways in FLS of these herbal medicines will not only help clear molecular mechanisms of herbal medicines for treating RA but also be beneficial for finding novel candidate therapeutic drugs from natural herbal medicines. Thus, we expect the present review will highlight the importance of herbal medicines and its components for treating RA via induction of apoptosis in FLS, and provide some directions for the future development of these mentioned herbal medicines as anti-RA drugs in clinical.
Biological Activity of Thyme White Essential Oil Stabilized by Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Shin Jonghyun , Na Kyunga , Shin Sungchul , Seo Seon-Mi , Youn Hye Jung , Park Il-Kwon , Hyun Jinho
Published: November 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are produced by sulfonic acid hydrolysis and used for the formation of Pickering emulsion (PE) with thyme white essential oil (EO). Highly volatile and hydrophobic thyme white is encapsulated in PE by the amphiphilicity of CNCs. Encapsulation of EO in a CNC shell is determined by confocal microscopy with distinct fluorescent labelling. The amount of CNC affects the size distribution of PE, and the emulsion stability is confirmed by rheological property. The antimicrobial activity of the emulsion is evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration. The larvicidal activity is also investigated against Aedes albopictus by dispersing the emulsion in water.
Cyclodextrins: Emerging Medicines of the New Millennium
Authors: Braga Susana Santos
Published: November 2019

Cyclodextrins, since their discovery in the late 19th century, were mainly regarded as excipients. Nevertheless, developments in cyclodextrin research have shown that some of these hosts can capture and include biomolecules, highlighting fatty acids and cholesterol, which implies that they are not inert and that their action may be used in specific medicinal purposes. The present review, centered on literature reports from the year 2000 until the present day, presents a comprehensive description of the known biological activities of cyclodextrins and their implications for medicinal applications. The paper is divided into two main sections, one devoted to the properties and applications of cyclodextrins as active pharmaceutical ingredients in a variety of pathologies, from infectious ailments to cardiovascular dysfunctions and metabolic diseases. The second section is dedicated to the use of cyclodextrins in a range of biomedical technologies.
Synchronization of Independent Neural Ensembles in Human EEG during Choice Tasks
Authors: Zaleshin Alexander , Merzhanova Galina
Published: November 2019

During behavioral experiments, humans placed in a situation of having to choose between a more valuable but risky reward and a less valuable but guaranteed reward make their decisions in accordance with external situational factors and individual characteristics, such as inclination to risk or caution. In such situations, humans can be divided into “risk-inclined” and “risk-averse” (or “cautious”) subjects. In this work, characteristics of EEG rhythms, such as phase–phase relationships and time lags between rhythms, were studied in pairs of alpha–beta and theta–beta rhythms. Phase difference can also be expressed as a time lag. It has been suggested that statistically significant time lags between rhythms are due to the combined neural activity of anatomically separate, independent (in activation/inhibition processes) ensembles. The extents of synchronicity between rhythms were compared as percentages between risk-inclined and risk-averse subjects. The results showed that synchronicity in response to stimuli was more often observed in pairs of alpha–beta rhythms of risk-averse subjects compared with risk-inclined subjects during the choice of a more valuable but less probable reward. In addition, significant differences in the percentage ratio of alpha and beta rhythms were revealed between (i) cases of synchronization without long time lags and (ii) cases with long time lags between rhythms (from 0.08 to 0.1 s).
FOXD1 and Gal-3 Form a Positive Regulatory Loop to Regulate Lung Cancer Aggressiveness
Authors: Li Chien-Hsiu , Chang Yu-Chan , Hsiao Michael , Liang Shu-Mei
Published: November 2019

Dysregulation of forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) is known to promote tumor progression; however, its molecular mechanism of action is unclear. Based on microarray analysis, we identified galectin-3/LGALS3 (Gal-3) as a potential downstream target of FOXD1, as FOXD1 transactivated Gal-3 by interacting with the Gal-3 promoter to upregulate Gal-3 in FOXD1-overexpressing CL1-0 lung cancer cells. Ectopic expression of FOXD1 increased the expression of Gal-3 and the growth and motility of lung cancer cells, whereas depletion of Gal-3 attenuated FOXD1-mediated tumorigenesis. ERK1/2 interacted with FOXD1 in the cytosol and translocated FOXD1 into the nucleus to activate Gal-3. Gal-3 in turn upregulated FOXD1 via the transcription factor proto-oncogene 1 (ETS-1) to transactivate FOXD1. The increase in ETS-1/FOXD1 expression by Gal-3 was through Gal-3-mediated integrin-β1 (ITGβ1) signaling. The overexpression of both FOXD1 and Gal-3 form a positive regulatory loop to promote lung cancer aggressiveness. Moreover, both FOXD1 and Gal-3 were positively correlated in human lung cancer tissues. Our findings demonstrated that FOXD1 and Gal-3 form a positive feedback loop in lung cancer, and interference of this loop may serve as an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancers, particularly those related to dysregulation of Gal-3.
Reconstitution of the Jasmonate Signaling Pathway in Plant Protoplasts
Authors: Li Ning , Uhrig Joachim F. , Thurow Corinna , Huang Li-Jun , Gatz Christiane
Published: November 2019

The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) plays an important role in various plant developmental processes and environmental adaptations. The JA signaling pathway has been well-elucidated in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana. It starts with the perception of the active JA derivative, jasmonoyl-isoleucine (JA-Ile), by the F-box protein COI1 which is part of the E3-ligase SCFCOI1. Binding of JA-Ile enables the interaction between COI1 and JAZ repressor proteins. Subsequent degradation of JAZ proteins leads to the activation of transcription factors like e.g., MYC2. Here we demonstrate that the pathway can be reconstituted in transiently transformed protoplasts. Analysis of the stability of a JAZ1-fLuc fusion protein as a function of COI1 transiently expressed in coi1 protoplasts allows structure function analysis of both JAZs and COI1. Using this system, we found that conserved cysteines in COI1 influence steady state COI1 protein levels. Using a luciferase reporter gene under the control of the JAZ1 promoter enable to address those features of JAZ1 that are required for MYC2 repression. Interestingly, the conserved TIFY-motif previously described to interact with NINJA to recruit the corepressor TOPLESS is not necessary for repression. This result is in favor of the alternative repression mode that proposes a direct competition between repressive JAZs and promotive MEDIATOR25 at MYC2. Finally, using protoplasts from the aos coi1 double mutant, which is deficient in JA synthesis and perception, we provide a system that has the potential to study the activity of different COI1 variants in the presence of different ligands.
Biosensor for the Characterization of Gene Expression in Cells
Authors: Gudagunti Fleming Dackson , Jayasooriya Vidura , Afrose Sharmin , Nawarathna Dharmakeerthi , Lima Ivan T.
Published: November 2019

We developed a new label-free biosensor technique for the detection of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that can be used in the prognosis and diagnosis of certain diseases. We observed a dependence of the negative dielectrophoresis (DEP) force applied to polystyrene microspheres (PMs) in conjugation with different types of mRNA and the frequency of the electric field produced by interdigitated microelectrodes. Since the frequency dependence of the negative DEP force is an effective transduction mechanism for the detection of mRNA, this sensing technology has the potential to be used in the diagnosis and identification of gene expression that is associated with various human disease.
Electrodeposition of Sn–In Alloys Involving Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Anicai Liana , Petica Aurora , Costovici Stefania , Moise Calin , Brincoveanu Oana , Visan Teodor
Published: November 2019

Tin–indium alloys represent attractive lead-free solder candidates. They show lower values of melting point than pure indium, so that they are investigated as materials with significant applications potential in the electronic industry. Electrodeposition is a very convenient route to prepare Sn–In alloys. The paper presents several experimental results regarding the electrodeposition of Sn–In alloy coatings involving deep eutectic solvents (DESs), namely using choline chloride-ethylene glycol eutectic mixtures. The influence of the main operating parameters on the Sn–In alloy composition and characteristics are presented. Adherent and uniform Sn–In alloy deposits containing 10–65 wt % In have been obtained on Cu substrates. The In content was found to increase as both the In:Sn molar concentration ratio of ionic species in the electrolyte and the applied temperature increased. The use of pulsed current allowed the use of higher current densities leading to slightly higher values of In content in the alloy deposit. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of InSn4 and In3Sn phases in agreement with the phase diagram. According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements, values of melting points in the range of 118.6 and 127.5 °C were obtained depending on the alloy composition. The solder joints’ behavior and alloy coatings corrosion performance were also discussed.
Modeling Energy Bands in Type II Superlattices
Authors: Becer Zoubir , Bennecer Abdeldjalil , Sengouga Noureddine
Published: November 2019

We present a rigorous model for the overall band structure calculation using the perturbative k · p approach for arbitrary layered cubic zincblende semiconductor nanostructures. This approach, first pioneered by Kohn and Luttinger, is faster than atomistic ab initio approaches and provides sufficiently accurate information for optoelectronic processes near high symmetry points in semiconductor crystals. k · p Hamiltonians are discretized and diagonalized using a finite element method (FEM) with smoothed mesh near interface edges and different high order Lagrange/Hermite basis functions, hence enabling accurate determination of bound states and related quantities with a small number of elements. Such properties make the model more efficient than other numerical models that are usually used. Moreover, an energy-dependent effective mass non-parabolic model suitable for large gap materials is also included, which offers fast and reasonably accurate results without the need to solve the full multi-band Hamiltonian. Finally, the tools are validated on three semiconductor nanostructures: (1) the bound energies of a finite quantum well using the energy-dependent effective mass non-parabolic model; (2) the InAs bulk band structure; and (3) the electronic band structure for the absorber region of photodetectors based on a type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice at room temperature. The tools are shown to work on simple and sophisticated designs and the results show very good agreement with recently published experimental works.