bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of aluminium intermediate layer in dissimilar friction welds
Authors: Muralimohan C. H. , Muthupandi V. , Sivaprasad K.
Published: February 2014

Friction welding of 304 austenitic stainless steel to commercially pure titanium was carried out using commercially pure aluminium as an interlayer of different thicknesses viz., 0.5, 1.1, 1.7 and 2.3 mm. The interlayer was aimed at preventing the occurrence of direct contact between the parent metals, which otherwise would lead to the formation of Ti-Fe intermetallic phases. These intermetallic phases can seriously affect the weld properties. The microstructure of the friction welded joint interfaces was characterized by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The maximum hardness at the Ti – Al interface was attributed to the presence of AlTi and Al3Ti intermetallics. Tensile tests were conducted to evaluate the strength of the joints and the results showed the maximum strength (272 ± 9 MPa) was achieved in the joint having 1.7 mm thick interlayer. The analysis of fractured surfaces revealed that the failure was confined to the aluminium layer at the Ti – Al interface and was transgranular with flat facets.
Wie Waldfachleute die Nachhaltigkeit der Waldnutzung in der Schweiz einschätzen
Authors: Bernasconi Andreas , Brang Peter , Schneider Olivier
Published: February 2014

How forestry professionals assess the status of sustainable forest management in Switzerland

The 170th Annual Assembly of the Swiss Forestry Society took place at Andermatt in August 2013 with the theme “300 years of sustainable management”. About one hundred forestry professionals took part in a seminar to debate the lessons of the last three centuries of sustainability for forest management. This article summarises the seminar results and draws conclusions for forest management in the future. The participants recognised that the greatest shortcomings were in the economic and social spheres. Measures were proposed in the area of knowledge of sustainable management, understanding of the forest ecosystem and in payment for forest services. The greatest challenge is considered to be responding to societal contradictions.
Bench-Scale Preparation and Qualitative Analysis of Calcium Chloride from Locally Available Raw Materials
Authors: Sultana Fauzia , Alam Tanjila , Quader AKMA
Published: February 2014

Calcium chloride has diverse industrial applications. In spite of its demand and availability of raw materials locally, there are no chemical industries in Bangladesh that produce calcium chloride as a major product. This work was undertaken to assess the feasibility of production of calcium chloride on bench-scale by limestone-hydrochloric acid process and the quality of the product. Different amounts of limestone and 35.5% hydrochloric acid (by weight) were reacted in a PVC reactor to produce calcium chloride. Solubility at different temperature, pH, and calcium content were among the parameters measured to assess the product quality. FTIR Spectroscopy was also conducted to determine the quality of the product. Solubility values of the product ranged between 96-155g/100g water for temperatures between 30-100°C; calcium content of the product was found to be 25%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v28i1.18101 Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 1, December 2013: 1-3
Kinematic study of reducing sugar production from rice straw by raw wood-rotting enzyme strain
Authors: Saha Pradip , Sony Shamima Yesmin , Mazumder Sraboni , Deb Tanmoy Kanti , Khan Maksudur Rahman , Islam Akhtarul
Published: February 2014

In this study, a cost effective, simple, environment friendly way of fermentable reducing sugar production from rice straw has been carried out by using naturally grown raw wood rotting enzyme. The rotten bark of three trees was collected as the source of enzyme, called enzyme strain. The yield of reducing sugar from rice straw by enzyme strain at various operating condition was studied. A kinetic model expression has been developed for the enzymatic hydrolysis process based on the Michaelis  Mentens approach. Comparison between the experimental data and theoretical data predicted from the rate model render sound accord with a mean deviation of about 0.679. Strain collected from the Rain tree (Samanea Saman) showed the maximum production of reducing sugar. The absence of light gives 36.36% higher production than that of the presence of light. The optimum pH is found as 5. Strain concentration at 0.0233g/ml shows the maximum sugar production as 0.09854 mg/ml in 10 days. Substrate concentration at .0143mg/ml gives maximum production of 0 .15991 mg/ml in 16 days. From this study the optimum condition was found as 0.157 mg/ml fermentable reducing sugar in 11 days. This study provides an alternative and attractive cost effective source of fermentable sugar which can be further converted to valuable product such as bio-ethanol to meet the worlds increasing energy demand. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jce.v28i1.18108 Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 1, December 2013: 32-35
Dogs’ Body Language Relevant to Learning Achievement
Authors: Hasegawa Masashi , Ohtani Nobuyo , Ohta Mitsuaki
Published: February 2014

The facial expressions and body postures of dogs can give helpful information about their moods and emotional states. People can more effectively obedience train their dogs if we can identify the mannerisms associated with learning in dogs. The aim of this study was to clarify the dog’s body language during operant conditioning to predict achievement in the test that followed by measuring the duration of behaviors. Forty-six untrained dogs (17 males and 26 females) of various breeds were used. Each session consisted of 5 minutes of training with a treat reward followed by 3 minutes of rest and finally an operant conditioning test that consisted of 20 “hand motion” cues. The operant tests were conducted a total of nine times over three consecutive days, and the success numbers were counted. The duration of the dog’s behavior, focusing on the dog’s eyes, mouth, ears, tail and tail-wagging, was recorded during the operant conditioning sessions before the test. Particular behaviors, including wide-eyes, closed mouth, erect ears, and forward and high tail carriage, without wagging or with short and quick wagging, related to high achievement results. It is concluded that dogs' body language during operant conditioning was related to their success rate.
Microfluidic Platform for the Elastic Characterization of Mouse Submandibular Glands by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Mosier Aaron , Peters Sarah , Larsen Melinda , Cady Nathaniel
Published: February 2014

The ability to characterize the microscale mechanical properties of biological materials has the potential for great utility in the field of tissue engineering. The development and morphogenesis of mammalian tissues are known to be guided in part by mechanical stimuli received from the local environment, and tissues frequently develop to match the physical characteristics (i.e., elasticity) of their environment. Quantification of these material properties at the microscale may provide valuable information to guide researchers. Presented here is a microfluidic platform for the non-destructive ex vivo microscale mechanical characterization of mammalian tissue samples by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The device was designed to physically hold a tissue sample in a dynamically controllable fluid environment while allowing access by an AFM probe operating in force spectroscopy mode to perform mechanical testing. Results of measurements performed on mouse submandibular gland samples demonstrate the ability of the analysis platform to quantify sample elasticity at the microscale, and observe chemically-induced changes in elasticity.
Information Theory Analysis of Cascading Process in a Synthetic Model of Fluid Turbulence
Authors: Materassi Massimo , Consolini Giuseppe , Smith Nathan , De Marco Rossana
Published: February 2014

The use of transfer entropy has proven to be helpful in detecting which is the verse of dynamical driving in the interaction of two processes, X and Y . In this paper, we present a different normalization for the transfer entropy, which is capable of better detecting the information transfer direction. This new normalized transfer entropy is applied to the detection of the verse of energy flux transfer in a synthetic model of fluid turbulence, namely the Gledzer–Ohkitana–Yamada shell model. Indeed, this is a fully well-known model able to model the fully developed turbulence in the Fourier space, which is characterized by an energy cascade towards the small scales (large wavenumbers k), so that the application of the information-theory analysis to its outcome tests the reliability of the analysis tool rather than exploring the model physics. As a result, the presence of a direct cascade along the scales in the shell model and the locality of the interactions in the space of wavenumbers come out as expected, indicating the validity of this data analysis tool. In this context, the use of a normalized version of transfer entropy, able to account for the difference of the intrinsic randomness of the interacting processes, appears to perform better, being able to discriminate the wrong conclusions to which the “traditional” transfer entropy would drive.
Study of the Vertical Distribution of Air Temperature in Warehouses
Authors: Porras-Amores César , Mazarrón Fernando , Cañas Ignacio
Published: February 2014

Warehouses are usually large, plain industrial buildings commonly used for storage of goods. Vertical distribution of air temperature is an important aspect for indoor environment design, which must be taken into account by architects and engineers in the early stages of warehouse design. The aim of this work is to analyze the vertical temperature gradients existing in warehouses, quantifying their value and analyzing their evolution along the year. To do so, the study outlines the monitoring of several warehouses with different building typology and height located in different areas of Spain for a complete annual cycle. The results obtained when applying a simple linear regression analysis to 175,200 vertical temperature profiles show that there is a strong influence of the outdoor temperature over the stratification of the indoor air. During warm months, the ceiling and the upper strata get warmer, whereas the cold air accumulates in the lower levels, increasing the stratification of indoor air (maximum values between 0.3 °C/m and 0.7 °C/m). During cold months, the ceiling gets cold due to its contact with the outdoor air, therefore, the colder, heavier air moves down to the lower strata, registering insignificant vertical temperature differences. Air conditioning of the warehouse, besides controlling the temperature, limits the influence of the outdoor environment on the stratification of temperatures. The results of the study may be of great use for warehouses for products sensitive to temperature, which may suffer a different evolution, conservation or maturation when the temperature differences are maintained for a long time.
An Equivalent Emission Minimization Strategy for Causal Optimal Control of Diesel Engines
Authors: Zentner Stephan , Asprion Jonas , Onder Christopher , Guzzella Lino
Published: February 2014

One of the main challenges during the development of operating strategies for modern diesel engines is the reduction of the CO2 emissions, while complying with ever more stringent limits for the pollutant emissions. The inherent trade-off between the emissions of CO2 and pollutants renders a simultaneous reduction difficult. Therefore, an optimal operating strategy is sought that yields minimal CO2 emissions, while holding the cumulative pollutant emissions at the allowed level. Such an operating strategy can be obtained offline by solving a constrained optimal control problem. However, the final-value constraint on the cumulated pollutant emissions prevents this approach from being adopted for causal control. This paper proposes a framework for causal optimal control of diesel engines. The optimization problem can be solved online when the constrained minimization of the CO2 emissions is reformulated as an unconstrained minimization of the CO2 emissions and the weighted pollutant emissions (i.e., equivalent emissions). However, the weighting factors are not known a priori. A method for the online calculation of these weighting factors is proposed. It is based on the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation and a physically motivated approximation of the optimal cost-to-go. A case study shows that the causal control strategy defined by the online calculation of the equivalence factor and the minimization of the equivalent emissions is only slightly inferior to the non-causal offline optimization, while being applicable to online control.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Genes in 2013
Authors: Genes Editorial Office
Published: February 2014

The editors of Genes would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2013. [...]
Transport of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor into Liposomes across the Blood-Brain Barrier: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies
Authors: Wu Shaoling , Li Guoqi , Li Xiao , Lin Caina , Yu Ding , Luan Shuo , Ma Chao
Published: February 2014

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was encapsulated into liposomes in order to protect it from enzyme degradation in vivo and promote its permeability across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study, GDNF conventional liposomes (GDNF-L) and GDNF target sterically stabilized liposomes (GDNF-SSL-T) were prepared. The average size of liposomes was below 90 nm. A primary model of BBB was established and evaluated by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability. This BBB model was employed to study the permeability of GDNF liposomes in vitro. The results indicated that the liposomes could enhance transport of GDNF across the BBB and GDNF-SSL-T had achieved the best transport efficacy. The distribution of GDNF liposomes was studied in vivo. Free GDNF and GDNF-L were eliminated rapidly in the circulation. GDNF-SSL-T has a prolonged circulation time in the blood and favorable brain delivery. The values of the area under the curve (AUC(0–1 h)) in the brain of GDNF-SSL-T was 8.1 times and 6.8 times more than that of free GDNF and GDNF-L, respectively. These results showed that GDNF-SSL-T realized the aim of targeted delivery of therapeutic proteins to central nervous system.
Preparation of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Hollow Fiber Hemodialysis Membranes
Authors: Zhang Qinglei , Lu Xiaolong , Zhao Lihua
Published: February 2014

In this study, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber hemodialysis membranes were prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS). The influences of PVDF membrane thickness and polyethylene glycol (PEG) content on membrane morphologies, pore size, mechanical and permeable performance were investigated. It was found that membrane thickness and PEG content affected both the structure and performance of hollow fiber membranes. The tensile strength and rejection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) increased with increasing membrane thickness, while the Ultrafiltration flux (UF) flux of pure water was the opposite. The tensile strength, porosity and rejection of BSA increased with increasing PEG content within a certain range. Compared with commercial F60S membrane, the PVDF hollow fiber membrane showed higher mechanical and permeable performance. It was proven that PVDF material had better hydrophilicity and lower BSA adsorption, which was more suitable for hemodialysis. All the results indicate that PVDF hollow fiber membrane is promising as a hemodialysis membrane.
Biomolecule-Mediated Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles using Dried Vitis vinifera (Raisin) Extract
Authors: Sharma Garima , Sharma Ashish , Bhavesh Riju , Park Jongbong , Ganbold Bilguun , Nam Ju-Suk , Lee Sang-Soo
Published: February 2014

Biomolecule-mediated nanoparticle synthesis has recently gained the attention of researchers due to its ecofriendly and non-toxic nature. Metabolites from plant extracts represent a better alternative to chemical methods to fulfill the growing demand for non-hazardous nanoparticle synthesis routes. Selenium and its nanoparticles have an extensive range of applications. Thus, biofabrication of selenium nanoparticles can be potentially useful in various fields. This study reports a green approach to biosynthesize selenium nanoparticles (Se-np) using dried Vitis vinifera (raisin) extracts. The biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Transmission electron microscopic images revealed the spherical shape of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles and a size range of 3–18 nm. Dynamic light scattering also confirmed the average particle size of 8.12 ± 2.5 nm with 0.212 PDI. The crystalline nature of selenium nanoparticles was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction study. Moreover, as inferred from the FTIR spectrum, the presence of highly stable lignin biopolymer on the surface of selenium nanoballs suggests a possible role as capping agent.
Avian Antimicrobial Host Defense Peptides: From Biology to Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Zhang Guolong , Sunkara Lakshmi
Published: February 2014

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are an important first line of defense with antimicrobial and immunomoduatory properties. Because they act on the microbial membranes or host immune cells, HDPs pose a low risk of triggering microbial resistance and therefore, are being actively investigated as a novel class of antimicrobials and vaccine adjuvants. Cathelicidins and β-defensins are two major families of HDPs in avian species. More than a dozen HDPs exist in birds, with the genes in each HDP family clustered in a single chromosomal segment, apparently as a result of gene duplication and diversification. In contrast to their mammalian counterparts that adopt various spatial conformations, mature avian cathelicidins are mostly α-helical. Avian β-defensins, on the other hand, adopt triple-stranded β-sheet structures similar to their mammalian relatives. Besides classical β-defensins, a group of avian-specific β-defensin-related peptides, namely ovodefensins, exist with a different six-cysteine motif. Like their mammalian counterparts, avian cathelicidins and defensins are derived from either myeloid or epithelial origin expressed in a majority of tissues with broad-spectrum antibacterial and immune regulatory activities. Structure-function relationship studies with several avian HDPs have led to identification of the peptide analogs with potential for use as antimicrobials and vaccine adjuvants. Dietary modulation of endogenous HDP synthesis has also emerged as a promising alternative approach to disease control and prevention in chickens.
Multi-Sensor Calibration Studies of AVHRR-Heritage Channel Radiances Using the Simultaneous Nadir Observation Approach
Authors: Karlsson Karl-Göran , Johansson Erik
Published: February 2014

The European Space Agency project for studies of cloud properties in the Climate Change Initiative programme (ESA-CLOUD-CCI) aims at compiling the longest possible time series of cloud products from one single multispectral sensor—The five-channel Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument. A particular aspect here is to include corresponding products based on other existing (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR), MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS), Visible and Infrared Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)) and future Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) sensors measuring in similar (AVHRR-heritage) spectral channels. Initial inter-comparisons of the involved AVHRR-heritage channel radiances over a short demonstration period (2007–2009) were performed. Using Aqua-MODIS as reference, AVHRR (NOAA-18), AATSR, and MERIS channel radiances were evaluated using the simultaneous nadir (SNO) approach. Results show generally agreeing radiances within approximately 3% for channels at 0.6 µm and 0.8 µm. Larger deviations (+5%) were found for the corresponding AATSR channel at 0.6 µm. Excessive deviations but with opposite sign were also indicated for AATSR 1.6 µm and MERIS 0.8 µm radiances. Observed differences may largely be attributed to residual temporal and spatial matching differences while excessive AATSR and MERIS deviations are likely partly attributed to incomplete compensation for spectrally varying surface and atmospheric conditions. However, very good agreement was found for all infrared channels among all the studied sensors. Here, deviations were generally less than 0.2% for the measured brightness temperatures with the exception of some remaining non-linear deviations at extreme low and high temperatures.
Clinical CVVH model removes endothelium‐derived microparticles from circulation
Authors: Abdelhafeez Abdelhafeez H. , Jeziorczak Paul M. , Schaid Terry R. , Hoefs Susan L. , Kaul Sushma , Nanchal Rahul , Jacobs Elizabeth R. , Densmore John C.
Published: February 2014

Background

Endothelium‐derived microparticles (EMPs) are submicron vesicles released from the plasma membrane of endothelial cells in response to injury, apoptosis or activation. We have previously demonstrated EMP‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in animal models and endothelial barrier dysfunction in vitro. Current treatment options for ALI are limited and consist of supportive therapies. We hypothesize that standard clinical continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) reduces serum EMP levels and may be adapted as a potential therapeutic intervention.

Materials and methods

EMPs were generated from plasminogen activation inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1)‐stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Flow cytometric analysis was used to characterize EMPs as CD31‐ and annexin V‐positive events in a submicron size gate. Enumeration was completed against a known concentration of latex beads. Ultimately, a concentration of ~650,000 EMP/mL perfusate fluid (total 470 mL) was circulated through a standard CVVH filter (pore size 200 μm, flow rate 250 mL/hr) for a period of 70 minutes. 0.5 mL aliquots were removed at 5‐ to 10‐minute intervals for flow cytometric analysis. EMP concentration in the dialysate was measured at the end of 4 hours to better understand the fate of EMPs.

Results

A progressive decrease in circulating EMP concentration was noted using standard CVVH at 250 mL/hr (a clinical standard rate) from a 470 mL volume modelling a patient's circulation. A 50% reduction was noted within the first 30 minutes. EMPs entering the dialysate after 4 hours were 5.7% of the EMP original concentration.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that standard CVVH can remove EMPs from circulation in a circuit modelling a patient. An animal model of hemofiltration with induction of EMP release is required to test the therapeutic potential of this finding and potential of application in early treatment of ALI.
Deux politiques de l’or. Séleucides et Lagides au IIIe siècle avant J.-C.
Authors: Duyrat Frédérique , Olivier Julien
Published: February 2014

Séleucides et Lagides sont traditionnellement présentés comme rivaux, opposés notamment par deux organisations économiques radicalement différentes. Cet article confronte leurs politiques concernant le numéraire d’or au IIIe siècle : étalon bien sûr, mais aussi titre, variété des dénominations, volume de la production, et circulation répondent à des choix divergents. Cependant, la typologie est dynastique, chez les Lagides comme chez les Séleucides. Surtout, l’analyse du métal montre que les deux royaumes ont utilisé un stock aux caractéristiques physiques distinctes.
Gravure et composition métallique des monnaies lagides
Authors: Faucher Thomas
Published: February 2014

La qualité des graveurs de l’atelier d’Alexandrie pendant la période lagide n’a jamais été remise en cause, même si d’aucuns ont régulièrement taxé le monnayage ptolémaïque de monotonie. De même, les analyses de composition métallique ont très tôt montré que l’aloi des monnaies d’or et d’argent était très bon et ceci pendant une longue période, au moins jusqu’au début du Ier siècle en ce qui concerne l’argent. Si ce n’est pas tout à fait le cas pour les bronzes ptolémaïques, les analyses effectuées au centre Ernest-Babelon ont mis en lumière la bonne qualité de l’alliage monétaire et ce jusqu’au milieu du IIe siècle. Pourtant, il s’avère qu’un soin important était consacré à la gravure monétaire quand bien même la pièce n’était pas constituée du meilleur alliage. Il est donc naturel de s’interroger sur la corrélation entre la qualité de la gravure et celle de la composition métallique des monnaies.
Les monnaies d’Ebusus en Gaule du nord et en Bretagne : un faux « traceur » des campagnes césariennes ?
Authors: Doyen Jean-Marc
Published: February 2014

Parfois attribuées par l’historiographie moderne aux « frondeurs Baléares » de César, les monnaies de bronze d’Ebusus forment en Gaule du nord un petit ensemble apparemment lié à une zone de diffusion assez intense relevée Outre-Manche, d’où il pourrait provenir. Une dispersion, dès le IIe siècle avant notre ère, du monnayage ébusitain (et punique, au sens large) via le Golfe de Gascogne et la façade atlantique, est ici privilégiée.
The Byzantine gold coinage of Spania (Justinian I to Heraclius)
Authors: Bartlett Peter , Oddy William Andrew , Morrisson Cécile
Published: February 2014

We publish the results of measurements of specific gravity by Peter Bartlett on 23 of 32 known coins of the rare Byzantine tremissis coinage minted in Spania at Cartagena or Malaga from the mid sixth century to about 625. These results are compared with other largely unpublished analyses of Visigothic coins of the same period. The fineness declined gradually over time from Justinian (c. 90 %) to Heraclius (c. 72 %). This decline followed, but was always behind, that of the fineness of the Visigothic coinage. It is likely that the Byzantines were measuring the gold content of the circulating Visigothic coins and adjusting their coinage alloy to make it acceptable in the area of Southern Iberia. Of course, they may have reminted Visigothic coins without adjusting the alloy. The estimation of the size of the coinage, obviously very uncertain due to the low numbers, suggests that is was much smaller that that of the Visigoths and that is was of the order of ten times larger in the period of Justinian to Maurice than it was later under Phocas and Heraclius.
Cristianismo, sociedad y poder: origen y evolución de la Jerarquía eclesiástica en la Gallaecia antigua
Authors: Nuñez Garcia Oscar
Published: February 2014

Si ya las primeras comunidades cristianas organizadas de las que tenemos noticia en Gallaecia se nos aparecen bajo la dirección de un obispo, hasta finales del siglo IV no contamos con datos suficientes que nos permitan analizar la evolución de una red episcopal que, en los dos siglos siguientes, alumbrará importantes transformaciones, fundamentalmente en lo que respecta a la distribución de las sedes episcopales, las atribuciones de sus titulares y su relación con el poder temporal.
Reformismo cristiano y tolerancia en España a finales del siglo XVIII
Authors: Domínguez Fernández Juan Pablo
Published: February 2014

La expansión del ideal de tolerancia religiosa en la Europa del siglo XVIII no fue obra exclusiva de deístas o ateos. Muchos cristianos defendieron por entonces que la intolerancia era contraria al Evangelio y al espíritu de los primeros siglos de la Iglesia. La labor censoria de la Inquisición y la ausencia de minorías religiosas impidieron que los debates sobre la tolerancia desarrollados en países como Francia o Austria se reprodujeran al sur de los Pirineos. Aun así, los argumentos cristianos en favor de la libertad religiosa entraron, aunque fuese a hurtadillas, en la España del siglo XVIII y se reflejaron en los textos de algunos reformistas españoles.
Reflexiones sobre la práctica del regalismo: gracia regia y alta carrera eclesiástica durante el reinado de Carlos III (1759-1788)
Authors: Artola Renedo Andoni
Published: February 2014

Desde el ascenso de los Borbones al trono español, se implantó una política de control estatal de la Iglesia que tiene sus principales hitos de victoria en la firma del Concordato de 1753 y la expulsión de los jesuitas en 1767. En este contexto, la carrera eclesiástica cambió sus caracteres de forma notable, pivotando en torno a la gracia real, que se convirtió en el elemento clave de integración o exclusión política del clero secular. Este artículo analiza, bajo este marco, los elementos políticos que influían en la carrera eclesiástica durante el reinado de Carlos III.
Nuevos datos sobre las instituciones generadas tras la ocupación de las temporalidades jesuitas
Authors: Martínez Tornero Carlos A.
Published: February 2014

Tras la expulsión de los jesuitas de los dominios hispanos se configuraron nuevas instituciones para ocuparse de la administración de sus propiedades, pues en todo momento debían tratarse con independencia respecto a los caudales de la Real Hacienda. El presente estudio se ocupa de la descripción de tales entidades en el periodo que va desde la expulsión de 1767 hasta el restablecimiento de la Orden en 1815, eliminando la confusión existente sobre ellas y aclarando la existencia de organismos casi desconocidos hasta el momento.
Wildfire and Postfire Restoration Action Effects on Microclimate and Seedling Pine Tree Survivorship
Authors: Brown Donald J. , Mali Ivana , Forstner Michael R.J.
Published: February 2014

Through modification of structural characteristics, ecological processes such as fire can affect microhabitat parameters, which in turn can influence community composition dynamics. The prevalence of high-severity forest fires is increasing in the southern and western United States, creating the necessity to better understand effects of high-severity fire, and subsequent postfire management actions, on forest ecosystems. In this study we used a recent high-severity wildfire in the Lost Pines ecoregion of Texas to assess effects of the wildfire and postfire clearcutting on six microclimate parameters: air temperature, absolute humidity, mean wind speed, maximum wind speed, soil temperature, and soil moisture. We also assessed differences between burned areas and burned and subsequently clearcut areas for short-term survivorship of loblolly pine Pinus taeda seedling trees. We found that during the summer months approximately 2 y after the wildfire, mean and maximum wind speed differed between unburned and burned areas, as well as burned and burned and subsequently clearcut areas. Our results indicated air temperature, absolute humidity, soil temperature, and soil moisture did not differ between unburned and burned areas, or burned and burned and subsequently clearcut areas, during the study period. We found that short-term survivorship of loblolly pine seedling trees was influenced primarily by soil type, but was also lower in clearcut habitat compared with habitat containing dead standing trees. Ultimately, however, the outcome of the reforestation initiative will likely depend primarily on whether or not the trees can survive drought conditions in the future, and this study indicates there is flexibility in postfire management options prior to reseeding. Further, concerns about negative wildfire effects on microclimate parameters important to the endangered Houston toad Bufo (Anaxyrus) houstonensis were not supported in this study.
Introduction to Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Luo ZongWei
Published: February 2014

Fast advances in information technology (RFID, sensor, Internet of things, and the Cloud) have led to a smarter world vision with ubiquitous interconnection and intelligence. Smart manufacturing refers to advanced manufacturing with wise adoption of information technologies throughout end to end product and service life-cycles, capturing manufacturing intelligence for wise production and services. It represents a field with intense competition in this century of national competitiveness. In this chapter, an introduction to smart manufacturing innovation and transformation is presented. An example is used to illustrate what is happening in China's manufacturing industry, with insights about China's strategy of advanced manufacturing research and development. The chapter emphasizes the value chain analysis for setting smart manufacturing strategies. A case study is conducted in detail to showcase a value chain analysis of RFID enabled SIM-smart card manufacturing for China's mobile payment industry.
Hybrid Evolutionary Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Vasant Pandian
Published: February 2014

The novel industrial manufacturing sector inevitably faces problems of uncertainty in various aspects such as raw material availability, human resource availability, processing capability and constraints and limitations imposed by the marketing department. These problems have to be solved by a methodology which takes care of such unexpected information. As the analyst faces this man made chaotic and due to natural disaster problems, the decision maker and the implementer have to work collaboratively with the analyst for taking up a decision on an innovative strategy for implementation. Such complex problems of vagueness and uncertainty can be handled by the hybrid evolutionary intelligence algorithms. In this chapter, a new hybrid evolutionary optimization based methodology using a specific non-linear membership function, named as modified S-curve membership function, is proposed. The modified S-curve membership function is first formulated and its flexibility in taking up vagueness in parameters is established by an analytical approach. This membership function is applied for its useful performance through industrial production problems by employing hybrid evolutionary optimization algorithms. The novelty and the originality of this non-linear S-curve membership function are further established using a real life industrial production planning of an industrial manufacturing sector. The unit produces 8 products using 8 raw materials, mixed in various proportions by 9 different processes under 29 constraints. This complex problem has a cubic non-linear objective function. Comprehensive solutions to a non-linear real world objective function are achieved thus establishing the usefulness of the realistic membership function for decision making in industrial production planning.
Towards Smart Manufacturing Techniques Using Incremental Sheet Forming
Authors: Sá de Farias J.B. , Marabuto S. , Martins M.A.B.E. , Ferreira J.A.F , Campos A. Andrade , Alves de Sousa R.J.
Published: February 2014

The current world’s economical crisis raised the necessity from the industry to produce components cheaper and faster. In this sense, the importance of smart manufacturing techniques, proper articulation between CAD/CAM techniques and integrated design and assessment becomes critical. The Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) process represents a breakpoint with traditional forming processes, and possibly a new era in the small batches production or customized parts, being already used by automotive industry for light components. While classical stamping processes need a punch, a die, a holder and a press, in the SPIF process the final geometry is achieved incrementally through the action of a punch with a spherical head. Since the blank is clamped at the edges, there is no need to employ a die with the shape of the final part. However, this process must be further improved in terms of speed and dimensional accuracy. Because the process is cheap and easy to implement, it is currently the subject of intensive experimental and numerical research, but yet not deeply understood. This chapter gives an overview on the techniques currently being employed to optimize the process feasibility.
Software Development Tools to Automate CAD/CAM Systems
Authors: Fountas N. A. , Krimpenis A. A. , Vaxevanidis N. M.
Published: February 2014

In today’s modern manufacturing, software automation is crucial element for leveraging novel methodologies and integrate various engineering software environments such Computer aided design (CAD), Computer aided process planning (CAPP), or Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) with programming modules with a common and a comprehensive interface; thus creating solutions to cope with repetitive tasks or allow argument passing for data exchange. This chapter discusses several approaches concerning engineering software automation and customization by employing programming methods. The main focus is given to design, process planning and manufacturing since these phases are of paramount importance when it comes to product lifecycle management. For this reason, case studies concerning software automation and problem definition for the aforementioned platforms are presented mentioning the benefits of programming when guided by successful computational thinking and problem mapping.
Smart, Innovative and Intelligent Technologies Used in Drug Designing
Authors: Deshpande S. , Basu S. K. , Li X. , Chen X.
Published: February 2014

Smart and intelligent computational methods are essential nowadays for designing, manufacturing and optimizing new drugs. New and innovative computational tools and algorithms are consistently developed and applied for the development of novel therapeutic compounds in many research projects. Rapid developments in the architecture of computers have also provided complex calculations to be performed in a smart, intelligent and timely manner for desired quality outputs. Research groups worldwide are developing drug discovery platforms and innovative tools following smart manufacturing ideas using highly advanced biophysical, statistical and mathematical methods for accelerated discovery and analysis of smaller molecules. This chapter discusses novel innovative applications in drug discovery involving use of structure-based drug design which utilizes geometrical knowledge of the three-dimensional protein structures. It discusses statistical and physics based methods such as quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics which can also play a major role in improving the performance and in prediction of computational drug discovery. Lastly, the authors provide insights on recent developments in cloud computing with significant increase in smart and intelligent computational power thus allowing larger data sets to be analyzed simultaneously on multi processor cloud systems. Future directions for the research are outlined.
Specialization vs. Diversification Decision Making
Authors: Folinas Dimitris , Althrawa Mohammed
Published: February 2014

This chapter has two main aims: first, to explore the role of various economical, financial, and strategic forces influencing firms towards diversification and specialization decision making within the Saudi Arabian manufacturing industry, and second to assess the challenges for both types of companies at the time of decision making and afterwards. Surveying 100 decision makers in the industrial cities of Riyadh using questionnaires developed for both groups, the chapter initially attempts to identify the factors that had the greatest impact on firm performance based on firm returns on investment. Several factors were found significant; first, attempts of specialization were found associated with risk avoidance and managers craving to achieve industry dominant economic features, whilst results show an increased concern among diversified firm decision makers towards changes in import and export policies and regulations. Moreover, industry type was found effective in managerial responses as they weigh the role of the factors presented to the direction of the expansion made.
A Multi-Criteria Vendor Selection and Order Allocation GDSS using a Mixed Alternative and Value Focused Thinking Approach
Authors: Sodenkamp Mariya A. , Suhl Leena
Published: February 2014

Vendor selection and order quantity assignment plays a central role in the purchasing activity of manufacturing and trading companies. Evaluation of product and service suppliers for procurement planning requires, on the one hand, accurate identification and exploration of all decision relevant parameters. On the other hand, effective agreements must tackle all parties’ rights, obligations, interests, motives, and values, which are usually conflicting in nature. In this chapter, the authors address the problem of expert group structuring and formalization of participant competences by distinguishing among the a-, ß-, and ?-level experts responsible for the value system establishment, alternatives assessment and auxiliary objects evaluation, respectively. Experts can belong to more than one task community. The triples of a-, ß-, and ?-voting power indices are assigned to the individuals depending on their competence/authority. Moreover, the presented Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)-based framework facilitates selecting appropriate suppliers by the distributed expert groups and improves the quality of order allocation decisions. The usefulness of the proposed approach is demonstrated for the fuel oils and crops purchasing activities in the trading department of Raiffeisen Westfalen Mitte eG in Germany.
Modeling Foreign Exchange Rate Pass-Through using the Exponential GARCH
Authors: Lai Baoying , Joseph Nathan Lael
Published: February 2014

In this chapter, the authors use an EGARCH-ECM to estimate the pass-through effects of Foreign Exchange (FX) rate changes and changes in producers’ prices for 20 U.K. export sectors. The long-run adjustments of export prices to FX rate changes and changes in producers’ prices are within the range of –1.02% (for the Textiles sector) and –17.22% (for the Meat sector). The contemporaneous Pricing-To-Market (PTM) coefficients are within the range of –72.84% (for the Fuels sector) and –8.05% (for the Textiles sector). Short-run FX rate pass-through is not complete even after several months. Rolling EGARCH-ECMs show that the short and long-run effects of changes in FX rate and producers’ prices vary substantially, as do asymmetry and volatility estimates before equilibrium is achieved.
Performance Analysis of a Markovian Working Vacations Queue with Impatient Customers
Authors: Laxmi P. Vijaya , Goswami Veena , Jyothsna K.
Published: February 2014

This chapter analyzes a steady-state finite buffer M/M/1 working vacation queue wherein the customers can balk or renege. Unlike the classical vacation queues, the server can still render service to customers during the working vacations, at a different rate rather than completely terminating the service. The inter-arrival times of customers follow exponential distribution. The arriving customers either decide not to join the queue (that is, balk) with a probability or leave the queue after joining without getting served due to impatience (that is, renege) according to negative exponential distribution. The service times during a regular busy period, service times during a working vacation period, and vacation times are all independent and exponentially distributed random variables. Using Markov process, the steady-state equations are set and the steady-state system length distributions at arbitrary epoch are derived using blocked matrix method. A cost model is formulated to determine the optimum service rate. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the impact of the system parameters on various performance indices.
An Economic Order Quantity Model for New Products When Demand Follows Dynamic Innovation Process
Authors: Aggarwal K. K. , Kumar Alok
Published: February 2014

In this era of globalization and constant innovation, the life cycles of products are diminishing, which tends to cause dynamic behaviour in the system, and because of this, there is a constant introduction of new products in the market. Therefore, while developing inventory models for new products, it becomes necessary to consider dynamic parameters associated with the demand function and responsible for making the system dynamic, which are essential for economic ordering policies for such products. In this chapter, an economic order quantity model is developed in which the demand is time-dependent and innovation-driven. The parameters such as coefficient of innovation and potential market size associated with the demand function are considered dynamic over time to match the real feature of the system. The model is illustrated with a numerical example, and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution with respect to different parameters is performed to know the utility of the model.
Failure Analysis in Precision Manufacturing
Authors: Jenab Kouroush , Moslehpour Saeid
Published: February 2014

Precision manufacturing is a process to produce products with tolerances smaller than 1 part in 104 or 105. The process is based on dimensional precision, angular precision, form precision, surface roughness, kinematic precision, and surface layer alternations. There are sources of error in precision manufacturing that are enemies of precision processes. In this chapter, these sources are explored and a Markovian model is developed for evaluating process robustness and machine accuracy. An illustrative example is presented here in order to demonstrate the application of the model in industries dealing with precision processes.
The Analysis for Stability of Control System Based on Merging Programming of VB and Matlab
Authors: Lan Na
Published: February 2014

This paper introduces the characteristics of VB and Matlab and the method to visit Matlab in VB, and combines the examples of control system showing that this method not only has good interface and is convinent to use, but also students can deepen the understanding and grasping for theory of control and can apply to other systems at the same time.
The Design of the Permanent Magnet Vacuum Circuit Breaker Control System Based on SOPC
Authors: Yang Shou Liang , Zeng Ling Gang
Published: February 2014

This paper analyzes the instantaneous value of the three-phase circuit measurements of various parameters and the key issues to be addressed , to design a new type of intelligent SOPC based on a permanent magnet vacuum circuit breaker control system. FPGA-based NIOS II as the main processor , the more traditional micro-controller with a higher data processing speed and strong expansion capability to effectively meet the electricity system fast data processing capability and high real-time requirements . And with a powerful FPGA logic functions to achieve internal switch control section and the hardware of the control program , than the direct control of the processor using software implemented with higher reliability and noise immunity . The intelligent control system hardware to EP2C35F672C6 core processor,mainly for failure to protect the real-time data acquisition and processing and circuit breakers,real-time display of current or fault line running information, the intelligent controller to achieve two-way communication with the PC function , via the bus system to reach remote remote adjustment, the purpose of the remote control , making the performance of intelligent controller is enhanced to meet the requirements of the distribution system , which provides protection for the safe operation of power system reliability .
Path Planning of Bionic Robot Fish Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Guo Wei , Peng Zhi Wei
Published: February 2014

As an important part of the underwater robots, bionic robot fish is one of the international forefront in the related research fields. This thesis first designs specific ways of robot fish path planning based on genetic algorithm, then builds the environment model and selects the appropriate fitness function. Finally, it uses the MATLAB to simulate the robotic fish barrier shield path, then analyses and summarizes the experimental results.