bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shrimp disease investigation and culture strategies in Bagerhat district, Bangladesh
Authors: Shabuj Md Azharul Islam , Bairagi Tonusree , Asif Abdulla Al , Faruq Omar , Bari Md Rafiqul , Neowajh Md Sharif
Published: February 2016

The present study was conducted in three upazilla (Bagerhatsadar, Fakirhat and Rampaul) to investigate the shrimp diseases and culture strategies of Bagerhat district in 2012. Post larvae (PL-13/21) from hatchery and natural were used to stock in the study area. The highest mean stocking density was recorded in the ghers of Rampaul (16796±7729.69 PL/ha), where the maximum survival rate was also found (63.00±11.52 %). The highest dose of lime was recorded as 302.58±50.92 kg/ha at Bagerhat sadar; cowdung was recorded as 605.16±118.46 kg/ha at Fakirhat upazilla and urea was recorded as 29.02±5.84 kg/ha (Bagerhat sadar) respectively. The maximum doses of MP and TSP were recorded as 34.58±4.51 kg/ha at Bagerhat sadar and Fakirhat and 27.79±3.71 kg/ha at Bagerhat sadar respectively. No supplementary feed were fed to shrimp, in where culture dependent on natural foods. The highest shrimp production was found in Fakirhat upazila (667±307.05 kg/ha) and the lowest production was in Rampaul upazilla (497±268.97 kg/ha). Sudden change of pH , low dissolved o2 levels, salinity variations, nutritional deficiency and other environmental changes causes yellow head viral disease (YHD), white spot syndrome viral (WSSV), vibriosis, fusarium and protozoan were recorded during the experimental period.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2015, 1(3): 545-552
New Zealand’s Food Waste: Estimating the Tonnes, Value, Calories and Resources Wasted
Authors: Reynolds Christian , Mirosa Miranda , Clothier Brent
Published: February 2016

We used macro-economic data and aggregated waste data to estimate that, in 2011, New Zealand households generated over 224,000 tonnes of food waste, and New Zealand industry generated over 103,000 tonnes of food waste. We split New Zealand’s food waste into 14 food-waste categories and found that 7% is related to “fresh” produce, and 93% “processed” food waste. The value of New Zealand’s food waste in 2011 is estimated to be NZ $568 million, or $131 per person. Furthermore, New Zealand’s food waste represents 163 × 109 calories in total, and avoidable food waste would be able to feed between 50,000 and 80,000 people a year. New Zealand food waste embodies 4.2 × 106 tonnes of CO2-e, 4.7 × 109 m3 of water, and 29 × 103 TJ of energy. Nonetheless, we find that, compared to other nations, New Zealanders waste less food per capita by weight, value and calorie.
Numerical and Experimental Characterization of Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Structures with Embedded Piezoelectric Sensor-Actuator Arrays for Ultrasonic Applications
Authors: Holeczek Klaudiusz , Starke Eric , Winkler Anja , Dannemann Martin , Modler Niels
Published: February 2016

The paper presents preliminary numerical and experimental studies of active textile-reinforced thermoplastic composites with embedded sensor-actuator arrays. The goal of the investigations was the assessment of directional sound wave generation capability using embedded sensor-actuator arrays and developed a wave excitation procedure for ultrasound measurement tasks. The feasibility of the proposed approach was initially confirmed in numerical investigations assuming idealized mechanical and geometrical conditions. The findings were validated in real-life conditions on specimens of elementary geometry. Herein, the technological aspects of unique automated assembly of thermoplastic films containing adapted thermoplastic-compatible piezoceramic modules and conducting paths were described.
Application of Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks to Achieve Intelligent Microgrids: A Promising Approach towards a Global Smart Grid Deployment
Authors: Llaria Alvaro , Terrasson Guillaume , Curea Octavian , Jiménez Jaime
Published: February 2016

Smart Grids (SGs) constitute the evolution of the traditional electrical grid towards a new paradigm, which should increase the reliability, the security and, at the same time, reduce the costs of energy generation, distribution and consumption. Electrical microgrids (MGs) can be considered the first stage of this evolution of the grid, because of the intelligent management techniques that must be applied to assure their correct operation. To accomplish this task, sensors and actuators will be necessary, along with wireless communication technologies to transmit the measured data and the command messages. Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSANs) are therefore a promising solution to achieve an intelligent management of MGs and, by extension, the SG. In this frame, this paper surveys several aspects concerning the application of WSANs to manage MGs and the electrical grid, as well as the communication protocols that could be applied. The main concerns regarding the SG deployment are also presented, including future scenarios where the interoperability of different generation technologies must be assured.
Diagnostics Now in PubMed and PubMed Central
Authors: Kjaer Andreas
Published: February 2016

It is with great pleasure and proud that we can announce that Diagnostics is now indexed and searchable in PubMed.[...]
Volatility Forecasting: Downside Risk, Jumps and Leverage Effect
Authors: Audrino Francesco , Hu Yujia
Published: February 2016

We provide empirical evidence of volatility forecasting in relation to asymmetries present in the dynamics of both return and volatility processes. Using recently-developed methodologies to detect jumps from high frequency price data, we estimate the size of positive and negative jumps and propose a methodology to estimate the size of jumps in the quadratic variation. The leverage effect is separated into continuous and discontinuous effects, and past volatility is separated into “good” and “bad”, as well as into continuous and discontinuous risks. Using a long history of the S & P500 price index, we find that the continuous leverage effect lasts about one week, while the discontinuous leverage effect disappears after one day. “Good” and “bad” continuous risks both characterize the volatility persistence, while “bad” jump risk is much more informative than “good” jump risk in forecasting future volatility. The volatility forecasting model proposed is able to capture many empirical stylized facts while still remaining parsimonious in terms of the number of parameters to be estimated.
Effects of in Utero Exposure to Dicyclohexyl Phthalate on Rat Fetal Leydig Cells
Authors: Li Xiaoheng , Chen Xiaomin , Hu Guoxin , Li Linxi , Su Huina , Wang Yiyan , Chen Dongxin , Zhu Qiqi , Li Chao , Li Junwei , Wang Mingcang , Lian Qingquan , Ge Ren-Shan
Published: February 2016

Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) is one of the phthalate plasticizers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of DCHP on fetal Leydig cell distribution and function as well as testis development. Female pregnant Sprague Dawley dams orally received vehicle (corn oil, control) or DCHP (10, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational day (GD) 12 to GD 21. At GD 21.5, testicular testosterone production, fetal Leydig cell number and distribution, testicular gene and protein expression levels were examined. DCHP administration produced a dose-dependent increase of the incidence of multinucleated gonocytes at ≥100 mg/kg. DCHP dose-dependently increased abnormal fetal Leydig cell aggregation and decreased fetal Leydig cell size, cytoplasmic size, and nuclear size at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP reduced the expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (including Star, Hsd3b1, and Hsd17b3) and testis-descent related gene Insl3 as well as protein levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD3B1) and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP significantly inhibited testicular testosterone levels at ≥100 mg/kg. The results indicate that in utero exposure to DCHP affects the expression levels of fetal Leydig cell steroidogenic genes and results in the occurrence of multinucleated gonocytes and Leydig cell aggregation.
Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Bu Jianwei , Sun Ziyong , Zhou Aiguo , Xu Youning , Ma Rui , Wei Wenhao , Liu Meng
Published: February 2016

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife.
The Protective Role of the TOPK/PBK Pathway in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion and H2O2-Induced Injury in H9C2 Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Sun Guozhe , Ye Ning , Dai Dongxue , Chen Yintao , Li Chao , Sun Yingxian
Published: February 2016

T-LAK-cell-originated protein kinase (TOPK) is a PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) that was recently identified as a novel member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. It has been shown to play an important role in many cellular functions. However, its role in cardiac function remains unclear. Thus, we have herein explored the biological function of TOPK in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and oxidative stress injury in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. I/R and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) were induced in rats by 3-hour reperfusion after 30-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and by 3 cycles of 5-min I/R. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to induce oxidative stress in H9C2 cardiomyocytes. TOPK expression was analyzed by western blotting, RT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence imaging studies. The effects of TOPK gene overexpression and its inhibition via its inhibitor HI-TOPK-032 on cell viability and Bcl-2, Bax, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 protein expression were analyzed by MTS assay and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that IPC alleviated myocardial I/R injury and induced TOPK activation. Furthermore, H2O2 induced TOPK phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. Interestingly, TOPK inhibition aggravated the H2O2-induced oxidative stress injury in myocardiocytes, whereas overexpression relieved it. In addition, the ERK pathway was positively regulated by TOPK signaling. In conclusion, our results indicate that TOPK might mediate a novel survival signal in myocardial I/R, and that its effect on anti-oxidative stress involves the ERK signaling pathway.
Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptome-Based Expression Profiling of the Sox Gene Family in the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Wei Ling , Yang Chao , Tao Wenjing , Wang Deshou
Published: February 2016

The Sox transcription factor family is characterized with the presence of a Sry-related high-mobility group (HMG) box and plays important roles in various biological processes in animals, including sex determination and differentiation, and the development of multiple organs. In this study, 27 Sox genes were identified in the genome of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and were classified into seven groups. The members of each group of the tilapia Sox genes exhibited a relatively conserved exon-intron structure. Comparative analysis showed that the Sox gene family has undergone an expansion in tilapia and other teleost fishes following their whole genome duplication, and group K only exists in teleosts. Transcriptome-based analysis demonstrated that most of the tilapia Sox genes presented stage-specific and/or sex-dimorphic expressions during gonadal development, and six of the group B Sox genes were specifically expressed in the adult brain. Our results provide a better understanding of gene structure and spatio-temporal expression of the Sox gene family in tilapia, and will be useful for further deciphering the roles of the Sox genes during sex determination and gonadal development in teleosts.
Picosecond Laser Shock Peening of Nimonic 263 at 1064 nm and 532 nm Wavelength
Authors: Petronic Sanja , Sibalija Tatjana , Burzic Meri , Polic Suzana , Colic Katarina , Milovanovic Dubravka
Published: February 2016

The paper presents a study on the surface modifications of nickel based superalloy Nimonic 263 induced by laser shock peening (LSP) process. The process was performed by Nd3+:Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) picosecond laser using the following parameters: pulse duration 170 ps; repetition rate 10 Hz; pulse numbers of 50, 100 and 200; and wavelength of 1064 nm (with pulse energy of 2 mJ, 10 mJ and 15 mJ) and 532 nm (with pulse energy of 25 mJ, 30 mJ and 35 mJ). The following response characteristics were analyzed: modified surface areas obtained by the laser/material interaction were observed by scanning electron microscopy; elemental composition of the modified surface was evaluated by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); and Vickers microhardness tests were performed. LSP processing at both 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths improved the surface structure and microhardness of a material. Surface morphology changes of the irradiated samples were determined and surface roughness was calculated. These investigations are intended to contribute to the study on the level of microstructure and mechanical properties improvements due to LSP process that operate in a picosecond regime. In particular, the effects of laser wavelength on the microstructural and mechanical changes of a material are studied in detail.
Surface Free Energy Determination of APEX Photosensitive Glass
Authors: Gaillard William , Waddell Emanuel , Williams John
Published: February 2016

Surface free energy (SFE) plays an important role in microfluidic device operation. Photosensitive glasses such as APEX offer numerous advantages over traditional glasses for microfluidics, yet the SFE for APEX has not been previously reported. We calculate SFE with the Owens/Wendt geometric method by using contact angles measured with the Sessile drop technique. While the total SFE for APEX is found to be similar to traditional microstructurable glasses, the polar component is lower, which is likely attributable to composition. The SFE was modified at each stage of device fabrication, but the SFE of the stock and fully processed glass was found to be approximately the same at a value of 51 mJ·m−2. APEX exhibited inconsistent wetting behavior attributable to an inhomogeneous surface chemical composition. Means to produce more consistent wetting of photosensitive glass for microfluidic applications are discussed.
Transcriptome Sequencing and Development of Genic SSR Markers of an Endangered Chinese Endemic Genus Dipteronia Oliver (Aceraceae)
Authors: Zhou Tao , Li Zhong-Hu , Bai Guo-Qing , Feng Li , Chen Chen , Wei Yue , Chang Yong-Xia , Zhao Gui-Fang
Published: February 2016

Dipteronia Oliver (Aceraceae) is an endangered Chinese endemic genus consisting of two living species, Dipteronia sinensis and Dipteronia dyeriana. However, studies on the population genetics and evolutionary analyses of Dipteronia have been hindered by limited genomic resources and genetic markers. Here, the generation, de novo assembly and annotation of transcriptome datasets, and a large set of microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers derived from Dipteronia have been described. After Illumina pair-end sequencing, approximately 93.2 million reads were generated and assembled to yield a total of 99,358 unigenes. A majority of these unigenes (53%, 52,789) had at least one blast hit against the public protein databases. Further, 12,377 SSR loci were detected and 4179 primer pairs were designed for experimental validation. Of these 4179 primer pairs, 435 primer pairs were randomly selected to test polymorphism. Our results show that products from 132 primer pairs were polymorphic, in which 97 polymorphic SSR markers were further selected to analyze the genetic diversity of 10 natural populations of Dipteronia. The identification of SSR markers during our research will provide the much valuable data for population genetic analyses and evolutionary studies in Dipteronia.
Synthesis of 5,10-bis(Trifluoromethyl) Substituted β-Octamethylporphyrins and Central-Metal-Dependent Solvolysis of Their meso-Trifluoromethyl Groups
Authors: Suzuki Masaaki , Neya Saburo , Nishigaichi Yutaka
Published: February 2016

5,10-Bistrifluoromethyl substituted β-octamethylporphyrins were synthesized via a scrambling side reaction of a dipyrromethane precursor in the presence of a large excess of trifluoroacetic acid. Compared with the trans-analogs, the cis-analogs of meso-trifluoromethyl β-octaalkylporphyrin showed more red-shifted absorption bands. These meso-trifluoromethyl derivatives of β-octaalkylporphyrins underwent smooth metalation, similar to other common porphyrins, however, the corresponding zinc complexes underwent a type of solvolysis, whereby the trifluoromethyl groups were converted into methoxycarbonyl groups by the methanol used as solvent. UV-visible absorption spectra and X-ray crystal structure analyses revealed that the presence of a methoxycarbonyl substituent did not influence the deformation of the molecular framework and its absorption properties; this is because the methoxycarbonyl has a planar and perpendicular geometry, as opposed to the relatively bulky trifluoromethyl substituent.
Metabolic Effects of a 24-Week Energy-Restricted Intervention Combined with Low or High Dairy Intake in Overweight Women: An NMR-Based Metabolomics Investigation
Authors: Zheng Hong , Lorenzen Janne , Astrup Arne , Larsen Lesli , Yde Christian , Clausen Morten , Bertram Hanne
Published: February 2016

We investigated the effect of a 24-week energy-restricted intervention with low or high dairy intake (LD or HD) on the metabolic profiles of urine, blood and feces in overweight/obese women by NMR spectroscopy combined with ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA). A significant effect of dairy intake was found on the urine metabolome. HD intake increased urinary citrate, creatinine and urea excretion, and decreased urinary excretion of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and hippurate relative to the LD intake, suggesting that HD intake was associated with alterations in protein catabolism, energy metabolism and gut microbial activity. In addition, a significant time effect on the blood metabolome was attributed to a decrease in blood lipid and lipoprotein levels due to the energy restriction. For the fecal metabolome, a trend for a diet effect was found and a series of metabolites, such as acetate, butyrate, propionate, malonate, cholesterol and glycerol tended to be affected. Overall, even though these effects were not accompanied by a higher weight loss, the present metabolomics data reveal that a high dairy intake is associated with endogenous metabolic effects and effects on gut microbial activity that potentially impact body weight regulation and health. Moreover, ASCA has a great potential for exploring the effect of intervention factors and identifying altered metabolites in a multi-factorial metabolomic study.
The AVHRR Polar Pathfinder Climate Data Records
Authors: Key Jeffrey , Wang Xuanji , Liu Yinghui , Dworak Richard , Letterly Aaron
Published: February 2016

With recent, dramatic changes in Arctic sea ice and the Antarctic ice sheets, the importance of monitoring the climate of the polar regions has never been greater. While many individual global satellite products exist, the AVHRR Polar Pathfinder products provide a comprehensive set of variables that can be used to study trends and interactions within the Arctic and Antarctic climate systems. This paper describes the AVHRR Polar Pathfinder (APP), which is a fundamental climate data record that provides channel reflectances and brightness temperatures, and the AVHRR Polar Pathfinder—Extended (APP-x), which is a thematic climate data record that builds on APP to provide information on surface and cloud properties and radiative fluxes. Both datasets cover the period from 1982 through the present, twice daily, over both polar regions. APP-x has been used in the study of trends in surface properties, cloud cover, and radiative fluxes, interactions between clouds and sea ice, and the role of land surface changes in summer warming.
RETRACTED: Design of New Power Management Circuit for Light Energy Harvesting System
Authors: Jafer Issa , Stack Paul , MacNamee Kevin
Published: February 2016

Nowadays, it can be observed that Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) are taking increasingly vital roles in many applications, such as building energy monitoring and control, which is the focus of the work in this paper. However, the main challenging issue with adopting WSN technology is the use of power sources such as batteries, which have a limited lifetime. A smart solution that could tackle this problem is using Energy Harvesting technology. The work in this paper will be focused on proposing a new power management design through harvesting indoor light intensity. The new approach is inspired by the use of the Fractional Open Circuit Voltage based Maximum Power Point tracking (MPPT) concept for sub mw Photo Voltaic (PV) cells. The new design adopts two main features: First, it minimizes the power consumed by the power management section; and second, it maximizes the MPPT-converted output voltage and consequently improves the efficiency of the power conversion in the sub mw power level. The new experimentally-tested design showed an improvement of 81% in the efficiency of MPPT conversion using 0.5 mW input power in comparison with the other presented solutions that showed less efficiency with higher input power.
Fast 2D DOA Estimation Algorithm by an Array Manifold Matching Method with Parallel Linear Arrays
Authors: Yang Lisheng , Liu Sheng , Li Dong , Jiang Qingping , Cao Hailin
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the problem of two-dimensional (2D) direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation with parallel linear arrays is addressed. Two array manifold matching (AMM) approaches, in this work, are developed for the incoherent and coherent signals, respectively. The proposed AMM methods estimate the azimuth angle only with the assumption that the elevation angles are known or estimated. The proposed methods are time efficient since they do not require eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) or peak searching. In addition, the complexity analysis shows the proposed AMM approaches have lower computational complexity than many current state-of-the-art algorithms. The estimated azimuth angles produced by the AMM approaches are automatically paired with the elevation angles. More importantly, for estimating the azimuth angles of coherent signals, the aperture loss issue is avoided since a decorrelation procedure is not required for the proposed AMM method. Numerical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Scalability of Sustainable Business Models in Hybrid Organizations
Authors: Jabłoński Adam
Published: February 2016

The dynamics of change in modern business create new mechanisms for company management to determine their pursuit and the achievement of their high performance. This performance maintained over a long period of time becomes a source of ensuring business continuity by companies. An ontological being enabling the adoption of such assumptions is such a business model that has the ability to generate results in every possible market situation and, moreover, it has the features of permanent adaptability. A feature that describes the adaptability of the business model is its scalability. Being a factor ensuring more work and more efficient work with an increasing number of components, scalability can be applied to the concept of business models as the company’s ability to maintain similar or higher performance through it. Ensuring the company’s performance in the long term helps to build the so-called sustainable business model that often balances the objectives of stakeholders and shareholders, and that is created by the implemented principles of value-based management and corporate social responsibility. This perception of business paves the way for building hybrid organizations that integrate business activities with pro-social ones. The combination of an approach typical of hybrid organizations in designing and implementing sustainable business models pursuant to the scalability criterion seems interesting from the cognitive point of view. Today, hybrid organizations are great spaces for building effective and efficient mechanisms for dialogue between business and society. This requires the appropriate business model. The purpose of the paper is to present the conceptualization and operationalization of scalability of sustainable business models that determine the performance of a hybrid organization in the network environment. The paper presents the original concept of applying scalability in sustainable business models with detailed interpretation. The paper and its findings are based on longitudinal research with participant observation, bibliographic research and the author’s own experience in the processes of building and implementing business models in the years 2005–2015. At the time, the author observed the conceptualization and operationalization of several business models of companies operating in the Polish market.
Seven Food System Metrics of Sustainable Nutrition Security
Authors: Gustafson David , Gutman Alona , Leet Whitney , Drewnowski Adam , Fanzo Jessica , Ingram John
Published: February 2016

Sustainability considerations have been absent from most food security assessments conducted to date, despite the tremendous economic, environmental, and social implications of meeting accelerating food demand in the face of water shortages and climate change. In addition, previous food security work has generally focused only on achieving adequate calories, rather than addressing dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy, both of which are critical to maintaining a healthy overall nutritional status. In response to the limitations of previous assessments, a new methodology is proposed here based on the concept of “sustainable nutrition security” (SNS). This novel assessment methodology is intended to remedy both kinds of deficiencies in the previous work by defining seven metrics, each based on a combination of multiple indicators, for use in characterizing sustainable nutrition outcomes of food systems: (1) food nutrient adequacy; (2) ecosystem stability; (3) food affordability and availability; (4) sociocultural wellbeing; (5) food safety; (6) resilience; and (7) waste and loss reduction. Each of the metrics comprises multiple indicators that are combined to derive an overall score (0–100). A novel SNS assessment methodology based on these metrics can be deployed by decision-makers and investors to set meaningful goals, track progress, and evaluate the potential impact of food system interventions intended to improve sustainability and human nutrition outcomes.
Drilling of Copper Using a Dual-Pulse Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Cheng Chung-Wei , Chen Jinn-Kuen
Published: February 2016

The drilling of copper using a dual-pulse femtosecond laser with wavelength of 800 nm, pulse duration of 120 fs and a variable pulse separation time (0.1–150 ps) is investigated theoretically. A one-dimensional two-temperature model with temperature-dependent material properties is considered, including dynamic optical properties and the thermal-physical properties. Rapid phase change and phase explosion models are incorporated to simulate the material ablation process. Numerical results show that under the same total laser fluence of 4 J/cm2, a dual-pulse femtosecond laser with a pulse separation time of 30–150 ps can increase the ablation depth, compared to the single pulse. The optimum pulse separation time is 85 ps. It is also demonstrated that a dual pulse with a suitable pulse separation time for different laser fluences can enhance the ablation rate by about 1.6 times.
Identification and Comparison of Receptor Binding Characteristics of the Spike Protein of Two Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strains
Authors: Deng Feng , Ye Gang , Liu Qianqian , Navid Muhammad , Zhong Xiaoli , Li Youwen , Wan Chunyun , Xiao Shaobo , He Qigai , Fu Zhen , Peng Guiqing
Published: February 2016

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), a member of Alphacoronavirus, has caused huge economic losses for the global pork industry recently. The spike (S) protein mediates PEDV entry into host cells. Herein, we investigated the interactions between the S protein and its receptor porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN) or co-receptor sugars. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the S1 domain is bound to pAPN. The prototype strain demonstrated similar receptor-binding activity compared with the variant field isolate. Three loops at the tips of the β-barrel domains did not play crucial roles in the PEDV S-pAPN association, indicating that PEDV conforms to a different receptor recognition model compared with transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine respiratory CoV (PRCV), and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63). The N-terminal domain (NTD) of the PEDV S1 domain could bind sugar, a possible co-receptor for PEDV. The prototype strain exhibited weaker sugar-binding activity compared with the variant field isolate. Strategies targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) may be helpful for developing vaccines or antiviral drugs for PEDV. Understanding the differences in receptor binding between the prototype and the variant strains may provide insight into PEDV pathogenesis.
A PROTON-CYCLOTRON WAVE STORM GENERATED BY UNSTABLE PROTON DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS IN THE SOLAR WIND
Authors: Wicks R. T. , Alexander R. L. , Stevens M. , III L. B. Wilson , Moya P. S. , Viñas A. , Jian L. K. , Roberts D. A. , O’Modhrain S. , Gilbert J. A. , Zurbuchen T. H.
Published: February 2016

We use audification of 0.092 s cadence magnetometer data from the Wind spacecraft to identify waves with amplitudes

nT near the ion gyrofrequency (∼0.1 Hz) with duration longer than 1 hr during 2008. We present one of the most common types of event for a case study and find it to be a proton-cyclotron wave storm, coinciding with highly radial magnetic field and a suprathermal proton beam close in density to the core distribution itself. Using linear Vlasov analysis, we conclude that the long-duration, large-amplitude waves are generated by the instability of the proton distribution function. The origin of the beam is unknown, but the radial field period is found in the trailing edge of a fast solar wind stream and resembles other events thought to be caused by magnetic field footpoint motion or interchange reconnection between coronal holes and closed field lines in the corona.
THE INITIAL PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF KEPLER-36 b AND c
Authors: Owen James E. , Morton Timothy. D.
Published: February 2016

The Kepler-36 planetary system consists of two exoplanets at similar separations (0.115 and 0.128 au), which have dramatically different densities. The inner planet has a density consistent with an Earth-like composition, while the outer planet is extremely low density, such that it must contain a voluminous H/He envelope. Such a density difference would pose a problem for any formation mechanism if their current densities were representative of their composition at formation. However, both planets are at close enough separations to have undergone significant evaporation in the past. We constrain the core mass, core composition, initial envelope mass, and initial cooling time of each planet using evaporation models conditioned on their present-day masses and radii, as inferred from Kepler photometry and transit timing analysis. The inner planet is consistent with being an evaporatively stripped core, while the outer planet has retained some of its initial envelope due to its higher core mass. Therefore, both planets could have had a similar formation pathway, with the inner planet having an initial envelope-mass fraction of ≲10% and core mass of ∼4.4 M
⊕, while the outer had an initial envelope-mass fraction of the order of 15%–30% and core mass ∼7.3 M
⊕. Finally, our results indicate that the outer planet had a long (≳30 Myr) initial cooling time, much longer than would naively be predicted from simple timescale arguments. The long initial cooling time could be evidence for a dramatic early cooling episode such as the recently proposed “boil-off” process.
RESOLVING THE FAN-SPINE RECONNECTION GEOMETRY OF A SMALL-SCALE CHROMOSPHERIC JET EVENT WITH THE NEW SOLAR TELESCOPE
Authors: Zeng Zhicheng , Chen Bin , Ji Haisheng , Goode Philip R. , Cao Wenda
Published: February 2016

Jets are ubiquitously present in both quiet and active regions on the Sun. They are widely believed to be driven by magnetic reconnection. A fan-spine structure has been frequently reported in some coronal jets and flares, and has been regarded as a signature of ongoing magnetic reconnection in a topology consisting of a magnetic null connected by a fan-like separatrix surface and a spine. However, for small-scale chromospheric jets, clear evidence of such structures is rather rare, although it has been implied in earlier works that showed an inverted-Y-shaped feature. Here we report high-resolution (0.″16) observations of a small-scale chromospheric jet obtained by the New Solar Telescope (NST) using 10830 Å filtergrams. Bi-directional flows were observed across the separatrix regions in the 10830 Å images, suggesting that the jet was produced due to magnetic reconnection. At the base of the jet, a fan-spine structure was clearly resolved by the NST, including the spine and the fan-like surface, as well as the loops before and after the reconnection. A major part of this fan-spine structure, with the exception of its bright footpoints and part of the base arc, was invisible in the extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray images (observed by the Atmosphere Imaging Assembly and the X-Ray Telescope, respectively), indicating that the reconnection occurred in the upper chromosphere. Our observations suggest that the evolution of this chromospheric jet is consistent with a two-step reconnection scenario proposed by Török et al.
ON THE 2015 OUTBURST OF THE EXor VARIABLE V1118 ORI
Authors: Giannini T. , Lorenzetti D. , Antoniucci S. , Arkharov A. A. , Larionov V. M. , Di Paola A. , Bisogni S. , Marchetti A.
Published: February 2016

After a long-lasting period of quiescence of about a decade, the source V1118 Ori, one of the most representative members of the EXor variables, is now outbursting. Since the initial increase of the near-infrared flux of about 1 mag (JHK bands) registered on 2015 September 22, the source brightness has remained fairly stable. We estimate ΔV ∼ 3 mag, with respect to the quiescence phase. An optical/near-IR low-resolution spectrum has been obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope instruments MODS and LUCI2 and compared with a spectrum of a similar spectral resolution and sensitivity level taken during quiescence. Together with the enhancement of the continuum, the outburst spectrum presents a definitely higher number of emission lines, in particular H i recombination lines of the Balmer, Paschen, and Brackett series, along with bright permitted lines of several species, forbidden atomic lines, and CO ro-vibrational lines. Both mass accretion and mass-loss rates have significantly increased (by about an order of magnitude:

= 1.2–4.8 10−8
M
⊙ yr−1,

= 0.8–2 10−9
M
⊙ yr−1), with respect to the quiescence phase. If compared with previous outbursts, the present one appears less energetic. Alternatively, it could already be in the fading phase (with the maximum brightness level reached when the source was not visible), or, viceversa, still in the rising phase.
DISCOVERY OF RUBIDIUM, CADMIUM, AND GERMANIUM EMISSION LINES IN THE NEAR-INFRARED SPECTRA OF PLANETARY NEBULAE*
Authors: Sterling N. C. , Dinerstein Harriet L. , Kaplan Kyle F. , Bautista Manuel A.
Published: February 2016

We identify [Rb iv] 1.5973 and [Cd iv] 1.7204 μm emission lines in high-resolution (R = 40,000) near-infrared spectra of the planetary nebulae (PNe) NGC 7027 and IC 5117, obtained with the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer (IGRINS) on the 2.7 m telescope at McDonald Observatory. We also identify [Ge vi] 2.1930 μm in NGC 7027. Alternate identifications for these features are ruled out based on the absence of other multiplet members and/or transitions with the same upper levels. Ge, Rb, and Cd can be enriched in PNe by s-process nucleosynthesis during the asymptotic giant branch stage of evolution. To determine ionic abundances, we calculate [Rb iv] collision strengths and use approximations for those of [Cd iv] and [Ge vi]. Our identification of [Rb iv] 1.5973 μm is supported by the agreement between Rb3+/H+ abundances found from this line and the 5759.55 Å feature in NGC 7027. Elemental Rb, Cd, and Ge abundances are derived with ionization corrections based on similarities in ionization potential ranges between the detected ions and O and Ne ionization states. Our analysis indicates abundances 2–4 times solar for Rb and Cd in both nebulae. Ge is subsolar in NGC 7027, but its abundance is uncertain due to the large and uncertain ionization correction. The general consistency of the measured relative s-process enrichments with predictions from models appropriate for these PNe (2.0–2.5 M
⊙, [Fe/H] = −0.37) demonstrates the potential of using PN compositions to test s-process nucleosynthesis models.
El Greco en España. El éxito de un gran pintor
Authors: Bustamante García Agustín
Published: February 2016

El Greco es un pintor reconocido por sus contemporáneos. De tradición bizantina cretense, marchó a Italia en 1567. En Venecia y Roma configuró su arte sobre el naturalismo de la luz y del color y adquiriendo una formación teórica, que le convertirá en filósofo de agudos dichos. No triunfó en Italia, desplazándose a España en 1577, donde permanecerá hasta morir en 1614. Triunfó en Toledo pintando para la Catedral y Santo Domingo el Antiguo. Felipe II le llamó al Escorial. El Entierro del Señor de Orgaz fue un cuadro famoso y carísimo nada más pintarse. Desde 1596 Theotocópuli consiguió grandes encargos: los retablos de doña María de Aragón en Madrid, el del Monasterio de Guadalupe, la Capilla de San José de Toledo, el Hospital de la Caridad de Illescas y los del Hospital Tavera. Es el mejor retratista de su época, pintando además de temas religiosos, mitologías y vistas. Un triunfador.
La obra de El Greco en el mercado de arte
Authors: López-Yarto Elizalde Amelia
Published: February 2016

La atracción que ejerció El Greco en los coleccionistas se inició mucho después que la de otros pintores españoles. Aunque a lo largo del siglo XIX ya salieron de España cuadros muy importantes, será en los últimos veinte años del siglo cuando los cuadros de devoción fueron más apreciados. Las publicaciones de Cossío y la exposición celebrada en el Museo del Prado en 1902 hicieron subir mucho la cotización del pintor que irá en aumento a lo largo del siglo XX. En este artículo se ha estudiado la presencia de El Greco en las salas de subastas a través de la sección Mercado de Arte de la revista Archivo Español de Arte que nos ha llevado a varias conclusiones.
Vista y plano de Toledo
Authors: Kitaura Yasunari
Published: February 2016

En Vista y plano de Toledo, que es fiel retrato y homenaje a la ciudad, tanto la visión de la Virgen como el desnudo de la izquierda, alegoría del río Tajo, sustento básico para la vida de la región representada por el joven de la derecha, son imágenes casuales aparecidas en el cielo, en la tierra y en los matorrales. La fantasía grequiana opera con un rigor casi matemático. Se observa una genealogía establecida entre la túnica de Jesús del Tríptico de Módena, la del ángel arrodillado del Bautismo del Prado y la casulla portada por la Virgen en Vista y plano. La composición de Vista y plano está relacionada con la Adoración de la primera época toledana, estableciendo un vínculo entre el joven con el plano y san Jerónimo con la Vulgata.
Caracterización tipológica del espacio edificado de las casas de corredor. El caso de las ciudadelas del casco histórico de La Habana y las corralas madrileñas
Authors: Fernández Martín R. , Santa Cruz Astorqui J. , Arbaiza Blanco-Soler S. , Del Río Merino M.
Published: February 2016

En este artículo se presentan algunos resultados de un proyecto de investigación que pretende la caracterización de los diferentes modelos que en España e Hispanoamérica evolucionaron de las casas de corredor para poder diseñar soluciones válidas que permitan la adaptación de los mismos a los criterios actuales de habitabilidad. En concreto se presentan los resultados de la caracterización en base a: periodo de construcción; geometría y forma de los edificios y geometría del patio, de 286 corralas madrileñas del barrio de Embajadores y de 213 ciudadelas del Centro Histórico de La Habana.

Como consecuencia del estudio se han encontrado grandes coincidencias en ambos modelos, por lo que se concluye que se trata un modelo tipológico característico de los barrios populares antiguos con una presencia tan alta que resulta imposible explicar la trama urbana sin considerar su papel de «relleno» de las manzanas.
Comparativa de resultados de rehabilitación energética para viviendas en función del grado de mejora
Authors: Pérez Fargallo A. , Calama Rodríguez J. M. , Flores Alés V.
Published: February 2016

El objetivo del artículo es el estudio de viabilidad en mejoras de eficiencia energética a través del análisis del ahorro energético y de la inversión económica. Los resultados se han obtenido de un modelo estudiado con distintas disposiciones, sistemas constructivos e intervenciones, incluyendo dos opciones de rehabilitación respecto a las transmitancias establecidas en el Apéndice D del DB-HE Orden FOM/1635/2013, con la finalidad de generar distintas subcategorías de edificios. El análisis se ha basado en las demandas y consumos obtenidos a partir una herramienta creada en base a la UNE-ENISO- 13.790:2011 y a la ASTM-E917:2013. Una vez obtenidos los resultados se ha realizado una comparativa energética y económica de resultados. Este trabajo evalúa aspectos económicos y ahorros en las mejoras de eficiencia energética para viviendas unifamiliares, comparando distintas alternativas en función de la situación de partida, con la finalidad profundizar en indicadores válidos para actuaciones de EE en edificaciones existentes.
Ubiquitous Hub for Digital Natives
Authors: Rosli Mohd Shafie , Saleh Nor Shela , Aris Baharuddin , Ahmad Maizah Hura , Md. Salleh Shaharuddin
Published: February 2016

This study was conducted to construct a model on ubiquitous hub for digital natives. Respondents were 250 digital native generation students, from a higher learning institution in Malaysia. The result of the regression, structural equation model and path analysis revealed that multitask as well as gratification and reward nurture digital natives to learn in ubiquitous computing environment. Digital natives characteristics of reliant on graphic for communication, and attitude toward technology are rejected from the model based on the statistical evidence. Test of the relationship between multitask toward gratification and reward via structural equation model shows that both influence each other. Conclusion on the set-up of ubiquitous hub for digital natives based on the model derived are discussed.
Constructing Automated Scoring Model for Human Translation with Multidisciplinary Technologies
Authors: Jiang Jinlin , Qin Ying , Sun Ya
Published: February 2016

This study constructed a computer scoring model for Chinese EFL learners’ English-to-Chinese translations using multidisciplinary techniques in corpus linguistics, natural language processing, information retrieval and statistics. The proposed model, once implemented as computer software, can score English-to-Chinese translations in large-scale examinations. This study built five tentative scoring models with 50, 100, 130, 150 and 180 translations as the training set for 300 translations of an expository writing. The correlation coefficients between the computed scores of these models and human-assigned scores were above 0.8. The results further indicated that the computed scores with 130 training translations were closest to human-assigned scores. Therefore, it was concluded that the text features extracted in this research were effective and the finalized model can produce reliable scores for Chinese EFL learners’ English-to-Chinese expository translations.
Functionalities provided by Annotation Systems for Learners in Educational Context: An Overview
Authors: Kalboussi Anis , Mazhoud Omar , Kacem Ahmed Hadj
Published: February 2016

During his activities, the learner usually uses comments, highlights and circles sections to tag consulted digital documents. Therefore, many systems have been developed to annotate different electronic resources, often adapted to specific users and for particular uses of documents. This great variety of annotation systems reveals a lack of a clear strategy of how to compare the developed annotation systems of the literature according to their functionalities. As a result, few works have tried to present comparative studies of these tools. The aim of this article is to provide a study of some annotation tools used by learners in educational practices. Therefore, we present a comparison of functionalities provided by forty annotation systems developed by industry and academia during the last decade. The study further reveals gaps in systems and opportunities for further research.
New Medium-Carbon Free-Machining Steels Containing Bismuth and Calcium
Authors: Ryabov A.V.
Published: February 2016

The paper describes the properties of two new medium-carbon free-machining alloy structural steels. These steels are environmentally friendly since lead in them is replaced with much less harmful elements bismuth and calcium. Bismuth and calcium are rather uniformly distributed in the ingot, though there are two zones of bismuth heterogeneity in the bottom and in the head part of the ingot. Mechanical properties of steels are at the same level as for steels without bismuth and calcium. Non-metallic inclusion content is typical for structural steels melted in open electric arc furnaces with basic lining and is not changed by the presence of bismuth and calcium. Machinability of the steels with bismuth and calcium is at the same or higher level than that of lead-bearing steels. Melting, casting, forging and rolling of steel containing bismuth and calcium is not associated with working area air-pollution with harmful substances in amounts exceeding maximum permissible concentrations. During rolling of the lead-free steels harmful emissions are almost absent, unlike the lead-bearing steels.