bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Oxidation Behavior of Super304H and HR3C Steel in High Temperature Steam from a 1000 MW Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Boiler
Authors: Li Jingjing , Ma Haidong , Wang Yungang , Xue Min , Zhao Qinxin
Published: February 2019

Oxidation behavior of Super304H and HR3C steel in high temperature steam from an ultra-supercritical coal-fired boiler was investigated in this paper. The results showed that the steam oxidized surface of Super304H ware composed of Fe2O3, Cr2O3 and FeCr2O4, the oxide scale had a thickness of 50–70 μm. In addition, the steam oxidized surface of HR3C ware composed of Fe2O3, the oxide scale was about 20μm in thickness and contained few pitting. The oxidation product layer of the two samples could be divided into two layers, including outer layer enriched O element and Fe element, and inner layer enriched O element and Cr element. Furthermore, oxide scale spalling was observed on the surface of Super304H sample.
Analysis of the Reduction of CO2 Emissions in Urban Environments by Replacing Conventional City Buses by Electric Bus Fleets: Spain Case Study
Authors: Grijalva Edwin R. , López Martínez José María
Published: February 2019

The emissions of CO2 gas caused by transport in urban areas are increasingly serious, and the public transport sector plays a vital role in society, especially when considering the increased demands for mobility. New energy technologies in urban mobility are being introduced, as evidenced by the electric vehicle. We evaluated the positive environmental effects in terms of CO2 emissions that would be produced by the replacement of conventional urban transport bus fleets by electric buses. The simulation of an electric urban bus conceptual model is presented as a case study. The model is validated using the speed and height profiles of the most representative route within the city of Madrid—the C1 line. We assumed that the vehicle fleet is charged using the electric grid at night, when energy demand is low, the cost of energy is low, and energy is produced with a large provision of renewable energy, principally wind power. For the results, we considered the percentage of fleet replacement and the Spanish electricity mix. The analysis shows that by gradually replacing the current fleet of buses by electric buses over 10 years (2020 to 2030), CO2 emissions would be reduced by up to 92.6% compared to 2018 levels.
X-ray Structure Elucidation of a Pt-Metalloporphyrin and Its Application for Obtaining Sensitive AuNPs-Plasmonic Hybrids Capable of Detecting Triiodide Anions
Authors: Fagadar-Cosma Eugenia , Lascu Anca , Shova Sergiu , Zaltariov Mirela-Fernanda , Birdeanu Mihaela , Croitor Lilia , Balan Adriana , Anghel Diana , Stamatin Serban
Published: February 2019

The development of UV–vis spectrophotometric methods based on metalloporphyrins for fast, highly sensitive and selective anion detection, which avoids several of the practical challenges associated with other detection methods, is of tremendous importance in analytical chemistry. In this study, we focused on achieving a selective optical sensor for triiodide ion detection in traces based on a novel hybrid material comprised of Pt(II) 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-methoxy-phenyl)-porphyrin (PtTMeOPP) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This sensor has high relevance in medical physiological tests. The structure of PtTMeOPP was investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction in order to understand the metal surroundings and the molecule conformation and to assess if it qualifies as a potential sensitive material. It was proven that the Pt-porphyrin generated 1D H-bond supramolecular chains due to the weak C-H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The presence of ordered voids in the crystal encouraged us to use PtTMeOPP as the sensing material for triiodide ion and to enhance its potential in a novel AuNPs/PtTMeOPP hybrid by the synergistic effects provided by the plasmonic gold nanoparticles. The spectrophotometric sensor is characterized by a detection limit of 1.5 × 10−9 M triiodide ion concentration and a remarkable confidence coefficient of 99.98%.
CGRP Induces Differential Regulation of Cytokines from Satellite Glial Cells in Trigeminal Ganglia and Orofacial Nociception
Authors: Afroz Shaista , Arakaki Rieko , Iwasa Takuma , Oshima Masamitsu , Hosoki Maki , Inoue Miho , Baba Otto , Okayama Yoshihiro , Matsuka Yoshizo
Published: February 2019

Neuron-glia interactions contribute to pain initiation and sustainment. Intra-ganglionic (IG) secretion of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) modulates pain transmission through neuron-glia signaling, contributing to various orofacial pain conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the role of satellite glial cells (SGC) in TG in causing cytokine-related orofacial nociception in response to IG administration of CGRP. For that purpose, CGRP alone (10 μL of 10−5 M), Minocycline (5 μL containing 10 μg) followed by CGRP with one hour gap (Min + CGRP) were administered directly inside the TG in independent experiments. Rats were evaluated for thermal hyperalgesia at 6 and 24 h post-injection using an operant orofacial pain assessment device (OPAD) at three temperatures (37, 45 and 10 °C). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), sodium channel 1.7 (NaV 1.7, for assessment of neuronal activation) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, a marker of glial activation). The cytokines released in culture media from purified glial cells were evaluated using antibody cytokine array. IG CGRP caused heat hyperalgesia between 6–24 h (paired-t test, p < 0.05). Between 1 to 6 h the mRNA and protein expressions of GFAP was increased in parallel with an increase in the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1RA and NaV1.7 (one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test, p < 0.05). To investigate whether glial inhibition is useful to prevent nociception symptoms, Minocycline (glial inhibitor) was administered IG 1 h before CGRP injection. Minocycline reversed CGRP-induced thermal nociception, glial activity, and down-regulated IL-1β and IL-6 cytokines significantly at 6 h (t-test, p < 0.05). Purified glial cells in culture showed an increase in release of 20 cytokines after stimulation with CGRP. Our findings demonstrate that SGCs in the sensory ganglia contribute to the occurrence of pain via cytokine expression and that glial inhibition can effectively control the development of nociception.
A Novel Insight on Endotyping Heterogeneous Severe Asthma Based on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: Beyond the “Type 2/Non-Type 2 Dichotomy”
Authors: Jeong Jae Seok , Kim So Ri , Cho Seong Ho , Lee Yong Chul
Published: February 2019

Severe asthma is an extremely heterogeneous clinical syndrome in which diverse cellular and molecular pathobiologic mechanisms exist, namely endotypes. The current system for endotyping severe asthma is largely based on inflammatory cellular profiles and related pathways, namely the dichotomy of type 2 response (resulting in eosinophilic inflammation) and non-type 2 response (reinforcing non-eosinophilic inflammation involving neutrophils or less inflammatory cells), forming the basis of a development strategy for novel therapies. Although specific subgroups of type 2 severe asthma patients may derive benefit from modern precision medicine targeting type 2 cytokines, there is no approved and effective therapeutic agent for non-type 2 severe asthma, which comprises nearly 50% of all asthma patients. Importantly, the critical implication of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response—in close relation with several pivotal cellular immune/inflammatory platforms including mitochondria, NLRP3 inflammasome, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-δ—in the generation of corticosteroid resistance is now being increasingly demonstrated in numerous experimental settings of severe asthma. Consistent with these findings, recent clinical data from a large European severe asthma cohort, in which molecular phenotyping as well as diverse clinical and physiological parameters from severe asthmatic patients were incorporated, suggest a brand new framework for endotyping severe asthma in relation to ER-associated mitochondria and inflammasome pathways. These findings highlight the view that ER stress-associated molecular pathways may serve as a unique endotype of severe asthma, and thus present a novel insight into the current knowledge and future development of treatment to overcome corticosteroid resistance in heterogeneous severe asthma.
The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor AN7, Attenuates Choroidal Neovascularization in a Mouse Model
Authors: Dahbash Mor , Sella Ruti , Megiddo-Barnir Elinor , Nisgav Yael , Tarasenko Nataly , Weinberger Dov , Rephaeli Ada , Livnat Tami
Published: February 2019

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a complication of age-related macular degeneration and a major contributing factor to vision loss. In this paper, we show that in a mouse model of laser-induced CNV, systemic administration of Butyroyloxymethyl-diethyl phosphate (AN7), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), significantly reduced CNV area and vascular leakage, as measured by choroidal flatmounts and fluorescein angiography. CNV area reduction by systemic AN7 treatment was similar to that achieved by intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and the endothelial cells marker CD31, was lower in the AN7 treated group in comparison to the control group at the laser lesion site. In vitro, AN7 facilitated retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells tight junctions’ integrity during hypoxia, by protecting the hexagonal pattern of ZO-1 protein in the cell borders, hence reducing RPE permeability. In conclusion, systemic AN7 should be further investigated as a possible effective treatment for CNV.
The Complex Fine-Tuning of K+ Fluxes in Plants in Relation to Osmotic and Ionic Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Chérel Isabelle , Gaillard Isabelle
Published: February 2019

As the main cation in plant cells, potassium plays an essential role in adaptive responses, especially through its involvement in osmotic pressure and membrane potential adjustments. K+ homeostasis must, therefore, be finely controlled. As a result of different abiotic stresses, especially those resulting from global warming, K+ fluxes and plant distribution of this ion are disturbed. The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is a key player in responses to these climate stresses. It triggers signaling cascades that ultimately lead to modulation of the activities of K+ channels and transporters. After a brief overview of transcriptional changes induced by abiotic stresses, this review deals with the post-translational molecular mechanisms in different plant organs, in Arabidopsis and species of agronomical interest, triggering changes in K+ uptake from the soil, K+ transport and accumulation throughout the plant, and stomatal regulation. These modifications involve phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanisms, modifications of targeting, and interactions with regulatory partner proteins. Interestingly, many signaling pathways are common to K+ and Cl−/NO3− counter-ion transport systems. These cross-talks are also addressed.
Lipid–Protein Interactions in Niemann–Pick Type C Disease: Insights from Molecular Modeling
Authors: Wheeler Simon , Schmid Ralf , Sillence Dan J
Published: February 2019

The accumulation of lipids in the late endosomes and lysosomes of Niemann–Pick type C disease (NPCD) cells is a consequence of the dysfunction of one protein (usually NPC1) but induces dysfunction in many proteins. We used molecular docking to propose (a) that NPC1 exports not just cholesterol, but also sphingosine, (b) that the cholesterol sensitivity of big potassium channel (BK) can be traced to a previously unappreciated site on the channel’s voltage sensor, (c) that transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) inhibition by sphingomyelin is likely an indirect effect, and (d) that phosphoinositides are responsible for both the mislocalization of annexin A2 (AnxA2) and a soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide Sensitive Fusion) protein attachment receptor (SNARE) recycling defect. These results are set in the context of existing knowledge of NPCD to sketch an account of the endolysosomal pathology key to this disease.
An Integrative Systems Biology and Experimental Approach Identifies Convergence of Epithelial Plasticity, Metabolism, and Autophagy to Promote Chemoresistance
Authors: Xu Shengnan , Ware Kathryn , Ding Yuantong , Kim So , Sheth Maya , Rao Sneha , Chan Wesley , Armstrong Andrew , Eward William , Jolly Mohit , Somarelli Jason
Published: February 2019

The evolution of therapeutic resistance is a major cause of death for cancer patients. The development of therapy resistance is shaped by the ecological dynamics within the tumor microenvironment and the selective pressure of the host immune system. These selective forces often lead to evolutionary convergence on pathways or hallmarks that drive progression. Thus, a deeper understanding of the evolutionary convergences that occur could reveal vulnerabilities to treat therapy-resistant cancer. To this end, we combined phylogenetic clustering, systems biology analyses, and molecular experimentation to identify convergences in gene expression data onto common signaling pathways. We applied these methods to derive new insights about the networks at play during transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in lung cancer. Phylogenetic analyses of gene expression data from TGF-β-treated cells revealed convergence of cells toward amine metabolic pathways and autophagy during TGF-β treatment. Knockdown of the autophagy regulatory, ATG16L1, re-sensitized lung cancer cells to cancer therapies following TGF-β-induced resistance, implicating autophagy as a TGF-β-mediated chemoresistance mechanism. In addition, high ATG16L expression was found to be a poor prognostic marker in multiple cancer types. These analyses reveal the usefulness of combining evolutionary and systems biology methods with experimental validation to illuminate new therapeutic vulnerabilities for cancer.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells: The Future Is Now
Authors: Mchayleh Wassim , Bedi Prabhjot , Sehgal Rajesh , Solh Melhem
Published: February 2019

The immune system acting via cancer immune-surveillance is considered a potential target for improving outcomes among some malignancies. The ability to harness immune cells, engineer them and educate them to target cancer cells has changed the paradigm for treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has shown remarkable anti-tumor activity against refractory B cell malignancies. Ongoing research aims to expand the scope of this adoptive cell therapy, understanding mechanisms of resistance and reducing toxicity. In this review, we will discuss the current scope of CAR T-cell therapy and ongoing future applications.
Collagen Fiber Array of Peritumoral Stroma Influences Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasive Potential of Mammary Cancer Cells
Authors: Franchi Marco , Masola Valentina , Bellin Gloria , Onisto Maurizio , Karamanos Konstantinos- , Piperigkou Zoi
Published: February 2019

Interactions of cancer cells with matrix macromolecules of the surrounding tumor stroma are critical to mediate invasion and metastasis. In this study, we reproduced the collagen mechanical barriers in vitro (i.e., basement membrane, lamina propria under basement membrane, and deeper bundled collagen fibers with different array). These were used in 3D cell cultures to define their effects on morphology and behavior of breast cancer cells with different metastatic potential (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using scanning electron microscope (SEM). We demonstrated that breast cancer cells cultured in 2D and 3D cultures on different collagen substrates show different morphologies: i) a globular/spherical shape, ii) a flattened polygonal shape, and iii) elongated/fusiform and spindle-like shapes. The distribution of different cell shapes changed with the distinct collagen fiber/fibril physical array and size. Dense collagen fibers, parallel to the culture plane, do not allow the invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, which, however, show increases of microvilli and microvesicles, respectively. These novel data highlight the regulatory role of different fibrillar collagen arrays in modifying breast cancer cell shape, inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, changing matrix composition and modulating the production of extracellular vesicles. Further investigation utilizing this in vitro model will help to demonstrate the biological roles of matrix macromolecules in cancer cell invasion in vivo.
Tribute to the Late Dr. Charles D. Hufford
Authors: Clark Alice M.
Published: February 2019

This Special Issue is dedicated to the late Dr. Charles (Charlie) D. Hufford, former Professor of Pharmacognosy and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Mississippi [...]
General Public Views, Attitudes, and Experiences toward Drug Safety in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Alkhalidi Doaa , Jamshed Shazia Qasim , Elkalmi Ramadan Mohamed , Baig Mirza Rafi , Aslam Adeel , Hassali Mohamed Azmi
Published: February 2019

Ensuring drug safety among the patients is the main domain of pharmacovigilance activities worldwide. A pharmacovigilance system was established in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2008. Research evidence reflects that the current system is lacking in active participation from patients, and also, the inadequate role of healthcare professionals is anticipated. In this context, it is pertinent to know the general public’s understandings and their patterns of safe use of medication, which are unexplored areas in Dubai, UAE. The current study aimed to explore the public views, attitudes, and experiences toward medication safety, and to explore key factors enhancing the safe use of medications among the public in Dubai. This study adopted a qualitative approach and face-to-face, 14 in-depth interviews with public individuals, selected purposively using the snowball sampling technique. The interviews were conducted in different places in Dubai recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed for data analysis. Reporting of adverse drug reaction was not well-known among all the participants. Public views towards safe use of medicines were limited to the side effects of the consumed medicines only, and to a lesser extent to the inappropriate indication and dosage. Most of the participants mentioned that gaining knowledge about the side effects of the prescribed drug was the main reason for reading the patient information leaflet. Quite a few participants have experienced side effects while consuming their medicines and they were unsure of how to deal with the situation. The current research also reflected the lack of proper communication between pharmacists and physicians in managing drug safety issues. Conclusively, the current research revealed gaps in public views regarding medication’s safety, which consequently may impact their attitudes during the course of medication use. Efforts need to be strengthened to enhance positive views and attitudes of the public towards medication safety and ADR reporting in the UAE.
An Improved Routing Schema with Special Clustering Using PSO Algorithm for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Wang Jin , Gao Yu , Liu Wei , Sangaiah Arun , Kim Hye-Jin
Published: February 2019

Energy efficiency and energy balancing are crucial research issues as per routing protocol designing for self-organized wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Many literatures used the clustering algorithm to achieve energy efficiency and energy balancing, however, there are usually energy holes near the cluster heads (CHs) because of the heavy burden of forwarding. As the clustering problem in lossy WSNs is proved to be a NP-hard problem, many metaheuristic algorithms are utilized to solve the problem. In this paper, a special clustering method called Energy Centers Searching using Particle Swarm Optimization (EC-PSO) is presented to avoid these energy holes and search energy centers for CHs selection. During the first period, the CHs are elected using geometric method. After the energy of the network is heterogeneous, EC-PSO is adopted for clustering. Energy centers are searched using an improved PSO algorithm and nodes close to the energy center are elected as CHs. Additionally, a protection mechanism is also used to prevent low energy nodes from being the forwarder and a mobile data collector is introduced to gather the data. We conduct numerous simulations to illustrate that our presented EC-PSO outperforms than some similar works in terms of network lifetime enhancement and energy utilization ratio.
In-Situ Temperature Measurement on CMOS Integrated Micro-Hotplates for Gas Sensing Devices
Authors: Deluca Marco , Wimmer-Teubenbacher Robert , Mitterhuber Lisa , Mader Johanna , Rohracher Karl , Holzer Marco , Köck Anton
Published: February 2019

Metal oxide gas sensors generally need to be operated at elevated temperatures, up to and above 400 °C. Following the need for miniaturization of gas sensors and implementation into smart devices such as smartphones or wireless sensor nodes, recently complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process-based micro electromechanical system (MEMS) platforms (micro-hotplates, µhps) have been developed to provide Joule heating of metal oxide sensing structures on the microscale. Heating precision and possible spatial temperature distributions over the µhp are key issues potentially affecting the performance of the overall gas sensor device. In this work, we use Raman spectroscopy to directly (in-situ and in-operando) measure the temperature of CMOS-based µhps during the application of electric current for Joule heating. By monitoring the position of the Raman mode of silicon and applying the theoretical framework of anharmonic phonon softening, we demonstrate that state-of-the-art µhps are able to reach the set temperature with an error below 10%, albeit with significant spatial temperature variations on the hotplate. This work demonstrates the potential of Raman spectroscopy for in-situ and in-operando temperature measurements on Si-based devices, an aspect of high relevance for micro- and nano-electronic device producers, opening new possibilities in process and device control.
Motion Artifact Reduction for Wrist-Worn Photoplethysmograph Sensors Based on Different Wavelengths
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Song Shuang , Vullings Rik , Biswas Dwaipayan , Simões-Capela Neide , van Helleputte Nick , van Hoof Chris , Groenendaal Willemijn
Published: February 2019

Long-term heart rate (HR) monitoring by wrist-worn photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensors enables the assessment of health conditions during daily life with high user comfort. However, PPG signals are vulnerable to motion artifacts (MAs), which significantly affect the accuracy of estimated physiological parameters such as HR. This paper proposes a novel modular algorithm framework for MA removal based on different wavelengths for wrist-worn PPG sensors. The framework uses a green PPG signal for HR monitoring and an infrared PPG signal as the motion reference. The proposed framework includes four main steps: motion detection, motion removal using continuous wavelet transform, approximate HR estimation and signal reconstruction. The proposed algorithm is evaluated against an electrocardiogram (ECG) in terms of HR error for a dataset of 6 healthy subjects performing 21 types of motion. The proposed MA removal method reduced the average error in HR estimation from 4.3, 3.0 and 3.8 bpm to 0.6, 1.0 and 2.1 bpm in periodic, random, and continuous non-periodic motion situations, respectively.
A Low-cost Electromagnetic Docking Guidance System for Micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Peng Shilin , Liu Jingbiao , Wu Junhao , Li Chong , Liu Benkun , Cai Wenyu , Yu Haibin
Published: February 2019

As important observational platforms for the Smart Ocean concept, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that perform long-term observation in fleets are beneficial because they provide large-scale sampling data with a sufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Therefore, a large number of low-cost micro AUVs with docking capability for power recharge and data transmission are essential. This study designed a low-cost electromagnetic docking guidance (EMDG) system for micro AUVs. The EMDG system is composed of a transmitter coil located on the dock and a three-axial search coil magnetometer acting as a receiver. The search coil magnetometer was optimized for small sizes while maintaining sufficient sensitivity. The signal conditioning and processing subsystem was designed to calculate the deflection angle (β) for docking guidance. Underwater docking tests showed that the system can detect the electromagnetic signal and successfully guide AUV docking. The AUV can still perform docking in extreme positions, which cannot be realized through normal optical or acoustic guidance. This study is the first to focus on the EM guidance system for low-cost micro AUVs. The search coil sensor in the AUV is inexpensive and compact so that the system can be equipped on a wide range of AUVs.
Incorporating Negative Sample Training for Ship Detection Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Gao Lianru , He Yiqun , Sun Xu , Jia Xiuping , Zhang Bing
Published: February 2019

While ship detection using high-resolution optical satellite images plays an important role in various civilian fields—including maritime traffic survey and maritime rescue—it is a difficult task due to influences of the complex background, especially when ships are near to land. In current literatures, land masking is generally required before ship detection to avoid many false alarms on land. However, sea–land segmentation not only has the risk of segmentation errors, but also requires expertise to adjust parameters. In this study, Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN) is applied to detect ships without the need for land masking. We propose an effective training strategy for the Faster R-CNN by incorporating a large number of images containing only terrestrial regions as negative samples without any manual marking, which is different from the selection of negative samples by targeted way in other detection methods. The experiments using Gaofen-1 satellite (GF-1), Gaofen-2 satellite (GF-2), and Jilin-1 satellite (JL-1) images as testing datasets under different ship detection conditions were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in the avoidance of false alarms on land. The results show that the method incorporating negative sample training can largely reduce false alarms in terrestrial areas, and is superior in detection performance, algorithm complexity, and time consumption. Compared with the method based on sea–land segmentation, the proposed method achieves the absolute increment of 70% of the F1-measure, when the image contains large land area such as the GF-1 image, and achieves the absolute increment of 42.5% for images with complex harbors and many coastal ships, such as the JL-1 images.
Elis: An Open Platform for Mobile Energy Efficiency Services in Buildings
Authors: Davidsson Paul , Eklund Ulrik , Olsson Carl Magnus
Published: February 2019

The recent years have witnessed an enormous growth of mobile services for energy management in buildings. However, these solutions are often proprietary, non-interoperable, and handle only a limited function, such as lighting, ventilation, or heating. To address these issues, we have developed an open platform that is an integrated energy management solution for buildings. It includes an ecosystem of mobile services and open APIs as well as protocols for the development of new services and products. Moreover, it has an adapter layer that enables the platform to interoperate with any building management system (BMS) or individual device. Thus, the platform makes it possible for third-party developers to produce mobile energy efficiency applications that will work independently of which BMS and devices are used in the building. To validate the platform, a number of services have been implemented and evaluated in existing buildings. This has been done in cooperation with energy companies and property owners, together with the residents and other users of the buildings. The platform, which we call Elis, has been made available as open source software under an MIT license.
Structural Impacts on Formation of Self-Efficacy and Its Performance Effects
Authors: Mustafa Ghulam , Glavee-Geo Richard , Gronhaug Kjell , Saber Almazrouei Hanan
Published: February 2019

The role of organizational structure as an important contextual variable has long been recognized in affecting a host of employee attitudes and behaviors, but there is a dearth of theoretical and empirical research that examines the ways in which organizational structure influences the occurrence of self-efficacy and its performance effects. This study addresses this gap by exploring how the two core structural components—formalization and centralization—separately and jointly affect employee self-efficacy and how they interact with self-efficacy to influence employee task performance. The study further examines the extent to which structure weaves its influence on individual performance through perceptions of self-efficacy. Data from 120 Pakistani public sector employees were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and polynomial regression to assess the hypothesized relationships. The empirical analysis shows that formalization is positively associated with self-efficacy while centralization has a negative association, and such an improvement/attenuation in self-efficacy is partly transformed into performance improvements. The findings further reveal that self-efficacy and performance relationship is diminished under conditions of high formalization and high centralization. We discuss implications for theory and practice and delineate directions for future research.
Biomass as Renewable Energy: Worldwide Research Trends
Authors: Perea-Moreno Miguel-Angel , Samerón-Manzano Esther , Perea-Moreno Alberto-Jesus
Published: February 2019

The world’s population continues to grow at a high rate, such that today’s population is twice that of 1960, and is projected to increase further to 9 billion by 2050. This situation has brought about a situation in which the percentage of the global energy used in cities is increasing considerably. Biomass is a resource that is present in a variety of different materials: wood, sawdust, straw, seed waste, manure, paper waste, household waste, wastewater, etc. Biomass resources have traditionally been used, and their use is becoming increasingly important due to their economic potential, as there are significant annual volumes of agricultural production, whose by-products can be used as a source of energy and are even being promoted as so-called energy crops, specifically for this purpose. The main objective of this work was to analyze the state of research and trends in biomass for renewable energy from 1978 to 2018 to help the research community understand the current situation and future trends, as well as the situation of countries in the international context, all of which provides basic information to facilitate decision-making by those responsible for scientific policy. The main countries that are investigating the subject of biomass as a renewable energy, as measured by scientific production, are the United States, followed by China, India, Germany and Italy. The most productive institutions in this field are the Chinese Academy of Sciences, followed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet and the Ministry of Education in China. This study also identifies communities based on the keywords of the publications obtained from a bibliographic search. Six communities or clusters were found. The two most important are focused on obtaining liquid fuels from biomass. Finally, based on the collaboration between countries and biomass research, eight clusters were observed. All this is centered on three countries belonging to different clusters: USA, India and the UK.
Fractional Vegetation Cover Estimation of Different Vegetation Types in the Qaidam Basin
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Chen Hui , Fu Yang , Niu Huihui , Yang Yi , Zhang Boxiong
Published: February 2019

The estimation of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) by using remote sensing images has become feasible. Based on Landsat8-OLI images and field data obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle, we established an empirical model (EM) and a pixel decomposition model (PDM) of FVC in the desert vegetation region, steppe vegetation region, meadow vegetation region and mixed vegetation region (the three vegetation region types) of the Qaidam Basin, and the inversion accuracies of the models were compared. The results show the following: (1) Vegetation classification inversion (VCI) provides a promising approach for FVC estimation. The accuracy of FVC by VCI was obviously better than that achieved using vegetation mixed inversion (VMI); (2) Differences were observed in the FVC estimation between VCI and VMI by the EM in areas with relatively high-density vegetation cover (FVC > 60%). The FVC in some parts of steppe region in the basin was slightly overestimated by VMI of the EM; 3) VCI estimated by the PDM resulted in lower inversion values for extremely low-density vegetation cover (FVC ≤ 10%) and higher inversion values for high-density vegetation cover (FVC > 80%). The FVC inversion was underestimated by the PDM in steppe and meadow regions with FVC > 15% in the basin. The application of VCI in different models can provide new ideas for the sustainable study of vegetation in arid regions.
A Study of Consumers’ Intentions to Participate in Responsible Tourism Using Message Framing and Appeals
Authors: Yoon Ahyoung , Jeong Daeyoung , Chon Jinhyung , Yoon Ji-Hwan
Published: February 2019

Since responsible tourism (RT) emerged as a critical issue in the tourism literature in the early 2000s, the challenge has been how to encourage consumers to practice RT. In this context, the goal of this study is to examine effective ways to promote individuals’ RT behavior using message framing and appeals. The present study used campaign advertisements as a stimulus and employed a 2 × 2 factorial design ((message framing: gain framing vs. loss faming) × (appeal: rational appeal vs. emotional appeal)) in the experiment. In addition, the study investigated the moderating impact of involvement on people’s attitude towards advertising and intention to participate in RT. Independent-sample t-tests and a two-way analysis of variance were used to verify the hypotheses. The results of the study revealed that gain-framed messages had a greater influence on individuals’ attitude towards the advertisement and their intention to participate in RT than loss-framed messages in the low-involvement group. Furthermore, rational and emotional appeals had a greater influence on people’s attitude towards the advertisement in the high- and low-involvement groups, respectively.
Development of Damage Prediction Formula for Natural Disasters Considering Economic Indicators
Authors: Song Young Seok , Park Moo Jong
Published: February 2019

Damage caused by natural disasters produces the difference of damage size not only according to damage volume or size, but a national economic level. In addition, budgets and aids should be constantly acquired for disaster management since natural disasters sporadically or irregularly occur. This study proposed disaster management methods by countries considering natural disaster damage documents and economic indicators from 1900 to 2017 among 187 countries in the world. It developed a damage prediction formula considering damage documents of previous natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and basic indicators as disaster management methods by countries. Independent variables of the damage prediction formula include GDP, population, and area. It applied multiple regression analysis and calculated average human losses due to death, human losses affected, and damage costs by countries. Regarding the adjusted R² of the natural disaster damage prediction formula, the human losses from deaths mean was 0.893, the human losses affected mean was 0.915, and the damage costs mean was 0.946, which had higher explanatory powers. Therefore, results from this study are considered to calculate quantitative damage sizes considering uncertain damage sizes of natural disasters, economic indicators by countries, and are used as indicators for disaster management.
Factors Influencing Upcycling for UK Makers
Authors: Sung Kyungeun , Cooper Tim , Kettley Sarah
Published: February 2019

Changing consumer behaviour can reduce environmental impacts. Upcycling is one of the understudied yet promising, environmentally sustainable behaviours that has the potential to contribute to the reduction of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by exploring factors influencing upcycling for UK makers. The study employed a survey based on Triandis’s theory of interpersonal behaviour and Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour. The survey results revealed key determinants of upcycling as attitude, intention, and subjective norm, and demographic characteristics of people who are more likely to upcycle frequently as females aged 30+ working in art and design. The paper further discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the study.
Ultrafast Vibrational Dynamics of CO Ligands on RuTPP/Cu(110) under Photodesorption Conditions
Authors: Omiya Takuma , Kim Yousoo , Raval Rasmita , Arnolds Heike
Published: February 2019

We have studied CO coordinated to ruthenium tetraphenylporphyrin (RuTPP)/Cu(110) and directly adsorbed to Cu(110), using femtosecond pump-sum frequency probe spectroscopy, to alter the degree of electron-vibration coupling between the metal substrate and CO. We observe the facile femtosecond laser-induced desorption of CO from RuTPP/Cu(110), but not from Cu(110). A change in the vibrational transients, in the first few picoseconds, from a red- to blue-shift of the C–O stretching vibration under photodesorption conditions, was also observed. This drastic change can be explained, if the cause of the C–O frequency redshift of Cu(110) is not the usually-assumed anharmonic coupling to low frequency vibrational modes, but a charge transfer from hot electrons to the CO 2π* state. This antibonding state shifts to higher energies on RuTPP, removing the C–O redshift and, instead, reveals a blueshift, predicted to arise from electron-mediated coupling between the coherently excited internal stretch and low frequency modes in the system.
Matching Model of Dual Mass Flywheel and Power Transmission Based on the Structural Sensitivity Analysis Method
Authors: Chen Lei , Zhang Xiao , Yan Zhengfeng , Zeng Rong
Published: February 2019

As a new torsional vibration absorber, the dual mass flywheel (DMF) contains a symmetric structure in which the damping element is a pair of springs symmetrically distributed along the circumference direction. Through reasonable matching parameters, the DMF functions in isolating torsional vibrations caused by the engine from the transmission system. Our work aims to solve the accuracy of matching models between the DMF and power transmission system. The critical structural parameters of each order modal are treated consecutively by two methods: Absolute sensitivity (e.g., under the idle condition and driving condition), and relative sensitivity. The operation achieves a separation of the parameters and diagnosis of the relationship between these parameters and the natural frequency in the system. In addition, the natural frequency range is determined based upon the area of the resonance speed. As a result, the matching model is established based on the sensitivity analysis method and the natural frequency range, which means the moment of inertia distribution (its coefficient should be used as one structural parameter in relative sensitivity analysis) and the torsional stiffness in multiple stages can be observed under the combined values. The effectiveness of the matching model is verified by experiments of a real vehicle test under the idling condition and driving condition. It is concluded that the analysis study can be applied to solve the parameters matching accuracy among certain multi-degree-of-freedom dynamic models.
THE RESEARCH INTO THE INFLUENCE OF ECOLOGICAL PETROL ADDITIVES IN THE AUTOMOBILE LABORATORY
Authors: Butkus Algis , Pukalskas Saugirdas
Published: February 2019

Looking forward to Lithuania becoming a member of the EU it is very important to use a larger amount of renewing fuel. Based on economic and environmental considerations in Lithuania, we are interested in studying the effects of ethanol contents in the blended ethanol‐petrol fuel on the engine performance and pollutant emission of SI engine. Therefore, we used engine test facilities to investigate the effects on the engine performance and pollutant emission of 3,5 % and 7,0 % ethanol in the fuel blend and special additives, which reduce emissions and increase octane rating. The tests were carried out in the laboratory on a chassis dynamometer with two different cars. The experiment results showed that ethanol used in a fuel blend with petrol had a positive influence on engine performance and exhaust emission.
ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF TRAFFIC SAFETY PROBLEMS OF ROAD TRANSPORT
Authors: Bogdevičius Marijonas , Prentkovskis Olegas , Vladimirov Oleg
Published: February 2019

The authors of this paper focus on the simulation of the motor vehicle movement (taking into consideration motor vehicle dynamics, motor vehicle hydraulic brake system influence on motor vehicle movement, interaction between its wheels with road pavements, road guardrail characteristics, interaction between motor vehicle and road guardrail) on a certain road section and propose their specific solution of this problem. The presented results, illustrating the motor vehicle movement trajectories (motor vehicle braking and interaction between motor vehicle and road guardrail at various initial conditions and at various certain pavement surface of the road section under investigation) and work of a motor vehicle hydraulic brake system. Taking into consideration the presented general mathematical model and computer aided test results it is possible to investigate various road transport traffic situations as well as to investigate various transport traffic safety problems.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF HAZARDOUS GOODS TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Batarliene Nijole
Published: February 2019

This article analyses the conception of the improvement of hazardous goods transportation technology as well as its theoretical principles. Basic organizational aspects of hazardous goods safe transportation are also represented. Effective and safe hazardous goods transportation is possible only using good informational supply. Process modelling and the creation of hazardous goods transportation informational system can improve each hazardous goods transportation technological process. This system should join its components on the whole and coordinate state institutions. The article studies the experience of foreign countries in the creation of informational systems. In the world developed countries various methods of safe dangerous goods transportation are used. This article analyses the types of informational technologies application problems, shows their schemes. It is noted that the solution of transport technology problems is based on the improvement of technological supply, the rational usage of informational modelling methodology of the whole transportation process.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE UNLOADING MODE OF ASPHALT CONCRETE MIXING PLANT HOT BIN ON THE HOMOGENEITY OF SCREENED FRACTIONS
Authors: SiviIevičius Henrikas
Published: February 2019

The analysis of hot asphalt concrete mixture production in asphalt concrete mixing plants of intermittent operation according to the traditional technology scheme is presented. The segregation degree of hot mineral materials fractions of 0–5 mm and 5–15 mm sieved in hot bins and the influence of their screening mode on the homogeneity of the flow running to the measuring hopper were identified during the experimental tests carried out in two asphalt concrete mixing plants. To evaluate the degree of segregation and kinetics according to three different methodologies 214 separate samples of hot fractions grouped into three series A, B, C were taken. Statistical characteristics of each series samples grading and coarseness modulus (fraction of 0–5 mm) as well as arbitrary coarseness modulus (fraction of 5–15 mm) were identified. The data analysis proved that the degree of segregation of hot materials sieved in the bin sections is high and the homogeneity of their flows decreases when the range and frequency of quantity fluctuation increases.
REDUCTION OF VIBRATIONS IN ELECTROMECHANICAL DRIVE SYSTEMS WITH VECTOR CONTROL
Authors: Bachorz Paweł , Switoński Eugeniusz , Meżyk Arkadiusz
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the issues of modelling electromechanical drive systems in a mechatronic approach. The effect of a vector control system on the dynamics of the system is shown. The optimisation of the system in order to minimise vibration amplitudes and amplitudes of forces in selected kinematic pairs of a high power drive system was performed with the use of genetic algorithms. Design variables of the optimisation process comprised the structural parameters of the mechanical part as well as the settings of PI controllers of the vector control system. The selected results of numerical computations are presented.
NEW AESTHETICS OF THE CITY – DESIGN OF CYCLISTS TRAFFIC SIGNS
Authors: Stanić Branimir , Vujin Darko
Published: February 2019

In a number of towns and cities worldwide development programmes have been initiated to provide designated bike surfaces reserved for the movement of cyclists along city network. There has been an increase in the use of a bicycle as a regular means of personal transport, particularly in recent years when technical solutions and modern materials have allowed more active use of bicycles in big cities. Judging from the perspective of bicycles, Belgrade has undergone several significant changes. In the period preceding the Second World War the number of bicycles in the city (area of which used to be much smaller than today) was considerable, particularly in relation to vehicles. In the following periods, the development of the city has gradually pushed bicycles towards outskirts. Today bicycles are mostly used for recreation purposes. In this process special signalization addressed to cyclists has been mainly neglected. So‐called standard info‐solutions, essentially addressed to drivers, were applied. New aesthetics of the city, as one of possible ideas of the urban space re‐engineering, is based also on the introduction of “Zones 20” 20 mph (30 km/h) zones as well as on more active use of bicycles. In addition, both mentioned measures increase ecological quality of life in the city. A new concept of info‐system addressed to cyclists moving in a street network of a big city (Case Study of Belgrade, 2004) is presented in this paper.