bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
РОЛЬ ТРАДИЦИОННЫХ ИНСТИТУТОВ В СТРАТЕГИИ СОУПРАВЛЕНИЯ ОСОБО ОХРАНЯЕМЫХ ПРИРОДНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ ПРИМОРСКОГО КРАЯ
Authors: Бочарникова А.В.
Published: April 2017

В районах, где создаются особо охраняемые природные территории (ООПТ), актуальным вопросом является соотнесение интересов местных жителей и Администрации ООПТ. Возможным способом решения противоречий и предупреждения конфликтов является концепция «соуправления», которая разрабатывалась в рамках теории экосистемного менеджмента западными авторами. Целью статьи является исследование возможности применения стратегии соуправления на примере созданного в 2015 г. в Пожарском районе Приморского края национального парка «Бикин». Существуют условия, когда для решения этой проблемы необходимо создание системы соуправления в модельном регионе: отдаленное географическое расположение, факт проживания и хозяйственной деятельности коренных малочисленных народов, активное вовлечение территории в коммерческий оборот (угроза лесозаготовок), стихийный и нерегулируемый туризм, оказывающие значительную нагрузку на экосистему. Рассматривается динамика институтов, регулирующих традиционное природопользование коренных народов, начиная с конца XIX в., заканчивая современным периодом. Конфликты между лесопромышленными компаниями, планирующими лесозаготовки, и удэгейцами и нанайцами, которые имеют охотничьи угодья на этой же территории, возникают с 1980 г. Организация Национального парка способствует решению этих противоречий. Анализ ситуации в бассейне реки Бикин показал необходимость применения стратегии соуправления. В рамках созданного Национального парка происходит адаптация институтов, регулирующих традиционное природопользование коренных малочисленных народов. Соответственно классификации систем соуправления по типам в данном случае имеет место переходный тип между консультативным и совместным. Однако в сравнении с западными странами в России местные жители меньше задействованы в принятии решений, окончательное решение принимает Правительство РФ.
ENFOQUE BIOLÓGICO DA CRIMINALIDADE E ORIENTÃO DETERMINISTA: UNILATERALISMO TEÓRICO E POLÍTICA CRIMINAL ANTILIBERAL NO DISCURSO DOS ESTUDIOSOS DA BIOLOGICA CRIMINAL (1930-1960)
Authors: (Faculdade Damas/PE) Ricardo Freitas
Published: April 2017

Este artigo trata do problema do unilateralismo determinista no âmbito da biologia criminal e da política criminal resultante do enfoque biológico com a finalidade de comprovar que, ao contrário do que os estudiosos afirmam frequentemente, a biologia criminal entre as décadas de 1930 e 1960 do século anterior não se caracterizou nem pelo unilateralismo nem pelo determinismo radical, muito embora tenha sugerido a formulação de políticas criminais de natureza antiliberal e, por conseguinte, desfavoráveis aos direitos humanos.
FUNDAMENTOS E LIMITES DA EXECUÇÃO PENAL NO ESTADO DEMOCRÁTICO DE DIREITO
Authors: (Universidade Mackenzie) Alexis Couto de Brito
Published: April 2017

Em um Estado Democrático de Direito o primeiro objetivo da execução penal não pode ser uma imposição valorativa de caráter moral, algo tendente a alterar a individualidade de cada pessoa, torná-lo desta ou daquela forma. Mas apenas o de oferecer meios a ela de, estando disposta, não mais agir em desconformidade com o bem comum. O segundo objetivo, indissociável do primeiro, é garantir a execução se paute pelo devido processo legal e respeito à dignidade humana, para que qualquer “recuperação” ou “formação” do condenado tenha legitimidade.
Contact investigation after a fatal case of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) in an aircraft, Germany, July 2013
Authors: an der Heiden Maria , Hauer Barbara , Fiebig Lena , Glaser-Paschke Gisela , Stemmler Markus , Simon Claudia , Rüsch-Gerdes Sabine , Gilsdorf Andreas , Haas Walter
Published: April 2017

In July 2013, a passenger died of infectious extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) on board of an aircraft after a 3-hour flight from Turkey to Germany. Initial information indicated the patient had moved about the aircraft coughing blood. We thus aimed to contact and inform all persons exposed within the aircraft and to test them for newly acquired TB infection. Two-stage testing within 8 weeks from exposure and at least 8 weeks after exposure was suggested, using either interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) or tuberculin skin test (TST). The TST cut-off was defined at a diameter > 10 mm; for differentiation between conversion and boosting, conversion was defined as increase of skin induration > 5 mm. Overall, 155 passengers and seven crew members were included in the investigation: the questionnaire response rate was 83%; 112 (69%) persons were tested at least once for TB infection. In one passenger, who sat next to the area where the patient died, a test conversion was registered. As of March 2017, no secondary active TB cases have been reported. We describe an unusual situation in which we applied contact tracing beyond existing European guidelines; we found one latent tuberculosis infection in a passenger, which we consider probably newly acquired.
Maternal Perception about Neonatal Jaundice in Eastern Nepal: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Dharel Dinesh , Bhattarai Asmita
Published: April 2017

Background: Jaundice is a common problem in newborn babies and mothers have different misconceptions about it in Nepal. This study was conducted to explore mother’s perception about the causes, recognition, management and outcome of neonatal jaundice.Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 mothers of infants under six months of age with a history of jaundice in the neonatal period attending the outpatient department of Ilam District Hospital. Audio-taped data were transcribed and analyzed thematically.Results: Most of the mothers recognized jaundice in babies from yellow skin but some noticed it after being alerted by health workers or other people. They perceived jaundice in neonates as a serious condition. However, they were unclear about the cause and attributed it to breach in food restrictions, lack of hygiene or effect of evil spirits. Foods consumed by mothers during and after pregnancy were of concern, not only as a cause but also a remedial measure of jaundice. They usually resorted to traditional measures of avoiding certain foods and reported that health workers did not offer specific remedies and that some health workers even approved such practices. The perceptions of mothers were greatly influenced by family and societal beliefs and practices such as applying oil, sunbathing or avoiding various foods by mothers, often irrespective of advice from health workers. Mother-in-law and the health worker have had the prominent influence in mother’s perception.Conclusion: The perceptions of mothers regarding recognition, seriousness, causes and treatment of jaundice in their newborn babies were mostly guided by their own misconceptions and experiences. However, the family and societal beliefs apparently had a big influence.
Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Sulfonohydrazide and 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives of 6,6-Dimethyl-9-Oxo-4,5,6,7,8,9-Hexahydropyrazolo[5,1-b] Quinazoline
Authors: Selvakumar Balaraman , Vaidyanathan Saraswathy P. , Madhuri Subbiah , Elango Kuppanagounder P.
Published: April 2017

A series of new 6,6-dimethyl-9-oxo-4,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydropyrazolo[5,1-b]quinazoline substituted benzenesulfonohydrazide and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives has been synthesised and characterised using spectral techniques. The antiviral activity of these compounds against an avian paramyxovirus (APMV-1) has been screened and the results show that some of the compounds possess good antiviral activity
Cerium(IV) Tetrabutylammonium Nitrate (CTAN): A Mild and Efficient N-dearylation Agent for Synthesis of N-unsubstituted 2-azetidinones
Authors: Zarei Maaroof
Published: April 2017

A simple and efficient protocol for the conversion of N-p-methoxyphenyl, N-p-ethoxyphenyl, N-p-methoxynaphthyl, N-3,4-dimethoxybenzyl and N-p-methoxybenzyl-2-azetidinones to N-unsubstituted 2-azetidinones using cerium(IV) tetrabutylammonium nitrate (CTAN) in dichloromethane is described. The method is compatible with a number of functional groups, and N-unsubstituted 2-azetidinones can be prepared under mild conditions at room temperature. The reaction is rapid, and pure products are obtained in good yields.
Hyoscine versus diazepam for the management of true vertigo in the emergency department
Authors: Kariman Hamid , Vajihi Firoozeh , Amini Afshin , Shahrami Ali , Arhami-Dolatabadi Ali , Shojaee Majid , Baratloo Alireza
Published: April 2017

The present study was a double-blind clinical trial to compare the efficiency of hysocine and diazepam in vertigo treatment. Eligible patients (n=69) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 5 mg hyoscine and 10 mg diazepam. Severity of vertigo was measured in supine and sitting position, and while turning the head. Vertigo severity was assessed before, and 1 and 2 hours after administration of the drug. Treatment success rate of diazepam in relieving vertigo in different positions varied between 88.9 and 100%, while this rate was 31.273.5% in hyoscine treatment group (p<0.01). Prescription of diazepam led to complete relief of vertigo in 4063% of the patients, while this rate was only 2.612.5% in hyoscine treatment group (p<0.001). It is likely that diazepam is a better option than hyoscine for management of true vertigo in patients presenting to the emergency department.
Popular education and the digital citizen: a genealogical analysis
Authors: Fejes Andreas , Rahm Lina
Published: April 2017

This paper historicises and problematises the concept of the digital citizen and how it is constructed in Sweden today. Specifically, it examines the role of popular education in such an entanglement. It makes use of a genealogical analysis to produce a critical ‘history of the present’ by mapping out the debates and controversies around the emergence of the digital citizen in the 1970s and 1980s, and following to its manifestations in contemporary debates. This article argues that free and voluntary adult education (popular education) is and has been fundamental in efforts to construe the digital citizen. A central argument of the paper is that popular education aiming for digital inclusion is not a 21st century phenomenon; it actually commenced in the 1970s. However, this digitisation of citizens has also changed focus dramatically since the 1970s. During the 1970s, computers and computerisation were described as disconcerting, and as requiring popular education in order to counter the risk of the technology “running wild”. In current discourses, digitalisation is constructed in a nonideological and post-political way. These post-political tendencies of today can be referred to as a post-digital present where computers have become so ordinary, domesticized and ubiquitous in everyday life that they are thereby also beyond criticism.
Participatory perspectives for the low skilled and the low educated: how can media literacy influence the social and economic participation of the low skilled and the low educated?
Authors: Brand-Gruwel Saskia , Moekotte Paulo , Ritzen Henk
Published: April 2017

We assume that social media use contributes to employability and sociality and media literacy complements a basic set of skills. Especially the low skilled and low educated lack media literacy, which contributes to their precarious situation and increases a participation gap. A database search for peer reviewed articles covering effective elements of media literacy did not return any useful results. The retrieved literature was scarce and media literacy concepts were inconclusive, conflated or ambivalent. We then broadened our scope, using a snow ball technique and Harzing’s Publish and Perish for control purposes. This approach lead to literature indicating that self-presentation and self-profiling are important literacy practices, involving knowledge and skills related to participation in social and economic contexts and understanding of the relations between sociality, employability and networks. Media literacy is best approached as hands-on, situated and experiential, taught in a democratic and critical fashion and related to the attitudes and perspective of the low educated and the low skilled. There is however no clear answer what the complementary role of informal learning is and how literacy related skills and knowledge demanded for lifelong learning may change during the life course. It is also important that policies focussing on inclusion and participation broaden their perspective beyond individualistic notions and , consider the influence of structuralizing mechanisms that create inequality and extend their explanations beyond those framed by economic theories, models and categories.
Adult higher education in a portuguese prison
Authors: Machado Ana , Monteiro Angélica , Moreira José António
Published: April 2017

Over the years, the European Union has strengthened measures that address the need to find answers to the challenges posed by the information society, which in turn underscores the importance of a focus on innovation of adult education, especially for those in conditions of social exclusion. The aim of this paper is to analyse the reality of Higher Education in Distance Learning and e-Learning in a prison context. The results from interviews, interpreted in a context of a non-positivist paradigm, show that students are rather motivated because they foresee a more attractive future if they have an academic diploma. Despite this, however, their expectations are not very high, because they acknowledge that their rehabilitation will be difficult due to the stigma of being an ex-prisoner. The results show, also, that the education process has many weaknesses and limitations mostly due to the lack of facilities, educational and technological resources, and support from teachers.
Public pedagogies of arts-based environmental learning and education for adults
Authors: Walter Pierre , Earl Allison
Published: April 2017

This paper examines how current theorizing on public pedagogy can be used to understand scholarship on creative, arts-based pedagogies in informal environmental education for adults. In particular, the study applies Biestas (2012, 2014) typology of public pedagogies to three bodies of literature: arts-based adult learning and education in the environmental movement, eco-art, and Tactical Urbanism, respectively. Each of these is about public art, displayed or performed in public spaces, and connected to environmental learning and education. The scholarship reviewed came mostly from Canada and Australia. In the public, democratic spaces of these countries, we found that arts in the environmental movement and eco-art could be characterized by Biestas pedagogy of the public, and partially by a pedagogy in the interest of publicness. The performance of Tactical Urbanism corresponded most closely to pedagogy in the interest of publicness. The paper concludes with a discussion of directions for further theorizing and research on public pedagogy and arts-based environmental learning and education for adults.
Residues Management Practices and Nitrogen-Potassium Fertilization Influence on the Quality of Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merrill) Sugarloaf Fruit for Exportation and Local Consumption
Authors: SOSSA Elvire Line , AGBANGBA Codjo Emile , ACCALOGOUN Sènan Gbèmawonmèdé Gwladys Stéfania , AMADJI Guillaume Lucien , AGBOSSOU Kossi Euloge , HOUNHOUIGAN Djidjoho Joseph
Published: April 2017

Heterogeneity in pineapple fruit quality explains the low export volume of fruits from Benin to international markets. This work aims to investigate the influences of residues mulching or burying and N-K fertilization on (1) fresh fruit juice quality and the proportion of fruit meeting European standards and (2) fruit acceptability for fresh local consumption, as well as to identify morphological characteristics most related to fruit chemical quality attributes. The experimental design was a split-plot with three replications, where the main factor was N-K fertilization (T1 = 1.6 N and 1.6 K, T2 = 5.8 N and 6.6 K, T3 = 10 N and 11.6 K, T4 = 1.6 N and 11.6 K, T5 = 10 N and 1.6 K in g·plant−1) and the sub-plot factor was mulching with pineapple residues (no mulching = 0, surface mulching = 10, buried = 10 in t·ha−1). The results suggested that residues mulching and N-K fertilization has improved the percentage of fruit meeting European standards and local acceptability. The treatments T2B (T2 + burying) and T4B (T4 + burying) gave a higher proportion of fruits meeting European standards and were also promising for producing highly acceptable fruits by local consumers. Finally, the results revealed that the ratios of crown length: fruit length, crown length: infructescence length and crown length: median diameter were significantly associated with fruit quality, which has not yet been reported.
Scan-Less Line Field Optical Coherence Tomography, with Automatic Image Segmentation, as a Measurement Tool for Automotive Coatings
Authors: Lawman Samuel , Williams Bryan , Zhang Jinke , Shen Yao-Chun , Zheng Yalin
Published: April 2017

The measurement of the thicknesses of layers is important for the quality assurance of industrial coating systems. Current measurement techniques only provide a limited amount of information. Here, we show that spectral domain Line Field (LF) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is able to return to the user a cross sectional B-Scan image in a single shot with no mechanical moving parts. To reliably extract layer thicknesses from such images of automotive paint systems, we present an automatic graph search image segmentation algorithm. To show that the algorithm works independently of the OCT device, the measurements are repeated with a separate time domain Full Field (FF) OCT system. This gives matching mean thickness values within the standard deviations of the measured thicknesses across each B-Scan image. The combination of an LF-OCT with graph search segmentation is potentially a powerful technique for the quality assurance of non-opaque industrial coating layers.
A Chemically-Bound Glutathione Sensor Bioinspired by the Defense of Organisms against Heavy Metal Contamination: Optimization of the Immobilization Conditions
Authors: Pérez-Ràfols Clara , Serrano Núria , Díaz-Cruz José Manuel , Ariño Cristina , Esteban Miquel
Published: April 2017

The influence of the experimental conditions (glutathione concentration and incubation time and temperature) concerning the covalent immobilization of glutathione via carbodiimide coupling on the behavior of a glutathione modified screen-printed carbon electrode obtained by electrografting is evaluated. The optimized parameters fasten the modification process and improve the performance of the sensor as compared to the usual procedure. This suggests the convenience of a tailored preparation of metal sensors based on metal-binding biomolecules such as glutathione.
Links between Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Status and Family Quality of Life
Authors: McKechanie Andrew , Moffat Vivien , Johnstone Eve , Fletcher-Watson Sue
Published: April 2017

Quality of life is often relatively lowered in families of children with additional needs, and this may be particularly the case where additional needs are accompanied by an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here we explore the effects of diagnostic status specifically, comparing families with children with an ASD diagnosis with others who a) have additional needs but no signs of ASD; and b) have additional needs and signs of ASD but no diagnosis. Mothers (n = 76) of children with additional needs completed standardised questionnaires about quality of life, stress, service provision, child behaviour and presence and severity of ASD traits. In addition, a group of mothers of typically developing young people (n = 17) completed standardised questionnaires on individual and family quality of life and on the behaviour of their son or daughter. Mothers of typically developing young people had significantly higher individual and family quality of life scores than each of the three other groups. Increased severity of ASD was associated with increased maternal stress, which in turn was associated with decreased family and maternal quality of life. The group reporting the lowest quality of life and the highest stress were the mothers of individuals with signs of ASD but no diagnosis. This pattern did not seem to be explained by lack of access to services, or rates of intellectual disability or challenging behaviour in this sub‐group. The finding that poor quality of life and high stress was most apparent in the sub‐group of mothers with children who had signs of ASD but did not have a diagnosis of ASD suggests that an interesting topic for further investigation is whether receipt of a diagnosis itself can positively influence quality of life and levels of maternal stress.
Random Walks Associated with Nonlinear Fokker–Planck Equations
Authors: Dos Santos Mendes Renio , Lenzi Ervin , Malacarne Luis , Picoli Sergio , Jauregui Max
Published: April 2017

A nonlinear random walk related to the porous medium equation (nonlinear Fokker–Planck equation) is investigated. This random walk is such that when the number of steps is sufficiently large, the probability of finding the walker in a certain position after taking a determined number of steps approximates to a q-Gaussian distribution ( G q , β ( x ) ∝ [ 1 − ( 1 − q ) β x 2 ] 1 / ( 1 − q ) ), which is a solution of the porous medium equation. This can be seen as a verification of a generalized central limit theorem where the attractor is a q-Gaussian distribution, reducing to the Gaussian one when the linearity is recovered ( q → 1 ). In addition, motivated by this random walk, a nonlinear Markov chain is suggested.
Use of Exergy Analysis to Quantify the Effect of Lithium Bromide Concentration in an Absorption Chiller
Authors: Lake Andrew , Rezaie Behanz , Beyerlein Steven
Published: April 2017

Absorption chillers present opportunities to utilize sustainable fuels in the production of chilled water. An assessment of the steam driven absorption chiller at the University of Idaho, was performed to quantify the current exergy destruction rates. Measurements of external processes and flows were used to create a mathematical model. Using engineering equation solver to analyze and identify the major sources of exergy destruction within the chiller. It was determined that the absorber, generator and condenser are the largest contribution to the exergy destruction at 30%, 31% and 28% of the respectively. The exergetic efficiency is found to be 16% with a Coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.65. Impacts of weak solution concentration of lithium bromide on the exergy destruction rates were evaluated using parametric studies. The studies reveled an optimum concentration that could be obtained by increasing the weak solution concentration from 56% to 58.8% a net decrease in 0.4% of the exergy destruction caused by the absorption chiller can be obtained. The 2.8% increase in lithium-bromide concentration decreases the exergy destruction primarily within the absorber with a decrease of 5.1%. This increase in concentration is shown to also decrease the maximum cooling capacity by 3% and increase the exergy destruction of the generator by 4.9%. The study also shows that the increase in concentration will change the internal temperatures by 3 to 7 °C. Conversely, reducing the weak solution concentration results is also shown to increase the exergetic destruction rates while also potentially increasing the cooling capacity.
Quadratic Mutual Information Feature Selection
Authors: Sluga Davor , Lotrič Uroš
Published: April 2017

We propose a novel feature selection method based on quadratic mutual information which has its roots in Cauchy–Schwarz divergence and Renyi entropy. The method uses the direct estimation of quadratic mutual information from data samples using Gaussian kernel functions, and can detect second order non-linear relations. Its main advantages are: (i) unified analysis of discrete and continuous data, excluding any discretization; and (ii) its parameter-free design. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through an extensive comparison with mutual information feature selection (MIFS), minimum redundancy maximum relevance (MRMR), and joint mutual information (JMI) on classification and regression problem domains. The experiments show that proposed method performs comparably to the other methods when applied to classification problems, except it is considerably faster. In the case of regression, it compares favourably to the others, but is slower.
Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics and Steady State Density Matrix for Quantum Open Systems
Authors: Ness Hervé
Published: April 2017

We consider the generic model of a finite-size quantum electron system connected to two (temperature and particle) reservoirs. The quantum open system is driven out of equilibrium by the presence of both potential temperature and chemical differences between the two reservoirs. The nonequilibrium (NE) thermodynamical properties of such a quantum open system are studied for the steady state regime. In such a regime, the corresponding NE density matrix is built on the so-called generalised Gibbs ensembles. From different expressions of the NE density matrix, we can identify the terms related to the entropy production in the system. We show, for a simple model, that the entropy production rate is always a positive quantity. Alternative expressions for the entropy production are also obtained from the Gibbs–von Neumann conventional formula and discussed in detail. Our results corroborate and expand earlier works found in the literature.
Aggregators’ Optimal Bidding Strategy in Sequential Day-Ahead and Intraday Electricity Spot Markets
Authors: Ayón Xiaolin , Moreno María , Usaola Julio
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes a probabilistic optimization method that produces optimal bidding curves to be submitted by an aggregator to the day-ahead electricity market and the intraday market, considering the flexible demand of his customers (based in time dependent resources such as batteries and shiftable demand) and taking into account the possible imbalance costs as well as the uncertainty of forecasts (market prices, demand, and renewable energy sources (RES) generation). The optimization strategy aims to minimize the total cost of the traded energy over a whole day, taking into account the intertemporal constraints. The proposed formulation leads to the solution of different linear optimization problems, following the natural temporal sequence of electricity spot markets. Intertemporal constraints regarding time dependent resources are fulfilled through a scheduling process performed after the day-ahead market clearing. Each of the different problems is of moderate dimension and requires short computation times. The benefits of the proposed strategy are assessed comparing the payments done by an aggregator over a sample period of one year following different deterministic and probabilistic strategies. Results show that probabilistic strategy reports better benefits for aggregators participating in power markets.
Power-to-Steel: Reducing CO2 through the Integration of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen into the German Steel Industry
Authors: Otto Alexander , Robinius Martin , Grube Thomas , Schiebahn Sebastian , Praktiknjo Aaron , Stolten Detlef
Published: April 2017

This paper analyses some possible means by which renewable power could be integrated into the steel manufacturing process, with techniques such as blast furnace gas recirculation (BF-GR), furnaces that utilize carbon capture, a higher share of electrical arc furnaces (EAFs) and the use of direct reduced iron with hydrogen as reduction agent (H-DR). It is demonstrated that these processes could lead to less dependence on—and ultimately complete independence from—coal. This opens the possibility of providing the steel industry with power and heat by coupling to renewable power generation (sector coupling). In this context, it is shown using the example of Germany that with these technologies, reductions of 47–95% of CO2 emissions against 1990 levels and 27–95% of primary energy demand against 2008 can be achieved through the integration of 12–274 TWh of renewable electrical power into the steel industry. Thereby, a substantial contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and fuel demand could be made (although it would fall short of realizing the German government’s target of a 50% reduction in power consumption by 2050).
A Comprehensive Study on the Avalanche Breakdown Robustness of Silicon Carbide Power MOSFETs
Authors: Fayyaz Asad , Romano Gianpaolo , Urresti Jesus , Riccio Michele , Castellazzi Alberto , Irace Andrea , Wright Nick
Published: April 2017

This paper presents an in-depth investigation into the avalanche breakdown robustness of commercial state-of-the-art silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs comprising of functional as well as structural characterization and the corresponding underlying physical mechanisms responsible for device failure. One aspect of robustness for power MOSFETs is determined by its ability to withstand energy during avalanche breakdown. Avalanche energy (EAV) is an important figure of merit for all applications requiring load dumping and/or to benefit from snubber-less converter design. 2D TCAD electro-thermal simulations were performed to get important insight into the failure mechanism of SiC power MOSFETs during avalanche breakdown.
Energy Management with Support of PV Partial Shading Modelling in Micro Grid Environments
Authors: Severini Marco , Principi Emanuele , Fagiani Marco , Squartini Stefano , Piazza Francesco
Published: April 2017

Although photovoltaic power plants are suitable local energy sources in Micro Grid environments, when large plants are involved, partial shading and inaccurate modelling of the plant can affect both the design of the Micro Grid as well as the energy management process that allows for lowering the overall Micro Grid demand towards the main grid. To investigate the issue, a Photovoltaic Plant simulation model, based on a real life power plant, and an energy management system, based on a real life Micro Grid environment, have been integrated to evaluate the performance of a Micro Grid under partial shading conditions. Using a baseline energy production model as a reference, the energy demand of the Micro Grid has been computed in sunny and partial shading conditions. The experiments reveal that an estimation based on a simplified PV model can exceed by 65% the actual production. With regards to Micro Grid design, on sunny days, the expected costs, based on a simplified PV model, can be 5.5% lower than the cost based on the double inverter model. In single cloud scenarios, the underrating can reach 28.3%. With regard to the management process, if the energy yield is estimated by means of a simplified PV model, the actual cost can be from 17.1% to 21.5% higher than the theoretical cost expected at design time.
A Cubature Particle Filter Algorithm to Estimate the State of the Charge of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on a Second-Order Equivalent Circuit Model
Authors: Xia Bizhong , Sun Zhen , Zhang Ruifeng , Lao Zizhou
Published: April 2017

The state of charge (SOC) is the residual capacity of a battery. The SOC value indicates the mileage endurance, and an accurate SOC value is required to ensure the safe use of the battery to prevent over- and over-discharging. However, unlike size and weight, battery power is not easily determined. As a consequence, we can only estimate the SOC value based on the external characteristics of the battery. In this paper, a cubature particle filter (CPF) based on the cubature Kalman filter (CKF) and the particle filter (PF) is presented for accurate and reliable SOC estimation. The CPF algorithm combines the CKF and PF algorithms to generate a suggested density function for the PF algorithm based on the CKF. The second-order resistor-capacitor (RC) equivalent circuit model was used to approximate the dynamic performance of the battery, and the model parameters were identified by fitting. A dynamic stress test (DST) was used to separately estimate the accuracy and robustness of the CKF and the CPF algorithms. The experimental results show that the CPF algorithm exhibited better accuracy and robustness than the CKF algorithm.
A Multiple Data Fusion Approach to Wheel Slip Control for Decentralized Electric Vehicles
Authors: Yin Dejun , Sun Nan , Shan Danfeng , Hu Jia-Sheng
Published: April 2017

Currently, active safety control methods for cars, i.e., the antilock braking system (ABS), the traction control system (TCS), and electronic stability control (ESC), govern the wheel slip control based on the wheel slip ratio, which relies on the information from non-driven wheels. However, these methods are not applicable in the cases without non-driven wheels, e.g., a four-wheel decentralized electric vehicle. Therefore, this paper proposes a new wheel slip control approach based on a novel data fusion method to ensure good traction performance in any driving condition. Firstly, with the proposed data fusion algorithm, the acceleration estimator makes use of the data measured by the sensor installed near the vehicle center of mass (CM) to calculate the reference acceleration of each wheel center. Then, the wheel slip is constrained by controlling the acceleration deviation between the actual wheel and the reference wheel center. By comparison with non-control and model following control (MFC) cases in double lane change tests, the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control method has significant anti-slip effectiveness and stabilizing control performance.
Energy Demand Modeling Methodology of Key State Transitions of Turning Processes
Authors: Jia Shun , Yuan Qinghe , Ren Dawei , Lv Jingxiang
Published: April 2017

Energy demand modeling of machining processes is the foundation of energy optimization. Energy demand of machining state transition is integral to the energy requirements of the machining process. However, research focus on energy modeling of state transition is scarce. To fill this gap, an energy demand modeling methodology of key state transitions of the turning process is proposed. The establishment of an energy demand model of state transition could improve the accuracy of the energy model of the machining process, which also provides an accurate model and reliable data for energy optimization of the machining process. Finally, case studies were conducted on a CK6153i CNC lathe, the results demonstrating that predictive accuracy with the proposed method is generally above 90% for the state transition cases.
The Role of Logistics in Practical Levelized Cost of Energy Reduction Implementation and Government Sponsored Cost Reduction Studies: Day and Night in Offshore Wind Operations and Maintenance Logistics
Authors: Poulsen Thomas , Hasager Charlotte , Jensen Christian
Published: April 2017

This paper reveals that logistics make up at least 17% of annual operational expenditure costs for offshore wind farms. Annual operational expenditure is found to vary by a factor of 9.5, making its share of levelized cost of energy for offshore wind range from 13% to 57%. These are key findings of a 20-month research project targeting cost reduction initiatives for offshore wind systems. The findings reveal that cost-out measures are difficult to implement due to cultural differences. Implementation efforts are rendered by personnel located offshore in a harsh sea environment which is in stark contrast to the shore-based office personnel who develop studies directing cost reduction efforts. This paper details the company motivation to join industry-wide cost reduction initiatives. A business case for offshore wind operations and maintenance logistics yielding 1% savings in levelized cost of energy is included on how to expand working hours from daytime to also work at night.
Thermal Properties of Biochars Derived from Waste Biomass Generated by Agricultural and Forestry Sectors
Authors: Yang Xing , Wang Hailong , Strong Peter , Xu Song , Liu Shujuan , Lu Kouping , Sheng Kuichuan , Guo Jia , Che Lei , He Lizhi , Ok Yong , Yuan Guodong , Shen Ying , Chen Xin
Published: April 2017

Waste residues produced by agricultural and forestry industries can generate energy and are regarded as a promising source of sustainable fuels. Pyrolysis, where waste biomass is heated under low-oxygen conditions, has recently attracted attention as a means to add value to these residues. The material is carbonized and yields a solid product known as biochar. In this study, eight types of biomass were evaluated for their suitability as raw material to produce biochar. Material was pyrolyzed at either 350 °C or 500 °C and changes in ash content, volatile solids, fixed carbon, higher heating value (HHV) and yield were assessed. For pyrolysis at 350 °C, significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the biochars’ ash and fixed carbon content and their HHVs were observed. Masson pine wood and Chinese fir wood biochars pyrolyzed at 350 °C and the bamboo sawdust biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C were suitable for direct use in fuel applications, as reflected by their higher HHVs, higher energy density, greater fixed carbon and lower ash contents. Rice straw was a poor substrate as the resultant biochar contained less than 60% fixed carbon and a relatively low HHV. Of the suitable residues, carbonization via pyrolysis is a promising technology to add value to pecan shells and Miscanthus.
Risk-Based Dynamic Security Assessment for Power System Operation and Operational Planning
Authors: Ciapessoni Emanuele , Cirio Diego , Massucco Stefano , Morini Andrea , Pitto Andrea , Silvestro Federico
Published: April 2017

Assessment of dynamic stability in a modern power system (PS) is becoming a stringent requirement both in operational planning and in on-line operation, due to the increasingly complex dynamics of a PS. Further, growing uncertainties in forecast state and in the response to disturbances suggests the adoption of risk-based approaches in Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA). The present paper describes a probabilistic risk-based DSA, which provides instability risk indicators by combining an innovative probabilistic hazard/vulnerability analysis with the assessment of contingency impacts via time domain simulation. The tool implementing the method can be applied to both current and forecast PS states, the latter characterized in terms of renewable and load forecast uncertainties, providing valuable results for operation and operational planning contexts. Some results from a real PS model are discussed.
Purification of Polymer-Grade Fumaric Acid from Fermented Spent Sulfite Liquor
Authors: Figueira Diogo , Cavalheiro João , Ferreira Bruno
Published: April 2017

Fumaric acid is a chemical building block with many applications, namely in the polymer industry. The fermentative production of fumaric acid from renewable feedstock is a promising and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemical synthesis. The use of existing industrial side-streams as raw-materials within biorefineries potentially enables production costs competitive against current chemical processes, while preventing the use of refined sugars competing with food and feed uses and avoiding purposely grown crops requiring large areas of arable land. However, most industrial side streams contain a diversity of molecules that will add complexity to the purification of fumaric acid from the fermentation broth. A process for the recovery and purification of fumaric acid from a complex fermentation medium containing spent sulfite liquor (SSL) as a carbon source was developed and is herein described. A simple two-stage precipitation procedure, involving separation unit operations, pH and temperature manipulation and polishing through the removal of contaminants with activated carbon, allowed for the recovery of fumaric acid with 68.3% recovery yield with specifications meeting the requirements of the polymer industry. Further, process integration opportunities were implemented that allowed minimizing the generation of waste streams containing fumaric acid, which enabled increasing the yield to 81.4% while keeping the product specifications.
Identity, Power, and the California Welfare-Rights Struggle, 1963–1975
Authors: Puglisi Allison
Published: April 2017

This article explores the work of welfare-rights activists in 1960s and 70s California. These activists were mostly working-class black and some white mothers, and the majority of them were themselves welfare recipients. As welfare recipients, women of color, and working-class people, they faced a wave of policies and ideologies that stigmatized them, policed their behavior, and made receiving benefits increasingly difficult. These policies were but one element of a larger political crisis, wherein the California government stoked racialized and gendered fears in order to shrink the welfare state. Rather than simply acquiesce to this reality, welfare-rights groups in California refused to accept it. Though scholars have studied welfare-rights groups in Washington, D.C., Nevada, New York, and other US states, almost no attention has been given to groups in California. In this article I use state legislation, newspaper articles, organizational records, and archived interviews to illustrate how California’s welfare-rights movement challenged anti-welfare policy and ideology. I argue that they did more than simply reject punitive legislation. They emphasized childcare, rebuked middle-class complacency, questioned the primacy of the nuclear family, and dismissed gender roles. In the process, they raised crucial, enduring questions about the nature of economic-justice organizing.
Pollutants’ Release, Redistribution and Remediation of Black Smelly River Sediment Based on Re-Suspension and Deep Aeration of Sediment
Authors: Zhu Lin , Li Xun , Zhang Chen , Duan Zengqiang
Published: April 2017

Heavily polluted sediment is becoming an important part of water pollution, and this situation is particularly acute in developing countries. Sediment has gradually changed from being the pollution adsorbent to the release source and has influenced the water environment and public health. In this study, we evaluated the pollutant distribution in sediment in a heavily polluted river and agitated the sediment in a heavily polluted river to re-suspend it and re-release pollutants. We found that the levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+-N, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in overlying water were significantly increased 60 min after agitation. The distribution of the pollutants in the sediment present high concentrations of pollutants congregated on top of the sediment after re-settling, and their distribution decreased with depth. Before agitation, the pollutants were randomly distributed throughout the sediment. Secondly, deep sediment aeration equipment (a micro-porous air diffuser) was installed during the process of sedimentation to study the remediation of the sediment by continuous aeration. The results revealed that deep sediment aeration after re-suspension significantly promoted the degradation of the pollutants both in overlying water and sediment, which also reduced the thickness of the sediment from 0.9 m to 0.6 m. Therefore, sediment aeration after suspension was efficient, and is a promising method for sediment remediation applications.
Leptin Receptor Gene Polymorphism and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Lei , Sun Dali
Published: April 2017

Objective: Few studies have assessed the association between leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphism and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of the few epidemiological studies on this topic, the results are still controversial. Methods: PubMed and Embase were screened for studies from their inception to 9 October 2016. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with the corresponding confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the effect size for studies that reported the association under allelic, homozygous, and dominant models. Pre-specified characteristics were conducted in the subgroup analysis. Heterogeneity between subgroups was evaluated by meta-regression analysis. Results: Seven eligible studies involving 44,133 participants were included in our meta-analysis. Borderline significant association was observed between the LEPR gene polymorphism (rs1137101, rs1137100, rs6700896, and rs8179183) and the increased risk of CVD with considerable heterogeneity under the allelic model, and the overall pooled OR (95% CI) was 1.10 (0.99, 1.22). The LEPR gene variant rs6700896, 109G allele, and 109GG genotype were significantly associated with the increased risk of CVD. Furthermore, stratified group analysis revealed that the association was more pronounced for stroke. Race-differences might also cause the considerable heterogeneity and non-significant association. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between LEPR gene variants and CVD risk. Some LEPR gene variants were significantly associated with the increased risk of CVD. However, the present study is limited in its small number of included studies, considerable heterogeneity, and observational study design. Further research is still warranted to confirm the magnitude of the association.
TRPV4 Stimulation Induced Melatonin Secretion by Increasing Arylalkymine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) Protein Level
Authors: Alkozi Hanan , Perez de Lara Maria , Sánchez-Naves Juan , Pintor Jesús
Published: April 2017

Melatonin is a molecule which has gained a great deal of interest in many areas of science; its synthesis was classically known to be in the pineal gland. However, many organs synthesize melatonin, such as several ocular structures. Melatonin is known to participate in many functions apart from its main action regulating the circadian rhythm. It is synthesized from serotonin in two steps, with a rate-limiting step carried out by arylalkymine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT). In this report, the role of TRPV4 channel present in human ciliary body epithelial cells in AANAT production was studied. Several experiments were undertaken to verify the adequate time to reach the maximal effect by using the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A, together with a dose–response study. An increase of 2.4 folds in AANAT was seen after 18 h of incubation with 10 nM of GSK1016790A (p < 0.001, n = 6). This increment was verified by antagonist assays. In summary, AANAT levels and therefore melatonin synthesis change after TRPV4 channel stimulation. Using this cell model together with human ciliary body tissue it is possible to suggest that AANAT plays an important role in pathologies related to intraocular pressure.