bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Directed Evolution of a Mycobacteriophage
Authors: Cebriá-Mendoza María , Sanjuán Rafael , Domingo-Calap Pilar
Published: April 2019

Bacteriophages represent an alternative strategy to combat pathogenic bacteria. Currently, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections constitute a major public health problem due to extensive antibiotic resistance in some strains. Using a non-pathogenic species of the same genus as an experimental model, Mycobacterium smegmatis, here we have set up a basic methodology for mycobacteriophage growth and we have explored directed evolution as a tool for increasing phage infectivity and lytic activity. We demonstrate mycobacteriophage adaptation to its host under different conditions. Directed evolution could be used for the development of future phage therapy applications against mycobacteria.
Disruption of Selenium Handling During Puberty Causes Sex-Specific Neurological Impairments in Mice
Authors: Kremer Penny M. , Torres Daniel J. , Hashimoto Ann C. , Berry Marla J.
Published: April 2019

Selenium is an essential trace element linked to normal development and antioxidant defense mechanisms through its incorporation into selenoproteins via the amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec). Male mice lacking both the Se transporter, selenoprotein P (SELENOP), and selenocysteine lyase (Scly), which plays a role in intracellular Se utilization, require Se supplementation for viability and exhibit neuromotor deficits. Previously, we demonstrated that male SELENOP/Scly double knockout (DKO) mice suffer from loss of motor function and audiogenic seizures due to neurodegeneration, both of which are alleviated by prepubescent castration. The current study examined the neuromotor function of female DKO mice using the rotarod and open field test, as well as the effects of dietary Se restriction. Female DKO mice exhibited a milder form of neurological impairment than their male counterparts. This impairment is exacerbated by removal of Se supplementation during puberty. These results indicate there is a critical time frame in which Se supplementation is essential for neurodevelopment. These sex-specific differences may unveil new insights into dietary requirements for this essential nutrient in humans.
Investigation of Properties Alternation during Super-Critical CO2 Injection in Shale
Authors: Wang Sai , Liu Kouqi , Han Juan , Ling Kegang , Wang Hongsheng , Jia Bao
Published: April 2019

The low recovery of oil from tight liquid-rich formations is still a major challenge for a tight reservoir. Thus, supercritical CO2 flooding was proposed as an immense potential recovery method for production improvement. While up to date, there have been few studies to account for the formation properties’ variation during the CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process, especially investigation at the micro-scale. This work conducted a series of measurements to evaluate the rock mechanical change, mineral alteration and the pore structure properties’ variation through the supercritical CO2 (Sc-CO2) injection process. Corresponding to the time variation (0 days, 10 days, 20 days, 30 days and 40 days), the rock mechanical properties were analyzed properly through the nano-indentation test, and the mineralogical alterations were quantified through X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, pore structures of the samples were measured through the low-temperature N2 adsorption tests. The results showed that, after Sc-CO2 injection, Young’s modulus of the samples decreases. The nitrogen adsorption results demonstrated that, after the CO2 injection, the mesopore volume of the sample would change as well as the specific Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area which could be aroused from the chemical reactions between the CO2 and some authigenic minerals. XRD analysis results also indicated that mesopore were altered due to the chemical reaction between the injected Sc-CO2 and the minerals.
Finger-Vein Verification Based on LSTM Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Qin Huafeng , Wang Peng
Published: April 2019

Finger-vein biometrics has been extensively investigated for personal verification. A challenge is that the finger-vein acquisition is affected by many factors, which results in many ambiguous regions in the finger-vein image. Generally, the separability between vein and background is poor in such regions. Despite recent advances in finger-vein pattern segmentation, current solutions still lack the robustness to extract finger-vein features from raw images because they do not take into account the complex spatial dependencies of vein pattern. This paper proposes a deep learning model to extract vein features by combining the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) model and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model. Firstly, we automatically assign the label based on a combination of known state of the art handcrafted finger-vein image segmentation techniques, and generate various sequences for each labeled pixel along different directions. Secondly, several Stacked Convolutional Neural Networks and Long Short-Term Memory (SCNN-LSTM) models are independently trained on the resulting sequences. The outputs of various SCNN-LSTMs form a complementary and over-complete representation and are conjointly put into Probabilistic Support Vector Machine (P-SVM) to predict the probability of each pixel of being foreground (i.e., vein pixel) given several sequences centered on it. Thirdly, we propose a supervised encoding scheme to extract the binary vein texture. A threshold is automatically computed by taking into account the maximal separation between the inter-class distance and the intra-class distance. In our approach, the CNN learns robust features for vein texture pattern representation and LSTM stores the complex spatial dependencies of vein patterns. So, the pixels in any region of a test image can then be classified effectively. In addition, the supervised information is employed to encode the vein patterns, so the resulting encoding images contain more discriminating features. The experimental results on one public finger-vein database show that the proposed approach significantly improves the finger-vein verification accuracy.
Timbre Preferences in the Context of Mixing Music
Authors: Dobrowohl Felix A. , Milne Andrew J. , Dean Roger T.
Published: April 2019

Mixing music is a highly complex task. This is exacerbated by the fact that timbre perception is still poorly understood. As a result, few studies have been able to pinpoint listeners’ preferences in terms of timbre. In order to investigate timbre preference in a music production context, we let participants mix multiple individual parts of musical pieces (bassline, harmony, and arpeggio parts, all sounded with a synthesizer) by adjusting four specific timbral attributes of the synthesizer (lowpass, sawtooth/square wave oscillation blend, distortion, and inharmonicity). After participants mixed all parts of a musical piece, they were asked to rate multiple mixes of the same musical piece. Listeners showed preferences for their own mixes over random, fixed sawtooth, or expert mixes. However, participants were unable to identify their own mixes. Despite not being able to accurately identify their own mixes, participants consistently preferred the mix they thought to be their own, regardless of whether or not this mix was indeed their own. Correlations and cluster analysis of the participants’ mixing settings show most participants behaving independently in their mixing approaches and one moderate sized cluster of participants who are actually rather similar. In reference to the starting-settings, participants applied the biggest changes to the sound with the inharmonicity manipulation (measured in the perceptual distance) despite often mentioning that they do not find this manipulation particularly useful. The results show that listeners have a consistent, yet individual timbre preference and are able to reliably evoke changes in timbre towards their own preferences.
Automatic Association of Scents Based on Visual Content
Authors: Al Luhaybi Amany , Alqurashi Fahad , Tsaramirsis Georgios , Buhari Seyed M.
Published: April 2019

Although olfaction can enhance the user’s experience in virtual environments, the approach is not widely utilized by virtual contents. This is because the olfaction displays are either not aware of the content in the virtual world or they are application specific. Enabling wide context awareness is possible through the use of image recognition via machine learning. Screenshots from the virtual worlds can be analyzed for the presence of virtual scent emitters, allowing the olfactory display to respond by generating the corresponding smells. The Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), using Inception Model for image recognition was used for training the system. To evaluate the performance of the accuracy of the model, we trained it on a computer game called Minecraft. The results and performance of the model was 97% accurate, while in some cases the accuracy reached 99%.
Characterization and Determination of the Toxicological Risk of Biochar Using Invertebrate Toxicity Tests in the State of Aguascalientes, México
Authors: Flesch Felix , Berger Pia , Robles-Vargas Daniel , Santos-Medrano Gustavo Emilio , Rico-Martínez Roberto
Published: April 2019

Following a quantitative analysis of adequate feedstock, comprising 11 woody biomass species, four biochars were generated using a Kon-Tiki flame curtain kiln in the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Despite the high quality (certified by European Biochar Certificate), the biochars contain substantial quantities of hazardous substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals, which can induce adverse effects if wrongly applied to the environment. To assess the toxicity of biochars to non-target organisms, toxicity tests with four benthic and zooplanktonic invertebrate species, the ciliate Paramecium caudatum, the rotifer Lecane quadridentata, and the cladocerans Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa were performed using biochar elutriates. In acute and chronic toxicity tests, no acute toxic effect to ciliates, but significant lethality to rotifers and cladocerans was detected. This lethal toxicity might be due to ingestion/digestion by enzymatic/mechanic processes of biochar by cladocerans and rotifers of toxic substances present in the biochar. No chronic toxicity was found where biochar elutriates were mixed with soil. These data indicate that it is instrumental to use toxicity tests to assess biochars’ toxicity to the environment, especially when applied close to sensitive habitats, and to stick closely to the quantitative set-point values.
Gaussian Process-Integrated State Space Model for Continuous Joint Angle Prediction from EMG and Interactive Force in a Human-Exoskeleton System
Authors: Zeng Yan , Yang Jiantao , Yin Yuehong
Published: April 2019

As one of the most direct indicators of the transparency between a human and an exoskeleton, interactive force has rarely been fused with electromyography (EMG) in the control of human-exoskeleton systems, the performances of which are largely determined by the accuracy of the continuous joint angle prediction. To achieve intuitive and naturalistic human intent learning, a state space model (SSM) for continuous angle prediction of knee joint is developed. When the influence of the interactive force is often ignored in the existing models of human-exoskeleton systems, interactive force is applied as the measurement model output of the proposed SSM, and the EMG signal is used as the state model input signal to indicate muscle activation. The forward dynamics of joint motion and the human-machine interaction mechanism, i.e., the biomechanical interpretations of the interactive force generation mechanism, are derived as the bases for the state model and measurement model based on Hill’s muscle model and semiphenomenological (SP) muscular model, respectively. Gaussian process (GP)-based nonlinear autoregressive with the exogenous inputs (NARX) model and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) are applied to provide better adaptivity for the SSM in practical applications. Corresponding experimental results demonstrate the validity and superiority of the method.
The Method of Fundamental Solutions for Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Free Surface Flows Using the Iterative Scheme
Authors: Ku Cheng-Yu , Xiao Jing-En , Liu Chih-Yu
Published: April 2019

In this article, we present a meshless method based on the method of fundamental solutions (MFS) capable of solving free surface flow in three dimensions. Since the basis function of the MFS satisfies the governing equation, the advantage of the MFS is that only the problem boundary needs to be placed in the collocation points. For solving the three-dimensional free surface with nonlinear boundary conditions, the relaxation method in conjunction with the MFS is used, in which the three-dimensional free surface is iterated as a movable boundary until the nonlinear boundary conditions are satisfied. The proposed method is verified and application examples are conducted. Comparing results with those from other methods shows that the method is robust and provides high accuracy and reliability. The effectiveness and ease of use for solving nonlinear free surface flows in three dimensions are also revealed.
Dynamic Optimization of Data Packet-based Communication for PLC Visual Monitoring
Authors: Ju Changjiang , Yang Genke , Chen Yu-Wang , Pan Changchun
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a dynamic optimization solution for the data packet-based communication of programmable logic controller (PLC) visual monitoring, and the objective is to improve the communication efficiency between a supervisory computer and field PLCs in consideration of the network communication performance, such as network bandwidth, packet loss or retransmission rate, and human response delay. A nonlinear optimization model with constraints is formulated and solved analytically to obtain the minimized transmission time. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed dynamic optimization can solve the practical industry problem in an efficient and effective manner, and it can provide useful guidance for the data packet-based communication setting of networked control systems.
A Combined Model Based on Feature Selection and WOA for PM2.5 Concentration Forecasting
Authors: Zhao Fang , Li Weide
Published: April 2019

As people pay more attention to the environment and health, P M 2.5 receives more and more consideration. Establishing a high-precision P M 2.5 concentration prediction model is of great significance for air pollutants monitoring and controlling. This paper proposed a hybrid model based on feature selection and whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for the prediction of P M 2.5 concentration. The proposed model included five modules: data preprocessing module, feature selection module, optimization module, forecasting module and evaluation module. Firstly, signal processing technology CEEMDAN-VMD (Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise and Variational Mode Decomposition) is used to decompose, reconstruct, identify and select the main features of P M 2.5 concentration series in data preprocessing module. Then, AutoCorrelation Function (ACF) is used to extract the variables which have relatively large correlation with predictor, so as to select input variables according to the order of correlation coefficients. Finally, Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) is applied to predict the hourly P M 2.5 concentration, and the parameters of LSSVM are optimized by WOA. Two experiment studies reveal that the performance of the proposed model is better than benchmark models, such as single LSSVM model with default parameters optimization, single BP neural networks (BPNN), general regression neural network (GRNN) and some other combined models recently reported.
CHSH-Type Inequality Involving Commuting Continuous Variables
Authors: Valdés-Hernández Andrea , Cetto Ana María , de la Peña Luis
Published: April 2019

The correlation of projections of the momentum operators of two particles is used to derive a quantum inequality for continuous variables, which must be satisfied by any bipartite system in a pure state. This inequality resembles a Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH)-type inequality except for additional terms related to the imaginary component of the weak value of the momentum, which normally remains concealed in the usual quantum description but turns out to be of relevance for entangled states. Our results shed new light on the link between noncommutativity, entanglement and nonlocality of the quantum description.
Relation Theoretic Common Fixed Point Results for Generalized Weak Nonlinear Contractions with an Application
Authors: Perveen Atiya , Khan Idrees A. , Imdad Mohammad
Published: April 2019

In this paper, by introducing the concept of generalized Ćirić-type weak ( ϕ g , R ) -contraction, we prove some common fixed point results in partial metric spaces endowed with binary relation R . We also deduce some useful consequences showing the usability of our results. Finally, we present an application to establish the solution of a system of integral equations.
Stability Anomalies of Some Jacobian-Free Iterative Methods of High Order of Convergence
Authors: Cordero Alicia , Maimó Javier G. , Torregrosa Juan R. , Vassileva María P.
Published: April 2019

In this manuscript, we design two classes of parametric iterative schemes to solve nonlinear problems that do not need to evaluate Jacobian matrices and need to solve three linear systems per iteration with the same divided difference operator as the coefficient matrix. The stability performance of the classes is analyzed on a quadratic polynomial system, and it is shown that for many values of the parameter, only convergence to the roots of the problem exists. Finally, we check the performance of these methods on some test problems to confirm the theoretical results.
Wireless Computer-Supported Cooperative Work: A Pilot Experiment on Art and Brain–Computer Interfaces
Authors: De la Torre Gabriel G. , Gonzalez-Torre Sara , Muñoz Carlos , Garcia Manuel A.
Published: April 2019

The present case study looked into the feasibility of using brain–computer interface (BCI) technology combined with computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) in a wireless network. We had two objectives; first, to test the wireless BCI-based configuration and the practical use of this idea we assessed workload perception in participants located several kilometers apart taking part in the same drawing task. Second, we studied the cortical activation patterns of participants performing the drawing task with and without the BCI technology. Results showed higher mental workload perception and broader cortical activation (frontal-temporal-occipital) under BCI experimental conditions. This idea shows a possible application of BCI research in the social field, where two or more users could engage in a computer networking task using BCI technology over the internet. New research avenues for CSCW are discussed and possibilities for future research are given.
Sequential Blockade of PD-1 and PD-L1 Causes Fulminant Cardiotoxicity—From Case Report to Mouse Model Validation
Authors: Liu Shin-Yi , Huang Wen-Chien , Yeh Hung-I , Ko Chun-Chuan , Shieh Hui-Ru , Hung Chung-Lieh , Chen Tung-Ying , Chen Yu-Jen
Published: April 2019

The combined administration of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors might be considered as a treatment for poorly responsive cancer. We report a patient with brain metastatic lung adenocarcinoma in whom fatal myocarditis developed after sequential use of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors. This finding was validated in syngeneic tumor-bearing mice. The mice bearing lung metastases of CT26 colon cancer cells treated with PD-1 and/or PD-L1 inhibitors showed that the combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1, either sequentially or simultaneously administered, caused myocarditis lesions with myocyte injury and patchy mononuclear infiltrates in the myocardium. A significant increase of infiltrating neutrophils in myocytes was noted only in mice with sequential blockade, implying a role for the pathogenesis of myocarditis. Among circulating leukocytes, concurrent and subsequent treatment of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors led to sustained suppression of neutrophils. Among tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, combinatorial blockade increased CD8+ T cells and NKG2D+ T cells, and reduced tumor-associated macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells in the lung metastatic microenvironment. The combinatorial treatments exhibited better control and anti-PD-L1 followed by anti-PD-1 was the most effective. In conclusion, the combinatory use of PD-1 and PD-L1 blockade, either sequentially or concurrently, may cause fulminant cardiotoxicity, although it gives better tumor control, and such usage should be cautionary.
Antitumor Effects of Intra-Arterial Delivery of Albumin-Doxorubicin Nanoparticle Conjugated Microbubbles Combined with Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Activation on VX2 Rabbit Liver Tumors
Authors: Lee Jae Hwan , Moon Hyungwon , Han Hyounkoo , Lee In Joon , Kim Doyeon , Lee Hak Jong , Ha Shin-Woo , Kim Hyuncheol , Chung Jin Wook
Published: April 2019

Image-guided intra-arterial therapies play a key role in the management of hepatic malignancies. However, limited clinical outcomes suggest the need for new multifunctional drug delivery systems to enhance local drug concentration while reducing systemic adverse reactions. Therefore, we developed the albumin-doxorubicin nanoparticle conjugated microbubble (ADMB) to enhance therapeutic efficiency by sonoporation under exposure to ultrasound. ADMB demonstrated a size distribution of 2.33 ± 1.34 µm and a doxorubicin loading efficiency of 82.7%. The echogenicity of ADMBs was sufficiently generated in the 2–9 MHz frequency range and cavitation depended on the strength of the irradiating ultrasound. In the VX2 rabbit tumor model, ADMB enhanced the therapeutic efficiency under ultrasound exposure, compared to free doxorubicin. The intra-arterial administration of ADMBs sufficiently reduced tumor growth by five times, compared to the control group. Changes in the ADC values and viable tumor fraction supported the fact that the antitumor effect of ADMBs were enhanced by evidence of necrosis ratio (over 70%) and survival tumor cell fraction (20%). Liver toxicity was comparable to that of conventional therapies. In conclusion, this study shows that tumor suppression can be sufficiently maximized by combining ultrasound exposure with intra-arterial ADMB administration.
Genetic Diversity and Differentiation at Structurally Varying MHC Haplotypes and Microsatellites in Bottlenecked Populations of Endangered Crested Ibis
Authors: Lan Hong , Zhou Tong , Wan Qiu-Hong , Fang Sheng-Guo
Published: April 2019

Investigating adaptive potential and understanding the relative roles of selection and genetic drift in populations of endangered species are essential in conservation. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes characterized by spectacular polymorphism and fitness association have become valuable adaptive markers. Herein we investigate the variation of all MHC class I and II genes across seven populations of an endangered bird, the crested ibis, of which all current individuals are offspring of only two pairs. We inferred seven multilocus haplotypes from linked alleles in the Core Region and revealed structural variation of the class II region that probably evolved through unequal crossing over. Based on the low polymorphism, structural variation, strong linkage, and extensive shared alleles, we applied the MHC haplotypes in population analysis. The genetic variation and population structure at MHC haplotypes are generally concordant with those expected from microsatellites, underlining the predominant role of genetic drift in shaping MHC variation in the bottlenecked populations. Nonetheless, some populations showed elevated differentiation at MHC, probably due to limited gene flow. The seven populations were significantly differentiated into three groups and some groups exhibited genetic monomorphism, which can be attributed to founder effects. We therefore propose various strategies for future conservation and management.
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Genes and Disease Resistance in Fish
Authors: Yamaguchi Takuya , Dijkstra Johannes M.
Published: April 2019

Fascinating about classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules is their polymorphism. The present study is a review and discussion of the fish MHC situation. The basic pattern of MHC variation in fish is similar to mammals, with MHC class I versus class II, and polymorphic classical versus nonpolymorphic nonclassical. However, in many or all teleost fishes, important differences with mammalian or human MHC were observed: (1) The allelic/haplotype diversification levels of classical MHC class I tend to be much higher than in mammals and involve structural positions within but also outside the peptide binding groove; (2) Teleost fish classical MHC class I and class II loci are not linked. The present article summarizes previous studies that performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for mapping differences in teleost fish disease resistance, and discusses them from MHC point of view. Overall, those QTL studies suggest the possible importance of genomic regions including classical MHC class II and nonclassical MHC class I genes, whereas similar observations were not made for the genomic regions with the highly diversified classical MHC class I alleles. It must be concluded that despite decades of knowing MHC polymorphism in jawed vertebrate species including fish, firm conclusions (as opposed to appealing hypotheses) on the reasons for MHC polymorphism cannot be made, and that the types of polymorphism observed in fish may not be explained by disease-resistance models alone.
Enhanced Wear Resistance of 316 L Stainless Steel with a Nanostructured Surface Layer Prepared by Ultrasonic Surface Rolling
Authors: Wang Cong , Han Jing , Zhao Jiyun , Song Yuanming , Man Jiaxiang , Zhu Hua , Sun Jiapeng , Fang Liang
Published: April 2019

The low hardness and poor wear resistance of AISI 316 L austenitic stainless-steel sabotage its outer appearance and shorten its service life when it is subjected to sliding. In this paper, the single-pass ultrasonic surface rolling (USR) process was used to modify the surface of 316 L austenitic stainless steel. A nanostructured surface layer with a depth span of 15 μm was fabricated. Dry wear tests of USR samples were performed on a ring-on-block tester at room temperature, and the results were compared with those for the as-received sample. The USR sample showed a significant reduction in wear mass loss and an improved hardness, as well as a decreased surface roughness. The detailed wear mechanism was also investigated by SEM observations of the worn surfaces. It was indicated that oxidation and abrasive wear, accompanied by mild adhesion, dominated the wear of USR 316 L stainless steel at both low and high speeds. The superior wear performance of USR 316 L was attributed to its nanostructured surface layer, which was characterized by a high hardness and thereby suppressed the severe abrasive wear. The results provided an alternative approach to modifying the surface of 316 L stainless steel, without changing its surface chemical components.
Solution-Processed Mg-Substituted ZnO Thin Films for Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Visible-Blind Photodetectors
Authors: Tsay Chien-Yie , Chen Shih-Ting , Fan Man-Ting
Published: April 2019

The effects of Mg on the microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of sol-gel derived ZnO transparent semiconductor thin films and the photoelectrical properties of photodetectors based on MgxZn1−xO (where x = 0 to 0.3) thin films with the metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) configuration were investigated in this study. All the as-synthesized ZnO-based thin films had a single-phase wurtzite structure and showed high average transmittance of 91% in the visible wavelength region. The optical bandgap of MgxZn1−xO thin films increased from 3.25 to 3.56 eV and the electrical resistivity of the films rose from 6.1 × 102 to 1.4 × 104 Ω·cm with an increase in Mg content from x = 0 to x = 0.3. Compared with those of the pure ZnO thin film, the PL emission peaks of the MgZnO thin films showed an apparent blue-shift feature in the UV and visible regions. The photo-detection capability was investigated under visible, UVA, and UVC light illumination. Linear I-V characteristics were obtained in these ZnO-based photodetectors under dark and light illumination conditions, indicating an ohmic contact between the Au electrodes and ZnO-based thin films. It was found that the pure ZnO photodetector exhibited the best photoconductivity gain, percentage of sensitivity, and responsivity under UVA illumination. Under UVC illumination, the photoconductivity gain and percentage of sensitivity of the MgZnO photodetectors were better than those of the pure ZnO photodetector.
Superconducting Properties of 3D Low-Density TI-Bipolaron Gas in Magnetic Field
Authors: Lakhno Victor D.
Published: April 2019

Consideration is given to thermodynamical properties of a three-dimensional Bose-condensate of translation-invariant bipolarons (TI-bipolarons) in magnetic field. The critical temperature of transition, critical magnetic fields, energy, heat capacity and the transition heat of TI-bipolaron gas are calculated. Such values as maximum magnetic field, London penetration depth and their temperature dependencies are calculated. The results obtained are used to explain experiments on high-temperature superconductors.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Analysis, and DFT Calculations of Molecular Copper(II) Chloride Complexes with Bitopic Ligand 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane
Authors: Lider Elizaveta , Sukhikh Taisiya , Smolentsev Anton , Semitut Evgeny , Filatov Evgeny , Potapov Andrei
Published: April 2019

Two binuclear coordination compounds of Cu(II) chloride with the bitopic ligand 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (Pz4) of the composition [Cu2(µ2-Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]·4H2O and [Cu2(µ2-Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]∙2DMSO were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and powder diffraction analysis. It was shown that in contrast to silver(I) and copper(II) nitrates, copper(II) chloride forms discrete complexes instead of coordination polymers. The supramolecular structure of the complex [Cu2(µ2-Pz4)(DMSO)2Cl4]·4H2O with lattice water molecules is formed by OH···Cl and OH···O hydrogen bonds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of vibrational frequencies of the ligand and its copper(II) complex allowed for assigning IR bands to specific vibrations.
Fright or Flight? Behavioural Responses of Kangaroos to Drone-Based Monitoring
Authors: Brunton Elizabeth , Bolin Jessica , Leon Javier , Burnett Scott
Published: April 2019

Drones are often considered an unobtrusive method of monitoring terrestrial wildlife; however research into whether drones disturb wildlife is in its early stages. This research investigated the potential impacts of drone monitoring on a large terrestrial mammal, the eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), in urban and peri-urban environments. We assessed the response of kangaroos to drone monitoring by analysing kangaroo behaviour prior to and during drone deployments using a linear modelling approach. We also explored factors that influenced kangaroo responses including drone altitude, site characteristics and kangaroo population dynamics and demographics. We showed that drones elicit a vigilance response, but that kangaroos rarely fled from the drone. However, kangaroos were most likely to flee from a drone flown at an altitude of 30 m. This study suggests that drone altitude is a key consideration for minimising disturbance of large terrestrial mammals and that drone flights at an altitude of 60–100 m above ground level will minimise behavioural impacts. It also highlights the need for more research to assess the level of intrusion and other impacts that drone surveys have on the behaviour of wildlife and the accuracy of the data produced.
Consumers’ Perceptions of Sustainable Wine: An Exploratory Study in France and Italy
Authors: Capitello Roberta , Sirieix Lucie
Published: April 2019

This study offers new insights into the sustainable wine market by exploring consumers’ perceptions of product attributes for six categories of wine that have characteristics of sustainability and one conventional wine. The study investigates product-attribute associations that French and Italian consumers attach to sustainable wines, and whether consumers’ involvement with wine and propensity towards ethically-minded behaviours affect their perceptions of sustainable wines. The research employs a cross-country analysis of France and Italy, and uses a free-choice approach to reveal consumers’ perceptions. The perceptual maps highlight the different attribute dimensions associated with conventional wines and sustainable wines. Health benefits, taste, and ethics emerge as the most relevant discriminant dimensions. The study finds that consumers involved with wine demonstrate a greater ability to evaluate product-attribute associations for sustainable wines than do ethically-minded consumers who are not involved with wine. The study elaborates some practical implications of this result for wineries. In particular, the study highlights that consumers associate different characteristics and beneficial aspects with different categories of sustainable wines; this also depends on their level of involvement with wine. The results demonstrate that sustainable wine marketers should, in their marketing and communication, take into stronger consideration the level of consumer involvement with wine and the specific associations made by consumers with the sustainable wine category they want to promote.
An INS/Geomagnetic Integrated Navigation Algorithm Based on Matching Strategy and Hierarchical Filtering
Authors: Duan Xiusheng , Xiao Jing , Qi Xiaohui , Liu Yifei
Published: April 2019

To improve the positioning accuracy of an inertial/geomagnetic integrated navigation algorithm, a combined navigation method based on matching strategy and hierarchical filtering is proposed. First, the PDA-ICCP geomagnetic matching algorithm is improved. On basis of evaluating the distribution of magnetic measurements, a number of controllable magnetic values are regenerated to participate in the geomagnetic matching algorithm (GMA). As a result, accuracy of the matching algorithm is ensured and its efficiency is improved. Secondly, the integrated navigation filter is designed based on the hierarchical filtering strategy, in which the navigation information of the geomagnetic matching module and inertial navigation module are respectively filtered and fused in the main filter. In this way, the shortcoming that GMA is unable to provide continuous and real-time navigation information is overcome. Meanwhile, precision of the inertial/geomagnetic integrated navigation algorithm is improved. Finally, the feasibility and validity of the proposed algorithm are verified by simulation and physical experiments. Compared with the integrated filtering algorithm which directly uses the error equation of inertial navigation system (INS) as the state equation, the proposed hierarchical filtering algorithm can achieve higher positioning precision.
A Rapid Accurate Recognition System for Radar Emitter Signals
Authors: Gao Jingpeng , Shen Liangxi , Gao Lipeng , Lu Yi
Published: April 2019

Radar signal recognition is an indispensable part of an electronic countermeasure system. In order to solve the problem that the current techniques have, which is a low recognition rate and a slow recognition speed for radar signals, a rapid accurate recognition system is proposed, especially for when multiple signals arrive at the receiver. The proposed system can recognize eight types of radar signals while separating signals: binary phase shift keying (BPSK), linear frequency modulation (LFM), Costas, Frank code, and P1–P4 codes. Regression variational mode decomposition (RVMD) is explored to separate the received signals, which saves time for parameter optimization of variational mode decomposition (VMD). Furthermore, signal separation and a noise removal technique based on VMD and the first component recognition technique based on a deep belief network (DBN) are proposed. In addition, in order to overcome the loss of the secondary component caused by signal separation, a fusion network is explored to increase the recognition rate of the secondary component in a short time. The simulation results show that the recognition system achieves an overall recognition rate of 99.5% and 94% at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 0 dB when receiving single signals and double signals, while spending 0.8 s and 2.23 s, respectively. The proposed system can also be used to recognize medical and mechanical signals.
Intelligent Micro Energy Grid in 5G Era: Platforms, Business Cases, Testbeds, and Next Generation Applications
Authors: Kim Young-Myoung , Jung Daekyo , Chang Youngeun , Choi Dae-Hyun
Published: April 2019

As fifth-generation mobile communication systems give rise to new smart grid technologies, such as distributed energy resources, advanced communication systems, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, the development of novel platforms and business models that ensure reliability and profitability of microgrid operations become increasingly important. In this study, we introduce an open micro energy grid platform to operate the widely distributed microgrids in Korea. Subsequently, we present commercial microgrid business models supported by the open micro energy grid platform equipped with an artificial intelligence engine and provide test results from testbeds connected to the platform. In contrast to the existing microgrid business models in the market, we propose a universal architecture and business model of the future microgrid, comprising (i) an energy robot-management operation business model, (ii) electric vehicle-based demand response, (iii) blockchain technology for energy trading, and (iv) a service-oriented business model. Finally, we propose a new business model for an intelligent virtual power plant (VPP) operator along with the architecture of the VPP and its proof of concept (PoC). We expect the proposed business model to provide energy solution providers with guidelines to develop various VPP services.
A PLL-Based Online Estimation of Induction Motor Consumption Without Electrical Measurement
Authors: Doget Thierry , Etien Erik , Rambault Laurent , Cauet Sébastien
Published: April 2019

This work is supported by a company wishing to develop new products in the field of energy monitoring in industry. It concerns the real-time estimation of the electrical consumption of an asynchronous motor without electrical measurement. The challenge consists of estimating the characteristic quantities of the motor (speed, torque, powers, efficiency) with only one vibratory measurement, information on the nameplate and commercial documentation available online. To obtain a real-time estimate, traditional FFT analysis is replaced by a PLL initially designed for power grid analysis. So, the second challenge is to modify this PLL for use with vibratory measurement characterized by a low signal-to-noise ratio, amplitude variations and a non-stationary behavior. A complete design and experimental tests are presented to validate the proposed approach.
Forest Policy Information Networks and the Role of Trust: Cooperative and Competitive Orientations and Underlying Causes
Authors: Baycheva-Merger Tanya
Published: April 2019

The importance of trust has been widely acknowledged as a major antecedent and a constitutive element of information exchange in policy networks. The ultimate objective of the present article is to understand whether and how trust is a factor explaining patterns of limited information exchange between forestry and nature conservation actors in forest policy networks in Europe. Drawing upon analytical insights of actor-centered institutionalism (ACI) and building upon a qualitative network analysis (QNA) as a research strategy, the study focuses on the German forest policy network in order to provide deeper insights into the cooperative (i.e., generalized trust) and competitive (i.e., generalized distrust) orientations of forestry and nature conservation actors. The results reveal trust issues with respect to forest information, which can be framed according to the interests of forestry and nature conservation actors and used as a discursive weapon, softly steering them in a particular direction. The underlying causes of the trust issues are deeply rooted in conflicts of interests and power, preventing from exchanging forest information among forestry and nature conservation actors. It is therefore argued that forest information should be understood as a political asset rather than a neutral and objective form of expertise. This could explain persistent trust issues and conflicts among forestry and nature conservation actors when it comes to the exchange of forest information in the context of European forest policy networks.
Effects of Predominant Tree Species Mixing on Lignin and Cellulose Degradation during Leaf Litter Decomposition in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: He Wei , Ma Zhiyuan , Pei Jing , Teng Mingjun , Zeng Lixiong , Yan Zhaogui , Huang Zhilin , Zhou Zhixiang , Wang Pengcheng , Luo Xin , Xiao Wenfa
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential mixing effects on degradation of lignin and cellulose in mixed leaf litter from Pinus massoniana Lamb., Cupressus funebris Endl., and/or Quercus variabilis Bl., and elucidate the interactions with abiotic factors. The litter bag method was used in the field experiment, and the three predominant species in the Three Gorges Reservoir region were treated as single-, pair-, and tri-species combinations with equal proportions of litter mass. Lignin and cellulose losses in the litter treatments were measured, and the mixing effects were evaluated based on the sampling phase and decomposition period. At the end of the one-year decomposition period, mixing species increased lignin loss by 3.3% for the cypress + oak combination and cellulose loss by 3.9%, 1.8%, and 0.8% for the pine + oak, cypress + oak, and pine + cypress + oak combinations, respectively. The pine + oak and cypress + oak combinations exhibited greater lignin and cellulose loss than the tri-species mixture. Accelerated lignin degradation also apparently occurred in the pine + cypress combination as decomposition proceeded. Generalized linear models suggested that the investigated environmental factors (in terms of average temperature and cumulative precipitation) and changing litter quality (lignin, cellulose, and lignin/cellulose) had significant effects on nonadditive lignin loss, whereas only the changing litter quality factors significantly affected nonadditive cellulose loss. In summary, mixing two or three of the studied species alters cycling of recalcitrant substrates in plantations, and mixed planting with Quercus appears to strengthen both the lignin and cellulose degradation processes.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Another Case in a Growing List of Heritage Landmarks Destroyed by Fire
Authors: Ferreira Tiago Miguel
Published: April 2019

16 April 2019 [...]
Relationships Between Cull Beef Cow Characteristics, Finishing Practices and Meat Quality Traits of Longissimus thoracis and Rectus abdominis
Authors: Couvreur Sébastien , Le Bec Guillain , Micol Didier , Picard Brigitte
Published: April 2019

The aim of study was to investigate the relationships between the characteristics of cull beef cows in the Rouge des Prés breed, finishing practices and physicochemical characteristics and sensory traits of Longissimus thoracis (LT) and Rectus abdominis (RA) muscles from 111 cows. On the basis of our surveys, which qualify at cow level the animal characteristics and finishing diet, clusters of cull cows and finishing practices are created and their effects tested on LT and RA meat quality. Old and heavy cows with good suckling ability (95 months, 466 kg and 7.1/10) are characterized by LT with larger fibers, and higher intramuscular fat content and fat-to-muscle ratio. Young and heavy cows with low suckling ability (54 months, 474 kg and 4.4/10) are characterized by LT and RA with lower MyHC IIx and higher MyHC IIa and MyHC I proportions. MyHC IIx and IIa proportions are lower and a* and b* color indices higher when cows are finished on pasture, probably related to grass diet and physical activity. The fat-to-muscle ratio is higher without any effect on the intramuscular fat content when cows are finished over a short period (107 days) with a high level of concentrate (9.7 kg/day). The opposite effect is observed over a long period (142 days) with a low level of concentrate (5.8 kg/day), confirming the interaction effect between finishing duration and amount of energy concentrate on the allotment of adipose tissue deposit.
Quantum Cosmology in the Light of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Robles-Pérez Salvador J.
Published: April 2019

There is a formal analogy between the evolution of the universe, when it is seen as a trajectory in the minisuperspace, and the worldline followed by a test particle in a curved spacetime. The analogy can be extended to the quantum realm, where the trajectories are transformed into wave packets that give us the probability of finding the universe or the particle in a given point of their respective spaces: the spacetime in the case of the particle and the minisuperspace in the case of the universe. The wave function of the spacetime and the matter fields, all together, can then be seen as a super-field that propagates in the minisuperspace and the so-called third quantisation procedure can be applied in a parallel way as the second quantisation procedure is performed with a matter field that propagates in the spacetime. The super-field can thus be interpreted as made up of universes propagating, i.e., evolving, in the minisuperspace. The analogy can also be used in the opposite direction. The way in which the semiclassical state of the universe is obtained in quantum cosmology allows us to obtain, from the quantum state of a field that propagates in the spacetime, the geodesics of the underlying spacetime as well as their quantum uncertainties or dispersions. This might settle a new starting point for a different quantisation of the spacetime.
Transcriptome Dynamics of Double Recessive Mutant, o2o2o16o16, Reveals the Transcriptional Mechanisms in the Increase of Its Lysine and Tryptophan Content in Maize
Authors: Wang Wei , Dai Yi , Wang Mingchun , Yang Wenpeng , Zhao Degang
Published: April 2019

In maize, pyramiding of o2 and o16 alleles can greatly improve the nutritional quality of grains. To dissect its molecular mechanism, we created a double recessive mutant line, o2o2o16o16, by introgression of the o2 and o16 alleles into the wild-type maize inbred line, by molecular marker-assisted backcross selection. The kernels (18 day after pollination (DAP), 28 DAP, and 38 DAP) of the o2o2o16o16 mutant and its parent lines were subject to RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The RNA-Seq analysis revealed that 59 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in lysine metabolism and 43 DEGs were involved in tryptophan metabolism. Among them, the genes encoding AK, ASADH, and Dap-F in the lysine synthesis pathway were upregulated at different stages of endosperm development, promoting the synthesis of lysine. Meanwhile, the genes encoding LKR/SDH and L-PO in the lysine degradation pathway were downregulated, inhibiting the degradation of lysine. Moreover, the genes encoding TAA and YUC in the tryptophan metabolic pathway were downregulated, restraining the degradation of tryptophan. Thus, pyramiding o2 and o16 alleles could increase the lysine and tryptophan content in maize. These above results would help to uncover the molecular mechanisms involved in the increase in lysine and the tryptophan content, through the introgression of o2 and o16 alleles into the wild-type maize.