bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Well-Supported Ag3VO4–AgBr Nanostructures for Visible Light-Driven Treatment of Wastewaters
Authors: Padervand Mohsen
Published: August 2017

Ag3VO4–AgBr nanoparticles were loaded on fluorapatite (FA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) supports by an ionic liquid-mediated precipitation method and used as effective visible light-driven photocatalysts for the degradation of Acid Blue 92 (AB92) azo dye as a typical wastewater. The products were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The XRD patterns confirmed the formation of Ag3VO4 and AgBr crystalline phases. Moreover, the SEM images indicated that the photoactive agents were homogeneously dispersed on the surface and the average size of the particles was between 45 and 95 nm. During the treatment time, the photogenerated electron–hole pairs reacted with the species in the solution and produced OH•, HO2• and O2•– species which attacked the organic pollutants and destroyed the crucial bonds. Recycling experiments confirmed that the CMC-based photocatalyst was more active during the first time of using while the FA analogue was determined to be sufficiently active after five cycles of usage.
On Searching for a Stepwise Channel for the Mechanism of a 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition between a Thiocarbonyl S-Oxide and C20 Fullerene using Born–Oppenheimer ab Initio QM/MM Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Gouran Ali Asghar , Asghari Sakineh
Published: August 2017

The probability of existence of a stepwise route which is in parallel with the well-known concerted pathway for the mechanism of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is debated by many researchers. As the route is stepwise, it would lead to emergence of at least a metastable intermediate which would produce some stereoisomers such as enantiomers and diastereomers. In 1986 the first clear stepwise example for a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was reported by Huisgen where an electron-poor alkene was reacted with a thiocarbonyl ylide. Since then, researchers have focused on the thiocarbonyl ylide 1,3-dipolar group in finding more stepwise examples. It was found that some reactions of a thiocarbonyl ylide with some dipolarophiles proceeded by a stepwise route, while others did not.

This situation led us to investigate the probability of existence a stepwise route in parallel with the concerted path for the reaction of methyl thiocarbonyl S-oxide and C20 fullerene as a chemically active and nano-dimension electronegative alkene. To give more reliable data, Born–Oppenheimer ab initio QM/MM molecular dynamics was used.
Pseudo-Natural Products, Some Artefacts Formed during the Isolation of Terpenoids
Authors: Hanson James R.
Published: August 2017

The formation of artefacts during the isolation, purification and characterisation of terpenoids is reviewed.
Synthesis of 3-Cyano-21-Nitro-N-Confused Porphyrin Derivatives by Isoamyl Nitrite
Authors: Zhang Shaowei , Fu Xinliang , Ren Demin , Li Xiaofang , Yang Leilei , Yu Xianyong
Published: August 2017

The 3-cyano-21-nitro- N-confused porphyrin derivatives were synthesised by the nitration reaction of 3-cyano- N-confused-porphyrin with isoamyl nitrite at room temperature in moderate yield. The reaction took placed regioselectively in 21-position carbon of inverted pyrrole of N-confused porphyrins.
Diagnostic Significance of Haemogram Parameters and RBC Indices in Haemoglobin E Trait
Authors: Khondaker Tarannum , Ahmed Abul Kashem Jalaluddin , Amin Syed Khairul
Published: August 2017

Background: Hemoglobin E disease are the most common structural haemoglobinopathies, reaching its highest frequency in South East Asia and also prevalent in Bangladesh. There are very few data for effective screening of HB E trait. The aim of the study was to analyze hematological profile and RBC indices as a marker of screening for Hb E trait.Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among 150 subjects at Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital from December 2008 to November 2009. On the basis of Hb electrophoresis, all subjects were divided into three groups. Group I comprised of 50 subjects with Hb E trait, group II comprised 51 subjects with ß thalassemia trait and Group III comprised of 49 normal subjects. Result of RBC indices and blood count were compared between Hb E trait and normal study population.Results: In group I the mean age was 29.53 years and the age range was 2-47 years. In group II the mean age was 30.31 years and the range was 1-55 years. In group III the mean age was 21.81 years and the range was 1-52 years. The present study revealed the mean±SD haemoglobin level (g/dl) in group I (E trait) and group III (normal subjects) were 11.76±1.91 and 10.77±1.4 respectively. Statistically no significant difference was found between these 2 groups (P>.05). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in mean±SD in group I and group III were 72.89±12.24 fl and 77.35±10.27 fl respectively. No statistical significance was found as P>0.05. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in group I were 24.84±2.71pg & 32.97±2.27 g/dl and in group III were 28.28±2.71 pg & 32.97±2.38 g/dl respectively. There were no significant difference between group I and III regarding MCH and MCHC.The mean RBC count in E trait and normal subject group were 5.01±71 million/cmm and 4.61±0.65 million/cmm respectively. There was no significant difference was found P>0.05. Mean red cell distribution width (RDW) in group I and III were 14.32 ±2.34 and 14.83±1.28 without any statistical difference (P>0.05)Conclusion: In our study there were no diagnostic significance of Blood count and RBC Indices for detection of Hb E trait. More study should be conducted to find out reliable marker of screening for Hb E carrier.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 2: Jul 2017, P 94-99
Use of Seton in Management of High Variety of Anal Fistula
Authors: Alam Mohammad Noor A , Abbasi Sharmin
Published: August 2017

Background: Anal fistula is an abnormal communicative small channel that has an internal opening and an external opening and connected by the primary track. Our study evaluate the effectiveness of seton in high variety anal fistula.Objectives: Evaluation the efficacy and safety of seton as surgical management of high anal fistula. Methods: This is a prospective study done on 57 patients in BIRDEM hospital and some other clinic of Dhaka city in 3 years period with high variety of anal fistula which is above the dentate line and were treated with seton .Outcome measured during follow up period were- successfully healed, recurrence, incontinence, percentage of complications and patients satisfaction.Result: Among 57 patients mean age was 38.2+_6.8 years. Overall outcome of the patients showed-fistula completely healed in 51 patients, incontinence occurred in 2 patients and recurrence occurred in 4 patients.Conclusion: Seton is relatively safe, effective and low cost for the management of high anal fistula with low rate of incontinence. It can therefore, be recommended as the standard of treatment for high variety fistula in ano.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 2: Jul 2017, P 100-104
Role of Ultrasound and Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Gallbladder Malignancy
Authors: Ghafoor Nusrat , Abedin Naffisa , Mohiuddin AS
Published: August 2017

Background & objective: Ultrasonogram (USG) and computed tomography (CT) are often used in the evaluation of gall-bladder carcinoma. Thepresent study was conducted to determine the usefulness of USG and CT scan in diagnosing gallbladder carcinoma.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Department of Radiology and Imaging, BIRDEM in collaboration with the Departments of Hepato-biliary Surgery, and Histopathology of the same institute over a period of 3 years fromJuly 2004 to June 2006. A total of 42 patients (ranging from 40-80 years) were initially included on the basis of signs and symptoms of gallbladder carcinoma and underwent USG and CT scan for preoperative radiological diagnosis, its extension and operability. Following operation all the resected specimens were sent for histopathological evaluation. The diagnostic accuracies of USG and CT scan were then compared against histopathological diagnoses by using Kappa statistics.Result: In the present study, the mean age of the patients was 60 (range: 40-80) years with female preponderance. About 40% of the gall-bladder were contracted and reduced in size and 32.5% large and distended on USG examination, while 45% of the gall-bladder were contracted and reduced in size and 25% distended and large on CT examination. Approximately 40% had irregularly thickened wall and 21.2% diffusely thickened wall on USG and 30% of gallbladder wall were diffusely thickened and 45% irregularly thickened on CT scan. The present study showed hepatic parenchymal invasion to be 22.5% on USG and 42.5% on CT scan. The sensitivity and specificity of USG in diagnosing GB carcinoma were 93.9 and 71.4% respectively. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity of CT scan in detecting GB carcinoma were 97.1 and 83.3% respectively. The test of agreement (Kappa test) revealed an almost 90% agreement between the two procedures meaning that the two diagnostic modalities are almost comparable in diagnosing gall bladder carcinoma (p<0.001).Conclusion: The study findings indicate that both USG and CT scan are ideal,non-invasive, safe imaging modalities for diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma. CT scan has an additional advantage in defining the extension of the disease and involvement of surrounding structures including lymph nodes and hepatoduodenal ligament.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 2: Jul 2017, P 105-111
Sirenomelia: The Mermaid Syndrome-A Rare Case Report
Authors: Siddiqua Sehereen Farhad , Abbasi Sharmin , Hasan Abrar Saqif
Published: August 2017

Sirenomelia, which is also known as mermaid syndrome, is an extremely rare congenital developmental disorder characterized by anomalies of the lower spine and the lower limbs. Affected infants are born with partial or complete fusion of the legs1. Additional malformations may also occur including genitourinary abnormalities, gastrointestinal abnormalities, anomalies of the lumbarsacral spine and pelvis and absence or underdevelopment (agenesis) of one or both kidneys. Affected infants may have one foot, no feet or both feet, which may be rotated externally. The tailbone is usually absent and the sacrum is partially or completely absent as well. Additional conditions may occur with sirenomelia including imperforate anus, spina bifida, and heart (cardiac) malformations. Sirenomelia is often fatal during the newborn period. The exact cause of sirenomelia is unknown, most cases occur randomly for no apparent reason (sporadically). We report a case of 30 years old primi wt 115 kg, non diabetic, normotensive, euthyroid at 38 weeks pregnancy deliverd a baby with mermaid syndrome.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 2: Jul 2017, P 144-147
Two Cases of Alleged Gang Rape Examined at Forensic Medicine Department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) Barisal with Opinions Not "Enough to Prove the Allegation"
Authors: Haque Syed Mohammad Tanjilul , Khan Ahad Mahmud , Barek Abdul , Chowdhury Md Habibuzzaman , Khan Nashid Tabassum , Akhteruzzaman Md
Published: August 2017

It is one of the most difficult tasks in forensic medicine is to examine alleged victims of sexual offence like rape that happened a few weeks back. There is a chance of miscarriage of justice. Two women were examined in the department of forensic medicine of SBMC. They gave the history of forceful sexual intercourse by several men at midnight while travelling in a bus. After their identification and obtaining informed written consent they were examined by 2 doctors, one is male and the other is female. With heavy responsibility on them the doctors had to proceed with the examination of the victims of alleged gang rape. Clinical examination, laboratory tests of collected specimens and X-ray examination were done. The opinions were that in case of the first victim, her age was around 18 years and in case of 2nd victim, her age was around 17 years and in both victims, no signs of forceful sexual intercourse were present but signs of past sexual intercourse were present. If a consistency between the history given by the victim and signs detected by the examining doctors is established by the investigating legal officer then a positive result is expected from the court of trial but very often this does not happen.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 2: Jul 2017, P 148-152
Professor Dr. M Salimullah
Authors: Ahmed Mesbahuddin
Published: August 2017

Abstract not availableJournal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2017
In Vitro Evaluation of Selected Plant extracts and Chemicals against Pathogenic Fungi isolated from Momordica Charantia L.
Authors: Miya Md Dulal , Shamsi Shamim
Published: August 2017

Five plant extracts and two chemicals were evaluated against radial growth of five pathogenic fungi isolated from fresh vegetables of two varieties of Momordica charantia L. The isolated fungi were Aspergillus niger Van Tiegh, Curvularia brachyspora Boedijn, Fusarium Link, Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill and Trichoderma viride Pers.. Five plant extracts namely Allium sativum L., Azadirachta indicia A. Juss., Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f, Mangifera indica L. and Psidium guajava L. were evaluated for inhibiting growth of above mentioned fungi associated with the vegetable. Out of the five plant extracts, A. sativum showed complete radial growth inhibition of A. niger, C. brachyspora, Fusarium sp. and R. stolonifer at 15 and 20% concentrations. Azadirachta indica showed complete radial growth inhibition of C. brachyspora and Fusarium sp. Rhizopus stolonifer was completely inhibited by 15 and 20% concentration owing to leaf extract of A. indica and P. guajava. The same fungus was completely inhibited by M. indica at 20% concentration. Fusarium sp. was completely inhibited by C. limon at 20% concentration. Two chemicals, sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride were used against the test pathogens and sodium bicarbonate showed complete inhibition of radial growth of A. niger, C. brachyspora, Fusarium sp. and R. stolonifer at 20% concentration. The last one also inhibited by the chemical at 15% concentration. Sodium chloride showed highest 95% inhibition of radial growth of T. viride at 20% concentration.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 41, No. 1, 11-16, 2017
From the Editors: De Ethica. A Journal of Philosophical, Theological and Applied Ethics (German)
Authors: Agnafors Marcus
Published: August 2017

No abstract available.
Wage Desert and the Success of Organisations
Authors: Young Shaun
Published: August 2017

People often apply the concept of desert when deciding how to respond to various circumstances and they believe it is appropriate and morally required that they do so. More specifically, desert has long been a prominent (if not the paramount) feature of discussions concerning just compensation. In this essay I argue that providing employees the compensation (remuneration) they deserve – that is, realising wage desert – is essential to demonstrating adequate respect for employees, which, in turn, greatly facilitates the ability of organisations to attract and retain qualified, competent employees and provides employees with a powerful motivation for performing to the best of their ability. In so doing, wage desert offers an effective means for helping to secure and maintain an organisation’s capacity to function as desired and, by extension, be successful. Hence, both for moral and prudential reasons it seems preferable for all involved that the concept of desert be used when determining employee remuneration.
Monoclonal Antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein
Authors: Zhang Min , Mandraju Rajakumar , Rai Urvashi , Shiratsuchi Takayuki , Tsuji Moriya
Published: August 2017

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium spp. Malaria continues to have a devastating impact on human health. Sporozoites are the infective forms of the parasite inside mosquito salivary glands. Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a major and immunodominant protective antigen on the surface of Plasmodium sporozoites. Here, we report a generation of specific monoclonal antibodies that recognize the central repeat and C-terminal regions of P. falciparum CSP. The monoclonal antibodies 3C1, 3C2, and 3D3—specific for the central repeat region—have higher titers and protective efficacies against challenge with sporozoites compared with 2A10, a gold standard monoclonal antibody that was generated in early 1980s.
Conversion of Carbohydrates into Platform Chemicals Catalyzed by Alkaline Ionic Liquids
Authors: Du Xiaojia , Zhang Jie , Wang Yuehai , Qu Yongshui
Published: August 2017

A series of alkaline ionic liquids (ILs) including 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium benzoate ([BMIM]PHCOO), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium carbonate ([BMIM]2CO3), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([BMIM]OAc), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide ([BMIM]OH), ethanolamine tetrafluoroborate ([MEA]BF4), and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG)-based ILs, etc., were synthesized and utilized as catalysts for the conversion of carbohydrates into 5-HMF. 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine tetrafluoroborate ([TMG]BF4) was confirmed to exhibit excellent catalytic activity, and was much cheaper than other ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) for use as a solvent in the conversion of C6 carbohydrates into 5-HMF. The 5-HMF yields from fructose, glucose, cellobiose, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were 74.19%, 27.33%, 20.20%, and 17.73%, respectively. In addition, the possible pathway of carbohydrates (MCC, cellobiose, glucose, etc.) conversion into 5-HMF with [TMG]BF4 as a catalyst was speculated, and the conversion of glucose into 5-HMF was determined to likely be the committed step in the transformation of MCC catalyzed by [TMG]BF4.
Recent Development in Phosphonic Acid-Based Organic Coatings on Aluminum
Authors: Zhao Ruohan , Rupper Patrick , Gaan Sabyasachi
Published: August 2017

Research on corrosion protection of aluminum has intensified over the past decades due to environmental concerns regarding chromate-based conversion coatings and also the higher material performance requirements in automotive and aviation industries. Phosphonic acid-based organic and organic-inorganic coatings are increasingly investigated as potential replacements of toxic and inefficient surface treatments for aluminum. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent work (since 2000) on pretreatments or coatings based on various phosphonic acids for aluminum and its alloys. Surface characterization methods, the mechanism of bonding of phosphonic acids to aluminum surface, methods for accessing the corrosion behavior of the treated aluminum, and applications have been discussed. There is a clear trend to develop multifunctional phosphonic acids and to produce hybrid organic-inorganic coatings. In most cases, the phosphonic acids are either assembled as a monolayer on the aluminum or incorporated in a coating matrix on top of aluminum, which is either organic or organic-inorganic in nature. Increased corrosion protection has often been observed. However, much work is still needed in terms of their ecological impact and adaptation to the industrially-feasible process for possible commercial exploitation.
High Temperature Transport Properties of Yb and In Double-Filled p-Type Skutterudites
Authors: Hobbis Dean , Liu Yamei , Wei Kaya , Tritt Terry , Nolas George
Published: August 2017

Yb and In double-filled and Fe substituted polycrystalline p-type skutterudite antimonides were synthesized by direct reaction of high-purity elements, followed by solid-state annealing and densification by hot pressing. The stoichiometry and filling fraction were determined by both Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction data and energy dispersive spectroscopic analyses. The transport properties were measured between 300 K and 830 K, and basically indicate that the resistivity and Seebeck coefficient both increase with increasing temperature. In both specimens, the thermal conductivity decreased with increasing temperature up to approximately 700 K, where the onset of bipolar conduction was observed. A maximum ZT value of 0.6 at 760 K was obtained for the Yb0.39In0.018Co2.4Fe1.6Sb12 specimen.
From Relativistic Mechanics towards Relativistic Statistical Mechanics
Authors: Lusanna Luca
Published: August 2017

Till now, kinetic theory and statistical mechanics of either free or interacting point particles were well defined only in non-relativistic inertial frames in the absence of the long-range inertial forces present in accelerated frames. As shown in the introductory review at the relativistic level, only a relativistic kinetic theory of “world-lines” in inertial frames was known till recently due to the problem of the elimination of the relative times. The recent Wigner-covariant formulation of relativistic classical and quantum mechanics of point particles required by the theory of relativistic bound states, with the elimination of the problem of relative times and with a clarification of the notion of the relativistic center of mass, allows one to give a definition of the distribution function of the relativistic micro-canonical ensemble in terms of the generators of the Poincaré algebra of a system of interacting particles both in inertial and in non-inertial rest frames. The non-relativistic limit allows one to get the ensemble in non-relativistic non-inertial frames. Assuming the existence of a relativistic Gibbs ensemble, also a “Lorentz-scalar micro-canonical temperature” can be defined. If the forces between the particles are short range in inertial frames, the notion of equilibrium can be extended from them to the non-inertial rest frames, and it is possible to go to the thermodynamic limit and to define a relativistic canonical temperature and a relativistic canonical ensemble. Finally, assuming that a Lorentz-scalar one-particle distribution function can be defined with a statistical average, an indication is given of which are the difficulties in solving the open problem of deriving the relativistic Boltzmann equation with the same methodology used in the non-relativistic case instead of postulating it as is usually done. There are also some comments on how it would be possible to have a hydrodynamical description of the relativistic kinetic theory of an isolated fluid in local equilibrium by means of an effective relativistic dissipative fluid described in the Wigner-covariant framework.
Partial Discharge Feature Extraction Based on Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and Sample Entropy
Authors: Shang Haikun , Lo Kwok , Li Feng
Published: August 2017

Partial Discharge (PD) pattern recognition plays an important part in electrical equipment fault diagnosis and maintenance. Feature extraction could greatly affect recognition results. Traditional PD feature extraction methods suffer from high-dimension calculation and signal attenuation. In this study, a novel feature extraction method based on Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) and Sample Entropy (SamEn) is proposed. In order to reduce the influence of noise, a wavelet method is applied to PD de-noising. Noise Rejection Ratio (NRR) and Mean Square Error (MSE) are adopted as the de-noising indexes. With EEMD, the de-noised signal is decomposed into a finite number of Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). The IMFs, which contain the dominant information of PD, are selected using a correlation coefficient method. From that, the SamEn of selected IMFs are extracted as PD features. Finally, a Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) is utilized for pattern recognition using the features extracted. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method combines excellent properties of both EEMD and SamEn. The recognition results are encouraging with satisfactory accuracy.
Mixed-Signal Hardware Security: Attacks and Countermeasures for ΔΣ ADC
Authors: Taheri Shayan , Yuan Jiann-Shiun
Published: August 2017

Mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) play an eminent and critical role in design and development of the embedded systems leveraged within smart weapons and military systems. These ICs can be a golden target for adversaries to compromise in order to function maliciously. In this work, we study the security aspects of a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET)-based first-order one-bit delta-sigma ( Δ Σ ) analog to digital converter (ADC) through proposing four attack and one defense models. The first attack manipulates the input signal to the Δ Σ modulator. The second attack manipulates the analog version of the modulator output bit and is triggered by the noise signal. The third attack manipulates the modulator output bit and has a controllable trigger mechanism. The fourth attack manipulates the analog version of the modulator output bit and is triggered by a victim capacitance within the chip. For the defense, a number of signal processing filters are used in order to purge the analog version of the modulator output bit for elimination of the malicious unwanted features, introduced by the attacks. According to the simulation results, the second threat model displays the strongest attack. Derived from the countermeasure evaluation, the best filter to confront the threat models is the robust regression using the least absolute residual computing method.
Dynamic Pricing for Demand Response Considering Market Price Uncertainty
Authors: Fotouhi Ghazvini Mohammad , Soares João , Morais Hugo , Castro Rui , Vale Zita
Published: August 2017

Retail energy providers (REPs) can employ different strategies such as offering demand response (DR) programs, participating in bilateral contracts, and employing self-generation distributed generation (DG) units to avoid financial losses in the volatile electricity markets. In this paper, the problem of setting dynamic retail sales price by a REP is addressed with a robust optimization technique. In the proposed model, the REP offers price-based DR programs while it faces uncertainties in the wholesale market price. The main contribution of this paper is using a robust optimization approach for setting the short-term dynamic retail rates for an asset-light REP. With this approach, the REP can decide how to participate in forward contracts and call options. They can also determine the optimal operation of the self-generation DG units. Several case studies have been carried out for a REP with 10,679 residential consumers. The deterministic approach and its robust counterpart are used to solve the problem. The results show that, with a slight decrease in the expected payoff, the REP can effectively protect itself against price variations. Offering time-variable retail rates also can increase the expected profit of the REPs.
A Novel Method for Idle-Stop-Start Control of Micro Hybrid Construction Equipment—Part B: A Real-Time Comparative Study
Authors: Dinh Truong , Marco James , Niu Hui , Greenwood David , Harper Lee , Corrochano David
Published: August 2017

Micro hybrid propulsion (MHP) technologies have emerged as promising solutions for minimisation of fuel consumption and pollutant emissions of off-highway construction machines (OHCMs). Their performance and economic feasibility strongly depend on the way they utilize the idle-stop-start control (ISSC) concept. The ISSC design process and performance evaluation are particularly challenging due to the peculiar structures and dynamics of OHCMs compared to other vehicles and, therefore, require significant development time and efforts. This paper is the second of a two-part study focusing on prediction-based idle-start-stop control (PISSC) for micro hybrid OHCMs. In part A, the powertrain model and the procedure to design the PISSC system have been presented. The PISSC-based engine control performance has been investigated through numerical simulations with the designed model. In this Part B, a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platform is established in HIL Control Laboratory for the rapid validation of the proposed technique in terms of the fuel/pollutant emission saving in real-time. First, the powertrain architecture and PISSC algorithm presented in Part A are briefly reviewed. Second, the process to build the HIL test platform is clearly stated. Third, experiments and analysis are carried out for a number of comparative studies to validate the superiority and practical applicability of the PISSC approach.
Exploring Marine Energy Potential in the UK Using a Whole Systems Modelling Approach
Authors: Stegman Anna , De Andres Adrian , Jeffrey Henry , Johanning Lars , Bradley Stuart
Published: August 2017

The key market drivers for marine energy are to reduce carbon emissions, and improve the security and sustainability of supply. There are other technologies that also meet these requirements, and therefore the marine energy market is dependent on the technology being cost effective, and competitive. The potential UK wave and tidal stream energy market is assessed using ETI’s energy systems modelling environment (ESME) which uses a multi-vector approach including energy generation, demand, heat, transport, and infrastructure. This is used to identify scenarios where wave and tidal energy form part of the least-cost energy system for the UK by 2050, and will assess what Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) reductions are required to improve the commercialization rate. The results indicate that an installed capacity of 4.9 GW of wave and 2.5 GW of tidal stream could be deployed by 2050 if the LCOE is within 4.5 and 7 p/kWh for each respective technology. If there is a step reduction to the LCOE of wave energy, however, a similar capacity of 5 GW could be deployed by 2050 at a LCOE of 11 p/kWh.
Status Quo of the Air-Conditioning Market in Europe: Assessment of the Building Stock
Authors: Pezzutto Simon , De Felice Matteo , Fazeli Reza , Kranzl Lukas , Zambotti Stefano
Published: August 2017

This study fills in knowledge gaps for the European air-conditioning (AC) market, which is fundamentally important to raising awareness about primary energy utilization. In contrast to space heating (SH) and domestic hot water (DHW) preparation, the European Union (EU) AC market is barely explored in scientific literature. While the focus of previous research has been on the residential sector, a shortfall of data for the services (wholesale and retail, offices, education, health, hotels and bars) exists. In this paper, data describing the actual space cooling (SC) market in Europe (quantity of SC units, equivalent full-load hours, installed capacities, seasonal energy efficiency values as well as cooled floor area per AC type and/or sector) is collected and explored using a bottom-up approach. Results indicate that SC is responsible for a significant portion of EU electricity consumption in households (nearly 5%) and even more in the service sector (~13%). Energy consumption for SC in the EU28 appears to be more than 140 TWh/y. The quantification of the European AC consumption shows a significant difference between the service and residential sectors: about 115 versus 25 TWh/y respectively. The SC market in Europe is characterized by a high potential for growth, especially in households.
Can Biomass Quality Be Preserved through Tarping Comminuted Roadside Biomass Piles?
Authors: Wetzel Suzanne , Volpe Sylvain , Damianopoulos Janet , Krigstin Sally
Published: August 2017

Storage conditions play a vital role in maintaining biomass quality as a suitable bioenergy feedstock. Research has shown that biomass undergoes significant changes under different storage conditions and that these may influence its suitability for various biorefining and bioenergy opportunities. This study explores the effects of different tarp covers on the properties of stored-comminuted forest harvest residue from the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Forest. Characteristics of the biomass were evaluated upon harvesting and after one year in storage. The physical state of the different tarps used for pile coverage was monitored onsite. Results indicated that tarp material considerably affects micro-climatic conditions inside piles, yielding variation in the characteristics of stored biomass over the storage period. While plastic based tarps were easier to work with and lasted longer than paper-based tarps, the paper-based tarps were more breathable and resulted in less degradation of biomass. However, the paper-based tarps did not maintain their structural integrity for the full duration of the storage period. Moisture content of original biomass (48.99%) increased to a maximum of 65.25% under plastic cover after 1 year of storage. This negatively influenced the net heating value of the biomass, causing it to decrease from 8.58 MJ/kg to 4.06 MJ/kg. Overall, the use of covers was not considered successful in preserving the original quality of biomass but may enhance its quality for other biorefinery opportunities.
Early Stage Forest Windthrow Estimation Based on Unmanned Aircraft System Imagery
Authors: Mokroš Martin , Výbošťok Jozef , Merganič Ján , Hollaus Markus , Barton Iván , Koreň Milan , Tomaštík Julián , Čerňava Juraj
Published: August 2017

Strong wind disturbances can affect large forested areas and often occur irregularly within a forest. Due to this, identifying damaged sites and estimating the extent of these losses are crucial for the harvesting management of salvage logging. Furthermore, the location should be surveyed as soon as possible after the disturbance to prevent the degradation of fallen trees. A fixed-wing type of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with a compact digital camera was used in this study. The imagery was acquired on approximately 200 hectares where five large windthrow areas had occurred. The objective of the study was to determine the location of the windthrow areas using a semi-automatic approach based on the UAS imagery, and on the combination of UAS imagery with airborne laser scanning (ALS). The results were compared with reference data measured by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) devices. At the same time, windthrow areas were derived from Landsat imagery to investigate whether the UAS imagery would have significantly more accurate results. GNSS measurements and Landsat imagery are currently used in forestry on an operational level. The salvage logging was estimated for each forest stand based on the estimated areas and volume per hectare obtained from the forest management plan. The results from the UAS (25.09 ha) and the combined UAS/ALS (25.56 ha) methods were statistically similar to the reference GNSS measurements (25.39 ha). The result from Landsat, at 19.8 ha, was not statistically similar to the reference GNSS measurements or to the UAS and UAS/ALS methods. The estimate of salvage logging for the whole area, from UAS imagery and the forest management plan, overestimated the actual salvage logging measured by foresters by 4.93% (525 m3), when only the most represented tree species were considered. The UAS/ALS combination improved the preliminary results of determining windthrow areas which lead to decreased editing time for all operators. The UAS imagery shows potential for application to early-stage surveys of windthrow areas in forests. The advantages of this method are that it provides the ability to conduct flights immediately after the disturbance, the foresters do not need to walk within the affected areas which decreases the risk of injury, and allows flights to be conducted on cloudy days. The orthomosaic of the windthrow areas, as a by-product of data processing in combination with forest maps and forest road maps, can be used as a tool to plan salvage logging.
Does Physical Activity Mediate the Associations Between Local-Area Descriptive Norms, Built Environment Walkability, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin?
Authors: Carroll Suzanne J. , Niyonsenga Theo , Coffee Neil T. , Taylor Anne W. , Daniel Mark
Published: August 2017

Associations between local-area residential features and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may be mediated by individual-level health behaviors. Such indirect effects have rarely been tested. This study assessed whether individual-level self-reported physical activity mediated the influence of local-area descriptive norms and objectively expressed walkability on 10-year change in HbA1c. HbA1c was assessed three times for adults in a 10-year population-based biomedical cohort (n = 4056). Local-area norms specific to each participant were calculated, aggregating responses from a separate statewide surveillance survey for 1600 m road-network buffers centered on participant addresses (local prevalence of overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and physical inactivity (<150 min/week)). Separate latent growth models estimated direct and indirect (through physical activity) effects of local-area exposures on change in HbA1c, accounting for spatial clustering and covariates (individual-level age, sex, smoking status, marital status, employment and education, and area-level median household income). HbA1c worsened over time. Local-area norms directly and indirectly predicted worsening HbA1c trajectories. Walkability was directly and indirectly protective of worsening HbA1c. Local-area descriptive norms and walkability influence cardiometabolic risk trajectory through individual-level physical activity. Efforts to reduce population cardiometabolic risk should consider the extent of local-area unhealthful behavioral norms and walkability in tailoring strategies to improve physical activity.
iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis on Rice Anther Responding to High Temperature
Authors: Mu Qilin , Zhang Wenying , Zhang Yunbo , Yan Haoliang , Liu Ke , Matsui Tsutomu , Tian Xiaohai , Yang Pingfang
Published: August 2017

As one of the most important crops, rice provides the major food for more than half of the world population. However, its production is limited by many environmental factors, among which high temperature stress (HS) frequently occurs during anthesis and reduces its spikelet fertility. To explore the mechanism of HS tolerance in rice, we conducted a comparative proteomics analysis on the anthers between HS resistant and sensitive cultivars under different levels of high temperature. Under the same HS treatment, the resistant cultivar showed much higher spikelet fertility than the sensitive cultivar. Proteomic data showed that HS lead to the degradation of ribosomal proteins in the sensitive cultivar but not in the resistant one, which might result in the injury of protein biosynthetic machinery. In contrast, HS induced the increase of sHSP, β-expansins and lipid transfer proteins in the resistant cultivar, which might contribute to its ability to tolerate HS. The results provide some new insights into the mechanism of rice HS response.
Corneal Fibroblasts as Sentinel Cells and Local Immune Modulators in Infectious Keratitis
Authors: Fukuda Ken , Ishida Waka , Fukushima Atsuki , Nishida Teruo
Published: August 2017

The cornea serves as a barrier to protect the eye against external insults including microbial pathogens and antigens. Bacterial infection of the cornea often results in corneal melting and scarring that can lead to severe visual impairment. Not only live bacteria but also their components such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria contribute to the development of inflammation and subsequent corneal damage in infectious keratitis. We describe the important role played by corneal stromal fibroblasts (activated keratocytes) as sentinel cells, immune modulators, and effector cells in infectious keratitis. Corneal fibroblasts sense bacterial infection through Toll-like receptor (TLR)–mediated detection of a complex of LPS with soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and LPS binding protein present in tear fluid. The cells then initiate innate immune responses including the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules that promote the recruitment of inflammatory cells necessary for elimination of the infecting bacteria. Infiltrated neutrophils are activated by corneal stromal collagen and release mediators that stimulate the production of pro–matrix metalloproteinases by corneal fibroblasts. Elastase produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) activates these released metalloproteinases, resulting in the degradation of stromal collagen. The modulation of corneal fibroblast activation and of the interaction of these cells with inflammatory cells and bacteria is thus important to minimize corneal scarring during treatment of infectious keratitis. Pharmacological agents that are able to restrain such activities of corneal fibroblasts without allowing bacterial growth represent a potential novel treatment option for prevention of excessive scarring and tissue destruction in the cornea.
Understanding Insulin Endocrinology in Decapod Crustacea: Molecular Modelling Characterization of an Insulin-Binding Protein and Insulin-Like Peptides in the Eastern Spiny Lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi
Authors: Chandler Jennifer , Gandhi Neha , Mancera Ricardo , Smith Greg , Elizur Abigail , Ventura Tomer
Published: August 2017

The insulin signalling system is one of the most conserved endocrine systems of Animalia from mollusc to man. In decapod Crustacea, such as the Eastern spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi (Sv) and the red-claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (Cq), insulin endocrinology governs male sexual differentiation through the action of a male-specific, insulin-like androgenic gland peptide (IAG). To understand the bioactivity of IAG it is necessary to consider its bio-regulators such as the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP). This work has employed various molecular modelling approaches to represent S. verreauxi IGFBP and IAG, along with additional Sv-ILP ligands, in order to characterise their binding interactions. Firstly, we present Sv- and Cq-ILP2: neuroendocrine factors that share closest homology with Drosophila ILP8 (Dilp8). We then describe the binding interaction of the N-terminal domain of Sv-IGFBP and each ILP through a synergy of computational analyses. In-depth interaction mapping and computational alanine scanning of IGFBP_N’ highlight the conserved involvement of the hotspot residues Q67, G70, D71, S72, G91, G92, T93 and D94. The significance of the negatively charged residues D71 and D94 was then further exemplified by structural electrostatics. The functional importance of the negative surface charge of IGFBP is exemplified in the complementary electropositive charge on the reciprocal binding interface of all three ILP ligands. When examined, this electrostatic complementarity is the inverse of vertebrate homologues; such physicochemical divergences elucidate towards ligand-binding specificity between Phyla.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the GmSnRK2 Family in Soybean
Authors: Zhao Wei , Cheng Yi-Hui , Zhang Chi , Shen Xin-Jie , You Qing-Bo , Guo Wei , Li Xiang , Song Xue-Jiao , Zhou Xin-An , Jiao Yong-Qing
Published: August 2017

Sucrose non-fermenting-1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) that were reported to be involved in the transduction of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, play important roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Compared to the systemic investigation of SnRK2s in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, little is known regarding SnRK2s in soybean, which is one of the most important oil and protein crops. In the present study, we performed genome-wide identification and characterization of GmSnRK2s in soybean. In summary, 22 GmSnRK2s were identified and clustered into four groups. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the expansion of SnRK2 gene family during the evolution of soybean. Various cis-acting elements such as ABA Response Elements (ABREs) were identified and analyzed in the promoter regions of GmSnRK2s. The results of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data for different soybean tissues showed that GmSnRK2s exhibited spatio-temporally specific expression patterns during soybean growth and development. Certain GmSnRK2s could respond to the treatments including salinity, ABA and strigolactones. Our results provide a foundation for the further elucidation of the function of GmSnRK2 genes in soybean.
Contribution of Intrinsic Lactate to Maintenance of Seizure Activity in Neocortical Slices from Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and in Rat Entorhinal Cortex
Authors: Angamo Eskedar , Ul Haq Rizwan , Rösner Jörg , Gabriel Siegrun , Gerevich Zoltán , Heinemann Uwe , Kovács Richard
Published: August 2017

Neuronal lactate uptake supports energy metabolism associated with synaptic signaling and recovery of extracellular ion gradients following neuronal activation. Altered expression of the monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) hampers lactate removal into the bloodstream. The resulting increase in parenchymal lactate levels might exert both, anti- and pro-ictogen effects, by causing acidosis and by supplementing energy metabolism, respectively. Hence, we assessed the contribution of lactate to the maintenance of transmembrane potassium gradients, synaptic signaling and pathological network activity in chronic epileptic human tissue. Stimulus induced and spontaneous field potentials and extracellular potassium concentration changes (∆[K+]O) were recorded in parallel with tissue pO2 and pH in slices from TLE patients while blocking MCTs by α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (4-CIN) or d-lactate. Intrinsic lactate contributed to the oxidative energy metabolism in chronic epileptic tissue as revealed by the changes in pO2 following blockade of lactate uptake. However, unlike the results in rat hippocampus, ∆[K+]O recovery kinetics and field potential amplitude did not depend on the presence of lactate. Remarkably, inhibition of lactate uptake exerted pH-independent anti-seizure effects both in healthy rat and chronic epileptic tissue and this effect was partly mediated via adenosine 1 receptor activation following decreased oxidative metabolism.
Hydrogen Storage Stability of Nanoconfined MgH2 upon Cycling
Authors: Huen Priscilla , Paskevicius Mark , Richter Bo , Ravnsbæk Dorthe , Jensen Torben
Published: August 2017

It is of utmost importance to optimise and stabilise hydrogen storage capacity during multiple cycles of hydrogen release and uptake to realise a hydrogen-based energy system. Here, the direct solvent-based synthesis of magnesium hydride, MgH2, from dibutyl magnesium, MgBu2, in four different carbon aerogels with different porosities, i.e., pore sizes, 15 < Davg < 26 nm, surface area 800 < SBET < 2100 m2/g, and total pore volume, 1.3 < Vtot < 2.5 cm3/g, is investigated. Three independent infiltrations of MgBu2, each with three individual hydrogenations, are conducted for each scaffold. The volumetric and gravimetric loading of MgH2 is in the range 17 to 20 vol % and 24 to 40 wt %, which is only slightly larger as compared to the first infiltration assigned to the large difference in molar volume of MgH2 and MgBu2. Despite the rigorous infiltration and sample preparation techniques, particular issues are highlighted relating to the presence of unwanted gaseous by-products, Mg/MgH2 containment within the scaffold, and the purity of the carbon aerogel scaffold. The results presented provide a research path for future researchers to improve the nanoconfinement process for hydrogen storage applications.