bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN BERDASARKAN MASALAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR IPA SISWA KELAS II SD NEGERI 006 KELAWAT KECAMATAN SUNGAI LALA KABUPATEN INDRAGIRI HULU
Authors: Anasril Anasril
Published: February 2019

The background of this research is the low learning outcomes of science subjects. Of 36 students, only 36.11% or 13 students whose learning outcomes were completed, besides that the average score of students was 54.60. Based on this, researchers conducted classroom action research by applying problem-based learning models. This research was conducted in SD Negeri 006 Kelawat Kecamatan Sungai Lala, with research subjects of class II students with 36 students. The results of the study stated that the learning outcomes experienced a marked increase in the number of students who completed were 13 people on the basic score to 25 people on the daily test I and increased to 30 people on the daily test II. This means that the sample class has finished classically. There was an increase in the average learning outcomes from basic scores, namely 36.00 to 64.00 in the first cycle and 84.00 in the second cycle.
PEMETAAN DAERAH RENTAN GEMPA BUMI SEBAGAI DASAR PERENCANAAN TATA RUANG DAN WILAYAH DI PROVINSI SULAWESI BARAT
Authors: Eva Marinda noor
Published: February 2019

Penelitian mengenai daerah rawan gempa bumi ini menggunakan Metode Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) di Provinsi Sulawesi Barat, dengan tujuan untuk memetakan tingkat kerawanan bahaya gempa bumi di Kabupaten Mamasa. Penelitian ini menggunakan data kejadian gempa bumi di Pulau Sulawesi dan sekitarnya dari tahun 1900 – 2015. Hasil pengolahan PSHA menggunakan Software Ez-Frisk 7.52 yang menghasilkan nilai hazard di batuan dasar pada kondisi PGA (T = 0,0 sekon), dengan periode ulang 500 tahun dan 2500 tahun berkisar antara (149,54 – 439,45) gal dan (287,18 – 762,81) gal. Nilai hazard di batuan dasar dengan kondisi spektra T = 0,2 sekon untuk periode ulang 500 tahun dan 2500 tahun adalah (307,04 – 1010,90) gal dan (569,48 – 1849,78) gal. Nilai hazard di batuan dasar dengan kondisi spektra T = 1,0 sekon untuk periode ulang 500 tahun dan 2500 tahun diperoleh nilai (118,01 – 265,75) gal dan (223,74 – 510,92) gal. Berdasarkan analisis PSHA, nilai PGA di Provinsi Sulawesi Barat dominan dipengaruhi oleh sumber gempa sesar.
ANALISIS KARAKTERISTIK BATUBARA BERDASARKAN REKAMAN WELL LOGGING DI DAERAH KABUPATEN KATINGAN KALIMANTAN TENGAH
Authors: Setiahadiwibowo Aji Pascaning
Published: February 2019

Daerah penelitian terletak di daerah Katingan, Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode well logging. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui karakteristik batubara daerah penelitian meliputi volume shale, densitas dan ketebalan.Metode well logging yang digunakan dalam eksplorasi batubara mengunakan 3 log yaitu : gamma ray log, density log dan caliper log. Gamma ray log dan density log digunakan untuk interpretasi litologi dan ketebalan. Pada penelitian ini gamma ray log juga digunakan dalam analisis elektrofasies.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat 3 (tiga) lapisan batubara. Karakteristik lapisan batubara daerah penelitan merupakan bentuk elektrofasies cylindrical/boxcar.Kata kunci:  Well logging, elektrofasies
GEOMETRI PERLAPISAN BATUPASIR KONGLOMERATAN SEBAGAI SISIPAN PADA FORMASI NANGGULAN DI KALI WATUPURU DAN KALI SONGGO, PEGUNUNGAN KULON PROGO, YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Nuraini Siti
Published: February 2019

Nanggulan  Conglomeratic  Sandstone  is  one  of  important  part  of     Nanggulan  Formation  which  is deposited during   Middle Eocene to early Late Eocene (Saputra & Akmaluddin, 2015) or Late Oligocene (Rahardjo, 1995). The grain composition of Nanggulan conglomeratic sandstone  is characterized by various rock fragments (metamorphic, igneous, sedimentary rocks) which mixture up to fine to coarse sand-sized matrix. Other materials present within the Nanggulan conglomerathic sandstone are shell fragments, coal remains, siderithic concretions which is deposited within high energy condition. Geometry of conglomeratic sandstone  stratification is still being  a question  among the researchers  due to discontinuous  sand body character.   To study external form of sandstone body needs to combine with internal characters such are grain texture, grain or fragment composition, sedimentary structures to predict a depositional facies. This research is dedicated to study the character of the Nanggulan conglomeratic sand body. Field geological observation was conduct to two rivers i.e Kali Watupuru and Kali Songgo where transecting the Nanggulan beds.  The  grain  or  fragments  concentration  of  Nanggulan  conglomeratic  sandstone  displays  in  various condition for example lying above an erosional surface to the bottom position, or concentrate to the upper layer. It also appears to be engaged in coarser size matrix, or displays a dense grain composition to elsewhere. Geometry of the Nanggulan conglomeratic sandstone represents a lens geometry  which pinching-out to the edge of body.   However, to the top of lens geometry were found steep joints cross cutting the sand layers. Initial geometry of Nanggulan conglomeratic sandstone indicates a channel fill shape due to filling sediments into the erosional feature of underlying beds. When lithification and compaction process occurred along the burial and uplifting tectonic phase, a channel fill geometry becomes lens geometry. Bulging to the centre part and thinning to the edge of sandstone body, is caused by differential compaction process. Lens geometry is believed as one example of structural trap model for sandstone reservoir. The occurrences of vertical joints to the Nanggulan conglomeratic sandstone need to be considered as seal potential within clossure trap or even more causing hydrocarbon leakings.  If development of vertical joint occurs along migration process, it may be potentially leak. However, if joints already sealed parts of hydrocarbon pool may create a compartmentalization  reservoir  body.  By  doing  this  investigation  could  predict  an  advance  reservoir modelling study using outcropp analogues.   Keyword: Nanggulan conglomeratic sandstone, lens geometry, sandstone body.
Adaptation as a status for students of the Initial course of training in university
Authors: Niyazaliyeva A. , Karaeva R. , Suyunbek kyzy A.
Published: February 2019

The article discusses the adaptive characteristics of students by the parameters of a general blood test, to the conditions of the study of a higher educational institution. The purpose of the article is to study the adaptation of the organism to new conditions. One of the most sensitive indicators of many processes occurring in the body is the blood system, which is of the greatest interest since it responsibly to a certain extent reveals the unfolding of a number of phenomena occurring in the body. The key point is the study of the status of adaptation is the indicators of leukocyte formula. On the basis of the above, the processes of adaptation to new sharply continental climate-geographical, environmental factors, including the mechanisms of adaptation of adolescent students of the initial course to new exercise stress, mental and emotional effort, are studied.
Biomedical and social risk factors in children with hemophilia A in the Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Motusheva R.
Published: February 2019

The diagnosis and severity of haemophilia are established after detecting a decrease in FVIII or FIX activity. The study was conducted in the department of haematology on the basis of the National Center for the Protection of Motherhood and Childhood. The article examines biomedical and socio–hygienic risk factors for haemophilia A in children in the Kyrgyz Republic. Paternal heredity in children with haemophilia A was considered as one of the factors in the development of this disease in a child.
Application of the principle of efficiency in ensuring social and economic security
Authors: Shvaiba D.
Published: February 2019

The principle of effectiveness is considered important because it determines the importance of the system and the mechanism of ensuring socio–economic security for society. It implies that the objectives of the mechanism (achievement and maintenance of its non-dangerous state and development) are realized with the lowest costs of the company to maintain its functioning on the basis of the necessary complexity of the structure. This means that the system and included in its membership a way to ensure socio-economic security are required to work efficiently from the point of view of the rationality of expenses of the company and the significance of the obtained results. The rationality of costs is guided by how they relate to the likely outcomes of ensuring socio-economic security. In combination, they reflect the effectiveness of ensuring social and economic security. But the performance assessment in the presented case is related to the problem of cost and probable outcomes. The problem is that the costs of society have all the chances to be quantified or identified by means of functional dependence, but the bulk of the likely effects (results) obtained as a result of the functioning of the mechanism of ensuring socio-economic security, have a qualitative description. For example, the amount of damage prevented by the system of ensuring social and economic security is quantitatively determined. But outcomes such as “maintaining a competitive advantage” or “maintaining the standard of living” are urged to describe qualitative characteristics that are not easily compared to quantifiable costs.
Evolution of political and legal values traditional society in the conditions of nomadic statehood (by the Epic of Manas materials)
Authors: Aydarbekova G. , Abdyraliev B.
Published: February 2019

The article discusses the features of the evolution of political and legal values of a traditional society in the conditions of nomadic statehood on the example of a cultural and legal monument — the Epic of Manas. The topic of Eurasian nomadic civilization, the legal life of Kirghiz, signs of statehood, culture and customs of the people are actively considered by scientists in connection with the growth of the nation’s identity and identity since along with Kirghiz and Kazakhs other modern massifs historically coexisted in the Eurasian nomadic civilization. The subject of the research is political and legal values in a nomadic society on the example of a cultural and legal monument — the Epic of Manas. The object of the research is the formation of individual political and legal values of a traditional society in the context of nomadic statehood and the characteristics of the evolution of the national legal culture. In the study of the problems were used: universal and private scientific methods of cognition: analysis and synthesis, deduction and induction, historical and legal and comparative. The results of the study allow to conclude about the need for further study, preservation and popularization of historical and cultural monuments, allowing people to identify themselves in the world community, in this case, the Epic of Manas, which concentrates a complex of social, cultural, political, legal and other information about life and Kirghiz life.
Seeing God in Sufi Qur'an Commentaries
Authors: Coppens Pieter
Published: February 2019

The Islamic hereafter is often imagined as a place of corporeal reward or punishment. But what is the place of this corporeal hereafter in the imagination of renunciant mystics who wish to completely renounce God’s creation for His sake? Isn’t Paradise after all part of God’s creation as well? Should it be hoped for, or is there something more quintessential awaiting the mystic: seeing God? And how then can this transcendental God be seen? Is it a vision with the eye or with the heart, or both? And is this vision only reserved for the hereafter or can those passionately longing for it already obtain a taste of this reward during this-worldly life? This study sheds light on these questions by discussing the mediaeval mystical exegesis of some key verses on seeing God.
White Skin/Brown Masks: The Case of ‘White’ Actresses From Silent to Early Sound Period in Bombay
Authors: Niazi Sarah Rahman
Published: February 2019

My paper explores categories of gender, ethnicity, modernity and performance through the figure of the ‘white’ actress in the early years of Indian cinema (1920-1940). Film was a lucrative site of business for intrepidly ambitious individuals in search of reinvention in Bombay. For women from ‘white’ backgrounds, cinema became a means to recast their identity; helping them reclaim the public sphere in new and radical ways. The trace of ‘white’ actresses in the history of Indian cinema configures and transforms the status of performers and performance from the silent to the early sound period. The industry attracted a large number of Anglo Indian, Eurasian and Jewish girls, who became the first group of women to join the industry uninhibited by the social opprobrium against film work. I use hagiographic records, film reviews and stills to map the roles women from the Anglo Indian and Jewish communities were dressed up to ‘play’ in the films. These roles helped perpetuate certain stereotypes about women from these communities as well as impinged on the ways that their identity was configured. Through the history of the Anglo Indian and Jewish women in the larger public sphere I lay out and highlight the field from where individuals and personalities emerged to participate in the cinematic process. I see the community as marking and inflecting a system of signs on the body of these women through which identity was constructed and their attempts at reinvention were engendered - a process of individuation, of ‘being’ and of being framed within a particular logic of the popular imaginary frames of representation.
Manufacturing Aspects of Creating Low-Curvature Panels for Prospective Civil Aircraft
Authors: Dubovikov Evgeny , Fomin Danil , Guseva Natalia , Kondakov Ivan , Kruychkov Evgeny , Mareskin Ivan , Shanygin Alexander
Published: February 2019

For this study, structural and manufacturing schemes for low-curvature pressurized fuselage panels were proposed, making it possible to provide high weight efficiency for the airframes of prospective civil blended wing-body (BWB) aircraft. The manufacturing scheme for low-curvature panels helped to achieve high strength characteristics of the composite details as well as decreased the labor input necessary for manufacturing and assembling. The beneficial features of the proposed structure are that the panels have a low weight, incur low manufacturing costs, and satisfy the demands of repairability.
An Automatic Non-Destructive Method for the Classification of the Ripeness Stage of Red Delicious Apples in Orchards Using Aerial Video
Authors: Sabzi Sajad , Abbaspour-Gilandeh Yousef , García-Mateos Ginés , Ruiz-Canales Antonio , Molina-Martínez José Miguel , Arribas Juan Ignacio
Published: February 2019

The estimation of the ripening state in orchards helps improve post-harvest processes. Picking fruits based on their stage of maturity can reduce the cost of storage and increase market outcomes. Moreover, aerial images and the estimated ripeness can be used as indicators for detecting water stress and determining the water applied during irrigation. Additionally, they can also be related to the crop coefficient (Kc) of seasonal water needs. The purpose of this research is to develop a new computer vision algorithm to detect the existing fruits in aerial images of an apple cultivar (of Red Delicious variety) and estimate their ripeness stage among four possible classes: unripe, half-ripe, ripe, and overripe. The proposed method is based on a combination of the most effective color features and a classifier based on artificial neural networks optimized with genetic algorithms. The obtained results indicate an average classification accuracy of 97.88%, over a dataset of 8390 images and 27,687 apples, and values of the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve near or above 0.99 for all classes. We believe this is a remarkable performance that allows a proper non-intrusive estimation of ripening that will help to improve harvesting strategies.
Agroecological Practices and Agrobiodiversity: A Case Study on Organic Orange in Southern Italy
Authors: Ciaccia Corrado , La Torre Anna , Ferlito Filippo , Testani Elena , Battaglia Valerio , Salvati Luca , Roccuzzo Giancarlo
Published: February 2019

The integration of Agroecological Service Crops (ASCs) into agroecosystems can provide several ecological services, such as nutrient cycling and disease and weed management. A two-year experiment on an organic orchard was carried out to compare barley (B) and horse bean (HB) ASCs with a control without ASC (Cont) in combination with fertilizers. Their effects on soil fertility and weed- and soil-borne fungi communities were evaluated by direct measurements, visual estimation, and indicators computation. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify latent patterns and redundancy among variables, whereas a correlation analysis was used to discriminate the compared systems within the PCA matrix. The empirical results of this study put in evidence the correlation among soil, weed, and fungal variables. A slight contribution of fertilizers on the system’s variability was observed, whereas a clear effect of ASCs was highlighted. The systems differed in weed communities, with the lowest density associated to B and the highest to Cont. B showed the highest fungal diversity, with changes in community compared to HB. HB showed a contribution on soil fertility, being associated to organic matter increase and N availability, and evidencing mixed impacts on soil quality and ecosystem functioning. Overall, the above-ground diversity and below-ground community results were inter-correlated.
Agronomic Basis and Strategies for Precision Water Management: A Review
Authors: Neupane Jasmine , Guo Wenxuan
Published: February 2019

Agriculture faces the challenge of feeding a growing population with limited or depleting fresh water resources. Advances in irrigation systems and technologies allow site-specific application of irrigation water within the field to improve water use efficiency or reduce water usage for sustainable crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This paper discusses recent development of variable-rate irrigation (VRI) technologies, data and information for VRI application, and impacts of VRI, including profitability using this technology, with a focus on agronomic factors in precision water management. The development in sprinkler systems enabled irrigation application with greater precision at the scale of individual nozzle control. Further research is required to evaluate VRI prescription maps integrating different soil and crop characteristics in different environments. On-farm trials and whole-field studies are needed to provide support information for practical VRI applications. Future research also needs to address the adjustment of the spatial distribution of prescription zones in response to temporal variability in soil water status and crop growing conditions, which can be evaluated by incorporating remote and proximal sensing data. Comprehensive decision support tools are required to help the user decide where to apply how much irrigation water at different crop growth stages to optimize water use and crop production based on the regional climate conditions and cropping systems.
Comparing Social Media Observations of Animals During a Solar Eclipse to Published Research
Authors: Ritson Robert , Ranglack Dustin H. , Bickford Nate
Published: February 2019

A wide variety of environmental stimuli can influence the behavior of animals including temperature, weather, light, lunar and seasonal cycles, seismic activity, as well as other perturbations to their circadian rhythm. Solar eclipses offer a unique opportunity to evaluate the relative influence of unexpected darkness on behavior of animals due to their sudden interference with local light levels and meteorology. Though occasionally bizarre, modern studies have lent support to the idea that at least some individuals of certain species display altered behavior during these events. A comparison of informal observations of animal behavior during solar eclipse from social media (i.e., March for Science Facebook discussion) to those conducted scientifically (published literature) can elucidate how well this topic is being covered. Describing which species and behaviors are covered in each source can reveal gaps in the literature which can emphasize areas for future research. We enumerated a total of 685 observations of approximately 48 different types of animals reacting to the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse from over 800 posts on the discussion. The animals most frequently reported on social media as reacting to the eclipse were invertebrates (40% of social media observations) and birds (35% of social media observations). A total of 26 published studies recorded 169 behavior observations of approximately 131 different animal species. The group with the highest number of observations in the literature were birds with 62 records (37% of literature observations). Most observations reported decreases in activity (38.7% of bird observations) followed by increases in vocalization (24.2% of bird observations). There were approximately 30 different species of invertebrate observed (24% of literature observations), most frequently reported of which were zooplankton (14.6% of invertebrate observations).
Tissue Expression and Variation of the DGAT2 Gene and Its Effect on Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Yak
Authors: Hu Jiang , Shi Bingang , Xie Jianpeng , Zhou Huitong , Wang Jiqing , Liu Xiu , Li Shaobin , Zhao Zhidong , Luo Yuzhu
Published: February 2019

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase-2 (DGAT2) plays a key role in the synthesis of animal triglycerides (TGs). This study investigated the relative expression of the DGAT2 gene in tissues, variation in the gene, and its association with carcass and meat quality traits in yaks (Bos grunniens). DGAT2 was found to be expressed in twelve tissues investigated, but the highest expression was detected in subcutaneous fat, and moderate levels were observed in the liver, heart, longissimus dorsi muscle, and abomasum. Three variants (A1 to C1) were found in intron 5 and another three variants (A2 to C2) were found in intron 6, with two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being identified in each region in 694 Gannan yaks. Variants B1 and C2 were associated with a decrease in Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (p = 0.0020 and p = 0.0441, respectively), and variant C1 was associated with an increase in WBSF (p = 0.0434) and a decrease in drip loss rate (p = 0.0271), whereas variant B2 was associated with a decrease in cooking loss rate (p = 0.0142). Haplotypes A1-A2 and B1-A2 were found to be, respectively, associated with an increase and a decrease in WBSF (p = 0.0191 and p = 0.0010, respectively). These results indicate that DGAT2 could be a useful gene marker for improving meat tenderness in yaks.
Investigation of Hydrodynamic Forces for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines on Spar Buoys and Tension Leg Platforms with the Mooring Systems in Waves
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , Kao Shin-Hung , Yang Cheng-Hao
Published: February 2019

This study aims to develop a modularized simulation system to estimate dynamic responses of floating Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) based on the concepts of spar buoy and Tension Leg Platform (TLP) corresponding with two typical mooring lines. The modular system consists of the hydrodynamic simulator based the Cummins time domain equation, the Boundary Element Method (BEM) solver based on the 3D source distribution method, and an open-source visualization software ParaView to analyze the interaction between floating OWTs and waves. In order to realize the effects of mooring loads on the floating OWTs, the stiffness and damping matrices are applied to the quasi-static mooring system. The Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) are compared between our predicted results and other published data to verify the modularized simulation system and understand the influence of mooring load on the motion responses in regular or irregular waves. It is also demonstrated that the quasi-static mooring system is applicable to different types of mooring lines as well as determining real-time motion responses. Eventually, wave load components at the resonance frequencies of different motion modes for selected floating OWTs would be present in the time domain.
Adsorption of Arsenic and Heavy Metals from Solutions by Unmodified Iron-Ore Sludge
Authors: Nguyen Khai M. , Nguyen Bien Q. , Nguyen Hai T. , Nguyen Ha T.H.
Published: February 2019

Arsenic and heavy-metal-contaminated environments are a major concern due to their negative impacts on exposed people and ecosystems. In this study, sludge from an iron-ore processing area was used as an adsorbent to remove As, Mn, Zn, Cd, and Pb from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of target adsorbates was investigated in batch experiments of both single- and mixed-metal solutions. The batch studies show that the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities of the heavy metals onto the adsorbent occurred in the order Pb > As > Cd > Zn > Mn, and ranged from 0.710 mg/g to 1.113 mg/g in the single-metal solutions and from 0.370 mg/g to 1.059 mg/g in the mixed-metal solutions. The results of the kinetic experiments are consistent with pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, with a slightly better fit to the latter. Adsorption performances indicate that iron-ore sludge can simultaneously adsorb multiple metal ions and is a promising adsorbent for the removal of toxic pollutants from water.
High-Speed Photodetectors for Microwave Photonics
Authors: Sun Keye , Beling Andreas
Published: February 2019

This paper reviews high-power photodiodes, waveguide photodetectors, and integrated photodiode-antenna emitters with bandwidths up to 150 GHz. Results from heterogeneous III-V photodiodes on silicon and Ge-on-Si photodiode arrays for analog applications are presented.
Survey of Pharmacological Activity and Pharmacokinetics of Selected β-Adrenergic Blockers in Regard to Their Stereochemistry
Authors: Čižmáriková Ružena , Habala Ladislav , Valentová Jindra , Markuliak Mário
Published: February 2019

The present survey concentrates on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of selected β-adrenergic blockers from the point of view of their stereochemistry. It could be shown that the activity in the arylaminoethanol and aryloxyaminopropanol group of β-blockers is higher in their (–)-enantiomers as compared with the (+)-enantiomers. The stereoisomers differ also in other types of bioactivity as well as in toxicity. The particular pharmacokinetic stages such as resorption, distribution, and metabolism are discussed in regard to their stereochemistry.
Modular Design and Decentralized Control of the Recupera Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Kumar Shivesh , Wöhrle Hendrik , Trampler Mathias , Simnofske Marc , Peters Heiner , Mallwitz Martin , Kirchner Elsa Andrea , Kirchner Frank
Published: February 2019

Robot-assisted therapy has become increasingly popular and useful in post-stroke neurorehabilitation. This paper presents an overview of the design and control of the dual-arm Recupera exoskeleton to provide intense therapist-guided as well as self training for sensorimotor rehabilitation of the upper body. The exoskeleton features a lightweight design, high level of modularity, decentralized computing, and various levels of safety implementation. Due to its modularity, the system can be used as a wheel-chair mounted system or as a full-body system. Both systems enable a wide range of therapies while efficiently grounding the weight of the system and without compromising the patient’s mobility. Furthermore, two rehabilitation therapies implemented on the exoskeleton system, namely teach & replay therapy and mirror therapy, are presented along with experimental results.
Effect of Seawater Exposure on Impact Damping Behavior of Viscoelastic Material of Pounding Tuned Mass Damper (PTMD)
Authors: Zhang Peng , Patil Devendra , Ho Siu Chun M.
Published: February 2019

The pounding tuned mass damper (PTMD) is a novel vibration control device that can effectively mitigate the undesired vibration of subsea pipeline structures. Previous studies have verified that the PTMD is more effective and robust compared to the traditional tuned mass damper. However, the PTMD relies on a viscoelastic delimiter to dissipate energy through impact. The viscoelastic material can be corroded by the various chemical substances dissolved in the seawater, which means that there can be possible deterioration in its mechanical property and damping ability when it is exposed to seawater. Therefore, we aim to conduct an experimental study on the impact behavior and energy dissipation of the viscoelastic material submerged in seawater in this present paper. An experimental apparatus, which can generate and measure lateral impact, is designed and fabricated. A batch of viscoelastic tapes are submerged in seawater and samples will be taken out for impact tests every month. Pounding stiffness, hysteresis loops and energy dissipated per impact cycle are employed to characterize the impact behavior of the viscoelastic material. The experimental results suggest that the seawater has little influence on the behavior of the viscoelastic tapes. Even after continuous submersion in seawater for 5 years, the pounding stiffness and energy dissipation remains at the same level.
RETRACTED: Rezig et al. Using Data Mining Methods for Predicting Sequential Maintenance Activities. Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 2184
Authors: Rezig Sadok , Achour Zied , Rezg Nidhal
Published: February 2019

After the results from a research project with former students of the university were published in Applied Sciences [...]
Increasing Gas–Solids Mass Transfer in Fluidized Beds by Application of Confined Fluidization—A Feasibility Study
Authors: Aronsson Jesper , Pallarès David , Rydén Magnus , Lyngfelt Anders
Published: February 2019

Fluidized bed applications where the bed material plays an active role in chemical reactions, e.g. chemical looping combustion, have seen an increase in interest over the past decade. When these processes are to be scaled up to industrial or utility scale mass transfer between the gas and solids phases can become a limitation for conversion. Confined fluidized beds were conceptualized for other purposes in the 1960’s but are yet to be applied to these recent technologies. Here it is investigated if they can prove useful to increase mass transfer but also if they are feasible from other perspectives such as pressure drop increase and solids throughflow. Four spherical packing solids, 6.35–25.4 mm in diameter at two different densities, were tested. For mass transfer experiments the fluidizing air was humidified and the water adsorption rate onto silica gel particles acting as fluidizing solids was measured. Olivine sand was used in further experiments measuring segregation of solids and packing, and maximum vertical crossflow of solids. It was found that mass transfer increased by a factor of 1.9–3.8 with packing solids as compared to a non-packed reference. With high-density packing, fluidizing solids voidage inside the packing was found to be up to 58% higher than in a conventional fluidized bed. Low density packing material favoured its flotsam segregation and with it higher fluidization velocities yield better mixing between packing and fluidizing solids. Maximum vertical cross-flow was found to be significantly higher with low density packing that fluidized, than with stationary high-density packing. Conclusively, the prospect of using confined fluidized beds for improving mass transfer looks promising from both performance and practical standpoints.
Mass Maldistribution Research of Different Internal Flowing Channels in the Cooling Plate Applied to Electric Vehicle Batteries
Authors: Cai Huikun , Xu Chen , Liao Yidai , Su Lijun , Weng Zeju
Published: February 2019

As temperature variations will cause electrochemical reactions to proceed at different rates in different regions of the cell, which thereby leads to incomplete energy utilization and inefficient management of battery life, temperature uniformity is becoming a new challenge in thermal management systems of electric vehicle batteries. With the wide application of liquid cooling strategies, temperature uniformity is significantly affected by coolant mass maldistribution, which is significantly affected by the flowing channel configuration in the cooling plate. However, there are few papers on this influence presently. Therefore, this paper presents numerical research on cooling plates with different internal flowing channels. A comparison of the effects among three channel configurations (cavity, parallel, and serpentine) on coolant flowing characteristics is carried out by analyzing their mass maldistribution coefficients and pressure drops. Then, a serpentine channel is selected for further optimization by an orthogonal experiment and range analysis method due to its better comprehensive performance. The study aims to reveal design principles on how channel configuration acts on mass maldistribution, and to demonstrate that significant performance gains can be realized with optimization techniques that can be utilized in battery cooling plates.
MZM Optimization of PAM-4 Transmission in Data Center Interconnect
Authors: Sonkin Eduard , Sadot Dan , Katz Gilad
Published: February 2019

An analog optimization of 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) signal is proposed, together with maximum likelihood sequence estimation digital signal processing. The proposed optimizations are verified by experimental demonstration at 53 Gbaud, indicating an improvement of 4–5 dB in the optical signal to noise sensitivity.
Classification of Corn Stalk Lodging Resistance Using Equivalent Forces Combined with SVD Algorithm
Authors: Guo Qingqian , Chen Ruipeng , Ma Liuzheng , Sun Haifeng , Weng Mengmeng , Li Shixin , Hu Jiandong
Published: February 2019

Corn stalk lodging, which involves the breakage of the stalk below the ear following either bad weather, insect infestation or stormy rain, usually leads to harvest loss, increased harvesting time and higher drying costs. The objective of this study was to develop a method that can classify corn stalk lodging resistance. This method, which employed the maximum equivalent force exerted on a corn stalk, corresponding stalk agronomic traits, and the singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm, showed that the five corn varieties with different stalk lodging resistance from two planting densities of 60,000 plants/ha and 75,000 plants/ha can be effectively classified. A customized device was designed to measure the equivalent forces. Three factors, including the planting density, the stalk diameter, and the maximum equivalent force with comprehensive contributions of −0.4603, 0.4196 and 0.4068, which are related to principal components, play an important role in the classification of corn stalk lodging resistance. The results showed that the corn stalk lodging resistance decreased with increase in planting density; however, with the increase in stalk diameter and maximum equivalent force, the lodging resistance significantly increased. Corn breeders can develop higher lodging resistance-based corn varieties by using this approach.
Influence of Stress and Crack Patterns on the Sensitive Characteristics of Fissure Sandstone Permeability under Hydromechanical Coupling
Authors: Fan Gangwei , Zhang Dongsheng , Zhang Shuai , Zhao Qiang , Yu Wei , Liang ShuaiShuai
Published: February 2019

The stress-sensitive of seepage characteristics after rock fracture has a crucial effect on the formation and closure of seepage channels, and it is important to study the sensitivity of fracture permeability for engineering seepage prevention. The aim of the current study was to investigate the permeability law of different fracture modes under unloading action. Firstly, the physical and mechanical parameters of the Voronoi polygon block and joint were fitted with rock properties obtained in the laboratory based on the fracture characteristics of triaxial seepage experiment samples. Crack reconstruction technology and a new hydraulic parameter fitting method were used to obtain the hydraulic aperture of microjoints and macrocracks. Then, six single crack models and four models based on typical fracture characteristics of rock samples were established to study the variation of the hydraulic aperture of microcracks and macroscopic cracks in unloading environment and the morphology of the main seepage passages, to explore the seepage characteristics of different angle cracks under different unloading stress paths, and to analyze the law of seepage variation of different crack forms under different stress environments. The results indicated that a horizontal hydraulic aperture is more sensitive to axial stress than a vertical hydraulic aperture and that a vertical hydraulic aperture is more sensitive to confining stress than a horizontal hydraulic aperture. For a single crack model, the sensitivity of a 70–90-degree crack to confining pressure is greater than that of a 40–60-degree crack. The axial stress sensitivity of a 40–60-degree crack is greater than that of a 70–90-degree crack. For a typical fracture model, under the same stress conditions, the sensitivity of four typical cracks to confining pressure is greater than that to axial pressure.
Lignocellulosic Composites from Acetylated Sunflower Stalks
Authors: Papadopoulos Antonios N. , Kyzas George Z. , Mitropoulos Athanasios C.
Published: February 2019

Sunflower stalks could be an alternative raw material for use in the particleboard industry since the requirements of P1 general purpose boards for use in dry conditions and P2 boards for interior fitment for use in dry conditions are easily satisfied. Acetylation of sunflower stalks is found to greatly improve the thickness swelling (TS) value, with acetylated boards showing 19.7% weight gain, meeting the TS requirements of P3 Non-Load-Bearing—Humid and P4 Load Bearing—Dry criteria; however, acetylation adversely affects the internal bond strength (IBS). It is suggested that combinations of industrial wood chips with sunflower raw material may be used for the overall improvement performance of the particleboards.
What Do We Learn from Good Practices of Biologically Inspired Design in Innovation?
Authors: Chirazi Jacques , Wanieck Kristina , Fayemi Pierre-Emmanuel , Zollfrank Cordt , Jacobs Shoshanah
Published: February 2019

Biologically inspired design (BID) is an emerging field of research with increasing achievements in engineering for design and problem solving. Its economic, societal, and ecological impact is considered to be significant. However, the number of existing products and success stories is still limited when compared to the knowledge that is available from biology and BID research. This article describes success factors for BID solutions, from the design process to the commercialization process, based on case studies and market analyses of biologically inspired products. Furthermore, the paper presents aspects of an effective knowledge transfer from science to industrial application, based on interviews with industrial partners. The accessibility of the methodological approach has led to promising advances in BID in practice. The findings can be used to increase the number of success stories by providing key steps toward the implementation and commercialization of BID products, and to point out necessary fields of cooperative research.
Effect of Vertical Air Motion on Disdrometer Derived Z-R Coefficients
Authors: Michaelides Silas , Lane John , Kasparis Takis
Published: February 2019

For synoptic-scale motions the vertical velocity component is typically of the order of a few centimeters per second. In general, the vertical velocity is not measured directly but must be inferred from other meteorological fields that are measured directly. In the present study, a Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer was used in order to establish the drop size distributions (DSD) at Athalassa, Cyprus. Data from a radiosonde station co-located with the disdrometer were also collected which were subsequently used to derive estimates of vertical velocities. Meteorological fields, including vertical velocities, were extracted from an atmospheric reanalysis, for an area centered over the disdrometer and radiosonde station instrumentation. The disdrometer data were used to determine the Z-R disdrometer derived coefficients, A and b, where Z = A Rb. To model the vertical air effect on the Z-R disdrometer derived coefficients an idealistic notion of flux conservation of the DSD is adopted. This adjusted DSD (FCM-DSD) is based on the exponential DSD and is modified by the relationship between drop terminal velocity (D) and vertical air speed w . The FCM-DSD has a similar appearance to the popular gamma DSD for w < 0. A clear segregation is seen in the A-w plane for both data and model. The data points are also clearly segregated in the b- w plane, but the model points are on opposite sides of the w = 0 line. It is also demonstrated that vertical velocities can be extracted from radiosonde data if initial balloon volume is accurately measured, along with an accurate measurement of the mass of the complete radiosonde-balloon system. To accomplish this, vertical velocities from radiosonde data were compared to reanalysis vertical velocity fields. The resulting values of initial balloon volume are found to be within the range of measured values.
Relationship between Circulating Serpina3g, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9, and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 and -2 with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Severity
Authors: Uysal Pelin , Uzun Hafize
Published: February 2019

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. A protease-antiprotease imbalance has been suggested as a possible pathogenic mechanism for COPD. Here, we examined the relationship between circulating serpina3g, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and -2, respectively) and severity of COPD. We included 150 stable COPD patients and 35 control subjects in the study. The COPD patients were classified into four groups (I, II, III, and IV), according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines based on the severity of symptoms and the exacerbation risk. Plasma serpina3g, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 and -2 concentrations were significantly higher in the all patients than in control subjects. Plasma serpina3g, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 and -2 concentrations were significantly higher in groups III and IV than in groups I and II. A negative correlation between serpina3g, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 and -2 levels and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was observed. MMP-9 concentration and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were higher in patients with emphysema than in other phenotypes (both with p < 0.01). The findings of this study suggest that circulating serpina3g, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 and -2 levels may play an important role in airway remodeling in COPD pathogenesis. Disrupted protease-antiprotease imbalance in patients with COPD is related to the presence of airway injury. MMP-9 concentration and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio are the best predictors of emphysema in COPD patients.
Palm Oil in Lipid-Based Formulations and Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Efendy Goon Danial , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Latip Normala Ab , Rahim Sharaniza Ab. , Mazlan Musalmah
Published: February 2019

Palm oil is natural oil packed with important compounds and fatty acids ready to be exploited in lipid-based formulations and drug delivery. Palm oil and palm kernel oil contain long-chain and medium-chain triglycerides, respectively, including phytonutrients such as tocotrienol, tocopherol and carotenes. The exploitation of these compounds in a lipid-based formulation would be able to address hydrophobicity, lipophilicity, poor bioavailability and low water-solubility of many current drugs. The utilisation of palm oil as part of the drug delivery system seemed to improve the bioavailability and solubility of the drug, stabilising emulsification of formulation between emulsifier and surfactant, promoting enhanced drug permeability and performance, as well as extending the shelf-life of the drug. Despite the complexity in designing lipid-based formulations, palm oil has proven to offer dynamic behaviour in providing versatility in drug design, form and delivery. However, the knowledge and application of palm oil and its fractions in lipid-based formulation are scarce and interspersed. Therefore, this study aims to focus on the research and outcomes of using palm oil in lipid-based formulations and drug delivery systems, due to the importance of establishing its capabilities and benefits.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of SQUAMOSA—Promoter-Binding Protein (SBP) Genes Involved in the Flowering Development of Citrus Clementina
Authors: Zeng Ren-Fang , Zhou Jing-Jing , Liu Sheng-Rui , Gan Zhi-Meng , Zhang Jin-Zhi , Hu Chun-Gen
Published: February 2019

SQUAMOSA-promoter binding protein (SBP)-box genes encode a family of plant-specific transcription factors that play vital roles in plant growth and development. In this study, 15 SBP-box genes were identified and isolated from Citrus clementina (CclSBPs), where 10 of these genes were predicted to be putative targets of Citrus clementina microRNA156 (CclmiR156). The 15 CclSBP genes could be classified into six groups based on phylogenetic analysis, diverse intron–exon structure, and motif prediction, similar to the SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like (SPL) gene family of Populus trichocarpa and Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, CclSBPs classified into a group/subgroup have similar gene structures and conserved motifs, implying their functional redundancy. Tissue-specific expression analysis of CclSBPs demonstrated their diversified expression patterns. To further explore the potential role of CclSBPs during floral inductive water deficits, the dynamic changes of the 15 CclSBPs were investigated during floral inductive water deficits, and the results showed that some CclSBPs were associated with floral induction. Among these genes, CclSBP6 was not homologous to the Arabidopsis SBP-box gene family, and CclSBP7 was regulated by being alternatively spliced. Therefore, CclSBP6 and CclSBP7 were genetically transformed in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of the two genes changed the flowering time of Arabidopsis.
TARBP2-Enhanced Resistance during Tamoxifen Treatment in Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Ming-Yang , Huang Hsin-Yi , Kuo Yao-Lung , Lo Chiao , Sun Hung-Yu , Lyu Yu-Jhen , Chen Bo-Rong , Li Jie-Ning , Chen Pai-Sheng
Published: February 2019

Tamoxifen is the most widely used hormone therapy in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, which accounts for approximately 70% of all breast cancers. Although patients who receive tamoxifen therapy benefit with respect to an improved overall prognosis, resistance and cancer recurrence still occur and remain important clinical challenges. A recent study identified TAR (HIV-1) RNA binding protein 2 (TARBP2) as an oncogene that promotes breast cancer metastasis. In this study, we showed that TARBP2 is overexpressed in hormone therapy-resistant cells and breast cancer tissues, where it enhances tamoxifen resistance. Tamoxifen-induced TARBP2 expression results in the desensitization of ER+ breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, tamoxifen post-transcriptionally stabilizes TARBP2 protein through the downregulation of Merlin, a TARBP2-interacting protein known to enhance its proteasomal degradation. Tamoxifen-induced TARBP2 further stabilizes SOX2 protein to enhance desensitization of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen, while similar to TARBP2, its induction in cancer cells was also observed in metastatic tumor cells. Our results indicate that the TARBP2-SOX2 pathway is upregulated by tamoxifen-mediated Merlin downregulation, which subsequently induces tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer.