bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALISIS BUTIR SOAL PILIHAN GANDA DENGAN APLIKASI KLASIKA
Authors: Destiniar Destiniar , Octaria Dina , Mulbasari Anggria Septiani
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThis current Community Service Activities (PkM) is based on the lack of ability and willingness of teachers to analyze multiple choice items. The objectives of PkM are to (1) improve teachers 'ability to perform student data processing using classical applications, (2) increase teachers' willingness and ability in analyzing multiple choice items, (3) to assist teacher to analyze item analysis with classical program, (4) improve the ability of teachers to analyze the items so as to obtain a good question.  The current PkM activity was held by short training for twice meeting with 20 teachers in SMA Negeri 1 Jejawi. The researcher used lectute, discussion, question and answer, simulation, and demonstration method for this PkM activity. The result showed that there was  an increas of teacher’s will and ability in processing  and analyze multiple choice items using clasical applications. Keywords: analysis, clasical application, item ABSTRAKKegiatan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat PkM ini dilatarbelakangi dari kurangnya kemampuan dan kemauan guru untuk menganalisa butir soal pilihan ganda. Tujuan PkM adalah untuk (1) meningkatkan kemampuan guru dalam melakukan pengolahan data jawaban siswa menggunakan aplikasi klasika, (2) meningkatkan kemauan dan kemampuan guru dalam menganalisa butir soal pilihan ganda (3) membantu guru untuk melakukan analisis butir soal dengan program klasikal, (4) meningkatkan kemampuan guru menganalisis butir soal sehingga diperoleh soal yang baik. Kegiatan PkM ini dilaksanakan dalam bentuk pelatihan singkat selama dua kali pertemuan dengan banyaknya peserta berjumlah 20 orang guru di SMA Negeri 1 Jejawi. Metode yang digunakan dalam melaksanakan kegiatan PkM ini adalah dengan metode ceramah, diskusi, tanya jawab, simulasi dan demonstrasi. Hasil yang diperoleh selama kegiatan PkM  yaitu adanya peningkatan kemauan dan kemampuan guru dalam melakukan pengolahan data dan  menganalisa butir soal pilihan ganda menggunakan aplikasi klasika. Kata Kunci :analisis,aplikasi Klasika, butir soal
OPTIMALISASI NILAI-NILAI KEBANGSAAN MELALUI PROGRAM BELA NEGARA DI SMK PGRI PAGAR ALAM
Authors: Disurya Ramanata , Suryati Suryati , Ermini Ermini , Husnulwati Sri , Sardana Layang , Wahyuningsih Sri
Published: May 2018

The objectives of PkM are (1) the students can understand and identify the thoughts that can deny and erode the love of the homeland and the values of nationality so that it can be anticipated and carried out the prevention of its spread. (2) there is a community group that cares and optimally conducts the association in the framework of implementation of national values through state defending efforts. This PkM activity was conducted in the form of socialization / counseling during the day with the number of participants amounted to 60 students of class XII in SMK PGRI Pagar Alam. The method used in conducting this PkM activity is by lecture method, discussion, and question and answer. The results obtained during the PkM activity was an increase in student’s understanding of national values and preliminary state defense program of 73 % when viewed the comparison of the results of the pre test and post test.Keywords: optimization, nationality, state defending ABSTRAKTujuan PkM adalah (1) siswa dapat memahami dan mengidentifikasi pemikiran-pemikiran yang dapat mendangkalkan serta mengikis rasa cinta tanah air dan nilai-nilai kebangsaan sehingga dapat diantisipasi serta dilakukan pencegahan penyebarannya. (2) terdapat kelompok masyarakat yang peduli serta secara optimal melakukan perkumpulan dalam rangka implementasi nilai-nilai kebangsaan melalui upaya bela negara. Kegiatan PkM ini dilaksanakan dalam bentuk sosialisasi/penyuluhan selama sehari dengan banyaknya peserta berjumlah 60 orang siswa kelas XII di SMK PGRI Pagar Alam.  Metode yang digunakan dalam melaksanakan kegiatan PkM ini adalah dengan metode ceramah, diskusi, dan tanya jawab.  Hasil yang diperoleh selama kegiatan PkM yaitu adanya peningkatan pemahaman siswa terhadap nilai-nilai kebangsaan dan program pendahuluan bela negara sebesar 73% jika dilihat perbandingan dari hasil pre test dan post test .Kata kunci:  optimalisasi, kebangsaan, bela negara
The Hebrew revolution and the revolution of the Hebrew language between the 1880s and the 1930s
Authors: Winther Judith
Published: May 2018

The new Hebrew culture which began to crystallize in the land of Israel from the end of the last century, is a successful event of “cultural planning”. During a relatively short period of time a little group of “cultural planners” succeeded in creating a system which in a significant way was adapted to the requested Zionist ideology. Eliezer Ben Yehudah immigrated to the land in 1881 and hitched his wagon to the hard work of the renewal of the spoken Hebrew language. The decision to establish Hebrew as a spoken language in the last two decades of the 19th century was not generally agreed upon nor accepted, even by central figures who participated in the creation of the new-old Hebrew language.
Slimy stones and philosophy: some interpretations of tohu wa-bohu
Authors: Töyrylä Hannu
Published: May 2018

The creation account in the first chapter of Genesis tells us how, from this state called tohu wa-bohu in Hebrew, God created and formed the world in the course of six days. To this is added a mythical statement, probably by a Babylonia Amora, Rav, about tohu as a green line encircling the world and bohu as wet stones immersed deep in water. During centuries, the Jews became exposed to philosophy and science which were built on Greek heritage. Almost a thousand years after Rav, Abraham bar Hiyya, a Spanish astronomer, presented tohu and bohu as identical to the Aristotelian matter and form. Jewish thinkers were sometimes discussing the physical reality, sometimes the divine reality, sometimes both. Tohu and bohu, which in the beginning were empty, without value and next to nothing, had grown to be the roots of being, the secret of knowledge both physical and divine.
CULTURAL LIFE IN UFA IN THE FIRST YEARS OF SOVIET POWER FORMATION
Authors: Baimukhametova Sabina Amirovna , Gibadatova Raushaniya Radikovna , Kravchenko Ekaterina Valer'evna
Published: May 2018

The article deals with the process of cultural construction in the Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (BASSR) in the field of theatrical and fine arts in the early years of Soviet power formation. Ufa was a territorial center; consequently the main cultural achievements took place in the capital. Success in cultural construction during the recovery period determined the face of the city for all the subsequent years. It resulted in the formation of a new cultural Soviet society.
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPTION OF GENIUS: GENDER ASPECT
Authors: Shalaeva Marina Vladislavovna
Published: May 2018

The article is devoted to the philosophical problems of women’s creativity, which in the modern world acquire the status of a promising research area. Their relevance is conditioned by the historically adopted woman’s cultural anonymity. Participating equally in the historical and cultural process, often contributing immediately to the change of cultural paradigms, the woman has appeared deprived of the genius status. In this connection the author aims to trace the evolution of views on the phenomenon of genius and geniality, paying special attention to evaluating the place and importance of the woman in cultural development. Thus, the paper is intended to compensate for the existing gap in the studies on this issue. The originality of the study involves justification of ontological specificity of the woman’s true geniality: the woman’s subjectivity based on corporal experience comes out as a potential foundation for an alternative way of culture development.
THE U.S. FOREIGN POLICY GENESIS: RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1787 IN MASSACHUSETTS
Authors: Dorofeev Denis Vladimirovich
Published: May 2018

The article considers foreign policy issues during the ratification of the Constitution of 1787 in Massachusetts. The study of this process makes it possible to define its uniqueness in the state, to reveal the correlation of local and national levels in the genesis of the U.S. foreign policy. As a result of the research, the author establishes a specific combination of factors that conditioned the state of foreign policy issues during ratification in the state and the influence of this process on the further adoption of the Constitution in the USA in the spring-summer of 1788.
EDUCATING AND UPBRINGING BY MEANS OF HISTORY
Authors: Zherebkin Mikhail Vasil'evich
Published: May 2018

The author analyzes the three-year activity of the Historical Club of the Humanities and Education Science Academy of V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University to develop a civic position and patriotic worldview among senior pupils and students through the studies of the Russian history and historical challenges, to which our country had to respond in the past and responds nowadays. The paper identifies the mechanisms to implement the educational, career guidance and ideological functions of the Historical Club, describes the methodological devices to involve schoolchildren in the discussion on the complicated problems of the Russian history.
DYNAMICS OF THE GENERAL P. D. TSITSIANOV’S ACTIVITY IN KABARDA IN THE CONTEXT OF TENDENCIES AND CONTRADICTIONS IN RUSSIAN-KABARDIAN RELATIONS OF THE END OF THE XVIII - THE BEGINNING OF THE XIX CENTURY
Authors: Manakov Pavel Vladimirovich
Published: May 2018

The article analyzes the peculiarities of interrelations between the Russian authorities and the Kabardian aristocracy in the period of the General P. D. Tsitsianov’s commandership in Caucasus (1802-1808) in the context of contradictions between the subjects, which developed during the second half of the XVIII century and were determined by both foreign-policy and regional factors and circumstances. The author characterizes the Sharia movement in Kabarda and considers the reasonability of introducing the elements of the Russian state system to the Caucasian people. The paper examines the dynamics of P. D. Tsitsianov’s approaches to the problem of stabilizing the situation in Kabarda.
Teacher's Verbal Feedback in the Classroom Interaction
Authors: Rahmat Agus - , Munir Umar Mukhtar
Published: May 2018

This research aims to find out: (1) verbal feedback used by EFL teachers in classroom interaction, (2) function of verbal feedback used by EFL teachers in classroom interaction. This research employs descriptive qualitative research. The participants of this research were English teachers and the students of SMA Buq’atun Mubarakah. The data of this research were collected by recording the classroom interaction. The obtained data was analyzed by using Miles & Huberman analysis. The results of this research reveal that (1) the verbal feedback used by EFL teachers in classroom interaction, are (a) questioning, (b) praising (c) clarifying (d) comment (e) repeating (f) explicit correction and (g) Treating. (2) The functions of verbal feedback used by the teacher are a) interactional feedback, and (b) evaluative feedback.
Evaluating the Students’ Ability in Using Preposition of Place in Speaking Performance
Authors: Kamlasi Imanuel
Published: May 2018

The use of preposition of place in speaking performance still becomes problems for students. Therefore; it is important to evaluate the students’ ability in using preposition of place. This research aimed at evaluating the students’ ability and describing the problems faced by students in using prepositions of place in speaking performance.

The descriptive qualitative method was applied in this research. The instrument of this research was an oral test. To get the data, the researcher used Tape Video Recorder (TVR). There were 25 participants of the first semester students of English study program of Timor University chosen randomly as the sample in this research. There were four steps used in analyzing the data, namely transcribing, codifying, analyzing and describing.

The results of the research showed that five students passed and nineteen students failed in the test. The highest score was 80,95 and the lowest score was 31. There was one student categorized as very good; two students were categorized as good; three students were categorized as enough; eleven students were categorized poor and seven students were categorized as very poor. For the kind of preposition; the highest percentage was IN which was 67,53%. Then it was followed by ON which was 57,32%. The preposition BEHIND made 55,51% which was higher than NEAR/CLOSE which was 51,56% but it is lower than IN FRONT OF which was 56,57%. The preposition UNDER was 48,39% which was higher than AT. The lowest percentage was preposition AT which was 47,94%.. The students’ average score was 54,60. Therefore the students’ level of ability was categorized as poor. This means that the students failed in using prepositions of place in speaking performance.
Determining the Stability of Sugarcane Filtercake Biochar in Soils with Contrasting Levels of Organic Matter
Authors: Speratti Alicia B. , Romanyà Joan , Garcia-Pausas Jordi , Johnson Mark S.
Published: May 2018

Sugarcane filtercake is a nutrient-rich residue produced prior to sugarcane distillation and is commonly disposed of by applying directly to agricultural fields, often causing high decomposition and leaching rates. Transforming this material into biochar could improve its stability in the soil. In this 92-day incubation study, filtercake biochar produced at 400 °C (BC400) and 600 °C (BC600) was used to trace biochar stability when mixed with two soils with different organic matter levels: an agricultural field (1.2% carbon (C)) and a forest (2.8% C) soil. Based on δ13C isotope analysis, biochar decreases in the field soil mostly occurred in the coarse silt fraction. In contrast, biochar decreases in forest soil appeared to be more equally distributed in all particle size fractions. A negative priming effect in biochar-amended soils was noticeable, mainly in the forest soil. Cumulative CO2 emissions were greater in soils with BC400 than in those with BC600 for both field and forest soils, while adding biochar increased CO2 emissions only in field soils. This increase did not appear to affect native soil organic matter pools. High-temperature filtercake biochar could thus be a more stable alternative to the current practice of raw filtercake applications.
Tensile Strength of Silicon Nanowires Batch-Fabricated into Electrostatic MEMS Testing Device
Authors: Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Hemmi Tetsuya , Suzuki Jun-ya , Hirai Yoshikazu , Tabata Osamu
Published: May 2018

The tensile strength of a silicon nanowire (SiNW) that had been integrated into a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device was measured using electrostatic actuation and sensing. SiNWs of about 150 nm diameter and 5 μm length were batch-fabricated into a 5-μm-thick SOI device layer. Since there was no interface between the SiNW and the MEMS device and the alignment was perfect, the SiNW integration into an SOI-MEMS was expected to be useful for developing highly sensitive biochemical sensors or highly reliable torsional mirror devices. The SiNW was tensile tested using the electrostatic MEMS testing device. The integration was achieved using a combination of anisotropic and an isotropic dry etching of silicon, with an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching. A fabricated silicon beam of 800 nm square was thinned by a sacrificial oxidation process. The tensile strength of the wire was 2.6–4.1 GPa, which was comparable to that of microscale silicon MEMS structures. The reliability of such a thin device was successfully verified for future applications of the device structures.
Numerical Simulation of the Percolation Threshold in Non-Overlapping Ellipsoid Composites: Toward Bottom-Up Approach for Carbon Based Electromagnetic Components Realization
Authors: Plyushch Artyom , Lamberti Patrizia , Spinelli Giovanni , Macutkevič Jan , Kuzhir Polina
Published: May 2018

A Monte Carlo (MC) model for the calculation of the percolation threshold in the composite filled with ellipsoids of revolution is developed to simulate the real experimental situation of percolative composites in which functional additives do not penetrate each other. The important advantage is that the MC model can be easily applied to multi-components composites, e.g., containing graphene nanoplatelets, carbon black and carbon nanotubes, by means of utilising the ellipsoids of different aspect ratios with the filling fraction corresponding to concentrations of each type of inclusion. The developed model could be used in a pre-experimental step for producing effective close-to percolation and percolated nanocomposites for various electromagnetic applications to avoid time and resources consuming the “sort-out” experimental phase of composition optimization, and could be utilized as the first step of the bottom-up material approach to touch the macroscopic platform for antennas/circuit realization.
Extended Critical Damping Adjustment Method for Electromagnetic Transients Simulation in Power Systems
Authors: Li Qiang , Wang Yong , Rao Huaxing , Zhang Lei , Ye Jing , Lei Xiaolin , Chen Bingwen
Published: May 2018

Numerical oscillation is a common phenomenon in the current electromagnetic transient digital simulation in power systems. From the origin of the numerical oscillation, we proposed an extended critical damping adjustment method (ECDA) to solve the numerical oscillation problem in this paper, after inspired by the critical damping adjustment method (CDA). ECDA was composed of a class of new low-order, L-stable linear multistep and implicit trapezoidal integration methods. ECDA used two-half-step, three-step or four-steps linear multistep method to perform numerical integrations when experienced with sudden changes, and the implicit trapezoidal integration method was still used under normal conditions. The numerical simulation results of the typical electromagnetic transient examples show that the ECDA could completely eliminate the numerical oscillation, and it had higher computational accuracy than the CDA.
Analysis of the Effect of Parameter Variation on a Dynamic Cost Function for Distributed Energy Resources: A DER-CAM Case Study
Authors: Essiet Ima O. , Sun Yanxia , Wang Zenghui
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates the effect of selected strategies of distributed energy resources (DER) on an energy cost function that optimizes the distribution of distributed energy resources for a mid-rise apartment building. This is achieved through comparing parameter optimization results for both a high-level and low-level optimizer, respectively. The optimization process is carried out using the following approach: (1) a two-objective function is constructed with one objective function similar to that of the high-level optimizer (DER-CAM); (2) an evolutionary algorithm (EA) with modified selection capability is used to optimize the two-objective function problem in (1) for four selected cases of DER utilization that were previously optimized in DER-CAM; and (3) the optimization results of the low-level optimizer are compared with the outcome of DER-CAM optimization for the four selected cases. This is done to establish the capability of DER-CAM as an effective tool for optimal distributed energy resource allocation. Results obtained reveal the effect of load shifting and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with power exporting capability on the optimization of the cost function. The Pareto-based MOEA approach has also proved to be effective in observing the interactions between objective function parameters. Mean inverted generational distance (MIGD) values obtained over 10 runs for each of the four cases that were considered show that a DER combination of PV panel, battery storage, heat pump, and load shifting outperforms the other strategies in 70% of the total simulation runs.
A Background Subtraction Algorithm in Complex Environments Based on Category Entropy Analysis
Authors: Chiu Sheng-Yi , Chiu Chung-Cheng , Xu Sendren Sheng-Dong
Published: May 2018

Background subtraction is a mainstream algorithm for moving object detection in video surveillance systems. It segments moving objects by using the difference between the background and input images. The key to background subtraction is to establish a reliable initial background. In this study, we propose a background subtraction algorithm based on category entropy analysis that dynamically creates color categories for each pixel in the images. The algorithm uses the concept of a joint category to build background categories that can adapt to the color disturbance of the background. Furthermore, in order to overcome dynamic background environments, this paper proposes the concept of color category entropy to estimate the number of necessary background categories and establish sufficient and representative background categories to adapt to dynamic background environments. In addition, recent mainstream methods for background subtraction were implemented and analyzed in comparison with our algorithm.
Zinc Metallochaperones as Mutant p53 Reactivators: A New Paradigm in Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Kogan Samuel , Carpizo Darren R.
Published: May 2018

Restoration of wild-type structure and function to mutant p53 with a small molecule (hereafter referred to as “reactivating” mutant p53) is one of the holy grails in cancer therapeutics. The majority of TP53 mutations are missense which generate a defective protein that is targetable. We are currently developing a new class of mutant p53 reactivators called zinc metallochaperones (ZMCs) and, here, we review our current understanding of them. The p53 protein requires the binding of a single zinc ion, coordinated by four amino acids in the DNA binding domain, for proper structure and function. Loss of the wild-type structure by impairing zinc binding is a common mechanism of inactivating p53. ZMCs reactivate mutant p53 using a novel two-part mechanism that involves restoring the wild-type structure by reestablishing zinc binding and activating p53 through post-translational modifications induced by cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The former causes a wild-type conformation change, the later induces a p53-mediated apoptotic program to kill the cancer cell. ZMCs are small molecule metal ion chelators that bind zinc and other divalent metal ions strong enough to remove zinc from serum albumin, but weak enough to donate it to mutant p53. Recently we have extended our understanding of the mechanism of ZMCs to the role of cells’ response to this zinc surge. We found that cellular zinc homeostatic mechanisms, which normally function to maintain free intracellular zinc levels in the picomolar range, are induced by ZMCs. By normalizing zinc levels, they function as an OFF switch to ZMCs because zinc levels are no longer sufficiently high to maintain a wild-type structure. This on/off switch leads to a transient nature to the mechanism of ZMCs in which mutant p53 activity comes on in a few hours and then is turned off. This finding has important implications for the translation of ZMCs to the clinic because it indicates that ZMC concentrations need not be maintained at high levels for their activity. Indeed, we found that short exposures (as little as 15 min) were adequate to observe the mutant p53 reactivating activity. This switch mechanism imparts an advantage over other targeted therapeutics in that efficacy can be accomplished with minimal exposure which minimizes toxicity and maximizes the therapeutic window. This on/off switch mechanism is unique in targeted cancer therapeutics and will impact the design of human clinical trials.
Recommendations for Integrating a P300-Based Brain Computer Interface in Virtual Reality Environments for Gaming
Authors: Cattan Grégoire , Mendoza Cesar , Andreev Anton , Congedo Marco
Published: May 2018

The integration of a P300-based brain–computer interface (BCI) into virtual reality (VR) environments is promising for the video games industry. However, it faces several limitations, mainly due to hardware constraints and constraints engendered by the stimulation needed by the BCI. The main limitation is still the low transfer rate that can be achieved by current BCI technology. The goal of this paper is to review current limitations and to provide application creators with design recommendations in order to overcome them. We also overview current VR and BCI commercial products in relation to the design of video games. An essential recommendation is to use the BCI only for non-complex and non-critical tasks in the game. Also, the BCI should be used to control actions that are naturally integrated into the virtual world. Finally, adventure and simulation games, especially if cooperative (multi-user) appear the best candidates for designing an effective VR game enriched by BCI technology.
CVD Risk Stratification in the PCSK9 Era: Is There a Role for LDL Subfractions?
Authors: Kjellmo Christian Abendstein , Hovland Anders , Lappegård Knut Tore
Published: May 2018

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to high costs and unknown long-term adverse effects, critical evaluation of patients considered for PCSK9 inhibitors is important. It has been proposed that measuring low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions, or LDL particle numbers (LDL-P), could be of value in CVD risk assessment and may identify patients at high risk of CVD. This review evaluates the evidence for the use of LDL subfractions, or LDL-P, when assessing CVD risk in patients for whom PCSK9 inhibitors are considered as a lipid-lowering therapy. Numerous methods for measuring LDL subfractions and LDL-P are available, but several factors limit their availability. A lack of standardization makes comparison between the different methods challenging. Longitudinal population-based studies have found an independent association between different LDL subfractions, LDL-P, and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, but definitive evidence that these measurements add predictive value to the standard risk markers is lacking. No studies have proven that these measurements improve clinical outcomes. PCSK9 inhibitors seem to be effective at lowering all LDL subfractions and LDL-P, but any evidence that measuring LDL subfractions and LDL-P yield clinically useful information is lacking. Such analyses are currently not recommended when considering whether to initiate PCKS9 inhibitors in patients at risk of CVD.
Modelling of Behavior for Inhibition Corrosion of Bronze Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Millán-Ocampo D. Elusaí , Parrales-Bahena Arianna , González-Rodríguez J. Gonzalo , Silva-Martínez Susana , Porcayo-Calderón Jesús , Hernández-Pérez J. Alfredo
Published: May 2018

In this work, three models based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were developed to describe the behavior for the inhibition corrosion of bronze in 3.5% NaCl + 0.1 M Na2SO4, using the experimental data of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The database was divided into training, validation, and test sets randomly. The parameters process used as the inputs of the ANN models were frequency, temperature, and inhibitor concentration. The outputs for each ANN model and the components in the EIS spectrum (Zre, Zim, and Zmod) were predicted. The transfer functions used for the learning process were the hyperbolic tangent sigmoid in the hidden layer and linear in the output layer, while the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was applied to determine the optimum values of the weights and biases. The statistical analysis of the results revealed that ANN models for Zre, Zim, and Zmod can successfully predict the inhibition corrosion behavior of bronze in different conditions, where what was considered included variability in temperature, frequency, and inhibitor concentration. In addition, these three input parameters were keys to describe the behavior according to a sensitivity analysis.
A New Class of Retrocausal Models
Authors: Wharton Ken
Published: May 2018

Globally-constrained classical fields provide a unexplored framework for modeling quantum phenomena, including apparent particle-like behavior. By allowing controllable constraints on unknown past fields, these models are retrocausal but not retro-signaling, respecting the conventional block universe viewpoint of classical spacetime. Several example models are developed that resolve the most essential problems with using classical electromagnetic fields to explain single-photon phenomena. These models share some similarities with Stochastic Electrodynamics, but without the infinite background energy problem, and with a clear path to explaining entanglement phenomena. Intriguingly, the average intermediate field intensities share a surprising connection with quantum “weak values”, even in the single-photon limit. This new class of models is hoped to guide further research into spacetime-based accounts of weak values, entanglement, and other quantum phenomena.
Capacity and Entropy of a Retro-Causal Channel Observed in a Twin Mach-Zehnder Interferometer During Measurements of Pre- and Post-Selected Quantum Systems
Authors: Parks Allen , Spence Scott
Published: May 2018

Simple intuitive models are presented for the capacity and entropy of retro-causal channels in measured ensembles of quantum systems which can be represented as statistical mixtures of pre-selected only and pre- and post-selected systems. Measurement data from a twin Mach-Zehnder interferometer experiment are used in these models to discuss the capacity and entropy of an apparent retro-causal channel observed in the experimental data. It is noted that low capacity/low entropy retro-causal channels can exist in strong measurement systems.
Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motor and Mechanical Structure Design for the Electric Impact Wrench System
Authors: He Chengyuan , Wu Thomas
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an analytical method to design an interior permanent magnet brushless DC electric motor (IPMBLDC motor) for a kind of electric impact wrench used for loading and unloading car bolts. It takes into account magnet assembly gap, rotor saturation webs, and bridges. Assumed flux leakage coefficient and selected working point of a permanent magnet were used in the initial design. An advanced equivalent magnetic circuit was developed to verify the total flux leakage and the quiescent operating point based on initial design parameters. Key design method points are considered and analyzed. Thermal analysis is given to simulate the temperature rise of all parts of the motor. The new impact wrench mechanical structure is designed, and its working principle analyzed. An electromagnetic field analysis based on MATLAB and the MAXWELL 2D finite element method (FEM) were used in the design to verify the equivalent magnetic circuit and optimize the IPMBLDC motor parameters. Experimental results are obtained to verify the design. The electrical and mechanical designs are combined and an analytical IPMBLDC motor design method is provided. We also show an innovative and reasonable mechanical dynamical calculation method for the impact wrench system, which can be used in whole system design of other functional electric tools.
Overview of Electric Field Applications in Energy and Process Engineering
Authors: Zigan Lars
Published: May 2018

Heat and mass transfer as well as chemical reactions in technical processes can be enhanced by using electric fields. This paper provides an overview of current fundamental and applied research as well as potential technical applications of electric fields in energy and process engineering. This includes electrosprays, technical combustors as well as electrochemical reforming and plasma gasification of waste or biomass. Other emerging fields are plasma technologies for treatment of water, surfaces and gases including flue gases. In particle or aerosol-laden flows, plasmas are used to promote particle nucleation and surface growth for controlled nanomaterial synthesis. Furthermore, non-invasive diagnostics based on electromagnetic fields and electric fluid properties are relevant techniques for online control and optimization of technical processes. Finally, an overview of laser-based techniques is provided for studying electro-hydrodynamic effects, temperature, and species concentrations in plasma and electric-field enhanced processes.
A Case Study of Presplitting Blasting Parameters of Hard and Massive Roof Based on the Interaction between Support and Overlying Strata
Authors: Zhang Ningbo , Liu Changyou , Chen Baobao
Published: May 2018

Due to the existence of a hard and massive roof (HMR), severe ground pressure behaviors have been observed at the working face, resulting in safety issues and the degradation of production effectiveness. Based on the HMR conditions of the Datong Mining Area, the fracture-related instability of the HMR and its effects on the support selection were investigated by analyzing the interaction between support and overlying strata. Advancefixed-distance presplitting blasting (AFPB) technology was proposed to control the caving interval of HMR, and the influence of the controlled interval on the working load of supports was also analyzed. The working load of the support and the caving interval of the HMR were determined based on the controlled HMR fracture technology, and these were verified by field application tests. The working resistance of the support and the step distance were determined based on controlled roof fracture and were verified by on-site application experiments. The results revealed that cracks emerged after the presplitting blasting, resulting in significantly reduced strata behaviors. Furthermore, the support exhibited good adaptability.
Meso-Scale CFD Simulation for Wind Resources: A Case Study of Complex Mountainous Terrain
Authors: Roy Lalit , MacPhee David
Published: May 2018

Land based site selection for a wind farm has some challenging criteria, namely, cost for electricity generation and distribution, acquiring ownership of the site, potential barriers from various laws and permits, security concerns, access issues, feasibility of accommodation, etc. However, wind resource assessment deems the first criterion to rule out a site before other criteria can play roles in the selection process. In this paper, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study has been performed on a complex mountainous terrain near a shore in the west coast of the US to assess the wind resource in order to spot potential suitable sites for wind turbines. Average wind speed at a height of 10 m at the centre (44°22 ′ 12.0 ′ ′ N, 123°59 ′ 24.0 ′ ′ W) of the chosen region under study has been compared with the simulated data for validation. Results from the study, which yields a continuous map of flow field variables, have revealed much more detailed features than the available state-wise wind maps. For example, it has revealed as high as 147% variation in wind speeds and 438% in wind power, making it possible to choose suitable sites without the need for, or perhaps in advance of, expensive direct measurements. This type of analysis may help in preliminary assessments and expedite the site selection process.
Research on Unbalance Fault-Tolerant Control Strategy of Modular Multilevel Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverter
Authors: Liu Yiqi , Li Danhua , Jin Yu , Wang Qingbo , Song Wenlong
Published: May 2018

The average switching model of modular multilevel converter (MMC) is built in this paper when the hot reserved strategy is adopted as a fault-tolerant control. When the MMC SM faults, the rest of the SMs cannot support the DC-link voltage, which results in interruption of the inverter. To tackle this issue, a novel fault-tolerant control strategy is proposed to bypass the SM under fault and re-regulate the SM capacitor voltage and carrier phase-shift angle to maintain the main components of circulating current, and reduce the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of grid connected current to enable the stable operation of the photovoltaic inverter. The maximum power tracking control is improved to solve the problem of long restoration time when faults occur, based on a constant voltage startup method combined with a fix-step incremental conductance method. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and experimental results have verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Optimal Scheduling and Real-Time Control Schemes of Battery Energy Storage System for Microgrids Considering Contract Demand and Forecast Uncertainty
Authors: Gao Hong-Chao , Choi Joon-Ho , Yun Sang-Yun , Lee Hak-Ju , Ahn Seon-Ju
Published: May 2018

Optimal operation of the battery energy storage system (BESS) is very important to reduce the running cost of a microgrid. Rolling horizon-based scheduling, which updates the optimal decision based on the latest information, is widely applied to microgrid operation. In this paper, the optimal scheduling of a microgrid, considering the energy cost, demand charge, and the battery wear-cost, is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem. This paper also deals with two practical and important issues when applying the rolling-horizon strategy to BESS scheduling. First, to mitigate the high dependency of the load forecast on the latest information, a confidence weight parameter method is proposed. Second, a new target state of charge (SOC) assignment method is proposed to avoid the depletion of BESS and to reduce the wear-cost of the battery. In addition to the optimal scheduling, a novel real-time control scheme is proposed to mitigate the effect of the forecast uncertainty. The performance of the proposed methods is tested with data measured from a campus microgrid.
The Conductive and Predictive Effect of Oil Price Fluctuations on China’s Industry Development Based on Mixed-Frequency Data
Authors: Chai Jian , Cao Puju , Zhou Xiaoyang , Lai Kin Keung , Chen Xiaofeng , Su Siping (Sue)
Published: May 2018

Presently, the total supply of crude oil is sufficient, but short-term supply and demand imbalances and regional imbalances still exist. The effect of crude oil supply security and price impact cannot be ignored. As the world’s largest oil importer, China is highly dependent on foreign oil. Therefore, the fluctuation of international oil prices may impact the development of China’s various industries in a significant and differential way. However, because the available data have different frequencies, much of the recent research that addresses the effect of oil prices on industry development need to replace, split, or merge the original data, resulting in loss of the information from the original data. Using the mixed data sampling model (MIDAS(m,K,h)-AR(1)) with the first-order lag autoregressive terms of the interpreted variables, this study builds a mixed data model to investigate the effect of oil price volatility on the output of China's industries. This study expands the extant research by financial market fluctuations and macroeconomic analysis, and at the same time makes short-term predictions on the output of China’s seven main industries. The analysis results show that the mixed data regression model brings the original information contained in different frequency data into the model analysis, and utilizes the latest high frequency data of the explanatory variables to perform real-time short-term prediction of low-frequency interpreted variables. This method improves the timeliness of forecasting macroeconomic indicators and the accuracy of short-term forecasts. The empirical results show that the spot price of international crude oil has a significant and differential impact on the outputs of the seven industries in China. Among them, oil price fluctuation has the greatest impact on the output of China’s financial industry.
A Communication-Free Decentralized Control for Grid-Connected Cascaded PV Inverters
Authors: Su Mei , Luo Chao , Hou Xiaochao , Yuan Wenbin , Liu Zhangjie , Han Hua , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes a communication-free decentralized control for grid-connected cascaded PV inverter systems. The cascaded PV inverter system is an AC-stacked architecture, which promotes the integration of low voltage (LV) distributed photovoltaic (PV) generators into the medium/high voltage (MV/HV) power grid. The proposed decentralized control is fully free of communication links and phase-locked loop (PLL). All cascaded inverters are controlled as current controlled voltage sources locally and independently to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and frequency self-synchronization with the power grid. As a result, control complexity as well as communication costs are reduced, and the system’s reliability is greatly enhanced compared with existing communication-based methods. System stability and dynamic performance are evaluated by small-signal analysis to guide the design of system parameters. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed solution are verified by simulation tests.
Energy Performance of Liquid Desiccant and Evaporative Cooling-Assisted 100% Outdoor Air Systems under Various Climatic Conditions
Authors: Li Shiying , Jeong Jae-Weon
Published: May 2018

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of a liquid desiccant and evaporative cooling-assisted 100% outdoor air system (LD-IDECOAS) in six typical cities in China. The six cities are located in different climatic zones in China and are selected because they are comparable owing to the outdoor air conditions. Many studies have shown that the annual operating energy consumption of LD-IDECOAS is nearly half compared with the conventional variable air volume (VAV) system. Because the climate characteristics of the six selected cities were different, the appropriate mode of operation of the LD-IDECAOS was applied to each studied city, and energy simulations were performed. Based on the design conditions of each region, the required cooling and heating loads were calculated for office buildings using transient system simulations (TRNSYS) 17, and the performance of the LD-IDECOAS and its energy consumption were simulated with a commercial engineering equation solver (EES) program. Depending on the climate characteristics of each city, adequate modifications were evaluated with simulations in terms of energy consumption. The proposed system was compared with the VAV system and the evaporative cooling assisted 100% outdoor air-conditioning system (IDECOAS) for detailed simulation results in the effort to evaluate the energy-saving potential. Finally, the results show that the proposed system saves considerable energy over conventional VAV systems and, in summer, the applications save even more energy than IDECOAS. However, there is a slight difference between the different geographical regions in terms of the annual operating energy consumption. In summary, the proposed system can yield significant energy-saving benefits in hot and humid regions whereas, in dry regions, the proposed system is more applicable in the summer. Consequently, LD-IDECOAS can be adopted for different climatic zones as a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system by introducing 100% outdoor air.
Wood and Fiber Quality of Plantation-Grown Conifers: A Summary of Research with an Emphasis on Loblolly and Radiata Pine
Authors: Schimleck Laurence , Antony Finto , Dahlen Joseph , Moore John
Published: May 2018

With conifer plantations having an increasingly important role in meeting the fiber needs of society, an understanding of the effect of silvicultural practices on wood quality is critical. The perception of wood quality varies, making it hard to define in a single statement; however, possibly the most succinct definition is “a measure of the aptness of wood for a given use”. In general, properties that have a positive influence on a specific product assist in defining changes in wood quality. Since wood properties exhibit large variability within annual rings, within trees, and among trees in a stand, and have both genetic and environmental components (i.e., vary with different physiographical regions), it is imperative to have an understanding of wood properties at multiple levels. In this paper, we review the typical variation patterns in wood properties of conifers, with specific emphasis on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), and radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don), two of the most common conifer plantation species globally. We also describe the impact of conventional silvicultural treatments on wood quality. Modeling efforts to predict variation in wood properties within trees, and in response to silvicultural treatments are also summarized.
Protective Effect of Selenium-Enriched Ricegrass Juice against Cadmium-Induced Toxicity and DNA Damage in HEK293 Kidney Cells
Authors: Chomchan Rattanamanee , Siripongvutikorn Sunisa , Maliyam Pattaravan , Saibandith Bandhita , Puttarak Panupong
Published: May 2018

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in food is a problem endangering human health. Cd detoxication is an interesting topic particularly using food which provides no side effects. Ricegrass juice is a squeezed juice from young rice leaves which is introduced as a functional drink rich in polyphenol components. Se-enrichment into ricegrass is initiated to provide extra advantages of their functional properties. The protective role of ricegrass juice (RG) and Se-enriched ricegrass juice (Se-RG) against Cd toxicity during pre-, co- and post-treatment on HEK293 kidney cells were investigated. Results confirmed that RG and Se-RG had very low toxicity for kidney cells. Both extracts showed a protective role during pre-treatment and co-treatment against Cd toxicity by exerting a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the percentage of DNA damage in tail and tail length of the comets over the Cd-treated cells. However, the Se-RG indicated additional benefits in all properties over RG. High Se content in Se-RG resulted in more protective effects of the regular ricegrass juice. In summary, this study provides clear evidence that Se-enriched ricegrass juice has potential to be developed as a functional food to protect the human body from Cd contamination via the reduction of oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Detection of Karst Features in the Black Hills Area in South Dakota/Wyoming, USA, Based on Evaluations of Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Theilen-Willige Barbara
Published: May 2018

Landsat 8, Sentinel 2, Aster, RapidEye and PlanetScope data and Sentinel 1- and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)-Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR)-radar images have been evaluated for a karst feature inventory in the Black Hills area in Wyoming/South Dakota, USA. The GeoInformation System (GIS) integrated evaluation of the different satellite data included as well World Imagery files of ESRI and Bing Maps high resolution satellite data of Microsoft. The satellite data revealed several types of circular features related to karst such as enclosed depressions and collapsed dolines as well as traces of tectonic/structural features (visualized by lineament analysis) cutting through youngest sediments, influencing karstification processes. The origin of the circular features is complex and partly unknown, needing further investigations. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, such as Aster- and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM data with 30 m and ALOS PASAR DEM with 12.5 m spatial resolution contributed to the detection of depressions, partly related to karst phenomena (sinkholes). Time series of satellite data reveal seasonal changes of the landscape and provide a data base for the documentation of the impact of climate change.