bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taking the Time Characteristic into Account of Life Cycle Assessment: Method and Application for Buildings
Authors: Zhang Yurong
Published: May 2017

Life cycle assessment (LCA) involves many temporal issues. It is necessary to make a clear distinction between long-term impacts and short-term impacts, especially for those structures with long service life, such as buildings. With their long service life of 50 years, a great deal of maintenance and repairs could be conducted, causing a respective environmental impact. In this paper we explored a monetization method to convert the life cycle environmental impact into a life cycle environmental cost to address the temporal issues involved in LCA by discounting. This method can facilitate decision-making when tradeoffs between current and future environmental impacts exist. Moreover, this method can be used as an effective supplement to life cycle cost and provide decision support for making trade-off between cost and environmental impact. Finally, a building located in Xiamen City, China was selected as a case study and analyzed by the proposal LCA method. The results indicated that carbon cost in the operational stage is the maximum, building material production and transportation stages are ranked second, and the amount in the demolition stage is negligible, compared with the other three stages. Additionally, with the increase of the discount rate, the carbon cost in different life cycle stages will decrease, the percentage of the carbon cost in the operational stage will gradually decrease, but the percentage of the carbon cost in building material production and transportation stages will gradually increase.
Assessment Method for Substation Capacity Credit of Generalized Power Source Considering Grid Structure
Authors: Liu Wenxia , Liu Yicong , Niu Shuya , Liu Zongqi
Published: June 2017

This paper presents the concept of the generalized power source in an active distribution network. After the energy storage system (ESS), distributed generators (DG), and demand-side controllable load are connected to the active distribution network, part of the system load can be undertaken by these ESS, DG, and controllable load instead of relying on the capacity of the substation, which greatly improves the reliability of the system. The above-mentioned distributed energy resources in the active distribution network are collectively referred to as the generalized power source (GPS). Substation credible capacity refers to the capacity of the GPS to supply the distribution network that is equivalent at the high voltage distribution network level when considering the faults of the main transformer, 110 kV lines, and circuit breakers. Considering the uncertainties and control strategies of GPS, this paper takes a specific distribution area as the background to study its substituted substation capacity. Based on a sequential Monte Carlo evaluation framework and the principle of constant reliability, an evaluation method of the GPS credible capacity is proposed. In order to verify the effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper, the credible capacity of various typical connection modes of a high voltage distribution network is quantitatively analyzed in the case study, which can provide a reference for the capacity planning of an active distribution network substation and grid structure selection.
Processes of Participation in the Development of Urban Food Strategies: A Comparative Assessment of Exeter and Eindhoven
Authors: Hebinck Aniek , Page Daphne
Published: June 2017

Urban food strategies are increasingly being used as means to address a multitude of challenges presented by food system failings. The use of participatory approaches has become common practice in the field of urban food systems planning. These approaches are believed to democratize, legitimize and increase effectiveness of addressing challenges. Despite these “promises”, they have also been viewed as problematic for being unbalanced and lacking accountability. This paper sets out to compare the creation and use of new participatory spaces in two initiatives in two European cities in their on-going attempts to formulate urban food strategies through multi-actor processes. This is explored through operationalisation of two key concepts essential to participatory approaches: participation and accountability. As such, the paper addresses how participatory processes for urban food strategies can be conceptualised when policy making involves the interplay of actors, knowledges and spaces. We conclude that within the two cases, ample attention is given to get a cross-section of the types of participants involved, while accountability is an aspect still under-represented. Based on the two cases, we argue that incorporation of accountability in particular will be instrumental in the development and implementation of more mature urban food strategies. However, it is essential for participatory processes to not completely break from more “traditional” policy processes, at risk of limiting progress in strategy development and deployment.
Rice Leaf Lateral Asymmetry in the Relationship between SPAD and Area-Based Nitrogen Concentration
Authors: Yuan Shen , Goron Travis , Huang Liying , Wu Lilian , Wang Fei
Published: June 2017

Rice leaves display lateral asymmetry around the midrib, and the narrow side exhibits higher leaf area-based nitrogen concentration (Na) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD) values than the wider side. However, the difference in the relationship between the SPAD of each side and Na of the corresponding lateral half, and the optimal position along the leaf blade for SPAD measurements are not known. In this study, the relationship between SPAD and Na of both sides of the top three leaves was determined with 17 rice varieties grown over three growing seasons in two locations. The relationship between SPAD and Na displayed leaf lateral asymmetry, in which the wide side reflected a higher coefficient of determination than the narrow side. The ability to estimate Na of the whole leaf was slightly improved by averaging SPAD values across the leaf sides and measured points for the top two leaves. Apparently, it was more accurate and easier to measure SPAD readings on the wide side than the narrow side of rice leaf blade with respect to estimating plant N status. Due to the relatively poor relationship of the upper leaf, and the structural limit for SPAD measurements of the base, this study suggests that the most suitable and representative position for SPAD meter measurement on the leaf blade of rice is the lower-middle part from the leaf apex on the wide side.
Epigenetic Control of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Expression: Focus on Regulation of Long-Terminal Repeats (LTRs)
Authors: Hurst Tara , Magiorkinis Gkikas
Published: May 2017

Transposable elements, including endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), comprise almost 45% of the human genome. This could represent a significant pathogenic burden but it is becoming more evident that many of these elements have a positive contribution to make to normal human physiology. In particular, the contributions of human ERVs (HERVs) to gene regulation and the expression of noncoding RNAs has been revealed with the help of new and emerging genomic technologies. HERVs have the common provirus structure of coding open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by two long-terminal repeats (LTRs). However, over the course of evolution and as a consequence of host defence mechanisms, most of the sequences contain INDELs, mutations or have been reduced to single LTRs by recombination. These INDELs and mutations reduce HERV activity. However, there is a trade-off for the host cells in that HERVs can provide beneficial sources of genetic variation but with this benefit comes the risk of pathogenic activity and spread within the genome. For example, the LTRs are of critical importance as they contain promoter sequences and can regulate not only HERV expression but that of human genes. This is true even when the LTRs are located in intergenic regions or are in antisense orientation to the rest of the gene. Uncontrolled, this promoter activity could disrupt normal gene expression or transcript processing (e.g., splicing). Thus, control of HERVs and particularly their LTRs is essential for the cell to manage these elements and this control is achieved at multiple levels, including epigenetic regulations that permit HERV expression in the germline but silence it in most somatic tissues. We will discuss some of the common epigenetic mechanisms and how they affect HERV expression, providing detailed discussions of HERVs in stem cell, placenta and cancer biology.
Two Synechococcus genes, Two Different Effects on Cyanophage Infection
Authors: Fedida Ayalla , Lindell Debbie
Published: June 2017

Synechococcus is an abundant marine cyanobacterium that significantly contributes to primary production. Lytic phages are thought to have a major impact on cyanobacterial population dynamics and evolution. Previously, an investigation of the transcriptional response of three Synechococcus strains to infection by the T4-like cyanomyovirus, Syn9, revealed that while the transcript levels of the vast majority of host genes declined soon after infection, those for some genes increased or remained stable. In order to assess the role of two such host-response genes during infection, we inactivated them in Synechococcus sp. strain WH8102. One gene, SYNW1659, encodes a domain of unknown function (DUF3387) that is associated with restriction enzymes. The second gene, SYNW1946, encodes a PIN-PhoH protein, of which the PIN domain is common in bacterial toxin-antitoxin systems. Neither of the inactivation mutations impacted host growth or the length of the Syn9 lytic cycle. However, the DUF3387 mutant supported significantly lower phage DNA replication and yield of phage progeny than the wild-type, suggesting that the product of this host gene aids phage production. The PIN-PhoH mutant, on the other hand, allowed for significantly higher Syn9 genomic DNA replication and progeny production, suggesting that this host gene plays a role in restraining the infection process. Our findings indicate that host-response genes play a functional role during infection and suggest that some function in an attempt at defense against the phage, while others are exploited by the phage for improved infection.
Acute Effects Of Oral Calcium Carbonate With And Without The Addition Of Omeprazole And Fiber Enriched Milk On Serum Calcium Concentrations In Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Oliveira Paula Aragão Prazeres , Silveira Maria Mariana Barros Melo , Melo Leiliandry Araújo , Farias Isabela Cristina Cordeiro , Farias Maria Elba Bandeira , Montenegro Ana Carla Peres , Farias Francisco Alfredo Bandeira
Published: May 2017

Introduction: In recent years, some studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular risk due to the use of calcium supplements in excess of the recommended doses. One hypothesis is that some calcium supplements lead to a more pronounced elevation of serum calcium concentrations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum calcium responses after ingestion of calcium carbonate, with and without the prior use of omeprazole, and after ingestion of soluble fiber enriched milk (SFM).

Method: Five postmenopausal women were evaluated in three phases. For each phase, the serum calcium responses were determined at 0h (baseline), 1h, 2h, 3h and 4h. After ingestion of 1200mg of calcium, both for the patients who received the calcium carbonate and for those who received SFM. The rise in serum calcium observed after ingestion of calcium carbonate with a calcium peak of 0.56 mg/dl (p=0.032), and it was higher when compared to SFM 0.26 mg/dl (p=0.284). There was no significant elevation of serum calcium after ingestion of SFM.

Results: The calcium responses were negative after the administration of omeprazole in comparison with the use of calcium carbonate and SFM, reaching 7.06mg/dl vs 9.04mg/dl vs 9.12mg/dl at 0h, 5.30mg/dl vs 9. 32mg/dl vs 9.00mg/dl at 1hr, 5.52mg/dl vs 9.48mg/dl vs 9.32mg/dl at 2hr, 5.18mg/dl vs 9.48mg/dl vs 9.34mg/dl at, respectively. In conclusion, our data show that the same amount of SFM induced a lower serum calcium response when compared to calcium carbonate.

Conclusion: The use of omeprazole significantly reduced the intestinal absorption of calcium carbonate.
An Investigation of Blazars without Redshifts: Not a Missing Population at High Redshift
Authors: Mao Peiyuan , Urry C. Megan
Published: May 2017

We investigate a sample of 622 blazars with measured fluxes at 12 wavebands across the radio-to-gamma-ray spectrum but without spectroscopic or photometric redshifts. This sample includes hundreds of sources with newly analyzed X-ray spectra reported here. From the synchrotron peak frequencies, estimated by fitting the broadband spectral energy distributions (SEDs), we find that the fraction of high-synchrotron-peaked blazars in these 622 sources is roughly the same as in larger samples of blazars that do have redshifts. We characterize the no-redshift blazars using their infrared colors, which lie in the distinct locus called the WISE blazar strip, then estimate their redshifts using a KNN regression based on the redshifts of the closest blazars in the WISE color–color plot. Finally, using randomly drawn values from plausible redshift distributions, we simulate the SEDs of these blazars and compare them to known blazar SEDs. Based on all these considerations, we conclude that blazars without redshift estimates are unlikely to be high-luminosity, high-synchrotron-peaked objects, which had been suggested in order to explain the “blazar sequence”—an observed trend of SED shape with luminosity—as a selection effect. Instead, the observed properties of no-redshift blazars are compatible with a causal connection between jet power and electron cooling, i.e., a true blazar sequence.
Toward a Greater Understanding of the Reduction of Drift Coefficients in the Presence of Turbulence
Authors: Engelbrecht N. E. , Strauss R. D. , Roux J. A. le , Burger R. A.
Published: May 2017

Drift effects play a significant role in the transport of charged particles in the heliosphere. A turbulent magnetic field is also known to reduce the effects of particle drifts. The exact nature of this reduction, however, is not clear. This study aims to provide some insight into this reduction and proposes a relatively simple, tractable means of modeling it that provides results in reasonable agreement with numerical simulations of the drift coefficient in a turbulent magnetic field.
X-Ray Intraday Variability of Five TeV Blazars with NuSTAR
Authors: Pandey Ashwani , Gupta Alok C. , Wiita Paul J.
Published: June 2017

We have examined 40 Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) light curves (LCs) of five TeV emitting high synchrotron peaked blazars: 1ES 0229+200, Mrk 421, Mrk 501, 1ES 1959+650, and PKS 2155−304. Four of the blazars showed intraday variability in the NuSTAR energy range of 3–79 keV. Using an autocorrelation function analysis we searched for intraday variability timescales in these LCs and found indications of several between 2.5 and 32.8 ks in eight LCs of Mrk 421, a timescale around 8.0 ks for one LC of Mrk 501, and timescales of 29.6 and 57.4 ks in two LCs of PKS 2155-304. The other two blazars’ LCs do not show any evidence for intraday variability timescales shorter than the lengths of those observations; however, the data were both sparser and noisier for them. We found positive correlations with zero lag between soft (3–10 keV) and hard (10–79 keV) bands for most of the LCs, indicating that their emissions originate from the same electron population. We examined spectral variability using a hardness ratio analysis and noticed a general “harder-when-brighter” behavior. The 22 LCs of Mrk 421 observed between 2012 July and 2013 April show that this source was in a quiescent state for an extended period of time and then underwent an unprecedented double-peaked outburst while monitored on a daily basis during 2013 April 10–16. We briefly discuss models capable of explaining these blazar emissions.
Type 2 AGN Host Galaxies in the Chandra-COSMOS Legacy Survey: No Evidence of AGN-driven Quenching
Authors: Suh Hyewon , Civano Francesca , Hasinger Günther , Lusso Elisabeta , Lanzuisi Giorgio , Marchesi Stefano , Trakhtenbrot Benny , Allevato Viola , Cappelluti Nico , Capak Peter L. , Elvis Martin , Griffiths Richard E. , Laigle Clotilde , Lira Paulina , Riguccini Laurie , Rosario David J. , Salvato Mara , Schawinski Kevin , Vignali Cristian
Published: May 2017

We investigate the star formation properties of a large sample of ∼2300 X-ray-selected Type 2 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) host galaxies out to

in the Chandra COSMOS Legacy Survey in order to understand the connection between the star formation and nuclear activity. Making use of the existing multi-wavelength photometric data available in the COSMOS field, we perform a multi-component modeling from far-infrared to near-ultraviolet using a nuclear dust torus model, a stellar population model and a starburst model of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs). Through detailed analyses of SEDs, we derive the stellar masses and the star formation rates (SFRs) of Type 2 AGN host galaxies. The stellar mass of our sample is in the range of

with uncertainties of ∼0.19 dex. We find that Type 2 AGN host galaxies have, on average, similar SFRs compared to the normal star-forming galaxies with similar M
stellar and redshift ranges, suggesting no significant evidence for enhancement or quenching of star formation. This could be interpreted in a scenario, where the relative massive galaxies have already experienced substantial growth at higher redshift (

), and grow slowly through secular fueling processes hosting moderate-luminosity AGNs.
Interferometric Monitoring of Gamma-ray Bright AGNs: S5 0716+714
Authors: Lee Jee Won , Lee Sang-Sung , Hodgson Jeffrey A. , Kim Dae-Won , Algaba Juan-Carlos , Kang Sincheol , Kang Jiman , Kim Sungsoo S.
Published: May 2017

We present the results of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of gamma-ray bright blazar S5 0716+714 using the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) at the 22, 43, 86, and 129 GHz bands, as part of the Interferometric Monitoring of Gamma-ray Bright active galactic nuclei (iMOGABA) KVN key science program. Observations were conducted in 29 sessions from 2013 January 16 to 2016 March 1, with the source being detected and imaged at all available frequencies. In all epochs, the source was compact on the milliarcsecond scale, yielding a compact VLBI core dominating the synchrotron emission on these scales. Based on the multiwavelength data between 15 GHz (Owens Valley Radio Observatory) and 230 GHz (Submillimeter Array), we found that the source shows multiple prominent enhancements of the flux density at the centimeter (cm) and millimeter (mm) wavelengths, with mm enhancements leading cm enhancements by −16 ± 8 days. The turnover frequency was found to vary between 21 and 69 GHz during our observations. By assuming a synchrotron self-absorption model for the relativistic jet emission in S5 0716+714, we found the magnetic field strength in the mas emission region to be ≤5 mG during the observing period, yielding a weighted mean of 1.0 ± 0.6 mG for higher turnover frequencies (e.g., >45 GHz).
Longterm Outcome of Patients with Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Taraborelli Mara , Reggia Rossella , Dall’Ara Francesca , Fredi Micaela , Andreoli Laura , Gerosa Maria , Hoxha Ariela , Massaro Laura , Tonello Marta , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie , Cacoub Patrice , Franceschini Franco , Meroni Pier Luigi , Piette Jean Charles , Ruffatti Amelia , Valesini Guido , Harris Eon Nigel , Tincani Angela
Published: June 2017

Objective.

To assess the longterm frequency of thrombotic recurrences, obstetrical complications, organ damage, severe comorbidities, and evolution toward connective tissue disease (CTD) in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS).

Methods.

Medical records of patients with PAPS followed in 6 centers for ≥ 15 years were retrospectively reviewed.

Results.

One hundred fifteen patients were studied: 88% women, followed between 1983 and 2014 with a mean (± SD) age at diagnosis of 33 (± 10) years. During a median followup of 18 years (range 15–30), 50 patients (44%) had at least a thrombotic event for a total of 75 events and an annual incidence of 3.5%. Thromboses were more frequent in patients with previous thrombotic history (p = 0.002). A catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome occurred in 6 patients (5%). The use of oral anticoagulants in patients with thrombotic onset did not appear to be protective against recurrences (p = 0.26). Fifty-two women had 87 pregnancies, successful in 78%. Twenty-nine percent of patients accrued functional damage. Damage was significantly associated with a thrombotic history (p = 0.004) and with arterial events (p < 0.001), especially stroke, but not with demographics, serology, or treatment. Twenty-four major bleeding episodes were recorded in 18 patients, all receiving anticoagulants. Severe infections affected 6 patients (5%), with 1 fatality. A solid cancer was diagnosed in 8 patients (7%). Altogether, 16 patients (14%) developed an autoimmune disease and 13 (11%) a full-blown picture of CTD.

Conclusion.

Despite therapy, a high proportion of patients experienced new thrombotic events and organ damage, while evolution toward CTD was infrequent.
Rendre la mondialisation viable : les leçons de l'Europe
Authors: Cœuré Benoît
Published: May 2017

La mondialisation suscite aujourd'hui de graves inquiétudes alors que des signes de démondialisation apparaissent. Or nombre des critiques reposent sur des idées reçues. Pour rendre la mondialisation viable - plus efficace, plus durable et plus équitable -, il importe que les États soient forts et œuvrent dans le cas d'une gouvernance solide. Sur le plan économique, un libre-échange bénéfique suppose que les gouvernements en gèrent correctement les conséquences sociales, environnementales et celles qui touchent à la répartition des revenus. Dans l'ensemble, l'intégration européenne, tentative la plus élaborée mise en œuvre pour gérer les arbitrages politiques d'un environnement mondialisé, est une réussite et peut donc servir d'exemple. Toutefois, pour qu'elle soit elle-même viable, plusieurs actions doivent être menées : la rendre plus durable en améliorant la qualité des flux financiers et également la rendre plus équitable. Enfin il est nécessaire que l'Europe prouve pleinement sa capacité à se faire entendre dans les institutions internationales. Classification JEL : F02, F55, F60, F65, F68.
Les méga-événements au Brésil et la réinvention du spectacle sportif
Authors: Gusmão de Oliveira Nelma
Published: May 2017

Les méga-événements sportifs ont été utilisés pour soumettre la ville à des pressions économiques. Cependant, la demande en investissements, et des restrictions juridiques, ont instauré un débat sur leurs coûts et avantages. Devant la menace d’un tel débat, les promoteurs réinventent leurs discours et leurs règles. Cette étude vise à évaluer les modifications institutionnelles dans la production des méga-événements en ciblant sa relation avec l’organisation de la Coupe du monde et des Jeux Olympiques au Brésil. Elle se concentre sur la façon dont ces changements sont liés aux pratiques contre-hégémoniques dans les médias, les universités et les mouvements sociaux.
La « révolution des transports » à Rio de Janeiro au service de la valorisation urbaine et de la politique d’expropriations : le projet du BRT Transoeste
Authors: Mendes Alexandre , Legroux Jean
Published: May 2017

Le BRT ( Bus Rapid Transit ) Transoeste , qui relie la zone de Barra da Tijuca à la zone ouest de la ville de Rio de Janeiro, a été présenté, lors de son inauguration, comme l’un des principaux « héritages olympiques » et comme une « révolution des transports » pour la population carioca –, résultant de l’action conjointe des différents niveaux de gouvernement brésiliens. Cet article cherche à problématiser le projet sur la base des contradictions observées à partir du fonctionnement du système de transport – sa saturation et sa surcharge, la mauvaise qualité des travaux, les accidents – et des effets socio-spatiaux induits par son implantation, conduisant à l’expropriation forcée de centaines d’habitants de favelas.
Los équidos en Isidoro de Sevilla (Orig. XII 1.38-61): fuentes, método, contenido y estructura del pasaje
Authors: Pascual Barea Joaquín
Published: May 2017

Análisis e interpretación del pasaje de las Etimologías y de los términos tratados, incluyendo la corrección de lecturas, y el texto revisado. Señalamos sus fuentes, y explicamos la metodología y la concepción lingüistica del autor respecto a la etimología y el significado de las palabras. Según la estructura subyacente y armazón científico en que se sustenta el texto, Isidoro distingue los asnos y caballos salvajes (onagri y equiferi) de los domésticos (asini y equi). Divide los asnos en burros de menor tamaño para trabajar (aselli), y en asnos grandes (asini Arcadici), y los caballos en una clase vulgar para el tiro de carros (ueredus), que incluye una variedad de menor tamaño (mannus), y otra clase de caballos nobles de silla, de la que menciona ocho razas según su origen geográfico. De los híbridos menciona el mulo (mulus), el burdégano (burdo) y el cruce de onagro y asna.
ICT-based Innovation and Employability for Women
Authors: Pappas Marios A , Papagerasimou Yannis , Drigas Athanasios , Raftopoulos Dimitris , Nikolaidis Pantelos
Published: June 2017

The utilization of ICTs in creating new jobs and eliminating gender based inequalities in employability and entrepreneurship, employs increasingly more researchers, governments and organizations around the world. In this article we analyze the current situation regarding the impact of ICTs, social networks and media on creating new opportunities for the employability of women. We also present the new market requirements, the new e-skills that will be acquired by women in order to take advantage of new labor market opportunities. Finally special reference is made to new trends in women's entrepreneurship as well as the supportive role of ICTs.
Measuring Engineering Faculty Views about Benefits and Costs of Using Student-Centered Strategies
Authors: Judson Eugene , Ross Lydia , Middleton James , Krause Stephen
Published: June 2017

Dispositions of 286 engineering faculty members were assessed to determine views about three student-centered classroom strategies and how frequently faculty used those strategies. The student-centered classroom strategies examined were: using formative feedback to adjust instruction, integrating real-world applications, and promoting student-to-student discussions during formal class time. The Value, Expectancy, and Cost of Testing Educational Reforms Survey (VECTERS), based on expectancy theory, was designed, tested, and validated for this purpose. Results indicate using strategies, such as formative feedback, are significantly tied to perceived benefits and expectation of success. Using student-centered strategies is inversely related to the perceived cost of implementation – with more frequent users perceiving lower cost of time and materials.
Education Majors’ Preferences on the Functionalities of E-Learning Platforms in the Context of Blended Learning
Authors: Tsankov Nikolay , Damyanov Ivo
Published: May 2017

The modern stages of higher education development and the actual training of education majors require systematic use of different electronic forms and platforms of education in combination with the traditional educational methods and approaches which will provide students with essential digital skills and competencies, important for their future professional and personal success. Widespread learning management systems provide a common set of basic functionalities. In this study, an assessment of the preferences of education majors on the main functionalities of the electronic platforms used in the context of blended learning in university education is presented. The results reveal a preference on organizational and informational functionalities and less on communication features.
Attraverso le Alpi e lungo il Po : importazione e distribuzione di sigillate galliche nella Cisalpina
Authors: Gabucci Ada
Published: June 2017

La presenza della sigillata gallica nella Transpadana occidentale è cosa nota da tempo, per lo meno agli studiosi locali, ma l’entità del fenomeno e il suo significato sul piano economico e delle relazioni commerciali sono ancora oggi molto poco evidenti a livello nazionale e internazionale. Il rinvenimento di un notevole quantitativo di sigillata gallica nello scavo di alcune porzioni di discarica addossate alle mura di cinta della Torino romana ha dato l’avvio a uno studio che mette in luce come la sigillata gallica nella Cisalpina non sia affatto una presenza sporadica, né probabilmente il risultato di un approvvigionamento destinato a soddisfare solo i bisogni dei ceti più abbienti, ma costituisca invece un indicatore economico piuttosto importante.

Il volume prende in esame più di 500 frammenti, per lo più inediti, di sigillata prodotta nella Gallia meridionale e centrale tra l’età claudia e il III secolo, tutti rinvenuti nella Cisalpina occidentale, e passa in rassegna i dati editi per l’area nordorientale. Lo scopo principale, oltre a quello di far emergere la presenza non marginale di queste produzioni nel nord Italia, è la ricostruzione di una via cisalpina per il trasporto di merci diverse, molte delle quali deperibili, da ovest verso est. Fossili guida nella ricerca sono le ceramiche di Lezoux e Banassac, prodotti che non avevano una rete di distribuzione mediterranea, ma si concentravano nell’Europa continentale e in Britannia. Definire i loro itinerari permette di ipotizzare dinamiche commerciali sulle lunghe distanze, in un mercato che non aveva le caratteristiche e i numeri di quello Urbano o di quello militare, e di assegnare alla Gallia Cisalpina un ruolo di qualche importanza come via meridionale di transito e di connessione tra l’area transalpina occidentale e quella orientale.
The Future of Latin America in the Global Economy. An Interview with Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Authors: Cardoso Fernando Henrique , Campodónico Humberto
Published: May 2017

Fernando Henrique Cardoso is a former two-term President and Minister of Finance of Brazil. A distinguished scholar, Dr Cardoso has written over 40 books, with his 1969 contribution to ‘dependency theory’ among his most well-known. In this interview with the guest editor Humberto Campodónico, President Cardoso discusses the evolution of development theories in Latin America, offers his views on recent growth and challenges in the region, and provides insights regarding the future of Latin America’s engagement in the global economy.
A Novel Visual Secret Sharing Scheme Based on QR Codes
Authors: Wan Song , Lu Yuliang , Yan Xuehu , Liu Lintao
Published: May 2017

In this paper, a novel visual secret sharing (VSS) scheme using QR codes is investigated. The proposed visual secret sharing scheme based on QR codes(VSSQR) can visually reveal secret image by stacking sufficient (shadow images) shares as well as scan the QR code by a QR code reader. Our VSSQR exploits the error correction mechanism in the QR code structure, to embed the bits corresponding to shares generated by VSS from a secret bit into the same locations of QR codes in the processing of encoding QR. Each output share is a valid QR code, which may reduce the likelihood of attracting the attention of potential attackers. The secret image can be recovered by stacking sufficient QR code shares based on the human visual system without any computation. In addition, it can assist alignment for VSS recovery. The experiment results show the effectiveness of our scheme.
What Really Happens When Adults Play?
Authors: Tyler Jo A.
Published: May 2017

Play is an increasingly popular process for working with groups of adults in a range of contexts. We are increasingly sophisticated in our ability to integrate creative forms of play into our facilitated work with groups, often with excellent outcomes. Experience and research have deepened our understanding of how to design and implement powerful and effective playful scenarios in connection to objectives for adult learning and performance. We are convinced, intuitively and experientially, about the value of play. However, our confidence in the efficacy of play seems not to be matched by clear insights into why and how play actually achieves results. This conceptual article builds a case for the importance of understanding the nature of the influence play has on psychosocial spaces and group energy in the interest of better informing our application of play as a learning intervention. It advocates for designing ways of systematically and qualitatively researching the influence of play as it unfolds in real time. A brief case study of a simple experiment undertaken by the author at a session of the 2016 Playful Learning Conference is described here as a thought-starter for ways we might explore the psychosocial and energetic dynamics fostered when we introduce play as a way of purposefully engaging adult learners.
What Impact Does Innovation and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Have on Competitiveness?
Authors: Fernandes Cristina Isabel I. , Veiga Pedro Mota , Peris-Ortiz Marta , Rueda-Armengot Carlos
Published: May 2017

Sustainable development and entrepreneurship are increasingly high profile issues and matters of importance to different international agendas. Alongside this interest, there have emerged studies on entrepreneurship and innovation that point to their driving positive impacts at the level of regional development. With their research the authors intend to bridge the gap that exists in the literature on the relationship between innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship, in the sense that innovation does not have to imply actions that suppose a growth of entrepreneurship without any planning. The objectives of this research involve contributing towards the literature on this field of study in terms of knowledge about which environmental and innovation variables best foster the greatest impact of entrepreneurial activities. To this end, the authors deployed aggregate data at the national level gathered by the Environment, Population, International Trade, Labour and National Accounts Statistics, from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the years between and including 2005 and 2012 and for the 35 member states of this organisation. They correspondingly verify that environmental patents do have a positive impact on Real GDP.
Application of Circular Economy for Sustainable Resource Management in Kuwait
Authors: Gulseven Osman , Mostert Jacques
Published: May 2017

Circular economy is an alternative to traditional industrial system based on producing and consuming as much as possible. Contrary to produce and dispose model, circular economy emphasizes resource efficiency in both consumption and production cycle. This research aims to reveal potential role of circular economy with specific applications to small and medium sized enterprises in Kuwait. It is proposed that by applying circular economy concepts, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly Kuwait, can achieve a competitive edge in global economy while minimizing the impact of industrial activities to the environment. Is it also proposed that small and medium sized enterprises tend to be the least efficient enterprises. Therefore, they have the highest potential for circular economy applications that lead to innovation, sustainability and resource efficiency.
Performance Comparative Test Study on Disk and Drum Brake Mounted in Semitrailer
Authors: Li Chen , Jin Jie , Yang Liang Kun , Li Yong Fu
Published: June 2017

The braking performance of large-scale freight vehicle is an important influencing factor to braking safety. Presently, the utility ratio of disk brake in large-scale freight vehicle is low. In this paper, comparative test study on disk and drum brake mounted in semitrailer is conducted, including building and installing methods of the test system, test method and evaluation of test result. The test result shows that the disk brake can provide semitrailer with larger brake torque and better thermal stability. It is of more obvious advantages than drum brake.
Design of Steering Driven Axle for QAY125 Ton Automobile Crane
Authors: Lv Chang
Published: June 2017

Driving axle loader is a key component for loader. For the steering drive axle of the QAY125 all terrain crane, the main parameters of the main reduction gears and drive axle housing have been designed and calculated. By adopting the method of optimum matching between engine and transmission system parameters, the ratio of the main reducer is determined by the optimum design. Considering the drive axle housing structure and the force is very complex, in order to ensure the strength of full static strength check calculation of impact load and emergency braking of the three cases, calculations show that the axle strength design can meet the design requirements. The half shaft diameter is calculated by using the maximum torque, when the half shaft diameter is 45mm, the material selection 42CrMo, the half shaft safety factor is 2.09, completely meet the use requirements.
A H2O2 Based Bio-Mimetic Power System Suitable for Jet Pack
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Zhuo , Leng Zi Hao , Yang Jun Hong , Zhang Zhi Xiong , Shang Jiang Zhong
Published: June 2017

This paper describes a pneumatically powered system based on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposition designed to provide enhanced energy and power density for wearable robotic applications. As one of the energy material, hydrogen peroxide shows good potentials for some applications like jet packs. In particular, the authors establish the pressurization system based on high frequency switch valves which involves a periodic pulsed gas explosion as a result of inspiration from the bombardier beetle. Then numerical simulations of spray force produced by the H2O2 based power system are presented. And the power system is used in movement enhanced jet pack in the end. The results show that spray force of the pulsed power system is directly proportional to the flow rate of H2O2, while inversely proportional to the volume of catalyst pack. At last the relationship between power system parameters and spray performances are discussed in detail.
Design and Experimental Study of the Lifting Film Shovel for Residual Plastic Film of Bed Planting
Authors: Xie Jian Hua , Hou Shu Lin
Published: June 2017

According to the working principle of the lifting film shovel for the residual plastic film of bed planting, the structure of the lifting film shovel was designed. Based on the soil dynamics model, the finite element analysis of the static strength of the lifting film shovel was carried out by using ANSYS software. The results show that the stress and deformation of the lifting film shovel increase with tilt angle, and the maximum stress point is on the edge of the mounting holes. When the tilt angle is 46°, the maximum stress is 82.4 Mpa, and the maximum deformation is 0.901 mm. The effects on the hilling height of the travelling speed of the equipment, the tilt angle of the lifting film shovel and the number of the bars were researched by the orthogonal regression experiment of three factors and five levels. The results of the experiment indicate that the effect of tilt angle on the hilling height is larger than that of the traveling speed of the equipment and the number of the bars, and the structure parameters and operating parameters were optimized by the experiment, thus, the optimal tilt angle of the lifting film shovel is 260 and the optimal number of the bars is 2.
Developing Nanomaterials for Ironmaking Processes: Theory and Practice
Authors: Abdel Halim K.S. , Ramadan M. , Shawabkeh A. , Fathy N.
Published: June 2017

Ironmaking processes take three main forms namely; blast furnace, direct reduction and direct smelting processes. Ironmaking is energy intensive sector as it requires huge amount of natural resources. It is also very important for the worldwide economy where it provides the backbone for construction, transportation and manufacturing. Many factors are strongly affecting the developing of ironmaking processes such as energy consumption, materials costs, and environment problems. These factors should be considered when discussing any new trend for developing ironmaking processes. The present work handles the current status and future of ironmaking processes. The technical and economic environment that motivates the development of these processes will be also clarified. The manuscript is designated to investigate theoretically and practically the possibility of using nanomaterials in ironmaking processes. Nano-sized iron oxides can be considered a promising source for deceasing energy consumption in iron and steel industry. The reduction of iron oxide is the most important processes in ironmaking and usually operated at relatively high temperatures. The nanopowder of iron oxide could be charged to a blast furnace together with the blast, much like the current pulverized coal injection technology. In that case, the reducibility of blast furnace burdens will be improved and consequently the energy consumption for reduction will be declined. Accordingly, minimizing the energy consumption will greatly influence the gross energy consumption of iron and steel production.
Comparative Analysis of Construction Process at Building Sites
Authors: Chen Chang Ray , Cheng Fei Fei , Bai Yong
Published: June 2017

The accurate measurement of labor productivity data can mean the difference between the success and failure of a building construction project. Due to the sheer diversity and complexity of international building construction practices, minimal research has been performed on comparative labor productivity between countries. In this paper, the authors present a research project that was conducted by comparing the Chinese labor productivity with the U.S. labor productivity in building construction projects. The labor productivity data were collected from different jobsites in the U.S. and China by using a time-study method with established data collection procedures. Furthermore, work sampling in the HVAC system work category was used as a method to gather information about the amount of labor productive and nonproductive work hours spent on construction activities. It is certain that there are many factors affecting productivity in the building construction process. With the lack of timely and effective project quality supervision, construction quality cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, various statistical analysis methods were applied to analyze and compare the collected productivity data from both countries. Findings of this productivity comparison can provide industry practitioners the advancement of knowledge in the Chinese building construction industry and it can support benchmarking and continuous improvement of productivity with a greater efficiency in both the US and Chinese building construction markets.
Attack on Vehicular Platooning and Mitigation Strategy: A Survey
Authors: Lee Sun Woo , Lee Sok Joon , Lee Dong Hoon
Published: June 2017

Through vehicular platooning, a group of autonomous vehicles move together under the same control law with maintaining constant inter-vehicle distance and velocity. Owing to many advantages in the aspect of economy, environment, and safety, platoon has been developed for AHS (Automated Highway System). But there is little study of platoon in adversarial environment. Since vehicle safety is directly related to a passenger’s life, the in-depth study of adversarial platooning is of crucial importance. In this paper, we present that an attacker in platoon can cause serious accident just by slightly modifying control law and also discuss the control system designed for mitigating the damage of accident caused by the attacker.
The Synthesis of Variable Structure System for the Control of Quadrotor Spatial Motion
Authors: Lebedev Alexander
Published: June 2017

The method of the synthesis of multi-channel decentralized variable structure system for the control of quadrotor spatial motion is developed in this paper. The control law based on the formation of the sliding mode in the separate subsystems of each coordinates control is formed. Each subsystem includes two loops for Cartesian coordinates and relevant Euler angles control. The conditions of the existence of stable sliding mode are obtained. These conditions take into account essential dynamic reciprocal effect between all control channels. The application of proposed control law provides high control quality and maximal fast-action at any variations of the quadrotor parameters within given ranges. This control law does not require the identification of changing object parameters. Efficiency of synthesized control system is confirmed by numerical simulation results. The control system can be realized in the real time by simple technical means.
Modeling, Analysis and Testing of Micro Disturbances of Solar Array Drive Assembly
Authors: Sattar Mariyam , Wei Cheng
Published: June 2017

Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) induces micro vibrations in satellite that have pronounced effect on precision of pointing direction and its imaging quality. The present study analyses amplitude of these disturbances both in time and frequency domain using theoretical methods and experimental techniques. SADA used for investigation is a four beat and two phase hybrid stepper motor driven in 32 & 64 subdivision (SD) numbers. The formulation for frequency of active vibration disturbance and electromagnetic coupling are calculated first leading to disturbance model for 32 & 64 subdivisions SADA running with dead load. A rigid force / moment test platform consisting of piezoelectric sensors is used to validate the theoretical results that give amplitude of disturbance moments produced by SADA. A gravity unload device is added in experimental setup to simulate the working environment in space (zero gravity conditions). 0G test setup not only confirms the presence of electromagnetic stiffness but also supplies comparison for disturbance amplitude of various subdivisions SADA running with & without gravity of load. Results acquired in time and frequency domain verify that increase of subdivisions cause reduction in micro vibrations generated by SADA. Moreover, addition of gravity unload device reduces the amplitude of vibrations in the structure and smoothen the operation. The work lays a firm foundation for study on vibration damping, design of drive circuit and SADA disturbance analysis during in orbit operation.
Design and Simulation of a New Hammer Source Control System
Authors: Wang Hong Yan , Bi Hai Sheng , Wang Lu Lu , Xiao Wen Sheng , Li Chang Jiang , Liu Qi
Published: June 2017

There are a series of problems in using explosive source in land oil seismic exploration at present. Aiming at this problem, a new hammer source system which can replace explosive source was proposed. Function of the hammer source system was analyzed and a typical pneumatic control circuit was designed. With the advantages of strong impact, high speed and small gas consumption, quick air exhaust impact cylinder was used in the hammer source system. An electronic control system was designed based on PLC, including the hardware component and software design. The pneumatic control system was simulated and analyzed in AMESim, and the results showed that the system can meet the design requirements, provide a reference for engineering application.