bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of Long-Term Pavement Performance Prediction Models for Resilient Modulus of Unbound Granular Materials
Authors: Soliman Haithem , Shalaby Ahmed
Published: October 2016

Reliable characterization of unbound granular material and subgrade resilient modulus requires repeated load triaxial testing, advanced dynamic loading equipment, and technical experience not typically available in many geotechnical laboratories. For Level 2 design inputs, the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide recommends correlation models to estimate the resilient modulus of unbound granular material and subgrade from basic material properties (e.g., gradation, unconfined compressive strength, and California bearing ratio). These correlation models are developed from data on a wide range of soil and material types; this wide range increases the associated error with resilient modulus prediction. This paper compares laboratory measured resilient modulus for two types of locally available unbound granular materials to the predicted values; models developed under the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program were used. Resilient modulus tests of six gradations of two types of material—100% crushed limestone and gravel—were conducted at two levels of moisture content. Results showed that the LTPP models significantly underestimated resilient modulus for the limestone material and showed high residuals associated with evaluating resilient modulus of both gravel and limestone materials. The coefficient of variation of the root mean square error was 50.3% for gravel and 55.6% for limestone. The high residuals associated with evaluating resilient modulus with the LTPP models justify the development of local prediction models to improve the reliability of Level 2 design inputs for unbound granular materials.
GENETIC DIVERSITY OF BALAM AND JESSO-BALAM RICE (Oryza sativa L.) GERMPLASM OF BANGLADESH REVEALED BY SSR MARKERS
Authors: Ahmed M. S. , Khalequzzaman M. , Bashar M. K. , Shamsuddin A. K. M.
Published: October 2016

A total of 72 rice genotypes including Balam (40), Jesso-Balam (27) rice land races and popular varieties (5) from Bangladesh were characterized using 45 SSR markers for studying genetic diversity and identification of duplicate germplasm. Altogether 430 alleles were detected which varied from 4 to 18 per locus with an average of 9.6. The highest number of alleles (18) was found in the locus RM302. The highest gene diversity (0.91) was found in RM337 and RM224, while the lowest (0.52) was found in RM237. The PIC values ranged from 0.90 to 0.46 with an average of 0.78. The highest PIC value was observed in loci RM337 and RM224 followed by 0.89 in RM55, RM258, RM21 and RM206, respectively. The gene diversity and PIC values revealed that RM337, RM224, RM55, RM258, RM21 and RM206 were the best markers to identify and distinguish the genotypes. Besides, the UPGMA clustering method generated seven clusters, where no duplicate genotype was found. It also showed that Balam and Jesso-Balam groups of germplasm were constellated into separate clusters. The Neis genetic distance ranged from 0.3556 to 1.0. Conserved, characterization and utilization of the unique and distinct variability of all the similar or duplicate named land races of Balam and Jesso-Balam rice is suggested.
Protective Role of Dietary Berries in Cancer
Authors: Kristo Aleksandra , Klimis-Zacas Dorothy , Sikalidis Angelos
Published: October 2016

Dietary patterns, including regular consumption of particular foods such as berries as well as bioactive compounds, may confer specific molecular and cellular protection in addition to the overall epidemiologically observed benefits of plant food consumption (lower rates of obesity and chronic disease risk), further enhancing health. Mounting evidence reports a variety of health benefits of berry fruits that are usually attributed to their non-nutritive bioactive compounds, mainly phenolic substances such as flavonoids or anthocyanins. Although it is still unclear which particular constituents are responsible for the extended health benefits, it appears that whole berry consumption generally confers some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to humans and animals. With regards to cancer, studies have reported beneficial effects of berries or their constituents including attenuation of inflammation, inhibition of angiogenesis, protection from DNA damage, as well as effects on apoptosis or proliferation rates of malignant cells. Berries extend effects on the proliferation rates of both premalignant and malignant cells. Their effect on premalignant cells is important for their ability to cause premalignant lesions to regress both in animals and in humans. The present review focuses primarily on in vivo and human dietary studies of various berry fruits and discusses whether regular dietary intake of berries can prevent cancer initiation and delay progression in humans or ameliorate patients’ cancer status.
Minireview on Glutamine Synthetase Deficiency, an Ultra-Rare Inborn Error of Amino Acid Biosynthesis
Authors: Spodenkiewicz Marta , Diez-Fernandez Carmen , Rüfenacht Véronique , Gemperle-Britschgi Corinne , Häberle Johannes
Published: October 2016

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a cytosolic enzyme that produces glutamine, the most abundant free amino acid in the human body. Glutamine is a major substrate for various metabolic pathways, and is thus an important factor for the functioning of many organs; therefore, deficiency of glutamine due to a defect in GS is incompatible with normal life. Mutations in the human GLUL gene (encoding for GS) can cause an ultra-rare recessive inborn error of metabolism—congenital glutamine synthetase deficiency. This disease was reported until now in only three unrelated patients, all of whom suffered from neonatal onset severe epileptic encephalopathy. The hallmark of GS deficiency in these patients was decreased levels of glutamine in body fluids, associated with chronic hyperammonemia. This review aims at recapitulating the clinical history of the three known patients with congenital GS deficiency and summarizes the findings from studies done along with the work-up of these patients. It is the aim of this paper to convince the reader that (i) this disorder is possibly underdiagnosed, since decreased concentrations of metabolites do not receive the attention they deserve; and (ii) early detection of GS deficiency may help to improve the outcome of patients who could be treated early with metabolites that are lacking in this condition.
Functional Roles of E6 and E7 Oncoproteins in HPV-Induced Malignancies at Diverse Anatomical Sites
Authors: Tomaić Vjekoslav
Published: October 2016

Approximately 200 human papillomaviruses (HPVs) infect human epithelial cells, of which the alpha and beta types have been the most extensively studied. Alpha HPV types mainly infect mucosal epithelia and a small group of these causes over 600,000 cancers per year worldwide at various anatomical sites, especially anogenital and head-and-neck cancers. Of these the most important is cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women in many parts of the world. Beta HPV types infect cutaneous epithelia and may contribute towards the initiation of non-melanoma skin cancers. HPVs encode two oncoproteins, E6 and E7, which are directly responsible for the development of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. They do this cooperatively by targeting diverse cellular pathways involved in the regulation of cell cycle control, of apoptosis and of cell polarity control networks. In this review, the biological consequences of papillomavirus targeting of various cellular substrates at diverse anatomical sites in the development of HPV-induced malignancies are highlighted.
Non-Precious Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media: Latest Achievements on Novel Carbon Materials
Authors: Brouzgou Angeliki , Song Shuqin , Liang Zhen-Xing , Tsiakaras Panagiotis
Published: October 2016

Low temperature fuel cells (LTFCs) are considered as clean energy conversion systems and expected to help address our society energy and environmental problems. Up-to-date, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the main hindering factors for the commercialization of LTFCs, because of its slow kinetics and high overpotential, causing major voltage loss and short-term stability. To provide enhanced activity and minimize loss, precious metal catalysts (containing expensive and scarcely available platinum) are used in abundance as cathode materials. Moreover, research is devoted to reduce the cost associated with Pt based cathode catalysts, by identifying and developing Pt-free alternatives. However, so far none of them has provided acceptable performance and durability with respect to Pt electrocatalysts. By adopting new preparation strategies and by enhancing and exploiting synergetic and multifunctional effects, some elements such as transition metals supported on highly porous carbons have exhibited reasonable electrocatalytic activity. This review mainly focuses on the very recent progress of novel carbon based materials for ORR, including: (i) development of three-dimensional structures; (ii) synthesis of novel hybrid (metal oxide-nitrogen-carbon) electrocatalysts; (iii) use of alternative raw precursors characterized from three-dimensional structure; and (iv) the co-doping methods adoption for novel metal-nitrogen-doped-carbon electrocatalysts. Among the examined materials, reduced graphene oxide-based hybrid electrocatalysts exhibit both excellent activity and long term stability.
A Hydrodynamic Model for Silicon Nanowires Based on the Maximum Entropy Principle
Authors: Muscato Orazio , Castiglione Tina
Published: October 2016

Silicon nanowires (SiNW) are quasi-one-dimensional structures in which the electrons are spatially confined in two directions, and they are free to move along the axis of the wire. The spatial confinement is governed by the Schrödinger–Poisson system, which must be coupled to the transport in the free motion direction. For devices with the characteristic length of a few tens of nanometers, the transport of the electrons along the axis of the wire can be considered semiclassical, and it can be dealt with by the multi-sub-band Boltzmann transport equations (MBTE). By taking the moments of the MBTE, a hydrodynamic model has been formulated, where explicit closure relations for the fluxes and production terms (i.e., the moments on the collisional operator) are obtained by means of the maximum entropy principle of extended thermodynamics, including the scattering of electrons with phonons, impurities and surface roughness scattering. Numerical results are shown for a SiNW transistor.
Study on the Stability and Entropy Complexity of an Energy-Saving and Emission-Reduction Model with Two Delays
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Yuling
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we build a model of energy-savings and emission-reductions with two delays. In this model, it is assumed that the interaction between energy-savings and emission-reduction and that between carbon emissions and economic growth are delayed. We examine the local stability and the existence of a Hopf bifurcation at the equilibrium point of the system. By employing System Complexity Theory, we also analyze the impact of delays and the feedback control on stability and entropy of the system are analyzed from two aspects: single delay and double delays. In numerical simulation section, we test the theoretical analysis by using means bifurcation diagram, the largest Lyapunov exponent diagrams, attractor, time-domain plot, Poincare section plot, power spectrum, entropy diagram, 3-D surface chart and 4-D graph, the simulation results demonstrating that the inappropriate changes of delays and the feedback control will result in instability and fluctuation of carbon emissions. Finally, the bifurcation control is achieved by using the method of variable feedback control. Hence, we conclude that the greater the value of the control parameter, the better the effect of the bifurcation control. The results will provide for the development of energy-saving and emission-reduction policies.
Point Information Gain and Multidimensional Data Analysis
Authors: Rychtáriková Renata , Korbel Jan , Macháček Petr , Císař Petr , Urban Jan , Štys Dalibor
Published: October 2016

We generalize the point information gain (PIG) and derived quantities, i.e., point information gain entropy (PIE) and point information gain entropy density (PIED), for the case of the Rényi entropy and simulate the behavior of PIG for typical distributions. We also use these methods for the analysis of multidimensional datasets. We demonstrate the main properties of PIE/PIED spectra for the real data with the examples of several images and discuss further possible utilizations in other fields of data processing.
Mobilization and Adaptation of a Rural Cradle-to-Career Network
Authors: Zuckerman Sarah
Published: October 2016

This case study explored the development of a rural cradle-to-career network with a dual focus on the initial mobilization of network members and subsequent adaptations made to maintain mobilization, while meeting local needs. Data sources included interviews with network members, observations of meetings, and documentary evidence. Network-based social capital facilitated mobilization. Where networks were absent and where distrust and different values were evident, mobilization faltered. Three network adaptations were discovered: Special rural community organizing strategies, district-level action planning, and a theory of action focused on out-of-school factors. All three were attributable to the composition of mobilized stakeholders and this network’s rural social geography. These findings illuminate the importance of social geography in the development and advancement of rural cradle-to-career networks.
Scheduling Energy Efficient Data Centers Using Renewable Energy
Authors: Iturriaga Santiago , Nesmachnow Sergio
Published: October 2016

This work presents a multi-objective approach for scheduling energy consumption in data centers considering traditional and green energy data sources. This problem is addressed as a whole by simultaneously scheduling the state of the servers and the cooling devices, and by scheduling the workload of the data center, which is comprised of a set of independent tasks with due dates. Its goal is to simultaneously minimize the energy consumption budget of the data center, the energy consumption deviation from a reference profile, and the amount of tasks whose due dates are violated. Two multi-objective evolutionary algorithms hybridized with a greedy heuristic are proposed and are enhanced by applying simulated annealing for post hoc optimization. Experimental results show that these methods are able to reduce energy consumption budget by about 60% while adequately following a power consumption profile and providing a high quality of service. These results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithmic approach and the usefulness of green energy sources for data center infrastructures.
Water Storage Instead of Energy Storage for Desalination Powered by Renewable Energy—King Island Case Study
Authors: Tafech Aya , Milani Dia , Abbas Ali
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we scrutinized the energy storage options used in mitigation of the intermittent nature of renewable energy resources for desalination process. In off-grid islands and remote areas, renewable energy is often combined with appropriate energy storage technologies (ESTs) to provide a consistent and reliable electric power source. We demonstrated that in developing a renewable energy scheme for desalination purposes, product (water) storage is a more reliable and techno-economic solution. For a King Island (Southeast Australia) case-study, electric power production from renewable energy sources was sized under transient conditions to meet the dynamic demand of freshwater throughout the year. Among four proposed scenarios, we found the most economic option by sizing a 13 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) field to instantly run a proportional RO desalination plant and generate immediate freshwater in diurnal times without the need for energy storage. The excess generated water was stored in 4 × 50 ML (mega liter) storage tanks to meet the load in those solar deficit times. It was also demonstrated that integrating well-sized solar PV with wind power production shows more consistent energy/water profiles that harmonize the transient nature of energy sources with the water consumption dynamics, but that would have trivial economic penalties caused by larger desalination and water storage capacities.
How Biotic Differentiation of Human Impacted Nutrient Poor Deciduous Forests Can Affect the Preservation Status of Mountain Forest Vegetation
Authors: Durak Tomasz , Durak Roma
Published: October 2016

A significant loss of biodiversity resulting from human activity has caused biotic homogenisation to become the dominant process shaping forest communities. In this paper, we present a rare case of biotic differentiation in European temperate deciduous forest herb layer vegetation. The process is occurring in nutrient poor oak-hornbeam forests in mountain areas (Polish Eastern Carpathians, Central Europe) where non-timber use was converted into conventional forest management practice. This change contributed to increases in the nitrogen content and pH reaction of the soil that, contrary to predominant beliefs on the negative impact of habitat eutrophication on diversity, did not result in a decrease in the latter. We discuss possible reasons for this phenomenon that indicate the important role of tree stand composition (an increasing admixture of beech worsening the trophic properties of the soil). The second issue considered involves the effect of the changes in herb species composition of oak-hornbeam forest on its distinctiveness from the beech forest predominating in the Polish Eastern Carpathians. Unfortunately, despite the increase in the species compositional dissimilarity of oak-hornbeam forest, a reduction in their distinctiveness in relation to the herb species composition of beech forest was found. Such a phenomenon is an effect of the major fragmentation of oak-hornbeam forests, a spread of beech forest-type species, and forest management that gives preference to beech trees. Consequently, it can be expected that changes occurring in oak-hornbeam forest vegetation will contribute to a decrease in the forest vegetation variability at the regional scale.
Accessibility to Specialized Public Oral Health Services from the Perspective of Brazilian Users
Authors: De Castro Ricardo , Rangel Marianne , Da Silva Marcos , De Lucena Brunna , Cavalcanti Alessandro , Bonan Paulo , Oliveira Julyana
Published: October 2016

The Specialized Dental Clinics (SDCs) represent the first government initiative in Latin America aimed at providing specialized oral health services. This study sought to evaluate the organizational accessibility to specialized oral health care services in Brazil and to understand the factors that may be associated with accessibility from the user’s perspective. This epidemiological, cross-sectional and quantitative study was conducted by means of interviews with individuals who sought specialized public oral health services in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, and consisted of a sample of 590 individuals. Users expressed a favorable view of the classification and resolutive nature of specialized services offered by Brazilian public health. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed weak points highlighting the difficulty involved in obtaining such treatments leading to unfavorable evaluations. In the resolutive nature item, difficulty in accessing the location, queues and lack of materials and equipment were highlighted as statistically significant unfavorable aspects. While many of the users considered the service to be resolutive, weaknesses were mentioned that need to be detected to promote improvements and to prevent other health models adopted worldwide from reproducing the same flaws.
Operational Risk Management in Financial Institutions: A Literature Review
Authors: Pakhchanyan Suren
Published: October 2016

Following the three-pillar structure of the Basel II/III framework, the article categorises and surveys 279 academic papers on operational risk in financial institutions, covering the period from 1998 to 2014. In doing so, different lines of both theoretical and empirical directions for research are identified. In addition, this study provides an overview of existing consortia databases and other publicly available sources on operational loss that may be incorporated into empirical research, as well as in risk measurement processes by financial institutions. Finally, this paper highlights the research gaps in operational risk and outlines recommendations for further research.
Viral Metagenomics on Blood-Feeding Arthropods as a Tool for Human Disease Surveillance
Authors: Brinkmann Annika , Nitsche Andreas , Kohl Claudia
Published: October 2016

Surveillance and monitoring of viral pathogens circulating in humans and wildlife, together with the identification of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), are critical for the prediction of future disease outbreaks and epidemics at an early stage. It is advisable to sample a broad range of vertebrates and invertebrates at different temporospatial levels on a regular basis to detect possible candidate viruses at their natural source. However, virus surveillance systems can be expensive, costly in terms of finances and resources and inadequate for sampling sufficient numbers of different host species over space and time. Recent publications have presented the concept of a new virus surveillance system, coining the terms “flying biological syringes”, “xenosurveillance” and “vector-enabled metagenomics”. According to these novel and promising surveillance approaches, viral metagenomics on engorged mosquitoes might reflect the viral diversity of numerous mammals, birds and humans, combined in the mosquitoes’ blood meal during feeding on the host. In this review article, we summarize the literature on vector-enabled metagenomics (VEM) techniques and its application in disease surveillance in humans. Furthermore, we highlight the combination of VEM and “invertebrate-derived DNA” (iDNA) analysis to identify the host DNA within the mosquito midgut.
Non-Interferometric Tomography of Phase Objects Using Spatial Light Modulators
Authors: Nguyen Thanh , Nehmetallah George
Published: October 2016

Quantitative 3D phase retrieval techniques are based on either interferometric techniques such as holography or noninterferometric intensity-based techniques such as the transport of intensity equation (TIE). Interferometric techniques are vibration-sensitive and often use a reference beam requiring complicated optical alignment. In this work we develop a simple, fast, and noninterferometric tomographic 3D phase retrieval technique based on the TIE which does not suffer from such drawbacks. The optical setup is a modified 4f TIE system which uses an SLM to replace the slow translation of the CCD required to record several diffraction patterns in a traditional TIE system. This novel TIE setup is suitable for dynamical events such as imaging biological processes. A rotating mechanical stage is constructed to obtain tomographic phase images of the object. The tomographic reconstruction algorithm is based on the Fourier slice theorem (backprojection algorithm) which applies to objects with a small refractive index span. Simulation and experimental results are shown as part of this work. A graphical user interface is developed to perform the TIE tomographic reconstruction algorithm and to synchronize the captured intensities by the CCD, the phase patterns displayed on the SLM, and the Arduino controlled rotating stage assembly.
Comparisons of Damage Evolution between 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC Ceramic-Matrix Composites under Tension-Tension Cyclic Fatigue Loading at Room and Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Li Longbiao
Published: October 2016

In this paper, comparisons of damage evolution between 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) under tension–tension cyclic fatigue loading at room and elevated temperatures have been investigated. Fatigue hysteresis loops models considering multiple matrix cracking modes in 2D CMCs have been developed based on the damage mechanism of fiber sliding relative to the matrix in the interface debonded region. The relationships between the fatigue hysteresis loops, fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy, fatigue peak stress, matrix multiple cracking modes, and interface shear stress have been established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, fatigue peak stress and matrix cracking mode proportion on fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy and interface debonding and sliding have been analyzed. The experimental fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy of 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites at room temperature, 550 °C, 800 °C, and 1100 °C in air, and 1200 °C in vacuum corresponding to different fatigue peak stresses and cycle numbers have been analyzed. The interface shear stress degradation rate has been obtained through comparing the experimental fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy with theoretical values. Fatigue damage evolution in C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites has been compared using damage parameters of fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy and interface shear stress degradation rate. It was found that the interface shear stress degradation rate increases at elevated temperature in air compared with that at room temperature, decreases with increasing loading frequency at room temperature, and increases with increasing fatigue peak stress at room and elevated temperatures.
Morphological Influence of Solution-Processed Zinc Oxide Films on Electrical Characteristics of Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Lee Hyeonju , Zhang Xue , Hwang Jaeeun , Park Jaehoon
Published: October 2016

We report on the morphological influence of solution-processed zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor films on the electrical characteristics of ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs). Different film morphologies were produced by controlling the spin-coating condition of a precursor solution, and the ZnO films were analyzed using atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and Hall measurement. It is shown that ZnO TFTs have a superior performance in terms of the threshold voltage and field-effect mobility, when ZnO crystallites are more densely packed in the film. This is attributed to lower electrical resistivity and higher Hall mobility in a densely packed ZnO film. In the results of consecutive TFT operations, a positive shift in the threshold voltage occurred irrespective of the film morphology, but the morphological influence on the variation in the field-effect mobility was evident. The field-effect mobility in TFTs having a densely packed ZnO film increased continuously during consecutive TFT operations, which is in contrast to the mobility decrease observed in the less packed case. An analysis of the field-effect conductivities ascribes these results to the difference in energetic traps, which originate from structural defects in the ZnO films. Consequently, the morphological influence of solution-processed ZnO films on the TFT performance can be understood through the packing property of ZnO crystallites.
A Study of Controllability of Impulsive Neutral Evolution Integro-Differential Equations with State-Dependent Delay in Banach Spaces
Authors: Chalishajar Dimplekumar , Anguraj Annamalai , Malar Kandasamy , Karthikeyan Kulandhivel
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we study the problem of controllability of impulsive neutral evolution integro-differential equations with state-dependent delay in Banach spaces. The main results are completely new and are obtained by using Sadovskii’s fixed point theorem, theory of resolvent operators, and an abstract phase space. An example is given to illustrate the theory.
An Evaluation of Mechanical Properties with the Hardness of Building Steel Structural Members for Reuse by NDT
Authors: Fujita Masanori , Kuki Keiichi
Published: October 2016

The reuse system proposed by the authors is one method to reduce the environmental burden in the structural field. As for reusable members, we take up building steel structures used for plants and warehouses. These buildings are assumed to be demolished within approximately 30 years or more for physical, architectural, economic, or social reasons in Japan. In this paper, the performance of steel structural members of a gable frame is evaluated with a non-destructive test for reuse. First, the flow to estimate mechanical properties of steel structural members such as tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation is shown via a non-destructive test. Next, tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of steel structural members are estimated, with hardness measured with a portable ultrasonic hardness tester. Finally, the mechanical properties of steel structural members for reuse are estimated based on the proposed flow.
Platinum-Group Minerals and Other Accessory Phases in Chromite Deposits of the Alapaevsk Ophiolite, Central Urals, Russia
Authors: Zaccarini Federica , Pushkarev Evgeny , Garuti Giorgio , Kazakov Igor
Published: October 2016

An electron microprobe study has been carried out on platinum-group minerals, accessory phases, and chromite in several chromite deposits of the Alapaevsk ophiolite (Central Urals, Russia) namely the Bakanov Kluch, Kurmanovskoe, Lesnoe, 3-d Podyony Rudnik, Bol’shaya Kruglyshka, and Krest deposits. These deposits occur in partially to totally serpentinized peridotites. The microprobe data shows that the chromite composition varies from Cr-rich to Al-rich. Tiny platinum-group minerals (PGM), 1–10 µm in size, have been found in the chromitites. The most abundant PGM is laurite, accompanied by minor cuproiridsite and alloys in the system Os–Ir–Ru. A small grain (about 20 μm) was found in the interstitial serpentine of the Bakanov Kluch chromitite, and its calculated stoichiometry corresponds to (Ni,Fe)5P. Olivine, occurring in the silicate matrix or included in fresh chromite, has a mantle-compatible composition in terms of major and minor elements. Several inclusions of amphibole, Na-rich phlogopite, and clinopyroxene have been identified. The bimodal Cr–Al composition of chromite probably corresponds to a vertical distribution in the ophiolite sequence, implying formation of Cr-rich chromitites in the deep mantle, and Al-rich chromitites close to the Moho-transition zone, in a supra-subduction setting. The presence of abundant hydrous silicate inclusions, such as amphibole and phlogopite, suggests that the Alapaevsk chromitites crystallized as a result of the interaction between a melt enriched in fluids and peridotites. Laurite and cuproiridsite are considered to be magmatic in origin, i.e., entrapped as solid phases during the crystallization of chromite at high temperatures. The sulfur fugacity was relatively high to allow the precipitation of Ir-bearing sulfides, but below the Os–OsS2 buffer. The alloys in the system Os–Ir–Ru are classified as secondary PGM, i.e., formed at low temperature during the serpentinization process. The (Ni,Fe)5P phase is the first occurrence of a Ni-phosphide in terrestrial samples. Its composition indicates that it may be a new mineral. However, the small size has, so far, prevented a crystallographic study to support this conclusion.
Recovering Y and Eu from Waste Phosphors Using Chlorination Roasting—Water Leaching Process
Authors: Yu Mingming , Pang Shuya , Mei Guangjun , Chen Xiaodong
Published: October 2016

Recovering Y and Eu from waste phosphors using chlorination roasting followed by a water leaching process was investigated in this study. Firstly, by chlorination roasting and water leaching, Y and Eu elements present in waste phosphors were efficiently extracted into a leach solution. Secondly, the majority of the impurities in the solution can be removed by adjusting the pH to 4.5 using a Na2S and NH3·H2O solution. Thirdly, the rare earths can be precipitated afterwards by adding a H2C2O4 solution and adjusting the pH to 2.0. Then rare earth oxides (REOs) can be obtained after calcining at 800 °C for 1 h. The characterization study of the waste phosphors and the rare earth oxide products was performed by XRD, XRF, and SEM-EDS analysis to determine the phase and morphological features. Influences of the factors, such as roasting temperatures and time, the addition of ammonium chloride on the roasting of waste phosphors, as well as the pH and the amount of oxalates on the precipitation of Y and Eu, were investigated. The maximum grade (99.84%) of mixed rare earth oxides and recovery rate (87.35%) of Y and Eu were obtained at the optimized conditions.
Proteome and Peptidome of Vipera berus berus Venom
Authors: Bocian Aleksandra , Urbanik Małgorzata , Hus Konrad , Łyskowski Andrzej , Petrilla Vladimír , Andrejčáková Zuzana , Petrillová Monika , Legath Jaroslav
Published: October 2016

Snake venom is a rich source of peptides and proteins with a wide range of actions. Many of the venom components are currently being tested for their usefulness in the treatment of many diseases ranging from neurological and cardiovascular to cancer. It is also important to constantly search for new proteins and peptides with properties not yet described. The venom of Vipera berus berus has hemolytic, proteolytic and cytotoxic properties, but its exact composition and the factors responsible for these properties are not known. Therefore, an attempt was made to identify proteins and peptides derived from this species venom by using high resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI ToF/ToF mass spectrometry. A total of 11 protein classes have been identified mainly proteases but also l-amino acid oxidases, C-type lectin like proteins, cysteine-rich venom proteins and phospholipases A2 and 4 peptides of molecular weight less than 1500 Da. Most of the identified proteins are responsible for the highly hemotoxic properties of the venom. Presence of venom phospholipases A2 and l-amino acid oxidases cause moderate neuro-, myo- and cytotoxicity. All successfully identified peptides belong to the bradykinin-potentiating peptides family. The mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD004958.
Material Evaluation and Process Optimization of CNT-Coated Polymer Powders for Selective Laser Sintering
Authors: Yuan Shangqin , Bai Jiaming , Chua Chee , Wei Jun , Zhou Kun
Published: October 2016

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nano-reinforcements were introduced to facilitate the laser sintering process and enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of polymeric composites. A dual experimental-theoretical method was proposed to evaluate the processability and predict the process parameters of newly developed CNT-coated polyamide 12 (CNTs/PA12) powders. The thermal conductivity, melt viscosity, phase transition and temperature-dependent density and heat capacity of PA12 and CNTs/PA12 powders were characterized for material evaluation. The composite powders exhibited improved heat conduction and heat absorption compared with virgin polymer powders, and the stable sintering range of composite powders was extended and found to be favourable for the sintering process. The microstructures of sintered composites revealed that the CNTs remained at the powder boundaries and formed network architectures, which instantaneously induced the significant enhancements in tensile strength, elongation at break and toughness without sacrificing tensile modulus.
Microwave-Based Microfluidic Sensor for Non-Destructive and Quantitative Glucose Monitoring in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Chretiennot Thomas , Dubuc David , Grenier Katia
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a reliable microwave and microfluidic miniature sensor dedicated to the measurement of glucose concentration in aqueous solution. The device; which is integrated with microtechnologies; is made of a bandstop filter implemented in a thin film microstrip technology combined with a fluidic microchannel. Glucose aqueous solutions have been characterized for concentration ranging from 80 g/L down to 0.3 g/L and are identified with the normalized insertion loss at optimal frequency. The sensitivity of the sensor has consequently been estimated at 7.6 × 10−3 dB/(g/L); together with the experimental uncertainty; the resolution of the sensor comes to 0.4 g/L. These results demonstrate the potentialities of such a sensor for the quantitative analysis of glucose in aqueous solution.
Robust Depth Image Acquisition Using Modulated Pattern Projection and Probabilistic Graphical Models
Authors: Kravanja Jaka , Žganec Mario , Žganec-Gros Jerneja , Dobrišek Simon , Štruc Vitomir
Published: October 2016

Depth image acquisition with structured light approaches in outdoor environments is a challenging problem due to external factors, such as ambient sunlight, which commonly affect the acquisition procedure. This paper presents a novel structured light sensor designed specifically for operation in outdoor environments. The sensor exploits a modulated sequence of structured light projected onto the target scene to counteract environmental factors and estimate a spatial distortion map in a robust manner. The correspondence between the projected pattern and the estimated distortion map is then established using a probabilistic framework based on graphical models. Finally, the depth image of the target scene is reconstructed using a number of reference frames recorded during the calibration process. We evaluate the proposed sensor on experimental data in indoor and outdoor environments and present comparative experiments with other existing methods, as well as commercial sensors.
Micro-Encapsulated Phase Change Materials: A Review of Encapsulation, Safety and Thermal Characteristics
Authors: Hassan Ahmed , Shakeel Laghari Mohammad , Rashid Yasir
Published: October 2016

Phase change materials (PCMs) have been identified as potential candidates for building energy optimization by increasing the thermal mass of buildings. The increased thermal mass results in a drop in the cooling/heating loads, thus decreasing the energy demand in buildings. However, direct incorporation of PCMs into building elements undermines their structural performance, thereby posing a challenge for building integrity. In order to retain/improve building structural performance, as well as improving energy performance, micro-encapsulated PCMs are integrated into building materials. The integration of microencapsulation PCMs into building materials solves the PCM leakage problem and assures a good bond with building materials to achieve better structural performance. The aim of this article is to identify the optimum micro-encapsulation methods and materials for improving the energy, structural and safety performance of buildings. The article reviews the characteristics of micro-encapsulated PCMs relevant to building integration, focusing on safety rating, structural implications, and energy performance. The article uncovers the optimum combinations of the shell (encapsulant) and core (PCM) materials along with encapsulation methods by evaluating their merits and demerits.
Jeux et enjeux de pouvoirs dans les rituels magiques de chasse au trésor au Moyen Âge
Authors: Boudet Jean-Patrice
Published: October 2016

La découverte de trésors cachés est l’une des motivations avouées de la magie rituelle, dans l’Occident médiéval comme à Byzance et dans le monde arabo-musulman. Mais la nature exacte des opérations concernées, celle du «pouvoir rituel » des magiciens qui entre en concurrence au moins implicite avec les institutions religieuses et politiques, et celle des différentes sortes d’esprits qui sont leurs interlocuteurs en la matière, restent encore peu connues. Cet article vise à faire le point sur cette question en tirant l’essentiel de ses informations des manuscrits de magie eux-mêmes.
La thésaurisation de l’or en France depuis 1914 : d’une thésaurisation monétaire à une thésaurisation refuge
Authors: Hoang Thi Hong Van
Published: October 2016

This paper considers the evolution of gold hoarding in France since 1914, both by individuals and by the Banque de France. The start date was chosen because it marks the beginning of the end of the Gold Standard in France. We note that despite its definitive demonetization in 1978, gold continues to be hoarded in France. In 1914, the amount of gold hoarded by French individuals was roughly 1 600 tons. Nowadays, it is estimated at between 3 000 and 5 000 tons. As for the Banque de France, its gold reserve increased from 1 030 tons in 1914 to 2 435 tons in 2010. This shows that gold is still considered a real and tangible asset nowadays. It represents a safe haven investment for savers.
SIZE OF THE ACCRETION DISK IN THE GRAVIATIONALLY LENSED QUASAR SDSS J1004+4112 FROM THE STATISTICS OF MICROLENSING MAGNIFICATIONS
Authors: Fian C. , Mediavilla E. , Hanslmeier A. , Oscoz A. , Serra-Ricart M. , Muñoz J. A. , Jiménez-Vicente J.
Published: October 2016

We present eight monitoring seasons of the four brightest images of the gravitational lens SDSS J1004+4112 observed between 2003 December and 2010 October. Using measured time delays for the images A, B, and C and the model predicted time delay for image D we have removed the intrinsic quasar variability, finding microlensing events of about 0.5 and 0.7 mag of amplitude in the images C and D. From the statistics of microlensing amplitudes in images A, C, and D, we have inferred the half-light radius (at

) for the accretion disk using two different methods,

(histogram product) and

lt-days (

). The results are in agreement within uncertainties with the size predicted from the black hole mass in SDSS J1004+4112 using thin disk theory.
IS THE GALACTIC BULGE DEVOID OF PLANETS?
Authors: Penny Matthew T. , Henderson Calen B. , Clanton Christian
Published: October 2016

We consider a sample of 31 exoplanetary systems detected by gravitational microlensing and investigate whether or not the estimated distances to these systems conform to the Galactic distribution of planets expected from models. We derive the expected distribution of distances and relative proper motions from a simulated microlensing survey, correcting for the dominant selection effects that affect the sensitivity of planet detection as a function of distance, and compare it to the observed distribution using Anderson–Darling (AD) hypothesis testing. Taking the relative abundance of planets in the bulge to that in the disk,

, as a model parameter, we find that our model is consistent with the observed distribution only for

(for a p-value threshold of 0.01) implying that the bulge may be devoid of planets relative to the disk. Allowing for a dependence of planet abundance on metallicity and host mass, or an additional dependence of planet sensitivity on event timescale, does not restore consistency for

. We examine the distance estimates of some events in detail, and conclude that some parallax-based estimates could be significantly in error. Only by combining the removal of one problematic event from our sample and the inclusion of strong dependences of planet abundance or detection sensitivity on host mass, metallicity, and event timescale are we able to find consistency with the hypothesis that the bulge and disk have equal planet abundance.
EVOLUTION OF LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARIES: THE EFFECT OF DONOR EVAPORATION
Authors: Jia Kun , Li Xiang-Dong
Published: October 2016

Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are thought to originate from low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). The discovery of eclipsing radio MSPs, including redbacks and black widows, indicates that evaporation of the donor star by the MSP’s irradiation takes place during the LMXB evolution. In this work, we investigate the effect of donor evaporation on the secular evolution of LMXBs, considering different evaporation efficiencies and related angular momentum loss. We find that for widening LMXBs, the donor star leaves a less massive white dwarf than without evaporation; for contracting systems, evaporation can speed up the evolution, resulting in dynamically unstable mass transfer and possibly the formation of isolated MSPs.
ELEMENT ABUNDANCES IN A GAS-RICH GALAXY AT z = 5: CLUES TO THE EARLY CHEMICAL ENRICHMENT OF GALAXIES∗
Authors: Morrison Sean , Kulkarni Varsha P. , Som Debopam , DeMarcy Bryan , Quiret Samuel , Péroux Celine
Published: October 2016

Element abundances in high-redshift quasar absorbers offer excellent probes of the chemical enrichment of distant galaxies, and can constrain models for population III and early population II stars. Recent observations indicate that the sub-damped Lyα (sub-DLA) absorbers are more metal-rich than DLA absorbers at redshifts 0 < z < 3. It has also been suggested that DLA metallicity drops suddenly at z > 4.7. However, only three DLAs at z > 4.5 and no sub-DLAs at z > 3.5 have “dust-free” metallicity measurements of undepleted elements. We report the first quasar sub-DLA metallicity measurement at z > 3.5, from detections of undepleted elements in high-resolution data for a sub-DLA at z = 5.0. We obtain fairly robust abundances of C, O, Si, and Fe, using lines outside the Lyα forest. This absorber is metal-poor, with [O/H] = −2.00 ± 0.12, which is ≳4σ below the level expected from extrapolation of the trend for z < 3.5 sub-DLAs. The C/O ratio is

times lower than in the Sun. More strikingly, Si/O is

times lower than in the Sun, whereas Si/Fe is nearly (1.2

times) solar. This absorber does not display a clear alpha/Fe enhancement. Dust depletion may have removed more Si from the gas phase than is common in the Milky Way interstellar medium, which may be expected if high-redshift supernovae form more silicate-rich dust. C/O and Si/O vary substantially between different velocity components, indicating spatial variations in dust depletion and/or early stellar nucleosynthesis (e.g., population III star initial mass function). The higher velocity gas may trace an outflow enriched by early stars.
PRIMORDIAL GRAVITATIONAL WAVES AND RESCATTERED ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
Authors: Kim Dong-Hoon , Trippe Sascha
Published: October 2016

Understanding the interaction of primordial gravitational waves (GWs) with the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) plasma is important for observational cosmology. In this article, we provide an analysis of an apparently as-yet-overlooked effect. We consider a single free electric charge and suppose that it can be agitated by primordial GWs propagating through the CMB plasma, resulting in periodic, regular motion along particular directions. Light reflected by the charge will be partially polarized, and this will imprint a characteristic pattern on the CMB. We study this effect by considering a simple model in which anisotropic incident electromagnetic (EM) radiation is rescattered by a charge sitting in spacetime perturbed by GWs, and becomes polarized. As the charge is driven to move along particular directions, we calculate its dipole moment to determine the leading-order rescattered EM radiation. The Stokes parameters of the rescattered radiation exhibit a net linear polarization. We investigate how this polarization effect can be schematically represented out of the Stokes parameters. We work out the representations of gradient modes (E-modes) and curl modes (B-modes) to produce polarization maps. Although the polarization effect results from GWs, we find that its representations, the E- and B-modes, do not practically reflect the GW properties such as strain amplitude, frequency, and polarization states.