bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of an Emergency Energy System for a City Assisted by Renewable Energy, Case Study: Latakia, Syria
Authors: Fandi Ghaeth , Krepl Vladimír , Ahmad Ibrahim , Igbinovia Famous O. , Ivanova Tatiana , Fandie Soliman , Muller Zdenek , Tlusty Josef
Published: November 2018

Electrical energy is one of the most important daily needs. Shortage of energy can be very dangerous for any society. This can affect the standard of living and quality of life of the people and even endanger the lives of those in hospitals, and so forth. Developed countries do not face such risks in general because they have well organized electrical systems and high energy security. The developing countries are faced daily with electric system collapses, especially in the case of wars, where many parts of the electrical grid in the country can be damaged and fuel transmission lines for generators cut off. Urban areas in developing countries should have a strategic plan to deal with any unexpected occurrence of energy shortages using any available renewable energy sources. City of Latakia is located in the region which has been suffering from the consequences of war for more than six years. The fact that a high number of migrants from other cities have come to Latakia along with a lack of fuel makes the energy shortage in the city worse. An emergency system could use the cheapest available renewable energy sources in addition to few big portable generators to provide an acceptable energy supply for the most needed requirements of daily life.
Switched-Capacitor Boost Converter for Low Power Energy Harvesting Applications
Authors: Rodič Miran , Milanovič Miro , Truntič Mitja , Ošlaj Benjamin
Published: November 2018

The paper presents a Switched-Capacitor Boost DC-DC Converter (SC-BC) which can be used in energy harvesting applications using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) with low output voltage, low power and a significant internal resistance. It consists of a switching capacitor circuit, where MOSFETs are used as switches, and a boost stage. The converter is a modification of a previously presented scheme in which diodes are used in the switched capacitor stage. A higher voltage gain and an increased efficiency can thus be achieved. The model of the converter was developed considering the internal resistance of the TEG and boost stage inductor. A comparison with the diode based converter is shown, with consideration of the TEG internal resistance. Calculation is presented of the main passive components. A control algorithm is also proposed and evaluated. It is based on a linearization approach, and designed for output voltage and inductor current control. The operation of both converter and control are verified with the simulation and experimental results.
A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Wang Meng , Yang Hongxing
Published: November 2018

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology provides an aesthetical, economic, and technical solution for electricity self-sufficiency in buildings. As one of the most promising technologies for solar energy harvesting in urban areas, BIPV technology provides multiple benefits for buildings, including power generation from renewable energy resources, the replacement of traditional wall cladding, daytime lighting, heating/cooling load reduction, etc. This paper systematically reviews the progress of recent research on the electrical, thermal, optical, and overall energy performances of BIPV systems. Furthermore, based on the literature review on the energy payback time and the greenhouse-gas emission of various BIPV technologies, the research progress of the life-cycle assessment of BIPV systems is also discussed. It is anticipated that the review results can provide meaningful reference and support for the research and development of BIPV technology.
Bending Stiffness, Load-Bearing Capacity and Flexural Rigidity of Slender Hybrid Wood-Based Beams
Authors: Šubic Barbara , Fajdiga Gorazd , Lopatič Jože
Published: November 2018

Modern architecture suggests the use of opened spaces with large transparent envelope surfaces. Therefore, windows of long widths and large heights are needed. In order to withstand the wind loads, such wooden windows can be reinforced with stiffer materials, such as aluminium (Al), glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP), and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). The bending stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and flexural rigidity of hybrid beams, reinforced with aluminium, were compared through experimental analysis, using a four-point bending tests method, with those of reference wooden beams. The largest increases in bending stiffness (29%–39%), load-bearing capacity (33%–45%), and flexural rigidity (43%–50%) were observed in the case of the hybrid beams, with the highest percentage of reinforcements (12.9%—six reinforcements in their tensile and six reinforcements in their compressive zone). The results of the experiments confirmed the high potential of using hybrid beams to produce large wooden windows, for different wind zones, worldwide.
Assessing the Minimum Number of Time Since Last Fire Sample-Points Required to Estimate the Fire Cycle: Influences of Fire Rotation Length and Study Area Scale
Authors: Wei Xinyuan , Larsen Chris P. S.
Published: November 2018

Boreal forest fire history is typically reconstructed using tree-ring based time since last fire (TSLF) frequency distributions from across the landscape. We employed stochastic landscape fire simulations to assess how large a study area and how many TSLF sample-points are required to estimate the fire cycle (FC) within a given accuracy, and if those requirements change with length of the simulated fire rotation (FRS). FRS is calculated from simulated fire-year maps used to create the TSLF map, and is the “true” measure of fire history that FC estimates should equal. Fire-year maps were created by (i) using a spatially homogenous landscape, (ii) imposing large variations in annual area burned, and (iii) having no age-related change in the hazard of burning. We found that study areas should be ≥3× the size of largest total annual area burned, with smaller-scale areas having a bias that cannot be fixed by employing more samples. For a study area scale of 3×, a FC estimate with an error <10% was obtained with 187 TSLF samples at 0.81 samples per 100 km2. FC estimates were not biased in study area scales that were ≥3×, but smaller-scale areas with a short FRS had an overestimated FC and smaller-scale areas with a long FRS had an underestimated FC. Site specific variations in environmental- and age-related variations in the hazard of burning may require more sample-points; site specific simulations should thus be conducted to determine sample numbers before conducting a TSLF field study.
Wildfire Impact and the “Fire Paradox” in a Natural and Endemic Pine Forest Stand and Shrubland
Authors: Arévalo José Ramón , Naranjo-Cigala Agustín
Published: November 2018

Fire is a powerful force that has shaped forests for thousands of years. It also provokes widespread social concern due to possible economic damage, social effects, impact on homes and properties, and other social effects including fatalities. Regions with seasonal variations in aridity have a fire regime dependent on climate resulting from the role of precipitation and temperature in fire occurrence, implying a synchrony of fire occurrence at regional scale. This spatial and temporal variation of fire regimes regulates the structure, diversity, regeneration dynamics, and nutrient cycle of an area. In the Canary Islands, fires are recurrent in pine forests, although their occurrence in the same area more than once within a 20-year period is rare. The main aim of this work is to reveal, over a 50-year period, fire occurrence and impact on the Canary Islands and how the islands are immersed in a “fire paradox”—a process typical of protected areas, where fire suppression becomes one of the main aims of forest management.
Symmetry Approach in the Evaluation of the Effect of Boundary Proximity on Oscillation of Gas Bubbles
Authors: Maksimov Alexey
Published: November 2018

The purpose of the present review is to describe the effect of an interface between media with different mechanical properties on the acoustic response of a gas bubble. This is necessary to interpret sonar signals received from underwater gas seeps and mud volcanoes, as well as in the case of acoustic studies on the Arctic shelf where rising gas bubbles accumulate at the lower boundary of the ice cover. The ability to describe the dynamics of constrained bubble by analytical methods is related to the presence of internal symmetry in the governing equations. This leads to the presence of specific (toroidal and bi-spherical) coordinate systems in which the variables are separated. The existence of symmetry properties is possible only under certain conditions. In particular, the characteristic wavelength should be larger than the bubble size and the distance to an interface. The derived analytical solution allows us to determine how the natural frequency, radiation damping, and bubble shape depend on the distance to the boundary and the material parameters of contacting media.
De-Extinction
Authors: Novak Ben Jacob
Published: November 2018

De-extinction projects for species such as the woolly mammoth and passenger pigeon have greatly stimulated public and scientific interest, producing a large body of literature and much debate. To date, there has been little consistency in descriptions of de-extinction technologies and purposes. In 2016, a special committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published a set of guidelines for de-extinction practice, establishing the first detailed description of de-extinction; yet incoherencies in published literature persist. There are even several problems with the IUCN definition. Here I present a comprehensive definition of de-extinction practice and rationale that expounds and reconciles the biological and ecological inconsistencies in the IUCN definition. This new definition brings together the practices of reintroduction and ecological replacement with de-extinction efforts that employ breeding strategies to recover unique extinct phenotypes into a single “de-extinction” discipline. An accurate understanding of de-extinction and biotechnology segregates the restoration of certain species into a new classification of endangerment, removing them from the purview of de-extinction and into the arena of species’ recovery. I term these species as “evolutionarily torpid species”; a term to apply to species falsely considered extinct, which in fact persist in the form of cryopreserved tissues and cultured cells. For the first time in published literature, all currently active de-extinction breeding programs are reviewed and their progress presented. Lastly, I review and scrutinize various topics pertaining to de-extinction in light of the growing body of peer-reviewed literature published since de-extinction breeding programs gained public attention in 2013.
Two Decades of Invasive Western Corn Rootworm Population Monitoring in Croatia
Authors: Mrganić Martina , Bažok Renata , Mikac Katarina M. , Benítez Hugo A. , Lemic Darija
Published: November 2018

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is the worst pest of maize in the United States, and since its spread through Europe, WCR is now recognized as the most serious pest affecting maize production. After the beetle’s first detection in Serbia in 1992, neighboring countries such as Croatia have established a national monitoring program. For more than two decades WCR adult population abundance and variability was monitored. With traditional density monitoring, more recent genetic monitoring, and the newest morphometric monitoring of WCR populations, Croatia possesses a great deal of knowledge about the beetle’s invasion process over time and space. Croatia’s position in Europe is unique as no other European nation has demonstrated such a detailed and complete understanding of an invasive insect. The combined use of traditional monitoring (attractant cards), which can be effectively used to predict population abundance, and modern monitoring procedures, such as population genetics and geometric morphometrics, has been effectively used to estimate inter- and intra-population variation. The combined application of traditional and modern monitoring techniques will enable more efficient control and management of WCR across Europe. This review summarizes the research on WCR in Croatia from when it was first detected in 1992 until 2018. An outline of future research needs is provided.
Numerical Study of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Enhancement by Nano-PCM in Aluminum Foam
Authors: Buonomo Bernardo , Di Pasqua Anna , Ercole Davide , Manca Oronzio
Published: November 2018

Thermal storage system (TES) with phase change material (PCM) is an important device to store thermal energy. It works as a thermal buffer to reconcile the supply energy with the energy demand. It has a wide application field, especially for solar thermal energy storage. The main drawback is the low value of thermal conductivity of the PCM making the system useless for thermal engineering applications. A way to resolve this problem is to combine the PCM with a highly conductive material like metal foam and/or nanoparticles. In this paper a numerical investigation on the metal foam effects in a latent heat thermal energy storage system, based on a phase change material with nanoparticles (nano-PCM), is accomplished. The modelled TES is a typical 70 L water tank filled with nano-PCM with pipes to transfer thermal energy from a fluid to the nano-PCM. The PCM is a pure paraffin wax and the nanoparticles are in aluminum oxide. The metal foam is made of aluminum with assigned values of porosity. The enthalpy-porosity theory is employed to simulate the phase change of the nano-PCM and the metal foam is modelled as a porous media. Numerical simulations are carried out using the Ansys Fluent code. The results are shown in terms of melting time, temperature at varying of time, and total amount of stored energy.
Diagnostic Performance of Initial Serum Albumin Level for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality among Necrotizing Fasciitis Patients
Authors: Chang Chia-Peng , Fann Wen-Chih , Wu Shu-Ruei , Lin Chun-Nan , Chen I-Chuan , Hsiao Cheng-Ting
Published: November 2018

Background: Hypoalbuminemia is known to be associated with adverse outcomes in critical illness. In this study, we attempted to identify whether hypoalbuminemia on emergency department (ED) arrival is a reliable predictor for in-hospital mortality in necrotizing fasciitis (NF). patients. Method: A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with NF was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital in Taiwan between March 2010 and March 2018. Blood samples were collected in the ED upon arrival, and serum albumin levels were determined. We evaluated the predictive value of serum albumin level at ED presentation for in-hospital mortality. All collected data were statistically analyzed. Result: Of the 707 NF patients, 40 (5.66%) died in the hospital. The mean serum albumin level was 3.1 ± 0.9 g/dL and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (2.8 ± 0.7 g/dL vs. 3.5 ± 0.8 g/dL). In the multivariable logistic regression model, albumin was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88–0.96, p < 0.001). The area under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC) for in-hospital survival was 0.77 (95% CI 0.72–0.82) and corresponding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratio were 66%, 74%, 33%, 88%, 2.25, and 0.48, respectively. High sensitivity (96%) for survival was shown at albumin level of 4.0 g/dL and high specificity (91%) for mortality was shown at a level of 2.5 g/dL. Conclusion: Initial serum albumin levels strongly predicted in-hospital mortality among patients with necrotizing fasciitis. NF patients with hypoalbuminemia on ED arrival should be closely monitored for signs of deterioration and early and aggressive intervention should be considered to prevent mortality.
High Seam Surface Quality in Keyhole Laser Welding: Buttonhole Welding
Authors: Schultz Villads , Woizeschke Peer
Published: November 2018

Keyhole laser welding experiments with 1.5 mm thick aluminum sheets (EN AW-6082) were carried out with transversal beam oscillation and wire feeding. A circular cavity, which was named buttonhole, formed directly behind the laser spot at certain oscillation frequencies. The welding states “no buttonhole”, “unstable buttonhole”, and “stable buttonhole” were distinguished. The melt pool dynamics were experimentally analyzed and correlated with the resulting roughness and waviness of the seam surfaces. Criteria for stable buttonhole welding were derived. On the basis of the cavity radii relations, it is shown that capillary pressure conditions can explain the movement of the buttonhole with the process.
Model Development and Hindcast Simulations of NOAA’s Integrated Northern Gulf of Mexico Operational Forecast System
Authors: Yang Zizang , Zheng Lianyuan , Richardson Phillip , Myers Edward , Zhang Aijun
Published: November 2018

NOAA’s National Ocean Service is upgrading three existing northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) operational nowcast/forecast systems (OFS) by integrating them into one single system (INGOFS) and developing additional domain coverage to encompass the lower Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, Texas coastal embayments, and Mexican coastal waters. The system will produce real-time nowcast and short-range forecast guidance for water levels, 3-dimensional currents, water temperature, and salinity. INGOFS will be implemented using the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM). This paper describes the model configuration and results from a one-year (2 August 2016–1 August 2017) hindcast simulation. The model grid is composed of about 300,000 nodes and 600,000 elements, and has a spatial resolution ranging from 45 m near the coast to around 10 km on the open ocean boundary. It uses the FVCOM wetting and drying feature, the quadratic bottom friction scheme, and the two-equation model of the Mellor-Yamada Level 2.5 turbulence closure scheme. The hindcast results of water levels, surface temperatures, and salinity were verified by comparing the model time series with in situ observations. The root-mean-squared errors are about 0.08 m for water levels, about 1.1 °C for temperatures, and about 3.7 psu for salinity. The hindcast configuration will be further tested in a nowcast/forecast environment for a one-year period. The upgraded system is anticipated to be in operational production in mid-2020.
Water Quality Model Calibration via a Full-Factorial Analysis of Algal Growth Kinetic Parameters
Authors: Bowen James D. , Harrigan Noyes B.
Published: November 2018

The two-dimensional, laterally-averaged mechanistic eutrophication model CE-QUAL-W2 version 3.72 was used to predict chlorophyll-a concentrations across two different time periods in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina. Chlorophyll calibration was performed for two time periods simultaneously by performing a full-factorial experiment that tested seven algal kinetic growth parameters over three levels for a single algal group. A cluster of up to six computers each running between two and ten instances of the program was used to complete and manage the data for 2187 runs for each period. Six numeric criteria were used to determine which runs performed acceptably, yielding a group of 27 cases that met all of the criteria. Calibration performance of the set of cases outperformed a previously calibrated model using three algal groups that met only four of the six selection criteria. Calibration performed this way allowed for a more rational specification of model calibration performance and provided uncertainty estimates of model predictions, albeit at the cost of a considerable increase in computational requirements that necessitated the use of a computer cluster.
Using Argus Video Monitoring to Determine Limiting Factors of Aeolian Sand Transport on a Narrow Beach
Authors: Hage Pam , Ruessink Gerben , Donker Jasper
Published: November 2018

Aeolian sediment transport on beaches is responsible for dune growth and/or recovery. Models predicting potential aeolian sediment transport rates often overpredict the amount of deposition on the foredune when applied to narrow (<100 m) beaches, pointing to supply limitations. Our goal is to better understand these limitations, especially in the long-term (>years) in order to improve predicted transport volumes and the timing of transport. Here, we used 8 years of Argus video images at Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands, in combination with routine weather data to delineate 241 limited from 467 unlimited sand transport events to explore supply-limiting factors. Our research shows that the wind is more oriented to the west (shore normal) and is generally stronger for limited transport events. This indicates that the available fetch distance is often less than the critical fetch needed for unlimited transport. This is further confirmed by the timing of the transport events, as limited events often became unlimited during low tide when the beach was the widest and fetch potentially the longest. Our results help understanding the nature of aeolian sediment transport on narrow beaches, which will hopefully lead to better predictions of annual aeolian sediment transport rates.
A Sensitivity Analysis of the Wind Forcing Effect on the Accuracy of Large-Wave Hindcasting
Authors: Wang Taiping , Yang Zhaoqing , Wu Wei-Cheng , Grear Molly
Published: November 2018

Deployment of wave energy converters (WECs) relies on consistent and accurate wave resource characterization, which is typically achieved through numerical modeling using deterministic wave models. The accurate predictions of large-wave events are critical to the success of wave resource characterization because of the risk on WEC installation, maintenance, and damage caused by extreme sea states. Because wind forcing is the primary driver of wave models, the quality of wind data plays an important role in the accuracy of wave predictions. This study evaluates the sensitivity of large-wave prediction to different wind-forcing products, and identifies a feasible approach to improve wave model results through improved wind forcing. Using a multi-level nested-grid modeling approach, we perform a series of sensitivity tests at four representative National Data Buoy Center buoy locations on the U.S. East and West Coasts. The selected wind-forcing products include the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis global wind product and North American Regional Reanalysis regional wind product as well as the observed wind at the buoys. Sensitivity test results indicate a consistent improvement in model predictions for the large-wave events (e.g., >90th percentile of significant wave height) at all buoys when observed-wind data were used to drive the wave model simulations.
Bounds of Riemann-Liouville Fractional Integrals in General Form via Convex Functions and Their Applications
Authors: Farid Ghulam , Nazeer Waqas , Saleem Muhammad Shoaib , Mehmood Sajid , Kang Shin Min
Published: November 2018

In this article, we establish bounds of sum of the left and right sided Riemann Liouville (RL) fractional integrals and related inequalities in general form. A new and novel approach is followed to obtain these results for general Riemann Liouville (RL) fractional integrals. Monotonicity and convexity of functions are used with some usual and straight forward inequalities. The presented results are also have connection with some known and already published results. Applications and motivations of presented results are briefly discussed.
High Fat Programming and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Cerf Marlon E.
Published: November 2018

Programming is triggered through events during critical developmental phases that alter offspring health outcomes. High fat programming is defined as the maintenance on a high fat diet during fetal and/or early postnatal life that induces metabolic and physiological alterations that compromise health. The maternal nutritional status, including the dietary fatty acid composition, during gestation and/or lactation, are key determinants of fetal and postnatal development. A maternal high fat diet and obesity during gestation compromises the maternal metabolic state and, through high fat programming, presents an unfavorable intrauterine milieu for fetal growth and development thereby conferring adverse cardiac outcomes to offspring. Stressors on the heart, such as a maternal high fat diet and obesity, alter the expression of cardiac-specific factors that alter cardiac structure and function. The proper nutritional balance, including the fatty acid balance, particularly during developmental windows, are critical for maintaining cardiac structure, preserving cardiac function and enhancing the cardiac response to metabolic challenges.
Pathogenic Viruses Commonly Present in the Oral Cavity and Relevant Antiviral Compounds Derived from Natural Products
Authors: Asai Daisuke , Nakashima Hideki
Published: November 2018

Many viruses, such as human herpesviruses, may be present in the human oral cavity, but most are usually asymptomatic. However, if individuals become immunocompromised by age, illness, or as a side effect of therapy, these dormant viruses can be activated and produce a variety of pathological changes in the oral mucosa. Unfortunately, available treatments for viral infectious diseases are limited, because (1) there are diseases for which no treatment is available; (2) drug-resistant strains of virus may appear; (3) incomplete eradication of virus may lead to recurrence. Rational design strategies are widely used to optimize the potency and selectivity of drug candidates, but discovery of leads for new antiviral agents, especially leads with novel structures, still relies mostly on large-scale screening programs, and many hits are found among natural products, such as extracts of marine sponges, sea algae, plants, and arthropods. Here, we review representative viruses found in the human oral cavity and their effects, together with relevant antiviral compounds derived from natural products. We also highlight some recent emerging pharmaceutical technologies with potential to deliver antivirals more effectively for disease prevention and therapy.
The Phytochemistry of Cherokee Aromatic Medicinal Plants
Authors: Setzer William N.
Published: November 2018

Background: Native Americans have had a rich ethnobotanical heritage for treating diseases, ailments, and injuries. Cherokee traditional medicine has provided numerous aromatic and medicinal plants that not only were used by the Cherokee people, but were also adopted for use by European settlers in North America. Methods: The aim of this review was to examine the Cherokee ethnobotanical literature and the published phytochemical investigations on Cherokee medicinal plants and to correlate phytochemical constituents with traditional uses and biological activities. Results: Several Cherokee medicinal plants are still in use today as herbal medicines, including, for example, yarrow (Achillea millefolium), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and blue skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). This review presents a summary of the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents, and biological activities of Cherokee aromatic and medicinal plants. Conclusions: The list is not complete, however, as there is still much work needed in phytochemical investigation and pharmacological evaluation of many traditional herbal medicines.
Study of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Patients with Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Romanidou Gioulia , Konstantinidis Theocharis G. , Koutsogiannis Odysseas , Grapsa Anastasia , Kantartzi Konstantina , Panagoutsos Stylianos , Panopoulou Maria , Tsigalou Christina
Published: November 2018

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a multifactorial, autoantibody-mediated disease. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) directed against negatively charged phospholipids or various combinations of phospholipid-binding proteins seem to be an independent pathogenic factor that plays a critical role in APS. Unfortunately, their role in hypertension is not fully elucidated. The aim of our study was to determine aPL titers in hypertension patients and investigate the association of aPL with renal impairment parameters. Forty-seven patients with arterial hypertension (22 males, 46.8% and 25 females, 53.2%), aged 41–85 years old (mean 65.9 ± 10.1 years), and 21 age-sex-matched subjects without severe hypertension as control group (8 males, 13 females, 38.1% vs. 61.9%), mean age 61 ± 11.3 years, were enrolled in this study. Patients with other risk factors like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), both viral and bacterial acute infections, and cancer were excluded from the study. The aPL (anticardiolipin (ACA) and anti-b2GPI antibodies, IgG and IgM) were measured by ELISA (Aesculisa, Aesku Diagnostics, Wendelsheim, Germany) with a cutoff of 15 GPL/MPL for ACA and 15 U/mL for b2GPI. Serum Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL) was measured by ELISA kits (BioVendor, Brno, Czech Republic). Biochemical analysis such as serum creatinine (Cr), were measured by automated analyzer and finally estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). Fifteen patients were positive for ACA IgG (31.9%), two for anti-b2GPI IgM (4.2%), and three for anti-b2GPI IgG (6.3%). Furthermore, three persons from control group were positive in anti-b2GPI IgG (14.27%). The serum level of anti-b2GPI IgG was significantly higher in patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.013). The level of sNGAL (59.63 ± 41.5 ng/mL vs. 45.5 ± 21.5 ng/mL, p = 0.14) was not higher in hypertensive patients than in the age-sex-matched control group. Additionally, the sNGAL level was found to be directly and positively correlated in patients with positive ACA IgG (r2 = 0,945, p < 0.0001). These results demonstrate that autoimmunity may be one of the pathogenetic factors of hypertension and aPL antibodies might be a potential marker of renal involvement.
Engineering the Surface and Mechanical Properties of Water Desalination Membranes Using Ultralong Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Manawi Yehia M. , Wang Kui , Kochkodan Viktor , Johnson Daniel J. , Atieh Muataz A. , Khraisheh Marwan K.
Published: November 2018

In this work, novel polysulphone (PS) porous membranes for water desalination, incorporated with commercial and produced carbon nanotubes (CNT), were fabricated and analyzed. It was demonstrated that changing the main characteristics of CNT (e.g., loading in the dope solutions, aspect ratio, and functionality) significantly affected the membrane properties and performance including porosity, water flux, and mechanical and surface properties. The water flux of the fabricated membranes increased considerably (up to 20 times) along with the increase in CNT loading. Conversely, yield stress and Young’s modulus of the membranes dropped with the increase in the CNT loading mainly due to porosity increase. It was shown that the elongation at fracture for PS/0.25 wt. % CNT membrane was much higher than for pristine PS membrane due to enhanced compatibility of commercial CNTs with PS matrix. More pronounced effect on membrane’s mechanical properties was observed due to compatibility of CNTs with PS matrix when compared to other factors (i.e., changes in the CNT aspect ratio). The water contact angle for PS membranes incorporated with commercial CNT sharply decreased from 73° to 53° (membrane hydrophilization) for membranes with 0.1 and 1.0 wt. % of CNTs, while for the same loading of produced CNTs the water contact angles for the membrane samples increased from 66° to 72°. The obtained results show that complex interplay of various factors such as: loading of CNT in the dope solutions, aspect ratio, and functionality of CNT. These features can be used to engineer membranes with desired properties and performance.
Recent Developments in Compact Membrane Reactors with Hydrogen Separation
Authors: Wunsch Alexander , Kant Paul , Mohr Marijan , Haas-Santo Katja , Pfeifer Peter , Dittmeyer Roland
Published: November 2018

Hydrogen production and storage in small and medium scale, and chemical heat storage from renewable energy, are of great interest nowadays. Micro-membrane reactors for reforming of methane, as well as for the dehydrogenation of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), have been developed. The systems consist of stacked plates with integrated palladium (Pd) membranes. As an alternative to rolled and electroless plated (Pd) membranes, the development of a cost-effective method for the fabrication of Pd membranes by suspension plasma spraying is presented.
The Application of Lipid Membranes in Biosensing
Authors: Nikoleli Georgia-Paraskevi , Nikolelis Dimitrios P. , Siontorou Christina G. , Nikolelis Marianna-Thalia , Karapetis Stephanos
Published: November 2018

The exploitation of lipid membranes in biosensors has provided the ability to reconstitute a considerable part of their functionality to detect trace of food toxicants and environmental pollutants. This paper reviews recent progress in biosensor technologies based on lipid membranes suitable for food quality monitoring and environmental applications. Numerous biosensing applications based on lipid membrane biosensors are presented, putting emphasis on novel systems, new sensing techniques, and nanotechnology-based transduction schemes. The range of analytes that can be currently using these lipid film devices that can be detected include, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, metals, toxins, antibiotics, microorganisms, hormones, dioxins, etc. Technology limitations and future prospects are discussed, focused on the evaluation/validation and eventually commercialization of the proposed lipid membrane-based biosensors.
Initial Stages of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy Degradation in Ringer’s Solution: Interpretation of EIS, Mass Loss, Hydrogen Evolution Data and Scanning Electron Microscopy Observations
Authors: Veleva Lucien , Fernández-Olaya Mareny Guadalupe , Feliu Sebastián
Published: November 2018

The initial stages of corrosion of AZ31B magnesium alloy, immersed in Ringer’s solution at 37 °C body temperature for four days, have been evaluated by independent gravimetric and chemical methods and through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The corrosion current densities estimated by hydrogen evolution are in good agreement with the time-integrated reciprocal charge transfer resistance values estimated by EIS. The change in the inductive behavior has been correlated with difference in the chemical composition of corrosion layers. At the shorter immersion of 2 days, EDS analysis of cross section of the uniform corrosion layer detected Cl and Al elements, perhaps as formed aluminum oxychlorides salts.
Substitution Versus Full-Heusler Segregation in TiCoSb
Authors: Asaad Maryana , Buckman Jim , Bos Jan-Willem G.
Published: November 2018

Half-Heuslers (HHs) are promising thermoelectric materials with great compositional flexibility. Here, we extend work on the p-type doping of TiCoSb using abundant elements. Ti0.7V0.3Co0.85Fe0.15Sb0.7Sn0.3 samples with nominal 17.85 p-type electron count were investigated. Samples prepared using powder metallurgy have negative Seebeck values, S ≤ −120 µV K−1, while arc-melted compositions are compensated semiconductors with S = −45 to +30 µV K−1. The difference in thermoelectric response is caused by variations in the degree of segregation of V(Co0.6Fe0.4)2Sn full-Heusler and Sn phases, which selectively absorb V, Fe, and Sn. The segregated microstructure leads to reduced lattice thermal conductivities, κlat = 4.5−7 W m−1 K−1 near room temperature. The largest power factor, S2/ρ = 0.4 mW m−1 K−2 and ZT = 0.06, is observed for the n-type samples at 800 K. This works extends knowledge regarding suitable p-type dopants for TiCoSb.
Recovery of Iron, Chromium, and Nickel from Pickling Sludge Using Smelting Reduction
Authors: Tang Zhaohui , Ding Xueyong , Yan Xinlin , Dong Yue , Liu Chenghong
Published: November 2018

This paper reports the recoveries of iron, chromium, and nickel from pickling sludge using coal-based smelting reduction. The influences of slag basicity (CaO/SiO2, which is controlled by high phosphorus oolitic hematite iron ores), reduction temperature, reduction time, and the C/O mole ratio on the recoveries of Fe, Cr, and Ni are investigated systematically. The experimental results show that high recoveries of Fe (98.91%), Cr (98.46%), and Ni (99.44%) are produced from pickling sludge with optimized parameters for the smelting reduction process. The optimized parameters are a slag basicity of 1.5; a reduction temperature of 1550 °C, a reduction time of 90 min, and a C/O mole ratio of 2.0. These parameters can be used as technical support for the recycling of pickling sludge with pyrometallurgy.
Improvement of Heat-Affected Zone Toughness of Steel Plates for High Heat Input Welding by Inclusion Control with Ca Deoxidation
Authors: Wang Ruizhi , Yang Jian , Xu Longyun
Published: November 2018

The characteristics of inclusions and microstructure in heat-affected zones (HAZs) of steel plates with Ca deoxidation after high heat input welding of 400 kJ·cm−1 were investigated through simulated welding experiments and inclusions automatic analyzer systems. Typical inclusions in HAZs of steels containing 11 ppm and 27 ppm Ca were recognized as complex inclusions with the size in the range of 1~3 μm. They consisted of central Al2O3 and peripheral CaS + MnS with TiN distributing at the edge (Al2O3 + CaS + MnS + TiN). With increasing Ca content in steel, the average size of inclusions decreased from 2.23 to 1.46 μm, and the number density increased steadily from 33.7 to 45.0 mm−2. Al2O3 + CaS + MnS + TiN complex inclusions were potent to induce the formation of intragranular acicular ferrite (IAF). Therefore, the HAZ toughness of steel plates after high heat input welding was improved significantly by utilizing oxide metallurgy technology with Ca deoxidation.
Springback Prediction of Aluminum Alloy Sheet under Changing Loading Paths with Consideration of the Influence of Kinematic Hardening and Ductile Damage
Authors: Yue Zhenming , Qi Jiashuo , Zhao Xiaodi , Badreddine Houssem , Gao Jun , Chu Xingrong
Published: November 2018

Springback prediction of sheet metal forming is always an important issue in the industry, because it greatly affects the final shape of the product. The accuracy of simulation prediction depends on not only the forming condition but also the chosen material model, which determines the stress and strain redistributions in the formed parts. In this paper, a newly proposed elastoplastic constitutive model is used, in which the initial and induced anisotropies, combined nonlinear isotropic and kinematic hardenings, as well as isotropic ductile damage, are taken into account. The aluminum alloy sheet metal AA7055 was chosen as the studied material. In order to investigate springback under non-proportional strain paths, three-point bending tests were conducted with pre-strained specimens, and five different pre-straining states were considered. The comparisons between numerical and experimental results highlighted the hard effect of both kinematic hardening and ductile damage on the springback prediction, especially for a changed loading path case.
Cell Injection Millirobot Development and Evaluation in Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Feng Lin , Zhou Qiang , Song Bin , Feng Yanmin , Cai Jun , Jiang Yonggang , Zhang Deyuan
Published: November 2018

We propose an innovative design of millirobot, which can achieve donor cell suction, delivery, and injection in a mammalian oocyte on a microfluidic chip. The millirobot body contains a hollow space that produces suction and ejection forces for the injection of cell nuclei using a nozzle at the tip of the robot. Specifically, a controller changes the hollow volume by balancing the magnetic and elastic forces of a membrane along with the motion of stages in the XY plane. A glass capillary attached to the tip of the robot contains a nozzle that is able to absorb and inject cell nuclei. The millirobot provides three degrees of freedom and generates micronewton forces. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed millirobot through an experiment of the absorption and ejection of 20-µm particles from the nozzle using magnetic control in a microfluidic chip.
Microwave Treatment of Ultramafic Nickel Ores: Heating Behavior, Mineralogy, and Comminution Effects
Authors: Bobicki Erin R. , Liu Qingxia , Xu Zhenghe
Published: November 2018

Ultramafic nickel ores are difficult to process because they contain serpentine, an anisotropic mineral with a nonspherical morphology and multiple pH-dependent surface charges. Dehydroxylation of serpentine in ultramafic nickel ores by microwave treatment is proposed to improve the processability of these ores. Upon heating, serpentine is converted to olivine, an isotropic mineral that is benign in mineral processing circuits. The microwave heating of two ultramafic nickel ores is explored in this paper, as well as effects on mineralogy and grindability. The first ore was sourced from the Okanogan nickel deposit in Washington State, USA, while the second ore was obtained from the Vale-owned Pipe deposit located in the Thomson Nickel Belt in Manitoba, Canada. The ultramafic nickel ores were found to heat well upon exposure to microwave radiation and the heating behaviors were a function of the imaginary permittivities. The temperatures achieved during microwave treatment were sufficient to dehydroxylate serpentine, and the serpentine content in ultramafic nickel ores was reduced by 63–84%. The grindability of ore with consistent texture (OK ore) improved dramatically with microwave treatment, whereas the grindability of ore with inconsistent texture (Pipe ore) was found to decrease. Pentlandite liberation and specific surface area improved for both ores with microwave treatment. Ultimately, microwave pretreatment did not decrease the energy required for grinding under the conditions studied. However, energy savings may be realized when overall process improvements are considered (e.g., grinding, rheology, flotation, material handling, dewatering and tailings treatment).
Silician Magnetite from the Copiapó Nordeste Prospect of Northern Chile and Its Implication for Ore-Forming Conditions of Iron Oxide–Copper–Gold Deposits
Authors: González Elías , Kojima Shoji , Ichii Yoshihiko , Tanaka Takayuki , Fujimoto Yoshikazu , Ogata Takeyuki
Published: November 2018

Silica-bearing magnetite was recognized in the Copiapó Nordeste prospect as the first documented occurrence in Chilean iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposits. The SiO2-rich magnetite termed silician magnetite occurs in early calcic to potassic alteration zones as orderly oscillatory layers in polyhedral magnetite and as isolated discrete grains, displaying perceptible optical differences in color and reflectance compared to normal magnetite. Micro-X-ray fluorescence and electron microprobe analyses reveal that silician magnetite has a significant SiO2 content with small amounts of other “impure” components, such as Al2O3, CaO, MgO, TiO2, and MnO. The oscillatory-zoned magnetite is generally enriched in SiO2 (up to 7.5 wt %) compared to the discrete grains. The formation of silician magnetite is explained by the exchange reactions between 2Fe (III) and Si (IV) + Fe (II), with the subordinate reactions between Fe (III) and Al (III) and between 2Fe (II) and Ca (II) + Mg (II). Silician magnetite with high concentrations of SiO2 (3.8–8.9 wt %) was similarly noted in intrusion-related magmatic–hydrothermal deposits including porphyry- and skarn-type deposits. This characteristic suggests that a hydrothermal system of relatively high-temperature and hypersaline fluids could be a substantial factor in the formation of silician magnetite with high SiO2 contents.
Reaction between Indazole and Pd-Bound Isocyanides—A Theoretical Mechanistic Study
Authors: Casella Girolamo , Casarin Maurizio , Kukushkin Vadim Yu. , Kuznetsov Maxim L.
Published: November 2018

The mechanism of the addition of indazole (Ind)—a bifunctional aromatic N,NH-nucleophile—to cyclohexyl isocyanide coordinated to the palladium(II) center in the model complex cis-[PdCl2(CNMe)(CNCy)] (1) to give the corresponding aminocarbene ligand was investigated in detail by theoretical (DFT) methods. The most plausible mechanism of this reaction is that of the associative type involving nucleophilic attack of Ind by its unprotonated N atom at the isocyanide carbon atom followed by the stepwise proton transfer from the nucleophile molecule to the isocyanide N atom via deprotonation/protonation steps. Two reaction channels based on two tautomeric forms of indazole were found. The channel leading to the experimentally isolated aminocarbene product is based on the less stable tautomeric form. Another channel based on the more stable tautomer of Ind is slightly kinetically more favorable but it is endergonic. Thus, the regioselectivity of this reaction is thermodynamically rather than kinetically driven. The bonding situation in key species was analyzed.
Radiobiological Characterization of 64CuCl2 as a Simple Tool for Prostate Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Guerreiro Joana , Alves Vítor , Abrunhosa Antero , Paulo António , Gil Octávia , Mendes Filipa
Published: November 2018

64CuCl2 has recently been proposed as a promising agent for prostate cancer (PCa) theranostics, based on preclinical studies in cellular and animal models, and on the increasing number of human studies documenting its use for PCa diagnosis. Nevertheless, the use of 64CuCl2 raises important radiobiological questions that have yet to be addressed. In this work, using a panel of PCa cell lines in comparison with a non-tumoral prostate cell line, we combined cytogenetic approaches with radiocytotoxicity assays to obtain significant insights into the cellular consequences of exposure to 64CuCl2. PCa cells were found to exhibit increased 64CuCl2 uptake, which could not be attributed to increased expression of the main copper cellular importer, hCtr1, as had been previously suggested. Early DNA damage and genomic instability were also higher in PCa cells, with the tumoral cell lines exhibiting deficient DNA-damage repair upon exposure to 64CuCl2. This was corroborated by the observation that 64CuCl2 was more cytotoxic in PCa cells than in non-tumoral cells. Overall, we showed for the first time that PCa cells had a higher sensitivity to 64CuCl2 than healthy cells, supporting the idea that this compound deserved to be further evaluated as a theranostic agent in PCa.