bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Extraction and Depolymerization of Fucoidan from Sargassum muticum in Aqueous Media
Authors: Balboa Elena , Rivas Sandra , Moure Andrés , Domínguez Herminia , Parajó Juan
Published: November 2013

The biomass components of the invasive seaweed Sargassum muticum were fractionated to allow their separate valorization. S. muticum (Sm) and the solid residue remaining after alginate extraction of this seaweed (AESm) were processed with hot, compressed water (hydrothermal processing) to assess the effects of temperature on fucoidan solubilization. Fucose-containing oligosaccharides were identified as reaction products. Operating under optimal conditions (170 °C), up to 62 and 85 wt% of the dry mass of Sm and AESm were solubilized, respectively. The reaction media were subjected to precipitation, nanofiltration and freeze-drying. The dried products contained 50% and 85% of the fucoidan present in Sm and AESm, respectively; together with other components such as phenolics and inorganic components. The saccharidic fraction, accounting for up to 35% of the dried extracts, contained fucose as the main sugar, and also galactose, xylose, glucose and mannose. The concentrates were characterized for antioxidant activity using the TEAC assay.
Solution Structure of the Circular γ-Domain Analog from the Wheat Metallothionein Ec-1
Authors: Tarasava Katsiaryna , Johannsen Silke , Freisinger Eva
Published: November 2013

The first cyclic analog of a metallothionein (MT) was prepared and analyzed by UV and (magnetic) circular dichroism spectroscopy, ESI-MS as well as NMR spectroscopy. Results reveal that the evaluated cyclic g-Ec-1 domain of the wheat MT Ec-1 retains its ability to coordinate two Zn(II) or Cd(II) ions and adopts a three-dimensional structure that is highly similar to the one of the linear wild-type form. However, the reduced flexibility of the protein backbone facilitates structure solution significantly and results in a certain stabilization of metal binding to the protein.
Quantitative Analysis of the Waterline Method for Topographical Mapping of Tidal Flats: A Case Study in the Dongsha Sandbank, China
Authors: Liu Yongxue , Li Manchun , Zhou Minxi , Yang Kang , Mao Liang
Published: November 2013

Although the topography of tidal flats is important for understanding their evolution, the spatial and temporal sampling frequency of such data remains limited. The waterline method has the potential to retrieve past tidal flat topography by utilizing large archives of satellite images. This study performs a quantitative analysis of the relationship between the accuracy of tidal flat digital elevation models (DEMs) that are based on the waterline method and the factors that influence the DEMs. The three major conclusions of the study are as follows: (1) the coverage rate of the waterline points and the number of satellite images used to create the DEM are highly linearly correlated with the error of the resultant DEMs, and the former is more significant in indicating the accuracy of the resultant DEMs than the latter; (2) both the area and the slope of the tidal flats are linearly correlated with the error of the resultant DEMs; and (3) the availability analysis of the archived satellite images indicates that the waterline method can retrieve tidal flat terrains from the past forty years. The upper limit of the temporal resolution of the tidal flat DEM can be refined to within one year since 1993, to half a year since 2004 and to three months since 2009.
Experimental Hbsag/Anti-Hbs Complex Assay for Prediction of Hbeag Loss in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Treated with Pegylated Interferon and Adefovir
Authors: de Niet Annikki , Jansen Louis , Zaaijer Hans L , Klause Ursula , Takkenberg Bart , Janssen Harry LA , Chu Tom , Petric Rosemary , Reesink Hendrik W
Published: November 2013

Background

We studied whether hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)/anti-HBs immune complex levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving antiviral therapy could be used as a response marker at baseline (BL) or early during treatment to predict treatment outcome.

Methods

An experimental array-based assay (immunological multi-parameter chip technology [IMPACT]; Roche Diagnostics, Penzberg, Germany) served to determine HBsAg, anti-HBs and complex levels. We tested a panel of serum samples of 40 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 44 HBeAg-negative patients who received pegylated interferon and adefovir for 48 weeks.

Results

HBsAg loss occurred in 4 of 40 HBeAg-positive and 4 of 44 HBeAg-negative patients. A total of 14 of 40 HBeAg-positive patients lost HBeAg and 12 of them formed anti-HBe. At BL, complexes were present in 83 (99%) patients, whereas free anti-HBs levels were detectable in 5 patients. Complex levels at BL and week 12 were higher in HBeAg-positive patients with HBeAg loss, compared to patients who retained HBeAg ( P=0.002 and P=0.005, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis for HBeAg loss in HBeAg-positive patients at BL and week 12 showed area-under-the-curve values of 0.79 ( P=0.002) and 0.82 ( P=0.003) for complex levels. We found no correlation in either HBeAg-positive or -negative patients between complex levels and HBsAg loss.

Conclusions

We demonstrated for the first time that before and during treatment HBsAg/anti-HBs immune complex levels can predict HBeAg loss in HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with pegylated interferon and adefovir. Complexes were present in almost all patients at BL and were higher in patients who lost HBeAg. In conclusion, determining HBsAg/anti-HBs immune complex levels before and early during treatment could aid in selecting CHB patients with an optimal chance to achieve HBeAg loss.
Les internats d'excellence : la construction d'un dispositif
Authors: Boulin Audrey
Published: November 2013

À partir de la fin des années quatre-vingt-dix, une politique de relance de l’internat est amorcée. Dans le but de promouvoir l’égalité des chances, le plan « Espoir banlieues » (2008) propose l’accès en internat pour les élèves issus de milieux défavorisés. Étant donné l’importante marge de manœuvre laissée aux professionnels, ce dispositif national s’est vu se décliner selon les situations locales. C’est à partir d’une monographie d’un internat d’excellence – possible grâce à une enquête qualitative de deux ans (entretiens et observations), combinée aux résultats d’un travail d’équipe réalisé sur sept structures – que l’on mettra en avant l’évolution du dispositif. Du fait des difficultés de mise en place d’un projet innovant la première année, le dispositif se centre, la seconde année, sur les activités traditionnelles de la forme scolaire. Mais, plus que la recherche d’innovation pédagogique, c’est l’idée d’adaptation perpétuelle qui est centrale dans la construction du dispositif.
L'ère de l'évaluation aux Etats-Unis et l'intégration du baccalauréat international comme dispositif pour améliorer les lycées publics
Authors: Resnik Julia
Published: November 2013

Depuis le milieu des années 1980, mais tout spécialement à partir des années 2000, on observe la montée en puissance de l’évaluation de l’éducation aux États-Unis ainsi que l’expansion du choix des parents et la multiplication de magnet schools . C’est ce scénario qui permet l’intégration du baccalauréat international (BI) dans des établissements publics peu performants. Sur la base des études de cas de trois lycées dans l’État de New York, en Floride et en Californie, cet article analyse les différentes stratégies d’intégration du BI à ces établissements, stratégies qui tiennent compte, d’une part, des politiques fédérales, de l’État et de celles du district et, d’autre part, des spécificités de leur population. Ces cas illustrent les limites des politiques visant à l’amélioration globale du niveau des élèves : les établissements progressent grâce aux résultats d’une petite minorité de très bons élèves mais les populations en difficulté ne profitent guère des dispositifs tels que le BI.
La montée des dispositifs : un nouvel âge de l'organisation scolaire
Authors: Barrère Anne
Published: November 2013

Le mot de « dispositif » est aujourd’hui très fréquemment employé dans le monde scolaire. On le trouve dans des textes officiels ou institutionnels, mais aussi dans nombre de travaux de recherches sur les établissements scolaires. Pourtant, dans la plupart des cas, il est utilisé sans grande précision ni problématisation. Cet article vise à le prendre au sérieux, à tenter d’en définir les usages en faisant le pari que son extension sémantique permet de mieux cerner les réalités scolaires contemporaines. Dans un premier temps, nous montrerons comment, tout en restant fidèle à une certaine analyse de l’école comme ensemble d’instruments et d’équipements, il en est venu à désigner certains d’entre eux, infléchissant la forme scolaire traditionnelle. Puis, nous mettrons alors en évidence leurs fonctions stratégiques qui révèlent et prennent en charge à bien des égards les hésitations actuelles de l’institution solaire, tant sur le plan de ses finalités que de ses modalités d’action.
Software and Emerging Technologies for Education, Culture, Entertainment, and Commerce
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V.
Published: November 2013

In the current work the bidirectional relationships exisitng between education, culture, entertainment, and trade are presented. A state-of-the-art of the main components is made through of the rhetoric questions. One resorts to rhetorics as a communicative technique to detect not only the keys of the present but also the new horizon for the new technologies of information and interactive communication, whether it is in the immediate future or long term. Finally, in the set of rhetoric questions, some analyze knowledge and/or experiences over two decades in the field of computer science and the interactive multimedia systems in some cities of the Mediterranean in the European continent.
Banking Online
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V. , Alma Jaqueline
Published: November 2013

The authors present the first results of a communicability evaluation of a set of online banking systems aimed at the new credibility of those institutions. They evaluate the strategies of interactive design, focusing on the presentation of the information on the interface. Finally, the first group of human factors is established which has affected negatively the veracity of banking information in Southern Europe in the last five years.
Static Graphics for Dynamic Information
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V. , Alma Jacqueline
Published: November 2013

The authors present the first results of the heuristic analysis of the static graphics in the digital newspapers for senior users. They examine the main systems of static graphics. A parallelism is drawn between the current static graphic information and the function of the banners in the quality attributes to boost the motivation of those users in the face of the economic news online in the digital papers.
Design and Behaviour Computer Animation for Children
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V. , Alma Jacqueline , Carré Jim , Cipolla-Ficarra Miguel
Published: November 2013

A study of the three-dimensional design strategies through color, shape, and the audiovisual script for the child audience is presented in this chapter. The authors show the key elements that allow for a balanced combination between 3D design, communicability, and pedagogy. The triadic interrelations are analyzed and evaluated by communicability experts, whose results are presented graphically. Finally, there are the results of the behaviour computer animation of the main characters in the analyzed chapters from a perspective of communicability for 3D computer animation.
Towards a Cyber-Destructors Assessment Method
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V. , Quiroga Alejandra , Alma Jacqueline
Published: November 2013

This chapter shows the first results of a technique based on the information from Web 2.0 that can speedily and economically detect the networks or people who play, anonymously or not, the role of cyberdestroyers. The group of presented examples is useful to probe the modus operandi of the cyberdestroyers of the online information systems and the democratic promotion of scientific knowledge in the future generations of users of interactive systems both online and offline. Finally, the chapter reveals the main patterns of behaviour of a cyberdestroyer in the context of social networks.
Knowledge and Background of the Multimedia Culture
Authors: Cipolla-Ficarra Francisco V. , Cipolla-Ficarra Miguel , Alma Jacqueline
Published: November 2013

The chapter compares three digital and analogical animation series from the referential and contextual space-temporal point of view, which are mainly aimed at the infantile audience. The study detects the key elements that make these series acceptable by the adult audience. The results of the experiments with children, teenagers, young, and adults establish trends in the contents of interactive systems for new supports such as multimedia in mobile phones.
Do Oil Price Fluctuations Alter the Exchange Rate in Japan?
Authors: Sydee Nasim , Uddin Gazi Salah
Published: November 2013

Determinants of exchange rate fluctuations have long been a topic of interest for the economists. Although there exists a large number of studies that attempt to decipher the exact relationship between the price of oil and exchange rate, a clear answer still remains absent. Most studies suffer either from ambiguous findings or from the severe limitations stemming from the assumption of non-stationarity. In this chapter, the relationship between oil price differentials and real effective exchange rate of Japan is thoroughly investigated by utilizing sophisticated research tools that provide additional degree of rigor to the results. Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT) is used to decompose the time series into different frequencies and then the relationship between the two series at different time frequencies are examined with the use of standard econometric techniques. This chapter finds that international oil prices vibrate the exchange rate at the short term frequency bands. However, no evidence of causal relationship is found at the lower time scales, although such evidence is found at higher time scales.
Doha Development Round
Authors: Iqbal Badar , Hasan Munir
Published: November 2013

More than 11 years have passed and Doha Development Round (DDR) has been in the doldrums, having full uncertainties that may result in closure. Trade negotiations are at a standstill, resulting in revivalism of trade protectionism in the name of “new regionalism” or preferential agreements (India-Japan, India-EU). This would lead to dismantling multilateral trading system for which World Trade Organization was created in January 1995. It is vital to protect and preserve the gains of the WTO in a variety of related areas. Therefore, the success of a multilateral trading system is imperative, and this could only be possible when DDR is successful and revivalism takes place. If impasse is continued, the concept and practices of free trade would be transformed into trade protectionism in the name of new regionalism. If it happens, then the future of global trade is uncertain and there would be enormous loss of potential and opportunities of creation of trade, and no country could afford it. Doha is stuck. Where do we go from here? The present chapter analyses the issues relating to the closure vs. success of the DDR. Every effort must be made to keep it alive both in the interest of mankind and the globe. If in 12th round, nothing concrete comes up, then the member countries are thinking and planning to replace it by Global Recovery Round (GRR), which is becoming more significant to deal with. Hence, this chapter attempts to examine the three options, namely closure, revival, and replace.
Interethnic Peace, Security, and Genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Authors: Hacioğlu Ümit
Published: November 2013

In the case of the Bosnian War (1992-1995), international participation has just maintained interethnic peace with limited success. Peace-keeping strategies implemented without consensus subsequently set up an environment in which ethnic cleansings transformed into genocide in UN “Safe Areas.” According to the World Bank’s (2004) reports, following the end of military conflict late 1995, of a pre-war population of 4.4 million, an estimated 250,000 people had lost their lives or were considered missing, 200,000 to 400,000 people had been wounded, and an estimated 2.5 million people, more than half the population, either left the country as refugees or were internally displaced. Despite what has happened during the turmoil, the worst happened in Srebrenica, one of UN’s Security Zones, which was protected by Dutch soldiers. It is unknown how many people lost their lives in Srebrenica. According to Human Right Watch Reports, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia was systematically planned and implemented by Serbian irregulars. This chapter illustrates the negative effects of dissolving interethnic peace in Bosnia. The case of Bosnian interethnic war is examined from the security matter to genocide.
Building Knowledge
Authors: Fee Samuel B.
Published: November 2013

This chapter argues that the best learning occurs as knowledge is constructed, challenging the assumption that learning occurs mainly when knowledge is gathered and absorbed. This chapter thus builds contrasts between a constructivist epistemology and other approaches toward learning that do not seek the intentional construction of knowledge. Expanding on the current discourse regarding constructivist epistemology, this chapter considers more thoroughly problem-based learning as a pedagogical approach. The chapter begins and concludes with a preliminary study that illustrates how implementing a mobile application into a problem-based learning approach has enhanced learning for students collecting field data for biology and environmental studies research, as well as for students developing the application. This example illuminates a viable approach to translating educational theory into praxis.
Business Value of Information Technology
Authors: Romero Jorge A.
Published: November 2013

This chapter begins with a discussion of the business value of information technology and then goes on to discuss productivity paradox studies and the different types of benefits of information technology, including operational, tactical, and strategic. It also discusses when to intensify competition or leverage advantages in a timely manner.
Cost-Effectiveness of Security Measures
Authors: Pieters Wolter , Probst Christian W. , Lukszo Zofia , Montoya Lorena
Published: November 2013

Recently, cyber security has become an important topic on the agenda of many organisations. It is already widely acknowledged that attacks do happen, and decision makers face the problem of how to respond. As it is almost impossible to secure a complex system completely, it is important to have an adequate estimate of the effectiveness of security measures when making investment decisions. Risk concepts are known in principle, but estimating the effectiveness of countermeasure proves to be difficult and cannot be achieved by qualitative approaches only. In this chapter, the authors consider the question of how to guarantee cost-effectiveness of security measures. They investigate the possibility of using existing frameworks and tools, the challenges in a security context as opposed to a safety context, and directions for future research.
Understanding Outsourcing of Information Systems
Authors: Giustiniano Luca , Marchegiani Lucia , Peruffo Enzo , Pirolo Luca
Published: November 2013

Many decisions on IS investments have made during the past 20 years but yet, the extant literature does not provide a clear understanding of the phenomenon of IS outsourcing. This chapter answers two main questions relevant to researchers and practitioners: 1) What are the main findings so far in IS outsourcing literature? 2) What do we still need to learn? Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the authors offer systematization of the body of knowledge on outsourcing, its implications on firms’ boundaries, and the theoretical challenges. The MIS perspective appears to be very present, both by considering technology as part of the external environment and by exploring IS and IT as areas for important sourcing decision. In conclusion, implications for managers are drawn.
Simulation and Analysis of Butterfly-Inspired Eclosion Deployable Structure
Authors: Sun Shu Feng , Liu Jin Guo , Chen Hang
Published: November 2013

Deployable structures, as an important kind of structure, have been widely used in a variety of satellite antennas and space reflectors. The research of deployable structures usually faces a series of theoretical and technical challenges because the size and mass are not only the limitations of deployable structure but also the key issues in the design process. Nevertheless, the appearance of bionic provides a new concept to develop the deployable structures. Inspired by the eclosion and development of butterfly wings, a bionic inflatable deployment structure has been presented in this paper. The whole system of emulate model is established and has a simulation analyzed with the help of dynamic analysis software. This simulation is aimed at emulating the deploying process, and calculating the stress distribution of the structure. Then some relative curve fitting is conducted on the deploying trajectory. A prototype has been fabricated and tested to be able to deploy smoothly and steadily.
Biomimetic Studies of the Beetle Forewing in China
Authors: He Cheng Lin , Chen Jin Xiang
Published: November 2013

This report reviews biomimetic studies performed in China on the beetle forewing, noting that Chinese scholars studying bionics have substantially advanced various branches of biomimetic research in beetles. The report also proposes the development of branches of bionic research and establishes the foundation for corresponding experiments and theories. Then, using theA. dichotomaforewing as a an example, the cross-sectional shape, orientation of the laminated fiber layers, structure of the trabeculae, and respective mechanical properties of the forewing, as well as their biological significance, are reviewed. 1) The forewing has a lightweight border frame structure and an optimal design of variable cross-sections suitable for different positions, which achieves the specific second moment of inertia required for flight. 2) Due to the non-equiangular, laminated structure of the forewing, there are two types of tensile fracture morphologies: fiber breakage and residual bridging. This study demonstrates the anisotropy and the effectiveness of the forewings tensile strength by analyzing the orientation direction of the fibers. 3) The trabecular structure can be used to efficiently improve the peel resistance of the laminated composites. Based on the above points, possible directions for future work are also indicated in this paper.
Experimental Research on a Novel Design of Variable Area Caudal Fin
Authors: Liu Bo , Wang Lei , Chen Bu Yao , Qin Feng Hua , Zhang Shi Wu
Published: November 2013

Caudal fin has fascinated researchers for decades for their great role in fish swimming, and researchers have developed lots of designs of caudal fin to achieve high efficiency and speed propulsion. This paper presents a novel design of variable area caudal fin. A “window” which can rotate freely is designed in the middle of the fin and it can be opened by the fluid force and closed by a simple mechanism. By closing or opening the “window”, the caudal fin can vary its area dynamically in the out-stroke and in-stroke in its motion. Four modes to control the “window” in the pitching motion is then presented, their hydrodynamic forces including thrust force, lateral force and lift force are studied. It is found out that the variable area fin model can indeed improve the propulsion performance compared with the traditional fin, and the mode of closing the “window” in the out-stroke and opening the “window” in the in-stroke can generate the largest thrust force for our model than the other modes. Moreover, experiments about various kinematic parameters with different modes are conducted, it is found out different modes behave quite different with same pitching frequency and amplitude, and its propulsive performance is highly depend on the kinematic parameters. The variable area caudal fin model casts an inspiration for the novel design of underwater propulsive mechanism and the results will be useful for the propulsion study of underwater bio-mimetic vehicles.
Study on Shear Property of Corn Root-Soil Complex
Authors: Chen Dong Hui , Xie Heng , Wu Ting , Pan Ru Jing , Tong Jin
Published: November 2013

The structure of corn stubble was complex and closely combined with the soil, so dig location and root-soil separation are the urgent problem of the manufacturing of corn stubble harvesting machinery. This paper mainly focuses on investigating the interaction principles of corn stubble and soil which by the UU triaxial compression tests. Compared the shear strength of three different types of corn root-soil complexes (vertical root, horizontal root, complex root) and pure soil, and analyzed three important factors affecting the root-soil complex shear strength, it was shown that the presence of corn fibrous root can enhance the soil shear strength and different with their layout types. It will provide a theoretical basis for the design of bionic agricultural tillage components for root- soil separation.
A New Approach to the Similarity Analysis in Bionic Engineering and its Applications
Authors: Tong Jin , Li Mo , Wang Ji Li , Zhang Qing Zhu
Published: November 2013

The similarity phenomenon exists widely in nature and similarity theory is of importance in various types of engineering problems, especially in bionic engineering. In this work,a conception of fuzzy similarity was introduced. An effective mathematical method was put forward to identify the extent of morphological similarity between two living things of the homogenous species or the heterogeneous species and quantitative analysis of the similarity degree was carried out. A computer program based on the genetic algorithm was developed to solve and optimize the numerical scaling coefficient between an original profile data and a target one. To seek the maximum fuzzy similarity degree, an object function which is the core idea in this method was built to compute the similarity coefficient according to the corresponding points in these two sample profiles. Moreover, a series of arrays from the profiles of the foreleg of praying mantis (Mantis religiosa Linnaeus) was imported into the program. The results indicated the fuzzy similarity degree of samples was considerably high, which means the shape of the praying mantiss apical claw is quite uniform. Therefore, this computation method of similarity degree is effective.
Advancement and Prospect of Bionic Techniques in the Conservation of the Cultural Heritage
Authors: Wang Wan Fu , Wu Fa Si , Ji Ai Hong , Feng Hu Yuan
Published: November 2013

The ancient wall paintings and earthen architecture ruins are the most important part of cultural heritage. Inhabitation and locomotion of animals are major factors that lead to biodegradation and biodeterioration at the cultural heritage sites. In this miniview, based on our team work of cultural relics conservation in recent years, the latest findings domestic and overseas in fields of ethology and bionics were summarized, focusing on the correlated methods and techniques that can be used into cross-over study of cultural relics conservation. Animal's biting, nesting, cocooning, crawling, and scratching are all behavioral process that easily bring damage to cultural heritage, such as ancient murals, architectures, earth ruins and so on. Both modern video record techniques and animal motion trajectory analysis may be taken use to improve the analytic accuracy of gait information for animals that crawling on the surface of cultural relics, which promoted the related study of motor pattern, behavior process, and damage pattern of animals to cultural relics. The three dimensional tiny force sensor with high resolution can be used for measuring normal adhesive force and tangential friction force of animals that contacted the surface of fragile cultural relics, which make animal adhesion modeling and historical relics mechanical model constructing possible, and provide newly evidence for biomechanics process illumination of animals locomotion. Totally, the application of the bionic techniques to the study of animals behavioral characteristics will provide new opportunity to better clarify the biological damaging mechanisms of cultural relics and control animal bioderioration, which will drive the development of cultural relics conservation technology in the near future.
Application of Management Bionics to Technological Innovation in Agriculture
Authors: Yang Yin Sheng , Jiang Yue Meng , Wang Hai Na
Published: November 2013

A study was done on agricultural enterprises technology innovation based on the management bionics method. From the perspective of bionics, this study investigates influence factors, mechanisms and team building of agricultural enterprises technology innovation based on the scientific and normative analysis of management bionics. Through standardized management bionic analogy analysis, the following analogies were drawn: agricultural enterprises technology innovation influence factors and the onion biological form, agricultural enterprises technology innovation mechanism and the biological enzyme catalytic reaction mechanism, agricultural enterprises technology innovation team building with the bee biological group effect. Therefore, three bionic element models of agricultural enterprises technology innovation were built, namely agricultural enterprises technology innovation onion model, technology innovation enzyme catalytic reaction bionic model and the bees’ team effect bionic model. This study ends with the corresponding bionic strategies and suggestions about agricultural enterprises technology innovation, which may provide references for the development of agricultural enterprises technology innovation in China. At the same time, this study also enriches the research range and theoretical system of management bionics.
Succulent Intracalvarium Enclosing and Protecting the Brain of a Falling Gecko
Authors: Shao Jing Dan , Wang Hao , Wang Wen Bo , Dai Zhen Dong , Wang Xu Xia , Lei Hao
Published: November 2013

Geckos are able to crawl or even run on the wall and the ceiling, but have to be in the face of the risk of falling down due to fatigue or a slip. From the opinion of natural selection and evolution, geckos must possess certain characteristics to prevent themselves especially their head from injury caused by impacting the ground. In this study, we looked into geckos brain to investigate their internal environment and structure, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By means of volume integrating the brain parenchyma and the cerebrospinal fluid separately, we found that the intracalvarium is full of the cerebrospinal fluid, up to 45% in volume. And the brain parenchyma is surrounded by the cerebrospinal fluid. This implies the self-protection function of geckos brain appropriate to geckos behavior. The cerebrospinal fluid plays a buffer role in the risk of falling down to protect brain.
Topology Analysis of a Metabolic Functional Gene Transcriptional Regulatory Network of Escherichia Coli
Authors: Zou Qing Yu , Liu Fu , Tao Hou
Published: November 2013

Under the perspectives of network science and systems biology, the characterizations of transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) beyond the context of model organisms have been studied extensively. However, little is still known about the structure and functionality of TRNs that control metabolic physiological processes. In this study, we present a newly version of the TRN of E.coli controlling metabolism based on functional annotations from GeneProtEC and Gene Ontology (GO). We also present an exhaustive topological analysis of the metabolic transcriptional regulatory network (MTRN), focusing on the main statistical characterization describing the topological structure and the comparison with TRN. From the results in this paper we infer that TRN and MTRN have very similar characteristic distribution.
Hydrodynamics Analysis of Air Flow over Pitted Surface
Authors: Zhang Xue Peng , Wang Yong Hua , Shi Lei
Published: November 2013

The pits is a typical biomimetic surface morphology, typically it is beneficial to reduce the flow drag on the wall surface. In this paper, a method combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulation is adopted, it carries out a flow and stress analysis on the wall surface distributed by 3mm-diameter pits with typical bionic surface morphology, reveals the forms down stream flow field and the pit internal as well as the distribution of stress, it also analyzes the relationship between the viscous drag of the pit wall surface, the pressure drag and the flow drag, comparing the size of the downstream shear stress of the smooth wall and wall surface distributed with pits, investigates the mechanism of the downstream shear stress decreases on the biomimetic pit wall surface.
Preparation of Biomimetic Multi-Scale Oleophobic Surface on X70 Pipeline Steel
Authors: Yu Si Rong , Wang Wei , Li Hao , Xu Jun
Published: November 2013

Oleophobic surface has broad application prospects in petroleum, petrochemical, and food industries because of its non-stick oil and self-cleaning characteristics. Oleophobic surface has mainly two features: one is fine structure with micro-nano combined scale, and another is low surface energy. An oleophobic surface was successfully prepared on X70 pipeline steel surface using shot peening, chemical etching and low surface energy modifying composite methods in this study. The surface of X70 pipeline steel sample was first treated by shot peening, forming a rough structure on the sample surface. And then the sample surface was chemically etched with hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution to further refine the surface structure, forming micro-nano combined structure. Finally the surface of the specimen was low energy modified using perfluorooctanoic acid ethanol solution (PAES). The influences of HCl concentration, chemical etching time, perfluorooctanoic acid concentration, and modification time on the contact angle were analyzed. The best process parameters were optimized. The surface morphology of X70 pipeline steel sample was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was observed that there were micron structures composed of the convexes and concaves on the specimen surface treated by shot peening and chemical etching. There were nanoscale acicular structures on the micrometer grade structure. After the micro-nano composite structure was modified with PAES, the contact angle between the sample surface and oil droplet was significantly improved. The maximum contact angle of the sample surface with oil droplet was 141°.
A Method of Rapid Position Estimation
Authors: Xing Qiang , Dai Zhen Dong , Wang Hao
Published: November 2013

Initiation of insect’s optomotor reaction, researchers developed the element movement detector (EMD) in motion detection. The detector can estimate the motion parameters of the moving target quickly in 2-D spatial orientation, such as angular velocity and angular rotation. Based on the function of compound eyes, we promoted a fast positioning EMD model. It has the ability in positioning in 3-D spatial orientation with wide field of view (FOV). And then we did some experiments to verify that the positioning algorithm had higher estimation accuracy of position in time.
A Rat-Robot Control System Based on Optogenetics
Authors: Guo Song Chao , Zhou Hong , Wang Yue Ming , Zheng Xiao Xiang , Xu Ke Di
Published: November 2013

We developed a rat-robot system based on optogenetic techniques for the precise freezing behavior. Rat-robots were built up by optogenetic modulation at the dlPAG of rat brains. We conducted track navigation for the rat-robots and found they were able to exhibit precise freezing at given positions with high spatiotemporal accuracy. Different types of optical stimulation were compared and their influence on the rat-robots was investigated. Furthermore we recorded the neural electrical activity in real time during the optical stimulation. The system could be used to explore the mechanism of freezing behaviors and to build up a more integrated rat-robot navigation system based on optical modulations.
Dynamic Humanoid Gait Simulation of Biped Robot Based on ADAMS
Authors: Yu Zhi Wei , Wang Li Quan , Wang Peng , Dai Zhen Dong
Published: November 2013

During the design of biped robot HEUBR_1, a new structure of tandem and parallel connection is used in lower-limbs, adding toe-joints to feet. In order to make sure the rationality of humanoid structure design and feasibility of the humanoid gait planning, we built the simulating model of biped robot HEUBR_1 by using software ADAMS. The simulating model of biped robot HEUBR_1 walked stably with toe-joints in fictitious surrounding, which used the motion data exported by humanoid gait planning. During humanoid gait simulation, the biped robot kinematic and dynamical characteristics were achieved. Simulation indicates that the structure of tandem and parallel connection is rational and the method of humanoid gait planning is feasible. Humanoid walking with toe-joints has the characteristic: balanced motion, lower energy and small impact on feet. Simulated data of steady walking will be used as reference for biped robot HEUBR_1 walking experiments.
The Experimental Study of the Influence of the Foot Articulated Structure on the Biped Robot Walking
Authors: Hu Xiao Chun , Li Xiao Peng , Zhang Qing Qing , Zhao Bao , Xia Qin
Published: November 2013

Abstract: Purpose：By investigating the variation of the human walking gait kinematics with respect to the foot deformation constraint, prove that bionic design of feet are the necessity for biped robots to imitate human walking better in terms of flexibility, stability and efficiency. The results will be significant for future research and development of biped robots. Methods: A human being was assumed as a perfect biped robot which had ideal motion drive and control. The walking gait parameters of two healthy men with foot deformation unconstrained and constrained were tested respectively by the inertia motion capture suit, and then they were processed by programming and analyzed by comparison. Results: The data analysis showed that when subjects walked with foot deformation constrained, their angular displacements of lower limb joints generally increased, the curves of angular velocity and accelerations fluctuated in certain walking phases, the walking pace and stride length decreased obviously, the single support phase shortened while the double support phase lengthened. At the same time, subjects felt subjectively that their body motion was less flexible, the walking posture was difficult to control, and the walking stability was more strenuous to keep. Conclusion: Combining the logical analogies with the detailed experimentation results, it is inferred that biped robots with rigid feet will have to suffer awkward and unstable walking gait, heavier and strenuous steps, and lower energy efficiency while walking. The paper concludes the necessity of bionic design of the robot feet for improving the walking quality of the biped robots. The conclusion and the experiment data will be of significant value for future work of robot design and evaluation.
Interactive Foot Orthosis (IFO) for People with Drop Foot
Authors: Faraji Ali , Valajoozi Mohsen Rasouli
Published: November 2013

Different reasons in anatomical and physiological systems' defect may cause disorders in proper gaiting process. Drop foot is one of these. These factors effect on one particular muscle called tibialis anterior, locating on tibia. This problem occurs after the treatments of the different leg related disease. This research is designed a novel product to help patients having a normal and standard gait as well as to improve the muscle weakness and movement. It also provides the important expected factors such as functionality, ergonomics, consistency, pleasure, aesthetic, and finally user satisfaction. By making use of interaction design strategy, three functional mechanisms are designed to improve the disease. In order to measure the rate of applied criteria, and potential of new design, the designed products were evaluated by target group. Final conclusion is stated the product is positively developed.
Vibration Control Applied in a Semi-Active Suspension Using Magneto Rheological Damper and Optimal Linear Control Design
Authors: da Cunha Bruno Sousa Carneiro , Chavarette Fábio Roberto
Published: November 2013

In this paper we study the behavior of a semi-active suspension witch external vibrations. The mathematical model is proposed coupled to a magneto rheological (MR) damper. The goal of this work is stabilize of the external vibration that affect the comfort and durability an vehicle, to control these vibrations we propose the combination of two control strategies, the optimal linear control and the magneto rheological (MR) damper. The optimal linear control is a linear feedback control problem for nonlinear systems, under the optimal control theory viewpoint We also developed the optimal linear control design with the scope in to reducing the external vibrating of the nonlinear systems in a stable point. Here, we discuss the conditions that allow us to the linear optimal control for this kind of non-linear system.
Simulation Research on Effects of Low Velocity Characteristics to Direct Drive Volume Control Systems
Authors: Wang Jing Fu , Wang Lu Yang
Published: November 2013

The Direct Drive Volume Control (DDVC) Electro-hydraulic Servo System is a new Electro-hydraulic Servo System. It has the advantages of flexibility of AC servo motor control and high power of hydraulic servo system. Compared with the traditional electro-hydraulic servo system, the DDVC system is efficient, miniaturized integrated, convenient operated and economical. It has been used in many domains, and made great economic benefits. So it is widely considered to be one of the most important developing directions of the hydraulic control system. It will be widely used in more and more areas in the future. With the development of its application, how to improve the trajectory tracking precision of the DDVC system in low velocity motions becomes more important in the field. So that, the level of the low velocity characteristic impacted the system become to an important subject. In this paper, the mathematical mode of AC asynchronism motor Direct Torque Control was established, and the simulation mode was built. In addition, the idealized model of the DDVC system which based on united simulation of AMEsim/Simulink was established, simulation was executed. In order to make the research available, the low velocity characteristic of the DDVC system was also analyzed, and the low velocity characteristic simulation model was built. Computer simulation validated that the friction, the leakage and the mechanical losses are seriously influenced the system performance when the system working on the low velocity mode.
Research on Computer Aided Aircraft Maintenance Training and Evaluation System Based on User-Centered Design
Authors: Chu Jian Jie , Yu Sui Huai , Wang Wen Jun
Published: November 2013

Based on user centered design method, Object Oriented technology and unified modeling language, the design process which is specified for computer aided aircraft maintenance training and evaluation system was proposed. According to this process, the user role model of aircraft maintenance training and evaluation system was established; the role-oriented multi-user access control method was studied; the construction technology of three-dimensional aircraft maintenance model resource database based on homebred 3D platform, the fuzzy evaluation techniques of students and training coursed were researched. This paper supplies a new way for aircraft maintenance training, which is meaningful for the informationization of aircraft maintenance service, to improve of the training efficiency and training effect of aircraft maintenance personnel and to promote domestic CAD technology development.
Two Classes of Potential Games and the Solving Method of the Equilibria
Authors: Hu Xiu Hua , Gao Hong Wei , Wang Dong Ye , Li Yan Mei , Ji Zhi Hong
Published: November 2013

Using the definitions of potential functions and ordinal potential functions of strategic form games, we characterize two classes of potential games and give the solving method of the equilibria of finite potential games by testing and verifying potential games. The main contribution is proving that public goods games and social coordination games based on location strategic interaction with an exogenous network are potential games, and giving the equilibria by the method of solving potential games and ordinal potential games.
PCI Express-Based NVMe Solid State Disk
Authors: Hung Ji Jun , Bu Kai , Sun Zhao Lin , Diao Jie Tao , Liu Jian Bin
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a new architecture SSD based on NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory express) protocol. The NVMe SSD promises to solve the conventional SATA and SAS interface bottleneck. Its aimed to present a PCIe NAND Flash memory card that uses NAND Flash memory chip as the storage media. The paper analyzes the PCIe protocol and the characteristics of SSD controller, and then gives the detailed design of the PCIe SSD. It mainly contains the PCIe port and Flash Translation Layer.
Introducing Neural Networks as a Computational Intelligent Technique
Authors: Azizi Aydin , Entessari Farshid , Osgouie Kambiz Ghaemi , Rashnoodi Amirhossein Rezaei
Published: November 2013

.Neural networks have been applied very successfully in the identification and control of dynamic systems. The universal approximation capabilities of the multilayer perceptron have made it a popular choice for modeling nonlinear systems and for implementing general-purpose nonlinear controllers. In this paper we try to model and control the mass-spring-damper mechanism as a 1 DOF system using neural networks. The control architecture used in this paper is Model reference controller (MRC) as one of the popular neural network control architectures.
Study on the Structural Model of Human Pose
Authors: Wang Wei Hua
Published: November 2013

The analysis and understand of human behavior is broad application in the computer vision domain, modeling the human pose is one of the key technology. In order to simplify the model of the human pose and expediently describe the human pose, a lot of condition was appended to confine the process of human pose modeling or the application environments in the current research. In this paper, a new method for modeling the human pose was proposed. The human pose was modeled by the structural relation according to the physiological structural, the advantages of the model are the independent of move, the independent of scale of the human image and the dependent of view angle, it can be used to modeling the human behavior in video.
Fatigue and Comfortableness Analysis in Product Design
Authors: Wang Wen Jun , Yu Sui Huai , Chu Jian Jie
Published: November 2013

Researching on fatigue and comfortableness of human body, one of the most important items in people-first design, this paper introduced the importance of the analysis on fatigue and comfortableness, analyzed the current methods for evaluating the fatigue and comfortableness, stated the way to analyze a kind of product using ergonomic software. Finally, an example about the truck design was given to show how the analysis was carried out.