bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deconstructing Docility: Sexual Assault Law and Embodied Resistance to Violence
Authors: Lorenzi Lucia
Published: April 2018

From the disproportionate sexual violence faced by Indigenous women to the incidents that prompted Canadian activists to found the SlutWalk movement, the nation-state’s relationship to violated bodies continues to highlight the ways in which legal and cultural discourses often situate victims of sexualized violence as self-surveilling agents who are ultimately deemed responsible for their own safety. Building on work by Michel Foucault, I trace a history of vulnerable bodies and subjectivity vis-à-vis sexual violence, arguing that through the politics of selfsurveillance and contemporary rape-prevention discourse, both specific bodies and specific geographical locations are materialized as abject. Focusing specifically on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and drawing on literary texts that directly address how vulnerable bodies are legally constituted, I suggest that violated bodies are not merely passively inscribed by the law, but rather that our readings of them can help to unsettle and resist the discourses that attempt to constrain and define them.
To Sell “Reconciliation”: 8th Fire, Idle No More and the Possibilities of Reconciliation
Authors: McLeod Steven
Published: April 2018

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation documentary series 8th Fire seems designed to reassure its imagined non-Indigenous audience that reconciliation with Indigenous peoples can emerge without challenges to hegemonic beliefs in the primacy of the individual pursuit of wealth and the commodification of land. Although the series gives some scope to positions that contest the hegemony of these driving principles of neoliberalism—positions held by Indigenous nations and their allies seeking decolonization—8th Fire contains the energy of such challenges within its own representation of the most viable terms for reconciliation. By marketing reconciliation to its audience as a pathway to a neoliberal sense of prosperity, 8th Fire risks constraining the possibilities of reconciliation to the most instrumentalized form..

The mobilization of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities during recent months under the banner of Idle No More has demonstrated the potential for a form of reconciliation that is very different from that suggested by 8th Fire. Idle No More demands that Indigenous peoples’ right to a unique form of citizenship be respected and that resource development be sustainable. In offering its terms for reconciliation, 8th Fire similarly invites non-Indigenous viewers to witness and participate in representations of Indigenous cultural identity. In Canada, powwows occasion such gatherings of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on Indigenous terms. In this article, I discuss the broadcast content of 8th Fire and also examine its digital platform alongside the Idle No More movement. While I argue that the content of the 8th Fire documentary risks constraining the possibilities of reconciliation within parameters set by neoliberal imaginings of prosperity, I will show how the 8th Fire website and Idle No More demonstrate the potential for an alternative form of reconciliation, one grounded in the inclusive celebration of Indigenous cultural continuity and the ceremony of kinship between Indigenous peoples and land occasioned by powwow.
“Black States”: Diasporic Affect in the Prose of Dionne Brand
Authors: Chariandy David
Published: April 2018

Analyzing several prose works by author Dionne Brand, this paper explores the degree to which contemporary theories of diaspora and affect, considered jointly, might direct new critical attention upon the frequent depiction of unnerving and impersonally circulating feeling in black art. A theory of diasporic affect’ is cautiously advanced, mindful of the biases and academic fashionability of the terms diaspora’ and especially affect,’ yet hopeful that such a conjugated term may help provide a deeper critical appreciation of Brand’s prose oeuvre as an ethics, art practice, and cultural politics of the unsettled.’
Narratives of National Belonging at Ottawa Monuments: The Canadian Tribute to Human Rights and Enclave: The Women’s Monument
Authors: Davidson Tonya
Published: April 2018

This article compares the sites and reception of two monuments that are situated in downtown Ottawa: the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights (CTHR) and Enclave: the Women’s Monument. These two monuments, both built in the early 1990s, contribute to specific narratives of Canadian nationhood produced in Ottawa’s built environment. While the CTHR conforms to dominant narratives that suggest that Canada is a multicultural country shaped by liberal understandings of inclusion, through its design it has become a powerful site for challenging this narrative. Enclave: the Women’s Monument offers a powerful challenge to the symbolic annihilation of women within Ottawa’s built environment, while simultaneously reinforcing certain dominant gender norms. I suggest that these monuments operate as ambivalent sites that are affective because of their materiality and their urban locations.
Content Providers of the World Unite! A Critical Canadian Analysis and Agenda
Authors: Findlay L. M.
Published: April 2018

This paper interprets Marxism’s most famous slogan in light of the current realities of information capitalism inside’ and outside’ Canada. Content provision is tested against notions of the global derived from the figure of the citizen of the world, the disciplinary formation of world literature, and the utopian possibility of workers of the world uniting. The paper concludes by urging the provision of critical content by academic humanists and cultural producers so as to nourish a good unity both inside’ and outside’ capital, a unifying of resistance and sharing of transcendence via conceptual tools, mediations, coalitions, and events.
The Limits of Liberal Humanitarianism in Europe: The ‘Responsibility to Protect’ and Forced Migration
Authors: Newman Edward
Published: April 2018

This article explores the response of Europe to the refugee ‘crisis’ since 2015 and considers if this is a reasonable test of the region’s commitment to international humanitarianism and the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ principle (R2P). This response is explored both in terms of policy decisions and the political discourse used to frame the nature of the challenge, which weighs humanitarian obligations against the needs of ‘security’, ‘societal cohesion’ and ‘burden sharing’. The article argues that the European response to the refugee crisis exposes internal contradictions and limitations in liberal humanitarianism more broadly, as well as fundamental problems with R2P even amongst those countries which champion the principle. Theoretically, the paper draws upon debates about securitisation, humanitarian norms, and liberal politics. Empirically, the paper analyses elite discourse and policy decisions within Europe, as well as UN statistical data on forced migration.
Association of Waist-Hip Ratio with Angiographic Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute ST- Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Anowar , Akanda Md Abdul Kader , Ullah Mohammad , Barai Lakshman Chandra , Uddin ABM Nizam , Huda Reaz Mahmud , Hossain Muhammad Azmol , Haque Md Mosharul , Islam Abul Khair Md Rezawanul , Siddiqui Mohammad Khalilur Rahman
Published: April 2018

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is rising in South Asia and is taking a more malignant proportion in South Asians than in Caucasians. Having a similar socioeconomic and cultural background, the scenario is same in Bangladesh. Obesity, especially abdominal is concerned as an important and modifiable risk factor for CAD which is now also raising both in developed and under developed countries. Waist-Hip ratio (WHR) is considered as an important tool for assessing abdominal obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between WHR and the severity of CAD of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients so that primary prevention, early detection and proper management strategy can be taken to reduce the disease burden, morbidity and mortality.Methods: This cross sectional observational study was carried out among 105 patients with acute STEMI who received thrombolytic and underwent coronary angiography (CAG) at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka from May, 2016 to November, 2016. They were divided into two groups, Group I (normal WHR) = 51 and group II (increased WHR) = 54, according to WHR level. Angiographic severity of coronary artery disease was assessed by vessel score and Genseni’s score.Results: Significant positive correlation was found between WHR and vessel score (r= 0.62, p=0.003). Moderate to severe CAD patients were significantly higher in increased WHR group than in normal WHR group (77.8% vs. 29.4%, p=<0.001). Significant positive correlation was also found between WHR and Genseni’s score (r= 0.71, p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that a patient with increased WHR had 2.75 times higher risk of having significant CAD compared with those with the normal WHR.Conclusions: Increased WHR group had more significant coronary artery disease in terms of vessel score and Genseni’s score and can be considered as a predictor of the severity of the CAD disease in acute STEMI patients.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2017; 32(2) : 70-76
Association of Serum Ferritin Level with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Hoque Abu Thaher Mohammad Mahfuzul , Khan HI Lutfur Rahman , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Ahmed Md Mohshin , Sabah Khandker Md Nurus , Amin Md Gaffar , Mia Md Solaiman , Faruque Chowdhury Mohammad Omar
Published: April 2018

Background: A substantial number of patients get admitted in different hospitals of Bangladesh with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). No underlying conventional risk factors can be identified in significant number of these patients. Therefore new emerging risk factors are likely to be involved in these patients. As many authors reported that high serum ferritin levels are associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN), it may have role in the pathogenesis of ACS.So we designed this study to test the relation between hyperferritinemia and newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome patients of Bangladesh.Methods: The study was an observational case control study done in Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, from January 2013 to December 2013. Newly diagnosed patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the age group of 30- 70 years, admitted in the coronary care unit (CCU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, within the study period were taken as cases and age& sex matched healthy subject with no history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and with normal ECG were taken as control by purposive sampling. In our study, the number of cases and controls were 65 each. So, total number of subject was 130.Results: According to the serum ferritin level both cases and controls were divided into two sub groups: subjects with normal ferritin level and with hyperferritinaemia. Normal ferritin level was found in 35(53.8%) subjects of case group and 62(95.4%) subjects of control groups. Hyperferritinaemia was found in 30(46.2%) subjects of case group and 3(4.6%) subjects of control group. Hyperferritinaemia was found to be significantly higher in case group than in control group (p<0.001).Conclusion: The study concludes that the serum ferritin level of patients with ACS was significantly higher than the control group.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2017; 32(2) : 89-93
Levitating Micro-Actuators: A Review
Authors: Poletkin Kirill V. , Asadollahbaik Asa , Kampmann Ronald , Korvink Jan G.
Published: April 2018

Through remote forces, levitating micro-actuators completely eliminate mechanical attachment between the stationary and moving parts of a micro-actuator, thus providing a fundamental solution to overcoming the domination of friction over inertial forces at the micro-scale. Eliminating the usual mechanical constraints promises micro-actuators with increased operational capabilities and low dissipation energy. Further reduction of friction and hence dissipation by means of vacuum leads to dramatic increases of performance when compared to mechanically tethered counterparts. In order to efficiently employ the benefits provided by levitation, micro-actuators are classified according to their physical principles as well as by their combinations. Different operating principles, structures, materials and fabrication methods are considered. A detailed analysis of the significant achievements in the technology of micro-optics, micro-magnets and micro-coil fabrication, along with the development of new magnetic materials during recent decades, which has driven the creation of new application domains for levitating micro-actuators is performed.
Vibration-Assisted Handling of Dry Fine Powders
Authors: Dunst Paul , Bornmann Peter , Hemsel Tobias , Sextro Walter
Published: April 2018

Since fine powders tend strongly to adhesion and agglomeration, their processing with conventional methods is difficult or impossible. Typically, in order to enable the handling of fine powders, chemicals are added to increase the flowability and reduce adhesion. This contribution shows that instead of additives also vibrations can be used to increase the flowability, to reduce adhesion and cohesion, and thus to enable or improve processes such as precision dosing, mixing, and transport of very fine powders. The methods for manipulating powder properties are described in detail and prototypes for experimental studies are presented. It is shown that the handling of fine powders can be improved by using low-frequency, high-frequency or a combination of low- and high-frequency vibration.
AEROM: NASA’s Unsteady Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic Reduced-Order Modeling Software
Authors: Silva Walter
Published: April 2018

The origins, development, implementation, and application of AEROM, NASA’s patented reduced-order modeling (ROM) software, are presented. Using the NASA FUN3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, full and ROM aeroelastic solutions are computed at several Mach numbers and presented in the form of root locus plots. The use of root locus plots will help reveal the aeroelastic root migrations with increasing dynamic pressure. The method and software have been applied successfully to several configurations including the Lockheed-Martin N+2 supersonic configuration and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH, Sweden) generic wind-tunnel model, among others. The software has been released to various organizations with applications that include CFD-based aeroelastic analyses and the rapid modeling of high-fidelity dynamic stability derivatives. We present recent results obtained from the application of the method to the AGARD 445.6 wing that reveal several interesting insights.
Importance of Agronomic Practice on the Control of Wheat Leaf Diseases
Authors: Bankina Biruta , Bimšteine Gunita , Arhipova Irina , Kaņeps Jānis , Stanka Terēze
Published: April 2018

Soil tillage and crop rotation are considered important tools in wheat leaf disease control; however, the results of investigations are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the soil tillage system and cropping sequence on the development of winter wheat leaf diseases in 2012–2017. The disease development was assessed in a two-factor experiment: (a) soil tillage system; and (b) crop rotation. Foliar fungicides were used uniformly in all variants. The results showed that tan spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) dominated in 2012, 2013, and 2016, but the level of Septoria tritici blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici) was essentially lower and exceeded the severity of tan spot only in 2015. The agronomic practice used significantly influenced only the development of tan spot. Reduced soil tillage and continuous wheat sowing substantially increased tan spot severity, especially when both practices were used simultaneously. Short crop rotation (only wheat and oilseed rape) provided sufficient control of tan spot in ploughed fields, whereas in non-ploughed fields, the level of this disease did not decrease. The results could be explained by differences in the pathogens’ life cycle: P. tritici-repentis ascospores in wheat debris is the main source of infection; in contrast, Z. tritici spreads by conidia from living plants.
On the Properties of WC/SiC Multilayers
Authors: Prasciolu Mauro , Bajt Saša
Published: April 2018

A study of the materials properties of WC/SiC multilayer coatings is presented. We investigated the dependence of interface and surface roughness, intrinsic stress, microstructure, chemical composition, and stoichiometry as a function of multilayer period and in some cases compared these to W/SiC multilayer systems. The WC/SiC material pair forms multilayers with extremely smooth and sharp interfaces and both materials remain amorphous over a wide range of thicknesses. These properties are desirable for multilayer-based high-resolution diffractive x-ray optics, such as multilayer Laue lenses (MLLs), which require very thick films in which the layer spacing varies considerably. Thermal and structural stability studies show that WC/SiC multilayers have exceptional thermal stability, making this an extremely robust and favorable material pair for MLLs and other multilayer-based X-ray optical elements.
Effects of Crack and Climate Change on Service Life of Concrete Subjected to Carbonation
Authors: Wang Xiao-Yong
Published: April 2018

Carbonation is among the primary reasons for the initiation of the corrosion of steel rebar in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Due to structural loading effects and environmental actions, inevitable cracks have frequently occurred in concrete structures since the early ages. Additionally, climate change, which entails increases in CO2 concentration and environmental temperature, will also accelerate the carbonation of concrete. This article presents an analytical way of predicting the service life of cracked concrete structures considering influences of carbonation and climate change. First, using a hydration model, the quantity of carbonatable materials and concrete porosity were calculated. Carbonation depth was evaluated considering properties of concrete materials and environmental conditions. Second, the influence of cracks on CO2 diffusivity was examined. Carbonation depth for cracked concrete was evaluated using equivalent CO2 diffusivity. The effects of climate change, for example, growing CO2 concentration and environmental temperature, were considered using different schemes of carbonation models. Third, different climate change scenarios (such as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5 and upper 90% confidence interval of RCP 8.5) and time slices (such as 2000 and 2050) were used for case studies. By utilizing the Monte Carlo method, the influences of various climate change scenarios on the service life loss of concrete structures were highlighted.
New Instrument for Oral Hygiene of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Rodrigues Rita , Fernandes Maria , Bessa Monteiro António , Furfuro Rowney , Carvalho Silva Cátia , Soares César , Vardasca Ricardo , Mendes Joaquim , Manso Maria
Published: April 2018

Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) have several oral alterations that make the removal of bacterial plaque in the cleft area difficult, which is the main cause of the high incidence of oral health problems. The aim of this study is to develop a toothbrush especially designed to perform the hygiene of the cleft area. This device, called Cleft Toothbrush, is an add-on to a conventional toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas that are not accessible by using conventional brush shapes. The design was made in SOLIDWORKS® (Waltham, MA, USA) 3D and a sample of this device was produced by CURAPROX (Kriens, Switzerland). The efficacy of the Cleft Toothbrush was tested in a preliminary study performed in a four years old child with CLP, compared to that of a conventional toothbrush. A significantly higher reduction of the bacterial plaque was achieved with the Cleft Toothbrush. The child’s parents also felt more confident with this device, as it deals better with sensitive areas, as it did not hurt the child. This innovative toothbrush adapter appears to greatly improve the cleaning areas of high bacterial plaque retention in patients with CLP, together with excellent acceptance.
An Outdoor Navigation System for Blind Pedestrians Using GPS and Tactile-Foot Feedback
Authors: Velázquez Ramiro , Pissaloux Edwige , Rodrigo Pedro , Carrasco Miguel , Giannoccaro Nicola , Lay-Ekuakille Aimé
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a novel, wearable navigation system for visually impaired and blind pedestrians that combines a global positioning system (GPS) for user outdoor localization and tactile-foot stimulation for information presentation. Real-time GPS data provided by a smartphone are processed by dedicated navigation software to determine the directions to a destination. Navigational directions are then encoded as vibrations and conveyed to the user via a tactile display that inserts into the shoe. The experimental results showed that users were capable of recognizing with high accuracy the tactile feedback provided to their feet. The preliminary tests conducted in outdoor locations involved two blind users who were guided along 380–420 m predetermined pathways, while sharing the space with other pedestrians and facing typical urban obstacles. The subjects successfully reached the target destinations. The results suggest that the proposed system enhances independent, safe navigation of blind pedestrians and show the potential of tactile-foot stimulation in assistive devices.
The Many Roles of Ubiquitin in NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Courtois Gilles , Fauvarque Marie-Odile
Published: April 2018

The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway ubiquitously controls cell growth and survival in basic conditions as well as rapid resetting of cellular functions following environment changes or pathogenic insults. Moreover, its deregulation is frequently observed during cell transformation, chronic inflammation or autoimmunity. Understanding how it is properly regulated therefore is a prerequisite to managing these adverse situations. Over the last years evidence has accumulated showing that ubiquitination is a key process in NF-κB activation and its resolution. Here, we examine the various functions of ubiquitin in NF-κB signaling and more specifically, how it controls signal transduction at the molecular level and impacts in vivo on NF-κB regulated cellular processes.
Mechanistic Insights into the Stimulant Properties of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and Their Discrimination by the Dopamine Transporter—In Silico and In Vitro Exploration of Dissociative Diarylethylamines
Authors: Sahai Michelle , Davidson Colin , Dutta Neelakshi , Opacka-Juffry Jolanta
Published: April 2018

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) may have unsuspected addiction potential through possessing stimulant properties. Stimulants normally act at the dopamine transporter (DAT) and thus increase dopamine (DA) availability in the brain, including nucleus accumbens, within the reward and addiction pathway. This paper aims to assess DAT responses to dissociative diarylethylamine NPS by means of in vitro and in silico approaches. We compared diphenidine (DPH) and 2-methoxydiphenidine (methoxphenidine, 2-MXP/MXP) for their binding to rat DAT, using autoradiography assessment of [125I]RTI-121 displacement in rat striatal sections. The drugs’ effects on electrically-evoked DA efflux were measured by means of fast cyclic voltammetry in rat accumbens slices. Computational modeling, molecular dynamics and alchemical free energy simulations were used to analyse the atomistic changes within DAT in response to each of the five dissociatives: DPH, 2-MXP, 3-MXP, 4-MXP and 2-Cl-DPH, and to calculate their relative binding free energy. DPH increased DA efflux as a result of its binding to DAT, whereas MXP had no significant effect on either DAT binding or evoked DA efflux. Our computational findings corroborate the above and explain the conformational responses and atomistic processes within DAT during its interactions with the dissociative NPS. We suggest DPH can have addictive liability, unlike MXP, despite the chemical similarities of these two NPS.
High-Density Hydrogen Storage in a 2D-Matrix from Graphene Nanoblisters: A Prospective Nanomaterial for Environmentally Friendly Technologies
Authors: Slepchenkov Michael , Barkov Pavel , Glukhova Olga
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the atomic structure and mechanical stability of a new structural graphene modification—a 2D matrix of nanoscale cells in the form of a few-layer graphene substrate and nanoblister of a graphene monolayer—were studied for the first time. It is shown that such matrices are mechanically stable and are promising for environmentally friendly technologies. The calculated local atomic stress fields demonstrate that the atomic framework is not destroyed, even in the presence of defects in the atomic network of graphene nanoblister (Stone-Wales defect, double vacancies defect, ad-dimmer defect, and their combination). However, it was established that the presence of one or more SW defects leads to the appearance of critical stresses. These critical stresses can induce local bond breaking in the atomic network with an increase in temperature or external pressure. It was found that graphene nanoblister can store molecular hydrogen with a maximum density of 6.6 wt % for 1158 m2/g at 77 K under normal pressure.
Pseudo-Bifurcated Chalcogen Bond in Crystal Engineering
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Weizhou
Published: April 2018

The concept of pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond has been proposed for the first time in this paper. It was found that the anticooperative effects between two chalcogen bonds of the pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond are not very large as compared to those of the true bifurcated noncovalent bond. According to the nature of pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond, we designed some strong pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond synthons. The binding energy of the strongest pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond attains about 27 kcal/mol. These strong pseudo-bifurcated chalcogen bond synthons have great potential as building blocks in crystal engineering.
Solid Phases Precipitating in Artificial Urine in the Absence and Presence of Bacteria Proteus mirabilis—A Contribution to the Understanding of Infectious Urinary Stone Formation
Authors: Prywer Jolanta , Kozanecki Marcin , Mielniczek-Brzóska Ewa , Torzewska Agnieszka
Published: April 2018

Magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, called struvite, is the dominant component of infectious urinary stones. In addition to struvite, infectious urinary stones include solid phases with poor crystallinity as well as amorphous matter. This article is devoted to the analysis of these solid phases, because they have not been characterized well until now. The solid phases tested were obtained from artificial urine in the absence and presence of Proteus mirabilis. The solid phases were characterized by different techniques (X-ray Diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray, Scanning Electron Microscopy, as well as Raman and Infrared Spectroscopies). According to the results these phases are carbonate apatite (CA), hydroxylapatite (HAP), amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and/or amorphous carbonated calcium phosphate (ACCP). Carbonate apatite and hydroxylapatite may occur in non-stoichiometric forms, i.e., various anions can be substituted for CO32−, OH−, and PO43− groups in them. The non-stoichiometry of carbonate apatite and hydroxylapatite also implies a deficiency of calcium ions, i.e., calcium ions may be partially replaced by other cations. Experimental techniques and chemical speciation analysis demonstrate that the presence of magnesium influences the formation of CA and HAP.
Molecular Diversity of Tidal Swamp Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in South Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Mursyidin Dindin , Purnomo Purnomo , Sumardi Issirep , Daryono Budi
Published: April 2018

Tidal swamp rice has long been cultivated by the local people of the South Kalimantan, Indonesia. This germplasm possess some important traits for adapted to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, a total of 16 cultivars of the tidal swamp rice, consisting of 15 from the South Kalimantan Provinces and 1 from South Sumatera, Indonesia (an outgroup) were analyzed phylogenetically based on the chloroplast trnL-F and nuclear intergenic spacer region (IGS). The results showed that this germplasm has a relatively more extraordinary genetic diversity than other local rice. On a nucleotide level, the tidal swamp rice showed a genetic diversity of 0.61 for nuclear IGS and 0.58 for trnL-F. The phylogenetic reconstruction also exhibited that the tidal swamp rice has the unique phylogenetic trees, particularly for the combined sequence datasets. This information would be useful for the rice conservation and breeding programs in the future.
The Strange Case of Peri-Implantology
Authors: Schmidlin Patrick
Published: April 2018

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Information Geometry for Radar Target Detection with Total Jensen–Bregman Divergence
Authors: Hua Xiaoqiang , Fan Haiyan , Cheng Yongqiang , Wang Hongqiang , Qin Yuliang
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a radar target detection algorithm based on information geometry. In particular, the correlation of sample data is modeled as a Hermitian positive-definite (HPD) matrix. Moreover, a class of total Jensen–Bregman divergences, including the total Jensen square loss, the total Jensen log-determinant divergence, and the total Jensen von Neumann divergence, are proposed to be used as the distance-like function on the space of HPD matrices. On basis of these divergences, definitions of their corresponding median matrices are given. Finally, a decision rule of target detection is made by comparing the total Jensen-Bregman divergence between the median of reference cells and the matrix of cell under test with a given threshold. The performance analysis on both simulated and real radar data confirm the superiority of the proposed detection method over its conventional counterparts and existing ones.
A Novel Entropy-Based Centrality Approach for Identifying Vital Nodes in Weighted Networks
Authors: Qiao Tong , Shan Wei , Yu Ganjun , Liu Chen
Published: April 2018

Measuring centrality has recently attracted increasing attention, with algorithms ranging from those that simply calculate the number of immediate neighbors and the shortest paths to those that are complicated iterative refinement processes and objective dynamical approaches. Indeed, vital nodes identification allows us to understand the roles that different nodes play in the structure of a network. However, quantifying centrality in complex networks with various topological structures is not an easy task. In this paper, we introduce a novel definition of entropy-based centrality, which can be applicable to weighted directed networks. By design, the total power of a node is divided into two parts, including its local power and its indirect power. The local power can be obtained by integrating the structural entropy, which reveals the communication activity and popularity of each node, and the interaction frequency entropy, which indicates its accessibility. In addition, the process of influence propagation can be captured by the two-hop subnetworks, resulting in the indirect power. In order to evaluate the performance of the entropy-based centrality, we use four weighted real-world networks with various instance sizes, degree distributions, and densities. Correspondingly, these networks are adolescent health, Bible, United States (US) airports, and Hep-th, respectively. Extensive analytical results demonstrate that the entropy-based centrality outperforms degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, and the Eigenvector centrality.
Transductive Feature Selection Using Clustering-Based Sample Entropy for Temperature Prediction in Weather Forecasting
Authors: Karevan Zahra , Suykens Johan
Published: April 2018

Entropy measures have been a major interest of researchers to measure the information content of a dynamical system. One of the well-known methodologies is sample entropy, which is a model-free approach and can be deployed to measure the information transfer in time series. Sample entropy is based on the conditional entropy where a major concern is the number of past delays in the conditional term. In this study, we deploy a lag-specific conditional entropy to identify the informative past values. Moreover, considering the seasonality structure of data, we propose a clustering-based sample entropy to exploit the temporal information. Clustering-based sample entropy is based on the sample entropy definition while considering the clustering information of the training data and the membership of the test point to the clusters. In this study, we utilize the proposed method for transductive feature selection in black-box weather forecasting and conduct the experiments on minimum and maximum temperature prediction in Brussels for 1–6 days ahead. The results reveal that considering the local structure of the data can improve the feature selection performance. In addition, despite the large reduction in the number of features, the performance is competitive with the case of using all features.
An Intelligent Artificial Neural Network-Response Surface Methodology Method for Accessing the Optimum Biodiesel and Diesel Fuel Blending Conditions in a Diesel Engine from the Viewpoint of Exergy and Energy Analysis
Authors: Najafi Bahman , Faizollahzadeh Ardabili Sina , Mosavi Amir , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Rabczuk Timon
Published: April 2018

Biodiesel, as the main alternative fuel to diesel fuel which is produced from renewable and available resources, improves the engine emissions during combustion in diesel engines. In this study, the biodiesel is produced initially from waste cooking oil (WCO). The fuel samples are applied in a diesel engine and the engine performance has been considered from the viewpoint of exergy and energy approaches. Engine tests are performed at a constant 1500 rpm speed with various loads and fuel samples. The obtained experimental data are also applied to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Response surface methodology (RSM) is employed to optimize the exergy and energy efficiencies. Based on the results of the energy analysis, optimal engine performance is obtained at 80% of full load in presence of B10 and B20 fuels. However, based on the exergy analysis results, optimal engine performance is obtained at 80% of full load in presence of B90 and B100 fuels. The optimum values of exergy and energy efficiencies are in the range of 25–30% of full load, which is the same as the calculated range obtained from mathematical modeling.
Force Analysis of a Circular Cylinder at Ununiformed Flow in a T Pipe Junction
Authors: Yin Yantao , Li Shicong , Wang Liangbi , Lin Mei , Wang Qiuwang
Published: April 2018

Experimental and numerical investigations of force analysis acted on single circular cylinder in the T pipe junction with the effect of vanes are reported in this paper. Experiments are carried on in a small wind tunnel at five different velocity ratios (R) from 0.117 to 0.614. The mean pressure data acted on the cylinder are obtained and in turn the drag and lift. Vanes are installed at the junction to change the secondary flow in the branch duct and the angle is in the range of 90° ≤ φ ≤ 130°. Numerical studies which are validated by the experimental data help understand the flow structure for the analysis. It is found that in the T shape junction without vanes, the cylinder presents different surface mean pressure distributions at the different positions in the suction duct. As the increase of the distance from the junction to the cylinder center, the surface mean pressure distributions recover to the benchmark gradually which performs in the straight duct beforehand. Four feature points including the front/rear stagnation points and the separation points and the corresponding three divisions of flow region are analyzed in detail with the auxiliary numerical simulation of flow structure. Effect of the vanes with different angle is also discussed. Finally, the drag and lift coefficients acted on the cylinder with or without vanes are performed.
Design of Electric Patrol UAVs Based on a Dual Antenna System
Authors: Zhai Yongjie , Zhao Hailong , Zhao Meng , Jiao Songming
Published: April 2018

China completed the construction of more than 1.15 million kilometers of transmission lines with conventional voltage levels spanning its vast territory in 2014. This large and complicated power grid structure relies mainly on manual operation and maintenance of lines. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-definition digital video cameras and cameras and GPS positioning systems can conduct autonomous patrols along the grid. However, the presence of electromagnetic fields around high-voltage transmission lines can affect the UAV’s magnetometer, resulting in a wrong heading and thus unsafe flight. In this paper, the traditional method of UAV heading calculation using a magnetometer was analyzed, and a novel method for calculating UAV heading based on dual antennas was proposed. Experimental data showed that the proposed method improves the anti-magnetic interference characteristics of UAVs and increases UAV security and stability for power inspection applications.
Construction of Biodigesters to Optimize the Production of Biogas from Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Food Waste and Sewage
Authors: Guimarães Claudinei , Maia David , Serra Eduardo
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to build and develop anaerobic biodigesters for optimization of biogas production using food waste (FW) and sewage (S) co-digestion from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The biodigesters operated with different mixtures and in mesophilic phase (37 °C). During the 60 days of experiments, all control and monitoring parameters of the biodigesters necessary for biogas production were tested and evaluated. The biodigester containing FW, S and anaerobic sludge presented the biggest reduction of organic matter, expressed with removal of 88.3% TVS (total volatile solid) and 84.7% COD (chemical oxygen demand) the biggest biogas production (63 L) and the highest methane percentage (95%). Specific methane production was 0.299 LCH4/gVS and removed. The use of biodigesters to produce biogas through anaerobic digestion may play an important role in local economies due to the opportunity to produce a renewable fuel from organic waste and also as an alternative to waste treatment. Finally, the embedded control and automation system was simple, effective, and robust, and the supervisory software was efficient in all aspects defined at its conception.
State-of-Charge Balancing Control of a Modular Multilevel Converter with an Integrated Battery Energy Storage
Authors: Liang Hui , Guo Long , Song Junhong , Yang Yong , Zhang Weige , Qi Hongfeng
Published: April 2018

With the fast development of the electric vehicle industry, the reuse of second-life batteries in vehicles are becoming more attractive, however, both the state-of-charge (SOC) inconsistency and the capacity inconsistency of second-life batteries have limits in their utilization. This paper focuses on the second-life batteries applied battery energy storage system (BESS) based on modular multilevel converter (MMC). By analyzing the power flow characteristics among all sources within the MMC-BESS, a three-level SOC equilibrium control strategy aiming to battery capacity inconsistency is proposed to balance the energy of batteries, which includes SOC balance among three-phase legs, SOC balance between the upper and lower arms of each phase, and SOC balance of submodules within each arm. In battery charging and discharging control, by introducing power regulations based on battery capacity proportion of three-phase legs, capacity deviation between the upper and lower’s arm, and the capacity coefficient of the submodule into the SOC feedback control loop, SOC balance of all battery modules is accomplished, thus effectively improving the energy utilization of second-life battery energy storage system. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed methods are verified by results obtained from simulations and the experimental platform.
Stress Analysis of LNG Storage Tank Outlet Pipes and Flanges
Authors: Lu Hongfang , Ma Guoguang , Li Xiaoting , Wu Shijuan
Published: April 2018

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank outlet pipe is the weak part of any LNG vaporizing station. Due to the ultralow temperature characteristics of LNG, pipeline damage or leakage may cause major accidents. This paper used the finite element analysis method and the CAESAR II software to analyze the stresses of LNG storage tank outlet pipes and flanges in a LNG vaporizing station, the influencing factors (compensator type, compensator position, LNG density, pressure, temperature) are analyzed, and stress reduction measures are discussed. According to the results of the analysis, the following main conclusions can be obtained: (1) the most dangerous working condition of the LNG storage tank outlet pipe is the precooling condition; under this condition, the comprehensive stress, displacement and support force are the largest; (2) compared with the Z-type and L-type compensators, the effect of the π-type compensator to reduce the stress of the low temperature pipe is the best; (3) when the length of the cold tightening unit is 40% of the cold shrinkage, the stress reduction effect is the best.
An Improved SPWM-Based Control with Over-Modulation Strategy of the Third Harmonic Elimination for a Single-Phase Inverter
Authors: Hren Alenka , Mihalič Franc
Published: April 2018

In single-phase inverter systems (grid-connected, Uninterrupted Power Supply systems or motor drives), the high quality Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) factor must always be considered, along with the utilization rate of the DC link. In cases when the supplying DC voltage is reduced, the output voltage can still be assured constant in a limited range by using over-modulation. Unfortunately, this operation incurs fundamental frequency related higher order harmonics’ force (especially the third is dominant) into the inverter output voltage, which is a huge drawback in almost all applications. This paper provides a comprehensive spectrum analysis of three-level output voltage in a single-phase inverter working in over-modulation regime. The output voltage is generated by triangular Sinusoidal Pulse-Width Modulation (SPWM) and, based on the analytical results of a frequency spectrum evaluation, the opposite third harmonic component in the modulator unit forces this component in the output voltage close to zero. Other remaining higher harmonics can be attenuated more easily by using a smaller filter. Although the voltage gain of the fundamental harmonic component is lower at higher over-modulation, such a solution assures lower THD in the wide inverter’s working range. The proposed SPWM procedure was validated experimentally.
A Real-Time Combustion Instability Simulation with Comprehensive Thermo-Acoustic Dynamic Model
Authors: Han Jaeyoung , Jeong Jiwoong , Cho Kyungin , Yu Sangseok
Published: April 2018

The thermo-acoustic instability in the combustion process of a gas turbine is caused by the interaction of the heat release mechanism and the pressure perturbation. These acoustic vibrations cause fatigue failure of the combustor and decrease the combustion efficiency. This study aims to develop a segmented dynamic thermo-acoustic model to understand combustion instability of a gas turbine. Then, the combustion instability was designed using the acoustic heat release model, and the designed instability model was segmented using the finite difference method, to evaluate the characteristics of flame propagation at each node. The combustion instability model was validated using experimental data to verify the instability amplitude. Also, the optimal node number was determined using the adiabatic flame temperature response. 10 nodes were selected in this study. A sensitivity analysis showed the predicted instability amplitude decreased when the nodes increased until node 4, due to heat generation. However, above 4 nodes the amplitude decreased, since the combustion outlet was directly connected to the ambient. As a result, the segmented combustion instability model was able to evaluate the flame propagation characteristics more accurately and found the largest area of instability was near the flame area.
Optimization of Saccharification Conditions of Lignocellulosic Biomass under Alkaline Pre-Treatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Łukajtis Rafał , Rybarczyk Piotr , Kucharska Karolina , Konopacka-Łyskawa Donata , Słupek Edyta , Wychodnik Katarzyna , Kamiński Marian
Published: April 2018

Pre-treatment is a significant step in the production of second-generation biofuels from waste lignocellulosic materials. Obtaining biofuels as a result of fermentation processes requires appropriate pre-treatment conditions ensuring the highest possible degree of saccharification of the feed material. An influence of the following process parameters were investigated for alkaline pre-treatment of Salix viminalis L.: catalyst concentration (NaOH), temperature, pre-treatment time and granulation. For this purpose, experiments were carried out in accordance to the Box-Behnken design for four factors. In the saccharification process of the pre-treated biomass, cellulolytic enzymes immobilized on diatomaceous earth were used. Based on the obtained results, a mathematical model for the optimal conditions of alkaline pre-treatment prediction is proposed. The optimal conditions of alkaline pre-treatment are established as follows: granulation 0.75 mm, catalyst concentration 7%, pre-treatment time 6 h and temperature 65 °C if the saccharification efficiency and cost analysis are considered. An influence of the optimized pre-treatment on both the chemical composition and structural changes for six various lignocellulosic materials (energetic willow, energetic poplar, beech, triticale, meadow grass, corncobs) was investigated. SEM images of raw and pre-treated biomass samples are included in order to follow the changes in the biomass structure during hydrolysis.
Simulation and Experimental Study on the Optical Performance of a Fixed-Focus Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator Using Polar-Axis Tracking
Authors: Wang Hai , Huang Jin , Song Mengjie , Hu Yanxin , Wang Yunfeng , Lu Zijian
Published: April 2018

Most sun-tracking systems of solar concentrators are expensive, sensitive to operational costs, and complicated in optical design in which the receiver must be free to rotate about the axis. To overcome the aforementioned problems, this study presents a fixed-focus Fresnel lens solar concentrator (FFFSC) using polar-axis tracking which allows the Fresnel lens to concentrate sunlight to a fixed small heat-receiving area and the receiver remained fixed in location and rotation. Experimental research has been conducted to obtain the optical characteristics of the FFFSC for different solar times, tracking errors, and periodical adjustment errors. It has been found that maximum values of the relative optical efficiency loss (ηre-opt,loss) and minimum value of the optical efficiency (ηopt) of the FFFSC for different solar times are 1.87% and 71.61%, respectively. The mean value and maximum value of the local concentration ratio of the solar flux on the receiver are more than 86.64 and 1319.43, respectively. When the tracking error and periodical adjustment error are within 1°, the ηopt of the FFFSC can reach 70.38% and 68.94%, respectively. The optical characteristics of FFFSC is also verified numerically. Especially, according to the total year simulation of the FFFSC’s optical characteristics, maximum value of ηre-opt,loss is 0.116%, which means the proposed the FFFSC can achieve fixed-focus.