bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changing Population, Landuse and Environment in the Nepal Himalayas
Authors: Chapagain Prem Sagar
Published: August 2016

Mountain environment is a matter of global concern. In the case of Nepal, population size has been ever increasing with rapid growth rate until 2001. With increasing population size and growth rate, major changes appeared in land use pattern, i.e. increasing agricultural land and decreasing forest coverage. This has alarmed the situation especially during 1980s as it was linked with highland deforestation for agricultural land to fulfill the increasing food demand that resulted lowland sedimentation and flooding. However, population growth rate between 2001-2011 has drastically decreased compared to the past decade. At the same time, literacy and environmental awareness increased, alternative means of income and employment opportunities have increased and poverty has decreased. These changes including the policy of forest management have contributed positively in forest coverage. It has also succeeded to break the previous environmental orthodoxy, population growth- food demand-deforestation/degradation nexus, in the Nepal Himalayas.Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 8(1) 2012, p.66-71
Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change and Adaptation Measures for Maize Production in East Sikkim, India
Authors: Deb Proloy , Babel S.
Published: August 2016

An investigation was carried out to assess the impacts of climate change on rainfed maize yield using a yield response to water stress model (AquaCrop) and to identify suitable adaptation options to minimize the negative impacts on maize yield in East Sikkim, North East India. Crop management and yield data was collected from the field experimental plots for calibration and validation of the model for the study area. The future climate data was developed for two IPCC emission scenarios A2 and B2 based on the global climate model HadCM3 with downscaling of climate to finer spatial resolution using the statistical downscaling model, SDSM. The impact study revealed that there is an expected reduction in maize yield of 12.8, 28.3 and 33.9% for the A2 scenario and 7.5, 19.9 and 29.9% for the B2 scenario during 2012-40, 2041-70 and 2071-99 respectively compared to the average yield simulated during the period of 1961-1990 with observed climate data. The maize yield of same variety under future climate can be maintained or improved from current level by changing planting dates, providing supplement irrigation and managing optimum nutrient.Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 9(1) 2015, p.15-27
Influence of a Debris Layer on the Melting of Ice on Lirung Glacier, Langtang Valley, Rasuwa, Nepal
Authors: Shahi Sonika , Kayastha Rijan B.
Published: August 2016

This paper provides information about the variation of ice ablation rate underneath the highly heterogeneous debris layer on Lirung Glacier in Langtang Valley, Rasuwa district, Nepal. Ice melt under a debris cover has been commonly modelled using two approaches: physically-based energy-balance models and more empirical temperature-index models. Energy Balance Model (EMB) was used at the point scale to calculate melt under a debris-covered glacier. Because of the high heterogeneity of the surface layer, the ablation rate varies throughout the glacier. The average value of thermal resistance (R) in association with the meteorological variables is found to be sufficient enough to give the consistent value of ablation of glacier ice underneath the debris layer. Solar radiation is the only dominant heat flux which contributes to melting of ice under the debris cover with a little contribution of sensible heat flux in dawn because of the heat storage phenomenon of the debris. In spite of several simplifications, the model performs well and modelled melt rates give a good match to observed melt rates. Thus for accurate distributed melt modelling at different locations of the debris covered glacier it is important to considered the effects of both the external variables and the physical properties of the debris material, which in turn gives estimates of the amount of discharge from the glacier, an important component of the local water resources.
Application of the Snowmelt Runoff Model in the Salang River Basin, Afghanistan Using MODIS Satellite Data
Authors: Arian Hedayatullah , Kayastha Rijan B. , Bhattarai Bikas C. , Shresta Ahuti , Rasouli Hafizullah , Armstrong Richard
Published: August 2016

This study is carried out on the Salang River basin, which is located at the northern part of the Kabul River basin, and in the south facing slope of the Hindu Kush Mountains. The basin drains through the Salang River, which is one of the tributaries of the Panjshir River. The basin covers an area of 485.9km2 with a minimum elevation of 1653 m a.s.l. and a maximum elevation of 4770 m a.s.l. The Salang River sustains a substantial flow of water in summer months due to the melting of snow. In this study, we estimate daily discharge of Salang River from 2009 to 2011 using the Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM, Version 1.12, 2009), originally developed by J. Martinec in 1975. The model uses daily observed precipitation, air temperature and snow cover data as input variables from which discharge is computed. The model is calibrated for the year 2009 and validated for 2010 and 2011. The observed and calculated annual average discharges for the calibration year 2009 are 11.57m3s-1 and 10.73m3s-1, respectively. Similarly, the observed and calculated annual average discharges for the validation year 2010 are 11.55m3s-1 and 10.07m3s-1, respectively and for 2011, the discharges are 9.05 m3s-1 and 9.6m3s-1, respectively. The model is also tested by changing temperature and precipitation for the year 2009. With an increase of 1°C in temperature and 10% in precipitation, the increases in discharge for winter, summer and annually are 21.8%, 13.5% and 14.8%, respectively. With an increase of 2°C in temperature and 20% in precipitation, the increases are 48.5%, 43.3% and 44.1%, respectively. The results obtained suggest that the SRM can be used as a promising tool to estimate the river discharge of the snow fed mountainous river basins of Afghanistan and to study the impact of climate change on river flow pattern of such basins.Journal of Hydrology and Meteorology, Vol. 9(1) 2015, p.109-118
Ausgestaltung und Wirkung der forstlichen Förderung nach NFA im Kanton Bern (Essay)
Authors: Schmidt Roger
Published: August 2016

Structure and impact of support for forestry under NFE in the canton of Bern (essay)

Support for forestry in Switzerland under the new system of fiscal equalization and division of tasks between the Confederation and the cantons (NFE) has now entered its third phase. Program agreements between Confederation and cantons have improved implementation. The operational scope of action of the cantons should be used in such a way as to achieve an optimal and sustainable impact. Regarding this, improvements are necessary in the canton of Bern: the three programs on forestry – protection forests, biodiversity and forest economy – have a complex structure because of the great diversity of ownership and site conditions. The effort needed to provide advice and implement measures is great. For the next phase of the program, the effectiveness and efficiency of support should be improved. In general, support programs should be designed in such a way as to encourage cooperation, innovation and professionalism in the forest economy. At the centre of the program should be an innovative forest economy, as laid down in forest legislation as the basic principle of forest policy in the canton of Bern. It aims at ensuring both the sustainability of the forest ecosystem and the satisfaction of the needs of society for forest services according to demand and in an economically viable way.
Waldrandaufwertungen: Einfluss von Exposition und Wüchsigkeit des Standorts
Authors: Babbi Manuel , Widmer Stefan , Blattner Marcel , Krüsi Bertil O.
Published: August 2016

Upgrading of forest edges: impacts of orientation and site fertility

Wide, species-rich forest edges are rare in Switzerland. For some years now, the ecological improvement of forest edges has therefore been encouraged by the federal government. In order to make optimal use of the limited resources, we need a good knowledge of the site factors that influence the success of upgrading treatments. We studied 48 improved forest edges in Canton Aargau to understand the impacts of orientation and site fertility on the success of the improvement measures. The results showed that both orientation and site fertility had a significant impact on the quality of the enhanced forest edges. On south-facing and nutrient-poor sites, the ecological quality of the improved forest edges was significantly better than on nutrient-rich sites oriented towads other directions. On sites which were not south-facing fertility had no significant effect on the ecological quality of the improved forest edges. On nutrient-poor sites, the risk that problematic or invasive plant species become dominant after upgrading treatments was much smaller than on nutrient- rich sites. The orientation of the forest edge, on the other hand, had no significant effect on that risk. In the future, therefore, forest edge enhancement projects should preferably be carried out on south-facing and nutrient-poor sites. On sites with other expositions or with high fertility, successful upgradings are less likely but not impossible.
Registration of ‘Lanning’ Hard Red Spring Wheat
Authors: Heo H.-Y. , Lanning S. P. , Lamb P. F. , Nash D. , Wichman D. M. , Kephart K. D. , Stougaard R. N. , Miller J. , Reddy G.V.P. , Chen C. , Eckhoff J. L. , Grey W. E. , Blake N. K. , Talbert L. E.
Published: August 2016

‘Lanning’ hard red spring wheat (Reg. No. CV‐1120, PI 676978) (Triticum aestivum L.) was released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station due to its excellent yield potential in dryland areas of Montana and its superior end‐use quality. Lanning was derived from the cross ‘Glenn’/MT0747 by single seed descent beginning in the F2 generation. A single plant in the F4 generation was the source of experimental line MT1316, which subsequently was named Lanning. Lanning has grain yield equivalent to ‘Vida’, the most widely grown cultivar in Montana from 2010 to 2015. Lanning has higher grain protein and stronger gluten characteristics than Vida. Lanning is hollow stemmed, suggesting that it will be susceptible to damage caused by the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Nort.). Lanning should be of interest to producers of hard red spring on dryland acreage throughout the wheat‐growing region of Montana.
The test-retest reliability of four functional mobility tests in apparently healthy adults
Authors: Northgraves Matthew J. , Hayes Stephen C. , Marshall Philip , Madden Leigh A. , Vince Rebecca V.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

Simple field tests are often used to assess functional mobility in clinical settings. Despite having many benefits, these tests are susceptible to measurement error and individual variation.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the test-retest and absolute reliability of timed up and go test (TUG), five times sit-to-stand (FTSTS), stair climb test (SCT) and 6 minute walk (6MWT).

METHODS:

Over two sessions, thirty-five subjects (30-74 years), repeated the five tests approximately four weeks apart. Test-retest reliability (intraclass correlations [ICC]) and absolute reliability (95% limit of agreements [95% LOA]; standard error of measurement [SEM] and minimum detectable change [MDC]) were calculated.

RESULTS:

All five tests had high test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.95) although significant between session changes were present for the TUG and FTSTS (p < 0.05). FTSTS displayed the greatest measurement error whilst 95% LOA was the most conservative measure of absolute reliability.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study indicate that the TUG, FTSTS, SCT and 6MWT are reliable when performed four weeks apart. Furthermore, the inclusion of SEM, MDC and 95% LOA provides reference values to aid in identifying changes over time above those of measurement error and individual variation.
Modeling and analysis of field modulated permanent-magnet eddy-current couplings with a slotted conductor rotor
Authors: Liang Qinghua , Mo Jinqiu , Dai Xin , Long Yongjun , Cao Jiayong , Wang Shigang
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a two-dimensional (2D) analytical model for predicting the magnetic field in field modulated permanent-magnet(PM) eddy-current couplings with a slotted conductor rotor. Based on the subdomain method, the original radial-flux model with a cylindrical geometry is simplified and analyzed in Cartesian coordinates to solve the moving conductor eddy current problem, avoiding the complicated computation with Bessel function in cylindrical or polar coordinates. In the process of modeling, the effects of the field modulation on the eddy currents, the influence of eddy current reaction field on the air gap field, and the interactions between the adjacent conducting bars are considered. The moving PM field is treated as a source of a time-harmonic field and the diffusion equations in the bars are simplified and converted to complex temporal Hemholtz functions. The comparison of analytical and nonlinear finite element analysis results shows the effectiveness of the proposed analytical model.
Detection and evaluation of backside crack in spot-welding component of heat-resistant alloy using electromagnetic field distortion
Authors: Kim Jungmin , Kim Sejin , Le Minhhuy , Lee Jinyi , Park Jongwoon
Published: August 2016

A method for inspecting far-side fatigue cracks is proposed. These cracks occur in the spot-welding components of a heat-resistant alloy, used in aircraft engine components. For measurement without contact, an electromagnetic field is applied to the object. The distortion of the field owing to far-side fatigue cracks in the spot-welding area is measured with a linearly integrated giant-magneto resistance sensor array. Artificial far-side cracks can be detected where there is a slit-type crack around the spot-welding area. A probability of detection (POD) is used to analyze the detection performance of the inspection system. Crack with lengths of 3.699 mm and 4.647 mm were inspected with 90% POD and 90/95 POD with confidence bound, respectively.
A MIMO vibration suppression system with multi electrodynamic suppressors
Authors: Li Hao , Luo Jinglin , Yan Guirong
Published: August 2016

A multi-in-multi-out (MIMO) electrodynamic vibration suppression system based on global-local control strategy is established in this paper. The system has a structure composed of an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer employs a MIMO vibration suppression algorithm to suppress local vibration by using several eclectrodynamic vibration suppressors. The upper layer consists of a personal computer and a data acquisiton system to perform the principal component analysis of the global structural vibration. Resusts of the vibration suppression experiment on a slender structure show that the maximum vibration suppression decreased by 82%, and the overall structural average vibration decreased by 58%, which proves that this method is effective and feasible.
Can Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Advance Understanding of Muscular Dystrophies?
Authors: Kalra Spandan , Montanaro Federica , Denning Chris
Published: August 2016

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are clinically and molecularly a highly heterogeneous group of single-gene disorders that primarily affect striated muscles. Cardiac disease is present in several MDs where it is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality. Careful monitoring of cardiac issues is necessary but current management of cardiac involvement does not effectively protect from disease progression and cardiac failure. There is a critical need to gain new knowledge on the diverse molecular underpinnings of cardiac disease in MDs in order to guide cardiac treatment development and assist in reaching a clearer consensus on cardiac disease management in the clinic. Animal models are available for the majority of MDs and have been invaluable tools in probing disease mechanisms and in pre-clinical screens. However, there are recognized genetic, physiological, and structural differences between human and animal hearts that impact disease progression, manifestation, and response to pharmacological interventions. Therefore, there is a need to develop parallel human systems to model cardiac disease in MDs. This review discusses the current status of cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to model cardiac disease, with a focus on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and myotonic dystrophy (DM1). We seek to provide a balanced view of opportunities and limitations offered by this system in elucidating disease mechanisms pertinent to human cardiac physiology and as a platform for treatment development or refinement.
Preterm infant body composition cannot be accurately determined by weight and length
Authors: Kiger J.R. , Taylor S.N. , Wagner C.L. , Finch C. , Katikaneni L.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND: Body composition is a key metric for assessing nutrition in preterm infants. In many neonatal intensive care units body composition is estimated using anthropometric indices which mathematically combine body weight and length. However, the accuracy of these indices is unknown in preterm infants. In contrast, air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) has been shown to accurately measure neonatal fat mass, but it is not widely available.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine which anthropometric index is most correlated to infant fat mass, as determined by ADP.

DESIGN: We performed a retrospective observational study, comparing ADP-determined percent body fat at 366 time points for 239 preterm infants (born <32 weeks), with simultaneous weight and length measurements. Non-linear regression was performed to determine the best fit anthropometric index to the body fat percentage as determined by ADP. Our non-linear regression model, % fat = Axwt αxLβ, is the generalization of the most common anthropometric indices (BMI, ponderal index, etc.).

RESULTS: The best-fit regression formula most closely matched the formula for BMI. However, the regression explained only 51% of variability seen in body fat percentage at post-menstrual age <50 weeks, and 16% of variation seen at 50 weeks or greater.

CONCLUSION: Even optimal formulas relating weight and length to body fat percentage predict only a fraction of the variation seen in body composition, especially beyond 50 weeks. BMI was the anthropometric index most predictive of body fat percentage, but still has limited accuracy.
Maternal variables associated with physiologic stress and perinatal complications in preterm infants
Authors: Dietze Tamara R. , Rose F.F. , Moore T.A.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE: Complications of prematurity may be related to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants. Increased intrauterine exposure to cortisol may be responsible for adverse prenatal programming and subsequent dysfunction of the infant’s hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of the study was to describe maternal social variables and their association with infant cortisol levels and complications of prematurity.

METHODS: Preterm infants <32 weeks’ gestation were recruited. Primary outcomes were development of complications of prematurity and physiologic stress response, represented by cord blood and salivary cortisol levels on first day of life. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed.

RESULTS: Fifteen of 31 infants enrolled developed a complication of prematurity. Infants of greater gestational age when prenatal care was established had lower cord blood cortisol ( p = 0.009) and trended a higher risk of necrotizing enterocolitis ( p = 0.069). Infants whose mothers smoked more showed significantly different salivary cortisol distributions on day 1 ( p = 0.037), and were at greater risk for intraventricular hemorrhage ( p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS: The association between maternal social variables, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, and complications of prematurity supports the research model of physiologic dysregulation/allostatic load as a mechanism for complications in preterm infants. More research is warranted to investigate associations between maternal social variables, maternal stress levels, and adverse prenatal programming of the infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Neonatal care – what do mothers in a rural Nigerian community know and practice?
Authors: Nnebue C.C. , Duru C.B. , Uwakwe K.A. , Ifeadike C.O. , Anyanwu B.C. , Adinnu K.M. , Nwaneri P.O. , Ufoh I.J.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND: Nigeria ranks among developing countries with poor neonatal health indices. This underscores the need for households and healthcare providers to understand the concept of newborn care and react appropriately and timely too.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and practices of mothers in the Elele community regarding neonatal care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a community-based descriptive cross sectional study of 380 mothers who had a neonate. Mothers were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected by interview using a semi-structured questionnaire (with closed and open ended questions) and analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences version 22.0. Chi-square test was used to identify statistically significant associations among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendance cum place of delivery and neonatal care practices.

RESULTS: Ninety one (23.9%) of respondents were aware of at least four out of nine danger signs, while all reported wrapping their babies within 10 minutes after birth. Duration less than six hours from birth to first bath, feeding with or discarding of colostrum and timing of first breastfeeding within the first hour of birth were significantly associated with ANC attendance ( p = 0.000, p = 0.002 and p = 0.000 respectively). Duration less than six hours to first bath, umbilical cord care and feeding with or discarding of colostrum were significantly associated with health facility delivery ( p = 0.043, p = 0.026 and p = 0.003 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate knowledge of newborn care among mothers was found, while non-ANC attendance and non-health facility delivery were associated with inappropriate neonatal care practices. We recommend comprehensive behavior change interventions, to promote proper neonatal care practices.
Morbidity and mortality associated with rewarming hypothermic very low birth weight infants
Authors: Feldman A. , De Benedictis B. , Alpan Gad , La Gamma E.F. , Kase J.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVES: In very low birthweight (VLBW) infants, hypothermia is associated with poor outcomes. The goal of this study is to assess the relationship between the rate of rewarming these babies and their outcomes.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 98 inborn VLBW infants who were hypothermic (<36°C rectally) upon admission to the NICU. A logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between the rates of rewarming and time to achieve euthermia and the following outcomes: death, intraventricular hemorrhage, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy of prematurity.

RESULTS: Prolonged rewarming time was associate with increased odds of mortality (OR 1.273 95% CI 1.032–1.571). No associations between rewarming rates and any of the outcomes were seen. Once birthweight was included in a multiple logistic regression model, the association between mortality and rewarming time was no longer significant. Outcomes that were not associated with either rate or time of rewarming (even in a univariate model) were: bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy of prematurity.

CONCLUSION: In moderately hypothermic VLBW infants, after accounting for birthweight, no association between rewarming and outcome is seen.
Aerodynamic Modeling of NREL 5-MW Wind Turbine for Nonlinear Control System Design: A Case Study Based on Real-Time Nonlinear Receding Horizon Control
Authors: Galvani Pedro , Sun Fei , Turkoglu Kamran
Published: August 2016

The work presented in this paper has two major aspects: (i) investigation of a simple, yet efficient model of the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) 5-MW reference wind turbine; (ii) nonlinear control system development through a real-time nonlinear receding horizon control methodology with application to wind turbine control dynamics. In this paper, the results of our simple wind turbine model and a real-time nonlinear control system implementation are shown in comparison with conventional control methods. For this purpose, the wind turbine control problem is converted into an optimization problem and is directly solved by the nonlinear backwards sweep Riccati method to generate the control protocol, which results in a non-iterative algorithm. One main contribution of this paper is that we provide evidence through simulations, that such an advanced control strategy can be used for real-time control of wind turbine dynamics. Examples are provided to validate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented scheme.
Special Issue: Nitrogen Transport and Assimilation in Plants
Authors: Hirel Bertrand , Krapp Anne
Published: August 2016

The doubling of the world’s agricultural production for the past four decades has been associated with a seven-fold increase in nitrogen (N) fertilization [1] which has caused major detrimental impacts onthediversityandfunctioningofthenon-agriculturalbacterial,animalandplantecosystems,notably through the process of freshwater and marine ecosystem eutrophication [2].[...]
Generating Radially and Azimuthally Polarized Beams by Using a Pair of Lateral Displacement Beamsplitters
Authors: Han Chien-Yuan , Wei Zhi-Hao , Hsu Yung , Chen Kun-Huang , Yeh Chien-Hung , Wu Wei-Xuan , Chen Jing-Heng
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes a modified polarization converter for generating radially and azimuthally polarized beams. Based on a Mach–Zehnder-like interferometric structure, the device consists of a pair of lateral displacement beamsplitters (LDBs) and two half-wave plates that manipulate the states of polarization of incident linearly polarized light. Through the coherent superposition of two orthogonal Hermite–Gaussian modes in the far field, radially and azimuthally polarized beams can be obtained simultaneously. A prototype was assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of the design. The proposed design has the advantage of having a simple, symmetric, compact, and robust structure. In addition, the introduction of LDBs substantially reduces the cost of this device. Moreover, the design can be applied to a broadband pulsed laser with considerable potential in high-power applications.
Pencil It in: Exploring the Feasibility of Hand-Drawn Pencil Electrochemical Sensors and Their Direct Comparison to Screen-Printed Electrodes
Authors: Bernalte Elena , Foster Christopher , Brownson Dale , Mosna Morgane , Smith Graham , Banks Craig
Published: August 2016

We explore the fabrication, physicochemical characterisation (SEM, Raman, EDX and XPS) and electrochemical application of hand-drawn pencil electrodes (PDEs) upon an ultra-flexible polyester substrate; investigating the number of draws (used for their fabrication), the pencil grade utilised (HB to 9B) and the electrochemical properties of an array of batches (i.e, pencil boxes). Electrochemical characterisation of the PDEs, using different batches of HB grade pencils, is undertaken using several inner- and outer-sphere redox probes and is critically compared to screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). Proof-of-concept is demonstrated for the electrochemical sensing of dopamine and acetaminophen using PDEs, which are found to exhibit competitive limits of detection (3σ) upon comparison to SPEs. Nonetheless, it is important to note that a clear lack of reproducibility was demonstrated when utilising these PDEs fabricated using the HB pencils from different batches. We also explore the suitability and feasibility of a pencil-drawn reference electrode compared to screen-printed alternatives, to see if one can draw the entire sensing platform. This article reports a critical assessment of these PDEs against that of its screen-printed competitors, questioning the overall feasibility of PDEs’ implementation as a sensing platform.
The Effects of Void on Natural Ventilation Performance in Multi-Storey Housing
Authors: Muhsin Fakhriah , Mohammad Yusoff Wardah , Mohamed Mohd , Sapian Abdul
Published: August 2016

Enhancing natural ventilation performance in multi-storey housing is very important for the living environment in terms of health and thermal comfort purposes. One of the most important design strategies to enhance natural ventilation in multi-storey housing is through the provision of voids. A void is a passive architectural feature, which is located in the middle of deep plan buildings. It is very crucial to consider the configurations of voids in the buildings for enhancing natural ventilation, especially for multi-storey housing. In this study, Malaysian Medium Cost Multi-Storey Housing (MMCMSH), which is an example of multi-storey housing located in a suburban area, has been selected in this study. This study aims to investigate the potential of void for enhancing natural ventilation performance in multi-storey housing by the comparison of two different void configurations. Field measurement of MMCMSH has been conducted to validate Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model and Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) is an important parameter for setting up the CFD Model’s domain. Ventilation rate (Q), which is necessary for comfort and health reasons, is an important parameter for the comparison of the different void configurations. This study revealed that the provision of void can enhance natural ventilation performance in multi-storey housing with an increase in the value of Q, from 3.44% to 40.07%, by enlarging the void’s width by 50% compared to the existing void.
Entropy-Based Modeling of Velocity Lag in Sediment-Laden Open Channel Turbulent Flow
Authors: Kumbhakar Manotosh , Kundu Snehasis , Ghoshal Koeli , Singh Vijay
Published: August 2016

In the last few decades, a wide variety of instruments with laser-based techniques have been developed that enable experimentally measuring particle velocity and fluid velocity separately in particle-laden flow. Experiments have revealed that stream-wise particle velocity is different from fluid velocity, and this velocity difference is commonly known as “velocity lag” in the literature. A number of experimental, as well as theoretical investigations have been carried out to formulate deterministic mathematical models of velocity lag, based on several turbulent features. However, a probabilistic study of velocity lag does not seem to have been reported, to the best of our knowledge. The present study therefore focuses on the modeling of velocity lag in open channel turbulent flow laden with sediment using the entropy theory along with a hypothesis on the cumulative distribution function. This function contains a parameter η, which is shown to be a function of specific gravity, particle diameter and shear velocity. The velocity lag model is tested using a wide range of twenty-two experimental runs collected from the literature and is also compared with other models of velocity lag. Then, an error analysis is performed to further evaluate the prediction accuracy of the proposed model, especially in comparison to other models. The model is also able to explain the physical characteristics of velocity lag caused by the interaction between the particles and the fluid.
Miniaturized Blood Pressure Telemetry System with RFID Interface
Authors: Caldara Michele , Nodari Benedetta , Re Valerio , Bonandrini Barbara
Published: August 2016

This work deals with the development and characterization of a potentially implantable blood pressure telemetry system, based on an active Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15693 compliant. This approach aims to continuously measure the average, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the small/medium animals. The measured pressure wave undergoes embedded processing and results are stored onboard in a non-volatile memory, providing the data under interrogation by an external RFID reader. In order to extend battery lifetime, RFID energy harvesting has been investigated. The paper presents the experimental characterization in a laboratory and preliminary in-vivo tests. The device is a prototype mainly intended, in a future engineered version, for monitoring freely moving test animals for pharmaceutical research and drug safety assessment purposes, but it could have multiple uses in environmental and industrial applications.
Comparison of Nitrogen Depletion and Repletion on Lipid Production in Yeast and Fungal Species
Authors: Yang Shihui , Wang Wei , Wei Hui , Van Wychen Stefanie , Pienkos Philip , Zhang Min , Himmel Michael
Published: August 2016

Although it is well known that low nitrogen stimulates lipid accumulation, especially for algae and some oleaginous yeast, few studies have been conducted in fungal species, especially on the impact of different nitrogen deficiency strategies. In this study, we use two promising consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) candidates to examine the impact of two nitrogen deficiency strategies on lipid production, which are the extensively investigated oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, and the commercial cellulase producer Trichoderma reesei. We first utilized bioinformatics approaches to reconstruct the fatty acid metabolic pathway and demonstrated the presence of a triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis pathway in Trichoderma reesei. We then examined the lipid production of Trichoderma reesei and Y. lipomyces in different media using two nitrogen deficiency strategies of nitrogen natural repletion and nitrogen depletion through centrifugation. Our results demonstrated that nitrogen depletion was better than nitrogen repletion with about 30% lipid increase for Trichoderma reesei and Y. lipomyces, and could be an option to improve lipid production in both oleaginous yeast and filamentous fungal species. The resulting distinctive lipid composition profiles indicated that the impacts of nitrogen depletion on yeast were different from those for fungal species. Under three types of C/N ratio conditions, C16 and C18 fatty acids were the predominant forms of lipids for both Trichoderma reesei and Y. lipolytica. While the overall fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles of Trichoderma reesei were similar, the overall FAME profiles of Y. lipolytica observed a shift. The fatty acid metabolic pathway reconstructed in this work supports previous reports of lipid production in T. reesei, and provides a pathway for future omics studies and metabolic engineering efforts. Further investigation to identify the genetic targets responsible for the effect of nitrogen depletion on lipid production improvement will facilitate strain engineering to boost lipid production under more optimal conditions for productivity than those required for nitrogen depletion.
Eliminating Illegal Timber Consumption or Production: Which Is the More Economical Means to Reduce Illegal Logging?
Authors: Zhang Xiaobiao , Xu Bin , Wang Lei , Yang Aijun , Yang Hongqiang
Published: August 2016

Illegal logging, with its related trade of illegally harvested timber, is one of the main environmental and economic problems worldwide. Eliminating illegal timber consumption and production are two practical means to reduce illegal logging. However, the problem of determining which of the two means is more economical remains to be analyzed. In this study, an input–output analysis was conducted to evaluate the consumption and production of illegal timber in different countries. The Global Forest Products Model (GFPM) was employed to analyze the effects of eliminating illegal timber consumption and production on the added value of the forest sector at global and national levels. Results indicated that eliminating illegal timber production is more economical than eliminating consumption at the global level. The former is estimated to decrease the added value of the global forest sector only by 3.37% compared to 7.31% by the latter in 2030. Eliminating the production of illegal timber will result in uneven distribution of social wealth in the forest sector, and will pass the cost of reducing illegal logging onto developing countries. Developed countries would gain more added value and market scale than the global average, whereas developing countries would suffer a loss if illegal timber production is eliminated. Hence, developed countries are encouraged to provide financial support to help developing countries reduce illegal logging.
Experimental Study on Full-Scale Beams Made by Reinforced Alkali Activated Concrete Undergoing Flexure
Authors: Monfardini Linda , Minelli Fausto
Published: August 2016

Alkali Activated Concrete (AAC) is an alternative kind of concrete that uses fly ash as a total replacement of Portland cement. Fly ash combined with alkaline solution and cured at high temperature reacts to form a binder. Four point bending tests on two full scale beams made with AAC are described in this paper. Companion small material specimens were also casted with the aim of properly characterizing this new tailored material. The beam’s length was 5000 mm and the cross section was 200 mm × 300 mm. The AAC consisted of fly ash, water, sand 0–4 mm and coarse aggregate 6–10 mm; and the alkaline solution consisted of sodium hydroxide mixed with sodium silicate. No cement was utilized. The maximum aggregate size was 10 mm; fly ash was type F, containing a maximum calcium content of 2%. After a rest period of two days, the beam was cured at 60 °C for 24 h. Data collected and critically discussed included beam deflection, crack patterns, compressive and flexural strength and elastic modulus. Results show how AAC behavior is comparable with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) based materials. Nonlinear numerical analyses are finally reported, promoting a better understanding of the structural response.
Protein/Peptide Aggregation and Amyloidosis on Biointerfaces
Authors: Lu Qi , Tang Qiuhan , Xiong Yuting , Qing Guangyan , Sun Taolei
Published: August 2016

Recently, studies of protein/peptide aggregation, particularly the amyloidosis, have attracted considerable attention in discussions of the pathological mechanisms of most neurodegenerative diseases. The protein/peptide aggregation processes often occur at the membrane–cytochylema interface in vivo and behave differently from those occurring in bulk solution, which raises great interest to investigate how the interfacial properties of artificial biomaterials impact on protein aggregation. From the perspective of bionics, current progress in this field has been obtained mainly from four aspects: (1) hydrophobic–hydrophilic interfaces; (2) charged surface; (3) chiral surface; and (4) biomolecule-related interfaces. The specific physical and chemical environment provided by these interfaces is reported to strongly affect the adsorption of proteins, transition of protein conformation, and diffusion of proteins on the biointerface, all of which are ultimately related to protein assembly. Meanwhile, these compelling results of in vitro experiments can greatly promote the development of early diagnostics and therapeutics for the relevant neurodegenerative diseases. This paper presents a brief review of these appealing studies, and particular interests are placed on weak interactions (i.e., hydrogen bonding and stereoselective interactions) that are also non-negligible in driving amyloid aggregation at the interfaces. Moreover, this paper also proposes the future perspectives, including the great opportunities and challenges in this field as well.
Cold Agglomeration of Ultrafine Oxidized Dust (UOD) from Ferromanganese and Silicomanganese Industrial Process
Authors: Ordiales María , Iglesias Juan , Fernández-González Daniel , Sancho-Gorostiaga José , Fuentes Alberto , Verdeja Luis
Published: August 2016

Different wastes are generated in ferromanganese and silicomanganese alloy production. One of them is the ultrafine oxidized dust (UOD) produced in the collection and control of flying dusts in the ferroalloy industry. This waste has fairly high manganese content (20%–40% Mn), making it suitable to be a secondary raw material for the ferromanganese industry. This research proposes a method for the transformation of UOD into a useable raw material. Cold agglomeration is the best option, due to its low energy consumption. Portland cement and refractory cement are compared as suitable candidates in the management of the UOD for their reuse in the electric arc furnace feed.
Devising Strain Hardening Models Using Kocks–Mecking Plots—A Comparison of Model Development for Titanium Aluminides and Case Hardening Steel
Authors: Bambach Markus , Sizova Irina , Bolz Sebastian , Weiß Sabine
Published: August 2016

The present study focuses on the development of strain hardening models taking into account the peculiarities of titanium aluminides. In comparison to steels, whose behavior has been studied extensively in the past, titanium aluminides possess a much larger initial work hardening rate, a sharp peak stress and pronounced softening. The work hardening behavior of a TNB-V4 (Ti–44.5Al–6.25Nb–0.8Mo–0.1B) alloy is studied using isothermal hot compression tests conducted on a Gleeble 3500 simulator, and compared to the typical case hardening steel 25MoCrS4. The behavior is analyzed with the help of the Kocks-Mecking plots. In contrast to steel the TNB-V4 alloy shows a non-linear course of θ (i.e., no stage-III hardening) initially and exhibits neither a plateau (stage IV hardening) nor an inflection point at all deformation conditions. The present paper describes the development and application of a methodology for the design of strain hardening models for the TNB-V4 alloy and the 25CrMoS4 steel by taking the course of the Kocks-Mecking plots into account. Both models use different approaches for the hardening and softening mechanisms and accurately predict the flow stress over a wide range of deformation conditions. The methodology may hence assist in further developments of more sophisticated physically-based strain hardening models for TiAl-alloys.
Three Novel Triterpenoids from Taraxacum officinale Roots
Authors: Kikuchi Takashi , Tanaka Ayaka , Uriuda Mayu , Yamada Takeshi , Tanaka Reiko
Published: August 2016

Three novel lupane-, bauerane-, and euphane-type triterpenoids (1–3), in addition to seven known triterpenoids (4–10)—18β,19β-epoxy-21β-hydroxylupan-3β-yl acetate (4), 21-oxolup-18-en-3β-yl acetate (5), betulin (6), officinatrione (7), 11α-methoxyolean-12-en-3-one (8), eupha-7,24-dien-3-one (9), and 24-oxoeupha-7,24-dien-3β-yl acetate (10)—were isolated from the roots of Taraxacum officinale. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D-NMR spectra and electron ionization mass spectrometry (EIMS). The effects of compounds 1–10 on the production of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages were evaluated. Compounds 4, 6, and 10 exhibited similar NO inhibitory activities to NG-monomethyl-l-arginine acetate (l-NMMA). These compounds did not exhibit cytotoxicity at an effective concentration. The results of present study suggest that compounds 4, 6, and 10 have potential as anti-inflammatory disease agents.
The Protective Effect of Melittin on Renal Fibrosis in an Animal Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
Authors: An Hyun-Jin , Kim Jung-Yeon , Kim Woon-Hae , Han Sang-Mi , Park Kwan-Kyu
Published: August 2016

Renal fibrosis is the principal pathological process underlying the progression of chronic kidney disease that leads to end-stage renal disease. Melittin is a major component of bee venom, and it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties in various cell types. Thus, this study examined the therapeutic effects of melittin on the progression of renal fibrosis using the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model. In addition, the effects of melittin on inflammation and fibrosis in renal fibroblast cells were explored using transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Histological observation revealed that UUO induced a considerable increase in the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. However, melittin treatment markedly reduced these reactions compared with untreated UUO mice. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and pro-fibrotic genes were significantly reduced in melittin-treated mice compared with UUO mice. Melittin also effectively inhibited fibrosis-related gene expression in renal fibroblasts NRK-49F cells. These findings suggest that melittin attenuates renal fibrosis and reduces inflammatory responses by the suppression of multiple growth factor-mediated pro-fibrotic genes. In conclusion, melittin may be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of fibrosis that characterizes the progression of chronic kidney disease.
Arginine: New Insights into Growth Performance and Urinary Metabolomic Profiles of Rats
Authors: Liu Guangmang , Wu Xianjian , Jia Gang , Chen Xiaoling , Zhao Hua , Wang Jing , Wu Caimei , Cai Jingyi
Published: August 2016

Arginine regulates growth performance, nutrient metabolism and health effects, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of dietary arginine supplementation on rat growth performance and urinary metabolome through 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Twenty rats were randomly assigned to two groups supplemented with 0% or 1.0% l-arginine for 4 weeks. Urine samples were analyzed through NMR-based metabolomics. Arginine supplementation significantly increased the urine levels of 4-aminohippurate, acetate, creatine, creatinine, ethanolamine, formate, hippurate, homogentisate, indoxyl sulfate, and phenylacetyglycine. Conversely, arginine decreased the urine levels of acetamide, β-glucose, cirtulline, ethanol, glycine, isobutyrate, lactate, malonate, methymalonate, N-acetylglutamate, N-methylnicotinamide, and propionate. Results suggested that arginine can alter common systemic metabolic processes, including energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and gut microbiota metabolism. Moreover, the results also imply a possible physiological role of the metabolism in mediating the arginine supplementation-supported growth of rats.