bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Policy Brief Assignment: Transferable Skills in Action in a Community-Engaged Writing Project
Authors: Grobman Laurie
Published: July 2018

The policy brief assignment in my capstone course in professional writing was designed as a community-engaged project in partnership with a nonprofit organization whose mission is to grow Reading, Pennsylvania's economy. The assignment was intended to do real work in the world: the nonprofit's director, a city council member, and an outreach manager for the city of Reading plan to use the policy briefs to convince Reading's City Council to adopt the recommended policies to enhance citizen participation and representation in local governance and to address deficiencies identified through the STAR Community Rating System(r) (STAR), the nation's leading sustainability framework and certification program (STAR 2016). I welcomed the collaboration and designed the assignment with the goal that students would experience what writing faculty always tell them: fundamental concepts in composition and rhetoric/writing studies are operational in the workplace, and understanding writing and communication rhetorically opens up possibilities for them to enter diverse and unfamiliar writing contexts. Students successfully researched, synthesized, organized, and clearly communicated information in a content area and genre new to them. They presented their policy briefs in written and electronic form to the community partners and explained their work in oral presentations. It was an exciting, nerve-wracking, and challenging endeavor, and, as I will describe, the periods of dissonance led to the best learning experiences--for students and for me.
Flipped Classroom Activity Using the PTA Model in an Introductory Sociology Course
Authors: Sardi Lauren M
Published: July 2018

This scaffolded writing-to-learn activity incorporates a number of Writing Across the Curriculum-based suggestions that draw upon the strengths of student reflection, the PTA (prioritization, translation, and analogization) model of concentric thinking, and the benefits of a flipped-classroom approach to learning. Thus, the purpose of this article is to explain what one model for structuring a flipped classroom that purposefully integrates writing in the PTA model looks like and to provide a concrete example of a flipped-classroom activity that I have utilized in numerous introductory sociology courses.
Grammar Jam: Adding a Creative Editing Tactic
Authors: Gillespie David
Published: July 2018

The author argues reading, hearing, and then composing musical lyrics involving grammatical concerns can help college writing students to edit more effectively for a song's grammar topic. Explaining that the songs need to offer specific advice, such as how to both spot and correct the grammatical problem, the writer offers lyrical examples and provides scholarly evidence for this approach. The essay explains what Grammar Jam is, why music can work, and how to use the tactic in the classroom.
Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Stressful Environments: Needs Interfere with Burdens
Authors: Feller Urs , Kopriva Stanislav , Vassileva Valya
Published: July 2018

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Joint Determination of Improved Variety Adoption, Productivity and Efficiency of Pulse Production in Bangladesh: A Sample-Selection Stochastic Frontier Approach
Authors: Rahman Sanzidur , Matin Md. Abdul , Hasan Md. Kamrul
Published: July 2018

Pulses are an important source of protein and have recently gained international prominence. This paper jointly identifies the determinants of improved variety adoption, productivity and efficiency of 2700 pulse producers from 10 pulse-growing districts of Bangladesh using a Sample-selection Stochastic Production Frontier model. Result revealed that the decision to adopt improved pulse technology is significantly influenced by yield, farming experience, education and extension contact while subsistence pressure discourages adoption. Land, fertilizer, mechanical power, pesticides and labour are the significant determinants of improved pulse productivity. Productivity is significantly lower for improved varieties of lentil, blackgram and chickpea as compared to mungbean and for farmers who use own-sourced seed. Location of the growing area does matter. Improved pulse productivity is significantly higher in five of the ten districts. The mean level of technical efficiency of improved pulses is estimated at 0.73, implying that productivity can be substantially improved by eliminating inefficiency. Policy implications include investments in R&D and extension services by involving farmers in R&D endeavours and enhancing farmer-based seed production and distribution schemes to develop and disseminate improved pulse technology, improving farmers’ education and tenurial reforms to facilitate smooth operation of the land market and mechanical power services to increase pulse productivity and production in Bangladesh.
Durum Wheat Breeding: In the Heat of the Senegal River
Authors: Sall Amadou T. , Bassi Filippo M. , Cisse Madiama , Gueye Habibou , Ndoye Ibrahima , Filali-Maltouf Abdelkarim , Ortiz Rodomiro
Published: July 2018

Global warming may cause +4 °C temperature increases before the end of this century. Heat tolerant bred-germplasm remains the most promising method to ensure farm productivity under this scenario. A global set of 384 durum wheat accessions were exposed to very high temperatures occurring along the Senegal River at two sites for two years. The goal was to identify germplasm with enhanced tolerance to heat. There was significant variation for all traits. The genetic (G) effect accounted for >15% of the total variation, while the genotype by environment interaction (G × E) reached 25%. A selection index that combines G and a G × E wide adaptation index was used to identify stable high yielding germplasm. Forty-eight accessions had a stable grain yield above the average (2.7 t ha−1), with the three top lines above 3.5 t ha−1. Flowering time, spike fertility and harvest index were the most critical traits for heat tolerance, while 1000-kernel weight and spike density only had environment-specific effects. Testing of six subpopulations for grain yield across heat-prone sites revealed an even distribution among clusters, thus showing the potential of this panel for dissecting heat tolerance via association genetics.
Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Properties in Colored Tiggiano Carrots
Authors: Scarano Aurelia , Gerardi Carmela , D’Amico Leone , Accogli Rita , Santino Angelo
Published: July 2018

The carrot (Daucus carota L.) is an important vegetable source of bioactive compounds in the human diet. In the Apulia region (Southern Italy), local farmers have domesticated colored landraces of carrots over the years, strictly related to local cults and traditions. Amongst these, an important landrace is the carrot of Saint Ippazio or the Tiggiano carrot. In the present study, we evaluated the content of carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidant activity in Tiggiano carrots. Our results indicated that yellow-purple carrots have the highest levels of bioactive compounds, together with the highest antioxidant capacity compared to the yellow and cultivated orange varieties. These data point out the nutritional value of purple Tiggiano carrots and may contribute to the valorization of this typical landrace.
Relay Intercropping with Cover Crops Improved Autumn Forage Potential of Sweet Maize Stover
Authors: Lauriault Leonard M. , Guldan Steven J. , Popiel-Powers Fernanda G. , Steiner Robert L. , Martin Charles A. , Heyduck Robert F. , Falk Constance L. , Petersen Mark K. , May Tammy
Published: July 2018

Maize (Zea mays L.) stover is used globally as winter feed for livestock but the nutritive value is low, requiring supplementation. A 2-year randomized complete block study with three replicates at New Mexico State University’s Alcalde Sustainable Agriculture Science Center compared sweet maize (Zea mays var. rugosa; maize-alone) with sweet maize relay intercropped with oat (Avena sativa L.; maize-oat) or turnip (Brassica rapa L.; maize-turnip). Relay intercropping had no effect (p > 0.05) on sweet maize stover dry matter (DM) yield and there was no difference in aboveground biomass DM yield of the intercropped species. Turnip aboveground biomass had greater crude protein concentration and 48-h in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) than oat aboveground biomass. Relay intercropping with turnip improved sweet maize stover IVDMD (443, 439, and 515 g IVDMD kg−1 for maize-alone, maize-oat, and maize-turnip, respectively, p < 0.0001). Intercropping increased animal gains compared to maize-alone (0.36, 0.52, and 0.59 kg/day for maize-alone, maize-oat, and maize-turnip, respectively, p < 0.02), likely due to provision of additional crude protein. Relay intercropping oat or turnip into sweet maize is viable for improving sweet maize stover for fall forage. In addition turnip, specifically, had a positive effect on stover nutritive value.
Nitrate Assimilation Limits Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Loussaert Dale , Clapp Josh , Mongar Nick , O’Neill Dennis P. , Shen Bo
Published: July 2018

Grain yield in maize responds to N fertility in a linear-plateau fashion with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) higher under lower N fertilities and less as grain yield plateaus. Field experiments were used to identify plant parameters relative for improved NUE in maize and then experiments were performed under controlled conditions to elucidate metabolism controlling these parameters. Field experiments showed reproductive parameters, including R1 ear-weight, predictive of N response under both high and low NUE conditions. R1 ear-weight could be changed by varying nitrate concentrations early during reproductive development but from V12 onward R1 ear-weight could be changed little by increasing or decreasing nitrate fertility. Ammonia, on the other hand, could rescue R1 ear-weight as late as V15 suggesting nitrate assimilation (NA) limits ear development response to N fertility since bypassing NA can rescue R1 ear-weight. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA (in vitro)) increases linearly with nitrate fertility but in vivo nitrate reductase activity (NRA (in vivo)) follows organic N accumulation, peaking at sufficient levels of nitrate fertility. The bulk of the increase in total plant N at high levels of nitrate fertility is due to increased plant nitrate concentration. Increasing NADH levels by selective co-suppression of ubiquinone oxidoreductase 51 kDa subunit (Complex I) was associated with improved grain yield by increasing ear size, as judged by increased kernel number plant−1 (KNP), and increased NRA (in vivo) without a change in NRA (in vitro). These results support NUE is limited in maize by NA but not by nitrate uptake or NRA (in vitro).
A Nonlinear Crack Model for Concrete Structure Based on an Extended Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method
Authors: Li Jian-bo , Gao Xin , Fu Xing-an , Wu Chenglin , Lin Gao
Published: July 2018

Fracture mechanics is one of the most important approaches to structural safety analysis. Modeling the fracture process zone (FPZ) is critical to understand the nonlinear cracking behavior of heterogeneous quasi-brittle materials such as concrete. In this work, a nonlinear extended scaled boundary finite element method (X-SBFEM) was developed incorporating the cohesive fracture behavior of concrete. This newly developed model consists of an iterative procedure to accurately model the traction distribution within the FPZ accounting for the cohesive interactions between crack surfaces. Numerical validations were conducted on both of the concrete beam and dam structures with various loading conditions. The results show that the proposed nonlinear X-SBFEM is capable of modeling the nonlinear fracture propagation process considering the effect of cohesive interactions, thereby yielding higher precisions than the linear X-SBFEM approach.
Synthesis and Investigation of Thermal Properties of Highly Pure Carboxylic Fatty Esters to Be Used as PCM
Authors: Ravotti Rebecca , Fellmann Oliver , Lardon Nicolas , Fischer Ludger J. , Stamatiou Anastasia , Worlitschek Jörg
Published: July 2018

Latent heat storage systems are gaining the attention of researchers as possible substitutes to conventional sensible heat storage systems due to their compactness and their ability to absorb and release heat almost isothermally. Among the Phase Change Materials (PCM) for energy storage studied so far, esters are believed to show promising properties. In particular, a broad range of melting temperatures, little to no supercooling, low corrosivity, chemical and thermal stability, and high enthalpies of fusion are reported. Many esters have the advantage of being bio-based and biodegradable, making them more sustainable in comparison to other popular PCM. Still, a clear lack of experimental data exists in regards to this class. In the present study, esters derived from saturated fatty carboxylic acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, behenic), coupled with primary linear alcohols of different length (methanol, 1-decanol) were synthesized through Fischer esterification and their properties were investigated. Purities higher than 89% were obtained for all cases as proven by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Additionally, the esters’ formation and reaction kinetics were characterized by attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The esters produced showed to possess relatively high enthalpies of fusion above 190 J/g and thermal stability over three repeated cycles with differential scanning calorimetry. The melting points measured ranged between 20 °C and 50 °C, therefore proving to be interesting candidates for low-medium temperature applications such as heating and cooling in buildings. A correlation could be observed between the chemical structure and melting point of the produced esters. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis revealed a higher thermal resistance for esters with longer aliphatic chains in comparison to shorter-chained ones.
Estimating Parameters of the Induction Machine by the Polynomial Regression
Authors: Wu Rong-Ching , Tseng Yuan-Wei , Chen Cheng-Yi
Published: July 2018

Parameter identification of an induction machine is of great importance in numerous industrial applications. This paper used time-varied signals of voltage, current, and rotor speed to compute the equivalent circuit parameters, moment of inertia, and friction coefficient of an induction machine. The theoretical impedance-slip rate characteristic curve of the induction machine can be expressed as a polynomial fraction, so that a proper polynomial fraction can obtain complete and accurate parameters. A time-varied impedance can be found by the time-varied voltage and current. From the variation of impedance to the rotor speed, the parameters of the equivalent circuit can be found. According to the equivalent circuit and rotor speed, the torque can be determined via dynamic simulation. On the basis of torque and rotor speed with time, the moment of inertia and friction coefficient of the motor can then be obtained. Advantages of this method include the ability to obtain the optimal value via only one calculation, without the requirement of any initial value, and the avoidance of any local optimal solution. In this paper, the analysis of a practical induction machine was used as an example to illustrate the practical application.
An Anonymous Mutual Authenticated Key Agreement Scheme for Wearable Sensors in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Chen Chien-Ming , Xiang Bing , Wu Tsu-Yang , Wang King-Hang
Published: July 2018

The advancement of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN) have led to significant progress in medical and health care systems. However, such networks still suffer from major security and privacy threats, especially for the data collected in medical or health care applications. Lack of security and existence of anonymous communication in WBAN brings about the operation failure of these networks. Recently, Li et al. proposed a lightweight protocol for wearable sensors in wireless body area networks. In their paper, the authors claimed that the protocol may provide anonymous mutual authentication and resist against various types of attacks. This study shows that such a protocol is still vulnerable to three types of attacks, i.e., the offline identity guessing attack, the sensor node impersonation attack and the hub node spoofing attack. We then present a secure scheme that addresses these problems, and retains similar efficiency in wireless sensors nodes and mobile phones.
An Approach to Estimate Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Total Columns Mole Fraction from Partial Column Sampling
Authors: Tadić Jovan M. , Biraud Sébastien C.
Published: July 2018

This study presents a new conceptual approach to estimate total column mole fractions of CO2 and CH4 using partial column data. It provides a link between airborne in situ and remote sensing observations of greenhouse gases. The method relies on in situ observations, external ancillary sources of information (e.g., atmospheric transport models), and a regression kriging framework. We evaluate our new approach using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) AirCore program—in situ vertical profiles of CO2 and CH4 collected from weather balloons. Our paper shows that under the specific conditions of this study and assumption of unbiasedness, airborne observations up to 6500–9500 m altitude are required to achieve comparable total column CO2 mole fraction uncertainty as the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) network provides, given as a precision of the ratio between observed and true total column-integrated mole fraction, assuming 400 ppm XCO2 (2σ, e.g., 0.8 ppm). If properly calibrated, our approach could be applied to vertical profiles of CO2 collected from aircraft using a few flask samples, while retaining similar uncertainty level. Our total column CH4 estimates, by contrast, are less accurate than TCCON’s. Aircrafts are not as spatially constrained as TCCON ground stations, so our approach adds value to aircraft-based vertical profiles for evaluating remote sensing platforms.
Laboratory Hydrogen-Beta Emission Spectroscopy for Analysis of Astrophysical White Dwarf Spectra
Authors: Parigger Christian G. , Drake Kyle A. , Helstern Christopher M. , Gautam Ghaneshwar
Published: July 2018

This work communicates a review on Balmer series hydrogen beta line measurements and applications for analysis of white dwarf stars. Laser-induced plasma investigations explore electron density and temperature ranges comparable to white dwarf star signatures such as Sirius B, the companion to the brightest star observable from the earth. Spectral line shape characteristics of the hydrogen beta line include width, peak separation, and central dip-shift, thereby providing three indicators for electron density measurements. The hydrogen alpha line shows two primary line-profile parameters for electron density determination, namely, width and shift. Both Boltzmann plot and line-to-continuum ratios yield temperature. The line-shifts recorded with temporally- and spatially-resolved optical emission spectroscopy of hydrogen plasma in laboratory settings can be larger than gravitational redshifts that occur in absorption spectra from radiating white dwarfs. Published astrophysical spectra display significantly diminished Stark or pressure broadening contributions to red-shifted atomic lines. Gravitational redshifts allow one to assess the ratio of mass and radius of these stars, and, subsequently, the mass from cooling models.
Collocation Methods for Volterra Integral and Integro-Differential Equations: A Review
Authors: Cardone Angelamaria , Conte Dajana , D’Ambrosio Raffaele , Paternoster Beatrice
Published: July 2018

We present a collection of recent results on the numerical approximation of Volterra integral equations and integro-differential equations by means of collocation type methods, which are able to provide better balances between accuracy and stability demanding. We consider both exact and discretized one-step and multistep collocation methods, and illustrate main convergence results, making some comparisons in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Some numerical experiments complete the paper.
The Effect of Training-Induced Visual Imageability on Electrophysiological Correlates of Novel Word Processing
Authors: Bechtold Laura , Ghio Marta , Bellebaum Christian
Published: July 2018

The concreteness effect (CE) describes a processing advantage for concrete over abstract words. Electrophysiologically, the CE manifests in higher N400 and N700 amplitudes for concrete words. The contribution of the stimulus-inherent imageability to the electrophysiological correlates of the CE is not yet fully unraveled. This EEG study focused on the role of imageability irrespective of concreteness by examining the effects of training-induced visual imageability on the processing of novel words. In two training sessions, 21 healthy participants learned to associate novel words with pictures of novel objects as well as electron-microscopical structures and were additionally familiarized with novel words without any picture association. During a post-training EEG session, participants categorized trained novel words with or without picture association, together with real concrete and abstract words. Novel words associated with novel object pictures during the training elicited a higher N700 than familiarized novel words without picture-association. Crucially, this training-induced N700 effect resembled the CE found for real words. However, a CE on the N400 was found for real words, but no effect of imageability in novel words. The results suggest that the N400 CE for real words depends on the integration of multiple semantic features, while mere visual imageability might contribute to the CE in the N700 time window.
Industrial Developmental Toxicants and Congenital Heart Disease in Urban and Rural Alberta, Canada
Authors: Ngwezi Deliwe P. , Hornberger Lisa K. , Serrano-Lomelin Jesus , Nielsen Charlene C. , Fruitman Deborah , Osornio-Vargas Alvaro
Published: July 2018

The etiology of congenital heart defects (CHD) is not known for many affected patients. In the present study, we examined the association between industrial emissions and CHD in urban and rural Alberta. We acquired the emissions data reported in the Canadian National Pollutant Release Inventory (n = 18) and identified CHD patients born in Alberta from 2003–2010 (n = 2413). We identified three groups of emissions after principal component analysis: Groups 1, 2, and 3. The distribution of exposure to the postal codes with births was determined using an inverse distance weighted approach. Poisson or negative binomial regression models helped estimate associations (relative risk (RR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI)) adjusted for socioeconomic status and two criteria pollutants: nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter with a mean aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 micrometers. The adjusted RR in urban settings was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.3) for Group 1 and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.3, 1.6) for both Groups 2 and 3. In rural postal codes, Groups 1 and 3 emissions had a RR of 2.6 (95% CI: 1.03, 7). Associations were only observed in postal codes with the highest levels of emissions and maps demonstrated that regions with very high exposures were sparse.
Lifetime and Fluorescence Quantum Yield of Two Fluorescein-Amino Acid-Based Compounds in Different Organic Solvents and Gold Colloidal Suspensions
Authors: Pilla Viviane , Gonçalves Augusto C. , Dos Santos Alcindo A. , Lodeiro Carlos
Published: July 2018

Fluorescein and its derivatives are yellowish-green emitting dyes with outstanding potential in advanced molecular probes for different applications. In this work, two fluorescent compounds containing fluorescein and an amino acid residue (compounds 1 and 2) were photophysically explored. Compounds 1 and 2 were previously synthesized via ester linkage between fluorescein ethyl ester and Boc-ser (TMS)-OH or Boc-cys(4-methyl benzyl)-OH. Studies on the time-resolved fluorescence lifetime and relative fluorescence quantum yield (φ) were performed for 1 and 2 diluted in acetonitrile, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and tetrahydrofuran solvents. The discussion considered the dielectric constants of the studied solvents (range between 7.5 and 47.2) and the photophysical parameters. The results of the lifetime and φ were compared with those obtained for compounds 1, 2 and fluorescein without an amino acid residue in alkaline aqueous solutions. Moreover, as a preliminary result compound 2 (S-cysteine) was tested in the presence of gold nanoparticles as an aggregation colorimetric probe.
Electrochemical Deposition of Ni–W Crack-Free Coatings
Authors: Suvorov Dmitriy V. , Gololobov Gennady P. , Tarabrin Dmitriy Yu. , Slivkin Evgeniy V. , Karabanov Sergey M. , Tolstoguzov Alexander
Published: July 2018

The main features of electrochemical deposition of coatings based on Ni–W binary alloy in the pulse current mode using pyrophosphate electrolytes were studied. Two electrolytes with a pH of 8.7 and 9.5 were used. The deposition was carried out with the current density varying in the range of 0.01–0.1 A·cm−2, and the duty cycle (the relative pulse duration) was changed within the range 20–100%. The surface morphology and elemental and phase composition of the coatings were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis and X-ray diffractometry. The experimental conditions allowing us to achieve the maximum Faradaic efficiency and W content in the coatings were determined. It was found that the pulse current mode enabled the fabrication of crack-free coatings with a thickness greater than 6 μm.
Antioxidant and Moisturizing Effect of Camellia assamica Seed Oil and Its Development into Microemulsion
Authors: Chaiyana Wantida , Leelapornpisid Pimporn , Jakmunee Jaroon , Korsamphan Chawalit
Published: July 2018

The present study aimed to investigate the fatty acid content, and antioxidant and moisturizing effect of Camellia assamica seed oil (CA). Additionally, microemulsions containing CA were also developed for topical use. The antioxidant activity of CA and two commercial Camellia oleifera seed oils were investigated by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy radical (DPPH) assay and lipid peroxidation by ferric thiocyanate method. Moreover, the in vitro skin moisturizing effect was investigated on stillborn piglet skin by using a Corneometer®. CA microemulsions were developed and characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy, rheometer, and heating-cooling stability tests. The results revealed that the major fatty acid components of CA were cis-9-oleic acid, cis-9,12-linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. CA had a significantly higher lipid peroxidation inhibition and DPPH scavenging capacity compared to the commercial oils (p < 0.05). Lipid peroxidation inhibition of CA was 39.2% ± 0.6% at 37.5 mg/mL and the IC50 value of DPPH assay was 70.8 ± 27.1 mg/mL. The skin moisture content after applying CA, commercial oils, and tocopheryl acetate were significantly higher than untreated skin (p < 0.05) and the moisturizing efficacy increased with time. Interestingly, radical scavenging and antioxidant effect of CA microemulsions were significantly higher than the native oil even after the stability test (p < 0.05). In conclusion, incorporating CA into microemulsion increased its antioxidant activity indicating that it would be beneficial as a cosmeceutical application for anti-aging.
A Black Start Scheme Based on Modular Multilevel Control-High Voltage Direct Current
Authors: Li Zecheng , Tan Guojun
Published: July 2018

Modern society’s need for power and its dependence on power sources is increasing with its development. As a result the consequences of blackout accidents have become more serious. At present, only three sources can be regarded as black-start power sources, namely Line Commutate Converter-High Voltage Direct Current (LCC-HVDC), Voltage Source Converter-High Voltage Direct Current (VSC-HVDC), and microgrids. The potential of these three sources has already been demonstrated. Lately, VSC-HVDC primarily uses the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology structure, also known as MMC-HVDC. Some domestic and foreign papers have also proposed using VSC-HVDC as a black-start power source for large power failures. However, most of these studies have analyzed only 2-level or 3-level VSC-HVDC topologies and there is no MMC topology for VSC-HVDC analysis. Therefore, the conclusion that VSC-HVDC can be used as black-start power source cannot be held true for a MMC-HVDC structures. To understand the characteristics of MMC-HVDC as a black-start power source, it is necessary to analyze the MMC-HVDC converter and do a comprehensive assessment of its performance as a black-start power source. This study analyzes the feasibility of MMC-HVDC as a start power source for black start from with regards to three aspects, namely the working principle, control strategy, and implementation scheme. We designed a corresponding MMC-HVDC control strategy depending upon the analysis result. Moreover, a complete power grid restoration process is also designed according to the black-start scheme principle, which is based on the theory of MMC-HVDC as a black start power source. Finally, the whole black start process is performed in PSCAD/EMTDC. The simulation results show that the voltage and frequency of system are maintained in a steady range during the black start realization process and the validity of MMC-HVDC as a black start power source is also verified.
Monitoring Deforestation in Rainforests Using Satellite Data: A Pilot Study from Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Hadi  , Krasovskii Andrey , Maus Victor , Yowargana Ping , Pietsch Stephan , Rautiainen Miina
Published: July 2018

Monitoring large forest areas is presently feasible with satellite remote sensing as opposed to time-consuming and expensive ground surveys as alternative. This study evaluated, for the first time, the potential of using freely available medium resolution (30 m) Landsat time series data for deforestation monitoring in tropical rainforests of Kalimantan, Indonesia, at sub-annual time scales. A simple, generic, data-driven algorithm for deforestation detection based on a consecutive anomalies criterion was proposed. An accuracy assessment in the spatial and the temporal domain was carried out using high-confidence reference sample pixels interpreted with the aid of multi-temporal very high spatial resolution image series. Results showed a promising spatial accuracy, when three consecutive anomalies were required to confirm a deforestation event. Recommendations in tuning the algorithm for different operational use cases were provided within the context of satisfying REDD+ requirements, depending on whether spatial accuracy or temporal accuracy need to be optimized.
A Novel Two-Layered Reinforcement Learning for Task Offloading with Tradeoff between Physical Machine Utilization Rate and Delay
Authors: Quan Li , Wang Zhiliang , Ren Fuji
Published: July 2018

Mobile devices could augment their ability via cloud resources in mobile cloud computing environments. This paper developed a novel two-layered reinforcement learning (TLRL) algorithm to consider task offloading for resource-constrained mobile devices. As opposed to existing literature, the utilization rate of the physical machine and the delay for offloaded tasks are taken into account simultaneously by introducing a weighted reward. The high dimensionality of the state space and action space might affect the speed of convergence. Therefore, a novel reinforcement learning algorithm with a two-layered structure is presented to address this problem. First, k clusters of the physical machines are generated based on the k-nearest neighbors algorithm (k-NN). The first layer of TLRL is implemented by a deep reinforcement learning to determine the cluster to be assigned for the offloaded tasks. On this basis, the second layer intends to further specify a physical machine for task execution. Finally, simulation examples are carried out to verify that the proposed TLRL algorithm is able to speed up the optimal policy learning and can deal with the tradeoff between physical machine utilization rate and delay.
Influence of Clitoria ternatea Flower Extract on the In Vitro Enzymatic Digestibility of Starch and Its Application in Bread
Authors: Chusak Charoonsri , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar , Chantarasinlapin Praew , Techasukthavorn Varanya , Adisakwattana Sirichai
Published: July 2018

This study aimed to assess the effect of the Clitoria ternatea L. flower extract (CTE), on the inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase, in vitro starch hydrolysis, and predicted the glycemic index of different type of flours including potato, cassava, rice, corn, wheat, and glutinous rice flour. The application in a bakery product prepared from flour and CTE was also determined. The results demonstrated that the 1% and 2% (w/v) CTE inhibited the pancreatic α-amylase activity by using all flours as a substrate. Moreover, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) CTE showed a significant reduction in the glucose release, hydrolysis index (HI), and predicted glycemic index (pGI) of flour. In glutinous rice flour, 1% and 2% (w/v) CTE had a significantly lower level of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and slowly digestible starch (SDS) with a concomitant higher level of undigested starch. The statistical analysis demonstrated strong positive significant correlations between the percentage of CTE and the undigested starch of wheat and cassava. The addition of 5%, 10%, and 20% (w/w) CTE significantly reduced the rate of starch digestion of the wheat bread. The pGI of bread incorporated with 5% CTE (w/w) was significantly lower than that of the control bread. Our findings suggest that CTE could reduce the starch digestibility, the HI, and pGI of flour through the inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes. Taken together, CTE may be a potent ingredient for the reduced glycemic index of flours.
Host-Pathogen Interactions Mediated by MDR Transporters in Fungi: As Pleiotropic as it Gets!
Authors: Cavalheiro Mafalda , Pais Pedro , Galocha Mónica , Teixeira Miguel C.
Published: July 2018

Fungal infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus species are an increasing problem worldwide, associated with very high mortality rates. The successful prevalence of these human pathogens is due to their ability to thrive in stressful host niche colonization sites, to tolerate host immune system-induced stress, and to resist antifungal drugs. This review focuses on the key role played by multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters, belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC), and the major facilitator superfamilies (MFS), in mediating fungal resistance to pathogenesis-related stresses. These clearly include the extrusion of antifungal drugs, with C. albicans CDR1 and MDR1 genes, and corresponding homologs in other fungal pathogens, playing a key role in this phenomenon. More recently, however, clues on the transcriptional regulation and physiological roles of MDR transporters, including the transport of lipids, ions, and small metabolites, have emerged, linking these transporters to important pathogenesis features, such as resistance to host niche environments, biofilm formation, immune system evasion, and virulence. The wider view of the activity of MDR transporters provided in this review highlights their relevance beyond drug resistance and the need to develop therapeutic strategies that successfully face the challenges posed by the pleiotropic nature of these transporters.
Landscape Classification with Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Buscombe Daniel , Ritchie Andrew C.
Published: July 2018

The application of deep learning, specifically deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs), to the classification of remotely-sensed imagery of natural landscapes has the potential to greatly assist in the analysis and interpretation of geomorphic processes. However, the general usefulness of deep learning applied to conventional photographic imagery at a landscape scale is, at yet, largely unproven. If DCNN-based image classification is to gain wider application and acceptance within the geoscience community, demonstrable successes need to be coupled with accessible tools to retrain deep neural networks to discriminate landforms and land uses in landscape imagery. Here, we present an efficient approach to train/apply DCNNs with/on sets of photographic images, using a powerful graphical method called a conditional random field (CRF), to generate DCNN training and testing data using minimal manual supervision. We apply the method to several sets of images of natural landscapes, acquired from satellites, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and fixed camera installations. We synthesize our findings to examine the general effectiveness of transfer learning to landscape-scale image classification. Finally, we show how DCNN predictions on small regions of images might be used in conjunction with a CRF for highly accurate pixel-level classification of images.
Molecular Regulation of Differentiation in Early B-Lymphocyte Development
Authors: Sigvardsson Mikael
Published: July 2018

B-lymphocyte differentiation is one of the best understood developmental pathways in the hematopoietic system. Our understanding of the developmental trajectories linking the multipotent hematopoietic stem cell to the mature functional B-lymphocyte is extensive as a result of efforts to identify and prospectively isolate progenitors at defined maturation stages. The identification of defined progenitor compartments has been instrumental for the resolution of the molecular features that defines given developmental stages as well as for our understanding of the mechanisms that drive the progressive maturation process. Over the last years it has become increasingly clear that the regulatory networks that control normal B-cell differentiation are targeted by mutations in human B-lineage malignancies. This generates a most interesting link between development and disease that can be explored to improve diagnosis and treatment protocols in lymphoid malignancies. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of our current understanding of molecular regulation in normal and malignant B-cell development.
Improved Turbulence Prediction in Turbomachinery Flows and the Effect on Three-Dimensional Boundary Layer Transition
Authors: Bode Christoph , Friedrichs Jens , Frieling Dominik , Herbst Florian
Published: July 2018

For the numerical prediction of turbomachinery flows, a two-equation turbulence model in combination with a proper transition model to account for laminar boundary layers and their transition to turbulence is state of the art. This paper presents the ability of such a method (k-ω + γ-ReΘ) for turbulence prediction and the effect on three-dimensional boundary layer behavior. For this purpose, both applied models (turbulence and transition) are improved to better account for turbulence length scale effects and three-dimensional transition prediction (Bode et al., 2014 and 2016), since these are the main deficiencies in predicting such kinds of flows. The improved numerical method is validated and tested on existing turbine cascades with detailed experimental data for the viscous regions and additionally on a low-speed axial compressor rig where wake-induced transition takes place.
3D Printing Cellulose Hydrogels Using LASER Induced Thermal Gelation
Authors: Huber Tim , Clucas Don , Vilmay Mathieu , Pupkes Birte , Stuart James , Dimartino Simone , Fee Conan
Published: July 2018

A 3D printer was developed for the 3D printing of cellulose hydrogels using open source software and simple 3D printer hardware. Using a temperature-based sol-gel transition of cellulose dissolved in aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and urea, a three-dimensional gel can be created by moving a focused laser beam across a bath of the cellulose solution and lowering the print stage after every layer. A line width of 100–150 µm and layer thickness of 25 µm of the printed part could be achieved. No delamination between printed layers occurred and no additional support material was needed to create free hanging structures due to suspending the printed part in printing liquid. By adding cellulose powder to the solution, the gelation temperature, the gel strength and stiffness can be manipulated while maintaining a high internal porosity of the gel. A laser power of 100 mW was found to produce the highest quality print with an accurate representation of the previously designed part. Lower power settings (80 mW) produced insufficient gelation and as a result reduced print accuracy while higher power settings (120 mW) caused the gel to burn.
On the Performance of Thin-Walled Crash Boxes Joined by Forming
Authors: Silva Diogo F. M. , Silva Carlos M. A. , Bragança Ivo M. F. , Nielsen Chris V. , Alves Luis M. , Martins Paulo A. F.
Published: July 2018

A new joining by forming process that combines lancing and shearing with sheet-bulk compression is utilized to assemble thin-walled crash boxes utilized as energy absorbers. Process design and fabrication of the new crash boxes are analyzed by finite elements and experimentation. Axial crush tests were performed to compare the overall crashworthiness performance of the new crash boxes against that of conventional crash boxes assembled by resistance spot-welding. Results show that the joining process is a good alternative to resistance spot-welding because the new crash boxes can absorb the same crushing energy, and because the new process helps to overcome typical manufacturing problems of welding.
Electrochemically Enhanced Drug Delivery Using Polypyrrole Films
Authors: Shah Sayed Ashfaq Ali , Firlak Melike , Berrow Stuart Ryan , Halcovitch Nathan Ross , Baldock Sara Jane , Yousafzai Bakhtiar Muhammad , Hathout Rania M. , Hardy John George
Published: July 2018

The delivery of drugs in a controllable fashion is a topic of intense research activity in both academia and industry because of its impact in healthcare. Implantable electronic interfaces for the body have great potential for positive economic, health, and societal impacts; however, the implantation of such interfaces results in inflammatory responses due to a mechanical mismatch between the inorganic substrate and soft tissue, and also results in the potential for microbial infection during complex surgical procedures. Here, we report the use of conducting polypyrrole (PPY)-based coatings loaded with clinically relevant drugs (either an anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone phosphate (DMP), or an antibiotic, meropenem (MER)). The films were characterized and were shown to enhance the delivery of the drugs upon the application of an electrochemical stimulus in vitro, by circa (ca.) 10–30% relative to the passive release from non-stimulated samples. Interestingly, the loading and release of the drugs was correlated with the physical descriptors of the drugs. In the long term, such materials have the potential for application to the surfaces of medical devices to diminish adverse reactions to their implantation in vivo.
Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Vibration Phenomena on Workpiece Topomorphy Due to Cutter Runout in End-Milling Process †
Authors: David Constantine , Sagris Dimitrios , Stergianni Evlampia , Tsiafis Christos , Tsiafis Ioannis
Published: July 2018

Profile end-milling processes are very susceptible to vibrations caused by cutter runout especially when it comes to operations where the cutter diameter is ranging in few millimeters scale. At the same time, the cutting conditions that are chosen for the milling process have a complementary role on the excitation mechanisms that take place in the cutting area between the cutting tool and the workpiece. Consequently, the study of milling processes in the case that a cutter runout exists is of special interest. The subject of this paper is the experimental analysis of the effect of cutter runout on cutter vibration and, by extension, how this affects the chip removal and, thereby, the workpiece topomorphy. Based on cutting force measurements correlated with the workpiece topomorphy under various cutting process parameters, such as the cutting speed, feed rate, and the axial cutting depth, some useful results are extracted. Hence, the effect of vibration phenomena, caused by cutter runout, on the workpiece topomorphy in end milling can be evaluated.
Study of apoptosis in normal skin tissues
Authors: Grigaitienė Jūratė , Marčiukaitienė Irena , Blažienė Audra , Chomičienė Anželika
Published: July 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the apoptosis in normal human skin by examination of all epidermal layers. Material and methods. The normal skin epidermis of 15 healthy subjects was investigated by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling) technique. Apoptotic cells were evaluated in the germinative and differential compartments and stratum corneum. Only highly TUNEL-positive cells with typical morphological DNA fragmentation signs were calculated. Results. In vital strata (except stratum corneum) of normal skin epidermis, 37.5% of all TUNEL-positive cells were observed in the germinative compartment and 41.7% in the granular layer of differential compartment. Conclusions. The study showed that apoptosis occurs in all layers of normal skin epidermis. It demonstrates that apoptosis is highly important in the renewal of cells and formation of epidermal structure within all compartments.
Experience of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry application in the diagnosis of chronic constipation in children
Authors: Bagdzevičius Robertas , Vaičekauskas Vytautas , Bagdzevičiūtė Sigita
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to review our experience in applying acetylcholinesterase histochemistry for diagnosing colonic dysganglionoses in children. Patients and methods. We analyzed acetylcholinesterase histochemistry results of rectal biopsy specimens obtained from 85 children. The indications for biopsy were suspicion of Hirschsprung’s disease in neonates and infants (Group 1; n=21) and older children (Group 2; n=17); megarectum (Group 3; n=44); and colostomy (Group 4; n=3). Specimens were taken at 5 and 10 cm using endoscopic forceps or excised with scissors at 2.5 cm above the dentate line. Acetylcholinesterase activity was evaluated using Karnovsky-Roots method. Results. The diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease was confirmed in 17 children of the first group and in 3 of the second group. In the third group, 2 children were diagnosed with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung’s disease and 3 children with intestinal neuronal dysplasia. In one case, acetylcholinesterase reaction was false positive. Hirschsprung’s disease was diagnosed in 2 children with colostomies; in one case acetylcholinesterase activity caused false-positive results. Colonic dysganglionoses were diagnosed in 78% of infants and in 14% of children over 1 year of age. The diagnostic specificity of acetylcholinesterase in Hirschsprung’s disease was 92%. Conclusions. 1) The analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in children’s rectal biopsy specimens is a reliable method for diagnosing Hirschsprung’s disease, especially in infants; 2) This method of examination is irreplaceable in diagnosing ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung’s disease and remains the only method to confirm the diagnosis of this disease; 3) Acetylcholinesterase histochemistry is not sufficiently informative in diagnosing intestinal neuronal dysplasia type B, because authors applying other neurohistochemical investigation methods have reported higher incidence of this disease.