bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Interpolation Evolution Method for damage localization in structures under seismic excitation
Authors: Iacovino C. , Ditommaso R. , Ponzo F.C. , Limongelli M.P. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIn the aftermath of an earthquake, data acquired by a monitoring system can be used to identify possible damage that occurred in the structure by using algorithms to estimate proper damage features. In this paper, a new method is proposed for damage localization in beam‐like structures under seismic excitation. The proposed algorithm, named the Interpolation Evolution Method (IEM), is based on the combination of two existing methods: the Interpolation Method and the Curvature Evolution Method. Only responses recorded in story accelerations are required to estimate the damage feature with the combined IEM approach. This method does not require a priori knowledge of a “signature” of the structure because it exploits responses recorded during a single strong motion event. Herein, the IEM is applied to case studies of 2 reinforced concrete frames excited by several different ground motions, simulated using nonlinear finite element models and recorded during experimental tests carried out on a shaking table at the University of California, San Diego (USA) and at the University of Basilicata (Italy).
The advantages of linear concentration–response curves for in vitro bioassays with environmental samples
Authors: Escher Beate I. , Neale Peta A. , Villeneuve Daniel L. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

In vitro assays and high-throughput screening (HTS) tools are increasingly being employed as replacements for animal testing, but most concentration–response curves are still evaluated with models developed for animal testing. We argue that application of in vitro assays, particularly reporter gene assays, to environmental samples can benefit from a different approach to concentration–response modeling. First, cytotoxicity often occurs at higher concentrations, especially for weakly acting compounds and in complex environmental mixtures with many components. In these cases, specific effects can be masked by cytotoxicity. Second, for many HTS assays, low effect levels can be precisely quantified because of the low variability of controls in cell-based assays and the opportunity to run many concentrations and replicates when using high-density well-plate formats (e.g., 384 or more wells per plate). Hence, we recommend focusing concentration–response modeling on the lower portion of the concentration–response curve, which is approximately linear. Effect concentrations derived from low–effect level linear concentration–response models facilitate simple derivation of relative effect potencies and the correct application of mixture toxicity models in the calculation of bioanalytical equivalent concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2273–2280. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
Linear concentration–response curves allow simple description of low-dose effects yet rigorous derivation of bioanalytical equivalent concentrations.
Bioaccumulation and effects of dietary exposure to the alternative flame retardant, bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), in the Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus
Authors: Nacci Diane , Clark Bryan , La Guardia Mark J. , Miller Ken , Champlin Denise , Kirby Ian , Bertrand Ashley , Jayaraman Saro 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), a high production volume flame retardant chemical used as a replacement for banned flame retardants, has been detected in media and human and wildlife tissues globally. We describe bioaccumulation and biological effects from dietary exposure of TBPH to an estuarine fish, Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus. Briefly, adult fish were fed carrier control or chemically amended diets for 28 d, followed by 14 d of control diet feeding. Diets were amended with TBPH (TBPH_LO diet, 139 μg/g dry wt, or TBPH_HI diet, 4360 μg/g dry wt) or a polychlorinated biphenyl congener (PCB153 diet, 13 μg/g dry wt), which was included as a positive control for bioaccumulation. Although bioaccumulation of either chemical correlated with fish size, only a small proportion of the TBPH offered (&lt;0.5% total TBPH) had bioaccumulated into TBPH-treated fish by 28 d. In contrast, 24.5% of the PCB153 offered was accounted for in 28-d PCB-treated fish. Although 28-d bioaccumulated concentrations of TBPH differed by sex and treatment, sexes did not differ in their rates of TBPH bioaccumulation, and the time to achieve 50% of 28 d concentration (T1/2) was estimated to be 13 d. Depuration rates of TBPH did not differ by sex or treatment, and the time after exposure to achieve T1/2 was estimated to be 22 d. Independent of treatment, male fish grew faster than female fish, but for both sexes reproductive condition (gonadal somatic index) declined unexpectedly over the experimental period. Across treatments, only the TBPH_LO treatment affected growth, reducing male but increasing female growth rates by small amounts relative to respective controls. In summary, our study used very high concentrations of dietary TBPH to contaminate fish tissues above the highest levels reported to date in wild biota, yet we observed few adverse biological effects. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2350–2360. © 2018 SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Enabling green computing in cloud environments: Network virtualization approach toward 5G support
Authors: Verma Jitendra Kumar , Kumar Sushil , Kaiwartya Omprakash , Cao Yue , Lloret Jaime , Katti C. P. , Kharel Rupak 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVirtualization technology has revolutionized the mobile network and widely used in fifth‐generation innovation. It is a way of computing that allows dynamic leasing of server capabilities in the form of services like Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The proliferation of these services among the users led to the establishment of large‐scale cloud data centers that consume an enormous amount of electrical energy and results into high metered bill cost and carbon footprint. In this paper, we propose three heuristic models, namely, median migration time, smallest void detection, and maximum fill technique, that can reduce energy consumption with minimal variation in service‐level agreements negotiated. Specifically, we derive the cost of running cloud data center, cost optimization problem, and resource utilization optimization problem. Power consumption model is developed for cloud computing environment focusing on linear relationship between power consumption and resource utilization. A virtual machine (VM) migration technique is considered, focusing on synchronization‐oriented shorter stop‐and‐copy phase. The complete operational steps as algorithms are developed for energy‐aware heuristic models including median migration time, smallest void detection, and maximum fill technique. To evaluate the proposed heuristic models, we conduct experimentations using PlanetLab server data often in ten days and synthetic workload data collected randomly from the similar number of VMs employed in PlanetLab servers. Through evaluation process, we deduce that the proposed approaches can significantly reduce the energy consumption, total VM migration, and host shutdown while maintaining high system performance.
A novel sodium carboxymethyl ellulose/aluminium citrate gel for extinguishing spontaneous fire in coal mines
Authors: Zhou Chunshan , Tang Yibo 
Published: May 2018

SummarySpontaneous combustion of coal is one of the main disasters affecting safe production in mines. A sodium carboxymethyl cellulose/aluminium citrate gel for prevention and extinguishing of mine fires was prepared. Based on a temperature‐controlled experiment, the authors studied the influences of the gel on indicator gases generated in the spontaneous combustion of coal, crossing point temperature, and activation energy. The results showed that the crossing point temperature of coal samples treated by the gel increased by more than 13.9°C and the activation energy rose by 7.17 to 16.34%. Moreover, the indicator gases, such as CO and C2H4 generated in the oxidation, decreased significantly. After treatment with the gel, the weight loss rate of the coal samples was reduced, and less energy was released. By using the self‐developed test platform (coal capacity of 2 m3), the spontaneous combustion of coal on the roof of a roadway was simulated, and the carboxymethyl cellulose/aluminium citrate gel was used for fire extinguishing. After injecting the gel, the temperature in the furnace rapidly decreased, and the concentration of O2 remained at less than 3%, without showing any after‐combustion effects.
Coupling Eulerian‐Lagrangian method of air‐particle two‐phase flow with population balance equations to simulate the evolution of vehicle exhaust plume
Authors: He Yuanping , Gu Zhaolin , Su Junwei , Chen Chungang , Zhang Mingxu , Zhang Liyuan , Lu Weizhen 
Published: May 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we present a new numerical scheme to describe the dynamic evolution of multiphase polydisperse systems in terms of time, space, and properties by coupling the Eulerian‐Lagrangian method for air‐particle two‐phase flow and population balance equations to describe particle property evolution due to microbehaviors (eg, aggregation, breakage, and growth). This coupling scheme was used to comprehensively simulate the two‐phase flow structure, particle size spectrum, particle number, and volume concentrations. These were characterized by a high‐resolution particle tracking using the Lagrangian approach and the high precision of moments of the particle size spectrum by solving the population balance equation with the quadrature method of moments. The algorithm of the coupling scheme was incorporated into the open source computational fluid dynamics software OpenFOAM to simulate the dynamic evolution of vehicle exhaust plume. The impacts of vehicle velocity, exhaust temperature, and aggregation efficiency on the distribution of auto exhaust particles in space and changes in their properties were analyzed. The results indicate that the particle number concentration, volume concentration, and average diameter of particles in the vehicle exhaust plume could be strongly affected by the plume structure and flow properties.
Measurement of Proton Concentration in PEM by Hall Effect
Authors: Poljak I. , Županović P. , Barbir F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA method based on Hall effect is applied to measure proton concentration in polymer electrolyte membrane. Although Hall effect is present in any kind of charge carriers, due to the fact that electrons are the charge carriers in any electronic device, only Hall voltage of electron systems can be measured. In this paper we show how Hall effect induces voltage on proton system in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) of fuel cell of the same magnitude as in the electron system. In this way it is possible to determine essential microscopic properties of the proton system in the polymer electrolyte membrane, such as proton concentration and mobility.
Optogenetic astrocyte activation evokes BOLD fMRI response with oxygen consumption without neuronal activity modulation
Authors: Takata Norio , Sugiura Yuki , Yoshida Keitaro , Koizumi Miwako , Hiroshi Nishida , Honda Kurara , Yano Ryutaro , Komaki Yuji , Matsui Ko , Suematsu Makoto , Mimura Masaru , Okano Hideyuki , Tanaka Kenji F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFunctional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on the blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal has been used to infer sites of neuronal activation in the brain. A recent study demonstrated, however, unexpected BOLD signal generation without neuronal excitation, which led us to hypothesize the presence of another cellular source for BOLD signal generation. Collective assessment of optogenetic activation of astrocytes or neurons, fMRI in awake mice, electrophysiological measurements, and histochemical detection of neuronal activation, coherently suggested astrocytes as another cellular source. Unexpectedly, astrocyte‐evoked BOLD signal accompanied oxygen consumption without modulation of neuronal activity. Imaging mass spectrometry of brain sections identified synthesis of acetyl‐carnitine via oxidative glucose metabolism at the site of astrocyte‐, but not neuron‐evoked BOLD signal. Our data provide causal evidence that astrocytic activation alone is able to evoke BOLD signal response, which may lead to reconsideration of current interpretation of BOLD signal as a marker of neuronal activation.
A facile and sustainable protocol to the preparation of aryl iodides using stable arenediazonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts via the telescopic process
Authors: Khaligh Nader Ghaffari 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe preparation of aryl iodides in a telescopic reaction using tert‐butyl nitrite as a diazotization reagent and a mixture of bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonamide and glacial acetic acid as a mild acidic agent in ethanol followed by iododediazoniation with tetraethylammonium iodide in water was investigated. The current method has other advantages such as minimized waste by avoiding solvent for the purification of products in diazotization step, simple experimental procedure, and good yield of the sterically hindered aryl amines, metal and strong acid‐free waste and environmentally benign conditions. The noteworthy features of this study are the preparation of stable arenediazonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts that can be used with no significant loss activity after 1 week and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide was recovered in high yields from reactions.
Synthesis of new functionalized hydroxy‐ and aminomethylphosphinates with indan moieties
Authors: Prishchenko Andrey A. , Livantsov Mikhail V. , Novikova Olga P. , Livantsova Ludmila I. , Petrosyan Valery S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe convenient synthesis of new functionalized organophosphorus acids and their derivatives containing indan moieties was developed. The regioselective radical addition of bis(trimethylsiloxy)phosphine to indene proceeds to give rise to 2‐indanylphosphonite as key compound for preparation of above acids with bicyclic substituents. Azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) in the conditions of its thermolysis was used as effective initiator of the addition reaction. The further treatment of organophosphorus acids trimethylsilyl esters with the methanolic sodium methoxide solution resulted in the water‐soluble sodium salts of the corresponding acids.
Assessing the impacts of microtopography on soil erosion under simulated rainfall, using a multifractal approach
Authors: Luo Jian , Zheng Zicheng , Li Tingxuan , He Shuqin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the changing characteristics of microrelief of purple soil and its erosional response during successive stages of water erosion, including splash erosion, sheet erosion, and rill erosion. Methods employed included a rainfall simulator and the use of a laser scanner to generate a digital elevation model. Three artificial tillage practices, including conventional tillage (CT), artificial digging (AD), and ridge tillage (RT), were used to simulate different microrelief patterns. Eighteen artificial rainfall experiments were conducted using three 2 × 1 m boxes with a rainfall intensity of 1.5 mm min−1 on a 15° slope. The results showed that the soil roughness (SR) index values for the tillage slopes were RT > AD > CT. The combined effects of detachment by raindrop impact and transport by run‐off decreased the SR index, whereas rill erosion increased the SR index during rainfall event. Microtopography and drainage networks have strong multifractal behaviours. The multifractal parameters of microtopography reflect the overall characteristics as well as the characteristics of the local soil surface. Within a certain range of threshold values, higher microrelief causes less soil erosion. However, when the parameters of spatial heterogeneity of microtopography exceed the threshold values, a higher degree of microrelief can increase soil erosion. These results help clarify the effect of microtopography on soil erosion and provide a theoretical foundation to guide future tillage practices on sloping farmland of purple soil.
Pillar[n]arenes for Construction of Artificial Transmembrane Channels
Authors: Feng Wei‐Xu , Sun Zhanhu , Barboiu Mihail 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPillar[n]arenes have been intensively used during the last decade in supramolecular chemistry as host systems for guest recognition and self‐assembly, toward functional materials and devices. They present electron‐rich and tuneable size cavities, as well as reactive rims for further functionalization. Their unique pillar shape promotes pillar[n]arenes as molecular analogues of carbon nanotubes. For this reasons pillar[n]arenes have been embedded into membranes and used to construct artificial water, proton, ions and molecular channels. This review discusses the incipient developments of the first artificial channels based on pillar[n]arenes. We include also systems that integrate pillar[n]arenes as synthetic elements for the construction of selective pores of nanodevices for ion rectification.
Widening the arc of indigenous communication: Examining potential for use of ICT in strengthening social and behavior change communication efforts with marginalized communities in India
Authors: Malhotra Alka , Sharma Rachana , Srinivasan Raghavan , Mathew Nirmala 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMarginalized communities in India have their own systems of governance, culture, and communication. They remain socially and physically distanced from mainstream methods of communication. At the same time, India is witnessing a digital revolution, represented by a phenomenal growth in mobile and internet penetration. To date, however, scholarly discourse on use of ICT among marginalized communities in India has, for the most part, been limited.Four related field studies initiated by UNICEF revealed that melding indigenous (local) and mainstream communication channels can be an optimal approach to social and behavior change communication with marginalized communities across multiple social development themes. They indicated the increasing popularity of mobile and other digital media among marginalized communities, especially youth, and the potential for utilizing local communication methods along with new digital media. This hypothesis is supported by findings from one of the field studies, a digital training and communication tools/materials pilot for frontline workers, to improve nutrition behaviors among marginalized communities. They also provided field evidence for the efficacy of mobile technology in civic participation, education, and health. These findings have far‐reaching import for designing inclusive social and behavior change communication programs for marginalized communities where local and mainstream channels (particularly digital) complement each other.
A matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time‐of‐flight–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry‐based toxicoproteomic screening method to assess in vitro particle potencies
Authors: Ariganello Marianne B. , Das Dharani D. , Breznan Dalibor , MacKinnon‐Roy Christine , Elisma Fred , Khanchi Aziz , Vincent Renaud , Kumarathasan Prem 
Published: May 2018

AbstractKnowledge of biological reactivity and underlying toxicity mechanisms of airborne particulate matter (PM) is central to the characterization of the risk associated with these pollutants. An integrated screening platform consisting of protein profiling of cellular responses and cytotoxic analysis was developed in this study for the estimation of PM potencies. Mouse macrophage (J774A.1) and human lung epithelial cells (A549) were exposed in vitro to Ottawa urban particles (EHC6802) and two reference mineral particles (TiO2 and SiO2). Samples from the in vitro exposure experiment were tested following an integrated classical cytotoxicity/toxicoproteomic assessment approach for cellular viability (CellTiter Blue®, lactate dehydrogenase) and proteomic analyses. Cellular proteins were pre‐fractionated by molecular weight cut‐off filtration, digested enzymatically and were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time‐of‐flight–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry for protein profiling and identification. Optimization of detergent removal, pre‐fractionation strategies and enzymatic digestion procedures led to increased tryptic peptide (m/z) signals with reduced sample processing times, for small total protein contents. Proteomic analyses using this optimized procedure identified statistically significant (P < 0.05) PM dose‐dependent changes at the molecular level. Ranking of PM potencies based on toxicoproteomic analysis were in line with classical cytotoxicity potency‐based ranking. The high content toxicoproteomic approach exhibited the potential to add value to risk characterization of environmental PM exposures by complementing and validating existing cytotoxicity testing strategies.
A meta‐analysis of empowerment and voice as transmitters of high‐performance managerial practices to job performance
Authors: Chamberlin Melissa , Newton Daniel W. , LePine Jeffery A. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryEmpowerment offers the predominant explanation for why employee perceptions of high‐performance managerial practices are positively associated with employee job performance. Drawing on social cognitive theory, we propose that high‐performance managerial practices also influence performance because these practices encourage employees to engage in voice. Additionally, we suggest that empowerment and voice together provide a more complete explanation for why high‐performance managerial practices and job performance are linked. In essence, we argue that empowerment transmits the effects of high‐performance managerial practices to job performance because it engenders voice. Using meta‐analysis of primary research consisting of 151 independent samples involving 53,200 employees, we find that not only do empowerment and voice independently transmit the effects of high‐performance managerial practices to job performance, but they sequentially mediate this relationship as well. Further, we distinguish among skill‐enhancing, motivation‐enhancing, and opportunity‐enhancing high‐performance managerial practices to identify when empowerment and voice are more or less effective in explaining associations with job performance. Although empowerment and voice transmit effects of all 3 types of high‐performance managerial practices to employee performance, these mechanisms appear to provide the best explanation for the effects of opportunity‐enhancing practices, and the primary reason why is because employees respond to opportunity‐enhancing practices with voice.