• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2019

One key step in the plant restoration process is the collection of seeds from the field. For the selection of source populations of target plant species for translocation purposes (reintroduction or reinforcements), several approaches are possible. A practical method involves the use of data from reciprocal transplant studies. If no direct data are available, knowledge of population genetics and the phylogeography of the target species can serve as an alternative. In this short review, we briefly propose guidelines for those collecting seeds for plant species restoration based on population genetics theory, focusing on two main questions: Where does the plant material come from and how are sources designated, and how are seeds efficiently collected from local populations? While genetic data on a larger scale (phylogeography and population genetics) are needed to form a reply to the first question, similar data on a smaller scale (fine-scale genetic structures within populations) are necessary to shed light on the second issue.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.865-872
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• 2017

For more than 10 years, the laser process has been studied for dismantling work; however, relatively few research works have addressed the effect of high-power fiber laser cutting for thick sections. Since in the nuclear sector, a significant quantity of thick material is required to be cut, this study aims to improve the reliability of laser cutting for such work and indicates guidelines to optimize the cutting procedure, in particular, nozzle combinations (standoff distance and focus position), to minimize waste material. The results obtained show the performance levels that can be reached with 10 kW fiber lasers, using which it is possible to obtain narrower kerfs than those found in published results obtained with other lasers. Nonetheless, fiber lasers appear to show the same effects as those of $CO_2$ and ND:YAG lasers. Thus, the main factor that affects the kerf width is the focal position, which means that minimum laser spot diameters are advised for smaller kerf widths.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.743-750
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• 2011

This article deals with the sensor-less control of a DC Motor via a SEPIC Converter-Full Bridge combination powered through solar panels. We simultaneously regulate, both, the output voltage of the SEPIC-converter to a value larger than the solar panel output voltage, and the shaft angular velocity, in any of the turning senses, so that it tracks a pre-specified constant reference. The main result of our proposed control scheme is an efficient linear controller obtained via Lyapunov. This controller is based on measurements of the converter currents and voltages, and the DC motor armature current. The control law is derived using an exact stabilization error dynamics model, from which a static linear passive feedback control law is derived. All values of the constant references are parameterized in terms of the equilibrium point of the multivariable system: the SEPIC converter desired output voltage, the solar panel output voltage at its Maximun Power Point (MPP), and the DC motor desired constant angular velocity. The switched control realization of the designed average continuous feedback control law is accomplished by means of a, discrete-valued, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Experimental results are presented demonstrating the viability of our proposal.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.68
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• pp.69-78
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• 2018

A study has been carried out of the regenerability of a commercial Ni catalyst used in the steam reforming of the volatiles from biomass pyrolysis (gases and bio-oil), determining the evolution of the reaction indices (conversion, product yields and $H_2$ production) in successive reaction-regeneration cycles. The causes of catalyst deactivation (coke deposition and Ni sintering) have been ascertained characterizing the deactivated and regenerated catalysts by TPO, TEM, TPR and XRD. Catalyst activity is not fully recovered by coke combustion in the first cycles due to the irreversible deactivation by Ni sintering, but the catalyst reaches a pseudo-stable state beyond the fourth cycle, reproducing its behaviour in subsequent cycles.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.3 no.3_4
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• pp.413-434
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• 2012

This paper presents a displacement-based seismic design method with damage control, in which the targets for the considered performance level are set as displacements and a damage distribution is proposed by the designer. The method is based on concepts of basic structural dynamics and of a reference single degree of freedom system associated to the fundamental mode with a bilinear behaviour. Based on the characteristics of this behaviour curve and on the requirements of modal spectral analysis, the stiffness and strength of the structural elements of the structure satisfying the target design displacement are calculated. The formulation of this method is presented together with the formulations of two other existing methods currently considered of practical interest. To illustrate the application of the proposed method, 5 reinforced concrete plane frames: 8, 17 and 25 storey regular, and 8 and 12 storey irregular in elevation. All frames are designed for a seismic demand defined by single earthquake record in order to compare the performances and damage distributions used as design targets with the corresponding results of the nonlinear step by step analyses of the designed structures subjected to the same seismic demand. The performances and damage distributions calculated with these analyses show a good agreement with those postulated as targets.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.263-274
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• 2013

A numerical technique for fluid-structure interaction, which is based on the finite element method (FEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), was developed for application to an industrial chimney equipped with a pendulum tuned mass damper (TMD). In order to solve the structural problem, a one-dimensional beam model (Navier-Bernoulli) was considered and, for the dynamical problem, the standard second-order Newmark method was used. Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible flow are solved in several horizontal planes to determine the pressure in the boundary of the corresponding cross-section of the chimney. Forces per unit length were obtained by integrating the pressure and are introduced in the structure using standard FEM interpolation techniques. For the fluid problem, a fractional step scheme based on a second order pressure splitting has been used. In each fluid plane, the displacements have been taken into account considering an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian approach. The stabilization of convection and diffusion terms is achieved by means of quasi-static orthogonal subscales. For each period of time, the fluid problem was solved and the geometry of the mesh of each fluid plane is updated according to the structure displacements. Using this technique, along-wind and across-wind effects have been properly explained. The method was applied to an industrial chimney in three scenarios (with or without TMD and for different damping values) and for two wind speeds, showing different responses.

• International Journal of Railway
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

The development of structural solutions for high-speed or very high-speed tracks that minimize total life cycle costs of the system is a key issue to improve the operational profitability of new investments. In opposition to conventional ballasted tracks, slab track solutions can be a cost-effective solution, but only in the cases where the benefits due to the increase in track availability and the reduction of track maintenance offsets its much higher construction costs. In the cases where such investment is not feasible, it is worth to evaluate possible structural improvements to ballasted track that allow reducing its maintenance needs without increasing too much its construction costs. This paper evaluates the design requirements and the impact of improving conventional high-speed ballasted tracks by using a bituminous subballast layer. It is divided into two main parts: first the design requirements of the structural solutions with bituminous subballast and its possible benefits on high-speed track deterioration, and secondly the evaluation of the economic impact, in terms of construction costs, of using this structural solution material in future Spanish high-speed lines.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2019

The present paper tries to contribute fill the gap of application of the component method to tubular connections. For this purpose, one typical joint configuration in which just one component can be considered as active has been studied. These joints were selected as symmetrically loaded welded connections in which the beam width was the same as the column width. This focused the study on the component 'side walls of rectangular hollow sections (RHS) in tension/compression'. It should be one of the main components to be considered in welded unstiffened joints between I beams and RHS columns. Many experimental tests on double-sided I-beam-to-RHS-column joint with a width ratio 1 have been carried out by the authors and a finite element (FE) model was validated with their results. Then, some different analytical approaches for the component stiffness and strength have been assessed. Finally, the stiffness proposals have been compared with some FE simulations on I-beam-to-RHS-column joints. This work finally proposes the most adequate equations that were found for the stiffness and strength characterization of the component 'side walls of RHS in tension/compression' to be applied in a further unified global proposal for the application of the component method to RHS.

• Healthcare Informatics Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2018

Objectives: Due to the uncontrolled increase of the mobile health applications and their scarce use by elderly for reason of absence credibility of measurements by lack scientific support, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between the biophysical measurements based on standard instrument against a mobile application using controlled experiments with elderly to propose an effective validation model of the developed apps. Methods: The subjects of the study (50 people) were elderly people who wanted to check their weight and cardiac status. For this purpose, two mobile applications were used to measure energy expenditure based on physical activity (Activ) and heart rate (SMCa) during controlled walking at specific speeds. Minute-by-minute measurements were recorded to evaluate the average error and the accuracy of the data acquired through confidence intervals by means of statistical analysis of the data. Results: The experimental results obtained by the Activ/SMCa apps showed a consistent statistical similarity with those obtained by specialized equipment with confidence intervals of 95%. All the subjects were advised and trained on the use of the applications, and the initial registration of data to characterize them served to significantly affect the perceived ease of use. Conclusions: This is the first model to validate a health-app with elderly people allowed to demonstrate the anthropometric and body movement differences of subjects with equal body mass index (BMI) but younger. Future studies should consider not only BMI data but also other variables, such as age and usability perception factors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1412-1423
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• 2019

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus tubingensis that belongs to the black Aspergillus section has the capacity to produce high-value metabolites, for instance, naphtho-gamma-pyrones (NGPs). For these fungal secondary metabolites, numerous biological properties of industrial interest have been demonstrated, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-cancer capacities. It has been observed that production of these secondary metabolites is linked with fungal sporulation. The aim of this research was to apply osmotic and oxidative environmental stresses to trigger the production of NGPs in liquid cultures with CYB (Czapek Dox Broth). In addition, numerous parameters were tested during the experiments, such as pH value, incubation time, container geometry, and static and agitation conditions. Results demonstrate that the produced amount of NGPs can be enhanced by decreasing the water activity ($a_w$) or by adding an oxidative stress factor. In conclusion, this study can contribute to our knowledge regarding A. tubingensis to present an effective method to increase NGP production, which may support the development of current industrial processes.