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Sci — Open Access Journal

Sci (ISSN 2413-4155) is an international open access journal published quarterly online. Sci publishes articles in all fields of academic research. The first issue will be released in 2018.

Open Access - free for readers, free publication for well-prepared manuscripts submitted before 1 July 2019.
Post Publication Peer-review: manuscripts are carefully evaluated for scientific soundness and accepted/rejected by a team of professional editors. Published articles will be subjected to post-publication open peer-review.
Criteria for publication:
- Scientific soundness
- Proper reporting
Recognition of reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.

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Latest Articles

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

Assessment of Habitat Change Processes within theOti-Keran-Mandouri Network of Protected Areas in Togo (West Africa) from 1987 to 2013 Using Decision Tree Analysis

by Aniko Polo-Akpisso, Kpérkouma Wala, Ouattara Soulemane, Fousseni Foléga, Koffi Akpagana and Yao Tano

Sci 2019, 1(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010009.v1 - 14 February 2019

Abstract

Biodiversity conservation planning is highly important in the current context of global change. Biodiversity conservation can be achieved by understanding changes in land use at the landscape scale. Such understanding is needed to reverse the unprecedented pressure on natural resources that has been reported by many studies conducted on biodiversity conservation within the Oti-Keran-Mandouri protected areas. Land cover maps reflecting different dates (1987, 2000, and 2013) and depicting different management systems, with overall accuracy ranging from 73% to 79%, were analyzed to understand the processes that lead to habitat degradation within these protected areas. The nature of change, within a given land cover class, was determined by comparing land cover maps on different dates using a decision tree algorithm that compares the number of patches, their areas, and their perimeters at different time periods (T₁ and T₂). Specifically, two time-periods were considered for this analysis: 1987–2000 and 2000–2013. Croplands and settlements increased at an average of 108.13% and 5.45%, respectively, from 1987 to 2000. From 2000 to 2013, croplands gained from all other land categories and continued to increase at a rate of 11.77% per year, whereas forests and savannas decreased at an annual average rate by 5.79% and 2.32%, respectively. The dominant processes of habitat change from 1987 to 2000 were the creation of forests, dissection of savannas, attrition of wetlands, and creation of croplands. Meanwhile, from 2000 to 2013, there was attrition of forests, as well as attrition of savannas, dissection of wetlands, and aggregation of croplands. In general, from 1987 to 2013, natural habitats regressed and were replaced by croplands; forests, savannas, and wetlands decreased at an average annual percentage 5.74%, 3.94%, and 2.02%, respectively, whereas croplands increased at an average annual rate of 285.39% of their own area. Aggregation, attrition, dissection, and creation were the main habitat change processes identified for the overall period from 1987 to 2013. There was habitat loss in forests and savannas and habitat fragmentation in wetland due to attrition and dissection, respectively. Identifying and understanding habitat change processes would enable the taking of appropriate biodiversity conservation actions. Full article

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

Origin of the 16S Ribosomal Molecule from Ancestor tRNAs

by Savio Torres de Farias, Thais Gaudêncio Rêgo and Marco V. José

Sci 2019, 1(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010008.v1 - 13 February 2019

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that concatemers of ancestral tRNAs gave rise to the 16S ribosomal RNA. We built an ancestral sequence of proto-tRNAs that showed a significant identity of 51.69% and a percentage of structural identity of 0.941 with the 16S ribosomal molecule. [...] Read more.

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

Correlation between the Fluctuations in Worldwide Seismicity and Atmospheric Carbon Pollution

by Alberto Carpinteri and Gianni Niccolini

Sci 2019, 1(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010002.v2 - 2 January 2019

Abstract

The crucial stages in the geochemical evolution of the Earth’s crust, ocean, and atmosphere could be explained by the assumed low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR) that are triggered by seismic activity. LENR result in the fission of medium-weight elements accompanied by neutron emissions, involving Fe and Ni as starting elements, and C, N, O as resultants. Geochemical data and experimental evidences support the LENR hypothesis. A spectral analysis of the period 1955-2013 shows common cycles between interannual changes in atmospheric CO₂ growth rate and global seismic-moment release, whereas the trending behavior of the atmospheric CO₂ was in response to the anthropogenic emissions. Assuming a correlation between such seismic and atmospheric fluctuations, the latter could be explained by cycles of worldwide seismicity, which would trigger massively LENR in the Earth’s Crust. In this framework, LENR from active faults could be considered as a relevant cause of carbon formation and degassing of freshly-formed CO₂ during seismic activity. However, further studies are necessary to validate the present hypothesis which, at the present time, mainly aims to stimulate debate on the models which regulates atmospheric CO₂. Full article

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

Quantum Calcium-Ion Interactions with EEG

by Lester Ingber

Sci 2019, 1(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010007.v1 - 11 December 2018

Abstract

Background: Previous papers have developed a statistical mechanics of neocortical interactions (SMNI) fit to short-term memory and EEG data. Adaptive Simulated Annealing (ASA) has been developed to perform fits to such nonlinear stochastic systems. An N-dimensional path-integral algorithm for quantum systems, qPATHINT, has been developed from classical PATHINT. Both fold short-time propagators (distributions or wave functions) over long times. Previous papers applied qPATHINT to two systems, in neocortical interactions and financial options. Objective: In this paper the quantum path-integral for Calcium ions is used to derive a closed-form analytic solution at arbitrary time that is used to calculate interactions with classical-physics SMNI interactions among scales. Using fits of this SMNI model to EEG data, including these effects, will help determine if this is a reasonable approach. Method: Methods of mathematical-physics for optimization and for path integrals in classical and quantum spaces are used for this project. Studies using supercomputer resources tested various dimensions for their scaling limits. In this paper the quantum path-integral is used to derive a closed-form analytic solution at arbitrary time that is used to calculate interactions with classical-physics SMNI interactions among scales. Results: The mathematical-physics and computer parts of the study are successful, in that there is modest improvement of cost/objective functions used to fit EEG data using these models. Conclusions: This project points to directions for more detailed calculations using more EEG data and qPATHINT at each time slice to propagate quantum calcium waves, synchronized with PATHINT propagation of classical SMNI. Full article

Open AccessLetterPost Publication Peer Review

Ground-based Measurements of Atmospheric Trace Gases in Beijing during the Olympic Games

by Jie Cheng

Sci 2019, 1(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010006.v1 - 5 December 2018

Abstract

A portable Fourier Transform Spectrometer (B3M-IR) is built and used to measure atmospheric trace gases in the city of Beijing during Olympic Games in 2008. A short description of the instrument is first provided in this paper. A detailed spectral analysis is then presented. The total columns of ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are retrieved from the ground-based solar absorption spectra recorded by the B3M-IR during the Olympic Games. Lacking validation data, only the retrieved total column of O₃ is compared with that retrieved by MAX-DOAS, which is deployed at the same station. The mean difference between the two methods of measurement is 6.5%, demonstrating the performance and reliability of B3M-IR. Full article

Open AccessCommunicationPost Publication Peer Review

Synthesis of A Silver Nanowire Array on Cu-BTC MOF Micropillars

by Zhen Qiao, Arben Kojtari, Jacob Babinec and Hai-Feng Ji

Sci 2019, 1(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010004.v1 - 30 November 2018

Abstract

An array of Ag nanowires has been prepared from a facile, templated approach on Cu(BTC) (1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) metal organic framework (MOF) micropillars. The Ag-deposited scaffolding material may be used to prepare electronic or optoelectronic devices for various applications. Full article

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Open AccessReviewPost Publication Peer Review

Isomerization and Properties of Isomers of Carbocyanine Dyes

by Pavel Pronkin and Alexander Tatikolov

Sci 2019, 1(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010005.v1 - 29 November 2018

Abstract

One of the important features of polymethine (cyanine) dyes is isomerization around one of C–C bonds of the polymethine chain. In this review, spectral properties of the isomers, photoisomerization and thermal back isomerization of carbocyanine dyes, mostly meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes, are considered. meso-Alkyl-substituted thiacarbocyanine dyes are present in polar solvents mainly as cis isomers and, hence, exhibit no photoisomerization, whereas in nonpolar solvents, in which the dyes are in the trans form, photoisomerization takes place. In contrast, the meso-substituted dyes 3,3′-dimethyl-9-phenylthiacarbocyanine and 3,3′-diethyl-9-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)thiacarbocyanine occur as trans isomers and exhibit photoisomerization in both polar and nonpolar solvents. The behavior of these dyes may be explained by the fact that the phenyl ring of the substituent in their molecules can be twisted at some angle, removing the substituent from the plane of the molecule and reducing its steric effect on the conformation of the trans isomer. In some cases, photoisomerization of cis isomers of meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes is also observed (for some meso-alkyl-substituted dyes complexed with DNA and chondroitin-4-sulfate; for 3,3′-diethyl-9-methoxythiacarbocyanine in moderate polarity solvents). The cycle photoisomerization–thermal back isomerization of cyanine dyes can be used in various systems of information storage and deserves further investigation using modern research methods. Full article

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

An Experiment-Based Methodology for Evaluating the Impacts of Full Bandwidth Load on the Hybrid Energy Storage System for Electrified Vehicles

by Masood Shahverdi, Michael Mazzola, Matthew Doude, Quintin Grice, Jim Gafford and Nicolas Sockeel

Sci 2019, 1(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010003.v1 - 1 November 2018

Abstract

In Electrified Vehicles, the cost, efficiency, and durability of electrified vehicles are dependent on the energy storage system (ESS) components, configuration and its performance. This paper, pursuing a minimal size tactic, describes a methodology for quantitatively and qualitatively investigating the impacts of a full bandwidth load on the ESS in the HEV. However, the methodology can be extended to other electrified vehicles. The full bandwidth load, up to the operating frequency of the electric motor drive (20 kHz), is empirically measured which includes a frequency range beyond the usually covered frequency range by published standard drive cycles (up to 0.5 Hz). The higher frequency band is shown to be more efficiently covered by a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) which in this paper is defined as combination of a high energy density battery, an Ultra-Capacitor (UC), an electrolytic capacitor, and a film capacitor. In this paper, the harmonic and dc currents and voltages are measured through two precision methods and then the results are used to discuss about overall HEV efficiency and durability. More importantly, the impact of the addition of high-band energy storage devices in reduction of power loss during transient events is disclosed through precision measurement based methodology. Full article

Open AccessArticlePost Publication Peer Review

Correlation between the Fluctuations in Worldwide Seismicity and Atmospheric Carbon Pollution

by Alberto Carpinteri and Gianni Niccolini

Sci 2019, 1(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010002.v2 - 28 September 2018

Abstract

The crucial stages in the geochemical evolution of the Earth’s crust, ocean, and atmosphere could be explained by the assumed low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR) that are triggered by seismic activity. LENR result in the fission of medium-weight elements accompanied by neutron emissions, involving Fe and Ni as starting elements, and C, N, O as resultants. Geochemical data and experimental evidences support the LENR hypothesis. A spectral analysis of the period 1955-2013 shows common cycles between interannual changes in atmospheric CO2 growth rate and global seismic-moment release, whereas the trending behavior of the atmospheric CO2 was in response to the anthropogenic emissions. Assuming a correlation between such seismic and atmospheric fluctuations, the latter could be explained by cycles of worldwide seismicity, which would trigger massively LENR in the Earth’s Crust. In this framework, LENR from active faults could be considered as a relevant cause of carbon formation and degassing of freshly-formed CO2 during seismic activity. However, further studies are necessary to validate the present hypothesis which, at the present time, mainly aims to stimulate debate on the models which regulates atmospheric CO2. Full article

Open AccessEditorialPost Publication Peer Review

Sci—An Open Access Journal with Post-Publication Peer Review

by Martyn Rittman and Franck Vazquez

Sci 2019, 1(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci1010001.v1 - 4 May 2018

Abstract

Sci (ISSN: 2413-4155) is a new and innovative open access journal from MDPI. [...] Full article

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