bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of Brain Edema and Investigation into Anti-Edema Drugs
Authors: Michinaga Shotaro , Koyama Yutaka
Published: April 2015

Brain edema is a potentially fatal pathological state that occurs after brain injuries such as stroke and head trauma. In the edematous brain, excess accumulation of extracellular fluid results in elevation of intracranial pressure, leading to impaired nerve function. Despite the seriousness of brain edema, only symptomatic treatments to remove edema fluid are currently available. Thus, the development of novel anti-edema drugs is required. The pathogenesis of brain edema is classified as vasogenic or cytotoxic edema. Vasogenic edema is defined as extracellular accumulation of fluid resulting from disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and extravasations of serum proteins, while cytotoxic edema is characterized by cell swelling caused by intracellular accumulation of fluid. Various experimental animal models are often used to investigate mechanisms underlying brain edema. Many soluble factors and functional molecules have been confirmed to induce BBB disruption or cell swelling and drugs targeted to these factors are expected to have anti-edema effects. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and involvement of factors that induce brain edema formation, and the possibility of anti-edema drugs targeting them.
Evaluation and Selection of Appropriate Reference Genes for Real-Time Quantitative PCR Analysis of Gene Expression in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during Vaccination and Infection
Authors: Wang Erlong , Wang Kaiyu , Chen Defang , Wang Jun , He Yang , Long Bo , Yang Lei , Yang Qian , Geng Yi , Huang Xiaoli , Ouyang Ping , Lai Weimin
Published: April 2015

qPCR as a powerful and attractive methodology has been widely applied to aquaculture researches for gene expression analyses. However, the suitable reference selection is critical for normalizing target genes expression in qPCR. In the present study, six commonly used endogenous controls were selected as candidate reference genes to evaluate and analyze their expression levels, stabilities and normalization to immune-related gene IgM expression during vaccination and infection in spleen of tilapia with RefFinder and GeNorm programs. The results showed that all of these candidate reference genes exhibited transcriptional variations to some extent at different periods. Among them, EF1A was the most stable reference with RefFinder, followed by 18S rRNA, ACTB, UBCE, TUBA and GAPDH respectively and the optimal number of reference genes for IgM normalization under different experiment sets was two with GeNorm. Meanwhile, combination the Cq (quantification cycle) value and the recommended comprehensive ranking of reference genes, EF1A and ACTB, the two optimal reference genes, were used together as reference genes for accurate analysis of immune-related gene expression during vaccination and infection in Nile tilapia with qPCR. Moreover, the highest IgM expression level was at two weeks post-vaccination when normalized to EF1A, 18S rRNA, ACTB, and EF1A together with ACTB compared to one week post-vaccination before normalizing, which was also consistent with the IgM antibody titers detection by ELISA.
Dispersion Process and Effect of Oleic Acid on Properties of Cellulose Sulfate- Oleic Acid Composite Film
Authors: Chen Guo , Zhang Bin , Zhao Jun
Published: April 2015

The cellulose sulfate (CS) is a newly developed cellulose derivative. The work aimed to investigate the effect of oleic acid (OA) content on properties of CS-OA film. The process of oleic acid dispersion into film was described to evaluate its effect on the properties of the film. Among the formulations evaluated, the OA addition decreased the solubility and water vapor permeability of the CS-OA film. The surface contact angle changed from 64.2° to 94.0° by increasing CS/OA ratio from 1:0 to 1:0.25 (w/w). The TS increased with OA content below 15% and decreased with OA over 15%, but the ε decreased with higher OA content. The micro-cracking matrices and micro pores in the film indicated the condense structure of the film destroyed by the incorporation of oleic acid. No chemical interaction between the OA and CS was observed in the XRD and FTIR spectrum. Film formulation containing 2% (w/w) CS, 0.3% (w/w) glycerol and 0.3% (w/w) OA, showed good properties of mechanic, barrier to moisture and homogeneity.
A Decomposition and Comparison Analysis of International Water Footprint Time Series
Authors: Roson Roberto , Sartori Martina
Published: April 2015

This paper deals with the construction, decomposition and comparison of water footprint time series in 40 countries and one aggregate macro-region, in the period 1995–2009. The analysis of the different “footpaths” allows us to investigate the possible causes behind the time evolution of water footprints in the various countries. We notice that the physical and economic impact of economic growth on water resources has been significantly lower than what it could have been, for several reasons. First, both production and consumption patterns are shifting away from water-intensive goods. Second, a large part of consumed water is actually not blue water, susceptible to alternative uses. Finally, we do not find strong evidence of gains in the economic productivity of water (dollars per water unit) in many countries, but we do find evidence of indirect efficiency gains, related to a composition of factors in the production processes.
Raw Material Equivalents: The Challenges of Accounting for Sustainability in a Globalized World
Authors: Schaffartzik Anke , Wiedenhofer Dominik , Eisenmenger Nina
Published: April 2015

The indicator domestic material consumption (domestic extraction + imports – exports) is widely used to track the scale, composition, and dynamics of material use. As production increasingly occurs at a spatial distance from the demand it ultimately satisfies, new accounting challenges arise that this indicator may not be able to meet. In response, indicators in raw material equivalents (RME) have been developed to account for material use, no matter where it occurs, associated with final demand. RME indicators are most commonly calculated based on monetary input-output tables with material extensions. The resulting indicators, which are rapidly gaining scientific and political importance, must be interpreted as stemming from a mixed monetary and physical accounting approach. How such an approach differs from a physical accounting approach is shown in this article using an input-output model with a material extension. Neither the physical nor the mixed monetary and physical approach is found to generate results which are incorrect. Instead, the results must be interpreted in light of the assumptions entailed in the approach on which they are based. In making possibilities and limits of interpretation in both cases transparent, RME indicators can more readily be discussed and used by sustainability scientists and practitioners.
CREATIVITY AND ITS EXPRESSION FORMS: SOCIOCULTURAL AND MEDIA ASPECTS
Authors: Barevičiūtė Jovilė
Published: April 2015

„Creativity and its expression forms: sociocultural and media aspects" Creativity Studies, 8(1), p. 1
Experimental Determination of Isothermal Section at 1050°C in the Fe-Nb-V Ternary System
Authors: Liu Chang Jiang , Lv Qiu Juan , Guo Zhi Qing , Li Yan Jiao , Guo Jian Feng
Published: April 2015

The phase equilibria in the Fe-Nb-V ternary system were investigated by means of optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis. One isothermal section in the Fe-Nb-V ternary system at 1050 °C was firstly experimentally established. Present experimental results indicate that: (1) there is a large (Nb, V) continuous bcc solid solution; (2) there are the larger solubilities of V in the FeNb and Fe2Nb phases. The newly determined phase equilibria in this system will provide important support for the development of microalloyed steels.
Vibration Analysis of High-Pressure Cylindrical Cylinders
Authors: Qin Zhong Bao , Guo Jian Feng , Meng Fei , Hu Xiao Long
Published: April 2015

In order to solve the vibration problems of car high-pressure cylindrical cylinders, Plate and Shell Vibration Theory is used for the calculation and analysis of the vibration characteristics. The vibration frequencies and modes of such cylinders are obtained. At the same time, the corresponding results are gotten through ANSYS12.0 simulation calculation. The similarities and differences of the both vibration frequencies and the changes of the respective modes are compared and analyzed to support the farther safety performance analysis of such cylinders in the vibration environment.
Simulation of the Motion of Two Bubbles in Aluminum Foams Produced Process by Using Level Set Method
Authors: Zhao Zhi Xin , Niu Jian Hua , Huang Lan , Wang Huan Ran
Published: April 2015

In this paper, the three-dimensional motion of two bubbles in melt Aluminum was simulated by using level set method. Through changing the positions and sizes of two bubbles, the influence of bubbles wake flow and their interaction are considered. Our numerical simulations demonstrate the bubbles characteristic behavior such as distortion, attraction, and repulsion. The velocity field around the bubbles reveals the interaction between the wakes of two bubbles in fluid dynamics. For the two bubbles placed horizontally or vertically, it is found that the coalescence of bubbles may happen when 50% of the below bubble’s projected area enters the wake zone of the upper bubble.
Structure Design Study of a Pharmacy Manipulator
Authors: Ji Yang Ping
Published: April 2015

In order to improve the function of automation pharmacy,enhance the efficiency of getting drug and save the operation cost of large storehouse,the existing manipulator and relating completed facility were reimagined and redesigned to adapt to the actual needs in this paper.The grasp needs of boxed drug and bottled drug can be satisfied simultaneously by the new design,this may have practical significance for the expansion of the function of automation pharmacy.Moreover,the alternation of the relating completed facility will change the previous work pattern,reduce the manipulator’s round trip times, make the grasping process more reasonable,then finally enhance the efficiency of grabbing drug.
Research on Compressive and Coding Algorithm of Bearing Vibration Signal in Wireless Transmission
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhang Yuan , Ning Wei
Published: April 2015

The resources of node including the storage capacity, processing capacity, the energy supply in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are limited, and the energy of node is mainly consumed in process of data transmission. The vibration signal which changes quickly, and has large amount of data is usually used in bearing condition monitoring. So in the process of bearing condition monitoring using WSNs, if the bearing vibration signal is acquired and transmitted, then the node will be fault for running out of node resources earlier. In order to solve the problems above, and prolong the node life, a compressive and coding algorithm of bearing vibration signal is proposed. The algorithm is based on 5/3 integer lifting wavelet, and fuses the embedded zerotree wavelet and Huffman coding algorithm. The bearing vibration data is firstly processed by 5/3 wavelet, then the wavelet coefficients obtained is compressed and coded by zerotree wavelet, and finally the results above are further compressed and coded by Huffman algorithm to improve the compressing ratio. The algorithm is programmed and transplanted in DSP of node, the evaluative criteria of compressive ratio (CR) and root mean square error (RMSE) are adopted to verify the performance of algorithm. The experiment results show that the vibration signal is compressed and coded efficiently, the main frequency feature of vibration signal is retained although the compressing ratio is up to 9.5. The amount of vibration data in wireless transmission decreases greatly, and at the same time, the memory space of host computer is saved.
Research of a Mold Job Shop Scheduling Optimization Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Lan Xiu Ju , Su Dan Dan
Published: April 2015

Job shop scheduling is a key part of production management and control for manufacturing enterprises. An optimized scheduling is helpful for enterprise to strengthen its efficiency and competition. And particle swarm optimization is a young algorithm of swarm intelligence. So application and research of job shop scheduling based on particle swarm optimization has important practical significance. This paper analyze and diagnose the scheduling status of a mold manufacturing workshop, taking minimize make span and average of AI based on fuzzy processing-time and delivery as optimizing target, model the scheduling for the manufacturing of CQD-035. Eventually, programming on the platform of MATLAB7.0.1 using the discrete particle swarm algorithm, a satisfactory scheduling scheme is obtained.
The Generalized Dynamic Factor of Hydraulic Excavator Working Device
Authors: Ren Zhi Gui , Chen Jin , Pang Xiao Ping , Zhang Dong Sheng
Published: April 2015

Synchronous test platforms were built to test the dynamic stress and working device attitude. The dynamic stress spectrums of all the test points under a variety of common conditions were obtained. The digging gestures corresponding to the peak of the dynamic stress spectrums were found out and taken as the specified digging gestures for the calculation of the static stress. The static stress nephogram of working device under the specified digging gestures was calculated using traditional static strength analysis. By conducting statistical analysis on the ratio of dynamic stress and static stress of all the testing points. Then, the range of generalized dynamic factor of working device was obtained.
Design of Sea Currents Turbine
Authors: Wijaya Kusuma I.G.B. , Hartati Rukmi Sari
Published: April 2015

. Research on sea current energy uses as a sea current electrical power plant (PLTAL) in the region of Lembongan-Nusa Penida-Ceningan carried out since 2013, aiming to meet the demand for electricity in the coastal areas and remote islands. This study aims to design a marine current turbine which is planned to generate electricity of about 50 kW, with a construction system made ​​fixed and the turbine set inside that can spin revolving without interruption. Simulation model of the flow is done by using Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis, CFD. Simulations conducted in private with a variety of flow velocity and pressure of the sea water and various forms of channels. Based on the results obtained by simulation, the best flow of sea currents is with a slope angle of 300 with a channel length of 15 m where the flow speed of the turbine of about 39 m/s with a flow pressure of 201,426 Pa, which predicted to be capable of producing 1,500 kW turbine power.
Effect of Plasma Nitrocaburizing on the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of SS 304
Authors: Nugroho Aris Widyo , Nur Rosyid Harun , Sujitno Tjipto
Published: April 2015

In this study, the mechanical properties and corrosion properties of plasma nitrocarburized 304 stainless steel at various processing times was investigated. Plasma nitrocarburizing was carried out at different processing time durations which varied from 60 min to 300 min at fixed temperature of 500 °C in an atmosphere of 78 vol.% N2, 19 vol.% H2 and 3 vol.% CH4. An Optical microscope and SEM coupled with EDS have been used to characterize the microstructural and the elemental depth profiles in which the thickness of the modified layers is derived. Microindentation method is used for the study of mechanical performance of the nitrocarburized material. Corrosion properties were investigated using potentiostat method in a 1 wt% NaCl solution. The result shows that the microhardness increases to a maximum value of more than two times compared to that of the untreated one. The corrosion performance was found being treatment time duration dependent.
CFD Study on the Ventilation System and Shape Configuration of Underground Car Park in Case of Fire
Authors: Santoso Muhammad Agung , Bey Zilvan , Nugroho Yulianto Sulistyo
Published: April 2015

Fire in a typical car park is capable to induce large Heat Release Rate. The heat release rate in car park can be ranged from 500 kW to 20 MW depends on the ventilation condition of the car - park and the car itself. When fire occurs in poor ventilated car, i.e. the window is closed, fire will immediately burn out. Otherwise, fire will rapidly spreads and consume adjacent car. This condition can result in wide spread of fire involving all of the available car in the parking lot considering the availability of ventilation in underground car - park which strongly affect the fire and smoke spread. In this paper, a typical large underground car - park is being considered by varying the aspect ratio of the parking lot shape with constant floor to ceiling height. The effect of horizontal ventilation system and its thrust direction on the spread of smoke, its flow pattern, and overall CO distribution will be covered. In addition, the impact of additional building structure, basement aspect ratio, and ceiling beam will be discussed by considering it effect on smoke flow pattern and extraction effectiveness. Furthermore, based on the simulation which had been carried out the dilution of smoke by the air from the horizontal ventilation system is significantly increasing the CO concentration at 2 m height as it disturbed the smoke concentration stratification.
Analysis of Micropattern Fabrication for Micromold Using Low Power CO2 Laser
Authors: Baskoro Ario Sunar , Bali Yendri Minggu
Published: April 2015

The development of innovative micro components depends on the manufacturing system and process that reliable to produce the component in micro scale with good quality. In this case, using CO2Laser is one of microfabrication techniques to fabricate material to get micro component. In this research, experiment was performed to fabricate micropattern using engraving method by Laser CO2machine with several independent variables such as focus distance of nozzle Laser to workpiece (F), power of Laser (P), and velocity of nozzle Laser movement (V). The workpiece in this research was acrylic. Result of fabrication process will be identified and measured using digital microscope and surface roughness tester to get the value of workpiece quality such as surface roughness and geometrical properties as the dependent variables. The relationship of both variables will be expressed in 3D curves characteristic and mathematical models were analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). The result of the analysis shows that the power of Laser (P) and velocity of Laser nozzle movement (V) effect is the significant variables affecting the quality of micropattern and micromold fabrications. Micromold can be fabricated using Laser CO2with roughness value (Rax) is 17,55μm, width of grove (W) is 135 μm, depth (D) is 341 μm.
The Distal Upstream Promoter in Ly49 Genes, Pro1, Is Active in Mature NK Cells and T Cells, Does Not Require TATA Boxes, and Displays Enhancer Activity
Authors: Gays Frances , Taha Sally , Brooks Colin G.
Published: April 2015

Missing self recognition of MHC class I molecules is mediated in murine species primarily through the stochastic expression of CD94/NKG2 and Ly49 receptors on NK cells. Previous studies have suggested that the stochastic expression of Ly49 receptors is achieved through the use of an alternate upstream promoter, designated Pro1, that is active only in immature NK cells and operates via the mutually exclusive binding of transcription initiation complexes to closely opposed forward and reverse TATA boxes, with forward transcription being transiently required to activate the downstream promoters, Pro2/Pro3, that are subsequently responsible for transcription in mature NK cells. In this study, we report that Pro1 transcripts are not restricted to immature NK cells but are also found in mature NK cells and T cells, and that Pro1 fragments display strong promoter activity in mature NK cell and T cell lines as well as in immature NK cells. However, the strength of promoter activity in vitro does not correlate well with Ly49 expression in vivo and forward promoter activity is generally weak or undetectable, suggesting that components outside of Pro1 are required for efficient forward transcription. Indeed, conserved sequences immediately upstream and downstream of the core Pro1 region were found to inhibit or enhance promoter activity. Most surprisingly, promoter activity does not require either the forward or reverse TATA boxes, but is instead dependent on residues in the largely invariant central region of Pro1. Importantly, Pro1 displays strong enhancer activity, suggesting that this may be its principal function in vivo.
IL-33 Receptor ST2 Amplifies the Expansion of NK Cells and Enhances Host Defense during Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Nabekura Tsukasa , Girard Jean-Philippe , Lanier Lewis L.
Published: April 2015

NK cells provide important host defense against viruses and can differentiate into self-renewing memory NK cells after infection, alloantigen stimulation, and cytokine stimulation. In this study, we investigated the role of the IL-33 receptor ST2 in the differentiation of NK cells during mouse CMV (MCMV) infection. Although ST2-deficient (Il1rl1−/−) Ly49H+ NK cells develop normally and differentiate into memory cells after MCMV infection, naive and memory Il1rl1−/− Ly49H+ NK cells exhibited profound defects in MCMV-specific expansion, resulting in impaired protection against MCMV challenge. Additionally, IL-33 enhanced m157 Ag-specific proliferation of Ly49H+ NK cells in vitro. Thus, an IL-33/ST2 signaling axis in NK cells contributes to host defense against MCMV.
Educational background of nurses and their perceptions of the quality and safety of patient care
Authors: Swart Reece P. , Pretorius Ronel , Klopper Hester
Published: April 2015

Background: International health systems research confirms the critical role that nurses play in ensuring the delivery of high quality patient care and subsequent patient safety. It is therefore important that the education of nurses should prepare them for the provision of safe care of a high quality. The South African healthcare system is made up of public and private hospitals that employ various categories of nurses. The perceptions of the various categories of nurses with reference to quality of care and patient safety are unknown in South Africa (SA).Objective: To determine the relationship between the educational background of nurses and their perceptions of quality of care and patient safety in private surgical units in SA.Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used. A questionnaire was used for data collection, after which hierarchical linear modelling was utilised to determine the relationships amongst the variables.Results: Both the registered- and enrolled nurses seemed satisfied with the quality of care and patient safety in the units were they work. Enrolled nurses (ENs) indicated that current efforts to prevent errors are adequate, whilst the registered nurses (RNs) obtained high scores in reporting incidents in surgical wards.Conclusion: From the results it was evident that perceptions of RNs and ENs related to the quality of care and patient safety differed. There seemed to be a statistically-significant difference between RNs and ENs perceptions of the prevention of errors in the unit, losing patient information between shifts and patient incidents related to medication errors, pressure ulcers and falls with injury.
Avian poxvirus in a free-range juvenile speckled (rock) pigeon (Columba guinea)
Authors: Bwala Dauda G. , Fasina Folorunso O. , Duncan Neil M.
Published: April 2015

A flightless wild juvenile rock pigeon (Columba guinea) with pox-like lesions was picked up on the premises of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort. The pigeon was housed overnight for possible treatment the following day but died before any other intervention could be instituted. At necropsy, coalescing masses of yellowish nodular cutaneous tumour-like lesions principally on the featherless areas were noticed on the dead pigeon’s head as well as the beak. Histological examination of the sampled skin lesions revealed multifocal areas of hypertrophic and hyperplastic epidermal epithelial cells with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Bollinger bodies). Extract from the lesion was processed and inoculated on the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs and this produced pocks on one of the CAM at day 7 post-inoculation. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of poxvirus in the CAM with the pock lesions.
Procurement challenges in the Zimbabwean public sector: A preliminary study
Authors: Dzuke Abel , Naude Micheline J.A.
Published: April 2015

Background: State Procurement Board procedures and the public procurement process have been blamed for the lagging behind of government projects that impact on public service delivery in Zimbabwe.Objectives: This article provides insight into challenges resulting from the legal framework for public procurement in Zimbabwe that detract from service delivery.Method: Empirical data was collected through in-depth interviews with five participants at five public entities, using a semi-structured interview guide. Content analysis was used to analyse the primary data.Results: The findings revealed various challenges in the public procurement process that detract from service delivery. These include a lack of strategic recognition of the procurement function and procurement policy; a lack of professional, managerial and leadership skills; a lack of appropriated funds from Treasury; and a lack of accountability in the procurement process.Conclusion: There is a dearth of research on the public procurement process and its efficiency in Zimbabwe, and this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by identifying areas through which public procurement can be improved in Zimbabwe.
Die identifisering van ’n geskikte vraelys vir die bepaling van lewenskwaliteit by Suid-Afrikaanse vroue met servikskanker
Authors: Du Toit George
Published: April 2015

Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers among South African women. In the absence of an adequate, preventative cervical cytology programme, the majority of women present with an advanced stage of disease. Despite treatment, the prognosis for these women is poor. Furthermore, HIV and AIDS impacts adversely on the treatment of cervical cancer, whereas cervical cancer and its treatment again affect the quality of life. Objective assessment of the quality of life can improve treatment and supportive care. The current study was done to identify the most appropriate questionnaire to assess the quality of life experienced by South African women with cervical cancer. The European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Measurement System (FACIT) questionnaires are the most commonly used for assessment of the quality of life patients with cancer have. The current study assessed the appropriateness of these questionnaires for use in South Africa on the following criteria: study structure (prospective or transverse), quality of life endpoint (primary or secondary), timing of assessment during disease process and the nationalities of the study populations. The EORTC questionnaire was identified as the most appropriate for application to South African women with cervical cancer.
A Case of Metastatic Rectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Initially Diagnosed as Lung Cancer
Authors: Win Aung Zaw , Aparici Carina Mari
Published: April 2015

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is extremely rare with a reported incidence of only 0.025–0.1% of all colorectal tumors. The patient was a 68-year-old man who presented with fatigue, dry cough, shortness of breath, and unintentional weight loss. A chest CT revealed a left suprahilar mass suspected to be lung cancer and an initial diagnosis of primary lung cancer was made. However, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) exam revealed an intensely hypermetabolic rectal mass which turned out to be rectal squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report that shows FDG-PET/CT images of rectal squamous cell carcinoma metastasis to the skin, muscle, bone, and lung. Use of PET/CT in the initial diagnosis of non-resectable rectal cancers may avoid unnecessary surgery.
Synovial Hemangioma in the Knee: MRI Findings
Authors: Arslan Harun , İslamoğlu Necat , Akdemir Zülküf , Adanaş Cihan
Published: April 2015

Synovial hemangiomas are rare benign tumors of vascular origin. A 23-year-old boy presented with knee pain and swelling. The boy had developed symptoms 18-months earlier. He was diagnosed with synovial hemangioma based on magnetic resonnance imaging examination and histopathologic findings of the arthroscopic biopsy tissue. We present the magnetic resonance imaging and histopathologic findings of synovial hemangioma of the knee.
Crouzeix-Raviart MsFEM with Bubble Functions for Diffusion and Advection-Diffusion in Perforated Media
Authors: Degond Pierre , Lozinski Alexei , Muljadi Bagus Putra , Narski Jacek
Published: April 2015

The adaptation of Crouzeix-Raviart finite element in the context of multi-scale finite element method (MsFEM) is studied and implemented on diffusion and advection-diffusion problems in perforated media. It is known that the approximation of boundary condition on coarse element edges when computing the multiscale basis functions critically influences the eventual accuracy of any MsFEM approaches. The weakly enforced continuity of Crouzeix-Raviart function space across element edges leads to a natural boundary condition for the multiscale basis functions which relaxes the sensitivity of our method to complex patterns of perforations. Another ingredient to our method is the application of bubble functions which is shown to be instrumental in maintaining high accuracy amid dense perforations. Additionally, the application of penalization method makes it possible to avoid complex unstructured domain and allows extensive use of simpler Cartesian meshes.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Droplet Formation in Non-Newtonian Fluids
Authors: Shi Y. , Tang G. H.
Published: April 2015

Newtonian and non-Newtonian dispersed phase droplet formation in non-Newtonian continuous phase in T-junction and cross junction microchannels are investigated by the immiscible lattice BGK model. The effects of the non-Newtonian fluid power-law exponent, viscosity and interfacial tension on the generation of the droplet are studied. The final droplet size, droplet generation frequency, and detachment point of the droplet change with the power-law exponent. The results reveal that it is necessary to take into account the non-Newtonian rheology instead of simple Newtonian fluid assumption in numerical simulations. The present analysis also demonstrates that the lattice Boltzmann method is of potential to investigate the non-Newtonian droplet generation in multiphase flow.
Una cuestión de anatomía: el diseño del pictograma asociado al género femenino
Authors: Quindós González Tania , González-Miranda Elena
Published: April 2015

El pictograma que representa a la mujer para indicar los aseos femeninos es un tema objeto de polémica, que induce a la formulación de diversas cuestiones en relación a la vigencia y al diseño del signo. En este trabajo se indaga en la representación de la figura femenina; además, se plantean otras hipótesis y enfoques gráficos y su viabilidad, para reconsiderar el diseño de este pictograma en nuestra sociedad contemporánea.
Vendiendo oro
Authors: Taño Elías
Published: April 2015

¿Qué es un fanzine? Hace poco escuchaba una de sus definiciones más acertadas: un estado espiritual.
Análisis hidrogeológico de la escombrera exterior de la antigua mina de As Pontes
Authors: Juncosa Rivera Ricardo , Delgado Martin Jordi , Menendez Lolo Jose Antonio , Valle Garcia Ramon , Garcia Morrondo David
Published: April 2015

Con el fin de analizar la influencia de las aguas subterráneas de la escombrera exterior de la antigua mina de lignito de As Pontes (Galicia) sobre el lago minero adyacente se ha procedido a hacer una caracterización hidrogeológica de la misma. Para ello, ha sido necesario hacer diferentes ensayos hidráulicos en distintos puntos representativos de la escombrera para estimar los parámetros hidrodinámicos e identificación de las distintas unidades hidrogeológicas, las cuales se pueden describir como independientes. En el presente trabajo se concluye que la cobertera externa de la escombrera presenta valores de permeabilidad característicos de un limo arcilloso distribuidos espacialmente de manera homogénea, por lo que se minimiza la posible infiltración y su posible percolación a posiciones más profundas, y su posterior descarga al lago por los taludes contiguos. La influencia de la descarga subterránea es nula.
Virtual laboratories: new opportunities for collaborative water science
Authors: Ceola S. , Arheimer B. , Baratti E. , Blöschl G. , Capell R. , Castellarin A. , Freer J. , Han D. , Hrachowitz M. , Hundecha Y. , Hutton C. , Lindström G. , Montanari A. , Nijzink R. , Parajka J. , Toth E. , Viglione A. , Wagener T.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Reproducibility and repeatability of experiments are the fundamental prerequisites that allow researchers to validate results and share hydrological knowledge, experience and expertise in the light of global water management problems. Virtual laboratories offer new opportunities to enable these prerequisites since they allow experimenters to share data, tools and pre-defined experimental procedures (i.e. protocols). Here we present the outcomes of a first collaborative numerical experiment undertaken by five different international research groups in a virtual laboratory to address the key issues of reproducibility and repeatability. Moving from the definition of accurate and detailed experimental protocols, a rainfall–runoff model was independently applied to 15 European catchments by the research groups and model results were collectively examined through a web-based discussion. We found that a detailed modelling protocol was crucial to ensure the comparability and reproducibility of the proposed experiment across groups. Our results suggest that sharing comprehensive and precise protocols and running the experiments within a controlled environment (e.g. virtual laboratory) is as fundamental as sharing data and tools for ensuring experiment repeatability and reproducibility across the broad scientific community and thus advancing hydrology in a more coherent way.
BENTHIC HABITAT MAPPING AND BIODIVERSITY ANALYSIS IN THE PRIMEIRAS AND SEGUNDAS ARCHIPELAGO RESERVE
Authors: Teixeira L. , Nilsson M. , Hedley J. , Shapiro A.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago Reserve is a recently established marine protected area, the largest in Africa, located in the waters of Northern Mozambique. This protected area is of significant local economic importance and global ecological relevance, containing the southernmost coral reefs in Eastern Africa. However, information related to the marine ecosystem, notably benthic habitat is very scarce. Twelve atolls were mapped in the region using object-based image classification of very-high resolution satellite imagery (IKONOS, Quickbird, and WorldView-2). Geographically referenced data on benthic cover and depth were gathered in the course of three fieldwork expeditions covering a total of four atolls and two shallow reef structures in the Segundas Archipelago. The resulting map allows the estimation of three distinct types of coral cover (field, patches, spurs and grooves); the differentiation of sand, rubble and rock substrate; and the detection of seagrass and brown macroalgae, identifying up to 24 benthic habitats. Average overall accuracy was above 50%. The high variability of the optical properties on the reef systems, in large due to the connectivity with the mainland via plumes, while interesting from an ecological perspective increases the challenges for remote sensing of bottom cover. New information indicates the presence of deep benthic cover extending from the atolls, suggesting the need for further research on Coastal Eastern African corals, namely on their resilience and connectivity, and supporting current knowledge of the existence of an almost continuous coral reef from Kenya to Mozambique. Coral and fish biodiversity data have been analysed together with the satellite-derived maps. Results support the local perception that ecosystems are in decline and uncover new information about biodiversity’s spatial patterns. Our work provides a detailed depiction of marine habitats that may aid the management of the protected area, namely in the definition of fishing zones and coral cover monitoring.
INTEGRATED SAR TECHNOLOGIES FOR MONITORING THE STABILITY OF MINE SITES: APPLICATION USING TERRASAR-X AND RADARSAT-2 IMAGES
Authors: Rheault M. , Bouroubi Y. , Sarago V. , Nguyen-Xuan P. T. , Bugnet P. , Gosselin C. , Benoit M.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The last three decades have seen significant mining development in the northern regions of Canada, where the freeze and thaw cycle of permafrost and corresponding surface subsidence and heave represent a significant challenge at all mining stages, from the design of infrastructures to the monitoring of restored areas. Over the past ten years, SAR interferometry has been widely used to monitor ground surface deformation. With this technique, changes in phase between two SAR acquisitions are used to detect centimetre to millimetre surface displacements over a large area with high spatial resolution. This paper presents the results of a project that aims to develop a SAR solution to provide useful information for environmental monitoring and assessing the stability of mining sites. RADARSAT-2 and TerraSAR-X images acquired during the summer of 2014 were used to measure the displacements of ground surface, infrastructures and stockpiles caused by seasonal changes in permafrost extent. The study area is an open-pit mine located in Nunavut, northern Canada, in the continuous permafrost zone. Results shown that surface displacements calculated from RADARSAT-2 and TerraSAR-X are very similar and in agreement with scientific and terrain knowledge. Significant displacements were observed in loose soil areas while none was detected in bedrock and rock outcrop areas. The areas most affected by active layer changes showed surface subsidence during the thaw settlement period. Thus, InSAR can be used as a tool to guide the siting and design of new infrastructure as well as highlighting risks in areas of unstable terrain.
Biomass estimation to support pasture management in Niger
Authors: Schucknecht A. , Meroni M. , Kayitakire F. , Rembold F. , Boureima A.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Livestock plays a central economic role in Niger, but it is highly vulnerable due to the high inter-annual variability of rain and hence pasture production. This study aims to develop an approach for mapping pasture biomass production to support activities of the Niger Ministry of Livestock for effective pasture management. Our approach utilises the observed spatiotemporal variability of biomass production to build a predictive model based on ground and remote sensing data for the period 1998–2012. Measured biomass (63 sites) at the end of the growing season was used for the model parameterisation. The seasonal cumulative Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (CFAPAR), calculated from 10-day image composites of SPOT-VEGETATION FAPAR, was computed as a phenology-tuned proxy of biomass production. A linear regression model was tested aggregating field data at different levels (global, department, agro-ecological zone, and intersection of agro-ecological and department units) and subjected to a cross validation (cv) by leaving one full year out. An increased complexity (i.e. spatial detail) of the model increased the estimation performances indicating the potential relevance of additional and spatially heterogeneous agro-ecological characteristics for the relationship between herbaceous biomass at the end of the season and CFAPAR. The model using the department aggregation yielded the best trade-off between model complexity and predictive power (R2 = 0.55, R2cv = 0.48). The proposed approach can be used to timely produce maps of estimated biomass at the end of the growing season before ground point measurements are made available.
SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION AND DIFFERENCE EXTRACTION VIA TIME SERIES AERIAL VIDEO CAMERA AND ITS APPLICATION
Authors: Amit S. N. K. , Saito S. , Sasaki S. , Kiyoki Y. , Aoki Y.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Google earth with high-resolution imagery basically takes months to process new images before online updates. It is a time consuming and slow process especially for post-disaster application. The objective of this research is to develop a fast and effective method of updating maps by detecting local differences occurred over different time series; where only region with differences will be updated. In our system, aerial images from Massachusetts’s road and building open datasets, Saitama district datasets are used as input images. Semantic segmentation is then applied to input images. Semantic segmentation is a pixel-wise classification of images by implementing deep neural network technique. Deep neural network technique is implemented due to being not only efficient in learning highly discriminative image features such as road, buildings etc., but also partially robust to incomplete and poorly registered target maps. Then, aerial images which contain semantic information are stored as database in 5D world map is set as ground truth images. This system is developed to visualise multimedia data in 5 dimensions; 3 dimensions as spatial dimensions, 1 dimension as temporal dimension, and 1 dimension as degenerated dimensions of semantic and colour combination dimension. Next, ground truth images chosen from database in 5D world map and a new aerial image with same spatial information but different time series are compared via difference extraction method. The map will only update where local changes had occurred. Hence, map updating will be cheaper, faster and more effective especially post-disaster application, by leaving unchanged region and only update changed region.
HIGH TEMPORAL RESOLUTION PERMAFROST MONITORING USING A MULTIPLE STACK INSAR TECHNIQUE
Authors: Eppler J. , Kubanski M. , Sharma J. , Busler J.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The combined effect of climate change and accelerated economic development in Northern regions increases the threat of permafrost related surface deformation to buildings and transportation infrastructure. Satellite based InSAR provides a means for monitoring infrastructure that may be both remote and spatially extensive. However, permafrost poses challenges for InSAR monitoring due to the complex temporal deformation patterns caused by both seasonal active layer fluctuations and long-term changes in permafrost thickness. These dynamics suggest a need for increasing the temporal resolution of multi-temporal InSAR methods. To address this issue we have developed a method that combines and jointly processes two or more same side geometry InSAR stacks to provide a high-temporal resolution estimate of surface deformation. The method allows for combining stacks from more than a single SAR sensor and for a combination of frequency bands. Data for this work have been collected and analysed for an area near the community of Umiujaq, Quebec in Northern Canada and include scenes from RADARSAT-2, TerraSAR-X and COSMO-SkyMed. Multiple stack based surface deformation estimates are compared for several cases including results from the three sensors individually and for all sensors combined. The test cases show substantially similar surface deformation results which correlate well with surficial geology. The best spatial coverage of coherent targets was achieved when data from all sensors were combined. The proposed multiple stack method is demonstrated to improve the estimation of surface deformation in permafrost affected areas and shows potential for deriving InSAR based permafrost classification maps to aid in the monitoring of Northern infrastructure.
Comparison of two Satellite Imaging Platforms for Evaluating Sand Dune Migration in the Ubari Sand Sea (Libyan Fazzan)
Authors: Els A. , Merlo S. , Knight J.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Sand dunes can change location, form or dimensions depending on wind direction and strength. Sand dune movements can be effectively monitored through the comparison of multi-temporal satellite images. However, not all remote sensing platforms are suitable to study sand dunes. This study compares coarse (Landsat) and fine (Worldview) resolution platforms, specifically focussing on sand dunes within the Ubari Sand Sea (Libya). Sand dune features (crest line, dune ridge basal outlines) were extracted from Landsat and Worldview 2 imagery in order to construct geomorphic maps. These geomorphic maps were then compared using image overlay and differencing, and the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) was used to determine if the mapped dune patterns were significantly different. It was found that Landsat is a sufficient data source when studying dune patterns within a regional sand sea, but smaller dunes identified from Worldview data were not capable of being extracted in the data sourced from Landsat. This means that for studies concerned with the dune patterns and movements within sand seas, Landsat is sufficient. But in studies where the specific dynamics of specific dunes are required, a finer resolution is required; platforms such as Worldview are needed in order to gain more detailed insight and to link the past and present day climate and environmental change.
Retrieval of Ozone Total Columns over Evora-Portugal Using Remote Sensing Instruments During 2007-2011
Authors: Domingues A. F. , Bortoli D. , Silva A. M. , Kulkarni P. , Mendes R.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The present study deals with the retrieval of Ozone (O3) Total Column (TOC) and analysis of its variability over the Observatory of the Geophysics Centre of Évora (CGE-UE) –Portugal (38.5ºN; 7.9 ºW, 300 m a.s.l.) for the period comprised 2007-2011. The data presented in this study are obtained applying the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) methodology to the measurements of diffused spectral sky radiation carried out along the zenith direction performed with the multipurpose UV-Vis. Spectrometer for Atmospheric Tracers Monitoring (SPATRAM) in the 250-900 nm spectral range. This ground-based spectrometer is installed at CGE-UE performing daily and automatic measurements since 2004. Other products of this scanning spectrometer are the vertical profiles of some trace gases (e.g. NO2) and monitoring of air quality. The O3 retrieved with the SPATRAM instrument confirm the typical seasonal cycle for middle latitudes reaching the maximum during the spring and the minimum during the autumn. The ground-based results obtained for O3 column are also compared with data from SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) instruments aboard ENVISAT and ERS-2 satellites, respectively. The results show a good agreement between the datasets. The main reasons for the observed differences are discussed.