bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral Image Super-Resolution by Deep Spatial-Spectral Exploitation
Authors: Hu Jing , Zhao Minghua , Li Yunsong
Published: May 2019

Limited by the existing imagery sensors, hyperspectral images are characterized by high spectral resolution but low spatial resolution. The super-resolution (SR) technique aiming at enhancing the spatial resolution of the input image is a hot topic in computer vision. In this paper, we present a hyperspectral image (HSI) SR method based on a deep information distillation network (IDN) and an intra-fusion operation. Specifically, bands are firstly selected by a certain distance and super-resolved by an IDN. The IDN employs distillation blocks to gradually extract abundant and efficient features for reconstructing the selected bands. Second, the unselected bands are obtained via spectral correlation, yielding a coarse high-resolution (HR) HSI. Finally, the spectral-interpolated coarse HR HSI is intra-fused with the input HSI to achieve a finer HR HSI, making further use of the spatial-spectral information these unselected bands convey. Different from most existing fusion-based HSI SR methods, the proposed intra-fusion operation does not require any auxiliary co-registered image as the input, which makes this method more practical. Moreover, contrary to most single-based HSI SR methods whose performance decreases significantly as the image quality gets worse, the proposal deeply utilizes the spatial-spectral information and the mapping knowledge provided by the IDN, which achieves more robust performance. Experimental data and comparative analysis have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method.
Remote Sensing of Wetland Flooding at a Sub-Pixel Scale Based on Random Forests and Spatial Attraction Models
Authors: Li Linyi , Chen Yun , Xu Tingbao , Shi Kaifang , Liu Rui , Huang Chang , Lu Binbin , Meng Lingkui
Published: May 2019

Wetland flooding is significant for the flora and fauna of wetlands. High temporal resolution remote sensing images are widely used for the timely mapping of wetland flooding but have a limitation of their relatively low spatial resolutions. In this study, a novel method based on random forests and spatial attraction models (RFSAM) was proposed to improve the accuracy of sub-pixel mapping of wetland flooding (SMWF) using remote sensing images. A random forests-based SMWF algorithm (RM-SMWF) was developed firstly, and a comprehensive complexity index of a mixed pixel was formulated. Then the RFSAM-SMWF method was developed. Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images of two wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar List were used to evaluate RFSAM-SMWF against three other SMWF methods, and it consistently achieved more accurate sub-pixel mapping results in terms of visual and quantitative assessments in the two wetlands. The effects of the number of trees in random forests and the complexity threshold on the mapping accuracy of RFSAM-SMWF were also discussed. The results of this study improve the mapping accuracy of wetland flooding from medium-low spatial resolution remote sensing images and therefore benefit the environmental studies of wetlands.
Characterizing the Variability of the Structure Parameter in the PROSPECT Leaf Optical Properties Model
Authors: Boren Erik J. , Boschetti Luigi , Johnson Dan M.
Published: May 2019

Radiative transfer model (RTM) inversion allows for the quantitative estimation of vegetation biochemical composition from satellite sensor data, but large uncertainties associated with inversion make accurate estimation difficult. The leaf structure parameter (Ns) is one of the largest sources of uncertainty in inversion of the widely used leaf-level PROSPECT model, since it is the only parameter that cannot be directly measured. In this study, we characterize Ns as a function of phenology by collecting an extensive dataset of leaf measurements from samples of three dicotyledon species (hard red wheat, soft white wheat, and upland rice) and one monocotyledon (soy), grown under controlled conditions over two full growth seasons. A total of 230 samples were collected: measured leaf reflectance and transmittance were used to estimate Ns from each sample. These experimental data were used to investigate whether Ns depends on phenological stages (early/mid/late), and/or irrigation regime (irrigation at 85%, 75%, 60% of the initial saturated tray weight, and pre-/post-irrigation). The results, supported by the extensive experimental data set, indicate a significant difference between Ns estimated on monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants, and a significant difference between Ns estimated at different phenological stages. Different irrigation regimes did not result in significant Ns differences for either monocotyledon or dicotyledon plant types. To our knowledge, this study provides the first systematic record of Ns as a function of phenology for common crop species.
Challenges and Future Perspectives of Multi-/Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing for Crop Water-Stress Detection: A Review
Authors: Gerhards Max , Schlerf Martin , Mallick Kaniska , Udelhoven Thomas
Published: May 2019

Thermal infrared (TIR) multi-/hyperspectral and sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) approaches together with classic solar-reflective (visible, near-, and shortwave infrared reflectance (VNIR)/SWIR) hyperspectral remote sensing form the latest state-of-the-art techniques for the detection of crop water stress. Each of these three domains requires dedicated sensor technology currently in place for ground and airborne applications and either have satellite concepts under development (e.g., HySPIRI/SBG (Surface Biology and Geology), Sentinel-8, HiTeSEM in the TIR) or are subject to satellite missions recently launched or scheduled within the next years (i.e., EnMAP and PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa, launched on March 2019) in the VNIR/SWIR, Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) in the SIF). Identification of plant water stress or drought is of utmost importance to guarantee global water and food supply. Therefore, knowledge of crop water status over large farmland areas bears large potential for optimizing agricultural water use. As plant responses to water stress are numerous and complex, their physiological consequences affect the electromagnetic signal in different spectral domains. This review paper summarizes the importance of water stress-related applications and the plant responses to water stress, followed by a concise review of water-stress detection through remote sensing, focusing on TIR without neglecting the comparison to other spectral domains (i.e., VNIR/SWIR and SIF) and multi-sensor approaches. Current and planned sensors at ground, airborne, and satellite level for the TIR as well as a selection of commonly used indices and approaches for water-stress detection using the main multi-/hyperspectral remote sensing imaging techniques are reviewed. Several important challenges are discussed that occur when using spectral emissivity, temperature-based indices, and physically-based approaches for water-stress detection in the TIR spectral domain. Furthermore, challenges with data processing and the perspectives for future satellite missions in the TIR are critically examined. In conclusion, information from multi-/hyperspectral TIR together with those from VNIR/SWIR and SIF sensors within a multi-sensor approach can provide profound insights to actual plant (water) status and the rationale of physiological and biochemical changes. Synergistic sensor use will open new avenues for scientists to study plant functioning and the response to environmental stress in a wide range of ecosystems.
Machine Learning Techniques for Undertaking Roundabouts in Autonomous Driving
Authors: García Cuenca Laura , Sanchez-Soriano Javier , Puertas Enrique , Fernandez Andrés Javier , Aliane Nourdine
Published: May 2019

This article presents a machine learning-based technique to build a predictive model and generate rules of action to allow autonomous vehicles to perform roundabout maneuvers. The approach consists of building a predictive model of vehicle speeds and steering angles based on collected data related to driver–vehicle interactions and other aggregated data intrinsic to the traffic environment, such as roundabout geometry and the number of lanes obtained from Open-Street-Maps and offline video processing. The study systematically generates rules of action regarding the vehicle speed and steering angle required for autonomous vehicles to achieve complete roundabout maneuvers. Supervised learning algorithms like the support vector machine, linear regression, and deep learning are used to form the predictive models.
Guidelines for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse and Wrongful Allegations against Staff at Danish Childcare Facilities
Authors: Buch Leander Else-Marie , Pallesgaard Munk Karen , Lindsø Larsen Per
Published: May 2019

Since the 1980s, the fear of child sexual abuse (CSA) has become a major cultural feature of a large part of the Western world. Internationally, the unintended consequences of the fear surrounding CSA are rarely investigated and doing so is often controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate how this widespread fear of CSA has influenced practices and teacher–child relationships at childcare institutions. This is the first study of Danish childcare facilities’ guidelines for protecting children against CSA, and staff against wrongful allegations of CSA. Examples of such guidelines include staff being forbidden to have children sit on their lap, or male staff being forbidden to change diapers. This mixed methods survey, which involved the participation of 2051 directors and teachers from approximately one-quarter of Danish childcare facilities, showed that the majority of institutions had guidelines that were aimed mostly at protecting staff from wrongful allegations. The study revealed that the guidelines were a sign that male workers were being stigmatized, and that some institutions had discriminatory guidelines that applied exclusively to men. Furthermore, the guidelines conflicted with staff’s trusting relationships with children, and the task of caring for them.
Adopting Circular Economy at the European Union Level and Its Impact on Economic Growth
Authors: Busu Mihail
Published: May 2019

Based on the findings of the economic studies on the implications of industrialization in the case of growing economies, this study aims to present the economic factors that are at the basis of the development of circular economy at the European Union level. Starting with the model of economic growth based on the recycling rate of municipal waste, human capital, productivity of the resources, and green energy use, three statistical hypotheses were validated through a panel data model with the use of EViews 10 statistical software. The analysis was conducted for 27 European Union countries during the time frame 2008–2017. The paper highlights that the circular economy model is determined by resource productivity, labor employed in environmental protection, recycling rate of municipal waste, and renewable energy use.
Physical Activity and Sports—Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden
Authors: Malm Christer , Jakobsson Johan , Isaksson Andreas
Published: May 2019

Positive effects from sports are achieved primarily through physical activity, but secondary effects bring health benefits such as psychosocial and personal development and less alcohol consumption. Negative effects, such as the risk of failure, injuries, eating disorders, and burnout, are also apparent. Because physical activity is increasingly conducted in an organized manner, sport’s role in society has become increasingly important over the years, not only for the individual but also for public health. In this paper, we intend to describe sport’s physiological and psychosocial health benefits, stemming both from physical activity and from sport participation per se. This narrative review summarizes research and presents health-related data from Swedish authorities. It is discussed that our daily lives are becoming less physically active, while organized exercise and training increases. Average energy intake is increasing, creating an energy surplus, and thus, we are seeing an increasing number of people who are overweight, which is a strong contributor to health problems. Physical activity and exercise have significant positive effects in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including depressive symptoms and anxiety- or stress-related disease. In conclusion, sports can be evolving, if personal capacities, social situation, and biological and psychological maturation are taken into account. Evidence suggests a dose–response relationship such that being active, even to a modest level, is superior to being inactive or sedentary. Recommendations for healthy sports are summarized.
Interaction between Higher Education Outputs and Industrial Structure Evolution: Evidence from Hubei Province, China
Authors: He Dan , Zheng Manxin , Cheng Wei , Lau Yui-yip , Yin Qingmei
Published: May 2019

In China, the government has made great achievements in mass higher education and intended to promote sustainable economic and social development. However, China still lacks innovation today and is trapped in its low-value-added industrial dilemma. Therefore, this paper aimed to understand how higher education outputs and industrial structure evolution affect each other by analysing evidence from Hubei, China, from 2004 to 2013. This paper quantified higher education outputs into graduate scale, education advancement, and innovation outputs and quantified industrial structure evolution into industrial structure upgrading and industrial structure rationalisation. Next, we applied the Granger causality test, vector auto-regression model, impulse response function, and variance decomposition to explore the causal relationships, response styles, and contribution rates between the indicators. The findings are as follows: (i) industrial structure upgrading and rationalisation are the Granger reasons for education advancement, and innovation outputs and graduate scale are the Granger reasons for industrial structure rationalisation; (ii) industrial structure upgrading and rationalisation can promote education advancement both quickly and significantly, however, education advancement, in turn, does not contribute to industrial structure evolution; (iii) though the contribution of innovation outputs to industrial structure rationalisation is hysteretic, it is greater than that of the graduate scale.
Prediction and Analysis of the Relationship between Energy Mix Structure and Electric Vehicles Holdings Based on Carbon Emission Reduction Constraint: A Case in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, China
Authors: Wang Weijun , Zhao Dan , Mi Zengqiang , Fan Liguo
Published: May 2019

In response to air pollution problems caused by carbon emissions, electric vehicles are widely promoted in China. Since thermal power generation is the main form of power generation, the large-scale development of electric vehicles is equivalent to replacing oil with coal, which will accordingly result in carbon emissions increasing if the scale of electric vehicles exceeds a certain limit. A relationship model between regional energy mix structure and electric vehicles holdings under the constraint of carbon emission reduction is established to perform a quantitative analysis of the limitation mechanism. In order to measure the scale of the future electric vehicle market under the constraint of carbon emissions reduction, a method called Extreme Learning Machine optimized by Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO-ELM) with higher precision than Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) is proposed to predict the power structure and the trend of electric vehicle development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from 2019–2030. The calculation results show that the maximum number of electric vehicles must not exceed 19,340,000 and 26,867,171 based on emissions reduction aims and also the predicted energy mix structure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in 2020 and 2030. At this time, the ratio of electric vehicles to traditional car ownership is 75.6% and 78.3%. The proportion of clean energy generation should reach 0.314 and 0.323 to match a complete replacement of traditional fuel vehicles for electric vehicles. A substantial increase in clean energy generation is needed so that the large-scale promotion of electric vehicles can still achieve the goal of carbon reduction. Therefore, this article will be helpful for policy-making on electric vehicle development scale and energy mix structure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
The Role of Enterprise Risk Management in Sustainable Decision-Making: A Cross-Cultural Comparison
Authors: Liu Xin
Published: May 2019

The goal of this paper is to examine how cultural differences moderate the effectiveness of an organization’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program in sustainable decision-making. Using an experimental design, this study found that Chinese participants, characterized by a stronger prevention focus, were more proactive in mitigating environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related risks under a loss-framed risk management philosophy, whereas American participants, characterized by a stronger promotion focus, were more proactive in mitigating ESG-related risks under a gain-framed risk management philosophy. This interactive effect of matching the risk management philosophy frame to the participants’ regulatory focus was mediated by their perceived processing fluency. The implications for the literature and practice are discussed.
Regional Integration in the Inter-City Technology Transfer System of the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Duan Dezhong , Zhang Yang , Chen Ying , Du Debin
Published: May 2019

Recently, the Chinese government decided to support the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in a national strategic way. On this background, this paper investigates the regional integration in the technology transfer system of the YRD based on patent transfer from three levels: overall, technology supply chain, and technology sales chain. It also uses the modularity maximization method to detect the community structure of the inter-city patent transfer network in China. The results show that regional integration of the technology transfer system of the YRD at both overall level and technology supply chain level had not been realized up to 2015, but had been achieved at the technical sales chain level. Technology flow in the YRD was increasingly moving across the border, and the intra-region technology transfer network was increasingly unable to meet the needs of technological development of the cities in the YRD. This paper has several limitations concerning the representativeness of patent data, the manifestation of patent data in technological transfer and international comparison.
Research on Developers’ Green Procurement Behavior Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Yang Shijing , Su Yikun , Wang Wei , Hua Kaicheng
Published: May 2019

In recent years, environmental problems in the construction industry have become increasingly prominent and need to be improved. The production and use of building materials remain one of the main causes of various eco-environmental problems in the construction industry. Compared with traditional building materials, green building materials are environmentally friendly and safer to the human body. Therefore, the promotion of green building materials in the construction industry can handle the eco-environmental problems of the industry to a great extent, and promote the green and low-carbon development of the industry. As the main buyer of building materials products, developers shoulder the responsibility of promoting the development of green building materials. The research on the green purchasing behavior of developers is conductive to winning a good reputation for developers and promoting the sustainable development of the construction industry. However, few scholars have focused on the in-depth research on the impact of developers’ green procurement behavior. Based on the theory of planned behavior, this study analyzes the problem of the developers’ green procurement using the structural equation model in the way of the questionnaire. The results showed that subjective norms and perceived behavior control factors exerted a significant influence on developers’ green procurement (GP) behavior attitude. The subjective norm, perceived behavior control, and other factors indirectly affected developers’ GP behavior through behavior intention. The influence mechanism of perceptual behavior control on developers’ GP behavior is more complicated, and the degree of influence is the greatest among the three kinds of factors. According to the research results, this paper puts forward some suggestions to promote developers to actively implement GP behavior. The results help to promote the GP behavior of developers and promote the planning development of green buildings. In addition, on the basis of a quantitative theoretical model, this paper finds out the key factors that influence the behavior of GP from the point of view of developers, enriches the theory and method of GP research, as well as complements the related literature of GP research. Future research will explore GP behavior from the perspective of other stakeholders and from the developers’ internal level.
Optimization of Decision Making in the Supply of Medicinal Gases Used in Health Care
Authors: Carnero María Carmen , Gómez Andrés
Published: May 2019

Systems that supply medicinal gases—oxygen, nitrous oxide and medical air—serve all care units of a hospital; for example, they feed distribution systems for operating theatres, neonatal and pediatric units, dialysis, X-ray, casualty, special tests, outpatients, etc. Systems for the provision of medicinal gases are therefore critical in guaranteeing hospital sustainability, since the functionality or availability of other hospital systems depends on them. Availability of 100% in these systems would avoid the need to reschedule patient appointments. It would also eliminate repeat testing, which poses risk to staff and patients, and could avoid affecting people’s lives through unavailability of, for example, operating theatres or intensive care units. All this contributes to a more rational resource consumption and an increase in quality of care both for the hospital itself and for patients and visitors. Although these systems are of vital importance to health care organizations, no previous work has been found in the literature that optimizes the technical decisions on supply in these systems. This research describes a model for these systems via continuous-time Markov chains. The results obtained are used in a multicriteria model constructed with the measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique (MACBETH) approach. In order to assess reliability when incorporating doubt or uncertainty via the MACBETH approach, the model has been validated by means of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. The aim is to obtain the best objective decision, with respect to the design of these systems, by analyzing the use of economic resources, the risks, and the impact on hospital activity, all with the aim of guaranteeing the best quality of care. The models constructed by means of MACBETH and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process give, as the most suitable alternatives, duplicate the external supply in medical oxygen systems and maintain the original design conditions for supply systems of nitrous oxide and medicinal air.
Landscape-Based Assessment of Urban Resilience and Its Evolution: A Case Study of the Central City of Shenyang
Authors: Liu Zhimin , Xiu Chunliang , Song Wei
Published: May 2019

Urban resilience is increasingly considered a useful approach to accommodate uncertainties while achieving sustainability in urban systems, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and global environmental change. However, current research on the quantitative assessment of urban resilience is limited. This study introduces four proxies of urban resilience, i.e., diversity, connectivity, decentralization, and self-sufficiency, and the perspective of the urban landscape for the measurement of urban resilience and further guidance on planning practices by establishing connections between resilience potential and landscape characteristics. Using multi-source data and employing landscape-based analysis methods, urban resilience is investigated from 1995 to 2015 in the central city of Shenyang. The results indicate that the composition and configuration of the urban landscape changed significantly during this period, which had a great influence on urban resilience. The temporal and spatial evolution of urban resilience showed obviously directional preferences and an evident distance effect. Overall, the resilience level increased slightly, while the internal differences experienced a declining trend. The four characteristics can be deployed as practical principles to shape urban resilience. The adjustment and trade-offs of these aspects to enhance responsive structures and simultaneously maintain sustainable ecosystem services can be effective ways to realize long-term resilience.
Relationships between Riparian Vegetation Pattern and the Hydraulic Characteristics of Upslope Runoff
Authors: Zhao Qinghe , Zhang Yifan , Xu Shanshan , Ji Xiaoyu , Wang Shuoqian , Ding Shengyan
Published: May 2019

Riparian vegetation plays a vital role in inhibiting soil and water loss, but few studies have quantified the relationships between vegetation spatial pattern and the hydraulic characteristics of upslope runoff. This study investigated how hydraulic characteristics (e.g., runoff coefficient, flow regime, flow resistance, and flow shear stress of overland flow) responded to differences in vegetation cover (15% and 30%), slope gradient (5°, 10°, 15°, and 20°), and vegetation pattern in the riparian zone along the lower Yellow River, China, based on landscape pattern analysis and a runoff scouring experiment with flow rates of 9 and 15 L/min and an experimental plot size of 1 m × 3 m. We found that runoff generation on shallow slopes was moderated by increasing vegetation cover, but that this moderating effect decreased on steeper slopes. The regime of overland flow switched from laminar and subcritical on the 5° slope (Fr = 0.56–0.87) to laminar and critical on the 10°, 15°, and 20° slopes (Fr = 1.02–2.18). Flow resistance increased with vegetation cover and flow rate and decreased with slope gradients, and it was larger on shallow slopes with high vegetation cover. Flow shear stress had a range of 1.42–3.55 N m−2, and it increased with increasing slope gradient, vegetation cover, and flow rate. The hydraulic characteristics of upslope runoff, especially flow resistance, were significantly related to vegetation pattern at both the landscape and class levels. Flow resistance was negatively related to patch density, and positively related to perimeter–area fractal dimension and connectance index. The influencing mechanism of landscape patterns on soil erosion processes is dependent on the landscape scale, since the relationships between flow resistance and some landscape pattern indices (aggregation index, effective mesh size, and splitting index) were opposite at the landscape level compared to the class level. We conclude that fragmented vegetation distributions reduce flow resistance, and that riparian vegetation could be managed to inhibit slope erosion by increasing flow resistance.
Study on the Growth and Enterotoxin Production by Staphylococcus aureus in Canned Meat before Retorting
Authors: Grispoldi Luca , Popescu Paul Alexanderu , Karama Musafiri , Gullo Vito , Poerio Giusi , Borgogni Elena , Torlai Paolo , Chianese Giuseppina , Fermani Anna Giovanna , Sechi Paola , Cenci-Goga Beniamino
Published: May 2019

Possible contamination by Staphylococcus aureus of the production environment and of the meat of a canned meat production factory was analysed. A total of 108 samples were taken from nine critical control points, 13 of them were positive for S. aureus. None of the isolates produced enterotoxins. To determine how much time can elapse between can seaming and sterilisation in the autoclave without any risk of enterotoxin production by S. aureus, the growth and enterotoxin production of three enterotoxin A producing strains of S. aureus (one ATCC strain and two field strains) in canned meat before sterilisation was investigated at three different temperatures (37, 20 and 10 °C). Two types of meat were used, one with and one without sodium nitrite. In the canned products, the spiked bacteria spread throughout the meat and reached high levels. Enterotoxin production was shown to start 10 hours after incubation at 37 °C and after 48 h after incubation at 20 °C; the production of enterotoxin was always detected in the transition between the exponential and the stationary growth phase. At 10 °C, the enterotoxin was never detected. The statistical analysis of the data showed that the difference between the two different types of meat was not statistically significant (p value > 0.05). Since it is well known that following heat treatment, staphylococcal enterotoxins, although still active (in in vivo assays), can be undetectable (loss of serological recognition) depending on the food matrix and pH, it is quite difficult to foresee the impact of heat treatment on enterotoxin activity. Therefore, although the bacteria are eliminated, the toxins may remain and cause food poisoning. The significance of the results of this study towards implementing good manufacturing practices and hazard analysis critical control points in a canned meat factory are discussed with reference to the management of pre-retorting steps after seaming.
Exact Solutions in Poincaré Gauge Gravity Theory
Authors: Obukhov Yuri N.
Published: May 2019

In the framework of the gauge theory based on the Poincaré symmetry group, the gravitational field is described in terms of the coframe and the local Lorentz connection. Considered as gauge field potentials, they give rise to the corresponding field strength which are naturally identified with the torsion and the curvature on the Riemann–Cartan spacetime. We study the class of quadratic Poincaré gauge gravity models with the most general Yang–Mills type Lagrangian which contains all possible parity-even and parity-odd invariants built from the torsion and the curvature. Exact vacuum solutions of the gravitational field equations are constructed as a certain deformation of de Sitter geometry. They are black holes with nontrivial torsion.
Medical Applications of the ALPIDE Detector
Authors: Varga-Kofarago Monika
Published: May 2019

The CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) ALICE detector is undergoing a major upgrade in the Second Long Shutdown of the LHC in 2019–2020. During this upgrade, the innermost detector, the Inner Tracking System, will be completely replaced by a new detector which is built from the ALPIDE sensor. In the Bergen proton computer tomography (pCT) collaboration, we decided to apply these sensors for medical applications. They can be used for positioning in hadron therapies due to their good position resolution and radiation tolerance. Dose planning of hadron therapy is calculated currently from photon CT measurements, which results in large uncertainties in the planning and therefore in a necessary enlargement of the treatment area. This uncertainty can be reduced by performing the CT scan using protons. The current contribution shows the development of a sampling calorimeter built from the ALPIDE detector for proton CT measurements and describes the state of the project.
“French Phage Network” Annual Conference 2018—Fourth Meeting Report
Authors: Froissart Rémy , Brives Charlotte , Breyton Cécile , Le Marrec Claire
Published: May 2019

The present meeting report aims to cover the scientific activities of the 4th French Bacteriophage Network (Phages.fr) symposium which took place during 24th–25th September 2018, at the Agora du Haut-Carré in Talence (France). The hosting institute was University Bordeaux and 72 participants attended the meeting from both public and private sectors, coming from France, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Portugal and Canada. The scientific program was structured in three themed oral sessions entitled “ecology and evolution”, “bacteriophage-host molecular interaction”, and “therapy and biotechnology applications” consisting of 21 oral presentations, including three keynote lectures, and a presentation of the activities of the Spanish bacteriophage network. A poster session included 22 presentations.
Transcriptome Response of Female Culicoides sonorensis Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) to Early Infection with Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV-2)
Authors: Nayduch Dana , Shankar Vijay , Mills Mary K. , Robl Tanner , Drolet Barbara S. , Ruder Mark G. , Scully Erin D. , Saski Christopher A.
Published: May 2019

Female Culicoides sonorensis biting midges are vectors of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), which causes morbidity and mortality in wild and domesticated ruminants. The aims in this study were to identify key changes in female midge transcriptome profiles occurring during early infection with EHDV-2. Midges were fed either negative control bloodmeals or bloodmeals containing EHDV-2 and transcriptomes were acquired at 36 h through deep sequencing. Reads were de novo assembled into a transcriptome comprised of 18,754 unigenes. Overall, there were 2401 differentially expressed unigenes and ~60% were downregulated in response to the virus (953 up; 1448 down). Downstream Gene Ontology enrichment, KEGG pathway mapping, and manual analyses were used to identify the effect of virus ingestion at both the gene and pathway levels. Downregulated unigenes were predominantly assigned to pathways related to cell/tissue structure and integrity (actin cytoskeleton, adherens junction, focal adhesion, hippo signaling), calcium signaling, eye morphogenesis and axon guidance. Unigenes attributed to sensory functions (especially vision), behavior, learning and memory were largely downregulated. Upregulated unigenes included those coding for innate immune processes, olfaction and photoreceptor pigments. Our results suggest that midges respond to virus infection as soon as 36 h post-ingestion, and that EHDV-2 may have a significant phenotypic effect on sensory and neural tissues.
Evaluation of a Recombinant Mouse X Pig Chimeric Anti-Porcine DEC205 Antibody Fused with Structural and Nonstructural Peptides of PRRS Virus
Authors: Bustamante-Córdova Lorena , Reséndiz-Sandoval Mónica , Hernández Jesús
Published: May 2019

Activation of the immune system using antigen targeting to the dendritic cell receptor DEC205 presents great potential in the field of vaccination. The objective of this work was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protectiveness of a recombinant mouse x pig chimeric antibody fused with peptides of structural and nonstructural proteins of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) directed to DEC205+ cells. Priming and booster immunizations were performed three weeks apart and administered intradermally in the neck area. All pigs were challenged with PRRSV two weeks after the booster immunization. Immunogenicity was evaluated by assessing the presence of antibodies anti-PRRSV, the response of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ cells, and the proliferation of cells. Protection was determined by assessing the viral load in the blood, lungs, and tonsils using qRT-PCR. The results showed that the vaccine exhibited immunogenicity but conferred limited protection. The vaccine group had a lower viral load in the tonsils and a significantly higher production of antibodies anti-PRRSV than the control group (p < 0.05); the vaccine group also produced more CD4+IFN-γ+ cells in response to peptides from the M and Nsp2 proteins. In conclusion, this antigenized recombinant mouse x pig chimeric antibody had immunogenic properties that could be enhanced to improve the level of protection and vaccine efficiency.
Assessing China’s Use Efficiency of Water Resources from the Resampling Super Data Envelopment Analysis Approach
Authors: Hsieh Jin-chi , Ma Liang-han , Chiu Yung-ho
Published: May 2019

Water resources’ use efficiency is an important issue under China’s rapid economic growth. This is because some provinces’ economic development may be delayed due to lack of adequate water resources. Whereas, high economically developed provinces may overuse water resources in order to achieve their economic goals; while also creating a large amount of pollutants. To assess water resources’ use efficiency from the resampling super data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, our research comprehensively utilizes the following as inputs and outputs: (1) water resources: supply of water (SW), per capita water consumption (PCWC), and total water resources (TWR); (2) economic development: gross domestic product (GDP); (3) environmental issues: governance wastewater investment (GWI), wastewater discharge (WD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and other major pollutants (OMP). The results show that Tibet, Beijing, Guangdong, Qinghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Yunnan, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Henan have relatively good water resources’ use efficiency with efficiency values larger than 1. The best efficiency is in 2015, while the worst is in 2017. Water resources’ use efficiency shows significant regional differences in 2013–2017, with the best average efficiency value in southwest China (1.4355) and the worst in north China (0.2987). The results of the Wilcoxon test present that PCWC, GDP, COD, and OMP exhibit very significant differences, PN and WD have significant differences, and SW and TWR have no significant influence. These results imply that China’s regional governments must formulate a better water resource strategy based on the water resource distribution of each region. Lastly, the emissions of environmental pollutants must be strictly monitored.
Characterising Recycled Organic and Mineral Materials for Use as Filter Media in Biofiltration Systems
Authors: Lucas Steven A , CC Lee Charles , Love Eric
Published: May 2019

Filter media (FM) sourced from recycled organic and mineral materials offer an effective and low cost means of treating urban stormwater. Using recycled materials rather than the increasingly scarce source of virgin materials (typically sandy loam soil) can ensure a sustainable and long-term economy and environment. This paper presents the results from the laboratory analysis and mathematical modelling to highlight the performance of recycled organic and mineral materials in removing nutrients and metals from stormwater. The analysis included the physical and chemical characterisation of particle size distribution, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), bulk density, effective cation exchange capacity, and pollutant removal performance. The design mixes (DM), comprising a combination of organic and mineral materials, were characterised and used to develop/derive the modelling design within the Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation (MUSIC v6). Comparison is made to the Adoption Guidelines for Stormwater Biofiltration Systems—Summary Report which were based on the Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (FAWB) guidelines to assist in the development of biofiltration systems, including the planning, design, construction, and operation of those systems. An observed outcome from over two decades of biofiltration guideline development has been the exclusion of alternative biofilter materials due to claims of excessive leaching. Results from this study indicate that high nutrient and metal removal rates can be achieved over a range of hydraulic conductivities using design mixes of recycled organic and mineral materials that have a demonstrated equivalence to existing guideline specifications.
Impacts of Land Cover/Use Changes on Hydrological Processes in a Rapidly Urbanizing Mid-latitude Water Supply Catchment
Authors: Sertel Elif , Imamoglu Mehmet Zeki , Cuceloglu Gokhan , Erturk Ali
Published: May 2019

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of land cover/use changes on watershed responses and hydrological processes by applying the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) distributed hydrologic model to the Buyukcekmece Water Basin of Istanbul Metropolitan city. SWAT model was run for two different scenarios for the 40-year period between 1973 and 2012, after completing calibration procedures under gauge-data scarce conditions. For the first scenario, 1990 dated Land cover/land use (LCLU) map and meteorological data obtained between 1973 and 2012 were used. For the second scenario, 2006 dated LCLU map and same meteorological data were used to analyze the impact of changing landscape characteristics on hydrological processes. In the selected watershed, LCLU changes started towards the end of the 1980s and reached a significant status in 2006; therefore, 1990 and 2006 dated LCLU maps are important to model human impact period in the watershed. Afterwards, LCLU changes within sub-basin level were investigated to quantify the effects of different types of land changes on the major hydrological components such as actual evapotranspiration, percolation, soil water, base flow, surface runoff and runoff. Our analysis indicated that, under the same climatic conditions, changes in land cover/use, specifically urbanization, played a considerable role in hydrological dynamics with changes on actual transpiration, base flow, surface runoff, runoff, percolation and soil water mainly due to urban and agricultural area changes. Among the different hydrological components analyzed at watershed level, percolation, ET and base flow were found to be highly sensitive to LCLU changes, whereas soil water was found as the least sensitive to same LCLU changes.
Optimization of Horseradish Peroxidase Catalytic Degradation for 2-Methyl-6-Ethylaniline Removal Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Shen Songtao , Wang Qing , Shu Jiancheng , Ma Li , Chen Li , Xu Yingyi
Published: May 2019

For optimizing the reaction conditions of 2-methyl-6-ethylaniline (MEA) degradation catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a response surface methodology with three factors and three levels was used in this research to establish a regression model, a ternary quadratic polynomial, in order to analyze temperature, H2O2 concentration and pH effects on MEA removal efficiency. The results showed that the regression model was significant (p < 0.0001), fitted well with experimental data and had a high degree of reliability and accuracy, and the data were reasonable with low errors. By analyzing interactions and solving the regression model, the maximum MEA removal efficiency was 97.90%, and the optimal conditions were defined as follows: pH 5.02, H2O2 concentration 13.41mM, and temperature 30.95 °C. Under the optimal conditions, the average MEA removal efficiency obtained from the experiments was 97.56%. This research can provide reference for the treatment of actual acetochlor industrial wastewater.
85 kHz Band 44 kW Wireless Rapid Charging System for Field Test and Public Road Operation of Electric Bus
Authors: Obayashi Shuichi , Shijo Tetsu , Suzuki Masatoshi , Moritsuka Fumi , Ogawa Kenichirou , Ogura Koji , Kanekiyo Yasuhiro , Ishida Masaaki , Takanaka Toru , Tada Nobumitsu , Takeuchi Fumiaki , Take Shunsuke , Yamauchi Yoshihiko , Yang Wei-Hsiang , Kamiya Yushi
Published: May 2019

Wireless charging technology for heavy-duty vehicles has been investigated for eco-friendly transportation. We present a new wireless power transfer system for 44 kW rapid charging of electric buses. The transmission distance between the charging pads is from 10 to 13 cm. The large air gap can be fulfilled by the ordinary kneeling function, equipped on most low-floor buses. Dual-block parallel transmission with opposite-phase-current-feeding suppresses magnetic radiation. The system operates in the common 85 kHz band with the light-duty vehicle system. The result of the field test and the public road operation of two electric buses confirm the CO2 reduction effect described.
Some possible fields of utilization of high-temperature superconductivity in lunar exploration program
Authors: Maevskiy Vladimir A. , Aseev Vasiliy V. , Ivlev Aleksandr S. , Nizhelskiy Nikolay A. , Sysoev Mikhail A. , Sinyavskiy Viktor V.
Published: May 2019

The article presents possible options to solve problems characteristic of the lunar program using devices with elements of high-temperature superconductivity technology (HTSC). Both the general state of work on high-temperature superconductivity technologies and types of HTSC products and their main characteristics are considered preliminarily. According to foreign information materials, the possible options are described to use HTSC assemblies for solving tasks on the lunar surface.
It is shown that conditions on the lunar surface are more attractive for operation of HTSC devices than on the surface of the Earth.
Combining HTSC and lunar technologies is related to the purpose of reducing the mass and dimensions and increasing the service life of the equipment for operation on the Moon. The main attention in the article is paid to devices with bulk HTSC and, above all, taking into account the possible wide use on the lunar surface – to magnetic HTSC bearings, including for the kinetic energy storage, a telescope. The list of devices with HTSC assemblies that can be efficiently used for the optimal solution of many urgent tasks is given and their features are described.
Key words: high-temperature superconductivity, bulk HTSC, magnetic HTSC bearing, lunar surface, kinetic energy storage, telescope.
EFECTIVIDAD DE LAS REDES DE NIEBLA PARA DETERMINAR LA RIQUEZA DE AVES EN UN BOSQUE MONTANO DE LOS ANDES CENTRALES (SALENTO, QUINDÍO, COLOMBIA)
Authors: Polanco Juliana M. , Ospina Duque Albert , Arango Giraldo Daniel , Snaider Granada Jhose , Marín Gómez Oscar Humberto
Published: May 2019

Las redes de niebla han sido utilizadas como un método importante para realizar inventarios de aves en varios hábitats neotropicales, pero su efectividad con respecto a otros métodos como los puntos de conteo, no ha sido evaluada extensivamente. Este trabajo compara la efectividad de las redes de niebla y del método de puntos de conteo en la determinación de la diversidad de aves en un bosque montano de los Andes centrales de Colombia. Durante 6 meses en un bosque montano del departamento de Quindío, con un esfuerzo de captura de 2630 horas red se registraron 608 individuos de 81 especies. Con el método de puntos de conteo encontraron 106 especies. Sin embargo, 31 especies fueron detectadas solo por capturas en redes. La mayor tasa de captura ocurrió durantelas primeras horas de la mañana y al medio día (06:00-09:00 h y de 12:00-13:00h) mientras que en la tarde la tasa de captura disminuyó. Concluimos que por el método de puntos de conteo existe una mayor probabilidad en llevar a cabo un inventario representativo en menos tiempo, por otro lado el papel de las redes en los inventarios se consideraría complementario, siendo su uso necesario para conseguir otros tipos de información, como mediciones morfológicas, indicios de reproducción y muda.