bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Cold Saponification on the Unsaponified Fatty Acid Composition and Sensory Perception of Commercial Natural Herbal Soaps
Authors: Prieto Vidal Natalia , Adeseun Adigun Oludoyin , Pham Thu Huong , Mumtaz Abira , Manful Charles , Callahan Grace , Stewart Peter , Keough Dwayne , Thomas Raymond Horatio
Published: September 2018

Saponification is the process in which triglycerides are combined with a strong base to form fatty acid metal salts during the soap-making process. The distribution of unsaturated and saturated fatty acid determines the hardness, aroma, cleansing, lather, and moisturizing abilities of soaps. Plant extracts, such as rosemary, vegetable, and essential oils are frequently added to soaps to enhance quality and sensory appeal. Three natural soaps were formulated using cold saponification to produce a base or control bar (BB), hibiscus rosehip bar (H), and a forest grove bar (FG). Rosemary extract (R) or essential oil (A) blends were added as additives to each formulation prior to curing to evaluate the effects of natural plant additives on the lipid composition and sensory characteristics of these natural herbal soaps. A total of seven natural soaps, three without additives (BB, H, FG) and four with additives (BBR, HA, FGR, FGA), were manufactured and studied. The majority (86–99%) of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.0–7.0 µg/mg) remained unsaponified in the manufactured natural soaps regardless of feedstock used. Principal component analysis (PCA) analyses showed the unsaponifiable fatty acids were different in the hibiscus bar compared to the other bars. There was a very strong correlation between the content of unsaponified C18:3n3 and C18:1n9 in all natural soaps. These results indicate that unsaponified fatty acids are important contributors to the quality and overall sensory perception and preference of natural herbal soaps following manufacturing by cold saponification.
Effects of Tea Catechins on Alzheimer’s Disease: Recent Updates and Perspectives
Authors: Ide Kazuki , Matsuoka Norihiro , Yamada Hiroshi , Furushima Daisuke , Kawakami Koji
Published: September 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders worldwide. Its incidence is gradually increasing because of an aging demographic. Therefore, AD prevention and modification is important to improve the health status of older adults. Oxidative stress is a component of the pathological mechanisms underlying AD. It is caused by a disruption of the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant molecules. This imbalance also causes neuroinflammation. Catechins, which are bioactive components of tea, have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, other potential properties related to AD prevention and modification have been reported in in vitro and in vivo studies. Several clinical studies have also been conducted to date. The current review summarizes recent updates and perspectives of the effects of catechins on AD based on the molecular mechanisms and related clinical studies.
Nanoparticles as a Solution for Eliminating the Risk of Mycotoxins
Authors: Horky Pavel , Skalickova Sylvie , Baholet Daria , Skladanka Jiri
Published: September 2018

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. The occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feed causes negative health impacts on both humans and animals. Clay binders, yeast cell walls, or antioxidant additives are the most widely used products for mycotoxin elimination to reduce their impact. Although conventional methods are constantly improving, current research trends are looking for innovative solutions. Nanotechnology approaches seem to be a promising, effective, and low-cost way to minimize the health effects of mycotoxins. This review aims to shed light on the critical knowledge gap in mycotoxin elimination by nanotechnology. There are three main strategies: mold inhibition, mycotoxin adsorption, and reducing the toxic effect via nanoparticles. One of the most promising methods is the use of carbon-based nanomaterials. Graphene has been shown to have a huge surface and high binding capacity for mycotoxins. Attention has also been drawn to polymeric nanoparticles; they could substitute adsorbents or enclose any substance, which would improve the health status of the organism. In light of these findings, this review gives new insights into possible future research that might overcome challenges associated with nanotechnology utilization for mycotoxin elimination from agricultural products.
A Comparison of Vitamin E Status and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes in Maternal–Infant Dyads between a Nigerian and a United States Population
Authors: Cave Caleb , Hanson Corrine , Schumacher Marina , Lyden Elizabeth , Furtado Jeremy , Obaro Stephen , Delair Shirley , Kocmich Nicholas , Rezac Amy , Izevbigie NI , Van Ormer Matthew , Kamil Ammar , McGinn Elizabeth , Rilett Katherine , Elliott Elizabeth , Johnson Rebecca , Weishaar Kara , Olateju EK , Akaba GA , Anigilaje EA , Tahiru Tahiru , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: September 2018

Oxidative stress is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and vitamin E has powerful anti-oxidant properties with the potential to impact health outcomes. Tocopherol isomers of vitamin E differ in their ability to modulate inflammation and vary in concentration in diets containing high proportions of processed versus unprocessed foods. The purpose of this study was to compare vitamin E status and associated pregnancy outcomes (mode of delivery, chorioamnionitis, APGARs (measure of appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration), gestational age at delivery, and fetal growth) between maternal–infant dyads in a developed and a developing nation to identify potentially modifiable differences that may impact pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and provide a way to improve maternal and neonatal health. Plasma tocopherol levels were evaluated in 189 Midwestern United States (US) mother–infant pairs and 99 Central Nigerian mother–infant pairs. Maternal and infant concentrations of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol were measured using HPLC with diode-array detection. Descriptive statistics were calculated and tocopherol concentrations were associated with clinical outcomes such as mode of delivery, chorioamnionitis, APGARS, and fetal growth. Alpha- and γ-tocopherol levels were higher in the US mothers, (alpha: 12,357.9 (175.23–34,687.75) vs. 8333.1 (1576.59–16,248.40) (mcg/L); p < 0.001) (gamma: 340.7 (224.59–4385.95) vs. 357.5 (66.36–1775.31) (mcg/L); p < 0.001), while δ-tocopherol levels were higher in the Nigerian mothers (delta: 261.7 (24.70–1324.71) vs. 368.9 (43.06–1886.47) (mcg/L); p < 0.001). US infants had higher γ-tocopherol levels than Nigerian infants (203.1 (42.53–1953.23) vs. 113.8 (0.00–823.00) (mcg/L); p < 0.001), while both the Nigerian mothers and infants had higher α:γ-tocopherol ratios (8.5 vs. 26.2, and 8.9 vs. 18.8, respectively; p < 0.001). Our results in both populations show associations between increased circulating γ-tocopherol and negative outcomes like Caesarian sections, in contrast to the associations with positive outcomes such as vaginal delivery seen with increased α:γ-tocopherol ratios. Growth was positively associated with α- and γ-tocopherols in cord blood in the US population, and with cord blood δ-tocopherols in the Nigerian population. Tocopherol levels likely impact health outcomes in pregnancy in a complicated metabolism across the maternal–fetal axis that appears to be potentially influenced by culture and available diet.
Food Rating Scale in Food Services: From Development to Assessment of a Strategy for Consumer Healthier Choices
Authors: Mazocco Larissa , Akutsu Rita De Cássia Coelho Almeida , Botelho Raquel Braz Assunção , Da Silva Izabel Cristina Rodrigues , Adjafre Raquel , Zandonadi Renata Puppin
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to create an easy tool to identify healthier choices for meal assembly in food services (self-service restaurants) and to allow consumers to compose their plates to make healthier choices. It is an interventional study, and the first step was setting healthy food parameters to design a rating scale. The first evaluation criterion was based on energy density (ED) and sodium content (SC) using “traffic light” color in the dishes’ nameplates; the second criterion was based on food groups; the third criterion was based on ingredients of the meals. After using the classification, we assessed the rating scale in a food service and we evaluated the strategy with its consumers. To evaluate the effect of the nutritional intervention, we developed a multiple-choice-questionnaire with eight questions to measure the impact on consumer food choices quantitatively. The dish nameplate allows identification of healthier choices regarding SC and/or ED by colors; ingredients that compose the dish; the food group and the serving size, helping the identification of the amount of food to compose the meal. Banners helped consumers to understand the information. After four weeks, all the consumers (n = 1000) received questionnaires regarding their comprehension of the classification. The questionnaire presented an ICC of 0.71. Most of the preparations (61%) were inadequate based on ED and/or SC at the studied food service. A total of 556 consumers returned questionnaires, and 86.3% of them observed the rating scale as a nutritional strategy. Almost 55% (n = 261) of consumers reported changes in food choice after reading the dishes nameplates. The items with greater impact on consumer change in eating behavior were the use of colors as an indicator of nutritional quality, portion size information and ingredients list. Almost 25% of the consumers that changed their eating behavior noticed more than three items presented on the nameplate.
Gastric Emptying and Dynamic In Vitro Digestion of Drinkable Yogurts: Effect of Viscosity and Composition
Authors: Ménard Olivia , Famelart Marie-Hélène , Deglaire Amélie , Le Gouar Yann , Guérin Sylvie , Malbert Charles-Henri , Dupont Didier
Published: September 2018

Gastric emptying of food is mainly driven by the caloric concentration, the rheological properties of the chyme, and the physical state (liquid/solid) of food once in the stomach. The present work investigated: (1) The effect of the composition and the viscosity of drinkable yogurts on gastric emptying in pigs, and (2) the behavior of yogurts during dynamic in vitro digestion. Three isocaloric liquid yogurts were manufactured: Two enriched in protein and fiber showing either a low (LV) or high (HV) viscosity, one control enriched in sugar and starch (CT). They were labelled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid and given to pigs (n = 11) to determine gastric emptying pattern by gamma scintigraphy. Then dynamic in vitro digestion of the yogurts was done using the parameters of gastric emptying determined in vivo. Gastric emptying half-times were significantly longer for LV than CT, whereas HV exhibited an intermediate behavior. In vitro gastric digestion showed a quick hydrolysis of caseins, whereas whey proteins were more resistant in the stomach particularly for LV and HV. During the intestinal phase, both whey proteins and caseins were almost fully hydrolyzed. Viscosity was shown to affect the behavior of yogurt in the small intestine.
Erratum: Wang, D.; Vijapur, S.H.; Botte, G.G. Coal Char Derived Few-Layer Graphene Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries. Photonics 2014, 1, 251–259
Authors:   Photonics Editorial Office
Published: September 2018

After publication, the Photonics Editorial Office noticed that Figure 1 was in low resolution. To avoid confusion, we would like to replace it with a higher resolution version [...]
Hyperbranched Liquid Crystals Modified with Sisal Cellulose Fibers for Reinforcement of Epoxy Composites
Authors: Luo Qiyun , Li Yuqi , Ren Li , Xu Xu , Lu Shaorong
Published: September 2018

Well-defined functionalized sisal cellulose fibers (SCFs) grafted on hyperbranched liquid crystals (HLP) were synthesized to improve the compatibility between SCFs and epoxy resin (EP). The influence of SCFs-HLP on the mechanical and thermal properties of SCFs-HLP/EP composites was studied. The results show that the mechanical properties of SCFs-HLP/EP composites were enhanced distinctly. Particularly, compared with EP, impact strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of composites with 4.0 wt % SCFs-HLP were 38.3 KJ·m−2, 86.2 MPa, and 150.7 MPa, increasing by 118.7%, 55.6%, and 89.6%, respectively. As well, the glass transition temperature of the composite material increased by 25 °C. It is hope that this work will inform ongoing efforts to exploit more efficient methods to overcome the poor natural fiber/polymer adhesion in the interface region.
Effects of Spatiotemporal Filtering on the Periodic Signals and Noise in the GPS Position Time Series of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China
Authors: Yuan Peng , Jiang Weiping , Wang Kaihua , Sneeuw Nico
Published: September 2018

Analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) position time series and its common mode components (CMC) is very important for the investigation of GPS technique error, the evaluation of environmental loading effects, and the estimation of a realistic and unbiased GPS velocity field for geodynamic applications. In this paper, we homogeneously processed the daily observations of 231 Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) Continuous GPS stations to obtain their position time series. Then, we filtered out the CMC and evaluated its effects on the periodic signals and noise for the CMONOC time series. Results show that, with CMC filtering, peaks in the stacked power spectra can be reduced at draconitic harmonics up to the 14th, supporting the point that the draconitic signal is spatially correlated. With the colored noise suppressed by CMC filtering, the velocity uncertainty estimates for both of the two subnetworks, CMONOC-I (≈16.5 years) and CMONOC-II (≈4.6 years), are reduced significantly. However, the CMONOC-II stations obtain greater reduction ratios in velocity uncertainty estimates with average values of 33%, 38%, and 54% for the north, east, and up components. These results indicate that CMC filtering can suppress the colored noise amplitudes and improve the precision of velocity estimates. Therefore, a unified, realistic, and three-dimensional CMONOC GPS velocity field estimated with the consideration of colored noise is given. Furthermore, contributions of environmental loading to the vertical CMC are also investigated and discussed. We find that the vertical CMC are reduced at 224 of the 231 CMONOC stations and 170 of them are with a root mean square (RMS) reduction ratio of CMC larger than 10%, confirming that environmental loading is one of the sources of CMC for the CMONOC height time series.
Multi-Stream Convolutional Neural Network for SAR Automatic Target Recognition
Authors: Zhao Pengfei , Liu Kai , Zou Hao , Zhen Xiantong
Published: September 2018

Despite the fact that automatic target recognition (ATR) in Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images has been extensively researched due to its practical use in both military and civil applications, it remains an unsolved problem. The major challenges of ATR in SAR stem from severe data scarcity and great variation of SAR images. Recent work started to adopt convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which, however, remain unable to handle the aforementioned challenges due to their high dependency on large quantities of data. In this paper, we propose a novel deep convolutional learning architecture, called Multi-Stream CNN (MS-CNN), for ATR in SAR by leveraging SAR images from multiple views. Specifically, we deploy a multi-input architecture that fuses information from multiple views of the same target in different aspects; therefore, the elaborated multi-view design of MS-CNN enables it to make full use of limited SAR image data to improve recognition performance. We design a Fourier feature fusion framework derived from kernel approximation based on random Fourier features which allows us to unravel the highly nonlinear relationship between images and classes. More importantly, MS-CNN is qualified with the desired characteristic of easy and quick manoeuvrability in real SAR ATR scenarios, because it only needs to acquire real-time GPS information from airborne SAR to calculate aspect differences used for constructing testing samples. The effectiveness and generalization ability of MS-CNN have been demonstrated by extensive experiments under both the Standard Operating Condition (SOC) and Extended Operating Condition (EOC) on the MSTAR dataset. Experimental results have shown that our proposed MS-CNN can achieve high recognition rates and outperform other state-of-the-art ATR methods.
An Optimal Radial Basis Function Neural Network Enhanced Adaptive Robust Kalman Filter for GNSS/INS Integrated Systems in Complex Urban Areas
Authors: Ning Yipeng , Wang Jian , Han Houzeng , Tan Xinglong , Liu Tianjun
Published: September 2018

Inertial Navigation System (INS) is often combined with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to increase the positioning accuracy and continuity. In complex urban environments, GNSS/INS integrated systems suffer not only from dynamical model errors but also GNSS observation gross errors. However, it is hard to distinguish dynamical model errors from observation gross errors because the observation residuals are affected by both of them in a loosely-coupled integrated navigation system. In this research, an optimal Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network-enhanced adaptive robust Kalman filter (KF) method is proposed to isolate and mitigate the influence of the two types of errors. In the proposed method, firstly a test statistic based on Mahalanobis distance is treated as judging index to achieve fault detection. Then, an optimal RBF neural network strategy is trained on-line by the optimality principle. The network’s output will bring benefits in recognizing the above two kinds of filtering fault and the system is able to choose a robust or adaptive Kalman filtering method autonomously. A field vehicle test in urban areas with a low-cost GNSS/INS integrated system indicates that two types of errors simulated in complex urban areas have been detected, distinguished and eliminated with the proposed scheme, success rate reached up to 92%. In particular, we also find that the novel neural network strategy can improve the overall position accuracy during GNSS signal short-term outages.
Multi-Parameter Sensing Device to Detect Liquid Layers Using Long-Period Fiber Gratings
Authors: Pan Zhihui , Huang Ying , Xiao Hai
Published: September 2018

Insoluble liquids show layers such as water and oil. The detection of the exact interface locations and the level changes for layered liquids are of paramount importance for chemistry purifications, liquid storage in reservoirs, oil transportation, and chemical engineering. However, accurately measuring liquid layers is challenging. This paper introduces a multi-parameter sensing device based on a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) sensor simultaneously detecting boundary and level changes of layered liquids. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that the sensor device would respond to the liquid interface change as a sharp and sudden resonant wavelength change, while it would show a gradual and steady resonant wavelength change to the level changes of layered liquids. The lab experiments also showed that the sensor device has a higher sensitivity when a higher LPFG cladding mode is used.
Network Distance-Based Simulated Annealing and Fuzzy Clustering for Sensor Placement Ensuring Observability and Minimal Relative Degree
Authors: Leitold Daniel , Vathy-Fogarassy Agnes , Abonyi Janos
Published: September 2018

Network science-based analysis of the observability of dynamical systems has been a focus of attention over the past five years. The maximum matching-based approach provides a simple tool to determine the minimum number of sensors and their positions. However, the resulting proportion of sensors is particularly small when compared to the size of the system, and, although structural observability is ensured, the system demands additional sensors to provide the small relative order needed for fast and robust process monitoring and control. In this paper, two clustering and simulated annealing-based methodologies are proposed to assign additional sensors to the dynamical systems. The proposed methodologies simplify the observation of the system and decrease its relative order. The usefulness of the proposed method is justified in a sensor-placement problem of a heat exchanger network. The results show that the relative order of the observability is decreased significantly by an increase in the number of additional sensors.
Automatic Calibration of Odometry and Robot Extrinsic Parameters Using Multi-Composite-Targets for a Differential-Drive Robot with a Camera
Authors: Bi Shusheng , Yang Dongsheng , Cai Yueri
Published: September 2018

This paper simultaneously calibrates odometry parameters and the relative pose between a monocular camera and a robot automatically. Most camera pose estimation methods use natural features or artificial landmark tools. However, there are mismatches and scale ambiguity for natural features; the large-scale precision landmark tool is also challenging to make. To solve these problems, we propose an automatic process to combine multiple composite targets, select keyframes, and estimate keyframe poses. The composite target consists of an aruco marker and a checkerboard pattern. First, an analytical method is applied to obtain initial values of all calibration parameters; prior knowledge of the calibration parameters is not required. Then, two optimization steps are used to refine the calibration parameters. Planar motion constraints of the camera are introduced in these optimizations. The proposed solution is automatic; manual selection of keyframes, initial values, and robot construction within a specific trajectory are not required. The competing accuracy and stability of the proposed method under different target placements and robot paths are tested experimentally. Positive effects on calibration accuracy and stability are obtained when (1) composite targets are adopted; (2) two optimization steps are used; (3) plane motion constraints are introduced; and (4) target numbers are increased.
Imaging Time Series for the Classification of EMI Discharge Sources
Authors: Mitiche Imene , Morison Gordon , Nesbitt Alan , Hughes-Narborough Michael , Stewart Brian G. , Boreham Philip
Published: September 2018

In this work, we aim to classify a wider range of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) discharge sources collected from new power plant sites across multiple assets. This engenders a more complex and challenging classification task. The study involves an investigation and development of new and improved feature extraction and data dimension reduction algorithms based on image processing techniques. The approach is to exploit the Gramian Angular Field technique to map the measured EMI time signals to an image, from which the significant information is extracted while removing redundancy. The image of each discharge type contains a unique fingerprint. Two feature reduction methods called the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and the Local Phase Quantisation (LPQ) are then used within the mapped images. This provides feature vectors that can be implemented into a Random Forest (RF) classifier. The performance of a previous and the two new proposed methods, on the new database set, is compared in terms of classification accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure. Results show that the new methods have a higher performance than the previous one, where LBP features achieve the best outcome.
A Feasibility Study on Timber Moisture Monitoring Using Piezoceramic Transducer-Enabled Active Sensing
Authors: Zhang Jicheng , Li Yong , Huang Yongshui , Jiang Jinwei , Ho Siu-Chun M.
Published: September 2018

In recent years, the piezoceramic transducer-enabled active sensing technique has been extensively applied to structural damage detection and health monitoring, in civil engineering. Being abundant and renewable, timber has been widely used as a building material in many countries. However, one of the more challenging applications of timber, in construction, is the potential damage caused by moisture. Increased moisture may cause easier warping of timber components and encourage corrosion of integrated metal members, on top of potentially causing rot and decay. However, despite numerous efforts to inspect and monitor the moisture content of timber, there lacks a method that can provide truly real time, quantitative, and non-invasive measurement of timber moisture. Thus, the research presented in this paper investigated the feasibility of moisture-content monitoring using an active sensing approach, as enabled by a pair of the Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers bonded on the surface of a timber specimen. Using a pair of transducers in an active sensing scheme, one patch generated a designed stress wave, while another patch received the signal. While the active sensing was active, the moisture content of the timber specimen was gradually increased from 0% to 60% with 10% increments. The material properties of the timber correspondingly changed under varying timber moisture content, resulting in a measurable differential in stress wave attenuation rates among the different specimens used. The experimental results indicated that the received signal energy and the moisture content of the timber specimens show a parabolic relationship. Finally, the feasibility and reliability of the presented method, for monitoring timber moisture content, are discussed.
Development of a Novel Methodology to Assess the Corrosion Threshold in Concrete Based on Simultaneous Monitoring of pH and Free Chloride Concentration
Authors: Femenias Yurena Seguí , Angst Ueli , Moro Fabrizio , Elsener Bernhard
Published: September 2018

Both the free chloride concentration and the pH of the concrete pore solution are highly relevant parameters that control corrosion of the reinforcing steel. In this paper, we present a method to continuously monitor these two parameters in-situ. The approach is based on a recently developed electrode system that consists of several different potentiometric sensors as well as a data interpretation procedure. Instrumented mortar specimens containing different amounts of admixed chlorides were exposed to accelerated carbonation, and changes in free chloride concentration and pH were monitored simultaneously over time. The results revealed the stepwise decrease in pH as well as corresponding increases in free chlorides, resulting from the release of bound chlorides. For a pH drop of about 1 unit (from pH 13.5 down to pH 12.5), the free chloride concentration increased up to 1.5-fold. We continuously quantified the ratio Cl−/OH− that increased steeply with time, and was found to exceed a critical corrosion threshold long before carbonation can be detected with traditional indicator spray testing, even at admixed chloride contents in the order of allowable limits. These results can strongly influence the decision-making in engineering practice and it is expected to significantly improve condition assessments of reinforced concrete structures.
Correction: Yan, L., et al. A Micro Bubble Structure Based Fabry–Perot Optical Fiber Strain Sensor with High Sensitivity and Low-Cost Characteristics Sensors, 2017, 17, 555.
Authors: Yan Lu , Gui Zhiguo , Wang Guanjun , An Yongquan , Gu Jinyu , Zhang Meiqin , Liu Xinglin , Wang Zhibin , Wang Gao , Jia Pinggang
Published: September 2018

An correction is presented to correct Figure 5a in [Sensors, 2017, 17, 555]. [...]
A Comprehensive Calibration Method for a Star Tracker and Gyroscope Units Integrated System
Authors: Tan Wenfeng , Dai Dongkai , Wu Wei , Wang Xingshu , Qin Shiqiao
Published: September 2018

The integration of a star tracker and gyroscope units (GUs) can take full advantage of the benefits of each, and provide continuous and accurate attitude information with a high update rate. The systematic error calibration of the integrated system is a crucial step to guarantee its attitude accuracy. In this paper, a comprehensive calibration method for the star tracker and GUs integrated system is proposed from a global perspective. Firstly, the observation model of the predicted star centroid error (PSCE) with respect to the systematic errors including the star tracker intrinsic parameter errors, GUs errors and fixed angle errors is accurately established. Then, the systematic errors are modeled by a series of differential equations, based on which the state-space model is established. Finally, the systematic errors are decoupled and estimated by a Kalman filter according to the established state-space model and observation model. The coupling between the errors of the principal point and subcomponents of the fixed angles (i.e., Ψ x and Ψ y ) is analysed. Both simulations and experiments indicate that the proposed method is effective at estimating the systematic errors of the star tracker and GUs integrated system with high accuracy and robustness with respect to different star centroid accuracies and gyroscope noise levels.
Source Coding Options to Improve HEVC Video Streaming in Vehicular Networks
Authors: Garrido Abenza Pedro Pablo , Malumbres Manuel P. , Piñol Pablo , López-Granado Otoniel
Published: September 2018

Video delivery in Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks has a great number of applications. However, multimedia streaming over this kind of networks is a very challenging issue because (a) it is one of the most resource-demanding applications; (b) it requires high bandwidth communication channels; (c) it shows moderate to high node mobility patterns and (d) it is common to find high communication interference levels that derive in moderate to high loss rates. In this work, we present a simulation framework based on OMNeT++ network simulator, Veins framework, and the SUMO mobility traffic simulator that aims to study, evaluate, and also design new techniques to improve video delivery over Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks. Using the proposed simulation framework we will study different coding options, available at the HEVC video encoder, that will help to improve the perceived video quality in this kind of networks. The experimental results show that packet losses significantly reduce video quality when low interference levels are found in an urban scenario. By using different INTRA refresh options combined with appropriate tile coding, we will improve the resilience of HEVC video delivery services in VANET urban scenarios.
Glyphosate Transport in Two Louisiana Agricultural Soils: Miscible Displacement Studies and Numerical Modeling
Authors: Padilla Joshua T. , Selim H. Magdi
Published: September 2018

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) (GPS) is currently the most commonly used herbicide worldwide, and is generally considered as immobile in soils. However, numerous reports of the environmental occurrence of the herbicide coupled with recent evidence of human toxicity necessitate further investigation as to the behavior of GPS in the soil environment. Batch sorption studies along with miscible displacement experiments were carried out in order to assess the mobility of GPS in two Louisiana agricultural soils; Commerce silt loam and Sharkey clay. Batch results indicated a high affinity of both soils for solvated GPS, with greater affinity observed by the Sharkey soil. GPS sorption in the Commerce soil was most likely facilitated by the presence of amorphous Fe and Al oxides, whereas the high cation exchange capacity of the Sharkey soil likely allows for GPS complexation with surface exchangeable poly-valent cations. Miscible displacement studies indicate that GPS mobility is highly limited in both soils, with 3% and 2% of the applied herbicide mass recovered in the effluent solution from the Commerce and Sharkey soils, respectively. A two-site multi-reaction transport model (MRTM) adequately described GPS breakthrough from both soils and outperformed linear modeling efforts using CXTFIT. Analysis of extracted herbicide residues suggests that the primary metabolite of GPS, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), is more mobile in both soils, although both compounds are strongly retained.
The Importance of the Public Sector in Sustainable Development in Poland
Authors: Alińska Agnieszka , Filipiak Beata Zofia , Kosztowniak Aneta
Published: September 2018

The striving for sustainable development has become the goal of actions undertaken not only by representatives of public authorities and institutions representing this sector, but also representatives of private entities who are increasingly recognizing the benefits and sources of long-term development based on the principles and objectives of sustainable development. These are mainly based on the pursuit of synergy in the three basic areas of activities, i.e., in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions as well as in the maintenance of natural resources. The implementation of these activities is connected with the necessity of incurring financial expenditures, which the government (public sector) does not have in the required value. Therefore, in the process of sustainable development for which the government is responsible, the active participation of the financial sector (banks) is necessary. Achieving results within the alliance of the concept of sustainable development requires the setting of a kind of contract, the parties of which are the government, society, and financial institutions. The purpose of the conducted research is to indicate by which means the government can stimulate economic growth towards its sustainable development.
Future Projected Changes in Local Evapotranspiration Coupled with Temperature and Precipitation Variation
Authors: Yuan Xiuliang , Bai Jie
Published: September 2018

Evapotranspiration is the highest outgoing flux in the hydrological cycle in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Quantifying the temporal and spatial patterns of future evapotranspiration is vital to appropriately manage water resources in water shortage drylands. In this study, the Common Land Model (CoLM) was used to estimate the regional evapotranspiration during the period 2021–2050, and its projected changes in response to climate change under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) scenarios (i.e., RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were analyzed using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) technique. The results indicated that the mean regional evapotranspiration was comparable under the two scenarios during 2021–2050, with a value of 127 (±11.9) mm/year under the RCP4.5 scenario, and 124 (±11.1) mm/year under the RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. Compared to the historical period of 1996–2005, the annual mean evapotranspiration during 2041–2050 will marginally decrease by 0.3 mm under the RCP4.5 scenario and by 0.4 mm under the RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analyses show that the evapotranspiration in relative high altitudes of Xinjiang present strong variations. The SVD analyses suggest that the changes in evapotranspiration are more closely linked to local precipitation variations than to temperature. The results would provide reliable suggestions to understand future changed in evapotranspiration and improve the regional strategy for water resource management in Xinjiang.
Monthly Load Forecasting Based on Economic Data by Decomposition Integration Theory
Authors: Liu Da , Sun Kun , Huang Han , Tang Pingzhou
Published: September 2018

Accurate load forecasting can help alleviate the impact of renewable-energy access to the network, facilitate the power plants to arrange unit maintenance and encourage the power broker companies to develop a reasonable quotation plan. However, the traditional prediction methods are insufficient for the analysis of load sequence fluctuations. The economic variables are not introduced into the input variable selection and the redundant information interferes with the final prediction results. In this paper, a set of the ensemble empirical mode is used to decompose the electricity consumption sequence. Appropriate economic variables are as selected as model input for each decomposition sequence to model separately according to its characteristics. Then the models are constructed by selecting the optimal parameters in the random forest. Finally, the result of the component prediction is reconstituted. Compared with random forest, support vector machine and seasonal naïve method, the example results show that the prediction accuracy of the model is better than that of the contrast models. The validity and feasibility of the method in the monthly load forecasting is verified.
Heat and Air Flow Behavior of Naturally Ventilated Offices in a Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Alibaba Halil Zafer
Published: September 2018

Air changes per hour (ach) rates for windows of different sizes and opened in different ratios were studied to establish natural ventilation concepts in offices with a Mediterranean climate. Dynamic thermal simulations were carried out in EDSL Tas for whole year investigations of an office. The office lost 0.01 W of heat during the winter but gained 0.01 W of heat during the summer. Annual average heat gain was 2.4 W. The heat gain via an external opaque wall was 138.9 W during the winter and 227.3 W during the summer, with an annual average of 190.7 W. The heat gain via an external glass surface was 128.9 W during the winter and 191 W during the summer, with an annual average of 161.5 W. The office had an average of 170.0 ach during the winter and an average of 144.7 ach during the summer, with an annual average of 157.4. The maximum annual ach performance was 480.4 ach when the external wall was fully glazed and the window was fully open, and the minimum annual ach performance was 9.8 when only 10% of the external wall was glass and 20% of the window area was open.
Optimal Renovation Strategies for Education Buildings—A Novel BIM–BPM–BEM Framework
Authors: Hu Ming
Published: September 2018

The aim of this paper is to propose a novel building information model (BIM)–building performance model (BPM)–building environmental model (BEM) framework to identify the most energy-efficient and cost-effective strategies for the renovation of existing education buildings to achieve the nearly zero-energy goal while minimizing the environmental impact. A case building, the University of Maryland’s Architecture Building, was used to demonstrate the validity of the framework and a set of building performance indicators—including energy performance, environmental impacts, and occupant satisfaction—were used to evaluate renovation strategies. Additionally, this novel framework further demonstrated the interoperability among different digital tools and platforms. Lastly, following a detailed analysis and measurements, the case study results highlighted a particular energy profile as well as the retrofit needs of education buildings. Eight different renovation packages were analyzed with the top-ranking package indicating an energy saving of 62%, carbon emissions reduction of 84%, and long-term cost savings of 53%, albeit with a relatively high initial cost. The most preferable package ranked second in all categories, with a moderate initial cost.
Response of Carbon Dynamics to Climate Change Varied among Different Vegetation Types in Central Asia
Authors: Han Qifei , Luo Geping , Li Chaofan , Li Shoubo
Published: September 2018

The effect of climate change on the spatio-temporal patterns of the terrestrial carbon dynamics in Central Asia have not been adequately quantified despite its potential importance to the global carbon cycle. Therefore, the modified BioGeochemical Cycles (Biome-BGC) model was applied in this study to evaluate the impacts of climatic change on net primary productivity (NPP) and net ecosystem productivity. Four vegetation types were studied during the period 1979 to 2011: cropland, grassland, forest, and shrubland. The results indicated that: (1) The climate data showed that Central Asia experienced a rise in annual mean temperature and a decline in precipitation from 1979 to 2011; (2) the mean NPP for Central Asia in 1979–2011 was 281.79 gC m−2 yr−1, and the cropland had the highest NPP compared with the other vegetation types, with a value of 646.25 gC m−2 yr−1; (3) grassland presented as a carbon source (−0.21 gC m−2 yr−1), whereas the other three types were carbon sinks; (4) the four vegetation types showed similar responses to climate variation during the past 30 years, and grassland is the most sensitive ecosystem in Central Asia. This study explored the possible implications for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Financial Modelling Strategies for Social Life Cycle Assessment: A Project Appraisal of Biodiesel Production and Sustainability in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Authors: Sajid Zaman , Lynch Nicholas
Published: September 2018

Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a rapidly evolving social impact assessment tool that allows users to identify the social impacts of products along with their life cycles. In recent years, S-LCA methodologies have been increasingly applied to energy systems and resources with notable success yet with limited reliability and even less flexibility or geographic specificity. In response, this study develops a novel assessment tool, named the GreenZee model, to reflect the social impacts of products and their sustainability using local currency units. The model is developed through evaluating both qualitative and quantitative inputs that capture the perceived monetary value of social impacts. To demonstrate the operationalization of the model, we explore a hypothetical case study of the biodiesel industry in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. Results indicate that biodiesel production in NL would have positive socio-cultural impacts, high cultural values, and would create employment opportunities for locals. Overall, the GreenZee model provides users with a relatively simple approach to translate a variety of qualitative and quantitative social impact inputs (as importance levels) into meaningful and understandable financial outputs (as strength levels). We argue that building and testing models such as the GreenZee are crucial to supporting more flexible approaches to life cycle assessments that need to address increasingly complex social categories, cultural values, and geographic specificity.
An Optimal Management Strategy of Carbon Forestry with a Stochastic Price
Authors: Yoo Sora , Cho Yong-sung , Park Hojeong
Published: September 2018

An analysis for the value of carbon forestry needs to be provided for the successful establishment of the carbon offset market in Korea. We present an optimal management strategy for a forest owner who participates in the offset market. Given a stochastic process of the timber price following a geometric Brownian motion, the profit maximization problem of the forest owner is solved. The model finds an optimal harvest time in the presence of the carbon and timber revenues with opposing time effects. Sensitivity analysis is performed with respect to the volatility rate of the timber price and the discount rate. The presented model is applied to the study of the Korean larch case to identify the threshold timber price above which it is optimal to harvest trees.
Use of Organic Wastes and Industrial By-Products to Produce Filamentous Fungi with Potential as Aqua-Feed Ingredients
Authors: Karimi Sajjad , Mahboobi Soofiani Nasrollah , Mahboubi Amir , Taherzadeh Mohammad J.
Published: September 2018

Organic-rich waste and industrial by-product streams, generated in enormous amounts on a daily basis, contain substantial amounts of nutrients that are worthy of recovery. Biological conversion of organic-waste streams using filamentous fungi is a promising approach to convert nutrients into value-added bioproducts, such as fungal biomass. High-protein fungal biomass contains different kinds and levels of amino acids, fatty acids, immunostimulants, antioxidants, pigments, etc., which make it a potential choice for application in animal feed supplementation. Considering the challenges long faced by the aquaculture industry in fishmeal production due to the increasing prices and environmental concerns, the aquaculture industry is forced to provide alternative protein-rich sources to replace conventional fishmeal. In this review, the possibilities of utilization of filamentous fungi biomass cultivated on organic-rich waste streams, as an alternative nutrient source in fish feed, were thoroughly reviewed.
Symmetric Triangular Interval Type-2 Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets with Their Applications in Multi Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Singh Sukhveer , Garg Harish
Published: September 2018

Type-2 intuitionistic fuzzy set (T2IFS) is a powerful and important extension of the classical fuzzy set, intuitionistic fuzzy set to measure the vagueness and uncertainty. In a practical decision-making process, there always occurs an inter-relationship among the multi-input arguments. To deal with this point, the motivation of the present paper is to develop some new interval type-2 (IT2) intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators which can consider the multi interaction between the input argument. To achieve it, we define a symmetric triangular interval T2IFS (TIT2IFS), its operations, Hamy mean (HM) operator to aggregate the preference of the symmetric TIT2IFS and then shows its applicability through a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). Several enviable properties and particular cases together with following different parameter values of this operator are calculated in detail. At last a numerical illustration is to given to exemplify the practicability of the proposed technique and a comparative analysis is analyzed in detail.
Heartland Virus Epidemiology, Vector Association, and Disease Potential
Authors: Brault Aaron C. , Savage Harry M. , Duggal Nisha K. , Eisen Rebecca J. , Staples J. Erin
Published: September 2018

First identified in two Missouri farmers exhibiting low white-blood-cell and platelet counts in 2009, Heartland virus (HRTV) is genetically closely related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne phlebovirus producing similar symptoms in China, Korea, and Japan. Field isolations of HRTV from several life stages of unfed, host-seeking Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick, implicated it as a putative vector capable of transstadial transmission. Laboratory vector competence assessments confirmed transstadial transmission of HRTV, demonstrated vertical infection, and showed co-feeding infection between A. americanum. A vertical infection rate of 33% from adult females to larvae in the laboratory was observed, while only one of 386 pools of molted nymphs (1930) reared from co-feeding larvae was positive for HRTV (maximum-likelihood estimate of infection rate = 0.52/1000). Over 35 human HRTV cases, all within the distribution range of A. americanum, have been documented. Serological testing of wildlife in areas near the index human cases, as well as in widely separated regions of the eastern United States where A. americanum occur, indicated many potential hosts such as raccoons and white-tailed deer. Attempts, however, to experimentally infect mice, rabbits, hamsters, chickens, raccoons, goats, and deer failed to produce detectable viremia. Immune-compromised mice and hamsters are the only susceptible models. Vertical infection augmented by co-feeding transmission could play a role in maintaining the virus in nature. A more complete assessment of the natural transmission cycle of HRTV coupled with serosurveys and enhanced HRTV disease surveillance are needed to better understand transmission dynamics and human health risks.