bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a Static Multibeam Sonar Scanner for 3D Surveys in Confined Underwater Environments
Authors: Moisan Emmanuel , Charbonnier Pierre , Foucher Philippe , Grussenmeyer Pierre , Guillemin Samuel
Published: September 2018

Mechanical Sonar Scanning (MSS) is a recent technology that allows sonar to be used for static measurements in the same way as Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS), which makes it an attractive tool for underwater infrastructure surveys. Nevertheless, the metrological capabilities of this type of device have been little explored in the literature, particularly in narrow and shallow environments. In this paper, we report on the experimental assessment of a recent MSS, the BlueView BV5000, in a lock. The 3D sonar scans performed with the system suspended from the surface are registered using an innovative algorithm that exploits external measurements from a total station and the symmetry of the structure. We review the different errors that impair sonar data, and compare the resulting point cloud to a TLS model that was acquired the day before, while the lock was completely emptied for maintenance. After correcting a tilt angle calibration error, the maximum difference is less than 10 cm, and the standard deviation is about 3 cm. Visual inspection shows that coarse defects of the masonry, such as stone lacks or cavities, can be detected in the MSS point cloud, while details smaller than 4 cm, e.g., damaged joints, are harder to notice.
MiRTaW: An Algorithm for Atmospheric Temperature and Water Vapor Profile Estimation from ATMS Measurements Using a Random Forests Technique
Authors: Di Paola Francesco , Ricciardelli Elisabetta , Cimini Domenico , Cersosimo Angela , Di Paola Arianna , Gallucci Donatello , Gentile Sabrina , Geraldi Edoardo , Larosa Salvatore , Nilo Saverio T. , Ripepi Ermann , Romano Filomena , Sanò Paolo , Viggiano Mariassunta
Published: September 2018

A new algorithm for the estimation of atmospheric temperature (T) and water vapor (WV) vertical profiles in nonprecipitating conditions is presented. The microwave random forest temperature and water vapor (MiRTaW) profiling algorithm is based on the random forest (RF) technique and it uses microwave (MW) sounding from the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite. Three different data sources were chosen for both training and validation purposes, namely, the ERA-Interim from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer Atmospheric Temperature Water Vapour and Surface Skin Temperature (IASI L2 v6) from the Meteorological Operational satellites of the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), and the radiosonde observations from the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA). The period from 2012 to 2016 was considered in the training dataset; particular attention was paid to the instance selection procedure, in order to reduce the full training dataset with negligible information loss. The out-of-bag (OOB) error was computed and used to select the optimal RF parameters. Different RFs were trained, one for each vertical level: 32 levels for T (within 10–1000 hPa) and 23 levels for WV (200–1000 hPa). The validation of the MiRTaW profiling algorithm was conducted on a dataset from 2017. The mean bias error (MBE) of T vertical profiles ranges within about (−0.4–0.4) K, while for the WV mixing ratio, the MBE starts at ~0.5 g/kg near the surface and decreases to ~0 g/kg at 200 hPa level, in line with the expectations.
A Clustering WSN Routing Protocol Based on k-d Tree Algorithm
Authors: Anzola John , Pascual Jordán , Tarazona Giovanny , González Crespo Rubén
Published: September 2018

Clustering in wireless sensor networks has been widely discussed in the literature as a strategy to reduce power consumption. However, aspects such as cluster formation and cluster head (CH) node assignment strategies have a significant impact on quality of service, as energy savings imply restrictions in application usage and data traffic within the network. Regarding the first aspect, this article proposes a hierarchical routing protocol based on the k-d tree algorithm, taking a partition data structure of the space to organize nodes into clusters. For the second aspect, we propose a reactive mechanism for the formation of CH nodes, with the purpose of improving delay, jitter, and throughput, in contrast with the low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy/hierarchy-centralized protocol and validating the results through simulation.
A Sound Source Localisation Analytical Method for Monitoring the Abnormal Night Vocalisations of Poultry
Authors: Du Xiaodong , Lao Fengdan , Teng Guanghui
Published: September 2018

Due to the increasing scale of farms, it is increasingly difficult for farmers to monitor their animals in an automated way. Because of this problem, we focused on a sound technique to monitor laying hens. Sound analysis has become an important tool for studying the behaviour, health and welfare of animals in recent years. A surveillance system using microphone arrays of Kinects was developed for automatically monitoring birds’ abnormal vocalisations during the night. Based on the principle of time-difference of arrival (TDOA) of sound source localisation (SSL) method, Kinect sensor direction estimations were very accurate. The system had an accuracy of 74.7% in laboratory tests and 73.6% in small poultry group tests for different area sound recognition. Additionally, flocks produced an average of 40 sounds per bird during feeding time in small group tests. It was found that, on average, each normal chicken produced more than 53 sounds during the daytime (noon to 6:00 p.m.) and less than one sound at night (11:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m.). This system can be used to detect anomalous poultry status at night by monitoring the number of vocalisations and area distributions, which provides a practical and feasible method for the study of animal behaviour and welfare.
Parameter Estimation of Lunar Regolith from Lunar Penetrating Radar Data
Authors: Zhang Ling , Zeng Zhaofa , Li Jing , Huang Ling , Huo Zhijun , Wang Kun , Zhang Jianmin
Published: September 2018

Parameter estimation of the lunar regolith not only provides important information about the composition but is also critical to quantifying potential resources for lunar exploration and engineering for human outposts. The Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) onboard China’s Chang’E-3 (CE-3) provides a unique opportunity for mapping the near-surface stratigraphic structure and estimating the parameters of the regolith. In this paper, the electrical parameters and the iron-titanium content of regolith are estimated based on the two sets of LPR data. Firstly, it is theoretically verified that the relative dielectric constant can be estimated according to the difference of the reflected time of two receivers from a same target. Secondly, in order to verify the method, a parameter estimation flow is designed. Subsequently, a simple model and a complex model of regolith are carried out for the method verification. Finally, on the basis of the two sets of LPR data, the electrical parameters and the iron-titanium content of regolith are estimated. The relative dielectric constant of regolith at CE-3 landing site is 3.0537 and the content of TiO2 and FeO is 14.0127%. This helps us predict the reserves of resources at the CE-3 landing site and even in the entire Mare Imbrium.
Traditional Eddy Current–Pulsed Eddy Current Fusion Diagnostic Technique for Multiple Micro-Cracks in Metals
Authors: Wang Zhenwei , Yu Yating
Published: September 2018

Due to a harsh working environment, micro-cracks in metal structures (e.g., airplane, oil/gas pipeline, hydro-turbine) often lead to serious accidents, so health monitoring of the metals is of great significance to ensure their safe operation. However, it is hard to perform quantitative detection of multiple micro-cracks by a single nondestructive testing (NDT) technique because of their limits. To monitor for multiple micro-cracks in metals, a Traditional Eddy Current (TEC) and Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) fusion NDT technique is proposed in this paper. In the proposed technique, the TEC technique is adopted to seek the locations of the micro-cracks in the whole of the metal, while the PEC technique is adopted to acquire information on the depth of micro-cracks automatically according to the location information by the TEC. The experiments indicate that the TEC–PEC fusion NDT system can localize the micro-cracks as well as detect the micro-cracks quantitatively and automatically; therefore, it can be applied in structural health monitoring of metal equipment or in picking candidate components in re-manufacturing engineering.
A Hybrid Method Applied to Improve the Efficiency of Full-Waveform Inversion for Pavement Characterization
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Ye Shengbo , Yi Li , Lin Yuquan , Liu Hai , Fang Guangyou
Published: September 2018

Ground penetrating radar (GPR), as a nondestructive testing tool, is suitable for estimating the thickness and permittivity of layers within the pavement. However, it would become problematic when the layer is thin with respect to the probing pulse width, in which case overlapping between the reflected pulses occurs. In order to deal with this problem, a hybrid method based on multilayer perceptrons (MLPs) and a local optimization algorithm is proposed. This method can be divided into two stages. In the first stage, the MLPs roughly estimate the thickness and the permittivity of the GPR signal. In the second stage, these roughly estimated values are used as the initial solution of the full-waveform inversion algorithm. The hybrid method and the conventional global optimization algorithm are respectively used to perform the full-waveform inversion of the simulated GPR data. Under the same inversion precision, the objective function needs to be calculated for 450 times and 30 times for the conventional method and the hybrid method, respectively. The hybrid method is also applied to a measured data, and the thickness estimation error is 1.2 mm. The results show the high efficiency and accuracy of such hybrid method to resolve the problem of estimating the thickness and permittivity of a “thin layer”.
Experiment and Numerical Simulation on Gas-Liquid Annular Flow through a Cone Sensor
Authors: He Denghui , Chen Senlin , Bai Bofeng
Published: September 2018

The cone meter has been paid increasing attention in wet gas measurement, due to its distinct advantages. However, the cone sensor, which is an essential primary element of the cone meter, plays a role in the measurement of wet gas flow that is important, but not fully understood. In this article, we investigate the gas-liquid annular flow through a cone sensor by experiment and numerical simulation. Emphasis is put on the influences of pressure recovery characteristics and flow structure, and how they are affected by the cone sensor. The results show that the vortex length is shortened in gas-liquid annular flow, compared with that in single-phase gas flow. The pressure recovery length is closely related with the vortex length, and shorter vortex length leads to shorter pressure recovery length. The gas-liquid distribution suggests that flow around the apex of back-cone is very stable, little liquid is entrained into the vortex, and no liquid appears around the low pressure tapping, which makes a more stable pressure at the apex of cone sensor feasible. This finding highlights the importance of obtaining the low pressure from the back-cone apex, which should be recommended in the multiphase flow measurement. Our results may help to guide the optimization of the cone sensor structure in the wet gas measurement.
Fast Phenomics in Vineyards: Development of GRover, the Grapevine Rover, and LiDAR for Assessing Grapevine Traits in the Field
Authors: Siebers Matthew H. , Edwards Everard J. , Jimenez-Berni Jose A. , Thomas Mark R. , Salim Michael , Walker Rob R.
Published: September 2018

This paper introduces GRover (the grapevine rover), an adaptable mobile platform for the deployment and testing of proximal imaging sensors in vineyards for the non-destructive assessment of trunk and cordon volume and pruning weight. A SICK LMS-400 light detection and ranging (LiDAR) radar mounted on GRover was capable of producing precise (±3 mm) 3D point clouds of vine rows. Vineyard scans of the grapevine variety Shiraz grown under different management systems at two separate locations have demonstrated that GRover is able to successfully reproduce a variety of vine structures. Correlations of pruning weight and vine wood (trunk and cordon) volume with LiDAR scans have resulted in high coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.91 for pruning weight; 0.76 for wood volume). This is the first time that a LiDAR of this type has been extensively tested in vineyards. Its high scanning rate, eye safe laser and ability to distinguish tissue types make it an appealing option for further development to offer breeders, and potentially growers, quantified measurements of traits that otherwise would be difficult to determine.
Backstepping Sliding Mode Control for Radar Seeker Servo System Considering Guidance and Control System
Authors: Wang Yexing , Lei Humin , Ye Jikun , Bu Xiangwei
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the design of a missile seeker servo system combined with a guidance and control system. Firstly, a complete model containing a missile seeker servo system, missile guidance system, and missile control system (SGCS) was creatively proposed. Secondly, a designed high-order tracking differentiator (HTD) was used to estimate states of systems in real time, which guarantees the feasibility of the designed algorithm. To guarantee tracking precision and robustness, backstepping sliding-mode control was adopted. Aiming at the main problem of projectile motion disturbance, an adaptive radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) was proposed to compensate for disturbance. Adaptive RBFNN especially achieves online adjustment of residual error, which promotes estimation precision and eliminates the “chattering phenomenon”. The boundedness of all signals, including estimation error of high-order tracking differentiator, was especially proved via the Lyapunov stability theory, which is more rigorous. Finally, in considered scenarios, line of sight angle (LOSA)-tracking simulations were carried out to verify the tracking performance, and a Monte Carlo miss-distance simulation is presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluating RGB Imaging and Multispectral Active and Hyperspectral Passive Sensing for Assessing Early Plant Vigor in Winter Wheat
Authors: Prey Lukas , Von Bloh Malte , Schmidhalter Urs
Published: September 2018

Plant vigor is an important trait of field crops at early growth stages, influencing weed suppression, nutrient and water use efficiency and plant growth. High-throughput techniques for its evaluation are required and are promising for nutrient management in early growth stages and for detecting promising breeding material in plant phenotyping. However, spectral sensing for assessing early plant vigor in crops is limited by the strong soil background reflection. Digital imaging may provide a low-cost, easy-to-use alternative. Therefore, image segmentation for retrieving canopy cover was applied in a trial with three cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under two nitrogen regimes and in three sowing densities during four early plant growth stages (Zadok’s stages 14–32) in 2017. Imaging-based canopy cover was tested in correlation analysis for estimating dry weight, nitrogen uptake and nitrogen content. An active Greenseeker sensor and various established and newly developed vegetation indices and spectral unmixing from a passive hyperspectral spectrometer were used as alternative approaches and additionally tested for retrieving canopy cover. Before tillering (until Zadok’s stage 20), correlation coefficients for dry weight and nitrogen uptake with canopy cover strongly exceeded all other methods and remained on higher levels (R² > 0.60***) than from the Greenseeker measurements until tillering. From early tillering on, red edge based indices such as the NDRE and a newly extracted normalized difference index (736 nm; ~794 nm) were identified as best spectral methods for both traits whereas the Greenseeker and spectral unmixing correlated best with canopy cover. RGB-segmentation could be used as simple low-cost approach for very early growth stages until early tillering whereas the application of multispectral sensors should consider red edge bands for subsequent stages.
A Decision Framework for Managing the Risk of Terrorist Threats at Rail Stations Interconnected with Airports
Authors: Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Alawad Hamad , Cotruta Silviu
Published: September 2018

This paper highlights a risk-based decision-making framework on a basis of probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). Its aim is to enable stakeholders of transport infrastructures to systematically and effectively allocate their limited resources and consequently improve resilience when facing the potential risk of a terrorist attack. The potential risk of a terrorist attack affects the inter-operation of transportation infrastructures including airports and rail stations, the regional economy, and imposes additional costs of security or any countermeasures. This novel framework is thus established in order to model the security system, to consider a multitude of threat scenarios, and to assess the decisions and choices taken by the aggressors during various stages of their attack. The framework has capability to identify the state of partial neutralization, which reveals the losses incurred when the terrorist could not reach the primary target. In this study, an underground railway station interconnected to an international airport has been used as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of this novel framework. By the rigorous assessment of potential losses during a variety of threat scenarios, four countermeasures that could minimise losses are proposed: screening of passengers by observation techniques (SPOT), a surveillance system, increase of the cargo screening rate, and blast-resistant cargo containers. The cost and efficiency assessment is employed to determine the most suitable countermeasures when the value of the security measures equal their cost. Note that ongoing research is still needed to establish better countermeasures since there is no end to the creativity of terrorists. The new technology, such as wireless sensors, will play an important role in the security system in the future. In particular, this study will help insurance and rail industries to model and manage risk profiles at critical infrastructure.
Model Distribution Effects on Likelihood Ratios in Fire Debris Analysis
Authors: Allen Alyssa , Williams Mary R. , Thurn Nicholas A. , Sigman Michael E.
Published: September 2018

Computational models for determining the strength of fire debris evidence based on likelihood ratios (LR) were developed and validated against data sets derived from different distributions of ASTM E1618-14 designated ignitable liquid class and substrate pyrolysis contributions using in-silico generated data. The models all perform well in cross validation against the distributions used to generate the model. However, a model generated based on data that does not contain representatives from all of the ASTM E1618-14 classes does not perform well in validation with data sets that contain representatives from the missing classes. A quadratic discriminant model based on a balanced data set (ignitable liquid versus substrate pyrolysis), with a uniform distribution of the ASTM E1618-14 classes, performed well (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.836) when tested against laboratory-developed casework-relevant samples of known ground truth.
Countermovement Jump Analysis Using Different Portable Devices: Implications for Field Testing
Authors: Rago Vincenzo , Brito João , Figueiredo Pedro , Carvalho Thiago , Fernandes Tiago , Fonseca Pedro , Rebelo António
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze the concurrent validity, test–retest reliability, and capacity to detect changes of four different portable devices used to measure a wide range of neuromuscular parameters derived from countermovement jump (CMJ). An accelerometric device (Myotest), a jump mat (Ergojump), an optical device (Optojump), and a smartphone app (MyJump) were simultaneously examined for concurrent validity against gold-standard measures (motion-capture system and a force platform). Twenty-two CMJ-derived variables were collected from 15 healthy male subjects (n = 60 CMJs). Contraction time (CT) and eccentric duration (EccD) measurements obtained from the Myotest were moderately to largely associated with and not different from force platform measurements (r = 0.31 to 0.64, ES = 0.11 to 0.18) and showed moderate test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.92 to 0.97, coefficient of variation (CV) = 3.8 to 8.0%). Flight time (FT) and jump height (JH) from Ergojump, Optojump, and MyJump showed moderate to strong associations with gold-standard measurements (r = 0.57 to 0.98) and good test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.54 to 0.97, CV = 1.8 to 4.2). However, all portable devices underestimated JH (ES = 1.25 to 2.75). Independent of the instrument used, the analyzed CMJ variables showed good capacity to detect changes (standard error of measurement (SEM) < smallest worthwhile change (SWC)), with the exception of rate of force and rate of power development parameters, which showed marginal capacity (SEM > SWC). The Myotest is preferable to measure temporal parameters during ground contact, whereas Ergojump, Optojump, and MyJump devices may be preferable to measure FT and JH, with the Optojump being the most accurate.
Sustainable Urbanization on Occupied Land? The Politics of Infrastructure Development and Resettlement in Beira City, Mozambique
Authors: Shannon Murtah , Otsuki Kei , Zoomers Annelies , Kaag Mayke
Published: September 2018

With this article we contribute to debates on urban land governance and sustainable urban development in Africa by providing an empirical analysis of forced displacement and resettlement associated with infrastructure development in Beira city, Mozambique. In recent years Beira has become the recipient of numerous investment flows targeting the built environment by a range of international investors. By analyzing the micropolitical engagements associated with three different infrastructure projects, based on extensive qualitative interviews, observations, and document analysis, we demonstrate how each intervention has been associated with highly informal and divergent processes of forced displacement and resettlement. We argue that these land related impacts have been annexed from debates on sustainable infrastructure development, and that they exhibit some fundamental differences from established resettlement research. We conclude by arguing that forced displacement and resettlement should be understood as a deliberate and systematic feature of urban infrastructure development, through which new social-spatial arrangements are created. This ultimately points to the emergence of a novel mode of fragmented urbanism within the context of urban development in Africa which poses new challenges to urban sustainability.
Stepping Outside the Self Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Authors: Hou Chenxuan , Sarigöllü Emine , Jo Myung-Soo , Liang Dapeng
Published: September 2018

Although different self-perspectives can prompt different mindsets, leading to different responses, little is known about how self-perspective impacts pro-environmental behaviors. This study explores the effect of self-perspective, i.e., either self-immersed or self-distanced perspective, on environmental attitudes and behavior. Based on an online survey of 409 respondents in the United States, we find that pro-environmental behaviors are perceived as more important and less costly from a self-distanced perspective, compared to a self-immersed one, which in turn facilitates more engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. Furthermore, a self-distanced perspective is more prevalent than a self-immersed perspective when individuals are less satisfied with and perceive less control over their pro-environmental behaviors. This study extends the self-perspective theory to research on pro-environmental behaviors, and offers useful implications for individuals to address conflicts between environmental and self-interested considerations, as well as for public policy makers and practitioners to promote more engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.
Decaying Dark Energy in Light of the Latest Cosmological Dataset
Authors: De Martino Ivan
Published: September 2018

Decaying Dark Energy models modify the background evolution of the most common observables, such as the Hubble function, the luminosity distance and the Cosmic Microwave Background temperature–redshift scaling relation. We use the most recent observationally-determined datasets, including Supernovae Type Ia and Gamma Ray Bursts data, along with H ( z ) and Cosmic Microwave Background temperature versus z data and the reduced Cosmic Microwave Background parameters, to improve the previous constraints on these models. We perform a Monte Carlo Markov Chain analysis to constrain the parameter space, on the basis of two distinct methods. In view of the first method, the Hubble constant and the matter density are left to vary freely. In this case, our results are compatible with previous analyses associated with decaying Dark Energy models, as well as with the most recent description of the cosmological background. In view of the second method, we set the Hubble constant and the matter density to their best fit values obtained by the Planck satellite, reducing the parameter space to two dimensions, and improving the existent constraints on the model’s parameters. Our results suggest that the accelerated expansion of the Universe is well described by the cosmological constant, and we argue that forthcoming observations will play a determinant role to constrain/rule out decaying Dark Energy.
Unsupervised Multi-Object Detection for Video Surveillance Using Memory-Based Recurrent Attention Networks
Authors: He Zhen , He Hangen
Published: September 2018

Nowadays, video surveillance has become ubiquitous with the quick development of artificial intelligence. Multi-object detection (MOD) is a key step in video surveillance and has been widely studied for a long time. The majority of existing MOD algorithms follow the “divide and conquer” pipeline and utilize popular machine learning techniques to optimize algorithm parameters. However, this pipeline is usually suboptimal since it decomposes the MOD task into several sub-tasks and does not optimize them jointly. In addition, the frequently used supervised learning methods rely on the labeled data which are scarce and expensive to obtain. Thus, we propose an end-to-end Unsupervised Multi-Object Detection framework for video surveillance, where a neural model learns to detect objects from each video frame by minimizing the image reconstruction error. Moreover, we propose a Memory-Based Recurrent Attention Network to ease detection and training. The proposed model was evaluated on both synthetic and real datasets, exhibiting its potential.
The Absolute Ruin Insurance Risk Model with a Threshold Dividend Strategy
Authors: Yu Wenguang , Huang Yujuan , Cui Chaoran
Published: September 2018

The absolute ruin insurance risk model is modified by including some valuable market economic information factors, such as credit interest, debit interest and dividend payments. Such information is especially important for insurance companies to control risks. We further assume that the insurance company is able to finance and continue to operate when its reserve is negative. We investigate the integro-differential equations for some interest actuarial diagnostics. We also provide numerical examples to explain the effects of relevant parameters on actuarial diagnostics.
Safety and Efficacy of PrabotulinumtoxinA (Nabota®) Injection for Cervical and Shoulder Girdle Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kim Da-ye , Kim Jae Min
Published: September 2018

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common painful condition encountered in the general population. Previous studies evaluating the efficacy of botulinum toxin for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome are limited, with variable results. This prospective study investigated the efficacy and safety of direct injection of Prabotulinumtoxin A (Nabota®) into painful muscle groups for cervical and shoulder girdle myofascial pain. Twelve patients with chronic myofascial pain syndrome of the neck and shoulder underwent an injection of Prabotulinumtoxin A. Painful muscles containing trigger points were injected in the mid-belly. Pain scores and quality of life measurements were assessed at baseline, as well as 6 weeks and 12 weeks post-injection. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. This trial is registered under clinical research information service (CRIS) number KCT0001634. Patients injected with Prabotulinumtoxin A showed a significant improvement in pain at 12 weeks (p < 0.001). At 6 weeks, the pain had not significantly improved compared with baseline (p = 0.063). However, at that time, 41.7% of patients were characterized as Prabotulinumtoxin A responders, with a 30% reduction in pain rating score compared to baseline. In the Neck Disability Index scores, the patients demonstrated significant improvement at both 6 weeks and 12 weeks. No serious adverse effects occurred during the study. Prabotulinumtoxin A injection into chronically painful muscles associated with cervical and shoulder girdle myofascial pain syndrome resulted in an improvement in pain scores and quality of life lasting at least 12 weeks. Additionally, the injections were well tolerated. As these are preliminary findings in a pilot study, future studies should carefully consider using randomized, controlled, prospective trials.
Release of Indospicine from Contaminated Camel Meat following Cooking and Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion: Implications for Human Consumption
Authors: Sultan Saira , Giles Cindy , Netzel Gabriele , Osborne Simone A. , Netzel Michael E. , Fletcher Mary T.
Published: September 2018

Indospicine, a hepatotoxic arginine analog, occurs in leguminous plants of the Indigofera genus and accumulates in the tissues of grazing animals that consume these plants. Furthermore, indospicine has caused toxicity in dogs following consumption of indospicine-contaminated meat; however, the potential impact on human health is unknown. The present study was designed to determine the effect of simulated human gastrointestinal digestion on the release and degradation of indospicine from contaminated camel meat following microwave cooking. Results showed no significant (p > 0.05) indospicine degradation during cooking or in vitro digestion. However, approximately 70% indospicine was released from the meat matrix into the liquid digesta during the gastric phase (in the presence of pepsin) and increased to >90% in the intestinal phase (with pancreatic enzymes). Following human consumption of contaminated meat, this soluble and more bioaccessible fraction of intact indospicine could be readily available for absorption by the small intestine, potentially circulating indospicine throughout the human body to tissues where it could accumulate and cause detrimental toxic effects.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the InBios Scrub Typhus Detect™ ELISA for the Detection of IgM Antibodies in Chittagong, Bangladesh
Authors: Blacksell Stuart D. , Kingston Hugh W. F. , Tanganuchitcharnchai Ampai , Phanichkrivalkosil Meghna , Hossain Mosharraf , Hossain Amir , Ghose Aniruddha , Leopold Stije J. , Dondorp Arjen M. , Day Nicholas P. J. , Paris Daniel H.
Published: September 2018

Here we estimated the accuracy of the InBios Scrub Typhus Detect™ immunoglobulin M (IgM) ELISA to determine the optimal optical density (OD) cut-off values for the diagnosis of scrub typhus. Patients with undifferentiated febrile illness from Chittagong, Bangladesh, provided samples for reference testing using (i) qPCR using the Orientia spp. 47-kDa htra gene, (ii) IFA ≥1:3200 on admission, (iii) immunofluorescence assay (IFA) ≥1:3200 on admission or 4-fold rise to ≥3200, and (iv) combination of PCR and IFA positivity. For sero-epidemiological purposes (ELISA vs. IFA ≥1:3200 on admission or 4-fold rise to ≥3200), the OD cut-off for admission samples was ≥1.25, resulting in a sensitivity (Sn) of 91.5 (95% confidence interval (95% CI: 96.8–82.5) and a specificity (Sp) of 92.4 (95% CI: 95.0–89.0), while for convalescent samples the OD cut-off was ≥1.50 with Sn of 66.0 (95% CI: 78.5–51.7) and Sp of 96.0 (95% CI: 98.3–92.3). Comparisons against comparator reference tests (ELISA vs. all tests including PCR) indicated the most appropriate cut-off OD to be within the range of 0.75–1.25. For admission samples, the best Sn/Sp compromise was at 1.25 OD (Sn 91.5%, Sp 92.4%) and for convalescent samples at 0.75 OD (Sn 69.8%, Sp 89.5%). A relatively high (stringent) diagnostic cut-off value provides increased diagnostic accuracy with high sensitivity and specificity in the majority of cases, while lowering the cut-off runs the risk of false positivity. This study underlines the need for regional assessment of new diagnostic tests according to the level of endemicity of the disease given the high levels of residual or cross-reacting antibodies in the general population.
Greybody Factors for Schwarzschild Black Holes: Path-Ordered Exponentials and Product Integrals
Authors: Gray Finnian , Visser Matt
Published: September 2018

In earlier work concerning the sparsity of the Hawking flux, we found it necessary to re-examine what is known regarding the greybody factors of black holes, with a view to extending and expanding on some old results from the 1970s. Focusing specifically on Schwarzschild black holes, we have re-calculated and re-assessed the greybody factors using a path-ordered-exponential approach, a technique which has the virtue of providing a pedagogically useful semi-explicit formula for the relevant Bogoliubov coefficients. These path-ordered-exponentials, being based on a variant of the “transfer matrix” formalism, are closely related to so-called “product integrals”, leading to quite straightforward and direct numerical evaluation, while side-stepping any need for numerically solving the relevant ordinary differential equations. Furthermore, while considerable analytic information is already available regarding both the high-frequency and low-frequency asymptotics of these greybody factors, numerical approaches seem better adapted to finding suitable “global models” for these greybody factors in the intermediate frequency regime, where most of the Hawking flux is actually concentrated. Working in a more general context, these path-ordered-exponential techniques are also likely to be of interest for generic barrier-penetration problems.
Antiviral Activity of Fermented Ginseng Extracts against a Broad Range of Influenza Viruses
Authors: Wang Ye , Jung Yu-Jin , Kim Ki-Hye , Kwon Youngman , Kim Yu-Jin , Zhang Zhan , Kang Heun-Soo , Wang Bao-Zhong , Quan Fu-Shi , Kang Sang-Moo
Published: September 2018

Ginseng products used as herb nutritional supplements are orally consumed and fermented to ginsenoside compounds by the intestinal microbes. In this study, we investigated antiviral protective effects of fermented ginseng extracts against different strains of influenza viruses in genetically diverse mouse models. Intranasal coinoculation of mice with fermented ginseng extract and influenza virus improved survival rates and conferred protection against H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, and H7N9 strains, with the efficacy dependent on the dose of ginseng samples. Antiviral protection by fermented ginseng extract was observed in different genetic backgrounds of mice and in the deficient conditions of key adaptive immune components (CD4, CD8, B cell, MHCII). The mice that survived primary virus inoculation with fermented ginseng extract developed immunity against the secondary infection with homologous and heterosubtypic viruses. In vitro cell culture experiments showed moderate virus neutralizing activity by fermented ginseng extract, probably by inhibiting hemagglutination and neuraminidase activity. This study suggests that fermented ginseng extracts might provide a means to treat influenza disease regardless of virus strains.
Resveratrol as a Novel Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Nutraceutical Agent: An Overview
Authors: Annunziata Giuseppe , Maisto Maria , Schisano Connie , Ciampaglia Roberto , Narciso Viviana , Tenore Gian Carlo , Novellino Ettore
Published: September 2018

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common human virus affecting many people worldwide. HSV infections manifest with lesions that occur in different parts of the body, including oral, ocular, nasal, and genital skin and mucosa. In rare cases, HSV infections can be serious and lethal. Several anti-HSV drugs have been developed, but the existence of mutant viruses resistant to these drugs led to the individuation of novel antiviral agents. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, and more specifically polyphenols, have been demonstrated to exert marked anti-HSV activity and, among these, resveratrol (RSV) would be considered a good candidate. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the available literature elucidating the efficacy of RSV against HSV and the main demonstrated mechanisms of action.
Explaining Water Pricing through a Water Security Lens
Authors: Soto Rios Paula , Deen Tariq , Nagabhatla Nidhi , Ayala Gustavo
Published: September 2018

Can water security serve as a platform for developing a long-term solution to ongoing water crises? Many regions around the world are experiencing severe water problems, including water scarcity, water-borne diseases, water-related natural hazards, and water conflicts. These issues are expected to increase and intensify in the future. Both developed and developing economies face a water supply and demand imbalance that will potentially influence their water pricing structures. Institutions and policies that govern the pricing of this natural capital remain crucial for driving food production and providing services. The complex and multifaceted issues of sustainable water management call for a standard set of tools that can capture and create desired water security scenarios. Water pricing is an important contributing factor for achieving these scenarios. In this paper, we analyze how water pricing can be used as a tool to enact the water security agenda. This paper addresses these issues from three facets: (1) Economic aspects—the multiple processes through which water is conceptualized and priced; (2) analysis of water pricing considering its effect in water consumption; and (3) arguments for assessing the potential of water pricing as a tool to appraise water security.
Modified Richards’ Equation to Improve Estimates of Soil Moisture in Two-Layered Soils after Infiltration
Authors: Zhu Honglin , Liu Tingxi , Xue Baolin , A. Yinglan , Wang Guoqiang
Published: September 2018

Soil moisture distribution plays a significant role in soil erosion, evapotranspiration, and overland flow. Infiltration is a main component of the hydrological cycle, and simulations of soil moisture can improve infiltration process modeling. Different environmental factors affect soil moisture distribution in different soil layers. Soil moisture distribution is influenced mainly by soil properties (e.g., porosity) in the upper layer (10 cm), but by gravity-related factors (e.g., slope) in the deeper layer (50 cm). Richards’ equation is a widely used infiltration equation in hydrological models, but its homogeneous assumptions simplify the pattern of soil moisture distribution, leading to overestimates. Here, we present a modified Richards’ equation to predict soil moisture distribution in different layers along vertical infiltration. Two formulae considering different controlling factors were used to estimate soil moisture distribution at a given time and depth. Data for factors including slope, soil depth, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity were obtained from the literature and in situ measurements and used as prior information. Simulations were compared between the modified and the original Richards’ equations and with measurements taken at different times and depths. Comparisons with soil moisture data measured in situ indicated that the modified Richards’ equation still had limitations in terms of reproducing soil moisture in different slope positions and rainfall periods. However, compared with the original Richards’ equation, the modified equation estimated soil moisture with spatial diversity in the infiltration process more accurately. The equation may benefit from further solutions that consider various controlling factors in layers. Our results show that the proposed modified Richards’ equation provides a more effective approach to predict soil moisture in the vertical infiltration process.
Evaluation of Water-Storage and Water-Saving Potential for Paddy Fields in Gaoyou, China
Authors: Wang Chuanjuan , Wang Shaoli , Chen Haorui , Wang Jiandong , Tao Yuan , Liu Jing
Published: September 2018

In China, the stress on agricultural water resources is becoming increasingly severe. In response, a range of water-saving irrigation (WSI) policies and practices have been promoted to improve irrigation efficiency. In this study, a water-balance model in paddy fields was calibrated and validated using a 2-year field experimental dataset collected from an irrigated area in Gaoyou, China, in 2014–2015. The model was used to assess the effects of WSI practices and provides options for implementing water-price reforms. Results show that paddy fields effectively retain rainfall with utilization rates greater than 70% for both shallow wet irrigation (SWI) and shallow humidity-regulated irrigation (SHRI) scenarios. The estimated average water-saving rates from 1960 to 2015 using SWI and SHRI are 33.7% and 43%, respectively, which represent considerable reductions in water consumption. The benefits of WSI practices combined with water management policies are also evident. For example, conversion of irrigation water to industrial water yields a 3-year average water fee of 205.2 yuan/ha using SWI and 20.6 yuan/ha using SHRI, considerably reducing farmers’ financial burden for agricultural water supplies. In conclusion, we recommend the adoption of SWI and SHRI practices in southern China as a means of partially alleviating China’s water-shortage problem.
La eliminación de metales tóxicos presentes en efluentes líquidos mediante resinas de cambio iónico. Parte VII: Manganeso(VII))/H+/Amberlite 958
Authors: Alguacil Francisco J.
Published: September 2018

Se ha utilizado la resina de intercambio aniónico Amberlite 958 para la eliminación de manganeso(VII) de aguas con distintos valores de pH. Además de esta variable, se han investigado otras que pueden afectar al proceso de carga del metal en la resina: velocidad del sistema, temperatura, fuerza iónica del medio y concentración de la resina. El modelo no lineal de la isoterma de carga responde mejor al modelo de Langmuir, mientras que el equilibrio se relaciona con un sistema endotérmico y no espontáneo. Se ha comparado la carga del metal con la de otras resinas de intercambio aniónico y con la nanotubos de carbono de pared múltiple. El proceso de elución del metal se ha abordado con disoluciones de sulfato de hidracina, que además permiten obtener al metal en la disolución de elución como la especie menos tóxica Mn(II).
La formación de coaliciones electorales contranaturales. Solidaritat catalana y las elecciones generales de 1907
Authors: Lago Peñas Pedro
Published: September 2018

La investigación empírica sobre las preferencias favorables a la formación de coaliciones electorales se ha centrado en partidos con afinidad ideológica. En este artículo argumento que la coordinación electoral también se produce entre partidos ideológicamente distantes con preferencias derivadas afines. Para comprobar estos argumentos recurro al estudio de una coalición electoral entre partidos antagonistas. Analizo la participación de Solidaritat Catalana —integrada por carlistas, regionalistas y republicanos— en las elecciones generales de 1907, por medio de un modelo de coordinación electoral. El análisis empírico recurre a información de la articulación de Solidaritat Catalana; la legislación electoral; las elecciones generales de 1901, 1903, 1905 y 1907, y las elecciones provinciales de marzo de 1907.
Processing and Characterization of a Copper Based Binary Alloy Achieved by Solid Phase Compaction and Sintering
Authors: Arar Karim , Mansouri Salah , Benbouta Rachid , Fedaoui Kamel
Published: September 2018

In the present work, (Cu-Sn, Cu-Co) based alloys with different compositions have been obtained by using powder metallurgy (PM). These alloys were created with the purpose of increasing mechanical and structural properties of the industrial parts. The compacts are made according to the sintering manufacturing method, the uniaxial compressed cold samples. Metallographic characterizations, hardness and density measurements were carried out in order to study the influence of the addition of tin and cobalt, the variation of the compaction pressure and the sintering temperature on the finishing product. It has been proved that the addition of tin and cobalt to a copper powder mixture increase the properties of the sintered parts.
Optimization of Process Flow in an Assembly Line of Manufacturing Unit through Lean Tools Execution
Authors: Nallusamy S. , Saravanan V.
Published: September 2018

The main aim of this study is to achieve the maximum productivity in an assembly line of a valve manufacturing industry through the implementation of different lean tools to minimize the production time. The existing manufacturing data were collected and interpret the information’s for identifying the gaps for productivity improvement. For obtaining the production line performance we shall introduce a solution after finding the problemswhich affects the lead time. In this research, an attempt was made to introduce a new fixture with appropriate lean methods by focusing on value stream mapping, kaizen etc to eliminate different kinds of lead times consuming phases in the overall process. Designing a fixture for the process is also done in Kaizen, in order to exclude the sub operations. After execution of various lean tools the total cycle time was reduced about 10.49 minutes and the productivity was improved about 20% by eliminating all those non value added activities in the operations to meet the customer demand.
New Solution Methods for Single Machine Bicriteria Scheduling Problems: Minimizing the Total Flowtime and Maximum Tardiness with Zero Release Dates
Authors: Akande Saheed
Published: September 2018

This paper considers the bicriteria scheduling problem of minimizing the maximum tardiness and total flowtime on single machine with zero release dates. The problem is NP hard, though Early Due Date (EDD) and Shortest Processing Time (SPT) rules yielded optimal solutions for maximum tardiness and total flowtime, respectively if each criterion were to be considered singly. Thus, the values of each of the criteria for the two proposed heuristics; AA and SA were compared to the optimal solution of the sub problems. Results of computational experiment on job sizes varies from 5-150 jobs showed that the SA heuristic is preferred over AA. This is because the heuristic SA yielded maximum tardiness and total flowtime not significantly different from the EDD and SPT results, respectively at 99% significant level. Though AA yielded optimal for total flowtime, the maximum tardiness results is significantly different from the EDD results.