bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Isolated from Drinking and Recreational water in East Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran
Authors: Behniafar Hamed , Niyyati Maryam , Lasjerdi Zohreh
Published: June 2015

Acanthamoeba-related infections, such as amoebic keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, can develop in high-risk population through contaminated water sources. Thus, surveying water resources, particularly those available for human use, is of the utmost importance. In the present study, 67 water samples were collected from water resources in East Azerbaijan, a province in northwestern Iran. Samples were cultured on enriched non-nutrient agar plates, and sequencing-based approaches were used for genotyping. The pathogenic potential of the isolates was determined using thermo- and osmo-tolerance tests. Acanthamoeba were detected in 17 (25.4%) of the 67 collected samples. Sequencing analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to the T3 (23.52%), mixed T3/T4 (5.88%), T4 (58.82%), T5 (5.88%), and T13 (5.88%) genotypes. Through thermo- and osmo-tolerance tests, 88.23% of isolates were resistant to 37 °C, 40 °C temperature, and 0.5 M and 1 M osmolarity; thus, these isolates had the potential for pathogenicity. These findings point toa serious public health concern in the studied region. This study is the first to report Acanthamoeba isolated from drinking and recreational water sources in East Azerbaijan and Acanthamoeba T13 isolated from tap water in Iran.
Ramsey Number of Wheels Versus Cycles and Trees
Authors: Raeisi Ghaffar , Zaghian Ali
Published: June 2015

LetG1,G2, …,Gtbe arbitrary graphs. The Ramsey numberR(G1,G2, …,Gt) is the smallest positive integernsuch that if the edges of the complete graphKnare partitioned intotdisjoint color classes giving t graphsH1,H2, …,Ht, then at least oneHihas a subgraph isomorphic to Gi. In this paper, we provide the exact value of theR(Tn, Wm) for oddm,n≥m−1, whereTnis either a caterpillar, a tree with diameter at most four, or a tree with a vertex adjacent to at leastleaves, andWnis the wheel onn+ 1 vertices. Also, we determineR(Cn,Wm) for even integersnandm,n≥m+ 500, which improves a result of Shi and confirms a conjecture of Surahmat et al. In addition, the multicolor Ramsey number of trees versus an odd wheel is discussed in this paper.
Gambling and Problem Behavior Among 14- to 16-Year-Old Boys and Girls in Finland
Authors: Räsänen Tiina , Lintonen Tomi , Konu Anne
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study is to examine the associations between problem behavior and gambling frequency among eighth- and ninth-grade boys and girls (N = 101,167). Data were obtained from the cross-sectional School Health Promotion Study. Outcome measures were adolescents' truancy, bullying, delinquency, and substance use. Polychotomous logistic regression analyses were used to study the relationship between gambling frequency and risk behaviors in a total sample, as well as separately for boys and girls. In 2010, 62% of the adolescents had gambled during the previous year, and in 2011, 61% of the adolescents had done so. Engaging in different levels of truancy, bullying, delinquency, and substance abuse were associated with higher risks for frequent gambling. Similar patterns of associations were found among boys and girls. Adolescents who engaged in gambling on a daily or weekly basis were the most vulnerable group for problem behavior. However, even infrequent gambling was associated with different problem behaviors.
Effect of feeding liquid milk supplement on litter performances and on sow back-fat thickness change during the suckling period
Authors: Novotni-Dankó G. , Balogh P. , Huzsvai L. , Győri Zs.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of liquid milk supplement on litter performance (weight development of the piglets, weaning weight and mortality) and on sow back-fat thickness change during the suckling period. Data were collected from 150 litters, with the weight of a total of 1709 piglets measured at birth, at 14 days of age and at weaning (28 days), respectively. Sow (n = 150) back-fat depth was measured the day before farrowing, 14 days after farrowing and at weaning. In the control group (n = 363), the piglets were suckled and got pre-starter feed from day 10. In the four experimental groups (MS1; MS2; MS2 and MS4; n = 1346), the piglets received additional milk replacer in various concentrations from the 10th day of life. While there were no significant differences in birth weight between the control and experimental groups, we did find significant differences between the 14-day weights and weaning weights. The milk supplement significantly reduced mortality compared to the control (11.6 vs. 4.9; 5.9, 8.9; 8.3 %). However, there were no statistically significant differences between litter homogeneity data, based on the CV% of piglet weight. Three experimental groups (MS1, MS2 and MS4) were more homogenous compared to the control group at weaning (25.3 vs. 20.9; 20.3; 20.3 CV%). Based on the examination of sow back-fat thickness reduction, there were significant differences between the control (C) and MS3 groups (7.61 vs. 5.57 mm reduction, P < 0.05) during the suckling period. These results demonstrate the advantage of milk replacer on weaning weight. Litter homogeneity, piglet mortality and back-fat thickness of the sows were affected by providing milk replacer to the piglets during the suckling period.
Lifted temperature minimum during the atmospheric evening transition
Authors: Blay-Carreras E. , Pardyjak E. R. , Pino D. , Hoch S. W. , Cuxart J. , Martínez D. , Reuder J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Observations of lifted temperature minimum (LTM) profiles in the nocturnal boundary layer were first reported in 1932. It was defined by the existence of a temperature minimum some centimetres above the ground. During the following decades, several research studies analysed this phenomenon verifying its existence and postulating different hypotheses about its origin. The aim of this work is to study the existence and characteristics of LTM during the evening transition by using observations obtained during the Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence (BLLAST) campaign. Data obtained from two masts instrumented with thermocouples and wind sensors at different heights close to the ground and a mast with radiometers are used to study the role of mechanical turbulence and radiation in LTM development. The study shows that LTM can be detected under calm conditions during the day–night transition, several hours earlier than reported in previous work. These conditions are fulfilled under weak synoptic forcing when the local flow shifts associated with a mountain–plain circulation in relatively complex orography. Under these special conditions, turbulence becomes a crucial parameter in determining the ideal conditions for observing LTM. Additionally, LTM observed profiles are also related to a change in the atmospheric radiative characteristics under calm conditions.
Seasonal differences in oxygenated organic aerosol composition: implications for emissions sources and factor analysis
Authors: Canonaco F. , Slowik J. G. , Baltensperger U. , Prévôt A. S. H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) measurements were performed in Zurich, Switzerland, for 13 months (February 2011 through February 2012). Many previous studies using this or related instruments have utilized the fraction of organic mass measured at m/z 44 (f44), which is typically dominated by the CO2+ ion and related to oxygenation, as an indicator of atmospheric aging. The current study demonstrates that during summer afternoons, when photochemical processes are most vigorous as indicated by high oxidant – OX (O3 + NO2), f44 for ambient secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is not higher but is rather similar or lower than on days with low OX. On the other hand, f43 (less oxidized fragment) tends to increase. These changes are discussed in the f44 / f43 space frequently used to interpret ACSM and aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) data. This is likely due to the formation of semi-volatile oxygenated aerosol produced from biogenic precursor gases, whose emissions increase with ambient temperature. In addition, source apportionment analyses conducted on winter and summer data using positive matrix factorization (PMF) yield semi-volatile oxygenated organic aerosol (SV-OOA) factors that retain source-related chemical information. Winter SV-OOA is highly influenced by biomass burning, whereas summer SV-OOA is to a high degree produced from biogenic precursor gases. These sources contribute to substantial differences between the winter and summer f44 / f43 data, suggesting that PMF analysis of multi-season data employing only two OOA factors cannot capture the seasonal variability of OOA.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) from MIPAS in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere 2002–2012
Authors: Höpfner M. , Boone C. D. , Funke B. , Glatthor N. , Grabowski U. , Günther A. , Kellmann S. , Kiefer M. , Linden A. , Lossow S. , Pumphrey H. C. , Read W. G. , Roiger A. , Stiller G. , Schlager H. , von Clarmann T. , Wissmüller K.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Vertically resolved distributions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) with global coverage in the height region from the upper troposphere to ~20 km altitude have been derived from observations by the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on Envisat for the period July 2002 to April 2012. Retrieved volume mixing ratio profiles representing single measurements are characterized by typical errors in the range of 70–100 pptv and by a vertical resolution ranging from 3 to 5 km. Comparison with observations by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier transform spectrometer (ACE-FTS) revealed a slightly varying bias with altitude of −20 to 50 pptv for the MIPAS data set in case of volcanically enhanced concentrations. For background concentrations the comparison showed a systematic difference between the two major MIPAS observation periods. After debiasing, the difference could be reduced to biases within −10 to 20 pptv in the altitude range of 10–20 km with respect to ACE-FTS. Further comparisons of the debiased MIPAS data set with in situ measurements from various aircraft campaigns showed no obvious inconsistencies within a range of around ±50 pptv. The SO2 emissions of more than 30 volcanic eruptions could be identified in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Emitted SO2 masses and lifetimes within different altitude ranges in the UTLS have been derived for a large part of these eruptions. Masses are in most cases within estimations derived from other instruments. From three of the major eruptions within the MIPAS measurement period – Kasatochi in August 2008, Sarychev in June 2009 and Nabro in June 2011 – derived lifetimes of SO2 for the altitude ranges 10–14, 14–18 and 18–22 km are 13.3 ± 2.1, 23.6 ± 1.2 and 32.3 ± 5.5 days respectively. By omitting periods with obvious volcanic influence we have derived background mixing ratio distributions of SO2. At 10 km altitude these indicate an annual cycle at northern mid- and high latitudes with maximum values in summer and an amplitude of about 30 pptv. At higher altitudes of about 16–18 km, enhanced mixing ratios of SO2 can be found in the regions of the Asian and the North American monsoons in summer – a possible connection to an aerosol layer discovered by Vernier et al. (2011b) in that region.
Wet deposition of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen at five remote stations on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Liu Y. W. ,   Xu-Ri, Wang Y. S. , Pan Y. P. , Piao S. L.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau are sensitive to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition, and N wet deposition in this region has shown an increasing trend since the mid-20th century. However, the amount of N wet deposition on the Tibetan remains unclear, due in most part to the lack of direct observations. Using the Tibetan Observation and Research Platform network, we investigated wet deposition of the major ions (NO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) at five remote stations. At Southeast Tibet Station, Nam Co Station, Qomolangma Station, Ngari Station, and Muztagh Ata Station, the NH4+-N wet deposition was 0.63, 0.91, 1.61, 0.36 and 1.25 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively; the NO3−-N wet deposition was 0.28, 0.35, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively; and the inorganic N deposition was 0.91, 1.26, 1.64, 0.44 and 1.55 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. Combining our field observations with previous studies, the average wet deposition of atmospheric NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and inorganic N on the Tibetan Plateau was estimated to be 1.17, 0.58 and 1.75 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. The estimated NH4+-N : NO3−-N ratio in precipitation on the Tibetan Plateau was 2 : 1. Compared to the present study, the inorganic N wet deposition for the entire Tibetan Plateau in previous studies, either through atmospheric chemistry transport model simulations or interpolations based on limited observations, has been highly overestimated. To clarify the total N deposition on the Tibetan Plateau, it is necessary to conduct long-term and large-scale monitoring of both wet and dry deposition of N in the future.
Aerosol retrieval from multiangle, multispectral photopolarimetric measurements: importance of spectral range and angular resolution
Authors: Wu L. , Hasekamp O. , van Diedenhoven B. , Cairns B.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. We investigated the importance of spectral range and angular resolution for aerosol retrieval from multiangle photopolarimetric measurements over land. For this purpose, we use an extensive set of simulated measurements for different spectral ranges and angular resolutions and subsets of real measurements of the airborne Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) carried out during the PODEX and SEAC4RS campaigns over the continental USA. Aerosol retrievals performed from RSP measurements show good agreement with ground-based AERONET measurements for aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo (SSA) and refractive index. Furthermore, we found that inclusion of shortwave infrared bands (1590 and/or 2250 nm) significantly improves the retrieval of AOD, SSA and coarse mode microphysical properties. However, accuracies of the retrieved aerosol properties do not improve significantly when more than five viewing angles are used in the retrieval.
Coupling δ2H and δ18O biomarker results yields information on relative humidity and isotopic composition of precipitation – a climate transect validation study
Authors: Tuthorn M. , Zech R. , Ruppenthal M. , Oelmann Y. , Kahmen A. , del Valle H. F. , Eglinton T. , Rozanski K. , Zech M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The hydrogen isotopic composition (δ2H) of leaf waxes, especially of n-alkanes (δ2Hn-alkanes), is increasingly used for paleohydrological and paleoclimate reconstructions. However, it is challenging to disentangle past changes in the isotopic composition of precipitation and changes in evapotranspirative enrichment of leaf water, which are both recorded in leaf wax δ2H values. In order to overcome this limitation, Zech M. et al. (2013) proposed a coupled δ2Hn-alkanes–δ18Osugar biomarker approach. This coupled approach allows for calculating (i) biomarker-based "reconstructed" δ2Hδ18O values of leaf water (δ2Hδ18Oleaf water), (ii) biomarker-based reconstructed deuterium excess (d-excess) of leaf water, which mainly reflects evapotranspirative enrichment and which can be used to reconstruct relative air humidity (RH) and (iii) biomarker-based reconstructed δ2Hδ18Oprecipitation values. Here we present a climate transect validation study by coupling new results from δ2H analyses of n-alkanes and fatty acids in topsoils along a climate transect in Argentina with previously measured δ18O results obtained for plant-derived sugars. Accordingly, both the reconstructed RH and δ2Hδ18Oprecipitation values correlate highly significantly with actual RH and δ2Hδ18Oprecipitation values. We conclude that compared to single δ2Hn-alkane or δ18Osugar records, the proposed coupled δ2Hn-alkane–δ18Osugar biomarker approach will allow more robust δ2Hδ18Oprecipitation reconstructions in future paleoclimate research. Additionally, the proposed coupled δ2Hn-alkane–δ18Osugar biomarker approach allows for the establishment of a "paleohygrometer", more specifically, the reconstruction of mean summer daytime RH changes/history.
Eddy covariance methane flux measurements over a grazed pasture: effect of cows as moving point sources
Authors: Felber R. , Münger A. , Neftel A. , Ammann C.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Methane (CH4) from ruminants contributes one-third of global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Eddy covariance (EC) technique has been extensively used at various flux sites to investigate carbon dioxide exchange of ecosystems. Since the development of fast CH4 analyzers, the instrumentation at many flux sites has been amended for these gases. However, the application of EC over pastures is challenging due to the spatially and temporally uneven distribution of CH4 point sources induced by the grazing animals. We applied EC measurements during one grazing season over a pasture with 20 dairy cows (mean milk yield: 22.7 kg d−1) managed in a rotational grazing system. Individual cow positions were recorded by GPS trackers to attribute fluxes to animal emissions using a footprint model. Methane fluxes with cows in the footprint were up to 2 orders of magnitude higher than ecosystem fluxes without cows. Mean cow emissions of 423 ± 24 g CH4 head−1 d−1 (best estimate from this study) correspond well to animal respiration chamber measurements reported in the literature. However, a systematic effect of the distance between source and EC tower on cow emissions was found, which is attributed to the analytical footprint model used. We show that the EC method allows one to determine CH4 emissions of cows on a pasture if the data evaluation is adjusted for this purpose and if some cow distribution information is available.
Continental-scale temperature variability in PMIP3 simulations and PAGES 2k regional temperature reconstructions over the past millennium
Authors:   PAGES2k-PMIP3 group
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Estimated external radiative forcings, model results and proxy-based climate reconstructions have been used over the past several decades to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying observed climate variability and change over the past millennium. Here, the recent set of temperature reconstructions at the continental-scale generated by the PAGES 2k project and the collection of state-of-the-art model simulations driven by realistic external forcings following the PMIP3 protocol are jointly analysed. The first aim is to estimate the consistency between model results and reconstructions for each continental-scale region over time and frequency domains. Secondly, the links between regions are investigated to determine whether reconstructed global-scale covariability patterns are similar to those identified in model simulations. The third aim is to assess the role of external forcings in the observed temperature variations. From a large set of analyses, we conclude that models are in relatively good agreement with temperature reconstructions for Northern Hemisphere regions, particularly in the Arctic. This is likely due to the relatively large amplitude of the externally forced response across northern and high latitudes regions, which results in a clearly detectable signature in both reconstructions and simulations. Conversely, models disagree strongly with the reconstructions in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, the simulations are more regionally coherent than the reconstructions perhaps due to an underestimation of the magnitude of internal variability in models or to an overestimation of the response to the external forcing in the Southern Hemisphere. Part of the disagreement might also reflect large uncertainties in the reconstructions, specifically in some Southern Hemisphere regions which are based on fewer paleoclimate records than in the Northern Hemisphere.
CEH-GEAR: 1 km resolution daily and monthly areal rainfall estimates for the UK for hydrological and other applications
Authors: Keller V. D. J. , Tanguy M. , Prosdocimi I. , Terry J. A. , Hitt O. , Cole S. J. , Fry M. , Morris D. G. , Dixon H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology – Gridded Estimates of Areal Rainfall (CEH-GEAR) data set was developed to provide reliable 1 km gridded estimates of daily and monthly rainfall for Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) (together with approximately 3500 km2 of catchment in the Republic of Ireland) from 1890 onwards. The data set was primarily required to support hydrological modelling. The rainfall estimates are derived from the Met Office collated historical weather observations for the UK which include a national database of rain gauge observations. The natural neighbour interpolation methodology, including a normalisation step based on average annual rainfall (AAR), was used to generate the daily and monthly rainfall grids. To derive the monthly estimates, rainfall totals from monthly and daily (when complete month available) rain gauges were used in order to obtain maximum information from the rain gauge network. The daily grids were adjusted so that the monthly grids are fully consistent with the daily grids. The CEH-GEAR data set was developed according to the guidance provided by the British Standards Institution. The CEH-GEAR data set contains 1 km grids of daily and monthly rainfall estimates for GB and NI for the period 1890–2012. For each day and month, CEH-GEAR includes a secondary grid of distance to the nearest operational rain gauge. This may be used as an indicator of the quality of the estimates. When this distance is greater than 100 km, the estimates are not calculated due to high uncertainty. CEH-GEAR is available from doi:10.5285/5dc179dc-f692-49ba-9326-a6893a503f6e and is free of charge for commercial and non-commercial use subject to licensing terms and conditions.
The first Stylogaster Macquart, 1835 (Diptera: Conopidae) fossil, from Oligo-Miocene Dominican amber, and some phylogenetic and biogeographic considerations
Authors: Rocha L. S. G. , Burt T. O. , de Mello-Patiu C. A. , Skevington J. H.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Stylogaster Macquart, 1835 has been unknown in the fossil record until now, the only fossil conopid genus being Palaeomyopa Meulnier, 1912. Two Stylogaster specimens in amber from the American Museum of Natural History collection were studied and are described here. Both specimens, male and female, belong to a new species, S. grimaldii sp. nov., that is probably basal to at least the New World species with a short ocellar triangle. Photos and drawings of the new species are provided. The relationship with other Stylogaster species and ancient distributional patterns are briefly discussed.
RFM-Based Block Adjustment for Spaceborne Images with Weak Convergent Geometry
Authors: Cheng C. Q. , Zhang J. X. , Huang G. M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Block adjustment is one of the most important processing steps in topographic mapping. In order to achieve precise 3D photogrammetry points, the ratio of base-to-height(RBH) or the forward intersection angle(FIA) of stereo images should meet the requirement of specifications for topographic maps when the block images are used. In some fields, overlaps and ratios of base-toheight are often ignored, no gaps among the images are the basic requirements for block images. In this study we give a method to detect the forward intersection angle for homonymous points with RPCs, and create a indicator angler to reflect the level of weak convergence. In order to achieve stable and precise solver for block adjustment under the condition of weak convergence, this paper take the elevation value interpolated from DEM as observed values with errors, combine the height value and measured image coordinates to build adjustment model. The model can be steady solved in ill-pose situation and have little effects from the DEM errors. the model and the methods are validated by simulation and real data including optical ZY1-02C and TerraSAR images.
A color balancing method for wide range Remote Sensing imagery based on Regionalization
Authors: Liu J. , Li H. T. , Gu H. Y.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Quick mosaicking of wide range remote sensing imagery is an important foundation for land resource survey and dynamic monitoring of environment and nature disasters. It is also technically important for basis imagery of geographic information acquiring and geographic information product updating. This paper mainly focuses on one key technique of mosaicking, color balancing for wide range Remote Sensing imagery. Due to huge amount of data, large covering rage, great variety of climate and geographical condition, color balancing for wide range remote sensing imagery is a difficult problem. In this paper we use Ecogeographic regionalization to divide the large area into several regions based on terrains and climatic data, construct the algorithmic framework of a color balancing method according to the regionalization result, which conduct from region edge to center to fit wide range imagery mosaicking. The experimental results with wide range HJ-1 dataset show that our method can significantly improve the wide range of remote sensing imagery color balancing effects: making images well-proportioned mosaicking and better in keeping images' original information. In summary, this color balancing method based on regionalization could be a good solution for nationwide remote sensing image color balancing and mosaicking.
An object-oriented approach for agrivultural land classiﬁcation using rapideye imagery
Authors: Sang H. , Zhai L. , Zhang J. , An F.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. With the improvement of remote sensing technology, the spatial, structural and texture information of land covers are present clearly in high resolution imagery, which enhances the ability of crop mapping. Since the satellite RapidEye was launched in 2009, high resolution multispectral imagery together with wide red edge band has been utilized in vegetation monitoring. Broad red edge band related vegetation indices improved land use classification and vegetation studies. RapidEye high resolution imagery acquired on May 29 and August 9th of 2012 was used in this study to evaluate the potential of red edge band in agricultural land cover/use mapping using an objected-oriented classification approach. A new object-oriented decision tree classifier was introduced in this study to map agricultural lands in the study area. Besides the five bands of RapidEye image, the vegetation indexes derived from spectral bands and the structural and texture features are utilized as inputs for agricultural land cover/use mapping in the study. The optimization of input features for classification by reducing redundant information improves the mapping precision over 9% for AdaTree. WL, and 5% for SVM, the accuracy is over 90% for both approaches. Time phase characteristic is much important in different agricultural lands, and it improves the classification accuracy 7% for AdaTree.WL and 6% for SVM.
An automatic high precision registration method between large area aerial images and aerial light detection and ranging data
Authors: Du Q. , Xie D. , Sun Y.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The integration of digital aerial photogrammetry and Light Detetion And Ranging (LiDAR) is an inevitable trend in Surveying and Mapping field. We calculate the external orientation elements of images which identical with LiDAR coordinate to realize automatic high precision registration between aerial images and LiDAR data. There are two ways to calculate orientation elements. One is single image spatial resection using image matching 3D points that registered to LiDAR. The other one is Position and Orientation System (POS) data supported aerotriangulation. The high precision registration points are selected as Ground Control Points (GCPs) instead of measuring GCPs manually during aerotriangulation. The registration experiments indicate that the method which registering aerial images and LiDAR points has a great advantage in higher automation and precision compare with manual registration.
Method of airborne SAR image match integrating multi-information for block adjustment
Authors: Yang S. C. , Huang G. M. , Zhao Z. , Lu L. J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. For the automation of SAR image Block Adjustment, this paper proposed a method of SAR image matching integrating multiinformation. It takes full advantage of SAR image geometric information, feature information, gray-related information and external auxiliary terrain information for SAR image matching. And then Image Tie Points (ITPs) of Block Adjustment can be achieved automatically. The main parts of extracting ITPs automatically include: First, SAR images were rectified geometrically based on the geometric information and external auxiliary terrain information (existed DEM) before match. Second, ground grid points with a certain interval can be get in the block area and approximate ITPs were acquired based on external auxiliary terrain information. Then match reference point was extracted for homologous image blocks with Harris feature detection operator and ITPs were obtained with pyramid matching based on gray-related information. At last, ITPs were transferred from rectified images to original SAR images and used in block adjustment. In the experiment, X band airborne SAR images acquired by Chinese airborne SAR system – CASMSAR system were used to make up the block. The result had showed that the method is effective for block adjustment of SAR data.
Arqueología Negativa. Las fronteras arqueológicas del presente
Authors: Millán Pascual Rafael
Published: June 2015

La arqueología está tratando de redefinir su relación con los objetos. Este cambio ocurre al tiempo en que Occidente atraviesa una nueva expansión de la sociedad de consumo, que confirma su ruptura definitiva con la generación que protagonizó el éxodo rural de mediados de s.XX. En este trabajo se plantea una revisión de las condiciones que permiten ahondar en esa ruptura y que determinan a su vez nuestra relación con la materialidad. Para ello se parte de una reconsideración de la relación pasado/presente y de las dinámicas que marcan esa diferencia. Nos encontramos en un momento en el que se está cambiando la experiencia del tiempo y con ella, la integridad del objeto arqueológico. Con el nombre de Arqueología Negativa se trata de explorar la frontera que determina la producción del pasado en un presente ocupado en homogeneizar cualquier tipo de diferencia. La arqueología es una disciplina única para desactivar ese proceso, o al menos para atestiguar las dinámicas a las que parecen destinarse los objetos. Para ello, se presenta el concepto de obsolescencia como un intento de nombrar el problema.
La estructuración del espacio urbano y productivo de Gadir durante la fase urbana clásica: Cambios y perduraciones
Authors: De Villedary y Mariñas Ana Mª Niveau
Published: June 2015

La reafirmación del modelo político-administrativo ciudadano tras la fase arcaica colonial abre una nueva etapa de prosperidad en la antigua fundación tiria. El esplendor de Gadir en el s. V a.C. se refleja en los textos clásicos y en los hallazgos arqueológicos y, sin embargo, nuestros conocimientos sobre el desarrollo histórico de la ciudad de época púnica son muy limitados. El horizonte arcaico comienza a esclarecerse tras los hallazgos del Teatro Cómico que han sacado a la luz los restos de la fundación tiria y, sin embargo, la ciudad posterior continúa siendo una gran incógnita. ¿A qué lugar se traslada la población una vez que se abandona el asentamiento primitivo? ¿Quiénes son los individuos enterrados en los excepcionales sarcófagos antropoides? ¿Qué relación jerárquica existe entre el asentamiento insular y los situados en tierra firme? ¿Qué papel jugó la industria y comercialización de las salazones? Los interrogantes planteados son múltiples y no hacen más que evidenciar la incapacidad del paradigma tradicional para explicar el desarrollo histórico de la Gadir postcolonial y la necesidad de buscar nuevos modelos interpretativos.
Eco-Biological Assessment of Main Forage Grain Crop and Legumes in Pastures Hayland of Shirvan Territory
Authors: Gasimzade T. E.
Published: June 2015

Eco-biological properties of botanical teams of fodder grains and legumes which is highly efficient in terms distributed in Shirvan zone of Azerbaijan have been studied. During investigations 76 species from Cereal family, and 45 species from legumes were defined. Some of them are as common in the area where others been determined. It was known during biotopological analysis of investigated species that 20-25 species of legumes are oommon in bushes, 18 species in forest, forest edge, arid forest biotops, grape fields, and gardens, and 4 species in stoned cliffs. Variation of these species on zones is non-equal. 47 species were found in lowland mountain zone, 17 species in middle mountain zone and 23 species are common in upland mountain zone. Analysis of ecological groups of cereals showed that 10 species grow in mesophyte, 50 species in xerophyte, 16 species in mesoxerophyte condition. 3 species of Legumes grow in mesophyte condition, 24 species in xerophyte, 19 species in mesoxerophyte condition.
Draagmoederschap naar Belgisch en Nederlands recht
Authors: Pluym Liesbet
Published: June 2015

Draagmoederschap naar Belgisch en Nederlands recht

Zowel in België als in Nederland komt draagmoederschap voor. Deze bijdrage heeft tot doel om de houding van de twee buurlanden ten aanzien van dit controversiële fenomeen te onderzoeken en te vergelijken.

De wensouders en draagmoeders ervaren meerdere juridische obstakels. Zo blijkt in beide landen de draagmoederschapsovereenkomst niet geldig en evenmin afdwingbaar te zijn. Hoewel in Nederland de mogelijkheid bestaat om het ouderlijk gezag over te dragen van draagmoeder naar wensouders, is het ook daar, net zoals in België, allesbehalve evident om de band tussen kind en wensouders juridisch te verwezenlijken. Noch de oorspronkelijke, noch de adoptieve afstamming is aan het fenomeen aangepast. Vooral voor Nederland is dit vreemd aangezien de Nederlandse wetgeving uitdrukkelijk bepaalt onder welke voorwaarden medisch begeleid draagmoederschap toegelaten is. De wet schept met andere woorden een gezondheidsrechtelijk kader, maar regelt niet de gevolgen van het draagmoederschap. In België is er daarentegen geen enkele wetgeving betreffende draagmoederschap. Dit betekent dat de onaangepaste wetgeving betreffende medisch begeleide voortplanting van toepassing is op draagmoederschap. Over deze toepassing en de gevolgen ervan bestaat evenwel onduidelijkheid. Commercialisering van draagmoederschap leidt ook tot problemen. In Nederland is professionele bemiddeling en het openbaar maken van vraag en aanbod met betrekking tot draagmoederschap strafbaar gesteld. Daarnaast kunnen de omstandigheden van een zaak waarin het kind als het ware verkocht wordt aan de wensouders zowel in België als in Nederland leiden tot andere misdrijven. Gelet op dit alles begeven sommige wensouders zich naar het buitenland om daar beroep te doen op draagmoederschap. Wensen zij terug te keren met het kind naar het land van herkomst, dan leidt dit in beide buurlanden tot internationaalprivaatrechtelijke problemen.

Door het gebrek aan een algemeen wettelijk kader, is het draagmoederschapsproces in beide landen vaak een calvarietocht. Dit leidt tot rechtsonzekerheid. Oproepen tot een wettelijk ingrijpen bleven tot nu toe echter onbeantwoord.

Surrogacy is practiced in Belgium and the Netherlands. The aim of this contribution is to compare the many legal aspects of the phenomenon. In both countries legal problems surround surrogacy: the surrogacy contract is unenforceable; it is difficult for the intended parents to become the legal parents; commercial surrogacy can result in criminal sanctions and cross-border surrogacy leads to limping legal relations. The main differences between the two legal systems are that in Belgium there is no regulation at all, while in the Netherlands, professional mediation and advertising in surrogacy are explicitly forbidden and Dutch law provides a limited health law regulation. In both countries scholars have pressed the need for legal change.
Not a Stitch out of Place: Assessing Students’ Attitudes Towards Multimodal Composition
Authors: Bohannon Jeanne Law
Published: June 2015

This article traces a brief history of multimodal composition practices in the field of writing studies. It frames writing instruction through the theoretical lens of democratic pedagogy and presents the works of key composition scholars. The author then describes a mixed methods research study, conducted with first-year students on the STEM campus of a state comprehensive university. Students participated in a survey that asked their attitudes towards multimodal writing assignments, digital literacies, and learning outcomes. The author draws conclusions about the effectiveness of multimodal composition based on students’ responses and provides supplemental information on the types of assignments and examples of student work.
Designing Tasks for Complex Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Kurek Malgorzata
Published: June 2015

The central role of tasks has long been acknowledged in foreign language pedagogy (e.g. Ellis, 2003; Willis, 1996; Müller-Hartmann & Schocker, 2011), in the context of CALL (Furstenberg, 1997; Chapelle, 2001; Hampel, 2006; 2010; Levy & Stockwell, 2006; Thomas & Reinders, 2010) and, specifically, in literature on online collaboration (Dundis & Benson, 2003; Gruba, 2004; Müller-Hartmann 2000; 2006; O’Dowd & Ware, 2009; Guth & Helm 2011; Dooly & O’Dowd, 2012). In complex learning environments such as those of intercultural online exchanges (IOEs), the role of tasks is particularly pronounced as they drive and structure learners’ activity in and through a complex, technology-rich multimodal, multilingual and multicultural context. In such an environment opportunities for learning are not obvious and need to be activated through adequate and relevant tasks. This article discusses the role of tasks in structuring learner activity in complex learning environments (CLEs), best exemplified by intercultural online exchanges (IOEs). First, the concept of complex learning environments (CLEs) are presented, followed by those aspects of task design that best address their complexity, including the role of tasks in executing teaching presence, the workplan-process dichotomy, the role of tasks in fostering community building, concluding with an overview of the mutual task-tool relationship and brief recommendations for training teachers in task design.
FLOWING BILATERAL FILTER: DEFINITION AND IMPLEMENTATIONS
Authors: Moreaud Maxime , Cokelaer François
Published: June 2015

The bilateral filter plays a key role in image processing applications due to its intuitive parameterization and its high quality filter result, smoothing homogeneous regions while preserving the edges of the objects. Considering the image as a topological relief, seeing pixel intensities as peaks and valleys, we introduce a way to control the tonal weighting coefficients, the flowing bilateral filter, reducing "halo" artifacts typically produced by the regular bilateral filter around a large peak surrounded by two valleys of lower values. In this paper we propose to investigate exact and approximated versions of CPU and parallel GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) based implementations of the regular and flowing bilateral filter using the NVidia CUDA API. Fast implementations of these filters are important for the processing of large 3D volumes up to several GB acquired by x-ray or electron tomography.
COLUMN TESSELLATIONS
Authors: Nguyen Linh Ngoc , Weiss Viola , Cowan Richard
Published: June 2015

A new class of non facet-to-facet random tessellations in three-dimensional space is introduced -- the so-called column tessellations. The spatial construction is based on a stationary planar tessellation; each cell of the spatial tessellation is a prism whose base facet is  congruent to a cell of the planar tessellation. Thus intensities, topological and metric mean values of the spatial tessellation can be calculated from suitably chosen parameters of the planar tessellation.
Curvature-Continuous 3D Path-Planning Using QPMI Method
Authors: Chang Seong-Ryong , Huh Uk-Youl
Published: June 2015

It is impossible to achieve vertex movement and rapid velocity control in aerial robots and aerial vehicles because of momentum from the air. A continuous-curvature path ensures such robots and vehicles can fly with stable and continuous movements. General continuous path-planning methods use spline interpolation, for example B-spline and Bézier curves. However, these methods cannot be directly applied to continuous path planning in a 3D space. These methods use a subset of the waypoints to decide curvature and some waypoints are not included in the planned path. This paper proposes a method for constructing a curvature-continuous path in 3D space that includes every waypoint. The movements in each axis, x, y and z, are separated by the parameter u. Waypoint groups are formed, each with its own continuous path derived using quadratic polynomial interpolation. The membership function then combines each continuous path into one continuous path. The continuity of the path is verified and the curvature-continuous path is produced using the proposed method.
New and little known species of Lepechinella (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Lepechinellidae) and an allied new genus Lepesubchela from the North Atlantic
Authors: Johansen Per-Otto , Vader Wim
Published: June 2015

New species of Lepechinella, L. norvegica sp. nov. and L. victoriae sp. nov., from the North East Atlantic are described together with the new, closely related genus and species Lepesubchela christinae gen. et sp. nov. Lepechinella arctica Schellenberg, 1926 from north of Spitsbergen and Lepechinella schellenbergi Stephensen, 1944 from Greenland are redescribed. A key to the species of Atlantic and Arctic Lepechinella is provided. Descriptions of taxonomic characters from related species in the Atlantic and Arctic are discussed.
Occurrence and Control of Tularemia in Drinking Water
Authors: Rice Eugene W.
Published: June 2015

Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, can be spread by a variety of routes. Contaminated drinking water can serve as one of the means of transmission. The organism is of concern both as a cause of naturally occurring disease and as a potential agent of bioterrorism. This review article summarizes information on drinking water outbreaks, sources of contamination, and the detection and persistence of this bacterial pathogen in the aquatic environment. Information is provided on the adequacy of disinfection processes for controlling the organism in potable water supplies.
Effect of Commodity Charges on the Demand for Reclaimed Water
Authors: Knight Scott L. , Morales Miguel A. , Heaney James P.
Published: June 2015

Residential irrigation with reclaimed water is one method to reduce potable water withdrawals in the United States. However, little research has examined how customers use this often low‐cost or free water. This study evaluates the change in water use for 510 reclaimed water customers who were converted from a flat rate to a commodity charge. Using actual water use data and an irrigation model, two metrics of efficiency were developed: portion of landscape needs satisfied and efficiency of application. After the commodity charge began, the reclaimed water customers decreased their use by 47% and improved the efficiency of their application by 12%. However, annually, between 14 and 27% of the users increased use compared with the flat‐rate period. The impact of irrigable area was also evaluated and showed that customers with smaller irrigable areas were less efficient (26%) than those with larger irrigable areas (52%).
Public Perceptions of Direct Potable Reuse in Four US Cities
Authors: Ishii Stephanie K.L. , Boyer Treavor H. , Cornwell David A. , Via Steve H.
Published: June 2015

This work is motivated by technical advancements related to direct potable reuse (DPR) and the importance of public values when considering alternative water resources. This study involved the distribution of an online survey to residents in four US cities about existing tap water supplies and “purified water,” defined as “municipal wastewater that has undergone advanced water treatment processes, thus resulting in water quality that, at a minimum, complies with drinking water regulations.” Overall, 50–60% of respondents were in support of using purified water as potable water. Contaminant concerns were highest for taste/smell and microbial contaminants in both current tap water and purified water. Survey results highlight the importance of addressing certain areas when communicating about DPR to the public, such as barriers against microbial contamination, the trustworthiness of utilities, potential improvements over the status quo, and community‐specific drivers that necessitate the use of purified water in a given setting.
Carbohydrate‐Based Electron Donor for Biological Nitrate and Perchlorate Removal From Drinking Water
Authors: Upadhyaya Giridhar , Kotlarz Nadine , Togna Paul , Raskin Lutgarde
Published: June 2015

This study evaluated the feasibility of replacing acetic acid with a commercial carbohydrate‐based electron donor (CBED) for removal of nitrate and perchlorate (ClO4–) from drinking water. Bench‐scale biologically active carbon fixed‐bed and fluidized‐bed reactors (FXBR and FLBR, respectively), with an initial empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 42.8 min, were fed simulated groundwater containing 15 mg/L nitrate as nitrogen and 200 μg/L ClO4–. EBCT in the FLBR after final expansion was 80.5 min. During the first 100 days using acetic acid at 125 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD), complete nitrate removal was achieved in both systems, whereas perchlorate in the FXBR and FLBR effluents remained below 3 and 6 μg/L ClO4–, respectively. For comparable removals, influent COD requirement was higher with the CBED. Biomass yields with acetic acid and the CBED were 0.54–0.58 and 0.59–0.74 mg CODbiomass/mg CODsubstrate, respectively. The higher yield with the CBED resulted in more frequent maintenance requirements.
An Artificial Neural Network Model for Highway Accident Prediction: A Case Study of Erzurum, Turkey
Authors: Çodur Muhammed Yasin , Tortum Ahmet
Published: June 2015

This study presents an accident prediction model of Erzurum’s Highways in Turkey using artificial neural network (ANN) approaches. There are many ANN models for predicting the number of accidents on highways that were developed using 8 years with 7,780 complete accident reports of historical data (2005-2012). The best ANN model was chosen for this task and the model parameters included years, highway sections, section length (km), annual average daily traffic (AADT), the degree of horizontal curvature, the degree of vertical curvature, traffic accidents with heavy vehicles (percentage), and traffic accidents that occurred in summer (percentage). In the ANN model development, the sigmoid activation function was employed with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. The performance of the developed ANN model was evaluated by mean square error (MSE), the root mean square error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). The model results indicate that the degree of vertical curvature is the most important parameter that affects the number of accidents on highways.