bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Gellan Oligosaccharide and NaCl Stress on Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Mineral Composition, Antioxidant Capacity and Antimicrobial Activity in Red Perilla
Authors: Salachna Piotr , Grzeszczuk Monika , Meller Edward , Mizielińska Małgorzata
Published: October 2019

The growing market demand for plant raw materials with improved biological value promotes the extensive search for new elicitors and biostimulants. Gellan gum derivatives may enhance plant growth and development, but have never been used under stress conditions. Perilla (Perilla frutescens, Lamiaceae) is a source of valuable bioproducts for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. However, there is not much information on the use of biostimulators in perilla cultivation. In this work we investigated the effects of oligo-gellan and salt (100 mM NaCl) on the yield and quality of red perilla (P. frutescens var. crispa f. purpurea) leaves. Plants grown under stress showed inhibited growth, smaller biomass, their leaves contained less nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, total polyphenol and total anthocyanins, and accumulated considerably more sodium than control plants. Treatment with oligo-gellan under non-saline conditions stimulated plant growth and the fresh weight content of the above-ground parts, enhanced the accumulation of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and total polyphenols, and increased antioxidant activity as assessed by DPPH and ABTS assays. Oligo-gellan applied under saline conditions clearly alleviated the stress effects by limiting the loss of biomass, macronutrients, and total polyphenols. Additionally, plants pretreated with oligo-gellan and then exposed to 100 mM NaCl accumulated less sodium, produced greater amounts of photosynthetic pigments, and had greater antioxidant activity than NaCl-stressed plants. Irrespective of the experimental treatment, 50% extract effectively inhibited growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both microorganisms were the least affected by 25% extract obtained from plants untreated with either NaCl or oligo-gellan. In conclusion, oligo-gellan promoted plant growth and enhanced the quality of red perilla leaves and efficiently alleviated the negative effects of salt stress.
An Update of Transition Metal-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Transformations of Cyclic Carbonates and Carbamates
Authors: Zuo Linhong , Liu Teng , Chang Xiaowei , Guo Wusheng
Published: October 2019

Functionalized cyclic organic carbonates and carbamates are frequently used in a number of transition metal-catalyzed decarboxylative reactions for the construction of interesting molecules. These decarboxylative transformations have attracted more and more research attention in recent years mainly due to their advantages of less waste generation and versatile reactivities. On the basis of previous reviews on this hot topic, the present review will focus on the development of transition metal-catalyzed decarboxylative transformations of functionalized cyclic carbonates and carbamates in the last two years.
Diffusion of Resveratrol in Silica Alcogels
Authors: Wang Yuxiang , Kao Zeyu , Zhang Ting , Zhang Yujun , Qin Lili , Zhang Zhihua , Zhou Bin , Wu Guangming , Shen Jun , Du Ai
Published: October 2019

The trans-resveratrol (RSV)-loaded silica aerogel (RLSA) was prepared by the sol-gel method, adding the drug during the aging process, solvent replacement and freeze drying. A series of characterizations showed that RSV stays in the silica aerogel in two ways. First, RSV precipitates due to minimal solubility in water during the solvent replacement process. After freeze drying, the solvent evaporates and the RSV recrystallizes. It can be seen from scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images that the recrystallized RSV with micron-sized long rod-shaped is integrated with the dense silica network skeleton. Second, from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results, a portion of the RSV molecules is not crystallized and the size is extremely small. This can be attached to the primary and secondary particles of silica to enhance its network structure and inhibit shrinkage, which is why the volume and pore size of RLSA is larger. In addition, the diffusion of RSV in silica alcogel was studied by a one-dimensional model. The apparent diffusion coefficients of inward diffusion, outward diffusion and internal diffusion were calculated by fitting the time- and position-dependent concentration data. It was found that the outward diffusion coefficient (5.25 × 10−10 m2/s) is larger than the inward (2.93 × 10−10 m2/s), which is probably due to the interface effect. The diffusion coefficients obtained for different concentrations in the same process (inward diffusion) are found to be different. This suggests that the apparent diffusion coefficient obtained is affected by molecular adsorption.
Hinged and Wide: A New P^P Ligand for Emissive [Cu(P^P)(N^N)][PF6] Complexes
Authors: Keller Sarah , Bantle Matthias , Prescimone Alessandro , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E.
Published: October 2019

Heteroleptic [Cu(BIPHEP)(N^N)][PF6] complexes (BIPHEP = 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diylbis(diphenylphosphane)), in which N^N is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine (6-Mebpy), 6-ethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (6-Etbpy), or 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′-Me2bpy), have been synthesized and characterized using multinuclear NMR spectroscopies and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The single crystal structures of [Cu(BIPHEP)(bpy)][PF6]∙CH2Cl2, [Cu(BIPHEP)(5,5′-Me2bpy)][PF6]∙CH2Cl2, [Cu(BIPHEP)(6-Mebpy)][PF6]∙Et2O∙0.5H2O and [Cu(BIPHEP)(6-Etbpy)][PF6] confirm distorted tetrahedral {Cu(P^P)(N^N)} coordination environments. Each compound shows a quasi-reversible Cu+/Cu2+ process. In deaerated solution, the compounds are weak emitters. Powdered samples are yellow emitters (λemmax in the range 558–583 nm) and [Cu(BIPHEP)(5,5′-Me2bpy)][PF6] exhibits the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY = 14%). On cooling to 77 K (frozen 2-methyloxolane), the emission maxima are red-shifted and the excited state lifetimes increase from τ1/2 < 8 μs, to τ1/2 values of up to 53 μs, consistent with the compounds with N^N = 6-Mebpy, 6-Etbpy and 5,5′-Me2bpy exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).
Changes of Physicochemical, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity during the Brewing Process of Zhenjiang Aromatic Vinegar
Authors: Duan Wenhui , Xia Ting , Zhang Bo , Li Shaopeng , Zhang Chenwei , Zhao Chaoya , Song Jia , Wang Min
Published: October 2019

Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar (ZAV) is a kind of traditional fermented food worldwide. In this study, the changes of physicochemical properties, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were evaluated during the brewing process of ZAV. In addition, the correlation between phenolic compound contents and antioxidant activities was investigated during the aging process (AP) of ZAV. The results showed that total acids, non-volatile acids, and amino nitrogen increased gradually during the brewing process. Reducing sugar decreased sharply at the early fermentation stage and then increased during the AP. Meanwhile, TPC, TFC, and TAA kept a very low level at the stage of alcohol fermentation (AF), and increased to the highest level at the sixth year of the AP. TAA has a high positive correlation with TPC and TFC during the brewing process of ZAV. In addition, the contents of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and catechin were higher than other phenolic compounds and reached the highest level at the sixth year of the AP, and were the main composition of phenolic compounds during the AP. Moreover, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid had the higher contribution at the early stage of the AP, and then declined to a lower level. Catechin, vanillic acid, and syringic acid had a higher contribution during the AP. These findings would be helpful in controlling the quality of vinegar and improving its functional properties.
Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity of Coumarins from Angelica decursiva
Authors: Ali Md Yousof , Seong Su Hui , Jung Hyun Ah , Choi Jae Sue
Published: October 2019

The bioactivity of ten traditional Korean Angelica species were screened by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) assay in vitro. Among the crude extracts, the methanol extract of Angelica decursiva whole plants exhibited potent inhibitory effects against ACE. In addition, the ACE inhibitory activity of coumarins 1–5, 8–18 was evaluated, along with two phenolic acids (6, 7) obtained from A. decursiva. Among profound coumarins, 11–18 were determined to manifest marked inhibitory activity against ACE with IC50 values of 4.68–20.04 µM. Compounds 12, 13, and 15 displayed competitive inhibition against ACE. Molecular docking studies confirmed that coumarins inhibited ACE via many hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions with catalytic residues and zinc ion of C- and N-domain ACE that blocked the catalytic activity of ACE. The results derived from these computational and in vitro experiments give additional scientific support to the anecdotal use of A. decursiva in traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension.
Synthesis, Characterization of Liposomes Modified with Biosurfactant MEL-A Loading Betulinic Acid and Its Anticancer Effect in HepG2 Cell
Authors: Shu Qin , Wu Jianan , Chen Qihe
Published: October 2019

As a novel natural compound delivery system, liposomes are capable of incorporating lipophilic bioactive compounds with enhanced compound solubility, stability and bioavailability, and have been successfully translated into real-time clinical applications. To construct the soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC)–cholesterol (Chol) liposome system, the optimal formulation was investigated as 3:1 of SPC to Chol, 10% mannosylerythritol lipid-A (MEL-A) and 1% betulinic acid. Results show that liposomes with or without betulinic acid or MEL-A are able to inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells with a dose-effect relation remarkably. In addition, the modification of MEL-A in liposomes can significantly promote cell apoptosis and strengthen the destruction of mitochondrial membrane potential in HepG2 cells. Liposomes containing MEL-A and betulinic acid have exhibited excellent anticancer activity, which provide factual basis for the development of MEL-A in the anti-cancer applications. These results provide a design thought to develop delivery liposome systems carrying betulinic acid with enhanced functional and pharmaceutical attributes.
Interaction Order and Historical Body Shaping Children’s Making Projects—A Literature Review
Authors: Norouzi Behnaz , Kinnula Marianne , Iivari Netta
Published: October 2019

The importance of familiarizing children with the Maker Movement, Makerspaces and Maker mindset has been acknowledged. In this literature review, we examine the complex social action of children, aged from 7 to 17 (K-12), engaging in technology Making activities as it is seen in the extant literature. The included papers contain empirical data from actual digital Making workshops and diverse research projects with children, conducted in both formal and non-formal/informal settings, such as schools or museums, libraries, Fab Labs and other makerspaces. We utilized the theoretical lens of nexus analysis and its concepts of interaction order and historical body, and as a result of our analysis, we report best practices and helping and hindering factors. Two gaps in the current knowledge were identified: (1) the current research focuses on success stories instead of challenges in the working, and, (2) histories of the participants and interaction between them are very rarely in the focus of the existing studies or reported in detail, even though they significantly affect what happens and what is possible to happen in Making sessions.
Sulfur Dioxide Degradation by Composite Photocatalysts Prepared by Recycled Fine Aggregates and Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Chen Xue-Fei , Kou Shi-Cong
Published: October 2019

To alleviate the heavy burden on landfilling, construction and demolition wastes (C&DWs) are recycled and reused as aggregates in cementitious materials. However, the inherent characteristics of recycled fine aggregates (RFA), such as the high crushing index and high-water absorption, magnify the reusing difficulty. Nevertheless, attributing to the high porosity and high level of calcium hydroxides existing in the old mortar, RFA is featured with a high specific surface area and a high alkalinity. These features are useful to augment the total photo-degradation of SO2 by nano-TiO2 (NT) intermixed mortar, leading RFA to be an excellent potential carrier to load nano-TiO2 and prepare the composite photocatalyst. Hence, this study proposed to load NT onto the surface of RFAs and river sands (RSs) (the control) by the soaking method, preparing composite photocatalysts denoted as NT@RFA and NT@RS, respectively. The prepared composite photocatalysts were then utilized as sands in photocatalytic mortar to evaluate for SO2 degradation. Experiments identified a 50% higher amount of NT was loaded onto the surface of FRA relative to the control. This higher loading amount plus higher alkalinity ultimately translated into a higher photocatalytic activity. In addition, the mortar containing NT@RFA exhibited 46.3% higher physiochemical absorption and 23.9% higher photocatalytic activity than that containing NT@RS. In addition, the durability, embodied by the reuse and anti-abrasive properties, of NT@RFA exceeded that of NT@RS. The overall findings reveal that the NT@RFA not only garners beneficial effect from the high porosity but also generates positive effect from the high alkalinity. Though a number of studies deal with building materials with NT, this study is the first to load NT onto RFA and prepare composite photocatalysts which were then used as fine aggregates in building materials. Consequently, this study proves the potential high-added-value reusability of RFA in green construction materials and provides a low-cost, high-efficiency approach to degrade atmospheric SO2.
Synthesis of NdAlO3 Nanoparticles and Evaluation of the Catalytic Capacity for Biodiesel Synthesis
Authors: Dionicio-Navarrete Mayra , Arrieta-Gonzalez C. Dinorah , Quinto-Hernandez Alfredo , Casales-Diaz Maura , Zuñiga-Diaz Jacqueline , Porcayo-Calderon Jesus , Martinez-Gomez Lorenzo
Published: October 2019

Biodiesel synthesis was carried out via heterogeneous catalysis of canola oil with nanoparticles of a mixed oxide based on rare earths. The catalyst synthesis (NdAlO3) was carried out based on the method proposed by Pechini for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA) analysis was performed on the nanoparticle precursor gel in order to establish the optimum conditions for its calcination, with these being of 800 °C over 24 h. A pure NdAlO3 compound with an approximate size of 100 nm was obtained. The products of the transesterification reaction were analyzed using gas chromatography, FTIR, and NMR. The optimum reaction conditions were determined, namely, the temperature effect, reaction time, methanol:oil mass ratio, and recyclability of the catalyst. These studies showed the following optimal conditions: 200 °C, 5 h, methanol:oil mass ratio of 6:1, and a constant decrease in the catalytic activity of the catalyst was observed for up to six reuses, which later remained constant at around a 50% conversion rate. The maximum biodiesel yield obtained with the optimum conditions was around 75%. Analysis of the reaction products showed that the residual oil showed a chemical composition different from that of the source oil, and that both the biodiesel and glycerol obtained were of high purity.
Effects of Periodic Fasting on Fatty Liver Index—A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Drinda Stefan , Grundler Franziska , Neumann Thomas , Lehmann Thomas , Steckhan Nico , Michalsen Andreas , Wilhelmi de Toledo Francoise
Published: October 2019

This prospective observational trial investigated effects and safety of periodic fasting in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The primary end point was set as the change of fatty liver index (FLI) as a surrogate parameter of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Six-hundred and ninety-seven subjects (38 with T2DM) were enrolled. A baseline FLI ≥ 60 (the threshold for fatty liver) was found in 264 subjects (37.9%). The mean duration of fasting was 8.5 ± 4.0 days (range 6–38). FLI decreased significantly (−14.02 ± 11.67; p < 0.0001), with a larger effect in individuals with T2DM (−19.15 ± 11.0; p < 0.0001; p = 0.002 compared to non-diabetic subjects). Body mass index (BMI) decreased by −1.51 ± 0.82 kg/m2, and 49.9% of the subjects lost ≥5% body weight. After fasting, nearly half of the 264 subjects with FLI ≥ 60 (highest risk category) shifted to a lower category. The improvement of FLI correlated with the number of fasting days (r = −0.20, p < 0.0001) and with the magnitude of BMI reduction (r = 0.14, p = 0.0001). Periodic fasting with concomitant weight reduction leads to significant rapid improvement of FLI in subjects with and without T2DM.
Chrononutrition and Polyphenols: Roles and Diseases
Authors: Arola-Arnal Anna , Cruz-Carrión Álvaro , Torres-Fuentes Cristina , Ávila-Román Javier , Aragonès Gerard , Mulero Miquel , Bravo Francisca Isabel , Muguerza Begoña , Arola Lluís , Suárez Manuel
Published: October 2019

Biological rhythms can influence the activity of bioactive compounds, and at the same time, the intake of these compounds can modulate biological rhythms. In this context, chrononutrition has appeared as a research field centered on the study of the interactions among biological rhythms, nutrition, and metabolism. This review summarizes the role of phenolic compounds in the modulation of biological rhythms, focusing on their effects in the treatment or prevention of chronic diseases. Heterotrophs are able to sense chemical cues mediated by phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, promoting their adaptation to environmental conditions. This is called xenohormesis. Hence, the consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in phenolic compounds exerts several health benefits, mainly attributed to the product of their metabolism. However, the profile of phenolic compounds present in plants differs among species and is highly variable depending on agricultural and technological factors. In this sense, the seasonal consumption of polyphenol-rich fruits could induce important changes in the regulation of physiology and metabolism due to the particular phenolic profile that the fruits contain. This fact highlights the need for studies that evaluate the impact of these specific phenolic profiles on health to establish more accurate dietary recommendations.
Modified Spraying Technique and Response Surface Methodology for the Preparation and Optimization of Propolis Liposomes of Enhanced Anti-Proliferative Activity against Human Melanoma Cell Line A375
Authors: Refaat Hesham , Naguib Youssef W. , Elsayed Mahmoud M. A. , Sarhan Hatem A. A. , Alaaeldin Eman
Published: October 2019

Propolis is a honeybee product that contains a mixture of natural substances with a broad spectrum of biological activities. However, the clinical application of propolis is limited due to the presence of a myriad of constituents with different physicochemical properties, low bioavailability and lack of appropriate formulations. In this study, a modified injection technique (spraying technique) has been developed for the encapsulation of the Egyptian propolis within liposomal formulation. The effects of three variables (lipid molar concentration, drug loading and cholesterol percentage) on the particle size and poly dispersity index (PDI) were studied using response surface methodology and the Box–Behnken design. Response surface diagrams were used to develop an optimized liposomal formulation of the Egyptian propolis. A comparative study between the optimized liposomal formulation prepared either by the typical ethanol injection method (TEIM) or the spraying method in terms of particle size, PDI and the in-vitro anti-proliferative effect against human melanoma cell line A375 was carried out. The spraying method resulted in the formation of smaller propolis-loaded liposomes compared to TEIM (particle sizes of 90 ± 6.2 nm, and 170 ± 14.7 nm, respectively). Furthermore, the IC50 values against A375 cells were found to be 3.04 ± 0.14, 4.5 ± 0.09, and 18.06 ± 0.75 for spray-prepared propolis liposomes (PP-Lip), TEIM PP-Lip, and propolis extract (PE), respectively. The encapsulation of PE into liposomes is expected to improve its cellular uptake by endocytosis. Moreover, smaller and more uniform liposomes obtained by spraying can be expected to achieve higher cellular uptake, as the ratio of liposomes or liposomal aggregates that fall above the capacity of cell membrane to “wrap” them will be minimized.
The Future of PSMA-Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: An Overview of Recent Preclinical Research
Authors: Ruigrok Eline A.M. , van Weerden Wytske M. , Nonnekens Julie , de Jong Marion
Published: October 2019

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has become a major focus point in the research and development of prostate cancer (PCa) imaging and therapeutic strategies using radiolabeled tracers. PSMA has shown to be an excellent target for PCa theranostics because of its high expression on the membrane of PCa cells and the increase in expression during disease progression. Therefore, numerous PSMA-targeting tracers have been developed and (pre)clinically studied with promising results. However, many of these PSMA-targeting tracers show uptake in healthy organs such as the salivary glands, causing radiotoxicity. Furthermore, not all patients respond to PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT). This created the necessity of additional preclinical research studies in which existing tracers are reevaluated and new tracers are developed in order to improve PSMA-TRT by protecting the (PSMA-expressing) healthy organs and improving tumor uptake. In this review we will give an overview of the recent preclinical research projects regarding PCa-TRT using PSMA-specific radiotracers, which will give an indication of where the PSMA-TRT research movement is going and what we can expect in future clinical trials.
Kinetics of Lower Limb Prosthesis: Automated Detection of Vertical Loading Rate
Authors: Frossard Laurent , Jones Michael , Stewart Ian , Leggat Peter , Schuetz Michael , Langton Christian
Published: October 2019

Vertical loading rate could be associated with residuum and whole body injuries affecting individuals fitted with transtibial prostheses. The objective of this study was to outline one out of five automated methods of extraction of vertical loading rate that stacked up the best against manual detection, which is considered the gold standard during pseudo-prosthetic gait. The load applied on the long axis of the leg of three males was recorded using a transducer fitted between a prosthetic foot and physiotherapy boot while walking on a treadmill for circa 30 min. The automated method of extraction of vertical loading rate, combining the lowest absolute average and range of 95% CI difference compared to the manual method, was deemed the most accurate and precise. The average slope of the loading rate detected manually over 150 strides was 5.56 ± 1.33 kN/s, while the other slopes ranged from 4.43 ± 0.98 kN/s to 6.52 ± 1.64 kN/s depending on the automated detection method. An original method proposed here, relying on progressive loading gradient-based automated extraction, produced the closest results (6%) to manual selection. This work contributes to continuous efforts made by providers of prosthetic and rehabilitation care to generate evidence informing reflective clinical decision-making.
Correction: Bhagat, S.; et al. Deep Reinforcement Learning for Soft, Flexible Robots: Brief Review with Impending Challenges. Robotics 2019, 8, 4
Authors: Bhagat Sarthak , Banerjee Hritwick , Ho Tse Zion Tsz , Ren Hongliang
Published: October 2019

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: In Figure 1 of this paper [...]
High-Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery Classification of Imbalanced Data Using Multistage Sampling Method and Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Xia Wei , Ma Caihong , Liu Jianbo , Liu Shibin , Chen Fu , Yang Zhi , Duan Jianbo
Published: October 2019

Class imbalance is a key issue for the application of deep learning for remote sensing image classification because a model generated by imbalanced samples training has low classification accuracy for minority classes. In this study, an accurate classification approach using the multistage sampling method and deep neural networks was proposed to classify imbalanced data. We first balance samples by multistage sampling to obtain the training sets. Then, a state-of-the-art model is adopted by combining the advantages of atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) and Encoder-Decoder for pixel-wise classification, which are two different types of fully convolutional networks (FCNs) that can obtain contextual information of multiple levels in the Encoder stage. The details and spatial dimensions of targets are restored using such information during the Decoder stage. We employ four deep learning-based classification algorithms (basic FCN, FCN-8S, ASPP, and Encoder-Decoder with ASPP of our approach) on multistage training sets (original, MUS1, and MUS2) of WorldView-3 images in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and GF-2 images in northeastern Beijing for comparison. The experiments show that, compared with existing sets (original, MUS1, and identical) and existing method (cost weighting), the MUS2 training set of multistage sampling significantly enhance the classification performance for minority classes. Our approach shows distinct advantages for imbalanced data.
Spatial Patterns of Chemical Weathering at the Basal Tertiary Nonconformity in California from Multispectral and Hyperspectral Optical Remote Sensing
Authors: Sousa Francis J. , Sousa Daniel J.
Published: October 2019

Visible through shortwave (VSWIR) spectral reflectance of the geologic units across the basal Tertiary nonconformity (BTN) is characterized at three spatially disparate locations in California. At two of these sites, location-specific spectral endmembers are obtained from AVIRIS imaging spectroscopy and linear spectral mixture models are used to visualize spatial patterns in chemical weathering associated with the BTN. Weathering patterns are found to match well with traditional geologic maps of the BTN at each site, but results show more spatially detailed quantitative geologic information about the spatial variability of chemical weathering near the nonconformity than is possible in a traditional geologic map. Spectral endmembers and unmixing results are also compared across locations. At the two locations with AVIRIS coverage, strong absorptions centered near 2200 nm are observed, consistent with previous geologic publications reporting intense chemical weathering at the BTN. Information loss associated with multispectral sampling of the reflectance continuum is also examined by resampling endmembers from the Maniobra location to mimic the spectral response functions of the WorldView 3, Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 sensors. Simulated WorldView 3 data most closely approximate the full information content of the AVIRIS observations, resulting in nearly unbiased unmixing results for both endmembers. Mean fraction differences are −0.02 and +0.03 for weathered and unweathered endmembers, respectively. Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 are unable to distinguish narrow, deep SWIR absorptions from changes in the overall amplitude of the SWIR spectral continuum, resulting in information loss and biased unmixing results. Finally, we characterize a third location using Sentinel-2 observations only. At this site we also find spectrally distinct features associated with several lithologies, providing new information relevant to the mapping of geologic contacts which is neither present in high spatial resolution visible imagery, nor in published geologic mapping. Despite these limitations, the spatial pattern of the Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 fraction estimates is sufficiently similar to that of the WorldView 3 and AVIRIS fraction estimates to be useful for mapping purposes in cases where hyperspectral data are unavailable.
Leaf Segmentation Based on k-Means Algorithm to Obtain Leaf Angle Distribution Using Terrestrial LiDAR
Authors: Kuo Kuangting , Itakura Kenta , Hosoi Fumiki
Published: October 2019

It is critical to take the variability of leaf angle distribution into account in a remote sensing analysis of a canopy system. Due to the physical limitations of field measurements, it is difficult to obtain leaf angles quickly and accurately, especially with a complicated canopy structure. An application of terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a common solution for the purposes of leaf angle estimation, and it allows for the measurement and reconstruction of 3D canopy models with an arbitrary volume of leaves. However, in most cases, the leaf angle is estimated incorrectly due to inaccurate leaf segmentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was an emphasis on the development of efficient segmentation algorithms for accurate leaf angle estimation. Our study demonstrates a leaf segmentation approach based on a k-means algorithm coupled with an octree structure and the subsequent application of plane-fitting to estimate the leaf angle. Furthermore, the accuracy of the segmentation and leaf angle estimation was verified. The results showed average segmentation accuracies of 95% and 90% and absolute angular errors of 3° and 6° in the leaves sampled from mochi and Japanese camellia trees, respectively. It is our conclusion that our method of leaf angle estimation has high potential and is expected to make a significant contribution to future plant and forest research.
An Integrated GIS and Remote Sensing Approach for Monitoring Harvested Areas from Very High-Resolution, Low-Cost Satellite Images
Authors: Abdollahnejad Azadeh , Panagiotidis Dimitrios , Bílek Lukáš
Published: October 2019

Advanced monitoring and mapping of forest areas using the latest technological advances in satellite imagery is an alternative solution for sustainable forest management compared to conventional ground measurements. Remote sensing products have been a key source of information and cost-effective options for monitoring changes in harvested areas. Despite recent advances in satellite technology with a broad variety of spectral and temporal resolutions, monitoring the areal extent of harvested forest areas in managed forests is still a challenge, primarily due to the highly dynamic spatiotemporal patterns of logging activities. Our goal was to introduce a plot-based method for monitoring harvested forest areas from very high-resolution (VHR), low-cost satellite images. Our method encompassed two data categories, which included vegetation indices (VIs) and texture analysis (TA). Each group of data was used to model the amount of harvested volume both independently and in combination. Our results indicated that the composition of all spectral bands can improve the accuracy of all models of average volume by 23.52 RMSE reduction and total volume by 33.57 RMSE reduction. This method demonstrated that monitoring and extrapolation of the calculated relation and results from smaller forested areas could be applied as an automatic remote-based supervised monitoring method over larger forest areas.
Monitoring Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Treatment Using Sentinel-2 Time Series—A Proof-of-Principle
Authors: Pause Marion , Raasch Filip , Marrs Christopher , Csaplovics Elmar
Published: October 2019

In this paper we aim to show a proof-of-principle approach to detect and monitor weed management using glyphosate-based herbicides in agricultural practices. In a case study in Germany, we demonstrate the application of Sentinel-2 multispectral time-series data. Spectral broadband vegetation indices were analysed to observe vegetation traits and weed damage arising from herbicide-based management. The approach has been validated with stakeholder information about herbicide treatment using commercial products. As a result, broadband NDVI calculated from Sentinel-2 data showed explicit feedback after the glyphosate-based herbicide treatment. Vegetation damage could be detected after just two days following of glyphosate-based herbicide treatment. This trend was observed in three different application scenarios, i.e., during growing stage, before harvest and after harvest. The findings of the study demonstrate the feasibility of satellite based broadband NDVI data for the detection of glyphosate-based herbicide treatment and, e.g., the monitoring of latency to harvesting. The presented results can be used to implement monitoring concepts to provide the necessary transparency about weed treatment in agricultural practices and to support environmental monitoring.
Comparison of Different Classifiers and the Majority Voting Rule for the Detection of Plum Fruits in Garden Conditions
Authors: Pourdarbani Razieh , Sabzi Sajad , Hernández-Hernández Mario , Hernández-Hernández José Luis , García-Mateos Ginés , Kalantari Davood , Molina-Martínez José Miguel
Published: October 2019

Color segmentation is one of the most thoroughly studied problems in agricultural applications of remote image capture systems, since it is the key step in several different tasks, such as crop harvesting, site specific spraying, and targeted disease control under natural light. This paper studies and compares five methods to segment plum fruit images under ambient conditions at 12 different light intensities, and an ensemble method combining them. In these methods, several color features in different color spaces are first extracted for each pixel, and then the most effective features are selected using a hybrid approach of artificial neural networks and the cultural algorithm (ANN-CA). The features selected among the 38 defined channels were the b* channel of L*a*b*, and the color purity index, C*, from L*C*h. Next, fruit/background segmentation is performed using five classifiers: artificial neural network-imperialist competitive algorithm (ANN-ICA); hybrid artificial neural network-harmony search (ANN-HS); support vector machines (SVM); k nearest neighbors (kNN); and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In the ensemble method, the final class for each pixel is determined using the majority voting method. The experiments showed that the correct classification rate for the majority voting method excluding LDA was 98.59%, outperforming the results of the constituent methods.
Land Surface Phenologies and Seasonalities in the US Prairie Pothole Region Coupling AMSR Passive Microwave Data with the USDA Cropland Data Layer
Authors: Alemu Woubet G. , Henebry Geoffrey M. , Melesse Assefa M.
Published: October 2019

Land surface phenologies and seasonalities in the US Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) were characterized using land surface variables derived from the coarse spatial resolution (25 km) Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) blended data for 2003 to 2016 linked with the optically based USDA NASS Crop Data Layer (CDL) at a much finer spatial resolution. Two transects of AMSR pixels—one in east-central North Dakota and the other in eastern South Dakota—were selected for analysis. The AMSR data were grouped earlier (2003–2005, 2007) and later (2013–2016) to emphasize temporal change and to avoid data discontinuity in 2011–2012 and a major drought in 2006. The nonparametric Mann-Kendall trend test on the CDL data revealed that area in grasslands and wetlands strongly decreased in both transects, while corn and soybean coverage strongly increased. In crop-dominated sites, the AMSR vegetation optical depth (VOD) time series caught the early spring growth, ploughing, and crop growth and senescence. In contrast, the VOD time series at grassland dominated sites exhibited a lower peak but extended growth period. Crop-dominated sites had significantly higher amplitude VODs in both periods and transects. Based on the paired two-sample t-test, neither the peak VOD amplitude nor the peak VOD timing measured in accumulated growing degree-days was significantly different between temporal groups in the North Dakota transect. In contrast, in South Dakota, both the peak VOD amplitude and its timing were significantly different with shifts to later peak timing during the 2013–2016 period. In addition, in South Dakota but not North Dakota, there were significantly earlier shifts in the timing of peak growing degree-days and peak precipitation water vapor. Both spatial and temporal changes in AMSR land surface variables are linked to shifts in land cover along the South Dakota transect as revealed in the CDL data. More research is required to understand the dynamics evident in the passive microwave time series.
Mapping Chestnut Stands Using Bi-Temporal VHR Data
Authors: Marchetti Francesca , Waske Björn , Arbelo Manuel , Moreno-Ruíz Jose , Alonso-Benito Alfonso
Published: October 2019

This study analyzes the potential of very high resolution (VHR) remote sensing images and extended morphological profiles for mapping Chestnut stands on Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). Regarding their relevance for ecosystem services in the region (cultural and provisioning services) the public sector demand up-to-date information on chestnut and a simple straight-forward approach is presented in this study. We used two VHR WorldView images (March and May 2015) to cover different phenological phases. Moreover, we included spatial information in the classification process by extended morphological profiles (EMPs). Random forest is used for the classification process and we analyzed the impact of the bi-temporal information as well as of the spatial information on the classification accuracies. The detailed accuracy assessment clearly reveals the benefit of bi-temporal VHR WorldView images and spatial information, derived by EMPs, in terms of the mapping accuracy. The bi-temporal classification outperforms or at least performs equally well when compared to the classification accuracies achieved by the mono-temporal data. The inclusion of spatial information by EMPs further increases the classification accuracy by 5% and reduces the quantity and allocation disagreements on the final map. Overall the new proposed classification strategy proves useful for mapping chestnut stands in a heterogeneous and complex landscape, such as the municipality of La Orotava, Tenerife.
ScanSAR Interferometry of the Gaofen-3 Satellite with Unsynchronized Repeat-Pass Images
Authors: Sun Zaoyu , Yu Anxi , Dong Zhen , Luo Hui
Published: October 2019

Gaofen-3 is a Chinese remote sensing satellite with multiple working modes, among which the scanning synthetic aperture radar (ScanSAR) mode is used for wide-swath imaging. synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry in the ScanSAR mode provides the most rapid way to obtain a global digital elevation model (DEM), which can also be realized by Gaofen-3. Gaofen-3 ScanSAR interferometry works in the repeat-pass mode, and image pair non-synchronizations can influence its performance. Non-synchronizations can include differences of burst central times, satellite velocities, and burst durations. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze their influences and improve the interferometric coherence. Meanwhile, interferometric phase compensation and rapid DEM geolocation also need to be considered in interferometric processing. In this paper, interferometric coherence was analyzed in detail, followed by an iterative filtering method, which helped to improve the interferometric performance. Further, a phase compensation method for Gaofen-3 was proposed to compensate for the phase error caused by the unsynchronized azimuth time offset of image pair, and a closed-form solution of DEM geolocation with ground control point (GCP) information was derived. Application of our methods to a pair of Gaofen-3 interferometric images showed that these methods were able to process the images with good accuracy and efficiency. Notably, these analysis and processing methods can also be applied to other SAR satellites in the ScanSAR mode to obtain DEMs with high quality.
Troublesome Access: Non-Admission Experiences in the Competitive Finnish Higher Education
Authors: Isopahkala-Bouret Ulpukka
Published: October 2019

In this study, I address policy aims to reconcile equality of opportunity and marketization by examining difficulties in access to Finnish higher education. Finnish higher education is largely funded by the state and has no tuition fees. However, new demands have arisen that align with market-driven policy. At the same time, the Finnish system is one of the most competitive systems in the Organization for Cooperation and Development (OECD), and around 70% of applicants do not gain admittance. The purpose of this study is to examine how prospective degree students who have applied without being allowed to start studying toward a degree respond to the loss of opportunity and position themselves in the higher education marketplace. The analysis is based on 50 online narratives. The results are elaborated into three exploratory story models: (1) ‘Never give up on your dreams’; (2) ‘Need to figure out a new plan’; and (3) ‘You can’t get everything you want in life’. The stories show that marketization of higher education affects the experiences and expectations of prospective students. Moreover, marketization offers opportunities differently for those who already have plenty of resources to compete for access to higher education and those who do not.
Relational Environmentalism in Coastal Recreation and Tourism
Authors: Hjalager Anne-Mette , Kwiatkowski Grzegorz
Published: October 2019

Given the extensive challenge of marine litter faced by coastal ecosystems, this article aims to illuminate an innovative form of environmental caretaking that builds upon a newly established concept of relational environmentalism. Relational environmentalism is a movement of individuals who purposefully interact with each other and with external bodies in a variety of dynamically developing ways to affect the perceptions, motivations and practical actions for the caretaking of endangered natural environments. As a theoretical contribution, the article conceptualizes eight categories of relational environmentalism: inviting, informing, coaching, norm enforcing, politicizing, mobilizing, intergeneralizing, and bridging. By means of a social media content analysis and primary data from the “Marine Environment Patrol” Facebook site, the article provides the first evidence on what relational environmentalism is and how it is institutionalized in the case of leisure- and tourism-based volunteering to collect marine litter. Furthermore, the article shows that successful campaigning and environmental patrolling in coastal recreation and tourism is a matter of building alliances and exchanging logics across a variety of boundaries and that it depends on a gradual intensification and diversification of communicative and mobilizing measures.
Is Co-Creation Always Sustainable? Empirical Exploration of Co-Creation Patterns, Practices, and Outcomes in Bottom of the Pyramid Markets
Authors: Knizkov Stephanie , Arlinghaus Julia C.
Published: October 2019

Co-creation with the population at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) was identified as pivotal for realizing the full potential of the BOP proposition, simultaneously creating economic value for companies in BOP markets, as well as social value for the individuals residing in them. However, research on co-creation and its outcomes has remained predominantly simplistic, often assuming that introducing any form of co-creation in company operations will lead to increased social value and economic gains. A more nuanced exploration of the different ways in which companies operationalize the principle of co-creation across their supply-chain and whether these indeed facilitate such a clear win-win scenario for both parties, remains relatively scarce. In this paper we address this gap and delve into the supply chains of 135 micro, small, and medium sized ventures operating in BOP markets. We identify four overarching patterns of co-creation and ten categories of specific practices used to achieve them, and ultimately show how these patterns facilitate very different levels of social sustainability and economic benefits across the supply chain.
Analysis and Modelling of PM2.5 Temporal and Spatial Behaviors in European Cities
Authors: Adães José , Pires José C. M.
Published: October 2019

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is associated with adverse effects on human health (e.g., fatal cardiovascular and respiratory diseases), and environmental concerns (e.g., visibility impairment and damage in ecosystems). This study aimed to evaluate temporal and spatial trends and behaviors of PM2.5 concentrations in different European locations. Statistical threshold models using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) defined by Genetic Algorithms (GA) were also applied for an urban centre site in Istanbul, to evaluate the influence of meteorological variables and PM10 concentrations on PM2.5 concentrations. Lower PM2.5 concentrations were observed in northern Europe. The highest values were found at traffic-related sites. PM2.5 concentrations were usually higher during the winter and tended to present strong increases during rush hours. PM2.5/PM10 ratios were slightly higher at background sites and the lower values were found in northern Europe (Helsinki and Stockholm). Ratios were usually higher during cold months and during the night. The statistical model (ANN + GA) allowed evaluating the combined effect of different explanatory variables (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, air pressure and PM10 concentrations) on PM2.5 concentrations, under different regimes defined by relative humidity (threshold value of 79.1%). Important information about the temporal and spatial trends and behaviors related to PM2.5 concentrations in different European locations was developed.
An Integrated Framework on the Sustainability of SMEs
Authors: Burlea-Schiopoiu Adriana , Mihai Laurentiu Stelian
Published: October 2019

The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between the budget related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Innovation and Training, defined as sustainable factors, and the financial results of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The investigation is made by analysing the financial results from a sample of 200 SMEs from the South-West Region of Romania. The findings prove that SMEs can use training and innovation to improve the impact of CSR on their sustainability with a focus on positive financial indicators. The findings prove that corporate social responsibility (CSRBi), innovation (InnovBi), and training (TrainingBi) as sustainable factors are significantly and positively correlated with the following indicators: profit (Profiti), profit per employee (ProfitEi) and total expenditure (Expensesi), and it is negatively correlated with debt ratio (DebtRi).