bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Transparent Price Tracing System in Supply Chain Management Based on Blockchain
Authors: Yoo Minjae , Won Yoojae
Published: November 2018

Over the past few years, the importance of improving the product distribution structure has increased worldwide. Therefore, distribution prices are now disclosed and product information is shared with consumers. However, distribution channels are complex and supply chain management (SCM) is autonomously executed in each company. For this reason, it has been frequently pointed out that the distribution process is not transparent and the distribution margin is high. In this paper, we propose a system that guarantees the transparency of the product distribution structure by applying blockchain and smart contracts to the price-tracking portion of supply chain management systems. This approach allows companies to track their trades by enhancing transparency in the SCM, thereby discouraging companies from pursuing excessive profits. In addition, companies can cut management costs by automatically storing distribution details in a blockchain network and managing information more securely.
OpenZmeter: An Efficient Low-Cost Energy Smart Meter and Power Quality Analyzer
Authors: Viciana Eduardo , Alcayde Alfredo , Montoya Francisco G. , Baños Raul , Arrabal-Campos Francisco M. , Zapata-Sierra Antonio , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: November 2018

Power quality and energy consumption measurements support providers and energy users with solutions for acquiring and reporting information about the energy supply for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. In particular, since the average number of electronic devices in homes increases year by year and their sensitivity is very high, it is not only important to monitor the total energy consumption, but also the quality of the power supplied. However, in practice, end-users do not have information about the energy consumption in real-time nor about the quality of the power they receive, because electric energy meters are too expensive and complex to be handled. In order to overcome these inconveniences, an innovative, open source, low-cost, precise, and reliable power and electric energy meter is presented that can be easily installed and managed by any inexperienced user at their own home in urban or rural areas. The system was validated in a real house over a period of two weeks, showing interesting results and findings which validate our proposal.
Analysis of the Viability of Street Light Programming Using Commutation Cycles in the Power Line
Authors: Ocana-Miguel Antonio , Andres-Diaz Jose Ramon , Hermoso-Orzáez Manuel Jesús , Gago-Calderón Alfonso
Published: November 2018

Nowadays, control systems for lighting installations are used, among other functionality, to improve energy efficiency and to set different lighting outputs of the luminaires according to punctual requirements. This allows increasing energy efficiency by adapting the installation to environmental needs. Current control systems are mainly oriented to point-2-point architectures, which in most cases, are complex and expensive. As an alternative, we present the viability analysis of a sustainable control architecture for lighting installations to improve those drawbacks. This control system uses a communication technique based on controlled power-on/off sequences in the power line of the luminaires to configure different dimming profile schedules. An implementation for LED equipment with the design of an electronic CPU based on a microcontroller is described along with a study of its configuration capability. In addition, we present the set of results obtained using this system in a real outdoor public lighting installation. Furthermore, an economic amortization study of power line communication (PLC) or radio frequency (RF) control architectures versus the results of this proposal are detailed. The analysis presents the proposal as a simple but more robust and sustainable solution compared to current point-2-point systems used with streetlights: The return on investment (ROI) period is reduced allowing all the basic functionality expected—in—field output light dimming profiles selection.
A Scenario Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Grid Parity in the Maldives: The Case of Malahini Resort
Authors: Jung Tae Yong , Kim Donghun , Moon Jongwoo , Lim SeoKyung
Published: November 2018

The Maldives, one of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with great solar potential, is keen to promote renewable energy systems to reduce its heavy reliance on imported diesel for power generation. However, adopting renewable energy systems is still burdensome for the Maldives not only because of its high initial costs and insufficient financial resources but also because of a lack of understanding about whether the deployment of a renewable system is economically feasible. Therefore, the concept of grid parity is explored as an important concept in this paper to examine the possible timeframe for reaching it. A distinctive feature of the paper is that the paper used actual cost and technical information to analyze the levelized cost of energy (LCOEs) of the independent renewable system in a remote island and examined its timeframe for reaching the grid parity condition. Based on economic and technical information from a project for replacing existing diesel generator to photovoltaic (PV) with energy storage system (ESS) in Kuda Bandos Island in the Maldives, the paper considers three different system configurations and evaluates which configuration could result in the most optimal off-grid energy systems in this remote island. With sensitivity analysis on various uncertainties, the paper shows the range of the levelized costs of energy and the periods required for reaching grid parity for deploying solar photovoltaics and ESSs in Kuda Bandos Island, Maldives. The result indicates that the photovoltaic system is an economically feasible option for the resort, and that grid parity can be reached within the project lifetime. However, the result shows that the use of advanced ESSs is still an expensive option and would not be economically reasonable.
Research on the Evaluation Model of a Smart Grid Development Level Based on Differentiation of Development Demand
Authors: Li Jinchao , Li Tianzhi , Han Liu
Published: November 2018

In order to eliminate the impact of inter-regional differentiation of development demand on the objective evaluation of the development level of smart grid, this paper establishes the evaluation model of weight modification, transmission mechanism and combination of subjective and objective weights. Firstly, the Analytic Hierarchy Process method is used to calculate the weights of evaluation indices of effect layer and then the indices of development demand are used to modify the weights of them. The association analysis and the correlation coefficient are used to establish the weights conduction coefficient between the effect level and the base level. Then the subjective weights of the indices of the base layer are calculated. The objective weights of the indices of the base layer are obtained by using the entropy method. The subjective weights of the base layer and the objective weights obtained by the entropy method are averagely calculated, and the comprehensive weights of the evaluation indices of the base layer are obtained. Then each index is scored according to the weights and index values. Finally, the model is used to quantitatively inspect the level of development of smart grid in specific regions and make a horizontal comparison, which provides a useful reference for the development of smart grids. The relevant examples verify the correctness and validity of the model.
Factors Affecting Inn Operators’ Willingness to Pay Resource Protection Fees: A Case of Erhai Lake in China
Authors: Li Peng , Chen Ming-Hsiang , Zou Ying , Beattie Mark , He Linsi
Published: November 2018

Willingness to pay (WTP) is a foundation of payment for environmental services (PES) and varies according to different stakeholders. Because of its high-quality environment, numerous inns have appeared around Erhai Lake, which has become the inn sector leader in China. Declining water quality of the lake contrasts sharply with the increasing number of inns, thus a policy that balances economic development and water protection is needed desperately. The Erhai Lake Resource Protection Fee (ELRPF) is a form of PES, constructed on the basis of the contingent value method (CVM) involving the relationship between perceived benefits, institutional trust, awareness, and supportive attitude. Using relevant data obtained from a survey questionnaire, SmartPls 3.0 software was used to analyze the factors influencing inn operators’ WTP. The results of the analysis of 307 questionnaires showed that institutional trust, PES cognition, and attitudes toward support significantly affected inn operators’ WTP, while perceived benefit did not. This result differs from results of research on other tourism stakeholders. The reasons for this difference might be the specific identity of operators, their cultural and place identity, ability and professional education, and complexities of the broker of ecosystem services.
The α-Representation Inexact T2 Fuzzy Sets Programming Model for Water Resources Management of the Southern Min River Basin under Uncertainty
Authors: Jin Lei , Fu Haiyan , Kim Younggy , Wang Li , Cheng Huiyan , Huang Guohe
Published: November 2018

In this study, a new α-representation of the inexact T2 fuzzy sets programming model (α-RITF2SP) is proposed for water resources planning under uncertainties. The developed model is a hybrid of inexact type-2 (T2) fuzzy sets (FSs) optimal programming based on α-cuts and α-planes (z-slices) algorithms, and both can be used in problems of water resource management without a loss of generality. Therefore, this novel method represents a complementary method to combine both of these algorithms to make inexact T2FSs methods easier and faster for users under uncertainties. This method provides not only a reduction in computations when computing fuzzy functions, but also a map of the primary variable of T2FSs in the secondary membership function. The α-RITF2SP is applied to a real case study of the operation of water resource systems in the southern Min River basin that involves three cities: Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou. The results of the water allocations and benefits have been analyzed. The symptoms of results indicate the higher profit with a higher wastewater treatment rate. It also represents that this model has enhanced abilities and it is relevant and practical as well as can serve as a guide for the development of this regional economy.
Semi–Automatic Corpus Callosum Segmentation and 3D Visualization Using Active Contour Methods
Authors: Ciecholewski Marcin , Spodnik Jan H.
Published: November 2018

Accurate 3D computer models of the brain, and also of parts of its structure such as the corpus callosum (CC) are increasingly used in routine clinical diagnostics. This study presents comparative research to assess the utility and performance of three active contour methods (ACMs) for segmenting the CC from magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain, namely: an edge-based active contour model using an inflation/deflation force with a damping coefficient (EM), the Selective Binary and Gaussian Filtering Regularized Level Set (SBGFRLS) method and the Distance Regularized Level Set Evolution (DRLSE) method. The pre-processing methods applied during research work were to improve the contrast, reduce noise and thus help segment the CC better. In this project, 3D CC models reconstructed based on the segmentations of cross-sections of MR images were also visualised. The results, as measured by quantitative tests of the similarity indice (SI) and overlap value (OV) are the best for the EM model (SI = 92%, OV = 82%) and are comparable to or better than those for other methods taken from a literature review. Furthermore, the properties of the EM model consisting in its ability to both expand and shrink at the same time allow segmentations to be better fitted in subsequent CC slices then in state-of-the art ACMs such as DRLSE or SBGFRLS. The CC contours from previous and subsequent iterations produced by the EM model can be used for initiation in subsequent or previous frames of MR images, which makes the segmentation process easier, particularly as the CC area can increase or decrease in subsequent MR image frames.
Cost-Effective Resource Sharing in an Internet of Vehicles-Employed Mobile Edge Computing Environment
Authors: Nguyen Tri D. T. , Nguyen Tien-Dung , Nguyen Van Dung , Pham Xuan-Qui , Huh Eui-Nam
Published: November 2018

By bringing the computation and storage resources close proximity to the mobile network edge, mobile edge computing (MEC) is a key enabling technology for satisfying the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) infotainment applications’ requirements, e.g., video streaming service (VSA). However, the explosive growth of mobile video traffic brings challenges for video streaming providers (VSPs). One known issue is that a huge traffic burden on the vehicular network leads to increasing VSP costs for providing VSA to mobile users (i.e., autonomous vehicles). To address this issue, an efficient resource sharing scheme between underutilized vehicular resources is a promising solution to reduce the cost of serving VSA in the vehicular network. Therefore, we propose a new VSA model based on the lower cost of obtaining data from vehicles and then minimize the VSP’s cost. By using existing data resources from nearby vehicles, our proposal can reduce the cost of providing video service to mobile users. Specifically, we formulate our problem as mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINP) in order to calculate the total payment of the VSP. In addition, we introduce an incentive mechanism to encourage users to rent its resources. Our solution represents a strategy to optimize the VSP serving cost under the quality of service (QoS) requirements. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed mechanism is possible to achieve up to 21% and 11% cost-savings in terms of the request arrival rate and vehicle speed, in comparison with other existing schemes, respectively.
CFD Simulation of Airflow Dynamics During Cough Based on CT-Scanned Respiratory Airway Geometries
Authors: Kou Guiyue , Li Xinghu , Wang Yan , Lin Mouyou , Zeng Yuping , Yang Xiaopin , Yang Yanyan , Gan Zhimei
Published: November 2018

The airflow dynamics observed during a cough process in a CT-scanned respiratory airway model were numerically analyzed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The model and methodology were validated by a comparison with published experimental results. The influence of the cough peak flow rate on airflow dynamics and flow distribution was studied. The maximum velocity, wall pressure, and wall shear stress increased linearly as the cough peak flow increased. However, the cough peak flow rate had little influence on the flow distribution of the left and right main bronchi during the cough process. This article focuses on the mathematical and numerical modelling for human cough process in bioengineering.
Constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violation from Optical Polarimetry of Astrophysical Objects
Authors: Kislat Fabian
Published: November 2018

Theories of quantum gravity suggest that Lorentz invariance, the fundamental symmetry of the Theory of Relativity, may be broken at the Planck energy scale. While any deviation from conventional Physics must be minuscule in particular at attainable energies, this hypothesis motivates ever more sensitive tests of Lorentz symmetry. In the photon sector, astrophysical observations, in particular polarization measurements, are a very powerful tool because tiny deviations from Lorentz invariance will accumulate as photons propagate over cosmological distances. The Standard-Model Extension (SME) provides a theoretical framework in the form of an effective field theory that describes low-energy effects due to a more fundamental quantum gravity theory by adding additional terms to the Standard Model Lagrangian. These terms can be ordered by the mass dimension d of the corresponding operator and lead to a wavelength, polarization, and direction dependent phase velocity of light. Lorentz invariance violation leads to an energy-dependent change of the Stokes vector as photons propagate, which manifests itself as a rotation of the polarization angle in measurements of linear polarization. In this paper, we analyze optical polarization measurements from 63 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) to search for Lorentz violating signals. We use both spectropolarimetric measurements, which directly constrain the change of linear polarization angle, as well as broadband spectrally integrated measurements. In the latter, Lorentz invariance violation manifests itself by reducing the observed net polarization fraction. Any observation of non-vanishing linear polarization thus leads to constraints on the magnitude of Lorentz violating effects. We derive the first set limits on each of the 10 individual birefringent coefficients of the minimal SME with d = 4 , with 95% confidence limits on the order of 10−34 on the dimensionless coefficients.
Convolution and Partial Sums of Certain Multivalent Analytic Functions Involving Srivastava–Tomovski Generalization of the Mittag–Leffler Function
Authors: Xu Yi-Hui , Liu Jin-Lin
Published: November 2018

We derive several properties such as convolution and partial sums of multivalent analytic functions associated with an operator involving Srivastava–Tomovski generalization of the Mittag–Leffler function.
Insecticidal Activity and Synergistic Combinations of Ten Different Bt Toxins against Mythimna separata (Walker)
Authors: Yang Jing , Quan Yudong , Sivaprasath Prabu , Shabbir Muhammad Zeeshan , Wang Zhenying , Ferré Juan , He Kanglai
Published: November 2018

The oriental armyworm (OAW), Mythimna separata (Walker), is a destructive pest of agricultural crops in Asia and Australia. Commercialized Bt crops have performed very well against their target pests; however, very few studies have been done on the susceptibility of OAW to Bt toxins in either sprays or expressed in Bt crops. In this work, we evaluated the toxicities of Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ah, Cry1Fa, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ab, Cry1Ie, Vip3Aa19, Vip3Aa16, and Vip3Ca against OAW neonate larvae, as well as the interaction between Cry and Vip toxins. The results from bioassays revealed that LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) values ranged from 1.6 to 78.6 μg/g (toxin/diet) for those toxins. Among them, Vip3 proteins, along with Cry1A proteins and Cry2Aa, were the ones with the highest potency, with LC50 values ranging from 1.6 to 7.4 μg/g. Synergism between Cry and Vip toxins was observed, being high in the combination of Vip3Aa16 with Cry1 toxins, with synergetic factors ranging from 2.2 to 9.2. The Vip3Ca toxin did not show any synergistic effect with any of the toxins tested. These results can help in designing new combinations of pyramiding genes in Bt crops, as well as in recombinant bacteria, for the control of OAW as well as for resistance management programs.
Buzz Kill: Function and Proteomic Composition of Venom from the Giant Assassin Fly Dolopus genitalis (Diptera: Asilidae)
Authors: Walker Andrew A. , Dobson James , Jin Jiayi , Robinson Samuel D. , Herzig Volker , Vetter Irina , King Glenn F. , Fry Bryan G.
Published: November 2018

Assassin flies (Diptera: Asilidae) inject paralysing venom into insect prey during hunting, but their venoms are poorly characterised in comparison to those produced by spiders, scorpions, or hymenopteran insects. Here we investigated the composition of the venom of the giant Australian assassin fly Dolopus genitalis using a combination of insect microinjection assays, calcium imaging assays of mammalian sensory neurons, proteomics and transcriptomics. Injection of venom into blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) produced rapid contractile paralysis (PD50 at 1 min = 3.1 μg per fly) followed by death, and also caused immediate activation of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons (at 50 ng/μL). These results are consistent with venom use for both prey capture and predator deterrence. Paragon searches of tandem mass spectra of venom against a translated thoracic gland RNA-Seq database identified 122 polypeptides present in the venom, including six linear and 21 disulfide-rich peptides. Some of these disulfide-rich peptides display sequence homology to peptide families independently recruited into other animal venoms, including inhibitor cystine knots, cystine-stabilised α/β defensins, Kazal peptides, and von Willebrand factors. Numerous enzymes are present in the venom, including 35 proteases of the S1 family, proteases of the S10, C1A, M12A, M14, and M17 families, and phosphatase, amylase, hydrolase, nuclease, and dehydrogenase-like proteins. These results highlight convergent molecular evolution between the assassin flies and other venomous animals, as well as the unique and rich molecular composition of assassin fly venom.
High Thermal Diffusivity in Thermally Treated Filamentous Virus-Based Assemblies with a Smectic Liquid Crystalline Orientation
Authors: Sawada Toshiki , Murata Yuta , Marubayashi Hironori , Nojima Shuichi , Morikawa Junko , Serizawa Takeshi
Published: November 2018

Polymers are generally considered thermal insulators because the amorphous arrangement of the polymeric chains reduces the mean free path of heat-conducting phonons. Recent studies reveal that individual chains of polymers with oriented structures could have high thermal conductivity, because such stretched polymeric chains effectively conduct phonons through polymeric covalent bonds. Previously, we have found that the liquid crystalline assembly composed of one of the filamentous viruses, M13 bacteriophages (M13 phages), shows high thermal diffusivity even though the assembly is based on non-covalent bonds. Despite such potential applicability of biopolymeric assemblies as thermal conductive materials, stability against heating has rarely been investigated. Herein, we demonstrate the maintenance of high thermal diffusivity in smectic liquid crystalline-oriented M13 phage-based assemblies after high temperature (150 °C) treatment. The liquid crystalline orientation of the M13 phage assemblies plays an important role in the stability against heating processes. Our results provide insight into the future use of biomolecular assemblies for reliable thermal conductive materials.
Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in the Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Taye Meron Teferi , Dyer Ellen , Hirpa Feyera A. , Charles Katrina
Published: November 2018

Rapid growth of agriculture, industries and urbanization within the Awash basin, Ethiopia, as well as population growth is placing increasing demands on the basin’s water resources. In a basin known for high climate variability involving droughts and floods, climate change will likely intensify the existing challenges. To quantify the potential impact of climate change on water availability of the Awash basin in different seasons we have used three climate models from Coupled Models Inter-comparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) and for three future periods (2006–2030, 2031–2055, and 2056–2080). The models were selected based on their performance in capturing historical precipitation characteristics. The baseline period used for comparison is 1981–2005. The future water availability was estimated as the difference between precipitation and potential evapotranspiration projections using the representative concentration pathway (RCP8.5) emission scenarios after the climate change signals from the climate models are transferred to the observed data. The projections for the future three periods show an increase in water deficiency in all seasons and for parts of the basin, due to a projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation. This decrease in water availability will increase water stress in the basin, further threatening water security for different sectors, which are currently increasing their investments in the basin such as irrigation. This calls for an enhanced water management strategy that is inclusive of all sectors that considers the equity for different users.
Urban Irrigation Suppresses Land Surface Temperature and Changes the Hydrologic Regime in Semi-Arid Regions
Authors: Reyes Bryant , Hogue Terri , Maxwell Reed
Published: November 2018

Outdoor water use for irrigation constitutes a substantial urban water flux yet its impact on the land surface remains poorly quantified. This study analyzes the impact of irrigation on land surface temperatures and the hydrologic regime of a large, semi-arid urban metropolis. Using remotely sensed products, municipal water use data, and simulations with a coupled land surface-hydrologic model we find significant impacts on both land surface temperatures and the hydrologic dynamics of the study domain, Los Angeles, CA. The analysis of remotely sensed land surface temperature finds a decrease of up to 3.2 ± 0.02 K between low and high irrigation areas of similar land cover. These temperature differences, caused by a human-induced flux, are on par with estimates of the urban heat island effect and regional warming trends; simulations are able to capture this difference but underestimate absolute values throughout. Assessment of change in irrigation volume and timing through simulations show that irrigation timing has a small impact (<±2%) on evapotranspiration and runoff. Furthermore, relatively low irrigation volumes push the semi-arid urban environment into a sub-humid regime.
Analysis of the Public Flood Risk Perception in a Flood-Prone City: The Case of Jingdezhen City in China
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Wang Huimin , Huang Jing , Kang Jinle , Han Dawei
Published: November 2018

Understanding and improving public flood risk perception is conducive to the implementation of effective flood risk management and disaster reduction policies. In the flood-prone city of Jingdezhen, flood disaster is one of the most destructive natural hazards to impact the society and economy. However, few studies have been attempted to focus on public flood risk perception in the small and medium-size city in China, like Jingdezhen. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the public flood risk perception in four districts of Jingdezhen and examine the related influencing factors. A questionnaire survey of 719 randomly sampled respondents was conducted in 16 subdistricts of Jingdezhen. Analysis of variance was conducted to identify the correlations between the impact factors and public flood risk perception. Then, the flood risk perception differences between different groups under the same impact factor were compared. The results indicated that the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (except occupation), flood experience, flood knowledge education, flood protection responsibility, and trust in government were strongly correlated with flood risk perception. The findings will help decision makers to develop effective flood risk communication strategies and flood risk reduction policies.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Proxies for Comparing Freshwater Ecosystem Service Threats across International Sites: A Diagnostic Approach
Authors: Harmon Thomas C. , Smyth Robyn L. , Chandra Sudeep , Conde Daniel , Dhungel Ramesh , Escobar Jaime , Hoyos Natalia , Lozoya Juan Pablo , Nin Mariana , Perillo Gerardo M.E. , Pincetl Stephanie , Piccolo M. Cintia , Reid Brian , Rusak James A. , Scordo Facundo , Velez Maria I. , Villamizar Sandra R. , Wemple Beverley , Zilio Mariana
Published: November 2018

In this work, we develop and test proxy-based diagnostic tools for comparing freshwater ecosystem services (FWES) risks across an international array of freshwater ecosystems. FWES threats are increasing rapidly under pressure from population, climate change, pollution, land use change, and other factors. We identified spatially explicit FWES threats estimates (referred to as threat benchmarks) and extracted watershed-specific values for an array of aquatic ecosystems in the Western Hemisphere (Ramsar sites). We compared these benchmark values to values extracted for sites associated with an international FWES threat investigation. The resulting benchmark threats appeared to provide a meaningful context for the diagnostic assessment of study site selection by revealing gaps in coverage of the underlying socio-environmental problem. In an effort to simplify the method, we tested regularly updated environmental and socioeconomic metrics as potential proxies for the benchmark threats using regression analysis. Three category proxies, aggregated from (i) external (global to regional, climate-related), (ii) internal (watershed management-related), and (iii) socioeconomic and governance related proxies produced strong relationships with water supply threat benchmarks, but only weak relationships with biodiversity-related and nutrient regulation benchmark threats. Our results demonstrate the utility of advancing global FWES status and threat benchmarks for organizing coordinated research efforts and prioritizing decisions with regard to international socio-environmental problems.
Effects of Urban Stormwater Control Measures on Denitrification in Receiving Streams
Authors: Rivers Erin N. , McMillan Sara K. , Bell Colin D. , Clinton Sandra M.
Published: November 2018

Urban areas are increasingly adopting the use of ecologically-based technologies for stormwater management to mitigate the effects of impervious surface runoff on receiving water bodies. While stormwater control measures (SCMs) reduce runoff, their ability to influence ecosystem function in receiving streams is not well known. To understand the effect of SCMs on net ecosystem function in stream networks, we measured sediment denitrification in four streams across a gradient of urban and suburban residential development in Charlotte, NC. We evaluated the influence of SCM inputs on actual (DNF) and potential (DEA) denitrification activity in stream sediments at the SCM-stream confluence to quantify microbial processes and the environmental factors that control them. DNF was variable across sites, ranging from 0–6.60 mg-N·m−2·h−1 and highly correlated with in-stream nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations. Sites with a greater impervious area showed a pattern of significantly higher DEA rates upstream of the SCM compared to downstream, while sites with less imperviousness showed the opposite trend. We hypothesize that this is because of elevated concentrations of carbon and nitrogen provided by pond and wetland outflows, and stabilization of the benthic habitat by lower peak discharge. These results suggest that SCMs integrated into the watershed have the potential to create cascading positive effects on in-stream nutrient processing and thereby improve water quality; however, at higher levels of imperviousness, the capacity for SCMs to match the scale of the impacts of urbanization likely diminishes.
Representation in Connectionist Networks
Authors: Smolensky Paul
Published: November 2018

Connectionist representations are mappings between elements in the problem domain and vectors of activity values. Since cognitive problems do not specify how this representation is to be done, an important part of connectionist cognitive modeling is specifying such a representation.

Complex cognitive processing requires representation of complex structured data. This can be done by decomposing structures into roles and fillers, and building up connectionist representations of structures from connectionist representations of roles and fillers, using the tensor product (conjunctive coding) to bind the patterns representing fillers to the patterns representing roles.

Representations for roles and fillers are often constructed by viewing them too as structures, for example, structures whose roles are features of some kind. The patterns representing the irreducible elements, e.g., values for features, can be local or distributed, and can be defined by specifying response functions for the representational units.

Local representations can be viewed as higher-level descriptions of lower-level distributed representations, raising the question of whether or not the higher-level description yields a model embodying the same kind of processing mechanisms that operate in the lower-level connectionist network. For linear networks, the answer is an exact "yes" ; for non-linear networks, the answer is "no," except to some degree of approximation.

Network processes can easily produce activation patterns that cannot be exactly decoded into a single structure ; in such case the network has not produced a definite decision among alternative outputs. Such a decision can be forced within the model by adding winner-take-all circuitry, or the closest match can be calculated and taken to be the answer, or the output can be interpreted as probabilistic, with the most probable responses being those whose patterns are closest to the actual output pattern.

The internal representations networks create for themselves in their hidden units can be analyzed by looking at individual hidden units and trying to find their receptive or projective fields : conditions on the input or output under which the hidden unit is active. Hidden representations can be studied more globally by analyzing the hidden activity vectors, or the contributions of hidden units, using statistical techniques such as hierarchical clustering or factor analysis. be interpreted as probabilistic, with the most probable responses being those whose patterns are closest to the actual output pattern.

The internal representations networks create for themselves in their hidden units can be analyzed by looking at individual hidden units and trying to find their receptive or projective fields : conditions on the input or output under which the hidden unit is active. Hidden representations can be studied more globally by analyzing the hidden activity vectors, or the contributions of hidden units, using statistical techniques such as hierarchical clustering or factor analysis.
Human Reasoning is Both Logical and Pragmatic
Authors: Noveck Ira A. , Brooke Lea R. , Davidson George M. , O'Brien David P.
Published: November 2018

Although several prominent critics have argued against any significant role for a logical or mathematical competence in human reasoning, we argue that such a competence is basic. Our approach to logical reasoning consists of (a) a basic set of inference schémas for logical particles such as if, and, not, and or that accounts for competence, (b) a reasoning program that implements them, and (c) a set of independently motivated pragmatic principles. We describe evidence that supports our approach, and then discuss several prominent arguments that have been made against competence models. We conclude that the critics have not established their case ; rather, reasoning errors seem to result from strategic and pragmatic demands that are beyond the scope of a basic competence. Finally, we discuss text comprehension as a case study of how logical and pragmatic processes work together in a single line of reasoning to provide a coherent and integrated representation. pragmatic processes work together in a single line of reasoning to provide a coherent and integrated representation.
Interprétation, inférence et rationalité
Authors: Jacob Pierre
Published: November 2018

Nombre de travaux de psychologie expérimentale peignent un tableau pessimiste des capacités de raisonnement des membres de l'espèce humaine. Certains philosophes ont fait valoir qu'on ne peut sans limites créditer d'irrationnelles les capacités inférentielles humaines : l'argument par la sélection naturelle du système d'inférence ; l'argument selon lequel les erreurs de raisonnement sont attribuables à la performance, non à la compétence inférentielle des sujets ; et l'argument qui conclut qu'un système irrationnel ne pourrait accomplir d'inférence parce qu'il ne pourrait pas être crédité de croyances. Je rejette les deux premiers et essaie de montrer que le troisième n'a pas d'incidence pour la psychologie du raisonnement.
Expertise naturelle, expertise artificielle, vers quels paradigmes cognitifs ?
Authors: Prince Violaine
Published: November 2018

Cet article, qui a pour objectif d'introduire ce numéro spécial dédié à l'expertise et aux sciences cognitives, souhaite mettre en avant les différences fondamentales de nature existant entre l'expertise des "opérateurs" humains et celle qui est réalisée dans les systèmes artificiels. A partir de l'explicitation des propriétés de l'expertise "idéale", inscriptible dans des systèmes logiques à base de règles de production ou de modèles sémantiques conceptuels, et en la confrontant avec des éléments de l'expertise humaine réelle, telle que la constatent psychologues et ergonomes, cet article tente d'expliquer les difficultés et les choix méthodologiques qui ont présidé à la constitution des systèmes artificiels à base de connaissances par les divergences profondes entre ces deux notions. L'hypothèse qui est faite est la suivante : ce clivage affecte toutes les étapes du cycle de vie du système artificiel. Dès lors, cette contribution s'est proposé d'étudier ce cycle au travers des articles des auteurs de ce numéro en montrant que l'ensemble des travaux dégage une certaine idée directrice : pour survivre, les systèmes artificiels doivent résolument être conçus et utilisés de manière radicalement différente de celle qui a été jusqu'alors prépondérante.
Les systèmes à base de connaissances comme médias de transmission de l'expertise
Authors: Lévy Pierre
Published: November 2018

Knowledge-based Systems as Media for Expertise Communication : A Study of Cognitive Ecology.

This paper presents an analysis to the reasons why expert systems are the appropriate media to transmit empirical knowledge within organizations. It contains first an introduction to cognitive ecology, the framework for this study, and second a review of two specific cases. The practical relevance of knowledge-based systems is only fully understood when they are compared to other communication and representation media (oral or printed). The dynamic and interactive nature of expert systems provides a (weak) simulation of oral communication between a user and a human expert. In addition, the objective pursued in developing a knowledge-based system, i.e. reorganizing the transmission channel of expertise, can only be achieved through a change of the contents and structure of knowledge.
Des systèmes experts aux systèmes à base de connaissances : à la recherche d'un nouveau schéma régulateur
Authors: Visetti Yves-Marie
Published: November 2018

From Expert Systems to Knowledge Based Systems : In Search of a New Regulating Scheme.

We describe here three kinds of constraints to which knowledge-based systems are submitted : constraints of cognitive modelling, of logical reconstruction, of communicability and interaction in a real situation. Priority conflicts between these constraints are specially analyzed. Simultaneously, the paper examines in a critical way the main paradigm of AI, that of classical symbol systems. We next give the broad lines of a "new" regulating scheme, at the epistemological level, for designing and using these systems, which are then presented as aids to modelling.
Modes du continu dans les sciences
Authors: Salanskis Jean Michel
Published: November 2018

Ways the continuum comes into play within scientific areas

The paper, taking into account the actual trends towards the adoption of a continuous framework in cognitive science, especially under the influence of connectionnism, addresses simply the question whether this reference to continuous mathematics goes the same way as in the classical case of newtonian mechanics, and whether it is legitimate to speak of a cognitive continuum sharing its epistemological status with the spatio-temporal continuum.

We therefore first try to explain what the epistemological status of continuum in classical mechanics is, making appeal both to Kant and to Montague. Speaking with kantian words, we call this way of the continuum comes into play in the area of science (in that case, of physics) the way the esthetical continuum. We contrast it essentially with what we term way of the tool continuum, exemplified by the continuous approximation of a Bernouilli distribution by a Gaussian one in probability theory. In between, we evoke the hermeneutical relation that mathematics — especially recent mathematics — bear to the enigma of the continuum, as well as the construction of derived mathematical problematics on the basis of the canonical model R.

Finally, we examine the status of the continuum within the area of cognitive science in the light of these criterias and distinctions. By commenting some technical moves in current research literature, as well as the methodological position sustained by authors like Minsky or Smolensky, we come to conclude that there is actually no evidence of an esthetical continuum in cognitive modelling.
Persistent Truths
Authors: Bonomi Andrea
Published: November 2018

Vérités persistantes

Dans la sémantique présentée ici, un modèle de premier ordre M est associé à l'ensemble M de ses sous-modèles (dans un sens particulier du terme). De cette manière, un sujet épistémique s peut être représenté comme un agent situé à l'intérieur de la structure M, grâce à une fonction qui assigne à s un de ces sous-modèles. Les propositions usuelles du premier ordre sont évaluées par rapport à M, et cette référence à un modèle standard permet de préserver la logique classique. Mais pour évaluer d'autres types de propositions (ici, d'attitudes propositionnelles, mais aussi des énoncés indexicaux ou comportant des opérateurs modaux, dans une version généralisée), M renvoie au sous-modèle partiel pertinent dans M. Or, selon une interprétation de ce schéma, ces sous-modèles peuvent être assimilés à des segments d'information sur M : d'une façon intuitive, sur un état particulier du monde. Pour un agent s, se déplacer à travers ce système reviendrait à acquérir différents arguments.

Le problème de Gettier est utilisé ici comme un critère (partiel) d'adéquation des logiques épistémiques.
Schémas d'action et types de procès
Authors: Manes Gallo Maria-Caterina , Rouault Jacques
Published: November 2018

Action schemata and types of processes

Our research focusses on the analysis of knowledge representation structures required in building natural language interfaces, for man/machine dialogue. In particular, for dialogues aimed at performing some "actions" on a computer system, e.g. expert system or data base mainly. Cooperative natural language interfaces must be able to reconstruct the implicit meaning of the user's message on the basis of its linguistic formulation. In this paper we focus on knowledge extraction from verbal expressions. Linguistic and extra-linguistic knowledge involved in the use of verbs have been analysed. Linguistic knowledge is given both by a classification of verbs complements, at the syntactic level, and by a definition of verbs categories, at the semantic level. Three verbs categories have been identified : resultative processes, non-resultative processes and states. Extra-linguistic knowledge underlying the use of the different verbs categories is described in terms of action schemata (AS). An (AS) is a representation structure containing several kinds of informations. Those informations are about : the roles played by the actors surrounding the verb, the aimed-result and the pre-conditions for the existence of the state or for triggering the process to which the verb may refer.
Nouvelles technologies et élévation des qualifications
Authors: Poitou J.-P.
Published: November 2018

On examine d'abord les composantes cognitives, mais aussi sociales et économiques de la qualification ; puis les risques que le passage à ce qu'on a appelé le modèle néo-industriel appuyé sur les modifications technologiques récentes comporte pour les qualifications. L'exemple de la Conception assistée par Ordinateur (CAO) montre ainsi les risques de disparition des habiletés motrices graphiques des techniciens de bureau d'études. Or visuo-motricité et motricité manuelle graphique contribuent à l'activité cognitive globale de compréhension des relations spatiales et à la solution géométrique des problèmes techniques. Il serait donc souhaitable d'utiliser les techniques nouvelles pour développer des outils de CAO qui loin de compromettre, développent au contraire les habiletés motrices des ingénieurs et techniciens d'étude. Dans cet esprit, on montre comment ces préoccupations ont mené aux spécifications du système STEREO, prototype d'un poste de travail autostéréoscopique interactif de CAO, conçu dans le but d'enrichir l'activité cognitive globale du technicien d'étude par les apports cognitifs de la visuo-motricité et de la motricité graphique.
Catégorisation et types d'expertise. Une étude empirique dans le domaine de la conception industrielle
Authors: Visser Willemien , Falzon Pierre
Published: November 2018

Categorization and types of expertise - An empirical study in the domain of industrial design

A study in the domain of design examined several aspects of categorization. It raises the problem of goal-oriented categorization. Through a comparison between two expert designers in a same domain, but with different previous experiences, the study shows how these two designers have gained different types of expertise. These differences explain how a goal-oriented activity may have influenced the elaboration of categorial representations. The concept of "operative categorization" is proposed and defined, amongst other aspects, by differentiating it from "task-dependent categorization".
Les erreurs d'interprétation en conduite automobile : mauvaise catégorisation ou activation erronée de schémas ?
Authors: Van Elslande Pierre
Published: November 2018

Cette réflexion se situe dans le champ de l'ergonomie cognitive appliquée au domaine de l'accidentologie routière. Son objectif est de proposer un éclairage d'un certain type de dysfonctionnements, les erreurs d'interprétation d'un scénario de conduite, sous l'angle de l'organisation des connaissances du conducteur. On y présente une revue de question sur les caractéristiques de la tâche de conduite automobile, l'étude des accidents de la route et sur différents courants conceptuels portant sur la représentation des connaissances. Une articulation possible de ces modèles de représentation est envisagée au niveau des tâches de résolution de problèmes en situation de conduite, pour lesquelles le recouvrement de connaissances en mémoire est une composante essentielle et nécessaire. Une esquisse d'architecture du fonctionnement du conducteur dans de telles situations est enfin présentée et exemplifïée par l'analyse d'un cas réel.