bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can riparian vegetation shade mitigate the expected rise in stream temperatures during heat waves in a pre-alpine river?
Authors: Trimmel Heidelinde , Weihs Philipp , Leidinger David , Formayer Herbert , Kalny Gerda
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The influence of expected changes in heat wave intensity during the 21st century on the temperatures of an pre-alpine river are simulated and the mitigating effects of riparian vegetation shade on the radiant and turbulent energy fluxes analysed. Minor stream water temperature increases are modelled within the first half of the century, but a more significant increase is predicted for the period 2071–2100. The magnitude of maximum, mean and minimum stream temperature rises for a 20 year return period heat event was estimated to be in the region of 3 °C. Additional riparian vegetation is not able to fully mitigate the expected temperature rise caused by climate change, but can reduce maximum, mean and minimum stream temperatures by 1 to 2° C. Removal of existing vegetation amplifies stream temperature increases. Maximum stream temperatures could increase by more than 4 °C even in yearly heat events.
Climate Change Impacts on Yangtze River Discharge at the Three Gorges Dam
Authors: Birkinshaw Steve J. , Guerreiro Selma B. , Nicholson Alex , Liang Qiuhua , Quinn Paul , Zhang Lili , He Bin , Yin Junxian , Fowler Hayley J.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The Yangtze River Basin is home to more than 400 million people, contributes to nearly half of China’s food production, and is susceptible to major floods. Therefore planning for climate change impacts on river discharges is essential. We used a physically-based distributed hydrological model, Shetran, to simulate discharge in the Yangtze River just below the Three Gorges Dam at Yichang (1,007,200 km2), obtaining an excellent match between simulated and measured daily discharge, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies of 0.95 for the calibration period (1996–2000) and 0.92 for the validation period (2001–2005). We then used a simple monthly delta change approach for 78 climate model projections (35 different GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-5 (CMIP5) to examine the effect of climate change on river discharge for 2041–2070 for Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. Projected changes to the basin’s annual precipitation varied between −3.6 % and +14.8 % but increases in temperature and consequently evapotranspiration (calculated using the Thornthwaite equation) were projected by all CMIP5 models, resulting in projected changes in the basin’s annual discharge from −29.8 % to +16.0 %. These large differences were mainly due to the predicted expansion of the summer monsoon north and west into the Yangtze basin in some CMIP5 models, e.g. CanESM2, but not in others, e.g. CSIRO-Mk3-6-0. This was despite both models being able to simulate current climate well. Until projections of the strength and location of the monsoon under a future climate improve there will remain large uncertainties in the direction and magnitude of future change in discharge for the Yangtze.
Smartphone applications for communicating avalanche risk information – a study on how they are developed and evaluated by their providers
Authors: Charrière Marie K. M. , Bogaard Thom A.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Every year, people are victims of avalanches. It is commonly assumed that one way to decrease those losses is to inform about danger levels. This paper presents a study on current practices in the development and evaluation of smartphones applications that are dedicated to avalanche risk communication. The analysis based on semi-structured interviews with developers of six smartphone apps highlights the context of their development, how choices of content and visualization were made and how their effectiveness is evaluated by the developers themselves. It appears that all these communicators agree on the message to disseminate and the general representation concepts (i.e., use of the international avalanche danger scale and of a tiered approach). However, the specific ways this message is presented (e.g., maps, icons) is not uniform. Moreover, only simple evaluation processes (e.g., usage monitoring) are conducted by the developers. However, they are well aware that further efforts need to be made in order to thoroughly analyze the effectiveness of the smartphone apps in terms of their real impact (e.g., increase in awareness or change in behavior). This work also highlighted that the smartphone applications are in transition from being one-way communication tools to becoming two-way communication platforms, with the possibility for non-experts users to report on snow and avalanche conditions. This paper indicates challenges that avalanche risk communication is facing, although it is indisputably the most advanced and standardized practice compared to communication tools for other natural hazards. In addition to being relevant for the avalanche risk communication community, this research is therefore of interest for scientists and practitioners working on risk communication related to natural hazards.
High resolution monitoring of marine protists based on an observation strategy integrating automated on board ship filtration and molecular analyses
Authors: Metfies Katja , Schroeder Friedhelm , Hessel Johanna , Wollschlaeger Jochen , Micheller Sebastian , Wolf Christian , Kilias Estelle , Sprong Pim , Neuhaus Stefan , Frickenhaus Stephan , Petersen Wilhelm
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Information on recent photosynthetic biomass distribution and biogeography with adequate temporal and spatial resolution is urgently needed to better understand consequences of environmental change for marine ecosystems. Here we introduce and review a molecular-based observation strategy for high resolution assessment of marine protists in space and time. The observation strategy is the result of extensive technology developments, adaptations and evaluations which are documented in a number of different publications and the results of recently accomplished field testing, which are introduced in this review. The observation strategy is organized in four different levels. At level 1, samples are collected in high spatio-temporal resolution using the remote-controlled automated filtration system AUTOFIM. Resulting samples can either be preserved for later laboratory analyses, or directly subjected to molecular surveillance of key species aboard the ship via an automated biosensor system or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (level 2). Preserved samples are analyzed at the next observational levels in the laboratory (level 3 and 4). This involves at level 3 molecular fingerprinting methods for a quick and reliable overview of differences in protist community composition. Finally, selected samples can be subjected to generate a detailed analysis of taxonomic protist composition via latest Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) at level 4. An overall integrated dataset of the results based on the different analyses provides comprehensive information on the diversity and biogeography of protists, including all related size classes. At the same time the cost effort of the observation is optimized in respect to analysis effort and time.
A Simple Method for Retrieving Significant Wave Height from Dopplerized X-Band Radar
Authors: Carrasco Ruben , Streßer Michael , Horstmann Jochen
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Retrieving spectral wave parameters such as the peak wave direction and wave period from marine radar backscatter intensity is very well developed. However, the retrieval of significant wave height is difficult because the radar image spectrum (a backscatter intensity variance spectrum) has to be transferred to a wave spectrum (a surface elevation variance spectrum) using a modulation transfer function (MTF) which requires extensive calibration for each individual radar setup. In contrast to the backscatter intensity, the Doppler velocity measured by a coherent radar is induced by the radial velocity of the surface scattering and its periodic component is mainly the contribution of surface waves. Therefore, the variance of the Doppler velocity can be utilized to retrieve the significant wave height. Analysing approximately 100 days of Doppler velocity measurements of a coherent on receive radar operating at X-band with vertical polarization in transmit and receive, a simple relation was derived and validated to retrieve significant wave heights. Comparison to wave measurements of a wave rider buoy as well as an acoustic wave and current profiler resulted in a root mean square error of 0.24 m with a bias of 0.08 m. Furthermore, the different sources of error are discussed and investigated.
Climate change threatens archeologically significant ice patches: insights into their age, internal structure, mass balance and climate sensitivity
Authors: Ødegård Rune Strand , Nesje Atle , Isaksen Ketil , Andreassen Liss Marie , Eiken Trond , Schwikowski Margit , Uglietti Chiara
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Despite numerous spectacular archaeological discoveries worldwide related to melting ice patches and the emerging field of glacial archaeology, governing processes related to ice patch development during Holocene and their sensitivity to climate change are still largely unexplored. Here we present new results from an extensive 6-year (2009–2015) field experiment at Juvfonne ice patch in Jotunheimen in central southern Norway. Our results show that the ice patch existed continuously since the late Mesolithic period. Organic-rich layers and carbonaceous aerosols embedded in clear ice shows ages spanning from modern at the surface to ca. 6200 BCE at the bottom. This is the oldest dating of ice in mainland Norway. Moss mats appearing along the margin of Juvfonne in 2014 were covered by the expanding ice patch about 2000 years ago. During the study period the mass balance record shows a strong negative balance, and the net balance is highly asymmetric over short distances. Snow accumulation is poorly correlated with winter precipitation and single storm events may contribute significantly to the total winter balance. Snow accumulation is approx. 20 % higher in the frontal area compared to the upper central part of the ice patch. The thermal regime in Juvfonne is similar to what is found close to the equilibrium line of nearby glaciers. There is sufficient melt water to bring the permeable snowpack to an isothermal state within a few weeks in early summer. Below the seasonal snowpack ice temperatures are between −2 and −4 °C, similar to the surrounding permafrost terrain. Juvfonne has clear ice stratification of isochronic origin. The cumulative deformation of ice over millennia explain the observed curved layering in the basal parts of the ice patch, which makes it difficult to relate the present thickness to previous thickness of the ice patch. Ice deformation and surface processes (i.e. wind and melt water) may have caused significant displacement of artefacts from their original position. Thus the dating and position of artefacts cannot be used directly to reconstruct previous ice patch extent. In the perspective of surface energy and mass balance; ice patches are in the transition zone between permafrost terrain and glaciers. Future research will need to carefully address this interaction to build reliable models.
Spatial variability in mass change of glaciers in the Everest region, central Himalaya, between 2000 and 2015
Authors: King Owen , Quincey Duncan J. , Carrivick Jonathan L. , Rowan Ann V.
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The mass balance of the majority of Himalayan glaciers is currently negative, and has been for several decades. Region wide averaging of mass change estimates has masked any catchment or glacier scale variability in glacier recession, thus the role of a number of glaciological processes in glacier wastage remains poorly understood. In this study, we quantify surface lowering and mass loss rates for the ablation areas of 32 glaciers in different catchments across the Everest region, and specifically examine the role of glacial lakes in glacier mass change. We then assess how future ice loss is likely to differ depending on glacier hypsometry. Spatially variable ice loss is observed within and between the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi catchments and glaciers that flow onto the Tibetan Plateau. Surface lowering rates on glaciers flowing onto the Tibetan Plateau are 54 and 19 % greater than those flowing southward into the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi catchments, respectively. Surface lowering rates of up to −3.78 ± 0.26 m a-1 occurred on some lacustrine terminating glaciers, although glaciers with small lakes showed rates of lowering comparable with those that terminate on land. We suggest that such a range reflects glacial lakes at different stages of development, and that rates of mass loss are likely to increase as glacial lakes expand and deep water calving begins to occur. Hypsometric data reveal a coincidence of the altitude of maximum surface lowering and the main glacier hypsometry in the Dudh Koshi catchment, thus a large volume of ice is readily available for melt. Should predicted CMIP5 RCP 4.5 scenario warming (0.9–2.3 °C by 2100) occur in the study area, 19–30, 17–50 and 14–37 % increases in the total glacierised area below the Equilibrium Line Altitude will occur in the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi catchments, and on the Tibetan Plateau. Comparison of our data with a conceptual model of Himalayan glacier shrinkage confirms the presence of three distinct process regimes, with all glaciers in our sample now in a state of accelerating mass loss and meltwater storage.
Noteworthy: News Briefs from PA Libraries
Authors: McGeary Bryan James
Published: May 2016

News Briefs from PA Libraries.
Table of Contents
Authors: Reinsfelder Tom
Published: May 2016

Spring 2016, Table of Contents.  Volume 4, Issue 1.
Association between Degree of Leverages and Firm Value
Authors: Gupta Pradeep Kumar , Kumar Shailendra , Verma Piyush
Published: May 2016

This study aims to empirically investigate the association between degree of leverages, operating and financial, and firm value in the context of India, one of big ten emerging markets (Garten, 1997). This study examines this association for 231 manufacturing firms listed in National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India over a period from 2001-2002 to 2010-2011. The independent variables, degrees of operating and financial leverage, and a market price-based dependent variable, called price-earnings ratio as a proxy of firm value, are taken to examine this relationship by using standard ordinary least square regression models at the levels of individual firm and portfolio of firms. The findings of this study show a statistically significant negative relationship between firm value and degree of operating leverage and a statistically insignificant relationship between firm value and degree of financial leverage both at the levels of individual firm and portfolio of firms. Using the data from a country like India, one of fastest growing emerging markets in the world, this study provides an important insight on the effect of leverages on the firm value, the association between independent accounting variables and stock price-based dependent variable, to the practitioners, the scholars and the finance managers. 
Agroforestry Natural and Benefits Stimuli for Improvement of Kerinci Community at Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP)
Authors: Batubara Mustofa Marli , Helida Asvic
Published: May 2016

Stimulus is a stimulation that causes reaction or response. Stimuli are factors that affect someone or something to be have. The concept of tri-stimulus amar states that the tri stimulus amar conservation is important in conservation action and consists of natural stimulus, benefit, and religious (willingness).This study aimed to determine whether the species composition of Kerinci communities agroforestry plants in hilly land was a natural stimuli, and to determine whether the income level of the farming community from agroforestry activities was already a benefit to the community. The research was conducted using participatory observation method. The data were analyzed descriptively by making tabulation matrix then rated quantitatively to determine the Cultural Significance Index (CSI) and Index of Importance Value (IIV).  Furthermore, natural and benefit stimuli of agroforestry activities for the Kerinci community were described.  The results showed there were 27 agroforestry plants with Pelak system and cinnamon plant (Cinnamomun burmannii) which belonged to the Lauraceous family was a plant with the highest ICS (67) and IIV (43). These results indicated that cinnamon plant played an important role in the Kerinci community culture and ecosystems because it was quite abundant in nature. The farmers knew cinnamon bio ecology which means that the natural stimuli of cinnamon were the basis in the selection of the plant. While products from agroforestry crops could improve the welfare of farmers thus became the benefit stimuli for the community in conducting Pelak agroforestry farming systems. Natural and benefit stimuli were the factors that caused the farmers to conduct agroforestry activities with cinnamon as the dominant plant species.
Osteopontin as a Biochemical Marker and Severity Indicator for Idiopathic Hip Osteoarthritis
Authors: El Deeb Sameh , Abdelnaby Ramy , Khachab Ali , Bläsius Klaus , Tingart Markus , Rath Björn
Published: May 2016

Introduction

A diagnostic evaluation of the severity and progression of hip osteoarthritis (OA) using biochemical markers is lacking in the current medical literature. Osteopontin (OPN) has been proved to correlate with the progression and severity of knee OA. Therefore, the examination of plasma OPN levels in patients with idiopathic hip OA and its correlation with disease severity and progression was necessary.

Methods

Our study included 21 patients displaying symptomatic severe idiopathic hip OA; the diagnosis of the disease was based on the checklist of the American College of Rheumatology and the severity was evaluated according to the K-L grading (Kellgran and Lawrence score).

Results

14 patients showed radiological changes according K-L grade 3 (66.66%), and 7 patients showed radiological changes according K-L grade 4 (33.33%). We observed a highly statistically significant increase of plasma OPN levels in comparison with normal referenced values, the cut off value for differentiating between normal people and patients with hip OA was 193.6 ng/ml. Furthermore, the mean of plasma OPN levels in idiopathic hip osteoarthritis patients with K-L grade 4 (362.51 ± 83.31 ng/mL) was greater than those with K-L grade 3 (283.41 ± 56.31 ng/mL), the difference being statistically significant.

Conclusions

plasma OPN levels are increased in idiopathic hip OA and are correlated with the severity of the disease.
Effects of Postpolymerization Microwave Irradiation on Provisional Dental Acrylics: Physical and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Ozkomur Ahmet , Fortes Carmen Beatriz Borges
Published: May 2016

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of microwave irradiation on the physical and mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) provisional resins.

Methods

Twenty bars and 20 disc-shaped specimens were fabricated for each selected provisional restorative material (Dencor and Duralay). Test groups were subjected to microwave irradiation (3 minutes at 600 W) after polymerization. Bar specimens were subjected to a flexural strength test. Disc-shaped specimens were used to evaluate microhardness. Backscattered Raman spectroscopy was employed for each group to define the degree of conversion of the monomer/polymer. The frequency bands corresponding to C = C and C = O groups were used to determine the conversion of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers into polymers. Glass transition temperature was determined using a differential scanning calorimeter.

Results

Microwave irradiation of both tested autopolymerizing PMMA provisional materials resulted in a statistically significant increase in microhardness, degree of conversion and glass transition temperature values. Also, the results demonstrated a significant increase in flexural strength after postpolymerization microwave irradiation for the Dencor specimens.

Conclusions

It is concluded that mechanical and physical properties are positively influenced by microwave irradiation.
Dialysis Catheter Placement via the Left Internal Jugular Vein: Risk of Brachiocephalic Vein Perforation
Authors: Winkes Michiel B. , Loos Maarten J. , Scheltinga Marc R. , Teijink Joep A.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

We discuss a case of a brachiocephalic vein (BCV) perforation after Tesio® central venous catheter insertion.

Method and Results

An 80-year-old patient underwent an ultrasound-guided hemodialysis (HD) catheter placement via his left internal jugular vein (IJV). One day postoperatively, the patient became hemodynamically unstable immediately after HD initiation. As a vascular event was feared, an emergency CT scan was performed demonstrating a BCV perforation. The patient underwent a sternotomy, the lines were removed and the venous laceration was closed. The patient recovered well.

Conclusions

In spite of ultrasound guidance, fluoroscopy for guidewire and sheath advancement, venous blood aspiration and a normal appearing postoperative x-ray, traumatic central venous catheter placement is still possible. Tenting of the BCV wall during catheter advancement possibly caused the venous perforation. A ‘how-to’ for correct catheter placement via the IJV is provided and potential pitfalls during each procedural step are discussed.
ACEI and antioxidant peptides release during ripening of Mexican Cotija hard cheese
Authors: Hernández-Galán Leticia , Cardador-Martínez Anaberta , Picque Daniel , Spinnler Henry Eric , López-del-Castillo Lozano Micloth , Martín del Campo Sandra Teresita
Published: May 2016

Cotija cheese is an artisanal Mexican cheese produced with raw cow´s milk. Our objective was to measure the antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of the peptides released during its ripening. For that, Cotija cheeses were ripened 6 months in a chamber at 25 ºC without humidity control. Weekly samples were taken to determine acid soluble nitrogen (ASN), non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and ethanol soluble nitrogen (EtOH-SN) indexes, by Kjeldahl method. Antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities were measured by spectrophotometry and HPLC methods, respectively. Peptides in each nitrogen fraction were determined by HPLC. Our results showed that during ripening of Cotija cheeses peptides with antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities were released and increased through ripening time reaching a maximum of 79.8 % of 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) discoloration and 100 % of ACE inhibition at the end of ripening. Both activities were highly correlated with the types of peptides present in each fraction.
Meat Colour Stability and Fatty Acid Profile in Commercial Bison and Beef
Authors: J. K. Galbraith, , J. L. Aalhus, , M. Juárez, , M. E. R. Dugan, , I. L. Larsen, , N. Aldai, , L. A. Goonewardene, , E. K. Okine,
Published: May 2016

Commercial bison meat has been found to discolour more rapidly than beef in retail display. The influence of fat content, fat composition and vitamin E on the colour stability of commercially produced bison and beef were examined. Longissimus samples from grain-fed beef (n = 20) and grass-fed bison (n = 14) were analyzed for fat content, fatty acid composition, vitamin E levels, pigments, TBARS and retail stability. Intramuscular fat content was lower and richer in PUFA in bison (P < 0.01) compared to beef. Pigment and TBARS levels in bison were significantly higher (P < 0.01), leading to higher (P < 0.01) metmyoglobin levels. Regression analysis results showed that differences in total fat content and fatty acid composition were the most responsible factors for early discolouration of commercial bison meat compared to commercial beef. In conclusion, total fat and fatty acid composition can be manipulated to improve the colour stability of bison meat.
Solve Special Case of Some Guran Problems
Authors: Alghoussein Ahmad , Kanaya Ziad , Yacoub Salwa
Published: May 2016

Throughout this paper, all topological groups are assumed to be topological differential manifolds and algebraically free, our aim in this paper is to prove the open problems number (7) and (8). Which are introduced by (Guran, I, 1998). In many cases of spaces and under a suitable conditions. therefore, we denote by I(X) and I(Y) to be a free topological groups over a topological spaces X and Y respectively where X and Y are assumed to be a non- empty sub manifolds Which are also a closed sub sets, and P is a classes of topological spaces, as a regular, normal, Tychonoff, lindelöf, separable connected, compact and Zero- dimensional space, and we have tried to use a hereditary properties and others of these spaces, so we can prove the open problems in these cases and we have many results showed in this paper.
De parlementarisatie van Europees economisch beleid
Authors: Schout Adriaan , Wiersma Jan Marinus , Gomes Neto Mariana , Bokhorst David
Published: May 2016

The parliamentarisation of European economic policy

Since the euro crisis the EU has seen a deepening of integration with a new framework for economic and budgetary coordination. With the new framework reforms in pension or housing market are coordinated at the European level. This comprehensive set of rules and monitoring mechanisms has revived the debate on Europe’s democratic deficit. This article describes how the European Parliament (EP) tries to fill the democratic void in economic governance. The EP’s formal role is limited, but by using mostly informal mechanisms the EP is setting in motion an incremental process towards further control. This development should be seen in light of a political battle on the interpretation of the new rules, which has accordingly become increasingly politicized. The Dutch have always wanted a European economic policy on the basis of technocracy and rules, but at the same time Europe’s political union draws ever closer.
Bouwen aan de ideale bestuurskunde
Authors: Karré Philip Marcel
Published: May 2016

Developing our discipline: Reflection of ten young professors

For this article, part of a series on the future of the discipline in the Netherlands, the author has talked to ten newly appointed professors in the field of public administration. We discussed their background, how they see their role and position within university and society and how they view recent developments in our field of study and our discipline. The young professors share their view on how our discipline could and should develop and what their role will be in this process.
Publiek-private samenwerking in Nederland en Vlaanderen: een review van veertien proefschriften
Authors: Hueskes Marlies , Koppenjan Joop , Verweij Stefan
Published: May 2016

Public-private partnerships in the Netherlands and Flanders: a review of fourteen doctoral theses

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have attracted considerable attention in the Netherlands and Flanders, as witnessed by the recent wave of doctoral theses on this topic. This article presents a review of fourteen Dutch and Flemish doctoral theses, published in the period 2012-2015. The main purpose of the review was to examine what the theses’ most important findings and conclusions are. We found that they mainly focus on themes related to effectiveness, transaction costs, and legitimacy. However, although PPPs are often part of a debate between opponents and proponents, none of the studies found convincing arguments for or against the use of PPPs. Instead, most studies stressed the importance of contextual factors for the success of PPPs. The doctoral theses provided various valuable recommendations for practitioners regarding, e.g., the optimization of PPP procurement and the importance of soft management aspects such as collaborative working and process management. We observed that most theses studied PPPs by applying traditional theories and methods and that the majority focused on the early project phases of planning, procurement, and contracting. More research is needed into the later project phases. Finally, since the generalizability of the theses is limited, more programmatic, quantitative, and (international) comparative research is required.
Het rechtspersoonlijk belang van het voorontwerp Wet bestuur en toezicht rechtspersonen: schijnuniformering of ware eendracht?
Authors: Vastmans R.H.H.
Published: May 2016

Het rechtspersoonlijk belang van het voorontwerp Wet bestuur en toezicht rechtspersonen: schijnuniformering of ware eendracht?

Het voorontwerp Wet bestuur en toezicht rechtspersonen introduceert het geüniformeerde begrip rechtspersoonlijk belang als gedragsnorm voor bestuurders en toezichthouders. Door duiding van en vergelijking met het huidige vennootschapsbelang komt de auteur tot de conclusie dat de in de consultatieronde geuite kritiek grotendeels onjuist c.q. onterecht is.
Regulering van crowdfundingplatforms: een goede stap in de verkeerde richting
Authors: Tangelder J.R.C.
Published: May 2016

Regulering van crowdfundingplatforms: een goede stap in de verkeerde richting. Het huidige systeem van regulering, het Wijzigingsbesluit financiële markten 2016 en de wenselijkheid van een (meer) toegesneden regelgevend kader

In deze bijdrage staat de regulering van crowdfunding centraal. Al geruime tijd worstelen wetgever, toezichthouder en marktpartijen met niet voor crowdfunding geschreven wet- en regelgeving. Besproken worden knelpunten in de huidige systematiek en een alternatieve wijze van regulering van de crowdfundingpraktijk.
Smart Material-Actuated Flexible Tendon-Based Snake Robot
Authors: Ahmed Mohiuddin , Billah Md. Masum
Published: May 2016

A flexible snake robot has better navigation ability compare with the existing electrical motor-based rigid snake robot, due to its excellent bending capability during navigation inside a narrow maze. This paper discusses the modelling, simulation and experiment of a flexible snake robot. The modelling consists of the kinematic analysis and the dynamic analysis of the snake robot. A platform based on the Incompletely Restrained Positioning Mechanism (IRPM) is proposed, which uses the external force provided by a compliant flexible beam in each of the actuators. The compliant central column allows the configuration to achieve three degrees of freedom (3DOFs) with three tendons. The proposed flexible snake robot has been built using smart material, such as electroactive polymers (EAPs), which can be activated by applying power to it. Finally, the physical prototype of the snake robot has been built. An experiment has been performed in order to justify the proposed model.
Decentralized 4D Trajectory Generation for UAVs Based on Improved Intrinsic Tau Guidance Strategy
Authors: Yang Zuqiang , Fang Zhou , Li Ping
Published: May 2016

A decentralized four-dimensional (4D) trajectory generation method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which uses the improved intrinsic tau gravity (tau-G) guidance strategy, is presented in this paper. Based on general tau theory, the current tau-G strategy can only generate the 4D trajectory with zero initial and final velocities, which is not appropriate for decentralized applications. By adding an initial velocity to the intrinsic movement of tau-G strategy, the improved tau-G strategy can synchronously guide the position and velocity to the desired values at the arrival time. In our decentralized 4D trajectory generation method, the improved tau-G strategy is used to plan the 4D trajectories for UAVs. To deal with environmental uncertainty and communication limitations, the receding horizon optimization driven by both sampling time and conflict events is utilized to renew trajectory parameters continually. The simulation results of challenging time-constrained tasks demonstrate that the proposed method can efficiently provide safer and lower-cost 4D trajectories.
The Energy Amplification Characteristic Research of a Multimodal Actuator
Authors: Yali Han , Dabin Hao , Yu Shi , Songqing Zhu , Zhou Zhou
Published: May 2016

A multimodal actuator is proposed to fulfil the different walking patterns of a power-assisted knee exoskeleton. With this actuator, the exoskeleton leg can realize several modes of operation, including series elastic actuation, stiff position control and energy storage and release. The energy amplification characteristics of the multimodal actuator in the series elastic mode are analysed. A dynamics model was established to study how series elasticity and the equivalent mass of transmission influence a power source, such as an electric motor. The results, in both simulation and experiment, show that series elasticity can amplify actuator power output, and the power output of a multimodal actuator is greater when the equivalent mass of the transmission mechanism is smaller. This research into multimodal actuator energy amplification supplies important insights into the design of artificial systems that can more closely approximate the performance of biological systems.
A Visual-Aided Inertial Navigation and Mapping System
Authors: Munguía Rodrigo , Nuño Emmanuel , Aldana Carlos I. , Urzua Sarquis
Published: May 2016

State estimation is a fundamental necessity for any application involving autonomous robots. This paper describes a visual-aided inertial navigation and mapping system for application to autonomous robots. The system, which relies on Kalman filtering, is designed to fuse the measurements obtained from a monocular camera, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a position sensor (GPS). The estimated state consists of the full state of the vehicle: the position, orientation, their first derivatives and the parameter errors of the inertial sensors (i.e., the bias of gyroscopes and accelerometers). The system also provides the spatial locations of the visual features observed by the camera. The proposed scheme was designed by considering the limited resources commonly available in small mobile robots, while it is intended to be applied to cluttered environments in order to perform fully vision-based navigation in periods where the position sensor is not available. Moreover, the estimated map of visual features would be suitable for multiple tasks: i) terrain analysis; ii) three-dimensional (3D) scene reconstruction; iii) localization, detection or perception of obstacles and generating trajectories to navigate around these obstacles; and iv) autonomous exploration. In this work, simulations and experiments with real data are presented in order to validate and demonstrate the performance of the proposal.
A aplicação da ferramenta de cenários prospectivos em um bairro de baixa renda localizado em Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Blois Henrique Dias , Machado Padilha Ana Claudia , Medeiros Janine Fleith de , Lima Cruz Cassiana Maris , Spanholi Juliane De Castilhos
Published: May 2016

Public policies assume strategic aspect when are as a reference and basis for the formulation for other policies or programs. In this context, aiming to reduce future uncertainties of a difficult neighborhood, located in a midsize city of Rio Grande do Sul, the present study uses the methodology of prospective scenarios, proposed by Grumbach (1997), to detect what opportunities can be maximized for that district. Field research, conducted with experts (participants of fieldwork), was analyzed through the Delphi methodology. This methodology allowed the proposition of scenarios that showed events that tend to cause impacts in the neighborhood for the next five years. Results stand out as the five scenarios with higher probability of occurrence are: increase in the number of drug users; stench caused by sewage; diminished opportunities for young people; increase family health program; and decreased physical space for clinics.
Relacionamentos interorganizacionais em empresas de pequeno porte e sua inserção em cadeias de suprimentos
Authors: Deboçã Leonardo Pinheiro , Martins Ricardo Silveira
Published: May 2016

This research sought to contribute to the understanding of how to configure the horizontal and vertical Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) relationships and which are the consequences for these firms in their insertion in supply chains. To this end, furniture companies data located in industrial district were used. This was a qualitative and quantitative research, developed through a comparative study of furniture companies located at Mirassol (São Paulo) and Ubá (Minas Gerais) poles. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with support entities and businesses. The survey revealed the difficulty of these firms in developing collaborative relationships, what mean a barrier to integration of the supply chain. Besides the low inclination to closer relationships, the research revealed absence of strategies defined as suppliers and customers, showing inclination to transactional practices. The SMEs market behavior and characteristics of governance practices create difficulties for the inclusion of these companies into supply chains as suppliers, thus leaving the positioning as final goods producers, as competitors of larger companies.
Aversão ao risco em profissionais do setor financeiro
Authors: Dal Ross Gabriel , Dala Nora Bárbara , Milani Bruno
Published: May 2016

The study of behavioral finance is essential to complement the modern theory of finance, as behavioral factors influence investment decisions. This study aimed to analyze the risk aversion of financial professionals, checking the differences between individuals that effectively invest their resources and those who would like to invest, still segregating the results according to gender, education, marital status, age, work time and number of dependents. The results are based on a survey, based on the methodology proposed by Kahneman and Tversky in 1979, applied to employees of eighteen agencies of four financial institutions in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. It was concluded that male respondents are more likely to risk and that the increase in the number of dependents increases risk aversion. It was noticed a highly risk averse profile, in which few respondents venture into investments that are not risk-free. Still, it was found that although there is the intention to make riskier investments, the respondents in fact do not, which can be linked to fear of reporting their mistakes.
Research and Development
Authors: Katz Barry M.
Published: May 2016

Design surely had a role in shaping the computer, but far more important was the role of the computer in shaping design. This chapter studies the involvement of designers at two labs that formed the research core of the Silicon Valley environment: the Stanford Research Institute in Menlo Park, and the Xerox Corporation’s Palo Alto Research Center. At SRI Douglas Engelbart established the Augmentation Research Center where, in a hitherto undisclosed collaboration with Robert Propst of the Herman Miller furniture company, he developed a set of tools intended to enable geographically dispersed teams to collaborate across time and space. It follows the fledgling design community to Xerox PARC, where it contributed to the development of the first computer workstation, and concludes by studying its role in the first of the market-oriented Silicon Valley technology startups.
Sea Change
Authors: Katz Barry M.
Published: May 2016

The 1979 Palo Alto telephone directory lists exactly 9 “design” firms-squeezed between “detective agencies” and “diaper services.” Today there are, arguably, more designers working in the San Francisco Bay Area than anywhere else in the world. This chapter traces the further evolution of professional practice, but also the formation of a professional design community and the “sea change” that resulted in, literally, the fusion of European design and American engineering. By the mid-1970s a small but growing number of technology companies had created internal design groups, several independent consultancies had been formed, and this nascent community had begun to contribute a distinctive voice to the national professional societies. The passage of computing out of the laboratory and into the office, the classroom, and ultimately the home, proved to be the decisive catalyst.
Designing Designers
Authors: Katz Barry M.
Published: May 2016

Having demonstrated the increasingly important role of design in the Silicon Valley “ecosystem of innovation,” we turn in this chapter to the academic institutions that have, over the last 60 years, assumed the task of training the next generation of designers. In order to explore alternative and competing approaches, it examines the philosophies of design education as they evolved in the context of an engineering school at an elite research university (Stanford), a public university with a populist mandate (San Jose State), and an art school (California College of the Arts). In each institution designers had to fight to establish the legitimacy of their curricula against the more established traditions of the fine arts, the applied arts, and the science-based engineering disciplines.
The Shape of Things to Come
Authors: Katz Barry M.
Published: May 2016

The concluding chapter examines the nature of professional practice as it has matured over the last 20 years. The chapter shows in detail how design evolved from the shaping of objects to become an essential part of the strategies of some of the world’s most influential companies and organizations. We examine the contributions to this process of labs such as the Interval Research Corporation, the established consultancies and their second- and third-generation successors, companies ranging from Apple and Adobe to Google and Facebook, and in the context of specific category-defining products including the Amazon Kindle, the Nest Learning Thermostat, and the Tesla Model S. The chapter concludes with a review of the extension of design practice into the realm of social enterprise and the application of design methodologies to issues of poverty, health, and civil rights.
Building Ontologies with Basic Formal Ontology
Authors: Arp Robert , Smith Barry , Spear Andrew D.
Published: May 2016

An introduction to the field of applied ontology with examples derived particularly from biomedicine, covering theoretical components, design practices, and practical applications.

In the era of “big data,” science is increasingly information driven, and the potential for computers to store, manage, and integrate massive amounts of data has given rise to such new disciplinary fields as biomedical informatics. Applied ontology offers a strategy for the organization of scientific information in computer-tractable form, drawing on concepts not only from computer and information science but also from linguistics, logic, and philosophy. This book provides an introduction to the field of applied ontology that is of particular relevance to biomedicine, covering theoretical components of ontologies, best practices for ontology design, and examples of biomedical ontologies in use.

After defining an ontology as a representation of the types of entities in a given domain, the book distinguishes between different kinds of ontologies and taxonomies, and shows how applied ontology draws on more traditional ideas from metaphysics. It presents the core features of the Basic Formal Ontology (BFO), now used by over one hundred ontology projects around the world, and offers examples of domain ontologies that utilize BFO. The book also describes Web Ontology Language (OWL), a common framework for Semantic Web technologies. Throughout, the book provides concrete recommendations for the design and construction of domain ontologies.
Spontaneous mutations and the origin and maintenance of quantitative genetic variation
Authors: Huang Wen , Lyman Richard F , Lyman Rachel A , Carbone Mary Anna , Harbison Susan T , Magwire Michael M , Mackay Trudy FC
Published: May 2016

Mutation and natural selection shape the genetic variation in natural populations. Here, we directly estimated the spontaneous mutation rate by sequencing new Drosophila mutation accumulation lines maintained with minimal natural selection. We inferred strong stabilizing natural selection on quantitative traits because genetic variation among wild-derived inbred lines was much lower than predicted from a neutral model and the mutational effects were much larger than allelic effects of standing polymorphisms. Stabilizing selection could act directly on the traits, or indirectly from pleiotropic effects on fitness. However, our data are not consistent with simple models of mutation-stabilizing selection balance; therefore, further empirical work is needed to assess the balance of evolutionary forces responsible for quantitative genetic variation.
The endoplasmic reticulum, not the pH gradient, drives calcium refilling of lysosomes
Authors: Garrity Abigail G , Wang Wuyang , Collier Crystal MD , Levey Sara A , Gao Qiong , Xu Haoxing
Published: May 2016

Impaired homeostasis of lysosomal Ca2+ causes lysosome dysfunction and lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), but the mechanisms by which lysosomes acquire and refill Ca2+ are not known. We developed a physiological assay to monitor lysosomal Ca2+ store refilling using specific activators of lysosomal Ca2+ channels to repeatedly induce lysosomal Ca2+ release. In contrast to the prevailing view that lysosomal acidification drives Ca2+ into the lysosome, inhibiting the V-ATPase H+ pump did not prevent Ca2+ refilling. Instead, pharmacological depletion or chelation of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Ca2+ prevented lysosomal Ca2+ stores from refilling. More specifically, antagonists of ER IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) rapidly and completely blocked Ca2+ refilling of lysosomes, but not in cells lacking IP3Rs. Furthermore, reducing ER Ca2+ or blocking IP3Rs caused a dramatic LSD-like lysosome storage phenotype. By closely apposing each other, the ER may serve as a direct and primary source of Ca2+for the lysosome.
Electron microscopy analysis of microstructure of postannealed aluminum nitride template
Authors: Kaur Jesbains , Kuwano Noriyuki , Jamaludin Khairur Rijal , Mitsuhara Masatoshi , Saito Hikaru , Hata Satoshi , Suzuki Shuhei , Miyake Hideto , Hiramatsu Kazumasa , Fukuyama Hiroyuki
Published: May 2016

The microstructure of an AlN template after high-temperature annealing was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The AlN template was prepared by depositing an AlN layer of about 200 nm thickness on a sapphire (0001) substrate by metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy. The AlN template was annealed under (N2 + CO) atmosphere at 1500–1650 °C. TEM characterization was conducted to investigate the microstructural evolution, revealing that the postannealed AlN has a two-layer structure, the upper and lower layers of which exhibit Al and N polarities, respectively. It has been confirmed that postannealing is an effective treatment for controlling the microstructure.
Local optical absorption spectra of h-BN–MoS2 van der Waals heterostructure revealed by scanning near-field optical microscopy
Authors: Nozaki Junji , Kobayashi Yu , Miyata Yasumitsu , Maniwa Yutaka , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Yanagi Kazuhiro
Published: May 2016

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, in which different two-dimensional layered materials are stacked, can exhibit unprecedented optical properties. Development of a technique to clarify local optical properties of vdW heterostructures is of great importance for the correct understanding of their backgrounds. Here, we examined local optical absorption spectra of h-BN–MoS2 vdW heterostructures by scanning near-field microscopy measurements with a spatial resolution of 100 nm. In an as-grown sample, there was almost no site dependence of their optical absorption spectra. However, in a degraded sample where defects and deformations were artificially induced, a significant site-dependence of optical absorption spectra was observed.