bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Electro-Optical Performance of High Power Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Lasers
Authors: Tholl Hans , Yang Quankui , Wagner Joachim
Published: May 2016

Performance modeling of the characteristics of mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers (MIR QCL) is an essential element in formulating consistent component requirements and specifications, in preparing guidelines for the design and manufacture of the QCL structures, and in assessing different modes of operation of the laser device. We use principles of system physics to analyze the electro-optical characteristics of high power MIR QCL, including thermal backfilling of the lower laser level, hot electron effects, and Stark detuning during lasing. The analysis is based on analytical modeling to give simple mathematical expressions which are easily incorporated in system-level simulations of defense applications such as directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM). The paper delineates the system physics of the electro-optical energy conversion in QCL and the related modeling. The application of the performance model to a DIRCM QCL is explained by an example.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Investigation of the Viscoelastic Heating Mechanism in Ultrasonic Plasticizing of Amorphous Polymers for Micro Injection Molding
Authors: Jiang Bingyan , Peng Huajian , Wu Wangqing , Jia Yunlong , Zhang Yingping
Published: May 2016

Ultrasonic plasticizing of polymers for micro-injection molding has been proposed and studied for its unique potential in materials and energy-saving. In our previous work, we have demonstrated the characteristics of the interfacial friction heating mechanism in ultrasonic plasticizing of polymer granulates. In this paper, the other important heating mechanism in ultrasonic plasticizing, i.e., viscoelastic heating for amorphous polymer, was studied by both theoretical modeling and experimentation. The influence mechanism of several parameters, such as the initial temperature of the polymer, the ultrasonic frequency, and the ultrasonic amplitude, was investigated. The results from both numerical simulation and experimentation indicate that the heat generation rate of viscoelastic heating can be significantly influenced by the initial temperature of polymer. The glass transition temperature was found to be a significant shifting point in viscoelastic heating. The heat generation rate is relatively low at the beginning and can have a steep increase after reaching glass transition temperature. In comparison with the ultrasonic frequency, the ultrasonic amplitude has much greater influence on the heat generation rate. In light of the quantitative difference in the viscoelastic heating rate, the limitation of the numerical simulation was discussed in the aspect of the assumptions and the applied mathematical models.
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Building Roofs from Airborne LiDAR Data Based on a Layer Connection and Smoothness Strategy
Authors: Wang Yongjun , Xu Hao , Cheng Liang , Li Manchun , Wang Yajun , Xia Nan , Chen Yanming , Tang Yong
Published: May 2016

A new approach for three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of building roofs from airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data is proposed, and it includes four steps. Building roof points are first extracted from LiDAR data by using the reversed iterative mathematic morphological (RIMM) algorithm and the density-based method. The corresponding relations between points and rooftop patches are then established through a smoothness strategy involving “seed point selection, patch growth, and patch smoothing.” Layer-connection points are then generated to represent a layer in the horizontal direction and to connect different layers in the vertical direction. Finally, by connecting neighboring layer-connection points, building models are constructed with the second level of detailed data. The key contributions of this approach are the use of layer-connection points and the smoothness strategy for building model reconstruction. Experimental results are analyzed from several aspects, namely, the correctness and completeness, deviation analysis of the reconstructed building roofs, and the influence of elevation to 3-D roof reconstruction. In the two experimental regions used in this paper, the completeness and correctness of the reconstructed rooftop patches were about 90% and 95%, respectively. For the deviation accuracy, the average deviation distance and standard deviation in the best case were 0.05 m and 0.18 m, respectively; and those in the worst case were 0.12 m and 0.25 m. The experimental results demonstrated promising correctness, completeness, and deviation accuracy with satisfactory 3-D building roof models.
Retrieval of Aerosol Fine-Mode Fraction from Intensity and Polarization Measurements by PARASOL over East Asia
Authors: Zhang Yang , Li Zhengqiang , Qie Lili , Zhang Ying , Liu Zhihong , Chen Xingfeng , Hou Weizhen , Li Kaitao , Li Donghui , Xu Hua
Published: May 2016

The fine-mode fraction (FMF) of aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a key optical parameter that represents the proportion of fine particles relative to total aerosols in the atmosphere. However, in comparison to ground-based measurements, the FMF is still difficult to retrieve from satellite observations, as attempted by a Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) algorithm. In this paper, we introduce the retrieval of FMF based on Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Science coupled with Observations from a Lidar (PARASOL) data. This method takes advantage of the coincident multi-angle intensity and polarization measurements from a single satellite platform. In our method, we use intensity measurements to retrieve the total AOD and polarization measurements to retrieve the fine-mode AOD. The FMF is then calculated as the ratio of the retrieved fine-mode AOD to the total AOD. The important processes in our method include the estimation of the surface intensity and polarized reflectance by using two semi-empirical models, and the building of two sets of aerosol retrieval lookup tables for the intensity and polarized measurements via the 6SV radiative transfer code. We apply this method to East Asia, and comparisons of the retrieved FMFs for the Beijing, Xianghe and Seoul_SNU sites with those of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) ground-based observations produce correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.838, 0.818, and 0.877, respectively. However, the comparison results are relatively poor (R2 = 0.537) in low-AOD areas, such as the Osaka site, due to the low signal-to-noise ratio of the satellite observations.
Moho Density Contrast in Central Eurasia from GOCE Gravity Gradients
Authors: Eshagh Mehdi , Hussain Matloob , Tenzer Robert , Romeshkani Mohsen
Published: May 2016

Seismic data are primarily used in studies of the Earth’s inner structure. Since large parts of the world are not yet sufficiently covered by seismic surveys, products from the Earth’s satellite observation systems have more often been used for this purpose in recent years. In this study we use the gravity-gradient data derived from the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE), the elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and other global datasets to determine the Moho density contrast at the study area which comprises most of the Eurasian plate (including parts of surrounding continental and oceanic tectonic plates). A regional Moho recovery is realized by solving the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s (VMM) inverse problem of isostasy and a seismic crustal model is applied to constrain the gravimetric solution. Our results reveal that the Moho density contrast reaches minima along the mid-oceanic rift zones and maxima under the continental crust. This spatial pattern closely agrees with that seen in the CRUST1.0 seismic crustal model as well as in the KTH1.0 gravimetric-seismic Moho model. However, these results differ considerably from some previously published gravimetric studies. In particular, we demonstrate that there is no significant spatial correlation between the Moho density contrast and Moho deepening under major orogens of Himalaya and Tibet. In fact, the Moho density contrast under most of the continental crustal structure is typically much more uniform.
Building Point Detection from Vehicle-Borne LiDAR Data Based on Voxel Group and Horizontal Hollow Analysis
Authors: Wang Yu , Cheng Liang , Chen Yanming , Wu Yang , Li Manchun
Published: May 2016

Information extraction and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of buildings using the vehicle-borne laser scanning (VLS) system is significant for many applications. Extracting LiDAR points, from VLS, belonging to various types of building in large-scale complex urban environments still retains some problems. In this paper, a new technical framework for automatic and efficient building point extraction is proposed, including three main steps: (1) voxel group-based shape recognition; (2) category-oriented merging; and (3) building point identification by horizontal hollow ratio analysis. This article proposes a concept of “voxel group” based on the voxelization of VLS points: each voxel group is composed of several voxels that belong to one single real-world object. Then the shapes of point clouds in each voxel group are recognized and this shape information is utilized to merge voxel group. This article puts forward a characteristic nature of vehicle-borne LiDAR building points, called “horizontal hollow ratio”, for efficient extraction. Experiments are analyzed from two aspects: (1) building-based evaluation for overall experimental area; and (2) point-based evaluation for individual building using the completeness and correctness. The experimental results indicate that the proposed framework is effective for the extraction of LiDAR points belonging to various types of buildings in large-scale complex urban environments.
Early Drought Detection by Spectral Analysis of Satellite Time Series of Precipitation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
Authors: Van Hoek Mattijn , Jia Li , Zhou Jie , Zheng Chaolei , Menenti Massimo
Published: May 2016

The time lag between anomalies in precipitation and vegetation activity plays a critical role in early drought detection as agricultural droughts are caused by precipitation shortages. The aim of this study is to explore a new approach to estimate the time lag between a forcing (precipitation) and a response (NDVI) signal in the frequency domain by applying cross-spectral analysis. We prepared anomaly time series of image data on TRMM3B42 precipitation (accumulated over antecedent durations of 10, 60, and 150 days) and NDVI, reconstructed and interpolated MOD13A2 and MYD13A2 to daily interval using a Fourier series method to model time series affected by gaps and outliers (iHANTS) for a dry and a wet year in a drought-prone area in the northeast region of China. Then, the cross-spectral analysis was applied pixel-wise and only the phase lag of the annual component of the forcing and response signal was extracted. The 10-day antecedent precipitation was retained as the best representation of forcing. The estimated phase lag was interpreted using maps of land cover and of available soil water-holding capacity and applied to investigate the difference in phenology responses between a wet and dry year. In both the wet and dry year, we measured consistent phase lags across land cover types. In the wet year with above-average precipitation, the phase lag was rather similar for all land cover types, i.e., 7.6 days for closed to open grassland and 14.5 days for open needle-leaved deciduous or evergreen forest. In the dry year, the phase lag increased by 7.0 days on average, but with specific response signals for the different land cover types. Interpreting the phase lag against the soil water-holding capacity, we observed a slightly higher phase lag in the dry year for soils with a higher water-holding capacity. The accuracy of the estimated phase lag was assessed through Monte Carlo simulations and presented reliable estimates for the annual component.
Erratum: Sutapun, B. et al. Development and Beam-Shape Analysis of an Integrated Fiber-Optic Confocal Probe for High-Precision Central Thickness Measurement of Small-Radius Lenses. Sensors, 2015, 15, 8512-8526
Authors: Sutapun Boonsong , Somboonkaew Armote , Amarit Ratthasart , Chanhorm Sataporn
Published: May 2016

n/a
A Novel Method for Proximity Detection of Moving Targets Using a Large-Scale Planar Capacitive Sensor System
Authors: Ye Yong , Deng Jiahao , Shen Sanmin , Hou Zhuo , Liu Yuting
Published: May 2016

A novel method for proximity detection of moving targets (with high dielectric constants) using a large-scale (the size of each sensor is 31 cm × 19 cm) planar capacitive sensor system (PCSS) is proposed. The capacitive variation with distance is derived, and a pair of electrodes in a planar capacitive sensor unit (PCSU) with a spiral shape is found to have better performance on sensitivity distribution homogeneity and dynamic range than three other shapes (comb shape, rectangular shape, and circular shape). A driving excitation circuit with a Clapp oscillator is proposed, and a capacitance measuring circuit with sensitivity of 0.21 V p − p / pF is designed. The results of static experiments and dynamic experiments demonstrate that the voltage curves of static experiments are similar to those of dynamic experiments; therefore, the static data can be used to simulate the dynamic curves. The dynamic range of proximity detection for three projectiles is up to 60 cm, and the results of the following static experiments show that the PCSU with four neighboring units has the highest sensitivity (the sensitivities of other units are at least 4% lower); when the attack angle decreases, the intensity of sensor signal increases. This proposed method leads to the design of a feasible moving target detector with simple structure and low cost, which can be applied in the interception system.
Extracting Objects for Aerial Manipulation on UAVs Using Low Cost Stereo Sensors
Authors: Ramon Soria Pablo , Bevec Robert , Arrue Begoña , Ude Aleš , Ollero Aníbal
Published: May 2016

Giving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) the possibility to manipulate objects vastly extends the range of possible applications. This applies to rotary wing UAVs in particular, where their capability of hovering enables a suitable position for in-flight manipulation. Their manipulation skills must be suitable for primarily natural, partially known environments, where UAVs mostly operate. We have developed an on-board object extraction method that calculates information necessary for autonomous grasping of objects, without the need to provide the model of the object’s shape. A local map of the work-zone is generated using depth information, where object candidates are extracted by detecting areas different to our floor model. Their image projections are then evaluated using support vector machine (SVM) classification to recognize specific objects or reject bad candidates. Our method builds a sparse cloud representation of each object and calculates the object’s centroid and the dominant axis. This information is then passed to a grasping module. Our method works under the assumption that objects are static and not clustered, have visual features and the floor shape of the work-zone area is known. We used low cost cameras for creating depth information that cause noisy point clouds, but our method has proved robust enough to process this data and return accurate results.
Influences of Probe’s Morphology for Metal Ion Detection Based on Light-Addressable Potentiometric Sensors
Authors: Shao Chen , Zhou Shuang , Yin Xuebo , Gu Yajun , Jia Yunfang
Published: May 2016

The sensing mechanism of binding Hg2+ into thymine-thymine (T-T) mismatched base pairs was introduced into a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) with anti-Hg2+ aptamer as the sensing units. Three kinds of T-rich single-strand DNA (ssDNA) chains with different spacer lengths, from 0 to 12 –CH2 groups, were designed to investigate surface charge and morphological effects on the LAPS’ output. First, by comparing the responding of LAPS modified with three kinds of ssDNA, it was found that the best performance for Hg2+ sensing was exhibited by the probe without –CH2 groups. The detection limit of Hg2+ ion was 1 ppt under the optimal condition. Second, the cooperative effects of surface charge and morphology on the output were observed by the controlled experiments. The two effects were the negative charge balanced by metal cations and the morphological changing caused by the formation of T-Hg2+-T structure. In conclusion, not only the influences of the aptamer probe’s morphology and surface charge was investigated on the platform of LAPS, but also sensing Hg2+ ions was achieved for the first time by the presented aptamer LAPS.
Methods and Best Practice to Intercompare Dissolved Oxygen Sensors and Fluorometers/Turbidimeters for Oceanographic Applications
Authors: Pensieri Sara , Bozzano Roberto , Schiano M. , Ntoumas Manolis , Potiris Emmanouil , Frangoulis Constantin , Podaras Dimitrios , Petihakis George
Published: May 2016

In European seas, ocean monitoring strategies in terms of key parameters, space and time scale vary widely for a range of technical and economic reasons. Nonetheless, the growing interest in the ocean interior promotes the investigation of processes such as oxygen consumption, primary productivity and ocean acidity requiring that close attention is paid to the instruments in terms of measurement setup, configuration, calibration, maintenance procedures and quality assessment. To this aim, two separate hardware and software tools were developed in order to test and simultaneously intercompare several oxygen probes and fluorometers/turbidimeters, respectively in the same environmental conditions, with a configuration as close as possible to real in-situ deployment. The chamber designed to perform chlorophyll-a and turbidity tests allowed for the simultaneous acquisition of analogue and digital signals of several sensors at the same time, so it was sufficiently compact to be used in both laboratory and onboard vessels. Methodologies and best practice committed to the intercomparison of dissolved oxygen sensors and fluorometers/turbidimeters have been used, which aid in the promotion of interoperability to access key infrastructures, such as ocean observatories and calibration facilities. Results from laboratory tests as well as field tests in the Mediterranean Sea are presented.
Anchoring of FRET Sensors—A Requirement for Spatiotemporal Resolution
Authors: Ivanova Elena , Figueroa Ricardo , Gatsinzi Tom , Hallberg Einar , Iverfeldt Kerstin
Published: May 2016

FRET biosensors have become a routine tool for investigating mechanisms and components of cell signaling. Strategies for improving them for particular applications are continuously sought. One important aspect to consider when designing FRET probes is the dynamic distribution and propagation of signals within living cells. We have addressed this issue by directly comparing an anchored (taFS) to a non-anchored (naFS) cleavable FRET sensor. We chose a microtubule-associated protein tau as an anchor, as microtubules are abundant throughout the cytosol of cells. We show that tau-anchored FRET sensors are concentrated at the cytoskeleton and enriched in the neurite-like processes of cells, providing high intensity of the total signal. In addition, anchoring limits the diffusion of the sensor, enabling spatiotemporally resolved monitoring of subcellular variations in enzyme activity. Thus, anchoring is an important aspect to consider when designing FRET sensors for deeper understanding of cell signaling.
A Plasmonic Temperature-Sensing Structure Based on Dual Laterally Side-Coupled Hexagonal Cavities
Authors: Xie Yiyuan , Huang Yexiong , Xu Weihua , Zhao Weilun , He Chao
Published: May 2016

A plasmonic temperature-sensing structure, based on a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide with dual side-coupled hexagonal cavities, is proposed and numerically investigated by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in this paper. The numerical simulation results show that a resonance dip appears in the transmission spectrum. Moreover, the full width of half maximum (FWHM) of the resonance dip can be narrowed down, and the extinction ratio can reach a maximum value by tuning the coupling distance between the waveguide and two cavities. Based on a linear relationship between the resonance dip and environment temperature, the temperature-sensing characteristics are discussed. The temperature sensitivity is influenced by the side length and the coupling distance. Furthermore, for the first time, two concepts—optical spectrum interference (OSI) and misjudge rate (MR)—are introduced to study the temperature-sensing resolution based on spectral interrogation. This work has some significance in the design of nanoscale optical sensors with high temperature sensitivity and a high sensing resolution.
Ultra Wideband Indoor Positioning Technologies: Analysis and Recent Advances
Authors: Alarifi Abdulrahman , Al-Salman AbdulMalik , Alsaleh Mansour , Alnafessah Ahmad , Al-Hadhrami Suheer , Al-Ammar Mai , Al-Khalifa Hend
Published: May 2016

In recent years, indoor positioning has emerged as a critical function in many end-user applications; including military, civilian, disaster relief and peacekeeping missions. In comparison with outdoor environments, sensing location information in indoor environments requires a higher precision and is a more challenging task in part because various objects reflect and disperse signals. Ultra WideBand (UWB) is an emerging technology in the field of indoor positioning that has shown better performance compared to others. In order to set the stage for this work, we provide a survey of the state-of-the-art technologies in indoor positioning, followed by a detailed comparative analysis of UWB positioning technologies. We also provide an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to analyze the present state of UWB positioning technologies. While SWOT is not a quantitative approach, it helps in assessing the real status and in revealing the potential of UWB positioning to effectively address the indoor positioning problem. Unlike previous studies, this paper presents new taxonomies, reviews some major recent advances, and argues for further exploration by the research community of this challenging problem space.
Tools to Perform Local Dense 3D Reconstruction of Shallow Water Seabed
Authors: Avanthey Loïca , Beaudoin Laurent , Gademer Antoine , Roux Michel
Published: May 2016

Tasks such as distinguishing or identifying individual objects of interest require the production of dense local clouds at the scale of these individual objects of interest. Due to the physical and dynamic properties of an underwater environment, the usual dense matching algorithms must be rethought in order to be adaptive. These properties also imply that the scene must be observed at close range. Classic robotized acquisition systems are oversized for local studies in shallow water while the systematic acquisition of data is not guaranteed with divers. We address these two major issues through a multidisciplinary approach. To efficiently acquire on-demand stereoscopic pairs using simple logistics in small areas of shallow water, we devised an agile light-weight dedicated system which is easy to reproduce. To densely match two views in a reliable way, we devised a reconstruction algorithm that automatically accounts for the dynamics, variability and light absorption of the underwater environment. Field experiments in the Mediterranean Sea were used to assess the results.
Sustainable Production of Algal Biomass and Biofuels Using Swine Wastewater in North Carolina, US
Authors: Zhang Bo , Wang Lijun , Riddicka Bilal , Li Rui , Able Justin , Boakye-Boaten Nana , Shahbazi Abolghasem
Published: May 2016

Algae were recently considered as a promising third-generation biofuel feedstock due to their superior productivity, high oil content, and environmentally friendly nature. However, the sustainable production became the major constraint facing commercial development of algal biofuels. For this study, firstly, a factorial experimental design was used to analyze the effects of the process parameters including temperatures of 8–25 °C, light intensity of 150–900 μmol·m−2s−1, and light duration of 6–24 h on the biomass yields of local alga Chlamydomonas debaryana in swine wastewater. The results were fitted with a quadratic equation (R2 = 0.9706). The factors of temperature, light duration, the interaction of light intensity-light duration, and the quadratic effect of temperature were statistically significant. When evaluating different scenarios for the sustainable production of algal biomass and biofuels in North Carolina, US, it showed that: (a) Growing C. debaryana in a 10-acre pond on swine wastewater under local weather conditions would yield algal biomass of 113 tonnes/year; (b) If all swine wastewater generated in North Carolina was treated with algae, it will require 137–485 acres of ponds, yielding biomass of 5048–10,468 tonnes/year and algal oil of 1010–2094 tonnes/year. Annually, hundreds of tonnes of nitrogen and phosphorus could be removed from swine wastewater. The required area is mainly dependent on the growth rate of algal species.
Improving Freedom to Operate in Carrot Breeding through the Development of Eight Open Source Composite Populations of Carrot (Daucus carota L. var. sativus)
Authors: Luby Claire , Goldman Irwin
Published: May 2016

The intellectual property rights (IPR) landscape for plant germplasm has changed dramatically over the past 50 years, moving from the public domain into proprietary structures. Using carrot as a model crop, we explored the freedom to operate for plant breeding and research in relation to the diversity present in 140 commercially available cultivars in the United States. To determine freedom to operate, we characterized the phenotypic and genotypic diversity across cultivars and the IPR that were associated with each cultivar. With 87 of the 95 cultivars that were not restricted by IPR, we developed eight diverse composite populations of carrot through two cycles of breeding that are meant to encompass the available diversity in commercial germplasm. These populations are being released through the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI, www.osseeds.org). This is the first example of crop germplasm that has been collected, characterized, and bred specifically for entry into an open source commons.
Achieving a Carbon Neutral Society without Industry Contraction in the Five Major Steel Producing Countries
Authors: Choi Kyunsuk , Matsuura Hiroyuki , Lee Hyunjoung , Sohn Il
Published: May 2016

This study analyzed the direct and indirect CO2 emissions of the energy-intensive basic metals industry, in particular steels, using the distributions of various energy sources, including coal/peat, oil, and electricity, from an input–output table. An analysis of five major steel producing countries indicated that direct CO2 emissions increased 1.4-fold and that indirect CO2 emissions increased by more than two-fold between 1995 and 2010. The elasticity of the CO2 emissions and the total energy costs indicated that Korea, Japan, and Germany are sensitive to energy sources from the electric power industry, whereas China and the US are more sensitive to energy sources pertaining to the coal and oil industry. Using the available forest area and photosynthesis, the potential neutralization ability of CO2 was estimated using the eco-CO2 index. The US yielded the highest CO2 neutralization ability of 66.1%, whereas Korea yielded a CO2 neutralization ability of 15%. Future trends of the 2030 eco-CO2 index revealed China and Korea will rapidly lose their neutralization ability resulting in a net negative neutralization ability if left unabated. The significant decline in the eco-CO2 index for the basic metals industry may be inhibited by utilizing bamboo wood charcoal for pulverized coal injection (PCI) in the steelmaking process.
ADAM and ADAMTS Family Proteins and Snake Venom Metalloproteinases: A Structural Overview
Authors: Takeda Soichi
Published: May 2016

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) family proteins constitute a major class of membrane-anchored multidomain proteinases that are responsible for the shedding of cell-surface protein ectodomains, including the latent forms of growth factors, cytokines, receptors and other molecules. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are major components in most viper venoms. SVMPs are primarily responsible for hemorrhagic activity and may also interfere with the hemostatic system in envenomed animals. SVMPs are phylogenetically most closely related to ADAMs and, together with ADAMs and related ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) family proteinases, constitute adamalysins/reprolysins or the M12B clan (MEROPS database) of metalloproteinases. Although the catalytic domain structure is topologically similar to that of other metalloproteinases such as matrix metalloproteinases, the M12B proteinases have a modular structure with multiple non-catalytic ancillary domains that are not found in other proteinases. Notably, crystallographic studies revealed that, in addition to the conserved metalloproteinase domain, M12B members share a hallmark cysteine-rich domain designated as the “ADAM_CR” domain. Despite their name, ADAMTSs lack disintegrin-like structures and instead comprise two ADAM_CR domains. This review highlights the current state of our knowledge on the three-dimensional structures of M12B proteinases, focusing on their unique domains that may collaboratively participate in directing these proteinases to specific substrates.
Hydrological Evaluation of Lake Chad Basin Using Space Borne and Hydrological Model Observations
Authors: Buma Willibroad , Lee Sang-Il , Seo Jae
Published: May 2016

Sustainable water resource management requires the assessment of hydrological changes in response to climate fluctuations and anthropogenic activities in any given area. A quantitative estimation of water balance entities is important to understand the variations within a basin. Water resources in remote areas with little infrastructure and technological knowhow suffer from poor documentation, rendering water management difficult and unreliable. This study analyzes the changes in the hydrological behavior of the Lake Chad basin with extreme climatic and environmental conditions that hinder the collection of field observations. Total water storage (TWS) from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), lake level variations from satellite altimetry, and water fluxes and soil moisture from Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) were used to study the spatiotemporal variability of the hydrological parameters of the Lake Chad basin. The estimated TWS varies in a similar pattern as the lake water level. TWS in the basin area is governed by the lake’s surface water. The subsurface water volume changes were derived by combining the altimetric lake volume with the TWS over the drainage basin. The results were compared with groundwater outputs from WaterGAP Global Hydrology Model (WGHM), with both showing a somewhat similar pattern. These results could provide an insight to the availability of water resources in the Lake Chad basin for current and future management purposes.
L'Histoire et le pouvoir au XVIIIe siècles. Le discours politique provincial
Authors: Grevet René
Published: May 2016

Les pouvoirs provinciaux artésiens ont produit ou fait produire un discours historico-juridique et historiographique propre à alimenter une attitude patriotique. Il s'agissait pour eux de s'opposer aux tentatives d'uniformisation administrative de la monarchie. Cette résistance fut, selon les circonstances et les intérêts, plus ou moins vigoureuse, plus ou moins fictive.

L'attitude pour le moins ambiguë des oligarchies dirigeantes s'expliquait également par la nécessité de trouver auprès du pouvoir royal un appui pour freiner les ambitions impatientes d'un tiers état urbain trop souvent laissé pour compte dans la répartition des responsabilités échevinales. Par son contenu sémantique, le discours historico-patriotique des élites dirigeantes artésiennes a préparé les esprits à l'intégration provinciale dans l'espace français et à l'acceptation d'une souveraineté nationale et indivisible. D'autre part, assimilé à une défense des privilèges nobiliaires et ecclésiastiques, il a suscité en réaction l'adhésion de la bourgeoisie et d'une frange de la noblesse, à un patriotisme national.
De la citoyenneté proclamée à la citoyenneté appliquée : l'exercice du droit de vote dans le district d'Arras en 1790
Authors: Jessenne Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2016

The property-based electoral system ordered by the Constituent Assembly aims both at involving the citizen into responsibilities and the new socio-political order, and at restricting the access to actual responsibilities to those whose success qualifies as the most capable of managing public affairs.

The comparison of the list of active and eligible citizens, of the ballot reports, etc., shows that, in the district of Arras, about three quarters of the male citizens aged 25 and more qualify as active ; this global proportion conceals noticeable local variations but basically it is enough mto pursue a non-domestic activity to have a right to vote. On the other hand the eligibility income criterion, from the moment when it is more rigorously applied bars from the access to elective functions half the active citizens : its leaves aside, in particular, the majority of those who are economically dependent.

Beyond the legal definition of citizenship, the variation of participation in the many ballots of 1790 (high rural participation rate and urban abstention to municipal elections, neglect of the May 1790 primary assemblies mostly composed of eligible citizens), as well as the recruiting of the elected reveal a complex dynamics of commitment to or, on the contrary, of non-implication in the process of power devolution through voting. Earlier practices in matters of collective decision-making and the exercising of local power account, partly the problem of the stabilization of a regime which proclaims an equal right to citizenship for everybody but reserves the actual exercise of this right only to a minority.
L'école et la lecture dans le Pas-de-Calais entre 1880 et 1914
Authors: Desvignes Dominique
Published: May 2016

De jaarverslagen over de toestand van het lager onderwijs van de académie- inspecteur bestemd voor de Conseil général en het Bulletin de l'enseignement primaire waarin de inspecteurs van elke circonscriptie en de onderwijzers aan het woord kwamen, tonen de centrale plaats van het lezen in het concept van de republikeinse school opgebouwd door de overheil tussen 1880 en 1914. De lektuur ziet men als een essentiëel middel tot acculturatie en het pedagogisch middel bij uitstek in de grote onderneming van burgerlijke alfabetisering van de kinderen en van het onmondige volk in een département waarin de zich ontwikkelende republikeinse macht op een machtige cléricale partij stoot en op de opkomst van de socialistische beweging, een département waarin de lokale cultuur sterk blijft leven en waarin allerlei gevaarlijke drukwerken (als kranten) verspreid worden. De inspecteurs zetten de onderwijzers aan bibliotheken te openen, maar stellen ook met veel zorg de lijst van de toegelaten boeken op waarin moraal en onderwijs samengaan. Om ziel en geest op een hoger peil te brengen moet men niet alleen goede lektuur uitkiezen, maar ook een manier van lezen opdringen die de individuele en gevaarlijk geachte benadering voorkomt. De lektuur op school en door de school is wezenlijk arbeid (een aktiviteit die een inspanning vraagt) en een waarde. Het is een onderdeel van de opvoeding van een volk waarvan de band met de macht niet belangloos of fantaisistisch mag zijn. Dat is het symbolisch onderscheid tussen lager en hoger onderwijs.
La reconstruction d'Arras au lendemain de la Première Guerre mondiale
Authors: Bourgeois Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2016

In november 1918 werd Atrecht bevrijd van de Duitse dreiging : na vier jaar bombardementen was de stad, de draaischijf van het noordelijke front, voor 73% verwoest en verlaten dor de bevolking.

Reeds tijdens de oorlog had het stadsbetuur bijgestaan door een commissie met tien specialisten de grote lijnen van de heropstanding van de stad bepaald. De staat moest financieel instaan voor een snelle heropbouw wat niet uitsloot dat men de totale verwoesting van sommige wijken aangreep om die op een andere manier op te bouwen.

Het nieuwe stadsbestuur werd in december 1919 met dit programma verkozen, het ter rein werd voorbereid oor een actieve en invloedrijke vereniging «Association de Défense des Intérêts d' Arras et de son arrondissement». In 1926 was het grootste deel van de stad heropgebouwd. Men kon dan vaststellen dat het stadsbestuur wel grote inspanningen had geleverd als het opstellen van een plan van aanleg in 1923, in samenwerking met de staat, er toch niet in geslaagd was de heropbouw volledig onder contrôle te houden en dat die heropbouw minder vernieuwend was dan men wenste.
L'architecture civile à Saint-Omer au XIXe siècle
Authors: Dutboy Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2016

Gedurende de 19e eeuw blijft Sint-Omaars trouw aan het klassicisme dat reeds de vorige eeuw in zijn greep hield : zowel de openbare als private gebouwen zijn sober en streng.

De bouw van het stadhuis, een mooi gebouw van Lefranc (1834-1840) bracht de heraanleg van de omgeving mee als een bewonderenswaardig ensemble in neoklassieke stijl, die het uitgangspunt had kunnen zijn van een groots stadsdecor. Maar dat werd niet uitgevoerd en de zeer grote markt kreeg geen uniform uitzicht.

In geheel de stad werd veel gebouwd : belangrijke scholen, culturele gebouwen (Ecole des Beaux- Arts, concertzaal, theater, bibliotheek), maar ook de stadsaanleg werd niet verwaarloosd : oprichting of verfraaiing van monumentale fonteinen, bronzen standbeeld van de hertog van Orléans, park op de versterkingen van Vau- ban. In 1904 werd het station ingewijd, een grote en sterke kompositie in Klassieke stijl.
La Picardie existe-t-elle dans l'Antiquité ?
Authors: Cadoux Jean-Louis
Published: May 2016

Does Picardie Exist in Antiquity ?

Before the creation, in 1964, of a rather artificially delineated "Région Picardie", Picardie had never had a political existence of its own ; it was essensially based, and had been so since the Middle Ages, on linguistic differences. Yet, the Bellum Gallicum stresses the importance of a group called by Caesar the Belgium, composed of the Ambians, the Atrebates and the Bellovaques, together with some satellites. Several clues lead us to think that the Belgium was not only an ethnic, cultural and geographical group within the Gaule Belgique, but also a politically structured group, remote ancestor of a Picardie currently in the making. Caesar, indeed, insists on the specificity of the Belgians, depicted as warriors all the more frightening as they are closer to the Barbarians, more distant from the enervating effets of civilization : this cliché seems to conceal other realities, among which that of a force deriving from political cohesion around a nucleus, the Belgium.
Les élites urbaines et le pouvoir municipal : le "cas" de la bonne ville de Lille aux XIVe et XVe siècles.
Authors: Clauzel Denis
Published: May 2016

La société politique lilloise reste, en dépit de nombreux travaux, encore mal connue. L'historiographie locale a très souvent loué les vertus d'un régime communal "équilibré" qui aurait, ici, interdit la formation d'un patriciat, parfois aussi dénoncé les agissements de quelques parentèles qui auraient accaparé le pouvoir. Un retour aux sources et une "relecture" du droit municipal nous obligent à réviser ces idées reçues. Juridiquement, rien n'interdit l'installation durable aux postes clés de la cité des strates dirigeantes de la société urbaine. Une étude prosopographique exhaustive des gens de l'échevinage, menée sur près de deux siècles, portant sur 5 700 postes édilitaires dont les titulaires ont été repérés, vient étayer cette affirmation. 832 individus appartenant à 323 familles différentes exercent le pouvoir à Lille. De fait, celle-ci est gouvernée par une étroite oligarchie.

Certes, aux grands lignages solidement implantés, s'opposent des familles qui accèdent à des postes de responsabilité pendant deux ou trois générations avant de s'éclipser, puis les individus qui ne parviennent pas à s'imposer durablement. Mais l'impression qui l'emporte est celle d'une société politique cohérente. La pérennité du système social s'explique à la fois par la diversité des activités exercées par les membres de ces familles et par les liens de solidarité tissés entre elles. Ceci permet de comprendre le "calme" relatif dont la ville bénéficie à la fin du Moyen Age. Parler de "patriciat" — malgré les critiques formulées à rencontre de ce concept — ne semble aucunement excessif. Et ranger Lille dans le cortège des "bonnes villes" du royaume de France paraît s'imposer.
Les villes picardes, citadelles du catholicisme.
Authors: Carpi Olivia
Published: May 2016

De Picardische steden, burchten van het catholicisme.

In het laatste derde van de XVIde eeuw was Picardie een van de meest Ligagezinde provincies in het koninkrijk. Wat ging er schull achter dit vroeg, massief en duurzaam engagement ? Mag er dan al sprake zijn van een complexe motivering, dan weegt de goldsdienst toch het zwaarst door. Om inder daad het algemeen verzet in dejaren 1580-1590 te begrijpen moet men nagaan hoe heftig de Picardische steden zeer vroeg gestreden hebben tegen de inplanting van de Hervorming binnen hun muren. De verschillende middelen die zij daarvoor aanwendden, vooral sedert 1560, waren zeer efficient want het protestantisme ging in het volgende decennium achteruit. Rekening houdend met de moeilijkheden die het protestantisme moest overwinnen om in de provincie door te dringen ook in weerwil van de lokale adel die een niet te verwaariozen roi speelde, net als sommige bestuurders, valt het op dat de defensieve reactie wat buiten proportie was. Er was natuurlijk de gehechtheid van van de meeste burgers aan de "godsdienst van de voorouders", maar daarnaast nog andere meer specifieke redenen die de hardnekkigheid tegen de protestanten verklaren. Het gaat om twe zaken : veiligheid en autonomie. Deze steden die de grens bewaken vrezen het gevaar van de troepen van de Hugenoten, rebellen tegen de koning, en een eventuele uitbreiding van de door de protestanten geleide opstand in de Nederlanden. Anderzijds willen de gemeentelijke magistraten die sterk hechten aan de privilégies, de garantie van een autonoom bes-tur van de stad, zo weinig mogelijk tussenkomsten van Hugenotenleiders of van agenten van de koning in het bestuur naar aanleiding van een godsdienstoorlog. Zo zijn er, lang voor 1576 en a fortiori 1588, al veel essentiele voor- waarden voor de Liga aanwezig in Picardie.
Le Sillon dans le diocèse d'Amiens.
Authors: Chaline Nadine-Josette
Published: May 2016

The Sillon in the Amiens Diocese.

Picardie is concerned by the various movements that stir the Catholic world in the early years of the XXth century. That is how Marc Sangnier's movement, the Sillon, gets a foothold in the Amiens diocese. The Picardie Sillon benefits in its early days from the shelter of the one developing in the Nord department, under the leadership of Victor Diligent. From 1904 onwards, a Sillon group settles in the Picardie capital, rue des Trois-Cailloux, and a news bulletin, Entre nous, fosters links between the groups being created in Abbeville, Albert, Corbie, Languevoisin... Young Sillon militants from Picardie take part in the various national conventions and contribute to the spreading of Marc Sangnier's ideas.
Oublis et non-dits de l'histoire de la Grande Guerre.
Authors: Audoin-Rouzeau Stéphane
Published: May 2016

Vergeten en verdringen over de geschiedenis van de Grote Oorlog.

De cultuurgeschiedenis van de Grote Oorlog staat nog in zijn kinderschoenen omdat de historici maar traag het begrip "oorlogscultuur" onderzoeken, die geen gevolg van het conflict is maar zijn echte matrijs. De geschiedschrijving heeft lange tijd de voorkeur gegeven aan een aseptische versie an verschillende centrale aspecten rond het lichaam, het geweld, het lijden. De professionele historici hebben in de strijders alleen de oorlogservaring gezocht en zo de grondbeginselen van de geschiedenis verwaarloosd.
Calonne, Dunkerque et la mer.
Authors: Leroy Eric
Published: May 2016

Charles-Alexandre de Calonne, intendant de Flandre de 1778 à 1783, met en œuvre un projet de compagnie corsaire susceptible de troubler le commerce anglais dans la Manche. Après de brillants débuts, l'entreprise tourne court en 1780. Cela n'empêche pas le jeune intendant de Flandre de participer activement, en faveur de Dunkerque, à l'élaboration de la paix de Versailles en 1783.
L'aventure industrielle de l'entreprise "Baignol et Farjon".
Authors: Bigand Laurent
Published: May 2016

The Industrial Adventure of the "Baignol et Farjon" Firm.

The industrial adventure of "Baignol et Farjon" stretches from the middle of the XIXth century to the end of the 1970s. A company producing writing instruments, "Baignol et Farjon" mastered steel manufacturing, to design metal nibs, penholders, propelling pencils, woodworking, wood being the basic raw material for graphite pencils and crayons, and plastic moulding to shape ballpoint pens and nylon points. Whatever the material used, the indépendance of the company rested all along on four major pillars : continuity in management, with a family lineage stretching over five generations, diversification of the catalogue, a policy of quality products, and a constant production-to-distribution control.
The complete chloroplast genome of Capsicum frutescens (Solanaceae)
Authors: Shim Donghwan , Raveendar Sebastin , Lee Jung‐Ro , Lee Gi‐An , Ro Na‐Young , Jeon Young‐Ah , Cho Gyu‐Taek , Lee Ho‐Sun , Ma Kyung‐Ho , Chung Jong‐Wook
Published: May 2016

Premise of the study:

We report the complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of Capsicum frutescens (Solanaceae), a species of chili pepper.

Methods and Results:

Using an Illumina platform, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of C. frutescens. The total length of the genome is 156,817 bp, and the overall GC content is 37.7%. A pair of 25,792‐bp inverted repeats is separated by small (17,853 bp) and large (87,380 bp) single‐copy regions. The C. frutescens chloroplast genome encodes 132 unique genes, including 87 protein‐coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Of these, seven genes are duplicated in the inverted repeats and 12 genes contain one or two introns. Comparative analysis with the reference chloroplast genome revealed 125 simple sequence repeat motifs and 34 variants, mostly located in the noncoding regions.

Conclusions:

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. frutescens reported here is a valuable genetic resource for Capsicum species.
Verifying Data Migration Correctness: The Checksum Principle
Authors: Wei Bin , Chen Tennyson
Published: May 2016

Data migration, generally referred to as the process of reading data from their source and inserting them into a target database, is an important element of data extract, transform, and load (ETL) systems. During data migration, errors can occur during data transmission. These errors can directly affect the quality of the data in the target database. Therefore, verifying the correctness of the outcome is a critical component of a data migration operation. Current methods in data migration correctness verification have many limitations, including incompleteness and inaccuracy. This paper describes an innovative method that applies the well-proven checksum methodology to verify the correctness of the data migration outcome. This method performs a thorough and accurate verification on the correctness of the migrated data, mitigating most of the weaknesses associated with current verification methods. This method is also easy to implement and will greatly enhance the quality of data migration operations.