bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Solar Radiation Availability in Dry Climate Urban Environment Forested Areas, in Mendoza, Argentina
Authors: Arboit Mariela Edith , Betman E.
Published: December 2016

The study proposes determining the potential of solar collection in urban environments, considering urban building different morphological variables corresponding to representative urban settings in the Mendoza Metropolitan Area (AMM), Argentina. The methodology involves monitoring the global solar irradiance on the vertical plane in North facades, completely sunny and partly sunny, affected by solid masking and masking woodland.Results obtained so far indicate that solar masking is critical for vertical surfaces, with a reduction of the available solar energy between 2% and 66% in the winter season, depending on the type of trees and the building morphology. In the summer season, the measured solar masking values range from a maximum of 83% and a minimum of 10% influence of surface shaded by the neighboring buildings and trees. The results demonstrate the impact of the main variables that determine access to the sun in an urban environment (Urban Tree Canopy, Building Morphology, Building Height, Urban Street Width)The study will allow for future reform and progressive updating of urban and building codes to implement higher levels of energy efficiency for and minimum environmental impact by urban buildings, considering the principal urban building variables.
The Economic Evaluations and the Real Estate Appraisals for the Effectiveness, Feasibility and Sustainability of Urban Regeneration Measures
Authors: Calabró Francesco , Spina Lucia Della
Published: December 2016

The urban policies and territorial live a period of profound transformation, characterized by a shift to new approaches and governance tools. Public intervention implemented through programs active an application for assessment: beyond the explicit applications contained in the various intervention tools, the decision-making sphere, facing the loss of representativeness of organized politics and the growing complexity of the variables that influence the public choices has the absolute necessity of auxiliary tools that allow you to optimize the use of available resources and at the same time make the decision-making path shareable and transparent. Fewer resources always available, the importance of the time during transformation processes, the rational legitimacy of choices - pose a number of difficult problems to solve that lead to the need to experiment with new tools to support decision makers, from the early stage of planning or in the pre-design phase (Saaty, 1990; 2008).In this valuation context of compatible functional solutions, the Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodologies (Roy & Bouyssou, 1993), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in particular, play a significant role as they allow to be taken into account all the intrinsic values of the assets in question, both economic and extra-economic. The use of these methods can provide choices that are not always based on the best cost-benefit ratio (NesticÃ², Macchiaroli, & Pipolo, 2015).Â  As well as guaranteeing the presence and the clarification of different values, the formalisation of an evaluation process carried out in these terms, expression of the community needs, also allows the control and the correspondence between general and specific choices. Since the asset is of particular value, it is, however, necessary that the various criteria and weights taken on the basis of the evaluation are shared by the community or rather, by direct users and by potential or future users.
Cool Clay Tiles in Italian Residential Districts: Investigation of the Coupled Thermal-Energy and Environmental Effects
Authors: Pisello Anna Laura , Castaldo Veronica Lucia , Rossi Federico , Cotana Franco
Published: December 2016

Passive strategies for environmental sustainability and energy reduction in the construction industry are becoming increasingly important in, both, the scientific community and the industrial world. Particularly, cool roofs demonstrate acknowledged contribution in cooling energy saving and reducing urban overheating such as urban heat island. Additionally, high albedo strategy has shown promising benefits from a global perspective by counteracting global warming measured by means of CO2eq emission offset. In this view, the present research work combines experimental, numerical, and analytical analysis approaches to measure the impact on energy and the environment from the application of cool clay tiles over the roof of a residential buildings located in central Italy, consistently monitored since 2010. The purposeful investigation demonstrated a consistent CO2 emission compensation of more than 700 tons, 15% of which is produced by the passive cooling contribution of buildings and climate mitigation techniques. The work, therefore, indicated that local energy saving strategies must be combined with larger scale models for performing an exhaustive environmental analysis.
Coupling of Solar Reflective Cool Roofing Solutions with Sub-Surface Phase Change Materials (PCM) to Avoid Condensation and Biological Growth
Authors: Muscio Alberto
Published: December 2016

Cool roofs are effective solutions to counter the overheating of building roofs, inhabited spaces below and urban areas in which buildings are located thanks to their capability of reflecting solar radiation. Nonetheless, the relatively low surface temperatures that they induce can cause condensation of humidity and leave the surface wetted for large part of the day, thus promoting the growth of bacteria, algae and other biological fouling; this can cause a quick decay of the solar reflective performance. Biological growth is countered by surface treatments, which however may be toxic and forbidden in many countries and may also vanish quickly. It can also be countered by lowering the thermal emittance and thus decreasing heat transfer by infrared radiation to the sky and the consequent night undercooling, but this can decrease the performance of cool roofs. An alternative approach, which is analyzed in this work, is to embed in the first layer below the cool roof surface a phase change material (PCM) that absorbs heat during the daytime and then releases it in the nighttime. This can increase the minimum surface temperatures, thus reducing the occurrence humidity condensation and, with this, the biological growth. In this work, preliminary results on the coupling of a cool roof surface with a PCM sublayer are presented, being obtained by theoretical investigation on commercial materials and taking into account the time evolution pattern of the environmental conditions.
Challenges to the Multi-Functional Uses and Multifarious Benefits of Urban Green Spaces: Basis of Urban Biodiversity Planning and Management in the City of Manila, Philippines
Authors: Gonzales Leonora , Magnaye Dina
Published: December 2016

Urbanization is a global phenomenon which is projected by the United Nations to grow annually at 65 million between 2000 and 2030 in developing countries. As an archipelagic nation, the Philippines is considered as a highly urbanized nation where over three-fourths of its population is estimated to reside in urban areas, posting a proportion of one person residing in rural area for every three in urban area. The National Capital Region (NCR), the core region of the counry, registers a 100% urbanization level and where the most densely populated areas converged. It generally exhibits an urban population growth rate that exceeds the national growth rate. Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, is the second largest and the worldâ€™s most densely populated city given its small land area and huge human population. The concentration of people in this city and the urbanization processes are foreseen to create environmental stress leading to potential biodiversity losses coupled with other urban environmental occurrences such as flooding, air pollution, sea level rise, earthquake, subsidence, traffic congestion, water pollution, among others. These natural and man-made hazards pose challenge to the multi-functional uses and various benefits of urban green spaces (UGS). UGS play a significant role in enhancing the quality and resiliency of the environment as well as in improving the health and general well being of city dwellers. It is in this context that the challenges and opportunities of UGS are examined. The paper attempts to identify and determine the factors that influence UGS as basis for urban biodiversity planning and management.
FUNCTIONS OF SIGNS IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE IN THE URBAN SPACE OF THE BORDER CITY OF HEIHE (CHINA, HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE)
Authors:   Jiang Ying Heihe University, Ying Jiang , Shipanovskaja Ludmila M. ,   Ludmila M. Shipanovskaja  Amur State University
Published: December 2016

The article describes the function of signs in Russian, calling the city's facilities in the communicative space of the border city Heihe (China, Heilongjiang province). As a result of the analysis of our linguistic material the main functions of signs in Russian are defined: nominative, informative, advertising, and imaging as a variety of the latter. In the communicative space of a foreign city they are of great practical importance for the Russian people who are enabled to navigate it.
THE USES OF ORAL HISTORY IN CYPRUS AND BORNEO: MEMORY AND IDENTITY
Authors:   BRIEL HOLGER Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, HOLGER BRIEL
Published: December 2016

For thousands of years, borders and boundaries have sprung up all over the globe, have been violated, crossed, abolished and re-established. People(s) have moved within them and came from the outside and settled, continuously displacing already established communities and being displaced in turn. The current paper focuses upon people's memories concerning recent unsettlings in the Eastern Mediterranean. The data stem from two Oral History Projects conducted in Cyprus and Sarawak. During interviews life and language experience of borderline residents of different origins was shared. The interview samples turned out to demonstrate all the three different modes of oral history narratives each with certain linguistic peculiarities: the institutional, the communal and the personal, although the personal memory dominated. Reactions to interviewer questions and lexical units used in the interviews demonstrated different degree of willingness to speak about traumatic experience connected with borderline unrest. The interviews obtained can be widely used for further research in the fields of discourse analysis and corpus studies.
MONITORING AS A FORM OF ALTERNATIVE CONTROL IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Authors:   ANZHELIKA V. MATIENKO  North-West Institute of Management of the Russian Federation Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, MATIENKO ANZHELIKA V.
Published: December 2016

The present article aims at investigating the problem of individual assessment competence formation within the concept of cognitive-communicative control in foreign language learning. Implementation of this concept involves monitoring the results obtained in the testing process. This monitoring is carried out by students, it is based on their own test results and aims at monitoring the development of their own communicative competence, introspection over the use of testing strategies, implementation and subsequent analysis of test tasks; reflection of the carried out learning and testing activities to develop their own recommendations for its improvement. This monitoring is targeted at representing students' cognitive activity in dynamics, converting testing to the learning process and creating conditions for realizing their personal potential in learning and testing. The conclusions were confirmed by multidimensional statistical analysis.
THE USE OF HALLIDAYAN TRANSITIVITY TO ANALYZE THE DISCOURSE OF THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT AND COMMITMENT TO DESTROY ISIS: A CORPUS LINGUISTICS STUDY
Authors:   HAMDACHE ABDULMENEM Holy Spirit University, ABDULMENEM HAMDACHE
Published: December 2016

This study on the discourse of the U.S. State Department using Halliday’s transitivity theory aimed to find out to what extent the U.S. is committed to destroying ISIS. The U.S. State Department’s discourse on ISIS is compared with their action by analyzing the U.S. government’s speech regarding the terror group. ISIS has shocked the world with its atrocities and violence against mankind and civilization. The U.S. vowed to fight the terror group and defeat it, but ISIS seemed unfazed by airstrikes made by 60 nations, including Russia. These airstrikes have raised concerns for nations bordering ISIS, like Lebanon, about when this conflict will come to an end. This research used Hallidayan transitivity, in particular the clause as a representation, by looking into the six types of processes - material, existential, relational, behavioral, verbal, and mental - to see how the U.S.’s discourse progresses as war continues. It also studied power in the U.S. government’s speech at the micro and macro levels by Van Dijk and Fairclough...
Hipertensão sistêmica associada à doença renal crônica: Revisão de literatura
Authors: Nogueira Thaíssa Quintas , Poggiani Sabrina dos Santos Costa
Published: December 2016

Kidneys have several important functions for the maintenance of homeostasis of the organism, among them is the regulation of arterial blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease is the most common cause of high blood pressure, and hence of hypertension in dogs and cats. Due to this close relationship between blood pressure and renal function, this paper aims to discuss the association between hypertension and chronic kidney disease, addressing the pathophysiology of this disease, its complications and its diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.
Estudo descritivo da população rural canina da Vila Juerana, Distrito de Aritaguá, Município de Ilhéus-BA, 2012.
Authors: Harvey Tatiani Vitor , Campos Júnior Dunezeu Alves , Cardoso Taís Passos
Published: December 2016

In rural communities, dogs provide important and essential roles, such as hunters, companions and security. Often, dog owners lack sufficient knowledge of canine management or are indifferent to their dogs’ well-being resulting in the spread of diseases to human, animal and the surrounding environment. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was taken, in March 2012, in order to determine the canine population profile of Juerana Village, the socio-economic profile of the dog owners and evaluate and analyze whether owners are applying the principles of responsible dog care. The data revealed the dog-to-human ratio was 1:3,7, 53% were female dogs, 79% were young dogs, 71% were semi-restricted dogs, 71% of dogs access to interior of the family house, 45,1% of the household received minimum salary or less. The results indicate that the management of the dogs was inadequate and the need for Public Health Services to implement a dog population control program and zoonotic diseases prevention and control programs in this community.
Avaliação da qualidade de feno
Authors: Moreira Kíria Karolline Gomes , Guimarães Tiago Pereira , Lemos Barbara Juliana Martins , Souza Flávia Martins de , Ferreira Sergio Fernandes , Alves Verônica Auxiliadora
Published: December 2016

The production quality of conserved forages such as hay, is a basic and crucial role in animal production, allowing a management balanced with nutrient supply of good quality and greater stability throughout the year. The forage quality refers to the nutritive value of forage mass in interaction with the consumption made by the animal and the animal's performance potential, with good quality hay should provide a nutritional characteristic that distinguishes it from others. The use of plants with high nutritional value and characteristics suitable for hay is of key points in the production of quality hay. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review and discuss topics that address the assessment of quality of hay and its influence on animal performance.
Indução de hiper-reatividade ao estresse por separação materna em rato da linhagem Wistar
Authors: Barreto Gabriela Camila , Brito Steffanie Nunes Martins , Messias Karina Bianca , Augusto Ricardo Sgarbi , Martins Otávio Augusto
Published: December 2016

Maternal care in childhood is the main source of stimuli for the development, growth and protection of adaptive responses to stressors. The presence of maternal deprivation can break this protection early in life. We look with this study describing the development of the pups during the experiment of maternal separation. The pups of rats were isolated daily from the mother's care for three hours. The main result was that puppies who suffered maternal separation showed a lower growth compared with control pups. We can conclude that stress during childhood may influence the development and cause emotional pathophysiologies in the adult animal.
Suplementação protéico-energética de bovinos de corte durante a época das águas
Authors: Molina Patrícia Caires , Graça Décio Souza , Molina Lívio Ribeiro , Barbosa Fabiano Alvim , Borges Ana Luiza da Costa Cruz
Published: December 2016

The search for a proper supplementation strategy aims to maximize the intake and digestibility of forage dry adequate supply of nutrients to the nutritional requirement and consequently maximize animal performance. Supplementation during the rainy intended to increase the availability of energy and/or protein supply, improving the digestibility of forage and increase their consumption
Pulsed laser ultrasonic excitation and heterodyne detection for in situ process control in laser 3D manufacturing
Authors: Manzo Anthony J. , Helvajian Henry
Published: December 2016

An all optical, in situ, process control diagnostic is presented with applicability to additive manufacturing. The diagnostic combines laser ultrasonics with laser heterodyne spectroscopy to measure the local temperature in the heat affected zone. The technique is time resolved (ns resolution) and can be adapted to measuring the cooling rate at the process location. With this knowledge, it permits the development of a corrective action step if the heating/cooling properties are found to be outside acceptable bounds. Feasibility of the diagnostic is presented using solid metal coupons of aluminum, stainless steel, and copper.
Nursing students’ perceptions of their educational environment in the bachelor’s programs of the Shifa College of Nursing, Pakistan
Authors: Victor Gideon , Ishtiaq Muhammad , Parveen Subia
Published: December 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate nursing students’ perceptions of their educational environment in a private college. Perceptions were compared between genders and 2 bachelor’s programs. Methods: A total of 219 students participated in this study, drawn from the Generic Bachelor of Science in Nursing (GBSN) and the Post-Registered Nurse Bachelor of Science in Nursing (PRBSN) programs of the Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad, Pakistan. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure was utilized for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate total scores, as well as means and standard deviations, and the t-test was applied for comparisons according to program and gender. Results: The overall total mean score (119 of 200) is suggestive of more positive than negative perceptions of the educational environment. The mean score of 13 of 28 on the social self-perception subscale suggests that the social environment was felt to be ‘not a nice place.’ The t-test revealed more positive perceptions among students enrolled in the PRBSN program (P<0.0001) than among those enrolled in the GBSN program and more positive perceptions among female students than among male students (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Commonalities and differences were found in the perceptions of the nursing students. Both positive and negative perceptions were reported; the overall sense of a positive environment was present, but the social component requires immediate attention, along with other unsatisfactory components. Establishing a supportive environment conducive to competence-based learning would play an important role in bringing desirable changes to the educational environment.
A Robust Distributed Power Control Algorithm for Minimum Interference to Primary Users in Underlay Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Chen Lingling , Zhao Xiaohui , Sun Shubei , Lu Yueliang , Gong Xiaoyue , Gao Xingquan
Published: December 2016

A robust distributed optimal power control (RDPC) scheme under worst case condition is proposed to make primary users (PUs) receive minimum interference generated from all secondary users (SUs) in underlay cognitive radio networks (CRNs). The strategy considers the transmit power of each SU below the maximum allowable power of the devices and interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of each SU under the minimum threshold. Simulation illustrate thatthe RDPC can lead SUs to reduce the interference to PUs, and simultaneously the better meet quality of service (QoS) requirement of SUs in comparison with the distributed power control algorithm (DPC) and the traditional iterative water filling algorithm (IWFA) in time-varying channel environment.
Rail Track Irregularity Detection Method Based on Computer Vision and Gesture Analysis
Authors: Rong Jian , Song Shiyang , Dang Zhen , Shi Hongliang , Cao Yong
Published: December 2016

In this paper, rail track irregularity detection system based on computer vision and SVD analysis is proposed and located in the train's operator cabin near the front. Images are captured by FLEA3 camera of Point-Grey, and vibration signals are collected by sensor device MPU6050 integrating 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope. Root mean square of gray-scale threshold Pulse Coupled Neural Network (RMS-PCNN) is used for segmentation of the rail track's image in a single loop, and the improved coupled map lattice(CML) is used for filtering the image and signifying the rail track. After perspective, the track radius can be fetched by analysis of regression. Vibration signal filtered by SVD-unscented Kalman filter(UKF) can reflect the wagon movements. In unscented Kalman filter, Cholesky is replaced by SDV in UT(unscented transform), which can solve negative definite matrix caused by covariance matrix on account of calculation error and round-off error. Also numerical stability is improved under the guarantee of filtering accuracy and the same complexity level of algorithm based on SVD-UKF. Looking up the radius record table, the corresponding threshold in gyroscope signal can be selected, and Compared to the super elevation, the invisible irregularity defects of rail bed will be found out.
An Improved Method of Genetic Algorithm to Solve the Variable Speed Limit Problem with Constraint Conditions
Authors: Shui Yishui , Li Fang , Chen Yichen , Chen Wei
Published: December 2016

This paper analyses the genetic algorithm which is used to solve the problem of the variable speed limit ï¼ˆVSL). In order to ensure the safety of driving, the speed limit in the chromosome must meet the constraints in time and space. The past practice is to add a penalty function in the object function, but with the increase of the number of solutions in the chromosomes, the weight of the penalty function is difficult to determine, often leads to the bad results. In this paper, we design a method to generate the chromosomes which meet the constraints, and the chromosomes in crossover and mutation of the genetic algorithm still the meet the constraint conditions. By comparison, it is found that the method can converge faster than the penalty function method, and will generate an optimal solution under constraint conditions.
Design of Online Mine Safety Detection System Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Qian Zhao-ming , Yuan Yan-bin , Zhang Sa-sa , Ren Gao-feng
Published: December 2016

Safety production is a major problem faced by mining enterprises. In view of the requirements of mine safety production and the development of information technology, the application of Internet of Things technology to the mining process can not only improve the safety management technology of mine enterprises, The steady growth of the national economy and the sustainable and healthy development of mining have a profound impact. The on-line monitoring system of mining safety based on Internet of Things technology can help mine personnel, equipment and environment comprehensive management, enrich the mine safety production management means, and improve the ability of mine to resist various risks and disasters. In this paper, combined with the actual situation of the mine, focusing on the Internet of Things technology-based mine safety inspection and protection system construction of the necessity, and based on the three-tier architecture of the open architecture of the network, based on mine safety on-line detection support system Of the application model structure. For the construction of mine networking provides the experience and technology.
The Design and Realization of Cherry Tomato Harvesting Robot Based on IOT
Authors: Li Biqing , Ling Yongfa , Zhang Hongyan , Zheng Shiyong
Published: December 2016

To improve the efficiency of harvesting cherry tomato and reduce its breakage rate, we design a harvesting robot base on image recognition and modular control. After image acquisition with IOT technology, the binary processing and expansion and corrosion processing of original image can effectively increase the fruit recognition rate. In addition, the use of fuzzy control technology processes the response error of manipulator. We test the performance of cherry tomato harvesting robot through harvesting experiment. The experimental results show that the harvesting efficiency significantly improves and the degree of crushing cherry tomato greatly reduces after using the cherry tomato harvesting robot.
Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm Model Based on the Continuous Space
Authors: Huang Xuepeng
Published: December 2016

Ant colony algorithm is a heuristic algorithm which isã€€fit for solving complicated combination optimization.It showed great advantage on solving combinatorial optimization problem since it was proposed. The algorithm uses distributed parallel computing and positive feedback mechanism, and is easy to combine with other algorithms.This ant colony algorithm has already been widespread used in the field of discrete space optimization, however, is has been rarely used for continuous space optimization question.On the basis of basic ant colony algorithm principles and mathematical model, this paper proposes an ant colony algorithm for solving continuous space optimization question.Comparing with the ant colony algorithm, the new algorithm improves the algorithm in aspects of ant colony initialization, information density function, distribution algorithms, direction of ant colonymotion, and so on. The new algorithm uses multiple optimization strategy, such as polynomial time reduction and branching factor, and improves the ant colony algorithm effectively.
Formal Modeling Self-Adaptive Intelligent Service Component Based on Extenics
Authors: Fan R , Chen YF , Cao SC , Lei GB , Yue C
Published: December 2016

After thirty years, Extenics made great progress in innovation theory, formal method and real application. Through the formalized research for its logical cell basic-element, the information-knowledge-strategy formalized system, extension analysis methods, extension transformation methods and superiority evaluation methods are set up. We introduce Extenics theory to describe, analyze and evaluate self-adaptive nature, scope and extent about the intelligent service component. First, software entities are defined by basic-element, the intelligent service component is structured into basic-element net, which is analyzed, transformed and evaluated by method of combining qualitative with quantitative. Final, intelligent service component formal model is established.
Research on the Surface Fractal Characteristic of the Rock with Rockburst Proneness
Authors: Li Moxiao , Song Ying-hua , Zhang Guang , Chen Jing-xi
Published: December 2016

In order to strengthen the prediction of rockburst and inquire the relationship between the rockburst proneness of rock and its surface fractal characteristic, the surface fractal of the rock was studied by fractal method and uniaxial compression test. The change rules of surface fractal of different types of rock were compared by calculating its fractal dimension of rock before experiment and after experiment. Based on the prediction results, we found that the dimension after test is bigger than before test for four kinds of rocks. The rock with stronger rockburst proneness has more intense failure in the loading process and its crack morphology is more complex.
A Decision-making Method for Active Remanufacturing Time Based on Environmental and Economic Indicators
Authors: Xiang Qin , Zhang Hua , Jiang Zhi-gang , Zhu Shuo , Yan Wei
Published: December 2016

Optimal status and performance of the used parts can often make the difference between successful and unsuccessful remanufacturing for construction machinery. However, a used parts is remanufactured at an unreasonable time, there is a greater degree of resource waste and diseconomy. In this paper, a new method for determining the optimum active remanufacturing time is proposed, which considers both environmental and economic indicators. As an example, the life cycle assessment method was adopted for assessing the environmental impact of an oil cylinder over its entire service life, and an average annual cost model was established. Considering both the environmental index and the cost index, an optimization process was performed and the optimum active remanufacturing time for the oil cylinder was determined to be after 6.58 years of operation.
Multiple-View Active Learning for Environmental Sound Classification
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lv Danjv , Zhao Yili
Published: December 2016

Multi-view learning with multiple distinct feature sets is a rapid growing direction in machine learning with boosting the performance of supervised learning classification under the case of few labeled data. The paper proposes Multi-view Simple Disagreement Sampling (MV-SDS) and Multi-view Entropy Priority Sampling (MV-EPS) methods as the selecting samples strategies in active learning with multiple-view. For the given environmental sound data, the CELP features in 10 dimensions and the MFCC features in 13 dimensions are two views respectively. The experiments with a single view single classifier, SVML, MV-SDS and MV-EPS on the environmental sound extracted two of views, CELP & MFCC are carried out to illustrate the results of the proposed methods and their performances are compared under different percent training examples. The experimental results show that multi-view active learning can effectively improve the performance of classification for environmental sound data, and MV-EPS method outperforms the MV-SDS.
Can machine learning techniques predict customer dissatisfaction? A feasibility study for the automotive industry
Authors: Meinzer Stefan , Jensen Ulf , Thamm Alexander , Hornegger Joachim , Eskofier Björn M.
Published: December 2016

The automotive industry is in the strongest competition ever, as this sector gets disrupted by new arising competitors. Providing services to maximum customer satisfaction will be one of the most crucial competitive advantages in the future. Around 1 Terabyte of objective data is created every hour today. This volume will significantly grow in the future by the increasing numberof connected services within the automotive industry. However, customer satisfaction determination is solely based on subjective questionnaires today without taking the vast amount of objective sensor and service process data into account. This work presents an industrial application that fills this lack of research and thus provides a solution with a high practical impact to survive in the tough competition of the automotive industry. Therefore, the work addresses these fundamental business questions: 1) Candissatisfied customers be classified based on data that is produced during every service visit? 2) Can the dissatisfaction indicators be derived from service process data? A machine learning problem is set up that compared 5 classifiers and analyzed data from 19,008 real service visits from an automotive company. The 105 extracted features were drawn from the most significant available sources: warranty, diagnostic, dealer system and general vehicle data. The best result for customer dissatisfaction classification was 88.8% achieved with the SVM classifier (RBF kernel). Furthermore, the 46 most potential indicators for dissatisfaction were identified by the evolutionary feature selection. Our system was capable of classifying customer dissatisfaction solely based on the objective data that is generated by almost every service visit. As the amount of these data is continuously growing, we expect that the presented data-driven approach can achieve even better results in the future with a higher amount of data.
The Spine in Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Wallace Maegen J. , Kruse Richard W. , Shah Suken A.
Published: December 2016

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder of type I collagen. Although multiple genotypes and phenotypes are associated with osteogenesis imperfecta, approximately 90% of the mutations are in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. Osteogenesis imperfecta is characterized by bone fragility. Patients typically have multiple fractures or limb deformity; however, the spine can also be affected. Spinal manifestations include scoliosis, kyphosis, craniocervical junction abnormalities, and lumbosacral pathology. The incidence of lumbosacral spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis is higher in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta than in the general population. Use of diphosphonates has been found to decrease the rate of progression of scoliosis in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. A lateral cervical radiograph is recommended in patients with this condition before age 6 years for surveillance of craniocervical junction abnormalities, such as basilar impression. Intraoperative and anesthetic considerations in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta include challenges related to fracture risk, airway management, pulmonary function, and blood loss.
Joint Contractures Resulting From Prolonged Immobilization: Etiology, Prevention, and Management
Authors: Born Christopher T. , Gil Joseph A. , Goodman Avi D.
Published: December 2016

Patients who are immobilized for a prolonged period are at risk for developing joint contractures, which often affect functional outcomes. Nonsurgical interventions are useful for preventing joint contractures. However, once contractures develop, these interventions frequently fail to restore function over the long term. To increase the rehabilitation potential of an extremity with refractory function-limiting contractures, surgery is often required.
Application of the Theory of Mind, Theory of Executive Functions and Weak Central Coherence Theory to Individuals with ASD
Authors: Syriopoulou Delli Christine K. , Varveris Asimis , Geronta Alexandra
Published: December 2016

The present study examined the application of three cognitive theories—the Theory of Mind (ToM) deficit, the Theory of Executive Functions (EF) and Weak Central Coherence Theory (WCC)—in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). 9 children with ASD and 18 children of Typical Development (TD) participated in the study. According to the results, most of the children with ASD showed significant deficits in the development of ToM, while a few of them succeeded in all the ToM tests. With regard to EF theory, the children with ASD did not present a deficit in any of the four executive functions in which they were examined, since their performances were similar to those of TD children. As for the WCC theory, the results cannot support the existence of a deficit. However, it seems that children with ASD struggle in respect of global precedence when a local interference effect is present.
Thioesterase overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf increases the fatty acid flux into triacylgycerol
Authors: El Tahchy Anna , Reynolds Kyle B. , Petrie James R. , Singh Surinder P. , Vanhercke Thomas
Published: December 2016

Increasing the oil content of leafy biomass is emerging as a sustainable source of vegetable oil to meet global demand. Transient gene expression in leaf provides a reproducible platform to study the effect of transgenes on lipid biosynthesis. We first generated a transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana line containing high levels of triacylglycerol in the leaf tissue (31.4% by dry weight) by stably expressing WRI1, DGAT1 and OLEOSIN. We then used this line as a platform to test the effect of three Arabidopsis thaliana thioesterases (FATA1, FATA2 and FATB). Further increases in leaf oil content were observed with biochemical and lipid assays revealing an increase in the export of fatty acids from the chloroplast and a modification in the oil profile.
Geoengineering: A humanitarian concern
Authors: Suarez Pablo , van Aalst Maarten K.
Published: December 2016

The humanitarian sector is active at the global frontline of climate impacts, and has a track record in influencing the climate change policy agenda. Geoengineering is a humanitarian concern: the potential for deliberate large‐scale intervention in the Earth's climate system has major implications in terms of impacts on the most vulnerable. Yet, so far the humanitarian community has largely been absent from geoengineering deliberations. Geoengineering may be perceived as too theoretical, too complex, and not imminent enough to merit attention. However, early engagement by the sector is imperative to ensure that humanitarian considerations are integrated into policy decisions. Those who can suffer the worst outcomes need to be involved; especially given the plausibility of “predatory geoengineering” where recklessly self‐concerned actions may result in harmful consequences to others. This paper explores the humanitarian dimensions of geoengineering, specifically relating to solar radiation management (SRM). Drawing from the engagement of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in SRM discussions, we discuss how to improve linkages between science, policy and humanitarian practice. We further propose the creation of a geoengineering risk management framework to ensure that the interests of the most vulnerable are considered and addressed ‐ including the voices of all stakeholders.
Increasing net ecosystem biomass production of Canada's boreal and temperate forests despite decline in dry climates
Authors: Hember Robbie A. , Kurz Werner A. , Coops Nicholas C.
Published: December 2016

Repeated measurements of tree biomass at field plots describe recovery from disturbances, sampling artifacts, and potential effects of environmental change on forest ecosystems. Challenges in differentiating between intrinsic and extrinsic sources of variation, both in theory and in practice, continue to confound claims of an anthropogenic carbon sink in forest biomass. Here we analyzed observations at 10,307 plots across southern ecozones of Canada to investigate temporal trends in stand‐level biomass growth (G), biomass loss due to mortality (M), and net ecosystem biomass production (NEBP) of intact stands. Net extrinsic forcing (Fex) was expressed by the collective dependence of biomass fluxes on climate anomalies, nitrogen deposition (N), and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (C). Inferences drawn directly from linear mixed‐effects model coefficients only reflect the static behavior of the model specifically at field plot locations. We, therefore, defined a dynamic landscape‐scale net extrinsic forcing (Fex′), which additionally accounted for potential negative feedback responses to anthropogenic growth enhancement. Simulations were performed over 1501–2012 to estimateFex′. Overall,Fex′ was positive, suggesting that environmental changes drove a 90% increase in NEBP. The increase in NEBP was confined to wet regions, while the biomass sink in dry regions decreased, suggesting that large expanses of northern forests, historically located near the boundary between wet and dry climates, may be at high risk of decline under continued increases in evaporative demand. These results have important implications for the greenhouse gas balance of Canada's forest sector.
Profuse activity of blue electrical discharges at the tops of thunderstorms
Authors: Chanrion Olivier , Neubert Torsten , Mogensen Andreas , Yair Yoav , Stendel Martin , Singh Rajesh , Siingh Devendraa
Published: December 2016

Thunderstorm clouds may reach the lower stratosphere, affecting the exchange of greenhouse gases between the troposphere and stratosphere. This region of the atmosphere is difficult to access experimentally, and our knowledge of the processes taking place here is incomplete. We recently recorded color video footage of thunderstorms over the Bay of Bengal from the International Space Station. The observations show a multitude of blue, kilometer‐scale, discharges at the cloud top layer at ~18 km altitude and a pulsating blue discharge propagating into the stratosphere reaching ~40 km altitude. The emissions are related to the so‐called blue jets, blue starters, and possibly pixies. The observations are the first of their kind and give a new perspective on the electrical activity at the top of tropical thunderstorms; further, they underscore that thunderstorm discharges directly perturb the chemistry of the stratosphere with possible implications for the Earth's radiation balance.
A teleconnection between Atlantic sea surface temperature and eastern and central North Pacific tropical cyclones
Authors: Patricola Christina M. , Saravanan R. , Chang Ping
Published: December 2016

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a major source of seasonal tropical cyclone (TC) predictability in both local and remote ocean basins. Unusually warm eastern‐central equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) during El Niño tends to enhance eastern and central North Pacific (ECNP) TCs and suppress Atlantic TCs. Here we demonstrate that Atlantic SST variability likewise influences remote TC activity in the eastern‐central Pacific through a Walker Circulation‐type response analogous to the ENSO‐Atlantic TC teleconnection, using observations and 27 km resolution tropical channel model (TCM) simulations. Observed and simulated ECNP TC activity is reduced during the positive Atlantic Meridional Mode (AMM), which is characterized by warm northern and cool southern tropical Atlantic SST anomalies, and vice versa during the negative AMM. Large ensembles of TCM simulations indicate that SST variability, rather than internal atmospheric variability, drives extreme ECNP hurricane seasons.
A pipeline to link meteorological information and TGFs detected by AGILE
Authors: Ursi A. , Sanò P. , Casella D. , Marisaldi M. , Dietrich S. , Tavani M.
Published: December 2016

Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are brief (approximately hundreds of microseconds) intense gamma ray emissions coming from Earth's atmosphere (∼15 km above sea level), correlated with thunderstorms and atmospheric electric activity. Since their unexpected discovery in the early 1990s by the Burst And Transient Source Experiment/Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, TGFs have been further investigated by several satellites devoted to high‐energy astrophysics. The Astrorivelatore Gamma ad Immagini LEggero (AGILE) mission turned out to be particularly suitable to detect these events, due to a very wide energy range (up to 100 MeV), an optimized triggering system, and a unique low‐inclination near‐equatorial orbit (2.5°). We describe a detection system, developed for the AGILE satellite, whose aim is to provide real‐time meteorological information on each detected TGF. We take advantage of data acquired by geostationary satellites to promptly identify the associated storm and follow its evolution in space and time, in order to study its previous onset and development. Data from Low‐Earth Orbit meteorological satellites, such as the Global Precipitation Mission, as well as ground measurements from lightning detection networks, can be integrated in the pipeline. This system allows us a prompt characterization of the ground meteorological conditions at TGF time which will provide instrument‐independent trigger validation, fill in a database for subsequent statistical analysis, and eventually, on a longer term perspective, serve as a real‐time alert service open to the community.
Crustal structure of the southern Okinawa Trough: Symmetrical rifting, submarine volcano, and potential mantle accretion in the continental back‐arc basin
Authors: Arai Ryuta , Kodaira Shuichi , Yuka Kaiho , Takahashi Tsutomu , Miura Seiichi , Kaneda Yoshiyuki
Published: December 2016

Back‐arc basins are a primary target to understand lithospheric evolution in extension associated with plate subduction. Most of the currently active back‐arc basins formed in intraoceanic settings and host well‐developed spreading centers where seafloor spreading has occurred. However, rift structure at its initial stage, a key to understand how the continental lithosphere starts to break in a magma‐rich back‐arc setting, is poorly documented. Here we present seismological evidence for structure of the southern Okinawa Trough, an active rift zone behind the Ryukyu subduction zone. We find that the southern Okinawa Trough exhibits an almost symmetric rift system across the rift axis (Yaeyama Rift) and that the sedimentary layers are highly cut by inward dipping normal faults. The rift structure also accompanies a narrow (2–7 km wide) on‐axis intrusion resulted from passive upwelling of magma. On the other hand, an active submarine volcano is located ~10 km away from the rift axis. The P wave velocity (Vp) model derived from seismic refraction data suggests that the crust has been significantly thinned from the original ~25 km thick arc crust and the thinnest part with 12 km thickness occurs directly beneath the rift axis. The velocity model also reveals that there exists a thick layer with Vp of 6.5–7.2 km/s at lower crustal levels and may indicate that mantle materials accreted at the bottom of the crust during the crustal stretching. The abrupt crustal thinning and the velocity‐depth profile suggest that the southern Okinawa Trough is at a transitional stage from continental rifting to seafloor spreading.