bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-Line Optimal Input Design Increases the Efficiency and Accuracy of the Modelling of an Inducible Synthetic Promoter
Authors: Bandiera Lucia , Hou Zhaozheng , Kothamachu Varun B. , Balsa-Canto Eva , Swain Peter S. , Menolascina Filippo
Published: September 2018

Synthetic biology seeks to design biological parts and circuits that implement new functions in cells. Major accomplishments have been reported in this field, yet predicting a priori the in vivo behaviour of synthetic gene circuits is major a challenge. Mathematical models offer a means to address this bottleneck. However, in biology, modelling is perceived as an expensive, time-consuming task. Indeed, the quality of predictions depends on the accuracy of parameters, which are traditionally inferred from poorly informative data. How much can parameter accuracy be improved by using model-based optimal experimental design (MBOED)? To tackle this question, we considered an inducible promoter in the yeast S. cerevisiae. Using in vivo data, we re-fit a dynamic model for this component and then compared the performance of standard (e.g., step inputs) and optimally designed experiments for parameter inference. We found that MBOED improves the quality of model calibration by ∼60%. Results further improve up to 84 % when considering on-line optimal experimental design (OED). Our in silico results suggest that MBOED provides a significant advantage in the identification of models of biological parts and should thus be integrated into their characterisation.
Episodic Sedimentary Evolution of an Alluvial Fan (Huangshui Catchment, NE Tibetan Plateau)
Authors: Gao Linman , Wang Xianyan , Yi Shuangwen , Vandenberghe Jef , Gibling Martin , Lu Huayu
Published: September 2018

Alluvial-fan successions record changes in hydrological processes and environments that may reflect tectonic activity, climate conditions and changes, intrinsic geomorphic changes, or combinations of these factors. Here, we focus on the evolution of a stream-dominated fan in a tectonic depression of the Xining basin of China, laid down under a semi-arid climate in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP). The fan succession is composed of three facies associations, from bottom to top: (1) matrix to clast-supported, poorly sorted, planar cross-stratified to crudely stratified sheets of coarse-grained sediments; (2) horizontal laminated sand, laminated layers of reddish fine silt and yellow coarse silt with stacked mounds of sand; and (3) clay-rich deposits with incipient paleosols. The succession shows rapid sediment aggradation from high-energy to low-energy alluvial fans and finally to a floodplain. The dating results using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method show that a gravelly, high-energy fan was deposited during MIS 6, after which a low-energy fan, mainly composed of sand and silt, was deposited and finally covered by flood loam during the MIS 6–5 transition and the warmer last interglacial. Stacked sand mounds are interpreted from their sediment structure and grain-size distribution as shrub-coppice dunes in low-energy fan deposits. They may be considered as a response to the interaction of alluvial and aeolian processes in a semi-arid environment.
Continuity and Discontinuity in 17th- and 18th-Century Ecclesiastical Silverworks from the Southern Andes
Authors: Nicklisch Andrea
Published: September 2018

This article deals with interpretations of images on silver ecclesiastical objects from the Southern Andes dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The silverworks communicate contents on a nonverbal level and are integrated into ritual acts in the context of church services; this facilitates associations with non-Christian beliefs. If the images are studied by means of a combination of various analytical levels, transcultural processes become apparent in the images on the objects studied, and meanings emerge that would not have been brought to light by simple image analysis. This applies particularly to the comparison with possible indigenous meanings of European images, which enables a much more comprehensive interpretation. Depending on the beholder, the images may be interpreted as expressing continuity, i.e., as representations of indigenous beliefs; as expressing discontinuity, i.e., as representations of Christian beliefs; or as the result of a transfer of meaning encompassing and combining both belief systems, thus enabling a new way of “reading” them. However, a transcultural process of regional relocation and use of cultural elements is not only visible in the images; it is also illustrated by the ecclesiastical silverworks in the Americas as such, given the European influence manifest in them.
Analyzing the Effect of Fluorescence Characteristics on Leaf Nitrogen Concentration Estimation
Authors: Yang Jian , Song Shalei , Du Lin , Shi Shuo , Gong Wei , Sun Jia , Chen Biwu
Published: September 2018

Leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) is a significant indicator of crops growth status, which is related to crop yield and photosynthetic efficiency. Laser-induced fluorescence is a promising technology for LNC estimation and has been widely used in remote sensing. The accuracy of LNC monitoring relies greatly on the selection of fluorescence characteristics and the number of fluorescence characteristics. It would be useful to analyze the performance of fluorescence intensity and ratio characteristics at different wavelengths for LNC estimation. In this study, the fluorescence spectra of paddy rice excited by different excitation light wavelengths (355 nm, 460 nm, and 556 nm) were acquired. The performance of the fluorescence intensity and fluorescence ratio of each band were analyzed in detail based on back-propagation neural network (BPNN) for LNC estimation. At 355 nm and 460 nm excitation wavelengths, the fluorescence characteristics related to LNC were mainly located in the far-red region, and at 556 nm excitation wavelength, the red region being an optimal band. Additionally, the effect of the number of fluorescence characteristics on the accuracy of LNC estimation was analyzed by using principal component analysis combined with BPNN. Results demonstrate that at least two fluorescence spectral features should be selected in the red and far-red regions to estimate LNC and efficiently improve the accuracy of LNC estimation.
Mapping Individual Tree Species and Vitality along Urban Road Corridors with LiDAR and Imaging Sensors: Point Density versus View Perspective
Authors: Wu Jianwei , Yao Wei , Polewski Przemyslaw
Published: September 2018

To meet a growing demand for accurate high-fidelity vegetation cover mapping in urban areas toward biodiversity conservation and assessing the impact of climate change, this paper proposes a complete approach to species and vitality classification at single tree level by synergistic use of multimodality 3D remote sensing data. So far, airborne laser scanning system(ALS or airborne LiDAR) has shown promising results in tree cover mapping for urban areas. This paper analyzes the potential of mobile laser scanning system/mobile mapping system (MLS/MMS)-based methods for recognition of urban plant species and characterization of growth conditions using ultra-dense LiDAR point clouds and provides an objective comparison with the ALS-based methods. Firstly, to solve the extremely intensive computational burden caused by the classification of ultra-dense MLS data, a new method for the semantic labeling of LiDAR data in the urban road environment is developed based on combining a conditional random field (CRF) for the context-based classification of 3D point clouds with shape priors. These priors encode geometric primitives found in the scene through sample consensus segmentation. Then, single trees are segmented from the labelled tree points using the 3D graph cuts algorithm. Multinomial logistic regression classifiers are used to determine the fine deciduous urban tree species of conversation concern and their growth vitality. Finally, the weight-of-evidence (WofE) based decision fusion method is applied to combine the probability outputs of classification results from the MLS and ALS data. The experiment results obtained in city road corridors demonstrated that point cloud data acquired from the airborne platform achieved even slightly better results in terms of tree detection rate, tree species and vitality classification accuracy, although the tree vitality distribution in the test site is less balanced compared to the species distribution. When combined with MLS data, overall accuracies of 78% and 74% for tree species and vitality classification can be achieved, which has improved by 5.7% and 4.64% respectively compared to the usage of airborne data only.
Target Tracking While Jamming by Airborne Radar for Low Probability of Detection
Authors: Wang Fei , Cong Xin-Bo , Shi Chen-Guang , Sellathurai Mathini
Published: September 2018

Although radiation power minimization is the most important method for an advanced stealth aircraft to achieve the low probability of detection (LPD) performance against the opposite passive detection system (PDS), it is not always effective when the performance of PDS is advanced. In a target tracking scenario, an interference tactic is proposed in this paper to keep the airborne radar in an LPD state. Firstly, this paper introduces the minimization radiation power design of airborne radar based on the distance between the radar and the target, and introduces the minimization radiation power design of the airborne jammer based on the predicted detection probability of the opposite PDS. Then, after consulting the most commonly used constant false alarm rate (CFAR) technologies in passive detection systems, including the cell average CFAR, the greatest of CFAR, the smallest of CFAR and the ordered statistic CFAR, this paper analyzes their relationships and points out the way of interference. Finally, based on the constraints, not only including the predicted detection probabilities of airborne radar and opposite PDS, respectively, but also including the time synchronization which is necessary to avoid the leaked interference power generated by airborne jammer jamming the airborne radar echoes from the target, this paper establishes a math model to minimize the total interference power of airborne jammer without interfering target tracking. Simulation results show that the proposed model is effective.
Energy-Effective Power Control Algorithm with Mobility Prediction for 5G Heterogeneous Cloud Radio Access Network
Authors: Park Hyebin , Lim Yujin
Published: September 2018

In 5G networks, heterogeneous cloud radio access network (H-CRAN) is considered a promising future architecture to minimize energy consumption and efficiently allocate resources. However, with the increase in the number of users, studies are performed to overcome the energy consumption problems. In this study, we propose a power control algorithm with mobility prediction to provide a high-energy efficiency for 5G H-CRAN. In particular, the proposed algorithm predicts UE mobility in vehicular mobility scenarios and performs remote radio head (RRH) switching operations based on % prediction results. We formulate an optimization problem to maximize the energy efficiency while satisfying the outage probability requirement. We then propose an RRH switching operation based on Markov mobility prediction and optimize the transmission power based on a gradient method. Simulation results demonstrate the improved energy efficiency compared with those of existing RRH switching-operation algorithms.
Development of a High-Sensitivity Optical Accelerometer for Low-Frequency Vibration Measurement
Authors: Li Rui-Jun , Lei Ying-Jun , Chang Zhen-Xin , Zhang Lian-Sheng , Fan Kuang-Chao
Published: September 2018

Low-frequency vibration is a harmful factor that affects the accuracy of micro/nano-measuring machines. Low-frequency vibration cannot be completely eliminated by passive control methods, such as the use of air-floating platforms. Therefore, low-frequency vibrations must be measured before being actively suppressed. In this study, the design of a low-cost high-sensitivity optical accelerometer is proposed. This optical accelerometer mainly comprises three components: a seismic mass, a leaf spring, and a sensing component based on a four-quadrant photodetector (QPD). When a vibration is detected, the seismic mass moves up and down due to the effect of inertia, and the leaf spring exhibits a corresponding elastic deformation, which is amplified by using an optical lever and measured by the QPD. Then, the acceleration can be calculated. The resonant frequencies and elastic coefficients of various seismic structures are simulated to attain the optimal detection of low-frequency, low-amplitude vibration. The accelerometer is calibrated using a homemade vibration calibration system, and the calibration experimental results demonstrate that the sensitivity of the optical accelerometer is 1.74 V (m·s−2)−1, the measurement range of the accelerometer is 0.003–7.29 m·s−2, and the operating frequencies range of 0.4–12 Hz. The standard deviation from ten measurements is under 7.9 × 10−4 m·s−2. The efficacy of the optical accelerometer in measuring low-frequency, low-amplitude dynamic responses is verified.
Characteristics and Temperature Compensation of Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) Alcohol Gas Sensors According to Incident Light Intensity
Authors: Hussain Humaira , Kim JinHo , Yi SeungHwan
Published: September 2018

This paper discusses the output characteristics of the sensor response of infrared ethanol gas detectors based on incident radiation intensity. Sensors placed at each focal point of two elliptical waveguides were fabricated to yield two module combinations and to verify the output characteristics. A thin Parylene-C film was deposited onto the reflector surfaces of one module. The thermal properties were compared between the sensor (2.0 Ø) and sensor with a hollow disk (1.6 Ø), the disk being mounted at the end of one detector. The fabricated sensor modules were placed inside a gas chamber. The temperature was increased from 253 K to 333 K, over the concentration range from 0 to 500 ppm. As the temperature increases by 10 K, the output of sensor (2.0 Ø) without and with Parylene-C coating typically increased by 70 mV and 52 mV, respectively. However, the sensor output with the hollow disk showed an average decrement of 0.8 mV/50 ppm and 1 mV/50 ppm for module without and with Parylene-C deposition, respectively. For concentrations higher than 50 ppm, the estimation error was around ±5%. Further, the sensitivity to temperature variation and the absorbance of infrared (IR) reflection was found higher for Parylene-C coated module.
Effectiveness of Sensors Contact Metallization (Ti, Au, and Ru) and Biofunctionalization for Escherichia coli Detection
Authors: Górska Sabina , Rydosz Artur , Brzozowska Ewa , Drab Marek , Wincza Krzysztof , Gamian Andrzej , Gruszczyński Sławomir
Published: September 2018

In designing a bacteria biosensor, various issues must be addressed: the specificity of bacteria recognition, the immobilization of biomolecules that act as the bacteria receptor, and the selectivity of sensor surface. The aim of this paper was to examine how the biofunctionalized surface of Ti, Au, and Ru metals reacts in contact with strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The focus on metal surfaces results from their future use as electrodes in high frequency biosensors, e.g., resonant circuits or transmission-line sections. First, the surfaces of different metals were chemically functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and glutaraldehyde or with 3-glycidylooxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) followed by N-(5-amino-1-carboxypentyl) iminodiacetic acid (AB-NTA) and NiCl2. Secondly, the lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), polyclonal anti-Escherichia coli antibody and bacteriophage protein gp37 were tested as bacteria receptors. The selectivity and specificity have been confirmed by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and visualized by scanning electron microscopy at low landing energies. We noticed that LBP, polyclonal antibody, and gp37 were successfully immobilized on all studied metals and recognized the E. coli bacteria selectively. However, for the antibody, the highest reactivity was observed when Ti surface was modified, whereas the bacteria binding was comparable between LBP and gp37 on the functionalized Ru surfaces, independent from modification. Thus, all surfaces were biocompatible within the scope of biosensor functionality, with titanium functionalization showing the best performance.
Compact Multilayer Yagi-Uda Based Antenna for IoT/5G Sensors
Authors: Ramos Amélia , Varum Tiago , Matos João N.
Published: September 2018

To increase the capacity and performance of communication systems, the new generation of mobile communications (5G) will use frequency bands in the mmWave region, where new challenges arise. These challenges can be partially overcome by using higher gain antennas, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), or beamforming techniques. Yagi-Uda antennas combine high gain with low cost and reduced size, and might result in compact and efficient antennas to be used in Internet of Thins (IoT) sensors. The design of a compact multilayer Yagi for IoT sensors is presented, operating at 24 GHz, and a comparative analysis with a planar printed version is shown. The stacked prototype reveals an improvement of the antenna’s main properties, achieving 10.9 dBi, 2 dBi more than the planar structure. In addition, the multilayer antenna shows larger bandwidth than the planar; 6.9 GHz compared with 4.42 GHz. The analysis conducted acknowledges the huge potential of these stacked structures for IoT applications, as an alternative to planar implementations.
Three-Dimensional High-Resolution Digital Inline Hologram Reconstruction with a Volumetric Deconvolution Method
Authors: Eom Junseong , Moon Sangjun
Published: September 2018

The digital in-line holographic microscope (DIHM) was developed for a 2D imaging technology and has recently been adapted to 3D imaging methods, providing new approaches to obtaining volumetric images with both a high resolution and wide field-of-view (FOV), which allows the physical limitations to be overcome. However, during the sectioning process of 3D image generation, the out-of-focus image of the object becomes a significant impediment to obtaining evident 3D features in the 2D sectioning plane of a thick biological sample. Based on phase retrieved high-resolution holographic imaging and a 3D deconvolution technique, we demonstrate that a high-resolution 3D volumetric image, which significantly reduces wave-front reconstruction and out-of-focus artifacts, can be achieved. The results show a 3D volumetric image that is more finely focused compared to a conventional 3D stacked image from 2D reconstructed images in relation to micron-size polystyrene beads, a whole blood smear, and a kidney tissue sample. We believe that this technology can be applicable for medical-grade images of smeared whole blood or an optically cleared tissue sample for mobile phytological microscopy and laser sectioning microscopy.
A Novel Type Room Temperature Surface Photovoltage Gas Sensor Device
Authors: Kwoka Monika , Borysiewicz Michal A. , Tomkiewicz Pawel , Piotrowska Anna , Szuber Jacek
Published: September 2018

In this paper a novel type of a highly sensitive gas sensor device based on the surface photovoltage effect is described. It is based on the Kelvin probe approach. Porous ZnO nanostructured thin films deposited by the direct current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering method are used as the active gas sensing electrode material. Crucially, the obtained gas sensing material exhibited a nanocoral surface morphology and surface Zn to O non-stoichiometry with respect to its bulk mass. Among other responses, the demonstrated SPV gas sensor device exhibits a high response to an NO2 concentration as low as 1 ppm, with a signal to noise ratio of about 50 and a fast response time of several seconds under room temperature conditions.
Analysis of High Sensitivity Photonic Crystal Fiber Sensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance of Refractive Indexes of Liquids
Authors: Yan Xin , Li Bin , Cheng Tonglei , Li Shuguang
Published: September 2018

A photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor based on gold nanowires able to detect changes in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was proposed and numerically investigated through the finite element method. To facilitate real-time detection, the analyte in this sensor was located outside the optical fiber. The effects of diameters of both air hole and gold wires on the sensing characteristics of the sensor were discussed. The sensor was designed to detect liquids with refractive indexes ranging between 1.33 and 1.36. The numerical simulations indicated that sensor structure improved its functionality. The maximum spectral sensitivity reached 9200 nm/RIU over the entire refractive index range. The average spectral sensitivity was estimated to be 5933 nm/RIU, and corresponded to a sensor resolution of 2.81 × 10−6 RIU. These findings look very promising for future use in detection of liquid.
High-Fidelity Inhomogeneous Ground Clutter Simulation of Airborne Phased Array PD Radar Aided by Digital Elevation Model and Digital Land Classification Data
Authors: Li Hai , Wang Jie , Fan Yi , Han Jungong
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a high-fidelity inhomogeneous ground clutter simulation method for airborne phased array Pulse Doppler (PD) radar aided by a digital elevation model (DEM) and digital land classification data (DLCD). The method starts by extracting the basic geographic information of the Earth’s surface scattering points from the DEM data, then reads the Earth’s surface classification codes of Earth’s surface scattering points according to the DLCD. After determining the landform types, different backscattering coefficient models are selected to calculate the backscattering coefficient of each Earth surface scattering point. Finally, the high-fidelity inhomogeneous ground clutter simulation of airborne phased array PD radar is realized based on the Ward model. The simulation results show that the classifications of landform types obtained by the proposed method are more abundant, and the ground clutter simulated by different backscattering coefficient models is more real and effective.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Bathymetry on the Nearshore Coastlines of Western Korea from Satellite Altimetry, Multi-Beam, and Airborne Bathymetric LiDAR
Authors: Yeu Yeon , Yee Jurng-Jae , Yun Hong Sik , Kim Kwang Bae
Published: September 2018

Bathymetric mapping is traditionally implemented using shipborne single-beam, multi-beam, and side-scan sonar sensors. Procuring bathymetric data near coastlines using shipborne sensors is difficult, however, this type of data is important for maritime safety, marine territory management, climate change monitoring, and disaster preparedness. In recent years, the bathymetric light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technique has been tried to get seamless geospatial data from land to submarine topography. This paper evaluated the accuracy of bathymetry generated near coastlines from satellite altimetry-derived gravity anomalies and multi-beam bathymetry using a tuning density contrast of 5000 kg/m3 determined by the gravity-geologic method. Comparing with the predicted bathymetry of using only multi-beam depth data, 78% root mean square error from both multi-beam and airborne bathymetric LiDAR was improved in shallow waters of nearshore coastlines of the western Korea. As a result, the satellite-derived bathymetry estimated from the multi-beam and the airborne bathymetric LiDAR was enhanced to the accuracy of about 0.2 m.
A Broadband Beamformer Suitable for UUV to Detect the Tones Radiated from Marine Vessels
Authors: Ma Shilong , Wang Yilin , Zou Nan , Liang Guolong
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the issue that the underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) with a sonar array achieves the passive detection of vessel targets by detecting the tones radiated from the targets is considered. The multi-beam low-frequency analysis and recording method is widely applied in a manned sonar system. The sonar operator provides an auxiliary decision to extract the target tones from the multiple beams output. However, the complexity of the multi-dimensional information fusion makes it difficult to apply the multi-beam processing in the unmanned sonar system. Aiming at this problem, we introduce the self-adjusting characteristics of adaptive line enhancer to a time domain broadband beamformer and then propose a self-steering broadband beamformer. The proposed beamformer can adaptively steer the main beam to the direction-of-arrival (DOA) of the tonal target. There is no need to pre-form the multiple beams. The complexity of the UUV-based tone detection is reduced. Theoretical derivation and simulation experiments verify that the main beam of the proposed beamformer can track the DOA of tonal target which is rapidly changing. Meanwhile, the tonal interferences as well as the wide-band noise are well suppressed.
Olive-Fruit Mass and Size Estimation Using Image Analysis and Feature Modeling
Authors: Ponce Juan Manuel , Aquino Arturo , Millán Borja , Andújar José Manuel
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a new methodology for the estimation of olive-fruit mass and size, characterized by its major and minor axis length, by using image analysis techniques. First, different sets of olives from the varieties Picual and Arbequina were photographed in the laboratory. An original algorithm based on mathematical morphology and statistical thresholding was developed for segmenting the acquired images. The estimation models for the three targeted features, specifically for each variety, were established by linearly correlating the information extracted from the segmentations to objective reference measurement. The performance of the models was evaluated on external validation sets, giving relative errors of 0.86% for the major axis, 0.09% for the minor axis and 0.78% for mass in the case of the Arbequina variety; analogously, relative errors of 0.03%, 0.29% and 2.39% were annotated for Picual. Additionally, global feature estimation models, applicable to both varieties, were also tried, providing comparable or even better performance than the variety-specific ones. Attending to the achieved accuracy, it can be concluded that the proposed method represents a first step in the development of a low-cost, automated and non-invasive system for olive-fruit characterization in industrial processing chains.
Comparison between Measured and Calculated Thermal Conductivities within Different Grain Size Classes and Their Related Depth Ranges
Authors: Bertermann David , Müller Johannes , Freitag Simon , Schwarz Hans
Published: September 2018

In the field of the efficiency of very shallow geothermal energy systems, there is still a significant need for research activity. To ensure the proper exploitation of this energy resource, the decisive geophysical parameters of soil must be well-known. Within this study, thermal conductivity, as a fundamental property for evaluating the geothermal potential of very shallow geothermal systems, was analyzed and measured with a TK04 device. A dataset, consisting of various geophysical parameters (thermal conductivity, bulk density, water content, and porosity) determined for a large range of different textural soil classes, was collated. In a new approach, the geophysical properties were visualized covering the complete grain size range. The comparison between the measured and calculated thermal conductivity values enabled an investigation with respect to the validity of the different Kersten equations. In the course of this comparison, the influence of effective bulk density was taken into account. In conclusion, both Kersten formulas should be used as recommended and regular bulk density corresponded better to the reference dataset representing the outcomes of the TK04 laboratory measurement. Another objective was to visualize the relation of thermal conductivities within their corresponding textural classes and the validity of Kersten formulas for various bulk densities, depths, and soils. As a result, the accessibility to information for expedient recommendations about the feasibility of very shallow geothermal systems will be improved. Easy, accessible know-how of the fundamentals is important for a growing renewable energy sector where very shallow geothermal installations can also cover heating and cooling demands.
Recommended Widths for Separated Bicycle Lanes Considering Abreast Riding and Overtaking
Authors: Yan Xingchen , Wang Tao , Ye Xiaofei , Chen Jun , Yang Zhen , Bai Hua
Published: September 2018

The paper aimed to develop width recommendations for separated bicycle lanes considering abreast riding and overtaking behaviors. We investigated eight segments of separated bicycle lanes in Nanjing with cameras, analyzed the major types of abreast riding and overtaking, and then explored the volume threshold for two-abreast riding as well as the suitable clearances in a comfortable overtaking, using a binomial logistic model for both. The main results and conclusions are as follows: (1) two-abreast riding and an electric bicycle passing a conventional bicycle were the main categories of abreast riding and overtaking, respectively. (2) The volume threshold at which two-abreast riding occurred was 1075 bicycles/h/m. (3) Distances of 0.48 m, 1.48 m, and 0.56 m were the suitable clearances for the distance from the center of the passed rider to the nearest curb, the distance center to the center of riders while overtaking, and the distance from the center of the passing rider to the nearest curb, respectively. (4) Below 1075 bicycles/h/m, a bicycle lane 2 m in width was acceptable; above that, 2.5 m was suggested as the minimum width of the bicycle lane.
The Main Agroecological Structure (MAS) of the Agroecosystems: Concept, Methodology and Applications
Authors: León-Sicard Tomás Enrique , Toro Calderón Javier , Martínez-Bernal Liven Fernando , Cleves-Leguízamo José Alejandro
Published: September 2018

This document presents the concept of the Main Agroecological Structure of agroecosystems (MAS) from the perspective of environmental thinking (ecosystem-culture relationships) and considered as a dissipative cultural structure. It discusses the possible applications of this concept (resilience, production, diversity) both inside and outside the farms. The potential MAS can be useful in the planning processes of the farms because it allows the quantification of the internal and external corridors, including natural vegetation. At the same time, it can be an important tool in the context of landscape management because it shows a series of cultural relations (economic, social, symbolic and technological) that are normally overlooked by the partial analysis of landscape ecology.
Feasibility of Eco-Friendly Binary and Ternary Blended Binders Made of Fly-Ash and Oil-Refinery Spent Catalyst in Ready-Mixed Concrete Production
Authors: Costa Carla , Marques José Carlos
Published: September 2018

Large-scale recycling of new industrial wastes or by-products in concrete has become a crucial issue for construction materials sustainability, with impact in the three pillars (environmental, social and economic), while still maintaining satisfactory, or improved, concrete performance. The main goal of the paper is to evaluate the technological feasibility of the partial, or total, replacement of fly-ashes (FA), widely used in ready-mixed concrete production, with spent equilibrium catalyst (ECat) from the oil-refinery industry. Three different concrete mixtures with binary binder blends of FA (33.3% by mass, used as reference) and of ECat (16.7% and 33.3%), as well as a concrete mixture with a ternary binder blend with FA and ECat (16.7%, of each) were tested regarding their mechanical properties and durability. Generically, in comparison with commercial concrete (i) 16.7% ECat binary blended concrete revealed improved mechanical strength and durability; (ii): ternary FA-ECat blended binder concrete presented similar properties; and (iii) 33% ECat binary blended concrete has a lower performance. The engineering performance of all ECat concretes meet both the international standards and the reference durability indicators available in the scientific literature. Thus, ECat can be a constant supply for ready-mixed eco-concretes production, promoting synergetic waste recycling across industries.
A Systematic Review of Smart Real Estate Technology: Drivers of, and Barriers to, the Use of Digital Disruptive Technologies and Online Platforms
Authors: Ullah Fahim , Sepasgozar Samad M. E. , Wang Changxin
Published: September 2018

Real estate needs to improve its adoption of disruptive technologies to move from traditional to smart real estate (SRE). This study reviews the adoption of disruptive technologies in real estate. It covers the applications of nine such technologies, hereby referred to as the Big9. These are: drones, the internet of things (IoT), clouds, software as a service (SaaS), big data, 3D scanning, wearable technologies, virtual and augmented realities (VR and AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The Big9 are examined in terms of their application to real estate and how they can furnish consumers with the kind of information that can avert regrets. The review is based on 213 published articles. The compiled results show the state of each technology’s practice and usage in real estate. This review also surveys dissemination mechanisms, including smartphone technology, websites and social media-based online platforms, as well as the core components of SRE: sustainability, innovative technology and user centredness. It identifies four key real estate stakeholders—consumers, agents and associations, government and regulatory authorities, and complementary industries—and their needs, such as buying or selling property, profits, taxes, business and/or other factors. Interactions between these stakeholders are highlighted, and the specific needs that various technologies address are tabulated in the form of a what, who and how analysis to highlight the impact that the technologies have on key stakeholders. Finally, stakeholder needs as identified in the previous steps are matched theoretically with six extensions of the traditionally accepted technology adoption model (TAM), paving the way for a smoother transition to technology-based benefits for consumers. The findings pertinent to the Big9 technologies in the form of opportunities, potential losses and exploitation levels (OPLEL) analyses highlight the potential utilisation of each technology for addressing consumers’ needs and minimizing their regrets. Additionally, the tabulated findings in the form of what, how and who links the Big9 technologies to core consumers’ needs and provides a list of resources needed to ensure proper information dissemination to the stakeholders. Such high-quality information can bridge the gap between real estate consumers and other stakeholders and raise the state of the industry to a level where its consumers have fewer or no regrets. The study, being the first to explore real estate technologies, is limited by the number of research publications on the SRE technologies that has been compensated through incorporation of online reports.
Factors Affecting Pricing in Patent Licensing Contracts in the Biopharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Lee Jeong Hee , Kim Eungdo , Sung Tae-Eung , Shin Kwangsoo
Published: September 2018

This paper analyzes factors affecting pricing in patent licensing contracts in the biopharmaceutical industry based on a dataset that includes royalty-related data such as running royalty rate, up-front payment, milestones, and deal value. Data on drug candidates for 11 drug classes is obtained for regression analysis between royalty-related data and multiple input descriptors such as market factors, licensor factors, and licensee factor in order to derive the formula for predicting royalty-related estimates such as royalty rate, up-front payment, milestones, and deal value. Data is gathered from multiple sources including MedTrack and is processed through merging and cleaning. We found that the three most important factors in pricing in patent licensing in the biopharmaceutical industry are CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate), PDELR (Previous Deal Experience of Licensor), and AR (Attrition Rate). We found that factors in the formula used to estimate the license fee are totally different by drug class. We found that the three most important factors in the frequency in the formula used to estimate the license fee are PDELR, RnDLR (R&D Costs of Licensor), and PDELE (Previous Deal Experience of Licensee). This study suggests a method of estimating the proper royalty rate, up-front payment, milestones, and deal value of the drug candidates of 11 drug classes by using easily obtained input data.
Social Franchising Model as a Scaling Strategy for ICT Reuse: A Case Study of an International Franchise
Authors: Zajko Katja , Bradač Hojnik Barbara
Published: September 2018

Reuse is a type of concept meant to solve environmental problems and can be implemented in different models. This study explores the social franchising model in the area of ICT reuse, relying on a case study of international social franchise and a comparative analysis of its three franchisees. The concept of the proposed social franchising model is based on a theoretical framework and a case study organization analysis, and has four developmental phases with nine identified key factors, which are essential to creating the necessary systematic approach for a successful outcome by creating both economic and social impact on a scale. This article contributes to the social entrepreneurship literature by analyzing success factors that have allowed our case study to operate as a highly successful franchise. The empirical part of the paper employs a case study of the organization to provide evidence of the existing model for social franchising in the reuse of ICT in Ireland, the U.S. and Slovenia. The paper concludes by revealing the social franchising model framework in the reuse of ICT.
Intertemporal Choice of Fuzzy Soft Sets
Authors: Alcantud José Carlos R. , Muñoz Torrecillas María José
Published: September 2018

This paper first merges two noteworthy aspects of choice. On the one hand, soft sets and fuzzy soft sets are popular models that have been largely applied to decision making problems, such as real estate valuation, medical diagnosis (glaucoma, prostate cancer, etc.), data mining, or international trade. They provide crisp or fuzzy parameterized descriptions of the universe of alternatives. On the other hand, in many decisions, costs and benefits occur at different points in time. This brings about intertemporal choices, which may involve an indefinitely large number of periods. However, the literature does not provide a model, let alone a solution, to the intertemporal problem when the alternatives are described by (fuzzy) parameterizations. In this paper, we propose a novel soft set inspired model that applies to the intertemporal framework, hence it fills an important gap in the development of fuzzy soft set theory. An algorithm allows the selection of the optimal option in intertemporal choice problems with an infinite time horizon. We illustrate its application with a numerical example involving alternative portfolios of projects that a public administration may undertake. This allows us to establish a pioneering intertemporal model of choice in the framework of extended fuzzy set theories.
The Genotoxicity of Caecal Water in Gilts Exposed to Low Doses of Zearalenone
Authors: Cieplińska Katarzyna , Gajęcka Magdalena , Nowak Adriana , Dąbrowski Michał , Zielonka Łukasz , Gajęcki Maciej T.
Published: September 2018

Zearalenone is a toxic low-molecular-weight molecule that is naturally produced by moulds on crops as a secondary metabolite. The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of caecal water collected successively from the caecal contents of gilts exposed to low doses (LOAEL, NOAEL, and MABEL) of zearalenone. The experiment was performed on 60 clinically healthy gilts with average BW of 14.5 ± 2 kg, divided into three experimental groups and a control group. Group ZEN5 were orally administered ZEN at 5 μg/kg BW, group ZEN10—10 μg ZEN/kg BW and group ZEN15—15 µg ZEN/kg BW. Five gilts from every group were euthanized on analytical dates 1, 2, and 3. Caecal water samples for in vitro analysis were collected from the ileocaecal region. The genotoxicity of caecal water was noted, particularly after date 1 in groups ZEN10 and ZEN15 with a decreasing trend. Electrophoresis revealed the presence of numerous comets without tails in groups C and ZEN5 and fewer comets with clearly expressed tails in groups ZEN10 and ZEN15. The distribution of LLC-PK1 cells ranged from 15% to 20% in groups C and ZEN5, and from 30% to 60% in groups ZEN10 and ZEN15. The analysis of caecal water genotoxicity during exposure to very low doses of ZEN revealed the presence of a counter response and a compensatory effect in gilts.
The Effect of Permethrin Resistance on Aedes aegypti Transcriptome Following Ingestion of Zika Virus Infected Blood
Authors: Zhao Liming , Alto Barry W. , Shin Dongyoung , Yu Fahong
Published: September 2018

Aedes aegypti (L.) is the primary vector of many emerging arboviruses. Insecticide resistance among mosquito populations is a consequence of the application of insecticides for mosquito control. We used RNA-sequencing to compare transcriptomes between permethrin resistant and susceptible strains of Florida Ae. aegypti in response to Zika virus infection. A total of 2459 transcripts were expressed at significantly different levels between resistant and susceptible Ae. aegypti. Gene ontology analysis placed these genes into seven categories of biological processes. The 863 transcripts were expressed at significantly different levels between the two mosquito strains (up/down regulated) more than 2-fold. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to validate the Zika-infection response. Our results suggested a highly overexpressed P450, with AAEL014617 and AAEL006798 as potential candidates for the molecular mechanism of permethrin resistance in Ae. aegypti. Our findings indicated that most detoxification enzymes and immune system enzymes altered their gene expression between the two strains of Ae. aegypti in response to Zika virus infection. Understanding the interactions of arboviruses with resistant mosquito vectors at the molecular level allows for the possible development of new approaches in mitigating arbovirus transmission. This information sheds light on Zika-induced changes in insecticide resistant Ae. aegypti with implications for mosquito control strategies.
The Influence of Groundwater on the Sliding and Deposition Behaviors of Cataclinal Slopes
Authors: Weng Cheng-Hsueh , Lin Ming-Lang , Lo Chia-Ming , Lin Hsi-Hung
Published: September 2018

In 2015, Typhoon Soudelor caused a number of slopes to collapse in Wulai District of New Taipei City. One of these landslides took place in the village of Zhongzhi and involved atypical cataclinal slope failure with a rock–soil interface. The remaining rock in the slope and the rock that originally covered it contained vertical joints, so groundwater could have flowed through the joints and influenced landslide behavior. However, few existing studies have examined the influence of upward groundwater flow on slope stability. To fill this gap, this study used physical tests and discrete element method software to conduct relevant investigations. We first conducted tests using the ground water flow and cataclinal slope simulator, in which water can flow out of holes in the platform to simulate upward-seeping groundwater. We used gypsum boards or rhombus-shaped grinding stones to simulate rock with vertical joints and round grinding stones mixed in paste to simulate cohesive regolith. The objective of the tests was to understand the influence of water flow on the landslide behavior of the specimens and the connections between movement behavior and the sequence of sliding between different materials during the landslide. We then reproduced the physical tests using discrete element method software PFC3D (Particle Flow Code 3D Version 4.0 by Itasca, Minneapolis, MN, USA) to display the influence of water flow on specimens, including the weakening of bond strength, decreasing coefficient of friction between particles, and the application of seepage force, as well as uplift and lateral forces caused by water pressure. This process gave us an understanding of the influence of different groundwater conditions on landslide behavior, which facilitates the study of landslide mechanisms and movement behavior. Finally, we applied the water flow influence settings to simulate and examine the Zhongzhi landslide process. Compared to methods that simply reduce the friction coefficients to trigger landslides, our numerical simulation was closer to reality in that in this case a rising water table triggered the landslide.
Cytogenetic studies in three octopods, Octopus minor, Amphioctopus fangsiao, and Cistopus chinensis from the coast of China
Authors: Wang Jin-hai , Zheng Xiao-dong
Published: September 2018

To provide markers to identify chromosomes in the genome of octopods, chromosomes of three octopus species were subjected to NOR/C-banding. In addition, we examined their genome size (Cvalue) to submit it to the Animal Genome Size Database. Silver staining revealed that the number of Ag-nucleoli was 2 (Octopusminor(Sasaki, 1920)), 2 (Amphioctopusfangsiao(d’Orbigny, 1839)) and 1 (CistopuschinensisZheng et al., 2012), respectively, and the number of Ag-nucleoli visible was the same as that of Ag-NORs on metaphase plates in the same species. In all analyzed metaphases, Ag-NORs were mainly located terminally on the long arms of chromosomes 3 (3rd) ofO.minorand on the short arms of chromosomes 4 (4th) ofA.fangsiao, whereas only one of the chromosomes 23 (23rd) was found Ag-NORs ofC.chinensis. C-bands were localized predominantly in the centromeric regions of chromosomes in the three species, while other conspicuous stable C-bands were observed in terminal regions, including the Ag-NORs. That means these three chromosome pairs (3rd, 4thand 23rd) could be considered species-specific cytogenetic markers. The meanCvalues ofO.minor,A.fangsiaoandC.chinensiswere 7.81±0.39 pg (0.070 pg per unit length), 8.31±0.18 pg (0.068 pg per unit length) and 5.29±0.10 pg (0.038 pg per unit length), respectively, and results showed thatCvalues of the three species were not proportional to the relative length of the chromosomes. These cytogenetic characteristics will provide more theoretical foundation for further researches on chromosome evolution in octopods.
Diferencias de género en la distribución del tiempo de trabajo en las regiones españolas
Authors: Altuzarra Artola Amaia , Gálvez Gálvez Catalina , González Flores Ana María
Published: September 2018

Este trabajo examina la relación entre los patrones de distribución del tiempo dedicado al trabajo remunerado y al doméstico de las parejas heterosexuales y las características socioeconómicas e institucionales de las regiones españolas. La hipótesis que contrastamos es que las regiones con un sistema institucional amplio de políticas sociales y familiares, mayor riqueza, nivel educativo y participación femenina en el mercado laboral, tienen una distribución del trabajo remunerado y doméstico entre géneros más igualitaria. Distinguimos, dentro del trabajo doméstico, entre el tiempo dedicado a las tareas del hogar y al cuidado de los niños. Los datos utilizados provienen de la última Encuesta de Empleo de Tiempo española (2009-2010). La metodología utilizada es el Análisis en Componentes Principales (ACP) y el Análisis Clúster. Los resultados permiten identificar cinco grupos de regiones o patrones de distribución del tiempo entre hombres y mujeres que se asocian con contextos socioeconómicos e institucionales diferentes