bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tool to Assess Regional Public Transport Plans for Integrated Systems
Authors: Chowdhury Subeh , Hadas Yuval , Patel Muhammad
Published: December 2016

This study developed a tool that can be used by planners to assess the quality of their regional public transport plan and to produce a well-integrated system. The five attributes of integration—network integration, integrated timed transfer, integrated physical connection for transfers, information integration, and fare and ticketing integration—were adopted to develop a framework that illustrated the relationship between them. The tool was composed of the developed framework and a multicriterion decision-making approach; three steps were required to complete the assessment. In Step 1, each integration attribute was scored at an upper level and for each subattribute based on the information provided in the plan. Step 2 involved the analytical hierarchy approach, a multicriterion decision-making tool, to determine the weight of each attribute on the basis of its importance. The final step was to calculate the total weighted score of the plan. The novelty of the approach was the integration of a well-defined and easy-to-use framework with a systematic, hierarchical weighting model. Two case studies were undertaken to demonstrate the use of the tool: the regional plans of New Zealand’s two most metropolitan cities, Auckland and Wellington. The results demonstrate that the tool can be used to assess the quality of public transport plans for integration. The tool’s ability to indicate deficiencies can assist decision makers to improve their planning toward a better public transport system.
Demand-Responsive Pricing on the Cheap: Estimating Parking Occupancy with Meter Payment Data
Authors: Demisch Alex
Published: December 2016

The SFpark pilot by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in California was the first large-scale test of demand-responsive parking pricing in a major city. Several evaluations of the pilot showed that the project yielded substantial benefits. However, measuring parking occupancy is critical to implementing demand-responsive pricing. San Francisco relied on wireless in-ground parking sensors to measure parking occupancy for the SFpark pilot, but those sensors met the end of their useful lives and were deactivated. Parking sensors are still a nascent and costly technology that presents a great deal of risk to cities. Yet many cities, including San Francisco, are adopting new parking meters that make meter payment data widely available. Using sensor and meter data from the SFpark pilot, the agency developed a sensor-independent rate adjustment model that estimated parking occupancy by using meter payment data. Although not everyone pays the meter when they park, the model can reliably estimate occupancy to support demand-responsive pricing. This capability allows San Francisco to continue its SFpark program and lays the foundation for other cities to implement demand-responsive pricing and promote the benefits of better parking policy more widely.
Static Parking Choice Model with Consideration of Parking Duration
Authors: Sun Yanshuo , Fan Wenbo , Schonfeld Paul
Published: December 2016

This study extended existing parking equilibrium studies by analytically considering the impact of parking duration on both the demand and the supply sides. After comparisons with route choice equilibrium studies, the parking search function is modified and a user equilibrium model is proposed for general parking systems. Then a solution algorithm based on the method of successive averages is presented and it is noted that the equilibrium model can be equivalently converted into an optimization problem. Two numerical studies assuming simplified (fixed value) and realistic (random variable) parking durations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods. Sensitivity analyses and numerical comparisons are also conducted in which the thresholds of parking demand and parking duration are identified at the saturation point of parking facilities. In addition, numerical results show that the heterogeneity (in terms of value of time and parking duration) of travelers significantly influences their parking location choices; the result is higher turnover rates at parking lots with higher parking charges.
Effects of Parking Provision on Automobile Use in Cities: Inferring Causality
Authors: McCahill Christopher T. , Garrick Norman , Atkinson-Palombo Carol , Polinski Adam
Published: December 2016

Many cities include minimum parking requirements in their zoning codes and provide ample parking for public use. However, parking is costly to provide and encourages automobile use, according to many site-specific studies. At the city scale, higher automobile use is linked to traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and negative health and safety impacts, but there is a lack of compelling, consolidated evidence that large-scale parking increases cause automobile use to rise. In this study, the Bradford Hill criteria, adopted from the field of epidemiology, were applied to determine whether increases in parking should be considered a likely cause of citywide increases in automobile use. Prior research and original data from nine U.S. cities dating to 1960 were relied on. It was found that an increase in parking provision from 0.1 to 0.5 parking space per person was associated with an increase in automobile mode share of roughly 30 percentage points. It was also demonstrated that a majority of the Bradford Hill criteria could be satisfied by using the available data; this finding offers compelling evidence that parking provision is a cause of citywide automobile use. Given the costs associated with parking and its apparent effects on automobile use, these findings warrant policies to restrict and reduce parking capacity in cities.
Impacts of Incentive-Based Intervention on Peak Period Traffic
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Bhat Chandra R. , Pendyala Ram M. , You Daehyun , Ben-Elia Eran , Ettema Dick
Published: December 2016

Incentive-based travel demand management strategies are gaining increasing attention because they are generally considered more acceptable by the traveling public and policy makers. This study presented a detailed analysis and modeling effort aimed at understanding how incentives affected traveler choices by using data collected from a reward-based experiment conducted in 2006 in the Netherlands. The incentive-based scheme analyzed in this study included monetary rewards or credit toward obtaining a smartphone with a view to motivating commuters to change their choice of departure time out of the peak period or to shift their mode of travel. The mixed panel multinomial logit modeling approach adopted in this study was able to isolate the impacts of incentives on behavioral choices while accounting for variations in such impacts across socioeconomic groups that might have been due to unobserved individual preferences and constraints. The model also shed light on the effects of behavioral inertia, in which individuals were prone to continue their past behavior even when it was no longer optimal. Finally, the study offered insights on the extent to which behavioral changes persisted after termination of the incentive period. In general, it was found that incentives were effective in changing behavior and overcame inertial effects; however, individuals largely reverted to their original behavior when the rewards were eliminated. This finding suggests that incentives need to be provided for a sustained period to bring about lasting change.
Effect of planting method and weeding regime on the performance of transplant Aman rice
Authors: Azme NA , Hossain MD , Salam MA
Published: December 2016

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during July to December 2014 to evaluate the effect of planting method and weeding regime on the performance of transplant Aman rice. Two planting methods viz. line transplanting and haphazard transplanting and six weed control treatments viz. no weeding, one hand weeding at 21 DAT, two hand weeding at 21 and 42 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide Rifit 500 EC at 7 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide Rifit 500 EC at 7 DAT + one hand weeding at 42 DAT and weed free were used as experimental treatments with three replications in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Planting methods, weeding treatment and their interaction significantly influenced most of the crop characters and yield components of transplant Aman rice. The highest effective tillers hill-1 (9.30),grain panicle-1 (185.4), grain yield (3.89 t ha-1), straw yield (5.57 t ha-1), biological yield (9.54t ha-1) and harvest index (41.08) were obtained from line transplanting. Complete weed free treatment produced the highest total tillers hill-1 (12.37), effective tillers hill -1 (9.89), grain yield (4.11 tha-1) and biological yield (9.94 t ha-1).The highest total tillers hill-1(13.07), effective tillers hill -1(10.70), grain yield (4.50t ha-1) and biological yield (10.79 t ha-1) were obtained from line transplanting under weed free treatment. Results revealed that line transplanting with pre-emergence herbicide Rifit 500 EC at 7 DAT + one hand weeding at 42 DAT might be used to control weeds effectively and to get higher yield of transplant Aman rice.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 249-255, 2016
Effect of Hibiscus rosasinensis on the liver of Swiss albino mice: a histo-morphological investigation
Authors: Bhakta S , Das SK
Published: December 2016

Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for the thousands of years and a large number of drugs have been isolated from natural sources. Over 50% of all modern drugs are originated from natural sources. Hibiscus rosasinensis is also a very renowned flower having a vast use as a medicinal plant. Several studies have shown that the flower, leaf of this plant has a wide range of medicinal uses such as contraception, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-tumor, anti-diarrheic and anti-convulsent. But whether this plant affects the liver or not is still not investigated with proper care. For the sake of this purpose a research was conducted on the Swiss albino mice in the Bioresearch Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Histology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202. Twenty (20) mice (Avg. weight of 27-28 gm and avg. age of 6-7 weeks) were purchased from ICDDRB, Mahakhali, Dhaka and divided into two groups (control, C and Treated, T) each having 10 mice. During the experimental period, the control group was supplied with the normal mice pellet and plane water whereas, the powder of the Hibiscus rosasinensis @ 500 mg/ml with drinking water and the normal mice pellet was provided to the treated group. After the end of the experimental tenure of one month the mice were sacrificed ethically and sample (liver) was collected for the gross and histological analysis. Both in the gross and histology the histomorphology of the liver was similar without having any alteration from the normal. No remarkable changes of the gross and histological architecture were found. So it can be said that the extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis has no baleful effects on the histomorphology of the liver in Swiss Albino mice.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 296-300, 2016
Sweet gourd production under sandbar cropping practices: a case study in Sundorganj of Gaibandha District in Bangladesh
Authors: Nahar SL , Akteruzzaman M , Al-Amin AKMA
Published: December 2016

The present study analyzed the profitability of sweet gourd production under Sandbar Cropping Practice (SCP) and its impact on livelihood improvement of the farmers in Sundorgonj of Gaibandha district in Bangladesh. A total of 60 sweet gourd farmers were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Evidence showed that sweet gourd production under SCP was highly profitable and had a positive impact on livelihood improvement of farmers. Per hectare gross return of sweet gourd production for all sampled farmers was BDT 230506 and the net return was BDT 136391. The net return was the highest for small farmers and this was the lowest for large farmers. It was found that all kinds of livelihood assets of sampled farmers increased due to sweet gourd production under SCP. The availability of high quality HYV seeds was required to sustain sweet gourd production. The labour saving technology affordable by the farmers is suggested in addition to appropriate training facilities and sufficient extension services for the betterment of farmers.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 320-326, 2016
Factors affecting land allocation for maize cultivars in Lalmonirhat District of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam S , Kowsari MS , Chowdhury NY , Islam MM , Haque S
Published: December 2016

Maize is considered as the third most important cereal crop and has more versatile uses in Bangladesh. The study was undertaken to examine the profitability and technical efficiency of maize production as well as to determine the influence of various socio-economic features on farmers land allocation for maize farming in Bangladesh. In doing so, the study utilized the farm-level data collected by the field survey in Lalmonirhat district of Bangladesh. A total number of 60 farmers were selected by using stratified random sampling method among which 36, 20 and 4 farmers were selected under three strata, small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Data were analyzed using simple statistical techniques as well as OLS regression analysis. The comparative analysis among different strata of farmers by this study brought into being that large farmers received higher profit compared to the small and medium farmers. The other results of the study include that maize cultivation helped a lot in improving the nutritional status of the rural people; in creating employment opportunity for them and in increasing household income in the study area. The result of the OLS method suggests that factors like education level, neighbors influence, farm size and higher output price of maize have significant influence upon the choice of farmers land area allocation for maize cultivation in the study area. Based on the findings, this study recommends that proper initiatives must be undertaken by the responsible authority to ensure the efficient use of resources by the maize farmers.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 346-354, 2016
Experimental infection of Aeromonas hydrophila in pangasius
Authors: Sarker J , Faruk MAR
Published: December 2016

Experimental infections of Aeromonas hydrophila in juvenile pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) were studied. Five different challenge routes included intraperitoneal (IP) injection, intramuscular (IM) injection, oral administration, bath and agar implantation were used with different preparations of the bacteria to infect fish. The challenge experiments were continued for 15 days. A challenge dose of 4.6×106 colony forming unit (cfu) fish-1 was used for IP and IM injection and oral administration method. Generally, IP route was found more effective for infecting and reproducing clinical signs in fish that caused 100% mortality at the end of challenge. IM injection, oral and bath administration routes were also found effective for infecting and reproducing the clinical signs in fish to some extent. Agar implantation with fresh colonies of bacteria also caused 100% mortality of challenged fish very quickly with no visible clinical signs in fish. The major clinical signs of challenged fish included reddening around eyes and mouth, bilateral exophthalmia, hemorrhage and ulceration at fin bases and fin erosion.Progressive Agriculture 27 (3): 392-399, 2016
Editorial: A developing journal
Authors: Andersson Per
Published: December 2016

No abstract available.
The Effects of Allicin, a Reactive Sulfur Species from Garlic, on a Selection of Mammalian Cell Lines
Authors: Gruhlke Martin , Nicco Carole , Batteux Frederic , Slusarenko Alan
Published: December 2016

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used as a spice and medicinal plant since ancient times. Garlic produces the thiol-reactive defence substance, allicin, upon wounding. The effects of allicin on human lung epithelium carcinoma (A549), mouse fibroblast (3T3), human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), human colon carcinoma (HT29) and human breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines were tested. To estimate toxic effects of allicin, we used a standard MTT-test (methylthiazoltetrazolium) for cell viability and 3H-thymidine incorporation for cell proliferation. The glutathione pool was measured using monobromobimane and the formation of reactive species was identified using 2′,7′-dichlorofluoresceine-diacetate. The YO-PRO-1 iodide staining procedure was used to estimate apoptosis. Allicin reduced cell viability and cell proliferation in a concentration dependent manner. In the bimane test, it was observed that cells treated with allicin showed reduced fluorescence, suggesting glutathione oxidation. The cell lines tested differed in sensitivity to allicin in regard to viability, cell proliferation and glutathione oxidation. The 3T3 and MCF-7 cells showed a higher proportion of apoptosis compared to the other cell types. These data show that mammalian cell lines differ in their sensitivity and responses to allicin.
Reverse Circulation Drilling Method Based on a Supersonic Nozzle for Dust Control
Authors: Wu Dongyu , Yin Kun , Yin Qilei , Zhang Xinxin , Cheng Jingqing , Ge Dong , Zhang Pengfei
Published: December 2016

To reduce dust generated from drilling processes, a reverse circulation drilling method based on a supersonic nozzle is proposed. The suction performance is evaluated by the entrainment ratio. A series of preliminary laboratory experiments based on orthogonal experimental design were conducted to test the suction performance and reveal the main factors. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were conducted to thoroughly understand the interaction mechanism of the flows. The Schlieren technique was further carried out to reveal the flow characteristic of the nozzle. The results show that the supersonic nozzle can significantly improve the reverse circulation effect. A high entrainment ratio up to 0.76 was achieved, which implied strong suction performance. The CFD results agreed well with experimental data with a maximum difference of 17%. This work presents the great potential for supersonic nozzles and reverse circulation in dust control, which is significant to protect the envrionment and people’s health.
A Novel Method for Sensorless Speed Detection of Brushed DC Motors
Authors: Vazquez-Sanchez Ernesto , Sottile Joseph , Gomez-Gil Jaime
Published: December 2016

Many motor applications require accurate speed measurement. For brushed dc motors, speed can be measured with conventional observers or sensorless observers. Sensorless observers have the advantage of not requiring any external devices to be attached to the motor. Instead, voltage and/or current are measured and used to estimate the speed. The sensorless observers are usually divided into two groups: those based on the dynamic model, and those based on the ripple component. This paper proposes a method that measures the current of brushed dc motors and analyses the position of its spectral components. From these spectral components, the method estimates the motor speed. Three tests, performed each with the speeds ranging from 2000 to 3000 rpm either at constant-speed, at slowly changing speeds, or at rapidly changing speeds, showed that the average error was below 1 rpm and that the deviation error was below 1.5 rpm. The proposed method: (i) is a novel method that is not based on either the dynamic model or on the ripple component; (ii) requires only the measurement of the current for the speed estimation; (iii) can be used for brushed dc (direct current) motors with a large number of coils; and (iv) achieves a low error in the speed estimation.
Numerical Simulation of Multi-Crystalline Silicon Crystal Growth Using a Macro–Micro Coupled Method during the Directional Solidification Process
Authors: Lian Qingqing , Liu Weina , Li Ri , Yan Wenbo , Liu Caichi , Zhang Yingxin , Wang Longxuan , Chen Hongjian
Published: December 2016

In this work, the crystal growth of multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si) during the directional solidification process was studied using the cellular automaton method. The boundary heat transfer coefficient was adjusted to get a suitable temperature field and a high-quality mc-Si ingot. Under the conditions of top adiabatic and bottom constant heat flux, the shape of the crystal-melt interface changes from concave to convex with the decrease of the heat transfer coefficient on the side boundaries. In addition, the nuclei form at the bottom boundary while columnar crystals develop into silicon melt with amzigzag-faceted interface. The higher-energy silicon grains were merged into lower energy ones. In the end, the number of silicon grains decreases with the increase of crystal length.
Review of Laser-Generated Ultrasound Transmitters and Their Applications to All-Optical Ultrasound Transducers and Imaging
Authors: Chen Sung-Liang
Published: December 2016

Medical ultrasound is an imaging technique that utilizes ultrasonic signals as information carriers, and has wide applications such as seeing internal body structures, finding a source of a disease, and examining pregnant women. The most commonly used ultrasonic transducer today is based on piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric transducer, however, may have a limited bandwidth and insufficient sensitivity for reduced element size. Laser-generated ultrasound (LGUS) technique is an effective way to resolve these issues. The LGUS approach based on photoacoustic effect is able to greatly enhance the bandwidth of ultrasound signals and has the potential for high-resolution imaging. High-amplitude LGUS could also be used for therapy to accomplish high precision surgery without an incision. Furthermore, LGUS in conjunction with optical detection of ultrasound allows all-optical ultrasound imaging (i.e., ultrasound is generated and received optically). The all-optical platform offers unique advantages in providing high-resolution information and in facilitating the construction of miniature probes for endoscopic ultrasound. In this article, a detailed review of the recent development of various LGUS transmitters is presented. In addition, a recent research interest in all-optical ultrasound imaging, as well as its applications, is also discussed.
Implementation of a Motor Diagnosis System for Rotor Failure Using Genetic Algorithm and Fuzzy Classification
Authors: Kuo Cheng-Chien , Liu Chien-Hsun , Chang Hong-Chan , Lin Kuan-Jung
Published: December 2016

In this paper, the diagnosis of induction motor rotor failure with fuzzy theory and genetic algorithm is presented. The proposed method can evaluate the status of an operating motor. According to the measurement of electrical data, this research establishes the relationship of rotor failures with spectrum features. Through the learning of genetic algorithm, membership parameters can be adjusted to optimal positions. The simulation that combines fuzzy theory and a genetic algorithm has preferable diagnostic results for the rotor failures. The designed processes will be applied as a reference for building the diagnostic methods of other motor failures.
Autofluorescence Imaging and Spectroscopy of Human Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Mengyan , Long Feng , Tang Feng , Jing Yueyue , Wang Xinyi , Yao Longfang , Ma Jiong , Fei Yiyan , Chen Li , Wang Guifang , Mi Lan
Published: December 2016

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with high mortality rate worldwide. Autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy is a non-invasive, label-free, real-time technique for cancer detection. In this study, lung tissue sections excised from patients were detected by laser scan confocal microscopy and spectroscopy. The autofluorescence images demonstrated the cellular morphology and tissue structure, as well as the pathology of stained images. Based on the spectra study, it was found that the majority of the patients showed discriminating fluorescence in tumor tissues from normal tissues. Therefore, autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy may be a potential method for aiding the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Systematic Evaluation on Speckle Suppression Methods in Examination of Ultrasound Breast Images
Authors: Feng Xiangfei , Guo Xiaoyu , Huang Qinghua
Published: December 2016

Breast ultrasound is an important tool used in the medical treatment and diagnosis of breast tumor. However, noise defined as speckles are generated inevitably. Although the existence of speckle may be beneficial to diagnosis if used by a well-trained observer, it often causes disturbance which negatively affects clinical diagnosis, not only by reducing resolution and contrast of ultrasound images, but also by adding difficulties to recognize tumor region accurately. In this paper, we investigate a number of popular de-speckling algorithms, including filters based on frequency domain, filters based on local statistical properties, filters based on minimum mean square error (MMSE), and filters based on Partial Differential Equation (PDE). Two visual measurement evaluation criteria, i.e., Mean to Variance Ratio (VMR) and Laplace Response of Domain (LRD), are chosen for the performance comparison of those filters in the application of ultrasound breast image filtering. Moreover, the filtering effect is further evaluated with respect to the segmentation accuracy of tumor regions. According to the evaluation results, we conclude that Bilateral Filter (BF) achieves the best visual effect. Although Weickert J Diffusion (WJD) and Total Variation (TV) can also obtain good visual effect and segmentation accuracy, they are very time-consuming.
Reaction Mechanisms of CO2 Reduction to Formaldehyde Catalyzed by Hourglass Ru, Fe, and Os Complexes: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Dong Chunhua , Ji Mingsong , Yang Xinzheng , Yao Jiannian , Chen Hui
Published: December 2016

The reaction mechanisms for the reduction of carbon dioxide to formaldehyde catalyzed by bis(tricyclopentylphosphine) metal complexes, [RuH2(H2)(PCyp3)2] (1Ru), [FeH2(H2)(PCyp3)2] (1Fe) and [OsH4(PCyp3)2] (1Os), were studied computationally by using the density functional theory (DFT). 1Ru is a recently reported highly efficient catalyst for this reaction. 1Fe and 1Os are two analogues of 1Ru with the Ru atom replaced by Fe and Os, respectively. The total free energy barriers of the reactions catalyzed by 1Ru, 1Fe and 1Os are 24.2, 24.0 and 29.0 kcal/mol, respectively. With a barrier close to the experimentally observed Ru complex, the newly proposed iron complex is a potential low-cost catalyst for the reduction of carbon dioxide to formaldehyde under mild conditions. The electronic structures of intermediates and transition states in these reactions were analyzed by using the natural bond orbital theory.
Dehydrogenative Oxidation of Alcohols Catalyzed by Highly Dispersed Ruthenium Incorporated Titanium Oxide
Authors: Kim Youngyong , Ahn Seokhoon , Hwang Jun , Ko Doo-Hyun , Kwon Ki-Young
Published: December 2016

Ruthenium incorporated titanium oxides (RuxTiO2) were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method using Ti(SO4)2 and RuCl3 as the precursor of Ti and Ru, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and BET were applied for the analyses of catalysts. Ruthenium atoms are well dispersed in the anatase phase of TiO2 and the crystallite size of RuxTiO2 (≈17 nm) is smaller than that of pure TiO2 (≈45 nm). In particular, we found that our homemade pure TiO2 exhibits a strong Lewis acid property. Therefore, the cooperation of ruthenium atoms playing a role in the hydride elimination and the Lewis acid site of TiO2 can efficiently transfer primary alcohols into corresponding aldehydes in an oxidant-free condition.
Experimental Study of Particle Interactions in Moderate to Dense Granular Shear Flows of Disks
Authors: Dhakal Subodh
Published: December 2016

To find the status of multiple collisions in transitional granular flow, moderate to densely packed monosized plastic disks were sheared in experimental 2D shear flow apparatus by applying shear strain rate in the range of 14.8 s−1 to 34.6 s−1. Application of high speed video camera and subsequent image processing techniques precisely measure the spatial positions of the particles involved in making the flow. Collision detection and contact duration finding algorithms were formulated to detect inter particle collision in each time step. The proportion of binary and multiple collisions was quantified in each time step. It is found that the contribution of multi particle collision is 13% for the lowest normalized solid fraction ( ν * = 0.50) and 68% for the highest normalized solid fraction ( ν * = 0.85) under consideration. The inter particle collision time is also found greater than binary collision time in all the flows under consideration. The group size is determined for each time step as an additional length scale associated with multi-particle interactions. Number of groups was made of more than two particles in all the flows under consideration, and the amount of such groups increased on increasing the solid fraction irrespective of the shear rate. In the dense cases (solid fraction > 0.60), rapid increase in the group size and the formation of occasional force chains should be attributed for the change in the stress generation pattern.
Description of a Database Containing Wrist PPG Signals Recorded during Physical Exercise with Both Accelerometer and Gyroscope Measures of Motion
Authors: Jarchi Delaram , Casson Alexander
Published: December 2016

Wearable heart rate sensors such as those found in smartwatches are commonly based upon Photoplethysmography (PPG) which shines a light into the wrist and measures the amount of light reflected back. This method works well for stationary subjects, but in exercise situations, PPG signals are heavily corrupted by motion artifacts. The presence of these artifacts necessitates the creation of signal processing algorithms for removing the motion interference and allowing the true heart related information to be extracted from the PPG trace during exercise. Here, we describe a new publicly available database of PPG signals collected during exercise for the creation and validation of signal processing algorithms extracting heart rate and heart rate variability from PPG signals. PPG signals from the wrist are recorded together with chest electrocardiography (ECG) to allow a reference/comparison heart rate to be found, and the temporal alignment between the two signal sets is estimated from the signal timestamps. The new database differs from previously available public databases because it includes wrist PPG recorded during walking, running, easy bike riding and hard bike riding. It also provides estimates of the wrist movement recorded using a 3-axis low-noise accelerometer, a 3-axis wide-range accelerometer, and a 3-axis gyroscope. The inclusion of gyroscopic information allows, for the first time, separation of acceleration due to gravity and acceleration due to true motion of the sensor. The hypothesis is that the improved motion information provided could assist in the development of algorithms with better PPG motion artifact removal performance.
Entropy Generation in Magnetohydrodynamic Mixed Convection Flow over an Inclined Stretching Sheet
Authors: Afridi Muhammad , Qasim Muhammad , Khan Ilyas , Shafie Sharidan , Alshomrani Ali
Published: December 2016

This research focuses on entropy generation rate per unit volume in magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection boundary layer flow of a viscous fluid over an inclined stretching sheet. Analysis has been performed in the presence of viscous dissipation and non-isothermal boundary conditions. The governing boundary layer equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations by an appropriate similarity transformation. The transformed coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are then solved numerically by a shooting technique along with the Runge-Kutta method. Expressions for entropy generation (Ns) and Bejan number (Be) in the form of dimensionless variables are also obtained. Impact of various physical parameters on the quantities of interest is seen.
A Cloud Theory-Based Trust Computing Model in Social Networks
Authors: Liu Fengming , Zhu Xiaoqian , Hu Yuxi , Ren Lehua , Johnson Henric
Published: December 2016

How to develop a trust management model and then to efficiently control and manage nodes is an important issue in the scope of social network security. In this paper, a trust management model based on a cloud model is proposed. The cloud model uses a specific computation operator to achieve the transformation from qualitative concepts to quantitative computation. Additionally, this can also be used to effectively express the fuzziness, randomness and the relationship between them of the subjective trust. The node trust is divided into reputation trust and transaction trust. In addition, evaluation methods are designed, respectively. Firstly, the two-dimension trust cloud evaluation model is designed based on node’s comprehensive and trading experience to determine the reputation trust. The expected value reflects the average trust status of nodes. Then, entropy and hyper-entropy are used to describe the uncertainty of trust. Secondly, the calculation methods of the proposed direct transaction trust and the recommendation transaction trust involve comprehensively computation of the transaction trust of each node. Then, the choosing strategies were designed for node to trade based on trust cloud. Finally, the results of a simulation experiment in P2P network file sharing on an experimental platform directly reflect the objectivity, accuracy and robustness of the proposed model, and could also effectively identify the malicious or unreliable service nodes in the system. In addition, this can be used to promote the service reliability of the nodes with high credibility, by which the stability of the whole network is improved.
An Urban Cellular Automata Model for Simulating Dynamic States on a Local Scale
Authors: Partanen Jenni
Published: December 2016

In complex systems, flexibility and adaptability to changes are crucial to the systems’ dynamic stability and evolution. Such resilience requires that the system is able to respond to disturbances by self-organizing, which implies a certain level of entropy within the system. Dynamic states (static, cyclical/periodic, complex, and chaotic) reflect this generative capacity, and correlate with the level of entropy. For planning complex cities, we need to develop methods to guide such autonomous progress in an optimal manner. A classical apparatus, cellular automaton (CA), provides such a tool. Applications of CA help us to study temporal dynamics in self-organizing urban systems. By exploring the dynamic states of the model’s dynamics resulting from different border conditions it is possible to discover favorable set(s) of rules conductive to the self-organizing dynamics and enable the system’s recovery at the time of crises. Level of entropy is a relevant measurement for evaluation of these dynamic states. The 2-D urban cellular automaton model studied here is based on the microeconomic principle that similar urban activities are attracted to each other, especially in certain self-organizing areas, and that the local dynamics of these enclaves affect the dynamics of the urban region by channeling flows of information, goods and people. The results of the modeling experiment indicate that the border conditions have a major impact on the model’s dynamics generating various dynamic states of the system. Most importantly, it seemed that the model could simulate a favorable, complex dynamic state with medium entropy level which may refer to the continuous self-organization of the system. The model provides a tool for exploring and understanding the effects of boundary conditions in the planning process as various scenarios are tested: resulting dynamics of the system can be explored with such “planning rules” prior to decisions, helping to identify planning guidelines that will support the future evolution of these areas.
A Causal and Real-Time Capable Power Management Algorithm for Off-Highway Hybrid Propulsion Systems
Authors: Schalk Johannes , Aschemann Harald
Published: December 2016

Hybrid propulsion systems allow for a reduction of fuel consumption and pollutant emissions of future off-highway applications. A challenging aspect of a hybridization is the larger number of system components that further increases both the complexity and the diversification of such systems. Hence, beside a standardization on the hardware side for off-highway systems, a high flexibility and modularity of the control schemes is required to employ them in as many different applications as possible. In this paper, a causal optimization-based power management algorithm is introduced to control the power split between engine and electric machine in a hybrid powertrain. The algorithm optimizes the power split to achieve the maximum power supply efficiency and, thereby, considers the energy cost for maintaining the battery charge. Furthermore, the power management provides an optional function to control the battery state of charge in such a way that a target value is attained. In a simulation case study, the potential and the benefits of the proposed power management for the hybrid powertrain—aiming at a reduction of the fuel consumption of a DMU (diesel multiple unit train) operated on a representative track—will be shown.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Radiant Induction-Unit and the Induction Radiant Air-Conditioning System
Authors: Si Qiang , Zhang Xiaosong
Published: December 2016

In this paper we proposed the novel air-conditioning system which combined induction ventilation and radiant air-conditioning. The indoor terminal device is the radiant induction-unit (RIDU). The RIDU is the induction unit combined with the pore radiant panel on which the copper pipes with rigid aluminum diffusion fins are installed. The two-stage evaporator chiller with the non-azeotropic mixture refrigerant is utilized in the system to reduce the initial investment in equipment. With the performance test and the steady state heat transfer model based on the theory of radiative heat transfer, the relationship between the induction ratio of the RIDU and the characteristic of the air supply was studied. Based on this, it is verified that the RIDU has a lower dew-point temperature and better anti-condensation performance than a traditional plate-type radiant panel. The characteristics of the radiation and convection heat transfer of the RIDU were studied. The total heat exchange of the RIDU can be 16.5% greater than that of the traditional plate-type radiant terminal.
Balanced Current Control Strategy for Current Source Rectifier Stage of Indirect Matrix Converter under Unbalanced Grid Voltage Conditions
Authors: Bak Yeongsu , Lee June-Seok , Lee Kyo-Beum
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes a balanced current control strategy for the current source rectifier (CSR) stage of an indirect matrix converter (IMC) under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. If the three-phase grid connected to the voltage source inverter (VSI) of the IMC has unbalanced voltage conditions, it affects the currents of the CSR stage and VSI stage, and the currents are distorted. Above all, the distorted currents of the CSR stage cause instability in the overall system, which can affect the life span of the system. Therefore, in this paper, a control strategy for balanced currents in the CSR stage is proposed. To achieve balanced currents in the CSR stage, the VSI stage should receive DC power without ripple components from the CSR stage. This is implemented by controlling the currents in the VSI stage. Therefore, the proposed control strategy decouples the positive and negative phase-sequence components existing in the unbalanced voltages and currents of the VSI stage. Using the proposed control strategy under unbalanced grid voltage conditions, the stability and life span of the overall system can be improved. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by simulation and experimental results.
Multi-Agent System Fault Protection with Topology Identification in Microgrids
Authors: Ananda Stephanus , Gu Jyh-Cherng , Yang Ming-Ta , Wang Jing-Min , Chen Jun-Da , Chang Yung-Ruei , Lee Yih-Der , Chan Chen-Min , Hsu Chia-Hao
Published: December 2016

Data acquisition and supervisory control are usually performed using client-server architecture and centralized control in conventional power systems. However, the message transmission and fault clearing are too slow for large-scale complex power systems. Microgrid systems have various types of distributed energy resources (DERs) which are quite different in characteristics and capacities, thus, the client-server architecture and centralized control are inadequate to control and operate in microgrids. Based on MATLAB/Simulink (ver.R2012a) simulation software and Java Agent Development Framework (JADE) (JADE 4.1.1-revision 6532), this paper proposes a novel fault protection technology that used multi-agent system (MAS) to perform fault detection, fault isolation and service restoration in microgrids. A new topology identification method using the YBus Matrix Algorithm is presented to successfully recognize the network configurations. The identification technology can respond to microgrid variations. Furthermore, the interactive communications among intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), circuit breakers (CBs), and agents are clarified during fault occurrence. The simulation results show that the proposed MAS-based microgrids can promptly isolate faults and protect the system against faults in real time.
Bioenergy from Low-Intensity Agricultural Systems: An Energy Efficiency Analysis
Authors: Arodudu Oludunsin , Helming Katharina , Wiggering Hubert , Voinov Alexey
Published: December 2016

In light of possible future restrictions on the use of fossil fuel, due to climate change obligations and continuous depletion of global fossil fuel reserves, the search for alternative renewable energy sources is expected to be an issue of great concern for policy stakeholders. This study assessed the feasibility of bioenergy production under relatively low-intensity conservative, eco-agricultural settings (as opposed to those produced under high-intensity, fossil fuel based industrialized agriculture). Estimates of the net energy gain (NEG) and the energy return on energy invested (EROEI) obtained from a life cycle inventory of the energy inputs and outputs involved reveal that the energy efficiency of bioenergy produced in low-intensity eco-agricultural systems could be as much as much as 448.5–488.3 GJ·ha−1 of NEG and an EROEI of 5.4–5.9 for maize ethanol production systems, and as much as 155.0–283.9 GJ·ha−1 of NEG and an EROEI of 14.7–22.4 for maize biogas production systems. This is substantially higher than for industrialized agriculture with a NEG of 2.8–52.5 GJ·ha−1 and an EROEI of 1.2–1.7 for maize ethanol production systems, as well as a NEG of 59.3–188.7 GJ·ha−1 and an EROEI of 2.2–10.2 for maize biogas production systems. Bioenergy produced in low-intensity eco-agricultural systems could therefore be an important source of energy with immense net benefits for local and regional end-users, provided a more efficient use of the co-products is ensured.
Effects of Repeated Growing Season Prescribed Fire on the Structure and Composition of Pine–Hardwood Forests in the Southeastern Piedmont, USA
Authors: Reilly Matthew , Outcalt Kenneth , O’Brien Joseph , Wade Dale
Published: December 2016

We examined the effects of repeated growing season prescribed fire on the structure and composition of mixed pine–hardwood forests in the southeastern Piedmont region, Georgia, USA. Plots were burned two to four times over an eight-year period with low intensity surface fires during one of four six-week long periods from early April to mid-September. Density of saplings (0.25–11.6 cm diameter at breast height) was significantly reduced after one or two fires during the first four-year period. Sapling density declined with additional burning over the next four years, but density of mesic hardwoods including sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and red maple (Acer rubrum) remained relatively high (~865 stems ha−1). Repeated burning had little effect on density or basal area of trees (≥11.7 cm dbh) and changes in overstory structure were limited to small increases in the quadratic mean diameter of all trees and pines. We found little evidence to suggest differential effects on structure or composition due to timing of burn within the growing season. Although repeated growing season burning alters midstory structure and composition, burning alone is unlikely to result in immediate shifts in overstory composition or structure in mixed pine–hardwood forests of the southeastern Piedmont region.
Large Eddy Simulation of Pulsatile Flow through a Channel with Double Constriction
Authors: Molla Md. , Paul Manosh
Published: December 2016

Pulsatile flow in a 3D model of arterial double stenoses is investigated using a large eddy simulation (LES) technique. The computational domain that has been chosen is a simple channel with a biological-type stenosis formed eccentrically on the top wall. The pulsation was generated at the inlet using the first four harmonics of the Fourier series of the pressure pulse. The flow Reynolds numbers, which are typically suitable for a large human artery, are chosen in the present work. In LES, a top-hat spatial grid-filter is applied to the Navier–Stokes equations of motion to separate the large-scale flows from the sub-grid scale (SGS). The large-scale flows are then resolved fully while the unresolved SGS motions are modelled using a localized dynamic model. It is found that the narrowing of the channel causes the pulsatile flow to undergo a transition to a turbulent condition in the downstream region; as a consequence, a severe level of turbulent fluctuations is achieved in these zones. Transitions to turbulent of the pulsatile flow in the post stenosis are examined through the various numerical results, such as velocity, streamlines, wall pressure, shear stresses and root mean square turbulent fluctuations.
The Structure and Propagation of the Misaligned Jet M87
Authors: Hada Kazuhiro
Published: December 2016

Due to its proximity, M87 is a prime target for next-generation high-resolution VLBI at short millimeter wavelengths, by which the jet launching region and the black hole shadow are expected to be resolved and imaged sometime soon. Along with this situation, high-quality VLBI imaging and monitoring at lower frequencies play an important role in complementing the high-frequency data. Here, we present our recent and ongoing observational studies of the M87 jet on pc-to-subpc scales based on ultra-deep VLBI imaging programs at 86 GHz and 15 GHz. The high-dynamic-range images have allowed us to obtain some remarkably improved views on this jet. We also introduce the KVN and VERA Array (KaVA), a new regularly-operating VLBI network in East Asia, which is quite suitable for studying the structure and propagation of relativistic jets. Some early results from our pilot study for M87—including the detection of superluminal motions near the jet base—implying an efficient magnetic-to-kinetic conversion at these scales, are reported.