bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Assessments of Amazon Forest Structure and Biomass Using Small Unmanned Aerial Systems
Authors: Messinger Max , Asner Gregory , Silman Miles
Published: July 2016

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide new ways to measure forests and supplement expensive or labor-intensive inventory methods. Forest carbon, a key uncertainty in the global carbon cycle and also important for carbon conservation programs, is typically monitored using manned aircraft or extensive forest plot networks to estimate aboveground carbon density (ACD). Manned aircraft are only cost-effective when applied to large areas (>100,000 ha), while plot networks are most effective for total C stock estimation across large areas, not for quantifying spatially-explicit variation. We sought to develop an effective method for frequent and accurate ACD estimation at intermediate scales (100–100,000 ha) that would be sensitive to small-scale disturbance. Using small UAVs, we collected imagery of 516 ha of lowland forest in the Peruvian Amazon. We then used a structure-from-motion (SFM) approach to create a 3D model of forest canopy. Comparing SFM- and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived estimates of canopy height and ACD, we found that SFM estimates of top-of-canopy height (TCH) and ACD were highly correlated with previous LiDAR estimates (r = 0.86–0.93 and r = 0.73–0.94 for TCH and ACD, respectively, at 0.1–4 ha grain sizes), with r = 0.92 for ACD determination at the 1 ha scale, despite SFM and LiDAR measurements being separated by two years in a dynamic forest. SFM and LiDAR estimates of mean TCH and mean ACD were highly similar, differing by only 0.4% and 0.04%, respectively, within mature forest. The technique allows inexpensive, near-real-time monitoring of ACD for ecological studies, payment for ecosystem services (PES) ventures, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), forestry enterprises, and governance.
A GIS-Based Assessment of Vulnerability to Aeolian Desertification in the Source Areas of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers
Authors: Ren Xiaobin , Dong Zhibao , Hu Guangyin , Zhang Donghai , Li Qing
Published: July 2016

Aeolian desertification is a kind of land degradation that is characterized by aeolian activity, resulting from the responses of land ecosystems to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. The source areas of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers are typical regions of China’s Tibetan Plateau affected by aeolian desertification. We assessed the vulnerability of these areas to aeolian desertification by combining remote sensing with geographical information system technologies. We developed an assessment model with eight indicators, whose weights were determined by the analytical hierarchy process. Employing this model, we analyzed the spatial distribution of vulnerability to aeolian desertification and its changes from 2000 to 2010, and discuss the implications. Overall, low-vulnerability land was the most widespread, accounting for 64%, 62%, and 71% of the total study area in 2000, 2005, and 2010, respectively. The degree of vulnerability showed regional differences. In the source areas of the Yangtze River, land with high or very high vulnerability accounted for 17.4% of this sub-region in 2010, versus 2.6% in the source areas of the Yellow River. In the Zoige Basin, almost all of the land had very low to low vulnerability. To understand the change in vulnerability to aeolian desertification, we calculated an integrated vulnerability index (IVI). This analysis indicated that the vulnerability to aeolian desertification increased from 2000 to 2005 (IVI increased from 2.1709 to 2.2463), and decreased from 2005 to 2010 (IVI decreased from 2.2463 to 2.0057). Increasing regional temperatures appear to be primarily responsible for the change in vulnerability to aeolian desertification throughout the region. The effects of other factors (climatic variation and human activities) differed among the various sub-regions. The implementation of the ecological restoration project has achieved a noticeable effect since 2005. Our results provide empirical support for effort to protect the ecology of this ecologically fragile region.
Integrated Time and Phase Synchronization Strategy for a Multichannel Spaceborne-Stationary Bistatic SAR System
Authors: Hong Feng , Wang Robert , Zhang Zhimin , Lu Pingping , Balz Timo
Published: July 2016

The spatial separation of the transmitter and receiver in Bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (BiSAR) makes it a promising and useful supplement to a classical Monostatic SAR system (MonoSAR). This paper proposes a novel integrated time and phase synchronization strategy for a multichannel spaceborne-stationary BiSAR system. Firstly, the time synchronization strategy is proposed, which includes Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) generation under noisy conditions, multichannel calibration and the alignment of the recorded data with the orbital data. Furthermore, the phase synchronization strategy, which fully considers the deteriorative factors in the BiSAR configuration, is well studied. The contribution of the phase synchronization strategy includes two aspects: it not only compensates the phase error, but also improves the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the obtained signals. Specifically, all direct signals on different PRF time can be reconstructed with the shift and phase compensation operation using a reference signal. Besides, since the parameters of the reference signal can be estimated only once using the selected practical direct signal and a priori information, the processing complexity is well reduced. Final imaging results with and without compensation for real data are presented to validate the proposed synchronization strategy.
An Omnidirectional Polarization Detector Based on a Metamaterial Absorber
Authors: Zhang Binzhen , Zhang Yong , Duan Junping , Zhang Wendong , Wang Wanjun
Published: July 2016

The theory, design, simulation, fabrication, and performance of an omnidirectional polarization detector (PD) with two resonances located in the X and Ka ranges based on a metamaterial absorber (MMA) are presented in this paper. The sandwich structure of PD is composed of 0.1 μm periodic “I” shaped patches on the metasurface, a dielectric of 200 μm FR-4 on the interlayer, and a 0.3 μm copper film on the substrate. PD absorptivity is first used to reflect and describe the polarization of the incident wave. The numerical results, derived from the standard full wave finite integration technology (FIT) of CST 2015, indicates that the designed PD shows polarization sensitivity at all incidence angles. The effects on absorptivity produced by the incidence angles, polarization angles, and materials are investigated. The amplitude of absorptivity change caused by polarization reaches 99.802%. A laser ablation process is adopted to prepare the designed PD on a FR-4 board coated with copper on the double plane with a thickness that was 1/93 and 1/48 of wavelength at a resonance frequency of 16.055 GHz and 30.9 GHz, respectively. The sample test results verify the designed PD excellent detectability on the polarization of the incident waves. The proposed PD, which greatly enriches the applications of metamaterials in bolometers, thermal images, stealth materials, microstructure measurements, and electromagnetic devices, is easy to mass produce and market because of its strong detectability, ultrathin thickness, effective cost, and convenient process.
Wideband Fully-Programmable Dual-Mode CMOS Analogue Front-End for Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Valente Virgilio , Demosthenous Andreas
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a multi-channel dual-mode CMOS analogue front-end (AFE) for electrochemical and bioimpedance analysis. Current-mode and voltage-mode readouts, integrated on the same chip, can provide an adaptable platform to correlate single-cell biosensor studies with large-scale tissue or organ analysis for real-time cancer detection, imaging and characterization. The chip, implemented in a 180-nm CMOS technology, combines two current-readout (CR) channels and four voltage-readout (VR) channels suitable for both bipolar and tetrapolar electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Each VR channel occupies an area of 0.48 mm 2 , is capable of an operational bandwidth of 8 MHz and a linear gain in the range between −6 dB and 42 dB. The gain of the CR channel can be set to 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ or 100 kΩ and is capable of 80-dB dynamic range, with a very linear response for input currents between 10 nA and 100 μ A. Each CR channel occupies an area of 0.21 mm 2 . The chip consumes between 530 μ A and 690 μ A per channel and operates from a 1.8-V supply. The chip was used to measure the impedance of capacitive interdigitated electrodes in saline solution. Measurements show close matching with results obtained using a commercial impedance analyser. The chip will be part of a fully flexible and configurable fully-integrated dual-mode EIS system for impedance sensors and bioimpedance analysis.
A Social Wellbeing in Fisheries Tool (SWIFT) to Help Improve Fisheries Performance
Authors: Van Holt Tracy , Weisman Wendy , Johnson Jeffrey , Käll Sofia , Whalen Jack , Spear Braddock , Sousa Pedro
Published: July 2016

We report on a rapid and practical method to assess social dimensions of performance in small-scale and industrial fisheries globally (Social Wellbeing in Fisheries Tool (SWIFT)). SWIFT incorporates aspects of security (fairness and stability of earnings, benefits of employment to local fishing communities, worker protection, and personal safety and health in communities associated with fisheries); flexibility (including opportunity for economic advancement); and the fishery’s social viability (including whether the fishery is recruiting new harvesters and diverse age classes of workers, whether women’s participation and leadership in global production networks are on an upward trajectory.). We build on resilience research by conceptualizing wellbeing in terms of security, flexibility, and viability, and assessing wellbeing at individual, community, and system levels. SWIFT makes social performance measures more broadly accessible to global production networks, incorporates an everyday understanding of wellbeing for people involved in the seafood industry, and helps put social sustainability into measurable terms that are relevant for businesses.
Influence of Urbanization Factors on Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity: A Comparison of Countries at Different Developmental Phases
Authors: Cui Yaoping , Xu Xinliang , Dong Jinwei , Qin Yaochen
Published: July 2016

Urbanization is a global problem with demographic trends. The urban heat island plays a dominant role in local climate systems. Despite existing efforts to understand the impacts of multiple urbanization factors on the urban heat island globally, very little is known about the attribution of urban heat island magnitude to urbanization in different locations or developmental phases. In this study, based on global land surface temperature data, urban spatial domain data, gross domestic product (GDP), and population data, we analyzed the influence of multiple urbanization factors on global surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII). We also tentatively compared the abovementioned factors between different regions across the globe, especially between China and the USA, the largest countries that are experiencing or have experienced rapid urbanization in recent decades. The results showed that global SUHII had remarkable spatial heterogeneity due to the geographical and socioeconomic variation between cities. There was a significant correlation between SUHII and population as well as GDP in global cities. Moreover, this study suggested that the impacts of population on SUHII might be stronger in the early stages of urbanization, and the GDP factor would become a critical factor at a certain development level. The urban area also had non-ignorable impacts on SUHII, while the correlation between SUHII and urban shape was relatively weak. All these may imply that the best approach to slow down SUHII is to find other solutions, e.g., optimize the spatial configuration of urban internal landscapes, when the urbanization reaches a high level.
Low Carbon Urban Transitioning in Shenzhen: A Multi-Level Environmental Governance Perspective
Authors: Wu Zhanglan , Tang Jie , Wang Dong
Published: July 2016

As the world’s second largest economy, China ranks among the world’s top nations when it comes to carbon emission. Accordingly, its attitude towards climate change is closely followed by all parties concerned. There have been few studies on the role of environmental governance in the transformation process to low-carbon, especially Chinese ones. This study analyzes the impact of government environmental regulation on the low-carbon city transformation process by adopting Shenzhen as the research object. One of the world’s youngest super cities, Shenzhen also happens to be the city with the lowest carbon emission intensity in China. The multi-level governance framework is a useful mechanism with which to gauge divisions of responsibility and resources. This paper uses multilevel environmental governance to explain the policy for dealing with the climate in the city of Shenzhen. Striving to explore green low-carbon development path for the whole country, Shenzhen provides practical experience for countries to cope with global climate change.
Sustainable Digital Environments: What Major Challenges Is Humankind Facing?
Authors: Scholz Roland
Published: July 2016

This paper identifies and discusses the benefits, threats, and vulnerabilities related to the digital revolution. It aims to motivate research and its funding regarding digital threats and vulnerabilities related, in particular, to anticipating unintended, undesirable rebound effects, tipping points, critically fast evolutionary change rates, trade-offs, etc. A brief analysis of the history of the mind and technology reveals slow technological development over tens of thousands of years (including the invention of a place-value digital number system). Then, a small series of groundbreaking ideas (e.g., binary logic, Shannon’s symbolic analysis of relay and switching circuits, architectures of computing) enabled the industry-driven invention of programmable computing machines. Ultimately, the mastery of electron and semiconductor physics allowed for economical and seemingly unlimited storage capacity that made digital tools available to all domains of society. Based on the historical analysis, a coupled human-environment systems perspective (that includes a hierarchy assumption ranging from the human cell to the human species) enables the identification of several potential challenges to society and science. First, digital nano-engineering promotes genetic modifications (i.e., directed evolution), and synthetic biology enables a new level of the appropriation of nature. The understanding of cell-based biocomputers may call for new forms of logic. These and other challenges require thorough sustainability research in order to anticipate major changes on all levels of human systems. Second, the human individual is exposed to new forms of vulnerability. In particular, the potential epigenetic effects resulting from the excessive use of digital information of historically unknown speed, density, and contents and the loss of (the Western common-law right to) privacy resulting from big data (whose ownership is often unknown) should become subjects of research. Third, digital technologies are responsible for rapid changes in all social and economic structures. The paper suggests that thorough, discipline-based interdisciplinary research is needed in order to develop basic knowledge for creating and managing resilient relationships between human systems and their digital environments.
Determinants of Green ICT Adoption in Organizations: A Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Radu Laura-Diana
Published: July 2016

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are present in almost all fields of human activity. The expansion of their use should be balanced by the results of the studies on the negative effects on the environment. The relationship between these technologies and the environment is relatively new. The application of environmental criteria is commonly referred to as green ICT or green computing. Awareness of the importance of the ecosystem has led to increased interest in its protection both in production and in consumption. Green ICT should be a major concern not only for the hardware and software producers but also for the users. They could stimulate the demand for less harmful products for the environment with an essential role in the after-sales stages. Companies can contribute to this process by resource efficiency, dematerialization, and minimizing e-waste, increasing recycling, and producing fewer CO2 emissions. The decision to adopt green ICT depends on the expected benefits and investments. This decision depends on costs, competitiveness, financial support, managers and employees’ characteristics and skills, legal regulations, supply, and demand. The contributions of the paper cover identifying, analysing and classifying general and specific determinants of green ICT adoption in organizations based on the literature in this field.
Wind Power Development in China: An Assessment of Provincial Policies
Authors: Zhang Xiaogang , Wang Dong , Liu Yuanhao , Yi Hongtao
Published: July 2016

Wind energy has become a fast growing industry in China in the last decade. The development of the wind energy industry presents interesting policy questions. In the context of China, in additional to national energy policies, provincial policies were designed and implemented to stimulate the growth of wind power. This paper examines factors, especially provincial wind energy policies, in driving the growth of wind power capacity in the Chinese provinces. Statistical analysis with a longitudinal data set for wind power capacity in Chinese provinces from 2001 to 2012 reveals that the adoption of wind energy policies and a general energy plan at the provincial level are having positive effects on the growth of wind capacity in Chinese provinces.
Analysis of risk factors for elbow dysplasia in giant breed dogs
Authors: Nixon Britton , Baltzer Wendy , Nemanic Sarah
Published: July 2016

Objective: Identify radiographic risk factors for development of elbow dysplasia in giant breed dogs less than one year of age.

Methods: Twenty-five giant breed puppies (Bernese Mountain dogs, English Mastiff, and Newfoundland) were studied. Both elbows of each dog were radiographed monthly from two to six months of age, then every other month until radial and ulnar physeal closure, followed two months later by bilateral elbow computed tomography. Radiographic parameters measured included the presence or absence of a separate centre of ossification of the anconeal process (SCOAP), medial coronoid disease (MCD), ununited anconeal process, humeral osteochondrosis, elbow incongruity, as well as the length of the radius and ulna, radius-to-ulna ratio, and date of closure of the radial and ulnar physes.

Results: Fifteen dogs completed the study. Two Bernese Mountain dogs were diagnosed with MCD. Risk factors significantly associated with medial coronoid disease included dyssynchronous physeal closure and a decreased radius-to-ulna ratio, both detected between eight to 11 months of age. A separate centre of ossification of the anconeal process was present in 60% of the dogs, and was not a risk factor for development of elbow dysplasia.

Clinical significance: Transient, dyssynchronous growth of the radius and ulna may be a risk factor for development of MCD in Bernese Mountain dogs. Dyssynchronous physeal closure or decreased radius-to-ulna ratio prior to radiographic closure of the distal ulnar and radial physes warrants further study in Bernese Mountain dogs and other breeds subject to MCD development.
Surgical correction of bilateral metacarpophalangeal valgus with curved osteotomies and type II external skeletal fixation in a seven-month-old alpaca
Authors: Whitfield Chase , Rochat Mark , Streeter Robert , Sippel Kate , Schoonover Mike
Published: July 2016

Objective: To report the successful surgical correction of severe bilateral metacarpophalangeal valgus angular limb deformities in a seven-month-old intact male alpaca cria using curved osteotomies stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation.

Methods: Using a 21 mm crescentic shaped oscillating saw blade, bilateral osteotomies were performed in the distal metaphyses of the fused third and fourth metacarpal bones to correct valgus angular limb deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joints. Axial alignment of each limb was achieved by medially rotating the distal metacarpus in the frontal plane along the curved osteotomies. The osteotomies were stabilized using type II external skeletal fixators.

Results: The alpaca was immediately weight-bearing following the surgical procedure and no to minimal lameness was observed during healing of the osteotomies. Evaluation at five and 10 months following the surgery demonstrated acceptable axial alignment in the left forelimb while moderate to severe varus deformity (overcorrection) was observed in the right.

Clinical significance: Curved osteotomy of the distal metacarpus stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation can provide a favourable outcome in older alpaca crias affected with metacarpophalangeal angular limb deformities. Placement of the distal transfixation pins relative to the metacarpal physes should be carefully evaluated as over-correction is possible, especially if growth -potential remains in only one physis of the fused third and fourth metacarpal bones.
Control of IBMIR Induced by Fresh and Cryopreserved Hepatocytes by Low Molecular Weight Dextran Sulfate versus Heparin
Authors: Gustafson Elisabet , Asif Sana , Kozarcanin Huda , Elgue Graciela , Meurling Staffan , Ekdahl Kristina N. , Nilsson Bo
Published: July 2016

Rapid destruction of hepatocytes after hepatocyte transplantation has hampered the application of this procedure clinically. The instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) is a plausible underlying cause for this cell loss. The present study was designed to evaluate the capacity of low molecular weight dextran sulfate (LMW-DS) to control these initial reactions from the innate immune system. Fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes were tested in an in vitro whole-blood model using ABO-compatible blood. The ability to elicit IBMIR and the capacity of LMW-DS (100 μg/ml) to attenuate the degree of activation of the cascade systems were monitored. The effect was also compared to conventional anticoagulant therapy using unfractionated heparin (1 IU/ml). Both fresh and freeze–thawed hepatocytes elicited IBMIR to the same extent. LMW-DS reduced the platelet loss and maintained the cell counts at the same degree as unfractionated heparin, but controlled the coagulation and complement systems significantly more efficiently than heparin. LMW-DS also attenuated the IBMIR elicited by freeze–thawed cells. Therefore, LMW-DS inhibits the cascade systems and maintains the cell counts in blood triggered by both fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes in direct contact with ABO-matched blood. LMW-DS at a previously used and clinically applicable concentration (100 μg/ml) inhibits IBMIR in vitro and is therefore a potential IBMIR inhibitor in hepatocyte transplantation.
Sponsorship Thinking: A Creator for Collaborative Undertakings in the Festival Context
Authors: Luonila Mervi
Published: July 2016

The qualitative case study examines the role and given meanings of sponsorship of festivals both as a resource and as a strategic marketing choice. The research provides insight into the interests and posited goals for collaboration between festival organizers and companies and to examine
what characteristics are involved with managerial aspects when sponsorship thinking might been seen as a leveraging role in partnership negotiations between the parties. The findings indicate that the focus of sponsor-linked relationships has shifted towards interactive design between the
festival organizers and their partners. The partners' interests lie in accessing new openings that could leverage their goals regarding their target groups. Conversely, for the festival organizers the focus of their cooperation is on concepts that facilitate experience design in the "festival
way." The festival management perspective highlights the need among partners engaged in the discourse of interactive sponsorship not only for management capabilities, but also for innovation skills to ensure the longevity and vitality of the events. The managers' ability to improve and maintain
effective and productive relationships with other members of their ecosystem is fundamental to the success of networked festivalproducing processes.
PARTICLE ACCELERATION AND THE ORIGIN OF X-RAY FLARES IN GRMHD SIMULATIONS OF SGR A*
Authors: Ball David , Özel Feryal , Psaltis Dimitrios , Chan Chi-kwan
Published: July 2016

Significant X-ray variability and flaring has been observed from Sgr A* but is poorly understood from a theoretical standpoint. We perform general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations that take into account a population of non-thermal electrons with energy distributions and injection rates that are motivated by PIC simulations of magnetic reconnection. We explore the effects of including these non-thermal electrons on the predicted broadband variability of Sgr A* and find that X-ray variability is a generic result of localizing non-thermal electrons to highly magnetized regions, where particles are likely to be accelerated via magnetic reconnection. The proximity of these high-field regions to the event horizon forms a natural connection between IR and X-ray variability and accounts for the rapid timescales associated with the X-ray flares. The qualitative nature of this variability is consistent with observations, producing X-ray flares that are always coincident with IR flares, but not vice versa, i.e., there are a number of IR flares without X-ray counterparts.
STELLAR TIDAL DISRUPTION EVENTS BY DIRECT-COLLAPSE BLACK HOLES
Authors: Kashiyama Kazumi , Inayoshi Kohei
Published: July 2016

We analyze the early growth stage of direct-collapse black holes (DCBHs) with ∼105
M
⊙, which are formed by collapse of supermassive stars in atomic-cooling halos at z ≳ 10. A nuclear accretion disk around a newborn DCBH is gravitationally unstable and fragments into clumps with a few × 10 M
⊙ at ∼0.01–0.1 pc from the center. Such clumps evolve into massive Population III stars with a few × 10–102
M
⊙ via successive gas accretion, and a nuclear star cluster is formed. Radiative and mechanical feedback from an inner slim disk and the star cluster will significantly reduce the gas accretion rate onto the DCBH within ∼106 yr. Some of the nuclear stars can be scattered onto the loss cone orbits also within ≲106 yr and tidally disrupted by the central DCBH. The jet luminosity powered by such tidal disruption events can be L

j
≳ 1050 erg s−1. The prompt emission will be observed in X-ray bands with a peak duration of δt
obs ∼ 105–6(1 + z) s followed by a tail ∝t
obs
−5/3, which can be detectable by Swift BAT and eROSITA even from z ∼ 20. Follow-up observations of the radio afterglows with, e.g., eVLA and the host halos with James Webb Space Telescope could probe the earliest active galactic nucleus feedback from DCBHs.
FAST RADIO BURSTS AND THEIR GAMMA-RAY OR RADIO AFTERGLOWS AS KERR–NEWMAN BLACK HOLE BINARIES
Authors: Liu Tong , Romero Gustavo E. , Liu Mo-Lin , Li Ang
Published: July 2016

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are radio transients lasting only about a few milliseconds. They seem to occur at cosmological distances. We propose that these events can originate in the collapse of the magnetospheres of Kerr–Newman black holes (KNBHs). We show that the closed orbits of charged particles in the magnetospheres of these objects are unstable. After examining the dependencies on the specific charge of the particle and the spin and charge of the KNBH, we conclude that the resulting timescale and radiation mechanism fit well with extant observations of FRBs. Furthermore, we argue that the merger of a KNBH binary is a plausible central engine for the potential gamma-ray or radio afterglow following certain FRBs and can also account for gravitational wave (GW) events like GW 150914. Our model leads to predictions that can be tested by combined multi-wavelength electromagnetic and GW observations.
THE SOFT STATE OF CYGNUS X-1 OBSERVED WITH NuSTAR: A VARIABLE CORONA AND A STABLE INNER DISK
Authors: Walton D. J. , Tomsick J. A. , Madsen K. K. , Grinberg V. , Barret D. , Boggs S. E. , Christensen F. E. , Clavel M. , Craig W. W. , Fabian A. C. , Fuerst F. , Hailey C. J. , Harrison F. A. , Miller J. M. , Parker M. L. , Rahoui F. , Stern D. , Tao L. , Wilms J. , Zhang W.
Published: July 2016

We present a multi-epoch hard X-ray analysis of Cygnus X-1 in its soft state based on four observations with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). Despite the basic similarity of the observed spectra, there is clear spectral variability between epochs. To investigate this variability, we construct a model incorporating both the standard disk-corona continuum and relativistic reflection from the accretion disk, based on prior work on Cygnus X-1, and apply this model to each epoch independently. We find excellent consistency for the black hole spin and the iron abundance of the accretion disk, which are expected to remain constant on observational timescales. In particular, we confirm that Cygnus X-1 hosts a rapidly rotating black hole,

, in broad agreement with the majority of prior studies of the relativistic disk reflection and constraints on the spin obtained through studies of the thermal accretion disk continuum. Our work also confirms the apparent misalignment between the inner disk and the orbital plane of the binary system reported previously, finding the magnitude of this warp to be ∼10°–15°. This level of misalignment does not significantly change (and may even improve) the agreement between our reflection results and the thermal continuum results regarding the black hole spin. The spectral variability observed by NuSTAR is dominated by the primary continuum, implying variability in the temperature of the scattering electron plasma. Finally, we consistently observe absorption from ionized iron at ∼6.7 keV, which varies in strength as a function of orbital phase in a manner consistent with the absorbing material being an ionized phase of the focused stellar wind from the supergiant companion star.
BINARY BLACK HOLES, GAS SLOSHING, AND COLD FRONTS IN THE X-RAY HALO HOSTING 4C+37.11
Authors: Andrade-Santos Felipe , Bogdán Ákos , Romani Roger W. , Forman William R. , Jones Christine , Murray Stephen S. , Taylor Greg B. , Zavala Robert T.
Published: July 2016

We analyzed deep Chandra ACIS-I exposures of the cluster-scale X-ray halo surrounding the radio source 4C+37.11. This remarkable system hosts the closest resolved pair of super-massive black holes and an exceptionally luminous elliptical galaxy, the likely product of a series of past mergers. We characterize the halo with r
500 ∼ 0.95 Mpc, M
500 = 2.5 ± 0.2 × 1014
M
⊙, kT = 4.6 ± 0.2 keV, and a gas mass of M
g,500 = 2.2 ± 0.1 × 1013
M
⊙. The gas mass fraction within r
500 is f
g = 0.09 ± 0.01. The entropy profile shows large non-gravitational heating in the central regions. We see several surface brightness jumps, associated with substantial temperature and density changes but approximate pressure equilibrium, implying that these are sloshing structures driven by a recent merger. A residual intensity image shows a core spiral structure closely matching that seen in the Perseus cluster, although at z = 0.055 the spiral pattern is less distinct. We infer that the most recent merger occurred 1–2 Gyr ago and that the event that brought the two observed super-massive black holes to the system core is even older. Under this interpretation, the black hole binary pair has, unusually, remained at a parsec-scale separation for more than 2 Gyr.
ROTATION AND GRANULATION OF THE K2 GIANT α SER
Authors: Gray David F.
Published: July 2016

The red giant α Ser was observed over 10 seasons, 2001–2010, at the Elginfield Observatory with the high-resolution coudé spectrograph. Season-mean radial velocities appear to show a small secular rise ∼11 ± 3 m s−1 yr−1. The absolute spectroscopic radial velocity with convective blueshifts taken into account is 2730 m s−1. Ten line-depth ratios were investigated and show that the star's temperature is constant with any secular variation below 1.3 ± 1.0 K over the 11 years of observation. Fourier analysis of the line broadening yields v sin i = 2.0 ± 0.3 km s−1 and a radial-tangential macroturbulence dispersion ζ
RT = 4.50 ± 0.10 km s−1. The third-granulation-signature plot shows that the granulation velocities of α Ser are only 0.55 ± 0.10 as large as the Sun's. The line bisector of Fe i
λ6253 has the usual “C” shape and when mapped onto the third-signature plot results in a flux deficit that is slightly broader than seen in other measured K giants. The deficit fractional area of 12.3 ± 1.5% suggests a temperature difference between granules and lanes of 105 K as seen averaged over the stellar disk.
REDUNDANT ARRAY CONFIGURATIONS FOR 21 cm COSMOLOGY
Authors: Dillon Joshua S. , Parsons Aaron R.
Published: July 2016

Realizing the potential of 21 cm tomography to statistically probe the intergalactic medium before and during the Epoch of Reionization requires large telescopes and precise control of systematics. Next-generation telescopes are now being designed and built to meet these challenges, drawing lessons from first-generation experiments that showed the benefits of densely packed, highly redundant arrays—in which the same mode on the sky is sampled by many antenna pairs—for achieving high sensitivity, precise calibration, and robust foreground mitigation. In this work, we focus on the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) as an interferometer with a dense, redundant core designed following these lessons to be optimized for 21 cm cosmology. We show how modestly supplementing or modifying a compact design like HERA’s can still deliver high sensitivity while enhancing strategies for calibration and foreground mitigation. In particular, we compare the imaging capability of several array configurations, both instantaneously (to address instrumental and ionospheric effects) and with rotation synthesis (for foreground removal). We also examine the effects that configuration has on calibratability using instantaneous redundancy. We find that improved imaging with sub-aperture sampling via “off-grid” antennas and increased angular resolution via far-flung “outrigger” antennas is possible with a redundantly calibratable array configuration.
A NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF COSMIC RAY MODULATION NEAR THE HELIOPAUSE. II. SOME PHYSICAL INSIGHTS
Authors: Luo Xi , Potgieter Marius S. , Zhang Ming , Pogorelov Nikolai V. , Feng Xueshang , du Toit Strauss R.
Published: July 2016

Cosmic ray (CR) transport near the heliopause (HP) is studied using a hybrid transport model, with the parameters constrained by observations from the Voyager
1 spacecraft. We simulate the CR radial flux along different directions in the heliosphere. There is no well-defined thin layer between the solar wind region and the interstellar region along the tail and polar directions of the heliosphere. By analyzing the radial flux curve along the direction of Voyager 2, together with its trajectory information, the crossing time of the HP by Voyager 2 is predicted to be in 2017.14. We simulate the CR radial flux for different energy values along the direction of Voyager 1. We find that there is only a modest modulation region of about 10 au wide beyond the HP, so that Voyager 1 observing the Local Interstellar Spectra is justified in numerical modeling. We analyze the heliospheric exit information of pseudo-particles in our stochastic numerical (time-backward) method, conjecturing that they represent the behavior of CR particles, and we find that pseudo-particles that have been traced from the nose region exit in the tail region. This implies that many CR particles diffuse directly from the heliospheric tail region to the nose region near the HP. In addition, when pseudo-particles were traced from the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM), it is found that their exit location (entrance for real particles) from the simulation domain is along the prescribed Interstellar Magnetic Field direction. This indicates that parallel diffusion dominates CR particle transport in the LISM.
NH3(3,3) AND CH3OH NEAR SUPERNOVA REMNANTS: GBT AND VLA OBSERVATIONS
Authors: McEwen Bridget C. , Pihlström Ylva M. , Sjouwerman Loránt O.
Published: July 2016

We report on Green Bank Telescope 23.87 GHz NH3(3,3) emission observations in five supernova remnants (SNRs) interacting with molecular clouds (G1.4−0.1, IC 443, W44, W51C, and G5.7−0.0). The observations show a clumpy gas density distribution, and in most cases the narrow line widths of ∼3–4 km s−1 are suggestive of maser emission. Very Large Array observations reveal 36 and/or 44 GHz CH3OH maser emission in a majority (72%) of the NH3 peak positions toward three of these SNRs. This good positional correlation is in agreement with the high densities required for the excitation of each line. Through these observations we have shown that CH3OH and NH3 maser emission can be used as indicators of high-density clumps of gas shocked by SNRs, and provide density estimates thereof. Modeling of the optical depth of the NH3(3,3) emission is compared to that of CH3OH, constraining the densities of the clumps to a typical density of the order of 105 cm−3 for cospatial masers. Regions of gas with this density are found to exist in the post-shocked gas quite close to the SNR shock front, and may be associated with sites where cosmic rays produce gamma-ray emission via neutral pion decay.
THE PREVALENCE AND IMPACT OF WOLF–RAYET STARS IN EMERGING MASSIVE STAR CLUSTERS
Authors: Sokal Kimberly R. , Johnson Kelsey E. , Indebetouw Rémy , Massey Philip
Published: July 2016

We investigate Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars as a source of feedback contributing to the removal of natal material in the early evolution of massive star clusters. Despite previous work suggesting that massive star clusters clear out their natal material before the massive stars evolve into the WR phase, WR stars have been detected in several emerging massive star clusters. These detections suggest that the timescale for clusters to emerge can be at least as long as the time required to produce WR stars (a few million years), and could also indicate that WR stars may be providing the tipping point in the combined feedback processes that drive a massive star cluster to emerge. We explore the potential overlap between the emerging phase and the WR phase with an observational survey to search for WR stars in emerging massive star clusters hosting WR stars. We select candidate emerging massive star clusters from known radio continuum sources with thermal emission and obtain optical spectra with the 4 m Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory and the 6.5 m MMT.4
We identify 21 sources with significantly detected WR signatures, which we term “emerging WR clusters.” WR features are detected in ∼50% of the radio-selected sample, and thus we find that WR stars are commonly present in currently emerging massive star clusters. The observed extinctions and ages suggest that clusters without WR detections remain embedded for longer periods of time, and may indicate that WR stars can aid, and therefore accelerate, the emergence process.
AN IRON K COMPONENT TO THE ULTRAFAST OUTFLOW IN NGC 1313 X-1
Authors: Walton D. J. , Middleton M. J. , Pinto C. , Fabian A. C. , Bachetti M. , Barret D. , Brightman M. , Fuerst F. , Harrison F. A. , Miller J. M. , Stern D.
Published: July 2016

We present the detection of an absorption feature at

E
=

8.77

−
0.06

+
0.05

keV in the combined X-ray spectrum of the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 1313 X-1 observed with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR, significant at the 3σ level. If associated with blueshifted ionized iron, the implied outflow velocity is ∼0.2c for Fe xxvi, or ∼0.25c for Fe xxv. These velocities are similar to the ultrafast outflow seen in absorption recently discovered in this source at lower energies by XMM-Newton, and we therefore conclude that this is an iron component to the same outflow. Photoionization modeling marginally prefers the Fe xxv solution, but in either case the outflow properties appear to be extreme, potentially supporting a super-Eddington hypothesis for NGC 1313 X-1.
ENHANCED STAR FORMATION OF LESS MASSIVE GALAXIES IN A PROTOCLUSTER AT z = 2.5
Authors: Hayashi Masao , Kodama Tadayuki , Tanaka Ichi , Shimakawa Rhythm , Koyama Yusei , Tadaki Ken-ichi , Suzuki Tomoko L. , Yamamoto Moegi
Published: July 2016

We investigate a correlation between star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass for Hα emission-line galaxies (HAEs) in one of the richest protoclusters ever known at z ∼ 2.5, the USS 1558-003 protocluster. This study is based on a 9.7 hr narrowband imaging data with MOIRCS on the Subaru telescope. We are able to construct a sample in combination with additional H-band data taken with WFC3 on the Hubble Space Telescope, of 100 HAEs reaching the dust-corrected SFRs down to 3 M
⊙ yr−1 and the stellar masses down to 108.0
M
⊙. We find that while the star-forming galaxies with ≳109.3
M
⊙ are located on the universal SFR-mass main sequence (MS) irrespective of the environment, less massive star-forming galaxies with ≲109.3
M
⊙ show a significant upward scatter from the MS in this protocluster. This suggests that some less massive galaxies are in a starburst phase, although we do not know yet if this is due to environmental effects.
Secure and Low Energy Consumption Range Query in Tiered Sensor Networks
Authors: Ling Song , Yang Qi Dong
Published: July 2016

For the requirement of low energy consumption and high privacy-preserving in wireless sensor networks of range query, we propose a low energy consumption secure and verifiable range query protocol called SPRQ.SPRQ uses a novel prime aggregation to protect the privacy of the query data; We further propose an idea of the and value chain whereby data items collected by each sensor will be linked with each other just like a chain.The Sink verifies the integrity of query results by checking whether the data chain of each sensor is complete or not. The results of simulation experiments prove that prime aggregation can effectively reduce the amount of increased data in the prefix encoding process,so,network energy consumption is lower compared with other secure range query protocols.
Implementation of Reusable Solutions for Remote Laboratory Development
Authors: Parkhomenko Anzhelika , Gladkova Olga , Sokolyanskii Alexandr , Shepelenko Vladislav , Zalyubovskiy Yaroslav
Published: July 2016

Development of remote laboratory for embedded systems complex hardware/software design is an actual task, because the challenges existing in this area, require qualitatively new techniques, technologies and tools of design. By using the possibilities of remote labs and reusable hardware/software components, developer can more optimally organize the project and realize it in a shorter time. Development and usage of remote labs for designers can give new opportunities and ways for accumulation and study of existing design experience and ready solutions. On the other side, today, in the area of remote laboratories development are no common standards and approaches. Different developers offer different solutions for laboratory functionality, interfaces, a set of experiments, etc. At the same time, there are a number of ready-made solutions that can be used repeatedly for more optimal development and rapid integration with existing projects. Therefore, investigation and implementation of re-use methodology and its practical realization is an urgent task. The paper presents the structural components and API of remote laboratory RELDES, proposed for reuse in other projects for creation of mobile applications, new clients or services. Open questions of RESTful API documenting are also discussed.
O Paraná no Brasil: uma contextualização em treze imagens (e meia)
Authors: Théry Hervé , Nagy André , Junior Raimundo Nonato
Published: July 2016

O artigo situa o Estado do Paraná no contexto brasileiro, usando a cartografia temática para analisar as disparidades e dinâmicas que marcam o território em várias áreas. Mapas oriundos da pesquisa, desde que sigam os preceitos da semiologia gráfica, servem também para comunicar os resultados de forma visualmente expressiva. Estes mapas inéditos foram escolhidos para apresentar o Estado em vários contextos, demográficos, econômicos e sociais, onde ele ora aparece homogêneo e se destaca claramente do resto do país, ora apresenta contrastes internos que assemelham parte do seu território a outras regiões brasileiras.
A situação residencial da Nova Classe Média na metrópole do Rio de Janeiro: uma contribuição ao debate
Authors: Chetry Michael
Published: July 2016

No Brasil, como em outros países em desenvolvimento (China, Índia, Rússia), o surgimento de uma "nova classe média", consequência do crescimento econômico e das melhorias no mercado de trabalho, tornou-se tema central do debate público nos últimos anos. Impulsionada por economistas que utilizam a renda na identificação das classes sociais, essa tese é fortemente criticada pelos defensores de uma perspectiva sociológica, para quem a correspondência entre o nível de vida e a posição social dos indivíduos não é estabelecida.No quadro deste artigo, pretendemos focar na dimensão espacial da nova classe média e tentar trazer uma contribuição à compreensão desse fenômeno a partir de uma perspectiva geográfica. Assim, através do caso da metrópole do Rio de Janeiro, este artigo procura mostrar que, de um ponto de vista espacial pelos menos, o caráter “médio” da nova classe média deve ser relativizado, já que esta parece estar mais próxima das categorias populares em termos de localização no espaço metropolitano e de condições habitacionais.
Nas trilhas de Paris, David Harvey e a capital da modernidade
Authors: Arrais Tadeu Alencar
Published: July 2016

Paris, capital da modernidade pode ser lido como uma espécie de síntese da obra de David Harvey, uma vez que reúne duas características marcantes de sua trajetória intelectual. A primeira relaciona-se ao interesse pelos estudos urbanos, consagrando uma tradição que remonta ao livro A justiça social e a cidade (Harvey, 1980). A segunda é a preocupação em explicar as relações entre o capital e a produção do espaço. O capital, em Harvey, nunca é uma noção abstrata. Ele se move e, a cada momento, transforma as formas e os conteúdos do espaço. Ao adjetivar Paris de “a capital da modernidade”, o geógrafo torna a cidade ícone desse período histórico, o que resulta na elaboração de uma ampla cartografia dos conflitos próprios da produção do espaço urbano. A partir das trilhas deixadas pelo autor, investigamos a constituição do sítio urbano da capital francesa para, logo após, analisar a maneira de ver a cidade de Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) e a forma de intervir na cidade de Eugène Haussmann (1809-1891). Em seguida, discutiremos a pertinência do modo de abordagem da cidade proposta por David Harvey a partir daquilo que adjetivamos de “memória política da paisagem”.