bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Defect Tolerance Scheme for Nanocrossbar Architectures with Enhanced Efficiency
Authors: Sasikumar Devisree , Kumar Anand
Published: December 2018

The semiconductor industry is now facing challenges to keep pace with Moore’s law and this leads to the requirement of new materials and newer technological devices. Molecular switch-based nanodevices are one of the promising areas because of their ultimate size and miniaturisation potential. These nanodevices are built through a self-assembled bottom-up manufacturing method in which the possibility of external intervention is negligible. This leads to a considerable yield loss due to defective device production and the traditional test-and-throw faulty device approach will not hold well. Design of fault-tolerant devices are the only possible solution. A widely studied nanodevice is nanocrossbar architectures and their fault tolerance can be designed by exploiting the programmable logic array’s fault tolerance schemes. A defect-unaware fault tolerance scheme is developed in this work based on the bipartite graph analogy of crossbar architectures. The newly-designed algorithm can eliminate more than one node in each iteration and, hence, a defect-free subcrossbar can be obtained much faster compared to the existing algorithms. A comparison with the existing defect-unaware fault-tolerant methods with this newly-developed algorithm shows a better yield in most of the cases.
Mechanism of Curcuma wenyujin Rhizoma on Acute Blood Stasis in Rats Based on a UPLC-Q/TOF-MS Metabolomics and Network Approach
Authors: Hao Min , Ji De , Li Lin , Su Lianlin , Gu Wei , Gu Liya , Wang Qiaohan , Lu Tulin , Mao Chunqin
Published: December 2018

Rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin, which is called EZhu in China, is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat blood stasis for many years. However, the underlying mechanism of EZhu is not clear at present. In this study, plasma metabolomics combined with network pharmacology were used to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of EZhu in blood stasis from a metabolic perspective. The results showed that 26 potential metabolite markers of acute blood stasis were screened, and the levels were all reversed to different degrees by EZhu preadministration. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the improvement of blood stasis by Curcuma wenyujin rhizome was mainly related to lipid metabolism (linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism) and amino acid metabolisms (tryptophan metabolism, lysine degradation). The component-target-pathway network showed that 68 target proteins were associated with 21 chemical components in EZhu. Five metabolic pathways of the network, including linoleic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis, were consistent with plasma metabolomics results. In conclusion, plasma metabolomics combined with network pharmacology can be helpful to clarify the mechanism of EZhu in improving blood stasis and to provide a literature basis for further research on the therapeutic mechanism of EZhu in clinical practice.
Comparative Study of Chemical, Biochemical Characteristic and ATR-FTIR Analysis of Seeds, Oil and Flour of the Edible Fedora Cultivar Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
Authors: Siano Francesco , Moccia Stefania , Picariello Gianluca , Russo Gian Luigi , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Di Stasio Michele , La Cara Francesco , Volpe Maria Grazia
Published: December 2018

A series of chemical and biochemical parameters of edible hemp resources (seeds, oil, and flour) from the monoecious EU registered hemp genotype Fedora, was determined, including fatty acid profile, phytosterol composition, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, macro- and micro-elements. The fatty acid ω-3/ω-6 approached the nutritionally optimal 3/1 ratio. β-sitosterol and other phytosterols sterols dominated the unsaponifiable fraction. Hemp seeds, flour, and oil contained 767 ± 41, 744 ± 29, and 21 ± 5 mg GAE kg−1 total polyphenols, respectively. The antioxidant potential of Fedora flour and seeds, evaluated through the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, was higher than that of oil. K and Mg were the most abundant macro-elements, particularly in flour, while the concentration of trace elements was Fe > Cu > Ni > Mn. The presence of an array of bioactive compound candidate Fedora products as health-promoting food matrices. The ATR-FTIR spectra of hemp-derived products indicated the proximate composition of macro-nutrients.
New Diterpenes from Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. Fruits
Authors: Liu Ji-Fei , Huo Jin-Hai , Wang Chang , Li Feng-Jin , Wang Wei-Ming , Huang Lu-Qi
Published: December 2018

Three new ent-kauran-type diterpenes (1–3), named arenterpenoids A–C, and five known ones (4–8) were isolated and identified from Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. Fruits. The structures of these compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-ESI-MS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scientific report of diterpenes from Arenga genus.
Microstructure Optimization of Mg-Alloys by the ECAP Process Including Numerical Simulation, SPD Treatments, Characterization, and Hydrogen Sorption Properties
Authors: Skryabina Nataliya , Aptukov Valery , Romanov Petr , Fruchart Daniel , De Rango Patricia , Girard Gregory , Grandini Carlos , Sandim Hugo , Huot Jacques , Lang Julien , Cantelli Rosario , Leardini Fabrice
Published: December 2018

Both numerical simulation and hardness measurements were used to determine the mechanical and microstructural behavior of AZ31 bulk samples when submitted to the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) technique. Billets of this representative of Mg-rich alloys were submitted to different numbers of passes for various ECAP modes (anisotropic A, isotropic BC). The strain distribution, the grain size refinement, and the micro-hardness were used as indicators to quantify the effectiveness of the different processing routes. Structural characterizations at different scales were achieved using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), micro-analysis, metallography, Small Angle Neutron Scattering SANS, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and texture determination. The grain and crystallite size distribution and orientation as well as defect impacts were determined. Anelastic Spectroscopy (AS) on mechanically deformed samples have shown that the temperature of ECAP differentiate the fragile to ductile regime. MgH2 consolidated powders were checked for using AS to detect potential hydrogen motions and interaction with host metal atoms. After further optimization, the different mechanically-treated samples were submitted to hydrogenation/dehydrogenation (H/D) cycles, which shows that, for a few passes, the BC mode is better than the A one, as supported by theoretical and experimental microstructure analyses. Accordingly, the hydrogen uptake and (H/D) reactions were correlated with the optimized microstructure peculiarities and interpreted in terms of Johnson-Avrami- Mehl-Kolmogorov (JAMK) and Jander models, successively.
Rapid and Sensitive Analysis of Volatile Components of Different Parts of Clausena lansium by Ionic Liquid Based Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: He Xiaowen , Ma Yinzheng , Yi Guohui , Wen Yingying , Zhang Yunxia , Zhang Haiying , Zhang Lantong
Published: December 2018

A rapid and sensitive ionic liquid (IL) based headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) method was developed for analyzing volatile components in leaf, pericarp, and seed of Clausena lansium from different areas in Hainan Province, China. HS efficiencies were carefully investigated by using three ILs and water as matrix media. Extraction parameters, including equilibrium temperature, equilibrium time, and stirring rate had been evaluated and optimized by using an orthogonal design with OA9(33) table. Under the optimized condition of IL-based HS-GC-MS, only 100 mg of sample and 2 mL of [Bmim][BF4] were needed to comprehensively and accurately analyze the volatile components in Clausena lansium. By utilizing a cluster analysis, six clusters were obtained for ninety components. This method was simpler, more rapid, and more sensitive when compared with previously reported methods for analyzing and identifying volatile components in Clausena lansium. The results may provide a theoretical basis for further exploitation of Clausena lansium.
A R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor, VvMYBC2L2, Functions as a Transcriptional Repressor of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Zhu Ziguo , Li Guirong , Liu Li , Zhang Qingtian , Han Zhen , Chen Xuesen , Li Bo
Published: December 2018

In grapevine, the MYB transcription factors play an important role in the flavonoid pathway. Here, a R2R3-MYB transcription factor, VvMYBC2L2, isolated from Vitis vinifera cultivar Yatomi Rose, may be involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis as a transcriptional repressor. VvMYBC2L2 was shown to be a nuclear protein. The gene was shown to be strongly expressed in root, flower and seed tissue, but weakly expressed during the fruit development in grapevine. Overexpressing the VvMYBC2L2 gene in tobacco resulted in a very marked decrease in petal anthocyanin concentration. Expression analysis of flavonoid biosynthesis structural genes revealed that chalcone synthase (CHS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) and UDP glucose flavonoid 3-O-glucosyl transferase (UFGT) were strongly down-regulated in the VvMYBC2L2-overexpressed tobacco. In addition, transcription of the regulatory genes AN1a and AN1b was completely suppressed in transgenic plants. These results suggested that VvMYBC2L2 plays a role as a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Magnetite-Supported Gold Nanostars for the Uptake and SERS Detection of Tetracycline
Authors: Pinheiro Paula C. , Fateixa Sara , Nogueira Helena I. S. , Trindade Tito
Published: December 2018

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) decorated with gold nanostars (AuNSs) have been prepared by using a seed growth method without the addition of surfactants or colloidal stabilizers. The hybrid nanomaterials were investigated as adsorbents for the uptake of tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions and subsequent detection using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Several parameters were investigated in order to optimize the performance of these hybrid platforms on the uptake and SERS detection of TC, including variable pH values and the effect of contact time on the removal of TC. The spatial distribution of TC and AuNS on the hybrid composites was accomplished by coupling SERS analysis with Raman imaging studies, allowing also for the determination of the detection limit for TC when dissolved in ultrapure water (10 nM) and in more complex aqueous matrices (1 μM). Attempts were also made to investigate the adsorption modes of the TC molecules at the surface of the metal NPs by taking into account the enhancement of the Raman bands in these different matrices.
Impact of Two Forms of Daily Preventive Zinc or Therapeutic Zinc Supplementation for Diarrhea on Hair Cortisol Concentrations Among Rural Laotian Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hinnouho Guy-Marino , Bernstein Robin M. , Barffour Maxwell A. , Arnold Charles D. , Wessells K. Ryan , Ratsavong Kethmany , Bounheuang Bangone , Kounnavong Sengchanh , Hess Sonja Y.
Published: December 2018

Zinc supplementation has been shown to reduce the morbidity burden among young children, and may reduce chronic stress. Hair cortisol has been promoted as an indicator of chronic stress. We assessed the impact of different strategies for delivering supplementary zinc on hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in young Laotian children and examined risk factors associated with HCC. In a randomized double-blind controlled trial (NCT02428647), children aged 6–23 mo were randomized to one of four intervention groups and followed for ~36 weeks: daily preventive zinc (PZ) tablets (7 mg/day), daily multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) sachets (containing 10 mg zinc and 14 other micronutrients), therapeutic zinc (TZ) supplements for diarrhea treatment (20 mg/day for 10 days) or daily placebo powder. HCC of 512 children was assessed at baseline and endline. ANCOVA and linear regression models were used to assess group differences in HCC and to examine the risk factors associated with HCC, respectively. At enrollment, mean HCC was 28.8 ± 43.9 pg/mg. In models adjusted for age at enrollment, health district, and baseline HCC there was no overall effect of the interventions on endline HCC and change in HCC. When controlling for additional predetermined covariates, there was a marginally significant effect on change in HCC (p = 0.075) with a slightly lower reduction of HCC in TZ compared to PZ (mean change (95% CI): −4.6 (−7.0; −2.3) vs. −9.4 (−11.7; −7.0) pg/mg; p = 0.053). At baseline, consumption of iron rich foods was negatively associated with HCC, whereas AGP (α1-acid glycoprotein) levels, elevated AGP and C-reactive protein and high soluble transferrin receptor were positively associated with HCC. In young Laotian children, MNP, PZ and TZ had no impact on HCC. The marginal difference in change in HCC between the PZ and TZ groups was too small to be considered of health significance.
Diet Quality in a Weight Gain Prevention Trial of Reproductive Aged Women: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Martin Julie C. , Moran Lisa J. , Teede Helena J. , Ranasinha Sanjeeva , Lombard Catherine B. , Harrison Cheryce L.
Published: December 2018

Reproductive-aged women are at high risk for obesity development. Limited research exploring weight gain prevention initiatives and associated modifiable risk factors, including diet quality exists. In a secondary analysis of a 12 month, cluster randomized controlled trial for weight gain prevention in reproductive-aged women, we evaluated change in diet quality, macronutrient and micronutrient intake, predictors of change and associations with weight change at follow-up. Forty-one rural towns in Victoria, Australia were randomized to a healthy lifestyle intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 20). Women aged 18–50, of any body mass index and without conditions known to affect weight, were recruited. Diet quality was assessed by the Dietary Guideline Index (DGI) and energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake as well as anthropometrics (weight; kg) were measured at baseline and 12 months. Results were adjusted for group (intervention/control), town cluster, and baseline values of interest. Of 409 women with matched data at baseline and follow-up, 220 women were included for final analysis after accounting for plausible energy intake. At 12 months, diet quality had improved by 6.2% following the intervention, compared to no change observed in the controls (p < 0.001). Significant association was found between a change in weight and a change in diet quality score over time β −0.66 (95%CI −1.2, −0.12) p = 0.02. The percentage of energy from protein (%) 0.009 (95%CI 0.002, 0.15) p = 0.01 and glycemic index −1.2 (95%CI −2.1, −0.24) p = 0.02 were also improved following the intervention, compared to the control group. Overall, a low-intensity lifestyle intervention effectively improves diet quality, with associated weight gain preventions, in women of reproductive age.
Analogy and Visual Content: The Logica memorativa of Thomas Murner
Authors: Campos Benítez Juan Manuel
Published: December 2018

In this article, after some thoughts on medieval logic and teaching, we present Thomas Murner’s text, Logica memorativa, showing some of his mnemonic strategies for the student to learn logic quickly. Murner offers a type of “flash cards” that illustrate much of the teaching of logic at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The first impression is visual, because the cards do not contain words that illustrate their content. Murner’s exposition rests on analogies between logic themes that are explained and the visual images presented.
Modeling of Ultra-Long Span Bidirectional Raman Transmission Link Using Three-Segment Hybrid Fiber Core Structure
Authors: Syuaib Ibrahim , Asvial Muhamad , Rahardjo Eko Tjipto
Published: December 2018

Ultra-long span unrepeatered systems using distributed Raman amplification are cost-effective solutions for bridging moderate transmission distances. However, there are two major limiting factors: nonlinear Kerr effect-induced nonlinear signal distortion and optical signal-to-noise ratio degradation due to spontaneous Raman noise. In this report, we proposed a model of three-segment hybrid fiber effective core area structure and developed a model covering: (1) generalized mathematical formulations, (2) analysis of three-segment Raman amplified link, and (3) simulation model of data transmission. The proposed model showed an improvement of the Raman gain profile, a reduction of the negative impact of the nonlinear Kerr effect, and an enhancement of the optical signal-to-noise ratio. A numerical simulation of the transmission performance of the three-segment hybrid structure was compared to conventional single-segment single fiber core structure on 80 Gb/s differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DQPSK) modulated data signals over a propagation distance of 390 km. The required optical signal-to-noise ratio was reduced by 2.71 dB to achieve the target error rate without using forward error correction. The numerical model and simulation of various data rates up to 100 Gb/s consistently showed that an improvement in transmission performance could be achieved by using three-segment hybrid fiber effective core area structure.
Roughness and Fiber Fraction Dominated Wetting of Electrospun Fiber-Based Porous Meshes
Authors: Szewczyk Piotr K. , Ura Daniel P. , Metwally Sara , Knapczyk-Korczak Joanna , Gajek Marcin , Marzec Mateusz M. , Bernasik Andrzej , Stachewicz Urszula
Published: December 2018

Wettability of electrospun fibers is one of the key parameters in the biomedical and filtration industry. Within this comprehensive study of contact angles on three-dimensional (3D) meshes made of electrospun fibers and films, from seven types of polymers, we clearly indicated the importance of roughness analysis. Surface chemistry was analyzed with X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and it showed no significant difference between fibers and films, confirming that the hydrophobic properties of the surfaces can be enhanced by just roughness without any chemical treatment. The surface geometry was determining factor in wetting contact angle analysis on electrospun meshes. We noted that it was very important how the geometry of electrospun surfaces was validated. The commonly used fiber diameter was not necessarily a convincing parameter unless it was correlated with the surface roughness or fraction of fibers or pores. Importantly, this study provides the guidelines to verify the surface free energy decrease with the fiber fraction for the meshes, to validate the changes in wetting contact angles. Eventually, the analysis suggested that meshes could maintain the entrapped air between fibers, decreasing surface free energies for polymers, which increased the contact angle for liquids with surface tension above the critical Wenzel level to maintain the Cassie-Baxter regime for hydrophobic surfaces.
Thermoset Polymer Matrix Structure and Properties: Coarse-Grained Simulations
Authors: Rudyak Vladimir Yu. , Efimova Elizaveta A. , Guseva Daria V. , Chertovich Alexander V.
Published: December 2018

The formation of a thermoset polymer network is a complex process with great variability. In this study, we used dissipative particle dynamics and graph theory tools to investigate the curing process and network topology of a phthalonitrile thermoset to reveal the influence of initiator and plasticizer concentration on its properties. We also propose a novel way to characterize the network topology on the basis of two independent characteristics: simple cycle length (which is mainly affected by the initiator amount) and the number of simple cycles passing through a single covalent bond (which is determined primarily by plasticizer concentration). These values can be treated in the more familiar terms of network “mesh size” and “sponginess”, correspondingly. The combination of these two topological parameters allows one to characterize any given network in an implicit but precise way and predict the resulting network properties, including the mechanical modulus. We believe that the same approach could be useful for other polymer networks as well, including rubbers and gels.
Forgiveness in Committed Couples: Its Synergy with Humility, Justice, and Reconciliation
Authors: Worthington Everett L. , Brown Eric M. , McConnell John M.
Published: December 2018

Theologians, pastors, and psychological help-providers have not always worked harmoniously. This can be especially true with couples. Theological and pastoral help-providers value marriage as sacred and are reluctant to entertain ending it. Most psychotherapists have more training and experience in individual psychotherapy than in couple therapy. Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we appeal to theologians, pastors, and psychological help-givers to work together. We examine ways that psychological findings might inform theology and pastoral practice. As an example, we use forgiveness in committed romantic relationships. What causes strong couple relationships are the formation, strengthening, maintenance, and (when damaged) repair of ruptures in the emotional bond. Thus, forgiveness is one major cause of good marriage. Forgiveness requires being oriented toward the other person’s welfare, and in humility responding to wrongdoing mercifully. Forgiving in committed relationships seeks a net positive emotional valence toward the partner built on empathy, humility, and responsibility. Good relationships also involve self-forgiveness when one feels self-condemnation over one’s own misdeeds. For help-givers, humility is a key to promoting relational experiences of virtue. We show that forgiveness is related to health. Religiously oriented help-providers can promote better relationships and better health by fostering forgiveness.
Synergistic Effect of Multi-Sensor Data on the Detection of Margalefidinium polykrikoides in the South Sea of Korea
Authors: Shin Jisun , Kim Keunyong , Son Young Baek , Ryu Joo-Hyung
Published: December 2018

Since 1995, Margalefidinium polykrikoides blooms have occurred frequently in the waters around the Korean peninsula. In the South Sea of Korea (SSK), large-scale M. polykrikoides blooms form offshore and are often transported to the coast, where they gradually accumulate. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of multi-sensor data for identifying M. polykrikoides blooms in the SSK from July 2018 to August 2018. We found that the Spectral Shape values calculated from in situ spectra and M. polykrikoides cell abundances in the SSK were highly correlated. Comparing red tide spectra from near-coincident multi-sensor data, remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs) spectra were similar to the spectra of in situ measurements from blue to green wavelengths. Rrs true-color composite images and Spectral Shape images of each sensor showed a clear pattern of M. polykrikoides patches, although there were some limitations for detecting red tide patches in coastal areas. We confirmed the complementarity of red tide data extracted from each sensor using an integrated red tide map. Statistical assessment showed that the sensitivity of red tide detection increased when multi-sensor data were used rather than single-sensor data. These results provide useful information for the application of multi-sensor for red tide detection.
Evaluation of Using Sentinel-1 and -2 Time-Series to Identify Winter Land Use in Agricultural Landscapes
Authors: Denize Julien , Hubert-Moy Laurence , Betbeder Julie , Corgne Samuel , Baudry Jacques , Pottier Eric
Published: December 2018

Monitoring vegetation cover during winter is a major environmental and scientific issue in agricultural areas. From an environmental viewpoint, the presence and type of vegetation cover in winter influences the transport of pollutants to water resources. From a methodological viewpoint, characterizing spatio-temporal dynamics of land cover and land use at the field scale is challenging due to the diversity of farming strategies and practices in winter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the respective advantages of Sentinel optical and SAR time-series to identify land use in winter. To this end, Sentinel-1 and -2 time-series were classified using Support Vector Machine and Random Forest algorithms in a 130 km² agricultural area. From the classification, the Sentinel-2 time-series identified winter land use more accurately (overall accuracy (OA) = 75%, Kappa index = 0.70) than that of Sentinel-1 (OA = 70%, Kappa = 0.66) but a combination of the Sentinel-1 and -2 time-series was the most accurate (OA = 81%, Kappa = 0.77). Our study outlines the effectiveness of Sentinel-1 and -2 for identify land use in winter, which can help to change agricultural practices.
Editorial for Special Issue: “Remote Sensing of Forest Cover Change”
Authors: Carreiras Joao M. B. , Rodriguez-Veiga Pedro
Published: December 2018

Forests play a critical role in the global carbon budget, either acting as a sink of carbon from growth processes (e. [...]
On the Synergistic Use of Optical and SAR Time-Series Satellite Data for Small Mammal Disease Host Mapping
Authors: Marston Christopher , Giraudoux Patrick
Published: December 2018

(1) Background: Echinococcus multilocularis (Em), a highly pathogenic parasitic tapeworm, is responsible for a significant burden of human disease. In this study, optical and time-series Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data is used synergistically to model key land cover characteristics driving the spatial distributions of two small mammal intermediate host species, Ellobius tancrei and Microtus gregalis, which facilitate Em transmission in a highly endemic area of Kyrgyzstan. (2) Methods: A series of land cover maps are derived from (a) single-date Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) imagery, (b) time-series Sentinel-1 SAR data, and (c) Landsat OLI and time-series Sentinel-1 SAR data in combination. Small mammal distributions are analyzed in relation to the surrounding land cover class coverage using random forests, before being applied predictively over broader areas. A comparison of models derived from the three land cover maps are made, assessing their potential for use in cloud-prone areas. (3) Results: Classification accuracies demonstrated the combined OLI-SAR classification to be of highest accuracy, with the single-date OLI and time-series SAR derived classifications of equivalent quality. Random forest analysis identified statistically significant positive relationships between E. tancrei density and agricultural land, and between M. gregalis density and water and bushes. Predictive application of random forest models identified hotspots of high relative density of E. tancrei and M. gregalis across the broader study area. (4) Conclusions: This offers valuable information to improve the targeting of limited-resource disease control activities to disrupt disease transmission in this area. Time-series SAR derived land cover maps are shown to be of equivalent quality to those generated from single-date optical imagery, which enables application of these methods in cloud-affected areas where, previously, this was not possible due to the sparsity of cloud-free optical imagery.
Design of Enhanced Rotation Locked Loop for Roll Angle Estimation of Rotating Vehicle in a Weak GPS Signal Environment
Authors: Im Hun Cheol , Lim Deok Won , Lee Sang Jeong
Published: December 2018

In order to estimate the roll angle of a rotating vehicle, an enhanced rotation locked loop (RLL) algorithm is proposed in this paper. The RLL algorithm estimates the roll angle by using the property that the power of the GPS signal measured at the receiver of a rotating vehicle changes periodically. However, in case the received GPS power is decreased, the performance of the conventional RLL algorithm degrades, or it cannot estimate the roll angle anymore, therefore, for operating the RLL algorithm in a weak signal environment, this paper designs a method to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by overlapping multiple GPS signals’ correlator outputs and a method to compensate the decreased response of a rotation discriminator at low-signal strength. Through computer simulations, the performance of the proposed algorithm is verified and it is shown that the roll angle can be estimated stably even at a weak signal environment down to 29 dB–Hz of C/N0.
High-Fidelity Depth Upsampling Using the Self-Learning Framework
Authors: Shim Inwook , Oh Tae-Hyun , Kweon In So
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a depth upsampling method that produces a high-fidelity dense depth map using a high-resolution RGB image and LiDAR sensor data. Our proposed method explicitly handles depth outliers and computes a depth upsampling with confidence information. Our key idea is the self-learning framework, which automatically learns to estimate the reliability of the upsampled depth map without human-labeled annotation. Thereby, our proposed method can produce a clear and high-fidelity dense depth map that preserves the shape of object structures well, which can be favored by subsequent algorithms for follow-up tasks. We qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate our proposed method by comparing other competing methods on the well-known Middlebury 2014 and KITTIbenchmark datasets. We demonstrate that our method generates accurate depth maps with smaller errors favorable against other methods while preserving a larger number of valid points, as we also show that our approach can be seamlessly applied to improve the quality of depth maps from other depth generation algorithms such as stereo matching and further discuss potential applications and limitations. Compared to previous work, our proposed method has similar depth errors on average, while retaining at least 3% more valid depth points.
Performance Optimization for Phase-Sensitive OTDR Sensing System Based on Multi-Spatial Resolution Analysis
Authors: Shan Yuanyuan , Ji Wenbin , Wang Qing , Cao Lu , Wang Feng , Zhang Yixin , Zhang Xuping
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes and demonstrates a phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) sensing system with multi-spatial resolution (MSR) analysis property. With both theoretical analysis and an experiment, the qualitative relationship between spatial resolution (SR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the length of the vibration region has been revealed, which indicates that choosing a suitable SR to analyze the vibration event can effectively enhance the SNR of a sensing system. The proposed MSR sensing scheme offers a promising solution for the performance optimization of Φ-OTDR sensing systems, which can restore vibration events of different disturbance range with optimum SNR in merely a single measurement while maintaining the same detectable frequency range.
A Multi-Model Combined Filter with Dual Uncertainties for Data Fusion of MEMS Gyro Array
Authors: Shen Qiang , Liu Jieyu , Zhou Xiaogang , Wang Lixin
Published: December 2018

The gyro array is a useful technique in improving the accuracy of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope, but the traditional estimate algorithm that plays an important role in this technique has two problems restricting its performance: The limitation of the stochastic assumption and the influence of the dynamic condition. To resolve these problems, a multi-model combined filter with dual uncertainties is proposed to integrate the outputs from numerous gyroscopes. First, to avoid the limitations of the stochastic and set-membership approaches and to better utilize the potentials of both concepts, a dual-noise acceleration model was proposed to describe the angular rate. On this basis, a dual uncertainties model of gyro array was established. Then the multiple model theory was used to improve dynamic performance, and a multi-model combined filter with dual uncertainties was designed. This algorithm could simultaneously deal with stochastic uncertainties and set-membership uncertainties by calculating the Minkowski sum of multiple ellipsoidal sets. The experimental results proved the effectiveness of the proposed filter in improving gyroscope accuracy and adaptability to different kinds of uncertainties and different dynamic characteristics. Most of all, the method gave the boundary surrounding the true value, which is of great significance in attitude control and guidance applications.
Fast Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation of Pt/Pd Bimetal Decorated over Nano-Structured Ag Islands Grown on Alumina Substrates
Authors: Rahaman Md Habibur , Yaqoob Usman , Kim Hyeon Cheol
Published: December 2018

This study reports the fast hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of ultra-thin discrete platinum/palladium (Pt/Pd) bimetal over nano-structured Ag islands grown on rough alumina substrate by a RF magnetron sputtering technique. The morphology of Ag nanoislands was optimized by RF magnetron sputtering and rapid thermal annealing process. Later, Pt/Pd bimetal (10/10) nm were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering on the nanostructured Ag islands. After the surface morphological optimization of Ag nanoislands, the resultant structure Pt/Pd@Ag nanoislands at alumina substrate showed a fast and enhanced hydrogenation and dehydrogenation (20/25 s), response magnitude of 2.3% (10,000 ppm), and a broad detection range of 500 to 40,000 ppm at the operating temperature of 120 °C. The superior hydrogenation and dehydrogenation features can be attributed to the hydrogen induced changes in the work function of Pt/Pd bimetal which enhances the coulomb scattering of percolated Pt/Pd@Ag nanoislands. More importantly, the atomic arrangements and synergetic effects of complex metal alloy interfacial structure on Ag nanoislands, supported by rough alumina substrate incorporate the vital role in accelerating the H2 absorption and desorption properties.
Imaging for Small UAV-Borne FMCW SAR
Authors: Hu Xianyang , Ma Changzheng , Hu Ruizhi , Yeo Tat Soon
Published: December 2018

Unmanned aerial vehicle borne frequency modulated continuous wave synthetic aperture radars are attracting more and more attention due to their low cost and flexible operation capacity, including the ability to capture images at different elevation angles for precise target identification. However, small unmanned aerial vehicles suffer from large trajectory deviation and severe range-azimuth coupling due to their simple navigational control and susceptibility to air turbulence. In this paper, we utilize the squint minimization technique to reduce this coupling while simultaneously eliminating intra-pulse motion-induced effects with an additional spectrum scaling. After which, the modified range doppler algorithm is derived for second order range compression and block-wise range cell migration correction. Raw data-based motion compensation is carried out with a doppler tracker. Squinted azimuth dependent phase gradient algorithm is employed to deal with azimuth dependent parameters and inexact deramping, with minimum entropy-based autofocusing algorithms. Finally, azimuth nonlinear chirp scaling is used for azimuth compression. Simulation and real data experiment results presented verify the effectiveness of the above signal processing approach.
Assessment of Breathing Parameters Using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)-Based System
Authors: Cesareo Ambra , Previtali Ylenia , Biffi Emilia , Aliverti Andrea
Published: December 2018

Breathing frequency (fB) is an important vital sign that—if appropriately monitored—may help to predict clinical adverse events. Inertial sensors open the door to the development of low-cost, wearable, and easy-to-use breathing-monitoring systems. The present paper proposes a new posture-independent processing algorithm for breath-by-breath extraction of breathing temporal parameters from chest-wall inclination change signals measured using inertial measurement units. An important step of the processing algorithm is dimension reduction (DR) that allows the extraction of a single respiratory signal starting from 4-component quaternion data. Three different DR methods are proposed and compared in terms of accuracy of breathing temporal parameter estimation, in a group of healthy subjects, considering different breathing patterns and different postures; optoelectronic plethysmography was used as reference system. In this study, we found that the method based on PCA-fusion of the four quaternion components provided the best fB estimation performance in terms of mean absolute errors (<2 breaths/min), correlation (r > 0.963) and Bland–Altman Analysis, outperforming the other two methods, based on the selection of a single quaternion component, identified on the basis of spectral analysis; particularly, in supine position, results provided by PCA-based method were even better than those obtained with the ideal quaternion component, determined a posteriori as the one providing the minimum estimation error. The proposed algorithm and system were able to successfully reconstruct the respiration-induced movement, and to accurately determine the respiratory rate in an automatic, position-independent manner.
Wastewater Reflections in Consumer Mind: Evidence from Sewage Services Consumer Behaviour
Authors: Petrescu Dacinia Crina , Petrescu-Mag Ruxandra Mălina , Manciula Dorin Iosif , Nistor Ioan Alin , Ilieș Veronica Ioana
Published: December 2018

Environmental concerns have become an important decision-making determinant for consumers. Hundreds of emerging pollutants and their metabolites are listed as present in European aquatic environments and human settlements are blamed as major sources of water pollution. It was assumed that as long as water treatment is not totally effective and it requires a high amount of energy and resources, household’s contribution through correct behaviour in relation to the load of waste they discharge in the sewage system can reduce efforts towards wastewater treatment. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to investigate households’ perception and behaviour related to wastewater treatment services. Results are based on a random survey with a sample of 125 Romanian consumers of water supply and sewage services. A key finding is that investigated wastewater services consumers perceive the effect of discharging untreated wastewater in the environment as highly negative both on human health and on the environment, thus pointing out the importance associated by them to water treatment. This research argues that understanding wastewater services consumer behaviour enlarges the way toward reducing environmental disturbances.
Integrated Assessment of Economic Losses in Manufacturing Industry in Shanghai Metropolitan Area Under an Extreme Storm Flood Scenario
Authors: Li Weijiang , Wen Jiahong , Xu Bo , Li Xiande , Du Shiqiang
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we developed an integrated methodology for assessing asset damage, production capacity loss, and inter-sector ripple loss using the depth-damage curve, Cobb-Douglas production function and Input-Output model. We applied this methodology to the detailed individual manufacturing firms in Shanghai under an extreme storm floods scenario to simulate the disaster impact propagation from local individual firms to the entire industrial system and comprehensively estimate the resulting economic losses and their spatial distribution. Our results show that given no floodwall protection, a 1000-year storm flood scenario would cause direct asset damage of US $21 billion to the Shanghai manufacturing industry, including fixed asset damage of US $12 billion and inventory damage of US $9 billion. Due to the shortage of input productive factors of asset and labor, it would further lead to production capacity loss of US $24 billion. In addition, affected manufacturing industry would indirectly result in ripple loss of US $60 billion among dependent sectors, which has a significant amplifier effect. Our results have important implications for reasonable cost-benefit analysis of structural flood control measures in coastal areas, as well as for manufacturing firm location planning and resilience strategy decision-making.
Landscape, Architecture and Environmental Regeneration: A Research by Design Approach for Inclusive Tourism in a Rural Village in China
Authors: Cattaneo Tiziano , Giorgi Emanuele , Ni Minqing
Published: December 2018

This paper presents project-based research focusing on regeneration for sustainable tourism in a rural village in China, namely Dongjingyu Village, Yuyang Township, Ji County. The research by design approach was applied, introducing to the Chinese context the concept of landscape services, with a particular focus on tradition and the evolution of historical landscape element (HLE) categories and types, whose value is determined by a qualifying relationship between human beings and the environment. The aim was to regenerate and transform the village for uses that are suitable to contemporary ways of coexistence between villagers and the growing tourism industry. Although there are partial limitations to the application of participatory methodologies in the Chinese context, the authors opted for a methodological approach based on research by design in order to foster dialogue and create awareness for both government authorities and citizens regarding potential design solutions, which were determined based on landscape patterns and not only land use. Two outcomes were achieved: (1) the research working package might lead to experimental actions, including changes to land-use models, administration capabilities and considerations of feasibility; and (2) the entire work package can be applied to and implemented in other rural villages in China. Moving beyond environmental scenarios, the outcomes provide evidence that participation and social inclusion might have a deeper and more positive impact on rural village regeneration.
Impact of Perceived Uncertainty on Public Acceptability of Congestion Charging: An Empirical Study in China
Authors: Wang Yacan , Wang Yu , Xie Luyao , Zhou Huiyu
Published: December 2018

Severe traffic congestion is now a common problem in major cities worldwide, causing huge economic, environmental, and social losses to overall welfare. Governments are now considering congestion charging as an effective way to manage congestion. However, since congestion charging has not yet been implemented widely, the public remains uncertain about it. Few scholars have explored public uncertainty about congestion charging. This paper examined how the public perceived uncertainty toward fairness and efficiency affects willingness to accept congestion charging. Through an experimental study of stated preference, this paper analyzes the influence of observable variables and unobserved latent variables on public acceptability and compares the results with a traditional discrete choice model. The results indicated that the public’s perceived uncertainty about congestion charging will have significant negative effect on acceptability and that the perception of fairness has an even larger effect. As for uncertainty about the effectiveness of congestion charging on alleviating congestion, the implementation efficiency of the government is the most significant. For uncertainty about fairness, whether charge collection and revenue allocation are reasonable is the most significant. These findings provide an empirical basis for reducing public uncertainty and increasing public acceptance of congestion charging.
The Evolution of Sustainable Development in Scotland—A Case Study of Community Right-to-Buy Law and Policy 2003–2018
Authors: Ross Andrea
Published: December 2018

Effective ownership, management and access to land are central for sustainable development and can impact significantly on the opportunities for local enterprise. In 1998, Scotland’s Land Reform Policy Group concluded that ‘Land reform is needed on the grounds of fairness and to secure the public good’ Consequently, Scotland has introduced various schemes that facilitate or compel the transfer of land from an existing landowner to a community body. Sustainable development is a primary objective of all these regimes making them exceptional both in UK and global terms and worthy of in depth examination. This article critically explores how the laws and policies relating to sustainable development within these community right-to-buy regimes have matured and evolved from their introduction in 2003 to the present. It reveals the beginning of a fourth era in sustainable development policy in Scotland which moves away from a single ‘one size fits all’ approach to one where both sustainable development itself and wider sustainable development equations are tailored to land-use in Scotland and to the needs of each of the different community right-to-buy regimes. These developments evidence a significant maturity in the implementation and delivery of sustainable development in Scotland.
New Exact Solutions of the Generalized Benjamin–Bona–Mahony Equation
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad , Baleanu Dumitru , Al Qurashi Maysaa
Published: December 2018

The recently introduced technique, namely the generalized exponential rational function method, is applied to acquire some new exact optical solitons for the generalized Benjamin–Bona–Mahony (GBBM) equation. Appropriately, we obtain many families of solutions for the considered equation. To better understand of the physical features of solutions, some physical interpretations of solutions are also included. We examined the symmetries of obtained solitary waves solutions through figures. It is concluded that our approach is very efficient and powerful for integrating different nonlinear pdes. All symbolic computations are performed in Maple package.
Conus Envenomation of Humans: In Fact and Fiction
Authors: Kohn Alan J.
Published: December 2018

Prominent hallmarks of the widely distributed, mainly tropical marine snail genus Conus are: (1) its unusually high species diversity; it is the largest genus of animals in the sea, with more than 800 recognized species; and (2) its specialized feeding behavior of overcoming prey by injection with potent neurotoxic, paralytic venoms, and swallowing the victim whole. Including the first report of a human fatality from a Conus sting nearly 350 years ago, at least 141 human envenomations have been recorded, of which 36 were fatal. Most Conus species are quite specialized predators that can be classified in one of three major feeding guilds: they prey exclusively or nearly so on worms, primarily polychaete annelids, other gastropods, sometimes including other Conus species, or fishes. These differences are shown to relate to the severity of human envenomations, with the danger increasing generally in the order listed above and a strong likelihood that all of the known human fatalities may be attributable solely to the single piscivorous species C. geographus.