bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Approach to Unsupervised Change Detection Based on Hybrid Spectral Difference
Authors: Yan Li , Xia Wang , Zhao Zhan , Wang Yanran
Published: May 2018

The most commonly used features in unsupervised change detection are spectral characteristics. Traditional methods describe the degree of the change between two pixels by quantifying the difference in spectral values or spectral shapes (spectral curve shapes). However, traditional methods based on variation in spectral shapes tend to miss the change between two pixels if their spectral curves are close to flat; and traditional methods based on variation in spectral values tend to miss the change between two pixels if their values are low (dark objects). To inhibit the weaknesses of traditional methods, a novel approach to unsupervised change detection based on hybrid spectral difference (HSD) is proposed which combines the difference between spectral values and spectral shapes. First, a new method referred to as change detection based on spectral shapes (CDSS) is proposed that fuses the difference images produced by the spectral correlation mapper (SCM) and spectral gradient difference (SGD) in order to describe the variation in spectral shapes. Second, a method called change detection based on spectral values (CDSV), computing the Euclidean distance between two spectral vectors, is used to obtain a difference image based on the variation in spectral values. Then, the credibility of CDSS and CDSV for every pixel is calculated to describe how appropriate these two methods are for detecting the change. Finally, the difference images produced by CDSS and CDSV are fused with the corresponding credibility to generate the hybrid spectral difference image. Two experiments were carried out on worldview-2/3 and Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) datasets, and both qualitative and quantitative results indicated that HSD had superior capabilities of change detection compared with standard change vector analysis (CVA), SCM, SGD and multivariate alteration detection (MAD). The accuracy of CDSS is higher than CDSV in case-1 but lower in case-2 and, compared to the higher one, the overall accuracy and the kappa coefficient of HSD improved by 3.45% and 6.92%, respectively, in the first experiment, and by 1.66% and 3.31%, respectively, in the second experiment. The omission rate dropped by approx. 4.4% in both tests.
Radar Target Recognition Using Salient Keypoint Descriptors and Multitask Sparse Representation
Authors: Karine Ayoub , Toumi Abdelmalek , Khenchaf Ali , El Hassouni Mohammed
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to recognize radar targets on inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. This approach is based on the multiple salient keypoint descriptors (MSKD) and multitask sparse representation based classification (MSRC). Thus, to characterize the targets in the radar images, we combine the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and the saliency map. The purpose of this combination is to reduce the number of SIFT keypoints by keeping only those located in the target area (salient region); this speeds up the recognition process. After that, we compute the feature vectors of the resulting salient SIFT keypoints (MSKD). This methodology is applied for both training and test images. The MSKD of the training images leads to constructing the dictionary of a sparse convex optimization problem. To achieve the recognition, we adopt the MSRC taking into consideration each vector in the MSKD as a task. This classifier solves the sparse representation problem for each task over the dictionary and determines the class of the radar image according to all sparse reconstruction errors (residuals). The effectiveness of the proposed approach method has been demonstrated by a set of extensive empirical results on ISAR and SAR images databases. The results show the ability of the proposed method to predict adequately the aircraft and the ground targets.
Maximum Correntropy Unscented Kalman Filter for Ballistic Missile Navigation System based on SINS/CNS Deeply Integrated Mode
Authors: Hou Bowen , He Zhangming , Li Dong , Zhou Haiyin , Wang Jiongqi
Published: May 2018

Strap-down inertial navigation system/celestial navigation system (SINS/CNS) integrated navigation is a high precision navigation technique for ballistic missiles. The traditional navigation method has a divergence in the position error. A deeply integrated mode for SINS/CNS navigation system is proposed to improve the navigation accuracy of ballistic missile. The deeply integrated navigation principle is described and the observability of the navigation system is analyzed. The nonlinearity, as well as the large outliers and the Gaussian mixture noises, often exists during the actual navigation process, leading to the divergence phenomenon of the navigation filter. The new nonlinear Kalman filter on the basis of the maximum correntropy theory and unscented transformation, named the maximum correntropy unscented Kalman filter, is deduced, and the computational complexity is analyzed. The unscented transformation is used for restricting the nonlinearity of the system equation, and the maximum correntropy theory is used to deal with the non-Gaussian noises. Finally, numerical simulation illustrates the superiority of the proposed filter compared with the traditional unscented Kalman filter. The comparison results show that the large outliers and the influence of non-Gaussian noises for SINS/CNS deeply integrated navigation is significantly reduced through the proposed filter.
A Simplified Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber SERS Probe with a Fully Filled Photoreduction Silver Nanoprism
Authors: Geng Youfu , Xu Yiwen , Tan Xiaoling , Wang Lina , Li Xuejin , Du Yu , Hong Xueming
Published: May 2018

In this paper, a simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fiber surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe is presented. Silver nanoprisms are grown with a photoreduction method and account for the SERS, which have better electromagnetic enhancement than spherical silver nanoparticles at 785 nm. Due to the antiresonant reflecting guidance mechanism, the excited laser and SERS signal are effectively guided in such a fully filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber SERS probe and complicated selective filling with target sample is avoided. Rhodamine 6G molecules are used as probe molecules and the simplified hollow-core photonic crystal fiber SERS probe is test. Detection of low concentration Rhodamine 6G down to 10−8 M is achieved with a short integration time of 300 ms.
Energy Modeling of IoT Mobile Terminals on WiFi Environmental Impacts †
Authors: Sun Yuxia , Chen Junxian , Tang Yong , Chen Yanjia
Published: May 2018

With the popularity of various IoT mobile terminals such as mobile phones and sensors, the energy problems of IoT mobile terminals have attracted increasingly more attention. In this paper, we explore the impacts of some important factors of WiFi environments on the energy consumption of mobile phones, which are typical IoT end devices. The factors involve the WiFi signal strength under good signal conditions, the type and the amount of protocol packets that are initiated by WiFi APs (Access Points) to maintain basic network communication with the phones. Controlled experiments are conducted to quantitatively study the phone energy impacts by the above WiFi environmental factors. To describe such impacts, we construct a time-based signal strength-aware energy model and packet type/amount-aware energy models. The models constructed in the paper corroborate the following user experience on phone energy consumption: (1) a phone’s energy is drawn faster under higher WiFi signal strengths than under lower ones even in normal signal conditions; (2) phones consume energy faster in a public WiFi network than in a private one even in the basic phone state. The energy modeling methods proposed in the paper enable ordinary developers to analyze phone energy draw conveniently by utilizing inexpensive power meters as measurement tools. The modeling methods are general and are able to be used for phones of any type and any platform.
Design of Compressed Sensing Algorithm for Coal Mine IoT Moving Measurement Data Based on a Multi-Hop Network and Total Variation
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhao Zhikai , Ning Yongjie
Published: May 2018

As the application of a coal mine Internet of Things (IoT), mobile measurement devices, such as intelligent mine lamps, cause moving measurement data to be increased. How to transmit these large amounts of mobile measurement data effectively has become an urgent problem. This paper presents a compressed sensing algorithm for the large amount of coal mine IoT moving measurement data based on a multi-hop network and total variation. By taking gas data in mobile measurement data as an example, two network models for the transmission of gas data flow, namely single-hop and multi-hop transmission modes, are investigated in depth, and a gas data compressed sensing collection model is built based on a multi-hop network. To utilize the sparse characteristics of gas data, the concept of total variation is introduced and a high-efficiency gas data compression and reconstruction method based on Total Variation Sparsity based on Multi-Hop (TVS-MH) is proposed. According to the simulation results, by using the proposed method, the moving measurement data flow from an underground distributed mobile network can be acquired and transmitted efficiently.
A Capsule-Type Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer for Fast Screening of External Corrosion in Nonmagnetic Pipes
Authors: Li Yong , Cai Rui , Yan Bei , Zainal Abidin Ilham Mukriz , Jing Haoqing , Wang Yi
Published: May 2018

For fuel transmission and structural strengthening, small-diameter pipes of nonmagnetic materials are extensively adopted in engineering fields including aerospace, energy, transportation, etc. However, the hostile and corrosive environment leaves them vulnerable to external corrosion which poses a severe threat to structural integrity of pipes. Therefore, it is imperative to nondestructively detect and evaluate the external corrosion in nonmagnetic pipes. In light of this, a capsule-type Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) for in-situ nondestructive evaluation of nonmagnetic pipes and fast screening of external corrosion is proposed in this paper. A 3D hybrid model for efficient prediction of responses from the proposed transducer to external corrosion is established. Closed-form expressions of field quantities of electromagnetics and EMAT signals are formulated. Simulations based on the hybrid model indicate feasibility of the proposed transducer in detection and evaluation of external corrosion in nonmagnetic pipes. In parallel, experiments with the fabricated transducer have been carried out. Experimental results are supportive of the conclusion drawn from simulations. The investigation via simulations and experiments implies that the proposed capsule-type EMAT is capable of fast screening of external corrosion, which is beneficial to the in-situ nondestructive evaluation of small-diameter nonmagnetic pipes.
Reader Architectures for Wireless Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors
Authors: Lurz Fabian , Ostertag Thomas , Scheiner Benedict , Weigel Robert , Koelpin Alexander
Published: May 2018

Wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors have some unique features that make them promising for industrial metrology. Their decisive advantage lies in their purely passive operation and the wireless readout capability allowing the installation also at particularly inaccessible locations. Furthermore, they are small, low-cost and rugged components on highly stable substrate materials and thus particularly suited for harsh environments. Nevertheless, a sensor itself does not carry out any measurement but always requires a suitable excitation and interrogation circuit: a reader. A variety of different architectures have been presented and investigated up to now. This review paper gives a comprehensive survey of the present state of reader architectures such as time domain sampling (TDS), frequency domain sampling (FDS) and hybrid concepts for both SAW resonators and reflective SAW delay line sensors. Furthermore, critical performance parameters such as measurement accuracy, dynamic range, update rate, and hardware costs of the state of the art in science and industry are presented, compared and discussed.
Planetary Gear Fault Diagnosis via Feature Image Extraction Based on Multi Central Frequencies and Vibration Signal Frequency Spectrum
Authors: Li Yong , Cheng Gang , Pang Yusong , Kuai Moshen
Published: May 2018

Poor working environment leads to frequent failures of planetary gear trains. However, complex structure and variable transmission make the vibration signal strongly non-linear and non-stationary, which brings big problems to fault diagnosis. A method of planetary gear fault diagnosis via feature image extraction based on multi central frequencies and vibration signal frequency spectrum is proposed. The original vibration signal is decomposed by variational mode decomposition (VMD), and four components with narrow bands and independent central frequencies are decomposed. In order to retain the feature spectrum of the original vibration signal as far as possible, the corresponding feature bands are intercepted from the frequency spectrum of original vibration signal based on the central frequency of each component. Then, the feature images of fault signals are constructed as the inputs of the convolution neural network (CNN), and the parameters of the neural network are optimized by sample training. Finally, the optimized CNN is used to identify fault signals. The overall fault recognition rate is up to 98.75%. Compared with the feature bands extracted directly from the component spectrums, the extraction method of the feature bands proposed in this paper needs fewer iterations under the same network structure. The method of planetary gear fault diagnosis proposed in this paper is effective.
Estimation of Temporal Gait Parameters Using a Human Body Electrostatic Sensing-Based Method
Authors: Li Mengxuan , Li Pengfei , Tian Shanshan , Tang Kai , Chen Xi
Published: May 2018

Accurate estimation of gait parameters is essential for obtaining quantitative information on motor deficits in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, which helps determine disease progression and therapeutic interventions. Due to the demand for high accuracy, unobtrusive measurement methods such as optical motion capture systems, foot pressure plates, and other systems have been commonly used in clinical environments. However, the high cost of existing lab-based methods greatly hinders their wider usage, especially in developing countries. In this study, we present a low-cost, noncontact, and an accurate temporal gait parameters estimation method by sensing and analyzing the electrostatic field generated from human foot stepping. The proposed method achieved an average 97% accuracy on gait phase detection and was further validated by comparison to the foot pressure system in 10 healthy subjects. Two results were compared using the Pearson coefficient r and obtained an excellent consistency (r = 0.99, p < 0.05). The repeatability of the purposed method was calculated between days by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and showed good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87, p < 0.01). The proposed method could be an affordable and accurate tool to measure temporal gait parameters in hospital laboratories and in patients’ home environments.
Multifunctionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide Biosensors for Simultaneous Monitoring of Structural Changes in Amyloid-β 40
Authors: Jeong Dahye , Kim Jinsik , Chae Myung-Sic , Lee Wonseok , Yang Seung-Hoon , Kim YoungSoo , Kim Seung Min , Lee Jin San , Lee Jeong Hoon , Choi Jungkyu , Yoon Dae Sung , Hwang Kyo Seon
Published: May 2018

Determination of the conformation (monomer, oligomer, or fibril) of amyloid peptide aggregates in the human brain is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Accordingly, systematic investigation of amyloid conformation using analytical tools is essential for precisely quantifying the relative amounts of the three conformations of amyloid peptide. Here, we developed a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based multiplexing biosensor that could be used to monitor the relative amounts of the three conformations of various amyloid-β 40 (Aβ40) fluids. The electrical rGO biosensor was composed of a multichannel sensor array capable of individual detection of monomers, oligomers, and fibrils in a single amyloid fluid sample. From the performance test of each sensor, we showed that this method had good analytical sensitivity (1 pg/mL) and a fairly wide dynamic range (1 pg/mL to 10 ng/mL) for each conformation of Aβ40. To verify whether the rGO biosensor could be used to evaluate the relative amounts of the three conformations, various amyloid solutions (monomeric Aβ40, aggregated Aβ40, and disaggregated Aβ40 solutions) were employed. Notably, different trends in the relative amounts of the three conformations were observed in each amyloid solution, indicating that this information could serve as an important parameter in the clinical setting. Accordingly, our analytical tool could precisely detect the relative amounts of the three conformations of Aβ40 and may have potential applications as a diagnostic system for AD.
Research on a Novel MEMS Sensor for Spatial DC Electric Field Measurements in an Ion Flows Field
Authors: Mou Ya , Yu Zhanqing , Huang Kaitian , Ma Qing , Zeng Rong , Wang Zheyao
Published: May 2018

Thus far, despite the development of electric field sensors (EFSs) such as field mills, optoelectronic EFSs and microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based EFSs, no sensor can accurately measure an electric field in space due to the existence of space charge and the influence of charge attachment. To measure a spatial synthetic electric field in an ion flow field, a double potential independent differential EFS based on MEMS is proposed. Compared with other EFSs, this method has the advantages of independent potential (without grounding) and the ability to support the measurement of the synthetic ion flow electric field in space. First, to analyse the charge distribution after the sensor is involved exposed to an electric field, a simulation model was constructed. Then, given the redistribution of the spatial electric field in space and the influence of the surface charge on the sensor, the quantitative relationship between the electric field to be measured and that measured by the proposed sensor was obtained. To improve the performance of the EFS, a set of synthetic field strength sensor calibration systems that consider spatial ion flow injection was established. Furthermore, the parameter λ, which is related to the relative position of the differential chips, was determined. Finally, a series of comparative experiments indicated that the differential EFS highlighted in the present study exhibits good linearity and accuracy.
Reply to Comments: A Novel Low-Cost Instrumentation System for Measuring the Water Content and Apparent Electrical Conductivity of Soils, Sensors, 15, 25546–25563
Authors: Rêgo Segundo Alan Kardek , Da Silva Marco Jose , Freitas Gustavo Medeiros , De Barros Monteiro Paulo Marcos , Martins José Helvecio
Published: May 2018

In this article we respond to the comments made by Chavanne et al., who have questioned: (i) the name of the technique used; (ii) the ability of the system to determine both soil water content and salinity due to potential instrument biases and choice of sensor frequencies; and (iii) the procedure used to determine temperature effect on readings presented in the article “A Novel Low-Cost Instrumentation System for Measuring the Water Content and Apparent Electrical Conductivity of Soils” (Sensors 2015, 15, 25546–25563). We have carefully analyzed the arguments in the comment, and have concluded that they only partially affect the previous conclusions, as will be discussed in this reply. We show here that the findings and conclusions previously drawn are valid and supported by the many experiments previously conducted.
Model-Based Evaluation of Urban River Restoration: Conflicts between Sensitive Fish Species and Recreational Users
Authors: Zingraff-Hamed Aude , Noack Markus , Greulich Sabine , Schwarzwälder Kordula , Wantzen Karl Matthias , Pauleit Stephan
Published: May 2018

Urban rivers are socioecological systems, and restored habitats may be attractive to both sensitive species and recreationists. Understanding the potential conflicts between ecological and recreational values is a critical issue for the development of a sustainable river-management plan. Habitat models are very promising tools for the ecological evaluation of river restoration projects that are already concluded, ongoing, or even to be planned. With our paper, we make a first attempt at integrating recreational user pressure into habitat modeling. The objective of this study was to analyze whether human impact is likely to hinder the re-establishment of a target species despite the successful restoration of physical habitat structures in the case of the restoration of the Isar River in Munich (Germany) and the target fish species Chondostroma nasus L. Our analysis combined high-resolution 2D hydrodynamic modeling with mapping of recreational pressure and used an expert-based procedure for modeling habitat suitability. The results are twofold: (1) the restored river contains suitable physical habitats for population conservation but has low suitability for recruitment; (2) densely used areas match highly suitable habitats for C. nasus. In the future, the integrated modeling procedure presented here may allow ecological refuge for sensitive target species to be included in the design of restoration and may help in the development of visitor-management plans to safeguard biodiversity and recreational ecosystem services.
The Evolution of Renewable Energy Price Policies Based on Improved Bass Model: A System Dynamics (SD) Analysis
Authors: Zhao Xin-gang , Zhang Yu-zhuo , Li Yan-bin
Published: May 2018

Many countries in the world have implemented many price support policies to promote the development of renewable energy, and there are evolutionary processes between different policies at different stages of national development. Existing literature has less research on the internal mechanism and alternative process of renewable energy price policies’ evolution process. In view of this, this paper innovatively introduces the classic model of innovation diffusion theory, the Bass model, into the renewable energy price mechanism, and improves it on the basis of the traditional Bass model, and then proposes a system dynamics (SD) simulation based on the improved Bass model to study the evolution process of the renewable energy price policies. This paper mainly studies the evolution process of the policies from feed-in tariff (FIT) to renewable portfolio standard (RPS), and takes China’s wind power industry as an example to simulate the model. The results show that FIT can effectively and quickly evolve to RPS based on the internal influence of the interaction among power generation enterprises and the external influence of government behaviors. All the power generation enterprises will implement RPS, and the amount of green power enterprises eventually grows steadily and slowly. In addition, increasing the decline rate of FIT subsidy and RPS unit fine can effectively promote the evolution of RPS policy, and also improve the amount of green power enterprises and the activity of the tradable green certificates (TGC) trading market.
A Spatial DEA-Based Framework for Analyzing the Effectiveness of Disaster Risk Reduction Policy Implementation: A Case Study of Earthquake-Oriented Urban Renewal Policy in Yongkang, Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Hao-Teng , Chang Hsueh-Sheng
Published: May 2018

Due to the many large earthquakes that have occurred in recent years, the role of seismic risk reduction in building resilient cities has become a matter of concern. The serious disaster damage brought by seismic hazards causes the adoption of migration policies such as building control in the preparedness phase. However, the restricted budget of governments resulting from the global state of economic distress generates a prioritization problem. A decision support framework could be helpful for governments to systematically integrate the complex information when implementing disaster risk reduction policies toward sustainable development. The purpose of this study was to construct an analytical framework based on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for addressing the prioritization problem by calculating policy efficiency. The spatial DEA-based framework combines indices calculation, spatial database construction, and DEA. Taiwan is an island located in the Circum-Pacific Belt, and has paid long-term attention to adopting policies for earthquake disaster prevention. A policy of earthquake-oriented urban renewal combining enhanced building capacity and city resilience has recently been implemented. A case study of the Yongkang district of the Tainan Metropolis in Taiwan was conducted in this study. The results show an operable framework and propose a suggestion for planning efficient policy priorities in each decision-making unit. In sum, the analytical framework proposed in this study could be a component of a decision support system for governments to adopt disaster risk reduction policies in the process of policy-making and implementation.
What Have We Learned from the Land Sparing-sharing Model?
Authors: Phalan Benjamin T.
Published: May 2018

The land sparing-sharing model provides a powerful heuristic and analytical framework for understanding the potential of agricultural landscapes to support wild species. However, its conceptual and analytical strengths and limitations remain widely contested or misunderstood. Here, I review what inferences can and cannot be derived from the framework, and discuss eight specific points of contention and confusion. The land sparing-sharing framework is underpinned by an ethic that seeks to minimise harm to non-human species. It is used to quantify how good farmland is for different species, in relation to appropriate reference land uses, and at what opportunity cost. The results of empirical studies that have used the model indicate that most species will have larger populations if food is produced on as small an area as possible, while sparing as large an area of native vegetation as possible. The potential benefits of land sharing or intermediate strategies for wild species are more limited. I review disagreements about the scope of analysis (food production cf. food security), the value of high-yield farmland for wildlife, the (ir)relevance of the Borlaug hypothesis, scale and heterogeneity, fostering human connections to nature, the prospects for land sparing in heavily-modified landscapes, the role of land sparing in improving connectivity, and the political implications of the model. Interpreted alongside insights from social, political and economic studies, the model can help us to understand how decisions about land-use will affect the persistence of wild species populations into the future.
Sum Utilization of Spectrum with Spectrum Handoff and Imperfect Sensing in Interweave Multi-Channel Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Khalid Waqas , Yu Heejung
Published: May 2018

Fifth-generation (5G) heterogeneous network deployment poses new challenges for 5G-based cognitive radio networks (5G-CRNs) as the primary user (PU) is required to be more active because of the small cells, random user arrival, and spectrum handoff. Interweave CRNs (I-CRNs) improve spectrum utilization by allowing opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) for secondary users (SUs). The sum utilization of spectrum, i.e., joint utilization of spectrum by the SU and PU, depends on the spatial and temporal variations of PU activities, sensing outcomes, transmitting conditions, and spectrum handoff. In this study, we formulate and analyze the sum utilization of spectrum with different sets of channels under different PU and SU co-existing network topologies. We consider realistic multi-channel scenarios for the SU, with each channel licensed to a PU. The SU, aided by spectrum handoff, is authorized to utilize the channels on the basis of sensing outcomes and PU interruptions. The numerical evaluation of the proposed work is presented under different network and sensing parameters. Moreover, the sum utilization gain is investigated to analyze the sensitivities of different sensing parameters. It is demonstrated that different sets of channels, PU activities, and sensing outcomes have a significant impact on the sum utilization of spectrum associated with a specific network topology.
The Prospective Consumers of the Indonesian Green Aviation Initiative for Sustainable Development in Air Transportation
Authors: Rajiani Ismi , Kot Sebastian
Published: May 2018

The Indonesia government’s pledge on moderation climate change and greenhouse gas decline will affect the development of energy and transportation. However, shifting to these new green products is naturally problematic. Recognizing the prospective customer is even more challenging if there is no prediction base. This study is concentrated on discerning the inclinations to forecast the potential consumers by applying Schwartz’s Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ), mediated with three established groups, namely: the (1) LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability); (2) traditionalists and (3) career-oriented. By referring to five diffusions of an innovation model, the adopters who are prospectively using the green aviation are assessed. The negative path to technology enthusiast and visionaries denote no market. However, if these two niches are found, they will become the focal point for segmenting the market. The relationship among the constructs is assessed using structural equation modeling on 178 samples that are residing in main cities of Indonesia.
Cladistical Analysis of the Jovian and Saturnian Satellite Systems
Authors: Holt Timothy. R. , Brown Adrian. J. , Nesvorný David , Horner Jonathan , Carter Brad
Published: May 2018

Jupiter and Saturn each have complex systems of satellites and rings. These satellites can be classified into dynamical groups, implying similar formation scenarios. Recently, a larger number of additional irregular satellites have been discovered around both gas giants that have yet to be classified. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationships between the satellites and rings of the gas giants, using an analytical technique called cladistics. Cladistics is traditionally used to examine relationships between living organisms, the “tree of life.” In this work, we perform the first cladistical study of objects in a planetary science context. Our method uses the orbital, physical, and compositional characteristics of satellites to classify the objects in the Jovian and Saturnian systems. We find that the major relationships between the satellites in the two systems, such as families, as presented in previous studies, are broadly preserved. In addition, based on our analysis of the Jovian system, we identify a new retrograde irregular family, the Iocaste family, and suggest that the Phoebe family of the Saturnian system can be further divided into two subfamilies. We also propose that the Saturnian irregular families be renamed, to be consistent with the convention used in Jovian families. Using cladistics, we are also able to assign the new unclassified irregular satellites into families. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential use of the cladistical technique in the investigation of relationships between orbital bodies.
Dynamics of Intense Currents in the Solar Wind
Authors: Artemyev Anton V. , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Halekas Jasper S. , Vinogradov Alexander A. , Vasko Ivan Y. , Zelenyi Lev M.
Published: May 2018

Transient currents in the solar wind are carried by various magnetic field discontinuities that contribute significantly to the magnetic field fluctuation spectrum. Internal instabilities and dynamics of these discontinuities are believed to be responsible for magnetic field energy dissipation and corresponding charged particle acceleration and heating. Accurate modeling of these phenomena requires detailed investigation of transient current formation and evolution. By examining such evolution using a unique data set compiled from observations of the same solar wind flow by two spacecraft at Earth’s and Mars’s orbits, we show that it consists of several processes: discontinuity thinning (decrease in thickness normalized by the ion inertial length), intensification of currents normalized to the proton thermal current (i.e., the product of proton charge, density, and thermal velocity), and increase in the compressional component of magnetic field variations across discontinuities. The significant proton temperature variation around most observed discontinuities indicates possible proton heating. Plasma velocity jumps across the discontinuities are well correlated with Alfvén velocity changes. We discuss possible explanations of the observed discontinuity evolution. We also compare the observed evolution with predictions of models describing discontinuity formation due to Alfvén wave steepening. Our results show that discontinuity modeling likely requires taking into account both the effects of nonlinear Alfvén wave dynamics and solar wind expansion.
« La boîte à mots ». Un atelier d’écriture pour adolescents en cmpp
Authors: Féger Marie-France
Published: May 2018

L’atelier d’écriture pour adolescents en cmpp offre un ailleurs, un temps décalé qui échappe à l’ici et maintenant souvent coincé dans le symptôme. Il relance la capacité de rêver, d’imaginer, et le travail de la pensée qui s’y déroule permet de « réintroduire de la nuance » dans les affects parfois trop bruts de l’éprouvé adolescent. Un exposé des intérêts cliniques de cette pratique et deux parcours de jeunes montrent comment cette expérience créative et groupale ouvre la voie à une restauration narcissique, à l’affirmation de soi et à un réaménagement éventuel au cœur du tumulte adolescent.
A case report on inVALUABLE: insect value chain in a circular bioeconomy
Authors: Heckmann L.-H. , Andersen J.L. , Eilenberg J. , Fynbo J. , Miklos R. , Jensen A.N. , Nørgaard J.V. , Roos N.
Published: May 2018

The vision of inVALUABLE is to create a sustainable resource-efficient industry for animal production based on insects. inVALUABLE has focus on the R&D demand for scaling up production of insects in Denmark and assessing the application potential of particularly mealworms. The inVALUABLE consortium partners span the entire value chain and include entrepreneurs, experts in biology, biotechnology, automation, processing and food tech and safety. This paper provides an overview of the goal, activities and some preliminary results obtained during the first year of the project.
A Pulsed Electrical Joint Stimulator for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Hand and Wrist
Authors: Holt Peter A. , Ozyurekoglu Tuna , Deveshwar Shaili , Maclaughlin Edmund J. , Khlopas Anton , Mont Michael A. , Pang Shirley W. , Tuber Jack S. , Schechtman Joy , Zizic Thomas M.
Published: May 2018

The hand is commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The development and progression of OA are believed to involve inflammation, even in the early stages of the disease. Inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines have also been shown to be elevated in the flexor tenosynovium of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A large percentage of patients with hand OA also have a concomitant CTS. This study evaluated the results of a pulsed electrical joint stimulator in patients who had hand OA with or without CTS. Pain, tenderness, and swelling; grip strength and pinch force; and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) results were evaluated. The primary efficacy outcome was pain due to OA in the study hand in the past 48 hours. Secondary outcomes consisted of OA pain in the study thumb in the past 48 hours, grip strength, pinch force, and Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results. All 7 outcome parameters improved in OA patients. On physical examination, individual finger and wrist joints had also improved regarding pain, swelling, and tenderness. In the subset of patients with CTS, CTS pain, paresthesia, weakness, and all CTS symptoms had significantly improved. Patient and Physician Global Assessment and DASH results and pinch force were also significantly improved. This pulsed electrical joint stimulator is effective in providing clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions in the signs and symptoms of OA of the hand and CTS. It could be a useful modality for the treatment of patients who have one of these conditions or both. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(4):e550–e556.]
Outpatient Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Does Not Increase the 90-Day Risk of Complications Compared With Inpatient Surgery in Prescreened Patients
Authors: Nwankwo Chima D. , Dutton Pascual , Merriman Jarrad A. , Gajudo Gio , Gill Kanwaljit , Hatch Joshua
Published: May 2018

Outpatient total joint arthroplasty is becoming a more attractive option for hospitals, surgeons, and patients. In this study, the authors evaluated the safety of outpatient shoulder arthroplasty by comparing an outpatient cohort with an inpatient cohort. Ninety-day outcomes of consecutively performed elective shoulder arthroplasty cases from 2012 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were preoperatively assigned to outpatient or inpatient care. Primary outcomes were emergency department visits, readmissions, mortality, and surgical morbidity within 90 days of surgery. Two-tailed
t
tests were used to evaluate differences. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine if the odds of emergency department visit, readmission, or complications were significantly different between the cohorts. There were 118 outpatient and 64 inpatient shoulder arthroplasty procedures. Mean age and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were lower in the outpatient group compared with the inpatient group—68.1 vs 72.4 years (
P
=.01) and 2.3 vs 2.6 (
P
<.01), respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression model including all arthroplasty cases, the odds of outpatient to inpatient readmission was significantly different (odds ratio, 0.181;
P
=.027). However, when only total shoulder arthroplasty cases were included, no difference was detected. No statistically significant difference was noted for number of emergency department visits, mortality, or surgical morbidity within 90 days of surgery in any of the models. There was 1 death in the ambulatory group at 28 days after surgery. On the basis of these findings, the authors believe that, for carefully selected patients, an outpatient shoulder arthroplasty protocol is safe when compared with inpatient protocols. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(4):e563–e568.]
Características mecánicas y tribológicas de compuestos de dióxido de Titanio-Aluminio
Authors: Ulvi Gezici Levent , Gül Burak , Çavdar Ugur
Published: May 2018

El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar las propiedades mecánicas y tribológicas de refuerzos de dióxido de titanio (TiO2) en una matriz de aluminio (Al). Se utilizó aluminio de pureza 99,8% reforzado con TiO2 ensayándose cinco cantidades diferentes de dióxido de titanio. Se mezcló polvo de aluminio y TiO2 en un molino de bolas durante 30 min, utilizando un mezclador con eje descentrado. La mezcla se compactó mediante la técnica de prensado en frío a una presión de 250 MPa. Se utilizaron dos métodos diferentes para el sinterizado. El compactado en verde se sinterizó a 600 ºC durante 300 s en atmósfera ambiental con un sistema de inducción de ultra alta frecuencia (UHFIS) y con un horno convencional a 600 °C durante 1800 s. Las propiedades mecánicas y micro-estructurales de las muestras se compararon utilizando diferentes cantidades de refuerzo. La dureza máxima se observó para un refuerzo con 5% en peso de TiO2.
Information Communication Technology Use among Students in Inclusive Classrooms
Authors: Bagon Špela , Gačnik Mateja , Istenic Starcic Andreja
Published: May 2018

As inclusion has brought diversity into 21st-century classrooms, it has also brought challenges for teachers who must adapt their teaching to different groups of children with varying learning abilities, needs, and interests. It is believed that information and communication technology (ICT) can be used as a powerful tool to support inclusion and that information on students’ use of ICT can facilitate its integration. Our research compared the leisure and school-related computer use of students in inclusive classrooms. Frequency of computer use, types of ICT-supported activities, and attitudes toward computer use were explored. Consistent with previous studies, our results show that students with special needs (SN) and their peers use computers more frequently for leisure activities than school activities. Compared to their peers, students with SN use computers less frequently and for fewer leisure and school activities. They are also more resistant to computer use. No correlation was found between the presence of SN and a student’s desire to use a computer or opinion regarding whether computer use improves learning success. A comparison of male and female students revealed that males use computers more frequently than females, that they use computers more frequently for leisure activities than females, and that they have a stronger belief that computer use improves learning success. The presented work offers important information that may contribute to the integration of ICT in inclusive classrooms.
In MOOCs we Trust: Learner Perceptions of MOOC Quality via Trust and Credibility
Authors: Costello Eamon , Brunton James , Brown Mark , Daly Laurence
Published: May 2018

In this study we sought to examine MOOC learners’ levels of trust in the platforms, institutions, and instructors involved in MOOC design and delivery. We sought to examine what influenced learners’ conceptualizations of trust in MOOCs and how this might influence their future intentions towards the related MOOC providers. To this end we examined whether an increase in perceived source credibility of the MOOC increased trusting beliefs of the MOOC learner. Furthermore, we examined whether increases in trusting beliefs of the MOOC learner would lead to an increase in their future trusting intentions. This second question has implications for whether a learner persists in their learning or decides to commit to further study pathways such as paid certificates. In addition to testing these two hypotheses we sought to determine the most significant underlying drivers that learners reported as affecting their trust in MOOCs they undertook. Drawing on concepts of trust from the literature, we adapted and developed a survey instrument and recruited MOOC learners to respond. Following analysis of 76 responses we found a positive correlation between source credibility and learner trust in MOOCs. Further there was also a positive correlation found between trust in MOOCs and learners’ professed future intentions. Finally, we determined several component factors of MOOC trust drivers as reported by MOOC learners. Our work holds potential implications for MOOC platform developers, instructors, and designers in signposting areas where MOOC learners have positive and negative experiences of MOOCs, which can in turn influence their future relationship with the MOOC providers.
Reliability assessment of a mechanism-based approach to post-injury knee magnetic resonance imaging interpretation by general radiologists
Authors: Stutterheim James , Goodier Matthew D.
Published: May 2018

Background: A mechanism-based approach to post-injury knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpretation, following acute complex knee injury, is cited by several authors to provide increased reporting accuracy and efficiency, by allowing accurate prediction of injury to at-risk structures. This remains to our knowledge untested in a developing world setting and is of interest to us as South African general radiologists. Objective: To assess the reliability of a mechanism-based approach to complex post-trauma knee MRI interpretation when implemented by general radiologists in a South African setting, and compare our results with the findings of North American authors who compiled and assessed the same classification. To measure the agreement between the observers. Methods: A quantitative, observational, investigative, retrospective study was performed using a sample of 50 post-trauma knee MRI studies conducted at Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg. Two investigators independently applied the consolidated mechanism-based approach compiled by Hayes et al. as a research tool to interpret the knee MRI studies, blinded to each other’s findings. Results: Injury mechanism was assigned in 32% of cases by the principle investigator and in 20% of cases by the supervisor, with fair agreement between the observers (k = 0.39). The investigators agreed that 62% of cases were not classifiable by mechanism, 26% because of highly complex injury and 26% because of non-specific findings. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the Hayes et al. classification is a non-ideal tool when used by general radiologists in our setting, as the pure injury mechanisms described in the classification were rare in our study group. Patient epidemiology and investigator experience are highlighted as potential limiting factors in this study. Despite this, we advocate that the concept of a mechanism-based approach for the interpretation of acute post-trauma knee MRI holds value for general radiologists, particularly in patients imaged before resolution of bone bruising (within 12–16 weeks of injury), and those injured in sporting and similar athletic activities.
Ohio Modified Arm–Motor Ability Test (OMAAT): An Optimized Measure of Upper Extremity Functional Limitation in Hemiparetic Stroke
Authors: Persch Andrew C. , Wagner Alexis , Fleming Mallory , Gugiu P. Cristian , Page Stephen J.
Published: May 2018

This secondary analysis quantified the psychometric properties of the Ohio Modified Arm–Motor Ability Test (OMAAT) in a sample of neurologically stable chronic stroke survivors (n = 67, 40 men; mean age 59.8 yr, standard deviation = 12.8; 42 White, 23 Black, 2 other; 92.5% right-sided lesion; 44 ischemic stroke). Findings indicate high OMAAT internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .97, ordinal α = .98, Gugiu’s bootstrap reliability = .97), unidimensionality, and strong positive factor loadings for all 20 OMAAT items. Convergent validity between OMAAT and Action Research Arm Test total scores was strong (r = .90, p < .0001). The OMAAT is the first short measure of upper extremity functional limitation available to clinicians and researchers that includes an administration manual and that has been examined using nonparametric psychometrics. A detailed administration manual is provided as a supplement to this article.