bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Camera Calibration with Radial Variance Component Estimation
Authors: Mélykuti B. , Kruck E. J.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Camera calibration plays a more and more important role in recent times. Beside real digital aerial survey cameras the photogrammetric market is dominated by a big number of non-metric digital cameras mounted on UAVs or other low-weight flying platforms. The in-flight calibration of those systems has a significant role to enhance the geometric accuracy of survey photos considerably. It is expected to have a better precision of photo measurements in the center of images then along the edges or in the corners. With statistical methods the accuracy of photo measurements in dependency of the distance of points from image center has been analyzed. This test provides a curve for the measurement precision as function of the photo radius. A high number of camera types have been tested with well penetrated point measurements in image space. The result of the tests led to a general consequence to show a functional connection between accuracy and radial distance and to give a method how to check and enhance the geometrical capability of the cameras in respect to these results.
Automated processing of high resolution airborne images for earthquake damage assessment
Authors: Nex F. , Rupnik E. , Toschi I. , Remondino F.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Emergency response ought to be rapid, reliable and efficient in terms of bringing the necessary help to sites where it is actually needed. Although the remote sensing techniques require minimum fieldwork and allow for continuous coverage, the established approaches rely on a vast manual work and visual assessment thus are time-consuming and imprecise. Automated processes with little possible interaction are in demand. This paper attempts to address the aforementioned issues by employing an unsupervised classification approach to identify building areas affected by an earthquake event. The classification task is formulated in the Markov Random Fields (MRF) framework and only post-event airborne high-resolution images serve as the input. The generated photogrammetric Digital Surface Model (DSM) and a true orthophoto provide height and spectral information to characterize the urban scene through a set of features. The classification proceeds in two phases, one for distinguishing the buildings out of an urban context (urban classification), and the other for identifying the damaged structures (building classification). The algorithms are evaluated on a dataset consisting of aerial images (7 cm GSD) taken after the Emilia-Romagna (Italy) earthquake in 2012.
Lineament Extraction from SPOT 5 and NigeriaSat-X Imagery of the Upper Benue Trough, Nigeria
Authors: Ogunmola J. K. , Ayolabi E. A. , Olobaniyi S. B.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The Upper Benue Trough is part of the Benue Trough of Nigeria and is comprised of three basins: the east–west trending Yola Basin (Yola Arm), the north–south trending Gongola Basin (Gongola Arm) and the northeast–southwest trending Lau Basin (Main Arm). This research is an ongoing research at understanding the structural framework of the Upper Benue Trough using several techniques including the use of Remote Sensing and GIS. Several digital image enhancement techniques such as general contrast stretching and edge enhancement were applied to the NigeriaSat-X and SPOT 5 image in ERDAS IMAGINE 9.2 after which structures were mapped out on-screen using ArcMap 10. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Trough was also used to enhance geomorphic features. The analysis carried out on the images revealed that lineaments are abundant in the Upper Benue Trough and they can be subdivided into four major trends, NE–SW, NW–SE, W–E and N–S in order of abundance and range in length from about 300 m to 26 km. Several faults were also mapped out within the Basin such as a sinistral fault around Bakoreji village in Bauchi, a dextral fault close to Kalmai town in Gombe and a dextral fault close to Wong in Taraba. It was discovered that some of the sites where minerals such as lead and zinc ores are being mined occur in the zones of high lineament density. This study shows the capability of the DEM, SPOT 5 and NigeriaSat-X images for lineament/structural interpretations.
Terrestrial Method for Airborne Lidar Quality Control and Assessment
Authors: Alsubaie N. M. , Badawy H. M. , Elhabiby M. M. , El-Sheimy N.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Most of LiDAR systems do not provide the end user with the calibration and acquisition procedures that can use to validate the quality of the data acquired by the airborne system. Therefore, this system needs data Quality Control (QC) and assessment procedures to verify the accuracy of the laser footprints and mainly at building edges. This research paper introduces an efficient method for validating the quality of the airborne LiDAR point clouds data using terrestrial laser scanning data integrated with edge detection techniques. This method will be based on detecting the edge of buildings from these two independent systems. Hence, the building edges are extracted from the airborne data using an algorithm that is based on the standard deviation of neighbour point's height from certain threshold with respect to centre points using radius threshold. The algorithm is adaptive to different point densities. The approach is combined with another innovative edge detection technique from terrestrial laser scanning point clouds that is based on the height and point density constraints. Finally, statistical analysis and assessment will be applied to compare these two systems in term of edge detection extraction precision, which will be a priori step for 3D city modelling generated from heterogeneous LiDAR systems
Seamless Synthetic Aperture Radar Archive for Interferometry Analysis
Authors: Baker S. , Baru C. , Bryson G. , Buechler B. , Crosby C. , Fielding E. , Meertens C. , Nicoll J. , Youn C.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The NASA Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science (ACCESS) seamless synthetic aperture radar (SAR) archive (SSARA) project is a collaboration between UNAVCO, the Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and OpenTopography at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) to design and implement a seamless distributed access system for SAR data and derived interferometric SAR (InSAR) data products. A unified application programming interface (API) has been created to search the SAR archives at ASF and UNAVCO, 30 and 90-m SRTM DEM data available through OpenTopography, and tropospheric data from the NASA OSCAR project at JPL. The federated query service provides users a single access point to search for SAR granules, InSAR pairs, and corresponding DEM and tropospheric data products from the four archives, as well as the ability to search and download pre-processed InSAR products from ASF and UNAVCO.
Simulating lightning into the RAMS model: implementation and preliminary results
Authors: Federico S. , Avolio E. , Petracca M. , Panegrossi G. , Sanò P. , Casella D. , Dietrich S.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. This paper shows the results of a tailored version of a previously published methodology, designed to simulate lightning activity, implemented into the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). The method gives the flash density at the resolution of the RAMS grid scale allowing for a detailed analysis of the evolution of simulated lightning activity. The system is applied in detail to two case studies occurred over the Lazio Region, in Central Italy. Simulations are compared with the lightning activity detected by the LINET network. The cases refer to two thunderstorms of different intensity which occurred, respectively, on 20 October 2011 and on 15 October 2012. The number of flashes simulated (observed) over Lazio is 19435 (16231) for the first case and 7012 (4820) for the second case, and the model correctly reproduces the larger number of flashes that characterized the 20 October 2011 event compared to the 15 October 2012 event. There are, however, errors in timing and positioning of the convection, whose magnitude depends on the case study, which mirrors in timing and positioning errors of the lightning distribution. For the 20 October 2011 case study, spatial errors are of the order of a few tens of kilometres and the timing of the event is correctly simulated. For the 15 October 2012 case study, the spatial error in the positioning of the convection is of the order of 100 km and the event has a longer duration in the simulation than in the reality. To assess objectively the performance of the methodology, standard scores are presented for four additional case studies. Scores show the ability of the methodology to simulate the daily lightning activity for different spatial scales and for two different minimum thresholds of flash number density. The performance decreases at finer spatial scales and for higher thresholds. The comparison of simulated and observed lighting activity is an immediate and powerful tool to assess the model ability to reproduce the intensity and the evolution of the convection. This shows the importance of using computationally efficient lightning schemes, such as the one described in this paper, in forecast models.
Organic matter in soils under evergreen oaks. Carbon and nitrogen mineralization
Authors: González Parra J. , Candás Villar Mª. A.
Published: November 2014

Soil characteristics under evergreen oaks forest (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) located at the East of Segovia were studied. The soils were formed from gneis and limestone. The whole soil was 0-20 cm depth. The soils were classified as mollic Leptosols, eutric Cambisols and calcaric Cambisols. Horizons sequences were the following: O, Ah1, Ah2, C and O, Ah1, Ah2, BC. Organic horizons (3-0 cm depth) were formed by the not-yet decomposed organic remains from evergreen oaks. Mean organic matter content was 25%. The C:N ratio was high and free organic carbon was near 90% of the total carbon, which correspond with a low degree of humification. Soil texture was loamy sand and sandy loam. Soils on limestone present the highest clay fraction contents. The bases saturation degree was high, being Ca2+ the fundamental cation of exchange complex. Organic matter content and C:N ratio were lower in organic minerals horizons than in organic horizons. Humification degree was 60% with a predominance of HAs over FAs. The polimerization of humic substances makes possible the formation of humus «moder». Carbon mineralization to the total C was ten times higher than nitrogen mineralization in upper horizons. In all horizons the nitrification was higher than N mineralization. Carbon mineralization was lower and N mineralization was higher in deeper horizons compearing with upper horizons.
Modification of the edaphic microclimate produced by irrigation in reafforestations of semiarid areas
Authors: Jiménez M. N. , Ripoll M. A. , Navarro F. B. , Bocio I. , De Simón E.
Published: November 2014

In this work, we analyse the effect that the irrigation carried out in different times during the summer drought produces on the edaphic microclimate over holm oak plants (Quercus rotundifolia) in abandoned agricultural soils of continental semiarid climate. The study has been done over 5 plots of 60 plants each, located in the high plateaux of Rambla Becerra (Guadix-Granada), in which it has been accomplished a continuation of the survival rate and development after the planting during two years (2001-2002). The answer of the plant to its new medium was excellent in all the irrigated plots, whereas in the witness plot (without irrigation) the survival is considerably inferior. The height of the holm oaks in those plots with any kind of irrigation is significantly superior than the ones in the witness plot, and the diameter of the holm oaks of the plots which receive continuous summer irrigation shows significant differences with respect to the rest of the plots. The bioclimatic diagrams achieved in each plot reflect relevant differences; the summer irrigation reaches to reduce the drought period and even, in the plot that receives the continuous summer irrigation, this is eradicated, thus generating a new period of vegetation activity. The humidity of the soil shows significant differences, being the plot number 8, which is continually being irrigated, the only one that keeps the humidity in depth. The hydric deficit diminishes punctually in the plots irrigated only once, whereas in the parcel n. 8 diminishes drastically with the following increase in the vegetation activity.
Importance of field inspections to carry out terrain model for applications on ecology
Authors: Mintegui Aguirre J. A. , Robredo Sánchez J. C. , García Viñas J. I.
Published: November 2014

The main aim of this paper is to highlight the extraordinary importance of field surveying for carrying out certain ecological models in which habitats of vegetal communities are conditioned by land elevation. An illustrated case study in the wetlands of Doñana National Park shows the key role of Field Inspections, particularly since morphology (altitude attribute) is one of the first factors that condition the superficial expansion of the main vegetal perennial communities within the wetland system.
Identificación y caracterización de las concepciones de medio de un grupo de profesionales de la educación ambiental
Authors: Calafell Subirà Genina , Bonil Gargallo Josep
Published: November 2014

La investigación presenta la identificación y caracterización de las concepciones de medio ambiente de un grupo de profesionales de la educación ambiental. El referente teórico del artículo son las corrientes de educación ambiental propuestas por L. Sauvé (2004, 2010). La concepción de medio ambiente de cada individuo constituye un indicador del modo como orienta su acción educativa. El acercamiento metodológico es cualitativo, constituyendo un estudio de carácter descriptivo e interpretativo. Los resultados de la investigación permiten identificar patrones de los profesionales según sus concepciones de medio ambiente y caracterizarlas tomando como referencia el grado de complejidad que reflejan.
El proceso de prueba en el espacio de trabajo geométrico: profesores en formación inicial
Authors: Montoya-Delgadillo Elizabeth
Published: November 2014

La enseñanza-aprendizaje de la demostración suele aparecer como objetivo explícito del currículo del liceo; sin embargo, no ocurre lo mismo en el currículo universitario de formación (inicial) de profesores, esto es, la enseñanza-aprendizaje de la demostración no es considerada objeto matemático sujeto a transposición. Utilizamos la Teoría de los Paradigmas y Espacio de Trabajo Geométrico para analizar, en profesores debutantes chilenos, los obstáculos que se generan debido a que los roles y el estatus de la demostración en la institución liceo difieren de los correspondientes en la universidad como institución formadora de profesores, para evidenciar concepciones geométricas y la carencia de transposiciones frente al proceso de prueba en Geometría. Esto último manifiesta una ruptura epistemológica, didáctica y cognitiva que suele encontrarse en la enseñanza de la Geometría.
La competencia en alimentación. Un marco de referencia para la educación obligatoria
Authors: España Enrique , Cabello Garrido Aurelio , Blanco López Ángel
Published: November 2014

En este artículo se presenta un marco teórico de referencia para desarrollar la competencia en alimentación en la educación obligatoria. Los planteamientos seguidos para su elaboración implican salir inicialmente del contexto escolar y situarse en la vida diaria para conocer cuál es la situación actual en nuestra sociedad. De esta forma se puede resaltar qué aspectos son los más necesarios y en cuáles se detectan mayores carencias, para incidir especialmente en ellos. A partir de la definición y delimitación del contexto se caracteriza la competencia en alimentación que un ciudadano debería poseer. Como resultado se describe el marco de referencia para su desarrollo en la educación obligatoria, organizado en torno a siete dimensiones: los alimentos, el funcionamiento del cuerpo con respecto a la nutrición, cocinar, cultivar y elaborar los alimentos, comprar alimentos, comer en compañía, la actividad física y el descanso.
El análisis de errores en la resolución de ecuaciones diferenciales ordinarias. Una metodología para desarrollar la competencia matemática
Authors: Barbarán Sánchez Juan Jesús , Bravo José Antonio Fernández
Published: November 2014

En este artículo presentamos los resultados de un estudio llevado a cabo con alumnos de segundo de Ingeniería Técnica en Informática de Gestión, en el que observamos si el uso continuado en el aula de una metodología basada en el análisis de errores cuando estudian ecuaciones diferenciales ordinarias mejora el desarrollo de la competencia matemática. El diseño de la investigación fue cuasi experimental, comparativo con un grupo experimental y un grupo control. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la metodología basada en el análisis de errores es mejor que la metodología tradicional para el desarrollo de la competencia matemática.
Las hipótesis de transición como herramienta didáctica para la Educación Ambiental
Authors: Rodríguez Marín Fatima , Fernández Arroyo Jorge , García Díaz Jose Eduardo
Published: November 2014

En el presente artículo hemos realizado un estudio que aborde los aspectos teóricos y prácticos relacionados con las hipótesis de transición dentro del ámbito de la Educación Ambiental. Para ello exponemos la evolución seguida hasta llegar al propio concepto de hipótesis de transición, tanto en la nomenclatura utilizada como en el significado interno de dichos términos. Además ejemplificamos la utilidad de esta herramienta didáctica al desarrollar su posible uso en el ámbito de la Educación Ambiental dentro de la temática de la energía y del agua.
Desarrollando la competencia de modelización mediante el uso y aplicación de analogías en torno al cambio químico
Authors: Aragón María del Mar , Oliva-Martínez José María , Navarrete Antonio
Published: November 2014

En este estudio se analiza el papel del trabajo con analogías en la movilización y desarrollo de capacidades y valores vinculados a la actividad de modelización en ciencias. Concretamente, se estudian aquellos procesos que se relacionan con el uso y aplicación del modelo de cambio químico. La información utilizada para el análisis procede de 35 estudiantes de tercero de ESO con los que se ensayó una propuesta de enseñanza que empleaba analogías como recurso central y recurrente. El instrumento fundamental de recogida de datos consistió en el portafolio del alumno, si bien de forma complementaria se recurrió también a entrevistas individuales, al diario del profesor y a grabaciones. Los datos obtenidos muestran cómo el entorno de trabajo planteado ofreció un escenario estimulante para la puesta en práctica y desarrollo de habilidades, destrezas y valores necesarios para usar y aplicar los modelos aprendidos de la ciencia escolar. No todos los alumnos se beneficiaron de igual modo de dicho escenario, si bien más de dos tercios de ellos evidenciaron niveles apropiados en la competencia de modelización.
Figuración de lo que varía
Authors: Carrasco Henríquez Eduardo Andres , Díaz Moreno Leonora , Buendia Abalos Gabriela
Published: November 2014

Se presenta una investigación sobre prácticas de construcción e interpretación de una figura de entidades ostensibles y/o no ostensibles de un fenómeno de variación que llamamos prácticas de figuración. Es una aproximación de estudio de casos que indaga en contextos escolares e históricos de Oresme y de Newton, estas últimas como hitos en el desarrollo histórico de la gráfica cartesiana. Es interpretativa, pues se reúnen unas prácticas de casos científicos y estudiantiles. Es analítica en cuanto a que se identifican factores imbricados en tales prácticas. Y relacional, pues se buscan eslabones y disonancias respecto a los elementos configurados. Se comprende a las figuraciones –estudiantil e histórica– de lo que varía desde una epistemología de la figuración.
Efectos de la actuación docente en la generación de oportunidades de aprendizaje matemático
Authors: Ferrer Puigdellívol Miquel , Fortuny Aymemí Josep Maria , Morera Úbeda Laura
Published: November 2014

Esta investigación determina cómo afecta la actuación docente en la generación de oportunidades de aprendizaje matemático. Se realiza un estudio de dos casos que caracterizan el tipo de actuación de dos profesores en la gestión de las discusiones en gran grupo de un problema de semejanza, y se estudia el efecto del tipo de actuación en la generación de oportunidades de aprendizaje. Se evidencian diferencias relevantes en la forma en la que cada profesor ha preparado las discusiones en gran grupo y se presenta una caracterización de sus episodios según dos dimensiones: instrumental y discursiva. Un análisis detallado de los episodios, mediante el estudio de las acciones que se producen en ellos, posibilita la determinación de oportunidades de aprendizaje, hecho que permite constatar una relación directa entre la preparación de la discusión en gran grupo y la generación de oportunidades de aprendizaje.
Construir para deconstruir y volver a construir: elaboración colaborativa de un diccionario escolar de ciencias
Authors: Estopà Bagot Rosa
Published: November 2014

Este artículo presenta la metodología colaborativa utilizada en la construcción de un diccionario escolar de ciencias para niños de 5 a 8 años, basada en un corpus de definiciones de niños. Durante 3 años se trabajó con 500 niños que definieron y dibujaron los términos más básicos de la ciencia. A partir del corpus, seleccionamos solo la información acumulativa científicamente positiva y así elaboramos las definiciones sin añadir nueva información. Finalmente, el artículo muestra la adecuación del diccionario a través de los resultados de una prueba de comprensión realizada con 160 escolares. Estos resultados permiten continuar con proyectos que trabajen el lenguaje junto al conocimiento científico desde los inicios: no hay ciencia sin palabras para referirse a ella ni sin palabras para comunicarla.
Créditos vol.32, n.3, noviembre 2014
Authors: Enseñanza de las Ciencias Revista
Published: November 2014

Créditos vol.32, n.3, noviembre 2014
Impact of Track and Trace Integration on Pharmaceutical Production Systems
Authors: Rotunno Raffaele , Cesarotti Vittorio , Bellman Attilio , Introna Vito , Benedetti Miriam
Published: November 2014

In today's competitive economic environment, track and trace (the capability to determine present and past locations of products through the whole supply chain) is becoming an increasingly urgent necessity and a key differentiator in many industries, enhancing pilferage reduction, counterfeit prevention and targeted recalls, and improving supply chain efficiency, synchronization, visibility, and security. The pharmaceutical industry, together with the food industry, is one of the most advanced in traceability system implementation, as it has found to be strongly affected by the counterfeiting phenomenon. In this paper, a brief overview of traceability international regulations in the pharmaceutical sector and of the impact of its implementation on production processes and logistics will be continued, in order to highlight the main drivers of its large and fast diffusion. Technologies developed will also be presented and criticalities, and the benefits of traceability system implementation will be analysed.
Spin-Off and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Peruffo Enzo , Pirolo Luca , Nenni Maria Elena
Published: November 2014

Parent companies usually undertake corporate spin-offs to cope with higher competitive environments or when, in high technology industries, the differences between R&D investments and intangible assets are larger. Consistent with the recent “positive view“, spin-offs can be considered as a “proactive strategic choice” to foster innovation, develop new activities, being different from past strategic initiatives and, more generally, not being strictly connected to the corporate strategy of the firm. In order to investigate the relation between divestiture decisions and innovation, we conduct an explorative case study in the pharmaceutical industry to show how spin-offs can help firms to explore new opportunities for innovation, search for new funding and push to create the basis for future development.
Pattern Identification in the Buffer Level as a Tool to Identify Inefficiencies in a Pharmaceutical Packaging Line
Authors: Carlo Filippo De , Arleo Maria Antonietta , Tucci Mario
Published: November 2014

The pharmaceutical industry manufactures products of the highest importance to society. Keeping the cost of the production of medicines at low levels is very important to ensure better accessibility to medicines, especially if we think of the less wealthy countries of the planet. Among the production steps that need to be carefully monitored and optimized, the final packaging phase is sometimes considered less important. This is a mistake, because, being the last stage of production, it can negatively affect all other upstream phases. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether the throughput and work in process diagrams can be useful for the rapid and effective control of the line activity. The result was positive, given that, with the help of a case study, we could identify four patterns corresponding to the same number of typical operating conditions of the line, either regular or altered. After identifying the typical pattern of the line studied, the use of such diagrams can be employed either in real-time or retrospectively for an accurate analysis of the behaviour of the production line.
Recipe Development Process Re-Design with ANSI/ISA-88 Batch Control Standard in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: De Minicis Margherita , Giordano Francesco , Poli Federico , Schiraldi Massimiliano M.
Published: November 2014

Reducing time-to-market is one of the most challenging tasks that pharmaceutical companies deal with. In this sense, the recipe development process represents one of the most critical phases. Multi-site production companies require an efficient recipe development model, with a robust modular structure, which must be appropriately shared among local laboratories and plants. To this extent, the ANSI/ISA-88 batch manufacturing standard, rising in the context of process control and automation, is rapidly becoming widely used in pharmaceutical companies. This paper presents a step-by-step approach to assessing the compliance to the ANSI/ISA-88 standard along with a BPM-oriented methodology applicable to the re-design of any generic recipe development process. Redesigning a recipe development process is a complex activity and can mask several pitfalls and criticalities. Thus, along with the methodology, some general evidence and suggestions are provided based on the experience of a project carried out in a large multinational pharmaceutical company.
Exploiting the Potential Value of Over-the-Counter Drugs through Brand Equity: An Analytic Network Process Approach
Authors: Battistoni Elisa , Colladon Andrea Fronzetti , Puglia Paolo
Published: November 2014

We propose a network model to identify the main drivers of consumer-based brand equity. We apply our research to assess the value of three over-the-counter drug brands. Our aim is to help manufacturers to improve their position in the market of self-medication. This market has very peculiar characteristics: consumers buy products in response to their specific health needs; nonetheless, the market is not strictly regulated in the same way that the prescription market, which allows firms to choose their pricing and communication strategies. Moreover, consumers are not forced by physicians to buy one specific drug, but they can choose the one they prefer. To develop our model we use the Analytic Network Process methodology, which allows integrating qualitative and quantitative judgments from many decision makers and deals with non-regular preference structures. The output of the model is a ranking of the brand value drivers, according to their importance in influencing the consumers' purchase intentions. We find that advertising plays a major role in this setting. To test our model and validate our results, we analyse three Italian brands that produceover-the-counter (OTC) Diclofenac-based drugs. In addition, we compare our results with their market share.
The Role of FeOB in Engineered Water Ecosystems: A Review
Authors: Emerson David , De Vet Weren
Published: November 2014

Iron‐oxidizing bacteria have a long history with the water industry, stemming primarily from their role as nuisance organisms that can cause clogging, corrosion, and fouling in water distribution systems. Recent studies of these bacteria in natural ecosystems have greatly increased the knowledge of their taxonomy, diversity, and detection, as well as their basic ecology and physiology. Recent work on the applied aspects of iron oxidizers indicates that they are important in biofiltration processes and suggests that there may be unrealized benefits in treating them as beneficial microbes. This review aims to stimulate an exchange between microbiological and applied researchers, and toward that end, some areas for future research are discussed. Water industry professionals may gain additional insight into the vital conditions and available research tools for iron‐oxidizing bacteria; microbiologists may discover new—and more or less controlled—environmental habitats for basic research that also supports applications in water treatment.
Strategic Water Utility Management and Financial Planning Using a New System Dynamics Tool
Authors: Rehan Rashid , Unger Andre , Knight Mark A. , Haas Carl
Published: November 2014

This study demonstrates how to implement a novel system dynamics (SD) strategic water utility management and financial planning tool. Using data from several local water utilities in Ontario, Canada, the tool is run to simulate 20 years to investigate: (1) long‐term fee‐hike rates required for system financial sustainability; (2) service and financial performance metrics for pay‐as‐you‐go, borrowing, and capital reserving strategies; and (3) consumer affordability as a result of water use charges. For the case study, reserving cash and allowing water fees to increase by up to 7% per year are found to be the best financing strategy to eliminate infrastructure backlog/deficit. The study demonstrates the benefits of an SD model for developing and preparing strategic and tactical asset management, water conservation, and financial plans. The SD model parameterization and implementation for the demonstration case study can be helpful to other utilities in adapting the model to their own specific circumstances.
Optimized Cell Survival and Seeding Efficiency for Craniofacial Tissue Engineering Using Clinical Stem Cell Therapy
Authors: Rajan Archana , Eubanks Emily , Edwards Sean , Aronovich Sharon , Travan Suncica , Rudek Ivan , Wang Feng , Lanis Alejandro , Kaigler Darnell
Published: November 2014

Traumatic injuries involving the face are very common, yet the clinical management of the resulting craniofacial deficiencies is challenging. These injuries are commonly associated with missing teeth, for which replacement is compromised due to inadequate jawbone support. Using cell therapy, we report the upper jaw reconstruction of a patient who lost teeth and 75% of the supporting jawbone following injury. A mixed population of bone marrow-derived autologous stem and progenitor cells was seeded onto β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), which served as a scaffold to deliver cells directly to the defect. Conditions (temperature, incubation time) to achieve the highest cell survival and seeding efficiency were optimized. Four months after cell therapy, cone beam computed tomography and a bone biopsy were performed, and oral implants were placed to support an engineered dental prosthesis. Cell seeding efficiency (>81%) of the β-TCP and survival during the seeding process (94%) were highest when cells were incubated with β-TCP for 30 minutes, regardless of incubation temperature; however, at 1 hour, cell survival was highest when incubated at 4°C. Clinical, radiographic, and histological analyses confirmed that by 4 months, the cell therapy regenerated 80% of the original jawbone deficiency with vascularized, mineralized bone sufficient to stably place oral implants. Functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of the patient was successfully completed with installation of a dental prosthesis 6 months following implant placement. This proof-of-concept clinical report used an evidence-based approach for the cell transplantation protocol used and is the first to describe a cell therapy for craniofacial trauma reconstruction.
Integrated control of transporter endocytosis and recycling by the arrestin-related protein Rod1 and the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5
Authors: Becuwe Michel , Léon Sébastien
Published: November 2014

After endocytosis, membrane proteins can recycle to the cell membrane or be degraded in lysosomes. Cargo ubiquitylation favors their lysosomal targeting and can be regulated by external signals, but the mechanism is ill-defined. Here, we studied the post-endocytic trafficking of Jen1, a yeast monocarboxylate transporter, using microfluidics-assisted live-cell imaging. We show that the ubiquitin ligase Rsp5 and the glucose-regulated arrestin-related trafficking adaptors (ART) protein Rod1, involved in the glucose-induced internalization of Jen1, are also required for the post-endocytic sorting of Jen1 to the yeast lysosome. This new step takes place at the trans-Golgi network (TGN), where Rod1 localizes dynamically upon triggering endocytosis. Indeed, transporter trafficking to the TGN after internalization is required for their degradation. Glucose removal promotes Rod1 relocalization to the cytosol and Jen1 deubiquitylation, allowing transporter recycling when the signal is only transient. Therefore, nutrient availability regulates transporter fate through the localization of the ART/Rsp5 ubiquitylation complex at the TGN.
Effect of heat flux on Alfvén ballooning modes in isotropic Hall‐MHD plasmas
Authors: Ma John Z. G. , Hirose Akira , Liu William W.
Published: November 2014

The magnetosphere undergoes a transition from a dipole‐like to taillike structure in the antisunward direction. In this region, Alfvén ballooning instability has been considered as a leading candidate to be responsible for the onset and expansion phase of observed impulsive substorms. We apply the generalized Ohm's law in isotropic Hall‐MHD equations and study the effect of heat flux on the ballooning modes under substorm circumstances. The set of partial differential equations is obtained for a general ballooning dispersion relation from which all classical Alfvén waves and fundamental ballooning modes are recovered, e.g., the decoupled shear Alfvén and magnetosonic modes, the classical ballooning instability in incompressible plasmas. In the absence of the heat flux, the ballooning mode is featured by the coupling of the two modes by the superposition of the independent Hall effect and the independent plasma inhomogeneity effect. By contrast, heat flux exerts its influence on the ballooning mode by updating the coefficients of the terms in the dispersion relation. The results expose that the growth rate (γBM) has two branches. If kp is β free, one branch shifts versus β, while the other branch is damped substantially by the heat flux, leading to a more stable ballooning mode; if kc is β free, one branch shifts little versus β, but the other one has higher γBM driven by the heat flux, leading to a more unstable ballooning mode.
Global coseismic deformations, GNSS time series analysis, and earthquake scaling laws
Authors: Métivier Laurent , Collilieux Xavier , Lercier Daphné , Altamimi Zuheir , Beauducel François
Published: November 2014

We investigate how two decades of coseismic deformations affect time series of GPS station coordinates (Global Navigation Satellite System) and what constraints geodetic observations give on earthquake scaling laws. We developed a simple but rapid model for coseismic deformations, assuming different earthquake scaling relations, that we systematically applied on earthquakes with magnitude larger than 4. We found that coseismic displacements accumulated during the last two decades can be larger than 10 m locally and that the cumulative displacement is not only due to large earthquakes but also to the accumulation of many small motions induced by smaller earthquakes. Then, investigating a global network of GPS stations, we demonstrate that a systematic global modeling of coseismic deformations helps greatly to detect discontinuities in GPS coordinate time series, which are still today one of the major sources of error in terrestrial reference frame construction (e.g., the International Terrestrial Reference Frame). We show that numerous discontinuities induced by earthquakes are too small to be visually detected because of seasonal variations and GPS noise that disturb their identification. However, not taking these discontinuities into account has a large impact on the station velocity estimation, considering today's precision requirements. Finally, six groups of earthquake scaling laws were tested. Comparisons with our GPS time series analysis on dedicated earthquakes give insights on the consistency of these scaling laws with geodetic observations and Okada coseismic approach.
Transition Metal‐Free Trifluoromethylation of N‐Allylamides with Sodium Trifluoromethanesulfinate: Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl‐Containing Oxazolines
Authors: Yu Jipan , Yang Haijun , Fu Hua
Published: November 2014

A transition metal‐free method for the trifluoromethylation of N‐allylamides has been developed, and the corresponding trifluoromethyl‐containing oxazolines were prepared in moderate to good yields. The protocol uses readily available substituted N‐allylamides as the starting materials, inexpensive and easily stored sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate as the trifluoromethyl source, iodobenzene diacetate as the oxidant, and the procedure involves sequential intermolecular trifluoromethylation of alkenes with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate and intramolecular cyclization. This is the first example to prepare CF3‐containing oxazolines. Therefore, the present method should afford an efficient and practical strategy for synthesis of other CF3‐containing cyclic compounds.

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Palladium‐Catalyzed Regioselective ortho‐Acylation of Azoxybenzenes with Aldehyde Derivatives
Authors: Sun Meng , Hou Le‐Kai , Chen Xiang‐Xiang , Yang Xiao‐Juan , Sun Wei , Zang Yu‐Shi
Published: November 2014

An efficient strategy for the regioselective ortho‐acylation of azoxybenzenes with various aldehydes in the presence of palladium catalysts has been developed and furnishes good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly and can tolerate a variety of functional groups.

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Convenient Synthesis of (E)‐5‐Aryl(halo)methylenebicyclo‐ [2.2.2]oct‐2‐enes and ‐[2.2.1]hept‐2‐enes via Lewis Acid‐ Promoted Carbohalogenation of Cyclic 2,6‐Enynols
Authors: Yeh Ming‐Chang P. , Lin Hsin‐Hui , Kuo Siou‐Fu , Chen Pei‐Jie , Hong Jyun‐Wei
Published: November 2014

An efficient synthesis of (E)‐5‐aryl(halo)methylenebicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐enes is reported. Lewis acid‐promoted carbohalogenation of 4‐(3‐arylprop‐2‐ynyl)‐cyclohex‐2‐enols in dichloromethane proceeds rapidly to afford the exo‐methylene‐bridged bicycles in good yields. This method also provides an easy access to (E)‐5‐aryl(halo)methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐enes from the five‐membered ring 2,6‐enynols. The reactions are procedurally simple and high yielding, producing the aryl(halo)methylene‐bridged bicycles in minutes under air and mild conditions.

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Clinical phenotype in heterozygote and biallelic Bernard‐Soulier syndrome—A case control study
Authors: Bragadottir Gudrun , Birgisdottir Elisabet R. , Gudmundsdottir Brynja R. , Hilmarsdottir Bylgja , Vidarsson Brynjar , Magnusson Magnus K. , Larsen Ole Halfdan , Sorensen Benny , Ingerslev Jorgen , Onundarson Pall T.
Published: November 2014

Bernard‐Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare severe autosomal recessive bleeding disorder. To date heterozygous carriers of BSS mutations have not been shown to have bleeding symptoms. We assessed bleeding using a semi‐quantitative questionnaire, platelet parameters, PFA‐100 closure times, ristocetin response, GP Ib/IX expression and VWF antigen in 14 BSS patients, 30 heterozygote carriers for related mutations and 29 controls. Eight mutations in GP1BA, GP1BB or GP9 were identified including four previously unknown pathogenic mutations. Subjects with BSS reported markedly more mucocutaneous bleeding than controls. Increased bleeding was also observed in heterozygotes. Compared to controls, patients with BSS had lower optical platelet counts (P < 0.001), CD61‐platelet counts (P < 0.001) and higher mean platelet volume (17.7 vs. 7.8 fL, P < 0.001) and ristocetin response and closure times were unmeasurable. Heterozygotes had higher MPV (9.7 fL, P < 0.001) and lower platelet counts (P < 0.001) than controls but response to ristocetin and closure times were normal. The VWF was elevated in both BSS and in heterozygotes (P = 0.005). We conclude that heterozygotes for BSS mutations have lower platelet counts than controls and show a bleeding phenotype albeit much milder than in BSS. Both patients with BSS and heterozygote carriers of pathogenic mutations have raised VWF. Am. J. Hematol. 90:149–155, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Crystallographic Snapshot of an Arrested Intermediate in the Biomimetic Activation of CO2
Authors: Ackermann Sarah L. , Wolstenholme David J. , Frazee Chris , Deslongchamps Ghislain , Riley Sandra H. M. , Decken Andreas , McGrady G. Sean
Published: November 2014

The design of molecular catalysts that mimic the behavior of enzymes is a topical field of activity in emerging technologies, and can lead to an improved understanding of biological systems. Herein, we report how the bulky arms of the cations in [(nC4H9)4N]+[HCO3]‐give rise to a host scaffold that emulates the substrate binding sites in carbonic anhydrase enzymes, affording a unique glimpse of an arrested intermediate in the base‐mediated binding and activation of CO2.
A Systems Approach towards an Intelligent and Self‐Controlling Platform for Integrated Continuous Reaction Sequences
Authors: Ingham Richard J. , Battilocchio Claudio , Fitzpatrick Daniel E. , Sliwinski Eric , Hawkins Joel M. , Ley Steven V.
Published: November 2014

Performing reactions in flow can offer major advantages over batch methods. However, laboratory flow chemistry processes are currently often limited to single steps or short sequences due to the complexity involved with operating a multi‐step process. Using new modular components for downstream processing, coupled with control technologies, more advanced multi‐step flow sequences can be realized. These tools are applied to the synthesis of 2‐aminoadamantane‐2‐carboxylic acid. A system comprising three chemistry steps and three workup steps was developed, having sufficient autonomy and self‐regulation to be managed by a single operator.
Ring Reconstruction on a Trichalcogenasumanene Buckybowl: A Facile Approach to Donor–Acceptor‐Type [5‐6‐7] Fused Planar Polyheterocycles
Authors: Li Xuexiang , Zhu Yongtao , Shao Jiafeng , Chen Lichuan , Zhao Sijie , Wang Baolin , Zhang Shangxi , Shao Yongliang , Zhang Hao‐Li , Shao Xiangfeng
Published: November 2014

The transformation of trichalcogenasumanene buckybowls into donor–acceptor‐type [5‐6‐7] fused polyheterocycles is disclosed. The strategy involves a highly efficient ring‐opening of the flanking benzene upon oxidation at room temperature, and facile ring closure by functional‐group transformation. Crystallographic studies indicate that the resulting [5‐6‐7] fused polyheterocycles possess a planar conformation owing to the release of ring strain by expansion of one of the six‐membered flanking rings to the seven‐membered one. Additionally, the [5‐6‐7] fused polyheterocycles bear electron‐withdrawing groups, which reduce the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, and display broad absorption bands extending to λ=590 nm. Consequently, these compounds show strong red emission with fluorescence quantum yields of up to 38 %.
Frustrated Lewis Pair Activation of an N‐Sulfinylamine: A Source of Sulfur Monoxide
Authors: Longobardi Lauren E. , Wolter Vanessa , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: November 2014

Inter‐ and intramolecular P/B frustrated Lewis pairs are shown to react with an N‐sulfinylamine to form PNSOB linakages. These species can be regarded as phosphinimine–borane‐stabilized sulfur monoxide complexes, and indeed these species act as sources of SO, effecting the oxidation of PPh3 and delivering SO to [RhCl(PPh3)3] and an N‐heterocyclic carbene.
Diamond Nanowires: Fabrication, Structure, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Yu Yuan , Wu Liangzhuan , Zhi Jinfang
Published: November 2014

C(sp3)C‐bonded diamond nanowires are wide band gap semiconductors that exhibit a combination of superior properties such as negative electron affinity, chemical inertness, high Young’s modulus, the highest hardness, and room‐temperature thermal conductivity. The creation of 1D diamond nanowires with their giant surface‐to‐volume ratio enhancements makes it possible to control and enhance the fundamental properties of diamond. Although theoretical comparisons with carbon nanotubes have shown that diamond nanowires are energetically and mechanically viable structures, reproducibly synthesizing the crystalline diamond nanowires has remained challenging. We present a comprehensive, up‐to‐date review of diamond nanowires, including a discussion of their synthesis along with their structures, properties, and applications.
Membranes with Fast and Selective Gas‐Transport Channels of Laminar Graphene Oxide for Efficient CO2 Capture
Authors: Shen Jie , Liu Gongping , Huang Kang , Jin Wanqin , Lee Kueir‐Rarn , Xu Nanping
Published: November 2014

Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were engineered to be assembled into laminar structures having fast and selective transport channels for gas separation. With molecular‐sieving interlayer spaces and straight diffusion pathways, the GO laminates endowed as‐prepared membranes with excellent preferential CO2 permeation performance (CO2 permeability: 100 Barrer, CO2/N2 selectivity: 91) and extraordinary operational stability (>6000 min), which are attractive for implementation of practical CO2 capture.
Effect of plasma treatment on the surface properties of polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Kaczorowski Witold , Szymanski Witold , Batory Damian , Niedzielski Piotr
Published: November 2014

In this work, the analysis of the plasma modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates was conducted. The influence of the modification onto the changes occurred within the geometrical structure and chemical composition of the surface was analyzed. Due to the study of the atomic force microscopy, it was possible to determine the relationships between the surface development and applied process parameters, defining the conditions facilitating to obtain isotropic or anisotropic orientations of wrinkles. A precise analysis of the chemical composition of the surface, executed before and after the modification processes, enabled to define the changes in their elementary composition. Moreover, the modification influence onto the changes of the contact angle and the surface free energy were also analyzed. So, based on the research it was stated that the increase of value of the surface free energy is proportional to the sp3 phase contents in the DLC coatings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41635.