bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of the AlSi10Mg Alloy: Process, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Trevisan Francesco , Calignano Flaviana , Lorusso Massimo , Pakkanen Jukka , Aversa Alberta , Ambrosio Elisa , Lombardi Mariangela , Fino Paolo , Manfredi Diego
Published: January 2017

The aim of this review is to analyze and to summarize the state of the art of the processing of aluminum alloys, and in particular of the AlSi10Mg alloy, obtained by means of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique known as Selective Laser Melting (SLM). This process is gaining interest worldwide, thanks to the possibility of obtaining a freeform fabrication coupled with high mechanical properties related to a very fine microstructure. However, SLM is very complex, from a physical point of view, due to the interaction between a concentrated laser source and metallic powders, and to the extremely rapid melting and the subsequent fast solidification. The effects of the main process variables on the properties of the final parts are analyzed in this review: from the starting powder properties, such as shape and powder size distribution, to the main process parameters, such as laser power and speed, layer thickness, and scanning strategy. Furthermore, a detailed overview on the microstructure of the AlSi10Mg material, with the related tensile and fatigue properties of the final SLM parts, in some cases after different heat treatments, is presented.
Facile Synthesis of V2O5 Hollow Spheres as Advanced Cathodes for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xingyuan , Wang Jian-Gan , Liu Huanyan , Liu Hongzhen , Wei Bingqing
Published: January 2017

Three-dimensional V2O5 hollow structures have been prepared through a simple synthesis strategy combining solvothermal treatment and a subsequent thermal annealing. The V2O5 materials are composed of microspheres 2–3 μm in diameter and with a distinct hollow interior. The as-synthesized V2O5 hollow microspheres, when evaluated as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, can deliver a specific capacity as high as 273 mAh·g−1 at 0.2 C. Benefiting from the hollow structures that afford fast electrolyte transport and volume accommodation, the V2O5 cathode also exhibits a superior rate capability and excellent cycling stability. The good Li-ion storage performance demonstrates the great potential of this unique V2O5 hollow material as a high-performance cathode for lithium-ion batteries.
Automatic Motion Generation for Robotic Milling Optimizing Stiffness with Sample-Based Planning
Authors: Diaz Posada Julian , Schneider Ulrich , Sridhar Arjun , Verl Alexander
Published: January 2017

Optimal and intuitive robotic machining is still a challenge. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of robot stiffness, which is also dependent on the robot positioning in the Cartesian space. To make up for this deficiency and with the aim of increasing robot machining accuracy, this contribution describes a solution approach for optimizing the stiffness over a desired milling path using the free degree of freedom of the machining process. The optimal motion is computed based on the semantic and mathematical interpretation of the manufacturing process modeled on its components: product, process and resource; and by configuring automatically a sample-based motion problem and the transition-based rapid-random tree algorithm for computing an optimal motion. The approach is simulated on a CAM software for a machining path revealing its functionality and outlining future potentials for the optimal motion generation for robotic machining processes.
Physics-Embedded Machine Learning: Case Study with Electrochemical Micro-Machining
Authors: Lu Yanfei , Rajora Manik , Zou Pan , Liang Steven
Published: January 2017

Although intelligent machine learning techniques have been used for input-output modeling of many different manufacturing processes, these techniques map directly from the input process parameters to the outputs and do not take into consideration any partial knowledge available about the mechanisms and physics of the process. In this paper, a new approach is presented for taking advantage of the partial knowledge available about the mechanisms of the process and embedding it into the neural network structure. To validate the proposed approach, it is used to create a forward prediction model for the process of electrochemical micro-machining (μ-ECM). The prediction accuracy of the proposed approach is compared to the prediction accuracy of pure neural structure models with different structures and the results show that the Neural Network (NN) models with embedded knowledge have better prediction accuracy over pure NN models.
Deterministic Seirs Epidemic Model for Modeling Vital Dynamics, Vaccinations, and Temporary Immunity
Authors: Trawicki Marek
Published: January 2017

In this paper, the author proposes a new SEIRS model that generalizes several classical deterministic epidemic models (e.g., SIR and SIS and SEIR and SEIRS) involving the relationships between the susceptible S, exposed E, infected I, and recovered R individuals for understanding the proliferation of infectious diseases. As a way to incorporate the most important features of the previous models under the assumption of homogeneous mixing (mass-action principle) of the individuals in the population N, the SEIRS model utilizes vital dynamics with unequal birth and death rates, vaccinations for newborns and non-newborns, and temporary immunity. In order to determine the equilibrium points, namely the disease-free and endemic equilibrium points, and study their local stability behaviors, the SEIRS model is rescaled with the total time-varying population and analyzed according to its epidemic condition R0 for two cases of no epidemic (R0 ≤ 1) and epidemic (R0 > 1) using the time-series and phase portraits of the susceptible s, exposed e, infected i, and recovered r individuals. Based on the experimental results using a set of arbitrarily-defined parameters for horizontal transmission of the infectious diseases, the proportional population of the SEIRS model consisted primarily of the recovered r (0.7–0.9) individuals and susceptible s (0.0–0.1) individuals (epidemic) and recovered r (0.9) individuals with only a small proportional population for the susceptible s (0.1) individuals (no epidemic). Overall, the initial conditions for the susceptible s, exposed e, infected i, and recovered r individuals reached the corresponding equilibrium point for local stability: no epidemic (DFE X ¯ D F E ) and epidemic (EE X ¯ E E ).
Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of Tachyplesin I Targets in U251 Gliomaspheres
Authors: Li Xuan , Dai Jianguo , Tang Yongjun , Li Lulu , Jin Gang
Published: January 2017

Tachyplesin I is a cationic peptide isolated from hemocytes of the horseshoe crab and its anti-tumor activity has been demonstrated in several tumor cells. However, there is limited information providing the global effects and mechanisms of tachyplesin I on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Here, by using two complementary proteomic strategies (2D-DIGE and dimethyl isotope labeling-based shotgun proteomics), we explored the effect of tachyplesin I on the proteome of gliomaspheres, a three-dimensional growth model formed by a GBM cell line U251. In total, the expression levels of 192 proteins were found to be significantly altered by tachyplesin I treatment. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that many of them were cytoskeleton proteins and lysosomal acid hydrolases, and the mostly altered biological process was related to cellular metabolism, especially glycolysis. Moreover, we built protein–protein interaction network of these proteins and suggested the important role of DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha (TOP2A) in the signal-transduction cascade of tachyplesin I. In conclusion, we propose that tachyplesin I might down-regulate cathepsins in lysosomes and up-regulate TOP2A to inhibit migration and promote apoptosis in glioma, thus contribute to its anti-tumor function. Our results suggest tachyplesin I is a potential candidate for treatment of glioma.
Pore Structure Evolution and Its Effect on Strength Development of Sulfate-Containing Cemented Paste Backfill
Authors: Rong Hao , Zhou Min , Hou Haobo
Published: January 2017

In this study, the effects of the initial sulfate content on the properties of cemented paste backfill (CPB) made from coarse tailings has been investigated via mercury intrusion porosimetry. The combined effects of the sulfate content and curing time on the total porosity, pore size distribution, and unconfined compressive strength of the produced material were discussed. It was found that the specimens with an initial sulfate content of 5000 and 35,000 ppm exhibited higher unconfined compressive strength, while the resulting fine porous structures characterized by pore radii of 10–400 and 1–10 μm significantly improved the mechanical properties of the CPB. In addition, an increase in the curing time decreased the overall pore volume in the radius range of 1–400 μm but increased the pore volume at pore radii less than 1 μm.
Improvement of Sodium Leaching Ratio of Ferric Bauxite Sinter after Direct Reduction
Authors: Hu Wentao , Liu Xinwei , Wang Huajun , Dai Xiaojie , Pan Dongling , Li Jia , Sun Chuanyao , Xia Hanwen , Wang Bo
Published: January 2017

The sodium leaching ratio (ηN) of ferric bauxite direct reduction process is much lower than that of ordinary bauxite; thus, the former consumes more sodium than the latter. ηN can be promoted by increasing the dosage of sodium or restricted by increasing the heating temperature and time. However, the restriction effect of heating temperature is 16.67 times larger than that of heating time, and the restriction effect decreases 47.03 times faster when heating temperature increases than that process of heating time. These imply that ηN improves with the increasing sodium carbonate dosage and the decreasing heating temperature.
Oligonucleotide Therapy for Obstructive and Restrictive Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Liao Wupeng , Dong Jinrui , Peh Hong , Tan Lay , Lim Kah , Li Li , Wong Wai-Shiu
Published: January 2017

Inhaled oligonucleotide is an emerging therapeutic modality for various common respiratory diseases, including obstructive airway diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive airway diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The advantage of direct accessibility for oligonucleotide molecules to the lung target sites, bypassing systemic administration, makes this therapeutic approach promising with minimized potential systemic side effects. Asthma, COPD, and IPF are common chronic respiratory diseases, characterized by persistent airway inflammation and dysregulated tissue repair and remodeling, although each individual disease has its unique etiology. Corticosteroids have been widely prescribed for the treatment of asthma, COPD, and IPF. However, the effectiveness of corticosteroids as an anti-inflammatory drug is limited by steroid resistance in severe asthma, the majority of COPD cases, and pulmonary fibrosis. There is an urgent medical need to develop target-specific drugs for the treatment of these respiratory conditions. Oligonucleotide therapies, including antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) are now being evaluated both pre-clinically and clinically as potential therapeutics. The mechanisms of action of ASO and siRNA are highly target mRNA specific, ultimately leading to target protein knockdown. miRNA has both biomarker and therapeutic values, and its knockdown by a miRNA antagonist (antagomir) has a broader but potentially more non-specific biological outcome. This review will compile the current findings of oligonucleotide therapeutic targets, verified in various respiratory disease models and in clinical trials, and evaluate different chemical modification approaches to improve the stability and potency of oligonucleotides for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Synthesis and Biotransformation of Bicyclic Unsaturated Lactones with Three or Four Methyl Groups
Authors: Wińska Katarzyna , Grabarczyk Małgorzata , Mączka Wanda , Kondas Adrianna , Maciejewska Gabriela , Bonikowski Radosław , Anioł Mirosław
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to obtain new unsaturated lactones by chemical synthesis and their microbial transformations using fungal strains. Some of these strains were able to transform unsaturated lactones into different hydroxy or epoxy derivatives. Strains of Syncephalastrum racemosum and Absidia cylindrospora gave products with a hydroxy group introduced into a tertiary carbon, while the Penicillium vermiculatum strain hydroxylated primary carbons. The Syncephalastrum racemosum strain hydroxylated both substrates in an allylic position. Using the Absidia cylindrospora and Penicillium vermiculatum strains led to the obtained epoxylactones. The structures of all lactones were established on the basis of spectroscopic data.
Sex-Specific Muscular Maturation Responses Following Prenatal Exposure to Methylation-Related Micronutrients in Pigs
Authors: Oster Michael , Trakooljul Nares , Reyer Henry , Zeyner Annette , Muráni Eduard , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Wimmers Klaus
Published: January 2017

Supplementation of micronutrients involved in DNA methylation, particularly during pregnancy, is recommended because of its impacts on human health, but further evidence is needed regarding the effects of over-supplementation and differences between sexes. Here, a porcine model was used to assess effects of maternal supplementation with one-carbon-cycle compounds during prenatal and postnatal stages on offspring muscle development. Sows received either a standard diet (CON) or a standard diet supplemented with folate, B6, B12, methionine, choline, and zinc (MET) throughout gestation. Myogenesis-, growth-, and nutrient utilization-related transcript expression was assessed using quantitative PCR. Organismal phenotype and gene expression effects differed significantly between males and females. Male MET-offspring showed increased fetal weight during late pregnancy but decreased live weight postnatally, with compensatory transcriptional responses comprising myogenic key drivers (Pax7, MyoD1, myogenin). In contrast, female weights were unaffected by diet, and mRNA abundances corresponded to a phenotype of cellular reorganization via FABP3, FABP4, SPP1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor-signaling. These findings in an animal model suggest that supplementation during pregnancy with methylation-related micronutrients can promote sex-specific myogenic maturation processes related to organismal growth and muscle metabolism. The usage of maternal dietary supplements should be more carefully considered regarding its ability to promote fetal and postnatal health.
Dietary Patterns in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Risk Markers in a Middle-Aged British Male Population: Data from the Caerphilly Prospective Study
Authors: Mertens Elly , Markey Oonagh , Geleijnse Johanna , Givens David , Lovegrove Julie
Published: January 2017

Dietary behaviour is an important modifiable factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. The study aimed to identify dietary patterns (DPs) and explore their association with CVD incidence and risk markers. A follow-up of 1838 middle-aged men, aged 47–67 years recruited into the Caerphilly Prospective Cohort Study at phase 2 (1984–1988) was undertaken. Principal component analysis identified three DPs at baseline, which explained 24.8% of the total variance of food intake. DP1, characterised by higher intakes of white bread, butter, lard, chips and sugar-sweetened beverages and lower intake of wholegrain bread, was associated with higher CVD (HR 1.35: 95% CI: 1.10, 1.67) and stroke (HR 1.77; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.63) incidence. DP3, characterised by higher intakes of sweet puddings and biscuits, wholegrain breakfast cereals and dairy (excluding cheese and butter) and lower alcohol intake, was associated with lower CVD (HR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.93), coronary heart disease (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.90) and stroke (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.99) incidence and a beneficial CVD profile at baseline, while DP1 with an unfavourable profile, showed no clear associations after 12 years follow-up. Dietary pattern 2 (DP2), characterised by higher intake of pulses, fish, poultry, processed/red meat, rice, pasta and vegetables, was not associated with the aforementioned outcomes. These data may provide insight for development of public health initiatives focussing on feasible changes in dietary habits.
Development and Evaluation of e-CA, an Electronic Mobile-Based Food Record
Authors: Bucher Della Torre Sophie , Carrard Isabelle , Farina Eddy , Danuser Brigitta , Kruseman Maaike
Published: January 2017

Measures that capture diet as validly and reliably as possible are cornerstones of nutritional research, and mobile-based devices offer new opportunities to improve and simplify data collection. The balance between precision and acceptability of these data collection tools remains debated, and rigorous validations are warranted. Our objective was to develop and evaluate an electronic mobile-based food record for a research setting. We developed e-CA, which includes almost 900 foods and beverages classified in 14 categories and 60 subcategories. e-CA was evaluated using three different methods: (1) usability and acceptability through a logbook and qualitative interviews; (2) dietary intake accuracy through comparison with 2 unannounced 24-h phone recalls on overlapping days; and (3) reliability and process comparison with a paper-based food record in a laboratory setting with a randomized design. e-CA proved to be intuitive and practical and was perceived as modern, trendy, and fun. Comparisons of e-CA with 24-h telephone recalls or paper-based food records in a laboratory setting with two small convenient samples showed good agreement but highlighted the well-known difficulty of estimating portion sizes and a necessary learning time to use the app. e-CA is a functional tool that has the potential to facilitate food intake measurement for research by increasing the pleasure of using the food record tool and reducing the perceived burden for the participants. It also decreases the workload, costs and the risk of transcription errors for researchers.
Family Food Providers’ Perceptions of the Causes of Obesity and Effectiveness of Weight Control Strategies in Five Countries in the Asia Pacific Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Worsley Anthony , Wang Wei , Sarmugam Rani , Pham Quynh , Februhartanty Judhiastuty , Ridley Stacey
Published: January 2017

The rise of the middle classes in developing countries and the associated epidemiological transition raises the importance of assessing this population group’s awareness of the causes of obesity and effective weight control strategies in order to develop effective health promotion strategies. The study aimed to examine the perceptions of the causes of obesity and weight control strategies held by middle class household food providers in Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, Indonesia and Vietnam. An online survey was conducted in late 2013, early 2014 among 3945 respondents. Information about body weight concerns, perceived causes of obesity, effectiveness of weight control methods, demographics, self-reported height and weight, and personal values was elicited. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) derived nine reliable factors which were used in structural equation modelling (SEM). Two thirds of respondents were trying to change their body weight, of them, 71% were trying to lose weight. The CFA and SEM showed that demographics, region of residence, personal values and perceptions of the causes of obesity (Unhealthy food behaviours, influences Beyond personal control and Environmental influences) had direct and indirect associations with three weight control methods factors, named: Healthy habits, Eat less, sit less, and Dieting. Middle class food providers in the study regions share public health views of obesity causation and personal weight control. These findings could inform public health and food policies, and the design of public health interventions and communications. Further research is required among lower socio economic status (SES) populations.
Prevalence and Correlates of Metabolic Syndrome in Chinese Children: The China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Song Peige , Yu Jinyue , Chang Xinlei , Wang Manli , An Lin
Published: January 2017

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is generally defined as a cluster of metabolically related cardiovascular risk factors which are often associated with the condition of insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and abdominal obesity. During the past decades, MetS has become a major public health issue worldwide in both adults and children. In this study, data from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS) was used to assess the prevalence of MetS based on both the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) guidelines and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, and to evaluate its possible correlates. A total of 831 children aged 7–18 years were included in this study, and 28 children were classified as having MetS as defined by the modified NCEP-ATPIII definition, which yielded an overall prevalence of 3.37%. Elevated blood pressure was the most frequent MetS component. The results of logistic regression models revealed that increased body mass index (BMI), hyperuricemia, and insulin resistance (IR) were all associated with the presence of MetS. To conclude, our study revealed the prevalence of MetS in Chinese children at the national level. Further large-scale studies are still needed to identify better MetS criteria in the general paediatric population in China.
Toward a Framework for Resource Efficiency Evaluation in Industry: Recommendations for Research and Innovation Projects
Authors: Sfez Sophie , Dewulf Jo , De Soete Wouter , Schaubroeck Thomas , Mathieux Fabrice , Kralisch Dana , De Meester Steven
Published: January 2017

The world is facing a tremendous resource supply challenge. One strategy of regions and nations to address this issue is to encourage research and innovation through funding programs. Most of the time, these programs require that research and innovation projects quantify potential increases in resource efficiency achieved by the projects. However, no consensus exists on how to calculate resource efficiency; therefore, a wide range of approaches is followed. As a result, resource efficiency results are not comparable between projects, and because no rules or guidelines exist to help project developers, the approach followed is not always appropriate. This paper aims to discuss the existing approaches and methods used to evaluate resource efficiency. In this context, resource efficiency is defined as the ratio between the benefits obtained from resources and the impact or amount of resources used. The most challenging step is the determination of this ratio’s denominator because a wide range of methods to quantify resource consumption exist and are being used. They can be classified as gate-to-gate or life cycle based methods and can be subdivided into accounting methods and impact assessment methods. Each method considers different aspects of resources; thus, no single method aims to answer the same research questions. Therefore, project developers must make a well informed choice about which method to use. This paper provides recommendations to support this choice, as well as the overall evaluation and the valorization of the resource efficiency ratio in the framework of research and innovation programs.
Minimum Protection in DC Funding Pension Plans and Margrabe Options
Authors: Devolder Pierre , De Valeriola Sébastien
Published: January 2017

The regulation on the Belgian occupational pension schemes has been recently changed. The new law allows for employers to choose between two different types of guarantees to offer to their affiliates. In this paper, we address the question arising naturally: which of the two guarantees is the best one? In order to answer that question, we set up a stochastic model and use financial pricing tools to compare the methods. More specifically, we link the pension liabilities to a portfolio of financial assets and compute the price of exchange options through the Margrabe formula.
Characterization of Active Layer Thickening Rate over the Northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Permafrost Region Using ALOS Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Data, 2007–2009
Authors: Jia Yuanyuan , Kim Jin-Woo , Shum C. , Lu Zhong , Ding Xiaoli , Zhang Lei , Erkan Kamil , Kuo Chung-Yen , Shang Kun , Tseng Kuo-Hsin , Yi Yuchan
Published: January 2017

The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP), also known as the Third Pole and the World Water Tower, is the largest and highest plateau with distinct and competing surface and subsurface processes. It is covered by a large layer of discontinuous and sporadic alpine permafrost which has degraded 10% during the past few decades. The average active layer thickness (ALT) increase rate is approximately 7.5 cm·yr−1 from 1995 to 2007, based on soil temperature measurements from 10 borehole sites along Qinghai-Tibetan Highway, and approximately 6.3 cm·yr−1, 2006–2010, using soil temperature profiles for 27 monitoring sites along Qinghai-Tibetan railway. In this study, we estimated the ALT and its AL thickening rate in the northern QTP near the railway using ALOS PALSAR L-band small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) data observed land subsidence and the corresponding ALT modeling. The InSAR estimated ALT and AL thickening rate were validated with ground-based observations from the borehole site WD4 within our study region, indicating excellent agreement. We concluded that we have generated high spatial resolution (30 m) and spatially-varying ALT and AL thickening rates, 2007–2009, over approximately an area of 150 km2 of permafrost-covered region in the northern QTP.
Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of the 2005–2011 Bamboo Reproductive Event in the Arakan Mountain Range and Its Relation with Wildfires
Authors: Fava Francesco , Colombo Roberto
Published: January 2017

Pulse ecological events have major impacts on regional and global biogeochemical cycles, potentially inducing a vast set of cascading ecological effects. This study analyzes the widespread reproductive event of bamboo (Melocanna baccifera) that occurred in the Arakan Mountains (Southeast Asia) from 2005 to 2011, and investigates the possible relationship between massive fuel loading due to bamboo synchronous mortality over large areas and wildfire regime. Multiple remote sensing data products are used to map the areal extent of the bamboo-dominated forest. MODIS NDVI time series are then analyzed to detect the spatiotemporal patterns of the reproductive event. Finally, MODIS Active Fire and Burned Area Products are used to investigate the distribution and extension of wildfires before and after the reproductive event. Bamboo dominates about 62,000 km2 of forest in Arakan. Over 65% of the region shows evidence of synchronous bamboo flowering, fruiting, and mortality over large areas, with wave-like spatiotemporal dynamics. A significant change in the regime of wildfires is observed, with total burned area doubling in the bamboo-dominated forest area and reaching almost 16,000 km2. Wildfires also severely affect the remnant patches of the evergreen forest adjacent to the bamboo forest. These results demonstrate a clear interconnection between the 2005–2011 bamboo reproductive event and the wildfires spreading in the region, with potential relevant socio-economic and environmental impacts.
A Self-Calibrating Runoff and Streamflow Remote Sensing Model for Ungauged Basins Using Open-Access Earth Observation Data
Authors: Poortinga Ate , Bastiaanssen Wim , Simons Gijs , Saah David , Senay Gabriel , Fenn Mark , Bean Brian , Kadyszewski John
Published: January 2017

Due to increasing pressures on water resources, there is a need to monitor regional water resource availability in a spatially and temporally explicit manner. However, for many parts of the world, there is insufficient data to quantify stream flow or ground water infiltration rates. We present the results of a pixel-based water balance formulation to partition rainfall into evapotranspiration, surface water runoff and potential ground water infiltration. The method leverages remote sensing derived estimates of precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, Leaf Area Index, and a single F coefficient to distinguish between runoff and storage changes. The study produced significant correlations between the remote sensing method and field based measurements of river flow in two Vietnamese river basins. For the Ca basin, we found R2 values ranging from 0.88–0.97 and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values varying between 0.44–0.88. The R2 for the Red River varied between 0.87–0.93 and NSE values between 0.61 and 0.79. Based on these findings, we conclude that the method allows for a fast and cost-effective way to map water resource availability in basins with no gauges or monitoring infrastructure, without the need for application of sophisticated hydrological models or resource-intensive data.
The Need for Accurate Geometric and Radiometric Corrections of Drone-Borne Hyperspectral Data for Mineral Exploration: MEPHySTo—A Toolbox for Pre-Processing Drone-Borne Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Jakob Sandra , Zimmermann Robert , Gloaguen Richard
Published: January 2017

Drone-borne hyperspectral imaging is a new and promising technique for fast and precise acquisition, as well as delivery of high-resolution hyperspectral data to a large variety of end-users. Drones can overcome the scale gap between field and air-borne remote sensing, thus providing high-resolution and multi-temporal data. They are easy to use, flexible and deliver data within cm-scale resolution. So far, however, drone-borne imagery has prominently and successfully been almost solely used in precision agriculture and photogrammetry. Drone technology currently mainly relies on structure-from-motion photogrammetry, aerial photography and agricultural monitoring. Recently, a few hyperspectral sensors became available for drones, but complex geometric and radiometric effects complicate their use for geology-related studies. Using two examples, we first show that precise corrections are required for any geological mapping. We then present a processing toolbox for frame-based hyperspectral imaging systems adapted for the complex correction of drone-borne hyperspectral imagery. The toolbox performs sensor- and platform-specific geometric distortion corrections. Furthermore, a topographic correction step is implemented to correct for rough terrain surfaces. We recommend the c-factor-algorithm for geological applications. To our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time the applicability of the corrected dataset for lithological mapping and mineral exploration.
Tracking and Classification of In-Air Hand Gesture Based on Thermal Guided Joint Filter
Authors: Kim Seongwan , Ban Yuseok , Lee Sangyoun
Published: January 2017

The research on hand gestures has attracted many image processing-related studies, as it intuitively conveys the intention of a human as it pertains to motional meaning. Various sensors have been used to exploit the advantages of different modalities for the extraction of important information conveyed by the hand gesture of a user. Although many works have focused on learning the benefits of thermal information from thermal cameras, most have focused on face recognition or human body detection, rather than hand gesture recognition. Additionally, the majority of the works that take advantage of multiple modalities (e.g., the combination of a thermal sensor and a visual sensor), usually adopting simple fusion approaches between the two modalities. As both thermal sensors and visual sensors have their own shortcomings and strengths, we propose a novel joint filter-based hand gesture recognition method to simultaneously exploit the strengths and compensate the shortcomings of each. Our study is motivated by the investigation of the mutual supplementation between thermal and visual information in low feature level for the consistent representation of a hand in the presence of varying lighting conditions. Accordingly, our proposed method leverages the thermal sensor’s stability against luminance and the visual sensors textural detail, while complementing the low resolution and halo effect of thermal sensors and the weakness against illumination of visual sensors. A conventional region tracking method and a deep convolutional neural network have been leveraged to track the trajectory of a hand gesture and to recognize the hand gesture, respectively. Our experimental results show stability in recognizing a hand gesture against varying lighting conditions based on the contribution of the joint kernels of spatial adjacency and thermal range similarity.
Comparison of Orbit-Based and Time-Offset-Based Geometric Correction Models for SAR Satellite Imagery Based on Error Simulation
Authors: Hong Seunghwan , Choi Yoonjo , Park Ilsuk , Sohn Hong-Gyoo
Published: January 2017

Geometric correction of SAR satellite imagery is the process to adjust the model parameters that define the relationship between ground and image coordinates. To achieve sub-pixel geolocation accuracy, the adoption of the appropriate geometric correction model and parameters is important. Until now, various geometric correction models have been developed and applied. However, it is still difficult for general users to adopt a suitable geometric correction models having sufficient precision. In this regard, this paper evaluated the orbit-based and time-offset-based models with an error simulation. To evaluate the geometric correction models, Radarsat-1 images that have large errors in satellite orbit information and TerraSAR-X images that have a reportedly high accuracy in satellite orbit and sensor information were utilized. For Radarsat-1 imagery, the geometric correction model based on the satellite position parameters has a better performance than the model based on time-offset parameters. In the case of the TerraSAR-X imagery, two geometric correction models had similar performance and could ensure sub-pixel geolocation accuracy.
Structural Performance of Reinforced RCA Concrete Beams Made by a Modified EMV Method
Authors: Yang Sungchul , Lee Hwalwoong
Published: January 2017

This study aims to show the effect of a modified equivalent mortar volume (EMV) method on the flexural performance of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). To verify this, an experimental study was carried out firstly by testing fresh and hardened material properties of RCA concrete specimens made by two different mixture design methods, i.e., the modified EMV method and the conventional American Concrete Institute (ACI) method. The flexural performance of five reinforced recycled concrete (RRC) beams mixed with different mixture designs was then investigated. Test results confirmed that the elastic moduli of the RCA concrete specimens made using the modified EMV method are greater than those of the conventional ACI mixture, while the drying shrinkage tended to decrease. The ultimate strengths of RRC beams mixed with the modified EMV method are as much as five percent greater than that achieved with the conventional ACI mixture.
Assessing the Availability of Terrestrial Biotic Materials in Product Systems (BIRD)
Authors: Bach Vanessa , Berger Markus , Finogenova Natalia , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: January 2017

Availability of abiotic resources has been a topic of concern in recent years, resulting in several approaches being published to determine their availability on country and product level. However, the availability of biotic materials has not been analyzed to this extent yet. Therefore, an approach to determine possible limitations to availability of terrestrial biotic materials over the entire supply chain is introduced. The approach considers 24 categories overall as well as associated category indicators for the five dimensions: physical, socio-economic, abiotic, social and environmental constraints. This ensures a comprehensive availability assessment of bio-based product systems. The approach is applied to a case study comparing biodiesel produced from rapeseed and soy beans. The study shows that the determination of indicator values is feasible for most categories and their interpretation leads to meaningful conclusions. Thus, the approach leads to a more comprehensive assessment of availability aspects and supports better informed decision making in industry and policy.
Marginal Abatement Cost of CO2 in China Based on Directional Distance Function: An Industry Perspective
Authors: Xiao Bowen , Niu Dongxiao , Wu Han , Wang Haichao
Published: January 2017

Industrial sectors account for around 70% of the total energy-related CO2 emissions in China. It is of great importance to measure the potential for CO2 emissions reduction and calculate the carbon price in industrial sectors covered in the Emissions Trading Scheme and carbon tax. This paper employs the directional distance function to calculate the marginal abatement costs of CO2 emissions during 2005–2011 and makes a comparative analysis between our study and the relevant literature. Our empirical results show that the marginal abatement costs vary greatly from industry to industry: high marginal abatement costs occur in industries with low carbon intensity, and vice versa. In the application of the marginal abatement cost, the abatement distribution scheme with minimum cost is established under different abatement targets. The conclusions of abatement distribution scheme indicate that those heavy industries with low MACs and high carbon intensity should take more responsibility for emissions reduction and vice versa. Finally, the policy implications for marginal abatement cost are provided.
Constructing a 3D Multiple Mobile Medical Imaging System through Service Science, Management, Engineering and Design
Authors: Peng Kang-Lin , Lin Yu-Ling , Tseng Yu-Chee
Published: January 2017

Following the trend of using mobile devices for healthcare, a 3D multiple mobile medical imaging system (3D MMMIS) for doctor’s diagnosis and treatment was constructed through service science, management, engineering and design (SSMED) that can co-create the value between technology and humanity. Service experience engineering (SEE) methods were applied to a scenario of a doctors’ consultation, which is a deliberation of two or more healthcare doctors about diagnosis or treatment in particular cases. Proof of service was processed to test the prototype of the 3D MMMIS to check the doctors’ satisfaction with the innovative systems. Results show that doctors are satisfied with the 3D MMMIS. Conclusions suggested that the 3D MMMIS can be a helpful health technology for future healthcare.
Announcing the 2017 Toxins Travel Awards for Post-Doctoral Fellows and Ph.D. Students
Authors: Tesh Vernon
Published: January 2017

As Editor-in-Chief of Toxins, I am pleased to announce the winners of the Toxins Travel Awards for 2017.[...]
Historical Perspectives and Guidelines for Botulinum Neurotoxin Subtype Nomenclature
Authors: Peck Michael , Smith Theresa , Anniballi Fabrizio , Austin John , Bano Luca , Bradshaw Marite , Cuervo Paula , Cheng Luisa , Derman Yagmur , Dorner Brigitte , Fisher Audrey , Hill Karen , Kalb Suzanne , Korkeala Hannu , Lindström Miia , Lista Florigio , Lúquez Carolina , Mazuet Christelle , Pirazzini Marco , Popoff Michel , Rossetto Ornella , Rummel Andreas , Sesardic Dorothea , Singh Bal , Stringer Sandra
Published: January 2017

Botulinum neurotoxins are diverse proteins. They are currently represented by at least seven serotypes and more than 40 subtypes. New clostridial strains that produce novel neurotoxin variants are being identified with increasing frequency, which presents challenges when organizing the nomenclature surrounding these neurotoxins. Worldwide, researchers are faced with the possibility that toxins having identical sequences may be given different designations or novel toxins having unique sequences may be given the same designations on publication. In order to minimize these problems, an ad hoc committee consisting of over 20 researchers in the field of botulinum neurotoxin research was convened to discuss the clarification of the issues involved in botulinum neurotoxin nomenclature. This publication presents a historical overview of the issues and provides guidelines for botulinum neurotoxin subtype nomenclature in the future.
Evaluation of TRMM Product for Monitoring Drought in the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia
Authors: Tan Mou , Tan Kok , Chua Vivien , Chan Ngai
Published: January 2017

Assessment of satellite precipitation products’ capability for monitoring drought is relatively new in tropical regions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 3B43 product in estimating the standardized precipitation index (SPI) in the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia from 1998 to 2014, by comparing it with data from 42 rain gauges. Overall, the TMPA-3B43 performed well in the monthly precipitation estimation, but performed moderately in the seasonal scale. Better performance was found in the northeast monsoon (wet season) than in the southwest monsoon (dry season). The product is more reliable in the northern and north-eastern regions (coastal zone) compared to the central, southern and south-eastern regions (mountainous area). For drought assessment, the correlations between the TMPA-3B43 and ground observations are moderate at various time-scales (one to twelve months), with better performance at shorter time-scales. The TMPA-3B43 shows similar temporal drought behavior by capturing most of the drought events at various time-scales, except for the 2008–2009 drought. These findings show that the TMPA-3B43 is not suitable to be used directly for SPI estimation in this basin. More bias correction and algorithm improvement work are needed to improve the accuracy of the TMPA-3B43 in drought monitoring.
Phase Angle Predicts Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Calcification in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Sarmento-Dias Margarida , Santos-Araújo Carla , Poínhos Rui , Oliveira Bruno , Sousa Maria , Simões-Silva Liliana , Soares-Silva Isabel , Correia Flora , Pestana Manuel
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Fluid overload (FO) is frequently present in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and is associated with markers of malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis/calcification (MIAC) syndrome. We examined the relationships in stable PD patients between phase angle (PhA) and the spectrum of uremic vasculopathy including vascular calcification and arterial stiffness and between PhA and changes in serum fetuin-A levels.

Methods

Sixty-one stable adult PD patients were evaluated in a cross-sectional study (ST1). Phase angle was measured by multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (InbodyS10, Biospace, Korea) at 50 kHz. Augmentation index (AI), a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness, was assessed by digital pulse amplitude tonometry (Endo PAT, Itamar Medical, Caesarea, Israel). Vascular calcification was assessed by simplified calcification score (SCS). Serum fetuin-A levels were measured by ELISA (Thermo scientific; Waltham, MA, USA). Serum albumin was used as a nutritional marker, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an inflammatory marker. The same assessments were carried out longitudinally (ST2) in the first 33 patients who completed 1 year of evaluation in ST1.

Results

In ST1, patients with PhA < 6° had higher CRP levels, AI, and SCS and lower serum albumin and fetuin-A levels, in comparison with patients with PhA ≥ 6°. In addition, PhA was a predictor of both AI ((3 = -0.351, p = 0.023) and SCS > 3 (EXP (B) = 0.243, p = 0.005). In ST2, the increase of PhA over time was associated with decreases in both AI ( r = -0.378, p = 0.042) and CRP levels ( r = -0.426, p = 0.021), as well as with the increase in serum fetuin-A levels ( r = 0.411, p = 0.030).

Conclusions

Phase angle predicts both arterial stiffness and vascular calcification in stable PD patients.
The 24-Month Changes in Body Fat Mass and Adipokines in Patients Starting Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Choi Soo Jeong , Park Moo Yong , Kim Jin Kuk , Hwang Seung Duk
Published: January 2017

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is characterized by a gain in fat mass. The fat tissue is a complex endocrine organ that releases various adipokines. In this study, we prospectively examined serial changes of fat composition and adipokines in patients undergoing PD.

Methods

Body composition was assessed by computed tomography (CT). Nutrition status and adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, interleukin [IL]-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) were assessed on the 7th day and 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after the start of PD.

Results

Fifty-four patients (28 men), with a mean age of 53.2 ± 13.2 years, were enrolled. Baseline fat mass, especially subcutaneous fat mass, was correlated with baseline leptin (ρ = 0.612), adiponetin (ρ = -0.477), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (ρ = 0.391). Visceral fat mass was correlated with leptin (ρ = 0.545) and adiponectin (ρ = -0.514). Baseline adiponectin was negatively correlated with baseline leptin (ρ = -0.363). While body weight and leptin increased during the 24 months, serum adiponectin decreased in that period. The changes in visceral and subcutaneous fat mass were greater in the first 12 months and 6 months, respectively. There was no difference in IL-6 and TNF-α. Eight patients died during the follow-up period (mean 47.4 months). Twenty-seven patients continued PD. Increased baseline and serial change of IL-6 level were risk factors for mortality. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus (DM), and coronary vascular disease (CVD), the significance of the IL-6 level disappeared.

Conclusions

Baseline subcutaneous fat in patients starting PD is correlated with baseline adipokine levels rather than visceral fat. The increase in subcutaneous fat was greatest in the first 6 months. While leptin and adiponectin increased and decreased respectively, IL-6 did not change in the first 24 months.