bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Concept of Soil Line Retrieval from Landsat 8 Images for Estimating Plant Biophysical Parameters
Authors: Ahmadian Nima , Demattê José , Xu Dandan , Borg Erik , Zölitz Reinhard
Published: September 2016

Extraction of vegetation information from remotely sensed images has remained a long-term challenge due to the influence of soil background. To reduce this effect, the slope and intercept of the soil line (SL) should be known to calculate SL-related vegetation indices (VIs). These VIs can be used to estimate the biophysical parameters of agricultural crops. However, it is a difficult task to retrieve the SL parameters under the vegetation canopy. A feasible method for retrieving these parameters involves extracting the bottom boundary line in two-dimensional spectral spaces (i.e., red and near-infrared bands). In this study, the slope and intercept of the SL was extracted from Landsat 8 OLI images of a test site in northeastern Germany. Different statistical methods, including the Red-NIRmin method, quantile regression method (using a floating tau with the smallest p-value), and a new approach proposed in this paper using a fixed quantile tau known as the diffuse non-interceptance (DIFN) value, were applied to retrieve the SL parameters. The DIFN value describes the amount of light visible below the canopy that reaches the soil surface. Therefore, this value can be used as a threshold for retrieving the bottom soil line. The simulated SLs were compared with actual ones extracted from ground truth data, as recorded by a handheld spectrometer, and were also compared with the SL retrieved from bare soil pixels of the Landsat 8 image collected after harvest. Subsequently, the SL parameters were used to separately estimate the dry biomasses of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and canola (Brassica napus L.) at the local and field scales using different SL-related vegetation indices. The SL can be retrieved more accurately at the local scale compared with the field scale, and its simulation can be critical in the field due to significant differences from the actual SL. Moreover, the slope and intercept of the simulated SLs found using the floating and fixed quantile tau (slope ≈ 1.1 and intercept ≈ 0.05) show better agreement with the actual SL parameters (slope ≈ 1.2 and intercept ≈ 0.03) in the late growing stages (i.e., end of ripening and senescence stages) of crops. The slope and intercept of the soil line extracted from bare soil pixels of the Landsat 8 OLI data after harvest (slope = 1.3, intercept = 0.03, and R2 = 0.94) are similar to those of the simulated SL. The correlation coefficient (R2) of the simulated SLs are greater than 0.97 during different growing stage and all of the SL parameters are statistically significant (p < 0.05) at the local scale. The results also imply the need for different vegetation indices to best retrieve the crop biomass depending on the growing stage, but relatively small differences in performances were observed in this study.
Target Tracking Using SePDAF under Ambiguous Angles for Distributed Array Radar
Authors: Long Teng , Zhang Honggang , Zeng Tao , Chen Xinliang , Liu Quanhua , Zheng Le
Published: September 2016

Distributed array radar can improve radar detection capability and measurement accuracy. However, it will suffer cyclic ambiguity in its angle estimates according to the spatial Nyquist sampling theorem since the large sparse array is undersampling. Consequently, the state estimation accuracy and track validity probability degrades when the ambiguous angles are directly used for target tracking. This paper proposes a second probability data association filter (SePDAF)-based tracking method for distributed array radar. Firstly, the target motion model and radar measurement model is built. Secondly, the fusion result of each radar’s estimation is employed to the extended Kalman filter (EKF) to finish the first filtering. Thirdly, taking this result as prior knowledge, and associating with the array-processed ambiguous angles, the SePDAF is applied to accomplish the second filtering, and then achieving a high accuracy and stable trajectory with relatively low computational complexity. Moreover, the azimuth filtering accuracy will be promoted dramatically and the position filtering accuracy will also improve. Finally, simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Fuzzy C-Means Clustering and Energy Efficient Cluster Head Selection for Cooperative Sensor Network
Authors: Bhatti Dost , Saeed Nasir , Nam Haewoon
Published: September 2016

We propose a novel cluster based cooperative spectrum sensing algorithm to save the wastage of energy, in which clusters are formed using fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering and a cluster head (CH) is selected based on a sensor’s location within each cluster, its location with respect to fusion center (FC), its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and its residual energy. The sensing information of a single sensor is not reliable enough due to shadowing and fading. To overcome these issues, cooperative spectrum sensing schemes were proposed to take advantage of spatial diversity. For cooperative spectrum sensing, all sensors sense the spectrum and report the sensed energy to FC for the final decision. However, it increases the energy consumption of the network when a large number of sensors need to cooperate; in addition to that, the efficiency of the network is also reduced. The proposed algorithm makes the cluster and selects the CHs such that very little amount of network energy is consumed and the highest efficiency of the network is achieved. Using the proposed algorithm maximum probability of detection under an imperfect channel is accomplished with minimum energy consumption as compared to conventional clustering schemes.
A Small U-Shaped Bending-Induced Interference Optical Fiber Sensor for the Measurement of Glucose Solutions
Authors: Fang Yu-Lin , Wang Chen-Tung , Chiang Chia-Chin
Published: September 2016

The study proposes a small U-shaped bending-induced interference optical fiber sensor; this novel sensor is a probe-type sensor manufactured using a mechanical device, a heat source, optical fiber and a packaging module. This probe-type sensor overcomes the shortcomings of conventional optical fibers, including being difficult to repair and a tendency to be influenced by external forces. We manufactured three types of sensors with different curvature radiuses. Specifically, sensors with three radiuses (1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 3.0 mm) were used to measure common water and glucose solutions with concentrations of between 6% and 30% (the interval between concentrations was 4%). The results show that the maximal sensitivity was 0.85 dB/% and that the linearly-dependent coefficient was 0.925. The results further show that not only can the small U-shaped bending-induced interference optical fiber sensor achieve high sensitivity in the measurement of glucose solutions, but that it can also achieve great stability and repeatability.
Sediment Sampling in Estuarine Mudflats with an Aerial-Ground Robotic Team
Authors: Deusdado Pedro , Guedes Magno , Silva André , Marques Francisco , Pinto Eduardo , Rodrigues Paulo , Lourenço André , Mendonça Ricardo , Santana Pedro , Corisco José , Almeida Susana , Portugal Luís , Caldeira Raquel , Barata José , Flores Luis
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a robotic team suited for bottom sediment sampling and retrieval in mudflats, targeting environmental monitoring tasks. The robotic team encompasses a four-wheel-steering ground vehicle, equipped with a drilling tool designed to be able to retain wet soil, and a multi-rotor aerial vehicle for dynamic aerial imagery acquisition. On-demand aerial imagery, properly fused on an aerial mosaic, is used by remote human operators for specifying the robotic mission and supervising its execution. This is crucial for the success of an environmental monitoring study, as often it depends on human expertise to ensure the statistical significance and accuracy of the sampling procedures. Although the literature is rich on environmental monitoring sampling procedures, in mudflats, there is a gap as regards including robotic elements. This paper closes this gap by also proposing a preliminary experimental protocol tailored to exploit the capabilities offered by the robotic system. Field trials in the south bank of the river Tagus’ estuary show the ability of the robotic system to successfully extract and transport bottom sediment samples for offline analysis. The results also show the efficiency of the extraction and the benefits when compared to (conventional) human-based sampling.
Human Movement Recognition Based on the Stochastic Characterisation of Acceleration Data
Authors: Munoz-Organero Mario , Lotfi Ahmad
Published: September 2016

Human activity recognition algorithms based on information obtained from wearable sensors are successfully applied in detecting many basic activities. Identified activities with time-stationary features are characterised inside a predefined temporal window by using different machine learning algorithms on extracted features from the measured data. Better accuracy, precision and recall levels could be achieved by combining the information from different sensors. However, detecting short and sporadic human movements, gestures and actions is still a challenging task. In this paper, a novel algorithm to detect human basic movements from wearable measured data is proposed and evaluated. The proposed algorithm is designed to minimise computational requirements while achieving acceptable accuracy levels based on characterising some particular points in the temporal series obtained from a single sensor. The underlying idea is that this algorithm would be implemented in the sensor device in order to pre-process the sensed data stream before sending the information to a central point combining the information from different sensors to improve accuracy levels. Intra- and inter-person validation is used for two particular cases: single step detection and fall detection and classification using a single tri-axial accelerometer. Relevant results for the above cases and pertinent conclusions are also presented.
Implementing Coordinative Contracts between Manufacturer and Retailer in a Reverse Supply Chain
Authors: Yoon Sung , Jeong Suk
Published: September 2016

There is an increasing need for company awareness of environmental problems and sustainable business practices. As a post-consumption activity, the reverse supply chain aims to extract value from products at the end of their lifecycle; it offers a means of pursuing sustainability through recycling, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and reusing. This study develops a series of procedures for implementing contracts between manufacturers and retailers to maximize individual profits and total profits through the reverse supply chain. To analyze the effects of the decision strategies made by parties acting on non-coordinative (decentralized) and coordinative contracts, we model a two-echelon reverse supply chain environment using a system dynamics approach. In this study, we examine three cooperative contracts with differing shares of cost and profit between the two parties. Each contract is analyzed according to the following three contract processes. First, the manufacturer proposes a set of contracts that can be considered by the retailer. Second, the retailer evaluates the proposed contracts and chooses the one that is expected to maximize profits. Finally, the retailer and manufacturer adjust the parameters of the best contract to achieve the mutual goal of the supply chain. Using the experimental results, we discuss the best coordinative strategy between manufacturer and retailer for maximizing profits in the reverse supply chain.
An Environmental Critique: Impact of Socialist Ideology on the Ecological and Cultural Sensitivity of Belgrade’s Large-Scale Residential Settlements
Authors: Djokić Vladan , Ristić Trajković Jelena , Krstić Verica
Published: September 2016

This paper advocates the stance that sustainable approaches in architecture, although usually associated to contemporary practice, have a very complex relationship with the history of architecture and urbanism. By adopting an interpretative framework, the paper highlights the environmental aspects of the architectural practice of Belgrade’s large-scale residential settlements created under the cultural influences of socialist ideology. The socialist system enabled systematic implementation of the principles of the Congrès International d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) on a large urban scale, in contrast to capitalist countries where these principles were applied on a smaller scale. The paper starts with the premise that these cultural influences, together with the integration of the principles of modernism, caused the rejection and the loss of traditional and ambience values in architecture. Research has shown that these values play a very important role in meeting the needs of ecological and cultural sensitivity in architecture. In its final consequences, the results of research have revealed that, although widely criticized for its break with tradition and the loss of ambience values, residential architecture in Belgrade during the socialist era included significant aspirations of the architectural practice directed at the improvement of aspects of sustainability, and especially aspects of ecological and cultural sensitivity.
Modeling Urban Expansion and Agricultural Land Conversion in Henan Province, China: An Integration of Land Use and Socioeconomic Data
Authors: Jiang Li , Zhang Yonghui
Published: September 2016

China has experienced rapid urban expansion and agricultural land loss, and the land conversion has accelerated in central provinces since the mid-1990s. The goal of this paper is to examine the relative importance of socioeconomic and policy factors on the urban conversion of agricultural land in Henan Province, China. Using panel econometric models, we examine how socioeconomic and policy factors affect agricultural land conversion at the county level across three time periods, 1995–2000, 2000–2005, and 2005–2010. The results show that both urban land rent and urban wages are essential factors that positively contribute to the conversion of agricultural land. It is also found that per capita GDP is correlated with more urban development and agricultural land loss. Consistent with expectations, agricultural financial support is negatively correlated with agricultural land conversion, suggesting a policy success. Finally, the decomposition analysis illustrates that urban wages are the most influential positive factor and agricultural financial support is the most influential negative factor affecting the urban conversion of agricultural land.
Exploring Land Use and Land Cover of Geotagged Social-Sensing Images Using Naive Bayes Classifier
Authors: Sitthi Asamaporn , Nagai Masahiko , Dailey Matthew , Ninsawat Sarawut
Published: September 2016

Online social media crowdsourced photos contain a vast amount of visual information about the physical properties and characteristics of the earth’s surface. Flickr is an important online social media platform for users seeking this information. Each day, users generate crowdsourced geotagged digital imagery containing an immense amount of information. In this paper, geotagged Flickr images are used for automatic extraction of low-level land use/land cover (LULC) features. The proposed method uses a naive Bayes classifier with color, shape, and color index descriptors. The classified images are mapped using a majority filtering approach. The classifier performance in overall accuracy, kappa coefficient, precision, recall, and f-measure was 87.94%, 82.89%, 88.20%, 87.90%, and 88%, respectively. Labeled-crowdsourced images were filtered into a spatial tile of a 30 m × 30 m resolution using the majority voting method to reduce geolocation uncertainty from the crowdsourced data. These tile datasets were used as training and validation samples to classify Landsat TM5 images. The supervised maximum likelihood method was used for the LULC classification. The results show that the geotagged Flickr images can classify LULC types with reasonable accuracy and that the proposed approach improves LULC classification efficiency if a sufficient spatial distribution of crowdsourced data exists.
Modeling and Optimization of a Tree Based on Virtual Reality for Immersive Virtual Landscape Generation
Authors: Kim Jinmo
Published: September 2016

This study proposes a modeling method that can effectively generate multiple diverse digital trees for creating immersive virtual landscape based on virtual reality and an optimization method for real-time rendering. The proposed method simplifies a process of procedures from growth of tree models to the generation of the three-dimensional branch geometric model. Here, the procedural branch graph (PBG) algorithm is proposed, which simultaneously and effectively generates diverse trees that have a similar branch pattern. Moreover, the optimization method is designed in a polygon-based branch model which controls the resolution of tree models according to the distance from the camera to generate a tree model structure that is appropriate for an immersive system based on virtual reality. Finally, a virtual reality system is established based on the Oculus SDK (Software Development Kit) and Unity3D engine. In this process, the image processing-based pixel to tree (PTT) method is proposed as a technique for easily and efficiently generating a virtual landscape by allocating multiple trees on terrain. An immersive virtual landscape that has a stereoscopic perception and spatial impression is created through the proposed method and whether it can deliver experience of nature in virtual reality to the users was checked through an experiment.
Numerical Study on the Permeability of the Hydraulic-Stimulated Fracture Network in Naturally-Fractured Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Zhang Zhaobin , Li Xiao , He Jianming
Published: September 2016

As hydraulic fracturing is a fluid-rock coupling process, the permeability of the hydraulic-stimulated fracture network in the initial stage has great effects on the propagation of the hydraulic fracture network in the following stages. In this work, the permeability of the hydraulic-stimulated fracture network in shale gas reservoirs is investigated by a newly-proposed model based on the displacement discontinuity method. The permeability of the fracture network relies heavily on fracture apertures, which can be calculated with high precision by the displacement discontinuity method. The hydraulic fracturing processes are simulated based on the natural fracture networks reconstructed from the shale samples in the Longmaxi formation of China. The flow fields are simulated and the permeability is calculated based on the fracture configurations and fracture apertures after hydraulic fracturing treatment. It is found that the anisotropy of the permeability is very strong, and the permeability curves have similar shapes. Therefore, a fitting equation of the permeability curve is given for convenient use in the future. The permeability curves under different fluid pressures and crustal stress directions are obtained. The results show that the permeability anisotropy is stronger when the fluid pressure is higher. Moreover, the permeability anisotropy reaches the minimum value when the maximum principle stress direction is perpendicular to the main natural fracture direction. The investigation on the permeability is useful for answering how the reservoirs are hydraulically stimulated and is useful for predicting the propagation behaviors of the hydraulic fracture network in shale gas reservoirs.
Establishment of a hospital-acquired infection surveillance system in a teaching hospital in Rwanda
Authors: Lukas Stephanie , Hogan Unarose , Muhirwa Viatory , Davis Caroline , Nyiligira John , Ogbuagu Onyema , Wong Rex
Published: September 2016

Hospital-based infection surveillance and control programs can reduce hospital acquired infection (HAI) prevalence. In resource-limited countries, HAI surveillance is challenging to implement due to inadequate or lacking laboratory infrastructure and trained personnel. A HAI surveillance system was implemented in a teaching hospital in Rwanda. A multi-disciplinary team developed a point-prevalence HAI surveillance tool based on World Health Organization (WHO’s) criteria and conducted surveillance on all inpatient units from September 2013 to March 2014. The baseline HAI rate was 15.1%. Highest HAI rates were found in intensive care unit (ICU) (50.0%), Neonatal ICU (23.1%) and Orthopedics/burn unit (37.3%). Factors significantly associated with increased risk of developing HAIs included surgery within the past month (odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95%CI: 1.40, 5.40), use of a urinary catheter (OR 2.10, 95%CI: 1.05, 4.25), use of mechanical ventilator (OR 3.14, 95%CI: 1.01, 9.74), and use of chest drain, naso-gastric tube, external fixator (OR=3.93). Longer hospital length of stay was also significantly associated with a risk of HAI (OR 1.02). It is feasible in a low-resource setting to establish HAI surveillance and obtain an accurate HAI rate. The surveillance information can inform prioritization of infection prevention efforts.
Automated Smartphone Threshold Audiometry: Validity and Time Efficiency
Authors: van Tonder Jessica , Swanepoel De Wet , Mahomed-Asmail Faheema , Myburgh Hermanus , Eikelboom Robert H.
Published: September 2016

Background:Smartphone-based threshold audiometry with automated testing has the potential to provide affordable access to audiometry in underserved contexts.Purpose:To validate the threshold version (hearTest) of the validated hearScreen™ smartphone-based application
using inexpensive smartphones (Android operating system) and calibrated supra-aural headphones.Research Design:A repeated measures within-participant study design was employed to compare air-conduction thresholds (0.5‐8 kHz) obtained through automated smartphone audiometry to
thresholds obtained through conventional audiometry.Study Sample:A total of 95 participants were included in the study. Of these, 30 were adults, who had known bilateral hearing losses of varying degrees (mean age = 59 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 21.8; 56.7% female), and 65 were adolescents
(mean age = 16.5 yr, SD = 1.2; 70.8% female), of which 61 had normal hearing and the remaining 4 had mild hearing losses.Data Analysis:Threshold comparisons were made between the two test procedures. The Wilcoxon signed-ranked test was used for comparison of threshold correspondence
between manual and smartphone thresholds and the paired samples t test was used to compare test time.Results:Within the adult sample, 94.4% of thresholds obtained through smartphone and conventional audiometry corresponded within 10 dB or less. There was no significant difference
between smartphone (6.75-min average, SD = 1.5) and conventional audiometry test duration (6.65-min average, SD = 2.5). Within the adolescent sample, 84.7% of thresholds obtained at 0.5, 2, and 4 kHz with hearTest and conventional audiometry corresponded within ≤5 dB. At 1 kHz, 79.3% of
the thresholds differed by ≤10 dB. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between smartphone (7.09 min, SD = 1.2) and conventional audiometry test duration (3.23 min, SD = 0.6).Conclusions:The hearTest application with calibrated supra-aural headphones provides a
cost-effective option to determine valid air-conduction hearing thresholds.
THE ALBEDO DISTRIBUTION OF NEAR EARTH ASTEROIDS
Authors: Wright Edward L. , Mainzer Amy , Masiero Joseph , Grav Tommy , Bauer James
Published: September 2016

The cryogenic Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission in 2010 was extremely sensitive to asteroids and not biased against detecting dark objects. The albedos of 428 near Earth asteroids (NEAs) observed by WISE during its fully cryogenic mission can be fit quite well by a three parameter function that is the sum of two Rayleigh distributions. The Rayleigh distribution is zero for negative values, and follows

for positive x. The peak value is at x = σ, so the position and width are tied together. The three parameters are the fraction of the objects in the dark population, the position of the dark peak, and the position of the brighter peak. We find that 25.3% of the NEAs observed by WISE are in a very dark population peaking at p

V
 = 0.030, while the other 74.7% of the NEAs seen by WISE are in a moderately dark population peaking at p

V
 = 0.168. A consequence of this bimodal distribution is that the congressional mandate to find 90% of all NEAs larger than 140 m diameter cannot be satisfied by surveying to H = 22 mag, since a 140 m diameter asteroid at the very dark peak has H = 23.7 mag, and more than 10% of NEAs are darker than p

V
 = 0.03.
THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF L5 MAGNETOGRAMS ON NON-POTENTIAL SOLAR CORONAL MAGNETIC FIELD SIMULATIONS
Authors: Weinzierl Marion , Mackay Duncan H. , Yeates Anthony R. , Pevtsov Alexei A.
Published: September 2016

The proposed Carrington-L5 mission would bring instruments to the L5 Lagrange point to provide us with crucial data for space weather prediction. To assess the importance of including a magnetograph, we consider the possible differences in non-potential solar coronal magnetic field simulations when magnetograph observations are available from the L5 point, compared with an L1-based field of view (FOV). A timeseries of synoptic radial magnetic field maps is constructed to capture the emergence of two active regions from the L5 FOV. These regions are initially absent in the L1 magnetic field maps, but are included once they rotate into the L1 FOV. Non-potential simulations for these two sets of input data are compared in detail. Within the bipolar active regions themselves, differences in the magnetic field structure can exist between the two simulations once the active regions are included in both. These differences tend to reduce within 5 days of the active region being included in L1. The delayed emergence in L1 can, however, lead to significant persistent differences in long-range connectivity between the active regions and the surrounding fields, and also in the global magnetic energy. In particular, the open magnetic flux and the location of open magnetic footpoints, are sensitive to capturing the real-time of emergence. These results suggest that a magnetograph at L5 could significantly improve predictions of the non-potential corona, the interplanetary magnetic field, and of solar wind source regions on the Sun.
Radial Shaft Reconstruction With an Intercalary Endoprosthesis Following Resection of Metastatic Tumor
Authors: Gibson Peter D. , Ippolito Joseph A. , Benevenia Joseph
Published: September 2016

Improvements in imaging and treatment of musculoskeletal tumors have increased the variety of options for reconstruction following joint-sparing diaphyseal resection. The purpose of this case series was to show that reconstruction of malignant tumors of the radial shaft with an intercalary prosthesis may be an option for patients with segmental bone loss. Three consecutive patients underwent wide resection of the radial diaphysis followed by reconstruction with a custom intercalary prosthesis. A custom intercalary prosthesis with lap joint design was used in all 3 cases. Mean follow-up was 18 months (range, 9–25 months). All patients were weight bearing as tolerated 1 week postoperatively. At the most recent follow-up, patients' mean elbow flexion and extension arc was 137° (range, 130°–140°). At the forearm, mean supination was 60° (range, 30°–90°) and mean pronation was 70° (range, 60°–90°). At the wrist, mean palmar flexion was 80° (range, 70°–90°) and mean dorsiflexion was 80° (range, 70°–90°). All patients reported minimal to no pain and no significant functional limitations. Mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 26/30 (87%). Reconstruction with an intercalary prosthesis is a viable option for patients with metastatic disease of the radial shaft. All patients had satisfactory results and early return to function; none required return to the operating room. Possible advantages of reconstruction with an intercalary prosthesis compared with reconstruction with a bone graft or polymethylmethacrylate osteosynthesis include early return to function and minimal weight-bearing restrictions postoperatively. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(2):e242–e247.]
A Custom-made Acetabular Implant for Paprosky Type 3 Defects
Authors: Baauw Marieke , van Hellemondt Gijs Gerard , Spruit Maarten
Published: September 2016

Acetabular revision is a challenging operation, especially when dealing with major bone loss and poor bone quality. This article describes a detailed approach to defect analysis, including measurement of bone deficiency and bone quality. A custom-made titanium implant, with precisely outlined flanges to the host bones of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, taking into account the bone quality for optimal screw purchase, was used to reconstruct the acetabular defect. Preliminary results for 12 patients who were retrospectively reviewed after a minimum follow-up of 18 months were promising. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(1):e195–e198.]
La fortuna crítica de Corrado Giaquinto en Roma y los motivos de su partida por Madrid
Authors: Pierguidi Stefano
Published: September 2016

Alrededor de 1751 Cochin indicaba a los que eran considerados los mejores pintores de Roma en la época: Masucci, Mancini, Battoni y “le chevalier Corado”. El pasaje de Cochin representaría una de las demostraciones más significativas de la notoriedad del artista, pero la crítica moderna propende a no distinguir la diferente esencia del éxito de Giaquinto con respecto a lo de los varios Masucci, Mancini y Batoni, citados en la carta de Cochin: mientras que estos últimos habían triunfado definitivamente como pintores de historia al óleo, y podían trabajar para clientela internacional sin dejar Roma, Giaquinto nunca logró imponerse en aquella función. En la carta, de hecho, Cochin confundía y sobreponía Corrado a lo más célebre Sebastiano Conca. La llamada a Madrid fue un gran éxito por Giaquinto, pero la salida fue una elección obligada porque en veinticinco años que pasó en Roma, el pintor nunca obtuvo aquel reconocimiento a lo que ambicionaba.
Teatro nacional. Mannheim
Authors: Weber Gerhard
Published: September 2016

Situado en la plaza Goethe, el Teatro Nacional forma parte de los edificios de Mannheim, que son un testimonio importante de la restauración de la ciudad y del entusiasmo de sus ciudadanos por el teatro. El proyecto sufrió varias modificaciones durante su desarrollo. Se intentaba conseguir una diferenciación de las dos salas existentes en el mismo edificio. Una decisión muy importante del Consejo de Administración permitió instalar las salas de ensayos debajo de los escenarios. Con esta restricción de espacio fue posible limitar, desde el punto de vista urbanístico, el volumen total del edificio en la plaza Goethe con dimensiones moderadas.
Oleoducto en la Arabia Saudita
Authors: Hartley George D.
Published: September 2016

El petróleo natural y sus derivados constituyen actualmente un combustible y productos refinados, cuya importancia en el desarrollo económico industrial mundial le lleva a ocupar un rango de sobresaliente interés.
Microstructure and Properties of Hot Extruded Al-TiO2 Powder Metallurgic Composites
Authors: Ravichandran Manickam , Meignanamoorthy Meiyanathan , Dineshkumar Sundaram
Published: September 2016

Aluminium metal matrix composites reinforced with TiO2 were synthesized using powder metallurgy route. The compositions such as Al-2.5%TiO2, Al-5%TiO2, Al-7.5%TiO2 and Al-10%TiO2 were milled using ball mill for 1 hour. The green compacts were prepared using 400 kN hydraulic press. The sintering was done by using electric muffle furnace at a temperature of 550°C for 1 hour. Hot extrusion was carried out for the sintered composite samples with suitable punch and die. The mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and hardness have been studied for the hot extruded samples. The microstructures of the extruded composites were analyzed using optical microscope and reported. The high compressive strength was obtained for the Al-5%TiO2 composite.
Effect of SiCp Reinforcement on Machinability of A356 Alloy Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Jayakumar K.
Published: September 2016

Machining of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) is a challenge for manufacturing industries due to their heterogeneous constituents which vary from soft matrix to hard reinforcements and their interfaces. To overcome the difficulties in machining of MMCs, researchers are continuously working to find the optimum process or machining parameters. In this work, End milling studies were carried out in A356 alloy powder-SiC particles (1 μm) in 0, 5, 10, 15 volume % reinforced AMMCs synthesised by vacuum hot pressing (VHP) route.The influence of machining parameters such as cutting speed, feed and depth of cut on the prepared composites in terms of surface roughness (Ra) and material removal rate (MRR) are measured from experimental study. Experiments were conducted as per Taguchi L16 orthogonal array with 4 factors and 4 levels.From the experimental result, it was identified that surface roughness varied from 0.214 μm to 4.115 μm and MRR varied from minimum of 1.11 cm3/min to maximum of 9.65 cm3/min. It is also observed that, MRR increased with increase in machining parameters and reinforcement quantity. Similarly, surface roughness decreased for increase of cutting speed, SiC particle (SiCp) reinforcement and increased for increase in feed and depth of cut. The optimum condition were observed in higher speed, lower feed and higher depth of cut on MMC with higher SiC content (15%) for getting higher machinability.
FWTPET Investigation on SA213 Tube to SA387 Tube Plate
Authors: Das A. Daniel , Senthil Kumaran S.
Published: September 2016

In this research work, an experimental investigation of Friction Welding of Tube to Tube Plate with External Tool (FWTPET) has been carried out using backing block arrangement with interference fit. The Materials have been used in this research of SA213 tube and SA387 tube plate. The results of the experimental investigation revealed that by employing backing block, FWTPET is capable of producing defect free welds. The Welding sample has been conducted several characteristics such as Compression test, radiographic test and Microscopic Test. Further Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was utilized to find the most significant control factors which will yield better joint strength. Besides, the contribution of each process parameter has been determined using statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Input and Output values are 1320 rpm Speed, 0 mm projection, 0.1 mm Depth of cut and 3086.90 MPa optimal joint strength respectively.
Sliding Wear Behavior of Cryogenic Treated Copper Beryllium Alloy
Authors: Mouda Pervaz Ahmed , Azeez Abdul , Hydershah Siddhi Jailani
Published: September 2016

In this study, the effect of Shallow Cryogenic Treatment (SCT) on the wear behavior of copper beryllium alloy was investigated. The material is subjected to shallow cryogenic treatment to – 80 °C and wear study was conducted on a pin on disc apparatus. The Shallow Cryogenic treated and untreated copper beryllium alloy pins were used against hardened AISI 4140 steel disc. The micro-structural examination was carried out using optical microscope. The hardness was measured using Rockwell hardness tester. The wear track was studied using optical microscope. Microstructure study indicated that the grains of shallow cryogenic treated samples are finer than that of untreated sample. Hardness of the cryogenic treated sample is higher than that of the untreated sample. The wear resistance of cryogenic treated copper beryllium alloy has improved compared with untreated sample.
Design & Analysis of Steam Drum Based on ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII Div.2 & Div.3
Authors: Payghan Vishal , Jadhav Dattatray N. , Savant Girish Y. , Bharadwaj Sagar
Published: September 2016

Process plant industries have equipment working on high pressure and high temperature environments. The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII provides rules for construction of the pressure vessel. The purpose of this paper is to have comparative study for design and analysis of steam drum using ASME Section VIII Div. 2 and Div. 3. Steam drum is a part of boiler system and works at high pressure and high temperature. Normally, Steam drum design is based on ASME Section VIII Div. 2, Part 4, design by rule and Part 5, design by analysis; which has been carried out in the present study. In this paper, design of the same equipment is studied using Part KD, Design requirements of ASME Section VIII Div. 3 with similar design parameters. Finite Element Stress Analysis of both design has been done as per code requirements to check the plastic collapse. In this study, it is observed that there is reduction in the required thickness for design based on Div. 3. Finally, the reduced required thickness leads to considerable weight reduction of the equipment and thus increased competitiveness.
Mechanical Properties and Machinability Studies on the Human Hair-Coconut Coir-Glass Fibre Hybrid Composite
Authors: Senthil Nathan D. , Rajkumar K. , Gnanavelbabu A. , Sabarinathan P.
Published: September 2016

Natural Fiber-reinforced epoxy composites have a potential of lightweight structural materials used in various engineering applications owing to its excellent properties. Present paper investigates the mechanical properties of glass fibre, coconut fibre and human hair reinforced epoxy hybrid composite. In this work, epoxy resin with various layers of reinforcement added by using hand layup technique. The composite is subjected to mechanical testing. Machinability studies were performed based on the drilling experiments. TiAlN coated solid carbide (SC) and High speed steel (HSS) drills were used in the drilling experiments and made a comparative study on the output parameter. Solid carbide tool has a lower thrust force with feed rate being the most influential parameter on thrust force.
Investigations on Properties of Al-B4C Composites Synthesized through Powder Metallurgy Route
Authors: Ravichandran Manickam , Manikandan Arumugam , Omkumar Meenakshi Sundaram
Published: September 2016

Powder metallurgy is a popular technique to synthesize metal matrix composites with uniform distribution of the reinforcements. The present work aims to synthesize Al-B4C composites through powder metallurgy route and study their properties. The compositions of the composites are Al-5%B4C, Al-10%B4C & Al-15%B4C. Blending of powders, compaction and sintering process were carried out as per standard powder metallurgy procedure. The distributions of the reinforcements were analyzed for the sintered specimens by the help of scanning electron microscope. The effect addition of B4C in the Aluminium matrix on the properties such as density, porosity, hardness and compressive strength were discussed. Results show that addition of B4C improves the properties of Al-B4C composites.
The negative bone effects of the disease and of chronic corticosteroid treatment in premenopausal women affected by rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fassio A. , Idolazzi L. , Jaber M.A. , Dartizio C. , Viapiana O. , Rossini M. , Gatti D.
Published: September 2016

Osteoporosis is a well-known extra-articular complication in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The chronic corticosteroid treatment, the functional impairment associated with RA and the disease itself appear to be the most relevant determinants. Most of the previous studies involved postmenopausal women, in whom the estrogenic deficiency might amplify the negative effect towards bone of both RA and corticosteroid therapy. We decided to evaluate bone health in a cohort of premenopausal RA patients. The study population includes 47 premenopausal women attending our outpatient clinic for RA and twice as many healthy age-matched control women selected from the hospital personnel. The bone density at the spine and femoral neck were significantly lower in patients with RA as compared with controls. When spine bone mineral density (BMD) values were adjusted for the cumulative glucocorticoid (GC) dose alone and for the cumulative GC dose plus body mass index (BMI) the mean differences between two groups decreased but they remained statistically significant. We found no difference when the spine BMD was adjusted for cumulative GC dose, BMI and health assessment questionnaire. The difference in femoral neck BMD remained statistically significant also after all the same adjustments. In conclusion, our study shows that a BMD deficiency is frequent also in premenopausal women affected by RA, especially at femoral site and that the main determinants of this bone loss are not only the disease-related weight loss, corticosteroid therapy and functional impairment, but also the systemic effects of the disease itself.
Knowledge of in-slab earthquakes needed to improve seismic hazard estimates for southwestern British Columbia
Authors: Adams J , Halchuk S
Published: September 2016

In-slab earthquakes (earthquakes within the subducting Juan de Fuca plate) make the major contribution to seismic hazard for the Strait of Georgia region of British Columbia. These earthquakes dominate the hazard, despite their depth, because they have a higher
rate and cause stronger shaking than the crustal earthquakes. Key knowledge of in-slab earthquakes needed to improve seismic hazard estimates for southwestern British Columbia includes the constraints on the spatial distribution, rate and maximum size of the earthquakes, the ground motions to be
expected, the nature of the earthquake sources and the structure and properties of the lithosphere through
which the waves propagate.
Phase state of ambient aerosol linked with water uptake and chemical
aging in the southeastern US
Authors: Pajunoja Aki , Hu Weiwei , Leong Yu J. , Taylor Nathan F. , Miettinen Pasi , Palm Brett B. , Mikkonen Santtu , Collins Don R. , Jimenez Jose L. , Virtanen Annele
Published: September 2016

Abstract. During the summer 2013 Southern Aerosol and Oxidant Study (SOAS) field campaign in a rural site in the southeastern United States, the effect of hygroscopicity and composition on the phase state of atmospheric aerosol particles dominated by the organic fraction was studied. The analysis is based on hygroscopicity measurements by a Hygroscopic Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (HTDMA), physical phase state investigations by an Aerosol Bounce Instrument (ABI) and composition measurements using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). To study the effect of atmospheric aging on these properties, an OH-radical oxidation flow reactor (OFR) was used to simulate longer atmospheric aging times of up to 3 weeks. Hygroscopicity and bounce behavior of the particles had a clear relationship showing higher bounce at elevated relative humidity (RH) values for less hygroscopic particles, which agrees well with earlier laboratory studies. Additional OH oxidation of the aerosol particles in the OFR increased the O : C and the hygroscopicity resulting in liquefying of the particles at lower RH values. At the highest OH exposures, the inorganic fraction starts to dominate the bounce process due to production of inorganics and concurrent loss of organics in the OFR. Our results indicate that at typical ambient RH and temperature, organic-dominated particles stay mostly liquid in the atmospheric conditions in the southeastern US, but they often turn semisolid when dried below ∼ 50 % RH in the sampling inlets. While the liquid phase state suggests solution behavior and equilibrium partitioning for the SOA particles in ambient air, the possible phase change in the drying process highlights the importance of thoroughly considered sampling techniques of SOA particles.
Synoptic perspectives on pollutant transport patterns observed by satellites over East Asia: Case studies with a conceptual model
Authors: Kim Hyun Cheol , Kim Soontae , Son Seok-Woo , Lee Pius , Jin Chun-Sil , Kim Eunhye , Kim Byeong-Uk , Ngan Fong , Bae Changhan , Song Chang-Keun , Stein Ariel
Published: September 2016

Abstract. We demonstrate that daily pollutant transport patterns in East Asia are visible from satellite images when inspected with corresponding synoptic weather analyses. Transport pathways of air pollutants in East Asia are investigated using satellite observations, surface weather charts, and chemical-transport model simulations. It is found that during cool season (fall to spring), pollutant transports in East Asia are largely determined by synoptic weather patterns associated with high pressure system over southern China, which is extended from the Siberia High, and low pressure system over Manchuria, which is initiated by Altai-Sayan cyclogenesis. Based on the relative location and strength of these weather systems, three types of synoptic weather patterns that may contribute to pollutants transport in East Asia, especially in China and Korea, are identified: i.e., (1) a strengthening of the Siberian High and its southeastward propagation; (2) a high-pressure system over southern China followed by a frontal passage associated with a northern low-pressure system; and (3) a stagnant high-pressure system over southern China. For all three patterns, the high-pressure system in southern China is essential for the development of regional air pollution, while frontal activities associated with low-pressure system provide a forcing mechanism to transport those pollutants eastward or southeastward. Observed and simulated surface PM distributions show good agreement in both aerosol optical depth and NO2 column density further implying that anthropogenic emissions also contribute to regional events of high surface PM concentrations. It is argued that the quasi-periodic migration of synoptic weather systems in East Asia works as an efficient pump of pollutants; i.e., regional air pollutions developed under high-pressure systems are transported downstream by low-pressure systems.