bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTEGRATING AND MANAGING BIM IN GIS, SOFTWARE REVIEW
Authors: El Meouche R. , Rezoug M. , Hijazi I.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Since the advent of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, project participants have been increasingly leveraging these tools throughout the different phases of a civil infrastructure project. In recent years the number of GIS software that provides tools to enable the integration of Building information in geo context has risen sharply. More and more GIS software are added tools for this purposes and other software projects are regularly extending these tools. However, each software has its different strength and weakness and its purpose of use. This paper provides a thorough review to investigate the software capabilities and clarify its purpose. For this study, Autodesk Revit 2012 i.e. BIM editor software was used to create BIMs. In the first step, three building models were created, the resulted models were converted to BIM format and then the software was used to integrate it. For the evaluation of the software, general characteristics was studied such as the user interface, what formats are supported (import/export), and the way building information are imported.
Development of Indoor Spatial Data Model Using CityGML ADE
Authors: Kim Y.-J. , Kang H.-Y. , Lee J.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. With the recent increasing build and application for 3D spatial information, the importance of management and application for spatial information based on indoor space has been increased. Especially, Due to the increasing of the scale and complexity of the building according to the development of construction technologies several studies have been conducted to provide the services based on indoor space such as indoor navigation for disaster. Therefore, to efficient manage and service for information of complicated indoor space, it is necessary to extend and develop 3D spatial model and services that have been developed for outdoor space. In this paper, Indoor Spatial Data Model (ISDM) is developed to support building spatial information for complicated indoor space and location based services through topological information. ISDM contains a feature model which is a CityGML Application Domain Extension (ADE) model and a topology model that refers the IndoorGML.
EXPERIMENTS WITH NOTARIES ABOUT THE SEMIOLOGY OF 3D CADASTRAL MODELS
Authors: Pouliot J. , Wang C. , Fuchs V. , Hubert F. , Bédard M.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Based on the hypothesis that 3D cadastral models are helpful for notaries, this study investigates the performance of visual variables for the visualization of 3D models. The approach undertaken uses face-to-face interviews with notaries involved in co-ownership establishment. A 3D geometric model of a complex condominium building is used as the studied case to which a selection of visual variables is applied. Thirty visual solutions are tested against six notarial visualization tasks and notaries are asked several questions. Based on the preliminary responses, we can now say that colour is the visual variable most appreciated by notaries, regardless of the visualization task. The use of transparency is helpful in many cases, more specifically when reading annotation (official measures). However, confusion arises when too extensive geometry of 3D lots is viewed simultaneously, and unnecessary when the geometry of the lots is fully visible. Moving the position of the geometry of a group of lots (by floor for example) looks also promising. Although this interview-based approach is subjective and empirical, it helps us to better consider the end-user's interests and take into consideration their professional opinion and requirements. The 30 visual solutions produced during these first experiments constitute a useful foundation for further analysis.
FEATURE-BASED QUALITY EVALUATION OF 3D POINT CLOUDS – STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF 3D REGISTRATION ALGORITHMS
Authors: Ridene T. , Goulette F. , Chendeb S.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The production of realistic 3D map databases is continuously growing. We studied an approach of 3D mapping database producing based on the fusion of heterogeneous 3D data. In this term, a rigid registration process was performed. Before starting the modeling process, we need to validate the quality of the registration results, and this is one of the most difficult and open research problems. In this paper, we suggest a new method of evaluation of 3D point clouds based on feature extraction and comparison with a 2D reference model. This method is based on tow metrics: binary and fuzzy.
AN EVALUATION ON DIFFERENT NUMBER OF GROUND CONTROL POINTS IN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC BLOCK
Authors: Tahar K. N.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a novel method of unmanned aerial vehicle image processing using photogrammetric technique. The study area consist different slope class which involves undulating area around the Skudai area, Malaysia. All photogrammetric methods were applied in this study including selection of test area, flight planning, camera calibration and image processing orientation. A new ground control point configurations is introduced in this study as a generic approach in unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetric block. These configurations are used to determine the best photogrammetric results based on number of ground control points in the photogrammetric block during image processing. The objective of this study is to determine the best configuration for photogrammetric block in order to produce the best photogrammetric products. Photogrammetric image processing involves two main orientations which are known as interior orientation and exterior orientation. Interior orientation involves the parameters of camera in order to calibrate the image in the same position as during the image acquisition. Exterior orientation involves the measurement of tie points to tie up all images in the strips until photogrammetric block. In this study, six ground control point configurations were tested to determine the best photogrammetric results. In this study, two main photogrammetric results were produced namely digital orthophoto and digital elevation model. The verification results show that all configurations recorded coefficient percentage of more than 97% accuracy for the six configurations. The validation results conclude that ground control point plays an important role in photogrammetric block to acquire the accurate photogrammetric results. In this study eight and nine ground control point configurations are the best configurations among the others. Qualitatively, vector plot error for easting and northing coordinates can be viewed graphically to distinguish the error and direction for all configurations which has been proposed in this study.
Forest fire danger rating in complex topography – results from a case study in the Bavarian Alps in autumn 2011
Authors: Schunk C. , Wastl C. , Leuchner M. , Schuster C. , Menzel A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Forest fire danger rating based on sparse meteorological stations is known to be potentially misleading when assigned to larger areas of complex topography. This case study examines several fire danger indices based on data from two meteorological stations at different elevations during a major drought period. This drought was caused by a persistent high pressure system, inducing a pronounced temperature inversion and its associated thermal belt with much warmer, dryer conditions in intermediate elevations. Thus, a massive drying of fuels, leading to higher fire danger levels, and multiple fire occurrences at mid-slope positions were contrasted by moderate fire danger especially in the valleys. The ability of fire danger indices to resolve this situation was studied based on a comparison with the actual fire danger as determined from expert observations, fire occurrences and fuel moisture measurements. The results revealed that, during temperature inversion, differences in daily cycles of meteorological parameters influence fire danger and that these are not resolved by standard meteorological stations and fire danger indices (calculated on a once-a-day basis). Additional stations in higher locations or high-resolution meteorological models combined with fire danger indices accepting at least hourly input data may allow reasonable fire danger calculations under these circumstances.
Interviewing insights regarding the fatalities inflicted by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Ando M. , Ishida M. , Hayashi Y. , Mizuki C. , Nishikawa Y. , Tu Y.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. One hundred fifty survivors of the 11 March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (Tohoku-oki earthquake) (Mw = 9.0) were interviewed to study the causes of deaths from the associated tsunami in coastal areas of Tohoku. The first official tsunami warning underestimated the height of the tsunami and 40% of the interviewees did not obtain this warning due to immediate blackouts and a lack of communication after the earthquake. Many chose to remain in dangerous locations based on the underestimated warning and their experiences with previous smaller tsunamis and/or due to misunderstanding the mitigating effects of nearby breakwaters in blocking incoming tsunamis. Some delayed their evacuation to perform family safety checks, and in many situations, the people affected misunderstood the risks involved in tsunamis. In this area, three large tsunamis have struck in the 115 yr preceding the 2011 tsunami. These tsunamis remained in the collective memory of communities, and numerous measures against future tsunami damage, such as breakwaters and tsunami evacuation drills, had been implemented. Despite these preparedness efforts, approximately 18 500 deaths and cases of missing persons occurred. The death rate with the age of 65 and above was particularly high, four times higher than that with other age groups. These interviews indicate that deaths resulted from a variety of reasons, but if residents had taken immediate action after the major ground motion stopped, most residents might have been saved. Education about the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis could help save more lives in the future.
Review Article: On the relation between the seismic activity and the Hurst exponent of the geomagnetic field at the time of the 2000 Izu swarm
Authors: Masci F. , Thomas J. N.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Many papers document the observation of earthquake-related precursory signatures in geomagnetic field data. However, the significance of these findings is ambiguous because the authors did not adequately take into account that these signals could have been generated by other sources, and the seismogenic origin of these signals have not been validated by comparison with independent datasets. Thus, they are not reliable examples of magnetic disturbances induced by the seismic activity. Hayakawa et al. (2004) claim that at the time of the 2000 Izu swarm the Hurst exponent of the Ultra-Low-Frequency (ULF: 0.001–10 Hz) band of the geomagnetic field varied in accord with the energy released by the seismicity. The present paper demonstrates that the behaviour of the Hurst exponent was insufficiently investigated and also misinterpreted by the authors. We clearly show that during the Izu swarm the changes of the Hurst exponent were strongly related to the level of global geomagnetic activity and not to the increase of the local seismic activity.
A data-based comparison of flood frequency analysis methods used in France
Authors: Kochanek K. , Renard B. , Arnaud P. , Aubert Y. , Lang M. , Cipriani T. , Sauquet E.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Many flood frequency analysis (FFA) implementations are used in operational practice in France. These implementations range from the estimation of a pre-specified distribution to continuous simulation approaches using a rainfall simulator coupled with a rainfall-runoff model. This diversity of approaches raises questions regarding the optimal ambits of each implementation and calls for a nation-wide comparison of their predictive performances. This paper presents the results of a national comparison of the main FFA implementations used in France. More accurately, eight implementations are considered, corresponding to the local, regional and local-regional estimation of Gumbel and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distributions, as well as the local and regional estimation of a continuous simulation approach eventually resulted in a local and a regional version. A data-based comparison framework is applied to these eight competitors to evaluate their predictive performances in terms of reliability and stability, using daily flow data data from more than one thousand gauging stations in France. Results from this comparative exercise suggest that two implementations dominate their competitors in terms of predictive performances, namely the local version of the continuous simulation approach and the local-regional estimation of a GEV distribution. More specific conclusions include the following: (i) the Gumbel distribution is not suitable for Mediterranean catchments, since this distribution demonstrably leads to an underestimation of flood quantiles; (ii) the local estimation of a GEV distribution is not recommended, because the difficulty in estimating the shape parameter results in frequent predictive failures; (iii) all the purely regional implementations evaluated in this study displayed a quite poor reliability, suggesting that prediction in completely ungauged catchments remains a challenge.
Event-adjusted evaluation of weather and climate extremes
Authors: Müller M. , Kaspar M.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. After an overview of existing methods, we present a novel method of "event-adjusted" evaluation of extremeness of weather and climate events. It is based on optimization of both the considered area and the time duration for every event. The method consists of three steps: (i) estimation of return periods of a representative variable at individual sites, performed separately for various time windows; (ii) spatial interpolation of the point return period data; and (iii) averaging of return period values from individual pixels and optimization of the considered area and the time window. The optimization is enabled by multiplication of the common logarithm of the geometric mean of return periods by the radius of a circle area equivalent to the considered area. The maximum product is referred to as the Weather Extremity Index (WEI). The method is demonstrated by two precipitation events that affected the Czech Republic in May and in August 2010. The WEI is generally applicable regardless of the studied phenomenon (heavy rains, heat waves, windstorms, etc.). This fact makes it possible to study both weather and climate extremes more precisely from the viewpoint of possible recent and future changes in their frequency, seasonal distribution, and circulation conditions accompanying them.
The spatial domain of wildfire risk and response in the Wildland Urban Interface in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Price O. F. , Bradstock R. A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. In order to quantify the risks from fire at the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), it is important to understand where fires occur and their likelihood of spreading to the WUI. For each of 999 fires in the Sydney region we calculated the distance between the ignition and the WUI, the fire weather and wind direction and whether it spread to the WUI. The likelihood of burning the WUI was analysed using binomial regression. Weather and distance interacted such that under mild weather conditions, the model predicted only a 5% chance that a fire starting more than 2.5 km from the interface would reach it, whereas when the conditions are extreme the predicted chance remained above 30% even at distances further than 10 km. Fires were more likely to spread to the WUI if the wind was from the west and in the western side of the region. We examined whether the management responses to wildfires are commensurate with risk by comparing the distribution of distance to the WUI of wildfires with roads and prescribed fires. Prescribed fires and roads were concentrated nearer to the WUI than wildfires as a whole, but further away than wildfires that burnt the WUI under extreme weather conditions (high risk fires). 79% of these high risk fires started within 2 km of the WUI, so there is some argument for concentrating more management effort near the WUI. By substituting climate change scenario weather into the statistical model, we predicted a small increase in the risk of fires spreading to the WUI, but the increase will be greater under extreme weather. This approach has a variety of uses, including mapping fire risk and improving the ability to match fire management responses to the threat from each fire. They also provide a baseline from which a cost-benefit analysis of complementary fire management strategies can be conducted.
Glacier lake outburst floods of the Guangxieco Lake in 1988 in Tibet, China
Authors: Liu J. J. , Cheng Z. L. , Li Y.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have become more frequent and attracted more and more attention under conditions of global warming. However, there are few observations of the reasons for outbursts and their processes because of their unexpected occurrence and their inaccessible location in high-elevation areas. The GLOF of the Guangxieco Lake, which is the only outburst lake below an elevation of 4000 m in Tibet, provides a case study for discussing the reasons for outbursts. This paper reconstructs the process in detail using geomorphological evidence, interviews of the local inhabitants, archive material and satellite images. It was found that: (1) There were three main reasons for the GLOF in 1988: intense pre-precipitation and persistent high temperatures before the outburst, ice avalanche by rapid movement of the Gongzo Glacier and low self-stability of the end-moraine dam by perennial piping. (2) The GLOF with the peak discharge of 1270 m3 s-1 was evolved along the Midui Valley following sediment-laden flow–non-viscous debris flow–viscous debris flow–non-viscous debris flow–sediment-laden flood. Eventually the sediment-laden floods blocked the Palongzangbu River. (3) Comparing the conditions for the outburst in 1988 and at present, the possibility of a future outburst is thought to be small unless the glacier moves rapidly again.
Implementation and evaluation of prognostic representations of the optical diameter of snow in the detailed snowpack model SURFEX/ISBA-Crocus
Authors: Carmagnola C. M. , Morin S. , Lafaysse M. , Domine F. , Lesaffre B. , Lejeune Y. , Picard G. , Arnaud L.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. In the SURFEX/ISBA-Crocus multi-layer snowpack model, the snow microstructure was up to now characterized by the grain size and by semi-empirical shape variables which cannot be measured easily in the field or linked to other relevant snow properties. In this work we introduce a new formulation of snow metamorphism directly based on equations describing the rate of change of the optical diameter (dopt). This variable is considered here to be equal to the equivalent sphere optical diameter, which is inversely proportional to the specific surface area (SSA). dopt thus represents quantitatively some of the geometric characteristics of a porous medium. Different prognostic rate equations of dopt, including a re-formulation of the original Crocus scheme and the parametrizations from Taillandier et al. (2007) and Flanner and Zender (2006), were evaluated by comparing their predictions to field measurements carried out at Summit Camp (Greenland) in May and June 2011 and at Col de Porte (French Alps) during the 2009/10 and 2011/12 winter seasons. We focused especially on results in terms of SSA. In addition, we tested the impact of the different formulations on the simulated density profile, the total snow height, the snow water equivalent (SWE) and the surface albedo. Results indicate that all formulations perform well, with median values of the RMSD between measured and simulated SSA lower than 10 m2 kg−1. Incorporating the optical diameter as a fully-fledged prognostic variable is an important step forward in the quantitative description of the snow microstructure within snowpack models, because it opens the way to data assimilation of various electromagnetic observations.
Accreditation, Assessment, and Compliance:
Authors: Powell Charles
Published: September 2013

The challenges and solutions to many regulatory initiatives in higher education trace back to the development of national and regional accrediting bodies and the public's cyclical outcries for consumer protection measures. National and regional accrediting bodies have both shaped and responded to recurrent crises of public confidence, and future solutions to the challenges of compliance and quality assurance in American higher education lie rooted in the history of the accreditation and assessment. This study explores the history and potential futures of regional and national accrediting agencies through an analysis of historical data and interviews with key decision-makers in academic institutions, lobbyists representing educational institutions, and leaders in accreditation agencies and regulatory affairs.
"Dancing Fingers": Embodied Lineages in the Performance of Okinawan Classical Music
Authors: Gillan Matt
Published: September 2013

In this paper I examine the use and meanings of body movements in the performance and teaching of Okinawan classical music. I draw on an extended period of participant-observation in Okinawa itself, as well as a series of recorded interviews and demonstrations by performers, made in 2010 and 2011. I present these results in the context of a number of recent studies of physical gesture from the ethnomusicological and music psychology literature, and argue that these gestures hold a number of musical and extra-musical meanings that are actively debated and constructed by performers themselves.
Becoming the Floor / Breaking the Floor: Experiencing the Kathak-Flamenco Connection
Authors: Phillips Miriam
Published: September 2013

Of the many percussive dance forms across the globe, it is curious that two so geographically remote as kathak from North India and flamenco from Southern Spain share so many visual, rhythmic, and kinesthetic similarities, even more than other percussive dances. While these commonalities may point to some loosely shared historical and cultural links, which this article explores, my focus employs comparative movement analysis to investigate each form’s distinct heritage, ethos, and aesthetics. Intertwining personal narrative with insights gleaned from embodied practice, movement observation, and participant-observation, this study offers insights into understanding dance as embodied culture, and rhythm as worldview sounded and visualized.
Culture as Freedom: Musical "Liberation" in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
Authors: Sykes Jim
Published: September 2013

This article provides three vignettes of musicians living in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, who bravely define their musics against or outside the communal languages promoted by the two armies-the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers)-that fought a civil war in the region for close to three decades (1983-2009). Noting the curious symbiosis between musicological languages of community and those promulgated by the dueling sovereign powers, the article asks how we might represent musical actions aimed at "liberation" from discourses of community without situating them in the communal discourses they seek to avoid.
Residual Demand Modeling and Application to Electricity Pricing
Authors: Wagner Andreas
Published: September 2013

A model for residual demand is proposed, which extends structural electricity price models to account for renewable infeed in the market. Infeed from wind and solar is modeled explicitly and withdrawn from total demand. The methodology separates the impact of weather and capacity. Efficiency is modeled as a stochastic process. Installed capacity is a deterministic function of time. The residual demand model is applied to the German day-ahead market. Price trajectories show typical features seen in market prices in recent years. The model is able to closely reproduce the structure and magnitude of market prices. Using simulations it is found that renewable infeed increases the volatility of forward prices in times of low demand, but can reduce volatility in peak hours. The merit-order effect of increased wind and solar capacity is calculated. It is found that under current capacity levels in the German market wind has a stronger overall effect than solar, but both are even in peak hours.
Uncalibrated Neuro-Visual Servoing Control for Multiple Robot Arms
Authors: García-Rodríguez Rodolfo , Zegers Pablo
Published: September 2013

Diverse image-based tracking schemes for a robot moving in free motion have been proposed and experimentally validated. However, few visual servoing schemes have addressed the tracking of the desired trajectory and the contact forces for multiple robot arms. The main difficulty stems from the fact that camera information cannot be used to drive force trajectories. Recognizing this fact, a unique error manifold that includes position-velocity and force errors in orthogonal complements is proposed. A synergistic scheme that fuses camera, encoder and force sensor signals into a unique error manifold allows proposing a control system which guarantees exponential tracking errors under parametric uncertainty. Additionally a small neural network driven by a second order sliding mode surface is derived to compensate robot dynamics. Residual errors that arise because of the finite size of the neural network are compensated via an orthogonalized second order sliding mode. The performance of the proposed scheme, in two significant applications of the multiple robot arms, is validated through numerical simulations.
Top-View-Based Guidance for Blind People Using Directional Ellipse Model
Authors: Lin Qing , Hahn Hernsoo , Han Youngjoon
Published: September 2013

The guidance system proposed in this paper aims to complement the white cane by monitoring road conditions in a medium range for blind pedestrians in real time. The system prototype employs only one webcam fixed at the waist of user. One of the main difficulties of using a single camera in outdoor obstacle detection is the discrimination of obstacles from a complex background. To solve this problem, this paper re-formulates top-view mapping as an inhomogeneous re-sampling process, so that background edges are sub-sampled while obstacle edges are oversampled in the top-view domain. Morphology filters are then used to enhance obstacle edges as edge-blobs, which are further represented using a directional ellipse as a new model for obstacle classification. Based on the identified obstacles, safe walking area is estimated by tracking a polar edge-blob histogram. To transfer the information obtained from image domain to language domain, this paper proposes a verbal message generation scheme based on fuzzy logic. The efficiency of the system is confirmed by testing the system with visually impaired people on outdoor pedestrian paths.
Prisoners’ Round: Examining the Literature on Recreation and Exercise in Correctional Facilities
Authors: Ambrose Mallory A. , Rosky Jeffrey W.
Published: September 2013

Opposition to correctional recreation programs expresses safety concerns for staff and argues that removal of these programs enhances the retributive nature of prison and jail. Supporters cite the health benefits for inmates and incentive for better behavior within correctional facilities. Using academic sources and media articles, we found that the available empirical data support the use of these programs. However, public perception appears yet to be swayed by such evidence. Despite this opposition, we recommend that use of physical recreation and exercise programs in correctional facilities should continue to be used within a prescribed rewards system.
The Role of Concentration Polarization with Concentration Dependent Diffusion Coefficient in Polymeric Membrane During Pervaporation
Authors: Nagy Endre , Prettl Zsolt , Hancsók Jeno , Aurél Ujhidy
Published: September 2013

The increase of the diffusion coefficient, due to its concentration dependency, can strongly increase the mass transfer rate through the membrane. Accordingly, the negative effect of the mass transfer resistance of the polarization layer can essentially be increased on the separation efficiency, especially in the case of low solute concentration in the feed phase. This effect can also exist at high solute concentration at extremely high pervaporation rate as it is illustrated by the case study. The simultaneous effect of the concentration polarization and membrane layers is discussed in this paper in case of exponentially or linearly concentration dependent diffusion coefficient. Mass transfer rate, enrichment and the polarization modulus are expressed in implicit, closed mathematical equations involving the transport parameters of the two layers, i.e.the kL, Pe, km, H values. How the increasing diffusion coefficient affects the concentration distribution in the polarization and the membrane layers and due to it, the mass transfer rate, enrichment or the polarization modulus, indicating the effect of the polarization layer, is discussed. It is shown how strongly the  dimensionless plasticizing coefficient can decrease the polarization modulus and can affect the concentration distribution in the polarization and the membrane layers as well as the ratio of the diffusion dependent mass transfer rate to that without plasticizing effect, namely if . The case study illustrates the effect of the external mass transfer resistance on the mass transfer rate and on the concentration distribution in the case of high value of a plasticization coefficient.
Extending Experimental Control
Authors: Khreisheh Nada N. , Davies Danielle , Bradley Bruce A.
Published: September 2013

One of the biggest problems faced by archaeologists engaged in flaked stone experiments is that of control. Controls are universally accepted as a way of ensuring reliability of experimental results used to interpret the archaeological record. Here, the use of a new and tightly controllable material in flaked stone experiments is proposed: porcelain. Unlike traditional approaches using stone, porcelain—while demonstrating comparable properties and fracture mechanics—can be more tightly controlled. As such, we suggest that its use ensures greater reliability in results derived from studies of tool manufacture and use and more potential for repeatability of experimental studies. A critique of previous approaches is followed by an assessment of porcelain as a suitable material for experimentation, in which two case studies that piloted the material are discussed. The first demonstrates its use in experiments regarding tool manufacture and skill. The second demonstrates its success in experiments dealing with observations of use-wear, such as projectile point impact fractures. The varied nature of these two studies aptly demonstrates the benefits of using porcelain as a controllable, moldable material.
Influence of the Chemistry of Surface Functionalized Ceramic Foam Filters on the Filtration of Alumina Inclusions in Steel Melts
Authors: Emmel Marcus , Aneziris Christos G. , Schmidt Gert , Krewerth Dominik , Biermann Horst
Published: September 2013

Surface functionalized carbon bonded foam filters have been evaluated with the aid of an industrial steel melt according to their performance to filtrate non‐metallic inclusions. Exogenous alumina based non‐metallic inclusions have been introduced in the steel melt in order to distinguish the influence of the filter surface chemistry on the deposition of non‐metallic inclusions. The used filters have been examined after casting according to the population and chemistry of the deposited inclusions. Based on the deposition results an alumina coating leads to the highest deposition of alumina inclusions.
Regression‐based analysis of multivariate non‐Gaussian datasets for diagnosing abnormal situations in chemical processes
Authors: Zeng Jiusun , Xie Lei , Kruger Uwe , Gao Chuanhou
Published: September 2013

This article presents a regression‐based monitoring approach for diagnosing abnormal conditions in complex chemical process systems. Such systems typically yield process variables that may be both Gaussian and non‐Gaussian distributed. The proposed approach utilizes the statistical local approach to monitor parametric changes of the latent variable model that is identified by a revised non‐Gaussian regression algorithm. Based on a numerical example and recorded data from a fluidized bed reactor, the article shows that the proposed approach is more sensitive when compared to existing work in this area. A detailed analysis of both application studies highlights that the introduced non‐Gaussian monitoring scheme extracts latent components that provide a better approximation of non‐Gaussian source signal and/or is more sensitive in detecting process abnormities. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 148–159, 2014
The copenhagen psychosocial questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) in Spain—A tool for psychosocial risk assessment at the workplace
Authors: Moncada Salvador , Utzet Mireia , Molinero Emilia , Llorens Clara , Moreno Neus , Galtés Ariadna , Navarro Albert
Published: September 2013

Aims

To describe the second version of the Spanish Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and to present evidence of its validity and reliability.

Methods

The original Danish long COPSOQ II questionnaire was adapted to the labor market, cultural, and linguistic setting of Spain and included in the 2010 Spanish Psychosocial Risks Survey. Analysis involved the assessment of psychometric characteristics and associations among psychosocial scales and health scales. Medium and short versions were derived from the long one.

Results

The long questionnaire was configured with 24 dimensions (92 items); medium‐length questionnaire with 20 dimensions (69 items); and short questionnaire with 14 dimensions (28 items). All scales showed acceptable reliability and concordance between versions. Most associations among psychosocial scales and Mental Health, Stress, and Burnout scales were in the expected direction, except the scale of Influence, that showed some incongruent associations.

Conclusion

Results support the validity and reliability of Spanish COPSOQ II questionnaires as tools for psychosocial risk assessment at the workplace, however, better scales should be developed specially for the dimension of Influence. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:97–107, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Male reproductive strategies in black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya)
Authors: Oklander Luciana I. , Kowalewski Martin , Corach Daniel
Published: September 2013

Behavioral and demographic factors such as group size, social structure, dispersal patterns, and mating systems affect male reproductive success. In the present study, we analyze the relationship between social structure, genetic relatedness of adult males and offspring paternity in one population ofAlouatta carayainhabiting a continuous forest in Northern Argentina. After 14 months of behavioral studies and genotyping 11 microsatellites, we found that dominant or central males achieved greater mating success and fathered all the offspring conceived during our study in two multimale–multifemale groups (both including three adult males). Although skewed toward the dominant males, females copulated with almost all resident males and with extra group males. We found significantly fewer agonistic interactions between adult males in the group with fewer females and where males were more genetically related to each other (average relatednessr = 0.237; 0.015 int/ind/hr vs.r = 0.02; 0.029 int/ind/hr). Paternity was also analyzed in two other neighboring groups which also showed strong skew to one male over a 2‐year period. These results reveal that even though female black and gold howlers mate with many males, infants are typically fathered by one dominant male. Am. J. Primatol. 76:43–55, 2014. © 2013 The Authors.American Journal of PrimatologyPublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Superposition, entanglement, and raising Schrödinger's cat
Authors: Wineland David J.
Published: September 2013

Experimental control of quantum systems has been pursued widely since the invention of quantum mechanics. Today, we can in fact experiment with individual quantum systems, deterministically preparing superpositions and entanglements. In his Nobel lecture, D. J. Wineland gives an overview of this research which has led to the Nobel prize in physics in 2012**.
Process safety in using NH3 as refrigerant in Indian ice making plants: case studies followed by policy recommendations
Authors: Mandal Prasun Kumar , Bandyopadhyay Amitava
Published: September 2013

Ammonia is used as refrigerant in microscale ice making plants in rural areas of India. Many of these are operated unmanned sometimes and thus NH3 leakage is a very common environmental hazard. Studies do not seem to have been reported on the safety management of this sector yet. In this light, the present article attempts to investigate into the safety management practices to such plants. In the first part, an assessment is made on the basis of various process‐related data provided by the owners. For instance, the raw material consumptions are verified through subjective and objective judgments with scientific insights. In the second part, the differences existing in the safety management practices between the microscale and the small/medium‐scale units during NH3 leakage are elucidated through case studies. Finally, few recommendations are put forward for strengthening the Indian safety management policies for ice making plants in rural India. Copyright © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functionalization of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels with graphene oxide for potential dye removal
Authors: Li Chengpeng , She Mary , She Xiaodong , Dai Jane , Kong Lingxue
Published: September 2013

Because of highly frozen macromolecule chains, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have never been used for dye removal. This work focuses on improving the adsorption capacity of the PVA hydrogel by using amphiphilic graphene oxide to improve its macromolecular chain mobility in crystal domain and introduce new functional groups. To evaluate its effectiveness, crystal structure, swelling kinetics, and model dye methylene blue (MB) adsorption of the as‐prepared PVA hybrid hydrogels were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the hybrid PVA hydrogels have lower crystallinity and less crystal stability, demonstrating the improved macromolecular chain mobility. Moreover, improved swelling ratios of PVA/GO hydrogels also illustrate the enhanced macromolecular chain mobility. MB adsorption experiment indicates that GO introduced can result in great improvement in MB adsorption. And the adsorption process follows the second‐order kinetic model and Morris–Weber model, which is determined by the intraparticle diffusion. Furthermore, MB adsorption isotherm follows Freundlich model and the adsorption is heterogeneous. Desorption studies indicate that the interaction between PVA hydrogels and MB consists of both physisorption and chemisorption. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39872.
Syntheses and Biological Activities of New Hybrid Molecules Containing Different Heterocyclic Moieties
Authors: Ceylan Sule , Bektas Hakan , Bayrak Hacer , Demirbas Neslihan , Alpay‐Karaoglu Sengul , Ülker Serdar
Published: September 2013

4‐Aryl‐5‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐(thi)oles 5–7, obtained starting from nicotinic acid hydrazide were converted to the corresponding Mannich bases 12–24 by the reaction with several heterocyclic amines in the presence of formaldehyde. The synthesis of S‐alkylated compounds 8–11 was performed from the reaction of the corresponding triazol‐5‐thioles with various alkyl halides. The condensation of carbo(thio)amides 2–4 with 4‐chlorophenacyl bromide afforded the corresponding 1,3‐thia(oxa)zol‐2(3H)‐ylidene]pyridine‐3‐carbohydrazides 25–27. 1,3‐Thia(oxa)zolidine derivatives 28–30 were obtained from the cyclization reaction between compounds 2–4 and ethyl bromoacetate. All newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial, antiurease, and antilipase activities. The biological activity studies revealed that all the compounds screened showed good or moderate antimicrobial, antiurease, and/or antilipase activity.
Conceptualizing and examining E‐government service capability: A Review and empirical study
Authors: Hu Guangwei , Lin Hui , Pan Wenwen
Published: September 2013

The effectiveness and efficiency of e‐government (e‐gov) services (EGS) are critical issues that have yet to be fully discussed. Inspired by successful practices in the areas of SERVQUAL, capability‐based theories, and IT‐related capability management, the efficient delivery of EGS should derive from the high capabilities of a government to provide such services. This article aims to develop a conceptual framework to assess and empirically examine EGSC using data from local governments in Mainland China. The fitness test and the case study prove that the conceptual framework was suitable in analyzing China's EGSC. In particular, the EGSC can be examined from 3 dimensions/layers: content service capability, service delivery capability, and on‐demand capability. The results of the structural analysis illustrate the practical management applications of EGSC, which can facilitate the improvement of EGS.
Robust Control System Design for an Uncertain Nonlinear System Using Minimax LQG Design Method
Authors: Ur Rehman Obaid , Fidan Bariş , Petersen Ian R.
Published: September 2013

A systematic approach to design a nonlinear controller using minimax linear quadratic Gaussian regulator (LQG) control is proposed for a class of multi‐input multi‐output nonlinear uncertain systems. In this approach, a robust feedback linearization method and a notion of uncertain diffeomorphism are used to obtain an uncertain linearized model for the corresponding uncertain nonlinear system. A robust minimax LQG controller is then proposed for reference command tracking and stabilization of the nonlinear system in the presence of uncertain parameters. The uncertainties are assumed to satisfy a certain integral quadratic constraint condition. In this method, conventional feedback linearization is used to cancel nominal nonlinear terms and the uncertain nonlinear terms are linearized in a robust way. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a minimax LQG‐based robust controller is designed for a nonlinear uncertain model of an air‐breathing hypersonic flight vehicle (AHFV) with flexibility and input coupling. Here, the problem of constructing a guaranteed cost controller which minimizes a guaranteed cost bound has been considered and the tracking of velocity and altitude is achieved under inertial and aerodynamic uncertainties.
Polymer‐based alternative method to extract bromelain from pineapple peel waste
Authors: de Lencastre Novaes Letícia Celia , de Carvalho Santos Ebinuma Valéria , Mazzola Priscila Gava , Júnior Adalberto Pessoa
Published: September 2013

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes present in all tissues of the pineapple (Ananas comosus Merr.), and it is known for its clinical therapeutic applications, food processing, and as a dietary supplement. The use of pineapple waste for bromelain extraction is interesting from both an environmental and a commercial point of view, because the protease has relevant clinical potential. We aimed to study the optimization of bromelain extraction from pineapple waste, using the aqueous two‐phase system formed by polyethylene glycol (PEG) and poly(acrylic acid). In this work, bromelain partitioned preferentially to the top/PEG‐rich phase and, in the best condition, achieved a yield of 335.27% with a purification factor of 25.78. The statistical analysis showed that all variables analyzed were significant to the process.
Plac1 (placenta‐specific 1) is widely expressed during fetal development and is associated with a lethal form of hydrocephalus
Authors: Kong Xiaoyuan , Jackman Suzanne M. , Fant Michael E.
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND

Plac1 is an X‐linked gene essential for normal placental development. Plac1 ablation is associated with placentomegaly and intrauterine growth retardation. Additionally, Plac1‐null mice exhibit reduced postnatal viability. This study was conducted as part of our ongoing examination of the postnatal phenotype associated with Plac1 ablation.

METHODS

Plac1 was deleted in murine embryonic stem cells and bred against a C57BL/6 background. Mutant mice were genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction–based strategy. Embryonic Plac1 expression was assessed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and β‐galactosidase expression.

RESULTS

A total of 20% of the surviving Xm‐Y (knockout) males as well as 10–15% of the Xm‐X females (mutant maternal allele) developed lethal hydrocephalus at 4–8 weeks. By contrast, XXp‐ hets (paternal null allele) did not. Plac1 mRNA expression was detected in the fetal brain that markedly decreased after birth. Plac1 mRNA expression localized to the hindbrain and lateral ventricles of wild‐type embryos. Additionally, Plac1 expression was observed throughout the fetus including the fetal lungs, kidney, intestine, liver, and heart. Embryonic Plac1 expression was paternally imprinted with partial escape of the paternal allele from complete inactivation. The Plac1 protein localized to the apical surface of the epithelial cells lining the developing airways of the lung and proximal renal tubules, consistent with its localization in the differentiated syncytiotrophoblast.

CONCLUSION

Plac1 is expressed in the brain in a developmentally regulated manner and its absence is linked to increased risk for hydrocephalus. It is also widely expressed in fetal tissues expanding the existing paradigm to include direct tissue‐specific roles during development. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:571–577, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LRP5 knockdown: effect on prostate cancer invasion growth and skeletal metastasis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Rabbani Shafaat A. , Arakelian Ani , Farookhi Riaz
Published: September 2013

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common hormone‐dependent malignancy associated with the development of skeletal metastases. This is due to the increased expression of a number of growth factors, cytokines, and proteases which collectively drive the metastatic cascade in general and increased propensity to develop skeletal metastasis in particular. While a number of signaling pathways have been implicated in PCa progression, the highly complex wnt/β‐catenin pathway is unique due to its ability to regulate gene expression, cell invasion, migration, survival, proliferation, and differentiation to contribute in the initiation and progression of PCa. Members of the wnt family bind to the Frizzle proteins or lipoprotein‐related receptor proteins 5, 6 (LRP5, ‐6) to activate this key pathway. In the current study, we have investigated the role of wnt/β‐catenin pathway in PCa progression, skeletal metastasis, and gene expression using the dominant negative plasmid of LRP5 (DN‐LRP5) and human PCa cells PC‐3. Inactivation of LRP5 resulted in mesenchymal to epithelial shift, lack of translocation of β‐catenin to cell surface, increased tumor cell proliferation, decreased colony formation, migration and invasion in vitro. These effects were attributed to decreased expression of pro‐invasive and pro‐metastatic genes. In in vivo studies, PC‐3‐DN‐LRP5 cells developed significantly smaller tumors and a marked decrease in skeletal lesion area and number as determined by X‐ray, micro (μ) CT and histological analysis. Collectively results from these studies demonstrate the dominant role of this key pathway in PCa growth and skeletal metastasis and its potential as a viable therapeutic target.