bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy Assessment Measures for Object Extraction from Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Cai Liping , Shi Wenzhong , Miao Zelang , Hao Ming
Published: February 2018

Object extraction from remote sensing images is critical for a wide range of applications, and object-oriented accuracy assessment plays a vital role in guaranteeing its quality. To evaluate object extraction accuracy, this paper presents several novel accuracy measures that differ from the norm. First, area-based and object number-based accuracy assessment measures are given based on a confusion matrix. Second, different accuracy assessment measures are provided by combining the similarities of multiple features. Third, to improve the reliability of the object extraction accuracy assessment results, two accuracy assessment measures based on object detail differences are designed. In contrast to existing measures, the presented method synergizes the feature similarity and distance difference, which considerably improves the reliability of object extraction evaluation. Encouraging results on two QuickBird images indicate the potential for further use of the presented algorithm.
Assessment of Convolution Neural Networks for Surficial Geology Mapping in the South Rae Geological Region, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Latifovic Rasim , Pouliot Darren , Campbell Janet
Published: February 2018

Mapping of surficial geology is an important requirement for broadening the geoscience database of northern Canada. Surficial geology maps are an integral data source for mineral and energy exploration. Moreover, they provide information such as the location of gravels and sands, which are important for infrastructure development. Currently, surficial geology maps are produced through expert interpretation of aerial photography and field data. However, interpretation is known to be subjective, labour-intensive and difficult to repeat. The expert knowledge required for interpretation can be challenging to maintain and transfer. In this research, we seek to assess the potential of deep neural networks to aid surficial geology mapping by providing an objective surficial materials initial layer that experts can modify to speed map development and improve consistency between mapped areas. Such an approach may also harness expert knowledge in a way that is transferable to unmapped areas. For this purpose, we assess the ability of convolution neural networks (CNN) to predict surficial geology classes under two sampling scenarios. In the first scenario, a CNN uses samples collected over the area to be mapped. In the second, a CNN trained over one area is then applied to locations where the available samples were not used in training the network. The latter case is important, as a collection of in situ training data can be costly. The evaluation of the CNN was carried out using aerial photos, Landsat reflectance, and high-resolution digital elevation data over five areas within the South Rae geological region of Northwest Territories, Canada. The results are encouraging, with the CNN generating average accuracy of 76% when locally trained. For independent test areas (i.e., trained over one area and applied over other), accuracy dropped to 59–70% depending on the classes selected for mapping. In the South Rae region, significant confusion was found between till veneer and till blanket as well as glaciofluvial subclasses (esker, terraced, and hummocky ice-contact). Merging these classes respectively increased accuracy for independent test area to 68% on average. Relative to the more widely used Random Forest machine learning algorithm, this represents an improvement in accuracy of 4%. Furthermore, the CNN produced better results for less frequent classes with distinct spatial structure.
Permafrost Presence/Absence Mapping of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Based on Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Shi Yaya , Niu Fujun , Yang Chengsong , Che Tao , Lin Zhanju , Luo Jing
Published: February 2018

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is known as the Third Polar of the earth and the Water Tower of Asia, with more than 70% of the area on the QTP is covered by permafrost possibly. An accurate permafrost distribution map based on valid and available methods is indispensable for the local environment evaluation and engineering constructions planning. Most of the previous permafrost maps have employed traditional mapping method based on field surveys and borehole investigation data. However their accuracy is limited because it is extremely difficulties in obtaining mass data in the high-altitude and cold regions as the QTP; moreover, the mapping method, which would effectively integrate many factors, is still facing great challenges. With the rapid development of remote sensing technology in permafrost mapping, spatial data derived from the satellite sensors can recognize the permafrost environment features and quantitatively estimate permafrost distribution. Until now there is no map indicated permafrost presence/absence on the QTP that has been generated only by remote sensing data as yet. Therefore, this paper used permafrost-influencing factors and examined distribution features of each factor in permafrost regions and seasonally frozen ground regions. Then, using the Decision Tree method with the environmental factors, the 1 km resolution permafrost map over the QTP was obtained. The result shows higher accuracy compared to the previous published map of permafrost on the QTP and the map of the glaciers, frozen ground and deserts in China, which also demonstrates that making comprehensive use of remote sensing technology in permafrost mapping research is fast, macro and feasible. Furthermore, this result provides a simple and valid method for further permafrost research.
Evaluating Precipitation Estimates from Eta, TRMM and CHRIPS Data in the South-Southeast Region of Minas Gerais State—Brazil
Authors: Caparoci Nogueira Sulimar Munira , Moreira Maurício Alves , Lordelo Volpato Margarete Marin
Published: February 2018

Precipitation estimates derived from the Eta model and from TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) and CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data) remotely sensed data were compared to the precipitation data of the INMET (National Institute of Meteorology) meteorological stations in the south-southeast region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in the period between July 2009 and June 2015. Then, information about evapotranspiration (ETR), water deficit (DEF), and water surplus (EXC) was obtained from the precipitation data, using the sequential water balance (SWB) separately for each type of precipitation data (INMET, TRMM, Eta, and CHIRPS). Subsequently, the components of the SWB were comparatively analyzed. The results indicate that all three products overestimate rainfall. The strongest relationships between the INMET data and the estimated data were observed for the TRMM, in terms of precipitation estimates, as well as DEF, EXC, and ETR components. The Eta precipitation estimates are overestimated relative to those from INMET, resulting in underestimation of the water deficit (DEFETA) and overestimation of evapotranspiration (ETRETA). In general, the CHIRPS data presented a pattern similar to the station data, though statistical analyses were lower than those of the TRMM data.
Performance Assessment of Balloon-Borne Trace Gas Sounding with the Terahertz Channel of TELIS
Authors: Xu Jian , Schreier Franz , Wetzel Gerald , De Lange Arno , Birk Manfred , Trautmann Thomas , Doicu Adrian , Wagner Georg
Published: February 2018

Short-term variations in the atmospheric environment over polar regions are attracting increasing attention with respect to the reliable analysis of ozone loss. Balloon-borne remote sensing instruments with good vertical resolution and flexible sampling density can act as a prototype to overcome the potential technical challenges in the design of new spaceborne atmospheric sensors and represent a valuable tool for validating spaceborne observations. A multi-channel cryogenic heterodyne spectrometer known as the TErahertz and submillimeter LImb Sounder (TELIS) has been developed. It allows limb sounding of the upper troposphere and stratosphere (10–40 km) within the far infrared (FIR) and submillimeter spectral regimes. This paper describes and assesses the performance of the profile retrieval scheme for TELIS with a focus on the ozone (O3), hydrogen chloride (HCl), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydroxyl radical (OH) measured during three northern polar campaigns in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. The corresponding inversion diagnostics reveal that some forward/instrument model parameters play important roles in the total retrieval error. The accuracy of the radiometric calibration and the spectroscopic knowledge has a significant impact on retrieval at higher altitudes, whereas the pointing accuracy dominates the total error at lower altitudes. The TELIS retrievals achieve a vertical resolution of ∼2–3 km through most of the stratosphere below the balloon height. Dominant water vapor (H2O) contamination and low abundances of the target species reduce the retrieval sensitivity at the lowermost altitudes measured by TELIS. An extensive comparison shows that the TELIS profiles are consistent with profiles obtained by other limb sounders. The comparison appears to be very promising, except for discrepancies in the upper troposphere due to numerical regularization. This study not only consolidates the validity of balloon-borne TELIS FIR measurements, but also demonstrates the scientific relevance and technical feasibility of terahertz limb sounding of the stratosphere.
Enhanced Automated Guidance System for Horizontal Auger Boring Based on Image Processing
Authors: Wu Lingling , Wen Guojun , Wang Yudan , Huang Lei , Zhou Jiang
Published: February 2018

Horizontal auger boring (HAB) is a widely used trenchless technology for the high-accuracy installation of gravity or pressure pipelines on line and grade. Differing from other pipeline installations, HAB requires a more precise and automated guidance system for use in a practical project. This paper proposes an economic and enhanced automated optical guidance system, based on optimization research of light-emitting diode (LED) light target and five automated image processing bore-path deviation algorithms. An LED light target was optimized for many qualities, including light color, filter plate color, luminous intensity, and LED layout. The image preprocessing algorithm, direction location algorithm, angle measurement algorithm, deflection detection algorithm, and auto-focus algorithm, compiled in MATLAB, are used to automate image processing for deflection computing and judging. After multiple indoor experiments, this guidance system is applied in a project of hot water pipeline installation, with accuracy controlled within 2 mm in 48-m distance, providing accurate line and grade controls and verifying the feasibility and reliability of the guidance system.
Research on the Multiple Factors Influencing Human Identification Based on Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors
Authors: Yan Junwei , Lou Ping , Li Ruiya , Hu Jianmin , Xiong Ji
Published: February 2018

Analysis of the multiple factors affecting human identification ability based on pyroelectric infrared technology is a complex problem. First, we examine various sensed pyroelectric waveforms of the human body thermal infrared signal and reveal a mechanism for affecting human identification. Then, we find that the mechanism is decided by the distance, human target, pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensor, the body type, human moving velocity, signal modulation mask, and Fresnel lens. The mapping relationship between the sensed waveform and multiple influencing factors is established, and a group of mathematical models are deduced which fuse the macro factors and micro factors. Finally, the experimental results show the macro-factors indirectly affect the recognition ability of human based on the pyroelectric technology. At the same time, the correctness and effectiveness of the mathematical models is also verified, which make it easier to obtain more pyroelectric infrared information about the human body for discriminating human targets.
Exploring 3D Human Action Recognition: from Offline to Online
Authors: Li Rui , Liu Zhenyu , Tan Jianrong
Published: February 2018

With the introduction of cost-effective depth sensors, a tremendous amount of research has been devoted to studying human action recognition using 3D motion data. However, most existing methods work in an offline fashion, i.e., they operate on a segmented sequence. There are a few methods specifically designed for online action recognition, which continually predicts action labels as a stream sequence proceeds. In view of this fact, we propose a question: can we draw inspirations and borrow techniques or descriptors from existing offline methods, and then apply these to online action recognition? Note that extending offline techniques or descriptors to online applications is not straightforward, since at least two problems—including real-time performance and sequence segmentation—are usually not considered in offline action recognition. In this paper, we give a positive answer to the question. To develop applicable online action recognition methods, we carefully explore feature extraction, sequence segmentation, computational costs, and classifier selection. The effectiveness of the developed methods is validated on the MSR 3D Online Action dataset and the MSR Daily Activity 3D dataset.
Development of a Liveable City Index (LCI) Using Multi Criteria Geospatial Modelling for Medium Class Cities in Developing Countries
Authors: Onnom Worawej , Tripathi Nitin , Nitivattananon Vilas , Ninsawat Sarawut
Published: February 2018

In recent years, research and development on liveable cities has gained much attention due to the complexity and diversity of liveability standards. Due to the already-existing grand-scale developments commonly found in most capitals, research on liveability is often conducted in smaller semi-urban cities. Using Khon Kaen District in Thailand as a case study, we have developed a Liveable City Index (LCI) based on residents’ opinions and experts’ recommendations with the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The first stage of the survey (out of three), identifies marked variations in attitudes towards the liveability of a city. The survey evaluates nine significant factors (Safety, Economy, Environment, Education, Health, Transportation, Recreation, Population Density, and Public Utility) through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for LCI development. The LCI map reveals that only 3.49% of the Khon Kaen area corresponds to the highest and high liveable city levels. This contradicts the earlier ranking of the city as the most liveable city in 2010, which was only based on economic factors. Moreover, the proposed method was applied to another area—the Muang district of Suphanburi in western Thailand—in order to test its reliability, and the results were found to be similar. This clearly supports the integration of residents’ participation in assessing the liveability of a city, and it is evident that this proposed approach can be adopted in other areas for LCI development.
Coupling between Rural Development and Ecosystem Services, the Case of Fujian Province, China
Authors: Chen Huaxiang , Tang Lina , Qiu Quanyi , Wu Tong , Wang Ziyan , Xu Su , Xiao Lishan
Published: February 2018

To reveal the relationship between rural development and ecosystem services and to assist in efforts to balance these factors, we used a coupling model to carry out a study of the relationship between rural development and ecosystem services in Fujian Province of China during the years 2000 to 2015. First, we characterized the degree of rural development for each county in the province by calculating its index of relative rurality (IRR) and classified the counties into rural development types. Second, we calculated the values of three ecosystem services (ES) and overlapped them to get the sum of ES for each county. Third, we calculated the coupling and coupling coordination degree and analyzed the correlation between IRR and ES in the study area. The results showed that the mean value of IRR declined over the study period, was positively correlated with ES, and the correlation degree increased year by year. Meanwhile the degree of coupling was in the antagonistic stage, but tended to run in stage with a highly coordinated stage coupling coordination degree, if the business services type-counties were excluded. Although the overall coupling coordination degree was high, it declined yearly, which meant that rural development and ecosystem services increasingly lacked coordination. This paper supports and verifies some achievements of rural development programs in the research area, provides theoretical and decision-making support for coordinated rural development and ecosystem services protection in China, and provides a regional case study that could assist with similar research in other countries.
A Spatial Decision Support System Framework for the Evaluation of Biomass Energy Production Locations: Case Study in the Regional Unit of Drama, Greece
Authors: Ioannou Konstantinos , Tsantopoulos Georgios , Arabatzis Garyfallos , Andreopoulou Zacharoula , Zafeiriou Eleni
Published: February 2018

Renewable Energy Sources are expected to play a very important role in energy production in the following years. They constitute an energy production methodology which, if properly enabled, can ensure energy sufficiency as well as the protection of the environment. Energy production from biomass in particular is a very common method, which exploits a variety of resources (wood and wood waste, agricultural crops and their by-products after cultivation, animal wastes, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and food processing wastes) for the production of energy. This paper presents a Spatial Decision Support System, which enables managers to locate the most suitable areas for biomass power plant installation. For doing this, fuzzy logic and fuzzy membership functions are used for the creation of criteria layers and suitability maps. In this paper, we use a Multicriteria Decision Analysis methodology (Analytical Hierarchy Process) combined with fuzzy system elements for the determination of the weight coefficients of the participating criteria. Then, based on the combination of fuzzy logic and theAnalytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a final proposal is created thatdivides the area into four categories regarding their suitability forsupporting a biomass energy production power plant. For the two optimal locations, the biomass is also calculated.The framework is applied to theRegional Unit of Drama, which is situated in Northern Greece and is very well known for the area’s forest and agricultural production.
The Short-Term Effects of Rice Straw Biochar, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer on Rice Yield and Soil Properties in a Cold Waterlogged Paddy Field
Authors: Si Linlin , Xie Yinan , Ma Qingxu , Wu Lianghuan
Published: February 2018

Crop productivity in cold waterlogged paddy fields can be constrained by chronic flooding stress and low temperature. Farmers typically use chemical fertilizer to improve crop production, but this conventional fertilization is not very effective in a cold waterlogged paddy field. Biochar amendment has been proposed as a promising management approach to eliminating these obstacles. However, little is known about the performance of biochar when combined with N fertilizer and P fertilizer in cold waterlogged soils. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the main effects and interactive effects of rice straw biochar, N and P fertilizer on rice growth and soil properties in a cold waterlogged paddy field. The field treatments consisted of a factorial combination of two biochar levels (0 and 2.25 t ha−1), two N fertilizer levels (120.0 and 180.0 kg ha−1) and two P fertilizer levels (37.5 and 67.5 kg ha−1) which were arranged in a randomized block design, with three replicates. Results confirmed that biochar application caused a significant increase in the soil pH due to its liming effect, while this application resulted in a significant decrease in soil exchangeable cations, such as exchangeable Ca, Mg, Al and base cations. The interactive effect of N fertilizer, P fertilizer and biochar was significant for soil total N. Moreover, a negative effect of biochar on the internal K use efficiency suggested that K uptake into rice may benefit from biochar application. According to the partial Eta squared values, the combined application of N fertilizer and biochar was as effective as pure P fertilization at increasing straw P uptake. The addition of biochar to farmers’ fertilization practice treatment (180.0 kg N ha−1, 67.5 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 67.5 kg K2O ha−1) significantly increased rice yield, mainly owing to improvements in grains per panicle. However, notable effects of biochar on rice yield and biomass production were not detected. More studies are required to assess the long-term behavior of biochar in a cold waterlogged paddy field. This study may lay a theoretical foundation for blended application of biochar with fertilizer in a cold waterlogged paddy field.
Impact of Sustainability Balanced Scorecard Types on Environmental Investment Decision-Making
Authors: Jassem Suaad , Azmi Anna , Zakaria Zarina
Published: February 2018

Investment decision-making based on aspects of sustainability is gaining importance among organizations around the globe. In this context, there is a need for quality investment decisions, which require sufficient knowledge among organizational managers about managing sustainability information to achieve environmental objectives that meet stakeholder expectations. This has led to the emergence of organizational performance measuring tools such as the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard, which integrates the environmental perspective into the traditional Balanced Scorecard. Using experimental research method, the objective of this study is to investigate the indirect effect of Eco-efficiency knowledge and Sustainability Balanced Scorecard knowledge as mediators influencing the relationship between Sustainability Balanced Scorecard types and their impact on environmental investment decision-making. Findings of the current research are based on 60 respondents who were randomly assigned to one of the following two types of Sustainability Balanced Scorecard architecture: (1) environmental data embedded within the traditional Balanced Scorecard perspectives; and (2) standalone environmental data as an additional ﬁfth perspective along with the traditional Balanced Scorecard architecture. The traditional Balanced Scorecard without any information on environmental perspective is included in the experiment as the control condition. The ﬁndings indicate that the combined effect of eco-efficiency knowledge and Sustainability Balanced Scorecard knowledge has a significant positive influence on the relationship between the Balanced Scorecard type versus Sustainability Balanced Scorecard type and environmental investment decision-making.
Theoretical Availability versus Practical Accessibility: The Critical Role of Metadata Management in Open Data Portals
Authors: Schauppenlehner Thomas , Muhar Andreas
Published: February 2018

As a consequence of policies such as the EU Public Sector Initiative, authorities across Europe have been moving towards providing free access to a wide range of statistical data and in particular geodata. From the diverse end-users’ perspective (general public, interest groups, students, other authorities, etc.), access to data requires specific knowledge, methods, and guidance in identifying and using the relevant content. Metadata are a key concept for the description and classification of data and thus also for ensuring their long-term value. We analyze the European Data Portal as well as one national metadatabase (Austrian Data Portal) with regard to aspects such as data search functionality, keyword consistency, spatial referencing, data format and data license information. In both cases, we found extensive inconsistencies and conceptual weaknesses that heavily limit the practical accessibility. The mere presence of metadata is no indicator for the usability of the data. We argue for a better definition and structuring of the interface between the numerous data providers and the metadatabases.
Parameter Optimization on the Forced Ventilation of Symmetric Tunnel Construction Based on the Super-Short Bench-Cut Method
Authors: Niu Xiaokai , Zhang Dingli , Su Jie , Guo Hong
Published: February 2018

To exploit the influence of the tunnel face and the distance between the diameter and the orifice of a blast pipe on the ventilation effect in symmetric tunnel construction, this paper uses Fluent to establish a three-dimensional model and numerical simulation. Firstly, the accuracy of the numerical simulation is tested and then the distance between the orifice and tunnel face and the influence of the air duct diameter on the ventilation effect are studied, respectively. The results show that the ventilation effect is best when the wind pipe is arranged on one side of the tunnel wall (an asymmetrical layout), although the space in the tunnel is axisymmetric, and that the error of the numerical simulation is less than 5% of the measured value. When the distance between the orifice and tunnel face is 5 m, the uniformity of the air flow field near the tunnel face is poor; when the distance is 10 m and 12 m, an obvious vertex area appears in the tunnel. Furthermore, the uniformity of the wind velocity flow field is optimal when the distance is 8 m. When the air duct diameter is less than 1.4 m, there is a uniformity of the flow field near the tunnel face of the upper and lower benches; when the air duct diameter is more than 1.4 m, the tunnel face of the upper bench near the ground shows more obvious backflow. Therefore, it was determined that taking the air duct diameter as 1.4 m and the distance between the orifice and tunnel face as 8 m was the best combination for the design of ventilation in this project. It was also found that a better ventilation effect can be achieved when the distance between the nozzle of the ventilator and the tunnel face is 6 m–9 m and the wind speed of the nozzle is 6 m/s–8 m/s. In practical engineering, the wind speed and the required air volume should be taken into consideration to determine the diameter of the ventilator.
Additive Manufacturing of a 316L Steel Matrix Composite Reinforced with CeO2 Particles: Process Optimization by Adjusting the Laser Scanning Speed
Authors: Salman Omar O. , Funk Alexander , Waske Anja , Eckert Jürgen , Scudino Sergio
Published: February 2018

The synthesis of novel materials by additive manufacturing requires the optimization of the processing parameters in order to obtain fully-dense defect-free specimens. This step is particularly important for processing of composite materials, where the addition of a second phase may significantly alter the melting and solidification steps. In this work, a composite consisting of a 316L steel matrix and 5 vol.% CeO2 particles was fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). The SLM parameters leading to a defect-free 316L matrix are not suitable for the production of 316L/CeO2 composite specimens. However, highly-dense composite samples can be synthesized by carefully adjusting the laser scanning speed, while keeping the other parameters constant. The addition of the CeO2 reinforcement does not alter phase formation, but it affects the microstructure of the composite, which is significantly refined compared with the unreinforced 316L material.
Biocontrol of Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto, Reduction of Deoxynivalenol Accumulation and Phytohormone Induction by Two Selected Antagonists
Authors: Palazzini Juan , Roncallo Pablo , Cantoro Renata , Chiotta María , Yerkovich Nadia , Palacios Sofía , Echenique Viviana , Torres Adriana , Ramirez María , Karlovsky Petr , Chulze Sofía
Published: February 2018

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease that causes extensive yield and quality losses to wheat and other small cereal grains worldwide. Species within the Fusarium graminearum complex are the main pathogens associated with the disease, F. graminearum sensu stricto being the main pathogen in Argentina. Biocontrol can be used as part of an integrated pest management strategy. Phytohormones play a key role in the plant defense system and their production can be induced by antagonistic microorganisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of the inoculation of Bacillus velezensis RC 218, F. graminearum and their co-inoculation on the production of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) in wheat spikes at different periods of time under greenhouse conditions, and to evaluate the effect of B. velezensis RC 218 and Streptomyces albidoflavus RC 87B on FHB disease incidence, severity and deoxynivalenol accumulation on Triticum turgidum L. var. durum under field conditions. Under greenhouse conditions the production of JA was induced after F. graminearum inoculation at 48 and 72 h, but JA levels were reduced in the co-inoculated treatments. No differences in JA or SA levels were observed between the B. velezensis treatment and the water control. In the spikes inoculated with F. graminearum, SA production was induced early (12 h), as it was shown for initial FHB basal resistance, while JA was induced at a later stage (48 h), revealing different defense strategies at different stages of infection by the hemibiotrophic pathogen F. graminearum. Both B. velezensis RC 218 and S. albidoflavus RC 87B effectively reduced FHB incidence (up to 30%), severity (up to 25%) and deoxynivalenol accumulation (up to 51%) on durum wheat under field conditions.
Probing the Vacuum Decay Hypothesis with Growth Function Data
Authors: Barboza Edésio M.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we present a method to probe the vacuum decay hypothesis by searching for deviations of the uncoupled dark matter density evolution formula. The method consists of expanding the dark matter density in a Taylor series and then comparing the series coefficients obtained from the observational analysis with its uncoupled values. We use the growth rate data to put constraints on the series coefficients. The results obtained are consistent with the

Λ

CDM model, but it is shown that the possibility of vacuum decay cannot be ruled out by current growth rate data.
QCD Equations of State in Hadron–Quark Continuity
Authors: Kojo Toru
Published: February 2018

The properties of dense matter in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) are delineated through equations of state constrained by the neutron star observations. The two solar mass constraint, the radius constraint of ≃11–13 km, and the causality constraint on the speed of sound, are used to develop the picture of hadron–quark continuity in which hadronic matter continuously transforms into quark matter. A unified equation of state at zero temperature and β-equilibrium is constructed by a phenomenological interpolation between nuclear and quark matter equations of state.
Dimensionally Specific Capture of Attention: Implications for Saliency Computation
Authors: Burnett Katherine E. , D’Avossa Giovanni , Sapir Ayelet
Published: February 2018

Observers automatically orient to a sudden change in the environment. This is demonstrated experimentally using exogenous cues, which prioritize the analysis of subsequent targets appearing nearby. This effect has been attributed to the computation of saliency, obtained by combining features specific signals, which then feed back to drive attention to the salient location. An alternative possibility is that cueing directly effects target-evoked sensory responses in a feed-forward manner. We examined the effects of luminance and equiluminant color cues in a dual task paradigm, which required both a motion and a color discrimination. Equiluminant color cues improved color discrimination more than luminance cues, but luminance cues improved motion discrimination more than equiluminant color cues. This suggests that the effects of exogenous cues are dimensionally specific and may not depend entirely on the computation of a dimension general saliency signal.
Subjective and Electroretinographic Dynamics of Light Adaptation in the Human Visual System
Authors: Thoss Friederike , Ballosek Simone , Bartsch Bengt , Thoss Franz
Published: February 2018

The excitation of the visual system increases with increasing retinal illumination. At the same time, the sensitivity of the system decreases (light adaptation). Higher excitation automatically results in a lower sensitivity. This study investigates whether this antagonistic relationship between excitation and sensitivity also applies to the dynamic case, that is, during the transition to a higher excitation level after a sudden increase in retinal illuminance. For this purpose, the courses of the subjective and the electroretinographic threshold in the transitional period during and after a step of the adaptation illuminance were investigated by means of a special light-stimulation system. The investigation was carried out on 9 (subjective threshold) and 12 (electroretinographic threshold) subjects. As a measure of the course of the excitation during this time, the response ERG on the adaptation step was recorded. With the step in adaptation light, the thresholds show a rapid increase, which starts already about 0.1 s before the step. This is followed, within the next second, by a threshold decrease to a new plateau above the initial level. The comparison between the response ERG on the adaptation step and the course of the electroretinographic increment threshold during this time shows a broad agreement between the two courses. Thus, it can be assumed that the sensitivity of the visual system also follows the excitation in the dynamic case. In addition, the investigation shows that the glare experienced after a step in illuminance apparently shows great subjective differences.
Filtering Capability of Porous Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Padilha Thives Liseane , Ghisi Enedir , Gherardt Brecht Douglas , Menegasso Pires Dario
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study is to assess the filtering capability of porous asphalt pavement models and the quality of rainwater filtered by such models. Three slabs of porous asphalt mixtures and two models composed of porous layers that resulted in porous pavement structures were produced. Data were collected in two phases: using rainwater directly from the sky and then using stormwater runoff collected from a street. Parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, phosphorus, nitrite, aluminium, chromium, copper, zinc, and iron were measured. For both rainwater and stormwater runoff quality analyses, there was an increase in the concentration of the following parameters: phosphorus, iron, aluminium, zinc, nitrite, chromium, copper, and pH; there was no significant variation in the concentration of dissolved oxygen; and there was a decrease in ammonia in one of the models. However, the concentrations of only phosphorus and aluminium exceeded the limits established by the Brazilian National Environmental Council and National Water Agency for the use of non-potable water. The models were capable of filtering rainwater and stormwater runoff, and reducing the concentration of ammonia. It can be concluded that it is possible to collect stormwater runoff from porous asphalt surfaces and porous asphalt pavements. Porous asphalt pavements are able to filter out certain pollutants from stormwater runoff and rainwater, and were shown to be an alternative to supply rainwater for non-potable uses and to recharge the water table.
Assessment of Irrigated Agriculture Vulnerability under Climate Change in Southern Italy
Authors: Masia Sara , Sušnik Janez , Marras Serena , Mereu Simone , Spano Donatella , Trabucco Antonio
Published: February 2018

Climate change in Mediterranean countries is anticipated to have a strong impact on water availability by exacerbating drought conditions and water scarcity. In this context, efficient irrigation practices are becoming essential for sustaining crop production. This work assesses vulnerability of irrigated agriculture for six irrigation districts and their associated reservoirs in Mediterranean areas across Italy under climate change (1976–2005 versus 2036–2065; RCP 4.5 and 8.5), evaluating changes in irrigation requirements, evaporation from reservoirs, and the availability of freshwater supplies. Irrigation requirements are estimated through a crop water model (SIMETAW_R) integrated into a GIS platform, while inflows to reservoirs are hydrologically modelled as partitioning of precipitation contributing to runoff. Results are aggregated into indicators that show the general decreasing resilience and increasing vulnerability of irrigated agriculture under climate change conditions in each case study. The highest percentage of allowable water losses for irrigation is estimated in the Cuga-Alto Temo system, during the prolonged drought period, to be able to satisfy irrigation demand for less than a year. Climate change may only partially affect irrigation in resilient systems, in which storage capacity and the water level entering into the reservoir are considerably higher than the water distribution volumes.
Effective Removal of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Nano Illite/Smectite Clay: Isotherm, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Modeling of Adsorption
Authors: Yin Juan , Deng Chaobing , Yu Zhen , Wang Xiaofei , Xu Guiping
Published: February 2018

Illite-smectite clay is a new mixed mineral of illite and montmorillonite. The ability of nano illite/smectite clay to remove Pb(II) from slightly polluted aqueous solutions has been investigated. The effects of pH, contact time, initial concentration of Pb(II), nano illite/smectite clay dosage, and temperature on the adsorption process were studied. The nano illite/smectite clay was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that Pb(II) was adsorbed efficiently by nano illite/smectite clay in aqueous solution. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the kinetic of the adsorption, and the adsorption capacity of nano illite/smectite (I-Sm) clay was found to be 256.41 μg·g−1 for Pb(II). The adsorption patterns followed the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters, including the Gibbs free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) changes, indicated that the present adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in the temperature range of 298–333 K.
Trophic State and Oxygen Conditions of Waters Aerated with Pulverising Aerator: The Results from Seven Lakes in Poland
Authors: Siwek Hanna , Włodarczyk Małgorzata , Czerniawski Robert
Published: February 2018

Eutrophic lakes of all types are marked by oxygen shortage in the bottom waters during the summer season, which results in excessive release of phosphorus load. Therefore, numerous restoration activities (chemical precipitation, aeration) are being taken based on bottom-up control, which consists of limiting the nutrient pool available to lower trophic levels. The present study provides an efficiency analysis of pulverising aeration of waters in two stratified and five unstratified lakes located in Poland. The assessment was based on monitoring data (dissolved oxygen concentration (DO), % oxygen saturation (DO%), visibility of the Secchi disc (ZSD), the concentrations of: chlorophyll a (CHL), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN)) obtained before and after installation of the aerator on the lakes. The study was conducted during the spring and the summer seasons. Throughout the study period, the stratified lakes exhibited oxygen saturation <0.1%. Having completed the restoration activities, TN:TP ratio was found to gradually increase in all analysed lakes, which indicates that aeration may decrease phosphate content in the water column. In three lakes, the ratio was > 17, so phosphorus became the most growth-limiting nutrient. The restoration activities on four unstratified lakes had no significant effect on the changes of the Carlson trophic state indices (TSI). Either individual values of the TSI(TP), TSI(CHL) and TSI(ZSD) were comparable, or the value of TSI(TP) was higher than one or both of the remaining indices for all of the lakes.
Optimisation of purification techniques for the preparation of large-volume aqueous solar nanoparticle inks for organic photovoltaics
Authors: Almyahi Furqan , Andersen Thomas R , Cooling Nathan A , Holmes Natalie P , Griffith Matthew J , Feron Krishna , Zhou Xiaojing , Belcher Warwick J , Dastoor Paul C
Published: February 2018

In this study we have optimised the preparation conditions for large-volume nanoparticle inks, based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):indene-C60 multiadducts (ICxA), through two purification processes: centrifugal and crossflow ultrafiltration. The impact of purification is twofold: firstly, removal of excess sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant from the ink and, secondly, concentration of the photoactive components in the ink. The removal of SDS was studied in detail both by a UV–vis spectroscopy-based method and by surface tension measurements of the nanoparticle ink filtrate; revealing that centrifugal ultrafiltration removed SDS at a higher rate than crossflow ultrafiltration even though a similar filter was applied in both cases (10,000 Da Mw cut-off). The influence of SDS concentration on the aqueous solar nanoparticle (ASNP) inks was investigated by monitoring the surface morphology/topography of the ASNP films using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photovoltaic device performance as a function of ultrafiltration (decreasing SDS content). The surface morphology/topography showed, as expected, a decreased number of SDS crystallites on the surface of the ASNP film with increased ultrafiltration steps. The device performance revealed distinct peaks in efficiency with ultrafiltration: centrifuge purified inks reached a maximum efficiency at a dilution factor of 7.8 × 104, while crossflow purified inks did not reach a maximum efficiency until a dilution factor of 6.1 × 109. This difference was ascribed to the different wetting properties of the prepared inks and was further corroborated by surface tension measurements of the ASNP inks which revealed that the peak efficiencies for both methods occurred for similar surface tension values of 48.1 and 48.8 mN m−1. This work demonstrates that addressing the surface tension of large-volume ASNP inks is key to the reproducible fabrication of nanoparticle photovoltaic devices.
A New Approach for Solving Nonlinear
Singular Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Zhu Hui , Niu Jing , Zhang Ruimin , Lin Yingzhen
Published: February 2018

In this paper, an efficient method based on Quasi-Newton's method and
the simpliffied reproducing kernel method is proposed for solving nonlinear singular
boundary value problems. For the Quasi-Newton's method the convergence order is
studied. The uniform convergence of the numerical solution as well as its derivatives
are also proved. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the efficiency and
stability of the proposed method. The numerical results are compared with exact
solutions and the outcomes of other existing numerical methods.
Analytic-Numerical Solution of Random
Parabolic Models: A Mean Square Fourier
Transform Approach
Authors: Casaban Maria-Consuelo , Cortes Juan-Carlos , Jodar Lucas
Published: February 2018

This paper deals with the construction of mean square analytic-numerical
solution of parabolic partial differential problems where both initial condition and
coefficients are stochastic processes. By using a random Fourier transform, an inf-
nite integral form of the solution stochastic process is firstly obtained. Afterwards,
explicit expressions for the expectation and standard deviation of the solution are
obtained. Since these expressions depend upon random improper integrals, which are
not computable in an exact manner, random Gauss-Hermite quadrature formulae are
introduced throughout an illustrative example.
Numerical Solution of Falkner-Skan Equation
by Iterative Transformation Method
Authors: Temimi Helmi , Ben-Romdhane Mohamed
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we study the nonlinear boundary-layer equation of Falkner-
Skan defned on a semi-infnite domain. An iterative finite difference (IFD) scheme
is proposed to numerically solve such nonlinear ordinary differential equation. A
computational iterative scheme is developed based on Newton-Kantorovich quasilinearization.
At every iteration, the obtained linearized differential equation is numerically
solved using the standard finite difference method. Numerical experiments
show the accuracy and efficiency of the method compared to existing solvers. The
computation is performed for different parameter values, including the special case of
Blasius problem.
PIC Simulations of Velocity-space Instabilities in a Decreasing Magnetic Field: Viscosity and Thermal Conduction
Authors: Riquelme Mario , Quataert Eliot , Verscharen Daniel
Published: February 2018

We use particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of a collisionless, electron–ion plasma with a decreasing background magnetic field,

, to study the effect of velocity-space instabilities on the viscous heating and thermal conduction of the plasma. If

decreases, the adiabatic invariance of the magnetic moment gives rise to pressure anisotropies with

(

and

represent the pressure of species j (electron or ion) parallel and perpendicular to 
B
). Linear theory indicates that, for sufficiently large anisotropies, different velocity-space instabilities can be triggered. These instabilities in principle have the ability to pitch-angle scatter the particles, limiting the growth of the anisotropies. Our simulations focus on the nonlinear, saturated regime of the instabilities. This is done through the permanent decrease of

by an imposed plasma shear. We show that, in the regime

(

), the saturated ion and electron pressure anisotropies are controlled by the combined effect of the oblique ion firehose and the fast magnetosonic/whistler instabilities. These instabilities grow preferentially on the scale of the ion Larmor radius, and make

(where

). We also quantify the thermal conduction of the plasma by directly calculating the mean free path of electrons,

, along the mean magnetic field, finding that

depends strongly on whether

decreases or increases. Our results can be applied in studies of low-collisionality plasmas such as the solar wind, the intracluster medium, and some accretion disks around black holes.
Scaling of Relativistic Shear Flows with the Bulk Lorentz Factor
Authors: Liang Edison , Fu Wen , Böttcher Markus , Roustazadeh Parisa
Published: February 2018

We compare Particle-in-cell simulation results of relativistic electron–ion shear flows with different bulk Lorentz factors, and discuss their implications for spine-sheath models of blazar versus gamma-ray burst (GRB) jets. Specifically, we find that most properties of the shear boundary layer scale with the bulk Lorentz factor: the lower the Lorentz factor, the thinner the boundary layer, and the weaker the self-generated fields. Similarly, the energized electron spectrum peaks at an energy near the ion drift energy, which increases with bulk Lorentz factor, and the beaming of the accelerated electrons along the shear interface gets narrower with increasing Lorentz factor. This predicts a strong correlation between emitted photon energy, angular beaming, and temporal variability with the bulk Lorentz factor. Observationally, we expect systematic differences between the high-energy emissions of blazars and GRB jets.