bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discourses on Religious Violence in Premodern Japan
Authors: Adolphson Mikael
Published: May 2018

This article asks what religious violence is and why it is relevant. It questions common assumptions by focusing on how monastic violence unfolded in premodern Japan. It argues that there was nothing that set this particular form of violence apart in terms of what the clerics fought for, their ideological justification, who fought, or how they fought. Although myths prevail on the largely fictive figure of the sōhei, or “monk-warriors,” closer scrutiny indicates that their depiction first emerged as a coherent literary concept in the early Tokugawa period. Regarding the ideological framework in which incidents of so-called monastic violence took place, the paper demonstrates that the individuals involved in such conflicts—including the clerics—cannot be dissociated from their own socio-historical context. This is because the medieval Japanese setting was based on rules of cooperation that also implied competition among various elites. The paper further complicates our understanding by showing that the central issue is not why specific violent events involving clerics occurred, but rather what constituted the mental framework—or mentalité—of the age, and how it allowed religious institutions to play such a prominent role.
Global Ionosphere Mapping and Differential Code Bias Estimation during Low and High Solar Activity Periods with GIMAS Software
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhao Qile
Published: May 2018

Ionosphere research using the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) techniques is a hot topic, with their unprecedented high temporal and spatial sampling rate. We introduced a new GNSS Ionosphere Monitoring and Analysis Software (GIMAS) in order to model the global ionosphere vertical total electron content (VTEC) maps and to estimate the GPS and GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema (GLONASS) satellite and receiver differential code biases (DCBs). The GIMAS-based Global Ionosphere Map (GIM) products during low (day of year from 202 to 231, in 2008) and high (day of year from 050 to 079, in 2014) solar activity periods were investigated and assessed. The results showed that the biases of the GIMAS-based VTEC maps relative to the International GNSS Service (IGS) Ionosphere Associate Analysis Centers (IAACs) VTEC maps ranged from −3.0 to 1.0 TECU (TEC unit) (1 TECU = 1 × 1016 electrons/m2). The standard deviations (STDs) ranged from 0.7 to 1.9 TECU in 2008, and from 2.0 to 8.0 TECU in 2014. The STDs at a low latitude were significantly larger than those at middle and high latitudes, as a result of the ionospheric latitudinal gradients. When compared with the Jason-2 VTEC measurements, the GIMAS-based VTEC maps showed a negative systematic bias of about −1.8 TECU in 2008, and a positive systematic bias of about +2.2 TECU in 2014. The STDs were about 2.0 TECU in 2008, and ranged from 2.2 to 8.5 TECU in 2014. Furthermore, the aforementioned characteristics were strongly related to the conditions of the ionosphere variation and the geographic latitude. The GPS and GLONASS satellite and receiver P1-P2 DCBs were compared with the IAACs DCBs. The root mean squares (RMSs) were 0.16–0.20 ns in 2008 and 0.13–0.25 ns in 2014 for the GPS satellites and 0.26–0.31 ns in 2014 for the GLONASS satellites. The RMSs of receiver DCBs were 0.21–0.42 ns in 2008 and 0.33–1.47 ns in 2014 for GPS and 0.67–0.96 ns in 2014 for GLONASS. The monthly stability of the GPS satellite DCBs was about 0.04 ns (0.07 ns) in 2008 (2014) and that for the GLONASS satellite DCBs was about 0.09 ns in 2014. The receiver DCBs were less stable than the satellite DCBs, with a mean value of about 0.16 ns (0.47 ns) in 2008 (2014) for GPS, and 0.48 ns in 2014 for GLONASS. It can be demonstrated that the GIMAS software had a high accuracy and reliability for the global ionosphere monitoring and analysis.
Topographic Correction of Forest Image Data Based on the Canopy Reflectance Model for Sloping Terrains in Multiple Forward Mode
Authors: Fan Weiliang , Li Jing , Liu Qinhuo , Zhang Qian , Yin Gaifei , Li Ainong , Zeng Yelu , Xu Baodong , Xu Xiaojun , Zhou Guomo , Du Huaqiang
Published: May 2018

Topographic correction methods rarely consider the canopy parameter effects directly and explicitly for sloping canopies. In order to address this problem, the topographic correction method MFM-GOST2 was developed by implementing the second version of the Geometric-Optical model for Sloping Terrains (the GOST2 model) in the multiple forward mode (MFM) inversion framework. First, a look up table (LUT) was constructed by multiple forward modeling of the GOST2 model; second, the radiance of a remotely sensed image and its corresponding topographic data were used for searching potential canopy parameter combinations from the LUT; and third, the corrected radiance was determined by averaging potential radiances of horizontal canopies from the LUT according to the canopy parameter combinations. The MFM-GOST2 and twelve generally used topographic correction methods were evaluated via a case study by visual analysis, linear relationship analysis, and the rose diagram analysis. The result showed that the MFM-GOST2 method successfully removed most of the topographic effects of a subset image of the Landsat-8 image in a case study. The case study also illustrates that the rose diagram analysis is a good way to evaluate topographic corrections, but the linear relationship analysis cannot be used independently for the evaluations because the decorrelation is not a sufficient condition to determine a successful topographic correction.
An Embodied Multi-Sensor Fusion Approach to Visual Motion Estimation Using Unsupervised Deep Networks
Authors: Shamwell E. Jared , Nothwang William D. , Perlis Donald
Published: May 2018

Aimed at improving size, weight, and power (SWaP)-constrained robotic vision-aided state estimation, we describe our unsupervised, deep convolutional-deconvolutional sensor fusion network, Multi-Hypothesis DeepEfference (MHDE). MHDE learns to intelligently combine noisy heterogeneous sensor data to predict several probable hypotheses for the dense, pixel-level correspondence between a source image and an unseen target image. We show how our multi-hypothesis formulation provides increased robustness against dynamic, heteroscedastic sensor and motion noise by computing hypothesis image mappings and predictions at 76–357 Hz depending on the number of hypotheses being generated. MHDE fuses noisy, heterogeneous sensory inputs using two parallel, inter-connected architectural pathways and n (1–20 in this work) multi-hypothesis generating sub-pathways to produce n global correspondence estimates between a source and a target image. We evaluated MHDE on the KITTI Odometry dataset and benchmarked it against the vision-only DeepMatching and Deformable Spatial Pyramids algorithms and were able to demonstrate a significant runtime decrease and a performance increase compared to the next-best performing method.
Analysis and Compensation of Modulation Angular Rate Error Based on Missile-Borne Rotation Semi-Strapdown Inertial Navigation System
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Li Jie , Zhang Xi , Che Xiaorui , Huang Yugang , Feng Kaiqiang
Published: May 2018

The Semi-Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SSINS) provides a new solution to attitude measurement of a high-speed rotating missile. However, micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (MIMU) outputs are corrupted by significant sensor errors. In order to improve the navigation precision, a rotation modulation technology method called Rotation Semi-Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (RSSINS) is introduced into SINS. In fact, the stability of the modulation angular rate is difficult to achieve in a high-speed rotation environment. The changing rotary angular rate has an impact on the inertial sensor error self-compensation. In this paper, the influence of modulation angular rate error, including acceleration-deceleration process, and instability of the angular rate on the navigation accuracy of RSSINS is deduced and the error characteristics of the reciprocating rotation scheme are analyzed. A new compensation method is proposed to remove or reduce sensor errors so as to make it possible to maintain high precision autonomous navigation performance by MIMU when there is no external aid. Experiments have been carried out to validate the performance of the method. In addition, the proposed method is applicable for modulation angular rate error compensation under various dynamic conditions.
Investigating the Strain, Temperature and Humidity Sensitivity of a Multimode Graded-Index Perfluorinated Polymer Optical Fiber with Bragg Grating
Authors: Zheng Yulong , Bremer Kort , Roth Bernhard
Published: May 2018

In this work we investigate the strain, temperature and humidity sensitivity of a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) inscribed in a near infrared low-loss multimode perfluorinated polymer optical fiber based on cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP). For this purpose, FBGs were inscribed into the multimode CYTOP fiber with a core diameter of 50 µm by using a krypton fluoride (KrF) excimer laser and the phase mask method. The evolution of the reflection spectrum of the FBG detected with a multimode interrogation technique revealed a single reflection peak with a full width at half maximum (FHWM) bandwidth of about 9 nm. Furthermore, the spectral envelope of the single FBG reflection peak can be optimized depending on the KrF excimer laser irradiation time. A linear shift of the Bragg wavelength due to applied strain, temperature and humidity was measured. Furthermore, depending on irradiation time of the KrF excimer laser, both the failure strain and strain sensitivity of the multimode fiber with FBG can be controlled. The inherent low light attenuation in the near infrared wavelength range (telecommunication window) of the multimode CYTOP fiber and the single FBG reflection peak when applying the multimode interrogation set-up will allow for new applications in the area of telecommunication and optical sensing.
Study of Current Measurement Method Based on Circular Magnetic Field Sensing Array
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Zhang Siqiu , Wu Zhengtian , Abu-Siada Ahmed , Tao Yuan
Published: May 2018

Classic core-based instrument transformers are more prone to magnetic saturation. This affects the measurement accuracy of such transformers and limits their applications in measuring large direct current (DC). Moreover, protection and control systems may exhibit malfunctions due to such measurement errors. This paper presents a more accurate method for current measurement based on a circular magnetic field sensing array. The proposed measurement approach utilizes multiple hall sensors that are evenly distributed on a circle. The average value of all hall sensors is regarded as the final measurement. The calculation model is established in the case of magnetic field interference of the parallel wire, and the simulation results show that the error decreases significantly when the number of hall sensors n is greater than 8. The measurement error is less than 0.06% when the wire spacing is greater than 2.5 times the radius of the sensor array. A simulation study on the off-center primary conductor is conducted, and a kind of hall sensor compensation method is adopted to improve the accuracy. The simulation and test results indicate that the measurement error of the system is less than 0.1%.
Visible and Extended Near-Infrared Multispectral Imaging for Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Rey-Barroso Laura , Burgos-Fernández Francisco J. , Delpueyo Xana , Ares Miguel , Royo Santiago , Malvehy Josep , Puig Susana , Vilaseca Meritxell
Published: May 2018

With the goal of diagnosing skin cancer in an early and noninvasive way, an extended near infrared multispectral imaging system based on an InGaAs sensor with sensitivity from 995 nm to 1613 nm was built to evaluate deeper skin layers thanks to the higher penetration of photons at these wavelengths. The outcomes of this device were combined with those of a previously developed multispectral system that works in the visible and near infrared range (414 nm–995 nm). Both provide spectral and spatial information from skin lesions. A classification method to discriminate between melanomas and nevi was developed based on the analysis of first-order statistics descriptors, principal component analysis, and support vector machine tools. The system provided a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 84.6%, the latter one being improved with respect to that offered by silicon sensors.
Simultaneous Mean and Covariance Correction Filter for Orbit Estimation
Authors: Wang Xiaoxu , Pan Quan , Ding Zhengtao , Ma Zhengya
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes a novel filtering design, from a viewpoint of identification instead of the conventional nonlinear estimation schemes (NESs), to improve the performance of orbit state estimation for a space target. First, a nonlinear perturbation is viewed or modeled as an unknown input (UI) coupled with the orbit state, to avoid the intractable nonlinear perturbation integral (INPI) required by NESs. Then, a simultaneous mean and covariance correction filter (SMCCF), based on a two-stage expectation maximization (EM) framework, is proposed to simply and analytically fit or identify the first two moments (FTM) of the perturbation (viewed as UI), instead of directly computing such the INPI in NESs. Orbit estimation performance is greatly improved by utilizing the fit UI-FTM to simultaneously correct the state estimation and its covariance. Third, depending on whether enough information is mined, SMCCF should outperform existing NESs or the standard identification algorithms (which view the UI as a constant independent of the state and only utilize the identified UI-mean to correct the state estimation, regardless of its covariance), since it further incorporates the useful covariance information in addition to the mean of the UI. Finally, our simulations demonstrate the superior performance of SMCCF via an orbit estimation example.
Fast Sparse Coding for Range Data Denoising with Sparse Ridges Constraint
Authors: Gao Zhi , Lao Mingjie , Sang Yongsheng , Wen Fei , Ramesh Bharath , Zhai Ruifang
Published: May 2018

Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors have been widely deployed on intelligent systems such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to perform localization, obstacle detection, and navigation tasks. Thus, research into range data processing with competitive performance in terms of both accuracy and efficiency has attracted increasing attention. Sparse coding has revolutionized signal processing and led to state-of-the-art performance in a variety of applications. However, dictionary learning, which plays the central role in sparse coding techniques, is computationally demanding, resulting in its limited applicability in real-time systems. In this study, we propose sparse coding algorithms with a fixed pre-learned ridge dictionary to realize range data denoising via leveraging the regularity of laser range measurements in man-made environments. Experiments on both synthesized data and real data demonstrate that our method obtains accuracy comparable to that of sophisticated sparse coding methods, but with much higher computational efficiency.
Conflicting Values in Rural Planning: A Multifunctionality Approach through Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation
Authors: Etxano Iker , Barinaga-Rementeria Itziar , Garcia Oihana
Published: May 2018

The planning of rural land depends, to a large extent, on the agreed-upon agrarian and forestry development model. Within the framework of agrarian multifunctionality, to evaluate different development alternatives and their effect on territorial planning, its multiple dimensions must be considered as well as the interests and needs of the stakeholders. This work thus addresses the comprehensive evaluation of development alternatives for the rural area of a municipality of the Basque Country (Spain) through the implementation of a multi-criteria evaluation method with social participation. The results show, firstly, the existence of trade-offs between the functions to be promoted in the various development models evaluated. Secondly, the results indicate the need to reverse recent trends in the sector and the convenience of moving towards an agro-livestock model of greater ecological and local character, independently of the followed forest model. In fact, the evaluation carried out also reveals, thirdly, the existence of more or less latent conflicts, in particular with regards to forest policy.
Tropical Fruits as an Opportunity for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas: The Case of Mango in Small-Sized Sicilian Farms
Authors: Testa Riccardo , Tudisca Salvatore , Schifani Giorgio , Di Trapani Anna Maria , Migliore Giuseppina
Published: May 2018

Over the last decades, in many rural areas in Southern Europe, farmers have abandoned agricultural activity, especially on small-sized farms, leading to an exodus from rural areas towards urbanized ones. In this context, in the early 1980s, some Sicilian farmers introduced mango on their small-sized farms, as certain areas of Sicily are well suited to tropical and subtropical crops, but also to meet increasing consumer interest for these fruits, as they are perceived as functional foods. This paper aimed to evaluate the economic sustainability of mango and to determine whether its introduction could be considered as an alternative to traditional crops. In particular, an economic-financial analysis of mango orchards on small-sized Sicilian farms was performed by adopting a discounted cash flow approach. In order to provide as comprehensive information as possible, mango was compared with two traditional crops that have always played an important socio-economic role in Southern Italy: wine grape and orange. Results showed a clear economic convenience for mango orchards, denoting an annual gross margin of 14,617.03 €/ha, on average 20 times higher than orange orchards and just less than 40 times higher in respect to vineyards. The higher profitability of mango was also confirmed without considering public grants for the planting phase, and by varying current sales prices and costs. However, it should be considered that the cultivation of mango could represent an opportunity for sustainable development only for certain Sicilian areas, as it is closely related to favorable pedo-climatic conditions.
Construction of the Belt and Road Trade Cooperation Network from the Multi-Distances Perspective
Authors: Fu Xiu-Mei , Chen Han-Xue , Xue Zhen-Kai
Published: May 2018

Based on the cooperation network formation theory, a Belt and Road trade cooperation network was constructed from the multi-distances perspective under the backdrop of the Belt and Road initiative. The geographic, factor endowment, cultural, and institutional distances were selected as variables from the aspects of geography, economy, culture, and politics to expand the gravity model. With this model, an empirical test was conducted using the data from China’s export trade flows to Belt and Road countries from 2007 to 2016. The results showed that a Belt and Road country had greater trade flows from China when it had smaller geographic, factor endowment, and cultural distance and greater institutional distance from China. Based on the empirical results, we improved the comprehensive index method to measure the comprehensive distance indices between China and the Belt and Road countries. According to the comprehensive distance indices, these countries could be divided into four cooperation circles, in which the prioritized countries in the different phases were identified. Subsequently, the cooperation network construction was designed in four stages to gradually build an all-round, multi-level, and all-encompassing trade cooperation network between China and the Belt and Road countries. Eventually, based on the above consideration, policy suggestions are provided for the construction of such a network.
Air Quality Monitoring Network Design Optimisation for Robust Land Use Regression Models
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Pebesma Edzer , Mateu Jorge , Degbelo Auriol
Published: May 2018

A very common curb of epidemiological studies for understanding the impact of air pollution on health is the quality of exposure data available. Many epidemiological studies rely on empirical modelling techniques, such as land use regression (LUR), to evaluate ambient air exposure. Previous studies have located monitoring stations in an ad hoc fashion, favouring their placement in traffic “hot spots”, or in areas deemed subjectively to be of interest to land use and population. However, ad-hoc placement of monitoring stations may lead to uninformed decisions for long-term exposure analysis. This paper introduces a systematic approach for identifying the location of air quality monitoring stations. It combines the flexibility of LUR with the ability to put weights on priority areas such as highly-populated regions, to minimise the spatial mean predictor error. Testing the approach over the study area has shown that it leads to a significant drop of the mean prediction error (99.87% without spatial weights; 99.94% with spatial weights in the study area). The results of this work can guide the selection of sites while expanding or creating air quality monitoring networks for robust LUR estimations with minimal prediction errors.
Innovating Collection Modes for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in China
Authors: Cao Jian , Xu Jiayang , Wang Hui , Zhang Xuemei , Chen Xihui , Zhao Yunwen , Yang Xiaoli , Zhou Gengui , Schnoor Jerald L.
Published: May 2018

The huge amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has aroused global concern with its importance of environmental performance for resources reutilization being recognized. The incomplete collection management system is required to be improved for a more environmental and orderly recycling way. Based on the public survey, field research and information search on the Internet, we present the existing framework and problems of WEEE collection in China, according to which four innovative WEEE collection modes are put forward: (i) Unified collection channels mode; (ii) Manufacturer alliance mode; (iii) Innovative enterprise self-built network platform mode; and (iv) Third-party integrated network platform mode. The characteristics, merits and deficiencies of the four modes are compared and analyzed, combined with which, we match the four modes with regions of different economic levels and Internet application. Third-party integrated network platform integrating online and offline resources is expected to be generalized under rapid development of information technology and e-commerce in China. The purpose of our research is to explore appropriate innovative WEEE collection modes and give suggestions for countries or economies whose WEEE collection situation or system are similar with China. Besides, government support and laws implementation are emphasized in mode promotion.
Spatio-Temporal River Contamination Measurements with Electrochemical Probes and Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Vizcaíno Iván P. , Carrera Enrique V. , Muñoz-Romero Sergio , Cumbal Luis H. , Rojo-Álvarez José Luis
Published: May 2018

The pollution of the rivers running through the cities or near to them is a current world-wide problem and requires actions and new technologically available approaches to control and restore those waters. In this work, we hypothesized that last-generation mobile sensor networks can be combined with emergent electrochemical probes and with recently proposed spatio-temporal analysis of the measurement dynamics using machine learning tools. With this purpose, we designed a mobile system to measure five variables: two environmental and three water quality variables in rivers: dissolved oxygen with an electrochemical probe, water temperature, electrical conductivity, air temperature and percentage of relative humidity using solid-state sensors, in each monitoring station. Our main contribution is a first mobile-sensor system that allows mobile campaigns for acquiring measurements with increased temporal and spatial resolution, which in turn allows for better capturing the spatio-temporal behavior of water quality parameters than conventional campaign measurements. Up to 23 monitoring campaigns were carried out, and the resulting measurements allowed the generation of spatio-temporal maps of first and second order statistics for the dynamics of the variables measured in the San Pedro River (Ecuador), by using previously proposed suitable machine learning algorithms. Significantly lower mean absolute interpolation errors were obtained for the set of mean values of the measurements interpolated with Support Vector Regression and Mahalanobis kernel distance, specifically 0.8 for water temperature, 0.4 for dissolved oxygen, 3.0 for air temperature, 11.6 for the percentage relative humidity, and 33.4 for the electrical conductivity of the water. The proposed system paves the way towards a new generation of contamination measurement systems, taking profit of information and communication technologies in several fields.
Microbial Diversity and Toxin Risk in Tropical Freshwater Reservoirs of Cape Verde
Authors: Semedo-Aguiar Ana P. , Pereira-Leal Jose B. , Leite Ricardo B.
Published: May 2018

The Cape Verde islands are part of the African Sahelian arid belt that possesses an erratic rain pattern prompting the need for water reservoirs, which are now critical for the country’s sustainability. Worldwide, freshwater cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency due to global climate change and the eutrophication of water bodies, particularly in reservoirs. To date, there have been no risk assessments of cyanobacterial toxin production in these man-made structures. We evaluated this potential risk using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and full metagenome sequencing in freshwater reservoirs of Cape Verde. Our analysis revealed the presence of several potentially toxic cyanobacterial genera in all sampled reservoirs. Faveta potentially toxic and bloom-forming Microcystis sp., dominated our samples, while a Cryptomonas green algae and Gammaproteobacteria dominated Saquinho and Poilão reservoirs. We reconstructed and assembled the Microcystis genome, extracted from the metagenome of bulk DNA from Faveta water. Phylogenetic analysis of Microcystis cf. aeruginosa CV01’s genome revealed its close relationship with other Microcystis genomes, as well as clustering with other continental African strains, suggesting geographical coherency. In addition, it revealed several clusters of known toxin-producing genes. This survey reinforces the need to better understand the country’s microbial ecology as a whole of water reservoirs on the rise.
An Ointment Consisting of the Phage Lysin LysGH15 and Apigenin for Decolonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Skin Wounds
Authors: Cheng Mengjun , Zhang Lei , Zhang Hao , Li Xinwei , Wang Yanmei , Xia Feifei , Wang Bin , Cai Ruopeng , Guo Zhimin , Zhang Yufeng , Ji Yalu , Sun Changjiang , Feng Xin , Lei Liancheng , Yang Yongjun , Han Wenyu , Gu Jingmin
Published: May 2018

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common and dangerous pathogen that causes various infectious diseases. Skin damage, such as burn wounds, are at high risk of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection, which increases morbidity and mortality. The phage lysin LysGH15 exhibits highly efficient lytic activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strains. Apigenin (api) significantly decreases haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes caused by S. aureus and shows anti-inflammatory function. LysGH15 and api were added to Aquaphor to form an LysGH15-api-Aquaphor (LAA) ointment. The LAA ointment simultaneously exhibited bactericidal activity against S. aureus and inhibited haemolysis. In an LAA-treated mouse model of an MRSA-infected skin wound, the mean bacterial colony count decreased to approximately 102 CFU/mg at 18 h after treatment (and the bacteria became undetectable at 96 h), whereas the mean count in untreated mice was approximately 105 CFU/mg of tissue. The LAA ointment also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and accelerated wound healing in the mouse model. These data demonstrate the potential efficacy of a combination of LysGH15 and api for use as a topical antimicrobial agent against S. aureus.
Performance of National Maps of Watershed Integrity at Watershed Scales
Authors: Kuhn Anne , Leibowitz Scott , Johnson Zachary , Lin Jiajia , Massie Jordan , Hollister Jeffrey , Ebersole Joseph , Lake James , Serbst Jonathan , James Jennifer , Bennett Micah , Brooks J. , Nietch Christopher , Smucker Nathan , Flotemersch Joseph , Alexander Laurie , Compton Jana
Published: May 2018

Watershed integrity, the capacity of a watershed to support and maintain ecological processes essential to the sustainability of services provided to society, can be influenced by a range of landscape and in-stream factors. Ecological response data from four intensively monitored case study watersheds exhibiting a range of environmental conditions and landscape characteristics across the United States were used to evaluate the performance of a national level Index of Watershed Integrity (IWI) at regional and local watershed scales. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs), response variables displayed highly significant relationships and were significantly correlated with IWI and ICI (Index of Catchment Integrity) values at all watersheds. Nitrogen concentration and flux-related watershed response metrics exhibited significantly strong negative correlations across case study watersheds, with absolute correlations (|r|) ranging from 0.48 to 0.97 for IWI values, and 0.31 to 0.96 for ICI values. Nitrogen-stable isotope ratios measured in chironomids and periphyton from streams and benthic organic matter from lake sediments also demonstrated strong negative correlations with IWI values, with |r| ranging from 0.47 to 0.92, and 0.35 to 0.89 for correlations with ICI values. This evaluation of the performance of national watershed and catchment integrity metrics and their strong relationship with site level responses provides weight-of-evidence support for their use in state, local and regionally focused applications.
A Methane Extension to the Classical Habitable Zone
Authors: Ramirez Ramses M. , Kaltenegger Lisa
Published: May 2018

The habitable zone (HZ) is the circumstellar region where standing bodies of liquid water could exist on the surface of a rocky planet. Conventional definitions assume that CO2 and H2O are the only greenhouse gases. The outer edge of this classical N2–CO2–H2O HZ extends out to nearly ∼1.7 au in our solar system, beyond which condensation and scattering by CO2 outstrip its greenhouse capacity. We use a single-column radiative-convective climate model to assess the greenhouse effect of CH4 (10–∼100,000 ppm) on the classical HZ (N2–CO2–H2O) for main-sequence stars with stellar temperatures between 2600 and 10,000 K (∼A3 to M8). Assuming N2–CO2–H2O atmospheres, previous studies have shown that cooler stars heat terrestrial planets more effectively. However, we find that the addition of CH4 produces net greenhouse warming (tens of degrees) in planets orbiting stars hotter than a mid-K (∼4500 K), whereas a prominent anti-greenhouse effect is noted for planets around cooler stars. We show that 10% CH4 can increase the outer edge distance of the hottest stars (T
EFF = 10,000 K) by over 20%. In contrast, the CH4 anti-greenhouse can shrink the HZ for the coolest stars (T
EFF = 2600 K) by a similar percentage. We find that dense CO2–CH4 atmospheres near the outer edge of hotter stars may suggest inhabitance, highlighting the importance of including secondary greenhouse gases in alternative definitions of the HZ. We parameterize the limits of this N2–CO2–H2O–CH4 HZ and discuss implications in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Gerenciamento de riscos físicos em ambiente fabril de calçados
Authors: Albuquerque Daniel Ferreira , Nóbrega Jailson Alves da , Pires César Araújo , Melo Raphael Henrique
Published: May 2018

Acidentes de trabalho e problemas de saúde ocupacional são constantes em diversos segmentos industriais. No entanto, estes indesejáveis problemas podem ser mitigados ou extintos quando se tem um cuidadoso projeto de reconhecimento e eliminação dos potencias agentes físicos, químicos e biológicos que levam riscos à integridade e saúde dos trabalhadores. O presente estudo tem por objetivo utilizar ferramenteas de gerenciamento de risco para avaliar os riscos físicos, propondo as devidas soluções em ambiente de trabalho de uma micro indústria calçadista situada na cidade de Campina Grande-PB. Para o desenvolvimento de tal, tiveram-se como base as normas regulamentadoras vigentes. A metodologia usada consistiu de pesquisa em campo e análise da exposição dos trabalhadores aos riscos eminentemente físicos. As soluções sugeridas garantem o cumprimento dos requisitos normativos, as quais tendenciam para a redução dos ruídos sonoros, a obtenção do conforto térmico mínimo, o aumento da iluminância interna e a operação segura do maquinário. Conclui-se que a implementação das medidas corretivas relacionadas a cada item são eficientes e eficazes.
Avaliação técnico-gerencial do cumprimento dos requisitos de desempenho de edificação habitacional para estudantes
Authors: Schuab Mariana Rezende , Salles Pedro Valle , Santos White José dos , Peguero Scarlet Natalie Jorge
Published: May 2018

Essa pesquisa analisa as principais necessidades de alterações do processo construtivo, em alvenaria estrutural, antes e depois da vigência da NBR 15575, (2013). Desenvolveu-se um estudo de caso em uma obra destinada à Moradia Universitária, em Minas Gerais. A obra teve início antes da vigência dessa norma, logo seu atendimento não se aplicaria, contudo, sua execução foi realizada conforme às exigências das demais normas brasileiras aplicadas à construção civil. Através da análise dos dados coletados na visita técnica realizada, nas entrevistas realizadas com a responsável técnica e na verificação dos documentos disponibilizados pela empresa, foi averiguado que houve o atendimento a grande parte dos requisitos normativos. A partir das informações e constatações identificadas, formularam-se proposições de procedimentos necessários à validação do nível desempenho atendido pela edificação. O presente estudo de caso demonstrou que, ainda sem a obrigatoriedade do atendimento à norma de desempenho, é possível estar conforme a muitos dos seus requisitos ao adotar a conduta de atender às demais normas vigentes, e, realizar uma gestão eficiente de suprimentos, mão de obra e procedimentos construtivos.
Indicadores de design sustentável para a valorização do patrimônio histórico, cultural e natural do Maranhão
Authors: Lucca André De Souza
Published: May 2018

Baseado nos trabalhos de levantamento bibliográfico narrativo, pesquisa documental e observação direta intensiva, o presente texto apresenta os resultados da pesquisa sobre as estratégias e indicadores de design para a valorização dos recursos e produtos locais no território maranhense. A pesquisa teve como objetivo promover a competitividade e a sustentabilidade das atividades produtivas maranhenses através da valorização do patrimônio local sob a ótica do Design Sustentável. Este trabalho reflete a premissa de que o uso sustentável dos recursos locais pode melhorar a qualidade de vida de grande parte da população envolvida com o extrativismo, a agricultura familiar, a produção de produtos típicos e o turismo no Maranhão. Como resultado, este trabalho estabeleceu indicadores de design para a valorização da cadeia produtiva do babaçu, da produção artesanal com o buriti, da cerâmica artesanal e do patrimônio histórico e natural do Maranhão.
Dimensionamento e avaliação da viabilidade técnica e econômica de uma coluna de absorção para purificação de biogás
Authors: Manfredi Gasparovic Claudia Luiza , Eyng Eduardo , Frare Laercio Mantovani , Sabbi Larissa De Bortoli Chamolera
Published: May 2018

Nas últimas décadas tem-se buscado por fontes alternativas de energia, tais como a mistura gasosa conhecida como biogás. O biogás possui uma elevada concentração de metano, possibilitando o seu uso como combustível. Um dos seus componentes, o dióxido de carbono, possui efeito de redução de seu potencial energético, sendo vantajoso um processo de purificação para remoção desse composto. Para misturas com teor de metano superior a 96,5% de metano, entre outras, denomina-se o combustível de biometano e pode ser comercializado. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o estudo da viabilidade econômica de um sistema proposto de coluna de absorção para purificação de biogás. Este foi realizado considerando um horizonte de 10 anos e Taxa Mínima de Atratividade (TMA) de 10% a.a., utilizando o método da Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR), por meio fluxo de caixa, que incluiu: uma estimativa do investimento; custos operacionais mensais estimados para um micro empreendimento individual e a vazão de biogás baseada na produção de propriedades do Oeste do Paraná. Por meio do fluxo de caixa determinou-se o preço mínimo de venda do biometano, para que o projeto fosse viável pelo método da TIR. A coluna de absorção projetada possui 5 pratos, 4,04m de altura e 17cm de diâmetro. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que o sistema é viável economicamente, com preço mínimo de venda de R$ 0,93 por metro cúbico de biometano. O tempo de retorno do investimento foi de, aproximadamente, 6 anos.
Redução de horas paradas na etapa de granulação: um estudo de caso da obstrução da calha de descarga do granulador
Authors: Gonçalves Jaziel Rosa , Miranda Mara Rúbia da Silva
Published: May 2018

A busca pelo aumento de produtividade e a constante melhoria do processo têm sido foco de grandes empresas para se manterem no mercado. Diante disto, as diversas organizações procuram otimizar seus processos aplicando melhorias que podem ser pequenas, mas que no final auxiliam nas metas da empresa. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é mostrar que com a diminuição de horas paradas por obstrução da calha do granulador, tem-se ganhos de produção na unidade de granulação, maior continuidade operacional que é fundamental em uma fábrica de fertilizante e consequentemente menores descontroles operacionais durante o processo produtivo. A ideia do presente estudo surgiu a partir da análise da quantidade de horas paradas por obstrução da calha de descarga do granulador. A partir da análise das horas paradas, observação em campo dos problemas causados pela obstrução da calha foi possível traçar ações para eliminar/mitigar este problema. A obstrução da calha causava alguns problemas, como a perda de produção e descontinuidade operacional. No estudo realizado, as ações tomadas foram muito eficazes, reduzindo as horas paradas, elevando ganhos em produção e diminuições de perdas após a implementação das mesmas. É muito importante observar também que a melhoria realizada trouxe além de ganhos operacionais, também ganhos para os trabalhadores em qualidade de vida pela diminuição do trabalho manual desgastante. A unidade de granulação passou a operar com uma continuidade operacional muito superior nos períodos observados.
Redes de amistad, paisanaje y venalidad de limeños en torno a los hábitos de las Órdenes Militares a finales del siglo XVII
Authors: Andújar Castillo Francisco
Published: May 2018

A partir de una metodología que se fundamenta en el cruce de múltiples fuentes documentales y en destacar el valor del capital relacional en las dinámicas políticas y sociales en el Antiguo Régimen, se estudian las redes de amistad y paisanaje que los limeños tejieron a finales del siglo XVII para conseguir los honores de caballeros de las Órdenes Militares. Se analizan los vínculos existentes y cómo articularon redes para conseguir las cruces de las Órdenes y comprar los cargos de gobierno, justicia y hacienda de América que por entonces vendía la monarquía desde Madrid.
Temps de déplacements en transport public à Bruxelles : l’accessibilité des pôles d’activités
Authors: Lebrun Kevin
Published: May 2018

Par une approche s’appuyant sur la modélisation des temps de déplacements dans la Région bruxelloise, cet article entend discuter l’accessibilité en transport public d’une sélection de pôles d’activité de la Région au départ des différents quartiers. Des mesures de temps de déplacements ont pour cela été réalisées à l’heure de pointe matinale d’un jour ouvrable, en tenant compte de l’ensemble des opérateurs. Les analyses mettent en évidence une forte hétérogénéité intrarégionale, subordonnée à des logiques radiales et concentriques, notamment en lien avec la demande de transport. La contribution importante, actuelle et potentielle, des opérateurs autres que la STIB est également révélée. Elles montrent aussi que près de 30 % de la population bruxelloise réside actuellement au sein de quartiers présentant un déficit d’accessibilité compte tenu de sa localisation, ce qui pose la question d’un objectif visant à rendre l’accessibilité plus uniforme de ce point de vue. Concernant les déterminants de l’accessibilité en transport public, il apparaît notamment que le trafic automobile pèse encore lourdement sur les temps de parcours, les allongeant en moyenne de 25 %, en dépit des politiques menées ces dernières années et visant à protéger ou séparer les transports publics du trafic automobile.
Travel time by public transport in Brussels: the accessibility of poles of activity
Authors: Lebrun Kevin
Published: May 2018

With an approach based on the modelling of travel time in the Brussels Region, this article examines the accessibility by public transport of a selection of poles of activity in the Region from different neighbourhoods. Measurements of travel time were thus carried out during the morning rush hour on a weekday, taking all operators into account. The analyses highlight a strong intraregional heterogeneity subject to radial and concentric logic, in particular in relation to transport demand. The significant current and potential contribution of operators other than STIB is also revealed. They also show that close to 30 % of the population of Brussels lives in neighbourhoods with poor accessibility due to location, which raises the question as to an objective aimed at making accessibility more uniform from this point of view. With respect to the factors which determine accessibility by public transport, it appears in particular that car traffic still has a heavy impact on travel time, increasing it by 25 % on average, despite the policies in recent years aimed at protecting or separating public transport from car traffic.
Comparative Transcriptomic Response of Primary and Immortalized Macrophages to Murine Norovirus Infection
Authors: Levenson Eric A. , Martens Craig , Kanakabandi Kishore , Turner Charles V. , Virtaneva Kimmo , Paneru Monica , Ricklefs Stacy , Sosnovtsev Stanislav V. , Johnson Jordan A. , Porcella Stephen F. , Green Kim Y.
Published: May 2018

Murine norovirus (NoV) is genetically similar to human NoV and offers both an efficient in vitro cell culture system and an animal model by which to investigate the molecular basis of replication. In this study, we present a detailed global view of host alterations to cellular pathways that occur during the progression of a NoV infection. This was accomplished for both Mus musculus BALB/c–derived RAW264.7 (RAW) cells, an immortalized cell line widely used in in vitro replication studies, and primary bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDM), representing a permissive in vivo target cell in the host. Murine NoV replicated in both cell types, although detected genome copies were approximately one log lower in BMDM compared with RAW cells. RAW and BMDM cells shared an IRF3/7-based IFN response that occurred early in infection. In RAW cells, transcriptional upregulation and INF-β expression were not coupled in that a significant delay in the detection of secreted INF-β was observed. In contrast, primary BMDM showed an early upregulation of transcripts and immediate release of INF-β that might account for lower virus yield. Differences in the transcriptional pathway responses included a marked decrease in expression of key genes in the cell cycle and lipid pathways in RAW cells compared with that of BMDM. Our comparative analysis indicates the existence of varying host responses to virus infection in populations of permissive cells. Awareness of these differences at the gene level will be important in the application of a given permissive culture system to the study of NoV immunity, pathogenesis, and drug development.
Simultaneous Presence of Non- and Highly Mutated Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH)-Specific Plasmablasts Early after Primary KLH Immunization Suggests Cross-Reactive Memory B Cell Activation
Authors: Giesecke Claudia , Meyer Tim , Durek Pawel , Maul Jochen , Preiß Jan , Jacobs Joannes F. M. , Thiel Andreas , Radbruch Andreas , Ullrich Reiner , Dörner Thomas
Published: May 2018

There are currently limited insights into the progression of human primary humoral immunity despite numerous studies in experimental models. In this study, we analyzed a primary and related secondary parenteral keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) immunization in five human adults. The primary challenge elicited discordant KLH-specific serum and blood effector B cell responses (i.e., dominant serum KLH-specific IgG and IgM levels versus dominant KLH-specific IgA plasmablast frequencies). Single-cell IgH sequencing revealed early appearance of highly (>15 mutations) mutated circulating KLH-specific plasmablasts 2 wk after primary KLH immunization, with simultaneous KLH-specific plasmablasts carrying non- and low-mutated IgH sequences. The data suggest that the highly mutated cells might originate from cross-reactive memory B cells (mBCs) rather than from the naive B cell repertoire, consistent with previous reported mutation rates and the presence of KLH-reactive mBCs in naive vaccinees prior to immunization. Whereas upon secondary immunization, serum Ab response kinetics and plasmablast mutation loads suggested the exclusive reactivation of KLH-specific mBCs, we, however, detected only little clonal overlap between the peripheral KLH-specific secondary plasmablast IgH repertoire and the primary plasmablast and mBC repertoire, respectively. Our data provide novel mechanistic insights into human humoral immune responses and suggest that primary KLH immunization recruits both naive B cells and cross-reactive mBCs, whereas secondary challenge exclusively recruits from a memory repertoire, with little clonal overlap with the primary response.