bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regeneration of Sodium Hydroxide from a Biogas Upgrading Unit through the Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate: An Experimental Influence Study of Reaction Parameters
Authors: Baena-Moreno Francisco M. , Rodríguez-Galán Mónica , Vega Fernando , Reina T. R. , Vilches Luis F. , Navarrete Benito
Published: October 2018

This article presents a regeneration method of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution from a biogas upgrading unit through calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation as a valuable by-product, as an alternative to the elevated energy consumption employed via the physical regeneration process. The purpose of this work was to study the main parameters that may affect NaOH regeneration using an aqueous sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) solution and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) as reactive agent for regeneration and carbonate slurry production, in order to outperform the regeneration efficiencies reported in earlier works. Moreover, Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the solid obtained. The studied parameters were reaction time, reaction temperature, and molar ratio between Ca(OH)2 and Na2CO3. In addition, the influence of small quantities of NaOH at the beginning of the precipitation process was studied. The results indicate that regeneration efficiencies between 53%–97% can be obtained varying the main parameters mentioned above, and also both Raman spectroscopy and SEM images reveal the formation of a carbonate phase in the obtained solid. These results confirmed the technical feasibility of this biogas upgrading process through CaCO3 production.
Developing a Business Plan for a Library Publishing Program
Authors: McCready Kate , Molls Emma
Published: October 2018

Over the last twenty years, library publishing has emerged in higher education as a new class of publisher. Conceived as a response to commercial publishing practices that have strained library budgets and prevented scholars from openly licensing and sharing their works, library publishing is both a local service program and a broader movement to disrupt the current scholarly publishing arena. It is growing both in numbers of publishers and numbers of works produced. The commercial publishing framework which determines the viability of monetizing a product is not necessarily applicable for library publishers who exist as a common good to address the needs of their academic communities. Like any business venture, however, library publishers must develop a clear service model and business plan in order to create shared expectations for funding streams, quality markers, as well as technical and staff capacity. As the field is maturing from experimental projects to full programs, library publishers are formalizing their offerings and limitations. The anatomy of a library publishing business plan is presented and includes the principles of the program, scope of services, and staffing requirements. Other aspects include production policies, financial structures, and measures of success.
Model-Free Gradient-Based Adaptive Learning Controller for an Unmanned Flexible Wing Aircraft
Authors: Abouheaf Mohammed , Gueaieb Wail , Lewis Frank
Published: October 2018

Classical gradient-based approximate dynamic programming approaches provide reliable and fast solution platforms for various optimal control problems. However, their dependence on accurate modeling approaches poses a major concern, where the efficiency of the proposed solutions are severely degraded in the case of uncertain dynamical environments. Herein, a novel online adaptive learning framework is introduced to solve action-dependent dual heuristic dynamic programming problems. The approach does not depend on the dynamical models of the considered systems. Instead, it employs optimization principles to produce model-free control strategies. A policy iteration process is employed to solve the underlying Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation using means of adaptive critics, where a layer of separate actor-critic neural networks is employed along with gradient descent adaptation rules. A Riccati development is introduced and shown to be equivalent to solving the underlying Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. The proposed approach is applied on the challenging weight shift control problem of a flexible wing aircraft. The continuous nonlinear deformation in the aircraft’s flexible wing leads to various aerodynamic variations at different trim speeds, which makes its auto-pilot control a complicated task. Series of numerical simulations were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested strategy.
Virtual FBGs Using Saturable Absorbers for Sensing with Fiber Lasers
Authors: Rodriguez-Cobo Luis , Perez-Herrera Rosa A. , Quintela María A. , Ruiz-Lombera Rubén , Lopez-Amo Manuel , Lopez-Higuera José M.
Published: October 2018

The spectral narrowing of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) introduced by unpumped Er-doped fiber (EDF) was analyzed for fiber lasers (FL). Owing to spatial hole burning (SHB), the spectral response of a virtual FBG can be employed for narrowing the band pass filter employed to determine the lasing wavelength of laser cavities. A common FL was mounted to analyze the spectral stability of the method, and a FL sensor for strain and temperature measurements was experimentally characterized to determine the stability of the narrowing effect achieved by the unpumped EDF, which acts as a virtual FBG. The results exhibited remarkably good narrowing effects of the spectral response of uniform FBGs.
Remote Sensing Performance Enhancement in Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Kwan Chiman
Published: October 2018

Hyperspectral images with hundreds of spectral bands have been proven to yield high performance in material classification. However, despite intensive advancement in hardware, the spatial resolution is still somewhat low, as compared to that of color and multispectral (MS) imagers. In this paper, we aim at presenting some ideas that may further enhance the performance of some remote sensing applications such as border monitoring and Mars exploration using hyperspectral images. One popular approach to enhancing the spatial resolution of hyperspectral images is pansharpening. We present a brief review of recent image resolution enhancement algorithms, including single super-resolution and multi-image fusion algorithms, for hyperspectral images. Advantages and limitations of the enhancement algorithms are highlighted. Some limitations in the pansharpening process include the availability of high resolution (HR) panchromatic (pan) and/or MS images, the registration of images from multiple sources, the availability of point spread function (PSF), and reliable and consistent image quality assessment. We suggest some proactive ideas to alleviate the above issues in practice. In the event where hyperspectral images are not available, we suggest the use of band synthesis techniques to generate HR hyperspectral images from low resolution (LR) MS images. Several recent interesting applications in border monitoring and Mars exploration using hyperspectral images are presented. Finally, some future directions in this research area are highlighted.
Two-Dimensional DOA Estimation for Incoherently Distributed Sources with Uniform Rectangular Arrays
Authors: Wu Tao , Deng Zhenghong , Li Yiwen , Huang Yijie
Published: October 2018

Aiming at the two-dimensional (2D) incoherently distributed (ID) sources, we explore a direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm based on uniform rectangular arrays (URA). By means of Taylor series expansion of steering vector, rotational invariance relations with regard to nominal azimuth and nominal elevation between subarrays are deduced under the assumption of small angular spreads and small sensors distance firstly; then received signal vectors can be described by generalized steering matrices and generalized signal vectors; thus, an estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) like algorithm is proposed to estimate nominal elevation and nominal azimuth respectively using covariance matrices of constructed subarrays. Angle matching method is proposed by virtue of Capon principle lastly. The proposed method can estimate multiple 2D ID sources without spectral searching and without information of angular power distribution function of sources. Investigating different SNR, sources with different angular power density functions, sources in boundary region, distance between sensors and number of sources, simulations are conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Adaptive Object Tracking via Multi-Angle Analysis Collaboration
Authors: Xue Wanli , Feng Zhiyong , Xu Chao , Meng Zhaopeng , Zhang Chengwei
Published: October 2018

Although tracking research has achieved excellent performance in mathematical angles, it is still meaningful to analyze tracking problems from multiple perspectives. This motivation not only promotes the independence of tracking research but also increases the flexibility of practical applications. This paper presents a significant tracking framework based on the multi-dimensional state–action space reinforcement learning, termed as multi-angle analysis collaboration tracking (MACT). MACT is comprised of a basic tracking framework and a strategic framework which assists the former. Especially, the strategic framework is extensible and currently includes feature selection strategy (FSS) and movement trend strategy (MTS). These strategies are abstracted from the multi-angle analysis of tracking problems (observer’s attention and object’s motion). The content of the analysis corresponds to the specific actions in the multidimensional action space. Concretely, the tracker, regarded as an agent, is trained with Q-learning algorithm and ϵ -greedy exploration strategy, where we adopt a customized rewarding function to encourage robust object tracking. Numerous contrast experimental evaluations on the OTB50 benchmark demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategies and improvement in speed and accuracy of MACT tracker.
A Depth-Based Weighted Point Cloud Registration for Indoor Scene
Authors: Liu Shuntao , Gao Dedong , Wang Peng , Guo Xifeng , Xu Jing , Liu Du-Xin
Published: October 2018

Point cloud registration plays a key role in three-dimensional scene reconstruction, and determines the effect of reconstruction. The iterative closest point algorithm is widely used for point cloud registration. To improve the accuracy of point cloud registration and the convergence speed of registration error, point pairs with smaller Euclidean distances are used as the points to be registered, and the depth measurement error model and weight function are analyzed. The measurement error is taken into account in the registration process. The experimental results of different indoor scenes demonstrate that the proposed method effectively improves the registration accuracy and the convergence speed of registration error.
Intravascular Photothermal Strain Imaging for Lipid Detection
Authors: Choi Changhoon , Ahn Joongho , Kim Chulhong
Published: October 2018

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major threats to humanity, accounting for one-third of the world’s deaths. For patients with high-risk CVD, plaque rupture can lead to critical condition. It is therefore important to determine the stability of the plaque and classify the patient’s risk level. Lipid content is an important determinant of plaque stability. However, conventional intravascular imaging methods have limitations in finding lipids. Therefore, new intravascular imaging techniques for plaque risk assessment are urgently needed. In this study, a novel photothermal strain imaging (pTSI) was applied to an intravascular imaging system for detecting lipids in plaques. As a combination of thermal strain imaging and laser-induced heating, pTSI differentiates lipids from other tissues based on changes in ultrasound (US) velocity with temperature change. We designed an optical pathway to an intravascular ultrasound catheter to deliver 1210-nm laser and US simultaneously. To establish the feasibility of the intravascular pTSI system, we experimented with a tissue-mimicking phantom made of fat and gelatin. Due to the difference in the strain during laser heating, we can clearly distinguish fat and gelatin in the phantom. The result demonstrates that pTSI could be used with conventional intravascular imaging methods to detect the plaque lipid.
On-Body Sensor Positions Hierarchical Classification
Authors: Sang Vu Ngoc Thanh , Yano Shiro , Kondo Toshiyuki
Published: October 2018

Many motion sensor-based applications have been developed in recent years because they provide useful information about daily activities and current health status of users. However, most of these applications require knowledge of sensor positions. Therefore, this research focused on the problem of detecting sensor positions. We collected standing-still and walking sensor data at various body positions from ten subjects. The offset values were removed by subtracting the sensor data of standing-still phase from the walking data for each axis of each sensor unit. Our hierarchical classification technique is based on optimizing local classifiers. Many common features are computed, and informative features are selected for specific classifications. In this approach, local classifiers such as arm-side and hand-side discriminations yielded F1-scores of 0.99 and 1.00, correspondingly. Overall, the proposed method achieved an F1-score of 0.81 and 0.84 using accelerometers and gyroscopes, respectively. Furthermore, we also discuss contributive features and parameter tuning in this analysis.
Multiple Sound Sources Localization with Frame-by-Frame Component Removal of Statistically Dominant Source
Authors: Jia Maoshen , Wu Yuxuan , Bao Changchun , Wang Jing
Published: October 2018

Multiple sound sources localization is a hot topic in audio signal processing and is widely utilized in many application areas. This paper proposed a multiple sound sources localization method based on a statistically dominant source component removal (SDSCR) algorithm by soundfield microphone. The existence of the statistically weak source (SWS) among soundfield microphone signals is validated by statistical analysis. The SDSCR algorithm with joint an intra-frame and inter-frame statistically dominant source (SDS) discriminations is designed to remove the component of SDS while reserve the SWS component. The degradation of localization accuracy caused by the existence of the SWS is resolved using the SDSCR algorithm. The objective evaluation of the proposed method is conducted in simulated and real environments. The results show that the proposed method achieves a better performance compared with the conventional SSZ-based method both in sources localization and counting.
Delay Analysis for End-to-End Synchronous Communication in Monitoring Systems
Authors: Cao Junwei , Wan Yuxin , Hua Haochen , Qin Yuchao
Published: October 2018

With the rapid development of smart grid technologies, communication systems are further integrated in the existing power grids. The real-time capability and reliability of the power applications are receiving increasing concerns. Thus, it is important to measure the end-to-end delay in communication systems. The network calculus theory has been widely applied in the communication delay measuring tasks. However, for better operation performance of power systems, most power applications require synchronous data communication, in which the network calculus theory cannot be directly applied. In this paper, we expand the network calculus theory such that it can be used to analyze the communication delay for power applications in smart grids. The problem of communication delay calculation for the synchronization system is converted into a maximum path problem in graph theory. Finally, our theoretical results are compared with the experimental ones obtained with the network simulation software EstiNet. The simulation results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Movement Economy in Soccer: Current Data and Limitations
Authors: Dolci Filippo , Hart Nicolas H. , Kilding Andrew , Chivers Paola , Piggott Ben , Spiteri Tania
Published: October 2018

Soccer is an intermittent team-sport, where performance is determined by a myriad of psychological, technical, tactical, and physical factors. Among the physical factors, endurance appears to play a key role into counteracting the fatigue-related reduction in running performance observed during soccer matches. One physiological determinant of endurance is movement economy, which represents the aerobic energy cost to exercise at a given submaximal velocity. While the role of movement economy has been extensively examined in endurance athletes, it has received little attention in soccer players, but may be an important factor, given the prolonged demands of match play. For this reason, the current review discusses the nature, impact, and trainability of movement economy specific to soccer players. A summary of current knowledge and limitations of movement economy in soccer is provided, with an insight into future research directions, to make this important parameter more valuable when assessing and training soccer players’ running performance.
Influence of Reduced Protein Content in Complete Diets with a Consistent Arginine–Lysine Ratio on Performance and Nitrogen Excretion in Broilers
Authors: Ullrich Cristina , Langeheine Marion , Brehm Ralph , Taube Venja , Siebert Diana , Visscher Christian
Published: October 2018

The current discussion concerning resource-efficient broiler production inevitably leads to diets with lowered crude protein (CP) levels. Therefore, the hypothesis was formed that crude protein reduction far below the recommended levels can significantly lower the nitrogen (N) content in litter, if essential amino acids are added and a constant lysine-arginine ratio is guaranteed. In a five-week feeding trial, 360 ROSS 308 broilers of both sexes were randomly assigned to four feeding groups with six replicates each with a standard three-phase feeding program (d 1–7, d 8–14, d 15–35). The control group was offered a complete diet with a common protein content found in practice (CP-% as fed; starter: 21.5, grower: 20.5, finisher: 20.0; lysine/arginine: 100/115). In the experimental diets the lysine/arginine ratio was constant, whereas the protein content was lowered in steps of 1.00 percent each with simultaneous supplementation of growth limiting amino acids. Feeding a diet with a 2.00 percent reduced protein content led to higher body weights after 34 days compared to the control (2329 g vs. 2192 g). The N content in the total litter decreased significantly with a 2.00 and 3.00 percent reduction in the CP content (51.2 vs. 46.2 or rather 36.2 g/kg dry matter (DM)). Meticulous balanced protein-reduced diets therefore allow a significant environmental relief.
Global Ecolabelling Certification Standards and ASEAN Fisheries: Can Fisheries Legislations in ASEAN Countries Support the Fisheries Certification?
Authors: Lieng Sopha , Yagi Nobuyuki , Ishihara Hiroe
Published: October 2018

Fisheries, particularly small-scale fisheries, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are an important source of food security, nutrition, and livelihood for people. However, high fishing pressure and other impacts have resulted in a decline of fisheries resources, questioning the future sustainability of fisheries. Ecolabelling is a tool developed based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Guideline for Ecolabelling of Fish and Fisheries Products from Marine/Inland Fisheries. In the past decades, only a few fisheries in ASEAN countries have been certified. This study particularly focuses on the legal frameworks of these countries and reviews the existing national fisheries legislation, including laws, acts, decrees, directives, rules, and regulations in ASEAN countries in relation to the requirement of the fisheries certification standards. The review reveals that although the legal frameworks in ASEAN member states generally provide a fair basis for their fisheries to meet the requirement of the fisheries certification standards, further improvements are required to incorporate the concept of adaptive management, precautionary approaches, and reference points on fishery management objectives. Monitoring, control, and surveillance of fisheries and other enforcement activities for fisheries legislations are other challenges to ensure sustainability of fisheries through fisheries certification.
Sustainable Consumer Behaviour in the Market of Cultural Services in Central European Countries: The Example of Poland
Authors: Wróblewski Łukasz , Dacko-Pikiewicz Zdzisława
Published: October 2018

In the second decade of the 21st century, in the developed countries of Central Europe, we can observe the transfer of free time to consumption, including the consumption of cultural services. This change, however, has led to some disturbances in the consumption of cultural services. Disturbances, which in particular relate to the sphere of needs, the sphere of the means of meeting needs and, finally, the sphere of consumer behaviour; for example, in relation to transport. In this article, most of the attention was devoted to the last category of disturbances (the sphere of consumer behaviour) and specifically concerned the culture service customers’ choice of means of transport to a specific cultural event. The research carried out by the authors shows that the most popular means of transport used on the way to a symphonic concert held in Katowice is still one’s own car. This applies to both residents of the city of Katowice, who could easily get to the concert using public transport (bus, tram) or on foot, as well as people from outside Katowice (who, as the research shows, very rarely use Katowice’s extensive rail network and well-developed intercity bus service). Thus, it has been proved that despite various legal regulations conducive to sustainable consumption, the majority of Polish consumers of cultural services in the analysed area of consumer behaviour do not follow this concept. The article opens with a review of the literature on free time and the sustainable consumption of cultural services. The next part of the study presents the results and conclusions of research conducted on a group of 515 consumers of philharmonic services. The last part of the article discusses the results obtained and indicates the existing management implications.
The Uncapacitatied Dynamic Single-Level Lot-Sizing Problem under a Time-Varying Environment and an Exact Solution Approach
Authors: Xiao Yiyong , You Meng , Zuo Xiaorong , Zhou Shenghan , Pan Xing
Published: October 2018

The dynamic lot-sizing problem under a time-varying environment considers new features of the production system where factors such as production setup cost, unit inventory-holding cost, and unit price of manufacturing resources may vary in different periods over the whole planning horizon. Traditional lot-sizing theorems and algorithms are no longer fit for these situations as they had assumed constant environments. In our study, we investigated the dynamic lot-sizing problem with deteriorating production setup cost, a typical time-varying environment where the production setup is assumed to consume more preparing time and manufacturing resources as the production interval lasts longer. We proposed new lot-sizing models based on the traditional lot-sizing model considering the changing setup cost as a new constraint, called uncapacitatied dynamic single-level lot-sizing under a time-varying environment (UDSLLS-TVE for short). The UDSLLS-TVE problem has a more realistic significance and higher research value as it is closer to reality and has higher computational complexity as well. We proposed two mathematical programming models to describe UDSLLS_TVE with or without nonlinear components, respectively. Properties of the UDSLLS-TVE models were extensively analyzed and an exact algorithm based on forward dynamic programming (FDP) was proposed to solve this problem with a complexity of O (n2). Comparative experiments with the commercial MIP solver CPLEX on synthesized problem instances showed that the FDP algorithm is a global optimization algorithm and has a high computational efficiency.
A Predictive Environmental Assessment Method for Construction Operations: Application to a Northeast China Case Study
Authors: Feng Kailun , Lu Weizhuo , Olofsson Thomas , Chen Shiwei , Yan Hui , Wang Yaowu
Published: October 2018

Construction accounts for a considerable number of environmental impacts, especially in countries with rapid urbanization. A predictive environmental assessment method enables a comparison of alternatives in construction operations to mitigate these environmental impacts. Process-based life cycle assessment (pLCA), which is the most widely applied environmental assessment method, requires lots of detailed process information to evaluate. However, a construction project usually operates in uncertain and dynamic project environments, and capturing such process information represents a critical challenge for pLCA. Discrete event simulation (DES) provides an opportunity to include uncertainty and capture the dynamic environments of construction operations. This study proposes a predictive assessment method that integrates DES and pLCA (DES-pLCA) to evaluate the environmental impact of on-site construction operations and supply chains. The DES feeds pLCA with process information that considers the uncertain and dynamic environments of construction, while pLCA guides the comprehensive procedure of environmental assessment. A DES-pLCA prototype was developed and implemented in a case study of an 18-storey building in Northeast China. The results showed that the biggest impact variations on the global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication (EP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), abiotic depletion potential (ADP), and human toxicity potential (HTP) were 5.1%, 4.1%, 4.1%, 4.7%, 0.3%, and 5.9%, respectively, due to uncertain and dynamic factors. Based on the proposed method, an average impact reduction can be achieved for these six indictors of 2.5%, 21.7%, 8.2%, 4.8%, 32.5%, and 0.9%, respectively. The method also revealed that the material wastage rate of formwork installation was the most crucial managing factor that influences global warming performance. The method can support contractors in the development and management of environmentally friendly construction operations that consider the effects of uncertainty and dynamics.
Dynamic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making Based on Power Geometric Weighted Average Operator and Prediction Model
Authors: Yin Kedong , Wang Pengyu , Jin Xue
Published: October 2018

With respect to dynamic multi-attribute group decision-making (DMAGDM) problems, where attribute values take the form of intuitionistic fuzzy values (IFVs) and the weights (including expert, attribute and time weights) are unknown, the dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy power geometric weighted average (DIFPGWA) operator and the improved IFVs’ GM(1,1) prediction model (IFVs-GM(1,1)-PM) are proposed. First, the concept of IFVs, the operational rules, the distance between IFVs, and the comparing method of IFVs are defined. Second, the DIFPGWA operator and the improved IFVs-GM(1,1)-PM are defined in detail. Third, corresponding decision-making (D-M) steps are proposed. Three kinds of weights are given by the proposed determination method. Finally, an example is given to prove the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed decision-making method.
Laterality as a Predictor of Coping Strategies in Dogs Entering a Rescue Shelter
Authors: Barnard Shanis , Wells Deborah L. , Hepper Peter G.
Published: October 2018

It has been reported that during the first few days following entry to a kennel environment, shelter dogs may suffer poor welfare. Previous work suggests that motor bias (the preferred use of one limb over the other) can potentially be used as an indicator of emotional reactivity and welfare risk. In this study, we investigate whether paw preference could be used as a predictive indicator of stress coping (measured using cortisol levels and behavioural observation) in a sample of 41 dogs entering a rescue shelter. Cortisol levels and behavioural observations were collected for one week after admission. We scored the dogs’ paw preference during a food-retrieval task. Our results showed that increasing left-pawedness was associated with a higher expression of stress-related behaviours such as frequent change of state, vocalisations and lower body posture. These results are in keeping with previous findings showing that left-limb biased animals are more vulnerable to stress. Paw preference testing may be a useful tool for detecting different coping strategies in dogs entering a kennel environment and identifying target individuals at risk of reduced welfare.
Approximation Operator Based on Neighborhood Systems
Authors: Wang Pei , Wu Qingjun , He Jiali , Shang Xiao
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we propose a new covering-based set in which the lower and the upper approximation operations are defined by neighborhood systems. We systematically discuss this new type of covering-based set in two steps. First, we study the basic properties of this covering-based set, such as normality, contraction, and monotone properties. Second, we discuss the relationship between the new type of covering-based set and the other ten proposed sets.
Controlled Disassembly and Purification of Functional Viral Subassemblies Using Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4)
Authors: Eskelin Katri , Poranen Minna M.
Published: October 2018

Viruses protect their genomes by enclosing them into protein capsids that sometimes contain lipid bilayers that either reside above or below the protein layer. Controlled dissociation of virions provides important information on virion composition, interactions, and stoichiometry of virion components, as well as their possible role in virus life cycles. Dissociation of viruses can be achieved by using various chemicals, enzymatic treatments, and incubation conditions. Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is a gentle method where the separation is based on size. Here, we applied AF4 for controlled dissociation of enveloped bacteriophage φ6. Our results indicate that AF4 can be used to assay the efficiency of the dissociation process and to purify functional subviral particles.
Assessment of Aquatic Weed in Irrigation Channels Using UAV and Satellite Imagery
Authors: Brinkhoff James , Hornbuckle John , Barton Jan L.
Published: October 2018

Irrigated agriculture requires high reliability from water delivery networks and high flows to satisfy demand at seasonal peak times. Aquatic vegetation in irrigation channels are a major impediment to this, constraining flow rates. This work investigates the use of remote sensing from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite platforms to monitor and classify vegetation, with a view to using this data to implement targeted weed control strategies and assessing the effectiveness of these control strategies. The images are processed in Google Earth Engine (GEE), including co-registration, atmospheric correction, band statistic calculation, clustering and classification. A combination of unsupervised and supervised classification methods is used to allow semi-automatic training of a new classifier for each new image, improving robustness and efficiency. The accuracy of classification algorithms with various band combinations and spatial resolutions is investigated. With three classes (water, land and weed), good accuracy (typical validation kappa >0.9) was achieved with classification and regression tree (CART) classifier; red, green, blue and near-infrared (RGBN) bands; and resolutions better than 1 m. A demonstration of using a time-series of UAV images over a number of irrigation channel stretches to monitor weed areas after application of mechanical and chemical control is given. The classification method is also applied to high-resolution satellite images, demonstrating scalability of developed techniques to detect weed areas across very large irrigation networks.
Unraveling the Dynamics of a Creeping Slope in Northwestern Colombia: Hydrological Variables, and Geoelectrical and Seismic Signatures
Authors: Loaiza-Usuga Juan C. , Monsalve Gaspar , Pertuz-Paz Aleen , Arce-Monsalve Laura , Sanín Mateo , Ramírez-Hoyos León F. , Sidle Roy C.
Published: October 2018

Mass movements are quite common in the Northern Andes and constitute one of the major hazards in the region. In particular, along valley flanks where the city of Medellin (Colombia) is located, rainfall is the main trigger of these phenomena, but little is understood about how water in the soil and subsoil behaves. In this study, we show data from some basic soil hydrology measurements and conventional geophysical surveys within a ~4 ha experimental plot that is experiencing soil creep. The seasonally wet study site has an average slope gradient of 33%, and its surface geology consists of a series of older deposits of debris flows. Our measurements show a low surface runoff, which ranges from 4 to 11% of the rainfall; infiltration is 89–96% of the rainfall, and 15–33% corresponds to drainage water at shallow levels in the soil (20–50 cm); piezometric measurements reveal a mostly steady-state water table. About 14–54% of the rainfall becomes subsurface flow within the first ~1–2 m below the surface. Geoelectrical and seismic surveys suggest small temporal changes in the properties of materials shallower than 2 m, consistent with the steady-state water table and the permanent and high subsurface flow. These geophysical surveys also indicate the presence of a major discontinuity at ~4–6 m below the surface, which we interpret as the limit between different prior debris flows.
Numerical Analysis on the Hydrodynamic Performance of an Artificially Ventilated Surface-Piercing Propeller
Authors: Yang Dongmei , Ren Zhen , Guo Zhiqun , Gao Zeyang
Published: October 2018

When operated under large water immersion, surface piercing propellers are prone to be in heavy load conditions. To improve the hydrodynamic performance of the surface piercing propellers, engineers usually artificially ventilate the blades by equipping a vent pipe in front of the propeller disc. In this paper, the influence of artificial ventilation on the hydrodynamic performance of surface piercing propellers under full immersion conditions was investigated using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The numerical results suggest that the effect of artificial ventilation on the pressure distribution on the blades decreases along the radial direction. And at low advancing speed, the thrust, torque as well as the efficiency of the propeller are smaller than those without ventilation. However, with the increase of the advancing speed, the efficiency of the propeller rapidly increases and can be greater than the without-ventilation case. The numerical results demonstrates the effectiveness of the artificial ventilation approach for improving the hydrodynamic performance of the surface piercing propellers for high speed planning crafts.
Normal Values of Thyroid Uptake of 99mTechnetium Pertechnetate SPECT in Mice with Respect to Age, Sex, and Circadian Rhythm
Authors: Beindorff Nicola , Bartelheimer Annika , Huang Kai , Lukas Mathias , Lange Catharina , Huang Eleonore , Aschenbach Jörg , Eary Janet , Steffen Ingo , Brenner Winfried
Published: October 2018

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish normal values for thyroid uptake of 99mtechnetium pertechnetate (99mTcO4) as a function of age, sex and circadian rhythm in mice.

Methods: In 12 female (F) and 12 male (M) C57BL/6N mice, nine consecutive SPECT images of 10 min duration each were acquired as dynamic acquisitions beginning 5 min after intravenous injection of 80 MBq 99mTcO4. Each mouse was imaged in follow-up studies up to 24 months (A: 1 month; B: 3 months; C: 6 months; D: 12 months; E: 24 months). In order to assess for physiologic changes related to circadian rhythm, animals were imaged during light (sleeping phase, SP) as well as during night conditions (awake phase, AP). The percentage tracer uptake of the injected activity is expressed as median %ID.

Results: Female mice showed significantly higher uptake than males (F 1.6, M 1.1; p < 0.001). This effect was observed up to the age of 12 months: A (F 1.6, M 1.1; p < 0.001), B (F 1.7, M 1.1; p < 0.001), C (F 1.8, M 1.2; p < 0.001), D (F 1.6, M 1.2; p < 0.001), E (F 1.1, M 1.1; p = 0.79). Impact of age on uptake could be observed in females (p = 0.056) and was not present in males (p = 0.27). A significant effect of circadian rhythm could not be observed in females (SP 1.6, AP 1.7; p = 0.65) but in males (SP 1.2, AP 1.1; p = 0.02).

Conclusion: This study showed a significant influence of sex on thyroid 99mTcO4 uptake in mice. Sex was also a significant factor affecting age-related changes in uptake in female mice but not in males. In contrast, circadian rhythm had no relevant impact on 99mTcO4 uptake. Therefore, design of thyroid uptake studies in mice using 99mTcO4 should consider animal sex, and in females, age as significant factors affecting uptake.
Validating UMLS Semantic Type Assignments Using SNOMED CT Semantic Tags
Authors: He Zhe , Wei Duo , Elhanan Gai , Chen Yan , Gu Huanying
Published: October 2018

Background: The UMLS assigns semantic types to all its integrated concepts. The semantic types are widely used in various natural language processing tasks in the biomedical domain, such as named entity recognition, semantic disambiguation, and semantic annotation. Due to the size of the UMLS, erroneous semantic type assignments are hard to detect. It is imperative to devise automated techniques to identify errors and inconsistencies in semantic type assignments.

Objectives: Designing a methodology to perform programmatic checks to detect semantic type assignment errors for UMLS concepts with one or more SNOMED CT terms and evaluating concepts in a selected set of SNOMED CT hierarchies to verify our hypothesis that UMLS semantic type assignment errors may exist in concepts residing in semantically inconsistent groups.

Methods: Our methodology is a four-stage process. 1) partitioning concepts in a SNOMED CT hierarchy into semantically uniform groups based on their assigned semantic tags; 2) partitioning concepts in each group from 1) into the disjoint sub-groups based on their semantic type assignments; 3) mapping all SNOMED CT semantic tags into one or more semantic types in the UMLS; 4) identifying semantically inconsistent groups that have inconsistent assignments between semantic tags and semantic types according to the mapping from 3) and providing concepts in such groups to the domain experts for reviewing.

Results: We applied our method on the UMLS 2013AA release. Concepts of the semantically inconsistent groups in the PHYSICAL FORCE and RECORD ARTIFACT hierarchies have error rates 33% and 62.5% respectively, which are greatly larger than error rates 0.6% and 1% in semantically consistent groups of the two hierarchies.

Conclusion: Concepts in semantically in - consistent groups are more likely to contain semantic type assignment errors. Our methodology can make auditing more efficient by limiting auditing resources on concepts of semantically inconsistent groups.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Values of Stifle Articular Cartilage in Normal Beagles
Authors: Hayashi Kei , Caserto Brian , Norman Mary , Potter Hollis , Koff Matthew , Pownder Sarah
Published: October 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate regional differences of canine stifle articular cartilage using the quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique of T2 mapping.

Methods Fourteen stifle joints from seven juvenile male Beagle dogs with no evidence or prior history of pelvic limb lameness were imaged ex vivo using standard of care fast spin echo MRI and quantitative T2 mapping protocols. Regions of interest were compared between the femoral, patellar and tibial cartilages, as well as between the lateral and medial femorotibial compartments. Limbs were processed for histology with standard stains to confirm normal cartilage.

Results The average T2 value of femoral trochlear cartilage (37.5 ± 2.3 ms) was significantly prolonged (p < 0.0001) as compared with the femoral condylar, patellar and tibial condylar cartilages (33.1 ± 1.5 ms, 32.8 ± 2.3 ms, and 28.0 ± 1.7 ms, respectively). When comparing medial and lateral condylar compartments, the lateral femoral condylar cartilage had the longest T2 values (34.8 ± 2.8 ms), as compared with the medial femoral condylar cartilage (30.9 ± 1.9 ms) and lateral tibial cartilage (29.1 ± 2.3 ms), while the medial tibial cartilage had the shortest T2 values (26.7 ± 2.4 ms).

Clinical Significance As seen in other species, regional differences in T2 values of the canine stifle joint are identified. Understanding normal regions of anticipated prolongation in different joint compartments is needed when using quantitative imaging in models of canine osteoarthritis.
Accuracy of Femoral Head and Neck Excision via a Craniolateral Approach or a Ventral Approach
Authors: Winders Callie , Vaughn William , Birdwhistell Kate , Holsworth Ian , Franklin Samuel
Published: October 2018

Objectives This study aimed to compare the completeness of femoral head and neck removal via a craniolateral approach or a ventral approach when femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) is performed by a novice veterinarian.

Methods FHNE was performed on both femurs of 10 canine cadavers with each femur randomized by a coin toss to FHNE via the craniolateral or ventral approach. Computed tomography (CT) of the femurs was performed prior to and following FHNE. The volume of bone that should have been removed with an ideal FHNE, the percentage of this volume that remained following FHNE, time to complete the procedure and the number of technical errors were compared between the two groups.

Results No significant difference (p = 0.88) was found in the volume of bone that should have been removed with an ideal ostectomy when using the two approaches (craniolateral 3,814.7 ± 409.4 mm3; ventral 3,806.2 ± 479.4 mm3), mean excess residual femoral neck (craniolateral 6.0 ± 9.6%; ventral 4.8 ± 6.8%), mean duration of the procedure (craniolateral 19.3 ± 5.4 minutes; ventral 23.7 ± 5.6 minutes) or number of technical errors (craniolateral 0/10; ventral 1/10) between the craniolateral and ventral approach groups.

Clinical Relevance The completeness of bone removal was not significantly different when FHNE was performed by a novice veterinarian via a craniolateral or ventral approach.
Ring-opening metathesis of some strained bicyclic systems; stereocontrolled access to diolefinated saturated heterocycles with multiple stereogenic centers
Authors: Benke Zsanett , Nonn Melinda , Kardos Márton , Fustero Santos , Kiss Loránd
Published: October 2018

Ring-opening metathesis (ROM) of various unsaturated, constrained bicyclic ring systems has been investigated with the use of commercial ruthenium-based catalysts. Starting from various cyclodienes, the corresponding derived bicyclic lactone, lactam, and isoxazoline derivatives were submitted to ROM under ethenolysis. These functionalized, strained bicyclic systems afforded novel highly-functionalized diolefinated heterocyclic scaffolds in ROM reactions with stereocontrol, through the conservation of the configuration of the stereogenic centers of the starting compounds.
Pulse Morphology of the Galactic Center Magnetar PSR J1745–2900
Authors: Pearlman Aaron B. , Majid Walid A. , Prince Thomas A. , Kocz Jonathon , Horiuchi Shinji
Published: October 2018

We present results from observations of the Galactic Center magnetar, PSR J1745–2900, at 2.3 and 8.4 GHz with the NASA Deep Space Network 70 m antenna, DSS-43. We study the magnetar’s radio profile shape, flux density, radio spectrum, and single pulse behavior over a ∼1 year period between MJDs 57233 and 57621. In particular, the magnetar exhibits a significantly negative average spectral index of

when the 8.4 GHz profile is single-peaked, which flattens considerably when the profile is double-peaked. We have carried out an analysis of single pulses at 8.4 GHz on MJD 57479 and find that giant pulses and pulses with multiple emission components are emitted during a significant number of rotations. The resulting single pulse flux density distribution is incompatible with a log-normal distribution. The typical pulse width of the components is ∼1.8 ms, and the prevailing delay time between successive components is ∼7.7 ms. Many of the single pulse emission components show significant frequency structure over bandwidths of ∼100 MHz, which we believe is the first observation of such behavior from a radio magnetar. We report a characteristic single pulse broadening timescale of

at 8.4 GHz. We find that the pulse broadening is highly variable between emission components and cannot be explained by a thin scattering screen at distances ≳ 1 kpc. We discuss possible intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms for the magnetar’s emission and compare our results to other magnetars, high magnetic field pulsars, and fast radio bursts.
Accurate Rotational Rest Frequencies for Ammonium Ion Isotopologues
Authors: Doménech José L. , Schlemmer Stephan , Asvany Oskar
Published: October 2018

We report rest frequencies for rotational transitions of the deuterated ammonium isotopologues NH3D+, NH2D2
+, and NHD3
+, measured in a cryogenic ion trap machine. For the symmetric tops NH3D+ and NHD3
+, one and three transitions are detected, respectively, and five transitions are detected for the asymmetric top NH2D2
+. While the lowest frequency transition of NH3D+ was already known in the laboratory and space, this work enables the future radio astronomical detection of the two other isotopologues.
Galaxy Ellipticity Measurements in the Near-infrared for Weak Lensing
Authors: Lee Bomee , Chary Ranga-Ram , Wright Edward L.
Published: October 2018

We investigate the value of the near-infrared imaging from upcoming surveys for constraining the ellipticities of galaxies. We select galaxies between 0.5 ≤ z < 3 that are brighter than expected Euclid sensitivity limits from the GOODS-S and N fields in CANDELS. The co-added CANDELS/HST V+I and J+H images are degraded in resolution and sensitivity to simulate Euclid-quality optical and near-infrared (NIR) images. We then run GALFIT on these simulated images and find that optical and NIR provide similar performances in measuring galaxy ellipticities at redshifts 0.5 ≤ z < 3. At z > 1.0, the NIR-selected source density is higher by a factor of 1.4 and therefore the standard error in NIR-derived ellipticities is about 30% smaller, implying a more precise ellipticity measurement. The good performance of the NIR is mainly because galaxies have an intrinsically smoother light distribution in the NIR bands than in the optical, the latter tracing the clumpy star-forming regions. In addition, the NIR bands have a higher surface brightness per pixel than the optical images, while being less affected by dust attenuation. Despite the worse spatial sampling and resolution of Euclid NIR compared to optical, the NIR approach yields equivalent or more precise galaxy ellipticity measurements. If systematics that affect shape such as dithering strategy and point-spread function undersampling can be mitigated, inclusion of the NIR can improve galaxy ellipticity measurements over all redshifts. This is particularly important for upcoming weak lensing surveys, such as with Euclid and WFIRST.