bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Potential of Active Contour Models in Extracting Road Edges from Mobile Laser Scanning Data
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Lewis Paul , McCarthy Tim
Published: July 2017

Active contour models present a robust segmentation approach, which makes efficient use of specific information about objects in the input data rather than processing all of the data. They have been widely-used in many applications, including image segmentation, object boundary localisation, motion tracking, shape modelling, stereo matching and object reconstruction. In this paper, we investigate the potential of active contour models in extracting road edges from Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) data. The categorisation of active contours based on their mathematical representation and implementation is discussed in detail. We discuss an integrated version in which active contour models are combined to overcome their limitations. We review various active contour-based methodologies, which have been developed to extract road features from LiDAR and digital imaging datasets. We present a case study in which an integrated version of active contour models is applied to extract road edges from MLS dataset. An accurate extraction of left and right edges from the tested road section validates the use of active contour models. The present study provides valuable insight into the potential of active contours for extracting roads from 3D LiDAR point cloud data.
Improved Parameter Estimation of the Line-Based Transformation Model for Remote Sensing Image Registration
Authors: Shaker Ahmed , Easa Said , Yan Wai
Published: July 2017

The line-based transformation model (LBTM), built upon the use of affine transformation, was previously proposed for image registration and image rectification. The original LBTM first utilizes the control line features to estimate six rotation and scale parameters and subsequently uses the control point(s) to retrieve the remaining two translation parameters. Such a mechanism may accumulate the error of the six rotation and scale parameters toward the two translation parameters. In this study, we propose the incorporation of a direct method to estimate all eight transformation parameters of LBTM simultaneously using least-squares adjustment. The improved LBTM method was compared with the original LBTM through using one synthetic dataset and three experimental datasets for satellite image 2D registration and 3D rectification. The experimental results demonstrated that the improved LBTM converges to a steady solution with two to three ground control points (GCPs) and five ground control lines (GCLs), whereas the original LBTM requires at least 10 GCLs to yield a stable solution.
Effect of Structural Heterogeneity of 17Mn1Si Steel on the Temperature Dependence of Impact Deformation and Fracture
Authors: Moiseenko Dmitry , Maruschak Pavlo , Panin Sergey , Maksimov Pavel , Vlasov Ilya , Berto Filippo , Schmauder Siegfried , Vinogradov Alexey
Published: July 2017

The paper deals with a theoretical and experimental study of the relationship between the microstructural parameters, mechanical properties, and impact deformation and fracture of steels using the example of 17Mn1Si pipe steel. A model for the behavior of a polycrystalline grain conglomerate under impact loading at different temperatures was proposed within a cellular automata framework. It was shown that the intensity of dissipation processes explicitly depends on temperature and these processes play an important role in stress relaxation at the boundaries of structural elements. The Experimental study reveals the relationship between pendulum impact test temperature and the deformation/fracture energy of the steel. The impact toughness was shown to decrease almost linearly with the decreasing test temperature, which agrees with the fractographic analysis data confirming the increase in the fraction of brittle fracture in this case. It was shown with the aid of the proposed model and numerical simulations that the use of the excitable cellular automata method and an explicit account of test temperature through the possibility of energy release at internal interfaces help to explain the experimentally observed features of impact failure at different temperatures.
Sustainable Reuse of Mine Tailings and Waste Rock as Water-Balance Covers
Authors: Gorakhki Mohammad , Bareither Christopher
Published: July 2017

The focus of this study was to evaluate the potential reuse of mixed mine tailings and waste rock in water-balance covers (WBCs). Reuse of mine waste in geoengineering applications can provide an economic advantage via offsetting raw material requirements and reducing waste volumes to manage. Water-balance covers are designed to minimize percolation and/or oxygen ingress into underlying waste via moisture retention while also providing resistance against slope failure and erosion of cover materials. Water-balance simulations were conducted using a variably-saturated one-dimensional numerical model to assess hydrologic behavior of an actual WBC as well as hypothetical mixed mine waste WBCs. The actual water balance cover included a 1.22-m-thick silty-sand storage layer and a 0.15-m-thick topsoil layer. Three scenarios were evaluated via hydrologic modeling that focused on replacing the actual storage layer with a layer of mine waste: (1) storage layers were simulated as 1.22-m-thick layers of pure mine tailings (i.e., copper, gold, coal, and oil sand tailings); (2) storage layers were simulated as 1.22-m-thick layers of mixed mine tailings and waste rock; and (3) mixed mine tailings and waste rock storage layer thicknesses were redesigned to yield comparable percolation rates as the actual cover.
A Novel and Practical Chromatographic “Fingerprint-ROC-SVM” Strategy Applied to Quality Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Injections: Using KuDieZi Injection as a Case Study
Authors: Yang Bin , Wang Yuan , Shan Lanlan , Zou Jingtao , Wu Yuanyuan , Yang Feifan , Zhang Yani , Li Yubo , Zhang Yanjun
Published: July 2017

Fingerprinting is widely and commonly used in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injections. However, current studies informed that the fingerprint similarity evaluation was less sensitive and easily generated false positive results. For this reason, a novel and practical chromatographic “Fingerprint-ROC-SVM” strategy was established by using KuDieZi (KDZ) injection as a case study in the present article. Firstly, the chromatographic fingerprints of KDZ injection were obtained by UPLC and the common characteristic peaks were identified with UPLC/Q-TOF-MS under the same chromatographic conditions. Then, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to optimize common characteristic peaks by the AUCs value greater than 0.7. Finally, a support vector machine (SVM) model, with the accuracy of 97.06%, was established by the optimized characteristic peaks and applied to monitor the quality of KDZ injection. As a result, the established model could sensitively and accurately distinguish the qualified products (QPs) with the unqualified products (UPs), high-temperature processed samples (HTPs) and high-illumination processed samples (HIPs) of KDZ injection, and the prediction accuracy was 100.00%, 93.75% and 100.00%, respectively. Furthermore, through the comparison with other chemometrics methods, the superiority of the novel analytical strategy was more prominent. It indicated that the novel and practical chromatographic “Fingerprint-ROC-SVM” strategy could be further applied to facilitate the development of the quality analysis of TCM injections.
Role of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in the Regulation of Structural Plasticity and Cognitive Function
Authors: Leung Crystal , Wong Yung
Published: July 2017

Cognition and other higher brain functions are known to be intricately associated with the capacity of neural circuits to undergo structural reorganization. Structural remodelling of neural circuits, or structural plasticity, in the hippocampus plays a major role in learning and memory. Dynamic modifications of neuronal connectivity in the form of dendritic spine morphology alteration, as well as synapse formation and elimination, often result in the strengthening or weakening of specific neural circuits that determine synaptic plasticity. Changes in dendritic complexity and synapse number are mediated by cellular processes that are regulated by extracellular signals such as neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. As many neurotransmitters act on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), it has become increasingly apparent that GPCRs can regulate structural plasticity through a myriad of G protein-dependent pathways and non-canonical signals. A thorough understanding of how GPCRs exert their regulatory influence on dendritic spine morphogenesis may provide new insights for treating cognitive impairment and decline in various age-related diseases. In this article, we review the evidence of GPCR-mediated regulation of structural plasticity, with a special emphasis on the involvement of common as well as distinct signalling pathways that are regulated by major neurotransmitters.
A Simple and Highly Sensitive Thymine Sensor for Mercury Ion Detection Based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and the Mechanism Study
Authors: Yang Hao , Ye Sui-Bo , Fu Yu , Zhang Weihong , Xie Fangyan , Gong Li , Fang Ping-Ping , Chen Jian , Tong Yexiang
Published: July 2017

Mercury ion (Hg2+) is recognized as one of the most toxic metal ions for the environment and for human health. Techniques utilized in the detection of Hg2+ are an important factor. Herein, a simple thymine was successfully employed as the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensor for Hg2+ ion detection. The limit of detection (LOD) of the developed sensor is better than 0.1 nM (0.02 ppb). This sensor can also selectively distinguish Hg2+ ions over 7 types of alkali, heavy metal and transition-metal ions. Moreover, the LOD of the sensor can even achieve 1 ppb in practical application in the nature system, which is half the maximum allowable level (10 nM, 2 ppb) stipulated in the US Environmental Protection Agency standard. Further investigation of the thymine-Hg2+-thymine coordination mechanism provides a possible means of detecting other metal ions by replacing the metal ion-specific ligands. This work paves the way for the detection of toxic metal ions and environmental problems.
Salt Reductions in Some Foods in The Netherlands: Monitoring of Food Composition and Salt Intake
Authors: Temme Elisabeth , Hendriksen Marieke , Milder Ivon , Toxopeus Ido , Westenbrink Susanne , Brants Henny , Van der A Daphne
Published: July 2017

Background and objectives. High salt intake increases blood pressure and thereby the risk of chronic diseases. Food reformulation (or food product improvement) may lower the dietary intake of salt. This study describes the changes in salt contents of foods in the Dutch market over a five-year period (2011–2016) and differences in estimated salt intake over a 10-year period (2006–2015). Methods. To assess the salt contents of foods; we obtained recent data from chemical analyses and from food labels. Salt content of these foods in 2016 was compared to salt contents in the 2011 version Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO, version 2011), and statistically tested with General Linear Models. To estimate the daily dietary salt intake in 2006, 2010, and 2015, men and women aged 19 to 70 years were recruited through random population sampling in Doetinchem, a small town located in a rural area in the eastern part of the Netherlands. The characteristics of the study population were in 2006: n = 317, mean age 49 years, 43% men, in 2010: n = 342, mean age 46 years, 45% men, and in 2015: n = 289, mean age 46 years, 47% men. Sodium and potassium excretion was measured in a single 24-h urine sample. All estimates were converted to a common metric: salt intake in grams per day by multiplication of sodium with a factor of 2.54. Results. In 2016 compared to 2011, the salt content in certain types of bread was on average 19 percent lower and certain types of sauce, soup, canned vegetables and legumes, and crisps had a 12 to 26 percent lower salt content. Salt content in other types of foods had not changed significantly. Between 2006, 2010 and 2015 the estimated salt intake among adults in Doetinchem remained unchanged. In 2015, the median estimated salt intake was 9.7 g per day for men and 7.4 g per day for women. As in 2006 and 2010, the estimated salt intake in 2015 exceeded the recommended maximum intake of 6 g per day set by the Dutch Health Council. Conclusion. In the Netherlands, the salt content of bread, certain sauces, soups, potato crisps, and processed legumes and vegetables have been reduced over the period 2011–2016. However, median salt intake in 2006 and 2015 remained well above the recommended intake of 6 g.
Platycodon grandiflorus Root Extract Improves Learning and Memory by Enhancing Synaptogenesis in Mice Hippocampus
Authors: Kim Jin-il , Jeon Seong , Kim Kyoung , Kim Jwa-Jin , Song Eun , Jeon Yukyoung , Kim Eunbin , Lee Kyung , Kwak Jong , Moon Minho
Published: July 2017

Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. (PG) has long been used as an ingredient of foods and is known to have beneficial effects on cognitive functions as well. The present study examined the effect of each PG extract (PGE) from root, aerial part, and seeds on cognitive functions in mice. Changes in spatial learning and memory using a Y-maze test, and markers of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptogenesis were examined. Moreover, changes in neuritogenesis and activation of the ERK1/2 pathway were investigated. Results indicated that mice administered PGE (root) showed increased spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test and synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. In addition, PGE (root) and platycodin D, the major bioactive compound from the PG root, significantly stimulated neuritic outgrowth by phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in vitro. These results indicate that the PGE (root), containing platycodin D, enhances cognitive function through synaptogenesis via activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Application of Sentinel 2 MSI Images to Retrieve Suspended Particulate Matter Concentrations in Poyang Lake
Authors: Liu Huizeng , Li Qingquan , Shi Tiezhu , Hu Shuibo , Wu Guofeng , Zhou Qiming
Published: July 2017

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is one of the dominant water constituents in inland and coastal waters, and SPM concnetration (CSPM) is a key parameter describing water quality. This study, using in-situ spectral and CSPM measurements as well as Sentinel 2 Multispectral Imager (MSI) images, aimed to develop CSPM retrieval models and further to estimate the CSPM values of Poyang Lake, China. Sixty-eight in-situ hyperspectral measurements and relative spectral response function were applied to simulate Sentinel 2 MIS spectra. Thirty-four samples were used to calibrate and the left samples were used to validate CSPM retrieval models, respectively. The developed models were then applied to two Sentinel 2 MSI images captured in wet and dry seasons, and the derived CSPM values were compared with those derived from MODIS B1 (λ = 645 nm). Results showed that the Sentinel 2 MSI B4–B8b models achieved acceptable to high fitting accuracies, which explained 81–93% of the variation of CSPM. The validation results also showed the reliability of these six models, and the estimated CSPM explained 77–93% of the variation of measured CSPM with the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) ranging from 36.87% to 21.54%. Among those, a model based on B7 (λ = 783 nm) appeared to be the most accurate one. The Sentinel 2 MSI-derived CSPM values were generally consistent in spatial distribution and magnitude with those derived from MODIS. The CSPM derived from Sentinel 2 MSI B7 showed the highest consistency with MODIS on 15 August 2016, while the Sentinel 2 MSI B4 (λ = 665 nm) produced the highest consistency with MODIS on 2 April 2017. Overall, this study demonstrated the applicability of Sentinel 2 MSI for CSPM retrieval in Poyang Lake, and the Sentinel 2 MSI B4 and B7 are recommended for low and high loadings of SPM, respectively.
Coastal Waveform Retracking for Jason-2 Altimeter Data Based on Along-Track Echograms around the Tsushima Islands in Japan
Authors: Wang Xifeng , Ichikawa Kaoru
Published: July 2017

Although the Brown mathematical model is the standard model for waveform retracking over open oceans, due to heterogeneous surface reflections within altimeter footprints, coastal waveforms usually deviate from open ocean waveform shapes and thus cannot be directly interpreted by the Brown model. Generally, the two primary sources of heterogeneous surface reflections are land surfaces and bright targets such as calm surface water. The former reduces echo power, while the latter often produces particularly strong echoes. In previous studies, sub-waveform retrackers, which use waveform samples collected from around leading edges in order to avoid trailing edge noise, have been recommended for coastal waveform retracking. In the present study, the peaky-type noise caused by fixed-point bright targets is explicitly detected and masked using the parabolic signature in the sequential along-track waveforms (or, azimuth-range echograms). Moreover, the power deficit of waveform trailing edges caused by weak land reflections is compensated for by estimating the ratio of sea surface area within each annular footprint in order to produce pseudo-homogeneous reflected waveforms suitable for the Brown model. Using this method, altimeter waveforms measured over the Tsushima Islands in Japan by the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2 satellite are retracked. Our results show that both the correlation coefficient and root mean square difference between the derived sea surface height anomalies and tide gauge records retain similar values at the open ocean (0.9 and 20 cm) level, even in areas approaching 3 km from coastlines, which is considerably improved from the 10 km correlation coefficient limit of the conventional MLE4 retracker and the 7 km sub-waveform ALES retracker limit. These values, however, depend on the topography of the study areas because the approach distance limit increases (decreases) in areas with complicated (straight) coastlines.
The Role of Heart-Rate Variability Parameters in Activity Recognition and Energy-Expenditure Estimation Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Park Heesu , Dong Suh-Yeon , Lee Miran , Youn Inchan
Published: July 2017

Human-activity recognition (HAR) and energy-expenditure (EE) estimation are major functions in the mobile healthcare system. Both functions have been investigated for a long time; however, several challenges remain unsolved, such as the confusion between activities and the recognition of energy-consuming activities involving little or no movement. To solve these problems, we propose a novel approach using an accelerometer and electrocardiogram (ECG). First, we collected a database of six activities (sitting, standing, walking, ascending, resting and running) of 13 voluntary participants. We compared the HAR performances of three models with respect to the input data type (with none, all, or some of the heart-rate variability (HRV) parameters). The best recognition performance was 96.35%, which was obtained with some selected HRV parameters. EE was also estimated for different choices of the input data type (with or without HRV parameters) and the model type (single and activity-specific). The best estimation performance was found in the case of the activity-specific model with HRV parameters. Our findings indicate that the use of human physiological data, obtained by wearable sensors, has a significant impact on both HAR and EE estimation, which are crucial functions in the mobile healthcare system.
Ancient Irrigation Canals Mapped from Corona Imageries and Their Implications in Juyan Oasis along the Silk Road
Authors: Hu Ningke , Li Xin , Luo Lei , Zhang Liwei
Published: July 2017

Historical records and archaeological discoveries have shown that prosperous agricultural activities developed in the ancient Juyan Oasis of northwestern China, an important oasis that once flourished on the ancient Silk Road. However, how the irrigation canals were distributed in historical time was unknown. Here, we identified and mapped the spatial distribution of ancient abandoned irrigation canals that were built using CORONA photographs and field inspections. This work found that ancient irrigation canals are large-scale and distributed throughout the desertified environment, with three hierarchical organization of first-, second-, and third-order irrigation canals (the total length of the first- and second-order-irrigation canals is dramatically more than 392 km). This study further indicates that ancient irrigation methods and modern irrigation systems in arid regions of China share the same basic irrigation design. New visual and fine-scale evidence and spatial distribution of irrigation canals are provided to illustrate the development of the ancient irrigated agriculture that occurred in the Juyan Oasis. This work is useful for readers who are interested in the construction and organization approaches of irrigation canals used in ancient irrigated agriculture in arid regions. It also has implications for how ancient people balance the relationships between human needs and the eco-environment using reasonable water management methods, especially for decision-making in the efficient usage of limited water resources in the arid inland river basin.
Time-Spatial Convergence of Air Pollution and Regional Economic Growth in China
Authors: Pu Zhengning
Published: July 2017

The haze pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) emissions has become one of the most crucial topics of sustainable environmental governance in China. Using the average concentration of PM 2.5 in China’s key cities from 2000 to 2012, as measured by aerosol optical depth, this study tested the time-spatial convergence of fine particulate matter pollution in China. The results show that there is a trend of absolute convergence between timespan and China’s PM 2.5 emissions. At the same time, in the geographic areas divided by the east, middle and west zones, there is a significant difference in the convergence rate of PM 2.5. The growth rate of PM 2.5 in the middle and west zones is significantly higher than that of the east zone. The correlation test between regional economic growth and PM 2.5 emissions suggest a significant positive N-type Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) after considering spatial lag and spatial error effect.
Parameter Estimation of the Farquhar—von Caemmerer—Berry Biochemical Model from Photosynthetic Carbon Dioxide Response Curves
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Chun Jong , Fleisher David , Reddy Vangimalla , Timlin Dennis , Resop Jonathan
Published: July 2017

The Farquhar—von Caemmerer—Berry (FvCB) biochemical model of photosynthesis, commonly used to estimate CO2 assimilation at various spatial scales from leaf to global, has been used to assess the impacts of climate change on crop and ecosystem productivities. However, it is widely known that the parameters in the FvCB model are difficult to accurately estimate. The objective of this study was to assess the methods of Sharkey et al. and Gu et al., which are often used to estimate the parameters of the FvCB model. We generated An/Ci datasets with different data accuracies, numbers of data points, and data point distributions. The results showed that neither method accurately estimated the parameters; however, Gu et al.’s approach provided slightly better estimates. Using Gu et al.’s approach and datasets with measurement errors and the same accuracy as a typical open gas exchange system (i.e., Li-6400), the majority of the estimated parameters—Vcmax (maximal Rubisco carboxylation rate), Kco (effective Michaelis-Menten coefficient for CO2), gm (internal (mesophyll) conductance to CO2 transport) and Γ* (chloroplastic CO2 photocompensation point)—were underestimated, while the majority of Rd (day respiration) and α (the non-returned fraction of the glycolate carbon recycled in the photorespiratory cycle) were overestimated. The distributions of Tp (the rate of triose phosphate export from the chloroplast) were evenly dispersed around the 1:1 line using both approaches. This study revealed that a high accuracy of leaf gas exchange measurements and sufficient data points are required to correctly estimate the parameters for the biochemical model. The accurate estimation of these parameters can contribute to the enhancement of food security under climate change through accurate predictions of crop and ecosystem productivities. A further study is recommended to address the question of how the measurement accuracies can be improved.
Investigating Citizen Behavior Intention on Mandatory and Voluntary Pro-Environmental Programs through a Pro-Environmental Planned Behavior Model
Authors: Lin Shu-Chiang , Nadlifatin Reny , Amna Anis , Persada Satria , Razif Mohammad
Published: July 2017

The present study was aimed at measuring citizens’ behavior intention (BI) regarding mandatory and voluntary pro-environmental programs. Two pro-environmental activities, which consist of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) as a mandatory program and ecolabel products as a voluntary program, were predicted by a pro-environmental planned behavior (PEPB) model. A total of 240 questionnaire data on the EIA subject and 213 questionnaire data on the ecolabel subject were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The analysis results show that the PEPB model is able to describe 60% of BI regarding the EIA subject and 77% of citizen BI regarding the ecolabel product subject. Attitude (AT) was revealed to be the lowest direct influence factor of citizen BI regarding the EIA participation result. For the ecolabel products, AT was explored as the strongest factor. Practical suggestions described in this research can be used as a consideration for company management as well as for policy makers to formulate their efforts to improve citizen BI in order to support voluntary and mandatory pro-environmental programs.
An Explanatory Model Approach for the Spatial Distribution of Free-Floating Carsharing Bookings: A Case-Study of German Cities
Authors: Müller Johannes , Correia Gonçalo , Bogenberger Klaus
Published: July 2017

When the first free-floating carsharing operators launched their business, they did not know if it would be profitable. They often started in highly populated cities without performing extensive target group analysis, and were less concerned about fleet management. Usually, there are two main datasets that can be used to find areas that would have a high demand for free-floating carsharing: booking data, for measuring the actual demand; and land use and census data for describing the activities performed in different areas in a city. In this paper, we aim to use this information to help predict the demand of free-floating carsharing systems. We use booking data provided by DriveNow for Berlin in 2014 and contextual information about the type of activity each neighborhood has. Using Berlin as a case study, we apply a negative binomial statistical model to explain the number of bookings. From the results, we conclude that free-floating carsharing is predominantly successful in areas with more affluent citizens who are open to trying new and sustainable technologies. Other important determinants that result in a high number of carsharing bookings are the area’s centrality and parking lot availability. The statistical model for Berlin was then transferred to Munich and Cologne, two other cities in Germany with similar population sizes. A comparison between the estimated demand categories and actual bookings shows satisfying results, but also non-negligible local conditions influencing the spatial demand for bookings.
Determining the Reliability of Several Consumer-Based Physical Activity Monitors
Authors: Bock Joshua , Kaminsky Leonard , Harber Matthew , Montoye Alexander
Published: July 2017

Limited research exists on the reliability of consumer-based physical activity monitors (CPAMs) despite numerous studies on their validity. Consumers often purchase CPAMs to assess their physical activity (PA) habits over time, emphasizing CPAM reliability more so than their validity; therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of several CPAMs. In this study, 30 participants wore a pair of four CPAM models (Fitbit One, Zip, Flex, and Jawbone Up24) for a total of eight monitors, while completing seven activities in the laboratory. Activities were completed in two consecutive five-minute bouts. Participants then wore either all wrist- or hip-mounted CPAMs in a free-living setting for the remainder of the day. Intra-monitor reliability for steps (0.88–0.99) was higher than kcals (0.77–0.94), and was higher for hip-worn CPAMs than for wrist-worn CPAMs (p < 0.001 for both). Inter-monitor reliability in the laboratory for steps (0.81–0.99) was higher than kcals (0.64–0.91) and higher for hip-worn CPAMs than for wrist-worn CPAMs (p < 0.001 for both). Free-living correlations were 0.61–0.98, 0.35–0.96, and 0.97–0.98 for steps, kcals, and active minutes, respectively. These findings illustrate that all CPAMs assessed yield reliable estimations of PA. Additionally, all CPAMs tested can provide reliable estimations of physical activity within the laboratory but appear less reliable in a free-living setting.
Entropy Budget for Hawking Evaporation
Authors: Alonso-Serrano Ana , Visser Matt
Published: July 2017

Blackbody radiation, emitted from a furnace and described by a Planck spectrum, contains (on average) an entropy of 3 . 9 ± 2 . 5 bits per photon. Since normal physical burning is a unitary process, this amount of entropy is compensated by the same amount of “hidden information” in correlations between the photons. The importance of this result lies in the posterior extension of this argument to the Hawking radiation from black holes, demonstrating that the assumption of unitarity leads to a perfectly reasonable entropy/information budget for the evaporation process. In order to carry out this calculation, we adopt a variant of the “average subsystem” approach, but consider a tripartite pure system that includes the influence of the rest of the universe, and which allows “young” black holes to still have a non-zero entropy; which we identify with the standard Bekenstein entropy.
Urban Nature: Perception and Acceptance of Alternative Green Space Management and the Change of Awareness after Provision of Environmental Information. A Chance for Biodiversity Protection
Authors: Unterweger Philipp , Schrode Nicolas , Betz Oliver
Published: July 2017

Measurable ecological data, e.g., species diversity, provide inadequate information for achieving the comprehensive protection of biodiversity, because human acceptance attitudes can be important factors in undermining nature protection schemes. We have analysed an ecologically driven urban management system presented to urban habitants. A photograph-based survey answered by 424 participants was used to evaluate their impressions of natural meadows. The positive effect of provided information tables was demonstrated by pre- and post-test designs. Attitudes towards urban nature protection showed a statistical preference for green-area management systems optimising insect protection compared with more regularly mowed meadows and lawns. Thus, the perceptions of people should be considered in processes of biodiversity protection. Our results correlate with personal attitude and education, support the aims of extensive green-space management and should encourage urban planners to integrate biodiversity protection zones into urban planning.
Linkage of Climatic Factors and Human Activities with Water Level Fluctuations in Qinghai Lake in the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Chang Bo , He Kang-Ning , Li Run-Jie , Sheng Zhu-Ping , Wang Hui
Published: July 2017

Changes in the water level of Qinghai Lake, the largest inland lake in China, directly affect the ecological security of Qinghai province and even the northwest of China. This study aimed to investigate the lake level and identify causes of changes in the lake level of Qinghai Lake. The results showed that the lake level was 3196.55 m in 1959 and gradually declined to 3192.86 m in 2004, with an average decreasing rate of 8.2 cm·year−1 over 45 years. However, the lake level increased continuously by 1.04 m from 2005 to 2010. During the period 1961–2010, the annual average temperature showed an increasing trend in the Qinghai Lake basin, at a rate of 0.32 °C/decade, and the annual precipitation showed obvious fluctuations with an average precipitation of 381.70 mm/year. Annual evaporation showed a decreasing trend (−30.80 mm/decade). The change in lake level was positively correlated to precipitation, surface runoff water and groundwater inflow into the lake and negatively correlated to evaporation from the lake surface. The total water consumption by human activities merely accounted for a very small part of precipitation, surface runoff inflow and groundwater inflow (1.97%) and of lake evaporation (1.87%) in Qinghai Lake basin. The annual water consumption of artificial afforestation and grass plantation accounting for 5.07% of total precipitation, surface runoff inflow and groundwater inflow and 5.43% of the lake evaporation. Therefore, the water level depended more on climatic factors than on anthropogenic factors.
AveDissR: An R function for assessing genetic distinctness and genetic redundancy
Authors: Yang Mo‐Hua , Fu Yong‐Bi
Published: July 2017

Premise of the study:

Assessing genetic distinctness or redundancy is an important part of plant germplasm characterization. We previously introduced a new marker‐based approach using the average dissimilarity of an accession to assess genetic distinctness or redundancy. However, this approach has not been widely applied, largely due to the lack of software to integrate separate analyses involving dissimilarity calculation, analysis of molecular variance, and principal coordinates analysis.

Methods and Results:

An R function, AveDissR, was developed to integrate three separate analyses into one package for assessing genetic distinctness or redundancy. It can analyze large data sets of dominant or codominant markers such as amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), or single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), generate a useful set of output files for germplasm assessment, and run in an R environment on any computer platform.

Conclusions:

AveDissR can make the assessment of genetic distinctness or redundancy in plant germplasm more feasible and useful.
A biofunctionalizable ink platform composed of catechol-modified chitosan and reduced graphene oxide/platinum nanocomposite
Authors: Sobolewski Peter , Goszczyńska Agata , Aleksandrzak Małgorzata , Urbaś Karolina , Derkowska Joanna , Bartoszewska Agnieszka , Podolski Jacek , Mijowska Ewa , El Fray Mirosława
Published: July 2017

We present an ink platform for a printable polymer–graphene nanocomposite that is intended for the development of modular biosensors. The ink consists of catechol-modified chitosan and reduced graphene oxide decorated with platinum nanoparticles (rGO–Pt). We modified the chitosan with catechol groups, in order to obtain adhesive properties and improve solubility. Dispersions of rGO–Pt in ethylene glycol were admixed with an aqueous solution of modified chitosan to yield an ink that is suitable for non-contact piezoelectric printing using a commercial microplotter (Sonoplot GIX Microplotter Desktop). As a proof of concept, printed patterns were biofunctionalized with DNA oligonucleotide probes for Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococcus) using glutaraldehyde as a linker. Confocal microscopy revealed the successful hybridization of complementary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products and low non-specific binding. Our results demonstrate that catechol-modified chitosan/rGO–Pt nanocomposites can be used as inks for piezoelectric printing and facilitate the attachment of biorecognition elements for biosensor applications.
1-Imidoalkylphosphonium salts with modulated Cα–P+ bond strength: synthesis and application as new active α-imidoalkylating agents
Authors: Adamek Jakub , Mazurkiewicz Roman , Węgrzyk Anna , Erfurt Karol
Published: July 2017

An effective synthesis of the hitherto unknown 1-imidoalkylphosphonium salts has been developed in the reported study. The crucial step in the method included the decarboxylative α-methoxylation of N-phthaloyl- or N-succinylamino acids to the corresponding N-(1-methoxyalkyl)imides, followed by the displacement of the methoxy group by the triarylphosphonium group through melting of the imide derivative with triarylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate. The imidoalkylating properties of the obtained 1-imidoalkylphosphonium salts were tested using the Tscherniac–Einhorn-type reaction with aromatic hydrocarbons as a model reaction. It was found that the Cα–P+ bond strength can be considerably reduced and the imidoalkylation of arenes can be markedly facilitated using 1-imidoalkylphosphonium salts derived from triarylphosphines with electron-withdrawing substituents such as tris(m-chorophenyl)phosphine, tris(p-chlorophenyl)phosphine and tris[p-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphine. Microwave irradiation also considerably facilitates the cleavage of the highly polar Cα–P+ bond.
A Comparison of HDFS Compact Data Formats: Avro Versus Parquet
Authors: Plase Daiga , Niedrite Laila , Taranovs Romans
Published: July 2017

In this paper, file formats like Avro and Parquet are compared with text formats to evaluate the performance of the data queries. Different data query patterns have been evaluated. Cloudera’s open-source Apache Hadoop distribution CDH 5.4 has been chosen for the experiments presented in this article. The results show that compact data formats (Avro and Parquet) take up less storage space when compared with plain text data formats because of binary data format and compression advantage. Furthermore, data queries from the column based data format Parquet are faster when compared with text data formats and Avro.
Trolley Motion Control Based on S-shaped Velocity Profile for Quay Crane Cargo Oscillation Comparison
Authors: Eglynas Tomas , Bogdevičius Marijonas , Andziulis Arūnas , Jusis Mindaugas
Published: July 2017

Quay cranes are used to move containers from ship to store in minimum time so that the load reaches its destination without payload oscillation. During the operations, containers are suspended by cables and it’s free to swing by motion. This paper investigates the two different velocity profiling techniques used for quay crane control and cargo stabilization. A laboratory scaled model of a crane is used to experimentally research, where the trolley acceleration is used as input, for suppressing the container sway. The residual cargo oscillation problems using different velocity profiles are discussed.
Angular Momentum Evolution of Young Stars in the nearby Scorpius–Centaurus OB Association
Authors: Mellon Samuel N. , Mamajek Eric E. , Oberst Thomas E. , Pecaut Mark J.
Published: July 2017

We report the results of a study of archival SuperWASP light curves for stars in Scorpius–Centaurus (Sco–Cen), the nearest OB association. We use SuperWASP time-series photometry to extract rotation periods for 189 candidate members of the Sco–Cen complex and verify that 162 of those are members of the classic Sco–Cen subgroups of Upper Scorpius (US), Upper Centaurus-Lupus (UCL), and Lower Centaurus-Crux (LCC). This study provides the first measurements of rotation periods explicitly for large samples of pre-main-sequence (pre-MS) stars spanning the UCL and LCC subgroups. Our final sample of 157 well-characterized pre-MS stars spans ages of ∼10–20 Myr, spectral types of ∼F3–M0, and masses of M ≃ 0.3–1.5



⊙

N

. For this sample, we find a distribution of stellar rotation periods with a median of P
rot ≃ 2.4 days, an overall range of 0.2 < P
rot < 8 days, and a fairly well-defined mass-dependent upper envelope of rotation periods. This distribution of periods is consistent with recently developed stellar angular momentum evolution models. These data are significant because they represent an undersampled age range and the number of measurable rotation periods is large compared to recent studies of other regions. We also search for new examples of eclipsing disk or ring systems analogous to 1SWASP J140747.93-394542.6 (J1407), but find none. Our survey yielded five eclipsing binaries, but only one appears to be physically associated with the Sco–Cen complex. V2394 Oph is a heavily reddened (A

V
≃ 5 mag) massive contact binary in the LDN 1689 cloud whose Gaia astrometry is clearly consistent with kinematic membership with the Ophiuchus star-forming region.
CHEERS Results from NGC 3393. II. Investigating the Extended Narrow-line Region Using Deep Chandra Observations and Hubble Space Telescope Narrow-line Imaging
Authors: Maksym W. Peter , Fabbiano Giuseppina , Elvis Martin , Karovska Margarita , Paggi Alessandro , Raymond John , Wang Junfeng , Storchi-Bergmann Thaisa
Published: July 2017

The CHandra Extended Emission Line Region Survey (CHEERS) is an X-ray study of nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs) designed to take full advantage of Chandra's unique angular resolution by spatially resolving feedback signatures and effects. In the second paper of a series on CHEERS target NGC 3393, we examine deep high-resolution Chandra images and compare them with Hubble Space Telescope narrow-line images of [O iii], [S ii], and Hα, as well as previously unpublished mid-ultraviolet (MUV) images. The X-rays provide unprecedented evidence that the S-shaped arms that envelope the nuclear radio outflows extend only ≲0.″2 (≲50 pc) across. The high-resolution multiwavelength data suggest that the extended narrow-line region is a complex multiphase structure in the circumnuclear interstellar medium (ISM). Its ionization structure is highly stratified with respect to outflow-driven bubbles in the bicone and varies dramatically on scales of ∼10 pc. Multiple findings show likely contributions from shocks to the feedback in regions where radio outflows from the AGN most directly influence the ISM. These findings include Hα evidence for gas compression and extended MUV emission and are in agreement with existing STIS kinematics. Extended filamentary structure in the X-rays and optical suggests the presence of an undetected plasma component, whose existence could be tested with deeper radio observations.
JVLA Observations of IC 342: Probing Star Formation in the Nucleus
Authors: Balser Dana S. , Wenger Trey V. , Goss W. M. , Johnson K. E. , Kepley Amanda A.
Published: July 2017

IC 342 is a nearby, late-type spiral galaxy with a young nuclear star cluster surrounded by several giant molecular clouds. The IC 342 nuclear region is similar to the Milky Way and therefore provides an interesting comparison. We explore star formation in the nucleus using radio recombination line (RRL) and continuum emission at 5, 6.7, 33, and 35 GHz with the JVLA. These radio tracers are largely unaffected by dust and therefore sensitive to all of the thermal emission from the ionized gas produced by early-type stars. We resolve two components in the RRL and continuum emission within the nuclear region that lie east and west of the central star cluster. These components are associated both spatially and kinematically with two giant molecular clouds. We model these regions in two ways: a simple model consisting of uniform gas radiating in spontaneous emission, or as a collection of many compact H ii regions in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium. The multiple H ii region model provides a better fit to the data and predicts many dense (

), compact (

pc) H ii regions. For the whole nuclear region as defined by RRL emission, we estimate a hydrogen-ionizing rate of

, corresponding to the equivalent of ∼2000 O6 stars and a star formation rate of ∼0.15 M
⊙ yr−1. We detect radio continuum emission west of the southern mini molecular spiral arm, consistent with trailing spiral arms.
Periodic Accretion-powered Flares from Colliding EMRIs as TDE Imposters
Authors: Metzger Brian D. , Stone Nicholas C.
Published: July 2017

When a main-sequence star undergoes Roche lobe overflow onto a supermassive black hole (SMBH) in a circular extreme mass ratio inspiral (EMRI), a phase of steady mass transfer ensues. Over millions of years, the binary evolves to a period minimum before reversing course and migrating outward as a brown dwarf. Because the time interval between consecutive EMRIs is comparable to the mass-transfer timescale, the semimajor axes of two consecutive mass-transferring EMRIs will cross on a radial scale of less than a few au. We show that such EMRI crossing events are inevitably accompanied by a series of mildly relativistic, grazing physical collisions between the stars. Each collision strips a small quantity of mass, primarily from the more massive star, which generally increases their radial separation to set up the next collision after a delay of decades to centuries (or longer) set by further gravitational radiation. Depending on the mass of the SMBH, this interaction can result in

gas production events of mass

, thus powering a quasi-periodic sequence of SMBH accretion-powered flares over a total duration of thousands of years or longer. Although the EMRI rate is 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the rate of tidal disruption events (TDEs), the ability of a single interacting EMRI pair to produce a large number of luminous flares—and to make more judicious use of the available stellar fuel—could make their observed rate competitive with the TDE rate, enabling them to masquerade as “TDE imposters.” Gas produced by EMRI collisions is easier to circularize than the highly eccentric debris streams produced in TDEs. We predict flares with bolometric luminosities that decay both as power laws shallower than

and as decaying exponentials in time. Viscous spreading of the gaseous disks produced by the accumulation of previous mass-stripping events will place a substantial mass of gas on radial scales

at the time of a given flare, providing a possible explanation for the “reprocessing blanket” required to explain the unexpectedly high optical luminosities of some candidate TDE flares.
Tests of Gravity Theories Using Supermassive Black Holes
Authors: Sakstein Jeremy , Jain Bhuvnesh , Heyl Jeremy S. , Hui Lam
Published: July 2017

Scalar-tensor theories of gravity generally violate the strong equivalence principle, namely that compact objects have a suppressed coupling to the scalar force, which causes them to fall slower. A black hole is the extreme example where such a coupling vanishes, i.e., black holes have no scalar hair. We explore observational scenarios for detecting strong equivalence principle violation, focusing on galileon gravity as an example. For galaxies infalling toward galaxy clusters, the supermassive black hole can be offset from the galaxy center away from the direction of the cluster. Well-resolved images of galaxies around nearby clusters can therefore be used to identify the displaced black hole via the star cluster bound to it. We show that this signal is accessible with imaging surveys, both ongoing ones such as the Dark Energy Survey and future ground- and space-based surveys. Already, the observation of the central black hole in M 87 places new constraints on the galileon parameters, which we present here.

matter couplings are disfavored for a large region of the parameter space. We also find a novel phenomenon whereby the black hole can escape the galaxy completely in less than one billion years.