GMES4Mining: GMES-based Geoservices for Mining to Support Prospection and Exploration and the Integrated Monitoring for Environmental Protection and Operational Security

The GMES4Mining R&D project started in summer 2011 with the purpose of supporting management in all phases of a mining cycle. In most states of the European Union, the mines are in phases of operation or reclamation, but in other countries there is an interest in prospecting and exploring new areas for mining. In order to support the implementation of legal responsibilities, GMES4Mining investigates the potential of innovative remote sensing technologies for mining monitoring, prospection and exploration. In an early phase of this GMES4Mining project, a detailed query on the users’ requirements on remote sensing was performed. Currently, spaceborne radar data and ground measurements are tested for an early detection of slope slides in operational mines, slope stability in dumps, surface ground movements and subsidence. Satellite- and air-borne optical remote sensors are meant to monitor changes in ground water depth, directly through the estimation of soil moisture or indirectly by mapping changes in vegetation, both in the exploitation and the reclamation phases. For the scope of the GMES4Mining project two study sites were selected in the northern part of the German Ruhrgebiet. An important scope of the project is to report the quality of data and methods. Moreover, the results of the research will be integrated in a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and disseminated via a web portal. This paper gives an introduction to the project and its different parts.     

Evolving priority scheduling heuristics with genetic programming

This paper investigates the use of genetic programming in automated synthesis of scheduling heuristics for an arbitrary performance measure. Genetic programming is used to evolve the priority function, which determines the priority values of certain system elements (jobs, machines). The priority function is used within an appropriate meta-algorithm for a given environment, which forms the priority scheduling heuristic. The evolved solutions are compared with existing scheduling heuristics and found to perform similarly to or better than existing algorithms. We intend to show that this approach is particularly useful for combinations of scheduling environments and performance measures for which no adequate scheduling algorithms exist.     

Authentication study of volatile flavour compounds composition in Slavonian traditional dry fermented salami “kulen”

Volatiles from famous Slavonian salami “kulen” were isolated by nitrogen purge and steam distillation (NPSD) and analysed, for the first time, by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC and GC–MS). In all, 119 organic compounds were identified that originated from lipid oxidation, amino acid degradation, smoke treatment and added spices with different distribution among NPSD traps. NPSD method enabled comprehensive profiling with almost exclusive distribution of several major compounds in particular trap with little or no interference from abundant lipid constituents in the samples. The major identified flavour important compounds were methylphenols, methoxyphenols, organosulphur compounds (diallyl sulphide, diallyl disulphide, methylallyl disulphide, diallyl trisulphide and methional) and several derivatives of 2-cyclopenten-1-one such as ethyl cyclotene. Non-important flavour constituents such as high-molecular fatty acids, alcohols and aldehydes were also present among abundant compounds. General trends for possible discrimination of “kulen” volatiles profile among other European salami volatiles were noticed (lower amount of terpenes and higher percentages of diallyl sulphide, methoxyphenols, methylphenols and 2-cyclopenten-1-one derivatives).     

KIT receptor-positive cells in the bovine corpus luteum are primarily theca-derived small luteal cells

The tyrosine kinase KIT receptor, the protooncogene CD117, plays a key role in growth and maturation of oocytes and follicles. Relevant data are sparse for the corpus luteum (CL). We first confirmed the presence of KIT mRNA and KIT protein in bovine CL homogenates. We then localized KIT-positive (KIT+) cells in CL sections by immunohistochemistry. At the CL stage of early development, the former theca transforming into capsule/septa showed a strong band-like KIT+ immunoresponse. In addition, CD45+ leukocytes in septa included subpopulations of CD45+/KIT+ and CD14+/KIT+ leukocytes as validated by double immunofluorescence localization. At the early secretory stage, KIT+ cells appeared within the septa/capsule region and in the periphery of the CL parenchyma, there forming a complex network. This was separate from the capillary bed as determined by double staining for CD117 and FVIII-related endothelial cell antigen (FVIIIr). The KIT+ network coincided with cells positive for cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase, a thecal cell-specific enzyme. The late secretory stage was defined by an advanced manifestation of the KIT+ network in the CL periphery. At the stage of regression, the KIT+ network was absent. The CL of pregnancy expressed high levels of KIT mRNA and KIT protein uniformly throughout pregnancy. The KIT+ immunolocalization revealed small fibroblast-like cells, luteal cells with granules, and clusters of large luteal cells with staining of the cell membrane. We conclude that a majority of KIT+ cells in the bovine CL are primarily theca-derived small luteal cells, and that a minority represent KIT+ leukocytes, in some cases KIT+ monocytes.     

Growth of pulsed electric field exposed Escherichia coli in relation to inactivation and environmental factors

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) have been proven to inactivate microorganisms during nonthermal conditions and have the potential to replace thermal processing as a method for food preservation. However, there is a need to understand the recovery and growth of survivors and potentially injured microorganisms following PEF processing. The purpose of this investigation was to study the growth of Escherichia coli at 10 degrees C following exposure to electrical field strengths (15, 22.5 and 30 kV/cm) in relation to inactivation and the amount of potentially sublethally injured cells. One medium was used as both a treatment medium and an incubation medium, to study the influence of environmental factors on the inactivation and the growth of the surviving population. The pH (5.0, 6.0 and 7.0) and water activity (1.00, 0.985 and 0.97) of the medium was varied by adding HCl and glycerol, respectively. Growth was followed continuously by measuring the optical density. The time-to-detection (td) and the maximum specific growth rate (micromax) were calculated from these data. Results showed that the PEF process did not cause any obvious sublethal injury to the E. coli cells. The number of survivors was a consequence of the combination of electrical field strength and environmental factors, with pH being the most prominent. Interestingly, the micromax of subsequent growth was influenced by the applied electrical field strength during the process, with an increased micromax at more intense electrical field strengths. In addition, the micromax was also influenced by the pH and water activity. The td, which could theoretically be considered as an increase in shelf life, was found to depend on a complex correlation between electrical field strength, pH and water activity. That could be explained by the fact that the td is a combination of the number of survivors, the recovery of sublethal injured cells and the growth rate of the survivors.     

Changes in chemical composition and antioxidative properties of rye ginger cakes during their shelf-life

Changes in chemical composition and antioxidative properties of rye ginger cakes during their shelf-life were investigated in this study. In particular, the changes in antioxidants content, antioxidative and reducing capacity, and Maillard reaction development in rye ginger cakes after long-term storage were addressed. Ginger cakes produced according to the traditional and current recipe were stored for 5 years at room temperature in a dark place. The total phenolic compounds (TPC), inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), reduced (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) contents, antioxidant and reducing capacity and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) were determined in ginger cakes after storage and then compared to those measured after baking. After long-term storage a decrease in TPC and IP6 contents in cakes was noted. In contrast, an increase in antioxidative and reducing capacity of stored cakes was observed. Long-term storage induced formation of furosine, advanced and final Maillard reaction products and caused changes in both reduced and oxidised forms of glutathione. After long-term storage the modest changes in furosine, FAST index and browning in ginger cake formulated with dark rye flour may suggest that this product is the healthiest among others. Therefore, traditional rye ginger cakes can be considered as an example of a healthy food that is also relatively stable during long term storage as noted by the small chemical changes observed in its composition.     

MRI morphometry of mamillary bodies, caudate nuclei, and prefrontal cortices after chemotherapy for childhood leukemia: Multivariate models of early and late developing memory subsystems.

Neurotoxic intrathecal chemotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects developing structures and functions of memory and learning subsystems selectively. Results from 10 survivors of childhood ALL (aged 6–13 yrs) show significant reductions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphometry of mamillary bodies, components of the corticolimbic-diencephalic subsystem subserving functionally later developing, single-trial memory, nonsignificant changes in bilateral heads of the caudate nuclei, components of the corticostriatal subsystem subserving functionally earlier developing, multitrial learning, significant reductions in prefrontal cortical volume, visual and verbal single-trial memory deficits, and visuospatial, but not verbal, multitrial learning deficits. Multiple regression models provide evidence for partial dissociation and connectivity between the subsystems, and suggest that greater involvement of caudate may compensate for inefficient corticolimbic-diencephalic components. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is contextual animation needed in multimedia learning games for children? An eye tracker study

The present study investigates affective-motivational, attention, and learning effects of unexplored emotional design manipulation: Contextual animation (animation of contextual elements) in multimedia learning game (MLGs) for children. Participants (N = 134; M_age = 9.25; Grades 3 and 4) learned either from an experimental version of the MLG with a high amount of contextual animation or from an identical MLG with no contextual animation (control). Children strongly preferred (χ² = 87.04, p < .001) and found the experimental version more attractive (p < .001, d = −1.11). No significant differences in overall enjoyment and learning outcomes were found. Attention differences, measured by dwell times and fixation durations, were small and reached only borderline significance (p = .035; d = −0.39). The implication is that contextual animation in MLG for children increases such instructional materials' attractiveness without compromising cognitive processes needed for learning; however, it does not lead to their higher instructional efficiency.     

Verifiable strategy synthesis for multiple autonomous agents: a scalable approach

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - Path planning and task scheduling are two challenging problems in the design of multiple autonomous agents. Both problems can be...