Assessing the Status of Autonomous Vehicles Innovation Using Patent Data

The transportation industry is undergoing an unprecedented revolution as researchers in the field expect the adoption of autonomous vehicles (AV) in a not-too-distant future. Even though there is no fully automated vehicle on the road currently, several features of driver’s assistance (e.g., lane departure warning, rear cameras, blind-spot warning) are integrated into most of the recent vehicles. It is therefore fundamental for industry leaders and policymakers to comprehend the state-of-the-art of AV innovation. The main purpose of this study is to assess the current status of AV innovations in the U.S. market. My analysis, based on more than 2,000 patents retrieved from the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) PatentsView database, has five main findings. First, there is a significant increase in autonomous vehicle patents approved by USPTO since 2010. Between 2010 to 2018, the number of patents increased by about 18 folds from 27 to 516. Secondly, in terms of AV innovators, the new entrant high-tech companies are taking over the incumbent automakers in the AV technologies. Third, industries involved in AV innovation have unequal levels of development in different technology sectors and fields. High-tech companies are leading in smart environment technologies. The incumbent automakers had an established predominance in the vehicle platform technologies. Fourth, of all the patents approved by the USPTO, about two-thirds are held by US companies, and one third held by foreign companies primarily from Asia and Europe. Fifth, in the US, California is the epicenter of AV innovation with nearly 40 percent of US patents. Michigan holds 18 percent of the total, given the presence of traditional automobile manufacturers including Ford and GM

Numerical study of laminar natural convection in a half ellipsoid of revolution subjected to heat flux of constant density

In this article, we numerically study the natural convection in a half-eliipsoid of revolution filled with a Newtonian fluid (air). The ellipsoid wall is isothermal which is maintained at a heat flux of constant density. The equations that govern the flow and heat transfer are described by the so-called Navier-Stokes equation of motion accompanied by the so-called Fourier equation of heat. The finite element method is used to solve the system of equations.  We consider the effect of the shape factor of the elliptical wall and the Grashof number on the results obtained in the form of streamlines, and mean Nusselt numbers.  The Nusselt numbers for natural convection inside a system formed by a rectangular geometry and for a curved shape are comparer and analyzed each other. We find that this number is quite higher for a curved system than that of a planar shape. It shows the importance of the form factor, particularly, in circular shape which is much more advantageous compared to the straight shape.In terms of inertia, the geometry of rounded shape ensures the best distribution of energy. In fact, the half ellipsoidal greenhouse with a circular base studied during this research offers a better distribution for the flow of the convection currents from the bottom to the top of the system.

Analyses de la dégradation du lac Kinkony pour la conservation du Complexe des Zones Humides Mahavavy-Kinkony, Région Boeny, Madagascar

The Mahavavy-Kinkony wetland complex is an ecologically diverse and economically critical habitat assemblage. Despite recently receiving national protection, the ecological integrity of Lake Kinkony is threatened by the conversion of adjacent, unprotected lands into rice paddies. Conversion to aqua-cultural lands eliminates reed beds which provide favoured habitat for numerous endemic and endangered avian, fish and reptilian species, including Amaurornis olivieri, Paretroplus dambabe, P. kieneri and Erymnochelys madagascariensis. This research identified the physio-chemical sources and extent of degradation and evaluated the associated impacts on endangered wildlife. Employing digital environmental data within a Geographic Information System, the historical extent of reed habitat (circa 1949) was compared to distribution identified through fieldwork in 2008, indicating an areal loss of 80%. Results indicate the primary contributor to reed loss was increased turbidity associated with erosion. The continuing decrease in marsh habitat facilitated by an increase in erosion poses significant threats to already endangered wildlife. However, while the reduction in marsh area was shown to reduce habitat availability for Amaurornis olivieri, observations imply this species does not occupy all potential reed habitats and that territorial preferences and tolerance towards turbidity need to be understood to accurately determine the magnitude of threat. Despite the need for continued research, information representing agents of change and their associated ramifications on fauna is essential for developing regional conservation and natural resource management strategies. In particular, anti-erosion management of the most vulnerable water catchment areas and restoration activities within the most severely degraded marshes are prescribed. RÉSUMÉ Le lac Kinkony fait partie des habitats clefs pour la biodiversité du Complexe des Zones Humides Mahavavy-Kinkony, une des Nouvelles Aires Protégées prioritaires qui doit être mise en place à Madagascar. Malgré les pressions anthropiques comme la conversion des zones marécageuses en rizières et la surpêche qui s’exercent sur le lac, le lac joue un rôle économique et écologique important dans la région. La présente recherche a permis d’identifier les changements physico-chimiques importants de ce biotope lacustre afin d’évaluer les menaces qui pèsent sur sa faune afin de fournir aux décideurs les éléments nécessaires à l’élaboration des stratégies de conservation de ses ressources biologiques. Les analyses ont été basées sur l’utilisation des outils d’investigation spatiale comme le Système d’Information Géographique et la Télédétection, appliquées plus particulièrement sur le lac Kinkony, à savoir le plan d’eau et les zones de phragmites de son pourtour marécageux. Les résultats obtenus, nous ont permis d’estimer une forte réduction de la superficie occupée par les phragmites, de l’ordre de 80% entre 1949 et 2008. Les principales sources de sédiments qui contribuent à la turbidité de l’eau du lac proviennent de l’érosion des bassins versants situés au Sud du lac. Les dépôts apportés par les rivières au cours des temps ont provoqué l’envasement du lac et la réduction progressive de la profondeur des zones d’entrée, au niveau de la confluence du plan d’eau avec ces rivières. La réduction de la superficie des phragmitaies couplée à l’érosion constituent ainsi les principales menaces écologiques qui affectent le lac Kinkony. Si l’évaluation précise du degré d’impact de ces changements et leur éventuelle synergie sur la biologie de la faune menacée requièrent de plus amples recherches, des aménagements anti-érosifs sur les quatre bassins environnants les plus vulnérables et des restaurations de phragmitaies sont proposés pour la conservation de la biodiversité du lac Kinkony

Cotton in West and Central Africa: From the agricultural revolution to the agro-ecological transition

Since the 1970s, cotton has been a driving force in the transformation of agricultural production systems and a key element in local economies in the savannah areas of West and Central Africa (WCA). However, the sustainability of cotton-based production systems is often debated because of their effects on soils and the negative impacts of chemical pest control on the environment and human health. Through drastic reforms, the WCA cotton sector overcame the crises, showing its resilience. Today, research should be mobilized to help the sector tackle the major challenges: i) economic (price volatility, producers' incomes), ii) social (inclusion of vulnerable groups, role of women and young people, etc.) and iii) environmental (impact of pesticides, soil degradation, etc.) and linked to climate change. The articles published in this issue present some results and perspectives of research work, which can help improving the sustainability of cotton systems in WCA, open paths towards an agro-ecological transition and address the new challenges

Spatial Structure Of Agricultural Biodiversity In Southern Mali

The diversity of cropping systems and varieties plays an important role in the ability of family farms to resist socio-economic and environmental shocks. For better conservation, agricultural diversity needs to be characterized and monitored in space and time. While initially dominated by the elements on price, surfaces, and productions, agricultural monitoring systems have recently incorporated diversity issues. The objective of this work is to analyze the spatial structure of agricultural biodiversity and to explain the links between this structure and the agronomic practices and results in family farms in southern Mali. The methodology was to develop, test, and maintain a conceptual model of spatial data on a sample of three villages. The analysis of these data is based on the spatial distribution of biodiversity and its correlation with the practices and agro-ecological conditions, results, and agronomic performance. The results show a very large specific and varietal diversity. We do not observe a clear link between spatial distribution and the characteristics of the physical environment, with the exception of the improved variety of Kalafoufigue located on a particular type of slope. The same observation is made when the relationship is between the spatial distribution of the variety and the technical route. Spatial analysis has developed a map of the diversity across the country village. Thus, spatial distribution points plot a surface distribution across local villages, and these results open the way for greater contributions of geographical analysis in agriculture and for scaling territories that remain a challenge for agriculture

Sorption and desorption of glyphosate in Mollisols and Ultisols soils of Argentina

In Argentina, glyphosate use has increased exponentially in the past years due to the widespread adoption of no-till management combined with genetically modified glyphosate-resistant crops. This massive use of glyphosate has created concern about its potential environmental impact. Sorption-desorption of glyphosate was studied in three Argentinean soils with contrasting characteristics. Glyphosate sorption isotherms were modeled using the Freundlich equation to estimate the sorption coefficient (Kf). Glyphosate sorption was high and the Kf varied from 115.6 to 1612 mg 1-1/nL1/n /Kg. Cerro Azul soil had the highest glyphosate sorption capacity due to a combination of factors such as higher clay content, CEC, total Fe, Al oxides and lower available phosphorous and pH. Desorption isotherms were also modeled using the Freundlich equation. In general, desorption was very low (<12%). The low values of hysteresis coefficient (H) confirm that glyphosate strongly sorbs to the soils and that it is almost an irreversible process. Anguil soil had a significant higher desorption coefficient (Kfd) than the other soils, associated with its lower clay content and higher pH and phosphorous. Glyphosate high sorption and low desorption to the studied soils may prevent groundwater contamination. However, it may also affect its bioavailability increasing its persistence and favoring its accumulation in environment. Results of this study contribute to the knowledge and characterization of glyphosate retention in different soils.Fil: Gómez Ortiz, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Okada, Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Bedmar, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Jose Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentin