bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Platforms for Big Earth Observation Data Management and Analysis
Authors: Gomes Vitor , Queiroz Gilberto , Ferreira Karine
Published: April 2020

In recent years, Earth observation (EO) satellites have generated big amounts of geospatial data that are freely available for society and researchers. This scenario brings challenges for traditional spatial data infrastructures (SDI) to properly store, process, disseminate and analyze these big data sets. To meet these demands, novel technologies have been proposed and developed, based on cloud computing and distributed systems, such as array database systems, MapReduce systems and web services to access and process big Earth observation data. Currently, these technologies have been integrated into cutting edge platforms in order to support a new generation of SDI for big Earth observation data. This paper presents an overview of seven platforms for big Earth observation data management and analysis—Google Earth Engine (GEE), Sentinel Hub, Open Data Cube (ODC), System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL), openEO, JEODPP, and pipsCloud. We also provide a comparison of these platforms according to criteria that represent capabilities of the EO community interest.
Cross-Examination of Similarity, Difference and Deficiency of Gauge, Radar and Satellite Precipitation Measuring Uncertainties for Extreme Events Using Conventional Metrics and Multiplicative Triple Collocation
Authors: Li Zhi , Chen Mengye , Gao Shang , Hong Zhen , Tang Guoqiang , Wen Yixin , Gourley Jonathan J. , Hong Yang
Published: April 2020

Quantifying uncertainties of precipitation estimation, especially in extreme events, could benefit early warning of water-related hazards like flash floods and landslides. Rain gauges, weather radars, and satellites are three mainstream data sources used in measuring precipitation but have their own inherent advantages and deficiencies. With a focus on extremes, the overarching goal of this study is to cross-examine the similarities and differences of three state-of-the-art independent products (Muti-Radar Muti-Sensor Quantitative Precipitation Estimates, MRMS; National Center for Environmental Prediction gridded gauge-only hourly precipitation product, NCEP; Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM, IMERG), with both traditional metrics and the Multiplicative Triple Collection (MTC) method during Hurricane Harvey and multiple Tropical Cyclones. The results reveal that: (a) the consistency of cross-examination results against traditional metrics approves the applicability of MTC in extreme events; (b) the consistency of cross-events of MTC evaluation results also suggests its robustness across individual storms; (c) all products demonstrate their capacity of capturing the spatial and temporal variability of the storm structures while also magnifying respective inherent deficiencies; (d) NCEP and IMERG likely underestimate while MRMS overestimates the storm total accumulation, especially for the 500-year return Hurricane Harvey; (e) both NCEP and IMERG underestimate extreme rainrates (>= 90 mm/h) likely due to device insensitivity or saturation while MRMS maintains robust across the rainrate range; (g) all three show inherent deficiencies in capturing the storm core of Harvey possibly due to device malfunctions with the NCEP gauges, relative low spatiotemporal resolution of IMERG, and the unusual “hot” MRMS radar signals. Given the unknown ground reference assumption of MTC, this study suggests that MRMS has the best overall performance. The similarities, differences, advantages, and deficiencies revealed in this study could guide the users for emergency response and motivate the community not only to improve the respective sensor/algorithm but also innovate multidata merging methods for one best possible product, specifically suitable for extreme storm events.
Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variability of the PAR/GHI Ratio and PAR Modeling Based on Two Satellite Estimates
Authors: Ferrera-Cobos Francisco , Vindel Jose M. , Valenzuela Rita X. , González José A.
Published: April 2020

The main objectives of this work are to address the analysis of the spatial and temporal variability of the ratio between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and global horizontal irradiance (GHI), as well as to develop PAR models. The analysis was carried out using data from three stations located in mainland Spain covering three climates: oceanic, standard Mediterranean, and continental Mediterranean. The results of this analysis showed a clear dependence between the PAR/GHI ratio and the location; the oceanic climate showed higher values of PAR/GHI compared with Mediterranean climates. Further, the temporal variability of PAR/GHI was conditioned by the variability of clearness index, so it was also higher in oceanic than in Mediterranean climates. On the other hand, Climate Monitoring Satellite Facility (CM-SAF) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data were used to estimate PAR as a function of GHI over the whole territory. The validation with ground measurements showed better performance of the MODIS-estimates-derived model for the oceanic climate (root-mean-square error (RMSE) around 5%), while the model obtained from CM-SAF fitted better for Mediterranean climates (RMSEs around 2%).
Vessel Tracking Using Bistatic Compact HFSWR
Authors: Sun Weifeng , Ji Mengjie , Huang Weimin , Ji Yonggang , Dai Yongshou
Published: April 2020

Bistatic and multi-static high-frequency surface wave radar (HFSWR) is becoming a prospective development trend for sea surface surveillance due to its potential in extending the coverage area, improving the detection accuracy, etc. In this paper, the vessel detection and tracking performance of a newly developed bistatic compact HFSWR system whose transmitting and receiving antennas are not co-located was investigated. Firstly, the representation of the target range and Doppler velocity concerning a bistatic HFSWR was derived and compared with that of a monostatic system. Next, taking the characteristics of target kinematic parameters into account, a target tracking method applicable to a bistatic HFSWR is proposed. The simultaneous target tracking results from both monostatic and bistatic HFSWR field data are presented and compared. The experimental results demonstrate the good performance in target tracking of the bistatic HFSWR and also show that an HFSWR system combining monostatic and bistatic modes has the potential to enhance the target track continuity and improve the detection accuracy.
MEMS-Based Reflective Intensity-Modulated Fiber-Optic Sensor for Pressure Measurements
Authors: Zhou Ning , Jia Pinggang , Liu Jia , Ren Qianyu , An Guowen , Liang Ting , Xiong Jijun
Published: April 2020

A reflective intensity-modulated fiber-optic sensor based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for pressure measurements is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The sensor consists of two multimode optical fibers with a spherical end, a quartz tube with dual holes, a silicon sensitive diaphragm, and a high borosilicate glass substrate (HBGS). The integrated sensor has a high sensitivity due to the MEMS technique and the spherical end of the fiber. The results show that the sensor achieves a pressure sensitivity of approximately 0.139 mV/kPa. The temperature coefficient of the proposed sensor is about 0.87 mV/°C over the range of 20 °C to 150 °C. Furthermore, due to the intensity mechanism, the sensor has a relatively simple demodulation system and can respond to high-frequency pressure in real time. The dynamic response of the sensor was verified in a 1 kHz sinusoidal pressure environment at room temperature.
Obtaining World Coordinate Information of UAV in GNSS Denied Environments
Authors: Chen Chengbin , Tian YaoYuan , Lin Liang , Chen SiFan , Li HanWen , Wang YuXin , Su KaiXiong
Published: April 2020

GNSS information is vulnerable to external interference and causes failure when unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are in a fully autonomous flight in complex environments such as high-rise parks and dense forests. This paper presents a pan-tilt-based visual servoing (PBVS) method for obtaining world coordinate information. The system is equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an air pressure sensor, a magnetometer, and a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera. In this paper, we explain the physical model and the application method of the PBVS system, which can be briefly summarized as follows. We track the operation target with a UAV carrying a camera and output the information about the UAV’s position and the angle between the PTZ and the anchor point. In this way, we can obtain the current absolute position information of the UAV with its absolute altitude collected by the height sensing unit and absolute geographic coordinate information and altitude information of the tracked target. We set up an actual UAV experimental environment. To meet the calculation requirements, some sensor data will be sent to the cloud through the network. Through the field tests, it can be concluded that the systematic deviation of the overall solution is less than the error of GNSS sensor equipment, and it can provide navigation coordinate information for the UAV in complex environments. Compared with traditional visual navigation systems, our scheme has the advantage of obtaining absolute, continuous, accurate, and efficient navigation information at a short distance (within 15 m from the target). This system can be used in scenarios that require autonomous cruise, such as self-powered inspections of UAVs, patrols in parks, etc.
A UAV-Based Framework for Semi-Automated Thermographic Inspection of Belt Conveyors in the Mining Industry
Authors: Carvalho Regivaldo , Nascimento Richardson , D’Angelo Thiago , Delabrida Saul , G. C. Bianchi Andrea , Oliveira Ricardo A. R. , Azpúrua Héctor , Uzeda Garcia Luis G.
Published: April 2020

Frequent and accurate inspections of industrial components and equipment are essential because failures can cause unscheduled downtimes, massive material, and financial losses or even endanger workers. In the mining industry, belt idlers or rollers are examples of such critical components. Although there are many precise laboratory techniques to assess the condition of a roller, companies still have trouble implementing a reliable and scalable procedure to inspect their field assets. This article enumerates and discusses the existing roller inspection techniques and presents a novel approach based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) integrated with a thermal imaging camera. Our preliminary results indicate that using a signal processing technique, we are able to identify roller failures automatically. We also proposed and implemented a back-end platform that enables field and cloud connectivity with enterprise systems. Finally, we have also cataloged the anomalies detected during the extensive field tests in order to build a structured dataset that will allow for future experimentation.
A Methodology for Network Analysis to Improve the Cyber-Physicals Communications in Next-Generation Networks
Authors: Cortés-Polo David , Jimenez Gil Luis Ignacio , González-Sánchez José-Luis , Calle-Cancho Jesús
Published: April 2020

Cyber-physical systems allow creating new applications and services which will bring people, data, processes, and things together. The network is the backbone that interconnects this new paradigm, especially 5G networks that will expand the coverage, reduce the latency, and enhance the data rate. In this sense, network analytics will increase the knowledge about the network and its interconnected devices, being a key feature especially with the increment in the number of physical things (sensors, actuators, smartphones, tablets, and so on). With this increment, the usage of online networking services and applications will grow, and network operators require to detect and analyze all issues related to the network. In this article, a methodology to analyze real network information provided by a network operator and acquire knowledge of the communications is presented. Various real data sets, provided by Telecom Italia, are analyzed to compare two different zones: one located in the urban area of Milan, Italy, and its surroundings, and the second in the province of Trento, Italy. These data sets describe different areas and shapes that cover a metropolitan area in the first case and a mainly rural area in the second case, which implies that these areas will have different comportments. To compare these comportments and group them in a single cluster set, a new technique is presented in this paper to establish a relationship between them and reduce those that could be similar.
A Novel Machine Learning Aided Antenna Selection Scheme for MIMO Internet of Things
Authors: An Wannian , Zhang Peichang , Xu Jiajun , Luo Huancong , Huang Lei , Zhong Shida
Published: April 2020

In this article, we propose a multi-label convolution neural network (MLCNN)-aided transmit antenna selection (AS) scheme for end-to-end multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems in correlated channel conditions. In contrast to the conventional single-label multi-class classification ML schemes, we opt for using the concept of multi-label in the proposed MLCNN-aided transmit AS MIMO IoT system, which may greatly reduce the length of training labels in the case of multi-antenna selection. Additionally, applying multi-label concept may significantly improve the prediction accuracy of the trained MLCNN model under correlated large-scale MIMO channel conditions with less training data. The corresponding simulation results verified that the proposed MLCNN-aided AS scheme may be capable of achieving near-optimal capacity performance in real time, and the performance is relatively insensitive to the effects of imperfect CSI.
Model and Experimental Study on Optical Fiber CT Based on Terfenol-D
Authors: Li Wang , Kewen Xia , Ling Weng
Published: April 2020

A nonlinear hysteresis model of magneto-mechanical-thermo coupling for Terfenol-D materials is presented according to Wiss ferromagnetic theory, thermodynamics relations and Jiles–Atherton model. Numerical calculation and experimental results show that the mode well reflects the magnetostrictive characteristics of Terfenol-D rod under the coupling of stress, temperature and magnetic field. A fiber Bragg grating current transformer based on Terfenol-D material is designed according to the strain sensing mechanism of fiber Bragg grating and the demodulation principle of unbalanced M–Z interferometer. The theoretical analysis and research on the working characteristics of the fiber current transformer under the influence of different prestressing force and bias current are carried out. The results are important for the design and application of the current transformer with the Terfenol-D material.
Colorimetric Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Signal Enhancement Using Size-Based Filtration on a Finger-Powered Microfluidic Device
Authors: Jo Younggeun , Park Juhwan , Park Je-Kyun
Published: April 2020

Although immunomagnetic separation is a useful sample pretreatment method that can be used to separate target pathogens from a raw sample, it is challenging to remove unbound free magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for colorimetric detection of target pathogens. Here, size-based filtration was exploited for the rapid on-site detection of pathogens separated by immunomagnetic separation in order to remove unbound free MNPs using a finger-powered microfluidic device. A membrane filter and an absorbent pad were integrated into the device and a mixture of unbound free MNPs and MNP-bound Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 was dispensed over the membrane filter by pressing and releasing the pressure chamber. A colorimetric signal was generated by MNP-bound E. coli O157:H7 while unbound free MNPs were washed out by the absorbent. Furthermore, the colorimetric signals can be amplified using a gold enhancer solution when gold-coated MNPs were used instead of MNPs. As a result, 102 CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7 could be detected by the enhanced colorimetric signal on a proposed device.
A Class-J Power Amplifier Implementation for Ultrasound Device Applications
Authors: You Kiheum , Kim Seung-Hwan , Choi Hojong
Published: April 2020

In ultrasonic systems, power amplifiers are one of the most important electronic components used to supply output voltages to ultrasonic devices. If ultrasonic devices have low sensitivity and limited maximum allowable voltages, it can be quite challenging to detect the echo signal in the ultrasonic system itself. Therefore, the class-J power amplifier, which can generate high output power with high efficiency, is proposed for such ultrasonic device applications. The class-J power amplifier developed has a power efficiency of 63.91% and a gain of 28.16 dB at 25 MHz and 13.52 dBm input. The pulse-echo measurement method was used to verify the performance of the electronic components used in the ultrasonic system. The echo signal appearing with the discharged high voltage signal was measured. The amplitude of the first echo signal in the measured echo signal spectrum was 4.4 V and the total-harmonic-distortion (THD), including the fundamental signal and the second harmonic, was 22.35%. The amplitude of the second echo signal was 1.08 V, and the THD, including the fundamental signal and the second harmonic, was 12.45%. These results confirm that a class-J power amplifier can supply a very high output echo signal to an ultrasonic device.
Determining the Optimal Restricted Driving Zone Using Genetic Algorithm in a Smart City
Authors: Jan Tony , Azami Pegah , Iranmanesh Saeid , Ameri Sianaki Omid , Hajiebrahimi Shiva
Published: April 2020

Traffic control is one of the most challenging issues in metropolitan cities with growing populations and increased travel demands. Poor traffic control can result in traffic congestion and air pollution that can lead to health issues such as respiratory problems, asthma, allergies, anxiety, and stress. The traffic congestion can also result in travel delays and potential obstruction of emergency services. One of the most well-known traffic control methods is to restrict and control the access of private vehicles in predetermined regions of the city. The aim is to control the traffic load in order to maximize the citizen satisfaction given limited resources. The selection of restricted traffic regions remains a challenge because a large restricted area can reduce traffic load but with reduced citizen satisfaction as their mobility will be limited. On the other hand, a small restricted area may improve citizen satisfaction but with a reduced impact on traffic congestion or air pollution. The optimization of the restricted zone is a dynamic multi-regression problem that may require an intelligent trade-off. This paper proposes Optimal Restricted Driving Zone (ORDZ) using the Genetic Algorithm to select appropriate restricted traffic zones that can optimally control the traffic congestion and air pollution that will result in improved citizen satisfaction. ORDZ uses an augmented genetic algorithm and determinant theory to randomly generate different foursquare zones. This fitness function considers a trade-off between traffic load and citizen satisfaction. Our simulation studies show that ORDZ outperforms the current well-known methods in terms of a combined metric that considers the least traffic load and the most enhanced citizen satisfaction with over 30.6% improvements to some of the comparable methods.
Formation and Fluxes of Soil Trace Gases
Authors: Meredith Laura K. , Boye Kristin , Savage Kathleen , Vargas Rodrigo
Published: April 2020

Trace gas cycling is an important feature of the soil system [...]
Driving Forces of Air Pollution in Ulaanbaatar City Between 2005 and 2015: An Index Decomposition Analysis
Authors: Enkhbat Enkhjargal , Geng Yong , Zhang Xi , Jiang Huijuan , Liu Jingyu , Wu Dong
Published: April 2020

Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, is facing serious air pollution challenges—especially during the cold and long winter months—mainly due to fossil fuel combustion. This study investigates the socioeconomic drivers of the sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration changes in Ulaanbaatar between 2005 and 2015 by applying the index decomposition analysis (IDA) method. Five socio-economic driving forces are considered in the decomposition analysis. All the driving forces contributed to more air pollution concentration changes in 2015 than in 2005, despite the decreasing trends of decomposition results for the period of 2010–2015. In general, economic growth, pollution intensity, and energy intensity significantly contributed to the changes of air pollutant concentrations, while energy structure and population growth had marginal effects. Finally, appropriate policy recommendations are proposed to the local government so that they can initiate feasible policies to effectively reduce air pollution, protect human health, and respond to climate change in Ulaanbaatar.
Industry 4.0—Awareness in South India
Authors: Safar Leos , Sopko Jakub , Dancakova Darya , Woschank Manuel
Published: April 2020

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) approaches, frameworks, and technologies have gained an increasing relevance in order to gain sustainable and competitive advantages for industrial enterprises and for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well. Contrary to previous studies, which are mainly focused on companies, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey on inhabitants, in an attempt to examine general awareness about I4.0 concepts, in the region of South India. Our findings revealed a rather poor informational level of I4.0 concept and its components, which consequently leads to inadequate future actions and expectations. Moreover, respondents with prior information about I4.0 framework tend to have rather positive opinions and expectations of possible future trends. We emphasize that insufficient knowledge of the potential workforce regarding I4.0 concepts, especially in a region with ascending demographic development, can be considered as one of the main barriers for a successful and sustainable future development towards the 4th industrial revolution.
Teaching and Fostering an Active Environmental Awareness Design, Validation and Planning for Action-Oriented Environmental Education
Authors: Thor Daniel , Karlsudd Peter
Published: April 2020

In recent years, there have been frequent scientific reports focusing on high carbon dioxide emissions. Many people feel concerned about efforts not happening quickly enough to reduce the negative impact on the climate. The responsibility for reversing this trend rests primarily on adults, but hope is now directed more and more toward the younger generation. The present project, which is a collaboration between design and education, lays the foundation for an educational endeavor based on an idea of environmental citizenship. By creating environmental citizen tokens for children and youths, this project aims to change learned living patterns and encourage a new generation to work toward a sustainable climate. There is also good possibility that the young people’s involvement and striving for a better environment will transfer to adults. This has become clear in the global movement started by the environmental activist, Greta Thunberg. This article describes the work of designing and preparing the implementation of a learning project, with its basis in knowledge about environmental impact and personal responsibility. The methods underlying the project are gamification and digital activities, allied with a proven system for making a progression of skills visible. The project has resulted in a finished design and an implementation plan, which have been validated through interviews with teacher educators, principals, teachers, student-teachers, parents and pupils, and which after this validation will be tested at ten specially selected Swedish compulsory schools.
Investigating Critical Factors That Encourage Private Partners to Participate in Sports and Leisure Characteristic Town Public-Private Partnerships: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Zhen , Zhao Yaqi , Zhou Xia , Zhang Lin
Published: April 2020

The Sports and Leisure Characteristic Town (SLCT) has become a reasonable strategy for enhancing the sustainability of new urbanization processes in rural China. Although the Chinese government has issued a series of policies to support the development of SLCTs, limited financial resources are a major obstacle. Thus, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have been increasingly encouraged for establishing SLCT projects. However, the factors that significantly influence private partners’ willingness to participate in SLCT PPP projects remain unclear. The authors of this paper conducted expert interviews and questionnaire surveys concerning the SLCT PPP projects that have been implemented in China, identifying 23 factors that can be grouped into five major components using principal component factor analysis. Multiple linear regression was then performed to evaluate the relationships between factors and private partners’ willingness to participate. The results indicated that the factors that critically influence private partners’ willingness to participate include stakeholder factors, the internal factors of private partners, external environmental risk factors, the supporting measure factors of SLCTs, and the locational factors of SLCTs. This work also offers suggestions for encouraging private partners to participate in SLCT PPP projects. This study can provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for government and private partners in order to help them implement sustainable SLCT PPP projects.
Carbon Emission Calculation Method and Low-Carbon Technology for Use in Expressway Construction
Authors: Peng Bo , Tong Xiaoying , Cao Shijiang , Li Wenying , Xu Gui
Published: April 2020

There is a need for a quantitative calculation method for carbon emissions during asphalt pavement construction. In this study, the carbon sources were detected and carbon emission during pavement construction was divided into two parts—the emission resulting from energy consumption and that arising from the volatilization of asphalt mixtures itself. The carbon emission calculation model of energy consumption is presented based on the energy consumption list and calorific value method proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The model of the carbon emission from volatilization of asphalt mixtures was introduced based on a combination of on-site inspection data and the greenhouse gas diffusion rate and calculated volume. Finally, high-carbon emission processes and total carbon emissions were obtained, and the corresponding low-carbon technologies were proposed for different types of carbon emissions. The results show that the ratio of carbon emission generated by energy consumption and the volatilization of asphalt mixtures is 3:2; aggregate and asphalt heating are high-carbon emission processes of energy consumption, while asphalt mixture rolling and mixing are the high-carbon emission processes of asphalt mixture. Furthermore, the use of natural gas can control carbon emission in energy consumption; low-carbon asphalt mixtures and warm mixing technology can effectively reduce carbon emission from the volatilization of asphalt mixtures. This study lays a theoretical foundation for green pavement construction.
Interlinking Bristol Based Models to Build Resilience to Climate Change
Authors: Stevens John , Henderson Rob , Webber James , Evans Barry , Chen Albert , Djordjević Slobodan , Sánchez-Muñoz Daniel , Domínguez-García José
Published: April 2020

Expanding populations and increased urbanisation are causing a strain on cities worldwide as they become more frequently and more severely affected by extreme weather conditions. Critical services and infrastructure are feeling increasing pressure to be maintained in a sustainable way under these combined stresses. Methods to better cope with these demanding factors are greatly needed now, and with the predicted impacts of climate change, further adaptation will become essential for the future. All cities comprise a complex of interdependent systems representing critical operations that cannot function properly independently, or be fully understood in isolation of one another. The consequences of localised flooding can become much more widespread due to the inter-relation of these connected systems. Due to reliance upon one another and this connectedness, an all-encompassing assessment is appropriate. Different model representations are available for different services and integrating these enables consideration of these cascading effects. In the case study city of Bristol, 1D and 2D hydraulic modelling predicting the location and severity of flooding has been used in conjunction with modelling of road traffic and energy supply by linking models established for these respective sectors. This enables identification of key vulnerabilities to prioritise resources and enhance city resilience against future sea-level rise and the more intense rainfall conditions anticipated.
Project and Implementation of an Educational Large-Scale Water Distillation Unit with a Closed-Circuit Condenser
Authors: Matos Luís Carlos , Eulálio Ana , Antunes Tiago , Loureiro José Miguel , Ferreira Alexandre , Mendes Adélio
Published: April 2020

Water is one of the scarcest resources in the world, and it is becoming rarer fast, year after year. Chemical engineers are particularly suited to addressing the challenges of saving water and producing more fresh water. Proper education is then critical to prepare them for the upcoming decades. All student laboratories need distilled water, which is typically produced using commercial distillation units, which consume up to 70 L of fresh water per liter of distillated water. This work reports the design, construction, optimization, and operation of a water distillation unit that produces 10 liters per hour at 4 µS∙cm−1 and wastes no fresh water. Developed by a committed team made up of students, lab technicians, and instructors, this unit saves ca. 550 m3 of fresh water annually while spending less electrical power.
Design Elements in Apartments for Adapting to Climate: A Comparison between Korea and Singapore
Authors: Ju Seo Ryeung , Oh Jeong Eun
Published: April 2020

Currently, almost 80% and 50% of Singapore’s and Korea’s residents, respectively, live in apartments. Despite their earlier unfamiliarity with apartments compared with traditional housing, they have accepted apartments for the convenience they offer and as a symbol of modernity. However, the climatic conditions of these countries are extremely different. Hence, this study first examined the critical regionalism that should be considered from the environmental context, such as the geography, climate, and topography, when building apartments. Reviewing the transformation process of apartments, we can determine the types of design elements and principles developed under different climatic conditions. The representative unit plans from 1960 to 2010 were collected for analysis from Singapore’s Housing and Development Board and the private sector in Korea. The analysis revealed that Singapore’s apartments have evolved to facilitate natural ventilation. Irregular unit forms, an atrium, and the location of the utility space are unique elements. The atrium-type apartment can be considered the most regionalized design. Conversely, in Korea, the focus is on heat gain and cross-ventilation, resulting in simple square-form units oriented toward the south and double enveloped by additional windows. The staircase-type apartment predominates. Thus, this study shows that apartments evolved differently in each country, resulting in unique regionalized forms primarily determined by climatic conditions.
The Influence of Hallyu on Africans’ Perceptions of Korea: The Moderating Role of Service Quality
Authors: Kim Woo-Hyuk , Lee Chunghee , Kim Sungsoo
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between Hallyu, destination image, and behavioral intentions in light of the moderating effect of service quality. To that purpose, we established two objectives: to investigate relationships between Hallyu, destination image, and behavioral intentions and to examine how service quality at a destination affects the relationship between Hallyu and destination image. We collected data from 250 African students studying in Korea, 223 of whom returned usable surveys that we subjected to structural analysis. The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between Hallyu and destination image and that destination image significantly influenced behavioral intention. Moreover, we found differences in the moderating role of service quality. Such findings contribute to tourism marketing for African tourists.
Traveling Responsibly to Ecofriendly Destinations: An Individual-Level Cross-Cultural Comparison between the United Kingdom and China
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Saeed , Akhtar Naeem , Ashraf Rana Umair , Hou Fujun , Junaid Muhammad , Kirmani Syed Ali Ashiq
Published: April 2020

Background: Cross-cultural comparisons have remained an unexplored area in responsible tourism, and therefore, the current study aims to develop a conceptual framework and test it across cultures. The purpose of the present study was to formulate and cross-culturally confirm a research model in the context of responsible tourism. Methods: Schwartz’s personal values and theory of planned behavior are integrated into a theoretical framework in examining tourists’ revisiting intentions to ecofriendly destinations. Data were collected from experienced tourists of the United Kingdom and China and a comparison was made. Results: The findings indicate that our research model holds true for both groups; however, we observed some noteworthy differences between the two groups of samples. The findings offer suggestions to responsible tourism practitioners considering cross-cultural differences while developing tourism strategies. Conclusion: This study has some important implications for tourism marketers. Given our results, marketers should add cultural features into their marketing campaigns and devise strategies that can target a cross-cultural audience. We acknowledge research limitations and suggest future research directions to responsible tourism scholars.
Spatial Spillover Effect of New Energy Development on Economic Growth in Developing Areas of China—An Empirical Test Based on the Spatial Dubin Model
Authors: Bai Jun , Li Shixiang , Wang Nan , Shi Jianru , Li Xianmin
Published: April 2020

The development of new energy in developing areas should not only consider the effect on local economic growth, but also give some attention to its spillover effect for economic growth in neighboring areas and take a new path of cluster-style development and cooperative governance. On the basis of Moran’s I and the Spatial Dubin Model (SDM), this paper analyzes the spatial spillover effect of new energy development on economic growth of 21 developing areas in China from 2000 to 2017. The results show that: (1) According to the Moran’s I, there are significant economic agglomeration characteristics in the spatial distributions among different areas in the study area. (2) A comparative study using the mixed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method and SDM shows that new energy has a negative spillover effect on the economic growth of neighboring areas when considering spatial factors, but this negative effect is underestimated in the mixed OLS method. (3) In addition to the core explanatory variable, the spatial spillover effect of new energy on economic growth is also affected by control variables, but the degree of impact varies. The results imply that some effective policy measures, such as sustainable development mechanisms, industrial distribution, and comparative innovation, should be taken to encourage new energy development for the high quality growth in developing areas on the national, regional, and global scale.
Marginality Assessment: Computational Applications on Italian Municipalities
Authors: Marucci Alessandro , Fiorini Lorena , Di Dato Chiara , Zullo Francesco
Published: April 2020

Inner areas are the most peripheral Italian municipalities and they are characterized by clear loss of both public and private services. They represent one of the relevant elements in national and regional planning policy and the Italian government has made available a fund (€ 100 million) for small municipalities up to 5000 inhabitants (Law n. 158/2017). These areas have gradually seen an evident process of marginalisation, which is difficult to evaluate because it is the result of several factors. This work describes an applied methodology for this marginality assessment on the Italian inner areas, which was developed through the quantification of eight criteria selected from Law n. 158/2017. The analysis carried out two different simulations for elaborating and mapping territorial disadvantages, with the use of GIS software and MATLAB. The analysis highlights an evident clustering in specific geographic areas. Moreover, this result confirms that there is a significant chaining of some typical issues of the small municipalities. This research represents a first analytical approach to evaluating the intervention priorities of regulatory instruments and national strategies and it is proposed as an innovative approach that introduces a profound change of attitude moving from an equality-based model to an equity-based model.
Grey Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Group Decision-Making Methods Based on Interval Grey Triangular Fuzzy Numbers Partitioned Bonferroni Mean
Authors: Yin Kedong , Yang Benshuo , Jin Xue
Published: April 2020

Considering the characteristics such as fuzziness and greyness in real decision-making, the interval grey triangular fuzzy number is easy to express fuzzy and grey information simultaneously. And the partition Bonferroni mean (PBM) operator has the ability to calculate the interrelationship among the attributes. In this study, we combine the PBM operator into the interval grey triangular fuzzy numbers to increase the applicable scope of PBM operators. First of all, we introduced the definition, properties, expectation, and distance of the interval grey triangular fuzzy numbers, and then we proposed the interval grey triangular fuzzy numbers partitioned Bonferroni mean (IGTFPBM) and the interval grey triangular fuzzy numbers weighted partitioned Bonferroni mean (IGTFWPBM), the adjusting of parameters in the operator can bring symmetry effect to the evaluation results. After that, a novel method based on IGTFWPBM is developed for solving the grey fuzzy multiple attribute group decision-making (GFMAGDM) problems. Finally, we give an example to expound the practicability and superiority of this method.
Mass, Spacetime Symmetry, de Sitter Vacuum, and the Higgs Mechanism
Authors: Dymnikova Irina
Published: April 2020

We address the question of the intrinsic relation between mass, gravity, spacetime symmetry, and the Higgs mechanism implied by involvement of the de Sitter vacuum as its basic ingredient (a false vacuum). Incorporating the de Sitter vacuum, the Higgs mechanism implicitly incorporates the generic relation between mass, gravity, and spacetime symmetry revealed in the frame of General Relativity for all objects involving the de Sitter vacuum. We overview two observational cases which display and verify this relation, the case known as “negative mass square problem” for neutrino, and appearance of a minimal length scale in e + e − annihilation.
An In Silico Target Fishing Approach to Identify Novel Ochratoxin A Hydrolyzing Enzyme
Authors: Dellafiora Luca , Gonaus Christoph , Streit Barbara , Galaverna Gianni , Moll Wulf-Dieter , Vogtentanz Gudrun , Schatzmayr Gerd , Dall’Asta Chiara , Prasad Shreenath
Published: April 2020

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin that is of utmost concern in food and feed safety, is produced by fungal species that mainly belong to the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera. The development of mitigation strategies to reduce OTA content along the supply chains is key to ensuring safer production of food and feed. Enzyme-based strategies are among the most promising methods due to their specificity, efficacy, and multi-situ applicability. In particular, some enzymes are already known for hydrolyzing OTA into ochratoxin alpha (OTα) and phenylalanine (Phe), eventually resulting in detoxification action. Therefore, the discovery of novel OTA hydrolyzing enzymes, along with the advancement of an innovative approach for their identification, could provide a broader basis to develop more effective mitigating strategies in the future. In the present study, a hybrid in silico/in vitro workflow coupling virtual screening with enzymatic assays was applied in order to identify novel OTA hydrolyzing enzymes. Among the various hits, porcine carboxypeptidase B was identified for the first time as an effective OTA hydrolyzing enzyme. The successful experimental endorsement of findings of the workflow confirms that the presented strategy is suitable for identifying novel OTA hydrolyzing enzymes, and it might be relevant for the discovery of other mycotoxin- mitigating enzymes.
Sea Level Rise Effect on Groundwater Rise and Stormwater Retention Pond Reliability
Authors: Davtalab Rahman , Mirchi Ali , Harris Rebecca J. , Troilo Mark X. , Madani Kaveh
Published: April 2020

The coastal areas of Florida, United States, are exposed to increasing risk of flooding due to sea level rise as well as severe hurricanes. Florida regulations suggest constructing stormwater retention ponds as an option to retain excess runoff generated by the increased impervious area and to protect the environment by reducing pollutants from new developments. Groundwater level rise can significantly lower the soil storage capacity and infiltration at retention ponds, in turn, reducing the pond’s capacity to capture consecutive storms due to longer pond volume recovery time. Partial groundwater inundation can affect retention ponds’ ability to decrease peak flow rates and keep the post-development outflow lower than or equal to pre-development conditions. In this paper, the reliability and performance of a retention pond near Tampa Bay, Florida, was evaluated under sea level rise conditions. An integrated surface water and groundwater model was developed, and the groundwater table was projected for future conditions as a function of sea level rise. The results showed that sea level rise could increase the seasonal high water elevation of the retention pond up to 40 cm by mid-21st century. This increase lowered the reliability of the retention pond by about 45%. The pond failed to recover the designed treatment volume within required 72 h because of the high groundwater table, increasing the risk of pollutant discharge. Furthermore, the peak flow and volume of runoff significantly increased under sea level rise and associated groundwater table rise conditions. The study results suggest that it is imperative to consider future sea level rise conditions in stormwater design in low-lying coastal areas of Florida and around the world to prevent poor pond performance and increased risk of flooding in the future.
Evaluation of the Methodology to Assess the Influence of Hydraulic Characteristics on Habitat Quality
Authors: Štefunková Zuzana , Macura Viliam , Škrinár Andrej , Majorošová Martina , Doláková Gréta , Halaj Peter , Petrová Timea
Published: April 2020

The article aims at assessing the impact of hydraulic characteristics on the habitat quality of mountain and piedmont watercourses. The solution results from the Riverine Habitat Simulation model, where the quality of the aquatic habitat is represented by the weighted usable area (WUA), which is determined using brown trout as the bioindicator. Flow velocity and water depth are basic abiotic characteristics that determine the ratio of suitability of the instream habitat represented by the weighted usable area. The influence of these parameters on the objective evaluation of the habitat quality is the essence of the paper. The measurements were carried out during the summer period at minimum discharges for 17 mountain and piedmont streams in Slovakia. Three methods for assessing the habitat quality were tested, and differences in the results were found to be significant. The evaluation shows the optimum design methods for calculating the weighted usable area.
How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain)
Authors: Ricart Sandra , Villar-Navascués Rubén , Gil-Guirado Salvador , Rico-Amorós Antonio M. , Arahuetes Ana
Published: April 2020

Although desalination water cost and quality standards have been widely studied, less attention has been paid to understanding how desalination plant managers and irrigation communities interact to address water scarcity. This paper aims to approach these questions from experience in Alicante and Murcia (Spain). Two specific questionnaires have been applied to (1) three desalination plants managed by the Spanish public company ACUAMED, and (2) 11 irrigation communities who use desalinated seawater. Discursive analysis has been applied in order to deepen understanding on the driving factors, benefits, and barriers of desalination use and management. Results highlighted how (1) irrigation communities consider desalination as a complementary water source to be combined with conventional water resources, (2) both ACUAMED and irrigation communities highlighted two main advantages of desalination: the security/guarantee of supply and water quality parameters, and (3) managers and irrigators disagree on the desalination model of seawater provision and management, since irrigators consider that the Central Union of the Tajo-Segura transfer irrigators (SCRATS) should have a leading role. In addition, the main driving factors and barriers useful for policy makers when closing the gap of desalination have been identified: water price and energy consumption; lack of water storage capacity and regulation; environmental impacts.
Removing Wave Bias from Velocity Measurements for Tracer Transport: The Harmonic Analysis Approach
Authors: So Sangdon , Valle-Levinson Arnoldo , Laurel-Castillo Jorge Armando , Ahn Junyong , Al-Khaldi Mohammad
Published: April 2020

Estimates of turbulence properties with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements can be muddled by the influence of wave orbital velocities. Previous methods—Variance Fit, Vertical Adaptive Filtering (VAF), and Cospectra Fit (CF)—have tried to eliminate wave-induced contamination. However, those methods may not perform well in relatively energetic surface gravity wave or internal wave conditions. The Harmonic Analysis (HA) method proposed here uses power spectral density to identify waves and least squares fits to reconstruct the identified wave signals in current velocity measurements. Then, those reconstructed wave signals are eliminated from the original measurements. Datasets from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and Cape Canaveral, Florida, are used to test this approach and compare it with the VAF method. Reynolds stress estimates from the HA method agree with the VAF method in the lower half of the water column because wave energy decays with depth. The HA method performs better than the VAF method near the surface during pulses of increased surface gravity wave energy.