bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted Grassland Monitoring at Parcel Level Using Sentinels, Street-Level Images and Field Observations
Authors: D’Andrimont Raphaël , Lemoine Guido , Van der Velde Marijn
Published: August 2018

The introduction of high-resolution Sentinels combined with the use of high-quality digital agricultural parcel registration systems is driving the move towards at-parcel agricultural monitoring. The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has introduced the concept of CAP monitoring to help simplify the management and control of farmers’ parcel declarations for area support measures. This study proposes a proof of concept of this monitoring approach introducing and applying the concept of ‘markers’. Using Sentinel-1- and -2-derived (S1 and S2) markers, we evaluate parcels declared as grassland in the Gelderse Vallei in the Netherlands covering more than 15,000 parcels. The satellite markers—respectively based on crop-type deep learning classification using S1 backscattering and coherence data and on detecting bare soil with S2 during the growing season—aim to identify grassland-declared parcels for which (1) the marker suggests another crop type or (2) which appear to have been ploughed during the year. Subsequently, a field-survey was carried out in October 2017 to target the parcels identified and to build a relevant ground-truth sample of the area. For the latter purpose, we used a high-definition camera mounted on the roof of a car to continuously sample geo-tagged digital imagery, as well as an app-based approach to identify the targeted fields. Depending on which satellite-based marker or combination of markers is used, the number of parcels identified ranged from 2.57% (marked by both the S1 and S2 markers) to 17.12% of the total of 11,773 parcels declared as grassland. After confirming with the ground-truth, parcels flagged by the combined S1 and S2 marker were robustly detected as non-grassland parcels (F-score = 0.9). In addition, the study demonstrated that street-level imagery collection could improve collection efficiency by a factor seven compared to field visits (1411 parcels/day vs. 217 parcels/day) while keeping an overall accuracy of about 90% compared to the ground-truth. This proposed way of collecting in situ data is suitable for the training and validating of high resolution remote sensing approaches for agricultural monitoring. Timely country-wide wall-to-wall parcel-level monitoring and targeted in-season parcel surveying will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of monitoring and implementing agricultural policies.
Semi-Supervised Generative Adversarial Nets with Multiple Generators for SAR Image Recognition
Authors: Gao Fei , Ma Fei , Wang Jun , Sun Jinping , Yang Erfu , Zhou Huiyu
Published: August 2018

As an important model of deep learning, semi-supervised learning models are based on Generative Adversarial Nets (GANs) and have achieved a competitive performance on standard optical images. However, the training of GANs becomes unstable when they are applied to SAR images, which reduces the feature extraction capability of the discriminator in GANs. This paper presents a new semi-supervised GANs with Multiple generators and a classifier (MCGAN). This model improves the stability of training for SAR images by employing multiple generators. A multi-classifier is introduced to the new GANs to utilize the labeled images during the training of the GANs, which shares the low level layers with the discriminator. Then, the layers of the trained discriminator and the classifier construct the recognition network for SAR images after having been finely tuned using a small number of the labeled images. Experiments on the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) databases show that the proposed recognition network achieves a better and more stable recognition performance than several traditional semi-supervised methods as well as other GANs-based semi-supervised methods.
Highly Sensitive p + n Metal Oxide Sensor Array for Low-Concentration Gas Detection
Authors: Luo Jianghua , Jiang Yishan , Xiao Feng , Zhao Xin , Xie Zheng
Published: August 2018

Nowadays, despite the easy fabrication and low cost of metal oxide gas sensors, it is still challenging for them to detect gases at low concentrations. In this study, resistance-matched p-type Cu2O and n-type Ga-doped ZnO, as well as p-type CdO/LaFeO3 and n-type CdO/Sn-doped ZnO sensors were prepared and integrated into p + n sensor arrays to enhance their gas-sensing performance. The materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmittance electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry, and gas-sensing properties were measured using ethanol and acetone as probes. The results showed that compared with individual gas sensors, the response of the sensor array was greatly enhanced and similar to the gas response product of the p- and n-type gas sensors. Specifically, the highly sensitive CdO/LaFeO3 and CdO/Sn-ZnO sensor array had a high response of 21 to 1 ppm ethanol and 14 to 1 ppm acetone, with detection limits of <0.1 ppm. The results show the effect of sensor array integration by matching the two sensor resistances, facilitating the detection of gas at a low concentration.
Multicriteria Approach towards the Sustainable Selection of a Teahouse Location with Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Chen Ji , Wang Jinsheng , Baležentis Tomas , Zagurskaitė Fausta , Streimikiene Dalia , Makutėnienė Daiva
Published: August 2018

The teahouse market has seen an expansion across various countries. In order to identify the most reasonable paths for development, the choice of location for the outlets needs to account for a number of conflicting criteria. Therefore, the multicriteria approach is required to effectively handle the location selection problem. In this paper, we develop a multicriteria framework for teahouse selection and apply it in the context of Lithuania. The indicator system is set up in order to capture the different aspects of the candidate locations. We also apply two multicriteria decision-making techniques (the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) method and the weighted aggregated sum product assessment with normalization (WASPAS-N) method) in order to ensure the robustness of the results. The weights of criteria were determined based on the expert survey. In addition, a Monte Carlo simulation was applied to check the sensitivity in changes of the criterion weights. The empirical application demonstrated validity of the proposed approach in choosing the optimal location of a teahouse.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of the Nephrotoxin Orellanine in Rats
Authors: Najar Deman , Haraldsson Börje , Thorsell Annika , Sihlbom Carina , Nyström Jenny , Ebefors Kerstin
Published: August 2018

Orellanine is a nephrotoxin found in mushrooms of the Cortinarius family. Accidental intake of this substance may cause renal failure. Orellanine is specific for proximal tubular cells and could, therefore, potentially be used as treatment for metastatic renal cancer, which originates from these cells. However, more information is needed about the distribution and elimination of orellanine from the body to understand its potential use for therapy. In this study, 5 mg/kg orellanine (unlabeled and 3H-labeled) was injected intravenously in rats (Wistar and Sprague Dawley). Distribution was measured (Wistar rats, n = 10, n = 12) using radioluminography and the highest amount of orellanine was found in the kidney cortex and bladder at all time-points investigated. The pharmacokinetic properties of orellanine was investigated using LC-MS/MS and β-scintillation to measure the amount of orellanine in plasma. Three groups of rats were investigated: control rats with intact kidneys (n = 10) and two groups with bilateral renal artery ligation (n = 7) where animals in one of these groups were treated with peritoneal dialysis (n = 8). Using LC-MS/MS, the half-life of orellanine was found to be 109 ± 6 min in the controls. In the groups with ligated renal arteries, orellanine had a half-life of 756 ± 98 min without and 238 ± 28 min with dialysis. Thus, orellanine was almost exclusively eliminated by glomerular filtration as well as by peritoneal dialysis.
Artificial Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Clifford Chelsea , Heffernan James
Published: August 2018

As humans increasingly alter the surface geomorphology of the Earth, a multitude of artificial aquatic systems have appeared, both deliberately and accidentally. Human modifications to the hydroscape range from alteration of existing waterbodies to construction of new ones. The extent of these systems makes them important and dynamic components of modern landscapes, but their condition and provisioning of ecosystem services by these systems are underexplored, and likely underestimated. Instead of accepting that artificial ecosystems have intrinsically low values, environmental scientists should determine what combination of factors, including setting, planning and construction, subsequent management and policy, and time, impact the condition of these systems. Scientists, social scientists, and policymakers should more thoroughly evaluate whether current study and management of artificial aquatic systems is based on the actual ecological condition of these systems, or judged differently, due to artificiality, and consider resultant possible changes in goals for these systems. The emerging recognition and study of artificial aquatic systems presents an exciting and important opportunity for science and society.
Description of a Cretaceous amber fossil putatively of the tribe Coprophilini (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Oxytelinae)
Authors: Makranczy György , Yamamoto Shûhei , Engel Michael S.
Published: August 2018

An unusual and well-preserved fossil staphylinid is described and figured from a single specimen in Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. Gollandiaplanatagen. et sp. n. is tentatively placed in the extant oxyteline tribe Coprophilini, although it lacks a few characteristic features of present-day members of the group, likely indicating it to be either a stem group of the tribe or prove to be distinct pending future discoveries. The discovery of this genus suggests that early oxytelines were more morphologically diverse during the Cretaceous and their evolutionary history was more complicated than previously documented. Tribal placement as regards fossil oxyteline taxa is discussed.
L’effet « Janus » du contrôle interne ou l’interaction de ses aspects formels et informels
Authors: Chtioui Tawhid , Thiery Dubuisson Stéphanie
Published: August 2018

L’objectif de cet article est de montrer, à travers une revue exhaustive de la littérature sur le sujet, que maîtriser une organisation ne peut se limiter aux aspects formels du contrôle (hard controls) et que les aspects informels (soft controls) sont à la fois délicats à définir et complémentaires pour couvrir au mieux les risques. La première partie de cet article est consacrée à la définition et à la mise en place, parfois inflationniste, de strates de contrôles formels, ainsi qu’aux problèmes liés à l’ajout successif de ces réglementations. La seconde partie tente de définir ou, du moins, d’approcher, les aspects des contrôles informels, afin d’aboutir, dans une dernière partie, à la question de la nature de l’interaction entre les deux aspects du contrôle interne.
Examining the Overall Moisture Management Capability of Fabric-Foam-Fabric Plied Material
Authors: Kan Chi Wai , Ko Clare Man Ching , Rungruangkitkrai Nattadon , Vuthiganond Nattaya , Mongkholrattanasit Rattanaphol
Published: August 2018

Moisture management is an important behaviour during engineering of textile material. In case of intimate apparel (which is in close contact with skin), its moisture management property would affect the comfort behaviour during use. Fabric-foam-fabric plied materials are commonly used materials for making intimate apparel. In this study, we prepared different fabric-foam-fabric plied materials by plying polyurethane foams (non-laminated and laminated) with different fabrics. Their performance on absorption rate, accumulative one-way transport capability and spreading speed had been measured objectively in previous works using instrument (moisture management tester) according to AATCC Test Method 195. Based on the data, we can calculate the overall moisture management capability (OMMC) of the piled materials. Therefore, we reported the OMMC values of different plied samples and the results were discussed properly.
Preparation of Hollow Silica Spheres by Soft Template Method
Authors: Sun Zhi Qiang , Wang Hua Dong , Dong Heng , Li Shu Qin , Lu Yi
Published: August 2018

Hollow silica spheres (HSS) are prepared via soft template method. The morphology, internal structure, phase composition, particle size distribution and porosity of HSSs are characterized. It is found that the amorphous HSSs with thin shell thickness and density of around 0.41 g/cm3 have good sphericity and are relatively uniform in size. Most importantly, the size of the synthesized spheres is controlled successfully via stirring rate, and the linear fitting equation is described as d50 = -0.45 × R + 206. This research provides a facile way to produce HSS with low density which has promising application in many fields.
Indication of Mechanical Damage through Piezochromic Materials
Authors: Niu Mao Shan , Xiao Wei Dong , Song Liang , Wang Yang
Published: August 2018

Piezochromic materials have attracted a great deal of attentions for decades by the virtue of detecting mechanical damage in advance and avoid dangerous failure. However, several vital issues, such as the structure-properties relationship of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), still remain unclear, which impede the discovery of novel piezochromic luminescent materials with excellent properties. Here, the research on the mechanism of AIE polymers will be deeply reviewed, and other types of piezochromic systems will be introduced in order to suggest the future design of novel piezochromic device
Effect of Molding Method on the Properties of Prepared Quartz Sand Sintered Brick Using the River Sand
Authors: Chen Mei Hua , Yang Yan , Chen Wang , Song Jie Guang , Liu Yue , Guo Xin Shuang , Chen Lin , Guo Song Lin , Qin Yue Ning
Published: August 2018

In order which aim to save land resource and use low grade nature resource to realize high cost performance product. In this paper, the molding method of quartz sand fired brick is discussed. As the plastic (hand pressing) is only used to manually beat the mud mass, the sludge is squeezed by hand. Into the mold and molding and cold isostatic pressure molding pressure of 100 MPa, The difference is far away, which makes the gaps between the particles close to each other greatly different, the pressure of hand-press molding is small, the voids in the blank after molding are large and the hole diameter is large, and the green compact density of the brick body is small. The compact densities of the 65MPa and 150MPa pressed brick bodies are all lower than 100MPa, but 150MPa is still denser than 65MPa. The compressive strength is first increased and then decreased with increasing the molding pressure, when the pressure is 100 MPa, the maximum compressive strength is achieved at 100 MPa achieves the highest point.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours and neurofibromatosis 1: A case series and recommendations for care
Authors: Burger Henriette , Bezuidenhout Heidre , Sher-Locketz Candice , Baatjes Karin , Van Wyk Jacques , Bonthuys Anita
Published: August 2018

Background: The incidence of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is significantly higher than that of the general population. NF1-associated MPNST occur at a younger age and carry a worse prognosis than sporadic MPNST.Aim: This case series describes four cases of MPNST in patients with NF1.Setting: The study was performed in a public academic hospital in the Western Cape province of South Africa.Method: Demographics, disease status, histopathology, treatment and outcome data were collected retrospectively from medical charts and through review of histological slides.Results: The median age was 36.5 years. All tumours were > 5 cm at presentation and located on the trunk. One patient presented with metastatic disease. There was a mean delay of 3.5 months from presentation to initiation of treatment. Three patients underwent wide excision, with one receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 20 months from histological diagnosis only one patient was alive in clinical remission. Two patients had succumbed to progressive disease at 8 and 16 months from diagnosis and one patient with terminal metastatic disease was lost to follow-up.Conclusion: In this series the patients presented with advanced, often unresectable lesions for which single modality therapy was not curative. An adult NF1 health surveillance guideline for resource-constrained environments could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of MPNST and other complications in NF1 patients.
Predictability of bone density at posterior mandibular implant sites using cone-beam computed tomography intensity values
Authors: Alkhader Mustafa , Hudieb Malik , Khader Yousef
Published: August 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictability of bone density at posterior mandibular implant sites using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) intensity values. Materials and Methods: CBCT cross-sectional images for 436 posterior mandibular implant sites were selected for the study. Using Invivo software (Anatomage, San Jose, California, USA), two observers classified the bone density into three categories: low, intermediate, and high, and CBCT intensity values were generated. Results: Based on the consensus of the two observers, 15.6% of sites were of low bone density, 47.9% were of intermediate density, and 36.5% were of high density. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that CBCT intensity values had a high predictive power for predicting high density sites (area under the curve [AUC] =0.94, P < 0.005) and intermediate density sites (AUC = 0.81, P < 0.005). The best cut-off value for intensity to predict intermediate density sites was 218 (sensitivity = 0.77 and specificity = 0.76) and the best cut-off value for intensity to predict high density sites was 403 (sensitivity = 0.93 and specificity = 0.77). Conclusions: CBCT intensity values are considered useful for predicting bone density at posterior mandibular implant sites.
Human salivary protein extraction from RNAPro·SAL™, Pure·SAL™, and passive drooling method
Authors: Khurshid Zohaib , Moin Syed Faraz , Khan Rabia Sannam , Agwan Muhammad Atif Saleem , Alwadaani Abdullah Hamed , Zafar Muhammad Sohail
Published: August 2018

Objective: The aim of the current study was to carry out a preliminary validation of devices for standardized collection of whole mouth fluid (WMF) in comparison to the passive drooling method for protein analysis in healthy subjects.Materials and Methods: A carefully designed sample collection/pretreatment protocol is crucial to the success of any saliva proteomics project. In this study, WMF was collected from healthy volunteers (n = 10, ages: 18–26 years). Individuals with any oral disease were excluded from the study group. In our study, we evaluated the following collection methods; the classical passive drooling method (unstimulated whole saliva) and standardized tools for saliva collection (Pure·SAL™, and RNAPro·SAL™) from Oasis Diagnostics® Corporation (Vancouver WA, USA). For estimation of protein levels, we used the bicinchoninic acid assay and protein assay kit (Thermo Fisher). The two-dimensional gel electrophoresis sample analysis was carried out for the estimation of proteins in one of the samples.Results: When gels were compared, the difference was seen in the resolution of spots. Protein spots were fading from high- to low-molecular weight masses. Hence, advanced devices in comparison to spitting method resulted in much clearer protein spots which in turn prove the validation of devices.Conclusions: In this study, we concluded that protein extraction could be possible by both methods such as passive drooling method and through advanced saliva collection devices (Pure·SAL™ and RNAPro·SAL™).
Determination of Tweed's cephalometric norms in Bengali population
Authors: Kumari Lalima , Das Anuranjan
Published: August 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish Tweed's cephalometric norms for Indian Bengali population and to compare it with Caucasian norms. Materials and Methods: The participants were of 50 adults with normal occlusion and pleasant profile. Lateral cephalograms were taken in natural head position, and cephalometric norms were established using Tweeds diagnostic triangle. Results: The study showed more proclined lower incisors in comparison with Caucasians. The result of the study also indicated that separate norms should be considered for Bengali males and females during diagnosis and treatment planning as mean Frankfort mandibular angle value for females was found to be significantly higher than that of males (t
48= 2.97; P < 0.01) and the mean value of incisor mandibular plane angle for males was significantly higher than that of females. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for group-specific norms for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning and provide cephalometric standards for normal Bengali adults.
Assessment of anxiety, depression, and serum cortisol level in oral submucous fibrosis patients: A controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kanodia Shubhra , Giri Vishal Prakash , Giri Om Prakash , Devi M. Parvathi , Garima Y.
Published: August 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the anxiety, depression, and serum cortisol level in OSMF patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Age-and gender-matched 105 patients were divided into three equal groups as follows: Group 1 – those with areca nut chewing habits and OSMF, Group 2 – those with areca nut chewing habits but no OSMF, and Group 3– those without areca nut chewing habits and without OSMF. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, respectively. Serum cortisol level was also measured simultaneously. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test, Chi-square test, and analysis of variance were used. Results: Fifty (47.62%) patients were observed to be in the age group of 25–32 years. Ninety-six (91.4%) patients were males and 9 (8.6%) were females. The mean serum cortisol level was observed to be higher among patients with OSMF-C followed by those with OSMF-D. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant association between OSMF, depression, and serum cortisol level.
Cloud vertical structure over a tropical station obtained using long-term high-resolution radiosonde measurements
Authors: Narendra Reddy Nelli , Venkat Ratnam Madineni , Basha Ghouse , Ravikiran Varaha
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Cloud vertical structure, including top and base altitudes,
thickness of cloud layers, and the vertical distribution of multilayer
clouds, affects large-scale atmosphere circulation by altering gradients
in the total diabatic heating and cooling and latent heat release. In this study,
long-term (11 years) observations of high-vertical-resolution radiosondes are
used to obtain the cloud vertical structure over a tropical station at Gadanki
(13.5∘ N, 79.2∘ E), India. The detected cloud layers are
verified with independent observations using cloud particle sensor (CPS)
sonde launched from the same station. High-level clouds account for
69.05 %, 58.49 %, 55.5 %, and 58.6 % of all clouds during
the pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons, respectively. The
average cloud base (cloud top) altitudes for low-level, middle-level,
high-level, and deep convective clouds are 1.74 km (3.16 km), 3.59 km (5.55 km), 8.79 km
(10.49 km), and 1.22 km (11.45 km), respectively. Single-layer, two-layer, and
three-layer clouds account for 40.80 %, 30.71 %, and 19.68 % of
all cloud configurations, respectively. Multilayer clouds occurred more
frequently during the monsoon with 34.58 %. Maximum cloud top altitude
and cloud thickness occurred during the monsoon season for single-layer
clouds and the uppermost layer of multiple-layer cloud configurations. In
multilayer cloud configurations, diurnal variations in the thickness of
upper-layer clouds are larger than those of lower-layer clouds.
Heating and cooling in the troposphere and lower stratosphere due to these cloud
layers are also investigated and peak cooling (peak warming) is found below
(above) the cold-point tropopause (CPT) altitude. The magnitude of cooling
(warming) increases from single-layer to four- or more-layer cloud occurrence.
Further, the vertical structure of clouds is also studied with respect to the
arrival date of the Indian summer monsoon over Gadanki.
Vertical characterization of aerosol optical properties and brown carbon in winter in urban Beijing, China
Authors: Xie Conghui , Xu Weiqi , Wang Junfeng , Wang Qingqing , Liu Dantong , Tang Guiqian , Chen Ping , Du Wei , Zhao Jian , Zhang Yingjie , Zhou Wei , Han Tingting , Bian Qingyun , Li Jie , Fu Pingqing , Wang Zifa , Ge Xinlei , Allan James , Coe Hugh , Sun Yele
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Aerosol particles are of importance in the Earth’s radiation budget since they scatter and absorb sunlight. While extensive studies of aerosol optical properties have been conducted at ground sites, vertical measurements and characterization are very limited in megacities. In this work, we present simultaneous real-time online measurements of aerosol optical properties at ground level and at 260 m on a meteorological tower from 16 November to 13 December in 2016 in Beijing along with measurements of continuous vertical profiles during two haze episodes. The average (± 1σ) scattering and absorption coefficients (bsca and babs, λ = 630 nm) were 337.6 (± 356.0) and 36.6 (± 33.9) Mm−1 at 260 m, which were 26.5 % and 22.5 % lower than those at ground level. Single scattering albedo (SSA), however, was comparable between the two heights with slightly higher values at ground level (0.89 ± 0.04). Although bsca and babs showed overall similar temporal variations between ground and 260 m, the ratios of 260 m to ground varied substantially from less than 0.4 during the cleanest stages of haze episodes to > 0.8 in the late afternoon. A more detailed analysis indicates that vertical profiles of bsca, babs, and SSA in the low atmosphere were closely related to the changes in meteorological conditions and mixing layer height. The mass absorption cross-section MAC of BC (λ = 630 nm) varied substantially from 9.5 to 13.2 m2 g−1 in winter in Beijing, and it was strongly associated with the mass ratio of non-refractory BC (rBC) materials to rBC (MR), and also the oxidation degree of organics in rBC-containing particles. Our results show that the increases in MAC of BC in winter were mainly caused by photochemically produced secondary materials. Light absorption of organic carbon (brown carbon, BrC) was also important in winter, which on average accounted for 46 (± 8.5) % and 48 (± 9.3) % of the total absorption at 370 nm at ground level and 260 m, respectively. A Linear regression model combined with positive matrix factorization analysis was used to show that coal combustion was the dominant source contribution of BrC (48–55 %) followed by biomass burning (17 %) and photochemically processed secondary organic aerosol (∼ 20 %) in winter in Beijing.
Viscosity of erythritol and erythritol–water particles as a function of water activity: new results and an intercomparison of techniques for measuring the viscosity of particles
Authors: Chu Yangxi , Evoy Erin , Kamal Saeid , Song Young Chul , Reid Jonathan P. , Chan Chak K. , Bertram Allan K.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. A previous study reported an uncertainty of up to 3 orders of magnitude for
the viscosity of erythritol (1,2,3,4-butanetetrol)–water particles. To help
reduce the uncertainty in the viscosity of these particles, we measured the
diffusion coefficient of a large organic dye (rhodamine B
isothiocyanate–dextran, average molecular weight ∼70000gmol-1) in an erythritol–water matrix as a
function of water activity using rectangular-area fluorescence recovery after
photobleaching (rFRAP). The diffusion coefficients were then converted to
viscosities of erythritol–water particles using the Stokes–Einstein
equation. In addition, we carried out new viscosity measurements of
erythritol–water particles using aerosol optical tweezers. Based on the new
experimental results and viscosities reported in the literature, we conclude
the following: (1) the viscosity of pure erythritol is 184-73+122 Pa s (2
standard deviations); (2) the addition of a hydroxyl (OH) functional group to
a linear C4 carbon backbone increases the viscosity on average by a
factor of 27-5+6 (2 standard deviations); and (3) the increase in
viscosity from the addition of one OH functional group to a linear
C4 carbon backbone is not a strong function of the number of OH
functional groups already present in the molecule up to the addition of three
OH functional groups, but the increase in viscosity may be larger when the
linear C4 carbon backbone already contains three OH functional
groups. These results should help improve the understanding of the viscosity
of secondary organic aerosol particles in the atmosphere. In addition, these
results show that at water activity>0.4 the rFRAP technique,
aerosol optical tweezers technique, and bead-mobility technique give results in
reasonable agreement if the uncertainties in the measurements are considered.
At water activity<0.4, the mean viscosity values determined by
the optical tweezers technique were higher than those determined by the
bead-mobility and rFRAP techniques by 1–2 orders of magnitude. Nevertheless,
the disagreement in viscosity measured using multiple techniques reported in
this paper is smaller than reported previously.
A quantitative approach to evaluating the GWP timescale through implicit discount rates
Authors: Sarofim Marcus C. , Giordano Michael R.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The 100-year global warming potential (GWP) is the primary metric used to compare the climate impacts of emissions of different greenhouse gases (GHGs). The GWP relies on radiative forcing rather than damages, assumes constant future concentrations, and integrates over a timescale of 100 years without discounting; these choices lead to a metric that is transparent and simple to calculate, but have also been criticized. In this paper, we take a quantitative approach to evaluating the choice of time horizon, accounting for many of these complicating factors. By calculating an equivalent GWP timescale based on discounted damages resulting from CH4 and CO2 pulses, we show that a 100-year timescale is consistent with a discount rate of 3.3 % (interquartile range of 2.7 % to 4.1 % in a sensitivity analysis). This range of discount rates is consistent with those often considered for climate impact analyses. With increasing discount rates, equivalent timescales decrease. We recognize the limitations of evaluating metrics by relying only on climate impact equivalencies without consideration of the economic and political implications of metric implementation.
Global tropospheric effects of aromatic chemistry with the SAPRC-11 mechanism implemented in GEOS-Chem
Authors: Yan Yingying , Cabrera-Perez David , Lin Jintai , Pozzer Andrea , Hu Lu , Millet Dylan B. , Porter William C. , Lelieveld Jos
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The GEOS-Chem model has been updated with the SAPRC-11 aromatics chemical mechanism, with the purpose of evaluating global and regional effects of the most abundant aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes) on the chemical species important for tropospheric oxidation capacity. The model evaluation based on surface and aircraft observations indicates good agreement for aromatics and ozone. A comparison between scenarios in GEOS-Chem with simplified aromatic chemistry (as in the standard setup, with no ozone formation from related peroxy radicals or recycling of NOx) and with the SAPRC-11 scheme reveals relatively slight changes in ozone, hydroxyl radical, and nitrogen oxides on a global mean basis (1–4 %), although remarkable regional differences (5–20 %) exist near the source regions. NOx decreases over the source regions and increases in the remote troposphere, due mainly to more efficient transport of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), which is increased with the SAPRC aromatic chemistry. Model ozone mixing ratios with the updated aromatic chemistry increase by up to 5 ppb (more than 10 %), especially in industrially polluted regions. The ozone change is partly due to the direct influence of aromatic oxidation products on ozone production rates, and in part to the altered spatial distribution of NOx that enhances the tropospheric ozone production efficiency. Improved representation of aromatics is important to simulate the tropospheric oxidation.
Paleotsunami deposits along the coast of Egypt correlate with historical earthquake records of eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Salama Asem , Meghraoui Mustapha , El Gabry Mohamed , Maouche Said , Hussein Moussa Hesham , Korrat Ibrahim
Published: August 2018

Abstract. We study the sedimentary record
of past tsunamis along the coastal area west of Alexandria (NW Egypt) taking
into account the occurrence of major historical earthquakes in the eastern
Mediterranean. The two selected sites at Kefr Saber (∼32 km west of
Marsa-Matrouh city) and ∼ 10 km northwest of El Alamein village are
coastal lagoons protected by 2–20 m-high dunes parallel to the shoreline.
Field data were collected by (1) coastal geomorphology along estuaries,
wedge-protected and dune-protected lagoons; and (2) identification and
spatial distribution of paleotsunamis deposits using five trenches
(1.5 m-depth) at Kefr Saber and twelve cores (1 to 2.5 m-depth) at El
Alamein. Detailed logging of sedimentary sections was conducted using X-rays,
grain size and sorting, total organic and inorganic matter, bulk mineralogy,
magnetic susceptibility, and radiocarbon dating to identify past tsunamis
records. Generally of low energy, the stratigraphic succession made of
coastal lagoon and alluvial deposits includes intercalated high-energy
deposits made of mixed fine and coarse sand with broken shells, interpreted
as catastrophic layers correlated with tsunami deposits. Radiocarbon dating
of 46 samples consist in mixed old (>13 000 BP) and young
(<5500 BP), dated charcoal and shells in sedimentary units
correlate with the 24 June AD 1870 (Mw 7.5), 8 August AD 1303 (Mw ∼ 8) and 21 July AD 365 (Mw 8–8.5) large tsunamigenic
earthquakes that caused inundation along the Alexandria and northern Egyptian
shoreline. Our results point out the size and recurrence of past tsunamis and
the potential for future tsunami hazards on the Egyptian coastline and the
eastern Mediterranean regions.
Different Approaches in Recruiting Young Professionals
Authors: Fischerová Martina , Půbalová Kateřina
Published: August 2018

Young Professionals as a significant part of Generation Y have already been examined in various studies that focused on their views, attitudes, values etc. This paper examines the differences in the importance of work and life values among peers of the same age with similar background, but from different study groups. To test the propositions, a life value inventory was distributed among 262 students and alumni from two different study programs at the same Faculty between December 2016 and May 2017. The data were analyzed in the SPSS statistical software with the use of the k-means clustering. The hypotheses expecting differences in life and work values were partially confirmed. The findings are discussed within the framework of strategic leadership and the need of engaging stakeholders.
Problems of Accounting Professionals Residing in Istanbul and the Suggested Solutions
Authors: Uçar Mustafa , Kızıl Cevdet , Oğuz Oğuzhan
Published: August 2018

Some problems of accounting professionals in Turkey were solved with the introduction of Law on Public Accountants, Certified Public Accountants and Sworn-in Certified Public Accountants in 1989. However, many other problems still remain to be solved for accountants in Turkey as of 2018. There were two main objectives of this study. The first one was to identify the problems faced by accounting professionals living in Istanbul, Turkey and the second one was to come up with solutions for these problems. The eesearch took advantage of questionnaire methodology. According to research findings, accounting occupation doesn’t have a professional identity in Turkey. Also, accounting education given in universities is perceived as inadequate. The leading reason why accounting professionals are only considered as bookkeepers in Turkey is knowledge defficiencies. The main motivation behind choosing the accountant career path is commercial (monetary). The leading reason for lack of confidence against accountants in Turkey is ignorance of accounting ethics. Lack of practice is the leading deficiency concerning accounting education in Turkey. This is followed by insufficient accounting ethics education. Leading problems of accounting professionals in Turkish business life are economical. Our literature review shows that, expectations from public authorities, professional accounting chambers and bodies increase to solve the problems of accounting professionals. Thus, the suggested solutions by this study to eliminate determined problems of accounting professionals should be evaluated and considered by public authorities, professional accounting chambers and bodies. Moreover, effective communication, coordination and agreement on legal arrangements must be present among accounting professionals, chambers, bodies and public authorities to solve the problems of accounting professionals residing in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Efficiency of Fiscal Incentive in Municipalities With Lower Human Development Indices: The Case of Maranhão
Authors: Lima Fernando Silva , Yoshitake Mariano , Andrade Marcia Helena
Published: August 2018

The objective of this article is to verify if the fiscal incentive had impact on the generation of employment in the municipalities that have the lowest IDH indices of the state of Maranhão. To this end, the study analyzes the development of employment generation during the granting of the fiscal incentive in Maranhão through the Meso-regions between 2010 and 2016. The specific objectives are: to identify the criteria established for granting the fiscal incentive; compare the number of jobs generated with the number of companies that benefited from the tax incentive; to verify the evolution of the jobs generated in each mesoregion and to know the economic activities that generate more jobs in the state. The problem of this research is: what are the impacts of fiscal incentives on employment generation in municipalities with the lowest IDH indices in Maranhão. It considers the methodology of this study, a field research, but of quantitative-descriptive character. Among the results, it was identified that the fiscal incentive had no impact on job creation in the Meso-regions that have the lowest IDH indices in the state of Maranhão between 2010 and 2016.
De beleving van bestuurlijke drukte
Authors: van de Peppel Rob , Pol Helma , Hoek Dick
Published: August 2018

De beleving van bestuurlijke drukte

Met een recent onderzoek onder Overijsselse bestuurders is voor het eerst kwantitatief gemeten hoe bestuurlijke drukte door bestuurders zelf wordt ervaren. De aanleiding voor dit onderzoek vormde het hoofdlijnenakkoord 'De Kracht van Overijssel', waarin terugdringing van bestuurlijke drukte in Overijssel expliciet wordt genoemd als middel om de kwaliteit van het openbaar bestuur in Overijssel verder te verhogen. De vraag die in het onderzoek naar bestuurlijke drukte in Overijssel centraal stond, was exploratief: hoe ervaren bestuurders zelf bestuurlijke drukte? En, hoeveel bestuurders ervaren bestuurlijke drukte als een probleem? Uit dit onderzoek komt naar voren dat bestuurlijke drukte als fenomeen bekend is bij vrijwel alle bestuurders en dat een substantieel deel het als een probleem beschouwt. Daarbij moeten we wel aantekenen dat van degenen die bestuurlijke drukte als een probleem zien, de meesten de omvang van het probleem 'beperkt' noemen.
Wat gemeenten van sociale wijkteams verwachten
Authors: van Arum Silke , Lub Vasco
Published: August 2018

Wat gemeenten van sociale wijkteams verwachten

De verwachtingen over de sociale wijkteams zijn hooggespannen. Menig gemeente ziet het inzetten van de teams als dé nieuwe oplossing in de aanpak van sociale problematiek en de uitdagingen waarvoor zij komen te staan met de transities en bezuinigingen. Tientallen gemeenten hebben in een kort tijdsbestek dergelijke teams ingesteld en nog meer zullen volgen. Maar wat beogen de diverse gemeenten nu precies met de wijkteams? Waar moet hun meerwaarde uit bestaan in de dienstverlening naar (kwetsbare) burgers? Geven gemeenten via de wijkteams invulling en kleur aan de decentralisatie van zorg- en welzijnstaken?
Een waarschuwende strafrechter
Authors: Janssen J.H.
Published: August 2018

Een waarschuwende strafrechter

Afschaffing van de schorsing van de voorlopige hechtenis leidt niet tot het doel dat de wetgever zegt met de wijziging voor ogen te hebben. Het effect zou in veel gevallen zelfs kunnen zijn dat de nadruk meer komt te liggen op daadwerkelijke vrijheidsbeneming en minder op vrijheidsbeperking. Een ander gevaar dat dreigt is dat gemakkelijk tot onnodige vrijheidsbeperkende maatregelen wordt overgegaan. Ook kunnen vraagtekens worden geplaatst bij de effectiviteit van de vrijheidsbeperkende maatregelen als er voor de verdachte geen concreet zicht is op vrijheidsbeneming. Deze averechtse effecten kunnen niet de bedoeling van de wetgever zijn en kunnen worden voorkomen.
Tax climate in the national press: A new tool in tax behaviour research
Authors: Lozza Edoardo , Castiglioni Cinzia
Published: August 2018

Given the inherently hidden nature of tax evasion, research on tax compliance can be challenging. By drawing on the ‘slippery slope’ framework, which suggests that the tax climate in a society can vary on a continuum between antagonistic and synergistic, we test a new tool in tax compliance research by comparing two areas that differ in terms of tax compliance but share the same language: Italy and the Canton of Ticino (Switzerland). After retrieving 3554 tax-related articles published between 2010 and 2016 from national newspapers with the highest circulation in the two considered countries, we performed a lexicographical analysis using the software T-LAB. The results show that the Italian and Swiss national presses depict their respective tax systems and tax authorities in very different ways. An antagonistic tax climate (coercive power of authorities and distrust in the tax system) appears to prevail in Italy, while a synergistic tax climate (legitimate power of authorities and trust in the tax system) prevails in the Canton of Ticino. The tool appears to be effective not only in detecting the tax climate of a country but also in monitoring changes over time, thus allowing policymakers to fine-tune their fiscal policies accordingly. The results also offer insights into the effects of the vicious cycle between the tax climate of a country and the way the press depicts it in terms of tax behaviour.
Triclosan changes community composition and selects for specific bacterial taxa in marine periphyton biofilms in low nanomolar concentration
Authors: Eriksson K. Martin , Sanli Kemal , Nilsson Henrik , Eiler Alexander , Corcoll Natalia , Johansson Henrik , Backhaus Thomas , Blanck Hans , Kristiansson Erik
Published: August 2018

The antibacterial agent Triclosan (TCS) is an ubiquitous environmental contaminant due to its widespread use. Sensitivity to TCS varies substantially among eu- and pro-karyotic species and its risk for the marine environment remains to be better elucidated. In particular, the effects that TCS causes on marine microbial communities are largely unknown. In this study we therefore used 16S amplicon rDNA sequencing to investigate TCS effects on the bacterial composition in marine periphyton communities that developed under long-term exposure to different TCS concentrations. Exposure to TCS resulted in clear changes in bacterial composition already at concentrations of 1 to 3.16 nM. We conclude that TCS affects the structure of the bacterial part of periphyton communities at concentrations that actually occur in the marine environment. Sensitive taxa, whose abundance decreased significantly with increasing TCS concentrations, include the Rhodobiaceae and Rhodobacteraceae families of Alphaproteobacteria, and unidentified members of the Candidate division OD1. Tolerant taxa, whose abundance increased significantly with higher TCS concentrations, include the families Erythrobacteraceae (Alphaproteobacteria), Flavobacteriaceae (Bacteroidetes), Bdellovibrionaceae (Deltaproteobacteria), several families of Gammaproteobacteria, and members of the Candidate phylum BD1-5. Our results demonstrate the variability of TCS sensitivity among bacteria, and the importance of extending the ecotoxicological assessment of antimicrobial chemicals, such as TCS, to non-cultivable bacteria and natural communities.
Organs of God
Authors: Ebstein Michael
Published: August 2018

This article focuses on ḥadīth al-nawāfil (“the tradition concerning supererogatory works”), which is one of the most quoted traditions in Islamic mystical literature. The tradition describes how the believer may draw close to God and gain His love by performing supererogatory works, to such an extent that her organs become divine. The article discusses the significance of the nawāfil tradition in various mystical writings composed in the formative and classical periods of Islamic mysticism (third–seventh/ninth–thirteenth centuries), with special attention given to the writings of the influential mystic Muḥyī l-Dīn Ibn al-ʿArabī (d. 638/1240). The article likewise attempts to demonstrate the relevance of certain Shii conceptions to the understanding of ḥadīth al-nawāfil and its interpretations in Sunni mysticism.
Tamil Life of Purūravas
Authors: Peres Ofer
Published: August 2018

The Purūravac-cakkiravartti-katai (PCK), “The Story of Emperor Purūravas,” is a pre-modern Tamil folk telling of the ancient Urvaśī-Purūravas legend. The classical narrative of King Purūravas of the Lunar Dynasty tells about his love affair with the celestial nymph Urvaśī, their tragic separation, and final reunion. The PCK follows the classical narrative closely, but interposes a long account of other exploits of Purūravas, which do not appear in any of the Sanskrit tellings of the story. In this supplement, which I call “The Tamil Life of Purūravas,” Purūravas faces a tragic chain of unavoidable events, but eventually restores his former status through meditation and devotion. A comparative examination of the two parts of the text, that is, the classical narrative and the Tamil Life, shows that the latter generates an inverted mirror image of the fundamental notions implied in the classical narrative. The outcome of this structure is a shift in the ideological tendencies of the narrative toward a local ethos and popular religious notions. The PCK is thus shown to be a field of cultural negotiations, in which opposing ideologies contend for superiority, and its structure can be regarded as a transformative mechanism applied by local and popular cultural forms to enable appropriation of classical narrative traditions.