bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Willingness-to-Pay for Sustainable Aquaculture Products: Evidence from Korean Red Seabream Aquaculture
Authors: Yi Sangchoul
Published: March 2019

A New Ecological Paradigm scale was used as a measurement tool to determine consumer perception of the environment through the context of red seabream (Pagrus major) aquaculture and the use of copper-alloy nets. To identify the underlying dimension of consumer perception, exploratory factor analysis was conducted, which showed that consumer perception comprised two dimensions—nature and balance, and human dominance—yielding two indicators as independent variables for a contingent valuation method estimation. The estimation results indicate that demographic variables and one consumer perception variable (i.e., the human dominance indicator) are insignificant. However, the economic variable, one consumer perception variable (i.e., nature and balance), and seafood preference are significant. Finally, willingness-to-pay was estimated for sustainable aquaculture products by comparing the mean willingness-to-pay within New Ecological Paradigm-level groups.
The Knowledge Mapping of Mobile Commerce Research: A Visual Analysis Based on I-Model
Authors: Du Shan , Li Hua
Published: March 2019

With the advance of 5G communication technologies and Internet+ strategy, mobile commerce has experienced rapid growth and needs urgent attention from researchers. It is the aim of this article to analyze the literature on mobile commerce to address the following question: With the wide application of artificial intelligence and big data, what are the latest technology, models and problems in the background of the new era that researchers and practitioners need to understand in order to grasp the research frontier in this field quickly? Therefore, to achieve these objectives, this paper reviews 1130 m-commerce articles with 25,502 associated references from the SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH database and develops a framework of m-commerce value by analyzing the most influential authors, institutions, countries, journals and keywords in m-commerce. We apply three types of knowledge mapping to our study—cluster view, timezone view and timeline view. Frequency statistics, clustering coefficient as well as centrality calculation are employed to analyze by CiteSpace. We use the strength of citation bursts to analyze keywords and put result into the I-Modelwhich provide an important framework for classifying m-commerce activities and theories. In this study, we explore the knowledge structure, development and the future trend of mobile commerce for researchers. We identify the main technology and models to improve customer satisfaction and adoption behavior in the background of the new era which provide decision support for practitioners. Compared with the existing literature reviews of mobile commerce, we make a set of knowledge maps to show the future trend of mobile commerce and analyze visual results based on I-model. It is the first study to present the major clusters to reveal their associated intellectual bases and research fronts.
A Critical Consideration of Environmental Literacy: Concepts, Contexts, and Competencies
Authors: Kaya Volkan Hasan , Elster Doris
Published: March 2019

This study is based on a Delphi study on environmental literacy which is an important part of science education. The main goal is to clarify the framework, including concepts, contexts, and competencies of environmental literacy, and to reach consensus on this framework in accordance with expert opinions. This study used a mixed method research design, which included both qualitative and quantitative methods, to reveal expert opinions. The exploratory sequential design, one type of mixed method research, was used in this Delphi study and performed in three consecutive steps. The sample consisted of 45 experts who initially agreed to participate in this study, with 20 of the 45 participating in the first step Delphi. The numbers of participants in the second and third Delphi steps are 44 and 31, respectively. This study concluded there was a consensus about the definition, sub-dimensions, and competencies of environmental literacy and the institutions, social groups, and people responsible for the development of qualified environmentally-literate individuals. Additionally, there was agreement concerning what to do to support the development of environmental literacy, topics that should be included in the curriculum and textbooks, and teaching methods and extra-curriculum activities for the development of environmental literacy.
Government R&D Subsidy and Additionality of Biotechnology Firms: The Case of the South Korean Biotechnology Industry
Authors: Shin Kwangsoo , Choy Minkyung , Lee Chul , Park Gunno
Published: March 2019

Government research and development (R&D) subsidies are more important in countries that are latecomers to the biotechnology industry, where venture capital has not been developed, and the ratio of start-ups is high. Previous studies have mostly focused on the additionality of the input and output through government R&D subsidies, such as private R&D investment, technological innovation, and financial performance. In addition, some studies have focused on the behavioral additionality (the change in a firm’s behavior) of firms through government R&D subsidies. However, each study is fragmented and does not provide integrated results and implications. Therefore, this study comprehensively investigated the effects of government R&D subsidies on the multifaceted aspects of input, output, and behavioral additionality based on data from South Korean biotechnology companies. This study used the propensity score matching (PSM) method to prevent selection bias. The results showed that firms benefiting from government R&D subsidies had a markedly higher R&D investment in terms of input additionality, and they produced more technological innovation within a shorter period in terms of output additionality, though financial performance was not determined. Moreover, government R&D subsidies have accelerated strategic alliances and suppressed external financing (debt financing) in terms of behavioral additionality.
Consumer Preferences for Different Designs of Carbon Footprint Labelling on Tomatoes in Germany—Does Design Matter?
Authors: Meyerding Stephan G.H. , Schaffmann Anna-Lena , Lehberger Mira
Published: March 2019

The climate impact of tomato production is an important issue in the sustainability of tomatoes, especially in northern European countries, such as Germany. Communicating the climate impact of products to the consumer is difficult and the design of the label might be the key to its success. For this reason, the present study compares the utilities of six different carbon footprint labels to evaluate which label design works best for the consumer. 598 consumers were surveyed in a representative online choice-experiment. The participants had to choose between tomatoes with different product characteristics, such as origin, price, organic label, and carbon footprint label. A split sample approach was used where each sub-sample with around n = 100 saw a different carbon footprint label design in the choice-experiment. The results suggest that qualitative carbon footprint labels using color-coded traffic light labelling are superior to those that claim climate impact reduction or neutrality, including those that provide more details regarding the climate impact of the product and the company. The latent class analysis with four consumer segments shows that a significant proportion of consumers in Germany would consider a carbon footprint label as an important characteristic.
Key Features of E-Tailer Shops in Adaptation to Cross-Border E-Commerce in the EU
Authors: Strzelecki Artur
Published: March 2019

This study attempts to determine the most important features of e-tailer shops regarding their adaptation of cross-border e-commerce. The open market in the European Union (EU) encourages consumers to make cross-border purchases. The aim of the paper is to determine which features are important for customers and should therefore be taken into consideration by e-tailers when providing their services. The paper is based on a study conducted in Poland. Polish e-commerce stores are broadening their market opportunities to other European countries. The study included 30 Polish e-tailers from the household goods sector (e.g., TVs, computers, washing machines, etc.). The theory is grounded in online shopping and website analysis. The author found that not all key features of e-tailer shops in the observed industry sector were developed in websites; some online shops lacked these features. A limitation is that the observation was conducted in only one country and industry sector. However, the sector studied represents the majority of online shops and the industry was the subject of the study. Research shows which features of online shops are important for customers who make cross-border e-commerce. Originality and contribution are based on the identification, analysis, and results of the features to adjust in the European cross-border e-commerce.
Vegetation Degradation and Its Driving Factors in the Farming–Pastoral Ecotone over the Countries along Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Liu Qionghuan , Wang Xiuhong , Zhang Yili , Zhang Huamin , Li Lanhui
Published: March 2019

To adhere to the green growth strategy, it is urgently needed to identify the vegetation degradation zone in the farming–pastoral ecotone (FPE) over the countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”. In this study, we monitored vegetation degradation and analyzed climatic factors and anthropogenic contributions on vegetation change in the FPE during 2000–2016 using the growing season annual accumulative normalized difference vegetation index (NDVIaccu) and climatic variables. The Theil-Sen’s trend results revealed that 74.11% of NDVIaccu in FPEs showed a significant increasing trend for the period 2000–2016, only 1.64% of NDVIaccu were significantly decreasing. However, we detected that 21.29% degradation of NDVIaccu had occurred based on enhanced Theil-Sen and Mann-Kendall (ETheil-Sen-MK) method. Spatial statistics for significant correlations between climatic variables and NDVIaccu showed that precipitation was positively correlated with NDVIaccu; yet, the relationship between NDVIaccu and temperature was more complex, which was closely related to the intensity of increasing in temperature. Importantly, this study found that anthropogenic contributions dominated the trends in NDVIaccu over the FPE. The findings suggested that agricultural activities play a mainly positive role in overall vegetation vigor. However, continually increasing disturbance by livestock grazing risks further vegetation degradation.
Segmentation, Classification, and Determinants of In-Store Shopping Activity and Travel Behaviour in the Digitalisation Era: The Context of a Developing Country
Authors: Joewono Tri Basuki , Tarigan Ari K. M. , Rizki Muhamad
Published: March 2019

The influence of digital technologies in the current era has substantially affected the way individuals engage with in-store shopping activities and travels. To prepare a transport policy with sustainable orientations, it is important to investigate factors that determine in-store activity-travel patterns. In particular, knowledge about how in-store activities and travels interact with other forms of activities and travels should be updated, since the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) may be substantial to create new patterns of activity and travel. It is believed that shopping travel and activity behaviours may indicate the increase or decrease of physical travels, which is crucial for carbon emission measures in transportation sector. While numerous studies about this issue have been recently carried out based on the context of developed countries, little is known for the context of developing countries. To offer a better understanding of the nature of in-store shopping travels and activities in the digitalisation era, a household survey was conducted in Bandung, Indonesia. This survey tends to acquire data from respondents as a representation of developing countries on their shopping behaviour, travel characteristics, and spatial attributes that represent the conditions of their built environment. The results from the survey show that individuals in a developing country are still having interest in in-store grocery shopping even though their daily life has a close connection with digital life. The results of the analysis show that grocery shoppers in a developing country simultaneously consider shopping activity, other activities, modes of transport, and shopping expenses. This manifests in the form of trip-chaining activities and affects decisions on the modes of transport used. The results indicate a significant portion of trip frequency for in-store shopping travel with motorised modes. Since motorised modes are the main contribution for carbon emission production in transportation sector, the results of this study are critical for developing transport demand measures and setting relevant policy schemes to improve the sustainability of transportation system, especially for the context of developing countries.
Farmer Reported Pest and Disease Impacts on Root, Tuber, and Banana Crops and Livelihoods in Rwanda and Burundi
Authors: Okonya Joshua Sikhu , Ocimati Walter , Nduwayezu Anastase , Kantungeko Déo , Niko Nicolas , Blomme Guy , Legg James Peter , Kroschel Jürgen
Published: March 2019

Biotic constraints cause major crop losses and, hence, food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study documented the popularity, production constraints, pests and diseases, farmers’ perceptions on the severity of biotic constraints and the impact of related crop losses on household food security for the key root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops (cassava, potato, sweetpotato and banana). Farmer interviews were conducted in 2014 covering 811 households in Rwanda and Burundi. Farmers were asked to list their RTB crop production constraints, name insect pests and diseases of RTB crops, estimate crop loss due to pests and diseases, and mention if their household experienced any form of food insecurity due to pests and diseases. Cutworms and late blight in potato, banana weevils and banana Xanthomonas wilt in banana, cassava whitefly and cassava mosaic disease in cassava, sweetpotato weevils, and sweetpotato virus disease in sweetpotato were the most predominant pests and diseases reported. Crop losses due to pests and diseases for sweetpotato, banana, potato and cassava were estimated at 26%, 29%, 33%, and 36%, respectively, in Rwanda and 37%, 48%, 38%, and 37% in Burundi. Pests and diseases reduce the profitability of RTB crops, threaten food security, and constitute a disincentive for investment. Sustainable and affordable integrated pest management packages need to be developed.
The Production–Living–Ecological Land Classification System and Its Characteristics in the Hilly Area of Sichuan Province, Southwest China Based on Identification of the Main Functions
Authors: Liao Guitang , He Peng , Gao Xuesong , Deng Liangji , Zhang Hui , Feng Nana , Zhou Wei , Deng Ouping
Published: March 2019

Production–living–ecological land (PLEL) is one of the research focuses of land planning and regional sustainable development in China. This paper builds a three-level classification system of PLEL based on the identification of the main land use functions (LUFs). Taking 215 typical towns in the hilly area of Sichuan Province, Southwest China as samples, the quantitative, spatial, and functional characteristics and impact factors of PLEL were studied. The results showed that (1) production land holds a dominant role in the hilly area of Sichuan Province, and production land (PL), living land (LL) and ecological land (EL) account for 66.06%, 7.60%, and 26.34% of the area, respectively. The area of agricultural production land is the largest; forestland and rural living land rank second and third. (2) The spatial patterns of PLEL in different regions of hilly area have differences. The proportion of PL gradually decreases from north to south, while the proportion of EL gradually increases from north to south, and the difference in LL is not obvious. The EL is mainly distributed in the upper and middle parts of hills, and the PL and LL are mainly distributed in the foot slopes and valleys. (3) The main functions of PLEL in the hilly area of Sichuan are production and ecology. The production function is mainly for agricultural and forestry products, and the living function is mainly for cultural leisure and residential functions. There are little differences among the ecological sub-functions. (4) There is a strong correlation between PLEL and natural–social–economic factors in the hilly area of Sichuan. Natural conditions such as latitude, relative height, and surface roughness have significant impacts on PL and EL. Social and economic factors such as population density, location and total industrial output value have a significant impact on LL. The results of this study provide valuable implications for the spatial planning and sustainable development in the Sichuan Basin and upstream of the Yangtze River.
Vitalizing Rural Communities: China’s Rural Entrepreneurial Activities from Perspective of Mixed Embeddedness
Authors: Zhu Huasheng , Chen Yawei , Chen Kebi
Published: March 2019

Rural entrepreneurial activities play an important role in the development of rural economies and the vitality of rural areas, and they can also contribute to an increase in the employment opportunities of farmers and environmental sustainability during China’s transitional period. As a local organization, the community connects individuals, collective agencies, local authorities, and the market in reforming rural economies in China. Based on the concepts of mixed embeddedness and on the database of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper uses a binary logistic regression (BLR) model to analyze the impact of social, institutional, and economic environments of rural communities on entrepreneurship. The finding shows that informal, entrepreneurship-oriented institutions in rural communities have more significantly positive impact on farmer entrepreneurship than formal institutions, as well as economic and social environments. Furthermore, compared with kinship, neighborhood relationships and weak ties based on the population mobility in rural communities are more important for farmer entrepreneurship. Additionally, rural communities are the production places and markets, and their economic levels are positively related to entrepreneurship. Last but not least, compared with urban communities, rural communities play a much more prominent role in local entrepreneurship.
Development of an Optimization Method and Software for Optimizing Global Supply Chains for Increased Efficiency, Competitiveness, and Sustainability
Authors: Kovács György , Illés Béla
Published: March 2019

Presently, an increasing human population, customer consumption, and global market competition result in the reduction of natural resources and growing environmental damage. Therefore, the current practice in the use of resources is not sustainable. The production companies have to focus not only on cost-effective and profitable operation, but at the same time environmentally friendly and sustainable production in order to increase competitiveness. New innovative technologies are required, improving the efficiency of the processes and the optimization of global supply chains (GSC) in order to establish sustainability in environmental, social, and economic aspects. The aim of the study is the GSCs’ optimization, which means forming the optimal combination of the chain members (suppliers, final assemblers, service providers) to achieve cost-effective, time-effective, and sustainable operation. This study introduces an elaborated single- and multi-objective optimization method, including the objective functions (cost, lead time) and design constraints (production and service capacities; volume of inventories; flexibility and sustainability of the chain members). Based on the elaborated method, software has been developed for the optimization of sustainable GSCs. The significance and novelty of the developed method and software is that the chain members have been required to fulfill the sustainability design constraint built into the software. A real case study is introduced, for the optimal design of a sustainable GSC, to confirm that our developed optimization method and software can be applied effectively in practice for the optimization of both profitable and sustainable GSCs.
Onshore Oil and Gas Design Schedule Management Process Through Time-Impact Simulations Analyses
Authors: Yi Daekyoung , Lee Eul-Bum , Ahn Junyong
Published: March 2019

Korean oil and gas contractors have recently incurred significant losses due to improper engineering performance on EPC (engineering procurement and construction) projects in overseas markets. Several previous studies have verified the significant impact engineering has on EPC construction cost and project lifecycle. However, no literature has studied the time impact engineering has on EPC projects, representing a gap in the existing body of knowledge. To fill this gap, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed with the Pertmaster, Primavera risk analysis software for three sample onshore oil and gas projects. From said simulation of all major EPC critical activities, the authors found that the engineering phase is up to 10 times as impactful as the procurement and construction phases on the overall schedule duration. In assessing the engineering activities, the authors found the piping design activities to have the greatest impact on the overall schedule performance. Using these findings, the authors present a design schedule management process which minimizes the delays of project completion in EPC projects. Said process includes the following six steps: (1) Milestone management, (2) drawing status management, (3) productivity management of engineering, (4) interface management, (5) management of major vendor documents, and (6) work front management. The findings of this paper add to the body of knowledge by confirming the design phase to be the most impactful on the overall project schedule success. Furthermore, the presented design schedule management will aid industry with successfully executing the design phase in a timely manner, including examples from case study projects for a greater understanding.
Pitfalls of Wastewater Treatment in Oil Refinery Enterprises in Kazakhstan—A System Approach
Authors: Radelyuk Ivan , Tussupova Kamshat , Zhapargazinova Kulshat , Yelubay Madeniyet , Persson Magnus
Published: March 2019

The present article is an assessment of wastewater treatment processes in the oil refinery sector in Kazakhstan by comparing relevant experience of developed and developing countries. The legislation in this sphere, the treatment methods, the discharge process and the effect on the environment were evaluated following international and national regulations. In our study, the wastewater systems in three factories in Kazakhstan were assessed. Results show that, even though the environmental regulation in Kazakhstan promotes the polluter pays principle and follows the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the oil refinery plants in Kazakhstan still contain exceeding concentrations of pollutants in their effluents. One issue is that the local legislation allows disposal of wastewater to natural or artificial ponds as long as the concentrations of pollutants in effluents are less than the already existing concentrations in the pond. Consequently, the factories can use ponds with an initially high concentration of contaminants. The high initial concentration of pollutants in the pond water is due to wastewater discharged before the implementation of current environmental regulations. This issue in the current legislation leads to the situation where there is no incentive for efficient wastewater treatment. The national law also lacks regulations regarding which methodology should be used to assess the pollutants in the wastewater. Thus, the control by national environmental office for each enterprise is negotiated separately between the factory and the governmental body. This gives the factory a strong position to define the parameters assessing the effluents. This has led to none of the factories measuring, e.g., heavy metals in discharged wastewater. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentration in wastewater is often exceeded at each factory and there is no analysis done for different hydrocarbon fraction. To overcome the issues described in the present study, we strongly recommended a unified and transparent methodology for the country’s oil refinery industry to assess important pollutants in discharged wastewater.
Village Regrouping in the Eastern Plains of China: A Perspective on Home-Field Distance
Authors: Li Xuedong , Liu Yunhui , Chen Yajuan , Li Pengyao , Yu Zhenrong
Published: March 2019

Rural decline caused by rapid urbanization is a global issue, and village regrouping is an effective way to revitalize the countryside. The eastern plains of China (EPC) were the first regions to implement the policy of village regrouping in China. Despite being one of the most critical factors in village regrouping, home-field distances (HFDs) in these areas have received little attention. In this study, we selected 240 sample points in the EPC through spatial stratified sampling, each of which is a square of 10 × 10 km2. Based on high-resolution remote sensing images, the inter-regional differences of rural settlements and home-field straight-line distances (HFLDs) in the EPC were systematically analyzed. Based on the central place theory (CPT), the influencing mechanism of the HFLD, the maximum HFLD acceptable to farmers, and the reasonable number, distribution pattern, and service scope of central villages in the EPC were further explored. The results indicate that HFLDs in the EPC have significant latitude zonality and spatial autocorrelation. In the northeastern China plain (NECP), north China plain (NCP), and middle and lower reaches plain of the Yangtze River (MLPYR), the ranges of the maximum HFLD are 1000–4000 m, 500–2200 m, and 500–1500 m, respectively. The distribution pattern of rural settlements, the traffic conditions, and the vehicles used by farmers during periods of land development directly impact the HFLD. HFLDs in the EPC should not exceed 3.6–4.2 km (NECP can use the higher standard-4.2 km, NCP and MLPYR can use the lower standard-3.6 km), the service range of each rural settlement should not exceed 33.6–45.8 km2, and the number of rural settlements per 100 km2 should be greater than three. The rural settlements should be discretely distributed so that each piece of farmland can be tended. The MLPYR demonstrates the greatest potential for village regrouping, and the Chinese government should invest more funds in village regrouping and central village construction in the MLPYR. This study can provide a case study for developing countries in the urbanization phase, so as to improve the rationality of village regrouping planning.
Intermodal Container Routing: Integrating Long-Haul Routing and Local Drayage Decisions
Authors: Heggen Hilde , Molenbruch Yves , Caris An , Braekers Kris
Published: March 2019

Intermodal logistics service providers decide on the routing of demand through their service network. Long-haul routing decisions determine the selected departure and arrival terminals for containers and imply corresponding drayage tasks. Traditionally, given these long-haul routes and fixed drayage tasks, drayage operations are planned in a second phase by establishing truck routes to transport containers to and from terminals by truck. In this paper, operational decisions on local drayage routing in large-volume freight regions with multiple terminals on the one hand, and intermodal long-haul routing on the other hand are merged into an integrated intermodal routing problem. Different long-haul routing decisions imply different drayage tasks to be performed and thus impact total trucking costs. The approach aims at reducing the number of road kilometres and increases bundling opportunities by maximising the long-haul capacity utilisation. In this way, it contributes to the modal shift towards intermodal transport and a more sustainable transport system. As a weekly planning horizon is used, a maximum daily active time and a minimum overnight’s rest are included for multi-day drayage routing. A large neighbourhood search heuristic is proposed to solve the integrated intermodal routing problem. This integrated planning approach provides decision support for routing customer orders throughout the intermodal network with the aim of minimising total transport costs and maximising capacity utilisation. Experiments show the added value of the integrated approach, which uses more information to make better-informed decisions and increase the capacity utilisation. The largest savings in trucking costs are obtained for clustered instances with demand characteristics closest to real-life cases. Finally, a real-life case study analyses the impact of tactical service network design decisions on the total operational costs.
Development of Sensitive and Reliable UPLC-MS/MS Methods for Food Analysis of Emerging Mycotoxins in China Total Diet Study
Authors: Sun Danlei , Qiu Nannan , Zhou Shuang , Lyu Bing , Zhang Shuo , Li Jingguang , Zhao Yunfeng , Wu Yongning
Published: March 2019

With the climatic changes that have taken place during the last decade, the spectrum of fungal pathogens as well as mycotoxins has considerably changed. As a result, some emerging mycotoxins have been shown to occur frequently in agricultural products. In this study, a sensitive and reliable method for the determination of 10 emerging mycotoxins (beauvericin, enniatin A, enniatin A1, enniatin B, enniatin B1, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene, tentoxin, and tenuazonic acid) in 12 different food matrices (cereals, legumes, potatoes, meats, eggs, aquatic foods, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, sugars, beverages, and alcohol beverages) was developed and validated. After a simple extraction, a one-step sample clean-up by a HLB solid phase extraction (SPE) column was sufficient for all 12 food matrices prior to analysis with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Isotope internal standards 13C-TeA, TEN-d3, and 13C-AFB2 were used for accurate quantification. Validation in terms of linearity, selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision (intra and inter-day variability) were evaluated for the 10 mycotoxins in all selected matrices. The sensitivity varied from 0.0004 to 0.3 ng mL−1 (limits of detection) and from 0.002 to 0.9 ng mL−1 (limits of quantitation). The recoveries of 10 mycotoxins in fortified samples were from 60.6% to 164% including very low spiking levels in all 12 food matrices, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 12%. The proposed methodology was applied to the analysis of 60 samples collected from five provinces within the 6th China Total Diet Study with the results discussed in detail. The advantages of sensitivity, accuracy, and robustness made it a powerful tool for emerging mycotoxin monitoring and dietary exposure assessment.
Interaction of Surface Water and Groundwater Influenced by Groundwater Over-Extraction, Waste Water Discharge and Water Transfer in Xiong’an New Area, China
Authors: Zhu Meijia , Wang Shiqin , Kong Xiaole , Zheng Wenbo , Feng Wenzhao , Zhang Xianfu , Yuan Ruiqiang , Song Xianfang , Sprenger Matthias
Published: March 2019

Understanding the interaction of surface water and groundwater affected by anthropogenic activities is of great importance for water resource and water quality management. The Xiong’an New Area, located in the North China Plain, has been designated a new building area by China’s government. Groundwater has been over pumped and artificial water was transferred to meet the water supply in this region. Therefore, the natural interaction of surface water and groundwater has been greatly changed and there has been a complex impact of the groundwater from anthropogenic activities. In this study, we used water chemical ions and stable isotopes of δ2H and δ18O to assess the interaction of surface water and groundwater in the Xiong’an New Area. We carried out field surveys and water sampling of the Fu River (domestic waste water discharge), Lake Baiyangdian (artificial water transfer), and the underlying groundwater along the water bodies. Results show that the artificial surface water (discharged and transferred) became the major recharge source for the local groundwater due to the decline of groundwater table. We used groundwater table observations, end-member mixing analysis of the stable isotopic composition and chloride tracers to estimate the contributions of different recharge sources to the local groundwater. Due to the over pumping of groundwater, the lateral groundwater recharge was dominant with a contribution ratio ranging from 12% to 78% in the upper reach of the river (Sections 1–3). However, the contribution of lateral groundwater recharge was estimated to be negligible with respect to the artificial water recharge from Lake Baiyangdian. Seepage from the Fu River contributed a significant amount of water to the connecting aquifer, with a contribution ranging from 14% to 75% along the river. The extent of the river influence into the aquifer ranges as far as 1400 m to the south and 400 m to the north of the Fu River. Estimations based on isotopic fractionation shows that about 22.3% of Lake Baiyangdian water was lost by evaporation. By using the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the lake water, an influencing range of 16 km west of the lake was determined. The interaction of the surface water and groundwater is completely changed by anthropogenic activities, such as groundwater over pumping, waste water discharge and water transfer. The switched interaction of surface water and groundwater has a significant implication on water resources management.
Development of Multi-Objective Optimal Redundant Design Approach for Multiple Pipe Failure in Water Distribution System
Authors: Choi Young Hwan , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: March 2019

This study proposes a multi-objective optimal design approach for water distribution systems, considering mechanical system redundancy under multiple pipe failure. Mechanical redundancy is applied to the system’s hydraulic ability, based on the pressure deficit between the pressure requirements under abnormal conditions. The developed design approach shows the relationships between multiple pipe failure states and system redundancy, for different numbers of pipe-failure conditions (e.g., first, second, third, …, tenth). Furthermore, to consider extreme demand modeling, the threshold of the demand quantity is investigated simultaneously with multiple pipe failure modeling. The design performance is evaluated using the mechanical redundancy deficit under extreme demand conditions. To verify the proposed design approach, an expanded version of the well-known benchmark network is used, configured as an ideal grid-shape, and the multi-objective harmony search algorithm is used as the optimal design approach, considering construction cost and system mechanical redundancy. This optimal design technique could be used to propose a standard for pipe failure, based on factors such as the number of broken pipes, during failure condition analysis for redundancy-based designs of water distribution systems.
Assessment of Water Quality Parameters Using Temporal Remote Sensing Spectral Reflectance in Arid Environments, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Elhag Mohamed , Gitas Ioannis , Othman Anas , Bahrawi Jarbou , Gikas Petros
Published: March 2019

Remote sensing applications in water resources management are quite essential in watershed characterization, particularly when mega basins are under investigation. Water quality parameters help in decision making regarding the further use of water based on its quality. Water quality parameters of chlorophyll a concentration, nitrate concentration, and water turbidity were used in the current study to estimate the water quality parameters in the dam lake of Wadi Baysh, Saudi Arabia. Water quality parameters were collected daily over 2 years (2017–2018) from the water treatment station located within the dam vicinity and were correspondingly tested against remotely sensed water quality parameters. Remote sensing data were collected from Sentinel-2 sensor, European Space Agency (ESA) on a satellite temporal resolution basis. Data were pre-processed then processed to estimate the maximum chlorophyll index (MCI), green normalized difference vegetation index (GNDVI) and normalized difference turbidity index (NDTI). Zonal statistics were used to improve the regression analysis between the spatial data estimated from the remote sensing images and the nonspatial data collected from the water treatment plant. Results showed different correlation coefficients between the ground truth collected data and the corresponding indices conducted from remote sensing data. Actual chlorophyll a concentration showed high correlation with estimated MCI mean values with an R2 of 0.96, actual nitrate concentration showed high correlation with the estimated GNDVI mean values with an R2 of 0.94, and the actual water turbidity measurements showed high correlation with the estimated NDTI mean values with an R2 of 0.94. The research findings support the use of remote sensing data of Sentinel-2 to estimate water quality parameters in arid environments.
Non-Negligible Lag of Groundwater Infiltration Recharge: A Case in Mu Us Sandy Land, China
Authors: Yang Ze-Yuan , Wang Kai , Yuan Yue , Huang Jinting , Chen Zhi-Jun , Li Chen
Published: March 2019

Groundwater is often the main source of available water, and precipitation is one of the main recharge sources of groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions. This paper studies a fixed dune in Mu Us Sandy Land in China, establishes a numerical model, acquires hydraulic parameters and heat parameters of the vadose zone, and calculates the recharge coefficient based on field observation data and numerical modelling. These measurement results show that the response depths of storm rain are more than 90 cm, while those of small rain events are less than 10 cm. The numerical results show that infiltration depths are 10 cm for small rain and more than 90 cm for middle rain respectively. The lag time of the water content at 90 cm below the surface was 25 h following a middle rain, 18–19 h following a heavy rain, and 16–18 h following a storm rainfall. Groundwater recharge lag times (matrix flow) varied from 11 h to 48 h. Excluded precipitation for groundwater recharge was 11.25–11.75 mm in 1 h when groundwater depth was 120 cm and 15–15.5 mm when 140 cm, showing significant influence in groundwater resource evaluation.
Solving Management Problems in Water Distribution Networks: A Survey of Approaches and Mathematical Models
Authors: Bello Oladipupo , Abu-Mahfouz Adnan M. , Hamam Yskandar , Page Philip R. , Adedeji Kazeem B. , Piller Olivier
Published: March 2019

Modern water distribution networks (WDNs) are complex and difficult to manage due to increased level of urbanization, varying consumer demands, ageing infrastructure, operational costs, and inadequate water resources. The management problems in such complex networks may be classified into short-term, medium-term, and long-term, depending on the duration at which the problems are solved or considered. To address the management problems associated with WDNs, mathematical models facilitate analysis and improvement of the performance of water infrastructure at minimum operational cost, and have been used by researchers, water utility managers, and operators. This paper presents a detailed review of the management problems and essential mathematical models that are used to address these problems at various phases of WDNs. In addition, it also discusses the main approaches to address these management problems to meet customer demands at the required pressure in terms of adequate water quantity and quality. Key challenges that are associated with the management of WDNs are discussed. Also, new directions for future research studies are suggested to enable water utility managers and researchers to improve the performance of water distribution networks.
THE STRATEGY OF EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AS THE STRATEGY OF INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY, STATE AND INDIVIDUAL
Authors: Banakh Viktor
Published: March 2019

Trying to justify the directions and factors of education quality improvement under the conditions of information society development and increase of competitiveness, the author tries to demonstrate that the development of society and state is based on innovations, innovative education and an innovative-creative-artistic individual that the higher school has to form. The article attempts to perform social diagnostics of higher education quality problems and to define the trends of development and improvement of education quality as innovative environment education, to analyze the problems of education quality in the context of society evolution from information society to “society of innovation”.
CONSTRUCTIVIST PARADIGM AS A PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Aleksandrov Denys
Published: March 2019

Paradigm of constructivism within the limits of non-classical philosophy actively applies the concept of inactivity, which combines in itself the projection of the charts of cognitive activity determined in a civilized manner and ontological reality of realization of own educational interests of personality. In the article from positions of modern epistemological constructivism dense connection of cognitive activity of specialist and determination of constellations of his professional interests. The last are understood within the limits of project-structural attitude of subject toward an educational environment. From positions of inactivity opens up the mechanism of constellation of educational interests.
INFORMATION DIMENSION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL DISCUSSION
Authors: Vashkevych Victor , Morozov Volodymyr
Published: March 2019

Structure of information support as a system of social and educational transformation of modern education in the context of information systems and technologies application in the context of globalized and information transformation of education was defined and grounded. Among the leading items in the information dimension of pedagogic discourse were considered the following: information support of education; computer literacy and information culture; media literacy; the system of pedagogical technologies of new information and communication technologies introduction; the contents, forms, methods and means of information presentation of pedagogical discourse object.
PECULIARITIES OF PERSONALITY-ORIENTED TRAINING OF STUDENTS IN A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Authors: Bratanich Andriy
Published: March 2019

The sources, directions and peculiarities of personality-oriented approach to students' training in higher educational institutions are defined. Analysis of multi-level, individual, differentiated, subjective-personality approaches in modern education of Ukraine was carried out. Advantages and disadvantages of educational technologies and peculiarities of organization of future specialists training in the context of modern educational challenges are revealed.
Échanges et relations commerciales entre Rouergue et Bas-Languedoc au XIIe siècle
Authors: Douzou Alain
Published: March 2019

Intercambios y relaciones comerciales entre Rouergue y bas-Languedoc en el siglo XII.

En el siglo xII se intensifican las actividades artesanales, comerciales, financieras e intelectuales en un Bas-Languedoc abierto al mundo mediterráneo pero también en contacto con la Francia del Norte y el resto de Europa. Distando mucho de ser un «cuarto de atrás » exclusivamente rural, el sur del Massif central se va integrando a esa dinámica, suministrando caballos para la guerra o acémilas, animales que además de la carne abastecen de productos brutos (lana, pieles, sebo) o elaborados (quesos, beicon, cueros) y también de madera y metales, incluso plata. En cambio, vienen del sur nuevos productos, nuevas técnicas, nuevos usos. Las carreteras son concurridas, fieras y mercados se multiplican, los productos de artesanía van aumentando en el marco o en la periferia de los grandes dominios religiosos, cirtencienses y de órdenes militares. Actividades textiles (tejido, tinte de paños de lana o de cáñamo), curtimiento, pellejería, forjas conllevan la existencia de une clase de artesanos especializados y respetados, la prosperidad de ciertos pueblos y el incremento del uso del dinero. La aristocracia local procura por su cuenta adaptarse y aprovecharse de ese maná : condes y vizcondes controlan peajes y mercados y se esmeran en hacer más seguros los caminos con los salvoconductos y el «Commun de Paix » establecido en 1170. Las interferencias entre monte y litoral contribuyen en resumidas cuentas a la prosperidad de ambos y explican la intensa actividad de construcción de iglesias, de castillos y de puentes de los cuales quedan numerosos vestigios.
Les enquêtes agraires en Lombardie au XIXe siècle
Authors: Tedeschi Paolo
Published: March 2019

Cet article explique la structure (les questions proposées et les critères d’exposition des résultats), les objectifs et l’importance économique et politique des enquêtes agraires menées au cours du XIXe siècle en Lombardie. Elles sont rédigées par des fonctionnaires, des agronomes ou des propriétaires fonciers : leurs données concernent la qualité des terrains, les plantes cultivées, les rotations et les labourages, les engrais et les outils utilisés, le bétail, les contrats agraires ainsi que les conditions de vie des paysans. Même si les enquêtes ne sont pas toujours très fiables, elles apportent d’utiles indications sur l’agriculture lombarde ainsi que des suggestions pour augmenter les récoltes et améliorer les revenus des populations rurales. En partant des données locales, les autorités publiques ont donc la possibilité de connaître la situation de l’agriculture lombarde et de décider des mesures à prendre afin de la développer. Le réel impact des enquêtes est toutefois limité, car les gouvernements ne suivent pas les suggestions concernant les cultures à développer et les contrats agraires à utiliser. Ils cherchent à obtenir plus d’impôts du secteur agricole et laissent aux propriétaires fonciers et aux grands fermiers un grand pouvoir contractuel. Le manque de données précises sur les productions empêche en outre leur utilisation au niveau fiscal, ce qui favorise une taxation plus forte (en pourcentage) des familles rurales que des patrimoines fonciers, ainsi qu’une hausse des luttes sociales dans les campagnes lombardes.
Contribution à l’histoire de la peinture murale bouddhique de Birmanie : origine de la tradition narrative Nyaungyan (milieu du XIVe-seconde moitié du XVIe siècle)
Authors: Munier-Gaillard Cristophe
Published: March 2019

The emergence of the Nyaungyan tradition in the early 17th century is a key moment in the history of Burma’s mural painting, one of whose foundations is the continuous narration in captioned registers. Although the first known example goes back to the 12th-century paintings of the Lokahteikpan, it had not gained widespread acceptance. Based on a new classification of Nyaungyan styles, this article attempts to resolve the hiatus. It appears that the Nyaungyan narrative tradition does not go back to the earliest Buddhist murals of the 11th–13th centuries, but to those of the 14th–16th centuries. The iconography, which was to prevail in the Nyaungyan and Konbaung styles from the 17th to the middle of the 19th century, was fixed from the second half of the 16th century in the proto-Nyaungyan style. The modern narrative format was born with the Nyaungyan tradition and this article attempts to trace it back to its formation.