bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitive Electrochemical Detection of Caffeic Acid in Wine Based on Fluorine-Doped Graphene Oxide
Authors: Manikandan Venkatesh S. , Sidhureddy Boopathi , Thiruppathi Antony Raj , Chen Aicheng
Published: April 2019

We report here a novel electrochemical sensor developed using fluorine-doped graphene oxide (F-GO) for the detection of caffeic acid (CA). The synthesized graphene oxide (GO) and F-GO nanomaterials were systematically characterized with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the presence of semi-ionic bonds was confirmed in the F-GO using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviours of bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), F-GO/GCE, and GO/GCE toward the oxidation of CA were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), and the results obtained from the CV investigation revealed that F-GO/GCE exhibited the highest electrochemically active surface area and electrocatalytic activity in contrast to the other electrodes. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed for the analytical quantitation of CA, and the F-GO/GCE produced a stable oxidation signal over the selected CA concentration range (0.5 to 100.0 μM) with a low limit of detection of 0.018 μM. Furthermore, the acquired results from the selectivity studies revealed a strong anti-interference capability of the F-GO/GCE in the presence of other hydroxycinnamic acids and ascorbic acid. Moreover, the F-GO/GCE offered a good sensitivity, long-term stability, and an excellent reproducibility. The practical application of the electrochemical F-GO sensor was verified using various brands of commercially available wine. The developed electrochemical sensor successfully displayed its ability to directly detect CA in wine samples without pretreatment, making it a promising candidate for food and beverage quality control.
Measuring Acoustic Roughness of a Longitudinal Railhead Profile Using a Multi-Sensor Integration Technique
Authors: Jeong Dahae , Choi Han Shin , Choi Yong Je , Jeong Wootae
Published: April 2019

It is necessary to measure accurately the rolling noise generated by the friction between wheels and rails in railway transport systems. Although many systems have recently been developed to measure the surface roughness of wheels and rails, there exist large deviations in measurements between each system whose measuring mechanism is based on a single sensor. To correct the structural problems in existing systems, we developed an automatic mobile measurement platform, named the Automatic Rail Checker (ARCer), which measures the acoustic roughness of a longitudinal railhead profile maintaining a constant speed. In addition, a new chord offset synchronization algorithm has been developed. This uses three displacement sensors to improve the measuring accuracy of the acoustic roughness of a longitudinal railhead profile, thereby minimizing the limitations of mobile platform measurement systems and measurement deviation. We then verified the accuracy of the measurement system and the algorithm through field tests on rails with different surface wear conditions.
Using Eye Tracking to Assess Gaze Concentration in Meditation
Authors: Chang Kang-Ming , Chueh Miao-Tien Wu
Published: April 2019

An important component of Heart Chan Meditation is gaze concentration training. Here, we determine whether eye tracking can be used to assess gaze concentration ability. Study participants (n = 306) were requested to focus their gaze on the innermost of three concentric circles for 1 min while their eye movements were recorded. Results suggest that participants with high scores on gaze concentration accuracy and precision had lower systolic blood pressure and higher sleep quality, suggesting that eye tracking may be effective to assess and train gaze concentration within Heart Chan Meditation.
A Context-Aware Accurate Wellness Determination (CAAWD) Model for Elderly People Using Lazy Associative Classification
Authors: Ujager Farhan Sabir , Mahmood Azhar
Published: April 2019

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) based smart homes are proving to be an ideal candidate to provide better healthcare facilities to elderly people in their living areas. Several currently proposed techniques have implementation and usage complexities (such as wearable devices and the charging of these devices) which make these proposed techniques less acceptable for elderly people, while the behavioral analysis based on visual techniques lacks privacy. In this paper, a context-aware accurate wellness determination (CAAWD) model for elderly people is presented, where behavior monitoring information is extracted by using simple sensor nodes attached to household objects and appliances for the analysis of daily, frequent behavior patterns of elderly people in a simple and non-obtrusive manner. A contextual data extraction algorithm (CDEA) is proposed for the generation of contextually comprehensive behavior-training instances for accurate wellness classification. The CDEA presents an activity’s spatial–temporal information along with behavioral contextual correlation aspects (such as the object/appliance of usage and sub-activities of an activity) which are vital for accurate wellness analysis and determination. As a result, the classifier is trained in a more logical manner in the context of behavior parameters which are more relevant for wellness determination. The frequent behavioral patterns are classified using the lazy associative classifier (LAC) for wellness determination. The associative nature of LAC helps to integrate spatial–temporal and related contextual attributes (provided by CDEA) of elderly behavior to generate behavior-focused classification rules. Similarly, LAC provides high accuracy with less training time of the classifier, includes minimum-support behavior patterns, and selects highly accurate classification rules for the classification of a test instance. CAAWD further introduces the ability to contextually validate the authenticity of the already classified instance by taking behavioral contextual information (of the elderly person) from the caregiver. Due to the consideration of spatial–temporal behavior contextual attributes, the use of an efficient classifier, and the ability to contextually validate the classified instances, it has been observed that the CAAWD model out-performs currently proposed techniques in terms of accuracy, precision, and f-measure.
The Effect of Mind-Body Exercise on Sustainable Psychological Wellbeing Focusing on Pilates
Authors: Kim Suk-Kyu , Shim Jae-Lan , Han Gun-Soo
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the theoretical model of mind–body exercise and to examine its effect on psychological wellbeing focusing on Pilates. A total of 219 surveys from Pilates participants were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The result of this study indicated service quality has a significant direct effect on participation satisfaction (+). Service quality does not have a significant direct effect on sustainable participation intention. Participation satisfaction has a significant direct effect on positive emotion (+). Participation satisfaction has a significant direct effect on negative emotion (−). Participation satisfaction has a significant direct effect on sustainable participation intention (+). Service quality has a significant indirect effect on sustainable participation intention mediated by participation satisfaction (+). The findings of this study will be valuable data for healthcare experts to establish more effective mental health strategies concerning mind–body exercise.
Sustainable Competitive Position of Mobile Communication Companies: Comprehensive Perspectives of Insiders and Outsiders
Authors: Ma Junwei , Wang Jianhua , Szmedra Philip
Published: April 2019

The identification of a sustainable competitive position in enterprises is a common concern of information science and sustainable development research. Achievement of sustainable competitive position and superior performance is the first priority of business organizations. However, the existing research focuses on technology competition and light market competition. The research proposes a comprehensive framework for identifying an enterprise’s sustainable competitive position based on a two-dimensional perspective of insiders (enterprise self-positioning) and outsiders (public cognition), including enterprise technology competition identification based on technology proximity, and enterprise market competition identification based on URL co-occurrence analysis. Based on the patents collected using the Derwent Innovation Index (DII) and the URL data collected from the Internet, the sustainable competitive position of mobile communication companies is identified from two dimensions of insiders and outsiders. QAP (quadratic assignment procedure) correlation analysis shows that these two dimensions are complementary. The two-dimensional perspective is integrated to comprehensively analyze the sustainable competitive position of Huawei, and thus obtain valuable information. In order to achieve the sustainability of competitive position in the industry, mobile communication enterprises must improve their management level (marketing characteristics of management and low cost structure), and must also have the ability to break through the governance system (rigid characteristics of governance) in a timely manner, and gain the ability to create value for customers in the long run (enhancement of public cognition and public image, and customer loyalty). Meanwhile, the mobile communication industry is a typical network externality market. If the companies want to obtain a sustainable competitive position in the competitive landscape, they need to manage user’s expectations, expand the foundation of users, achieve extensive cooperation and alliances with manufacturers of complementary products, and improve the quality and reputation of their brands.
Decomposition Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Korea’s Transportation Sector
Authors: Kim Suyi
Published: April 2019

This study analyzed the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transportation sector in Korea from 1990 to 2013 using Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) factor decomposition methods. We decomposed these emissions into six factors: The population effect, the economic growth effect due to changes in the gross domestic product per capita, the energy intensity effect due to changes in energy consumption per gross domestic product, the transportation mode effect, the energy mix effect, and the emission factor effect. The results show that some factors can cause an increase in GHG emissions predominantly influenced by the economic growth effect, followed by the population growth effect. By contrast, others can cause a decrease in GHG emissions, predominantly via the energy intensity effect. Even though the transportation mode effect has contributed to a reduction of GHG emissions, it remains relatively small compared to other factors. The energy mix and emission factor effects contributed to the reduction of GHG emissions in the early 2000s, however the effects have led to an increase of GHG emissions since the mid-2000s. Altogether, based on these results, this study suggests some GHG mitigation policies aimed at achieving the national target for this sector.
Sustainability Development in Hospitality: The Effect of Perceived Value on Customers’ Green Restaurant Behavioral Intention
Authors: Teng Yi-Man , Wu Kun-Shan
Published: April 2019

Recently, sustainability management has developed in the hospitality industry. Green restaurants have been progressively joining the hospitality industry. Consumer patronage determines the sustainable development of the green restaurant. This paper aims to explore the structural relationships among perceived values (hedonic and utilitarian values), consumer preference and behavior intentions of the green restaurant. A total of 278 valid questionnaires were collected, and the partial least squares (PLS) method was utilized to measure and test the research hypotheses. The study presents empirical evidence showing that hedonic and utilitarian values have significantly and positively affected consumer preferences for green restaurants and that utilitarian value and customer preferences have significantly and positively influenced behavior intentions of green restaurant. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that consumer preferences partially mediate the relationships between utilitarian value and behavior intentions of the green restaurant. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Is Population Growth an Environmental Problem? Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes towards Including It in Their Teaching
Authors: Alkaher Iris , Carmi Nurit
Published: April 2019

Population growth (PG) is one of the drivers of the environmental crisis and underlies almost every environmental problem. Despite its causative role in environmental challenges, it has gained little attention from popular media, public and government agenda, or even from environmental organizations. There is a gap between the gravity of the problem and its relative absence from the public discourse that stems, inter alia, from the fact that the very discussion of the subject raises many sensitive, complex and ethical questions. The education system is a key player in filling this gap, and teachers have an opportunity to facilitate the discussion in this important issue. While educators mostly agree to include controversial environmental topics in school curricula, calls for addressing PG remain rare. This study explores teachers’ perspectives of PG as a problem and their attitudes towards including it in their teaching, focusing on environmental and non-environmental teachers. While perceiving PG as an environmental problem and supporting its inclusion in schools was significantly higher among the environmental-teachers, similar concerns were reported by all the teachers concerning engaging students in discourse around this controversial issue. This consensus indicates the limited impact of knowledgeability on teachers’ intentions to address PG in class. Teachers’ challenges reflect the dominant Israeli sociocultural norms, religious values and the national pronatalist ideologies. The findings demonstrate how the absence of PG from the public discourse and from school curricula influences teachers’ motivation to address it in class. This study highlights the necessity to encourage teachers to address PG in their teaching, even in this reality, by providing them with appropriate tools that will enable them to successfully engage students in this controversial issue.
The National Parks in the Context of Tourist Function Development in Territorially Linked Municipalities in Poland
Authors: Kulczyk-Dynowska Alina , Bal-Domańska Beata
Published: April 2019

The article is divided into two parts. Its first part analyses the functions of environmental education and land sharing performed by national parks in Poland. The second part presents the transformations of both tourist and nature protection functions of 117 municipalities (gminas), territorially linked with 23 national parks in Poland. For this purpose, a statistical analysis was carried out, applying linear ordering methods—synthetic development measures (SDM) were used. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of municipalities in each of the defined areas was carried out, along with an assessment of the correlation between the level of the nature protection function and the tourist function development. The research covers the years 2001–2016. SDM of nature protection function and tourist function in the municipalities linked with national parks indicate stability of the nature protection function as well as dynamic changes in the tourist function. It allows rejecting the research hypothesis that national parks intend to block the tourist function of municipalities. The research findings indicate the need for cooperation between municipalities and national parks not only for the sake of nature protection, but also for the purpose of area economic activation.
Do the Social Responsibility Efforts of the Destination Affect the Loyalty of Tourists?
Authors: Yu Cheon , Hwang Yun Seop
Published: April 2019

Tourist loyalty is one of the most crucial aspects in determining the sustainable growth of a tourism destination. In attempting to find an aspect that boosts tourist loyalty for sustainable development of a tourism destination, the role of destination social responsibility (DSR) has begun to attract the attention of researchers and tourism stakeholders. This study empirically examines the structural relationship between DSR, destination image, and tourist loyalty using data collected from international tourists who have visited Hoi An in Vietnam through a self-administrated survey. Also, this study takes the cultural differences between Asians and Westerners into consideration regarding insights on tourism marketing. The results show that the socially responsible behavior of a tourism destination positively affects tourist loyalty by forming a positive image of the destination. And the results of the comparison between the Asian and the Western groups on the structural relationships of the perceived DSR, destination image, and tourist loyalty show that different cultures afford different degrees of importance to the components of DSR.
How Do Spatial Patterns Impact Regulation of Water-Related Ecosystem Services? Insights from a New Town Development in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Wang Jieqiong , Chen Siqing , Wang Min
Published: April 2019

Scientists have made efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ecosystem service valuation and mapping; yet little actual implementation of new ecosystem service knowledge has been delivered in practice. We explored this gap by developing a spatially explicit and semi-qualitative evaluation approach to clarify how the spatial patterns of new town developments impact three types of water-related regulating ecosystem services, namely water flow regulation, flooding mitigation, and water quality regulation. Based on peer-reviewed publications, we identified key indicators with spatial characteristics that practitioners care about and have control of. We investigated the case of Lingang, a satellite city of Shanghai in the Yangtze River Delta, and found that (1) 85.30% of the pre-urban East Lingang with native marshlands performed better holistically while 93.06% of the post-urban East Lingang using the man-made lakeside model performed poorly; (2) 82.47% of the double grids model at West Lingang performed poorly in pre-urban time, while some major waterways were improved by the Hydrological Planning; and (3) a major weakness in the planning process was the ignorance in conserving pre-urban ecological resources, preventing the provision of ecosystem services. Finally, four urban design principles of both large-scale land use considerations and finer-scale design implications were proposed.
Effects of Putrescine Application on Peach Fruit during Storage
Authors: Abbasi Nadeem Akhtar , Ali Irfan , Hafiz Ishfaq Ahmad , Alenazi Mekhled M , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: April 2019

The peach industry faces serious economic losses because of the short “green” life of the fruit at postharvest. In the present study, we investigated the effects of putrescine (PUT) application on the quality characteristics, pattern of ripening, storage behaviour and shelf life of peach fruit during low-temperature storage. The aqueous solution of PUT (0, 1, 2 and 3 mM) was applied to the peach trees at three distinctive stages of fruit growth and development. The fruits, harvested at the commercial stage of maturity, were stored at 1 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 2% relative humidity for 6 weeks. The data for fruit firmness, total soluble solids (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AsA) content, rate of ethylene production, chilling injury (CI) index and colour perception were collected at harvest and then on a weekly basis throughout the storage period. The results showed that spray application of PUT significantly reduced the incidence of CI and reduced the rates of fruit softening, loss in fruit weight, SSC, TA, AsA content and fading of skin colour during storage, regardless of the doses of PUT applied, or the time of application. However, the positive effects on the quality characteristics of peach fruit, including CI, were more pronounced with the higher doses of PUT, specifically when applied at 2 mM. In conclusion, CI in peach fruit may be substantially alleviated by the spray application of 1–3 mM PUT during fruit growth without compromising the quality of the fruit for up to 6 weeks in low-temperature storage.
A Hybrid GA with Variable Quay Crane Assignment for Solving Berth Allocation Problem and Quay Crane Assignment Problem Simultaneously
Authors: Hsu Hsien-Pin , Chiang Tai-Lin , Wang Chia-Nan , Fu Hsin-Pin , Chou Chien-Chang
Published: April 2019

Container terminals help countries to sustain their economic development. Improving the operational efficiency in a container terminal is important. In past research, genetic algorithms (GAs) have been widely used to cope with seaside operational problems, including the berth allocation problem (BAP) and quay crane assignment problem (QCAP) individually or simultaneously. However, most GA approaches in past studies were dedicated to generate time-invariant QC assignment that does not adjust QCs assigned to a ship. This may underutilize available QC capacity. In this research, three hybrid GAs (HGAs) have been proposed to deal with the dynamic and discrete BAP (DDBAP) and the dynamic QCAP (DQCAP) simultaneously. The three HGAs supports variable QC assignment in which QCs assigned to a ship can be further adjusted. The three HGAs employ the same crossover operator but a different mutation operator and a two-stage procedure is used. In the first stage, these HGAs can generate a BAP solution and a QCAP solution that is time-invariant. The time-invariant QC assignment solution is then further transformed into a variable one in the second stage. Experiments have been conducted to investigate the effects of the three HGA and the results showed that these HGAs outperformed traditional GAs in terms of fitness value. In particular, the HGA3 with Thoros mutation operator had the best performance.
Connecting Urban Food Plans to the Countryside: Leveraging Denver’s Food Vision to Explore Meaningful Rural–Urban Linkages
Authors: Jablonski Becca , Carolan Michael , Hale James , Thilmany McFadden Dawn , Love Erin , Christensen Libby , Covey Tabitha , Bellows Laura , Cleary Rebecca , David Olaf , Jablonski Kevin , Jones Andrew , Meiman Paul , Quinn Jason , Ryan Elizabeth , Schipanski Meagan , Summers Hailey , Uchanski Mark
Published: April 2019

Cities are increasingly turning to food policy plans to support goals related to food access, food security, the environment, and economic development. This paper investigates ways that rural farmers, communities, and economies can both support and be supported by metropolitan food-focused initiatives. Specifically, our research question asked what opportunities and barriers exist to developing food policies that support urban food goals, particularly related to local procurement, as well as rural economic development. To address this question, we described and analyzed a meeting of urban stakeholders and larger-scale rural producers related to Colorado’s Denver Food Vision and Plan. We documented and explored “findings” gleaned from a supply chain diagraming and data compilation process that were then used to inform an event that brought together diverse supply chain partners. Three findings stand out. First, facilitating dialog between urban food policymakers and rural producers to understand potential tensions, mitigate such tensions, and capitalize on opportunities is essential. Second, perceptions and expectations surrounding “good food” are nuanced—a timely finding given the number of preferred procurement programs emerging across the county. Third, critical evaluation is needed across a diverse set of value chain strategies (e.g., conventional and alternative distribution) if food policy intends to support heterogeneous producers, their communities, and urban food policy goals.
Polynomial Least Squares Method for Fractional Lane–Emden Equations
Authors: Căruntu Bogdan , Bota Constantin , Lăpădat Marioara , Paşca Mădălina Sofia
Published: April 2019

This paper applies the Polynomial Least Squares Method (PLSM) to the case of fractional Lane-Emden differential equations. PLSM offers an analytical approximate polynomial solution in a straightforward way. A comparison with previously obtained results proves how accurate the method is.
A Novel Description on Edge-Regular q-Rung Picture Fuzzy Graphs with Application
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Habib Amna , Koam Ali N. A.
Published: April 2019

Picture fuzzy model is a generalized structure of intuitionistic fuzzy model in the sense that it not only assigns the membership and nonmembership values in the form of orthopair ( μ , ν ) to an element, but it assigns a triplet ( μ , η , ν ) , where η denotes the neutral degree and the difference π = 1 − ( μ + η + ν ) indicates the degree of refusal. The q-rung picture fuzzy set( q -RPFS) provides a wide formal mathematical sketch in which uncertain and vague conceptual phenomenon can be precisely and rigorously studied because of its distinctive quality of vast representation space of acceptable triplets. This paper discusses some properties including edge regularity, total edge regularity and perfect edge regularity of q-rung picture fuzzy graphs (q-RPFGs). The work introduces and investigates these properties for square q-RPFGs and q-RPF line graphs. Furthermore, this study characterizes how regularity and edge regularity of q-RPFGs structurally relate. In addition, it presents the concept of ego-networks to extract knowledge from large social networks under q-rung picture fuzzy environment with algorithm.
The Riemann Zeros as Spectrum and the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Sierra Germán
Published: April 2019

We present a spectral realization of the Riemann zeros based on the propagation of a massless Dirac fermion in a region of Rindler spacetime and under the action of delta function potentials localized on the square free integers. The corresponding Hamiltonian admits a self-adjoint extension that is tuned to the phase of the zeta function, on the critical line, in order to obtain the Riemann zeros as bound states. The model suggests a proof of the Riemann hypothesis in the limit where the potentials vanish. Finally, we propose an interferometer that may yield an experimental observation of the Riemann zeros.
Using Desalinated Water for Irrigation: Its Effect on Field Scale Water Flow and Contaminant Transport under Cropped Conditions
Authors: Russo David , Kurtzman Daniel
Published: April 2019

Pollution of groundwater by nitrate originating from irrigated fields was considered for this study. We hypothesized that under cropped conditions, low-salinity irrigation water (e.g., desalinated water) could reduce nitrate leaching below the root zone, due to two possible mechanisms: (i) decreased vertical water fluxes and (ii) increased nitrogen uptake by plant roots due to chloride–nitrate competition. The main goal of this study was to investigate this hypothesis. Considering a citrus grove, the investigation relied on three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of flow and transport in a variably saturated and spatially heterogeneous flow domain performed for three successive years. Results of the analyses suggest that the main mechanism responsible for the reduction in the nitrate leached below the root zone under irrigation with low-salinity water is the effect of the latter on the spatial distribution of the rate of water uptake by the roots. The latter, in turn, significantly reduces water content, hydraulic conductivity, and vertical velocity, and, consequently, solute mass fluxes along the soil profile. On the other hand, chloride–nitrate interaction has only a relatively small effect on the nitrate mass fluxes at relatively deep soil depths, far below the root zone, particularly when the irrigation water salinity decreases.
Looking Beyond Energy Efficiency: An Applied Review of Water Desalination Technologies and an Introduction to Capillary-Driven Desalination
Authors: Ahmadvand Seyedsaeid , Abbasi Behrooz , Azarfar Babak , Elhashimi Mohammed , Zhang Xiang , Abbasi Bahman
Published: April 2019

Most notable emerging water desalination technologies and related publications, as examined by the authors, investigate opportunities to increase energy efficiency of the process. In this paper, the authors reason that improving energy efficiency is only one route to produce more cost-effective potable water with fewer emissions. In fact, the grade of energy that is used to desalinate water plays an equally important role in its economic viability and overall emission reduction. This paper provides a critical review of desalination strategies with emphasis on means of using low-grade energy rather than solely focusing on reaching the thermodynamic energy limit. Herein, it is argued that large-scale commercial desalination technologies have by-and-large reached their engineering potential. They are now mostly limited by the fundamental process design rather than process optimization, which has very limited room for improvement without foundational change to the process itself. The conventional approach toward more energy efficient water desalination is to shift from thermal technologies to reverse osmosis (RO). However, RO suffers from three fundamental issues: (1) it is very sensitive to high-salinity water, (2) it is not suitable for zero liquid discharge and is therefore environmentally challenging, and (3) it is not compatible with low-grade energy. From extensive research and review of existing commercial and lab-scale technologies, the authors propose that a fundamental shift is needed to make water desalination more affordable and economical. Future directions may include novel ideas such as taking advantage of energy localization, surficial/interfacial evaporation, and capillary action. Here, some emerging technologies are discussed along with the viability of incorporating low-grade energy and its economic consequences. Finally, a new process is discussed and characterized for water desalination driven by capillary action. The latter has great significance for using low-grade energy and its substantial potential to generate salinity/blue energy.
The Montellina Spring as an Example of Water Circulation in an Alpine DSGSD Context (NW Italy)
Authors: De Luca Domenico Antonio , Cerino Abdin Elena , Forno Maria Gabriella , Gattiglio Marco , Gianotti Franco , Lasagna Manuela
Published: April 2019

Alpine areas, with normally fissured bedrock outcrops, do not typically contain important hydrologic reservoirs, except for small aquifers located in Quaternary sediments. By contrast, mountainous areas affected by deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSD), especially if covered by glacial sediments, contain large aquifers and are consequently promising for water exploitation. This last geological setting is observed, for example, in the lower Dora Baltea Valley (near the confluence with the Renanchio Basin) in which the Montellina Spring is located and exhibits a very high discharge. A multidisciplinary approach (detailed geological survey of the bedrock and Quaternary cover, as well as hydrogeological research based on tracer tests, hydrochemical analyses, and water balance studies) was used, allowing for a reconstruction of the geological and hydrogeological setting of the investigated area, also considering its environmental implications. The consequent hydrogeological model derives from the coexistence of some factors. In detail, the thick glacial cover, widespread in the intermediate sector of the slope, represents an important aquifer with a slow groundwater flow to the spring. The buried glacial valley floor, hosting this cover, can convey the groundwater from the high Renanchio Basin zone towards the low sector. The loosened bedrock of the low sector, consequent to DSGSD phenomena, favors the concentration of groundwater along the contact with the underlying normal fissured bedrock outcropping at the base of the slope. Finally, the flow until the spring essentially takes place through N100° trend open fractures and trenches. Part of the Montellina Spring discharge is also fed by the low Renanchio Stream, as highlighted by fluorescein tests, essentially using NE-SW oriented open fractures on the bedrock. The results of the investigation on the Montellina Spring can provide some insight regarding the hydrological potential of other alpine areas with a similar geological setting.
Aligning Climate Governance with Urban Water Management: Insights from Transnational City Networks
Authors: Tosun Jale , Leopold Lucas
Published: April 2019

A growing number of cities in different world regions are forming transnational networks in order to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In this study, we are interested in the nexus between climate change and urban water management. How do transnational city networks for climate action perceive urban water management? What kind of activities do they adopt for improving urban water management? How effective are these in practice? This study maps 17 transnational city networks that primarily work on climate governance, assesses whether they formally embrace urban water management as a field of activity, and analyzes the extent to which they influence local climate action regarding water-related issues. Our descriptive analysis reveals that the great majority of transnational city networks has embraced goals related to urban water management, mostly framed from the perspective of adaptation to climate change. However, our in-depth analysis of two frontrunner cities in Germany shows that membership in ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) has only limited influence on the initiation and implementation of water-related policy measures.
Las Competencias Digitales del Docente y su Incidencia en el Proceso de Enseñanza Aprendizaje en el Instituto Superior Tecnológico de Formación Profesional Administrativa y Comercial de Ecuador
Authors: Delgado Emma Zulay , Lema Cachinell Alejandro Nicolás , Lema Cachinell Belinda Marta
Published: April 2019

El proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje en la educación de nivel superior demanda cambios que fomenten la calidad que se requiere en Ecuador desde la Ley Orgánica de Educación Superior. No obstante, las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones suponen una revolución comunicativa generalmente limitada a aquellos que pueden acceder a ella y poseen conocimientos al respecto. Su apertura no es tan global como se dice o se piensa, ya que muchos son los inconvenientes que hacen de este fenómeno un campo restringido a unos pocos, aunque cada vez cuente con un número mayor de usuarios. La tecnología ha abarcado varios campos, hoy se habla del síndrome de la tecnología educativa, el investigador Justo Chávez hace énfasis que el auge y la versatilidad de la tecnología hace que su utilización se sitúe en todas las etapas del sistema de educación. Por lo que, las instituciones de educación superior inevitablemente no pueden encontrarse aisladas de estos cambios tecnológicos. Desde esta visión el docente debe poseer las competencias necesarias para promover el uso de las TIC como un medio didáctico de gran importancia lo que permitirá una preparación adecuada a sus estudiantes.
La Formación de Valores Éticos en la Proyección Profesional del Abogado en el Siglo XXI: Propuesta de una Estrategia
Authors: Martínez Perez Odette , Pérez Urquisa Yalenni , Delgado Álvarez Noemi
Published: April 2019

El ser humano es dueño de sus acciones, de ahí que cualquier persona pueda decidir entre hacer el bien o el mal. En tal sentido, la ética se vincula con la moral que rige el obrar correcto.  Desde hace unos años, las sociedades reciben los influjos de la postmodernidad como ideología y los efectos de la globalización, que significa interconexiones intercontinentales e imprime un carácter unificador a nuestro planeta. Resulta muy común pensar que la globalización solo se encuentra en la economía, o en el desarrollo de las tecnologías de las comunicaciones, como es el caso de la Internet, pero este fenómeno es mucho más complejo, su multidimensionalidad incluye además aristas como la ecológica, la política, la cultura y la ética.
Profesionalización de los Docentes de la Educación Superior: Implicaciones en el Desarrollo Social y en la Sostenibilidad de la Universidad Latinoamericana
Authors: Miranda Vázquez Avelina , Senú González Dalberto , Santiesteban Labañino María Margarita
Published: April 2019

Es propósito de este artículo analizar las implicaciones sociales de la labor de los profesores universitarios, desde la relación que se da entre el claustro y los empleadores en la búsqueda de una universidad competitiva, innovadora y sostenible, teniendo en cuenta cuáles serán los obstáculos que se deberán enfrentar. De lo anterior queda claro que para que una universidad perdure en el tiempo, tiene que involucrar a todos sus académicos, estudiantes y trabajadores en la gestión de la calidad de los servicios que presta y satisfacer las necesidades del presente desde varias perspectivas, a nuestro juicio, la competitividad del docente una de las más necesarias, para poder proteger su prestigio académico y educativo proyectándolo al futuro. Se emplearon como métodos el análisis documental, la sistematización y el histórico-lógico entre otros y como técnicas la entrevista. Como resultado principal se listan los retos que enfrentan los profesores universitarios latinoamericanos para garantizar la sostenibilidad de su institución.
Stock Market Prediction Using Nonparametric Fuzzy and Parametric GARCH Methods
Authors: ARABİ BELAGHİ Reza , AMİNNEJAD Minoo , GÜRÜNLÜ ALMA Özlem
Published: April 2019

Prediction
of stock market value is one the most complicated issue during the past
decades. Due to its importance, in this research,
we consider the prediction of stock values based on non-parametric and
parametric methods. In this first method,
we use the fuzzy Markov chain procedure in order to prediction problem. In this
regard, all of the rising and falling probabilities during the weekdays are calculated and then they applied
to obtain the increasing and decreasing rate. Then, based on this information
we model and predict the stock values. In the sequel, we implement different
methods of parametric time series such as generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic (GARCH), ARIMA-GARCH,
Exponential GARCH (E-GARCH) and GJR-GARCH by assuming the normal and t-student
distribution for the error terms to obtain the best model in terms of minimum
mean square errors. Finally, the mythologies developed here are applied for the
Tehran Stock Exchange Index (TEDPIX).
G-STAR Model for Forecasting Space-Time Variation of Temperature in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: ZEWDİE Mulugeta Aklilu , WUBİT Gebretsadik G , AYELE Amare W
Published: April 2019

Among many indicators of climate change, the temperature is a key indicator to take remedial action for world global warming. This finding provides application of space-time models for temperature data, which is selected in three meteorology stations (Mekelle, Adigrat and Adwa) of Northern Ethiopia. The objectives of this research are to see the space-time variations of temperature and to find better forecasting model. The steps for building this model starting from order selection of space and autoregressive order, parameters estimation, a diagnostic check of errors and finally forecasting for the long term. The preliminary model is identified by VAR (vector autoregressive) model and tentatively selects the order by using MIC (minimum information criteria) and uses the autoregressive order for the model and fixes the spatial effect, model parameters are estimated using the least square method. Weighted matrix computed by using queen contiguity criteria. It is found that the model STAR(1,1) and GSTAR(1,1) are two options, finally the best-fitted model is GSTAR(1,1) which has high forecasting performance and smallest RMSEF. The outcome of the forecast indicated that in northern Ethiopia, the weather conditions especially temperature of future is increasing trend in dry seasons in all 3 stations in similar fashion but more consistent and has less variation across the region, and less consistent and high variation within the region and the researcher found that spatial effect has high impact on prediction of models.
INVESTIGATION OF METAL TREATMENT PROCESS
Authors: Januteniene J. , Pridotkas G. , Didžiokas R.
Published: April 2019

Differential equations of self‐excited oscillations, arising in metal cutting process and metal drilling process, are presented in this paper. The causes of these oscillations are delaying forces, arising in metal treatment processes. The linear analysis of differential equations of metal cutting process is performed and an area of asymptotically stability is chosen. The non‐linear analysis is performed by the theory of bifurcation. Solution of this differential equation is compared with results of numerical experiment. Differential equations of dynamic of metal drilling process are presented.
AN ANISOTROPIC ADAPTATION FOR SIMULATION OF COMPRESSIBLE FLOWS
Authors: Majewski J.
Published: April 2019

This paper is dedicated to problems connected with an anisotropic adaptation used for simulation of compressible flows with FVM solver. The adaptation is based on error indicator defined by 2D interpolation error. The comparison between isotropic and anisotropic adaptation is shown for typical test case of supersonic flow in a channel.
SOME PROPERTIES OF FRACTIONAL BURGERS EQUATION
Authors: Miškinis P.
Published: April 2019

The fractional generalization of a one‐dimensional Burgers equationwith initial conditions
ɸ(x, 0) = ɸ0(x); ɸt(x,0) = ψ0 (x), where ɸ = ɸ(x,t) ∈ C2(Ω): ɸt = δɸ/δt; aDx p is the Riemann‐Liouville fractional derivative of the order p; Ω = (x,t) : x ∈ E 1, t > 0; and the explicit form of a particular analytical solution are suggested. Existing of traveling wave solution and conservation laws are considered. The relation with Burgers equation of integer order and properties of fractional generalization of the Hopf‐Cole transformation are discussed.
COMPARISON OF TWO ESTIMATORS OF MEAN FUNCTION IN LDA OF SPATIALLY CORRELATED GAUSSIAN DATA
Authors: Šaltyte J. , Dučinskas K.
Published: April 2019

The problem of linear discriminant analysis of an observation of Gaussian random field into one of two populations is considered. In this paper we analyze the performance of the plug‐in linear discriminant function, when unknown means are estimated from the training samples. The generalized least squares and the ordinary least squares estimators are used. Obtained asymptotic expansions for the expected error rate are compared numerically in the case of spherical models for population covariances.
APPLICATION OF DM METHODS FOR PROBLEMS WITH PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: Cirulis T. , Lietuvietis O.
Published: April 2019

Two variants of applications of the Degenerate Matrix Method for solving problems with PDB are considered. Solutions of the simple testing problem and of one more complicated nonlinear problem with PDB of the fifth order are presented as examples.
ON THE SOLUTION OF ILL-POSED PROBLEMS BY PROJECTION METHODS WITH A POSTERIORI CHOICE OF THE DISCRETIZATION LEVEL
Authors: Hamarik U. , Avi E. , Ganina A.
Published: April 2019

We consider linear ill‐posed problems Au = ƒ with minimum‐norm solution u*. Instead of ƒ noisy data ƒδ are given satisfying ‖ƒδ — ƒ‖ ≤ δ with known noise level 5. The projection methods for finding approximation unto u* are discussed in assumptions guaranteeing in case ƒδ = ƒ the monotone convergence u n → u* (n → 8). In noisy case δ > 0 we propose for two projection methods a posteriori rules for choice n = n(δ) as largest n = 1,2…, for which inequality ‖un – u*‖ ≤ ‖un_ 1 – u*‖ can be proved. Numerical results are given.
NUMERICAL METHODS AND ERROR ESTIMATES FOR A SINGULAR BOUNDARY‐VALUE PROBLEM
Authors: Lima P. M. , Oliveira A. M.
Published: April 2019

In this paper we analyze a class of equations of the form y? (x) = —g(x) xp (y(x)) q where p and q are real parameters satisfying p > _1 , g < _1 and g is a positive and continuous function on [0,1]. We search for positive solutions which satisfy the boundary conditions y'(0)=y(l) = 0.
Numerical approximations of the solution are obtained by means of a finite difference scheme and the asymptotic expansion of the discretization error is deduced. Some numerical examples are analyzed.
A GLOBAL CHARACTERISTIC OF G‐LIMIT OPERATORS FOR QUASILINEAR POTENTIAL ELLIPTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: Raitums U.
Published: April 2019

The paper considers a family of quasilinear potential elliptic systems and uses the fact that all G‐limit operators for this family can be characterized by means of gradients of convex functions F (locally with respect to the spatial co‐ordinates). It is shown that all these functions F must satisfy an inequality expressed in terms of functions F and their conjugate functions.
INNOVATION CAPACITY, BUSINESS SOPHISTICATION AND MACROECONOMIC STABILITY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Kirikkaleli Dervis , Ozun Alper
Published: April 2019

The main aim of this study is to explore the linkages between innovation capacity, business sophistication, and macroeconomic stability within OECD countries. In order to obtain information regarding the relationship between time series variables, the Pedroni cointegration, Kao cointegration, fully modified ordinary least square, dynamic ordinary least square, Granger causality, and Dumitrescu Hurlin causality tests are employed. The empirical results reveal that improvement in business sophistication triggers innovation capacity and support macroeconomic stability. Innovation capacity would also need to be expanded in the long-run, which positively leads to advanced business sophistication that has a cyclical effect. If policymakers intend to accelerate business sophistication, then their attention should be directed towards maximizing the economic indicators in the long-run. To the best of our knowledge, the linkage between innovation capacity, business sophistication and macroeconomic stability in OECD countries has not been comprehensively explored through the use of a single dataset. Thus, the findings of this study could lead to a new debate regarding the concept.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EVOLUTIONARY GOVERNANCE IN MEGA CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A MODERATED MEDIATION MODEL OF RELATIONAL CONTRACT AND TRANSACTION COST
Authors: Wang Dedong , Fang Shaoze , Fu Hongwei
Published: April 2019

Mega construction project governance is an evolutionary process characterized by high transaction costs and complex interrelationships. Based on transaction cost theory, relational contract theory and evolutionary governance theory, this study explored the impact of evolutionary project governance on mega construction project performance by collectively considering the mediating effect of transaction costs and the moderating effect of a relational contract. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses based on data collected from 176 respondents. The results show that evolutionary project governance would be more effective in increasing project performance and reducing transaction costs in the context of a relational contract. Reducing transaction costs is an effective way to improve project performance, and it is an important mediation variable between evolutionary project governance and project performance in the context of a relational contract. The results enrich the theory on mega construction project governance and reduce the imbalance between theory and practice in previous studies.