bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-Seismic and Postseismic Fault Models of the 2018 Mw 6.4 Hualien Earthquake Occurred in the Junction of Collision and Subduction Boundaries Offshore Eastern Taiwan
Authors: Yang Ying-Hui , Hu Jyr-Ching , Tung Hsin , Tsai Min-Chien , Chen Qiang , Xu Qian , Zhang Yi-Jun , Zhao Jing-Jing , Liu Guo-Xiang , Xiong Jun-Nan , Wang Ji-Yan , Yu Bing , Chiu Chun-Ying , Su Zhe
Published: August 2018

The ascending and descending InSAR deformations derived from ALOS-2 and Sentinel-1 satellite SAR images and GPS displacements are used to estimate the fault model of the 2018 Mw 6.4 Hualien earthquake. The sinistral strike-slip fault dipping to the west with a high dip angle of 89.4° and a rake angle of 201.7° is considered as the seismogenic fault of this event. This seismogenic fault also triggered the ruptures of the Milun fault, which dips to the east with a dip angle of ~72°, and an unknown west-dipping fault with a dip angle of 85.2°. Two predicted faulting models indicate that the InSAR deformation fields include more postseismic slip than those of the GPS data. The north segment of the Milun fault and west-dipping fault have been triggered by the rupture of the seismogenic fault, but the postseismic slip occurred only in the south segment of the Milun fault. The InSAR-derived co-seismic and postseismic faulting model suggests that the significant slip concentrates at depths of 2.4–15.0 km of the main fault, 0.0–14.0 km of the Milun fault. Only minor slip is detected on the west-dipping fault. The maximum fault slip of ca. 2.1 m is located at the depth of ca. 2.4 km under the Meilun Tableland. The Coulomb failure stress (CFS) change calculated by the co-seismic and postseismic faulting model shows that there is a significant CFS increase in the east of the south segment of the Milun fault, but few of the aftershocks occur in this area, which indicates a high risk of future seismic hazard.
Evaluation of PROBA-V Collection 1: Refined Radiometry, Geometry, and Cloud Screening
Authors: Toté Carolien , Swinnen Else , Sterckx Sindy , Adriaensen Stefan , Benhadj Iskander , Iordache Marian-Daniel , Bertels Luc , Kirches Grit , Stelzer Kerstin , Dierckx Wouter , Van den Heuvel Lieve , Clarijs Dennis , Niro Fabrizio
Published: August 2018

PROBA-V (PRoject for On-Board Autonomy–Vegetation) was launched in May-2013 as an operational continuation to the vegetation (VGT) instruments on-board the Système Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT)-4 and -5 satellites. The first reprocessing campaign of the PROBA-V archive from Collection 0 (C0) to Collection 1 (C1) aims at harmonizing the time series, thanks to improved radiometric and geometric calibration and cloud detection. The evaluation of PROBA-V C1 focuses on (i) qualitative and quantitative assessment of the new cloud detection scheme; (ii) quantification of the effect of the reprocessing by comparing C1 to C0; and (iii) evaluation of the spatio-temporal stability of the combined SPOT/VGT and PROBA-V archive through comparison to METOP/advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR). The PROBA-V C1 cloud detection algorithm yields an overall accuracy of 89.0%. Clouds are detected with very few omission errors, but there is an overdetection of clouds over bright surfaces. Stepwise updates to the visible and near infrared (VNIR) absolute calibration in C0 and the application of degradation models to the SWIR calibration in C1 result in sudden changes between C0 and C1 Blue, Red, and NIR TOC reflectance in the first year, and more gradual differences for short-wave infrared (SWIR). Other changes result in some bias between C0 and C1, although the root mean squared difference (RMSD) remains well below 1% for top-of-canopy (TOC) reflectance and below 0.02 for the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Comparison to METOP/AVHRR shows that the recent reprocessing campaigns on SPOT/VGT and PROBA-V have resulted in a more stable combined time series.
Monitoring of the 2015 Villarrica Volcano Eruption by Means of DLR’s Experimental TET-1 Satellite
Authors: Plank Simon , Nolde Michael , Richter Rudolf , Fischer Christian , Martinis Sandro , Riedlinger Torsten , Schoepfer Elisabeth , Klein Doris
Published: August 2018

Villarrica Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the South Andes Volcanic Zone. This article presents the results of a monitoring of the time before and after the 3 March 2015 eruption by analyzing nine satellite images acquired by the Technology Experiment Carrier-1 (TET-1), a small experimental German Aerospace Center (DLR) satellite. An atmospheric correction of the TET-1 data is presented, based on the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global Emissivity Database (GDEM) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) water vapor data with the shortest temporal baseline to the TET-1 acquisitions. Next, the temperature, area coverage, and radiant power of the detected thermal hotspots were derived at subpixel level and compared with observations derived from MODIS and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) data. Thermal anomalies were detected nine days before the eruption. After the decrease of the radiant power following the 3 March 2015 eruption, a stronger increase of the radiant power was observed on 25 April 2015. In addition, we show that the eruption-related ash coverage of the glacier at Villarrica Volcano could clearly be detected in TET-1 imagery. Landsat-8 imagery was analyzed for comparison. The information extracted from the TET-1 thermal data is thought be used in future to support and complement ground-based observations of active volcanoes.
Unsupervised Change Detection Using Fast Fuzzy Clustering for Landslide Mapping from Very High-Resolution Images
Authors: Lei Tao , Xue Dinghua , Lv Zhiyong , Li Shuying , Zhang Yanning , K. Nandi Asoke
Published: August 2018

Change detection approaches based on image segmentation are often used for landslide mapping (LM) from very high-resolution (VHR) remote sensing images. However, these approaches usually have two limitations. One is that they are sensitive to thresholds used for image segmentation and require too many parameters. The other one is that the computational complexity of these approaches depends on the image size, and thus they require a long execution time for very high-resolution (VHR) remote sensing images. In this paper, an unsupervised change detection using fast fuzzy c-means clustering (CDFFCM) for LM is proposed. The proposed CDFFCM has two contributions. The first is that we employ a Gaussian pyramid-based fast fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to obtain candidate landslide regions that have a better visual effect due to the utilization of image spatial information. The second is that we use the difference of image structure information instead of grayscale difference to obtain more accurate landslide regions. Three comparative approaches, edge-based level-set (ELSE), region-based level-set (RLSE), and change detection-based Markov random field (CDMRF), and the proposed CDFFCM are evaluated in three true landslide cases in the Lantau area of Hong Kong. The experiments show that the proposed CDFFCM is superior to three comparative approaches in terms of higher accuracy, fewer parameters, and shorter execution time.
Experimental Study of LoRa Transmission over Seawater
Authors: Jovalekic Nikola , Drndarevic Vujo , Pietrosemoli Ermanno , Darby Iain , Zennaro Marco
Published: August 2018

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) are gaining attention in both academia and industry by offering the possibility of connecting a large number of nodes over extended distances. LoRa is one of the technologies used as a physical layer in such networks. This paper investigates the LoRa links over seawater in two typical scenarios: clear Line-of-Sight (LOS) and obstructed path in two different Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) radio bands: 868 MHz and 434 MHz. We used three different LoRa devices in the experiments: the Own Developed LoRa Transceiver (ODT) and two commercial transceivers. Firstly we investigated transceivers’ Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and Signal-to-Noise (SNR) measurement chain linearity and provided correction factors for RSSI to correlate it with actual signal levels received at transceivers’ inputs. Next, we carried out field experiments for three different LoRa Spreading Factors, S F ∈ [ 7 , 10 , 12 ] , within a bandwidth of B W = 125 kHz and Coding Rate C R = 4 / 6 . The experiments showed that LoRa links are fully feasible over seawater at distances at least 22 km long, using only low-cost off-the-shelf rubber duck antennas in LOS path condition in both ISM bands. In addition, we showed that LoRa links can be established over 28 km obstructed LOS oversea path in ISM 434 MHz band, but using costly, higher gain antennas. Furthermore, the laboratory experiments revealed that RSSI is linear in a wide range, up to − 50 dBm, whereas the SNR measurement chain goes into saturation for Received Signal Strength (RSS) values higher than − 100 dBm. These findings enabled accurate interpretation of the results obtained in field experiments.
Change of Title: Sinusitis Becomes Sinusitis and Asthma
Authors: Picado César
Published: August 2018

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Sustainable Land Urbanization and Ecological Carrying Capacity: A Spatially Explicit Perspective
Authors: Liu Yu , Zeng Chen , Cui Huatai , Song Yanhua
Published: August 2018

Rapid urbanization has become a common occurrence all over the world, particularly in developing countries, and has thus resulted in various eco-environmental problems. In China, urban land has expanded at an unprecedented rate in the past several decades, and sustainable land urbanization has become an important issue in promoting sustainable development. Hence, scholars have proposed ecological carrying capacity (ECC) as a solution to balance socio-economic development and the ecosystems for achieving sustainable development. In the current work, we explored the spatial influence of ECC on land urbanization and its driving mechanism, using the Wuhan agglomeration as a case study. In the first step, we calculated the ECC at the county level using the ecological footprint method. Then, we applied a combination of kernel density and the “densi-graph method” on the basis of points of interest, in order to identify urbanized areas and to measure land urbanization rates. Finally, we devised spatial models with ECC-based spatial weight matrices to examine the potential spatial interactions or constraints and the influencing factors. Results indicate the following. (1) Land urbanization rates in most counties increased, whereas the average ECC per capita in the Wuhan urban agglomeration decreased from 2010 to 2015; (2) China’s land urbanization is primarily driven by socio-economic development, in which fixed asset investments and urban income present positive influences and agricultural outputs show a negative influence; (3) Spatial interaction was formulated through ECC during the land urbanization process. However, this effect was attenuated in 2010–2015. The findings are beneficial for understanding the regional spatial influence of ECC on urban land urbanization. They should also facilitate the formulation of relevant policies for protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems to ultimately achieve coordinated and balanced regional development.
Modeling a Three-Mode Hybrid Port-Hinterland Freight Intermodal Distribution Network with Environmental Consideration: The Case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China
Authors: Dai Qian , Yang Jiaqi , Li Dong
Published: August 2018

Efficiency challenges of the hinterland connectivity, along with growing green concerns necessitate the integration of economic goals and environmental considerations, for port-hinterland logistics problems. This study focused on innovative modeling, for a three-mode port-hinterland intermodal freight distribution system, from the perspective of shippers. A hybrid distribution network topology, combining point to point, hub-and-spoke, and connected hubs was designed as route alternatives for loads from origin to destination. A bi-objective decision framework involving analytical scenarios of emissions limitation, emissions taxation, and an emissions trading scheme, was developed for policy analysis, and then applied to a real-life hinterland logistics network in the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China. The results showed that the implementation of the three emissions policies, all resulted in great changes in flows between intermodal routes and achieved emissions reduction goals. Nevertheless, the conflict between logistics costs and carbon emissions, differs from policy to policy. Some inflection points were identified to offer decision supports on policy insights, for the port-hinterland distribution network. Lastly, a sensitivity analysis on cost and emissions parameters was given. It revealed that the flow changes and trade-off relationship between economic and environmental objectives, were both sensitive to the road transportation mode.
Reclamation of Saline–Sodic Soils with Combined Amendments: Impact on Quinoa Performance and Biological Soil Quality
Authors: Alcívar María , Zurita-Silva Andrés , Sandoval Marco , Muñoz Cristina , Schoebitz Mauricio
Published: August 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the individual and synergic effects of the application of Biochar (B), Humic Substances (HS), and Gypsum (G) on the soil properties of a saline–sodic soil, and plant growth and seed quality (polyphenols, protein and yield) of quinoa. Treatments included (B) 22 t ha−1, (HS) 5 kg ha−1, and (G) 47.7 t ha−1. Two quinoa genotypes from Arid Zones (AZ-51 and AZ-103) were selected and established in eight treatments. The B + HS + G combined treatment resulted in increases in root biomass of 206% and 176% in AZ-51 and AZ-103, respectively. Furthermore, electrical conductivity (ECe), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) decreased significantly in all treated soils. When compared to the control, ESP decreased 11-fold in the G treatment, and 9–13-fold in the B + G; B + HS; and B + HS + G treatments. Similarly, soil microbial biomass increased 112% and 322% in the B + HS + G treatment in AZ-51 and AZ-103 genotypes, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of combined amendments (B + HS + G) represents an alternative for reclaiming degraded soils, including saline–sodic soils.
Finding Common Ground between United Kingdom Based and Chinese Approaches to Earthen Heritage Conservation
Authors: Richards Jenny , Wang Yinghong , Orr Scott A. , Viles Heather
Published: August 2018

Earthen heritage is one of the oldest and universal forms of heritage but its conservation poses many challenges. Establishing international collaborations could provide an efficient, sustainable mechanism to increase knowledge exchange, aiding the development of earthen heritage conservation strategies around the world. However, perceived differences in how Eastern and Western countries value earthen heritage and develop conservation strategies can pose challenges for establishing collaborations. To understand these perceived differences and whether they hinder collaborations, this paper compares British and Chinese heritage conservation policy and practice and then reports the results from an innovative workshop examining the approaches of 13 Chinese and 13 UK based heritage experts and researchers towards earthen heritage conservation. Workshop participants undertook bilingual discussions and completed a co-created questionnaire available in English and Mandarin. Both groups identified historic value as the most important value and maintenance of authenticity and integrity, need for scientific research and site scale conservation as vital considerations for conservation strategies. This study found that to understand the potential for collaboration, individual perspectives need consideration as well as policies and practices. This innovative bilingual, discussion-based approach has potential to aid collaborations for diverse international issues from wildlife conservation to cross-boundary pollution and climate change.
Temporal and Spatial Distributions of Ecological Vulnerability under the Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors in an Eco-Province under Construction in China
Authors: Ding Qian , Shi Xun , Zhuang Dafang , Wang Yong
Published: August 2018

Ecological vulnerability evaluations can provide a scientific foundation for ecological environment management. Studies of ecological vulnerability have mainly focused on typical ecologically vulnerable regions with poor natural conditions or severe human interference, and such studies have rarely considered eco-provinces. Taking Jiangsu, an eco-province under construction in China, as the study area, we evaluated the spatiotemporal distributions of ecological vulnerability in 2005, 2010 and 2015 at the kilometer grid scale and analyzed the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on ecological vulnerability. The pressure state response model (PSR), geographic information systems (GIS), spatial principal component analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and correlation analysis methods were used. The results of the study are as follows: (i) the effects of anthropogenic factors on ecological vulnerability are greater than those of natural factors, and landscape evenness and the land resource utilization degree are the main factors that influence ecological vulnerability. (ii) Jiangsu Province is generally lightly to moderately vulnerable. Slight vulnerability is mainly observed in areas with water bodies. Light vulnerability is concentrated in paddy fields between the Main Irrigation Channel of North Jiangsu and the Yangtze River. Medium, heavy and extreme vulnerability areas are mainly composed of arable and built-up land. Medium vulnerability is mainly distributed to the north of the Main Irrigation Channel of North Jiangsu; heavy vulnerability is scattered to the south of the Yangtze River and in north-western hilly areas; and extreme vulnerability is concentrated in hilly areas; (iii) Ecological vulnerability displays a clustering characteristic. High-high (HH) regions are mainly distributed in heavy and extreme vulnerability regions, and low-low (LL) regions are located in slight vulnerability areas. (iv) Ecological vulnerability has gradually deteriorated. From 2005 to 2010, the vulnerability in hilly areas considerably increased, and from 2010 to 2015, the vulnerability in urban and north-eastern coastal built-up land areas significantly increased. Emphasis should be placed on the prevention and control of ecological vulnerability in high-altitude, urban and coastal areas.
Towards Sustainable Waste Management through Cautious Design of Environmental Taxes: The Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Gebregiorgs Merhatbeb Teklemedhn
Published: August 2018

This research examines the viability of the design of environmental taxes in the achievement of sustainable waste management in the Addis Ababa Administration (AAA) of Ethiopia. It has employed an empirical qualitative method. It first shows the mutual contribution of the achievement of waste management to the progress of sustainable sanitation and water resource management. Secondly, it displays the distributive and incentive roles of environmental taxes in the achievement of sustainable waste management. Thirdly, it indicates that a cautious design of the source, base, scope and rate of environmental taxes is a critical determinant for environmental taxes’ overall success in addressing the prevalent waste mismanagement in Ethiopia. Fourthly, it demonstrates that in the AAA: (1) The sources of solid waste collection, landfill, sewerage service and effluent charges are subject to the principle of legality; (2) the scope of solid waste collection, landfill, sewerage service and effluent charges is appropriate; (3) while the base of sewerage service and effluent charges is efficient, the base of solid waste and landfill charges is not at all efficient; and (4) while the rates of solid waste, landfill and sewerage service charges are slightly optimal, the rate of the effluent charge has not yet developed. Fifthly, it reveals that, having a somewhat viable design, solid waste, landfill and sewerage service charges are marginally reinforcing the aspiration of Ethiopia to achieve sustainable sanitation. Sixthly, it uncovers that because Ethiopia has not yet developed the rate of effluent charge, effluent charge is neither internalizing the cost of water resource degradation nor incentivizing sustainable water resource management. Finally, it implies that the aspiration of Ethiopia to achieve sustainable sanitation and water resource management by 2030 is contingent on the cautious design of its waste management taxes.
Comparing Characteristics of Root, Flour and Starch of Biofortified Yellow-Flesh and White-Flesh Cassava Variants, and Sustainability Considerations: A Review
Authors: Ayetigbo Oluwatoyin , Latif Sajid , Abass Adebayo , Müller Joachim
Published: August 2018

Cassava is a significant food security and industrial crop, contributing as food, feed and industrial biomass in Africa, Asia and South America. Breeding efforts have led to the development of cassava variants having desirable traits such as increased root, flour, and starch yield, reduced toxicity, reduced pest/disease susceptibility and improved nutrient contents. Prominent among those breeding efforts is the development of colored-flesh cassava variants, especially biofortified yellow-fleshed ones, with increased pro-vitamin A carotenoids, compared to the white-flesh variants. The concept of sustainability in adoption of biofortified yellow-flesh cassava and its products cannot be fully grasped without some detailed information on its properties and how these variants compare to those of the white-flesh cassava. Flour and starch are highly profitable food products derived from cassava. Cassava roots can be visually distinguished based on flesh color and other physical properties, just as their flours and starches can be differentiated by their macro- and micro-properties. The few subtle differences that exist between cassava variants are identified and exploited by consumers and industry. Although white-flesh variants are still widely cultivated, value addition offered by biofortified yellow-flesh variants may strengthen acceptance and widespread cultivation among farmers, and, possibly, cultivation of biofortified yellow-flesh variants may outpace that of white-flesh variants in the future. This review compares properties of cassava root, flour, and starch from white-flesh and biofortified yellow-flesh variants. It also states the factors affecting the chemical, functional, and physicochemical properties; relationships between the physicochemical and functional properties; effects of processing on the nutritional properties; and practical considerations for sustaining adoption of the biofortified yellow-flesh cassava.
Development of Large-Scale and Quasi Multi-Physics Model for Whole Structure of the Typical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks
Authors: Ma Jie , Ma Suning , Zhang Xinyi , Chen Daifen , He Juan
Published: August 2018

Although the performance and corresponding manufacturing technology of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) units have greatly improved and have met commercial requirements over the past decades, they are constructed such that they perform poorly and lack strong duration outputs. Therefore, achieving high performance and extending duration at a stack level are challenges faced by the development process. This paper develops a large-scale and multiphysics model for the complete structure of a typical 10-cell SOFC stack. It includes solid components, flow paths, and porous sections—solid ribs, interconnectors, anode support, anode function layer, electrolyte layer, cathode layer, air/fuel feed manifolds, feed header, rib channels, exhaust header and outlet manifolds. The multiphysics application includes momentum, mass, energy and quasi electrochemical transporting; and their mutual coupling processes within the stack. This new model can help us understand the working specifics of the large-scale stack, obtaining distribution details of static pressure, species fraction, and temperature gradient; further addressing optimization of structure and operation parameters. These details serve as guidelines for practical structural designs and parameters in real stack levels.
BK Polyomavirus MicroRNA Levels in Exosomes Are Modulated by Non-Coding Control Region Activity and Down-Regulate Viral Replication When Delivered to Non-Infected Cells Prior to Infection
Authors: Martelli Francesco , Wu Zongsong , Delbue Serena , Weissbach Fabian , Giulioli Maria , Ferrante Pasquale , Hirsch Hans , Giannecchini Simone
Published: August 2018

In immunosuppressed patients, BKPyV-variants emerge carrying rearranged non-coding control-regions (rr-NCCRs) that increase early viral gene region (EVGR) expression and replication capacity. BKPyV also encodes microRNAs, which have been reported to downregulate EVGR-encoded large T-antigen transcripts, to decrease viral replication in infected cells and to be secreted in exosomes. To investigate the interplay of NCCR and microRNAs, we compared archetype- and rr-NCCR-BKPyV infection in cell culture. We found that laboratory and clinical rr-NCCR-BKPyV-strains show higher replication rates but significantly lower microRNA levels than archetype virus intracellularly and in exosomes. To investigate whether rr-NCCR or increased EVGR activity modulated microRNA levels, we examined the (sp1-4)NCCR-BKPyV, which has an archetype NCCR-architecture but shows increased EVGR expression due to point mutations inactivating one Sp1 binding site. We found that microRNA levels following (sp1-4)NCCR-BKPyV infection were as low as in rr-NCCR-variants. Thus, NCCR rearrangements are not required for lower miRNA levels. Accordingly, Sp1 siRNA knock-down decreased microRNA levels in archetype BKPyV infection but had no effect on (sp1-4)- or rr-NCCR-BKPyV. However, rr-NCCR-BKPyV replication was downregulated by exosome preparations carrying BKPyV-microRNA prior to infection. To explore the potential relevance in humans, urine samples from 12 natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients were analysed. In 7 patients, rr-NCCR-BKPyV were detected showing high urine BKPyV loads but low microRNAs levels, whereas the opposite was seen in 5 patients with archetype BKPyV. We discuss the results in a dynamic model of BKPyV replication according to NCCR activity and exosome regulation, which integrates immune selection pressure, spread to new host cells and rr-NCCR emergence.
Analysis of Natural Streamflow Variation and Its Influential Factors on the Yellow River from 1957 to 2010
Authors: Wu Jie , Wang Zhihui , Dong Zengchuan , Tang Qiuhong , Lv Xizhi , Dong Guotao
Published: August 2018

In this study, variation characteristics of hydrometeorological factors were explored based on observed time-series data between 1957 and 2010 in four subregions of the Yellow River Basin. For each region, precipitation–streamflow models at annual and flood-season scales were developed to quantify the impact of annual precipitation, temperature, percentage of flood-season precipitation, and anthropogenic interference. The sensitivities of annual streamflow to these three climatic factors were then calculated using a modified elasticity coefficient model. The results presented the following: (1) Annual streamflow exhibited a negative trend in all regions; (2) The reduction of annual streamflow was mainly caused by a precipitation decrease and temperature increase for all regions before 2000, whereas the contribution of anthropogenic interference increased significantly—more than 45%, except for Tang-Tou region after 2000. The percentage of flood-season precipitation variation can also be responsible for annual streamflow reduction with a range of 7.36% (Tang-Tou) to 21.88% (Source); (3) Annual streamflow was more sensitive to annual precipitation than temperature in the humid region, and the opposite situation was observed in the arid region. The sensitivities to intra-annual climate variation increased after 2000 for all regions, and the increase was more significant in Tou-Long and Long-Hua regions.
Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting Nonpoint-Source Pollutant Discharge from a Highland Agricultural Region
Authors: Cho Jae Heon , Lee Jong Ho
Published: August 2018

Sediment runoff from dense highland field areas greatly affects the quality of downstream lakes and drinking water sources. In this study, multiple linear regression (MLR) models were built to predict diffuse pollutant discharge using the environmental parameters of a basin. Explanatory variables that influence the sediment and pollutant discharge can be identified with the model, and such research could play an important role in limiting sediment erosion in the dense highland field area. Pollutant load per event, event mean concentration (EMC), and pollutant load per area were estimated from stormwater survey data from the Lake Soyang basin. During the wet season, heavy rains cause large amounts of suspended sediment and the occurrence of such rains is increasing due to climate change. The explanatory variables used in the MLR models are the percentage of fields, subbasin area, and mean slope of subbasin as topographic parameters, and the number of preceding dry days, rainfall intensity, rainfall depth, and rainfall duration as rainfall parameters. In the MLR modeling process, four types of regression equations with and without log transformation of the explanatory and response variables were examined to identify the best performing regression model. The performance of the MLR models was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of variation of the root mean square error (CV(RMSE)), the ratio of the RMSE to the standard deviation of the observed data (RSR) and the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE). The performance of the MLR models of pollutant load except total nitrogen (TN) was good under the condition of RSR, and satisfactory for the NSE and R2. In the EMC and load/area models, the performance for suspended solids (SS) and total phosphorus (TP) was good for the RSR, and satisfactory for the NSE and R2. The standardized coefficients for the models were analyzed to identify the influential explanatory variables in the models. In the final performance evaluation, the results of jackknife validation indicate that the MLR models are robust.
The Functioning of a Water Body Within a Fluvio-Lacustrine System as an Effect of Excessive Nitrogen Loading—The Case of Lake Symsar and its Drainage Area (Northeastern Poland)
Authors: Kuriata-Potasznik Angela
Published: August 2018

Generally, in water ecosystems, it is assumed that rivers play a transport role. In turn, lakes have accumulation properties. However, in fluvio-lacustrine systems, each water body located on a river track can disrupt naturally occurring processes. One such process is the nitrogen cycle. An analysis of the nitrogen cycle, at both the global and local levels, is of extreme significance in view of the progressive degradation of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we attempted to show that the specific properties of reservoirs located in river–lake systems contribute to an adequate reaction of these reservoirs to situations involving an excessive pollution load. Despite the intensive exchange of water in lakes, they were mainly shown to have an accumulation function. In particular, in those located in the lower part of the system, the total nitrogen load transported outside the example reservoir decreased by 4.3%. The role of these reservoirs depends on the morphometric, hydrologic, and meteorological conditions. The actual loading of the water body was shown to be more than double the permitted critical loading. The creation of conditions similar to those occurring in river–lake systems by, for example, delaying the outflow of water, may favor the protection of surface water from the last element of the system, because this limits the transport of pollutants. This study of the functioning and evolution of lakes’ fluvio-lacustrine systems, including the balance of the nutrient load, enables the prediction of the aquatic ecosystem’s responses in the future and their changes.
Determining the predominant tautomeric structure of iodine-based group-transfer reagents by 17O NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Santschi Nico , Pitts Cody Ross , Jelier Benson J , Verel René
Published: August 2018

Cyclic benziodoxole systems have become a premier scaffold for the design of electrophilic transfer reagents. A particularly intriguing aspect is the fundamental II–IIII tautomerism about the hypervalent bond, which has led in certain cases to a surprising re-evaluation of the classic hypervalent structure. Thus, through a combination of 17O NMR spectroscopy at natural abundance with DFT calculations, we establish a convenient method to provide solution-phase structural insights for this class of ubiquitous reagents. In particular, we confirm that Shen’s revised, electrophilic SCF3-transfer reagent also adopts an "acyclic" thioperoxide tautomeric form in solution. After calibration, the approach described herein likely provides a more general and direct method to distinguish between cyclic and acyclic structural features based on a single experimental 17O NMR spectrum and a computationally-derived isotropic shift value. Furthermore, we apply this structural elucidation technique to predict the constitution of an electrophilic iodine-based cyano-transfer reagent as an NC–I–O motif and study the acid-mediated activation of Togni's trifluoromethylation reagent.
Ground- and Space-based Detection of the Thermal Emission Spectrum of the Transiting Hot Jupiter KELT-2Ab
Authors: Piskorz Danielle , Buzard Cam , Line Michael R. , Knutson Heather A. , Benneke Björn , Crockett Nathan R. , Lockwood Alexandra C. , Blake Geoffrey A. , Barman Travis S. , Bender Chad F. , Deming Drake , Johnson John A.
Published: August 2018

We describe the detection of water vapor in the atmosphere of the transiting hot Jupiter KELT-2Ab by treating the star–planet system as a spectroscopic binary with high-resolution, ground-based spectroscopy. We resolve the signal of the planet’s motion with deep combined flux observations of the star and the planet. In total, six epochs of Keck NIRSPEC L-band observations were obtained, and the full data set was subjected to a cross-correlation analysis with a grid of self-consistent atmospheric models. We measure a radial projection of the Keplerian velocity, K

P
, of 148 ± 7 km s−1, consistent with transit measurements, and detect water vapor at 3.8σ. We combine NIRSPEC L-band data with Spitzer IRAC secondary eclipse data to further probe the metallicity and carbon-to-oxygen ratio of KELT-2Ab’s atmosphere. While the NIRSPEC analysis provides few extra constraints on the Spitzer data, it does provide roughly the same constraints on metallicity and carbon-to-oxygen ratio. This bodes well for future investigations of the atmospheres of non-transiting hot Jupiters.
The Distance of the Dark Matter Deficient Galaxy NGC 1052–DF2
Authors: van Dokkum Pieter , Danieli Shany , Cohen Yotam , Romanowsky Aaron J. , Conroy Charlie
Published: August 2018

We recently inferred that the galaxy NGC 1052–DF2 has little or no dark matter and a rich system of unusual globular clusters. We assumed that the galaxy is a satellite of the luminous elliptical galaxy NGC 1052 at ≈20 Mpc, on the basis of its surface brightness fluctuations (SBFs) distance of 19.0 ± 1.7 Mpc, its radial velocity of ≈1800 km s−1, and its projected position. Here we analyze the color–magnitude diagram (CMD) of NGC 1052–DF2, following the suggestion by Trujillo et al. that the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) can be detected in currently available Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data and the galaxy is at ∼13 Mpc. Using fully populated galaxy models we show that the CMD is strongly influenced by blends. These blends produce a “phantom” TRGB ∼2 times brighter than the true TRGB, which can lead to erroneous distance estimates ∼1.4 times smaller than the actual distance. We compare NGC 1052–DF2 to model images as well as other galaxies in our HST sample, and show that the large population of unblended RGB stars expected for distances of ∼13 Mpc is not detected. We also provide a new distance measurement to NGC 1052–DF2 that is free of calibration uncertainties, by anchoring it to a satellite of the megamaser host galaxy NGC 4258. From a megamaser-TRGB-SBF distance ladder we obtain D = 18.7 ± 1.7 Mpc, consistent with our previous measurement and with the distance to the elliptical galaxy NGC 1052.
Conservation concern’ bryophytes find refuge on cave entrances in the Azores
Authors: Gabriel Rosalina , Sim-Sim Maria Manuela , González-Mancebo Juana María
Published: August 2018

Bryophytes, including mosses, liverworts and hornworts, are terrestrial plants, with a particular life cycle where the gametophyte is dominant over the sporophyte; many species are pokilohydric, meaning that they achieve a quick equilibrium between the cell water content and that of the environment, suspending their life, but not dying, in the absence of water. Due to their light spores, these plants have a great dispersal ability and may be found from the poles to the equator. In the Azores, there are almost 500 species (Gabriel et al. 2010), colonizing a large number of habitats and substrata, but forming particularly luxuriant communities inside native forests. Nevertheless, these forests are presently restricted to medium-high elevations (above 500 m) and below this altitude, adequate habitats for many bryophyte species are scarce (Henriques et al. 2016). Cave entrances, at different elevations, serve as surrogate habitats for bryophyte species, since they present an adequate relative humidity, fewer competitor species and are usually not disturbed by chemical products such as herbicides or pesticides. The aims of this work are twofold:

present the results of the first IUCN red-list assessment of the conservation status of Azorean conservation concern bryophytes; and

present an overview of the major threats involving the conservation of those species.

present the results of the first IUCN red-list assessment of the conservation status of Azorean conservation concern bryophytes; and

present an overview of the major threats involving the conservation of those species.

The assessments of extinction risk were based on the most updated categories and criteria. Seven liverworts (Calypogeia azorica, Cheilolejeunea cedercreutzii, Fuscocephaloziopsis crassifolia, Leptoscyphus porphyrius subsp. azoricus, Lophocolea fragrans Plagiochila longispina and Radula holtii,) and seven mosses (Andoa berthelotiana, Echinodium renauldii, Heterocladium flaccidum, Hookeria lucens, Microcampylopus laevigatus, Rhynchostegiella trichophylla and Thamnobryum rudolphianum) benefit from populations at cave entrances, mostly the Azorean and Macaronesian endemic species. The three most common threats harming “cave” bryophytes include: climate change & severe weather, habitat change and degradation and invasive plant species of native forest. These threats are also documented in the literature (e.g. Patiño et al. 2016; Ferreira et al. 2016; Triantis et al. 2010 and Silva et al. 2008). Cave habitats are thus an important part of bryophyte conservation in the Azores, and should be both legally protected and monitored to the mutual benefit of species and habitat conservation.
Réduire les inégalités écologiques et sociales ?
Authors: Hériard Bertrand
Published: August 2018

L’encyclique Laudato si’ ouvre un nouveau chantier pour la doctrine sociale de l’Église. Depuis Gaudium et Spes, les inégalités font scandale et sont une menace pour la paix. Le pape François fait un pas de plus en liant les crises sociales qui rendent la vie difficile aux plus précaires aux crises écologiques qui érodent leurs ressources naturelles. Réduire les inégalités suppose alors de fixer non seulement le plancher social, mais aussi le plafond écologique de « notre maison commune ». L’article explore quatre chantiers intellectuels pour l’éthique sociale : l’élaboration d’un grand récit et d’une théorie de la justice, une nouvelle réflexion sur le travail et la joie.
Témoignage d’une victime
Authors:   Pierre
Published: August 2018

Par souci de vérité et de justice, l’auteur, victime d’agressions sexuelles de la part d’un prêtre du diocèse de Lyon en 1990 et 1993, entre 17 et 20 ans, rapporte dans son témoignage comment les autorités ecclésiastiques ont tardé à réagir face à sa dénonciation, et ne l’ont fait que sous la pression judiciaire. Il raconte également le long chemin de sa reconstruction, pour sortir de la dépression et des comportements compulsifs dans lesquels il avait été entraîné.
Optical Coherence Tomography Thickness Measurements of the Extraocular Rectus Muscle Tendons in Graves' Ophthalmopathy
Authors: De-Pablo-Gómez-de-Liaño Lucía , Fernández-Vigo José Ignacio , Ventura-Abreu Néstor , Troyano-Rivas Juan , Niño-Rueda Cristina , Romo-López Ángel , Gómez-de-Liaño Rosario
Published: August 2018

Purpose:

To examine extraocular rectus muscle tendons in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted with 55 healthy controls, 45 patients with clinically inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy, and 12 patients with clinically active Graves' ophthalmopathy. Scanning was performed at the 3- and 9-o'clock positions. The medial rectus tendon thickness was measured at 7.2 and 9.2 mm from the limbus and the lateral rectus tendon thickness was measured at 8.5 and 10.5 mm from the limbus.

Results:

The 9.2-mm medial rectus, 8.5-mm lateral rectus, and 10.5-mm lateral rectus tendons were thicker in the inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy group than the control group (240 ± 70, 231 ± 63, and 228 ± 54 µm vs 201 ± 71, 199 ± 53, and 200 ± 32 µm, respectively;
P
≤ .011), whereas the 8.5-mm lateral rectus and 9.2-mm medial rectus tendons were thicker in patients with active Graves' ophthalmopathy than patients with inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy (274 ± 77 and 283 ± 68 µm vs 231 ± 63 and 240 ± 70 µm, respectively;
P
≤ .048). A correlation was detected between lateral rectus and medial rectus tendon thicknesses and the Graves' ophthalmopathy clinical activity score (
R
= 0.252,
P
= .035; and
R
= 0.291,
P
= .013, respectively).

Conclusions:

OCT emerged as an accurate method for measuring medial rectus and lateral rectus tendon thicknesses in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. The imaging tool was able to detect thicker horizontal rectus tendons in patients with inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy than in controls, and in patients with active compared to inactive disease.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2018;55(6):356–362.]
Design of a Digital Art Teaching Platform Based on Automatic Recording Technology
Authors: Liu Wei
Published: August 2018

Digital media art is a brand-new course combining technology and art under the background of streaming media. Since digital art is based on computer technology, the course is required to keep up with the frontiers of science and technology, and the speed of knowledge update should keep pace with the development of the times. Traditional teaching methods are inflexible and outdated, so that students’ knowledge is lagging far behind market demands. In addition, the courseware produced by teachers themselves is not well-targeted and the production cost is high. With this regard, a micro-lesson teaching platform for Digital Art was designed based on the five-star teaching theory and the automatic micro-lesson recording system. The design follows the principles of driving learners’ interest with tasks and using learning activities to support services and deepen skills, covering design of micro-lesson learning content, design of learning activities to support services, design of application, and design of evaluation. The results show that the micro-lesson teaching platform can improve learners’ interest, achievement and self-confidence in learning; at the same time, it can improve the quality of teachers’ micro-lesson resources and reduce the workload of teachers in producing micro-lesson.
Using the UTAUT2 Model to Determine Factors Affecting Adoption of Mobile Banking Services: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Gharaibeh Malik Khlaif , Arshad Muhammad Rafie , Gharaibeh Natheer K.
Published: August 2018

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants that affect the adoption of mobile banking services in Jordan. The current study extends the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technolgy2 (UTAUT2) by adding two important factors, mass media and trust utilizing by seven respondents based on qualitative approach, this study shows that the adoption of mobile banking is positively and significantly influenced by the mass media, trust, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence. In contrast, hedonic motivation seems to be insignificantly related to adoption of mobile banking services. There are numerous variables affect the of adoption mobile banking. While most previous studies address the relationship between these factors and the attitudes toward mobile banking services by using the quantitative approaches, this study adopts qualitative approach (focus group method) to provide further insight into the main factors which affect adoption of mobile banking. Furthermore, the current study extends the original UTAUT2 by testing the impact of two new variables. This is considered the important contribution in the paper.
Analysis of the Main Factors Affecting the Adoption of Cloud based Interactive Mobile Learning in the Australian Higher Education Sector
Authors: Sandu Nitirajsingh , Gide Ergun
Published: August 2018

Today, every business depends on Information Technology (IT) for the efficient service delivery and cost-effective application of technological resources. Modern technologies are being adopted to overcome business pressure, streamline existing procedures and service delivery cost-efficiency for maximising profit due to the increase in global competition and shifts in the customer expectations.  Cloud computing (CC) is an Internet-centric computing service that utilises and provides IT services to organisations through the provisioning of resources through the Internet using web-centric software and gadgets without the assistance of any private IT architecture within the firm. Cloud based interactive mobile learning platform is the result of such exploration and this practice of learning is improving with the time. New technologies such as smart mobile devices, Cloud computing and wireless connectivity are opening new opportunities of learning for students.  

Thus, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the main factors affecting the adoption of Cloud based interactive mobile learning for the Australian Higher Education sector. In this research, a survey data collection technique with existing students using Mobile application for learning and also a literature review process were conducted.  Research outcome shows that the use of Artificial intelligence and Machine learning can make learning more efficient and these technologies need to be integrated in applications designed for Australian Higher Education sector.  It is expected that the research outcome will help interactive mobile application developers and higher education providers to better understand the requirements of students while providing an interactive learning platform for them.   