bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between MRPV Model Parameters from MISRL2 Land Surface Product and Land Covers: A Case Study within Mainland Spain
Authors: Arrogante-Funes Patricia , Novillo Carlos J. , Romero-Calcerrada Raúl , Vázquez-Jiménez René , Ramos-Bernal Rocío N.
Published: November 2017

In this study, we showed that the multi-angle satellite remote sensing product, MISR L2 Land Surface (MIL2ASLS), which has a scale of 1.1 km, could be suitable for improving land-cover studies. Using seven images from this product, captured by the multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer sensor (MISR), we explored the values reached by the three parameters (ρ0, Θ, and k) of the Rahman–Pinty–Verstraete model, which was modified by Martonchick (MRPV). Thereafter, we compared the values and behaviors shown in seven Co-ordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) land cover categories, in the red and near infrared (NIR) bands, over the seven MISR orbits captured in 2006 for Mainland Spain. Furthermore, we used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) ancillary data and the illumination angles from the same pixels, which made up the images. These ancillary data were also provided by the MISR products. An inferential statistic test was performed to evaluate the relationship between each parameter–band combination, and the land cover in every MISR orbit used. The results suggested that the ρ0 parameters of this product seemed to be the most related to photosynthetic activity, and it should be comparable with the widely-used NDVI. On the other hand, the k and Θ parameter values were not related, or at least not entirely related, to the phenology of land coverage. These seemed to be more influenced by the anisotropy behavior of the studied land cover pixels. Additionally, we observed, by constructing analysis of variance, how the mean of each MRPV parameter–band differed statistically (p < 0.01) by land covers and orbits. This study suggested that the MISR MRPV model parameter data product has great potential to be used to improve land cover applications.
Hereditary Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: Pathophysiology and Possible Treatment. An Update
Authors: Milano Serena , Carmosino Monica , Gerbino Andrea , Svelto Maria , Procino Giuseppe
Published: November 2017

Under physiological conditions, excessive loss of water through the urine is prevented by the release of the antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) from the posterior pituitary. In the kidney, AVP elicits a number of cellular responses, which converge on increasing the osmotic reabsorption of water in the collecting duct. One of the key events triggered by the binding of AVP to its type-2 receptor (AVPR2) is the exocytosis of the water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2) at the apical membrane the principal cells of the collecting duct. Mutations of either AVPR2 or AQP2 result in a genetic disease known as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which is characterized by the lack of responsiveness of the collecting duct to the antidiuretic action of AVP. The affected subject, being incapable of concentrating the urine, presents marked polyuria and compensatory polydipsia and is constantly at risk of severe dehydration. The molecular bases of the disease are fully uncovered, as well as the genetic or clinical tests for a prompt diagnosis of the disease in newborns. A real cure for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is still missing, and the main symptoms of the disease are handled with s continuous supply of water, a restrictive diet, and nonspecific drugs. Unfortunately, the current therapeutic options are limited and only partially beneficial. Further investigation in vitro or using the available animal models of the disease, combined with clinical trials, will eventually lead to the identification of one or more targeted strategies that will improve or replace the current conventional therapy and grant NDI patients a better quality of life. Here we provide an updated overview of the genetic defects causing NDI, the most recent strategies under investigation for rescuing the activity of mutated AVPR2 or AQP2, or for bypassing defective AVPR2 signaling and restoring AQP2 plasma membrane expression.
Cigarette Smoke Regulates the Competitive Interactions between NRF2 and BACH1 for Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction
Authors: Chang Wen-Hsin , Thai Philip , Xu Jihao , Yang David , Wu Reen , Chen Ching-Hsien
Published: November 2017

Cigarette smoke has been shown to trigger aberrant signaling pathways and pathophysiological processes; however, the regulatory mechanisms underlying smoke-induced gene expression remain to be established. Herein, we observed that two smoke-responsive genes, HO-1 and CYP1A1, are robustly induced upon smoke by different mechanisms in human bronchial epithelia. CYP1A1 is mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, while induction of HO-1 is regulated by oxidative stress, and suppressed by N-acetylcysteine treatment. In light of a pivotal role of NRF2 and BACH1 in response to oxidative stress and regulation of HO-1, we examined if smoke-induced HO-1 expression is modulated through the NRF2/BACH1 axis. We demonstrated that smoke causes significant nuclear translocation of NRF2, but only a slight decrease in nuclear BACH1. Knockdown of NRF2 attenuated smoke-induced HO-1 expression while down-regulation of BACH1 had stimulatory effects on both basal and smoke-induced HO-1 with trivial influence on NRF2 nuclear translocation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that smoke augments promoter-specific DNA binding of NRF2 but suppresses BACH1 binding to the HO-1 promoter ARE sites, two of which at −1.0 kb and −2.6 kb are newly identified. These results suggest that the regulation of NRF2 activator and BACH1 repressor binding to the ARE sites are critical for smoke-mediated HO-1 induction.
The Dark Side of the Epitranscriptome: Chemical Modifications in Long Non-Coding RNAs
Authors: Jacob Roland , Zander Sindy , Gutschner Tony
Published: November 2017

The broad application of next-generation sequencing technologies in conjunction with improved bioinformatics has helped to illuminate the complexity of the transcriptome, both in terms of quantity and variety. In humans, 70–90% of the genome is transcribed, but only ~2% carries the blueprint for proteins. Hence, there is a huge class of non-translated transcripts, called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have received much attention in the past decade. Several studies have shown that lncRNAs are involved in a plethora of cellular signaling pathways and actively regulate gene expression via a broad selection of molecular mechanisms. Only recently, sequencing-based, transcriptome-wide studies have characterized different types of post-transcriptional chemical modifications of RNAs. These modifications have been shown to affect the fate of RNA and further expand the variety of the transcriptome. However, our understanding of their biological function, especially in the context of lncRNAs, is still in its infancy. In this review, we will focus on three epitranscriptomic marks, namely pseudouridine (Ψ), N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C). We will introduce writers, readers, and erasers of these modifications, and we will present methods for their detection. Finally, we will provide insights into the distribution and function of these chemical modifications in selected, cancer-related lncRNAs.
VIKOR Method for Interval Neutrosophic Multiple Attribute Group Decision-Making
Authors: Huang Yu-Han , Wei Gui-Wu , Wei Cun
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we will extend the VIKOR (VIsekriterijumska optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje) method to multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) with interval neutrosophic numbers (INNs). Firstly, the basic concepts of INNs are briefly presented. The method first aggregates all individual decision-makers’ assessment information based on an interval neutrosophic weighted averaging (INWA) operator, and then employs the extended classical VIKOR method to solve MAGDM problems with INNs. The validity and stability of this method are verified by example analysis and sensitivity analysis, and its superiority is illustrated by a comparison with the existing methods.
Integrated Big Data Analytics Technique for Real-Time Prognostics, Fault Detection and Identification for Complex Systems
Authors: Ossai Chinedu
Published: November 2017

Real-time prediction of the state of complex systems is vital for integrity management since it is easier to plan for asset maintenance, reduce risks associated with unplanned downtime and reduce the cost of maintenance. This study utilized a four-fold cross-validation ensemble for an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that used Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) in a backward propagation technique for haul crane prognosis. Big data on components’ degradation states obtained from the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems were used to implement the study. After preprocessing the dataset, importance scoring was used to compute the Cumulative Target-component Percentage-influence (CTP) of the input variables (source components) on the output variable (the target component) at the 95.5%, 99.3%, 99.9% and 100% levels. The specific source components responsible for the CTP levels of the target component were later used for the ANN network training that followed the cross-validation ensemble technique. The cross-validation ensemble ANN technique was also compared to the classic ANN and other machining learning algorithms. Finally, the best-trained cross-validation ensemble ANN network, which was obtained at the 99.9% CTP level, was used for future estimation of the time of failure of the system to enhance planning for the expected maintenance program that will be required at such times.
The Structure of Liquid and Amorphous Hafnia
Authors: Gallington Leighanne , Ghadar Yasaman , Skinner Lawrie , Weber J. , Ushakov Sergey , Navrotsky Alexandra , Vazquez-Mayagoitia Alvaro , Neuefeind Joerg , Stan Marius , Low John , Benmore Chris
Published: November 2017

Understanding the atomic structure of amorphous solids is important in predicting and tuning their macroscopic behavior. Here, we use a combination of high-energy X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and molecular dynamics simulations to benchmark the atomic interactions in the high temperature stable liquid and low-density amorphous solid states of hafnia. The diffraction results reveal an average Hf–O coordination number of ~7 exists in both the liquid and amorphous nanoparticle forms studied. The measured pair distribution functions are compared to those generated from several simulation models in the literature. We have also performed ab initio and classical molecular dynamics simulations that show density has a strong effect on the polyhedral connectivity. The liquid shows a broad distribution of Hf–Hf interactions, while the formation of low-density amorphous nanoclusters can reproduce the sharp split peak in the Hf–Hf partial pair distribution function observed in experiment. The agglomeration of amorphous nanoparticles condensed from the gas phase is associated with the formation of both edge-sharing and corner-sharing HfO6,7 polyhedra resembling that observed in the monoclinic phase.
Assembly Modulated by Particle Position and Shape: A New Concept in Self-Assembly
Authors: Tavacoli Joe , Heuvingh Julien , Du Roure Olivia
Published: November 2017

In this communication we outline how the bespoke arrangements and design of micron-sized superparamagnetic shapes provide levers to modulate their assembly under homogeneous magnetic fields. We label this new approach, ‘assembly modulated by particle position and shape’ (APPS). Specifically, using rectangular lattices of superparamagnetic micron-sized cuboids, we construct distinct microstructures by adjusting lattice pitch and angle of array with respect to a magnetic field. Broadly, we find two modes of assembly: (1) immediate 2D jamming of the cuboids as they rotate to align with the applied field (rotation-induced jamming) and (2) aggregation via translation after their full alignment (dipole-dipole assembly). The boundary between these two assembly pathways is independent on field strength being solely a function of the cuboid’s dimensions, lattice pitch, and array angle with respect to field—a relationship which we capture, along with other features of the assembly process, in a ‘phase diagram’. In doing so, we set out initial design rules to build custom made assemblies. Moreover, these assemblies can be made flexible thanks to the hinged contacts of their particle building blocks. This flexibility, combined with the superparamagnetic nature of the architectures, renders our assembly method particularly appropriate for the construction of complex actuators at a scale hitherto not possible.
Application of the Taguchi Method for Optimizing the Process Parameters of Producing Lightweight Aggregates by Incorporating Tile Grinding Sludge with Reservoir Sediments
Authors: Chen How-Ji , Chang Sheng-Nan , Tang Chao-Wei
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to apply the Taguchi optimization technique to determine the process conditions for producing synthetic lightweight aggregate (LWA) by incorporating tile grinding sludge powder with reservoir sediments. An orthogonal array L16(45) was adopted, which consisted of five controllable four-level factors (i.e., sludge content, preheat temperature, preheat time, sintering temperature, and sintering time). Moreover, the analysis of variance method was used to explore the effects of the experimental factors on the particle density, water absorption, bloating ratio, and loss on ignition of the produced LWA. Overall, the produced aggregates had particle densities ranging from 0.43 to 2.1 g/cm3 and water absorption ranging from 0.6% to 13.4%. These values are comparable to the requirements for ordinary and high-performance LWAs. The results indicated that it is considerably feasible to produce high-performance LWA by incorporating tile grinding sludge with reservoir sediments.
Anandins A and B, Two Rare Steroidal Alkaloids from a Marine Streptomyces anandii H41-59
Authors: Zhang Yang-Mei , Liu Bai-Lian , Zheng Xin-Heng , Huang Xiao-Jun , Li Hong-Yu , Zhang Ying , Zhang Ting-Ting , Sun Da-Yuan , Lin Bi-Run , Zhou Guang-Xiong
Published: November 2017

Anandins A (1) and B (2), two rare steroidal alkaloids, were isolated from the fermentative broth of a marine actinobacteria Streptomyces anandii H41-59. The gross structures of the two alkaloids were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including HR-ESI-MS, and NMR. Their absolute configurations were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and comparison of their experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra, respectively. Anandin A exhibited a moderate inhibitory effect against three human cancer cell lines MCF-7, SF-268, and NCI-H460 with IC50 values of 7.5, 7.9, 7.8 μg/mL, respectively.
Annealing Behavior of 6061 Al Alloy Subjected to Differential Speed Rolling Deformation
Authors: Ko Young Gun , Hamad Kotiba
Published: November 2017

This study investigated the effects of heat treatment (annealing) on the microstructure of ultrafine grained 6061 Al alloy samples fabricated by a differential speed rolling (DSR) process. The samples were fabricated using two passes DSR with 75% thickness reduction and a speed ratio of 1:4. The DSR-deformed 6061 Al alloy sample exhibited a lamellar boundary structure composed mostly of subgrains surrounded by low-angle grain boundaries. After annealing, the DSR-deformed 6061 Al alloy samples exhibited coarse grained structure and transformed from lamellar to equiaxed, where both the grain size and grain shape aspect ratio increased with increasing annealing temperature. The fraction of grain boundaries with high misorientation angles increased progressively during annealing, to ~77% at annealing temperature of 350 °C.
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Decreases Cell Proliferation and TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 Cytokines Production in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes
Authors: De Abreu Costa Lucas , Henrique Fernandes Ottoni Marcelo , Dos Santos Michaelle , Meireles Agnes , Gomes de Almeida Valéria , De Fátima Pereira Wagner , Alves de Avelar-Freitas Bethânia , Eustáquio Alvim Brito-Melo Gustavo
Published: November 2017

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is an amphipathic molecule composed of a polar domain characterized by the sulfinyl and two nonpolar methyl groups, for this reason it is able to solubilize polar and nonpolar substances and transpose hydrophobic barriers. DMSO is widely used to solubilize drugs of therapeutic applications and studies indicated that 10% v/v concentration did not modify culture viability when used to treat human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, some DMSO concentrations could influence lymphocyte activation and present anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMSO on lymphocyte activation parameters. Cell viability analysis, proliferation, and cytokine production were performed on PBMC from six healthy subjects by flow cytometry. The results indicated that 2.5% v/v DMSO concentrations did not modify lymphocytes viability. DMSO at 1% and 2% v/v concentrations reduced the relative proliferation index of lymphocytes and at 5% and 10% v/v concentrations reduced the percentage of total lymphocytes, cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) producers. Thus, it was concluded that DMSO has an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect by reducing lymphocyte activation demonstrated with proliferation reduction and the decrease of cytokine production.
Rapid Determination of Major Compounds in the Ethanol Extract of Geopropolis from Malaysian Stingless Bees, Heterotrigona itama, by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS and NMR
Authors: Zhao Lingling , Yu Mengjiao , Sun Minghui , Xue Xiaofeng , Wang Tongtong , Cao Wei , Sun Liping
Published: November 2017

A reliable, rapid analytical method was established for the characterization of constituents of the ethanol extract of geopropolis (EEGP) produced by Malaysian stingless bees—Heterotrigona itama—by combining ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Based on known standards, the online METLIN database, and published literature, 28 compounds were confirmed. Phenolic acids, flavones, triterpenes and phytosterol were identified or tentatively identified using characteristic diagnostic fragment ions. The results indicated that terpenoids were the main components of EEGP, accompanied by low levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phytosterol. Two major components were further purified by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (PHPLC) and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as 24(E)-cycloart-24-ene-26-ol-3-one and 20-hydroxy-24-dammaren-3-one. These two triterpenes, confirmed in this geopropolis for the first time, are potential chemical markers for the identification of geopropolis from Malaysian stingless bees, H. itama.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofibril-Reinforced Polyurethane Foam
Authors: Leng Weiqi , Li Jinghao , Cai Zhiyong
Published: November 2017

In this study, traditional polyol was partially replaced with green, environmentally friendly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). The effects of CNF on the performance of CNF-reinforced polyurethane foam nanocomposites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a compression test. The results showed that the introduction of CNF into the polyurethane matrix not only created stronger urethane bonding between the hydroxyl groups in the cellulose chain and isocyanate groups in polymethylene polyphenylisocyanate, but also developed an additional filler–matrix interaction between CNF and polyurethane. With the increase of the CNF replacement ratio, a higher glass transition temperature was obtained, and a higher amount of char residue was generated. In addition, an increase of up to 18-fold in compressive strength was achieved for CNF-PUF (polyurethane foam) nanocomposites with a 40% CNF replacement ratio. CNF has proved to be a promising substitute for traditional polyols in the preparation of polyurethane foams. This study provides an interesting method to synthesize highly green bio-oriented polyurethane foams.
Disaggregation of SMOS Soil Moisture to 100 m Resolution Using MODIS Optical/Thermal and Sentinel-1 Radar Data: Evaluation over a Bare Soil Site in Morocco
Authors: Eweys Omar Ali , Escorihuela Maria José , Villar Josep M. , Er-Raki Salah , Amazirh Abdelhakim , Olivera Luis , Jarlan Lionel , Khabba Saïd , Merlin Olivier
Published: November 2017

The 40 km resolution SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) soil moisture, previously disaggregated at a 1 km resolution using the DISPATCH (DISaggregation based on Physical And Theoretical scale CHange) method based on MODIS optical/thermal data, is further disaggregated to 100 m resolution using Sentinel-1 backscattering coefficient (σ°). For this purpose, three distinct radar-based disaggregation methods are tested by linking the spatio-temporal variability of σ° and soil moisture data at the 1 km and 100 m resolution. The three methods are: (1) the weight method, which estimates soil moisture at 100 m resolution at a certain time as a function of σ° ratio (100 m to 1 km resolution) and the 1 km DISPATCH products of the same time; (2) the regression method which estimates soil moisture as a function of σ° where the regression parameters (e.g., intercept and slope) vary in space and time; and (3) the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) method, which estimates 100 m resolution soil moisture from the cumulative probability of 100 m resolution backscatter and the maximum to minimum 1 km resolution (DISPATCH) soil moisture difference. In each case, disaggregation results are evaluated against in situ measurements collected between 1 January 2016 and 11 October 2016 over a bare soil site in central Morocco. The determination coefficient (R2) between 1 km resolution DISPATCH and localized in situ soil moisture is 0.31. The regression and CDF methods have marginal effect on improving the DISPATCH accuracy at the station scale with a R2 between remotely sensed and in situ soil moisture of 0.29 and 0.34, respectively. By contrast, the weight method significantly improves the correlation between remotely sensed and in situ soil moisture with a R2 of 0.52. Likewise, the soil moisture estimates show low root mean square difference with in situ measurements (RMSD= 0.032 m3 m−3).
An Intelligent Cooperative Visual Sensor Network for Urban Mobility
Authors: Leone Giuseppe , Moroni Davide , Pieri Gabriele , Petracca Matteo , Salvetti Ovidio , Azzarà Andrea , Marino Francesco
Published: November 2017

Smart cities are demanding solutions for improved traffic efficiency, in order to guarantee optimal access to mobility resources available in urban areas. Intelligent video analytics deployed directly on board embedded sensors offers great opportunities to gather highly informative data about traffic and transport, allowing reconstruction of a real-time neat picture of urban mobility patterns. In this paper, we present a visual sensor network in which each node embeds computer vision logics for analyzing in real time urban traffic. The nodes in the network share their perceptions and build a global and comprehensive interpretation of the analyzed scenes in a cooperative and adaptive fashion. This is possible thanks to an especially designed Internet of Things (IoT) compliant middleware which encompasses in-network event composition as well as full support of Machine-2-Machine (M2M) communication mechanism. The potential of the proposed cooperative visual sensor network is shown with two sample applications in urban mobility connected to the estimation of vehicular flows and parking management. Besides providing detailed results of each key component of the proposed solution, the validity of the approach is demonstrated by extensive field tests that proved the suitability of the system in providing a scalable, adaptable and extensible data collection layer for managing and understanding mobility in smart cities.
Human Actions Analysis: Templates Generation, Matching and Visualization Applied to Motion Capture of Highly-Skilled Karate Athletes
Authors: Hachaj Tomasz , Piekarczyk Marcin , Ogiela Marek
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to propose and evaluate the novel method of template generation, matching, comparing and visualization applied to motion capture (kinematic) analysis. To evaluate our approach, we have used motion capture recordings (MoCap) of two highly-skilled black belt karate athletes consisting of 560 recordings of various karate techniques acquired with wearable sensors. We have evaluated the quality of generated templates; we have validated the matching algorithm that calculates similarities and differences between various MoCap data; and we have examined visualizations of important differences and similarities between MoCap data. We have concluded that our algorithms works the best when we are dealing with relatively short (2–4 s) actions that might be averaged and aligned with the dynamic time warping framework. In practice, the methodology is designed to optimize the performance of some full body techniques performed in various sport disciplines, for example combat sports and martial arts. We can also use this approach to generate templates or to compare the correct performance of techniques between various top sportsmen in order to generate a knowledge base of reference MoCap videos. The motion template generated by our method can be used for action recognition purposes. We have used the DTW classifier with angle-based features to classify various karate kicks. We have performed leave-one-out action recognition for the Shorin-ryu and Oyama karate master separately. In this case, 100 % actions were correctly classified. In another experiment, we used templates generated from Oyama master recordings to classify Shorin-ryu master recordings and vice versa. In this experiment, the overall recognition rate was 94.2 % , which is a very good result for this type of complex action.
A Mediated BOD Biosensor Based on Immobilized B. Subtilis on Three-Dimensional Porous Graphene-Polypyrrole Composite
Authors: Hu Jingfang , Li Yueqi , Gao Guowei , Xia Shanhong
Published: November 2017

We have developed a novel mediated biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) biosensor based on immobilized Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene-polypyrrole (rGO-PPy) composite. The 3D porous rGO-PPy composite was prepared using hydrothermal method following with electropolymerization. Then the 3D porous rGO-PPy composite was used as a support for immobilizing negatively charged B. subtilis denoted as rGO-PPy-B through coordination and electrostatic interaction. Further, the prepared rGO-PPy-B was used as a microbial biofilm for establishing a mediated BOD biosensor with ferricyanide as an electronic acceptor. The indirect determination of BOD was performed by electrochemical measuring ferrocyanide generated from a reduced ferricyanide mediator using interdigited ultramicroelectrode array (IUDA) as the working electrode. The experimental results suggested a good linear relationship between the amperometric responses and BOD standard concentrations from 4 to 60 mg/L, with a limit detection of 1.8 mg/L (S/N ≥ 3). The electrochemical measurement of real water samples showed a good agreement with the conventional BOD5 method, and the good anti-interference as well as the long-term stability were well demonstrated, indicating that the proposed mediated BOD biosensor in this study holds a potential practical application of real water monitoring.
The Spillover Effects on Employees’ Life of Construction Enterprises’ Safety Climate
Authors: Wu Xiang , Yin Wenwen , Wu Chunlin , Luo Xiaowei
Published: November 2017

Organizational safety climate will produce spillover effects and thus affect the individuals’ performance in their family life. As a mainstay industry in many countries, the construction industry has a considerable number of employees and the research on the spillover effects from the safety climate of construction enterprises has important theoretical and practical significance to improve the safety behavior of construction employees in their family life. In this study, we thoroughly reviewed the literature to identify the dimensions of the safety climate spillover, obtain empirical data of the construction employees through a questionnaire survey, and use the data analysis method to study the spillover effects of the safety climate of the construction enterprises from the perspective of work–family integration, and reveal its influence mechanism. This study developed a questionnaire to measure the safety climate spillover of the construction enterprises including two dimensions, namely values and behaviors, with nine measured items. Management commitment and safety attitude in the safety climate were positively related to the spillover, and management commitment had the greatest impact on the spillover, while the other components were not significantly related to the spillover. The two forms of spillover, values and behaviors, were mutually influential, and the safety climate had a more significant impact on the values. This paper contributes to the current safety research by developing a factor structure of spillover effects of the safety climate on the lives of construction employees, thus providing a more profound interpretation of this crucial construct in the safety research domain. The spillover effects of the safety climate’s measurement questionnaire serve as an important tool for spillover among construction enterprises. Findings can facilitate improvement in both theories and practices related to the spillover effects of the safety climate on the lives of employees. This paper studies the spillover effects of construction enterprises’ safety climate, to reveal its influencing mechanism, and can thus provide theoretical guidance for preventing safety accidents in employees’ life.
Agricultural Investments and Farmer-Fulani Pastoralist Conflict in West African Drylands: A Northern Ghanaian Case Study
Authors: Soeters Sebastiaan , Weesie Ruben , Zoomers Annelies
Published: November 2017

In the Global South, there is a push to drive agricultural modernisation processes through private sector investments. In West African drylands, land concessions are required for such agri-businesses are often negotiated through customary authorities, and inject large amounts of money into localised rural systems with low cash bases. The article argues that such transactions serve to increase area under crop cultivation on an inter-seasonal basis, as financial spill-overs allow for farmers to purchase larger quantities of agricultural inputs and prepare larger tracts of land. Simultaneously, such direct and indirect cash flows also result in larger local herd sizes and an increase in the number of locally-owned cattle, as cash is exchanged for cattle, largely regarded as an interest-accruing, savings buffer. Larger herd sizes, in turn, attract Fulani pastoralists in search of employment as contracted herders for local cattle owners. Taking Integrated Water and Agricultural Development (IWAD), a private sector, large-scale irrigation initiative in northern Ghana as a case study, the article argues that there is an inevitability of the pathway, which leads from large-scale land acquisitions in West-African drylands, to an increase in conflict (and/or the risk thereof) between sedentary and Fulani pastoralists.
Price Forecasting of Electricity Markets in the Presence of a High Penetration of Wind Power Generators
Authors: Talari Saber , Shafie-khah Miadreza , Osório Gerardo , Wang Fei , Heidari Alireza , Catalão João
Published: November 2017

Price forecasting plays a vital role in the day-ahead markets. Once sellers and buyers access an accurate price forecasting, managing the economic risk can be conducted appropriately through offering or bidding suitable prices. In networks with high wind power penetration, the electricity price is influenced by wind energy; therefore, price forecasting can be more complicated. This paper proposes a novel hybrid approach for price forecasting of day-ahead markets, with high penetration of wind generators based on Wavelet transform, bivariate Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method and Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFN). To this end, a weighted time series for wind dominated power systems is calculated and added to a bivariate ARIMA model along with the price time series. Moreover, RBFN is applied as a tool to correct the estimation error, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize the structure and adapt the RBFN to the particular training set. This method is evaluated on the Spanish electricity market, which shows the efficiency of this approach. This method has less error compared with other methods especially when it considers the effects of large-scale wind generators.
Exploring Psychological and Aesthetic Approaches of Bio-Retention Facilities in the Urban Open Space
Authors: Kim Suyeon , An Kyungjin
Published: November 2017

Over the last decades, a number of bio-retention facilities have been installed in urban areas for flood control and green amenity purposes. As urban amenity facilities for citizens, bio-retentions have a lot potential; however, the literature on bio-retentions focused mostly on physiochemical aspects like water quality and runoffs. Hence, this paper aims to explore psychological aspects of bio-retentions such as perceptions and landscape aesthetic value for visitors. In order to achieve this purpose, the study employed on-site interviews and questionnaires in the chosen three case studies as research methodology. For the 3 different locations of bio-retention facilities, interviews and questionnaires were carried out. The surveys of 100 bio-retention users were conducted, investigating their general perceptions and landscape aesthetics of the bio-retention facilities. The paper found that only 34% of the interviewees recognised bio-detention facilities, illustrating that most visitors were not aware of such facilities and were unable to distinguish the differences between bio-retention and conventional gardens. On the other hand, the majority of interviewees strongly supported the concept and function of bio-retentions, especially those who recognised the differences in planting species with conventional urban open spaces. Such main findings also encourage further studies of seeking quantitative values by conducting a correlation analysis between the functions and aesthetics of bio-retention facilities.
The Concept of Caloric Unequal Exchange and Its Relevance for Food System Analysis: The Ecuador Case Study
Authors: Ramos-Martín Jesús , Falconí Fander , Cango Pedro
Published: November 2017

The impact of food production patterns and food supply upon consumption patterns is usually explained by economies of scale and affordability. Less attention is given to food trade patterns and global insertion of economies affecting dietary changes. This paper contributes to the discussion using the concept of caloric unequal exchange that defines the deterioration of terms of trade in food in units of calories and complements studies on unequal exchange and ecologically unequal exchange. A new perspective to food systems’ analysis is achieved by using this concept. This paper uses the case study of Ecuador to exemplify its potentiality. Exports and imports to and from Ecuador are analyzed for the period 1988 through 2013 in volume, value, and calories, for different groups of products. The conclusion is that Ecuador is increasingly helping to feed the world, at a caloric cost that is decreasing over time. There is a deterioration of the terms of trade of traded food in terms of calories for Ecuador of more than 250% between 1986 and 2013.
Foraging Is Determinant to Improve Smallholders’ Food Security in Rural Areas in Mali, West Africa
Authors: N’Danikou Sognigbe , Vodouhe Raymond , Bellon Mauricio , Sidibé Amadou , Coulibaly Harouna
Published: November 2017

Studies on the enabling factors for household food security (HFS) most often used simplified econometric models looking into the links with a selected set of variables. In this research, a livelihood approach of HFS was used and aimed at determining the most significant livelihood assets for HFS in dryland agricultural systems. Elements of the five livelihood assets were assessed through questionnaire surveys with a random sample of 180 households, and six focus group discussions in three communities along the rural-urban continuum, in Southern Mali. The coping strategy index approach was used to evaluate household food security status. Non-parametric and parametric statistical tests were combined, as appropriate, to identify the most significant determinants of HFS status. Findings indicated that most determinant factors of HFS were the diversity of wild and cultivated food plants, and hunting (natural capital); access to clean water and irrigation (infrastructural capital); and off-farm employment (financial capital). HFS also improved along the urban-rural continuum and rural households with high natural capital seemed to be more food secure. Findings call for important investment to expand the natural capital (e.g., domestication of new crops and agricultural diversification) and infrastructural capital (irrigation facilities, clean water) of the rural households.
Drought Characteristics over the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Botai Christina , Botai Joel , De Wit Jaco , Ncongwane Katlego , Adeola Abiodun
Published: November 2017

Drought is a creeping phenomenon whose effects evolve with time, yet the start and end is often only clear in the hindsight. The present study assessed drought conditions using two categories of drought indicators computed from precipitation data sets measured by weather stations across the Western Cape Province, South Africa for the period 1985 to 2016. The first category was the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) accumulated over 3-, 6- and 12-months (hereafter of SPI-3, SPI-6 and SPI-12 respectively). The second category consists of the four Drought Monitoring Indicators (DMI) i.e., Drought Duration (DD), Severity (DS), Intensity (DI) and Frequency (DF). Firstly, analysis of SPI-3, SPI-6 and SPI-12 illustrate that between 1985 and 2016, the Western Cape Province experienced recurrent mild drought conditions. This suggests that the drought conditions experienced during 2015/2016 hydrological year (hereafter current) in the Western Cape Province is a manifestation of past drought conditions. Secondly, analysis of trends in DMI series depict a noticeable spatial-temporal dependence wherein the southern and western regions experienced more severe droughts compared to the eastern and northern regions of the Western Cape Province. Results also show that the DMI trends exhibit up to ~8% variability over the past decade. Overall, the current drought conditions in the Western Cape Province continues to adversely affect agricultural production while the water reservoirs are at below 30% capacity implying that the socio-economic impacts of these droughts will continue to reverberate for many months to come. Though the on-going drought conditions in the Western Cape Province is a regular part of nature’s cycle, analysis of historical drought characteristics based on drought indicators is an important first step towards placing the current drought conditions into perspective, and contribute to triggering action and response thereof. All these lay the foundation for drought monitoring and contribute towards the development of drought early warning.
Being a Female Surfer in Morocco: The Norms and Social Uses of the Beach
Authors: Guibert Christophe , Arab Chadia
Published: November 2017

This study aims to understand how Moroccan women authorize themselves (or are allowed) to practice a sport perceived as masculine. Being a Moroccan female surfer involves combining social and cultural norms with being watched by men. Alternating between profits (social and symbolic)
and disadvantages, the surfers interviewed (in interviews conducted during a field study in April and May 2014) have all been subjected to unusual early socialization with their male peers or within the family sphere (fathers and brothers). Female surfing, although quantitatively scarce, ultimately
questions the inclusion of the values upheld by Moroccan society through relationships to the body in public places (beaches) and gender relations. The preferred methodology to test our research hypotheses is based on long phases of observation at preselected beaches and around 20 semistructured
style interviews.
Synthesis, effect of substituents on the regiochemistry and equilibrium studies of tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine/2-azidopyrimidines
Authors: Scapin Elisandra , Salbego Paulo R S , Bender Caroline R , Meyer Alexandre R , Pagliari Anderson B , Orlando Tainára , Zimmer Geórgia C , Frizzo Clarissa P , Bonacorso Helio G , Zanatta Nilo , Martins Marcos A P
Published: November 2017

An efficient synthesis methodology for a series of tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines substituted at the 5- and 7-positions from the cyclocondensation reaction [CCC + NCN] was developed. The NCN corresponds to 5-aminotetrazole and CCC to β-enaminone. Two distinct products were observed in accordance with the β-enaminone substituent. When observed in solution, the compounds can be divided into two groups: (a) precursor compounds with R = CF3 or CCl3, which leads to tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in high regioselectivity with R at the 7-position of the heterocyclic ring; and (b) precursor compounds with R = aryl or methyl, which leads to a mixture of compounds, tetrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines (R in the 5-position of the ring) and 2-azidopyrimidines (R in the 4-position of the ring), which was attributed to an equilibrium of azide–tetrazole. In the solid state, all compounds were found as 2-azidopyrimidines. The regiochemistry of the reaction and the stability of the products are discussed on the basis of the data obtained by density functional theory (DFT) for energetic and molecular orbital (MO) calculations.
On Shocks Driven by High-mass Planets in Radiatively Inefficient Disks. III. Observational Signatures in Thermal Emission and Scattered Light
Authors: Hord Blake , Lyra Wladimir , Flock Mario , Turner Neal J. , Mac Low Mordecai-Mark
Published: November 2017

Recent observations of the protoplanetary disk around the Herbig Be star HD 100546 show two bright features in infrared (H and

bands) at about 50 au,with one so far unexplained. We explore the observational signatures of a high-mass planet causing shock heating in order to determine if it could be the source of the  unexplained infrared feature in HD 100546. More fundamentally, we identify and characterize planetary shocks as an extra, hitherto ignored, source of luminosity in transition disks. The RADMC-3D code is used to perform dust radiative transfer calculations on the hydrodynamical disk models,  including volumetric heating. A stronger shock heating rate by a factor of 20  would be necessary  to  qualitatively reproduce the morphology of the second infrared source. Instead, we find that the outer  edge of the gap carved by the planet heats up by about 50% relative to the initial reference temperature, which leads to an increase in the scale height. The  bulge is illuminated by the central star, producing a lopsided feature in scattered light, as the outer gap edge shows an asymmetry in density and temperature  attributable to a secondary spiral arm launched not from the Lindblad resonances but from the 2:1  resonance. We conclude that high-mass planets lead to shocks in disks that may be  directly observed,  particularly at wavelengths of 10 μm or longer,  but that they are more likely to reveal their presence in scattered light by puffing up their outer gap edges and exciting multiple spiral arms.
Associating Fast Radio Bursts with Their Host Galaxies
Authors: Eftekhari T. , Berger E.
Published: November 2017

The first precise localization of a fast radio burst (FRB) sheds light on the nature of these mysterious bursts and the physical mechanisms that power them. Increasing the sample of FRBs with robust host galaxy associations is the key impetus behind ongoing and upcoming searches and facilities. Here, we quantify the robustness of FRB host galaxy associations as a function of localization area and galaxy apparent magnitude. We also explore the use of FRB dispersion measures to constrain the source redshift, thereby reducing the number of candidate hosts. We use these results to demonstrate that even in the absence of a unique association, a constraint can be placed on the maximum luminosity of a host galaxy as a function of localization and dispersion measure (DM). We find that localizations of 

are required for a chance coincidence probability of

for dwarf galaxies at

if some hosts have luminosities of

, then localizations of up to

may suffice at

. Constraints on the redshift from the DM only marginally improve the association probability unless the DM is low,

pc cm−3. This approach also relies on the determination of galaxy redshifts, which is challenging at

if the hosts are dwarf galaxies. Finally, interesting limits on the maximum host luminosity require localizations of

at

. Even a few such localizations will explain the nature of FRB progenitors, their possible diversity, and their use as cosmological tools.
The VLBA Extragalactic Proper Motion Catalog and a Measurement of the Secular Aberration Drift
Authors: Truebenbach Alexandra E. , Darling Jeremy
Published: November 2017

We present a catalog of extragalactic proper motions created using archival VLBI data and our own VLBA astrometry. The catalog contains 713 proper motions, with average uncertainties of ∼24 μas yr−1, including 40 new or improved proper motion measurements using relative astrometry with the VLBA. The observations were conducted in the X-band and yielded positions with uncertainties of ∼70 μas. We add 10 new redshifts using spectroscopic observations taken at Apache Point Observatory and Gemini North. With the VLBA Extragalactic Proper Motion Catalog, we detect the secular aberration drift—the apparent motion of extragalactic objects caused by the solar system’s acceleration around the Galactic center—at a 6.3σ significance. We model the aberration drift as a spheroidal dipole, with the square root of the power equal to 4.89 ± 0.77 μas yr−1, an amplitude of 1.69 ± 0.27 μas yr−1, and an apex at (

,

). Our dipole model detects the aberration drift at a higher significance than some previous studies, but at a lower amplitude than expected or previously measured. The full aberration drift may be partially removed by the no-net-rotation constraint used when measuring archival extragalactic radio source positions. Like the cosmic microwave background dipole, which is induced by the observer’s motion, the aberration drift signal should be subtracted from extragalactic proper motions in order to detect cosmological proper motions, including the Hubble expansion, long-period stochastic gravitational waves, and the collapse of large-scale structure.