bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic Spectral Resolution Limitations of QEPAS Sensors for Fast and Broad Wavelength Tuning
Authors: Christensen Jesper B. , Høgstedt Lasse , Friis Søren M. M. , Lai Jui-Yu , Chou Ming-Hsien , Balslev-Harder David , Petersen Jan C. , Lassen Mikael
Published: August 2020

Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensing is a promising method for low-concentration trace-gas monitoring due to the resonant signal enhancement provided by a high-Q quartz tuning fork. However, quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) is associated with a relatively slow acoustic decay, which results in a reduced spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio as the wavelength tuning rate is increased. In this work, we investigate the influence of wavelength scan rate on the spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of QEPAS sensors. We demonstrate the acquisition of photoacoustic spectra from 3.1 μm to 3.6 μm using a tunable mid-infrared optical parametric oscillator. The spectra are attained using wavelength scan rates differing by more than two orders of magnitude (from 0.3 nm s−1 to 96 nm s−1). With this variation in scan rate, the spectral resolution is found to change from 2.5 cm−1 to 9 cm−1. The investigated gas samples are methane (in nitrogen) and a gas mixture consisting of methane, water, and ethanol. For the gas mixture, the reduced spectral resolution at fast scan rates significantly complicates the quantification of constituent gas concentrations.
Spectral Reflectance Reconstruction Using Fuzzy Logic System Training: Color Science Application
Authors: Maali Amiri Morteza , Garcia-Nieto Sergio , Morillas Samuel , Fairchild Mark D.
Published: August 2020

In this work, we address the problem of spectral reflectance recovery from both CIEXYZ and RGB values by means of a machine learning approach within the fuzzy logic framework, which constitutes the first application of fuzzy logic in these tasks. We train a fuzzy logic inference system using the Macbeth ColorChecker DC and we test its performance with a 130 sample target set made out of Artist’s paints. As a result, we obtain a fuzzy logic inference system (FIS) that performs quite accurately. We have studied different parameter settings within the training to achieve a meaningful overfitting-free system. We compare the system performance against previous successful methods and we observe that both spectrally and colorimetrically our approach substantially outperforms these classical methods. In addition, from the FIS trained we extract the fuzzy rules that the system has learned, which provide insightful information about how the RGB/XYZ inputs are related to the outputs. That is to say that, once the system is trained, we extract the codified knowledge used to relate inputs and outputs. Thus, we are able to assign a physical and/or conceptual meaning to its performance that allows not only to understand the procedure applied by the system but also to acquire insight that in turn might lead to further improvements. In particular, we find that both trained systems use four reference spectral curves, with some similarities, that are combined in a non-linear way to predict spectral curves for other inputs. Notice that the possibility of being able to understand the method applied in the trained system is an interesting difference with respect to other ’black box’ machine learning approaches such as the currently fashionable convolutional neural networks in which the downside is the impossibility to understand their ways of procedure. Another contribution of this work is to serve as an example of how, through the construction of a FIS, some knowledge relating inputs and outputs in ground truth datasets can be extracted so that an analogous strategy could be followed for other problems in color and spectral science.
Metrological Challenges in Collaborative Sensing: Applicability of Digital Calibration Certificates
Authors: Mustapää Tuukka , Nikander Pekka , Hutzschenreuter Daniel , Viitala Raine
Published: August 2020

IoT systems based on collaborative sensor networks are becoming increasingly common in various industries owing to the increased availability of low-cost sensors. The quality of the data provided by these sensors may be unknown. For these reasons, advanced data processing and sensor network self-calibration methods have become popular research topics. In terms of metrology, the self-calibration methods lack the traceability to the established measurement standards of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) through an unbroken chain-link of calibration. This problem can be solved by the ongoing digitalization of the metrology infrastructure. We propose a conceptual solution based on Digital Calibration Certificates (DCCs), Digital SI (D-SI), and cryptographic digital identifiers, for validation of data quality and trustworthiness. The data that enable validation and traceability can be used to improve analytics, decision-making, and security in industrial applications. We discuss the applicability and benefits of our solutions in a selection of industrial use cases, where collaborative sensing has already been introduced. We present the remaining challenges in the digitization and standardization processes regarding digital metrology and the future work required to address them.
Global Significance of Mangrove Blue Carbon in Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Alongi Daniel M.
Published: August 2020

Mangrove forests store and sequester large area-specific quantities of blue carbon (Corg). Except for tundra and peatlands, mangroves store more Corg per unit area than any other ecosystem. Mean mangrove Corg stock is 738.9 Mg Corg ha−1 and mean global stock is 6.17 Pg Corg, which equates to only 0.4–7% of terrestrial ecosystem Corg stocks but 17% of total tropical marine Corg stocks. Per unit area, mangroves sequester 179.6 g Corg m−2a−1 and globally about 15 Tg Corg a−1. Mangroves sequester only 4% (range 1.3–8%) of Corg sequestered by terrestrial ecosystems, indicating that mangroves are a minor contributor to global C storage and sequestration. CO2 emissions from mangrove losses equate to 0.036 Pg CO2-equivalents a−1 based on rates of C sequestration but 0.088 Pg CO2-equivalents a−1 based on complete destruction for conversion to aquaculture and agriculture. Mangrove CO2 emissions account for only 0.2% of total global CO2 emissions but 18% of CO2 emissions from the tropical coastal ocean. Despite significant data limitations, the role of mangrove ecosystems in climate change mitigation is small at the global scale but more significant in the tropical coastal ocean and effective at the national and regional scale, especially in areas with high rates of deforestation and destruction.
Field Proximal Soil Sensor Fusion for Improving High-Resolution Soil Property Maps
Authors: Vasques Gustavo M. , Rodrigues Hugo M. , Coelho Maurício R. , Baca Jesus F. M. , Dart Ricardo O. , Oliveira Ronaldo P. , Teixeira Wenceslau G. , Ceddia Marcos B.
Published: August 2020

Mapping soil properties, using geostatistical methods in support of precision agriculture and related activities, requires a large number of samples. To reduce soil sampling and measurement time and cost, a combination of field proximal soil sensors was used to predict and map laboratory-measured soil properties in a 3.4-ha pasture field in southeastern Brazil. Sensor soil properties were measured in situ on a 10 × 10-m dense grid (377 samples) using apparent electrical conductivity meters, apparent magnetic susceptibility meter, gamma-ray spectrometer, water content reflectometer, cone penetrometer, and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF). Soil samples were collected on a 20 × 20-m thin grid (105 samples) and analyzed in the laboratory for organic C, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, clay content, soil volumetric moisture, and bulk density. Another 25 samples collected throughout the area were also analyzed for the same soil properties and used for independent validation of models and maps. To test whether the combination of sensors enhances soil property predictions, stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) models of the laboratory soil properties were derived using individual sensor covariate data versus combined sensor data—except for the pXRF data, which were evaluated separately. Then, to test whether a denser grid sample boosted by sensor-based soil property predictions enhances soil property maps, ordinary kriging of the laboratory-measured soil properties from the thin grid was compared to ordinary kriging of the sensor-based predictions from the dense grid, and ordinary cokriging of the laboratory properties aided by sensor covariate data. The combination of multiple soil sensors improved the MLR predictions for all soil properties relative to single sensors. The pXRF data produced the best MLR predictions for organic C content, clay content, and bulk density, standing out as the best single sensor for soil property prediction, whereas the other sensors combined outperformed the pXRF sensor for the sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, and soil volumetric moisture, based on independent validation. Ordinary kriging of sensor-based predictions outperformed the other interpolation approaches for all soil properties, except organic C content, based on validation results. Thus, combining soil sensors, and using sensor-based soil property predictions to increase the sample size and spatial coverage, leads to more detailed and accurate soil property maps.
Role of Transient Characteristics in Fish Trajectory Modeling
Authors: Zhu Gao , Zhou Zuhao , Andersson Helge I
Published: August 2020

In this experiment, we analyzed live fish (silver carp) trajectories recorded in an experimental vertical-slot fishway. Combined with a numerical simulation, we demonstrated that randomness shown in fish trajectories might not merely be attributed to the fish’s random choices in its swimming, but could also be a consequence of adaption to the bulk unsteady turbulent flow structures. Simple superposition of a fish trajectory on the time-averaged flow field obtained either by interpolating on discrete point measurements or numerical simulation data is not an ideal method for description of fish movement. How to model the fish paths in transient flow and the necessity of simultaneous recording of the flow field and the fish locomotion are challenging topics. We also discussed the possible integration of currently existing methods to promote the development of fish trajectory modeling.
Sustainable Pest Management through Improved Advice in Agricultural Extension
Authors: Toepfer Stefan , Zhang Tao , Wang Buyun , Qiao Yan , Peng Haomin , Luo Huifeng , Wan Xuanwu , Gu Rui , Zhang Yue , Ji Han , Wan Min
Published: August 2020

This 5-year study addresses how improved quality of agricultural extension may lead to more sustainable pest management. We studied 112 agricultural extension workers trained as plant doctors under the Plantwise program in China. They run 70 plant clinics in Beijing, Guangxi, and Sichuan provinces. We analysed 47,156 recommendations issued by these plant doctors to 13,051 different growers between 2012 and 2017, and this for 250 different plant health problems on 91 crops. We also interviewed growers who had taken queries to plant clinics. On average, 86% of plant doctors provided comprehensive integrated pest management recommendations to the growers, with a 16% improvement in comprehensiveness over years. This most often included advice of synthetic pesticides (66%) with its frequency not much changing with time. In contrast, as a likely result of Plantwise interventions and China’s pesticide reduction policies, recommendations for biological control increased from 2% to 42%, pest monitoring by 8%, and cultural control by 11%. Recommendations of problematic plant protection agents as listed in the Montreal Protocol, Stockholm or Rotterdam convention, or as highly toxic under WHO’s toxicity classification were already rare in 2013 (1.9%) and nearly phased out by 2017 (0.2%). About 92% of growers implemented the advice, suggesting that agricultural extension services may contribute to changes in agricultural practices at scale. Further investment in such agricultural extension services may be warranted instead of phasing them out.
Yield Response, Nutritional Quality and Water Productivity of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are Influenced by Drip Irrigation and Straw Mulch in the Coastal Saline Ecosystem of Ganges Delta, India
Authors: Samui Indranil , Skalicky Milan , Sarkar Sukamal , Brahmachari Koushik , Sau Sayan , Ray Krishnendu , Hossain Akbar , Ghosh Argha , Nanda Manoj Kumar , Bell Richard W. , Mainuddin Mohammed , Brestic Marian , Liu Liyun , Saneoka Hirofumi , Raza Muhammad Ali , Erman Murat , EL Sabagh Ayman
Published: August 2020

In the coastal zone of the Ganges Delta, water shortages due to soil salinity limit the yield of dry season crops. To alleviate water shortage as a consequence of salinity stress in the coastal saline ecosystem, the effect of different water-saving (WS) and water-conserving options was assessed on growth, yield and water use of tomato; two field experiments were carried out at Gosaba, West Bengal, India in consecutive seasons during the winter of 2016–17 and 2017–18. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with five treatments viz., surface irrigation, surface irrigation + straw mulching, drip irrigation at 100% reference evapotranspiration (ET0), drip irrigation at 80% ET0, drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulching. Application of drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulching brought about significantly the highest fruit as well as the marketable yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The soil reaction (pH), post-harvest organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) status and soil microbial population along with the biochemical quality parameters of tomato (juice pH, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids and sugar content of fruits) were significantly influenced by combined application of drip irrigation and straw mulching. Surface irrigation significantly increased the salinity level in surface and sub-surface soil layers while the least salinity development was observed in surface mulched plots receiving irrigation water through drip irrigation. The highest water productivity was also improved from drip irrigation at 80% ET0 + straw mulched plots irrespective of the year of experimentation. Such intervention also helped in reducing salinity stress for the tomato crop. Thus, straw mulching along with drip irrigation at 80% ET0 can be recommended as the most suitable irrigation option for tomato crop in the study area as well as coastal saline regions of South Asia. Finally, it can be concluded that the judicious application of irrigation water not only increased growth, yield and quality tomatoes but also minimized the negative impact of soil salinity on tomatoes grown in the coastal saline ecosystem of Ganges Delta.
Multi-Scale Analysis of Green Space for Human Settlement Sustainability in Urban Areas of the Inner Mongolia Plateau, China
Authors: Chi Wenfeng , Jia Jing , Pan Tao , Jin Liang , Bai Xiulian
Published: August 2020

Green space in intra-urban regions plays a significant role in improving the human habitat environment and regulating the ecosystem service in the Inner Mongolian Plateau of China, the environmental barrier region of North China. However, a lack of multi-scale studies on intra-urban green space limits our knowledge of human settlement environments in this region. In this study, a synergistic methodology, including the main process of linear spectral decomposition, vegetation-soil-impervious surface area model, and artificial digital technology, was established to generate a multi-scale of green space (i.e., 15-m resolution intra-urban green components and 0.5-m resolution park region) and investigate multi-scale green space characteristics as well as its ecological service in 12 central cities of the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Results showed that: (1) Total urban areas and urban green space across the studied cities were 1249.87 km2 and 295.40 km2, indicating that the average proportion of green space to urban areas was 24.03%. (2) The proportion of green space to urban areas ranged from 17.09% to 32.17%, and the proportion of parks’ green space to green space ranged from 5.55% to 50.20%, indicating a wide range of quantitative discrepancies. (3) In different climate regions, there were higher proportions of urban/park green space in arid/semi-arid areas to reduce the impacts of dry climate on human settlements; by contrast, lower green space in humid areas mainly displayed a scattered pattern because of the relatively lower influence of climate pressure. (4) Green coverage was an essential indicator of the “Beautiful China” project, and its ratio within 500-m ecological service zones from parks across all cities was 46.14%, which indicated that the ratio of residential land and green space was close to 1:1. Overall, urban/park green space patterns in urban areas adapted to the different climate features in the Inner Mongolian Plateau. For better human settlement sustainability across all studied cities, more greening patches and ecological corridors should be designed in the lower green space regions of the Inner Mongolian Plateau.
Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, Do They Make a Difference? The U.S. and the European Union Companies
Authors: Schmutz Bryan , Tehrani Minoo , Fulton Lawrence , Rathgeber Andreas W.
Published: August 2020

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies of companies delineate the health and the welfare of the communities across the globe. The two major goals of this study are (1) To explore the relationship between the environmental regulations, market value, and adoption of sustainability and CSR strategies of the publicly traded firms listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and (2) To examine the impact of being added to or deleted from DJSI per different market sectors for the firms in the U.S. and the European Union (EU). The selected starting window, the year 2015, for studying the impact of addition to or deletion from the DJS indices was the Paris Accord proposal by the EU and strict sustainability regulations of the EU versus the U.S. We used event study methodology and regression analyses to explain the cumulative abnormal returns utilizing firms’ characteristics and specific market sectors. In addition, the other focus of the study was on heavy (polluting) industries and investigating if the addition to or deletion of the firms in these industries from the sustainability indices had an impact on the market value. The findings of this study reveal no impact of the environmental rules and regulations on adopting sustainability and CSR strategies by either the EU or the U.S. firms. The novel findings of this study indicate a significant negative impact on the market value of firms in heavy industries, Energy, Basic Materials, and Utilities when added to the DJS indices. The study discusses the underlying reasons for these differences and proposes strategies to enhance the impact of addition to or deletion from the DISI to increase firms’ commitments to sustainability and CSR strategies and altering the attitudes of the investors.
Impact Assessment for Building Energy Models Using Observed vs. Third-Party Weather Data Sets
Authors: Segarra Eva Lucas , Ruiz Germán Ramos , González Vicente Gutiérrez , Peppas Antonis , Bandera Carlos Fernández
Published: August 2020

The use of building energy models (BEMs) is becoming increasingly widespread for assessing the suitability of energy strategies in building environments. The accuracy of the results depends not only on the fit of the energy model used, but also on the required external files, and the weather file is one of the most important. One of the sources for obtaining meteorological data for a certain period of time is through an on-site weather station; however, this is not always available due to the high costs and maintenance. This paper shows a methodology to analyze the impact on the simulation results when using an on-site weather station and the weather data calculated by a third-party provider with the purpose of studying if the data provided by the third-party can be used instead of the measured weather data. The methodology consists of three comparison analyses: weather data, energy demand, and indoor temperature. It is applied to four actual test sites located in three different locations. The energy study is analyzed at six different temporal resolutions in order to quantify how the variation in the energy demand increases as the time resolution decreases. The results showed differences up to 38% between annual and hourly time resolutions. Thanks to a sensitivity analysis, the influence of each weather parameter on the energy demand is studied, and which sensors are worth installing in an on-site weather station are determined. In these test sites, the wind speed and outdoor temperature were the most influential weather parameters.
The Balanced Scorecard as a Tool Evaluating the Sustainable Performance of Chinese Emerging Family Farms—Evidence from Jilin Province in China
Authors: Chen Nan , Yang Xinglong , Shadbolt Nicola
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this paper is to apply the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) concept to the sustainable performance evaluation of emerging family farms in Jilin, China. A sustainable performance evaluation system was constructed based on the BSC. A questionnaire survey was used with a sample of 156 emerging family farms involved in the production of planting (grain, horticultural crops) and breeding (animal products) enterprises in Jilin, China. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method (FCE) was used for the sustainable performance evaluation by different BSC dimensions, farm types, and regions. This empirical study revealed that the BSC is applicable for the farm sustainable performance evaluation in the Chinese context. The key is selecting suitable indicators for the evaluation index system while considering the particularity of market, resources, management, and personnel. The sustainable performance of the investigated family farms is in the slightly above moderate level as a whole. Financial performance and market performance are above moderate, while internal business process performance is moderate, and learning and growth performance is below moderate. They are facing difficult challenges to upgrade in terms of marketing and financing channels, branding, and organic production. Industrial differences existed in the farms’ sustainable performance. Farms combining planting and breeding have better sustainability, which could be a signal for transformation of the traditional single planting or breeding modes in China. The internal business process performance of grain farms is significantly less, due possibly to long-term policy support and protection with less of an emphasis on ecological outcomes. Subtle regional differences in the overall sustainable performance of surveyed family farms suggest that farm performance depends more on management than on external environment.
Hydroclimatic Effects of a Hydropower Reservoir in a Tropical Hydrological Basin
Authors: Zamora David , Rodríguez Erasmo , Jaramillo Fernando
Published: August 2020

The consequent change in land cover from vegetation to water surface after inundation is the most obvious impact attributed to the impoundment of reservoirs and dam construction. However, river regulation also alters the magnitude and variability of water and energy fluxes and local climatic parameters. Studies in Mediterranean, temperate and boreal hydrological basins, and even a global-scale study, have found a simultaneous decrease in the variation of runoff and increase in the mean evaporative ratio after impoundment. The aim here is to study the existence of these effects on a regulated tropical basin in Colombia with long-term data, as such studies in tropical regions are scarce. As expected, we observed a decrease in the long-term coefficient of variation of runoff of 33% that can be attributed to the impoundment of the reservoir. However, we did not find important changes in precipitation or the expected increasing evaporative ratio-effect from the impoundment of the reservoir, founding for the latter rather a decrease. This may be due to the humid conditions of the region where actual evapotranspiration is already close to its potential or to other land cover changes that decrease evapotranspiration during the studied period. Our study shows that the effects from impounded reservoirs in tropical regulated basins may differ from those found in other climatic regions.
Agroforestry: An Appropriate and Sustainable Response to a Changing Climate in Southern Africa?
Authors: Sheppard Jonathan P. , Bohn Reckziegel Rafael , Borrass Lars , Chirwa Paxie W. , Cuaranhua Claudio J. , Hassler Sibylle K , Hoffmeister Svenja , Kestel Florian , Maier Rebekka , Mälicke Mirko , Morhart Christopher , Ndlovu Nicholas P. , Veste Maik , Funk Roger , Lang Friederike , Seifert Thomas , du Toit Ben , Kahle Hans-Peter
Published: August 2020

Agroforestry is often discussed as a strategy that can be used both for the adaptation to and the mitigation of climate change effects. The climate of southern Africa is predicted to be severely affected by such changes. With agriculture noted as the continent’s largest economic sector, issues such as food security and land degradation are in the forefront. In the light of such concerns we review the current literature to investigate if agroforestry systems (AFS) are a suitable response to the challenges besetting traditional agricultural caused by a changing climate. The benefits bestowed by AFS are multiple, offering ecosystem services, influence over crop production and positive impacts on rural livelihoods through provisioning and income generation. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain. We identify outstanding questions requiring further investigation such as the interplay between trees and crops and their combination, with a discussion of potential benefits. Furthermore, we identify deficiencies in the institutional and policy frameworks that underlie the adoption and stimulus of AFS in the southern African region. We uphold the concept that AFS remains an appropriate and sustainable response for an increased resilience against a changing climate in southern Africa for the benefit of livelihoods and multiple environmental values.
The Relative Importance of Values, Social Norms, and Enjoyment-Based Motivation in Explaining Pro-Environmental Product Purchasing Behavior in Apparel Domain
Authors: Ahn Insook , Kim Soo , Kim Munyoung
Published: August 2020

Changing consumption behavior can offer co-benefits in reduction of environmental issues and encouraging improvements to environmentally friendly or sustainable production. We propose a novel value-social norm-enjoyment-based motivation (VSE) model and test the factors that influence individual pro-environmental apparel purchasing behavior. Data were obtained from 353 college students in Korea and analyzed by using SEM. Our results show that individuals who endorse bio-altruistic values who engage in eco-friendly environmental behavior in apparel domain are influenced by descriptive norms and injunctive norms. Further, enjoyment-based motivation was found to be a key mediator among bio-altruistic value, descriptive norms, and injunctive norms on pro-environmental purchasing behavior. However, injunctive norms do not directly influence purchasing behavior, but rather, are integrated to enjoyment-based intrinsic motivation, then indirectly affect purchasing behavior.
Research on Network Patterns and Influencing Factors of Population Flow and Migration in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Ding Shuangli , Cao Weidong , Fan Dalong , Tang Bin
Published: August 2020

Through the construction of a population flow and migration relationship matrix, this paper analyzes population flow and migration in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration during the Spring Festival travel rush and daily period. This paper also studies the urban network spatial structure characteristics and the influencing factors from the perspective of inter-provincial population flow and migration. The results show the following: (1) as a central city, Shanghai has a significant siphon effect, with Suzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wuxi and Changzhou accumulating 86.95% of the incoming population. The Shanghai–Jiangsu cross-border floating population is active and accounts for 40.83% of the total mobility scale in the same period. The population flow and migration network in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration shows obvious hierarchical characteristics. The secondary network relationship during the Spring Festival travel rush is the main migration path, while the first-level network relationship in the daily period is the main flow path. (2) Three indicators, namely, the network density, mean centrality, and control force based on the population flow and migration, consistently show that the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration network presents a strong connection state with the formation of a local cluster structure, highlighting that the city tightness in terms of population flow and migration also has dual attributes, which refers to “the restriction of the geographic space effect” and “overcoming the friction of space”. (3) Economic scale, political resources, industrial structure, and the historical basis are important factors influencing the formation of population flows and migration networks. Employment opportunities and labor wages are key guiding factors of the population migration direction, and spatial distance is a conditional factor influencing the formation of population flows and migration networks. The inter-provincial boundary, temporal distance, and transboundary frequency are the decisive factors for the formation of network patterns of population flow and migration.
A Soil Environmental Quality Assessment Model Based on Data Fusion and Its Application in Hebei Province
Authors: Huo Zheng , Tian Junping , Wu Yanbin , Ma Fengjiao
Published: August 2020

Soil pollution has become one of the most important environmental issues in China. It is very important to evaluate soil environmental quality comprehensively and objectively. This paper proposes a soil environment quality assessment model based on the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model and data fusion. At first, 18 evaluation indicators are selected, including complex indexes, such as the industrialization index, heavy metal pollution index, organic pollution index, potential ecological risk index, and human health risk index, and single indexes such as population density, fertilizer/pesticide application intensity, annual average air quality index, etc. Then, hierarchical analysis model is constructed, and the weight of each indicator is calculated based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. According to the quartile of indicator values of 32 provincial administrative divisions on the Chinese mainland, the values of each indicator are standardized and graded. Finally, the soil environmental quality index (SEQI) is calculated by the weighted average of the standard values of the 18 indicators. The assessment model is then applied in evaluating soil quality of Hebei Province, China. The results show that the soil environmental quality of Hebei’s agricultural land is in a medium state, and the industrial land is approaching the alert state. The pressure of soil pollution mainly comes from the discharge of industrial pollutants and the application of pesticides and fertilizers. Soil pollutants, such as lead, copper, zinc, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[a] should be especially controlled.
Simultaneously Spatiospectral Pattern Learning and Contaminated Trial Pruning for Electroencephalography-Based Brain Computer Interface
Authors: Shieh Chun-Ping , Yang Shih-Hung , Liu Yu-Shun , Kuo Yun-Ting , Lo Yu-Chun , Kuo Chao-Hung , Chen You-Yin
Published: August 2020

Electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain computer interfaces (BCIs) translate motor imagery commands into the movements of an external device (e.g., a robotic arm). The automatic design of spectral and spatial filters is a challenging task, as the frequency bands of the spectral filters must be predefined by previously published studies and given that they may be affected during trials by artifacts and improper motor imagery (MI). This study aimed to eliminate the contaminated trials automatically during classifier training, and to simultaneously learn the spectral and spatial patterns without the need for predefined frequency bands. Compared with previous studies that measured the discriminative power of a frequency band based on mutual information, this study determined the difference of the class conditional probability density function between two MI classes. This information was further shared to measure the contamination level of the trial that simplified the computation. A particle-based approximation technique iteratively constructed a filter bank that extracted discriminative features, and simultaneously removed potentially contaminated trials. The particle weight was estimated by an analysis of variance F-test instead of mutual information as commonly used in previous studies. The experimental results of a publicly available dataset revealed that the proposed method outperformed the other BCI in terms of the classification accuracy. Asymmetrical spatial patterns were found on left- versus right-hand MI classifications. The learnt spectral and spatial patterns were consistent with prior neurophysiological knowledge.
Key Exchange Protocol Defined over a Non-Commuting Group Based on an NP-Complete Decisional Problem
Authors: Mihalkovich Aleksejus , Sakalauskas Eligijus , Luksys Kestutis
Published: August 2020

In this paper we present a cryptographic primitive based on non-commutative cryptography. This primitive is used for key exchange protocol (KEP) construction. We prove that the security of this primitive relies on a nondeterministic polynomial complete (NP-Complete) decisional problem. Recently there are no known quantum cryptanalysis algorithms effectively solving NP-Complete problems. So far, KEPs are widely used in secure communication channel creation, e.g., in hypertext transfer protocol secure (https://) and are based on traditional cryptographic primitives representing commutative cryptography. However, the security of these protocols does not rely on NP-Complete problems and hence, according to P. W. Shorr, they are vulnerable to quantum cryptanalysis. We use one of seven non-commuting groups of order 16 which is not isomorphic to any other group to define a platform group for a key exchange protocol based on previously considered matrix power function (MPF). By investigating basic properties on the group M16 and their implementation for our goals we fix the order of actions in MPF from left to right. Furthermore, we define a special form of the base matrix and separate templates for left and right power matrices. Using properties of the specified templates and Schaeffer criteria we prove that the security of the proposed key exchange relies on an NP-Complete decisional problem.
Risk Assessment and the Effects of Refuge Availability on the Defensive Behaviors of the Southern Unstriped Scorpion (Vaejovis carolinianus)
Authors: Nelsen David R. , David Emily M. , Harty Chad N. , Hector Joseph B. , Corbit Aaron G.
Published: August 2020

Selection should favor individuals that acquire, process, and act on relevant environmental signals to avoid predation. Studies have found that scorpions control their use of venom: both when it is released and the total volume expelled. However, this research has not included how a scorpion’s awareness of environmental features influences these decisions. The current study tested 18 Vaejovis carolinianus scorpions (nine females and nine males) by placing them in circular arenas supplied with varying numbers (zero, two, or four) of square refuges and by tracking their movements overnight. The following morning, defensive behaviors were elicited by prodding scorpions on the chelae, prosoma, and metasoma once per second over 90 s. We recorded stings, venom use, chelae pinches, and flee duration. We found strong evidence that, across all behaviors measured, V. carolinianus perceived prods to the prosoma as more threatening than prods to the other locations. We found that stinging was a common behavior and became more dominant as the threat persisted. Though tenuous, we found evidence that scorpions’ defensive behaviors changed based on the number of refuges and that these differences may be sex specific. Our findings suggest that V. carolinianus can assess risk and features of the local environment and, therefore, alter their defensive strategies accordingly.
Purification Methods and the Presence of RNA in Virus Particles and Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Zhou Yijun , McNamara Ryan P. , Dittmer Dirk P.
Published: August 2020

The fields of extracellular vesicles (EV) and virus infections are marred in a debate on whether a particular mRNA or non-coding RNA (i.e., miRNA) is packaged into a virus particle or copurifying EV and similarly, whether a particular mRNA or non-coding RNA is contained in meaningful numbers within an EV. Key in settling this debate, is whether the purification methods are adequate to separate virus particles, EV and contaminant soluble RNA and RNA:protein complexes. Differential centrifugation/ultracentrifugation and precipitating agents like polyethylene glycol are widely utilized for both EV and virus purifications. EV are known to co-sediment with virions and other particulates, such as defective interfering particles and protein aggregates. Here, we discuss how encased RNAs from a heterogeneous mixture of particles can be distinguished by different purification methods. This is particularly important for subsequent interpretation of whether the RNA associated phenotype is contributed solely by virus or EV particles or a mixture of both. We also discuss the discrepancy of miRNA abundance in EV from different input material.
X69R Is a Non-Essential Gene That, When Deleted from African Swine Fever, Does Not Affect Virulence in Swine
Authors: Ramirez-Medina Elizabeth , Vuono Elizabeth , Pruitt Sarah , Rai Ayushi , Silva Ediane , Zhu James , Velazquez-Salinas Lauro , Gladue Douglas P. , Borca Manuel V.
Published: August 2020

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is currently causing devastating outbreaks in Asia and Europe, and the ASFV strain Georgia (ASFV-G) is responsible for these outbreaks. ASFV-G is highly virulent and continues to be maintained in these outbreak areas, apparently without suffering significant genomic or phenotypic changes. When comparing the genome of ASFV-G to other isolates, a thus-far uncharacterized gene, X69R, is highly conserved and, interestingly, is similar to another ASFV uncharacterized gene, J64R. All sequenced ASFV isolates have one or both of these genes, X69R or J64R, suggesting that the presence of at least one of these genes may be necessary for ASFV replication and or virulence. The X69R gene is present in the ASFV-G genome while J64R is absent. To assess the importance of X69R in ASFV-G functionality, we developed a recombinant virus by deleting the X69R gene from the ASFV-G genome (ASFV-G-ΔX69R). ASFV-G-ΔX69R had the same replication kinetics in primary swine macrophage cultures as the parental ASFV-G, indicating that the X69R gene is not essential for ASFV-G viability or efficient replication in the main target cell during in vivo infection. In addition, swine intramuscularly inoculated with a low dose (102 HAD50) of ASFV-G-ΔX69R developed a clinical disease indistinguishable from that induced by the same dose of the virulent parental ASFV-G isolate. Viremia values of ASFV-G-ΔX69R did not significantly differ from those detected in animals infected with parental virus. Therefore, deletion of the X69R gene from ASFV-G does not affect virus replication or virulence in swine.
Proteomic as an Exploratory Approach to Develop Vaccines Against Tick-Borne Diseases Using Lyme Borreliosis as a Test Case
Authors: Talagrand-Reboul Emilie , Westermann Benoit , Raess Matthieu A. , Schnell Gilles , Cantero Paola , Barthel Cathy , Ehret-Sabatier Laurence , Jaulhac Benoit , Boulanger Nathalie
Published: August 2020

Tick-borne diseases affecting humans and animals are on the rise worldwide. Vaccines constitute an effective control measure, but very few are available. We selected Lyme borreliosis, a bacterial infection transmitted by the hard tick Ixodes, to validate a new concept to identify vaccine candidates. This disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. Although attempts to develop a vaccine exist, none have been successfully marketed. In tick-borne diseases, the skin constitutes a very specific environment encountered by the pathogen during its co-inoculation with tick saliva. In a mouse model, we developed a proteomic approach to identify vaccine candidates in skin biopsies. We identified 30 bacterial proteins after syringe inoculation or tick inoculation of bacteria. Discovery proteomics using mass spectrometry might be used in various tick-borne diseases to identify pathogen proteins with early skin expression. It should help to better develop sub-unit vaccines based on a cocktail of several antigens, associated with effective adjuvant and delivery systems of antigens. In all vector-borne diseases, the skin deserves further investigation to better define its role in the elaboration of protective immunity against pathogens.
Evaluation of LNAPL Behavior in Water Table Inter-Fluctuate Zone under Groundwater Drawdown Condition
Authors: Azimi Reza , Vaezihir Abdorreza , Lenhard Robert , Hassanizadeh S.
Published: August 2020

We investigate the movement of LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) into and out of monitoring wells in an immediate-scale experimental cell. Aquifer material grain size and LNAPL viscosity are two factors that are varied in three experiments involving lowering and rising water levels. There are six monitoring wells at varying distances from a LNAPL injection point and a water pumping well. We established steady water flow through the aquifer materials prior to LNAPL injection. Water pumping lowered the water levels in the aquifer materials. Terminating water pumping raised the water levels in the aquifer materials. Our focus was to record the LNAPL thickness in the monitoring wells under transient conditions. Throughout the experiments, we measured the elevations of the air-LNAPL and LNAPL-water interfaces in the monitoring wells to obtain the LNAPL thicknesses in the wells. We analyze the results and give plausible explanations. The data presented can be employed to test multiphase flow numerical models.
A Climatic Perspective on the Impacts of Global Warming on Water Cycle of Cold Mountainous Catchments in the Tibetan Plateau: A Case Study in Yarlung Zangbo River Basin
Authors: Xu Zhicheng , Cheng Lei , Luo Peng , Liu Pan , Zhang Lu , Li Fapeng , Liu Liu , Wang Jie
Published: August 2020

Global warming has a profound influence on global and regional water cycles, especially in the cold mountainous area. However, detecting and quantifying such changes are still difficult because noise and variability in observed streamflow are relatively larger than the long-term trends. In this study, the impacts of global warming on the catchment water cycles in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (YZRB), one of most important catchments in south of the Tibetan Plateau, are quantified using a climatic approach based on the relationship between basin-scale groundwater storage and low flow at the annual time scale. By using a quantile regression method and flow recession analysis, changes in low flow regimes and basin-scale groundwater storage at the Nuxia hydrological station are quantified at the annual time scale during 1961–2000. Results show annual low flows (10th and 25th annual flows) of the YZRB have decreased significantly, while long-term annual precipitation, total streamflow, and high flows are statistically unchanged. Annual lowest seven-day flow shows a significantly downward trend (2.2 m3/s/a, p < 0.05) and its timing has advanced about 12 days (2.8 day/10a, p < 0.1) during the study period. Estimated annual basin-scale groundwater storage also shows a significant decreasing trend at a rate of 0.079 mm/a (p < 0.05) over the study period. Further analysis suggests that evaporation increase, decreased snow-fraction, and increased annual precipitation intensity induced by the rising temperature possibly are the drivers causing a significant decline in catchment low flow regimes and groundwater storage in the study area. This highlights that an increase in temperature has likely already caused significant changes in regional flow regimes in the high and cold mountainous regions, which has alarming consequences in regional ecological protection and sustainable water resources management.
Impact of Catchment Discretization and Imputed Radiation on Model Response: A Case Study from Central Himalayan Catchment
Authors: Bhattarai Bikas Chandra , Silantyeva Olga , Teweldebrhan Aynom T. , Helset Sigbjørn , Skavhaug Ola , Burkhart John F.
Published: August 2020

Distributed and semi-distributed hydrological modeling approaches commonly involve the discretization of a catchment into several modeling elements. Although some modeling studies were conducted using triangulated irregular networks (TINs) previously, little attention has been given to assess the impact of TINs as compared to the standard catchment discretization techniques. Here, we examine how different catchment discretization approaches and radiation forcings influence hydrological simulation results. Three catchment discretization methods, i.e., elevation zones (Hypsograph) (HYP), regular square grid (SqGrid), and TIN, were evaluated in a highly steep and glacierized Marsyangdi-2 river catchment, central Himalaya, Nepal. To evaluate the impact of radiation on model response, shortwave radiation was converted using two approaches: one with the measured solar radiation assuming a horizontal surface and another with a translation to slopes. The results indicate that the catchment discretization has a great impact on simulation results. Evaluation of the simulated streamflow value using Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and log-transformed Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (LnNSE) shows that highest model performance was obtained when using TIN followed by HYP (during the high flow condition) and SqGrid (during the low flow condition). Similar order of precedence in relative model performance was obtained both during the calibration and validation periods. Snow simulated from the TIN-based discretized models was validated with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow products. Critical Success Indexes (CSI) between TIN-based discretized model snow simulation and MODIS snow were found satisfactory. Bias in catchment average snow cover area from the models with and without using imputed radiation is less than two percent, but implementation of imputed radiation into the Statkraft Hydrological Forecasting Toolbox (Shyft) gives better CSI with MODIS snow.