bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Social Lead-Up to a Human-Induced Disaster: The Gas Extraction-Earthquake Nexus in Groningen, The Netherlands
Authors: Bakema Melanie M. , Parra Constanza , McCann Philip
Published: October 2018

The overwhelming impact that disasters have on societies is fed by socio-economic vulnerabilities and political-institutional factors. Disasters are, therefore, increasingly regarded as partially created by humans instead of as purely natural events. Although the “social creation” of disasters is assumed to occur “above the ground” and triggered by extreme natural events, this article explores several dimensions to the social creation of disasters, including technological and institutional dimensions from both “above” and “below the ground”. It furthers the understanding of disaster governance by investigating processes that generate the social lead-up to a human-induced disaster, and that are installed to deal with its consequences. Focusing on the case of Groningen, the Netherlands, where gas extraction leads to earthquakes, the article looks in particular at the interrelationships between different state and non-state actors in the governance dynamics that structure the processes to deal with the earthquake issues. Based on in-depth interviews with a variety of stakeholders, we found that public-private institutional structures, the nature of the disaster and societal (dis)trust are entangled and influence disaster governance processes mediating resilience and sustainability. The article concludes by arguing that both the causes of (human-induced) disasters and the approaches to disaster mitigation lie in these political-institutional and governance fundaments.
How to Effectively Improve Pesticide Waste Governance: A Perspective of Reverse Logistics
Authors: Li Zhichao , Huang Jilin
Published: October 2018

With the development of modern science and technology, agricultural production and quality have made major breakthroughs, followed by more and more pesticide waste. Pesticide waste refers to the packaging of pesticide residues. Pesticide waste will cause great damage to soil, water and human health, seriously affecting the ecological sustainability. Most of the existing literature is theoretical articles, and few empirical studies are provided on how to improve pesticide waste management. In this paper, a set of reverse logistics network models of pesticide wastes is constructed, and the framework of reverse logistics is used to realize the efficient recovery and treatment of pesticide wastes. The problem of how to collect pesticide wastes and how to optimize the location and flow allocation of facilities such as recycling center and treatment center was solved. The weights of the factors affecting the reverse logistics network model are determined by using the network analytic hierarchy process. Under the conditions of minimizing the cost and minimizing the negative externality, the mixed integer model programming method is used to make the optimal location decision and flow distribution. Finally, taking the JT area of China as an example, the results of the reverse logistics network model of pesticide wastes are demonstrated. The results show that the scheme is feasible.
Economic Recovery and Effectiveness of Active Labour Market Initiatives for the Unemployed in Spain: A Gender Perspective of the Valencian Region
Authors: Guijarro Francisco
Published: October 2018

Macroeconomic indicators regarding employment have been gradually improved by southern European countries during recent years. However, the labour market still seems to be highly polarized across regions and some groups are persistently excluded from jobs recovery. This paper analyses the effectiveness of active labour market initiatives in the Valencian region, one of the worst-affected areas regarding unemployment in Spain. By using a large official database from the Valencian government, results of the probit model show that participating on active labour market initiatives have a positive impact on the probability of exiting unemployment, even after controlling for age, level of education and gender of candidates. The research also reveals that people aged 55 and older and females constitute the most vulnerable groups. Regarding women, only those with higher education increase their probability of finding a job.
A Systematic Review of the Use of Blockchain in Healthcare
Authors: Hölbl Marko , Kompara Marko , Kamišalić Aida , Nemec Zlatolas Lili
Published: October 2018

Blockchain technology enables a decentralized and distributed environment with no need for a central authority. Transactions are simultaneously secure and trustworthy due to the use of cryptographic principles. In recent years, blockchain technology has become very trendy and penetrated different domains, mostly due to the popularity of cryptocurrencies. One field where blockchain technology has tremendous potential is healthcare, due to the need for a more patient-centric approach to healthcare systems and to connect disparate systems and increase the accuracy of electronic healthcare records (EHRs). In this systematic review, an analysis of state-of-the-art blockchain research in the field of healthcare is conducted. The aim is to reveal the potential applications of the technology and to highlight the challenges and possible directions of blockchain research in healthcare. First, background information is discussed, followed by a description of the exact methodology used in this paper. Next, an analysis of the results is given, which includes a bibliometric overview, an analysis of gathered data and its properties, and the results of a literature quality assessment. Lastly, there is a discussion of the results from the analysis. The findings indicate that blockchain technology research in healthcare is increasing and it is mostly used for data sharing, managing health records and access control. Other scenarios are very rare. Most research is aimed at presenting novel structural designs in the form of frameworks, architectures or models. Findings also show that technical details about the used blockchain elements are not given in most of the analyzed publications and that most research does not present any prototype implementation or implementation details. Often even with a prototype implementation, no details about blockchain elements are given.
Evolutionary Hierarchical Sparse Extreme Learning Autoencoder Network for Object Recognition
Authors: Zeng Yujun , Qian Lilin , Ren Junkai
Published: October 2018

Extreme learning machine (ELM), characterized by its fast learning efficiency and great generalization ability, has been applied to various object recognition tasks. When extended to the stacked autoencoder network, which is a typical symmetrical representation learning model architecture, ELM manages to realize hierarchical feature extraction and classification, which is what deep neural networks usually do, but with much less training time. Nevertheless, the input weights and biases of the hidden nodes in ELM are generated according to a random distribution and may lead to the occurrence of non-optimal and redundant parameters that deteriorate discriminative features, which will have a bad influence on the final classification effect. In this paper, a novel sparse autoencoder derived from ELM and differential evolution is proposed and integrated into a hierarchical hybrid autoencoder network to accomplish the end-to-end learning with raw visible light camera sensor images and applied to several typical object recognition problems. Experimental results show that the proposed method is able to obtain competitive or better performance than current relevant methods with acceptable or less time consumption.
Purification and Characterization of JZTx-14, a Potent Antagonist of Mammalian and Prokaryotic Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
Authors: Zhang Jie , Tang Dongfang , Liu Shuangyu , Hu Haoliang , Liang Songping , Tang Cheng , Liu Zhonghua
Published: October 2018

Exploring the interaction of ligands with voltage-gated sodium channels (NaVs) has advanced our understanding of their pharmacology. Herein, we report the purification and characterization of a novel non-selective mammalian and bacterial NaVs toxin, JZTx-14, from the venom of the spider Chilobrachys jingzhao. This toxin potently inhibited the peak currents of mammalian NaV1.2–1.8 channels and the bacterial NaChBac channel with low IC50 values (<1 µM), and it mainly inhibited the fast inactivation of the NaV1.9 channel. Analysis of NaV1.5/NaV1.9 chimeric channel showed that the NaV1.5 domain II S3–4 loop is involved in toxin association. Kinetics data obtained from studying toxin–NaV1.2 channel interaction showed that JZTx-14 was a gating modifier that possibly trapped the channel in resting state; however, it differed from site 4 toxin HNTx-III by irreversibly blocking NaV currents and showing state-independent binding with the channel. JZTx-14 might stably bind to a conserved toxin pocket deep within the NaV1.2–1.8 domain II voltage sensor regardless of channel conformation change, and its effect on NaVs requires the toxin to trap the S3–4 loop in its resting state. For the NaChBac channel, JZTx-14 positively shifted its conductance-voltage (G–V) and steady-state inactivation relationships. An alanine scan analysis of the NaChBac S3–4 loop revealed that the 108th phenylalanine (F108) was the key residue determining the JZTx-14–NaChBac interaction. In summary, this study provided JZTx-14 with potent but promiscuous inhibitory activity on both the ancestor bacterial NaVs and the highly evolved descendant mammalian NaVs, and it is a useful probe to understand the pharmacology of NaVs.
Effects of Exogenous and Endogenous Attention on Metacontrast Masking
Authors: Agaoglu Sevda , Breitmeyer Bruno , Ogmen Haluk
Published: October 2018

To efficiently use its finite resources, the visual system selects for further processing only a subset of the rich sensory information. Visual masking and spatial attention control the information transfer from visual sensory-memory to visual short-term memory. There is still a debate whether these two processes operate independently or interact, with empirical evidence supporting both arguments. However, recent studies pointed out that earlier studies showing significant interactions between common-onset masking and attention suffered from ceiling and/or floor effects. Our review of previous studies reporting metacontrast-attention interactions revealed similar artifacts. Therefore, we investigated metacontrast-attention interactions by using an experimental paradigm, in which ceiling/floor effects were avoided. We also examined whether metacontrast masking is differently influenced by endogenous and exogenous attention. We analyzed mean absolute-magnitude of response-errors and their statistical distribution. When targets are masked, our results support the hypothesis that manipulations of the levels of metacontrast and of endogenous/exogenous attention have largely independent effects. Moreover, statistical modeling of the distribution of response-errors suggests weak interactions modulating the probability of “guessing” behavior for some observers in both types of attention. Nevertheless, our data suggest that any joint effect of attention and metacontrast can be adequately explained by their independent and additive contributions.
Groundwater Augmentation through the Site Selection of Floodwater Spreading Using a Data Mining Approach (Case study: Mashhad Plain, Iran)
Authors: Naghibi Seyed Amir , Vafakhah Mehdi , Hashemi Hossein , Pradhan Biswajeet , Alavi Seyed Jalil
Published: October 2018

It is a well-known fact that sustainable development goals are difficult to achieve without a proper water resources management strategy. This study tries to implement some state-of-the-art statistical and data mining models i.e., weights-of-evidence (WoE), boosted regression trees (BRT), and classification and regression tree (CART) to identify suitable areas for artificial recharge through floodwater spreading (FWS). At first, suitable areas for the FWS project were identified in a basin in north-eastern Iran based on the national guidelines and a literature survey. Using the same methodology, an identical number of FWS unsuitable areas were also determined. Afterward, a set of different FWS conditioning factors were selected for modeling FWS suitability. The models were applied using 70% of the suitable and unsuitable locations and validated with the rest of the input data (i.e., 30%). Finally, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was plotted to compare the produced FWS suitability maps. The findings depicted acceptable performance of the BRT, CART, and WoE for FWS suitability mapping with an area under the ROC curves of 92, 87.5, and 81.6%, respectively. Among the considered variables, transmissivity, distance from rivers, aquifer thickness, and electrical conductivity were determined as the most important contributors in the modeling. FWS suitability maps produced by the proposed method in this study could be used as a guideline for water resource managers to control flood damage and obtain new sources of groundwater. This methodology could be easily replicated to produce FWS suitability maps in other regions with similar hydrogeological conditions.
Using Water Temperature, Electrical Conductivity, and pH to Characterize Surface–Groundwater Relations in a Shallow Ponds System (Doñana National Park, SW Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Miguel , Fernández-Ayuso Ana , Hayashi Masaki , Moral-Martos Francisco
Published: October 2018

The physical limnology of a shallow pond system was characterized using field measurements of water temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). We determined the spatial variability in surface and groundwater temperature, pH, and EC along the pond’s shore and along the several pond-shore transects, analyzed the water column temperature gradient and estimated the groundwater discharge rate using a heat transfer model. The fieldwork was conducted in Santa Olalla and Dulce ponds located in Doñana National Park in southwestern Spain during different stages from 2016 to 2018. The results of this study have improved the understanding of the thermal structure and the surface–subsurface heat exchange in the ponds and highlighted the importance of groundwater discharge in the pond water balance. It also showed the heterogeneous nature of groundwater discharge through the bottom sediments of the Santa Olalla pond. These results are consistent with previous studies and strengthen the existing hydrological and limnological knowledge of these ponds located in the protected area which is receiving a great deal of public attention.
Which Drivers Control the Suspended Sediment Flux in a High Arctic Glacierized Basin (Werenskioldbreen, Spitsbergen)?
Authors: Łepkowska Elżbieta , Stachnik Łukasz
Published: October 2018

A unique data set of suspended sediment transport from the Breelva, which drains the Werenskioldbreen (Southwestern Spitsbergen), is reported for the period 2007–2012. This basin is thoroughly described hydrologically, glaciologically, and chemically. However, until now there was a lack of full recognition of mechanical denudation. This study extends the information on quantitative suspended sediment load (SSL), amounting to 37.30–130.94 kt per year, and also underlines the importance of its modification by high discharge events, triggered by intense snowmelt or heavy rainfall. The large floods during the hydrologically active season transported even 83% of the total SSL. The variability of the SSL is controlled by glacial storage and release mechanisms. Particularly interesting is the second half of the hydrologically active season when intense rainfall events plays a key role in shaping the sediment supply pattern. The main source of fine mineral matter is the basal moraine, drained by subglacial outflows. Their higher mobilization occurs when the hydrostatic pressure increases, often as a result of rainwater supply to the glacier system. An increasing precipitation trend for Hornsund fjord region determines a positive trend predicted for sediment flux.
Evaluating the Impaction of Coal Mining on Ordovician Karst Water through Statistical Methods
Authors: Huang Dan , Liu Zaibin , Wang Wenke
Published: October 2018

This study aims to reveal karst water trend change and the variation of affecting factors in the Heilongdong spring area due to long-term coal mining. In this study, five yearly recoded data over more than 40 years were collected, including underground water level dynamics, water flow, groundwater withdrawal for industrial and agricultural production and domestic production (groundwater withdrawal), mine drainage and rainfall. On that basis, we conducted linear regression, innovative trend analysis (ITA) and the Mann–Kendall method to quantitative analyze the trend and mutation sequence of the time series of environmental hydrological parameters in the study area. To determine the correlation of different affecting parameters under coal mining, as well as the trend of the correlation, we conducted multivariate linear regression analysis and exploited wavelet coherence. The results suggest: (1) under human influence, the annual value of underground water level in the Heilongdong spring area shows an insignificant decrease of 0.42 m/a; precipitation shows a significant downward trend of 2.34 mm/a, primarily the decrease of rainstorm; the spring flow shows a significant decrease of 9.41 × 106 m3/a, and springs with different flow show a significant decrease. (2) The abrupt changes of various factors affecting spring flow in the study area were successively delayed by rainfall, mine drainage rate, industrial and agricultural water consumption and underground water level. (3) Since the year of the start of dramatic changes, under the impact of increased manual mining and mine drainage, the amount of spring overflow has decreased, the groundwater level has decreased, and the groundwater dynamics have varied from meteorological type to meteorology-artificial type. Moreover, the factors affecting the dynamic changes of groundwater have been changed to rainfall and artificial mining and drainage. (4) As the results of Wavelet coherence analysis suggest, the spring flow resonates significantly with rainfall from the period of 3a to 15a. The correlation between the original spring flow and groundwater level is more obvious than that between the original spring flow and rainfall. The correlation between residual flow and groundwater level is less obvious than that between residual flow and rainfall. The above results provide a basis for comprehensively exploiting water resources in coal mining areas and regional groundwater resources protection measures.
An Innovative Approach to Minimizing Uncertainty in Sediment Load Boundary Conditions for Modelling Sedimentation in Reservoirs
Authors: Ateeq-Ur-Rehman Sardar , Bui Minh , Hasson Shabeh , Rutschmann Peter
Published: October 2018

A number of significant investigations have advanced our understanding of the parameters influencing reservoir sedimentation. However, a reliable modelling of sediment deposits and delta formation in reservoirs is still a challenging problem due to many uncertainties in the modelling process. Modelling performance can be improved by adjusting the uncertainty caused by sediment load boundary conditions. In our study, we diminished the uncertainty factor by setting more precise sediment load boundary conditions reconstructed using wavelet artificial neural networks for a morphodynamic model. The model was calibrated for hydrodynamics using a backward error propagation method. The proposed approach was applied to the Tarbela Reservoir located on the Indus River, in northern Pakistan. The results showed that the hydrodynamic calibration with coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.969 and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) = 0.966 also facilitated good calibration in morphodynamic calculations with R2 = 0.97 and NSE = 0.96. The model was validated for the sediment deposits in the reservoir with R2 = 0.96 and NSE = 0.95. Due to desynchronization between the glacier melts and monsoon rain caused by warmer climate and subsequent decrease of 17% in sediment supply to the Tarbela dam, our modelling results showed a slight decrease in the sediment delta for the near future (until 2030). Based on the results, we conclude that our overall state-of-the-art modelling offers a significant improvement in computational time and accuracy, and could be used to estimate hydrodynamic and morphodynamic parameters more precisely for different events and poorly gauged rivers elsewhere in the world. The modelling concept could also be used for predicting sedimentation in the reservoirs under sediment load variability scenarios.
Effects of Vegetation Density and Arrangement on Sediment Budget in a Sediment-Laden Flow
Authors: Li Jin-Fu , Tfwala Samkele S. , Chen Su-Chin
Published: October 2018

Understanding the effects of riparian vegetation under sediment-laden flow is becoming crucial due to the increase in frequency of extreme weather events. This study designed three densities and nine random distributions of bent flexible vegetation in flume experiments under sediment-laden flow. Sediments were continually added to the flume at a rate of 21 kg/h to simulate a natural river environment in a sediment-laden flow. The results showed that the evolutionary process of bed form under sediment-laden flow could be divided into four stages: scouring, development, recovery, and deposition stages, forming a dynamic cycle. Dunes were formed and backwater caused them to develop upstream, while structural resistance developed the dunes downstream. Contrary to clear water regime, sediments were deposited upstream of the vegetation area and scour occurred behind the vegetation. In addition, the vertical velocity profile showed to be dependent on the vegetation structure and four clear zones were identified: fixed, bent, canopy, and developed zones. The findings from this study provide crucial information towards river management through understanding the diverse vegetation effects under sediment-laden flows.
Bio-Methanol Production Using Treated Domestic Wastewater with Mixed Methanotroph Species and Anaerobic Digester Biogas
Authors: Kim I-Tae , Yoo Young-Seok , Yoon Young-Han , Lee Ye-Eun , Jo Jun-Ho , Jeong Wonsik , Kim Kwang-Soo
Published: October 2018

The development of cost-effective methods, which generate minimal chemical wastewater, for methanol production is an important research goal. In this study, treated wastewater (TWW) was utilized as a culture solution for methanol production by mixed methanotroph species as an alternative to media prepared from commercial or chemical agents, e.g., nitrate mineral salts medium. Furthermore, a realistic alternative for producing methanol in wastewater treatment plants using biogas from anaerobic digestion was proposed. By culturing mixed methanotroph species with nitrate and phosphate-supplemented TWW in municipal wastewater treatment plants, this study demonstrates, for the first time, the application of biogas generated from the sludge digester of municipal wastewater treatment plants. NaCl alone inhibited methanol dehydrogenase and the addition of 40 mM formate as an electron donor increased methanol production to 6.35 mM. These results confirmed that this practical energy production method could enable cost-effective methanol production. As such, methanol produced in wastewater treatment plants can be used as an eco-friendly energy and carbon source for biological denitrification, which can be an alternative to reducing the expenses required for the waste water treatment process.
Multi-Objective Parameter Estimation of Improved Muskingum Model by Wolf Pack Algorithm and Its Application in Upper Hanjiang River, China
Authors: Bai Tao , Wei Jian , Yang Wangwang , Huang Qiang
Published: October 2018

In order to overcome the problems in the parameter estimation of the Muskingum model, this paper introduces a new swarm intelligence optimization algorithm—Wolf Pack Algorithm (WPA). A new multi-objective function is designed by considering the weighted sum of absolute difference (SAD) and determination coefficient of the flood process. The WPA, its solving steps of calibration, and the model parameters are designed emphatically based on the basic principle of the algorithm. The performance of this algorithm is compared to the Trial Algorithm (TA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Results of the application of these approaches with actual data from the downstream of Ankang River in Hanjiang River indicate that the WPA has a higher precision than other techniques and, thus, the WPA is an efficient alternative technique to estimate the parameters of the Muskingum model. The research results provide a new method for the parameter estimation of the Muskingum model, which is of great practical significance to improving the accuracy of river channel flood routing.
Estimation of Conservative Contaminant Travel Time through Vadose Zone Based on Transient and Steady Flow Approaches
Authors: Szymkiewicz Adam , Gumuła-Kawęcka Anna , Potrykus Dawid , Jaworska-Szulc Beata , Pruszkowska-Caceres Małgorzata , Gorczewska-Langner Wioletta
Published: October 2018

Estimation of contaminant travel time through the vadose zone is needed for assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution, planning monitoring and remediation activities or predicting the effect of land use change or climate change on groundwater quality. The travel time can be obtained from numerical simulations of transient flow and transport in the unsaturated soil profile, which typically require a large amount of data and considerable computational effort. Alternatively, one can use simpler analytical methods based on the assumptions of steady water flow and purely advective transport. In this study, we compared travel times obtained with transient and steady-state approaches for several scenarios. Transient simulations were carried out using the HYDRUS-1D computer program for two types of homogeneous soil profiles (sand and clay loam), two types of land cover (bare soil and grass) and two values of dispersion constant. It was shown that the presence of root zone and the dispersion constant significantly affect the results. We also computed the travel times using six simplified methods proposed in the literature. None of these methods was in good agreement with transient simulations for all scenarios and the discrepancies were particularly large for the case of clay loam with grass cover.
Computationally Efficient Multivariate Calibration and Validation of a Grid-Based Hydrologic Model in Sparsely Gauged West African River Basins
Authors: Poméon Thomas , Diekkrüger Bernd , Kumar Rohini
Published: October 2018

The prediction of freshwater resources remains a challenging task in West Africa, where the decline of in situ measurements has a detrimental effect on the quality of estimates. In this study, we establish a series of modeling routines for the grid-based mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM) using Multiscale Parameter Regionalization (MPR). We provide a computationally efficient application of mHM-MPR across a diverse range of data-scarce basins using in situ observations, remote sensing, and reanalysis inputs. Model performance was first screened for four precipitation datasets and three evapotranspiration calculation methods. Subsequently, we developed a modeling framework in which the pre-screened model is first calibrated using discharge as the observed variable (mHM Q), and next calibrated using a combination of discharge and actual evapotranspiration data (mHM Q/ET). Both model setups were validated in a multi-variable evaluation framework using discharge, actual evapotranspiration, soil moisture and total water storage data. The model performed reasonably well, with mean discharge KGE values of 0.53 (mHM Q) and 0.49 (mHM Q/ET) for the calibration; and 0.23 (mHM Q) and 0.13 (mHM Q/ET) for the validation. Other tested variables were also within a good predictive range. This further confirmed the robustness and well-represented spatial distribution of the hydrologic predictions. Using MPR, the calibrated model can then be scaled to produce outputs at much smaller resolutions. Overall, our analysis highlights the worth of utilizing additional hydrologic variables (together with discharge) for the reliable application of a distributed hydrologic model in sparsely gauged West African river basins.
INFLUENCE OF PLANTING DESIGNS ON WINTER THERMAL COMFORT IN AN URBAN PARK
Authors: Afshar Nima Karimi , Karimian Zahra , Doostan Reza , Nokhandan Majid Habibi
Published: October 2018

Various planting designs behave in different ways on microclimate and thermal comfort due to mainly distinct features of vegetation type and ratio. The papers simulated the microclimate behavior and thermal comfort of different planting design scenarios of an urban park using ENVI-met model. We measured temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity during the coldest period of 2016. Seven scenarios of planting design with different types and ratios of vegetation were simulated. In scenario of evergreen trees, humidity was relatively high while temperature and wind velocity were decreased. Simulated grass covered park and deciduous trees showed higher temperature and wind velocity. Scenario of grasses and the scenarios with high ratio of deciduous trees in comparison with other scenarios indicated lower wind speeds. The findings can be seen as a possibility of improvement of winter thermal comfort, considering a proper planting design as an important step in order to achieve Citizen Satisfaction.
GASEOUS AND THERMAL ANALYSIS OF WINTER GARDEN USED FOR AIR REGENERATION THROUGHOUT OFFICE BUILDINGS
Authors: Rymarov Andrey , Parfenteva Natalia , Valančius Kęstutis , Paulauskaitė Sabina , Misevičiūtė Violeta
Published: October 2018

Ecological problems are inherent in the issue of air quality in the buildings. The main goal thus becomes the creation of indoor clime, where concentration of the detrimental impurities, such as carbon dioxide, would not exceed established norms. Thus, it is proposed to develop an alternative system of ventilation, which would ensure necessary indoor climate without outside air use. In order to decrease the levels of it inside the buildings, it is suggested to use a winter garden with much greenery, so that the air would be regenerated since the carbon dioxide would be absorbed and oxygen would be evolved. The current work reveals the study results of thermal, air and gas conditions in a winter garden upon the office building. The proposed methodology based on the ANSYS-CFX software, ensures a successful calculation of heating and aerial regimes within buildings that might differ in accordance with various engineering practices.
Super-knee Cosmic Rays from Galactic Neutron Star Merger Remnants
Authors: Kimura Shigeo S. , Murase Kohta , Mészáros Peter
Published: October 2018

The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic counterparts from a binary neutron star merger confirmed that it is accompanied by the launch of fast merger ejecta. Analogous to supernova remnants, forward shocks formed by the interaction of the ejecta with interstellar material will produce high-energy cosmic rays. We investigate the possibility that Galactic neutron star merger remnants (NSMRs) significantly contribute to the observed cosmic rays in the energy range between the knee and the ankle. Using typical parameters obtained by the modeling of GW170817, we find that NSMRs can accelerate iron nuclei up to ∼500 PeV. We calculate the cosmic-ray (CR) spectrum and composition observed on Earth, and show that the Galactic NSMR scenario can account for the experimental CR data in the 20–1000 PeV range. Our model can naturally explain the hardening feature around 20 PeV for the total CR spectrum, which has been observed by the Telescope Array Low Energy extension and the IceTop air-shower array.
Chemical Signatures of the FU Ori Outbursts
Authors: Molyarova Tamara , Akimkin Vitaly , Semenov Dmitry , Ábrahám Péter , Henning Thomas , Kóspál Ágnes , Vorobyov Eduard , Wiebe Dmitri
Published: October 2018

The FU Ori–type young stellar objects are characterized by a sudden increase in luminosity by 1–2 orders of magnitude followed by a slow return to the pre-outburst state on timescales of ∼10–100 yr. The outburst strongly affects the entire disk, changing its thermal structure and radiation field. In this paper, using a detailed physical-chemical model, we study the impact of the FU Ori outburst on the disk chemical inventory. Our main goal is to identify gas-phase molecular tracers of the outburst activity that could be observed after the outburst with modern telescopes such as ALMA and NOEMA. We find that the majority of molecules experience a considerable increase in total disk gas-phase abundances due to the outburst, mainly due to the sublimation of their ices. Their return to the pre-outburst chemical state takes different amounts of time, from nearly instantaneous to very long. Among the former, we identify CO, NH3, C2H6, C3H4, etc. Their abundance evolution tightly follows the luminosity curve. For CO, the abundance increase does not exceed an order of magnitude, while for other tracers, the abundances increase by 2–5 orders of magnitude. Other molecules, like H2CO and NH2OH, have longer retention timescales, remaining in the gas phase for ∼10–103 yr after the end of the outburst. Thus, H2CO could be used as an indicator of the previous outbursts in the post-outburst FU Ori systems. We investigate the corresponding time-dependent chemistry in detail and present the most favorable transitions and ALMA configurations for future observations.
First record of Scolopendrellopsis from China with the description of a new species (Myriapoda, Symphyla)
Authors: Jin Ya-Li , Bu Yun
Published: October 2018

The genusScolopendrellopsisBagnall, 1913 is recorded from China for the first time andScolopendrellopsisglabrussp. n.is described and illustrated. The new species is characterized by the short central rod on head, third tergite complete, four kinds of sensory organs present on antenna, and the cerci rather short and covered with a low number of straight setae.
A literature review of criteria selection in supplier
Authors: Ristono Agus , - Pratikto , Santoso Purnomo Budi , Tama Ishardita Pambudi
Published: October 2018

Purpose: This paper proposes a new model for further research on how to select criteria in supplier selection, through a literature review and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of previously used methods.Design/methodology/approach: The methods used to select criteria in supplier selection were extracted from various online academic databases.  The weaknesses and advantages of these methods were then analyzed. Based on these findings, several opportunities for improvement are proposed for further research. Finally, criteria design methods for the selection of suppliers are proposed using statistical multi-criteria decision making (S-MCDM) methods.Findings: Direction and guidance for subsequent research to select the criteria used in supplier selection, based on the advantages and disadvantages of the decision methods used.Research limitations/implications: Limitations of this study are that it is focused on the methods of criteria design in supplier selection.Practical implications: This study can provide a research direction on the selection of criteria for supplier selection.Social implications: This study provides ongoing guidance and avenues for further research.Originality/value: New ideas for working out the developmental strategy for criteria selection are provided by statistical MCDM methods in supplier selection.
Contrasting innovation competence FINCODA model in software engineering: Narrative review
Authors: Andreu-Andres Maria-Angeles , Gonzalez-Ladron-de-Guevara Fernando R. , Garcia-Carbonell Amparo , Watts-Hooge Frances
Published: October 2018

Purpose: Innovation competences are expected both in businesses and in higher education. Software organizations, in particular, require engineers that collaborate to deliver better services and products. Staff recruitment and training are human resource management tasks that are crucial to insuring that applicants and job holders have the competences that will facilitate quality output in software development processes.This paper seeks to determine the competences that describe high-performing, innovative professionals in software engineering in order to weigh them against the FINCODA model on innovation competences devised to assess and enhance individuals’ capacity to innovate, a core outcome of the Framework for Innovation Competences Development and Assessment Project.Design/methodology/approach: A review protocol was followed to examine the literature on software engineering to identify the innovation competence and behavioral indicators that are required in individuals.Findings: According to the literature, the innovation competences required of the staff in software companies are creativity, critical thinking, initiative, team work and networking, dimensions that are contained in the FINCODA model. Findings also support the inclusion of the thirty-four behavioral indicators that constitute the five dimensions of the FINCODA model.Originality/value: Business organizations need tools to assess innovation competences in employees. Universities, as well, lack the instruments to measure development of innovation competence in undergraduates that teaching/learning methods should enhance before students reach the workplace. This research sheds light on innovative workplace behaviors of software engineers and on feasible designs of training programs for staff and undergraduates by using the FINCODA model and its behavioral indicators. Future research will focus on ratifying the validation of the model and the online assessment tool derived from it.
Quasi-Static and Impact Response of Graded Aluminium Matrix Syntactic Foams
Authors: Liang Chen , Zhao Yu Yuan
Published: October 2018

The behaviour of aluminium matrix syntactic foams (AMSFs) with homogeneous and graded structures have been studied under quasi-static compression and impact. Particle size of ceramic microspheres and impact velocity had significant effects on the static and impact responses. Smaller microspheres led to higher strength but lower toughness. The compressive yield stress, plateau stress and specific energy absorption of the graded AMSF specimens were approximately the averages of the constituent layers, following the rule of mixture, although the order of the layers had some influence on the compressive behaviour. The syntactic foams were brittle under impact, no matter whether they were brittle or ductile in quasi-static compression. They had higher peak stresses and absorbed more energy in impact than in quasi-static compression. The location of the most brittle layer of the small ceramic microspheres had a significant effect on the impact failure pattern and sequence of the three-layer graded AMSFs.
Investigation on Relationship between Spacer Content and Porosity of Steel Foams
Authors: Wang Hui Meng , Su Ming Zhou , Chen Chang
Published: October 2018

Steel foams have been receiving a growing interest due to the unique structural properties. The space holder technique provides a high degree of freedom and allows to produce this kind of materials varying in a wide range of porosity. However, the accurate prediction of final porosities has been a difficult problem in this technique. Therefore, a nonlinear equation between spacer content (φ1) and porosity (P) of the sintered steel foams was established in this study when macropores, micropores and their volumetric change were taken into account at the same time, that was P = (aφ1+b)/(cφ1+d). Then, validation of the theoretical relationship was carried out using the experimental data by authors and other researchers. The results showed that the porosity could be well predicted by the nonlinear relationship with varied preparing parameters. One set of coefficients in the model equation, i.e., a, b, c, d, corresponds to a certain preparing condition, while these values changed in different preparing conditions.
Fabrication, Structure and Property of Copper Foam
Authors: Guo Chao Qun , Sun Ya Dong , Zhou Yun , Xie Bo , Wang Tian Yao , Zuo Xiao Qing
Published: October 2018

Copper foams by using CaCl2 as space holder were successfully manufactured by sintering and dissolution process. The porosity ranges from 75% to 91%, and cell size from 0.3mm to 3.0m. The volume fraction of CaCl2 and sintering temperature are the main factors that affect porosity of copper foam. The yield plateau stress of copper foams with porosity between 75.88% and 90.19% is in range of 12.1~1.2MPa. The yield plateau stress decreases with the increase of porosity. The energy absorption per unit volume (W) copper foams with porosity between 75.88% and 90.19% is in range of 6.17~0.63MJ/m3. Under the condition of identical porosity, the absorption energy per unit volume (W) of copper foam is about 43% higher than aluminum foam. The maximum ideal energy absorption efficiency of copper foam is about 0.74, it indicates that the copper foam can be used as a good absorbing material.
The Ubuntu concept, sexual behaviours and stigmatisation of persons living with HIV in Africa: A review article
Authors: Tarkang Elvis Enowbeyang , Pencille Lilian Belole , Komesuor Joyce
Published: October 2018

Stigma and discrimination and risky sexual behaviours have been major stumbling blocks to the efforts by implementers to mitigate the effects of HIV amongst communities in Africa. A key cultural resource, based on evolving South African cultural traditions, is the notion of Ubuntu, which is grounded in respect, ethics, humanity and the interconnectedness of beings. This concept can be a useful resource in upholding confidentiality, a central requirement in research ethics and the deliverance of health promotion interventions regarding HIV/AIDS. This article explored the applicability of the Ubuntu concept in enhancing safe sexual practices and positive attitudes towards persons living with HIV, with the view of achieving Zero new infections, Zero discrimination against persons living with HIV (PLHIV), and Zero AIDS-related deaths. A review of literature was undertaken. Electronic databases, academic journals and books from various sources were accessed. Several key search terms relating to the tenets of Ubuntu, stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV, and sexual behaviours were used. Only references deemed useful from relevant texts and journal articles were included. Going therefore by the Ubuntu tradition of basic respect and compassion for others, one will expect positive attitudes towards PLHIV. This review therefore advocates positive attitudes towards PLHIV. Also, according to the Ubuntu tradition that prescribes a rule of conduct and social ethics, one would expect the sexual behaviours of youths in Africa to be good. This review article also advocates safe sexual behaviours of adolescents in Africa. With this in mind, from a critical Ubuntu-centric philosophical perspective, this article breaks new ground by advocating the use of the Ubuntu concepts in enhancing safe sexual practices and positive attitudes towards PLHIV in Africa. This could in turn bring about safe sexual practices among youths, and curb the discrimination and stigmatization against PLHIV in Africa.
Proptosis and hemiplegia as an initial manifestation of multiple myeloma
Authors: Tahiliani N , Kataria P , Patel A , Kendre P
Published: October 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a monoclonal gammopathy, also known as the malignant proliferation of plasma cells, presenting with typical complications such as hypercalcemia, osteolytic bone lesions, anemia, renal insufficiency, and frequent infections. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in MM in the form of parenchymal involvement is very uncommon and has been reported only in 1% of patients. CNS involvement as an initial presentation is very rare and has poor prognosis. Also specific treatment guidelines do not exist for the treatment of such patients. We present here a case of a 40-year-old female patient, with complaints of headache and left eye proptosis followed by left-sided hemiparesis, who after complete workup was diagnosed as a de novo case of stage III extramedullary MM with CNS involvement. Patient was treated with whole brain radiation followed by BCD regimen (injection of bortezomib, injection of cyclophosphamide, and tablet dexamethasone). After three cycles of chemotherapy, patient succumbed in view of consolidation and renal failure.
A short story of the Phillips curve: from Phillips to Friedman… and back?
Authors: Stirati Antonella , Meloni Walter Paternesi
Published: October 2018

A major contribution of Friedman's 1968 presidential address was the introduction of the long-run vertical Phillips curve. That view, which is consistent with neoclassical foundations, has become so profoundly entrenched in macroeconomists' thinking that increasing evidence of ‘hysteresis’ has not as yet dislodged it. The prevailing notion of the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) is constructed in terms of the ‘natural’ unemployment rate, which has allowed for some changes regarding its microeconomic determinants. However, the macroeconomic features of Friedman's natural rate and the NAIRU remain very much the same and unchanged. The blatant path-dependence of empirically estimated NAIRUs creates a dissociation between macroeconomic theory and empirics which, in our view, is unacceptable and demands a change of perspective. Adopting an alternative theory of distribution and employment might rehabilitate the original approach taken by Phillips vis-à-vis Friedman's legacy.
Air quality in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River channel: a cruise campaign
Authors: Li Zhong , Li Chunlin , Ye Xingnan , Fu Hongbo , Wang Lin , Yang Xin , Wang Xinke , Zhao Zhuohui , Kan Haidong , Mellouki Abdelwahid , Chen Jianmin
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The Yangtze River is
the longest river in China; nearly one-third of the national population lives
along the river. Air quality over the Yangtze River is important as it may
have significant influences on the aquatic ecosystem, the health of everyone
living along the Yangtze River, and regional climate change. Chemical
compositions of ambient aerosol were determined during a comprehensive cruise
campaign carried out along the mid–lower reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR)
in winter of 2015. The total average concentration of PM2.5 was 119.29±33.67 µg m−3, and the dominant ionic composition in
PM2.5 was SO42- with an average concentration of 15.21±6.69 µg m−3, followed by NO3- (13.76±4.99 µg m−3), NH4+ (9.38±4.35 µg m−3), and Ca2+ (2.23±1.24 µg m−3) in this cruise. Based on the filter samples,
the concentration and chemical composition of PM2.5 were remarkably
varied or fluctuated from coastal areas to inland over the MLYR region.
Crustal elements (Ca, Mg, Al, and K) from floating dust showed peak
concentrations in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, while secondary
inorganic species (SO42-, NO3-, and
NH4+) and some of the most enriched elements (Pb, As, Se, and
Cd) presented high levels in central China (Wuhan region). The significant
correlation between Se and SO42- suggested that coal combustion
may play an important role in secondary inorganic aerosol formation. The
relatively high enrichment factors (EFs) of Ca (EFs >100) suggested the
crustal elements may derive from anthropogenic sources. Furthermore, the
concentration of levoglucosan in PM2.5 and the CO column level from
satellite observation were greatly enhanced in the rural areas (Anhui and
Jiangxi), indicating that biomass burning may make a remarkable contribution
to rural areas. The concentrations of typical tracer for heavy oil (V and Ni)
significantly increased in the Shanghai port, which was mainly ascribed to
ship emissions, based on the air mass source analysis and the relatively high
ratio of V ∕ Ni as well. The results shown herein portray a good picture
of air pollution along the Yangtze River.