bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-Driven Method to Estimate the Maximum Likelihood Space–Time Trajectory in an Urban Rail Transit System
Authors: Chen Xing , Zhou Leishan , Yue Yixiang , Zhou Yu , Liu Liwen
Published: May 2018

The Urban Rail Transit (URT) passenger travel space–time trajectory reflects a passenger’s path-choice and the components of URT network passenger flow. This paper proposes a model to estimate a passenger’s maximum-likelihood space–time trajectory using Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) transaction data, which contain the passenger’s entry and exit information. First, a method is presented to construct a space–time trajectory within a tap in/out constraint. Then, a maximum likelihood space–time trajectory estimation model is developed to achieve two goals: (1) to minimize the variance in a passenger’s walk time, including the access walk time, egress walk time and transfer walk time when a transfer is included; and (2) to minimize the variance between a passenger’s actual walk time and the expected value obtained by manual survey observation. Considering the computational efficiency and the characteristics of the model, we decompose the passenger’s travel links and convert the maximum likelihood space–time trajectory estimation problem into a single-quadratic programming problem. Real-world AFC transaction data and train timetable data from the Beijing URT network are used to test the proposed model and algorithm. The estimation results are consistent with the clearing results obtained from the authorities, and this finding verifies the feasibility of our approach.
Quantifying the Decision-Making of PPPs in China by the Entropy-Weighted Pareto Front: A URT Case from Guizhou
Authors: Liu Feiran , Liu Jun , Yan Xuedong
Published: May 2018

In recent years, value for money (VFM) evaluations using the Public Sector Comparator (PSC) method have gradually been adopted by governments worldwide in the field of public investment, and used as decision-making tools for public–private partnership (PPP) projects. However, there has been little research concerned with such emerging decision-making questions with VFM. This paper proposed a quantitative decision-making method of entropy-weighted Pareto front applied in the specific context of Chinese PPPs, with a case study of an Urban Transit Railway (URT) PPP project from Guizhou province. Factor analysis was used to extract the qualitative indicators of VFM evaluation, associate them with the quantitative characteristics of the project, and thus help public sector decision-makers choose the proper quantitative decision variables.
Tele-Coupling Energy Efficiency Polices in Europe: Showcasing the German Governance Arrangements
Authors: Ringel Marc
Published: May 2018

Climate change entails many situations of tele-coupling. We analyze an example in the field of European climate and energy policy. The EU aims at an almost full decarbonisation of its economy by 2050. Achieving this objective asks for transforming the energy sectors of EU Member States. These are responsible for 80% of carbon emissions. Further to this policy coupling, the EU transformation objectives have to be implemented by the Member States, regions and local actors. This proves especially complex in the field of energy efficiency. Here, a variety of policy instruments and actors are in place. In our contribution, we investigate in the question how multi-level governance arrangements in the energy efficiency field are designed. We focus on Germany as example for a federal state setting. Our review method comprises literature content analysis, primary sources, expert interviews and an in-depth screening of the German Sustainable Energy Action Plans. We find that formal vertical coordination has been successfully backed up by horizontal and especially informal governance mechanisms, leading to a model of polycentric governance. This model might serve as blueprint for other multi-level governance arrangements. Yet, we find that the “last mile” of this coordination still needs strengthening: Local actors need more active engaging and empowering to reap the full potential of the governance arrangements.
Plant Communities Suitable for Green Roofs in Arid Regions
Authors: Gioannini Rachel , Al-Ajlouni Malik , Kile Richard , VanLeeuwen Dawn , St. Hilaire Rolston
Published: May 2018

In extensive green roof settings, plant communities can be more robust than monocultures. In addition, native plants might be hardier and more ecologically sound choices than non-native plants in green roof systems. The objectives of this research were to (1) compare the performance of plant communities with that of monocultures and (2) compare the growth of natives to non-natives in a simulated green roof setting. We conducted a two-year experiment at an outdoor site in a desert environment using four plant morphological types (groundcover, forb, succulent and grass). Native plants selected were Chrysactinia mexicana, Melampodium leucanthum, Euphorbia antisyphilitica, and Nassella tenuissima, and non-natives were Delosperma nubigenum, Stachys byzantina, Sedum kamtschiaticum and Festuca glauca. Plants were assigned randomly to either monoculture or community and grown in 1 m × 1 m custom-built trays filled with 15 cm of a proprietary blend of 50/20/30 lightweight aggregate/sand/compost (by volume). Native forb, Melampodium, in community had greater coverage for four of the five measurements in the first year over native forb in monoculture and non-native forb regardless of setting. Native forb coverage was also greater than non-native forb for three of the four measurements in year 2, regardless of setting. Coverage of native grass was significantly greater than non-native grasses throughout the experiment. Coverage was also greater for eight of nine measurements for native succulent over non-natives succulent. However, non-native groundcover coverage was significantly greater than native groundcover for seven of nine measurements. On 1 November 2016, relative water content (RWC) for succulents (p = 0.0424) was greatest for native Euphorbia in monoculture at 88%. Native Euphorbia also had greater RWC than non-native Sedum on 4 April 2017 (78%) and 4 July 2017 (80%). However, non-native Sedum had greater root length (6548 cm), root dry weight (12.1 g), and root-to-shoot dry weight ratio (0.45) than native Euphorbia. At the end of year 2, the relative growth rate (RGR) of native Euphorbia of 0.15 g·g−1·d−1 was greater than that of Sedum. While the native succulent had a smaller root biomass, its greater RWC and RGR would indicate it had better plant water status and grew faster than the non-native. The lack of differences in plant performance regardless of assignment to monoculture or community would imply that communities and monocultures are equally suitable for arid region green roofs.
Land Suitability and Insurance Premiums: A GIS-based Multicriteria Analysis Approach for Sustainable Rice Production
Authors: Islam Md Monjurul , Ahamed Tofael , Noguchi Ryozo
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this research is to develop a land suitability model for rice production based on suitability levels and to propose insurance premiums to obtain maximum returns based on the harvest index and subsidy dependence factor for the marginal and moderately suitable lands in the northern part of Bangladesh. A multicriteria analysis was undertaken and a rice land suitability map was developed using geographical information system and analytical hierarchy process. The analysis identified that 22.74% of the area was highly suitable, while 14.86% was marginally suitable, and 28.54% was moderately suitable for rice production. However, 32.67% of the area, which was occupied by water bodies, rivers, forests, and settlements, is permanently not suitable; 1.19% is presently not suitable. To motivate low-quality land owners to produce rice, there is no alternative but to provide protection through crop insurance. We suggest producing rice up to marginally suitable lands to obtain support from insurance. The minimum coverage is marginal coverage (70%) to cover the production costs, while the maximum coverage is high coverage (90%) to enable a maximum return. This new crop insurance model, based on land suitability can be a rational support for owners of different quality land to increase production.
Fully Dynamic Input-Output/System Dynamics Modeling for Ecological-Economic System Analysis
Authors: Uehara Takuro , Cordier Mateo , Hamaide Bertrand
Published: May 2018

The complexity of ecological-economic systems significantly reduces our ability to investigate their behavior and propose policies aimed at various environmental and/or economic objectives. Following recent suggestions for integrating nonlinear dynamic modeling with input-output (IO) modeling, we develop a fully dynamic ecological-economic model by integrating IO with system dynamics (SD) for better capturing critical attributes of ecological-economic systems. We also develop and evaluate various scenarios using policy impact and policy sensitivity analyses. The model and analysis are applied to the degradation of fish nursery habitats by industrial harbors in the Seine estuary (Haute-Normandie region, France). The modeling technique, dynamization, and scenarios allow us to show trade-offs between economic and ecological outcomes and evaluate the impacts of restoration scenarios and water quality improvement on the fish population.
The Relationship Between Strategic Orientation Dimensions and Hotel Outsourcing and Its Impact on Organizational Performance. An Application in a Tourism Destination
Authors: Espino-Rodríguez Tomás F. , Ramírez-Fierro Juan Carlos
Published: May 2018

The study analyzes whether the strategic orientation of the firm, measured in six dimensions, influences the level of outsourcing. It also analyzes whether outsourcing has an impact on organizational performance from financial and non-financial perspectives. To do so, an important European tourist destination is analyzed. The findings suggest that the majority of the strategic dimensions influence the hotel’s level of outsourcing. The defensiveness and proactive dimensions are positively related to the level of outsourcing, whereas the competitive analysis and competitive aggressiveness dimensions influence it negatively. In addition, the riskiness dimension has a positive influence, whereas the dimension related to futurity does not influence the level of outsourcing. A positive and significant relationship is found between outsourcing and financial performance, whereas for non-financial performance, the relationship is not significant.
Effects of Commercial Activities by Type on Social Bonding and Place Attachment in Neighborhoods
Authors: Kim Byungsuk , Park Jina
Published: May 2018

Place attachment is an emotion that people experience in connection to a specific place and it is needed to maintain a sustainable neighborhood community. The emotion is affected by various factors, such as experience, function, environment, and satisfaction. This study focuses on commercial structures, which are one feature that characterizes the physical environments of neighborhoods. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of commercial activities in different commercial environments on social bonding and place attachment in residents. Two sites were selected for analysis due to their different commercial environments, and path analysis was used to examine the relationships among factors. The results indicate that commercial activities, which can vary according to commercial type, had both direct effects and indirect effects through social bonding between residents on place attachment. These results suggest that the commercial environment is an important element affecting the community and place attachment of residents in neighborhoods.
Enhancing Dialogue between Flood Risk Management and Road Engineering Sectors for Flood Risk Reduction
Authors: Huang Guangwei
Published: May 2018

Disaster reduction is one of the most important keys towards sustainable development. Using a number of case studies, the present work was intended to elucidate the need for improved communication between the urban flood management community and the road planning sector for better flood risk management. These cases were classified in three categories: (1) Road tragedy during evacuation, (2) Why some roads are vulnerable to flooding, (3) How to quickly evaluate the potential impact of road construction on surface drainage characteristics. These cases provided strong evidence that insufficient dialogue between water and road sectors may hinder sound flood risk management by recommending wrong flood evacuation routes that are life threatening and neglecting the impact of road construction on the alteration of surface drainage characteristics. These cases were selected purposively but not comprehensively. Based on findings from these case studies, it can be stated that evacuation safety should be improved through better communication between flood risk and road management professionals, which in turn will lead to better road planning.
Financial Structure and Financing Constraints: Evidence on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in China
Authors: Luo Sumei , Zhang Yuxi , Zhou Guangyou
Published: May 2018

The difficulty of financing for small- and medium-sized enterprises is an important problem that has plagued China’s economic development for a long time, so it is of great practical significance to explore how to solve the problem of financing difficulties for small- and medium-sized enterprises. From the perspective of financial structure, this paper introduces it to the analytical framework of the investment-cash flow sensitivity model, and establishes a two-way fixed effect model on the basis of the financial structure and other external financing conditions, so as to study the impact of the financial structure in China, especially the banking structure, on the financing constraints of small- and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, the data of 161 listed companies on the Small and Medium Enterprise Board from 2009 to 2013 is used to carry out an empirical test on the correlation between the financial structure factors and the financing constraints of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The study shows that the promotion of the scale ratio of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the banking industry is able to significantly alleviate the financing constraints of small- and medium-sized enterprises. Meanwhile, the structure of the banking industry should adapt to the industrial structure, in order to achieve the sustained and stable development of the real economy.
Resonance Dipole–Dipole Interaction between Two Accelerated Atoms in the Presence of a Reflecting Plane Boundary
Authors: Zhou Wenting , Passante Roberto , Rizzuto Lucia
Published: May 2018

We study the resonant dipole–dipole interaction energy between two non-inertial identical atoms, one excited and the other in the ground state, prepared in a correlated Bell-type state, and interacting with the scalar field or the electromagnetic field nearby a perfectly reflecting plate. We suppose the two atoms move with the same uniform acceleration, parallel to the plane boundary, and that their separation is constant during the motion. By separating the contributions of radiation reaction field and vacuum fluctuations to the resonance energy shift of the two-atom system, we show that Unruh thermal fluctuations do not affect the resonance interaction, which is exclusively related to the radiation reaction field. However, non-thermal effects of acceleration in the radiation-reaction contribution, beyond the Unruh acceleration–temperature equivalence, affect the resonance interaction energy. By considering specific geometric configurations of the two-atom system relative to the plate, we show that the presence of the mirror significantly modifies the resonance interaction energy between the two accelerated atoms. In particular, we find that new and different features appear with respect to the case of atoms in the free-space, related to the presence of the boundary and to the peculiar structure of the quantum electromagnetic field vacuum in the locally inertial frame. Our results suggest the possibility to exploit the resonance interaction between accelerated atoms as a probe for detecting the elusive effects of atomic acceleration on radiative processes.
Modeling Isomorphic Systems Processes Using Monterey Phoenix
Authors: Giammarco Kristin , Troncale Len
Published: May 2018

This article describes preliminary research (a proof of concept test) on the potential value of formalizing Isomorphic Systems Processes (ISPs) based on systems science research using the Monterey Phoenix (MP) language, approach and tool. MP is a Navy-developed framework for behavior modeling of system, process, and software behaviors, and has a demonstrated ability to expose emergent behaviors in engineered, complex systems. In this article, we introduce the related lines of research and discuss and demonstrate use of MP in modeling ISPs. We accomplish the demonstration through a small example of the Cycles ISP and discuss several possible variations generated from an MP model of this single ISP. Among these variations, we found patterns of oscillation, lifecycle, recycling, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and combinations thereof, all derived from a common model of a cycle comprising six lines of MP code. Although the detection of three of these patterns (oscillations, lifecycles, and recycling) was anticipated, the involvement of the other two patterns (positive and negative reinforcement) were not anticipated in pre-model analyses and provided evidence to resolve a dispute over the application of ISPs in systems engineering. From conducting this initial experimentation at the intersection of different research domains, we found that using MP to formalize relationships within and among presently non-formally-described ISPs yielded new insights into system processes.
Post-Exposure Protection in Mice against Sudan Virus by a Two Antibody Cocktail
Authors: Froude Jeffrey W. , Herbert Andrew S. , Pelat Thibaut , Miethe Sebastian , Zak Samantha E. , Brannan Jennifer M. , Bakken Russell R. , Steiner Alexander R. , Yin Gang , Hallam Trevor J. , Sato Aaron K. , Hust Michael , Thullier Philippe , Dye John M.
Published: May 2018

Sudan virus (SUDV) and Ebola viruses (EBOV) are both members of the Ebolavirus genus and have been sources of epidemics and outbreaks for several decades. We present here the generation and characterization of cross-reactive antibodies to both SUDV and EBOV, which were produced in a cell-free system and protective against SUDV in mice. A non-human primate, cynomolgus macaque, was immunized with viral-replicon particles expressing the glycoprotein of SUDV-Boniface (8A). Two separate antibody fragment phage display libraries were constructed after four immunogen injections. Both libraries were screened first against the SUDV and a second library was cross-selected against EBOV-Kikwit. Sequencing of 288 selected clones from the two distinct libraries identified 58 clones with distinct VH and VL sequences. Many of these clones were cross-reactive to EBOV and SUDV and able to neutralize SUDV. Three of these recombinant antibodies (X10B1, X10F3, and X10H2) were produced in the scFv-Fc format utilizing a cell-free production system. Mice that were challenged with SUDV-Boniface receiving 100µg of the X10B1/X10H2 scFv-Fc combination 6 and 48-h post-exposure demonstrated partial protection individually and complete protection as a combination. The data herein suggests these antibodies may be promising candidates for further therapeutic development.
Trunk Network Rehabilitation for Resilience Improvement and Energy Recovery in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Meirelles Gustavo , Brentan Bruno , Izquierdo Joaquín , Ramos Helena , Luvizotto Edevar
Published: May 2018

Water distribution networks (WDNs) are designed to meet water demand with minimum implementation costs. However, this approach leads to poor long-term results, since system resilience is also minimal, and this requires the rehabilitation of the network if the network is expanded or the demand increases. In addition, in emergency situations, such as pipe bursts, large areas will suffer water shortage. However, the use of resilience as a criterion for WDN design is a difficult task, since its economic value is subjective. Thus, in this paper, it is proposed that trunk networks (TNs) are rehabilitated when considering the generation of electrical energy using pumps as turbines (PATs) to compensate for an increase of resilience derived from increasing pipe diameters. During normal operation, these micro-hydros will control pressure and produce electricity. When an emergency occurs, a by-pass can be used to increase network pressure. The results that were obtained for two hypothetical networks show that a small increase in TN pipe diameters is sufficient to significantly improve the resilience of the WDN. In addition, the value of the energy produced surpasses the investment that is made during rehabilitation.
Conceptual Framework and Computational Research of Hierarchical Residential Household Water Demand
Authors: Pan Wenxiang , Hou Baodeng , Yang Ruixiang , Zhan Xuzhu , Tian Wenkai , Li Baoqi , Xiao Weihua , Wang Jianhua , Zhou Yuyan , Zhao Yong , Gao Xuerui
Published: May 2018

Although the quantity of household water consumption does not account for a huge proportion of the total water consumption amidst socioeconomic development, there has been a steadily increasing trend due to population growth and improved urbanization standards. As such, mastering the mechanisms of household water demand, scientifically predicting trends of household water demand, and implementing reasonable control measures are key focuses of current urban water management. Based on the categorization and characteristic analysis of household water, this paper used Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to establish a level and grade theory of household water demand, whereby household water is classified into three levels (rigid water demand, flexible water demand, and luxury water demand) and three grades (basic water demand, reasonable water demand, and representational water demand). An in-depth analysis was then carried out on the factors that influence the computation of household water demand, whereby equations for different household water categories were established, and computations for different levels of household water were proposed. Finally, observational experiments on household water consumption were designed, and observation and simulation computations were performed on three typical households in order to verify the scientific outcome and rationality of the computation of household water demand. The research findings contribute to the enhancement and development of prediction theories on water demand, and they are of high theoretical and realistic significance in terms of scientifically predicting future household water demand and fine-tuning the management of urban water resources.
Assessment of Rainfall Variability and Its Relationship to ENSO in a Sub-Andean Watershed in Central Bolivia
Authors: Gonzales Amaya Andres , Villazon Mauricio F. , Willems Patrick
Published: May 2018

Climate change and variability are likely to increase in most parts of the world, leading to more extreme events, which may increase the stress on already threatened water resources. This study focuses on the effects of the El Niño Southern Oscillation in the rainfall of Pucara basin and in the groundwater levels of the Punata alluvial fan in the Bolivian sub-Andes. Climate change and variability were assessed using the Quantile Perturbation Method, by detecting anomalous temporal changes in extreme quantiles of annual precipitation in the Pucara watershed and the correlation with groundwater levels in the Punata fan. The results show oscillatory behavior over periods of 28 to 33 years for the occurrence of wet and dry extremes at all studied meteorological stations. This suggests a similar oscillatory behavior of the groundwater levels; however, longer groundwater level observations are needed in order to confirm the link between precipitation variability and groundwater fluctuations. Local actors such as water managers, farmers and decision makers must take into consideration this climate variability in order to plan for these multi-decadal variations in response to the changes.
Primary care for people with an intellectual disability — what is prescribed? An analysis of medication recommendations from the BEACH dataset
Authors: Salomon Carmela , Britt Helena , Pollack Allan , Trollor Julian
Published: May 2018

Background

People with intellectual disability (ID) experience a range of health disparities. Little is known about differential primary care prescribing patterns for people with and without ID.

Aim

To compare medications recommended by GPs at encounters where ID is recorded versus other encounters.

Design & setting

Analysis of national Australian GP medication data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) programme, January 2003–December 2012 inclusive.

Method

Medication recommendations made at encounters where an ID-defining problem was recorded as a reason for encounter (RFE) and/or as a problem managed, were allocated to the ‘ID group’ (n = 563). These encounters were compared with all other encounters (the ‘non-ID group’, n = 1 004 095) during the study period. Following age–sex standardisation of ID group encounters, significant differences were determined by non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Antipsychotics and anticonvulsants were recommended more frequently at ID group encounters than at non-ID group encounters. Antidepressant and anxiolytic recommendation rates did not differ between groups. Narcotic analgesic and antihypertensive recommendations were significantly lower at ID group encounters.

Conclusion

Higher rates of epilepsy and mental illness, and off-label use of some antipsychotics and anticonvulsants for behaviour management in people with ID, may have contributed to medication recommendations observed in this analysis. Lower narcotic analgesic recommendations at ID group encounters may relate to complex presentations and the nature of problems managed, while lower antihypertensive recommendations may indicate some potential omission of routine blood pressure measurement.
STOCK RETURNS, VOLATILITY AND MEAN REVERSION IN EMERGING AND DEVELOPED FINANCIAL MARKETS
Authors: AHMED Rizwan Raheem , VVEINHARDT Jolita , ŠTREIMIKIENĖ Dalia , GHAURI Saghir Pervaiz
Published: May 2018

The objective of this research is to measure and examine volatilities between important emerging and developed stock markets and to ascertain a relationship between volatilities and stock returns. This research paper also analyses the Mean reversion phenomenon in emerging and developed stock markets. For this purpose, seven emerging markets and five developed markets were considered. Descriptive statistics showed that the emerging markets have higher returns with the higher risk-return trade-off. In contrast, developed markets have low annual returns with a low risk-return trade-off. Correlation analysis indicated the significant positive correlation among the developed markets, but emerging and developed markets have shown relatively insignificant correlation. Results of ARCH and GARCH revealed that the value of likelihood statistics ratio is large, that entails the GARCH (1,1) model is a lucrative depiction of daily return pattern, that effectively and efficiently capturing the orderly reliance of volatility. The findings of the study showed that the estimate ‘β’ coefficients given in conditional variance equation are significantly higher than the ‘α’, this state of affair entails that bigger market surprises tempt comparatively small revision in future volatility. Lastly, the diligence of the conditional variance estimated by α + β is significant and proximate to integrated GARCH (1,1) model, thus, this indicates, the existing evidence is also pertinent in order to forecast the future volatility. The results signified that the sum of GARCH (1,1) coefficients for all the equity returns’ is less than 1 that is an important condition for mean reversion, as the sum gets closer to 1, hence the Mean reversion process gets slower for all the emerging and developed stock markets.
IDENTIFYING THE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AND THEIR RELEVANT ASPECTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS; AN EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: MAQBOOL Rashid , RASHID Yahya , SULTANA Saira , SUDONG Ye
Published: May 2018

Owed to their enormous impact on the sustainable development of energy security, climate change, and the economy, multiple renewable-energy projects are carried out around the world, both in developed and in developing countries. Since the construction of renewable energy project is an entrepreneurial activity, there is a big concern about the success of such projects. Although pertinent literature suggests several methodologies to enhance the success of various projects, renewable-energy projects are still overlooked. This study identifies multiple critical success factors (CSFs), required for renewable-energy projects. Using a sample of 272 firms working on renewable energy projects in Pakistan, a quantitative and causal study was undertaken to identify the critical success factors (CSFs). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to test and verify hypothesis. The results show that there is a strong direct dependency of project success over the proposed factors, however environmental factors are found to be the only predominant CSFs which show the significant indirect effect over project success. The study expected to contribute towards and widen up the existing knowledge base for the project performance of renewable energy projects by adding on the findings regarding critical success factors.
The Complete Light-curve Sample of Spectroscopically Confirmed SNe Ia from Pan-STARRS1 and Cosmological Constraints from the Combined Pantheon Sample
Authors: Scolnic D. M. , Jones D. O. , Rest A. , Pan Y. C. , Chornock R. , Foley R. J. , Huber M. E. , Kessler R. , Narayan G. , Riess A. G. , Rodney S. , Berger E. , Brout D. J. , Challis P. J. , Drout M. , Finkbeiner D. , Lunnan R. , Kirshner R. P. , Sanders N. E. , Schlafly E. , Smartt S. , Stubbs C. W. , Tonry J. , Wood-Vasey W. M. , Foley M. , Hand J. , Johnson E. , Burgett W. S. , Chambers K. C. , Draper P. W. , Hodapp K. W. , Kaiser N. , Kudritzki R. P. , Magnier E. A. , Metcalfe N. , Bresolin F. , Gall E. , Kotak R. , McCrum M. , Smith K. W.
Published: May 2018

We present optical light curves, redshifts, and classifications for

 spectroscopically confirmed Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) discovered by the Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) Medium Deep Survey. We detail improvements to the PS1 SN photometry, astrometry, and calibration that reduce the systematic uncertainties in the PS1 SN Ia distances. We combine the subset of

 PS1 SNe Ia (0.03 < z < 0.68) with useful distance estimates of SNe Ia from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), SNLS, and various low-z and Hubble Space Telescope samples to form the largest combined sample of SNe Ia, consisting of a total of

 SNe Ia in the range of 0.01 < z < 2.3, which we call the “Pantheon Sample.” When combining Planck 2015 cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements with the Pantheon SN sample, we find

and

for the wCDM model. When the SN and CMB constraints are combined with constraints from BAO and local H
0 measurements, the analysis yields the most precise measurement of dark energy to date:

and

for the

CDM model. Tension with a cosmological constant previously seen in an analysis of PS1 and low-z SNe has diminished after an increase of 2× in the statistics of the PS1 sample, improved calibration and photometry, and stricter light-curve quality cuts. We find that the systematic uncertainties in our measurements of dark energy are almost as large as the statistical uncertainties, primarily due to limitations of modeling the low-redshift sample. This must be addressed for future progress in using SNe Ia to measure dark energy.
The Dependence of Convective Core Overshooting on Stellar Mass: Additional Binary Systems and Improved Calibration
Authors: Claret Antonio , Torres Guillermo
Published: May 2018

Many current stellar evolution models assume some dependence of the strength of convective core overshooting on mass for stars more massive than 1.1–1.2 M
☉, but the adopted shapes for that relation have remained somewhat arbitrary for lack of strong observational constraints. In previous work, we compared stellar evolution models to well-measured eclipsing binaries to show that, when overshooting is implemented as a diffusive process, the fitted free parameter f
ov rises sharply up to about 2 M
☉, and remains largely constant thereafter. Here, we analyze a new sample of eight binaries selected to be in the critical mass range below 2 M
☉ where f
ov is changing the most, nearly doubling the number of individual stars in this regime. This interval is important because the precise way in which f
ov changes determines the shape of isochrones in the turnoff region of ∼1–5 Gyr clusters, and can thus affect their inferred ages. It also has a significant influence on estimates of stellar properties for exoplanet hosts, on stellar population synthesis, and on the detailed modeling of interior stellar structures, including the calculation of oscillation frequencies that are observable with asteroseismic techniques. We find that the derived f
ov values for our new sample are consistent with the trend defined by our earlier determinations, and strengthen the relation. This provides an opportunity for future series of models to test the new prescription, grounded on observations, against independent observations that may constrain overshooting in a different way.
The Emission and Distribution of Dust of the Torus of NGC 1068
Authors: Lopez-Rodriguez Enrique , Fuller Lindsay , Alonso-Herrero Almudena , Efstathiou Andreas , Ichikawa Kohei , Levenson Nancy A. , Packham Chris , Radomski James , Almeida Cristina Ramos , Benford Dominic J. , Berthoud Marc , Hamilton Ryan , Harper Doyal , Kovávcs Attila , Santos Fabio P. , Staguhn J. , Herter Terry
Published: May 2018

We present observations of NGC 1068 covering the 19.7–53.0 μm wavelength range using FORCAST and HAWC+ on board SOFIA. Using these observations, high-angular-resolution infrared (IR) and submillimeter observations, we find an observational turnover of the torus emission in the 30–40 μm wavelength range with a characteristic temperature of 70–100 K. This component is clearly different from the diffuse extended emission in the narrow line and star formation regions at 10–100 μm within the central 700 pc. We compute 2.2–432 μm 2D images using the best inferred clumpy torus model based on several nuclear spectral energy distribution (SED) coverages. We find that when 1–20 μm SED is used, the inferred result gives a small torus size (<4 pc radius) and a steep radial dust distribution. The computed torus using the 1–432 μm SED provides comparable torus sizes,

pc radius, and morphology to the recently resolved 432 μm Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations. This result indicates that the 1–20 μm wavelength range is not able to probe the full extent of the torus. The characterization of the turnover emission of the torus using the 30–60 μm wavelength range is sensitive to the detection of cold dust in the torus. The morphology of the dust emission in our 2D image at 432 μm is spatially coincident with the cloud distribution, while the morphology of the emission in the 1–20 μm wavelength range shows an elongated morphology perpendicular to the cloud distribution. We find that our 2D clumpy torus image at 12 μm can produce comparable results to those observed using IR interferometry.
Dans l’après-coup d’écrire…
Authors: Dugardin Marc
Published: May 2018

On affirme couramment que parler, écrire, c’est exprimer avec des mots, traduire avec des mots, une pensée préalablement existante. Il me semble plutôt que l’écriture est un travail de la langue où ce qui tend à être dit, ce qui se dit (et aussi ce qui ne se dit pas) ne cessent de s’entremêler. Écrire, ce n’est pas être le maître d’un attelage, mais plutôt être l’aventurier qui ne sait pas à l’avance jusqu’où son aventure le conduira. C’est être à l’écoute également d’une musique qui, dès l’origine, nous a inscrits dans une langue et dans ce qui la fait chanter.
Le corps de la lettre
Authors: Boulanger Christophe
Published: May 2018

Christophe Boulanger nous propose un parcours dans l’écrire, des fous littéraires aux langues inventées en passant par les écrits bruts. Des personnages aux vies singulières prennent de grandes libertés avec les mots : Nicolas Cirier, surnommé « le typographe fou » par Raymond Queneau, ou Jean-Marie Massou, qui grave des signes idéographiques sur des pierres, en passant par Aimable Jayet et quelques autres. Ils nous révèlent des modes d’émergence du langage inattendus. Ces créations, souvent considérées comme pauvres et marginales, doivent surtout nous inciter à une grande ouverture d’esprit dans nos approches.
Maniements d’archives
Authors: Artières Philippe
Published: May 2018

Que peut-on faire des listes de mots, listes d’objets, etc. ? Que peut-on faire des archives ? En particulier d’archives de police ou de justice ? Ce texte tente une réponse à ces questions au travers d’un récit d’expérience de ce que l’auteur appelle un « maniement d’archives ». Réflexion sur la possibilité de requalifier des archives en modifiant leur destination d’objet de science à un statut de… récit littéraire.
« Je par moi »
Authors: Lapeyre Béatrice
Published: May 2018

Apprendre à se regarder et non plus à se voir uniquement. Apprendre à parler de soi pour mieux se connaître. Telles sont les intentions d’un projet réalisé par des élèves de cap du lycée Jacques de Romas à Nérac. L’autoportrait comme fil conducteur, comme passerelle entre soi et les autres, croisement entre l’image de soi et l’écriture sur soi. « Je par moi » est un projet d’exposition tourné vers ces préoccupations souvent éloignées des élèves, mêlant des autoportraits photographiques réalisés par une artiste photographe, Elina Belou, et l’écriture d’un autoportrait rédigé par chaque élève. Le rapport à soi est pourtant omniprésent dans le mode de vie et les nouvelles habitudes de communication des élèves. En effet, les réseaux sociaux leur permettent de donner à voir « qui je suis », de montrer leur intimité parfois. Cependant, que montrent-ils d’eux-mêmes ?
Quelle place pour l’écriture dans le métier de bibliothécaire ?
Authors: Araguas Laurie
Published: May 2018

Comment la bibliothèque, ce temple historique de l’écrit, intègre-t-elle l’écriture dans ses pratiques professionnelles ? Le traitement des collections et de l’information, cœur de métier traditionnel du bibliothécaire, doit se combiner avec des compétences de médiation, à travers des services innovants dont la maîtrise de l’écrit est un atout. Cet article interroge la place de l’écriture dans les pratiques professionnelles du bibliothécaire d’aujourd’hui.
Quelques réflexions sur la responsabilité pour faute
Authors: Boyer Jean
Published: May 2018

La responsabilité pour faute apparaît comme une donnée de bon sens ; elle résulte pourtant d’un long cheminement juridique et s’est avérée inadaptée à bien des phénomènes de société. Limitée dans son objet mais consacrée par le Conseil constitutionnel, parfois moralisante, elle correspond mal aux situations familiales, peut trop grever certains individus et prépare peu l’avenir. Cette référence reste pourtant indispensable.
Enfants de la rue à Kinshasa : être, faire et avoir dans la vie
Authors: Azia Dimbu Florentin , Kakoma N’Dusu Jean-Baptiste
Published: May 2018

Notre objectif : l’étude des aspirations, du projet de vie des enfants de la rue de Kinshasa. En ont-ils ? Dans l’affirmative, comment comptent-ils le réaliser ? Pour quelle fin ? Savent-ils rêver ? Les résultats, sur un échantillon occasionnel de 276 sujets, grâce à l’analyse statistique, attestent qu’ils savent vivre dans l’imaginaire. Ils aspirent à une vie meilleure et ont des ambitions nobles.
L’hôtellerie réinventée à l’heure du digital : le monde selon Accor
Authors: Nowak Christophe
Published: May 2018

Booking, Expedia ou encore Airbnb ont rebattu les cartes dans le monde de l’hôtellerie. Pour garder une maîtrise de sa distribution, maintenir le contact avec ses clients et répondre aux nouvelles aspirations des voyageurs, Accor engage un plan digital de grande ampleur.
Tisser des fils et tisser des liens
Authors: Boël Éric
Published: May 2018

Avec Les Tissages de Charlieu, Éric Boël redonne de l’avenir à une activité de tissage multiséculaire ravagée par la concurrence chinoise et fait de l’entreprise un lieu d’épanouissement pour ses salariés. Efficacité et humanisme peuvent ainsi aller de pair.
Vers un management décomplexé de l’assurance maladie des Yvelines
Authors: Négaret Patrick
Published: May 2018

Une caisse d’assurance maladie à la pointe de l’innovation managériale ? Patrick Négaret fait tomber les préjugés en engageant, à la CPAM des Yvelines, un vaste chantier de libération des énergies ayant pour mots d’ordre l’autonomisation, la confiance ou encore la reconnaissance.
The impact of small-scale cricket farming on household nutrition in Laos
Authors: Weigel T. , Fèvre S. , Berti P.R. , Sychareun V. , Thammavongsa V. , Dobson E. , Kongmanila D.
Published: May 2018

We examined the potential of cricket farming as an innovative solution to improving household nutrition in Laos, where edible insects are already part of traditional diets. We conducted research with a total of 40 rural households in Central Laos, in which small-scale cricket farming was introduced to 20 intervention households. Nutritional situation and changes of all households and cricket production and consumption of the intervention households were assessed. Malnutrition was prevalent amongst the study population and we found indications for dietary inadequacies. Despite fluctuating harvest results and some production failures, most intervention households successfully produced and harvested crickets over five production cycles. Cricket farming was not only appreciated by the project participants, but also spread to non-project households. 70% of the total cricket harvest were used for own consumption and crickets were eaten by all family members, including small children and women, in amounts that improved nutritional adequacy during the brief period following harvest. To increase the nutritional impact, production has to be stabilised and adapted to provide a more continuous supply of crickets over the year.
Detection of Hermetia illucens by real-time PCR
Authors: Marien A. , Debode F. , Aerts C. , Ancion C. , Francis F. , Berben G.
Published: May 2018

Insects are rich in proteins and could be an alternative source of macronutrients to feed animals and humans. Over the past few years, numerous companies have started producing insects for feed purposes. In Europe, the processed animal proteins obtained from seven insect species have been authorised for aquaculture by Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893 since 1 July 2017. Methods of authentication are required to check the conformity of the products. In this study, we propose a real-time PCR method for the specific detection of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.), one of the most widely used insects for feed production. The developed PCR assays amplify a 67 bp fragment based on the mitochondrial COX3 gene coding for subunit 3 of the cytochrome c oxidase. The qualitative method was tested according to several performance criteria. The specificity was tested against 51 insect species. The specificity was also checked against plant species and other animal species such as crustaceans, mammals and birds. The sensitivity, efficiency and robustness of the PCR test were successfully tested. The applicability of the test was proven through the analysis of real-life processed samples (industrial meals) of H. illucens.
Suitability of egg hatching conditions and commonly available food plants for rearing the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
Authors: Ssepuuya G. , Tanga C.M. , Yekko I. , Sengendo F. , Ndagire C.T. , Fiaboe K.K.M. , Karungi J. , Nakimbugwe D.
Published: May 2018

Efforts to promote sustainable production and processing ofRuspolia differensServille (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) as a viable agribusiness model for enhancing food and nutrition security have gained momentum. However, the inexistence of rearing techniques adapted to this insect creates uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of up-scaling production. This study evaluated the effect of five temperatures (26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 °C) on egg development time, percentage hatchability and nymphal weight at hatching. It also evaluated the average weekly wet weight attained byR. differensand percentage survival during growth when reared at 30 °C on four different food plant diets. The diets composed of (1) star grassCynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.; (2) wild milletEleusine indica(L.) Gaertn.; (3) guinea grassPanicum maximumJacq.; and (4) a mixture of the three food plants. The highest hatchability (89.33±3.06%) was observed for egg clusters that were not detached from the leaf sheaths and incubated at 30 °C. At the same temperature, the hatchability of eggs detached from the leaf sheath was 43.33±4.16%. The wet nymphal weight at hatching varied significantly across the different incubation temperatures. For eggs that were not detached from the leaf sheath, it ranged between 3.12±1.20 mg at 30 °C to 4.15±0.98 mg at 34 °C, while for eggs that were detached, it ranged between 2.96±1.14 at 32 °C to 6.0±2.0 mg at 26 °C. The highest wet nymphal weight (586.4 mg) and growth rate (10.47 mg/day) of adultR. differensafter 8 weeks was recorded on wild millet, followed by the mixture of the three food plants (553.7 mg; 9.9 mg/day). Food plants significantly influenced survival of nymphs, withC. dactylonandP. maximumassociated with the highest survival rate (53.3%). These findings are central to upscalingR. differensproduction.
Effect of Cycloplegia on Optical Biometry in Pediatric Eyes
Authors: Raina Usha K. , Gupta Shantanu Kumar , Gupta Anika , Goray Apurva , Saini Varun
Published: May 2018

Purpose:

To study the effect of cycloplegia on optical biometry parameters in pediatric eyes using the Lenstar LS 900 (Haag-Streit, Koeniz, Switzerland).

Methods:

In this observational and comparative study, 56 normal eyes and 20 cataractous eyes in children between 5 and 15 years of age were included. Measurements were taken before and after cycloplegia using 2% homatropine drops. Parameters studied were axial length, central corneal thickness, keratometry, anterior chamber depth, and lens thickness. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the effects of cycloplegia on all parameters.

Results:

Cycloplegia resulted in a statistically significant decrease in axial length (
P
< .05), central corneal thickness (
P
< .05), and lens thickness (
P
< .001) and an increase in the anterior chamber depth (
P
< .001) in normal eyes. In the cataract group, cycloplegia resulted in an increase in anterior chamber depth (
P
< .001) and decrease in lens thickness (
P
< .001).

Conclusions:

Biometry measurements have to be carefully interpreted in pediatric eyes where cycloplegia is an important part of the examination.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2018;55(4):260–265.]