bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Spatial Mismatch between Public Transit Services and Regular Riders: A Case Study of Beijing
Authors: Jin Haitao , Jin Fengjun , Zhu He
Published: April 2019

Public transit services should favor space equity, and the concern of this study is how the allocation of public transportation resources corresponds to the needs of transit users. Identifying mismatches between urban transit resources and regular transit users benefits the transportation resource allocation policy. This study introduces a location maximum likelihood estimation method and a cell space collector mechanism to explore distribution differences of regular transit riders and transit stations based on data mining. In Beijing, 5.37 million regular transit users were identified, and their first-morning transit stations were found to be within 2 km from their last transit stations used the day before. As their locations were estimated, differences in ratios of the regular transit riders to residents were found among areas. Most regular transit users were located in the suburban areas of 5–20 km from the center of Beijing, and the spatial distribution of transit stations declined from the center to the peripheral urban areas. This mismatch between public transit services and regular transit riders sheds light on urban transportation policies.
Structure-Based Virtual Screening and In Vitro Evaluation of New Trypanosoma cruzi Cruzain Inhibitors
Authors: Herrera-Mayorga Verónica , Lara-Ramírez Edgar E. , Chacón-Vargas Karla F. , Aguirre-Alvarado Charmina , Rodríguez-Páez Lorena , Alcántara-Farfán Verónica , Cordero-Martínez Joaquín , Nogueda-Torres Benjamín , Reyes-Espinosa Francisco , Bocanegra-García Virgilio , Rivera Gildardo
Published: April 2019

Chagas disease (CD), or American trypanosomiasis, causes more than 10,000 deaths per year in the Americas. Current medical therapy for CD has low efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease and serious adverse effects; therefore, it is necessary to search for new pharmacological treatments. In this work, the ZINC15 database was filtered using the N-acylhydrazone moiety and a subsequent structure-based virtual screening was performed using the cruzain enzyme of Trypanosoma cruzi to predict new potential cruzain inhibitors. After a rational selection process, four compounds, Z2 (ZINC9873043), Z3 (ZINC9870651), Z5 (ZINC9715287), and Z6 (ZINC9861447), were chosen to evaluate their in vitro trypanocidal activity and enzyme inhibition. Compound Z5 showed the best trypanocidal activity against epimatigote (IC50 = 36.26 ± 9.9 μM) and trypomastigote (IC50 = 166.21 ± 14.5 μM and 185.1 ± 8.5 μM on NINOA and INC-5 strains, respectively) forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In addition, Z5 showed a better inhibitory effect on Trypanosoma cruzi proteases than S1 (STK552090, 8-chloro-N-(3-morpholinopropyl)-5H-pyrimido[5,4-b]-indol-4-amine), a known cruzain inhibitor. This study encourages the use of computational tools for the rational search for trypanocidal drugs.
MED28 Over-Expression Shortens the Cell Cycle and Induces Genomic Instability
Authors: Cho Jin Gu , Choi Joon-Seok , Lee Jae-Ho , Cho Min-Guk , Kim Hong-Sook , Noh Hee-Dong , Lim Key-Hwan , Park Byoungjun , Kim Jin-Ock , Park Sang Gyu
Published: April 2019

The mammalian mediator complex subunit 28 (MED28) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and it regulates cell migration/invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, transcription factors that increase MED28 expression have not yet been identified. In this study, we performed a luciferase reporter assay to identify and characterize the prospective transcription factors, namely E2F transcription factor 1, nuclear respiratory factor 1, E-26 transforming sequence 1, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β, which increased MED28 expression. In addition, the release from the arrest at the G1−S or G2−M phase transition after cell cycle synchronization using thymidine or nocodazole, respectively, showed enhanced MED28 expression at the G1−S transition and mitosis. Furthermore, the overexpression of MED28 significantly decreased the duration of interphase and mitosis. Conversely, a knockdown of MED28 using si-RNA increased the duration of interphase and mitosis. Of note, the overexpression of MED28 significantly increased micronucleus and nuclear budding in HeLa cells. In addition, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy analyses showed that the overexpression of MED28 significantly increased aneuploid cells. Taken together, these results suggest that MED28 expression is increased by oncogenic transcription factors and its overexpression disturbs the cell cycle, which results in genomic instability and aneuploidy.
Combined Recommendation Algorithm Based on Improved Similarity and Forgetting Curve
Authors: Li Taoying , Jin Linlin , Wu Zebin , Chen Yan
Published: April 2019

The recommendation algorithm in e-commerce systems is faced with the problem of high sparsity of users’ score data and interest’s shift, which greatly affects the performance of recommendation. Hence, a combined recommendation algorithm based on improved similarity and forgetting curve is proposed. Firstly, the Pearson similarity is improved by a wide range of weighted factors to enhance the quality of Pearson similarity for high sparse data. Secondly, the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve is introduced to track a user’s interest shift. User score is weighted according to the residual memory of forgetting function. Users’ interest changing with time is tracked by scoring, which increases both accuracy of recommendation algorithm and users’ satisfaction. The two algorithms are then combined together. Finally, the MovieLens dataset is employed to evaluate different algorithms and results show that the proposed algorithm decreases mean absolute error (MAE) by 12.2%, average coverage 1.41%, and increases average precision by 10.52%, respectively.
Beyond All-Sky: Assessing Ecological Light Pollution Using Multi-Spectral Full-Sphere Fisheye Lens Imaging
Authors: Jechow Andreas , Kyba Christopher C.M. , Hölker Franz
Published: April 2019

Artificial light at night is a novel anthropogenic stressor. The resulting ecological light pollution affects a wide breadth of biological systems on many spatio-temporal scales, from individual organisms to communities and ecosystems. However, a widely-applicable measurement method for nocturnal light providing spatially resolved full-spectrum radiance over the full solid angle is still missing. Here, we explain the first step to fill this gap, by using a commercial digital camera with a fisheye lens to acquire vertical plane multi-spectral (RGB) images covering the full solid angle. We explain the technical and practical procedure and software to process luminance and correlated color temperature maps and derive illuminance. We discuss advantages and limitations and present data from different night-time lighting situations. The method provides a comprehensive way to characterize nocturnal light in the context of ecological light pollution. It is affordable, fast, mobile, robust, and widely-applicable by non-experts for field work.
Influence of Ammonium Polyphosphate/Lignin Ratio on Thermal and Fire Behavior of Biobased Thermoplastic: The Case of Polyamide 11
Authors: Cayla Aurélie , Rault François , Giraud Stéphane , Salaün Fabien , Sonnier Rodolphe , Dumazert Loïc
Published: April 2019

Flame retardancy of polymers is a recurring obligation for many applications. The development trend of biobased materials is no exception to this rule, and solutions of flame retardants from agro-resources give an advantage. Lignin is produced as a waste by-product from some industries, and can be used in the intumescent formation development as a source of carbon combined with an acid source. In this study, the flame retardancy of polyamide 11 (PA) is carried out by extrusion with a kraft lignin (KL) and ammonium polyphosphate (AP). The study of the optimal ratio between the KL and the AP makes it possible to optimize the fire properties as well as to reduce the cost and facilitates the implementation of the blend by a melting process. The properties of thermal decomposition and the fire reaction have been studied by thermogravimetric analyzes, pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC) and vertical flame spread tests (UL94). KL permits a charring effect delaying thermal degradation and decreases by 66% the peak of heat release rate in comparison with raw PA. The fire reaction of the ternary blends is improved even if KL-AP association does not have a synergy effect. The 25/75 and 33/67 KL/AP ratios in PA give an intumescence behavior under flame exposure.
Improvements in Aggregate-Paste Interface by the Hydration of Steelmaking Waste in Concretes and Mortars
Authors: Miñano Isabel , Benito Francisco J. , Valcuende Manuel , Rodríguez Carlos , Parra Carlos J.
Published: April 2019

The objective of the experimental work is to study the mechanical properties in self-compacting concretes (SCC) in which part of the limestone aggregate has been replaced by granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) in different percentages ranging from 0% to 60%. The results show that at early ages the SCC with the largest content in slag tend to have lower compressive strengths due to the poor compacting of the aggregates, although in the long-term their strength increases due to the reactivity of the slag. In fact, at the age of 365 days, the mortars made with the substitution of 50% of cement by ground GBFS reach compressive strength similar to that of the mortar made with 100% of cement. The consumption of calcium hydroxide during the hydration of the GBFS and the formation of hydrated calcium silicate (CSH) improve the mechanical properties of the slag-paste interface. The new compounds formed by the hydration of anhydrous oxides of the GBFS improve the aggregate-paste transition zone. The chemical interaction between the dissolution of the cement pore and the GBFS ends up generating new compounds on its surface. The increasing hydration of the GBFS produces a greater amount of silica gel that polymerises, densifying the matrix and reducing the porosity, which improves the mechanical properties of the concrete and perhaps its durability. The topography of the particles and their interface are analysed with atomic force microscopy techniques to assess the morphology depending on the aggregate used. On the other hand, a study was carried out of the aggregate-paste interface with scanning electronic microscope at different ages. It can be seen that in the contours of the hydrated GBFS particles, a band or ring forms with the new reaction products. The results obtained strengthen the previous conclusions. The new hydrated compounds fill the reaction ring, introducing chemical bonds between the aggregate and the interface, occupying part of the original pores or substituting spaces occupied originally by large portlandite crystals, of lesser mechanical strength and easily leached. For all this, the benefit is twofold. On the one hand, use is made of industrial by-products and, on the other hand, part of the destruction of natural quarries to obtain the necessary raw materials is avoided.
Multi-Modal Compositional Analysis of Layered Paint Chips of Automobiles by the Combined Application of ATR-FTIR Imaging, Raman Microspectrometry, and SEM/EDX
Authors: Malek Md Abdul , Nakazawa Takashi , Kang Hyun-Woo , Tsuji Kouichi , Ro Chul-Un
Published: April 2019

For the forensic analysis of multi-layered paint chips of hit-and-run cars, detailed compositional analysis, including minor/trace chemical components in the multi-layered paint chips, is crucial for the potential credentials of the run-away car as the number of layers, painting process, and used paints are quite specific to the types of cars, color of cars, and their surface protection depending on the car manufacturer and the year of manufacture, and yet overall characteristics of some paints used by car manufacturers might be quite similar. In the present study, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) imaging, Raman microspectrometry (RMS), and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometric (SEM/EDX) techniques were performed in combination for the detailed characterization of three car paint chip samples, which provided complementary and comprehensive information on the multi-layered paint chips. That is, optical microscopy, SEM, and ATR-FTIR imaging techniques provided information on the number of layers, physical heterogeneity of the layers, and layer thicknesses; EDX on the elemental chemical profiles and compositions; ATR-FTIR imaging on the molecular species of polymer resins, such as alkyd, alkyd-melamine, acrylic, epoxy, and butadiene resins, and some inorganics; and RMS on the molecular species of inorganic pigments (TiO2, ZnO, Fe3O4), mineral fillers (kaolinite, talc, pyrophyllite), and inorganic fillers (BaSO4, Al2(SO4)3, Zn3(PO4)2, CaCO3). This study demonstrates that the new multi-modal approach has powerful potential to elucidate chemical and physical characteristics of multi-layered car paint chips, which could be useful for determining the potential credentials of run-away cars.
Characterization and Discrimination of Chinese Marinated Pork Hocks by Volatile Compound Profiling Using Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Olfactometry, Electronic Nose and Chemometrics
Authors: Han Dong , Mi Si , Zhang Chun-Hui , Li Juan , Song Huan-Lu , Fauconnier Marie-Laure , Tyteca Eva
Published: April 2019

The primary aim of this study was to investigate volatile constituents for the differentiation of Chinese marinated pork hocks from four local brands, Dahongmen (DHM), Daoxiangcun (DXC), Henghuitong (HHT) and Tianfuhao (TFH). To this end the volatile constituents were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O), electronic nose (E-nose) and chemometrics. A total of 62 volatile compounds were identified and quantified in all pork hocks, and 24 of them were considered as odour-active compounds because their odour activity values (OAVs) were greater than 1. Hexanal (OAV at 3.6–20.3), octanal (OAV at 30.3–47.5), nonanal (OAV at 68.6–166.3), 1,8-cineole (OAV at 36.4–133.3), anethole (OAV at 5.9–28.3) and 2-pentylfuran (OAV at 3.5–29.7) were the key odour-active compounds contributing to the integral flavour of the marinated pork hocks. According to principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of GC-MS/O and E-nose data, the results showed that the marinated pork hocks were clearly separated into three groups: DHM, HHT, and DXC-TFH. Nine odour-active compounds, heptanal, nonanal, 3-carene, d-limonene, β-phellandrene, p-cymene, eugenol, 2-ethylfuran and 2-pentylfuran, were determined to represent potential flavour markers for the discrimination of marinated pork hocks. This study indicated the feasibility of using GC-MS/O coupled with the E-nose method for the differentiation of the volatile profile in different brands of marinated pork hocks.
Effect of the Incorporation of Functionalized Cyclodextrins in the Liposomal Bilayer
Authors: Zappacosta Romina , Cornelio Benedetta , Pilato Serena , Siani Gabriella , Estour François , Aschi Massimiliano , Fontana Antonella
Published: April 2019

Liposomes loaded with drug–cyclodextrin complexes are widely used as drug delivery systems, especially for species with low aqueous solubility and stability. Investigation of the intimate interactions of macrocycles with liposomes are essential for formulation of efficient and stable drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome carriers. In this work, we reported the preparation of unilamellar vesicles of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) embedded with native β-cyclodextrin and two synthetic derivatives: heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TMCD) and heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DACD). We then studied the effect of these macrocycles on the liposomal size, membrane viscosity, and liposomal stability at different temperatures and concentrations. We observed that TMCD and DACD affected vesicle size and the change of size was related to CD concentration. Irrespective of its nature, the macrocycle established interactions with the phospholipidic head groups, preventing cyclodextrins to diffuse into the lipid bilayer, as confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. Such supramolecular structuring improves liposome stability making these colloid systems promising carriers for biologically active compounds.
Facile and Controllable Synthesis of Large-Area Monolayer WS2 Flakes Based on WO3 Precursor Drop-Casted Substrates by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Shi Biao , Zhou Daming , Fang Shaoxi , Djebbi Khouloud , Feng Shuanglong , Zhao Hongquan , Tlili Chaker , Wang Deqiang
Published: April 2019

Monolayer WS2 (Tungsten Disulfide) with a direct-energy gap and excellent photoluminescence quantum yield at room temperature shows potential applications in optoelectronics. However, controllable synthesis of large-area monolayer WS2 is still challenging because of the difficulty in controlling the interrelated growth parameters. Herein, we report a facile and controllable method for synthesis of large-area monolayer WS2 flakes by direct sulfurization of powdered WO3 (Tungsten Trioxide) drop-casted on SiO2/Si substrates in a one-end sealed quartz tube. The samples were thoroughly characterized by an optical microscope, atomic force microscope, transmission electron microscope, fluorescence microscope, photoluminescence spectrometer, and Raman spectrometer. The obtained results indicate that large triangular monolayer WS2 flakes with an edge length up to 250 to 370 μm and homogeneous crystallinity were readily synthesized within 5 min of growth. We demonstrate that the as-grown monolayer WS2 flakes show distinctly size-dependent fluorescence emission, which is mainly attributed to the heterogeneous release of intrinsic tensile strain after growth.
A Facile Technique to Extract the Cross-Sectional Structure of Brittle Porous Chars from Intumescent Coatings
Authors: Okyay Gizem , Samyn Fabienne , Jimenez Maude , Bourbigot Serge
Published: April 2019

Intumescent coatings are part of passive fire protection systems. In case of fire, they expand under thermal stimuli and reduce heat transfer rates. Their expansion mechanisms are more or less recognized, but the fire testing data shall be interpreted as function of coating morphology. Expansion ratios are examined together with the inner structures of specimens submitted to fire. Bare cutting techniques damage the highly porous and fibrous specimens because they become very crumbly due to charring. So far, absorption contrasted X-ray computed microtomography (CT) was used as a non-destructive technique. Nevertheless, access to X-ray platforms can be relatively expensive and scarce for regular use. Also, it has some drawbacks for carbon rich specimens strongly adhering on steel substrates because it leads sometimes to noisy images and lost data due to resolution limits on specimens reaching ten of centimeters. Therefore, we propose an inexpensive and more accessible experimental approach to observe those specimens with minimized structural damage under visible lighting. To that end, charred specimens were casted into pigmented epoxy resin. After surface treatments, color contrasted cross-sections could be observed under optical digital microscopy thanks to high level of interconnectivity of pores. Subsequent image treatments confirmed that the structural integrity was kept when compared to previous CT data. The proposed method is practical, cheaper and more accessible for the quantitative assessment of inner structure of charred brittle specimens.
Replacing the Red Band with the Red-SWIR Band (0.74ρred+0.26ρswir) Can Reduce the Sensitivity of Vegetation Indices to Soil Background
Authors: Chen Xuehong , Guo Zhengfei , Chen Jin , Yang Wei , Yao Yanming , Zhang Chishan , Cui Xihong , Cao Xin
Published: April 2019

Most vegetation indices (VIs) of remote sensing were designed based on the concept of soil-line, which represents a linear correlation between bare soil reflectance at the red and near-infrared (NIR) bands. Unfortunately, the soil-line can only suppress brightness variation, not color differences of bare soil. Consequently, soil variation has a considerable impact on vegetation indices, although significant efforts have been devoted to this issue. In this study, a new soil-line is established in a new feature space of the NIR band and a virtual band that combines the red and shortwave-infrared (SWIR) bands (0.74ρred+0.26ρswir). Then, plus versions of vegetation indices (VI+), i.e., normalized difference vegetation index plus (NDVI+), enhanced vegetation index plus (EVI+), soil-adjusted vegetation index plus (SAVI+), and modified soil-adjusted vegetation index plus (MSAVI+), are proposed based on the new soil-line, which replaces the red band with the red-SWIR band in the vegetation indices. Soil spectral data from several spectral libraries confirm that bare soil has much less variation for VI+ than the original VI. Simulation experiments show that VI+ correlates better with fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) and leaf area index (LAI) than original VI. Ground measured LAI data collected from BigFoot, VALERI, and other previous references also confirm that VI+ derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data correlates better with ground measured LAI than original VI. These data analyses suggest that replacing the red band with the red-SWIR band can reduce the sensitivity of VIs to soil background. We recommend employing the proposed NDVI+, EVI+, SAVI+, and MSAVI+ in applications of large area, sparse vegetation, or when soil color variation cannot be neglected, although sensitivity to soil moisture and clay content might cause slight side effects for the proposed VI+s.
Maritime Over the Horizon Sensor Integration: HFSWR Data Fusion Algorithm
Authors: Nikolic Dejan , Stojkovic Nikola , Popovic Zdravko , Tosic Nikola , Lekic Nikola , Stankovic Zoran , Doncov Nebojsa
Published: April 2019

In order to provide a constant and complete operational picture of the maritime situation in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at over the horizon (OTH) distances, a network of high frequency surface-wave-radars (HFSWR) slowly becomes a necessity. Since each HFSWR in the network tracks all the targets it detects independently of other radars in the network, there will be situations where multiple tracks are formed for a single vessel. The algorithm proposed in this paper utilizes radar tracks obtained from individual HFSWRs which are already processed by the multi-target tracking algorithm at the single radar level, and fuses them into a unique data stream. In this way, the data obtained from multiple HFSWRs originating from the very same target are weighted and combined into a single track. Moreover, the weighting approach significantly reduces inaccuracy. The algorithm is designed, implemented, and tested in a real working environment. The testing environment is located in the Gulf of Guinea and includes a network of two HFSWRs. In order to validate the algorithm outputs, the position of the vessels was calculated by the algorithm and compared with the positions obtained from several coastal sites, with LAIS receivers and SAIS data provided by a SAIS provider.
UAV-Based Automatic Detection and Monitoring of Chestnut Trees
Authors: Marques Pedro , Pádua Luís , Adão Telmo , Hruška Jonáš , Peres Emanuel , Sousa António , Sousa Joaquim J.
Published: April 2019

Unmanned aerial vehicles have become a popular remote sensing platform for agricultural applications, with an emphasis on crop monitoring. Although there are several methods to detect vegetation through aerial imagery, these remain dependent of manual extraction of vegetation parameters. This article presents an automatic method that allows for individual tree detection and multi-temporal analysis, which is crucial in the detection of missing and new trees and monitoring their health conditions over time. The proposed method is based on the computation of vegetation indices (VIs), while using visible (RGB) and near-infrared (NIR) domain combination bands combined with the canopy height model. An overall segmentation accuracy above 95% was reached, even when RGB-based VIs were used. The proposed method is divided in three major steps: (1) segmentation and first clustering; (2) cluster isolation; and (3) feature extraction. This approach was applied to several chestnut plantations and some parameters—such as the number of trees present in a plantation (accuracy above 97%), the canopy coverage (93% to 99% accuracy), the tree height (RMSE of 0.33 m and R2 = 0.86), and the crown diameter (RMSE of 0.44 m and R2 = 0.96)—were automatically extracted. Therefore, by enabling the substitution of time-consuming and costly field campaigns, the proposed method represents a good contribution in managing chestnut plantations in a quicker and more sustainable way.
An Index-Based Assessment of Perceived Climate Risk and Vulnerability for the Urban Cluster in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China
Authors: Sun Landong , Tian Zhan , Zou Huan , Shao Lanzhu , Sun Laixiang , Dong Guangtao , Fan Dongli , Huang Xinxing , Frost Laura , James Lewis-Fox
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes an index-based assessment tool to consolidate diverse opinions of various stakeholders on their assessments of sector-specific risks posed by climate change, and to aggregate these opinions into intuitive and comparable graphs. This tool enables cities to measure and monitor the multiple factors that contribute to their resilience towards climate risk and hazard in the long term. We applied this tool to five key infrastructure sectors in six representative cities in the Yangtze River Delta region. The graphs generated provide for the first time first-hand insights into the aggregative understanding of various stakeholders with regard to the current and future climate risk in their concerned sectors and cities. Our results indicate that a high level of exposure is not automatically associated with a high level of vulnerability across our selected cities. While all cities need to make efforts to reduce their vulnerability towards climate hazards, those characterized by “lower level of exposure but higher level of vulnerability” need to make more urgent and much greater efforts.
The Effect of Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Host Economies on The Sustainable Development of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment—Evidence from a Cross-Country Sample
Authors: Fang Hong , Peng Bo , Wang Xu , Fang Siran
Published: April 2019

Intellectual property rights protection (IPRP) has caused great concern in China, especially since the introduction of the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative. The Chinese government has increased investments to the countries along the B&R, most of which are developing countries with high investment risks. Using the panel data of China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in 121 countries from 2003 to 2017, the sustainable relationships between the IPRP of host countries and China’s OFDI has been analyzed. The results of this paper show that, from the worldwide perspective, the stronger the IPRP of the host country, the greater attraction to China’s OFDI. While the IPRP of the countries along the B&R has a nonlinear U-shaped effect on China’s OFDI, which is related to the complex environments of the countries. When the IPRP of the B&R countries is within a certain range, China’s OFDI is biased toward a country with lower IPRP, and when the IPRP exceeds a certain range, China’s OFDI is biased toward a country with higher IPRP. Moreover, the market size, natural resources endowment and political environment of the host country are influential upon China’s OFDI as well. What deserves our attention is that China’s OFDI is more biased towards countries with poor political conditions, which can be related to the enterprise type and that most of the large multinational enterprises in China are state-controlled, resulting in investment decisions largely reflected by the national political goals rather than simple market targets.
Flying Green from a Carbon Neutral Airport: The Case of Brussels
Authors: Boussauw Kobe , Vanoutrive Thomas
Published: April 2019

The aviation sector is one of the fastest growing emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide. In addition, airports have important local environmental impacts, mainly in the form of noise pollution and deterioration in air quality. Although noise nuisance in the vicinity of airports is recognized as an important problem of the urban environment which is often addressed by regulation, other environmental problems associated with aviation are less widely acknowledged. In the climate debate, the importance of which is rising, aviation has remained under the radar for decades. In the present paper, we use the case of Brussels Airport (Belgium) to demonstrate that the local perception of air travel-related environmental problems may be heavily influenced by the communication strategy of the airport company in question. Basing our analysis on publicly available data, communication initiatives, media reports, and policy documents, we find that (1) the noise impact of aviation is recognized and mainly described in an institutionalized format, (2) the impact of aviation on local air quality is ignored, and (3) the communication on climate impact shows little correspondence or concern with the actual effects. These findings are relevant for other airports and sectors, since the type of environmental communication produced by airport companies can also be observed elsewhere.
Integrating Sustainability and Lean: SLIM Method and Enterprise Game Proposed
Authors: Tăucean Ilie Mihai , Tămășilă Matei , Ivascu Larisa , Miclea Șerban , Negruț Mircea
Published: April 2019

Sustainability and leanness are organizational approach concepts for more efficient activities and increased competitiveness. This paper presents a study and an application of the concepts of sustainability and lean, with the purpose to capitalize on the benefits of the two concepts’ tools when used together in an industry and education activity. A literature review was carried out to evaluate qualitatively and empirically the concepts of sustainability, lean, and enterprise games, and the possibility to integrate the first two concepts into a new tool applied into an enterprise game. An online survey was done to identify which tools are used within companies in the region, how and what training methods they used, and what the reported benefits are. The survey results were used to design a new tool integrated in a new enterprise game (SLIM) developed by the authors. The game was tested and validated in educational laboratory with students and actual employees from companies. The game follows the frame of an enterprise game, considering the simulation of enterprise classical functions. The game’s purpose is to improve the activity in successive rounds. A scorecard is used to fill in and compute the key performance indicators (KPIs), and a new indicator is proposed (SLIMx). Applications of the instrument/game include: students’ training in an educational laboratory; lifelong learning; professional training in companies; and professional perfection/reconversion of potential employees and the unemployed. The SLIM game was simulated in a team of 15 players over three rounds, with teachers playing the role of the supervisor. A number of possible improvements have been identified. The next step is testing it in enterprises with various fields of activity. SLIM has proven to be an effective solution to improve organizational efficiency and motivate players to gain new knowledge.
Ecosocial Innovations and Their Capacity to Integrate Ecological, Economic and Social Sustainability Transition
Authors: Matthies Aila-Leena , Stamm Ingo , Hirvilammi Tuuli , Närhi Kati
Published: April 2019

The article contributes to sustainability transition research by indicating the significance of transformative grassroots innovations in the context of social work research. We introduce the integrative concept of ecosocial innovation in order to demonstrate how grassroots innovations can successfully combine social, ecological and economic aspects of a sustainability transition. By ecosocial innovations, we refer to social innovations with a strong ecological orientation (e.g., recycling workshops, urban gardening, participatory unemployment projects and new local economies). The data consists of 50 examples of ecosocial innovations in Finland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the UK. We investigate how ecosocial innovations interconnect ecological, economic and social goals and study the factors of their integrative crucial capacity. On the basis of qualitative data analysis and thematic categorisation of ecosocial innovations, we identify five integrative practices: diversity of activities, successful networking, addressing new livelihood, focus on food and explicit conceptual work on sustainability. Very often these integrative practices emerge as pragmatic solutions to local needs. For the participants, the ecosocial innovations can be relevant sources for new livelihood and wellbeing beyond the conventional labour market. Foremost, ecosocial innovations are valuable as forerunners for sustainability transition in practice.
The Key Role of Phosphate on Vascular Calcification
Authors: Cozzolino Mario , Ciceri Paola , Galassi Andrea , Mangano Michela , Carugo Stefano , Capelli Irene , Cianciolo Giuseppe
Published: April 2019

Vascular calcification (VC) is common in dialysis and non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, even in the early stage of the disease. For this reason, it can be considered a CKD hallmark. VC contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increased mortality among CKD patients, although it has not been proven. There are more than one type of VC and every form represents a marker of systemic vascular disease and is associated with a higher prevalence of CVD in CKD patients, as shown by several clinical studies. Major risk factors for VC in CKD include: Increasing age, dialysis vintage, hyperphosphatemia (particularly in the setting of intermittent or persistent hypercalcemia), and a positive net calcium and phosphate balance. Excessive oral calcium intake, including calcium-containing phosphate binders, increases the risk for VC. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that there is less VC progression with non-calcium-containing phosphate binders. Unfortunately, until now, a specific therapy to prevent progression or to facilitate regression of VC has been found, beyond careful attention to calcium and phosphate balance.
Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal
Authors: Jancarova Magdalena , Bichaud Laurence , Hlavacova Jana , Priet Stephane , Ayhan Nazli , Spitzova Tatiana , Volf Petr , Charrel Remi N.
Published: April 2019

Background: Massilia virus (MASV) is a phlebovirus isolated from Phlebotomus perniciosus in various regions of southwestern Europe. It is closely related to human pathogens such as Toscana virus and sandfly fever Naples virus. The natural cycle of phleboviruses is poorly understood. Indeed, experimental studies demonstrate that transovarial and sexual transmission are not efficient enough for the maintenance of the virus in nature and to date there is no convincing evidence that a species of vertebrates is the reservoir of the virus. Here, we studied various transmission routes of MASV taking advantage of experimental colonies representing different species of sand flies. Methodology/Principal findings: In P. perniciosus, four sources of infection were compared: (i) Virus-seeded larval food to the first instar larvae (L1), or (ii) to the fourth instar larvae (L4), (iii) virus-seeded blood meal to adult females, and (iv) virus-seeded sugar meal to adults of both sexes. From 875 adults emerged from infected L1 and L4, only three were positive. In females infected by bloodmeal the infection rate was high before defecation, then it decreased drastically; MASV RNA was detected in only 5 out of 27 post-defecation. Surprisingly, the most efficient route of infection was observed after intake of virus-seeded sugar meal: 72% of females (79/110) and 52% of males (51/99) were found to be MASV RNA-positive. In addition, MASV-infected sandflies regurgitated virus particules into the sugar drop and MASV RNA was detectable in this drop for at least 24 h after regurgitation. MASV RNA was detected in about one third of the P. perniciosus exposed to this sugar drop contaminated by regurgitation. Sugar meal infection was also tested with six other species of sand flies. In males, there were no significant differences in infection rates when compared to P. perniciosus. In females, most species tested showed high infection rate at the beginning but then significant gradual decrease in infection rate during the experiment. Conclusions/Significance: We present the first description of arboviral infection of a dipteran vector using sugar meal. In all seven sand fly species tested, MASV was detected for two weeks post-infection. Our results showed that MASV can be transmitted between P. perniciosus either through co-feeding or via an infected sugar source such as plant sap. These newly described routes of horizontal transmission may play an important role in the circulation of phleboviruses in nature.
Water Footprint of Meat Analogs: Selected Indicators According to Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Fresán Ujué , Marrin D. L. , Mejia Maximino Alfredo , Sabaté Joan
Published: April 2019

Animal-based products reportedly have substantial water footprints. One alternative to meat products is meat analogs, which are processed plant-based foods mimicking real meat products. As data for the water footprints of meat analogs are limited, the present study assesses their water consumption and their potential for contributing to eutrophication and ecotoxicity in fresh and marine receiving waters. Life cycle assessments, which encompassed the generation of ingredients to the packaging of products, were performed for 39 meat analogs. Estimates for consumptive water use, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication are reported per ton of product and per kilogram of protein. On average, 3800 m3 of water were consumed per ton of product, whereas 0.56 kg P equivalents. and 12 kg 1,4-DCB (1,4-dichlorobenzene)) equivalents. were potentially released to terrestrial freshwaters and 2.2 kg N equivalents. and 7 kg 1,4-DCB equivalents. to marine waters. The predominant driver for water consumption and marine ecotoxicity was processing the meat analogs, whereas producing the raw ingredients was the main driver for freshwater toxicity and eutrophication. For reducing the use of and potential impacts on water, meat analogs may represent a viable alternative to processed meat products.
Design Flood Estimation: Exploring the Potentials and Limitations of Two Alternative Approaches
Authors: Okoli Kenechukwu , Breinl Korbinian , Mazzoleni Maurizio , Di Baldassarre Giuliano
Published: April 2019

The design of flood defence structures requires the estimation of flood water levels corresponding to a given probability of exceedance, or return period. In river flood management, this estimation is often done by statistically analysing the frequency of flood discharge peaks. This typically requires three main steps. First, direct measurements of annual maximum water levels at a river cross-section are converted into annual maximum flows by using a rating curve. Second, a probability distribution function is fitted to these annual maximum flows to derive the design peak flow corresponding to a given return period. Third, the design peak flow is used as input to a hydraulic model to derive the corresponding design flood level. Each of these three steps is associated with significant uncertainty that affects the accuracy of estimated design flood levels. Here, we propose a simulation framework to compare this common approach (based on the frequency analysis of annual maximum flows) with an alternative approach based on the frequency analysis of annual maximum water levels. The rationale behind this study is that high water levels are directly measured, and they often come along with less uncertainty than river flows. While this alternative approach is common for storm surge and coastal flooding, the potential of this approach in the context of river flooding has not been sufficiently explored. Our framework is based on the generation of synthetic data to perform a numerical experiment and compare the accuracy and precision of estimated design flood levels based on either annual maximum river flows (common approach) or annual maximum water levels (alternative approach).
An alternative proposal for eliciting key words
Authors: Tarasheva Elena
Published: April 2019

The article reports research on the concept of key words as statistically significant items in a text or corpus. It reviews approaches to eliciting key words used in various software products for language analysis and the rationale for adopting them. Based on empirical data, a new method is proposed and tested on an exploratory corpus. The motivation and arguments for proposing the procedure are revealed, using comparisons between different languages. The adequacy of the results yielded by the different methods is tested via a mechanism developed with this research.
Effect of weather on GP home visits: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Oyawoye Olaoluwa , Marston Louise , Jones Melvyn
Published: April 2019

Background

GPs in the UK conduct >13 million home visits each year. The visits, which are resource intensive, are usually to the frailest patients who are least resilient to adverse weather.

Aim

To explore the relationship between meteorological variables (temperature, rainfall, sunshine) and temporal variables (day of the week, season) with GP home visits (HVs).

Design and setting

A cross-sectional study using data provided by Herts Urgent Care for its GP acute in-hours visiting service and UK Meteorological (Met) Office weather data for the Herts & South East region of the UK.

Method

The association between the number of GP HVs and weather and temporal variables was explored using univariable and multivariable negative binomial regression.

Results

There was a significant 0.4% decrease in HVs per degrees Celsius increase in minimum temperature (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.996, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.993 to 0.999), and a 0.4% decrease per hour increase in sunshine (IRR 0.996, 95% CI = 0.992 to 1.000), as well as significant decreases in weekday HVs compared with Mondays (Thursday IRR 0.824, 95% CI = 0.790 to 0.859). There were 6.2% fewer HVs in summer compared with winter (IRR 0.938, 95% CI = 0.902 to 0.975). Multivariable negative binomial regression showed non-significant relationships between meteorological variables and HVs, but a significant day-of-the-week relationship.

Conclusion

GP HVs increased on cold days and fell on sunnier days. The effect sizes were small so it is unlikely that there is any clinically significant effect of weather on HVs in this acute GP visit setting. A tentative conclusion might also be that GPs in this system can deliver care to frail housebound patients in most weather conditions.
Perancangan Video Promosi Sekolah Musik Indonesia di Kota Surabaya
Authors: Anugerah Percy Harris , Hendrawan Angga , Susilo Christyan Budi
Published: April 2019

Sekolah Musik Indonesia merupakan salah satu sekolah musik yang berkembang di Indonesia dan khususnya di kota Surabaya. Selama 3 tahun terakhir mengalami naik-turun murid yang cenderung tidak stabil. Hal tersebut bisa terjadi dikarenakan kurang efektifnya media promosi yang dilakukan. Kemudian dari hasil analisis ditemukan bahwa video promosi merupakan sarana terbaik untuk dapat meningkatkan jumlah murid. Video menggunakan konsep “every child is different” yang merupakan salah satu moto Sekolah Musik Indonesia. Video promosi ini didistribusikan melalui media yaitu Above the line, Below the line and Through the line. Oleh karena itu sebagai sarana yang efektif untuk meningkatkan jumlah murid, perlu dibuat video promosi Sekolah Musik Indonesia di kota Surabaya yang menarik, informatif serta persuasif yang terlihat dari informasi yang disampaikan melalui testimoni dari pihak murid dan orang tua murid dengan adanya video yang menujukan program serta kelas-kelas yang dimiliki. Video ini juga menggunakan teknik pengambilan gambar yang dapat memudahkan audiens untuk dapat menikmati setiap informasi yang diberikan seperti halnya eye level, high angle dan pengambilan frame close up, medium close up, mid shot, and over shoulder shot. Sehingga mampu memberikan pengaruh yang baik bagi Sekolah Musik Indonesia dan juga bagi penulis.
Perancangan Board Game Edukatif Untuk Keluarga
Authors: Chandra Yolanda , Noviadji Benny Rahmawan , Bangsawan Arjuna
Published: April 2019

Seiring dengan perkembangan zaman dan teknologi, banyak terjadi perubahan budaya dan gaya hidup di masyarakat. Zaman modern saat ini, jarang sekali orang tua menghabiskan waktu bersama keluarga dan mulai tidak mengawasi permainan yang dimainkan oleh anak-anak mereka. Oleh sebab itu diperlukan media permainan untuk keluarga yang bertujuan mempererat hubungan antar keluarga. Board game menjadi salah satu alternatif permainan yang sangat digemari oleh anak-anak dan memberikan nilai-nilai edukasi di dalamnya. Perancangan Board Game Edukatif untuk Keluarga ini bertujuan agar anak-anak tidak bermain secara individual, mengenalkan kembali board game yang mulai dilupakan dan ditinggalkan oleh keluarga dan dapat memberantas tema-tema permainan yang mulai tidak mendidik. Metode pengumpulan data dibagi menjadi dua yaitu metode pengumpulan data primer dan sekunder. Metode pengumpulan data primer dilakukan dengan melakukan wawancara mendalam terhadap beberapa keluarga, para narasumber yang berkaitan dan kuesioner. Sedangkan metode pengumpulan data sekunder dengan melakukan observasi dengan beberapa keluarga, kepustakaan dan data yang terdapat di internet. Board Game yang memiliki tema nusantara ini dirancang menggunakan gaya visual kartun serta menampilkan keanekaragaman nusantara yang terdapat di Indonesia. Dengan adanya perancangan ini diharapkan board game menjadi salah satu media permainan yang layak dan dapat dimainkan bersama dengan keluarga.
Perancangan Sistem Pendukung Keputusan untuk Penentuan Subkontraktor dengan Metode Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) (Studi Kasus PT Aulia Pancang Gemilang)
Authors: Pattiasina Timothy John , Sukanti Sri
Published: April 2019

Sistem Pendukung Keputusan (SPK) dapat digambarkan sebagai sistem yang berkemampuan mendukung analisis data, dan permodelan keputusan, berorientasi keputusan, orientasi perencanaan masa depan, dan digunakan pada saat - saat yang tidak biasa. Sistem pengambilan keputusan juga membutuhkan teknologi informasi dalam aplikasinya, hal ini karena semakin lama perusahaan dituntut untuk bergerak cepat dalam mengambil sebuah keputusan dan tindakan. Metode Pengolahan Data dengan menggunakan Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) sangat membantu perusahaan karena dengan adanya kriteria dan subkriteria, AHP dapat memberikan hasil yang paling optimal / paling baik dengan menggunakan perankingan. Dengan contoh kasus seperti PT Aulia Pancang Gemilang, pengambilan keputusan untuk penentuan subkontraktor sangat diperlukan sehingga perusahaan dapat menemukan subkontraktor terbaik. Yang akan menentukan pada maksimalnya laba perusahaan.