bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Introduction of Insect Meal into Fish Diet: The First Economic Analysis on European Sea Bass Farming
Authors: Arru Brunella , Furesi Roberto , Gasco Laura , Madau Fabio , Pulina Pietro
Published: March 2019

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such feed. Unfortunately, the availability of the oceanic resources, typically used to produce fish feed, cannot be utilized indefinitely to cover the worldwide feed demand caused by ever-increasing aquaculture production. In light of these considerations, this study estimates how aquaculture farm economic outcomes can change by introducing insect meal into the diet of cultivated fish. Several possible economic effects are simulated, based on various scenarios, with different percentages of insect flour in the feed and varying meal prices using a case study of a specialized off-shore sea bass farm in Italy. The findings indicate that the introduction of insect meal—composed of Tenebrio molitor—would increase feeding costs due to the high market prices of this flour and its less convenient feed conversion ratio than that of fish meal. Therefore, the expected environmental benefits of using this highly promising insect meal in fish feed do not align with the current economic interests of the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this theme, and it must be noted that our findings cannot be generalized widely because a specific case study was used. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that efforts should be made—at least at the farm level—to find profitable ways to encourage the introduction of this attractive alternative to guarantee both economic and environmental sustainability in the near future.
Analysis of the Utilization of Air-Cooled Blast Furnace Slag as Industrial Waste Aggregates in Self-Compacting Concrete
Authors: Ríos José D. , Vahí Adelardo , Leiva Carlos , Martínez-De la Concha Antonio , Cifuentes Héctor
Published: March 2019

In this work, the effects of replacing the aggregates of self-compacting concrete by air-cooled blast furnace slag have been analysed. Different mixes have been manufactured by substituting the fine and coarse natural aggregates by air-cooled blast furnace slag. The fracture energy and the tensile and compressive strength have been determined for each mix. The self-compacting properties of the mixes, or the absence of them, have been observed. The main goals of this research are the decrease of the price of aggregates, reduction of the industrial waste, and attenuation the rate of consumption of natural resources. The results show that the self-compactability of the concrete is gradually lost as the slag content is increased, thus, when the ratio of replacement is low, the concrete keeps the self-compacting properties. Nevertheless, the loss of self-compaction affects the mechanical properties by increasing its strength. An air-cooled blast furnace slag did not present problems of heavy metals leaching.
Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Biomass Growth and Species Diversity among Various Grassland Types of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Suizi , Fan Jiangwen , Li Yuzhe , Huang Lin
Published: March 2019

Livestock grazing is an important determinant of species diversity and plant growth. Overgrazing is identified as one of the most important disturbances resulting in grassland degradation. Although many restoration practices have been implemented, grazing exclusion is one of the most effective methods to restore degraded grasslands. We explored the impact of five years of grazing exclusion on plant growth and species diversity in four types of grasslands: temperate steppe (TS), swamp meadow (SM), alpine steppe (AS), and alpine meadow (AM). Our results showed that grazing exclusion increased plant height, coverage, biomass, and species diversity in all four grasslands. The aboveground biomass in AM (180.8%), TS (117.3%), and SW (105.9%) increased significantly more than AS (10.1%). Grazing exclusion in AM had the greatest effect on proportion of palatable species, and the increase in palatable species in AM was higher than that of the other grassland types significantly. Species diversity increased significantly within the enclosure in SM (23.9%) and AM (20.8%). Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore degraded grasslands and it works best in alpine meadow. This study contributes to the growing theoretical basis for grassland management strategies and has a significant effect on sustainable development for grassland resources and pastoral areas.
Options for Sustainable Intensification of Maize Production in Ethiopia
Authors: Srivastava Amit Kumar , Mboh Cho Miltin , Faye Babacar , Gaiser Thomas , Kuhn Arnim , Ermias Engida , Ewert Frank
Published: March 2019

The agricultural intensification of farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa is a prerequisite to alleviate rural poverty and to improve livelihood. In this modelling exercise, we identified sustainable intensification scenarios for maize-based cropping systems in Ethiopia. We evaluated Conventional Intensification (CI) as continuous maize monocropping using higher Mineral Fertilizer (MF) rates with and without the incorporation of Crop Residues (CR) in the soil. We also evaluated the effect of groundnut in rotation with the maize-based cropping system with the current Farmer’s Practice + Rotation (FP + Rotation) and increased MF application rates (CI + Rotation) combined with CR incorporation. The results suggest that, under CI, there was a positive effect of MF and CR. The incorporation of only CR in the field increased the maize yield by 45.3% compared to the farmer’s yield under current MF rates. CR combined with higher MF (60 kg N ha−1 + 20 kg P ha−1) increased the yield by 134.6%. Incorporating CR and MF was also beneficial under rotation with groundnut. The maize yields increased up to 110.1% depending upon the scenarios tested. In the scenario where CR was not incorporated in the field, the maize yield declined by 21.9%. The Gross Economic Profit suggests that groundnut in rotation with maize is advantageous across Ethiopia in terms of the net return with a few exceptions.
Erratum: Lieu, J.; et al. Evaluating Consistency in Environmental Policy Mixes through Policy, Stakeholder, and Contextual Interactions. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1896
Authors:   Sustainability Editorial Office
Published: March 2019

The authors would like to replace Figure 1: [...]
The Evolution of China’s New Energy Vehicle Industry from the Perspective of a Technology–Market–Policy Framework
Authors: Yu Peng , Zhang Jian , Yang Defang , Lin Xin , Xu Tianying
Published: March 2019

Since air pollution and energy safety have become two worldwide concerns, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) are one of the solutions to solve these problems. China has been taking action toward the NEV industry and has been successful. This paper aims to explore the evolution of the Chinese NEV industry. By using a three-dimensional model of technology, market and policy, we collected the national level policies from three NEV developmental stages based on the market sales. We found three reasons for its rising up in China: first, the NEV technical road has been directed by both the government and the market; second, the market has periodicity, so the prospective policies have been set ahead; and third, the government has transformed its role on time. Based on the resource endowment the industry has now, we can draw some inferences on its further development in the longitudinal direction.
Framing a Sustainable Local Food System—How Smaller Cities in Southern Germany Are Facing a New Policy Issue
Authors: Baldy Jana
Published: March 2019

Since Agenda 21, the local level has become important in terms of facing global challenges through local action. One of these is ensuring the sustainability of the food system. In German politics, this is a relatively new issue even at the local level. Nevertheless, two smaller cities in southern Germany have decided to change their local food systems towards sustainability. Hence, this paper deals with questions of how local actors are framing the food system and what this means for increasing sustainability. The analysis of qualitative interviews and participant observations based on frame analysis provides deeper insights into understandings of local food systems by actors. This paper aims to explore how framings of problems, solutions and motivations provide or restrict opportunities to increase local food system sustainability. Terms like sustainability or awareness are framed differently. Using the same term to mean different things can have negative effects on the acceptance of policymaking referring to food system transformation. Besides, this paper shows that omissions within the framing counteract the development of sustainable local food policy. Hence, it is important to reflect the political implications of absent framings as well to facilitate mutual understanding and consequently, food system change.
Development and Validation of an Instrument for Measuring Student Sustainability Competencies
Authors: Waltner Eva-Maria , Rieß Werner , Mischo Christoph
Published: March 2019

The importance of education, and ESD in particular, for achieving sustainable development is highlighted in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since the Brundtland Report (1987) and the Agenda 21 conference in Rio in 1992, many measures and programs have been launched. However, no widely accepted and validated assessment instruments are currently available to examine the output levels of ESD on the student side as a means to contribute to monitoring the effects of ESD initiatives. Furthermore, connections to the results of empirical educational research are often lacking. Indeed, operationalization is necessary in order to evaluate actions of fostering ESD. Taking concepts of empirical educational and other relevant research findings (for example, psychology for sustainability) into account, this study develops a reliable and valid approach to measuring sustainability competencies. In this paper, novel data of a first school assessment is presented. One thousand six hundred and twenty-two students (aged from 9 to 16) participated in the survey. The paper-pencil questionnaire covers general (socio-demographic) as well as cognitive, affective, behavioral, application- and curriculum-orientated aspects of sustainability competencies. The evidence for the validity and reliability of the instrument indicates that the presented assessment tool constitutes a suitable instrument by which to measure sustainability competencies in secondary schools. The gathered insights show a path towards the operationalization of sustainability competencies to clarify the needs and achievements of ESD implementation in schools.
How to Improve Impact Reporting for Sustainability
Authors: Lesic Vedran , Hodgett Richard E. , Pearman Alan , Peace Amy
Published: March 2019

Measuring real-world impact is vital for demonstrating the success of a project and one of the most direct ways to justify taxpayers’ contributions towards public funding. Impact reporting should identify and examine the potential positive and negative consequences of the continuing operations of a proposed project and suggest strategies to expand, further develop, mitigate, avoid or offset them. Designing a tool or methodology that will capture the impact of collaborative research and innovation projects related to sustainability requires input from technical experts but also from experts in the domains of survey design and communication. Without survey design insights and testing it can be very difficult to achieve unambiguous and accurate reporting of impacts. This paper proposes six key recommendations that should be considered for those monitoring projects when identifying metrics and designing a sustainability impact report. These recommendations stem from a series of in-depth interviews about sustainability and innovation impact reporting with research project co-ordinators in the process industries (e.g., cement, ceramics, chemicals, engineering, minerals and ores, non-ferrous metals, steel and water sectors). Our results show that factors such as ambiguous terminology, two-in-one questions, the stage of the project, over-hypothetical estimates, inadequate formats and alternatives and lack of guidelines can negatively influence the data collected in usual project monitoring activities and jeopardise the overall validity of the reporting. This work acts as a guideline for those monitoring to improve how they ask for impact data from projects, whether they are introducing new impact metrics or evaluating existing ones.
Quality Recovery or Low-End Recovery? Profitability and Environmental Impact of Durable Product Recovery
Authors: Cai Lingfei , Shi Xuan , Zhu Jingrong
Published: March 2019

With the rising awareness of environmental responsibility in industrial production, a series of recovery strategies have been developed and play different roles in achieving sustainability. In this study, we examine when quality recovery, low-end recovery, and hybrid recovery result in a win-win outcome where both profitability and environmental performance can be improved for a durable product manufacturer. We develop a game-theoretic model to analyze the manufacturer’s payoffs under different recovery strategies. A secondary market where used products can be resold among consumers is also considered. We obtain the results by comparing the profitability and environmental impact under each recovery strategy. Hybrid recovery causes both synergy and a contradiction effect between quality and low-end recovery. It always improves the win-win outcome of low-end recovery and it can also improve the win-win outcome of quality recovery under a high recovery standard when the recovered value is not too high. The technology improvement only achieves environmental sustainability under sufficient stringent recovery standard, otherwise, it may backfire and deteriorate the environment. We offer insights for the policymaker to understand the role of the recovery standard in achieving the win-win outcome and the importance of setting a proper recovery standard in achieving environmental sustainability.
Interactions between Democracy and Environmental Quality: Toward a More Nuanced Understanding
Authors: Iwińska Katarzyna , Kampas Athanasios , Longhurst Kerry
Published: March 2019

This paper seeks to contribute to existing debates on the relationship between democracy and environmental quality. More specifically, we aim to provide nuance and insight into the question as to whether democratic regimes are better equipped to protect the environment. After critically reviewing theoretical arguments and providing an overview of existing empirical studies, the paper proposes an approach which consists of the use of non-parametric correlations between democracy and environmental quality, and a consideration of the interactions between democracy, government effectiveness, economic prosperity, and perceptions of corruption. Crucially, we show that, although a positive correlation can be found between levels of democracy and environmental quality, the picture is somewhat blurred if data are stratified using criteria such as government effectiveness and corruption perceptions. Consequently, the main argument the paper pursues is that, to assess the relationship between democracy and environmental quality, intervening factors and their effects need to be acknowledged and taken into account.
Biodegradable Foam Cushions as Ecofriendly Packaging Materials
Authors: Sohn Joo Seong , Kim Hyun Keun , Kim Shin Won , Ryu Youngjae , Cha Sung Woon
Published: March 2019

In this work, a high-magnification extrusion-foaming technique for biomass-based biodegradable composite materials using water vaporization was examined. Starch was selected as the biomass and polylactic acid was selected as a biodegradable matrix resin. No additional plasticizer or additives were used in this extrusion-foaming process. The foaming ratio was deduced according to the conditions of the extrusion-foaming process to confirm the forming characteristics of the foaming materials. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to examine the morphology of the composite foam. To investigate the potential of the foam cushion as an ecofriendly packing material, we conducted experiments on its static compression and dynamic cushioning properties and examined whether its biodegradability could be controlled by varying the mixing ratio of the materials. Thus, we developed a water-foaming process that is ecofriendly and whose products can be recycled as compost after use.
Exploiting the Symmetry of Integral Transforms for Featuring Anuran Calls
Authors: Luque Amalia , Gómez-Bellido Jesús , Carrasco Alejandro , Barbancho Julio
Published: March 2019

The application of machine learning techniques to sound signals requires the previous characterization of said signals. In many cases, their description is made using cepstral coefficients that represent the sound spectra. In this paper, the performance in obtaining cepstral coefficients by two integral transforms, Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), are compared in the context of processing anuran calls. Due to the symmetry of sound spectra, it is shown that DCT clearly outperforms DFT, and decreases the error representing the spectrum by more than 30%. Additionally, it is demonstrated that DCT-based cepstral coefficients are less correlated than their DFT-based counterparts, which leads to a significant advantage for DCT-based cepstral coefficients if these features are later used in classification algorithms. Since the DCT superiority is based on the symmetry of sound spectra and not on any intrinsic advantage of the algorithm, the conclusions of this research can definitely be extrapolated to include any sound signal.
Comparative Study of Urban Area Growth: Determining the Key Criteria of Inner Urban Development
Authors: Palevičius Vytautas , Burinskienė Marija , Antuchevičienė Jurgita , Šaparauskas Jonas
Published: March 2019

Urban population is steadily growing worldwide, while the number of people in Eastern Europe is decreasing. These two contradictory trends have outlined the proposal for sustainable solutions to solve civil engineering issues that are aimed at implementing the principles of sustainable development and ensuring a better quality of urban life. When considering the problem that is encountered in Eastern European countries, a multi-criteria model for sustainable urban development has been designed and focused on planning and simulating an inner urban living environment. The suggested model has disclosed the social, economic, environmental, and sustainable components of the infrastructure that are necessary for developing inner urban areas. The components have been adapted and presented in three different size territories covering Lithuanian cities and towns. The applied expert evaluation method has assisted in determining the key criteria that should be considered in order to identify the most important inner areas of urban development. It is expected that this study will extend activities that are performed in the field of improvement of sustainability engineering processes and offer guidelines for other researchers investigating the areas of inner urban development.
Poincaré Symmetry from Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Relations
Authors: Başkal Sibel , Kim Young S. , Noz Marilyn E.
Published: March 2019

It is noted that the single-variable Heisenberg commutation relation contains the symmetry of the S p ( 2 ) group which is isomorphic to the Lorentz group applicable to one time-like dimension and two space-like dimensions, known as the S O ( 2 , 1 ) group. According to Paul A. M. Dirac, from the uncertainty commutation relations for two variables, it possible to construct the de Sitter group S O ( 3 , 2 ) , namely the Lorentz group applicable to three space-like variables and two time-like variables. By contracting one of the time-like variables in S O ( 3 , 2 ) , it is possible to construct the inhomogeneous Lorentz group I S O ( 3 , 1 ) which serves as the fundamental symmetry group for quantum mechanics and quantum field theory in the Lorentz-covariant world. This I S O ( 3 , 1 ) group is commonly known as the Poincaré group.
Generalized Picture Fuzzy Soft Sets and Their Application in Decision Support Systems
Authors: Khan Muhammad Jabir , Kumam Poom , Ashraf Shahzaib , Kumam Wiyada
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a generalized picture fuzzy soft set is proposed, which is an extension of the picture fuzzy soft sets. We investigate the basic properties of picture fuzzy soft sets and define an F-subset, M-subset, extended union, extended intersection, restricted union, restricted intersection and also prove the De Morgan’s laws for picture fuzzy soft information. We investigate upper and lower substitution for both picture fuzzy sets and generalized picture fuzzy soft sets. Meanwhile, the related proofs are given in detail. Finally, we propose an algorithm to deal with generalized picture fuzzy soft information. To show the supremacy and effectiveness of the proposed technique, we illustrate a descriptive example using generalized picture fuzzy soft information. Results indicate that the proposed technique is more generalized and effective over all the existing structures of fuzzy soft sets.
A New Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making Method Based on the Utility Transformation Functions
Authors: Zuo Yuting , Chen Chunfang
Published: March 2019

The 2-tuple linguistic information model (2TLIM) is a useful tool to avoid the loss of information, which has been widely adapted in the study of the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem. However, there is a limitation, the limitation is that the difference between the neighboring 2-tuple linguistic information is fixed regardless of the decision-makers’ attitude. In this paper, we define the utility transformation functions based on the 2-tuple linguistic utility to overcome the drawback. Firstly, by introducing the economic utility theory, the 2-tuple linguistic utility is defined, the 2-tuple linguistic utility parameter (2TLUP) and the 2-tuple linguistic marginal utility (2TLMU) are constructed to achieve the measurement of the decision-makers’ attitude. The utility transformation functions are developed on the decision-makers’ attitude. Secondly, the 2-tuple linguistic operational laws are presented with the extended Hamacher T-norm (TN) and T-conorm (TC). Subsequently, we propose the 2-tuple linguistic utility weighted average (2TLUWA) operator and the method of MADM. Lastly, the application and the comparison with the existing methods are summarized to verify the practicality and advantages of the proposed method of MADM.
Performance Analysis of Preemptive Priority Retrial Queueing System with Disaster under Working Breakdown Services
Authors: Ammar Sherif I. , Rajadurai Pakkirisamy
Published: March 2019

In this investigation, a novel sort of retrial queueing system with working breakdown services is introduced. Two distinct kinds of customers are considered, which are priority and ordinary customers. The normal busy server may become inadequate due to catastrophes at any time which cause the major server to fail. At a failure moment, the major server is sent to be fixed and the server functions at a lower speed (called the working breakdown period) during the repair period. The probability generating functions (PGF) of the system size is found using the concepts of the supplementary variable technique (SVT). The impact of parameters in system performance measures and cost optimization are examined numerically.
A Universe that Does Not Know the Time
Authors: Magueijo João , Smolin Lee
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we propose that cosmological time is a quantum observable that does not commute with other quantum operators essential for the definition of cosmological states, notably the cosmological constant. This is inspired by properties of a measure of time—the Chern–Simons time—and the fact that in some theories it appears as a conjugate to the cosmological constant, with the two promoted to non-commuting quantum operators. Thus, the Universe may be “delocalised” in time: it does not know the time, a property which opens up new cosmological scenarios, as well as invalidating several paradoxes, such as the timelike tower of turtles associated with an omnipresent time line. Alternatively, a Universe with a sharply defined clock time must have an indeterminate cosmological constant. The challenge then is to explain how islands of localized time may emerge, and give rise to localized histories. In some scenarios, this is achieved by backward transitions in quantum time, cycling the Universe in something akin to a time machine cycle, with classical flow and quantum ebbing. The emergence of matter in a sea of Lambda probably provides the ballast behind classical behaviour.
The Provision and Accessibility to Parks in Ho Chi Minh City: Disparities along the Urban Core—Periphery Axis
Authors: Hoang Anh Tu , Apparicio Philippe , Pham Thi-Thanh-Hien
Published: March 2019

In Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC, Vietnam), there is now an urgent need for evaluating access to parks in an effort to ensure better planning within the context of rapid and increasingly privatized urbanization. In this article, we analyze the provision and accessibility to parks in HCMC. To achieve this, the information gathered was then integrated into the geographical information systems (GISs). Based on an Ascending Hierarchical Classification, we were able to identify five different types ranging in their intrinsic characteristics. The accessibility measurements calculated in the GISs show that communities are located an average of at least 879 meters away from parks, which is a relatively short distance. Children have a level of accessibility comparable to that of the overall population. Accessibility also seems to vary greatly throughout the City—populations residing in central districts (planned before 1996) enjoy better accessibility compared to those in peripheral neighborhoods (planned after 1996). Parks located in areas planned between 1996 and 2002 are the least accessible, followed by parks in areas planned after 2003. Our findings suggest possible approaches that could be used to help ensure the quality of parks and their spatial accessibility.
A Single V672F Substitution in the Spike Protein of Field-Isolated PEDV Promotes Cell–Cell Fusion and Replication in VeroE6 Cells
Authors: Wanitchang Asawin , Saenboonrueng Janya , Kaewborisuth Challika , Srisutthisamphan Kanjana , Jongkaewwattana Anan
Published: March 2019

While porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infects and replicates in enterocytes lining villi of neonatal piglets with high efficiency, naturally isolated variants typically grow poorly in established cell lines, unless adapted by multiple passages. Cells infected with most cell-adapted PEDVs usually displayed large syncytia, a process triggered by the spike protein (S). To identify amino acids responsible for S-mediated syncytium formation, we constructed and characterized chimeric S proteins of the cell-adapted variant, YN144, in which the receptor binding domain (RBD) and S1/S2 cleavage site were replaced with those of a poorly culturable field isolate (G2). We demonstrated that the RBD, not the S1/S2 cleavage site, is critical for syncytium formation mediated by chimeric S proteins. Further mutational analyses revealed that a single mutation at the amino acid residue position 672 (V672F) could enable the chimeric S with the entire RBD derived from the G2 strain to trigger large syncytia. Moreover, recombinant PEDV viruses bearing S of the G2 strain with the single V672F substitution could induce extensive syncytium formation and replicate efficiently in VeroE6 cells stably expressing porcine aminopeptidase N (VeroE6-APN). Interestingly, we also demonstrated that while the V672F mutation is critical for the syncytium formation in VeroE6-APN cells, it exerts a minimal effect in Huh-7 cells, thereby suggesting the difference in receptor preference of PEDV among host cells.
Caliciviridae Other Than Noroviruses
Authors: Desselberger Ulrich
Published: March 2019

Besides noroviruses, the Caliciviridae family comprises four other accepted genera: Sapovirus, Lagovirus, Vesivirus, and Nebovirus. There are six new genera proposed: Recovirus, Valovirus, Bavovirus, Nacovirus, Minovirus, and Salovirus. All Caliciviridae have closely related genome structures, but are genetically and antigenically highly diverse and infect a wide range of mammalian host species including humans. Recombination in nature is not infrequent for most of the Caliciviridae, contributing to their diversity. Sapovirus infections cause diarrhoea in pigs, humans and other mammalian hosts. Lagovirus infections cause systemic haemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, and vesivirus infections lead to lung disease in cats, vesicular disease in swine, and exanthema and diseases of the reproductive system in large sea mammals. Neboviruses are an enteric pathogen of cattle, differing from bovine norovirus. At present, only a few selected caliciviruses can be propagated in cell culture (permanent cell lines or enteroids), and for most of the cultivatable caliciviruses helper virus-free, plasmid only-based reverse genetics systems have been established. The replication cycles of the caliciviruses are similar as far as they have been explored: viruses interact with a multitude of cell surface attachment factors (glycans) and co-receptors (proteins) for adsorption and penetration, use cellular membranes for the formation of replication complexes and have developed mechanisms to circumvent innate immune responses. Vaccines have been developed against lagoviruses and vesiviruses, and are under development against human noroviruses.
Experimental Analysis of the Influence of Aeration in the Energy Dissipation of Supercritical Channel Flows
Authors: Rebollo Juan , López David , Garrote Luis , Ramos Tamara , Díaz Rubén , Herrero Ricardo
Published: March 2019

Energy dissipation structures play an important role in flood risk management. Many variables need to be considered for the design of these structures. Aeration has been one of the more studied phenomena over the last years, due to its influence in the performance of hydraulic structures. The purpose of the work presented in this article is to experimentally characterize the effects of aeration on boundary friction in supercritical and fully turbulent flows. The physical model used to analyze the aeration effects consists of a spillway chute 6.5 m high and a stilling basin of 10 m length and 2 m high. A pump and compressor supply the water-air mixture and are controlled at the entrance by valves and flowmeters. The ensuing channel is monitored to determine the velocity profile and air concentration of the flow into the stilling basin. The average values of both variables and Manning’s coefficient along the channel are used to determine the relation between air concentration and energy dissipation by friction. A velocity increase with greater air entrainment has been found in all scenarios since friction is the main energy dissipation mechanism in open channels flow. Finally, an equation is proposed to characterize this evolution based on the results obtained.
Analysis of Intra and Interseasonal Rainfall Variability and Its Effects on Pearl Millet Yield in a Semiarid Agroclimate: Significance of Scattered Fields and Tied Ridges
Authors: Silungwe Festo Richard , Graef Frieder , Bellingrath-Kimura Sonoko Dorothea , Tumbo Siza Donald , Kahimba Frederick Cassian , Lana Marcos Alberto
Published: March 2019

Establishing food security in sub-Saharan African countries requires a comprehensive and high resolution understanding of the driving factors of crop production. Poor soil and adverse climate conditions are among the major drivers of poor regional crop production. Drought and rainfall variability challenges are not fully being addressed by rainfed producers in semiarid areas. In this study, we analysed the spatiotemporal rainfall variability (STRV) and its effects on pearl millet yield using two seasons of data collected from 38 rain gauge stations scattered randomly in farm plots within a 1500 ha area of semiarid central Tanzania. The STRV effects on pearl millet yield under flat and tied ridge management were analysed. Our results show that seasonal rainfall can vary significantly for neighboring fields at distances of less than 200 m, which impacts yield. The STRV for daily rainfall was found to be more critical than for total seasonal rainfall amounts. Scattering fields can help farmers avoid total harvest loss by obtaining at least some yield from the areas that received adequate rain. The use of tied ridges is recommended to conserve soil moisture and improve yields more than flat cultivation in semiarid areas.
Estimating Daily Dew Point Temperature Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Qasem Sultan Noman , Samadianfard Saeed , Sadri Nahand Hamed , Mosavi Amir , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Chau Kwok-wing
Published: March 2019

In the current study, the ability of three data-driven methods of Gene Expression Programming (GEP), M5 model tree (M5), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were investigated in order to model and estimate the dew point temperature (DPT) at Tabriz station, Iran. For this purpose, meteorological parameters of daily average temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), actual vapor pressure (Vp), wind speed (W), and sunshine hours (S) were obtained from the meteorological organization of East Azerbaijan province, Iran for the period 1998 to 2016. Following this, the methods mentioned above were examined by defining 15 different input combinations of meteorological parameters. Additionally, root mean square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (R2) were implemented to analyze the accuracy of the proposed methods. The results showed that the GEP-10 method, using three input parameters of T, RH, and S, with RMSE of 0.96°, the SVR-5, using two input parameters of T and RH, with RMSE of 0.44, and M5-15, using five input parameters of T, RH, Vp, W, and S with RMSE of 0.37 present better performance in the estimation of the DPT. As a conclusion, the M5-15 is recommended as the most precise model in the estimation of DPT in comparison with other considered models. As a conclusion, the obtained results proved the high capability of proposed M5 models in DPT estimation.
Flume Test Simulation and Study of Salt and Fresh Water Mixing Influenced by Tidal Reciprocating Flow
Authors: Xia Weiyi , Zhao Xiaodong , Zhao Riming , Zhang Xinzhou
Published: March 2019

The salt-fresh water mixing is one of the basic topics of estuarine dynamics research. In partially mixed and highly stratified mixed estuaries, the structure of stratified flow is complicated by density gradient and tidal reciprocating flow. The velocity and salinity structures have been experimentally studied in a flume which is 167.8 m long, 0.5 m wide, and 0.5 m deep. The processes of the tidal levels, the flood and ebb current, and the salt-fresh water mixing have been simulated. Furthermore, the partially mixed and highly stratified mixed types have been repeatability showed in the flume, by solving the problems of experiment control and saltwater recycling. The control variable method has been used to dialectically analyze the influence of tidal range and runoff volume on the velocity and salinity distribution. The tide and runoff are respectively considered to affect the mixing type in two contradictory ways. In the condition of tidal reciprocating flow, the periodical change of interface stability has been investigated. It is considered that the interface stability is closely related to the vertical gradient of density and velocity. As a result, the critical value of interface stabilization has been presented. The experimental data and research results can be used for the basic study of estuarine dynamics and applied to practical problems such as estuarine saltwater intrusion.
Predicting Rainfall and Runoff Through Satellite Soil Moisture Data and SWAT Modelling for a Poorly Gauged Basin in Iran
Authors: Fereidoon Majid , Koch Manfred , Brocca Luca
Published: March 2019

Hydrological models are widely used for many purposes in water sector projects, including streamflow prediction and flood risk assessment. Among the input data used in such hydrological models, the spatial-temporal variability of rainfall datasets has a significant role on the final discharge estimation. Therefore, accurate measurements of rainfall are vital. On the other hand, ground-based measurement networks, mainly in developing countries, are either nonexistent or too sparse to capture rainfall accurately. In addition to in-situ rainfall datasets, satellite-derived rainfall products are currently available globally with high spatial and temporal resolution. An innovative approach called SM2RAIN that estimates rainfall from soil moisture data has been applied successfully to various regions. In this study, first, soil moisture content derived from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth observing system (AMSR-E) is used as input into the SM2RAIN algorithm to estimate daily rainfall (SM2R-AMSRE) at different sites in the Karkheh river basin (KRB), southwest Iran. Second, the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological model was applied to simulate runoff using both ground-based observed rainfall and SM2R-AMSRE rainfall as input. The results reveal that the SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data are, in most cases, in good agreement with ground-based rainfall, with correlations R ranging between 0.58 and 0.88, though there is some underestimation of the observed rainfall due to soil moisture saturation not accounted for in the SM2RAIN equation. The subsequent SWAT-simulated monthly runoff from SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data (SWAT-SM2R-AMSRE) reproduces the observations at the six gauging stations (with coefficient of determination, R2 > 0.71 and NSE > 0.56), though with slightly worse performances in terms of bias (Bias) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) and, again, some systematic flow underestimation compared to the SWAT model with ground-based rainfall input. Additionally, rainfall estimates of two satellite products of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), 3B42 and 3B42RT, are used in the calibrated SWAT- model after bias correction. The monthly runoff predictions obtained with 3B42- rainfall have 0.42 < R2 < 0.72 and−0.06 < NSE < 0.74 which are slightly better than those obtained with 3B42RT- rainfall, but not as good as the SWAT-SM2R-AMSRE. Therefore, despite the aforementioned limitations, using SM2R-AMSRE rainfall data in a hydrological model like SWAT appears to be a viable approach in basins with limited ground-based rainfall data.
Removal of Multi-Class Antibiotic Drugs from Wastewater Using Water-Soluble Protein of Moringa stenopetala Seeds
Authors: Kebede Temesgen Girma , Dube Simiso , Nindi Mathew Muzi
Published: March 2019

The removal of ten selected antibiotic drugs belonging to different classes (sulphonamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and tetracycline) was investigated using water-soluble proteins from the seeds of Moringa stenopetala. The surface functional groups of water-soluble protein powder before and after removal of antibiotics were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Processing parameters that could affect the removal efficiency, such as initial analyte concentration, protein dosage, and pH were studied. An optimized method was applied to a real wastewater sample collected from Daspoort Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Pretoria, South Africa. Under optimal conditions, the results indicated good agreement between the efficiency of water-soluble proteins to remove antibiotics from the real wastewater sample and from the synthetic wastewater sample prepared in the laboratory using standard solutions with known concentrations. The percentage of removal under optimum conditions (protein dosage of 40 mg, initial analyte concentration of 0.1 mg L−1, and pH 7) was between 85.2 ± 0.01% and 96.3 ± 0.03% for standard mixture solution and from 72.4 ± 0.32% to 92.5 ± 0.84% and 70.4 ± 0.82% to 91.5 ± 0.71% for the real wastewater (effluent and influent) sample.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP IN THE CONEXT OF LIFELONG LEARNING
Authors: Volos Anastasiia
Published: March 2019

Now there is no specific definition of "international education", so we will consider it as a process of raising the level of knowledge in one or another field of the media, skills and knowledge in certain spheres due to the progressiveness of the modern world, namely: academic mobility, start-up education, soft management, continuing education, etc. Consideration of international internships in the context of continuing education begins with the understanding of the concept of "lifelong learning".
«CLOUDY» INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MANAGEMENT
Authors: Moskaieva Olha
Published: March 2019

In social management a lot of attention is paid to network society, virtual reality, which is the basis for the construction of the latest management technologies. As scientists point out, in society the postmodern concept of «method» goes back to the background, and the actuality of the «technology» and «concepts» are gaining momentum. The key position of postmodern management can be called the following: «The hierarchy is changing to lace, virtualization.» According to the trends of the development of modern management, «cloud» information technologies have become an integral factor in the formation of new standards and updated programs. Casual use of the Microsoft Office suite, working with e-mail of the most famous Google servers, Yandex, Ukr.net, I.ua, etc., cellular, tablet and computer versions of the most famous messengers (Viber, FaceTime, WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Skype). , Messenger) is already working in cloudy clouds. Data base information stores hundreds of thousands of megabytes of information on the possibility of flexible free access at any time and at any time from any device. The work of the manager is simplified in hundreds of thousands of times; at the moment, the question arises in simplifying the formal requirements of information management and the opportunity for a creative and creative approach in management.
THE PRODUCTION PRACTICE ORGANIZATION OF THE FUTURE SPECIALISTS OF THE PRE-SCHOOL PROFILE WITH THE ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY "PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION"
Authors: Korzhuk Olha
Published: March 2019

The goal, tasks, organizational aspects are described in the article. The content, procedural and control-evaluation components of the program of industrial practice of the future specialists of the preschool profile with the additional specialty "Primary education" are presented. It was found out that during the passage of specialized practice conditions are created not only to consolidate and enhancing the theoretical knowledge of students, that was acquired during the study of professional disciplines, but also for the successful formation of professionally significant qualities of the class teacher personality, the ability to create in the initial stage of education a personal-oriented pedagogical environment on the basis of partner interaction among participants in the educational process, modeling of organizational forms of competently directed training, readiness to construct an individual educational trajectory of a junior schoolchild.
The calcite-aragonite transition : mechanism and microstructures induced by the transformation stresses and strain
Authors: Gillet Philippe , Gérard Yves , Willaime Christian
Published: March 2019

The calcite-aragonite transition has been experimentally investigated both under hydrostatic conditions and in the presence of deviatoric stresses. The calcite → aragonite experiments at high-pressure have been performed in a Griggs apparatus in the presence of deviatoric stresses whereas the aragonite → calcite experiments were conducted at room pressure (hydrostatic conditions) on a heating stage. For both kinds of experiments partially transformed samples were observed by transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.). The same morphology of the interface between polymorphs and the existence of epitactic relationships among low-index crystallographic planes in both kinds of experiments suggest that whatever the experimental conditions and sense of reaction, the transition proceeds by the motion of highly-coherent interfaces. No evidence for a shear mechanism was found.

The growth of calcite in aragonite at room pressure leads to a high dislocation density (1014 m-2) in calcite and to mechanical twins in aragonite. Recovery textures like subgrains or recrystallized grains are observed in the calcite grains. The defects observed in both phases are explained by the transformation stresses due to the irregular interface between polymorphs and to the volume change at the transition. The implications for transformation plasticity and for the stability of phases are briefly discussed.
Aux échelles du Levant. Échanges commerciaux au Bronze Récent
Authors: Yon Marguerite
Published: March 2019

With the development of navigation techniques during the 2nd Millennium the circulation of men, commodities and skills grew throughout the Eastern Mediterranean space. This paper addresses the nature and extension of these exchanges as seen from Cyprus at the end of the Late Bronze Age (14th-11th c. B. C.), and based on recent archaeological finds and new laboratory analyzes, relating to the distribution of Cypriote copper, the diffusion of commercial jars, etc. The island is at the heart of a vast network of exchanges with surrounding lands (Egypt, the Levant, the Hatti, Greece), reaching as far as the Western Mediterranean and connecting with distant continental countries by the means of transit harbours.
De Chypre à Delphes : objets et réseaux en Méditerranée orientale pendant le haut-archaïsme
Authors: Aurigny Hélène
Published: March 2019

The existence of “ exotica” in Greek sanctuaries is a well-known phenomenon in the Archaic period. The presence of Cypriot objects at Delphi is attested both by archaeological and literary sources, but the definition of the corpus itself raises many questions. These objects, mainly from the Apollo sanctuary, constitute a significant set with some usual series and some exceptional artefacts. The sanctuary at Delphi received ages-old objects and seems to be well connected to the traffic routes followed by Cypriot objects in the Eastern Mediterranean. Delphi thus offers an interesting viewpoint to observe these complex networks and especially the role played by Crete in the transfer to Greece of craft processes from Cyprus.
The Early Stone Sculpture of Cyprus in the Archaic Age. Questions of Meaning and External Relations
Authors: Senff Reinhard
Published: March 2019

Il n’est guère de région en Méditerranée orientale qui ait livré autant de sculptures, à l’époque archaïque, que Chypre. La plupart des trouvailles ont été faites au XIXe siècle, alors que la fouille et la documentation archéologiques manquaient encore de méthode. Mais le peu d’information qu’on peut tirer des circonstances de découverte, l’étude détaillée des sculptures elles-mêmes et les observations plus précises effectuées lors de fouilles récentes permettent d’appréhender la fonction des sculptures dans les sanctuaires et les nécropoles ainsi que les intentions de leurs dédicants. Des centaines de figurines chypriotes ont été trouvées non seulement dans l’île elle-même, mais aussi dans d’autres régions de Méditerranée orientale, en Égypte, au Levant et dans le sud-est de l’Asie Mineure. Elles témoignent de l’étendue des relations commerciales et culturelles de Chypre à l’époque archaïque. Cet article vise à résumer l’état actuel des avancées dans un domaine de la recherche auquel Antoine Hermary a largement contribué au cours des dernières décennies.