bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Particle Filter Weight for Bayesian Direct Position Estimation in a GNSS Receiver
Authors: Dampf Jürgen , Frankl Kathrin , Pany Thomas
Published: August 2018

Direct Position Estimation (DPE) is a rather new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technique to estimate the user position, velocity and time (PVT) directly from correlation values of the received GNSS signal with receiver internal replica signals. If combined with Bayesian nonlinear filters—like particle filters—the method allows for coping with multi-modal probability distributions and avoids the linearization step to convert correlation values into pseudoranges. The measurement update equation (particle weight update) is derived from a standard GNSS signal model, but we show that it cannot be used directly in a receiver implementation. The numerical evaluation of the formulas needs to be carried out in a logarithmic scale including various normalizations. Furthermore, the residual user range errors (coming from orbit, satellite clock, multipath or ionospheric errors) need to be included from the very beginning in the stochastic signal model. With these modifications, sensible probability functions can be derived from the GNSS multi-correlator values. The occurrence of multipath yields a natural widening of the probability density function. The approach is demonstrated with simulated and real-world Binary Phase Shift Keying signals with 1.023 MHz code rate (BPSK(1)) within the context of a real-time software based Bayesian DPE receiver.
Impact of a Professional Nutrition Program on a Female Cross Country Collegiate Athlete: A Case Report
Authors: Syed-Abdul Majid Mufaqam , Soni Dhwani Satishkumar , Wagganer Jason Daniel
Published: August 2018

Low caloric intake or excessive energy expenditure can lead to a negative energy balance, which, in female athletes, may result in a condition called the female athlete triad. While several guidelines identified proper nutrition as a first line of treatment, little research has been reported to show the effect of a professional nutrition program (PNP) on the female athlete triad. The purpose of this case report was to measure the short- and long-term effects of a PNP on a female athlete presenting triad characteristics. A 20-year-old female track-and-field athlete at a Division I university who was in negative energy balance and amenorrheic underwent a one-month PNP. Short- and long-term effects measured by a dual X-ray absorptiometry scan prior to and after attending a PNP showed increased total energy intake from 2188 kcals to 3187 kcals, which resulted in an increase in body fat percent (BF%) from 4.7% to 6.7%. However, by the end of four months, energy intake and BF% (5.7% and 6.0%) values were reduced, respectively. After the twelve-month follow-up, BF% was increased (10.5%), suggesting that increasing energy intake to meet energy demands, without compromising athletic training, can be an effective treatment for the female athlete triad.
Is Jakarta’s New Flood Risk Reduction Strategy Transformational?
Authors: Garschagen Matthias , Surtiari Gusti Ayu Ketut , Harb Mostapha
Published: August 2018

On a conceptual and normative level, the debate around transformation in the context of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation has been rising sharply over the recent years. Yet, whether and how transformation occurs in the messy realities of policy and action, and what separates it from other forms of risk reduction, is far from clear. Jakarta appears to be the perfect example to study these questions. It is amongst the cities with the highest flood risk in the world. Its flood hazard is driven by land subsidence, soil sealing, changes in river discharge, and—increasingly—sea level rise. As all of these trends are set to continue, Jakarta’s flood hazard is expected to intensify in the future. Designing and implementing large-scale risk reduction and adaption measures therefore has been a priority of risk practitioners and policy-makers at city and national level. Against this background, the paper draws on a document analysis and original empirical household survey data to review and evaluate current adaptation measures and to analyze in how far they describe a path that is transformational from previous risk reduction approaches. The results show that the focus is clearly on engineering solutions, foremost in the Giant Sea Wall project. The project is likely to transform the city’s flood hydrology. However, it cements rather than transforms the current risk management paradigm which gravitates around the goal of controlling flood symptoms, rather than addressing their largely anthropogenic root causes. The results also show that the planned measures are heavily contested due to concerns about ecological impacts, social costs, distributional justice, public participation, and long-term effectiveness. On the outlook, the results therefore suggest that the more the flood hazard intensifies in the future, the deeper a societal debate will be needed about the desired pathway in flood risk reduction and overall development planning—particularly with regards to the accepted levels of transformation, such as partial retreat from the most flood-affected areas.
China-Angola Investment Model
Authors: Begu Liviu Stelian , Vasilescu Maria Denisa , Stanila Larisa , Clodnitchi Roxana
Published: August 2018

In the aftermath of Angola’s civil war, strong economic relations developed between the country and the People’s Republic of China. Our study addresses China’s investment risks in Angola, considering an infrastructure-for-petroleum partnership between these two countries. The main working hypothesis is that the recovery of Chinese investments made in Angola is has translated into thousands of barrels of petroleum being imported daily from Angola. We analyzed the main economic, social, and political indicators that describe the situation in Angola that could impact the recovery of Chinese loans in the form of oil exports. Data processing implied involved regression-based imputation, MinMax data normalization, the use of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and econometric analysis, next to the construction of a composite risk indicator. The results of the econometric analysis highlighted that an increase in the composite risk indicator of 1% leads to a decrease in the quantity of petroleum exported by almost 6377 barrels per day. Because, at least in the short run, the economic diversification in Angola is weak, and the most important asset is its oil, the partnership with China will continue to exist. This cooperation model represents a source of economic growth and infrastructure development for Angola and a source of energy that fuels China—one of the most powerful economies in the world.
What are the Key Indicators of Mega Sustainable Construction Projects? —A Stakeholder-Network Perspective
Authors: Wu Guangdong , Qiang Guofeng , Zuo Jian , Zhao Xianbo , Chang Ruidong
Published: August 2018

Mega sustainable construction projects (MSCPs) require complex system engineering. There are various indicators available to evaluate sustainable construction, and it is difficult to determine which the key indicators are among them. Existing studies do not adequately consider the stakeholders associated with the indicators of sustainable construction, leading to key decision-makers’ lack of targeted management strategies to improve the sustainability level of MSCPs. Using literature analysis and expert interviews, this study identified the key evaluation indicators of MSCPs from a stakeholder-network perspective. Social network analysis (SNA) was used to explore the relationships between the key evaluation indicators and corresponding stakeholders. The results showed that the government and designers significantly impacted other stakeholders and played as the key stakeholders in MSCPs. Regarding the indicators, applying energy-saving and intelligent technologies plays a key role in the MSCPs. This study links key indicators of MSCPs with the associated stakeholders, which helps decision-makers to develop targeted strategies to improve the sustainability level of MSCPs, thereby not only improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the intervention strategies, but also helping to save decision-makers’ monetary and human resources which are usually limited.
Financial Ratios as Indicators of Economic Sustainability: A Quantitative Analysis for Swiss Dairy Farms
Authors: Zorn Alexander , Esteves Michele , Baur Ivo , Lips Markus
Published: August 2018

In agriculture, a rising number of sustainability assessments are available that also comprise financial ratios. In a literature review of farm management textbooks, taking account of the differences between European and North American practices and considering prevalent sustainability assessment approaches, we identified frequently used financial ratios. Five ratios relate to the indicator profitability and four to the indicator liquidity. Another eight financial indicators refer to the indicators financial efficiency, stability, solvency and repayment capacity. Based on more than 14,000 accountancies of dairy farms from the Swiss Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), we carried out a Spearman correlation analysis for normalised and harmonised financial ratios. The correlation analysis revealed mostly positive correlations. To assess the implementation of a quantitative economic sustainability assessment we compare an aggregated indicator compound of all 17 ratios with two selections of financial ratios–first, a compound European and, second, a compound North American economic sustainability indicator. The correlation between the complete and the reduced sets of indicators suggest that both aggregate economic indicators can be reasonably applied to estimate the economic sustainability for Swiss dairy farms.
A Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Responses Framework to Support the Sustainability of Fish and Fisheries in Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremedhin Shewit , Getahun Abebe , Anteneh Wassie , Bruneel Stijn , Goethals Peter
Published: August 2018

Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake, has a remarkable and conservation-worthy assemblage of fish species, requiring fisheries management for sustainable exploitation. However, due to anthropogenic impacts, many of these fish species are threatened. Hence, an improved management of these resources is recommended. To allow a more sustainable exploitation of natural resources, a better understanding of the cause-effect relationships between anthropogenic impacts and environmental components is fundamental. The Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Responses (DPSIR) framework is a useful tool to describe these links in a meaningful way to managers and policy makers. Despite its potential, application of DPSIR is virtually lacking in developing countries. This paper assessed the potential of the DPSIR framework and used it to comprehensively describe the available knowledge and management needs in the lake catchment. Rapid population growth and the economic transformation are the main driving forces leading to various pressures such as water quality and wetlands degradation as well as declining fish community, which is detrimental to the socio-economic state and health of the local inhabitants. As feedback to the driving forces, pressures, state changes and impacts, optimal multi-level responses are developed. This study aims at providing policy makers a better understanding of the lake catchment in order to bridge the gap between science and decision-making.
Skin Lesion Segmentation Method for Dermoscopy Images Using Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm
Authors: Aljanabi Mohanad , Özok Yasa Ekşioğlu , Rahebi Javad , Abdullah Ahmad S.
Published: August 2018

The occurrence rates of melanoma are rising rapidly, which are resulting in higher death rates. However, if the melanoma is diagnosed in Phase I, the survival rates increase. The segmentation of the melanoma is one of the largest tasks to undertake and achieve when considering both beneath and over the segmentation. In this work, a new approach based on the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is proposed for the detection of melanoma from digital images. This method is simple, fast, flexible, and requires fewer parameters compared with other algorithms. The proposed approach is applied on the PH2, ISBI 2016 challenge, the ISBI 2017 challenge, and Dermis datasets. These bases contained images are affected by different abnormalities. The formation of the databases consists of images collected from different sources; they are bases with different types of resolution, lighting, etc., so in the first step, the noise was removed from the images by using morphological filtering. In the next step, the ABC algorithm is used to find the optimum threshold value for the melanoma detection. The proposed approach achieved good results in the conditions of high specificity. The experimental results suggest that the proposed method accomplished higher performance compared to the ground truth images supported by a Dermatologist. For the melanoma detection, the method achieved an average accuracy and Jaccard’s coefficient in the range of 95.24–97.61%, and 83.56–85.25% in these four databases. To show the robustness of this work, the results were compared to existing methods in the literature for melanoma detection. High values for estimation performance confirmed that the proposed melanoma detection is better than other algorithms, which demonstrates the highly differential power of the newly introduced features.
Sharp Bounds on the Higher Order Schwarzian Derivatives for Janowski Classes
Authors: Cho Nak Eun , Kumar Virendra , Ravichandran V.
Published: August 2018

Higher order Schwarzian derivatives for normalized univalent functions were first considered by Schippers, and those of convex functions were considered by Dorff and Szynal. In the present investigation, higher order Schwarzian derivatives for the Janowski star-like and convex functions are considered, and sharp bounds for the first three consecutive derivatives are investigated. The results obtained in this paper generalize several existing results in this direction.
US28: HCMV’s Swiss Army Knife
Authors: Krishna Benjamin A. , Miller William E. , O’Connor Christine M.
Published: August 2018

US28 is one of four G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) encoded by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The US28 protein (pUS28) is a potent signaling molecule that alters a variety of cellular pathways that ultimately alter the host cell environment. This viral GPCR is expressed not only in the context of lytic replication but also during viral latency, highlighting its multifunctional properties. pUS28 is a functional GPCR, and its manipulation of multiple signaling pathways likely impacts HCMV pathogenesis. Herein, we will discuss the impact of pUS28 on both lytic and latent infection, pUS28-mediated signaling and its downstream consequences, and the influence this viral GPCR may have on disease states, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. We will also discuss the potential for and progress towards exploiting pUS28 as a novel therapeutic to combat HCMV.
Conditions Influencing Municipal Strategy-Making for Sustainable Urban Water Management: Assessment of Three Swedish Municipalities
Authors: Glaas Erik , Hjerpe Mattias , Jonsson Robert
Published: August 2018

Strategy-making is key for realizing sustainable urban water management. Though general barriers and factors for change have been identified, fewer studies have assessed how different conditions influence municipalities’ strategy-making ability and, thus, how to plan strategically given these conditions. Healey’s strategy-making notion was applied to delimit a study of how size, finances, development path, and water organization influence Swedish municipalities’ strategy-making ability for urban water. Three municipalities, Laxå, Norrköping, and Skellefteå, with different, yet overlapping, institutional and socio-economic conditions were analyzed using semi-structured interviews, a stakeholder workshop, and document analyses. The study finds that even though key events have filtered urban water issues into the political agenda, this has not induced systemic change, except where the role of water management in urban development has been specified, i.e., has aligned dispersed planning processes. Organizational setup influences the strategy-making ability by prescribing not only when water issues are raised, but also what system perspective should be applied and what actors that should be enrolled. Judging from the three cases, size, finances, and development path do matter for strategy-making ability, but they appear to be less important than the organizational setup. Departures for improving strategy-making under different conditions are discussed.
Community Targets of JWST’s Early Release Science Program: Evaluation of WASP-63b
Authors: Kilpatrick Brian M. , Cubillos Patricio E. , Stevenson Kevin B. , Lewis Nikole K. , Wakeford Hannah R. , MacDonald Ryan J. , Madhusudhan Nikku , Blecic Jasmina , Bruno Giovanni , Burrows Adam , Deming Drake , Heng Kevin , Line Michael R. , Morley Caroline V. , Parmentier Vivien , Tucker Gregory S. , Valenti Jeff A. , Waldmann Ingo P. , Bean Jacob L. , Beichman Charles , Fraine Jonathan , Krick J. E. , Lothringer Joshua D. , Mandell Avi M.
Published: August 2018

We present observations of WASP-63b by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) as part of “A Preparatory Program to Identify the Single Best Transiting Exoplanet for James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Early Release Science (ERS).” WASP-63b is one of the community targets under consideration for the JWST ERS program. We present a spectrum derived from a single observation by HST Wide Field Camera 3 in the near-infrared. We engaged groups across the transiting exoplanet community to participate in the analysis of the data and present results from each. Extraction of the transmission spectrum by several independent analyses find an H2O absorption feature with varying degrees of significance ranging from 1σ to 3σ. The feature, in all cases, is muted in comparison to a clear atmosphere at solar composition. The reasons for the muting of this feature are ambiguous due to a degeneracy between clouds and composition. The data does not yield robust detections of any molecular species other than H2O. The group was motivated to perform an additional set of retrieval exercises to investigate an apparent bump in the spectrum at ∼1.55 μm. We explore possible disequilibrium chemistry and find this feature is consistent with super-solar HCN abundance but it is questionable if the required mixing ratio of HCN is chemically and physically plausible. The ultimate goal of this study is to vet WASP-63b as a potential community target to best demonstrate the capabilities and systematics of JWST instruments for transiting exoplanet science. In the case of WASP-63b, the presence of a detectable water feature indicates that WASP-63b remains a plausible target for JWST observations.
The TESS Input Catalog and Candidate Target List
Authors: Stassun Keivan G. , Oelkers Ryan J. , Pepper Joshua , Paegert Martin , Lee Nathan De , Torres Guillermo , Latham David W. , Charpinet Stéphane , Dressing Courtney D. , Huber Daniel , Kane Stephen R. , Lépine Sébastien , Mann Andrew , Muirhead Philip S. , Rojas-Ayala Bárbara , Silvotti Roberto , Fleming Scott W. , Levine Al , Plavchan Peter
Published: August 2018

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will be conducting a nearly all-sky photometric survey over two years, with a core mission goal to discover small transiting exoplanets orbiting nearby bright stars. It will obtain 30 minute cadence observations of all objects in the TESS fields of view, along with two-minute cadence observations of 200,000–400,000 selected stars. The choice of which stars to observe at the two-minute cadence is driven by the need to detect small transiting planets, which leads to the selection of primarily bright, cool dwarfs. We describe the catalogs assembled and the algorithms used to populate the TESS Input Catalog (TIC), including plans to update the TIC with the incorporation of the Gaia second data release in the near future. We also describe a ranking system for prioritizing stars according to the smallest transiting planet detectable, and assemble a Candidate Target List (CTL) using that ranking. We discuss additional factors that affect the ability to photometrically detect and dynamically confirm small planets, and we note additional stellar populations of interest that may be added to the final target list. The TIC is available on the STScI MAST server, and an enhanced CTL is available through the Filtergraph data visualization portal system at the URL http://filtergraph.com/tess_ctl.
Improved Image Quality over 10′ Fields with the ʻImaka Ground-layer Adaptive Optics Experiment
Authors: Abdurrahman F. N. , Lu J. R. , Chun M. , Service M. W. , Lai O. , Föhring D. , Toomey D. , Baranec C.
Published: August 2018

ʻImaka is a ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) demonstrator on the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope with a 24′ × 18′ field of view, nearly an order of magnitude larger than previous AO instruments. In 15 nights of observing with natural guide star asterisms ∼16′ in diameter, we measure median AO-off and AO-on empirical FWHMs of 0.″95 and 0.″64 in R band, 0.″81 and 0.″48 in I band, and 0.″76 and 0.″44 at 1 μm. This factor of 1.5–1.7 reduction in the size of the point-spread function (PSF) results from correcting both the atmosphere and telescope tracking errors. The AO-on PSF is uniform out to field positions ∼5′ off-axis, with a typical standard deviation in the FWHM of 0.″018. Images exhibit variation in FWMM by 4.5% across the field, which has been applied as a correction to the aforementioned quantities. The AO-on PSF is also 10× more stable in time compared to the AO-off PSF. In comparing the delivered image quality to proxy measurements, we find that in both AO-off and AO-on data delivered image quality is correlated with ʻImaka’s telemetry, with R-band correlation coefficients of 0.68 and 0.70, respectively. At the same wavelength, the data are correlated to DIMM and MASS seeing with coefficients of 0.45 and 0.55, respectively. Our results are an essential first step to implementing facility-class, wide-field GLAO on Maunakea telescopes, enabling new opportunities to study extended astronomical sources, such as deep galaxy fields, nearby galaxies, or star clusters, at high angular resolution.
Near-infrared Mira Period–Luminosity Relations in M33
Authors: Yuan Wenlong , Macri Lucas M. , Javadi Atefeh , Lin Zhenfeng , Huang Jianhua Z.
Published: August 2018

We analyze sparsely sampled near-infrared (JHK

s
) light curves of a sample of 1781 Mira variable candidates in M33, originally discovered using I-band time-series observations. We extend our single-band semi-parametric Gaussian process modeling of Mira light curves to a multiband version and obtain improved period determinations. We use our previous results on near-infrared properties of candidate Miras in the LMC to classify the majority of the M33 sample into oxygen- or carbon-rich subsets. We derive period–luminosity relations for O-rich Miras and determine a distance modulus for M33 of 24.80 ± 0.06 mag.
A Robust Tip of the Red Giant Branch Distance to the Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946)
Authors: Anand Gagandeep S. , Rizzi Luca , Tully R. Brent
Published: August 2018

Archival HST data taken in F606W+F814W of two different fields in the outer regions of NGC 6946 is used to measure a tip of the red giant branch distance to the galaxy. We employ a Bayesian maximum-likelihood modeling method that incorporates the completeness of the photometry, and allows us to model the luminosity function of the RGB population. Our two fields provide us with distances of 7.74 ± 0.42 Mpc and 7.69 ± 0.50 Mpc, respectively. Our final distance of 7.72 ± 0.32 Mpc is higher than most values previously published in the literature. This has important implications for supernova measurements, as NGC 6946 is host to the most observed supernovae (10) of any galaxy to date. We find that the supernovae in NGC 6946 are on average ∼2.3 times more luminous than previous estimates. Our distance gives NGC 6946 a peculiar velocity of v
pec = −229 ± 29 km s−1 in the Local Sheet frame. This velocity is the projected component of a substantial negative SGZ motion, indicating a coherent motion along with the other members of the M101 wall toward the plane of the Local Sheet. The M101 wall, a spur off the Local Sheet into the Local Void, is experiencing the expansion of the Local Void.
A Novel Investigation of the Small-scale Magnetic Activity of the Quiet Sun via the Hanle Effect in the Sr i 4607 Å Line
Authors: del Pino Alemán T. , Trujillo Bueno J. , Štěpán J. , Shchukina N.
Published: August 2018

One of the key research problems in stellar physics is to decipher the small-scale magnetic activity of the quiet solar atmosphere. Recent magneto-convection simulations that account for small-scale dynamo action have provided three-dimensional (3D) models of the solar photosphere characterized by a high degree of small-scale magnetic activity, similar to that found through theoretical interpretation of the scattering polarization observed in the Sr i 4607 Å line. Here we present the results of a novel investigation of the Hanle effect in this resonance line based on 3D radiative transfer calculations in a high-resolution magneto-convection model having most of the convection zone magnetized close to the equipartition and a surface mean field strength

G. The Hanle effect produced by the model’s magnetic field depolarizes the zero-field scattering polarization signals significantly, to the extent that the center-to-limb variation (CLV) of the calculated spatially averaged polarization amplitudes is compatible with the observations. The standard deviation of the horizontal fluctuations of the calculated scattering polarization signals is very sensitive to the model’s magnetic field, and we find that the predicted spatial variations are sufficiently sizable so as to be able to detect them, especially with the next generation of solar telescopes. We find that at all on-disk positions, the theoretical scattering polarization signals are anticorrelated with the continuum intensity. To facilitate reaching new observational breakthroughs, we show how the theoretically predicted polarization signals and spatial variations are modified when deteriorating the signal-to-noise ratio and the spectral and spatial resolutions of the simulated observations.
Measurements of Diffusion of Volatiles in Amorphous Solid Water: Application to Interstellar Medium Environments
Authors: He Jiao , Emtiaz SM , Vidali Gianfranco
Published: August 2018

The diffusion of atoms and molecules in ices covering dust grains in dense clouds in interstellar space is an important but poorly characterized step in the formation of complex molecules in space. Here we report the measurement of diffusion of simple molecules in amorphous solid water (ASW), an analog of interstellar ices, which are amorphous and made mostly of water molecules. The new approach that we used relies on measuring, in situ, the change in band strength and position of mid-infrared features of OH dangling bonds as molecules move through pores and channels of ASW. We obtained the Arrhenius pre-exponents and activation energies for diffusion of CO, O2, N2, CH4, and Ar in ASW. The diffusion energy barrier of H2 and D2 were also measured, but only upper limits were obtained. These values constitute the first comprehensive set of diffusion parameters of simple molecules on the pore surface of ASW and can be used in simulations of the chemical evolution of Interstellar Medium environments, thus replacing unsupported estimates. We also present a set of argon temperature programmed desorption experiments to determine the desorption energy distribution of argon on non-porous ASW.
Is AlOH the Astrochemical Reservoir Molecule of AlO?: Insights from Excited Electronic States
Authors: Trabelsi Tarek , Francisco Joseph S.
Published: August 2018

Very recently, the optical bands of the 2Σ+ ← X2Σ+system of AlO have been identified in the red supergiant star VYCMa. In an effort to explain the origin of this transition, we used state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations with proven high accuracy to compute the lowest singlet and triplet electronic states of the AlOH and HAlO isomers as well as their equilibrium geometry and electronic properties. Our calculated potential energy surfaces implicate the three singlet electronic states 21A′, 31A′, and 11A″ in the photodissociation of the [Al,O,H] system. Only AlO, H, Al, and OH products can occur through the photodissociation of [Al,O,H]; AlH and O are not allowed. For the photodissociation of AlOH, the AlO product can occur only in its excited states AlO(2Π) and AlO(2Σ+).
Gravitational Waves from Supermassive Black Hole Binaries in Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies
Authors: Inayoshi Kohei , Ichikawa Kohei , Haiman Zoltán
Published: August 2018

Gravitational waves (GWs) in the nanohertz band are great tools for understanding the cosmological evolution of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in galactic nuclei. We consider SMBH binaries in high-z ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) as sources of a stochastic GW background (GWB). ULIRGs are likely associated with gas-rich galaxy mergers containing SMBHs that possibly occur at most once in the life of galaxies, unlike multiple dry mergers at low redshift. Adopting a well-established sample of ULIRGs, we study the properties of the GWB due to coalescing binary SMBHs in these galaxies. Since the ULIRG population peaks at z > 1.5, the amplitude of the GWB is not affected even if BH mergers are delayed by as long as ∼10 Gyr. Despite the rarity of the high-z ULIRGs, we find a tension with the upper limits from pulsar timing array experiments. This result suggests that if a fraction

of ULIRGs are associated with SMBH binaries, then no more than

of the binary SMBHs in ULIRGs can merge within a Hubble time, for plausible values of the Eddington ratio of ULIRGs (λ
Edd) and their lifetime (t
life).
Bacteremia in a human caused by an XDR strain of Pseudomonas fulva
Authors: Uddin Fakhur , Roulston Kerry , McHugh Timothy D , Khan Taseer Ahmed , Sohail Muhammad
Published: August 2018

This is the first report from Pakistan of a case of bacteremia in a human due to P. fulva, an opportunistic infection with increased risk of a drug resistant phenotype. P. fulva was isolated from blood of a 45 years male admitted in surgical ICU. Isolate was identified by the MALDI-TOF-MS and was extensively drug resistant (XDR) strain. Isolate was found negative for metallo β lactamase (MBL) and extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) types by phenotypic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. It was concluded that P. fulva is an emerging opportunistic pathogen.
Le multilatéralisme onusien à l’épreuve de la gouvernance climatique
Authors: Dubuy Mélanie
Published: August 2018

Après l’échec de Copenhague en 2009, la doctrine a pu parler d’un multilatéralisme onusien en crise. Ce multilatéralisme caractérisé par l’égalité entre États, la réciprocité et la continuité semblait totalement incapable de permettre l’entente entre États en aboutissant à la conclusion d’un accord contraignant pour organiser la lutte contre le réchauffement climatique. On oppose ce multilatéralisme à des alliances ponctuellement formées caractérisées par une logique géopolitique de puissance, de sélectivité. L’échec du multilatéralisme onusien à Copenhague a fait ressortir cette logique géopolitique dure (des lignes de fracture très fortes se sont dressées entre États développés, en développement, économies émergentes) dévoilant une gouvernance climatique très faible qui peinait à gérer une question climatique déjà complexe et multiscalaire. De nombreux auteurs politistes ont alors proposé d’autres voies, de nombreux États ayant d’ailleurs préféré au multilatéralisme la structure restreinte de clubs. La COP 21 et l’accord de Paris ont relancé un processus onusien longtemps grippé alors même que les logiques clivantes n’ont pas disparu et que les coalitions d’intérêts se maintiennent. La solution proposée d’un multilatéralisme permettant l’équilibre, la souplesse d’une formule associant unilatéralisme et caractère partiellement contraignant du traité explique ce succès tout comme la participation accrue de la société civile.
Analyse spatiale multicritère et identification des sols propices à la production du maïs à Ouessè au Bénin
Authors: Adimi Olatondji Salomon Chabi , Oloukoi Joseph , Tohozin Côovi Aimé Bernadin
Published: August 2018

Au Bénin, le maïs occupe une place prépondérante dans le tissu productif. Il constitue le principal aliment de base de toute la partie méridionale du pays soit les 2/3 de la population nationale. Malgré cette importance, son développement rencontre d’énormes difficultés. La présente étude vise à contribuer à une amélioration de la production du maïs dans la commune de Ouessè au Bénin. La méthodologie utilisée est basée sur les techniques des SIG couplées avec les méthodes d’analyse multicritère à partir des données des composantes physico-chimiques du sol. Les résultats obtenus révèlent que la commune de Ouessè présente un niveau d’aptitude des sols élevé à la production du maïs. Elle totalise environ 9,67 % de zone moyennement apte, 17,73 % de zone d’aptitude élevée et 72,62 % de zone d’aptitude très élevée.
Perception et observation : les principaux risques agro-climatique de l’agriculture pluviale dans l’ouest du Niger
Authors: Nassourou Lawali Mamane , Sarr Benoît , Alhassane Agali , Traoré Seydou , Abdourahamane Balla
Published: August 2018

La variabilité et le changement climatiques constituent un défi pour l’agriculture pluviale au Sahel. L’objectif de cette étude était d’identifier et de hiérarchiser les risques agroclimatiques, leurs impacts et les stratégies d’adaptation, à travers la perception communautaire et l’analyse des données observées. Une enquête a été conduite au Niger auprès de 361 chefs de ménage de 12 villages des zones sahéliennes et sahélo-soudaniennes. Les données de précipitations et de vents de 2 stations météorologiques ont été analysées. Les résultats montrent que les communautés sont conscientes de l’existence des risques agroclimatiques, à savoir la fin précoce des pluies, les vents de sable en début de saison et les séquences sèches qui sont les événements météorologiques les plus fréquents et les plus sévères. Les perceptions sur les vents et les séquences sèches s’accordent avec les résultats de l’analyse des données observées, alors qu’en ce qui concerne la fin précoce des pluies, l’analyse des données observées révèle un retour à une meilleure situation, qui demeure cependant non perceptible par les communautés, du fait de la forte variabilité intra et interannuelle. Les impacts immédiats sont les pertes de semis et de récoltes et le développement des ravageurs de cultures. Ces impacts entrainent à leur tour l’affaiblissement des animaux et l’insécurité alimentaire. Bien qu’elles développent des stratégies d’adaptation, telles que les variétés améliorées et les techniques de conservation des eaux et de défense et de restauration des sols, les communautés semblent être désarmées par le phénomène. Dans l’immédiat, la proposition de stratégies d’adaptation face aux risques identifiés par les communautés aiderait à faire face aux effets des variabilités et changements climatiques sur l’agriculture pluviale au Sahel.
Dynamique du couvert végétal et implications socio-environnementales à la périphérie du parc W/Burkina Faso
Authors: Gansaonré Raogo Noël
Published: August 2018

Les crises climatiques qu’a connues la zone sahélienne, notamment le Burkina Faso, ont eu des impacts sur l’environnement. Face à cela, des efforts de conservation ont été développés dans l’ensemble du pays à travers l’aménagement d’aires protégées. Cependant, les périphéries de ces aires connaissent une dégradation du couvert végétal. Cette étude visait à appréhender la dynamique du couvert végétal à la périphérie du parc W et ses implications sociales et environnementales. La méthodologie mise en œuvre a consisté à l’interprétation d’images satellitaires et à l’analyse de données collectées à l’aide de questionnaires adressés à 114 chefs de ménage. Des images Landsat de 1984 et de 2015 de 30 mètres de résolution ont été classifiées en utilisant la méthode du maximum de vraisemblance. Les résultats montrent que 48,26 % de la superficie de la commune de Diapaga ont connu une dégradation, tandis que 40,38 % et 11,36 % sont respectivement en état de stabilité et d’amélioration. Cette évolution est bien perçue par les populations locales, puisque plus de 80 % des personnes interrogées perçoivent une dégradation du couvert végétal. La corrélation de Kendall a permis de voir que la perception de l’évolution de la densité du couvert végétal dépend de la distance par rapport au parc. Les implications socio-environnementales concernent l’amplification des conflits et les infractions dans le parc W. Dès lors, il convient de mener davantage d’investigations pour une meilleure appréhension des facteurs qui influencent la dynamique du couvert végétal dans la zone d’étude.
Rapport femme-forêt : vers un écoféminisme de la complexité
Authors: Taha Nkoum Marie Nicole
Published: August 2018

La dégradation de l’environnement constitue l’une des problématiques les plus cruciales du moment, les mécanismes et stratégies pour l’endiguer suscitent encore un certain nombre de débats houleux. L’une des approches privilégiées pour enrayer ce phénomène reste donc la résilience qui permet aux écosystèmes dégradés de retrouver relativement leur intégrité écologique initiale. Cependant, la contribution des femmes qui sont pourtant parmi les couches de la population les plus vulnérables et les plus touchées par cette dégradation reste très peu documentée et donc très peu valorisée. La grande majorité des productions scientifiques au sein des interfaces entre féminisme et écologie bien que constructifs restent très fortement entachées par une sorte de bataille de dualisme, commun à un certain discours scientifique dont la méthode nous semble quelque peu dépassée, ayant donc pour conséquence, d’éroder le substrat même de l’immense contribution desdites approches scientifiques sur la question. Il semble donc urgent et pertinent de regrouper ces contributions en une seule et même approche fondée sur une réflexion de la pensée complexe et sa place dans l’interface féminisme et écologie, approche que nous nommerons ici, « écoféminisme de la complexité ». Cette proposition nous semble d’autant plus pertinente qu’elle permettra de définir une plateforme de valorisation et de capitalisation des initiatives féminines de transformation positive des écosystèmes, en l’occurrence (pour les besoins de cet article) l’expérience de résilience des femmes maraîchères de la forêt classée de Mbao dans la banlieue dakaroise au Sénégal.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of NiCo2O4 Nanowires on Carbon Fiber Paper for Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst
Authors: Dahonog Luigi A. , Balela Mary Donnabelle L.
Published: August 2018

Nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) nanowires were successfully grown on the surface of carbon fiber via hydrothermal treatment, followed by annealing. After 2 h, SEM revealed the formation of NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays on the surface of the carbon fiber paper. With increasing hydrothermal time from 2 to 12 h, the NiCo2O4 nanowires also self-assembled into urchin-like morphologies. When used as catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction, the NiCo2O4 nanowires exhibit an onset potential for the cathodic current at-0.13 V vs. Ag/AgCl in 0.1 M KOH.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Paper
Authors: Saberon Saberina I. , Maguyon-Detras Monet Concepcion , Migo Maria Victoria P. , Herrera Marvin U. , Manalo Ronniel D.
Published: August 2018

Nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were grown on paper substrate made from Abaca hybrid 7 pulp. Microwave irradiation technique was used at power levels (180 and 540W) and exposure times (5, 10, 20 and 25 minutes). Chemical transformations were observed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The effects of the power levels and exposure times on the morphology of the nanostructures were determined using scanning electron microscopy. FTIR spectra proved the embedment of ZnO on the paper substrate. Power levels and exposure times affected the distribution, particle size and structure of the ZnO nanoparticles. Higher power level and longer exposure resulted to the formation of more ZnO with larger particles. Grainlike and flowerlike ZnO nanostructures were formed at lower and higher levels, respectively.
Effects of Molecular Weight of Chitosan on the Biodegradability and Thermal Properties of Polybutylene Succinate/Chitosan Composites
Authors: Manatsittipan Sukantika , Kuttiyawong Kamonthip , Ito Kazuo , Tiptipakorn Sunan
Published: August 2018

In this study, the biodegradability and thermal properties the composites of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and chitosan of different molecular weights (Mn = 104,105, and 106 Da) were prepared at chitosan contents of 0-10 wt%. After 10 days of microbial degradation, the results show that the amount of holes from degradation was increased with either decreasing Mn or increasing chitosan contents. However, the size of holes was increased with increasing Mn and chitosan contents. The results from Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) present that the melting temperature (Tm) of PBS was decreased with increasing chitosan contents. Moreover, there was no significant difference between Tm of the composites with different Mn of chitosan. From the TGA thermograms, the decomposition temperature at 10% weight loss (Td10) was decreased with increasing chitosan contents. Moreover, the water absorption of PBS/chitosan composites was increased with increasing Mn and content of chitosan.
Mechanical Properties of Chicken Feather Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites
Authors: Jayamani Elammaran , Heng Soon Kok , Sean Lee Tet , Bin Bakri Muhammad Khusairy
Published: August 2018

In this paper, chicken feather fibers (CFFs) from poultry industries were used as reinforced materials incorporated with unsaturated polyester (UP) to create composites. It is prepared by varied the percentage weight fraction of CFFs by 2wt%, 4wt%, 6wt%, 8wt%, and 10wt%. Alkaline treated potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used to alter the structure of the CFFs. From the results it showed that the tensile strength of the CFFs/UP composites was reduced. The flexural modulus has optimum results of 35.3MPa, improved by 11.86% from pure UP (31.1MPa). For flexural modulus at 2wt% and 4wt% the untreated CFFs/UP performed better performance. However, started at 6wt% onwards, chemically treated fibers surpass untreated fiber. Even though CFFs has unique characteristics properties such as hollow honeycomb structure and low density, the poor adhesion due to its smooth surface roughness and uneven distribution of fiber during mixing contributed to the low strength and flexural values. Thus, treatment caused changes in the structure of the CFFs to increase the surface roughness of the fibers, which improve adhesion.
Cogon Grass for Oil Sorption: Characterization and Sorption Studies
Authors: Ibrahim Shariff , Baharuddin Siti Noor Inani Binti , Ariffin Borhanuddin , Hanafiah Megat Ahmad Kamal Megat , Kantasamy Nesamalar
Published: August 2018

Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), an invasive, unwanted grass was used and evaluated for its applicability for the sorption of engine oil. Other than dried and ground for smaller size, no notable treatment was performed on the cogon grass. The physical and chemical properties of cogon grass were characterized by ash content, bulk density, pH slurry, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The oil sorption was performed in a batch adsorption system. The effects of contact time, dosage of adsorbent and oil retention were investigated. The bulk density and ash content of the prepared carbon was 0.34 g/ml and 7.80 %, respectively. The pH slurry value was near neutrality (6.48). FESEM micrograph of cogon grass showed jagged and rough surface. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of aromatic rings of lignin and some aromatic compounds associated with CH. Carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen (CHN) analysis revealed that 41% of cogon grass consists of carbon. The cogon grass was observed to wet oil almost instantly with sorption equilibrium time of 5 min. The dose of cogon grass was found to slightly affect the sorption capacity. Oil retention experiments reveal the good ability of cogon grass to hold oil with about 96% retention after 24 h dripping. This study may provide an insight on the usefulness of cogon grass for removal of engine oils.
Characterization of Laser Beam Welded Al0.5CoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Sokkalingam R. , Sivaprasad K. , Muthupandi V. , Duraiselvam Muthukannan
Published: August 2018

High-entropy alloys (HEA), a new generation alloy system offer superior mechanical properties with solid solution strengthening. AlxCoCrFeNi-HEA is one such system being received more attention because of its specific yield strength and ductility. In the present work, Al0.5CoCrFeNi-HEA was prepared by vacuum arc melting. The laser beam welding (LBW) was carried out on 1mm thick forged and homogenized HEA, with a beam power of 1.5 kW and at a traverse speed of 600 mm/min. The microstructural features of different regions of the weld were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The homogenized Al0.5CoCrFeNi-HEA have shown equiaxed grains of average size 60 μm. The weld metal showed a typical weld fusion zone microstructure with dendritic structure with a reduction in BCC phase due to minimal Al and Ni segregation ratio at interdendrites. Micro-chemical analysis with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed that there was no major segregation of elements in the weld fusion zone. The microhardness survey performed across the weld evidenced a reduction in hardness, as a consequence of significant reduction in Al-Ni rich hardening factor.
Dripping Behavior of Wire Fire under Varying Pressure and Electric Current
Authors: Wang Zhi , Li Hai Hang , Wang Jian
Published: August 2018

Dripping of polymer insulations is a different type of hazardous behaviors in wire fire, which has a potential risk of igniting adjacent combustible material and causing the dramatic growth and spread of fire in buildings, aircraft, spacecraft and nuclear power plant. To improve the fire-safety strategy, bench scale tests are conducted to study the dripping phenomenon using thin wire sample under various atmosphere pressure and electric current. The results show that the variation of flame front has a slight fluctuation during molten dripping, while the flame size (especially flame height) changes significantly. Moreover, dripping frequency (f) decreases with pressure (Ρ) due to a sufficient burning effect, but it increases with electric current (Ι) because of a stronger accumulating effect.
Extracted Lignin from Rhizophora’s Black Liquor as Fluid Loss Control Additive in Water Based Drilling Mud
Authors: Sauki Arina , Azmi Siti Humaira Naqiah , Ghazali Nurul Aimi , Abu Bakar Noor Fitrah , Wan Ibrahim Wan Asma
Published: August 2018

The ability of lignin fromRhizophora Apiculata’sblack liquor to act as a fluid loss additive in water-based drilling at HTHP condition was investigated. The lignin biopolymer was extracted from the black liquor using acid precipitation technique using 20% by volume of sulphuric acid at temperature of 45°C and 60°C for pH 4, 6 and 8 respectively. The produced lignin was tested in water based drilling mud at temperature of 250°F, 300°F,350°F and 400°F . The optimum extraction parameters showed that the highest yield of lignin extraction of approximately 51.2% was obtained at pH 4 and extraction temperature of 45°C. It was also observed that theRhizophora Apiculata’slignin has remarkable rheological and filtration controlling properties at HTHP condition as compared to the commercial lignin additive.