bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of Peer-to-Peer Online Lending Platforms in China
Authors: Song Pingfan , Chen Yunzhi , Zhou Zhixiang , Wu Huaqing
Published: August 2018

In this paper we intend to check the performance of Peer-to-Peer online lending platforms in China. Different from commercial banks, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) platforms’ business process is divided into the market-expanding stage and the risk-managing stage. In the market-expanding stage, platforms are intended to help borrowers attain more money, and in the risk-managing stage, platforms try their best to ensure that the lenders’ money is repaid on time. Thus, with a sample of 66 leading big P2P platforms, and a novel two-stage slacks-based measure data envelopment analysis with non-cooperative game, the performance efficiency of each stage as well as the comprehensive efficiency are evaluated. The results show that the leading big platforms are good at managing the risk, although risk management is not the major concern of most P2P platforms in China. We also find that average performance efficiency of the platforms that are located in non-first tier cities is higher than that in first tier cities. This unexpected result indicates that development of the P2P industry may relieve the severe distortion of resource allocation and efficiency loss arising from unbalanced regional development. Then dividing the platforms into different groups according to different types of ownership, we verify that performance efficiency of the P2P platforms from the state-owned enterprise group is in a dominant position, and the robustness check indicates that the major advantage of the state-owned enterprise (SOE) group mainly lies in the risk management. We also make a further study to figure out the sources of inefficiency, finding that it mainly arises from the shortage of lenders, the lack of average borrowing balance, and the insufficient transparency of information disclosure. In the last section we conclude our research and propose some advice.
Does Urban Agriculture Improve Food Security? Examining the Nexus of Food Access and Distribution of Urban Produced Foods in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Siegner Alana , Sowerwine Jennifer , Acey Charisma
Published: August 2018

The aim of our review is to critically analyze the urban agriculture and urban food systems literature in order to understand the impact of urban-produced foods on community food security. We examine the role of city planning, food policy, and civic engagement in creating spaces for urban agriculture in cities across the United States, and whether (and how) these spaces promote food justice and food security. Bringing together multidisciplinary literature on access to urban agriculture and the distribution of urban-produced foods in a thematic, systematic review, we point out gaps in the academic research that would benefit from further study. The review integrates academic literature generated from Web of Science searches with gray literature identified through Google Alerts. We find that while there is a strong focus on elucidating the multiple benefits of urban agriculture, there are few studies that robustly measure the impact of urban farms on improving food security in low-income communities. Much of the literature is theoretical, focused on the production potential of urban agriculture, while more work is needed to understand and overcome barriers to access and distribution among communities in need. We conclude with a set of recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who seek to create spaces in cities for food justice, equity, access, and sovereignty.
Attitudes and Perceptions of the Local Community towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq
Authors: Harun Rezhen , Chiciudean Gabriela O. , Sirwan Kawan , Arion Felix H. , Muresan Iulia C.
Published: August 2018

Over the last years, tourism has undergone significant development worldwide, especially in developing countries. Tourism is a multi-faced activity with positive and negative impacts on the destinations, linking the economic, social, and environmental components of sustainable development. The attitude of the host community is an important factor for future tourism planning, management, and development of a tourism destination. As such, the paper analyzes the attitudes and perceptions of the local residents from the Kurdistan Regional Government, located in the northern part of the Republic of Iraq. To achieve the purpose of the research, a survey based on a questionnaire was conducted in Sulaimani and Halabja Governorates. A number of 320 questionnaires were applied in 2016. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. The results indicate that tourism is seen as a development sector during the last years. Its positive impacts are better perceived than the negative ones, mainly because it offers more recreational opportunities due to the development of new recreational parks. Tourism increases pollution, this being the most negative aspect mentioned by the respondents, but regardless, they are proud of the progress overthe last years and they support future actions for tourism development.
Building Sustainability into Services Marketing: Expanding Decision-Making from a Mix to a Matrix
Authors: Pomering Alan , Johnson Lester W.
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study is to develop a framework that will provide the services marketing manager a systematic, holistic and transparent means of enhancing sustainability performance through the marketing function. We review the literature dealing with the confluence of services marketing and sustainability, identify gaps in current sustainability-services marketing literature and inductively develop a conceptual framework for Sustainability Services Marketing (SSM). We describe services marketing practice examples in order to uncover the implications of a sustainability focus for services marketing and illustrate how to operationalise the framework. The resulting framework, (i) ensures that sustainability is incorporated into the strategic services marketing planning process, (ii) adapts and expands the traditional concept of the services marketing mix, by adding Partnerships to the traditional mix elements, and (iii) cross-references services marketing mix decision-making with the triple bottom line to describe the marketing task in terms of a matrix rather than a mix. This permits sustainability benchmarking and planning across the triple bottom line, and across the range of activities the services marketing manager might be expected to manage in order to enhance sustainability performance. We shift services marketing management attention to a broader and more sustainability-responsible whole-of-business approach. This research provides timely and effective guidance for the services marketing manager seeking to enhance his or her business’s sustainability performance in a systematic, holistic, and transparent way.
Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Morphological Alterations of Aspergillus ochraceus and Expression of Key Genes Involved in Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Limin , Jin Jing , Liu Xiao , Wang Yan , Liu Yang , Zhao Yueju , Xing Fuguo
Published: August 2018

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and teratogenic compound which is a significant mycotoxin contaminates cereals during storage. Aspergillus ochraceus is the most common producer of OTA in cereals and cereal-derived products. Cinnamaldehyde is a natural substance derived from plant cinnamon playing an important role in the reduction of OTA contamination. In this study, the antifungal and antitoxigenic effect of cinnamaldehyde was investigated with its mechanisms of inhibition of fungal growth at the morphological and ultrastructural levels, and inhibition of OTA biosynthesis at the transcriptional level. Significant A. ochraceus growth was inhibited at 0.4–1.6 mmol/L with fumigation. A. ochraceus exposed to 0.4 mmol/L of cinnamaldehyde indicated irreversible harmful morphological and ultrastructural modifications such as the folding of the cell, the loss of integrity of the cell wall, the disruption of plasma membrane, the destruction of the mitochondria, and the absence of intracellular organelles. These alterations may be attributed to its inhibition of enzymatic reactions that regulate cell wall synthesis, thus disturbing the morphogenesis and growth of A. ochraceus. In the presence of cinnamaldehyde, the tested biosynthetic and regulatory genes like pks, nrps, veA, laeA and velB were highly downregulated. Moreover, the downregulation effect of cinnamaldehyde increased proportionally with the concentrations. These results suggest that the decrease of OTA production by cinnamaldehyde is attributed to the downregulation of the transcriptional levels of OTA biosynthetic and regulatory genes besides the inhibition of fungal growth. The study reveals the mechanisms of the antifungal and antitoxigenic activities of cinnamaldehyde against A. ochraceus, and further emphasizes that cinnamaldehyde could be a safe and effective natural agents against OTA contamination during cereals storage.
Exposure Assessment to Mycotoxins in a Portuguese Fresh Bread Dough Company by Using a Multi-Biomarker Approach
Authors: Viegas Susana , Assunção Ricardo , Nunes Carla , Osteresch Bernd , Twarużek Magdalena , Kosicki Robert , Grajewski Jan , Martins Carla , Alvito Paula , Almeida Ana , Viegas Carla
Published: August 2018

Mycotoxins are toxic mold metabolites that can persist in environment long after the fungi species responsible for their production disappear. Critical workplace for mycotoxins presence has already been studied and nowadays it is possible to recognize that exposure to mycotoxins through inhalation occurs due to their presence in dust. This study aimed to assess occupational co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins in a fresh bread dough company, an occupational setting not studied until now. Occupational exposure assessment to mycotoxins was done using a LC-MS/MS urinary multi-biomarker approach. Twenty-one workers and nineteen individuals that were used as controls participated in the study. Workers/controls (spot-urine) and environment (settled dust) samples were collected and analyzed. Concerning workers group, DON-GlcA, and OTA were the most prevalent biomarkers (>LOD), 66% and 90.5%, respectively. In the control group, OTA was also one of the most detected (68%) followed by CIT (58%) and DON-GlcA (58%). DON was the mycotoxin measured in high amounts in the settled dust sample (58.2 ng/g). Both workers and controls are exposed to several mycotoxins simultaneously. The workers group, due to their high contact with flour dust, revealed a higher exposure to DON. Considering these results, risk management measures must be applied including specific and adequate health surveillance programs in order to avoid exposure and consequently the associated health consequences.
Irrigation Governance in Developing Countries: Current Problems and Solutions
Authors: Playán Enrique , Sagardoy Juan Antonio , Castillo Rosendo
Published: August 2018

The evolution of water governance and societal perception in large, public irrigation systems in developing countries has triggered successive waves of reforms since the 1980s. Among them are Participatory Irrigation Management, Irrigation Management Transfer, Public-Private Partnerships or Market Instruments. Reforms have generalized the implementation of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in continuous interaction with a public Irrigation Agency. This paper set out to review recurrent problems and reported solutions in the governance of irrigated areas in developing countries and to relate solutions to problems in a case study context. The combination of literature review and the experience of the authors permitted identification and characterization of eight problems and eight solutions. A semi-quantitative approach was designed to relate solutions to problems in case study WUAs. The approach is based on the definition of a generic problem-solution matrix and a WUA-specific problem vector. The solution vector indicates the adequacy of each solution to a case study WUA. It can be obtained by multiplying the problem vector with the problem-solution matrix. Application of this approach to seven case study WUAs demonstrated its potential. Local fine-tuning of the coefficients defining the problem-solution matrix seems required to draw conclusions effectively guiding decision-making.
Attenuation of Tides and Surges by Mangroves: Contrasting Case Studies from New Zealand
Authors: Montgomery John M. , Bryan Karin R. , Horstman Erik M. , Mullarney Julia C.
Published: August 2018

Mangroves have been suggested as an eco-defense strategy to dissipate tsunamis, storm surges, and king tides. As such, efforts have increased to replant forests along coasts that are vulnerable to flooding. The leafy canopies, stems, and aboveground root structures of mangroves limit water exchange across a forest, reducing flood amplitudes. The attenuation of long waves in mangroves was measured using cross-shore transects of pressure sensors in two contrasting environments in New Zealand, both characterized by mono-specific cultures of grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) and approximate cross-shore widths of 1 km. The first site, in the Firth of Thames, was characterized by mangrove trees with heights between 0.5 and 3 m, and pneumatophore roots with an average height of 0.2 m, and no substantial tidal drainage channels. Attenuation was measured during storm surge conditions. In this environment, the tidal and surge currents had no alternative pathway than to be forced into the high-drag mangrove vegetation. Observations showed that much of the dissipation occurred at the seaward fringe of the forest, with an average attenuation rate of 0.24 m/km across the forest width. The second site, in Tauranga harbor, was characterized by shorter mangroves between 0.3 and 1.2 m in height and deeply incised drainage channels. No attenuation of the flood tidal wave across the mangrove forest was measurable. Instead, flow preferentially propagated along the unvegetated low-drag channels, reaching the back of the forest much more efficiently than in the Firth of Thames. Our observations from sites with the same vegetation type suggest that mangrove properties are important to long wave dissipation only if water transport through the vegetation is a dominant mechanism of fluid transport. Therefore, realistic predictions of potential coastal protection should be made prior to extensive replanting efforts.
A Survey on User Acceptance of Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging
Authors: Fett Daniel , Ensslen Axel , Jochem Patrick , Fichtner Wolf
Published: August 2018

This study presents results of a survey-based analysis on user acceptance of wireless electric vehicle charging. A structural equation model is developed based on Davis’ technology acceptance model (TAM). It is expanded integrating elements of Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB). The main factors influencing acceptance of wireless electric vehicle charging are evaluated and analyzed. Empirical findings indicate that survey participants’ acceptance of wireless electric vehicle charging is mainly influenced by affective evaluations of wireless charging, subjective norms, perceived usefulness of wireless charging, and environmental awareness. The results indicate a high degree of acceptance for wireless charging. Even individuals with lower degrees of acceptance are willing to use wireless charging within car-sharing or commercial fleets.
Surface energy of nanoparticles – influence of particle size and structure
Authors: Vollath Dieter , Fischer Franz Dieter , Holec David
Published: August 2018

The surface energy, particularly for nanoparticles, is one of the most important quantities in understanding the thermodynamics of particles. Therefore, it is astonishing that there is still great uncertainty about its value. The uncertainty increases if one questions its dependence on particle size. Different approaches, such as classical thermodynamics calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and ab initio calculations, exist to predict this quantity. Generally, considerations based on classical thermodynamics lead to the prediction of decreasing values of the surface energy with decreasing particle size. This phenomenon is caused by the reduced number of next neighbors of surface atoms with decreasing particle size, a phenomenon that is partly compensated by the reduction of the binding energy between the atoms with decreasing particle size. Furthermore, this compensating effect may be expected by the formation of a disordered or quasi-liquid layer at the surface. The atomistic approach, based either on molecular dynamics simulations or ab initio calculations, generally leads to values with an opposite tendency. However, it is shown that this result is based on an insufficient definition of the particle size. A more realistic definition of the particle size is possible only by a detailed analysis of the electronic structure obtained from initio calculations. Except for minor variations caused by changes in the structure, only a minor dependence of the surface energy on the particle size is found. The main conclusion of this work is that surface energy values for the equivalent bulk materials should be used if detailed data for nanoparticles are not available.
Selective formation of a zwitterion adduct and bicarbonate salt in the efficient CO2 fixation by N-benzyl cyclic guanidine under dry and wet conditions
Authors: Yoshida Yoshiaki , Aoyagi Naoto , Endo Takeshi
Published: August 2018

The efficient CO2 fixation by N-benzyl cyclic guanidine 1 was achieved by bubbling dry CO2 through CH3CN at 25 °C for 2 h. In addition, the zwitterion adduct 2 and bicarbonate salt 3 were selectively prepared from 1 under dry (in anhydrous CH3CN) and wet (in CH3CN containing an equimolar amount of water for 1) conditions, respectively. Both compounds 2 and 3 were isolated as white solids and their structures were characterized in detail by elemental analysis, FTIR-ATR, solid-state NMR, TGA, and DFT calculation. These analytical results obviously revealed the formation of a zwitterion adduct and bicarbonate salt from N-benzyl cyclic guanidine and CO2. Especially, the zwitterion adduct of the monocyclic guanidine derivative and CO2 was isolated and characterized for the first time.
Dynamic light scattering studies of the effects of salts on the diffusivity of cationic and anionic cavitands
Authors: Wishard Anthony , Gibb Bruce C
Published: August 2018

Although alkali halide salts play key roles in all living systems, the physical models used to describe the properties of aqueous solutions of salts do not take into account specific ion–ion interactions. To identify specific ion–ion interactions possibly contributing to the aggregation of proteins, we have used dynamic light scattering (DLS) to probe the aggregation of charged cavitands. DLS measurements of negatively charged 1 in the presence of a range of alkali metal halides reveal no significant aggregation of host 1 as a function of the nature of the cation of the added salt. Only at high concentrations could trace amounts of aggregation be detected by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Contrarily, 1 was readily aggregated and precipitated by ZnCl2. In contrast, although fluoride and chloride did not induce aggregation of positively charged host 2, this cavitand exhibited marked aggregation as a function of bromide and iodide concentration. Specifically, bromide induced small but significant amounts of dimerization, whilst iodide induced extreme aggregation. Moreover, in these cases aggregation of host 2 also exhibited a cationic dependence, with an observed trend Na+ > Li+ > K+ ≈ Cs+. In combination, these results reveal new details of specific ion pairings in aqueous solution and how this can influence the properties of dissolved organics.
The Astropy Project: Building an Open-science Project and Status of the v2.0 Core Package*
Authors:   The Astropy Collaboration, Price-Whelan A. M. , Sipőcz B. M. , Günther H. M. , Lim P. L. , Crawford S. M. , Conseil S. , Shupe D. L. , Craig M. W. , Dencheva N. , Ginsburg A. , VanderPlas J. T. , Bradley L. D. , Pérez-Suárez D. , de Val-Borro M. ,   (Primary Paper Contributors), Aldcroft T. L. , Cruz K. L. , Robitaille T. P. , Tollerud E. J. ,   (Astropy Coordination Committee), Ardelean C. , Babej T. , Bach Y. P. , Bachetti M. , Bakanov A. V. , Bamford S. P. , Barentsen G. , Barmby P. , Baumbach A. , Berry K. L. , Biscani F. , Boquien M. , Bostroem K. A. , Bouma L. G. , Brammer G. B. , Bray E. M. , Breytenbach H. , Buddelmeijer H. , Burke D. J. , Calderone G. , Rodríguez J. L. Cano , Cara M. , Cardoso J. V. M. , Cheedella S. , Copin Y. , Corrales L. , Crichton D. , D’Avella D. , Deil C. , Depagne É. , Dietrich J. P. , Donath A. , Droettboom M. , Earl N. , Erben T. , Fabbro S. , Ferreira L. A. , Finethy T. , Fox R. T. , Garrison L. H. , Gibbons S. L. J. , Goldstein D. A. , Gommers R. , Greco J. P. , Greenfield P. , Groener A. M. , Grollier F. , Hagen A. , Hirst P. , Homeier D. , Horton A. J. , Hosseinzadeh G. , Hu L. , Hunkeler J. S. , Ivezić Ž. , Jain A. , Jenness T. , Kanarek G. , Kendrew S. , Kern N. S. , Kerzendorf W. E. , Khvalko A. , King J. , Kirkby D. , Kulkarni A. M. , Kumar A. , Lee A. , Lenz D. , Littlefair S. P. , Ma Z. , Macleod D. M. , Mastropietro M. , McCully C. , Montagnac S. , Morris B. M. , Mueller M. , Mumford S. J. , Muna D. , Murphy N. A. , Nelson S. , Nguyen G. H. , Ninan J. P. , Nöthe M. , Ogaz S. , Oh S. , Parejko J. K. , Parley N. , Pascual S. , Patil R. , Patil A. A. , Plunkett A. L. , Prochaska J. X. , Rastogi T. , Janga V. Reddy , Sabater J. , Sakurikar P. , Seifert M. , Sherbert L. E. , Sherwood-Taylor H. , Shih A. Y. , Sick J. , Silbiger M. T. , Singanamalla S. , Singer L. P. , Sladen P. H. , Sooley K. A. , Sornarajah S. , Streicher O. , Teuben P. , Thomas S. W. , Tremblay G. R. , Turner J. E. H. , Terrón V. , Kerkwijk M. H. van , de la Vega A. , Watkins L. L. , Weaver B. A. , Whitmore J. B. , Woillez J. , Zabalza V. ,   (Astropy Contributors)
Published: August 2018

The Astropy Project supports and fosters the development of open-source and openly developed Python packages that provide commonly needed functionality to the astronomical community. A key element of the Astropy Project is the core package astropy, which serves as the foundation for more specialized projects and packages. In this article, we provide an overview of the organization of the Astropy project and summarize key features in the core package, as of the recent major release, version 2.0. We then describe the project infrastructure designed to facilitate and support development for a broader ecosystem of interoperable packages. We conclude with a future outlook of planned new features and directions for the broader Astropy Project.
A Weak Modulation Effect Detected in the Light Curves of KIC 5950759: Intrinsic or Instrumental Effect?
Authors: Yang Taozhi , Esamdin A. , Song Fangfang , Niu Hubiao , Feng Guojie , Zong Peng , Zeng Xiangyun , Liu Junhui , Liu Jinzhong , Ma Lu , Zhao Fei
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the high-precision light curves of the Kepler target KIC 5950759 are analyzed. The Fourier analysis of the long cadence (LC) light curve reveals three independent frequencies. Two of them are main pulsation modes: F0 = 14.221373(21) d−1 and F1 = 18.337249(44) d−1. The third independent frequency, f

m
 = 0.3193 d−1, is found in LC data with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6.2. A weak modulation of f

m
to F0 and F1 modes (triplet structures centered on F0 and F1) are detected both in long and short cadence data. This is the first detection of the modulation effect in a double-mode high-amplitude δ Scuti (HADS) star. The most possible cause of the modulation effect in the light curves is amplitude modulation with the star’s rotation frequency of 0.3193 d−1. The preliminary analysis suggests that KIC 5950759 is in the bottom of the HADS instability strip and likely situated in the main sequence. Spectroscopic observations are necessary to verify the true nature of the modulation terms.
Two Kinds of Dynamic Behavior in a Quiescent Prominence Observed by the NVST
Authors: Li Dong , Shen Yuandeng , Ning Zongjun , Zhang Qingmin , Zhou Tuanhui
Published: August 2018

We present high-resolution observations of two kinds of dynamic behavior in a quiescent prominence using the New Vacuum Solar Telescope, i.e., Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities (KHIs) and small-scale oscillations. The KHIs were identified as rapidly developed vortex-like structures with counterclockwise/clockwise rotations in the Hα red-wing images at +0.3 Å, which were produced by the strong shear-flow motions on the surface/interface of prominence plumes. The KHI growth rates are estimated to be ∼0.0135 ± 0.0004 and ∼0.0138 ± 0.0004. Our observational results further suggest that the shear velocities (i.e., supersonic) of the mass flows are fast enough to produce the strong deformation of the boundary and overcome the restraining surface tension force. This flow-driven instability might play a significant role in the process of plasma transfer in solar prominences. The small-scale oscillations perpendicular to the prominence threads are observed in the Hα line-center images. The oscillatory periods changed nonmonotonically and showed two changing patterns, in which one first decreased slowly and then started to increase, while the other grew fast at the beginning and then started to decrease. Both of these thread oscillations with changing periods were observed to be unstable for an entire cycle, and they were local in nature. All our findings indicate that the small-scale thread oscillations could be magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar corona.
Robust Chauvenet Outlier Rejection
Authors: Maples M. P. , Reichart D. E. , Konz N. C. , Berger T. A. , Trotter A. S. , Martin J. R. , Dutton D. A. , Paggen M. L. , Joyner R. E. , Salemi C. P.
Published: August 2018

Sigma clipping is commonly used in astronomy for outlier rejection, but the number of standard deviations beyond which one should clip data from a sample ultimately depends on the size of the sample. Chauvenet rejection is one of the oldest, and simplest, ways to account for this, but, like sigma clipping, it depends on the sample’s mean and standard deviation, neither of which are robust quantities: both are easily contaminated by the very outliers they are being used to reject. Many, more robust measures of central tendency, and of sample deviation, exist, but each has a trade-off with precision. Here we demonstrate that outlier rejection can be both very robust and very precise if decreasingly robust but increasingly precise techniques are applied in sequence. To this end, we present a variation on Chauvenet rejection that we call “robust” Chauvenet rejection (RCR), which uses three decreasingly robust/increasingly precise measures of central tendency and four decreasingly robust/increasingly precise measures of sample deviation. We show this sequential approach to be very effective for a wide variety of contaminant types, even when a significant—even dominant—fraction of the sample is contaminated, and especially when the contaminants are strong. Furthermore, we have developed a bulk-rejection variant, to significantly decrease computing times, and RCR can be applied both to weighted data and when fitting parameterized models to data. We present aperture photometry in a contaminated, crowded field as an example. RCR may be used by anyone at https://skynet.unc.edu/rcr, and source code is available there as well.
SYGMA: Stellar Yields for Galactic Modeling Applications
Authors: Ritter Christian , Côté Benoit , Herwig Falk , Navarro Julio F. , Fryer Chris L.
Published: August 2018

The Stellar Yields for Galactic Modeling Applications (SYGMA) code is an open-source module that models the chemical ejecta and feedback of simple stellar populations (SSPs). It is intended for use in hydrodynamical simulations and semi-analytic models of galactic chemical evolution. The module includes the enrichment from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, massive stars, Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), and compact binary mergers. An extensive and extendable stellar yields library includes the NuGrid yields with all elements and many isotopes up to Bi. Stellar feedback from mechanic and frequency-dependent radiative luminosities are computed based on NuGrid stellar models and their synthetic spectra. The module further allows for customizable initial mass functions and SN Ia delay-time distributions to calculate time-dependent ejecta based on stellar yield input. A variety of r-process sites can be included. A comparison of SSP ejecta based on NuGrid yields with those from Portinari et al. and Marigo reveals up to factors of 3.5 and 4.8 less C and N enrichment from AGB stars at low metallicity, a result we attribute to NuGrid’s modeling of hot-bottom burning. Different core-collapse supernova explosions and fallback prescriptions may lead to substantial variations for the accumulated ejecta of C, O and Si in the first 107 years at Z = 0.001. An online interface of the open-source SYGMA module enables interactive simulations, analysis, and data extraction of the evolution of all species formed by the evolution of simple stellar populations.
Justiciers amateurs et croisades morales en Russie contemporaine
Authors: Favarel-Garrigues Gilles
Published: August 2018

Résumé Depuis le début des années 2010, les entrepreneurs de morale désireux de faire respecter la loi et de rendre la justice se multiplient en Russie où ils défendent les causes les plus diverses. Ils se filment en train d’agir en justiciers autoproclamés et bénéficient d’une notoriété parfois importante sur les réseaux sociaux. En quoi l’engagement de ces justiciers amateurs défie-t-il les pouvoirs publics ? L’article présente ces pratiques d’auto-justice, s’interroge sur la pertinence du concept de vigilantisme pour les décrire et montre qu’elles font l’objet d’un traitement différentiel de la part des pouvoirs publics.
Entre alliances et métriques
Authors: Gaidet Nicolas , Fouilleux Ève
Published: August 2018

Résumé Cet article étudie les dynamiques de débat dans le champ institutionnel global des politiques de protection de la biodiversité. Il analyse les processus d’alliances et d’enrôlements qui s’y jouent entre organisations non gouvernementales de conservation, acteurs académiques (écologues puis économistes) et organisations internationales publiques. Il montre ainsi combien le débat est conditionné et spécifiquement orienté par la construction de bases de données, métriques et indicateurs sur la biodiversité. Initialement construit autour de l’idée de conservation d’espaces et d’espèces remarquables, le débat s’est élargi et enrichi dans les dernières décennies à partir de la notion de services écosystémiques. Pour autant, les politiques publiques globales restent organisées autour d’un instrument central : les aires protégées.
Contribution to Solving the Damp Masonry of the Romanesque Church
Authors: Burgetová Eva , Michalová Kristýna , Violo Marco
Published: August 2018

The paper deals with damp investigation of the St Giles Church in Milevsko Monastery which is an important example of the Romanesque religious architecture. Non-invasive rehabilitation measure, designed by authors and based on detailed damp investigation and analysis, gives support natural moisture movement in structure and respects outstanding importance of this unique Romanesque monument. Protection of building against water and moisture belongs to the most important measures in ensuring the service life and serviceability of historical buildings.
Monitoring of the Setting and early Hardening with Ultrasonic Waves
Authors: Rozsypalová Iva , Karel Ondřej , Kucharczyková Barbara , Kocáb Dalibor , Halamová Romana
Published: August 2018

The paper deals with the experimental investigation aimed at the continual monitoring of the process of setting and early hardening in cement pastes and mortars using the measurement equipment Vikasonic. The measurement principle consists in measuring the time of ultrasonic pulses transit through a test specimen placed between two ultrasonic transducers. This innovative method of measurement could in the future suitably complement or, in some cases, completely substitute the measurement of setting in cement composites using the Vicat apparatus. The pilot measurement results performed on the cement pastes and mortars are presented in the paper.
The delay of the Day of the Lord in Malachi: A missional reading
Authors: Wielenga Bob
Published: August 2018

In this article, the missional significance of the delay of the Day of the Lord in the postexilic book of Malachi will be studied, employing a missional hermeneutic. First, the canon-historical meaning of the relevant eschatological texts in Malachi 3 will be established. Attention will be paid to the historical and literary context of Malachi in which his precursor, Joel, is pivotal. Second, the New Testament appropriation of Malachi 3 in Matthew’s Gospel is assessed. To conclude, a proposal how Malachi’s motif of the delay of the Day of the Lord can best be missionally re-employed in the present time, will be presented. Hence, apart from a brief note on missional hermeneutics, the missional origin of the text of Malachi, the missional motivation for the delay and the role of the Day of the Lord in modern missiology will be studied.
Spirituele vorming om ’n missionale karakter in gemeentes in die praktyk te bewerkstellig
Authors: Pretorius Philippus C. , Niemandt Cornelius J.P.
Published: August 2018

Spiritual formation to bring about a missional character in congregations in practice. This study applied literature review to focus on missional ecclesiology and, more specifically, on the important role and impact of spirituality in supporting a missional church. Although the research originated in reformed churches in South Africa, the reflection on the relation between the concept of missional church and a Christian spirituality, and the practical examples that illustrate such a missional spirituality, transcend the context and is applicable to most contexts. The conclusion of the research affirmed a Trinitarian approach to spirituality and the indispensable place of a missional spirituality for Christian congregations. A life in the Trinity forms and informs everyday life. It encourages disciples of Christ to participate in God’s mission. There is no difference between Christian spirituality and missional spirituality. One of the key findings was the important role of habits: believers should change their habits in their everyday life in order to change their thoughts, and not the other way around. Practical examples of habits are as follows: systematic reading of God’s Word; to see what God sees; kenosis shown through hospitality; faith discernment with other believers; associating the everyday normalities as spiritual; finding rest in God; and eating together.Intradisciplinary and/or Interdisciplinary implications: This article was written from the perspective of mission studies. The contextual challenge was to emphasise the importance of habits in Christian spirituality, and the reciprocal relationship between spirituality and being a missional church. This article has challenged the culture of church-organised mission projects.
IoT-F2CDM-LB: IoT Based Fog-to-Cloud and Data-in-Motion Architectures with Load Balancing
Authors: M. Al-Joboury Istabraq , H. Al-Hemiary Emad
Published: August 2018

The work in this paper tries to enhance the performance of IoT by modifying the Cloud based architecture in terms of storage, processing, and Load Balancing (LB). The assumption is as follows: In a single Fog server, high traffic coming from Things may cause packet loss which in turn affect the overall IoT performance. To overcome such a situation, LB on Fog layer is proposed and implemented practically using virtualization technology. The proposed IoT based Fog-To-Cloud and Data-inMotion with LB (IoT-F2CDM-LB) architecture consists of two load balancers; HAProxy and Server Load Balancing (SLB), are used to distribute messages from Things to four virtualized Fog servers according to Least Connection technique. The implementation is carried out using VirtualBox and GNS3. Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol is used to transfer messages between layers. Both load balancers result in packet loss reduction by 50%, lower response time and higher throughput.
Unidirectional and bidirectional coupling of surface plasmons based on nonperiodic nano slit array
Authors: Udupi Aparna , Handigod Mruthyunjaya Somasekhara , Kumar Sathish Madhava
Published: August 2018

A 2D structure made up of nano slits to couple free space mode of any given wave front to a propagating Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) mode of Metal Insulator Metal (MIM) waveguide is proposed. The structure can be designed to act as either a unidirectional coupler or a bidirectional coupler. Designed structures are simulated using FEM technique and results for circular and plane wave fronts are demonstrated. From the results obtained, it is observed that there is an optimum aperture size for coupling maximum power into the MIM waveguide for the case of circular wave front. Full Text: PDF ReferencesMaier S A, Plasmonics: fundamentals and applications (Springer, Berlin 2007). CrossRef Chen J et al.,"Efficient unidirectional generation of surface plasmon polaritons with asymmetric single-nanoslit", Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 4 (2010) CrossRef Yang X et al., "Unidirectional generation of surface plasmon polaritons by a single right-angled trapezoid metallic nanoslit", J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 50, 4 (2017). CrossRef Lu F et al. "An efficient and ultra-broadband unidirectional optical coupler for wide incidence angles", Opt. Commun., 379 (2016). CrossRef Liu D et al., "New RLL Decoding Algorithm for Multiple Candidates in Visible Light Communication", IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett., 27, 15 (2015). CrossRef Wang C M et al., "Angle-Independent Infrared Filter Assisted by Localized Surface Plasmon Polariton", IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett., 20, 13 (2008). CrossRef Wang C M, Feng D Y, "Omnidirectional thermal emitter based on plasmonic nanoantenna arrays", Opt. Express 22, 2 (2014). CrossRef Huang Y, Min C and Veronis G, "Light trapping by backside diffraction gratings in silicon solar cells revisited", Opt. Express 20, 20 (2012). CrossRef Liang X et al., "Undirectional launcher of surface plasmon polaritons based on subwavelength slits with side-illumination and backside-illumination", Optik 127, 3 (2016). CrossRef Dionne J A, Lezec H J and Atwater H A, "Highly Confined Photon Transport in Subwavelength Metallic Slot Waveguides", Nano letters 6, 9 (2006). CrossRef Ghatak, A., & Thyagarajan, K, An introduction to fiber optics Cambridge university press 1998). CrossRef Vial A et al., "Improved analytical fit of gold dispersion: Application to the modeling of extinction spectra with a finite-difference time-domain method", Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter, 71, 8 (2005). CrossRef
Spectroscopic Properties of Yb3+/Nd3+ Co-doped Ions in SiO2-Al2O3-Na2CO3-SrF2-CaF2 Oxyfluoride Glasses for Photonic Applications
Authors: G Umamaheswar , Gelija Devarajulu , V Ramaswamy , Borelli Deva Prasad Raju
Published: August 2018

The Yb3+ and Yb3+/Nd3+ co-doped SiO2-Al2O3-Na2CO3-SrF2-CaF2 oxyfluorosilicate glasses have been prepared by high temperature melt-quenching method. The prepared glasses are excited with 808 nm, and the near infrared emission bands are observed. The intensified emission band was centered at 1030 nm (2F5/2 -> 2F7/2) of Yb3+ ions. Stimulated emission cross-section was evaluated for the prominent 2F5/2 -> 2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ ion by using the Mc-Cumber theory. The energy transfer from Nd3+ to Yb3+ ions in co-doped silicate based oxyfluoride glasses are described under the 514 nm excitation wavelength. Full Text: PDF ReferencesN. Chiodini, A. Paleari, G. Brambilla, E. R. Taylor, "Erbium doped nanostructured tin?silicate glass?ceramic composites", Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 4449 (2002). CrossRef D. Jaque, J. Capmany, F. Molero, Z. D. Luo, J. G. Sole, "Up-conversion luminescence in the Nd3+:YAB self frequency doubling laser crystal", Opt. mater. 10, 211 (1998). CrossRef H. Lin, G. Meredith, S. Jiang, X. Peng, T. Luo, N. Peyghambarian, E. Yue-Bun Pun, "Optical transitions and visible upconversion in Er3+ doped niobic tellurite glass", J. Appl. Phys. 93, 186 (2003) CrossRef Atul D. Sontakke, K. Annapurna, "Phonon assisted effective non-resonant energy transfer based 1 ?m luminescence from Nd3+?Yb3+ codoped zinc?boro?bismuthate glasses", J. Lumin. 138, 229 (2013). CrossRef F. Liegard, J.L. Doualan, R. Moncorge, M. Bettinelli, "Nd3+ ? Yb3+ energy transfer in a codoped metaphosphate glass as a model for Yb3+ laser operation around 980 nm", Appl. Phys. B 80, 985 (2005) CrossRef A. Miguel, B. Fan, R. Balda, X. Zhang, J. Fernandez, J.L. Adam, "Spectroscopy and energy transfer in Nd3 +/Yb3 + codoped chalcohalide glasses", J. Non-Cryst. Solids 377, 110 (2013). CrossRef G. Devarajulu, B. Deva Prasad Raju, "Effect of concentration variation on 2.0 ?m emission of Ho3+-doped SiO2?Al2O3?Na2CO3?SrF2?CaF2 oxyfluorosilicate glasses", App. Phy. A, 124 (2018). CrossRef Radoslaw Lisiecki, Elzbiecta Augustyn, Witold Ryba-Romanowski, Michal Zelechower, "Er-doped and Er, Yb co-doped oxyfluoride glasses and glass?ceramics, structural and optical properties", Opt. Mater. 33, 1630 (2011). CrossRef G. Chen, Q. Zhang, G. Yang, and Z. Jiang, "Mid-Infrared Emission Characteristic and Energy Transfer of Ho3+-Doped Tellurite Glass Sensitized by Tm3+", J. Fluoresc. 17, 301 (2007). CrossRef D. E. McCumber, "Theory of Phonon-Terminated Optical Masers", Phys. Rev. 134, 299 (1964). CrossRef D.L. Deloach, S.A. Payne, L.K. Smith, W.L. Kway, W. F. Krupke, "Laser and spectroscopic properties of Sr5(PO4)3F:Yb", J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 11, 269 (1994). CrossRef K. Venkata Krishnaiah, R. Rajeswari, K. UpendraKumar, S. Surendra Babu, I.R. Martin, C.K. Jayasankar, "Spectroscopy and radiation trapping of Yb3+ ions in lead phosphate glasses", J.Quant. Spect. Rad. Trans. 140, 37 (2014). CrossRef
Methods for polymer-stabilization of molecular orientation in LC-waveguiding structures
Authors: Rutkowska Katarzyna Agnieszka , Chychłowski Miłosz
Published: August 2018

In this letter we present a new way for constructing and developing LC-based waveguiding structures. Specifically, liquid crystalline material enriched with monomer in the proper proportions is implemented in our approach and a waveguide geometry can be created in the LC cell thanks to the photo-polymerization process allowing for LC molecules to be suspended in desired position and orientation. The latter can be enforced by external fields and UV-irradiation can be performed trough the mask of desired geometry. In this way, regions with different molecular textures (e.g. planar and homeotropic) and thus waveguiding structures can be easily created within LC layer. The main idea of this letter is not only to show a prove-of-concept of the polymer-imposed LC stabilization for such planar optical devices but to discuss differences in methodology of their practical realization. Full Text: PDF ReferencesQ. Li, Liquid crystals beyond displays: chemistry, physics, and applications (John Wiley & Sons, 2012). CrossRef J.P. Lagerwall, G. Scalia, Current App. Phys. 12, 1387 (2012). CrossRef A. Ciferri, Polymer liquid crystals (Elsevier, 2012). DirectLink D. Yang, Fundamentals of liquid crystal devices (John Wiley & Sons, 2014). CrossRef L. Vicari, Optical applications of liquid crystals (CRC press, 2016). DirectLink I. Dierking, Adv Mater 12, 167 (2000). CrossRef K. Rutkowska, M. Chychłowski, M. Kwaśny, I. Ostromęcka, J. Piłka, U. Laudyn, "Light propagation in periodic photonic structures formed by photo-orientation and photo-polymerization of nematic liquid crystals", Opto-Electr. Rev. 25, 118 (2017). CrossRef K A. Rutkowska, M. Chychłowski, U.A. Laudyn, Proc. SPIE 10325, 1032506 (2017). CrossRef B. Turowski, K.A. Rutkowska, Phot. Lett. Poland 9, 82 (2017). CrossRef H. Ren, Y. Lin, S. Wu, Opt. Commun. 261, 296 (2006). CrossRef V. Mucci and C. Vallo, J Appl Polym Sci 123, 418 (2012). CrossRef U.A. Laudyn, M. Kwaśny, K. Jaworowicz, K.A. Rutkowska, M.A. Karpierz, G. Assanto, Phot. Lett. Poland 1, 7 (2009). CrossRef M.S. Chychłowski, S. Ertman, E. Nowinowski-Kruszelnicki, T.R. Woliński, Mol. Cryst. Liquid Cryst. 553, 127 (2012). CrossRef
Broadband and high resolution measurements of cavity loss and dispersion
Authors: Charczun Dominik Andrzej , Kowzan Grzegorz , Cygan Agata , Trawiński Ryszard S. , Lisak Daniel , Masłowski Piotr
Published: August 2018

We present a method for broadband measurements of dispersion and loss of an optical cavity. We employ an optical frequency comb directly coupled into a cavity to scan the cavity modes and retrieve their shapes and positions. The measurement data is acquired using instrumental-line-shape-free Fourier transform spectrometry. This method can be developed into a powerful tool for optical loss and dispersion measurements for broadband characterization of optical elements as well as absorption and dispersion spectroscopy. Full Text: PDF ReferencesTh. Udem, R. Holzwarth, T.W. Hänsch, "Optical Frequency Metrology", Nature 416, 233–237 (2002). CrossRef R.A. McCracken, J.M. Charsley, D.T. Reid "A decade of astrocombs: recent advances in frequency combs for astronomy", Optics Express 25, 13, 15058-15078 (2017). CrossRef M.J. Thorpe, D. Balslev-Clausen, M.S. Kirchner, J. Ye, "Cavity-enhanced optical frequency comb spectroscopy: application to human breath analysis", Optics Express 16, 4, 2387-2397 (2008). CrossRef J. Domysławska et al., "Cavity ring-down spectroscopy of the oxygen B-band with absolute frequency reference to the optical frequency comb", The Journal of Chemical Physics 136, 024201 (2012). CrossRef P. Masłowski K.C. Cossel, A. Foltynowicz, J. Ye., "Cavity-Enhanced Direct Frequency Comb Spectroscopy", in G. Gagliardi and H.-P. Loock, "Cavity-Enhanced Spectroscopy and Sensing", Springer (2014). CrossRef L. Rutkowski et al., "Sensitive and broadband measurement of dispersion in a cavity using a Fourier transform spectrometer with kHz resolution", Optics Express Vol. 25, Issue 18, pp. 21711-21718 (2017). CrossRef E.D. Black, "An introduction to Pound-Drever-Hall laser frequency stabilization", American Journal of Physics 69, 79 (2001) CrossRef A. Cygan et al., "One-dimensional frequency-based spectroscopy", Optics Express. 23, 14472. 10.1364 ( 2015). CrossRef P. Masłowski et al., "Surpassing the path-limited resolution of Fourier-transform spectrometry with frequency combs", Phys. Rev. A 93, 021802(R) (2016). CrossRef L. Rutkowski, P. Masłowski, A.C. Johansson, A. Khodabakhsh, A. Foltynowicz, "Optical frequency comb Fourier transform spectroscopy with sub-nominal resolution and precision beyond the Voigt profile", Jour. of Quant. Spect. and Rad. Trans., 204, 63-73 (2018). CrossRef S. Schiller, "Spectrometry with frequency combs," Opt. Lett. 27, 766-768 (2002). CrossRef A. Cygan et al., "Absolute molecular transitions frequencies measured by three cavity-enhanced spectroscopy techniques" J. Chem. Phys. 144 214202-1-214202-11 (2016). CrossRef I.E. Gordon et al., "The HITRAN2016 Molecular Spectroscopic Database", J. Quant. Spect. Radiat. Trans. (2017). CrossRef