bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Leisure and Tourism on the Elderly’s Quality of Life in Intimacy: A Comparative Study in Japan
Authors: Zhang Linghan , Zhang Junyi
Published: December 2018

Highly social activities like leisure and tourism are considered to have positive effects on the elderly’s mental health. Taking Japan as a case study, this research aims to clarify how leisure and tourism contribute to the elderly’s quality of life (QOL) in the domains of leisure and intimacy by comparing populated and depopulated areas. Such research has strong implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through healthy aging, but relevant efforts are quite limited. In this study, leisure and tourism behaviors are captured by visit frequency, travel party and expenditure. Quality of life is measured by happiness and life satisfaction in different life domains, in line with the life-oriented approach. Data were collected in 2014 via a nationwide online survey in Japan. Applying a structural equation model (SEM) approach, it is found that leisure behavior contributes to maintaining the elderly’s QOL in leisure life and intimacy domains. Tourism behavior only contributes to QOL in populated areas. Leisure activities strongly enhance QOL in terms of intimacy and improve the neighborhood relationship of the elderly in depopulated areas and family life in populated areas. Enriching daily leisure activities for the elderly would improve their intimate relationships in depopulated areas.
Day-Ahead Forecasting of Hourly Photovoltaic Power Based on Robust Multilayer Perception
Authors: Huang Chao , Cao Longpeng , Peng Nanxin , Li Sijia , Zhang Jing , Wang Long , Luo Xiong , Wang Jenq-Haur
Published: December 2018

Photovoltaic (PV) modules convert renewable and sustainable solar energy into electricity. However, the uncertainty of PV power production brings challenges for the grid operation. To facilitate the management and scheduling of PV power plants, forecasting is an essential technique. In this paper, a robust multilayer perception (MLP) neural network was developed for day-ahead forecasting of hourly PV power. A generic MLP is usually trained by minimizing the mean squared loss. The mean squared error is sensitive to a few particularly large errors that can lead to a poor estimator. To tackle the problem, the pseudo-Huber loss function, which combines the best properties of squared loss and absolute loss, was adopted in this paper. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method was verified by benchmarking against a generic MLP network with real PV data. Numerical experiments illustrated that the proposed method performed better than the generic MLP network in terms of root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE).
Nonlocal Symmetries for Time-Dependent Order Differential Equations
Authors: Ludu Andrei
Published: December 2018

A new type of ordinary differential equation is introduced and discussed: time-dependent order ordinary differential equations. These equations are solved via fractional calculus by transforming them into Volterra integral equations of second kind with singular integrable kernel. The solutions of the time-dependent order differential equation represent deformations of the solutions of the classical (integer order) differential equations, mapping them into one-another as limiting cases. This equation can also move, remove or generate singularities without involving variable coefficients. An interesting symmetry of the solution in relation to the Riemann zeta function and Harmonic numbers is observed.
Contemporary Zika Virus Isolates Induce More dsRNA and Produce More Negative-Strand Intermediate in Human Astrocytoma Cells
Authors: Barnard Trisha R. , Rajah Maaran M. , Sagan Selena M.
Published: December 2018

The recent emergence and rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant challenge for public health. Although historically causing only mild febrile illness, recent ZIKV outbreaks have been associated with more severe neurological complications, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and fetal microcephaly. Here we demonstrate that two contemporary (2015) ZIKV isolates from Puerto Rico and Brazil may have increased replicative fitness in human astrocytoma cells. Over a single infectious cycle, the Brazilian isolate replicates to higher titers and induces more severe cytopathic effects in human astrocytoma cells than the historical African reference strain or an early Asian lineage isolate. In addition, both contemporary isolates induce significantly more double-stranded RNA in infected astrocytoma cells, despite similar numbers of infected cells across isolates. Moreover, when we quantified positive- and negative-strand viral RNA, we found that the Asian lineage isolates displayed substantially more negative-strand replicative intermediates than the African lineage isolate in human astrocytoma cells. However, over multiple rounds of infection, the contemporary ZIKV isolates appear to be impaired in cell spread, infecting a lower proportion of cells at a low MOI despite replicating to similar or higher titers. Taken together, our data suggests that contemporary ZIKV isolates may have evolved mechanisms that allow them to replicate with increased efficiency in certain cell types, thereby highlighting the importance of cell-intrinsic factors in studies of viral replicative fitness.
Simultaneous Detection of Beta and Gamma Human Herpesviruses by Multiplex qPCR Reveals Simple Infection and Coinfection Episodes Increasing Risk for Graft Rejection in Solid Organ Transplantation
Authors: Sánchez-Ponce Yessica , Varela-Fascinetto Gustavo , Romo-Vázquez José Carlos , López-Martínez Briceida , Sánchez-Huerta José Luis , Parra-Ortega Israel , Fuentes-Pananá Ezequiel M. , Morales-Sánchez Abigail
Published: December 2018

Herpesviruses are common components of the human microbiome that become clinically relevant when a competent immunosurveillance is compromised, such as in transplantation. Members of the beta and gamma subfamilies are associated with a wide diversity of pathologies, including end-organ disease and cancer. In this study, we developed a multiplex qPCR technique with high specificity, sensitivity, efficiency and predictability that allowed the simultaneous detection and quantification of beta and gamma human herpesviruses. The technique was tested in a cohort of 34 kidney- or liver-transplanted pediatric patients followed up for up to 12 months post-transplant. Viral load was determined in 495 leukocyte-plasma paired samples collected bi-weekly or monthly. Human herpesvirus (HHV) 7 was the herpesvirus most frequently found in positive samples (39%), followed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (20%). Also, EBV and HHV7 were present in the majority of coinfection episodes (62%). The share of positive samples exclusively detected either in leukocytes or plasma was 85%, suggesting that these herpesviruses tended to take a latent or lytic path in an exclusive manner. Infection by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and HHV6, as well as coinfection by EBV/HHV7 and EBV/HHV6/HHV7, were associated with graft rejection (RR = 40.33 (p = 0.0013), 5.60 (p = 0.03), 5.60 (p = 0.03) and 17.64 (p = 0.0003), respectively). The routine monitoring of beta and gamma herpesviruses should be mandatory in transplant centers to implement preventive strategies.
Engineering RNA Virus Interference via the CRISPR/Cas13 Machinery in Arabidopsis
Authors: Aman Rashid , Mahas Ahmed , Butt Haroon , Ali Zahir , Aljedaani Fatimah , Mahfouz Magdy
Published: December 2018

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems are key immune mechanisms helping prokaryotic species fend off RNA and DNA viruses. CRISPR/Cas9 has broad applications in basic research and biotechnology and has been widely used across eukaryotic species for genome engineering and functional analysis of genes. The recently developed CRISPR/Cas13 systems target RNA rather than DNA and thus offer new potential for transcriptome engineering and combatting RNA viruses. Here, we used CRISPR/LshCas13a to stably engineer Arabidopsis thaliana for interference against the RNA genome of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). Our data demonstrate that CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) guiding Cas13a to the sequences encoding helper component proteinase silencing suppressor (HC-Pro) or GFP target 2 (GFP-T2) provide better interference compared to crRNAs targeting other regions of the TuMV RNA genome. This work demonstrates the exciting potential of CRISPR/Cas13 to be used as an antiviral strategy to obstruct RNA viruses, and encourages the search for more robust and effective Cas13 variants or CRISPR systems that can target RNA.
Shock-Capturing Boussinesq Modelling of Broken Wave Characteristics Near a Vertical Seawall
Authors: Liu Weijie , Ning Yue , Zhang Yao , Zhang Jiandong
Published: December 2018

Broken wave characteristics in front of a vertical seawall were modeled and studied using a shock-capturing Boussinesq wave model FUNWAVE-TVD. Validation with the experimental data confirmed the capability of FUNWAVE-TVD in predicting the wave characteristics via the shock-capturing method. Compared to the results obtained from the Boussinesq model coupled with an empirical breaking model, the advantage of the present shock-capturing model for the broken waves near a vertical seawall was clearly revealed. A preliminary investigation of the effects of the key parameters, such as the incident wave height, water level at the seawall, and seabed slope, on the wave kinematics (i.e., the root mean square of the surface fluctuations and depth-averaged horizontal velocity) near the seawall was then conducted through a series of numerical experiments. The numerical results indicate the incident wave height and the water depth at the seawall are the important parameters in determining the magnitude of the wave kinematics, while the effect of the seabed slope seems to be insignificant. The role of the breaking point locations is also highlighted in this study, in which case further breaking can reduce the wave kinematics significantly for the coastal structures predominately subjected to broken waves.
Sensitivity Analyses for Modeling Evolving Reactivity of Granular Iron for the Treatment of Trichloroethylene
Authors: Jeen Sung-Wook
Published: December 2018

To better predict long-term performance of a remediation system, parameters of a numerical model should be constrained with care by calibrating with reliable experimental data. This study conducted sensitivity analyses for model parameters, which were shown to represent reasonably well the observed geochemical behaviors for the column experiments that evaluated evolving reactivity of granular iron for the treatment of trichloroethylene (TCE) resulting from precipitation of secondary minerals. The particular model parameters tested include iron corrosion rate, aragonite and Fe2(OH)2CO3 precipitation rates, and proportionality constants for each mineral. For sensitivity analyses, a specific parameter was systematically changed, while other parameters were fixed at the values for the base case. The ranges of parameters tested were determined based on the previous modeling study. The results showed that the most important and sensitive model parameters were secondary mineral precipitation rates. Also, not only absolute precipitation rate for each mineral but also relative precipitation rates among different minerals were important for system performance. With help of sensitivity analysis, the numerical model can be used as a predictive tool for designing an iron permeable reactive barrier (PRB) and can provide implications for the long-term changes in reactivity and permeability of the system.
Water Resources and Sustainability Assessment Based on Group AHP-PCA Method: A Case Study in the Jinsha River Basin
Authors: Zhou Jian-Lan , Xu Qin-Qin , Zhang Xian-Yong
Published: December 2018

There is a necessity to assess water resources sustainability for its development and management. However, achievements in water resources and sustainability assessment and specific assessment indicators are limited in current research. A comprehensive index system and the importance priorities of indicators are provided in this study. The group AHP-PCA (group analytic hierarchy process and principal component analysis) method is proposed to calculate the importance priorities and reduce the dispersion existing in traditional group AHP. A case study is conducted to assess the water resource sustainability of four provinces where the Jinsha River flows and the results are consistent with the experience and knowledge of water resources management and actual situations of these provinces. Further work is still needed for more applications.
Prospects for Improving Irrigated Agriculture in Southern Africa: Linking Water, Energy and Food
Authors: Mabhaudhi Tafadzwanashe , Mpandeli Sylvester , Nhamo Luxon , Chimonyo Vimbayi , Nhemachena Charles , Senzanje Aidan , Naidoo Dhesigen , Modi Albert
Published: December 2018

Increasing agricultural productivity has always been a prominent feature on the regional agenda due to a high incidence of food and nutrition insecurity. This review assessed the current status of irrigated agriculture in southern Africa from a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus perspective. Gaps and opportunities for improving irrigated agriculture within the context of the WEF nexus were also assessed in terms of the feasible limits to which they can be exploited. Southern Africa faces water scarcity, and climate projections show that member states will face increased physical and/or economic water scarcity by as early as 2025, which will have negative impacts on water, energy and food production. Recurrent droughts experienced across the region reaffirm the sensitive issues of food and energy insecurity as well as water scarcity. Projections of an increasing population within the region indicate increased water, energy and food demand. With agriculture already accounting for about 70% of water withdrawals, increasing the area under irrigation will place additional demand on already strained energy grids and scarce water resources. This poses the question—is increasing irrigated agriculture a solution to improving water access, food security and energy supply? While there are prospects for increasing the area under irrigation and subsequent improvement in agricultural productivity, adopting a WEF nexus approach in doing so would mitigate trade-offs and unintended consequences. Consideration of the WEF nexus in integrated resources planning and management eliminates the possibilities of transferring problems from one sector to other, as it manages synergies and trade-offs. While it is acknowledged that improving water productivity in irrigated agriculture could reduce water and energy use while increasing yield output, there is a need to decide how such savings would then be reallocated. Any intervention to increase the irrigated area should be done in the context of a WEF nexus analytical framework to guide policy and decision-making. Technical planning should evolve around the WEF nexus approach in setting targets, as WEF nexus indicators would reveal the performance and impact of proposed interventions on any of the three WEF nexus components.
Study on the Applicability of the Hargreaves Potential Evapotranspiration Estimation Method in CREST Distributed Hydrological Model (Version 3.0) Applications
Authors: Li Zhansheng , Yang Yuan , Kan Guangyuan , Hong Yang
Published: December 2018

The potential evapotranspiration (PET) is an important input to the hydrological model and its compatibility has an important influence on the model applications. The applicability of the Hargreaves-Samani (HS) PET estimation method in Coupled Routing and Excess STorage distributed hydrological model version 3.0 (CREST 3.0 model) was studied in a typical humid region, Ganjiang River Basin, in Southern China. The PET estimation methods were evaluated based on the streamflow simulation accuracies using the CREST 3.0 model driven by different PET products with various spatial resolutions. The Penman-Monteith (PM) equation-based PET estimation method was adopted as the reference PET estimation method in this study. The results demonstrated that PET obtained from the HS method was larger than that generated by the PM method, and the CREST 3.0 model driven by both HS and PM-based PET products can simulate the streamflow temporal variations equally well in annual time scale. Compared with the PM method, the HS method was more stable and robust in driving CREST 3.0 model under the scenarios of different spatial resolutions. In addition, during the validation period (2007–2009) with 2003–2006 as the calibration period, the HS outperformed PM considering the streamflow simulation accuracy. Therefore, the HS method was not only applicable to CREST 3.0 model with flexible spatial resolutions, but also can be an alternative method to PM method in CREST 3.0 model streamflow simulation applications in Ganjiang River Basin. The study results will not only increase the confidence on the applicability of the HS method in hydrological simulation in Ganjiang River Basin, but also prove the flexibility of CREST 3.0 model in terms of PET input, which will expand the application range of the CREST 3.0 model.
Swimming Pool Evaporative Water Loss and Water Use in the Balearic Islands (Spain)
Authors: Hof Angela , Morán-Tejeda Enrique , Lorenzo-Lacruz Jorge , Blázquez-Salom Macià
Published: December 2018

The Balearic Islands are a major Mediterranean tourist destination that features one of the greatest swimming pool densities within Europe. In this paper, standard meteorological data were combined with a diachronic swimming pool inventory to estimate water evaporation from swimming pools over the Balearic archipelago. Evaporation was estimated using an empirical equation designed for open-water surfaces. Results revealed a 32% increase in swimming pools’ water use by 2015. Evaporation from swimming pools added 9.6 L of water to touristic consumption per guest night and person, and represented 4.9% of the total urban water consumption. In 2015, almost 5 hm3 (5 billion L) were lost from pools across the Balearic Islands. In several densely urbanized areas, evaporative water loss from pools exceeded four million litres per square kilometre and year. The water needed to refill the total of 62,599 swimming pools and to counteract evaporative water loss is equivalent to 1.2 pools per year. Swimming pools have rapidly proliferated across the islands. We have expounded on this development in view of much-needed responsible water management across the islands.
Evaluation of Evapotranspiration Estimates in the Yellow River Basin against the Water Balance Method
Authors: Wang Guojie , Pan Jian , Shen Chengcheng , Li Shijie , Lu Jiao , Lou Dan , Hagan Daniel F. T.
Published: December 2018

Evapotranspiration (ET), a critical process in global climate change, is very difficult to estimate at regional and basin scales. In this study, we evaluated five ET products: the Global Land Surface Evaporation with the Amsterdam Methodology (GLEAM, the EartH2Observe ensemble (E2O)), the Global Land Data Assimilation System with Noah Land Surface Model-2 (GLDAS), a global ET product at 8 km resolution from Zhang (ZHANG) and a supplemental land surface product of the Modern-ERA Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA_land), using the water balance method in the Yellow River Basin, China, including twelve catchments, during the period of 1982–2000. The results showed that these ET products have obvious different performances, in terms of either their magnitude or temporal variations. From the viewpoint of multiple-year averages, the MERRA_land product shows a fairly similar magnitude to the ETw derived from the water balance method, while the E2O product shows significant underestimations. The GLEAM product shows the highest correlation coefficient. From the viewpoint of interannual variations, the ZHANG product performs best in terms of magnitude, while the E2O still shows significant underestimations. However, the E2O product best describes the interannual variations among the five ET products. Further study has indicated that the discrepancies between the ET products in the Yellow River Basin are mainly due to the quality of precipitation forcing data. In addition, most ET products seem to not be sensitive to the downward shortwave radiation.
A Serious Game Designed to Explore and Understand the Complexities of Flood Mitigation Options in Urban–Rural Catchments
Authors: Khoury Mehdi , Gibson Michael J. , Savic Dragan , Chen Albert S. , Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia Lydia , Langford Harry , Wigley Sarah
Published: December 2018

Flood prevention in mixed urban–rural environments has become a greater concern due to climate change. It is a complex task requiring both efficient management of resources and the involvement of multiple stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. As Serious Games (games used for purposes other than mere entertainment) have emerged as an effective means of engaging stakeholders, this work proposes a new Serious Game applied to flood mitigation in the village of Millbrook in the UK. Results show that the game has both an informative and a transformative effect (statistical significance levels from 0.01 to 0.05), improving participants’ understanding of the problem, and helping them to find a new and improved approach to flood risk management in Millbrook, with the potential to improve resilience significantly. Furthermore, the game successfully transformed participants into “citizen scientists” in the purest sense of the term—it led them to use inductive reasoning from data produced by the game to correctly confirm or reject hypotheses and resulted in more than 70% of the participants revising their initial assumptions. Interestingly, the game instigated the formation of new local partnerships and helped to prioritize the discussion of natural flood management measures in Millbrook Parish Council meetings.
Worldwide research productivity in nuclear medicine literature
Authors: Lei Jixiao , Yu Peng , Xu Baixuan , Wang Ruimin , Shen Zhihui , Jia Zhiwei , Tian Jiahe
Published: December 2018

Aim: This study aimed to assess the quantity and quality of papers published in subspecialty nuclear medicine journals and provide an overview of worldwide research activity carried out in the field of nuclear medicine. Methods: Papers published in subspecialty nuclear medicine journals between 2008 and 2017 were retrieved from the Web of Science. The number of papers and citations were used to evaluate the quantity and quality of the articles. The correlation between the research productivity of different countries and their population size and gross domestic product (GDP) were analyzed. Results: There were 12,861 articles published in these journals between 2008 and 2017. A rapidly increasing trend was observed in the number of articles published per year (p < 0.001). The United States published the largest proportion of papers (23.22 %) followed by Germany (9.94 %), Japan (9.46 %), Italy (6.53 %), and China (6.36 %). The United States had the highest number of total citations. The number of articles from different countries had a significant correlation with their population size and GDP (p < 0.01). Switzerland had the highest mean citations (23.66) followed by the Netherlands (23.54), and Germany (22.77). However, the Netherlands was first (42.43) followed by Denmark (32.89) and Switzerland (31.79) when adjustments for population size were made. When adjustments for GDP were made, the Netherlands was again the leader (82.91) followed by Denmark (69.49) and Greece (61.77). Conclusions: There has been a significant increase in nuclear medicine research over the last decade. The United States is the leader of worldwide research productivity. However, when population and GDP are taken into consideration, certain smaller countries in Europe exhibit performed better.
AN ANALYSIS OF TRENDS AND CYCLES OF LAND PRICES USING WAVELET TRANSFORMS
Authors: Hannonen Marko
Published: December 2018

This paper analyses the low‐frequency temporal variation of unit land prices in two single localities, the municipalities of Espoo and Nurmijärvi, of the Finnish real estate markets by the use of the wavelet transforms. These transforms are nonparametric orthogonal series estimators, which are capable of providing the necessary time and frequency information of land prices simultaneously in a highly flexible fashion. In the empirical section of this paper both the raw and the quality‐adjusted unit price series are analysed. The estimated cycles and trends are all nonlinear and, in particular, the behavior of cyclical component is highly curvelinear and transient in time. The findings strongly suggest that the sub‐markets in question are not in a steady state, but are continuously evolving in time. It seems that much of the temporal variation present in the untransformed series is, in fact, explained by the quality differences in the attribute variables. The use of quality corrections produced significant improvements in the internal reliability of results.
AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF PROCUREMENT TRENDS AND PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT IN FM SERVICES ‐ A FINNISH SURVEY
Authors: Lehtonen Tero , Salonen Anssi
Published: December 2018

The aim of this paper is to review procurement trends of facilities management (FM) services and to describe the partnership control mechanisms that contribute to the success of FM partnerships. The investigation is based on a questionnaire survey, which was carried out in Finland. It was found that a transition ‐ similar to those in other industries ‐ towards closer relationships and bigger purchase entities is taking place also in the FM context. In most cases, the choice of the partnering approach is related to developing wider service packages. When implementing partnering relationships, the task of top management is to provide the shared values and visions. Having established these in the organisation, top management does not seem to have any significant role in relationship management. During the ongoing partnership, the operational level runs the daily initiative, development and problem solving based on ad hoc procedures.
IMPACT OF SCHOOL FACILITIES ON WORKING BEHAVIOR OF TEACHERS
Authors: Leung Mei-yung , Chan John K.W. , Wang Zhaohong
Published: December 2018

From 1998–99 to 2003–04, the Hong Kong government increased investment in education by 20%. A number of primary schools have been rehoused in new millennium school buildings that have innovative facilities as well as a new design quite different from the design of traditional school buildings. However, whether the money was spent appropriately and cost‐effectively as a way of improving education in Hong Kong remains a debatable point. To investigate the facilities management (FM) of new millennium primary schools, a study was conducted of teachers who had worked in old traditional school buildings and then moved to new millennium school buildings. Since staff rooms are the major working areas for teachers, the study focused on the levels of satisfaction with the performance of FM in the staff rooms of primary schools and on the working behavior of primary teachers. Two questionnaire surveys were conducted of 113 teachers who had worked in both types of school buildings. Independent‐sample T‐tests were employed to evaluate the quantitative data that was collected from the teachers at the two stages in order to investigate the enhancement of FM in millennium school staff rooms and its impact on the working behavior of teachers. The results showed that FM in the staff rooms of the new millennium schools in Hong Kong was remarkably different from FM in the old schools. However, the teachers did not consider that their working behavior were significantly better in the millennium schools. The governmental investment is considered a success to a certain extent, but there are still a lot of areas where construction professionals and facilities managers of primary schools should improve millennium primary school projects in order to achieve the requirements of end‐users.
CORPORATE REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT IN SINGAPORE: A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Tay Linda , Liow Kim Hiang
Published: December 2018

Corporate real estate management (CREM) practices in Asia have been a relatively under‐researched area compared with those from Europe and North America. This paper represents an attempt to enhance the current knowledge of CREM in Asia. Part I of this study provides a snapshot of CREM practices among Singapore multi‐national companies (MNCs) and listed firms. Ninety‐seven firms were surveyed on three main business management perspectives: corporate real estate planning, corporate real estate organizational structure and corporate real estate performance. The study found that in general, corporate real estate (CRE) is under‐managed among MNCs and listed firms in Singapore. Creating awareness of the importance and relevance of good CREM practices is therefore the most pertinent task. Part II of this paper focuses specifically on CRE performance. A data‐driven analytical technique is adopted to study the direct and indirect effects of performance factors on corporate real estate. The results indicate that only corporate real estate planning and the existence of a real estate unit have a direct impact on corporate real estate performance. This finding is both theoretically expected and important. The results reinforces current literature postulations on the importance of strategic planning as the key skills that corporate real estate managers need to be equipped with to meet the challenges ahead.
INTELLIGENT TUTORING SYSTEM FOR REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Kaklauskas Artûras , Ditkevičius Ruslanas , Gargasaite Leonarda
Published: December 2018

The review on the worldwide intelligent tutoring systems and their application possibilities is presented in the paper. The intelligent tutoring system for real estate management developed by the authors is described. This system is applied in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Department of Construction Economics and Property Management. Besides the common components ‐ student model, domain model, pedagogical model and graphical interface, the new developed system has testing model, decision support subsystem and database of computer learning systems. Domain model includes knowledge with the supplemental audio and video material for 63 modules being taught in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Student model enables to adapt to a learner needs and knowledge level. Decision support subsystem is used for all components of intelligent tutoring system giving them different level of intelligence. Database of computer learning systems enables using the following web‐based learning systems: construction, real estate, facilities management, international trade, ethics, innovation, sustainable development, building refurbishment, etc. Tutor and testing model provide a model of the teaching process and support transition to a new knowledge state. Graphic interface is used to create an effective system‐user dialogue.
LINKAGE MEASURES OF THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR CONSIDERING THE EFFECT OF CAPITAL
Authors: Song Yu , Liu Chunlu , Langston Craig
Published: December 2018

A significant limitation in previous linkage relevant research is that the flow of capital goods is not addressed. Using the OECD input‐output tables, this research first generates a new input‐output model considering capital as an intermediate factor. Using the new model, the real estate linkages are re‐calculated and investigated in order to evaluate appropriately the impact of the real estate sector on national economies. The findings verify that the linkages of the real estate sector were extremely underestimated in previous research. A correct linkage measure of the real estate sector can contribute to produce correct information corresponding to the sectors responsible for the economic growth during the period under study and provide substantial contributions towards guiding the appropriate strategies for future economic development.
THE DYNAMICS OF HONG KONG'S OFFICE RENTAL MARKET
Authors: Hui Eddie Chi Man , Yu Ka Hung
Published: December 2018

Forecasting office rents is among the most researched topics in real estate study. However, there are still heated debates on how predictions can be best done. This study provides a generator approach, on the basis of both system dynamics and econometric modeling. The findings suggest that the office rental values in Hong Kong appear to be more volatile and uncertain under better economic conditions, likely due to both the supply side of the property market being over‐optimistic of economic trends and the development lags and adjustment cost, under the influence of the current land policies in Hong Kong, are the main issues behind this phenomenon. In order to minimize the uncertainties on the office leasing market, the government should relax the approval procedures concerning changing land use, and the subsequent rearrangements of premium payment. Further, the current policies on land sales need to be revised, especially the application list system. Those measures could reduce the time and transaction cost incurred, thus leading to more timely response to demand changes over time.
ELEMENTS OF SOURCING STRATEGIES IN FM SERVICES - A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY
Authors: Ventovuori Tomi
Published: December 2018

The aim of this paper is to identify the different elements of the sourcing strategy decision‐making process and to clarify what are the factors that lead to the selection of a certain sourcing strategy in FM services. The study is based on a literature review and a multiple case study, which was conducted with four organizations representing different types of FM service clients. To find the optimal sourcing strategy and understand the consequences of different sourcing options, five decision categories must be analysed: sourcing interface, organizational decision‐making, the scope of service package, the geographical area of sourcing and relationship type. There are also some other elements that must be taken into account in the process of sourcing strategy development such as different elements of business in general and the prevailing market conditions. It is strongly suggested that companies could apply the presented integrated approach as a starting point for the development of sourcing strategies in FM services. In addition, this study shows that companies should view the development of sourcing strategies as an important phase of the procurement cycle.
PREFACE
Authors: Barevičiūtė Jovilė
Published: December 2018

„Preface" LIMES: Cultural Regionalistics, 3(2), p. 89-90
INFORMATION LITERACY OF MANAGERS: MODELS AND FACTORS
Authors: Bolek Vladimír , Kokles Mojmír , Romanová Anita , Zelina Michal
Published: December 2018

Participation in the information society means faster communication, development of new ideas, more creative ideas and education in terms of lifelong learning. The information society is a reality and a dominant element of politics in all developed countries of the world. Information literacy deals with the human ability to work effectively in the information society. Information literacy needs to be understood in a wider context, rather than only in terms of IT skills and abilities. The article compares and defines the concept of information literacy. It compares selected information literacy models. The starting point is a survey conducted among business managers in the Slovak Republic examining the level of information literacy of managers. The findings identify factors affecting the aggregate index of information literacy of managers and the proposed quantitative and qualitative model of the information literacy of managers. Presented are the unique results of long-term research on information and digital literacy in the Slovak Republic (Central Europe, the European Union and V4-Visegrad countries). So far, no research has been conducted focusing on the level of digital literacy of business managers and an information literacy model that would contribute to raising their level.
DEFINING TRANSPORT LOGISTICS: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND PRACTITIONER OPINION BASED APPROACH
Authors: Topolšek Darja , Čižiūnienė Kristina , Ojsteršek Tina Cvahte
Published: December 2018

There are many concepts in the transport and logistics business: transport, logistics, transportation, forwarding, etc. There are also a number of different study programs and disciplines such as: transport economics, transport logistics, logistics management, etc. All of these titles are often related to the content of the plan, planning, organization, management and control of the movement of human, material, informational and financial flows. However, in practice, they are often correlated and misused. Therefore, it is an important task to properly define these concepts. This article, based on various scientific literature, deals with the concept of transport logistics in various disciplines and fields of research. The results of this analysis made it possible to identify that there is no unified logistic term. Therefore, a qualitative study was also used. The purpose of this study is to identify the concept of transport/logistics companies in the Baltic States as the concept is treated in business. The results of the research have shown that the concept of transport logistics is also understood differently. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to formulate the definition of transport logistics on the basis of the results of the scientific literature analysis and qualitative research.
Monitoring AGNs with Hβ Asymmetry. I. First Results: Velocity-resolved Reverberation Mapping
Authors: Du Pu , Brotherton Michael S. , Wang Kai , Huang Zheng-Peng , Hu Chen , Kasper David H. , Chick William T. , Nguyen My L. , Maithil Jaya , Hand Derek , Li Yan-Rong , Ho Luis C. , Bai Jin-Ming , Bian Wei-Hao , Wang Jian-Min ,   (MAHA Collaboration)
Published: December 2018

We have started a long-term reverberation mapping (RM) project using the Wyoming Infrared Observatory 2.3 m telescope titled “Monitoring AGNs with Hβ Asymmetry” (MAHA). The motivations of the project are to explore the geometry and kinematics of the gas responsible for complex Hβ emission-line profiles, ideally leading to an understanding of the structures and origins of the broad-line region (BLR). Furthermore, such a project provides the opportunity to search for evidence of close binary supermassive black holes. We describe MAHA and report initial results from our first campaign, from 2016 December to 2017 May, highlighting velocity-resolved time lags for four active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with asymmetric Hβ lines. We find that 3C 120, Ark 120, and Mrk 6 display complex features different from the simple signatures expected for pure outflow, inflow, or a Keplerian disk. While three of the objects have been previously reverberation mapped, including velocity-resolved time lags in the cases of 3C 120 and Mrk 6, we report a time lag and corresponding black hole mass measurement for SBS 1518+593 for the first time. Furthermore, SBS 1518+593, the least asymmetric of the four, does show velocity-resolved time lags characteristic of a Keplerian disk or virialized motion more generally. Also, the velocity-resolved time lags of 3C 120 have significantly changed since previously observed, indicating an evolution of its BLR structure. Future analyses of the data for these objects and others in MAHA will explore the full diversity of Hβ lines and the physics of AGN BLRs.
zfourge: Extreme 5007 Å Emission May Be a Common Early-lifetime Phase for Star-forming Galaxies at z > 2.5
Authors: Cohn Jonathan H. , Leja Joel , Tran Kim-Vy H. , Forrest Ben , Johnson Benjamin D. , Tillman Megan , Alcorn Leo , Conroy Charlie , Glazebrook Karl , Kacprzak Glenn G. , Kelson Daniel D. , Nanayakkara Themiya , Papovich Casey , van Dokkum Pieter G. , Yuan Tiantian
Published: December 2018

Using the Prospector spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code, we analyze the properties of 19 extreme emission-line galaxies (EELGs) identified in the bluest composite SED in the zfourge survey at 2.5 ≤ z ≤ 4. Prospector includes a physical model for nebular emission and returns probability distributions for stellar mass, stellar metallicity, dust attenuation, and nonparametric star formation history (SFH). The EELGs show evidence of a starburst in the most recent 50 Myr, with the median EELG having a specific star formation rate (sSFR) of 4.6 Gyr−1 and forming 15% of its mass in this short time. For a sample of more typical star-forming galaxies (SFGs) at the same redshifts, the median SFG has an sSFR of 1.1 Gyr−1 and forms only 4% of its mass in the last 50 Myr. We find that virtually all of our EELGs have rising SFHs, while most of our SFGs do not. From our analysis, we hypothesize that many, if not most, SFGs at z ≥ 2.5 undergo an extreme Hβ+[O iii] emission-line phase early in their lifetimes. In a companion paper, we obtain spectroscopic confirmation of the EELGs as part of our MOSEL survey. In the future, explorations of uncertainties in modeling the UV slope for galaxies at z > 2 are needed to better constrain their properties, e.g., stellar metallicities.
Double-degenerate Carbon–Oxygen and Oxygen–Neon White Dwarf Mergers: A New Mechanism for Faint and Rapid Type Ia Supernovae
Authors: Kashyap Rahul , Haque Tazkera , Lorén-Aguilar Pablo , García-Berro Enrique , Fisher Robert
Published: December 2018

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) originate from the thermonuclear explosion of carbon–oxygen white dwarfs (CO WDs), giving rise to luminous optical transients. A relatively common variety of subluminous SNe Ia events, referred to as SNe Iax, are believed to arise from the failed detonation of a CO WD. In this paper, we explore failed detonation SNe Ia in the context of the double-degenerate channel of merging WDs. In particular, we have carried out the first fully three-dimensional simulation of the merger of a ONe WD with a CO WD. While the hot, tidally disrupted carbon-rich disk material originating from the CO WD secondary is readily susceptible to detonation in such a merger, the ONe WD primary core is not. This merger yields a failed detonation, resulting in the ejection of a small amount of mass, and leaving behind a kicked, super-Chandrasekhar ONe WD remnant enriched by the fallback of the products of nuclear burning. The resulting outburst is a rapidly fading optical transient with a small amount of radioactive 56Ni powering the light curve. Consequently, the ONe-CO WD merger naturally produces a very faint and rapidly fading transient, fainter even than the faintest Type Iax events observed to date, such as SN 2008 ha and SN 2010ae. More massive ONe primaries than considered here may produce brighter and longer-duration transients.
Spatially Resolved Spectroscopic Study of nearby Seyfert Galaxies: Implications for a Population of “Missed” Seyferts at High-z
Authors: Xia Junjie , Malkan Matthew A. , Ross Nathaniel R. , Ancheta Agnes J.
Published: December 2018

We present mosaicked long-slit spectral maps of 18 nearby Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), 2 LINERs, and 4 star-forming galaxies. With the resulting data cubes taken using the Kast dual spectrograph on the 3 m Shane telescope of the Lick Observatory, we measure the aperture effects on the spectroscopic classification of AGNs. With more starlight included in a larger aperture, the nuclear spectrum that is Seyfert-like may become contaminated. We generated standard spectroscopic classification diagrams in different observing apertures. These show quantitatively how the ensemble of Seyferts migrates toward the H ii region classification when being observed with increasing aperture sizes. But the effect ranges widely in individual active galaxies. Some of the less luminous Seyferts shift by a large amount, while some others barely move or even shift in different directions. We find that those Seyfert galaxies with the fraction of nuclear Hα emission lower than 0.2 of the host galaxy, 2–10 keV hard X-ray luminosity lower than 1043 erg s−1, and the observed nuclear [O iii] luminosity lower than 1040.5 erg s−1, are more likely to change activity classification type when the entire host galaxy is included. Overall, 4 of our 24 galaxies (18 Seyferts) change their spectral activity classification type when observed with a very large aperture.
Estimate of the Accretion Disk Size in the Gravitationally Lensed Quasar HE 0435–1223 Using Microlensing Magnification Statistics
Authors: Fian C. , Mediavilla E. , Jiménez-Vicente J. , Muñoz J. A. , Hanslmeier A.
Published: December 2018

We present a measurement of the accretion disk size of the quadruple lensed quasar HE 0435–1223 from well-sampled 13-year COSMOGRAIL optical light curves. Using accurate time delays for the images A, B, C, and D, we modeled and removed the intrinsic quasar variability, and found microlensing events of amplitude up to 0.6, 0.4, and 0.5 mag in the images A, C, and D, respectively. From the statistics of microlensing magnifications in these images we use Bayesian methods to estimate the size of the quasar accretion disk. We have inferred the half-light radius for the accretion disk using two different methods,

lt-days (histogram product) and

lt-days (χ
2 criterion). The results are self-consistent and in good agreement with the continuum size predicted by single-epoch spectroscopy and previous studies making use of narrowband photometry of HE 0435–1223.
The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey. IV. The Distribution of Active Galactic Nuclei in Galaxy Clusters at z ∼ 1
Authors: Mo Wenli , Gonzalez Anthony , Stern Daniel , Brodwin Mark , Decker Bandon , Eisenhardt Peter , Moravec Emily , Stanford S. A. , Wylezalek Dominika
Published: December 2018

We present an analysis of the radial distribution of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in 2300 galaxy clusters from the Massive and Distant Clusters of Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer Survey (MaDCoWS). MaDCoWS provides the largest coverage of the extragalactic sky for a cluster sample at z ∼ 1. We use literature catalogs of AGNs selected via optical, midinfrared (MIR), and radio data, and by optical-to-MIR (OIR) color. Stacking the radial distribution of AGNs within the 6′ of the centers of MaDCoWS galaxy clusters, we find a distinct overdensity of AGNs within 1′ of the galaxy cluster center for AGNs of all selection methods. The fraction of red galaxies that host AGNs as a function of clustercentric distance is, however, dependent on the AGN selection. The fraction of red galaxies in cluster environments that host AGNs selected by optical signatures or blue OIR color is at a deficit compared to the field, whereas MIR-selected and red OIR color AGNs are enhanced in the centers of clusters when compared to field levels. The radio-selected AGN fraction is more than 2.5 times that of the field, implying that the centers of clusters are conducive to the triggering of radio emission in AGNs. We do not find a statistically significant change in the AGN fraction as a function of cluster richness. We also investigate the correlation of central radio activity with other AGNs in galaxy clusters. Clusters with radio activity have more central AGNs than do radio-inactive clusters, implying that central cluster radio activity and AGN triggering may be linked.