bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogel-Based Sensors for Ethanol Detection in Alcoholic Beverages
Authors: Erfkamp Jan , Guenther Margarita , Gerlach Gerald
Published: March 2019

A fast and reliable determination of the ethanol concentration is essential in the analysis of alcoholic beverages. However, different factors like pH value or salt concentration can influence the ethanol measurement. Furthermore, analytical figures of merit for the alcohol sensor, such as limit of detection, sensitivity and measurement uncertainty, are necessary for the application. In this paper, a detailed sensor characterization of a novel sensor based on ethanol-sensitive poly acrylamide hydrogels will be presented. The resulting swelling pressure of the hydrogel was transformed via a piezoresistive pressure sensor into a measurable output voltage. These kinds of sensors can be used over a large measuring range, up to 50 vol% ethanol and more, with a high sensitivity. In the range from pH 7.4 to 4, the pH value had no influence on the sensor signal. Higher salt concentrations can slightly influence the measurement. The detection limit amounts to 0.06–0.65 vol% ethanol. The concentration of a vodka sample was determined with a sufficient measuring uncertainty.
Effects of 7-Day Ketone Ingestion and a Physiological Workload on Postural Stability, Cognitive, and Muscular Exertion Measures in Professional Firefighters
Authors: Chander Harish , McAllister Matthew J. , Holland Angelia M. , Waldman Hunter S. , Krings Benjamin M. , Swain Jonathan C. , Turner Alana J. , Basham Steven A. , Smith JohnEric W. , Knight Adam C.
Published: March 2019

Background: Postural stability and cognitive performance are challenged in firefighters. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the impact of 7-day ketone supplementation on postural stability, cognitive performance, and muscular activation before and after a physiological workload. Methods: Nine professional firefighters completed two experimental sessions (pre- and post-workload) in a counterbalanced, double-blind design. Participants ingested either a ketone salt (KS) or placebo (PLA) daily for seven days, and had an eighth ingestion 30 min prior to testing. Each experimental testing consisted of maximal voluntary contractions (MVIC) for four muscles (knee flexors—BF, extensor—VM, ankle dorsiflexors—TA, and plantar flexors—MG) using electromyography and postural stability testing (eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and eyes open-dual-task using a FitLight™ system (EOT)), before (pre-workload) and after (post-workload) a simulated physiological workload. The workload consisted of 35 min steady state exercise at 60% of peak oxygen consumption wearing firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). Results: Significant differences were limited to time effects (pre-workload vs. post-workload), with no differences between groups (KS vs. PLA). Significantly lower muscle activity in VM, TA, and MG during MVIC, greater postural sway and muscle activity in BF during EC and EOT, and slower response time during EOT were evident post-workload. Conclusions: A 7-day ketone supplementation does not impact postural stability, muscle activity, and cognitive tasks, but a fatiguing workload causes significant performance reduction.
Modelling Price Transmission within the Supply Chain under a European Protected Designation of Origin Framework: The Case of Parmigiano Reggiano in Italy
Authors: Ferrer-Pérez Hugo , Arfini Filippo , Gil José M.
Published: March 2019

Lately, we have witnessed how European Institutions have directed many efforts at improving the effectiveness of food quality schemes (FQS) to address the increasing complexity that has affected all elements of the operating structure of agrifood supply chains worldwide, especially prices. In this paper, we conduct a comparative analysis of the price transmission process in the dairy sector between farm and retail markets within the protected designation of origin (PDO) framework and its non-protected counterpart in Italy. This paper considers a unique dataset for the PDO Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and for a non-protected counterpart in Italy covering a recent period after the price crises that took place nearly a decade ago. A multivariate error correction type approach was estimated together with the corresponding impulse response functions to provide useful insights for understanding the differences in the performance of the price transmission process between protected and non-protected food products. Contrary to most of the previous literature, our results support the hypothesis of symmetric price dynamics along the PDO cheese supply chain. The fewer number of farmers reduces the market power at the retail level generating more efficient price transmission dynamics. Short-run dynamics suggest that in the PDO cheese market farmers and retailers react quicker and with a similar magnitude to market changes, while in the conventional cheese market, retailers benefit in the short run from quicker and of higher magnitude responses to unanticipated market shocks.
Evaluating Ancillary Business Scale for PPP-BOT Projects: A Social Housing BOT Case in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Chih-Yao , Dzeng Ren-Jye
Published: March 2019

Due to budgetary constraints, the government releases the right to ancillary business development for private investors to increase profits in PPP projects. However, the ancillary business scale is not specified in the regulations, and there is little relevant research on modeling the scale. Thus, our research aims to create a model with mathematical analysis to evaluate the ancillary business scale. The model is constructed based on the discounted cash flow model to calculate the ancillary business scale attracting private investors with a case study of a social housing project. For this case, the calculated ancillary business minimum scale (ratio of ancillary business to project in total floor area) based on the 7-year (2009–2016) and 17-year (2000–2016) data are 30.81% and 52.79%, respectively; neither is able to meet the scale listed in the tender condition regulated by the government, i.e., 25%. Moreover, this study performs a sensitivity analysis on the expected rate of return and rent discount of the case. The government needs to raise the proportion of ancillary businesses or to increase the rent of social housing to successfully attract private investors.
Crop Diversity and Common Agricultural Policy—The Case of Slovakia
Authors: Lazíková Jarmila , Bandlerová Anna , Rumanovská Ľubica , Takáč Ivan , Lazíková Zuzana
Published: March 2019

Crop diversity has an important role in sustainable agroecosystems. This study analyzed the crop diversity of agricultural holdings in particular regions (NUTS III) in Slovakia and identified the impact of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments on the crop diversity of agricultural holdings. There are regional disparities in crop diversity in Slovakia. The highest crop diversity is typical for the regions with the best soil quality. From the results of econometric models, it was found that some of the CAP payments have an effect on crop diversity, mainly single area payment scheme (SAPS) payments, which had a negative effect, and payments for areas facing natural constraints (ANC) and animal welfare, which were found to have positive effects. It can be concluded that the second pillar of the CAP is able to improve or at least maintain crop diversity in Slovakia. Other important factors found to influence crop diversity are irrigation, total crop area corresponding with the farm size, geographical location including the soil quality, and the legal structure of agricultural holdings. However, the distance of the farm from the city, the education of managers, and membership in farmers’ associations are not important factors for crop diversity in Slovakia.
Effects of Changing Air Temperature at Different Sleep Stages on the Subjective Evaluation of Sleep Quality
Authors: Ngarambe Jack , Yun Geun Young , Lee Kisup , Hwang Yeona
Published: March 2019

The thermal environment in bedrooms is important for high-quality sleep. Studies confirm that, even during sleep, the human body remains sensitive to the ambient air temperature. This study assesses how changing indoor air temperatures at different sleep stages affects the subjective evaluation of sleep quality. We compare reports from two identical sleeping environments with different thermal control systems: an IoT-based control system that adjusts the indoor air temperature according to the sleep stage and a fixed control system that maintains a constant temperature throughout the night. Ten subjects participated in the experiments and completed a questionnaire about their sleep quality. Our results show that, overall, the subjects experienced better sleep in the room with the IoT-based control system than in the one with a fixed thermal control. The mean differences in sleep satisfaction levels between the two sleeping environments were generally statistically significant in favor of the room with the IoT-based thermal control. Our results thus illustrate the suitability of using the IoT to control the air conditioning in bedrooms to provide improved sleep quality.
Multiobjective Mathematical Programming Model for the Optimization of End-of-Life Buildings’ Deconstruction and Demolition Processes
Authors: Aidonis Dimitrios
Published: March 2019

Nowadays, construction and demolition waste management has become a critical process for the construction industry, as the specific waste stream poses important environmental issues and challenges. In the case of dismantling end-of-life buildings, the selection of the appropriate technique between deconstruction and conventional demolition is a critical decision affecting the total volume and type of produced waste. Toward this effect, in this paper, a novel decision-making model for the optimization of end-of-life buildings’ deconstruction and demolition processes is proposed. The objective of the proposed model is the simultaneous and weighted optimization of the total cost and time for the completion of the deconstruction and demolition processes, taking into consideration economic, legislative, and environmental criteria. Finally, a demonstration of the application of the proposed model is presented via two specific case studies and by discussing a few interesting managerial insights.
Green Travel Mode: Trajectory Data Cleansing Method for Shared Electric Bicycles
Authors: Li Chengming , Dai Zhaoxin , Peng Weixiang , Shen Jianming
Published: March 2019

Location-based service (LBS) technologies provide a new perspective for the analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban systems. Previous studies have been performed using data from mobile communications, public transport vehicles (taxis and buses), wireless hotspots and shared bicycles. However, corresponding analyses based on shared electric bicycle (e-bike) have not yet been reported in the literature. Data cleaning and extraction of the origin-destination (O-D) are prerequisites for the study of the spatiotemporal patterns of urban systems. In this study, based on a dataset of a week of shared e-bike GPS data in the city of Tengzhou (Shandong Province), sparse characteristics of discontinuities and nonuniformities of the GPS trajectory and a lack of riding status are observed. Based on the characteristics and the actual road, we proposed a method for the extraction of O-D pairs for every trajectory segment from continuous and stateless trajectory GPS data. This method cleans the incomplete and invalid trajectory records, which is suitable for sparse trajectory data. A week of shared e-bike GPS data in Tengzhou is scrubbed and, by the sampling method, the extraction accuracy of 91% is verified. We provide preliminary cleaning rules for sparse trajectory shared e-bike data for the first time, which are highly reliable and suitable for data mining from other forms of sparse GPS trajectory data.
Characteristics and Forecasting of Municipal Solid Waste Generation in China
Authors: Pan Ane , Yu Linxiu , Yang Qing
Published: March 2019

The clear understanding of characteristics and trends of solid waste generation is essential for the optimization of waste collection and treatment systems. Taking 651 cities in China as a sample, this study adopts correlation analysis and the Q-type clustering model to explore the characteristics and general trends of solid waste generation (SWG) of five cities of different scale from 2007 to 2016. The results show that the trends of average amount and the annual per capita SWG are diversified in cities of different scale. The permanent residents and regional GDP have prominent impacts on SWG in large cities, megacities, and super megacities compared to those from small and medium-sized cities. The urban area is highly correlated with the SWG of all cities. Nearly one third of cities are characterized by high population density, high economic growth and low SWG. Furthermore, the factor models are developed to forecast the amount of SWG, which have a descriptive capacity of 96%, 95.4%, 92.6%, and 84.2% for the overall cities, large cities, medium-sized cities and small cities respectively.
Research on the Spatial Network Characteristics and Synergetic Abatement Effect of the Carbon Emissions in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Li Xintao , Feng Dong , Li Jian , Zhang Zaisheng
Published: March 2019

Based on the carbon emission data in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration from 2007 to 2016, this paper used the method of social network analysis (SNA) to investigate the spatial correlation network structure of the carbon emission. Then, by constructing the synergetic abatement effect model, we calculated the synergetic abatement effect in the cities and we empirically examined the influence of the spatial network characteristics on the synergetic abatement effect. The results show that the network density first increased from 0.205 in 2007 to 0.263 in 2014 and then decreased to 0.205 in 2016; the network hierarchy fluctuated around 0.710, and the minimum value of the network efficiency was 0.561, which indicates that the network hierarchy structure is stern and the network has good stability. Beijing and Tianjin are in the center of the carbon emission spatial network and play important “intermediary” and “bridge” roles that can have better control over other carbon emission spatial spillover relations between the cities, thus the spatial network of carbon emissions presents a typical “center–periphery” structure. The synergetic abatement effect increased from −2.449 in 2007 to 0.800 in 2011 and then decreased to −1.653 in 2016; the average synergetic effect was −0.550. This means that the overall synergetic level has a lot of room to grow. The carbon emission spatial network has a significant influence on the synergetic abatement effect, while increasing the network density and the network hierarchy. Decreasing the network efficiency will significantly enhance the synergetic abatement effect.
Individual Investors’ Learning Behavior and Its Impact on Their Herd Bias: An Integrated Analysis in the Context of Stock Trading
Authors: Shantha Kalugala Vidanalage Aruna
Published: March 2019

The efficient functioning of capital markets ensures that information on companies’ sustainable development endeavors is fully and instantly incorporated into stock prices, which facilitates them in raising capital requirements at a lower cost. It, however, is impaired when market participants are inclined to behavioral biases. The Adaptive Market Hypothesis predicts that such behavioral biases are evolutionary. In that sense, market participants are capable of learning their behavioral mistakes and adapting to market conditions over time. Based on this perspective, this paper aims to explore how learning occurs within individual investors to reduce their herd bias. The data was collected by distributing a web-based self-administrated questionnaire to a sample of 1000 individual investors of the Colombo Stock Exchange, who were randomly selected during a period from March to August 2018. A total of 189 responses were received, which were analyzed using the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypotheses of the theoretical model. The results show that learning takes place when investors cognitively evaluate past trading experiences, which is induced by their desire for learning, and, consequently, reduces their herd bias. However, as the model predicts, strengthening this cognitive reflection from the relationship with the investment advisor and social learning among investors through their peer-relationships appear to be absent due to uncertain market conditions prevailed during the study period and dominance of unsophisticated investors in the market. From these findings, this paper concludes that the cognitive reflection of past experiences and the nature of the trading environment determine the extent of learning within individual investors.
A Business Creation in Post-Industrial Tourism Objects: Case of the Industrial Monuments Route
Authors: Szromek Adam R. , Herman Krzysztof
Published: March 2019

The aim of this article is to discuss the basic types of business transformations identified in post-industrial heritage sites in the context of changes in business models. The basis for this analysis is the research carried out in 2017 in 42 post-industrial tourism objects, in the Industrial Monuments Route (IMR) largest in Poland, that is a part of European Route of Industrial Heritage. The analysis of historical changes and the documentation of objects, within the Industrial Monuments Route, made it possible to identify three transformation types in business models of these objects. The post-production organization model can be considered the most popular scheme on the analyzed route. It concerns an enterprise or cultural institution, that previously was a production or extraction plant and currently services tourists only. Although these objects were not designed with tourists in mind, they perfectly fulfill this function due to the presented transformations.
Adaptive Sub-Nyquist Spectrum Sensing for Ultra-Wideband Communication Systems
Authors: Lu Yong , Lv Shaohe , Wang Xiaodong
Published: March 2019

With the ever-increasing demand for high-speed wireless data transmission, ultra-wideband spectrum sensing is critical to support the cognitive communication over an ultra-wide frequency band for ultra-wideband communication systems. However, it is challenging for the analog-to-digital converter design to fulfill the Nyquist rate for an ultra-wideband frequency band. Therefore, we explore the spectrum sensing mechanism based on the sub-Nyquist sampling and conduct extensive experiments to investigate the influence of sampling rate, bandwidth resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio on the accuracy of sub-Nyquist spectrum sensing. Afterward, an adaptive policy is proposed to determine the optimal sampling rate, and bandwidth resolution when the spectrum occupation or the strength of the existing signals is changed. The performance of the policy is verified by simulations.
Bayesian Methods of Representative Values of Variable Actions
Authors: Wang Xudong , Yao Jitao
Published: March 2019

In engineering practice, it is sometimes necessary to infer the representative value of variable action under the condition that the test data is insufficient, but the classical statistics methods adopted now do not take into account the influences of statistical uncertainty, and the inferring results are always small, especially when characteristic and frequent values are inferred. Variable actions usually obey a type I maximum distribution, so the linear regression estimation of the tantile of type I minimum distribution can be employed to infer their characteristic and frequent values. However, it is inconvenient to apply and cannot totally meet the demands of characteristic and frequent values inference. Applying Jeffreys non-informative prior distribution, Bayesian methods for inferring characteristic and frequent values of variable actions are put forward, including that with known standard deviation, which could yield more advantageous results. The methods proposed are convenient and flexible, possessing good precision.
Construction of S-Box Based on Chaotic Map and Algebraic Structures
Authors: Hussain Iqtadar , Anees Amir , Al-Maadeed Temadher Alassiry , Mustafa Muhammad Tahir
Published: March 2019

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is widely used in different kinds of security applications. The substitution box (S-box) is the main component of many modern symmetric encryption ciphers that provides confusion between the secret key and ciphertext. The S-box component that is used in AES is fixed. If we construct this component dynamically, the encryption strength of AES would be greater than before. In this manuscript, we used chaotic logistic map, Mobius transformation and symmetric group S 256 to construct S-box for AES. The idea behind the proposed work is to make supplementary safe S-box. The presented S-box is analyzed for the following analyses: linear approximation probability (LP), nonlinearity (NL), differential approximation probability (DP), strict avalanche criterion (SAC), and bit independence criterion (BIC). The analyses show that the proposed technique is useful in generating high resistance S-box to known attacks.
A Novel Chip-Level Blockchain Security Solution for the Internet of Things Networks
Authors: Watanabe Hiroshi , Fan Howie
Published: March 2019

The widespread computer network has been changing drastically and substantially since blockchain and IoT entered the stage. Blockchain is good at protecting data transactions between logical nodes with a desirable guaranty. Internet of Things (IoT), on the other hand, by providing ultimate convenience to consumers, is expected to give rise to many various merits in a broad business scene. The security of IoT is still an open problem and if blockchain can reinforce IoT security, as many authors have hoped in recent papers, these newcomers appear to make a good collaboration to reinforce IoT security. However, software copes with logical nodes and IoT involves a vast number of physical nodes (IoT devices). Enabling blockchain to protect IoT cannot be brought to reality without respectively identifying logical and physical nodes. This is identical to the Proof-of-Trust problem. In this article, we propose a conceptual solution—Blockchained IoT—and show that this concept is able to be realized on-chip level using mass-produced dynamical random access memory (DRAM). We have completed the first test of longevity and temperature dependence (−40 °C to 105 °C) to confirm the necessary characteristics for the 5G base stations that are known to have an issue of self-heating. Furthermore, we have coarsely evaluated the probability of two DRAM IC chips being associated with an identical cyber-physical chip identification accidentally. Then, such a probability is minimal.
Molecular Phylogeny of Mobatviruses (Hantaviridae) in Myanmar and Vietnam
Authors: Arai Satoru , Kikuchi Fuka , Bawm Saw , Sơn Nguyễn Trường , Lin Kyaw San , Tú Vương Tân , Aoki Keita , Tsuchiya Kimiyuki , Tanaka-Taya Keiko , Morikawa Shigeru , Oishi Kazunori , Yanagihara Richard
Published: March 2019

The discovery of highly divergent lineages of hantaviruses (family Hantaviridae) in shrews, moles, and bats of multiple species raises the possibility that non-rodent hosts may have played a significant role in their evolutionary history. To further investigate this prospect, total RNA was extracted from RNAlater®-preserved lung tissues of 277 bats (representing five families, 14 genera and 40 species), captured in Myanmar and Vietnam during 2013–2016. Hantavirus RNA was detected in two of 15 black-bearded tomb bats (Taphozous melanopogon) and two of 26 Pomona roundleaf bats (Hipposideros pomona) in Myanmar, and in three of six ashy leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros cineraceus) in Vietnam. Pair-wise alignment and comparison of coding regions of the S, M, and L segments of hantaviruses from Taphozous and Hipposideros bats revealed high nucleotide and amino acid sequence similarities to prototype Láibīn virus (LAIV) and Xuân Sơn virus (XSV), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses, generated by maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods, showed a geographic clustering of LAIV strains from China and Myanmar, but not of XSV strains from China and Vietnam. These findings confirm that the black-bearded tomb bat is the natural reservoir of LAIV, and that more than one species of Hipposideros bats can host XSV.
Inactivation and Removal of Chikungunya Virus and Mayaro Virus from Plasma-derived Medicinal Products
Authors: Yue Constanze , Teitz Sebastian , Miyabashi Tomoyuki , Boller Klaus , Lewis-Ximenez Lia Laura , Baylis Sally A. , Blümel Johannes
Published: March 2019

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Mayaro virus (MAYV) are closely related members of the Semliki Forest complex within the genus alphavirus and are transmitted by arthropods, causing acute febrile illness in humans. CHIKV has spread to almost all continents, whereas autochthonous MAYV infections have been reported in South America and in the Caribbean. Nevertheless, there was concern about potential spread of MAYV to other regions similar to CHIKV in the past. The risk for transmission of emerging viruses by blood transfusion and the safety of plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) are constant concerns. The manufacturing processes of PDMPs include procedures to inactivate/remove viruses. Methods: In this study, we investigated the reduction of MAYV and CHIKV by heat inactivation in various matrices, solvent/detergent treatment and nanofiltration. Results: Unexpectedly, MAYV was significantly more resistant to heat and solvent/detergent treatment compared to CHIKV. However, being similar in size, both MAYV and CHIKV were removed below the detection limit by 35 nm virus filters. Conclusions: The inactivation profiles of different alphavirus members vary considerably, even within the Semliki Forest Complex. However, robust dedicated viral inactivation/removal procedures commonly used in the plasma product industry are effective in inactivating or removing MAYV and CHIKV.
Plasmid DNA-Based Alphavirus Vaccines
Authors: Lundstrom Kenneth
Published: March 2019

Alphaviruses have been engineered as vectors for high-level transgene expression. Originally, alphavirus-based vectors were applied as recombinant replication-deficient particles, subjected to expression studies in mammalian and non-mammalian cell lines, primary cell cultures, and in vivo. However, vector engineering has expanded the application range to plasmid DNA-based delivery and expression. Immunization studies with DNA-based alphavirus vectors have demonstrated tumor regression and protection against challenges with infectious agents and tumor cells in animal tumor models. The presence of the RNA replicon genes responsible for extensive RNA replication in the RNA/DNA layered alphavirus vectors provides superior transgene expression in comparison to conventional plasmid DNA-based expression. Immunization with alphavirus DNA vectors revealed that 1000-fold less DNA was required to elicit similar immune responses compared to conventional plasmid DNA. In addition to DNA-based delivery, immunization with recombinant alphavirus particles and RNA replicons has demonstrated efficacy in providing protection against lethal challenges by infectious agents and tumor cells.
CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT AS A COVARIANT EFFECT IN RETHINKING THE AFFECTIVE-COGNITIVE RELATIONSHIP IN ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS
Authors: Vera Jorge , Espinosa Marco
Published: March 2019

The relationship between advertising effectiveness and behavioural intentions is assessed when involvement with the product is introduced as a direct covariant effect, rather than as a moderator. Advertising effectiveness is assessed through attitude towards the ad and advertising cognition. Advertising media type combined with age is tested as a moderating variable (younger/digital vs. older/traditional). With a sample of n = 307 consumers, a structural statistical path model is implemented to empirically test the hypotheses. It is found that involvement has an effect on attitude towards the ad and on ad cognition. Thus, it is established that the ad cognition variable, rather than attitude towards the ad, has a strong statistical effect on behavioural intentions. The model suggests that the level of the consumer’s attention to the ad depends on her/his degree of involvement with the product. Also, the evidence tends to indicate that the cognitive process through which the consumer builds purchase intentions is similar in both communication channels irrespective of age difference.
The MOSDEF Survey: Broad Emission Lines at z = 1.4–3.8*
Authors: Freeman William R. , Siana Brian , Kriek Mariska , Shapley Alice E. , Reddy Naveen , Coil Alison L. , Mobasher Bahram , Muratov Alexander L. , Azadi Mojegan , Leung Gene , Sanders Ryan , Shivaei Irene , Price Sedona H. , DeGroot Laura , Kereš Dušan
Published: March 2019

We present results from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field survey on broad flux from the nebular emission lines Hα, [N ii], [O iii], Hβ, and [S ii]. The sample consists of 127 star-forming galaxies at 1.37 < z < 2.61 and 84 galaxies at 2.95 < z < 3.80. We decompose the emission lines using narrow and broad Gaussian components that we define as having FWHM < 275 km s−1 and FWHM > 300 km s−1, respectively, for both individual galaxies and stacks. For individual galaxies, broad emission is detected at >3σ in <10% of galaxies and the broad flux accounts for 10%–70% of the total flux. In the stacks, we find a slight increase in broad to narrow flux ratio with mass but note that we cannot reliably detect broad emission with FWHM < 275 km s−1, which may be significant at low masses. When placed on the N2-BPT diagram ([O iii]/Hβ versus [N ii]/Hα), the broad components of the stacks are shifted toward higher [O iii]/Hβ and [N ii]/Hα ratios compared to the narrow component. We compare the location of the broad components to shock models and find that the broad component could be explained as a shocked outflow, but we do not rule out other possibilities, such as the presence of an AGN. We discuss the possible consequences of shocked emission on the galaxy location in emission line diagnostic diagrams and calculation of SFR. We attempt to estimate the mass outflow rate/star formation rate, but caution that our results strongly rely on the assumptions regarding the physical properties of the outflow.
Mega-Gauss Plasma Jet Creation Using a Ring of Laser Beams
Authors: Gao L. , Liang E. , Lu Y. , Follet R. K. , Sio H. , Tzeferacos P. , Froula D. H. , Birkel A. , Li C. K. , Lamb D. , Petrasso R. , Fu W. , Wei M. , Ji H.
Published: March 2019

Using 20 OMEGA laser beams at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, to irradiate a flat plastic target in a hollow ring configuration, we created supersonic cylindrical stable plasma jets with self-generated megagauss magnetic fields extending out to >4 mm. These well-collimated magnetized jets possess a number of distinct and novel properties that will allow us to study the dynamics, physical processes, and scaling properties of astrophysical jets with a dynamic range exceeding those of previous laboratory settings. The dimensionless parameters of these laboratory jets fall in the same regime as those of young stellar object jets. These jets will also provide new versatile laser-based platforms to study magnetized shocks, shear flows, and other plasma processes under controllable conditions.
Charged Compact Binary Coalescence Signal and Electromagnetic Counterpart of Plunging Black Hole–Neutron Star Mergers
Authors: Zhang Bing
Published: March 2019

If at least one of the members of a compact binary coalescence is charged, the inspiral of the two members would generate a Poynting flux with an increasing power, giving rise to a brief electromagnetic counterpart temporally associated with the chirp signal of the merger (with possibly a small temporal offset), which we term as the charged compact binary coalescence (cCBC) signal. We develop a general theory of cCBC for any mass and amount of charge for each member. Neutron stars (NSs), as spinning magnets, are guaranteed to be charged, so the cCBC signal should accompany all NS mergers. The cCBC signal is clean in a black hole (BH)–NS merger with a small mass ratio (

), in which the NS plunges into the BH as a whole, and its luminosity/energy can reach that of a fast radio burst if the NS is Crab-like. The strength of the cCBC signal in Extreme Mass Ratio Inspiral Systems is also estimated.
Stability and Hopf bifurcation analysis for a Lac operon model with nonlinear degradation rate and time delay
Authors: Alrikaby Zenab , Liu Xia , Zhang Tonghua , Frascoli Federico
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we construct a discrete time delay Lac operon model with nonlinear degradation rate for mRNA, resulting from the interaction among several identical mRNA pieces. By taking a discrete time delay as bifurcation parameter, we investigate the nonlinear dynamical behaviour arising from the model, using mathematical tools such as stability and bifurcation theory. Firstly, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium for this system and investigate the effect of discrete delay on its dynamical behaviour. Absence or limited delay causes the system to have a stable equilibrium, which changes into a Hopf point producing oscillations if time delay is increased. These sustained oscillation are shown to be present only if the nonlinear degradation rate for mRNA satisfies specific conditions. The direction of the Hopf bifurcation giving rise to such oscillations is also determined, via the use of the so-called multiple time scales technique. Finally, numerical simulations are shown to validate and expand the theoretical analysis. Overall, our findings suggest that the degree of nonlinearity of the model can be used as a control parameter for the stabilisation of the system.
L’élévation spirituelle à travers la matérialisation du corps féminin dans l’art moderniste catalan
Authors: Trenc Eliseo
Published: March 2019

Me propongo reflexionar sobre la utilización a finales del siglo XIX de la alegoría femenina como vector de espiritualización, como imagen del alma, tomando el ejemplo del poeta, dibujante y grafista modernista Alexandre de Riquer. ¿Es posible para el creador interiorizar y modernizar, es decir adaptar a la estética simbolista de la época, la iconografía tradicional y recurrente del cuerpo femenino alegórico? El problema que me planteo es en definitiva intentar ver si se trata, a pesar de la utilización de modelos femeninos anteriores, de una inspiración mediatizada, o si la nueva imagen femenina simbolista tiene, a pesar de todo, algo de original, de recreación, y para eso en el caso de Riquer, el paralelismo entre texto poético e imagen ayuda mucho a elucidar la cuestión.
The Trap Within Anticipated Regrowth : Two Sides of Strategic Response to Urban Decline in Leipzig
Authors: Čamprag Nebojša
Published: March 2019

Although a considerable body of literature on shrinking cities has been produced in the recent years, a majority is focused on the experiences of declining industrial regions from the Global North. Nonetheless, these cases still hold a significant basis for understanding a range of manifestations of urban decline and could also serve as important frameworks for evaluating effectiveness of urban governance models. Thus, the research presented in this paper focuses on the well-known case of Leipzig, which has been represented as a prime example of urban decline in Europe for decades. Through analysis of secondary literature sources, various urban redevelopment frameworks, and media coverage, this study contributes two major insights on strategic response to decline in Leipzig. First, many opportunities that national and international subsidy programmes offered, alongside with entrepreneurial urban governance managed to provide a locally adapted strategic framework that precipitated the return towards the trajectory of urban growth. Second, although the major growth objectives were finally achieved, the example of strategic planning in Leipzig also showed a general lack of preparedness in local governance with regards to considering and dealing with a broader spectrum of challenges that often occur alongside rapid urban regrowth.
Poétiques sur le pas de porte : de la magopinaciophilie comme terrain littéraire
Authors: Chavoz Ninon
Published: March 2019

Cet article entend se pencher sur le terrain congru que représente un pas de porte investi par les prospectus des marabouts. Nourrissant une véritable pulsion collectionneuse dont le meilleur exemple demeure le site de la magopinaciophilie en ligne depuis 2005, ces cartes de visite sont à la fois l’indice d’un « branchement » interculturel et le support d’une potentielle circulation poétique. L’examen des occurrences littéraires du marabout africain, dont on cherchera ici la trace chez Sami Tchak, Calixthe Beyala, Olivier Cadiot et Patrick Grainville, témoigne cependant d’une relative discrétion de cette figure, aujourd’hui largement occultée par la silhouette chatoyante du sapeur.
Migrations and Metropolises: Photographic Views
Authors: Raulin Anne , Conord Sylvaine , Berthomière William , Ebilitigué Ines , Färber Alexa
Published: March 2019

Since photography was invented, its techniques and uses have kept evolving throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The Thirties marked a turning point when American anthropologists considered photographic images as a legitimate instrument for ethnographic research. Renewed historical conditions, migration currents and the recent digital revolutions radically changed the connection between this media and the social sciences. Considering the last thirty years of research on migration and its visibility in contemporary metropolises, seven researchers contribute here to give an account of how photographic documentation moved from “social photography” to “participative photography” – nevertheless keeping ethnographic purposes in mind. In this process, migrants may have become active participants in producing images, which enhance the city, more precisely their own neighbourhood, and in staging local otherness. As for the photographer-researcher, s/he may choose between a variety of positions, working as an active witness of their individual or collective history, as an ethnographer revealing cultural particularisms, an artist catalyst of social perceptions, a flâneur drifting along floating observations… so following the democratization of the use of images which allows a permanent invention of means of expression.
Distributed Agency Between 2D and 3D Representation of the Subsurface
Authors: Hooimeijer Fransje Lucretia , van Campenhout Ignace
Published: March 2019

Although severely altered, the urban subsurface is the base of the natural system, and is crucial for a stable, green, healthy, and liveable city. It is also the technical space, the engine room of the city where vital functions such as water, electricity, sewers, and drainage are located. This hybrid state needs to be recognized when designing resilient and durable (subsurface) infrastructure within urban renewal projects, so as to properly employ the parameters of both natural and technical systems. Interdisciplinary work is needed in order to be able to link natural systems (a) the water cycle, (b) soil and subsurface conditions, (c) soil improvement technology, and (d) opportunities for urban renewal (e.g. urban growth or shrinkage) in an efficient way. The importance of implementing “boundary spanning” when doing interdisciplinary work that deals with the effects of climate change is a widely recognized method, and has been an object of study in the city of Rotterdam in the past decade. The particular need for a “distributed agency” became clear during several research projects dealing with climate change, because it enables different actors to contribute to the development of the project at different phases. The representation of the city as both a natural and technical construction has been tested through the use of 2D and 3D information, which has played a significant role in enabling designs to incorporate the dimension of the subsurface. 2D and 3D information needs to anticipate different scales of specific planning and/or design phases, and they must also address various topics of the subsurface. For each phase of urban development, the distributed agency between 2D and 3D information is investigated and reflected upon. Conclusions are then drawn on the relationship between 2D and 3D information, and how it could relate in a productive, boundary spanning act that is inclusive of the subsurface. Based on these potential connections, the design of a new concept which implements boundary spanning as a facilitator is presented.
A Novel Coding and Discrimination (CODIS) ‎Algorithm to Extract Features from Arabic Texts to ‎Discriminate Arabic Poems
Authors: Ahmed J. Nada , Rahma Abdul Monem S. , Alrawi Maha A. Hmmood
Published: March 2019

This article proposes a new algorithm to ‎discriminate Arabic poems by inserting Arabic poems ‎texts and coding Arabic letters, extracting letters features ‎depending on letter shapes to construct a multidimensional ‎contingency table, and analyses the frequencies of letters in ‎the inserted texts statistically. The proposed coding and ‎discrimination (CODIS) algorithm could be applied for ‎different Arabic texts in any media. A sample of five poems ‎for six poets was examined to implement a CODIS algorithm. ‎A Chi-Square statistic is used to determine the relation between ‎the features and discriminate poems.‎
ICT and Corporate Image
Authors: Winter Susan J. , Sharer Elizabeth , Rajagopalan Hari K. , Gaglio Connie Marie
Published: March 2019

As new ICT products appear on the market, many managers choose to adopt them without clear evidence of the productivity benefits often claimed by vendors. Some may trust or hope that the promised benefits do eventually materialize, but others may adopt them because of ICT's symbolic meaning. This article investigates the links between ICT, corporate image, and purchase decisions or other forms of support among prospective customers, a previously neglected external stakeholder group. This article presents an experiment testing the links between IT, corporate image, and support behavior among customers. The results show that there is a strong link between conspicuous use of IT artifacts and corporate image leading to support behavior among customers. Social meaning of IT indirectly affects customer support and firm survival. This explains why savvy managers adopt new IT products that are consistent with their desired corporate images without clear evidence of the productivity benefits. Implications for theory, practice and future research are discussed.
The Applicability of Process-Orientation to Software Development Projects
Authors: Ponomarenko Viktorija
Published: March 2019

The progress in the digital single market (DSM) has been acknowledged as one of the 10 political priorities by the European Commission since 2015. It could contribute € 415 billion per year (GDP) to the economy of the 28 EU Member States and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Nowadays, the ICT sector and the European Digital Agenda have declared it as one of the seven pillars of the Europe 2020 strategy. In order to speed up the development of new information technology and its commercialisation, it is necessary to increase software quality aimed at accelerating and improving technology transfer, taking into account process quality management. The aim of this article is to give an overview of a new approach to producing an additional value of the software development projects to improve the technology transfer process.
Help System for Creating Educational Resources for Arabic
Authors: Bacha Khaireddine
Published: March 2019

In this article, the authors have discussed the implementation of a CALL system for Arabic-based resources from the automatic language processing, and the learning environment “TELA,” which attempt to bring new technological ways to call. This work presents the advantages of the computer's use as a tool for teaching and learning the Arabic language. The first part of this thesis is the development of a set of linguistic resources, such as a multifunctional dictionary (as complete as possible), based on a multi-agent architecture and has morphological analysis tool “TELAMA.” These objectives were achieved with resources, methods and effective approaches in different parts of this research. The second part is the integration of these resources into “TELA” in order to provide teachers with interactive and more possible finished tools to generate varied and automated educational activities enabling learners to learn the Arabic language.
An Enhanced Recursive Firefly Algorithm for Informative Gene Selection
Authors: Dif Nassima , Elberrichi Zakaria
Published: March 2019

Feature selection is the process of identifying good performing combinations of significant features among many possibilities. This preprocess improves the classification accuracy and facilitates the learning task. For this optimization problem, the authors have used a metaheuristics approach. Their main objective is to propose an enhanced version of the firefly algorithm as a wrapper approach by adding a recursive behavior to improve the search of the optimal solution. They applied SVM classifier to investigate the proposed method. For the authors experimentations, they have used the benchmark microarray datasets. The results show that the new enhanced recursive FA (RFA) outperforms the standard version with a reduction of dimensionality for all the datasets. As an example, for the leukemia microarray dataset, they have a perfect performance score of 100% with only 18 informative selected genes among the 7,129 of the original dataset. The RFA was competitive compared to other state-of-art approaches and achieved the best results for CNS, Ovarian cancer, MLL, prostate, Leukemia_4c, and lymphoma datasets.
Artificial Bee Colony-Based Influence Maximization Approach for Social Coding Portal GitHub
Authors: Arora Anuja , Bana Riyu , Shah Habib , Yadav Divakar
Published: March 2019

Influence maximization is the main source of virality of any social media post/marketing activity. In recent trends, influence maximization has moved towards analytic approach instead of just being a suggestive metaphor for various social media paradigm. In this article, ego-centric approach and a bio-inspired algorithm is applied on social coding community, Github, for influence maximization. First, developers' and projects' egocentric network-based studies are conducted to find out influential developer and project based on varying social media measures. Second, artificial bee colony (ABC) bio-inspired algorithm is used to select social bees (i.e., developers set and projects set in rapid convergence towards an optimal solution to achieve influence maximization). Algorithm result ensures the best solution in terms of social community connectivity path optimization in less run time while finding most influential social bees.
Design of a Novel Query System for Social Network
Authors: Virmani Charu , Juneja Dimple , Pillai Anuradha
Published: March 2019

User intention and nature of network plays a vital role towards the quality of response received as the result of any user query. Therefore, the need of system understanding the user's intent and network dynamism as well is highly apparent. The proposed query processing and analysing system (QPAS) for social networks is based on extracting user's intent from various social networks using existing NLP techniques. It fetches the information and further employs hybrid ensemble k-means hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HEKHAC) and modified Bitonic sort to improve the responses. The proposed approach offers an edge over other mechanisms as it not only retrieves more user-centric results as compared to traditional way of keyword-based searching but also in timely manner as well. It is an innovative approach to investigate the new aspects of social network. The proposed model offers a noteworthy revolution scoring up to precision and recall respectively.