bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of summer extreme precipitation over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin
Authors: Liu Lu , Ning Liang , Liu Jian , Yan Mi , Sun Weiyi
Published: August 2018

Based on high‐resolution observed daily precipitation data and atmospheric circulation data, a physics‐based empirical model (PEM) is built for the prediction of summer extreme precipitation (SEP) over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin (MLYRB; 27°–33°N, 108°–120°E). Two preceding predictors with significant physical influences (i.e., spring sea surface temperatures [SSTs] across the northern Indian Ocean [NIO; 20°S–20°N, 50°–95°E] and sea level pressure [SLP], which was defined as spring mean SLP anomalies averaged over the western North Pacific (WNP; 30°S–30°N,120°E–150°W) minus spring mean SLP anomalies averaged over the Aleutian Islands (AIs; 50°–70°N,160°E–160°W)) are selected. Analyses of these physical mechanisms show that when spring SSTs over the NIO are higher, the South Asian High (SAH) extends to the east and the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) extends to the west; therefore, the generated secondary circulation induces anomalous upward motions and increases water vapour transport to the MLYRB, which results in increased SEP. Meanwhile, the increase in SEP over the MLYRB is related to control by conditions via anticyclonic anomalies over the Philippines, which are maintained through the interaction between abnormally high WNP and dipole SST anomalies. The regression model is built over the period 1961–1999 with a correlation coefficient skill of 0.56 (p < 0.01), and the independent forecast of the PEM over the validation period 2000–2014 shows a skillful SEP prediction, with a significant correlation coefficient of 0.52 (p < 0.05).
Effect of coupled global climate models sea surface temperature biases on simulated climate of the western United States
Authors: Mejia John F. , Koračin Darko , Wilcox Eric M.
Published: August 2018

To diagnose the influence of sea surface temperature (SST) biases on temperature and precipitation patterns in the western United States, we analysed atmospheric and coupled global climate model (GCM) simulated output from the Coupled and Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project versions 3 and 5 (CMIP3, AMIP3, CMIP5, and AMIP5). We further analyse the impact of SST biases in regional climate modelling simulations. CMIP3 and CMIP5 multi‐model ensembles show systematic warm SST biases offshore of California and the Baja California Peninsula (Baja) region, with ensemble mean SST biases of the order of ~3–5 °C. Throughout the western United States, 75% of all models in CMIP3 and CMIP5 exhibit wet precipitation biases and corresponding cold biases in surface temperature. The CMIP5 ensemble shows on average a stronger and more consistent relationship between Baja SST biases and precipitation over the west compared to the CMIP3 ensemble. We attempted to isolate the atmospheric response to regional SST biases using a regional climate model (RCM) based on the Weather Research and Forecasting model with a 36 km grid size. The RCM was driven with the CMIP3‐CCSM3 as boundary conditions with and without corrections of simulated SSTs. Results from RCM simulations further confirm that SST biases impact climate regionally and propagate over the western United States and can explain up to 80% of wet precipitation biases. Our regional GCM comparison and RCM experiment assess the robustness of model estimates of climate mean states and constitute an often neglected prerequisite for characterizing how errors transfer from GCM to regional downscaling modelling frameworks and how they could potentially affect downscaling application and impact studies.
Milk Fat Globule Membrane Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Enhances Intestinal Barrier Function in a Rat Model of Short Bowel
Authors: Li Ying , Wu Jiang , Niu Yang , Chen Honghao , Tang Qingya , Zhong Yan , Lambers Tim T. , Cai Wei
Published: August 2018

Background

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) contains various bioactive components which have been shown to maintain gut barrier integrity. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of MFGM on intestinal barrier function and its possible mechanisms in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Materials and Methods

Five‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 8 per group), consisting of Sham group and rats submitted to massive small‐bowel resection then supplemented with either water (SBS) or 1.5g/kg/d MFGM (SBS+MFGM) by daily gavage. Rats were sacrificed on day 15 postoperation. Intestinal adaptation, gut permeability, bacterial translocation (BT), expression of tight junction proteins, mucin 1 (MUC1), and nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain leucine‐rich repeat and pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway in the ileum were evaluated.

Results

Both SBS+MFGM and SBS groups exhibited lower body weight and higher ileum villus height than Sham group, but no difference was detected between each other. SBS group had significantly higher intestinal permeability and BT rate than other groups (P < .05). Compared with SBS rats, SBS+MFGM group showed higher expression of tight junction proteins and MUC1, lower expression of NLRP3 and caspase‐1 in the ileum, as well as lower interleukin (IL)‐1β but higher IL‐18 levels in ileum tissue.

Conclusions

Supplementation of MFGM helps to modulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation and enhances gut barrier integrity in rats after massive small‐bowel resection, which provides experimental support for potential applications of MGFM in intestinal barrier dysfunction, although further studies are needed
Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 after application of lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Laury‐Shaw Angela , Gragg Sara Elizabeth , Echeverry Alejandro , Brashears Mindy M
Published: August 2018

Background

Establishing novel preharvest intervention strategies for leafy green growers is of critical need with the rise in foodborne outbreaks associated with these products. Recent studies have shown that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are able to reduce the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in various food matrices. Electrostatic application of organic acids has been shown to be effective as a postharvest safety intervention to reduce E.coli O157:H7 on leafy greens. The effect of LAB electrostatically applied and sprinkler irrigated once over a 4 week growth cycle was evaluated against E. coli O157:H7 on spinach.

Results

The results indicated that E. coli O157:H7 when applied once during the 4 week growth cycle will survive in the soil and spinach leaves at harvest. LAB applied electrostatically and by sprinkler irrigation water on the soil and/or leaf surface within the first 4 weeks of the growing cycle resulted in a significant reduction (almost a 3 log10 reduction) of E. coli O157:H7 both on the leaf and in the soil at harvest, regardless of the application time (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

LAB surface treatments have the potential to improve the safety of leafy green plants as a preharvest food safety intervention when combined with good agricultural practices. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Historical and recent impacts on genetic structure of an island rabbit
Authors: Ando Haruko , Tsuda Yoshiaki , Kaneko Shingo , Kubo Takahiro
Published: August 2018

Population fragmentation can reduce genetic diversity and increase the extinction risk of island endemic mammals, especially those with low dispersal ability. However, the intra‐island genetic structure and demographic history of mammals have not yet been well evaluated, especially on small geographic scales. We performed a genetic analysis of isolated island populations of the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) on Tokunoshima Island using mitochondrial D‐loop region sequences and 8 nuclear microsatellite markers. Using data from fecal samples, we detected 2 genetic groups that corresponded with the northern and southern forested areas of the island based on the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. We detected some admixture between the 2 groups in the nuclear genomes but did not detect gene flow between the 2 groups in the mitochondrial genomes. Although genetic diversity was higher in the southern population than in the northern population, the fixation index showed higher levels of inbreeding in the southern area with a signal of a recent bottleneck. We inferred the divergence time between the northern and southern groups (∼4,320 years ago) using approximate Bayesian computations. These genetic structure patterns may have been generated by a combination of the demographic history of the species in relation to the geology of the island, human activities in the stone age, deforestation due to sugar plantations (beginning approximately 300 years ago), and recent human activities. This study highlights the importance of considering genetic structure in relation to complex factors within a single‐island habitat for appropriate genetic management of endemic mammals on islands. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Protection of copper by treatment with hot vapors of octadecylamine, 1,2,3‐benzotriazole, and their mixtures
Authors: Goncharova Olga A. , Andreev Nickolay N. , Luchkin Andrey Yu. , Kuznetsov Yuri I. , Andreeva Nina P. , Vesely Sergey S.
Published: August 2018

The possibility of creating an effective technology for protecting copper products by treatment with vapors of low‐volatile corrosion inhibitors at elevated temperatures is demonstrated for the first time. It is shown that 1‐h treatment with vapors of octadecylamine or its mixture with 1,2,3‐benzotriazole at t = 100 °C results in the formation of ultra‐thin hydrophobic adsorption films, markedly increases the corrosion resistance of copper, and can be used for temporary protection of metal products.
Effect of machining‐induced surface integrity on the corrosion behavior of Al–Li alloy 2A97 in sodium chloride solution
Authors: Niu Jintao , Liu Zhanqiang , Wang Bing , Hua Yang , Wang Guijie
Published: August 2018

Al–Li alloy 2A97 is one promising alloy that could be widely used in the aerospace field to achieve weight lighting. Due to the addition of lithium element, its anticorrosion attracts widespread interest. In this study, the milled surfaces and ground‐polished surfaces of alloy 2A97 are characterized and compared from three aspects of surface integrity, namely surface roughness, residual stresses, and work‐hardening. After potentiodynamic polarization measurements that were conducted on the machined samples with different surfaces in 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution, the corrosion parameters regarding corrosion thermodynamics and kinetics are analyzed. Experimental results reveal that the surface micro‐hardness of the milled surfaces is greater than that of the ground‐polished surfaces because of the plastic deformation induced by milling process. Work‐hardening is beneficial while increasing surface roughness is detrimental to anticorrosion of alloy 2A97, and the effect of surface residual stresses is insignificant. Moreover, the corrosion parameters and surface corrosion morphology indicate that the corrosion resistance of Al–Li alloy 2A97 underwent milling process is superior than that obtained by grinding and subsequently polishing, which could further promote the application of mechanical milling Al–Li alloy process in aerospace industry.
Synthesis of Comb‐Like Macromolecules via Semi‐Batch Miniemulsion RAFT Polymerizations
Authors: Li Lina , Huang Jiajia , Zhang Yanwu
Published: August 2018

Construction of macromolecule topology and control of chain sequence are foundations to endow macromolecules with complex functionalities. Comb‐like macromolecules have more designable freedom because their backbones and branched chains can be independently designed and synthesized. Herein, the rigid backbones of comb‐like macromolecules are synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerizations of norbornene derivatives anchoring reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent. The gradient branched chains with controlled sequence structure are synthesized through a modified RAFT miniemulsion polymerization of 4‐vinylpyridine and t‐butyl acrylate in a semi‐batch manner. These comb‐like macromolecules self‐assemble into aggregates when a dilute solution of comb‐like macromolecules are brushed onto a silicon wafer. The self‐assembly behavior of comb‐like macromolecules is affected by grafting ratio and sequence structure of branched chains. The effect of these comb‐like macromolecules on water contact angle of silicon wafer is also studied.
Dental Restorative Resin Composites: Modification Technologies for the Matrix/Filler Interface
Authors: Chen Hongyan , Wang Ruili , Qian Li , Ren Qianyi , Jiang Xiaoze , Zhu Meifang
Published: August 2018

Dental restorative resin composites are a pivotal class of organic/inorganic hybrid materials. The main reasons for their failure are secondary caries and dental composite fractures, which prevent their long‐term service in posterior restorations. A remedy to these problems is improving the interfacial adhesion between the resin matrix and the fillers. Surface‐modified inorganic fillers show strong potential as more than just a bond between these two phases and can therefore be considered a medium to compensate for the deficits of dental composites. This paper mainly discusses strategies to improve the interfacial adhesion of dental composites, including surface treatments of fillers with coupling agents, polymers, and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) coatings, as well as the selection of porous fillers capable of micromechanical resin matrix/filler interlocking. Additionally, the existing deficiencies of these strategies and the prospects for dental composites are discussed.
Fabrication and Thermal Insulation Properties of Bamboo‐Shaped Polymer Fibers by Selective Solvent Vapor Annealing
Authors: Chiu Yu‐Jing , Chiu Han‐Lun , Tseng Hsiao‐Fan , Wu Bo‐Hao , Li Jia‐Wei , Lu Tien‐Chang , Chen Jiun‐Tai
Published: August 2018

Fibrillar materials have gained much attention recently because of their unique properties and potential applications. Although many methods have been developed to fabricate materials, it remains challenging to prepare fibrillar materials containing multicomponent materials or even with complex structures. Here, a facile strategy is developed to fabricate bamboo‐shaped fibers by treating electrospun polymer core‐shell fibers with solvent vapor annealing. Electrospun polystyrene (PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) core‐shell fibers are first prepared by electrospinning PS/PMMA blend solutions via a phase separation process. When the PS/PMMA core‐shell fibers are annealed with the vapor of cyclohexane, which swells and delocalizes the PS domains selectively, the fibers transform into bamboo‐shaped structures. The bamboo‐shaped structures can be further examined by swelling and delocalizing the PMMA domains selectively, revealing the undulated PS structures. The thermal insulation properties of the fibers with bamboo‐shaped structures are observed to be enhanced compared with the original polymer core‐shell fibers.
Weakening the Aggregations of Polymer Chains toward Efficient Non‐Fullerene Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Kaili , Liu Deyu , Zhong Yaqian , Li Yonghai , Yu Liangmin , Li Feng , Sun Mingliang , Yang Renqiang
Published: August 2018

The 2D asymmetric benzodithiophene (BDT) unit is used as a donor unit to construct one new polymer PBDTBDD‐Th with benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDD) as acceptor building block. In comparison to the polymer PBDTsTh‐BDD with a side chain containing a sulfur atom, the devices based on PBDTBDD‐Th/ITIC show better performance due to the introduction of carbon atoms in the side chain, which could weaken the self‐aggregations of polymer chains. As a result, the devices based on PBDTBDD‐Th/ITIC blends yield power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) over 10%, much higher than those based on PBDTsTh‐BDD/ITIC blends (7.09%). The exciton dissociation probabilities (P
diss) of a device based on PBDTBDD‐Th/ITIC blends is 95.3%, which suggests that the device achieves good exciton dissociation and charge transfer. In general, the polymer PBDTBDD‐Th shows capability to increase the PCEs of polymer solar cells (PSCs) with a non‐fullerene acceptor.
Photoresponsive Chirality‐Tunable Supramolecular Metallacycles
Authors: Wang Yu‐Xuan , Zhou Qi‐Feng , Jiang Shu‐Ting , Zhang Ying , Yin Guang‐Qiang , Jiang Bo , Li Xiaopeng , Tan Hongwei , Yang Hai‐Bo
Published: August 2018

Chirality‐tunable supramolecular metallacycles containing two light‐responsive dithienylethene units and two chiral 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL) units have been successfully constructed via coordination‐driven self‐assembly. These new metallacycles are well‐characterized with 1D multinuclear NMR (1H and 31P NMR), 2D 1H‐1H COSY and DOSY, ESI‐TOF‐MS, and PM6 semiempirical molecular orbital methods. Interestingly, upon irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light, the conformation of these metallacycles can undergo reversible transformation between ring‐open and ring‐closed forms accompanied with the obvious change of CD signals. Further investigation reveals that the photoisomerization of the dithienylethene moieties induces the change in the dihedral angle of the binaphthyl rings, thus leading to the chiral modulation of supramolecular metallacycles. Thus, this study provides very few examples of the light‐induced chirality‐tunable metallosupramolecular assemblies, which may find potential application in mimicking the function of natural systems in the future.
A comprehensive uncertainty analysis of the analytic hierarchy process methodology applied in the context of environmental decision making
Authors: Toth Werner , Vacik Harald
Published: August 2018

An overview of uncertainty issues associated with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is provided. Further, an explicit understanding of uncertainty (designation, categorization, and quantification) with respect to the methodological properties of the AHP is developed and used to analyse a hypothetical group decision problem located in the context of environmental decision making (EDM). To calculate the numerical impact of especially designed uncertainty scenarios (USs) on the final ranking given by the AHP, a simulation experiment is conducted using R. It evaluates the impact of uncertainty within three variants of a hypothetical decision‐making case by calculating an “overall uncertainty” measure. The consideration of uncertainty may lead to a rank reversal in comparison with that analysis neglecting uncertainty (best alternative given by the AHP). The results show that the absolute maximal impact caused by a US is approximately 0.03. With respect to a single US and the specific case characteristics, in about 50% of the simulated runs a rank reversal occurs. Similar shares of rank reversal over different USs within a single variant of the case raise the question to which uncertainty should be given prior attention in decision‐making practice. For decision analysts in EDM, this result implies that additional resources may be necessary to commonly negotiate with decision makers that uncertainties should be addressed. From a theoretical normative point of view, the effects of considering uncertainty issues in the AHP methodology cannot satisfy the ideal of a rational decision analysis. From a descriptive point of view, considering the practice of decision makers, the impacts of the considered uncertainties stay within reasonable limits, meaning that the maximal numerical impact stays on the hundredths decimal place.
Determinants of contractual restraints in franchise contracting
Authors: Hajdini Ilir , Raha Aveed
Published: August 2018

Although an efficient design of franchise contracts requires from the franchisor to choose a bundle of contractual restraints as safeguarding and control mechanism, previous research has not explored the antecedents of contractual restraints as a bundle of contractual clauses. To address this gap, the aim of this study is to explain the determinants of the most important contractual restraints (i.e., exclusive dealing, exclusive territory, tying, resale price maintenance, call option, leasing, alienation, and noncompetition clauses), using transaction cost and relational governance reasoning. The regression results based on primary data from German and Swiss franchise systems provide support of hypotheses.
Optimal guaranteed cost control for discrete‐time LPV systems with bounded rates of variation
Authors: Pereira Renan L. , Kienitz Karl H. , Leandro Marco A. C.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, an optimal guaranteed cost control strategy to stabilize discrete‐time linear parameter‐varying systems with bounded rates of variation is presented. Sufficient conditions for the synthesis of fixed gain and gain‐scheduled guaranteed cost controllers are given in terms of two sets of linear matrix inequalities. The main advantage of the proposed conditions is to rely on the use of homogeneous polynomial parameter‐dependent Lyapunov functions of arbitrary degree that allow to assess the stability of the closed‐loop system under the prescribed bound on the rate of parameter variations. In order to make the approach feasible, linear matrix inequality relaxations based on Pólya's theorem are addressed. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed design methods is illustrated through numerical examples.
An assessment of the general public's knowledge of fatal fetal anomalies
Authors: Power Stacey , Meaney Sarah , O'Donoghue Keelin
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objective of the study is to evaluate the general population's knowledge of fatal fetal anomaly (FFA).

Methods

Descriptive statistics were utilised to describe the data. Chi‐square tests assessed associations with knowledge of FFA, termination of pregnancy (TOP) for FFA, and perinatal palliative care (PPC).

Results

Nine hundred seventy adults of the Irish population selected by random digit dialling with 83.9% (n = 814) agreed to partake. Only 30% could correctly define FFA with little knowledge demonstrated regarding the classification of FFA. Almost half of the respondents were unaware that medical intervention was required for survival once born. Half of respondents stated that they did not know if PPC could commence at diagnosis, once the baby reached 24 weeks or not until the baby was born alive. One in 5 had knowledge that medical follow‐up after TOP for FFA was available, and a third were unaware that bereavement care was available following a TOP for FFA.

Conclusion

This study identifies lack of accurate knowledge on FFA, its classification, diagnosis, survival, and supports available following a diagnosis of FFA among the general public. This knowledge deficit highlights the need for improved health information about FFA in antenatal education and public health campaigns to facilitate informed decision‐making following a FFA diagnosis.
Role of Intrinsic Disorder in Animal Desiccation Tolerance
Authors: Janis Brett , Belott Clinton , Menze Michael A.
Published: August 2018

This review compares the molecular strategies employed by anhydrobiotic invertebrates to survive extreme water stress. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) play a central role in desiccation tolerance in all species investigated. Various hypotheses about the functions of anhydrobiosis‐related intrinsically disordered (ARID) proteins, including late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) and tardigrade‐specific intrinsically disordered proteins, are evaluated by broad sequence characterization. A surprisingly wide range in sequence characteristics, including hydropathy and the frequency and distribution of charges, is discovered. Interestingly, two clusters of similar proteins are found that potentially correlate with distinct functions. This may indicate two broad groups of ARID proteins, composed of one group that folds into functional conformations during desiccation and a second group that potentially displays functions in the hydrated state. A broad range of physiochemical properties suggest that folding may be induced by factors such as hydration level, molecular crowding, and interactions with binding partners. This plasticity may be required to fine‐tune the ARID‐proteome response at different hydration levels during desiccation. Furthermore, the sequence properties of some LEA proteins share qualities with IDPs known to undergo liquid–liquid phase separations during environmental challenges.
Electrical Properties of ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2‐Based Capacitors with TiN, Ru, and TiN/Ru Top Electrode Materials
Authors: Lee Woongkyu , An Cheol Hyun , Yoo Sijung , Jeon Woojin , Chung Min Jung , Kim Sang Hyeon , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: August 2018

To improve the electrical properties of metal/insulator/metal capacitors for dynamic random access memory, the effects of the top electrode materials and their structures on the capacitor performance are examined. Three kinds of top electrode types (TiN, Ru, and TiN/Ru) are sputter‐deposited on ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2 (ZAZ) dielectric layers grown via atomic layer deposition (ALD) on TiN bottom electrodes. The TiN/Ru top electrode samples show the highest capacitance density among the three types of top electrodes, and the Ru and TiN/Ru top electrodes show less leakage current density than the TiN top electrode. The interface property is optimized when the Ru directly contacts the insulating layer due to its higher work function. The TiN layer on the 2 nm‐thick Ru top electrode decreases the adverse interfacial reaction layer (TiOxNy) of the dielectric/TiN bottom electrode through the scavenging oxygen atoms.
Exact and asymptotic tests under the sequential parallel comparison design
Authors: Lui Kung‐Jong
Published: August 2018

When one studies treatments for psychological or mental diseases in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial with a high placebo response rate, the sequential parallel comparison design (SPCD) has been proposed elsewhere to improve power. All procedures for testing equality of treatments under the SPCD have been so far derived from large sample theory. If the trial size is small, asymptotic test procedures can be theoretically invalid. Thus, the development of an exact test procedure assuring type I error rate to be less than or equal to the nominal α‐level is of use and interest. Using the conditional arguments to remove nuisance parameters, we derive two exact and one asymptotic procedures for testing equality of treatments for the SPCD. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulation, we find that all three test procedures can control type I error rate well in a variety of situations. We use the data taken from a double‐blind placebo‐controlled SPCD trial to assess the efficacy of a low dose (2 mg/day) of aripiprazole adjunctive to antidepressant therapy in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder with a history of inadequate response to prior antidepressant therapy to illustrate the use of these test procedures.
Adaptive estimation and output feedback FTC for nonlinear systems with unknown nonlinearities and faults
Authors: Huang Sheng‐Juan , Zhang Da‐Qing , Guo Liang‐Dong , Wu Li‐Bing
Published: August 2018

The adaptive estimation mechanism and output feedback fault‐tolerant control (FTC) design is concerned for nonlinear systems with faults, where the unknown nonlinearities are not required to satisfy the Lipschitz condition. An intermediate variable–based adaptive output feedback FTC with an adaptive parameter estimator and an adaptive state tracker is designed. The designed controller can be updated online to compensate the effect of nonlinearities and process faults on systems so that the states of the closed‐loop transformed system are uniformly bounded. The control output is able to be adjusted online by the designed event‐triggering mechanism to maintain fluctuating within a prescribed small range. Numerical examples exhibit the simulation results under the proposed FTC.
Trade‐offs between sustainable tourism development goals: An analysis of Tibet (China)
Authors: Zhang Jiekuan , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2018

In the field of tourism development, decision‐makers are often confronted with multiple goals regarding the tourism economy, environment and society. Taking Tibet (China) as a case study, the current paper proposes an innovative methodology for quantifying the trade‐off between various tourism development goals, drawing on the Delphi method and goal programing. Our results indicate that Tibet's sustainable tourism development goals mainly consist of 10 subgoals and depend on nine decision‐making variables. Depending on whether the greatest priority is given to economic, social or environmental goals, the practical implications are markedly different. We further examine changes in the subgoals and decision variables under each priority scenario. Our results allow us to recognize the key objectives involved in sustainable tourism development. This study also provides a good research framework for weighing up the priority that should be assigned to different development goals and making relevant decisions.
South–south labour migration and sustainable development: Implications for Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Pholphirul Piriya
Published: August 2018

Even though the majority of labour migration appears to be inter‐regional and takes place between developed and developing countries (north–south migration), labour migration today is, however, becoming more intra‐regional, and occurs more among developing countries (south–south migration). The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) presents a perfect case study to help explain the increasing trend of south–south labour migration. This article aims to explain the relationship between south–south labour migrants in ASEAN and the links to the United Nations's Sustainable Development Goals. Results show that migration can have a big impact, both positively and negatively, on each sustainable development goal in the region. As a result, certain policy recommendations for labour migration management for both migrant‐sending countries and migrant‐receiving countries are needed to ensure that the region can achieve its sustainable development goals from this dynamic intra‐regional movement of labour.
ISO 31000‐based integrated risk management process assessment model for IT organizations
Authors: Barafort Béatrix , Mesquida Antoni‐Lluís , Mas Antònia
Published: August 2018

Governance, Risk management, and Compliance activities are key challenges faced by organizations. Process Models and Capability Process Assessments are governance instruments that can help organization in assessing and improving their processes. Several ISO standards propose process models for Management System Standards based on ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 20000‐1, and ISO/IEC 27001, and for project management with ISO 21500. The ISO 31000 standard provides guidance for Risk management with a process approach and systemic perspective. This paper presents an ISO 31000‐based Integrated Risk Management Process Assessment Model (PAM) for IT organizations enabling to integrate on an easy way several ISO process‐oriented standards which are often targeted by IT organizations. This PAM integrates risk management dimensions with ISO 9001, ISO 21500, ISO/IEC 20000‐1, and ISO/IEC 27001. It offers a centralized and integrated risk management approach which provides the basis to improve, coordinate, and interoperate risk management activities.
Hierarchical Cobalt Phosphide Hollow Nanocages toward Electrocatalytic Ammonia Synthesis under Ambient Pressure and Room Temperature
Authors: Guo Wenhan , Liang Zibin , Zhao Junliang , Zhu Bingjun , Cai Kunting , Zou Ruqiang , Xu Qiang
Published: August 2018

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) under room temperature and ambient pressure is a promising energy‐ and environmental‐friendly method for ammonia synthesis, which currently highly relies on the energy‐consuming Haber‐Bosch process with enormous CO2 emissions. This study reports the synthesis of a noble‐metal‐free CoP hollow nanocage (CoP HNC) catalyst from a metal‐organic framework precursor through a layered‐double‐hydroxide intermediate, and the use as the cathode for electrochemical NRR. The 3D hierarchical nanoparticle–nanosheet–nanocage structure provides rich surface active sites for nitrogen adsorption and reduction. When applied for NRR, CoP HNC exhibits exciting performance with high Faraday efficiency at low overpotentials (7.36% at 0 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode [RHE]), and the ammonia yield rate increases exponentially at more negative potential, reaching 10.78 µg h−1 at −0.4 V (vs RHE) with good selectivity (no hydrazine produced) under ambient conditions. This noble‐metal‐free electrocatalyst with promising performance demonstrates the unique potential of transition metal and their compounds in the field of NRR, providing new perspectives to rational catalyst design and mechanism study.
Property–Activity Relations for Methane Activation by Dual‐Metal Cu–Oxo Trimers in ZSM‐5 Zeolite
Authors: Liu Chong , Li Guanna , Pidko Evgeny A.
Published: August 2018

The identification of correlations between the experimentally or computationally measurable parameters of a catalytic system and its reactivity is one of the key steps toward the realization of a catalysis by design strategy. Here, periodic density functional theory calculations to establish such correlations for perspective catalysts for selective methane oxidation based on dual‐metal cation‐exchanged zeolites are employed. A representative trimeric metal–oxo active site is considered as a model reactive center. Computations reveal that the activation barrier for the homolytic CH bond cleavage in methane correlates well with the thermodynamic stability of the resulting CH3·⋯HO intermediate. The stability of the HO part approximated by the hydrogen affinity of the active site correlates with the activity trend, but deviations are observed due to inability of this descriptor to account for the stabilization of the CH3∙ moiety. Such fundamental characteristics as the atomic spin density and the basicity of reactive oxygen sites cannot be directly correlated with the catalyst reactivity, implying the complexity in property–reactivity relationship for methane activation. Calculations suggest that the initial screening of the potent zeolite‐based catalyst for methane activation can be established based on the analysis of both the thermodynamics and perturbation of base molecular adsorption probes such as pyrrole.
An agent‐based model for improved system of systems decision making in air transportation
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Ehsan , Grenn Michael W. , Roberts Blake
Published: August 2018

Team collaboration and decision making have a significant role in the overall performance of complex system of systems (SoS). Improved systems engineering (SE) processes and tools are needed during the systems development lifecycle to make decisions and rapidly evaluate and assess multiple design alternatives to effectively select architectural design strategies that result in the highest mission performance. Therefore, the early and consistent evaluation of these strategies and collaborative team decisions are essential. The degree of utility of alternative decision strategy designs may vary given the condition, but conditions are not always considered when these decisions are being made. This article applies the SE principles of design for change and flexibility in an agent‐based model for simulation of design alternatives for systems analysis and decision making in evaluating and selecting the decision(s) for SoS comprised of collaborative teams that result in higher mission performance. The authors apply the proposed agent‐based model to test the flight delay within the SoS structure of the air transportation domain. The flight delays are due to the management strategies initiated by the air traffic facilities to balance the air demand and capacity when conditions are not normal (such as severe weather). The experimental results suggest that: (1) the current strategies may result in unnecessary delays and underdelivery of flights to the airport during the hours where demand is well below capacity; (2) aggressive strategies may have the reverse effect; and (3) longer‐duration strategies have a more significant impact on delays during severe weather conditions.
Model verification for system design of complex mechatronic products
Authors: Chen Ruirui , Liu Yusheng , Zhao Jianjun , Ye Xiaoping
Published: August 2018

Increasing complexity of mechatronic products leads to more challenging designs. As the most important stage, system design determines the overall product architecture. Defects in this stage are difficult to rectify in future stages, thus requiring greater model accuracy. With the development of model‐based systems engineering (MBSE), model verification can detect design defects, reduce development costs, improve development efficiency, and ensure system reliability. Currently, conventional verifications are performed only after design processes, which makes it difficult to make systematic modifications. To solve this problem, a model verification method implemented in the design stage is proposed in this study. Using this method, designers are able to detect defects earlier, thereby reducing modification costs. The proposed method is as follows: first, a language named Relation‐based Modeling for Static Properties (RMSP) is proposed to formalize the static properties of requirements; second, the representation of “Conceptual Graphs” is extended to meet the needs of model verification of mechatronic products; finally, requirements in RMSP and system design in Systems Modeling Language (SysML) are transformed into the Extension of Conceptual Graphs. In this manner, the incorrectness and inconsistencies between requirements and system design can be found through projection in the system design stage. The omitted or improperly designed requirement items would be found and redesigned to fulfill the product requirements.
Identifying novel genetic determinants for oxidative stress tolerance in Candida glabrata via adaptive laboratory evolution
Authors: Huang Mian , Kao Katy C.
Published: August 2018

Candida glabrata (C glabrata) is an important yeast of industrial and medical significance. Resistance to oxidative stress is an important trait affecting its robustness as a production host or virulence as a pathogenic agent, but current understanding of resistance mechanisms is still limited in this fungus. In this study, we rapidly evolved C glabrata population to adapt to oxidative challenge (from 80mM to 350mM of H2O2) through short‐term adaptive laboratory evolution. Adaptive mutants were isolated from evolved populations and subjected to phenotypic and omics analyses to identify potential mechanisms of tolerance to H2O2. Phenotypic characterizations revealed faster detoxification of H2O2 and ability to initiate growth at a higher concentration of the oxidant in the isolated adaptive mutants compared with the wild type. Genome resequencing and genome‐wide transcriptome analysis revealed multiple genetic determinants (eg, CAGL0E01243g, CAGL0F06831g, and CAGL0C00385g) that potentially contribute to enhanced H2O2 resistance. Subsequent experimental verification confirmed that CgCth2 (CAGL0E01243g) and CgMga2 (CAGL0F06831g) are important in C glabrata tolerance to oxidative stress. Transcriptome profiling of adaptive mutants and bioinformatic analysis suggest that NADPH regeneration, modulation of membrane composition, cell wall remodeling, and/or global regulatory changes are involved in C glabrata tolerance to H2O2.
Spontaneous CP-violating electroweak baryogenesis and dark matter from a complex singlet scalar
Authors: Grzadkowski Bohdan , Huang Da
Published: August 2018

Abstract

CP non-invariance is strongly limited by present experiments, while extra sources of CP-violation are needed for a successful baryogenesis. Motivated by those observations we consider a model which predicts spontaneous violation of CP at high temperature and restoration of CP at present temperature of the Universe. In addition we propose a dark matter (DM) candidate that meets all known properties of DM. Looking for a minimal model that satisfies the above conditions leads us to extending the Standard Model (SM) of fundamental interactions by adding a complex singlet scalar S. We impose the CP and Z
2 symmetries on the scalar potential. With the complex vacuum expectation value of S at the temperature higher than the EW phase transition, the CP symmetry is spontaneously broken and a strong first-order electro-weak phase transition is easily realized. Introducing a dimension-6 effective operator that gives new complex contributions to the top quark mass, we show that it is easy to yield the observed baryon asymmetry in our Universe. On the other hand, the CP and Z
2 symmetries are recovered after the EW phase transition so that the present strong constraints on CP violation can be satisfied and the lighter of ℜS or ℑS can be the dark matter candidate. By scanning the parameter space, we find regions where the model can explain the dark matter relic abundance and the baryon asymmetry simultaneously while satisfying all other experimental constraints. Finally, we discuss the explicit CP symmetry breaking in the scalar potential that can help dynamically eliminate the domains producing the negative baryon asymmetry. It is found that this can be achieved by a tiny explicit CP-violating phase of

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(10−15).
Re(ϵ′
K/ϵK) and $$ K\to \pi \nu \overline{\nu} $$ in a two-Higgs doublet model
Authors: Chen Chuan-Hung , Nomura Takaaki
Published: August 2018

Abstract

The Kaon direct CP violation Re(ϵ

K

′
/ϵ
K
) below the experimental data of a 2σ in the standard model, which is calculated using the RBC-UKQCD lattice and a large N

c
dual QCD, indicates the necessity of a new physics effect. In order to resolve the insufficient Re(ϵ

K

′
/ϵ
K
), we study the charged-Higgs contributions in a generic two-Higgs-doublet model. If we assume that the origin of the CP-violation phase is uniquely from the Kobayashi-Maskawa (KM) phase when the constraints from the B- and K-meson mixings, B → X

s

γ, and Kaon indirect CP violating parameter ϵ
K
are simultaneously taken into account, it is found that the Kaon direct CP violation through the charged-Higgs effects can reach Re(ϵ

K

′
/ϵ
K
)
H
 ± ∼ 8 × 10− 4. Moreover, with the constrained values of the parameters, the branching ratios of the rare

$$ K\to \pi \nu \overline{\nu} $$

K
→
π
ν

ν
¯

decays can be

$$ BR\left({K}^{+}\to\ {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu}\right)\sim 13 \times 1{0}^{-11} $$

B
R

K
+

→

π
+

ν

ν
¯

∼
13

×

1

0

−
11

and

$$ BR\left({K}_L\to {\pi}^0\nu \overline{\nu}\right)\sim 3.6\times 1{0}^{-11} $$

B
R

K
L

→

π
0

ν

ν
¯

∼
3.6
×
1

0

−
11

, where the results can be tested through the NA62 experiment at CERN and the KOTO experiment at J-PARC, respectively.
Soft gluon resummation for Higgs boson pair production including finite Mt effects
Authors: de Florian Daniel , Mazzitelli Javier
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We perform the all orders resummation of threshold enhanced contributions for the Higgs boson pair production cross section via gluon fusion, including finite top quark mass (M

t
) effects. We present results for the total cross section and Higgs pair invariant mass (M

hh
) distribution. We obtain results at next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy (NLL) which retain the full M

t
dependence, and are matched to the full next-to-leading order (NLO) prediction. Our NLL+NLO results represent the most advanced prediction with full M

t
dependence for this process, and produce an increase of about 4% in the total cross section with respect to the NLO result for LHC energies, and for a central scale μ
0 = M

hh

/2. We also consistently combine the full NLL with the next-to-next-to-leading logarithmically (NNLL) accurate resummation computed in the Born-improved large-M

t
limit, and match it to the next-to-next-to-leading order approximation of ref. [1], so called NNLOFTa. We find that the resummation effects are very small at NNLL for μ
0 = M

hh

/2, in particular below 1% at 13 TeV, indicating that the perturbative expansion is under control. In all cases the resummation effects are found to be substantially larger for the central scale μ
0 = M

hh
, resulting in a more stable cross section with respect to scale variations than the fixed order calculation.
Discrete gauging in Coulomb branches of three dimensional $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ supersymmetric gauge theories
Authors: Hanany Amihay , Zajac Anton
Published: August 2018

Abstract

This paper tests a conjecture on discrete non-Abelian gauging of 3d

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

supersymmetric quiver gauge theories. Given a parent quiver with a bouquet of n nodes of rank 1, invariant under a discrete S

n
global symmetry, one can construct a daughter quiver where the bouquet is substituted by a single adjoint n node. Based on the main conjecture in this paper, the daughter quiver corresponds to a theory where the S

n
discrete global symmetry is gauged and the new Coulomb branch is a non-Abelian orbifold of the parent Coulomb branch. We demonstrate and test the conjecture for three simply laced families of bouquet quivers and a non-simply laced bouquet quiver with C
2 factor in the global symmetry.
Authoritarian constitutionalism in Putin’s Russia: A pragmatic constitutional court in a dual state
Authors: Trochev Alexei , Solomon Peter H.
Published: August 2018

This article analyzes the successful adaptation of the Russian Constitutional Court (RCC) to an increasingly authoritarian regime under President Vladimir Putin. It argues that the key to its success lay in its pragmatic approach, whereby the Court decides cases that matter to the regime in a politically expedient way, while giving priority to legal and constitutional considerations in other cases, thereby recognizing the reality of a dual state. Over the years the RCC has taken a pragmatic approach in its reaction to changes in the rules of its operations, in its personnel, and in the policies of the popular political leader, including reducing the country’s subordination of European legal norms. In so doing, the Court and its skillful chairman Valerii Zorkin achieved considerable autonomy in pursuing its own legal vision on many issues and even improved the implementation of its decisions by other judges and political bodies alike (previously a big problem). In short, the RCC developed its own version of “authoritarian constitutionalism”, which may serve as a model for constitutional judicial bodies in other authoritarian states.
Life and the Space of Reasons: On Hegel’s Subjective Logic
Authors: Ng Karen
Published: August 2018

This paper defends Hegel’s positive contribution in the Subjective Logic and argues that it can be understood as presenting a compelling account of the space of reasons as a form of second nature. Taking Hegel’s praise of Kant’s conception of internal purposiveness and its connection to what he calls the Idea as a point of departure, I argue that Hegel’s theory of the Idea that concludes theLogicmust be understood in direct reference to Kant’s argument in the thirdCritiquethat purposiveness defines the space of judgement’s power. I take up two arguments that help to understand Hegel’s appropriation and transformation of Kant’s purposiveness thesis: first, Hegel’s contention that internal purposiveness must have primacy over external purposiveness when considered in relation to judgement; and second, Hegel’s presentation of a logical concept of life as the immediate form of the Idea.