bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Moderate-Rayleigh-Number Convection in an Inclined Porous Layer
Authors: Wen Baole , Chini Gregory P.
Published: May 2019

We investigate the flow structure and dynamics of moderate-Rayleigh-number ( R a ) thermal convection in a two-dimensional inclined porous layer. High-resolution numerical simulations confirm the emergence of O ( 1 ) aspect-ratio large-scale convective rolls, with one ‘natural’ roll rotating in the counterclockwise direction and one ‘antinatural’ roll rotating in the clockwise direction. As the inclination angle ϕ is increased, the background mean shear flow intensifies the natural-roll motion, while suppressing the antinatural-roll motion. Our numerical simulations also reveal—for the first time in single-species porous medium convection—the existence of spatially-localized convective states at large ϕ , which we suggest are enabled by subcritical instability of the base state at sufficiently large inclination angles. To better understand the physics of inclined porous medium convection at different ϕ , we numerically compute steady convective solutions using Newton iteration and then perform secondary stability analysis of these nonlinear states using Floquet theory. Our analysis indicates that the inclination of the porous layer stabilizes the boundary layers of the natural roll, but intensifies the boundary-layer instability of the antinatural roll. These results facilitate physical understanding of the large-scale cellular flows observed in the numerical simulations at different values of ϕ .
Bifidobacteria and Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) Cells: A New Approach to Colorectal Cancer Prevention?
Authors: Bozkurt Hüseyin , Quigley Eamonn
Published: May 2019

Colorectal cancer is the most preventable form of cancer worldwide. The pathogenesis of colorectal cancer includes gut inflammation, genetic and microbial composition factors. İmpairment of the gut microbiota has been associated with development of colorectal cancer. The genus Bifidobacterium is an important component of the commensal gut microbiota. Bifidobacteria are considered to have important roles in multiple homeostatic functions: immunologic, hormonal and metabolic. Mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are components of the immune system involved in protection against infectious pathogens and regulate the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and, potentially, colorectal cancer. Engagement between Bifidobacterium and MAIT cells could exert a beneficial effect on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.
The Random Gas of Hard Spheres
Authors: Abramov Rafail
Published: May 2019

The inconsistency between the time-reversible Liouville equation and time-irreversible Boltzmann equation has been pointed out by Loschmidt. To avoid Loschmidt’s objection, here we propose a new dynamical system to model the motion of atoms of gas, with their interactions triggered by a random point process. Despite being random, this model can approximate the collision dynamics of rigid spheres via adjustable parameters. We compute the exact statistical steady state of the system, and determine the form of its marginal distributions for a large number of spheres. We find that the Kullback–Leibler entropy (a generalization of the conventional Boltzmann entropy) of the full system of random gas spheres is a non-increasing function of time. Unlike the conventional hard sphere model, the proposed random gas system results in a variant of the Enskog equation, which is known to be a more accurate model of dense gas than the Boltzmann equation. We examine the hydrodynamic limit of the derived Enskog equation for spheres of constant mass density, and find that the corresponding Enskog–Euler and Enskog–Navier–Stokes equations acquire additional effects in both the advective and viscous terms.
Use of Secukinumab in a Cohort of Erythrodermic Psoriatic Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Damiani Giovanni , Pacifico Alessia , Russo Filomena , Pigatto Paolo Daniele Maria , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Bonifati Claudio , Morrone Aldo , Watad Abdulla , Adawi Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is a dermatological emergency and its treatment with secukinumab is still controversial. Furthermore, no data exist regarding the prognostic value of drug abuse in such a condition. We performed a multi-center, international, retrospective study, enrolling a sample of EP patients (body surface area > 90%) who were treated with secukinumab (300 mg) during the study period from December 2015 to December 2018. Demographics and clinical data were collected. Drug abuses were screened and, specifically, smoking status (packages/year), cannabis use (application/week) and alcoholism—tested with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)—were assessed. All patients were followed for up to 52 weeks. We enrolled 13 EP patients, nine males, and four females, with a median age of 40 (28–52) years. Patients naïve to biologic therapy were 3/13. Regarding drug use, seven patients had a medium-high risk of alcohol addiction, three used cannabis weekly, and seven were smokers with a pack/year index of 295 (190–365). The response rate to secukinumab was 10/13 patients with a median time to clearance of three weeks (1.5–3). No recurrences were registered in the 52-week follow-up and a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score of 90 was achieved. The entire cohort of non-responders (n = 3) consumed at least two drugs of abuse (alcohol, smoking or cannabis). Non-responders were switched to ustekinumab and obtained a PASI 100 in 24 weeks. However, given our observed number of patients using various drugs in combination with secukinumab in EP, further studies are needed to ascertain drug abuse prevalence in a larger EP cohort. Secukinumab remains a valid, effective and safe therapeutic option for EP.
An In Vitro Study of Osteoblast Response on Fused-Filament Fabrication 3D Printed PEEK for Dental and Cranio-Maxillofacial Implants
Authors: Han Xingting , Sharma Neha , Xu Zeqian , Scheideler Lutz , Geis-Gerstorfer Jürgen , Rupp Frank , Thieringer Florian M. , Spintzyk Sebastian
Published: May 2019

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a prime candidate to replace metallic implants and prostheses in orthopedic, spine and cranio-maxillofacial surgeries. Fused-filament fabrication (FFF) is an economical and efficient three-dimensional (3D) printing method to fabricate PEEK implants. However, studies pertaining to the bioactivity of FFF 3D printed PEEK are still lacking. In this study, FFF 3D printed PEEK samples were fabricated and modified with polishing and grit-blasting (three alumina sizes: 50, 120, and 250 µm) to achieve varying levels of surface roughness. In vitro cellular response of a human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS-2 osteoblasts, cell adhesion, metabolic activity, and proliferation) on different sample surfaces of untreated, polished, and grit-blasted PEEK were evaluated. The results revealed that the initial cell adhesion on different sample surfaces was similar. However, after 5 days the untreated FFF 3D printed PEEK surfaces exhibited a significant increase in cell metabolic activity and proliferation with a higher density of osteoblasts compared with the polished and grit-blasted groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, untreated FFF 3D printed PEEK with high surface roughness and optimal printing structures might have great potential as an appropriate alloplastic biomaterial for reconstructive cranio-maxillofacial surgeries.
Improvement of Quality of Life with Implant-Supported Mandibular Overdentures and the Effect of Implant Type and Surgical Procedure on Bone and Soft Tissue Stability: A Three-Year Prospective Split-Mouth Trial
Authors: Doornewaard Ron , Glibert Maarten , Matthys Carine , Vervaeke Stijn , Bronkhorst Ewald , de Bruyn Hugo
Published: May 2019

In fully edentulous patients, the support of a lower dental prosthesis by two implants could improve the chewing ability, retention, and stability of the prosthesis. Despite high success rates of dental implants, complications, such as peri-implantitis, do occur. The latter is a consequence of crestal bone loss and might be related to the implant surface and peri-implant soft tissue thickness. The aim of this paper is to describe the effect of implant surface roughness and soft tissue thickness on crestal bone remodeling, peri-implant health, and patient-centered outcomes. The mandibular overdenture supported by two implants is used as a split-mouth model to scrutinize these aims. The first study compared implants placed equicrestal to implants placed biologically (i.e., dependent on site-specific soft tissue thickness). The second clinical trial compared implants with a minimally to a moderately rough implant neck. Both studies reported an improvement in oral health-related quality of life and a stable peri-implant health after three years follow-up. Only equicrestal implant placement yielded significantly higher implant surface exposure, due to the establishment of the biologic width. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that an implant supported mandibular overdenture significantly improves the quality of life, with limited biologic complications and high survival rates of the implants.
Effect of Anesthetic Technique on the Occurrence of Acute Kidney Injury after Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kim Ha-Jung , Park Hee-Sun , Go Yon-Ji , Koh Won Uk , Kim Hyungtae , Song Jun-Gol , Ro Young-Jin
Published: May 2019

Recent studies have reported the advantages of spinal anesthesia over general anesthesia in orthopedic patients. However, little is known about the relationship between acute kidney injury (AKI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and anesthetic technique. This study aimed to identify the influence of anesthetic technique on AKI in TKA patients. We also evaluated whether the choice of anesthetic technique affected other clinical outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent TKA between January 2008 and August 2016. Perioperative data were obtained and analyzed. To reduce the influence of potential confounding factors, propensity score (PS) analysis was performed. A total of 2809 patients and 2987 cases of TKA were included in this study. A crude analysis of the total set demonstrated a significantly lower risk of AKI in the spinal anesthesia group. After PS matching, the spinal anesthesia group showed a tendency for reduced AKI, without statistical significance. Furthermore, the spinal anesthesia group showed a lower risk of pulmonary and vascular complications, and shortened hospital stay after PS matching. In TKA patients, spinal anesthesia had a tendency to reduce AKI. Moreover, spinal anesthesia not only reduced vascular and pulmonary complications, but also shortened hospital stay.
Microhabitats Affect Population Size and Plant Vigor of Three Critically Endangered Endemic Plants in Southern Sinai Mountains, Egypt
Authors: Fakhry Amal M. , El-Keblawy Ali , Shabana Hatem A. , Gamal Ibrahim El , Shalouf Amir
Published: May 2019

Endemic species on mountains often have narrow altitudinal ranges and are more threatened at the higher altitudes, especially with climate changes. However, plants could use special microhabitats at the mountain tops as proper places for surviving the climate change (i.e., refugia). We assessed population attributes of three critically endangered endemic species (Primula boveana Decne ex Duby, Rosa arabica Crep., and Silene leucophylla Boiss.) in two growing seasons (2006/2007 and 2013/2014), differing in the received rainfalls in microhabitats at the high mountains of southern Sinai. Both P. boveana and S. leucophylla had very small population size, but significantly increased in the 2013/2014 growing season which received above average rainfalls. The population of R. arabica is the smallest (around 40 individuals) and did not increase, even after the increase in rainfalls. Whereas P. boveana is present in fewer sites and grew in small number of specific microhabitats, both S. leucophylla and R. arabica were recorded in most studied sites and habitat types. Unlike R. arabica, both P. boveana and S. leucophylla were recorded in caves and steep slopes and on the top of the mountains. This indicates that these sheltered mist microhabitats are the best for future conservation of these species after climate change.
Evaluation of Land Intensive Use in Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone
Authors: Zhou Liangliang , Shi Yishao , Cao Xiangyang
Published: May 2019

Free trade zones represent an important system innovation space to realize economic agglomeration advantages with high-level openings. However, its evaluation of land intensive use has not received enough attention. The goal of this paper is to build a land use performance evaluation index system in line with the development trend of industrial economy and the characteristics of mixed land use in the free trade zones. An evaluation index system is constructed based on the three factors of land use status, land use efficiency and pilot free trade zone influence. Using the Delphi method and the entropy method, an empirical evaluation of the intensive land use level in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone is conducted. The results show the following: (1) integrating new indicators such as the free trade zone influence, social and ecological benefits into the evaluation index system show a characteristic and innovative land use evaluation; (2) in terms of the level of intensive land use, the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone has the highest intensity, followed by the Yangshan Free Trade Port Zone, and the Pudong Airport Comprehensive Free Trade Zone has the lowest intensity; and (3) development time, degree of land use, differences in leading functions, industrial land structures, and the diversification of employment structures are important factors that influence the differences in the levels of intensive land use in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. This study also expands the performance evaluation of industrial land to the performance evaluation of construction land and provides references for industrial transformation and urban renewal of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Abundance of Plant-Associated Gammaproteobacteria Correlates with Immunostimulatory Activity of Angelica sinensis
Authors: Kalpana Kriti , Montenegro Diego , Romero Giovanna , Peralta Ximena , Akgol Oksuz Betul , Heguy Adriana , Tsuji Moriya , Kawamura Akira
Published: May 2019

Background: Angelica sinensis is a medicinal plant known for a variety of biological effects, including its ability to stimulate innate immune cells in humans. Recent studies indicate that the immunostimulatory activity of A. sinensis arises from microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) of plant-associated bacteria. However, it is unknown which bacterial taxa in A. sinensis are responsible for the production of immunostimulatory MAMPs. Methods: Samples of A. sinensis were subjected to a cell-based assay to detect monocyte-stimulation and 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing, which revealed their immunostimulatory activity and microbial communities. The resulting data were analyzed by Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), an online biostatistical tool for metagenomic biomarker discovery, to identify the bacterial taxonomical features correlated with the immunostimulatory activity. Results: A series of bacterial taxa under Gammaproteobacteria correlated positively with the immunostimulatory activity, whereas several Gram-positive taxa and Betaproteobacteria correlated negatively with the activity. Conclusions: The identified bacterial taxa set a new stage to characterize immunostimulatory MAMPs in plants.
Multidisciplinary Integrated Metabolic Rehabilitation in Elderly Obese Patients: Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Fatigue and Muscle Performance
Authors: Rigamonti Antonello E. , De Col Alessandra , Tamini Sofia , Cicolini Sabrina , Caroli Diana , De Micheli Roberta , Tringali Gabriella , Abbruzzese Laura , Marazzi Nicoletta , Cella Silvano G. , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: May 2019

Background: Obesity is a widespread problem in the elderly, being associated with severe comorbidities negatively influencing life expectancy. Integrated multidisciplinary metabolic rehabilitation aimed to reduce body weight (BW) and fatigue, increase physical autonomy and introduce healthy life style changes has been proposed as a useful intervention to improve the general health status and quality of life of the obese geriatric population. Methods: Six hundred-eighty four severely obese subjects (F/M = 592/92; age range: 61–83 years; mean body mass index, BMI ± SD: 42.6 ± 5.6 kg/m2) were admitted to take part in a three-week in-hospital BW reduction program (BWRP), entailing energy restricted diet, psychological counselling, physical rehabilitation and nutritional education. Biochemical parameters, cardiovascular risk factors (throughout the Coronary Heart Disease Risk, CHD-R), fatigue (throughout the Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS) and lower limb muscle performance (throughout the Stair Climbing Test, SCT) were evaluated before and at the end of the BWRP. Results: A 4% BW reduction was achieved at the end of the BWRP. This finding was associated with a significant improvement of the metabolic homeostasis (i.e., decrease in total cholesterol and glucose) and a reduction of systolic blood pressure in both females and males, thus resulting in a reduction of CHD-R in the male group. Total FSS score and SCT time decreased in female and male obese patients. The effects of BWPR were comparable among all age-related subgroups (>60, 60–69 and >70 years), apart from ΔCHD-R, which was higher in male subgroups. Finally, age was negatively correlated with ΔBMI and ΔFSS. Conclusions: Though only a relatively limited number of outcomes were investigated, the present study shows that a 4% BW reduction in severely elderly obese patients is associated with positive multisystemic effects, particularly, muscle-skeletal and cardiometabolic benefits, which can favorably influence their general well-being and improve the autonomy level in performing more common daily activities. The maintenance of a healthy life style, including controlled food intake and regular physical activity, after a BWRP is obviously recommended in all elderly obese patients to further improve their clinical condition.
Effects of Light Level and Nitrogen Supply on the Red Clover–Orobanche Minor Host–Parasite Interaction
Authors: Jokinen Joel I. , Irving Louis J.
Published: May 2019

Infection by holoparasitic plants typically causes decreases in host mass, thought to be primarily as a result of resource abstraction. Inverse relationships have been noted between the number of Orobanche spp. parasites infecting a host and their mass, suggesting that the parasites compete for a shared resource pool, assumed to be recently fixed carbon (C). In clover, nitrogen (N) fixation requires a high proportion of daily photosynthate and represents a potential competitor for recently fixed C. We grew Trifolium pratense, either singly or parasitised by Orobanche minor, under high or low light levels, and with or without exogenous N supply. Low light and N deficiency led to decreased host biomass, while the damage caused by parasitism was proportionate to host mass. Parasitism caused reductions in host leaf mass, area, photosynthetic rates and shoot N concentration, but did not affect starch accumulation. Parasite mass as a proportion of system biomass was significantly higher when attached to plants grown at high light, which was attributed to higher photoassimilate supply, while the N supply had no effect. While both N limitation and parasitism caused reductions in host growth, little evidence of competition for C between N fixation and the parasites was noted.
Silicon as a Vegetable Crops Modulator—A Review
Authors: Kaushik Prashant , Saini Dinesh Kumar
Published: May 2019

Vegetables require an optimum supply of mineral elements like silicon (Si). Si is second to oxygen in its abundance in the earth crust, and its role is quite significant in tackling biotic and abiotic stresses of vegetables. Si application also improves several agronomic and quality traits of vegetables. Hence, Si application is recommended as a strategy for the improvement of vegetable crops production. Although the research about the role of Si in vegetable dicots still lags far behind than cereals. Recently, omics-based approaches were used to provide a deeper understanding of the role of Si in vegetable protection. Here, we have compiled the studies focusing on the role of Si for vegetables, thus, enabling all of the important information regarding the effect Si application to vegetables at one place.
Optimization of Distillation Sequences with Nonsharp Separation Columns
Authors: Wang Xi , Du Zengzhi , Zhang Yunlu , Wang Jingde , Wang Jianhong , Sun Wei
Published: May 2019

Nonsharp distillation sequences are widely used in industrial separation processes; however, most current research has not discussed this topic, except in sequences with heat integration under special operating conditions, including complex columns. The sequence with nonsharp separation has the features of general distillation sequences, which are usually optimized by adjusting the separation sequence and the design/operation parameters of each column in the sequence, making the optimization a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, which is usually hard to solve. With inclusion of nonsharp separation columns, the sequence optimization becomes even more complicated and computationally intensive. This work aimed to optimize the distillation sequence, including nonsharp distillation alongside simple columns and dividing wall columns. Inspired by the dynamic programing method for sharp distillation sequence, a framework for automatic optimization is proposed to decompose the MINLP problem into integer programming (IP) and nonlinear programming (NLP) problems. The optimization processes of sharp and nonsharp distillation sequences are compared and the solution space in terms of the possible number of distillation sequences with nonsharp separation is discussed. Two optimization cases, including an industrial one, are included to validate the proposed framework.
Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Flow Variability of the Indus River
Authors: Arfan Muhammad , Lund Jewell , Hassan Daniyal , Saleem Maaz , Ahmad Aftab
Published: May 2019

Considerable controversy exists among researchers over the behavior of glaciers in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB) with regard to climate change. Glacier monitoring studies using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing techniques have given rise to contradictory results for various reasons. This uncertain situation deserves a thorough examination of the statistical trends of temperature and streamflow at several gauging stations, rather than relying solely on climate projections. Planning for equitable distribution of water among provinces in Pakistan requires accurate estimation of future water resources under changing flow regimes. Due to climate change, hydrological parameters are changing significantly; consequently the pattern of flows are changing. The present study assesses spatial and temporal flow variability and identifies drought and flood periods using flow data from the Indus River. Trends and variations in river flows were investigated by applying the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s method. We divide the annual water cycle into two six-month and four three-month seasons based on the local water cycle pattern. A decile indices technique is used to determine drought and flood periods. Overall, the analysis indicates that flow and temperature variabilities are greater seasonally than annually. At the Tarbela Dam, Indus River, annual mean, maximum, and minimum flows decreased steeply from 1986–2010 compared to the 1961–1985 period. Seasonal flow analysis unveils a more complex flow regime: Winter (October–March), (December–February), and spring (March–May) seasons demonstrate increasing flows along with increasing maximum temperature, whereas summer (April–September), (June–August) and autumn (September–November) showed decreasing trends in the flow. Spatial analysis shows that minimum discharge increased at the higher elevation gauging station (Kharmong, 2542 m.a.s.l.) and decreased at the lower elevation gauging station (Tarbela). Over the same timeframe, maximum and mean discharges decreased more substantially at lower elevations than at higher elevations. Drought and flood analysis revealed 2000–2004 to be the driest period in the Indus Basin for this record.
Industrial Projects and Benefit-Sharing Arrangements in the Russian North. Is Contracting Possible?
Authors: Britcyna Ekaterina
Published: May 2019

The extractive industries and local communities in the Russian Arctic make socio-economic agreements to support social and environmental initiatives in the territories of their operations. The extractive industries address social responsibilities through grant projects and social investments. In the framework of social investments, major industrial corporations are supposed to distribute benefits obtained from resource exploitation to stakeholders who are affected by industrial operations. This article presents different forms of benefit-sharing arrangements and how they work in practice in the context of contracting for natural resources (oil, gas, metals and minerals) in Russia. The analysis outlines specific types of contracts and how they are implemented. While benefit-sharing arrangements can provide some benefits for local and regional stakeholders, it is controversial whether these arrangements can improve the situation as far as even-handed sharing of society’s environmental risks, benefits, and impacts is concerned. The article discusses how voluntary social partnership agreements in line with corporate citizenship and stakeholder management can alleviate problems between local people and industries in the Russian Arctic.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Sea Surface Salinity Remote Sensing”
Authors: Dinnat Emmanuel , Yin Xiaobin
Published: May 2019

This Special Issue gathers papers reporting research on various aspects of remote sensing of sea surface salinity (SSS) and the use of satellites SSS in oceanography. It includes contributions presenting improvements in empirical or theoretical radiative transfer models; mitigation techniques of external interference such as radio frequency interferences (RFI) and land contamination; comparisons and validation of remote sensing products with in situ observations; retrieval techniques for improved coastal SSS monitoring, high latitude SSS monitoring and assessment of ocean interactions with the cryosphere; and data fusion techniques combining SSS with sea surface temperature (SST). New instrument technology for the future of SSS remote sensing is also presented.
Recent Developments and Applications of Acoustic Infrasound to Monitor Volcanic Emissions
Authors: De Angelis Silvio , Diaz-Moreno Alejandro , Zuccarello Luciano
Published: May 2019

Volcanic ash is a well-known hazard to population, infrastructure, and commercial and civil aviation. Early assessment of the parameters that control the development and evolution of volcanic plumes is crucial to effective risk mitigation. Acoustic infrasound is a ground-based remote sensing technique—increasingly popular in the past two decades—that allows rapid estimates of eruption source parameters, including fluid flow velocities and volume flow rates of erupted material. The rate at which material is ejected from volcanic vents during eruptions, is one of the main inputs into models of atmospheric ash transport used to dispatch aviation warnings during eruptive crises. During explosive activity at volcanoes, the injection of hot gas-laden pyroclasts into the atmosphere generates acoustic waves that are recorded at local, regional and global scale. Within the framework of linear acoustic theory, infrasound sources can be modelled as multipole series, and acoustic pressure waveforms can be inverted to obtain the time history of volume flow at the vent. Here, we review near-field (<10 km from the vent) linear acoustic wave theory and its applications to the assessment of eruption source parameters. We evaluate recent advances in volcano infrasound modelling and inversion, and comment on the advantages and current limitations of these methods. We review published case studies from different volcanoes and show applications to new data that provide a benchmark for future acoustic infrasound studies.
Passive Microwave Melt Onset Retrieval Based on a Variable Threshold: Assessment in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Marshall Stephen , Scott K. Andrea , Scharien Randall K.
Published: May 2019

The Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) presents unique challenges to the determination of melt onset (MO) using remote sensing data. High spatial resolution data is required to discern melt onset among the islands and narrow waterways of the region. Current passive microwave retrievals use daily averaged 19 GHz and 37 GHz data from the multi-channel microwave radiometer (SMMR) and/or the special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I). The development of a new passive microwave melt onset method capable of using higher resolution data is desirable. The new passive microwave melt onset method described here, named the Dynamic Threshold Variability Method (DTVM), uses higher resolution data from the 37 GHz vertically-polarized channel from the advanced microwave scanning radiometers (AMSR-E and AMSR-2). The DTVM MO detection methodology differs from previously presented passive microwave Arctic MO methods in that it does not use a fixed threshold of a brightness temperature parameter. Instead, the DTVM determines MO dates based on the distribution of dates corresponding to the exceedance of a range of brightness temperature variability thresholds. The method also uses swath data instead of daily averaged brightness temperatures, which is found to lead to improved melt detection. Two current passive microwave MO methods are compared and evaluated for applicability in the CAA alongside the DTVM. The DTVM provides MO dates at a higher spatial resolution than earlier methods in addition to higher correlation with MO dates from surface air temperature (SAT) reanalyses. It is found that, for some years, MO dates in the CAA exhibit a latitudinal dependence, while in other years the MO dates in the CAA are relatively uniform across the domain.
Texas Rural vs. Nonrural School District Student Growth Trajectories on a High-Stakes Science Exam: A Multilevel Approach
Authors: Wang Zhuoying , Tang Shifang , Sutton-Jones Kara
Published: May 2019

This study compares the science achievement growth trajectories of fifth-grade students in rural and nonrural school districts in Texas. Using a growth hierarchical linear model, we explored the effects of time, school location (rural vs. nonrural), and their interaction on students’ science performance as measured by the high-stakes State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) science test over five academic years. We found that rural school students lagged in science at the initial stage when STAAR was first administered in the 2011–2012 school year. With time, the gap between rural and nonrural district students’ science performance persisted. We further added eight district-level factors that might influence students’ academic performance into the model and found that three variables (i.e., student mobility rate, percentage of students identified ELs, and teacher turnover rate) constantly influenced students’ science scores. The implications for teaching pedagogy and research are discussed regarding science education in Texas rural districts.
Determinants of Farmland Abandonment in Selected Metropolitan Areas of Poland: A Spatial Analysis on the Basis of Regression Trees and Interviews with Experts
Authors: Sroka Wojciech , Pölling Bernd , Wojewodzic Tomasz , Strus Miroslaw , Stolarczyk Paulina , Podlinska Olga
Published: May 2019

Dynamic land use changes in metropolitan areas are global phenomena. The influence of urbanisation processes on farmland is twofold: urban encroachments predominantly take place at the expense of farmland, and also result in farmland abandonment processes, especially in Central Eastern and Southern Europe. This paper analyses determinants of farmland abandonment in 280 municipalities situated in six selected Polish metropolitan areas. The analysis, which covers secondary statistical data as well as primary data collected via a survey among experts, applies the regression tree method. Within the six selected metropolitan areas nearly 9% of the farmland is permanently excluded from agricultural production (actual abandonment), plus another 11.5% is currently not being used for production (semi-abandonment). For actual abandonment, physical and economic sizes of farms, part-time farming, and soil quality constitute the most relevant determinants. Socio-economic variables play a more important role in explaining semi-abandonment than actual abandonment. Temporary exclusion of farmland from agricultural production is connected with urbanisation processes. Higher shares of built-up and urbanised areas, higher population densities, and positive migration rates result in higher shares of semi-abandonment. Naturally, areas characterised by agrarian fragmentation, where due to low agricultural incomes farmers more often decided to abandon agricultural production, were, in particular, subject to this process.
Effectiveness of Diversification Strategies for Ensuring Financial Sustainability of Construction Companies in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Han Manchun , Lee Sanghyo , Kim Jaejun
Published: May 2019

Construction companies recognize diversification as a strategy for ensuring financial sustainability. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze the dynamic relationship between business diversification and business performance of construction companies using the vector error correction model. The expected default frequency, diversification index, domestic construction order, international construction order, gross Domestic Product, Korea composite stock price index, and interest rate were defined as analytical variables. To derive implications for diversification strategies, construction companies were classified into two groups according to the diversification level, and analyzed from the first quarter of 2001 to the fourth quarter of 2017. The results confirm that the dynamic relationship between the diversification strategy and business performance depends on the diversification level of the company. For changes in the markets entered for diversification, construction companies showed different ways of executing the diversification strategy depending on the group; this was partially because of differences in internal and external capabilities of companies, and each company responded differently to market changes. To ensure financial sustainability of a construction company through effective diversification, various conditions must be considered before deciding what impact the diversification strategy could have on the business performance of the company.
Sustainability of a Policy Instrument: Rethinking the Renewable Portfolio Standard in South Korea
Authors: Lee Youhyun , Seo Inseok
Published: May 2019

The constant effectiveness of a policy instrument was a major lacuna in energy policy for a long time. However, selecting and mixing appropriate policy instruments has become crucial in the era of climate change. The aim of this paper is to investigate the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) system as a sustainable policy instrument for promoting new and renewable energy. To answer the research question, we utilized the latent growth model by applying the data on 27 types of new and renewable energy production from 2014, 2015, and 2016. Our empirical analysis concluded that the effectiveness of the RPS as a policy instrument decreased linearly each year, and its effectiveness is expected to decrease in the long term from 2017 to 2023. Profound debates and evidence from other RPS-adopting countries should be additionally conducted to bolster this theme of sustainable energy policy instruments
Human and Natural Impacts on the Water Resources in the Syr Darya River Basin, Central Asia
Authors: Zou Shan , Jilili Abuduwaili , Duan Weili , Maeyer Philippe , de Voorde Tim
Published: May 2019

Water resources are increasingly under stress in Central Asia because downstream countries are highly dependent on upstream countries. Water is essential for irrigation and is becoming scarcer due to climate change and human activities. Based on 20 hydrological stations, this study firstly analyzed the annual and seasonal spatial–temporal changes of the river discharges, precipitation, and temperature in the Syr Darya River Basin and then the possible relationships between these factors were detected. Finally, the potential reasons for the river discharge variations have been discussed. The results show that the river discharges in the upper stream of the basin had significantly risen from 1930 to 2006, mainly due to the increase in temperature (approximately 0.3 °C per decade), which accelerated the melting of glaciers, while it decreased in the middle and lower regions due to the rising irrigation. In the middle of the basin, the expansion of the construction land (128.83 km2/year) and agricultural land (66.68 km2/year) from 1992 to 2015 has significantly augmented the water consumption. The operations of reservoirs and irrigation canals significantly intercepted the river discharge from the upper streams, causing a sharp decline in the river discharges in the middle and lower reaches of the Syr Darya River in 1973. The outcomes obtained from this study allowed us to understand the changes in the river discharges and provided essential information for effective water resource management in the Syr Darya River Basin.
The Design of Green Supply Chains under Carbon Policies: A Literature Review of Quantitative Models
Authors: Xu Zhitao , Elomri Adel , Pokharel Shaligram , Mutlu Fatih
Published: May 2019

Carbon footprinting of products and services is getting increasing attention due to the growing emphasis on carbon related policies in many countries. As a result, many enterprises are focusing on the design of green supply chains (GSCs) with research on supply chains (SCs) focused not only on cost efficiency, but also on its environmental consequences. The review presented in this paper focuses on the implications of carbon policies on SCs. The concept of content analysis is used to retrieve and analyze the information regarding drivers (carbon policies), actors (for example, manufacturers and retailers), methodologies (mathematical modeling techniques), decision-making contexts (such as, facility location and order quantity), and emission reduction opportunities. The review shows a lack of emissions analysis of SCs that face carbon policies in different countries. The research also focuses on the design of carbon policies for emissions reduction in different operating situations. Some possible research directions are also discussed at the end of this review.
Interpretation of Sustainable Development Using a Set of Macroeconomic and Social Indicators for a Group of Nine Emerging Economies
Authors: State Olimpia , Bulin Daniel , Oehler-Sincai Iulia Monica , Kanovici Adrian Lucian , Iorgulescu Maria Cristina , Popescu Claudia , Popescu Delia
Published: May 2019

This paper studies the evolution of the most important emerging economies between 2002 and 2017 by estimating their capacity to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In the existing literature there are only a few studies aiming to estimate the capacity of emerging countries to implement the sustainable development goals and demonstrate how groups are performing in the achievement of these goals. Being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of such studies, the authors identified a group of nine countries by applying as the main criterion the size of the economy, reflected by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in current prices, taking into account the level registered in 2017. From a methodological point of view, the study was conducted through three stages: data collection and processing; empirical analysis and correlation testing; and cluster analysis using Statistica software (10.0, StatSoft, Tulsa OK, USA). The results of this investigation highlighted that all of the nine examined countries have the attributes needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, based on the qualitative and quantitative analysed indicators. Furthermore, the nine countries have already developed measures and adopted national strategies to implement the 2030 Agenda, with political will being also a relevant factor in this regard. This study provides a framework for theoretical and empirical analysis that could also be used in the future, whereby both the number of countries and the timeframe taken into account could be increased in order to identify new development trends for emerging economies.
The One Health Approach—Why Is It So Important?
Authors: Mackenzie John S , Jeggo Martyn
Published: May 2019

It has become increasingly clear over the past three decades that the majority of novel, emergent zoonotic infectious diseases originate in animals, especially wildlife [...]
Pentingnya Golden Character
Authors: Kusnandar Yotam Teddy
Published: May 2019

Abstract: Golden character is one of some factors needed by believers in achieving golden age or moment. Golden character is an ideal one based on the true of Bible verses. This is an article which aimed to show the importance of having that character to get a golden achievement. This article used a method of descriptive to describe biblically what the golden character is, then sumed it inductively that believer must have a golden character to achieve the golden moment. Abstrak: Istilah Golden Character atau karakter emas merupakan salah satu faktor yang dibutuhkan untuk dapat mencapai masa keemasan bagi orang percaya. Golden Character merupakan karakter ideal yang didasarkan pada kebenaran alkitabiah. Artikel merupakan refleksi biblikal yang bertujuan untuk menunjukkan pentingnya memiliki karakter emas demi mencapai tujuan pencapaian emas. Artikel ini menggunakan metode deskriptif untuk menggambarkan secara biblikal karakter emas, dan menyimpulkannya secara induktif, bahwa untuk mencapai masa keemasan seseorang perlu memiliki karakter emas.
Menasehati Secara Nouthetis
Authors: Utomo Anto B.C.
Published: May 2019

Abstract: Giving advice is a part of believer’s life. There are some ways to advise others. Paul the apostle used a way that called “nouthetic” in advised people. Nothetic also applied by Greek people, and church’s fathers as well. This article aims to give an obvious understanding about using a term of “nouthetic”in New Testament idea for giving advice to every people who need.Abstrak: Menasehati merupakan bagian kehidupan orang percaya.  Ada banyak cara menasehati orang.  Rasul Paulus menggunakan cara atau istilah nouthetis dalam menasehati orang.  Nouthetis juga diterapkan oleh orang-orang Yunani oleh karena itu ditinjau juga penggunaan nouthetis dalam budaya Yunani.  Demikian pada jaman Bapa Gereja, nouthetis inipun dipergunakan. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman yang jelas tentang menasihati kepada siapa pun yang membutuhkan sesuai dengan pemahaman istilah Yunani “nouthetis” itu sendiri
Model Bimbingan Dalam Pendidikan Agama Kristen Terhadap Pembentukan Moral Anak Didik Usia 6-8 Tahun
Authors: Eliman Eliman
Published: May 2019

The child needs to be educated to be guided for moral value. If child doesn’t get education and guidance for the proper moral value, the kid will not be able to be controlled immoral and got worst and the kid can be a criminal and community destroyer. The guidance for the kid’s moral value is an aspect which need to be considered seriously and can’t be abandoned. The improvement of the kid’s moral value need to be known not only those which explain by the expert but also those which stated in bible about the improvement of kid’s moral value so the teacher and parents can guide the kid in the correct moral value. 6 to 8 years old kid is elemantary level kid, the age that can receive other people otority beside the parents and obey the rules. 6 to 8 years old is the period of improvement or the process of maturity , with the education and guidance to the  kid will be easy to be absorb and receive by the kid.
Identification of cow’s and buffalo’s milk and dairy product using a DNA-based method
Authors: Beáta Soltész  , Gabriella Gulyás  , Ádám Csikós  , Gábor Koncsos  , Nóra Vass  , János Oláh  , András Jávor  , Levente Czeglédi
Published: May 2019

Aim of our study was the optimization of a DNA method, that is appropriate for reliable, low cost identification of animal species in milk and dairy product (cheese) and to determine the ratio of species. Mitochondrial DNA was used in our work to analyse buffalo/cow milk mixtures contained different ratio of bovine milk such as 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15% (v/v%). Buffalo cheese were produced using buffalo and cows milk (0%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15% – v/v% cows milk in buffalo milk). In case of milk mixtures, using species specific primers, the PCR assay showed a 0.5 v/v% detection limit. Cattle, in the buffalo/cows milk 99.9/0.1 v/v% mixture, was not detectable. The identification of buffalo and cows DNA in cheese was successful. The intensity of eletroforetic PCR fragment indicated the increase of cow milk ratio in milk and cheese samples as well.
Practical and ethical thoughts concerning food security measurements at Wessling Hungary Kft.
Authors: Tamás János Szigeti
Published: May 2019

No abstract
The system of fertigation-advising by the open-field vegetable growing with environment-protecting view
Authors: István Terbe  , Katalin Slezák  , Noémi Kappel
Published: May 2019

The changed economical surroundings and the more strict ecological rules induced a need of changes also of the system of advisory on nutrient-supply of vegetable growing. There were many experiences and scientific results born after the last summarizing vegetable fertilization directives (1981), which allowed finishing a new system of advisory mentioned and presented above. We are sure, that the new directives, based on the modern view of vegetable production and also laying on economical possibilities will help the domestic vegetable production to stay competitive on the domestic and the foreign markets both.
Food allergy, safety and analytics
Authors: Sándor Tömösközi  , Lívia Hajas  , Tamás Langó  , Kitti Török  , Zsuzsanna Bugyi
Published: May 2019

The food allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction against naturally occurring proteins in food. These types of disease can cause not only personal inconvenience to the patient but serious health, food safety and food analysis, social-economic problems. The only effective treatment for these illnesses is a life-long diet avoiding the allergenic foods or components of food. In the interest of the patients’ health 14 allergenic components must be labeled on the food packaging. To meet the requirement of regulation reliable and valid analytical methods are necessary which for the most allergenic foods are not available.