bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial-Temporal Variation in the Impacts of Urban Infrastructure on Housing Prices in Wuhan, China
Authors: Liu Fan , Min Min , Zhao Ke , Hu Weiyan
Published: February 2020

This study aims to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of housing prices associated with the urban infrastructure in Wuhan, China. The relationship between urban infrastructure and housing prices during rapid urbanization has drawn popular concerns. This article takes 619 residential communities during the period 2010 to 2018 in Wuhan’s main urban area as research units, and uses the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model to study the spatial-temporal differentiation in the effects of urban infrastructure on housing prices. The results show that: 1) From 2010 to 2018, housing prices in Wuhan’s main urban area were generally on the rise, but the increment speed has shown an obvious periodic characteristic, the spatial distribution of housing prices has shown an obvious core and periphery distribution and the peak value area shifted from Hankou to Wuchang. 2) The influential factors of housing prices have significant spatiotemporal non-stationarity, while the impact, direction and intensity of the influential factors varies in time and space. Spatially, the influence factors show different differentiation rules for spatial distribution, and the influencing direction and strength of the urban infrastructure on housing prices are closely related to the spatial location, distribution density and the type of urban infrastructure. Temporally, the influencing strength of various urban facilities varies. This research will benefit both urban planners for optimizing urban facilities and policy-makers for formulating more specific housing policies, which ultimately contributes to urban sustainability.
Evaluation and Classification of Mobile Financial Services Sustainability Using Structural Equation Modeling and Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Methods
Authors: Gbongli Komlan , Xu Yongan , Amedjonekou Komi Mawugbe , Kovács Levente
Published: February 2020

Despite the fast emergent of smartphones in day-to-day activity, the sustainable development of mobile financial services (MFS) remains low partially due to online consumer’s trust and perceived risk. This research broadens the trust and the perceived risk at the multi-dimensional for understanding and prioritizing alternatives of MFS decision. A combined methodology; structural equation modeling (SEM) with two multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods such as a technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were applied for data analysis. The two steps SEM-TOPSIS techniques were adopted through a two-types survey on datasets consisting of 538 MFS users, and 74 both experienced MFS users and experts in Togo. The SEM is used for causal relationships and assigning weights for the TOPSIS input. TOPSIS was applied for providing MFS alternative classification, in which the results were compared with prior research using the SEM-AHP technique on the given population. The results via SEM revealed particularly strong support for the dispositional trust and perceived privacy risk. Trust has a negative relationship with perceived risk. Except for perceived time risk, all the antecedents of perceived risk and trust validated the proposed relationship. The findings of TOPSIS uncovered that mobile money transfer (MMT) remains the core application used, followed by mobile payment (MP) and mobile banking (MB) and, therefore, consistent with AHP. However, the TOPSIS technique is better suited to the problem of MFS selection for this study field. This research offers a novel and practical modeling and classification concept for researchers, companies’ managers, and experts in the areas of information technology. The implications, limitations, and future research are provided.
Decoupling Economic Development from the Consumption of Finite Resources Using Circular Economy. A Model for Developing Countries
Authors: Scheel Carlos , Aguiñaga Eduardo , Bello Bernardo
Published: February 2020

Sustainable development is a major concern for developing and developed economies as economic growth has to led to scarcer and more expensive resources. Although countries have established public policies focusing on resource and energy efficiency, there is an increasing need for a coordinated industrial strategy able to create sustainable wealth through a holistic management of natural resources, capable of “decoupling” economic growth from resource extraction and natural deterioration. Consequently, the objective of the present research is to develop a decoupling model able to create increasing economic returns, reducing the social gap and regenerating the natural capital for regions in developing countries. Departing from a literature review on peer reviewed articles on successful industrial cases of decoupling around the world, we contrasted the linear production model with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)’s current four decoupling indicators in order to propose a more robust model. The result was an eight-factor decoupling model that used a well-supported framework for sustainable wealth creation named “circular value ecosystem” (CVES). By using system dynamics, we deployed the proposed framework using system dynamics modeling in order to improve the understanding of our proposal. We found that this model, with the proper regional conditions in developing countries, can: (1) reduce, through substitution, the consumption of natural resources; (2) produce alternative economic increasing returns; (3) reduce the negative environmental impacts; and (4) create self-sustainable wealth for the economy, the environment, and the social development of most stakeholders of these regions. Decoupling economic growth represents a complex and challenging task whose successful implementation can only be achieved if managed at a regional level with a systemic approach.
Supply-Chain Pricing and Coordination for New Energy Vehicles Considering Heterogeneity in Consumers’ Low Carbon Preference
Authors: Gong Bengang , Xia Xuan , Cheng Jinshi
Published: February 2020

Given consumers’ willingness to pay different prices for new energy vehicles (NEVs) and traditional vehicles, we construct a utility model of ordinary and green consumers. We establish pricing game models for centralized and decentralized decisions in an NEV’s supply chain in order to study the impact of changes in consumers’ low carbon preference heterogeneity on supply chain pricing and member profit. The results show that consumers’ low carbon preferences and the ratio of green consumers increases with the ex-factory and selling prices of NEVs. An increase in the percentage of green consumers under centralized decision-making will reduce the total profit of the supply chain. Manufacturers’ profits under decentralized decision-making are greater than the dealers’ profits, and the sum of the two members’ profits under decentralized decision-making is less than the total profit of the supply chain under centralized decision-making. We design a revenue-sharing contract to eliminate the double marginal effect.
Seismic Risk Assessment Using Stochastic Nonlinear Models
Authors: Vargas-Alzate Yeudy , Lantada Nieves , González-Drigo Ramón , Pujades Luis
Published: February 2020

The basic input when seismic risk is estimated in urban environments is the expected physical damage level of buildings. The vulnerability index and capacity spectrum-based methods are the tools that have been used most to estimate the probability of occurrence of this important variable. Although both methods provide adequate estimates, they involve simplifications that are no longer necessary, given the current capacity of computers. In this study, an advanced method is developed that avoids many of these simplifications. The method starts from current state-of-the-art approaches, but it incorporates non-linear dynamic analysis and a probabilistic focus. Thus, the method considers not only the nonlinear dynamic response of the structures, modeled as multi degree of freedom systems (MDoF), but also uncertainties related to the loads, the geometry of the buildings, the mechanical properties of the materials and the seismic action. Once the method has been developed, the buildings are subjected to earthquake records that are selected and scaled according to the seismic hazard of the site and considering the probabilistic nature of the seismic actions. The practical applications of the method are illustrated with a case study: framed reinforced concrete buildings that are typical of an important district, the Eixample, in Barcelona (Spain). The building typology and the district were chosen because the seismic risk in Barcelona has been thoroughly studied, so detailed information about buildings’ features, seismic hazard and expected risk is available. Hence, the current results can be compared with those obtained using simpler, less sophisticated methods. The main aspects of the method are presented and discussed first. Then, the case study is described and the results obtained with the capacity spectrum method are compared with the results using the approach presented here. The results at hand show reasonably good agreement with previous seismic damage and risk scenarios in Barcelona, but the new method provides richer, more detailed, more reliable information. This is particularly useful for seismic risk reduction, prevention and management, to move towards more resilient, sustainable cities.
Proposed Research for Innovative Solutions for Chickpeas and Beans in a Climate Change Scenario: The Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Martinelli Federico , Ollero Francisco Javier , Giovino Antonio , Perrone Anna , Bekki Abdelkader , Sikora Sanja , El Nabbout Rania , Bouhadida Mariem , Yucel Derya , Bazzicalupo Marco , Mengoni Alessio , Pérez-Montaño Francisco
Published: February 2020

In order to gain insight into the complex molecular networks driving legume adaptation caused by climate change, it is necessary to deeply characterize the existing germplasm in response to the environmental constraint predicted to worsen in the near future: drought. In this study, we propose to perform a three-year deep agronomic characterization of local genotypes of selected legumes in abiotic stressing conditions through controlled and field experiments conducted in several countries of the Mediterranean basin (Italy, Spain, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and Croatia). These phenotypic analyses will be integrated with a multi-omic approach aiming at identifying the key players involved in the modulation of the analyzed traits that includes the analysis of the plant methylome, transcriptome, and proteome. Following this approach, we propose to deliver epigenomic markers linked with rapid adaptation mechanisms in response to drought. Besides, new genetic variability by breeding could be created in stressing conditions and produce the basis for the obtainment of more productive cultivars in worsening environments. The epigenetic marks identified in “omic” activities will be validated in molecular marker-assisted selection in F2–F4 populations. Finally, specific rhizobia strains for the best evaluated genotypes will be identified in order to enhance symbiotic nitrogen fixation in drought stress conditions with selected cultivars.
Expert Opinion Dimensions of Rural Landscape Quality in Xiangxi, Hunan, China: Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis
Authors: Wen Bin , Burley Jon Bryan
Published: February 2020

Scholars and planning/design professionals are interested in the quantitative, metric properties influencing the quality and assessment of rural landscape space. These metrics are important for guiding rural planning, design, and construction of cultural rural environments. Respondents and metrics from four sampled villages (Qixin, Hangsha, Yanpai Xi, and Lvdong) in the Xiangxi District of Hunan Province in China were examined, employing statistical principal component analysis and factor analysis methods to understand the identifying properties concerning planning and design features of these rural mountain village landscape spaces. The two approaches reveal different aspects from the same variables. Through factor analysis and rotation, four general dimensions were revealed explaining approximately 62% of the variance: a settlement and environmental axis, an intangible culture axis, a productive landscape axis, and a transportation and public space axis, supporting the standing notion that the variables were ordinated across four dimensions in these mountain villages and occupied an elliptical plane that was different than the predicted space occupied by nearby cites. In contrast, principal component analysis revealed that the variables could be grouped into one latent dimension explaining 48% of the variance and revealing an alternative interpretation and spatial plot of the sites.
Students’ Care for Dogs, Environmental Attitudes, and Behaviour
Authors: Torkar Gregor , Fabijan Tina , Bogner Franz X.
Published: February 2020

Does the act of caring for a dog have a substantial connection to the environmental values and behaviours of children? The scientific current literature contains little empirical research regarding the effect of pet ownership on environmental attitudes and behaviours in children. The Two Factor Model of Environmental Values (2-MEV) scale and the General Ecological Behaviour (GEB) scale were applied to measure environmental attitudes/values and ecological behaviours aligned with the Children’s Care for Dogs Questionnaire (CTDQ) to measure individual care for dogs. The subjects were Slovenian adolescents in primary education and lower secondary education. A clear relationship emerged: students that reported a better level of care for their pet dogs tended to engage in more environmentally responsible behaviours. Preservation and utilization attitudes had no significant influence on caring for a dog. Female students tended to report better care for dogs and practiced environmental behaviour more often. Younger students scored higher on the preservation values and practiced environmental behaviour more often. Overall, this study provides an evidence-based framework for educational initiatives that aim to include long-term care for animals. This study proposes a method with which educational programs could achieve the goal of fostering environmental behaviours.
Possibility Neutrosophic Cubic Sets and Their Application to Multiple Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Xue Huiling , Yang Xiaotong , Chen Chunfang
Published: February 2020

The neutrosophic cubic sets are an extension of the cubic sets to the neutrosophic sets. It contains three variables, which respectively represent the membership degree, non-membership degree and uncertainty of the element to the set. The score function is an important indicator in the multi-attribute decision-making problem. In this paper, we consider the possibility that an element belongs to a set and put forward the concept of possibility neutrosophic cubic sets. On this basis, we introduce some related concepts and give the binary operation of possibility neutrosophic cubic sets and use specific examples to supplement the corresponding definition. Meanwhile, a decision-making method based on the score function of possibility neutrosophic cubic sets is proposed and a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Mixed Type Nondifferentiable Higher-Order Symmetric Duality over Cones
Authors: Ahmad Izhar , Verma Khushboo , Al-Homidan Suliman
Published: February 2020

A new mixed type nondifferentiable higher-order symmetric dual programs over cones is formulated. As of now, in the literature, either Wolfe-type or Mond–Weir-type nondifferentiable symmetric duals have been studied. However, we present a unified dual model and discuss weak, strong, and converse duality theorems for such programs under higher-order F - convexity/higher-order F - pseudoconvexity. Self-duality is also discussed. Our dual programs and results generalize some dual formulations and results appeared in the literature. Two non-trivial examples are given to show the uniqueness of higher-order F - convex/higher-order F - pseudoconvex functions and existence of higher-order symmetric dual programs.
Measuring Electromagnetic Fields in Rotating Frames of Reference
Authors: Speake Clive , Ortolan Antonello
Published: February 2020

We review the problem of transforming electromagnetic fields between inertial and rotating reference frames. We compare the method of straightforward tensor coordinate transformations adopted by Schiff in his well-known paper of 1939 with the method of Orthogonal Tetrads (OT) that was applied to this problem in 1964 by Irvine. Although both methods are mathematically rigorous, the transformed fields have different forms depending on the method adopted. We emphasize that the OT method is expected to predict the fields that would actually be measured by an observer in a rotating frame of reference. We briefly discuss existing experimental evidence that supports the OT approach, but point out that there appears to be little awareness in the physics community of this problem or its resolution. We use both methods to transform the electrostatic and magnetic fields generated by rotating charged spherical shells from an inertial into a co-rotating system. We also briefly describe how such an arrangement of shells could be used to measure rotation relative to the fixed stars.
Comparison of CRISPR and Marker-Based Methods for the Engineering of Phage T7
Authors: Grigonyte Aurelija M. , Harrison Christian , MacDonald Paul R. , Montero-Blay Ariadna , Tridgett Matthew , Duncan John , Sagona Antonia P. , Constantinidou Chrystala , Jaramillo Alfonso , Millard Andrew
Published: February 2020

With the recent rise in interest in using lytic bacteriophages as therapeutic agents, there is an urgent requirement to understand their fundamental biology to enable the engineering of their genomes. Current methods of phage engineering rely on homologous recombination, followed by a system of selection to identify recombinant phages. For bacteriophage T7, the host genes cmk or trxA have been used as a selection mechanism along with both type I and II CRISPR systems to select against wild-type phage and enrich for the desired mutant. Here, we systematically compare all three systems; we show that the use of marker-based selection is the most efficient method and we use this to generate multiple T7 tail fibre mutants. Furthermore, we found the type II CRISPR-Cas system is easier to use and generally more efficient than a type I system in the engineering of phage T7. These results provide a foundation for the future, more efficient engineering of bacteriophage T7.
Potential Maternal and Infant Outcomes from Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2) Infecting Pregnant Women: Lessons from SARS, MERS, and Other Human Coronavirus Infections
Authors: Schwartz David A. , Graham Ashley L.
Published: February 2020

In early December 2019 a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause was identified in Wuhan, a city of 11 million persons in the People’s Republic of China. Further investigation revealed these cases to result from infection with a newly identified coronavirus, initially termed 2019-nCoV and subsequently SARS-CoV-2. The infection moved rapidly through China, spread to Thailand and Japan, extended into adjacent countries through infected persons travelling by air, eventually reaching multiple countries and continents. Similar to such other coronaviruses as those causing the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the new coronavirus was reported to spread via natural aerosols from human-to-human. In the early stages of this epidemic the case fatality rate is estimated to be approximately 2%, with the majority of deaths occurring in special populations. Unfortunately, there is limited experience with coronavirus infections during pregnancy, and it now appears certain that pregnant women have become infected during the present 2019-nCoV epidemic. In order to assess the potential of the Wuhan 2019-nCoV to cause maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and other poor obstetrical outcomes, this communication reviews the published data addressing the epidemiological and clinical effects of SARS, MERS, and other coronavirus infections on pregnant women and their infants. Recommendations are also made for the consideration of pregnant women in the design, clinical trials, and implementation of future 2019-nCoV vaccines.
A Conserved Carboxylesterase Inhibits Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) Accumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants
Authors: Guo Song , Wong Sek-Man
Published: February 2020

A carboxylesterase (CXE) or carboxylic-ester hydrolase is an enzyme that catalyzes carboxylic ester and water into alcohol and carboxylate. In plants, CXEs have been implicated in defense, development, and secondary metabolism. We discovered a new CXE gene in Nicotiana benthamiana that is related to virus resistance. The transcriptional level of NbCXE expression was significantly increased after Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection. Transient over-expression of NbCXE inhibited TMV accumulation in N. benthamiana plants. Conversely, when the NbCXE gene was silenced with a Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based gene silencing system, TMV RNA accumulation was increased in NbCXE-silenced plants after infection. NbCXE protein was shown to interact with TMV coat protein (CP) in vitro. Additionally, the expressions of host defense-related genes were increased in transient NbCXE-overexpressed plants but decreased in NbCXE silenced N. benthamiana plants. In summary, our study showed that NbCXE is a novel resistance-related gene involved in host defense responses against TMV infection.
Emergency Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines A Malaysia 97 and A22 Iraq 64 Offer Good Protection against Heterologous Challenge with A Variant Serotype A ASIA/G-IX/SEA-97 Lineage Virus
Authors: Singanallur Nagendrakumar B. , Dekker Aldo , Eblé Phaedra L. , van Hemert-Kluitenberg Froukje , Weerdmeester Klaas , Horsington Jacquelyn , Vosloo W Wilna
Published: February 2020

The continuous emergence of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype A variants in South East Asia is of concern for international FMDV antigen banks, especially when in vitro tests predict a low antigenic match. A vaccination-challenge study was performed by using two emergency FMDV vaccines with A22 Iraq 64 (A22 IRQ) and A Malaysia 97 (A MAY 97) strains, against challenge with a variant strain of FMDV A/Asia/G-IX/SEA-97 lineage at 7- and 21-day post-vaccination (dpv). At 7 dpv, three of five female calves vaccinated with A MAY 97 and four of five vaccinated with A22 IRQ did not show lesions on the feet and were considered protected, while at 21 dpv all five calves were protected with each vaccine, indicating equal efficacy of both vaccine strains. Calves were protected despite relatively low heterologous neutralizing antibody titers to the challenge virus at the time of challenge. All the calves developed antibodies to the non-structural proteins, most likely due to the direct intradermolingual (IDL) inoculation. Only one calf from the A MAY 97-7 group had infectious virus in the serum 1–3-day post-challenge (dpc), while no virus could be isolated from the serum of cattle challenged on 21 dpv. The virus could be isolated from the oral swabs of all calves, 1–7 dpc with viral RNA detected 1–10 dpc. Nasal swabs were positive for virus 1–6 dpc in a small number of calves. The time between vaccination and infection did not have an impact on the number of animals with persistent infection, with almost all the animals showing viral RNA in their oro-pharyngeal fluid (probang) samples up to 35 dpc. Despite the poor in vitro matching data and field reports of vaccine failures, this study suggests that these vaccine strains should be effective against this new A/Asia/G/SEA-97 variant, provided they are formulated with a high antigen dose.
Sonographic Evaluation of Medial Iliac Lymph Nodes-to-Aorta Ratio in Dogs
Authors: Citi Simonetta , Oranges Martina , Arrighi Elena , Meucci Valentina , Della Santa Daniele , Tommaso Mannucci
Published: February 2020

Medial iliac lymph nodes drain many districts and are easy to identify during an ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Since there are no reference values for their size in healthy dogs, the aim of this work was to evaluate the size of the medial iliac lymph nodes by using a ratio with the aortic diameter and find a reference range. The population was divided into group A (healthy dogs) and group B, with diseases of the medial iliac lymph nodes. The ratio of length, height and thickness of the medial iliac lymph nodes with the diameter of the aorta were calculated and underwent statistical analysis, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sixty-three patients were enrolled in group A, and 37 in group B. Significant differences were found between the ratio of sick and healthy patients and neoplastic and healthy patients. No significant difference was found between healthy and inflammatory patients. The best cut-off value to discriminate sick and healthy patients was 0.57, with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 71%. The cut-off value of neoplastic and healthy patients was 0.69, with a sensitivity of 89.47% and a specificity of 84.13%. This value is highly predictive of neoplasia.
Study on Dynamic Interaction of Railway Pantograph–Catenary Including Reattachment Momentum Impact
Authors: Chu Wenping , Song Yang
Published: February 2020

The pantograph–catenary system is responsible for the electric transmission to the locomotive via the sliding contact between the pantograph head and the contact wire. The separation of the pantograph head from the contact wire is the main source of arcing, which challenges the normal operation of an electrified railway. To properly describe the contact loss procedure using simulation tools, a mathematical model of the reattachment momentum impact between the pantograph head and the contact wire is proposed in this paper. The Euler–Bernoulli beam is adopted to model the contact and messenger wires, which are connected by lumped mass-spring droppers. The Lagrange multiplier method is utilised to describe the contact between the pantograph head and the contact wire. The momentum impact generated during the reattachment process is derived based on the principle of momentum conservation. Through several numerical simulations, the contact wire uplift and the contact force are evaluated with the reattachment impact. The analysis result indicated that the velocities of the contact wire and the pantograph head experience a sudden jump at the time instant of reattachment, which leads to a sudden increase of the contact force. When the reattachment impact is included, the maximum value and the standard deviation of contact forces show a significant increase. The effect of reattachment impact is more significant with the increase of the pantograph mass and stiffness.
Unraveling Aquatic Quality Controls of a Nearly Undisturbed Mediterranean Island (Samothraki, Greece)
Authors: Skoulikidis Nikolaos T. , Lampou Anastasia , Laschou Sofia
Published: February 2020

Due to its rough, mountainous relief, Samothraki remains one of the last minimally disturbed islands in the Mediterranean. This paper examines the hydrogeochemical regime of the island’s surface waters as it results from geological, morphological, and hydro(geo)logical controls within a frame of minimally disturbed environmental conditions. Shallow, fractured groundwater aquifers, in combination with steep slopes and predominant weathering resistant rocks, bring about flashy stream regimes with remarkably low solute concentrations. Streams and springs revealed hydrochemical similarities. Contrary to streams chiefly draining sedimentary rocks, streams underlined by granite and ophiolite rocks do not respond hydrochemically to geochemical differences. Using ion proportions instead of concentrations, geochemical fingertips of magmatic stream basins were detected. Atmospheric inputs largely affect stream and spring composition, e.g., by 75% regarding sodium. Only 20% of dissolved oxygen and pH variance was assigned to biological activity, while nutrient levels were consistent with the undisturbed conditions of the island, except nitrate. Small mountainous springs and brooks fed by restricted, fractured groundwater aquifers with perennial flow, despite scarce summer rainfalls, may be fueled by cloud and fog condensation. High night-day stream flow differences, high atmospheric humidity predominately occurring during the night, and low stream water travel times point out toward this phenomenon.
Application of a Three-Dimensional Deterministic Model to Assess Potential Landslides, a Case Study: Antong Hot Spring Area in Hualien, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Lien-Kuang , Chang Chih-Hsin , Liu Che-Hsin , Ho Jui-Yi
Published: February 2020

This study proposes a landslide disaster assessment model combining a fully three-dimensional, physically-based landslide model with high precision of in situ survey data such as surface slip signs, geologic drilling results, underground water observation, and displacement monitoring results over time to perform distribution of potential landslide zones and the size of landslides (area and volume) in the Antong hot spring area in Hualien, Taiwan. The distribution of potential landslide zones in the study area was represented by slope stability safety factors. The results of the analysis showed that the toe of the slope and two upward slopes in the study area were potential landslide areas with safety factors of 1.37, 0.92, and 1.19, respectively. The 3D model analysis results indicated that a landslide could occur at a depth of 20 m at the toe of the slope. Monitoring results for 2015 and 2016 showed that the sliding depth at the toe of the slope was approximately 22.5 m; consequently, the error of landslide depth was only 2.5 m. The simulated results and in situ monitoring results were in good agreement. In addition, the simulated landslide volume was also compared with the results of an empirical equation commonly used in Taiwan to determine their differences. The landslide volumes estimated using the empirical equation were only approximately 38.5% in zone 1, 42.9% in zone 2, and 21.7% in zone 3 of that generated by the proposed model. The empirical equation was used to calculate the landslide volume according to the landslide area, which was subsequently converted into landslide depth. However, the obtained landslide depth was considerably lower than that derived from the in situ monitoring, implying that an empirical estimation approach may result in serious underestimation. Thus, the proposed model could predict landslide area and volume in advance to assist authorities in minimizing loss of life and property damage during a heavy rainfall event.
Analysis of the Spatial Distribution of Stable Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotopes in Precipitation across the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Hatvani István Gábor , Erdélyi Dániel , Vreča Polona , Kern Zoltán
Published: February 2020

The isotopic composition of precipitation provides insight into the origin of water vapor, and the conditions attained during condensation and precipitation. Thus, the spatial variation of oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope composition (δp) and d-excess of precipitation was explored across the Iberian Peninsula for October 2002–September 2003 with 24 monitoring stations of the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP), and for October 2004–June 2006, in which 13 GNIP stations were merged with 21 monitoring stations from a regional network in NW Iberia. Spatial autocorrelation structure of monthly and amount weighted seasonal/annual mean δp values was modelled, and two isoscapes were derived for stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in precipitation with regression kriging. Only using the GNIP sampling network, no spatial autocorrelation structure of δp could have been determined due to the scarcity of the network. However, in the case of the merged GNIP and NW dataset, for δp a spatial sampling range of ~450 km in planar distance (corresponding to ~340 km in geodetic distance) was determined. The range of δp, which also broadly corresponds to the range of the d-excess, probably refers to the spatially variable moisture contribution of the western, Atlantic-dominated, and eastern, Mediterranean-dominated domain of the Iberian Peninsula. The estimation error of the presented Iberian precipitation isoscapes, both for oxygen and hydrogen, is smaller than the ones that were reported for the regional subset of one of the most widely used global model, suggesting that the current regional model provides a higher predictive power.
Performance Behavior of Participatory Water Institutions in Eastern India: A Study through Structural Equation Modelling
Authors: Johnson Nicky , Gandhi Vasant , Jain Dinesh
Published: February 2020

The paper examines the nature and performance of participatory water institutions in eastern India using structural equation modelling. There is a crisis in the management of water in India, and this is often not about having too little water but about managing it poorly. It is now being widely recognized that engineering structures and solutions are not enough, and having effective water institutions is critical. These are urgently needed in eastern India for helping lift the region out of low incomes and poverty. However, creating good institutions is complex, and in this context, the fundamentals of new institutional economics, and management governance theory have suggested the importance of a number of key factors including five institutional features and eight rationalities. Based on this, a study was conducted in eastern India, sampling from the states of Assam and Bihar, covering 510 farm households across 51 water institutions. In order to understand and map the relationship and pathways across these key factors, a structural equation model is hypothesized. In the model, the five institutional features are considered determinants of the eight rationalities, and the rationalities are considered determinants of four performance goals. The performance on the goals determines the overall performance/success of the institution. Besides this, the institutional features and rationalities can also directly influence performance on the goals and the overall performance. The model is tested with data from the survey and different pathways that are robust are identified. The results can provide useful insights into the interlinkages and pathways of institutional behavior and can help policy and institution design for delivering more robust performance. The results show that one of the most important factors determining overall performance/success is technical rationality, and this deserves great attention. It includes technical expertise, sound location and quality of structures and equipment, and good maintenance. However, success is also strongly linked to performance on production/income goals, equity, and environment goals. These are, in turn, strongly related to achievement of economic, social, technical, and organizational rationalities, which call for attention to economic aspects such as crop choice and marketing, besides social aspects such as inclusion of women and poorer social groups, and organizational aspects such as member involvement and regular meetings. Further, the institutional features of clear objectives, good interactions, adaptive, correct scale, and compliance are important for achievement of almost all rationalities through various pathways, and should be strongly focused on in all the institutions.
A Method for Dynamical Sub-Watershed Delimitating by No-Fill Digital Elevation Model and Defined Precipitation: A Case Study of Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhang Hongping , Cheng Xinwen , Jin Lei , Zhao Dong , Feng Tianjing , Zheng Kun
Published: February 2020

Watershed delimitation is very important in flood control management. The traditional sub-watersheds delimitated by a filling digital elevation model (DEM) may change the real sink area, such that it may not be the best choice in studies sensitive to sub-watershed storage. This paper proposes a dynamical watershed delimitation method using a no-fill DEM and precipitation. It considers a closed sink area containing cells that fully flow into a large special cell, which can flow out when its water level is “higher than outlet”. We took Wuhan City as a study area and defined the precipitation in return periods of 1, 5, 20, or 100 years to derive the sub-watersheds. It is found that, in the four delimitations, the ratio of isolated basic units which could not flow outside were 27%, 9%, 5%, and 1%, respectively, as the precipitation increased. The results show that the provided method satisfies the assumption that the sink area might overflow with increased precipitation. The sub-watershed delimitated by the proposed method has higher correlation with the distribution of waterlogging points than those delimitated according to the D8 algorithm. These findings indicate that the proposed method can derive reasonable sub-watershed delimitation and that it may be helpful in the practice of urban flood control management.
Regional variation in practitioner employment in general practices in England: a comparative analysis
Authors: Spooner Sharon , Gibson Jon , Checkland Kath , McBride Anne , Hodgson Damian E , Hann Mark , McDermott Imelda , Sutton Matt
Published: February 2020

Background

In recent years, UK health policy makers have responded to a GP shortage by introducing measures to support increased healthcare delivery by practitioners from a wider range of backgrounds.

Aim

To ascertain the composition of the primary care workforce in England at a time when policy changes affecting deployment of different practitioner types are being introduced.

Design and setting

This study was a comparative analysis of workforce data reported to NHS Digital by GP practices in England.

Method

Statistics are reported using practice-level data from the NHS Digital June 2019 data extract. Because of the role played by Health Education England (HEE) in training and increasing the skills of a healthcare workforce that meets the needs of each region, the analysis compares average workforce composition across the 13 HEE regions in England

Results

The workforce participation in terms of full-time equivalent of each staff group across HEE regions demonstrates regional variation. Differences persist when expressed as mean full-time equivalent per thousand patients. Despite policy changes, most workers are employed in long-established primary care roles, with only a small proportion of newer types of practitioner, such as pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, and physician associates.

Conclusion

This study provides analysis of a more detailed and complete primary care workforce dataset than has previously been available in England. In describing the workforce composition at this time, the study provides a foundation for future comparative analyses of changing practitioner deployment before the introduction of primary care networks, and for evaluating outcomes and costs that may be associated with these changes.
Digital interventions for parents of acutely ill children and their treatment-seeking behaviour: a systematic review
Authors: Donovan Emily , Wilcox Christopher R , Patel Sanjay , Hay Alastair D , Little Paul , Willcox Merlin L
Published: February 2020

Background

Consultations for self-limiting infections in children are increasing. It has been proposed that digital technology could be used to enable parents’ decision making in terms of self-care and treatment seeking.

Aim

To evaluate the evidence that digital interventions facilitate parents deciding whether to self-care or seek treatment for acute illnesses in children.

Design and setting

Systematic review of studies undertaken worldwide.

Method

Searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE were made to identify studies (of any design) published between database inception and January 2019 that assessed digital interventions for parents of children (from any healthcare setting) with acute illnesses. The primary outcome of interest was whether the use of digital interventions reduced the use of urgent care services.

Results

Three studies were included in the review. They assessed two apps and one website: Children’s On-Call — a US advice-only app; Should I See a Doctor? — a Dutch self-triage app for any acute illness; and Strategy for Off-Site Rapid Triage (SORT) for Kids — a US self-triage website for influenza-like illness. None of the studies involved parents during intervention development and it was shown that many parents did not find the two apps easy to use. The sensitivity of self-triage interventions was 84% for Should I See a Doctor? compared with nurse triage, and 93.3% for SORT for Kids compared with the need for emergency-department intervention; however, both had lower specificity (74% and 13%, respectively). None of the interventions demonstrated reduced use of urgent-care services.

Conclusion

There is little evidence to support the use of digital interventions to help parent and/or carers looking after children with acute illness. Future research should involve parents during intervention development, and adequately powered trials are needed to assess the impact of such interventions on health services and the identification of children who are seriously ill.
Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the community using data from OxRen: a UK population-based cohort study
Authors: Hirst Jennifer A , Hill Nathan , O’Callaghan Chris A , Lasserson Daniel , McManus Richard J , Ogburn Emma , Mena José M Ordóñez , Shine Brian , Taylor Clare J , Vazquez-Montes Maria DLA , Yang Yaling , Hobbs FD Richard
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a largely asymptomatic condition of diminished renal function, which may not be detected until advanced stages without screening.

Aim

To establish undiagnosed and overall CKD prevalence using a cross-sectional analysis.

Design and setting

Longitudinal cohort study in UK primary care.

Method

Participants aged ≥60 years were invited to attend CKD screening visits to determine whether they had reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min/1.73 m2or albumin:creatinine ratio ≥3 mg/mmol). Those with existing CKD, low eGFR, evidence of albuminuria, or two positive screening tests attended a baseline assessment (CKD cohort).

Results

A total of 3207 participants were recruited and 861 attended the baseline assessment. The CKD cohort consisted of 327 people with existing CKD, 257 people with CKD diagnosed through screening (CKD prevalence of 18.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.9 to 19.6), and 277 with borderline/transient decreased renal function. In the CKD cohort, 54.4% were female, mean standard deviation (SD) age was 74.0 (SD 6.9) years, and mean eGFR was 58.0 (SD 18.4) ml/min/1.73 m2. Of the 584 with confirmed CKD, 44.0% were diagnosed through screening. Over half of the CKD cohort (51.9%, 447/861) fell into CKD stages 3–5 at their baseline assessment, giving an overall prevalence of CKD stages 3–5 of 13.9% (95% CI = 12.8 to 15.1). More people had reduced eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation than with CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation in the 60–75-year age group and more had reduced eGFR using CKD-EPI in the ≥80-year age group.

Conclusion

This study found that around 44.0% of people living with CKD are undiagnosed without screening, and prevalence of CKD stages 1–5 was 18.2% in participants aged >60 years. Follow-up will provide data on annual incidence, rate of CKD progression, determinants of rapid progression, and predictors of cardiovascular events.
Role of the GP in the management of patients with self-harm behaviour: a systematic review
Authors: Mughal Faraz , Troya M Isabela , Dikomitis Lisa , Chew-Graham Carolyn A , Corp Nadia , Babatunde Opeyemi O
Published: February 2020

Background

Self-harm is a serious risk factor for suicide, a major public health concern, and a significant burden on the NHS. Rates of self-harm presentation in primary care are rising and GPs interact with patients both before and after they have self-harmed. There is significant public and political interest in reducing rates of self-harm, but there has been no robust synthesis of the existing literature on the role of GPs in the management of patients who self-harm.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the role of the GP in the management of patients with self-harm behaviour.

Design and setting

A systematic review and narrative synthesis of primary care literature.

Method

This systematic review was conducted and is reported in line with PRISMA guidance. Electronic databases systematically searched were MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and AMED. Two independent reviewers conducted study screening and selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal of all included studies. Thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

From 6976 unique citations, 12 studies met eligibility criteria and were included. These 12 studies, published from 1997–2016, of 789 GPs/family medicine physicians from Europe, the US, and Australia were of good methodological quality. Five themes were identified for facilitating GP management of self-harm: GP training, improved communication, service provision, clinical guidelines, and young people. Four barriers for GP management of self-harm were identified: assessment, service provision, local, and systemic factors.

Conclusion

GPs recognise self-harm as a serious risk factor for suicide, but some feel unprepared for managing self-harm. The role of the GP is multidimensional and includes frontline assessment and treatment, referral to specialist care, and the provision of ongoing support.
Reflexões acerca do transe religioso e sua relação com as religiões afro-brasileiras
Authors: Dos Santos Neto Ernani Francisco
Published: February 2020

O transe religioso como objeto de pesquisa científica adquiriu com o passar dos tempos várias perspectivas, desde à visão de práticas selvagens primitivas, à demonização pela instituição religiosa, bem como a sua patologização pelo campo das ciências psiquiátricas e psicológicas; tornando-se o objeto de uma variada literatura que se estende por mais de um século. O transe passou a ser visto no contexto brasileiro como traço central das religiosidades afro-brasileiras, e por ser um fenômeno tão complexo tem fascinado os antropólogos e estudiosos da religião em todo mundo. O presente artigo tem por finalidade refletir sobre transe religioso e sua relação com as religiões afro-brasileiras, trata-se de uma reflexão acerca do transe religioso tendo como referenciais artigos científicos e textos que versam sobre o tema. Também foram anexados dois relatos de filhas-de-santo com o intuito de maximizar o estudo. Esta pesquisa nos leva a afirmar que o transe é visto como uma prática comum em muitas sociedades e percebido como um elemento fundante para as cosmovisões afro-brasileiras. O estudo aponta algumas perspectivas dominantes de análise entre elas as perspectivas biológicas, sociais e fenomenológicas.
MODEL PERSAMAAN REGRESI PERILAKU PARKIR PENGENDARA WANITA DAN PRIA DI PALEMBANG INDAH MALL (PIM)
Authors: Ramadhani Ramadhani
Published: February 2020

The research objective of Regression Equation Model Behavior Women Riders parking in Palembang Indah Mall ( PIM ) to obtain regression model was chosen in the group of men and women , so that it can be stated that the variables that have a dominant influence on the parking time is the frequency of visits. While the ability to drive influence covered by the influence of frequency. That is however the condition of driving ability as long as it has the frequency of visits are frequent, parking time will be brief. The regression model obtained consisting of : Regression Equation Model for Women in PIM parking time : Wpw = 57.325-0.451 F and Model Regression Equations for Men parking time in PIM : Wpp = 43.485-0.442 F.

Keywords : Regression Equation Model, parking time.