bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land Cover Classification of Nine Perennial Crops Using Sentinel-1 and -2 Data
Authors: Brinkhoff James , Vardanega Justin , Robson Andrew J.
Published: December 2019

Land cover mapping of intensive cropping areas facilitates an enhanced regional response to biosecurity threats and to natural disasters such as drought and flooding. Such maps also provide information for natural resource planning and analysis of the temporal and spatial trends in crop distribution and gross production. In this work, 10 meter resolution land cover maps were generated over a 6200 km2 area of the Riverina region in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, with a focus on locating the most important perennial crops in the region. The maps discriminated between 12 classes, including nine perennial crop classes. A satellite image time series (SITS) of freely available Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery was used. A segmentation technique grouped spectrally similar adjacent pixels together, to enable object-based image analysis (OBIA). K-means unsupervised clustering was used to filter training points and classify some map areas, which improved supervised classification of the remaining areas. The support vector machine (SVM) supervised classifier with radial basis function (RBF) kernel gave the best results among several algorithms trialled. The accuracies of maps generated using several combinations of the multispectral and radar bands were compared to assess the relative value of each combination. An object-based post classification refinement step was developed, enabling optimization of the tradeoff between producers’ accuracy and users’ accuracy. Accuracy was assessed against randomly sampled segments, and the final map achieved an overall count-based accuracy of 84.8% and area-weighted accuracy of 90.9%. Producers’ accuracies for the perennial crop classes ranged from 78 to 100%, and users’ accuracies ranged from 63 to 100%. This work develops methods to generate detailed and large-scale maps that accurately discriminate between many perennial crops and can be updated frequently.
Cohesion Intensive Deep Hashing for Remote Sensing Image Retrieval
Authors: Han Lirong , Li Peng , Bai Xiao , Grecos Christos , Zhang Xiaoyu , Ren Peng
Published: December 2019

Recently, the demand for remote sensing image retrieval is growing and attracting the interest of many researchers because of the increasing number of remote sensing images. Hashing, as a method of retrieving images, has been widely applied to remote sensing image retrieval. In order to improve hashing performance, we develop a cohesion intensive deep hashing model for remote sensing image retrieval. The underlying architecture of our deep model is motivated by the state-of-the-art residual net. Residual nets aim at avoiding gradient vanishing and gradient explosion when the net reaches a certain depth. However, different from the residual net which outputs multiple class-labels, we present a residual hash net that is terminated by a Heaviside-like function for binarizing remote sensing images. In this scenario, the representational power of the residual net architecture is exploited to establish an end-to-end deep hashing model. The residual hash net is trained subject to a weighted loss strategy that intensifies the cohesiveness of image hash codes within one class. This effectively addresses the data imbalance problem normally arising in remote sensing image retrieval tasks. Furthermore, we adopted a gradualness optimization method for obtaining optimal model parameters in order to favor accurate binary codes with little quantization error. We conduct comparative experiments on large-scale remote sensing data sets such as UCMerced and AID. The experimental results validate the hypothesis that our method improves the performance of current remote sensing image retrieval.
Study on Social Integration Identification and Characteristics of Migrants from “Yangtze River to Huaihe River” Project: A Time-Driven Perspective
Authors: Shangguan Ziheng , Wang Mark Yaolin , Huang Jianyuan , Shi Guoqing , Song Liangliang , Sun Zhonggen
Published: December 2019

The “Yangtze River to Huaihe River” project is another large-scale trans-basin water diversion project in China, following the South-to-North Water Division Project. The reservoir project is in the period of China’s rapid development of modernization, informatization and marketization. During this period, reservoir-induced migrants have great differences in resource endowment and development opportunities, so they show different characteristics in the integration process. In order to clarify these characteristics and formulate corresponding policies based on these characteristics to help them integrate into the society of the resettlement area as soon as possible, this paper has completed two aspects of work: First, a method for identifying social integration is proposed. Second, the characteristics of social integration of different migrant groups in different time dimensions are analyzed. This study has two important findings: First, the extent of information sources and understanding of policies has a greater impact on the social integration of migrants. The wider the source of information and the more understanding of policies, the more it helps migrants to integrate into society. Second, the social network relationship established by the female migrant group in the maintenance activities will greatly promote their social integration.
Problems with the Implementation of Industry 4.0 in Enterprises from the SME Sector
Authors: Ingaldi Manuela , Ulewicz Robert
Published: December 2019

Industry is currently undergoing a revolution (called Revolution 4.0) related to the far-reaching integration of all production areas through the digitization and the creation of new communication channels. The Polish economy generated a GDP of USD 524.5 billion in 2017, of which small and medium enterprises generated about 50% of revenue and in which microenterprises accounted for the largest share in generating GDP; i.e., around 30.2%. The aim of the research is to determine the adaptation possibilities of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector to Industry 4.0 solutions. Pilot research was carried out in the Czestochowa Industrial District. Enterprises from the SME sector were asked to provide an information about the used technologies and to determine the level of their organization’s readiness for sustainable development through technological transformation. Financial resources as well as a lack of specialized support in obtaining new technologies were defined as problems as far as transformation is concerned. The solution of the diagnosed problem is the development of a platform aimed at integrating the potential of enterprises from the SME sector in order to undertake joint actions for sustainable development.
Is Urban Sprawl Decoupled from the Quality of Economic Growth? Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Lu Xinhai , Chen Danling , Wang Yue
Published: December 2019

This paper investigates how urban sprawl and the quality of economic growth interact and further studies the spatial-temporal decoupling characteristics of both. To achieve this, a framework was developed to better explain both the different dimensional effects urban sprawl exerts on the quality of economic growth and their reverse feedback relation. A sample of 285 Chinese cities (2003 to 2016) were analyzed, employing both a decoupling model and spatial correlation analysis. The findings indicated that urban sprawl and the quality of economic growth are related via scale, structure, technological efficiency, and technological progress effects. In practice, with increasing quality of economic growth, the urban sprawl index decreases at the national level. At prefecture-city level, the types of decoupling between urban sprawl and the quality of economic growth showed clear periodical and unbalanced characteristics. Furthermore, decoupling showed a significant agglomeration effect in Chinese cities, which is mainly mediated by the types High-High and Low-Low. This study provides a significant contribution to the relevant acknowledge system by providing a comprehensive theoretical framework toward an understanding of how urban expansion interacts with the quality of economic growth. Furthermore, their decoupling types and spatial differences that are critical for the urban sustainable development have been identified, thus providing several important insights for both academics and urban policy makers.
Contracting Formulas for Large Engineering Projects. The Case of Desalination Plants
Authors: Berenguel-Felices Francisco , Lara-Galera Antonio , Guirao-Abad Begoña , Galindo-Aires Rubén
Published: December 2019

Population growth has increased over the past two centuries. In the driest countries, water supply alternatives are scarce, with desalination being an alternative to ensure water supply to the population. Desalination plants have increased in size and efficiency, and require large investments, large infrastructures, and complex technology, besides they also need sophisticated contractual formulas to successfully build them. Various contract models are tools that should be used by taking into consideration the characteristics of the project, the parties involved, and who is responsible for each of the risks involved. To help choose the most suitable type of contract for a particular project, so-called decision support systems have been developed over the past thirty years. In this paper, a new decision support system is presented and applied to a case study of two desalination plants built under the design and build and turnkey modes of contract. The objective was to determine the most suitable contract model for these types of projects which had very ambitious objectives and decisive social, economic, and environmental implications.
Barriers to Sustainability in Poor Marginalized Communities in the United States: The Criminal Justice, the Prison-Industrial Complex and Foster Care Systems
Authors: Adams Muriel , Klinsky Sonja , Chhetri Nalini
Published: December 2019

In the United States of America, 2.2 million people are incarcerated in public and private facilities and over 700,000 are released yearly back to their home communities. Almost half are rearrested within a year. These problems have been excluded from mainstream sustainability narratives, despite their serious implications for sustainability. This paper addresses how the criminal justice, prison-industrial complex and foster care systems negatively impact these communities and families. To comprehend the system links, a sustainability lens is used to examine and address interlinking system impacts obstructing achievement of sustainability and the necessary community characteristics for building sustainable communities. Communities characterized by environmental degradation, economic despair and social dysfunction are trapped in unsustainability. Therefore, a system-of-communities framework is proposed which examines the circumstances that bring about prison cycling which devastates family and community cohesion and social networking, also negatively affecting the ability of other communities to become truly sustainable. We contend that a fully integrated social, economic and environmental approach to a major, complex, persistent problem as it relates to poor, marginalized communities faced with mass incarceration and recidivism can begin creating sustainable conditions. Further, we articulate ways sustainability narratives could be changed to engage with core challenges impeding these communities.
What are Important Technologies for Sustainable Development in the Trucking Industries of Emerging Markets? Differences between Organizational and Individual Buyers
Authors: Zhang Haili , Song Michael , Yang Xiaoming , Li Ping
Published: December 2019

This article examines perceived importance of sustainable technologies and how organizational buyers and individual buyers differ in their willingness to pay for sustainable technological innovations an emerging market. Extensive field research was conducted to develop the study measures. Using Weber’s step-by-step method of coding, we selected 24 sustainable technologies that are representative of the technological preferences and demands of truck drivers in China. We also conducted pretests with trucking company executives to improve the final survey instrument. We collected data from 510 organizational buyers and 2680 individual buyers. Results show that organizational buyers and individual buyers have similar preferences for 15 of the 24 sustainable technologies. The individual buyers have a significantly higher preference than organizational buyers for sustainable technologies, such as comfort, image, and service attributes. However, the study findings suggest that organizational buyers have a greater preference in the total cost of ownership dimension. Through content analysis of survey responses in China, we identified the most influential and popular sustainable technology in the business-to-business trucking industry in emerging markets, such as China. Our research expands the application of sustainable buying behavior theory to the trucking industry in an emerging market. We suggest management and marketing strategies to sustainable development of trucking industry.
Caveats in Environmental Justice, Consumption and Ecological Footprints: The Relationship and Policy Implications of Socioeconomic Rank and Sustainable Consumption Patterns
Authors: Peleg-Mizrachi Meital , Tal Alon
Published: December 2019

The study evaluates the sustainability of consumption patterns among different socioeconomic deciles based on individual ecological footprints generated by four of the world’s most polluting industries: animal products/meat, textiles, transport, and residential energy. Online shopping is also considered due to its mounting popularity. A national survey, which ensured equal representation of socioeconomic deciles, involving 600 respondents in Israel was conducted, supplemented by follow-up semi-structured personal interviews with 25 participants. Conventional wisdom supports the notion that wealthier segments of society produce greater ecological footprints in all aspects of their consumption. In fact, our findings reveal that patterns are more nuanced and that there are areas in which poorer populations reveal less sustainable consumption patterns: poorer populations in the lower deciles report a greater per capita ecological footprint in their purchases of textiles and food consumption. By contrast, wealthier deciles have relatively larger ecological footprints in the areas of transport and residential patterns (which drive their energy consumption). Results suggest that some of the fundamental assumptions among environmental justice advocates regarding contrasting consumption patterns in affluent and poorer segments of society are not always supported by empirical evidence. Findings also indicate that there is room for greater government interventions to facilitate more sustainable consumption patterns among poorer populations.
Tunnel Surface Settlement Forecasting with Ensemble Learning
Authors: Yan Ke , Dai Yuting , Xu Meiling , Mo Yuchang
Published: December 2019

Ground surface settlement forecasting in the process of tunnel construction is one of the most important techniques towards sustainable city development and preventing serious damages, such as landscape collapse. It is evident that modern artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as artificial neural network, extreme learning machine, and support vector regression, are capable of providing reliable forecasting results for tunnel surface settlement. However, two limitations exist for the current forecasting techniques. First, the data provided by the construction company are usually univariate (i.e., containing only the settlement data). Second, the demand of tunnel surface settlement is immediate after the construction process begins. The number of training data samples is limited. Targeting at the above two limitations, in this study, a novel ensemble machine learning model is proposed to forecast tunnel surface settlement using univariate short period of real-world tunnel settlement data. The proposed Adaboost.RT framework fully utilizes existing data points with three base machine learning models and iteratively updates hyperparameters using current surface point locations. Experimental results show that compared with existing machine learning techniques and algorithms, the proposed ensemble learning method provides a higher prediction accuracy with acceptable computational efficiency.
Project-Based Learning in a Transinstitutional Research Setting: Case Study on the Development of Sustainable Food Products
Authors: Derler Hartmut , Berner Simon , Grach Daniela , Posch Alfred , Seebacher Ulrike
Published: December 2019

Project-based learning (PBL) has been thoroughly integrated in university sustainable development curricula, but has not been well-established in curricula used at pre-university educational levels. Integrating real-world settings into the teaching of secondary school students can help to promote problem-solving skills and competencies at younger ages, which is a crucial task in sustainability education. Therefore, in this article we describe the results of a case study on the development of sustainable food products that involved a university and two secondary schools in Austria. The methods used in this case study were drawn from the transdisciplinary case study (TCS) and the PBL literature. Data were collected by carrying out participatory research methods such as photovoice, focus group discussions, food diaries, student evaluations, and surveys. We divided the study design into three phases: (1) exploration, (2) product ideation, and (3) product prototyping and optimisation. The case study illustrates that the use of PBL research approaches by students at different levels of education provides promising results, if the research process is clearly structured and managed. When a demand for learning is encountered by students, secondary school teachers and university researchers must provide the students with additional sources of information. The establishment and management of a transinstitutional research setting is a promising, yet time-consuming endeavour.
Energy Crops in Regional Biogas Systems: An Integrative Spatial LCA to Assess the Influence of Crop Mix and Location on Cultivation GHG Emissions
Authors: O’Keeffe Sinéad , Thrän Daniela
Published: December 2019

Anaerobic digestion producing biogas is an important decentralized renewable energy technology used to mitigate climate change. It is dependent on local and regional feedstocks, which determine its sustainability. This has led to discussions on how to alter feedstock for biogas plants without compromising their GHG (Greenhouse gas) saving, one particular issue being the use of Maize silage (MS) as the dominant feedstock. To support this discussion, this paper presents an integrated life cycle assessment of energy crop cultivation for 425 biogas catchments in the region of Central Germany (CG). The simulations for the CG region showed that MS as an effective crop to mitigate GHG emissions per kilowatt hour (GHGculti) was context dependent. In some cases, GHGculti reductions were supported due to higher yields, and in other cases, this led to increased GHGculti. We show that the often-proposed strategy of substituting one crop for another needs to be adapted for strategies which take into account the crop mixtures fed into biogas plants and how they perform altogether, under the specific regional and locational conditions. Only in this way can the trade-offs for lower GHGculti be identified and managed.
Study on the Environmental Education Demand and Environmental Literacy Assessment of Citizens in Sustainable Urban Construction in Beijing
Authors: Wu En , Cheng Jing-Qi , Zhang Jia-Bao
Published: December 2019

In the process of sustainable urban construction, citizens’ environmental literacy is a decisive factor, and environmental education is an important factor affecting the former’s level. Therefore, by determining the environmental literacy and environmental education demand of 383 citizens, the conclusion of this study is instructive for sustainable urban construction in China and other developing countries. Further, in the study, data were collected through a paper questionnaire and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SSPS) software version 25 (IBM Corp, BJ, CHN) was used for data analysis. According to our survey, the average score of Beijing citizens’ environmental literacy is 3.77 out of 5, which reflects the necessity to carry out environmental education for the citizen. In order to effectively measure citizens’ environmental literacy, we divided the sample population into three groups according to their evaluation scores of environmental literacy. The social demographic characteristics of the high- and middle-scoring groups showed a higher proportion of women and well-educated people. A higher proportion of working or living stability was reflected in the majority of civil servants, staff of citizen institutions, retirees, and housewives. There were more people over the age of 30, most of whom have lived in Beijing for a long time. “Green lifestyle” and “knowledge and skills of environmental protection” were the aspects of environmental education that the sample group of Beijing citizens generally wants to learn. In addition, citizens in the high- and middle-scoring groups are also more interested in “ecological science knowledge”, while the low-scoring group is more interested in “the knowledge of environmental factors” and “environmental ethics”. The survey respondents showed the highest preference for environmental education (natural education) when participating in outdoor activities, followed by exhibition place and activity, with a relatively low preference for lecture and community activities. Mass media is also an important channel for environmental education, and the use preference and frequency of new media such as MicroBlog, WeChat, and short video applications are much higher than those of traditional media such as television and newspapers.
How Farmers Make Investment Decisions: Evidence from a Farmer Survey in China
Authors: Wang Shuangjin , Tian Yuan , Liu Xiaowei , Foley Maggie
Published: December 2019

Based on the grain production data hand collected in Mid-East China, a multinomial Logit model was employed to analyze factors that are critical to farmers’ investment decisions in food production. Reasonable explanations are provided to help understand differences between expected farmers’ investments in grain production and the actual results. It was found that the cost of machinery and the number of farmers is key factors affecting farmers’ willingness to adjust investment. Further research shows that most of the farmers who had the willingness to adjust investment did not implement the adjustments in the short-term. From the micro-adaptability expectation perspective, the time that it takes to adjust the planting area could explain farmers’ investment adjustment intention and the behavior. From the macro-investment perspective, short-term output elasticity of physical capital is less than long-term output elasticity. The differences between farmers’ willingness to invest and the actual results are therefore generated. These findings suggest that it is necessary to strengthen the application of big data technology in agriculture in order to improve the platforms’ efficiency in data releasing and reaching out to farmers to provide more accurate advice regarding investment adjustment.
Present Status and Potential of Biomass Energy in Pakistan Based on Existing and Future Renewable Resources
Authors: Tareen Wajahat Ullah Khan , Dilbar Muhammad Tariq , Farhan Muhammad , Ali Nawaz Muhammad , Durrani Ali Waqar , Memon Kamran Ali , Mekhilef Saad , Seyedmahmoudian Mehdi , Horan Ben , Amir Muhammad , Aamir Muhammad
Published: December 2019

Pakistan is a developing country that is experiencing a shortage of electricity generation due to its rapidly growing demand. The existing and upcoming energy requirements for power generation and future transportation can be met by efficient utilisation of homegrown biomass resources. Determining the present energy mix resources in various sectors of the country is important. This article analyses the biomass resources and their potential and bioenergy utilisation in Pakistan. An overview of the global renewable energy scenario is presented. This article accentuates the importance and challenges of new technologies and estimates the current and future share of power generation from renewable sources, focusing on the technical potential of biomass energy, which is obtained from agricultural residues, animal manure and municipal solid wastes in Pakistan. This paper highlights the developing technologies that are primarily used to convert biomass waste into energy and presents a critical consideration on future directions in drafting the bioenergy framework policy in Pakistan. For effective implementation of biomass-based renewable energy production in the country, this paper presents an extensive literature review on current and future perspectives and suggestions on future directions and policies to overcome the deficit in electricity supply and environmental concerns. Furthermore, this paper discusses the utilisation of biomass resources in the rapidly growing transportation sector and presents a solution for upcoming mass transit projects in two major cities in Pakistan. The conclusion is that biomass energy is the most sustainable, eco-friendly and efficient renewable energy and is an emerging renewable energy resource that can meet the growing energy demand in Pakistan.
Influence of Partial Coarse Fraction Substitution of Natural Aggregate by Recycled Concrete Aggregate in Hot Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Acosta Álvarez Debora , Alonso Aenlle Anadelys , Tenza-Abril Antonio José , Ivorra Salvador
Published: December 2019

The main objective of this work is to evaluate the properties of hot asphalt mixtures that have been manufactured with different recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) percentages (0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the fraction 5–13 mm) and asphalt (4%, 4.5% and 5%). Dense asphalt mixtures were made; partially replacing the natural aggregate (NA) fraction between 5 and 13 mm. Marshall specimens were manufactured to determine the main properties of the asphalt concrete (AC) in terms of density, voids, stability and deformation. Additionally, the optimal asphalt content (OAC) was determined, and measured the water sensibility, the stiffness modulus and the permanent deformation. The results corroborate the potential for using these sources of construction and demolition waste (CDW) as a RCA in asphalt concrete and show that the hot asphalt mixtures with up to 40% substitution of natural aggregate by recycled aggregate in the fraction 5–13 mm present good behavior.
Managerial Perceptions of Firms’ Corporate Sustainability Strategies: Insights from Croatia
Authors: Nyuur Richard , Brečić Ružica , Murphy Patrick
Published: December 2019

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained increasing academic attention, we lack a solid understanding of how managerial perceptions underpin firms’ sustainability practices. This study interprets and sheds light on managers’ perceptions of sustainability activities under various stakeholder domains in Croatia through a multi-theoretical approach. Using 21 semi-structured interviews with managers, the study reveals that sustainability activities in the research context tend to focus more on environmental issues and customer service, as well as employees and supplier domains. The study further establishes three distinct levels of sustainability commitments by firms. These stages include sustainability as a minimal response, corporate culture-driven, and committed response. These findings, as a whole, are insightful and enable us to advance research on sustainability by elucidating how managerial perceptions underpin firms’ strategic sustainability activities. The contributions to theory and practice are also discussed.
Thermo-Diffusion and Multislip Effects on MHD Mixed Convection Unsteady Flow of Micropolar Nanofluid over a Shrinking/Stretching Sheet with Radiation in the Presence of Heat Source
Authors: Abdal Sohaib , Ali Bagh , Younas Saba , Ali Liaqat , Mariam Amna
Published: December 2019

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the multislip effects on the magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) mixed convection unsteady flow of micropolar nano-fluids over a stretching/shrinking sheet along with radiation in the presence of a heat source. The consequences of multislip and buoyancy conditions have been integrated. By using the suitable similarity variables are used to solve the governing non-linear partial differential equations into a system of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations. The transformed equations are solved numerically by using Runge–Kutta fourth-order method with shooting technique. The impacts of the several parameters on the velocity, temperature, micro-rotation, and concentration profiles as well as on the skin friction coefficient, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number are discussed with the help of graphs and tables.
Two-Variable Quantum Integral Inequalities of Simpson-Type Based on Higher-Order Generalized Strongly Preinvex and Quasi-Preinvex Functions
Authors: Kalsoom Humaira , Rashid Saima , Idrees Muhammad , Chu Yu-Ming , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we present a new definition of higher-order generalized strongly preinvex functions. Moreover, it is observed that the new class of higher-order generalized strongly preinvex functions characterize various new classes as special cases. We acquire a new q 1 q 2 -integral identity, then employing this identity, we establish several two-variable q 1 q 2 -integral inequalities of Simpson-type within a class of higher-order generalized strongly preinvex and quasi-preinvex functions. Finally, the utilities of our numerical approximations have concrete applications.
Asymmetric Interface: User Interface of Asymmetric Virtual Reality for New Presence and Experience
Authors: Jeong Kisung , Kim Jinmo , Kim Mingyu , Lee Jiwon , Kim Chanhun
Published: December 2019

This study proposes an asymmetric interface that can provide head-mounted display (HMD) and non-HMD users with improved presence and an experience consistent with the user’s environment in an asymmetric virtual reality. For the proposed asymmetric interface, a controller-based hand interface is designed for portability, easy and convenient use, and high immersion. Subsequently, a three-step decision-making structure that supports accurate and efficient decision-making is defined based on the asymmetric experience structure of each user (HMD and non-HMD). Based on this process, an optimal interface that distinguishes between HMD (direct interaction) and non-HMD users (multi-viewpoint interaction) is implemented. With the objective of surveying and analyzing each user’s experience along with the presence provided by the proposed interface, an asymmetric virtual reality application is developed directly, and an experiment is conducted with the participants. Finally, it is statistically analyzed and verified that the use of the proposed asymmetric interface can provide optimal presence and user-optimized experience to both HMD and non-HMD users.
The Symmetry of Lower and Upper Approximations, Determined by a Cyclic Hypergroup, Applicable in Control Theory
Authors: Křehlík Štěpán , Vyroubalová Jana
Published: December 2019

In the first part of our paper, we construct a cyclic hypergroup of matrices using the Ends Lemma. Its properties are then, in the second part of the paper, used to describe the symmetry of lower and upper approximations in certain rough sets with respect to invertible subhypergroups of this cyclic hypergroup. Since our approach is widely used in autonomous robotic systems, we suggest an application of our results for the study of detection sensors, which are used especially in mobile robot mapping.
Adaptive Stabilization of a Fractional-Order System with Unknown Disturbance and Nonlinear Input via a Backstepping Control Technique
Authors: Tian Xiaomin , Yang Zhong
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a new backstepping-based adaptive stabilization of a fractional-order system with unknown parameters is investigated. We assume that the controlled system is perturbed by external disturbance, the bound of external disturbance to be unknown in advance. Moreover, the effects of sector and dead-zone nonlinear inputs both are taken into account. A fractional-order auxiliary system is established to generate the necessary signals for compensation the nonlinear inputs. Meantime, in order to deal with these unknown parameters, some fractional-order adaption laws are given. The frequency-distributed model is used so that the indirect Lyapunov theory is available in designing controllers. Finally, simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control strategy.
Structural Distortion Stabilizing the Antiferromagnetic and Insulating Ground State of NiO
Authors: Krüger Ekkehard
Published: December 2019

We report evidence that the experimentally observed small deformation of antiferromagnetic NiO modifies the symmetry of the crystal in such a way that the antiferromagnetic state becomes an eigenstate of the electronic Hamiltonian. This deformation closely resembles a rhombohedral contraction, but does not possess the perfect symmetry of a trigonal (rhombohedral) space group. We determine the monoclinic base centered magnetic space group of the antiferromagnetic structure within the deformed crystal which is strongly influenced by the time-inversion symmetry of the Hamiltonian. The antiferromagnetic state is evidently stabilized by a nonadiabatic atomic-like motion of the electrons near the Fermi level. This atomic-like motion is characterized by the symmetry of the Bloch functions near the Fermi level and provides in NiO a perfect basis for a Mott insulator in the antiferromagnetic phase.
Foresight Based on MADM-Based Scenarios’ Approach: A Case about Comprehensive Sustainable Health Financing Models
Authors: Hashemkhani Zolfani Sarfaraz , Dehnavieh Reza , Poursheikhali Atousa , Prentkovskis Olegas , Khazaelpour Payam
Published: December 2019

As indicated by a worldwide common perspective about health and sustainable health systems, the health structure as a part of public health is a key theme of many societies. The future is shaped by probable future scenarios, for which dealing practically has many complications. This study is focused on the future scenarios for a comprehensive sustainable health financing model to support a superior structure for a decision and policy-making pilot for the society. This aim is followed based on multiple attribute decision making (MADM)-based scenarios using two MADM methods, step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS), as a hybrid model which is the first real case study of the approach. Four main probable future scenarios are identified and selected based on experts’ viewpoints about sustainable health financing models. These scenarios include membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), dynamic basic insurance, international cooperation, and effective resources management. The process of evaluating based on the approach works as a wider picture, including all criteria and alternatives together. Sustainable medical services, empowering the private sector in both production and technology, and employing international managers took place as the top priority for considering the most applicable alternatives in the future. This structure is designed and developed in Iran’s context, and the Institute for Futures Studies in Health is the pilot of the research.
A Theoretical Analysis for Mixed Convection Flow of Maxwell Fluid between Two Infinite Isothermal Stretching Disks with Heat Source/Sink
Authors: Khan Nargis , Nabwey Hossam A. , Hashmi Muhammad Sadiq , Khan Sami Ullah , Tlili Iskander
Published: December 2019

The aim of this current contribution is to examine the rheological significance of Maxwell fluid configured between two isothermal stretching disks. The energy equation is also extended by evaluating the heat source and sink features. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are converted into the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using appropriate variables. An analytically-based technique is adopted to compute the series solution of the dimensionless flow problem. The convergence of this series solution is carefully ensured. The physical interpretation of important physical parameters like the Hartmann number, Prandtl number, Archimedes number, Eckert number, heat source/sink parameter and the activation energy parameter are presented for velocity, pressure and temperature profiles. The numerical values of different involved parameters for skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are expressed in tabular and graphical forms. Moreover, the significance of an important parameter, namely Frank-Kamenetskii, is presented both in tabular and graphical form. This particular study reveals that both axial and radial velocity components decrease by increasing the Frank–Kamenetskii number and stretching the ratio parameter. The pressure distribution is enhanced with an increasing Frank–Kamenetskii number and stretching ratio parameter. It is also observed that thetemperature distribution increases with the increasing Hartmann number, Eckert number and Archimedes number.
Characterization of the Role of Host Cellular Factor Histone Deacetylase 10 during HIV-1 Replication
Authors: Ran Xiaozhuo , Ao Zhujun , Olukitibi Titus , Yao Xiaojian
Published: December 2019

To date, a series of histone deacetylases have been documented to restrict HIV-1 replication at different steps. In this study, we identified histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) as an inhibitory factor against HIV-1 replication. Our results showed that endogenous HDAC10 is downregulated at the transcriptional level during HIV-1 replication. By knocking down HDAC10 in CD4+ T cells with specific shRNAs, we observed that the downregulation of HDAC10 significantly facilitates viral replication. Moreover, RQ-PCR analysis revealed that the downregulation of HDAC10 increased viral integrated DNA. Further, we identified that HDAC10 interacts with the HIV-1 integrase (IN) and that the region of residues from 55 to 165 in the catalytic domain of IN is required for HDAC10 binding. Interestingly, we found that the interaction between HDAC10 and IN specifically decreases the interaction between IN and cellular protein lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75), which consequently leads to the inhibition of viral integration. In addition, we have investigated the role of HDAC10 in the late stage of viral replication by detecting the infectiousness of progeny virus produced from HDAC10 knockdown cells or HDAC10 overexpressing cells and revealed that the progeny virus infectivity is increased in the HDAC10 downregulated cells, but decreased in the HDAC10 overexpressed cells. Overall, these findings provide evidence that HDAC10 acts as a cellular inhibitory factor at the early and late stages of HIV-1 replication.
Pestivirus Infections in Semi-Domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Serological Study in Finnmark County, Norway
Authors: das Neves Carlos G. , Johansson Wensman Jonas , Nymo Ingebjørg Helena , Skjerve Eystein , Alenius Stefan , Tryland Morten
Published: December 2019

Members of the Pestivirus genus (family Flaviviridae) cause severe and economically important diseases in livestock. Serological studies have revealed the presence of pestiviruses in different cervid species, including wild and semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer. In this retrospective study, serum samples collected between 2006 and 2008 from 3339 semi-domesticated Eurasian reindeer from Finnmark County, Norway, were tested for anti-pestivirus antibodies using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a subset of these by virus neutralization test (VNT). A seroprevalence of 12.5% was found, varying from 0% to 45% among different herding districts, and 20% in western Finnmark, as compared to 1.7% in eastern Finnmark. Seroprevalence increased with age. Pestivirus-specific RNA was not detected in any of the 225 serum samples tested by real-time RT-PCR. Based on VNT results, using a panel of one bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain and two border disease virus (BDV) strains, the virus is most likely a reindeer-specific pestivirus closely related to BDV. A characterization of the causative virus and its pathogenic impact on reindeer populations, as well as its potential to infect other domestic and wild ruminants, should be further investigated.
Influenza D Virus: Serological Evidence in the Italian Population from 2005 to 2017
Authors: Trombetta Claudia M. , Marchi Serena , Manini Ilaria , Kistner Otfried , Li Feng , Piu Pietro , Manenti Alessandro , Biuso Fabrizio , Sreenivasan Chithra , Druce Julian , Montomoli Emanuele
Published: December 2019

Influenza D virus is a novel influenza virus, which was first isolated from an ailing swine in 2011 and later detected in cattle, suggesting that these animals may be a primary natural reservoir. To date, few studies have been performed on human samples and there is no conclusive evidence on the ability of the virus to infect humans. The aim of this serological study was to assess the prevalence of antibodies against influenza D virus in human serum samples collected in Italy from 2005 to 2017. Serum samples were analysed by haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralization assays. The results showed that the prevalence of antibodies against the virus increased in the human population in Italy from 2005 to 2017, with a trend characterized by a sharp increase in some years, followed by a decline in subsequent years. The virus showed the ability to infect and elicit an immune response in humans. However, prevalence peaks in humans appear to follow epidemics in animals and not to persist in the human population.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) of Influenza Vaccination in China: A Cross-Sectional Study in 2017/2018
Authors: Ren Xiang , Geoffroy Elizabeth , Tian Keqing , Wang Liping , Feng Luzhao , Feng Jun , Qin Ying , Wu Peng , Zhang Shaosen , Geng Mengjie , Zeng Lingjia , Yu Jianxing , Cowling Benjamin J. , Li Zhongjie
Published: December 2019

Background: This study aimed to estimate influenza-like illness (ILI) prevalence, influenza-related healthcare seeking behaviors, and willingness for vaccination. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study based on a random dialing telephone survey was conducted from October 2017 through March 2018 to assess influenza-like illness prevalence and vaccination willingness among different demographic groups. Results: 10,045 individuals were enrolled and completed the survey. A total of 2834 individuals (28%) self-reported that they have suffered from influenza-like illness, especially children under 15 years of age. Overall willingness for influenza vaccination in the 2018/2019 influenza season was 45% and was positively associated with higher education level, recommendation from doctors, cost-free vaccination, and vaccination campaigns with employers’ support. Hospitalization and seeking medicine from pharmacies was less frequent in urban locations. People under 15 and over 60 years of age sought medical service more frequently. Conclusions: ILI prevalence differed significantly by age and geographical location/population density. Vaccination policy for motivating key populations at highest risk to vaccinate should take into consideration the awareness-raising of vaccination benefits, barriers reduction of vaccination such as cost, and recommendation via healthcare professionals.
Nanoscale Zero Valent Iron Supported by Biomass-Activated Carbon for Highly Efficient Total Chromium Removal from Electroplating Wastewater
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhu Bo-Hong , Wang Xiong , You Song-Bai
Published: December 2019

The application potential of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) in wastewater treatment is huge and has attracted a lot of attention. In this study, the composite material BC-nZVI was prepared by emulsion of nZVI and biomass-activated carbon (BC) under the mechanical agitation condition, and was characterized by SEM-EDX, XRD, XPS, and FTIR. The decontamination abilities of BC-nZVI were tested by the removal of total chromium (Cr) from electroplating wastewater. The results showed that the removal efficiencies of Cr in the electroplating wastewater by nZVI particles can be effectively improved when supported with BC, but cannot be improved in its storage capacity. The chemical adsorption process between the Cr and BC-nZVI is the main rate-limiting step in the removal of total Cr from wastewater, and multiple parameters such as dosage, pH, and initial concentration of Cr was found to affect the rate.
Water and Climate Change, Two Key Objectives in the Agenda 2030: Assessment of Climate Literacy Levels and Social Representations in Academics from Three Climate Contexts
Authors: Escoz-Roldán Amor , Gutiérrez-Pérez José , Meira-Cartea Pablo
Published: December 2019

The relationship between climate change and water is an obvious and key issue within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to investigate the social representation created around this relationship in three different territorial contexts in order to evaluate the influence of the territory on the perception of the risk of climate change and its relationship with water. By means of a questionnaire completed by 1709 university students, the climatic literacy of the individual was evaluated in order to relate it to other dimensions on the relationship between climate change and water (information, training previous on climate change and pro-environmental attitudes) in their different dimensions in three different territorial contexts. Three hypotheses have been tested: (1) The denial of the CC is significantly associated with a representation that belittles the consequences of global warming and other extreme phenomena. (2) Territorial contexts with high average rainfall levels and low average annual temperatures tend to minimize the social representation of water risks associated with the CC. (3) There is significant interaction between the socio-cultural context and social representations on the causes, consequences and solutions to the problems of CC and water. The first two hypotheses have been rejected, while the third has been accepted. The research results show high climate literacy in the samples of selected university students. It is noted that students recognize a close relationship between the problem of water and the climate crisis. Likewise, they identify different types of causes, consequences, physical processes and solutions. Different climatological contexts do not show significant differences in the social representations that students show about climate change, while socio-educational variables such as available scientific information, or ideology orientation do show significant differences.