bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban Gardening in Germany: Cultivating a Sustainable Lifestyle for the Societal Transition to a Bioeconomy
Authors: Winkler Bastian , Maier Anika , Lewandowski Iris
Published: February 2019

Urban gardening has the potential to turn the growing number of consumers into conscious producers by raising awareness of natural resource cycles, contributing to environmental conservation and climate change mitigation. This study investigated the motivations for urban gardening in Germany, based on an extensive review of 657 urban gardening project websites. The subsequent online survey of 380 project participants provides a characterization of the gardeners, giving insight into both cultivation methods and technologies used and the participants’ consumer behavior. It was shown that urban gardening has an influence on consumer behavior and can induce a change towards a more sustainable lifestyle. The gardens provide a space for the exchange of social values, knowledge and ideas on different ways of life among the diverse participants. Hence, urban gardening creates far more than just food; it influences society on multiple levels. Urban gardening can support the bottom-up societal transition towards a bioeconomy as both have common attributes. Finally, the paper proposes an innovative, resource-efficient cultivation system that may attract further societal groups to the urban gardening lifestyle, with the aim of fostering the development of the bioeconomy.
Feasibility of Using Modified Silty Clay and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Board as the Subgrade Thermal Insulation Layer in a Seasonally Frozen Region, Northeast China
Authors: Li Qinglin , Wei Haibin , Han Leilei , Wang Fuyu , Zhang Yangpeng , Han Shuanye
Published: February 2019

To achieve the purposes of storing industry solid wastes and enhancing subgrade stability in seasonally frozen regions, Structure III, which utilized the modified silty clay (SC) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) board as a novel subgrade thermal insulation layer (NSTIL), was presented. The above modified SC consisted of oil shale industry solid waste, fly ash and SC. In terms of environmental impact, the average single pollution index, the Nemerow integrated pollution index and national standards were carried out to estimate whether the modified SC could be used as a subgrade filler. These results show that, although the modified SC will produce pollution to the environmental background, the concentration of each hydrochemical constituent from the modified SC meets the corresponding national standards in China. In terms of the thermal insulation capability, the numerical simulation of coupling moisture and temperature was applied to analyze that of Structures I, II and III. The research results show that the numerical results of the Structure I are approximated to the official website information of Jilin province, indicating that the above numerical simulation is effective for coupling moisture and temperature of frozen soil. Both modified SC and NSTIL have the advantage of good thermal insulation property, but the thermal insulation property of the NSTIL is greater. Furthermore, the NSTIL at the top of the Structure III can protect the SC of the experimental road from the damage of frost heave. The research results are of great significance for reducing environmental pollution caused by oil shale industry solid waste and fly ash, increasing the utilization rate of industrial waste and enhancing the subgrade stability in seasonally frozen regions.
Examining Travelers’ Acceptance towards Car Sharing Systems—Peshawar City, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Liu Kai , Vanduy Tran
Published: February 2019

In recent years, car sharing has emerged as a novel alternative to private car ownership in urban areas worldwide. Potential benefits of this system include improved mobility and reduced congestion, vehicle ownership, parking issues, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aimed to investigate travelers’ acceptance of car sharing systems through a stated preference survey in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan. The questionnaires were distributed online via a Google form. Questions were designed from numerous aspects of car sharing systems, such as awareness of car sharing systems, attributes related to travel modes in the choice set, and demographic characteristics. A total of 453 valid responses were received. The Multinomial and Nested Logit models were employed for evaluation and analysis of survey responses. Demographic characteristics including gender, job, and income were found to be significant. Service attributes including travel time, travel cost, registration fees, and capital cost, were also significant. The multinomial logit model based on both car-owners and non-car-owners fit a little better than the nested logit model. Our findings in the present study could be beneficial for transport planners and policy makers to timely implement car sharing systems in cities in order to mitigate increased car ownership and traffic congestion.
Threshold Effect of Poverty Alleviation Funds on Human Capital Accumulation: A Case Study of Impoverished Counties in China
Authors: Yang Zhenshan
Published: February 2019

Studies have shown that the effectiveness of poverty alleviation funds is not always as intended; hence, there is an urgent need for researchers and policy makers to study the relationship between such funds and their impact on endogenous growth dynamics. This study focuses on the impact of these funds on human capital accumulation, which is an important driver of endogenous economic growth, and analyzes whether there is a threshold level for the efficacy of funds in countering poverty. This study examines the relationship between the Chinese government’s fund transfers to key poverty-stricken counties and the level of human capital in these regions by employing a fixed-effect threshold panel regression model on data from 592 counties from 2002 to 2015. Our study finds that the Chinese government’s fund transfers for poverty alleviation display a significant threshold effect. When funds are less than RMB 1291 per capita, there is a significant effect on local economic development; once this threshold is exceeded, there is a significant inhibitory effect instead. When the amount exceeds RMB 4469 per capita, fund transfers once again stimulate economic growth. This study enriches the theoretical understanding of the complex relationship between the use of funds in poverty-stricken areas and their impact on endogenous growth dynamics. It also provides useful suggestions for the effective use of poverty alleviation funds.
The Relationships between Corporate Credibility, Service Convenience, and Consumers’ Use Intentions: Toward Ticketing Apps for Low-Cost Carriers
Authors: Chen Kaung-Hwa , Chang Feng-Hsiang , Chen Yu-Ling , Chen Pei-Ming
Published: February 2019

This study explored behavioral models based on low-cost carrier customers’ use of a ticketing app. Technology readiness, service convenience, and corporate credibility were evaluated in the model. A total of 815 valid responses were collected from customers of Tigerair, Taiwan, who had flown from one of the two major international airports in Taiwan. With technology readiness regarded as the grouping variable, the results indicated that corporate credibility significantly affected customers’ intentions to use the app, whereas the effects of service convenience on the technology exploration, technology contradiction, and the technology insecurity groups varied. Finally, this paper presents a discussion of management implications and suggestions for future studies.
Analysing Ways to Achieve a New Urban Agenda-Based Sustainable Metropolitan Transport
Authors: Okraszewska Romanika , Jamroz Kazimierz , Michalski Lech , Żukowska Joanna , Grzelec Krzysztof , Birr Krystian
Published: February 2019

The New Urban Agenda (NUA) sets a new vision of sustainable urban development to help cities deal with the challenges of changing demography. While numerous articles have addressed how the NUA can be implemented at different levels and in different areas, this article points out the potential limitations in incorporating the NUA into metropolitan transport policies. The relevance of the limitations can be seen in three main fields: incompatibility between legal and financial frameworks and the functional and spatial structures of metropolitan areas, the characteristics of how transport systems are developed as part of metropolitan functional and spatial structures and the inconsistency and inadequacy between political declarations (NUA) which are based on ideas and programmes and the objectives of strategy papers which are based on diagnoses, data analyses and predictive models. The authors put forward the thesis that by concentrating on cities, the NUA leaves out some of the characteristics of metropolitan areas. As a consequence, although the NUA can work successfully for metropolitan cores, outer areas are not covered directly. In order to verify the thesis, a comparison was made between the NUA’s transport system approach with experience from running and planning metropolitan transport systems described in the literature. The results of the comparative analysis, confirmed the thesis of the authors and made it possible to formulate general conclusions regarding the specific conditions of metropolitan areas for the running and developing of the transport system. By using explanatory case study of Tri-City Metropolitan Area (TMA) and the Strategy for Transport and Mobility for TMA 2030 general assumptions were confirmed and explain in more details. The NUA and STM were compared for how they address the main areas of intervention related to transport. Differences were identified and recommendations were formulated, should the documents be updated. The STM must be updated in areas such as equity and climate change mitigations while the NUA should be expanded to cover the specific conditions that prevail in functional and metropolitan areas.
Variance and Dimension Reduction Monte Carlo Method for Pricing European Multi-Asset Options with Stochastic Volatilities
Authors: Liang Yijuan , Xu Xiuchuan
Published: February 2019

Pricing multi-asset options has always been one of the key problems in financial engineering because of their high dimensionality and the low convergence rates of pricing algorithms. This paper studies a method to accelerate Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for pricing multi-asset options with stochastic volatilities. First, a conditional Monte Carlo (CMC) pricing formula is constructed to reduce the dimension and variance of the MC simulation. Then, an efficient martingale control variate (CV), based on the martingale representation theorem, is designed by selecting volatility parameters in the approximated option price for further variance reduction. Numerical tests illustrated the sensitivity of the CMC method to correlation coefficients and the effectiveness and robustness of our martingale CV method. The idea in this paper is also applicable for the valuation of other derivatives with stochastic volatility.
The Impact of Trust on the Approach to Management—A Case Study of Creative Industries
Authors: Radomska Joanna , Wołczek Przemysław , Sołoducho-Pelc Letycja , Silva Susana
Published: February 2019

Companies operating in the creative industries are struggling with the simultaneous pressure to be innovative and creative, which requires access to unique resources (such as knowledge and creative potential), but also means they must be effective in actions taken. To find a balance between those tensions, they are using the networking approach. Therefore, it seems that networking is becoming a high priority and that being involved in networks is a crucial part of such companies’ business models. Nevertheless, their competitive advantage is based on creative potential, which means that they are rooted in building and maintaining internal relations. As a result, in creative industries, relationships with internal and external stakeholders are crucial, but are strongly based on trust. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to investigate whether trust is the main factor influencing the approach to management. Moreover, we tried to understand the impact of trust on the managerial actions taken. We used the multiple case study research method to examine the role of trust in cooperation, as well as in shaping internal relations in companies operating in the creative industries. To achieve that goal, 10 companies from Poland and Portugal (5 from each country) were investigated in order to find any regularities. By analyzing the research results, it was possible to identify consistencies among the sample and present the main findings. Therefore, four approaches distinguished by the degree of trust were identified. When the level of trust is low, companies are operating within their network based on close relationships, as well as using collective participation where the team is perceived as a key success factor. On the other hand, when the level of trust is higher, companies move towards cooperative management (where the role of competitors is crucial) as well as individual participation (where an employee is engaged in the creative, as well as the decision-making, process). As a result, a theoretical model is proposed that includes the level of trust and the external and internal stakeholders’ perspective. Based on our research, trust can also be added as a fourth ‘T’ to the ‘3T’ (talent, tolerance and technology) concept proposed by Florida (2003).
Absolute Quantum Theory (after Chang, Lewis, Minic and Takeuchi), and a Road to Quantum Deletion
Authors: Thas Koen
Published: February 2019

In a recent paper, Chang et al. have proposed studying “quantum F u n ”: the q ↦ 1 limit of modal quantum theories over finite fields F q , motivated by the fact that such limit theories can be naturally interpreted in classical quantum theory. In this letter, we first make a number of rectifications of statements made in that paper. For instance, we show that quantum theory over F 1 does have a natural analogon of an inner product, and so orthogonality is a well-defined notion, contrary to what was claimed in Chang et al. Starting from that formalism, we introduce time evolution operators and observables in quantum F u n , and we determine the corresponding unitary group. Next, we obtain a typical no-cloning result in the general realm of quantum F u n . Finally, we obtain a no-deletion result as well. Remarkably, we show that we can perform quantum deletion by almost unitary operators, with a probability tending to 1. Although we develop the construction in quantum F u n , it is also valid in any other quantum theory (and thus also in classical quantum theory in complex Hilbert spaces).
Response and Energy Absorption of Concrete Honeycombs Subjected to Dynamic In-Plane Compression: A Numerical Approach
Authors: Shen Wenjing , Zhou Hongyuan , Zhang Xuejian , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: February 2019

Foam concrete exhibits long stress plateau with increasing strain subjected to compression and absorbs a considerable amount of energy, making them promising for building and structure protection. In the present study, hexagonal concrete honeycombs are employed to approximately represent foam concrete, whose response and energy absorption subjected to dynamic in-plane compression are investigated with smooth particle hydrodynamics method. The response modes under low to high velocity crushing are numerically investigated, with which the critical velocity separating quasi-static response and progressive collapse mode is determined. Furthermore, the dynamic energy absorption capacity is examined and discussed.
Detecting Word-Based Algorithmically Generated Domains Using Semantic Analysis
Authors: Yang Luhui , Zhai Jiangtao , Liu Weiwei , Ji Xiaopeng , Bai Huiwen , Liu Guangjie , Dai Yuewei
Published: February 2019

In highly sophisticated network attacks, command-and-control (C&C) servers always use domain generation algorithms (DGAs) to dynamically produce several candidate domains instead of static hard-coded lists of IP addresses or domain names. Distinguishing the domains generated by DGAs from the legitimate ones is critical for finding out the existence of malware or further locating the hidden attackers. The word-based DGAs disclosed in recent network attack events have shown significantly stronger stealthiness when compared with traditional character-based DGAs. In word-based DGAs, two or more words are randomly chosen from one or more specific dictionaries to form a dynamic domain, these regularly generated domains aim to mimic the characteristics of a legitimate domain. Existing DGA detection schemes, including the state-of-the-art one based on deep learning, still cannot find out these domains accurately while maintaining an acceptable false alarm rate. In this study, we exploit the inter-word and inter-domain correlations using semantic analysis approaches, word embedding and the part-of-speech are taken into consideration. Next, we propose a detection framework for word-based DGAs by incorporating the frequency distribution of the words and that of part-of-speech into the design of the feature set. Using an ensemble classifier constructed from Naive Bayes, Extra-Trees, and Logistic Regression, we benchmark the proposed scheme with malicious and legitimate domain samples extracted from public datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can achieve significantly higher detection accuracy for word-based DGAs when compared with three state-of-the-art DGA detection schemes.
The kS3-Module Algebra Structures on M3(k)
Authors: Zhao Shiyin , Wang Yin , Chen Xiaojuan
Published: February 2019

Let S 3 be the symmetric group on three elements. Let k be a field and M 3 ( k ) be the full matrix algebra of 3 × 3 -matrices over k. In this paper, the k S 3 -module algebra structures on M 3 ( k ) are described, and classified up to isomorphism.
Group Decision Making Based on Triangular Neutrosophic Cubic Fuzzy Einstein Hybrid Weighted Averaging Operators
Authors: Fahmi Aliya , Amin Fazli , Khan Madad , Smarandache Florentin
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a new concept of the triangular neutrosophic cubic fuzzy numbers (TNCFNs), their score and accuracy functions are introduced. Based on TNCFNs, some new Einstein aggregation operators, such as the triangular neutrosophic cubic fuzzy Einstein weighted averaging (TNCFEWA), triangular neutrosophic cubic fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted averaging (TNCFEOWA) and triangular neutrosophic cubic fuzzy Einstein hybrid weighted averaging (TNCFEHWA) operators are developed. Furthermore, their application to multiple-attribute decision-making with triangular neutrosophic cubic fuzzy (TNCF) information is discussed. Finally, a practical example is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
Event-Based Quantum Mechanics: A Context for the Emergence of Classical Information
Authors: Licata Ignazio , Chiatti Leonardo
Published: February 2019

This paper explores an event-based version of quantum mechanics which differs from the commonly accepted one, even though the usual elements of quantum formalism, e.g., the Hilbert space, are maintained. This version introduces as primary element the occurrence of micro-events induced by usual physical (mechanical, electromagnetic and so on) interactions. These micro-events correspond to state reductions and are identified with quantum jumps, already introduced by Bohr in his atomic model and experimentally well established today. Macroscopic bodies are defined as clusters of jumps; the emergence of classicality thus becomes understandable and time honoured paradoxes can be solved. In particular, we discuss the cat paradox in this context. Quantum jumps are described as temporal localizations of physical quantities; if the information associated with these localizations has to be finite, two time scales spontaneously appear: an upper cosmological scale and a lower scale of elementary “particles”. This allows the interpretation of the Bekenstein limit like a particular informational constraint on the manifestation of a micro-event in the cosmos it belongs. The topic appears relevant in relation to recent discussions on possible spatiotemporal constraints on quantum computing.
Identification-Method Research for Open-Source Software Ecosystems
Authors: Liao Zhifang , Wang Ningwei , Liu Shengzong , Zhang Yan , Liu Hui , Zhang Qi
Published: February 2019

In recent years, open-source software (OSS) development has grown, with many developers around the world working on different OSS projects. A variety of open-source software ecosystems have emerged, for instance, GitHub, StackOverflow, and SourceForge. One of the most typical social-programming and code-hosting sites, GitHub, has amassed numerous open-source-software projects and developers in the same virtual collaboration platform. Since GitHub itself is a large open-source community, it hosts a collection of software projects that are developed together and coevolve. The great challenge here is how to identify the relationship between these projects, i.e., project relevance. Software-ecosystem identification is the basis of other studies in the ecosystem. Therefore, how to extract useful information in GitHub and identify software ecosystems is particularly important, and it is also a research area in symmetry. In this paper, a Topic-based Project Knowledge Metrics Framework (TPKMF) is proposed. By collecting the multisource dataset of an open-source ecosystem, project-relevance analysis of the open-source software is carried out on the basis of software-ecosystem identification. Then, we used our Spectral Clustering algorithm based on Core Project (CP-SC) to identify software-ecosystem projects and further identify software ecosystems. We verified that most software ecosystems usually contain a core software project, and most other projects are associated with it. Furthermore, we analyzed the characteristics of the ecosystem, and we also found that interactive information has greater impact on project relevance. Finally, we summarize the Topic-based Project Knowledge Metrics Framework.
Mathematical Formulation of the No-Go Theorem in Horndeski Theory
Authors: Mironov Sergey
Published: February 2019

We present a brief mathematical-like formulation of the no-go theorem, useful for bouncing and wormhole solutions in Horndeski theory. The no-go theorem is almost identical in the cases of flat FLRW geometry and static, spherically symmetric setting, hence, we generalize the argument of the theorem so that it has consise and universal form. We also give a strict mathematical proof of the no-go argument.
Filovirus Virulence in Interferon α/β and γ Double Knockout Mice, and Treatment with Favipiravir
Authors: Comer Jason E. , Escaffre Olivier , Neef Natasha , Brasel Trevor , Juelich Terry L. , Smith Jennifer K. , Smith Jeanon , Kalveram Birte , Perez David D. , Massey Shane , Zhang Lihong , Freiberg Alexander N.
Published: February 2019

The 2014 Ebolavirus outbreak in West Africa highlighted the need for vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and treat filovirus infections. A well-characterized small animal model that is susceptible to wild-type filoviruses would facilitate the screening of anti-filovirus agents. To that end, we characterized knockout mice lacking α/β and γ interferon receptors (IFNAGR KO) as a model for wild-type filovirus infection. Intraperitoneal challenge of IFNAGR KO mice with several known human pathogenic species from the genus Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, except Bundibugyo ebolavirus and Taï Forest ebolavirus, caused variable mortality rate. Further characterization of the prototype Ebola virus Kikwit isolate infection in this KO mouse model showed 100% lethality down to a dilution equivalent to 1.0 × 10−1 pfu with all deaths occurring between 7 and 9 days post-challenge. Viral RNA was detectable in serum after challenge with 1.0 × 102 pfu as early as one day after infection. Changes in hematology and serum chemistry became pronounced as the disease progressed and mirrored the histological changes in the spleen and liver that were also consistent with those described for patients with Ebola virus disease. In a proof-of-principle study, treatment of Ebola virus infected IFNAGR KO mice with favipiravir resulted in 83% protection. Taken together, the data suggest that IFNAGR KO mice may be a useful model for early screening of anti-filovirus medical countermeasures.
Immunogenicity and Immune Memory after a Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Booster in a High-Risk Population Primed with 10-Valent or 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Papua New Guinean Children
Authors: van den Biggelaar Anita , Pomat William , Masiria Geraldine , Wana Sandra , Nivio Birunu , Francis Jacinta , Ford Rebecca , Passey Megan , Kirkham Lea-Ann , Jacoby Peter , Lehmann Deborah , Richmond Peter ,   the 10v13v PCV Trial Team
Published: February 2019

We investigated the immunogenicity, seroprotection rates and persistence of immune memory in young children at high risk of pneumococcal disease in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Children were primed with 10-valent (PCV10) or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13) at 1, 2 and 3 months of age and randomized at 9 months to receive PPV (PCV10/PPV-vaccinated, n = 51; PCV13/PPV-vaccinated, n = 52) or no PPV (PCV10/PPV-naive, n = 57; PCV13/PPV-naive, n = 48). All children received a micro-dose of PPV at 23 months of age to study the capacity to respond to a pneumococcal challenge. PPV vaccination resulted in significantly increased IgG responses (1.4 to 10.5-fold change) at 10 months of age for all PPV-serotypes tested. Both PPV-vaccinated and PPV-naive children responded to the 23-month challenge and post-challenge seroprotection rates (IgG ≥ 0.35 μg/mL) were similar in the two groups (80–100% for 12 of 14 tested vaccine serotypes). These findings show that PPV is immunogenic in 9-month-old children at high risk of pneumococcal infections and does not affect the capacity to produce protective immune responses. Priming with currently available PCVs followed by a PPV booster in later infancy could offer improved protection to young children at high risk of severe pneumococcal infections caused by a broad range of serotypes.
Comparison of Different Bacteria Inactivation by a Novel Continuous-Flow Ultrasound/Chlorination Water Treatment System in a Pilot Scale
Authors: Zou Huasheng , Tang Haoyuan
Published: February 2019

The existing traditional drinking water disinfection technology relies mainly on chlorine disinfection alone, which has high disinfection efficiency and can effectively inactivate most of the microorganisms in the water. However, it produces a series of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs). Therefore, it is very necessary to study an efficient and environmentally friendly disinfection technology for drinking water. For this purpose, a novel continuous-flow ultrasound (US)/chlorination water treatment system was designed and developed. Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were selected as indicators of water treatment effects to (1) investigate the disinfection effects of different bacteria by US treatment alone at different single or dual frequencies; (2) explore the disinfection effects of US pretreatment with 8 mg/L NaClO on different bacteria to assess the promoting effects of US pretreatment; and (3) identify the optimum system process to satisfy the national standard for drinking water quality. Results showed that the dual-frequency US had better inactivation effects compared with single-frequency US, although it could not achieve an ideal disinfection level (complete disinfection). Further, 17 + 33 kHz dual-frequency US pretreatment had obvious enhancement of the disinfection efficiency, where 3.85 (E. coli), 3.65 (S. aureus), and 3.52 (B. subtilis) log reduction were achieved when 8 mg/L NaClO disinfection lasted 10 min, and finally all three bacteria achieved 4 log reduction after 30 min. Moreover, the treated water satisfied the Chinese national standard for drinking water quality, in which the residual chlorine concentration was below 4 mg/L. The utilization efficiency of disinfectant was improved approximately 40% by 17 + 33 kHz US pretreatment.
The Future of Drought in the Southeastern U.S.: Projections from Downscaled CMIP5 Models
Authors: Keellings David , Engström Johanna
Published: February 2019

After being repeatedly struck by droughts in the last few decades, water managers and stakeholders in the Southeast U.S. dread the future extremes that climate change might cause. In this study, the length of future dry periods is assessed using a sub-ensemble of downscaled CMIP5 climate models, which are proven to perform well in precipitation estimations. The length of a dry spell with a twenty-year return period is estimated for the cold and warm seasons for two time periods; 2020–2059 and 2060–2099, and considering two emission scenarios: RCP 4.5 and 8.5. The estimates are then compared with historical dry spells and differences in length and geospatial distribution analyzed. Based on the findings of this paper, little change can be expected in dry spell length during the warm season. Greater changes are to be expected in the cold season in the southern half of Florida, where dry spells are expected to be up to twenty days shorter, while dry spells in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee are predicted to be up to twenty days longer. The changes predicted by the models are positively associated with emission trajectory and future time period.
Consistent Particle Method Simulation of Solitary Wave Interaction with a Submerged Breakwater
Authors: Ren Yaru , Luo Min , Lin Pengzhi
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a numerical study of the solitary wave interaction with a submerged breakwater using the Consistent Particle Method (CPM). The distinct feature of CPM is that it computes the spatial derivatives by using the Taylor series expansion directly and without the use of the kernel or weighting functions. This achieves good numerical consistency and hence better accuracy. Validated by published experiment data, the CPM model is shown to be able to predict the wave elevations, profiles and velocities when a solitary wave interacts with a submerged breakwater. Using the validated model, the detailed physics of the wave breaking process, the vortex generation and evolution and the water particle trajectories are investigated. The influence of the breakwater dimension on the wave characteristics is parametrically studied.
Effects of Different Spatial Configuration Units for the Spatial Optimization of Watershed Best Management Practice Scenarios
Authors: Zhu Liang-Jun , Qin Cheng-Zhi , Zhu A-Xing , Liu Junzhi , Wu Hui
Published: February 2019

Different spatial configurations (or scenarios) of multiple best management practices (BMPs) at the watershed scale may have significantly different environmental effectiveness, economic efficiency, and practicality for integrated watershed management. Several types of spatial configuration units, which have resulted from the spatial discretization of a watershed at different levels and used to allocate BMPs spatially to form an individual BMP scenario, have been proposed for BMP scenarios optimization, such as the hydrologic response unit (HRU) etc. However, a comparison among the main types of spatial configuration units for BMP scenarios optimization based on the same one watershed model for an area is still lacking. This paper investigated and compared the effects of four main types of spatial configuration units for BMP scenarios optimization, i.e., HRUs, spatially explicit HRUs, hydrologically connected fields, and slope position units (i.e., landform positions at hillslope scale). The BMP scenarios optimization was conducted based on a fully distributed watershed modeling framework named the Spatially Explicit Integrated Modeling System (SEIMS) and an intelligent optimization algorithm (i.e., NSGA-II, short for Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II). Different kinds of expert knowledge were considered during the BMP scenarios optimization, including without any knowledge used, using knowledge on suitable landuse types/slope positions of individual BMPs, knowledge of upstream–downstream relationships, and knowledge on the spatial relationships between BMPs and spatial positions along the hillslope. The results showed that the more expert knowledge considered, the better the comprehensive cost-effectiveness and practicality of the optimized BMP scenarios, and the better the optimizing efficiency. Thus, the spatial configuration units that support the representation of expert knowledge on the spatial relationships between BMPs and spatial positions (i.e., hydrologically connected fields and slope position units) are considered to be the most effective spatial configuration units for BMP scenarios optimization, especially when slope position units are adopted together with knowledge on the spatial relationships between BMPs and slope positions along a hillslope.
Why Do We Need to Document and Conserve Foundation Species in Freshwater Wetlands?
Authors: Marazzi Luca , Gaiser Evelyn E. , Eppinga Maarten B. , Sah Jay P. , Zhai Lu , Castañeda-Moya Edward , Angelini Christine
Published: February 2019

Foundation species provide habitat to other organisms and enhance ecosystem functions, such as nutrient cycling, carbon storage and sequestration, and erosion control. We focus on freshwater wetlands because these ecosystems are often characterized by foundation species; eutrophication and other environmental changes may cause the loss of some of these species, thus severely damaging wetland ecosystems. To better understand how wetland primary producer foundation species support other species and ecosystem functions across environmental gradients, we reviewed ~150 studies in subtropical, boreal, and temperate freshwater wetlands. We look at how the relative dominance of conspicuous and well-documented species (i.e., sawgrass, benthic diatoms and cyanobacteria, Sphagnum mosses, and bald cypress) and the foundational roles they play interact with hydrology, nutrient availability, and exposure to fire and salinity in representative wetlands. Based on the evidence analyzed, we argue that the foundation species concept should be more broadly applied to include organisms that regulate ecosystems at different spatial scales, notably the microscopic benthic algae that critically support associated communities and mediate freshwater wetlands’ ecosystem functioning. We give recommendations on how further research efforts can be prioritized to best inform the conservation of foundation species and of the freshwater wetlands they support.
Hydrogeological Analysis Supported by Remote Sensing Methods as A Tool for Assessing the Safety of Embankments (Case Study from Vistula River Valley, Poland)
Authors: Bujakowski Filip , Falkowski Tomasz
Published: February 2019

We aim to answer a question: how does the evolution of fluvial environment affect to risk of embankments failure in lowland rivers and how can we identify and describe places at risk of levees failure using the remote sensing data? The study was carried out in the Vistula River valley near Magnuszew (middle Vistula course, central Poland). 24 geological boreholes were drilled to a depth of 2.0–8.5 m and groundwater table observations were conducted in a monitoring network consisting of 22 wells, 5 piezometers (screened within the Holocene alluvial aquifer) and 2 temporary water gauges. Identification of the diversity of the geological structure of the floodplain was supported by airborne laser scanning imaging, as well as high resolution satellite images and aerial photos. This remote sensing study allowed the creation of a conceptual model of hydrogeological conditions. Study takes into account the effects of the land forming activity of flood waters resulting from the evolution of the fluvial environment in the Holocene. Created conceptual model subsequently fed into the construction and calibration of a mathematical groundwater flow model using MODFLOW software. The study allowed the identification and characterisation of intensified groundwater flow zones. Concentrated flow in the substrate of flood protection levees constitutes a threat to their stability. Documented in many publications climate change will induce in future climate scenarios an increase in rainfall and prolongation of dry periods. The implementation of the methodology of identifying the geological forms with the use of presented techniques allows the identification of sections of flood embankments potentially at risk of failure.
Estimation of Water Budget Components of the Sakarya River Basin by Using the WEAP-PGM Model
Authors: Yaykiran Salim , Cuceloglu Gokhan , Ekdal Alpaslan
Published: February 2019

The use of water resources has increased with rapid population growth, industrial development, and agricultural activities. Besides, the problem might increase with the potential climate change impacts on water quantity. Thus, sustainable use of water resources becomes crucial. Modeling studies provide scientific support to the analysis of water resource problems and develop strategies for current and potential problems for the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, WEAP-PGM (Water Evaluation and Planning System—Plant Growth Model) was applied to the Sakarya River Basin in Turkey, where almost 50% of the area is agricultural land. The main goals in the study are compiling/integrating available data from different sources in a data-scarce region for hydrological models, and estimating the water budget components of Sakarya River Basin on an annual basis as well as investigating the applicability of WEAP-PGM. General model performance ratings indicated that model simulations represent streamflow variations at acceptable levels. Model results revealed that, runoff is 4747 million m3, flow to groundwater is 3065 million m3 and evapotranspiration is 23,011 million m3. This model setup can be used as a baseline for calculating the crop yields under climate change in the context of water-food-energy nexus in the further studies.
Sigmatropic rearrangements of cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives. Access to diversely substituted alkylidenecyclopropanes
Authors: Ernouf Guillaume , Brayer Jean-Louis , Meyer Christophe , Cossy Janine
Published: February 2019

Cyclopropenes constitute useful precursors of other classes of compounds incorporating a three-membered ring. Although the transformation of substituted cyclopropenes into alkylidenecyclopropanes can be accomplished through different strategies, this review is focusing specifically on the use of [2,3]- and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements involving cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives as substrates. These sigmatropic rearrangements, which have been developed in recent years, allow a remarkably efficient and stereoselective access to a wide variety of heterosubstituted and/or functionalized alkylidenecyclopropanes which would not be readily accessible by other strategies. The different [2,3]- and [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of cyclopropenylcarbinol derivatives disclosed to date, as well as the analysis of their substrate scope and some applications of the products arising from those reactions, are presented in this review.
COUPLINGS WITH VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF VEHICLES
Authors: Spruogis Brosnislovas , Jakštas Arūnas
Published: February 2019

Couplings abruptly changing their torsional rigidity and carrying capacity when the transmitted torque reaches a particular value are considered. This state is achieved either changing the conditions of the deformation of a flexible member or by excluding it from torque transmission. In the presented paper the conditions of mode variation are determined and some relationships for determining major parameters of couplings are given.
SEAKEEPING OF A FAST DISPLACEMENT CATAMARAN
Authors: Dyachkov Vasilij , Makov Jurij
Published: February 2019

The paper presents a complex method for the calculation of pitch and heave of a fast displacement catamaran. It incorporates speed factors, interference of catamaran hulls, stabilization factors and possibility to apply different stabilization cases including a stabilizer activation possibility. In the method the possibility to evaluate catamaran motions in irregular waves is also included. On the base of the presented method the computer program is developed and applied to calculate seakeeping characteristics of a catamaran stabilized with a fore passive wing. The results of calculation are in good compatibility with the experimental model tests of this catamaran in irregular waves. The calculation method could be effectively applied in the design stage of fast displacement catamarans or of fin stabilizers determining their effectiveness.
THE RESEARCH INTO SPEED ABILITY OF FUEL DISPERSION
Authors: Matievsky Dmitry , Svistula Andrey , Eskov Alexander
Published: February 2019

The investigation of the process of carburetion in combustion engines is an actual scientific and practical task. The results of the experimental investigations of the fuel jet flow formed by the nozzle through two section series arranged are shown in the presented article. Front speed and fuel mass speed between optical sections in fuel flow were determined by registered optical density of fuel flow for different pressures. The procedure of the determination of speed abilities of the fuel flow gives the preconditions for creating the bench for the determination of fuel sprayers in the work process of manufacturing with the aim of their division into the groups of one‐type parameters. Such approach assumes the usage of manufacturing standard that is the sprayer and the fuel pump with the best ability of injection.
The Extremely Luminous Quasar Survey in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Footprint. III. The South Galactic Cap Sample and the Quasar Luminosity Function at Cosmic Noon
Authors: Schindler Jan-Torge , Fan Xiaohui , McGreer Ian D. , Yang Jinyi , Wang Feige , Green Richard , Fynbo Johan P. U. , Krogager Jens-Kristian , Green Elisabeth M. , Huang Yun-Hsin , Kadowaki Jennifer , Patej Anna , Wu Ya-Lin , Yue Minghao
Published: February 2019

We have designed the Extremely Luminous Quasar Survey (ELQS) to provide a highly complete census of unobscured UV-bright quasars during the cosmic noon, z = 2.8–5.0. Here we report the discovery of 70 new quasars in the ELQS South Galactic Cap (ELQS-S) quasar sample, doubling the number of known extremely luminous quasars in 4237.3 deg2 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey footprint. These observations conclude the ELQS and we present the properties of the full ELQS quasar catalog, containing 407 quasars over 11,838.5 deg2. Our novel ELQS quasar selection strategy resulted in unprecedented completeness at the bright end and allowed us to discover 109 new quasars in total. This marks an increase of ∼36% (109/298) in the known population at these redshifts and magnitudes, while we further are able to retain a selection efficiency of ∼80%. On the basis of 166 quasars from the full ELQS quasar catalog, which adhere to the uniform criteria of the Two Micron All Sky Survey point source catalog, we measure the bright-end quasar luminosity function (QLF) and extend it one magnitude brighter than previous studies. Assuming a single power law with exponential density evolution for the functional form of the QLF, we retrieve the best-fit parameters from a maximum likelihood analysis. We find a steep bright-end slope of β ≈ −4.1, and we can constrain the bright-end slope to β ≤ −3.4 with 99% confidence. The density is well modeled by the exponential redshift evolution, resulting in a moderate decrease with redshift (γ ≈ −0.4).
The Evolution of Flare Activity with Stellar Age
Authors: Davenport James R. A. , Covey Kevin R. , Clarke Riley W. , Boeck Austin C. , Cornet Jonathan , Hawley Suzanne L.
Published: February 2019

Using a recent census of flare stars from the Kepler survey, we have explored how flare activity evolves across stellar main-sequence lifetimes. We utilize a sample of 347 stars with robust flare activity detections and which have rotation periods measured via starspot modulations in their Kepler light curves. We consider three separate methods for quantifying flare activity from optical light curves and compare their utility for comparing flare activity between stars of differing ages and luminosities. These metrics include the fractional luminosity emitted in flares, the specific rate of flares emitted at a given energy, and a model for the entire flare frequency distribution (FFD). With all three approaches, we find that flare activity decreases for all low-mass stars as they spin down, and thus with age. Most striking is the evolution of the flare occurrence frequency distributions, which show no significant change in the power-law slope with age. Since our sample is preferentially constructed of younger, more active stars, our model overpredicts the superflare rate previously estimated for the Sun. Finally, we parameterize our best-fit model of the FFD for ease in predicting the rates of flares and their associated impacts on planet habitability and detection.
Integrating the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Clinical Judgment Model Into Nursing Educational Frameworks
Authors: Dickison Philip , Haerling Katie A. , Lasater Kathie
Published: February 2019

Background:

Sound nursing clinical judgment is at the core of competent and safe client care. New graduate nurses face increasing challenges that underscore the importance of investigating how nurse educators teach and measure nursing students' abilities to make clinical judgments. This article presents the National Council of State Boards of Nursing-Clinical Judgment Model (NCSBN-CJM) and discusses the use of the model.

Method:

A multidisciplinary team conducted a qualitative comparative analysis of the relationships between the NCSBN-CJM and the three leading frameworks for providing clinical judgment education to entry-level nurses.

Results:

The NCSBN-CJM aligns with the Information-Processing Model and the Intuitive-Humanistic Model. The NCSBN-CJM also can be used to assess the Dual Process Reasoning Theory.

Conclusion:

The NCSBN-CJM can assist nurse educators in designing effective tools for assessing clinical judgment by helping them target specific cognitive operations. This flexible model expresses the complexities associated with decision making in a simplified manner to enable better measurement of clinical judgment.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(2):72–78.]