bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elastic Properties and Electronic Properties of MxNy (M = Ti, Zr) from First Principles Calculations
Authors: Ji Yangqi , Yuan Xiaoli
Published: September 2018

The elastic properties and electronic properties of MxNy (M = Ti, Zr) TiN, Ti2N, Zr3N4, ZrN with different structures have been investigated using density functional theory. Through the calculation of the elastic constants, it was found that all of these structures meet the mechanical stability except for ZrN with space group P63mc. Their mechanical properties are studied by a comparison of various parameters. The stiffness of TiN is larger than that of ZrN with space group Fm 3 ¯ m. Ti2N’s stiffness with space group I41/amdz is larger than Ti2N with space group P42/mnm. Zr3N4’s stiffness with space group Pnam is largest in three structures of Zr3N4. TiN, Ti2N and ZrN are non-central force, Zr3N4 is central force. TiN and ZrN with space group Fm 3 ¯ m are brittle, and TiN is brittler than ZrN with space group Fm 3 ¯ m. The two kinds of Ti2N are brittle and Ti2N with space group I41/amdz is larger. Three structures of Zr3N4 are tough and Zr3N4 with space group I 4 ¯ 3d is the toughest. Meanwhile, the electronic properties of TiN, Ti2N, Zr3N4 and ZrN were calculated, possible superconducting properties of the studied materials were predicted.
29Si NMR Chemical Shifts in Crystalline and Amorphous Silicon Nitrides
Authors: Ponomarev Ilia , Kroll Peter
Published: September 2018

We investigate 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts, δiso, of silicon nitride. Our goal is to relate the local structure to the NMR signal and, thus, provide the means to extract more information from the experimental 29Si NMR spectra in this family of compounds. We apply structural modeling and the gauge-included projector augmented wave (GIPAW) method within density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our models comprise known and hypothetical crystalline Si3N4, as well as amorphous Si3N4 structures. We find good agreement with available experimental 29Si NMR data for tetrahedral Si[4] and octahedral Si[6] in crystalline Si3N4, predict the chemical shift of a trigonal-bipyramidal Si[5] to be about −120 ppm, and quantify the impact of Si-N bond lengths on 29Si δiso. We show through computations that experimental 29Si NMR data indicates that silicon dicarbodiimide, Si(NCN)2 exhibits bent Si-N-C units with angles of about 143° in its structure. A detailed investigation of amorphous silicon nitride shows that an observed peak asymmetry relates to the proximity of a fifth N neighbor in non-bonding distance between 2.5 and 2.8 Å to Si. We reveal the impact of both Si-N(H)-Si bond angle and Si-N bond length on 29Si δiso in hydrogenated silicon nitride structure, silicon diimide Si(NH)2.
Methodology to Reduce Distortion Using a Hybrid Thermal Welding Process
Authors: Souto Javier , Ares Enrique , Alegre Paulino , Cerqueiro Jorge
Published: September 2018

Welding is a thermal process which results in high strain and stress values in the material and leads to its change of phase. This might cause significant distortions in the welded structure, which often becomes a relevant design and manufacturing issue. This study deals with a line-heating-based forming process that is applied at the moment of the welding operation, with the final objective of minimizing distortion. A FEM (finite element method) based on a thermo-elastoplastic approach is used here. The computational method is first calibrated in three stages: heatline forming calibration, flame heat source calibration, and the weld process. The final model presented in this work simulates a hybrid process called htTTT (high-temperature thermal transient tensioning) which was optimized over large T welds to minimize the final distortion of the components.
Research on the Impact Loading and Energy Dissipation of Concrete after Elevated Temperature under Different Heating Gradients and Cooling Methods
Authors: Zhai Yue , Li Yubai , Li Yan , Jiang Wenqi , Liu Xuyang
Published: September 2018

To provide theoretical basis for fire rescue, post-disaster safety evaluation, and reinforcement of concrete structures, C35 concrete materials are treated with high-temperature heating (200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C) under two different heating gradients. After natural cooling and water cooling to normal temperature, an impact compression test was carried out at different loading rates using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system with a diameter of 100 mm, and finally the crushed specimens were subjected to a sieving test. The effects of elevated temperatures, cooling methods, heating gradients, and loading rates on the fragment size distribution, fractal characteristics, and energy dissipation of impact-compressed concrete specimens were studied. The results show that with the increase of the loading rate and the rise of the heating temperature, the crushing degree of concrete specimens gradually increases, the average fragment size decreases, and the mass distribution of the fragments move from the coarse end to the fine end. The fragment size distribution of the specimen has obvious fractal characteristics. In addition, its fractal dimension increases with the increase of loading rate and heating temperature, the average size of the specimen fragments decreases correspondingly, and the fracture of the specimen becomes more serious. When the different heating gradients were compared, it was found that the fractal dimension of the specimens subjected to rapid heating treatment was larger than that of the slow heating treatment specimens, and the crushing degree of the specimens with different cooling methods was discrete. By analyzing the energy dissipation of the specimen under different conditions, it is shown that both the fractal dimension and the peak stress increase with the increase of the fragmentation energy dissipation density. It shows that there is a close correlation between the change of fractal dimension and its macroscopic dynamic mechanical properties.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg/Al Clad Bars with Ni Interlayer Processed by Compound Castings and Multi-Pass Caliber Rolling
Authors: Chen Lu , Fu Ying , Yin Fuxing , Liu Ning , Liang Chunyong
Published: September 2018

Magnesium/aluminium clad bars were fabricated by compound casting and multi-pass warm caliber rolling. A Ni interlayer prepared using a plasma spraying process was inserted between the parent metals to improve the interfacial characteristics during the casting process, and the effect of caliber rolling on the evolution of the interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg/Ni/Al composites was investigated. The results show that the formation of Mg-Al intermetallic phases was impeded effectively by the Ni interlayer and a typical AZ31/Ni/6061 multilayer structure with metallurgical bonding was formed during the compound casting process. In addition, an inhomogeneous strain distribution in the AZ31 and 6061 alloys were characterized during the rolling process. The AZ31 clad layer accommodated a larger proportion of the plastic strain during the initial passes, while the strain in the Mg core layer increased with increasing number of passes. The Ni interlayer fragmented during the rolling process, and transformed into the dispersed particles at the interface. Meanwhile, the fresh AZ31 and 6061 base alloys squeezed out and bonded together under the rolling force, and a well-bonded interface with no visible defects was formed.
Simultaneous Determination of Aesculin, Aesculetin, Fraxetin, Fraxin and Polydatin in Beagle Dog Plasma by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and Its Application in a Pharmacokinetic Study after Oral Administration Extracts of Ledum palustre L.
Authors: Wang Zhibin , Zhu Wenbo , Liu Hua , Wu Gaosong , Song Mengmeng , Yang Bingyou , Yang Deqiang , Wang Qiuhong , Kuang Haixue
Published: September 2018

A rapid, simple and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray-ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of aesculin, aesculetin, fraxetin, fraxin and polydatin in beagle dog plasma for the first time. Plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with methanol. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Acquity UPLC HSS T3 C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (B). The analytes and IS were detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) via negative ion mode with ion transitions of m/z 339.1–m/z 176.8 for aesculin, m/z 176.8–m/z 88.9 for aesculetin, m/z 206.8–m/z 192.1 for fraxetin, m/z 369.1–m/z 206.9 for fraxin, m/z 389.1–m/z 227.0 for polydatin and m/z 415.2–m/z 295.1 for puerarin. This method was validated according to the FDA guidelines and the results met the requirements of analysis. The calibration curves of analytes were linear with correlation coefficients more than 0.9980. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 15% and the accuracy was within ±15%. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of aesculin, aesculetin, fraxetin, fraxin and polydatin was 46.75 ± 7.46, 209.9 ± 57.65, 369.7 ± 48.87, 67.04 ± 12.09 and 47.14 ± 12.04 ng/mL, respectively. The time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was 1.32 ± 0.38 h for aesculin, 1.03 ± 0.27 h for aesculetin, 0.94 ± 0.23 h for fraxetin, 0.83 ± 0.18 h for fraxin and 1.15 ± 0.15 h for polydatin. The results indicated that the absorption of aesculin might be slow in beagle dog plasma. This method was successfully applied for pharmacokinetics in beagle dog plasma after oral administration of the extracts of Ledum palustre L. at a dosage of 0.27 g/kg.
The Inhibitory Effect of Ojeoksan on Early and Advanced Atherosclerosis
Authors: Han Byung Hyuk , Seo Chang Seob , Yoon Jung Joo , Kim Hye Yoom , Ahn You Mee , Eun So Young , Hong Mi Hyeon , Lee Jae Geon , Shin Hyeun Kyoo , Lee Ho Sub , Lee Yun Jung , Kang Dae Gill
Published: September 2018

Atherosclerosis is closely related to vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Ojeoksan (OJS), originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named “Donguibogam”, is a well-known, blended herbal formula. This study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effects of OJS on atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Western-diet-fed apolipoprotein-E gene-deficient mice (ApoE −/−) were used for this study for 16 weeks, and their vascular dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. OJS-treated ApoE −/− mice showed lowered blood pressure and glucose levels. The levels of metabolic parameters with hyperlipidemia attenuated following OJS administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed that treatment with OJS reduced atherosclerotic lesions. OJS also suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) compared to Western-diet-fed ApoE −/− mice and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Expression levels of MicroRNAs (miRNA)-10a, -126 3p were increased in OJS-fed ApoE −/− mice. OJS significantly increased the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase B (Akt), which are involved in nitric oxide (NO) production. OJS also regulated eNOS coupling by increasing the expression of endothelial GTP Cyclohydrolase-1 (GTPCH). Taken together, OJS has a protective effect on vascular inflammation via eNOS coupling-mediated NO production and might be a potential therapeutic agent for both early and advanced atherosclerosis.
Analysis of Environmental References in the Texts of the Four Gospels Using Descriptive Statistics
Authors: Gareiou Zoe , Zervas Efthimios
Published: September 2018

Christian ecotheology uses theology to examine the consequences of human action on ecology. It comes from the notion that the natural world is the creation and the good of God. The study of the Sacred Texts and the analysis of their references to the environment provides information on the relation of human beings to the environment and reveals the approach of each author. In this study, a detailed descriptive statistical analysis of the environmental references of the four Gospels of the New Testament was carried out. The different aspects of the environment (natural, anthropogenic, and spiritual) were explored and a quantitative analysis of the environmental references was performed for the texts of the four Gospels using descriptive statistics measures. The results show that the anthropogenic environment is the most commonly cited, with the spiritual environment coming next and the natural environment in the third position.
On the Basel Liquidity Formula for Elliptical Distributions
Authors: Balter Janine , McNeil Alexander J.
Published: September 2018

A justification of the Basel liquidity formula for risk capital in the trading book is given under the assumption that market risk-factor changes form a Gaussian white noise process over 10-day time steps and changes to P&L (profit-and-loss) are linear in the risk-factor changes. A generalization of the formula is derived under the more general assumption that risk-factor changes are multivariate elliptical. It is shown that the Basel formula tends to be conservative when the elliptical distributions are from the heavier-tailed generalized hyperbolic family. As a by-product of the analysis, a Fourier approach to calculating expected shortfall for general symmetric loss distributions is developed.
Impact of the Quality of Returned-Used Products on the Optimal Design of a Manufacturing/Remanufacturing System under Carbon Emissions Constraints
Authors: Turki Sadok , Rezg Nidhal
Published: September 2018

Due to environmental legislation pressure and the competition between manufacturing firms, a high number of production firms are obliged to collect and remanufacture used products. As a result, firm leaders and academic researchers are devoted to developing and managing new sustainable supply chains. Most of the published works in the literature assume that new and remanufactured products are of the same quality, and that all of the returned-used products are remanufacturable. However, in practice, new products are perceived as being of higher quality than remanufactured ones, and the remanufacturing depends on the quality of the returned-used products. This paper aims to bridge this gap in the literature by providing an optimal design for a manufacturing/remanufacturing system that differentiates between new and remanufactured products and sorts the used products into three quality levels. The objective is to determine the optimal storage capacities and production decisions regarding new and remanufactured products while considering carbon emissions. A model is developed to consider the above issues and determine the total profit. An evolutionary algorithm is developed to find the optimal values regarding store capacities and the remanufacturing periods of new and remanufactured products that maximize the total profit. Numerical results are provided to study the impact of the quantity and quality of returned-used products on the optimal values of store capacities, the remanufacturing periods of new and remanufactured products, and carbon emissions.
Public Assessment of Releasing a Captive Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin into the Wild in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jin , Jin Se-Jun , Yoo Seung-Hoon
Published: September 2018

A captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin named “Jedol” was released from a zoo into the wild, in Jeju Island Sea off South Korea, in July 2013 to improve his welfare. Since he was illegally captured off the coast of Juju Island in May 2009, he had been performing in dolphin shows at Seoul Zoo, which is owned and operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The release demanded considerable public expenditure, of which the source was local taxes gathered from the residents of Seoul. This paper seeks to conduct an ex-post evaluation of the release, employing the contingent valuation (CV) technique. A total of 500 households living in Seoul in 2013 participated in the CV survey to report their willingness to pay (WTP) for the release. Fifty-two percent were willing to accept an increase in local taxes over the next five years to carry out the release. The mean household WTP estimate was obtained as KRW 4880 (USD 4.56) per annum. The present values of the total WTP and the cost of the release are KRW 79.82 billion (USD 74.53 million) and KRW 751 million (USD 701,000), respectively, in 2013. Interestingly, the former is much more than the latter. We can conclude that the release was desirable from the point of view of Seoul residents.
An Approach to Generating Reference Information for Technology Evaluation
Authors: Kim Eungchan , Ock Young Seok , Shin Seung-Jun , Seo Wonchul
Published: September 2018

A system for technology evaluation is essential for successfully implementing a technology-based financial support system. Technology evaluation has generally relied on the qualitative evaluation performed by the relevant experts. When evaluating the technologies that a certain target firm possesses, the previous evaluation results for other firms that are similar to the target firm are used together for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the qualitative evaluation. To do this, technology evaluation institutes including, KOTEC, have presented a way to create a peer group and generate reference information in order to provide a clear guidance to the evaluators. However, the current approaches have limitations in that they cannot explore the detailed features of the individual firms. Therefore, this study proposes a systematic approach to generate reference information that facilitates efficient technology evaluation. We first create a peer group by collecting the relevant firms that have similarities with a certain target firm, and then measure the internal and external similarities between the target firm and all of the firms included in the peer group. We define the average value of similarities according to each evaluation rating as density, and finally generate the distribution and the descriptive statistics for the density as reference information. We expect that this study can contribute to improving the efficiency of qualitative evaluation work by provide practical reference information. Furthermore, the reliability of the technology evaluation will also be improved by reducing the difference in the evaluation results due to the individual differences of the evaluator.
Quantitative Analysis and Evaluation of Enterprise Group Financial Company Efficiency in China
Authors: Huang Yanni , Luo Sumei , Xu Guohu , Zhou Guanyou
Published: September 2018

As a special financial institution, the financial company has a significant impact on the financial market and real economy. Therefore, further study of the efficiency of financial companies is of great practical significance. China’s financial company is equivalent to the “internal bank” of its affiliated group. Therefore, this paper refers to the quantitative analysis and evaluation method of the banking industry, combined with the data characteristics of the financial company’s industry. This paper carries out quantitative analysis and evaluation of the efficiency of 79 Chinese enterprise group finance companies from 2011 to 2016 through the DEA model and the Malmquist index model. The results are as follows: From the static point of view (based on the DEA model), the overall efficiency of Chinese financial companies is low and the efficiency is less affected by scale efficiency than that of pure technical efficiency; from the industry classification, the efficiency of oil processing, steel, and nonferrous metal financial companies is better than other industries. From the dynamic point of view (based on the Malquist index model), the overall efficiency of financial companies from 2011 to 2016 has been slightly improved and the efficiency is easily influenced by the change of scale efficiency; from the industry category, the changes of the efficiency, scale efficiency and pure technical efficiency of financial companies of military industry are fastest, and the technical progress of the auto industry financial companies is optimal.
The Work Function of TiO2
Authors: Kashiwaya Shun , Morasch Jan , Streibel Verena , Toupance Thierry , Jaegermann Wolfram , Klein Andreas
Published: September 2018

Polycrystalline anatase thin films, (001)- and (101)-oriented anatase TiO 2 single crystals and (001)- and (110)-oriented rutile TiO 2 single crystals with various surface treatments were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy to obtain their surface potentials. Regardless of orientations and polymorph, a huge variation of the Fermi level and work function was achieved by varying the surface condition. The most strongly oxidized surfaces are obtained after oxygen plasma treatment with a Fermi level ∼2.6 eV above the valence band maximum and ionization potentials of up to 9.5 eV (work function 7.9 eV). All other treated anatase surfaces exhibit an ionization potential independent of surface condition of 7.96 ± 0.15 eV. The Fermi level positions and the work functions vary by up to 1 eV. The ionization potential of rutile is ∼0.56 eV lower than that of anatase in good agreement with recent band alignment studies.
Estimating the Size of Dog Populations in Tanzania to Inform Rabies Control
Authors: Sambo Maganga , Hampson Katie , Changalucha Joel , Cleaveland Sarah , Lembo Tiziana , Lushasi Kennedy , Mbunda Eberhard , Mtema Zacharia , Sikana Lwitiko , Johnson Paul
Published: September 2018

Estimates of dog population sizes are a prerequisite for delivering effective canine rabies control. However, dog population sizes are generally unknown in most rabies-endemic areas. Several approaches have been used to estimate dog populations but without rigorous evaluation. We compare post-vaccination transects, household surveys, and school-based surveys to determine which most precisely estimates dog population sizes. These methods were implemented across 28 districts in southeast Tanzania, in conjunction with mass dog vaccinations, covering a range of settings, livelihoods, and religious backgrounds. Transects were the most precise method, revealing highly variable patterns of dog ownership, with human/dog ratios ranging from 12.4:1 to 181.3:1 across districts. Both household and school-based surveys generated imprecise and, sometimes, inaccurate estimates, due to small sample sizes in relation to the heterogeneity in patterns of dog ownership. Transect data were subsequently used to develop a predictive model for estimating dog populations in districts lacking transect data. We predicted a dog population of 2,316,000 (95% CI 1,573,000–3,122,000) in Tanzania and an average human/dog ratio of 20.7:1. Our modelling approach has the potential to be applied to predicting dog population sizes in other areas where mass dog vaccinations are planned, given census and livelihood data. Furthermore, we recommend post-vaccination transects as a rapid and effective method to refine dog population estimates across large geographic areas and to guide dog vaccination programmes in settings with mostly free roaming dog populations.
Study on the Water Resource Carrying Capacity in the Middle Reaches of the Heihe River Based on Water Resource Allocation
Authors: Jia Ruining , Jiang Xiaohui , Shang Xingxing , Wei Chen
Published: September 2018

The study of water resource carrying capacity (WRCC) is significant for rational water resource utilization and promotion of the coordinated development of a regional economy, society, and ecology, especially in arid regions. In this paper, using different scenarios, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on water resource allocation is constructed to obtain the WRCC in the middle reaches of the Heihe River. The results show that the current development of water resources has a certain scale, and the carrying capacity is relatively low. Compared with the current water resource scheme, various scenario schemes have higher evaluation indexes. Among the schemes, scheme 7 is the optimal plan for the recent planning year, and scheme 13 is the best for the long-term planning year. Based on a subsystems analysis, the social subsystem has the highest score, which is followed by the economic subsystem, water resource subsystem, and ecological subsystem, and the evaluation index of the economic subsystem shows the largest increase. The main factors affecting the WRCC are the water-saving level and crop irrigation quota. Therefore, the WRCC should be improved by raising the level of agricultural water use, restricting the irrigation area, and adjusting the local industrial structure.
Effect of a Lateral Jet on the Turbulent Flow Characteristics of an Open Channel Flow with Rigid Vegetation
Authors: Teng Sufen , Feng Minquan , Chen Kailin , Wang Weijie , Zheng Bangmin
Published: September 2018

Aquatic vegetation can purify polluted bodies of water and beautify the environment, as well as alter the structure of water flow and affect the migration and diffusion of pollutants in bodies of water. Vegetation can significantly change the original water flow, especially in cases in which aquatic vegetation interacts with a jet. Characteristics of jet flow open channels without vegetation have been studied, but research on the characteristics of open-channel flows under the action of lateral jets and in the presence of vegetation are rare. High-frequency particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure a lateral jet in water with rigid vegetation and our results were compared to the lateral jet flow field in water without vegetation. The results show that the vegetation arrangement and vegetation resistance cause significant changes. The presence of vegetation increased the surface velocity of the water, and the flow velocity decreased in the interior area of the vegetation and near the bottom of the water tank. The changes in flow velocity with changes in water depth displayed “S” type and anti-“S” type distributions, and the flow velocity of free layer was approximately logarithmic. Due to vegetation resistance and jet pressure differences, the lateral jet trajectory in water with vegetation was more likely to bend than in water without vegetation. The turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress had different distributions for water with and without vegetation. At the top of the vegetation and near the water surface, turbulent mixing of the water flow was strong, the flow velocity gradient was large and the turbulence intensity and the Reynolds stress reached their maxima. The effects of a lateral jet on an open-channel flow were compared for different vegetation conditions, revealing that a rhombic vegetation arrangement has a stronger deceleration effect than other arrangements. The theoretical results can be applied to wastewater discharge into vegetation channels.
The Influence of Geotextile Type and Position in a Porous Asphalt Pavement System on Pb (II) Removal from Stormwater
Authors: Zhao Yao , Zhou Shuyu , Zhao Chen , Valeo Caterina
Published: September 2018

Porous asphalt (PA) pavement systems with and without a geotextile layer were investigated in laboratory experiments to determine the impacts of the geotextile layer on the processes leading to lead ion (Pb2+) removal from stormwater runoff. Two types of geotextile membranes that were placed separately at upper and lower levels within the PA systems were tested in an artificial rainfall experiment while using synthetic rainwater. The effect of storage capacity within the system on Pb2+ removal was also investigated. Results indicated that the use of a geotextile layer resulted in a longer delay to the onset of effluent. The non-woven geotextile membrane that was placed below the reservoir course improved the Pb2+ removal rate by 20% over the removal efficiency of the system while using a woven geotextile placed just below the surface but before the choker course. Pb2+ ions were reduced by over 98% in the effluent after being held for 24 h in reservoir storage. Results suggest that temporary storage of stormwater in the reservoir course of a PA system is essential to improving Pb2+ ion removal capability.
Winter Wheat Evapotranspiration Estimation under Drought Stress during Several Growth Stages in Huaibei Plain, China
Authors: Cui Yi , Jiang Shangming , Feng Ping , Jin Juliang , Yuan Hongwei
Published: September 2018

Estimating crop evapotranspiration under drought stress provides the theoretical foundation for optimizing irrigation schedule and reducing agricultural drought risk. Winter wheat water deficit plot experiments were conducted based on large-scale weighing lysimeters in the Huaibei Plain. The response of evapotranspiration to water deficit during several growth stages was analyzed; four crop coefficients were optimized and then evapotranspiration under drought stress was estimated with the dual crop coefficient method and the genetic algorithm. Drought stress not only reduced evapotranspiration during the current stage, but this influence was also transferred to the following periods. Evapotranspiration could basically return to the normal status after rewatering if the plant did not previously suffer from serious drought stress. Therefore, severe water deficit during continuous wheat growth periods should be avoided, and the deficit intensity during each stage should be controlled. The optimized Kcb ini, Kcb mid, Kcb end and Kc max were 0.32, 1.38, 0.33 and 1.39, and the root mean square error, mean absolute error, and mean relative error of the corresponding estimated evapotranspiration under drought stress were 22.83%, 25.36%, and 11.78% less than those using recommended coefficients, respectively. These optimized crop coefficients provide references for the practical application in the Huaibei Plain, this method for estimating crop evapotranspiration under drought stress can be applied to field circumstances and other regions.
Two Blobs in a Jet Model for the γ-Ray Emission in Radio Galaxies
Authors: Banasiński P. , Bednarek W.
Published: September 2018

In the unified scheme, FR I type radio galaxies are identified with the blazar type active galaxies for which jets are aligned at large angles to the line of sight. A few radio galaxies of this type have been discovered to emit GeV–TeV gamma-rays. We consider a scenario that naturally explains the very high energy gamma-ray emission at large angles to the jet axis. It is proposed that two emission regions are present in the jet at this same moment. The inner region (blob I) moves with the large Lorentz factor, producing radiation strongly collimated along the jet axis, as observed in BL Lac type blazars. On the other hand, the outer region (blob II), which moves with the mild Lorentz factor, contains isotropically distributed relativistic electrons in the blob reference frame. These electrons upscatter monodirectional soft radiation from blob I preferentially in the direction opposite to the jet motion. Therefore, gamma-rays, produced in blob II, can be emitted at relatively large angles to the jet axis in the observer’s reference frame. We analyze the basic emission features of such an external blob radiation model. The example modeling of the emission from the FR I type radio galaxy, NGC 1275, is presented.
Experimental and Theoretical Radiative Lifetimes, Branching Fractions, Transition Probabilities, and Oscillator Strengths of Some Highly Excited Odd-parity Levels in Ir i
Authors: Zhou Lina , Gamrath Sébastien , Palmeri Patrick , Quinet Pascal , Zhang Meiqi , Dai Zhenwen
Published: September 2018

Radiative lifetimes of 62 odd-parity levels of Ir i in the energy range between 32513.43 and 58625.10 cm−1 were measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. The lifetime values obtained are in the range from 3.2 to 345 ns. To our best knowledge, 59 results are reported for the first time. These are compared to computed data deduced from a pseudo-relativistic Hartree–Fock model including core-polarization contributions. From the combination of the experimental lifetime measurements and branching fraction calculations, a new set of transition probabilities and oscillator strengths is derived for 134 Ir i spectral lines of astrophysical interest in the wavelength region from 205 to 418 nm.
Iran 2028, une rêverie politique
Authors: Nicoullaud François
Published: September 2018

Le renforcement des sanctions américaines pourrait conduire à une aggravation des troubles intérieurs, en dépit d’une certaine libéralisation de la vie quotidienne. L’Iran adopterait dans un premier temps une posture internationale relativement discrète, maintenant le JCPOA, et tirant les conséquences d’un investissement extérieur aux bénéfices limités. L’inattendu pourrait bien venir, après la tentation conservatrice, d’une ouverture du régime iranien, à la fois en interne et en externe.
La crise du Golfe de 2017 : un an après
Authors: Chaker Rachid
Published: September 2018

En juin 2017, plusieurs États arabes menés par l’Arabie Saoudite et les Émirats arabes unis annoncèrent des mesures très dures à l’encontre du Qatar. Loin d’accepter les conditions qui auraient permis la levée de ces mesures, les dirigeants du Qatar renforcèrent leurs liens avec d’autres pays, réussirent à trouver de nouvelles voies d’approvisionnement et surent maintenir leur souveraineté. Si la crise n’est toujours pas résolue, elle est d’ores et déjà un échec pour Riyad et Abou Dhabi.
Des mémoires contradictoires
Authors: Mailänder Elissa
Published: September 2018

Partant du cas d’une pendaison dans la section des femmes du camp de Majdanek à l’été 1943, cet article propose d’analyser les dépositions des rescapées au tribunal de grande instance de Düsseldorf (1975-1981). En l’absence de tout document écrit, la preuve testimoniale sur laquelle les procureurs se fondent pose un problème : bien que la totalité des prisonnières du camp aient été forcées d’assister à l’exécution, elles n’ont pas toutes vu la même chose. Dans une démarche résolument épistémologique, cet article s’interroge sur la valeur heuristique des témoignages. La triangulation des dépositions des rescapées avec d’autres sources permet d’élucider les dynamiques complexes à l’intérieur de la société concentrationnaire et d’expliquer en partie le caractère ambivalent et contradictoire des témoignages.
Situación medioambiental de Cuba y perspectivas de aplicación de los principios del desarrollo sustentable
Authors: Mateo Rodríguez José M.
Published: September 2018

Cuba se enfrenta, en los momentos actuales, a profundos cambios en su estructura económica. Lo hace tratando de conservar los logros del desarrollo social que se obtuvieron en los últimos años. Sin embargo, en la conformación de im nuevo modelo de desarrollo económico, se torna imprescindible más que nunca articular la dimensión ambiental en todas las esferas de acción de la sociedad. Muchas de las insuficiencias de la economía cubana en los últimos años, y en parte el colapso del funcionamiento de las estructuras económicas, se explican por una inadecuada concepción en la explotación de los recursos ambientales. Los pasos que se están tomando para restructura la economía conllevan al incremento en la explotación de los recursos. De lo que se trata es de asegurar los niveles alcanzados, en condiciones de un alto crecimiento económico. Ello explica la importancia que tiene para Cuba conocer el estado y las características del medio ambiente, readecuando el discurso del Desarrollo Sustentable al contexto socio-político concreto del país. El presente artículo está dirigido a analizar el estado medioambiental de Cuba, partiendo de la forma en que los diversos estilos de desarrollo que se han implantado en el país, han incorporado la dimensión ambiental; lo que servirá de base para anahzar las perspectivas de aplicación de los principios de Desarrollo Sustentable en las actuales condiciones.
Territorio y asociacionismo deportivo en Madrid
Authors: Barrado Timón Diego A.
Published: September 2018

Territorio y asociacionismo deportivo en Madrid. Las asociaciones deportivas, desde principios de siglo hasta nuestros días, han jugado un papel fundamental en la canalización de practicantes de muy distintas modalidades deportivas hacia el territorio natural y rural de Madrid, por lo que su conocimiento es indispensable para explicar el actual uso masivo que sobre este espacio se concentra.

[fr] Le territoire et l'associationnisme sportif à Madrid. Depuis le début du siècle jusqu'à notre époque, les associations de sport ont joué un rôle fondamental dans la canalisation des pratiquants de modalités sportives bien différentes vers le territoire natural y rural de Madrid, c'est pourquoi sa connaisance est indispensable pour expliquer l'usage massif actuel qui pese sur cet espace.
La propiedad de la tierra en la mancha baja (Cuenca)
Authors: Gesteiro Araújo Manuel
Published: September 2018

No disponible.
Conservadorismo condicional e adoção das IFRS: uma análise nas empresas brasileiras de capital aberto
Authors: Sousa Lucas Marques , Castro Lívia Arruda , Viana Júnior Dante Baiardo Cavalcante , Domingos Sylvia Rejane Magalhães , Ponte Vera Maria Rodrigues
Published: September 2018

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral investigar se a adoção das IFRS pelas companhias abertas brasileiras contribuiu para aumentar a qualidade da informação contábil, pela ótica do conservadorismo condicional. Embora confundido com a neutralidade, o conservadorismo na mensuração dos resultados é amplamente reconhecido como atributo de qualidade da informação contábil, já que implica a tendência de reconhecimento assimétrico entre boas e más notícias pelos preparadores da informação (BASU, 1997). Ou seja, os lucros refletem as más notícias (perdas) mais rapidamente que as boas notícias (ganhos), indicando menor probabilidade de manipulação dos resultados pelos gestores para maximizar seu desempenho financeiro. Para tanto, foi utilizado o modelo de Ball e Shivakumar (2005), em uma amostra de 164 empresas não financeiras de capital aberto listadas na BM&FBovespa durante o período de 2002 a 2015, abrangendo intervalos anterior e posterior à adoção, para se verificar se houve crescimento dos níveis de conservadorismo condicional que pudesse ser atribuído à adoção das IFRS. Os resultados evidenciaram que durante todo o período analisado foi identificada a presença do conservadorismo condicional, revelando um tratamento de antecipação de despesas e postergação de receitas pelos preparadores da informação contábil. Esses resultados, por si sós, implicam a presença de conservadorismo condicional em períodos anteriores e posteriores à adoção das IFRS. Entretanto, quando comparados os níveis de conservadorismo nas duas ocasiões, os resultados revelaram que o conservadorismo diminuiu após a adoção das IFRS. Assim,com base nos resultados deste estudo, pela óptica do conservadorismo condicional, rejeita-se a premissa de que as IFRS trouxeram mais qualidade para a contabilidade brasileira.
Internacionalização, Risco Sistemático e Disclosure de Riscos em Empresas Listadas na BM&FBovespa
Authors: Almendra Rafael Sales , Vasconcelos Alessandra Carvalho de , Silva Régis Barroso , De Luca Márcia Martins Mendes
Published: September 2018

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo analisar a influência do grau de internacionalização no risco sistemático no âmbito das empresas listadas na BM&FBovespa. Além da classificação dos riscos, a partir do que é divulgado em relatórios corporativos, o estudo se diferencia por investigar os elementos que influenciam o risco nas empresas quando relacionados com a internacionalização. De natureza quantitativa e descritiva, abrange 121 empresas participantes das carteiras teóricas dos índices de governança da BM&FBovespa. Foram utilizadas técnicas estatísticas como análise de correspondência múltipla, análise de componentes principais e regressão linear múltipla. A classificação dos fatores de risco baseou-se na análise de conteúdo dos formulários de referência de 2014. Os dados referentes ao risco sistemático foram extraídos da base Economática®. No tocante ao disclosure dos fatores de risco, os resultados apontam para a necessidade de maior detalhamento, de modo a proporcionar aos stakeholders menor incerteza no momento de decidir sobre a alocação de seus investimentos. Conclui-se que o grau de internacionalização influencia negativamente o risco sistemático nas empresas, pois a diversificação da atuação da firma no escopo geográfico se traduz em benefícios, incluindo a redução do risco.
Development and validation of a tool to measure patient experience in chronic disease care
Authors: Manga Nayna , Harding Richard , De Sa Angela , Murie Kathleen , Namane Mosedi K. , Raubenheimer Peter J. , Hellenberg Derek A. , De Vries Elma
Published: September 2018

Background: There is a global increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and a growing understanding that patients need to be involved in their care. Patient experience should be assessed and the information used to improve on the planning and delivery of health services.Aim: This study described the development and validation of a patient-reported experience measure (PREM) tool which is appropriate for the South African context, to assess self-reported patient experience of chronic care.Setting: The study was conducted at four primary health care facilities in the Cape Town Metropole.Methods: This was a validity and reliability study with multiple phases to develop and determine the psychometric properties of a novel tool. It consisted of three phases, namely: Phase 1 – Consensus Validity; Phase 2 – Face Validity; Phase 3 – Reliability. Phase 1 consisted of an expert panel reaching consensus on a draft tool. Phase 2a consisted of qualitative semi-structured interviews and cognitive interviews. Phase 3 tested the internal consistency of the tool, the time necessary to complete, as well as floor and ceiling effects with 200 questionnaires.Results: The process described resulted in a final questionnaire with n = 10 items in three languages that was easily understood by patients. Internal consistency was determined with the overall Cronbach’s alpha 0.86. This PREM has been named Chronic Care Assessment of Patient Experience.Conclusion: Using best practice guidance in tool construction and validation, we delivered a PREM with the potential to improve the quality of care from the perspective of patients. Implementation studies are now required to determine how best to use this tool in routine practice.
The cortical localisation of speech; 1. An analysis of preliminary difficulties
Authors: Wright M.
Published: September 2018

No abstract available.
Estimating the influence of transport to aerosol size distributions during new particle formation events
Authors: Cai Runlong , Chandra Indra , Yang Dongsen , Yao Lei , Fu Yueyun , Li Xiaoxiao , Lu Yiqun , Luo Lun , Hao Jiming , Ma Yan , Wang Lin , Zheng Jun , Seto Takafumi , Jiang Jingkun
Published: September 2018

Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) and the subsequent particle growth occur frequently in various atmospheric environments. Significant influence of transport on aerosol size distributions is commonly observed, especially for non-regional NPF events. With certain assumptions and approximations, a population balance method is proposed to examine the influence of transport on the temporal evolution of aerosol size distributions during NPF events. The method is derived from the aerosol general dynamic equation in the continuous form. Meteorological information (e.g., wind speed, wind direction, water vapor mixing ratio) was used to complement the analysis. The NPF events observed in South-East Tibet, Fukue Island, and urban Beijing were analyzed using the proposed method. Significant contribution of transport to the observed aerosol size distributions is found during the NPF events in both South-East Tibet and Fukue Island. The changes in the contribution of transport is in good correlation with the changes in wind speed and direction. This correlation indicates that local mountain and valley breezes govern the observed new particles at the South-East Tibet site. Most NPF events observed at Fukue Island are closely related to the long-range transport of aerosols and gaseous precursors due to the movement of air masses. Regional NPF events are typically observed in urban Beijing and the contribution of transport to the observed aerosol size distributions is negligible compared to condensational growth and coagulation scavenging. In relatively clean atmospheric environment, the proposed method can be used to characterize the contribution of transport to particles in the size range from ~ 10 nm to ~ 50 nm. However, during intense NPF events in relatively polluted atmosphere, the estimated contribution of transport is sensitive to the uncertainties in condensational growth and coagulation scavenging due to the dominance of their corresponding terms in the population balance equation.
Turbulence measurements suggest high rates of new production
over the shelf edge in the north-eastern North Sea during summer
Authors: Bendtsen Jørgen , Richardson Katherine
Published: September 2018

Abstract. New production, i.e., that driven by allochthonous nutrient inputs, is the only form of primary production that can lead to net increases in organic material and is, therefore, important for understanding energy flow in marine ecosystems. The spatial distribution of new production is generally, however, not well known. Here, using data collected in July 2016, we analyse the potential for vertical mixing to support new production in the upper layers of the north eastern portion of the North Sea. Estimated nitrate fluxes due to turbulent vertical mixing into the euphotic zone were up to 0.5–1 mmol N m−2 d−1 over the shelf-edge (f-ratios > 0.1) while values of
Quantifying Small-scale Temperature Variability using Distributed
Temperature Sensing and Thermal Infrared Imaging to Inform River
Restoration
Authors: Dzara Jessica R. , Neilson Bethany T. , Null Sarah E.
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Watershed-scale stream temperature models are often one-dimensional because they require less data and are more computationally efficient than two- or three-dimensional models. However, one-dimensional models assume completely mixed reaches and ignore small-scale spatial temperature variability, which may create temperature barriers or refugia for cold water aquatic species. Fine spatial- and temporal-resolution stream temperature monitoring provides information to identify river features with temperature ranges that differ from the reach average. We used a distributed temperature sensing system to observe small-scale stream temperature variability, measured as temperature range through space and time, within two 400 meter reaches in summer 2015 in Nevada's East Walker and mainstem Walker Rivers. In addition, thermal infrared aerial imagery collected in summer 2012 quantified the spatial variability of river temperatures throughout the Walker Basin. Both the distributed temperature sensing data and thermal infrared aerial imagery were used to corroborate prior temperature model results. Additionally, these data highlighted that beaver dams and irrigation return flow channels maximize thermal variability and can provide thermal refugia, while groundwater seeps provide small cooler areas and diversion canals often create warm local temperatures downstream. To extend temperature predictions and obtain a better understanding of thermal variability at the watershed-scale, temperatures bounds from observations by river features were added to the longitudinal temperature predictions. These results show that while bulk stream temperatures are often too warm to support trout and other cold-water species, thermal refugia may exist to improve habitat connectivity and passage for migratory species between Walker River and Lake. Overall, river restoration efforts should focus on maintaining and enhancing features that create this thermal variability and habitat connectivity.