bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Superabsorbent Polymer on Strength and Microstructure Development in Cemented Dredged Clay with High Water Content
Authors: Bian Xia , Zeng Lingling , Deng Yongfeng , Li Xiaozhao
Published: September 2018

This paper presents the role of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on strength and microstructure development in cemented clays with notably high water content. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were performed to identify strength behavior and microstructure. Results showed that SAP significantly influenced the mechanical behavior of cemented clays with notably high water content, characterized by an increase in the unconfined compressive strength and a decrease in the after-curing water content with SAP content. This revealed that the strength increase due to SAP was directly related to the water absorption by SAP. Meanwhile, XRD results showed that the hydration products were controlled by cement and lime content, regardless of SAP content. That meant there was no chemical reaction between SAP particles used in this study and cement or lime. The microstructure analysis by SEM revealed that SAP played an important role in the microstructure of cemented clays. With an increase in SAP content, the water absorbed by SAP increased significantly, leading to a decrease in the pore volume and a denser soil fabric. This behavior indicated that the primary role of SAP on strength increase was to absorb and fix water in cemented clays. Consequently, the clay–cement cluster distance decreased with an increase in solid mass (soil particles and swollen SAP particles) and a decrease in pore water. The corresponding tighter flocculated fabric due to SAP eventually led to the strength increase.
Modified Carbon Fiber Paper-Based Electrodes Wrapped by Conducting Polymers with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance for Supercapacitors
Authors: Tan Sicong , Li Jiajia , Zhou Lijie , Chen Peng , Shi Jiangtao , Xu Zhaoyang
Published: September 2018

An easy approach to fabricating carbon fiber paper (CFP) based electrodes has been developed. This method can be mainly divided into two steps, for which the mixture of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was first deposited on the surface of carbon fiber paper through a vacuum filtration device followed by immersing the hybrid paper into concentrated aniline solution to polymerize polyaniline (PANI). Compared to carbon fiber paper, the acid-treated carbon fiber paper (A-CFP)-based electrode provides more active sites, which are beneficial for the polymerization of polyaniline. The mixture of CNFs and CNTs could coat on the A-CFP by vacuum-filtration due to the high hydrophilicity of A-CFP improved by acid-treatment. PANI with different polymerization time was in-situ synthesized on the surface of the hybrid paper to form a three-dimensional cross-linked structure that greatly enhanced the electrochemical performance of the electrode by improving high capacitance, high rate-capability, and long cycle-life. Moreover, the assembled symmetrical supercapacitor showed a high area capacitance of 626 mF·cm−2 and an energy density of 87 µWh·cm−2. This facile, easy performed, and low-cost strategy may provide a feasible method for the production of supercapacitor electrodes.
Fabrication, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity of Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Poly(lactic acid) Material Using Human Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Stem Cells (hASCs)
Authors: Lis-Bartos Anna , Smieszek Agnieszka , Frańczyk Kinga , Marycz Krzysztof
Published: September 2018

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and poly(lactic acid) are types of biocompatible and degradable synthetic polymers required for biomedical applications. Physically blended (TPU+PLA) tissue engineering matrices were produced via solvent casting technique. The following types of polymer blend were prepared: (TPU+PLA) 7:3, (TPU+PLA) 6:4, (TPU+PLA) 4:6, and (TPU+PLA) 3:7. Various methods were employed to characterize the properties of these polymers: surface properties such as morphology (scanning electron microscopy), wettability (goniometry), and roughness (profilometric analysis). Analyses of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the obtained polymer blends were conducted. Tensile tests demonstrated that the blends exhibited a wide range of mechanical properties. Cytotoxicity of polymers was tested using human multipotent stromal cells derived from adipose tissue (hASC). In vitro assays revealed that (TPU+PLA) 3:7 matrices were the most cytocompatible biomaterials. Cells cultured on (TPU+PLA) 3:7 had proper morphology, growth pattern, and were distinguished by increased proliferative and metabolic activity. Additionally, it appeared that (TPU+PLA) 3:7 biomaterials showed antiapoptotic properties. hASC cultured on these matrices had reduced expression of Bax-α and increased expression of Bcl-2. This study demonstrated the feasibility of producing a biocompatible scaffold form based on (TPU+PLA) blends that have potential to be applied in tissue engineering.
Improvement of Clay and Sand Quantification Based on a Novel Approach with a Focus on Multispectral Satellite Images
Authors: Fongaro Caio T. , Demattê José A. M. , Rizzo Rodnei , Lucas Safanelli José , Mendes Wanderson de Sousa , Dotto André Carnieletto , Vicente Luiz Eduardo , Franceschini Marston H. D. , Ustin Susan L.
Published: September 2018

Soil mapping demands large-scale surveys that are costly and time consuming. It is necessary to identify strategies with reduced costs to obtain detailed information for soil mapping. We aimed to compare multispectral satellite image and relief parameters for the quantification and mapping of clay and sand contents. The Temporal Synthetic Spectral (TESS) reflectance and Synthetic Soil Image (SYSI) approaches were used to identify and characterize texture spectral signatures at the image level. Soil samples were collected (0–20 cm depth, 919 points) from an area of 14,614 km2 in Brazil for reference and model calibration. We compared different prediction approaches: (a) TESS and SYSI; (b) Relief-Derived Covariates (RDC); and (c) SYSI plus RDC. The TESS method produced highly similar behavior to the laboratory convolved data. The sandy textural class showed a greater increase in average spectral reflectance from Band 1 to 7 compared with the clayey class. The prediction using SYSI produced a better result for clay (R2 = 0.83; RMSE = 65.0 g kg−1) and sand (R2 = 0.86; RMSE = 79.9 g kg−1). Multispectral satellite images were more stable for the identification of soil properties than relief parameters.
A Survey and Comparison of Low-Cost Sensing Technologies for Road Traffic Monitoring
Authors: Bernas Marcin , Płaczek Bartłomiej , Korski Wojciech , Loska Piotr , Smyła Jarosław , Szymała Piotr
Published: September 2018

This paper reviews low-cost vehicle and pedestrian detection methods and compares their accuracy. The main goal of this survey is to summarize the progress achieved to date and to help identify the sensing technologies that provide high detection accuracy and meet requirements related to cost and ease of installation. Special attention is paid to wireless battery-powered detectors of small dimensions that can be quickly and effortlessly installed alongside traffic lanes (on the side of a road or on a curb) without any additional supporting structures. The comparison of detection methods presented in this paper is based on results of experiments that were conducted with a variety of sensors in a wide range of configurations. During experiments various sensor sets were analyzed. It was shown that the detection accuracy can be significantly improved by fusing data from appropriately selected set of sensors. The experimental results reveal that accurate vehicle detection can be achieved by using sets of passive sensors. Application of active sensors was necessary to obtain satisfactory results in case of pedestrian detection.
High-Resolution Temperature Sensor Based on Single-Frequency Ring Fiber Laser via Optical Heterodyne Spectroscopy Technology
Authors: Duan Liangcheng , Zhang Haiwei , Shi Wei , Yang Xianchao , Lu Ying , Yao Jianquan
Published: September 2018

We demonstrate a high-resolution temperature sensor based on optical heterodyne spectroscopy technology by virtue of the narrow linewidth characteristic of a single-frequency fiber laser. When the single-frequency ring fiber laser has a Lorentzian-linewidth <1 kHz and the temperature sensor operates in the range of 3−85 °C, an average sensitivity of 14.74 pm/°C is obtained by an optical spectrum analyzer. Furthermore, a resolution as high as ~5 × 10−3 °C is demonstrated through optical heterodyne spectroscopy technology by an electrical spectrum analyzer in the range of 18.26–18.71 °C with the figure of merit up to 3.1 × 105 in the experiment.
Enhanced Sensitivity of a Love Wave-Based Methane Gas Sensor Incorporating a Cryptophane-A Thin Film
Authors: Wang Wen , Fan Shuyao , Liang Yong , He Shitang , Pan Yong , Zhang Caihong , Dong Chuan
Published: September 2018

A Love wave-based sensing chip incorporating a supramolecular cryptophane A (CrypA) thin film was proposed for methane gas sensing in this work. The waveguide effect in the structure of SiO2/36° YX LiTaO3 will confine the acoustic wave energy in SiO2 thin-film, which contributes well to improvement of the mass loading sensitivity. The CrypA synthesized from vanillyl alcohol by a double trimerisation method was dropped onto the wave propagation path of the sensing device, and the adsorption to methane gas molecules by supramolecular interactions in CrypA modulates the acoustic wave propagation, and the corresponding frequency shifts were connected as the sensing signal. A theoretical analysis was performed to extract the coupling of modes for sensing devices simulation. Also, the temperature self-compensation of the Love wave devices was also achieved by using reverse polarity of the temperature coefficient in each media in the waveguide structure. The developed CrypA coated Love wave sensing device was connected into the differential oscillation loop, and the corresponding gas sensitive characterization was investigated. High sensitivity, fast response, and excellent temperature stability were successfully achieved.
Test Paper for Colorimetric Inspection of Fatty Acids and Edible Oils
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wang Xiaojie , Jie Xu , Wei Weili
Published: September 2018

Fatty acids (FAs) are of interest to the areas of food science and medicine because they are important dietary sources of fuel for animals and play important roles in many biological processes. The health effects of FAs are different due to the diversity of olefinic bonds in the alkyl chains including number, position and configuration. However, the discrimination of FAs is difficult from a chemical sensing perspective due to the lack of diversity in terms of functional groups. Until now, only a few chemosensors have been developed for selective sensing of FAs based on their overall shape, however they are still limited in discrimination of FAs with subtle structural differences, moreover, they cannot be used for rapid and in situ inspections. Herein, for the first time, we designed a test paper for in situ colorimetric inspection for FAs based on the combination of the highly selective binding of Ag+ to olefinic bonds and Ag+ mediated color variation of 3,3′,5,5′,-tetramethylbenzidine. As a result, the sensor exhibited high sensitivity and good selectivity for five FAs with subtle structural differences. Furthermore, our method described herein was successfully applied to monitor the structural variations of FAs and quality changes in mixture edible hot pot oils with heat treatment in time course. Hence, the test paper presented herein holds great potential in the inspection of fats and edible oils in food industries.
Research on a Mixed Gas Recognition and Concentration Detection Algorithm Based on a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Olfactory System Sensor Array
Authors: Xu Yonghui , Zhao Xi , Chen Yinsheng , Zhao Wenjie
Published: September 2018

As a typical machine olfactory system index, the accuracy of hybrid gas identification and concentration detection is low. This paper proposes a novel hybrid gas identification and concentration detection method. In this method, Kernel Principal Component Analysis (KPCA) is employed to extract the nonlinear mixed gas characteristics of different components, and then K-nearest neighbour algorithm (KNN) classification modelling is utilized to realize the recognition of the target gas. In addition, this method adopts a multivariable relevance vector machine (MVRVM) to regress the multi-input nonlinear signal to realize the detection of the concentration of the hybrid gas. The proposed method is validated by using CO and CH4 as the experimental system samples. The experimental results illustrate that the accuracy of the proposed method reaches 98.33%, which is 5.83% and 14.16% higher than that of principal component analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA), respectively. For the hybrid gas concentration detection method, the CO and CH4 concentration detection average relative errors are reduced to 5.58% and 5.38%, respectively.
Enhancing the Isolation and Performance of Control Planes for Fog Computing
Authors: Lee Kyungwoon , Lee Chiyoung , Hong Cheol-Ho , Yoo Chuck
Published: September 2018

Fog computing, which places computing resources close to IoT devices, can offer low latency data processing for IoT applications. With software-defined networking (SDN), fog computing can enable network control logics to become programmable and run on a decoupled control plane, rather than on a physical switch. Therefore, network switches are controlled via the control plane. However, existing control planes have limitations in providing isolation and high performance, which are crucial to support multi-tenancy and scalability in fog computing. In this paper, we present optimization techniques for Linux to provide isolation and high performance for the control plane of SDN. The new techniques are (1) separate execution environment (SE2), which separates the execution environments between multiple control planes, and (2) separate packet processing (SP2), which reduces the complexity of the existing network stack in Linux. We evaluate the proposed techniques on commodity hardware and show that the maximum performance of a control plane increases by four times compared to the native Linux while providing strong isolation.
Integration of GPS, Monocular Vision, and High Definition (HD) Map for Accurate Vehicle Localization
Authors: Cai Hao , Hu Zhaozheng , Huang Gang , Zhu Dunyao , Su Xiaocong
Published: September 2018

Self-localization is a crucial task for intelligent vehicles. Existing localization methods usually require high-cost IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) or expensive LiDAR sensors (e.g., Velodyne HDL-64E). In this paper, we propose a low-cost yet accurate localization solution by using a custom-level GPS receiver and a low-cost camera with the support of HD map. Unlike existing HD map-based methods, which usually requires unique landmarks within the sensed range, the proposed method utilizes common lane lines for vehicle localization by using Kalman filter to fuse the GPS, monocular vision, and HD map for more accurate vehicle localization. In the Kalman filter framework, the observations consist of two parts. One is the raw GPS coordinate. The other is the lateral distance between the vehicle and the lane, which is computed from the monocular camera. The HD map plays the role of providing reference position information and correlating the local lateral distance from the vision and the GPS coordinates so as to formulate a linear Kalman filter. In the prediction step, we propose using a data-driven motion model rather than a Kinematic model, which is more adaptive and flexible. The proposed method has been tested with both simulation data and real data collected in the field. The results demonstrate that the localization errors from the proposed method are less than half or even one-third of the original GPS positioning errors by using low cost sensors with HD map support. Experimental results also demonstrate that the integration of the proposed method into existing ones can greatly enhance the localization results.
Structure-Antibacterial Activity Relationships of N-Substituted-(d-/l-Alaninyl) 1H-1,2,3-Triazolylmethyl Oxazolidinones
Authors: Phillips Oludotun Adebayo , Udo Edet Ekpenyong , D’silva Roselyn Jennifer
Published: September 2018

Bacterial resistance towards the existing class of antibacterial drugs continues to increase, posing a significant threat to the clinical usefulness of these drugs. These increasing and alarming rates of antibacterial resistance development and the decline in the number of new antibacterial drugs’ approval continue to serve as a major impetus for research into the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents. We synthesized a series of d-/l-alaninyl substituted triazolyl oxazolidinone derivatives and evaluated their antibacterial activity against selected standard Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Overall, the compounds showed moderate to strong antibacterial activity. Compounds 9d and 10d (d- and l-alaninyl derivatives bearing the 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl substituent), 10e (l-alaninyl derivative bearing the 5-nitrofurancarbonyl group) and 9f and 10f (d- and l-alaninyl derivatives bearing the 5-nitrothiophene carbonyl moiety) demonstrated antibacterial activity (MIC: 2 µg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Moraxella catarrhalis standard bacterial strains. No significant differences were noticeable between the antibacterial activity of the d- and l-alaninyl derivatives as a result of the stereochemistry of the compounds.
Losing the One, Caring for the All: The Activism of the Peace Mothers in Turkey
Authors: Göksel Nisa
Published: September 2018

This article focuses on the political activism of the Peace Mothers in Turkey, a group of Kurdish mothers whose children were either Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan (PKK) guerrillas or political dissidents during the conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK. The peace activism of the Mothers is a distinctive case that speaks to the tension between the domains of the familial and the political—a tension that appears in everyday discussions as well as in feminist literature. In this article, I suggest that the Peace Mothers’ struggle to bridge national and local peace-making ideals is a subtle effort to resolve that tension and to transform the realms of family and politics. The mobilization around “motherhood” aims at peace on the national scale, but has led to an unexpected form of activism in the Kurdish community, where the Mothers now mediate local family conflicts in the wake of war. While the Mothers’ activism has not been successful in achieving its main goal of securing a national peace settlement, I argue that it transforms both the political and the familial spheres to a significant extent. The Mothers conceive of motherhood broadly: as the state of being an agent with the capacity to connect to the All via a sense of loss and care. In engaging with feminist debates on motherhood, activism, and care, this article presents a novel framework for understanding the persistent boundary between the political and the familial and calls attention to the role of gendered politics and maternal activism in understudied local settings.
Erratum: Ho, P.; Yang, X. Conflict over Mining in Rural China: A Comprehensive Survey of Intentions and Strategies for Environmental Activism. Sustainability 2018, 10, 1669
Authors:   Sustainability Editorial Office
Published: September 2018

The authors wish to make the following corrections about the order of authors as follows[...]
A Study of Supply Chain Risk in the Brazilian Wind Power Projects by Interpretive Structural Modeling and MICMAC Analysis
Authors: Troche-Escobar Jorge Arnaldo , Lepikson Herman Augusto , Freires Francisco Gaudêncio Mendonça
Published: September 2018

This paper aims to present an approach to the supply chain risk modeling of Brazilian wind power projects. Risk factors were assessed by literature review and analysis through the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and the Matrix-based Multiplication Applied to a Classification (MICMAC) methodologies, with a group of professionals of the field. The ISM model represented the relationships between twenty-two risk factors, and their position in the system, from higher to lower-level risks. The MICMAC analysis identified independent, autonomous, linkage and dependent risk factors according to their driving and dependence power. Data collected also allowed for the recognition of indirect influences between risk factors, complementing the system’s understanding, in special the strongest linkages. The paper also integrated both outputs to create a better representation of the risks factors into the system. The research characterizes current risk factors’ status on the Brazilian wind power supply chain, and the understanding of their implications into the system. It is a guide to implement effective mitigation strategies into the supply chain and more accurate and cautious decision-making in organizations.
Augmented Reality and Mobile Devices: A Binominal Methodological Resource for Inclusive Education (SDG 4). An Example in Secondary Education
Authors: Del Cerro Velázquez Francisco , Morales Méndez Ginés
Published: September 2018

The rise of so-called emerging technologies is broadening the way in which students access information and in turn changing the way in which they can interact and the experiences to which they are exposed. Mobile devices are regarded as flexible tools that facilitate access to information in different formats and in any environment. For its part, Augmented Reality is a technique that, through mobile tools, can enhance the globalization of content and access to contextual information in various ways. Together, the globalization of mobile devices and Augmented Reality contribute to an inclusive, equitable, and quality education, as mentioned by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in goal four on Sustainable Development (Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG 4)). This article analyses the binomial Augmented Reality-mobile devices, and takes a conceptual approach to these technological environments, both the technique and the tool, in the context of quality education. To assess the potential of Augmented Reality-mobile devices as a methodological learning resource, a learning unit of Secondary Education is presented in the field of Technology, enriched with different materials related with Augmented Reality.
Uncertainty Analysis for the CH4 Emission Factor of Thermal Power Plant by Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Cho Changsang , Kang Seongmin , Kim Minwook , Hong Yoonjung , Jeon Eui-chan
Published: September 2018

Thermal power plants are a large source of greenhouse gas emissions among energy industry facilities. Emission factors for methane and nitrous oxide depend on combustion technologies and operating conditions and vary significantly with individual thermal power plants. Due to this variability, use of average emission factors for these gases will introduce relatively large uncertainties. This study determined the CH4 emission factors of thermal power plants currently in operation in Korea by conducting field investigations according to fuel type and type of combustion technique. Through use of the Monte Carlo simulation, the uncertainty range for the CH4 emission factor was determined. The estimation showed, at the 95% confidence level, that the uncertainty range for CH4 emission factor from a tangential firing boiler using bituminous coal was −46.6% to +145.2%. The range for the opposed wall-firing boiler was −25.3% to +70.9%. The range for the tangential firing boiler using fuel oil was −39.0% to 93.5%, that from the opposed wall-firing boiler was −47.7% to +201.1%, and that from the internal combustion engine boiler was −38.7% to +106.1%. Finally, the uncertainty range for the CH4 emission factor from the combined cycle boiler using LNG was −90% to +326%.
Evaluation and Selection of Materials for Particulate Matter MEMS Sensors by Using Hybrid MCDM Methods
Authors: Huang Chi-Yo , Chung Pei-Han , Shyu Joseph Z. , Ho Yao-Hua , Wu Chao-Hsin , Lee Ming-Che , Wu Ming-Jenn
Published: September 2018

Air pollution poses serious problems as global industrialization continues to thrive. Since air pollution has grave impacts on human health, industry experts are starting to fathom how to integrate particulate matter (PM) sensors into portable devices; however, traditional micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) gas sensors are too large. To overcome this challenge, experts from industry and academia have recently begun to investigate replacing the traditional etching techniques used on MEMS with semiconductor-based manufacturing processes and materials, such as gallium nitride (GaN), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and silicon. However, studies showing how to systematically evaluate and select suitable materials are rare in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to propose an analytic framework based on multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) to evaluate and select the most suitable materials for fabricating PM sensors. An empirical study based on recent research was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of our analytic framework. The results provide an invaluable future reference for research institutes and providers.
Using a Novel Grey DANP Model to Identify Interactions between Manufacturing and Logistics Industries in China
Authors: Jiang Peng , Hu Yi-Chung , Yen Ghi-Feng , Jiang Hang , Chiu Yu-Jing
Published: September 2018

As a crucial part of producer services, the logistics industry is highly dependent on the manufacturing industry. In general, the interactive development of the logistics and manufacturing industries is essential. Due to the existence of a certain degree of interdependence between any two factors, interaction between the two industries has produced a basis for measurement; identifying the key factors affecting the interaction between the manufacturing and logistics industries is a kind of decision problem in the field of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM). A hybrid MCDM method, DEMATEL-based ANP (DANP) is appropriate to solve this problem. However, DANP uses a direct influence matrix, which involves pairwise comparisons that may be more or less influenced by the respondents. Therefore, we propose a decision model, Grey DANP, which can automatically generate the direct influence matrix. Statistical data for the logistics and manufacturing industries in the China Statistical Yearbook (2006–2015) were used to identify the key factors for interaction between these two industries. The results showed that the key logistics criteria for interaction development are the total number of employees in the transport business, the volume of goods, and the total length of routes. The key manufacturing criteria for interaction development are the gross domestic product and the value added. Therefore, stakeholders should increase the number of employees in the transport industry and freight volumes. Also, the investment in infrastructure should be increased.
Integration of Conservation Measures Concerning Natura 2000 Sites into Marine Protected Areas Regulations: A Study Related to Sardinia
Authors: Zoppi Corrado
Published: September 2018

This study defines and discusses a spatial planning approach, which can be integrated into conservation measures, regarding the sites of the Natura 2000 Network—established under the provisions of Directive No. 92/43/EEC (the “Habitats” Directive), and Directive No. 2009/147/EC (the “Birds” Directive)—into the regulations of marine protected areas. The protected marine area of the Island of Tavolara and Cape Coda Cavallo, located in North-Eastern Sardinia (which is overlapped by a Natura 2000 Site) is the spatial context for the implementation of the proposed methodology. The comprehensive outcome of this study, that is, the implementation of the proposed spatial planning approach into regulations regarding the previously mentioned protected marine areas, is particularly relevant for the scientific and technical debate on spatial planning. This debate is related to protection of nature and natural resources, since the issue of integration of the conservation measures related to Natura 200 Network, into regulations of protected areas, is an open question, which needs further consideration and insights.
Climate Change, Agriculture, and Economic Development in Ethiopia
Authors: Yalew Amsalu Woldie , Hirte Georg , Lotze-Campen Hermann , Tscharaktschiew Stefan
Published: September 2018

Quantifying the economic effects of climate change is a crucial step for planning adaptation in developing countries. This study assesses the economy-wide and regional effects of climate change-induced productivity and labor supply shocks in Ethiopian agriculture. We pursue a structural approach that blends biophysical and economic models. We consider different crop yield projections and add a regionalization to the country-wide CGE results. The study shows, in the worst case scenario, the effects on country-wide GDP may add up to −8%. The effects on regional value-added GDP are uneven and range from −10% to +2.5%. However, plausible cost-free exogenous structural change scenarios in labor skills and marketing margins may offset about 20–30% of these general equilibrium effects. As such, the ongoing structural transformation in the country may underpin the resilience of the economy to climate change. This can be regarded as a co-benefit of structural change in the country. Nevertheless, given the role of the sector in the current economic structure and the potency of the projected biophysical impacts, adaptation in agriculture is imperative. Otherwise, climate change may make rural livelihoods unpredictable and strain the country’s economic progress.
Irresponsible Research and Innovation? Applying Findings from Neuroscience to Analysis of Unsustainable Hype Cycles
Authors: Fox Stephen
Published: September 2018

The introduction of technological innovations is often associated with suboptimal decisions and actions during cycles of inflated expectations, disappointment, and unintended negative consequences. For brevity, these can be referred to as hype cycles. Hitherto, studies have reported hype cycles for many different technologies, and studies have proposed different methods for improving the introduction of technological innovations. Yet hype cycles persist, despite suboptimal outcomes being widely reported and despite methods being available to improve outcomes. In this communication paper, findings from exploratory research are reported, which introduce new directions for addressing hype cycles. Through reference to neuroscience studies, it is explained that the behavior of some adults in hype cycles can be analogous to that of irresponsible behavior among adolescents. In particular, there is heightened responsiveness to peer presence and potential rewards. Accordingly, it is argued that methods applied successfully to reduce irresponsible behavior among adolescents are relevant to addressing hype cycles, and to facilitating more responsible research and innovation. The unsustainability of hype cycles is considered in relation to hype about artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, the potential for human-beneficial AI to have the unintended negative consequence of being fatally unbeneficial to everything else in the geosphere other than human beings.
A Comparative Analysis of Satisfaction and Sustainable Participation in Actual Leisure Sports and Virtual Reality Leisure Sports
Authors: Bum Chul-Ho , Mahoney Tara Q. , Choi Chulhwan
Published: September 2018

The advanced technology of virtual reality (VR) has brought about significant changes in our society, and leisure sports are no exception. The purpose of this study was to assess how leisure satisfaction with leisure sports and degree of sustainable participation affect men and women in actual sports and virtual reality (VR) sports. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to confirm scale validity and reliability, and multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression were conducted for comparative analysis and linear relationships between variances. The results showed that while men typically participate in ‘masculine’ sports and women in ‘feminine’ sports, both genders equally enjoy the same types of VR sports. In terms of gender differences, female VR sport participants placed importance on educational leisure satisfaction and the intent of sustainable participation. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in the physical, psychological, or social leisure satisfaction factors, indicating no differences in satisfaction between performing actual sports and those in the VR environment. In addition, all factors except relaxation factor, had a positive impact on intent of sustainable participation. This study implied that VR sports offer an opportunity for people to be together, regardless of gender, and that it is becoming a part of healthy leisure sports culture.
A Novel Similarity Measure for Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Its Applications
Authors: Luo Minxia , Liang Jingjing
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a novel similarity measure for interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets is introduced, which is based on the transformed interval-valued intuitionistic triangle fuzzy numbers. Its superiority is shown by comparing the proposed similarity measure with some existing similarity measures by some numerical examples. Furthermore, the proposed similarity measure is applied to deal with pattern recognition and medical diagnosis problems.
Multi-Granulation Graded Rough Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets Models Based on Dominance Relation
Authors: Xue Zhan-ao , Lv Min-jie , Han Dan-jie , Xin Xian-wei
Published: September 2018

From the perspective of the degrees of classification error, we proposed graded rough intuitionistic fuzzy sets as the extension of classic rough intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Firstly, combining dominance relation of graded rough sets with dominance relation in intuitionistic fuzzy ordered information systems, we designed type-I dominance relation and type-II dominance relation. Type-I dominance relation reduces the errors caused by single theory and improves the precision of ordering. Type-II dominance relation decreases the limitation of ordering by single theory. After that, we proposed graded rough intuitionistic fuzzy sets based on type-I dominance relation and type-II dominance relation. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of multi-granulation, we further established multi-granulation graded rough intuitionistic fuzzy sets models based on type-I dominance relation and type-II dominance relation. Meanwhile, some properties of these models were discussed. Finally, the validity of these models was verified by an algorithm and some relative examples.
Communities of Practice Approach for Knowledge Management Systems
Authors: Venkatraman Sitalakshmi , Venkatraman Ramanathan
Published: September 2018

In this digital world, organisations are facing global competition as well as manpower pressures leading towards the knowledge economy, which heavily impacts on their local and international businesses. The trend is to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to cope with these problems. With the advancement of technologies and social engineering that can connect people in the virtual world across time and distance, several organisations are embarking on knowledge management (KM) systems, implementing a community of practice (CoP) approach. However, virtual communities are relatively new paradigms, and there are several challenges to their successful implementation from an organisation’s point of interest. There is lack of CoP implementation framework that can cater to today’s dynamic business and sustainability requirements. To fill the gap in literature, this paper develops a practical framework for a CoP implementation with a view to align KM strategy with business strategy of an organization. It explores the different steps of building, sharing, and using tacit and explicit knowledge in CoPs by applying the Wiig KM cycle. It proposes a practical CoP implementation framework that adopts the Benefits, Tools, Organisation, People and Process (BTOPP) model in addressing the key questions surrounding each of the BTOPP elements with a structured approach. Finally, it identifies key challenges such as organizational culture and performance measurements, and provides practical recommendations to overcome them for a successful CoP implementation.
Real-Time Monitoring of Tetraselmis suecica in A Saline Environment as Means of Early Water Pollution Detection
Authors: Moejes Karin Brenda , Sherif Reshma Sulthana Rahiman , Dürr Simone , Conlan Sheelagh , Mason Alex , Korostynska Olga
Published: September 2018

Biological water pollution, including organic pollutants and their possible transportation, via biofouling and ballast water, has the potential to cause severe economic and health impacts on society and environment. Current water pollution monitoring methods are limited by transportation of samples to the laboratory for analysis, which could take weeks. There is an urgent need for a water quality monitoring technique that generates real-time data. The study aims to assess the feasibility of three sensing techniques to detect and monitor the concentrations of the model species Tetraselmis suecica in real-time using eleven samples for each method. Results showed UV-Vis spectrophotometer detected increasing concentration of Tetraselmis suecica with R2 = 0.9627 and R2 = 0.9672, at 450 nm and 650 nm wavelengths, respectively. Secondly, low-frequency capacitance measurements showed a linear relationship with increasing concentration of Tetraselmis suecica at 150 Hz (R2 = 0.8463) and 180 Hz (R2 = 0.8391). Finally, a planar electromagnetic wave sensor measuring the reflected power S11 amplitude detected increasing cell density at 4 GHz (R2 = 0.8019).
Antibody Cross-Reactivity in Antivenom Research
Authors: Ledsgaard Line , Jenkins Timothy P. , Davidsen Kristian , Krause Kamille Elvstrøm , Martos-Esteban Andrea , Engmark Mikael , Rørdam Andersen Mikael , Lund Ole , Laustsen Andreas Hougaard
Published: September 2018

Antivenom cross-reactivity has been investigated for decades to determine which antivenoms can be used to treat snakebite envenomings from different snake species. Traditionally, the methods used for analyzing cross-reactivity have been immunodiffusion, immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzymatic assays, and in vivo neutralization studies. In recent years, new methods for determination of cross-reactivity have emerged, including surface plasmon resonance, antivenomics, and high-density peptide microarray technology. Antivenomics involves a top-down assessment of the toxin-binding capacities of antivenoms, whereas high-density peptide microarray technology may be harnessed to provide in-depth knowledge on which toxin epitopes are recognized by antivenoms. This review provides an overview of both the classical and new methods used to investigate antivenom cross-reactivity, the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and examples of studies using the methods. A special focus is given to antivenomics and high-density peptide microarray technology as these high-throughput methods have recently been introduced in this field and may enable more detailed assessments of antivenom cross-reactivity.
Transitioning from Unilateral to Bilateral Upper Limb Tremor Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor Using Botulinum Toxin: Case Series
Authors: Samotus Olivia , Lee Jack , Jog Mandar
Published: September 2018

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections guided by kinematic analysis for unilateral upper limb essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) tremor therapy has demonstrated efficacy, improvements in quality of life (QoL) and arm functionality. In this open-label pilot trial, 5 ET and 2 PD participants decided to switch from receiving long-term unilateral arm treatment to now bilateral BoNT-A arm therapy in their other tremulous arm which worsened over time. Injection patterns were based on kinematic analysis. Efficacy endpoints including kinematic analysis, Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor rating scale, QoL questionnaire, and maximal grip strength were collected over 2 treatments and 2 follow-up visits totaling 18-weeks. BoNT-A decreased wrist tremor amplitude by 84.6% and 89.6% 6-weeks following the 1st injection in the newly-treated limb in ET and PD participants, respectively. PD participants started with worse QoL but demonstrated an additional improvement in QoL by 29.9% for switching to bilateral treatment, whereas ET participants did not. Left and right arm tremor also did not share commonalities in severity or dose. This preliminary finding suggests trends for transitioning to bilateral therapy and warrants further studies to evaluate efficacy of bilateral tremor BoNT-A therapy in a larger cohort of PD and ET patients.
Comment on Ultrasound Guidance for Botulinum Neurotoxin Chemodenervation Procedures. Toxins 2017, 10, 18—Quintessential Use of Ultrasound Guidance for Botulinum Toxin Injections—Muscle Innervation Zone Targeting Revisited
Authors: Kaymak Bayram , Malas Fevziye Ünsal , Kara Murat , On Arzu Yağız , Özçakar Levent
Published: September 2018

Recently, the importance of targeting structures during botulinum neurotoxin applications has been discussed in a variety of disorders, including spasticity and dystonia. In this respect, the advantages of ultrasound imaging to traditional techniques have been emphasized. We would like underscore the importance of ultrasound guidance, with targeting innervation zone(s) of the over-active muscles to achieve effective clinical outcomes. Additionally, we also clarify the difference between the terms—innervation zone (motor end plate) and motor point—which have been used by the authors as if they were the same. Further, we disagree with the authors about the intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin application techniques i.e., in-plane vs. out-of-plane whereby the former is, for sure, superior.
The Effects of Autophagy and PI3K/AKT/m-TOR Signaling Pathway on the Cell-Cycle Arrest of Rats Primary Sertoli Cells Induced by Zearalenone
Authors: Wang Bing-jie , Zheng Wang-long , Feng Nan-nan , Wang Tao , Zou Hui , Gu Jian-hong , Yuan Yan , Liu Xue-zhong , Liu Zong-ping , Bian Jian-chun
Published: September 2018

A high concentration of Zearalenone (ZEA) will perturb the differentiation of germ cells, and induce a death of germ cells, but the toxic mechanism and molecular mechanism remain unclear. The Sertoli cells (SCs) play an irreplaceable role in spermatogenesis. In order to explore the potential mechanism of ZEA male reproductive toxicity, we studied the effects of ZEA on cell proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, cell-cycle-related proteins and autophagy-related pathway the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in primary cultured rats SCs, and the effects of autophagy and PI3K/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway on the SCs cell-cycle arrest induced by ZEA treated with the autophagy promoter RAPA, autophagy inhibitor CQ, and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, respectively. The data revealed that ZEA could inhibit the proliferation of SCs by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase and trigger the autophagy via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/m TOR signaling pathway. Promoting or inhibiting the level of autophagy could either augment or reverse the arrest of cell cycle. And it was regulated by PI3K/Akt/m TOR signaling pathway. Taken together, this study provides evidence that autophagy and PI3K/Akt/m TOR signaling pathway are involved in regulating rats primary SCs cell-cycle arrest due to ZEA in vitro. To some extent, ZEA-induced autophagy plays a protective role in this process.
Searching for Stochastic Background of Ultra-Light Fields with Atomic Sensors
Authors: Kalaydzhyan Tigran , Yu Nan
Published: September 2018

We propose a cross-correlation method for the searches of ultra-light fields, in particular, with a space network of atomic sensors. The main motivation of the approach is cancellation of uncorrelated noises in the observation data and unique pattern the fields leave on the cross-spectrum, depending on their nature (i.e., scalar, vector or tensor). In particular, we analytically derive a dependence of the cross-spectrum on the angle between two pairs of detectors. We then confirm obtained angular curves with a numerical simulation. We apply the method to the detection of dark matter and gravitational waves.
Prediction of Water Inflow in Subsea Tunnels under Blasting Vibration
Authors: Liu Rentai , Liu Yankai , Xin Dongdong , Li Shucai , Zheng Zhuo , Ma Chenyang , Zhang Chunyu
Published: September 2018

The subsea tunnel of Qingdao metro line 1 has been excavated using the drill and blast method. Blasting vibration during tunneling may cause larger water inflow and even severe security risks and considerable economic losses. However, the prediction of water inflow in subsea tunnels under blasting vibration still remains a challenging problem. Thus, this paper proposes an approach combining tests and numerical calculations for analyzing this problem. The approach is developed by analyzing the mechanical and deformation characteristics of the surrounding rock through a laboratory triaxial compression test and then establishing the strain softening constitutive model of the surrounding rock. Based on the elastic compression theory of porous media and the cubic law of fractured rock mass, we establish and analyze the evolution model of the permeability characteristics during the damage process of the surrounding rock. Then, a Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in 3 Dimensions (FLAC3D) is used to verify the rationality and accuracy of the model. According to the actual blasting design scheme, the surrounding rock constitutive model, and the permeability characteristic evolution model, the blasting process and water inflow of the subsea tunnel is simulated. The amount of water inflow in the subsea tunnel calculated by using the permeability coefficient under blasting vibration (PCuBV) is compared with the measured water inflow and the amount of water inflow calculated by using the exploration permeability coefficient (EPC) and the initial permeability coefficient (IPC) of the surrounding rock. The results show that the prediction of water inflow quantity under blasting vibration is both closer to reality and more reasonable than existing models.
Threshold Values of Extreme Hydrometeorological Events on the Polish Baltic Coast
Authors: Tylkowski Jacek , Hojan Marcin
Published: September 2018

The main aim of this study is to determine the threshold values for extreme sea and weather events on the Polish Baltic coast. The study is based on daily hydrometeorological data on the sea level; air temperature and atmospheric precipitation collected between 1965–2014 from six coastal sites (Świnoujście; Kołobrzeg, Ustka, Łeba, Hel, and Gdynia/Gdańsk). Threshold values for the occurrence of extreme events (with a probability of 10% and 95%, and a return rate of once every 10 years) and exceptionally extreme events (with a probability of 1% and 99%, and a return rate of once every 100 years) were determined using probability distribution and quantile analysis. Hydrometeorological absolute extremes were also determined. The methodology used to determine these extreme events and the time-space analysis of hydrometeorological extremes reveal significant geohazards for the functioning of the Baltic coastal zone, including the erosion of coastal dunes and cliffs and the destruction of technical infrastructure.