bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Water Security in Kathmandu Valley before and after Water Transfer from another Basin
Authors: Thapa Bhesh , Ishidaira Hiroshi , Pandey Vishnu , Bhandari Tilak , Shakya Narendra
Published: February 2018

Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has planned to harness water from outside the valley from Melamchi as an inter-basin project to supply water inside the ring road (core valley area) of the Kathmandu Valley (KV). The project, called the “Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP)”, is expected to have its first phase completed by the end of September 2018 and its second phase completed by the end of 2023 to supply 170 MLD (million liters a day) through the first phase and an additional 340 MLD through the second phase. The area has recently faced a severe water deficit and KUKL’s existing infrastructure has had a limited capability, supplying only 19% of the water that is demanded in its service areas during the dry season and 31% during the wet season. In this context, this study aims to assess the temporal trends and spatial distribution of household water security index (WSI), defined as a ratio of supply to demand for domestic water use for basic human water requirements (50 L per capita per day (lpcd)) and economic growth (135 lpcd) as demand in pre- and post-MWSP scenarios. For this purpose, data on water demand and supply with infrastructure were used to map the spatial distribution of WSI and per capita water supply using ArcMap. Results show a severe water insecurity condition in the year 2017 in all KUKL service areas (SAs), which is likely to improve after completion of the MWSP. It is likely that recent distribution network and strategies may lead to inequality in water distribution within the SAs. This can possibly be addressed by expanding existing distribution networks and redistributing potable water, which can serve an additional 1.21 million people in the area. Service providers may have to develop strategies to strengthen a set of measures including improving water supply infrastructures, optimizing water loss, harnessing additional water from hills, and managing water within and outside the KUKL SAs in the long run to cover the entire KV.
Preliminary Numerical Analysis of the Efficiency of a Central Lake Reservoir in Enhancing the Flood and Drought Resistance of Dongting Lake
Authors: Liu Huying , Deng Bin , Liu Yizhuang , Jiang Changbo , Wu Zhiyuan , Long Yuannan
Published: February 2018

During the past few decades, the ecosystems of lakes have been reshaped greatly by global climate change and expanding human activities. As the second largest freshwater lake in China, Dongting Lake is the most important regulating lake in the Yangtze River Basin because it has extensive flood storage capacity. The dynamic characteristics of its circulation and sediment transport are significantly affected by the scheduling and interception of control reservoirs at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. In this paper, a central lake reservoir is proposed to improve the flood and drought resistance of Dongting Lake. The efficiency of the central lake reservoir is investigated numerically by developing a two-dimensional shallow water model. We demonstrate that current velocity and water elevation during flood and drought events can be influenced significantly by the construction of the central lake reservoir. The flood storage capacity of the central lake reservoir can reduce the peak flood elevation significantly in West Dongting Lake, which would enhance its flood resistance. The water replenishment of the central lake reservoir in the dry season can also efficiently increase the lake water elevation to enhance the drought resistance in the area surrounding the lake. Our findings have important implications for policy makers and their management of Dongting Lake.
Analysis of Environmental Taxes to Finance Wastewater Treatment in Spain: An Opportunity for Regeneration?
Authors: Gallego Valero Leticia , Moral Pajares Encarnación , Román Sánchez Isabel , Sánchez Pérez José
Published: February 2018

The treatment of wastewater, financed through environmental taxes, is key to the development of a sustainable economy. The objective of this study is to verify whether the tax loads on wastewater discharges applied in Spain are effective, allowing the costs of secondary and tertiary treatments to be financed. First, the revenues collected from taxes related to the discharge of wastewater in the different Spanish regions, which reach an average value of 0.72 €/m3, are analysed. Second, the costs of secondary wastewater treatment, prolonged aeration, activated sludge with nutrient removal, and activated sludge without nutrient removal are studied. Additionally, the costs of tertiary treatments, with environmental objectives and for reuse purposes, are considered. The analysis carried out reveals high heterogeneity in the amounts collected through taxes in the different Autonomous Communities. In some cases, these amounts do not cover the costs of the treatments. An urgent review is therefore required of the financing systems applied in order to secure a level of income that can cover all the exploitation and investment costs incurred.
Low Frequency Waves Detected in a Large Wave Flume under Irregular Waves with Different Grouping Factor and Combination of Regular Waves
Authors: Riefolo Luigia , Contestabile Pasquale , Dentale Fabio , Benassai Guido
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a set of experiments undertaken at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in the large wave flume of the Maritime Engineering Laboratory. The purpose of this study is to highlight the effects of wave grouping and long-wave short-wave combinations regimes on low frequency generations. An eigen-value decomposition has been performed to discriminate low frequencies. In particular, measured eigen modes, determined through the spectral analysis, have been compared with calculated modes by means of eigen analysis. The low frequencies detection appears to confirm the dependence on groupiness of the modal amplitudes generated in the wave flume. Some evidence of the influence of low frequency waves on runup and transport patterns are shown. In particular, the generation and evolution of secondary bedforms are consistent with energy transferred between the standing wave modes.
A Generalized Semi-Analytical Solution for the Dispersive Henry Problem: Effect of Stratification and Anisotropy on Seawater Intrusion
Authors: Fahs Marwan , Koohbor Behshad , Belfort Benjamin , Ataie-Ashtiani Behzad , Simmons Craig T. , Younes Anis , Ackerer Philippe
Published: February 2018

The Henry problem (HP) continues to play a useful role in theoretical and practical studies related to seawater intrusion (SWI) into coastal aquifers. The popularity of this problem is attributed to its simplicity and precision to the existence of semi-analytical (SA) solutions. The first SA solution has been developed for a high uniform diffusion coefficient. Several further studies have contributed more realistic solutions with lower diffusion coefficients or velocity-dependent dispersion. All the existing SA solutions are limited to homogenous and isotropic domains. This work attempts to improve the realism of the SA solution of the dispersive HP by extending it to heterogeneous and anisotropic coastal aquifers. The solution is obtained using the Fourier series method. A special hydraulic conductivity–depth model describing stratified heterogeneity is used for mathematical convenience. An efficient technique is developed to solve the flow and transport equations in the spectral space. With this technique, we show that the HP can be solved in the spectral space with the salt concentration as primary unknown. Several examples are generated, and the SA solutions are compared against an in-house finite element code. The results provide high-quality data assessed by quantitative indicators that can be effectively used for code verification in realistic configurations of heterogeneity and anisotropy. The SA solution is used to explain contradictory results stated in the previous works about the effect of anisotropy on the saltwater wedge. It is also used to investigate the combined influence of stratification and anisotropy on relevant metrics characterizing SWI. At a constant gravity number, anisotropy leads to landward migration of the saltwater wedge, more intense saltwater flux, a wider mixing zone and shallower groundwater discharge zone to the sea. The influence of stratified heterogeneity is more pronounced in highly anisotropic aquifers. The stratification rate and anisotropy have complementary effects on all SWI metrics, except for the depth of the discharge zone.
The Extraordinary Outburst in the Massive Protostellar System NGC 6334I-MM1: Emergence of Strong 6.7 GHz Methanol Masers
Authors: Hunter T. R. , Brogan C. L. , MacLeod G. C. , Cyganowski C. J. , Chibueze J. O. , Friesen R. , Hirota T. , Smits D. P. , Chandler C. J. , Indebetouw R.
Published: February 2018

We report the first sub-arcsecond VLA imaging of 6 GHz continuum, methanol maser, and excited-state hydroxyl maser emission toward the massive protostellar cluster NGC 6334I following the recent 2015 outburst in (sub)millimeter continuum toward MM1, the strongest (sub)millimeter source in the protocluster. In addition to detections toward the previously known 6.7 GHz Class II methanol maser sites in the hot core MM2 and the UCHII region MM3 (NGC 6334F), we find new maser features toward several components of MM1, along with weaker features ∼1″ north, west, and southwest of MM1, and toward the nonthermal radio continuum source CM2. None of these areas have heretofore exhibited Class II methanol maser emission in three decades of observations. The strongest MM1 masers trace a dust cavity, while no masers are seen toward the strongest dust sources MM1A, 1B, and 1D. The locations of the masers are consistent with a combination of increased radiative pumping due to elevated dust grain temperature following the outburst, the presence of infrared photon propagation cavities, and the presence of high methanol column densities as indicated by ALMA images of thermal transitions. The nonthermal radio emission source CM2 (2″ north of MM1) also exhibits new maser emission from the excited 6.035 and 6.030 GHz OH lines. Using the Zeeman effect, we measure a line-of-sight magnetic field of +0.5 to +3.7 mG toward CM2. In agreement with previous studies, we also detect numerous methanol and excited OH maser spots toward the UCHII region MM3, with predominantly negative line-of-sight magnetic field strengths of −2 to −5 mG and an intriguing south–north field reversal.
Very Long Baseline Array Imaging of Type-2 Seyferts with Double-peaked Narrow Emission Lines: Searches for Sub-kpc Dual AGNs and Jet-powered Outflows*
Authors: Liu Xin , Lazio T. Joseph W. , Shen Yue , Strauss Michael A.
Published: February 2018

This paper presents Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of 13 double-peaked [O iii] emission-line type-2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at redshifts 0.06 < z < 0.41 (with a median redshift of z ∼ 0.15) identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Such double-peaked emission-line objects may result from jets or outflows from the central engine or from a dual AGN. The VLBA provides an angular resolution of ≲10 pc at the distance of many of these galaxies, sufficient to resolve the radio emission from extremely close dual AGNs and to contribute to understanding the origin of double-peaked [O iii] emission lines. Of the 13 galaxies observed at 3.6 cm (8.4 GHz), we detect six at a 1σ sensitivity level of ∼0.15 mJy beam−1, two of which show clear jet structures on scales ranging from a few milliarcseconds to tens of milliarcseconds (corresponding to a few pc to tens of pc at a median redshift of 0.15). We suggest that radio-loud, double-peaked emission-line type-2 AGNs may be indicative of jet produced structures, but a larger sample of double-peaked [O iii] AGNs with high angular resolution radio observations will be required to confirm this suggestion.
Physical Properties and Evolutionary States of EA-type Eclipsing Binaries Observed by LAMOST
Authors: Qian S.-B. , Zhang J. , He J.-J. , Zhu L.-Y. , Zhao E.-G. , Shi X.-D. , Zhou X. , Han Z.-T.
Published: February 2018

About 3196 EA-type binaries (EAs) were observed by LAMOST by 2017 June 16 and their spectral types were derived. Meanwhile, the stellar atmospheric parameters of 2020 EAs were determined. In this paper, those EAs are cataloged and their physical properties and evolutionary states are investigated. The period distribution of EAs suggests that the period limit of tidal locking for the close binaries is about 6 days. It is found that the metallicity of EAs is higher than that of EW-type binaries (EWs), indicating that EAs are generally younger than EWs and they are the progenitors of EWs. The metallicities of long-period EWs (

days) are the same as those of EAs with the same periods, while their values of Log (g) are usually smaller than those of EAs. These support the evolutionary process that EAs evolve into long-period EWs through the combination of angular momentum loss (AML) via magnetic braking and case A mass transfer. For short-period EWs, their metallicities are lower than those of EAs, while their gravitational accelerations are higher. These reveal that they may be formed from cool short-period EAs through AML via magnetic braking with little mass transfer. For some EWs with high metallicities, they may be contaminated by material from the evolution of unseen neutron stars and black holes or they have third bodies that may help them to form rapidly through a short timescale of pre-contact evolution. The present investigation suggests that the modern EW populations may have formed through a combination of these mechanisms.
A Precise Distance to the Host Galaxy of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817 Using Surface Brightness Fluctuations∗
Authors: Cantiello Michele , Jensen J. B. , Blakeslee J. P. , Berger E. , Levan A. J. , Tanvir N. R. , Raimondo G. , Brocato E. , Alexander K. D. , Blanchard P. K. , Branchesi M. , Cano Z. , Chornock R. , Covino S. , Cowperthwaite P. S. , D’Avanzo P. , Eftekhari T. , Fong W. , Fruchter A. S. , Grado A. , Hjorth J. , Holz D. E. , Lyman J. D. , Mandel I. , Margutti R. , Nicholl M. , Villar V. A. , Williams P. K. G.
Published: February 2018

The joint detection of gravitational waves (GWs) and electromagnetic radiation from the binary neutron star (BNS) merger GW170817 has provided unprecedented insight into a wide range of physical processes: heavy element synthesis via the r-process; the production of relativistic ejecta; the equation of state of neutron stars and the nature of the merger remnant; the binary coalescence timescale; and a measurement of the Hubble constant via the “standard siren” technique. In detail, all of these results depend on the distance to the host galaxy of the merger event, NGC 4993. In this Letter we measure the surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) distance to NGC 4993 in the F110W and F160W passbands of the Wide Field Camera 3 Infrared Channel (WFC3/IR) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). For the preferred F110W passband we derive a distance modulus of

(
m
−
M
)

=
33.05
±
0.08
±
0.10

mag, or a linear distance d = 40.7 ± 1.4 ± 1.9 Mpc (random and systematic errors, respectively); a virtually identical result is obtained from the F160W data. This is the most precise distance to NGC 4993 available to date. Combining our distance measurement with the corrected recession velocity of NGC 4993 implies a Hubble constant H
0 = 71.9 ± 7.1 km s−1 Mpc−1. A comparison of our result to the GW-inferred value of H
0 indicates a binary orbital inclination of i ≳ 137°. The SBF technique can be applied to early-type host galaxies of BNS mergers to ∼100 Mpc with HST and possibly as far as ∼300 Mpc with the James Webb Space Telescope, thereby helping to break the inherent distance-inclination degeneracy of the GW data at distances where many future BNS mergers are likely to be detected.
Solar Radio Burst Associated with the Falling Bright EUV Blob
Authors: Karlický Marian , Zemanová Alena , Dudík Jaroslav , Radziszewski Krzysztof
Published: February 2018

At the beginning of the 2015 November 4 flare, in the 1300–2000 MHz frequency range, we observed a very rare slow positively drifting burst. We searched for associated phenomena in simultaneous EUV observations made by IRIS, SDO/AIA, and Hinode/XRT, as well as in H
α
observations. We found that this radio burst was accompanied with the bright blob, visible at transition region, coronal, and flare temperatures, falling down to the chromosphere along the dark loop with a velocity of about 280 km s−1. The dark loop was visible in H
α
but disappeared afterward. Furthermore, we found that the falling blob interacted with the chromosphere as expressed by a sudden change of the H
α
spectra at the location of this interaction. Considering different possibilities, we propose that the observed slow positively drifting burst is generated by the thermal conduction front formed in front of the falling hot EUV blob.
Declining Rotation Curves at z = 2 in ΛCDM Galaxy Formation Simulations
Authors: Teklu Adelheid F. , Remus Rhea-Silvia , Dolag Klaus , Arth Alexander , Burkert Andreas , Obreja Aura , Schulze Felix
Published: February 2018

Selecting disk galaxies from the cosmological, hydrodynamical simulation Magneticum Pathfinder, we show that almost half of our poster child disk galaxies at z = 2 show significantly declining rotation curves and low dark matter fractions, very similar to recently reported observations. These galaxies do not show any anomalous behavior, they reside in standard dark matter halos, and they typically grow significantly in mass until z = 0, where they span all morphological classes, including disk galaxies matching present-day rotation curves and observed dark matter fractions. Our findings demonstrate that declining rotation curves and low dark matter fractions in rotation-dominated galaxies at z = 2 appear naturally within the ΛCDM paradigm and reflect the complex baryonic physics, which plays a role at the peak epoch of star formation. In addition, we find some dispersion-dominated galaxies at z = 2 that host a significant gas disk and exhibit similar shaped rotation curves as the disk galaxy population, rendering it difficult to differentiate between these two populations with currently available observation techniques.
Infanticide in brown bear: a case-study in the Italian Alps – Genetic identification of perpetrator and implications in small populations
Authors: Davoli Francesca , Cozzo Mario , Angeli Fabio , Groff Claudio , Randi Ettore
Published: February 2018

Sexually Selected Infanticide (SSI) is thought of as a male reproductive strategy in social mammalian species, because females who lose cubs may quickly re-enter oestrus. SSI has rarely been documented in non-social mammals and, in brown bears, SSI has been studied mainly in an eco-ethological perspective. The authors examined the first genetically documented infanticide case which occurred in May 2015 in brown bears in Italy (Trentino, Central-Eastern Alps). The infanticide killed two cubs and their mother. Hair samples were collected from the corpses as well as saliva, through swabs on mother’s wounds, with the aim of identifying the genotype of the perpetrator. The samples were genotyped by PCR amplification of 15 autosomal microsatellite loci, following the protocol routinely used for individual bear identifications within the Interregional Action Plan for Brown Bear Conservation in the Central-Eastern Alps (PACOBACE). Reliable genotypes were obtained from the mother, cubs and putative perpetrator. The genotypes were matched with those populating the PACOBACE database and genealogies were reconstructed. Both mother and perpetrator genotypes were already present in the database. Kinship analyses confirmed mother-cubs relationships and identified the father of the cubs. In this study, for the first time, the authors used the open-source LRmix STUDIO software, designed to analyse human forensic genetic profiles, to solve a case in wildlife. Through LRmix STUDIO, those alleles that do not belong to the victims were isolated and, finally, the perpetrator was identified. This study presents a method that allows, through the application of different models, the genetic identification of the conspecific perpetrator with the highest probability. The identification of the infanticidal male is relevant for the better management and conservation of wild populations with small effective population size (Ne) and low population growth rate, especially in the case of recently established populations in human-dominated landscapes. This procedure will have predictably wide applications, supplying important data in the monitoring of small and isolated populations.
Effects of age and exercise on inflammatory cytokines, HSP70 and HSP90 gene expression and protein content in Standardbred horses
Authors: Avenatti R.C. , McKeever K.H. , Horohov D.W. , Malinowski K.
Published: February 2018

We hypothesised that the cortisol response to acute exercise, markers of oxidative stress, expression of inflammatory cytokines, heat shock protein (HSP)70 and HSP90 expression in whole blood and skeletal muscle, and HSP70 and HSP90 protein concentrations in skeletal muscle are altered by age and in response to acute submaximal exercise in horses. Young (n=6; 5.5±2.8 year) and aged (n=6; 22.6±2.25 year) unconditioned Standardbred mares underwent an acute submaximal exercise test. Blood samples were collected and analysed for plasma cortisol and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, and for cytokine and HSP gene expression pre- and post-exercise. Gluteus medius biopsies were obtained for analysis of cytokine and HSP gene expression pre- and at 0, 4, 24 and 48 h post-exercise. Data were analysed for main effects using a two-way ANOVA for repeated measures. Post-hoc comparisons of means were conducted using Student-Neuman-Keuls for pair-wise multiple comparisons where appropriate. Acute submaximal exercise increased plasma cortisol concentration in both young and aged mares, and the duration of the post-exercise rise in cortisol was altered in aged horses. Plasma MDA concentration and expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 were unchanged in blood and muscle. Exercise increased IL-1β expression in whole blood of young and aged mares, with young mares having greater exercise-induced expression at 2 (P<0.001) and 4 (P=0.019) h post-exercise. Both young and aged horses had increased HSP70 expression in whole blood following acute exercise, with young horses exhibiting 3-fold greater HSP70 expression than aged mares at 2 h post-exercise. HSP90 expression in whole blood following exercise was increased only in young horses. Both young and aged horses had increased HSP90 expression in skeletal muscle following exercise, but there was no difference due to age. However, the timing of HSP70 expression was different between young and aged horses. The age-related changes in cortisol and IL-1β expression following acute submaximal exercise can have implications for energy homeostasis and the adaption to such disturbances at a cellular and whole animal level. Quantification of HSP expression in whole blood may be a useful biomarker, with implications for cellular adaptation and survival in aged horses.
Advances in molecular and genomic research to safeguard food and feed supply from aflatoxin contamination
Authors: Bhatnagar D. , Rajasekaran K. , Gilbert M. , Cary J.W. , Magan N.
Published: February 2018

Worldwide recognition that aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities by the fungus Aspergillus flavus is a global problem has significantly benefitted from global collaboration for understanding the contaminating fungus, as well as for developing and implementing solutions against the contamination. The effort to address this serious food and feed safety issue has led to a detailed understanding of the taxonomy, ecology, physiology, genomics and evolution of A. flavus, as well as strategies to reduce or control pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination, including (1) biological control, using atoxigenic aspergilli, (2) proteomic and genomic analyses for identifying resistance factors in maize as potential breeding markers to enable development of resistant maize lines, and (3) enhancing host-resistance by bioengineering of susceptible crops, such as cotton, maize, peanut and tree nuts. A post-harvest measure to prevent the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in storage is also an important component for reducing exposure of populations worldwide to aflatoxins in food and feed supplies. The effect of environmental changes on aflatoxin contamination levels has recently become an important aspect for study to anticipate future contamination levels. The ability of A. flavus to produce dozens of secondary metabolites, in addition to aflatoxins, has created a new avenue of research for understanding the role these metabolites play in the survival and biodiversity of this fungus. The understanding of A. flavus, the aflatoxin contamination problem, and control measures to prevent the contamination has become a unique example for an integrated approach to safeguard global food and feed safety.
A critical review of producers of small lactone mycotoxins: patulin, penicillic acid and moniliformin
Authors: Frisvad J.C.
Published: February 2018

A very large number of filamentous fungi has been reported to produce the small lactone mycotoxins patulin, penicillic acid and moniliformin. Among the 167 reported fungal producers of patulin, only production by 29 species could be confirmed. Patulin is produced by 3Aspergillusspecies, 3Paecilomycesspecies, 22Penicilliumspecies from 7 sections ofPenicillium, and oneXylariaspecies. Among 101 reported producers of penicillic acid, 48 species could produce this mycotoxin. Penicillic acid is produced by 23 species in sectionAspergillussubgenusCircumdatisectionCircumdati, byMalbranchea aurantiacaand by 24Penicilliumspecies from 9 sections inPenicilliumand one species that does not actually belong toPenicillium(P. megasporum). Among 40 reported producers of moniliformin, five species have been regarded as doubtful producers of this mycotoxin or are now regarded as taxonomic synonyms. Moniliformin is produced by 34Fusariumspecies and onePenicilliumspecies. All the accepted producers of patulin, penicillic acid and moniliformin were revised according to the new one fungus – one name nomenclatural system, and the most recently accepted taxonomy of the species.
INTRA- AND INTER-EXAMINER RELIABILITY OFIN VIVOTHREE-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT OF THE SCAPULAR POSES USING A MARKER-BASED LOCATOR
Authors: Kuo Mei-Ying , Hong Shih-Wun , Li Jia-Da , Lu Tung-Wu , Hsu Horng-Chaung
Published: February 2018

Accurate measurement of the three-dimensional scapular kinematics is essential for a better understanding of the mechanical interactions between the scapula and the other segments of the shoulder complex. The purposes of the study were: (i) to development a marker-based scapular locator for measuring scapular poses, and (ii) to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the locator in terms of intra-class correlations (ICC). Twenty-two healthy volunteers without shoulder pathologies participated in the current study. Each subject was tested separately by two raters using the marker-based scapular locator while performing static shoulder flexion at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 degrees in the scapular plane. Two reliability models, ICC[Formula: see text] and ICC[Formula: see text], were used to analyze the intra- and inter-rater reliability for scapular rotations and translations. Good to excellent intra-user reliability for both examiners was found for the scapular rotations (range: 0.82–0.99) and displacements (range: 0.72–0.99) for different shoulder flexion conditions. Good to excellent inter-rater reliability was found for scapular rotations (range: 0.63–0.95) and translations (range: 0.70–0.95) for all conditions. The results showed that high intra- and inter-examiner reliability could be achieved for scapular rotations and translation using the marker-based scapular locator. The proposed new scapular locator with an optical tracking system will be helpful for future applications in basic and clinical studies of the shoulder complex during arm movements.
The Effect of Wave Propagation on Seismic Response at Transmitting Boundary of Discrete System
Authors: Lee Sang Hun , Endo Takao , Kawana Ryutaro
Published: February 2018

When analyzing the seismic response of a very long elevated structure such as a Shinkansen viaduct, it is common practice to analyze a cutout of the structure under consideration and treat its both ends as free boundaries. This is attributable to the assumption that seismic response analysis assuming free boundary conditions is more conservative than one assuming non-free boundary conditions. In this study, after finding out that response to harmonic ground motion can be greater than under free-boundary conditions if outward energy dissipation occurs from the analysis domain, a series of numerical experiments was performed to determine whether such phenomena occur in seismic response. Then, after confirming that the frequency components of ground motion that satisfy the wave propagation condition greatly affect seismic response, the study showed that the area of the wave propagation condition region of the Fourier spectrum can be used as an indicator by which to judge the likelihood of occurrence of such phenomena.
On Deformation Charting for Concrete Filled Steel Tube Columns Concrete Core and Steel Shell
Authors: Krishan Anatoly L. , Chernyshova Elvira P. , Sabirov Rustam R.
Published: February 2018

New approach to creating deformation charts for concrete core and steel shell of round CFST columns is offered. For creating such charts the power resistance of short central the compressed concrete filled steel tube element is considered. At the same time two major factors are considered. First, the steel shell and the concrete core function under conditions of complex tension. Secondly, at step-by-step strengthening of axial deformations the side pressure upon concrete core and steel shell constantly changes. As a result coordinates of parametrical points of deformation charts for concrete and steel change. Such approach allows describing the real intense deformed condition of concrete filled steel tube columns more precisely.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Wood-Framed Buildings
Authors: Malesza Jaroslaw , Miedziałowski Czeslaw
Published: February 2018

Paper presents current technologies and building structure used in wood-framed multistory buildings and also refers to calculation methods of strains and stresses. Structure of these buildings is recently based on modular technology. Elements in the form of module are constructed in the industrial plant and then delivered to the site for assembling. The wood-framed building structure undergoes significant deformations relevant to changes of moisture content in material and resulted from load acting perpendicular to the grain direction in wood. In four story building the vertical displacement of the top floor has been estimated to over 80 mm. FEM model with application of the shell elements in description of posts, beams and sheathing and applying the beam finite elements in description of linking fasteners is used in stress evaluation in structure. The model permits for precise analysis of stresses in overloaded parts of structure distinguishing to the other simplified analytical models of analyses. Analytical model leads to determination of stresses under typical exploitation standard loadings and in result of non-typical loadings arising at the time of module handling within assembling.
The Interpretation and Inheritance of Green Local Building Material System in Modern Architecture - Case Study of Century Fishing Village Eelgrass Cottage Resort in Dayu Island, Shidao Bay, Jiaodong Peninsula
Authors: Ding Ying , Zhang Hong
Published: February 2018

Dayu island sea cottage is the most typical carrier of the fish culture in the coastal area of Jiaodong. In recent years, economic development, changes in fishermen's living habits led to a the dismantling of a large number of traditional sea cottages and gradual disappearing of unique Dayu island building materials system comprising of eelgrass roof, local granite stone wall and soil kang chimney. In order to protect the local cultural characteristics so they can be passed down, the paper sorted out the original traditional eelgrass cottage building material system. The project of Century Fishing Village Eelgrass Cottage Resort represents experimentation and innovation on the original material system, forming a novel construction material system. Such a system not only satisfies the requirement of new buildings on thermal insulation, energy and space conservation, but also enhances safety and resistance to wind, erosion. The wide adoption of the new material system in new buildings enhances the technique of integrating traditional construction materials and modern architecture in both form and function, making it an ideal design strategy.
Thermal Comfort of the Elderly in Public Health Service Buildings of Thailand
Authors: Panraluk Chorpech , Sreshthaputra Atch
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Thermal comfort of the Thai elderly in air-conditioned space. The quantitative evaluation was conducted using 163 senior participants while recording their expressed satisfaction within the thermal environment in four public health service buildings in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. It revealed that for the Thai elderly, the Predicted Mean Vote could not be used to identify the Thermal Sensation Vote. In addition, the results of this study indicated that personal factors, such as gender, age, and underlying disease correlating affect their Thermal Sensation Vote. Perhaps most significantly, a coincidental finding was that the thermal sensation of the Thai elderly was strongly dependent upon the condition of the occupant’s metabolic syndrome, which belonged to the Non-Communicable Disease group. This study assumed that in the elderly, the metabolic syndrome might have an effect on their metabolic rate (as one of the six factors of thermal comfort). In terms of the environmental factors, the on-site environmental data was collected via field works. It found that the air-conditioned spaces had mean radiant temperatures of 23.20-31.40 °C, this condition would make seniors feel comfortable if the thermal environment in the study areas were controlled: air temperature 23.00-27.80 °C, relative humidity 54.00-73.00% and air velocity 0.08-0.72 m/s. However, some elderly wanted to change this thermal environment to either cooler (10.68%) or warmer (4.85%). Therefore, it should be further study to find the proper thermal environment for covering the most of the seniors in Thailand.
Cooperative Innovation Evolutionary Game Analysis of Industrialized Building Supply Chain
Authors: Wang Yan Yan , Ren Hong , Ji Fan Rong
Published: February 2018

Great changes have taken place in construction methods of industrial building relative to traditional construction. The cooperation between construction contractors, prefabricated parts suppliers and other materials and equipment suppliers in the supply chain of the industrial building can not be ignored. The evolutionary game theory can be used to explain the dynamic trend of the relationship until it is stable. The evolutionary game theory is applied to study the process and method of cooperative innovation between construction contractor and many subcontractors. Based on evolutionary game theory, the paper discusses the process and method of cooperative innovation between the construction contractors and numerous subcontractors. It focuses on the analysis of the influence of cooperative profit distribution, spillover effect, innovation subsidies and cooperation risk sharing for evolutionary stable strategy. The evolutionary game model of cooperation parties is constructed. The key indexes such as profit, risk loss, distribution of excess income and innovation cost are considered comprehensively. The results show that with the increasing of the spillover effect, innovation cooperation, suppliers’ innovation income and excess returns of cooperation innovation, the system will tend to the stability of cooperation. And with the increasing of the contractor's subsidy coefficient, the innovation cost, cooperation innovation risk cost, the system will tend to uncooperative. There exists an optimal distribution coefficient of excess income, which can strengthen the cooperation willingness of both sides. This study provides a guidance for the cooperative innovation of the supply chain participating parties.
The Overview of Technical State of Unfinished Building Made of Large Panel Elements
Authors: Miedziałowski Czeslaw , Baszeń Michał
Published: February 2018

Buildings made in technology of Large Panel System (LPS) are the main segment of the construction market in Poland. Since the late 1950's construction made of precast elements were erected in all regions of the country. The elements produced in in-site precast factories did not meet the system requirements. The overview of the technical state of building made of precast reinforcement concrete flat-plate erected in the 1989 is presented. The erection of the building was stopped before the flat roof was embedded. Since then the building has been standing unused. The building was made in OWT system, one of the LPS developed in Poland. The information about the construction of the joints between various walls was presented. The state of concrete and reinforcement steel treated by atmospheric and biological influences are also mentioned. The differences between dimensions of connection elements in joints in analyzed building and in the system catalogue were presented. The manner of construction of joint in the building is discussed. The paper is finished by some comments about building construction and structure safety.
The Impact of Dust Particles on Cultural Heritage Objects in the Field of Environmental Mechanics
Authors: Kuzmichev A.A. , Azarov V.N. , Stefanenko I.V.
Published: February 2018

Nowadays due to the active step of urbanisation and rapid development of industry, the contamination of atmospheric air is one of the key aspects of environmental mechanics. Polluted air deteriorates the appearance of historical buildings and architectural monuments. With the help of modern methods, aimed at preservation of cultural heritage objects, it is possible to evaluate the impact of dusty air on the appearance of historical buildings in order to save them, because it is a demonstration of architectural and design features of various temporary periods.
Dust Dispersion Modeling of the Urban Environment Air nearby the Potash Production
Authors: Seimova G.V. , Stefanenko I.V. , Kalashnikova M.S.
Published: February 2018

Air pollution is one of the most significant problem and threats to human health worldwide. The most common pollutant is particulate matter (PM). For characteristics of the PM and their health effects, commonly used indicator is the mass concentration of particles with diameters less than 10 microns (PM10) and small dispersed suspended particles with diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), as such small particles are able to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract of the human body. The concentration of particles PM10 and PM2.5 in the air is subjected of rationing. This problem has been explored in many countries with the aim of possible reducing concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 in the air.
Skew Reduction Factors for Moment in NEXT Beam Bridges with Integral Abutments
Authors: Huang Jian Wei , Davis Jonathan
Published: February 2018

Northeast Extreme Tee (NEXT) beams have been recently developed for the accelerated bridge construction. The skew effect on live load distribution in a NEXT beam bridge, especially with integral abutments, is not clear and shall be assessed. In this paper, various skew NEXT beam bridges are evaluated through validated finite element (FE) analyses with solid brick elements. Parameters as studied include beam section, span length, and skew angle. Per AASHTO LRFD specifications, one- and two-lane loaded cases are examined to obtain the maximum tensile strains in beam stems under the design live loading (HL-93). Unskewed bridges are used as control specimens to compute skew reduction factors (SRF) for moment from the obtained FE strains. The FE- and LRFD-SRFs for moment are compared in terms of figures, which indicate the LRFD-SRFs have good agreements with the FE-SRFs at large. For the majority of the bridges, LRFD-SFRs govern the FE-SRFs. The research findings from this paper are useful for practicing engineers to safely design a skew NEXT beam bridge with integral abutments.
Nonlinear Behavior of Circular Concrete Storage Tanks: History Pushover and Dynamic Loadings by Providing an Innovative Technique to Reduce the Seismic Response of Semi-Buried Tanks
Authors: Baghchesaraei Omid Reza , Lavasani H.H. , Baghchesaraei Alireza
Published: February 2018

This study has concentrated on the nonlinear behavior of semi-buried concrete cylindrical storage tanks not subjected to seismic loads such as earthquakes. The support conditions of the tank in this study were investigated in both flexible and rigid conditions. A comparison between the behavior of reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete of the tanks has been done for flexible support conditions. Finite Element Method (FE) has been used in order to determine the nonlinear response of cylindrical tanks under dynamic time history analysis and pushover. In addition, in this study a new approach has been provided for tanks with flexible support in order to reduce the seismic response of structures with the seismic rehabilitation method using a passive vibration control system of the viscous damper. it has been shown that using FVD the tank’s response subjected to the seismic loads is reduced. Another achievement of a passive vibration control system of the viscous damper (FVD) in concrete tanks, is the improvement of the system by reducing the cracking of concrete. It can be concluded that flexible-based tanks equipped with FVD can be used as an economical and practical system used in earthquake-prone areas.
Editorial
Authors: Els Gideon
Published: February 2018

Volume 10 of the Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences (JEF) will go down in history of this journal as important, primarily because this is the
The impact of in-house training on the diversity dimensions of employee productivity in the South Africa workplace
Authors: Van Zyl Gerhardus
Published: February 2018

The aim of this article is to determine the impact of in-house training (defined as any training provided by firms in the workplace) on employee productivity, employee remuneration and net employee productivity gains when diversity attributes of the workplace are taken into consideration. The manufacturing industry of Gauteng Province of South Africa is used as a case study. Fixed-effect panel data estimations were performed in order to determine the diversity-based employee productivity, remuneration and net productivity differentials of in-house training. The results accentuate the important positive productivity, remuneration and net productivity spill-over effects created by in-house training opportunities. The outcomes of the study also confirm the importance of a workplace that is more gender diverse, racial diverse and in which skilled and older experienced employees are retained if the productivity spill-over effects generated by in-house training opportunities are to be enhanced.
Measuring environmental performance of banks: Evidence from Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting banks
Authors: Bimha Alfred , Nhamo Godwell
Published: February 2018

The need to measure the environmental performance of banks stems from the important role they occupy in the financial system as intermediator between savers and borrowers. Moreover, the growth in environmentally friendly business has created a need for banks to reconsider their business models. Potential investors are now looking for companies with green operations credentials. This study embarked on measuring and investigating banks, by country of origin, that are performing well in implementing their own environmental policies. Using the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) questionnaire answers, the study constructed an Environmental Management Performance (EMP) scoring index that was compared to the banks
Editorial
Authors: Els Gideon
Published: February 2018

In the second part of her research, Sophia Brink again looks at the accounting treatment of credit card rewards programmes. In May 2014 the IASB and the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), published IFRS 15
Evaluating Market Power in the Zimbabwean Banking Sector
Authors: Abel Sanderson , Le Roux Pierre
Published: February 2018

The study evaluates the nature of market structure, and the degree and determinants of market power in the Zimbabwean banking sector during the period 2009-2014. The study employs the Lerner Index approach method to assess the market power of banks. The Lerner Index approach assists in measuring the extent to which a bank has market power to set its price above marginal cost. The study results established that the banking sector operates under monopolistic competition, confirming that banks possess some market power in pricing their products. This is a result of the nature of products sold by the banking sector, which are differentiated but close substitutes. The study found that the market power of banks increased during the period and was derailed by the memorandum of association which was signed between banks and the central bank. The study established that market power is determined by capital adequacy, non-performing loans, liquidity risk, cost income ratio, economic growth, and regulatory interventions. The study recommends that the government should ensure that it puts in place measures that enhance economic growth and should desist from interfering with the operations of market forces.
An evaluation of Global Management Accounting Principles in the sustainability of a South African mechanised piggery
Authors: Burger Alick B. , Middelberg Susanna L.
Published: February 2018

Research purpose: The aim of this article was to evaluate the relevance of Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAPs) in the sustainability of a mechanised piggery in a South African context.Motivation for the study: Considering the pressure which commercial agriculture in South Africa is experiencing, as well as the growing nature of pork production in this sector, mechanised piggeries would have to consider ways in which to manage their operations in order to remain sustainable.Research approach, design and method: The research design took the form of an exploratory case study and contextual applied research with an inductivist approach to qualitative research.Main findings: The findings include that, without pre-knowledge of GMAPs, Piggery A employed a large number of the concepts and principles described by GMAPs as best practice.Practical and managerial implications: All commercial farming operations should consider GMAPs as a tool to establish best practice in the support of decision-making that promotes sustainability of farming operations.Contribution or value-add: The article’s contribution is to highlight that GMAPs can also be utilised as an effective decision-making tool in a mechanised piggery albeit it was designed for use in large corporations.