bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Mathematical Model for Nucleate Boiling Regime at High Heat Flux
Authors: Danish Mohd , Al Mesfer Mohammed
Published: October 2019

A mathematical model has been developed for heat exchange in nucleate boiling at high flux applying an energy balance on a macrolayer. The wall superheat, macrolayer thickness, and time are the parameters considered for predicting the heat flux. The influence of the wall superheat and macrolayer thickness on average heat flux has been predicted. The outcomes of the current model have been compared with Bhat’s constant macrolayer model, and it was found that these models are in close agreement corresponding to the nucleate pool boiling regime. It was concluded that the wall superheat and macrolayer thickness contributed significantly to conduction heat transfer. The average conduction heat fluxes predicted by the current model and by Bhat’s model are in close agreement for a thinner macrolayer of approximately 50 µm. For higher values of the wall superheat, which corresponds to the nucleate pool boiling condition, the predicted results strongly agree with the results of Bhat’s model. The findings also validate the claim that conduction across the macrolayer accounts for the main heat transfer mode from the heater surface to boiling liquid at high heat flux in nucleate pool boiling.
Model Prediction and Optimization of Waste Lube Oil Treated with Natural Clay
Authors: Osman Haitham
Published: October 2019

In this work, used lube oil was treated using natural acid-free clay. Clay was added at different amounts (5, 10, and 20 g) to 100 mL of waste engine oil at various temperatures (250, 350, 400, and 450 °C) and mixed at a speed of 800 rpm for 30 min. After settling and separation, the treated oil was diluted with kerosene before being examined using a Ultraviolet–visible (UV) spectrophotometer. In order to achieve cost-effective recycling, this process is modeled using the response surface method (RSM). Five regression models (linear, quadratic, Two Factor Interactions (2FI), cubic, and reduced-order quadratic model) were developed, then tested, and examined by calculating the statistical performance indicators (R2, R2adj, Akaike’s Information Criterion corrected (AICc), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)). The results obtained reveal that the modified quadratic model outperforms the rest of the models in terms of the low value of RMSE, the lowest AICc, lowest BIC, and the highest R2 and R2adj. The developed modified quadratic model is optimized successfully to predict optimum operation conditions. Results show that optimum operation conditions are at the minimum area under the curve for UV absorption at 223.358; this can be achieved with a process temperature of 266.246 °C and clay quantity of 5.331 g. This model agreed with experimental data regardless of the effectiveness of red clay in the therapy of lube oil.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the Management of Human and Environmental Resources: Andalucian Perspectives
Authors: González-Moreno María José , Salvador-Ferrer Carmen María , Checa-Olmos Juan Carlos
Published: October 2019

There are a number of objectives that guide this work. First, we aimed to identify the general characteristics of Andalusian companies in terms their approach to social responsibility, particularly in the area of human resources and environmental impact. Second, we aimed to identify the particularities of social responsibility within the productive sector. For this, a questionnaire was designed, which was administered to 365 executives belonging to different sectors. The results show that the greatest concern of Andalusian companies is the satisfaction of their employees, followed by energy saving measures, and environmental impact. We also found differences according to the productive sector studied. In particular, while in the agricultural and livestock sectors the human elements appear to be of importance, the industrial and commercial sectors pay more attention to environmental elements. However, the data highlight the need to continue working within this area of research, adopting a preventive or proactive approach.
Adjusting Emergent Herbaceous Wetland Elevation with Object-Based Image Analysis, Random Forest and the 2016 NLCD
Authors: Muñoz David , Cissell Jordan , Moftakhari Hamed
Published: October 2019

Emergent herbaceous wetlands are characterized by complex salt marsh ecosystems that play a key role in diverse coastal processes including carbon storage, nutrient cycling, flood attenuation and shoreline protection. Surface elevation characterization and spatiotemporal distribution of these ecosystems are commonly obtained from LiDAR measurements as this low-cost airborne technique has a wide range of applicability and usefulness in coastal environments. LiDAR techniques, despite significant advantages, show poor performance in generation of digital elevation models (DEMs) in tidal salt marshes due to large vertical errors. In this study, we present a methodology to (i) update emergent herbaceous wetlands (i.e., the ones delineated in the 2016 National Land Cover Database) to present-day conditions; and (ii) automate salt marsh elevation correction in estuarine systems. We integrate object-based image analysis and random forest technique with surface reflectance Landsat imagery to map three emergent U.S. wetlands in Weeks Bay, Alabama, Savannah Estuary, Georgia and Fire Island, New York. Conducting a hyperparameter tuning of random forest and following a hierarchical approach with three nomenclature levels for land cover classification, we are able to better map wetlands and improve overall accuracies in Weeks Bay (0.91), Savannah Estuary (0.97) and Fire Island (0.95). We then develop a tool in ArcGIS to automate salt marsh elevation correction. We use this ‘DEM-correction’ tool to modify an existing DEM (model input) with the calculated elevation correction over salt marsh regions. Our method and tool are validated with real-time kinematic elevation data and helps correct overestimated salt marsh elevation up to 0.50 m in the studied estuaries. The proposed tool can be easily adapted to different vegetation species in wetlands, and thus help provide accurate DEMs for flood inundation mapping in estuarine systems.
High-Frequency Electromagnetic Induction (HFEMI) Sensor Results from IED Constituent Parts
Authors: Barrowes Benjamin , Prishvin Mikheil , Jutras Guy , Shubitidze Fridon
Published: October 2019

The detection and classification of subsurface improvised explosive devices (IEDs) remains one of the most pressing military and civilian problems worldwide. These IEDs are often intentionally made with either very small metallic parts or less-conducting parts in order to evade low-frequency electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors, or metal detectors, which operate at frequencies of 50 kHz or less. Recently, high-frequency electromagnetic induction (HFEMI), which extends the established EMI frequency range above 50 kHz to 20 MHz and bridges the gap between EMI and ground-penetrating radar frequencies, has shown promising results related to detecting and identifying IEDs. In this higher frequency range, less-conductive targets display signature inphase and quadrature responses similar to higher conducting targets in the LFEMI range. IED constituent parts, such as carbon rods, small pressure plates, conductivity voids, low metal content mines, and short wires respond to HFEMI but not to traditional low-frequency EMI (LFEMI). Results from recent testing over mock-ups of less-conductive IEDs or their components show distinctive HFEMI responses, suggesting that this new sensing realm could augment the detection and discrimination capability of established EMI technology. In this paper, we present results of using the HFEMI sensor over IED-like targets at the Fort AP Hill test site. We show that results agree with numerical modeling thus providing motives to incorporate sensing at these frequencies into traditional EMI and/or GPR-based sensors.
Improved Multi-GNSS PPP Software for Upgrading the DEMETRA Project Time Monitoring Service
Authors: Huang Wei , Defraigne Pascale , Signorile Giovanna , Sesia Ilaria
Published: October 2019

The H2020 DEMETRA project provides short latency clock monitoring services to the time users using the Atomium precise point positioning (PPP) software developed by the Royal Observatory of Belgium. In this paper, three recent updates of the current Atomium software are introduced: adding Galileo signals in the PPP computation; the option to constrain the receiver clock; PPP with integer ambiguity resolution. The advantages of these updates are demonstrated: Combining the Galileo and global positioning system (GPS) signals for PPP time transfer will further improve the frequency stability inside the computation batch; PPP with receiver clock constraint is not only used to reduce the short-term noise of the clock measurements but can also be used for some specific applications to a keep continuous clock solution in the computation batch or retrieve correct clock measurements from extremely noisy environments; the integer PPP allows a continuous clock solution, and improves the mid-term and long-term stability of the frequency transfer compared to the current PPP frequency transfer techniques.
Near Field Communication-based Agricultural Management Service Systems for Family Farms
Authors: Wan Xue-fen , Zheng Tao , Cui Jian , Zhang Fan , Ma Zi-qian , Yang Yi
Published: October 2019

This paper presents an agricultural management service system that aims to meet the needs of Internet of Things (IoT) information upgrades in China’s family farms. The proposed agricultural management service system consists of Near Field Communication (NFC) tags, in-field service nodes, and smartphones. NFC tags are used as the core identifier of various agricultural management elements. The in-field service node, which is based on a programmable system-on-chip with intellectual property cores (IP core), supports distributed agriculture device management and smartphone operations. Smartphones in the proposed system include the management assistant application (app) and management service app, which are designed for agricultural management support functions and agricultural management application requirements. Through this system, the needs of diverse agricultural management practices can be effectively satisfied by a unified system structure. The practical results show that the design can be used to construct diversified agricultural IoT information application service systems simply and effectively, and it is especially suitable for Chinese family farm operators who are implementing IoT information upgrades for smart agriculture.
Who Wants to Work More? Multilevel Study on Underemployment of Working Mothers in 22 European Countries
Authors: Salin Milla , Nätti Jouko
Published: October 2019

This study examines underemployment of working mothers in 22 European countries. Underemployed mothers are defined as those who wish to work longer hours than they are currently working. Compared to unemployment and employment in general, the research tradition of underemployment is less established. This article contributes to the existing knowledge on underemployment in two ways. First, it focuses on a specific group of workers: mothers. Secondly, while the vast majority of earlier studies has concentrated on single countries, this study is cross-national. Using data from the 2010/2011 European Social Survey (ESS), a multilevel analysis provides three major findings. First, underemployment exists in all countries examined, but the prevalence varies significantly. Second, the prevalence and depth (i.e., how large is the gap between preferred and current working hours) of underemployment are not necessarily correlated; a high prevalence can be accompanied by shallower underemployment and vice versa. Third, at the individual-level, underemployment particularly hurts mothers who are in a more insecure position in terms of their economic and labor market situation. At the country level, underemployment is related to a poorer economic situation and less-extensive childcare system.
The Linguistic Integration of Refugees in Italy
Authors: Bianco Rosella , Ortiz Cobo Mónica
Published: October 2019

The creation of laws regarding the linguistic integration of migrants has contributed to the change in Italian language teaching, which has had to adapt its materials and methodology to migrants. However, the specific case of refugees has not been specifically assessed, with the exception of experimentation with the Council of Europe toolkit for refugees. This paper aimed to study the linguistic integration of adult refugees in Italy by conducting an ethnography through participant observation and semi-structured interviews between Italian language teachers and refugees. The results of this work show both the teachers’ perceptions of the refugees’ linguistic integration and the refugees’ perceptions of linguistic integration practice. The conclusions highlight the need for more hours of Italian language courses as well as lessons based on specific integration needs. Moreover, this study emphasizes that the integration practice itself implies language learning. A final consideration is made concerning the current integration situation of refugees in Italy.
Social Capital and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults Living in Urban China: A Mediation Model
Authors: Lu Nan , Zhang Jingyue
Published: October 2019

Social capital and healthy aging are both crucial for social sustainability in China. The present study tested the role of structural social capital in self-rated health among older urban Chinese adults and the influence of cognitive social capital on this relationship. A sample of 456 older adults aged 60 or older in Suzhou, China, were recruited and completed the survey in 2015. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. Cognitive social capital had larger effects on self-rated health than structural social capital. The relationship between structural social capital and self-rated health was fully mediated by cognitive social capital, when sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, physical health conditions, and living arrangements were controlled. The culturally sensitive latent construct of community-based social capital proved to be a valid instrument in urban Chinese contexts. Structural social capital likely indirectly affects self-rated health through cognitive social capital. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.
Comparing Geoinformation and Geography Students’ Spatial Thinking Skills with a Human-Geography Pedagogical Approach in a Chinese Context
Authors: Liu Ran , Greene Richard , Li Xiaojuan , Wang Tao , Lu Minghua , Xu Yanhua
Published: October 2019

We conducted a standardized spatial thinking ability test (STAT) to examine the spatial thinking abilities of a group of Chinese undergraduates with a focus on their spatial reasoning, which is a very important component of critical spatial thinking. The college subject of human geography in China is often geared toward the preparation of students for government consultancy and policy-making tasks, known as the “tasks leading disciplines” (renwu dai xueke), where the pedagogies are problem-solving based and sustainability centered. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become the universal tool for problem solving in geography and other areas, thus human geography in this situation gives us a context to test and investigate whether and to what extent GIS implementation is able to improve undergraduate spatial thinking levels. Our comparative analysis reported the marginally significant difference of STAT test scores between GIS application (geoinformation group) and its control group (geography group without GIS training). It was also found that the Chinese students performed the spatial reasoning better in this test than American participants as reported in prior study, displaying their higher spatial cognition in terms of problem solving and Boolean logics. Futhermore, a strong negative correlation was reported between STAT test scores and final exam rank. It is possible that the higher geography education in a context of China may not fully embrace the spatial thinking capacity as the strategic goal. The results can help us to better understand the Oriental and Western gaps in higher geography education. Policy suggestions are given in the conclusion.
A Comparative Analysis of the International Regulation of Thermal Properties in Building Envelope
Authors: Bienvenido-Huertas David , Oliveira Miguel , Rubio-Bellido Carlos , Marín David
Published: October 2019

To achieve the goals of reducing building energy consumption, regulations are being designed to guarantee the appropriate energy performance of buildings. Both European and South American countries establish requirements of thermal properties of building envelope according to the climate zone, thus implying notable differences in climate classifications and technical requirements. This research provides a general view of advantages and limitations between the different state regulations of three South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) and three European countries (Spain, Portugal, and France). A total of 792 simulations were conducted with Energy Plus by considering 12 different dwelling typologies in 66 climate zones. Building envelopes were adapted to the regulations of the various countries. Results showed tendencies of performance clearly different between the South American and the European countries, with the latter being those with the lowest energy demands. The cluster analysis of distributions of energy demand revealed that buildings located in similar climates but in different countries present very different energy performances. This research opens up the discussion on the development of more demanding policies related to thermal properties of buildings. Also, the analysis at a continental scale could reduce the differences between countries and guarantee a more sustainable life for the building stock.
Sustainable Knowledge Creation and Corporate Outcomes: Does Corporate Data Governance Matter?
Authors: Abueed Raed A.I. , Aga Mehmet
Published: October 2019

It has been recognized that data curation and governance can equip firms with the capability to generate sustainable knowledge. However, the antecedent and consequences of sustainable knowledge creation have not been systematically explored. The model in this study describes how sustainable knowledge creation enhances corporate information transparency, innovation, and financial and market performance. In addition, we also show how corporate data governance fosters sustainable knowledge creation among corporations listed in the Amman Stock exchange. Using survey data from (n = 180) publicly listed corporations and a judgmental sampling technique, we applied partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM). Results from PLS–SEM show that corporate data governance is a predictor for sustainable knowledge creation, and sustainable knowledge creation is also a predictor for corporate information transparency and innovative, financial, and market performance. The study offers guidelines for corporate managers to effectively manage and use corporate data responsibly to attain sustainable knowledge creation which in turn results in greater corporate performance and desired outcomes. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.
Dynamics of Space and Time of the Production Chain of the Ceramic Industry Production Center of Iranduba, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Florentino Gelson Dias , Martorano Lucieta Guerreiro , Miranda Íres Paula de Andrade , Cabral de Moraes José Reinaldo S. , Beldini Troy Patrick
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to systematize a method that describes the dynamic processes that exist in space and time related to the production chain of the ceramic industry production center in Iranduba, Amazonas, Brazil, through the use of a mandala. A map of possible conditioning factors that can be characterized as links or problems related to the production chain was constructed, and this consisted of seven variables subdivided into three levels that stratify the descriptive steps of the processes of the production chain. A mandala was constructed in order to describe historical aspects of the ceramic industry production center in Iranduba, as well as to integrate biophysical and economic variables such as soil climate, energy sources used in the ceramic kilns, economic and financial variables, and specific characteristics of the ceramic industry production center. This method allowed for delineation of productive chain influences with the goal of improving the processes spatially and temporally. The results demonstrate that the structure of this method based on a mandala allows for an integral and systematic vision of these processes. It is therefore inferred that this is a practical tool which is integrated for making adjustments and new inclusions of techniques and procedures, remodeling the conditioning variables of production chains such as the one of the ceramic industry production center in Iranduba. The mandala is a tool that adjusts itself in time and space in a flexible way due to its capacity for interactive analysis in the construction of technical and scientific knowledge and dynamic and sustainable processes.
The Motivation of Students at Universities as a Prerequisite of the Education’s Sustainability within the Business Value Generation Context
Authors: Kucharcikova Alzbeta , Miciak Martin , Malichova Eva , Durisova Maria , Tokarcikova Emese
Published: October 2019

The aim of this article is to identify substantial factors affecting the motivation of universities’ students to be actively engaged in the education process and define recommendations for the increase of this motivation. As a result, the sustainability of education at universities will be supported, contributing to the increase of the value of human capital of students and, subsequently, to the generation of value for the stakeholder groups in those enterprises where the graduates will be employed. The research hypothesis is focused on the presence of differences in students’ motivation in relation to their gender, study program, and the year of study. To effectively achieve this aim, the analysis, comparison, and the synthesis of the theoretical background was performed, using available sources of secondary data found in the pieces of domestic and foreign professional literature. The pieces of knowledge obtained were supplemented and combined with pieces of information acquired from the questionnaire survey conducted, focusing on the motivation of students of informatics and management at a university in the Slovak Republic. As tools of statistical analysis, tests of independence suitable for nominal categorical data were applied. It was revealed that young people are motivated to study at a university, specifically at the Faculty of Management Science and Informatics, mainly by the prospect of better chances in the labor market, the possibility of getting a higher salary, and higher qualification. The motivation to study at a university in order to improve the opportunity of getting employed in the labor market was more frequently perceived by women. Despite the fact that the level of teaching is considered to be high by almost 50% of the students regardless of their gender, study program, or the year of study, their motivation also stems from their expectations related to their future jobs. The students of informatics expect to have a team of friendly colleagues, delightful and stimulating working conditions, and the opportunity to do meaningful work. Among the students of management, meaningful work was replaced by the opportunity for self-fulfillment. When focusing on other factors, the differences based on the gender, study program, or the year of study were not statistically significant. Based on these findings, specific measures for the faculty’s management were proposed.
The Impacts of Place Attachment on Environmentally Responsible Behavioral Intention and Satisfaction of Chinese Nature-Based Tourists
Authors: Chow Alice , Ma Anson , Wong Gwendolyn , Lam Theresa , Cheung Lewis
Published: October 2019

Increasing visits to protected areas in China have drawn public attention on the negative impacts on ecologically sensitive areas. Understanding potential determinants of the environmentally responsible behavioral intention of nature-based tourists has become a common focus in tourism studies. Scholars seek to explore potential determinants of visitors’ behavior, and the findings can be referenced by the managers of protected areas to formulate visitor management strategies. On the basis of a sample of 402 questionnaires collected in protected areas in South China, namely, Nanling National Forest Park and Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve, we explore the association between visitors’ place attachment and their satisfaction and environmentally responsible behavioral intention. The results show that place dependence and place identity are positively correlated with the satisfaction and environmentally responsible behavioral intention of visitors; thus, our results differ from those of previous studies on Western visitors. The lack of significant results regarding place social bonding revealed the shortcomings associated with visitor management in China’s protected areas. Chinese culture has a great influence on various findings in this study. All of the findings provide significant insights for management and policy-making regarding protected areas worldwide to accommodate the rising number of nature-based visitors to China.
The Dynamic Analysis and Comparison of Emergy Ecological Footprint for the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: A Case Study of Qinghai Province and Tibet
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Wenlong , Song Yu , Xu Jing , Wang Wenying , Liu Chenli
Published: October 2019

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is experiencing rapid urbanization and ecological degradation, which have led to unsustainable development. It is urgent to conduct a scientifically rigorous study to evaluate its sustainability. Emergy ecological footprint (EEF) is a new modification of ecological footprint based on ecological thermodynamics. This study applied a modified EEF model and three indicators to analyze the sustainability using data collected from Tibet and Qinghai Province during 1995 to 2014. The grey model (GM) was applied to simulate and predict the ecological status of Qinghai and Tibet. Results showed that: (1) the emergy ecological footprint and ecological deficit of Qinghai province increased in general from 1995 to 2014, while Tibet was still sustainable during this period despite the fact that its ecological surplus decreased; (2) the three sustainability indicators indicate that Qinghai and Tibet are moving away from sustainability; (3) the ecological deficit of Qinghai will keep increasing and the ecological surplus of Tibet will keep decreasing from 2015 to 2024. Finally, several suggestions were proposed to protect the local environment and restore ecological functions in these regions.
Modeling Public—Private Partnerships in Innovative Economy: A Regional Aspect
Authors: Anopchenko Tatiana , Gorbaneva Olga , Lazareva Elena , Murzin Anton , Ougolnitsky Gennady
Published: October 2019

International experience demonstrates both the effectiveness and difficulties of using the mechanism of a public–private partnership (PPP) in solving socially significant problems of investment development of an innovative economy. The lack of tools to make an informed choice of the best PPP model in terms of the risks diversification is one of the significant problems of the predictive and analytical support of the relationship between business and government structures. The purpose of the study is to create and empirically test a multi-criteria modeling toolkit for the choice of the public–private partnership mechanism in relation to managing territorial sustainable development projects. Such problems as a structural representation of PPP risk factors and development of principles for their diversification, development of the algorithm and criteria for multi-criteria evaluation, testing of a multi-criteria model needed to be solved to achieve the research goal. The innovativeness of the author’s approach consists in substantiating the algorithm of the multi-criteria modeling for the choice of the public–private partnership mechanism in relation to managing sustainable development projects of the territory. Criteria for alternative PPP models evaluating have been developed. Based on the results of testing, the advantages and disadvantages of applying the algorithm of the multi-criteria modeling in sustainable development management are identified, the directions for the model using in regional management are disclosed.
Pedestrians and E-Scooters: An Initial Look at E-Scooter Parking and Perceptions by Riders and Non-Riders
Authors: James Owain , Swiderski J , Hicks John , Teoman Denis , Buehler Ralph
Published: October 2019

Since 2018, pedestrians in many U.S. cities have been sharing sidewalk space with dockless shared e-scooters. The introduction of e-scooters has received pushback from pedestrians. Complaints reported in the media include e-scooters blocking walkways and sidewalks when parked illegally as well as safety concerns from pedestrians who do not feel safe around moving e-scooters. However, little is known beyond a few initial studies on e-scooter parking and anecdotes about pedestrian perceptions of e-scooter safety. Our case study from Rosslyn, Virginia, helps shed light on these two issues. First, we conducted a survey of 181 e-scooter riders and non-riders asking about their perceived safety around riders of e-scooters and experiences of sidewalks blocked by e-scooters. We found highly divergent responses about safety and sidewalk blocking perceptions from riders and non-riders. Second, we conducted an observational study of 606 parked e-scooters along three mixed-use corridors in Rosslyn to investigate the relationship between the built environment and e-scooter parking. We found that 16% of 606 observed e-scooters were not parked properly and 6% (36 e-scooters) were blocking pedestrian right-of-way. Moreover, our survey showed that e-scooter trips in Rosslyn replaced trips otherwise taken by Uber, Lyft, or a taxi (39%), foot (33%), bicycle (12%), bus (7%), or car (7%).
Laboratory and In-Situ Measurements for Thermal and Acoustic Performance of Straw Bales
Authors: Cascone Stefano , Evola Gianpiero , Gagliano Antonio , Sciuto Gaetano , Baroetto Parisi Chiara
Published: October 2019

This paper investigates the performance of timber-framed walls insulated with straw bales, and compares them with similar walls containing expanded polystyrene (EPS) instead of straw bales. First, thermal conductivity, initial water content, and density of the straw bales were experimentally measured in a laboratory set-up, and the dependence of the thermal conductivity of the dry material on temperature was described. Then, the two insulation solutions were compared by looking at their steady and periodic thermal transmittance, decrement factor, phase shift, internal areal heat capacity and surface mass. Finally, the acoustic performance of both wall typologies was analyzed by means of in situ measurements in two-story buildings built in Southern Italy. The weighted apparent sound reduction index for the partition wall between two houses and the weighted standardized level difference for the façades were assessed based on ISO Standard 16283. The results indicate that the dry straw bales have an average thermal conductivity of k = 0.0573 W/(m·K), and their density is around 80 kg/m3. In addition, straw bale walls have good steady thermal performance, but they still lack sufficient thermal inertia, as witnessed by the low phase shift and the high periodic thermal transmittance. Finally, according to the on-site measurements, the results underline that the acoustic performance of the straw bale walls is far better than the walls adopting traditional EPS insulation. Overall, the straw bales investigated are a promising natural and sustainable solution for thermal and sound insulation of buildings.
Investigation of Energy Efficient Retrofit HVAC Systems for a University: Case Study
Authors: Ligade Jayraj , Razban Ali
Published: October 2019

We did energy efficient retrofits for the Indiana University Purdue University—Indianapolis Health Science Building using the eQuest energy software. The current dual-fan dual-duct (DFDD) system is 41 years old and has a higher energy utilization index (EUI) than the national average for similar building types. The baseline model with the DFDD system was compared with the actual electrical consumption. Then, two energy efficiency measures (EEMs) were applied to the model. The first EEM was ‘DFDD system with chilled water and steam heating,’ and the second EEM was ‘single-duct variable air volume (VAV) with chilled water and electric reheat.’ After comparative simulations and analyses, it was determined that the ‘single duct VAV with chilled water and electric reheat’ was the most energy efficient and saved 28% in utility costs. The recommendation given to the facility services was to change the current DFDD system to the single-duct VAV system. The single-duct VAV system will save energy and create additional space above the ceiling after the heating duct is removed.
The Impact of Higher Education on Entrepreneurship and the Innovation Ecosystem: A Case Study in Mexico
Authors: Portuguez Castro May , Ross Scheede Carlos , Gómez Zermeño Marcela Georgina
Published: October 2019

Entrepreneurship is recognized as an engine for the economy. However, Latin America must promote higher opportunities for the creation of new businesses, especially for technology-based ventures. In this sense, the Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CGIE) of the University of Texas at Austin offers a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization (MCCT) that prepares students with methodologies to promote the creation of new businesses in Mexico. This study aims to know the contribution of training to the creation of new companies, and its role in the innovation and the technology transfer processes, from the viewpoint of the participants. This research presents a case study that analyzes the impact of the MCCT through the analysis of the data of a survey answered by 109 former students of this center. Findings show that the methodologies developed by the MCCT allow the creation of technology-based enterprises and entrepreneurial skills in students. This study presents good practices that can be emulated by other countries in the region, as well as recognizing the great value the role of higher education in creating synergies between actors of the innovation ecosystem that strengthen social and economic growth.
Exploring Expedient Protected Area for Ecosystem Services: Decision-Making Method with a New Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Yumeng , Li Jing , Zhou Zixiang
Published: October 2019

From the point of view of ecological environment protection, the concepts of biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water production and culture have been selected to evaluate the ecosystem services of Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone. A multi-criterion decision-making method is applied to select the expedient protected area of the study area, which can provide abundant natural resources and a basis for the maintenance of ecological balance. In this paper, by setting up different risk values and weights to calculate OWA (ordered weighted averaging) operator, the scenario of the expedient protected area with the highest tradeoff value is selected. This study analyzes and evaluates ecosystem services in the study area by combining natural and human factors, and the OWA operator is used to balance the trade-offs between different ecosystem services, as well as select the expedient protected areas, which provides a reference for improving ecosystem services in the study area.
Making Rainwater Harvesting a Key Solution for Water Management: The Universality of the Kilimanjaro Concept
Authors: Qi Qinwen , Marwa Janeth , Mwamila Tulinave Burton , Gwenzi Willis , Noubactep Chicgoua
Published: October 2019

Rainwater is conventionally perceived as an alternative drinking water source, mostly needed to meet water demand under particular circumstances, including under semi-arid conditions and on small islands. More recently, rainwater has been identified as a potential source of clean drinking water in cases where groundwater sources contain high concentrations of toxic geogenic contaminants. Specifically, this approach motivated the introduction of the Kilimanjaro Concept (KC) to supply fluoride-free water to the population of the East African Rift Valley (EARV). Clean harvested rainwater can either be used directly as a source of drinking water or blended with polluted natural water to meet drinking water guidelines. Current efforts towards the implementation of the KC in the EARV are demonstrating that harvesting rainwater is a potential universal solution to cover ever-increasing water demands while limiting adverse environmental impacts such as groundwater depletion and flooding. Indeed, all surface and subsurface water resources are replenished by precipitation (dew, hail, rain, and snow), with rainfall being the main source and major component of the hydrological cycle. Thus, rainwater harvesting systems entailing carefully harvesting, storing, and transporting rainwater are suitable solutions for water supply as long as rain falls on earth. Besides its direct use, rainwater can be infiltrating into the subsurface when and where it falls, thereby increasing aquifer recharge while minimizing soil erosion and limiting floods. The present paper presents an extension of the original KC by incorporating Chinese experience to demonstrate the universal applicability of the KC for water management, including the provision of clean water for decentralized communities.
Using Human Objects for Illumination Estimation and Shadow Generation in Outdoor Environments
Authors: Han Sung-Ju , Shin Jun-Sup , Kim Kyungnyun , Lee Sang-Yoon , Hong Hyunki
Published: October 2019

In computer graphics and augmented reality applications, the illumination information in an outdoor environment enables us to generate a realistic shadow for a virtual object. This paper presents a method by which to estimate the illumination information using a human object in a scene. A Gaussian mixture model, in which the mixtures of Gaussian distributions are symmetrical, is employed to learn the background. The human object is then segmented from the input images and the disparity map obtained by a stereo camera. The ground plane in the scene, which is important for estimating the location of the human object on the ground, is then detected using the v-disparity map. The altitude and the azimuth value of the sun are computed from the geometric relationship of three scene elements: the ground, human object, and human-shadow region. The experimental results showed that the proposed method can estimate the sun information accurately and generate a shadow in the scene for a virtual object.
On Some Initial and Initial Boundary Value Problems for Linear and Nonlinear Boussinesq Models
Authors: Mesloub Said , Gadain Hassan Eltayeb
Published: October 2019

The main concern of this paper is to apply the modified double Laplace decomposition method to a singular generalized modified linear Boussinesq equation and to a singular nonlinear Boussinesq equation. An a priori estimate for the solution is also derived. Some examples are given to validate and illustrate the method.
Modeling of Subcooled Flow Boiling with Nanoparticles under the Influence of a Magnetic Field
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi Mohammad , Ghasemi Milad , Alamian Rezvan , Wongwises Somchai , Afrand Masoud , Shadloo Mostafa
Published: October 2019

Subcooled flow boiling is one of the major issues in the nuclear and power generation industries. If the fluid inlet temperature in the boiling area is less than the boiling temperature, the boiling process is called subcooled boiling. The symmetry of a physical system is a constant property of the system and is fixed by deformation. Using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces and broken symmetry induced by nanosized particles, fluid and thermal systems can be more controlled. In this study, the effect of a magnetic field and nanoparticles on subcooled flow boiling in a vertical tube was investigated. For this purpose, a one-dimensional numerical code was used to simulate the flow and variations of various parameters that have been investigated and evaluated. The results showed that as the flow entered the heated area, the vapor volume fraction, Froude number, fluid cross-sectional area forces, mixture velocity, fluid velocity, bubble departure diameter, liquid and vapor Reynolds numbers, squared ratio of the Froude number to the Weber number, and fluid cross-sectional area forces coefficient increased. In the same region, the Eötvös number, root mean square (RMS) of the fluid cross-sectional area force, sound velocity, liquid superficial velocity, critical tube diameter, bubble departure frequency, and density of the active nucleation site were reduced. It was also observed that after the heated area and under the influence of the magnetic field and the nanoparticles, the values of the vapor volume fraction, Froude number, fluid cross-sectional area force, mixture velocity, fluid velocity, vapor, liquid Reynolds number, and squared ratio of the Froude number to the Weber number were decreased. Moreover, there was no significant effect on the Eötvös number, liquid superficial velocity, Taylor bubble Sauter mean diameter, bubble departure diameter, critical tube diameter, bubble departure frequency, or density of the active nucleation site.
On Generalized Distance Gaussian Estrada Index of Graphs
Authors: Alhevaz Abdollah , Baghipur Maryam , Shang Yilun
Published: October 2019

For a simple undirected connected graph G of order n, let D ( G ) , D L ( G ) , D Q ( G ) and T r ( G ) be, respectively, the distance matrix, the distance Laplacian matrix, the distance signless Laplacian matrix and the diagonal matrix of the vertex transmissions of G. The generalized distance matrix D α ( G ) is signified by D α ( G ) = α T r ( G ) + ( 1 − α ) D ( G ) , where α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] . Here, we propose a new kind of Estrada index based on the Gaussianization of the generalized distance matrix of a graph. Let ∂ 1 , ∂ 2 , … , ∂ n be the generalized distance eigenvalues of a graph G. We define the generalized distance Gaussian Estrada index P α ( G ) , as P α ( G ) = ∑ i = 1 n e − ∂ i 2 . Since characterization of P α ( G ) is very appealing in quantum information theory, it is interesting to study the quantity P α ( G ) and explore some properties like the bounds, the dependence on the graph topology G and the dependence on the parameter α . In this paper, we establish some bounds for the generalized distance Gaussian Estrada index P α ( G ) of a connected graph G, involving the different graph parameters, including the order n, the Wiener index W ( G ) , the transmission degrees and the parameter α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] , and characterize the extremal graphs attaining these bounds.
Psychosocial Impact of Powered Wheelchair, Users’ Satisfaction and Their Relation to Social Participation
Authors: Domingues Inês , Pinheiro João , Silveira João , Francisco Patrícia , Jutai Jeffrey , Correia Martins Anabela
Published: October 2019

Several studies showed positive effects of assistive technologies on psychosocial impact and participation of adults with mobility impairments. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychosocial and participation impact of powered wheelchairs. Participants were thirty persons with disabilities who use powered wheelchairs with diverse medical conditions. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale and the Activities and Participation Profile Related to Mobility were used, in addition to demographic, clinical and wheelchair related questions. The participants were satisfied with both the assistive technology and related services, with the lowest satisfaction scores belonging to those who had been using their wheelchairs for a longer period of time. We noticed significant restrictions in participation mostly among persons with longer wheelchair utilization. The most satisfied were the ones with better performance in terms of social participation. Psychosocial scores showed a positive impact with higher adaptability among persons who transitioned from a manual compared to those who already had a powered wheelchair. There was a positive psychosocial impact and therefore an increase in quality of life of its users.
High Resolution Analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection In Vivo
Authors: Aljabr Waleed , Armstrong Stuart , Rickett Natasha Y. , Pollakis Georgios , Touzelet Olivier , Cloutman-Green Elaine , Matthews David A. , Hiscox Julian A.
Published: October 2019

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of pediatric infection and also causes disease in the elderly and those with underlying respiratory problems. There is no vaccine for HRSV and anti-viral therapeutics are not broadly applicable. To investigate the effect of HRSV biology in children, nasopharyngeal aspirates were taken from children with different viral loads and a combined high throughput RNAseq and label free quantitative proteomics approach was used to characterize the nucleic acid and proteins in these samples. HRSV proteins were identified in the nasopharyngeal aspirates from infected children, and their abundance correlated with viral load (Ct value), confirming HRSV infection. Analysis of the HRSV genome indicated that the children were infected with sub-group A virus and that minor variants in nucleotide frequency occurred in discrete clusters along the HRSV genome, and within a patient clustered distinctly within the glycoprotein gene. Data from the samples were binned into four groups; no-HRSV infection (control), high viral load (Ct < 20), medium viral load (Ct = 20–25), and low viral load (Ct > 25). Cellular proteins associated with the anti-viral response (e.g., ISG15) were identified in the nasopharyngeal aspirates and their abundance was correlated with viral load. These combined approaches have not been used before to study HRSV biology in vivo and can be readily applied to the study the variation of virus host interactions.