bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land Subsidence in Chiayi, Taiwan, from Compaction Well, Leveling and ALOS/PALSAR: Aquaculture-Induced Relative Sea Level Rise
Authors: Hung Wei-Chia , Hwang Cheinway , Chen Yi-An , Zhang Lei , Chen Kuan-Hung , Wei Shiang-Hung , Huang Da-Ren , Lin Shu-Han
Published: December 2017

Chiayi County is located in the largest alluvial plain of Taiwan with extensive aquaculture and rice farming sustained by water extracted from groundwater wells. Chiayi is a typical aquaculture area affected by land subsidence, yet such lands worldwide combine to provide nearly 90% of global aquaculture products, greatly reducing oceanic overfishing problems. This study uses precision leveling, multi-layer compaction monitoring well (MLCW) and spaceborne SAR interferometry (InSAR) to examine the cause and effect of land subsidence in Chiayi associated with groundwater extractions and changes. Heights at benchmarks in a leveling network are measured annually and soil compactions at 24–26 layers up to 300-m depths at 7 MLCWs are collected at one-month intervals. Over 2007–2011, 15 ALOS/PALSAR images are processed by the method of TCPInSAR to produce subsidence rates. All sensors show that land subsidence occur in most parts of Chiayi, with rates reaching 4.5 cm/year around its coast, a result of groundwater pumping from shallow to deep aquifers. MLCWs detect mm-accuracy seasonal soil compactions coinciding with groundwater level fluctuations and causing dynamic compactions. Compactions near Taiwan High Speed Rail may reduce the strength of the rail’s supporting columns to degrade its safety. The SAR images yield subsidence rates consistent with those from leveling and compaction wells after corrections for systematic errors by the leveling result. Subsidence in Chiayi’s coastal area leads to relative sea level rises at rates up to 15 times larger than the global eustatic sea level rising rate, a risk typical for world’s aquaculture-rich regions. At the fish pond-covered Budai Township, InSAR identifies subsidence spots not detected by leveling, providing crucial geo-information for a sustainable land management for aquaculture industry.
Ice Velocity Variations of the Polar Record Glacier (East Antarctica) Using a Rotation-Invariant Feature-Tracking Approach
Authors: Liu Tingting , Niu Muye , Yang Yuande
Published: December 2017

In this study, the ice velocity changes from 2004 to 2015 of the Polar Record Glacier (PRG) in East Antarctica were investigated based on a feature-tracking method using Landsat-7 enhanced thematic mapper plus (ETM+) and Landsat-8 operational land imager (OLI) images. The flow field of the PRG curves make it difficult to generate ice velocities in some areas using the traditional normalized cross-correlation (NCC)-based feature-tracking method. Therefore, a rotation-invariant parameter from scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) is introduced to build a novel rotation-invariant feature-tracking approach. The validation was performed based on multi-source images and the making earth system data records for use in research environments (MEaSUREs) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)-based Antarctica ice velocity map data set. The results indicate that the proposed method is able to measure the ice velocity in more areas and performs as well as the traditional NCC-based feature-tracking method. The sequential ice velocities obtained present the variations in the PRG during this period. Although the maximum ice velocity of the frontal margin of the PRG and the frontal iceberg reached about 900 m/a and 1000 m/a, respectively, the trend from 2004 to 2015 showed no significant change. Under the interaction of the Polar Times Glacier and the Polarforschung Glacier, both the direction and the displacement of the PRG were influenced. This impact also led to higher velocities in the western areas of the PRG than in the eastern areas. In addition, elevation changes and frontal iceberg calving also impacted the ice velocity of the PRG.
Correction: Automatic Classification of Tremor Severity in Parkinson’s Disease Using a Wearable Device. Sensors 2017, 17, 2067
Authors: Jeon Hyoseon , Lee Woongwoo , Park Hyeyoung , Lee Hong , Kim Sang , Kim Han , Jeon Beomseok , Park Kwang
Published: December 2017

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Mixed H2/H∞-Based Fusion Estimation for Energy-Limited Multi-Sensors in Wearable Body Networks
Authors: Li Chao , Zhang Zhenjiang , Chao Han-Chieh
Published: December 2017

In wireless sensor networks, sensor nodes collect plenty of data for each time period. If all of data are transmitted to a Fusion Center (FC), the power of sensor node would run out rapidly. On the other hand, the data also needs a filter to remove the noise. Therefore, an efficient fusion estimation model, which can save the energy of the sensor nodes while maintaining higher accuracy, is needed. This paper proposes a novel mixed H2/H∞-based energy-efficient fusion estimation model (MHEEFE) for energy-limited Wearable Body Networks. In the proposed model, the communication cost is firstly reduced efficiently while keeping the estimation accuracy. Then, the parameters in quantization method are discussed, and we confirm them by an optimization method with some prior knowledge. Besides, some calculation methods of important parameters are researched which make the final estimates more stable. Finally, an iteration-based weight calculation algorithm is presented, which can improve the fault tolerance of the final estimate. In the simulation, the impacts of some pivotal parameters are discussed. Meanwhile, compared with the other related models, the MHEEFE shows a better performance in accuracy, energy-efficiency and fault tolerance.
The Importance of Job and Family Satisfaction for Happiness among Women and Men in Different Gender Regimes
Authors: Nordenmark Mikael
Published: December 2017

The family and the work place are two arenas of central importance for most adult people. Consequently, one can assume that the level of satisfaction with one’s family life and job may be critical to one’s level of happiness in general. However, there are reasons to believe that there are variations according to gender and gender regime. The general aim of this study is to analyse the relative importance of job satisfaction and satisfaction with family life for happiness among women and men in different gender regimes. Analyses are based on comparative data from the International Social Survey Program 2012. Results show that the level of satisfaction with family life appears more important to the general level of happiness than the level of job satisfaction. This is true for both women and men and in different gender regimes. However, the level of satisfaction with family life appears less important to men’s level of happiness in countries representing a conservative gender regime. Another interesting related result is that the level of happiness appears generally lower among women living in a conservative gender regime.
Exploring Women’s Embodied Experiences of ‘The Gaze’ in a Mix-Gendered UK Gym
Authors: Clark Amy
Published: December 2017

Feminist and gaze researchers have conducted ongoing discussions surrounding issues relating to the gaze and its impact on female experience. Women have the ‘to-be-looked-atness’ characteristic, with the gaze being directed at the female body, commonly by a male. To date, the focus of feminist research surrounding men looking at women and the analysis how women make sense of looks between women remains limited and scattered. Drawing upon ethnographic data obtained from a PhD research project, this paper delves into the embodied experiences of female exercisers within a UK ‘working-class’ gym. By exploring the women’s own accounts of their living, breathing and sensing bodies as they exercise, I attempt to understand how they make sense of this physical culture, their embodied selves as well as broader constructions of the gendered body. Utilising a feminist phenomenological approach, I explore the social-structural position of women in a patriarchal system of gender relations, whilst simultaneously acknowledging and analysing the structural, cultural and historical forces and location, upon individual lived body experiences and gendered embodiment. Discussion is provided on how women make sense and interpret specific ‘gazes’ encountered within the gym culture from both men and women.
Critical Factors Influencing Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Buildings
Authors: Zhao Xiaojing , Chang Tengyuan , Hwang Bon-Gang , Deng Xiaopeng
Published: December 2017

Despite significant policy drives, the wide adoption of sustainable building (SB) is hindered by factors such as high upfront cost and long payback period. Business model (BM) innovation is therefore highly demanded to help SB professionals to cope with the challenges and convert the value of SB into profit. Nevertheless, few studies examined BM innovation in the building sector and factors influencing BM innovation for SB are unclear. This paper aims to identify the critical factors that propel companies to innovate BM for SB. First, a literature review and expert interviews were conducted to identify and filter the drivers for BM innovation within the SB context. Second, a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on the significance of the selected influencing factors from 132 SB professionals. Finally, a model based on fuzzy set theory was used to ascertain the critical factors influencing BM innovation for SB. Twenty-four critical influencing factors in six categories from the external environment and internal organization were finalized, namely, market and economic, policy and legislation, technology and industry structure, social-culture, entrepreneurship, and organizational learning. The findings illuminate the motivations when developing BM for sustainability and provide strategies on BM innovation for practitioners and policy makers.
Water Efficient Alternative Crops for Sustainable Agriculture along the Tarim Basin: A Comparison of the Economic Potentials of Apocynum pictum, Chinese Red Date and Cotton in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Rouzi Aihemaitijiang , Halik Ümüt , Thevs Niels , Welp Martin , Aishan Tayierjiang
Published: December 2017

This study explores a paradigm of sustainable land use in the oases along the Tarim River of northwest China, where a fragile, semi-arid riparian ecosystem is being damaged by excessive land and water use for agriculture, especially for the growing of cotton. The reliance of agriculture on water-demanding cash crops in this region poses a grave threat to survival of the natural Tugai vegetation in the area and to the long-term sustainability of the region. We explored the hypothesis that the species Apocynum pictum (A. pictum), known as Lop-Kendir by locals, and the Chinese red date (Zyzyphus jujube) may act as sustainable crop substitutes for the region, thereby replacing the widely distributed cash crop of cotton that has high water demands. Therefore, we investigated current utilization and cost-revenue structure of these two alternative plants and compared the results to cotton. Three natural resource management types of A. pictum were both identified in the wild and cultivation, with cost-revenue analysis carried out for each. The results show that all three types of institutional arrangements of natural resources, which are namely open access, ranching and farming, were present in our study and at various levels for A. pictum. A. pictum farming costs 16,250.25 yuan/ha, generates 49,014.45 yuan/ha of revenue from raw materials and brings a profit of 32,764.2 yuan/ha, which is the highest of all three cash crops compared. The Chinese government encourages Chinese red date plantations with a “Grain for green” campaign in the Tarim Basin with this plant being more profitable than cotton, which could serve to diversify the region’s agriculture. We conclude that A. pictum offers opportunities for the restoration of vegetation in riparian ecosystems on salinized sites under the arid conditions of the Tarim Basin. Furthermore, it can serve as a viable land-use alternative to cotton for cash crop agriculture, as it may generate a certain income in the form of tea and fibers as well as fodder for livestock.
Innovation Ecosystem of CNG Vehicles: A Case Study of Its Cultivation and Characteristics in Sichuan, China
Authors: Ding Ling , Wu Jinxi
Published: December 2017

Under the constraints of resources and environment, China is eager to cultivate a new industrial system with ecological characteristics in light of local circumstances. This paper selects the innovation ecosystem of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Sichuan, China as the objective of the case study to explore its cultivation and characteristics. The theoretical significance lies in three areas. Firstly, the cultivation path of the CNG vehicle innovation ecosystem is manifested. Secondly, the symbiotic process model among the communities within the CNG vehicle innovation ecosystem is found. Thirdly, the substitutive process model of the CNG vehicle innovation ecosystem is discovered, which reveals the substitutability among innovation ecosystems, the communities of similar products, and the enterprises of similar products. This paper is of theoretical, practical, and political significance for the development of a CNG vehicle innovation ecosystem in emerging markets in terms of regional energy security and emission reduction.
The Diffusion Effect of MSW Recycling
Authors: Chen Yi-Tui , Yang Fu-Chiang , Yu Shih-Heng
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this paper is to compare the recycling performance for some waste fractions selected including food waste, bulk waste, paper, metal products, plastics/rubber and glass products and then to develop some directions for the future improvements. The priority of each waste fraction for recycling is also analyzed by using an importance-performance analysis. Traditionally, the recycling rate that is calculated by the ratio of waste recycled to waste collected is used as an indicator to measure recycling performance. Due to a large variation among waste fractions in municipal solid waste (MSW), the recycling rate cannot reflect the actual recycling performance. The ceiling of recycling rate for each waste fraction estimated from the diffusion models is incorporated into a model to calculate recycling performance. The results show that (1) the diffusion effect exists significantly for the recycling of most recyclables but no evidence is found to support the diffusion effect for the recycling of food waste and bulk waste; (2) the recycling performance of waste metal products ranks the top, compared to waste paper, waste glass and other waste fractions; (3) furthermore, an importance-performance analysis (IPA) is employed to analyze the priority of recycling programs and thus this paper suggests that the recycling of food waste should be seen as the most priority item to recycle.
Implications of Switching Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Solar: A Case Study for the European Union
Authors: Sampedro Jon , Arto Iñaki , González-Eguino Mikel
Published: December 2017

Fossil fuel subsidies (FFS) constitute one of the most obvious barriers to tackling climate change, as they encourage inefficient energy consumption and divert investment away from clean energy sources. According to the International Monetary Fund, FFS amounted globally to $233 billion in 2014, over four times the value of subsidies awarded to promote renewable energy. In this study an integrated assessment model is used to analyse the CO2 implications in the European Union of eliminating FFS and recycling the revenues to promote rooftop PV. It is found that eliminating FFS would give rise to a small reduction in CO2 due to fuel-switching from coal to gas. If the revenues were recycled to promote solar, then the CO2 reduction would increase from 1.8% to 2.2% by 2030. Eliminating FFS is not a panacea from the mitigation point of view, even if the revenues are recycled, but other important objectives, such as those related to renewable energy promotion and the reduction of air pollution, are advanced at zero cost for the government.
A Resource Sharing Mechanism for Sustainable Production in the Garment Industry
Authors: Ma Ke , Wang Lichuan , Chen Yan
Published: December 2017

With the development of mass customization, the traditional garment production model needs to be optimized to have a more sustainable structure. To meet demand for flexibility, low-cost, and high-efficiency, an innovative resource sharing mechanism was proposed in this paper to form a new sustainable type of garment production. Different from the individual production in traditional models, the new mechanism involves resources being shared among various manufacturers. The tradeoff between positive and negative effects of the proposed mechanism is a key issue for sustainable production. In the present study, an overall sustainable index, integrating four production performance indicators, was defined on the basis of an Analytical Network Process to assess various production scenarios. According to the discrete-event simulation results of the different scenarios, we found that garment manufacturers could obtain comprehensive improvements in sustainable production by implementing the proposed resource sharing mechanism under the threshold of an increasing production failure rate.
Species and Sex Differences in the Morphogenic Response of Primary Rodent Neurons to 3,3′-Dichlorobiphenyl (PCB 11)
Authors: Sethi Sunjay , Keil Kimberly , Lein Pamela
Published: December 2017

PCB 11 is an emerging global pollutant that we recently showed promotes axonal and dendritic growth in primary rat neuronal cell cultures. Here, we address the influence of sex and species on neuronal responses to PCB 11. Neuronal morphology was quantified in sex-specific primary hippocampal and cortical neuron-glia co-cultures derived from neonatal C57BL/6J mice and Sprague Dawley rats exposed for 48 h to vehicle (0.1% DMSO) or PCB 11 at concentrations ranging from 1 fM to 1 nM. Total axonal length was quantified in tau-1 immunoreactive neurons at day in vitro (DIV) 2; dendritic arborization was assessed by Sholl analysis at DIV 9 in neurons transfected with MAP2B-FusRed. In mouse cultures, PCB 11 enhanced dendritic arborization in female, but not male, hippocampal neurons and male, but not female, cortical neurons. In rat cultures, PCB 11 promoted dendritic arborization in male and female hippocampal and cortical neurons. PCB 11 also increased axonal growth in mouse and rat neurons of both sexes and neuronal cell types. These data demonstrate that PCB 11 exerts sex-specific effects on neuronal morphogenesis that vary depending on species, neurite type, and neuronal cell type. These findings have significant implications for risk assessment of this emerging developmental neurotoxicant.
Bee Venom Suppresses the Differentiation of Preadipocytes and High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Inhibiting Adipogenesis
Authors: Cheon Se-Yun , Chung Kyung-Sook , Roh Seong-Soo , Cha Yun-Yeop , An Hyo-Jin
Published: December 2017

Bee venom (BV) has been widely used in the treatment of certain immune-related diseases. It has been used for pain relief and in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Despite its extensive use, there is little documented evidence to demonstrate its medicinal utility against obesity. In this study, we demonstrated the inhibitory effects of BV on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and on a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse model through the inhibition of adipogenesis. BV inhibited lipid accumulation, visualized by Oil Red O staining, without cytotoxicity in the 3T3-L1 cells. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a HFD or a control diet for 8 weeks, and BV (0.1 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) or saline was injected during the last 4 weeks. BV-treated mice showed a reduced body weight gain. BV was shown to inhibit adipogenesis by downregulating the expression of the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. BV induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the cell line and in obese mice. These findings demonstrate that BV mediates anti-obesity/differentiation effects by suppressing obesity-related transcription factors.
Identification of Immunoreactive Peptides of Toxins to Simultaneously Assess the Neutralization Potency of Antivenoms against Neurotoxicity and Cytotoxicity of Naja atra Venom
Authors: Liu Bing-Sin , Wu Wen-Guey , Lin Min-Han , Li Chi-Han , Jiang Bo-Rong , Wu Suh-Chin , Leng Chih-Hsiang , Sung Wang-Chou
Published: December 2017

Assessing the neutralization capability of nonlethal but medically relevant toxins in venom has been a challenging task. Nowadays, neutralization efficacy is evaluated based simply on the survival rates of animals injected with antivenom together with a predefined dose of venom, which can determine potency against neurotoxicity but not validate the capability to neutralize cytotoxin-induced complications. In this study, a high correlation with in-vivo and in-vitro neutralization assays was established using the immunoreactive peptides identified from short-chain neurotoxin and cytotoxin A3. These peptides contain conserved residues associated with toxin activities and a competition assay indicated that these peptides could specifically block the antibody binding to toxin and affect the neutralization potency of antivenom. Moreover, the titers of peptide-specific antibody in antivenoms or mouse antisera were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) simultaneously, and the results indicated that Taiwanese bivalent antivenom (BAV) and Vietnamese snake antivenom-Naja (SAV-Naja) exhibited superior neutralization potency against the lethal effect of short-chain neurotoxin (sNTX) and cytotoxicity of cardiotoxin/cytotoxin (CTX), respectively. Thus, the reported peptide ELISA shows not only its potential for antivenom prequalification use, but also its capability of justifying the cross-neutralization potency of antivenoms against Naja atra venom toxicity.
Broadening the H5N3 Vaccine Immunogenicity against H5N1 Virus by Modification of Neutralizing Epitopes
Authors: Rajesh Kumar Subaschandrabose , Chelvaretnam Sharenya , Tan Yunrui , Prabakaran Mookkan
Published: December 2017

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus remains to be one of the world’s largest pandemic threats due to the emergence of new variants. The rapid evolution of new sub-lineages is currently the greatest challenge in vaccine development. In this study, we developed an epitope modified non-pathogenic H5N3 (A/duck/Singapore/97) vaccine for broad protection against influenza H5 subtype. H5N3 hemagglutinin (HA) mutant reassortant viruses with A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) backbone were generated by mutating amino acids at the 140th loop and 190th α-helix of hemagglutinin. The cross-neutralizing efficacy of reverse genetics-derived H5N3HA (RG-H5N3HA) mutants was confirmed by testing reactivity with reference chicken anti-H5N1 clade 2 virus sera. Furthermore, RG-H5N3HA mutant immunized mice induced cross-neutralizing antibodies and cross-protection against distinct H5N1 viral infection. Our findings suggest that the use of non-pathogenic H5 viruses antigenically related to HPAI-H5N1 allows for the development of broadly protective vaccines and reduces the need for biosafety level 3 (BSL3) containment facilities.
The French Armed Forces Virology Unit: A Chronological Record of Ongoing Research on Orthopoxvirus
Authors: Delaune Déborah , Iseni Frédéric , Ferrier-Rembert Audrey , Peyrefitte Christophe , Ferraris Olivier
Published: December 2017

Since the official declaration of smallpox eradication in 1980, the general population vaccination has ceased worldwide. Therefore, people under 40 year old are generally not vaccinated against smallpox and have no cross protection against orthopoxvirus infections. This naïve population may be exposed to natural or intentional orthopoxvirus emergences. The virology unit of the Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (France) has developed research programs on orthopoxviruses since 2000. Its missions were conceived to improve the diagnosis capabilities, to foster vaccine development, and to develop antivirals targeting specific viral proteins. The role of the virology unit was asserted in 2012 when the responsibility of the National Reference Center for the Orthopoxviruses was given to the unit. This article presents the evolution of the unit activity since 2000, and the past and current research focusing on orthopoxviruses.
Comparative Analysis of 37 Acinetobacter Bacteriophages
Authors: Turner Dann , Ackermann Hans-Wolfgang , Kropinski Andrew M. , Lavigne Rob , Sutton J. Mark , Reynolds Darren M.
Published: December 2017

Members of the genus Acinetobacter are ubiquitous in the environment and the multiple-drug resistant species A. baumannii is of significant clinical concern. This clinical relevance is currently driving research on bacterial viruses infecting A. baumannii, in an effort to implement phage therapy and phage-derived antimicrobials. Initially, a total of 42 Acinetobacter phage genome sequences were available in the international nucleotide sequence databases, corresponding to a total of 2.87 Mbp of sequence information and representing all three families of the order Caudovirales and a single member of the Leviviridae. A comparative bioinformatics analysis of 37 Acinetobacter phages revealed that they form six discrete clusters and two singletons based on genomic organisation and nucleotide sequence identity. The assignment of these phages to clusters was further supported by proteomic relationships established using OrthoMCL. The 4067 proteins encoded by the 37 phage genomes formed 737 groups and 974 orphans. Notably, over half of the proteins encoded by the Acinetobacter phages are of unknown function. The comparative analysis and clustering presented enables an updated taxonomic framing of these clades.
Immune Modulation of NYVAC-Based HIV Vaccines by Combined Deletion of Viral Genes that Act on Several Signalling Pathways
Authors: Gómez Carmen , Perdiguero Beatriz , Sánchez-Corzo Cristina , Sorzano Carlos , Esteban Mariano
Published: December 2017

An HIV-1 vaccine continues to be a major target to halt the AIDS pandemic. The limited efficacy of the RV144 phase III clinical trial with the canarypox virus-based vector ALVAC and a gp120 protein component led to the conclusion that improved immune responses to HIV antigens are needed for a more effective vaccine. In non-human primates, the New York vaccinia virus (NYVAC) poxvirus vector has a broader immunogenicity profile than ALVAC and has been tested in clinical trials. We therefore analysed the HIV immune advantage of NYVAC after removing viral genes that act on several signalling pathways (Toll-like receptors—TLR—interferon, cytokines/chemokines), as well as genes of unknown immune function. We generated a series of NYVAC deletion mutants and studied immune behaviour (T and B cell) to HIV antigens and to the NYVAC vector in mice. Our results showed that combined deletion of selected vaccinia virus (VACV) genes is a valuable strategy for improving the immunogenicity of NYVAC-based vaccine candidates. These immune responses were differentially modulated, positive or negative, depending on the combination of gene deletions. The deletions also led to enhanced antigen- or vector-specific cellular and humoral responses. These findings will facilitate the development of optimal NYVAC-based vaccines for HIV and other diseases.
RNA Interference Therapies for an HIV-1 Functional Cure
Authors: Scarborough Robert , Gatignol Anne
Published: December 2017

HIV-1 drug therapies can prevent disease progression but cannot eliminate HIV-1 viruses from an infected individual. While there is hope that elimination of HIV-1 can be achieved, several approaches to reach a functional cure (control of HIV-1 replication in the absence of drug therapy) are also under investigation. One of these approaches is the transplant of HIV-1 resistant cells expressing anti-HIV-1 RNAs, proteins or peptides. Small RNAs that use RNA interference pathways to target HIV-1 replication have emerged as competitive candidates for cell transplant therapy and have been included in all gene combinations that have so far entered clinical trials. Here, we review RNA interference pathways in mammalian cells and the design of therapeutic small RNAs that use these pathways to target pathogenic RNA sequences. Studies that have been performed to identify anti-HIV-1 RNA interference therapeutics are also reviewed and perspectives on their use in combination gene therapy to functionally cure HIV-1 infection are provided.
Models, Simulations and Games for Water Management: A Comparative Q-Method Study in The Netherlands and China
Authors: Zhou Qiqi , Mayer Igor
Published: December 2017

Abstract: How do policy analysts perceive the various roles that Models, Simulations and Games (MSG) have, or can have in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)? Fifty-five policy analysts in water management in The Netherlands and China were interviewed, following the procedure of the Q-method. Comparative analysis of the combined quantitative and qualitative data show that: (1) The debate on the role of MSG for IWRM is structured around five frames in The Netherlands and three frames in China. (2) The frames in The Netherlands and China are significantly different. (3) In China, there is a predominant frame that perceives MSG for IWRM as data driven simulation technology for rationalization of water management, which is less significant in The Netherlands. (4) The reverse is true with regard to MSG for stakeholder interaction, learning and integrated assessment, which are significant frames in The Netherlands, but not in China. The conclusion is that frame differences can easily confuse professional and academic debate about MSG for water management; within the same institutional and cultural context, but even more so in Netherlands–China co-operation projects. Frames are also relevant when designing, using or evaluating innovative methods for integrated water resources management.
The Impact of Green Water Management Strategies on Household-Level Agricultural Water Productivity in a Semi-Arid Region: A Survey-based Assessment
Authors: Clarke-Sather Afton , Tang Xia , Xiong Yonglan , Qu Jiansheng
Published: December 2017

This study evaluates the effect of policies that encourage farmers to shift to crops with higher water productivity (CWP) on the farm-level CWP of agricultural systems in a semi-arid region of western China. We combine survey results of farmers’ historical cropping decisions from a 2010 survey with estimates of CWP from agronomic experiments analogous to actual cultivation practices in the region to model CWP at the farm level and understand changes driven by shifting crops. Policies designed to replace subsistence agricultural systems with two cash crops; potatoes and maize; resulted in an increase in the CWP of semi-arid agricultural systems of approximately 30% between the years 1990–2010. This change was driven by shifting to crops that have a peak water demand that occurs in the portions of the growing season with the highest rainfall. The results of this article illustrate the potential of shifts in cropping patterns to increase the CWP of agricultural systems in semi-arid regions.
Detection of Anomalies and Changes of Rainfall in the Yellow River Basin, China, through Two Graphical Methods
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Xinyan , Qian Hui
Published: December 2017

This study aims to reveal rainfall anomalies and changes over the Yellow River Basin due to the fragile ecosystem and rainfall-related disasters. Common trend analyses relate to overall trends in mean values. Therefore, we used two graphical methods: the quantile perturbation method (QPM) was used to investigate anomalies over time in extreme rainfall, and the partial trend method (PTM) was used to analyze rainfall changes at different intensities. A nonparametric bootstrap procedure is proposed in order to identify significant PTM indices. The QPM indicated prevailing positive anomalies in extreme daily rainfall 50 years ago and in the middle reaches during the 1970s and 1980s. The PTM detected significant decreases in annual rainfall mainly in the latter half of the middle reaches, two-thirds of which occurred in high and heavy rainfall. Most stations in the middle and lower reaches showed significant decreases in rainy days. Daily rainfall intensity had a significant increase at 13 stations, where rainy days were generally decreasing. The combined effect of these opposing changes explains the prevailing absence of change in annual rainfall, and the observed decreases in annual rainfall can be attributed to the decreasing number of rainy days. The changes in rainy days and rainfall intensity were dominated by the wet season and dry season, respectively.
THE IMPACTS OF MULTIPLE LIGHTSHELVES ON NATURAL LIGHTING DISTRIBUTION AND EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE AT OFFICE ROOMS
Authors: INDARTO Eddy , HARDIMAN Gagoek , BUDI Wahyu Setia , RIYANTO Djalal Er
Published: December 2017

Daylighting with light-shelf is not a simple strategy. Therefore, this research aims to investigate how far the application of light-shelf can block direct sunlight and how much the distribution of daylight at office rooms is produced. This research is a simulation using EnergyPlus from OpenStudio. Data as measurement results collected from on-site research were used as the validation base of the simulations both with multiple light shelves and without multiple light shelves. The building orientation is toward north east (azimuth 51°), and the result showed that using multiple light shelves on the building was able to distribute evenly the intensity of natural lighting into the rooms. On the edge of the windows, there has been change of the light intensity which was previously too bright (from 925 Lux at 5 p.m. for the lowest and 7200 Lux at 9 a.m. for the highest; to 460 Lux at 5 p.m. for the lowest and 1400 Lux at 12.00 p.m. for the highest). Besides, the use of multiple light shelves was also able to lower the room temperature particularly at rush hours starting from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. where the biggest difference of the temperature occurred at 3.00 p.m. (between 29.1 °C and 28.4 °C in which the temperature decreased 0.7 °C). These aforementioned facts have given contribution to the efficiency of energy used in AC while the main benefit of this research is developing knowledge about daylighting in architectural design particularly in passive design method.
ALGAE AND BUILDING FAÇADE REVISITED. A STUDY OF FAÇADE SYSTEM FOR INFILL DESIGN
Authors: MARTOKUSUMO Widjaja , KOERNIAWAN M. Donny , POERBO Heru W. , ARDIANI Nissa A. , KRISANTI Susan H.
Published: December 2017

Buildings account for around 30 percent of the world’s total energy consumption and a similar percentage of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions the main cause of climate change. The building sector is a major energy consumer, and empirical research reveals that carbon-dioxide emissions from the building sector exceed those of the industry and transport sectors. Contextual juxtaposition has commonly been applied in designing a new building in the historic district. In the realm of design, such philosophy-based design approach requires objective measurements. When new glass building considered, the question on greenhouse gas emissions becomes significant. To minimize energy consumption and reduce sun glare, brise-soleil and horizontal fixed shading devices have been used as elements of building’s facade. Nowadays, algae as part of building facade system have been used in creating a healthier indoor environment. This paper is written based on an on-going architectural design-based research on the use and role of algae as part of the building facade system. The new building of ITB Innovation Park is used as an infill project. With the help of modelling and extensive literature survey, this research will investigate how far the building (facade) design is affected by considerations on energy consumption pattern and environmental condition.
ANALYSIS OF RESILIENT DESIGN BY THERMOACOUSTIC ADAPTATION OF TROPICAL URBAN MODEL
Authors: SAMODRA FX Teddy Badai
Published: December 2017

Climate and urban environment changes lead to tropical building adaptation and resilient strategy. They focus especially on thermal comfort and noise propagation variation as the result of global warming and urban growth. This study analyzes a conceptual design of tropical urban model on integrated design of thermal and acoustic (thermoacoustic) issues. By experimental measurement and simulation method using Computational Fluid Dynamics, the findings are directed to meet the standards and to recommend the new guidelines for sustainable urban building. The research location is in Surabaya as the urban tropical lowland area and Eco-House of ITS, a tropical building model in an urban environment, was built as experiment model. The results highlighted that the noise barrier should consider 5.24% of the maximum window to wall ratio (WWR) in tree dimensionally analysis, horizontally and vertically. Providing vertical ventilation is the best solution for urban density, but the orientation and its flanking noise affect the passive cooling. In general, there are some factors having a high contribution in addition to WWR, such as wind acceleration, the distance, and building material.
M0.20–0.033: An Expanding Molecular Shell in the Galactic Center Radio Arc
Authors: Butterfield Natalie , Lang Cornelia C. , Morris Mark , Mills Elisabeth A. C. , Ott Juergen
Published: December 2017

We present high-frequency Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) continuum and spectral line (NH3, H64α, and H63α) observations of the Galactic Center Radio Arc region, covering the Sickle H ii region, the Quintuplet cluster, and molecular clouds M0.20−0.033 and M0.10−0.08. These observations show that the two velocity components of M0.20−0.033 (∼25 and 80 km s−1), previously thought to be separate clouds along the same line-of-sight, are physically connected in position–velocity space via a third southern component around 50 km s−1. Further position–velocity analysis of the surrounding region, using lower-resolution survey observations taken with the Mopra and ATCA telescopes, indicates that both molecular components in M0.20−0.033 are physically connected to the M0.10−0.08 molecular cloud, which is suggested to be located on stream 1 in the Kruijssen et al. orbital model. The morphology and kinematics of the molecular gas in M0.20−0.033 indicate that the two velocity components in M0.20−0.033 constitute an expanding shell. Our observations suggest that the M0.20−0.033 expanding shell has an expansion velocity of 40 km s−1, with a systemic velocity of 53 km s−1, comparable to velocities detected in M0.10−0.08. The origin of the expanding shell is located near the Quintuplet cluster, suggesting that the energy and momentum output from this massive stellar cluster may have contributed to the expansion.
Seniors en emploi : de la distinction entre rapport à la formation professionnelle continue et rapport à l'apprendre
Authors: Lemaire Françoise
Published: December 2017

L’allongement de la durée de vie au travail apparaît inéluctable considérant le système des retraites mis en péril par le vieillissement de la population française. Dans ce contexte, la formation est identifiée comme un moyen pour maintenir l’employabilité des travailleurs vieillissants. Or, ceux-ci adoptent une attitude d’auto-exclusion vis-à-vis de la formation professionnelle. L’envie d’apprendre s’éroderait-elle avec l’âge ? Une étude menée auprès de 215 collaborateurs de trois organisations différentes visant à mesurer leur envie d’apprendre (apprenance) remet en question cette croyance et invite à réviser la gestion des ressources humaines basée sur l’âge.
Une enfance sans avenir : de l'expérience d'un rapport pédagogique en maison de retraite
Authors: Loffeier Iris
Published: December 2017

Si l’Ehpad en France n’a pas pour vocation la formation de ses résidents, des actes pédagogiques s’y actualisent pourtant, et dans certaines circonstances. Cependant, les résidents n’apparaissent pas comme les destinataires possibles de connaissances nouvelles. En effet, leur temps de vie restant étant estimé court, l’« amélioration des individus » que supposerait leur instruction/formation semble difficile à envisager ; ils peuvent apparaître alors comme des « enfants sans avenir ».
Former les aidants : comment ? pourquoi ? pour quoi faire ?
Authors: Leduc Florence , Jung Elodie , Lozac’h Charlotte
Published: December 2017

8,3 millions de personnes accompagnent au quotidien un proche en difficulté de vie. Les acteurs privés et publics se sont organisés afin d’accompagner ces proches aidants dans les difficultés qu’ils peuvent rencontrer, notamment pour leur permettre la conciliation de la vie d’aidant et de la vie ordinaire. La formation figure parmi les réponses à apporter aux aidants. Intéressante par ses méthodes et objectifs, elle s’inscrit toutefois dans une démarche professionnelle. Cet article a pour objectif de réfléchir sur ces sujets et sur les acteurs émergents en la matière, notamment les entreprises.
Vieillir : un carrefour des temps biologiques
Authors: van den Bosch de Aguilar Philippe
Published: December 2017

L’homme est dépositaire du capital génétique du vivant et représente une espèce dans la lignée évolutive. Mais l’espèce humaine innove. Au lieu de s’adapter au milieu, elle l’a adapté à ses exigences et c’est la seule espèce qui est capable d’influencer son évolution. Durant la première période de sa vie, développement et maturité sexuelle, l’homme s’inscrit dans le processus évolutif en transmettant son capital génétique et en élevant sa progéniture ; la seconde période n’a pas de finalité apparente. Cette période comprend le vieillissement – un processus propre à l’humain – et dans cette perspective pourrait se comprendre comme le fruit d’une adaptation au nouvel environnement que l’homme s’est créé. Au cours du vieillissement, le potentiel cérébral sculpté durant la période de développement et de maturité, optimalise la structuration de l’espèce humaine dans le temps socio-culturel. Cette structuration est d’abord individuelle, car chaque individu est caractérisé par la spécificité de l’information qu’il porte, mais elle est aussi collective, car à chaque génération, la connaissance doit être partagée. Cette structuration est favorisée par la coexistence, au sein d’une même population, d’individus d’âges très diversifiés, porteurs d’informations à des états différents de maturation.
L’isolement des personnes âgées. De l’émergence à la construction d’un problème public
Authors: Argoud Dominique
Published: December 2017

L’isolement et la solitude des personnes âgées ont longtemps constitué un problème invisible. C’est la canicule de l’été 2003 qui l’a rendu visible et a contraint les pouvoirs publics à en faire une priorité de l’agenda public. Mais la réponse apportée par le législateur s’est essentiellement limitée au réaménagement de la protection sociale et à la gestion de la dépendance. Ce n’est que récemment qu’une réponse d’un genre nouveau est en train d’émerger, laissant plus de place à une politique préventive intégrant la question du lien social. L’article montre ainsi que, selon le contexte et les acteurs impliqués, un problème social fait l’objet d’un traitement public pouvant évoluer dans le temps.
Trou de mémoire, ou quand l’isolement produit la maladie d’Alzheimer
Authors: Quentin Bertrand
Published: December 2017

La maladie d’Alzheimer peut être envisagée à travers le paradigme strictement médical. Elle peut – à l’opposé – être conceptualisée de façon critique comme une pure construction sociale. L’article propose ici d’explorer quelque chose qui ne se voit ni dans le premier paradigme ni dans le second – ce qui crée un effet de cécité : l’isolement contribuerait à la production réelle de maladies neurodégénératives.
La mort, une règle implicite affolante en gérontologie
Authors: Darnaud Thierry
Published: December 2017

Les professionnels qui accompagnent des personnes âgées dépendantes se retrouvent dans une situation paradoxale. Ils donnent des soins dont le but est d’améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes désignées. Mais leur travail d’accompagnement conduit aussi inévitablement la personne âgée à la mort. Cette finalité étant contradictoire avec l’essence du soin qui est prodigué, personnes âgées, familles et professionnels s’organisent pour ne pas en parler. Sans en avoir conscience, tous s’organisent pour tenter de sortir du paradoxe dans lequel l’obligation de réponse à la dépendance les enferme. Dans cet article, nous démontrons comment, de façon implicite, cette question de la mort devient une règle qui va entraîner la « dépsychisation » des personnes âgées en s’appuyant sur les doctes discours des spécialistes de la psychopathologie et des pathologies neuro-dégénératives pour que les soignants puissent continuer à prendre soin de leurs corps.
Chute du sujet âgé : en parler à son médecin ou pas ?
Authors: Lamouille Maud , Somme Dominique , Corvol Aline
Published: December 2017

Les chutes entraînent une forte morbi-mortalité. La littérature recommande le dépistage et l’identification des facteurs de risque pour appliquer des mesures de prévention. Pourtant, la majorité des chutes n’est pas signalée. Quels sont les déterminants de la déclaration des chutes, par les patients de plus de 65 ans, à leur médecin ? Quelles sont leurs représentations des chutes ? Pendant 9 mois, exerçant comme médecin généraliste remplaçant, nous avons demandé à tous les patients âgés s’ils avaient chuté au cours des 12 derniers mois ; et si oui, s’ils en avaient parlé au confrère remplacé. Nous avons obtenu deux groupes : « chuteurs déclarés » et « non déclarés ». Nous avons réalisé 12 entretiens. Plusieurs critères semblent influer la déclaration des chutes : type de chute (non accidentelle), symptôme suite à la chute (malaise, traumatisme, douleur), localisation du traumatisme (crâne), incitation d’un proche à consulter. La présence d’une culpabilité, à l’inverse, favorise la non-déclaration. Le questionnement direct par le médecin semble inciter à la déclaration. Les attentes du patient lors d’une consultation pour chute sont : un examen clinique complet, l’analyse de l’ordonnance, la prescription de kinésithérapie, des conseils, une réassurance. Parfois la consultation génère de la peur, ce qui ne favorise pas la déclaration d’une nouvelle chute. La chute représente une sorte de « déchéance » pour l’individu, en parler relève de la confidence. Développer une politique de prévention des chutes passe par leur déclaration, favorisée par une communication appropriée prenant en compte les représentations mises en évidence dans les entretiens.
Blue Zones : aires de longévité exceptionnelle de par le monde
Authors: Poulain Michel , Herm Anne , Pes Gianni
Published: December 2017

De nombreuses études se sont intéressées aux centenaires, considérant ceux-ci comme des exemples d’un vieillissement en bonne santé. L’identification de populations longévives a également attiré l’intérêt des scientifiques et plus encore celui des médias. Dans le cadre des activités de l’International Database on Longevity, une aire de longévité exceptionnelle a été identifiée en Sardaigne. Nous avons introduit le concept de Blue Zones comme étant des zones relativement limitées dans l’espace, où la population partage un même mode de vie et environnement et montre une longévité exceptionnelle scientifiquement validée. À ce jour, quatre Blue Zones ont été identifiées : une région montagneuse de Sardaigne, l’île d’Okinawa, la péninsule de Nicoya au Costa Rica et l’île d’Ikaria en Grèce. Comparer les populations de ces Blue Zones permet de mieux mettre en évidence les déterminants de la longévité exceptionnelle qu’elles ont en commun car la plupart de ces personnes sont nées, et ont vécu, dans le même environnement. Cette contribution présente également un projet mis en œuvre aux États-Unis visant à transférer les leçons des Blue Zones à l’échelle de communautés locales afin d’améliorer l’état de santé et le bien-être de ces populations.