bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Application Oriented Scan-to-BIM Framework
Authors: Wang Qian , Guo Jingjing , Kim Min-Koo
Published: February 2019

Building information modelling (BIM) has been adopted in the construction industry. The success of BIM implementation relies on the accurate building information stored in BIM models. However, building information in BIM models can be inaccurate, out-of-date, or missing in real-world projects. 3D laser scanning has been leveraged to capture the accurate as-is conditions of buildings and create as-is BIM models of buildings; this is known as the scan-to-BIM process. Although industry practitioners and researchers have implemented and studied the scan-to-BIM process, there is no framework that systematically defines and discusses the key steps and considerations in the process. This study proposes an application-oriented framework for scan-to-BIM, which describes the four major steps of a scan-to-BIM process and their relationships. The framework is oriented towards the specific BIM application to be implemented using the created as-is BIM, and includes four steps: (1) identification of information requirements, (2) determination of required scan data quality, (3) scan data acquisition, and (4) as-is BIM reconstruction. Two illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scan-to-BIM framework. Furthermore, future research directions within the scan-to-BIM framework are suggested.
Soil Moisture Retrieval Model for Remote Sensing Using Reflected Hyperspectral Information
Authors: Yuan Jing , Wang Xin , Yan Chang-xiang , Wang Shu-rong , Ju Xue-ping , Li Yi
Published: February 2019

The variation and the spatial–temporal distribution of soil water content have significant effects on heat balance, agricultural moisture, etc. A soil moisture (SM) retrieval model can provide a theoretical basis for realizing a rapid test and revealing the spatial–temporal variation of the surface water. However, remote sensors do not measure soil water content directly. Therefore, it is of great importance to establish a SM retrieval model. In this paper, the relationship between SM and diffuse reflectance was first derived using the absorption coefficient and scattering coefficient related to SM. Then, based on Kubelka–Munk (KM) theory, the SM retrieval model using reflectance information was further derived, which is a semi-empirical model with an unknown parameter obtained either from fitting or from experimental measurements. The validity and reliability of the model were confirmed with the validation set. The results showed that the root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEPs) of four soils were generally less than 0.017, while the coefficients of determination (R2s) of four soils were generally more than 0.85, and the ratios of the performance to deviation (RPDs) of four soils were greater than 2.5 (470–2400 nm). Therefore, the model has high prediction accuracy, and can be well applied to the prediction of water content in different sorts of soils.
NOMA-Assisted Multiple Access Scheme for IoT Deployment: Relay Selection Model and Secrecy Performance Improvement
Authors: Do Dinh-Thuan , Van Nguyen Minh-Sang , Hoang Thi-Anh , Voznak Miroslav
Published: February 2019

In this paper, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) system containing a relay selection is studied as employing an emerging multiple access scheme, namely non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). This paper proposes a new scheme to consider secure performance, to be called relay selection NOMA (RS-NOMA). In particular, we consider metrics to evaluate secure performance in such an RS-NOMA system where a base station (master node in IoT) sends confidential messages to two main sensors (so-called NOMA users) under the influence of an external eavesdropper. In the proposed IoT scheme, both two NOMA sensors and an illegal sensor are served with different levels of allocated power at the base station. It is noticed that such RS-NOMA operates in two hop transmission of the relaying system. We formulate the closed-form expressions of secure outage probability (SOP) and the strictly positive secure capacity (SPSC) to examine the secrecy performance under controlling setting parameters such as transmit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the number of selected relays, channel gains, and threshold rates. The different performance is illustrated as performing comparisons between NOMA and orthogonal multiple access (OMA). Finally, the advantage of NOMA in secure performance over orthogonal multiple access (OMA) is confirmed both analytically and numerically.
Visitor Mobility and Spatial Structure in a Local Urban Tourism Destination: GPS Tracking and Network analysis
Authors: Sugimoto Koun , Ota Kei , Suzuki Shohei
Published: February 2019

Visitor mobility is an important element for facilitating sustainable local economics and management in urban tourism destinations. Research on visitor mobility often focuses on the patterns and structures of spatial visitor behavior and the factors that influence them. This study examines the relationship between visitor mobility and urban spatial structures through an exploratory analysis of visitors’ movements and characteristics, which were collected from surveys with global positional system (GPS) tracking technologies and questionnaires. The Ueno district, one of the most popular tourism destinations in Tokyo, Japan, was selected as the study area. For local stakeholders, the low accessibility levels between this district’s park zone and downtown zone have become a major destination management issue. We compared visitor movements and flow networks in various places from different major trip origins (railway stations) by using several analysis techniques (GPS log distribution, spatial movement sequences, and network analysis), and examined physical and human factors that caused the different mobility patterns. The results demonstrated that physical factors, including major transport hubs (railway stations), topography, commercial accumulation, and POI distribution, affected intra-destination visitor behavior, and segmented visitor markets into different main zones. Such findings could inform future destination management policies and planning in local urban tourism destinations.
Impact of Migrant Workers on Total Factor Productivity in Chinese Construction Industry
Authors: Ye Gui , Wang Yuhe , Zhang Yuxin , Wang Liming , Xie Houli , Fu Yuan , Zuo Jian
Published: February 2019

Total factor productivity (TFP) is of critical importance to the sustainable development of construction industry. This paper presents an analysis on the impact of migrant workers on TFP in Chinese construction sector. Interestingly, Solow Residual Approach is applied to conduct the analysis through comparing two scenarios, namely the scenario without considering migrant workers (Scenario A) and the scenario with including migrant workers (Scenario B). The data are collected from the China Statistical Yearbook on Construction and Chinese Annual Report on Migrant Workers for the period of 2008–2015. The results indicate that migrant workers have a significant impact on TFP, during the surveyed period they improved TFP by 10.42% in total and promoted the annual average TFP growth by 0.96%. Hence, it can be seen that the impact of migrant workers on TFP is very significant, whilst the main reason for such impact is believed to be the improvement of migrant workers’ quality obtained mainly throughout learning by doing.
System-Based Coaching Technology Mechanism for the Development of Educational Systems
Authors: Ouyang Yankun , Su Yu-Sheng , Li Chenqi
Published: February 2019

In order to further explore the performance of coaching technology in promoting the overall development of the education system, this paper applies the idea of system theory to deconstruct the five key elements and their interaction relations in the education system which affects the effect of education and training objectives. Meanwhile, the present situation and existing problems of each element are discussed including their influences for the system goal. The key analysis and exposition are made with the input and output of the core elements of the system to promote the overall coordinated development of the education system and improve the effectiveness. Based on the system theory we could conclude that this paper is of practical guiding value to promote the coordinated development of the key elements of the education system by using coaching technology, further to promote the overall evolution of the educational system and to promote the effective promotion of the overall goal of education and educating people.
The Consumer Acceptance of Smart Product-Service Systems in Sharing Economy: The Effects of Perceived Interactivity and Particularity
Authors: Lu Dong , Lai Ivan Ka Wai , Liu Yide
Published: February 2019

With the rapid growth of the sharing economy, access-based services have emerged as an alternative and/or complementary to traditional ownership-based services. The access-based services are enabled by means of Smart Product-Service Systems (SPSSs) that integrate smart products and e-services into a single solution. However, there is a lack of studies that cover the acceptance factors for both smart products and e-services of SPSSs. Therefore, it is important to have a study to explore the factors that influence the acceptance of SPSSs. This study develops a conceptual framework which consists of the perceived interactivity of mobile apps and the particularity of the smart shared products as antecedents apart from perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, as suggested by the Technology Acceptance Model. To test the research framework empirically, a self-reported online survey was conducted among bike sharing program users in China. A total of 520 valid responses were collected, and the partial least-square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to examine the research model. The empirical results suggest that the perceived interactivity of mobile apps and the particularity of smart shared products are two significant sets of antecedents that influence consumers’ perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, and the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are preconditions for the acceptance of SPSSs. The findings generate practical suggestions for SPSSs providers to increase the network size of users, improve the interactivity of mobile apps, and manage the distributions of service points.
Barriers of Biodiesel Adoption by Transportation Companies: A Case of Malaysian Transportation Industry
Authors: Zailani Suhaiza , Iranmanesh Mohammad , Sean Hyun Sunghyup , Ali Mohd Helmi
Published: February 2019

The need to develop an alternative fuel to fossil fuel is growing day by day, especially for the transportation industry, as the supply of fossil fuels is limited and is depleting at a rapid rate. One available resource that has emerged recently is biodiesel. However, the usage of biodiesel is very low among transportation companies. An investigation into the barriers of adopting biodiesel by transportation companies is the focus of the present study. A survey of 147 transportation companies in Malaysia was undertaken, and the data gathered were analyzed using partial least squares technique. Lack of government support, lack of environmental–commercial benefits, and lack of competitive pressure were found to be the barriers to biodiesel adoption. The results also indicated that differentiation strategy moderates the impact of lack of government support, lack of customer demand, lack of environmental-commercial benefits and lack of competitive pressure on biodiesel adoption. The results of this study could benefit policy makers by providing them key focus areas in which they can modify their strategies to actively and successfully promote the use of biodiesel among transportation companies in developing countries.
Evaluating China’s Air Pollution Control Policy with Extended AQI Indicator System: Example of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Authors: Yuan Guanghui , Yang Weixin
Published: February 2019

This paper calculated and evaluated the air quality of 13 cities in China’s Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region from February 2015 to January 2018 based on the extended AQI (Air Quality Index) Indicator System. By capturing the heterogeneous information in major pollutant indicators and the standardization process, we depicted the important effect of other relevant features of pollutant indicators beyond single-point data. Based on that, we further calculated the assessment value of the air quality of different cities in the BTH region by using the Collaborative Filtering Backward Cloud Model to construct differentiated weights of different indicators. With help of the Back Propagation (BP) Neutral Network, we simulated the effect of the pollution control policies of the Chinese government targeting air pollution since March 2016. Our conclusion is: the pollution control policies have improved the air quality of Beijing by 55.74%, and improved the air quality of Tianjin by 34.38%; while the migration of polluting enterprises from Beijing and Tianjin has caused different changes in air quality in different cities of Hebei province—we saw air quality deterioration by 58.60% and 38.68% in Shijiazhuang and Handan city respectively.
Water Availability Assessment of Shale Gas Production in the Weiyuan Play, China
Authors: Wu Xia , Xia Jun , Guan Baoshan , Yan Xinming , Zou Lei , Liu Ping , Yang Lifeng , Hong Si , Hu Sheng
Published: February 2019

Innovations and improvements in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal well technologies have contributed to the success of the shale gas industry; however, the industry is also challenged by freshwater use and environmental health issues, and this makes precise quantification of water consumption important. The objective of this study was to better understand water sustainability and availability of the projected shale gas from 2018 to 2030 in the Weiyuan play, China. The water footprint framework was used to quantify the potential water use and environmental impacts on different time scales. The results showed that the water use per well ranged from 11,300 to 60,660 m3, with a median of 36,014 m3, totaling ~ 3.44 Mm3 for 97 wells. Yearly evaluation results showed that the gray water footprint was the main contributor and accounted for 83.82% to 96.76%, which was dependent on the different treatment percentage scenario. The monthly environmental impact results indicated that the annual streamflow statistics were more likely to prevent water withdrawal. Water quality issues may be alleviated through recycling and retreatment measures that improve current waste water management strategies. Resource regulators should manage their water resources by matching water demand to water availability or replenishment.
A New Flexible Sigmoidal Growth Model
Authors: Cao Liying , Shi Pei-Jian , Li Lin , Chen Guifen
Published: February 2019

Biological growth is driven by numerous functions, such as hormones and mineral nutrients, and is also involved in various ecological processes. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately capture the growth trajectory of various species in ecosystems. A new sigmoidal growth (NSG) model is presented here for describing the growth of animals and plants when the assumption is that the growth rate curve is asymmetric. The NSG model was compared with four classic sigmoidal growth models, including the logistic equation, Richards, Gompertz, and ontogenetic growth models. Results indicated that all models fit well with the empirical growth data of 12 species, except the ontogenetic growth model, which only captures the growth of animals. The estimated maximum asymptotic biomass w m a x of plants from the ontogenetic growth model was not reliable. The experiment result shows that the NSG model can more precisely estimate the value and time of reaching maximum biomass when growth rate becomes close to zero near the end of growth. The NSG model contains three other parameters besides the value and time of reaching maximum biomass, and thereby, it can be difficult to assign initial values for parameterization using local optimization methods (e.g., using Gauss–Newton or Levenberg–Marquardt methods). We demonstrate the use of a differential evolution algorithm for resolving this issue efficiently. As such, the NSG model can be applied to describing the growth patterns of a variety of species and estimating the value and time of achieving maximum biomass simultaneously.
A New Approach to the Solution of Non-Linear Integral Equations via Various FBe-Contractions
Authors: Panda Sumati Kumari , Tassaddiq Asifa , Agarwal Ravi P
Published: February 2019

In this article, we introduce and establish various approaches related to the F-contraction using new sorts of contractions, namely the extended F B e -contraction, the extended F B e -expanding contraction, and the extended generalized F B e -contraction. Thereafter, we propose a simple and efficient solution for non-linear integral equations using the fixed point technique in the setting of a B e -metric space. Moreover, to address conceptual depth within this approach, we supply illustrative examples where necessary.
Design and Production of a Recombinant Hybrid Toxin to Raise Protective Antibodies against Loxosceles Spider Venom
Authors: Calabria Paula , Shimokawa-Falcão Lhiri , Colombini Monica , Moura-da-Silva Ana , Barbaro Katia , Faquim-Mauro Eliana , Magalhaes Geraldo
Published: February 2019

Human accidents with spiders of the genus Loxosceles are an important health problem affecting thousands of people worldwide. Patients evolve to severe local injuries and, in many cases, to systemic disturbances as acute renal failure, in which cases antivenoms are considered to be the most effective treatment. However, for antivenom production, the extraction of the venom used in the immunization process is laborious and the yield is very low. Thus, many groups have been exploring the use of recombinant Loxosceles toxins, particularly phospholipases D (PLDs), to produce the antivenom. Nonetheless, some important venom activities are not neutralized by anti-PLD antibodies. Astacin-like metalloproteases (ALMPs) are the second most expressed toxin acting on the extracellular matrix, indicating the importance of its inclusion in the antigen’s formulation to provide a better antivenom. Here we show the construction of a hybrid recombinant immunogen, called LgRec1ALP1, composed of hydrophilic regions of the PLD and the ALMP toxins from Loxosceles gaucho. Although the LgRec1ALP1 was expressed as inclusion bodies, it resulted in good yields and it was effective to produce neutralizing antibodies in mice. The antiserum neutralized fibrinogenolytic, platelet aggregation and dermonecrotic activities elicited by L. gaucho, L. laeta, and L. intermedia venoms, indicating that the hybrid recombinant antigen may be a valuable source for the production of protective antibodies against Loxosceles ssp. venoms. In addition, the hybrid recombinant toxin approach may enrich and expand the alternative antigens for antisera production for other venoms.
Weak Values and Two-State Vector Formalism in Elementary Scattering and Reflectivity—A New Effect
Authors: Chatzidimitriou-Dreismann C. Aris
Published: February 2019

The notions of Weak Value (WV) and Two-State Vector Formalism (TSVF), firstly introduced by Aharonov and collaborators, provide a quantum-theoretical formalism of extracting new information from a system in the limit of small disturbances to its state. Here, we explore two applications to the case of non-relativistic two-body scattering with one body weakly interacting with its environment. We present a physically compelling analysis of a new quantum effect: momentum transfer deficit and an accompanying enhanced energy transfer; or, equivalently, an apparent mass-deficit of the struck body. First, incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) from protons of H 2 molecules in C-nanotubes is investigated. The data of the H 2 translational motion along the nanotube shows that the neutron apparently exchanges energy and momentum with a fictitious particle with mass of 0.64 atomic mass units (a.m.u.), which is in blatant contradiction with the expected value of 2 a.m.u. Second, the same theory is applied to neutron reflectivity—which is elastic and coherent—from the interface of (single crystal) Si with H 2 O-D 2 O liquid mixtures. The data shows a striking enhanced reflectivity in a wide range of momentum transfers, which is tantamount to a momentum-transfer deficit with respect to conventional expectations. However, these effects find a natural interpretation within the WV-TSVF theoretical analysis under consideration. In summary, both scattering effects contradict conventional theoretical expectations, thus also supporting the novelty of the theoretical framework of WV and TVSF. Additionally, it should be pointed out that the two dynamical variables in the interaction Hamiltonian of the theoretical model belong to two different physical bodies.
Human Norovirus: Experimental Models of Infection
Authors: Todd Kyle V. , Tripp Ralph A.
Published: February 2019

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. HuNoV infections lead to substantial societal and economic burdens. There are currently no licensed vaccines or therapeutics for the prevention or treatment of HuNoVs. A lack of well-characterized in vitro and in vivo infection models has limited the development of HuNoV countermeasures. Experimental infection of human volunteers and the use of related viruses such as murine NoV have provided helpful insights into HuNoV biology and vaccine and therapeutic development. There remains a need for robust animal models and reverse genetic systems to further HuNoV research. This review summarizes available HuNoV animal models and reverse genetic systems, while providing insight into their usefulness for vaccine and therapeutic development.
Treatment of Aquaculture Wastewater through Chitin/ZnO Composite Photocatalyst
Authors: Lin Xiajing , Yang Aili , Huang Guohe , Zhou Xiong , Zhai Yuanyuan , Chen Xiujuan , McBean Ed
Published: February 2019

This paper proposed a newly explored composite photocatalyst, Chitin/ZnO, prepared via the sol-gel method for exploring its photocatalytic activity in the simulated aquaculture wastewater under UV irradiation. The study mainly involves the application of Chitin/ZnO from three aspects: the structure, the principle and the degradation efficiency. The effects of purification operation factors including mass ratio rate, dosage, calcination temperature, initial NH4+–N concentration and illumination conditions on the NH4+–N removal effectiveness were investigated. Optimum conditions were explored through orthogonal experiments, which revealed that 88.73% NH4+–N removal from 60 mg/L synthetic wastewater was achieved by direct illumination for 120 min. Additionally, Chitin/ZnO photocatalysts (mass ratio of 2:3) at a calcination temperature of 500 °C were favorable for Chitin loaded over a ZnO lattice. The obtained nanoparticles of Chitin/ZnO were characterized using SEM and X-ray diffraction. The purpose of this paper is to grope for an economical and easy method of Chitin/ZnO powder preparation and to provide a practical approach for future research on the photocatalytic purification of aquaculture wastewater.
Determination of Natural Radionuclides for Water Resources on the West Bank of the Nile River, Assiut Governorate, Egypt
Authors: El-Gamal Hany , Sefelnasr Ahmed , Salaheldin Ghada
Published: February 2019

Estimations of natural radioactivity levels were carried out for water (surface and groundwater) samples collected from the west bank of the Nile River in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. The activity concentrations in the water samples ranged from 19.20 ± 2.40 to 492.26 ± 71.52 mBq/L, from 15.58 ± 2.62 to 351.39 ± 66.13 mBq/L, and from 50.31 ± 5.58 to 2255.03 ± 249.42 mBq/L for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. In this work, the recorded activity concentrations have been organized statistically using a dendrogram cluster and a principal coordinate analysis. In view of the groupings of radionuclide activity, the average annual effective doses through ingestion for adults, children, and infants, despite the responsibility of each explicit radionuclide to the total dose, were assessed and debated. Children had the most important measurement calculations, making them the most regarded mass gathering. All estimations for each different water type, as well as for each individual population group, scored well under the recommended reference value of 0.1 mSv resulting from a one year’s intake of drinking water in accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission (EC) in 1998.
A Temperature-Scaling Approach for Projecting Changes in Short Duration Rainfall Extremes from GCM Data
Authors: Dahm Ruben , Bhardwaj Aashish , Sperna Weiland Frederiek , Corzo Gerald , Bouwer Laurens M.
Published: February 2019

Current and future urban flooding is influenced by changes in short-duration rainfall intensities. Conventional approaches to projecting rainfall extremes are based on precipitation projections taken from General Circulation Models (GCM) or Regional Climate Models (RCM). However, these and more complex and reliable climate simulations are not yet available for many locations around the world. In this work, we test an approach that projects future rainfall extremes by scaling the empirical relation between dew-point temperature and hourly rainfall and projected changes in dew-point temperature from the EC-Earth GCM. These projections are developed for the RCP 8.5 scenario and are applied to a case study in the Netherlands. The shift in intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves shows that a 100-year (hourly) rainfall event today could become a 73-year event (GCM), but could become as frequent as a 30-year (temperature-scaling) in the period 2071–2100. While more advanced methods can help to further constrain future changes in rainfall extremes, the temperature-scaling approach can be of use in practical applications in urban flood risk and design studies for locations where no high-resolution precipitation projections are available.
Update of Early Warning Indicators of Flash Floods: A Case Study of Hunjiang District, Northeastern China
Authors: Ma Meihong , Zhang Jingnan , Su Huidong , Wang Dacheng , Wang Zhongliang
Published: February 2019

The China flash flood investigation and evaluation database (CFFIED) covers important information needed for China’s flash flood warning. This paper uses a statistical induction method, inference formula method and standardized unit hydrograph method to explore its principle, characteristics, and key steps. Then based on the field investigation and the latest data on the flash flood, the Hunjiang District in northeastern China was selected as the research area. Firstly, three typical riverside villages, Xiangmo-1 and Sanchahe-3, Shangqing-4, were screened, and the flash flood warning indicators (e.g., water level, flow rate, critical rainfall) in the CFFIED were updated. Then, the maximum error of the flood peak, estimated by the inference formula method and the water level flow relationship method, is only 10.6%, which indicates that the predicted flood peak flow has high credibility and can check and identify the early warning index; the Manning formula is more accurate in calculating the water level flow relationship. However, the calculated ratio is lower and the roughness is higher, and the flow is smaller under the same water level. Finally, the updated flash flood warning indicators were obtained in the Hunjiang District, which improves the accuracy of the flash flood warning, and provides a reference for updating the early warning indicators in other areas.
USAGE THEORY OF THE PLAYS FOR THE PLOT VALUE INQUIRY
Authors: Meszek Wiesław
Published: February 2019

With the plot value inquiry with the help of comparative worth procedure insecurity originates, in particular by the decision for the importance of the value‐influencing signs and the importance of the comparative prices. The play‐theoretical balance solution can play in the worth inquiry process an essential, complementary role, in particular as tools to the mistake and risk estimate. The shown procedure is based on the theory of the plays against the nature which had earlier only few practical interpretations.

Santrauka

Nustatant žemės sklypo vertę palyginamuoju būdu kyla tam tikrų sunkumu dėl kaina veikiančiu veiksniu ir jų reikšmingumo. Lošimų teorija gali būti kaip svarbi papildoma priemonė, padedanti įvertinti klaidos ir rizikos galimybę. Pasiūlytas įvertinimo procesas pagrįstas “lošimų prieš gamtą” teorija, kuri ankstesnėje praktikoje buvo taikoma labai retai.
K2-291b: A Rocky Super-Earth in a 2.2 day Orbit*

†
Authors: Kosiarek Molly R. , Blunt Sarah , López-Morales Mercedes , Crossfield Ian J. M. , Sinukoff Evan , Petigura Erik A. , Gonzales Erica J. , Poretti Ennio , Malavolta Luca , Howard Andrew W. , Isaacson Howard , Haywood Raphaëlle D. , Ciardi David R. , Bristow Makennah , Cameron Andrew Collier , Charbonneau David , Dressing Courtney D. , Figueira Pedro , Fulton Benjamin J. , Hardee Bronwen J. , Hirsch Lea A. , Latham David W. , Mortier Annelies , Nava Chantanelle , Schlieder Joshua E. , Vanderburg Andrew , Weiss Lauren , Bonomo Aldo S. , Bouchy François , Buchhave Lars A. , Coffinet Adrien , Damasso Mario , Dumusque Xavier , Lovis Christophe , Mayor Michel , Micela Giusi , Molinari Emilio , Pepe Francesco , Phillips David , Piotto Giampaolo , Rice Ken , Sasselov Dimitar , Ségransan Damien , Sozzetti Alessandro , Udry Stéphane , Watson Chris
Published: February 2019

K2-291 is a solar-type star with a radius of R
* = 0.899 ± 0.034 R
⊙ and mass of M* = 0.934 ± 0.038 M
⊙. From the K2 C13 data, we found one super-Earth planet (R

p
 = 

R
⊕) transiting this star on a short period orbit (P = 

days). We followed this system up with adaptive-optic imaging and spectroscopy to derive stellar parameters, search for stellar companions, and determine a planet mass. From our 75 radial velocity measurements using High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on Keck I and High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher in the northern hemisphere on Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, we constrained the mass of K2-291 b to M

p
 = 6.49 ± 1.16 M
⊕. We found it necessary to model correlated stellar activity radial velocity signals with a Gaussian process (GP) in order to more accurately model the effect of stellar noise on our data; the addition of the GP also improved the precision of this mass measurement. With a bulk density of ρ = 8.84

g cm−3, the planet is consistent with an Earth-like rock/iron composition and no substantial gaseous envelope. Such an envelope, if it existed in the past, was likely eroded away by photoevaporation during the first billion years of the star’s lifetime.
Bercy, un vrai premier ministère ?
Authors: Demarey Stéphanie
Published: February 2019

Le ministère chargé du budget a longtemps été considéré comme une puissance ministérielle opposée aux ministères dépensiers, leurs intérêts divergeant de fait. Derrière ces antagonismes, on retrouve l’histoire d’un ministère qui s’est trouvé obligé de composer avec le politique, l’économique et le juridique. De cette histoire ont résulté de nouveaux rapports (de force ?) qui ont conduit à redéfinir le rôle de ce ministère par rapport à l’administration, au politique et, in fine , à la société.
Quality cost management in Moroccan industrial companies: Empirical study
Authors: Ayach Lamiaa , Anouar Abdellah , Bouzziri Miloud
Published: February 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to give an insight into the practices of Moroccan industrial companies in the area of managing quality costs. Furthermore, it analyses how the quality costing system (QCS) implementation and sophistication differentiate according to a number of variables (size, business market orientation, QMS Maturity...).Design/methodology/approach: In order to achieve this objective, a questionnaire survey has been conducted among a heterogeneous sample of 1000 industrial companies that are operating in the national territory yielding a response rate of 23.4%. This study uses exploratory and chi-square test in the process of answering the above-mentioned questions.Findings: The survey highlighted the limited use of quality costing practices among Moroccan industrial companies. Results indicated that 42.6% of surveyed companies are engaged in QCS while 63.4% of them do not. The primary barrier is the complexity of QCS implementation. Besides, findings pointed out that origin, business activity, business market orientation and QMS maturity level are prominent to QCS implementation (p<0.05).Originality/value: This is one of the first studies to provide an insight into practices of Moroccan industrial companies in the area of managing quality costs. Indeed, several studies were led in different countries but no empirical study has been conducted in Morocco. This will give a clear picture of the situation at the national level.Research limitations/implications: The major limitation of the study is the limited number of respondents. Future researches should be conducted to cover a bigger sample size from manufacturing and services sector as well.Practical implications: The findings provide an insight into the barriers to QCS implementation which can be used as basis to identify ways to overcome these difficulties, to develop guideline and reveal best practices in the implementation of COQ reporting system.
Placing a New University Model Within the Discourse of Higher Education
Authors: Runte Mary S. , Runte Robert
Published: February 2019

A historical analysis of the discourse of the purpose of higher education provides a typology of four distinct discourses which reflect the social, political, and economic context within which the changing rationale for funding universities has been defined. By analyzing where a technology-driven, international university could be located in the interstices of these competing discourses, the typology can assist educational leaders, administrators, and policymakers to more readily identify key obstacles to be overcome, opportunities that could be developed, and the latent dysfunctions that need to be anticipated to avoid both collateral damage and the resulting determined pushback. Forewarned is forearmed, and understanding which aspects of which discourses lend support or undermine such a project could greatly assist proponents in seeking support and avoiding missteps.
Challenges for the Creation of an International Online University in a Controversial Environment
Authors: Vega-Muñoz Alejandro , Valdes-Montecinos Michel , Cruz-Tapia Mónica A.
Published: February 2019

This chapter analyzes the controversial challenges faced by the Chilean university system for the creation of an international online university. Chile is a country with a neoliberal economic system, widely exposed to international markets, faces the need to internationalize its universities and expand its online offer, two copulative actions in essence, but which have not had enough advances, given the tensions within the university system of that country and the context conditions that surround it.
Applying Universal Design for Learning to Create a Transformational and Accessible Learning Framework for a Technology-Driven International University
Authors: Floyd Kimberly K. , Shambaugh Neal
Published: February 2019

Universal design for learning (UDL) guides the developers of the technology-driven international university to design flexible academic programs and design features of the supporting academic units. Faculty, staff, and administrators share a moral responsibility to enable all people to access educational opportunities. Adherence to UDL guidelines ensures accessible academic programs and acknowledges that humans vary in their capacity and location to receive educational and research experiences. The chapter first examines transformational features of the technology-driven internal university, describes the UDL framework, and applies the UDL guidelines to academic programs (UDL-C) and administrative units (UDL-A). Recommendations and further research are suggested applying UDL across a technology-driven international university.
Impact of the European Higher Education in the World Initiative on Higher Education
Authors: Herridge Andrew S. , James Lisa J.
Published: February 2019

This chapter looked at the implications of Brexit on the recruitment of international faculty, students, and the ability to obtain research funding. Higher education stakeholders have legitimate concerns regarding the impact of the UK's separation from the EU. In preemptive moves, students are transferring to institutions outside the UK and EU to universities that are welcoming and accommodating the special needs and circumstances of international scholars. Researchers are prematurely dissolving collaborative partnerships with colleagues to mitigate complications and lost funding expected, as a result of Brexit. There are universities exploring possible locations for new satellite campuses in other countries. Through the development of policies and treaties such as the Bologna Process, Lisbon Strategy, European Higher Education in the World initiative, the European Union has demonstrated the importance and purpose of higher education both in Europe and at the international level.
Assessment of Opportunities and Implementation of Blended Learning Strategies in Nigeria Higher Education
Authors: Aladejana Francisca O. , Olajide Simeon O.
Published: February 2019

The chapter investigated the facilities available, extent of usage, and the various methods, perspectives, and strategies of blended learning used as well as possible challenges in Nigeria higher education using Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as a case study. The descriptive survey research design was adopted. An instrument titled “Questionnaire on Opportunities and Implementation of Blended Learning” was administered on 216 lecturers selected by simple random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The results showed that facilities are fairly available and there is moderate extent of usage of the available facilities for incorporating blended learning strategy. Lecturers used 21 different methods, the five blended learning perspectives, and four different strategies. Various challenges were identified. The study concluded that opportunities were available for lecturers to implement blended learning strategy into the classroom instruction delivery if the major challenges faced are properly addressed.
Supply Chain Performance Measurement and Organizational Alignment in the Digital World
Authors: Sabri Ehap , Vishwasrao Rohan
Published: February 2019

The authors describe how organizations can leverage the maturity model approach in conjunction with foundational concepts of perspective-based performance evaluation models like the balanced scorecard (BSC) to define a comprehensive performance measurement framework. A maturity model by design provides a road-map to the next level of performance. In this chapter, the authors propose using maturity models as a structured way of identifying current capability or maturity level of any supply chain. The authors provide guidance on selecting the right “causal linkages” between supply chain objectives and performance measures. They then define a mechanism for specifying even more granular definitions of measures linked to strategic objectives, as the level of maturity progresses. In this chapter, the authors survey widely used supply chain/business process maturity models and current practices related to measuring operational metric. And then present a tiered framework for operational metric alignment and KPI governance based on perspective-based modeling design principles.
Capacity Planning in Digital Age
Authors: Gupta Amit
Published: February 2019

This chapter answers the following questions: 1) What is the capacity planning process? 2) Why do companies need to perform capacity planning? 3) What are current challenges in the capacity planning process? 4) What are different levels in the capacity planning? 5) What are planning zones? 6) How does capacity planning implementation journey look like? In the chapter, the author touches some of the basics of the capacity planning and then goes into advance level in the capacity planning. The chapter expects readers to have a basic knowledge of the capacity planning.
Factor Influencing the Intention to Use E-Collection System in State-Owned Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria
Authors: Haruna Sulaiman , Kassim Normalini Md
Published: February 2019

The absence of effective and adequate means of revenue generation as well as collection in Nigeria has necessitated the federal government to introduce and adopt Treasury Single Account (TSA) through the full implementation of e-payment and e-collection system. This has also obliged the state governments across the country to adopt the TSA system. The e-collection system is a computer-based revenue collection system designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of revenue collection through electronic means in order to prevent fund shortages and cash leaks within the government sectors. In this chapter, technology acceptance model (TAM), computer self-efficacy, and subjective norm were adopted to examine the level of preparedness of accounting staff of state-owned tertiary institutions with respect to their intentions to use the e-collection system. It is expected that the findings of this study would be used by policymakers at the state government level to further support the efforts towards effective implementation of TSA in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The Usefulness of Accounting Models in Providing Accounting Information in Romania
Authors: Dănescu Tatiana , Rus Luminița
Published: February 2019

The evolution of the business environment under the impact of globalization highlights the increase of social expectations through which it considers the success of the economic entity, measured and recognized in various forms of expression, based on the indicators of performance in terms of accounting information. The purpose of this chapter is to present the models of “cash accounting” and “accrual accounting” in terms of conceptual and empirical, comparative, right next to the main similarities and differences between them, and the usefulness of accounting information produced by them in the decision-making process by users of accounting information. The use of one or the other accounting model makes the accounting information different, respectively creating a different picture of financial performance, the parties concerned, in many cases, to request additional information. It is therefore of interest to be known options regarding the production of accounting information, indicators for measuring the financial performance of the entity.
Throughput Accounting and Green Reporting
Authors: Constantin Dana Maria (Oprea) , Topor Dan Ioan , Căpușneanu Sorinel , Anica-Popa Adrian
Published: February 2019

This chapter highlights some aspects of the contribution of TA to enhancing environmental performance. The main objectives of this chapter are to highlight aspects related to the TA and its implications for its use as an efficient method in ensuring decision support in the environmental reports of an economic entity. This implies the transition to a larger geographic scale of national economies and, implicitly, the global economy, from a linear economy to a circular economy that should not only involve the recycling of resources but also the green reporting requirement. All aspects presented by the authors are based on the existing specialized literature, university studies, and specialty from all over the world. A new conceptual and empirical framework has been developed as a result of the issues debated and presented by the authors, whose purpose is to extend the knowledge of specialists from all over the world, as well as challenging other equally interesting new research themes.
Throughput Accounting
Authors: Marin-Pantelescu Andreea , Popa Cristina-Ștefania , Sharbek Nermin
Published: February 2019

This chapter presents some aspects of the managerial implications of throughput accounting on the tourism services market in Romania. The main objectives of this chapter are to present a comparative analysis of the managerial implications between the throughput accounting and the managerial accounting methods used by the entities from tourism industry. Based on the literature, the authors present the main theoretical and practical approaches to the throughput accounting, its principles, and correlations with various theories and methods. The throughput accounting contributes substantially to the managerial decision regarding the financial reporting of the entities providing tourism services. All the aspects presented by the authors are based on the international literature, university, and specialized studies within the providing tourism services entities. This chapter will contribute to widening the theoretical and practical debates on the implementation and benefits of throughput accounting within tourism services entities.
The Decision Process Based on the Accounting Information System
Authors: Calotă Traian Ovidiu , Tănase Alin Eliodor
Published: February 2019

Historical cost is the main basis for assessing tangible assets in the annual financial statements. However, the accounting regulations applicable in Romania allow the valuation of tangible investments at fair value determined by authorized persons. Once chosen, this option must be applied consistently for the entire class of tangible assets subject to revaluation. By January 1, 2015, national regulations did not allow the return from the fair value method to historical cost method. The chapter aims to present both the accounting and tax treatments to be adopted when choosing the fair value, as well as those related to returning to the cost-based approach.
Information Security Risk Management in the European Union
Authors: Petrescu Anca Gabriela , Sîrbu Nicoleta
Published: February 2019

Currently the organization's risk management covers a wider range of risks, especially operational risks, reputation risks to the organization, and more recently, strategic risks. Moreover, within a growing number of organizations, responsibilities associated with risk management are assumed by the top management, which generally coordinates the teams of specialists directly responsible for monitoring the risks and the risk handling measures. This chapter focuses on how to implement an approach to reduce the identified risks to the information conveyed through computer systems and communications. In additional, it presents EU regulations relevant to the analysis and risk management information security.
Insights Into Managing Project Teams for Industry 4.0
Authors: Marnewick Carl , Marnewick Annlizé
Published: February 2019

In a fast-paced and changing world demanded by Industry 4.0, the continuous delivery of products and level of integration of technologies are required. This is achieved through the introduction of agile but agile itself demands changes in the way projects are managed. The role of the project manager itself is changing from a command and control to a collaborative and coaching style of leadership. Project teams on the other hand should be self-organizing and self-directed to be agile. Managing agile teams requires a different approach as the idea is to deliver workable solutions and products at a faster space. New project manager skills and competencies are required as well as ways to manage agile teams. A conceptual model is introduced, highlighting the required enablers for an agile environment. The enablers have an impact on how the agile project manager interacts with the agile team. The end result is that products are faster deployed enabling organizations to react to the changes demanded by Industry 4.0.