bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attributional Style in Mathematics across Anxiety Profiles in Spanish Children
Authors: Fernández-Sogorb Aitana , Vicent María , Gonzálvez Carolina , Sanmartín Ricardo , Pérez-Sánchez Antonio Miguel , García-Fernández José Manuel
Published: February 2020

This research aimed to examine the relation between child anxiety and causal attributions in mathematics using a person-centered approach. The Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety-Revised and the Sydney Attribution Scale were administered to 1287 Spanish students aged 8 to 11 (M = 9.68, SD = 1.20); 49.4% were girls. Four child anxiety profiles were obtained by the latent class analysis technique: Low Anxiety, Moderate Anxiety, High Anxiety, and Low Anxiety School-type. The four anxious groups significantly differed in all attributions of failure and in attributions of success to ability and effort, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (d = 0.24 to 0.99). The group with the highest anxiety levels attributed its failures more to the lack of ability and effort, and less to external causes. This group attributed its successes less to ability and effort. However, the Low Anxiety School-type group attributed its failures more to external causes and its successes more to ability and effort. The practical implications of these findings suggest that applying cognitive-behavioral programs for anxiety with a component of attribution retraining could be useful to improve both anxiety levels and the maladaptive attributional pattern of each child anxiety profile.
Can the Energy Transition Be Smooth? A General Equilibrium Approach to the EROEI
Authors: Fagnart Jean-François , Germain Marc , Peeters Benjamin
Published: February 2020

The concept of energy return (EROEI ratio) is widely used in energy science to describe the interactions between energy and the economic system but it is largely ignored in macroeconomics. In order to contribute to bridging a gap between these fields of research, we incorporate these metrics into an endogenous growth model with two sectors (energy and final goods) and use this model to analyze the macroeconomic implications of a transition to lower EROEI resources. An approach in terms of net energy allows us (1) to explicitly link the EROEI to macroeconomic variables, (2) to show how it is related to the growth rate of GDP and (3) to obtain a closed-form solution for its long-run value at a general equilibrium level. There is furthermore a tight and decreasing long-run relationship between the EROEI value and the share of investment that must be allocated to the energy sector. Hence, a transition to lower EROEI resources intensifies the rival use of capital in the energy and non-energy sectors and leads to major economic changes, both in the inter-sectoral capital allocation and in the allocation of final output between consumption and investment. We show that a protracted economic contraction may occur before the completion of the transition to renewable energy. We analyze how (1) the magnitude of this contraction and (2) the possibility of an ulterior recovery depend on the initial stock of non-renewables, the potentials of technical progress in the energy and non-energy sectors and the substitutability between capital and energy.
The Contribution of Traditional Meat Goat Farming Systems to Human Wellbeing and Its Importance for the Sustainability of This Livestock Subsector
Authors: Morales-Jerrett Eduardo , Mancilla-Leytón Juan Manuel , Delgado-Pertíñez Manuel , Mena Yolanda
Published: February 2020

Traditional meat goat farming systems are characterized by rearing autochthonous breeds and using natural resources through grazing, often within protected natural areas. In a context of reduction of the number of farms, due to the low income derived from the sale of kids, the role of those systems as suppliers of presently non-remunerated ecosystem services becomes more relevant. The objective of this article is to analyze the current situation of those systems, focusing on their connection with human wellbeing, and to formulate proposals that can contribute to guaranteeing their profitability and continuity. A technical-economic and environmental study of a sample of farms and an analysis of the limiting factors affecting the subsector were carried out. As a result, a set of multifactorial problems was identified, with the lack of acknowledgement and remuneration of some services—mainly environmental and cultural—provided by those systems and the low selling price of kids standing as the main threats. The consideration of meat goat farms as “producers of meat of high functional quality and providers of ecosystem services”, which should be properly quantified and remunerated, would contribute to their preservation and guarantee the provision of benefits associated with the activity.
Minimizing the Social Impact of Construction Work on Mobility: A Decision-Making Method
Authors: Casanovas-Rubio Maria del Mar , Ramos Gonzalo , Armengou Jaume
Published: February 2020

Minimising the impacts of construction work on mobility, especially in urban areas, is a major issue for local authorities and construction planners that has not been sufficiently studied. This paper proposes a deterministic decision-making method for quantifying the impacts of construction work on mobility, including emergency vehicles, mass transit, individual transport, bicycles, and pedestrians. The method is based on multi-attribute utility theory, interviews with experts representing various stakeholders in construction, and a review of the literature and legislation. The practical use is illustrated with a real case study in which two shaft-construction processes (diaphragm wall excavated using a hydromill and vertical shaft sinking machine) are compared and ranked. The sensitivity analysis shows the robustness of the results. The resulting Mobility Impact Index can easily be integrated with other social, economic, and environmental criteria, thereby enabling the evaluation of alternatives from a multi-criteria perspective, e.g., in tender processes. The method could be useful to public authorities and design and construction companies and is being piloted in construction projects of the city of Barcelona. It has implications for corporate social responsibility, social/sustainable procurement, and social/sustainable impact assessment in construction.
Analyzing the Online Reputation and Positioning of Airlines
Authors: Zaki Ahmed Ayat , Rodríguez-Díaz Manuel
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study is to propose a methodology to define the positioning of airlines in terms of their online reputation measured with quantitative variables and applied in the airline industry. Reviews shared on the Internet give key information about service quality and value as perceived by customers. To carry out the empirical study, we obtained the information available on TripAdvisor about airlines in Europe, the USA, Canada, and other countries in America, differentiating also between airlines that follow a low-cost strategy and those that do not apply it. The results show that there is a significant difference in key service quality variables between airlines in the different geographical areas studied on the one hand, and the low-cost strategy applied on the other. The variables to be used to conduct the positioning analysis in the airlines are determined. They also show that the methodology has relevant practical implications and provides tools to further develop research related to the online reputation and strategic positioning of airlines.
Performance Improvement of PV Systems’ Maximum Power Point Tracker Based on a Scanning PSO Particle Strategy
Authors: Eltamaly Ali M. , Al-Saud M. S. , Abo-Khalil A. G.
Published: February 2020

Partial shading of PV systems generates many peaks in the P–V curve. These peaks have one global peak (GP), the remaining being local peaks (LPs). Metaheuristic techniques such as PSO have proven superiority in capturing the GP and avoiding entrapment in an LP in comparison to conventional techniques. In case of partial shading conditions (PSC), the GP may change its position and value in the P–V curve and the PSO is unable to capture the GP unless they reinitialize. Reinitialization of PSO particles spends a long time for convergence; and it may cause premature convergence. This paper proposes a novel strategy for scanning the new position of the GP in case of PSC changes without a need for reinitialization. The proposed strategy sends a particle to the anticipated places of peaks to search for any peak with power greater than the current GP and when it locates this new GP it will move the PSO particles directly to the new GP. This strategy reduced the reinitialization time by 650% as compared to the time required for the random reinitialization of the conventional PSO technique. Moreover; this proposed strategy completely avoids the premature convergence associated with conventional PSO techniques.
Temperature-Mediated Plasticity Regulates the Adaptation of Phytophthora infestans to Azoxystrobin Fungicide
Authors: Lurwanu Yahuza , Wang Yan-Ping , Abdul Waheed , Zhan Jiasui , Yang Li-Na
Published: February 2020

Fungicide is one of the main approaches used in agriculture to manage plant diseases for food production, but their effectiveness can be reduced due to the evolution of plant pathogens. Understanding the genetics and evolutionary processes responsible for the development of fungicide resistance is a key to food production and social sustainability. In this study, we used a common garden experiment to examine the source of genetic variation, natural selection, and temperature contributing to the development of azoxystrobin resistance in Phytophthora infestans and infer sustainable ways of plant disease management in future. We found that plasticity contributed to ~40% of phenotypic variation in azoxystrobin sensitivity while heritability accounted for 16%. Further analysis indicated that overall population differentiation in azoxystrobin sensitivity (QST) was significantly greater than the overall population differentiation in simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker (FST), and the P. infestans isolates demonstrated higher level of azoxystrobin sensitivity at the higher experimental temperature. These results suggest that changes in target gene expression, enzymatic activity, or metabolic rate of P. infestans play a more important role in the adaptation of the pathogen to azoxystrobin resistance than that of mutations in target genes. The development of azoxystrobin resistance in P. infestans is likely driven by diversifying selection for local adaptation, and elevated temperature associated with global warming in the future may increase the effectiveness of using azoxystrobin to manage P. infestans. The sustainable approaches for increasing disease control effectiveness and minimizing the erosion of the fungicide efficacy are proposed.
Extreme Temperature Events during 1960–2017 in the Arid Region of Northwest China: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Associated Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Pi Yuanyue , Yu Yang , Zhang Yuqing , Xu Changchun , Yu Ruide
Published: February 2020

Studying the dynamic changes of extreme temperatures and associated large-scale atmospheric circulation is important for predicting the occurrence of extreme temperatures and reducing their adverse impact and damage. Based on the surface temperature data sets collected from 87 weather stations over the arid region of Northwest China (ARNC) during 1960–2017, the Sen’s slope estimator, Mann–Kendall test, Cumulative anomaly, Moving t-test, and Synthetic analysis methods were used to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics and breaking-point change characteristics of extreme temperatures, and to discuss its associated large-scale atmospheric circulation. The results revealed that at the temporal scale, summer days (SU25), warm days (TX90p), warm nights (TN90p), and warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) showed a remarkable increasing trend at the rates of 2.27, 1.49, 3, and 2.28 days/decade, respectively. The frost days (FD), cold days (TX10p), cold nights (TN10p), and cold spell duration indicator (CSDI) significantly decreased at the rates of −3.71, −0.86, −1.77, and −0.76 days/decade, respectively, during the study period. Spatially, the warming trend in the study area is very obvious as a whole, despite pronounced spatial differences in warming rate. After the breakpoint years, the frequency and probability distribution for extreme warm and cold indices were all inclined to the hotter part of the density distribution. This indicates that the climate over the study region shifted sharply and tended to be warmer. The analysis of large-scale atmospheric circulation indicates that the warming trend in the arid region of Northwest China (ARNC) is positively correlated with geopotential height at 500 hPa and negatively correlated with total cloudiness. The findings from this study have important implications for forecasting extreme temperature events and mitigating the impacts of climatological disasters in this region.
Lessons Learnt from Bridge Collapse: A View of Sustainable Management
Authors: Tan Ji-Shuang , Elbaz Khalid , Wang Zhi-Feng , Shen Jack Shui , Chen Jun
Published: February 2020

Bridge failure is one of the worst infrastructural disasters. This paper investigates the risk of bridge infrastructures in the view of sustainable management. Statistics on bridge failures from 2009 to 2019 in China show that most of these failures are related to anthropic factors. The collapse of the Zijin Bridge on 14 June 2019 in Heyuan City of Guangdong Province, China is used as a case to perform detailed analysis. Superficially, bridge collapse is a technical problem rather than a management problem. However, the deep reason for this kind of bridge failure may be due to the lack of sustainable management. In order to verify this point of view, both fault tree analysis (FTA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the bridge failure and later impact on society are conducted. According to the FTA results, the failure of the arch foot is the direct trigger of the Zijin Bridge collapse. Since a lack of real-time monitoring, risk assessment and other management issues are potential factors causing bridge collapse, strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is used to investigate the management issues related to the economy, culture, human health and environmental sustainability in more depth. The low total SEA result shows poor project management and a high safety risk. Finally, the specific managerial measures are proposed to improve the sustainability of infrastructures.
Spillover Effects of Mega-Events: The Influences of Residence, Transportation Mode, and Staying Period on Attraction Networks during Olympic Games
Authors: Kim Eujin-Julia , Kang Youngeun
Published: February 2020

When hosting mega-events such as the Olympic games, increased visitation to nearby local attractions is expected to boost the local economy and sustain the host city’s brand. These spillover effects, as well as the spatial interaction among touristic attractions, are critical from the long-term and sustainable-planning perspectives. This study investigates tourists’ patterns of visitation to multiple destinations during the 2018 Winter Olympics and finds that attraction networks originated from three major cores, forming a strong northern sandy beach–south downtown connection. The domestic visitors’ network had significantly more diverse cores, implying that city branding may have been limited to domestic boundaries. Transportation modes had a significant impact, as public transportation and walking networks had more cores and were significantly denser. The staying period had no significant impact on the number of cores or on connection strengths—even the long-term visitors’ network had lower core values; however, that network was significantly denser, suggesting that a longer stay may not imply more destination visits. These findings suggest that hosting the Olympics may have enhanced the city’s international profile in only a limited fashion. Our findings provide the following practical implications. When planning Olympic spots, the host city’s government can consider strategically scattering infrastructure and facilities, rather than planning for a single spot. Well-organized and designed walking routes or public transportation systems can contribute to enhanced spillover effects versus car rental system developments.
Heterogeneity in Ecosystem Service Values: Linking Public Perceptions and Environmental Policies
Authors: Pan Yuan , Che Yue , Marshall Stuart , Maltby Lorraine
Published: February 2020

One way of linking research and environmental policies is to increase public participation and identify ecosystem services valued by society, but the reasons influencing ecosystem values can vary. Our study investigates the reasons influencing ecosystem service values at the third largest freshwater lake in China, Lake Tai (Taihu). We interviewed 257 rural and 257 urban respondents in four cities and their respective rural regions surrounding the lake. Respondents were more willing to pay to protect a provisioning ecosystem service than a cultural ecosystem service, and those emotionally attached to the lake may value it more highly. There is also spatial heterogeneity in respondents’ ecosystem values. Rural communities ranked directly used ecosystem services higher than urban communities. The city that respondents lived in also significantly affected the amount they were willing to pay for ecosystem services. Identifying potential reasons behind ecosystem service values can provide insights into linking public perception and policy making, helping to form environmental policies that reflect societal values.
Identification of Body Balance Deterioration of Gait in Women Using Accelerometers
Authors: Leirós-Rodríguez Raquel , Romo-Pérez Vicente , García-Soidán Jose L. , Soto-Rodríguez Anxela
Published: February 2020

This study presents a simple methodology for the evaluation of gait with accelerometers, for rapid and simple application, in which we employ current balance tests in clinical practice (Timed Up and Go, Chair Stand Test and Six-Minute Walk Test). The aim was to determine whether the accelerometric valuation of gait can detect alterations in balance. The sample of this cross-sectional research, made during the months of May and June 2018, was composed of 145 healthy adult women (x = 63.8 ± 8.41 years), from the city of Ourense (Spain). They walked with a triaxial accelerometer at the fourth lumbar vertebra for a distance of 20 m. The test was repeated three times, and the mean of the three measurements was used in the analysis. There was a reduction in the values of acceleration recorded along all three of the axes and in the root mean square as the age increased. This reduction was very significant for the minimum values registered along the vertical and transverse axes, and for the maximum values along the mediolateral axis. Only the maximum values of the vector module demonstrated significant differences among the three age groups. A regression model allowed us to identify the values that give more information on the Timed Up and Go Test, namely: the maximum values of the root mean square and the mediolateral axis. An exhaustive analysis of the vertical and mediolateral axes and the vector module allows for the detection of early alterations in the automatic gait pattern.
Single Image Rain Removal Based on Deep Learning and Symmetry Transform
Authors: Yang Qing , Yu Ming , Xu Yan , Cen Shixin
Published: February 2020

Rainy, as an inevitable weather condition, will affect the acquired image. To solve this problem, a single image rain removal algorithm based on deep learning and symmetric transformation is proposed. Because of the important characteristics of wavelet transform, such as symmetry, orthogonality, flexibility and limited support, wavelet transform is used to remove rain from a single image. The image is denoised by using wavelet decomposition, threshold value and wavelet reconstruction in wavelet transform, and the rain drop image is transformed from RGB space to YUV (luma chroma) space by using deep learning to obtain the brightness component and color component of the image. the brightness component and residual component of the raindrop source image and the ideal recovered image without raindrop are extracted. The residual image and brightness component are overlapped again, the reconstructed image is restored to RGB space by YUV inverse transformation, and the final color raindrop free image is obtained. After training the network, the optimal parameters of the network are obtained, and finally the convolution neural network which can effectively remove the rain line is obtained. Experimental results show that compared with other algorithms, the proposed algorithm achieves the highest value in both peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity, which shows that the image effect of the algorithm is better after rain removal.
Fuzzy Information Retrieval Based on Continuous Bag-of-Words Model
Authors: Qiu Dong , Jiang Haihuan , Chen Shuqiao
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we study the feasibility of performing fuzzy information retrieval by word embedding. We propose a fuzzy information retrieval approach to capture the relationships between words and query language, which combines some techniques of deep learning and fuzzy set theory. We try to leverage large scale data and the continuous-bag-of words model to find the relevant feature of words and obtain word embedding. To enhance retrieval effectiveness, we measure the relativity among words by word embedding, with the property of symmetry. Experimental results show that the recall ratio, precision ratio, and harmonic average of two ratios of the proposed method outperforms the ones of the traditional methods.
Towards Stochasticity through Joint Invariant Functions of Two Isomorphic Lie Algebras of SL(2R) Type
Authors: Agop Maricel , Craus Mitică
Published: February 2020

In the motion fractal theory, the scale relativity dynamics of any complex system are described through various Schrödinger or hydrodynamic type fractal “regimes”. In the one dimensional stationary case of Schrödinger type fractal “regimes”, synchronizations of complex system entities implies a joint invariant function with the simultaneous action of two isomorphic groups of the S L ( 2 R ) type as solutions of Stoka type equations. Among these joint invariant functions, Gaussians become in the Jeans’s sense, probability density (i.e., stochasticity) whenever the information on the complex system analyzed is fragmentary. In the two-dimensional case of hydrodynamic type fractal “regimes” at a non-differentiable scale, the soliton and soliton-kink of fractal type of the velocity field generate the minimal vortex of fractal type that becomes the source of all turbulences in the complex systems dynamics. Some correlations of our model to experimental data were also achieved.
Application of Gray Relational Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics to the Statistical Techniques of Product Designs
Authors: Lin Hsin-Hung , Cheng Jui-Hung , Chen Chi-Hsiung
Published: February 2020

During the development of fan products, designers often encounter gray areas when creating new designs. Without clear design goals, development efficiency is usually reduced, and fans are the best solution for studying symmetry or asymmetry. Therefore, fan designers need to figure out an optimization approach that can simplify the fan development process and reduce associated costs. This study provides a new statistical approach using gray relational analysis (GRA) to analyze and optimize the parameters of a particular fan design. During the research, it was found that the single fan uses an asymmetry concept with a single blade as the design, while the operation of double fans is a symmetry concept. The results indicated that the proposed mechanical operations could enhance the variety of product designs and reduce costs. Moreover, this approach can relieve designers from unnecessary effort during the development process and also effectively reduce the product development time.
Probabilistic Hybrid Linguistic Approaches for Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making with Decision Hesitancy and the Prioritization of Attribute Relationships
Authors: Zhang Junling , Hong Ying , Qi Xiaowen , Liang Changyong
Published: February 2020

Focusing on ill-structured multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) problems, including decision hesitancy and attribute prioritization relationships, this paper investigates appropriate approaches for decision making. Firstly, we introduce the probabilistic hybrid linguistic term set (P-HLTS) for capturing probabilistic preferences about possible linguistic labels belonging to a wide range of hesitant linguistic term sets. Entropy and distance measurements for P-HLTS are developed without arbitrary complementing operations. To facilitate decision making with attribute prioritization relationships, we present a probabilistic uncertain balanced linguistic-prioritized weighted average (PUBL-PWA) operator and the probabilistic uncertain balanced linguistic-induced prioritized ordered weighted average (PUBL-IPOWA) operator. In terms of the strength of the above tools, we further construct two multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) approaches under P-HLTS environments, namely, an approach for decision-making situations where attribute prioritization relationships are known in advance and the relative importance of decision makers (DMs) or decision-making units (DMUs) is not required for consideration, and second approach for decision-making situations where both attribute prioritization relationships and the weighted vectors of DMs or DMUs are explicitly unknown. In general, our proposed approaches are more flexible and practical when considering heterogeneous opinions, avoiding information distortion brought about by complementing operation-based distance measures. Furthermore, illustrative application studies are conducted to verify our developed approaches.
A Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm of Load Current Maximization-Perturbation and Observation Method with Variable Step Size
Authors: Zhang Lieping , Wang Zhengzhong , Cao Peng , Zhang Shenglan
Published: February 2020

A photovoltaic power supply with a simple structure and high tracking efficiency is needed in self-powered, wireless sensor networks. First, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm, including the load current maximization-perturbation and observation (LCM-P&O) methods, with a fixed step size, is proposed by integrating the traditional load current maximization (LCM) method and perturbation and observation (P&O) method. By sampling the changes of load current and photovoltaic cell input current once the disturbance is applied, the pulse width modulation (PWM) regulation mode, i.e., increasing or reducing, can be determined in the next process. Then, the above algorithm is improved by using the variable step size strategy. By comparing the difference between the absolute value of the observed current value and the theoretical current value at the maximum power point of the photovoltaic cell with the set threshold value, the variable step size for perturbation is determined. MATLAB simulation results show that the LCM-P&O method, with a variable step size, has faster convergence speed and higher tracking accuracy. Finally, the two MPPT algorithms are tested and analyzed under constant voltage source input and indoor fluorescent lamp illumination through an actual circuit, respectively. The experimental results show that the LCM-P&O method with variable step size has a higher tracking efficiency, about 90%–92%, and has higher stability and lower power consumption.
Numerical Investigation of a Foundation Pit Supported by a Composite Soil Nailing Structure
Authors: Han Wei , Li Genxiao , Sun Zhaohui , Luan Hengjie , Liu Chuanzheng , Wu Xianlong
Published: February 2020

In special geology conditions such as silt-soil, foundation pits are prone to instability and severe deformation. In this paper, a composite soil nailing structure was studied and its effect on a silt-soil symmetrical foundation pit investigated. The factors affecting the stability of the pit as well as its deformation characteristics were also explored. The results show that excavation depth of the foundation pit has a significant impact on its stability. The soil outside the foundation pit is in the form of a parabola, and the uplift of the soil mainly occurs at the bottom. The horizontal displacement of soil on the side wall of the foundation pit presents a “bulk belly” form. In addition, the axial force of soil nails is larger in the middle part, and smaller at both ends in the shape of a spindle. Moreover, the horizontal displacement is positively correlated with the inclination and spacing of the soil nails, but negatively correlated with the diameter and depth of the mixing pile inlay. Furthermore, the inclination and spacing of the soil nails, the diameter, and embedded depth of the mixing pile have their own critical values for stability of the foundation pit. Specifically, in this paper, with respect to soil nails, inclination should be below 30° and prestress value should not exceed 20 kN. With respect to the mixing pile, the diameter should be less than 1.5 m; when the embedded depth of the mixing pile exceeds the critical depth, the limiting effect of the mixing pile on horizontal displacement is not significant. This research provides important takeaways for the design of a composite soil nailing structure for symmetrical foundation pits.
ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily a Member 2 Is a Functional Receptor for Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2A Toxins in Bombyx mori, But Not for Cry1A, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1F, or Cry9A Toxins
Authors: Li Xiaoyi , Miyamoto Kazuhisa , Takasu Yoko , Wada Sanae , Iizuka Tetsuya , Adegawa Satomi , Sato Ryoichi , Watanabe Kenji
Published: February 2020

Cry toxins are insecticidal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). They are used commercially to control insect pests since they are very active in specific insects and are harmless to the environment and human health. The gene encoding ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 2 (ABCA2) was identified in an analysis of Cry2A toxin resistance genes. However, we do not have direct evidence for the role of ABCA2 for Cry2A toxins or why Cry2A toxin resistance does not cross to other Cry toxins. Therefore, we performed two experiments. First, we edited the ABCA2 sequence in Bombyx mori using transcription activator-like effector-nucleases (TALENs) and confirmed the susceptibility-determining ability in a diet overlay bioassay. Strains with C-terminal half-deleted BmABCA2 showed strong and specific resistance to Cry2A toxins; even strains carrying a deletion of 1 to 3 amino acids showed resistance. However, the C-terminal half-deleted strains did not show cross-resistance to other toxins. Second, we conducted a cell swelling assay and confirmed the specific ability of BmABCA2 to Cry2A toxins in HEK239T cells. Those demonstrated that BmABCA2 is a functional receptor for Cry2A toxins and that BmABCA2 deficiency-dependent Cry2A resistance does not confer cross-resistance to Cry1A, Cry1Ca, Cry1Da, Cry1Fa or Cry9Aa toxins.
Effects of Light Intensity and Exposure Period on the Growth and Stress Responses of Two Cyanobacteria Species: Pseudanabaena galeata and Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Muhetaer Guligena , Asaeda Takashi , Jayasanka Senavirathna M. D. H. , Baniya Mahendra B. , Abeynayaka Helayaye D. L. , Rashid M. Harun , Yan HongYu
Published: February 2020

Light is an important factor that affects cyanobacterial growth and changes in light can influence their growth and physiology. However, an information gap exists regarding light-induced oxidative stress and the species-specific behavior of cyanobacteria under various light levels. This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative effects of different light intensities on the growth and stress responses of two cyanobacteria species, Pseudanabaena galeata (strain NIES 512) and Microcystis aeruginosa (strain NIES 111), after periods of two and eight days. The cyanobacterial cultures were grown under the following different light intensities: 0, 10, 30, 50, 100, 300, and 600 μmol m−2 s−1. The optical density (OD730), chlorophyll a (Chl-a) content, protein content, H2O2 content, and the antioxidative enzyme activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) were measured separately in each cyanobacteria species. P. galeata was negatively affected by light intensities lower than 30 μmol m−2 s−1 and higher than 50 μmol m−2 s−1. A range of 30 to 50 μmol m−2 s−1 light was favorable for the growth of P. galeata, whereas M. aeruginosa had a higher tolerance for extreme light conditions. The favorable range for M. aeruginosa was 10 to 100 μmol m−2 s−1.
Rethinking the Framework of Smart Water System: A Review
Authors: Li Jiada , Yang Xiafei , Sitzenfrei Robert
Published: February 2020

Throughout the past years, governments, industries, and researchers have shown increasing interest in incorporating smart techniques, including sensor monitoring, real-time data transmitting, and real-time controlling into water systems. However, the design and construction of such a smart water system are still not quite standardized for massive applications due to the lack of consensus on the framework. The major challenge impeding wide application of the smart water network is the unavailability of a systematic framework to guide real-world design and deployment. To address this challenge, this review study aims to facilitate more extensive adoption of the smart water system, to increase effectiveness and efficiency in real-world water system contexts. A total of 32 literature pieces including 1 international forum, 17 peer-reviewed papers, 10 reports, and 4 presentations that are directly related to frameworks of smart water system have been reviewed. A new and comprehensive smart water framework, including definition and architecture, was proposed in this review paper. Two conceptual metrics (smartness and cyber wellness) were defined to evaluate the performance of smart water systems. Additionally, three pieces of future research suggestions were discussed, calling for broader collaboration in the community of researchers, engineers, and industrial and governmental sectors to promote smart water system applications.
Variability of the Initial Abstraction Ratio in an Urban and an Agroforested Catchment
Authors: Krajewski Adam , Sikorska-Senoner Anna E. , Hejduk Agnieszka , Hejduk Leszek
Published: February 2020

The Curve Number method is one of the most commonly applied methods to describe the relationship between the direct runoff and storm rainfall depth. Due to its popularity and simplicity, it has been studied extensively. Less attention has been given to the dimensionless initial abstraction ratio, which is crucial for an accurate direct runoff estimation with the Curve Number. This ratio is most often assumed to be equal to 0.20, which was originally proposed by the method’s developers. In this work, storm events recorded in the years 2009–2017 in two small Polish catchments of different land use types (urban and agroforested) were analyzed for variability in the initial abstraction ratio across events, seasons, and land use type. Our results showed that: (i) estimated initial abstraction ratios varied between storm events and seasons, and were most often lower than the original value of 0.20; (ii) for large events, the initial abstraction ratio in the catchment approaches a constant value after the rainfall depth exceeds a certain threshold value. Thus, when using the Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN) method, the initial abstraction ratio should be locally verified, and the conditions for the application of the suggested value of 0.20 should be established.
Guarding the Sons of Empire: Military–State–Society Relations in Water, Sanitation and Health Programs of mid-19th-Century India
Authors: Halvorson Sarah J. , Wescoat Jr. James L.
Published: February 2020

Drinking water supply and sanitation have had a strong association with military institutions in South Asia from the colonial period to the present. This paper shows how military-state-society relationships created spaces of differential water access and sanitation burdens in mid-19th-century cantonments in ways that involved complex gender relations. In comparison with previous research, we argue that privileged military enclaves were segregated but never fully separated from larger urban water and sanitation systems. We use historical geographic methods to review the evolving role of military sanitation regulations in cantonments from late-18th-century policies of the East India Company (EIC) through mid-19th-century rule by the British Crown, during which time military cantonments, regulations, and formal monitoring reports were established. Close reading of the British Army Medical Department’s Statistical, Sanitary, and Medical Reports (Sanitary Reports) in the 1860s then shows how military-state-society relations diverged from civilian public health programs in ways that persist to some extent to the present day. Health advisors, some of them women, pursued an ideology and tactics to “guard the sons of empire”, from what they perceived to be a disease-filled landscape of “lurking evils”, “choleric attacks”, and “native offensives”. We conclude with a discussion of both continuities and change in the relationships between military and civilian public health reforms beyond the barracks.
Aquatic Macrophytes and Local Factors Drive Bacterial Community Distribution and Interactions in a Riparian Zone of Lake Taihu
Authors: LYU Yuanjiao , Huang Rui , Zeng Jin , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: February 2020

Aquatic macrophytes rhizosphere are biogeochemical cycling hotspots in freshwater ecosystems. However, little is known regarding the effect of aquatic macrophytes on bacterial community and interactions in the riparian zones. We investigated the bacterial community composition and network structures along a gradient of the riparian zone as follows: The supralittoral and eulittoral zones with Phragmites australis, the eulittoral and infralittoral zones without P. australi. The bacterial communities in the four zones differed significantly based on taxonomic dissimilarity, but the two zones with P. australis exhibited phylogenetic closeness of the bacterial communities. The characteristics of the bacterial networks, such as connectivity, modularity, and topological roles of OTUs, were totally different between the P. australis and non-P. australis zones. Some bacterial phyla enriched in the P. australis zones were found to be putative keystone taxa in the networks, which might be involved in the regulation of bacterial interactions and plant growth. Moreover, the hydrological regime and particle size were shown to be determinants of the bacterial community and network structures in the riparian zones. In summary, our results show that the role of P. australis and local factors are crucial for constructing bacterial community and interactions in the riparian zones of lakes.
Adsorption Properties of Magnetic Magnetite Nanoparticle for Coexistent Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in Mixed Solution
Authors: Zhang Jin , Lin Shuang , Han Meiling , Su Qing , Xia Lianqiu , Hui Zhaocong
Published: February 2020

The adsorption properties of coexistent Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in mixed solution on magnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticle were studied in batch experiments. The influences of various factors, such as pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial concentration of metal ions, and coexisting ions in water were investigated. At the same time, the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were studied. The mechanism of adsorption for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) was investigated through the study of surface properties of Fe3O4, the presence of ions, and the influence of pH and zeta potential. The results indicate that pH has an influence on adsorption for Cr(VI) and Cu(II), and the optimal pH value for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) adsorption is 4.0. The adsorption efficiency increased with the increase of the adsorbent dose. Temperature under experimental design had no obvious effect. With 2.0 g/dm3 Fe3O4, the maximum adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) reached 8.67 mg/g and 18.61 mg/g in mixed solution of 80 mg/dm3 Cr(VI) and Cu(II), respectively. Phosphorus had some influence on the adsorption for Cr(VI), and other coexisting anions and cations had no influence on the adsorption for Cr(VI) and Cu(II). The adsorption data for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) were nicely fit to the Langmuir adsorption equation and the pseudo-second-order model. As a multifunctional material, nano-Fe3O4 exhibited good adsorption performance for coexistent Cr(VI) and Cu(II) and could easily be separated and recovered under magnetic field.
Diatom Species Richness in Swiss Springs Increases with Habitat Complexity and Elevation
Authors: Taxböck Lukas , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Kessler Michael , Spitale Daniel , Cantonati Marco
Published: February 2020

Understanding the drivers of species richness gradients is a central challenge of ecological and biodiversity research in freshwater science. Species richness along elevational gradients reveals a great variety of patterns. Here, we investigate elevational changes in species richness and turnover between microhabitats in near-natural spring habitats across Switzerland. Species richness was determined for 175 subsamples from 71 near-natural springs, and Poisson regression was applied between species richness and environmental predictors. Compositional turnover was calculated between the different microhabitats within single springs using the Jaccard index based on observed species and the Chao index based on estimated species numbers. In total, 539 diatom species were identified. Species richness increased monotonically with elevation. Habitat diversity and elevation explaining some of the species richness per site. The Jaccard index for the measured compositional turnover showed a mean similarity of 70% between microhabitats within springs, whereas the Chao index which accounts for sampling artefacts estimated a turnover of only 37%. Thus, the commonly applied method of counting 500 valves led to an undersampling of the rare species and might need to be reconsidered when assessing diatom biodiversity.
DIAGNOSING AND DEVELOPING THE E-BUSINESS COMPETENCIES OF THE "Z" GENERATION
Authors: Czainska Katarzyna
Published: February 2020

The purpose of the article is to present an example of a diagnostic tool for identifying the competence gap of representatives of the “Z” generation who want to conduct business in the e-business model. The first part presents the characteristics of the “Z” generation (Gen-Z) based on studies of Polish and foreign literature. Groups of individual professional competences important for e-business owners were also identified, which were developed on the basis of the results of personal research carried out in 2018 by the CAWI method. The methodological part presents the construction and application of the "e_BIS" tool, which can be used to diagnose the current state and development of competences, broken down into competences: business (B), IT (I) and strategic leadership (S). Based on preliminary analyses, it was formulated that the presented tool can be useful both in education (secondary and higher) and on the labour market to properly shape the individual professional competences of representatives of the “Z” generation.
THE INNOVATIVENESS OF THE SERVICE SECTOR IN THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
Authors: Decyk Kamil
Published: February 2020

The subject of innovativeness is an interesting and unusually up-to-date research area in Poland and other countries. It is especially interesting to consider the situation in the service sector, whose specific character is largely related to the non-technological scope of innovativeness. With regards to such an outline of the research, the objective of this paper is to evaluate the level of the innovativeness of the service sector in EU countries. The research material in the paper was the Eurostat prepared database regarding the following: the level and type of innovative activity, as well as the degree of innovation in the EU services sector. In order to obtain the research goal, the method of analysis and criticism of literature, comparative analysis was used and the arithmetic mean was used to determine the levels of innovation. Based on the conducted research the top innovative level service sector countries include: France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The medium level countries include: Germany, Sweden, Portugal and Poland. The service sectors of other countries were classified as low level innovativeness. The research, did not identify the influence of the service sector innovativeness on the innovativeness level of particular countries
THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR IN SPAIN. INFLUENCE OF R&D INVESTMENT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: Miró-Pérez Albert-P. , Crisóstomo Gálvez Raquel , Carreño Marc Valderrama
Published: February 2020

The current globalised environment has been preceded by a generalised increase in the diffusion and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), as well as by a large investment in Research and Development (R&D) by companies. This circumstance makes the use of these technologies fundamental for the automotive sector to face with guarantees the growing international competitivity. Thus, the correct use of ICT provides an improvement in productivity, and therefore in the competitiveness of enterprises. This article analyses the evolution of total factor productivity (TFP) in the Spanish automotive sector for the year 2017, in order to determine the influence this variable has on the improvement of total factor productivi
O Programa Milton Santos de Acesso ao Ensino Superior - PROMISAES: uma política pública educacional para a promoção da democracia social.
Authors: Carmo Renata Janaína do
Published: February 2020

Este artigo objetivou-se em abordar a perspectiva de democracia racial no Brasil através da análise de uma política pública educacional, o Programa Milton Santos de Acesso ao Ensino Superior- PROMISAES. Para sua elaboração, utilizou-se o edital de seleção de novembro de 2010 que relata: os pedidos deferidos, indeferidos, os cursos escolhidos pelos estudantes do PEC-G - Programa Estudantes Convênio de Graduação, as universidades escolhidas por eles e as suas respectivas origens. Além de analisar os dados coletados pelo edital de seleção, este trabalho também refletiu sobre a importância das políticas públicas educacionais para a promoção da democracia social, a qual vai muito além da democracia racial proposta por Gilberto Freyre.
Seletividade da amilopectina e amilose na flotação catiônica reversa do minério de ferro
Authors: Matos Samuel Souza de , Alexandrino Junia Soares , Ferreira Kelly Cristina
Published: February 2020

O experimento analisado neste estudo teve como objeto de pesquisa o comportamento da depressão da Amilopectina e Amilose, dois componentes predominantes no amido usado comumente na flotação reversa de minério de ferro na função de reagente depressor. A quebra de ligações químicas fortes do mineral durante a cominuição gera alguns fenômenos, como o carregamento da superfície, tornando possível a manipulação dos minerais na flotação e, consequente, a concentração do mineral de interesse. Foram realizados estudos de flotação em bancada com amostras de Itabirito silicoso de baixo Fósforo e Alumina da região de Congonhas-MG, sendo utilizado cada depressor individualmente, visando obter maior teor de Ferro com Amilose e maior recuperação de massa com Amilopectina. Foi também possível observar maiores valores de recuperação de massa e metalúrgica com o uso da Amilopectina. Entretanto, a Amilose não apresentou teores de Ferro significativamente maiores em relação à aplicação da Amilopectina. Foram utilizados os reagentes Wax Maize (aproximadamente 100% de Amilopectina) e Ziam Pó (80%-85% de Amilose) como fonte de Amilopectina e Amilose.