bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Interaction of Climate and Land-Use Drivers Alter the Function of North American, Prairie-Pothole Wetlands
Authors: McKenna Owen P. , Kucia Samuel R. , Mushet David M. , Anteau Michael J. , Wiltermuth Mark T.
Published: November 2019

Prairie-pothole wetlands provide the critical habitat necessary for supporting North American migratory waterfowl populations. However, climate and land-use change threaten the sustainability of these wetland ecosystems. Very few experiments and analyses have been designed to investigate the relative impacts of climate and land-use change drivers, as well as the antagonistic or synergistic interactions among these drivers on ecosystem processes. Prairie-pothole wetland water budgets are highly dependent on atmospheric inputs and especially surface runoff, which makes them especially susceptible to changes in climate and land use. Here, we present the history of prairie-pothole climate and land-use change research and address the following research questions: 1) What are the relative effects of climate and land-use change on the sustainability of prairie-pothole wetlands? and 2) Do the effects of climate and land-use change interact differently under different climatic conditions? To address these research questions, we modeled 25 wetland basins (1949–2018) and measured the response of the lowest wetland in the watershed to wetland drainage and climate variability. We found that during an extremely wet period (1993–2000) wetland drainage decreased the time at which the lowest wetland reached its spill point by four years, resulting in 10 times the amount of water spilling out of the watershed towards local stream networks. By quantifying the relative effects of both climate and land-use drivers on wetland ecosystems our findings can help managers cope with uncertainties about flooding risks and provide insight into how to manage wetlands to restore functionality.
Perceived Mental Benefit in Electronic Commerce: Development and Validation
Authors: Nguyen Minh Ha , Khoa Bui Thanh
Published: November 2019

There is no denying that electronic commerce has brought many benefits to consumers. In the competitive market, capturing the benefit that customers perceived will be the best way for the sustainability of online businesses. However, in the context of increasing human life quality, re-examining the beneficial dimensions of electronic commerce (e-commerce) is a necessity. This study aims to develop and validate a perceived benefit scale of e-commerce concerning the mental viewpoint. The qualitative research and quantitative research method are used according to the development and validation procedure proposed by Churchill in 1979. The research result indicates that the perceived mental benefit of online shopping is in the second-order concept of four dimensions, including perceived shopping enjoyment, perceived social interaction, perceived discreet shopping, and perceived control. Some research and managerial implications are proposed.
Indoor Environmental Quality Evaluation of Lecture Classrooms in an Institutional Building in a Cold Climate
Authors: Zhong Lexuan , Yuan Jing , Fleck Brian
Published: November 2019

In this paper, ventilation, indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal and acoustic conditions, and lighting were studied to evaluate the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in an institutional building at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. This study examined IEQ parameters, including pressure, illuminance, acoustics, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, temperature, and humidity, with appropriate monitors allocated during a lecture (duration 50 min or 80 min) in four lecture classrooms repeatedly (N = 99) from October 2018 to March 2019 with the objectives of providing a comprehensive analysis of interactions between IEQ parameters. The classroom environments were maintained at 23 ± 1 °C and 33% ± 3% RH during two-season measurements. Indoor mean CO2 concentrations were 550–1055 ppm, and a mean sound level of 58 ± 3 dBA was observed. The air change rates were configured at 1.3–6.5 per hour based on continuous CO2 measurements and occupant loads in the lectures. A variance analysis indicated that the within-lecture classroom variations in most IEQ parameters exceeded between-lecture classrooms. A multilayer artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed on the basis of feedforward networks with a backpropagation algorithm. ANN results demonstrated the importance of the sequence of covariates on indoor conditions (temperature, RH, and CO2 level): Air change rate (ACR) > room operations (occupant number and light system) > outdoor conditions.
People’s Tendency Toward Norm-Interventions to Tackle Waste Disposal in Public Open Spaces in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Srun Pagnarith , Kurisu Kiyo
Published: November 2019

Waste disposal at undesignated sites in public open spaces causes hygiene problems, city landscape deterioration, and urban flooding in many developing countries. We used different types of norms—subjective norms, perception about government pressure as one injunctive norm, and personal norms—as interventions to promote people’s intentions to avoid disposing of waste in public open spaces. Six different statements focusing on these three norms were designed, and the residents’ tendencies to follow each statement were investigated using 15 pair-wise comparisons in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In addition, the likely effectiveness of each statement to encourage the residents’ intentions was asked of national and local government officials using the same pair-wise questions. The results showed that residents were most likely to follow an intervention focusing on personal norms, especially when touching on people’s responsibility, and this was also perceived to be the most effective by the government officials. Social pressure from the government, either in a strict way with punishments or in a soft way with recommendations, were the least preferred and thought to be ineffective by both the residents and government officials in avoiding waste disposal in public open spaces. The result suggests that future policy implication should be more focused on bottom-up approaches rather than top-down counterparts. Voluntary civic engagement is more vital in dealing with waste disposal in public open space than government interventions.
Sustainable Business Practices and Firm’s Financial Performance in Islamic Banking: Under the Moderating Role of Islamic Corporate Governance
Authors: Jan Amin , Marimuthu Maran , Hassan Rohail , Mehreen
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the moderating role of Islamic corporate governance on the link between sustainable business practices and the firm’s financial performance. A post-crisis period sustainability data for the decade of 2008–2017 was collected by the study. For data collection, this study used the weighted content method. The Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) statistical test was used for empirical testing. The results of the study found that the link between sustainable business practices with the firm’s financial performance measured from the shareholders’ and the management’s perspective is positive, while the subjected link measured from the market perspective was found to be insignificant. This implies that the market stakeholders of the Islamic banks are reluctant for their bank’s spending on sustainable business practices. Interestingly, the insignificant link between sustainable business practices and market performance became significant with the moderating role of Shariah governance and managerial ownership. It shows that the moderating role of Shariah governance and managerial ownership is giving confidence to market stakeholders of Islamic banks for receiving a higher financial return through sustainable business practices initiatives. These results may provide insights for several policymakers of the Islamic banking industry about integrating vital sustainability practices in their business models and about the balanced moderating role of Islamic corporate governance in the link between sustainable business practice and the firm’s financial performance. It provides a roadmap to the Islamic banking industry for efficient management of sustainability practices from an Islamic perspective and subsequently improvement of financial performance through it.
Effect of Flow Rate and Particle Concentration on the Transport and Deposition of Bare and Stabilized Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles in Sandy Soil
Authors: Ibrahim Hesham M. , Awad Mohammed , Al-Farraj Abdullah S. , Al-Turki Ali M.
Published: November 2019

Efficient application of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles in remediation processes relies heavily on the ability to modify the surfaces of nZVI particles to enhance their stability and mobility in subsurface layers. We investigated the effect of sodium carboxy-methyl-cellulose (CMC) polymer stabilizer, pH, particle concentration, and flow rate on the transport of nZVI particles in sand columns. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) of nZVI particles indicated that the transport of nZVI particles was increased by the presence of CMC and by increasing the flow rate. The relative concentration (RC) of the eluted CMC–nZVI nanoparticles was larger at pH 9 as compared to RC at pH 7. This is mainly attributed to the increased nZVI particle stability at higher pH due to the increase in the electrostatic repulsion forces and the formation of larger energy barriers. nZVI particle deposition was larger at 0.1 cm min−1 flow due to the increased residence time, which increases the aggregation and settlement of particles. The amount of CMC–nZVI particles eluted from the sand columns was increased by 52% at the maximum flow rate of 1.0 cm min−1. Bare nZVI were mostly retained in the first millimeters of the soil column, and the amount eluted did not exceed 1.2% of the total amount added. Our results suggest that surface modification of nZVI particles was necessary to increase stability and enhance transport in sandy soil. Nevertheless, a proper flow rate, suitable for the intended remediation efforts, must be considered to minimize nZVI particle deposition and increase remediation efficiency.
Towards a Valuation and Taxation Information Model for Chinese Rural Collective Construction Land
Authors: Xu Zhongguo , Zhuo Yuefei , Li Guan , Liao Rong , Wu Cifang
Published: November 2019

To promote rural revitalisation, China’s central government revised the land administration law to allow rural collective construction land (RCL) to be traded in the market and attract private and financial capitals into rural investment and development. However, the land value appreciation income of the market access is closely related to geographical location. Hence, the value appreciation of RCL is enormous in villages around cities and towns. By contrast, the land value appreciation of RCL is low in villages away from cities and towns. This marked difference will lead to a significant impact on the rural social structure. To avoid the excessive widening of the income gap in rural areas, China’s central government attempted to conduct land value capture by revising and implementing land tax laws and reasonably distributing the value appreciation income of market access amongst the state, collectives and individuals. In response to the requirements of land reform, this study firstly identifies the legal constraints on the taxation of RCL in China through the structured retrieval and organisation of legal documents on land taxation. Thereafter, the technical constraints are analysed through the structural retrieval and organisation of the technical specifications of China’s land valuation. Lastly, this study proposes a land administration domain model (LADM) valuation and taxation information model on the basis of the aforementioned constraints. The major contents of the proposed model encompass improving the information management of taxpayer identity registration, supplementing land valuation methods and strengthening valuation information of the large-scale influencing factors. The proposed model is the technical basis to prompt the interconnection between the real estate registration and real estate taxation systems, which will be conducive to the efficient collaboration of the two systems.
Indicators and Assessment System for Sustainability of Municipalities: A Case Study of South Korea’s Assessment of Sustainability of Cities (ASC)
Authors: Hong Sungjo , Kweon Ihl , Lee Bum-Hyun , Kim Heechul
Published: November 2019

Sustainability assessment systems are commonly used to achieve sustainability. However, internationally agreed systems are difficult to locate. Analysis of sustainability assessment systems in various contexts can lead to creating a standardized sustainability assessment framework. Here, we reviewed the experience of the sustainability assessment system applied in Korea for sharing knowledge and providing implications for creating internationally standardized sustainability assessment frameworks. The subject of the study was the assessment of sustainability of cities (ASC, conducted annually by the Korean government) using data from the 2015 assessment and consisting of two parts: Descriptive analysis of the ASC system and analysis of the 2015 ASC assessment results. The ASC assessment unit is the low-ranked municipality, and indicators include social, economic, environmental, and institutional themes. The ASC assesses overall sustainability by incorporating mandatory and voluntary indicators, and the Korean government encourages improved sustainability through awards, diagnostic reports, and incentives. Gun was highly evaluated in social sustainability, and the southern Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheong area were highly evaluated in economic sustainability. In environmental sustainability, metropolitan cities received high scores, while institutional theme scores were not high in any specific area. Municipalities in metropolitan cities received higher voluntary indicator scores than rural areas.
Overview of the Phenomenology of Lorentz and CPT Violation in Atomic Systems
Authors: Vargas Arnaldo J.
Published: November 2019

This is an overview of recent publications on the prospects of searching for nonminimal Lorentz-violating effects in atomic spectroscopy experiments. The article discusses the differences in the signals for Lorentz violation in the presence of minimal and nonminimal operators and what systems are more sensitive to certain types of Lorentz-violating operators.
Gravitational Instability Caused by the Weight of Heat
Authors: Roupas Zacharias
Published: November 2019

Thermal energy points towards a disordered, completely uniform state act to counter gravity’s tendency to generate order and structure through gravitational collapse. It is, therefore, expected to contribute to the stabilization of a self-gravitating, classical ideal gas over collapse. However, I identified an instability that always occurs at sufficiently high energies: the high-energy or relativistic gravothermal instability. I argue here that this instability presents an analogous core–halo structure as its Newtonian counterpart, the Antonov instability. The main difference is that in the former case the core is dominated by the gravitation of thermal energy and not rest mass energy. A relativistic generalization of Antonov’s instability—the low-energy gravothermal instability—also occurs. The two turning points, which make themselves evident as a double spiral of the caloric curve, approach each other as relativistic effects become more intense and eventually merge in a single point. Thus, the high and low-energy cases may be realized as two aspects of a single phenomenon—the gravothermal instability—which involves a core–halo separation and an intrinsic heat flow. Finally, I argue that the core formed during a core-collapse supernova is subject to the relativistic gravothermal instability if it becomes sufficiently hot and compactified at the time of the bounce. In this case, it will continue to collapse towards the formation of a black hole.
Lie Symmetry Analysis, Analytical Solution, and Conservation Laws of a Sixth-Order Generalized Time-Fractional Sawada-Kotera Equation
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Li Lianzhong
Published: November 2019

To discuss the invariance properties of a sixth-order generalized time-fractional Sawada-Kotera equation, on the basis of the Riemann-Liouville derivative, the Lie point symmetry and symmetry reductions are derived. Then the power series theory is used to construct the exact power series solution of the equation. Finally, the conservation laws for a sixth-order generalized time-fractional Sawada-Kotera equation are computed.
Screening Mold Colonies by Using Two Toxicity Assays Revealed Indoor Strains of Aspergillus calidoustus Producing Ophiobolins G and K
Authors: Salo Marja Johanna , Marik Tamás , Bencsik Ottó , Mikkola Raimo , Kredics László , Szekeres András , Andersson Maria A. , Salonen Heidi , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: November 2019

The occurrence and toxin production of the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus calidoustus in Finnish buildings is not well documented in the literature. We tracked and identified four A. calidoustus colonies cultivated from indoor settled dusts and revealed the biological activities of crude biomass extracts. The toxic substances were identified as 6-epi-ophiobolin K, ophiobolin K, and ophiobolin G by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) based on chromatographic and mass spectrometry data (MS and MS/MS) on the crude extract of A. calidoustus strain MH34. A total of 29 fungal colonies collected from settled dust in an office room reported for indoor-air-related illnesses were screened for toxins that inhibited boar sperm motility in the BSMI (boar sperm motility inhibiting) assay and cell proliferation in the ICP (inhibition of cell proliferation) assays with PK-15 cells. Out of the 27 colonies tested as toxic, 12 colonies exhibiting conidiophores representative of the genera Chaetomium, Penicillium, and Paecilomyces were excluded from the study, while 13 colonies exhibited Aspergillus-like conidiophores. Biomass suspensions of these colonies were divided into two categories: Category 1 colonies (n = 4), toxic in the BSMI assay and the ICP assays, emitted blue fluorescence and grew at 37 °C; Category 2 colonies (n = 9), only toxic in the ICP assay, emitted orange fluorescence and exhibited limited or no growth at 37 °C. Colonies in Category 1 were pure-cultured, and the strains were named as MH4, MH21, MH34, MH36. Strain MH34 was identified as A. calidoustus by the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Ethanol-soluble dry substances extracted from the biomass of the pure cultures exhibited a toxicological profile in the BSMI assay, SMID (sperm membrane integrity damage) assay, and ICP assay similar to that exhibited by pure ophiobolin A. Overall, the viable conidia of A. calidoustus in indoor settled dusts deserve attention when potentially hazardous mold species are monitored.
Mycotoxin Dietary Exposure Assessment through Fruit Juices Consumption in Children and Adult Population
Authors: Pallarés Noelia , Carballo Dionisia , Ferrer Emilia , Fernández-Franzón Mónica , Berrada Houda
Published: November 2019

Consumption of fruit juice is becoming trendy for consumers seeking freshness and high vitamin and low caloric intake. Mycotoxigenic moulds may infect fruits during crop growth, harvest, and storage leading to mycotoxin production. Many mycotoxins are resistant to food processing, which make their presence in the final juice product very likely expected. In this way, the presence of 30 mycotoxins including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), aflatoxin G2 (AFG2), alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), Ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), enniatin A (ENNA), enniatin A1 (ENNA1), enniatin B (ENNB), enniatin B1 (ENNB1), beauvericin (BEA), sterigmatocystin (STG), zearalenone (ZEA), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon-X (FUS-X), neosolaniol (NEO), patulin (PAT), T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin was evaluated in 80 juice samples collected from Valencia retail Market. An efficient Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction method (DLLME) was carried out before their trace level determination by chromatographic techniques coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The results obtained revealed the presence of nine mycotoxins namely AOH, AME, PAT, OTA, AFB1, AFB2, AFG2, β-ZAL, and HT2 in the analyzed samples, with incidences ranging from 3 to 29% and mean contents between 0.14 and 59.52 µg/L. Considerable percentages of TDIs were reached by children when 200 mL was considered as daily fruit juice intake.
Identification of Nuclear Localization Signals in the ORF2 Protein of Porcine Circovirus Type 3
Authors: Mou Chunxiao , Wang Minmin , Pan Shuonan , Chen Zhenhai
Published: November 2019

Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) contains two major open reading frames (ORFs) and the ORF2 gene encodes the major structural capsid protein. In this study, nuclear localization of ORF2 was demonstrated by fluorescence observation and subcellular fractionation assays in ORF2-transfected PK-15 cells. The subcellular localization of truncated ORF2 indicated that the 38 N-terminal amino acids were responsible for the nuclear localization of ORF2. The truncated and site-directed mutagenesis of this domain were constructed, and the results demonstrated that the basic amino acid residues at positions 8–32 were essential for the strict nuclear localization. The basic motifs 8RRR-R-RRR16 and 16RRRHRRR22 were further shown to be the key functional nucleolar localization signals that guide PCV3 ORF2 into nucleoli. Furthermore, sequence analysis showed that the amino acids of PCV3 nuclear localization signals were highly conserved. Overall, this study provides insight into the biological and functional characteristics of the PCV3 ORF2 protein.
Identification of a Novel Adélie Penguin Circovirus at Cape Crozier (Ross Island, Antarctica)
Authors: Morandini Virginia , Dugger Katie M. , Ballard Grant , Elrod Megan , Schmidt Annie , Ruoppolo Valeria , Lescroël Amélie , Jongsomjit Dennis , Massaro Melanie , Pennycook Jean , Kooyman Gerald L. , Schmidlin Kara , Kraberger Simona , Ainley David G. , Varsani Arvind
Published: November 2019

Understanding the causes of disease in Antarctic wildlife is crucial, as many of these species are already threatened by environmental changes brought about by climate change. In recent years, Antarctic penguins have been showing signs of an unknown pathology: a feather disorder characterised by missing feathers, resulting in exposed skin. During the 2018–2019 austral summer breeding season at Cape Crozier colony on Ross Island, Antarctica, we observed for the first time an Adélie penguin chick missing down over most of its body. A guano sample was collected from the nest of the featherless chick, and using high-throughput sequencing, we identified a novel circovirus. Using abutting primers, we amplified the full genome, which we cloned and Sanger-sequenced to determine the complete genome of the circovirus. The Adélie penguin guano-associated circovirus genome shares <67% genome-wide nucleotide identity with other circoviruses, representing a new species of circovirus; therefore, we named it penguin circovirus (PenCV). Using the same primer pair, we screened 25 previously collected cloacal swabs taken at Cape Crozier from known-age adult Adélie penguins during the 2014–2015 season, displaying no clinical signs of feather-loss disorder. Three of the 25 samples (12%) were positive for a PenCV, whose genome shared >99% pairwise identity with the one identified in 2018–2019. This is the first report of a circovirus associated with a penguin species. This circovirus could be an etiological agent of the feather-loss disorder in Antarctic penguins.
Application of HDR-CRISPR/Cas9 and Erythrocyte Binding for Rapid Generation of Recombinant Turkey Herpesvirus-Vectored Avian Influenza Virus Vaccines
Authors: Chang Pengxiang , Ameen Faisal , Sealy Joshua E. , Sadeyen Jean-Remy , Bhat Sushant , Li Yongqing , Iqbal Munir
Published: November 2019

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly contagious and have caused huge economical loss to the poultry industry. AIV vaccines remain one of the most effective methods of controlling this disease. Turkey herpesvirus (HVT) is a commonly used live attenuated vaccine against Marek’s disease; it has also been used as a viral vector for recombinant AIV vaccine development. The clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system is a gene editing tool which, in vaccinology, has facilitated the development of recombinant DNA viral-vectored vaccines. Here, we utilize homology-directed repair (HDR) for the generation of a HVT–H7N9 HA bivalent vaccine; a H7N9 HA expression cassette was inserted into the intergenic region between UL45 and UL46 of HVT. To optimize the selection efficiency of our bivalent vaccine, we combined CRISPR/Cas9 with erythrocyte binding to rapidly generate recombinant HVT–H7HA candidate vaccines.
Water Scarcity Footprint Analysis of Container-Grown Plants in a Model Research Nursery as Affected by Irrigation and Fertilization Treatments
Authors: Knight Joshua , Abdi Damon E. , Ingram Dewayne L. , Fernandez R. Thomas
Published: November 2019

Water scarcity footprint (WSF) was determined for irrigation experiments in 2017 and 2018 for container-grown plants in a specially designed research nursery in Michigan, USA. The system design allowed for the capture of irrigation water running off a fabric surface of a nursery bed and irrigation water that passed through the fabric surface and moved through a bed of sand under the fabric. The volume of irrigation water applied (IWA) from a groundwater source and the volume of water that would be necessary to dilute (WD) water leaving the system to tap water standards for NO 3 − and PO 4 3 − of 10 mg L−1 and 0.05 mg L−1, respectively, were determined. The sum of IWA and WD would be the consumptive water use (CWU) of each treatment. WSF was calculated by weighting these component volumes per plant grown in a 10.2 L container using the consumption-to-availability scarcity index for this river basin. The WSF of water requirements for dilution (WSFwd) for plants in 2017 (20 May to 25 September) were calculated as 150, 37, and 34 L per plant for control plants, those receiving 2 L per day, and those returned to container capacity daily, respectively. In 2018 (11 June to 12 October), WSF of irrigation water applied (WSFiwa) for control plants, those receiving daily water use replacement (DWU), and those returned to container capacity daily were calculated to be 116, 61, and 28 L. Control plants received 19 mm of irrigation daily through overhead sprinklers in both experiments. In almost all cases, the PO 4 3 − dilution requirements set the dilution coefficients for WSFwd calculations. The irrigation control treatment resulted in higher WSFwd than irrigation treatments through spray stakes providing 2 L per container per day, irrigation returning the substrate water content to container capacity daily, or daily irrigation based on DWU. Fertilizer treatments and substrate composition treatments across irrigation treatments had only a minor impact on WSF.
Evaluating the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Agricultural Drought in Bangladesh Using Effective Drought Index
Authors: Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Hwang Syewoon , Cho Jaepil , Jang Min-Won , Jeong Hanseok
Published: November 2019

This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal characteristics of agricultural droughts in Bangladesh during 1981–2015 using the Effective Drought Index (EDI). Monthly precipitation data for 36 years (1980–2015) obtained from 27 metrological stations, were used in this study. The EDI performance was evaluated for four sub-regions over the country through comparisons with historical drought records identified by regional analysis. Analysis at a regional level showed that EDI could reasonably detect the drought years/events during the study period. The study also presented that the overall drought severity had increased during the past 35 years. The characteristics (severity and duration) of drought were also analyzed in terms of the spatiotemporal evolution of the frequency of drought events. It was found that the western and central regions of the country are comparatively more vulnerable to drought. Moreover, the southwestern region is more prone to extreme drought, whereas the central region is more prone to severe droughts. Besides, the central region was more prone to extra-long-term droughts, while the coastal areas in the southwestern as well as in the central and north-western regions were more prone to long-term droughts. The frequency of droughts in all categories significantly increased during the last quinquennial period (2011 to 2015). The seasonal analysis showed that the north-western areas were prone to extreme droughts during the Kharif (wet) and Rabi (dry) seasons. The central and northern regions were affected by recurring severe droughts in all cropping seasons. Further, the most significant increasing trend of the drought-affected area was observed within the central region, especially during the pre-monsoon (March–May) season. The results of this study can aid policymakers in the development of drought mitigation strategies in the future.
Bifunctional g-C3N4/WO3 Thin Films for Photocatalytic Water Purification
Authors: Antoniadou Maria , Arfanis Michalis K. , Ibrahim Islam , Falaras Polycarpos
Published: November 2019

A bifunctional thin film photocatalyst consisting of graphitic carbon nitride on tungsten trioxide (g-C3N4/WO3) is introduced for the improvement of photocatalytic activity concerning hexavalent chromium reduction and methylene blue dye removal in water, compared to the bare, widely used WO3 semiconductor. A bilayered structure was formed, which is important for the enhancement of the charge carriers’ separation. The characterization of morphological, structural, optoelectronic, and vibrational properties of the photocatalysts permitted a better understanding of their photocatalytic activity for both dye degradation and Cr+6 elimination in water and the analysis of the photocatalytic kinetics permitted the determination of the corresponding pseudo-first-order reaction constants (k). Trapping experiments performed under UV illumination revealed that the main active species for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr+6 ions are electrons, whereas in the case of methylene blue azo-dye (MB) oxidation, the activation of the corresponding photocatalytic degradation comes via both holes and superoxide radicals.
Investigation of the Flux–Concentration Relation for Horizontal Flow in Soils
Authors: Kargas George , Londra Paraskevi , Kerkides Petros
Published: November 2019

The objective of the present work is to investigate the flux–concentration (F(Θ)) relation, where Θ is the normalized soil volumetric water content for the case of one-dimensional horizontal flow, subject to constant concentration conditions. More specifically, the possibility of describing F(Θ) by an equation of the form F(Θ) = 1 − (1 − Θ)p+1 is examined. Parameter p is estimated from curve-fitting of the experimentally obtained λ(Θ) data to an analytic expression of the form (1 − Θ)p where λ is the well-known Boltzmann transformation λ = xt−0.5 (x = distance, t = time). The results show that the equation of (1 − Θ)p form can satisfactorily describe the λ(Θ) relation for the four porous media tested. The proposed F(Θ) function was compared with the limiting F(Θ) function for linear and Green–Ampt soils and to the actual F(Θ) function. From the results, it was shown that the proposed F(Θ) function gave reasonably accurate results in all cases. Moreover, the analytical expression of the soil water diffusivity (D(Θ)) function, as it was obtained by using the equation for λ(Θ) of the form (1 − Θ)p, appears to be very close to the experimental D(Θ) data (root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.593 m2min−1).
Improving the Performance of Water Distribution Networks Based on the Value Index in the System Dynamics Framework
Authors: Hajibabaei Mohsen , Nazif Sara , Sitzenfrei Robert
Published: November 2019

This study proposes an algorithm for the improvement of water distribution networks (WDNs) performance using system dynamics. In the first part, the hydraulic and environmental performance of WDNs is investigated. The hydraulic performance is assessed based on the pressure of nodes and the flow velocity in pipes. Furthermore, using life cycle assessment, an environmental performance index is proposed to examine the environmental impacts of WDNs. Moreover, in order to evaluate the overall performance in regards to the costs, a value index in the system dynamics framework is proposed. Then, based on the developed framework, improvement strategies for a WDN are assessed by applying scenarios according to constraints and requirements of the network. The considered scenarios are as follows: (1) reducing per capita water demand of the WDN; (2) decreasing the average pressure in the WDN; (3) reducing the mean age of the system by its renewing; and (4) a combination of reducing the per capita water demand and average pressure in the WDN. The results indicate that the best solutions for increasing the value index in this network are: (a) to reduce the pressure of the pressure reducing valves (PRV) from 30 to 28 m; (b) to reduce the per capita water demand by the annual rate of 0.5% and 1% and decreasing the pressure of the PRV valves together. Therefore, it is shown how the developed algorithm is a purposeful approach for evaluating and improving the performance of WDNs based on the value index.
Identifying Efficient Operating Rules for Hydropower Reservoirs Using System Dynamics Approach—A Case Study of Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Zhou Jianzhong , Jia Benjun , Chen Xiao , Qin Hui , He Zhongzheng , Liu Guangbiao
Published: November 2019

In the long-term operation of hydropower reservoirs, operating rules have been used widely to decide reservoir operation because they can help operators make an approximately optimal decision with limited runoff information. However, the problems faced by reservoir managers is how to make and select an efficient operating rule properly. This study focuses on identifying efficient and reliable operating rules for the long-term operation of hydropower reservoirs using system dynamics (SD) approach. A stochastic hydrological model of reservoir inflow time series was established and used to generate a large number of inflow scenarios. A deterministic optimization operation model of hydropower reservoirs was constructed and then resolved using dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. Simultaneously, within implicit stochastic optimization (ISO) framework, different operating rules were derived using linear fitting methods. Finally, the most efficient one of the existing operating rules was identified based on SD simulation coupled with the operating rules. The Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in central China was used as a case study. The results show that the SD simulation is an efficient way to simulate a complicated reservoir system using feedback and causal loops. Moreover, it can directly and efficiently guide reservoir managers to make and identify efficient operating rules for the long-term operation of hydropower reservoirs.
Flood Monitoring Based on the Study of Sentinel-1 SAR Images: The Ebro River Case Study
Authors: Carreño Conde Francisco , De Mata Muñoz María
Published: November 2019

Flooding is the most widespread hydrological hazard worldwide that affects water management, nature protection, economic activities, hydromorphological alterations on ecosystem services, and human health. The mitigation of the risks associated with flooding requires a certain management of flood zones, sustained by data and information about the events with the help of flood maps with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. This paper presents the potential use of the Sentinel-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images as a powerful tool for flood mapping applied in the event of extraordinary floods that occurred during the month of April 2018 in the Ebro (Spain). More specifically, in this study, we describe accurate and robust processing that allows real-time flood extension maps to be obtained, which is essential for risk mitigation. Evaluating the different Sentinel-1 parameters, our analysis shows that the best results on the final flood mapping for this study area were obtained using VH (Vertical-Horizontal) polarization configuration and Lee filtering 7 × 7 window sizes. Two methods were applied to flood maps from Sentinel-1 SAR images: (1) RGB (Red, Green, Blue color model) composition based on the differences between the pre- and post-event images; and (2) the calibration threshold technique or binarization based on histogram backscatter values. When comparing our flood maps with the flood areas digitalized from vertical aerial photographs, done by the Hydrological Planning Office of the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation, the results were coincident. The result of the flooding map obtained with the RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) image were compared with the layers with different return periods (10, 50, 100, and 500 years) for a selected zone of the study area of SNCZI (National Flood Zone Mapping System in Spain). It was found that the images are consistent and correspond to a flood between 10 and 50 years of return. In view of the results obtained, the usefulness of Sentinel-1 images as baseline data for the improvement of the methodological guide is appreciated, and should be used as a new source of input, calibration, and validation for hydrological models to improve the accuracy of flood risk maps.
Drought Trend Analysis Based on the Standardized Precipitation–Evapotranspiration Index Using NASA’s Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections, High Spatial Resolution Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 Projections, and Assessment of Potential Impacts on China’s Crop Yield in the 21st Century
Authors: Guo Xiaolin , Yang Yuan , Li Zhansheng , You Liangzhi , Zeng Chao , Cao Jing , Hong Yang
Published: November 2019

Drought is among the costliest natural disasters on both ecosystems and agroeconomics in China. However, most previous studies have used coarse resolution data or simply stopped short of investigating drought projection and its impact on crop yield. Motivated by the newly released higher-resolution climate projection dataset and the crucial need to assess the impact of climate change on agricultural production, the overarching goal of this study was to systematically and comprehensively predict future droughts at unprecedented resolutions over China as a whole. rather than region-specific projections, and then to further investigate its impact on crop yield by innovatively using a soil water deficit drought index. Methodologically, the drought projections were quantified from very high resolution climate data and further predicted impacts on crop yield over China using the standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at a relatively high (25 km) spatial resolution from NASA’s Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections (NEX-GDDP). The results showed that (1) overall, China is projected to experience a significant decrease in SPEI (−0.15/decade under RCP (representative concentration pathway) 4.5; −0.14/decade under RCP8.5). Seasonally, the decreasing rate of SPEI is projected to be largest in winter (−0.2/decade and −0.31/decade) and the least in summer (−0.08/decade and −0.10/decade) under respective RCPs. (2) Regionally, winter/spring will get drier, especially at high latitudes/altitudes (North China and Tibetan plateau), and summer/autumn will get wetter in southern China. (3) Both the frequency and duration for medium and severe drought are projected to decrease, while extreme drought, particularly in high latitudes/altitudes, is projected to increase. (4) The percentage of the potential crop production affected by drought would increase to 36% (47%) by 2100 under RCP4.5 (RCP8.5). Especially, the ratio impacted by extreme drought is projected to increase over time and with much worse magnitude under RCP8.5; thus, adaptive crop policies are expected to address such a risk.
Design, Production, and Verification of a Switched-Reluctance Wheel Hub Drive Train for Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Vosswinkel Martin , Lohner Andreas , Platte Volkmar , Hirche Tobias
Published: November 2019

This contribution deals with the topic of the consistent further development of a wheel hub motor for battery electric vehicles (BEV) based on the principle of an outer rotor switched reluctance machine (SRM). The research work presented in this paper was founded by the ERDF.NRW program, Investment for Growth and Employment and the European Regional Development Fund. The R&D project was named Switched-Reluctance fo(u)r wheel (SR4Wheel). Based on the experience made by first prototype Evolution 0 (EVO 0), developed in the Laboratory for Automation Engineering, Power Electronics and Electrical Drives of the Cologne University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), the test results of EVO 1, as well as the redesign, EVO 2 is presented in this paper. The prototype EVO 0, a first proof of concept leads to several optimizations and lessons learned for the predecessor model EVO 1. The overall target of developing such a gearless outer rotor wheel hub motor is the full integration of the complete machine including its power electronics into the given space between the original friction brake and the rim. Furthermore, due to the additional integration of the power electronics, great opportunities in terms of new vehicle design as well as retrofitting capabilities of already existing vehicle platforms can be achieved. Thereby, further drive train assembly space like the engine compartment is no longer necessary. The SRM does not require magnets for torque production which leads to independence from the changeable commodity prices on the rare earth element markets. This paper presents the developing process, testing, and verification of the innovative drive train concept starting with the final CAD of EVO 1. During the testing and verification process a machine characteristic mapping is performed on a drive train test bench and subsequently the results of a finite element analysis (FEA) are plausibility checked by the test bench results. The process continues with energy conversion test scenarios of the project demonstrator vehicle on a roller test bench focused on noise vibration harshness (NVH) behavior and efficiency. As a conclusion, the gained knowledge by evaluating two EVO 1 prototypes on the rear axle of the test vehicle, and the design for the front axle drive train EVO 2 will be presented. As a major task on the front axle, the limited space due to the large disc brake can be identified and solved.
ISLAMIC MICROFINANCE TOWARD THE REAL SECTOR
Authors: Rodoni Ahmad , Nengsih Novia , Supriyadi Lili
Published: November 2019

Penelitian ini membuktikan bahwa lembaga keuangan mikro syariah belum berpengaruh signifikan dalam menumbuhkan sektor riil di level mikro. Hal ini disebabkan oleh dua aspek, yaitu internal dan eksternal. Aspek internal meliputi sumber daya manusia, variasi produk, dan pemanfaatan teknologi. Aspek eksternal meliputi nasabah, kebijakan pemerintah, dan kapitalisasi ekonomi. Aspek eksternal berpengaruh lebih dominan dibandingkan aspek internal. Strategi yang harus dilakukan adalah memperbaiki strategi terhadap nasabah, dan optimalisasi penggunaan teknologi. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitiankualitatif. Data primer penelitian diperoleh melalui observasi (wawancara dan kuesioner) kepada para pakar dan praktisi lembaga keuangan mikro syariah. Data sekunder berupa hasil temuan dari berbagai sumber berupa data, jurnal, buku, dan lain sebagainya yang terkait dengan penelitian penulis.
PENDIDIKAN BISNIS MEMASUKI ERA MILENIUM BARU TANTANGAN DAN HARAPAN
Authors: Rohimah Rohimah
Published: November 2019

As we enter the new millennium, business schools or economics faculties face a number of new challenges. The graduates of a business school are expected to be critical capable of 'learning to learn', technology-savy, and ethical. Mean while, the emergence of the internet as a new and powerful communication infrastructure has facilitated the rapid growth of the virtual business schools around globe. It leads to the global completion among processes, services, universies. As a consequence, Indonesian universies have to reform its products, processes, services, people, and environments. one of the 'best' approaches to do so is the adaptation of total quality management consep into higher education environment. This paper describes the profiles of future alumni of business schools, followed by a discussion on the emergence of virtual business schools as a new business education paradigm in the future. Finally, this paper tries to identify sereval factors critical to the successful implementation of total quality management in universities.
PERBANDINGAN PSIKOLOGI KEPRIBADIAN ISLAM DAN BARAT
Authors: Hadi Abdul
Published: November 2019

Tujuan utama dalam penelitian ini untuk menjelaskan dan mengkomparasikan Psikologi Kepribadian Barat dan Islam. Setelah menelaah terhadap beberapa referensi yang membahas tentang kepribadian baik yang bersumber dari khazanah keilmuan barat maupun Islam ditemukan: Keduanya ada titik persamaanya dan ada perbedaanya, dan ditemukan pula;bahwa Islam tidak menempa rumus atau teori tertentu mengenai kepribadian seperti yang telah eksis selama ini. Islam dalam menyoal kepribadian hanya menyajikan garis besarnya saja baik ketika berbicara mengenai krakter/typical manusia, maupun prilakuanya. Perlu diketahui pula Psikologi Kepribadian Islam memiliki banyak persamaan dengan Aliran Humanism dan Kognitif, namun memiliki banyak sekali perbedaan dengan Aliran Psikologi Analisis dan Behaviorsm, dan perlu digaris bawahi bahwa; Semua Aliran dalam Kepribadian ketika menganut pada dua dimensi dalam struktur manusia yaitu; Dimensi materi dan immateri tentunya akan lebih sejalan dengan pandangan Islam dalam menyoal Kepribadian.
L'anti-protestantisme politique à la fin du XIXe siècle
Authors: Baubérot Jean
Published: November 2019

Après un premier article consacré aux «Débuts de l'anti-protestantisme » de la fin du XIXe siècle et au problème particulier de Madagascar, J. Baubérot abandonne ici la présentation chronologique des faits, peu significative en l'occurence, et entreprend un classement méthodique des thèmes antiprotestants, de l'écho qu'ils ont suscité et des réactions que leur diffusion a provoquées de la part des protestants. Cette méthode lui permet une très suggestive comparaison entre antiprotestantisme et antisémitisme, qui montre clairement les différences fort importantes qui existaient entre ces deux courants, mais aussi l'unité profonde de la double campagne déclenchée par la droite nationale après le Ralliement : pour arrêter l'évolution vers une société laïque et éventuellement vers le socialisme, on dénonçait des boucs émissaires dont la mise au banc de la patrie française permettrait l'établissement d'une république conservatrice. En conclusion, l'auteur donne une définition précise du terme d'antiprotestantisme politique.