bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lowering Regional Inflation? Improve Budget Absorption
Authors: Adrison Vid , Flukeria Masarina
Published: March 2018

The subnational government spending in Indonesia exhibit a highly skewed distribution, i.e., it is very low in the first two-quarters and then increases significantly in the last two-quarters. Such explosive pattern poses two disadvantages. First, the regional output will fall below its optimal level as the low government capital expenditure leads to a fewer provision of public goods. Second, a significant increase in government spending in the later quarter pushes the short run aggregate demand to the northeast and creates an inflationary pressure in the following quarters. In this study, we analyze the effect of quarterly regional government expenditure growth on regional inflation during 2010–2014. Using Arellano Bond GMM estimation, we find government expenditure growth leads to higher inflation in the same quarter. A percentage increase in non-capital expenditure spending results in a higher inflation than a percentage increase in capital spending.AbstrakPengeluaran pemerintah daerah di Indonesia menunjukkan distribusi yang sangat timpang, yaitu sangat rendah pada dua kuartal pertama dan kemudian meningkat secara significant pada dua kuartal terakhir. Pola eksplosif tersebut menimbulkan dua kerugian. Pertama, output regional akan berada di bawah tingkat yang optimal karena pengeluaran pembangunan (belanja kapital) pemerintah yang rendah akan mengakibatkan rendahnya barang publik yang tersedia. Kedua, peningkatan belanja pemerintah pada kuartal terakhir akan mengakibatkan kenaikan permintaan agregat dan mengakibatkan tekanan inflasi pada kuartal berikutnya. Dalam studi ini, kami menganalisa dampak dari pertumbuhan pengeluaran pemerintah daerah di Indonesia terhadap inflasi daerah periode 2010–2014. Dengan menggunakan estimasi GMM Arellano Bond, kami menemukan pertumbuhan pengeluaran pemerintah daerah akan mengakibatkan inflasi daerah pada kuartal yang sama. Satu persen peningkatan belanja non-kapital mengakibatkan inflasi yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan satu persen peningkatan belanja kapital.Kata kunci: Belanja Kapital; Belanja Non-Kapital; Inflasi Daerah; Pemerintah DaerahJEL classifications: E31; H72
Portfolio Flows into Indonesia: Push or Pull?
Authors: Nuryakin Chaikal , Yuan Edith Zheng Wen , Arsana I Gede Putra
Published: March 2018

This paper focuses on the dynamic of the portfolio flows into Indonesia. The result of Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) model reveals that push factors is more dominant than pull factors in explaining portfolio flows into Indonesia. Portfolio flows into Indonesia are positively correlated with regional’s stock market performance and negatively correlated to the federal funds rate. On the pull factors, domestic risk (the Credit Default Swap spread) is more dominant than domestic return (the BI rate) in explaining the flows. Thus, it is important for authorities to have more focus on domestic risk–relative to rate of return–in managing portfolio flows. In addition, the negative impact of the lagged Indonesia stock market index to the capital flows indicates a counter cyclical investment behavior of global investors. AbstrakStudi ini mengkaji dinamika arus investasi portofolio Indonesia. Hasil dari model Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) menunjukkan bahwa "faktor pendorong" lebih dominan dibandingkan "faktor penarik" dalam menjelaskan pergerakan arus investasi portofolio. Arus investasi portofolio ini berkorelasi positif dengan kinerja pasar saham regional dan berkorelasi negatif dengan tingkat suku bunga the Fed. Untuk faktor penarik, risiko domestik (CDS) menjadi faktor yang dominan dibandingkan imbal hasil (BI rate) yang menguatkan pentingnya manajemen risiko perekonomian domestik dalam stabilisasi arus investasi portofolio. Lebih lanjut, studi ini juga mengindikasikan adanya perilaku kontra siklikal dari investor global.Kata kunci: Arus Investasi Portofolio; SVARJEL classifications: F32; G11
How Congested Jakarta is? Perception of Jakarta’s Citizen on Traffic Congestion
Authors: Yudhistira Muhammad Halley , Koesrindartono Decky Priambodo , Harmadi Sonny Harry Budiutomo , Pratama Andhika Putra
Published: March 2018

This paper aims to reveal the behavior and perception of Jakarta’s citizens on traffic congestion in Jakarta. Although this approach is somewhat well-developed in behavioral science, its utilization in urban economics study, is still limited. Detecting the traffic congestion and its cause mainly relies on physical (engineering) methods, i.e V/C ratio. Here, we define the traffic congestion through two variables; ordinal traffic congestion perception and proportion of expected travel time to perceived travel time. Using a non-probabilistic sampling survey held in one of densest business district in Jakarta called Sudirman-Thamrin Golden Triangle Area; the estimation results show that travel behavior plays a major role in affecting travel time perceptions.AbstrakStudi ini bertujuan untuk melihat tingkah laku masyarakat Jakarta terhadap kemacetan di Jakarta. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam studi ini telah banyak dikembangkan dalam studi behavioral science, namun penggunaanya dalam studi ekonomi perkotaan masih terbatas. Mendeteksi tingkat kemacetan serta penyebabnya umumnya mengandalkan metode fisik seperti V/C ratio. Studi ini mendefinisikan tingkat kemacetan ke dalam dua variabel, persepsi tingkat kemacetan ordinasl serta proporsi dari ekspektasi waktu perjalanan terhadap waktu perjalanan actual. Dengan menggunakan survey non-probabilitic sampling di Sudirman-Tharim Golden Triangle Area, hasil estimasi menunjukkan bahwa perilaku perjalanan (travel behavior) berperan utama dalam mempengaruhi persepsi waktu perjalanan.Kata kunci: Tingkat Kemacetan; Waktu Perjalanan; Perilaku Perjalanan; PersepsiJEL classifications: R40; R41
Child Labour in Indonesia: Supply-Side Determinants
Authors: Haszelinna binti Abang Ali Dayang , Arabsheibani G. Reza
Published: March 2018

This study analyses the determinants of working among 10–17 years’ children and to investigate the presence of Luxury Axiom. Child tends to work as they gets older, has biological ties to the household head and lives in a rural area. The higher levels of household head’s education lead to the children’s been less likely to work. With regard to the Luxury Axiom, household income is negatively impact the work decision. Birth order is positively related to working and the probability of working decreases by the presence of employed adult. Finally, the impact of the child’s activities varies by provinces. AbstrakKajian ini menganalisis faktor-faktor penentu bekerja di kalangan anak-anak yang berusia 10–17 tahun dan untuk menyelidiki keberadaan Luxury Axiom. Anak-anak cenderung untuk bekerja seiring dengan bertambahnya usia mereka, adanya hubungan biologis dengan kepala rumah tangga, dan tempat tinggal mereka di pedesaan. Selain itu, semakin tingginya tingkat pendidikan kepala rumah tangga mendorong ke arah pengurangan kecenderungan anak-anak untuk bekerja. Terkait dengan Luxury Axiom, pendapatan rumah tangga memiliki dampak negatif terhadap keputusan untuk bekerja dan kemungkinan untuk bekerja menurun seiring dengan adanya orang dewasa yang bekerja. Terakhir, besarnya dampak aktivitas anak bervariasi adalah berdasarkan daerah.Kata kunci: Pekerja Anak; Modal Manusia; Lapangan KerjaJEL classifications: J13; J21; O15
Public Spending and Learning Outcomes of Basic Education at the District Level in Indonesia
Authors: Jasmina Thia
Published: March 2018

Since 2009, the Indonesian government has fully allocated 20 percent of its budget on education. Though the increase of financial resources has led to an improvement of the access to education, challenges on the quality of education persist. By employing a cross-districts analysis in Indonesia during 2010–2015, this study aims to analyze the impact of government spending on the adjusted-national examination scores at the junior secondary education. This study shows that the central and local government spending have no significant impact on the scores. Whereas, the central government spending on teachers, and the socioeconomic factors such as poverty and health are significant determinants.AbstrakSejak 2009, Pemerintah Indonesia telah dapat mengalokasikan 20 persen anggaran untuk pendidikan. Peningkatan anggaran di sektor pendidikan yang signifikan di satu sisi telah meningkatkan akses pendidikan, tetapi di sisi lain masih terdapat tantangan terhadap kualitas pendidikan. Studi ini bertujuan untuk menganalisa dampak belanja pemerintah terhadap nilai ujian nasional SMP dengan menggunakan analisa cross-section di kabupaten/kota Indonesia pada tahun 2010–2015. Studi ini menunjukkan bahwa belanja pemerintah pusat dan daerah tidak mempunyai dampak yang signifikan terhadap nilai ujian nasional SMP. Akan tetapi, transfer pemerintah pusat untuk guru serta kondisi sosial ekonomi seperti kemiskinan dan kesehatan merupakan faktor yang signifikan.Kata kunci: Pendidikan; Belanja Pemerintah; Hasil Pembelajaran; Kabupaten/Kota; IndonesiaJEL classifications: H75; I22
Sumoylation promotes optimal APC/C activation and timely anaphase
Authors: Lee Christine C , Li Bing , Yu Hongtao , Matunis Michael J
Published: March 2018

The Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is a ubiquitin E3 ligase that functions as the gatekeeper to mitotic exit. APC/C activity is controlled by an interplay of multiple pathways during mitosis, including the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), that are not yet fully understood. Here, we show that sumoylation of the APC4 subunit of the APC/C peaks during mitosis and is critical for timely APC/C activation and anaphase onset. We have also identified a functionally important SUMO interacting motif in the cullin-homology domain of APC2 located near the APC4 sumoylation sites and APC/C catalytic core. Our findings provide evidence of an important regulatory role for SUMO modification and binding in affecting APC/C activation and mitotic exit.
Single-exposure visual memory judgments are reflected in inferotemporal cortex
Authors: Meyer Travis , Rust Nicole C
Published: March 2018

Our visual memory percepts of whether we have encountered specific objects or scenes before are hypothesized to manifest as decrements in neural responses in inferotemporal cortex (IT) with stimulus repetition. To evaluate this proposal, we recorded IT neural responses as two monkeys performed a single-exposure visual memory task designed to measure the rates of forgetting with time. We found that a weighted linear read-out of IT was a better predictor of the monkeys’ forgetting rates and reaction time patterns than a strict instantiation of the repetition suppression hypothesis, expressed as a total spike count scheme. Behavioral predictions could be attributed to visual memory signals that were reflected as repetition suppression and were intermingled with visual selectivity, but only when combined across the most sensitive neurons.
Capturing patient-reported area of knee pain: a concurrent validity study using digital technology in patients with patellofemoral pain
Authors: Matthews Mark , Rathleff Michael S. , Vicenzino Bill , Boudreau Shellie A.
Published: March 2018

Background

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is often reported as a diffuse pain at the front of the knee during knee-loading activities. A patient’s description of pain location and distribution is commonly drawn on paper by clinicians, which is difficult to quantify, report and compare within and between patients. One way of overcoming these potential limitations is to have the patient draw their pain regions using digital platforms, such as personal computer tablets.

Objective

To assess the validity of using computer tablets to acquire a patient’s knee pain drawings as compared to paper-based records in patients with PFP.

Methods

Patients (N = 35) completed knee pain drawings on identical images (size and colour) of the knee as displayed on paper and a computer tablet. Pain area expressed as pixel density, was calculated as a percentage of the total drawable area for paper and digital records. Bland–Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson’s correlation coefficients and one-sample tests were used in data analysis.

Results

No significant difference in pain area was found between the paper and digital records of mapping pain area (p = 0.98), with the mean difference = 0.002% (95% CI [−0.159–0.157%]). A very high agreement in pain area between paper and digital pain drawings (ICC = 0.966 (95% CI [0.93–0.98], F = 28.834, df = 31, p < 0.001). A strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.870) was found for pain area and the limits of agreement show less than ±1% difference between paper and digital drawings.

Conclusion

Pain drawings as acquired using paper and computer tablet are equivalent in terms of total area of reported knee pain. The advantages of digital recording platforms, such as quantification and reporting of pain area, could be realized in both research and clinical settings.
Reliability and concurrent validity of the iPhone® Compass application to measure thoracic rotation range of motion (ROM) in healthy participants
Authors: Furness James , Schram Ben , Cox Alistair J. , Anderson Sarah L. , Keogh Justin
Published: March 2018

Background

Several water-based sports (swimming, surfing and stand up paddle boarding) require adequate thoracic mobility (specifically rotation) in order to perform the appropriate activity requirements. The measurement of thoracic spine rotation is problematic for clinicians due to a lack of convenient and reliable measurement techniques. More recently, smartphones have been used to quantify movement in various joints in the body; however, there appears to be a paucity of research using smartphones to assess thoracic spine movement. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the reliability (intra and inter rater) and validity of the iPhone® app (Compass) when assessing thoracic spine rotation ROM in healthy individuals.

Methods

A total of thirty participants were recruited for this study. Thoracic spine rotation ROM was measured using both the current clinical gold standard, a universal goniometer (UG) and the Smart Phone Compass app. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was determined with a Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Validation of the Compass app in comparison to the UG was measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and levels of agreement were identified with Bland–Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement.

Results

Both the UG and Compass app measurements both had excellent reproducibility for intra-rater (ICC 0.94–0.98) and inter-rater reliability (ICC 0.72–0.89). However, the Compass app measurements had higher intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.96 − 0.98; 95% CI [0.93–0.99]; vs. ICC = 0.94 − 0.98; 95% CI [0.88–0.99]) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.87 − 0.89; 95% CI [0.74–0.95] vs. ICC = 0.72 − 0.82; 95% CI [0.21–0.94]). A strong and significant correlation was found between the UG and the Compass app, demonstrating good concurrent validity (r = 0.835, p < 0.001). Levels of agreement between the two devices were 24.8° (LoA –9.5°, +15.3°). The UG was found to consistently measure higher values than the compass app (mean difference 2.8°, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study reveals that the iPhone® app (Compass) is a reliable tool for measuring thoracic spine rotation which produces greater reproducibility of measurements both within and between raters than a UG. As a significant positive correlation exists between the Compass app and UG, this supports the use of either device in clinical practice as a reliable and valid tool to measure thoracic rotation. Considering the levels of agreement are clinically unacceptable, the devices should not be used interchangeably for initial and follow up measurements.
A Two‐Phase Model for Trade Matching and Price Setting in Double Auction Water Markets
Authors: Xu Tingting , Zheng Hang , Zhao Jianshi , Liu Yicheng , Tang Pingzhong , Yang Y. C. Ethan , Wang Zhongjing
Published: March 2018

Delivery in water markets is generally operated by agencies through channel systems, which imposes physical and institutional market constraints. Many water markets allow water users to post selling and buying requests on a board. However, water users may not be able to choose efficiently when the information (including the constraints) becomes complex. This study proposes an innovative two‐phase model to address this problem based on practical experience in China. The first phase seeks and determines the optimal assignment that maximizes the incremental improvement of the system's social welfare according to the bids and asks in the water market. The second phase sets appropriate prices under constraints. Applying this model to China's Xiying Irrigation District shows that it can improve social welfare more than the current “pool exchange” method can. Within the second phase, we evaluate three objective functions (minimum variance, threshold‐based balance, and two‐sided balance), which represent different managerial goals. The threshold‐based balance function should be preferred by most users, while the two‐sided balance should be preferred by players who post extreme prices.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations and Bioactivity in the Hyporheic Zone
Authors: Reeder W. Jeffery , Quick Annika M. , Farrell Tiffany B. , Benner Shawn G. , Feris Kevin P. , Tonina Daniele
Published: March 2018

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and consumption rates are primary indicators of heterotrophic respiration and redox conditions in the hyporheic zone (HZ). Due to the complexity of hyporheic flow and interactions between hyporheic hydraulics and the biogeochemical processes, a detailed, mechanistic, and predictive understanding of the biogeochemical activity in the HZ has not yet been developed. Previous studies of microbial activity in the HZ have treated the metabolic DO consumption rate constant (KDO) as a temporally fixed and spatially homogeneous property that is determined primarily by the concentration of bioavailable carbon. These studies have generally treated bioactivity as temporally steady state, failing to capture the temporal dynamics of a changeable system. We demonstrate that hyporheic hydraulics controls rate constants in a hyporheic system that is relatively abundant in bioavailable carbon, such that KDO is a linear function of the local downwelling flux. We further demonstrate that, for triangular dunes, the downwelling velocities are lognormally distributed, as are the KDO values. By comparing measured and modeled DO profiles, we demonstrate that treating KDO as a function of the downwelling flux yields a significant improvement in the accuracy of predicted DO profiles. Additionally, our results demonstrate the temporal effect of carbon consumption on microbial respiration rates.
Extending the Applicability of the Generalized Likelihood Function for Zero‐Inflated Data Series
Authors: Oliveira Debora Y. , Chaffe Pedro L. B. , Sá João H. M.
Published: March 2018

Proper uncertainty estimation for data series with a high proportion of zero and near zero observations has been a challenge in hydrologic studies. This technical note proposes a modification to the Generalized Likelihood function that accounts for zero inflation of the error distribution (ZI‐GL). We compare the performance of the proposed ZI‐GL with the original Generalized Likelihood function using the entire data series (GL) and by simply suppressing zero observations (GLy>0). These approaches were applied to two interception modeling examples characterized by data series with a significant number of zeros. The ZI‐GL produced better uncertainty ranges than the GL as measured by the precision, reliability and volumetric bias metrics. The comparison between ZI‐GL and GLy>0 highlights the need for further improvement in the treatment of residuals from near zero simulations when a linear heteroscedastic error model is considered. Aside from the interception modeling examples illustrated herein, the proposed ZI‐GL may be useful for other hydrologic studies, such as for the modeling of the runoff generation in hillslopes and ephemeral catchments.
Application of a Line Laser Scanner for Bed Form Tracking in a Laboratory Flume
Authors: de Ruijsscher T. V. , Hoitink A. J. F. , Dinnissen S. , Vermeulen B. , Hazenberg P.
Published: March 2018

A new measurement method for continuous detection of bed forms in movable bed laboratory experiments is presented and tested. The device consists of a line laser coupled to a 3‐D camera, which makes use of triangulation. This allows to measure bed forms during morphodynamic experiments, without removing the water from the flume. A correction is applied for the effect of laser refraction at the air‐water interface. We conclude that the absolute measurement error increases with increasing flow velocity, its standard deviation increases with water depth and flow velocity, and the percentage of missing values increases with water depth. Although 71% of the data is lost in a pilot moving bed experiment with sand, still high agreement between flowing water and dry bed measurements is found when a robust LOcally weighted regrESSion (LOESS) procedure is applied. This is promising for bed form tracking applications in laboratory experiments, especially when lightweight sediments like polystyrene are used, which require smaller flow velocities to achieve dynamic similarity to the prototype. This is confirmed in a moving bed experiment with polystyrene.
Soil Texture Often Exerts a Stronger Influence Than Precipitation on Mesoscale Soil Moisture Patterns
Authors: Dong Jingnuo , Ochsner Tyson E.
Published: March 2018

Soil moisture patterns are commonly thought to be dominated by land surface characteristics, such as soil texture, at small scales and by atmospheric processes, such as precipitation, at larger scales. However, a growing body of evidence challenges this conceptual model. We investigated the structural similarity and spatial correlations between mesoscale (∼1–100 km) soil moisture patterns and land surface and atmospheric factors along a 150 km transect using 4 km multisensor precipitation data and a cosmic‐ray neutron rover, with a 400 m diameter footprint. The rover was used to measure soil moisture along the transect 18 times over 13 months. Spatial structures of soil moisture, soil texture (sand content), and antecedent precipitation index (API) were characterized using autocorrelation functions and fitted with exponential models. Relative importance of land surface characteristics and atmospheric processes were compared using correlation coefficients (r) between soil moisture and sand content or API. The correlation lengths of soil moisture, sand content, and API ranged from 12–32 km, 13–20 km, and 14–45 km, respectively. Soil moisture was more strongly correlated with sand content (r = −0.536 to −0.704) than with API for all but one date. Thus, land surface characteristics exhibit coherent spatial patterns at scales up to 20 km, and those patterns often exert a stronger influence than do precipitation patterns on mesoscale spatial patterns of soil moisture.
A Functional Approach to Zooplankton Communities in Mountain Lakes Stocked With Non‐Native Sportfish Under a Changing Climate
Authors: Redmond Laura E. , Loewen Charlie J. G. , Vinebrooke Rolf D.
Published: March 2018

Cumulative impacts of multiple stressors on freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem function likely increase with elevation, thereby possibly placing alpine communities at greatest risk. Here, consideration of species traits enables stressor effects on taxonomic composition to be translated into potential functional impacts. We analyzed data for 47 taxa across 137 mountain lakes and ponds spanning large latitudinal (491 km) and elevational (1,399 m) gradients in western Canada, to assess regional and local factors of the taxonomic composition and functional structure of zooplankton communities. Multivariate community analyses revealed that small body size, clonal reproduction via parthenogenesis, and lack of pigmentation were species traits associated with both introduced non‐native sportfish and also environmental conditions reflecting a warmer and drier climate—namely higher water temperatures, shallower water depths, and more chemically concentrated water. Thus, historical introductions of sportfish appear to have potentially induced greater tolerance in zooplankton communities of future climatic warming, especially in previously fishless alpine lakes. Although alpine lake communities occupied a relatively small functional space (i.e., low functional diversity), they were contained within the broader regional functional structure. Therefore, our findings point to the importance of dispersal by lower montane species to the future functional stability of alpine communities.
Estimating Surface/Subsurface Sediment Mixing in Karst Settings Using 7Be Isotopes
Authors: Wicks C. M. , Paylor R. L. , Bentley S. J.
Published: March 2018

This study shows that the cosmogenic radionuclide beryllium‐7 can be used to track sediment movement through caves. The activities of beryllium‐7 and cesium‐137 were measured in two different karst settings at both surface and subsurface sites before and after storm runoff events. At one site, 7Be‐enriched sediment was detected up to 1.5 km along a stream conduit after a moderate storm event; however, the activity of 137Cs was too variable to show a meaningful pattern. The percentages of surface sediment that was found ranged from 0 to 52% along the entire 3 km cave stream and from 33 to 52% along the upper 1.5 km. At the other site, as much as 96% of the sediment initially discharged at the spring during a storm event was fresh surface material that had traveled into and through the cave stream. Moreover, during the 4 day runoff event, approximately 23% of the total suspended sediment flux was estimated to originate from surface erosion with 78% being reworked sediment from within the cave. The data in this study show that cosmogenic radionuclides with multiyear half‐lives are too long‐lived to track sediment origins in the caves; whereas, 7Be with a 53.2 day half‐life, can be used to track movement of sediment along cave streams.
Improving Robustness of Hydrologic Ensemble Predictions Through Probabilistic Pre‐ and Post‐Processing in Sequential Data Assimilation
Authors: Wang S. , Ancell B. C. , Huang G. H. , Baetz B. W.
Published: March 2018

Data assimilation using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) has been increasingly recognized as a promising tool for probabilistic hydrologic predictions. However, little effort has been made to conduct the pre‐ and post‐processing of assimilation experiments, posing a significant challenge in achieving the best performance of hydrologic predictions. This paper presents a unified data assimilation framework for improving the robustness of hydrologic ensemble predictions. Statistical pre‐processing of assimilation experiments is conducted through the factorial design and analysis to identify the best EnKF settings with maximized performance. After the data assimilation operation, statistical post‐processing analysis is also performed through the factorial polynomial chaos expansion to efficiently address uncertainties in hydrologic predictions, as well as to explicitly reveal potential interactions among model parameters and their contributions to the predictive accuracy. In addition, the Gaussian anamorphosis is used to establish a seamless bridge between data assimilation and uncertainty quantification of hydrologic predictions. Both synthetic and real data assimilation experiments are carried out to demonstrate feasibility and applicability of the proposed methodology in the Guadalupe River basin, Texas. Results suggest that statistical pre‐ and post‐processing of data assimilation experiments provide meaningful insights into the dynamic behavior of hydrologic systems and enhance robustness of hydrologic ensemble predictions.
Integrated Translational and Rotational Control for the Final Approach Phase of Rendezvous and Docking
Authors: Yan Han , Tan Shuping , Xie Yongchun
Published: March 2018

This paper presents an approach of integrated translational and rotational control (ITRC) design for the final approach phase of rendezvous and docking on an ellipse orbit. First, considering the uncertainties, the integrated translation and rotation dynamics model is formulated, and backstepping scheme is used to design an ITRC law such that the states of the closed‐loop system can converge near zero. Then, by taking into consideration the input dynamics, the integrated translational and rotational model is transformed into the form of interconnected system, and thus, the small‐gain theorem can be utilized to guarantee the stability of the over all system. Stability analysis as well as simulation results shows the effectiveness of the presented approach.
Uncertain Method for Optimal Control Problems With Uncertainties Using Chebyshev Inclusion Functions
Authors: Razmjooy Navid , Ramezani Mehdi
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a new uncertain analysis method is developed for optimal control problems, including interval variables (uncertainties) based on truncated Chebyshev polynomials. The interval arithmetic in this research is employed for analyzing the uncertainties in optimal control problems comprising uncertain‐but‐bounded parameters with only lower and upper bounds of uncertain parameters. In this research, the Chebyshev method is utilized because it generates sharper bounds for meaningful solutions of interval functions, rather than the Taylor inclusion function, which is efficient in handling the overestimation derived from the wrapping effect due to interval computations. For utilizing the proposed interval method on the optimal control problems with uncertainties, the Lagrange multiplier method is first applied to achieve the necessary conditions and then, by using some algebraic manipulations, they are converted into the ordinary differential equation. Afterwards, the Chebyshev inclusion method is employed to achieve the solution of the system. The final results of the Chebyshev inclusion method are compared with the interval Taylor method. The results show that the proposed Chebyshev inclusion function based method better handle the wrapping effect than the interval Taylor method.
Zyklische Verbundversuche mit Carbonbeton
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Holz Karoline , Curbach Manfred
Published: March 2018

Während das Materialverhalten von Carbonbeton bei statischer Belastung bereits seit geraumer Zeit untersucht wird, ist jenes unter nicht vorwiegend ruhender Belastung noch nicht ausreichend erforscht. Zur weiteren Untersuchung des Ermüdungsverhaltens müssen zunächst geeignete Versuchsaufbauten zur Verfügung stehen. Zur Ermittlung des Verbundverhaltens unter zyklischer Beanspruchung werden hierfür zwei Versuchsaufbauten – ein Endverankerungs‐ und ein zweiseitiger Auszugversuch, welche bereits statisch erforscht wurden – vergleichend betrachtet und auf ihre Eignung für zyklische Untersuchungen geprüft. Hierfür wurden statische Referenzversuche und zyklische Versuche bei verschiedenen Lastniveaus durchgeführt. Diese Versuche wurden hinsichtlich verschiedener Vergleichskategorien wie z. B. Versagensmechanismen, Entwicklung von Verformungen und Steifigkeit sowie die Bruchlastspielzahl ausgewertet und die Streuung der erzielten Ergebnisse betrachtet. Nach Abschluss der Diskussion der Versuchsergebnisse kristallisiert sich der zweiseitige Auszugversuch als geeigneter heraus.
Understanding and Controlling the Dielectric Response of Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Ryder Matthew R. , Donà Lorenzo , Vitillo Jenny G. , Civalleri Bartolomeo
Published: March 2018

Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials have recently been shown to have promising electronic and dielectric properties. This study involves investigating a diverse range of MOFs to rationalise how the different building blocks that form the structure can affect the electronic properties and dielectric response. The analysis, based on quantum mechanical calculations, includes the contribution from the metals involved, the organic linkers and the symmetry and topology of the framework and makes suggestions for future work on low‐κ dielectric MOFs. The results confirm that the band gap is primarily due to the electronic levels of the organic linkers and that tuning the band gap can be easily achieved either by linker functionalisation or by increasing the aromaticity. The relevance of simple structure–property relationships for different families of isoreticular MOFs through the use of Hammett sigma constants is also highlighted. It is also shown that the polarisability of the framework can be tuned comparably to the band gap. However, the expected low static dielectric constant is less influenced by the composition of the MOF and can be modified by acting on the crystal structure. Indeed, it is shown that it can be directly linked to the framework porosity.
A model to measure sustainable development in the hotel industry: A comparative study
Authors: Suárez‐Cebador Manuel , Rubio‐Romero Juan Carlos , Pinto‐Contreiras Joaquim , Gemar German
Published: March 2018

Despite measurement difficulties, several studies have recognized the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a tool to promote sustainability. The aim of this paper is to design a model to measure the implementation of CSR practices in hotels in two well‐known tourist regions, namely the Algarve in Portugal and the Costa del Sol in Spain. To do this, a Delphi method was applied: 16 experts from the two regions were asked to quantify the desirability of implementing 32 CSR practices in three areas: environmental, social, and economic. As a result, a three‐dimensional model was constructed to provide a quantitative overview of the hotel industry's commitment to and preferences in implementing CSR practices. Despite the high level of consistency between the two groups, statistically significant differences were found in the priority assigned to four CSR practices.
A comprehensive three‐dimensional sustainability measure: The ‘missing P’ of ‘people’ – a vital stakeholder in sustainable development
Authors: Gallagher Vickie Coleman , Hrivnak Mary Wilson , Valcea Sorin , Mahoney Christine Brown , LaWong Diane
Published: March 2018

Sustainability depends on a balanced relationship of the triple bottom line – people, profit and planet. However, limited research exists on how employees comprise the people component as vital stakeholders. The advancement of sustainability research has been hampered by the lack of a comprehensive measure incorporating three dimensions. Hence, three studies were conducted to develop a measure. In Study 1, qualitative interviews with 16 sustainability executives and a literature review led to development of 41 items. In Study 2, exploratory factor analysis of the measure with 102 working adults confirmed three dimensions and reduced it to 34 items. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis of panel data from 119 human resource managers resulted in a fit with three dimensions. SEM analysis indicated an antecedent relationship with innovative culture, learning orientation, and a supportive and collaborative culture. The people dimension is related to organizational identification as an important outcome. Strengths, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
A novel flow cytometry tool for fibrosis scoring through hepatic stellate cell differentiation
Authors: Amer Johnny , Salhab Ahmad , Doron Sarit , Morali Gilles , Safadi Rifaat
Published: March 2018

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a central fibrogenic cell type that contributes to collagen accumulation during chronic liver disease. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from HCV patients are phagocytized by HSCs and induce their differentiation. This study aimed to characterize HSCs differentiation using a flow cytometry tool for fibrosis scoring. NK cells from healthy donors and from patients with chronic HCV with various severities of fibrosis were co‐cultured with a human HSC line (LX2). LX2 phagocytosis of NK cells were stained for NK cells (CD45/CD56/CD3) and NK activation marker (CD107a) as well as INF‐γ, apoptosis (Annexin‐V) and α‐smooth‐muscle‐actin (αSMA, as a marker of LX2 activation). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the senescence marker P15 were analyzed prior to flow cytometry analysis. LX2 mono‐cultures demonstrated a homogenous cell‐population according to size (forward‐scattered; FSC), granularity and αSMA expressions. However, on their co‐culture with NK cells, the HSCs formed four subpopulations, which were stratified by αSMA intensities and cell size. NK cells isolated from heathy donors did not activate LX2‐cells. In contrast, HCV exposed to NK cells from both F1 and F4 fibrosis grade patients, showed elevated CD107a and INF‐γ levels and increased αSMA intensities in two of the four cell populations, with fibrosis scoring showing a linear correlation with αSMA intensities and NK phagocytosis. The αSMAintermediate/SizeLow HSCs sub‐population showed higher proliferation following F4‐NK cells with higher phagocytosis ability, suggesting an active/regulatory population. The αSMAhigh/Sizehigh subpopulations showed low proliferation and phagocytosis capacity, and were correlated with higher apoptosis, increased ROS and P15 intensities, suggesting senescing cells. Taken together, NK cells lead to heterogeneous differentiation of HSCs. Flow‐cytometry may provide a novel means of characterizing HSCs in relation to the severity of liver fibrosis. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Seasonal bat activity related to insect emergence at three temperate lakes
Authors: Salvarina Ioanna , Gravier Dorian , Rothhaupt Karl‐Otto
Published: March 2018

Knowledge of aquatic food resources entering terrestrial systems is important for food web studies and conservation planning. Bats, among other terrestrial consumers, often profit from aquatic insect emergence and their activity might be closely related to such events. However, there is a lack of studies which monitor bat activity simultaneously with aquatic insect emergence, especially from lakes. Thus, our aim was to understand the relationship between insect emergence and bat activity, and investigate whether there is a general spatial or seasonal pattern at lakeshores. We assessed whole‐night bat activity using acoustic monitoring and caught emerging and aerial flying insects at three different lakes through three seasons. We predicted that insect availability and seasonality explain the variation in bat activity, independent of the lake size and characteristics. Spatial (between lakes) differences of bat activity were stronger than temporal (seasonal) differences. Bat activity did not always correlate to insect emergence, probably because other factors, such as habitat characteristics, or bats’ energy requirements, play an important role as well. Aerial flying insects explained bat activity better than the emerged aquatic insects in the lake with lowest insect emergence. Bats were active throughout the night with some activity peaks, and the pattern of their activity also differed among lakes and seasons. Lakes are important habitats for bats, as they support diverse bat communities and activity throughout the night and the year when bats are active. Our study highlights that there are spatial and temporal differences in bat activity and its hourly nocturnal pattern, that should be considered when investigating aquatic–terrestrial interactions or designing conservation and monitoring plans.
Overstorey evapotranspiration in a seasonally dry Mediterranean eucalypt forest: Response to groundwater and mining
Authors: Macfarlane Craig , Grigg Andrew , McGregor Rod , Ogden Gary , Silberstein Richard
Published: March 2018

Groundwater levels in the northern jarrah forest have declined at rates up to 0.5 m year−1 owing to increased aridity in south‐western Australia in the last 40 years. The forest has also been mined and rehabilitated resulting in significant areas of postmining forest. We tested the impact of declining groundwater levels and mining on evapotranspiration by jarrah forest overstorey. We hypothesized that trees in jarrah forest are facultative phreatophytes (will use groundwater where available but are not reliant on it) and water use per unit overstorey leaf area index (Los) of postmining forest is the same as that of postharvest forest. We measured sapflow at 7 sites in the northern jarrah forest and measured rainfall interception by the canopy at 9 sites. Stemflow was measured at 3 sites. Shallow depth to groundwater was associated with a larger ratio of transpiration per unit leaf area (Eos/Los), but there was little difference in Eos/Los between postmining and postharvest jarrah forest. Eos/Los ranged from 250 ‐ 340 mm year−1 (m2 m−2)−1 at sites where depth to groundwater was >15 m but was up to 400–500 mm year−1 (m2 m−2)−1 at some sites with shallow groundwater. Based on relationships between transpiration, rainfall interception, and Los, it is possible to estimate overstorey evapotranspiration in jarrah forest from Los, especially if spatial layers are available for depth to groundwater. We conclude that jarrah forest is conservative in its water use and likely to be resilient to a drying climate. Management implications for the northern jarrah forest are briefly discussed.
Monitoring marine mammals using unmanned aerial vehicles: quantifying detection certainty
Authors: Aniceto Ana S. , Biuw Martin , Lindstrøm Ulf , Solbø Stian A. , Broms Fredrik , Carroll JoLynn
Published: March 2018

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being recognized as potentially useful for detection of marine mammals in their natural habitats, but an important consideration is the associated uncertainties in animal detection. We present a study based on field trials using UAVs to carry out image‐based monitoring of cetaceans in two fjords in northern Norway. We conducted 12 missions to assess the effects of both environmental‐ and aircraft‐related variables on detection certainty. Images were inspected for animal presence and its associated detection certainty. Images were also assessed for potentially important covariates such as wave turbulence (sea state), luminance, and glare. Aircraft variables such as altitude, pitch, and roll were combined into a single variable—pixel size. We recorded a total of 50 humpback whales, 63 killer whales (KW), and 118 unidentified sightings. We also recorded 57 harbor porpoise sightings. None of the environmental conditions (sea state, glare, and luminance) affected the detection certainty of harbor porpoises. In contrast, increasing sea state and luminance had negative and positive effects, respectively, on the detection certainty of humpback and KW. The detection certainty was not significantly affected by pixel size for both harbor porpoises, and humpback and KW. Our results indicate that at lower altitudes, variations in aircraft position (pitch and roll) do not have a variable effect on detection certainty. Overall, this study shows the importance of measuring variability in both environmental and flight‐related variables, in order to attain unbiased estimates of detectability for UAV‐based marine mammal surveys, particularly in Arctic and sub‐Arctic regions.
Reliable estimates of beta diversity with incomplete sampling
Authors: Roden Vanessa Julie , Kocsis Ádám T. , Zuschin Martin , Kiessling Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

Beta diversity, the compositional variation among communities or assemblages, is crucial to understanding the principles of diversity assembly. The mean pairwise proportional dissimilarity expresses overall heterogeneity of samples in a data set and is among the most widely used and most robust measures of beta diversity. Obtaining a complete list of taxa and their abundances requires substantial taxonomic expertise and is time consuming. In addition, the information is generally incomplete due to sampling biases. Based on the concept of the ecological significance of dominant taxa, we explore whether determining proportional dissimilarity can be simplified based on dominant species. Using simulations and six case studies, we assess the correlation between complete community compositional data and reduced subsets of a varying number of dominant species. We find that gross beta diversity is usually depicted accurately when only the 80th percentile or five of the most abundant species of each site is considered. In data sets with very high evenness, at least the 10 most abundant species should be included. Focusing on dominant species also maintains the rank‐order of beta diversity among sites. Our new approach will allow ecologists and paleobiologists to produce a far greater amount of data on diversity patterns with less time and effort, supporting conservation studies and basic science.
A new species and some additions to the genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae) in Iran
Authors: Maassoumi A. A.
Published: March 2018

The complex genus Oxytropis of Iran was revised by the present author in 2013. The new species O. sutakensis Maassoumi is described here based on recent collections from high lands of the central Elburz Mountains, province Mazandaran. Also some new records, new synonyms, as well as further additions and remarks are given for the genus in Iran.
Criteria to identify old‐growth forests in the Mediterranean: A case study from Sicily based on literature review and some management proposals
Authors: Badalamenti E. , Pasta S. , La Mantia T. , La Mela Veca D. S.
Published: March 2018

Old growth forests are increasingly considered and studied all around the world. However, the knowledge of such important forest systems is still limited in some bioclimatic regions, such as in the Mediterranean Basin. Starting from the knowledge acquired elsewhere, our research was carried out with the aim to select the most effective criteria to identify potential old‐growth forests in Mediterranean ecosystems (Sicily, Italy). Four key proxy indicators were considered: deadwood amount, tree size, structural traits, and tree species richness. A preliminary classification of the local forest stands level in three classes of old‐growthness (high, medium and low) has also been proposed. The main threats to woods conservation, as well as their biological value were considered. Twenty‐one forest stands have been detected and characterized; among them, seven forest stands were close to old growth conditions. Although the selected forest stands are located in protected areas, browsing due to farming and feral ungulates represent a widespread threat. The information provided for each forest stand may represent a starting point for further and in‐depth investigations in similar Mediterranean forest ecosystems.