bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Pan-Sharpening Framework Based on Matting Model and Multiscale Transform
Authors: Yang Yong , Wan Weiguo , Huang Shuying , Lin Pan , Que Yue
Published: April 2017

Pan-sharpening aims to sharpen a low spatial resolution multispectral (MS) image by combining the spatial detail information extracted from a panchromatic (PAN) image. An effective pan-sharpening method should produce a high spatial resolution MS image while preserving more spectral information. Unlike traditional intensity-hue-saturation (IHS)- and principal component analysis (PCA)-based multiscale transform methods, a novel pan-sharpening framework based on the matting model (MM) and multiscale transform is presented in this paper. First, we use the intensity component (I) of the MS image as the alpha channel to generate the spectral foreground and background. Then, an appropriate multiscale transform is utilized to fuse the PAN image and the upsampled I component to obtain the fused high-resolution gray image. In the fusion, two preeminent fusion rules are proposed to fuse the low- and high-frequency coefficients in the transform domain. Finally, the high-resolution sharpened MS image is obtained by linearly compositing the fused gray image with the upsampled foreground and background images. The proposed framework is the first work in the pan-sharpening field. A large number of experiments were tested on various satellite datasets; the subjective visual and objective evaluation results indicate that the proposed method performs better than the IHS- and PCA-based frameworks, as well as other state-of-the-art pan-sharpening methods both in terms of spatial quality and spectral maintenance.
Characterization of N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones in Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32 by a Biosensor-Based UHPLC-HRMS/MS Method
Authors: Girard Léa , Blanchet Élodie , Intertaglia Laurent , Baudart Julia , Stien Didier , Suzuki Marcelino , Lebaron Philippe , Lami Raphaël
Published: April 2017

Since the discovery of quorum sensing (QS) in the 1970s, many studies have demonstrated that Vibrio species coordinate activities such as biofilm formation, virulence, pathogenesis, and bioluminescence, through a large group of molecules called N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). However, despite the extensive knowledge on the involved molecules and the biological processes controlled by QS in a few selected Vibrio strains, less is known about the overall diversity of AHLs produced by a broader range of environmental strains. To investigate the prevalence of QS capability of Vibrio environmental strains we analyzed 87 Vibrio spp. strains from the Banyuls Bacterial Culture Collection (WDCM911) for their ability to produce AHLs. This screening was based on three biosensors, which cover a large spectrum of AHLs, and revealed that only 9% of the screened isolates produced AHLs in the defined experimental conditions. Among these AHL-producing strains, Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32 is a well-known pathogen of bivalves. We further analyzed the diversity of AHLs produced by this strain using a sensitive bioguided UHPLC-HRMS/MS approach (Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography followed by High-Resolution tandem Mass Spectrometry) and we identified C10-HSL, OH-C12-HSL, oxo-C12-HSL and C14:1-HSL as QS molecules. This is the first report that documents the production of AHL by Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32.
Investigating Surface and Near-Surface Bushfire Fuel Attributes: A Comparison between Visual Assessments and Image-Based Point Clouds
Authors: Spits Christine , Wallace Luke , Reinke Karin
Published: April 2017

Visual assessment, following guides such as the Overall Fuel Hazard Assessment Guide (OFHAG), is a common approach for assessing the structure and hazard of varying bushfire fuel layers. Visual assessments can be vulnerable to imprecision due to subjectivity between assessors, while emerging techniques such as image-based point clouds can offer land managers potentially more repeatable descriptions of fuel structure. This study compared the variability of estimates of surface and near-surface fuel attributes generated by eight assessment teams using the OFHAG and Fuels3D, a smartphone method utilising image-based point clouds, within three assessment plots in an Australian lowland forest. Surface fuel hazard scores derived from underpinning attributes were also assessed. Overall, this study found considerable variability between teams on most visually assessed variables, resulting in inconsistent hazard scores. Variability was observed within point cloud estimates but was, however, on average two to eight times less than that seen in visual estimates, indicating greater consistency and repeatability of this method. It is proposed that while variability within the Fuels3D method may be overcome through improved methods and equipment, inconsistencies in the OFHAG are likely due to the inherent subjectivity between assessors, which may be more difficult to overcome. This study demonstrates the capability of the Fuels3D method to efficiently and consistently collect data on fuel hazard and structure, and, as such, this method shows potential for use in fire management practices where accurate and reliable data is essential.
A Multi-Platform Optical Sensor for In Vivo and In Vitro Algae Classification
Authors: Ng Chee-Loon , Chen Qing-Qing , Chua Jia-Jing , Hemond Harold
Published: April 2017

Differentiation among major algal groups is important for the ecological and biogeochemical characterization of water bodies, and for practical management of water resources. It helps to discern the taxonomic groups that are beneficial to aquatic life from the organisms causing harmful algal blooms. An LED-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) instrument capable of fluorescence, absorbance, and scattering measurements; is used for in vivo and in vitro identification and quantification of four algal groups found in freshwater and marine environments. Aqueous solutions of individual and mixed dissolved biological pigments relevant to different algal groups were measured to demonstrate the LEDIF’s capabilities in measuring extracted pigments. Different genera of algae were cultivated and the cell counts of the samples were quantified with a hemacytometer and/or cellometer. Dry weight of different algae cells was also measured to determine the cell counts-to-dry weight correlations. Finally, in vivo measurements of different genus of algae at different cell concentrations and mixed algal group in the presence of humic acid were performed with the LEDIF. A field sample from a local reservoir was measured with the LEDIF and the results were verified using hemacytometer, cellometer, and microscope. The results demonstrated the LEDIF’s capabilities in classifying and quantifying different groups of live algae.
Synthesis, Characterization and Enhanced Sensing Properties of a NiO/ZnO p–n Junctions Sensor for the SF6 Decomposition Byproducts SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Zhou Qu , Zhang Qingyan , Hong Changxiang , Xu Lingna , Jin Lingfeng , Chen Weigen
Published: April 2017

The detection of partial discharge and analysis of the composition and content of sulfur hexafluoride SF6 gas components are important to evaluate the operating state and insulation level of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) equipment. This paper reported a novel sensing material made of pure ZnO and NiO-decorated ZnO nanoflowers which were synthesized by a facile and environment friendly hydrothermal process for the detection of SF6 decomposition byproducts. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the structural and morphological properties of the prepared gas-sensitive materials. Planar-type chemical gas sensors were fabricated and their gas sensing performances toward the SF6 decomposition byproducts SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2 were systemically investigated. Interestingly, the sensing behaviors of the fabricated ZnO nanoflowers-based sensor to SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2 gases can be obviously enhanced in terms of lower optimal operating temperature, higher gas response and shorter response-recovery time by introducing NiO. Finally, a possible gas sensing mechanism for the formation of the p–n junctions between NiO and ZnO is proposed to explain the enhanced gas response. All results demonstrate a promising approach to fabricate high-performance gas sensors to detect SF6 decomposition byproducts.
Celestial Object Imaging Model and Parameter Optimization for an Optical Navigation Sensor Based on the Well Capacity Adjusting Scheme
Authors: Wang Hao , Jiang Jie , Zhang Guangjun
Published: April 2017

The simultaneous extraction of optical navigation measurements from a target celestial body and star images is essential for autonomous optical navigation. Generally, a single optical navigation sensor cannot simultaneously image the target celestial body and stars well-exposed because their irradiance difference is generally large. Multi-sensor integration or complex image processing algorithms are commonly utilized to solve the said problem. This study analyzes and demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneously imaging the target celestial body and stars well-exposed within a single exposure through a single field of view (FOV) optical navigation sensor using the well capacity adjusting (WCA) scheme. First, the irradiance characteristics of the celestial body are analyzed. Then, the celestial body edge model and star spot imaging model are established when the WCA scheme is applied. Furthermore, the effect of exposure parameters on the accuracy of star centroiding and edge extraction is analyzed using the proposed model. Optimal exposure parameters are also derived by conducting Monte Carlo simulation to obtain the best performance of the navigation sensor. Finally, laboratorial and night sky experiments are performed to validate the correctness of the proposed model and optimal exposure parameters.
Suitability of Strain Gage Sensors for Integration into Smart Sport Equipment: A Golf Club Example
Authors: Umek Anton , Zhang Yuan , Tomažič Sašo , Kos Anton
Published: April 2017

Wearable devices and smart sport equipment are being increasingly used in amateur and professional sports. Smart sport equipment employs various sensors for detecting its state and actions. The correct choice of the most appropriate sensor(s) is of paramount importance for efficient and successful operation of sport equipment. When integrated into the sport equipment, ideal sensors are unobstructive, and do not change the functionality of the equipment. The article focuses on experiments for identification and selection of sensors that are suitable for the integration into a golf club with the final goal of their use in real time biofeedback applications. We tested two orthogonally affixed strain gage (SG) sensors, a 3-axis accelerometer, and a 3-axis gyroscope. The strain gage sensors are calibrated and validated in the laboratory environment by a highly accurate Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) optical tracking system. Field test results show that different types of golf swing and improper movement in early phases of golf swing can be detected with strain gage sensors attached to the shaft of the golf club. Thus they are suitable for biofeedback applications to help golfers to learn repetitive golf swings. It is suggested that the use of strain gage sensors can improve the golf swing technical error detection accuracy and that strain gage sensors alone are enough for basic golf swing analysis. Our final goal is to be able to acquire and analyze as many parameters of a smart golf club in real time during the entire duration of the swing. This would give us the ability to design mobile and cloud biofeedback applications with terminal or concurrent feedback that will enable us to speed-up motor skill learning in golf.
Accurate Ambient Noise Assessment Using Smartphones
Authors: Zamora Willian , Calafate Carlos , Cano Juan-Carlos , Manzoni Pietro
Published: April 2017

Nowadays, smartphones have become ubiquitous and one of the main communication resources for human beings. Their widespread adoption was due to the huge technological progress and to the development of multiple useful applications. Their characteristics have also experienced a substantial improvement as they now integrate multiple sensors able to convert the smartphone into a flexible and multi-purpose sensing unit. The combined use of multiple smartphones endowed with several types of sensors gives the possibility to monitor a certain area with fine spatial and temporal granularity, a procedure typically known as crowdsensing. In this paper, we propose using smartphones as environmental noise-sensing units. For this purpose, we focus our study on the sound capture and processing procedure, analyzing the impact of different noise calculation algorithms, as well as in determining their accuracy when compared to a professional noise measurement unit. We analyze different candidate algorithms using different types of smartphones, and we study the most adequate time period and sampling strategy to optimize the data-gathering process. In addition, we perform an experimental study comparing our approach with the results obtained using a professional device. Experimental results show that, if the smartphone application is well tuned, it is possible to measure noise levels with a accuracy degree comparable to professional devices for the entire dynamic range typically supported by microphones embedded in smartphones, i.e., 35–95 dB.
A New Method for Single-Epoch Ambiguity Resolution with Indoor Pseudolite Positioning
Authors: Li Xin , Zhang Peng , Guo Jiming , Wang Jinling , Qiu Weining
Published: April 2017

Ambiguity resolution (AR) is crucial for high-precision indoor pseudolite positioning. Due to the existing characteristics of the pseudolite positioning system, such as the geometry structure of the stationary pseudolite which is consistently invariant, the indoor signal is easy to interrupt and the first order linear truncation error cannot be ignored, and a new AR method based on the idea of the ambiguity function method (AFM) is proposed in this paper. The proposed method is a single-epoch and nonlinear method that is especially well-suited for indoor pseudolite positioning. Considering the very low computational efficiency of conventional AFM, we adopt an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm to search for the best solution in the coordinate domain, and variances of a least squares adjustment is conducted to ensure the reliability of the solving ambiguity. Several experiments, including static and kinematic tests, are conducted to verify the validity of the proposed AR method. Numerical results show that the IPSO significantly improved the computational efficiency of AFM and has a more elaborate search ability compared to the conventional grid searching method. For the indoor pseudolite system, which had an initial approximate coordinate precision better than 0.2 m, the AFM exhibited good performances in both static and kinematic tests. With the corrected ambiguity gained from our proposed method, indoor pseudolite positioning can achieve centimeter-level precision using a low-cost single-frequency software receiver.
A Novel Method of Localization for Moving Objects with an Alternating Magnetic Field
Authors: Gao Xiang , Yan Shenggang , Li Bin
Published: April 2017

Magnetic detection technology has wide applications in the fields of geological exploration, biomedical treatment, wreck removal and localization of unexploded ordinance. A large number of methods have been developed to locate targets with static magnetic fields, however, the relation between the problem of localization of moving objectives with alternating magnetic fields and the localization with a static magnetic field is rarely studied. A novel method of target localization based on coherent demodulation was proposed in this paper. The problem of localization of moving objects with an alternating magnetic field was transformed into the localization with a static magnetic field. The Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) algorithm was applied to calculate the position of the target with magnetic field data measured by a single three-component magnetic sensor. Theoretical simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
State Estimation Using Dependent Evidence Fusion: Application to Acoustic Resonance-Based Liquid Level Measurement
Authors: Xu Xiaobin , Li Zhenghui , Li Guo , Zhou Zhe
Published: April 2017

Estimating the state of a dynamic system via noisy sensor measurement is a common problem in sensor methods and applications. Most state estimation methods assume that measurement noise and state perturbations can be modeled as random variables with known statistical properties. However in some practical applications, engineers can only get the range of noises, instead of the precise statistical distributions. Hence, in the framework of Dempster-Shafer (DS) evidence theory, a novel state estimatation method by fusing dependent evidence generated from state equation, observation equation and the actual observations of the system states considering bounded noises is presented. It can be iteratively implemented to provide state estimation values calculated from fusion results at every time step. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a low-frequency acoustic resonance level gauge to obtain high-accuracy measurement results.
The Collective Strategies of Major Stakeholders in Land Expropriation: A Tripartite Game Analysis of Central Government, Local Governments, and Land-Lost Farmers
Authors: Li Qiuxiang , Bao Haijun , Peng Yi , Wang Haowen , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: April 2017

Land expropriation, during the rapid urbanization process in China, results in rural conflicts and presents barriers in sustainable development. Collective strategies of major stakeholders should be clearly understood for finding effective measures to cope with conflicts. However, the existing studies usually assume two types of stakeholders, which overlook the complicated practices as, at least central, government, local governments, and land-lost farmers are three major stakeholders. This research aims to explore the collective strategies of the three major stakeholders and examine how various factors contribute to conflicts with a tripartite evolutionary game model. The tripartite model is established based on the evolutionary game theories and relationships among the central and local governments, and land-lost farmers. A simulation analysis is also conducted on the MATLAB platform, which shows that serious asymmetry of information between stakeholders leads to the low efficiency of the game or serious conflicts. Thorough discussions on the influencing factors have also been conducted. The findings can provide good references for the central and local governments to reduce conflicts during land expropriation.
Peripherization of Indemnificatory Housing Community under Land-Centered Urban Transformation: The Case of Nanjing, China
Authors: Ye Dan , Zhang Jingxiang , Xu Guoliang
Published: April 2017

Indemnificatory housing programs—a kind of state-backed urban low-end and nonmarket housing programs which used to be welfare—have now increasingly evolved to be the vehicle to promote capital accumulation. Most of these housing communities show peripherization with high rates of unemployment, low income, poverty, and social exclusion, which violates their sustainability. This paper examines the impacts of land-centered urban transformation on indemnificatory housing communities, and analyzes the causes of unsustainable outcomes in political economy discourse. To achieve this, the social and economic conditions of a longstanding suburban indemnificatory housing community in Nanjing were analyzed. Survey data collected from March to April 2016 was evaluated to determine the peripherization of the residents within it. We found that for many residents, high rates of unemployment, low income, and poverty were mainly caused by their individual demographic and socioeconomic disadvantages, with the peripheral physical and social location contributing by exacerbating their vulnerabilities. It is concluded that local governments’ land-centered urban transformation and the central government’s affordable housing policies aimed at social and economic crisis mitigation combine to produce suburban indemnificatory housing communities, driving low-income relocated residents into more disadvantaged situations. This finding creates important lessons for the sustainable development of Chinese indemnificatory housing communities.
Simplified I-V Characteristic Tester for Photovoltaic Modules Using a DC-DC Boost Converter
Authors: Khatib Tamer , Elmenreich Wilfried , Mohamed Azah
Published: April 2017

In this paper, an efficient testing system for measuring a PV module’s I-V curve is proposed. The proposed system is based on a controlled DC-DC boost converter. The advantage of using a DC-DC converter is that this converter is typically used in PV systems to track the maximum power point and to control the charging of the battery. Consequently, this device is utilized for I-V curve extraction without the need for further external devices. The I-V curve is extracted by modifying the duty cycle of the triggering signal of the boost converter’s switch. The proposed system has been tested experimentally using a 120 Wp PV module. The results show that the proposed system can successfully extract I-V curves of PV module. Notably, the performance of the tested module, as measured by this study’s system as well as with a reference system, was found to be in the range of 61–67% of the performance given in the datasheet. Hence, this result highlights the importance of considering a measurement of the actual performance of PV modules when designing any PV system so as to avoid an undersized system. The proposed I-V testing system can be used as a simple tool to diagnose any shortages or low performance problems in PV system.
Simulation of Thermal Distribution and Airflow for Efficient Energy Consumption in a Small Data Centers
Authors: Ni Jing , Jin Bowen , Zhang Bo , Wang Xiaowei
Published: April 2017

Data centers have become ubiquitous in the last few years in an attempt to keep pace with the processing and storage needs of the Internet and cloud computing. The steady growth in the heat densities of IT servers leads to a rise in the energy needed to cool them, and constitutes approximately 40% of the power consumed by data centers. However, many data centers feature redundant air conditioning systems that contribute to inefficient air distribution, which significantly increases energy consumption. This remains an insufficiently explored problem. In this paper, a typical, small data center with tiles for an air supply system with a raised floor is used. We use a fluent (Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD) to simulate thermal distribution and airflow, and investigate the optimal conditions of air distribution to save energy. The effects of the airflow outlet angle along the tile, the cooling temperature and the rate of airflow on the beta index as well as the energy utilization index are discussed, and the optimal conditions are obtained. The reasonable airflow distribution achieved using 3D CFD calculations and the parameter settings provided in this paper can help reduce the energy consumption of data centers by improving the efficiency of the air conditioning.
Accelerated Detector Response Function in Squeezed Vacuum
Authors: Alsaleh Salwa
Published: April 2017

Casimir/squeezed vacuum breaks Lorentz symmetry, by allowing light to propagate faster than c. We looked at the possible transformation symmetry group such vacuum could obey. By solving the semi-classical Einstein field equation in squeezed vacuum, we have found that the background geometry describes an Anti-deSitter (AdS) geometry. Therefore, the proper transformation symmetry group is the (A)dS group. One can describe quantum field theory in a finite volume as a quantum field theory (QFT) on AdS background, or vice versa. In particular, one might think of QFT vacuum on AdS as a QFT that posses a squeezed vacuum with boundary conditions proportional to R A d S 2 . Applying this correspondence to an accelerating detector-scalar field system, we notice at low acceleration the system is at equilibrium at ground state, however if the detector’s acceleration (a) is greater than a critical acceleration, the system experience a phase transition similar to Hawking-Page Phase transition at the detector gets excited, with equivalent temperature Θ = a 2 - R A d S ′ 2 2 π .
A Rapid Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction Method Followed by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis for the Determination of Mycotoxins in Cereals
Authors: Barbera Giorgia , Capriotti Anna , Cavaliere Chiara , Foglia Patrizia , Montone Carmela , Chiozzi Riccardo , Laganà Aldo
Published: April 2017

Mycotoxins can contaminate various food commodities, including cereals. Moreover, mycotoxins of different classes can co-contaminate food, increasing human health risk. Several analytical methods have been published in the literature dealing with mycotoxins determination in cereals. Nevertheless, in the present work, the aim was to propose an easy and effective system for the extraction of six of the main mycotoxins from corn meal and durum wheat flour, i.e., the main four aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and the mycoestrogen zearalenone. The developed method exploited magnetic solid phase extraction (SPE), a technique that is attracting an increasing interest as an alternative to classical SPE. Therefore, the use of magnetic graphitized carbon black as a suitable extracting material was tested. The same magnetic material proved to be effective in the extraction of mycoestrogens from milk, but has never been applied to complex matrices as cereals. Ultra high–performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used for detection. Recoveries were >60% in both cereals, even if the matrix effects were not negligible. The limits of quantification of the method results were comparable to those obtained by other two magnetic SPE-based methods applied to cereals, which were limited to one or two mycotoxins, whereas in this work the investigated mycotoxins belonged to three different chemical classes.
Treatments for Latrodectism—A Systematic Review on Their Clinical Effectiveness
Authors: Ryan Nicole , Buckley Nicholas , Graudins Andis
Published: April 2017

Latrodectism or envenomation by widow-spiders is common and clinically significant worldwide. Alpha-latrotoxin is the mammalian-specific toxin in the venom that results in toxic effects observed in humans. Symptoms may be incapacitating and include severe pain that can persist for days. The management of mild to moderate latrodectism is primarily supportive while severe cases have variously been treated with intravenous calcium, muscle relaxants, widow-spider antivenom and analgesic opioids. The object of this systematic review is to examine the literature on the clinical effectiveness of past and current treatments for latrodectism. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar were searched from 1946 to December 2016 to identify clinical studies on the treatment of latrodectism. Studies older than 40 years and not in English were not reviewed. There were only two full-publications and one abstract of placebo-controlled randomised trials on antivenom use for latrodectism. Another two randomised comparative trials compared the route of administration of antivenom for latrodectism. There were fourteen case series (including two abstracts), fourteen case reports and one letter investigating drug treatments for latrodectism with the majority of these also including antivenom for severe latrodectism. Antivenom with opioid analgesia is often the major treatment reported for latrodectism however; recent high quality evidence has cast doubt on the clinical effectiveness of this combination and suggests that other treatments need to be investigated.
Porcine Circoviruses and Xenotransplantation
Authors: Denner Joachim , Mankertz Annette
Published: April 2017

Allotransplantation and xenotransplantation may be associated with the transmission of pathogens from the donor to the recipient. Whereas in the case of allotransplantation the transmitted microorganisms and their pathogenic effect are well characterized, the possible influence of porcine microorganisms on humans is mostly unknown. Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are common in pig breeds and they belong to porcine microorganisms that still have not been fully addressed in terms of evaluating the potential risk of xenotransplantation using pig cells, tissues, and organs. Two types of PCVs are known: porcine circovirus (PCV) 1 and PCV2. Whereas PCV1 is apathogenic in pigs, PCV2 may induce severe pig diseases. Although most pigs are subclinically infected, we do not know whether this infection impairs pig transplant functionality, particularly because PCV2 is immunosuppressive. In addition, vaccination against PCV2 is able to prevent diseases, but in most cases not transmission of the virus. Therefore, PCV2 has to be eliminated to obtain xenotransplants from uninfected healthy animals. Although there is evidence that PCV2 does not infect—at least immunocompetent—humans, animals should be screened using sensitive methods to ensure virus elimination by selection, Cesarean delivery, vaccination, or embryo transfer.
Classical Swine Fever—An Updated Review
Authors: Blome Sandra , Staubach Christoph , Henke Julia , Carlson Jolene , Beer Martin
Published: April 2017

Classical swine fever (CSF) remains one of the most important transboundary viral diseases of swine worldwide. The causative agent is CSF virus, a small, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Pestivirus. Based on partial sequences, three genotypes can be distinguished that do not, however, directly correlate with virulence. Depending on both virus and host factors, a wide range of clinical syndromes can be observed and thus, laboratory confirmation is mandatory. To this means, both direct and indirect methods are utilized with an increasing degree of commercialization. Both infections in domestic pigs and wild boar are of great relevance; and wild boars are a reservoir host transmitting the virus sporadically also to pig farms. Control strategies for epidemic outbreaks in free countries are mainly based on classical intervention measures; i.e., quarantine and strict culling of affected herds. In these countries, vaccination is only an emergency option. However, live vaccines are used for controlling the disease in endemically infected regions in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Americas, and some African countries. Here, we will provide a concise, updated review on virus properties, clinical signs and pathology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and immune responses, diagnosis and vaccination possibilities.
A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis System for Prioritizing Sites and Types of Low Impact Development Practices: Case of Korea
Authors: Song Jae , Chung Eun-Sung
Published: April 2017

This study developed a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework to prioritize sites and types of low impact development (LID) practices. This framework was systemized as a web-based system coupled with the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Using TOPSIS method, which is a type of MCDA method, multiple types and sites of designated LID practices are prioritized. This system is named the Water Management Prioritization Module (WMPM). WMPM can simultaneously determine the priority of multiple LID types and sites. In this study, an infiltration trench and permeable pavement were considered for multiple sub-catchments in South Korea to demonstrate the WMPM procedures. The TOPSIS method was manually incorporated to select the vulnerable target sub-catchments and to prioritize the LID planning scenarios for multiple types and sites considering social, hydrologic and physical-geometric factors. In this application, the Delphi method and entropy theory were used to determine the subjective and objective weights, respectively.
Experimental insights on Darwin's cross‐promotion hypothesis in tristylous purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Authors: Costa Joana , Castro Sílvia , Loureiro João , Barrett Spencer C.H.
Published: April 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Darwin proposed that the reciprocal arrangement of anthers and stigmas in heterostylous plants promotes cross‐pollination through pollen segregation on pollinators’ bodies. The floral tube in most heterostylous species constrains the feeding posture of pollinators determining the site of contact with sex organs located at different heights within a flower. Here, we evaluate Darwin's hypothesis in tristylous Lythrum salicaria, a species with a partially tubular corolla, and examine the extent to which the location of sex organs within a flower influence compatible and incompatible pollination. We predicted that the proficiency of cross‐pollination would increase for more inserted sex organs due to the restrictions imposed by the floral tube on pollinator positioning.

METHODS:

We used experimental trimorphic and monomorphic arrays and emasculated flowers to quantify intermorph pollen transfer and capture among all sex‐organ heights, and estimated the contribution of intraflower self‐pollination, geitonogamous self‐pollination, and intramorph outcross pollination to total intramorph pollination.

KEY RESULTS:

As predicted, disassortative pollination varied significantly with sex‐organ height and was highest for short‐level organs and lowest for long‐level organs. In monomorphic arrays, most intramorph pollination resulted from outcross pollination followed by intraflower and geitonogamous self‐pollination.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results provide evidence for the Darwinian hypothesis. Reciprocal herkogamy promoted varying degrees of disassortative pollination with the magnitude strongly influenced by sex‐organ height within a flower.
Large scale experimental study on the fire hazard of buildings’ U-shape façade wall geometry
Authors: YAN Weigang , JIANG Lin , AN Weiguang , ZHOU Yang , SUN Jinhua
Published: April 2017

Buildings have U-shape façade designs for certain purposes such as lighting. However, such designs may lead to a higher fire hazard. In this paper, large scale experiments of upward flame spread over XPS insulation material were conducted to investigate the fire hazard of building’s U-shape façade wall geometry. Comparison to previous labora­tory scale experiments were also presented. Theoretical analysis was performed to reveal the mechanism of the U-shape geometry’s influences. It is found that such geometry design would increase the fire hazard of buildings: flame spread rate and flame height increased with U-shape’s geometrical factor. The results agreed with theoretical analysis. It is ex­pected that the buildings’ U-shape façade wall geometry would greatly benefit flame spread for full scale applications and increase the fire hazard. Thus engineers should be careful with such façade wall designs, especially for residential building designs.
CONCEPT, MOTIVES AND CHANNELS OF DIGITAL SHADOW ECONOMY: CONSUMERS’ ATTITUDE
Authors: GASPARĖNIENĖ Ligita , REMEIKIENĖ Rita , SCHNEIDER Friedrich Georg
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this article is to define the concept of digital shadow economy and identify its determinants and channels from consumers’ position. In order to fulfil the defined purpose, the method of snowball sampling was employed. The results of the research revealed that consumers interpret digital shadow economy as an illegal operation in the Internet space, which generates illegal money flows for commodity/service providers or purchasers, and deprives legal traders/service providers from the revenue that could be officially accounted, calculated and declared. E-shops, social networks and websites are the channels, most commonly engaged for acquisition of goods/services in digital space; the categories of goods/services acquired by these channels include clothing and footwear, trips and entertainment, cosmetics and perfume. Purification of the concept of digital shadow economy from consumers’ position allowed to define the concept of digital shadow economy, which is a significant contribution to the evolution of the theory of digital shadow economy, and can enable to develop an instrument for measuring the scopes of digital shadow economy in further research.
ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC USING THE BAMF MODEL
Authors: KRAFTOVÁ Ivana , KAŠPAROVÁ Lenka
Published: April 2017

The focus of the paper is the evaluation of the financial health of selected public service providers. As part of the research we used a specially designed model of balance-sheet analysis for BAMF municipal companies. Used on a sample of 14 regional providers of emergency medical services in the Czech Republic from 2010–2014, we assessed the level and variability of the aggregate financial health indicator BAMF and its components, five sub-indicators. It turns out that the financial health of these subjects, although displaying significant similarities are not free of extreme values that in practice require more attention, or more precisely, deeper analysis. The authors conclude that the model is relatively easy to apply in practice and can contribute to the better financial health management of public sector bodies. At the same time, the BAMF model can be considered an addition to the theory of financial analysis.
AMBIVALENT IMPACT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ON FIRM VALUE IN EMERGING MARKETS: THE CASE OF KOREA
Authors: KIM Hyunseok , KIM Jaisang , CHOI Kyeong-Seop
Published: April 2017

Many researchers report that American Customer Satisfaction Index relates significantly and positively to firm value. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether such relation holds in the emerging markets such as Korea. Our preliminary OLS analysis reports that Korean customer satisfaction is irrelevant to firm value. Quantile regressions, applied for further analysis, report that customer satisfaction can be detrimental to firm value if the firm is enjoying the higher kind of value. These results undermine efforts, on the theoretical level, to establish Customer Satisfaction Index as a consolidated firm-value indicator; furthermore, managerial efforts to boost up firm value by managing customer satisfaction lose ground in the emerging markets. This study also corroborates Reinartz and Kumar’s (2002) marketing insight that to satisfy customers, make them loyal, is trivial for profitability and firm value in Korea perspective. The practical implication of our finding is that the relation between customer satisfaction and firm value becomes more ambiguous, especially when it is considered in the emerging market contexts. It also provides management with a fresh new insight that they should take prudence when they increase expenses on customer satisfaction since it turned out to be not a “panacea”.
MODELING CREDIT APPROVAL DATA WITH NEURAL NETWORKS: AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND OPTIMIZATION
Authors: GUOTAI Chi , ABEDIN Mohammad Zoynul , E–MOULA Fahmida
Published: April 2017

This study proposes an investigation and optimization of Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) based artificial neural networks (ANN) credit prediction model, combine with the effect of different ratios of training to testing instances over five real-world credit databases. As an outcome from the alteration procedure, three different types of hidden units [K = 9 (ANN–1), K = 10 (ANN–2), K = 23 (ANN–3)] are chosen through the pilot experiments and execute, therefore, 45 (5×3×3) unique neural models. Experimental results indicate that “the neural architecture with ten hidden units” is proposed as an optimal approach to classifying the credit information. With these contributions, therefore, we complement previous evidence and modernize the methods of credit prediction modeling. This study, however, has realistic implications for bank managers and other stakeholders to delineate the risk profile of the credit customers.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CORPORATE INVESTMENT POLICIES
Authors: VO Lai Van , LE Huong Thi Thu , LE Danh Vinh , PHUNG Minh Tuan , WANG Yi-Hsien , YANG Fu-Ju
Published: April 2017

This paper examines the effect of satisfaction with firms’ products and services on their capital investment policies. Using data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index from 1994 to 2013, the results of the regression models show that firms with higher customer satisfaction will invest more heavily in capital expenditures in the future. The results further show that this positive effect is more pronounced for firms with less growth opportunities or a high cost of capital. This would include those firms with low market-to-book ratios, young and small firms, or firms in more competitive industries. Overall, this study argues that customer satisfaction is an important factor affecting the firm’s investment policy. The findings provide a better understanding of the role of customer satisfaction which can generate growth opportunities, reduce cost and motivate a firm to invest more in capital.
COMPREHENSIVE MARKET MICROSTRUCTURE MODEL: CONSIDERING THE INVENTORY HOLDING COSTS
Authors: RYU Doojin
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study is to propose a structural market microstructure model and examine the intraday price and spread dynamics in a highly liquid market. We extend the model of Madhavan, Richardson, and Roomans to devise a comprehensive order indicator model that considers the order duration, order size, market liquidity, and most importantly, inventory holding costs. Our empirical analyses on the KOSPI200 futures market indicate that the inventory holding costs of liquidity suppliers explain a significant portion of model-implied spreads. Meanwhile, the duration and size of traded orders convey significant information content on the inventory holding component. Market liquidity is also an important consideration for futures traders who have to manage their inventory holding costs.
Anatomy of an Asteroid Breakup: The Case of P/2013 R3
Authors: Jewitt David , Agarwal Jessica , Li Jing , Weaver Harold , Mutchler Max , Larson Stephen
Published: April 2017

We present an analysis of new and published data on P/2013 R3, the first asteroid detected while disintegrating. Thirteen discrete components are measured in the interval between UT 2013 October 01 and 2014 February 13. We determine a mean, pair-wise velocity dispersion among these components of Δv = 0.33 ± 0.03 m s−1 and find that their separation times are staggered over an interval of ∼5 months. Dust enveloping the system has, in the first observations, a cross-section of ∼30 km2 but fades monotonically at a rate consistent with the action of radiation pressure sweeping. The individual components exhibit comet-like morphologies and also fade except where secondary fragmentation is accompanied by the release of additional dust. We find only upper limits to the radii of any embedded solid nuclei, typically ∼100–200 m (geometric albedo 0.05 assumed). Combined, the components of P/2013 R3 would form a single spherical body with a radius of

m, which is our best estimate of the size of the precursor object. The observations are consistent with rotational disruption of a weak (cohesive strength of ∼50 to 100 N m−2) parent body, ∼400 m in radius. Estimated radiation (YORP) spin-up times of this parent are

, shorter than the collisional lifetime. If present, water ice sublimating at as little as 10−3 kg s−1 could generate a torque on the parent body rivaling the YORP torque. Under conservative assumptions about the frequency of similar disruptions, the inferred asteroid debris production rate is ≳103 kg s−1, which is at least 4% of the rate needed to maintain the Zodiacal Cloud.
The Broadband Spectral Variability of Holmberg IX X-1
Authors: Walton D. J. , Fürst F. , Harrison F. A. , Middleton M. J. , Fabian A. C. , Bachetti M. , Barret D. , Miller J. M. , Ptak A. , Rana V. , Stern D. , Tao L.
Published: April 2017

We present results from four new broadband X-ray observations of the extreme ultraluminous X-ray source Holmberg IX X-1 (

erg s−1), performed by Suzaku and NuSTAR in coordination. Combined with the archival data, we now have broadband observations of this remarkable source from six separate epochs. Two of these new observations probe lower fluxes than seen previously, allowing us to extend our knowledge of the broadband spectral variability exhibited. The spectra are well fit by two thermal blackbody components that dominate the emission below 10 keV, as well as a steep (

) power-law tail that dominates above ∼15 keV. Remarkably, while the 0.3–10.0 keV flux varies by a factor of ∼3 between all these epochs, the 15–40 keV flux varies by only ∼20%. Although the spectral variability is strongest in the ∼1–10 keV band, both of the thermal components are required to vary when all epochs are considered. We also revisit the search for iron absorption features by leveraging the high-energy NuSTAR data to improve our sensitivity to extreme velocity outflows in light of the ultra-fast outflow recently detected in NGC 1313 X-1. Iron absorption from a similar outflow along our line of sight can be ruled out in this case. We discuss these results in the context of super-Eddington accretion models that invoke a funnel-like geometry for the inner flow, and propose a scenario in which we have an almost face-on view of a funnel that expands to larger radii with increasing flux, resulting in an increasing degree of geometrical collimation for the emission from intermediate-temperature regions.
Itinéraire d’une « bonne pratique » : la Banque mondiale et les conditional cash transfers en Amérique latine et aux Philippines
Authors: Diaz Pablo
Published: April 2017

Cette étude se propose d'affiner la compréhension des processus à travers lesquels les « bonnes pratiques » sont définies et redéfinies dans les interactions complexes entre organisations internationales et gouvernements nationaux. Plusieurs enquêtes de terrain menées en Amérique latine et aux Philippines sur les programmes de conditional cash transfers mettent en lumière les mécanismes qui sous-tendent la standardisation, la mise en circulation et l’importation des modèles de politique publique. Le cas de la Banque mondiale, notamment, permet une réflexion sur les nouvelles modalités d'action des institutions financières internationales qui, afin de paraître moins coercitives, se présentent comme des intermédiaires éclairés entre des pays du Sud fournisseurs ou demandeurs de solutions d'action publique, tout en instrumentalisant leurs « innovations » dans le but de s’assurer un statut d’expert. Au demeurant, la capacité de réappropriation de certains pays des Suds est telle que leurs innovations peuvent déboucher sur l'émergence d'une nouvelle variante de la « bonne pratique » (une sorte de version 1.2), susceptible de devenir la nouvelle norme en vigueur.
La recomposition de la norme du « zéro alcool pendant la grossesse » dans le contexte du binge drinking
Authors: Simmat-Durand Laurence , Toutain Stéphanie
Published: April 2017

Les nouveaux comportements de consommation d’alcool des jeunes femmes, avec le développement des alcoolisations ponctuelles importantes ou binge drinking, impliquent des risques en matière de grossesse pour la mère et l’enfant à naître. Les données quantitatives pour mesurer ces alcoolisations ponctuelles importantes autour de l’âge moyen à la maternité – 25 à 34 ans – en France sont lacunaires. L’analyse des forums d’échange sur Internet fait émerger que les femmes tendent à recomposer la norme en conciliant binge drinking en début de grossesse avant de se savoir enceintes et zéro alcool dès lors que la grossesse est connue. Cette recomposition de la norme est légitimée, d’une part, par le discours des professionnels de santé délivrant davantage un message de modération qu’un message d’abstinence. Et d’autre part, cette question n’est pas non plus investie par la prévention ou les politiques publiques qui peinent déjà à obtenir un consensus autour de la norme de l’abstinence « Zéro Alcool pendant la grossesse ».