bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and Performance of a Three-Layered Al/7075–B4C/Al Composite Prepared by Semi Continuous Casting and Hot Rolling
Authors: Zhang Yubo , Yu Yingshui , Xu Guangye , Fu Ying , Li Tingju , Wang Tongmin , Guo Qingtao
Published: August 2018

A three-layered composite material, consisting of an Al outer layer and a 7075-10 wt % B4C inner layer, was fabricated by semi-continuous casting and following a hot rolling process. The composite exhibits a clear layered structure with a good interfacial bond between layers. In the sessile drop experiment, the Al alloy melt dropped on the 7075-B4C composite at 650 °C, with the contact angle decreasing from 105° to 25° in 50 s, indicating that the infiltration and spreading both played important roles in the wetting process. In the inner layer, the reinforced B4C particles were distributed uniformly in the 7075 alloy matrix, and enhanced the average hardness of the inner layer to 163.4 HV, compared to that of the outer layer at 32.8 HV. The composite plate of 20 mm obtained the compression strength of 152 MPa. The electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) line scanning result showed that no harmful reaction or element diffusion occurred between B4C and the surrounding 7075 matrix. The B4C particles remained mechanically bonded into the matrix, and significantly reduced the bullet speed during the projectile impact test.
Ag-Sensitized Yb3+ Emission in Glass-Ceramics
Authors: Enrichi Francesco , Cattaruzza Elti , Ferrari Maurizio , Gonella Francesco , Ottini Riccardo , Riello Pietro , Righini Giancarlo C. , Enrico Trave , Vomiero Alberto , Zur Lidia
Published: August 2018

Rare earth doped materials play a very important role in the development of many photonic devices, such as optical amplifiers and lasers, frequency converters, solar concentrators, up to quantum information storage devices. Among the rare earth ions, ytterbium is certainly one of the most frequently investigated and employed. The absorption and emission properties of Yb3+ ions are related to transitions between the two energy levels 2F7/2 (ground state) and 2F5/2 (excited state), involving photon energies around 1.26 eV (980 nm). Therefore, Yb3+ cannot directly absorb UV or visible light, and it is often used in combination with other rare earth ions like Pr3+, Tm3+, and Tb3+, which act as energy transfer centres. Nevertheless, even in those co-doped materials, the absorption bandwidth can be limited, and the cross section is small. In this paper, we report a broadband and efficient energy transfer process between Ag dimers/multimers and Yb3+ ions, which results in a strong PL emission around 980 nm under UV light excitation. Silica-zirconia (70% SiO2-30% ZrO2) glass-ceramic films doped by 4 mol.% Yb3+ ions and an additional 5 mol.% of Na2O were prepared by sol-gel synthesis followed by a thermal annealing at 1000 °C. Ag introduction was then obtained by ion-exchange in a molten salt bath and the samples were subsequently annealed in air at 430 °C to induce the migration and aggregation of the metal. The structural, compositional, and optical properties were investigated, providing evidence for efficient broadband sensitization of the rare earth ions by energy transfer from Ag dimers/multimers, which could have important applications in different fields, such as PV solar cells and light-emitting near-infrared (NIR) devices.
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Oropharyngeal Candida glabrata Isolates and Their Antimicrobial Activity against Clinical Strains of Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Jalal Mohammad , Ansari Mohammad Azam , Alzohairy Mohammad A. , Ali Syed Ghazanfar , Khan Haris M. , Almatroudi Ahmad , Raees Kashif
Published: August 2018

The objective of the present study was one step extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using supernatant of Candida glabrata isolated from oropharyngeal mucosa of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and evaluation of their antibacterial and antifungal potential against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The mycosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by color visualization, ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The FTIR spectra revealed the binding and stabilization of nanoparticles with protein. The TEM analysis showed that nanoparticles were well dispersed and predominantly spherical in shape within the size range of 2–15 nm. The antibacterial and antifungal potential of AgNPs were characterized by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)/ minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC), and well diffusion methods. The MBC and MFC were found in the range of 62.5–250 μg/mL and 125–500 μg/mL, which revealed that bacterial strains were more susceptible to AgNPs than fungal strains. These differences in bactericidal and fungicidal concentrations of the AgNPs were due to the differences in the cell structure and organization of bacteria and yeast cells. The interaction of AgNPs with C. albicans analyzed by TEM showed the penetration of nanoparticles inside the Candida cells, which led the formation of “pits” and “pores” that result from the rupturing of the cell wall and membrane. Further, TEM analysis showed that Candida cells treated with AgNPs were highly deformed and the cells had shrunken to a greater extent because of their interaction with the fungal cell wall and membrane, which disrupted the structure of the cell membrane and inhibited the normal budding process due to the destruction and loss of membrane integrity and formation of pores that may led to the cell death.
Scalable Exfoliation of Bulk MoS2 to Single- and Few-Layers Using Toroidal Taylor Vortices
Authors: Kaushik Vishakha , Wu Shunhe , Jang Hoyoung , Kang Je , Kim Kyunghoon , Suk Ji Won
Published: August 2018

The production of a large amount of high-quality transition metal dichalcogenides is critical for their use in industrial applications. Here, we demonstrate the scalable exfoliation of bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) powders into single- or few-layer nanosheets using the Taylor-Couette flow. The toroidal Taylor vortices generated in the Taylor-Couette flow provide efficient mixing and high shear stresses on the surfaces of materials, resulting in a more efficient exfoliation of the layered materials. The bulk MoS2 powders dispersed in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) were exfoliated with the Taylor-Couette flow by varying the process parameters, including the initial concentration of MoS2 in the NMP, rotation speed of the reactor, reaction time, and temperature. With a batch process at an optimal condition, half of the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets were thinner than ~3 nm, corresponding to single to ~4 layers. The spectroscopic and microscopic analysis revealed that the exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets contained the same quality as the bulk powders without any contamination or modification. Furthermore, the continuous exfoliation of MoS2 was demonstrated by the Taylor-Couette flow reactor, which produced an exfoliated MoS2 solution with a concentration of ~0.102 mg/mL. This technique is a promising way for the scalable production of single- or few-layer MoS2 nanosheets without using hazardous intercalation materials.
Genetic and Common Environmental Contributions to Familial Resemblances in Plasma Carotenoid Concentrations in Healthy Families
Authors: Tremblay Bénédicte L. , Guénard Frédéric , Lamarche Benoît , Pérusse Louis , Vohl Marie-Claude
Published: August 2018

Carotenoids have shown an interindividual variability that may be due to genetic factors. The only study that has reported heritability of serum α- and β-carotene has not considered the environmental component. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of both genetic and common environmental effects to the variance of carotenoid concentrations and to test whether their phenotypic correlations with cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by shared genetic and environmental effects. Plasma carotenoid concentrations (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids) of 48 healthy subjects were measured. Heritability estimates of carotenoid concentrations were calculated using the variance component method. Lutein and lycopene showed a significant familial effect (p = 6 × 10−6 and 0.0043, respectively). Maximal heritability, genetic heritability, and common environmental effect were computed for lutein (88.3%, 43.8%, and 44.5%, respectively) and lycopene (45.2%, 0%, and 45.2%, respectively). Significant phenotypic correlations between carotenoid concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors were obtained for β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Familial resemblances in lycopene concentrations were mainly attributable to common environmental effects, while for lutein concentrations they were attributable to genetic and common environmental effects. Common genetic and environmental factors may influence carotenoids and cardiometabolic risk factors, but further studies are needed to better understand the potential impact on disease development.
The Associations between Dietary Patterns and Sedentary Behaviors in Polish Adults (LifeStyle Study)
Authors: Jezewska-Zychowicz Marzena , Gębski Jerzy , Guzek Dominika , Świątkowska Monika , Stangierska Dagmara , Plichta Marta , Wasilewska Milena
Published: August 2018

Sedentary behavior, a low physical activity level, and unhealthy dietary patterns are risk factors for major chronic diseases, including obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of dietary patterns (DPs) with sedentary behaviors (SB) and self-reported physical activity (PA). The data was collected in November 2016 through a cross-sectional quantitative survey amongst 1007 Polish adults. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to derive DPs. Logistic regression analysis was used to verify associations between PA and SD (independent variables), and DPs (dependent variables). Five DPs (‘Fast foods & sweets’—FF&S; ‘Meat & meat products’—M&MP; ‘Fruit & vegetable’—F&V; ‘Wholemeal food’—WF; ‘Fruit & vegetable juices’—F&VJ) were identified. Representing M&MP independently increased the chance of watching TV at least once a day (by 73%). There was no such relationship between the FF&S and sedentary behaviors. Being in the upper tertiles of pro-health DPs increased the chance of reading books (by 177%—F&V, 149%—WF, 54%—F&VJ) and watching TV (by 71%—F&V). On the other hand, belonging to the upper tertile of WF reduced the chance of using the computer for more than 4 h a day. Belonging to the upper tertile of healthy DPs (WF and F&VJ) increased the chances of moderate or high physical activity, both at work/school and during leisure time. Within F&V, there was a lower chance of moderate or high physical activity at work/school. Being in the upper tertile of unhealthy DPs (FF&S and M&MP) did not show any significant association with physical activity. The study indicated the associations between both healthy and unhealthy DPs and some sedentary behaviors. Association between F&V and watching TV and reading books/newspapers should be recognized as potentially efficient in education. Association between M&MP and watching television can be indicative of the mutual overlap of a negative lifestyle resulting in the development of overweight and obesity, especially since the extent of occurrence of sedentary behaviors is high.
Dietary Nitrate and Diet Quality: An Examination of Changing Dietary Intakes within a Representative Sample of Australian Women
Authors: Jackson Jacklyn K. , Patterson Amanda J. , MacDonald-Wicks Lesley K. , Bondonno Catherine P. , Blekkenhorst Lauren C. , Ward Natalie C. , Hodgson Jonathan M. , Byles Julie E. , McEvoy Mark A.
Published: August 2018

Dietary nitrate is increasingly linked to a variety of beneficial health outcomes. Our purpose was to estimate dietary nitrate consumption and identify key dietary changes which have occurred over time within a representative sample of Australian women. Women from the 1946–1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health with complete food frequency questionnaire data for both 2001 and 2013 were included for analysis. Dietary nitrate intakes were calculated using key published nitrate databases. Diet quality scores including the Australian Recommended Food Score, the Mediterranean Diet Score and the Nutrient Rich Foods Index were calculated along with food group serves as per the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Wilcoxon matched pairs tests were used to test for change in dietary intakes and Spearman’s correlations were used to examine associations. In our sample of 8161 Australian women, dietary nitrate intakes were on average 65–70 mg/day, and we detected a significant increase in dietary nitrate consumption over time (+6.57 mg/day). Vegetables were the primary source of dietary nitrate (81–83%), in particular lettuce (26%), spinach (14–20%), beetroot (10–11%), and celery (7–8%) contributed primarily to vegetable nitrate intakes. Further, increased dietary nitrate intakes were associated with improved diet quality scores (r = 0.3, p < 0.0001). Although there is emerging evidence indicating that higher habitual dietary nitrate intakes are associated with reduced morbidity and mortality, future work in this area should consider how dietary nitrate within the context of overall diet quality can facilitate health to ensure consistent public health messages are conveyed.
Strategies to Control Performance of 3D-Printed, Cable-Driven Soft Polymer Actuators: From Simple Architectures to Gripper Prototype
Authors: Slesarenko Viacheslav , Engelkemier Seiji , Galich Pavel I. , Vladimirsky Dmitry , Klein Gregory , Rudykh Stephan
Published: August 2018

The following is a study of the performance of soft cable-driven polymer actuators produced by multimaterial 3D printing. We demonstrate that the mechanical response of the polymer actuator with an embedded cable can be flexibly tuned through the targeted selection of actuator architecture. Various strategies, such as the addition of discrete or periodic stiff inserts, the sectioning of the actuator, or the shifting of the cable channel are employed to demonstrate ways to achieve more controllable deformed shape during weight lifting or reduce the required actuation force. To illustrate these concepts, we design and manufacture a prototype of the soft polymer gripper, which is capable of manipulating small, delicate objects. The explored strategies can be utilized in other types of soft actuators, employing, for instance, actuation by means of electroactive polymers.
A Study of the Pressure-Induced Solidification of Polymers
Authors: Liu Xiuru , Zhang Linji , Yuan Chaosheng , Jia Ru , Shao Chunguang , Wang Mingyou , Hong Shiming
Published: August 2018

By using a self-designed pressure-jump apparatus, we investigated the melt solidification behavior in the rapid compression process for poly-ethylene-terephthalate (PET), polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), isotactic polypropylene (iPP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and the living polymer sulfur. The experimental results clearly show that crystallization could be inhibited, and some melts were solidified to the full amorphous state for PET, PEEK, and sulfur. Full amorphous PEEK that was 24 mm in diameter and 12 mm in height was prepared, which exceeded the size obtained by the melt quenching method. The bulk amorphous sulfur thus obtained exhibited extraordinarily high thermal stability, and an abnormal exothermic transition to liquid sulfur was observed at around 396 K. Since the solidification of melt is realized by changing pressure instead of temperature and is not essentially limited by thermal conductivity, it is a promising way to prepare fully amorphous polymers. In addition, novel properties are also expected in these polymers solidified by the pressure-jump within milliseconds.
The Chain Distribution Tensor: Linking Nonlinear Rheology and Chain Anisotropy in Transient Polymers
Authors: Lalitha Sridhar Shankar , Vernerey Franck J.
Published: August 2018

Transient polymer networks are ubiquitous in natural and engineered materials and contain cross-links that can reversibly break and re-form. The dynamic nature of these bonds allows for interesting mechanical behavior, some of which include nonlinear rheological phenomena such as shear thickening and shear thinning. Specifically, physically cross-linked networks with reversible bonds are typically observed to have viscosities that depend nonlinearly on shear rate and can be characterized by three flow regimes. In slow shear, they behave like Newtonian fluids with a constant viscosity. With further increase in shear rate, the viscosity increases nonlinearly to subsequently reach a maximum value at the critical shear rate. At this point, network fracture occurs followed by a reduction in viscosity (shear-thinning) with a further increase in shear rate. The underlying mechanism of shear thickening in this process is still unclear with debates between a conversion of intra-chain to inter-chain cross-linking and nonlinear chain stretch under high tension. In this paper, we provide a new framework to describe the nonlinear rheology of transient polymer networks with the so-called chain distribution tensor using recent advances from the transient network theory. This tensor contains quantitatively and statistical information of the chain alignment and possible anisotropy that affect network behavior and mechanics. We investigate shear thickening as a primary result of non-Gaussian chain behavior and derive a relationship for the nonlinear viscosity in terms of the non-dimensional Weissenberg number. We further address the criterion for network fracture at the critical shear rate by introducing a critical chain force when bond dissociation is suddenly accelerated. Finally, we discuss the role of cross-linker density on viscosity using a “sticky” reptation mechanism in the context of previous studies on metallo-supramolecular networks with reversible cross-linkers.
Novel Hydrophobic Associating Polymer with Good Salt Tolerance
Authors: Mao Jincheng , Tan Hongzhong , Yang Bo , Zhang Wenlong , Yang Xiaojiang , Zhang Yang , Zhang Heng
Published: August 2018

A hydrophobic associating polymer named DiPHAM (acrylamide/sodium acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic/sodium acrylate/N,N-di-n-dodecylacrylamide) with good salt tolerance was synthesized via photo-initiation polymerization. The critical association concentration (CAC) of DiPHAM was determined by viscosity changes to be 490 mg/L with different DiPHAM concentrations and particle sizes varied under such dynamic conditions. The influences of aqueous metal ions with different charges on its aqueous solution were investigated by measuring apparent viscosity, viscoelasticity, thixotropy, rheology, and particle size, and by SEM observation. The apparent viscosity of the DiPHAM solution was affected by metal ions to some extent, but the viscosity of the polymer can be still maintained at 55 mPa·s under 20 × 104 mg/L NaCl. Divalent metal ions show greater impact on DiPHAM aqueous solutions, but the polymer solutions showed resistance to the changes caused in viscosity, structure, and viscoelasticity by Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The salt tolerance of DiPHAM is due to the combination of hydrophobic association, the electrostatic shield, and double layer compression of the hydration shell. Increasing the ion concentration enhances the dehydration and further compresses the hydration shell, making the non-structural viscosity decrease, even “salting out”. Measurements of rheological properties showed that DiPHAM solutions could maintain a relatively high viscosity (0.6%-71 mPa·s/0.3%-50 mPa·s) after 120 min of continuous shearing (170 s−1) at 140 °C. Under high-salinity (5000 mg/L Ca2+/3000 mg/L Mg2+) conditions, the solution with 0.6 wt% DiPHAM still maintained a high viscosity (50 mPa·s/70 mPa·s) after continuously shearing for 120 min at 120 °C and 170 s−1. The good salt tolerance of DiPHAM can lead to a variety of applications, including in fracturing fluids for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and in sewage treatment.
Experimental Study on the Creep Characteristics of Coal Measures Sandstone under Seepage Action
Authors: Sha Ziheng , Pu Hai , Li Ming , Cao Lili , Liu Ding , Ni Hongyang , Lu Jingfeng
Published: August 2018

The seepage action of underground water accelerates the deformation of roadway surrounding rock in deep mines. Therefore, the study of creep characteristics of surrounding rock under seepage action is the basis for the stability control of roadway surrounding rock in deep water-rich areas. In this paper, a seepage-creep coupling test system for complete rock samples was established. Combined with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test system, the seepage-creep law of coal measures sandstone and the damage mechanism were revealed. The study results showed that the maximum creep deformation of sandstone under natural and saturation state decreased gradually with the increase of confining pressure, and the maximum creep deformation under saturation state was greater than the corresponding value under natural state when the confining pressure was same. When the confining pressure was constant, the creep deformation, the constant creep deformation rate and the accelerated creep deformation rate of sandstone increased rapidly with the increase of infiltration pressure. With the change of time, the change of permeability parameters went through three cycles; each cycle was divided into two stages, slow change stage and rapid change stage, and the rate of variation increased with the increase of the seepage pressure. Based on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of sandstone rupture, the connection between macroscopic and microscopic mechanism on sandstone rupture was established. The results in this paper can provide a theoretical basis for stability control of roadway surrounding rock in water-rich areas.
A High-Order Numerical Manifold Method for Darcy Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Zhou Lingfeng , Wang Yuan , Feng Di
Published: August 2018

One major challenge in modeling Darcy flow in heterogeneous porous media is simulating the material interfaces accurately. To overcome this defect, the refraction law is fully introduced into the numerical manifold method (NMM) as an a posteriori condition. To achieve a better accuracy of the Darcy velocity and continuous nodal velocity, a high-order weight function with a continuous nodal gradient is adopted. NMM is an advanced method with two independent cover systems, which can easily solve both continuous and discontinuous problems in a unified form. Moreover, a regular mathematical mesh, independent of the physical domain, is used in the NMM model. Compared to the conforming mesh of other numerical methods, it is more efficient and flexible. A number of numerical examples were simulated by the new NMM model, comparing the results with the original NMM model and the analytical solutions. Thereby, it is proven that the proposed method is accurate, efficient, and robust for modeling Darcy flow in heterogeneous porous media, while the refraction law is satisfied rigorously.
Separation of Ag(I) by Ion Exchange and Cementation from a Raffinate Containing Ag(I), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and Traces of Cu(II) and Sn(II)
Authors: Xing Wei Dong , Lee Man Seung , Choi Seung Hoon
Published: August 2018

Ion exchange and cementation experiments were done to separate silver(I) from a raffinate containing silver(I), nickel(II), and zinc(II) and small amounts of copper(II) and tin(II). The raffinate resulted from the recovery of gold(III), tin(II) and copper(II) by solvent extraction from a leaching solution of anode slime. Ion exchange with anionic resins was not effective in separating silver(I) because tin(II) and zinc(II) were selectively adsorbed into the anionic resins. It was possible to separate silver(I) by cementation with copper sheet. Treatment of the cemented silver with nitric acid solution increased the purity of silver(I) in the solution from 50.9% to 99.99%. Adjusting the pH of the AgNO3 solution to higher than 6, followed by adding ascorbic acid as a reducing agent, led to the synthesis of silver particles with micron size.
Strong Fuzzy EHLFS: A General Conceptual Framework to Address Past Records of Environmental, Ecological and Cultural Change
Authors: Rull Valentí
Published: August 2018

Although the interpretation of Quaternary records of interrelated environmental–ecological–human processes is necessarily complex, it is often addressed using too-simple deterministic approaches. This paper suggests a holistic framework called EHLFS (Environmental–Human–Landscape Feedbacks and Synergies) to tackle Quaternary complexity. The EHLFS scheme is a multiple-working-hypotheses framework, able to account for the particular nature of Quaternary research, and is used in combination with the strong inference method of hypothesis testing. The resulting system is called the strong fuzzy EHLFS approach. This approach is explained in some detail and compared with the more extended simplistic determinisms—namely the environmental determinism and the human determinism—as well as with dual determinisms or deterministic approaches based on two contrasting and apparently contradictory and excluding hypotheses or theories. The application of the strong EHLFS methodology is illustrated using the Late Holocene ecological and cultural history of Easter Island since its initial human settlement, a topic that has traditionally been addressed using simplistic and dual deterministic approaches. The strong fuzzy EHLFS approach seems to be a robust framework to address past complex issues where environment, humans and landscape interact, as well as an open system able to encompass new challenging evidence and thorough changes in fundamental research questions.
“We Are Doing Everything That Our Resources Will Allow”: The Black Church and Foundation Philanthropy, 1959–1979
Authors: Byers Philip D.
Published: August 2018

Contemporary wealth inequality has prompted a renewed and increased interest in the role that external funding plays in civil society. While observers frequently consider how big philanthropy influences education, politics, and social services, few historical treatments of the postwar era have addressed the interaction between foundation philanthropy and American religion. Black Christianity stands as one clear example of this oversight. Numerous studies of black life in the twentieth-century have engaged the tensions between internal prerogatives and external influences without applying those questions to black churches. This article begins that exploration by focusing on Lilly Endowment, Inc.—the most consistent twentieth-century source of foundation support for religion—and analyzing its interactions with a series of summer seminars for black ministers hosted at Virginia Union University. Though contextual changes in the latter twentieth century altered the nature of Lilly Endowment’s relationship with its recipients, two decades of collaboration reveal how black Christians exerted substantial influence over the trajectory of Lilly Endowment’s growing program in religious giving.
A Prelude to Civil War: The Religious Nonprofit Sector as a Civil Means of Debate over Slavery, Christian Higher Education, and Religious Philanthropy in the Stone-Campbell Movement
Authors: Austin Thad S.
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the role of Christian higher education and religious philanthropy in the debate over slavery prior to the Civil War. Competing religious views regarding slavery led to the founding of Indiana’s abolitionist Butler University. The school’s decision to brazenly support the cause of abolition directly conflicted with the leadership of The Disciples of Christ and mired the Indianapolis school in one of the most impassioned debates about the role of religious practice in civic life in the nineteenth century. In this case, the religious nonprofit sector functioned as battlefield upon which competing forces engaged in a form of civil conflict. An examination of the role of Butler University’s philanthropic action provides fresh insight into the debate over slavery brewing on the eve of Civil War and the way individuals use philanthropic institutions, especially religious institutions, as a means to assert their values within society. Research for this study has employed primary archival research of documents held at Butler University, Christian Theological Seminary, and The Indiana Historical Society. The author has consulted period specific newspapers, journals, and handwritten documents. The author has also employed a host of secondary resources ranging from academic journals and religious histories to personal interviews and literature on the State of Indiana.
Ecological Footprint at the Micro-Scale—How It Can Save Costs: The Case of ENPRO
Authors: Tóth Gergely , Szigeti Cecília , Harangozó Gábor , Szabó Dániel Róbert
Published: August 2018

The Ecological Footprint (EF) has become a very popular alternative indicator of development in the last three decades. It can be widely used to show the unsustainability of total and individual levels of consumption in countries. But can EF be a meaningful indicator at the micro level as well? This paper presents an argument on this issue. Based on a literature review including our own analysis and the correlation of EF with GDP and other alternative indicators, EF is evaluated at the macro level. Then, an original case study is presented, underpinning the applicability of EF on the company level, linking the ordinary corporate carbon footprinting with the EF method. Based on the findings, micro level EF calculations can help organizations in finding fields of intervention (inefficiencies and emission hotspots). EF accounting can also be used to evaluate the economic benefits of such measures after their realization.
Mapping up-to-Date Paddy Rice Extent at 10 M Resolution in China through the Integration of Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar Images
Authors: Zhang Xin , Wu Bingfang , Ponce-Campos Guillermo E. , Zhang Miao , Chang Sheng , Tian Fuyou
Published: August 2018

Rice is a staple food in East Asia and Southeast Asia—an area that accounts for more than half of the world’s population, and 11% of its cultivated land. Studies on rice monitoring can provide direct or indirect information on food security, and water source management. Remote sensing has proven to be the most effective method for the large-scale monitoring of croplands, by using temporary and spectral information. The Google Earth Engine (GEE) is a cloud-based platform providing access to high-performance computing resources for processing extremely large geospatial datasets. In this study, by leveraging the computational power of GEE and a large pool of satellite and other geophysical data (e.g., forest and water extent maps, with high accuracy at 30 m), we generated the first up-to-date rice extent map with crop intensity, at 10 m resolution in the three provinces with the highest rice production in China (the Heilongjiang, Hunan and Guangxi provinces). Optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were monthly and metric composited to ensure a sufficient amount of up-to-date data without cloud interference. To remove the common confounding noise in the pixel-based classification results at medium to high resolution, we integrated the pixel-based classification (using a random forest classifier) result with the object-based segmentation (using a simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) method). This integration resulted in the rice planted area data that most closely resembled official statistics. The overall accuracy was approximately 90%, which was validated by ground crop field points. The F scores reached 87.78% in the Heilongjiang Province for monocropped rice, 89.97% and 80.00% in the Hunan Province for mono- and double-cropped rice, respectively, and 88.24% in the Guangxi Province for double-cropped rice.
VADASE Reliability and Accuracy of Real-Time Displacement Estimation: Application to the Central Italy 2016 Earthquakes
Authors: Fratarcangeli Francesca , Savastano Giorgio , D’Achille Maria , Mazzoni Augusto , Crespi Mattia , Riguzzi Federica , Devoti Roberto , Pietrantonio Grazia
Published: August 2018

The goal of this article is the illustration of the new functionalities of the VADASE (Variometric Approach for Displacements Analysis Stand-alone Engine) processing approach. VADASE was presented in previous works as an approach able to estimate in real time the velocities and displacements in a global reference frame (ITRF), using high-rate (1 Hz or more) carrier phase observations and broadcast products (orbits, clocks) collected by a stand-alone GNSS receiver, achieving a displacements accuracy within 1–2 cm (usually better) over intervals up to a few minutes. It has been well known since the very first implementation and testing of VADASE that the estimated displacements might be impacted by two different effects: spurious spikes in the velocities due to outliers (consequently, displacements, obtained through velocities integration, are severely corrupted) and trends in the displacements time series, mainly due to broadcast orbit and clock errors. Two strategies are herein introduced, respectively based on Leave-One-Out cross-validation (VADASE-LOO) for a receiver autonomous outlier detection, and on a network augmentation strategy to filter common trends out (A-VADASE); they are combined (first, VADASE-LOO; second, A-VADASE) for a complete solution. Moreover, starting from this VADASE improved solution, an additional strategy is proposed to estimate in real time the overall coseismic displacement occurring at each GNSS receiver. New VADASE advances are successfully applied to the GPS data collected during the recent three strong earthquakes that occurred in Central Italy on 24 August and 26 and 30 October 2016, and the results are herein presented and discussed. The VADASE real-time estimated coseismic displacements are compared to the static ones derived from the daily solutions obtained within the standard post-processing procedure by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia.
Examining the Accuracy of GlobCurrent Upper Ocean Velocity Data Products on the Northwestern Atlantic Shelf
Authors: Feng Hui , Vandemark Douglas , Levin Julia , Wilkin John
Published: August 2018

This study provides a regional coastal ocean assessment of global upper ocean current data developed by the GlobCurrent (GC) project. These gridded data synthesize multiple satellite altimeter and wind model inputs to estimate both Geostrophic and Ekman-layer velocities. While the GC product was mostly devised and intended for open ocean studies, the present objective is to assess whether its data quality nearer the coast is suitable for other applications. The key ground truth sources are long-term mean and time series observations on the Northwestern Atlantic (NWA) shelf derived from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) and high frequency (HF) radar networks in both the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) and the Gulf of Maine (GoM). Results indicate that mean geostrophic currents across the MAB and the offshore GoM agree to roughly 10% in speed and 10 degree in direction with the in situ depth-averaged currents, with correlation levels of 0.5–0.8 at seasonal and longer time scales. Interior GoM comparisons at 5 coastal buoys show much less agreement. One likely source of GoM error is shown to be the GC mean dynamic topography near the coast. Comparison to near-surface MAB HF radar current measurements on the MAB shelf shows significant GC data improvement when including the surface Ekman term. Overall, the study results imply that application of GlobCurrent data may prove useful in coastal seas with broad continental shelves such as the MAB or Scotian shelf, but that large inaccuracies inside the GoM diminish its utility there.
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Soybean Canopies Using Multisource Imaging for Phenotyping Analysis
Authors: Guan Haiou , Liu Meng , Ma Xiaodan , Yu Song
Published: August 2018

Geometric three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction has emerged as a powerful tool for plant phenotyping and plant breeding. Although laser scanning is one of the most intensely used sensing techniques for 3D reconstruction projects, it still has many limitations, such as the high investment cost. To overcome such limitations, in the present study, a low-cost, novel, and efficient imaging system consisting of a red-green-blue (RGB) camera and a photonic mixer detector (PMD) was developed, and its usability for plant phenotyping was demonstrated via a 3D reconstruction of a soybean plant that contains color information. To reconstruct soybean canopies, a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm was used to extract canopy information from the raw 3D point cloud. Principal component analysis (PCA) and iterative closest point (ICP) algorithms were then used to register the multisource images for the 3D reconstruction of a soybean plant from both the side and top views. We then assessed phenotypic traits such as plant height and the greenness index based on the deviations of test samples. The results showed that compared with manual measurements, the side view-based assessments yielded a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9890 for the estimation of soybean height and a R2 of 0.6059 for the estimation of soybean canopy greenness index; the top view-based assessment yielded a R2 of 0.9936 for the estimation of soybean height and a R2 of 0.8864 for the estimation of soybean canopy greenness. Together, the results indicated that an assembled 3D imaging device applying the algorithms developed in this study could be used as a reliable and robust platform for plant phenotyping, and potentially for automated and high-throughput applications under both natural light and indoor conditions.
Effect of Pig and Cattle Slurry Application on Heavy Metal Composition of Maize Grown on Different Soils
Authors: Provolo Giorgio , Manuli Giulia , Finzi Alberto , Lucchini Giorgio , Riva Elisabetta , Sacchi Gian
Published: August 2018

Cattle and pig manure contain useful mineral nutrients (N, P, and K) and are therefore used as organic fertilizer. However, excessive applications of manure can cause environmental problems and threaten animal and human health because these materials also hold significant amounts of heavy metals, particularly Cu and Zn. To assess the potential risk due to the increased concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Zn, and Cr) in a harvested crop, two maize hybrids were grown in pots on four different soils with three different fertilisers (urea, pig manure, and cattle manure). Both soil and manure characteristics influenced the heavy metal concentrations in the plant shoots. Organic fertilisation strongly interacted with the soils and, in general, reduced the shoot content of Cu, Mn, and Zn. A preliminary assessment of the heavy metal balance of the agricultural systems based on the intensive livestock production and maize cultivation showed that the potential soil enrichment of the long-term application of livestock manure arises mainly from the application of pig slurries that have a high content of Cu and Zn. The time required to apply an amount of metal that is equal to the initial soil content is 60–300 years for Zn and 240–450 years for Cu, depending on the soil type and the initial heavy metal content.
Designing Interventions for Behavioral Shifts toward Product Sharing: The Case of Laundry Activities in Japan
Authors: Amasawa Eri , Suzuki Yurie , Moon Dami , Nakatani Jun , Sugiyama Hirokazu , Hirao Masahiko
Published: August 2018

This paper presents design approaches to induce behavioral shifts toward product sharing through a case study on laundry activities in Japan. Business models involving provision of temporary access to goods are garnering attention as a way to reduce environmental impacts from the current pattern of consumption. However, the success of such business models is a matter of consumer choice, and there exist hurdles for consumers to forego ownership and transfer to product sharing. To understand the forces that affect consumer behavior involving product sharing and to design effective interventions for behavioral shifts, we conducted in-depth interviews and a web survey. From the results, we specified the decision processes in a behavioral shift between home washing and laundromat use, and generated “implementation of a communal laundromat in an apartment building” as a promising way for consumers to shift toward laundromat use. Based on our calculation, the proposed approach has a potential to reduce environmental impact of a hypothetical community by 1.8% in greenhouse gas emissions and 16% in resource use relative to when only home washing is practiced. Our study provides an example of designing interventions for product sharing through reflecting actual usage patterns and consumer motivations.
Influence of the Hybrid Sewage Treatment Plant’s Exploitation on Its Operation Effectiveness in Rural Areas
Authors: Wałęga Andrzej , Chmielowski Krzysztof , Młyński Dariusz
Published: August 2018

The article evaluates the effectiveness of the removal of organic pollutants—nitrogen and phosphorus—from household sewage in a hybrid bioreactor with a submerged fixed bed. The experiment was carried out in two exploitation variants that were both conducted in a laboratory model of the hybrid bioreactor: (I) cycles of 120 min of aeration and 60 min of no aeration with a constant sewage dosage, and (II) cycles 60 min of aeration and 60 min of no aeration, with a periodic sewage dosage in the no-aeration phase. The experiment was carried out on real sewage primarily treated in a septic tank. The amount of pollution removal was calculated and compared with the mandatory standards according to Polish law. Moreover, the susceptibility of the sewage to the biological treatment, nitrification, and denitrification activity was determined. The research shows a higher effectiveness for the 60/60 model in comparison to the 120/60 model. High operation efficiency was observed regarding the removal of organic pollution and nitrate nitrogen. The tested structure showed very low nitrification activity combined with intense denitrification. These processes were observed in the 60/60 variant. The structure was often overloaded with the nitrate nitrogen, which was considered to be the nitrification process inhibitor. It was suggested that phosphorus was also removed by the denitrifying bacteria.
Organizational Culture and Environmental Performance
Authors: Bakhsh Magsi Hussain , Ong Tze San , Ho Jo Ann , Sheikh Hassan Ahmad Fahmi
Published: August 2018

Because it has become more and more urgent for organizations to implement environmental strategies with the support of organizational culture, this study considers it necessary to conduct an empirical study to examine the impact of organizational culture on environmental performance. Synthesizing the perspectives of organizational culture and environmental performance, we applied a theoretical model in the manufacturing industry of Pakistan linking an organizational culture that supports environmental practices for better environmental performance. Based on a survey of 314 manufacturing firms, using Smart-PLS, the current study found that adaptability, mission and consistency positively affect environmental performance. However, involvement does not have an effect on environmental performance. Additionally, organizational culture as a latent variable has a strong impact on environmental performance. The study is one of the first, to the author’s knowledge that links OC and EP in a developing economy, in this case Pakistan.
The Relationship between Managers’ Network Awareness and the Relational Strategic Orientation of their Firms: Findings from Interviews with Polish Managers
Authors: Zakrzewska-Bielawska Agnieszka
Published: August 2018

The ability to cooperate with others in interorganisational dyads and networks is a source of competitive advantage for firms today. However, the question arises as to whether managers are aware of this and implement relational orientation as a strategy in their firms to obtain relational rent. The purpose of this paper is to provide an answer to this question. The research was conducted on 53 companies based in Poland using semi-structured interviews with executives. On one hand, the research results allowed recognition of the importance of and reasons for firms forming, developing, and withdrawing from interorganisational relations, and on the other hand, confirmed a relationship between a managers’ network awareness and the strategic relational orientation of their firms. The higher the manager’s network awareness, the more interorganisational relations a company forms with different partners, and the better the manager’s knowledge about their partners’ expectations and needs, which are then included in a company’s strategy.
Investigating Private Sectors’ Behavioral Intention to Participate in PPP Projects: An Empirical Examination Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Zhang Yanchun , Gu Jianglin , Shan Ming , Xiao Yazhi , Darko Amos
Published: August 2018

The active involvement of private sectors in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects is critical for sustainable development of the PPP mode. While there have been many studies on PPP in the literature, limited research has been conducted to investigate the critical factors that affect the intention of the private sector to participate in PPP projects. To bridge the knowledge gap, this study proposed a theoretical model based upon the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and then tested it based upon empirical data collected from China. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed in testing the model. Results indicated that “perceived behavioral control”, “governmental influence”, and “private sectors’ attitude toward PPP” were the three most significant latent variables affecting the intention of private sectors to participate in PPP projects; and “financial capability”, “full compliance with PPP contracts”, and “profitability” were the three most significant observable variables affecting the intention of the private sector. The research findings contribute to the body of knowledge about private sector involvement in PPP projects in a Chinese context, and also provide solid support for the government to issue relevant polices or undertake reforms to attract more private sectors to participate in the PPP projects.
Generalized Correlation Measures of Causality and Forecasts of the VIX Using Non-Linear Models
Authors: Allen David E , Hooper Vince
Published: August 2018

This paper features an analysis of causal relations between the daily VIX, S&P500 and the daily realised volatility (RV) of the S&P500 sampled at 5 min intervals, plus the application of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to forecast the future daily value of the VIX. Causal relations are analysed using the recently developed concept of general correlation Zheng et al. and Vinod. The neural network analysis is performed using the Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) approach. The results suggest that causality runs from lagged daily RV and lagged continuously compounded daily return on the S&P500 index to the VIX. Sample tests suggest that an ANN model can successfully predict the daily VIX using lagged daily RV and lagged daily S&P500 Index continuously compounded returns as inputs.