bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Bamboo Forest Aboveground Biomass Estimation Using Sentinel-2 Data
Authors: Chen Yuyun , Li Longwei , Lu Dengsheng , Li Dengqiu
Published: December 2018

Bamboo forests, due to rapid growth and short harvest rotation, play an important role in carbon cycling and local economic development. Accurate estimation of bamboo forest aboveground biomass (AGB) has garnered increasing attention during the past two decades. However, remote sensing-based AGB estimation for bamboo forests is challenging due to poor understanding of the mechanisms between bamboo forest growth characteristics and remote sensing data. The objective of this research is to examine the remote sensing characteristics of on-year and off-year bamboo forests at different dates and their AGB estimation performance. This research used multiple Sentinel-2 data to explore AGB estimation of bamboo forests in Zhejiang Province, China, by taking into account the unique characteristics of on-year and off-year bamboo forest growth features. Combining field survey data and Sentinel-2 spectral responses (spectral bands and vegetation indices) and textural images, random forest was used to identify key variables for AGB estimation. The results show that (1) the on-year and off-year bamboo forests have considerably different spectral signatures, especially in the wavelengths between red edge 2 and near-infrared wavelength (NIR2) (740–865 nm), making it possible to separate on-year and off-year bamboo forests; (2) on-year bamboo forests have similar spectral signatures although AGB increases from as small as 40 Mgha−1 to as high as 90 Mgha−1, implying that optical sensor data cannot effectively model on-year bamboo AGB; (3) off-year bamboo AGB has significant relationships with red and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral bands in the April image and with red edge 2 in the July image, but the AGB saturation problem yields poor estimation accuracy; (4) stratification considerably improved off-year bamboo AGB estimation but not on-year, non-stratification using the April image is recommended; and (5) Sentinel-2 data cannot solve the bamboo AGB data saturation problem when AGB is greater than 70 Mgha−1, similar to other optical sensor data such as Landsat. More research should be conducted in the future to integrate multiple sources—remotely sensed data (e.g., lidar, optical sensor data) and ancillary data (e.g., soil, topography)—into AGB modeling to improve the estimation. The use of very high spatial resolution images that can effectively extract tree density information may improve bamboo AGB estimation and yield new insights.
Evaluation of Sub-Kilometric Numerical Simulations of C-Band Radar Backscatter over the French Alps against Sentinel-1 Observations
Authors: Veyssière Gaëlle , Karbou Fatima , Morin Samuel , Lafaysse Matthieu , Vionnet Vincent
Published: December 2018

This study compares numerical simulations and observations of C-band radar backscatter in a wide region (2300 km 2 ) in the Northern French Alps. Numerical simulations were performed using a model chain composed of the SAFRAN meteorological reanalysis, the Crocus snowpack model and the radiative transfer model Microwave Emission Model for Layered Snowpacks (MEMLS3&a), operating at a spatial resolution of 250-m. The simulations, without any bias correction, were evaluated against 141 Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar observation scenes with a resolution of 20 m over three snow seasons from October 2014 to June 2017. Results show that there is good agreement between observations and simulations under snow-free or dry snow conditions, consistent with the fact that dry snow is almost transparent at C-band. Under wet snow conditions, although the changes in time and space are well correlated, there is a significant deviation, up to 5 dB, between observations and simulations. The reasons for these discrepancies were explored, including a sensitivity analysis on the impact of the liquid water percolation scheme in Crocus. This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing end-to-end simulations of radar backscatter over extended geographical region. This makes it possible to envision data assimilation of radar data into snowpack models in the future, pending that deviations are mitigated, either through bias corrections or improved physical modeling of both snow properties and corresponding radar backscatter.
Sea Ice Albedo from MISR and MODIS: Production, Validation, and Trend Analysis
Authors: Kharbouche Said , Muller Jan-Peter
Published: December 2018

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) sensor onboard the Terra satellite provides high accuracy albedo products. MISR deploys nine cameras each at different view angles, which allow a near-simultaneous angular sampling of the surface anisotropy. This is particularly important to measure the near-instantaneous albedo of dynamic surface features such as clouds or sea ice. However, MISR’s cloud mask over snow or sea ice is not yet sufficiently robust because MISR’s spectral bands are only located in the visible and the near infrared. To overcome this obstacle, we performed data fusion using a specially processed MISR sea ice albedo product (that was generated at Langley Research Center using Rayleigh correction) combining this with a cloud mask of a sea ice mask product, MOD29, which is derived from the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), which is also, like MISR, onboard the Terra satellite. The accuracy of the MOD29 cloud mask has been assessed as >90% due to the fact that MODIS has a much larger number of spectral bands and covers a much wider range of the solar spectrum. Four daily sea ice products have been created, each with a different averaging time window (24 h, 7 days, 15 days, 31 days). For each time window, the number of samples, mean and standard deviation of MISR cloud-free sea ice albedo is calculated. These products are publicly available on a predefined polar stereographic grid at three spatial resolutions (1 km, 5 km, 25 km). The time span of the generated sea ice albedo covers the months between March and September of each year from 2000 to 2016 inclusive. In addition to data production, an evaluation of the accuracy of sea ice albedo was performed through a comparison with a dataset generated from a tower based albedometer from NOAA/ESRL/GMD/GRAD. This comparison confirms the high accuracy and stability of MISR’s sea ice albedo since its launch in February 2000. We also performed an evaluation of the day-of-year trend of sea ice albedo between 2000 and 2016, which confirm the reduction of sea ice shortwave albedo with an order of 0.4–1%, depending on the day of year and the length of observed time window.
Design of a Measurement System for Six-Degree-of-Freedom Geometric Errors of a Linear Guide of a Machine Tool
Authors: Liu Chien-Sheng , Lai Jia-Jun , Luo Yong-Tai
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a system utilizing a Renishaw XL80 positioning error measuring interferometer and sensitivity analysis design to measure six-degree-of-freedom (6 DOF) geometric errors of a machine tool’s linear guide. Each error is characterized by high independence with significantly reduced crosstalk, and error calculations are extremely fast and accurate. Initially, the real light path was simulated using Zemax. Then, Matlab’s skew ray tracing method was used to perform mathematical modeling and ray matching. Each error’s sensitivity to the sensor was then analyzed, and curve fitting was used to simplify and speed up the mathematical model computations. Finally, Solidworks was used to design the set of system modules, bringing the proposed system closer to a product. This system measured actual 6 DOF geometric errors of a machine tool’s linear guide, and a comparison is made with the Renishaw XL-80 interferometer measurements. The resulting pitch, yaw, horizontal straightness, and vertical straightness error deviation ranges are ±0.5 arcsec, ±3.6 arcsec, ±2.1 μm, and ±2.3 μm, respectively. The maximum repeatability deviations for the measured guide’s pitch, yaw, roll, horizontal straightness, vertical straightness, and positioning errors are 0.4 arcsec, 0.2 arcsec, 4.2 arcsec, 1.5 μm, 0.3 μm, and 3 μm, respectively.
EEG-Based Identity Authentication Framework Using Face Rapid Serial Visual Presentation with Optimized Channels
Authors: Zeng Ying , Wu Qunjian , Yang Kai , Tong Li , Yan Bin , Shu Jun , Yao Dezhong
Published: December 2018

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, which originate from neurons in the brain, have drawn considerable interests in identity authentication. In this paper, a face image-based rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm for identity authentication is proposed. This paradigm combines two kinds of biometric trait, face and EEG, together to evoke more specific and stable traits for authentication. The event-related potential (ERP) components induced by self-face and non-self-face (including familiar and not familiar) are investigated, and significant differences are found among different situations. On the basis of this, an authentication method based on Hierarchical Discriminant Component Analysis (HDCA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) is proposed to build subject-specific model with optimized fewer channels. The accuracy and stability over time are evaluated to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our method. The averaged authentication accuracy of 94.26% within 6 s can be achieved by our proposed method. For a 30-day averaged time interval, our method can still reach the averaged accuracy of 88.88%. Experimental results show that our proposed framework for EEG-based identity authentication is effective, robust, and stable over time.
Impact of CoAP and MQTT on NB-IoT System Performance
Authors: Larmo Anna , Ratilainen Antti , Saarinen Juha
Published: December 2018

The IoT protocols used for data transfer in the application layer, namely the Constraint Application Protocol (CoAP) and Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) have dependencies to the transport layer. The choice of transport, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), on the other hand, has an impact on the Internet of Things (IoT) application level performance, especially over a wireless medium. Furthermore, we touch upon the impact of different security solutions. The motivation of this work is to look at the impact of the protocol stack on performance over a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) link. The use case studied is infrequent small reports sent from the sensor device to a central cloud storage over a last mile radio access link. We find that while CoAP/UDP based transport performs consistently better both in terms of latency, coverage, and system capacity, MQTT/TCP also works when the system is less loaded.
Low-Power Highly Robust Resistance-to-Period Converter
Authors: Álvarez-Simón Luis C. , Gómez-Ramírez Emmanuel , Sanz-Pascual María Teresa
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a novel structure of Resistance- to-Period (R-T) Converter highly robust to supply and temperature variations. Robustness is achieved by using the ratiometric approach so that complex circuits or high accuracy voltage references are not necessary. To prove the proposed architecture of R-T converter, a prototype was implemented in a 0.18 μ m CMOS process with a single supply voltage of 1.8 V and without any stable reference voltage. Experimental results show a maximum ±1.5% output signal variation for ±10% supply voltage variation and in a 3–95 ° C temperature range.
Optimization of Sparse Planar Arrays with Minimum Spacing and Geographic Constraints in Smart Ocean Applications
Authors: Hao Shijie , Ge Feng-Xiang , Yu Xianxiang , Cui Guolong , Ma Li
Published: December 2018

Sparse arrays can fix array aperture with a reduced number of elements to maintain resolution while reducing cost. However, grating lobe suppression, high peak side-lobe level reduction (PSLL), and constraints on the location of the array elements in the practical deployment of arrays are challenging problems. Based on simulated annealing, the element locations of a sparse planar array in smart ocean applications with minimum spacing and geographic constraints are optimized in this paper by minimizing the sum of PSLL. The robustness of the deployment-optimized spare planar array with mis-calibration is further considered. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
What Is Left for Our Next Generation? Integrating Ecosystem Services into Regional Policy Planning in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of China
Authors: Xiao Yang , Xiong Qinli , Pan Kaiwen
Published: December 2018

Land use/Land cover (LULC) changes as a result of policy planning influence ecosystem structures, processes, and functions, which are the basis for providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES). There is an increasing consensus about the importance of integrating ES into ecological policy but quantifying the potential impacts of different policy on ES has proven difficult. We designed a remote sensing, geographic information system and scenario analysis-based approach to estimate and analyze the relationship between ES (soil conservation and carbon sequestration) and ecological policy designed to improve human welfare in the Chongqing municipality in the upper reaches of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China; a densely populated, highly modified watershed with serious soil erosion and flood hazard. Three alternative scenarios in 2050 were modeled for the Three Gorges Reservoir Area watershed. The model GEOMOD was used to predict future LULC changes due to policy planning. The ES models (Universal Soil Loss Equation model and Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach model) were designed to inform decisions, with an aim to align economic forces with conservation. We examine policy effectiveness by comparing scenarios for 2050 (Scenario1: Maintain current policy with no considerations of ES; Scenario2: Integrate ES into policy planning; Scenario3: Integrate ES into policy planning in view of the need of local people). Scenario-based LULC change analysis revealed that if the current afforestation policy continues (scenario 1), total ES would be further increased in 2050 due to expansion of forest cover. However, by targeting policy to improve ES provision (scenarios 2 and 3), ecological risks of soil loss can be significantly reduced and carbon sequestration enhanced. Scenario 3, thus, provided the best future environmental development scenario considering the need of local people in each region for ES. This scenario will theoretically help the Three Gorges Dam to harvest more ecological benefits through improvements in soil conservation and carbon sequestration. This study highlights the observation that including ES in policy planning and has a great potential to generate opportunities to maximize ES. This study highlights that including ES in policy planning has a great potential to generate opportunities to maximize ES. Hence, there is a need to encourage proper implementation of ecological policy to maintain and improve ES.
Adopting an Ecosystem Services-Based Approach for Flood Resilient Strategies: The Case of Rocinha Favela (Brazil)
Authors: Ronchi Silvia , Arcidiacono Andrea
Published: December 2018

Rocinha (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is the largest favela in South America. It is located on a steep mountain slope in the Tijuca National Park with a population of over 160,000 living in poor environmental, health and hygiene conditions. The geomorphological and urban setting of Rocinha makes it vulnerable to natural hazards, with the greatest risk posed by flooding or landslides, compromising the precarious balance between ecosystem services (ES) provision and human well-being. The paper aims to assess and map ES provision in a context where available data to identify areas vulnerable to natural risks is limited. The ES analyses were adapted to the specific socio-economic and environmental context of favelas, which are characterised by dense, continuously built-up environment and a high proportion of impervious surfaces, leading to deteriorating environmental, health and hygiene conditions over time. The ES-based approach was pivotal for setting out strategies—including nature-based solutions (NBS)—to mitigate disaster risk and increase local resilience. These strategies were selected taking into account the context of Rocinha and feasibility. The research shows that ES assessment can be the starting point for projects based on NBS with a view to increasing resilience even in environmentally critical contexts.
A Management and Environmental Performance Evaluation of China’s Family Farms Using an Ultimate Comprehensive Cross-Efficiency Model (UCCE)
Authors: Yang Yinsheng , Zhuang Qianwei , Tian Guangdong , Wei Silin
Published: December 2018

Family farm emerged as a new form of agricultural production organization in China in recent years. For the purpose of sustainable development, decision-makers, such as farm owners and policy makers, require the precise information of a family farm’s state of operation to adopt measures for management improvement and agricultural contamination reduction. Considering this, we established two evaluation systems for the measurement of family farms’ management and environmental performance. As demonstrated in several recent studies, data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross efficiency is a useful approach for evaluating and comparing the performance of decision-making units (DMUs). Regarding family farms’ performance evaluation issues, we modified the traditional average cross-efficiency method to be the ultimate comprehensive cross-efficiency approach with the integration of two statistical quantities based on the full consideration of family farms’ unique features, such as vulnerability and seasonality, resulting from the influence of natural and social factors. Our proposed approach presents more excellent characteristics compared with CCR efficiency and average cross efficiency. Several conclusions regarding the operation of China’s family farms are drawn: (i) there is weak positive correlation between family farms’ management and environmental performance; (ii) there is an increasing trend for both management and environmental efficiency, along with the augmentation of the utilized agricultural area of family farms, and management performance is therefore more significant; (iii) demand for timely technological instruction to improve family farms’ management efficiency is expressed by farm owners who are willing to expand; (iv) to improve family farms’ environmental performance, several measures—such as introducing biotechnology, providing subsidies, and environmental education for farmers—should be adopted.
A Sustainability Analysis on Retailer’s Sales Effort in A Closed-Loop Supply Chain
Authors: Yang Dexiang , Zhang Lei , Wu Ying , Guo Sidai , Zhang Hua , Xiao Lijian
Published: December 2018

With the development of the Internet, many brand name manufacturers including Apple, Lenovo, and Canon offer remanufactured products through their official website. Confronting the competition from remanufactured products that are available from the manufactured-owned channel, more and more retailers have recognized that customer service level is one of the most important performance metrics and have aggressively attempted to obtain larger market shares by providing high levels of post-sale services. Although numerous researchers have studied various competitive strategies in remanufacturing, to the best of our knowledge, there is little research highlighting whether and how economic performance and sustainability issues related to remanufacturing operations are affected by the retailer’s service levels. In this paper, we fill this gap by developing two models for the closed-loop supply chain where all remanufactured products are available from the manufactured-owned channel, while the equilibrium behavior of the retailer can be characterized under two possible scenarios: (1) Confronting the cannibalization from direct channels where the retailer only responds on prices (i.e., Model P); or (2) on providing competitive prices and high service levels for new products (i.e., Model S). Our analysis suggests that, from managers’ perspective, if the manufacturers care more about economic benefits, encouraging the retailer to provide higher levels of post-sale services is a beneficial strategy. If they are more concerned with environmental performance, Model P is preferred. However, from the angle of environmental groups and agencies, if the level of eco-centrism is too pronounced, though Model S has a greater profitability for both parties, a more significant welfare loss due to environmental hazard is perceived by the society. As a result, besides avoiding indulging in overproducing on new products, environmental groups and agencies should take emissions trading or taxation into consideration to stimulate remanufacturing operations.
Small-Scale Energy Conversion of Agro-Forestry Residues for Local Benefits and European Competitiveness
Authors: Colantoni Andrea , Monarca Danilo , Cecchini Massimo , Mosconi Enrico Maria , Poponi Stefano
Published: December 2018

This special issue was founded after the creation of a department of excellence at the University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy). [...]
Sustainability and Retail: Analysis of Global Research
Authors: Ruiz-Real José Luis , Uribe-Toril Juan , Gázquez-Abad Juan Carlos , De Pablo Valenciano Jaime
Published: December 2018

In recent years, the topic of sustainability has gained prominence in many retail sectors. Sustainability is a key element for retailers, who have seen that sustainable development could become an important source of competitive advantage. The purpose of this work is to highlight state of the art sustainability in retailing, for which a bibliometric analysis has been carried out using Web of Science online and Scopus database. Our findings show the most influential countries, journals, authors, and areas of knowledge interested in the topic. By using a fractional counting method to analyze co-occurrence of the author’s keywords, this paper identifies the most frequent terms and seven clusters. This article represents a contribution by identifying the main trends in sustainability and retail research and proposes future research initiatives, such as: analyze under which conditions the sustainability initiatives give better results to retailers; selection of suppliers and supply chain management; evaluate different types of sustainable products; store sustainable management; sustainability actions and retailers image; how to communicate the sustainability actions of retailers; how sustainability actions influence different types of brands; and international and cross-cultural analysis.
Profiting from Green Innovation: The Moderating Effect of Competitive Strategy
Authors: Chen Jiawen , Liu Linlin
Published: December 2018

Despite the importance of green innovation, empirical evidence on its relationship with firm performance is mixed. This study endeavors to address this inconsistency in the evidence by investigating the value-capturing role of competitive strategy. It argues that firms tend to choose appropriate a competitive strategy to maximize performance of green innovation, especially in highly competitive contexts. We collected data from 195 firms in China. Our results suggest that the performance implications of green innovation (including green product innovation and green process innovation) are moderated by competitive strategies (including differentiation strategy and cost-leadership strategy), and these moderating effects are more prominent when competitive intensity is high. The findings of this study enrich theoretical understanding both of green innovation and of competitive strategy and have practical implications for green innovation management.
Removal of ZnO Nanoparticles from Natural Waters by Coagulation-Flocculation Process: Influence of Surfactant Type on Aggregation, Dissolution and Colloidal Stability
Authors: Khan Rizwan , Inam Muhammad , Iqbal Muhammad , Shoaib Muhammad , Park Du , Lee Kang , Shin Sookyo , Khan Sarfaraz , Yeom Ick
Published: December 2018

The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and surfactants that are widely used in commercial and industrial products lead to the likelihood of their co-occurrence in natural water, making it essential to investigate the effect of surfactants on the fate and mobility of ZnO NPs. The present study seeks to elucidate the effect of an anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a nonionic nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO), on ZnO NPs adsorption, aggregation, dissolution, and removal by the coagulation process. The results indicate that the presence of SDS in ZnO NPs suspension significantly reduced the ζ-potential and hydrodynamic diameter (HDD), while the effect of NPEO was found not to be significant. The sorption of SDS and NPEO by ZnO NPs were fitted with Langmuir model, but the Freundlich isotherm was more suitable for SDS at pH 9.0. Moreover, the adsorption was strongly pH-dependent due to the formation of mono-bilayer patches onto the NPs. The SDS remarkably affect the dissolution and aggregation phenomena of ZnO NPs in natural waters as compared to NPEO. Finally, the coagulation results showed that the removal efficiency of ZnO, Zn2+ and the surfactant in synthetic and wastewaters at optimum ferric chloride (FC) dosage reached around 85–98% and 20–50%, respectively. Coagulation mechanism investigation demonstrated that the cooperation of charge neutralization and adsorptive micellar flocculation (AMF) might play an important role. In summary, this study may provide new insight into the environmental behavior of coexisting ZnO NPs and surfactants in water treatment processes, and it may facilitate their sustainable use in commercial products and processes.
Performance Assessment of Algorithms for Building Energy Optimization Problems with Different Properties
Authors: Si Binghui , Tian Zhichao , Chen Wenqiang , Jin Xing , Zhou Xin , Shi Xing
Published: December 2018

Assessing the performance of algorithms in solving building energy optimization (BEO) problems with different properties is essential for selecting appropriate algorithms to achieve the best design solution. This study begins with a classification of the properties of BEO problems from three perspectives, namely, design variables, objective functions, and constraints. An analytical approach and a numerical approach are proposed to determine the properties of BEO problems. Six BEO test problems with different properties, namely, continuous vs. discrete, convex vs. non-convex, linear vs. non-linear, uni-modal vs. multimodal, and single-dimensional vs. multi-dimensional, are composed to evaluate the performance of algorithms. The selected optimization algorithms for performance assessment include the discrete Armijo gradient, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Hooke-Jeeves, and hybrid PSO and Hooke-Jeeves. The assessment results indicate that multimodality can cause Hooke-Jeeves and discrete Armijo gradient algorithms to fall into local optima traps. The convex, non-convex, linear and non-linear properties of uni-modal BEO problems have little impact on the performance behavior of the algorithms. The discrete Armijo gradient and Hooke-Jeeves are not recommended for solving discrete and multi-dimensional BEO problems.
Synthesizing Sustainability Considerations through Educational Interventions
Authors: Mulder-Nijkamp Maaike , De Koeijer Bjorn , Torn Robbert-Jan
Published: December 2018

This study addresses the synthesis of sustainability-related considerations in packaging design curricula by means of educational interventions. The core of the research revolves around an educational module for students in packaging design and development. This research targets the current late-stage integration of sustainability considerations in product-packaging development processes. The combination of the front-end involvement of sustainability considerations with the focus on educational interventions in product-packaging development is lacking in currently available research. The educational interventions which are tested in representative educational environments—as presented in this article—address the required focus on the balance in decisions and criteria, trade-offs, and team dynamics within multidisciplinary product-packaging development teams. The educational framework targets five perspectives of packaging sustainability: (1) managerial decision making, (2) life cycle assessment (LCA), (3) consumer purchase behavior, (4) recycling efficiency and effectiveness, and (5) plastic recycling chain redesign. This research’s main contribution is bridging the gap between implementing new scientific insights in the field of sustainable packaging from various perspectives, and practicing by applying the relevant knowledge in this field, by means of a design synthesis approach. This research derives findings from both an extensive introspective analysis and expert analysis of the results of the educational module.
Sustainable Development in African Countries: An Indicator-Based Approach and Recommendations for the Future
Authors: Bartniczak Bartosz , Raszkowski Andrzej
Published: December 2018

This study addresses problems related to the level of sustainable development in African countries in the years 2002–2016. The introduction presents the current situation in Africa, the occurring transformations as well as the goals and definitions of sustainable development. The significance of social order in the aforementioned development has also been highlighted. The next part of the article features sustainability indicators, selected for the analysis and covering all the essential aspects, i.e., social, economic, environmental, spatial, institutional and political areas. The applied research method was the synthetic measure of development (SMD), whereas the data for calculations and analyses were retrieved from the sources of the World Bank. The key part of the study presents the research results showing the position of individual countries regarding the level of implementation of the sustainable development concept in the period 2002–2016. As part of the added value the selected problems of Africa and ways of solving them, along with the recommendations for the future, were listed and characterised. It was concluded that the situation of the African countries, in terms of their sustainable development level, improved significantly in the period under analysis. The crucial problem is that the discussed countries are still experiencing a relatively unfavourable situation in this respect. Cape Verde and Ghana are among the countries recording the best results. The least favourable situation was observed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Chad, Central African Republic and Eritrea.
Examination of Teacher Candidates’ Lifelong Learning Competence and Basic Motivation Resources as Parts of Sustainability
Authors: Ilgaz Gökhan , Eskici Menekşe
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this research is to determine the level of teacher candidates’ lifelong learning competence and basic motivation resources and to examine the lifelong learning competence and basic motivation of teacher candidates in terms of some variables (gender and to be a university student or not). For this purpose, a quantitative study was designed. The research was conducted with 382 teacher candidates being educated in the pedagogical formation program at Trakya University. In this research, “Key Competences for Lifelong Learning Scale” and “Basic Motivation Resources Scale” were used as tools for measurement. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the basic motivation resources of teacher candidates in all of the dimensions of the scale and lifelong learning competence of teacher candidates except from “communicative competence at a foreign language/s” sub-dimension of the scale are above average. In terms of gender variables, significant difference was found in the “communicative competence at a foreign language/s” sub-dimension of “Key Competences for Lifelong Learning Scale” in favor of male teacher candidates and, on the other hand, significant differences were found in the “the competence of learning to learn” and “the competence of cultural awareness and expression” sub-dimension of “Key Competences for Lifelong Learning Scale” in favor of female teacher candidates.
A Preconditioned Iterative Approach for Efficient Full Chip Thermal Analysis on Massively Parallel Platforms
Authors: Floros George , Daloukas Konstantis , Evmorfopoulos Nestor , Stamoulis George
Published: December 2018

Efficient full-chip thermal simulation is among the most challenging problems facing the EDA industry today, especially for modern 3D integrated circuits, due to the huge linear systems resulting from thermal modeling approaches that require unreasonably long computational times. While the formulation problem, by applying a thermal equivalent circuit, is prevalent and can be easily constructed, the corresponding 3D equations network has an undesirable time-consuming numerical simulation. Direct linear solvers are not capable of handling such huge problems, and iterative methods are the only feasible approach. In this paper, we propose a computationally-efficient iterative method with a parallel preconditioned technique that exploits the resources of massively-parallel architectures such as Graphic Processor Units (GPUs). Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a speedup of 2.2× in CPU execution and a 26.93× speedup in GPU execution over the state-of-the-art iterative method.
An Amphiphilic, Graphitic Buckypaper Capturing Enzyme Biomolecules from Water
Authors: Homaeigohar Shahin , Elbahri Mady
Published: December 2018

The development of carbon nanomaterials for adsorption based removal of organic pollutants from water is a progressive research subject. In this regard, carbon nanomaterials with bifunctionality towards polar and non-polar or even amphiphilic undesired materials are indeed attractive for further study and implementation. Here, we created carbon buckypaper adsorbents comprising amphiphilic (oxygenated amorphous carbon (a-COx)/graphite (G)) nanofilaments that can dynamically adsorb organic biomolecules (i.e., urease enzyme) and thus purify the wastewaters of relevant industries. Given the dynamic conditions of the test, the adsorbent was highly efficient in adsorption of the enzyme (88%) while being permeable to water (4750 L·h−1m−2bar−1); thus, it holds great promise for further development and upscaling. A subsequent citric acid functionalization declined selectivity of the membrane to urease, implying that the biomolecules adsorb mostly via graphitic domains rather than oxidized, polar amorphous carbon ones.
Application of Numerical Tools to Investigate a Leaky Aquitard beneath Urban Well Fields
Authors: Jazaei Farhad , Waldron Brian , Schoefernacker Scott , Larsen Daniel
Published: December 2018

Memphis aquifer is the primary drinking water source in Shelby County (Tennessee, USA), and it supplies industrial, commercial, and residential water. Memphis aquifer is separated from the Shallow aquifer by a clayey layer known as the Upper Claiborne confining unit (UCCU). All of the production wells in the Memphis area are screened in the Memphis aquifer, or even deeper in the Fort Pillow aquifer. Traditionally, it was assumed that the UCCU could fully protect the Memphis aquifer from the contaminated Shallow aquifer groundwater. However, recent studies show that at some locations, the UCCU is thin or absent, which possibly leads to the contribution of Shallow aquifer to the Memphis aquifer. Accurately locating the breaches demands expensive and difficult geological or geochemical investigations, especially within an urban area. Hence, a pre-field investigation to identify the locations where the presence of breaches is likely can significantly reduce the cost of field investigations and improve their results. In this study, to identify the locations where the presence of breaches in the UCCU is likely, we develop a reliable MODFLOW-based numerical model, and use three different analyses: (1) pilot-point calibration (PPC), (2) velocity and flow budget (VFB), and (3) particle tracking (PT), to post-process the developed groundwater model results. These pre-field numerical investigations provide relevant and defensible explanations for groundwater flow anomalies in an aquifer system for informed decision-making and future field investigations. In this study, we identify five specific zones within the broad study area which are reasonable candidates for the future field investigations. Finally, we test the results of each analysis against other evidence for breaches, to demonstrate that the results of the numerical analyses are reliable and supported by previous studies.
Discovery of H2O, CH3OH, and OH Masers in the Extreme Outer Galaxy
Authors: Sun Yan , Xu Ye , Chen Xi , Fang Min , Henkel Christian , Yang Ji , Menten Karl M. , Chen Xue-Peng , Jiang Zhi-Bo
Published: December 2018

We present the results of a single dish interstellar maser survey toward ∼200 molecular clouds (MCs) in the extreme outer Galaxy (EOG) possibly lying in the Outer Scutum-Centaurus (OSC) arm. The observations resulted in the detections of two new 22.2 GHz water masers, two new 6.7 GHz class II methanol masers, and one new 4765 MHz excited-state OH maser. These new detections include one high Galactic latitude (b > 2°) methanol maser, one farthest Galactic methanol maser, and one farthest Galactic OH maser from the Sun. The velocities of the masers and the CO emission are in agreement with each other, which strongly indicates an association between the maser and the EOG cloud. The presence of the masers provides reliable evidence for ongoing massive star-forming activity in the OSC arm. The EOG clouds with detected interstellar masers are all associated with young stellar objects. Masers are primarily detected toward the brighter and more massive MCs. Because of the large distances involved, the “faint” masers with luminosity below 10−6 L
☉ are not accessible by our current observations. The low number of masers in the EOG regions supports the scenario of decreasing metallicity and decreasing star formation rate/efficiency at large Galactocentric radii. Our new maser detections are valuable targets for future VLBI parallax and proper motion measurements.
Gaia 17bpi: An FU Ori–type Outburst
Authors: Hillenbrand Lynne A. , Peña Carlos Contreras , Morrell Sam , Naylor Tim , Kuhn Michael A. , Cutri Roc M. , Rebull Luisa M. , Hodgkin Simon , Froebrich Dirk , Mainzer Amy K.
Published: December 2018

We report on the source Gaia 17bpi and identify it as a new, ongoing FU Ori–type outburst, associated with a young stellar object. The optical light curve from Gaia exhibited a 3.5 mag rise with the source appearing to plateau in mid-/late 2018. Mid-infrared observations from NEOWISE also show a >3 mag rise that occurred in two stages, with the second one coincident with the optical brightening, and the first one preceding the optical brightening by ∼1.5 yr. We model the outburst as having started between October and December of 2014. This wavelength-dependent aspect of young star accretion-driven outbursts has never been documented before. Both the mid-infrared and the optical colors of the object become bluer as the outburst proceeds. Optical spectroscopic characteristics in the outburst phase include: a GK-type absorption spectrum, strong wind/outflow in, e.g., Mgb, NaD, Hα, K i, O i, and Ca ii profiles, and detection of Li i 6707 Å. The infrared spectrum in the outburst phase is similar to that of an M-type spectrum, notably exhibiting prominent H2O and 12CO (2–0) bandhead absorption in the K band, and likely He i wind in the Y band. The new FU Ori source Gaia 17bpi is associated with a little-studied dark cloud in the galactic plane, located at a distance of 1.27 kpc.
Chandra Detection of the Circumnuclear Molecular Torus of the Compton-thick Active Galactic Nucleus in NGC 5643
Authors: Fabbiano G. , Paggi A. , Siemiginowska A. , Elvis M.
Published: December 2018

We report a clumpy elongated feature found with deep Chandra Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer high-resolution imaging of the Fe Kα line emission in the nuclear region of the Compton-thick active galactic nucleus galaxy NGC 5643. This feature extends for ∼65 pc north to south (N-S). No corresponding feature is seen in the 3.0–6.0 keV continuum. The Fe Kα feature is spatially consistent with the N-S elongation found in the CO(2–1) high-resolution imaging with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, but slightly more extended than the rotating molecular disk of diameter 26 pc indicated by the kinematics of the CO(2–1) line. The Chandra detection of a corresponding north to south structure in the neutral Fe Kα line would argue for both CO and Fe Kα emission originating from the obscuring torus.
Tenofovir plus Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin Treatment Resulted in a Rapid HBV DNA Load Decline in High-Risk Pregnant Women who Missed the Optimal Time Window of Antiviral Prophylaxis
Authors: Chen Tianyan , Liu Jinfeng , Yu Qiang , Yao Naijuan , Yang Yuan , Wu Yuchao , Ren Danfeng , Tian Zhen , Zhao Yingren , Wang Jing
Published: December 2018

Background

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) administration in the third trimester for pregnant women with high HBV DNA load has been accepted as a wise practice to prevent mother-to-infant transmission (MTIT). However, for those women who missed the optimal time window of antiviral prophylaxis, this treatment is lacking in the current clinical guidelines.

Methods

Forty-eight pregnant women who did not receive antiviral prophylaxis before 28 weeks of gestation were screened and were administrated with TDF plus hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG; TDF+HBIG group) or TDF alone (TDF group). HBV DNA inhibition and the safety profile were compared between two groups.

Results

A decline of HBV DNA load was observed in both groups after a short period of treatment, and no infant had MTIT. However, compared with the TDF group, the speed of HBV DNA load decline was more rapid ( P=0.002) and a much more striking HBV DNA load decline in the first 4 weeks of treatment was exhibited in the TDF+HBIG group ( P=0.001). The percentages of mothers with HBV DNA <4 log10 IU/ml and 3 log10 IU/ml at delivery were both much higher in the TDF+HBIG group than the TDF group ( P=0.034 and 0.024, respectively). TDF and HBIG were found to be well-tolerated with no safety concerns in the mothers and their infants.

Conclusions

TDF plus HBIG treatment resulted in a rapid HBV DNA load decline in high-risk women who missed the optimal time window of antiviral prophylaxis in pregnancy, which potentially protected infants from HBV infection.
Radiation of members of the Soroseris hookeriana complex (Asteraceae) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and their proposed taxonomic treatment
Authors: Heng La-Mei , Zheng Yu-Lin , Zhao Yong-Bao , Wang Yu-Jin
Published: December 2018

The existence of intermediate types is a major obstacle that can hinder the circumscription of species. Elucidating the mechanism responsible for intermediate types is essential for achieving a reasonable taxonomical treatment. In this study, we explored the evolutionary history and taxonomic treatment of theSoroserishookeriana(C.B.Clarke) Stebbins complex, which comprises six named taxa that may be taxonomically distinct and are all native to the Qingha-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). We made an investigation across the distribution range ofSoroserisStebbins and sampled 27 populations, mostly from the complex. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and two chloroplast loci were sequenced and analysed using the neighbour-joining and Bayesian inference methods. The resulting phylogenies show no well supported inconsistence in topologies, in line with the lack of incongruence detected by the length difference test. However, all the trees were largely unresolved withinS.hookerianacomplex, irrespective of the optimality criterion employed. We interpret these results as an experience of radiation, which is a common process for native genera on the QTP. Thus, we suggest that all of the morphotypes might be different forms, generated by incipient speciation due to recent explosive differentiation, possibly triggered by the drastic environmental changes of the QTP. Given their evolutionary history, we propose a pragmatic method for treating all of these species as subspecies with a total of four new combinations.
Les déterminants de la réussite de la levée de fonds via les plateformes de financement participatif – Cas des start-up
Authors: Dardour Ali , Abdoune Radouane , Bentebbaa Sara
Published: December 2018

Cet article s’ intéresse aux déterminants du succès des campagnes de levées de fonds menées par les start-up sur les plateformes de financement participatif. Portant sur un échantillon de 178 projets, notre étude montre des relations positives et significatives entre le nombre d’investisseurs, le nombre d’années d’expérience des fondateurs et la réussite de la levée. Néanmoins, le dépôt d’un brevet influence négativement le montant collecté. Par ailleurs, le dépassement du montantcible s’explique essentiellement par l’obtention d’un prix et le nombre de collaborateurs dans l’entreprise.
Une exception ordinaire : les magistrats et les juridictions d’exception de Vichy
Authors: Bancaud Alain
Published: December 2018

Le recours aux juridictions d’exception par le régime de Vichy se situe dans une tradition française de la justice politique initiée par les régimes autoritaires. La magistrature oscille entre la répression de la dissidence considérée comme une infraction pénale et une indulgence envers certains actes dont elle respecte le but patriotique. Globalement, la culture judiciaire pratique une « réserve sans rupture » qui s’efforce de modérer, à partir de la fin de 1943, les instructions toujours plus fermes qui sont adressées.
Le barreau de Paris pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale (1940-1945)
Authors: Ozanam Yves
Published: December 2018

L’étude porte sur les délibérations du conseil de l’Ordre des avocats de Paris entre 1941 et 1944. Textes à l’appui, elle montre que l’application sans réserve de la politique antisémite et xénophobe du régime de Vichy (plus de 300 exclusions sur un corps d’environ 1 700) est d’autant plus remarquable qu’elle va de pair avec de vigoureuses protestations quand cette politique touche de trop près les prérogatives de la profession : radiation d’un avocat, atteintes aux droits de la défense, mauvaises conditions de détention par exemple.
La section lyonnaise du Tribunal d’État et la section spéciale près la cour d’appel de Lyon : l’exemplarité à l’épreuve des faits
Authors: Fillon Catherine
Published: December 2018

L’exigence d’exemplarité domine la mise en place simultanée, à partir de l’été 1941, des deux juridictions d’exception que sont les sections spéciales prés les cours d’appel, puis du Tribunal d’État composé de deux sections, l’une à Paris, l’autre à Lyon. On y retrouve la compétence rétroactive, l’élasticité des incriminations destinée à viser tout acte « terroriste », une large échelle des peines excluant le sursis et l’absence de défense comme de voies de recours.
René Linais, juge à la section spéciale
Authors: Truche Pierre , Salas Denis
Published: December 2018

À la Libération, un constat s’impose, la résistance civile apparaît extrêmement diffuse dans la société. Tous les juges ayant prêté serment, il sera difficile de faire la distinction entre « des faits de résistance » et « l’acte de résistance ». Les juges tantôt se référaient à la loi établie, tantôt utilisaient les arcanes de la procédure pour justifier leurs décisions. René Linais, seul conseiller des sections spéciales à refuser de voter la peine de mort n’hésitera pas non plus, lors de son procès, à rompre le secret des délibérés pour justifier son acte courageux.