bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and Intercomparison of High-Resolution Satellite Precipitation Estimates—GPM, TRMM, and CMORPH in the Tianshan Mountain Area
Authors: Zhang Chi , Chen Xi , Shao Hua , Chen Shuying , Liu Tong , Chen Chunbo , Ding Qian , Du Haoyang
Published: September 2018

With high resolution and wide coverage, satellite precipitation products like Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) could support hydrological/ecological research in the Tianshan Mountains, where the spatial heterogeneity of precipitation is high, but where rain gauges are sparse and unevenly distributed. Based on observations from 46 stations from 2014–2015, we evaluated the accuracies of three satellite precipitation products: GPM, Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) 3B42, and the Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), in the Tianshan Mountains. The satellite estimates significantly correlated with the observations. They showed a northwest–southeast precipitation gradient that reflected the effects of large-scale circulations and a characteristic seasonal precipitation gradient that matched the observed regional precipitation pattern. With the highest correlation (R = 0.51), the lowest error (RMSE = 0.85 mm/day), and the smallest bias (1.27%), GPM outperformed TRMM and CMORPH in estimating daily precipitation. It performed the best at both regional and sub-regional scales and in low and mid-elevations. GPM had relatively balanced performances across all seasons, while CMORPH had significant biases in summer (46.43%) and winter (−22.93%), and TRMM performed extremely poorly in spring (R = 0.31; RMSE = 1.15 mm/day; bias = −20.29%). GPM also performed the best in detecting precipitation events, especially light and moderate precipitation, possibly due to the newly added Ka-band and high-frequency microwave channels. It successfully detected 62.09% of the precipitation events that exceeded 0.5 mm/day. However, its ability to estimate severe rainfall has not been improved as expected. Like other satellite products, GPM had the highest RMSE and bias in summer, suggesting limitations in its way of representing small-scale precipitation systems and isolated deep convection. It also underestimated the precipitation in high-elevation regions by 16%, suggesting the difficulties of capturing the orographic enhancement of rainfall associated with cap clouds and feeder–seeder cloud interactions over ridges. These findings suggest that GPM may outperform its predecessors in the mid-/high-latitude dryland, but not the tropical mountainous areas. With the advantage of high resolution and improved accuracy, the GPM creates new opportunities for understanding the precipitation pattern across the complex terrains of the Tianshan Mountains, and it could improve hydrological/ecological research in the area.
Real-Time Runway Detection for Infrared Aerial Image Using Synthetic Vision and an ROI Based Level Set Method
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Cheng Irene , Basu Anup
Published: September 2018

We present a new method for real-time runway detection embedded in synthetic vision and an ROI (Region of Interest) based level set method. A virtual runway from synthetic vision provides a rough region of an infrared runway. A three-thresholding segmentation is proposed following Otsu’s binarization method to extract a runway subset from this region, which is used to construct an initial level set function. The virtual runway also gives a reference area of the actual runway in an infrared image, which helps us design a stopping criterion for the level set method. In order to meet the needs of real-time processing, the ROI based level set evolution framework is implemented in this paper. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is efficient and accurate.
Short-Term PM2.5 Forecasting Using Exponential Smoothing Method: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Mahajan Sachit , Chen Ling-Jyh , Tsai Tzu-Chieh
Published: September 2018

Air pollution is a global problem and can be perceived as a modern-day curse. One way of dealing with it is by finding economical ways to monitor and forecast air quality. Accurately monitoring and forecasting fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations is a challenging prediction task but Internet of Things (IoT) can help in developing economical and agile ways to design such systems. In this paper, we use a historical data-based approach to perform PM2.5 forecasting. A forecasting method is developed which uses exponential smoothing with drift. Experiments and evaluation were performed using the real-time PM2.5 data obtained from large scale deployment of IoT devices in Taichung region in Taiwan. We used the data from 132 monitoring stations to evaluate our model’s performance. A comparison of prediction accuracy and computation time between the proposed model and three widely used forecasting models was done. The results suggest that our method can perform PM2.5 forecast for 132 monitoring stations with error as low as 0.16 μ g/ m 3 and also with an acceptable computation time of 30 s. Further evaluation was done by forecasting PM2.5 for next 3 h. The results show that 90 % of the monitoring stations have error under 1.5 μ g/ m 3 which is significantly low.
Performance Enhancement of Interdigital Electrode-Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal (IDE-PQC) Salt Concentration Sensor by Increasing the Electrode Area of Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal (PQC)
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yao Yao , Shi Yue
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a new approach to enhance the performance of the interdigital electrode-piezoelectric quartz crystal (IDE-PQC) salt solution concentration sensor by modifying the electrode area of PQC was proposed. Equivalent circuit analysis showed that the static capacitor (C0) which is related to the electrode area of PQC directly affected the response sensitivity of the IDE-PQC sensor. Further, the sensing responses of IDE-PQC sensors to various concentrations of salt solution were measured. Three kinds of salt solution, including NaCl, KCl, and Na2SO4, were adpoted to evaluate the sensing performances of the IDE-PQC sensors. The experimental results also indicated that increasing the electrode area of PQC can enhance the sensitivity response of the IDE-PQC sensors to the change of salt solution concentration. For example, the detection sensitivity of the IDE-PQC sensor with an electrode diameter of 5 mm was about three times larger than that of the sensor with an electrode diameter of 3 mm. Meanwhile, we found that the frequency stability of the IDE-PQC sensor was also improved by increasing the electrode area of PQC. In addition, the influence of the electrode area of PQC on the repeatability and the transient response of IDE-PQC salt solution concentration sensor were also studied. This work demonstrates simple and cost-effective method to achieve the performance enhancement of IDE-PQC salt solution concentration sensor by modifying the electrode area of PQC.
Chinese Migrant Perceptions of Africans: Understanding Confucian Reflexive Politics in Southern Africa
Authors: Petersen Micah , Ali Saleem
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we use a qualitative reflexive approach to understand the dynamics of Chinese migrant perceptions of Africans upon arrival in Africa and the changes in their views upon returning to China. The research is based on in-depth, semi-structured field interviews with Chinese workers and managers in Mozambique and South Africa, as well as interviews with returning migrants to China, carried out in Beijing. Thus, we are able to gauge the learning experience that occurs and how the underlying Confucian philosophy that has been embraced by the Chinese polity manifests such changes in perception. The research suggests that there is a positive learning process which occurs through the migrants’ experience and underlying racial stereotypes of Chinese regarding Africans are eroded. Confucian framing of China’s role in Africa is also mitigated towards a more hybridized view of African cultures and societies that reflects to adaptive propensities of contemporary Chinese society.
Effect of Pre-Determined Maintenance Repair Rates on the Health Index State Distribution and Performance Condition Curve Based on the Markov Prediction Model for Sustainable Transformers Asset Management Strategies
Authors: Yahaya Muhammad Sharil , Azis Norhafiz , Mohd Selva Amran , Ab Kadir Mohd Zainal Abidin , Jasni Jasronita , Hairi Mohd Hendra , Yang Ghazali Young Zaidey , Talib Mohd Aizam
Published: September 2018

This paper presents an investigation of the condition state distribution and performance condition curve of the transformer population under different pre-determined maintenance repair rates based on the Markov Prediction Model (MPM). In total, 3195 oil samples from 373 transformers with an age between one and 25 years were tested. The previously computed Health Index (HI) prediction model of the transformer population based on MPM utilizing the nonlinear minimization technique was employed in this study. The transition probabilities for each of the states were updated based on 10%, 20% and 30% pre-determined maintenance repair rates for the sensitivity study. Next, the HI state distribution and performance condition curve were analyzed based on the Markov chain algorithm. Based on the case study, it is found that the pre-determined maintenance repair rates can affect the HI state distribution and improve the performance condition curve. The 30% pre-determined maintenance repair rate gives the highest impact, especially for the transformer population at state 4 (poor). Overall, the average percentage of change for all HI state distributions is 16.48%. A clear improvement of HI state distribution is found at state 4 (poor) where the highest percentage can be up to 63.25%.
Financial Infrastructure and Access to Finance for European SMEs
Authors: Andrieș Alin Marius , Marcu Nicu , Oprea Florin , Tofan Mihaela
Published: September 2018

In this article we assess credit rationing across European countries by analyzing the impact of banking competition on the access to finance of firms. The importance of the financial sector in promoting the sustainable economy is recognized by the European Union, that has taken the lead in efforts to build a financial system that supports sustainable growth. However, it should be acknowledged that in highly competitive business environments, it is not easy to challenge the existing paradigms, since companies need to be profitable in addition to improving their environmental performance. Using data from European firms Survey on the Access to Finance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), our results, using Probit regression, support the Market Power Hypothesis, outlining that more concentrated banking markets are characterized by higher levels of credit rationing. Also, our results reveal that small firms are more credit rationed compared to large firms. The analysis shows that financial constraints are stronger in the countries more affected by the financial crisis.
Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on the Surface Runoff in the Wuhua River Basin
Authors: Zhang Zhengdong , Wan Luwen , Dong Caiwen , Xie Yichun , Yang Chuanxun , Yang Ji , Li Yong
Published: September 2018

The impacts of climate change and human activities on the surface runoff in the Wuhua River Basin (hereinafter referred to as the river basin) are explored using the Mann–Kendall trend test, wavelet analysis, and double-mass curve. In this study, all the temperature and precipitation data from two meteorological stations, namely, Wuhua and Longchuan, the measured monthly runoff data in Hezikou Hydrological Station from 1961 to 2013, and the land-cover type data in 1990 and 2013 are used. This study yields valuable results. First, over the past 53 years, the temperature in the river basin rose substantially, without obvious changes in the average annual precipitation. From 1981 to 2013, the annual runoff fluctuated and declined, and this result is essentially in agreement with the time-series characteristics of precipitation. Second, both temperature and precipitation had evidently regular changes on the 28a scale, and the annual runoff changed on the 19a scale. Third, forestland was the predominant land use type in the Wuhua river basin, followed by cultivated land. Major transitions mainly occurred in both land-use types, which were partially transformed into grassland and construction land. From 1990 to 2013, cultivated land was the most active land-use type in the transitions, and construction land was the most stable type. Finally, human activities had always been a decisive factor on the runoff reduction in the river basin, accounting for 85.8%. The runoff in the river basin suffered most heavily from human activities in the 1980s and 1990s, but thereafter, the impact of these activities diminished to a certain extent. This may be because of the implementation of water loss and soil erosion control policies.
Effects of Project Manager Competency on Green Construction Performance: The Chinese Context
Authors: Sang Peidong , Liu Jinjian , Zhang Lin , Zheng Lingqiao , Yao Haona , Wang Yanjie
Published: September 2018

Project manager competency is a key factor determining the success of a project. With the deterioration of the environment, green buildings have come into being. Compared to traditional buildings, green buildings encounter more complex problems during the construction process, and project managers are faced with greater challenges. Existing research on the evaluation of project manager competency based on green building construction (GBC) is scarce. Thus, the aim of this paper is to evaluate project manager competency for green construction. By means of a literature review and a focus group meeting, the key success factors of green buildings and project manager competency were determined. Thereafter, a questionnaire survey was used to investigate people’s understanding of the importance of project manager skills. Structural equation modeling was selected to test the hypotheses. The results demonstrate that China is in the infancy of GBC development. Leadership and organization, target management, and emotional intelligence of project managers are considered to be important factors that affect green construction performance. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the selection of excellent project managers for GBC.
Sustainable and Healthy Organizations Promote Employee Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation Strategies
Authors: Segura-Camacho Adrián , García-Orozco Juan-José , Topa Gabriela
Published: September 2018

The psychology of sustainability claims for a new kind of organization that promotes employee well-being as well as the search firm’s performance. In sustainable and healthy organizations, tasks are characterized by their significance, variety, autonomy, and feedback from the job. This way of organizing employees’ activities motivates them and can affect their well-being. However, due to a series of age-related physical and cognitive changes, older workers must constantly adapt to task demands to continue working and maintain their productivity. This research explores the moderating role of selection, optimization, and compensation strategies in the relationship between task characteristics (significance, variety, autonomy, and feedback from the job) on the one hand, and job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behaviors on the other. This study was carried out using a lagged design over a three-month interval. Participants were 183 Spanish workers aged between 45–55 years who completed two questionnaires (Time 1 and Time 2). The results support the moderating role of the optimization and compensation in the relationship between task characteristics and employee well-being. Elective selection and loss-based selection strategies do not moderate the relationship. These findings underscore that people who are actively involved in optimization and compensation strategies can age successfully at work. The implications of this study to improve the orientation practices of older workers are discussed.
Is There Any Symmetry Left in Gravity Theories with Explicit Lorentz Violation?
Authors: Bonder Yuri , Corral Cristóbal
Published: September 2018

It is well known that a theory with explicit Lorentz violation is not invariant under diffeomorphisms. On the other hand, for geometrical theories of gravity, there are alternative transformations, which can be best defined within the first-order formalism and that can be regarded as a set of improved diffeomorphisms. These symmetries are known as local translations, and among other features, they are Lorentz covariant off shell. It is thus interesting to study if theories with explicit Lorentz violation are invariant under local translations. In this work, an example of such a theory, known as the minimal gravity sector of the Standard Model Extension, is analyzed. Using a robust algorithm, it is shown that local translations are not a symmetry of the theory. It remains to be seen if local translations are spontaneously broken under spontaneous Lorentz violation, which are regarded as a more natural alternative when spacetime is dynamic.
Measuring Performance in Transportation Companies in Developing Countries: A Novel Rough ARAS Model
Authors: Radović Dunja , Stević Željko , Pamučar Dragan , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Badi Ibrahim , Antuchevičiene Jurgita , Turskis Zenonas
Published: September 2018

The success of any business depends fundamentally on the possibility of balancing (symmetry) needs and their satisfaction, that is, the ability to properly define a set of success indicators. It is necessary to continuously monitor and measure the indicators that have the greatest impact on the achievement of previously set goals. Regarding transportation companies, the rationalization of transportation activities and processes plays an important role in ensuring business efficiency. Therefore, in this paper, a model for evaluating performance indicators has been developed and implemented in three different countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya and Serbia. The model consists of five phases, of which the greatest contribution is the development of a novel rough additive ratio assessment (ARAS) approach for evaluating measured performance indicators in transportation companies. The evaluation was carried out in the territories of the aforementioned countries in a total of nine companies that were evaluated on the basis of 20 performance indicators. The results obtained were verified throughout a three-phase procedure of a sensitivity analysis. The significance of the performance indicators was simulated throughout the formation of 10 scenarios in the sensitivity analysis. In addition, the following approaches were applied: rough WASPAS (weighted aggregated sum product assessment), rough SAW (simple additive weighting), rough MABAC (multi-attributive border approximation area comparison) and rough EDAS (evaluation based on distance from average solution), which showed high correlation of ranks by applying Spearman's correlation coefficient (SCC).
Functional Consequences of Calcium Influx Promoted by Bacterial Pore-Forming Toxins
Authors: Bouillot Stéphanie , Reboud Emeline , Huber Philippe
Published: September 2018

Bacterial pore-forming toxins induce a rapid and massive increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration due to the formation of pores in the plasma membrane and/or activation of Ca2+-channels. As Ca2+ is an essential messenger in cellular signaling, a sustained increase in Ca2+ concentration has dramatic consequences on cellular behavior, eventually leading to cell death. However, host cells have adapted mechanisms to protect against Ca2+ intoxication, such as Ca2+ efflux and membrane repair. The final outcome depends upon the nature and concentration of the toxin and on the cell type. This review highlights the repercussions of Ca2+ overload on the induction of cell death, repair mechanisms, cellular adhesive properties, and the inflammatory response.
A Hungarian and Ukrainian Competitors’ Network: A Spatial Network Analysis Perspective
Authors: Jóna György
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the spatial dimensions of a transboundary, coopetitive (coopetition: cooperation of rivals) network, established by restaurant owners, are scrutinized empirically by applying advanced toolkits of spatial network analysis (SpNA). The paper emphasizes that the coopetitive network has geographical extensions, and on the other hand, interactions between vertices generate network space. The new type of economic network could thus be analyzed by SpNA to understand the spatial characteristics of a rivals’ network at transboundary level. The paper may be referred to as cutting-edge research, because on one hand, it dissects a new type of economic network (coopetitive networks) and on the other hand, a new method is utilized (SpNA) to study the geographical parameters of inter-firm relationships. This approach emerges as a novel method. As a result, the paper provides significant, fruitful and new findings in both network science and urban economics as well. By employing metrics of SpNA, the main spatial traits of the coopetitive network can be mapped, such as the circumference, spatial structure, diameter, spatial density, spatial small world phenomenon, and global connectivity of the network. The results show that the coopetitive network possesses hub-and spoke spatial framework, in which the hub is localized far from the cluster of players. Moreover, the coopetitive interaction does not require face-to-face nexus, because the focal firm communicates with them via IT devices. The coopetitive activities contribute significantly to the urban economic growth. The main agent (the hub) ought to be supported by the regional development policy at the local and inter-urban geographical scale as well.
Socio-Economic Indicators for the Ex-Post Evaluation of Brownfield Rehabilitation: A Case Study
Authors: Cappai Francesco , Forgues Daniel , Glaus Mathias
Published: September 2018

The reuse of brownfields is becoming a necessary option to meet the current requirements of urban densification and for the preservation of agricultural land, as well as for improvement in the quality of life. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the main objectives and benefits of a rehabilitation project implemented in Canada. The rehabilitation of the brownfield site Lachine-Turcot-Petite Bourgogne in Montréal was analyzed according to four indicators (revenue, average cost of rent, rental usage, and home resale price). The findings of the study demonstrate that the expectations (socio-economic benefits derived from Southwest borough—City of Montréal) of the local community were not respected and that the initial objectives of the project changed during its implementation. In particular, the average rent increased considerably after four years, by 165.47% in the period 2001–2006. The percentage of resident homeowners increased from 89% to about 95% in 10 years, and in the 1996–2014 period the total income per household increased from about $25,000 to about $78,000. We propose an evaluation tool that integrates an ontology of the elements necessary for decision-making and local indicators related to the environmental and socio-economic components with the goal of meeting the expectations of the local community.
Non-Uniform and Non-Random Binding of Nucleoprotein to Influenza A and B Viral RNA
Authors: Le Sage Valerie , Nanni Adalena V. , Bhagwat Amar R. , Snyder Dan J. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Lakdawala Seema S. , Lee Nara
Published: September 2018

The genomes of influenza A and B viruses have eight, single-stranded RNA segments that exist in the form of a viral ribonucleoprotein complex in association with nucleoprotein (NP) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex. We previously used high-throughput RNA sequencing coupled with crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) to examine where NP binds to the viral RNA (vRNA) and demonstrated for two H1N1 strains that NP binds vRNA in a non-uniform, non-random manner. In this study, we expand on those initial observations and describe the NP-vRNA binding profile for a seasonal H3N2 and influenza B virus. We show that, similar to H1N1 strains, NP binds vRNA in a non-uniform and non-random manner. Each viral gene segment has a unique NP binding profile with areas that are enriched for NP association as well as free of NP-binding. Interestingly, NP-vRNA binding profiles have some conservation between influenza A viruses, H1N1 and H3N2, but no correlation was observed between influenza A and B viruses. Our study demonstrates the conserved nature of non-uniform NP binding within influenza viruses. Mapping of the NP-bound vRNA segments provides information on the flexible NP regions that may be involved in facilitating assembly.
Impact of China’s Urbanization on Water Use and Energy Consumption: An Econometric Method and Spatiotemporal Analysis
Authors: Wang Yan , Xiao Weihua , Wang Yicheng , Zhao Yong , Wang Jianhua , Hou Baodeng , Song Xinyi , Zhang Xuelei
Published: September 2018

As important subsystems of the urban environment, water resources and energy are necessary for normal urban functions and play an important supporting role in urbanization. The rapid development of China’s economy is increasingly dependent on these two subsystems. Analyses of the relationship between urbanization and water use or energy consumption have become the focus of attention, but researchers have mainly evaluated the impact on the two subsystems separately without providing an integrated analysis, nor have they revealed the link between water use and energy consumption. We addressed this information gap by using an econometric method to empirically investigate the long-term equilibrium relationships and Granger causal relationships among urbanization, water use, and energy consumption in China, and by conducting a spatiotemporal analysis to identify the trends of water use intensity and energy consumption intensity under the effects of urbanization during 2005–2015. We found long-term equilibrium relationships among urbanization, water use, and energy consumption. Granger causality results reveal the presence of a unidirectional Granger causal relationship running from urbanization to energy consumption and to water use, and bidirectional causality between energy consumption and water use. Moreover, water use intensity and energy consumption intensity decreased significantly under urbanization during the study period.
Conditioning Fixed-Bed Filters with Fine Fractions of Granulated Iron Hydroxide (µGFH)
Authors: Hilbrandt Inga , Ruhl Aki S. , Jekel Martin
Published: September 2018

The fine fraction of granular ferric hydroxide (µGFH, <0.3 mm) is a promising adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals and phosphate, but properties of µGFH were hitherto not known. The present study aimed at characterizing µGFH regarding its physical and chemical properties and at evaluating methods for the conditioning of fixed-bed filters in order to develop a process that combines filtration and adsorption. Conditioning was done at different pH levels and for different particle sizes. Anthracite, coke, pumice and sand were studied as potential carrier materials. A method for the evaluation of the homogeneity of the iron hydroxide particle distribution on pumice filter grains using picture analysis was developed. Pre-washed pumice (pH 8.5) proved to lead to high embedment and a homogeneous distribution of µGFH. Filter runs with phosphate (2 mg/L P) showed similar breakthrough curves for the embedded fine fraction adsorbent and for conventional GFH.
High-Frequency Water Isotopic Analysis Using an Automatic Water Sampling System in Rice-Based Cropping Systems
Authors: Mahindawansha Amani , Breuer Lutz , Chamorro Alejandro , Kraft Philipp
Published: September 2018

High-resolution data on a field scale is very important for improving our understanding of hydrological processes. This is particularly the case for water-demanding agricultural production systems such as rice paddies, for which water-saving strategies need to be developed. Here we report on the application of an in situ, automatic sampling system for high-resolution data on stable isotopes of water (18O and 2H). We investigate multiple rice-based cropping systems consisting of wet rice, dry rice and maize, with a single, but distributed analytical system on a sub-hourly basis. Results show that under dry conditions, there is a clear and distinguishable crop effect on isotopic composition in groundwater. The least evaporative affected groundwater source is that of maize, followed by both rice varieties. Groundwater is primarily a mixture of irrigation and rainwater, where the main driver is irrigation water during the dry season and rainwater during the wet season. Stable isotopes of groundwater under dry season maize react rapidly on irrigation, indicating preferential flow processes via cracks and deep roots. The groundwater during the dry season under wet and dry rice fields is dominated at the beginning of the growing season mainly by the input of rainwater; later, the groundwater is more and more replenished by irrigation water. Overall, based on our data, we estimate significantly higher evaporation (63–77%) during the dry season as compared to the wet season (27–36%). We also find, for the first time, significant sub-daily isotopic variation in groundwater and surface ponded water, with an isotopic enrichment during the daytime. High correlations with relative humidity and temperature, explain part of this variability. Furthermore, the day-night isotopic difference in surface water is driven by the temperature and relative humidity; however, in groundwater, it is neither driven by these factors.
THE EFFECT OF URBAN GREEN SPACES ON HOUSE PRICES IN WARSAW
Authors: Trojanek Radoslaw , Gluszak Michal , Tanas Justyna
Published: September 2018

In the paper, we analysed the impact of proximity to urban green areas on apartment prices in Warsaw. The data-set contained in 43 075 geo-coded apartment transactions for the years 2010 to 2015. In this research, the hedonic method was used in Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Weighted Least Squares (WLS) and Median Quantile Regression (Median QR) models. We found substantial evidence that proximity to an urban green area is positively linked with apartment prices. On an average presence of a green area within 100 meters from an apartment increases the price of a dwelling by 2,8% to 3,1%. The effect of park/forest proximity on house prices is more significant for newer apartments than those built before 1989. We found that proximity to a park or a forest is particularly important (and has a higher implicit price as a result) in the case of buildings constructed after 1989. The impact of an urban green was particularly high in the case of a post-transformation housing estate. Close vicinity (less than 100 m distance) to an urban green increased the sales prices of apartments in new residential buildings by 8,0–8,6%, depending on a model.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GOVERNMENTS’ REASONS/MOTIVATIONS FOR ADOPTING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP POLICY IN DEVELOPING AND DEVELOPED ECONOMIES/COUNTRIES
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Chan Albert P. C.
Published: September 2018

Over the last couple of decades, governments in developing and developed economies/countries have shown interest in the public-private partnership (PPP) policy. Different governments have different reasons for adopting the PPP concept. This paper aims to investigate the differences and similarities on the reasons for implementing PPP in develop-ing and developed economies/countries, represented by Ghana and Hong Kong. An empirical questionnaire survey was conducted with relevant experienced practitioners in both jurisdictions. One hundred and three completed questionnaires were returned for analysis. The results from the non-parametric test show five reasons with significant differences. Reasons related to the economic and social benefits of PPP are ranked higher in Ghana, whereas efficiency and quality service related reasons are ranked higher in Hong Kong. Further, two reasons for adopting PPP emerged as very important in both jurisdictions; these include: “promotes quick delivery of public infrastructure projects” and “allows for shared risks”. The outputs of this study contribute to the international best practice framework for PPP. International private investors would be informed of the expectations of governments when engaging in PPP arrangement particularly in Asia and Africa.
Phlegethon, a Nearby 75°-long Retrograde Stellar Stream
Authors: Ibata Rodrigo A. , Malhan Khyati , Martin Nicolas F. , Starkenburg Else
Published: September 2018

We report the discovery of a 75°-long stellar stream in the Gaia DR2 catalog, found using the new STREAMFINDER algorithm. The structure is probably the remnant of a now fully disrupted globular cluster, which lies ≈3.8 kpc away from the Sun in the direction of the Galactic bulge and possesses highly retrograde motion. We find that the system orbits close to the Galactic plane at Galactocentric distances between 4.9 kpc and 19.8 kpc. The discovery of this extended and extremely low surface brightness stream (Σ
G
∼ 34.3 mag arcsec−2), with a mass of only 2580 ± 140 M
⊙, demonstrates the power of the STREAMFINDER algorithm to detect even very nearby and ultra-faint structures. Due to its proximity and length, we expect that Phlegethon will be a very useful probe of the Galactic acceleration field.
The Redshift Dependence of the Radio Flux of Gamma-Ray Bursts and Their Host Galaxies
Authors: Zhang Z. B. , Chandra P. , Huang Y. F. , Li D.
Published: September 2018

Using multiwavelength observations of radio afterglows, we confirm the hypothesis that the flux density of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at a fixed observing frequency is invariable when the distance of the GRBs increases, which means the detection rate will be approximately independent of redshift. We study this behavior theoretically and find that it can be well explained by the standard forward shock model involving a thin shell expanding in either a homogeneous interstellar medium (ISM) or a wind environment. We also found that short GRBs and supernova-associated GRBs, which are at relatively smaller distances, marginally match the flux–redshift relationship and they could be outliers. We rule out the assumption that the medium density evolves with redshift as n ∝ (1 + z)4 from the current measurements of n and z for short and long GRBs. In addition, the possible dependence of host flux on the redshift is also investigated. We find that a similar redshift independence of the flux exists for host galaxies as well, which implies that the detection rate of radio hosts might also be independent of the redshift. It is also hinted that most radio hosts have spectral indices ranging from β

h
 ≃ −1 to 2.5 in statistics. Finally, we predict the detection rates of radio afterglows by next-generation radio telescopes such as the Five-hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) and the Square Kilometer Array (SKA).
The Intervention of Community Role for Improving Health Status of Pregnant Women Suffering HIV-AIDS in Medan
Authors: Nasution Siti Saidah , Erniyati Erniyati
Published: September 2018

AIM: This research was aimed to analyse the influence of the intervention towards the pregnancy health status of the HIV-AIDS patients.
METHODS: The type of the experiment is a quasi-experiment, and statistically analysed with SPSS 17. The data collection was held by spreading questionnaires and conducting interviews. The sample of the research consists of 39 pregnant mothers with HIV-AIDS in Medan, Indonesia. The intervention provided counselling about the treatment for expectant mothers with HIV-AIDS involving the community.
RESULTS: The result of the research generally shows that intervention potentially increase the knowledge and the attitude of the pregnant mother. Intervention has a significant result which is p < 0.05, high-risk detection, ANC, selection of birth assistance and healthcare service provider.
CONCLUSION: Intervention has an impact in increasing the knowledge, attitude and health status of the pregnant mothers. The involvement of the society takes an important role in the healthcare of the expectant mothers with HIV-AIDS.
Emotional Processing In Patients with Ischemic Heart Diseases
Authors: Kharamin Shirali , Malekzadeh Mohammad , Aria Arash , Ashraf Hamide , Ghafarian Shirazi Hamid Reza
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent public health problem on a worldwide scale, and ischemic heart disease accounts for approximately one-half of these events in high-income countries. One of the most important risk factors for this disease is mental and psychological especially stressful experiences.
AIM: This research was established to compare emotional processing, as a key factor in stress appraisal, between IHD patients and people with no cardiovascular disease.
METHODS: Using simple sampling, fifty patients were selected from people who diagnosed as IHD in the hospital and referred for treatment after discharging care and treatment. Control group participants were selected as control group peoples, using neighbourhood controls selection. The Emotional Processing Scale was filled by all members of the two groups.
RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups on the EPS-25 total scores, as well as on emotional processing dimensions of signs of unprocessed emotion, unregulated emotion; avoidance and impoverished. Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the dimension of Suppression. The final step of regression revealed a β of 10.15 and 1.05 for AVO and IEE subscales respectively.
CONCLUSION: The result showed that patients with IHD are using more negative emotional processing styles.
The Effect of the Use of Different Types of Cement and Zirconium Post Systems on Endondontically Treated Teeth
Authors: Jurukovska-Shotarovska Vesna , Kapusevska Biljana , Evrosimovska Biljana
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Prefabricated zirconium upgrading systems were examined to satisfy aesthetic needs in endodontically treated teeth. Endodontically treated teeth, together with non-metallic posts and superstructure, are substructures that enable the production of prosthetic structures that will allow aesthetics, resulting from normal light transmission. To investigate and analyse the retention of zirconium post systems cemented with RelyX Unicem 2 Automix (RLX) cement with Pull-out test.
AIM: To examine the retention of zirconium post systems, cemented with Multi-Link Automix (MLA) cement and RelyX Unicem 2 Automix (RLX) cement with Pull-out test.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study were used, 120 post systems of the company ZIRIX NORDIN - Switzerland, with different diameters d1 = 1.2, were used: d2 = 1.35, d3 = 1.5, and two types of resin cements: Multilink Automix-Ivoclar (MLA), and RelyX Unicem 2 Automix (RLX) - 3 M ESPE.
RESULTS: The analysis of the extraction force in newtons (N) zirconium post systems of Multilink Automix cement according to subgroups of three diameters is consequently 481.3 ± 1.9 vs 462.9 ± 4.5 vs 454.2 ± 2.2. The analysis of the extraction strength in the newtons (N) zirconium post systems of RelyX Unicem 2 Automix cement in the entire sample is 577.9 ± 6.1 N.
CONCLUSION: The largest diameter of the posts significantly increases the resistance of fractures compared to the smaller two diameters used in the experimental study.
Value of Head CT Scan in the Emergency Department in Patients with Vertigo without Focal Neurological Abnormalities
Authors: Pavlovic Tomislav , Milošević Marina , Trtica Sanja , Budinčević Hrvoje
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Vertigo is a common symptom and reason for admission to the emergency department (ED).
AIM: This research aimed to determine the incidence of clinically significant findings on computed tomography (CT) in patients with vertigo without focal neurological abnormalities in the ED.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of the native CT scans in the ED were retrospectively analysed. Exclusion criteria included: focal neurological abnormalities, underlying malignancy, brain metastasis, previous brain operation, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, head trauma, coagulopathy. As a clinically significant finding, we took into an account tumour, haemorrhage and acute ischemic lesion. 72 patients fulfilled the set criteria, present vertigo, without focal neurological abnormalities. Out of 72 patients with a median age of 62 (23-87) years old, 54% of the patients were female, and 46% were male.
RESULTS: Normal CT findings were found in 44 patients (61.1%), 28 patients (38.9%) had pathological findings, out of that number 23 (31.9%) findings were clinically irrelevant and 5 (6.9%) were clinically significant. Out of the 5 clinically significant findings, tumour process was found in 3 (4.2%) patients, haemorrhage was found in 1 (1.4%) patient, and the ischemic lesion was found in 1 (1.4%) patient. Additional evaluation of five clinically significant findings showed a change of initial diagnosis in one case, but the significance of the finding remained the same.
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a low diagnostic yield of head CT examination with 6.9% of clinically significant findings in patients with vertigo without focal neurological abnormalities.
Nano Hydroxyapatite & Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Efficiently Promote Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Authors: Hanafy Ahmed Khaled , Shinaishin Souzy F. , Eldeen Ghada Nour , Aly Riham Mohammed
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: There has been an urge to shift from conventional therapies to the more promising regenerative strategy since conventional treatment relies on synthetic materials to fill defects and replace missing tissues, lacking the ability to restore the tissues’ physiological architecture and function.
AIM: The present study focused on the assessment of the role of two commonly used biomaterials namely; mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and nano hydroxy-apatite as promoters of odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs).
METHODS: DPSCs were isolated, cultured in odontogenic media and divided into three groups; control group, MTA group and nanohydroxyapatite group. Odontogenic differentiation was assessed by tracing genes characteristic of different stages of odontoblasts via qRT-PCR. Calcific nodules formation was evaluated by Alizarin red staining.
RESULTS: Results demonstrated that both MTA and nanohydroxyapatite were capable of enhancing odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.
CONCLUSION: Nano hydroxyapatite was found to have a higher promoting effect. However, in the absence of an odontogenic medium, MTA and nanohydroxyapatite could not enhance the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.
Reasons for and Barriers to Attending Continuing Education Activities and Priorities for Different Dental Specialties
Authors: Nazir Muhammad , Al-Ansari Asim , Alabdulaziz Mohammed , AlNasrallah Yousif , Alzain Murtada
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Continuing education (CE) activities help dentists update their knowledge and skills to ensure high standards of patient care.
AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the reasons for and barriers to attending CE activities including the priorities for different dental specialities.
METHODS: The study involves a cross-sectional research design. After statistical consultation, a questionnaire was distributed among 323 dental practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was checked for face and content validity, and it was pilot-tested before its administration.
RESULTS: The response rate was 79.5% as 257 of 323 dentists returned the questionnaire. Most dentists reported that they attended CE activities because of personal learning needs (67.3%) and career development (66.9%). Lack of clinical experience to effectively manage patients and the practice was the least common (15.2%) reason for attending CE activities. Esthetic dentistry (77.4%), restorative dentistry (70.8%), and endodontics (70%) were the three most preferred dental specialities for CE activities. Lack of time was the most common (69.3%) barrier to attending CE activities followed by the cost (62.6%) and the distance (57.2%). More male (n = 104) than female (n = 69) dentists believed personal learning needs a reason for attending CE activities (P = 0.01). Similarly, more male (n = 104) than female dentists (n = 68) considered lack of time a barrier (P = 0.046).
CONCLUSION: Most dentists attended CE activities to fulfil their personal learning needs, and aesthetic dentistry was the most preferred dental speciality for CE activities. Lack of time and cost were important barriers to attending CE activities.
Clinical, Radiological and Bacteriological Profile of Lung Abscess - An Observational Hospital Based Study
Authors: Mohapatra Madhusmita Mohanty , Rajaram Manju , Mallick Archana
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: The incidence of lung abscess acquired in the community is unknown, but this is a common clinical problem encountered in developing countries. The incidence of lung abscess was high in the pre-antibiotic era but the advent of susceptible antibiotics it has reduced with an equal fall in mortality to 8.7%. With the emerging antibiotic resistance and change in the trends of bacteriological profile causing lung abscess, it is the need of time to reevaluate lung abscess.
AIM: The study aimed to determine the clinical, radiological and bacteriological profile of lung abscess.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was a non-randomized prospective observational study conducted in the department of pulmonary medicine for 18 months. In the study, patients > 15 years of age with clinical features of lung abscess were recruited and were subjected to chest X-ray, routine blood test. Sputum gram stain and culture, as well as antibiotic sensitivity according to the organism, were evaluated. Reports of all investigations along with patient characteristics and risk factors were analysed statistically using SPSS 20.0.
RESULTS: Forty-six cases of lung abscess were included, and the majority of patients were found to be adults with a mean age of 42.9 years with a male to female ratio of 6.6:1. The most common predisposing factor was an unhygienic oral cavity in 28% of cases with alcohol ingestion being the most important risk factor in 22% of cases. The most common organism found in lung abscess cases was Klebsiella pneumoniae, and they were sensitive to ceftazidime.
CONCLUSION: Our study shows that Klebsiella pneumoniae should be considered an important pathogen in community-acquired lung abscesses.
Contemporary Dental Ceramic Materials, A Review: Chemical Composition, Physical and Mechanical Properties, Indications for Use
Authors: Bajraktarova-Valjakova Emilija , Korunoska-Stevkovska Vesna , Kapusevska Biljana , Gigovski Nikola , Bajraktarova-Misevska Cvetanka , Grozdanov Anita
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: The high esthetic expectations from the prosthodontic restorations have directed the qualitative development of the materials towards the all-ceramic materials that are capable of replacing porcelain-fused-to-metal systems.
AIM: This article reviews the literature covering the contemporary all-ceramic materials and systems with a focus on the chemical composition and materials’ properties; also it provides clinical recommendations for their use.
RESULTS: The glass-matrix ceramics and polycrystalline ceramics are presented, as well as recently introduced machinable materials, all-zirconia and resin-matrix ceramics. The specific properties of zirconia, such as transformation toughening, stabilisation of the crystallographic structure, low-temperature degradation and factors affecting the zirconia’s ageing, are emphasised.
CONCLUSION: The favourable properties of the resin-matrix ceramics, such as modulus of elasticity similar to dentin, shock-absorbing characteristics and high resilience and fracture resistance, are also covered in this article.